Equivalence relations in individuals with language limitations and mental retardation.

PubMed Central

O'Donnell, Jennifer; Saunders, Kathryn J

2003-01-01

The study of equivalence relations exhibited by individuals with mental retardation and language limitations holds the promise of providing information of both theoretical and practical significance. We reviewed the equivalence literature with this population, defined in terms of subjects having moderate, severe, or profound mental retardation. The literature includes 55 such individuals, most of whom showed positive outcomes on equivalence tests. The results to date suggest that naming skills are not necessary for positive equivalence test outcomes. Thus far, however, relatively few subjects with minimal language have been studied. Moreover, we suggest that the scientific contributions of studies in this area would be enhanced with better documentation of language skills and other subject characteristics. With recent advances in laboratory procedures for establishing the baseline performances necessary for equivalence tests, this research area is poised for rapid growth. PMID:13677612

Information Leakage from Logically Equivalent Frames

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sher, Shlomi; McKenzie, Craig R. M.

2006-01-01

Framing effects are said to occur when equivalent frames lead to different choices. However, the equivalence in question has been incompletely conceptualized. In a new normative analysis of framing effects, we complete the conceptualization by introducing the notion of information equivalence. Information equivalence obtains when no…

Cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in cultured oysters under two contrasting climatic conditions in coastal lagoons from SE Gulf of California, Mexico.

PubMed

Osuna-Martínez, Carmen C; Páez-Osuna, Federico; Alonso-Rodríguez, Rosalba

2011-09-01

In order to determine the metal concentrations in cultured oysters from four coastal lagoons from SE Gulf of California, several individuals of Crassostrea gigas and C. corteziensis were collected and their cadmium, copper, lead and zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The concentration of metals in oyster soft tissue was Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb. In two lagoons, Cd concentrations (10.1-13.5 μg g(-1) dw) exceeded the maximum level allowed according to the Official Mexican Standard (NOM-031-SSA1-1993), which is equivalent to the WHO recommended Cd levels in organisms used for human consumption.

Quantitative determination of radio-opacity: equivalence of digital and film X-ray systems.

PubMed

Nomoto, R; Mishima, A; Kobayashi, K; McCabe, J F; Darvell, B W; Watts, D C; Momoi, Y; Hirano, S

2008-01-01

To evaluate the equivalence of a digital X-ray system (DenOptix) to conventional X-ray film in terms of the measured radio-opacity of known filled-resin materials and the suitability of attenuation coefficient for radio-opacity determination. Discs of five thicknesses (0.5-2.5mm) and step-wedges of each of three composite materials of nominal aluminum-equivalence of 50%, 200% and 450% were used. X-ray images of a set of discs (or step-wedge), an aluminum step-wedge, and a lead block were taken at 65 kV and 10 mA at a focus-film distance of 400 mm for 0.15s and 1.6s using an X-ray film or imaging plate. Radio-opacity was determined as equivalent aluminum thickness and attenuation coefficient. The logarithm of the individual optical density or gray scale value, corrected for background, was plotted against thickness, and the attenuation coefficient determined from the slope. The method of ISO 4049 was used for equivalent aluminum thickness. The equivalent aluminum thickness method is not suitable for materials of low radio-opacity, while the attenuation coefficient method could be used for all without difficulty. The digital system gave attenuation coefficients of greater precision than did film, but the use of automatic gain control (AGC) distorted the outcome unusably. Attenuation coefficient is a more precise and generally applicable approach to the determination of radio-opacity. The digital system was equivalent to film but with less noise. The use of AGC is inappropriate for such determinations.

38 CFR 21.3045 - Entitlement charges.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... pursuing a course leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as described in § 21... leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as described in § 21.3344, the... the rate described in § 21.3131(a), and (ii) Either was not pursuing a course leading to a secondary...

38 CFR 21.3045 - Entitlement charges.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... pursuing a course leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as described in § 21... leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as described in § 21.3344, the... the rate described in § 21.3131(a), and (ii) Either was not pursuing a course leading to a secondary...

Light touch leads to increased stability in quiet and perturbed balance: Equivalent effects between post-stroke and healthy older individuals.

PubMed

Martinelli, Alessandra Rezende; Coelho, Daniel Boari; Teixeira, Luis Augusto

2018-04-01

Cerebral damage provoked by stroke may lead to deficits of quiet balance control and of the recovery of body equilibrium following an unanticipated postural perturbation. In this investigation we aimed to evaluate the effect of light touch (LT) of an earth-fixed surface on balance stability in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis, taking performance of age-matched healthy participants as reference. Evaluations were made in conditions of full and no visual information. Analysis of quiet balance showed that LT induced higher balance stability, with reduced amplitude and velocity of postural sway. Evaluation of the effect of LT on automatic postural responses was made in the task of recovering body equilibrium following a mechanical perturbation of balance leading to fast forward body sway. Results showed that LT led to reduced amplitude of center of mass displacement following the perturbation, in addition to reduced amplitude and velocity of center of pressure under the feet, and lower activation of the lower legs muscles. Those effects of LT were observed in both the post-stroke and control groups, and did not interact with vision availability. Our results indicated then that individuals who suffered a cerebral stroke can stabilize perturbed and non-perturbed postural responses by lightly touching a stable surface to a similar extent of healthy older individuals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

10 CFR 20.1003 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... assessment of dose equivalent by the use of devices designed to be worn by an individual; (2) The assessment... equipment) means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent... radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5...

10 CFR 20.1003 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... assessment of dose equivalent by the use of devices designed to be worn by an individual; (2) The assessment... equipment) means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent... radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5...

10 CFR 20.1003 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... assessment of dose equivalent by the use of devices designed to be worn by an individual; (2) The assessment... equipment) means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent... radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5...

10 CFR 20.1003 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... assessment of dose equivalent by the use of devices designed to be worn by an individual; (2) The assessment... equipment) means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent... radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5...

10 CFR 20.1003 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... assessment of dose equivalent by the use of devices designed to be worn by an individual; (2) The assessment... equipment) means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent... radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5...

Shielding Effect of Lead Glasses on Radiologists' Eye Lens Exposure in Interventional Procedures.

PubMed

Hu, Panpan; Kong, Yan; Chen, Bo; Liu, Qianqian; Zhuo, Weihai; Liu, Haikuan

2017-04-20

To study the shielding effect of radiologists' eye lens with lead glasses of different equivalent thicknesses and sizes in interventional radiology procedures. Using the human voxel phantom with a more accurate model of the eye and MCNPX software, eye lens doses of the radiologists who wearing different kinds of lead glasses were simulated, different beam projections were taken into consideration during the simulation. Measurements were also performed with the physical model to verify simulation results. Simulation results showed that the eye lens doses were reduced by a factor from 3 to 9 when wearing a 20 cm2-sized lead glasses with the equivalent thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm Pb. The increase of dose reduction factor (DRF) was not significant whenever increase the lead equivalent of glasses of which larger than 0.35 mm. Furthermore, the DRF was proportional to the size of glass lens from 6 to 30 cm2 with the same lead equivalent. The simulation results were in well agreements with the measured ones. For more reasonable and effective protection of the eye lens of interventional radiologists, a pair of glasses with a lead equivalent of 0.5 mm Pb and large-sized (at least 27 cm2 per glass) lens are recommended. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

75 FR 45627 - Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-03

... Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent Method AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air... accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb) in total...

75 FR 30022 - Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-28

... Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent Method AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air... accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb) in total...

75 FR 9894 - Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-04

... Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent Method AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air... accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb) in total...

Can electronic medical images replace hard-copy film? Defining and testing the equivalence of diagnostic tests.

PubMed

Obuchowski, N A

2001-10-15

Electronic medical images are an efficient and convenient format in which to display, store and transmit radiographic information. Before electronic images can be used routinely to screen and diagnose patients, however, it must be shown that readers have the same diagnostic performance with this new format as traditional hard-copy film. Currently, there exist no suitable definitions of diagnostic equivalence. In this paper we propose two criteria for diagnostic equivalence. The first criterion ('population equivalence') considers the variability between and within readers, as well as the mean reader performance. This criterion is useful for most applications. The second criterion ('individual equivalence') involves a comparison of the test results for individual patients and is necessary when patients are followed radiographically over time. We present methods for testing both individual and population equivalence. The properties of the proposed methods are assessed in a Monte Carlo simulation study. Data from a mammography screening study is used to illustrate the proposed methods and compare them with results from more conventional methods of assessing equivalence and inter-procedure agreement. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

12 CFR 1229.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... equivalent employee; or (x) Chief Information Officer or an equivalent employee; or (3) Any other individual... operations, such as the Chief Operating Officer or an equivalent employee; (ii) Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent employee; (iii) Chief Administrative Officer or an equivalent employee; (iv) Chief Risk Officer or...

Lead exposure and rate of change in cognitive function in older women

PubMed Central

Power, Melinda C; Korrick, Susan; Tchetgen Tchetgen, Eric J; Nie, Linda H; Grodstein, Francine; Hu, Howard; Weuve, Jennifer; Schwartz, Joel; Weisskopf, Marc G

2014-01-01

Background Higher long-term cumulative lead exposure predicts faster cognitive decline in older men, but evidence of an association in women is lacking. Objective To determine if there is an association between lead exposure and cognitive decline in women. Methods This study considers a sample of 584 women from the Nurses’ Health Study who live in or near Boston, Massachusetts. We quantified lead exposure using biomarkers of lead exposure assessed in 1993–2004 and evaluated cognitive decline by repeated performance on a telephone battery of cognitive tests primarily assessing learning, memory, executive function, and attention completed in 1995–2008. All cognitive test scores were z-transformed for use in analyses. We used linear mixed models with random effects to quantify the association between each lead biomarker and change in cognition overall and on each individual test. Results Consideration of individual tests showed greater cognitive decline with increased tibia lead concentrations, a measure of long-term cumulative exposure, for story memory and category fluency. The estimated excess annual decline in overall cognitive test z-score per SD increase in tibia bone lead concentration was suggestive, although the confidence intervals included the null (0.024 standard units, 95% confidence interval: −0.053 , 0.004 – an additional decline in function equivalent to being 0.33 years older). We found little support for associations between cognitive decline and patella or blood lead, which provide integrated measures of exposure over shorter timeframes. Conclusions Long-term cumulative lead exposure may be weakly associated with faster cognitive decline in community-dwelling women, at least in some cognitive domains. PMID:24529005

Motor equivalence during multi-finger accurate force production

PubMed Central

Mattos, Daniela; Schöner, Gregor; Zatsiorsky, Vladimir M.; Latash, Mark L.

2014-01-01

We explored stability of multi-finger cyclical accurate force production action by analysis of responses to small perturbations applied to one of the fingers and inter-cycle analysis of variance. Healthy subjects performed two versions of the cyclical task, with and without an explicit target. The “inverse piano” apparatus was used to lift/lower a finger by 1 cm over 0.5 s; the subjects were always instructed to perform the task as accurate as they could at all times. Deviations in the spaces of finger forces and modes (hypothetical commands to individual fingers) were quantified in directions that did not change total force (motor equivalent) and in directions that changed the total force (non-motor equivalent). Motor equivalent deviations started immediately with the perturbation and increased progressively with time. After a sequence of lifting-lowering perturbations leading to the initial conditions, motor equivalent deviations were dominating. These phenomena were less pronounced for analysis performed with respect to the total moment of force with respect to an axis parallel to the forearm/hand. Analysis of inter-cycle variance showed consistently higher variance in a subspace that did not change the total force as compared to the variance that affected total force. We interpret the results as reflections of task-specific stability of the redundant multi-finger system. Large motor equivalent deviations suggest that reactions of the neuromotor system to a perturbation involve large changes of neural commands that do not affect salient performance variables, even during actions with the purpose to correct those salient variables. Consistency of the analyses of motor equivalence and variance analysis provides additional support for the idea of task-specific stability ensured at a neural level. PMID:25344311

Transfer Standard Uncertainty Can Cause Inconclusive Inter-Laboratory Comparisons

PubMed Central

Wright, John; Toman, Blaza; Mickan, Bodo; Wübbeler, Gerd; Bodnar, Olha; Elster, Clemens

2016-01-01

Inter-laboratory comparisons use the best available transfer standards to check the participants’ uncertainty analyses, identify underestimated uncertainty claims or unknown measurement biases, and improve the global measurement system. For some measurands, instability of the transfer standard can lead to an inconclusive comparison result. If the transfer standard uncertainty is large relative to a participating laboratory’s uncertainty, the commonly used standardized degree of equivalence ≤ 1 criterion does not always correctly assess whether a participant is working within their uncertainty claims. We show comparison results that demonstrate this issue and propose several criteria for assessing a comparison result as passing, failing, or inconclusive. We investigate the behavior of the standardized degree of equivalence and alternative comparison measures for a range of values of the transfer standard uncertainty relative to the individual laboratory uncertainty values. The proposed alternative criteria successfully discerned between passing, failing, and inconclusive comparison results for the cases we examined. PMID:28090123

Determination of lead equivalent values according to IEC 61331-1:2014—Report and short guidelines for testing laboratories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Büermann, L.

2016-09-01

Materials used for the production of protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation described in the international standard IEC 61331-3 need to be specified in terms of their lead attenuation equivalent thickness according to the methods described in IEC 61331-1. In May 2014 the IEC published the second edition of these standards which contain improved methods for the determination of attenuation ratios and the corresponding lead attenuation equivalent thicknesses of lead-reduced or lead-free materials. These methods include the measurement of scattered photons behind the protective material which were hitherto neglected but are becoming more important because of the increasing use of lead-reduced or even lead-free materials. They can offer the same protective effect but are up to 20% lighter and also easier to dispose of. The new method is based on attenuation ratios measured with the so-called ``inverse broad beam condition''. Since the corresponding measurement procedure is new and in some respects more complex than the methods used in the past, it was regarded as being helpful to have a description of how such measurements can reliably be performed. This technical report describes in detail the attenuation ratio measurements and corresponding procedures for the lead equivalent determinations of sample materials using the method with the inverse broad beam condition as carried out at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). PTB still offers material testing and certification for the German responsible notified body. In addition to the description of the measurements at PTB, a short technical guide is provided for testing laboratories which intend to establish this kind of protective material certification. The guide includes technical recommendations for the testing equipment like X-ray facilities, reference lead sheets and radiation detectors; special procedures for the determination of the lead attenuation equivalent thickness; their uncertainties and the necessary contents of the test certificate.

Making hypertensive smokers motivated in quitting: developing 'blood pressure equivalence of smoking'.

PubMed

Wen, Chi Pang; Tsai, Min Kuang; Chan, Hui Ting; Tsai, Shan Pou; Cheng, Ting Yuan David; Chiang, Po Huang

2008-04-01

To express the increased risk from smoking in terms of 'blood pressure' so that hypertensive smokers are motivated into quitting. Mortality risks of smokers were compared with nonsmokers in a large worker cohort in Taiwan (n = 23755 with a 17-year follow-up) for all-cause and for cardiovascular diseases. The blood pressure equivalence of smoking was then identified by the difference in mortality risks between smokers and nonsmokers. Some interaction between hypertension and smoking was found to be synergistic. When hypertension and smoking co-existed, the all-cause mortality outcome [relative risk (RR) = 4.25] was larger than the sum or product of each individual risk for hypertension (RR = 2.16) or for smoking (RR = 1.97). The excess mortality risks of smoking for smokers were converted into a 'blood pressure equivalence'. The results demonstrate that the addition of smoking was similar to an increase of mortality risk approximately equivalent to an increase in blood pressure of 40 mmHg. Smoking cessation in hypertensive patients could provide a reduction of mortality risks similar to a permanent reduction of 40 mmHg in blood pressure, over and above any antihypertensive medications. Appreciating this relationship enables physicians to bridge the clinical disconnection and motivates hypertensive smokers to seek smoking cessation. The use of a 'blood pressure equivalence of smoking' can link the two separate risk factors and may lead to a paradigm shift in overcoming an existing clinical challenge.

Radiation dose to technologists per nuclear medicine examination and estimation of annual dose.

PubMed

Bayram, Tuncay; Yilmaz, A Hakan; Demir, Mustafa; Sonmez, Bircan

2011-03-01

Conventional diagnostic nuclear medicine applications have been continuously increasing in most nuclear medicine departments in Turkey, but to our knowledge no one has studied the doses to technologists who perform nuclear medicine procedures. Most nuclear medicine laboratories do not have separate control rooms for technologists, who are quite close to the patient during data acquisition. Technologists must therefore stay behind lead shields while performing their task if they are to reduce the radiation dose received. The aim of this study was to determine external radiation doses to technologists during nuclear medicine procedures with and without a lead shield. Another aim was to investigate the occupational annual external radiation doses to Turkish technologists. This study used a Geiger-Müller detector to measure dose rates to technologists at various distances from patients (0.25, 0.50, 1, and 2 m and behind a lead shield) and determined the average time spent by technologists at these distances. Deep-dose equivalents to technologists were obtained. The following conventional nuclear medicine procedures were considered: thyroid scintigraphy performed using (99m)Tc pertechnetate, whole-body bone scanning performed using (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate, myocardial perfusion scanning performed using (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile, and (201)Tl (thallous chloride) and renal scanning performed using (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid. The measured deep-dose equivalent to technologists per procedure was within the range of 0.13 ± 0.05 to 0.43 ± 0.17 μSv using a lead shield and 0.21 ± 0.07 to 1.01 ± 0.46 μSv without a lead shield. Also, the annual individual dose to a technologist performing only a particular scintigraphic procedure throughout a year was estimated. For a total of 95 clinical cases (71 patients), effective external radiation doses to technologists were found to be within the permissible levels. This study showed that a 2-mm lead shield markedly reduced the external dose to technologists. The doses to technologists varied significantly for different diagnostic applications. Consequently, the estimated annual dose to a technologist performing only a particular scintigraphic procedure is very different from one type of procedure to another. The results of this study should help in determining the rotation time of technologists in different procedures and differences in their individual techniques.

Detection and characterization of multi-filament evolution during resistive switching

DOE PAGES

Mickel, Patrick R.; Lohn, Andrew J.; Marinella, Matthew J.

2014-08-05

We present resistive switching data in TaO x memristors displaying signatures of multi-filament switching modes, and develop a geometrically defined equivalent circuit to separate the individual resistances and powers dissipated in each filament. Using these resolved values, we compare the individual switching curves of each filament and demonstrate that the switching data of each filament collapse onto a single switching curve determined by the analytical steady-state resistive switching solution for filamentary switching. Analyzing our results in terms of this solution, we determine the switching temperature, heat flow, conductivity, and time evolving areas of each filament during resistive switching. Finally, wemore » discuss operational modes which may limit the formation of additional conducting filaments, potentially leading to increased device endurance.« less

Food Patterns Equivalent Intakes from Food: Mean Amounts Consumed per Individual, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013-14; Tables 1-4

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The mean intakes of the 37 Food Patterns (FP), per day, per individual, were estimated. Day 1 dietary intake data of the 8,066 individuals, ages 2 years and over, in What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-14 and the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED) 20...

42 CFR 417.104 - Payment for basic health services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... from each group is substantially equivalent to the revenue that would be derived if the schedule of... authorized in this paragraph, such rates must be equivalent for all individuals in the same group and for all... of potential subscribers: (A) Individual (non-group) subscribers (including their families). (B...

42 CFR 417.104 - Payment for basic health services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... from each group is substantially equivalent to the revenue that would be derived if the schedule of... authorized in this paragraph, such rates must be equivalent for all individuals in the same group and for all... of potential subscribers: (A) Individual (non-group) subscribers (including their families). (B...

42 CFR 417.104 - Payment for basic health services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... from each group is substantially equivalent to the revenue that would be derived if the schedule of... authorized in this paragraph, such rates must be equivalent for all individuals in the same group and for all... of potential subscribers: (A) Individual (non-group) subscribers (including their families). (B...

Translating dosages from animal models to human clinical trials--revisiting body surface area scaling.

PubMed

Blanchard, Otis L; Smoliga, James M

2015-05-01

Body surface area (BSA) scaling has been used for prescribing individualized dosages of various drugs and has also been recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as one method for using data from animal model species to establish safe starting dosages for first-in-human clinical trials. Although BSA conversion equations have been used in certain clinical applications for decades, recent recommendations to use BSA to derive interspecies equivalents for therapeutic dosages of drug and natural products are inappropriate. A thorough review of the literature reveals that BSA conversions are based on antiquated science and have little justification in current translational medicine compared to more advanced allometric and physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. Misunderstood and misinterpreted use of BSA conversions may have disastrous consequences, including underdosing leading to abandonment of potentially efficacious investigational drugs, and unexpected deadly adverse events. We aim to demonstrate that recent recommendations for BSA are not appropriate for animal-to-human dosage conversions and use pharmacokinetic data from resveratrol studies to demonstrate how confusion between the "human equivalent dose" and "pharmacologically active dose" can lead to inappropriate dose recommendations. To optimize drug development, future recommendations for interspecies scaling must be scientifically justified using physiologic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology data rather than simple BSA conversion. © FASEB.

A novel strategy to translate the biomechanical rupture risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms to their equivalent diameter risk: method and retrospective validation.

PubMed

Gasser, T C; Nchimi, A; Swedenborg, J; Roy, J; Sakalihasan, N; Böckler, D; Hyhlik-Dürr, A

2014-03-01

To translate the individual abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patient's biomechanical rupture risk profile to risk-equivalent diameters, and to retrospectively test their predictability in ruptured and non-ruptured aneurysms. Biomechanical parameters of ruptured and non-ruptured AAAs were retrospectively evaluated in a multicenter study. General patient data and high resolution computer tomography angiography (CTA) images from 203 non-ruptured and 40 ruptured aneurysmal infrarenal aortas. Three-dimensional AAA geometries were semi-automatically derived from CTA images. Finite element (FE) models were used to predict peak wall stress (PWS) and peak wall rupture index (PWRI) according to the individual anatomy, gender, blood pressure, intra-luminal thrombus (ILT) morphology, and relative aneurysm expansion. Average PWS diameter and PWRI diameter responses were evaluated, which allowed for the PWS equivalent and PWRI equivalent diameters for any individual aneurysm to be defined. PWS increased linearly and PWRI exponentially with respect to maximum AAA diameter. A size-adjusted analysis showed that PWS equivalent and PWRI equivalent diameters were increased by 7.5 mm (p = .013) and 14.0 mm (p < .001) in ruptured cases when compared to non-ruptured controls, respectively. In non-ruptured cases the PWRI equivalent diameters were increased by 13.2 mm (p < .001) in females when compared with males. Biomechanical parameters like PWS and PWRI allow for a highly individualized analysis by integrating factors that influence the risk of AAA rupture like geometry (degree of asymmetry, ILT morphology, etc.) and patient characteristics (gender, family history, blood pressure, etc.). PWRI and the reported annual risk of rupture increase similarly with the diameter. PWRI equivalent diameter expresses the PWRI through the diameter of the average AAA that has the same PWRI, i.e. is at the same biomechanical risk of rupture. Consequently, PWRI equivalent diameter facilitates a straightforward interpretation of biomechanical analysis and connects to diameter-based guidelines for AAA repair indication. PWRI equivalent diameter reflects an additional diagnostic parameter that may provide more accurate clinical data for AAA repair indication. Copyright © 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

34 CFR 600.52 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... education in professional nursing leading to a degree equivalent to an associate degree in the United States... equivalent to a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or bachelor of nursing in the United States, or to a degree equivalent to a graduate degree in nursing in the United States, and including advanced training...

Dynamic relationships between body size, species richness, abundance, and energy use in a shallow marine epibenthic faunal community

PubMed Central

Labra, Fabio A; Hernández-Miranda, Eduardo; Quiñones, Renato A

2015-01-01

We study the temporal variation in the empirical relationships among body size (S), species richness (R), and abundance (A) in a shallow marine epibenthic faunal community in Coliumo Bay, Chile. We also extend previous analyses by calculating individual energy use (E) and test whether its bivariate and trivariate relationships with S and R are in agreement with expectations derived from the energetic equivalence rule. Carnivorous and scavenger species representing over 95% of sample abundance and biomass were studied. For each individual, body size (g) was measured and E was estimated following published allometric relationships. Data for each sample were tabulated into exponential body size bins, comparing species-averaged values with individual-based estimates which allow species to potentially occupy multiple size classes. For individual-based data, both the number of individuals and species across body size classes are fit by a Weibull function rather than by a power law scaling. Species richness is also a power law of the number of individuals. Energy use shows a piecewise scaling relationship with body size, with energetic equivalence holding true only for size classes above the modal abundance class. Species-based data showed either weak linear or no significant patterns, likely due to the decrease in the number of data points across body size classes. Hence, for individual-based size spectra, the SRA relationship seems to be general despite seasonal forcing and strong disturbances in Coliumo Bay. The unimodal abundance distribution results in a piecewise energy scaling relationship, with small individuals showing a positive scaling and large individuals showing energetic equivalence. Hence, strict energetic equivalence should not be expected for unimodal abundance distributions. On the other hand, while species-based data do not show unimodal SRA relationships, energy use across body size classes did not show significant trends, supporting energetic equivalence. PMID:25691966

77 FR 70643 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Standards Related to Essential Health Benefits...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-26

... coverage \\1\\ in the individual and small group markets, Medicaid benchmark and benchmark-equivalent plans...) Act extends the coverage of the EHB package to issuers of non-grandfathered individual and small group... small group markets, and not to Medicaid benchmark or benchmark-equivalent plans. EHB applicability to...

The Formation of Equivalence Classes in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLay, Laurie Kathleen; Sutherland, Dean; Church, John; Tyler-Merrick, Gaye

2013-01-01

Articles that empirically investigated the emergence of untaught equivalence relations among individuals with autism are presented in this review. Systematic searches of academic databases, journals and ancestry searches identified nine studies that met inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated according to: (a) participants, (b)…

Comparative genetic diversity in a sample of pony breeds from the U.K. and North America: a case study in the conservation of global genetic resources.

PubMed

Winton, Clare L; Plante, Yves; Hind, Pamela; McMahon, Robert; Hegarty, Matthew J; McEwan, Neil R; Davies-Morel, Mina C G; Morgan, Charly M; Powell, Wayne; Nash, Deborah M

2015-08-01

Most species exist as subdivided ex situ daughter population(s) derived from a single original group of individuals. Such subdivision occurs for many reasons both natural and manmade. Traditional British and Irish pony breeds were introduced to North America (U.S.A. and Canada) within the last 150 years, and subsequently equivalent breed societies were established. We have analyzed selected U.K. and North American equivalent pony populations as a case study for understanding the relationship between putative source and derived subpopulations. Diversity was measured using mitochondrial DNA and a panel of microsatellite markers. Genetic signatures differed between the North American subpopulations according to historical management processes. Founder effect and stochastic drift was apparent, particularly pronounced in some breeds, with evidence of admixture of imported mares of different North American breeds. This demonstrates the importance of analysis of subpopulations to facilitate understanding the genetic effects of past management practices and to lead to informed future conservation strategies.

Validation of a defibrillation lead ventricular volume measurement compared to three-dimensional echocardiography.

PubMed

Haines, David E; Wong, Wilson; Canby, Robert; Jewell, Coty; Houmsse, Mahmoud; Pederson, David; Sugeng, Lissa; Porterfield, John; Kottam, Anil; Pearce, John; Valvano, Jon; Michalek, Joel; Trevino, Aron; Sagar, Sandeep; Feldman, Marc D

2017-10-01

There is increasing evidence that using frequent invasive measures of pressure in patients with heart failure results in improved outcomes compared to traditional measures. Admittance, a measure of volume derived from preexisting defibrillation leads, is proposed as a new technique to monitor cardiac hemodynamics in patients with an implantable defibrillator. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a new ventricular volume sensor (VVS, CardioVol) compared with 3-dimenssional echocardiography (echo) in patients with an implantable defibrillator. Twenty-two patients referred for generator replacement had their defibrillation lead attached to VVS to determine the level of agreement to a volume measurement standard (echo). Two opposite hemodynamic challenges were sequentially applied to the heart (overdrive pacing and dobutamine administration) to determine whether real changes in hemodynamics could be reliably and repeatedly assessed with VVS. Equivalence of end-diastolic volume (EDV) and stroke volume (SV) determined by both methods was also assessed. EDV and SV were compared using VVS and echo. VVS tracked expected physiologic trends. EDV was modulated -10% by overdrive pacing (14 mL). SV was modulated -13.7% during overdrive pacing (-6 mL) and increased over baseline +14.6% (+8 mL) with dobutamine. VVS and echo mean EDVs were found statistically equivalent, with margin of equivalence 13.8 mL (P <.05). Likewise, mean SVs were found statistically equivalent with margin of equivalence 15.8 mL (P <.05). VVS provides an accurate method for ventricular volume assessment using chronically implanted defibrillator leads and is statistically equivalent to echo determination of mean EDV and SV. Copyright © 2017 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

10 CFR 60.136 - Preclosure controlled area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The eye dose equivalent shall not exceed 0.15 Sv (15 rem), and the shallow dose...

10 CFR 60.136 - Preclosure controlled area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The eye dose equivalent shall not exceed 0.15 Sv (15 rem), and the shallow dose...

10 CFR 60.136 - Preclosure controlled area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The eye dose equivalent shall not exceed 0.15 Sv (15 rem), and the shallow dose...

10 CFR 60.136 - Preclosure controlled area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The eye dose equivalent shall not exceed 0.15 Sv (15 rem), and the shallow dose...

10 CFR 60.136 - Preclosure controlled area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The eye dose equivalent shall not exceed 0.15 Sv (15 rem), and the shallow dose...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart X of... - Toxic Equivalency Factors

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Subpart X of Part 63 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants From Secondary Lead Smelting Pt. 63, Subpt. X, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart X of Part 63—Toxic Equivalency Factors Dioxin/furan congener Toxic equivalency factor 2,3,7,8...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart X of... - Toxic Equivalency Factors

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Subpart X of Part 63 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants From Secondary Lead Smelting Pt. 63, Subpt. X, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart X of Part 63—Toxic Equivalency Factors Dioxin/furan congener Toxic equivalency factor 2,3,7,8...

49 CFR 37.105 - Equivalent service standard.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equivalent service standard. 37.105 Section 37.105 Transportation Office of the Secretary of Transportation TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) Acquisition of Accessible Vehicles by Private Entities § 37.105 Equivalent service standard...

34 CFR 361.84 - Performance indicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage. (iv) Performance... earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant... program in competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings levels equivalent to at least the minimum...

34 CFR 361.84 - Performance indicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage. (iv) Performance... earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant... program in competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings levels equivalent to at least the minimum...

34 CFR 361.84 - Performance indicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage. (iv) Performance... earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant... program in competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings levels equivalent to at least the minimum...

34 CFR 361.84 - Performance indicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage. (iv) Performance... earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant... program in competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings levels equivalent to at least the minimum...

34 CFR 361.84 - Performance indicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage. (iv) Performance... earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant... program in competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings levels equivalent to at least the minimum...

45 CFR 2522.200 - What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent... demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (iv... high school diploma sufficient for enrollment. For purposes of enrollment, if an individual provides a...

45 CFR 2522.200 - What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent... demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (iv... high school diploma sufficient for enrollment. For purposes of enrollment, if an individual provides a...

Unintentional Activation of Translation Equivalents in Bilinguals Leads to Attention Capture in a Cross-Modal Visual Task

PubMed Central

Singh, Niharika; Mishra, Ramesh Kumar

2015-01-01

Using a variant of the visual world eye tracking paradigm, we examined if language non- selective activation of translation equivalents leads to attention capture and distraction in a visual task in bilinguals. High and low proficient Hindi-English speaking bilinguals were instructed to programme a saccade towards a line drawing which changed colour among other distractor objects. A spoken word, irrelevant to the main task, was presented before the colour change. On critical trials, one of the line drawings was a phonologically related word of the translation equivalent of the spoken word. Results showed that saccade latency was significantly higher towards the target in the presence of this cross-linguistic translation competitor compared to when the display contained completely unrelated objects. Participants were also slower when the display contained the referent of the spoken word among the distractors. However, the bilingual groups did not differ with regard to the interference effect observed. These findings suggest that spoken words activates translation equivalent which bias attention leading to interference in goal directed action in the visual domain. PMID:25775184

Comparison of the x-ray attenuation properties of breast calcifications, aluminium, hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate.

PubMed

Warren, L M; Mackenzie, A; Dance, D R; Young, K C

2013-04-07

Aluminium is often used as a substitute material for calcifications in phantom measurements in mammography. Additionally, calcium oxalate, hydroxyapatite and aluminium are used in simulation studies. This assumes that these materials have similar attenuation properties to calcification, and this assumption is examined in this work. Sliced mastectomy samples containing calcification were imaged at ×5 magnification using a digital specimen cabinet. Images of the individual calcifications were extracted, and the diameter and contrast of each calculated. The thicknesses of aluminium required to achieve the same contrast as each calcification when imaged under the same conditions were calculated using measurements of the contrast of aluminium foils. As hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate are also used to simulate calcifications, the equivalent aluminium thicknesses of these materials were also calculated using tabulated attenuation coefficients. On average the equivalent aluminium thickness was 0.85 times the calcification diameter. For calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite, the equivalent aluminium thicknesses were 1.01 and 2.19 times the thickness of these materials respectively. Aluminium and calcium oxalate are suitable substitute materials for calcifications. Hydroxyapatite is much more attenuating than the calcifications and aluminium. Using solid hydroxyapatite as a substitute for calcification of the same size would lead to excessive contrast in the mammographic image.

Individual boldness is linked to protective shell shape in aquatic snails.

PubMed

Ahlgren, Johan; Chapman, Ben B; Nilsson, P Anders; Brönmark, Christer

2015-04-01

The existence of consistent individual differences in behaviour ('animal personality') has been well documented in recent years. However, how such individual variation in behaviour is maintained over evolutionary time is an ongoing conundrum. A well-studied axis of animal personality is individual variation along a bold-shy continuum, where individuals differ consistently in their propensity to take risks. A predation-risk cost to boldness is often assumed, but also that the reproductive benefits associated with boldness lead to equivalent fitness outcomes between bold and shy individuals over a lifetime. However, an alternative or complementary explanation may be that bold individuals phenotypically compensate for their risky lifestyle to reduce predation costs, for instance by investing in more pronounced morphological defences. Here, we investigate the 'phenotypic compensation' hypothesis, i.e. that bold individuals exhibit more pronounced anti-predator defences than shy individuals, by relating shell shape in the aquatic snail Radix balthica to an index of individual boldness. Our analyses find a strong relationship between risk-taking propensity and shell shape in this species, with bolder individuals exhibiting a more defended shell shape than shy individuals. We suggest that this supports the 'phenotypic compensation' hypothesis and sheds light on a previously poorly studied mechanism to promote the maintenance of personality variation among animals. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Approximation methods for stochastic petri nets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jungnitz, Hauke Joerg

1992-01-01

Stochastic Marked Graphs are a concurrent decision free formalism provided with a powerful synchronization mechanism generalizing conventional Fork Join Queueing Networks. In some particular cases the analysis of the throughput can be done analytically. Otherwise the analysis suffers from the classical state explosion problem. Embedded in the divide and conquer paradigm, approximation techniques are introduced for the analysis of stochastic marked graphs and Macroplace/Macrotransition-nets (MPMT-nets), a new subclass introduced herein. MPMT-nets are a subclass of Petri nets that allow limited choice, concurrency and sharing of resources. The modeling power of MPMT is much larger than that of marked graphs, e.g., MPMT-nets can model manufacturing flow lines with unreliable machines and dataflow graphs where choice and synchronization occur. The basic idea leads to the notion of a cut to split the original net system into two subnets. The cuts lead to two aggregated net systems where one of the subnets is reduced to a single transition. A further reduction leads to a basic skeleton. The generalization of the idea leads to multiple cuts, where single cuts can be applied recursively leading to a hierarchical decomposition. Based on the decomposition, a response time approximation technique for the performance analysis is introduced. Also, delay equivalence, which has previously been introduced in the context of marked graphs by Woodside et al., Marie's method and flow equivalent aggregation are applied to the aggregated net systems. The experimental results show that response time approximation converges quickly and shows reasonable accuracy in most cases. The convergence of Marie's method and flow equivalent aggregation are applied to the aggregated net systems. The experimental results show that response time approximation converges quickly and shows reasonable accuracy in most cases. The convergence of Marie's is slower, but the accuracy is generally better. Delay equivalence often fails to converge, while flow equivalent aggregation can lead to potentially bad results if a strong dependence of the mean completion time on the interarrival process exists.

Dose levels of the occupational radiation exposures in Poland based on results from the accredited dosimetry service at the IFJ PAN, Krakow.

PubMed

Budzanowski, Maciej; Kopeć, Renata; Obryk, Barbara; Olko, Paweł

2011-03-01

Individual dosimetry service based on thermoluminescence (TLD) detectors has started its activity at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ) in Krakow in 1965. In 2002, the new Laboratory of Individual and Environment Dosimetry (Polish acronym LADIS) was established and underwent the accreditation according to the EN-PN-ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Nowadays, the service is based on the worldwide known standard thermoluminescent detectors MTS-N (LiF:Mg,Ti) and MCP-N (LiF:Mg,Cu,P), developed at IFJ, processed in automatic thermoluminescent DOSACUS or RE2000 (Rados Oy, Finland) readers. Laboratory provides individual monitoring in terms of personal dose equivalent H(p)(10) and H(p)(0.07) in photon and neutron fields, over the range from 0.1 mSv to 1 Sv, and environmental dosimetry in terms of air kerma K(a) over the range from 30 μGy to 1 Gy and also ambient dose equivalent H*(10) over the range from 30 μSv to 1 Sv. Dosimetric service is currently performed for ca. 3200 institutions from Poland and abroad, monitored on quarterly and monthly basis. The goal of this paper is to identify the main activities leading to the highest radiation exposures in Poland. The paper presents the results of statistical evaluation of ∼ 100,000 quarterly H(p)(10) and K(a) measurements performed between 2002 and 2009. Sixty-five per cent up to 90 % of all individual doses in Poland are on the level of natural radiation background. The dose levels between 0.1 and 5 mSv per quarter are the most frequent in nuclear medicine, veterinary and industrial radiography sectors.

10 CFR 835.702 - Individual monitoring records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... emergency exposures. (b) Recording of the non-uniform equivalent dose to the skin is not required if the... internal dose (committed effective dose or committed equivalent dose) is not required for any monitoring...: (i) The effective dose from external sources of radiation (equivalent dose to the whole body may be...

10 CFR 835.702 - Individual monitoring records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... emergency exposures. (b) Recording of the non-uniform equivalent dose to the skin is not required if the... internal dose (committed effective dose or committed equivalent dose) is not required for any monitoring...: (i) The effective dose from external sources of radiation (equivalent dose to the whole body may be...

10 CFR 835.702 - Individual monitoring records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... emergency exposures. (b) Recording of the non-uniform equivalent dose to the skin is not required if the... internal dose (committed effective dose or committed equivalent dose) is not required for any monitoring...: (i) The effective dose from external sources of radiation (equivalent dose to the whole body may be...

10 CFR 835.702 - Individual monitoring records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... emergency exposures. (b) Recording of the non-uniform equivalent dose to the skin is not required if the... internal dose (committed effective dose or committed equivalent dose) is not required for any monitoring...: (i) The effective dose from external sources of radiation (equivalent dose to the whole body may be...

10 CFR 835.702 - Individual monitoring records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... emergency exposures. (b) Recording of the non-uniform equivalent dose to the skin is not required if the... internal dose (committed effective dose or committed equivalent dose) is not required for any monitoring...: (i) The effective dose from external sources of radiation (equivalent dose to the whole body may be...

40 CFR 403.12 - Reporting requirements for POTW's and industrial users.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Industrial Users subject to equivalent mass or concentration limits established by the Control Authority in... for the duration of the effective period of the Permit or other equivalent individual control... Industrial Users subject to equivalent mass or concentration limits established by the Control Authority in...

MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION DOSES TO THE EYE LENS DURING ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY USING AN C-ARM X-RAY SYSTEM.

PubMed

Suzuki, Akira; Matsubara, Kosuke; Sasa, Yuko

2018-04-01

The present study aimed to determine doses delivered to the eye lenses of surgeons while using the inverted-C-arm technique and the protective effect of leaded spectacles during orthopedic surgery. The kerma in air was measured at five positions on leaded glasses positioned near the eye lens and on the neck using small optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosemeters. The lens equivalent dose was also measured at the neck using an OSL dosemeter. The maximum equivalent dose to the eye lens and the maximum kerma were 0.8 mSv/month and 0.66 mGy/month, respectively. The leaded glasses reduced the exposure by ~60%. Even if the surgeons are exposed to the maximum dose of X-ray radiation for 5 years, the equivalent doses to the eye lens will not exceed the present limit recommended by the ICRP.

Money for health: the equivalent variation of cardiovascular diseases.

PubMed

Groot, Wim; Van Den Brink, Henriëtte Maassen; Plug, Erik

2004-09-01

This paper introduces a new method to calculate the extent to which individuals are willing to trade money for improvements in their health status. An individual welfare function of income (WFI) is applied to calculate the equivalent income variation of health impairments. We believe that this approach avoids various drawbacks of alternative willingness-to-pay methods. The WFI is used to calculate the equivalent variation of cardiovascular diseases. It is found that for a 25 year old male the equivalent variation of a heart disease ranges from 114,000 euro to 380,000 euro depending on the welfare level. This is about 10,000 euro - 30,000 euro for an additional life year. The equivalent variation declines with age and is about the same for men and women. The estimates further vary by discount rate chosen. The estimates of the equivalent variation are generally higher than the money spent on most heart-related medical interventions per QALY. The cost-benefit analysis shows that for most interventions the value of the health benefits exceeds the costs. Heart transplants seem to be too costly and only beneficial if patients are young.

Multi-subject Manifold Alignment of Functional Network Structures via Joint Diagonalization.

PubMed

Nenning, Karl-Heinz; Kollndorfer, Kathrin; Schöpf, Veronika; Prayer, Daniela; Langs, Georg

2015-01-01

Functional magnetic resonance imaging group studies rely on the ability to establish correspondence across individuals. This enables location specific comparison of functional brain characteristics. Registration is often based on morphology and does not take variability of functional localization into account. This can lead to a loss of specificity, or confounds when studying diseases. In this paper we propose multi-subject functional registration by manifold alignment via coupled joint diagonalization. The functional network structure of each subject is encoded in a diffusion map, where functional relationships are decoupled from spatial position. Two-step manifold alignment estimates initial correspondences between functionally equivalent regions. Then, coupled joint diagonalization establishes common eigenbases across all individuals, and refines the functional correspondences. We evaluate our approach on fMRI data acquired during a language paradigm. Experiments demonstrate the benefits in matching accuracy achieved by coupled joint diagonalization compared to previously proposed functional alignment approaches, or alignment based on structural correspondences.

Effects of Equivalent Sympathetic Activation during Hypoglycemia on Endothelial Function and Pro-Atherothrombotic Balance in Healthy Individuals and Obese Standard Treated Type 2 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Joy, Nino G.; Mikeladze, Maia; Younk, Lisa M.; Tate, Donna B.; Davis, Stephen N.

2016-01-01

Objective Recent studies in type 2 diabetes have reported an association between hypoglycemia and severe cardiovascular adverse events, which are relatively increased in standard versus intensively treated individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of equivalent sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity during moderate hypoglycemia on in-vivo endothelial function, pro-inflammatory, pro-atherothrombotic, and pro-coagulant responses in healthy and standard treated type 2 diabetes individuals. Research design and methods Eleven type 2 diabetes and 16 healthy individuals participated in single 2 day studies. Day 1 involved a 2 hr hyperinsulinemic/euglycemic clamp and day 2, a 2 hr hyperinsulinemic/hypoglycemic clamp of 3.2±1 mmol/L in type 2 diabetes and (2.9±0.1 mmol/L) in healthy individuals. Results ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin, PAI-1, VEGF and endothelin-1 (ET-1) fell during hyperinsulinemic euglycemia but increased during hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes and healthy individuals. Epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were equivalent during hypoglycemia in type 2 DM and healthy individuals. However, despite similar SNS drive but milder and hypoglycemia there were greater ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PAI-1, VEGF and ET-1 responses in the type 2 diabetes group. Endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide mediated arterial vasodilation were also impaired only during hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Conclusion We conclude that, milder hypoglycemia but equivalent SNS activation results in more diffuse endothelial dysfunction and a greater pro-inflammatory, pro-atherothrombotic and pro-coagulant state in standard treated type 2 diabetes as compared to healthy individuals. PMID:27832858

Evaluation of the radiation dose in the thyroid gland using different protective collars in panoramic imaging.

PubMed

Hafezi, Ladan; Arianezhad, S Marjan; Hosseini Pooya, Seyed Mahdi

2018-04-25

The value for the use of thyroid shield is one of the issues in radiation protection of patients in dental panoramic imaging. The objective of this research is to investigate the attenuation characteristics of some models of thyroid shielding in dental panoramic examinations. The effects of five different types of lead and lead-free (Pb-equivalent) shields on dose reduction of thyroid gland were investigated using implanted Thermoluminescence Dosemeters (TLDs) in head-neck parts of a Rando phantom. The results show that frontal lead and Pb-equivalent shields can reduce the thyroid dose around 50% and 19%, respectively. It can be concluded that the effective shielding area is an important parameter in thyroid gland dose reduction. Lead frontal collars with large effective shielding areas (>~300 cm 2 but not necessarily very large) are appropriate for an optimized thyroid gland dose reduction particularly for the critical patients in dental panoramic imaging. Regardless of the shape and thickness, using the Pb-equivalent shields is not justifiable in dental panoramic imaging.

Biological auctions with multiple rewards

PubMed Central

Reiter, Johannes G.; Kanodia, Ayush; Gupta, Raghav; Nowak, Martin A.; Chatterjee, Krishnendu

2015-01-01

The competition for resources among cells, individuals or species is a fundamental characteristic of evolution. Biological all-pay auctions have been used to model situations where multiple individuals compete for a single resource. However, in many situations multiple resources with various values exist and single reward auctions are not applicable. We generalize the model to multiple rewards and study the evolution of strategies. In biological all-pay auctions the bid of an individual corresponds to its strategy and is equivalent to its payment in the auction. The decreasingly ordered rewards are distributed according to the decreasingly ordered bids of the participating individuals. The reproductive success of an individual is proportional to its fitness given by the sum of the rewards won minus its payments. Hence, successful bidding strategies spread in the population. We find that the results for the multiple reward case are very different from the single reward case. While the mixed strategy equilibrium in the single reward case with more than two players consists of mostly low-bidding individuals, we show that the equilibrium can convert to many high-bidding individuals and a few low-bidding individuals in the multiple reward case. Some reward values lead to a specialization among the individuals where one subpopulation competes for the rewards and the other subpopulation largely avoids costly competitions. Whether the mixed strategy equilibrium is an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) depends on the specific values of the rewards. PMID:26180069

Method for assessing in-service motor efficiency and in-service motor/load efficiency

DOEpatents

Kueck, John D.; Otaduy, Pedro J.

1997-01-01

A method and apparatus for assessing the efficiency of an in-service motor. The operating characteristics of the in-service motor are remotely measured. The operating characteristics are then applied to an equivalent circuit for electrical motors. Finally the equivalent circuit is evaluated to determine the performance characteristics of said in-service motor. Based upon the evaluation an individual is able to determine the rotor speed, power output, efficiency, and toque of the in-service motor. Additionally, an individual is able to confirm the calculations by comparing measured values with values obtained as a result of the motor equivalent circuit evaluation.

Determination of shielding requirements for mammography.

PubMed

Okunade, Akintunde Akangbe; Ademoroti, Olalekan Albert

2004-05-01

Shielding requirements for mammography when considerations are to be given to attenuation by compression paddle, breast tissue, grid and image receptor (intervening materials) has been investigated. By matching of the attenuation and hardening properties, comparisons are made between shielding afforded by breast tissue materials (water, Lucite and 50%-50% adipose-glandular tissue) and some materials considered for shielding diagnostic x-ray beams, namely lead, steel and gypsum wallboard. Results show that significant differences exist between the thickness required to produce equal attenuation and that required to produce equal hardening of a given incident beam. While attenuation equivalent thickness produces equal exposure, it does not produce equal hardening. For shielding purposes, equivalence in exposure reduction without equivalence in penetrating power of an emerging beam does not amount to equivalence in shielding affordable by two different materials. Presented are models and results of sample calculations of additional shielding requirements apart from that provided by intervening materials. The shielding requirements for the integrated beam emerging from intervening materials are different from those for the integrated beam emerging from materials (lead/steel/gypsum wallboard) with attenuation equivalent thicknesses of these intervening materials.

A simple calculation method for determination of equivalent square field.

PubMed

Shafiei, Seyed Ali; Hasanzadeh, Hadi; Shafiei, Seyed Ahmad

2012-04-01

Determination of the equivalent square fields for rectangular and shielded fields is of great importance in radiotherapy centers and treatment planning software. This is accomplished using standard tables and empirical formulas. The goal of this paper is to present a formula based on analysis of scatter reduction due to inverse square law to obtain equivalent field. Tables are published by different agencies such as ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and measurements), which are based on experimental data; but there exist mathematical formulas that yield the equivalent square field of an irregular rectangular field which are used extensively in computation techniques for dose determination. These processes lead to some complicated and time-consuming formulas for which the current study was designed. In this work, considering the portion of scattered radiation in absorbed dose at a point of measurement, a numerical formula was obtained based on which a simple formula was developed to calculate equivalent square field. Using polar coordinate and inverse square law will lead to a simple formula for calculation of equivalent field. The presented method is an analytical approach based on which one can estimate the equivalent square field of a rectangular field and may be used for a shielded field or an off-axis point. Besides, one can calculate equivalent field of rectangular field with the concept of decreased scatter radiation with inverse square law with a good approximation. This method may be useful in computing Percentage Depth Dose and Tissue-Phantom Ratio which are extensively used in treatment planning.

