Sample records for oab universal covers

  1. The impact of OAB on physical activity in the United States: results from OAB-POLL.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Sexton, Chris C; Clemens, J Quentin; Thompson, Christine L; Chen, Chieh-I; Bavendam, Tamara; Dmochowski, Roger

    2013-10-01

    To provide data on physical activity among those with and without overactive bladder (OAB) in a large, ethnically diverse U.S. sample. A cross-sectional survey was conducted via the Internet among 10,000 men and women aged 18-70 (2000 African Americans, 2000 Hispanics, and 6000 whites) using the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) tool and questions from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). OAB cases and those with no/minimal symptoms (NMS) were compared on federal guidelines of indices of physical activity: 2008 guidelines and 2010 Healthy People. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate differences between OAB and NMS. Logistic regressions examined the impact of OAB on physical activity. Response rate, 57%; 818 men and 1505 women with OAB, and 1857 men and 1615 women with NMS. Respondents with other LUTS were excluded from this analysis (2302 men and 1904 women). Those with OAB were significantly less likely to report moderate and vigorous physical activities in their leisure time and to satisfy recommended physical activity levels compared to those with NMS. Symptoms of OAB (men and women: urgency and urinary frequency; women: urinary urge incontinence) were associated with limitations in physical activity in the logistic regressions. This study benchmarks physical activity levels among people with OAB. Men and women with OAB were significantly less likely to achieve recommended physical activity levels than people with NMS. More research is needed to further evaluate how OAB affects physical activity and health status and to determine causal relationships. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. [EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OVER-ACTIVE BLADDER (OAB) SYNDROME].

    PubMed

    Eshkoli, Tamar; Yohai, David; Laron, Elad; Weintraub, Adi Y

    2016-11-01

    An over-active bladder is a common disorder which influences women's health and quality of life. There is difficulty defining the exact prevalence of the disorder since there are various definitions in the literature. The ICS definition from 2002 on the over-active bladder (OAB) syndrome enables more uniformity, by declaring that OAB syndrome is a symptomatic syndrome defined as presence of urgency with or without urinary incontinence, mostly accompanied by frequency and nocturia. In this article we reviewed the current medical literature on the prevalence of the OAB syndrome by focusing on relevant crosssectional and longitudinal studies, the trend changes during life, co-morbidities, the influence of quality of life and the economic burden following the disorder and its treatment. The authors' hope is that elevating awareness of the OAB syndrome will help improve its diagnosis and treatment.

  3. Capitalize on the benefits of OAB - looking beyond the standard setup

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Phan, Voung Gia; Yousef, Sahar

    2004-01-01

    Going beyond the initial setup of OAB, how to customize and maintain OAB to fit your current business process. There are many challenges in mapping data from outside sources into OAB and interfacing it to Payroll. Also, life events and fast formulas play a critical role in the customization of OAB.

  4. Elevated CXC chemokines in urine noninvasively discriminate OAB from UTI.

    PubMed

    Tyagi, Pradeep; Tyagi, Vikas; Qu, Xianggui; Chuang, Yao Chi; Kuo, Hann-Chorng; Chancellor, Michael

    2016-09-01

    Overlapping symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infection (UTI) often complicate the diagnosis and contribute to overprescription of antibiotics. Inflammatory response is a shared characteristic of both UTI and OAB and here we hypothesized that molecular differences in inflammatory response seen in urine can help discriminate OAB from UTI. Subjects in the age range of (20-88 yr) of either sex were recruited for this urine analysis study. Urine specimens were available from 62 UTI patients with positive dipstick test before antibiotic treatment. Six of these patients also provided urine after completion of antibiotic treatment. Subjects in cohorts of OAB (n = 59) and asymptomatic controls (n = 26) were negative for dipstick test. Urinary chemokines were measured by MILLIPLEX MAP Human Cytokine/Chemokine Immunoassay and their association with UTI and OAB was determined by univariate and multivariate statistics. Significant elevation of CXCL-1, CXCL-8 (IL-8), and CXCL-10 together with reduced levels for a receptor antagonist of IL-1A (sIL-1RA) were seen in UTI relative to OAB and asymptomatic controls. Elevated CXCL-1 urine levels predicted UTI with odds ratio of 1.018 and showed a specificity of 80.77% and sensitivity of 59.68%. Postantibiotic treatment, reduction was seen in all CXC chemokines with a significant reduction for CXCL-10. Strong association of CXCL-1 and CXCL-10 for UTI over OAB indicates mechanistic differences in signaling pathways driving inflammation secondary of infection in UTI compared with a lack of infection in OAB. Urinary chemokines highlight molecular differences in the paracrine signaling driving the overlapping symptoms of UTI and OAB. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  5. Management of OAB in those over age 65.

    PubMed

    Natalin, Ricardo; Lorenzetti, Fabio; Dambros, Miriam

    2013-10-01

    The International Continence Society (ICS) defines overactive bladder (OAB) as an association of symptoms including "urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with increased frequency and nocturia". This conditon has been associated with a decrease in quality of life and a higher related risk of overall health condition decrease, and is rising since its prevalence increases with age and the forecast for the world population estimates an increase of those over 65 years old. Aging alone can be considered a major risk factor for developing OAB symptoms that are considered multifactorial and due to body tissue and anatomic changes, lifestyle-associated factors, comorbidities and personal characteristics. The high prevalence of this condition and multiple etiology factors makes of its treatment a challenge-especially in the older population. A major concern over OAB treatment of elderly patients is the risk of cognitive side effects due to the pharmacologic treatment with anticholinergic drugs. First-line treatment for OAB symptoms are the use of pharmacologic therapy with antimuscarinic drugs, which has been proved to be effective in controlling urgency, urge incontinence episodes, incontinence episodes, and nocturia. The impact caused by this condition is significant regarding the economic and human costs associated bringing into attention the need of studying and reviewing this specific population. Conservative Management and Lifestyle Modifications: Behavioral therapy's aims are to reduce urinary frequency and urgency to an accepted level and to increase bladder outlet volume. It consists of actions to teach patients to improve and learn bladder control. Lifestyle modifications are a conjunct of daily activities that can be managed to have the lowest interference on the functioning of the urinary tract. Pharmacologic Therapy: There are various medications with antimuscarinic properties available for the treatment of OAB symptoms. The most commonly used are

  6. The impact of OAB on sexual health in men and women: results from EpiLUTS.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Sexton, Chris C; Thompson, Christine; Kopp, Zoe S; Milsom, Ian; Kaplan, Steven A

    2011-06-01

    Prior research suggests that overactive bladder (OAB) is common and adversely affects sexuality in both men and women. However, more data are needed from population-based studies to evaluate the impact OAB on sexual health. To describe sexual health outcomes in men and women with continent and incontinent OAB (C-OAB, I-OAB) compared to those with no/minimal urinary symptoms (NMS) and to evaluate correlates of decreased sexual activity and enjoyment in men and women, and correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD), and premature ejaculation (PE) in men. A cross-sectional, population-representative survey was conducted via the Internet in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and United States. OAB was assessed via a questionnaire based on current International Continence Society definitions. Descriptive statistics were used to compare outcomes for those with I-OAB, C-OAB and NMS, and logistic regressions were used to evaluate predictors of sexual functioning. Participants responding to the sexual health portion of the survey were asked questions about sexual activity and satisfaction. Other outcomes included two domains from the Abbreviated Sexual Function Questionnaire, the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function, and questions assessing EjD and PE. Survey response was 59.2%; 6,326 men and 8,085 women participated in the sexual health portion of the survey. Across outcomes, I-OAB and C-OAB were associated with worse sexual health as compared to those with NMS. Logistic regressions showed that those with I-OAB and C-OAB were significantly (P<0.0001) more likely to report diminished sexual activity and enjoyment of sex. I-OAB and C-OAB were also significant predictors of ED and EjD in men, but not PE. The impact of OAB is evident across domains of sexual health in both men and women. Sexual health should be assessed in men and women presenting with OAB. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  7. The psychometric validation of a 1-week recall period for the OAB-q.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Gelhorn, Heather; Thompson, Christine; Kopp, Zoe S; Guan, Zhonghong

    2011-12-01

    As shorter recall periods are sometimes preferable to longer recall periods, the objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric characteristics and measurement properties of the 1-week recall version of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q). Secondary analyses were performed on data for three 12-week clinical trials of fesoterodine. Patients completed the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), the Patient Perception of Urgency Scale (PPUS), and 3-day bladder diaries in addition to the OAB-q at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability, concurrent and discriminant validity and responsiveness of the OAB-q 1-week recall version. The patients in the three studies (Study 1: N=516, Study 2: N=441; Study 3: N=882) had a mean age of 59.6, 59.4, and 59.9 years, respectively; and most of the patients were female (77.1%, 88.9%, and 82.9%) and White (76.6%, 90.0%, and 88.0%). Patients had been diagnosed with OAB for a mean of 5.2, 8.3, and 9.1 years, respectively. Cronbach's alpha values were greater than 0.85 across all samples and subscales. Correlations between the 1-week recall version of the OAB-q and the PPBC, PPUS, and most of the bladder diary variables were moderate to strong. Discriminant validity of the OAB-q was good, with significant differences in mean OAB-q scores across all response categories of the PPUS. The OAB-q was highly responsive to changes in patients' conditions as indicated by moderate to large effect sizes. The OAB-q 1-week recall version has a similar factor structure to the 4-week recall version with each subscale model demonstrating acceptable fit. The 1-week recall version of the OAB-q appears to be reliable, valid, and responsive and is psychometrically equivalent to the 4-week recall version. The validation of the 1-week recall version offers researchers and clinicians an additional option for using the OAB-q.

  8. OAB epidemiological survey of general gynaecology outpatients and its effects on patient quality of life.

    PubMed

    An, Fang; Yang, Xin; Wang, Yan J; Chen, Jian Y; Wang, Jian L

    2016-01-01

    To survey the prevalence rate of overactive bladder (OAB) among general gynaecology outpatients, it's connection to common benign gynaecological diseases and its effects on patient quality of life (QOL). A questionnaire survey on urination and its effects on QOL was administered to 2500 general gynaecology outpatients aged ≥18 who visited our hospital which is in Peking between October and November 2012. Additionally, their menstrual history and diseases were documented, according to their medical records. In total, 2161 effective questionnaires (86.4%) were collected from the respondents, who were aged 18-97 years. The overall OAB prevalence rate was 8.8% (191/2161), and the OAB prevalence rate in women >50 years was significantly higher (X(2)  = 7.656, P < 0.05). Moreover, the OAB prevalence rate (25.8%) among patients suffering from pelvic organ prolapse was significantly higher than the rate (8.6%) among patients without pelvic organ prolapse (X(2)  = 11.238, P < 0.05). Multi-factor logistic regression indicated that age (OR = 1.504, 95% CI = 1.072-2.111) and pelvic organ prolapse (OR = 2.512, 95% CI = 1.109-5.688) were risk factors for OAB among the respondents. Additionally, with the rise of OAB severity, its effects on the QOL of OAB patients, like urinary urgency, nocturia, frequency and urge incontinence increased accordingly. The OAB prevalence rate among general gynaecology outpatients was 8.8%, and the effects of OAB on QOL increased with the worsening of the disease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. Patterns of medical management of overactive bladder (OAB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the United States.

    PubMed

    Anger, Jennifer T; Goldman, Howard B; Luo, Xuemei; Carlsson, Martin O; Chapman, Douglass; Zou, Kelly H; Russell, David; Ntanios, Fady; Esinduy, Canan B; Clemens, J Quentin

    2018-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are highly prevalent conditions that place a large burden on the United States (US) health care system. We sought to analyze patterns of prescription medication usage for incident OAB in men and women, and for incident BPH in men using US health insurance claims data. This study used Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Research databases. The data were pooled from diverse points of care. BPH subjects included men age 18+ with the first and last two diagnoses of BPH ≥30 days apart and no BPH diagnosis for 1 year prior. OAB subjects included men and women age 18+, who were diagnosed similarly with incident OAB. The type of medication, medication continuation (persistence), and switching to a different medication were analyzed through September 30, 2013. Medication persistence was much higher overall for BPH than OAB (56% vs 34%, respectively, P < 0.0001), and was highest among men with BPH age 65+ (62%). Patients age 18-64 were less likely to continue medication than older adults (age 65+) for both BPH and OAB. A 9.4% of patients in the OAB cohort and 6.9% of men with BPH switched from one medication to another. Persistence was higher with BPH than OAB medications overall, whereas switching rates were higher in the OAB group. The lower persistence of OAB medication may be due to less efficacy or tolerability. The possibility of under treatment of OAB also warrants future investigations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Is there "brain OAB" and how can we recognize it? International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) 2017.

    PubMed

    Apostolidis, Apostolos; Wagg, Adrian; Rahnam A'i, Mohammad S; Panicker, Jalesh N; Vrijens, Desiree; von Gontard, Alexander

    2018-02-01

    In light of mounting evidence supporting the association of brain regions with the control of urine storage and voiding, the high placebo effect in OAB studies as well as certain anecdotal observations from clinical practice with OAB patients, the role of the brain in OAB was explored. At the ICI-RS 2017 meeting, a panel of Functional Urologists and Basic Scientists presented literature data generating a proposal to discuss whether there is "brain OAB" and how we could recognize it. Existing data point toward organic brain causes of OAB, in particular concerning white matter disease (WMD) and aging, but with currently speculative mechanisms. Imaging techniques have revealed connectivity changes between brain regions which may explain brain-peripheral interactions in OAB patients, further to acknowledged structural and functional changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, psychological disorders like stress and depression have been identified as causes of OAB, with animal and human studies proposing a neurochemical and neuroendocrine pathophysiological basis, involving either the serotoninergic system or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Finally, childhood data suggest that OAB could be a developmental disorder involving the CNS, although childhood OAB could be a different condition than that of adults in many children. Future research should aim to identify the pathogenesis of WMD and the aging processes affecting the brain and the bladder, with possible benefits in prevention strategies, as well as connectivity disorders within the CNS, the pathophysiology of OAB in childhood and the neurochemical pathways connecting affective disorders with OAB. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Urinary retention in female OAB after intravesical Botox injection: who is really at risk?

    PubMed

    Miotla, Pawel; Cartwright, Rufus; Skorupska, Katarzyna; Bogusiewicz, Michal; Markut-Miotla, Ewa; Futyma, Konrad; Rechberger, Tomasz

    2017-06-01

    Intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections are effective for the treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. The aim of our study was to assess the predisposing factors for urinary retention in women with OAB after intravesical Botox injection. All participants were women of European descent with idiopathic OAB. OnabotulinumtoxinA (100 U) was administered in 20 intra-detrusor injections. Analysis was performed based on the results of safety assessments made during follow-up (FU) visits on weeks 2, 4 and 12, in 208 women who were treated with Botox injections for refractory OAB and who completed all FU visits. Women who required clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) and those with post-void residual (PVR) greater than 200 ml were older in comparison with patients with PVR between 50 and 200 ml. Patients who required CISC were also characterised by higher parity and particularly by a higher number of vaginal deliveries. Other factors such as body mass index or comorbidities did not significantly influence PVR and the risk of CISC. Elderly and/or multiparous women are at increased risk of urinary retention after intravesical 100-U Botox injections. The risk of new onset urine retention in our study has completely disappeared 2 weeks after Botox injections. Based on our results of the way in which the PVRs have changed over time, we can conclude that OAB patients should be optimally assessed during the first 2 weeks after Botox injections.

  12. Elevated polyamines in urothelial cells from OAB subjects mediate oxotremorine-evoked rapid intracellular calcium rise and delayed acetylcholine release.

    PubMed

    Li, Mingkai; Sun, Yan; Tomiya, Noboru; Hsu, Yuchao; Chai, Toby C

    2013-08-15

    Increased polyamine signaling in bladder urothelial cells (BUC) may play a role in the pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB). We quantitated intracellular polyamine levels in cultured BUC from OAB and asymptomatic (NB) subjects. We assessed whether polyamines modulated rapid intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) changes and delayed acetylcholine (ACh) release evoked by oxotremorine (OXO, a muscarinic agonist). BUC were cultured from cystoscopic biopsies. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantitated intracellular putrescine, spermidine, and spermine levels. Five-millimeter difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and one-millimeter methylglyoxalbisguanylhydrazone (MGBG) treatments were used to deplete intracellular polyamines. Ten micrometers of OXO were used to increase [Ca(2+)]i levels (measured by fura 2 microfluorimetry) and trigger extracellular ACh release (measured by ELISA). Polyamine levels were elevated in OAB compared with NB BUC (0.5 ± 0.15 vs. 0.16 ± 0.03 nmol/mg for putrescine, 2.4 ± 0.21 vs. 1.01 ± 0.13 nmol/mg for spermidine, and 1.90 ± 0.27 vs. 0.86 ± 0.26 nmol/mg for spermine; P < 0.05 for all comparisons). OXO evoked greater [Ca(2+)]i rise in OAB (205.10 ± 18.82% increase over baseline) compared with in NB BUC (119.54 ± 13.01%; P < 0.05). After polyamine depletion, OXO evoked [Ca(2+)]i rise decreased in OAB and NB BUC to 43.40 ± 6.45 and 38.82 ± 3.5%, respectively. OXO tended to increase ACh release by OAB vs. NB BUC (9.02 ± 0.1 vs. 7.04 ± 0.09 μM, respectively; P < 0.05). Polyamine depletion reduced ACh release by both OAB and NB BUC. In conclusion, polyamine levels were elevated twofold in OAB BUC. OXO evoked greater increase in [Ca(2+)]i and ACh release in OAB BUC, although these two events may be unrelated. Depletion of polyamines caused OAB BUC to behave similarly to NB BUC.

  13. Elevated polyamines in urothelial cells from OAB subjects mediate oxotremorine-evoked rapid intracellular calcium rise and delayed acetylcholine release

    PubMed Central

    Li, Mingkai; Sun, Yan; Tomiya, Noboru; Hsu, Yuchao

    2013-01-01

    Increased polyamine signaling in bladder urothelial cells (BUC) may play a role in the pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB). We quantitated intracellular polyamine levels in cultured BUC from OAB and asymptomatic (NB) subjects. We assessed whether polyamines modulated rapid intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) changes and delayed acetylcholine (ACh) release evoked by oxotremorine (OXO, a muscarinic agonist). BUC were cultured from cystoscopic biopsies. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantitated intracellular putrescine, spermidine, and spermine levels. Five-millimeter difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and one-millimeter methylglyoxalbisguanylhydrazone (MGBG) treatments were used to deplete intracellular polyamines. Ten micrometers of OXO were used to increase [Ca2+]i levels (measured by fura 2 microfluorimetry) and trigger extracellular ACh release (measured by ELISA). Polyamine levels were elevated in OAB compared with NB BUC (0.5 ± 0.15 vs. 0.16 ± 0.03 nmol/mg for putrescine, 2.4 ± 0.21 vs. 1.01 ± 0.13 nmol/mg for spermidine, and 1.90 ± 0.27 vs. 0.86 ± 0.26 nmol/mg for spermine; P < 0.05 for all comparisons). OXO evoked greater [Ca2+]i rise in OAB (205.10 ± 18.82% increase over baseline) compared with in NB BUC (119.54 ± 13.01%; P < 0.05). After polyamine depletion, OXO evoked [Ca2+]i rise decreased in OAB and NB BUC to 43.40 ± 6.45 and 38.82 ± 3.5%, respectively. OXO tended to increase ACh release by OAB vs. NB BUC (9.02 ± 0.1 vs. 7.04 ± 0.09 μM, respectively; P < 0.05). Polyamine depletion reduced ACh release by both OAB and NB BUC. In conclusion, polyamine levels were elevated twofold in OAB BUC. OXO evoked greater increase in [Ca2+]i and ACh release in OAB BUC, although these two events may be unrelated. Depletion of polyamines caused OAB BUC to behave similarly to NB BUC. PMID:23698115

  14. How long do we have to treat overactive bladder syndrome (OAB)? A questionnaire survey of Canadian urologists and gynecologists.

    PubMed

    Przydacz, Mikolaj; Campeau, Lysanne; Walter, Jens-Erik; Corcos, Jacques

    2018-05-14

    Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a highly prevalent and costly condition worldwide with negative impact on health-related quality of life. Although many guidelines exist and anticholinergics are considered to be the mainstay of pharmacological treatment, data are lacking regarding optimal treatment duration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine practice patterns of Canadian urologists and gynecologists regarding duration of OAB pharmacotherapy. A 14-question survey was designed and survey links (English and French) were sent by email to all practicing urologists and gynecologists registered with the Canadian Urological Association and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada via the associations' email lists. The SurveyMonkey website served as platform where responses were collected and stored. A total of 301 physicians completed the questionnaire; 250 respondents (83%) prescribe anticholinergics or beta-3-adrenoceptor agonist (mirabegron) in their practice, and 202 (81%) start patient treatment with the lowest recommended medication dose. One hundred and twelve respondents (45% of those who prescribe OAB medications) classified OAB pharmacotherapy as a lifelong management strategy, whereas 130 (52% of those who prescribe OAB medications) think that OAB pharmacotherapy should be administered for a defined time period. Six-month and one-year time periods of drug treatments are the most commonly chosen answers given by physicians who treat their patients for a defined duration. There is general agreement among Canadian urologists and gynecologists that OAB treatment should be started with the lowest recommended medication dose. A slim majority of respondents think that OAB pharmacotherapy should be administered for a defined duration.

  15. Cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the "Overactive Bladder - Family Impact Measure (OAB-FIM)" questionnaire.