Refractive Errors Affect the Vividness of Visual Mental Images

PubMed Central

Palermo, Liana; Nori, Raffaella; Piccardi, Laura; Zeri, Fabrizio; Babino, Antonio; Giusberti, Fiorella; Guariglia, Cecilia

2013-01-01

The hypothesis that visual perception and mental imagery are equivalent has never been explored in individuals with vision defects not preventing the visual perception of the world, such as refractive errors. Refractive error (i.e., myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism) is a condition where the refracting system of the eye fails to focus objects sharply on the retina. As a consequence refractive errors cause blurred vision. We subdivided 84 individuals according to their spherical equivalent refraction into Emmetropes (control individuals without refractive errors) and Ametropes (individuals with refractive errors). Participants performed a vividness task and completed a questionnaire that explored their cognitive style of thinking before their vision was checked by an ophthalmologist. Although results showed that Ametropes had less vivid mental images than Emmetropes this did not affect the development of their cognitive style of thinking; in fact, Ametropes were able to use both verbal and visual strategies to acquire and retrieve information. Present data are consistent with the hypothesis of equivalence between imagery and perception. PMID:23755186

Refractive errors affect the vividness of visual mental images.

PubMed

Palermo, Liana; Nori, Raffaella; Piccardi, Laura; Zeri, Fabrizio; Babino, Antonio; Giusberti, Fiorella; Guariglia, Cecilia

2013-01-01

The hypothesis that visual perception and mental imagery are equivalent has never been explored in individuals with vision defects not preventing the visual perception of the world, such as refractive errors. Refractive error (i.e., myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism) is a condition where the refracting system of the eye fails to focus objects sharply on the retina. As a consequence refractive errors cause blurred vision. We subdivided 84 individuals according to their spherical equivalent refraction into Emmetropes (control individuals without refractive errors) and Ametropes (individuals with refractive errors). Participants performed a vividness task and completed a questionnaire that explored their cognitive style of thinking before their vision was checked by an ophthalmologist. Although results showed that Ametropes had less vivid mental images than Emmetropes this did not affect the development of their cognitive style of thinking; in fact, Ametropes were able to use both verbal and visual strategies to acquire and retrieve information. Present data are consistent with the hypothesis of equivalence between imagery and perception.

Assessment of radiation doses from residential smoke detectors that contain americium-241

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Odonnell, F. R.; Etnier, E. L.; Holton, G. A.; Travis, C. C.

1981-10-01

External dose equivalents and internal dose commitments were estimated for individuals and populations from annual distribution, use, and disposal of 10 million ionization chamber smoke detectors that contain 110 kBq americium-241 each. Under exposure scenarios developed for normal distribution, use, and disposal using the best available information, annual external dose equivalents to average individuals were estimated to range from 4 fSv to 20 nSv for total body and from 7 fSv to 40 nSv for bone. Internal dose commitments to individuals under post disposal scenarios were estimated to range from 0.006 to 80 micro-Sv (0.0006 to 8 mrem) to total body and from 0.06 to 800 micro-Sv to bone. The total collective dose (the sum of external dose equivalents and 50-year internal dose commitments) for all individuals involved with distribution, use, or disposal of 10 million smoke detectors was estimated to be about 0.38 person-Sv (38 person-rem) to total body and 00 ft squared.

The effect of individual variation on the structure and function of interaction networks in harvester ants

PubMed Central

Pinter-Wollman, Noa; Wollman, Roy; Guetz, Adam; Holmes, Susan; Gordon, Deborah M.

2011-01-01

Social insects exhibit coordinated behaviour without central control. Local interactions among individuals determine their behaviour and regulate the activity of the colony. Harvester ants are recruited for outside work, using networks of brief antennal contacts, in the nest chamber closest to the nest exit: the entrance chamber. Here, we combine empirical observations, image analysis and computer simulations to investigate the structure and function of the interaction network in the entrance chamber. Ant interactions were distributed heterogeneously in the chamber, with an interaction hot-spot at the entrance leading further into the nest. The distribution of the total interactions per ant followed a right-skewed distribution, indicating the presence of highly connected individuals. Numbers of ant encounters observed positively correlated with the duration of observation. Individuals varied in interaction frequency, even after accounting for the duration of observation. An ant's interaction frequency was explained by its path shape and location within the entrance chamber. Computer simulations demonstrate that variation among individuals in connectivity accelerates information flow to an extent equivalent to an increase in the total number of interactions. Individual variation in connectivity, arising from variation among ants in location and spatial behaviour, creates interaction centres, which may expedite information flow. PMID:21490001

Planning versus action: Different decision-making processes predict plans to change one's diet versus actual dietary behavior.

PubMed

Kiviniemi, Marc T; Brown-Kramer, Carolyn R

2015-05-01

Most health decision-making models posit that deciding to engage in a health behavior involves forming a behavioral intention which then leads to actual behavior. However, behavioral intentions and actual behavior may not be functionally equivalent. Two studies examined whether decision-making factors predicting dietary behaviors were the same as or distinct from those predicting intentions. Actual dietary behavior was proximally predicted by affective associations with the behavior. By contrast, behavioral intentions were predicted by cognitive beliefs about behaviors, with no contribution of affective associations. This dissociation has implications for understanding individual regulation of health behaviors and for behavior change interventions. © The Author(s) 2015.

Neurological complications of lumbar artificial disc replacement and comparison of clinical results with those related to lumbar arthrodesis in the literature: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized investigational device exemption study of Charité intervertebral disc. Invited submission from the Joint Section Meeting on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, March 2004.

PubMed

Geisler, Fred H; Blumenthal, Scott L; Guyer, Richard D; McAfee, Paul C; Regan, John J; Johnson, J Patrick; Mullin, Bradford

2004-09-01

Arthrodesis is the gold standard for surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). Solid fusion, however, can cause stress and increased motion in the segments adjacent to the fused level. This may initiate and/or accelerate the adjacent-segment disease process. Artificial discs are designed to restore and maintain normal motion of the lumbar intervertebral segment. Restoring and maintaining normal motion of the segment reduces stresses and loads on adjacent level segments. A US Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemptions multicentered study of the Charité artificial disc was completed. The control group consisted of individuals who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion involving BAK cages and iliac crest bone graft. This is the first report of Class I data in which a lumbar artificial disc is compared with lumbar fusion. Of 304 individuals enrolled in the study, 205 were randomized to the Charité disc-treated group and 99 to the BAK fusion-treated (control) group. Neurological status was equivalent between the two groups at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The number of patients with major, minor, or other neurological complications was equivalent. There was a greater incidence of both major and minor complications in the BAK fusion group at 0 to 42 days postoperatively. Compared with data reported in the lumbar fusion literature, the Charité disc-treated patients had equivalent or better mean changes in visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores. The Charité artificial disc is safe and effective for the treatment of single-level lumbar DDD, resulting in no higher incidence of neurological complications compared with BAK-assisted fusion and leading to equivalent or better outcomes compared with those obtained in the control group and those reported in the lumbar fusion literature.

An efficient method to predict and include Bragg curve degradation due to lung-equivalent materials in Monte Carlo codes by applying a density modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumann, Kilian-Simon; Witt, Matthias; Weber, Uli; Engenhart-Cabillic, Rita; Zink, Klemens

2017-05-01

Sub-millimetre-sized heterogeneities such as lung parenchyma cause Bragg peak degradation which can lead to an underdose of the tumor and an overdose of healthy tissue when not accounted for in treatment planning. Since commonly used treatment-planning CTs do not resolve the fine structure of lungs, this degradation can hardly be considered. We present a mathematical model capable of predicting and describing Bragg peak degradation due to a lung-equivalent geometry consisting of sub-millimetre voxels filled with either lung tissue or air. The material characteristic ‘modulation power’ is introduced to quantify the Bragg peak degradation. A strategy was developed to transfer the modulating effects of such fine structures to rougher structures such as 2 mm thick CT voxels, which is the resolution of typically used CTs. This is done by using the modulation power to derive a density distribution applicable to these voxels. By replacing the previously used sub-millimetre voxels by 2 mm thick voxels filled with lung tissue and modulating the lung tissue’s density in each voxel individually, we were able to reproduce the Bragg peak degradation. Hence a solution is found to include Bragg curve degradation due to lung-equivalent materials in Monte Carlo-based treatment-planning systems.

Radiation control in the intensive care unit for high intensity iridium-192 brain implants

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

Sewchand, W.; Drzymala, R.E.; Amin, P.P.

A bedside lead cubicle was designed to minimize the radiation exposure of intensive care unit staff during routine interstitial brain irradiation by removable, high intensity iridium-192. The cubicle shields the patient without restricting intensive care routines. The design specifications were confirmed by exposure measurements around the shield with an implanted anthropomorphic phantom simulating the patient situation. The cubicle reduces the exposure rate around an implant patient by as much as 90%, with the exposure level not exceeding 0.1 mR/hour/mg of radium-equivalent /sup 192/Ir. Evaluation of data accumulated for the past 3 years has shown that the exposure levels of individualmore » attending nurses are 0.12 to 0.36 mR/mg of radium-equivalent /sup 192/Ir per 12-hour shift. The corresponding range for entire nursing teams varies between 0.18 and 0.26. A radiation control index (exposure per mg of radium-equivalent /sup 192/Ir per nurse-hour) is thus defined for individual nurses and nursing teams; this index is a significant guide to the planning of nurse rotations for brain implant patients with various /sup 192/Ir loads. The bedside shield reduces exposure from /sup 192/Ir implants by a factor of about 20, as expected, and the exposure from the lower energy radioisotope iodine-125 is barely detectable.« less

10 CFR 72.106 - Controlled area of an ISFSI or MRS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... controlled area may not receive from any design basis accident the more limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose...

10 CFR 72.106 - Controlled area of an ISFSI or MRS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... controlled area may not receive from any design basis accident the more limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose...

10 CFR 72.106 - Controlled area of an ISFSI or MRS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... controlled area may not receive from any design basis accident the more limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose...

10 CFR 72.106 - Controlled area of an ISFSI or MRS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... controlled area may not receive from any design basis accident the more limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose...

10 CFR 72.106 - Controlled area of an ISFSI or MRS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... controlled area may not receive from any design basis accident the more limiting of a total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem), or the sum of the deep-dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose...

Teaching Equivalence Relations to Individuals with Minimal Verbal Repertoires: Are Visual and Auditory-Visual Discriminations Predictive of Stimulus Equivalence?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vause, Tricia; Martin, Garry L.; Yu, C.T.; Marion, Carole; Sakko, Gina

2005-01-01

The relationship between language, performance on the Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities (ABLA) test, and stimulus equivalence was examined. Five participants with minimal verbal repertoires were studied; 3 who passed up to ABLA Level 4, a visual quasi-identity discrimination and 2 who passed ABLA Level 6, an auditory-visual nonidentity…

Additional electrodes on the Quartet™ LV lead provide more programmable pacing options than bipolar and tripolar equivalents.

PubMed

O'Donnell, David; Sperzel, Johannes; Thibault, Bernard; Rinaldi, Christopher A; Pappone, Carlo; Gutleben, Klaus-Jürgen; Leclercq, Christopher; Razavi, Hedi; Ryu, Kyungmoo; Mcspadden, Luke C; Fischer, Avi; Tomassoni, Gery

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate any benefits to the number of viable pacing vectors and maximal spatial coverage with quadripolar left ventricular (LV) leads when compared with tripolar and bipolar equivalents in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A meta-analysis of five previously published clinical trials involving the Quartet™ LV lead (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA) was performed to evaluate the number of viable pacing vectors defined as capture thresholds ≤2.5 V and no phrenic nerve stimulation and maximal spatial coverage of viable vectors in CRT patients at pre-discharge (n = 370) and first follow-up (n = 355). Bipolar and tripolar lead configurations were modelled by systematic elimination of two and one electrode(s), respectively, from the Quartet lead. The Quartet lead with its four pacing electrodes exhibited the greatest number of pacing vectors per patient when compared with the best bipolar and the best tripolar modelled equivalents. Similarly, the Quartet lead provided the highest spatial coverage in terms of the distance between two furthest viable pacing cathodes when compared with the best bipolar and the best tripolar configurations (P < 0.05). Among the three modelled bipolar configurations, the lead configuration with the two most distal electrodes resulted in the highest number of viable pacing vectors. Among the four modelled tripolar configurations, elimination of the second proximal electrode (M3) resulted in the highest number of viable pacing options per patient. There were no significant differences observed between pre-discharge and first follow-up analyses. The Quartet lead with its four electrodes and the capability to pace from four anatomical locations provided the highest number of viable pacing vectors at pre-discharge and first follow-up visits, providing more flexibility in device programming and enabling continuation of CRT in more patients when compared with bipolar and tripolar equivalents. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2016. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Equivalent income and fair evaluation of health care.

PubMed

Fleurbaey, Marc; Luchini, Stéphane; Muller, Christophe; Schokkaert, Erik

2013-06-01

We argue that the economic evaluation of health care (cost-benefit analysis) should respect individual preferences and should incorporate distributional considerations. Relying on individual preferences does not imply subjective welfarism. We propose a particular non-welfarist approach, based on the concept of equivalent income, and show how it helps to define distributional weights. We illustrate the feasibility of our approach with empirical results from a pilot survey. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Emergence of representations through repeated training on pronouncing novel letter combinations leads to efficient reading.

PubMed

Takashima, Atsuko; Hulzink, Iris; Wagensveld, Barbara; Verhoeven, Ludo

2016-08-01

Printed text can be decoded by utilizing different processing routes depending on the familiarity of the script. A predominant use of word-level decoding strategies can be expected in the case of a familiar script, and an almost exclusive use of letter-level decoding strategies for unfamiliar scripts. Behavioural studies have revealed that frequently occurring words are read more efficiently, suggesting that these words are read in a more holistic way at the word-level, than infrequent and unfamiliar words. To test whether repeated exposure to specific letter combinations leads to holistic reading, we monitored both behavioural and neural responses during novel script decoding and examined changes related to repeated exposure. We trained a group of Dutch university students to decode pseudowords written in an unfamiliar script, i.e., Korean Hangul characters. We compared behavioural and neural responses to pronouncing trained versus untrained two-character pseudowords (equivalent to two-syllable pseudowords). We tested once shortly after the initial training and again after a four days' delay that included another training session. We found that trained pseudowords were pronounced faster and more accurately than novel combinations of radicals (equivalent to letters). Imaging data revealed that pronunciation of trained pseudowords engaged the posterior temporo-parietal region, and engagement of this network was predictive of reading efficiency a month later. The results imply that repeated exposure to specific combinations of graphemes can lead to emergence of holistic representations that result in efficient reading. Furthermore, inter-individual differences revealed that good learners retained efficiency more than bad learners one month later. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cumulative exposure to lead and cognition in persons with Parkinson’s disease

PubMed Central

Weuve, Jennifer; Press, Daniel Z.; Grodstein, Francine; Wright, Robert O.; Hu, Howard; Weisskopf, Marc G.

2012-01-01

Background Dementia is an important consequence of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with few known modifiable risk factors. Cumulative exposure to lead, at levels experienced in the community, may exacerbate PD-related neural dysfunction, resulting in impaired cognition. Methods Among 101 persons with PD (“cases”) and, separately, 50 persons without PD (“controls”), we evaluated cumulative lead exposure, gauged via tibia and patella bone lead concentrations, in relation to cognitive function, assessed using a telephone battery developed and validated in a separate sample of PD patients. We also assessed the interaction between lead and case-control status. Results After multivariable adjustment, higher tibia bone lead concentration among PD cases was associated with worse performance on all of the individual telephone tests. In particular, tibia lead levels corresponded to significantly worse performance on a telephone analogue of the Mini-Mental State Examination and tests of working memory and attention. Moreover, higher tibia bone lead concentration was associated with significantly worse global composite score encompassing all the cognitive tests (P=0.04). The magnitude of association per standard deviation increment in tibia bone lead level was equivalent to the difference in global scores among controls in our study who were about seven years apart in age. The tibia lead-cognition association was notably stronger within cases than within controls (Pdifference=0.06). Patella bone lead concentration was not consistently associated with performance on the tests. Conclusions These data provide evidence suggesting that cumulative exposure to lead may result in worsened cognition among persons with PD. PMID:23143985

Cumulative exposure to lead and cognition in persons with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Weuve, Jennifer; Press, Daniel Z; Grodstein, Francine; Wright, Robert O; Hu, Howard; Weisskopf, Marc G

2013-02-01

Dementia is an important consequence of Parkinson's disease (PD), with few known modifiable risk factors. Cumulative exposure to lead, at levels experienced in the community, may exacerbate PD-related neural dysfunction, resulting in impaired cognition. Among 101 persons with PD ("cases") and, separately, 50 persons without PD ("controls"), we evaluated cumulative lead exposure, gauged by tibia and patella bone lead concentrations, in relation to cognitive function, assessed using a telephone battery developed and validated in a separate sample of PD patients. We also assessed the interaction between lead and case-control status. After multivariable adjustment, higher tibia bone lead concentration among PD cases was associated with worse performance on all of the individual telephone tests. In particular, tibia lead levels corresponded to significantly worse performance on a telephone analog of the Mini-Mental State Examination and tests of working memory and attention. Moreover, higher tibia bone lead concentration was associated with significantly worse global composite score encompassing all the cognitive tests (P = 0.04). The magnitude of association per standard deviation increment in tibia bone lead level was equivalent to the difference in global scores among controls in our study, who were approximately 7 years apart in age. The tibia lead-cognition association was notably stronger within cases than within controls (P(difference) = 0.06). Patella bone lead concentration was not consistently associated with performance on the tests. These data provide evidence suggesting that cumulative exposure to lead may result in worsened cognition among persons with PD. Copyright © 2012 Movement Disorders Society.

42 CFR 57.302 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... FACILITIES, EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT LOANS Nursing Student Loans § 57.302... constitutes a full-time academic workload, as determined by the school, leading to a diploma in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or an equivalent degree, a baccalaureate degree in nursing or an equivalent...

A simple calculation method for determination of equivalent square field

PubMed Central

Shafiei, Seyed Ali; Hasanzadeh, Hadi; Shafiei, Seyed Ahmad

2012-01-01

Determination of the equivalent square fields for rectangular and shielded fields is of great importance in radiotherapy centers and treatment planning software. This is accomplished using standard tables and empirical formulas. The goal of this paper is to present a formula based on analysis of scatter reduction due to inverse square law to obtain equivalent field. Tables are published by different agencies such as ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and measurements), which are based on experimental data; but there exist mathematical formulas that yield the equivalent square field of an irregular rectangular field which are used extensively in computation techniques for dose determination. These processes lead to some complicated and time-consuming formulas for which the current study was designed. In this work, considering the portion of scattered radiation in absorbed dose at a point of measurement, a numerical formula was obtained based on which a simple formula was developed to calculate equivalent square field. Using polar coordinate and inverse square law will lead to a simple formula for calculation of equivalent field. The presented method is an analytical approach based on which one can estimate the equivalent square field of a rectangular field and may be used for a shielded field or an off-axis point. Besides, one can calculate equivalent field of rectangular field with the concept of decreased scatter radiation with inverse square law with a good approximation. This method may be useful in computing Percentage Depth Dose and Tissue-Phantom Ratio which are extensively used in treatment planning. PMID:22557801

The equivalence between dislocation pile-ups and cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, H. W.; Gao, Q.

1990-01-01

Cracks and dislocation pile-ups are equivalent to each other. In this paper, the physical equivalence between cracks and pile-ups is delineated, and the relationshps between crack-extension force, force on the leading dislocation, stress-intensity factor, and dislocation density are reviewed and summarized. These relations make it possible to extend quantitatively the recent advances in the concepts and practices of fracture mechanics to the studies of microfractures and microplastic deformations.

A formal and data-based comparison of measures of motor-equivalent covariation.

PubMed

Verrel, Julius

2011-09-15

Different analysis methods have been developed for assessing motor-equivalent organization of movement variability. In the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) method, the structure of variability is analyzed by comparing goal-equivalent and non-goal-equivalent variability components at the level of elemental variables (e.g., joint angles). In contrast, in the covariation by randomization (CR) approach, motor-equivalent organization is assessed by comparing variability at the task level between empirical and decorrelated surrogate data. UCM effects can be due to both covariation among elemental variables and selective channeling of variability to elemental variables with low task sensitivity ("individual variation"), suggesting a link between the UCM and CR method. However, the precise relationship between the notion of covariation in the two approaches has not been analyzed in detail yet. Analysis of empirical and simulated data from a study on manual pointing shows that in general the two approaches are not equivalent, but the respective covariation measures are highly correlated (ρ > 0.7) for two proposed definitions of covariation in the UCM context. For one-dimensional task spaces, a formal comparison is possible and in fact the two notions of covariation are equivalent. In situations in which individual variation does not contribute to UCM effects, for which necessary and sufficient conditions are derived, this entails the equivalence of the UCM and CR analysis. Implications for the interpretation of UCM effects are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

10 CFR 63.111 - Performance objectives for the geologic repository operations area through permanent closure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of the deep dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose equivalent may not exceed 0.15 Sv (15... TEDE (hereafter referred to as “dose”) to any real member of the public located beyond the boundary of...

10 CFR 63.111 - Performance objectives for the geologic repository operations area through permanent closure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of the deep dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose equivalent may not exceed 0.15 Sv (15... TEDE (hereafter referred to as “dose”) to any real member of the public located beyond the boundary of...

10 CFR 63.111 - Performance objectives for the geologic repository operations area through permanent closure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of the deep dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose equivalent may not exceed 0.15 Sv (15... TEDE (hereafter referred to as “dose”) to any real member of the public located beyond the boundary of...

10 CFR 63.111 - Performance objectives for the geologic repository operations area through permanent closure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of the deep dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue (other than the lens of the eye) of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The lens dose equivalent may not exceed 0.15 Sv (15... TEDE (hereafter referred to as “dose”) to any real member of the public located beyond the boundary of...

Assessment of radiation doses from residential smoke detectors that contain americium-241

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

O'Donnell, F.R.; Etnier, E.L.; Holton, G.A.

1981-10-01

External dose equivalents and internal dose commitments were estimated for individuals and populations from annual distribution, use, and disposal of 10 million ionization chamber smoke detectors that contain 110 kBq (3 ..mu..Ci) americium-241 each. Under exposure scenarios developed for normal distribution, use, and disposal using the best available information, annual external dose equivalents to average individuals were estimated to range from 4 fSv (0.4 prem) to 20 nSv (2 ..mu..rem) for total body and from 7 fSv to 40 nSv for bone. Internal dose commitments to individuals under post disposal scenarios were estimated to range from 0.006 to 80 ..mu..Svmore » (0.0006 to 8 mrem) to total body and from 0.06 to 800 ..mu..Sv to bone. The total collective dose (the sum of external dose equivalents and 50-year internal dose commitments) for all individuals involved with distribution, use, or disposal of 10 million smoke detectors was estimated to be about 0.38 person-Sv (38 person-rem) to total body and 00 ft/sup 2/).« less

Cancer Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Soils and Sediments of India: A Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Tarafdar, Abhrajyoti; Sinha, Alok

2017-10-01

A carcinogenic risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and sediments was conducted using the probabilistic approach from a national perspective. Published monitoring data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in soils and sediments at different study points across India were collected and converted to their corresponding BaP equivalent concentrations. These BaP equivalent concentrations were used to evaluate comprehensive cancer risk for two different age groups. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were applied to quantify uncertainties of risk estimation. The analysis denotes 90% cancer risk value of 1.770E-5 for children and 3.156E-5 for adults at heavily polluted site soils. Overall carcinogenic risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of India were mostly in acceptance limits. However, the food ingestion exposure route for sediments leads them to a highly risked zone. The 90% risk values from sediments are 7.863E-05 for children and 3.999E-04 for adults. Sensitivity analysis reveals exposure duration and relative skin adherence factor for soil as the most influential parameter of the assessment, followed by BaP equivalent concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For sediments, biota to sediment accumulation factor of fish in terms of BaP is most sensitive on the total outcome, followed by BaP equivalent and exposure duration. Individual exposure route analysis showed dermal contact for soils and food ingestion for sediments as the main exposure pathway. Some specific locations such as surrounding areas of Bhavnagar, Raniganj, Sunderban, Raipur, and Delhi demand potential strategies of carcinogenic risk management and reduction. The current study is probably the first attempt to provide information on the carcinogenic risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and sediments across India.

Cancer Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Soils and Sediments of India: A Meta-Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarafdar, Abhrajyoti; Sinha, Alok

2017-10-01

A carcinogenic risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and sediments was conducted using the probabilistic approach from a national perspective. Published monitoring data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in soils and sediments at different study points across India were collected and converted to their corresponding BaP equivalent concentrations. These BaP equivalent concentrations were used to evaluate comprehensive cancer risk for two different age groups. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were applied to quantify uncertainties of risk estimation. The analysis denotes 90% cancer risk value of 1.770E-5 for children and 3.156E-5 for adults at heavily polluted site soils. Overall carcinogenic risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of India were mostly in acceptance limits. However, the food ingestion exposure route for sediments leads them to a highly risked zone. The 90% risk values from sediments are 7.863E-05 for children and 3.999E-04 for adults. Sensitivity analysis reveals exposure duration and relative skin adherence factor for soil as the most influential parameter of the assessment, followed by BaP equivalent concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For sediments, biota to sediment accumulation factor of fish in terms of BaP is most sensitive on the total outcome, followed by BaP equivalent and exposure duration. Individual exposure route analysis showed dermal contact for soils and food ingestion for sediments as the main exposure pathway. Some specific locations such as surrounding areas of Bhavnagar, Raniganj, Sunderban, Raipur, and Delhi demand potential strategies of carcinogenic risk management and reduction. The current study is probably the first attempt to provide information on the carcinogenic risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and sediments across India.

Effects of computerized match-to-sample training on emergent fraction-decimal relations in individuals with fragile X syndrome.

PubMed

Hammond, Jennifer L; Hirt, Melissa; Hall, Scott S

2012-01-01

Individuals diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known form of inherited intellectual disability, are reported to exhibit considerable deficits in mathematical skills that are often attributed to brain-based abnormalities associated with the syndrome. We examined whether participants with FXS would display emergent fraction-decimal relations following brief, intensive match-to-sample training on baseline relations. The performance profiles on tests of symmetry and transitivity/equivalence of 11 participants with FXS, aged 10-23 years, following baseline match-to-sample training were compared to those of 11 age- and IQ-matched controls with idiopathic developmental disability. The results showed that both groups of participants showed significant improvements in the baseline (trained) relations, as expected. However, participants with FXS failed to show significant improvements in the (untrained) symmetry and transitivity/equivalence relations compared to those in the control group. A categorical analysis of the data indicated that five participants with FXS and eight controls showed at least "intermediate" emergence of symmetry relations, whereas one individual with FXS and three controls showed at least intermediate emergence of transitivity/equivalence relations. A correlation analysis of the data indicated that improvements in the symmetry relations were significantly associated with improvements in the transitivity/equivalence relations in the control group (r=.69, p=.018), but this was not the case in the FXS group (r=.34, p>.05). Participant IQ was significantly associated with improvements in the symmetry relations in individuals with FXS (r=.60, p=.049), but not in controls (r=.21, p>.05). Taken together, these results suggest that brief, computerized match-to-sample training may produce emergent mathematical relations for a subset of children with FXS and developmental disabilities. However, the ability of individuals with FXS to form transitivity/equivalence relations may be impaired relative to those with idiopathic developmental disabilities, which may be attributed to neurodevelopmental variables associated with the syndrome. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 66.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... majority of the time is spent in non-research clinical training. (f) Noncitizen national of the United... level in a program leading to the award of a doctor of philosophy of science, or equivalent degree. For... award of a baccalaureate in science or equivalent degree. (h) Postdoctoral training means training of...

Developing Unconstrained Methods for Enzyme Evolution

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-19

Equivalent: Total Number: Sunil Kumar 1.00 1.00 1 PERCENT_SUPPORTEDNAME FTE Equivalent: Total Number: National Academy Member John C. Chaput 0.10 No 0.10...synthetic ATP-binding protein leads to novel phenotypic changes in Escherichia coli. ACS Chemical Biology 8, 451-456. c. Student Support Dr. Sunil

Co-digestion of concentrated black water and kitchen refuse in an accumulation system within the DESAR (decentralized sanitation and reuse) concept.

PubMed

Kujawa-Roeleveld, K; Elmitwalli, T; Gaillard, A; van Leeuwen, M; Zeeman, G

2003-01-01

Co-digestion of concentrated black water and kitchen refuse within the DESAR concept was the objective of this pilot research. The digestion took place in two, non-mixed accumulation reactors (AC1 and AC2) inoculated with digested primary sludge from a WWTP at a temperature of 20 degrees C for a period of around 150 days. Reactor AC1 was fed with a mixture of faeces, urine and kitchen refuse in the equivalent amount that one individual generates per day. The AC2 was fed with a mixture of faeces and kitchen refuse in the equivalent amount that two individuals produce per day. Some contribution of urine to AC2 was not to be avoided. Detailed characterisation of waste(water) was performed. The performance of the stratified reactor was followed by monitoring the reactor content for several reactors' heights as well as being based on the biogas production. In general the system exposed good process stability. The methanisation of 34 and 61% was obtained for AC1 and AC2 respectively. The biogas yield was 26.5 and 50.8 L/p/d for the respective reactors. Proper choice of inoculum as well as good buffering capacity did not lead to accumulation of VFA and an inhibitive effect due to relatively high ammonium concentration. The chosen process is a promising technology showing good process stability especially for high strength influent.

Estimation of ambient dose equivalent distribution in the 18F-FDG administration room using Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Nagamine, Shuji; Fujibuchi, Toshioh; Umezu, Yoshiyuki; Himuro, Kazuhiko; Awamoto, Shinichi; Tsutsui, Yuji; Nakamura, Yasuhiko

2017-03-01

In this study, we estimated the ambient dose equivalent rate (hereafter "dose rate") in the fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) administration room in our hospital using Monte Carlo simulations, and examined the appropriate medical-personnel locations and a shielding method to reduce the dose rate during FDG injection using a lead glass shield. The line source was assumed to be the FDG feed tube and the patient a cube source. The dose rate distribution was calculated with a composite source that combines the line and cube sources. The dose rate distribution was also calculated when a lead glass shield was placed in the rear section of the lead-acrylic shield. The dose rate behind the automatic administration device decreased by 87 % with respect to that behind the lead-acrylic shield. Upon positioning a 2.8-cm-thick lead glass shield, the dose rate behind the lead-acrylic shield decreased by 67 %.

School Principals' Leadership Skills: Measurement Equivalence across Cultures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Da'as, Rima'a

2017-01-01

Despite substantial interest and research in measuring leader's skills, little is known about the measurement equivalence and mean differences in the scores measuring principals' skills (cognitive, interpersonal, strategic) across cultures (collectivism versus individualism). The aim of the present study was to assess measurement…

Analytical and numerical construction of equivalent cables.

PubMed

Lindsay, K A; Rosenberg, J R; Tucker, G

2003-08-01

The mathematical complexity experienced when applying cable theory to arbitrarily branched dendrites has lead to the development of a simple representation of any branched dendrite called the equivalent cable. The equivalent cable is an unbranched model of a dendrite and a one-to-one mapping of potentials and currents on the branched model to those on the unbranched model, and vice versa. The piecewise uniform cable, with a symmetrised tri-diagonal system matrix, is shown to represent the canonical form for an equivalent cable. Through a novel application of the Laplace transform it is demonstrated that an arbitrary branched model of a dendrite can be transformed to the canonical form of an equivalent cable. The characteristic properties of the equivalent cable are extracted from the matrix for the transformed branched model. The one-to-one mapping follows automatically from the construction of the equivalent cable. The equivalent cable is used to provide a new procedure for characterising the location of synaptic contacts on spinal interneurons.

Assessment of eye lens doses for workers during interventional radiology procedures.

PubMed

Urboniene, A; Sadzeviciene, E; Ziliukas, J

2015-07-01

The assessment of eye lens doses for workers during interventional radiology (IR) procedures was performed using a new eye lens dosemeter. In parallel, the results of routine individual monitoring were analysed and compared with the results obtained from measurements with a new eye lens dosemeter. The eye lens doses were assessed using Hp(3) measured at the level of the eyes and were compared with Hp(10) measured with the whole-body dosemeter above the lead collar. The information about use of protective measures, the number of performed interventional procedures per month and their fluoroscopy time was also collected. The assessment of doses to the lens of the eye was done for 50 IR workers at 9 Lithuanian hospitals for the period of 2012-2013. If the use of lead glasses is not taken into account, the estimated maximum annual dose equivalent to the lens of the eye was 82 mSv. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Kinematic space for conical defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cresswell, Jesse C.; Peet, Amanda W.

2017-11-01

Kinematic space can be used as an intermediate step in the AdS/CFT dictionary and lends itself naturally to the description of diffeomorphism invariant quantities. From the bulk it has been defined as the space of boundary anchored geodesics, and from the boundary as the space of pairs of CFT points. When the bulk is not globally AdS3 the appearance of non-minimal geodesics leads to ambiguities in these definitions. In this work conical defect spacetimes are considered as an example where non-minimal geodesics are common. From the bulk it is found that the conical defect kinematic space can be obtained from the AdS3 kinematic space by the same quotient under which one obtains the defect from AdS3. The resulting kinematic space is one of many equivalent fundamental regions. From the boundary the conical defect kinematic space can be determined by breaking up OPE blocks into contributions from individual bulk geodesics. A duality is established between partial OPE blocks and bulk fields integrated over individual geodesics, minimal or non-minimal.

10 CFR Appendix B to Part 73 - General Criteria for Security Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... or pass an equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic job-related mathematical... equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic mathematical, language, and reasoning skills... administered by a licensed physician. The examination shall be designed to measure the individual's physical...

Equivalent missense variant in the FOXP2 and FOXP1 transcription factors causes distinct neurodevelopmental disorders.

PubMed

Sollis, Elliot; Deriziotis, Pelagia; Saitsu, Hirotomo; Miyake, Noriko; Matsumoto, Naomichi; Hoffer, Mariëtte J V; Ruivenkamp, Claudia A L; Alders, Mariëlle; Okamoto, Nobuhiko; Bijlsma, Emilia K; Plomp, Astrid S; Fisher, Simon E

2017-11-01

The closely related paralogues FOXP2 and FOXP1 encode transcription factors with shared functions in the development of many tissues, including the brain. However, while mutations in FOXP2 lead to a speech/language disorder characterized by childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), the clinical profile of FOXP1 variants includes a broader neurodevelopmental phenotype with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and speech/language impairment. Using clinical whole-exome sequencing, we report an identical de novo missense FOXP1 variant identified in three unrelated patients. The variant, p.R514H, is located in the forkhead-box DNA-binding domain and is equivalent to the well-studied p.R553H FOXP2 variant that cosegregates with CAS in a large UK family. We present here for the first time a direct comparison of the molecular and clinical consequences of the same mutation affecting the equivalent residue in FOXP1 and FOXP2. Detailed functional characterization of the two variants in cell model systems revealed very similar molecular consequences, including aberrant subcellular localization, disruption of transcription factor activity, and deleterious effects on protein interactions. Nonetheless, clinical manifestations were broader and more severe in the three cases carrying the p.R514H FOXP1 variant than in individuals with the p.R553H variant related to CAS, highlighting divergent roles of FOXP2 and FOXP1 in neurodevelopment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Principle of Equivalence: Demonstrations of Local Effective Vertical and Horizontal

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Munera, Hector A.

2010-01-01

It has been suggested that Einstein's principle of equivalence (PE) should be introduced at an early stage. This principle leads to the notion of local effective gravity, which in turn defines effective vertical and horizontal directions. Local effective gravity need not coincide with the direction of terrestrial gravity. This paper describes…

77 FR 32632 - Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Three New Equivalent Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

... Hydrogen Peroxide Filter Extraction'' In this method, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is collected on glass fiber filters according to 40 CFR Appendix G to part 50, EPA Reference Method for the Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected From Ambient Air. The filter samples are...

45 CFR 286.100 - What activities count towards the work participation rate?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (11) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a recipient has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate; (12) Providing child care...

45 CFR 286.100 - What activities count towards the work participation rate?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (11) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a recipient has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate; (12) Providing child care...

45 CFR 286.100 - What activities count towards the work participation rate?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (11) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a recipient has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate; (12) Providing child care...

45 CFR 286.100 - What activities count towards the work participation rate?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (11) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a recipient has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate; (12) Providing child care...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart X of... - Toxic Equivalency Factors

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Subpart X of Part 63 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants From Secondary Lead Smelting Pt. 63, Subpt. X, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart X of Part 63—Toxic Equivalency Factors Dioxin/furan congener Toxicequivalency factor 2,3,7,8...

Lead-free primary explosives

DOEpatents

Huynh, My Hang V.

2010-06-22

Lead-free primary explosives of the formula (cat).sub.Y[M.sup.II(T).sub.X(H.sub.2O).sub.6-X].sub.Z, where T is 5-nitrotetrazolate, and syntheses thereof are described. Substantially stoichiometric equivalents of the reactants lead to high yields of pure compositions thereby avoiding dangerous purification steps.

Variation of fundamental constants on sub- and super-Hubble scales: From the equivalence principle to the multiverse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uzan, Jean-Philippe

2013-02-01

Fundamental constants play a central role in many modern developments in gravitation and cosmology. Most extensions of general relativity lead to the conclusion that dimensionless constants are actually dynamical fields. Any detection of their variation on sub-Hubble scales would signal a violation of the Einstein equivalence principle and hence a lead to gravity beyond general relativity. On super-Hubble scales, or maybe should we say on super-universe scales, such variations are invoked as a solution to the fine-tuning problem, in connection with an anthropic approach.

Internet Administration of Paper-and-Pencil Questionnaires Used in Couple Research: Assessing Psychometric Equivalence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brock, Rebecca L.; Barry, Robin A.; Lawrence, Erika; Dey, Jodi; Rolffs, Jaci

2012-01-01

This study examined the psychometric equivalence of paper-and-pencil and Internet formats of key questionnaires used in couple research. Self-report questionnaires assessing interpersonal constructs (relationship satisfaction, communication/conflict management, partner support, emotional intimacy) and intrapersonal constructs (individual traits,…

Pseudo-Equivalent Groups and Linking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haberman, Shelby J.

2015-01-01

Adjustment by minimum discriminant information provides an approach to linking test forms in the case of a nonequivalent groups design with no satisfactory common items. This approach employs background information on individual examinees in each administration so that weighted samples of examinees form pseudo-equivalent groups in the sense that…

The Supply of Prescription Opioids: Contributions of Episodic-Care Prescribers and High-Quantity Prescribers.

PubMed

Schneberk, Todd; Raffetto, Brian; Kim, David; Schriger, David L

2018-06-01

We determine episodic and high-quantity prescribers' contribution to opioid prescriptions and total morphine milligram equivalents in California, especially among individuals prescribed large amounts of opioids. This was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of opioid prescribing patterns during an 8-year period using the de-identified Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) database, the California subsection of the prescription drug monitoring program. We took a 10% random sample of all patients and stratified them by the amount of prescription opioids obtained during their maximal 90-day period. We identified "episodic prescribers" as those whose prescribing pattern included short-acting opioids on greater than 95% of all prescriptions, fewer than or equal to 31 pills on 95% of all prescriptions, only 1 prescription in the database for greater than 90% of all patients to whom they gave opioids, fewer than 6 prescriptions in the database to greater than 99% of patients given opioids, and fewer than 540 prescriptions per year. We identified top 5% prescribers by their morphine milligram equivalents per day in the database. We examined the relationship between patient opioid prescriptions and provider type, with the primary analysis performed on the patient cohort who received only short-acting opioids in an attempt to avoid guideline-concordant palliative, oncologic, and addiction care, and a secondary analysis performed on all patients. Among patients with short-acting opioid only, episodic prescribers (14.6% of 173,000 prescribers) wrote at least one prescription to 25% of 2.7 million individuals but were responsible for less than 9% of the 10.5 million opioid prescriptions and less than 3% of the 3.9 billion morphine milligram equivalents in our sample. Among individuals with high morphine milligram equivalents use, episodic prescribers were responsible for 2.8% of prescriptions and 0.6% of total morphine milligram equivalents. Conversely, the top 5% of prescribers prescribed at least 29.8% of prescriptions and 48.8% of total morphine milligram equivalents, with a greater contribution in patients with high morphine milligram equivalents. Episodic prescribers contribute minimally to total opioid prescriptions, especially among individuals categorized as using high morphine milligram equivalents. Interventions focused on reducing opioid prescriptions in the episodic care setting are unlikely to yield important reductions in the prescription opioid supply; conversely, targeting high-quantity prescribers has the potential to create substantial reductions. Copyright © 2017 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced engine management of individual cylinders for control of exhaust species

DOEpatents

Graves, Ronald L [Knoxville, TN; West, Brian H [Knoxville, TN; Huff, Shean P [Knoxville, TN; Parks, II, James E

2008-12-30

A method and system controls engine-out exhaust species of a combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. The method typically includes various combinations of steps such as controlling combustion parameters in individual cylinders, grouping the individual cylinders into a lean set and a rich set of one or more cylinders, combusting the lean set in a lean combustion parameter condition having a lean air:fuel equivalence ratio, combusting the rich set in a rich combustion parameter condition having a rich air:fuel equivalence ratio, and adjusting the lean set and the rich set of one or more cylinders to generate net-lean combustion. The exhaust species may have elevated concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen.

Variables influencing wearable sensor outcome estimates in individuals with stroke and incomplete spinal cord injury: a pilot investigation validating two research grade sensors.

PubMed

Jayaraman, Chandrasekaran; Mummidisetty, Chaithanya Krishna; Mannix-Slobig, Alannah; McGee Koch, Lori; Jayaraman, Arun

2018-03-13

Monitoring physical activity and leveraging wearable sensor technologies to facilitate active living in individuals with neurological impairment has been shown to yield benefits in terms of health and quality of living. In this context, accurate measurement of physical activity estimates from these sensors are vital. However, wearable sensor manufacturers generally only provide standard proprietary algorithms based off of healthy individuals to estimate physical activity metrics which may lead to inaccurate estimates in population with neurological impairment like stroke and incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). The main objective of this cross-sectional investigation was to evaluate the validity of physical activity estimates provided by standard proprietary algorithms for individuals with stroke and iSCI. Two research grade wearable sensors used in clinical settings were chosen and the outcome metrics estimated using standard proprietary algorithms were validated against designated golden standard measures (Cosmed K4B2 for energy expenditure and metabolic equivalent and manual tallying for step counts). The influence of sensor location, sensor type and activity characteristics were also studied. 28 participants (Healthy (n = 10); incomplete SCI (n = 8); stroke (n = 10)) performed a spectrum of activities in a laboratory setting using two wearable sensors (ActiGraph and Metria-IH1) at different body locations. Manufacturer provided standard proprietary algorithms estimated the step count, energy expenditure (EE) and metabolic equivalent (MET). These estimates were compared with the estimates from gold standard measures. For verifying validity, a series of Kruskal Wallis ANOVA tests (Games-Howell multiple comparison for post-hoc analyses) were conducted to compare the mean rank and absolute agreement of outcome metrics estimated by each of the devices in comparison with the designated gold standard measurements. The sensor type, sensor location, activity characteristics and the population specific condition influences the validity of estimation of physical activity metrics using standard proprietary algorithms. Implementing population specific customized algorithms accounting for the influences of sensor location, type and activity characteristics for estimating physical activity metrics in individuals with stroke and iSCI could be beneficial.

Periodic equivalence ratio modulation method and apparatus for controlling combustion instability

DOEpatents

Richards, George A.; Janus, Michael C.; Griffith, Richard A.

2000-01-01

The periodic equivalence ratio modulation (PERM) method and apparatus significantly reduces and/or eliminates unstable conditions within a combustion chamber. The method involves modulating the equivalence ratio for the combustion device, such that the combustion device periodically operates outside of an identified unstable oscillation region. The equivalence ratio is modulated between preselected reference points, according to the shape of the oscillation region and operating parameters of the system. Preferably, the equivalence ratio is modulated from a first stable condition to a second stable condition, and, alternatively, the equivalence ratio is modulated from a stable condition to an unstable condition. The method is further applicable to multi-nozzle combustor designs, whereby individual nozzles are alternately modulated from stable to unstable conditions. Periodic equivalence ratio modulation (PERM) is accomplished by active control involving periodic, low frequency fuel modulation, whereby low frequency fuel pulses are injected into the main fuel delivery. Importantly, the fuel pulses are injected at a rate so as not to affect the desired time-average equivalence ratio for the combustion device.

Variation in PTCHD2, CRISP3, NAP1L4, FSCB, and AP3B2 associated with spherical equivalent.

PubMed

Chen, Fei; Duggal, Priya; Klein, Barbara E K; Lee, Kristine E; Truitt, Barbara; Klein, Ronald; Iyengar, Sudha K; Klein, Alison P

2016-01-01

Ocular refraction is measured in spherical equivalent as the power of the external lens required to focus images on the retina. Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are the most common refractive errors, and the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the world. The goal of this study is to identify rare and low-frequency variants that influence spherical equivalent. We conducted variant-level and gene-level quantitative trait association analyses for mean spherical equivalent, using data from 1,560 individuals in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Genotyping was conducted using the Illumina exome array. We analyzed 34,976 single nucleotide variants and 11,571 autosomal genes across the genome, using single-variant tests as well as gene-based tests. Spherical equivalent was significantly associated with five genes in gene-based analysis: PTCHD2 at 1p36.22 (p = 3.6 × 10(-7)), CRISP3 at 6p12.3 (p = 4.3 × 10(-6)), NAP1L4 at 11p15.5 (p = 3.6 × 10(-6)), FSCB at 14q21.2 (p = 1.5 × 10(-7)), and AP3B2 at 15q25.2 (p = 1.6 × 10(-7)). The variant-based tests identified evidence suggestive of association with two novel variants in linkage disequilibrium (pairwise r(2) = 0.80) in the TCTE1 gene region at 6p21.1 (rs2297336, minor allele frequency (MAF) = 14.1%, β = -0.62 p = 3.7 × 10(-6); rs324146, MAF = 16.9%, β = -0.55, p = 1.4 × 10(-5)). In addition to these novel findings, we successfully replicated a previously reported association with rs634990 near GJD2 at 15q14 (MAF = 47%, β = -0.29, p=1.8 × 10(-3)). We also found evidence of association with spherical equivalent on 2q37.1 in PRSS56 at rs1550094 (MAF = 31%, β = -0.33, p = 1.7 × 10(-3)), a region previously associated with myopia. We identified several novel candidate genes that may play a role in the control of spherical equivalent. However, further studies are needed to replicate these findings. In addition, our results contribute to the increasing evidence that variation in the GJD2 and PRSS56 genes influence the development of refractive errors. Identifying that variation in these genes is associated with spherical equivalent may provide further insight into the etiology of myopia and consequent vision loss.

77 FR 4909 - Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-01

... Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. DATES: Effective Date: This... level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Since... Federal Poverty Guidelines. The figures for 2012 set out below are equivalent to 125% of the current...

75 FR 47487 - Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-06

... Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. DATES: Effective Date: This... level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Since... Federal Poverty Guidelines. The figures for 2010 set out below are equivalent to 125% of the current...

Direct and Quantitative Photothermal Absorption Spectroscopy of Individual Particulates

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

1(a). By taking the ratio of the spectral absorption efficiency of the microwire to the corresponding volumetri - cally equivalent thin film, an...of D¼ 983 nm. For further comparison, the theoretical spectral absorption efficiency for a volumetri - cally equivalent (t¼ 983p/4 nm) thin film, Qabs

Reference and Equivalent Methods Used to Measure National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Criteria Air Pollutants - Volume I

EPA Science Inventory

There are a number of Federal Reference Method (FRM) and Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) systems used to monitor the six criteria air pollutants (Lead [Pb], Carbon Monoxide [CO], Sulfur Dioxide [SO2], Nitrogen Dioxide [NO2], Ozone [O3], Particulate Matter [PM]) to determine if an...

42 CFR 60.5 - Who is an eligible student borrower?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM The Borrower § 60.5 Who is an eligible student borrower? To receive a HEAL... accepted for enrollment at a HEAL school in a course of study that leads to one of the following degrees... Medicine or equivalent degree Bachelor or Master of Science in Pharmacy or equivalent degree Graduate or...

42 CFR 60.5 - Who is an eligible student borrower?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM The Borrower § 60.5 Who is an eligible student borrower? To receive a HEAL... accepted for enrollment at a HEAL school in a course of study that leads to one of the following degrees... Medicine or equivalent degree Bachelor or Master of Science in Pharmacy or equivalent degree Graduate or...

Attenuation of X and Gamma Rays in Personal Radiation Shielding Protective Clothing.

PubMed

Kozlovska, Michaela; Cerny, Radek; Otahal, Petr

2015-11-01

A collection of personal radiation shielding protective clothing, suitable for use in case of accidents in nuclear facilities or radiological emergency situations involving radioactive agents, was gathered and tested at the Nuclear Protection Department of the National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection, Czech Republic. Attenuating qualities of shielding layers in individual protective clothing were tested via spectra measurement of x and gamma rays, penetrating them. The rays originated from different radionuclide point sources, the gamma ray energies of which cover a broad energy range. The spectra were measured by handheld spectrometers, both scintillation and High Purity Germanium. Different narrow beam geometries were adjusted using a special testing bench and a set of various collimators. The main experimentally determined quantity for individual samples of personal radiation shielding protective clothing was x and gamma rays attenuation for significant energies of the spectra. The attenuation was assessed comparing net peak areas (after background subtraction) in spectra, where a tested sample was placed between the source and the detector, and corresponding net peak areas in spectra, measured without the sample. Mass attenuation coefficients, which describe attenuating qualities of shielding layers materials in individual samples, together with corresponding lead equivalents, were determined as well. Experimentally assessed mass attenuation coefficients of the samples were compared to the referred ones for individual heavy metals.

Acids with an equivalent taste lead to different erosion of human dental enamel.