    PubMed

    Arlandis Guzmán, S; Martínez Cuenca, E; Martínez García, R; Bonillo García, M A; Rejas, J; Broseta-Rico, E

    2017-06-01

    The OAB-FIM was developed as a measure of the impact of an overactive bladder (OAB) on relatives who live with the patient. The objective of this study was conduct a cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the OAB-FIM questionnaire. The adaptation included a conceptual and linguistic validation phase, as well as a phase for measuring the psychometric properties in 25 relatives [mean age, 63.0 years (SD, 14.3); 44% women] who regularly live with patients with OAB, who are of either sex and 18 years of age or older. We measured conceptual and linguistic equivalence, internal reliability, construct validity and content validity. We assessed the applicability and administration load. The OAB-FIM was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original, maintaining its 6 domains: social, travel, worry, irritability, sleep and sex. The interagreement correctly placed all items in their domain, except for number 10, which was placed more in worry than in irritability, motivates its reformulation. Some 2.95% of the items were missing. The floor and ceiling effects of the items varied, respectively, between 20-28%, and 0-16%. The mean time for completing the questionnaire was 5.2minutes (SD, 2.8), and 24% of the participants required some type of assistance. The α-Cronbach coefficient varied between 0.948-0.839. The correlations with similar scales in the family were moderate-high (0.407-0.753) or small-moderate with those administered to the patient (0.004-0.423). We obtained a Spanish (Spain) version of the OAB-FIM that was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original. The questionnaire showed good internal consistency, content and construct validity and applicability. Copyright © 2017. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.

  16. [Prevalence and characterization of overactive bladder detected in a population in Madrid with self-administered OAB-V3 questionnaire in Primary Care].

    PubMed

    Angulo, Javier C; Calderín, María P; Fernández, Yolanda; González, Miriam; Gómez, Esther; Herreros, Maria B; Peñasco, Purificación; Zapatero, Manuela; Dorado, Juan F

    2018-02-01

    Determining the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of overactive bladder (OAB) in a Spanish population and evaluate the impact of these symptoms on well-being and labour productivity in this population. Transversal study. Primary health care, Madrid, Spain. Males and females >30 years. Classification by primary care physicians with the Overactive Bladder Awareness Tool abbreviated version (OAB-V3). Subjects with score ≥3 and a similarly balanced control population with score <3 were clinically investigated. History, physical examination, urinalysis, sonography, general well-being scale and the questionnaires PPBC, OAB-q y WPAI-SHP. A total 923 subjects were screened, of which 209 (22.6%), 35% males and 65% females, had probable OAB. Age distribution increased from 11.1% in 4th decade to 44.4% in 9th decade. Kappa coefficient between suspected OAB and definite diagnosis was .83. The area under ROC curve for diagnosis based on OAB-V3 questionnaire and the presence of perceived bother and coping strategies was 92%. Subjects classified by score ≥3 had worse well-being, higher PPBC score and worse parameters on total OAB-q and transformed scores for each OAB-q subscale (P<.0001). In these subjects labour productivity was not affected (P=.14) but the capacity to perform regular activities was (P<.0001). OAB-V3 is a simple questionnaire to screen OAB with good predictive accuracy in a primary care setting and reveals important implications on health related quality of life issues. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  17. Development of a core set of outcome measures for OAB treatment.

    PubMed

    Foust-Wright, Caroline; Wissig, Stephanie; Stowell, Caleb; Olson, Elizabeth; Anderson, Anita; Anger, Jennifer; Cardozo, Linda; Cotterill, Nikki; Gormley, Elizabeth Ann; Toozs-Hobson, Philip; Heesakkers, John; Herbison, Peter; Moore, Kate; McKinney, Jessica; Morse, Abraham; Pulliam, Samantha; Szonyi, George; Wagg, Adrian; Milsom, Ian

    2017-12-01

    Standardized measures enable the comparison of outcomes across providers and treatments giving valuable information for improving care quality and efficacy. The aim of this project was to define a minimum standard set of outcome measures and case-mix factors for evaluating the care of patients with overactive bladder (OAB). The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) convened an international working group (WG) of leading clinicians and patients to engage in a structured method for developing a core outcome set. Consensus was determined by a modified Delphi process, and discussions were supported by both literature review and patient input. The standard set measures outcomes of care for adults seeking treatment for OAB, excluding residents of long-term care facilities. The WG focused on treatment outcomes identified as most important key outcome domains to patients: symptom burden and bother, physical functioning, emotional health, impact of symptoms and treatment on quality of life, and success of treatment. Demographic information and case-mix factors that may affect these outcomes were also included. The standardized outcome set for evaluating clinical care is appropriate for use by all health providers caring for patients with OAB, regardless of specialty or geographic location, and provides key data for quality improvement activities and research.

  18. Impact of solifenacin on diary-recorded and patient-reported urgency in patients with severe overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.

    PubMed

    Serels, Scott R; Toglia, Marc R; Forero-Schwanhaeuser, Sergio; He, Weizhong

    2010-10-01

    It is widely recognized that patient perception of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms can vary considerably from mild to severe bother. This post hoc analysis reports outcomes in patients with severe OAB symptoms at baseline taken from the VESIcare Efficacy and Safety in PatieNts with Urgency Study (VENUS). VENUS was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of solifenacin (5 or 10 mg/day, flexibly dosed) in OAB patients. The primary endpoint in VENUS was mean change from baseline to study end in urgency episodes/day using 3-day bladder diaries. Secondary endpoints included other diary endpoints (frequency, incontinence, and nocturia), warning time (WT; time between first sensation of urgency to voiding), and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of urgency (the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale [IUSS] and Urgency Perception Scale [UPS]) and of symptom bother and health-related quality of life (HRQL) (the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition [PPBC] and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire). For this analysis, severe OAB was defined as baseline PPBC score ≥5 (1 = no problems, 6 = many severe problems). NCT00454896. In total, 158/707 (22.3%) patients in the full analysis set (FAS) reported severe OAB symptoms. Solifenacin reduced mean urgency episodes/day versus placebo in the severe subgroup (-4.6 vs. -3.1, p = 0.1150), similar to the significant reduction observed in the FAS (-3.9 vs. -2.7, p < 0.0001). Solifenacin also improved the other diary endpoints and PRO measures in the severe subgroup; these changes were consistent with the significant solifenacin- versus placebo-related improvements for the FAS. Treatment-emergent adverse events were mostly mild/moderate, and few patients taking solifenacin or placebo discontinued treatment in the severe subgroup (4.5% vs. 6.5%) or FAS (6.5% vs. 4.6%). Key limitations are that VENUS was not powered to detect treatment differences in subgroups, and that the lack of a standardized definition of OAB

  19. Overactive bladder (OAB): A symptom in search of a disease - Its relationship to specific lower urinary tract symptoms and conditions.

    PubMed

    Van Batavia, Jason P; Combs, Andrew J; Fast, Angela M; Glassberg, Kenneth I

    2017-06-01

    The ICCS defines OAB by the subjective symptom of urgency; detrusor overactivity (DO) is only implied. While no other symptom is required, OAB can also be associated with urinary frequency, decreased functional bladder capacity, and incontinence. We sought to determine how often these associated findings occur in OAB and what if any uroflow/EMG-defined conditions are found to be associated with it. The charts of 548 children (231M, 318F; mean age 9.0 years, range 3-20) who presented sequentially with urgency (OAB), over a period of 2 years, were reviewed paying particular attention to whether or not there was a history of frequency and/or daytime incontinence in addition to the urgency. All patients had been previously diagnosed with one of the following four lower urinary tract (LUT) conditions based on specific uroflow/EMG findings: 1. dysfunctional voiding (DV; active pelvic floor EMG during voiding); 2. idiopathic detrusor overactivity disorder (IDOD; OAB with a short EMG lag time (<2 s), and quiet pelvic floor EMG during voiding); 3. detrusor underutilization disorder (DUD; willful infrequent voiding with %EBC >125%, quiet EMG during voiding); and 4. primary bladder neck dysfunction (PBND; prolonged EMG lag time (>6 s), quiet EMG during voiding, and depressed uroflow curve). Mean %EBC was compared between patients with urgency alone and those with urgency plus other symptoms. Any association with gender was analyzed. Urgency was accompanied by either frequency or daytime incontinence in 91% of the children (summary Table). Daytime incontinence was reported in 398 (72.6%) and frequency in 268 (48.9%). Mean %EBC was 80.9. Females were more likely to report daytime incontinence (76.7% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.02) and frequency was found more often in males (63.6% vs. 38.1%, p < 0.001). %EBC was less in males (70.0 vs. 88.8, p < 0.001). The majority of patients with urgency were diagnosed with IDOD (62%), while 15% had DV, 5% PBND, 3% DUD, and in 15%, the uroflow

  20. Do patients with OAB experience bladder sensations in the same way as healthy volunteers? A focus group investigation.

    PubMed

    Heeringa, R; van Koeveringe, G A; Winkens, B; van Kerrebroeck, P E V; de Wachter, S G G

    2012-04-01

    To describe the terminology and pattern of bladder sensations experienced during non-invasive rapid bladder filling in a controlled setting in patients with OAB and to compare these results with a previous study conducted in healthy volunteers. Three groups of patients with OAB, in total 10 patients, participated in three consecutive focus group sessions. Before each session a strict water loading protocol was given. During the first two sessions, participants described how they experienced their bladder sensations in daily life and during a non-invasive bladder filling with constant focus on their bladder. The third session focused on verifying the interpretation of the data gathered and describing the pattern of sensations. Patients describe their bladder sensations as a pressure or a tingling sensation and the pattern can be described by terms ranging from no sensation to an absolute need to void. The absolute need to void may develop suddenly or more slowly progressive. The mean development of bladder sensation is significantly different between patients and healthy volunteers as well as their average diuresis. Patients with OAB describe their bladder sensations as a pressure or a tingling sensation. There appear to be two types of urgency: a sudden absolute need to void and a slowly developing absolute need to void. Furthermore bladder sensation develops significantly different in volunteers than in OAB patients. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Assessing multiple dimensions of urgency sensation: The University of South Australia Urinary Sensation Assessment (USA2 ).

    PubMed

    Das, Rebekah; Buckley, Jonathan; Williams, Marie

    2017-03-01

    To develop and assess structure, test-retest reliability, and discriminative validity of a self-report questionnaire (University of South Australia Urinary Sensation Assessment: USA 2 ) to assess multiple dimensions of urgency sensation. The USA 2 was designed and tested over two prospective, observational studies (2013-2014). Participants were English speaking Australians aged 50 or more with and without overactive bladder (OAB; determined by OAB awareness tool), recruited via health and recreation centers. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis determined USA 2 structure and subscales. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis reassessed structure; Mann-Whitney U-tests determined discriminative validity (OAB vs. non-OAB for subscale and total scores) with Cohen's d effect sizes. Thirty-three individuals completed the USA 2 twice; intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Wilcoxon signed rank tests assessed test-retest reliability. Questionnaires were returned by 189 eligible participants in Study 1 and 211 in Study 2. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three subscales: "urgency," "affective," "fullness." Confirmatory factor analysis supported these subscales. Subscale and total scores were significantly different between groups with and without OAB (P < 0.001). Cohen's d effect sizes (95%CI) were total score 1.8 (0.5-3.1), "urgency" subscale 1.8 (1.3-2.3), "affective" 1.7 (0.95-2.4), and "fullness" 0.75 (0.42-1.09). Total and subscales scores demonstrated test-retest reliability; ICCs (95%CIs) of 0.95 (0.9-0.98), 0.96 (0.92-0.98), 0.94 (0.88-0.97), and 0.78 (0.56-0.89). The USA 2 assesses multiple dimensions of urgency sensation, is reliable over a 2-week period, and discriminates between older adults with and without OAB. Further validation is required in conditions other than overactive bladder. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:667-672, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  2. University of Colorado Students Join Pros in Covering Columbine Incident.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Litherland, Chip

    1999-01-01

    Describes the experiences and feelings of a university photojournalist as he covered the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Notes the onslaught of the media presence and the overwhelming emotion he witnessed. (RS)

  3. Can we create a valid treatment algorithm for patients with drug resistant overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome or detrusor overactivity (DO)? Results from a think tank (ICI-RS 2015).

    PubMed

    Apostolidis, Apostolos; Averbeck, Marcio Augusto; Sahai, Arun; Rahnama'i, Mohhamad Sajjad; Anding, Ralf; Robinson, Dudley; Gravas, Stavros; Dmochowski, Roger

    2017-04-01

    To review and assess the definitions of drug resistance and the evidence supporting treatment for drug resistant overactive bladder/detrusor overactivity (OAB/DO). Evidence review of the extant literature and consensus of opinion was used to derive the summary recommendations. Drug resistance or drug refractory status has been inconsistently defined and reported in current evident sources. Recent publications use some correlation of lack of efficacy and or experienced side effects to define drug resistance. Algorithms based upon these definitions largely relate to the appropriate use of neuromodulation or botulinum neurotoxin, based upon patient selection and patient choice. Current treatment pathways are hampered by inability to consistently profile patients to optimize management, particularly after failure of initial pragmatic treatment. Further research is recommended to better identify patient phenotype for purposes of directing optimized therapy for OAB/DO. Current treatment algorithms are influenced by extensive data generated from recent neuromodulation and botulinum neurotoxin trials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Agreement between Oakland University and the Oakland University Chapter, American Association of University Professors, 1985-88.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Oakland University and the University's chapter (370 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period 1985-1988 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of AAUP, academic titles, AAUP rights, university management,…

  5. Achieving universal health care coverage: Current debates in Ghana on covering those outside the formal sector

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Globally, extending financial protection and equitable access to health services to those outside the formal sector employment is a major challenge for achieving universal coverage. While some favour contributory schemes, others have embraced tax-funded health service cover for those outside the formal sector. This paper critically examines the issue of how to cover those outside the formal sector through the lens of stakeholder views on the proposed one-time premium payment (OTPP) policy in Ghana. Discussion Ghana in 2004 implemented a National Health Insurance Scheme, based on a contributory model where service benefits are restricted to those who contribute (with some groups exempted from contributing), as the policy direction for moving towards universal coverage. In 2008, the OTPP system was proposed as an alternative way of ensuring coverage for those outside formal sector employment. There are divergent stakeholder views with regard to the meaning of the one-time premium and how it will be financed and sustained. Our stakeholder interviews indicate that the underlying issue being debated is whether the current contributory NHIS model for those outside the formal employment sector should be maintained or whether services for this group should be tax funded. However, the advantages and disadvantages of these alternatives are not being explored in an explicit or systematic way and are obscured by the considerable confusion about the likely design of the OTPP policy. We attempt to contribute to the broader debate about how best to fund coverage for those outside the formal sector by unpacking some of these issues and pointing to the empirical evidence needed to shed even further light on appropriate funding mechanisms for universal health systems. Summary The Ghanaian debate on OTPP is related to one of the most important challenges facing low- and middle-income countries seeking to achieve a universal health care system. It is critical that there is

  6. Land cover mapping of North and Central America—Global Land Cover 2000

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Latifovic, Rasim; Zhu, Zhi-Liang

    2004-01-01

    The Land Cover Map of North and Central America for the year 2000 (GLC 2000-NCA), prepared by NRCan/CCRS and USGS/EROS Data Centre (EDC) as a regional component of the Global Land Cover 2000 project, is the subject of this paper. A new mapping approach for transforming satellite observations acquired by the SPOT4/VGTETATION (VGT) sensor into land cover information is outlined. The procedure includes: (1) conversion of daily data into 10-day composite; (2) post-seasonal correction and refinement of apparent surface reflectance in 10-day composite images; and (3) extraction of land cover information from the composite images. The pre-processing and mosaicking techniques developed and used in this study proved to be very effective in removing cloud contamination, BRDF effects, and noise in Short Wave Infra-Red (SWIR). The GLC 2000-NCA land cover map is provided as a regional product with 28 land cover classes based on modified Federal Geographic Data Committee/Vegetation Classification Standard (FGDC NVCS) classification system, and as part of a global product with 22 land cover classes based on Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The map was compared on both areal and per-pixel bases over North and Central America to the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) global land cover classification, the University of Maryland global land cover classification (UMd) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Global land cover classification produced by Boston University (BU). There was good agreement (79%) on the spatial distribution and areal extent of forest between GLC 2000-NCA and the other maps, however, GLC 2000-NCA provides additional information on the spatial distribution of forest types. The GLC 2000-NCA map was produced at the continental level incorporating specific needs of the region.

  7. Health Resource Utilization and Cost for Patients with Incontinent Overactive Bladder Treated with Anticholinergics.

    PubMed

    Yehoshua, Alon; Chancellor, Michael; Vasavada, Sandip; Malone, Daniel C; Armstrong, Edward P; Joshi, Manher; Campbell, Karen; Pulicharam, Riya

    2016-04-01

    rates of hospital admissions, outpatient visits, prescriptions filled, and diagnostic tests performed. After adjustment for covariates, total health care cost was 33% higher for wet OAB patients than non-OAB patients, resulting in an increased cost of $1,746 per member per year. The findings of this research suggest OAB patients who initiate anticholinergic therapy and still experience incontinence are at a greater risk for comorbidities such as falls/fractures and depression/anxiety, and use significantly more health care resources, than patients without OAB. Programs to improve patient monitoring and referrals, the appropriate use of alternative treatments within guidelines, and adherence to evidence-based practice parameters may improve clinical outcomes and decrease HRU for these patients. This study was sponsored by Allergan, Irvine, California, which reviewed and approved the final manuscript. At the time of the study, Yehoshua had received a fellowship at the University of Arizona, which was funded by Allergan. Yehoshua, Joshi, and Campbell are employees of Allergan. Vasaveda has received consulting fees from Allergan, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific. Chancelor has received consulting fees from Allergan and Medtronic. All authors met the ICMJE authorship criteria. Neither honoraria nor payments were made for authorship. Study design was created by Yehoshua, Pulicharam, Malone, and Armstrong. Pulicharam took the lead in data collection, along with Chancellor and Campbell, and data interpretation was performed by Chancellor, Vasavada, Malone, and Armstrong. The manuscript was written by Yehoshua and revised by Joshi and Yehoshua, with assistance from the other authors.

  8. Should we use the shorter Thai-version quality of life and symptoms questionnaires in women with overactive bladder?

    PubMed

    Bunyavejchevin, Suvit; Liao, Limin; Lu, Shing-Hwa; Choo, Myung-Soo; Rabbani, Khalid Javed; Havanond, Piyalamporn

    2015-08-01

    The aim of this study was to test: (i) the validation and reliability of the Thai versions of overactive bladder (OAB) questionnaires (the 8-item and 3-item Overactive Bladder Symptoms Score questionnaires [OAB-v8 and OAB-v3, respectively] and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire [OAB-q]); and (ii) the correlation of the OAB-v8, OAB-v3, and the single-question Quality of Life Questionnaire (1-QoL) to the OAB-q in Thai women with OAB. During January to March 2011, 36 Thai women with OAB attending a urogynecology clinic at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand were recruited. All questionnaires were given as a psychometric test twice, 2 weeks apart. Cronbach's alpha of the OAB-v8 was higher (and above 0.7) than OAB-v3 at both week 0 and week 2. The intraclass correlations (ricc ) were 0.64, 0.85, and 0.97 for the OABV8, OAB-v3, and OAB-q, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) of OAB-v3 and OAB-q at weeks 0 and 2 (0.40 and 0.49) were lower than those for OAB-v8 and OAB-q at weeks 0 and 2 (0.62 and 0.62). All questions on the OAB-v3 had a lower weighted kappa than OAB-v8. There was no statistically significant difference in the OAB-q score in each level of 1-QoL score at week 0 (P = 0.12) and at week 2 (P = 0.29). The reliability of the OAB-v3 is poorer than that of the OAB-v8. The OAB-v3 is poorer correlated to the OAB-q than to the OAB-v8. A short questionnaire, such as the OAB-v3 and the 1-QoL, has poor reliability and is poorly correlated to the OAB-q and is not recommended as a replacement for the standard questionnaires, such as the OAB-q and the OAB-v8. The OAB-v3 should only be used in large screening populations where there are time limits. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2015 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  9. Faculty Agreement 1983-1985: Oakland University and the Oakland University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Oakland University and the Oakland University Chapter (370 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period March 1, 1983-August 14, 1985 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of AAUP; work of the bargaining unit;…

  10. Prevalence of overactive bladder and its impact on quality of life in 1025 patients with type 2 diabetes in mainland China.

    PubMed

    Xu, Dongjuan; Gao, Jie; Wang, Xiaojuan; Huang, Liqun; Wang, Kefang

    2017-08-01

    This study examined the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and investigated the impact of OAB on quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Mainland China. A total of 1025 patients with type 2 diabetes were surveyed. Patients were grouped into no OAB, dry OAB, and wet OAB groups according to the presence of OAB and urge incontinence. Descriptive analyses, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariable regression models were conducted to assess the prevalence of OAB and the effect of OAB on QOL. The prevalence of OAB among patients with type 2 diabetes was 13.9% (with dry OAB, 6.1%; with wet OAB, 7.8%). Multivariable regression models showed that OAB symptoms caused significant deterioration of the physical and mental aspects of QOL. Compared with dry OAB, wet OAB further decreased the mental aspect of QOL. Moreover, the effect sizes of the impacts of dry and wet OAB on QOL were larger than those of diabetic neuropathy or retinopathy, diabetes duration, or urinary tract infection history. OAB is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes than in the general population and substantially decreases patient QOL. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Determining the torus covering factors for a sample of type 1 AGN in the local Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ezhikode, Savithri H.; Gandhi, Poshak; Done, Chris; Ward, Martin; Dewangan, Gulab C.; Misra, Ranjeev; Philip, Ninan Sajeeth

    2017-12-01

    In the unified scheme of active galactic nuclei, a dusty torus absorbs and then reprocesses a fraction of the intrinsic luminosity which is emitted at longer wavelengths. Thus, subject to radiative transfer corrections, the fraction of the sky covered by the torus as seen from the central source (known as the covering factor fc) can be estimated from the ratio of the infrared to the bolometric luminosities of the source as fc = Ltorus/LBol. However, the uncertainty in determining LBol has made the estimation of covering factors by this technique difficult, especially for AGN in the local Universe where the peak of the observed spectral energy distributions lies in the UV (ultraviolet). Here, we determine the covering factors of an X-ray/optically selected sample of 51 type 1 AGN. The bolometric luminosities of these sources are derived using a self-consistent, energy-conserving model that estimates the contribution in the unobservable far-UV region, using multifrequency data obtained from SDSS, XMM-Newton, WISE, 2MASS and UKIDSS. We derive a mean value of fc ∼ 0.30 with a dispersion of 0.17. Sample correlations, combined with simulations, show that fc is more strongly anticorrelated with λEdd than with LBol. This points to large-scale torus geometry changes associated with the Eddington-dependent accretion flow, rather than a receding torus, with its inner sublimation radius determined solely by heating from the central source. Furthermore, we do not see any significant change in the distribution of fc for sub-samples of radio-loud sources or Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), though these sub-samples are small.