PubMed

Beyer, Markus; Reichert, Jörg; Bossert, Jörg; Sigusch, Bernd W; Watts, David C; Jandt, Klaus D

2011-10-01

The consumption of acidic soft drinks may lead to demineralization and softening of human dental enamel, known as dental erosion. The aims of this in vitro study were to determine: (i) if different acids with a similar sensorial acidic taste lead to different hardness loss of enamel and (ii) if the fruit acids tartaric, malic, lactic or ascorbic acid lead to less hardness loss of enamel than citric or phosphoric acid when their concentration in solution is based on an equivalent sensorial acidic taste. Enamel samples of non-erupted human third molars were treated with acidic solutions of tartaric (TA), malic (MA), lactic (LA), ascorbic (AA), phosphoric (PA) and citric (CA) acids with a concentration that gave an equivalent sensorial acidic taste. The acidic solutions were characterized by pH value and titratable acidity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanoindentation was used to study the nano mechanical properties and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the morphology of the treated enamel samples and the untreated control areas, respectively. The investigated acids fell into two groups. The nano hardnesses of MA, TA and CA treated enamel samples (group I) were statistically significantly greater (p<0.05) than the nano hardnesses of PA, AA and LA treated enamel samples (group II). Within each group the nano hardness was not statistically significantly different (p>0.05). The SEM micrographs showed different etch prism morphologies depending on the acid used. In vitro, the acids investigated led to different erosion effects on human dental enamel, despite their equivalent sensorial acidic taste. This has not been reported previously. Copyright © 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of a field-based test to estimate functional threshold power and power output at lactate threshold.

PubMed

Gavin, Timothy P; Van Meter, Jessica B; Brophy, Patricia M; Dubis, Gabriel S; Potts, Katlin N; Hickner, Robert C

2012-02-01

It has been proposed that field-based tests (FT) used to estimate functional threshold power (FTP) result in power output (PO) equivalent to PO at lactate threshold (LT). However, anecdotal evidence from regional cycling teams tested for LT in our laboratory suggested that PO at LT underestimated FTP. It was hypothesized that estimated FTP is not equivalent to PO at LT. The LT and estimated FTP were measured in 7 trained male competitive cyclists (VO2max = 65.3 ± 1.6 ml O2·kg(-1)·min(-1)). The FTP was estimated from an 8-minute FT and compared with PO at LT using 2 methods; LT(Δ1), a 1 mmol·L(-1) or greater rise in blood lactate in response to an increase in workload and LT(4.0), blood lactate of 4.0 mmol·L(-1). The estimated FTP was equivalent to PO at LT(4.0) and greater than PO at LT(Δ1). VO2max explained 93% of the variance in individual PO during the 8-minute FT. When the 8-minute FT PO was expressed relative to maximal PO from the VO2max test (individual exercise performance), VO2max explained 64% of the variance in individual exercise performance. The PO at LT was not related to 8-minute FT PO. In conclusion, FTP estimated from an 8-minute FT is equivalent to PO at LT if LT(4.0) is used but is not equivalent for all methods of LT determination including LT(Δ1).

The Influence of Framing on Risky Decisions: A Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kühberger

1998-07-01

In framing studies, logically equivalent choice situations are differently described and the resulting preferences are studied. A meta-analysis of framing effects is presented for risky choice problems which are framed either as gains or as losses. This evaluates the finding that highlighting the positive aspects of formally identical problems does lead to risk aversion and that highlighting their equivalent negative aspects does lead to risk seeking. Based on a data pool of 136 empirical papers that reported framing experiments with nearly 30,000 participants, we calculated 230 effect sizes. Results show that the overall framing effect between conditions is of small to moderate size and that profound differences exist between research designs. Potentially relevant characteristics were coded for each study. The most important characteristics were whether framing is manipulated by changing reference points or by manipulating outcome salience, and response mode (choice vs. rating/judgment). Further important characteristics were whether options differ qualitatively or quantitatively in risk, whether there is one or multiple risky events, whether framing is manipulated by gain/loss or by task-responsive wording, whether dependent variables are measured between- or within- subjects, and problem domains. Sample (students vs. target populations) and unit of analysis (individual vs. group) was not influential. It is concluded that framing is a reliable phenomenon, but that outcome salience manipulations, which constitute a considerable amount of work, have to be distinguished from reference point manipulations and that procedural features of experimental settings have a considerable effect on effect sizes in framing experiments. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Is there a hard-to-reach audience?

PubMed Central

Freimuth, V S; Mettger, W

1990-01-01

The "hard-to-reach" label has been applied to many different audiences. Persons who have a low socioeconomic status (SES), members of ethnic minorities, and persons who have a low level of literacy often are tagged as "hard-to-reach." The authors identify reasons why these groups have been labelled "hard-to-reach," discuss preconceptions associated with the "hard-to-reach" label, propose alternative conceptualizations of these audiences, and present implications of such conceptualizations for health communication campaigns. Pejorative labels and preconceptions about various groups may lead to depicting these audiences as powerless, apathetic, and isolated. The authors discuss alternative conceptualizations, which highlight the strengths of different audience segments and encourage innovative approaches to the communication process. These alternative conceptualizations emphasize interactive communication, a view of society in which individuals are seen as members of equivalent--albeit different--cultures, and a shift of responsibility for health problems from individuals to social systems. Recommendations for incorporating these alternative concepts into health campaigns include formative research techniques that create a dialogue among participants, more sophisticated segmentation techniques to capture audience diversity, and new roles for mass media that are more interactive and responsive to individual needs. PMID:2113680

Measurement Invariance of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory

PubMed Central

Bunnell, Brian E.; Joseph, Dana L.; Beidel, Deborah C.

2012-01-01

The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) is a commonly used self-report measure of social phobia that has demonstrated adequate reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity. However, research has yet to address whether this measure functions equivalently in (a) individuals with and without a diagnosis of social phobia and (b) males and females. Evaluating measurement equivalence is necessary in order to determine that the construct of social anxiety is conceptually understood invariantly across these populations. The results of the current investigation, using a series of nested factorial models proposed by Vandenberg and Lance (2000), provide evidence for strong equivalence across 420 individuals with and without diagnoses of social anxiety disorder and across male and female samples. Accordingly, these results provide psychometric justification for comparison of SPAI scores across the symptom continuum and sexes. PMID:23247204

Red deer bone and antler collagen are not isotopically equivalent in carbon and nitrogen.

PubMed

Stevens, Rhiannon E; O'Connell, Tamsin C

2016-09-15

Bone and antler collagen δ(13) C and δ(15) N values are often assumed to be equivalent when measured in palaeodietary, palaeoclimate and palaeocological studies. Although compositionally similar, bone grows slowly and is remodelled whereas antler growth is rapid and remodelling does not occur. These different patterns of growth could result in isotopic difference within antler and between the two tissue types. Here we test whether red deer (Cervus elaphus) bone and antler δ(13) C and δ(15) N values are equivalent, and whether intra-antler isotopic values are uniform. Bone and antler were isotopically analysed from six stags that lived in a temperate maritime climate on the Isle of Rum, Scotland. Multiple antlers from different years were sampled per individual, together with a single bone sample per individual. Up to 12 samples were taken along the length of each antler (total of 25 antlers, 259 samples) so that a chronological record of the isotopic composition during antler growth could be obtained. Collagen was extracted and its δ(13) C and δ(15) N values were measured by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Intra-antler collagen isotope signatures vary, and show that not all antlers from an individual or a growth year are equivalent in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios. δ(15) N values typically increase with distance along antler length, but no overall trend is observed in δ(13) C values. An isotopic offset is visible between bone and antler, with bone δ(13) C and δ(15) N values being higher in most cases. Bone and antler collagen δ(13) C and δ(15) N values are not isotopically equivalent and are therefore not directly comparable in palaeodietary, palaeoclimate and palaeocological studies. Bone and antler collagen isotopic differences probably relate to differential metabolic processes during the formation of the two tissues. Intra- and inter-antler isotopic variations probably reflect the isotopic composition of an individual's diet rather than physiological parameters, and may have the potential to provide high-resolution individual-specific information in modern and ancient cervid populations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On the nature of unintentional action: a study of force/moment drifts during multifinger tasks.

PubMed

Parsa, Behnoosh; O'Shea, Daniel J; Zatsiorsky, Vladimir M; Latash, Mark L

2016-08-01

We explored the origins of unintentional changes in performance during accurate force production in isometric conditions seen after turning visual feedback off. The idea of control with referent spatial coordinates suggests that these phenomena could result from drifts of the referent coordinate for the effector. Subjects performed accurate force/moment production tasks by pressing with the fingers of a hand on force sensors. Turning the visual feedback off resulted in slow drifts of both total force and total moment to lower magnitudes of these variables; these drifts were more pronounced in the right hand of the right-handed subjects. Drifts in individual finger forces could be in different direction; in particular, fingers that produced moments of force against the required total moment showed an increase in their forces. The force/moment drift was associated with a drop in the index of synergy stabilizing performance under visual feedback. The drifts in directions that changed performance (non-motor equivalent) and in directions that did not (motor equivalent) were of about the same magnitude. The results suggest that control with referent coordinates is associated with drifts of those referent coordinates toward the corresponding actual coordinates of the hand, a reflection of the natural tendency of physical systems to move toward a minimum of potential energy. The interaction between drifts of the hand referent coordinate and referent orientation leads to counterdirectional drifts in individual finger forces. The results also demonstrate that the sensory information used to create multifinger synergies is necessary for their presence over the task duration. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Effect Size Indices for Analyses of Measurement Equivalence: Understanding the Practical Importance of Differences between Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nye, Christopher D.; Drasgow, Fritz

2011-01-01

Because of the practical, theoretical, and legal implications of differential item functioning (DIF) for organizational assessments, studies of measurement equivalence are a necessary first step before scores can be compared across individuals from different groups. However, commonly recommended criteria for evaluating results from these analyses…

76 FR 4550 - Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-26

... Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. DATES: Effective Date: This... maximum income level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty... issuing the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The figures for 2010 set out below are equivalent to 125% of the...

78 FR 7679 - Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-04

... Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. DATES: Effective date: This... level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Since... Federal Poverty Guidelines. The figures for 2013 set out below are equivalent to 125 percent (125%) of the...

42 CFR 440.315 - Exempt individuals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Exempt individuals. 440.315 Section 440.315 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.315 Exempt individuals....

42 CFR 440.315 - Exempt individuals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Exempt individuals. 440.315 Section 440.315 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.315 Exempt individuals....

42 CFR 440.315 - Exempt individuals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Exempt individuals. 440.315 Section 440.315 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.315 Exempt individuals....

42 CFR 440.315 - Exempt individuals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Exempt individuals. 440.315 Section 440.315 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.315 Exempt individuals....

42 CFR 440.315 - Exempt individuals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Exempt individuals. 440.315 Section 440.315 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.315 Exempt individuals....

The Equivalence of Precession Phenomena in Metric Theories of Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krisher, Timothy P.

1996-01-01

The requirement of general covariance imparts to metric theories of gravity, such as general relativity, important structural features. A precise mathematical form results, ensuring that computation of observable physical effects in the theory gives the same answers independently of the chosen system of coordinates. This coordinate independence property, in turn, can lead to an equivalence of apparently different physical effects.

Some aspects of multicomponent excess free energy models with subregular binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Weiji; Ganguly, Jibamitra

1994-09-01

We have shown that two of the most commonly used multicomponent formulations of excess Gibbs free energy of mixing, those by WOHL (1946, 1953) and REDLICH and KISTER (1948), are formally equivalent if the binaries are constrained to have subregular properties, and also that other subregular multicomponent formulations developed in the mineralogical and geochemical literature are equivalent to, or higher order extensions of, these formulations. We have also presented a compact derivation of a multicomponent subregular solution leading to the same expression as derived by HELFFRICH and WOOD (1989). It is shown that Wohl's multicomponent formulation involves combination of binary excess free energies, which are calculated at compositions obtained by normal projection of the multicomponent composition onto the bounding binary joins, and is, thus, equivalent to the formulation developed by MUGGIANU et al. (1975). Finally, following the lead of HILLERT (1980), we have explored the limiting behavior of regular and subregular ternary solutions when a pair of components become energetically equivalent, and have, thus, derived an expression for calculating the ternary interaction parameter in a ternary solution from a knowledge of the properties of the bounding binaries, when one of these binaries is nearly ideal.

TU-D-209-07: Monte Carlo Assessment of Dose to the Lens of the Eye of Radiologist Using Realistic Phantoms and Eyeglass Models

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

Xu, X; Lin, H; Gao, Y

Purpose: To study how eyeglass design features and postures of the interventional radiologist affect the radiation dose to the lens of the eye. Methods: A mesh-based deformable phantom, consisting of an ultra-fine eye model, was used to simulate postures of a radiologist in fluoroscopically guided interventional procedure (facing the patient, 45 degree to the left, and 45 degree to the right). Various eyewear design features were studied, including the shape, lead-equivalent thickness, and separation from the face. The MCNPX Monte Carlo code was used to simulate the X-ray source used for the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization procedure (The X-ray tube ismore » located 35 cm from the ground, emitting X-rays toward to the ceiling; Field size is 40cm X 40cm; X-ray tube voltage is 90 kVp). Experiments were also performed using dosimeter placed on a physical phantom behind eyeglasses. Results: Without protective eyewear, the radiologist’s eye lens can receive an annual dose equivalent of about 80 mSv. When wearing a pair of lead eyeglasses with lead-equivalent of 0.5-mm Pb, the annual dose equivalent of the eye lens is reduced to 31.47 mSv, but both exceed the new ICRP limit of 20 mSv. A face shield with a lead-equivalent of 0.125-mm Pb in the shape of a semi-cylinder (13cm in radius and 20-cm in height) would further reduce the exposure to the lens of the eye. Examination of postures and eyeglass features reveal surprising information, including that the glass-to-eye separation also plays an important role in the dose to the eye lens from scattered X-ray from underneath and the side. Results are in general agreement with measurements. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to further understand the relationship between the radiation environment and the radiologist’s eyewear and posture in order to provide necessary protection to the interventional radiologists under newly reduced dose limits.« less

Electroweak splitting functions and high energy showering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Junmou; Han, Tao; Tweedie, Brock

2017-11-01

We derive the electroweak (EW) collinear splitting functions for the Standard Model, including the massive fermions, gauge bosons and the Higgs boson. We first present the splitting functions in the limit of unbroken SU(2) L × U(1) Y and discuss their general features in the collinear and soft-collinear regimes. These are the leading contributions at a splitting scale ( k T ) far above the EW scale ( v). We then systematically incorporate EW symmetry breaking (EWSB), which leads to the emergence of additional "ultra-collinear" splitting phenomena and naive violations of the Goldstone-boson Equivalence Theorem. We suggest a particularly convenient choice of non-covariant gauge (dubbed "Goldstone Equivalence Gauge") that disentangles the effects of Goldstone bosons and gauge fields in the presence of EWSB, and allows trivial book-keeping of leading power corrections in v/ k T . We implement a comprehensive, practical EW showering scheme based on these splitting functions using a Sudakov evolution formalism. Novel features in the implementation include a complete accounting of ultra-collinear effects, matching between shower and decay, kinematic back-reaction corrections in multi-stage showers, and mixed-state evolution of neutral bosons ( γ/ Z/ h) using density-matrices. We employ the EW showering formalism to study a number of important physical processes at O (1-10 TeV) energies. They include (a) electroweak partons in the initial state as the basis for vector-boson-fusion; (b) the emergence of "weak jets" such as those initiated by transverse gauge bosons, with individual splitting probabilities as large as O (35%); (c) EW showers initiated by top quarks, including Higgs bosons in the final state; (d) the occurrence of O (1) interference effects within EW showers involving the neutral bosons; and (e) EW corrections to new physics processes, as illustrated by production of a heavy vector boson ( W ') and the subsequent showering of its decay products.

Cross-Ethnic Measurement Equivalence of Measures of Depression, Social Anxiety, and Worry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hambrick, James P.; Rodebaugh, Thomas L.; Balsis, Steve; Woods, Carol M.; Mendez, Julia L.; Heimberg, Richard G.

2010-01-01

Although study of clinical phenomena in individuals from different ethnic backgrounds has improved over the years, African American and Asian American individuals continue to be underrepresented in research samples. Without adequate psychometric data about how questionnaires perform in individuals from different ethnic samples, findings from both…

Exercise training improves muscle vasodilatation in individuals with T786C polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene.

PubMed

Negrao, Marcelo V; Alves, Cleber R; Alves, Guilherme B; Pereira, Alexandre C; Dias, Rodrigo G; Laterza, Mateus C; Mota, Gloria F; Oliveira, Edilamar M; Bassaneze, Vinícius; Krieger, Jose E; Negrao, Carlos E; Rondon, Maria Urbana P B

2010-09-01

Allele T at promoter region of the eNOS gene has been associated with an increase in coronary disease mortality, suggesting that this allele increases susceptibility for endothelial dysfunction. In contrast, exercise training improves endothelial function. Thus, we hypothesized that: 1) Muscle vasodilatation during exercise is attenuated in individuals homozygous for allele T, and 2) Exercise training improves muscle vasodilatation in response to exercise for TT genotype individuals. From 133 preselected healthy individuals genotyped for the T786C polymorphism, 72 participated in the study: TT (n = 37; age 27 ± 1 yr) and CT+CC (n = 35; age 26 ± 1 yr). Forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography) and blood pressure (oscillometric automatic cuff) were evaluated at rest and during 30% handgrip exercise. Exercise training consisted of three sessions per week for 18 wk, with intensity between anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point. Resting forearm vascular conductance (FVC, P = 0.17) and mean blood pressure (P = 0.70) were similar between groups. However, FVC responses during handgrip exercise were significantly lower in TT individuals compared with CT+CC individuals (0.39 ± 0.12 vs. 1.08 ± 0.27 units, P = 0.01). Exercise training significantly increased peak VO(2) in both groups, but resting FVC remained unchanged. This intervention significantly increased FVC response to handgrip exercise in TT individuals (P = 0.03), but not in CT+CC individuals (P = 0.49), leading to an equivalent FVC response between TT and CT+CC individuals (1.05 ± 0.18 vs. 1.59 ± 0.27 units, P = 0.27). In conclusion, exercise training improves muscle vasodilatation in response to exercise in TT genotype individuals, demonstrating that genetic variants influence the effects of interventions such as exercise training.

The Living with Medicines Questionnaire: Translation and Cultural Adaptation into the Arabic Context.

PubMed

Zidan, Amani; Awaisu, Ahmed; Hasan, Sanah; Kheir, Nadir

2016-09-01

The Living with Medicines Questionnaire (LMQ) was developed in English language to assess, from a patient's perspective, issues related to the burden resulting from the use of medicines. To translate and culturally adapt the LMQ into the Arabic language and context. Permission to translate the LMQ was obtained from the original developers, and a protocol for its translation and cultural adaptation was developed using the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures. Two forward translations (from English into Arabic) were developed and compared to produce the first reconciled version, which was back-translated into English. The resulting English version was compared with the original questionnaire leading to the second reconciled version. The emerged Arabic questionnaire was then cognitively tested among purposively selected individuals to assess the linguistic and cultural equivalence, and produce the final Arabic version. Issues identified and related to cultural and conceptual equivalence of some terms were resolved by rewording some items in the tool. The translation process and cognitive debriefing exercise generated comments regarding the original tool's construct and its Arabic equivalent, which were communicated to the developers of the LMQ for their consideration while conducting further comparative studies. A culturally suitable translation of the LMQ was generated for potential use in research and clinical practice in Arabic-speaking countries. Further validation of the developed Arabic version is recommended and planned. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Treatments for Functionally Equivalent Problem Behavior Maintained by Adult Compliance with Mands during Interactive Play

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmidt, Jonathan D.; Bednar, Mary K.; Willse, Lena V.; Goetzel, Amanda L.; Concepcion, Anthony; Pincus, Shari M.; Hardesty, Samantha L.; Bowman, Lynn G.

2017-01-01

A primary goal of behavioral interventions is to reduce dangerous or inappropriate behavior and to generalize treatment effects across various settings. However, there is a lack of research evaluating generalization of treatment effects while individuals with functionally equivalent problem behavior interact with each other. For the current study,…

45 CFR 2522.200 - What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent... demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (iv... relating to high school education, a program need not obtain additional documentation of that fact. (c...

45 CFR 2526.10 - Who is eligible to receive an education award from the National Service Trust?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

.... (b) High school diploma or equivalent. To use an education award, an individual must— (1) Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (2) Be enrolled at an institution of higher education... declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for disbursement. For purposes of disbursing an education...

45 CFR 2526.10 - Who is eligible to receive an education award from the National Service Trust?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

.... (b) High school diploma or equivalent. To use an education award, an individual must— (1) Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (2) Be enrolled at an institution of higher education... declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for disbursement. For purposes of disbursing an education...

45 CFR 2526.10 - Who is eligible to receive an education award from the National Service Trust?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

.... (b) High school diploma or equivalent. To use an education award, an individual must— (1) Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (2) Be enrolled at an institution of higher education... declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for disbursement. For purposes of disbursing an education...

45 CFR 2522.200 - What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent... demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (iv... relating to high school education, a program need not obtain additional documentation of that fact. (c...

45 CFR 2522.200 - What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent... demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (iv... relating to high school education, a program need not obtain additional documentation of that fact. (c...

45 CFR 2526.10 - Who is eligible to receive an education award from the National Service Trust?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... (b) High school diploma or equivalent. To use an education award, an individual must— (1) Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (2) Be enrolled at an institution of higher education... declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for disbursement. For purposes of disbursing an education...

45 CFR 2526.10 - Who is eligible to receive an education award from the National Service Trust?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

.... (b) High school diploma or equivalent. To use an education award, an individual must— (1) Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; or (2) Be enrolled at an institution of higher education... declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for disbursement. For purposes of disbursing an education...

The Mean Metal-line Absorption Spectrum of Damped Ly α Systems in BOSS

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

Mas-Ribas, Lluís; Miralda-Escudé, Jordi; Pérez-Ràfols, Ignasi

We study the mean absorption spectrum of the Damped Ly α (DLA) population at z ∼ 2.6 by stacking normalized, rest-frame-shifted spectra of ∼27,000 DLA systems from the DR12 of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS)/SDSS-III. We measure the equivalent widths of 50 individual metal absorption lines in five intervals of DLA hydrogen column density, five intervals of DLA redshift, and overall mean equivalent widths for an additional 13 absorption features from groups of strongly blended lines. The mean equivalent width of low-ionization lines increases with N {sub H} {sub i}, whereas for high-ionization lines the increase is much weaker.more » The mean metal line equivalent widths decrease by a factor ∼1.1–1.5 from z ∼ 2.1 to z ∼ 3.5, with small or no differences between low- and high-ionization species. We develop a theoretical model, inspired by the presence of multiple absorption components observed in high-resolution spectra, to infer mean metal column densities from the equivalent widths of partially saturated metal lines. We apply this model to 14 low-ionization species and to Al iii, S iii, Si iii, C iv, Si iv, N v, and O vi. We use an approximate derivation for separating the equivalent width contributions of several lines to blended absorption features, and infer mean equivalent widths and column densities from lines of the additional species N i, Zn ii, C ii*, Fe iii, and S iv. Several of these mean column densities of metal lines in DLAs are obtained for the first time; their values generally agree with measurements of individual DLAs from high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra when they are available.« less

RCT: Module 2.06, Air Sampling Program and Methods, Course 8772

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

Hillmer, Kurt T.

The inhalation of radioactive particles is the largest cause of an internal radiation dose. Airborne radioactivity measurements are necessary to ensure that the control measures are and continue to be effective. Regulations govern the allowable effective dose equivalent to an individual. The effective dose equivalent is determined by combining the external and internal dose equivalent values. Typically, airborne radioactivity levels are maintained well below allowable levels to keep the total effective dose equivalent small. This course will prepare the student with the skills necessary for RCT qualification by passing quizzes, tests, and the RCT Comprehensive Phase 1, Unit 2 Examinationmore » (TEST 27566) and will provide in-the-field skills.« less

Assessment of voice, speech and communication changes associated with cervical spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Johansson, Kerstin; Seiger, Åke; Forsén, Malin; Holmgren Nilsson, Jeanette; Hartelius, Lena; Schalling, Ellika

2018-02-24

Respiratory muscle impairment following cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) may lead to reduced voice function, although the individual variation is large. Voice problems in this population may not always receive attention since individuals with CSCI face other, more acute and life-threatening issues that need/receive attention. Currently there is no consensus on the tasks suitable to identify the specific voice impairments and functional voice changes experienced by individuals with CSCI. To examine which voice/speech tasks identify the specific voice and communication changes associated with CSCI, habitual and maximum speech performance of a group with CSCI was compared with that of a healthy control group (CG), and the findings were related to respiratory function and to self-reported voice problems. Respiratory, aerodynamic, acoustic and self-reported voice data from 19 individuals (nine women and 10 men, aged 23-59 years, heights = 153-192 cm) with CSCI (levels C3-C7) were compared with data from a CG consisting of 19 carefully matched non-injured people (nine women and 10 men, aged 19-59 years, heights = 152-187 cm). Despite considerable variability of performance, highly significant differences between the group with CSCI and the CG were found in maximum phonation time, maximum duration of breath phrases, maximum sound pressure level and maximum voice area in voice-range profiles (all p = .000). Subglottal pressure was lower and phonatory stability was reduced in some of the individuals with CSCI, but differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Six of 19 had voice handicap index (VHI) scores above 20 (the cut-off for voice disorder). Individuals with a vital capacity below 50% of the expected for an equivalent reference individual performed significantly worse than participants with more normal vital capacity. Completeness and level of injury seemed to impact vocal function in some individuals. A combination of maximum performance speech tasks, respiratory tasks and self-reported information on voice problems help to identify individuals with reduced voice function following CSCI. Early identification of individuals with voice changes post-CSCI, and introducing appropriate rehabilitation strategies, may help to minimize development of maladaptive voice behaviours such as vocal strain, which can lead to further impairments and limitations to communication participation. © 2018 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Explosive complexes

DOEpatents

Huynh, My Hang V [Los Alamos, NM

2009-09-22

Lead-free primary explosives of the formula [M.sup.II(A).sub.R(B.sup.X).sub.S](C.sup.Y).sub.T, where A is 1,5-diaminotetrazole, and syntheses thereof are described. Substantially stoichiometric equivalents of the reactants lead to high yields of pure compositions thereby avoiding dangerous purification steps.

Explosive complexes

DOEpatents

Huynh, My Hang V [Los Alamos, NM

2011-08-16

Lead-free primary explosives of the formula [M.sup.II(A).sub.R(B.sup.X).sub.S](C.sup.Y).sub.T, where A is 1,5-diaminotetrazole, and syntheses thereof are described. Substantially stoichiometric equivalents of the reactants lead to high yields of pure compositions thereby avoiding dangerous purification steps.

Distribution of uranium in the Bisbee district, Cochise County, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wallace, Stewart R.

1956-01-01

The Bisbee district has been an important source of copper for many years, and substantial amounts of lead and zinc ore and minor amounts of manganese ore have been mined during certain periods. The copper deposits occur both as low-grade disseminated ore in the Sacramento Hill stock and as massive sulfide (and secondary oxide and carbonate) replacement bodies in Paleozoic limestones that are intruded by the stock and related igneous bodies. The lead-zinc production has come almost entirely from limestone replacement bodies. The disseminated ore exhibits no anomalous radioactivity, and samples from the Lavender pit contain from 0.002 to less than 0.001 percent equivalent uranium. The limestone replacement ores are distinctly radioactive and stoping areas can be readily distinguished from from unmineralized ground on the basis of radioactivity alone. The equivalent uranium content of the copper replacement ores ranges from 0.002 to 0.014 percent and averages about 0.005 percent; the lead-zinc replacement ores average more than 0.007 percent equivalent uranium. Most of the uranium in the copper ores of the district is retained in the smelter slag of a residual concentrate; the slag contains about 0.009 percent equivalent uranium. Uranium carried off each day by acid mine drainage is roughly equal to 1 percent of that being added to the slag dump. Although the total amount of uranium in the district is large, no minable concentrations of ore-grade material are known; samples of relatively high-grade material represent only small fractions of tons at any one locality.

Variation in PTCHD2, CRISP3, NAP1L4, FSCB, and AP3B2 associated with spherical equivalent

PubMed Central

Chen, Fei; Duggal, Priya; Klein, Barbara E.K.; Lee, Kristine E.; Truitt, Barbara; Klein, Ronald; Iyengar, Sudha K.

2016-01-01

Purpose Ocular refraction is measured in spherical equivalent as the power of the external lens required to focus images on the retina. Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are the most common refractive errors, and the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the world. The goal of this study is to identify rare and low-frequency variants that influence spherical equivalent. Methods We conducted variant-level and gene-level quantitative trait association analyses for mean spherical equivalent, using data from 1,560 individuals in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Genotyping was conducted using the Illumina exome array. We analyzed 34,976 single nucleotide variants and 11,571 autosomal genes across the genome, using single-variant tests as well as gene-based tests. Results Spherical equivalent was significantly associated with five genes in gene-based analysis: PTCHD2 at 1p36.22 (p = 3.6 × 10−7), CRISP3 at 6p12.3 (p = 4.3 × 10−6), NAP1L4 at 11p15.5 (p = 3.6 × 10−6), FSCB at 14q21.2 (p = 1.5 × 10−7), and AP3B2 at 15q25.2 (p = 1.6 × 10−7). The variant-based tests identified evidence suggestive of association with two novel variants in linkage disequilibrium (pairwise r2 = 0.80) in the TCTE1 gene region at 6p21.1 (rs2297336, minor allele frequency (MAF) = 14.1%, β = –0.62 p = 3.7 × 10−6; rs324146, MAF = 16.9%, β = –0.55, p = 1.4 × 10−5). In addition to these novel findings, we successfully replicated a previously reported association with rs634990 near GJD2 at 15q14 (MAF = 47%, β = –0.29, p=1.8 × 10−3). We also found evidence of association with spherical equivalent on 2q37.1 in PRSS56 at rs1550094 (MAF = 31%, β = –0.33, p = 1.7 × 10−3), a region previously associated with myopia. Conclusions We identified several novel candidate genes that may play a role in the control of spherical equivalent. However, further studies are needed to replicate these findings. In addition, our results contribute to the increasing evidence that variation in the GJD2 and PRSS56 genes influence the development of refractive errors. Identifying that variation in these genes is associated with spherical equivalent may provide further insight into the etiology of myopia and consequent vision loss. PMID:27440996

Goal equivalent manifold analysis of task performance in non-specific LBP and healthy subjects during repetitive trunk movement: Effect of load, velocity, symmetry.

PubMed

Chehrehrazi, Mahshid; Sanjari, Mohammad Ali; Mokhtarinia, Hamid Reza; Jamshidi, Ali Ashraf; Maroufi, Nader; Parnianpour, Mohamad

2017-01-01

Motor abundance allows reliability of motor performance despite its variability. The nature of this variability provides important information on the flexibility of control strategies. This feature of control may be affected by low back pain (LPB) and trunk flexion/extension conditions. Goal equivalent manifold (GEM) analysis was used to quantify the ability to exploit motor abundance during repeated trunk flexion/extension in healthy individuals and people with chronic non-specific LBP (CNSLBP). Kinematic data were collected from 22 healthy volunteers and 22 CNSLBP patients during metronomically timed, repeated trunk flexion/extension in three conditions of symmetry, velocity, and loading; each at two levels. A goal function for the task was defined as maintaining a constant movement time at each cycle. Given the GEM, flexibility index and performance index were calculated respectively as amounts of goal-equivalent variability and the ratio of goal-equivalent to non-goal-equivalent variability. CNSLBP group was as similar as healthy individuals in both flexibility index (p=0.41) and performance index (p=0.24). Performance index was higher in asymmetric (p<0.001), high velocity (p<0.001), and loaded (p=0.006) conditions. Performance and flexibility in using motor abundance were influenced by repeated trunk flexion/extension conditions. However, these measures were not significantly affected by CNSLBP. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The accuracy of the 24-h activity recall method for assessing sedentary behaviour: the physical activity measurement survey (PAMS) project.

PubMed

Kim, Youngwon; Welk, Gregory J

2017-02-01

Sedentary behaviour (SB) has emerged as a modifiable risk factor, but little is known about measurement errors of SB. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of 24-h Physical Activity Recall (24PAR) relative to SenseWear Armband (SWA) for assessing SB. Each participant (n = 1485) undertook a series of data collection procedures on two randomly selected days: wearing a SWA for full 24-h, and then completing the telephone-administered 24PAR the following day to recall the past 24-h activities. Estimates of total sedentary time (TST) were computed without the inclusion of reported or recorded sleep time. Equivalence testing was used to compare estimates of TST. Analyses from equivalence testing showed no significant equivalence of 24PAR for TST (90% CI: 443.0 and 457.6 min · day -1 ) relative to SWA (equivalence zone: 580.7 and 709.8 min · day -1 ). Bland-Altman plots indicated individuals that were extremely or minimally sedentary provided relatively comparable sedentary time between 24PAR and SWA. Overweight/obese and/or older individuals were more likely to under-estimate sedentary time than normal weight and/or younger individuals. Measurement errors of 24PAR varied by the level of sedentary time and demographic indicators. This evidence informs future work to develop measurement error models to correct for errors of self-reports.

Reduced cardiovascular fitness associated with exposure to clozapine in individuals with chronic schizophrenia.

PubMed

Kim, David D; Lang, Donna J; Procyshyn, Ric M; Woodward, Melissa L; Kaufman, Kai; White, Randall F; Honer, William G; Warburton, Darren E R

2018-04-01

Studies show that individuals with schizophrenia have impaired cardiovascular fitness (i.e., low peak aerobic power (VO 2 peak)). It is speculated that antipsychotics with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic profiles, in particular clozapine, have a significant impact on VO 2 peak. In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether exposure to clozapine was associated with further reduced VO 2 peak compared with non-clozapine antipsychotics. Thirty participants with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were divided into clozapine and non-clozapine groups. Mean daily doses of antipsychotics were standardized to chlorpromazine equivalents and haloperidol equivalents for antagonism of alpha 1 - and alpha 2 -adrenergic receptors. Participants completed an incremental-to-maximal symptom-limited exercise test on a cycle ergometer for the assessment of VO 2 peak. The clozapine group demonstrated significantly lower VO 2 peak than the non-clozapine group. Haloperidol equivalents for alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonism, but not chlorpromazine equivalents, demonstrated significant inverse associations with VO 2 peak. The clozapine group had a significantly higher amount of antagonistic activity at alpha-adrenergic receptors than the non-clozapine group. In conclusion, exposure to clozapine was associated with further reduced cardiovascular fitness, which may be explained by the drug's greater antagonistic activity at alpha-adrenergic receptors. Cardiovascular fitness needs to be promoted in individuals treated with antipsychotics, particularly clozapine, to prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Planning for Coupling Effects in Bitoric Mixed Astigmatism Ablative Treatments.

PubMed

Alpins, Noel; Ong, James K Y; Stamatelatos, George

2017-08-01

To demonstrate how to determine the historical coupling adjustments of bitoric mixed astigmatism ablative treatments and how to use these historical coupling adjustments to adjust future bitoric treatments. The individual coupling adjustments of the myopic and hyperopic cylindrical components of a bitoric treatment were derived empirically from a retrospective study where the theoretical combined treatment effect on spherical equivalent was compared to the actual change in refractive spherical equivalent. The coupling adjustments that provided the best fit in both mean and standard deviation were determined to be the historical coupling adjustments. Theoretical treatments that incorporated the historical coupling adjustments were then calculated. The actual distribution of postoperative spherical equivalent errors was compared to the theoretically adjusted distribution. The study group comprised 242 eyes and included 118 virgin right eyes and 124 virgin left eyes of 155 individuals. For the laser used, the myopic coupling adjustment was -0.02 and the hyperopic coupling adjustment was 0.30, as derived by global nonlinear optimization. This implies that almost no adjustment of the myopic component of the bitoric treatment is necessary, but that the hyperopic component of the bitoric treatment generates a large amount of unintended spherical shift. The theoretically adjusted treatments targeted zero mean spherical equivalent error, as intended, and the distribution of the theoretical spherical equivalent errors had the same spread as the distribution of actual postoperative spherical equivalent errors. Bitoric mixed astigmatism ablative treatments may display non-trivial coupling effects. Historical coupling adjustments should be taken into consideration when planning mixed astigmatism treatments to improve surgical outcomes. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(8):545-551.]. Copyright 2017, SLACK Incorporated.

Functional Equivalence of Spatial Images from Touch and Vision: Evidence from Spatial Updating in Blind and Sighted Individuals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giudice, Nicholas A.; Betty, Maryann R.; Loomis, Jack M.

2011-01-01

This research examined whether visual and haptic map learning yield functionally equivalent spatial images in working memory, as evidenced by similar encoding bias and updating performance. In 3 experiments, participants learned 4-point routes either by seeing or feeling the maps. At test, blindfolded participants made spatial judgments about the…

Why abundant tropical tree species are phylogenetically old.

PubMed

Wang, Shaopeng; Chen, Anping; Fang, Jingyun; Pacala, Stephen W

2013-10-01

Neutral models of species diversity predict patterns of abundance for communities in which all individuals are ecologically equivalent. These models were originally developed for Panamanian trees and successfully reproduce observed distributions of abundance. Neutral models also make macroevolutionary predictions that have rarely been evaluated or tested. Here we show that neutral models predict a humped or flat relationship between species age and population size. In contrast, ages and abundances of tree species in the Panamanian Canal watershed are found to be positively correlated, which falsifies the models. Speciation rates vary among phylogenetic lineages and are partially heritable from mother to daughter species. Variable speciation rates in an otherwise neutral model lead to a demographic advantage for species with low speciation rate. This demographic advantage results in a positive correlation between species age and abundance, as found in the Panamanian tropical forest community.

Potential adverse cardiac remodelling in highly trained athletes: still unknown clinical significance.

PubMed

Gabrielli, Luigi; Sitges, Marta; Chiong, Mario; Jalil, Jorge; Ocaranza, María; Llevaneras, Silvana; Herrera, Sebastian; Fernandez, Rodrigo; Saavedra, Rodrigo; Yañez, Fernando; Vergara, Luis; Diaz, Alexis; Lavandero, Sergio; Castro, Pablo

2018-06-12

Moderate endurance exercise has long been considered an essential element to maintain cardiovascular health, and sedentary behaviour in the general population has been related to a significant increase in all-causes of mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence. However, a growing group of people performs an intense exercise that leads to multiple heart adaptive changes that are collectively called "athlete's heart". In this review, we discussed the evidence of cardiac remodelling process secondary to repetitive and strenuous exercise in some predisposed athletes that produces intense and probably deleterious changes in cardiac morphology and function with no clear clinical significance in long-term follow-up. Moreover, we also discussed the individual biological response to exercise assessed by myocardial damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and ventricular hypertrophy biomarkers showing different intensities with equivalent exertion.

Growth in individuals with Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II caused by pericentrin mutations.

PubMed

Bober, Michael B; Niiler, Tim; Duker, Angela L; Murray, Jennie E; Ketterer, Tara; Harley, Margaret E; Alvi, Sabah; Flora, Christina; Rustad, Cecilie; Bongers, Ernie M H F; Bicknell, Louise S; Wise, Carol; Jackson, Andrew P

2012-11-01

Microcephalic primordial dwarfism (MPD) is a class of disorders characterized by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), impaired postnatal growth and microcephaly. Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) is one of the more common conditions within this group. MOPD II is caused by truncating mutations in pericentrin (PCNT) and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Detailed growth curves for length, weight, and OFC are presented here and derived from retrospective data from 26 individuals with MOPD II confirmed by molecular or functional studies. Severe pre- and postnatal growth failure is evident in MOPD II patients. The length, weight, and OFC at term (when corrected for gestational age) were -7.0, -3.9, and -4.6 standard deviation (SD) below the population mean and equivalent to the 50th centile of a 28-29-, 31-32-, and 30-31-week neonate, respectively. While at skeletal maturity, the height, weight, and OFC were -10.3, -14.3, and -8.5 SD below the population mean and equivalent to the size of 3-year 10- to 11-month-old, a 5-year 2- to 3-month-old, and 5- to 6-month-old, respectively. During childhood, MOPD II patients grow with slowed, but fairly constant growth velocities and show no evidence of any pubertal growth spurt. Treatment with human growth hormone (n = 11) did not lead to any significant improvement in final stature. The growth charts presented here will be of assistance with diagnosis and management of MOPD II, and should have particular utility in nutritional management of MOPD II during infancy. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An Equivalent Circuit of Longitudinal Vibration for a Piezoelectric Structure with Losses.

PubMed

Yuan, Tao; Li, Chaodong; Fan, Pingqing

2018-03-22

Equivalent circuits of piezoelectric structures such as bimorphs and unimorphs conventionally focus on the bending vibration modes. However, the longitudinal vibration modes are rarely considered even though they also play a remarkable role in piezoelectric devices. Losses, especially elastic loss in the metal substrate, are also generally neglected, which leads to discrepancies compared with experiments. In this paper, a novel equivalent circuit with four kinds of losses is proposed for a beamlike piezoelectric structure under the longitudinal vibration mode. This structure consists of a slender beam as the metal substrate, and a piezoelectric patch which covers a partial length of the beam. In this approach, first, complex numbers are used to deal with four kinds of losses-elastic loss in the metal substrate, and piezoelectric, dielectric, and elastic losses in the piezoelectric patch. Next in this approach, based on Mason's model, a new equivalent circuit is developed. Using MATLAB, impedance curves of this structure are simulated by the equivalent circuit method. Experiments are conducted and good agreements are revealed between experiments and equivalent circuit results. It is indicated that the introduction of four losses in an equivalent circuit can increase the result accuracy considerably.

An Equivalent Circuit of Longitudinal Vibration for a Piezoelectric Structure with Losses

PubMed Central

Yuan, Tao; Li, Chaodong; Fan, Pingqing

2018-01-01

Equivalent circuits of piezoelectric structures such as bimorphs and unimorphs conventionally focus on the bending vibration modes. However, the longitudinal vibration modes are rarely considered even though they also play a remarkable role in piezoelectric devices. Losses, especially elastic loss in the metal substrate, are also generally neglected, which leads to discrepancies compared with experiments. In this paper, a novel equivalent circuit with four kinds of losses is proposed for a beamlike piezoelectric structure under the longitudinal vibration mode. This structure consists of a slender beam as the metal substrate, and a piezoelectric patch which covers a partial length of the beam. In this approach, first, complex numbers are used to deal with four kinds of losses—elastic loss in the metal substrate, and piezoelectric, dielectric, and elastic losses in the piezoelectric patch. Next in this approach, based on Mason’s model, a new equivalent circuit is developed. Using MATLAB, impedance curves of this structure are simulated by the equivalent circuit method. Experiments are conducted and good agreements are revealed between experiments and equivalent circuit results. It is indicated that the introduction of four losses in an equivalent circuit can increase the result accuracy considerably. PMID:29565825

Household economic resources, labour-market advantage and health problems - a study on causal relationships using prospective register data.

PubMed

Aittomäki, Akseli; Martikainen, Pekka; Laaksonen, Mikko; Lahelma, Eero; Rahkonen, Ossi

2012-10-01

Our aim was to find out whether the associations between health and both individual and household economic position reflected a causal effect on health of household affluence and consumption potential. We attempted to separate this effect from health-selection effects, in other words the potential effect of health on economic position, and from various effects related to occupational position and prestige that might correlate with the economic indicators. We made a distinction between individual labour-market advantage and household economic resources in order to reflect these theoretical definitions. Our aim was to test and compare two hypotheses: 1) low household economic resources lead to an increase in health problems later on, and 2) health problems are disadvantageous on the labour market, and consequently decrease the level of economic resources. We used prospective register data obtained from the databases of Statistics Finland and constituting an 11-per-cent random sample of the Finnish population in 1993-2006. Health problems were measured in terms of sickness allowance paid by the Finnish Social Insurance Institution, household economic resources in terms of household-equivalent disposable income and taxable wealth, and labour-market advantage in terms of individual taxable income and months of unemployment. We used structural equation models (n = 211,639) to examine the hypothesised causal pathways. Low household economic resources predicted future health problems, and health problems predicted future deterioration in labour-market advantage. The effect of economic resources on health problems was somewhat stronger. These results suggest that accumulated exposure to low economic resources leads to increasing health problems, and that this causal mechanism is a more significant source of persistent health inequalities than health problems that bring about a permanent decrease in economic resources. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of a suspended radiation protection system versus standard lead apron for radiation exposure of a simulated interventionalist.

PubMed

Marichal, Daniel A; Anwar, Temoor; Kirsch, David; Clements, Jessica; Carlson, Luke; Savage, Clare; Rees, Chet R

2011-04-01

To evaluate the radiation protective characteristics of a system designed to enhance operator protection while eliminating weight to the body and allowing freedom of motion. Radiation doses to a mock interventionalist were measured with calibrated dosimeters in a clinical interventional suite. A standard lead apron (SLA; Pb equivalent, 0.5 mm) was compared with a suspended radiation protection system (ZeroGravity; Zgrav) that shields from the top of the head to the calves (except the right arm and left forearm) with a complex overhead motion system that eliminates weight on the operator and allows freedom of motion. Zgrav included a suspended lead apron with increased lead equivalency, greater length, proximal left arm and shoulder coverage, and a wraparound face shield of 0.5 mm Pb equivalency. A 26-cm-thick Lucite stack (ie, mock patient) created scatter during 10 controlled angiography sequences of 120 exposures each. Parameters included a field of view of 40 cm, table height of 94 cm, 124 cm from the tube to image intensifier, 50 cm from the image center to operator, 66 kVp, and 466-470 mA. Under identical conditions, average doses (SLA vs Zgrav) were 264 versus 3.4 (ratio, 78) to left axilla (P < .001), 456 versus 10.2 (ratio, 45) to left eye (P < .001), 379.4 versus 6.6 (ratio, 57) to right eye (P < .005), and 18.8 versus 1.2 (ratio, 16) to gonad (P < .001). Relative to a conventional lead apron, the Zgrav system provided a 16-78-fold decrease in radiation exposure for a mock interventionalist in a simulated clinical setting. Copyright © 2011 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Expert perspectives on Western European prison health services: do ageing prisoners receive equivalent care?

PubMed

Bretschneider, Wiebke; Elger, Bernice Simone

2014-09-01

Health care in prison and particularly the health care of older prisoners are increasingly important topics due to the growth of the ageing prisoner population. The aim of this paper is to gain insight into the approaches used in the provision of equivalent health care to ageing prisoners and to confront the intuitive definition of equivalent care and the practical and ethical challenges that have been experienced by individuals working in this field. Forty interviews took place with experts working in the prison setting from three Western European countries to discover their views on prison health care. Experts indicated that the provision of equivalent care in prison is difficult mostly due to four factors: variability of care in different prisons, gatekeeper systems, lack of personnel, and delays in providing access. This lack of equivalence can be fixed by allocating adequate budgets and developing standards for health care in prison.

48 CFR 28.203-2 - Acceptability of assets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... letters of credit from a federally insured financial institution from individual sureties to satisfy the... cash equivalents with a federally insured financial institution; (2) United States Government securities at market value. (An escrow account is not required if an individual surety offers Government...

42 CFR 136.320 - Preparatory scholarship grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... professions school. Examples of individuals eligible for such grants are the individual who: (a) Has completed high school equivalency and needs compensatory preprofessional education to enroll in a health professions school; (b) Has a baccalaureate degree and needs compensatory preprofessional education to qualify...

42 CFR 136.320 - Preparatory scholarship grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... professions school. Examples of individuals eligible for such grants are the individual who: (a) Has completed high school equivalency and needs compensatory preprofessional education to enroll in a health professions school; (b) Has a baccalaureate degree and needs compensatory preprofessional education to qualify...

42 CFR 136.320 - Preparatory scholarship grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... professions school. Examples of individuals eligible for such grants are the individual who: (a) Has completed high school equivalency and needs compensatory preprofessional education to enroll in a health professions school; (b) Has a baccalaureate degree and needs compensatory preprofessional education to qualify...

42 CFR 136.320 - Preparatory scholarship grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... professions school. Examples of individuals eligible for such grants are the individual who: (a) Has completed high school equivalency and needs compensatory preprofessional education to enroll in a health professions school; (b) Has a baccalaureate degree and needs compensatory preprofessional education to qualify...

42 CFR 136.320 - Preparatory scholarship grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... professions school. Examples of individuals eligible for such grants are the individual who: (a) Has completed high school equivalency and needs compensatory preprofessional education to enroll in a health professions school; (b) Has a baccalaureate degree and needs compensatory preprofessional education to qualify...

Comparing Web, Group and Telehealth Formats of a Military Parenting Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

directed approaches. Comparative effectiveness will be tested by specifying a non - equivalence hypothesis for group -based and web-facilitated relative...Comparative effectiveness will be tested by specifying a non - equivalence hypothesis fro group based and individualized facilitated relative to self-directed...documents for review and approval. 1a. Finalize human subjects protocol and consent documents for pilot group (N=5 families), and randomized controlled

Plants used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of male infertility possess antioxidant and anti-oestrogenic activity.

PubMed

Tempest, Helen G; Homa, Sheryl T; Routledge, Edwin J; Garner, Anthony; Zhai, Xiao-Ping; Griffin, Darren K

2008-01-01

In this study Chinese herbs commonly used in the treatment of male infertility were investigated for relevant biochemical activity. Male factor infertility predominantly arises via barriers to, or defects in, spermatogenesis. The process of spermatogenesis is under strict endocrine control; in addition oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility with significant levels of reactive oxygen species detected in 25% of infertile males. A total of 37 individual herbs and seven herb decoctions used in the treatment of male factor infertility were therefore tested for endocrine activity using a recombinant yeast based assay and antioxidant activity using the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant potential) assay. Individual herbs tested did not show androgenic properties, 20 showed strong and 10 weak anti-oestrogenic activity (per g of dried herb tamoxifen equivalents ranged from 1.18-1280.66 mg and 0.06-0.98 mg, respectively). Oestrogenic responses were elicited for two herbs (85.30-550 microg oestradiol equivalents/g dried herb), with seven and three herbs exhibiting a strong or weak anti-androgenic response (per g of dried herb DHT equivalents ranged from 1.54-66.78 mg and 0.17-0.32 mg), respectively. Of these 37 herbs, strong (15 herbs), intermediate (7 herbs) and weak/no (15 herbs) antioxidant activity was detected (ranging from 0.912-1.26; 0.6-0.88 and 0-0.468 microg ascorbate equivalent/mg dried herb, respectively). The seven decoctions (previously used to treat patients) tested elicited strong (5 herbs) and weak (2 herbs) anti-oestrogenic responses (per g of dried herb tamoxifen equivalents ranged from 1.14-13.23 mg and 0.22-0.26 mg, respectively), but not oestrogenic, androgenic nor anti-androgenic, consistent with their individual composition. With regard to antioxidant activity the following responses were recorded: three strong, three intermediate and one weak (ranging from 1.02-1.2; 0.72-0.76 and 0.44 microg ascorbate equivalent/mg dried herb, respectively). The prospects for introducing Chinese herbal treatments into the Western-based medicine are discussed.