  12. Agreement between Fairleigh Dickinson University and Fairleigh Dickinson University Council of American Association of University Professors Chapters, September 1, 1982-August 31, 1984.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Fairleigh Dickinson University and Fairleigh Dickinson University Council (495 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapters covering the period September 1, 1982-August 31, 1984 is presented. Items covered are: unit recognition and definitions; nondiscrimination; base…

  13. Collective Bargaining Agreement between Portland State University Chapter, American Association of University Professors, and Portland State University [July 1, 1983-June 30, 1985].

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Portland State Univ., OR.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Portland State University and Portland State University Chapter (550 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1983-June 30, 1985 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of AAUP, AAUP rights, exchange of…

  14. Agreement between Eastern Michigan University and the Eastern Michigan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1985-August 31, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Eastern Michigan University and the Eastern Michigan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1985-August 31, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions, unit recognition, management rights, union rights,…

  15. Agreement between Board of Control, Northern Michigan University, and American Association of University Professors, Northern Michigan University Chapter, July 1, 1984-June 30, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Northern Michigan University Board of Control and Northern Michigan University Chapter (280 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1984-June 30, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of AAUP;…

  16. Covering All Options

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kennedy, Mike

    2011-01-01

    The day a school opens its doors for the first time, the flooring will be new and untarnished. When the flooring is in such pristine condition, many flooring materials--carpeting, vinyl, terrazzo, wood or some other surface--will look good. But school and university planners who decide what kind of material covers the floors of their facilities…

  17. Presence of central nervous system, cardiovascular and overall co-morbidity burden in patients with overactive bladder disorder in a real-world setting.

    PubMed

    Asche, Carl V; Kim, Jaewhan; Kulkarni, Amit S; Chakravarti, Paula; Andersson, Karl-Erik

    2012-02-01

    •  To determine the proportion of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) potentially at risk for adverse events by assessing their pre-existing central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular (CV) and other co-morbidities. •  The GE Centricity Electronic Medical Record database was utilized to identify patients with a diagnosis of OAB using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes or a prescription between 1 January 1996 and 30 March 2007 for an OAB anti-muscarinic agent. •  Matched non-OAB patients were assigned the same index date as the corresponding OAB patient. Based on the presence of ≥ one pharmacy claim for an OAB anti-muscarinic agent, the OAB cohort was stratified as treated or untreated. A random sample of age- and gender-matched patients formed a non-OAB control cohort. •  An additional and separate analysis focusing on all co-morbidities was performed examining non-OAB patients who were matched to OAB patients on 1:1 propensity score matching, based on age, body mass index (BMI) and gender at baseline. •  Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), using ICD-9 codes, and the Chronic Disease Score (CDS), using prescribed drugs, were calculated. •  When compared with non-OAB patients (N= 77,272; 83.2% women; median age 64 years), OAB patients (N= 41,440; 83.6% women; median age 65 years) had more overall CNS co-morbidities (45.4 vs 29.0%; P < 0.001). •  In addition, OAB patients had a higher use of medications with anti-muscarinic effects (39.6 vs 25.4%; P < 0.001). OAB patients were also more likely to have CV co-morbidities (57.6 vs 44.6%; P < 0.001). •  CNS co-morbidities were slightly more common in untreated (n= 8 106) than in treated (n= 33 334) OAB patients (47.2 vs 45.0%; P < 0.001). CV co-morbidities were higher in treated OAB patients (58.8 vs 53.7%; P < 0.001). •  In the additional separate analysis, which focused on all co-morbidities, patients with OAB had higher mean CCI and CDS scores

  18. [Economic impact of overactive bladder symptoms in Japan].

    PubMed

    Inoue, Sachie; Kobayashi, Makoto; Sugaya, Kimio

    2008-11-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscles of the bladder. The primary symptoms of OAB include urinary urgency and frequency, with or without urge incontinence. Despite the growing awareness of OAB as a chronic medical condition, little is known about the disease's economic burden. Therefore, in the present study, the costs associated with the management of OAB symptoms in Japan were estimated, and the potential cost saving by increasing the rate of physician visits in OAB population was analyzed. To estimate the costs of OAB symptoms in Japan, we collected a variety of epidemiologic and economic literatures about OAB or urinary incontinence published by June, 2007. Three types of costs were considered in this estimation: 1. OAB treatment cost (pharmacological treatment cost, diagnostic cost and cost for physician visits), 2. direct cost (OAB-related cost [urinary tract infections, skin infections and fractures] and incontinence care cost [costs of pads, diapers and cleaning]), and 3. indirect cost (work loss due to absence from work and decrease in productivity). The analysis was conducted on community dwelling Japanese persons aged > or = 40 years, and assumed that OAB patients visited a hospital or a clinic once every four weeks. For the estimation of pharmacological treatment cost, four anticholinergic drugs (immediate-release oxybutynin (Pollakisu), propiverine (BUP-4), extended-release tolterodine (Detrusitol) and solifenacin (Vesicare)) were referred. Potential cost saving was estimated on the assumption that the hospital visit rate would increase from the current 22.7% to 35% and 50%, respectively. The number of persons with OAB symptoms and OAB patients was estimated at 8.6 million (4.6 million men, 4.0 million women) and 2.0 million (1.7 million men, 0.3 million women), respectively. The annual cost for OAB was estimated to be 956.2 billion yen (112,000 yen per one person with OAB symptoms). This cost

  19. The impact of overactive bladder, incontinence and other lower urinary tract symptoms on quality of life, work productivity, sexuality and emotional well-being in men and women: results from the EPIC study.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Sexton, Chris C; Irwin, Debra E; Kopp, Zoe S; Kelleher, Con J; Milsom, Ian

    2008-06-01

    To examine the effect overactive bladder (OAB) and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population sample, as OAB often occurs in conjunction with many other LUTS. A nested case-control analysis was performed on men and women with (cases) and without (controls) OAB, from the EPIC study. OAB was assessed using 2002 International Continence Society definitions. Based on their responses to questions about LUTS, cases were classified into five groups; continent OAB, OAB with incontinence, OAB + postmicturition, OAB + voiding, and OAB + postmicturition + voiding. Both cases and controls were asked questions about symptom bother (OAB-q), generic QoL (EQ-5D), work productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment, WPAI), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), sexual satisfaction, and erectile dysfunction (men only) using the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Cases answered additional condition-specific questions HRQoL (OAB-q short form), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition and work productivity related to a specific health problem (WPAI-SHP). General linear models were used to evaluate group differences. Of the EPIC participants, 1434 identified OAB cases were matched by age, gender and country, with 1434 participants designated as controls. Cases and controls were primarily Caucasian (96.2% and 96.7%, respectively), and most (65%) were female; the mean age was 53.8 and 53.7 years, respectively. Comorbid conditions differed significantly by case/control status, with cases reporting significantly greater rates of chronic constipation, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, bladder or prostate cancer, neurological conditions and depression. There were significant differences between the cases and controls in all reported LUTS. The OAB + postmicturition + voiding group reported significantly greater symptom bother, worse HRQoL, higher rates of depression and decreased enjoyment of

  20. Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the Administration of Adelphi University and Adelphi University Chapter, American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1984-August 31, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the Adelphi University Administration and the Adelphi University Chapter (540 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1984-August 31, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions; recognition and definition of the…

  1. "(Un)covering" in the Classroom: Managing Stigma beyond the Closet

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Branfman, Jonathan

    2017-01-01

    While many instructors closet stigmatized identities, others "downplay" them--a tactic that sociologist Erving Goffman terms "covering." What are the personal, ethical, and pedagogical costs of covering? What are the gains? How can feminist university instructors cover stigmatized identities without fueling oppressive…

  2. Somatic syndromes and chronic pain in women with overactive bladder

    PubMed Central

    Reynolds, W. Stuart; Mock, Stephen; Zhang, Xuechao; Kaufman, Melissa; Wein, Alan; Bruehl, Stephen; Dmochowski, Roger

    2016-01-01

    Aims Mechanisms underlying pain perception and afferent hypersensitivity, such as central sensitization, may impact overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. However, little is known about associations between OAB symptom severity, pain experience, and presence of comorbid chronic pain syndromes. This study examined relationships between OAB symptoms, somatic symptoms, and specific chronic pain conditions in which central sensitization is believed to play a primary role, in a community-based sample of adult women with OAB Methods We recruited adult women with OAB to complete questionnaires assessing urinary symptoms, pain and somatic symptoms, and preexisting diagnoses of central sensitivity syndromes. We analyzed the effects of overall bodily pain intensity, general somatic symptoms, and diagnoses of central sensitivity syndromes on OAB symptom bother and health-related quality of life. Results Of the 116 women in this study, over half (54%) stated their urge to urinate was associated with pain, pressure, or discomfort. Participants reported a wide range of OAB symptoms and health-related quality of life. There was a significant, positive correlation between OAB symptoms and somatic symptoms as well as overall pain intensity. Only 7% of women met diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia; yet these women demonstrated significantly increased OAB symptom burden and decreased OAB quality of life compared to those without fibromyalgia. Conclusion Women with more severe OAB symptoms reported increased general somatic symptom burden and increased overall body pain intensity, especially women with fibromyalgia. These findings suggest that attributes of pain and co-morbidity with chronic pain conditions may impact the experience of OAB symptoms for many women. PMID:27367486

  3. Bladder symptoms assessed with overactive bladder questionnaire in Parkinson's disease.

    PubMed

    Iacovelli, Elisa; Gilio, Francesca; Meco, Giuseppe; Fattapposta, Francesco; Vanacore, Nicola; Brusa, Livia; Giacomelli, Elena; Gabriele, Maria; Rubino, Alfonso; Locuratolo, Nicoletta; Iani, Cesare; Pichiorri, Floriana; Colosimo, Carlo; Carbone, Antonio; Palleschi, Giovanni; Inghilleri, Maurizio

    2010-07-15

    In Parkinson's disease (PD) the urinary dysfunction manifests primarily with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). The OAB questionnaire (OAB-q) is a measure designed to assess the impact of OAB symptoms on health-related quality of life. In this study, we quantified the urinary symptoms in a large cohort of PD patients by using the OAB-q short form. Possible correlations between the OAB-q and clinical features were tested. Three hundred and two PD patients were enrolled in the study. Correlations between the OAB-q and sex, age, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) staging, disease duration, and treatment were analyzed. Data were compared with a large cohort of 303 age-matched healthy subjects. The OAB-q yielded significantly higher scores in PD patients than in healthy subjects. In the group of PD patients, all the variables tested were similar between men and women. Pearson's coefficient showed a significant correlation between mean age, disease duration, mean OAB-q scores, UPDRS-III scores, and H-Y staging. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that OAB-q values were significantly influenced by age and UPDRS-III. No statistical correlations were found between OAB-q scores and drug therapy or the equivalent levodopa dose, whilst the items relating to the nocturia symptoms were significantly associated with the equivalent levodopa dose. Our findings suggest that bladder dysfunction assessed by OAB-q mainly correlates with UPDRS-III scores for severity of motor impairment, possibly reflecting the known role of the decline in nigrostriatal dopaminergic function in bladder dysfunction associated with PD and patients' age. Our study also suggests that the OAB-q is a simple, easily administered test that can objectively evaluate bladder function in patients with PD.

  4. Agreement between Pittsburg State University/Kansas National Education Association and Pittsburg State University, 1989-90.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pittsburg State Univ., KS.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Pittsburg State University and Pittsburg State University/Kansas National Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, covering the period May 19, 1989 to June 30, 1990 is presented. The contract covers the following items: recognition; equal opportunity; salaries…

  5. Impact of overactive bladder on work productivity in the United States: results from EpiLUTS.

    PubMed

    Sexton, Chris C; Coyne, Karin S; Vats, Vasudha; Kopp, Zoe S; Irwin, Debra E; Wagner, Todd H

    2009-03-01

    Little research has focused on the impact of overactive bladder (OAB) on work productivity. Consequently, the impact of OAB and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on work productivity was evaluated in employed men and women aged 40 to 65 in the United States. Data from a population-based, cross-sectional Internet survey were used to examine the impact of OAB symptoms on work productivity. US participants aged 40 to 65 working full- or part-time were included in the analysis. Participants were asked about the incidence of OAB and other LUTS and a series of questions about work productivity. Descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regressions were used to evaluate outcome differences for men and women by the OAB groups of no/minimal symptoms, continent OAB, and incontinent OAB. The response rate was 60%, and a total of 2876 men and 2820 women were analyzed. Men and women with incontinent OAB reported the lowest levels of work productivity and highest rates of daily work interference. Storage symptoms associated with OAB were most consistently associated with work productivity outcomes; however, significant associations were also found for other storage, voiding, and postmicturition LUTS. In this large US population-based study, OAB was highly prevalent and was associated with lower levels of work productivity. These findings add to the literature documenting the burden of OAB and other LUTS, underscoring the need for increased screening and treatment.

  6. Agreement between Wayne State University and the Wayne State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, August 1, 1983-July 31, 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Wayne State University and the Wayne State University Chapter of AAUP covering the period August 1, 1983-July 31, 1986 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: personnel classification, administration rights, union rights, union privileges, deduction of union dues and fees,…

  7. Agreement between University of Cincinnati and AAUP, University of Cincinnati Chapter, September 1, 1986 to August 31, 1989.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Cincinnati and the university chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1986 through August 31, 1989 is presented. The 42 articles, grouped into seven categories, cover the following: (1) basic principles (recognition and…

  8. A comparison of the IGBP DISCover and University of Maryland 1 km global land cover products

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hansen, M.C.; Reed, B.

    2000-01-01

    Two global 1 km land cover data sets derived from 1992-1993 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data are currently available, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Data and Information System (IGBP-DIS) DISCover and the University of Maryland (UMd) 1 km land cover maps. This paper makes a preliminary comparison of the methodologies and results of the two products. The DISCover methodology employed an unsupervised clustering classification scheme on a per-continent basis using 12 monthly maximum NDVI composites as inputs. The UMd approach employed a supervised classification tree method in which temporal metrics derived from all AVHRR bands and the NDVI were used to predict class membership across the entire globe. The DISCover map uses the IGBP classification scheme, while the UMd map employs a modified IGBP scheme minus the classes of permanent wetlands, cropland/natural vegetation mosaic and ice and snow. Global area totals of aggregated vegetation types are very similar and have a per-pixel agreement of 74%. For tall versus short/no vegetation, the per-pixel agreement is 84%. For broad vegetation types, core areas map similarly, while transition zones around core areas differ significantly. This results in high regional variability between the maps. Individual class agreement between the two 1 km maps is 49%. Comparison of the maps at a nominal 0.5 resolution with two global ground-based maps shows an improvement of thematic concurrency of 46% when viewing average class agreement. The absence of the cropland mosaic class creates a difficulty in comparing the maps, due to its significant extent in the DISCover map. The DISCover map, in general, has more forest, while the UMd map has considerably more area in the intermediate tree cover classes of woody savanna/ woodland and savanna/wooded grassland.

  9. Collective Bargaining Agreement between Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors and the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University, 1984-1987 and The Connecticut State University Agreement for Part-Time Employees in the Instructional Faculty Bargaining Unit.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Connecticut State Board of Higher Education, Hartford.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Connecticut State University Board of Trustees and the Connecticut State University chapter of the American Association of University Professors covering the period April 10, 1984 to April 10, 1987 is presented. The chapter has 1,980 members, including part-timers. Items covered in the agreement include:…

  10. Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the University of Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, July 1, 1986-June 30, 1989.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Connecticut Univ., Storrs. Board of Trustees.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the University of Connecticut Chapter of The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1986-June 30, 1989 is presented. Items covered in the agreement are: recognition, exclusions, academic freedom, governance,…

  11. A multiplexed analysis approach identifies new association of inflammatory proteins in patients with overactive bladder

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Emily; Vetter, Joel; Bliss, Laura; Lai, H. Henry; Mysorekar, Indira U.

    2016-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common debilitating bladder condition with unknown etiology and limited diagnostic modalities. Here, we explored a novel high-throughput and unbiased multiplex approach with cellular and molecular components in a well-characterized patient cohort to identify biomarkers that could be reliably used to distinguish OAB from controls or provide insights into underlying etiology. As a secondary analysis, we determined whether this method could discriminate between OAB and other chronic bladder conditions. We analyzed plasma samples from healthy volunteers (n = 19) and patients diagnosed with OAB, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), or urinary tract infections (UTI; n = 51) for proinflammatory, chemokine, cytokine, angiogenesis, and vascular injury factors using Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) analysis and urinary cytological analysis. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to perform univariate and multivariate comparisons between patient groups (controls, OAB, IC/BPS, and UTI). Multivariate logistic regression models were fit for each MSD analyte on 1) OAB patients and controls, 2) OAB and IC/BPS patients, and 3) OAB and UTI patients. Age, race, and sex were included as independent variables in all multivariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the diagnostic potential of a given analyte. Our findings demonstrate that five analytes, i.e., interleukin 4, TNF-α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, serum amyloid A, and Tie2 can reliably differentiate OAB relative to controls and can be used to distinguish OAB from the other conditions. Together, our pilot study suggests a molecular imbalance in inflammatory proteins may contribute to OAB pathogenesis. PMID:27029431

  12. Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the University of Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, July 1, 1984-June 30, 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Connecticut Univ., Storrs. Board of Trustees.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the University of Connecticut Chapter (1,410 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1984-June 30, 1986 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, exclusions, academic…

  13. Economic impact of using fesoterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder with urge urinary incontinence in a vulnerable elderly population in the United States.

    PubMed

    Qin, Lei; Luo, Xuemei; Zou, Kelly H; Snedecor, Sonya J

    2016-01-01

    To assess the costs of treating overactive bladder (OAB) with fesoterodine compared to no OAB pharmacotherapy among vulnerable elderly from the US payer perspective. A decision analytic cost model was developed to estimate the 52-week costs of a cohort of vulnerable elderly with OAB initiating treatment with fesoterodine or no OAB pharmacotherapy. Vulnerable elderly OAB patients were defined as those aged ≥65 years with self-reported urge urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms for ≥3 months, 2-15 UUI episodes/day, and at risk of deteriorating health by a score of ≥3 on the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES)-13. Patients were evaluated for fesoterodine treatment response (defined as no UUI episodes) and persistence at weeks 12, 26, and 52. The model included a hypothetical health plan with 100,000 elderly members. A total of 7096 vulnerable elderly subjects were identified as the model target population based on the percentage of vulnerable elderly and annual prevalence of OAB among vulnerable elderly. OAB-related costs included fesoterodine drug acquisition costs, healthcare resource use (inpatient hospitalization, outpatient visits, and physician office visits), and OAB-related co-morbidities (falls/fractures, urinary tract infections, depression, and nursing home admissions). All costs were inflated to 2013 US$ using the medical care component of the consumer price index (CPI). When 7096 vulnerable elderly OAB patients were treated with fesoterodine, US healthcare payers could save $11,463,981 per year, or $1616 per patient vs no OAB pharmacotherapy. Univariate one-way sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the findings and showed results were most sensitive to changes in fesoterodine efficacy followed by annual costs of inpatient hospitalization. From a US payer perspective, treating vulnerable elderly OAB patients with fesoterodine was cost-saving compared to no OAB pharmacotherapy.

  14. Refractory overactive bladder: Beyond oral anticholinergic therapy

    PubMed Central

    Glinski, Ronald W.; Siegel, Steven

    2007-01-01

    Objectives: In this review, we discuss the treatment of refractory overactive bladder (OAB) that has not adequately responded to medication therapy and we propose an appropriate care pathway to the treatment of OAB. We also attempt to address the cost of OAB treatments. Materials and Methods: A selective expert review of the current literature on the subject of refractory OAB using MEDLINE was performed and the data is summarized. We also review our experience in treating refractory OAB. The role and outcomes of various treatment options for refractory OAB are discussed and combined therapy with oral anticholinergics is explored. Emerging remedies including intravesical botulinum toxin injection and pudendal neuromodulation are also reviewed, along with conventional surgical options. Results: In general behavioral therapy, pelvic floor electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), have shown symptom decreases in 50-80% of patients with OAB. Depending on the study, combination therapy with oral anticholinergics seems to improve efficacy of behavioral therapy and PTNS in approximately 10-30%. In multicenter, long-term randomized controlled trials, sacral neuromodulation has been shown to improve symptoms of OAB and OAB incontinence in up to 80% of the patients treated. Studies involving emerging therapies such as pudendal serve stimulation suggest that there may be a 15-20% increase in efficacy over sacral neuromodulation, but long-term studies are not yet available. Another emerging therapy, botulinum toxin, is also showing similar success in reducing OAB symptoms in 80-90% of patients. Surgical approaches, such as bladder augmentation, are a last resort in the treatment of OAB and are rarely used at this point unless upper tract damage is a concern and all other treatment options have been exhausted. Conclusion: The vast majority of OAB patients can be managed successfully by behavioral options with or without

  15. The impact of overactive bladder on mental health, work productivity and health-related quality of life in the UK and Sweden: results from EpiLUTS.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Sexton, Chris C; Kopp, Zoe S; Ebel-Bitoun, Caty; Milsom, Ian; Chapple, Chris

    2011-11-01

    • To examine the prevalence and burden of overactive bladder (OAB) with bother in the UK and Sweden compared to OAB without bother and no/minimal OAB/lower urinary tract (LUTS) symptoms, respectively. • A cross-sectional population-representative survey was conducted via the Internet in the UK, Sweden and USA. • Participants rated the frequency and bother of OAB and LUTS. Patient outcomes included the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form, Patient Perception of Bladder Condition, Short Form-12, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression, as well as questions about treatment seeking and work productivity. • OAB was defined as urgency at least sometimes or the presence of urinary urgency incontinence. Three subgroups were compared: no/minimal symptoms, OAB without bother and OAB with bother. • Analyses were conducted by gender and country using general linear and logistic regression models to examine bothersome OAB and treatment seeking. • Survey response was 59.2%; 10,000 people (4724 men and 5276 women) participated. • The prevalence of OAB with bother at least 'somewhat' was 10.9% and 14.6% for men in the UK and Sweden, and 22.5% and 33.7% for women in the UK and Sweden, respectively. • Men and women with bothersome OAB were significantly more likely to seek treatment, report the lowest levels of health-related quality of life and work productivity and the highest levels of anxiety and depression compared to those with no/minimal symptoms and OAB without bother. • Greater symptom severity of urgency, urgency urinary incontinence, frequency, nocturia, and increasing levels of anxiety were strongly predictive of OAB bother in both men and women. • Predictors of treatment seeking included frequency, bother as a result of urgency, and lower levels of depressive symptoms in men, and frequency, nocturia and urgency in women. • OAB is common in the UK and Sweden, and women are more

  16. The 4Rs for cover crops and other advances in cover crop management for environmental quality

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cover crops (CC) are universal tools that can be used to improve management practices to draw multiple benefits with increased sustainability across different continents (Dabney et al. 2001; Reeves 1994; Woodruff and Siddoway 1965; Frye et al. 1985; Holderbaum et al. 1990; Bilbro 1991; Langdale et a...

  17. Analysis of the risk factors for overactive bladder on the basis of a survey in the community.

    PubMed

    Jo, Jung Ki; Lee, Seungwook; Kim, Yong Tae; Choi, Hong Yong; Kim, Shin Ah; Choi, Bo Youl; Moon, Hong Sang

    2012-08-01

    To evaluate the risk factors for overactive bladder (OAB) in a population aged 40 years and over in the community. We conducted a community-based survey of OAB in a population aged 40 years and over in Guri City and Yangpyeong County, South Korea, by use of the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire. A total of 926 subjects were included in the final analysis. The definition of OAB was more than 2 points for the urgency score and 3 points for the sum of scores. In addition, the subjects were asked about age, dwelling place, marital status, educational status, behavioral factors (smoking, drinking, etc), and medical history. Categorical variables were analyzed by using the logistic regression model and were adjusted for age by using the logistic regression model. Overall OAB prevalence was 14.1% (130/926), made up of 49/403 males (12.2%) and 81/523 females (15.5%). OAB prevalence increased with age (p<0.0001). Risk factors for OAB were educational status (age-adjusted p=0.0487), stroke (p=0.0414), osteoporosis (p=0.0208), asthma (p=0.0091), rhinitis (p=0.0008), and cataract. Other factors (dwelling place, marital status, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, myocardial infarction, angina, tuberculosis, atopic dermatitis, hepatitis B, and depression) were not associated with OAB. The prevalence of OAB in our study was about 14.1% and the risk factors for OAB were educational status, stroke, osteoporosis, asthma, rhinitis, and cataract. Knowledge of these risk factors may help in the diagnosis and treatment of OAB.

  18. Analysis of the Risk Factors for Overactive Bladder on the Basis of a Survey in the Community

    PubMed Central

    Jo, Jung Ki; Lee, Seungwook; Kim, Yong Tae; Choi, Hong Yong; Kim, Shin Ah; Choi, Bo Youl

    2012-01-01

    Purpose To evaluate the risk factors for overactive bladder (OAB) in a population aged 40 years and over in the community. Materials and Methods We conducted a community-based survey of OAB in a population aged 40 years and over in Guri City and Yangpyeong County, South Korea, by use of the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire. A total of 926 subjects were included in the final analysis. The definition of OAB was more than 2 points for the urgency score and 3 points for the sum of scores. In addition, the subjects were asked about age, dwelling place, marital status, educational status, behavioral factors (smoking, drinking, etc), and medical history. Categorical variables were analyzed by using the logistic regression model and were adjusted for age by using the logistic regression model. Results Overall OAB prevalence was 14.1% (130/926), made up of 49/403 males (12.2%) and 81/523 females (15.5%). OAB prevalence increased with age (p<0.0001). Risk factors for OAB were educational status (age-adjusted p=0.0487), stroke (p=0.0414), osteoporosis (p=0.0208), asthma (p=0.0091), rhinitis (p=0.0008), and cataract. Other factors (dwelling place, marital status, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, myocardial infarction, angina, tuberculosis, atopic dermatitis, hepatitis B, and depression) were not associated with OAB. Conclusions The prevalence of OAB in our study was about 14.1% and the risk factors for OAB were educational status, stroke, osteoporosis, asthma, rhinitis, and cataract. Knowledge of these risk factors may help in the diagnosis and treatment of OAB. PMID:22949998

  19. Antimuscarinic Use in Females With Overactive Bladder Syndrome Increases the Risk of Depressive Disorder: A 3-Year Follow-up Study.

    PubMed

    Chung, Shiu-Dong; Weng, Sung-Shun; Huang, Chao-Yuan; Lin, Herng-Ching; Kao, Li-Ting

    2017-08-01

    To date, the relationship between antimuscarinics for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome and depressive disorder still remains unclear. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study examined the association between antimuscarinic use and the subsequent risk of depressive disorder using a population-based data set. This study used data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. We selected 1952 OAB women who received antimuscarinics as the study cohort and 9760 OAB women who did not receive antimuscarinics as the comparison cohort. Each subject was tracked for 3 years from her index date to determine all those who were subsequently diagnosed with depressive disorder. Results indicated that the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for depressive disorder in OAB women who received antimuscarinics was 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.64) compared with those OAB women who did not receive antimuscarinics. In addition, the adjusted HRs for subsequent depressive disorder for OAB women aged 18-39, 40-59, and ≥60 years who received antimuscarinics were 1.83 (95%CI, 1.27-2.64), 1.36 (95%CI, 1.03-1.81), and 1.16 (95%CI, 0.86-1.56), respectively, compared with those OAB women who did not receive antimuscarinics. We concluded that women with OAB who received antimuscarinics had a significantly higher risk of subsequent depressive disorder compared with those OAB women who did not receive antimuscarinics. Accordingly, clinicians should be alert to the relationship between antimuscarinics usage and depressive disorder in OAB women and provide appropriate instructions for these patients. © 2017, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

  20. The influence of an overactive bladder on falling: a study of females aged 40 and older in the community.

    PubMed

    Moon, Seung-Jin; Kim, Yong Tae; Lee, Tchun Yong; Moon, Hongsang; Kim, Mi Jung; Kim, Shin Ah; Choi, Bo Youl

    2011-03-01

    An overactive bladder (OAB) affects a person's quality of life. Patients who suffer from OAB run to the toilet frequently to prevent incontinence, and this behavior increases their risk of falling and fear of falling. This study evaluated the influence of OAB on falls and concern about falling in females aged 40 and over living in urban and rural communities. We conducted a population-based cohort study using King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), the Korean version of Falls Efficacy Scale-International (KFES-I) and a questionnaire regarding falls, in females aged 40 and over in Guri city and Yangpyeong county. The data from 514 responders were analyzed. The definition of OAB was 'moderately' or 'a lot' of urgency, or urge incontinence in KHQ. Falls was defined as experience of falls in the last year. High fear of falling was defined as a score of 24 or over in KFES-I. The factors were analyzed by the exact chi-square test and Student's t-test. The multivariate logistic regression model was adopted in order to examine the effects of OAB on falls and concern about falling. Of the 514 responders, 98 fitted the criterion of OAB. Eighty-nine (17.3%) of the responders had experienced falls in the last year: twenty-seven (27.5%) in the group with OAB and 62 (14.9%) in the group without OAB. There was a significant association between falls and OAB (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 3.08; P=0.0485), and between high fear of falling and OAB (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.42 to 5.20; P=0.0024). Urgency and symptoms of urge incontinence increase the risk of falls in women aged 40 or older in the community. Early diagnosis and proper treatment may prevent falls and improve quality of life in OAB patients.

  1. Does the Severity of Overactive Bladder Symptoms Correlate With Risk for Female Sexual Dysfunction?

    PubMed

    Juliato, Cássia Raquel Teatin; Melotti, Iane Glauce Ribeiro; Junior, Luiz Carlos Santos; Britto, Luiz Gustavo Oliveira; Riccetto, Cássio Luiz Zanettini

    2017-07-01

    Several studies have associated overactive bladder (OAB) with female sexual dysfunction (FSD); however, there are no reports using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity and to relate OAB to the risk of FSD. To evaluate women with OAB and to correlate the severity of their urinary symptoms with their sexual function. This cross-sectional study included 267 women older than 18 years with untreated OAB. All subjects completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Linear regression was used to analyze the association between variables and the numeric FSFI score, and categorical FSFI scores were analyzed using logistic regression. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between ICIQ-OAB results and the different FSFI domains. The significance level was 5%. Subjects' mean age was 50.2 ± 11.9 years. Most women were married, had at least three children, and were postmenopausal (54.3%). Mean FSFI total score was 19.2 ± 9.8. For menopausal status, 65.6% of premenopausal women had a risk for FSD vs 86.2% of postmenopausal women. Mean ICIQ-OAB score was 10 ± 3.17. Postmenopausal women had the following risk factors statistically associated with sexual dysfunction: age, ICIQ score, and marital status. For these women, greater OAB severity, especially those with urgency and/or urge incontinence, was associated with worse scores in the arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual pain domains. However, there was no statistically significant association for premenopausal women. Health professionals have to pay attention to OAB in women because of the greater risk for FSD in these patients. The strength was using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity in a larger population. Limitations include a convenience sample with no power calculation; exclusion of women who did not have sexual intercourse in the past month; unmeasured distress

  2. [Agreement between Lincoln University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the Lincoln University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors ("LUC-AAUP").

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lincoln Univ., PA.

    This document presents the agreement between Lincoln University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the Lincoln University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Articles cover recognition, definitions, purpose of agreement, university administration, chapter service items, governance, no discrimination,…

  3. Spatial Data Mining for Estimating Cover Management Factor of Universal Soil Loss Equation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsai, F.; Lin, T. C.; Chiang, S. H.; Chen, W. W.

    2016-12-01

    Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is a widely used mathematical model that describes long-term soil erosion processes. Among the six different soil erosion risk factors of USLE, the cover-management factor (C-factor) is related to land-cover/land-use. The value of C-factor ranges from 0.001 to 1, so it alone might cause a thousandfold difference in a soil erosion analysis using USLE. The traditional methods for the estimation of USLE C-factor include in situ experiments, soil physical parameter models, USLE look-up tables with land use maps, and regression models between vegetation indices and C-factors. However, these methods are either difficult or too expensive to implement in large areas. In addition, the values of C-factor obtained using these methods can not be updated frequently, either. To address this issue, this research developed a spatial data mining approach to estimate the values of C-factor with assorted spatial datasets for a multi-temporal (2004 to 2008) annual soil loss analysis of a reservoir watershed in northern Taiwan. The idea is to establish the relationship between the USLE C-factor and spatial data consisting of vegetation indices and texture features extracted from satellite images, soil and geology attributes, digital elevation model, road and river distribution etc. A decision tree classifier was used to rank influential conditional attributes in the preliminary data mining. Then, factor simplification and separation were considered to optimize the model and the random forest classifier was used to analyze 9 simplified factor groups. Experimental results indicate that the overall accuracy of the data mining model is about 79% with a kappa value of 0.76. The estimated soil erosion amounts in 2004-2008 according to the data mining results are about 50.39 - 74.57 ton/ha-year after applying the sediment delivery ratio and correction coefficient. Comparing with estimations calculated with C-factors from look-up tables, the soil erosion

  4. Metabolomic Analysis of Overactive Bladder in Male Patients: Identification of Potential Metabolite Biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Shimura, Hiroshi; Mitsui, Takahiko; Kira, Satoru; Ihara, Tatsuya; Sawada, Norifumi; Nakagomi, Hiroshi; Miyamoto, Tatsuya; Tsuchiya, Sachiko; Kanda, Mie; Takeda, Masayuki

    2018-05-09

    To identify metabolites that are associated with an overactive bladder (OAB) using metabolomics. A total of 58 male patients without apparent neurologic disease completed 24-hour bladder diaries of their micturition behavior and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for the assessment of micturition behavior and lower urinary tract symptoms. Urgency was defined as an IPSS urgency score of ≥2 (OAB group), and patients with IPSS urgency scores of ≤1 belonged to the control group. A comprehensive study of plasma metabolites was also conducted using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Metabolite levels were compared between the control and OAB groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Potential metabolite biomarkers were selected using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 58 subjects, the control and OAB groups consisted of 32 and 26 male patients, respectively. Nocturnal urinary volume, 24-hour micturition frequency, nocturnal micturition frequency, and the nocturia index were significantly higher in the OAB group. Metabolomic analysis revealed 60 metabolites in the subjects' plasma. The levels of 11 metabolites differed between the control and OAB groups. Multivariate analysis showed that an increased glutamate level and reduced arginine, glutamine, and inosine monophosphate levels are significantly associated with OAB in male patients. Reduced levels of asparagine and hydroxyproline could also be associated with OAB. Urgency is associated with abnormal metabolism. Analyses of amino acid profiles might aid the search for new treatment targets for OAB. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Agreement between Long Island University and the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, 1981-1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Long Island Univ., Brooklyn, NY.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Long Island University and the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Chapter (50 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period November 1, 1981-November 1, 1986 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: AAUP recognition,…

  6. Agreement between Western Michigan University and the WMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors for September 5, 1984-September 6, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Western Michigan University and the Western Michigan University Chapter (805 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 5, 1984--September 6, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and AAUP recognition, management and…

  7. Agreement between University of Cincinnati and American Association of University Professors, University of Cincinnati Chapter. September 1, 1989 to August 31, 1992.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), for the period September 1, 1989 through August 31, 1992 is presented. The document covers the following topics in 39 articles under the following categories: (1) "Basic…

  8. Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between University of Bridgeport and University of Bridgeport Chapter, American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1984.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bridgeport Univ., CT.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Bridgeport and the University of Bridgeport chapter (245 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) for the period September 1, 1984 to August 31, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of the bargaining unit;…

  9. Ultrasound assessment of bladder wall thickness as a screening test for detrusor instability.

    PubMed

    Abou-Gamrah, Amgad; Fawzy, Mounir; Sammour, Hazem; Tadros, Sherif

    2014-05-01

    The aim of the current study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness (BWT) in diagnosis of over active bladder (OAB). The current prospective study was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital over 2 years. Patients presented to the urogynecology outpatient clinic with symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia and/or urge incontinence were included in this study. The allocated patients were divided into two groups; Group 1(study group): fifty (50) patients with urodynamic diagnosis of detrusor instability (OAB) were included. Group 2 (control): fifty (50) patients with urodynamic diagnosis of stress incontinence were included. Using a transvaginal probe, BWT was measured in three sites at the thickest part of (a) the dome of the bladder (b) the trigone, and (c) the anterior wall of the bladder. An average of the three measurements was considered as the mean bladder thickness. A total of 100 patients with lower urinary symptoms were finally analyzed. There were no statistical significant differences between both groups regarding age, parity and body mass index, while there was statistically longer disease duration in group 2. Excluding urgency, there was statistical significant difference (P < 0.001) regarding lower urinary tract symptoms namely frequency, urgency incontinence, coital incontinence and nocturia. Patients in group 1 were more positive to symptoms of frequency, urgency incontinence, and nocturia, while patients in group 2 were more positive regarding coital incontinence. The thickness of trigon, dome, anterior wall and mean BWT was significantly higher in group 1 when compared to group 2. Receiver operator characteristics curve was constructed for estimating the association between mean BWT and prediction of OAB in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. Mean BWT at 4.78 mm was considered as best cut-off value for prediction of OAB with sensitivity of 90 % and

  10. Impact of urinary incontinence on healthcare resource utilization, health-related quality of life and productivity in patients with overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Tang, Derek H; Colayco, Danielle C; Khalaf, Kristin M; Piercy, James; Patel, Vaishali; Globe, Denise; Ginsberg, David

    2014-03-01

    To evaluate the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on healthcare resource utilization (HRU), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and productivity measures in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). This retrospective, cross-sectional study used data from the Adelphi OAB/UI Disease Specific Programme, a multinational survey of patient- and physician-reported data, fielded between November 2010 and February 2011. The primary patient groups of interest were those with OAB, both with and without UI. Health-related quality of life and productivity measures were derived from the EuroQoL-5D, the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire, the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Measures of HRU included OAB-related surgeries, OAB-related hospitalizations, incontinence pads, anticholinergic use and physician visits. Multivariate linear regression models and literature-based minimal clinically important differences were used to assess statistically significant and clinically meaningful differences in HRQoL and productivity measures between patients with OAB with UI and those without UI. A total of 1 730 patients were identified, with a mean age of 60.7 years, and 77.0% of them were women, 84.2% were non-Hispanic whites, and 71% were incontinent. Bivariate analyses showed that HRU was significantly higher among patients with OAB with UI than among those without UI in all categories except for the number of OAB-related physician visits. In both bivariate and multivariate analyses, incontinent patients presented with clinically and statistically significantly lower HRQoL and productivity measures with respect to all study endpoints, except for percentage of work time missed due to their OAB/UI. Urinary incontinence was associated with significantly higher HRU and lower HRQoL and productivity in this population of patients with OAB from five different countries. In addition to clinical considerations, the

  11. The Influence of an Overactive Bladder on Falling: A Study of Females Aged 40 and Older in the Community

    PubMed Central

    Moon, Seung-Jin; Kim, Yong Tae; Lee, Tchun Yong; Kim, Mi Jung; Kim, Shin Ah; Choi, Bo Youl

    2011-01-01

    Purpose An overactive bladder (OAB) affects a person's quality of life. Patients who suffer from OAB run to the toilet frequently to prevent incontinence, and this behavior increases their risk of falling and fear of falling. This study evaluated the influence of OAB on falls and concern about falling in females aged 40 and over living in urban and rural communities. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study using King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), the Korean version of Falls Efficacy Scale-International (KFES-I) and a questionnaire regarding falls, in females aged 40 and over in Guri city and Yangpyeong county. The data from 514 responders were analyzed. The definition of OAB was 'moderately' or 'a lot' of urgency, or urge incontinence in KHQ. Falls was defined as experience of falls in the last year. High fear of falling was defined as a score of 24 or over in KFES-I. The factors were analyzed by the exact chi-square test and Student's t-test. The multivariate logistic regression model was adopted in order to examine the effects of OAB on falls and concern about falling. Results Of the 514 responders, 98 fitted the criterion of OAB. Eighty-nine (17.3%) of the responders had experienced falls in the last year: twenty-seven (27.5%) in the group with OAB and 62 (14.9%) in the group without OAB. There was a significant association between falls and OAB (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 3.08; P=0.0485), and between high fear of falling and OAB (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.42 to 5.20; P=0.0024). Conclusions Urgency and symptoms of urge incontinence increase the risk of falls in women aged 40 or older in the community. Early diagnosis and proper treatment may prevent falls and improve quality of life in OAB patients. PMID:21468286

  12. Cross-cultural differences for adapting overactive bladder symptoms: results of an epidemiologic survey in Korea.

    PubMed

    Choo, Myung-Soo; Ku, Ja Hyeon; Lee, Jong Bok; Lee, Dong Hwan; Kim, Joon Chul; Kim, Hyung-Jee; Lee, Jeong Ju; Park, Won-Hee

    2007-10-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in a Korean national community sample of adults aged 40-89 years. A national Korean telephone survey using quota sampling methods was conducted. A clinically validated computer-assisted telephone interview approach was used in the survey. In 2,005 subjects (1,005 women and 1,000 men) interviewed, the prevalence of OAB(wet) increased with age in both men and women but OAB(dry) did not. OAB(dry) of men and women was not different in each age decade but OAB(wet) was more common among women than men aged <70 years. Multivariate analysis indicated that sex, age and body mass index (BMI) were associated with OAB(dry). For OAB(wet), sex and age were independent risk factors but BMI was not. In multivariate analysis, urgency was not associated with an increased likelihood of the impact on sexual life in men. The likelihood of the impact on sexual life, quality of life (QOL) and willingness to seek medical consultation was not related to nocturia. In female subjects, odds ratios for the impact of daily living, sexual life, QOL, and willingness to seek help from a health professional were not increased for nocuria. The likelihood of the impact on sexual life and willingness to seek medical help was not related to urge incontinence. Our study provides a valuable insight into the need for tailored education to this population about OAB. These findings suggest that there are cross-cultural differences for adapting OAB symptoms.