Functional Equivalence of Spatial Images from Touch and Vision: Evidence from Spatial Updating in Blind and Sighted Individuals

PubMed Central

Giudice, Nicholas A.; Betty, Maryann R.; Loomis, Jack M.

2012-01-01

This research examines whether visual and haptic map learning yield functionally equivalent spatial images in working memory, as evidenced by similar encoding bias and updating performance. In three experiments, participants learned four-point routes either by seeing or feeling the maps. At test, blindfolded participants made spatial judgments about the maps from imagined perspectives that were either aligned or misaligned with the maps as represented in working memory. Results from Experiments 1 and 2 revealed a highly similar pattern of latencies and errors between visual and haptic conditions. These findings extend the well known alignment biases for visual map learning to haptic map learning, provide further evidence of haptic updating, and most importantly, show that learning from the two modalities yields very similar performance across all conditions. Experiment 3 found the same encoding biases and updating performance with blind individuals, demonstrating that functional equivalence cannot be due to visual recoding and is consistent with an amodal hypothesis of spatial images. PMID:21299331

A method for determining the weak statistical stationarity of a random process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadeh, W. Z.; Koper, C. A., Jr.

1978-01-01

A method for determining the weak statistical stationarity of a random process is presented. The core of this testing procedure consists of generating an equivalent ensemble which approximates a true ensemble. Formation of an equivalent ensemble is accomplished through segmenting a sufficiently long time history of a random process into equal, finite, and statistically independent sample records. The weak statistical stationarity is ascertained based on the time invariance of the equivalent-ensemble averages. Comparison of these averages with their corresponding time averages over a single sample record leads to a heuristic estimate of the ergodicity of a random process. Specific variance tests are introduced for evaluating the statistical independence of the sample records, the time invariance of the equivalent-ensemble autocorrelations, and the ergodicity. Examination and substantiation of these procedures were conducted utilizing turbulent velocity signals.

Designing Haptic Assistive Technology for Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

PubMed

Pawluk, Dianne T V; Adams, Richard J; Kitada, Ryo

2015-01-01

This paper considers issues relevant for the design and use of haptic technology for assistive devices for individuals who are blind or visually impaired in some of the major areas of importance: Braille reading, tactile graphics, orientation and mobility. We show that there is a wealth of behavioral research that is highly applicable to assistive technology design. In a few cases, conclusions from behavioral experiments have been directly applied to design with positive results. Differences in brain organization and performance capabilities between individuals who are "early blind" and "late blind" from using the same tactile/haptic accommodations, such as the use of Braille, suggest the importance of training and assessing these groups individually. Practical restrictions on device design, such as performance limitations of the technology and cost, raise questions as to which aspects of these restrictions are truly important to overcome to achieve high performance. In general, this raises the question of what it means to provide functional equivalence as opposed to sensory equivalence.

Representation of numerical magnitude in math-anxious individuals.

PubMed

Colomé, Àngels

2018-01-01

Larger distance effects in high math-anxious individuals (HMA) performing comparison tasks have previously been interpreted as indicating less precise magnitude representation in this population. A recent study by Dietrich, Huber, Moeller, and Klein limited the effects of math anxiety to symbolic comparison, in which they found larger distance effects for HMA, despite equivalent size effects. However, the question of whether distance effects in symbolic comparison reflect the properties of the magnitude representation or decisional processes is currently under debate. This study was designed to further explore the relation between math anxiety and magnitude representation through three different tasks. HMA and low math-anxious individuals (LMA) performed a non-symbolic comparison, in which no group differences were found. Furthermore, we did not replicate previous findings in an Arabic digit comparison, in which HMA individuals showed equivalent distance effects to their LMA peers. Lastly, there were no group differences in a counting Stroop task. Altogether, an explanation of math anxiety differences in terms of less precise magnitude representation is not supported.

High energy expenditure masks low physical activity in obesity.

PubMed

DeLany, J P; Kelley, D E; Hames, K C; Jakicic, J M; Goodpaster, B H

2013-07-01

To investigate energy expenditure in lean and obese individuals, focusing particularly on physical activity and severely obese individuals. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) was assessed using doubly labeled water, resting metabolic rate (RMR) by indirect calorimetry, activity energy expenditure (AEE) by difference and time spent in physical activity by multisensor activity monitors. In all, 177 lean, Class I and severely obese individuals (age 31-56 years, body mass index 20-64 kg m(-2)) were analyzed. All components of energy expenditure were elevated in obese individuals. For example, TDEE was 2404±95 kcal per day in lean and 3244±48 kcal per day in Class III obese individuals. After appropriate adjustment, RMR was similar in all groups. Analysis of AEE by body weight and obesity class indicated a lower AEE in obese individuals. Confirming lower physical activity, obese individuals spent less time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (2.7±1.3, 1.8±0.6, 2.0±1.4 and 1.2±1.0 h per day in lean, Class I, Class II and Class III individuals) and more time in sedentary behaviors. There was no indication of metabolic efficiency in even the severely obese, as adjusted RMR was similar across all groups. The higher AEE observed in the obese is consistent with a higher cost of activities due to higher body weight. However, the magnitude of the higher AEE (20-25% higher in obese individuals) is lower than expected (weight approximately 100% higher in Class III individuals). Confirming a lower volume of physical activity in the obese, the total time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and average daily metabolic equivalent of task level were lower with increasing obesity. These findings demonstrate that high body weight in obese individuals leads to a high TDEE and AEE, which masks the fact that they are less physically active, which can be influenced by duration or intensity of activity, than in lean individuals.

38 CFR 4.77 - Visual fields.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... who are well adapted to intraocular lens implant or contact lens correction, visual field examinations.... For aphakic individuals not well adapted to contact lens correction or pseudophakic individuals not... meridians 221/2 degrees apart for each eye and indicate the Goldmann equivalent used. See Table III for the...

38 CFR 4.77 - Visual fields.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... who are well adapted to intraocular lens implant or contact lens correction, visual field examinations.... For aphakic individuals not well adapted to contact lens correction or pseudophakic individuals not... meridians 221/2 degrees apart for each eye and indicate the Goldmann equivalent used. See Table III for the...

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDEX FOR CHILDREN: A COMPARISON OF LITERATURE VALUES AND EPA'S CHAD

EPA Science Inventory

The physical activity index (PAI) is a measure of an individual's energy expenditure level (and thus oxygen consumption) calculated as a time-weighted average of metabolic equivalents (METS) over the individual's activities. Many exposure models rely upon EPA's CHAD data base to ...

Implementation of an Analytical Model for Leakage Neutron Equivalent Dose in a Proton Radiotherapy Planning System

PubMed Central

Eley, John; Newhauser, Wayne; Homann, Kenneth; Howell, Rebecca; Schneider, Christopher; Durante, Marco; Bert, Christoph

2015-01-01

Equivalent dose from neutrons produced during proton radiotherapy increases the predicted risk of radiogenic late effects. However, out-of-field neutron dose is not taken into account by commercial proton radiotherapy treatment planning systems. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing an analytical model to calculate leakage neutron equivalent dose in a treatment planning system. Passive scattering proton treatment plans were created for a water phantom and for a patient. For both the phantom and patient, the neutron equivalent doses were small but non-negligible and extended far beyond the therapeutic field. The time required for neutron equivalent dose calculation was 1.6 times longer than that required for proton dose calculation, with a total calculation time of less than 1 h on one processor for both treatment plans. Our results demonstrate that it is feasible to predict neutron equivalent dose distributions using an analytical dose algorithm for individual patients with irregular surfaces and internal tissue heterogeneities. Eventually, personalized estimates of neutron equivalent dose to organs far from the treatment field may guide clinicians to create treatment plans that reduce the risk of late effects. PMID:25768061

Implementation of an analytical model for leakage neutron equivalent dose in a proton radiotherapy planning system.

PubMed

Eley, John; Newhauser, Wayne; Homann, Kenneth; Howell, Rebecca; Schneider, Christopher; Durante, Marco; Bert, Christoph

2015-03-11

Equivalent dose from neutrons produced during proton radiotherapy increases the predicted risk of radiogenic late effects. However, out-of-field neutron dose is not taken into account by commercial proton radiotherapy treatment planning systems. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing an analytical model to calculate leakage neutron equivalent dose in a treatment planning system. Passive scattering proton treatment plans were created for a water phantom and for a patient. For both the phantom and patient, the neutron equivalent doses were small but non-negligible and extended far beyond the therapeutic field. The time required for neutron equivalent dose calculation was 1.6 times longer than that required for proton dose calculation, with a total calculation time of less than 1 h on one processor for both treatment plans. Our results demonstrate that it is feasible to predict neutron equivalent dose distributions using an analytical dose algorithm for individual patients with irregular surfaces and internal tissue heterogeneities. Eventually, personalized estimates of neutron equivalent dose to organs far from the treatment field may guide clinicians to create treatment plans that reduce the risk of late effects.

Phantom-derived estimation of effective dose equivalent from X rays with and without a lead apron.

PubMed

Mateya, C F; Claycamp, H G

1997-06-01

Organ dose equivalents were measured in a humanoid phantom in order to estimate effective dose equivalent (H(E)) and effective dose (E) from low-energy x rays and in the presence or absence of a protective lead apron. Plane-parallel irradiation conditions were approximated using direct x-ray beams of 76 and 104 kVp and resulting dosimetry data was adjusted to model exposures conditions in fluoroscopy settings. Values of H(E) and E estimated under-shielded conditions were compared to the results of several recent studies that used combinations of measured and calculated dosimetry to model exposures to radiologists. While the estimates of H(E) and E without the lead apron were within 0.2 to 20% of expected values, estimates based on personal monitors worn at the (phantom) waist (underneath the apron) underestimated either H(E) or E while monitors placed at the neck (above the apron) significantly overestimated both quantities. Also, the experimentally determined H(E) and E were 1.4 to 3.3 times greater than might be estimated using recently reported "two-monitor" algorithms for the estimation of effective dose quantities. The results suggest that accurate estimation of either H(E) or E from personal monitors under conditions of partial body exposures remains problematic and is likely to require the use of multiple monitors.

10 CFR 835.402 - Individual monitoring.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... conditions, are likely to receive one or more of the following: (i) An effective dose of 0.1 rem (0.001 Sv) or more in a year; (ii) An equivalent dose to the skin or to any extremity of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or more in a year; (iii) An equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 1.5 rems (0.015 Sv) or more in a...

10 CFR 835.402 - Individual monitoring.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... conditions, are likely to receive one or more of the following: (i) An effective dose of 0.1 rem (0.001 Sv) or more in a year; (ii) An equivalent dose to the skin or to any extremity of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or more in a year; (iii) An equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 1.5 rems (0.015 Sv) or more in a...

10 CFR 835.402 - Individual monitoring.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... conditions, are likely to receive one or more of the following: (i) An effective dose of 0.1 rem (0.001 Sv) or more in a year; (ii) An equivalent dose to the skin or to any extremity of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or more in a year; (iii) An equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 1.5 rems (0.015 Sv) or more in a...

10 CFR 835.402 - Individual monitoring.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... conditions, are likely to receive one or more of the following: (i) An effective dose of 0.1 rem (0.001 Sv) or more in a year; (ii) An equivalent dose to the skin or to any extremity of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or more in a year; (iii) An equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 1.5 rems (0.015 Sv) or more in a...

10 CFR 835.402 - Individual monitoring.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... conditions, are likely to receive one or more of the following: (i) An effective dose of 0.1 rem (0.001 Sv) or more in a year; (ii) An equivalent dose to the skin or to any extremity of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or more in a year; (iii) An equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 1.5 rems (0.015 Sv) or more in a...

Equivalence principle and quantum mechanics: quantum simulation with entangled photons.

PubMed

Longhi, S

2018-01-15

Einstein's equivalence principle (EP) states the complete physical equivalence of a gravitational field and corresponding inertial field in an accelerated reference frame. However, to what extent the EP remains valid in non-relativistic quantum mechanics is a controversial issue. To avoid violation of the EP, Bargmann's superselection rule forbids a coherent superposition of states with different masses. Here we suggest a quantum simulation of non-relativistic Schrödinger particle dynamics in non-inertial reference frames, which is based on the propagation of polarization-entangled photon pairs in curved and birefringent optical waveguides and Hong-Ou-Mandel quantum interference measurement. The photonic simulator can emulate superposition of mass states, which would lead to violation of the EP.

Spherical earth gravity and magnetic anomaly analysis by equivalent point source inversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Von Frese, R. R. B.; Hinze, W. J.; Braile, L. W.

1981-01-01

To facilitate geologic interpretation of satellite elevation potential field data, analysis techniques are developed and verified in the spherical domain that are commensurate with conventional flat earth methods of potential field interpretation. A powerful approach to the spherical earth problem relates potential field anomalies to a distribution of equivalent point sources by least squares matrix inversion. Linear transformations of the equivalent source field lead to corresponding geoidal anomalies, pseudo-anomalies, vector anomaly components, spatial derivatives, continuations, and differential magnetic pole reductions. A number of examples using 1 deg-averaged surface free-air gravity anomalies of POGO satellite magnetometer data for the United States, Mexico, and Central America illustrate the capabilities of the method.

Is the Assessment of Personality Comparable in Persons Who Have and Have Not Experienced Depressive, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders? An Examination of Measurement Invariance.

PubMed

Olino, Thomas M; Benini, Laura; Icenogle, Grace; Wilson, Sylia; Klein, Daniel N; Seeley, John R; Lewinsohn, Peter M

2017-08-01

Numerous studies have focused on characterizing personality differences between individuals with and without psychopathology. For drawing valid conclusions for these comparisons, the personality instruments used must demonstrate psychometric equivalence. However, we are unaware of any studies that examine measurement invariance in personality across individuals with and without psychopathology. This study conducted tests of measurement invariance for positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and disinhibition across individuals with and without histories of depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders. We found consistent evidence that positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and disinhibition were assessed equivalently across all comparisons with each demonstrating strict invariance. Overall, results suggest that comparisons of personality measures between diagnostic groups satisfy the assumption of measurement invariance and these scales represent the same psychological constructs. Thus, mean-level comparisons across these groups are valid tests.

The use of displacement damage dose to correlate degradation in solar cells exposed to different radiations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Summers, Geoffrey P.; Burke, Edward A.; Shapiro, Philip; Statler, Richard; Messenger, Scott R.; Walters, Robert J.

1994-01-01

It has been found useful in the past to use the concept of 'equivalent fluence' to compare the radiation response of different solar cell technologies. Results are usually given in terms of an equivalent 1 MeV electron or an equivalent 10 MeV proton fluence. To specify cell response in a complex space-radiation environment in terms of an equivalent fluence, it is necessary to measure damage coefficients for a number of representative electron and proton energies. However, at the last Photovoltaic Specialist Conference we showed that nonionizing energy loss (NIEL) could be used to correlate damage coefficients for protons, using measurements for GaAs as an example. This correlation means that damage coefficients for all proton energies except near threshold can be predicted from a measurement made at one particular energy. NIEL is the exact equivalent for displacement damage of linear energy transfer (LET) for ionization energy loss. The use of NIEL in this way leads naturally to the concept of 10 MeV equivalent proton fluence. The situation for electron damage is more complex, however. It is shown that the concept of 'displacement damage dose' gives a more general way of unifying damage coefficients. It follows that 1 MeV electron equivalent fluence is a special case of a more general quantity for unifying electron damage coefficients which we call the 'effective 1 MeV electron equivalent dose'.

Nano lead oxide and epdm composite for development of polymer based radiation shielding material: Gamma irradiation and attenuation tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özdemir, T.; Güngör, A.; Akbay, I. K.; Uzun, H.; Babucçuoglu, Y.

2018-03-01

It is important to have a shielding material that is not easily breaking in order to have a robust product that guarantee the radiation protection of the patients and radiation workers especially during the medical exposure. In this study, nano sized lead oxide (PbO) particles were used, for the first time, to obtain an elastomeric composite material in which lead oxide nanoparticles, after the surface modification with silane binding agent, was used as functional material for radiation shielding. In addition, the composite material including 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% weight percent nano sized lead oxide was irradiated with doses of 81, 100 and 120 kGy up to an irradiation period of 248 days in a gamma ray source with an initial dose rate of 21.1 Gy/h. Mechanical, thermal properties of the irradiated materials were investigated using DSC, DMA, TGA and tensile testing and modifications in thermal and mechanical properties of the nano lead oxide containing composite material via gamma irradiation were reported. Moreover, effect of bismuth-III oxide addition on radiation attenuation of the composite material was investigated. Nano lead oxide and bismuth-III oxide particles were mixed with different weight ratios. Attenuation tests have been conducted to determine lead equivalent values for the developed composite material. Lead equivalent thickness values from 0.07 to 0.65 (2-6 mm sample thickness) were obtained.

Mechanical fatigue resistance of an implantable branched lead system for a distributed set of longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pena, A. E.; Kuntaegowdanahalli, S. S.; Abbas, J. J.; Patrick, J.; Horch, K. W.; Jung, R.

2017-12-01

Objective. A neural interface system has been developed that consists of an implantable stimulator/recorder can with a 15-electrode lead that trifurcates into three bundles of five individual wire longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes. This work evaluated the mechanical fatigue resistance of the branched lead and distributed electrode system under conditions designed to mimic anticipated strain profiles that would be observed after implantation in the human upper arm. Approach. Custom test setups and procedures were developed to apply linear or angular strain at four critical stress riser points on the lead and electrode system. Each test was performed to evaluate fatigue under a high repetition/low amplitude paradigm designed to test the effects of arm movement on the leads during activities such as walking, or under a low repetition/high amplitude paradigm designed to test the effects of more strenuous upper arm activities. The tests were performed on representative samples of the implantable lead system for human use. The specimens were fabricated using procedures equivalent to those that will be used during production of human-use implants. Electrical and visual inspections of all test specimens were performed before and after the testing procedures to assess lead integrity. Main results. Measurements obtained before and after applying repetitive strain indicated that all test specimens retained electrical continuity and that electrical impedance remained well below pre-specified thresholds for detection of breakage. Visual inspection under a microscope at 10×  magnification did not reveal any signs of damage to the wires or silicone sheathing at the stress riser points. Significance. These results demonstrate that the branched lead of this implantable neural interface system has sufficient mechanical fatigue resistance to withstand strain profiles anticipated when the system is implanted in an arm. The novel test setups and paradigms may be useful in testing other lead systems.

Synaptic State Matching: A Dynamical Architecture for Predictive Internal Representation and Feature Detection

PubMed Central

Tavazoie, Saeed

2013-01-01

Here we explore the possibility that a core function of sensory cortex is the generation of an internal simulation of sensory environment in real-time. A logical elaboration of this idea leads to a dynamical neural architecture that oscillates between two fundamental network states, one driven by external input, and the other by recurrent synaptic drive in the absence of sensory input. Synaptic strength is modified by a proposed synaptic state matching (SSM) process that ensures equivalence of spike statistics between the two network states. Remarkably, SSM, operating locally at individual synapses, generates accurate and stable network-level predictive internal representations, enabling pattern completion and unsupervised feature detection from noisy sensory input. SSM is a biologically plausible substrate for learning and memory because it brings together sequence learning, feature detection, synaptic homeostasis, and network oscillations under a single unifying computational framework. PMID:23991161

Stochastic and Boltzmann-like models for behavioral changes, and their relation to game theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helbing, Dirk

1993-03-01

In the last decade, stochastic models have shown to be very useful for quantitative modelling of social processes. Here, a configurational master equation for the description of behavioral changes by pair interactions of individuals is developed. Three kinds of social pair interactions are distinguished: Avoidance processes, compromising processes, and imitative processes. Computational results are presented for a special case of imitative processes: the competition of two equivalent strategies. They show a phase transition that describes the self-organization of a behavioral convention. This phase transition is further analyzed by examining the equations for the most probable behavioral distribution, which are Boltzmann-like equations. Special cases of Boltzmann-like equations do not obey the H-theorem and have oscillatory or even chaotic solutions. A suitable Taylor approximation leads to the so-called game dynamical equations (also known as selection-mutation equations in the theory of evolution).

Data on noise environments at different times of day around airports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fields, J. M.

1985-01-01

Sources of information about noise environments at different times of the day at civilian and military airports are identified. Information about movements of scheduled flights are available in machine readable form from the Official Airline Guide. Information about permanent noise monitoring sites is readily obtained from individual airports. Limited data on the timing of flights are available at centralized locations for military airports. An examination of scheduled flights at commercial airports leads to the conclusion that differences between daytime and nighttime noise levels (measured in Equivalent Continuous Noise Level, LEQ) vary from 7 to 15 decibels. Data from 128 permanent noise monitoring sites at 11 airports are also examined. Differences between daytime and nighttime noise levels at these 128 noise monitoring sites vary from 3 to 17 decibels (LEQ). Preliminary analyses suggest that accurate estimates of time-of-day weights could not be obtained from conventional social surveys at existing airports.

Posthypnotic state changes and flashbacks: analogous processes?

PubMed

Lovern, John

2012-01-01

Careful study of the posttraumatic stress disorder and hypnosis literatures reveals some parallels between posttraumatic flashbacks and responses to posthypnotic suggestions. Highly susceptible subjects can slip into hypnosis spontaneously and accept and respond to implied or inadvertent suggestions, some of which may operate in a manner equivalent to posthypnotic suggestions. Later, exposure to appropriate cues may trigger an intrusive revivification of the hypnotic state in which the suggestion occurred. This sequence of events closely resembles the sequence of reactions that some individuals have to trauma that ultimately leads to flashbacks. Thus, flashbacks may be conceived of as intrusive posttraumatic revivifications of trauma-induced hypnosis-like states that are reactivated by trauma-reminiscent cues operating similarly to posthypnotic signals. Implications of viewing flashbacks in this way, especially if this view is supported by future research, could include significant changes in how posttraumatic stress disorder is conceptualized and treated.

Analysis of multi-layered films. [determining dye densities by applying a regression analysis to the spectral response of the composite transparency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scarpace, F. L.; Voss, A. W.

1973-01-01

Dye densities of multi-layered films are determined by applying a regression analysis to the spectral response of the composite transparency. The amount of dye in each layer is determined by fitting the sum of the individual dye layer densities to the measured dye densities. From this, dye content constants are calculated. Methods of calculating equivalent exposures are discussed. Equivalent exposures are a constant amount of energy over a limited band-width that will give the same dye content constants as the real incident energy. Methods of using these equivalent exposures for analysis of photographic data are presented.

Ambient Dose Equivalent in S. Paulo and Bauru cities

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

Umisedo, Nancy K.; Okuno, Emico; Cancio, Francisco S.

2008-08-07

The Laboratory of Dosimetry (Institute of Physics, University of S. Paulo) performs since 1981 the external individual monitoring of workers exposed to X and gamma rays based on thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD). Personal dose equivalent refers only to the exposure of workers due to the working activities, and the dose due to background radiation, also measured with TLD, must be subtracted to evaluate it. A compilation of ambient dose equivalent was done to evaluate the dose due to the background radiation in the work places, and also to contribute to the knowledge of the level of indoor radiation to which themore » public is exposed.« less

Research on shock wave characteristics in the isolator of central strut rocket-based combined cycle engine under Ma5.5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Xianggeng; Xue, Rui; Qin, Fei; Hu, Chunbo; He, Guoqiang

2017-11-01

A numerical calculation of shock wave characteristics in the isolator of central strut rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) engine fueled by kerosene was carried out in this paper. A 3D numerical model was established by the DES method. The kerosene chemical kinetic model used the 9-component and 12-step simplified mechanism model. Effects of fuel equivalence ratio, inflow total temperature and central strut rocket on-off on shock wave characteristics were studied under Ma5.5. Results demonstrated that with the increase of equivalence ratio, the leading shock wave moves toward upstream, accompanied with higher possibility of the inlet unstart. However, the leading shock wave moves toward downstream as the inflow total temperature rises. After the central strut rocket is closed, the leading shock wave moves toward downstream, which can reduce risks of the inlet unstart. State of the shear layer formed by the strut rocket jet flow and inflow can influence the shock train structure significantly.

Association between income inequality and dental status in Japanese older adults: Analysis of data from JAGES2013.

PubMed

Tashiro, Atsushi; Aida, Jun; Shobugawa, Yugo; Fujiyama, Yuki; Yamamoto, Tatsuo; Saito, Reiko; Kondo, Katsunori

2017-01-01

Objectives　Personal income affects dental status in older people. However, the impact of income inequality on dental status at the community level (junior high school district) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between dental status and community level income inequity after adjust for individual socio-economic status in Japanese older adults, and to verify the relative income hypothesis, also known as the Wilkinson hypothesis.Methods　We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) conducted in Niigata city. JAGES is a postal survey of functionally independent adults aged 65 years or older. We enrolled 4,983 respondents (response rate 62.3%) and used data on 3,980 of them after excluding incomplete data. We evaluated health condition and socio-economic status using questionnaires. The Gini coefficient, as an indicator of income inequality, was calculated by junior high school district (57 districts) based on the data from the questionnaire. Additionally, the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated to evaluate the association between the mean number of remaining teeth and the community level Gini coefficient. Then we evaluated the mean number of remaining teeth among the groups stratified by the Gini coefficient conditions. Next, we conducted a multilevel analysis using an ordinal logistic regression model. The number of remaining teeth was set as the dependent variable, while sex, age, household size, education, smoking status, diabetes treatment, current living conditions, and equivalent income were used as independent variables at the individual level. The Gini coefficient and average equivalent income in the junior high school district were used as independent variables at the community level.Results　The Pearson's correlation coefficient for the relationship between the Gini coefficient and the mean number of remaining teeth in the junior high school district was -0.44 (P<0.01). Wider income disparity area (Gini coefficient≧0.35) revealed a significantly small number of remaining teeth (P<0.001). The multilevel analysis showed that a higher Gini coefficient and a lower average equivalent income at the community level were significantly associated with a lower number of remaining teeth, and with educational attainment, smoking status, current living conditions, and equivalent income at the individual level, after adjusting for sex and age. On the other hand, educational attainment at the individual level, and average equivalent income at the community level were not significant factors after adjusting for all individual level variables.Conclusion　This study showed that, in addition to individual socio-economic status, income inequality at the community level was significantly associated with number of remaining teeth in Japanese older adults. Although the precise mechanism of this association is still unclear, our result supports the relative income hypothesis.

310 Individualized Teacher Practicum. Final Report, 1979-80.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barabe, Rosemeri, Comp.; And Others

Objectives and program descriptions are presented for the Scottsdale Adult Learning Center (Arizona) which in 1979-80 conducted a number of practicums for adult educators on individualized techniques, Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Equivalency (GED), and English as a Second Language (ESL). First described is a paid internship program for…

7 CFR 51.2128 - Damage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... materially detracts from the appearance of the individual kernel, or the edible or shipping quality of the... maximum allowed for any one defect shall be considered as damage: (a) Chipped and scratched kernels, when the affected area on an individual kernel aggregates more than the equivalent of a circle one-quarter...

[Cross-cultural adaptation of the Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS) to the Brazilian Portuguese language].

PubMed

Fiorin, Bruno Henrique; Oliveira, Elizabete Regina Araújo de; Moreira, Rita Simone Lopes; Luna Filho, Bráulio

2018-03-01

From the evaluation of the factors that affect quality of life (QOL) it is possible to plan interventions that lead to the improved well-being of patients. The scope of this study was to conduct the cross-cultural adaptation of the Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS) questionnaire to the Portuguese language, seeking the necessary semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and cultural equivalence. The theoretical framework of Guillemin, Bombardier and Beaton was used, fulfilling the following steps: translation, back translation, evaluation of the authors, peer review and pre-testing. After all the tests, the semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and cultural equivalence was achieved. The scale proved to be easy to use and was clinically important. MIDAS was validated in terms of its semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and cultural equivalences. Subsequently, the measurement equivalence will be evaluated to verify the psychometric properties.

Sex allocation promotes the stable co-occurrence of competitive species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Kazuya

2017-03-01

Biodiversity has long been a source of wonder and scientific curiosity. Theoretically, the co-occurrence of competitive species requires niche differentiation, and such differences are well known; however, the neutral theory, which assumes the equivalence of all individuals regardless of the species in a biological community, has successfully recreated observed patterns of biodiversity. In this research, the evolution of sex allocation is demonstrated to be the key to resolving why the neutral theory works well, despite the observed species differences. The sex allocation theory predicts that female-biased allocation evolves in species in declining density and that this allocation improves population growth, which should lead to an increase in density. In contrast, when the density increases, a less biased allocation evolves, which reduces the population growth rate and leads to decreased density. Thus, sex allocation provides a buffer against species differences in population growth. A model incorporating this mechanism demonstrates that hundreds of species can co-occur over 10,000 generations, even in homogeneous environments, and reproduces the observed patterns of biodiversity. This study reveals the importance of evolutionary processes within species for the sustainability of biodiversity. Integrating the entire biological process, from genes to community, will open a new era of ecology.

Automatic honesty forgoing reward acquisition and punishment avoidance: a functional MRI investigation

PubMed Central

Yoneda, Mei; Ueda, Ryuhei; Ashida, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

Recent neuroimaging investigations into human honesty suggest that honest moral decisions in individuals who consistently behave honestly occur automatically, without the need for active self-control. However, it remains unclear whether this observation can be applied to two different types of honesty: honesty forgoing dishonest reward acquisition and honesty forgoing dishonest punishment avoidance. To address this issue, a functional MRI study, using an incentivized prediction task in which participants were confronted with real and repeated opportunities for dishonest gain leading to reward acquisition and punishment avoidance, was conducted. Behavioral data revealed that the frequency of dishonesty was equivalent between the opportunities for dishonest reward acquisition and for punishment avoidance. Reaction time data demonstrated that two types of honest decisions in the opportunity for dishonest reward acquisition and punishment avoidance required no additional cognitive control. Neuroimaging data revealed that honest decisions in the opportunity for dishonest reward acquisition and those for punishment avoidance required no additional control-related activity compared with a control condition in which no opportunity for dishonest behavior was given. These results suggest that honesty flows automatically, irrespective of the concomitant motivation for dishonesty leading to reward acquisition and punishment avoidance. PMID:28746066

Automatic honesty forgoing reward acquisition and punishment avoidance: a functional MRI investigation.

PubMed

Yoneda, Mei; Ueda, Ryuhei; Ashida, Hiroshi; Abe, Nobuhito

2017-09-27

Recent neuroimaging investigations into human honesty suggest that honest moral decisions in individuals who consistently behave honestly occur automatically, without the need for active self-control. However, it remains unclear whether this observation can be applied to two different types of honesty: honesty forgoing dishonest reward acquisition and honesty forgoing dishonest punishment avoidance. To address this issue, a functional MRI study, using an incentivized prediction task in which participants were confronted with real and repeated opportunities for dishonest gain leading to reward acquisition and punishment avoidance, was conducted. Behavioral data revealed that the frequency of dishonesty was equivalent between the opportunities for dishonest reward acquisition and for punishment avoidance. Reaction time data demonstrated that two types of honest decisions in the opportunity for dishonest reward acquisition and punishment avoidance required no additional cognitive control. Neuroimaging data revealed that honest decisions in the opportunity for dishonest reward acquisition and those for punishment avoidance required no additional control-related activity compared with a control condition in which no opportunity for dishonest behavior was given. These results suggest that honesty flows automatically, irrespective of the concomitant motivation for dishonesty leading to reward acquisition and punishment avoidance.

Food Patterns Equivalents Intakes from Food: Mean Amounts Consumed per Individual, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2005-2006, Tables 1-4

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The four table sets include national estimates of mean intakes of the 37 Food Patterns (FP) components per individual estimated from the day 1 dietary intake data of 8,549 individuals, ages 2 years and over, in the What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (WWEIA, NHAN...

Food Patterns Equivalents Intakes from Food: Mean Amounts Consumer per Individual, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2011-12; Tables 1-4

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The four table sets include national estimates of mean intakes of the 37 Food Patterns (FP) components per individual estimated from the day 1 dietary intake data of 7,933 individuals, ages 2 years and over, in What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (WWEIA, NHANES),...

Characterization of the dinophysistoxin-2 acute oral toxicity in mice to define the Toxicity Equivalency Factor.

PubMed

Abal, Paula; Louzao, M Carmen; Cifuentes, José Manuel; Vilariño, Natalia; Rodriguez, Ines; Alfonso, Amparo; Vieytes, Mercedes R; Botana, Luis M

2017-04-01

Ingestion of shellfish with dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX2) can lead to diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP). The official control method of DSP toxins in seafood is the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). However in order to calculate the total toxicity of shellfish, the concentration of each compound must be multiplied by individual Toxicity Equivalency Factor (TEF). Considering that TEFs caused some controversy and the scarce information about DTX2 toxicity, the aim of this study was to characterize the oral toxicity of DTX2 in mice. A 4-Level Up and Down Procedure allowed the characterization of DTX2 effects and the estimation of DTX2 oral TEF based on determination of the lethal dose 50 (LD50). DTX2 passed the gastrointestinal barrier and was detected in urine and feces. Acute toxicity symptoms include diarrhea and motionless, however anatomopathology study and ultrastructural images restricted the toxin effects to the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless enterocytes microvilli and tight junctions were not altered, disconnecting DTX2 diarrheic effects from paracellular epithelial permeability. This is the first report of DTX2 oral LD 50 (2262 μg/kg BW) indicating that its TEF is about 0.4. This result suggests reevaluation of the present TEFs for the DSP toxins to better determine the actual risk to seafood consumers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recommendations for the Treatment of Patients With Parkinson Disease During Ramadan.

PubMed

Damier, Philippe; Al-Hashel, Jasem

2017-02-01

Every year, Ramadan fasting is practiced by many Muslim individuals. In cases of chronic disease, religious texts allow fasting to be broken. However, many believers still want to fast even at the risk of damaging their health. To our knowledge, there are no published recommendations on the medical management of Parkinson disease (PD) during Ramadan. Effective treatments exist in PD and usually require several daily drug intakes. Apart from worsening symptoms, interrupting PD treatment might lead to a severe withdrawal syndrome. Although no specific studies on this topic have led to formal recommendations, we suggest some options for adapting the treatment for patients who fast during Ramadan. The general principle is based on switching the patient's treatment to an equivalent dosage of a dopamine agonist that can be administered once daily or by transdermal patch. However, such an option is only feasible for patients who require a moderate amount of PD treatment and can tolerate dopamine agonist therapy. Because many patients with PD require regular multiple daily administration of dopamine-replacement medication, the management of Ramadan fasting is not easy. Switching the patient's treatment to an equivalent dosage of a dopamine agonist that can be administered once daily or by transdermal patch seems to be a reasonable option to consider for patients treated with a low-to-moderate amount of PD medication.

Tracing nitrogenous disinfection byproducts after medium pressure UV water treatment by stable isotope labeling and high resolution mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kolkman, Annemieke; Martijn, Bram J; Vughs, Dennis; Baken, Kirsten A; van Wezel, Annemarie P

2015-04-07

Advanced oxidation processes are important barriers for organic micropollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pesticides) in (drinking) water treatment. Studies indicate that medium pressure (MP) UV/H2O2 treatment leads to a positive response in Ames mutagenicity tests, which is then removed after granulated activated carbon (GAC) filtration. The formed potentially mutagenic substances were hitherto not identified and may result from the reaction of photolysis products of nitrate with (photolysis products of) natural organic material (NOM). In this study we present an innovative approach to trace the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) of MP UV water treatment, based on stable isotope labeled nitrate combined with high resolution mass spectrometry. It was shown that after MP UV treatment of artificial water containing NOM and nitrate, multiple nitrogen containing substances were formed. In total 84 N-DBPs were detected at individual concentrations between 1 to 135 ng/L bentazon-d6 equivalents, with a summed concentration of 1.2 μg/L bentazon-d6 equivalents. The chemical structures of three byproducts were confirmed. Screening for the 84 N-DBPs in water samples from a full-scale drinking water treatment plant based on MP UV/H2O2 treatment showed that 22 of the N-DBPs found in artificial water were also detected in real water samples.

Telemedicine in Leading US Neurology Departments.

PubMed

George, Benjamin P; Scoglio, Nicholas J; Reminick, Jason I; Rajan, Balaraman; Beck, Christopher A; Seidmann, Abraham; Biglan, Kevin M; Dorsey, E Ray

2012-10-01

To determine the current practice and plans for telemedicine at leading US neurology departments. An electronic survey was sent to department chairs, administrators, or faculty involved in telemedicine at 47 neurology departments representing the top 50 hospitals as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Current use, size, scope, reimbursement, and perceived quality of telemedicine services. A total of 32 individuals from 30 departments responded (64% response rate). The primary respondents were neurology faculty (66%) and department chairs (22%). Of the responding departments, 60% (18 of 30) currently provide telemedicine and most (n = 12) had initiated services within the last 2 years. Two thirds of those not providing telemedicine plan to do so within a year. Departments provide services to patients in state, out of state, and internationally, but only 6 departments had more than 50 consultations in the last year. The principal applications were stroke (n = 14), movement disorders (n = 4), and neurocritical care (n = 3). Most departments (n = 12) received external funding for telemedicine services, but few departments (n = 3) received payment from insurers (eg, Medicare, Medicaid). Reimbursement (n = 21) was the most frequently identified barrier to implementing telemedicine services. The majority of respondents (n = 20) find telemedicine to be equivalent to in-person care. Over 85% of leading US neurology departments currently use or plan to implement telemedicine within the next year. Addressing reimbursement may allow for its broader application.

Design of a head phantom produced on a 3D rapid prototyping printer and comparison with a RANDO and 3M lucite head phantom in eye dosimetry applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Homolka, Peter; Figl, Michael; Wartak, Andreas; Glanzer, Mathias; Dünkelmeyer, Martina; Hojreh, Azadeh; Hummel, Johann

2017-04-01

An anthropomorphic head phantom including eye inserts allowing placement of TLDs 3 mm below the cornea has been produced on a 3D printer using a photo-cured acrylic resin to best allow tissue equivalence. Thus Hp(3) can be determined in radiological and interventional photon radiation fields. Eye doses and doses to the forehead have been compared to an Alderson RANDO head and a 3M Lucite skull phantom in terms of surface dose per incident air kerma for frontal irradiation since the commercial phantoms do not allow placement of TLDs 3 mm below the corneal surface. A comparison of dose reduction factors (DRFs) of a common lead glasses model has also been performed. Eye dose per incident air kerma were comparable between all three phantoms (printed phantom: 1.40, standard error (SE) 0.04; RANDO: 1.36, SE 0.03; 3M: 1.37, SE 0.03). Doses to the forehead were identical to eye surface doses for the printed phantom and the RANDO head (ratio 1.00 SE 0.04, and 0.99 SE 0.03, respectively). In the 3M Lucite skull phantom dose on the forehead was 15% lower than dose to the eyes attributable to phantom properties. DRF of a sport frame style leaded glasses model with 0.75 mm lead equivalence measured were 6.8 SE 0.5, 9.3 SE 0.4 and 10.5 SE 0.5 for the RANDO head, the printed phantom, and the 3M Lucite head phantom, respectively, for frontal irradiation. A comparison of doses measured in 3 mm depth and on the surface of the eyes in the printed phantom revealed no difference larger than standard errors from TLD dosimetry. 3D printing offers an interesting opportunity for phantom design with increasing potential as printers allowing combinations of tissue substitutes will become available. Variations between phantoms may provide a useful indication of uncertainty budgets when using phantom measurements to estimate individual personnel doses.

Design of a head phantom produced on a 3D rapid prototyping printer and comparison with a RANDO and 3M lucite head phantom in eye dosimetry applications.

PubMed

Homolka, Peter; Figl, Michael; Wartak, Andreas; Glanzer, Mathias; Dünkelmeyer, Martina; Hojreh, Azadeh; Hummel, Johann

2017-04-21

An anthropomorphic head phantom including eye inserts allowing placement of TLDs 3 mm below the cornea has been produced on a 3D printer using a photo-cured acrylic resin to best allow tissue equivalence. Thus H p (3) can be determined in radiological and interventional photon radiation fields. Eye doses and doses to the forehead have been compared to an Alderson RANDO head and a 3M Lucite skull phantom in terms of surface dose per incident air kerma for frontal irradiation since the commercial phantoms do not allow placement of TLDs 3 mm below the corneal surface. A comparison of dose reduction factors (DRFs) of a common lead glasses model has also been performed. Eye dose per incident air kerma were comparable between all three phantoms (printed phantom: 1.40, standard error (SE) 0.04; RANDO: 1.36, SE 0.03; 3M: 1.37, SE 0.03). Doses to the forehead were identical to eye surface doses for the printed phantom and the RANDO head (ratio 1.00 SE 0.04, and 0.99 SE 0.03, respectively). In the 3M Lucite skull phantom dose on the forehead was 15% lower than dose to the eyes attributable to phantom properties. DRF of a sport frame style leaded glasses model with 0.75 mm lead equivalence measured were 6.8 SE 0.5, 9.3 SE 0.4 and 10.5 SE 0.5 for the RANDO head, the printed phantom, and the 3M Lucite head phantom, respectively, for frontal irradiation. A comparison of doses measured in 3 mm depth and on the surface of the eyes in the printed phantom revealed no difference larger than standard errors from TLD dosimetry. 3D printing offers an interesting opportunity for phantom design with increasing potential as printers allowing combinations of tissue substitutes will become available. Variations between phantoms may provide a useful indication of uncertainty budgets when using phantom measurements to estimate individual personnel doses.

Prevalence of the refractive errors by age and gender: the Mashhad eye study of Iran.

PubMed

Ostadimoghaddam, Hadi; Fotouhi, Akbar; Hashemi, Hassan; Yekta, Abbasali; Heravian, Javad; Rezvan, Farhad; Ghadimi, Hamidreza; Rezvan, Bijan; Khabazkhoob, Mehdi

2011-11-01

Refractive errors are a common eye problem. Considering the low number of population-based studies in Iran in this regard, we decided to determine the prevalence rates of myopia and hyperopia in a population in Mashhad, Iran. Cross-sectional population-based study. Random cluster sampling. Of 4453 selected individuals from the urban population of Mashhad, 70.4% participated. Refractive error was determined using manifest (age > 15 years) and cycloplegic refraction (age ≤ 15 years). Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of -0.5 diopter or worse. An spherical equivalent of +0.5 diopter or worse for non-cycloplegic refraction and an spherical equivalent of +2 diopter or worse for cycloplegic refraction was used to define hyperopia. Prevalence of refractive errors. The prevalence of myopia and hyperopia in individuals ≤ 15 years old was 3.64% (95% CI: 2.19-5.09) and 27.4% (95% CI: 23.72-31.09), respectively. The same measurements for subjects > 15 years of age was 22.36% (95% CI: 20.06-24.66) and 34.21% (95% CI: 31.57-36.85), respectively. Myopia was found to increase with age in individuals ≤ 15 years and decrease with age in individuals > 15 years of age. The rate of hyperopia showed a significant increase with age in individuals > 15 years. The prevalence of astigmatism was 25.64% (95% CI: 23.76-27.51). In children and the elderly, hyperopia is the most prevalent refractive error. After hyperopia, astigmatism is also of importance in older ages. Age is the most important demographic factor associated with different types of refractive errors. © 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2011 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Association of Axial Length With Risk of Uncorrectable Visual Impairment for Europeans With Myopia.

PubMed

Tideman, J Willem L; Snabel, Margaretha C C; Tedja, Milly S; van Rijn, Gwyneth A; Wong, King T; Kuijpers, Robert W A M; Vingerling, Johannes R; Hofman, Albert; Buitendijk, Gabriëlle H S; Keunen, Jan E E; Boon, Camiel J F; Geerards, Annette J M; Luyten, Gregorius P M; Verhoeven, Virginie J M; Klaver, Caroline C W

2016-12-01

Myopia (ie, nearsightedness) is becoming the most common eye disorder to cause blindness in younger persons in many parts of the world. Visual impairment due to myopia is associated with structural changes of the retina and the globe because of elongation of the eye axis. How axial length-a sum of the anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous chamber depth-and myopia relate to the development of visual impairment over time is unknown. To evaluate the association between axial length, spherical equivalent, and the risk of visual impairment and to make projections of visual impairment for regions with high prevalence rates. This cross-sectional study uses population-based data from the Rotterdam Study I (1990 to 1993), II (2000 to 2002), and III (2006 to 2008) and the Erasmus Rucphen Family Study (2002 to 2005) as well as case-control data from the Myopia Study (2010 to 2012) from the Netherlands. In total, 15 404 individuals with data on spherical equivalent and 9074 individuals with data on axial length were included in the study; right eyes were used for analyses. Data were analyzed from September 2014 to May 2016. Visual impairment and blindness (defined according to the World Health Organization criteria as a visual acuity less than 0.3) and predicted rates of visual impairment specifically for persons with myopia. Of the 15 693 individuals included in this study, the mean (SD) age was 61.3 (11.4) years, and 8961 (57.1%) were female. Axial length ranged from 15.3 to 37.8 mm; 819 individuals had an axial length of 26 mm or greater. Spherical equivalent ranged from -25 to +14 diopters; 796 persons had high myopia (ie, a spherical equivalent of -6 diopters or less). The prevalence of visual impairment varied from 1.0% to 4.1% in the population-based studies, was 5.4% in the Myopia Study, and was 0.3% in controls. The prevalence of visual impairment rose with increasing axial length and spherical equivalent, with a cumulative incidence (SE) of visual impairment of 3.8% (1.3) for participants aged 75 years with an axial length of 24 to less than 26 mm and greater than 90% (8.1) with an axial length of 30 mm or greater. The cumulative risk (SE) of visual impairment was 5.7% (1.3) for participants aged 60 years and 39% (4.9) for those aged 75 years with a spherical equivalent of -6 diopters or less. Projections of these data suggest that visual impairment will increase 7- to 13-fold by 2055 in high-risk areas. This study demonstrated that visual impairment is associated with axial length and spherical equivalent and may be unavoidable at the most extreme values in this population. Developing strategies to prevent the development of myopia and its complications could help to avoid an increase of visual impairment in the working-age population.

Learning and generalization from reward and punishment in opioid addiction.

PubMed

Myers, Catherine E; Rego, Janice; Haber, Paul; Morley, Kirsten; Beck, Kevin D; Hogarth, Lee; Moustafa, Ahmed A

2017-01-15

This study adapts a widely-used acquired equivalence paradigm to investigate how opioid-addicted individuals learn from positive and negative feedback, and how they generalize this learning. The opioid-addicted group consisted of 33 participants with a history of heroin dependency currently in a methadone maintenance program; the control group consisted of 32 healthy participants without a history of drug addiction. All participants performed a novel variant of the acquired equivalence task, where they learned to map some stimuli to correct outcomes in order to obtain reward, and to map other stimuli to correct outcomes in order to avoid punishment; some stimuli were implicitly "equivalent" in the sense of being paired with the same outcome. On the initial training phase, both groups performed similarly on learning to obtain reward, but as memory load grew, the control group outperformed the addicted group on learning to avoid punishment. On a subsequent testing phase, the addicted and control groups performed similarly on retention trials involving previously-trained stimulus-outcome pairs, as well as on generalization trials to assess acquired equivalence. Since prior work with acquired equivalence tasks has associated stimulus-outcome learning with the nigrostriatal dopamine system, and generalization with the hippocampal region, the current results are consistent with basal ganglia dysfunction in the opioid-addicted patients. Further, a selective deficit in learning from punishment could contribute to processes by which addicted individuals continue to pursue drug use even at the cost of negative consequences such as loss of income and the opportunity to engage in other life activities. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Equivalent Quantum Equations in a System Inspired by Bouncing Droplets Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borghesi, Christian

2017-07-01

In this paper we study a classical and theoretical system which consists of an elastic medium carrying transverse waves and one point-like high elastic medium density, called concretion. We compute the equation of motion for the concretion as well as the wave equation of this system. Afterwards we always consider the case where the concretion is not the wave source any longer. Then the concretion obeys a general and covariant guidance formula, which leads in low-velocity approximation to an equivalent de Broglie-Bohm guidance formula. The concretion moves then as if exists an equivalent quantum potential. A strictly equivalent free Schrödinger equation is retrieved, as well as the quantum stationary states in a linear or spherical cavity. We compute the energy (and momentum) of the concretion, naturally defined from the energy (and momentum) density of the vibrating elastic medium. Provided one condition about the amplitude of oscillation is fulfilled, it strikingly appears that the energy and momentum of the concretion not only are written in the same form as in quantum mechanics, but also encapsulate equivalent relativistic formulas.

Sound source identification and sound radiation modeling in a moving medium using the time-domain equivalent source method.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao-Zheng; Bi, Chuan-Xing; Zhang, Yong-Bin; Xu, Liang

2015-05-01

Planar near-field acoustic holography has been successfully extended to reconstruct the sound field in a moving medium, however, the reconstructed field still contains the convection effect that might lead to the wrong identification of sound sources. In order to accurately identify sound sources in a moving medium, a time-domain equivalent source method is developed. In the method, the real source is replaced by a series of time-domain equivalent sources whose strengths are solved iteratively by utilizing the measured pressure and the known convective time-domain Green's function, and time averaging is used to reduce the instability in the iterative solving process. Since these solved equivalent source strengths are independent of the convection effect, they can be used not only to identify sound sources but also to model sound radiations in both moving and static media. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of noise on the solved equivalent source strengths and the effect of time averaging on reducing the instability, and to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method on the source identification and sound radiation modeling.

47 CFR 32.2422 - Underground cable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... cable. This subsidiary record category shall include the original cost of optical fiber cable and other..., Buried Cable. (d) The cost of cables leading from the main distributing frame or equivalent to central...

47 CFR 32.2422 - Underground cable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... cable. This subsidiary record category shall include the original cost of optical fiber cable and other..., Buried Cable. (d) The cost of cables leading from the main distributing frame or equivalent to central...

47 CFR 32.2422 - Underground cable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... cable. This subsidiary record category shall include the original cost of optical fiber cable and other..., Buried Cable. (d) The cost of cables leading from the main distributing frame or equivalent to central...

47 CFR 32.2422 - Underground cable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... cable. This subsidiary record category shall include the original cost of optical fiber cable and other..., Buried Cable. (d) The cost of cables leading from the main distributing frame or equivalent to central...

47 CFR 32.2422 - Underground cable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... cable. This subsidiary record category shall include the original cost of optical fiber cable and other..., Buried Cable. (d) The cost of cables leading from the main distributing frame or equivalent to central...

Effects of equivalent series resistance on the noise mitigation performance of piezoelectric shunt damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Szu Cheng; Sharifzadeh Mirshekarloo, Meysam; Yao, Kui

2017-05-01

Piezoelectric shunt damping (PSD) utilizes an electrically-shunted piezoelectric damper attached on a panel structure to suppress the transmission of acoustic noise. The paper develops an understanding on the effects of equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the piezoelectric damper in a PSD system on noise mitigation performance, and demonstrates that an increased ESR leads to a significant rise in the noise transmissibility due to reduction in the system’s mechanical damping. It is further demonstrated with experimental results that ESR effects can be compensated in the shunt circuit to significantly improve the noise mitigation performance. A theoretical electrical equivalent model of the PSD incorporating the ESR is established for quantitative analysis of ESR effects on noise mitigation.

Cultural adaptation and translation of measures: an integrated method.

PubMed

Sidani, Souraya; Guruge, Sepali; Miranda, Joyal; Ford-Gilboe, Marilyn; Varcoe, Colleen

2010-04-01

Differences in the conceptualization and operationalization of health-related concepts may exist across cultures. Such differences underscore the importance of examining conceptual equivalence when adapting and translating instruments. In this article, we describe an integrated method for exploring conceptual equivalence within the process of adapting and translating measures. The integrated method involves five phases including selection of instruments for cultural adaptation and translation; assessment of conceptual equivalence, leading to the generation of a set of items deemed to be culturally and linguistically appropriate to assess the concept of interest in the target community; forward translation; back translation (optional); and pre-testing of the set of items. Strengths and limitations of the proposed integrated method are discussed. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mechanistic equivalent circuit modelling of a commercial polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giner-Sanz, J. J.; Ortega, E. M.; Pérez-Herranz, V.

2018-03-01

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been widely used in the fuel cell field since it allows deconvolving the different physic-chemical processes that affect the fuel cell performance. Typically, EIS spectra are modelled using electric equivalent circuits. In this work, EIS spectra of an individual cell of a commercial PEM fuel cell stack were obtained experimentally. The goal was to obtain a mechanistic electric equivalent circuit in order to model the experimental EIS spectra. A mechanistic electric equivalent circuit is a semiempirical modelling technique which is based on obtaining an equivalent circuit that does not only correctly fit the experimental spectra, but which elements have a mechanistic physical meaning. In order to obtain the aforementioned electric equivalent circuit, 12 different models with defined physical meanings were proposed. These equivalent circuits were fitted to the obtained EIS spectra. A 2 step selection process was performed. In the first step, a group of 4 circuits were preselected out of the initial list of 12, based on general fitting indicators as the determination coefficient and the fitted parameter uncertainty. In the second step, one of the 4 preselected circuits was selected on account of the consistency of the fitted parameter values with the physical meaning of each parameter.

78 FR 12833 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Standards Related to Essential Health Benefits...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-25

... in 2014, all non-grandfathered health insurance coverage in the individual and small group markets... PHS Act directs non-grandfathered group health plans to ensure that cost- sharing under the plan does... individual and small group markets, and not to Medicaid benchmark or benchmark-equivalent plans. In a...

42 CFR 417.104 - Payment for basic health services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... must be equivalent for all individuals in the same group and for all families of similar composition in...: (A) Individual (non-group) subscribers (including their families). (B) Small groups of subscribers... group basis as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. An HMO may fix its rates of payment under...

42 CFR 417.104 - Payment for basic health services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... must be equivalent for all individuals in the same group and for all families of similar composition in...: (A) Individual (non-group) subscribers (including their families). (B) Small groups of subscribers... group basis as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. An HMO may fix its rates of payment under...

Verbal Short-Term Memory Performance in Pupils with Down Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abdelhameed, Hala; Porter, Jill

2010-01-01

Research has shown that verbal short-term memory span is shorter in individuals with Down syndrome than in typically developing individuals of equivalent mental age, but little attention has been given to variations within or across groups. Differences in the environment and in particular educational experiences may play a part in the relative…

46 CFR 15.901 - Inspected vessels of less than 100 gross tons.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.901 Inspected vessels of less than 100 gross tons. (a) An individual..., of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's... vessels is authorized to serve as master or mate, respectively, of other non-self-propelled vessels...

46 CFR 15.901 - Inspected vessels of less than 100 gross tons.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.901 Inspected vessels of less than 100 gross tons. (a) An individual..., of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's... vessels is authorized to serve as master or mate, respectively, of other non-self-propelled vessels...

Postdoctoral Fellow | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

A post-doctoral fellowship is currently available for productive, highly-motivated, and energetic individuals in the Inflammation and Tumorigenesis Section of Dr. Yinling Hu at the NCI-Frederick campus.  A dynamic research environment and outstanding resources are available for enthusiastic individuals.  Requirements include a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and experience

TELEGRAM: contribution in assistive technology indication for individuals with hearing impairment.

PubMed

Jacob, Regina Tangerino de Souza; Lopes, Natália Barreto Frederigue; Cruz, Aline Duarte da; Alves, Tacianne Kriscia Machado; Santos, Larissa Germiniani Dos; Angelo, Thais Corina Said de; Mondelli, Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia; Moret, Adriane Lima Mortari

2017-02-23

The objective of the study was to translate and culturally adapt to Portuguese the TELEGRAM instrument and to evaluate its effectiveness in adults with hearing impairment using hearing aids. The TELEGRAM was translated into the Portuguese language, reviewed for grammatical and idiomatic equivalences (reverse translations) and linguistic and cultural adaptations. After translation, the TELEGRAM was applied to 20 individuals with hearing impairment. A descriptive analysis of the results was performed. After the grammatical and idiomatic equivalence, the replacement of one term/item was suggested, which was modified and adapted to the Brazilian context. In general, the questions of the instrument were considered easy to understand. Among the categories assessed, individuals with hearing loss had greater difficulty using the telephone and in activities such as attending church gatherings, parties, or in situations of noisy environments, distance and reverberation. The TELEGRAM translated into Brazilian Portuguese proved to be an easily applicable tool in population studies and effective to assess which are the main situations where individuals with hearing impairment have greater difficulty in communication, reinforcing the importance of hearing rehabilitation and assistive technology to minimize these difficulties.

45 CFR 261.30 - What are the work activities?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... programs; (h) Vocational educational training; (i) Job skills training directly related to employment; (j... a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a recipient has not completed...

An Empirical Orthogonal Function Reanalysis of the Northern Polar External and Induced Magnetic Field During Solar Cycle 23

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, R. M.; Freeman, M. P.; Gjerloev, J. W.

2018-01-01

We apply the method of data-interpolating empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) to ground-based magnetic vector data from the SuperMAG archive to produce a series of month length reanalyses of the surface external and induced magnetic field (SEIMF) in 110,000 km2 equal-area bins over the entire northern polar region at 5 min cadence over solar cycle 23, from 1997.0 to 2009.0. Each EOF reanalysis also decomposes the measured SEIMF variation into a hierarchy of spatiotemporal patterns which are ordered by their contribution to the monthly magnetic field variance. We find that the leading EOF patterns can each be (subjectively) interpreted as well-known SEIMF systems or their equivalent current systems. The relationship of the equivalent currents to the true current flow is not investigated. We track the leading SEIMF or equivalent current systems of similar type by intermonthly spatial correlation and apply graph theory to (objectively) group their appearance and relative importance throughout a solar cycle, revealing seasonal and solar cycle variation. In this way, we identify the spatiotemporal patterns that maximally contribute to SEIMF variability over a solar cycle. We propose this combination of EOF and graph theory as a powerful method for objectively defining and investigating the structure and variability of the SEIMF or their equivalent ionospheric currents for use in both geomagnetism and space weather applications. It is demonstrated here on solar cycle 23 but is extendable to any epoch with sufficient data coverage.

Implicit perceptual-motor skill learning in mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Gobel, Eric W; Blomeke, Kelsey; Zadikoff, Cindy; Simuni, Tanya; Weintraub, Sandra; Reber, Paul J

2013-05-01

Implicit skill learning is hypothesized to depend on nondeclarative memory that operates independent of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) memory system and instead depends on cortico striatal circuits between the basal ganglia and cortical areas supporting motor function and planning. Research with the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task suggests that patients with memory disorders due to MTL damage exhibit normal implicit sequence learning. However, reports of intact learning rely on observations of no group differences, leading to speculation as to whether implicit sequence learning is fully intact in these patients. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often exhibit impaired sequence learning, but this impairment is not universally observed. Implicit perceptual-motor sequence learning was examined using the Serial Interception Sequence Learning (SISL) task in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI; n = 11) and patients with PD (n = 15). Sequence learning in SISL is resistant to explicit learning and individually adapted task difficulty controls for baseline performance differences. Patients with MCI exhibited robust sequence learning, equivalent to healthy older adults (n = 20), supporting the hypothesis that the MTL does not contribute to learning in this task. In contrast, the majority of patients with PD exhibited no sequence-specific learning in spite of matched overall task performance. Two patients with PD exhibited performance indicative of an explicit compensatory strategy suggesting that impaired implicit learning may lead to greater reliance on explicit memory in some individuals. The differences in learning between patient groups provides strong evidence in favor of implicit sequence learning depending solely on intact basal ganglia function with no contribution from the MTL memory system.

Is type 2 diabetes really a coronary heart disease risk equivalent?

PubMed

Saely, Christoph H; Drexel, Heinz

2013-01-01

The concept of diabetes as a coronary heart risk (CHD) equivalent postulates that patients with diabetes who do not yet have CHD are at an equally high cardiovascular risk as non-diabetic patients with CHD. This implies important therapeutic, psychological, and economical consequences. However, whereas several reports support the concept of diabetes as a CHD risk equivalent, others refute it, and several investigations find that the cardiovascular risk conferred by diabetes is strongly modulated by sex (with diabetes conferring a greater risk increase in women), diabetes duration, concomitant risk factors, or the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. A detailed review of the literature shows that the concept of diabetes as a CHD risk equivalent is overly simplistic, because not all patients with diabetes are at the same cardiovascular risk. An individualized approach to cardiovascular risk estimation and management appears mandatory in patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inertia and Double Bending of Light from Equivalence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shuler, Robert L., Jr.

2010-01-01

Careful examination of light paths in an accelerated reference frame, with use of Special Relativity, can account fully for the observed bending of light in a gravitational field, not just half of it as reported in 1911. This analysis also leads to a Machian formulation of inertia similar to the one proposed by Einstein in 1912 and later derived from gravitational field equations in Minkowsky Space by Sciama in 1953. There is a clear inference from equivalence that there is some type of inertial mass increase in a gravitational field. It is the purpose of the current paper to suggest that equivalence provides a more complete picture of gravitational effects than previously thought, correctly predicting full light bending, and that since the theory of inertia is derivable from equivalence, any theory based on equivalence must take account of it. Einstein himself clearly was not satisfied with the status of inertia in GRT, as our quotes have shown. Many have tried to account for inertia and met with less than success, for example Davidson s integration of Sciama s inertia into GRT but only for a steady state cosmology [10], and the Machian gravity theory of Brans and Dicke [11]. Yet Mach s idea hasn t gone away, and now it seems that it cannot go away without also disposing of equivalence.

An equivalent domain integral for analysis of two-dimensional mixed mode problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, I. S.; Shivakumar, K. N.

1989-01-01

An equivalent domain integral (EDI) method for calculating J-integrals for two-dimensional cracked elastic bodies subjected to mixed mode loading is presented. The total and product integrals consist of the sum of an area or domain integral and line integrals on the crack faces. The EDI method gave accurate values of the J-integrals for two mode I and two mixed mode problems. Numerical studies showed that domains consisting of one layer of elements are sufficient to obtain accurate J-integral values. Two procedures for separating the individual modes from the domain integrals are presented. The procedure that uses the symmetric and antisymmetric components of the stress and displacement fields to calculate the individual modes gave accurate values of the integrals for all the problems analyzed.

Consumer Labels can Convey Polyphenolic Content: Implications for Public Health

PubMed Central

Waterhouse, Andrew L.

2005-01-01

Polyphenolics are a large group of related substances. Many of these, in fact much of that found in food, is composed of processing-derived substances too complex for complete identification. Recent studies have suggested likely benefits for diets high in polyphenols, particular in reducing heart disease mortality, but other benefits have also been suggested. A consumer label based on the major polyphenolic classes is both manageable and fairly informative as most foods do not contain all possible classes. Differences between class member can be significant, but data on individual substances is impractical and no data is certainly less informative. Equivalency scales may be useful but may skew content of many foods towards the high-equivalency substances, even while the full beneficial effects of each individual substance is poorly described. PMID:15712598

Julia Roberts, Precognition, America’s Stonehenge, (A.S.), Detecting Information From the Past, Mistaking It For “Spirit,” and Defusing Martyrdom Practices Among Religious Zealots.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawa Matagamon, Sagamo

2001-11-01

Julia Roberts claimed to have had a precognitive dream about an orangutan giving her a full-body embrace, in the special about orangutans by the PBS's NY channel 13. When such events do occur for anyone, my research suggests the equivalent of spatial diffraction pattern information about an event can propagate in a backward sense through time. A sufficiently energized transponder is needed, and an appropriately sensitive receiver. Equivalent information from the past is detectable at A.S. Individuals ``experiencing" reincarnation may actually have been impacted by naturally occurring EMF, upon which information-conveying signals from the past have been superimposed. Individuals ``possessed" by spirits could actually be detecting unsettling signals. Native American world-view holds blameless deranged individuals, stating that Tseka'bec or the Great Spirit, perhaps EMF, is at fault. Zealots' expectations of a glorious reincarnation could be defused if rage is an artifact of EMF experiences. Society should attempt such a persuasion.

Method for measuring lead concentrations in blood

DOEpatents

Nogar, Nicholas S.

2001-01-01

Method for measuring lead concentrations in blood. The present invention includes the use of resonant laser ablation to analyze .ltoreq.1 .mu.L (or equivalent mass) samples of blood for lead content. A typical finger prick, for example, yields about 10 .mu.L. Solid samples may also readily be analyzed by resonant laser ablation. The sample is placed on a lead-free, electrically conducting substrate and irradiated with a single, focused laser beam which simultaneously vaporizes, atomizes, and resonantly ionizes an analyte of interest in a sample. The ions are then sorted, collected and detected using a mass spectrometer.

40 CFR 403.8 - Pretreatment Program Requirements: Development and Implementation by POTW.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... achieved through individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each such User... by the same authority) with a total design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day (mgd) and... § 403.10(e). The Regional Administrator or Director may require that a POTW with a design flow of 5 mgd...

40 CFR 403.8 - Pretreatment Program Requirements: Development and Implementation by POTW.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... achieved through individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each such User... by the same authority) with a total design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day (mgd) and... § 403.10(e). The Regional Administrator or Director may require that a POTW with a design flow of 5 mgd...

40 CFR 403.8 - Pretreatment Program Requirements: Development and Implementation by POTW.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... achieved through individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each such User... by the same authority) with a total design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day (mgd) and... § 403.10(e). The Regional Administrator or Director may require that a POTW with a design flow of 5 mgd...

40 CFR 403.8 - Pretreatment Program Requirements: Development and Implementation by POTW.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... achieved through individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each such User... by the same authority) with a total design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day (mgd) and... § 403.10(e). The Regional Administrator or Director may require that a POTW with a design flow of 5 mgd...

40 CFR 403.8 - Pretreatment Program Requirements: Development and Implementation by POTW.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... achieved through individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each such User... by the same authority) with a total design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day (mgd) and... § 403.10(e). The Regional Administrator or Director may require that a POTW with a design flow of 5 mgd...

The U.S. draft guidance regarding population and individual bioequivalence approaches: comments by a research-based pharmaceutical company.

PubMed

Hauschke, D; Steinijans, V W

2000-10-30

Generally, the motivation for switching from average bioequivalence to population and/or individual bio-equivalence is well recognized in the light of certain limitations of the concept of average bioequivalence. However, this switch still results in unresolved issues which should be addressed before the regulatory guidance is finalized.

Effectiveness of thyroid gland shielding in dental CBCT using a paediatric anthropomorphic phantom

PubMed Central

Davies, J; Horner, K; Theodorakou, C

2015-01-01

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of thyroid shielding in dental CBCT examinations using a paediatric anthropomorphic phantom. Methods: An ATOM® 706-C anthropomorphic phantom (Computerized Imaging Reference Systems Inc., Norfolk, VA) representing a 10-year-old child was loaded with six thermoluminescent dosemeters positioned at the level of the thyroid gland. Absorbed doses to the thyroid were measured for five commercially available thyroid shields using a large field of view (FOV). Results: A statistically significant thyroid gland dose reduction was found using thyroid shielding for paediatric CBCT examinations for a large FOV. In addition, a statistically significant difference in thyroid gland doses was found depending on the position of the thyroid gland. There was little difference in the effectiveness of thyroid shielding when using a lead vs a lead-equivalent thyroid shield. Similar dose reduction was found using 0.25- and 0.50-mm lead-equivalent thyroid shields. Conclusions: Thyroid shields are to be recommended when undertaking large FOV CBCT examinations on young patients. PMID:25411710

Antipsychotic dose equivalents and dose-years: a standardized method for comparing exposure to different drugs.

PubMed

Andreasen, Nancy C; Pressler, Marcus; Nopoulos, Peg; Miller, Del; Ho, Beng-Choon

2010-02-01

A standardized quantitative method for comparing dosages of different drugs is a useful tool for designing clinical trials and for examining the effects of long-term medication side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. Such a method requires establishing dose equivalents. An expert consensus group has published charts of equivalent doses for various antipsychotic medications for first- and second-generation medications. These charts were used in this study. Regression was used to compare each drug in the experts' charts to chlorpromazine and haloperidol and to create formulas for each relationship. The formulas were solved for chlorpromazine 100 mg and haloperidol 2 mg to derive new chlorpromazine and haloperidol equivalents. The formulas were incorporated into our definition of dose-years such that 100 mg/day of chlorpromazine equivalent or 2 mg/day of haloperidol equivalent taken for 1 year is equal to one dose-year. All comparisons to chlorpromazine and haloperidol were highly linear with R(2) values greater than .9. A power transformation further improved linearity. By deriving a unique formula that converts doses to chlorpromazine or haloperidol equivalents, we can compare otherwise dissimilar drugs. These equivalents can be multiplied by the time an individual has been on a given dose to derive a cumulative value measured in dose-years in the form of (chlorpromazine equivalent in mg) x (time on dose measured in years). After each dose has been converted to dose-years, the results can be summed to provide a cumulative quantitative measure of lifetime exposure. Copyright 2010 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multi-Input Multi-Output Flight Control System Design for the YF-16 Using Nonlinear QFT and Pilot Compensation

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

methods are implemented in MATRIXx with the programs SISOTF and MIMOTF respectively. Following the mathe - matical development, the application of these...intent is not to teach any of the methods , it has been written in a manner to significantly assist an individual attempting follow on work. I would...equivalent plant models. A detailed mathematical development of the method used to develop these equivalent LTI plant models is provided. After this inner

Individual and Organizational Variables’ Relationship to Coronary Heart Disease’.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

States Ai& Force, or he Deparment at Defense i ! AFIT Control Number LSSR 3-81 AFIT RESEARCH ASSESSMENT The purpose of this questionnaire is to...benefits of AFIT research can often be expressed by the equivalent value that your agency received by virtue of AFIT performing the research . Can you...results of the research may, in fact, be important. Whether or not you were able to establish an equivalent value for this research (3 above), what is

Dosimetric verification of the anisotropic analytical algorithm in lung equivalent heterogeneities with and without bone equivalent heterogeneities

PubMed Central

Ono, Kaoru; Endo, Satoru; Tanaka, Kenichi; Hoshi, Masaharu; Hirokawa, Yutaka

2010-01-01

Purpose: In this study, the authors evaluated the accuracy of dose calculations performed by the convolution∕superposition based anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) in lung equivalent heterogeneities with and without bone equivalent heterogeneities. Methods: Calculations of PDDs using the AAA and Monte Carlo simulations (MCNP4C) were compared to ionization chamber measurements with a heterogeneous phantom consisting of lung equivalent and bone equivalent materials. Both 6 and 10 MV photon beams of 4×4 and 10×10 cm2 field sizes were used for the simulations. Furthermore, changes of energy spectrum with depth for the heterogeneous phantom using MCNP were calculated. Results: The ionization chamber measurements and MCNP calculations in a lung equivalent phantom were in good agreement, having an average deviation of only 0.64±0.45%. For both 6 and 10 MV beams, the average deviation was less than 2% for the 4×4 and 10×10 cm2 fields in the water-lung equivalent phantom and the 4×4 cm2 field in the water-lung-bone equivalent phantom. Maximum deviations for the 10×10 cm2 field in the lung equivalent phantom before and after the bone slab were 5.0% and 4.1%, respectively. The Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated an increase of the low-energy photon component in these regions, more for the 10×10 cm2 field compared to the 4×4 cm2 field. Conclusions: The low-energy photon by Monte Carlo simulation component increases sharply in larger fields when there is a significant presence of bone equivalent heterogeneities. This leads to great changes in the build-up and build-down at the interfaces of different density materials. The AAA calculation modeling of the effect is not deemed to be sufficiently accurate. PMID:20879604

Association between Refractive Errors and Ocular Biometry in Iranian Adults

PubMed Central

Hashemi, Hassan; Khabazkhoob, Mehdi; Emamian, Mohammad Hassan; Shariati, Mohammad; Miraftab, Mohammad; Yekta, Abbasali; Ostadimoghaddam, Hadi; Fotouhi, Akbar

2015-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the association between ocular biometrics such as axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and corneal power (CP) with different refractive errors. Methods: In a cross-sectional study on the 40 to 64-year-old population of Shahroud, random cluster sampling was performed. Ocular biometrics were measured using the Allegro Biograph (WaveLight AG, Erlangen, Germany) for all participants. Refractive errors were determined using cycloplegic refraction. Results: In the first model, the strongest correlations were found between spherical equivalent with axial length and corneal power. Spherical equivalent was strongly correlated with axial length in high myopic and high hyperopic cases, and with corneal power in high hyperopic cases; 69.5% of variability in spherical equivalent was attributed to changes in these variables. In the second model, the correlations between vitreous chamber depth and corneal power with spherical equivalent were stronger in myopes than hyperopes, while the correlations between lens thickness and anterior chamber depth with spherical equivalent were stronger in hyperopic cases than myopic ones. In the third model, anterior chamber depth + lens thickness correlated with spherical equivalent only in moderate and severe cases of hyperopia, and this index was not correlated with spherical equivalent in moderate to severe myopia. Conclusion: In individuals aged 40-64 years, corneal power and axial length make the greatest contribution to spherical equivalent in high hyperopia and high myopia. Anterior segment biometric components have a more important role in hyperopia than myopia. PMID:26730304

Simulations of Flame Acceleration and DDT in Mixture Composition Gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Weilin; Kaplan, Carolyn; Houim, Ryan; Oran, Elaine

2017-11-01

Unsteady, multidimensional, fully compressible numerical simulations of methane-air in an obstructed channel with spatial gradients in equivalence ratios have been carried to determine the effects of the gradients on flame acceleration and transition to detonation. Results for gradients perpendicular to the propagation direction were considered here. A calibrated, optimized chemical-diffusive model that reproduces correct flame and detonation properties for methane-air over a range of equivalence ratios was derived from a combination of a genetic algorithm with a Nelder-Mead optimization scheme. Inhomogeneous mixtures of methane-air resulted in slower flame acceleration and longer distance to DDT. Detonations were more likely to decouple into a flame and a shock under sharper concentration gradients. Detailed analyses of temperature and equivalence ratio illustrated that vertical gradients can greatly affect the formation of hot spots that initiate detonation by changing the strength of leading shock wave and local equivalence ratio near the base of obstacles. This work is supported by the Alpha Foundation (Grant No. AFC215-20).

TEPC Response Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shinn, J. L.; Wilson, J. W.

2003-01-01

The tissue equivalent proportional counter had the purpose of providing the energy absorbed from a radiation field and an estimate of the corresponding linear energy transfer (LET) for evaluation of radiation quality to convert to dose equivalent. It was the recognition of the limitations in estimating LET which lead to a new approach to dosimetry, microdosimetry, and the corresponding emphasis on energy deposit in a small tissue volume as the driver of biological response with the defined quantity of lineal energy. In many circumstances, the average of the lineal energy and LET are closely related and has provided a basis for estimating dose equivalent. Still in many cases the lineal is poorly related to LET and brings into question the usefulness as a general purpose device. These relationships are examined in this paper.

Does the lead apron and collar always reduce radiation dose?

PubMed

Nortje, C J; Harris, A M; Lackovic, K P; Wood, R E

2001-11-01

The possibility that personal lead shielding devices can increase absorption of radiation has not been entertained. The purpose of the present investigation specifically was to determine whether pituitary dose might be increased when a leaded apron and thyroid collar are used. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used to measure absorbed dose. They were calibrated at the kVp used in the clinical situation and a calibration curve relating light output to dose was generated. Lithium fluoride TLD discs were placed in the pituitary gland region of a Rando-Alderson female human phantom. The equivalent of 100 transpharyngeal exposures were delivered. The resultant light output from recovered dosimeters was converted to a uGy value using the calibration curve. The experiment was repeated using a 0.25 mm lead equivalent collar and apron fitted to the phantom in the customary manner. The entire process was repeated in order to have 30 dosimeters for the unshielded and 30 dosimeters for the shielded conditions. A further 30 dosimeters were sham irradiated and served as controls. A statistical comparison between unshielded and shielded conditions was performed. When the leaded apron and thyroid collar were used the absorbed dose to the pituitary gland was increased significantly (P < 0.05). Following this a second group, using a different dosimetry system and a male phantom repeated the experiment. In both cases, the shielded phantom received significantly higher dose to the pituitary region than the unshielded.

Gluten and gluten-free: issues and considerations of labeling regulations, detection methods, and assay validation.

PubMed

Diaz-Amigo, Carmen; Popping, Bert

2012-01-01

Gluten is a commonly used cereal derivative found in bakery products, among other items. In some susceptible individuals, however, it triggers immune responses of different kinds; there is, to a lesser extent, the wheat allergy that is immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated and leads to histamine release and typical allergic symptoms. In this case, other water-soluble proteins, like albumins, are also involved. On the other hand, there is, more frequently, celiac disease (CD), where the gluten causes immune reactions in the intestines of certain individuals, leading to degeneration of villi, which typically leads to malabsorption of nutrients and, consequently, malnutrition. The only currently effective health strategy for affected consumers is avoidance of gluten-containing products, based on clear labeling rules. However, despite unanimously accepted Codex definitions by all member jurisdictions, the national implementation of equivalent laws shows significant differences. In the context of CD and in support of the gluten-free statement, regulatory enforcement, as well as manufacturers' quality controls are mostly based on analytical results. However, numerous methods are available, some of which have been validated better than others, and many provide different results on identical samples. Reasons include detection of different gluten components and variability in extraction efficiency due to different buffer compositions, especially from processed foods. Last but not least, the lack of reference materials is hindering the process of generating comparable data across different ELISA kits, as well as other methods. How can such data still be used to support a gluten-free claim? New methodologies, in particular mass spectrometric analysis of gluten derived peptides, are being introduced in numerous laboratories. This methodology is not only capable of detecting gluten derived peptides but can also differentiate between and quantitate wheat, barley, rye, and oat. This paper presents analytical limitations, as well as promising new approaches in support of industry and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with the gluten-free claim under the current regulatory framework.

Airplane Stress Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zahm, A F; Crook, L H

1918-01-01

Report presents stress analysis of individual components of an airplane. Normal and abnormal loads, sudden loads, simple stresses, indirect simple stresses, resultant unit stress, repetitive and equivalent stress, maximum steady load and stress are considered.

46 CFR 76.30-5 - Zoning.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) Individual tubing circuits shall not contain more than 1,000 feet of pneumatic tubing or its equivalent. However, more than one tubing circuit may be included in the same fire detecting zone. ...

40 CFR 60.701 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) Reactor Processes § 60.701 Definitions. As used in... means by individual stream components, not carbon equivalents. Car-seal means a seal that is placed on a...

30 CFR 18.29 - Access openings and covers, including unused lead-entrance holes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TESTING, EVALUATION, AND APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT... in use shall be closed with metal plugs secured by spot welding, brazing, or equivalent. (See Figure...

General RMP Guidance - Chapter 10: Implementation

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The implementing agency is the federal, state, or local agency taking the lead for implementation and enforcement of part 68 (risk management program) or the state or local equivalent. They review RMPs, select some for audits, and conduct inspections.

Students’ misconception on equal sign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusuma, N. F.; Subanti, S.; Usodo, B.

2018-04-01

Equivalence is a very general relation in mathematics. The focus of this article is narrowed specifically to an equal sign in the context of equations. The equal sign is a symbol of mathematical equivalence. Studies have found that many students do not have a deep understanding of equivalence. Students often misinterpret the equal sign as an operational rather than a symbol of mathematical equivalence. This misinterpretation of the equal sign will be label as a misconception. It is important to discuss and must resolve immediately because it can lead to the problems in students’ understanding. The purpose of this research is to describe students’ misconception about the meaning of equal sign on equal matrices. Descriptive method was used in this study involving five students of Senior High School in Boyolali who were taking Equal Matrices course. The result of this study shows that all of the students had the misconception about the meaning of the equal sign. They interpret the equal sign as an operational symbol rather than a symbol of mathematical equivalence. Students merely solve the problem only single way, which is a computational method, so that students stuck in a monotonous way of thinking and unable to develop their creativity.

Construction of a Corneal Stromal Equivalent with SMILE-Derived Lenticules and Fibrin Glue

PubMed Central

Yin, Houfa; Qiu, Peijin; Wu, Fang; Zhang, Wei; Teng, Wenqi; Qin, Zhenwei; Li, Chao; Zhou, Jiaojie; Fang, Zhi; Tang, Qiaomei; Fu, Qiuli; Ma, Jian; Yang, Yabo

2016-01-01

The scarcity of corneal tissue to treat deep corneal defects and corneal perforations remains a challenge. Currently, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules appear to be a promising alternative for the treatment of these conditions. However, the thickness and toughness of a single piece of lenticule are limited. To overcome these limitations, we constructed a corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue. In vitro cell culture revealed that the corneal stromal equivalent could provide a suitable scaffold for the survival and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, which formed a continuous pluristratified epithelium with the expression of characteristic markers. Finally, anterior lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits demonstrated that the corneal stromal equivalent with decellularized lenticules and fibrin glue could repair the anterior region of the stroma, leading to re-epithelialization and recovery of both transparency and ultrastructural organization. Corneal neovascularization, graft degradation, and corneal rejection were not observed within 3 months. Taken together, the corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the repair of damage to the anterior cornea, which may provide new avenues in the treatment of deep corneal defects or corneal perforations. PMID:27651001

Construction of a Corneal Stromal Equivalent with SMILE-Derived Lenticules and Fibrin Glue.

PubMed

Yin, Houfa; Qiu, Peijin; Wu, Fang; Zhang, Wei; Teng, Wenqi; Qin, Zhenwei; Li, Chao; Zhou, Jiaojie; Fang, Zhi; Tang, Qiaomei; Fu, Qiuli; Ma, Jian; Yang, Yabo

2016-09-21

The scarcity of corneal tissue to treat deep corneal defects and corneal perforations remains a challenge. Currently, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules appear to be a promising alternative for the treatment of these conditions. However, the thickness and toughness of a single piece of lenticule are limited. To overcome these limitations, we constructed a corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue. In vitro cell culture revealed that the corneal stromal equivalent could provide a suitable scaffold for the survival and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, which formed a continuous pluristratified epithelium with the expression of characteristic markers. Finally, anterior lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits demonstrated that the corneal stromal equivalent with decellularized lenticules and fibrin glue could repair the anterior region of the stroma, leading to re-epithelialization and recovery of both transparency and ultrastructural organization. Corneal neovascularization, graft degradation, and corneal rejection were not observed within 3 months. Taken together, the corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the repair of damage to the anterior cornea, which may provide new avenues in the treatment of deep corneal defects or corneal perforations.

SU-E-P-09: Radiation Transmission Measurements and Evaluation of Diagnostic Lead-Based and Lead-Free Aprons

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

Syh, J

2014-06-01

Purpose: This study was conducted to ensure that various lead shield apron manufacturers provided accurate attenuation factors regardless of whether the apron was made of lead-based or lead-free equivalent material. Methods: A calibrated ionization survey meter was placed at chest height and 36 cm horizontally away from a solid water phantom on a simulator couch. Measurements were done with or without apron. Radiation field was set to 24cmx24cm with the phantom at 100cm source-to-surface distance. Irradiation time was set for 1 minute at voltages of 60, 80, 100 and 120 kVp. Current was set at 6mA. Results: Between 60 kVpmore » and 120 kVp, the transmission through 0.50 mm of lead-based apron was between 1.0% and 6.5% with a mean value of 3.2% and a standard deviation (s.d.) of 1.4%. The transmissions through the 0.50 mm lead-free aprons were 1.0 % to 12.0% with a mean value of 6.1% and s.d. of 2.6%. At 120 kVp, the transmission value was 6.5% for 0.50 mm lead-based apron and 11.1% to 12.0% for 0.50 mm lead-free aprons. The radiation transmissions at 80 kVp, measured in two different 0.5 mm lead-free aprons, were 4.3% each. However, only 1.4% transmission was found through the lead-based apron. Overall, the radiation transmitted through the lead-based apron was 1/3 transmission of lead-free at 80kVp, and half value of lead-free aprons at 100 and 120 kVp. Conclusion: Even though lead-based and lead-free aprons all claimed to have the same lead equivalent thickness, the transmission might not be the same. The precaution was needed to exercise diligence in quality assurance program to assure adequate protection to staff who wear it during diagnostic procedures. The requirement for aprons not only should be in certain thickness to meet state regulation but also to keep reasonably achievable low exposure with the accurate labeling from manufacturers.« less

Telemedicine in Leading US Neurology Departments

PubMed Central

George, Benjamin P.; Scoglio, Nicholas J.; Reminick, Jason I.; Rajan, Balaraman; Beck, Christopher A.; Seidmann, Abraham; Biglan, Kevin M.; Dorsey, E. Ray

2012-01-01

Objective: To determine the current practice and plans for telemedicine at leading US neurology departments. Design and Setting: An electronic survey was sent to department chairs, administrators, or faculty involved in telemedicine at 47 neurology departments representing the top 50 hospitals as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Main Outcome Measures: Current use, size, scope, reimbursement, and perceived quality of telemedicine services. Results: A total of 32 individuals from 30 departments responded (64% response rate). The primary respondents were neurology faculty (66%) and department chairs (22%). Of the responding departments, 60% (18 of 30) currently provide telemedicine and most (n = 12) had initiated services within the last 2 years. Two thirds of those not providing telemedicine plan to do so within a year. Departments provide services to patients in state, out of state, and internationally, but only 6 departments had more than 50 consultations in the last year. The principal applications were stroke (n = 14), movement disorders (n = 4), and neurocritical care (n = 3). Most departments (n = 12) received external funding for telemedicine services, but few departments (n = 3) received payment from insurers (eg, Medicare, Medicaid). Reimbursement (n = 21) was the most frequently identified barrier to implementing telemedicine services. The majority of respondents (n = 20) find telemedicine to be equivalent to in-person care. Conclusions: Over 85% of leading US neurology departments currently use or plan to implement telemedicine within the next year. Addressing reimbursement may allow for its broader application. PMID:23983876

Exercise Testing Reveals Everyday Physical Challenges of Bariatric Surgery Candidates.

PubMed

Creel, David B; Schuh, Leslie M; Newton, Robert L; Stote, Joseph J; Cacucci, Brenda M

2017-12-01

Few studies have quantified cardiorespiratory fitness among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Treadmill testing allows researchers to determine exercise capacity through metabolic equivalents. These findings can assist clinicians in understanding patients' capabilities to carry out various activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to determine exercise tolerance and the variables associated with fitness, among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery candidates completed submaximal treadmill testing and provided ratings of perceived exertion. Each participant also completed questionnaires related to history of exercise, mood, and perceived barriers/benefits of exercise. Over half of participants reported that exercise was "hard to very hard" before reaching 70% of heart rate reserve, and one-third of participants reported that exercise was "moderately hard" at less than 3 metabolic equivalents (light activity). Body mass index and age accounted for the majority of the variance in exercise tolerance, but athletic history, employment status, and perceived health benefits also contributed. Perceived benefit scores were higher than barrier scores. Categories commonly used to describe moderate-intensity exercise (3-6 metabolic equivalents) do not coincide with perceptions of intensity among many bariatric surgery candidates, especially those with a body mass index of 50 or more.

Improving accuracy of portion-size estimations through a stimulus equivalence paradigm.

PubMed

Hausman, Nicole L; Borrero, John C; Fisher, Alyssa; Kahng, SungWoo

2014-01-01

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase in the United States (Gordon-Larsen, The, & Adair, 2010). Obesity can be attributed, in part, to overconsumption of energy-dense foods. Given that overeating plays a role in the development of obesity, interventions that teach individuals to identify and consume appropriate portion sizes are warranted. Specifically, interventions that teach individuals to estimate portion sizes correctly without the use of aids may be critical to the success of nutrition education programs. The current study evaluated the use of a stimulus equivalence paradigm to teach 9 undergraduate students to estimate portion size accurately. Results suggested that the stimulus equivalence paradigm was effective in teaching participants to make accurate portion size estimations without aids, and improved accuracy was observed in maintenance sessions that were conducted 1 week after training. Furthermore, 5 of 7 participants estimated the target portion size of novel foods during extension sessions. These data extend existing research on teaching accurate portion-size estimations and may be applicable to populations who seek treatment (e.g., overweight or obese children and adults) to teach healthier eating habits. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Degeneracy relations in QCD and the equivalence of two systematic all-orders methods for setting the renormalization scale

DOE PAGES

Bi, Huan -Yu; Wu, Xing -Gang; Ma, Yang; ...

2015-06-26

The Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) eliminates QCD renormalization scale-setting uncertainties using fundamental renormalization group methods. The resulting scale-fixed pQCD predictions are independent of the choice of renormalization scheme and show rapid convergence. The coefficients of the scale-fixed couplings are identical to the corresponding conformal series with zero β-function. Two all-orders methods for systematically implementing the PMC-scale setting procedure for existing high order calculations are discussed in this article. One implementation is based on the PMC-BLM correspondence (PMC-I); the other, more recent, method (PMC-II) uses the R δ-scheme, a systematic generalization of the minimal subtraction renormalization scheme. Both approaches satisfymore » all of the principles of the renormalization group and lead to scale-fixed and scheme-independent predictions at each finite order. In this work, we show that PMC-I and PMC-II scale-setting methods are in practice equivalent to each other. We illustrate this equivalence for the four-loop calculations of the annihilation ratio R e+e– and the Higgs partial width I'(H→bb¯). Both methods lead to the same resummed (‘conformal’) series up to all orders. The small scale differences between the two approaches are reduced as additional renormalization group {β i}-terms in the pQCD expansion are taken into account. In addition, we show that special degeneracy relations, which underly the equivalence of the two PMC approaches and the resulting conformal features of the pQCD series, are in fact general properties of non-Abelian gauge theory.« less

Attenuation properties of diagnostic x-ray shielding materials.

PubMed

Archer, B R; Fewell, T R; Conway, B J; Quinn, P W

1994-09-01

Single- and three-phase broad-beam x-ray attenuation data have been obtained using lead, steel, plate glass, gypsum wallboard, lead acrylic, and wood. Tube voltages of 50, 70, 100, 125, and 150 kVp were employed and the resulting curves were compared to transmission data found in the literature. To simplify computation of barrier requirements, all data sets were parametrized by nonlinear least-squares fit to a previously described mathematical model. High attenuation half value layers and the lead equivalence of the alternate materials were also determined.

42 CFR 441.301 - Contents of request for a waiver.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... the cost of an equivalent level of care provided in— (i) A hospital (as defined in § 440.10 of this... (also called plan of care) that is based on a person-centered approach and is subject to approval by the... developing the individual plan of care; (3) Describe the group or groups of individuals to whom the services...

Identifying county characteristics associated with resident well-being: A population based study.

PubMed

Roy, Brita; Riley, Carley; Herrin, Jeph; Spatz, Erica S; Arora, Anita; Kell, Kenneth P; Welsh, John; Rula, Elizabeth Y; Krumholz, Harlan M

2018-01-01

Well-being is a positively-framed, holistic assessment of health and quality of life that is associated with longevity and better health outcomes. We aimed to identify county attributes that are independently associated with a comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment of individual well-being. We performed a cross-sectional study examining associations between 77 pre-specified county attributes and a multi-dimensional assessment of individual US residents' well-being, captured by the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index. Our cohort included 338,846 survey participants, randomly sampled from 3,118 US counties or county equivalents. We identified twelve county-level factors that were independently associated with individual well-being scores. Together, these twelve factors explained 91% of the variance in individual well-being scores, and they represent four conceptually distinct categories: demographic (% black); social and economic (child poverty, education level [

Multiscale structure in eco-evolutionary dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stacey, Blake C.

In a complex system, the individual components are neither so tightly coupled or correlated that they can all be treated as a single unit, nor so uncorrelated that they can be approximated as independent entities. Instead, patterns of interdependency lead to structure at multiple scales of organization. Evolution excels at producing such complex structures. In turn, the existence of these complex interrelationships within a biological system affects the evolutionary dynamics of that system. I present a mathematical formalism for multiscale structure, grounded in information theory, which makes these intuitions quantitative, and I show how dynamics defined in terms of population genetics or evolutionary game theory can lead to multiscale organization. For complex systems, "more is different," and I address this from several perspectives. Spatial host--consumer models demonstrate the importance of the structures which can arise due to dynamical pattern formation. Evolutionary game theory reveals the novel effects which can result from multiplayer games, nonlinear payoffs and ecological stochasticity. Replicator dynamics in an environment with mesoscale structure relates to generalized conditionalization rules in probability theory. The idea of natural selection "acting at multiple levels" has been mathematized in a variety of ways, not all of which are equivalent. We will face down the confusion, using the experience developed over the course of this thesis to clarify the situation.

45 CFR 286.100 - What activities count towards the work participation rate?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... service programs; (8) Vocational educational training; (see § 286.105) (9) Job skills training directly... attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, if a...

Radiation Exposure of Interventional Radiologists During Computed Tomography Fluoroscopy-Guided Renal Cryoablation and Lung Radiofrequency Ablation: Direct Measurement in a Clinical Setting.

PubMed

Matsui, Yusuke; Hiraki, Takao; Gobara, Hideo; Iguchi, Toshihiro; Fujiwara, Hiroyasu; Kawabata, Takahiro; Yamauchi, Takatsugu; Yamaguchi, Takuya; Kanazawa, Susumu

2016-06-01

Computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided renal cryoablation and lung radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have received increasing attention as promising cancer therapies. Although radiation exposure of interventional radiologists during these procedures is an important concern, data on operator exposure are lacking. Radiation dose to interventional radiologists during CT fluoroscopy-guided renal cryoablation (n = 20) and lung RFA (n = 20) was measured prospectively in a clinical setting. Effective dose to the operator was calculated from the 1-cm dose equivalent measured on the neck outside the lead apron, and on the left chest inside the lead apron, using electronic dosimeters. Equivalent dose to the operator's finger skin was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeter rings. The mean (median) effective dose to the operator per procedure was 6.05 (4.52) μSv during renal cryoablation and 0.74 (0.55) μSv during lung RFA. The mean (median) equivalent dose to the operator's finger skin per procedure was 2.1 (2.1) mSv during renal cryoablation, and 0.3 (0.3) mSv during lung RFA. Radiation dose to interventional radiologists during renal cryoablation and lung RFA were at an acceptable level, and in line with recommended dose limits for occupational radiation exposure.

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

Matsui, Yusuke, E-mail: wckyh140@yahoo.co.jp; Hiraki, Takao, E-mail: takaoh@tc4.so-net.ne.jp; Gobara, Hideo, E-mail: gobara@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp

IntroductionComputed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided renal cryoablation and lung radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have received increasing attention as promising cancer therapies. Although radiation exposure of interventional radiologists during these procedures is an important concern, data on operator exposure are lacking.Materials and MethodsRadiation dose to interventional radiologists during CT fluoroscopy-guided renal cryoablation (n = 20) and lung RFA (n = 20) was measured prospectively in a clinical setting. Effective dose to the operator was calculated from the 1-cm dose equivalent measured on the neck outside the lead apron, and on the left chest inside the lead apron, using electronic dosimeters. Equivalent dose to the operator’s finger skinmore » was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeter rings.ResultsThe mean (median) effective dose to the operator per procedure was 6.05 (4.52) μSv during renal cryoablation and 0.74 (0.55) μSv during lung RFA. The mean (median) equivalent dose to the operator’s finger skin per procedure was 2.1 (2.1) mSv during renal cryoablation, and 0.3 (0.3) mSv during lung RFA.ConclusionRadiation dose to interventional radiologists during renal cryoablation and lung RFA were at an acceptable level, and in line with recommended dose limits for occupational radiation exposure.« less

Global transport calculations with an equivalent barotropic system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salby, Murry L.; O'Sullivan, Donal; Garcia, Rolando R.; Tribbia, Joseph

1990-01-01

Transport properties of the two-dimensional equations governing equivalent barotropic motion are investigated on the sphere. This system has ingredients such as forcing, equivalent depth, and thermal dissipation explicitly represented, and takes into account compression effects associated with vertical motion along isentropic surfaces. Horizontal transport properties of this system are investigated under adiabatic and diabatic conditions for different forms of dissipation, and over a range of resolutions. It is shown that forcing represetative of time-mean and amplified conditions at 10 mb leads to the behavior typical of observations at this level. The displacement of the polar night vortex and its distortion into a comma shape are evident, as is irreversible mixing under sufficiently strong forcing amplitude. It is shown that thermal dissipation influences the behavior significantly by inhibiting the amplification of unstable eddies and thereby the horizontal stirring of air.

Asian Summer Monsoon Rainfall associated with ENSO and its Predictability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, C. S.; Huang, B.; Zhu, J.; Marx, L.; Kinter, J. L.; Shukla, J.

2015-12-01

The leading modes of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) rainfall variability and their seasonal predictability are investigated using the CFSv2 hindcasts initialized from multiple ocean analyses over the period of 1979-2008 and observation-based analyses. It is shown that the two leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes of the observed ASM rainfall anomalies, which together account for about 34% of total variance, largely correspond to the ASM responses to the ENSO influences during the summers of the developing and decaying years of a Pacific anomalous event, respectively. These two ASM modes are then designated as the contemporary and delayed ENSO responses, respectively. It is demonstrated that the CFSv2 is capable of predicting these two dominant ASM modes up to the lead of 5 months. More importantly, the predictability of the ASM rainfall are much higher with respect to the delayed ENSO mode than the contemporary one, with the predicted principal component time series of the former maintaining high correlation skill and small ensemble spread with all lead months whereas the latter shows significant degradation in both measures with lead-time. A composite analysis for the ASM rainfall anomalies of all warm ENSO events in this period substantiates the finding that the ASM is more predictable following an ENSO event. The enhanced predictability mainly comes from the evolution of the warm SST anomalies over the Indian Ocean in the spring of the ENSO maturing phases and the persistence of the anomalous high sea surface pressure over the western Pacific in the subsequent summer, which the hindcasts are able to capture reasonably well. The results also show that the ensemble initialization with multiple ocean analyses improves the CFSv2's prediction skill of both ENSO and ASM rainfall. In fact, the skills of the ensemble mean hindcasts initialized from the four different ocean analyses are always equivalent to the best ones initialized from any individual ocean analysis, although the best performer varies with lead-time and starting calendar month.

Paying the Piper: The High Cost of Funerals in South Africa1

PubMed Central

Case, Anne; Garrib, Anu; Menendez, Alicia; Olgiati, Analia

2013-01-01

We analyze funeral arrangements following the deaths of 3,751 people who died between January 2003 and December 2005 in the Africa Centre Demographic Surveillance Area. We find that, on average, households spend the equivalent of a year's income for an adult's funeral, measured at median per capita African (Black) income. Approximately one-quarter of all individuals had some form of insurance, which helped surviving household members defray some fraction of funeral expenses. However, an equal fraction of households borrowed money to pay for the funeral. We develop a model, consistent with ethnographic work in this area, in which households respond to social pressure to bury their dead in a style consistent with the observed social status of the household and that of the deceased. Households that cannot afford a funeral commensurate with social expectations must borrow money to pay for the funeral. The model leads to empirical tests, and we find results consistent with our model of household decision-making. PMID:24235777

Identification of Spurious Signals from Permeable Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopes, Leonard V.; Boyd, David D., Jr.; Nark, Douglas M.; Wiedemann, Karl E.

2017-01-01

Integral forms of the permeable surface formulation of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) equation often require an input in the form of a near field Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solution to predict noise in the near or far field from various types of geometries. The FW-H equation involves three source terms; two surface terms (monopole and dipole) and a volume term (quadrupole). Many solutions to the FW-H equation, such as several of Farassat's formulations, neglect the quadrupole term. Neglecting the quadrupole term in permeable surface formulations leads to inaccuracies called spurious signals. This paper explores the concept of spurious signals, explains how they are generated by specifying the acoustic and hydrodynamic surface properties individually, and provides methods to determine their presence, regardless of whether a correction algorithm is employed. A potential approach based on the equivalent sources method (ESM) and the sensitivity of Formulation 1A (Formulation S1A) is also discussed for the removal of spurious signals.