  13. Diseases of Ornamental and Shade Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Ground Covers.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nichols, Lester P.

    This agriculture extension service publication from Pennsylvania State University covers the identification and control of common ornamental trees, shrubs, and ground cover diseases. The publication is divided into sections. The first section discusses the diseases of ornamental and shade trees, including general diseases and diseases of specific…

  14. Master Agreement between Northern Michigan University Board of Control and American Association of University Professors, Northern Michigan Chapter, June 30, 1987-June 30 1990.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Northern Michigan University Board of Control and Northern Michigan University chapter of the American Association of University Professors covering the period June 30, 1987-June 30, 1990 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: chapter recognition, nondiscrimination, access to information,…

  15. Agreement Between Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the American Association of University Professors, Temple Chapter.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA.

    This agreement between Temple University and the Temple Chapter of the American Association of University Professors covers the period July 1, 1973 to June 30, 1976. Articles of the agreement cover recognition, definitions, salaries, fringe benefits, workload, tenure procedures, termination of service of faculty, promotions; appointment,…

  16. Agreement between Eastern Michigan University and the Eastern Michigan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, November, 1982.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and the EMU Chapter (600 members) of the AAUP covering the period November 18, 1982-August 31, 1985 is presented. Items covered are: unit recognition and definitions, EMU's right to manage, information provided to the union, union use of facilities/services, released…

  17. Estimated cost of overactive bladder in Thailand.

    PubMed

    Prasopsanti, Kriangsak; Santi-Ngamkun, Apirak; Pornprasit, Kanokwan

    2007-11-01

    To estimate the annual direct and indirect costs of overactive bladder (OAB) in indigenous Thai people aged 18 years and over in the year 2005. Economically based models using diagnostic and treatment algorithms from clinical practice guidelines and current disease prevalence data were used to estimate direct and indirect costs of OAB. Prevalence and event probability estimates were obtained from the literature, national data sets, and expert opinion. Costs were estimated from a small survey using a cost questionnaire and from unit costs of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The annual cost of OAB in Thailand is estimated as 1.9 billion USD. It is estimated to consume 1.14% of national GDP The cost includes 0.33 billion USD for direct medical costs, 1.3 billion USD for direct, nonmedical costs and 0.29 billion USD for indirect costs of lost productivity. The largest costs category was direct treatment costs of comorbidities associated with OAB. Costs of OAB medication accountedfor 14% of the total costs ofOAB.

  18. Agreement between Rhode Island Board of Governors and University of Rhode Island Chapter, American Association of University Professors, 1983-1985.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rhode Island Univ., Kingston.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Rhode Island Board of Governors and University of Rhode Island Chapter (710 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1983-June 30, 1985 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and AAUP recognition, management rights,…

  19. Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between Hofstra University and the Hofstra Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1985-August 31, 1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Hofstra University and the Hofstra University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1985-August 31, 1988 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and unit recognition; faculty statutes and faculty policy series; the…

  20. Basal and stress-activated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis function in postmenopausal women with overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Smith, Ariana L; Hantsoo, Liisa; Malykhina, Anna P; File, Daniel W; Valentino, Rita; Wein, Alan J; Sammel, Mary D; Epperson, C Neill

    2016-09-01

    The aim of this study was to measure physiologic and psychologic stress reactivity in women with overactive bladder (OAB). There is growing evidence in preclinical models that central nervous system dysregulation, particularly in response to psychological stress, may contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms in women with OAB. Postmenopausal women with OAB and healthy controls underwent Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID) to identify those without identifiable psychiatric disease. Eligible participants underwent physiologic measures including basal (cortisol-awakening response; CAR) and stress-activated salivary cortisol levels, heart rate (HR), urinary metanephrines and neurotrophins, as well as validated symptom assessment for stress, anxiety, depression, and bladder dysfunction at baseline and during, and following an acute laboratory stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Baseline measures of cortisol reactivity measured by CAR showed blunted response among women with OAB (p = 0.015), while cortisol response to the TSST was greater in the OAB group (p = 0.019). Among OAB patients, bladder urgency as measured by visual analog scale (VAS) increased from pre- to post-TSST (p = 0.04). There was a main effect of TSST on HR (p < 0.001), but no group interaction. Preliminary findings suggest that women with OAB have greater physiologic and psychologic stress reactivity than healthy controls. Importantly for women with OAB, acute stress appears to exacerbate bladder urgency. Evaluation of the markers of stress response may suggest targets for potential diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

  1. Agreement between Rutgers The State University of New Jersey and Rutgers Council of the American Association of University Professors, July 1, 1983-June 30, 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Rutgers The State University of New Jersey and Rutgers Council of Chapters of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1983-June 30, 1986 is presented. The agreement covers 3,660 members, including graduate assistants. Items covered in the agreement include:…

  2. Seasonal land-cover regions of the United States

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Loveland, Thomas R.; Merchant, James W.; Brown, Jesslyn F.; Ohlen, Donald O.; Reed, Bradley C.; Olson, Paul; Hutchinson, John

    1995-01-01

    Global-change investigations have been hindered by deficiencies in the availability and quality of land-cover data. The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have collaborated on the development of a new approach to land-cover characterization that attempts to address requirements of the global-change research community and others interested in regional patterns of land cover. An experimental 1 -kilometer-resolution database of land-cover characteristics for the coterminous U.S. has been prepared to test and evaluate the approach. Using multidate Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data complemented by elevation, climate, ecoregions, and other digital spatial datasets, the authors define 152, seasonal land-cover regions. The regionalization is based on a taxonomy of areas with respect to data on land cover, seasonality or phenology, and relative levels of primary production. The resulting database consists of descriptions of the vegetation, land cover, and seasonal, spectral, and site characteristics for each region. These data are used in the construction of an illustrative 1:7,500,000-scaIe map of the seasonal land-cover regions as well as of smaller-scale maps portraying general land cover and seasonality. The seasonal land-cover characteristics database can also be tailored to provide a broad range of other landscape parameters useful in national and global-scale environmental modeling and assessment.

  3. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training to Manage Overactive Bladder and Urinary Incontinence.

    PubMed

    Angelini, Kimberly

    Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) are common chronic conditions that can negatively affect women's quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle training is the first-line treatment. Two recent Cochrane Reviews examining pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of UI and OAB are summarized here to provide women's health nurses with current recommendations for UI and OAB management. This column also identifies practice improvement education in the area of pelvic floor muscle training and treatment for OAB and UI. © 2017 AWHONN, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

  4. Expression and diagnosis of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 in urothelium of patients with overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Zhang, H Y; Chu, J F; Li, P; Li, N; Lv, Z H

    2015-01-01

    This study was carried out to test expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 (TRPV1) in urothelium of female patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and explore clinical significance of TRPV1 in diagnosing female OAB. TRPV1 expression in urothelium of female OAB patients (n=21) and healthy females (n=9) was detected using Strept Avidin-Biotin Complex (SABC), an immunohistochemical method and image analysis system. Relative content of TRPV1 was expressed by average optical density (AOD) and was analyzed through data of urodynamics. Compared to TRPV1 expression in urothelium of healthy females (AOD 0.3658 ± 0.1009), TRPV1 expression in OAB patients was much higher (AOD 0.4834 ± 0.1252) and the difference was significant P less than 0.05. Observation and comparison in clinic of urodynamic parameters of female patients and healthy females revealed that the former had lower indexes with remarkable differences (P less than 0.05) such as Qmax, first desire volume (FDV), strong desire volume (SDV), maximum cyst capacity (MCC) and bladder compliance (BC). Thus high expression of TRPV1 in urothelium of female OAB patients is closely correlated to OAB occurrence, showing great importance of improved bladder sensitivity in female OAB occurrence mechanism.

  5. Physician-patient communication about overactive bladder: Results of an observational sociolinguistic study.

    PubMed

    Hahn, Steven R; Bradt, Pamela; Hewett, Kathleen A; Ng, Daniel B

    2017-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence are common problems that have significant impact on quality of life (QOL). Less than half of sufferers seek help from their physicians; many who do are dissatisfied with treatment and their physicians' understanding of their problems. Little is known about the sociolinguistic characteristics of physician-patient communication about OAB in community practice. An IRB-approved observational sociolinguistic study of dialogues between patients with OAB and treating physicians was conducted. Study design included semi-structured post-visit interviews, post-visit questionnaires, and follow-up phone calls. Conversations were analyzed using techniques from interactional sociolinguistics. Communication was physician- rather than patient-centered. Physicians spoke the majority of words and 83% of questions were closed-ended. The impact of OAB on QOL and concerns about and adherence to treatment were infrequently addressed by physicians, who were poorly aligned with patients in their understanding. These topics were addressed more frequently when open-ended questions successfully eliciting elaborated responses were used in ask-tell-ask or ask-tell sequences. Clinical dialogue around OAB is physician-centered; topics critical to managing OAB are infrequently and inadequately addressed. The use of patient-centered communication is correlated with more discussion of critical topics, and thus, more effective management of OAB.

  6. Physician-patient communication about overactive bladder: Results of an observational sociolinguistic study

    PubMed Central

    Hahn, Steven R.; Bradt, Pamela; Hewett, Kathleen A.; Ng, Daniel B.

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence are common problems that have significant impact on quality of life (QOL). Less than half of sufferers seek help from their physicians; many who do are dissatisfied with treatment and their physicians’ understanding of their problems. Little is known about the sociolinguistic characteristics of physician-patient communication about OAB in community practice. Methods An IRB-approved observational sociolinguistic study of dialogues between patients with OAB and treating physicians was conducted. Study design included semi-structured post-visit interviews, post-visit questionnaires, and follow-up phone calls. Conversations were analyzed using techniques from interactional sociolinguistics. Results Communication was physician- rather than patient-centered. Physicians spoke the majority of words and 83% of questions were closed-ended. The impact of OAB on QOL and concerns about and adherence to treatment were infrequently addressed by physicians, who were poorly aligned with patients in their understanding. These topics were addressed more frequently when open-ended questions successfully eliciting elaborated responses were used in ask-tell-ask or ask-tell sequences. Discussion Clinical dialogue around OAB is physician-centered; topics critical to managing OAB are infrequently and inadequately addressed. The use of patient-centered communication is correlated with more discussion of critical topics, and thus, more effective management of OAB. PMID:29140974

  7. The concomitant use of fesoterodine and topical vaginal estrogen in the management of overactive bladder and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

    PubMed

    Chughtai, Bilal; Forde, James C; Buck, Jessica; Asfaw, Tirsit; Lee, Richard; Te, Alexis E; Kaplan, Steven A

    2016-03-01

    The objective of this study is to investigate the combination effect of anti-muscarinic medication and topical vaginal estrogen in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. After IRB approval, 23 female subjects who met the entry criteria were randomized into two groups: (1) fesoterodine (Toviaz®, Pfizer, NY) with topical vaginal estrogen (Premarin®, Pfizer, NY) once daily or (2) fesoterodine once daily alone. If 4 mg fesoterodine was tolerated at 1-week, the dose was increased to 8 mg. Primary endpoints were improvement in OAB symptom severity (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, OAB-Q SF), improvement in OAB health-related quality of life (HRQL) (OAB-Q SF), and sexual function (Sexual Quality of Life-Female, SQOL-F) after 12 weeks. Secondary endpoint was change in total number of micturitions. After 12-weeks, the combination group had a significant improvement in OAB symptom severity (p = 0.006), HRQL (p = 0.029), and SQOL-F (0.0003). The fesoterodine alone group also had significant improvement in OAB symptom severity (p < 0.0001), HRQL (p = 0.0002), and SQOL-F (p = 0.02). When compared directly to the fesoterodine alone group, the combination group after 12-weeks had a reduced OAB symptom severity (10 versus 23.3; p = 0.35), higher HRQL (96.9 versus 84.6; p = 0.75), and higher SQOL-F (99 versus 81; p = 0.098). The total number of micturitions over 3 d was significantly reduced in the combination group (45-26, p = 0.03) between baseline and 12-weeks. The combined effect of fesoterodine and topical vaginal estrogen improved OAB symptoms and sexual function in postmenopausal women. © The Author(s) 2016.

  8. Impact of overactive bladder on work productivity.

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Sexton, Chris C; Thompson, Christine L; Clemens, J Quentin; Chen, Chieh I; Bavendam, Tamara; Dmochowski, Roger

    2012-07-01

    To evaluate the impact of overactive bladder (OAB) on work productivity in a large, population-based study in the United States, with an overrepresentation of minorities. This cross-sectional, Internet-based survey was conducted among men and women aged 18-70. The lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) tool was used to assess symptoms over past 4 weeks. OAB was defined by urinary urgency of at least "sometimes" and/or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). Outcomes included work status, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire--General Health (WPAI-GH) and Specific Health (WPAI-SH), and questions about the impact of urinary symptoms on work. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate group differences (no/minimal symptoms [NMS] vs OAB). Logistic regressions evaluated predictors of unemployment status controlling for comorbid conditions, risk factors, and demographic variables. The response rate was 57%. A total of 5795 men and women were included in the analysis (OAB, 2323; NMS, 3472). OAB cases were significantly more likely to be unemployed (men, 44%; women, 54%) compared to those with NMS (men, 24%; women, 41%). Mean work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) percent impairment while working was as follows: 19% and 21% among men and women with OAB; NMS, 4% and 7%. Significant differences were found for all urinary-specific WPAI-SHP items and other condition-specific outcomes. Men with OAB were 1.5 times more likely to be unemployed as compared to those with NMS when covariates were controlled for, whereas the association between OAB and unemployment in multivariate analysis was nonsignificant among women. Comparison with other outcomes suggests that OAB impairs work at levels comparable to other serious chronic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. OnabotulinumtoxinA detrusor injection improves female sexual function in women with overactive bladder wet syndrome.

    PubMed

    Balzarro, Matteo; Rubilotta, Emanuele; Braga, Andrea; Bassi, Silvia; Processali, Tania; Artibani, Walter; Serati, Maurizio

    2018-05-05

    The correlation between changes in sexual function and improvements in LUTD in patients treated with OnabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) detrusor injection is unclear and limited only to women with neurogenic OAB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of OnabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) injection on sexual function in women undergoing this treatment for idiopathic wet overactive bladder (OAB). This is a pilot three-center observational study including women affected by idiopathic wet overactive bladder refractory to standard conservative treatments and underwent onaBoNT-A injection. Sexuality was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A 3-day voiding diary, OAB screener questionnaire (OAB-S), and the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire short form (ICIQ-sf) were completed before and 3 months after onaBoNT-A injection to evaluate OAB symptoms. All the 32 enrolled patients were included for statistical analysis. These patients received 100U of onaBoNT-A. Significant improvement of many FSFI domains was found. Only desire and pain domains had no significant improvements. The FSFI total score showed a significant improvement (P 0.0008). Clinical efficacy has been documented by voiding diaries, OAB-S scores, and ICIQ-sf scores. Correlation between UUI episodes and FSFI total score was statistically significant (r = -0.73; p = 0.04) while no significant correlation was found between the number of micturition and FSFI total score. Women who underwent successful OnaBoNT-A detrusor injection to treat wet OAB, showed an improvement in sexual function due to the significant correlation between the improvement of urinary urge incontinence and a better gratification of sexuality. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  10. The association between overactive bladder and fibromyalgia syndrome: a community survey.

    PubMed

    Chung, Jae Hoon; Kim, Shin Ah; Choi, Bo Youl; Lee, Hye-Soon; Lee, Seung Wook; Kim, Yong Tae; Lee, Tchun Yong; Moon, Hong Sang

    2013-01-01

    Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is the most common disease causing chronic generalized pain, and FMS patients often complain of urinary symptoms such as frequency or urgency. This study focuses on the association of overactive bladder (OAB) and FMS in adults aged 40 and over. A survey of adults aged 40s and over was conducted in the Guri and Yangpyeong areas of South Korea. The response rate was 74.2% (940/1,266). After excluding subjects with incomplete questionnaires (n = 20), 920 were included in the final analysis. The association of FMS and OAB was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Individuals with FMS had a significantly increased symptoms of OAB after adjustment for gender, age group, and area of residence (odds ratio (OR) 3.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82-6.31). The association between FMS and severity of OAB was statistical significant (P for trend <0.0001). OAB is associated with FMS. Moreover FMS increases with severity of OAB. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Agreement between Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the American Association of University Professors Temple Chapter, July 1, 1984-June 30, 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the Temple University Chapter (1,350 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1984-June 30, 1986 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and AAUP…

  12. Perceptions of "urgency" in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Clemens, J Quentin; Bogart, Laura M; Liu, Karin; Pham, Chau; Suttorp, Marika; Berry, Sandra H

    2011-03-01

    To compare urgency symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and overactive bladder (OAB). Women with diagnoses of IC/BPS (n=194) and OAB (n=85) were recruited from the clinical practices of Urologists (n=8) and Gynecologists (n=16) with recognized expertise in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Subjects completed a comprehensive telephone survey about their current symptoms. The questionnaire included 11 questions about urinary urgency. Responses were compared between the two groups. Urgency was commonly reported as a symptom by women with both conditions (81% IC/BPS and 91% OAB). Compared with IC/BPS, urgency in OAB more often resulted in leakage, and was perceived to be more of a problem. In IC/BPS, the urgency was primarily reported as due to pain, pressure, or discomfort, while in OAB the urgency was more commonly due to fear of leakage. However, approximately 40% of women with OAB also report urgency due to pain, pressure, or discomfort. Similar proportions of both groups (∼ 60%) indicated that the urgency occurred "suddenly" instead of more gradually over a period of minutes or hours. Urgency symptoms differed in women diagnosed with IC/BPS versus those diagnosed with OAB, but there was significant overlap. This suggests that "urgency" is not a well-defined and commonly understood symptom that can be utilized to clearly discriminate between IC/BPS and OAB. These findings reinforce the clinical observation that it is often challenging to differentiate between these two conditions. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  13. Collective Bargaining Agreement between American Association of University Professors, Eastern Montana College, and the Montana University System, July 1, 1981-June 30, 1985.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Montana Univ. System, Helena.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the Montana University System and the Eastern Montana College Chapter (140 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1981-June 30, 1985 is presented. Items covered are: definitions, nondiscrimination and affirmative action, unit recognition and…

  14. Agreement between Lake Superior State University and Lake Superior State University Faculty Association MEA-NEA. Effective Sept. 1, 1988 to August 31, 1991.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lake Superior State Univ., Sault Sainte Marie, MI.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Lake Superior State University (Michigan) and the Lake Superior State University Faculty Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, covering the period September 1, 1988 to August 31, 1991 is presented. The agreement covers the following items: definitions; recognition; association…

  15. [Research Misconduct in Japan and How It Is Covered by the Media].

    PubMed

    Enoki, Eisuke

    2018-01-01

     Cases of research misconduct (fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism) have been increasing worldwide, including in Japan. In particular, since 2006, many cases of research misconduct have been reported in Japan, and these cases have also been covered by the media. The 2014 case of the withdrawal of articles on STAP cells followed a rare course in which research misconduct became a full-blown social phenomenon. In recent years, even the University of Tokyo has experienced reported cases of research misconduct. In this report, I would like to introduce some representative cases of research misconduct in the field of life sciences over the past decade. These examples include studies conducted at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine (2006), Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience (2006), Ryukyu University School of Medicine (2010), Toho University School of Medicine (2012), The University of Tokyo Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (2013), and several cases outside of Japan. I will discuss what researchers should do to reduce the incidence of research misconduct. In addition, I will discuss how these cases were covered by the media, because the public's impression of research misconduct is formed by media coverage.

  16. Collective Bargaining Agreement between Lincoln University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and Lincoln University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1986 to August 31, 1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lincoln Univ., PA.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Lincoln University and the university chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is presented covering the period September 1, 1986 through August 31, 1988. The following 20 articles comprise the document: recognition; definitions; purpose of agreement; university administration;…

  17. The safety and efficacy of the "inside-out" trans-obturator TVT in elderly versus younger stress-incontinent women: a prospective study of 353 consecutive patients.

    PubMed

    Groutz, Asnat; Cohen, Aviad; Gold, Ronen; Pauzner, David; Lessing, Joseph B; Gordon, David

    2011-03-01

    To analyze the safety and efficacy of the trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) in elderly versus younger stress-incontinent women. Ninety-seven consecutive elderly, aged 70 and older, and 256 younger women (mean age 75 and 55 years, respectively) who underwent TVT-O for urodynamically confirmed stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were prospectively enrolled. Concomitant pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair was performed in 90% of the elderly and 70% of the younger women. The surgical procedures, as well as all pre- and postoperative clinical and urodynamic evaluation, were performed in one university-affiliated medical center. Main outcome measures were operative complications, early and late postoperative morbidity, postoperative urodynamically confirmed SUI (symptomatic, or asymptomatic), persistent, or de novo overactive bladder (OAB) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Mean follow-up of the patients was 30 ± 17 months (range 3-58 months). Early and late postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups, except for significantly more cases of postoperative recurrent UTI's among elderly women (13.7% vs. 6.2%). The incidence of persistent urodynamically confirmed overt SUI was similar in both age groups (5%). However, asymptomatic urodynamic SUI was significantly more common among elderly patients (19% vs. 3.7%, P<0.05). The incidence of persistent OAB was similar in elderly and younger patients (68% and 62%, respectively), while de novo OAB was significantly more common in elderly patients (11.9% vs. 4.7%, P<0.05). TVT-O is safe and efficient for both elderly and younger stress-incontinent women. However, elderly patients are in increased risk for postoperative recurrent UTI's as well as de novo OAB. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  18. Agreement between Board of Trustees of Michigan State University and Michigan State University Administrative-Professional Association, October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the Michigan State University Board of Trustees and the Michigan State Administrative-Professional Association, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), is presented covering the period October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1988. The following 46 articles are covered:…

  19. Memorandum of Understanding between University of California and University Council, American Federation of Teachers, Non-Senate Instructional Unit, July 1 1986-June 30, 1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    California Univ. System.

    The collective bargaining agreement between University of California and University Council, American Federation of Teachers, Non-Senate Instructional Unit, for the period covering July 1, 1986-June 30, 1988, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition; academic freedom; academic responsibility; nondiscrimination;…

  20. The role of acupuncture in managing overactive bladder; a review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Forde, James C; Jaffe, Edward; Stone, Benjamin V; Te, Alexis E; Espinosa, Geo; Chughtai, Bilal

    2016-11-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) affects a considerable proportion of men and women in the United States and is associated with significant costs and quality of life (QoL) reduction. While medication remains a mainstay of treatment, there is increasing interest in the use of alternative medicine in the form of acupuncture. We reviewed the literature on the role of acupuncture in managing OAB. A narrative review was compiled after searching electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE) for clinical studies involving acupuncture in treating OAB. Databases were searched from the time of inception through September 2015 by a clinician for articles reporting the results related to the use of acupuncture in OAB. Key search terms were acupuncture, overactive bladder, bladder instability, urgency, urinary incontinence. Articles in English or translated into English were included. Initial animal studies suggest several biochemical mechanisms of action underlying the effect of acupuncture on OAB suppression. The experience in humans includes two case series and six comparative trials. All studies demonstrated subjective improvement in OAB symptoms, and some reported objective improvement in urodynamic studies. Notably, some comparative trials showed the benefit of acupuncture to be comparable with antimuscarinic treatment. Despite their limitations, existing studies serve as a promising foundation for suggesting a role for acupuncture as an alternative therapy for OAB. Further well-designed studies are required to investigate optimal technique and their outcomes.

  1. The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic fatigue and overactive bladder syndrome: a controlled study 6 years after acute gastrointestinal infection.

    PubMed

    Persson, Robert; Wensaas, Knut-Arne; Hanevik, Kurt; Eide, Geir Egil; Langeland, Nina; Rortveit, Guri

    2015-06-10

    To investigate in a cohort with previous gastrointestinal infection and a control group the prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), and how it was associated with three other functional disorders; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD) and chronic fatigue (CF). Controlled historic cohort study including 724 individuals with laboratory confirmed giardiasis six years earlier, and 847 controls matched by gender and age. Prevalence and odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The prevalence of OAB was 18.7 % (134/716) in the exposed group and 13.6 % (113/833) in the control group (p = 0.007). The association between OAB and IBS was strong in the control group (OR: 2.42; 95 % CI: 1.45 to 4.04), but insignificant in the Giardia exposed (OR: 1.29; 95 % CI: 0.88 to 1.88). The association between OAB and FD was weak in both groups. CF was strongly associated with OAB (OR: 2.73; 95 % CI: 1.85 to 4.02 in the exposed and OR: 2.79; 95 % CI: 1.69 to 4.62 in the controls), and this association remained when comorbid conditions were excluded. Sporadic IBS was associated with increased risk of OAB, whereas post-infectious IBS was not. An apparent association between OAB and previous Giardia infection can be ascribed to comorbid functional disorders.

  2. Intravesical Sodium Chondroitin Sulphate to Treat Overactive Bladder: Preliminary Result.

    PubMed

    Irkilata, Lokman; Aydin, Mustafa; Riza Aydin, Hasan; Cihan Demirel, Hüseyin; Kadihasanoglu, Mustafa; Kemal Atilla, Mustafa

    2015-06-01

    This study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of intravesical treatment with sodium chondroitin sulfate (CS) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who are refractory to previous antimuscarinic treatment. This study was performed between June 2012 and January 2015 and included 31 consecutive women (mean age, 42.10±7.34 years) with OAB who had been previously treated with two types of antimuscarinic drugs. The results of gynecologic and cystoscopic examinations were normal, and OAB comorbidity was absent. Treatment with intravesical instillations containing 40 mL CS (0.2%; 2 mg/mL) was administered for 6 weeks; after weekly treatments, monthly treatments were administered. The OAB-validated 8 (OAB-V8) symptom scores, nocturia, frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, and urinary volumes measured by uroflowmetry were evaluated for all the patients. The values obtained before the treatment were statistically compared with those obtained six months after the treatment. The duration of the symptoms was 18.36±6.19 months. A statistically significant improvement of the patients' conditions was observed in terms of the OAB-V8 symptom scores, nocturia, frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, and urinary volumes measured by uroflowmetry after the treatment. Despite the limitations of this study, the outcomes confirmed that CS therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of OAB.

  3. Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for overactive bladder in constipated children: The role of constipation.

    PubMed

    Veiga, Maria Luiza; Costa, Elen Veruska; Portella, Inaah; Nacif, Ananda; Martinelli Braga, Ana Aparecida; Barroso, Ubirajara

    2016-12-01

    Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an effective method for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), and, additionally, it accelerates bowel transit time. Therefore, not only does parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), but it also resolves the problem of constipation in a significant number of children. Since TENS has a positive effect on LUTS and on the symptoms of fecal retention, it is possible that its action regarding OAB could be directly associated with the improvement in constipation. In other words, the positive effect of parasacral TENS in OAB would be because constipation was resolved. The objective of this study was to test that hypothesis. To test the hypothesis that the positive effect of parasacral TENS in OAB would be because constipation had improved with this method. In this prospective study, children with OAB alone were submitted to parasacral TENS. The inclusion criteria consisted of children with idiopathic OAB alone The Rome III criteria for children of 4-18 years of age were used to diagnose constipation. All the children were treated with 20 sessions of parasacral TENS applied for 20 min, three times weekly on alternating days (Figure). No instructions were given to the participants with respect to diet, laxatives, or pharmaceutical treatment for constipation throughout the study period. None of the patients used anticholinergics. Standard urotherapy was prescribed. Parasacral TENS improves OAB and constipation. The presence of constipation before treatment was not associated with a poorer prognosis insofar as the resolution of the symptoms of OAB was concerned. Likewise, there was no association between the resolution of constipation with parasacral TENS and the resolution of OAB. There was no statistically significant difference in urinary symptoms between the constipated and nonconstipated children. There was an improvement in urgency

  4. Non-invasive characterization of real-time bladder sensation using accelerated hydration and a novel sensation meter: An initial experience.

    PubMed

    Nagle, Anna S; Speich, John E; De Wachter, Stefan G; Ghamarian, Peter P; Le, David M; Colhoun, Andrew F; Ratz, Paul H; Barbee, Robert W; Klausner, Adam P

    2017-06-01

    The purpose of this investigation was to develop a non-invasive, objective, and unprompted method to characterize real-time bladder sensation. Volunteers with and without overactive bladder (OAB) were prospectively enrolled in a preliminary accelerated hydration study. Participants drank 2L Gatorade-G2® and recorded real-time sensation (0-100% scale) and standardized verbal sensory thresholds using a novel, touch-screen "sensation meter." 3D bladder ultrasound images were recorded throughout fillings for a subset of participants. Sensation data were recorded for two consecutive complete fill-void cycles. Data from 14 normal and 12 OAB participants were obtained (ICIq-OAB-5a = 0 vs. ≥3). Filling duration decreased in fill2 compared to fill1, but volume did not significantly change. In normals, adjacent verbal sensory thresholds (within fill) showed no overlap, and identical thresholds (between fill) were similar, demonstrating effective differentiation between degrees of %bladder capacity. In OAB, within-fill overlaps and between-fill differences were identified. Real-time %capacity-sensation curves left shifted from fill1 to fill2 in normals, consistent with expected viscoelastic behavior, but unexpectedly right shifted in OAB. 3D ultrasound volume data showed that fill rates started slowly and ramped up with variable end points. This study establishes a non-invasive means to evaluate real-time bladder sensation using a two-fill accelerated hydration protocol and a sensation meter. Verbal thresholds were inconsistent in OAB, and the right shift in OAB %capacity-sensation curve suggests potential biomechanical and/or sensitization changes. This methodology could be used to gain valuable information on different forms of OAB in a completely non-invasive way. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Control of accommodation by longitudinal chromatic aberration and blue cones.

    PubMed

    Graef, Klaus; Schaeffel, Frank

    2012-01-18

    To better understand the striking overaccommodation that is triggered at wavelengths below 430 nm (below referred to as OAB). Fourteen students served as subjects, 6 emmetropic and 8 mildly myopic. They fixated a reading target or a Landolt C at 33-cm distance while the wavelength of light illuminating the target was varied. Their accommodation was continuously monitored with the PowerRefractor (Multichannel Systems, Reutlingen, Germany, 1995). Luminances were matched using a candela meter (Minolta LS100) and neutral density filters. The following experiments were done: (1) confirmation of the effect at 10 cd/m(2), (2) comparing 10 and 1 cd/m(2), (3) foveal stimulation, (4) parafoveal stimulation, (5) testing independent combinations of the wavelength in the center and periphery, (6) testing accommodation tonus without fixation target while the wavelength is varied. (1) OAB was nicely confirmed as initially described by F. J. Rucker and P. B. Kruger (2004a, 2004b) and A. Seidemann and F. Schaeffel (2002). (2) OAB remained stable at target luminances between 10 and 1 cd/m(2). (3, 4) OAB was found to be more pronounced when the parafoveal region was stimulated than when mainly the fovea was stimulated. (5) When fovea and parafovea were illuminated by light of different wavelengths, the wavelength in the foveal region had greater impact on OAB. (6) OAB was not elicited in the absence of an accommodation target. OAB appears to be controlled more by the parafovea than by the fovea. The findings are in line with the assumption that OAB is mediated by the short-wavelength-sensitive cones that are absent from the central fovea in most subjects.

  6. Land-Cover Trends of the Central Basin and Range Ecoregion

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Soulard, Christopher E.

    2006-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Land Cover Trends research project is focused on understanding the amounts, rates, trends, causes, and implications of contemporary land-use and land-cover (LU/LC) change in the United States. This project is supported by the USGS Geographic Analysis and Monitoring Program in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). LU/LC change is a pervasive process that modifies landscape characteristics and affects a broad range of socioeconomic, biologic, and hydrologic systems. Understanding the impacts and feedbacks of LU/LC change on environmental systems requires an understanding of the rates, patterns, and driving forces of past, present, and future LU/LC change. The objectives of the Land Cover Trends project are to (1) determine and describe the amount, rates, and trends of contemporary LU/LC change by ecoregion for the period 1973-2000 for the conterminous United States, (2) document the causes, driving forces, and implications of change, and (3) synthesize individual ecoregion results into a national assessment of LU/LC change. The Land Cover Trends research team includes staff from the USGS National Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS), Rocky Mountain Geographic Science Center, Eastern Geographic Science Center, Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center, and the Western Geographic Science Center. Other partners include researchers at South Dakota State University, University of Southern Mississippi, and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. This report presents an assessment of LU/LC change in the Central Basin and Range ecoregion for the period 1973-2000. The Central Basin and Range ecoregion is one of 84 Level-III ecoregions as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency. Ecoregions have served as a spatial framework for environmental resource management and to denote areas that contain

  7. Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, inhibits osteoarthritis.

    PubMed

    Nagai, Toshihiro; Sato, Masato; Kobayashi, Miyuki; Yokoyama, Munetaka; Tani, Yoshiki; Mochida, Joji

    2014-09-18

    Angiogenesis is an important factor in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the efficacy of bevacizumab, an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor and an inhibitor of angiogenesis, in the treatment of OA using a rabbit model of anterior cruciate ligament transection. First, we evaluated the response of gene expression and histology of the normal joint to bevacizumab treatment. Next, in a rabbit model of OA induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection, we used macroscopic and histological evaluations and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine the responses to intravenous (systemic) administration of bevacizumab (OAB IV group). We also investigated the efficacy of intra-articular (local) administration of bevacizumab in OA-induced rabbits (OAB IA group). Histologically, bevacizumab had no negative effect in normal joints. Bevacizumab did not increase the expression of genes for catabolic factors in the synovium, subchondral bone, or articular cartilage, but it increased the expression of collagen type 2 in the articular cartilage. Macroscopically and histologically, the OAB IV group exhibited a reduction in articular cartilage degeneration and less osteophyte formation and synovitis compared with the control group (no bevacizumab; OA group). Real-time PCR showed significantly lower expression of catabolic factors in the synovium in the OAB IV group compared with the OA group. In articular cartilage, expression levels of aggrecan, collagen type 2, and chondromodulin-1 were higher in the OAB IV group than in the OA group. Histological evaluation and assessment of pain behaviour showed a superior effect in the OAB IA group compared with the OAB IV group 12 weeks after administration of bevacizumab, even though the total dosage given to the OAB IA group was half that received by the OAB IV group. Considering the dosage and potential adverse effects of bevacizumab, the local administration of bevacizumab is a more

  8. Cloud cover estimation: Use of GOES imagery in development of cloud cover data base for insolation assessment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Huning, J. R.; Logan, T. L.; Smith, J. H.

    1982-01-01

    The potential of using digital satellite data to establish a cloud cover data base for the United States, one that would provide detailed information on the temporal and spatial variability of cloud development are studied. Key elements include: (1) interfacing GOES data from the University of Wisconsin Meteorological Data Facility with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's VICAR image processing system and IBIS geographic information system; (2) creation of a registered multitemporal GOES data base; (3) development of a simple normalization model to compensate for sun angle; (4) creation of a variable size georeference grid that provides detailed cloud information in selected areas and summarized information in other areas; and (5) development of a cloud/shadow model which details the percentage of each grid cell that is cloud and shadow covered, and the percentage of cloud or shadow opacity. In addition, comparison of model calculations of insolation with measured values at selected test sites was accomplished, as well as development of preliminary requirements for a large scale data base of cloud cover statistics.

  9. Compendium of University Statistics, 1986 Edition = Compendium de statistique concernant les universities, edition 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario).

    Statistics on Canadian universities are presented in 30 tables in both English and French. The data cover: total population and age group 18-24 by province for 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1985; full-time enrollment rates by educational level; graduation rates for secondary schools, community colleges and universities; unemployment rate by educational…

  10. Agreement between Rhode Island Board of Governors and University of Rhode Island Chapter, American Association of University Professors, 1987-1990.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rhode Island Univ., Kingston.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the Rhode Island Board of Governors and the University of Rhode Island Chapter of the American Association of University Professors covering the period of 1987-1990 is presented. The university is defined as the administration of the University of Rhode Island, including the president and other…

  11. The own-age face recognition bias is task dependent.

    PubMed

    Proietti, Valentina; Macchi Cassia, Viola; Mondloch, Catherine J

    2015-08-01

    The own-age bias (OAB) in face recognition (more accurate recognition of own-age than other-age faces) is robust among young adults but not older adults. We investigated the OAB under two different task conditions. In Experiment 1 young and older adults (who reported more recent experience with own than other-age faces) completed a match-to-sample task with young and older adult faces; only young adults showed an OAB. In Experiment 2 young and older adults completed an identity detection task in which we manipulated the identity strength of target and distracter identities by morphing each face with an average face in 20% steps. Accuracy increased with identity strength and facial age influenced older adults' (but not younger adults') strategy, but there was no evidence of an OAB. Collectively, these results suggest that the OAB depends on task demands and may be absent when searching for one identity. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

  12. Non-invasive characterization of real-time bladder sensation using accelerated hydration and a novel sensation meter: An initial experience

    PubMed Central

    Nagle, Anna S.; Speich, John E.; De Wachter, Stefan G.; Ghamarian, Peter P.; Le, David M.; Colhoun, Andrew F.; Ratz, Paul H.; Barbee, Robert W.; Klausner, Adam P.

    2016-01-01

    AIMS The purpose of this investigation was to develop a non-invasive, objective, and unprompted method to characterize real-time bladder sensation. METHODS Volunteers with and without overactive bladder (OAB) were prospectively enrolled in a preliminary accelerated hydration study. Participants drank 2L Gatorade-G2® and recorded real-time sensation (0–100% scale) and standardized verbal sensory thresholds using a novel, touch-screen “sensation meter.” 3D bladder ultrasound images were recorded throughout fillings for a subset of participants. Sensation data were recorded for two consecutive complete fill-void cycles. RESULTS Data from 14 normal and 12 OAB participants were obtained (ICIq-OAB-5a = 0 vs. ≥3). Filling duration decreased in fill2 compared to fill1, but volume did not significantly change. In normals, adjacent verbal sensory thresholds (within fill) showed no overlap, and identical thresholds (between fill) were similar, demonstrating effective differentiation between degrees of %bladder capacity. In OAB, within-fill overlaps and between-fill differences were identified. Real-time %capacity-sensation curves left shifted from fill1 to fill2 in normals, consistent with expected viscoelastic behavior, but unexpectedly right shifted in OAB. 3D ultrasound volume data showed that fill rates started slowly and ramped up with variable end points. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes a non-invasive means to evaluate real-time bladder sensation using a two-fill accelerated hydration protocol and a sensation meter. Verbal thresholds were inconsistent in OAB, and the right shift in OAB %capacity–sensation curve suggests potential biomechanical and/or sensitization changes. This methodology could be used to gain valuable information on different forms of OAB in a completely non-invasive way. PMID:27654469

  13. Effect of extracorporeal magnetic energy stimulation on bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in female patients with stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Lo, Tsia-Shu; Tseng, Ling-Hong; Lin, Yi-Hao; Liang, Ching-Chung; Lu, Ching-Yi; Pue, Leng Boi

    2013-11-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (EMS) for the treatment of bothersome and severe symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) in female patients. A retrospective review was conducted on patients with SUI and OAB who were referred to EMS therapy. Successful treatment for the bothersome symptoms of OAB and SUI was defined as score ≤1 for questions 2 and 3 on the Urodynamic Distress Inventory-6. The objective cure of SUI and OAB was defined as no urinary leakage during the cough stress test and any urgency, urge incontinence and voiding frequency of less than eight times per 24 h based on the 3-day bladder diary, after the 9 weeks of treatment, respectively. Ninety-three patients with SUI or OAB underwent a 9-week course of EMS at 20 min twice weekly. Seventy-two (77%) patients completed EMS treatment. Geographical factor and poor economic status were two main factors for dropout. A total of 94.1% (32 of 34) and 86.8% (33 of 38) of subjects had successful treatment for the bothersome symptoms of OAB and SUI, respectively. In contrast, the cure rate for OAB and SUI was only 61.7% and 42.1%, respectively. There was also a significant improvement in both Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (bothersome on lower urinary tract symptoms) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (quality of life) total score in both groups after EMS. EMS is a safe and effective alternative method for treating SUI and OAB. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2013 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  14. Impact of daily number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes on overactive bladder patient reported outcomes.

    PubMed

    Angulo, J C; Brenes, F J; Lizarraga, I; Rejas, J; Trillo, S; Ochayta, D; Arumi, D

    2016-04-01

    To explore the impact of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) on well-being in non-institutionalized patients with overactive bladder (OAB) in a community sample. A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted in the general population, including males and females, >18 years of age. Patients with probable OAB were identified using a validated algorithm together with a score ≥8 on the OAB-V8 scale. Presence of coping behavior was considered determinant for the clinical diagnosis of OAB. Individual well-being was determined through a battery of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measurements including assessment of health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), sleep disturbances (MOS Sleep), and life satisfaction (LISAT-8). Patients were grouped according to the number of daily UUI episodes (UUI severity): 0 (dry OAB),1, 2-3, or ≥4. Multivariate analysis to evaluate factors independently affecting quality of life was undertaken. A total of 396 patients (52.5% women, mean age: 55.3 [11.1] years, OAB-V8 mean score: 14.5 [7.9]) out of 2035 subjects participating from the general population met the criteria for OAB: 203 (51.3%) with 0episodes, 119 (30.1%) with 1, 52 (13.1%) with 2 or 3, and 22 (5.6%) with ≥4 episodes. A statistically significant linear adjusted association was found between number of UUI episodes and PRO scores. Participants with more episodes had poorer health profiles and self-evaluated quality of life, worse life satisfaction, and more sleep disturbances and fewer hours of sleep per night. Number of incontinence episodes was independent factor to affect quality of life using both LISAT-8 and MOS questionnaires. Severity of UUI was significantly associated with poorer individual well-being in subjects with OAB in a community sample in Spain. Copyright © 2015 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  15. Impact of Overactive Bladder Step Therapy Policies on Medication Utilization and Expenditures Among Treated Medicare Members.

    PubMed

    Abbass, Ibrahim M; Caplan, Eleanor O; Ng, Daniel B; Kristy, Rita; Schermer, Carol R; Bradt, Pamela; Collins, Jenna M; Chan, Wai Man Maria; Suehs, Brandon T

    2017-01-01

    The impact of formulary management strategies on utilization and expenditures in overactive bladder (OAB) treatment has not been extensively investigated. In 2013, step therapy (ST) policies for 2 branded OAB treatments, mirabegron and fesoterodine, were removed from Humana Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans and Medicare prescription drug plans (PDP), allowing for an examination of the effect of ST policies on OAB medication use patterns and costs. To assess the impact of removal of formulary restriction policies for mirabegron and fesoterodine on medication utilization patterns and costs associated with OAB treatment in Medicare patients. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was utilized. Subjects included individuals enrolled in Humana MAPD plans or PDPs, aged ≥ 65 years, with ≥ 1 prescription for an OAB medication in 2013. Patient demographic characteristics, OAB medication utilization, and pharmacy cost trends in 2013 were described. OAB medication use was calculated as the number of 30-day-supply equivalent medication claims and reported as a percentage of the total number of 30-day-supply equivalent claims across all OAB products. OAB medication expenditures were calculated as a percentage of the sum of pharmacy costs for OAB medications and reported separately for each month and drug during 2013. Temporal trends of OAB medication utilization and expenditures in 2013 were calculated using ordinary least squares regression. Of 194,511 patients, trends in utilization of OAB medications indicated that on average, there was a statistically significant monthly increase in utilization of mirabegron (regression coefficient [B] = 274; P < 0.001; 95% CI: 218, 330), fesoterodine (B = 167; P < 0.001; 95% CI = 129, 205), oxybutynin extended release (ER; B = 357; P = 0.011; 95% CI = 99, 614), and trospium ER (B = 33; P = 0.001; 95% CI = 17, 50) and statistically significant decreases in utilization of solifenacin (B = -202; P = 0.048; 95% CI

  16. Mapping land cover from satellite images: A basic, low cost approach

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Elifrits, C. D.; Barney, T. W.; Barr, D. J.; Johannsen, C. J.