A Healthy Reduction in Oil Dependence and Carbon Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higgins, P. A.; Higgins, M.

2003-12-01

Societal dependence on oil as an energy source for personal transportation leads to increasingly negative social consequences including climate change, air pollution, political and economic instability and habitat degradation. Our heavy reliance on the automobile for transportation, determined in part by urban sprawl, also contributes to the population's increasingly sedentary lifestyle and to a concomitant degradation in health. We have shown that widespread substitution of exercise, commensurate with previously recommended levels, through biking or walking instead of driving can substantially reduce oil consumption and carbon emissions. For example, if all individuals between the ages of 10 and 64 substituted one hour of cycling for driving the reduction in gasoline demand would be equivalent to the gas produced from 34.9 percent of current oil consumption. Relative to 1990 net US emissions, this constitutes a 10.9 percent reduction in carbon emissions. Therefore, substitution of exercise for driving could improve health, reduce carbon emissions and save more oil than even upper estimates of that contained in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Impact of surface coupling grids on tropical cyclone extremes in high-resolution atmospheric simulations

DOE PAGES

Zarzycki, Colin M.; Reed, Kevin A.; Bacmeister, Julio T.; ...

2016-02-25

This article discusses the sensitivity of tropical cyclone climatology to surface coupling strategy in high-resolution configurations of the Community Earth System Model. Using two supported model setups, we demonstrate that the choice of grid on which the lowest model level wind stress and surface fluxes are computed may lead to differences in cyclone strength in multi-decadal climate simulations, particularly for the most intense cyclones. Using a deterministic framework, we show that when these surface quantities are calculated on an ocean grid that is coarser than the atmosphere, the computed frictional stress is misaligned with wind vectors in individual atmospheric gridmore » cells. This reduces the effective surface drag, and results in more intense cyclones when compared to a model configuration where the ocean and atmosphere are of equivalent resolution. Our results demonstrate that the choice of computation grid for atmosphere–ocean interactions is non-negligible when considering climate extremes at high horizontal resolution, especially when model components are on highly disparate grids.« less

The Value of Information for Populations in Varying Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivoire, Olivier; Leibler, Stanislas

2011-04-01

The notion of information pervades informal descriptions of biological systems, but formal treatments face the problem of defining a quantitative measure of information rooted in a concept of fitness, which is itself an elusive notion. Here, we present a model of population dynamics where this problem is amenable to a mathematical analysis. In the limit where any information about future environmental variations is common to the members of the population, our model is equivalent to known models of financial investment. In this case, the population can be interpreted as a portfolio of financial assets and previous analyses have shown that a key quantity of Shannon's communication theory, the mutual information, sets a fundamental limit on the value of information. We show that this bound can be violated when accounting for features that are irrelevant in finance but inherent to biological systems, such as the stochasticity present at the individual level. This leads us to generalize the measures of uncertainty and information usually encountered in information theory.

Associations of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs with diabetes and pre-diabetes: is the toxic equivalency approach useful?

PubMed

Everett, Charles J; Thompson, Olivia M

2012-10-01

Toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds have been established by the World Health Organization. Toxic equivalency (TEQ) was derived using 6 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, 9 chlorinated dibenzofurans and 8 polychlorinated biphenyls, in blood, from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Relationships of 8 individual chemicals, the number of compounds elevated, and TEQ with pre-diabetes and total diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed) were investigated using logistic regressions. For the 8 chemicals analyzed separately, values above the 75th percentile were considered elevated, whereas for the other 15 compounds, values above the maximum limit of detection were considered elevated. Pre-diabetes with glycohemoglobin (A1c) 5.9-6.4% was associated with PCB 126, PCB 118 and having one or more compounds elevated (odds ratio 2.47, 95% CI 1.51-4.06). Pre-diabetes with A1c 5.7-5.8% was not associated with any individual chemical or the number of compounds elevated. Total diabetes was associated with 6 of the 8 individual compounds tested, and was associated with having 4 or more compounds elevated. Toxic equivalency ≥81.58 TEQ fg/g was associated with total diabetes (odds ratio 3.08, 95% CI 1.20-7.90), but was not associated with A1c 5.9-6.4%. Having multiple compounds elevated appeared to be important for total diabetes, whereas for pre-diabetes with A1c 5.9-6.4%, having a single compound elevated appeared most important. Diabetes plus A1c ≥5.9% was associated with 34.16-81.57 TEQ fg/g (odds ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.06-3.77) and with ≥81.58 TEQ fg/g (odds ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.21-5.11), indicating that half the population has elevated risk for this combination of conditions. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interactive short-term effects of equivalent temperature and air pollution on human mortality in Berlin and Lisbon.

PubMed

Burkart, Katrin; Canário, Paulo; Breitner, Susanne; Schneider, Alexandra; Scherber, Katharina; Andrade, Henrique; Alcoforado, Maria João; Endlicher, Wilfried

2013-12-01

There is substantial evidence that both temperature and air pollution are predictors of mortality. Thus far, few studies have focused on the potential interactive effects between the thermal environment and different measures of air pollution. Such interactions, however, are biologically plausible, as (extreme) temperature or increased air pollution might make individuals more susceptible to the effects of each respective predictor. This study investigated the interactive effects between equivalent temperature and air pollution (ozone and particulate matter) in Berlin (Germany) and Lisbon (Portugal) using different types of Poisson regression models. The findings suggest that interactive effects exist between air pollutants and equivalent temperature. Bivariate response surface models and generalised additive models (GAMs) including interaction terms showed an increased risk of mortality during periods of elevated equivalent temperatures and air pollution. Cold effects were mostly unaffected by air pollution. The study underscores the importance of air pollution control in mitigating heat effects. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reliable Execution Based on CPN and Skyline Optimization for Web Service Composition

PubMed Central

Ha, Weitao; Zhang, Guojun

2013-01-01

With development of SOA, the complex problem can be solved by combining available individual services and ordering them to best suit user's requirements. Web services composition is widely used in business environment. With the features of inherent autonomy and heterogeneity for component web services, it is difficult to predict the behavior of the overall composite service. Therefore, transactional properties and nonfunctional quality of service (QoS) properties are crucial for selecting the web services to take part in the composition. Transactional properties ensure reliability of composite Web service, and QoS properties can identify the best candidate web services from a set of functionally equivalent services. In this paper we define a Colored Petri Net (CPN) model which involves transactional properties of web services in the composition process. To ensure reliable and correct execution, unfolding processes of the CPN are followed. The execution of transactional composition Web service (TCWS) is formalized by CPN properties. To identify the best services of QoS properties from candidate service sets formed in the TCSW-CPN, we use skyline computation to retrieve dominant Web service. It can overcome that the reduction of individual scores to an overall similarity leads to significant information loss. We evaluate our approach experimentally using both real and synthetically generated datasets. PMID:23935431

Reliable execution based on CPN and skyline optimization for Web service composition.

PubMed

Chen, Liping; Ha, Weitao; Zhang, Guojun

2013-01-01

With development of SOA, the complex problem can be solved by combining available individual services and ordering them to best suit user's requirements. Web services composition is widely used in business environment. With the features of inherent autonomy and heterogeneity for component web services, it is difficult to predict the behavior of the overall composite service. Therefore, transactional properties and nonfunctional quality of service (QoS) properties are crucial for selecting the web services to take part in the composition. Transactional properties ensure reliability of composite Web service, and QoS properties can identify the best candidate web services from a set of functionally equivalent services. In this paper we define a Colored Petri Net (CPN) model which involves transactional properties of web services in the composition process. To ensure reliable and correct execution, unfolding processes of the CPN are followed. The execution of transactional composition Web service (TCWS) is formalized by CPN properties. To identify the best services of QoS properties from candidate service sets formed in the TCSW-CPN, we use skyline computation to retrieve dominant Web service. It can overcome that the reduction of individual scores to an overall similarity leads to significant information loss. We evaluate our approach experimentally using both real and synthetically generated datasets.

General Retarded Contact Self-energies in and beyond the Non-equilibrium Green's Functions Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubis, Tillmann; He, Yu; Andrawis, Robert; Klimeck, Gerhard

2016-03-01

Retarded contact self-energies in the framework of nonequilibrium Green's functions allow to model the impact of lead structures on the device without explicitly including the leads in the actual device calculation. Most of the contact self-energy algorithms are limited to homogeneous or periodic, semi-infinite lead structures. In this work, the complex absorbing potential method is extended to solve retarded contact self-energies for arbitrary lead structures, including irregular and randomly disordered leads. This method is verified for regular leads against common approaches and on physically equivalent, but numerically different irregular leads. Transmission results on randomly alloyed In0.5Ga0.5As structures show the importance of disorder in the leads. The concept of retarded contact self-energies is expanded to model passivation of atomically resolved surfaces without explicitly increasing the device's Hamiltonian.

5 CFR 630.803 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... deceased was such as to have been the equivalent of a family relationship. [34 FR 13655, Aug. 26, 1969, as... Revenue Code. Employee means an employee or individual covered by § 630.802. Funeral leave means leave...

EPA scientists develop Federal Reference & Equivalent Methods for measuring key air pollutants

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA operates a nationwide air monitoring network to measure six primary air pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter as part of its mission to protect human health and the environment.

Consistent Principal Component Modes from Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proteins.

PubMed

Cossio-Pérez, Rodrigo; Palma, Juliana; Pierdominici-Sottile, Gustavo

2017-04-24

Principal component analysis is a technique widely used for studying the movements of proteins using data collected from molecular dynamics simulations. In spite of its extensive use, the technique has a serious drawback: equivalent simulations do not afford the same PC-modes. In this article, we show that concatenating equivalent trajectories and calculating the PC-modes from the concatenated one significantly enhances the reproducibility of the results. Moreover, the consistency of the modes can be systematically improved by adding more individual trajectories to the concatenated one.

An equivalent domain integral method in the two-dimensional analysis of mixed mode crack problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, I. S.; Shivakumar, K. N.

1990-01-01

An equivalent domain integral (EDI) method for calculating J-integrals for two-dimensional cracked elastic bodies is presented. The details of the method and its implementation are presented for isoparametric elements. The EDI method gave accurate values of the J-integrals for two mode I and two mixed mode problems. Numerical studies showed that domains consisting of one layer of elements are sufficient to obtain accurate J-integral values. Two procedures for separating the individual modes from the domain integrals are presented.

Erosional Equivalences of Levees: Steady and Intermittent Wave Overtopping

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

represents the proportion of the individual wave period for which the runup exceeds the levee crest. We require that the average Still Water Level1 tan α zc R... Levee Fig. 5. Definition sketch for potential wave runup. Runu p , R Centroids of Equal Runup Probabilities R m in = z c Pr ob ab ili ty D en si...Erosional equivalences of levees : Steady and intermittent wave overtopping R.G. Dean a, J.D. Rosati b, T.L. Walton c, B.L. Edge d , a Department of

Implicit Perceptual-Motor Skill Learning in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Parkinson's Disease

PubMed Central

Gobel, Eric W.; Blomeke, Kelsey; Zadikoff, Cindy; Simuni, Tanya; Weintraub, Sandy; Reber, Paul J.

2015-01-01

Objective Implicit skill learning is hypothesized to depend on nondeclarative memory that operates independent of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) memory system and instead depends on cortico-striatal circuits between the basal ganglia and cortical areas supporting motor function and planning. Research with the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task suggests that patients with memory-disorders due to MTL damage exhibit normal implicit sequence learning. However, reports of intact learning rely on observations of no group differences, leading to speculation whether implicit sequence learning is fully intact in these patients. Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) often exhibit impaired sequence learning, but this impairment is not universally observed. Method Implicit perceptual-motor sequence learning was examined using the Serial Interception Sequence Learning (SISL) task in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI; n=11) and patients with PD (n=15). Sequence learning in SISL is resistant to explicit learning and individually adapted task difficulty controls for baseline performance differences. Results Patients with MCI exhibited robust sequence learning, equivalent to healthy older adults (n=20), supporting the hypothesis that the MTL does not contribute to learning in this task. In contrast, the majority of patients with PD exhibited no sequence-specific learning in spite of matched overall task performance. Two patients with PD exhibited performance indicative of an explicit compensatory strategy suggesting that impaired implicit learning may lead to greater reliance on explicit memory in some individuals. Conclusion The differences in learning between patient groups provides strong evidence in favor of implicit sequence learning depending solely on intact basal ganglia function with no contribution from the MTL memory system. PMID:23688213

Radiation protection in interventional radiology: survey results of attitudes and use.

PubMed

Lynskey, G Emmett; Powell, Daniel K; Dixon, Robert G; Silberzweig, James E

2013-10-01

To assess attitudes of interventional radiologists toward personal radiation protection and the use of radiation protection devices. Invitations to an anonymous online survey that comprised eight questions focused on operator attitudes toward radiation protection devices were sent via e-mail to the active membership of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR): a total of 3,158 e-mail invitations. A single reminder e-mail was sent. There were 504 survey responders (16% response rate). Reported radiation safety device use included lead apron (99%), thyroid shield (94%), leaded eyeglasses (54%), ceiling-suspended leaded shield (44%), rolling leaded shields (12%), ceiling-suspended/rolling lead-equivalent apron (4%), radiation-attenuating sterile surgical gloves (1%), and sterile lead-equivalent patient-mounted drape (4%). Reasons commonly cited for not using certain devices were comfort (eyewear), ease of use (mounted shields), and lack of availability (rolling/hanging shields and patient-mounted shields). Interventionalists have an array of tools from which to choose for personal radiation protection; however, for a variety of reasons related to lack of availability or choice, these tools are not universally employed. Further study may be of value to clarify why comfort was cited most often as the primary barrier to the use of protective eyewear and difficulty of use was cited as the primary barrier to use of mounted shields (despite reporting that concern for radiation-induced injury to the eye is paramount). It may also be of interest to further study why certain devices with demonstrable protection effects are not readily available, such as rolling/hanging and patient-mounted shields. © SIR, 2013.

The HLA dictionary 2008: a summary of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, and -DQB1 alleles and their association with serologically defined HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ antigens.

PubMed

Holdsworth, R; Hurley, C K; Marsh, S G E; Lau, M; Noreen, H J; Kempenich, J H; Setterholm, M; Maiers, M

2009-02-01

The 2008 report of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) data dictionary presents serologic equivalents of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DRB3, -DRB4, -DRB5, and -DQB1 alleles. The dictionary is an update of the one published in 2004. The data summarize equivalents obtained by the World Health Organization Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System, the International Cell Exchange, UCLA, the National Marrow Donor Program, recent publications, and individual laboratories. The 2008 edition includes information on 832 new alleles (685 class I and 147 class II) and updated information on 766 previously listed alleles (577 class I and 189 class II). The tables list the alleles with remarks on the serologic patterns and the equivalents. The serological equivalents are listed as expert assigned types, and the data are useful for identifying potential stem cell donors who were typed by either serology or DNA-based methods. The tables with HLA equivalents are available as a searchable form on the IMGT/HLA database Web site (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/imgt/hla/dictionary.html).

[Transcultural adaptation of the Antifat Attitudes Test to Brazilian Portuguese].

PubMed

Obara, Angélica Almeida; Alvarenga, Marle Dos Santos

2018-05-01

Obese individuals are often blamed for their own condition and the targets of discrimination and prejudice. The scope of this study is to describe the cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese and the validation of the Antifat Attitudes Test - specifically developed for evaluation of negative attitudes toward the obese individual. The scale has 34 statements distributed in three subscales - Social/Character Disparagement (15 items), Physical/Romantic Unattractiveness (10 items) and Weight Control/Blame (9 items). The method involved the translation of the scale; evaluation of the conceptual, operational and item equivalence; evaluation of the semantic equivalence using the paired t test, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); internal consistency evaluation (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability (ICC) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - after application in 340 college students in the area of health. The results showed good global internal consistency and reliability (α 0.85; CCI 0.83), and factor analysis showed that the original subscales can be kept in the adaptation, and therefore the scale adapted to the Brazilian-Portuguese version is valid and useful in studies to explore negative attitudes toward obese individuals.

Missing data handling in non-inferiority and equivalence trials: A systematic review.

PubMed

Rabe, Brooke A; Day, Simon; Fiero, Mallorie H; Bell, Melanie L

2018-05-25

Non-inferiority (NI) and equivalence clinical trials test whether a new treatment is therapeutically no worse than, or equivalent to, an existing standard of care. Missing data in clinical trials have been shown to reduce statistical power and potentially bias estimates of effect size; however, in NI and equivalence trials, they present additional issues. For instance, they may decrease sensitivity to differences between treatment groups and bias toward the alternative hypothesis of NI (or equivalence). Our primary aim was to review the extent of and methods for handling missing data (model-based methods, single imputation, multiple imputation, complete case), the analysis sets used (Intention-To-Treat, Per-Protocol, or both), and whether sensitivity analyses were used to explore departures from assumptions about the missing data. We conducted a systematic review of NI and equivalence trials published between May 2015 and April 2016 by searching the PubMed database. Articles were reviewed primarily by 2 reviewers, with 6 articles reviewed by both reviewers to establish consensus. Of 109 selected articles, 93% reported some missing data in the primary outcome. Among those, 50% reported complete case analysis, and 28% reported single imputation approaches for handling missing data. Only 32% reported conducting analyses of both intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations. Only 11% conducted any sensitivity analyses to test assumptions with respect to missing data. Missing data are common in NI and equivalence trials, and they are often handled by methods which may bias estimates and lead to incorrect conclusions. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Compact lumped circuit model of discharges in DC accelerator using partial element equivalent circuit

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

Banerjee, Srutarshi; Rajan, Rehim N.; Singh, Sandeep K.

2014-07-01

DC Accelerators undergoes different types of discharges during its operation. A model depicting the discharges has been simulated to study the different transient conditions. The paper presents a Physics based approach of developing a compact circuit model of the DC Accelerator using Partial Element Equivalent Circuit (PEEC) technique. The equivalent RLC model aids in analyzing the transient behavior of the system and predicting anomalies in the system. The electrical discharges and its properties prevailing in the accelerator can be evaluated by this equivalent model. A parallel coupled voltage multiplier structure is simulated in small scale using few stages of coronamore » guards and the theoretical and practical results are compared. The PEEC technique leads to a simple model for studying the fault conditions in accelerator systems. Compared to the Finite Element Techniques, this technique gives the circuital representation. The lumped components of the PEEC are used to obtain the input impedance and the result is also compared to that of the FEM technique for a frequency range of (0-200) MHz. (author)« less

Master/slave manipulator system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vykukal, H. C.; King, R. F.; Vallotton, W. C.

1973-01-01

System capabilities are equivalent to mobility, dexterity, and strength of human arm. Arrangement of torque motor, harmonic drive, and potentiometer combination allows all power and control leads to pass through center of slave with position-transducer arrangement of master, and "stovepipe joint" is incorporated for manipulator applications.

42 CFR 440.340 - Actuarial report for benchmark-equivalent coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... individual who is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA). (2) Using generally accepted actuarial principles and methodologies of the AAA. (3) Using a standardized set of utilization and price factors. (4...

Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Toxic Equivalency Information

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA requires that, in addition to the total grams released for the entire dioxin and dioxin-like compounds category, TRI facilities must report the quantity for each individual member on a new Form R Schedule 1.

Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle as a Probe of Modified Newtonian Dynamics.

PubMed

Pereira, Jonas P; Overduin, James M; Poyneer, Alexander J

2016-08-12

The proposed satellite test of the equivalence principle (STEP) will detect possible violations of the weak equivalence principle by measuring relative accelerations between test masses of different composition with a precision of one part in 10^{18}. A serendipitous by-product of the experimental design is that the absolute or common-mode acceleration of the test masses is also measured to high precision as they oscillate along a common axis under the influence of restoring forces produced by the position sensor currents, which in drag-free mode lead to Newtonian accelerations as small as 10^{-14}  g. This is deep inside the low-acceleration regime where modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) diverges strongly from the Newtonian limit of general relativity. We show that MOND theories (including those based on the widely used "n family" of interpolating functions as well as the covariant tensor-vector-scalar formulation) predict an easily detectable increase in the frequency of oscillations of the STEP test masses if the strong equivalence principle holds. If it does not hold, MOND predicts a cumulative increase in oscillation amplitude which is also detectable. STEP thus provides a new and potentially decisive test of Newton's law of inertia, as well as the equivalence principle in both its strong and weak forms.

Red light accelerates the formation of a human dermal equivalent.

PubMed

Oliveira, Anna Cb; Morais, Thayz Fl; Bernal, Claudia; Martins, Virginia Ca; Plepis, Ana Mg; Menezes, Priscila Fc; Perussi, Janice R

2018-04-01

Development of biomaterials' substitutes and/or equivalents to mimic normal tissue is a current challenge in tissue engineering. Thus, three-dimensional cell culture using type I collagen as a polymeric matrix cell support designed to promote cell proliferation and differentiation was employed to create a dermal equivalent in vitro, as well to evaluate the photobiomodulation using red light. Polymeric matrix cell support was prepared from porcine serous collagen (1.1%) hydrolyzed for 96 h. The biomaterial exhibited porosity of 95%, a median pore of 44 µm and channels with an average distance between the walls of 78 ± 14 µm. The absorption of culture medium was 95%, and the sponge showed no cytotoxicity to Vero cells, a non-tumor cell line. Additionally, it was observed that irradiation with light at 630 nm (fluency 30 J cm -2 ) leads to the cellular photobiomodulation in both monolayer and human dermal equivalent (three-dimensional cell culture system). It was also verified that the cells cultured in the presence of the polymeric matrix cell support, allows differentiation and extracellular matrix secretion. Therefore, the results showed that the collagen sponge used as polymeric matrix cell support and the photobiomodulation at 630 nm are efficient for the production of a reconstructed human dermal equivalent in vitro.

Effects of Optical Blur Reduction on Equivalent Intrinsic Blur

PubMed Central

Valeshabad, Ali Kord; Wanek, Justin; McAnany, J. Jason; Shahidi, Mahnaz

2015-01-01

Purpose To determine the effect of optical blur reduction on equivalent intrinsic blur, an estimate of the blur within the visual system, by comparing optical and equivalent intrinsic blur before and after adaptive optics (AO) correction of wavefront error. Methods Twelve visually normal individuals (age; 31 ± 12 years) participated in this study. Equivalent intrinsic blur (σint) was derived using a previously described model. Optical blur (σopt) due to high-order aberrations was quantified by Shack-Hartmann aberrometry and minimized using AO correction of wavefront error. Results σopt and σint were significantly reduced and visual acuity (VA) was significantly improved after AO correction (P ≤ 0.004). Reductions in σopt and σint were linearly dependent on the values before AO correction (r ≥ 0.94, P ≤ 0.002). The reduction in σint was greater than the reduction in σopt, although it was marginally significant (P = 0.05). σint after AO correlated significantly with σint before AO (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) and the two parameters were related linearly with a slope of 0.46. Conclusions Reduction in equivalent intrinsic blur was greater than the reduction in optical blur due to AO correction of wavefront error. This finding implies that VA in subjects with high equivalent intrinsic blur can be improved beyond that expected from the reduction in optical blur alone. PMID:25785538

Learning and generalization from reward and punishment in opioid addiction

PubMed Central

Myers, Catherine E.; Rego, Janice; Haber, Paul; Morley, Kirsten; Beck, Kevin D.; Hogarth, Lee; Moustafa, Ahmed A.

2016-01-01

This study adapts a widely-used acquired equivalence paradigm to investigate how opioid-addicted individuals learn from positive and negative feedback, and how they generalize this learning. The opioid-addicted group consisted of 33 participants with a history of heroin dependency currently in a methadone maintenance program; the control group consisted of 32 healthy participants without a history of drug addiction. All participants performed a novel variant of the acquired equivalence task, where they learned to map some stimuli to correct outcomes in order to obtain reward, and to map other stimuli to correct outcomes in order to avoid punishment; some stimuli were implicitly “equivalent” in the sense of being paired with the same outcome. On the initial training phase, both groups performed similarly on learning to obtain reward, but as memory load grew, the control group outperformed the addicted group on learning to avoid punishment. On a subsequent testing phase, the addicted and control groups performed similarly on retention trials involving previously-trained stimulus-outcome pairs, as well as on generalization trials to assess acquired equivalence. Since prior work with acquired equivalence tasks has associated stimulus-outcome learning with the nigrostriatal dopamine system, and generalization with the hippocampal region, the current results are consistent with basal ganglia dysfunction in the opioid-addicted patients. Further, a selective deficit in learning from punishment could contribute to processes by which addicted individuals continue to pursue drug use even at the cost of negative consequences such as loss of income and the opportunity to engage in other life activities. PMID:27641323

Equivalent circuit parameters of nickel/metal hydride batteries from sparse impedance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelatury, Sudarshan Rao; Singh, Pritpal

In a recent communication, a method for extracting the equivalent circuit parameters of a lead acid battery from sparse (only three) impedance spectroscopy observations at three different frequencies was proposed. It was based on an equivalent circuit consisting of a bulk resistance, a reaction resistance and a constant phase element (CPE). Such a circuit is a very appropriate model of a lead-acid cell at high state of charge (SOC). This paper is a sequel to it and presents an application of it in case of nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries, which also at high SOC are represented by the same circuit configuration. But when the SOC of a Ni/MH battery under interrogation goes low, The EIS curve has a positive slope at the low frequency end and our technique yields complex values for the otherwise real circuit parameters, suggesting the need for additional elements in the equivalent circuit and a definite relationship between parameter consistency and SOC. To improvise the previous algorithm, in order that it works reasonably well at both high and low SOCs, we propose three more measurements—two at very low frequencies to include the Warburg response and one at a high frequency to model the series inductance, in addition to the three in the mid frequency band—totally six measurements. In most of the today's instrumentation, it is the user who should choose the circuit configuration and the number of frequencies where impedance should be measured and the accompanying software performs data fitting by complex nonlinear least squares. The proposed method has built into it an SOC-based decision-making capability—both to choose the circuit configuration and to estimate the values of the circuit elements.

Clinical Evaluation of Protective Garments with Respect to Garment Characteristics and Manufacturer Label Information.

PubMed

Lichliter, Andrew; Weir, Victor; Heithaus, Robert Evans; Gipson, Sean; Syed, Almas; West, James; Rees, Chet

2017-01-01

To test operator exposures inside radiation protection garments in a simulated clinical setup, examining trends related to multiple characteristics. Sixteen garment models containing lead or nonlead materials and a suspended device (Zero-Gravity) were tested for operator exposure from X rays scattered from an acrylic patient phantom. Weight and surface area were determined. The operator phantom was a wooden frame containing a dosimeter in its cavity. Garments were draped over the frame, and the setup was placed in a typical working position. There was substantial variability in exposures for all garments, ranging from 0.52 to 13.8 µSv/h (mean, 5.39 µSv/h ± 3.82), with a 12-fold difference for garments labeled 0.5 mm Pb equivalent. Most of the especially poor protectors were nonlead, even when not lightweight. Nonlead models were not more protective per weight overall. For closed-back garments labeled 0.5 mm Pb equivalent, mean exposures were lower for lead than for nonlead materials (mean, 1.48 µSv/h ± 0.434 vs 6.26 µSv/h ± 5.13, respectively). Density per exposure -1 was lower for lead than nonlead materials in the 0.5-mm Pb equivalent group, counter to advertised claims. Open-back configurations were lighter than closed (3.3 kg vs 6.0 kg, respectively), with similar mean exposures (5.30 µSv/h vs 5.39 µSv/h, respectively). The lowest exposure was 0.52 µSv/h (9.8% of the mean of all garments) for the suspended device. Operator exposure in a realistic interventional setup is highly variable for similarly labeled protective garments, highlighting the necessity of internal validation when considering nonlead and lightweight models. Copyright © 2016 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Even-Rho and Even-Epsilon Algorithms for Accelerating Convergence of a Numerical Sequence

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

equal, leading to zero or very small divisors. Computer programs implementing these algorithms are given along with sample output. An appreciable amount...calculation of the array of Shank’s transforms or, -A equivalently, of the related Padd Table. The :other, the even-rho algorithm, is closely related...leading to zero or very small divisors. Computer pro- grams implementing these algorithms are given along with sample output. An appreciable amount or

Equivalent circuit simulation of HPEM-induced transient responses at nonlinear loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotzev, Miroslav; Bi, Xiaotang; Kreitlow, Matthias; Gronwald, Frank

2017-09-01

In this paper the equivalent circuit modeling of a nonlinearly loaded loop antenna and its transient responses to HPEM field excitations are investigated. For the circuit modeling the general strategy to characterize the nonlinearly loaded antenna by a linear and a nonlinear circuit part is pursued. The linear circuit part can be determined by standard methods of antenna theory and numerical field computation. The modeling of the nonlinear circuit part requires realistic circuit models of the nonlinear loads that are given by Schottky diodes. Combining both parts, appropriate circuit models are obtained and analyzed by means of a standard SPICE circuit simulator. It is the main result that in this way full-wave simulation results can be reproduced. Furthermore it is clearly seen that the equivalent circuit modeling offers considerable advantages with respect to computation speed and also leads to improved physical insights regarding the coupling between HPEM field excitation and nonlinearly loaded loop antenna.

Can quantum probes satisfy the weak equivalence principle?

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

Seveso, Luigi, E-mail: luigi.seveso@unimi.it; Paris, Matteo G.A.; INFN, Sezione di Milano, I-20133 Milano

We address the question whether quantum probes in a gravitational field can be considered as test particles obeying the weak equivalence principle (WEP). A formulation of the WEP is proposed which applies also in the quantum regime, while maintaining the physical content of its classical counterpart. Such formulation requires the introduction of a gravitational field not to modify the Fisher information about the mass of a freely-falling probe, extractable through measurements of its position. We discover that, while in a uniform field quantum probes satisfy our formulation of the WEP exactly, gravity gradients can encode nontrivial information about the particle’smore » mass in its wavefunction, leading to violations of the WEP. - Highlights: • Can quantum probes under gravity be approximated as test-bodies? • A formulation of the weak equivalence principle for quantum probes is proposed. • Quantum probes are found to violate it as a matter of principle.« less

Motivating patients to exercise: translating high blood pressure into equivalent risk of inactivity.

PubMed

Li, Chu-Shiu; Liu, Chwen-Chi; Tsai, Min-Kuang; Tai, Ya-Ping; Wai, Jackson Pui Man; Tsao, Chwen-Keng; Wen, Chi-Pang

2015-02-01

Even with the 2008 physical activity guidelines for Americans and the strong epidemiological evidence, physicians are not routinely emphasizing the importance of exercise. We try to explore an innovative way to communicate the benefits of physical activity in a term familiar to patients. A cohort of 470, 163 adults from a medical screening program in Taiwan were recruited between 1994 and 2008. Their vital status was followed up by matching with the National Death File. Individuals were classified as 'inactive', 'low active', or 'fully active', with 'fully active' meeting the current exercise recommendation of 150  min per week or more. Cox proportional model was used to calculate the hazard ratio. More than one-half of the cohort was inactive (54%), with one-quarter fully active (24%). One in seven was hypertensive (14%), defined as SBP at least 140  mmHg. Among the hypertensive individuals, mortality risks were increased by 37% for the inactive. Inactive individuals had higher all-cause mortality than active ones across all blood pressure (BP) levels. At 110-119  mmHg, the inactive had a risk as high as the risk at 155  mmHg, an increased mortality risk equivalent to a risk of BP increase of 41.2 mmHg. The mortality risk of being inactive was equivalent to an increase of around 40  mmHg in SBP or 20  mmHg in DBP, a number relevant to hypertensive patients. Appreciating this relationship may convince the inactive to start exercising, a behavior as important as controlling BP.

Are Autistic Traits Measured Equivalently in Individuals with and without an Autism Spectrum Disorder? An Invariance Analysis of the Autism Spectrum Quotient Short Form

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Aja L.; Booth, Tom; McKenzie, Karen; Kuenssberg, Renate; O'Donnell, Michael

2014-01-01

It is common to administer measures of autistic traits to those without autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with, for example, the aim of understanding autistic personality characteristics in non-autistic individuals. Little research has examined the extent to which measures of autistic traits actually measure the same traits in the same way across…

Analytical and Experimental Characterization of Thick-Section Fiber-Metal Laminates

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

individual metal layers as loading increases. The off-axis deformation properties of the prepreg layers were modeled by using equivalent constraint models...the degraded stiffness of the prepreg layer is found. At each loading step the stiffness properties of individual layers are calculated. These...predicts stress-strain curves on-axis, additional work is needed to study the local interactions between metal and prepreg layers as damage occurs in each

Wind shear and wet and dry thermodynamic indices as predictors of thunderstorm motion and severity and application to the AVE 4 experimental data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connell, J. R.; Ey, L.

1977-01-01

Two types of parameters are computed and mapped for use in assessing their individual merits as predictors of occurrence and severity of thunderstorms. The first group is comprised of equivalent potential temperature, potential temperature, water vapor mixing ratio, and wind speed. Equivalent potential temperature maxima and strong gradients of equivalent potential temperature at the surface correlate well with regions of thunderstorm activity. The second type, comprised of the energy index, shear index, and energy shear index, incorporates some model dynamics of thunderstorms, including nonthermodynamic forcing. The energy shear index is found to improve prediction of tornadic and high-wind situations slightly better than other indices. It is concluded that further development and refinement of nonthermodynamic aspects of predictive indices are definitely warranted.

Individual and mixture effects of five agricultural pesticides on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae.

PubMed

Wang, Yanhua; Yang, Guiling; Dai, Dejiang; Xu, Zhenlan; Cai, Leiming; Wang, Qiang; Yu, Yijun

2017-02-01

In the present study, we evaluated the individual and mixture toxicities of imidacloprid and other four pesticides (atrazine, chlorpyrifos, butachlor, and λ-cyhalothrin) to the zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae in order to clarify the interactive effects of pesticides on aquatic organisms. Results from the 96-h semi-static toxicity test indicated that chlorpyrifos, λ-cyhalothrin, and butachlor had the highest toxicities to D. rerio with an LC 50 value ranging from 0.28 (0.13∼0.38) to 0.45 (0.31∼0.59) mg AI L -1 , followed by atrazine with an LC 50 value of 15.63 (10.71∼25.76) mg AI L -1 , while imidacloprid exhibited the least toxicity to the organisms with an LC 50 value of 143.7 (99.98∼221.6) mg AI L -1 . Seven pesticide mixtures (two binary mixtures of imidacloprid + atrazine and imidacloprid + λ-cyhalothrin, two ternary mixtures of imidacloprid + atrazine + λ-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid + butachlor + λ-cyhalothrin, two quaternary mixtures of imidacloprid + atrazine + chlorpyrifos + λ-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid + chlorpyrifos + butachlor + λ-cyhalothrin, and one quinquenary mixture of imidacloprid + atrazine + chlorpyrifos + butachlor + λ-cyhalothrin) exhibited synergistic effects with equitoxic ratio and equivalent concentration on the zebrafish. Our results highlighted that the simultaneous presence of several pesticides in the aquatic environment might lead to increased toxicity, causing serious damage to the aquatic ecosystems compared with their individual toxicities. Therefore, the toxic effects of both individual pesticides and their mixtures should be incorporated into the environmental risk evaluation of pesticides.

Network model of human aging: Frailty limits and information measures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrell, Spencer G.; Mitnitski, Arnold B.; Rockwood, Kenneth; Rutenberg, Andrew D.

2016-11-01

Aging is associated with the accumulation of damage throughout a persons life. Individual health can be assessed by the Frailty Index (FI). The FI is calculated simply as the proportion f of accumulated age-related deficits relative to the total, leading to a theoretical maximum of f ≤1 . Observational studies have generally reported a much more stringent bound, with f ≤fmax<1 . The value of fmax in observational studies appears to be nonuniversal, but fmax≈0.7 is often reported. A previously developed network model of individual aging was unable to recover fmax<1 while retaining the other observed phenomenology of increasing f and mortality rates with age. We have developed a computationally accelerated network model that also allows us to tune the scale-free network exponent α . The network exponent α significantly affects the growth of mortality rates with age. However, we are only able to recover fmax by also introducing a deficit sensitivity parameter 1 -q , which is equivalent to a false-negative rate q . Our value of q =0.3 is comparable to finite sensitivities of age-related deficits with respect to mortality that are often reported in the literature. In light of nonzero q , we use mutual information I to provide a nonparametric measure of the predictive value of the FI with respect to individual mortality. We find that I is only modestly degraded by q <1 , and this degradation is mitigated when increasing number of deficits are included in the FI. We also find that the information spectrum, i.e., the mutual information of individual deficits versus connectivity, has an approximately power-law dependence that depends on the network exponent α . Mutual information I is therefore a useful tool for characterizing the network topology of aging populations.

Characterization and Modulation of Proteins Involved in SM Vesication

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-01

shown to be the major etiological factor leading to the precancerous stage of actinic keratosis (AK) and to induction and progression of skin cancers...representing a transient regression-prone precancerous stage equivalent to actinic keratosis . To further examine which caspases are apical and

Molecular electronics in pinnae of Mimosa pudica

PubMed Central

Foster, Justin C; Markin, Vladislav S

2010-01-01

Bioelectrochemical circuits operate in all plants including the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica Linn. The activation of biologically closed circuits with voltage gated ion channels can lead to various mechanical, hydrodynamical, physiological, biochemical and biophysical responses. Here the biologically closed electrochemical circuit in pinnae of Mimosa pudica is analyzed using the charged capacitor method for electrostimulation at different voltages. Also the equivalent electrical scheme of electrical signal transduction inside the plant's pinna is evaluated. These circuits remain linear at small potentials not exceeding 0.5 V. At higher potentials the circuits become strongly non-linear pointing to the opening of ion channels in plant tissues. Changing the polarity of electrodes leads to a strong rectification effect and to different kinetics of a capacitor. These effects can be caused by a redistribution of K+, Cl−, Ca2+ and H+ ions through voltage gated ion channels. The electrical properties of Mimosa pudica were investigated and equivalent electrical circuits within the pinnae were proposed to explain the experimental data. PMID:20448476

Molecular electronics in pinnae of Mimosa pudica.

PubMed

Volkov, Alexander G; Foster, Justin C; Markin, Vladislav S

2010-07-01

Bioelectrochemical circuits operate in all plants including the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica Linn. The activation of biologically closed circuits with voltage gated ion channels can lead to various mechanical, hydrodynamical, physiological, biochemical, and biophysical responses. Here the biologically closed electrochemical circuit in pinnae of Mimosa pudica is analyzed using the charged capacitor method for electrostimulation at different voltages. Also the equivalent electrical scheme of electrical signal transduction inside the plant's pinna is evaluated. These circuits remain linear at small potentials not exceeding 0.5 V. At higher potentials the circuits become strongly non-linear pointing to the opening of ion channels in plant tissues. Changing the polarity of electrodes leads to a strong rectification effect and to different kinetics of a capacitor. These effects can be caused by a redistribution of K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+), and H(+) ions through voltage gated ion channels. The electrical properties of Mimosa pudica were investigated and equivalent electrical circuits within the pinnae were proposed to explain the experimental data.

An equivalent dipole analysis of PZT ceramics and lead-free piezoelectric single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, Andrew J.

2016-04-01

The recently proposed Equivalent Dipole Model for describing the electromechanical properties of ionic solids in terms of 3 ions and 2 bonds has been applied to PZT ceramics and lead-free single crystal piezoelectric materials, providing analysis in terms of an effective ionic charge and the asymmetry of the interatomic force constants. For PZT it is shown that, as a function of composition across the morphotropic phase boundary, the dominant bond compliance peaks at 52% ZrO2. The stiffer of the two bonds shows little composition dependence with no anomaly at the phase boundary. The effective charge has a maximum value at 50% ZrO2, decreasing across the phase boundary region, but becoming constant in the rhombohedral phase. The single crystals confirm that both the asymmetry in the force constants and the magnitude of effective charge are equally important in determining the values of the piezoelectric charge coefficient and the electromechanical coupling coefficient. Both are apparently temperature dependent, increasing markedly on approaching the Curie temperature.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SALMON: FORECASTING THEIR STATUS IN 2100

EPA Science Inventory

Throughout the Pacific Northwest (northern California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and the Columbia Basin portion of British Columbia), many wild salmon stocks (a group of interbreeding individuals that is roughly equivalent to a "population") have declined and some have disappear...

Lead-free hunting rifle ammunition: product availability, price, effectiveness, and role in global wildlife conservation.

PubMed

Thomas, Vernon George

2013-10-01

Proposals to end the use of lead hunting ammunition because of the established risks of lead exposure to wildlife and humans are impeded by concerns about the availability, price, and effectiveness of substitutes. The product availability and retail prices of different calibers of lead-free bullets and center-fire rifle ammunition were assessed for ammunition sold in the USA and Europe. Lead-free bullets are made in 35 calibers and 51 rifle cartridge designations. Thirty-seven companies distribute internationally ammunition made with lead-free bullets. There is no major difference in the retail price of equivalent lead-free and lead-core ammunition for most popular calibers. Lead-free ammunition has set bench-mark standards for accuracy, lethality, and safety. Given the demonstrated wide product availability, comparable prices, and the effectiveness of high-quality lead-free ammunition, it is possible to phase out the use of lead hunting ammunition world-wide, based on progressive policy and enforceable legislation.

Stormtime transport of ring current and radiation belt ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Margaret W.; Schulz, Michael; Lyons, L. R.; Gorney, David J.

1993-01-01

This is an investigation of stormtime particle transport that leads to formation of the ring current. Our method is to trace the guiding-center motion of representative ions (having selected first adiabatic invariants mu) in response to model substorm-associated impulses in the convection electric field. We compare our simulation results qualitatively with existing analytically tractable idealizations of particle transport (direct convective access and radial diffusion) in order to assess the limits of validity of these approximations. For mu approximately less than 10 MeV/G (E approximately less than 10 keV at L equivalent to 3) the ion drift period on the final (ring-current) drift shell of interest (L equivalent to 3) exceeds the duration of the main phase of our model storm, and we find that the transport of ions to this drift shell is appropriately idealized as direct convective access, typically from open drift paths. Ion transport to a final closed drift path from an open (plasma-sheet) drift trajectory is possible for those portions of that drift path that lie outside the mean stormtime separatrix between closed and open drift trajectories, For mu approximately 10-25 MeV/G (110 keV approximately less than E approximately less than 280 keV at L equivalent to 3) the drift period at L equivalent to 3 is comparable to the postulated 3-hr duration of the storm, and the mode of transport is transitional between direct convective access and transport that resembles radial diffusion. (This particle population is transitional between the ring current and radiation belt). For mu approximately greater than 25 MeV/G (radiation-belt ions having E approximately greater than 280 keV at L equivalent to 3) the ion drift period is considerably shorter than the main phase of a typical storm, and ions gain access to the ring-current region essentially via radial diffusion. By computing the mean and mean-square cumulative changes in 1/L among (in this case) 12 representative ions equally spaced in drift time around the steady-state drift shell of interest (L equivalent to 3), we have estimated (from both our forward and our time-reversed simulations) the time-integrated radial-diffusion coefficients D(sup sim)(sub LL) for particles having selected values of mu approximately greater than 15 MeV/G. The results agree surprisingly well with the predictions (D(sup ql)(sub LL)) of quasilinear radial diffusion theory, despite the rather brief duration (approximately 3 hrs) of our model storm and despite the extreme variability (with frequency) of the spectral-density function that characterizes the applied electric field during our model storm. As expected, the values of D(sup sim)(sub LL) deduced (respectively) from our forward and time-reversed simulations agree even better with each other and with D(sup sim)(sub LL) when the impulse amplitudes which characterize the individual substorms of our model storm are systematically reduced.

An equivalent potential vorticity theory applied to the analysis and prediction of severe storm dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paine, D. A.; Kaplan, M. L.

1976-01-01

Potential vorticity theory is developed in a description of an equivalent potential temperature topography, and a new theory suited to the description of scale interaction is elaborated. Macroscale triggering of ageostrophic flow fields at the mesoscale, in turn leading to release of convective instability along narrow zones at the microscale, is examined. Correlation of appreciable decrease in potential vorticity with such phenomena as cumulonimbi, tornados, and duststorms is examined. The relevance of a multiscale energy-momentum cascade in numerical prediction of severe mesoscale and microscale phenomena from radiosonde data is reviewed. Hypotheses for mesoscale dynamics are constructed.

Observational breakthroughs lead the way to improved hydrological predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lettenmaier, Dennis P.

2017-04-01

New data sources are revolutionizing the hydrological sciences. The capabilities of hydrological models have advanced greatly over the last several decades, but until recently model capabilities have outstripped the spatial resolution and accuracy of model forcings (atmospheric variables at the land surface) and the hydrologic state variables (e.g., soil moisture; snow water equivalent) that the models predict. This has begun to change, as shown in two examples here: soil moisture and drought evolution over Africa as predicted by a hydrology model forced with satellite-derived precipitation, and observations of snow water equivalent at very high resolution over a river basin in California's Sierra Nevada.

A structural dynamics study of a wing-pylon-tiltrotor system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khader, N.; Abu-Mallouh, R.

1992-12-01

A simple structural model for a three-bladed tiltrotor-pylon-wing assembly is presented, which accounts for chordwise, transverse, and torsional wing deformations, rigid pylon pitching motion with respect to the wing tip cross-section in its deformed position, lead-lag, flap, and torsional deformations of rotor blades. The model considers equivalent viscous damping associated with blade and wing elastic deformations and with rigid pylon pitching motion. It is established that blade-to wing bending rigidity ratio, pylon pitching frequency, equivalent viscous damping associated with blade elastic deformations, and rotational speed, are the most important design parameters, whose effect on system frequencies and stability boundaries is evaluated.

Axiomatic foundations for cost-effectiveness analysis.

PubMed

Canning, David

2013-12-01

We show that individual utilities can be measured in units of healthy life years. Social preferences over these life metric utilities are assumed to satisfy the Pareto principle, anonymity, and invariance to a change in origin. These axioms generate a utilitarian social welfare function implying the use of cost-effectiveness analysis in ordering health projects, based on maximizing the healthy years equivalents gained from a fixed health budget. For projects outside the health sector, our cost-effectiveness axioms imply a form of cost-benefit analysis where both costs and benefits are measured in equivalent healthy life years. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Theory of multicolor lattice gas - A cellular automaton Poisson solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, H.; Matthaeus, W. H.; Klein, L. W.

1990-01-01

The present class of models for cellular automata involving a quiescent hydrodynamic lattice gas with multiple-valued passive labels termed 'colors', the lattice collisions change individual particle colors while preserving net color. The rigorous proofs of the multicolor lattice gases' essential features are rendered more tractable by an equivalent subparticle representation in which the color is represented by underlying two-state 'spins'. Schemes for the introduction of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions are described, and two illustrative numerical test cases are used to verify the theory. The lattice gas model is equivalent to a Poisson equation solution.

General requirements to implement the personal dose equivalent Hp(10) in Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomes Lopes, Amanda; Da Silva, Francisco Cesar Augusto

2018-03-01

To update the dosimetry quantity with the international community, Brazil is changing the Individual Dose (Hx) to the Personal Dose Equivalent Hp(10). A bibliographical survey on the technical and administrative requirements of nine countries that use Hp(10) was carried out to obtain the most relevant ones. All of them follow IEC and ISO guidelines for technical requirements, but administrative requirements change from country to country. Based on countries experiences, this paper presents a list of important general requirements to implement Hp(10) and to prepare the Brazilian requirements according to the international scientific community.

Blisters and Loss of Epidermis in Patients With Lupus Erythematosus

PubMed Central

Merklen-Djafri, Carine; Bessis, Didier; Frances, Camille; Poulalhon, Nicolas; Debarbieux, Sébastien; Cordel, Nadège; Lipsker, Dan

2015-01-01

Abstract The nosology of bullous lesions or equivalents (vesicles, erosions, and crusts) in patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) is rarely addressed. The primary aim of this study was to draw up a precise phenotypic inventory of such skin lesions; the secondary objective was to assess a potential relationship between the different types of loss of epidermis and extracutaneous lupus manifestations. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including 22 patients with definite LE and bullous lesions or equivalents. All biopsies were reviewed. Patients were recruited in the dermatology departments of 6 centers. Patients were included if they met the diagnosis of systemic LE according to American College of Rheumatology and/or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria or diagnosis of cutaneous LE based on classic clinical criteria and/or histological ascertainment of LE. Patients were recruited through clinician's memory and photographic collections. Three clinico-pathological patterns could be individualized. First, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)-like, sheet-like, skin detachment; sun-exposure, mild mucosal involvement, and dermal mucin deposition allow differential diagnosis with classical Lyell syndrome. Second, vesiculo-bullae and/or crusting occurring on typical lesions of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus or chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Third, tense vesicles and/or blisters with an underlying neutrophilic dermatosis and a usual response to dapsone. A careful analysis of 22 LE patients with epidermal detachment reveals 2 main pathomechanisms: a classic LE interface dermatitis, which can be hyperacute and lead to TEN-like skin detachment; and a neutrophilic dermatosis, with tense vesicles and/or blisters, including classic bullous LE. PMID:26579826

A deimmunised form of the ribotoxin, α-sarcin, lacking CD4+ T cell epitopes and its use as an immunotoxin warhead

PubMed Central

Jones, Tim D.; Hearn, Arron R.; Holgate, Robert G.E.; Kozub, Dorota; Fogg, Mark H.; Carr, Francis J.; Baker, Matthew P.; Lacadena, Javier; Gehlsen, Kurt R.