    1978-01-01

    Simple, inexpensive methodologies developed for mapping general land cover and land use categories from LANDSAT images are reported. One methodology, a stepwise, interpretive, direct tracing technique was developed through working with university students from different disciplines with no previous experience in satellite image interpretation. The technique results in maps that are very accurate in relation to actual land cover and relative to the small investment in skill, time, and money needed to produce the products.

  17. An analysis of IGBP global land-cover characterization process

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Loveland, Thomas R.; Zhu, Zhiliang; Ohlen, Donald O.; Brown, Jesslyn F.; Reed, Bradley C.; Yang, Limin

    1999-01-01

    The international Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) has called for the development of improved global land-cover data for use in increasingly sophisticated global environmental models. To meet this need, the staff of the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed and applied a global land-cover characterization methodology using 1992-1993 1-km resolution Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and other spatial data. The methodology, based on unsupervised classification with extensive postclassification refinement, yielded a multi-layer database consisting of eight land-cover data sets, descriptive attributes, and source data. An independent IGBP accuracy assessment reports a global accuracy of 73.5 percent, and continental results vary from 63 percent to 83 percent. Although data quality, methodology, interpreter performance, and logistics affected the results, significant problems were associated with the relationship between AVHRR data and fine-scale, spectrally similar land-cover patterns in complex natural or disturbed landscapes.

  18. Systematic literature review of clinical trials evaluating pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder in elderly patients: An assessment of trial quality.

    PubMed

    Kistler, Kristin D; Xu, Yingxin; Zou, Kelly H; Ntanios, Fady; Chapman, Douglass S; Luo, Xuemei

    2018-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) disproportionately affects older-aged adults, yet most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) underrepresent patients ≥65. This systematic literature review (SLR) identified RCTs evaluating β-3 adrenergic agonists or muscarinic antagonists in elderly patients with OAB, and compared study quality across trials. MEDLINE ® , Embase ® , and Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Clinical Trials databases were searched from inception through April 28, 2015 to identify published, peer-reviewed RCT reports evaluating β-3 adrenergic agonists or muscarinic antagonists in elderly OAB patients (either ≥65 years or study-described as "elderly"). To assess study quality of RCT reports, we focused on internal/external validity, assessed via two scales: the validated Effective Public Health Practice Project [EPHPP]): Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies, and a tool commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Database searches yielded 1380 records that were then screened according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. We included eight papers meeting study criteria. Despite scientific community efforts to improve RCT reporting standards, published reports still include incomplete and inconsistent reporting-of subject attrition, baseline patient characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and other important details. Only three of the eight OAB RCTs in this review received quality ratings of Strong (EPHPP) or Fair (AHRQ) and were multicenter with large samples. Despite the prevalence of OAB among older age individuals, relatively few RCTs evaluate OAB treatments explicitly among elderly subjects. The findings from this quality assessment suggest some areas for improvement in both conduct and reporting of future RCTs assessing OAB treatment in elderly. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Urgency severity scale could predict urodynamic detrusor overactivity in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

    PubMed

    Chung, Shiu-Dong; Liao, Chun-Hou; Chen, Yi-Chou; Kuo, Hann-Chorng

    2011-09-01

    To evaluate the correlation between an urgency severity scale (USS) based on a voiding diary with detrusor overactivity (DO) in a videourodynamic study in patients with an overactive bladder (OAB). We prospectively enrolled 190 consecutive patients with OAB. All patients were assessed using a USS and completed a 3-day voiding diary that recorded urgency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes and the degree of urgency severity. The highest recorded USS score in the voiding diary was considered as the USS score. A videourodynamic study was performed, and the presence of increased bladder sensation (IBS) or DO was recorded. These clinical findings and videourodynamic data were analyzed. This study enrolled 65 men and 125 women. The mean patient age was 66.4 years (21-88). Among them, 82.6% had urodynamic DO, 7.9% had IBS, and 9.5% had normal urodynamic findings. The prevalence of DO was 50%, 76%, and 94% in patients with a USS = 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that OAB wet, high USS and UUI were significantly associated with the presence of DO. Urodynamic DO was present in most patients with OAB wet (94.1%) or USS = 4 (95.5%); however, only 63.9% of OAB dry patients had DO. In the OAB dry patients, 11/25 (44%) with USS = 2, 30/42 (71%) with USS = 3, and 5/5 (100%) with USS = 4 had DO. A high USS recorded in conjunction with a voiding diary and OAB wet were strongly associated with urodynamic DO. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  20. Draft Master Agreement between the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association/NEA and the University of District of Columbia, October 1, 1985-September 30, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    District of Columbia Univ., Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of the District of Columbia and the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association Chapter (600 members) of the National Education Association covering the period October 1, 1985-September 30, 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit scope and…

  1. Science Outreach through Art: A Journal Article Cover Gallery

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McCullough, Ian

    2015-01-01

    Research faculty journal covers were used to create a gallery in the Science & Technology branch library at the University of Akron. The selection, presentation, and promotion process is shared along with copyright considerations and a review of galleries used for library outreach. The event and display was a great success attracting faculty…

  2. Library Statistics of Colleges and Universities, 1982.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heintze, Robert A.

    This report is based on data gathered in a 1982 survey of college and university libraries conducted as part of the Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS). The survey had a 91% response rate from a universe of 3,326 colleges and universities. The 1982 data categories cover the following time frames: staff and library hours as of fall…

  3. Overactive bladder symptom severity, bother, help-seeking behavior, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: a path analysis.

    PubMed

    Xu, Dongjuan; Zhao, Meng; Huang, Liqun; Wang, Kefang

    2018-01-02

    This study aimed to investigate the relationships among overactive bladder (OAB) symptom severity, bother, help-seeking behavior, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 127 diabetic patients, aged at least 18 years, with overactive bladder from a hospital in Shandong Province, China, were recruited for this study. Symptom severity, bother, and quality of life were assessed using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF), respectively. Help-seeking behavior was assessed by asking patients whether they consulted health care professionals or received treatment for their bladder problems. A two-step path analysis was performed to analyze the data. OAB symptom severity was directly associated with lower levels of QOL, and the strength of this association was no longer significant when taking bother and help-seeking behavior into account. Bother increased with OAB symptom severity, and patients with bothersome OAB tended to have lower levels of QOL. Moreover, bother increased help-seeking behavior; however, patients who sought help tended to have lower levels of QOL. Our findings highlight the role of bother and help-seeking behavior in the relationship between OAB symptom severity and QOL. To improve a patient's QOL, health care providers should focus not only on symptom bother but also on dysfunctional help-seeking patterns.

  4. Western Michigan University Libraries' "Electronic Journal Finder"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gedeon, Randle; Boston, George

    2005-01-01

    This article describes the development of the "Electronic Journal Finder," a TDNet installation for the University Libraries of Western Michigan University. Topics covered include: rationale for subscription project timeline, content, product customization, set-up, maintenance issues, reporting functions, directing URL links, searching…

  5. Position statement: a clinical approach to the management of adult non-neurogenic overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Chung, Eric; Lee, Dominic; Gani, Johan; Gillman, Michael; Maher, Christopher; Brennan, Janelle; Johns Putra, Lydia; Ahmad, Laura; Chan, Lewis Lw

    2018-01-15

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent medical condition that has an adverse impact on various health-related quality-of-life domains, including a significant psychosocial and financial burden. This position statement, formulated by members of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand and the UroGynaecological Society of Australasia, summarises the current recommendations for clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies in patients with non-neurogenic OAB, and guides clinicians in the decision-making process for managing the condition using evidence-based medicine. Main recommendations: Diagnosis and initial management should be based on thorough clinical history, examination and basic investigations to exclude underlying treatable causes such as urinary tract infection and urological malignancy. Initial treatment strategies for OAB involve conservative management with behavioural modification and bladder retraining. Second-line management involves medical therapy using anticholinergic or β3 agonist drugs provided there is adequate assessment of bladder emptying. If medical therapy is unsuccessful, further investigations with urodynamic studies and cystourethroscopy are recommended to guide further treatment. Intravesical botulinum toxin and sacral neuromodulation should be considered in medical refractory OAB. Changes in management as a result of this statement: OAB is a constellation of urinary symptoms and is a chronic condition with a low likelihood of cure; managing patient expectations is essential because OAB is challenging to treat. At present, the exact pathogenesis of OAB remains unclear and it is likely that there are multiple factors involved in this disease complex. Current medical treatment remains far from ideal, although minimally invasive surgery can be effective. Further research into the pathophysiology of this common condition will hopefully guide future developments in disease management.

  6. Global, long-term Earth Science Data Records of forest cover, change, and fragmentation from Landsat: the Global Forest Cover Change Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sexton, J.; Huang, C.; Channan, S.; Feng, M.; Song, X.; Kim, D.; Song, D.; Vermote, E.; Masek, J.; Townshend, J. R.

    2013-12-01

    Monitoring, analysis, and management of forests require measurements of forest cover that are both spatio-temporally consistent and resolved globally at sub-hectare resolution. The Global Forest Cover Change project, a cooperation between the University of Maryland Global Land Cover Facility and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, is providing the first long-term, sub-hectare, globally consistent data records of forest cover, change, and fragmentation in circa-1975, -1990, -2000, and -2005 epochs. These data are derived from the Global Land Survey collection of Landsat images in the respective epochs, atmospherically corrected to surface reflectance in 1990, 2000, and 2005 using the Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) implementation of the 6S radiative transfer algorithm, with ancillary information from MODIS Land products, ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM), and climatological data layers. Forest cover and change were estimated by a novel continuous-field approach, which produced for the 2000 and 2005 epochs the world's first global, 30-m resolution database of tree cover. Surface reflectance estimates were validated against coincident MODIS measurements, the results of which have been corroborated by subsequent, independent validations against measurements from AERONET sites. Uncertainties in tree- and forest-cover values were estimated in each pixel as a compounding of within-sample uncertainty and accuracy relative to a sample of independent measurements from small-footprint lidar. Accuracy of forest cover and change estimates was further validated relative to expert-interpreted high-resolution imagery, from which unbiased estimates of forest cover and change have been produced at national and eco-regional scales. These first-of-kind Earth Science Data Records--surface reflectance in 1990, 2000, and 2005 and forest cover, change, and fragmentation in and between 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2005--are hosted at native, Landsat

  7. Agreement Between Eastern Michigan University and the Eastern Michigan Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, December 1974.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Eastern Michigan Univ., Ypsilanti.

    This contractual agreement between Eastern Michigan University and the Eastern Michigan Chapter of the American Association of University Professors is effective until August 31, 1976. The agreement covers the areas of definitions; general purposes and intent; recognition of agent; past practices; agent rights; personnel files; grievance…

  8. A University Faculty and Staff Health Fitness Program, University of Montevallo.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tishler, J. Ward

    The effects of a health fitness program for college faculty and staff were studied at the University of Montevallo. The program covered physical fitness, assessment, prescription, training, and health education concerning nutrition and stress management. Six male and three female faculty members and staff participated in the 28-week health fitness…

  9. Validation of Land Cover Maps Utilizing Astronaut Acquired Imagery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Estes, John E.; Gebelein, Jennifer

    1999-01-01

    This report is produced in accordance with the requirements outlined in the NASA Research Grant NAG9-1032 titled "Validation of Land Cover Maps Utilizing Astronaut Acquired Imagery". This grant funds the Remote Sensing Research Unit of the University of California, Santa Barbara. This document summarizes the research progress and accomplishments to date and describes current on-going research activities. Even though this grant has technically expired, in a contractual sense, work continues on this project. Therefore, this summary will include all work done through and 5 May 1999. The principal goal of this effort is to test the accuracy of a sub-regional portion of an AVHRR-based land cover product. Land cover mapped to three different classification systems, in the southwestern United States, have been subjected to two specific accuracy assessments. One assessment utilizing astronaut acquired photography, and a second assessment employing Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery, augmented in some cases, high aerial photography. Validation of these three land cover products has proceeded using a stratified sampling methodology. We believe this research will provide an important initial test of the potential use of imagery acquired from Shuttle and ultimately the International Space Station (ISS) for the operational validation of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) land cover products.

  10. Cost effectiveness of mirabegron compared with tolterodine extended release for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder in the United Kingdom.

    PubMed

    Aballéa, Samuel; Maman, Khaled; Thokagevistk, Katia; Nazir, Jameel; Odeyemi, Isaac A O; Hakimi, Zalmai; Garnham, Andy; Toumi, Mondher

    2015-02-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is highly prevalent and is associated with considerable morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life. β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) stimulation is a novel alternative to antimuscarinic therapy for OAB. The objective of this analysis was to assess the cost effectiveness of the β3-AR agonist mirabegron relative to tolterodine extended release (ER) in patients with OAB from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. A Markov model was developed to simulate the management, course of disease, and effect of complications in OAB patients over a period of 5 years. Transition probabilities for symptom severity levels and probabilities of adverse events were estimated from the results of the randomised, double-blind SCORPIO trial in 1,987 patients with OAB. Other model inputs were derived from the literature and on assumptions based on clinical experience. Total 5-year costs per patient were £1,645.62 for mirabegron 50 mg/day and £1,607.75 for tolterodine ER 4 mg/day. Mirabegron was associated with a gain of 0.009 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with an additional cost of £37.88. The resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £4,386/QALY gained. In deterministic sensitivity analyses in the general OAB population and several subgroups, ICERs remained below the generally accepted willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of £20,000/QALY gained. The probability of mirabegron 50 mg being cost effective relative to tolterodine ER 4 mg was 89.4 % at the same WTP threshold. Mirabegron 50 mg/day is likely to be cost effective compared with tolterodine ER 4 mg/day for adult patients with OAB from a UK NHS perspective.

  11. The effect of hyperactive bladder severity on healthcare utilization and labor productivity.

    PubMed

    Angulo, J C; Brenes, F J; Ochayta, D; Lizarraga, I; Arumí, D; Trillo, S; Rejas, J

    2014-05-01

    To explore the relationship between the severity of urinary urge incontinence (UUI) on healthcare resources utilization (HRU) and loss of labor productivity of subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) in the general population in Spain. Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional web-based study conducted in the general population >18 years, through a battery of HRU questions asked using an online method. Probable OAB subjects were identified using a previously validated algorithm and a score >8 in the OAB-V8 questionnaire. HRU questions included an assessment of concomitant medication used as a consequence of OAB/UUI, pad utilization, and medical office visits. Patients were grouped according to the number of UUI episodes into 0, 1, 2-3 or 4+ episodes. Of a total of 2,035 subjects participating from the general population, 396 patients [52.5% women, mean age: 55.3 (11.1) years, OAB-V8 mean score: 14.5 (7.9)] were analyzed; 203 (51.3%) with 0 episodes, 119 (30.1%) with 1, 52 (13.1%) with 2 or 3, and 22 (5.6%) with 4 or more episodes. A linear and significant adjusted association was observed between the number of UUI episodes and HRU; the higher the number of daily episodes the higher the HRU. Subjects with more episodes had medical visits more frequently at the primary care (P = .001) and specialist (P = .009) level as well. Consumption of day (P < .001) and night (P < .001) urinary absorbents, anxiolytic medicines (P = .021) and antibiotics (P = .05) was higher in patients with more UUI episodes. The severity of OAB in terms of frequency of daily urge incontinence episodes was significantly and linearly associated with higher healthcare resources utilization and a decrease in labor productivity in subjects with probable OAB in Spain. Copyright © 2013 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  12. Healthcare resource use and costs of privately insured patients who switch, discontinue, or persist on anti-muscarinic therapy for overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Ivanova, Jasmina I; Hayes-Larson, Eleanor; Sorg, Rachael A; Birnbaum, Howard G; Berner, Todd

    2014-10-01

    To compare the healthcare costs of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who switch vs persist on anti-muscarinic agents (AMs), describe resource use and costs among OAB patients who discontinue AMs, and assess factors associated with persisting vs switching or discontinuing. OAB patients initiating an AM between January 1, 2007 and March 31, 2012 were identified from a claims database of US privately insured beneficiaries (n ≈ 16 million) and required to have no AM claims in the 12 months before AM initiation (baseline period). Patients were classified as persisters, switchers, or discontinuers, and assigned a study index date based on their AM use in the 6 months following initiation. Baseline characteristics, resource use, and costs were compared between persisters and the other groups. Resource use and costs in the 1 month before and 6 months after the study index date (for switchers, the date of index AM switching; for persisters, a randomly assigned date to reflect the distribution of the time from AM initiation to switching among switchers) were also compared between persisters and switchers in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Factors associated with persisting vs switching or discontinuing were assessed. After controlling for baseline characteristics and costs, persisters vs switchers had significantly lower all-cause and OAB-related costs in both the month before (all-cause $1222 vs $1759, OAB-related $142 vs $170) and 6 months after the study index date (all-cause $7017 vs $8806, OAB-related $642 vs $797). Factors associated with switching or discontinuing vs persisting included index AM, younger age, and history of UTI. A large proportion of OAB patients discontinue or switch AMs shortly after initiation, and switching is associated with higher costs.

  13. Effect of anticholinergics on the overactive bladder and bowel domain of the electronic personal assessment questionnaire (ePAQ).

    PubMed

    Bulchandani, S; Toozs-Hobson, P; Parsons, M; McCooty, S; Perkins, K; Latthe, P

    2015-04-01

    Evidence suggests that OAB (overactive bladder) can occur alongside disorders of the colon, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Moreover, patients with constipation are more likely to develop OAB symptoms than those without. Anticholinergic medications (AcH) are commonly used for treating OAB, and can result in the unwanted side effects of constipation. We aimed to study the relationship of AcH, and their effects on quality of life using the electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire (ePAQ) by assessing changes in the bowel and bladder domains, pre- and post-AcH treatment. Ninety patients completed the ePAQ pre- and post-AcH treatment from January 2011 to April 2014. Data were collected retrospectively and prospectively, and analysed using a paired t test. Effect size (ES) was calculated for OAB and bowel domains to quantify the effect on QoL. There was a significant improvement in the OAB (p = 0.0005) and bowel domains (p = 0.0005). In the bowel domains, the largest effect size was seen for IBS (0.5) followed by continence (0.4), evacuation (0.375) and a small ES was seen for constipation (0.2). There was a reduction in the "degree of bother" in OAB and bowel domains. Patients may benefit from the possible effects of AcH on their bowels, and assessment of all aspects of pelvic floor function is important before commencing AcH. This may help to counsel patients, with possibly improved compliance with therapy.

  14. A review of solifenacin in the treatment of urinary incontinence

    PubMed Central

    Basra, Ramandeep; Kelleher, Con

    2008-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition which has an adverse effect on quality of life. The presence of urgency incontinence confers significant morbidity above and beyond that of OAB sufferers who are continent. The primary treatment for OAB and urgency incontinence is a combination of behavioral measures and antimuscarinic drug therapy. The ideal antimuscarinic agent should effectively relieve the symptoms of OAB, with the minimum of side effects; it should be available as a once-daily sustained release formulation and in dosage strength that allows easy dose titration for the majority of sufferers. Solifenacin succinate was launched in 2005, and has been shown in both short and long term clinical trials to fulfill these requirements. Solifenacin is a competitive M3 receptor antagonist with a long half-life (45–68 hours). It is available in two dosage strengths namely a 5 or 10 mg once-daily tablet. The efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin for the treatment of all symptoms of OAB has been evaluated in a number of large, placebo controlled, randomized trials. Long-term safety, efficacy, tolerability and persistence with treatment have been established in an open label 40 week continuation study. PMID:18728701

  15. Agreement Between Fairleigh Dickinson University and Fairleigh Dickenson University Council of American Association of University Professors Chapter, September 1, 1977-August 31, 1979.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    1977

    The negotiation agreement covers nondiscrimination, salary, fringe benefits, leave of absence, faculty workload, working conditions, calendars and schedules, department governance, college and campus governance, the university senate, grievance and arbitration procedures, research and travel, financial exigency, employment security, association…

  16. On the Recommender System for University Library

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fu, Shunkai; Zhang, Yao; Seinminn

    2013-01-01

    Libraries are important to universities, and they have two primary features: readers as well as collections are highly professional. In this study, based on the experimental study with five millions of users' borrowing records, our discussion covers: (1) the necessity of recommender system for university libraries; (2) collaborative filtering (CF)…

  17. Agreement between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the Council of Chapters of the American Association of University Professors, July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1986.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rutgers, The State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ. School of Medicine.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the Council of Chapters (690 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period July 1, 1983-June 30, 1986 is presented. The agreement covers the New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey Dental School, Rutgers…

  18. Collective Bargaining Agreement By and Between University of Bridgeport and University of Bridgeport Chapter, American Association of University Professors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bridgeport Univ., CT.