2016-01-01

Fungal ribotoxins that block protein synthesis can be useful warheads in the context of a targeted immunotoxin. α-Sarcin is a small (17 kDa) fungal ribonuclease produced by Aspergillus giganteus that functions by catalytically cleaving a single phosphodiester bond in the sarcin–ricin loop of the large ribosomal subunit, thus making the ribosome unrecognisable to elongation factors and leading to inhibition of protein synthesis. Peptide mapping using an ex vivo human T cell assay determined that α-sarcin contained two T cell epitopes; one in the N-terminal 20 amino acids and the other in the C-terminal 20 amino acids. Various mutations were tested individually within each epitope and then in combination to isolate deimmunised α-sarcin variants that had the desired properties of silencing T cell epitopes and retention of the ability to inhibit protein synthesis (equivalent to wild-type, WT α-sarcin). A deimmunised variant (D9T/Q142T) demonstrated a complete lack of T cell activation in in vitro whole protein human T cell assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from donors with diverse HLA allotypes. Generation of an immunotoxin by fusion of the D9T/Q142T variant to a single-chain Fv targeting Her2 demonstrated potent cell killing equivalent to a fusion protein comprising the WT α-sarcin. These results represent the first fungal ribotoxin to be deimmunised with the potential to construct a new generation of deimmunised immunotoxin therapeutics. PMID:27578884

Soft Pneumatic Actuator Fascicles for High Force and Reliability

PubMed Central

Robertson, Matthew A.; Sadeghi, Hamed; Florez, Juan Manuel

2017-01-01

Abstract Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) are found in mobile robots, assistive wearable devices, and rehabilitative technologies. While soft actuators have been one of the most crucial elements of technology leading the development of the soft robotics field, they fall short of force output and bandwidth requirements for many tasks. In addition, other general problems remain open, including robustness, controllability, and repeatability. The SPA-pack architecture presented here aims to satisfy these standards of reliability crucial to the field of soft robotics, while also improving the basic performance capabilities of SPAs by borrowing advantages leveraged ubiquitously in biology; namely, the structured parallel arrangement of lower power actuators to form the basis of a larger and more powerful actuator module. An SPA-pack module consisting of a number of smaller SPAs will be studied using an analytical model and physical prototype. Experimental measurements show an SPA pack to generate over 112 N linear force, while the model indicates the benefit of parallel actuator grouping over a geometrically equivalent single SPA scale as an increasing function of the number of individual actuators in the group. For a module of four actuators, a 23% increase in force production over a volumetrically equivalent single SPA is predicted and validated, while further gains appear possible up to 50%. These findings affirm the advantage of utilizing a fascicle structure for high-performance soft robotic applications over existing monolithic SPA designs. An example of high-performance soft robotic platform will be presented to demonstrate the capability of SPA-pack modules in a complete and functional system. PMID:28289573

Soft Pneumatic Actuator Fascicles for High Force and Reliability.

PubMed

Robertson, Matthew A; Sadeghi, Hamed; Florez, Juan Manuel; Paik, Jamie

2017-03-01

Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) are found in mobile robots, assistive wearable devices, and rehabilitative technologies. While soft actuators have been one of the most crucial elements of technology leading the development of the soft robotics field, they fall short of force output and bandwidth requirements for many tasks. In addition, other general problems remain open, including robustness, controllability, and repeatability. The SPA-pack architecture presented here aims to satisfy these standards of reliability crucial to the field of soft robotics, while also improving the basic performance capabilities of SPAs by borrowing advantages leveraged ubiquitously in biology; namely, the structured parallel arrangement of lower power actuators to form the basis of a larger and more powerful actuator module. An SPA-pack module consisting of a number of smaller SPAs will be studied using an analytical model and physical prototype. Experimental measurements show an SPA pack to generate over 112 N linear force, while the model indicates the benefit of parallel actuator grouping over a geometrically equivalent single SPA scale as an increasing function of the number of individual actuators in the group. For a module of four actuators, a 23% increase in force production over a volumetrically equivalent single SPA is predicted and validated, while further gains appear possible up to 50%. These findings affirm the advantage of utilizing a fascicle structure for high-performance soft robotic applications over existing monolithic SPA designs. An example of high-performance soft robotic platform will be presented to demonstrate the capability of SPA-pack modules in a complete and functional system.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale for use in French-speaking populations.

PubMed

Angers, Magalie; Svotelis, Amy; Balg, Frederic; Allard, Jean-Pascal

2016-04-01

The Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) is a self-administered score specific for ankle osteoarthritis (OA) with excellent reliability and strong construct and criterion validity. Many recent randomized multicentre trials have used the AOS, and the involvement of the French-speaking population is limited by the absence of a French version. Our goal was to develop a French version and validate the psychometric properties to assure equivalence to the original English version. Translation was performed according to American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2000 guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Similar to the validation process of the English AOS, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the French version (AOS-Fr): criterion validity (AOS-Fr v. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC] and SF-36 scores), construct validity (AOS-Fr correlation to single heel-lift test), and reliability (AOS-Fr test-retest). Sixty healthy individuals tested a prefinal version of the AOS-Fr for comprehension, leading to modifications and a final version that was approved by C. Saltzman, author of the AOS. We then recruited patients with ankle OA for evaluation of the AOS-Fr psychometric properties. Twenty-eight patients with ankle OA participated in the evaluation. The AOS-Fr showed strong criterion validity (AOS:WOMAC r = 0.709 and AOS:SF-36 r = -0.654) and construct validity (r = 0.664) and proved to be reliable (test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.922). The AOS-Fr is a reliable and valid score equivalent to the English version in terms of psychometric properties, thus is available for use in multicentre trials.

Measurements of the neutron dose equivalent for various radiation qualities, treatment machines and delivery techniques in radiation therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hälg, R. A.; Besserer, J.; Boschung, M.; Mayer, S.; Lomax, A. J.; Schneider, U.

2014-05-01

In radiation therapy, high energy photon and proton beams cause the production of secondary neutrons. This leads to an unwanted dose contribution, which can be considerable for tissues outside of the target volume regarding the long term health of cancer patients. Due to the high biological effectiveness of neutrons in regards to cancer induction, small neutron doses can be important. This study quantified the neutron doses for different radiation therapy modalities. Most of the reports in the literature used neutron dose measurements free in air or on the surface of phantoms to estimate the amount of neutron dose to the patient. In this study, dose measurements were performed in terms of neutron dose equivalent inside an anthropomorphic phantom. The neutron dose equivalent was determined using track etch detectors as a function of the distance to the isocenter, as well as for radiation sensitive organs. The dose distributions were compared with respect to treatment techniques (3D-conformal, volumetric modulated arc therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for photons; spot scanning and passive scattering for protons), therapy machines (Varian, Elekta and Siemens linear accelerators) and radiation quality (photons and protons). The neutron dose equivalent varied between 0.002 and 3 mSv per treatment gray over all measurements. Only small differences were found when comparing treatment techniques, but substantial differences were observed between the linear accelerator models. The neutron dose equivalent for proton therapy was higher than for photons in general and in particular for double-scattered protons. The overall neutron dose equivalent measured in this study was an order of magnitude lower than the stray dose of a treatment using 6 MV photons, suggesting that the contribution of the secondary neutron dose equivalent to the integral dose of a radiotherapy patient is small.

Technical note: Equivalent genomic models with a residual polygenic effect.

PubMed

Liu, Z; Goddard, M E; Hayes, B J; Reinhardt, F; Reents, R

2016-03-01

Routine genomic evaluations in animal breeding are usually based on either a BLUP with genomic relationship matrix (GBLUP) or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BLUP model. For a multi-step genomic evaluation, these 2 alternative genomic models were proven to give equivalent predictions for genomic reference animals. The model equivalence was verified also for young genotyped animals without phenotypes. Due to incomplete linkage disequilibrium of SNP markers to genes or causal mutations responsible for genetic inheritance of quantitative traits, SNP markers cannot explain all the genetic variance. A residual polygenic effect is normally fitted in the genomic model to account for the incomplete linkage disequilibrium. In this study, we start by showing the proof that the multi-step GBLUP and SNP BLUP models are equivalent for the reference animals, when they have a residual polygenic effect included. Second, the equivalence of both multi-step genomic models with a residual polygenic effect was also verified for young genotyped animals without phenotypes. Additionally, we derived formulas to convert genomic estimated breeding values of the GBLUP model to its components, direct genomic values and residual polygenic effect. Third, we made a proof that the equivalence of these 2 genomic models with a residual polygenic effect holds also for single-step genomic evaluation. Both the single-step GBLUP and SNP BLUP models lead to equal prediction for genotyped animals with phenotypes (e.g., reference animals), as well as for (young) genotyped animals without phenotypes. Finally, these 2 single-step genomic models with a residual polygenic effect were proven to be equivalent for estimation of SNP effects, too. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurements of the neutron dose equivalent for various radiation qualities, treatment machines and delivery techniques in radiation therapy.

PubMed

Hälg, R A; Besserer, J; Boschung, M; Mayer, S; Lomax, A J; Schneider, U

2014-05-21

In radiation therapy, high energy photon and proton beams cause the production of secondary neutrons. This leads to an unwanted dose contribution, which can be considerable for tissues outside of the target volume regarding the long term health of cancer patients. Due to the high biological effectiveness of neutrons in regards to cancer induction, small neutron doses can be important. This study quantified the neutron doses for different radiation therapy modalities. Most of the reports in the literature used neutron dose measurements free in air or on the surface of phantoms to estimate the amount of neutron dose to the patient. In this study, dose measurements were performed in terms of neutron dose equivalent inside an anthropomorphic phantom. The neutron dose equivalent was determined using track etch detectors as a function of the distance to the isocenter, as well as for radiation sensitive organs. The dose distributions were compared with respect to treatment techniques (3D-conformal, volumetric modulated arc therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for photons; spot scanning and passive scattering for protons), therapy machines (Varian, Elekta and Siemens linear accelerators) and radiation quality (photons and protons). The neutron dose equivalent varied between 0.002 and 3 mSv per treatment gray over all measurements. Only small differences were found when comparing treatment techniques, but substantial differences were observed between the linear accelerator models. The neutron dose equivalent for proton therapy was higher than for photons in general and in particular for double-scattered protons. The overall neutron dose equivalent measured in this study was an order of magnitude lower than the stray dose of a treatment using 6 MV photons, suggesting that the contribution of the secondary neutron dose equivalent to the integral dose of a radiotherapy patient is small.

Effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice on kidney, liver, heart and testis histopathological changes, and the tissues lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in lead acetate-treated rats.

PubMed

Aksu, D S; Sağlam, Y S; Yildirim, S; Aksu, T

2017-10-31

Pomegranate juice (PJ) contains relevant amounts of active biological compounds which alleviate the detrimental effects of chronic heavy metal exposure. This study investigated the protective potential of PJ against lead-induced oxidative stress. A total of forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups. The animals were fed a standard pellet diet and tap water ad libitum. The rats were divided into four groups (n=10 for each group): control, lead asetat (2000 ppm), low-treated PJ- a daily dose of 2.000 ppm lead plus 30µl pomegranate juice (included 1.050 µmol total polyphenols, gallic acid equivalent), and high-treated PJ- a daily dose of 2.000 ppm lead plus 60µl pomegranate juice (included 2.100 µmol total polyphenols, gallic acid equivalent). The treatments were delivered for 5 weeks. After the treatment period, the tissues samples (kidney, liver, heart and testis) were collected. Tissue lead (Pb) and mineral amounts (copper, zinc, and iron), tissues lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant status, and tissues histopathological changes were determined. The results showed that the highest rate lead loading was in the kidney and the testis. Pomegranate juice was decreased the lead levels of soft tissues examined; increased Zn amounts in tissues of which the lead accumulation was higher (kidney and the testis); decreased the copper, zinc and the iron levels of the liver and heart tissues, without creating a weakness in antioxidant capacity of these tissues, restricted the oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation, improved both of the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalaz (CAT), and the level of glutathione (GSH) in all the tissues examined in lead-treated groups. As histopathological findings, the cellular damage induced by lead in the tissues of the kidney, liver and the heart were observed to have been partially prevented by PJ treatment. The protective effect of PJ was more pronounced in the testis compared to those others.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thermally activated processes in magnetic systems consisting of rigid dipoles: equivalence of the Ito and Stratonovich stochastic calculus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berkov, D. V.; Gorn, N. L.

2002-04-01

We demonstrate that the Ito and the Stratonovich stochastic calculus lead to identical results when applied to the stochastic dynamics study of magnetic systems consisting of dipoles with the constant magnitude, despite the multiplicative noise appearing in the corresponding Langevin equations. The immediate consequence of this statement is that any numerical method used for the solution of these equations will lead to the physically correct results.

Battery-Charge-State Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vivian, H. C.

1985-01-01

Charge-state model for lead/acid batteries proposed as part of effort to make equivalent of fuel gage for battery-powered vehicles. Models based on equations that approximate observable characteristics of battery electrochemistry. Uses linear equations, easier to simulate on computer, and gives smooth transitions between charge, discharge, and recuperation.

Constructing Matching Texts in Two Languages: The Application of Propositional Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valdes, Guadalupe; And Others

1984-01-01

Discusses how current procedures for selecting/constructing equivalent texts may lead to error because of their specific limitations; proposes the utilization of micro-propositional analysis coupled with word-frequency lists and readability formulas for constructing "matching" texts; presents some procedures which researchers working in…

30 CFR 7.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... was issued. Equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. A non-MSHA product safety standard, or group... this part. Applicant. An individual or organization that manufactures or controls the assembly of a... technical requirements and have been manufactured as approved. Technical requirements. The design and...

30 CFR 7.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... was issued. Equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. A non-MSHA product safety standard, or group... this part. Applicant. An individual or organization that manufactures or controls the assembly of a... technical requirements and have been manufactured as approved. Technical requirements. The design and...

30 CFR 7.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... was issued. Equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. A non-MSHA product safety standard, or group... this part. Applicant. An individual or organization that manufactures or controls the assembly of a... technical requirements and have been manufactured as approved. Technical requirements. The design and...

30 CFR 7.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... was issued. Equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. A non-MSHA product safety standard, or group... this part. Applicant. An individual or organization that manufactures or controls the assembly of a... technical requirements and have been manufactured as approved. Technical requirements. The design and...

30 CFR 7.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... was issued. Equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. A non-MSHA product safety standard, or group... this part. Applicant. An individual or organization that manufactures or controls the assembly of a... technical requirements and have been manufactured as approved. Technical requirements. The design and...

FUTURE OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST SALMON: SCIENCE AND POLICY IN ACTION

EPA Science Inventory

Throughout the Pacific Northwest (northern California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and the Columbia Basin portion of British Columbia), many wild salmon stocks (a group of interbreeding individuals that is roughly equivalent to a "population") have declined and some have disappear...

RESTORING WILD SALMON TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: CHASING AN ILLUSION

EPA Science Inventory

Throughout the Pacific Northwest (northern California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and the Columbia Basin portion of British Columbia), many wild salmon "stocks" (a group of interbreeding individuals that is roughly equivalent to a "population") have declined and some have been ...

Radiation protection during hybrid procedures: innovation creates new challenges.

PubMed

Sawdy, Jaclynn M; Gocha, Mark D; Olshove, Vincent; Chisolm, Joanne L; Hill, Sharon L; Phillips, Alistair; Galantowicz, Mark; Cheatham, John P; Holzer, Ralf J

2009-09-01

The cooperation between interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons has expanded the spectrum of treatment modalities for patients with congenital heart disease. These hybrid techniques have created new challenges, one of which being the provision of adequate but practical radiation protection. This study evaluates the use of a lightweight radiation protection drape (RADPAD) that may be suitable for shielding during hybrid procedures. To simulate a pediatric patient, an 8.7 liter water-filled tub was placed on an X-ray table and exposed to 10-second cine acquisition runs. Radiation exposure was measured at twelve specified locations around the table using a model with three different levels of radiation protection: no shielding, shielding using a traditional 0.35 mm lead-equivalent apron, and shielding using the 0.25 mm lead-equivalent RADPAD. The traditional lead apron and the RADPAD significantly reduced the amount of radiation dose when compared with no shielding. The standard lead apron provided slightly greater radiation protection than the RADPAD (0.000064 radiation absorbed dose [rad] vs. 0.000091 rad; p = 0.012). The measured rad was significantly higher on the right side of the table, and the measured radiation dose decreased significantly with increasing distance from the table. The RADPAD has been shown to function as an efficient shielding device, even though it does not quite match the protection that can be expected from a standard lead apron. It complies with regulatory radiation protection requirements and its lightweight and sterile use make it particularly useful during hybrid procedures in the operating room.

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

Cournoyer, Michael E; George, Gerald L; Dodge, Robert L

Programmatic operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Facility (TA-55) involve working with various amounts of plutonium and other highly toxic, alpha-emitting materials. The spread of radiological contamination on surfaces, airborne contamination, and excursions of contaminants into the operator's breathing zone are prevented through the use of a variety of gloveboxes (the glovebox, coupled with an adequate negative pressure gradient, provides primary confinement). Radiation shielding is commonly used to protect the glovebox worker from unintentional direct and secondary radiation exposure, while working with plutonium-238 and plutonium-239. In these environments, low-energy photons, i.e., those less than 250 keY, are encountered.more » Shielding glove box gloves are traditionally composed of lead-based materials, but these are now considered hazardous waste. This has prompted the development of new, nonhazardous- shielding gJovebox gloves. No studies, however, have investigated the effectiveness of these new glovebox gloves. We examined both leaded and nonhazardous- shielding glovebox gloves and compared their attenuation effectiveness over the energy range of interest at TA-55. All measurements are referenced to lead sheets, allowing direct comparisons to the common industry standard of 0.1 mm lead equivalent material. The attenuation properties of both types of glovebox gloves vary with energy, making it difficult for manufacturers to claim lead equivalency across the entire energy range used at TA-55. The positions of materials' photon energy absorption edges, which are particularly important to improved attenuation performance, depending upon the choice of radiation energy range, are discussed. This effort contributes to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Continuous Improvement Program by improving the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and formality of glovebox operations.« less

40 CFR 745.229 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.229 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based... engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and commercial buildings, bridges and superstructures...

40 CFR 745.229 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.229 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based... engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and commercial buildings, bridges and superstructures...

40 CFR 745.229 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.229 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based... engaged in lead-based paint activities: public and commercial buildings, bridges and superstructures...

Lead Exposure of People with Developmental Disabilities: Success of Control Measures.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lohiya, Ghan Shyam; And Others

1996-01-01

In a developmental center for individuals with mental retardation, blood lead level was determined for individuals who were admitted or discharged over two decades. Analysis indicated a marked decline in blood lead levels, attributed to local lead abatement measures, effective pica management, and reduced environmental lead contamination.…

75 FR 61833 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

...FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

75 FR 79081 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-17

...FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

Transient kinetics of the rapid shape change of unstirred human blood platelets stimulated with ADP.

PubMed Central

Deranleau, D A; Dubler, D; Rothen, C; Lüscher, E F

1982-01-01

Unstirred (isotropic) suspensions of human blood platelets stimulated with ADP in a stopped-flow laser turbidimeter exhibit a distinct extinction maximum during the course of the classical rapid conversion of initially smooth flat discoid cells to smaller-body spiny spheres. This implies the existence of a transient intermediate having a larger average light scattering cross section (extinction coefficient) than either the disc or the spiny sphere. Monophasic extinction increases reaching the same final value were observed when either discoid or spiny sphere platelets were converted to smooth spheres by treatment with chlorpromazine, and sphering of discoid cells was accompanied by a larger total extinction change than the retraction of pseudopods by already spherical cells. These and other results suggest that the ADP-induced transient state represents platelets that are approximately as "spherical" as the irregular spiny sphere but lack the characteristic long pseudopods and as a consequence are larger bodied. Fitting the ADP progress curves to the series reaction A leads to B leads to C by means of the light scattering equivalent of the Beer-Lambert law yielded scattering cross sections that are consistent with this explanation. The rate constants for the two reaction steps were identical, indicating that ADP activation corresponds to a continuous random (Poisson) process with successive apparent states "disc," "sphere," and "spiny sphere," whose individual probabilities are determined by a single rate-limiting step. PMID:6961409

Individual Differences in Recovery Time From Attentional Capture

PubMed Central

Fukuda, Keisuke; Vogel, Edward K.

2015-01-01

Working memory capacity reflects a core ability of the individual that affects performance on many cognitive tasks. Recent work has suggested that an important covariate of memory capacity is attentional control, and specifically that low-capacity individuals are more susceptible to attentional capture by distractors than high-capacity individuals are, with the latter being able to resist capture. Here, we tested an alternative account according to which all individuals are equally susceptible to attentional capture, but high-capacity individuals recover more quickly than low-capacity individuals. Using psychophysical and electrophysiological methods, we measured recovery time from attentional capture. In two experiments, we found that high- and low-capacity individuals showed equivalent attentional capture effects in the initial moments following capture, but that low-capacity individuals took much longer to recover than high-capacity individuals did. These results suggest that the poor attentional control associated with low capacity is due to slow disengagement from distractors. PMID:21310945

The HLA Dictionary 2001: a summary of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5 and -DQB1 alleles and their association with serologically defined HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ antigens.

PubMed

Schreuder, G M; Hurley, C K; Marsh, S G; Lau, M; Maiers, M; Kollman, C; Noreen, H J

2001-12-01

This report presents the serological equivalents of 123 HLA-A, 272 HLA-B and 155 HLA-DRB1 alleles. The equivalents cover over 64% of the presently identified HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 alleles. The dictionary is an update of the one published in 1999 (<1>Schreuder et al., 1999, Tissue Antigens, 54, 409) and also includes equivalents for HLA-C, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5 and DQB1 alleles. The data summarize information obtained by the WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System, the International Cell Exchange (UCLA), the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and individual laboratories. In addition, a listing is provided of alleles that are expressed as antigens with serological reaction patterns that differ from the well-established HLA specificities. The equivalents provided will be useful in guiding searches for unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors in which patients and/or potential donors are typed by either serology or DNA-based methods. These equivalents will also serve typing and matching procedures for organ transplant programmes where HLA typings from donors and from recipients on waiting lists represent mixtures of serological and molecular typings. The tables with HLA equivalents and a questionnaire for submission of serological reaction patterns for poorly identified allelic products will also be available on the WMDA web page: www.worldmarrow.org

Protein glycation inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity of clove extract.

PubMed

Suantawee, Tanyawan; Wesarachanon, Krittaporn; Anantsuphasak, Kanokphat; Daenphetploy, Tanuch; Thien-Ngern, Sroshin; Thilavech, Thavaree; Pasukamonset, Porntip; Ngamukote, Sathaporn; Adisakwattana, Sirichai

2015-06-01

Syzygium aromaticum (L.) (clove) is one of the most widely cultivated spices in many tropical countries. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical content, the antioxidant properties and the antiglycation properties of aqueous extract of clove against fructose-mediated protein glycation and oxidation. The result showed that the content of total phenolics and flavonoids in clove extract was 239.58 ± 0.70 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dried extract and 65.67 ± 0.01 mg catechin equivalents/g dried extract, respectively. In addition, clove exhibited antioxidant properties including DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.29 ± 0.01 mg/ml), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (4.69 ± 0.03 μmol Trolox equivalents/mg dried extract), ferric reducing antioxidant power (20.55 ± 0.11 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents/mg dried extract), Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (31.12 ± 0.21 μmol Trolox equivalents/mg dried extract), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (0.15 ± 0.04 mg Trolox equivalents/mg dried extract), and superoxide radical scavenging activity (18.82 ± 0.50 mg Trolox equivalents/mg dried extract). The aqueous extract of clove (0.25-1.00 mg/ml) significantly inhibited the formation of fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and non-fluorescent AGEs (N(ɛ)-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML)) in glycated BSA during 4 weeks of incubation. The extract also markedly prevented oxidation-induced protein damage by decreasing protein carbonyl formation and protecting against the loss of protein thiol group. These results clearly demonstrated that a polyphenol enriched clove extract, owing to its antioxidant, was capable to inhibit the formation of AGEs and protein glycation. The findings might lead to the possibility of using the clove extract for targeting diabetic complications.

Metabolic evolution of two reducing equivalent-conserving pathways for high-yield succinate production in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Zhu, Xinna; Tan, Zaigao; Xu, Hongtao; Chen, Jing; Tang, Jinlei; Zhang, Xueli

2014-07-01

Reducing equivalents are an important cofactor for efficient synthesis of target products. During metabolic evolution to improve succinate production in Escherichia coli strains, two reducing equivalent-conserving pathways were activated to increase succinate yield. The sensitivity of pyruvate dehydrogenase to NADH inhibition was eliminated by three nucleotide mutations in the lpdA gene. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity increased under anaerobic conditions, which provided additional NADH. The pentose phosphate pathway and transhydrogenase were activated by increased activities of transketolase and soluble transhydrogenase SthA. These data suggest that more carbon flux went through the pentose phosphate pathway, thus leading to production of more reducing equivalent in the form of NADPH, which was then converted to NADH through soluble transhydrogenase for succinate production. Reverse metabolic engineering was further performed in a parent strain, which was not metabolically evolved, to verify the effects of activating these two reducing equivalent-conserving pathways for improving succinate yield. Activating pyruvate dehydrogenase increased succinate yield from 1.12 to 1.31mol/mol, whereas activating the pentose phosphate pathway and transhydrogenase increased succinate yield from 1.12 to 1.33mol/mol. Activating these two pathways in combination led to a succinate yield of 1.5mol/mol (88% of theoretical maximum), suggesting that they exhibited a synergistic effect for improving succinate yield. Copyright © 2014 International Metabolic Engineering Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adaptation, Validation, Reliability and Factorial Equivalence of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in Colombian and Spanish Population.

PubMed

Gómez-Lugo, Mayra; Espada, José P; Morales, Alexandra; Marchal-Bertrand, Laurent; Soler, Franklin; Vallejo-Medina, Pablo

2016-10-14

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most widely used instrument to assess self-esteem. In light of the absence of adaptations in Colombia, this study seeks to validate and adapt this scale in the Colombian population, and perform factorial equivalence with the Spanish version. A total of 1,139 seniors (633 Colombians and 506 Spaniards) were evaluated; the individuals answered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and sexual self-esteem scale. The average score of the items was similar to the questionnaire's theoretical average, and standard deviations were close to one. The psychometric properties of the items are generally adequate with alphas of .83 and .86 and significant (CI = .95) and correlations with the sexual self-esteem scale ranging from .31 and .41. Factorial equivalence was confirmed by means of a structural equation model (CFI = .912 and RMSEA = .079), thus showing a strong level of invariance.

Parametric test results of a swirl-can combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedzwiecki, R. W.; Jones, R. E.

1973-01-01

Pollutant levels of oxides of nitrogen, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide were measured for three models of an experimental, annular swirl can combustor. The combustor was 1.067 meters in outer diameter, incorporated 120 modules, and was specifically designed for elevated exit temperature performance. Test conditions included combustor inlet temperatures of 589, 756 and 839 K, inlet pressures of 3 to 6.4 atmospheres, reference velocities of 21 to 38 meters per second and combustor equivalence ratios, based on total combustor flows of 0.206 to 1.028. Maximum oxides of nitrogen emission index values occurred at an equivalence ratio of 0.7 with lower values measured for both higher and lower equivalence ratios. Oxides of nitrogen concentrations, to the 0.7 level with 756 K inlet air, were correlated for the three models by a combined parameter consisting of measured flow and geometric parameters. Effects of the individual parameters comprising the correlation are also presented.

Cross-Border Use of Food Databases: Equivalence of US and Australian Databases for Macronutrients

PubMed Central

Summer, Suzanne S.; Ollberding, Nicholas J.; Guy, Trish; Setchell, Kenneth D. R.; Brown, Nadine; Kalkwarf, Heidi J.

2013-01-01

When estimating dietary intake across multiple countries, the lack of a single comprehensive dietary database may lead researchers to modify one database to analyze intakes for all participants. This approach may yield results different from those using the country-specific database and introduce measurement error. We examined whether nutrient intakes of Australians calculated with a modified US database would be similar to those calculated with an Australian database. We analyzed 3-day food records of 68 Australian adults using the US-based Nutrition Data System for Research, modified to reflect food items consumed in Australia. Modification entailed identifying a substitute food whose energy and macronutrient content were within 10% of the Australian food or by adding a new food to the database. Paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare differences in nutrient intakes estimated by both databases, and Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficients measured degree of association and agreement between intake estimates for individuals. Median intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber differed by <5% at the group level. Larger discrepancies were seen for fat (11%; P<0.0001) and most micronutrients. Despite strong correlations, nutrient intakes differed by >10% for an appreciable percentage of participants (35% for energy to 69% for total fat). Adding country-specific food items to an existing database resulted in similar overall macronutrient intake estimates but was insufficient for estimating individual intakes. When analyzing nutrient intakes in multinational studies, greater standardization and modification of databases may be required to more accurately estimate intake of individuals. PMID:23871108

Time-dependent observation of individual cellular binding events to field-effect transistors.

PubMed

Schäfer, S; Eick, S; Hofmann, B; Dufaux, T; Stockmann, R; Wrobel, G; Offenhäusser, A; Ingebrandt, S

2009-01-01

Electrolyte-gate field-effect transistors (EG-FETs) gained continuously more importance in the field of bioelectronics. The reasons for this are the intrinsic properties of these FETs. Binding of analysts or changes in the electrolyte composition are leading to variations of the drain-source current. Furthermore, due to the signal amplification upon voltage-to-current conversion even small extracellular signals can be detected. Here we report about impedance spectroscopy with an FET array to characterize passive components of a cell attached to the transistor gate. We developed a 16-channel readout system, which provides a simultaneous, lock-in based readout. A test signal of known amplitude and phase was applied via the reference electrode. We monitored the electronic transfer function of the FETs with the attached cell. The resulting frequency spectrum was used to investigate the surface adhesion of individual HEK293 cells. We applied different chemical treatments with either the serinpeptidase trypsin or the ionophor amphotericin B (AmpB). Binding studies can be realized by a time-dependent readout of the lock-in amplifier at a constant frequency. We observed cell detachment upon trypsin activity as well as membrane decomposition induced by AmpB. The results were interpreted in terms of an equivalent electrical circuit model of the complete system. The presented method could in future be applied to monitor more relevant biomedical manipulations of individual cells. Due to the utilization of the silicon technology, our method could be easily up-scaled to many output channels for high throughput pharmacological screening.

Postprandial oxidative stress is increased after a phytonutrient-poor food but not after a kilojoule-matched phytonutrient-rich food.

PubMed

Khor, Amanda; Grant, Ross; Tung, Chin; Guest, Jade; Pope, Belinda; Morris, Margaret; Bilgin, Ayse

2014-05-01

Research indicates that energy-dense foods increase inflammation and oxidative activity, thereby contributing to the development of vascular disease. However, it is not clear whether the high kilojoule load alone, irrespective of the nutritional content of the ingested food, produces the postprandial oxidative and inflammatory activity. This study investigated the hypothesis that ingestion of a high-fat, high-sugar, phytonutrient-reduced food (ice cream) would increase oxidative and inflammatory activity greater than a kilojoule-equivalent meal of a phytonutrient-rich whole food (avocado). The individual contributions of the fat/protein and sugar components of the ice cream meal to postprandial inflammation and oxidative stress were also quantified. Using a randomized, crossover design, 11 healthy participants ingested 4 test meals: ice cream, avocado, the fat/protein component in ice cream, and the sugar equivalent component in ice cream. Plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were measured at baseline and 1, 2, and 4 hours (t1, t2, t4) after ingestion. Lipid peroxidation was increased at 2 hours after eating fat/protein (t0-t2, P < .05) and sugar (t1-t2, P < .05; t1-t4, P < .05). Antioxidant capacity was decreased at 4 hours after eating ice cream (t0-t4, P < .01) and sugar (t0-t4, P < .01). Ingestion of a kilojoule-equivalent avocado meal did not produce any changes in either inflammatory or oxidative stress markers. These data indicate that the ingestion of a phytonutrient-poor food and its individual fat/protein or sugar components increase plasma oxidative activity. This is not observed after ingestion of a kilojoule-equivalent phytonutrient-rich food. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 300.415 - Removal action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., provision for post-removal site control following a CERCLA Fund-financed removal action at both NPL and non... lead agency shall conduct an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) or its equivalent. The EE/CA...) Fences, warning signs, or other security or site control precautions—where humans or animals have access...

Ranking Quality in Higher Education: Guiding or Misleading?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergseth, Brita; Petocz, Peter; Abrandt Dahlgren, Madeleine

2014-01-01

The study examines two different models of measuring, assessing and ranking quality in higher education. Do different systems of quality assessment lead to equivalent conclusions about the quality of education? This comparative study is based on the rankings of 24 Swedish higher education institutions. Two ranking actors have independently…

Nonequivalence of updating rules in evolutionary games under high mutation rates.

PubMed

Kaiping, G A; Jacobs, G S; Cox, S J; Sluckin, T J

2014-10-01

Moran processes are often used to model selection in evolutionary simulations. The updating rule in Moran processes is a birth-death process, i. e., selection according to fitness of an individual to give birth, followed by the death of a random individual. For well-mixed populations with only two strategies this updating rule is known to be equivalent to selecting unfit individuals for death and then selecting randomly for procreation (biased death-birth process). It is, however, known that this equivalence does not hold when considering structured populations. Here we study whether changing the updating rule can also have an effect in well-mixed populations in the presence of more than two strategies and high mutation rates. We find, using three models from different areas of evolutionary simulation, that the choice of updating rule can change model results. We show, e. g., that going from the birth-death process to the death-birth process can change a public goods game with punishment from containing mostly defectors to having a majority of cooperative strategies. From the examples given we derive guidelines indicating when the choice of the updating rule can be expected to have an impact on the results of the model.

Hazard and risk assessment of chemical mixtures using the toxic equivalency factor approach.

PubMed

Safe, S H

1998-08-01

There is considerable public, regulatory, and scientific concern regarding human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which include compounds that directly modulate steroid hormone receptor pathways (estrogens, antiestrogens, androgens, antiandrogens) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds. Based on quantitative structure-activity relationships for both AhR and estrogen receptor (ER) agonists, the relative potency (RP) of individual compounds relative to a standard (e.g. TCDD and 17-beta-estradiol) have been determined for several receptor-mediated responses. Therefore, the TCDD or estrogenic equivalent (TEQ or EQ, respectively) of a mixture is defined as TEQ = sigma[T(i)]xRP(i)or EQ=sigma[E(i)]xRP(i), where T(i) and E(i) are concentrations of individual AhR or ER agonists in any mixture. This approach for risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting mixtures assumes that for each endocrine response pathway, the effects of individual compounds are essentially additive. This paper will critically examine the utility of the TEQ/EQ approach for risk assessment, the validity of the assumptions used for this approach, and the problems associated with comparing low dose exposures to xeno and natural (dietary) endocrine disruptors.

Nonequivalence of updating rules in evolutionary games under high mutation rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaiping, G. A.; Jacobs, G. S.; Cox, S. J.; Sluckin, T. J.

2014-10-01

Moran processes are often used to model selection in evolutionary simulations. The updating rule in Moran processes is a birth-death process, i. e., selection according to fitness of an individual to give birth, followed by the death of a random individual. For well-mixed populations with only two strategies this updating rule is known to be equivalent to selecting unfit individuals for death and then selecting randomly for procreation (biased death-birth process). It is, however, known that this equivalence does not hold when considering structured populations. Here we study whether changing the updating rule can also have an effect in well-mixed populations in the presence of more than two strategies and high mutation rates. We find, using three models from different areas of evolutionary simulation, that the choice of updating rule can change model results. We show, e. g., that going from the birth-death process to the death-birth process can change a public goods game with punishment from containing mostly defectors to having a majority of cooperative strategies. From the examples given we derive guidelines indicating when the choice of the updating rule can be expected to have an impact on the results of the model.

Mars Seasonal Polar Caps as a Test of the Equivalence Principle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubincam, Daivd Parry

2011-01-01

The seasonal polar caps of Mars can be used to test the equivalence principle in general relativity. The north and south caps, which are composed of carbon dioxide, wax and wane with the seasons. If the ratio of the inertial to gravitational masses of the caps differs from the same ratio for the rest of Mars, then the equivalence principle fails, Newton's third law fails, and the caps will pull Mars one way and then the other with a force aligned with the planet's spin axis. This leads to a secular change in Mars's along-track position in its orbit about the Sun, and to a secular change in the orbit's semimajor axis. The caps are a poor E6tv6s test of the equivalence principle, being 4 orders-of-magnitude weaker than laboratory tests and 7 orders-of-magnitude weaker than that found by lunar laser ranging; the reason is the small mass of the caps compared to Mars as a whole. The principal virtue of using Mars is that the caps contain carbon, an element not normally considered in such experiments. The Earth with its seasonal snow cover can also be used for a similar test.

Analysis and optimization methods for centralized processing of chassis.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-02-01

The twin ports of Long Beach (POLB) and Los Angeles (POLA), consisting of fourteen individually gated terminals, combine to create the largest container port complex in the US. In 2015, the combined ports handled 15.4 million 20-foot equivalent units...

40 CFR 35.918 - Individual systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... STATE AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE Grants for Construction of Treatment Works-Clean Water Act § 35.918... commercial establishment with waste water flow equal to or smaller than one user equivalent (generally 300 gallons per day dry weather flows) is included. (3) Small commercial establishments. Private...

RESTORING WILD SALMON TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: CHASING AN ILLUSION?

EPA Science Inventory

Throughout the Pacific Northwest (northern California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and the Columbia Basin portion of British Columbia), many wild salmon "stocks" (a group of interbreeding individuals that is roughly equivalent to a "population) have declined and some have been e...

40 CFR 745.226 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.226 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing... engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities. 745.226 Section 745...

40 CFR 745.226 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.226 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing... engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities. 745.226 Section 745...

40 CFR 745.226 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES Lead-Based Paint Activities § 745.226 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing... engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities. 745.226 Section 745...

Late-life Depression in Older African Americans: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiological and Clinical Data

PubMed Central

Pickett, Yolonda R.; Bazelais, Kisha N.; Bruce, Martha L.

2013-01-01

Objective The population of older African Americans is expected to triple by 2050, highlighting the public health importance of understanding their mental health needs. Despite evidence of the negative impact of late-life depression, less is known of how this disorder affects the lives of older African Americans. Lack of studies focusing on how depression presents in older African Americans and their subsequent treatment needs lead to a gap in epidemiologic and clinical knowledge for this population. In this review, we aim to present a concise report of prevalence, correlates, course, outcomes, symptom recognition, and treatment of depression for these individuals. Method We performed a literature review of English-language articles identified from PubMed and Medline published between January 1990 and June 2012. Studies included older adults and contained the key words “geriatric depression in African Americans,” “geriatric depression in Blacks,” and geriatric depression in minorities.” Results Although in most studies older African Americans had higher or equivalence prevalence of depression compared to Caucasian Americans, we also found lower rates of recognition of depression and treatment. Many studies reported worse outcomes associated for depression among older African Americans compared older Caucasians. Conclusions Serious racial and ethnic disparities persist in the management of older African Americans with depression. Understanding their unmet needs and improving depression care for these individuals is necessary to reduce these disparities. PMID:23225736

Btu accounting: Showing results

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

Nelson, K.E.

1994-10-01

In the preceding article in this series last month, the author showed how to calculate the energy consumed to make a pound of product. To realize a payoff, however, the results must be presented in graphs or tables that clearly display what has happened. They must call attention to plant performance and ultimately lead to more efficient use of energy. Energy-consumption reporting is particularly valuable when viewed over a period of time. The author recommend compiling data annually and maintaining a ten-year performance history. Four cases are considered: individual plant performance; site performance for sites having more than one plant;more » company performance, for companies having more than one site; and performance based on product, for identical or similar products made at different plants or sites. Of these, individual plant performance is inherently the most useful. It also serves as the best basis for site, company and product performance reports. A key element in energy accounting is the relating of all energy consumption to a common basis. As developed last month in Part 1 in this series, the author chose Btu[sub meth] (i.e., Btu of methane equivalent, expressed as its higher heating value) for this purpose. It represents the amount of methane that would be needed to replace (in the case of fuels) or generate (in the case of steam and power) the energy being used.« less

Why do Economic Instruments Fail? The role of Water trading and Pricing at a River Basin Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Blanco, C. D.; Gomez, C.; Loch, A. J.; Adamson, D. C.

2016-12-01

Water management problems stem from the mismatch between a multitude of individual decisions, on the one hand, and the current and projected status of water resources, on the other. Economics provides valuable information on the incentives that drive individual decisions and can be used to design instruments that address the problem. Yet, proposals from economists regarding instruments like water pricing or trading are mostly based upon basic and general principles of welfare economics that are not straightaway applicable to assets as complex as water. For example, while water markets clearly serve to the parts directly involved in the transaction, the unique characteristics of water often leads to Pareto inefficient allocations that affect the environment and related economic uses. The flaw in this approach lies in the understanding that water prices and water trading schemes may be good or bad on their own (e.g. finding the "right" price). This vision changes radically when we focus on the problem, instead of the instrument. In this case addressing water management challenges is equivalent to making the multitude of decisions people do about water compatible with collective water governance goals such as curbing degradation trends or building water security for the future. These ideas provide both the basis for assessing existing incentives such as pricing and trading schemes and reshaping economic instruments to serve the objectives of an integrated water resources management.

Memory complaints in subjective cognitive impairment, amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Ryu, Seon Young; Lee, Sang Bong; Kim, Tae Woo; Lee, Taek Jun

2016-12-01

Memory complaints are a frequent phenomenon in elderly individuals and can lead to opportunistic help-seeking behavior. The aim of this study was to compare different aspects of memory complaints (i.e., prospective versus retrospective complaints) in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study included a total of 115 participants (mean age: 68.82 ± 8.83 years) with SCI (n = 34), aMCI (n = 46), and mild AD (n = 35). Memory complaints were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), which consists of 16 items that describe everyday memory failure of both prospective memory (PM) and retrospective memory (RM). For aMCI and AD subjects, informants also completed an informant-rating of the PRMQ. All participants completed detailed neuropsychological tests. Results show that PM complaints were equivalent among the three groups. However, RM complaints differed. Specifically, RM complaints in aMCI were higher than SCI, but similar to AD. Informant-reported memory complaints were higher for AD than aMCI. Our study suggests that RM complaints of memory complaints may be helpful in discriminating between SCI and aMCI, but both PM and RM complaints are of limited value in differentiating aMCI from AD.

Seasonal prediction and predictability of Eurasian spring snow water equivalent in NCEP Climate Forecast System version 2 reforecasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Qiong; Zuo, Zhiyan; Zhang, Renhe; Zhang, Ruonan

2018-01-01

The spring snow water equivalent (SWE) over Eurasia plays an important role in East Asian and Indian monsoon rainfall. This study evaluates the seasonal prediction capability of NCEP Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) retrospective forecasts (1983-2010) for the Eurasian spring SWE. The results demonstrate that CFSv2 is able to represent the climatological distribution of the observed Eurasian spring SWE with a lead time of 1-3 months, with the maximum SWE occurring over western Siberia and Northeastern Europe. For a longer lead time, the SWE is exaggerated in CFSv2 because the start of snow ablation in CFSv2 lags behind that of the observation, and the simulated snowmelt rate is less than that in the observation. Generally, CFSv2 can simulate the interannual variations of the Eurasian spring SWE 1-5 months ahead of time but with an exaggerated magnitude. Additionally, the downtrend in CFSv2 is also overestimated. Because the initial conditions (ICs) are related to the corresponding simulation results significantly, the robust interannual variability and the downtrend in the ICs are most likely the causes for these biases. Moreover, CFSv2 exhibits a high potential predictability for the Eurasian spring SWE, especially the spring SWE over Siberia, with a lead time of 1-5 months. For forecasts with lead times longer than 5 months, the model predictability gradually decreases mainly due to the rapid decrease in the model signal.

Ingestion of lead from ammunition and lead concentrations in white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Sweden.

PubMed

Helander, B; Axelsson, J; Borg, H; Holm, K; Bignert, A

2009-10-15

In this study we show for the first time that lead poisoning from ammunition is a significant mortality factor for white-tailed sea eagle (WSE) (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Sweden. We analyzed 118 WSEs collected between 1981 and 2004 from which both liver and kidney samples could be taken. A total of 22% of all eagles examined had elevated (>6 microg/gd.w.) lead concentrations, indicating exposure to leaded ammunition, and 14% of the individuals had either liver or kidney lead concentrations diagnostic of lethal lead poisoning (>20 microg/gd.w.). Lead concentrations in liver and kidney were significantly correlated. In individuals with lead levels <6 microg/g, concentrations were significantly higher in kidney than in liver; in individuals with lead levels >20 microg/g, concentrations were significantly higher in liver. The lead isotope ratios indicate that the source of lead in individuals with lethal concentrations is different from that of individuals exhibiting background concentrations of lead (<6 microg/gd.w.) There were no significant sex or age differences in lead concentrations. A study from the Baltic reported in principle no biomagnification of lead, but background lead concentrations in WSE liver in this study were still four to >10 times higher than concentrations reported for Baltic fish from the same time period. In contrast to other biota there was no decrease in lead concentrations in WSE over the study period. The proportion of lead poisoned WSE remained unchanged over the study period, including two years after a partial ban of lead shot was enforced in 2002 for shallow wetlands. The use of lead in ammunition poses a threat to all raptors potentially feeding on shot game or offal. The removal of offal from shot game and alternatives to leaded ammunition needs to be implemented in order to prevent mortality from lead in raptors and scavengers.

NUNDO: a numerical model of a human torso phantom and its application to effective dose equivalent calculations for astronauts at the ISS.

PubMed

Puchalska, Monika; Bilski, Pawel; Berger, Thomas; Hajek, Michael; Horwacik, Tomasz; Körner, Christine; Olko, Pawel; Shurshakov, Vyacheslav; Reitz, Günther

2014-11-01

The health effects of cosmic radiation on astronauts need to be precisely quantified and controlled. This task is important not only in perspective of the increasing human presence at the International Space Station (ISS), but also for the preparation of safe human missions beyond low earth orbit. From a radiation protection point of view, the baseline quantity for radiation risk assessment in space is the effective dose equivalent. The present work reports the first successful attempt of the experimental determination of the effective dose equivalent in space, both for extra-vehicular activity (EVA) and intra-vehicular activity (IVA). This was achieved using the anthropomorphic torso phantom RANDO(®) equipped with more than 6,000 passive thermoluminescent detectors and plastic nuclear track detectors, which have been exposed to cosmic radiation inside the European Space Agency MATROSHKA facility both outside and inside the ISS. In order to calculate the effective dose equivalent, a numerical model of the RANDO(®) phantom, based on computer tomography scans of the actual phantom, was developed. It was found that the effective dose equivalent rate during an EVA approaches 700 μSv/d, while during an IVA about 20 % lower values were observed. It is shown that the individual dose based on a personal dosimeter reading for an astronaut during IVA results in an overestimate of the effective dose equivalent of about 15 %, whereas under an EVA conditions the overestimate is more than 200 %. A personal dosemeter can therefore deliver quite good exposure records during IVA, but may overestimate the effective dose equivalent received during an EVA considerably.

40 CFR 745.226 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities. 745.226 Section 745... § 745.226 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing...

40 CFR 745.226 - Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities. 745.226 Section 745... § 745.226 Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing...

Searching for the Hebb effect in Down syndrome: evidence for a dissociation between verbal short-term memory and domain-general learning of serial order.

PubMed

Mosse, E K; Jarrold, C

2010-04-01

The Hebb effect is a form of repetition-driven long-term learning that is thought to provide an analogue for the processes involved in new word learning. Other evidence suggests that verbal short-term memory also constrains now vocabulary acquisition, but if the Hebb effect is independent of short-term memory, then it may be possible to demonstrate its preservation in a sample of individuals with Down syndrome, who typically show a verbal short-term memory deficit alongside surprising relative strengths in vocabulary. In two experiments, individuals both with and without Down syndrome (matched for receptive vocabulary) completed immediate serial recall tasks incorporating a Hebb repetition paradigm in either verbal or visuospatial conditions. Both groups demonstrated equivalent benefit from Hebb repetition, despite individuals with Down syndrome showing significantly lower verbal short-term memory spans. The resultant Hebb effect was equivalent across verbal and visuospatial domains. These studies suggest that the Hebb effect is essentially preserved within Down syndrome, implying that explicit verbal short-term memory is dissociable from potentially more implicit Hebb learning. The relative strength in receptive vocabulary observed in Down syndrome may therefore be supported by largely intact long-term as opposed to short-term serial order learning. This in turn may have implications for teaching methods and interventions that present new phonological material to individuals with Down syndrome.

48 CFR 2801.603-1 - Department of Justice Acquisition Career Management Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Representatives, or equivalent positions. (c) The program shall include: (1) Management information system... acquisition workforce management information system. (2) Individual assessments and development plans for... Acquisition Career Management Program. 2801.603-1 Section 2801.603-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System...

17 CFR 1.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... that directly or indirectly controls such individual, partnership, corporation or association; or (viii) A business affiliate that, directly or indirectly is controlled by or is under common control with... equivalent of fixed-price sales of the cash products and by-products of such commodity by the same person...

Similarities in Siblings' Experiences of Neglectful Parenting Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hines, Denise A.; Kantor, Glenda Kaufman; Holt, Melissa K.

2006-01-01

Objective: Researchers and policymakers typically assume that within families, individual children are at an equivalent risk of neglectful behaviors. There is evidence that siblings experience differential parental treatment, and some research suggests that parents may maltreat their children to differing degrees. However, because neglect is…

48 CFR 301.607-72 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Program or Project Managers.) (b) Mandatory certification is limited to major and non-major IT and...., those requiring preparation of an OMB Exhibit 300, HHS Form 300, or equivalent. An individual must... non-major IT and construction—i.e., tactical or supporting, capital investments, respectively, within...

Prioritizing food safety and research

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Recent publications have revealed that approximately 48 million individuals in the the United States of America contract foodborne illnesses each year, with associated costs estimated at $77.7 billion U.S. dollars (equivalent to ca. 87.5 trillion Korean won in the year 2012). The United States Depa...

Equivalent Hamiltonian for the Lee model

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

Jones, H. F.

2008-03-15

Using the techniques of quasi-Hermitian quantum mechanics and quantum field theory we use a similarity transformation to construct an equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian for the Lee model. In the field theory confined to the V/N{theta} sector it effectively decouples V, replacing the three-point interaction of the original Lee model by an additional mass term for the V particle and a four-point interaction between N and {theta}. While the construction is originally motivated by the regime where the bare coupling becomes imaginary, leading to a ghost, it applies equally to the standard Hermitian regime where the bare coupling is real. In thatmore » case the similarity transformation becomes a unitary transformation.« less

Dosimetric assessment from 212Pb inhalation at a thorium purification plant.

PubMed

Campos, M P; Pecequilo, B R S

2004-01-01

At the Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN), Sao Paulo, Brazil, there is a facility (thorium purification plant) where materials with high thorium concentrations are manipulated. In order to estimate afterwards the lung cancer risk for the workers, the thoron daughter (212Pb) levels were assessed and the committed effective and lung committed equivalent doses for workers in place. A total of 28 air filter samples were measured by total alpha counting through the modified Kusnetz method, to determine the 212Pb concentraion. The committed effective dose and lung committed equivalent dose due to 212Pb inhalation were derived from compartmental analysis following the ICRP 66 lung compartmental model, and ICRP 67 lead metabolic model.

Equivalent formulations of “the equation of life”

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ao, Ping

2014-07-01

Motivated by progress in theoretical biology a recent proposal on a general and quantitative dynamical framework for nonequilibrium processes and dynamics of complex systems is briefly reviewed. It is nothing but the evolutionary process discovered by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. Such general and structured dynamics may be tentatively named “the equation of life”. Three equivalent formulations are discussed, and it is also pointed out that such a quantitative dynamical framework leads naturally to the powerful Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution and the second law in physics. In this way, the equation of life provides a logically consistent foundation for thermodynamics. This view clarifies a particular outstanding problem and further suggests a unifying principle for physics and biology.

On the correct choice of equivalent circuit for fitting bulk impedance data of ionic/electronic conductors

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

Hernández, Miguel A.; Masó, Nahum; West, Anthony R.

Bulk conductivity data of ionically and electronically conducting solid electrolytes and electronic ceramics invariably show a frequency dependence that cannot be modelled by a single-valued resistor. To model this, common practice is to add a constant phase element (CPE) in parallel with the bulk resistance. To fit experimental data on a wide variety of materials, however, it is also essential to include the limiting, high frequency permittivity of the material in the equivalent circuit. Failure to do so can lead to incorrect values for the sample resistance and CPE parameters and to an inappropriate circuit for materials that are electricallymore » heterogeneous.« less

The effects of varying injection rates in Osage County, Oklahoma, on the 2016 Mw5.8 Pawnee earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barbour, Andrew J.; Norbeck, Jack H.; Rubinstein, Justin L.

2017-01-01

The 2016 Mw 5.8 Pawnee earthquake occurred in a region with active wastewater injection into a basal formation group. Prior to the earthquake, fluid injection rates at most wells were relatively steady, but newly collected data show significant increases in injection rate in the years leading up to earthquake. For the same time period, the total volumes of injected wastewater were roughly equivalent between variable‐rate and constant‐rate wells. To understand the possible influence of these changes in injection, we simulate the variable‐rate injection history and its constant‐rate equivalent in a layered poroelastic half‐space to explore the interplay between pore‐pressure effects and poroelastic effects on the fault leading up to the mainshock. In both cases, poroelastic stresses contribute a significant proportion of Coulomb failure stresses on the fault compared to pore‐pressure increases alone, but the resulting changes in seismicity rate, calculated using a rate‐and‐state frictional model, are many times larger when poroelastic effects are included, owing to enhanced stressing rates. In particular, the variable‐rate simulation predicts more than an order of magnitude increase in seismicity rate above background rates compared to the constant‐rate simulation with equivalent volume. The observed cumulative density of earthquakes prior to the mainshock within 10 km of the injection source exhibits remarkable agreement with seismicity predicted by the variable‐rate injection case.

Multivariate sequence analysis reveals additional function impacting residues in the SDR superfamily.

PubMed

Tiwari, Pratibha; Singh, Noopur; Dixit, Aparna; Choudhury, Devapriya

2014-10-01

The "extended" type of short chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR), share a remarkable similarity in their tertiary structures inspite of being highly divergent in their functions and sequences. We have carried out principal component analysis (PCA) on structurally equivalent residue positions of 10 SDR families using information theoretic measures like Jensen-Shannon divergence and average shannon entropy as variables. The results classify residue positions in the SDR fold into six groups, one of which is characterized by low Shannon entropies but high Jensen-Shannon divergence against the reference family SDR1E, suggesting that these positions are responsible for the specific functional identities of individual SDR families, distinguishing them from the reference family SDR1E. Site directed mutagenesis of three residues from this group in the enzyme UDP-Galactose 4-epimerase belonging to SDR1E shows that the mutants promote the formation of NADH containing abortive complexes. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations have been used to suggest a mechanism by which the mutants interfere with the re-oxidation of NADH leading to the formation of abortive complexes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dimer formation through domain swapping in the crystal structure of the Grb2-SH2-Ac-pYVNV complex.

PubMed

Schiering, N; Casale, E; Caccia, P; Giordano, P; Battistini, C

2000-11-07

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains are key modules in intracellular signal transduction. They link activated cell surface receptors to downstream targets by binding to phosphotyrosine-containing sequence motifs. The crystal structure of a Grb2-SH2 domain-phosphopeptide complex was determined at 2.4 A resolution. The asymmetric unit contains four polypeptide chains. There is an unexpected domain swap so that individual chains do not adopt a closed SH2 fold. Instead, reorganization of the EF loop leads to an open, nonglobular fold, which associates with an equivalent partner to generate an intertwined dimer. As in previously reported crystal structures of canonical Grb2-SH2 domain-peptide complexes, each of the four hybrid SH2 domains in the two domain-swapped dimers binds the phosphopeptide in a type I beta-turn conformation. This report is the first to describe domain swapping for an SH2 domain. While in vivo evidence of dimerization of Grb2 exists, our SH2 dimer is metastable and a physiological role of this new form of dimer formation remains to be demonstrated.

Potentiation of the bioavailability of blueberry phenolic compounds by co-ingested grape phenolic compounds in mice, revealed by targeted metabolomic profiling in plasma and feces.

PubMed

Dudonné, Stéphanie; Dal-Pan, Alexandre; Dubé, Pascal; Varin, Thibault V; Calon, Frédéric; Desjardins, Yves

2016-08-10

The low bioavailability of dietary phenolic compounds, resulting from poor absorption and high rates of metabolism and excretion, is a concern as it can limit their potential beneficial effects on health. Targeted metabolomic profiling in plasma and feces of mice supplemented for 15 days with a blueberry extract, a grape extract or their combination revealed significantly increased plasma concentrations (3-5 fold) of blueberry phenolic metabolites in the presence of a co-ingested grape extract, associated with an equivalent decrease in their appearance in feces. Additionally, the repeated daily administration of the blueberry-grape combination significantly increased plasma phenolic concentrations (2-3-fold) compared to animals receiving only a single acute dose, with no such increase being observed with individual extracts. These findings highlight a positive interaction between blueberry and grape constituents, in which the grape extract enhanced the absorption of blueberry phenolic compounds. This study provides for the first time in vivo evidence of such an interaction occurring between co-ingested phenolic compounds from fruit extracts leading to their improved bioavailability.

Heterocentric language in commonly used measures of social anxiety: recommended alternate wording.

PubMed

Weiss, Brandon J; Hope, Debra A; Capozzoli, Michelle C

2013-03-01

A number of self-report measures of social anxiety contain language that appears to assume heterosexuality. It is unclear how such items should be answered by individuals who are not exclusively heterosexual, which may lead to inaccurate measurement of symptoms, perpetuation of stigma, and alienation of respondents. More specific wording could improve measurement accuracy for sexual minorities as well as heterosexual respondents. Gender-neutral wording was developed for items containing the phrase "opposite sex" in commonly used self-report measures of social anxiety (Interaction Anxiousness Scale [Leary, 1983], Social Avoidance and Distress Scale [Watson & Friend, 1969], Social Interaction Anxiety Scale [Mattick & Clarke, 1998], and Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory [Turner, Beidel, Dancu, & Stanley, 1989]). Undergraduate college students (N=405; mean age=19.88, SD=2.05) completed measures containing original and revised items. Overall, results indicated that the alternate-worded items demonstrated equivalent or slightly stronger psychometric properties compared to original items. Select alternate-worded items are recommended for clinical and research use, and directions for future research are recommended. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Optimization the composition of sand-lime products modified of diabase aggregate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komisarczyk, K.; Stępień, A.

2017-10-01

The problem of optimizing the composition of building materials is currently of great importance due to the increasing competitiveness and technological development in the construction industry. This phenomenon also applies to catalog sand-lime. The respective arrangement of individual components or their equivalents, and linking them with the main parameters of the composition of the mixture, i.e. The lime/sand/water should lead to the intended purpose. The introduction of sand-lime diabase aggregate is concluded with a positive effect of final products. The paper presents the results of optimization with the addition of diabase aggregate. The constant value was the amount of water, variable - the mass of the dry ingredients. The program of experimental studies was taken for 6 series of silicates made in industrial conditions. Final samples were tested for mechanical and physico-chemical expanding the analysis of the mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM and XRD. The results show that, depending on the aggregate’s contribution, exhibit differences. The sample in an amount of 10% diabase aggregate the compressive strength was higher than in the case of reference sample, while modified samples absorbed less water.

Storage and utilization of HLA genomic data--new approaches to HLA typing.

PubMed

Helmberg, W

2000-01-01

Currently available DNA-based HLA typing assays can provide detailed information about sequence motifs of a tested sample. It is still a common practice, however, for information acquired by high-resolution sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) typing or sequence specific priming (SSP) to be presented in a low-resolution serological format. Unfortunately, this representation can lead to significant loss of useful data in many cases. An alternative to assigning allele equivalents to suchDNA typing results is simply to store the observed typing pattern and utilize the information with the help of Virtual DNA Analysis (VDA). Interpretation of the stored typing patterns can then be updated based on newly defined alleles, assuming the sequence motifs detected by the typing reagents are known. Rather than updating reagent specificities in individual laboratories, such updates should be performed in a central, publicly available sequence database. By referring to this database, HLA genomic data can then be stored and transferred between laboratories without loss of information. The 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop offers an ideal opportunity to begin building this common database for the entire human MHC.

Factors that introduce intrasubject variability into ear-canal absorbance measurements.

PubMed

Voss, Susan E; Stenfelt, Stefan; Neely, Stephen T; Rosowski, John J

2013-07-01

Wideband immittance measures can be useful in analyzing acoustic sound flow through the ear and also have diagnostic potential for the identification of conductive hearing loss as well as causes of conductive hearing loss. To interpret individual measurements, the variability in test–retest data must be described and quantified. Contributors to variability in ear-canal absorbance–based measurements are described in this article. These include assumptions related to methodologies and issues related to the probe fit within the ear and potential acoustic leaks. Evidence suggests that variations in ear-canal cross-sectional area or measurement location are small relative to variability within a population. Data are shown to suggest that the determination of the Thévenin equivalent of the ER-10C probe introduces minimal variability and is independent of the foam ear tip itself. It is suggested that acoustic leaks in the coupling of the ear tip to the ear canal lead to substantial variations and that this issue needs further work in terms of potential criteria to identify an acoustic leak. In addition, test–retest data from the literature are reviewed.

Emotional stimuli exert parallel effects on attention and memory.

PubMed

Talmi, Deborah; Ziegler, Marilyne; Hawksworth, Jade; Lalani, Safina; Herman, C Peter; Moscovitch, Morris

2013-01-01

Because emotional and neutral stimuli typically differ on non-emotional dimensions, it has been difficult to determine conclusively which factors underlie the ability of emotional stimuli to enhance immediate long-term memory. Here we induced arousal by varying participants' goals, a method that removes many potential confounds between emotional and non-emotional items. Hungry and sated participants encoded food and clothing images under divided attention conditions. Sated participants attended to and recalled food and clothing images equivalently. Hungry participants performed worse on the concurrent tone-discrimination task when they viewed food relative to clothing images, suggesting enhanced attention to food images, and they recalled more food than clothing images. A follow-up regression analysis of the factors predicting memory for individual pictures revealed that food images had parallel effects on attention and memory in hungry participants, so that enhanced attention to food images did not predict their enhanced memory. We suggest that immediate long-term memory for food is enhanced in the hungry state because hunger leads to more distinctive processing of food images rendering them more accessible during retrieval.

Remote sensing of tamarisk biomass, insect herbivory, and defoliation: Novel methods in the Grand Canyon Region, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sankey, Temuulen T.; Sankey, Joel B.; Horne, Rene; Bedford, Ashton

2016-01-01

Tamarisk is an invasive, riparian shrub species in the southwestern USA. The northern tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) has been introduced to several states to control tamarisk. We classified tamarisk distribution in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona using a 0.2 m resolution, airborne multispectral data and estimated tamarisk beetle effects (overall accuracy of 86 percent) leading to leaf defoliation in a 49,408 m2 area. We also estimated individual tamarisk tree biomass and their uncertainties using airbonre liday data (100 points/m2). On average, total above ground tamarisk biomass was 8.67 kg/m2 (SD=17.6). The tamarisk beetle defoliation resulted in a mean leaf biomass loss of 0.52 kg/m2 and an equivalent of 25,692 kg across the entire study area. Our defoliated tamarisk map and biomass estimates can help inform restoration treatments to reduce tamarisk. Continued monitoring of tamarisk and tamarisk beetle effects are recommended to understand the currently-unknown eventual equilibrium between the two species and the cascading effects on ecosystem processes.

The Loneliness Questionnaire: Establishing Measurement Invariance Across Ethnic Groups.

PubMed

Ritchwood, Tiarney D; Ebesutani, Chad K; Chin, Eu Gene; Young, John

2017-09-01

A state of loneliness describes an individual's perception of having dissatisfying social connections to others. Though it is notable across the life span, it may have particularly deleterious effects in childhood and adolescence, leading to increased risk of emotional impairment. The current study evaluates a widely used test of loneliness, the Loneliness Questionnaire, for measurement invariance across ethnic groups in a large, representative sample of youth in the 2nd to 12th grades ( N = 12,344; 41% African American) in Mississippi. Analyses were conducted using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis following a published, sequential method to examine invariance in form, factor loadings, and item intercepts. Overall, our results indicated that the instrument was invariant across ethnicities, suggesting that youth with equivalent manifest scores can be discerned as having comparable levels of latent loneliness. The loneliness scores also corresponded significantly with depression and anxiety scores for most subsamples, with one exception. These findings are discussed in the context of previous results comparing levels of loneliness across ethnicities. Additionally, the broader context of the need to expand invariance studies in instrumentation work is highlighted.

[Can we transfer the mechanisms of the generics market to biosimilars?

PubMed

Jacke, Ch O; Wild, F

2016-12-15

Personalized medicines such as biologics and their generic equivalents, biosimilars, are pouring onto the pharmaceutical markets. Data of 16 private health insurance companies were used to describe the market shares of selected biosimilars available in 2014 and 2015. The purpose of this study focuses on the question of whether market access of biosimilars will lead to a price competition of the expense of innovation competition. The results show that prescriptions of biosimilars made up 37% of total prescriptions in 2015 compared to 35% in 2014, and that their share of prescription costs went up from 21% to 23% in the same period. Price competition similar to that found in the generic markets has been established for erythropoietin and filgrastim. The same has not been observed for follitropin alfa and somatropin due to the limited number of competitors and products available at this stage. No definitive conclusions can be drown from the results at this stage. Time will tell whether it will be possible for physicians and individuals with private health insurance to fully leverage the savings potential of biosimilars while safeguarding patient safety.

A new self-shielding method based on a detailed cross-section representation in the resolved energy domain

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

Saygin, H.; Hebert, A.

The calculation of a dilution cross section {bar {sigma}}{sub e} is the most important step in the self-shielding formalism based on the equivalence principle. If a dilution cross section that accurately characterizes the physical situation can be calculated, it can then be used for calculating the effective resonance integrals and obtaining accurate self-shielded cross sections. A new technique for the calculation of equivalent cross sections based on the formalism of Riemann integration in the resolved energy domain is proposed. This new method is compared to the generalized Stamm`ler method, which is also based on an equivalence principle, for a two-regionmore » cylindrical cell and for a small pressurized water reactor assembly in two dimensions. The accuracy of each computing approach is obtained using reference results obtained from a fine-group slowing-down code named CESCOL. It is shown that the proposed method leads to slightly better performance than the generalized Stamm`ler approach.« less

Low-level human equivalent gestational lead exposure produces sex-specific motor and coordination abnormalities and late-onset obesity in year-old mice.

PubMed

Leasure, J Leigh; Giddabasappa, Anand; Chaney, Shawntay; Johnson, Jerry E; Pothakos, Konstantinos; Lau, Yuen Sum; Fox, Donald A

2008-03-01

Low-level developmental lead exposure is linked to cognitive and neurological disorders in children. However, the long-term effects of gestational lead exposure (GLE) have received little attention. Our goals were to establish a murine model of human equivalent GLE and to determine dose-response effects on body weight, motor functions, and dopamine neurochemistry in year-old offspring. We exposed female C57BL/6 mice to water containing 0, 27 (low), 55 (moderate), or 109 ppm (high) of lead from 2 weeks prior to mating, throughout gestation, and until postnatal day 10 (PN10). Maternal and litter measures, blood lead concentrations ([BPb]), and body weights were obtained throughout the experiment. Locomotor behavior in the absence and presence of amphetamine, running wheel activity, rotarod test, and dopamine utilization were examined in year-old mice. Peak [BPb] were < 1, < or = 10, 24-27, and 33-42 microg/dL in control, low-, moderate- and high-dose GLE groups at PN0-10, respectively. Year-old male but not female GLE mice exhibited late-onset obesity. Similarly, we observed male-specific decreased spontaneous motor activity, increased amphetamine-induced motor activity, and decreased rotarod performance in year-old GLE mice. Levels of dopamine and its major metabolite were altered in year-old male mice, although only forebrain utilization increased. GLE-induced alterations were consistently larger in low-dose GLE mice. Our novel results show that GLE produced permanent male-specific deficits. The nonmonotonic dose-dependent responses showed that low-level GLE produced the most adverse effects. These data reinforce the idea that lifetime measures of dose-response toxicant exposure should be a component of the neurotoxic risk assessment process.

Low-Level Human Equivalent Gestational Lead Exposure Produces Sex-Specific Motor and Coordination Abnormalities and Late-Onset Obesity in Year-Old Mice

PubMed Central

Leasure, J. Leigh; Giddabasappa, Anand; Chaney, Shawntay; Johnson, Jerry E.; Pothakos, Konstantinos; Lau, Yuen Sum; Fox, Donald A.

2008-01-01

Background Low-level developmental lead exposure is linked to cognitive and neurological disorders in children. However, the long-term effects of gestational lead exposure (GLE) have received little attention. Objectives Our goals were to establish a murine model of human equivalent GLE and to determine dose–response effects on body weight, motor functions, and dopamine neurochemistry in year-old offspring. Methods We exposed female C57BL/6 mice to water containing 0, 27 (low), 55 (moderate), or 109 ppm (high) of lead from 2 weeks prior to mating, throughout gestation, and until postnatal day 10 (PN10). Maternal and litter measures, blood lead concentrations ([BPb]), and body weights were obtained throughout the experiment. Locomotor behavior in the absence and presence of amphetamine, running wheel activity, rotarod test, and dopamine utilization were examined in year-old mice. Results Peak [BPb] were < 1, ≤ 10, 24–27, and 33–42 μg/dL in control, low-, moderate- and high-dose GLE groups at PN0–10, respectively. Year-old male but not female GLE mice exhibited late-onset obesity. Similarly, we observed male-specific decreased spontaneous motor activity, increased amphetamine-induced motor activity, and decreased rotarod performance in year-old GLE mice. Levels of dopamine and its major metabolite were altered in year-old male mice, although only forebrain utilization increased. GLE-induced alterations were consistently larger in low-dose GLE mice. Conclusions Our novel results show that GLE produced permanent male-specific deficits. The nonmonotonic dose-dependent responses showed that low-level GLE produced the most adverse effects. These data reinforce the idea that lifetime measures of dose–response toxicant exposure should be a component of the neurotoxic risk assessment process. PMID:18335103

Development, equivalence study, and normative data of version B of the Spanish-language Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test.

PubMed

Grau-Guinea, L; Pérez-Enríquez, C; García-Escobar, G; Arrondo-Elizarán, C; Pereira-Cutiño, B; Florido-Santiago, M; Piqué-Candini, J; Planas, A; Paez, M; Peña-Casanova, J; Sánchez-Benavides, G

2018-05-08

The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is widely used for the assessment of verbal episodic memory, mainly in patients with Alzheimer disease. A Spanish version of the FCSRT and normative data were developed within the NEURONORMA project. Availability of alternative, equivalent versions is useful for following patients up in clinical settings. This study aimed to develop an alternative version of the original FCSRT (version B) and to study its equivalence to the original Spanish test (version A), and its performance in a sample of healthy individuals, in order to develop reference data. We evaluated 232 healthy participants of the NEURONORMA-Plus project, aged between 18 and 90. Thirty-three participants were assessed with both versions using a counterbalanced design. High intra-class correlation coefficients (between 0.8 and 0.9) were observed in the equivalence study. While no significant differences in performance were observed in total recall scores, free recall scores were significantly lower for version B. These preliminary results suggest that the newly developed FCSRT version B is equivalent to version A in the main variables tested. Further studies are necessary to ensure interchangeability between versions. We provide normative data for the new version. Copyright © 2018 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Visual Equivalence and Amodal Completion in Cuttlefish

PubMed Central

Lin, I-Rong; Chiao, Chuan-Chin

2017-01-01

Modern cephalopods are notably the most intelligent invertebrates and this is accompanied by keen vision. Despite extensive studies investigating the visual systems of cephalopods, little is known about their visual perception and object recognition. In the present study, we investigated the visual processing of the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis, including visual equivalence and amodal completion. Cuttlefish were trained to discriminate images of shrimp and fish using the operant conditioning paradigm. After cuttlefish reached the learning criteria, a series of discrimination tasks were conducted. In the visual equivalence experiment, several transformed versions of the training images, such as images reduced in size, images reduced in contrast, sketches of the images, the contours of the images, and silhouettes of the images, were used. In the amodal completion experiment, partially occluded views of the original images were used. The results showed that cuttlefish were able to treat the training images of reduced size and sketches as the visual equivalence. Cuttlefish were also capable of recognizing partially occluded versions of the training image. Furthermore, individual differences in performance suggest that some cuttlefish may be able to recognize objects when visual information was partly removed. These findings support the hypothesis that the visual perception of cuttlefish involves both visual equivalence and amodal completion. The results from this research also provide insights into the visual processing mechanisms used by cephalopods. PMID:28220075

Effects of selected materials and geometries on the beta dose equivalent rate in a tissue equivalent phantom immersed in infinite clouds of 133Xe

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

Piltingsrud, H.V.; Gels, G.L.

1986-06-01

Most calculations of dose equivalent (D.E.) rates at 70-micron tissue depths in tissue equivalent (T.E.) phantoms from infinite clouds (radius exceeds maximum beta range in air) of /sup 133/Xe do not consider the possible effects of clothing overlays. Consequently, a series of measurements were made using a 1-mm-thick plastic scintillation detector assembly mounted in a tissue equivalent (T.E.) phantom with an overlay of 70 micron of T.E. material. This assembly was placed in an infinite cloud containing a known concentration of /sup 133/Xe. Material samples were placed at selected distances from the detector phantom, both individually and in various combinations.more » Pulse-height spectra resulting from beta radiations were converted to relative D.E. rates at a 70-micron tissue depth. The relative D.E. rates were reduced from values with no clothing cover by as little as 45% when placing a single thin nylon cloth 1 cm from the phantom, to 94% for a T-shirt material plus wool material plus denim placed 1/2, 1 and 3 cm, respectively, from the phantom. The results indicate that even loosely fitting clothing can have an important effect on reducing the D.E. rate. Close-fitting clothing appears to provide better protection.« less

78 FR 40000 - Method for the Determination of Lead in Total Suspended Particulate Matter

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-03

.... Purpose of the New Reference Method B. Rationale for Selection of the New Reference Method C. Comments on.../files/ambient/criteria/reference-equivalent-methods-list.pdf . C. Comments on the Proposed Rule On... information collection requirements beyond those imposed by the existing Pb monitoring requirements. C...

Chinese Algebra: Using Historical Problems to Think about Current Curricula

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tillema, Erik

2005-01-01

The Chinese used the idea of generating equivalent expressions for solving problems where the problems from a historical Chinese text are studied to understand the ways in which the ideas can lead into algebraic calculations and help students to learn algebra. The texts unify algebraic problem solving through complex algebraic thought and afford…

Contextual Control by Function and Form of Transfer of Functions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perkins, David R.; Dougher, Michael J.; Greenway, David E.

2007-01-01

This study investigated conditions leading to contextual control by stimulus topography over transfer of functions. Three 4-member stimulus equivalence classes, each consisting of four (A, B, C, D) topographically distinct visual stimuli, were established for 5 college students. Across classes, designated A stimuli were open-ended linear figures,…

The Nature of Objectivity with the Rasch Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitely, Susan E.; Dawis, Rene V.

Although it has been claimed that the Rasch model leads to a higher degree of objectivity in measurement than has been previously possible, this model has had little impact on test development. Population-invariant item and ability calibrations along with the statistical equivalency of any two item subsets are supposedly possible if the item pool…

5 CFR 536.103 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... job grading structures. Employed on a temporary or term basis means employment under an appointment... for the exclusion in section 2105(e); and (2) An individual employed by a Department of Defense or... (Standard Form 50 or equivalent) and current position description. A position to which an employee is...

5 CFR 536.103 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... job grading structures. Employed on a temporary or term basis means employment under an appointment... for the exclusion in section 2105(e); and (2) An individual employed by a Department of Defense or... (Standard Form 50 or equivalent) and current position description. A position to which an employee is...

5 CFR 536.103 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... job grading structures. Employed on a temporary or term basis means employment under an appointment... for the exclusion in section 2105(e); and (2) An individual employed by a Department of Defense or... (Standard Form 50 or equivalent) and current position description. A position to which an employee is...

5 CFR 536.103 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... job grading structures. Employed on a temporary or term basis means employment under an appointment... for the exclusion in section 2105(e); and (2) An individual employed by a Department of Defense or... (Standard Form 50 or equivalent) and current position description. A position to which an employee is...

46 CFR 15.905 - Uninspected passenger vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Uninspected passenger vessels. 15.905 Section 15.905 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.905 Uninspected passenger vessels. (a) An individual holding a license or MMC...

10 CFR Appendix B to Part 73 - General Criteria for Security Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...-force exercises. (2) Licensee scenarios must be designed to test and challenge any components or... or pass an equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic job-related mathematical... administered by a licensed physician. The examination shall be designed to measure the individual's physical...

10 CFR Appendix B to Part 73 - General Criteria for Security Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...-force exercises. (2) Licensee scenarios must be designed to test and challenge any components or... or pass an equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic job-related mathematical... administered by a licensed physician. The examination shall be designed to measure the individual's physical...

10 CFR Appendix B to Part 73 - General Criteria for Security Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...-force exercises. (2) Licensee scenarios must be designed to test and challenge any components or... or pass an equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic job-related mathematical... administered by a licensed physician. The examination shall be designed to measure the individual's physical...

10 CFR Appendix B to Part 73 - General Criteria for Security Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...-force exercises. (2) Licensee scenarios must be designed to test and challenge any components or... or pass an equivalent performance examination designed to measure basic job-related mathematical... administered by a licensed physician. The examination shall be designed to measure the individual's physical...

46 CFR 15.905 - Uninspected passenger vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Uninspected passenger vessels. 15.905 Section 15.905 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.905 Uninspected passenger vessels. (a) An individual holding a license or MMC...

46 CFR 15.905 - Uninspected passenger vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Uninspected passenger vessels. 15.905 Section 15.905 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.905 Uninspected passenger vessels. (a) An individual holding a license or MMC...

46 CFR 15.905 - Uninspected passenger vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Uninspected passenger vessels. 15.905 Section 15.905 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.905 Uninspected passenger vessels. (a) An individual holding a license or MMC...

46 CFR 15.905 - Uninspected passenger vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Uninspected passenger vessels. 15.905 Section 15.905 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN MANNING REQUIREMENTS Equivalents § 15.905 Uninspected passenger vessels. (a) An individual holding a license or MMC...

Applied Physics Modules Selected for Electrical and Electronic Technologies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waring, Gene

Designed for individualized use in an applied physics course in postsecondary vocational-technical education, this series of twenty-three learning modules is equivalent to the content of two quarters of a five-credit hour class in electrical technology, electronic service technology, electronic engineering technology, or electromechanical…

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 37 - Certifications

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Certifications C Appendix C to Part 37 Transportation Office of the Secretary of Transportation TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) Pt. 37, App. C Appendix C to Part 37—Certifications Certification of Equivalent Service The...

Subpart I: National Emission Standards for Radionuclide Emissions From Federal Facilities Other Than Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensees and Not Covered by Subpart H

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Subpart I limits radionuclide emissions to the ambient air from federal facilities that are not regulated elsewhere. The annual effective dose equivalent (ede) to any individual must not exceed 10 millirem (mrem).

Measurement equivalence of the Empowerment Scale for White and Black persons with severe mental illness.

PubMed

Morris, Scott B; Huang, Jialin; Zhao, Lei; Sergent, Jessica D; Neuhengen, Jonas

2014-12-01

The current study examined the measurement equivalence on a measure of personal empowerment for Black and White consumers of mental health services. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess measurement equivalence of the 28-item Empowerment Scale (Rogers, Chamberlin, Ellison, & Crean, 1997), using data from 1,035 White and 301 Black persons with severe mental illness. Metric invariance of the Empowerment Scale was supported, in that the factor structure and loadings were equivalent across groups. Scalar invariance was violated on 3 items; however, the impact of these items on scale scores was quite small. Finally, subscales of empowerment tended to be more highly intercorrelated for Black than for White respondents. RESULTS generally support the use of Empowerment Scale for ethnic group comparisons. However, subtle differences in the psychometric properties of this measure suggest that Black and White individuals may conceptualize the construct of empowerment in different ways. Specifically, Black respondents had a lower threshold for endorsing some items on the self-esteem and powerlessness dimensions. Further, White respondents viewed the 3 dimensions of empowerment (self-esteem, powerlessness, and activism) as more distinct, whereas these 3 traits were more strongly interrelated for Blacks. (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Exploring equivalence domain in nonlinear inverse problems using Covariance Matrix Adaption Evolution Strategy (CMAES) and random sampling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grayver, Alexander V.; Kuvshinov, Alexey V.

2016-05-01

This paper presents a methodology to sample equivalence domain (ED) in nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE)-constrained inverse problems. For this purpose, we first applied state-of-the-art stochastic optimization algorithm called Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMAES) to identify low-misfit regions of the model space. These regions were then randomly sampled to create an ensemble of equivalent models and quantify uncertainty. CMAES is aimed at exploring model space globally and is robust on very ill-conditioned problems. We show that the number of iterations required to converge grows at a moderate rate with respect to number of unknowns and the algorithm is embarrassingly parallel. We formulated the problem by using the generalized Gaussian distribution. This enabled us to seamlessly use arbitrary norms for residual and regularization terms. We show that various regularization norms facilitate studying different classes of equivalent solutions. We further show how performance of the standard Metropolis-Hastings Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm can be substantially improved by using information CMAES provides. This methodology was tested by using individual and joint inversions of magneotelluric, controlled-source electromagnetic (EM) and global EM induction data.

Sample size determination for equivalence assessment with multiple endpoints.

PubMed

Sun, Anna; Dong, Xiaoyu; Tsong, Yi

2014-01-01

Equivalence assessment between a reference and test treatment is often conducted by two one-sided tests (TOST). The corresponding power function and sample size determination can be derived from a joint distribution of the sample mean and sample variance. When an equivalence trial is designed with multiple endpoints, it often involves several sets of two one-sided tests. A naive approach for sample size determination in this case would select the largest sample size required for each endpoint. However, such a method ignores the correlation among endpoints. With the objective to reject all endpoints and when the endpoints are uncorrelated, the power function is the production of all power functions for individual endpoints. With correlated endpoints, the sample size and power should be adjusted for such a correlation. In this article, we propose the exact power function for the equivalence test with multiple endpoints adjusted for correlation under both crossover and parallel designs. We further discuss the differences in sample size for the naive method without and with correlation adjusted methods and illustrate with an in vivo bioequivalence crossover study with area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) as the two endpoints.

An injury equivalency system for establishing a common economic threshold for three species of rice planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Taiwan.

PubMed

Huang, Shou-Horng; Chen, Ching-Huan; Chen, Chiou-Nan; Wu, Wen-Jer

2013-04-01

The economic threshold (ET) for multiple pest species that share the same injury type on host plants (feeding guild) has been proposed for decision-making in integrated management framework of many defoliating insect pests. However, only a few consider agricultural pests with sucking mouthparts. This study presents the first injury equivalency system for the feeding guild made up of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) planthopper (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) species--Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), Sogatella furcifera (Harváth), and Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén)--by using relative amount of honeydew excretion of each species. The intraspecific injury equivalent coefficient was determined; this coefficient provides an exchange rate for different developmental stages in a species. N. lugens was chosen as the standard species to obtain interspecific injury equivalents for other individuals in the guild, allowing estimates of total guild injury feasible. For extension purposes, the injury equivalency was simplified by pooling all nymphs and adults in the guild to mitigate the potential confusion resulting from uncertainty of instars or wing form. A matrix of ETs established on previous studies and incorporating changes of management cost and rice price was used and served as a control decision guide for the guild samples. The validity of the proposed injury equivalency system was tested using several field data sets, and the results are generally promising and meaningfully elevate the accuracy of estimating combined injury and damage to rice, suggesting that the proposed system is a better integrated pest management decision-making system compared with conventional practices.

The HLA dictionary 1999: a summary of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, -DQB1 alleles and their association with serologically defined HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ antigens.

PubMed

Schreuder, G M; Hurley, C K; Marsh, S G; Lau, M; Maiers, M; Kollman, C; Noreen, H

1999-11-01

This report presents serologic equivalents of 90 HLA-A, 190 HLA-B, and 145 HLA-DRB1 alleles. The equivalents cover over 70% of the presently identified HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles. The dictionary is an update of the one published in 1997 and now also includes equivalents for HLA-C, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, and DQB1 alleles. The data summarize information obtained by the WHO HLA Nomenclature Committee, the International Cell Exchange (UCLA), the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and by individual laboratories. In addition, a listing is provided of alleles that are expressed as antigens with serologic reaction patterns that differ from the well-established HLA specificities and that often lack official WHO nomenclature. The provided equivalents will be useful in guiding searches for unrelated donors in which patients and/or potential donors are typed by either serology or DNA-based methods. These equivalents will also serve typing and matching procedures for organ transplant programs where HLA typings from donors and from recipients on waiting lists represent mixtures of serologic and molecular typings. Some guidelines are provided for the use of appropriate WHO HLA nomenclature for serologic typings and for generic and allele specific typings obtained with molecular methods. The tables with HLA equivalents and the questionnaire for submission of serology on poorly identified alleles will also be available at the WMDA web page: www.bmdw.org/wmda.

Primary angle closure glaucoma in a myopic kinship.

PubMed

Hagan, J C; Lederer, C M

1985-03-01

Three related myopic individuals with primary angle closure glaucoma are reported. They had true myopia and not pseudomyopia secondary to increased lenticular index of refraction. We believe one of these individuals (-8.62 spherical equivalent) to have the most myopic case of primary angle closure glaucoma reported in the literature. Although myopia is associated with anatomical factors that offer considerable protection from primary angle closure glaucoma, its presence does not eliminate the possibility of this disease. Laser iridectomy was effective in the treatment of these patients.

Radiobiological equivalent of low/high dose rate brachytherapy and evaluation of tumor and normal responses to the dose.

PubMed

Manimaran, S

2007-06-01

The aim of this study was to compare the biological equivalent of low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in terms of the more recent linear quadratic (LQ) model, which leads to theoretical estimation of biological equivalence. One of the key features of the LQ model is that it allows a more systematic radiobiological comparison between different types of treatment because the main parameters alpha/beta and micro are tissue-specific. Such comparisons also allow assessment of the likely change in the therapeutic ratio when switching between LDR and HDR treatments. The main application of LQ methodology, which focuses on by increasing the availability of remote afterloading units, has been to design fractionated HDR treatments that can replace existing LDR techniques. In this study, with LDR treatments (39 Gy in 48 h) equivalent to 11 fractions of HDR irradiation at the experimental level, there are increasing reports of reproducible animal models that may be used to investigate the biological basis of brachytherapy and to help confirm theoretical predictions. This is a timely development owing to the nonavailability of sufficient retrospective patient data analysis. It appears that HDR brachytherapy is likely to be a viable alternative to LDR only if it is delivered without a prohibitively large number of fractions (e.g., fewer than 11). With increased scientific understanding and technological capability, the prospect of a dose equivalent to HDR brachytherapy will allow greater utilization of the concepts discussed in this article.

Arsenite binding-induced zinc loss from PARP-1 is equivalent to zinc deficiency in reducing PARP-1 activity, leading to inhibition of DNA repair

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

Sun, Xi; Zhou, Xixi; Du, Libo

2014-01-15

Inhibition of DNA repair is a recognized mechanism for arsenic enhancement of ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a zinc finger DNA repair protein, has been identified as a sensitive molecular target for arsenic. The zinc finger domains of PARP-1 protein function as a critical structure in DNA recognition and binding. Since cellular poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity has been positively correlated with zinc status in cells, we hypothesize that arsenite binding-induced zinc loss from PARP-1 is equivalent to zinc deficiency in reducing PARP-1 activity, leading to inhibition of DNA repair. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects ofmore » arsenite exposure with zinc deficiency, created by using the membrane-permeable zinc chelator TPEN, on 8-OHdG formation, PARP-1 activity and zinc binding to PARP-1 in HaCat cells. Our results show that arsenite exposure and zinc deficiency had similar effects on PARP-1 protein, whereas supplemental zinc reversed these effects. To investigate the molecular mechanism of zinc loss induced by arsenite, ICP-AES, near UV spectroscopy, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy were utilized to examine arsenite binding and occupation of a peptide representing the first zinc finger of PARP-1. We found that arsenite binding as well as zinc loss altered the conformation of zinc finger structure which functionally leads to PARP-1 inhibition. These findings suggest that arsenite binding to PARP-1 protein created similar adverse biological effects as zinc deficiency, which establishes the molecular mechanism for zinc supplementation as a potentially effective treatment to reverse the detrimental outcomes of arsenic exposure. - Highlights: • Arsenite binding is equivalent to zinc deficiency in reducing PARP-1 function. • Zinc reverses arsenic inhibition of PARP-1 activity and enhancement of DNA damage. • Arsenite binding and zinc loss alter the conformation of zinc finger structure.« less

Noticing relevant problem features: activating prior knowledge affects problem solving by guiding encoding

PubMed Central

Crooks, Noelle M.; Alibali, Martha W.

2013-01-01

This study investigated whether activating elements of prior knowledge can influence how problem solvers encode and solve simple mathematical equivalence problems (e.g., 3 + 4 + 5 = 3 + __). Past work has shown that such problems are difficult for elementary school students (McNeil and Alibali, 2000). One possible reason is that children's experiences in math classes may encourage them to think about equations in ways that are ultimately detrimental. Specifically, children learn a set of patterns that are potentially problematic (McNeil and Alibali, 2005a): the perceptual pattern that all equations follow an “operations = answer” format, the conceptual pattern that the equal sign means “calculate the total”, and the procedural pattern that the correct way to solve an equation is to perform all of the given operations on all of the given numbers. Upon viewing an equivalence problem, knowledge of these patterns may be reactivated, leading to incorrect problem solving. We hypothesized that these patterns may negatively affect problem solving by influencing what people encode about a problem. To test this hypothesis in children would require strengthening their misconceptions, and this could be detrimental to their mathematical development. Therefore, we tested this hypothesis in undergraduate participants. Participants completed either control tasks or tasks that activated their knowledge of the three patterns, and were then asked to reconstruct and solve a set of equivalence problems. Participants in the knowledge activation condition encoded the problems less well than control participants. They also made more errors in solving the problems, and their errors resembled the errors children make when solving equivalence problems. Moreover, encoding performance mediated the effect of knowledge activation on equivalence problem solving. Thus, one way in which experience may affect equivalence problem solving is by influencing what students encode about the equations. PMID:24324454

Multiple Non-Equivalent Interfaces Mediate Direct Activation of GABAA Receptors by Propofol.

PubMed

Eaton, Megan M; Germann, Allison L; Arora, Ruby; Cao, Lily Q; Gao, Xiaoyi; Shin, Daniel J; Wu, Albert; Chiara, David C; Cohen, Jonathan B; Steinbach, Joe Henry; Evers, Alex S; Akk, Gustav

2016-01-01

Propofol is a sedative agent that at clinical concentrations acts by allosterically activating or potentiating the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor. Mutational, modeling, and photolabeling studies with propofol and its analogues have identified potential interaction sites in the transmembrane domain of the receptor. At the &quot;+&quot; of the β subunit, in the β-α interface, meta-azipropofol labels the M286 residue in the third transmembrane domain. Substitution of this residue with tryptophan results in loss of potentiation by propofol. At the &quot;-&quot; side of the β subunit, in the α-β interface (or β-β interface, in the case of homomeric β receptors), ortho-propofol diazirine labels the H267 residue in the second transmembrane domain. Structural modeling indicates that the β(H267) residue lines a cavity that docks propofol with favorable interaction energy. We used two-electrode voltage clamp to determine the functional effects of mutations to the "+" and "-" sides of the β subunit on activation of the α1β3 GABAA receptor by propofol. We found that while the individual mutations had a small effect, the combination of the M286W mutation with tryptophan mutations of selected residues at the α-β interface leads to strong reduction in gating efficacy for propofol. We conclude that α1β3 GABAA receptors can be activated by propofol interactions with the β-β, α-β, and β-α interfaces, where distinct, non-equivalent regions control channel gating. Any interface can mediate activation, hence substitutions at all interfaces are required for loss of activation by propofol.

The abundance of interstellar sulphur and zinc in high density sight-lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harris, A. W.; Mashesse, J. M.

1986-01-01

On the basis of early absorption line studies of individual lines of sight with the Copernicus satellite, chlorine, sulphur and zinc were classed together as elements which showed little or no depletion, relative to hydrogen, in the interstellar medium. The abundances of other less volatile elements, such as Fe and Mg were found to vary widely from one sight-line to another with gas-phase abundances in some cases being orders of magnitude below their solar counterparts. Detailed studies are reported of the depletion/density behavior of two other volatile elements which were previously considered to be virtually undepleted, S and Zn, using equivalent width data from both Copernicus and IUE observations. The results provide further evidence that the established dependence of depletion on n bar (H) extends to volatile elements and show that their use as tracers of metallicity, or for estimating hydrogen column densities, may lead to large errors in sight-lines through dense regions. It now appears that such elements may take part in the surface chemistry of grains and be important constituents of grain mantle material, although they probably do not contribute significantly to the bulk mass of grains. Due to the very similar atomic masses and ionization potentials of sulphur and phosphorous, the thermal velocity distributions of the singly ionized species of these elements in interstellar clouds should be very similar. However, a comparison of Doppler widths (b-values) derived for SIT and PIT in the same sight-lines from the Bohlin et al Copernicus equivalent width measurements has revealed an unexpected systematic discrepancy of a factor of approx. 1.7. This Discrepancy indicates that the normally adopted oscillators strengths of the PII lambda lambda 1153 and 1302 A lines may require revision.

Multiple Non-Equivalent Interfaces Mediate Direct Activation of GABAA Receptors by Propofol

PubMed Central

Eaton, Megan M.; Germann, Allison L.; Arora, Ruby; Cao, Lily Q.; Gao, Xiaoyi; Shin, Daniel J.; Wu, Albert; Chiara, David C.; Cohen, Jonathan B.; Steinbach, Joe Henry; Evers, Alex S.; Akk, Gustav

2016-01-01

Abstract: Background Propofol is a sedative agent that at clinical concentrations acts by allosterically activating or potentiating the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor. Mutational, modeling, and photolabeling studies with propofol and its analogues have identified potential interaction sites in the transmembrane domain of the receptor. At the “+” of the β subunit, in the β-α interface, meta-azipropofol labels the M286 residue in the third transmembrane domain. Substitution of this residue with tryptophan results in loss of potentiation by propofol. At the “-” side of the β subunit, in the α-β interface (or β-β interface, in the case of homomeric β receptors), ortho-propofol diazirine labels the H267 residue in the second transmembrane domain. Structural modeling indicates that the β(H267) residue lines a cavity that docks propofol with favorable interaction energy. Method We used two-electrode voltage clamp to determine the functional effects of mutations to the 
“+” and “-” sides of the β subunit on activation of the α1β3 GABAA receptor by propofol. Results We found that while the individual mutations had a small effect, the combination of the M286W mutation with tryptophan mutations of selected residues at the α-β interface leads to strong reduction in gating efficacy for propofol. Conclusion We conclude that α1β3 GABAA receptors can be activated by propofol interactions with the β-β, α-β, and β-α interfaces, where distinct, non-equivalent regions control channel gating. Any interface can mediate activation, hence substitutions at all interfaces are required for loss of activation by propofol. PMID:26830963

The Effect of Changes in the ASCA Calibration on the Fe-K Lines in Active Galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yaqoob, T.; Padmanabhan, U.; Dotani, T.; Nandra, K.; White, Nicholas E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The ASCA calibration has evolved considerably since launch and indeed, is still evolving. There have been concerns in the literature that changes in the ASCA calibration have resulted in the Fe-K lines in active galaxies (AGN) now being systematically narrower than was originally thought. If this were true, a large body of ASCA results would be impacted. In particular, it has been claimed that the broad red wing (when present) of the Fe-K line has been considerably weakened by changes in the ASCA calibration. We demonstrate explicitly that changes in the, ASCA calibration over a period of about eight years have a negligible effect on the width, strength, or shape of the Fe-K lines. The reduction in both width and equivalent width is only approximately 8% or less. We confirm this with simulations and individual sources, as well as sample average profiles. The average profile for type 1 AGN is still very broad, with the red wing extending down to approximately 4 keV. The reason for the claimed, apparently large, discrepancies is that in some sources the Fe-K line is complex, and a single-Gaussian model, being an inadequate description of the line profile, picks up different portions of the profile with different calibration. However, one cannot make inferences about calibration or astrophysics of the sources using models which do not describe the data. Better modeling of the Fe-K in such cases gives completely consistent results with both old and current calibration. Thus, inadequate modeling of the Fe-K line in these sources can seriously underestimate the line width and equivalent width, and therefore lead to incorrect deductions about the astrophysical implications.

Comparison of EHR-based diagnosis documentation locations to a gold standard for risk stratification in patients with multiple chronic conditions.

PubMed

Martin, Shelby; Wagner, Jesse; Lupulescu-Mann, Nicoleta; Ramsey, Katrina; Cohen, Aaron; Graven, Peter; Weiskopf, Nicole G; Dorr, David A

2017-08-02

To measure variation among four different Electronic Health Record (EHR) system documentation locations versus 'gold standard' manual chart review for risk stratification in patients with multiple chronic illnesses. Adults seen in primary care with EHR evidence of at least one of 13 conditions were included. EHRs were manually reviewed to determine presence of active diagnoses, and risk scores were calculated using three different methodologies and five EHR documentation locations. Claims data were used to assess cost and utilization for the following year. Descriptive and diagnostic statistics were calculated for each EHR location. Criterion validity testing compared the gold standard verified diagnoses versus other EHR locations and risk scores in predicting future cost and utilization. Nine hundred patients had 2,179 probable diagnoses. About 70% of the diagnoses from the EHR were verified by gold standard. For a subset of patients having baseline and prediction year data (n=750), modeling showed that the gold standard was the best predictor of outcomes on average for a subset of patients that had these data. However, combining all data sources together had nearly equivalent performance for prediction as the gold standard. EHR data locations were inaccurate 30% of the time, leading to improvement in overall modeling from a gold standard from chart review for individual diagnoses. However, the impact on identification of the highest risk patients was minor, and combining data from different EHR locations was equivalent to gold standard performance. The reviewer's ability to identify a diagnosis as correct was influenced by a variety of factors, including completeness, temporality, and perceived accuracy of chart data.

The comparative effect of individually-generated vs. collaboratively-generated computer-based concept mapping on science concept learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, So Young

Using a quasi-experimental design, the researcher investigated the comparative effects of individually-generated and collaboratively-generated computer-based concept mapping on middle school science concept learning. Qualitative data were analyzed to explain quantitative findings. One hundred sixty-one students (74 boys and 87 girls) in eight, seventh grade science classes at a middle school in Southeast Texas completed the entire study. Using prior science performance scores to assure equivalence of student achievement across groups, the researcher assigned the teacher's classes to one of the three experimental groups. The independent variable, group, consisted of three levels: 40 students in a control group, 59 students trained to individually generate concept maps on computers, and 62 students trained to collaboratively generate concept maps on computers. The dependent variables were science concept learning as demonstrated by comprehension test scores, and quality of concept maps created by students in experimental groups as demonstrated by rubric scores. Students in the experimental groups received concept mapping training and used their newly acquired concept mapping skills to individually or collaboratively construct computer-based concept maps during study time. The control group, the individually-generated concept mapping group, and the collaboratively-generated concept mapping group had equivalent learning experiences for 50 minutes during five days, excepting that students in a control group worked independently without concept mapping activities, students in the individual group worked individually to construct concept maps, and students in the collaborative group worked collaboratively to construct concept maps during their study time. Both collaboratively and individually generated computer-based concept mapping had a positive effect on seventh grade middle school science concept learning but neither strategy was more effective than the other. However, the students who collaboratively generated concept maps created significantly higher quality concept maps than those who individually generated concept maps. The researcher concluded that the concept mapping software, Inspiration(TM), fostered construction of students' concept maps individually or collaboratively for science learning and helped students capture their evolving creative ideas and organize them for meaningful learning. Students in both the individual and the collaborative concept mapping groups had positive attitudes toward concept mapping using Inspiration(TM) software.