    The purpose of this agreement is to provide the faculty-professional rank staff and the University of Bridgeport with a contract that will insure a healthy and viable institution of higher learning, capable of supporting a quality educational program. Articles of the agreement cover: definitions and construction; recognition of the AAUP; general…

  19. The Odense University Pharmacoepidemiological Database (OPED)

    Cancer.gov

    The Odense University Pharmacoepidemiological Database is one of two large prescription registries in Denmark and covers a stable population that is representative of the Danish population as a whole.

  20. College and University Planning -- 1969. Selected Papers from Society for College and University Planning Annual Conference. (4th, Houston, Texas, August 17-20, 1969.)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mayer, Frederick W., Ed.; Schmult, Carl V., Jr., Ed.

    Six major conference papers cover selected planning activities for eight institutions of higher education. Discussed are academic planning for the University of Houston; circulation, parking, and landscape planning for the University of California at Irvine; planning office organization and staffing at Harvard and Ohio State Universities; building…

  1. Merging the MODIS and NESDIS Monthly Snow-Cover Records to Study Decade-Scale Changes in Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hall, Dorothy K.; Foster, James L.; Robinson, David A.; Riggs, George A.

    2004-01-01

    A decade-scale record of Northern Hemisphere snow cover has been available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) and has been reconstructed and validated by Rutgers University following adjustments for inconsistencies that were discovered in the early years of the data set. This record provides weekly, monthly (and, in recent years, daily) snow cover from 1966 to the present for the Northern Hemisphere. With the December 1999 launch of NASA's Earth observing System (EOS) Terra satellite, snow maps are being produced globally, using automated algorithms, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. The resolution of the MODIS monthly snow maps (0.05deg or about 5 km) is an improvement over that of the NESDIS-derived monthly snow maps (>approx.10 km) the maps, it is necessary to study the datasets carefully to determine if it is possible to merge the datasets into a continuous record. The months in which data are available for both the NESDIS and MODIS maps (March 2000 to the present) will be compared quantitatively to analyze differences in North American and Eurasian snow cover. Results from the NESDIS monthly maps show that for North America (including all 12 months), there is a trend toward slightly less snow cover in each succeeding decade. Interannual snow-cover extent has varied significantly since 2000 as seen in both the NESDIS and MODIS maps. As the length of the satellite record increases through the MODIS era, and into the National Polar-orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) era, it should become easier to identify trends in areal extent of snow cover, if present, that may have climatic significance. Thus it is necessary to analyze the validity of merging the NESDIS and MODIS, and, in the future, the NPOESS datasets for determination of long-term continuity in measurement of Northern

  2. Unsupervised universal steganalyzer for high-dimensional steganalytic features

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hou, Xiaodan; Zhang, Tao

    2016-11-01

    The research in developing steganalytic features has been highly successful. These features are extremely powerful when applied to supervised binary classification problems. However, they are incompatible with unsupervised universal steganalysis because the unsupervised method cannot distinguish embedding distortion from varying levels of noises caused by cover variation. This study attempts to alleviate the problem by introducing similarity retrieval of image statistical properties (SRISP), with the specific aim of mitigating the effect of cover variation on the existing steganalytic features. First, cover images with some statistical properties similar to those of a given test image are searched from a retrieval cover database to establish an aided sample set. Then, unsupervised outlier detection is performed on a test set composed of the given test image and its aided sample set to determine the type (cover or stego) of the given test image. Our proposed framework, called SRISP-aided unsupervised outlier detection, requires no training. Thus, it does not suffer from model mismatch mess. Compared with prior unsupervised outlier detectors that do not consider SRISP, the proposed framework not only retains the universality but also exhibits superior performance when applied to high-dimensional steganalytic features.

  3. Shaping Learning Cultures: A Strategic Challenge for Universities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Euler, Dieter

    While there are strong stakeholders at universities arguing for increasing efforts to improve the research record, innovative actions for a corresponding commitment on teaching and learning are less frequent. In many cases, this issue is left to the discretion of individual teachers. In order to improve teaching and learning at universities, this approach does not seem to be appropriate. Rather, actions on different dimensions have to be organized, ranging from the individual, interactional, and institutional level of a university. The different perspectives on analysis and action are assembled in a construct called "learning cultures." This term covers the various dimensions impacting on student learning. The article provides a definition of "learning cultures," which will then be explained. Based on the explicated notion, a conceptual frame is put forward covering the key features of "learning cultures." Finally, some ideas are given providing some preliminary answers on how to shape learning cultures at the strategic level at universities.

  4. Covering All the Bases: A Model Hazardous Waste Program for Small Universities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    MacPherson, Robert A.

    1991-01-01

    The Colorado School of Mines' experience illustrates that with good planning and enough money, a small university can provide a high level of waste management service, complying with government regulations. Considerations in developing the plan include a segregation scheme for incompatible materials, vehicle selection, and costs of ongoing…

  5. Burden of overactive bladder symptom on quality of life in stroke patients.

    PubMed

    Itoh, Yoshiaki; Yamada, Satoshi; Konoeda, Fumie; Koizumi, Kenzo; Nagata, Hirohiko; Oya, Mototsugu; Suzuki, Norihiro

    2013-06-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) affects the daily life of many stroke victims. In contrast to urinary incontinence, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors for OAB among stroke patients. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey and analyzed the results together with the clinical data and MRI findings. A total of 500 volunteer patients with chronic-phase stroke were enrolled. The overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), Short Form 8 (SF-8) health survey questionnaire, and some key international questionnaires about urinary dysfunction were assessed. We diagnosed 141 patients (28%) with OAB, among whom 103 (73%) had never been treated for their symptoms. Patients with OAB showed lower scores in both the physical and mental components of the SF-8, which suggested the burden of OAB on the quality of life of stroke patients. Advanced age and male gender were closely related to high OABSS. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was positively correlated with OABSS. Patients with cerebral infarction and those with intracerebral hemorrhage showed a similarly high OABSS. The severity of deep white-matter hyperintensity on MRI, classified by the 4-grade Fazekas scoring system, was significantly associated with high OABSS irrespective of presence of accompanying infarcts. Patients with cerebral infarcts in the region of anterior circulation showed a higher OABSS than those with cerebral infarcts in the posterior circulation. Based on the present risk analysis, patient care should be preferentially focused on the detection and treatment of OAB to improve the quality of life of stroke patients. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Remote sensing as a source of land cover information utilized in the universal soil loss equation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morris-Jones, D. R.; Morgan, K. M.; Kiefer, R. W.; Scarpace, F. L.

    1979-01-01

    In this study, methods for gathering the land use/land cover information required by the USLE were investigated with medium altitude, multi-date color and color infrared 70-mm positive transparencies using human and computer-based interpretation techniques. Successful results, which compare favorably with traditional field study methods, were obtained within the test site watershed with airphoto data sources and human airphoto interpretation techniques. Computer-based interpretation techniques were not capable of identifying soil conservation practices but were successful to varying degrees in gathering other types of desired land use/land cover information.

  7. [Adult and Continuing Education Collections at Syracuse University.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Syracuse University Library Associates Courier, 1991

    1991-01-01

    This issue of the biannual "Syracuse University Library Associate Courier" is devoted to covering the world famous collections of adult and continuing education materials held by the Syracuse University Library. It contains five articles: "Laubach in India: 1935-1970" (S. Y. Shah) describes missionary and founder of Laubach…

  8. Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between Hofstra University and the Hofstra Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1982-August 31, 1985.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Hofstra University and the Hofstra University Chapter (340 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AARP) September 1, 1982-August 31, 1985 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and recognition of AAUP; faculty statutes and faculty policy series, the…

  9. Analysis of the prevalence of and factors associated with overactive bladder in adult Korean women

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Background Overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the most prevalent lower urinary tract conditions and has been suggested to be related to various factors. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with OAB in women based on a large cross-sectional, population-based study of adult Korean women. Methods The Korean community health survey (KCHS) of 2012 was reviewed, and 107,950 female participants aged 19 to 107 years were identified for inclusion in this study. The overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was used to define and classify OAB as mild, moderate, or severe. Numerous variables, including marital status; physical activity; education and income levels; type of occupation; body mass index (BMI); smoking; alcohol; sleep time; and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or cerebral stroke, were evaluated. The correlation of these variables with the prevalence of OAB was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. Results The results showed that 5.2% of adult women experienced OAB. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the following variables and OAB: older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39–1.50, P < 0.001 as 10 years older); married status (AOR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.70–0.96, P = 0.016); lower level of income (AOR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.34–1.68, P < 0.001); high BMI (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.23–1.44, P < 0.001); smoking (AOR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.04–1.47, P < 0.001); long sleep time (AOR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.69–2.26); and medical history of hypertension (AOR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03–1.21, P = 0.011), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.25–1.53, P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (AOR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.16–1.39, P < 0.001), and cerebral stroke (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.73–2.41, P < 0.001). The level of stress showed a dose-dependent association with OAB (AOR [95%CI] = 3.28 [2.81–3.83] > 2.11 [1.91–2.33] >1.28 [1.16

  10. Agreement between the Regents of the University of Minnesota and the University Education Association, July 1, 1984-June 30, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Education Association, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Minnesota and the University Education Association of the National Education Association, covering the period July 1, 1984-June 30, 1987 is presented. The Association chapter consists of 329 full-time and part-time faculty at the Duluth and Waseca campuses. Items covered…

  11. Intellectual Property Series. National Council of University Research Administrators.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Council of Univ. Research Administrators, Washington, DC.

    Materials on intellectual property are presented to help university research administrators negotiate and administer sponsored research agreements. The nine units cover: patents and patent rights, patent rights under government contracts, university patent policies and practices, patent clauses in industrial research agreements, patent licensing…

  12. Evolution of the universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Novikov, I. D.

    The underlying principles and discoveries of cosmology are presented in a qualitative form. The General Theory of Relativity is the basis for the science of the structure of the Universe, and Friedmann in 1922-4 demonstrated that the Universe is either expanding or contracting; Hubble in 1929 provided evidence for expansion. The physical processes of the evolution of the Universe to date have been projected to include origins in a superdense, superhot state with violent reactions between elementary particles. The resulting matter fragmented into the stellar systems and agglomerations presently observed. Observational data of the most distant galaxies now covers a range of 10 Gpc. Current studies focus on the missing matter in the Universe and the mean density of matter, the gravitation of vacuum, relict radiation from the Big Bang, the curvature of space-time, and theories for the earliest moments of the Universe, including pancake theories, the synthesis of light elements, and black and white holes.

  13. Influence of an organic acid blend and essential oil blend, individually or in combination, on growth performance, carcass parameters, apparent digestibility, intestinal microflora and intestinal morphology of broilers.

    PubMed

    Basmacioğlu-Malayoğlu, H; Ozdemir, P; Bağriyanik, H A

    2016-04-01

    This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an organic acid (OA) and essential oil (EO) blends, individually or in combination, on growth performance, carcass parameters, apparent digestibility, intestinal microflora and intestinal morphology of broilers. A total of 480 one-d-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatments consisting of 4 replicates each (n = 30 birds in each replicate). Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (control), and basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg OA blend (OAB), 300 mg/kg EO blend (EOB), or with 2 g/kg OA and 300 mg/kg EO blend (OAB-EOB) for 42 d. The dietary supplementation with EO blend or in combination with OA blend increased body weight gain and improved feed efficiency as compared to control. Dietary treatments had no significant effects on feed consumption or relative organ weights of broilers. The OAB diet increased carcass yield compared to the control diet but the lowest carcass yield occurred with the OAB-EOB combination. Birds fed on EOB and OAB-EOB diets had lower ileum Escherichia coli counts than birds fed on the control diet. There was no significant effect of treatments on apparent digestibility at 16-21 d but the EOB and OAB-EOB diets increased apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein during the finisher period (d 37-42) compared to the control diet. Birds fed on the EOB and OAB-EOB diets had greater villus height in the ileum at 21 and 42 d of age and had lower crypt depth in the ileum at 42 d of age than birds given the control diet. In conclusion, beneficial effects of the use of EO blend individually or in combination with the OA blend were observed but the OA blend alone was ineffective. Furthermore, the use of the combination of OA and EO was more effective, in some respects, than their individual use.

  14. Communicating under medical patriarchy: gendered doctor-patient communication between female patients with overactive bladder and male urologists in Hong Kong.

    PubMed

    Siu, Judy Yuen-Man

    2015-05-29

    Gender differences between patients and doctors markedly influence the quality of communication in treatment processes. Previous studies have shown that communication between patients and doctors of the same gender is usually more satisfactory, particularly for female patients. However, in Hong Kong, where urology is a male-dominated specialty, female patients typically require medical care from male doctors for diseases such as overactive bladder (OAB). The literature about gender-related doctor-patient communication predominantly involves people in non-Chinese communities, with few studies conducted with Chinese populations. However, the differences between Western and Chinese cultures are expected to result in different treatment and communication experiences. Furthermore, OAB has received little attention in many Chinese communities; few studies in the literature address the communication quality between OAB patients and their urologists in Chinese communities, particularly regarding female OAB patients' experiences when seeking treatment from male urologists. This study, therefore, investigated the doctor-patient communication between female OAB patients and male urologists in Hong Kong. This study adopted a qualitative research approach by conducting semistructured interviews with 30 female OAB patients on an individual basis from April 2012 to July 2012. The participants were purposively sampled from a patient self-help group for OAB patients in Hong Kong. The participants' communication experiences with male urologists were unpleasant. Embarrassment, feelings of not being treated seriously, not being understood, and not being given the autonomy to choose treatment approaches prevailed among the participants. Furthermore, the perceived lack of empathy from their urologists made the participants' communication experiences unpleasant. The gender and power differential between the participants and their urologists, which was contributed by the social and

  15. University Marine Biological Station Millport Annual Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-07-31

    courses cover a variety of topics including marine biology, ecology, behaviour, marine microbiology, advanced studies on selected marine invertebrates ... marine invertebrates and on a more detailed kinetic study of phenoloxidase, prophenoloxidase and protease activities in tunicate coelomic fluid (C...DOTIC FILE COV () NUNIVERSITY OF LONDON and UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW VO"- DTIC SELECTE University Marine Biological Station Millport DIThZUYTNSTAEEiT

  16. Hatch cover

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Allton, Charles S. (Inventor); Okane, James H. (Inventor)

    1989-01-01

    This invention relates to a hatch and more particularly to a hatch for a space vehicle where the hatch has a low volume sweep and can be easily manipulated from either side of the hatch. The hatch system includes an elliptical opening in a bulkhead and an elliptical hatch member. The hatch cover system includes an elliptical port opening in a housing and an elliptical cover member supported centrally by a rotational bearing for rotation about a rotational axis normal to the cover member and by pivot pins in a gimbal member for pivotal movement about axes perpendicular to the rotational axis. Arm members support the gimbal member pivotally by pivot members so that upon rotation and manipulation the cover member can be articulatedly moved from a closed position to the port opening to an out of the way position with a minimum of volume sweep by the cover member.

  17. Joint University Program for Air Transportation Research, 1985

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morrell, Frederick R. (Compiler)

    1987-01-01

    Air transportation research being carried on at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Ohio University is discussed. Global Positioning System experiments, Loran-C monitoring, inertial navigation, the optimization of aircraft trajectories through severe microbursts, fault tolerant flight control systems, and expert systems for air traffic control are among the topics covered.

  18. University of Wyoming Centennial Committees. Report to the Trustees, October 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wyoming Univ., Laramie.

    Centennial committee reports for the University of Wyoming are presented for the trustees. The reports cover the curriculum, the faculty, the quality of university life, statewide activities, students, and teacher education. Included are recommendations for change for general education, the University College, the core curriculum, undergraduate…

  19. The universe at moderate redshift

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ostriker, Jeremiah P.

    1992-01-01

    The Final Report on the universe at moderate redshift covering the period from 1 Mar. 1988 to 28 Feb. 1991 is presented. Areas of research included: galaxy formation and large-scale structure; intergalactic medium and background radiation fields; quasar statistics and evolution; and gravitational lenses.

  20. The predictive value of ePAQ in the urodynamic diagnoses-A prospective cohort study.

    PubMed

    McCooty, Shanteela; Nightingale, Peter; Latthe, Pallavi

    2018-01-01

    To assess whether the electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) had accuracy in predicting the urodynamic diagnoses of Detrusor Overactivity (DO) and/or Urodynamic Stress Incontinence (USI). Tertiary urogynaecology unit linked to an academic university teaching hospital. Consecutive women who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and were booked to have urodynamic studies. Women completed an ePAQ-PF prior to having urodynamics (UDS) by clinicians who were blinded to the ePAQ-PF results while conducting this procedure. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed for predictive accuracy of overactive bladder (OAB) score in DO and of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) score in USI. Prospective cohort study designed to meet the requirements of the standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy (STARD). 390 women with a mean age of 54.2 (range 21-92) years were recruited. The majority (n = 294; 75%) were White Caucasian and had two children (n = 157; 40.3%). Of them, 67.2% (n = 262) had DO and USI was confirmed in 21.5% (n = 84). The area under the ROC curve for DO was 0.704 (95% confidence interval 0.650-0.759) and for USI it was 0.731 (95% confidence interval 0.652-0.778). The OAB and SUI scores on the ePAQ-PF demonstrated that they are fair predictors in diagnosing DO and USI. As the OAB and SUI score on ePAQ-PF increased so did the likelihood of DO (up to a score of 75) and USI on UDS. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Estimating Cloud Cover

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moseley, Christine

    2007-01-01

    The purpose of this activity was to help students understand the percentage of cloud cover and make more accurate cloud cover observations. Students estimated the percentage of cloud cover represented by simulated clouds and assigned a cloud cover classification to those simulations. (Contains 2 notes and 3 tables.)

  2. Effect of Reflexology to Depressive Symptoms in Women With Overactive Bladder.

    PubMed

    Aydin, Yasemin; Aslan, Ergul; Yalcin, Onay

    2016-01-01

    This study is to determine the effect of foot reflexology on the level of depression in women with OAB. Study findings included in the study showed foot reflexology as a part of OAB treatment relieved urinary and depressive symptoms and had a positive effect on quality of life.

  3. Fourth Master Agreement between the University of the District of Columbia and University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association/NEA.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    District of Columbia Univ., Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of the District of Columbia and the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, for the period October 1, 1988 to September 30, 1993 is presented. The agreement's 33 articles cover the following: purpose and intent, scope…

  4. Older People's Preferences for Side Effects Associated with Antimuscarinic Treatments of Overactive Bladder: A Discrete-Choice Experiment.

    PubMed

    Decalf, Veerle H; Huion, Anja M J; Benoit, Dries F; Denys, Marie-Astrid; Petrovic, Mirko; Everaert, Karel C M M

    2017-08-01

    Understanding the importance older people attribute to the different side effects associated with oral antimuscarinic treatments for overactive bladder (OAB) could help inform prescribers, healthcare policy makers and the drug industry. Our objective was to quantify the importance of the most prevalent cognitive and side effects of oral antimuscarinic treatments for OAB in older people. We conducted a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) with the assistance of an interviewer with community-dwelling and hospitalized older people aged >65 years. The DCE involved two hypothetical drugs for imaginary OAB, with three levels of four side effects for each drug, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Overactive Bladder and EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire were also administered. Data were analysed using a conditional logit model. In total, 276 older people participated in the study. The median age was 75 years (interquartile range [IQR] 69-80), 63% were women and 21% had OAB syndrome. The most unwanted side effect in the choice of antimuscarinics for OAB was severe cognitive effects, followed by severe constipation, severe blurred vision, severe dry mouth, moderate cognitive effects and moderate constipation. Severe cognitive effects were at least 1.7 times as important as severe constipation. Exploratory subgroup analysis showed that none of the attributes was found to be significant in people who scored as anxious or depressed on the EQ-5D, and preferences about cognitive effects, constipation and blurred vision were equal in people with and without OAB. Older people attribute more importance to loss of cognitive function as a possible side effect of antimuscarinic treatment than to the three most prevalent possible side effects of this treatment.

  5. Satisfaction with tolterodine: assessing symptom-specific patient-reported goal achievement in the treatment of overactive bladder in female patients (STARGATE study).

    PubMed

    Choo, M-S; Doo, C K; Lee, K-S

    2008-02-01

    Open-label study to evaluate the effect of tolterodine extended-release (ER) on symptom-specific patient-reported goal achievement (PGA) of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in females. Eligible patients who had frequency >or= 8 and urgency >or= 2 episodes per 24 h with or without urgency incontinence were treated with 12-week tolterodine ER (4 mg once daily). Primary end-point was the rate of PGA by a visual analogue scale compared with initial expectation with treatment. At baseline, patients were asked to set their personal goals for each OAB symptom with treatment. Secondary efficacy variables were changes in symptom severity, voiding diary and patient perception of bladder condition (PPBC), global impression of improvement (GII), and willingness to continue treatment. A total of 56 patients were entered. The median rate of symptom-specific PGA and reductions in symptom severity were for frequency (60%, 45%), episodes of urgency 60%, 55%), urge incontinence (80%, 71%), nocturia (50%, 52%) and tenesmus (30%, 26%) after 12 weeks treatment. There was a significant improvement in all OAB symptoms in voiding diary. Thirty-five patients (62.5%) experienced an improvement of >or= 2 points in PPBC. Thirty (53.6%) and 22 (39.3%) of patients reported much and little improvement of their symptoms in GII. A total of 41 (73.2%) patients wanted to continue taking the medication at the end of the study. Most OAB patients reported improvement of their OAB symptoms with 12-week tolterodine ER 4 mg treatment. There was a significant achievement of symptom-specific goal on the key OAB symptoms. But, PGA did not correlate with objective outcomes.

  6. Cover/Frequency (CF)

    Treesearch

    John F. Caratti

    2006-01-01

    The FIREMON Cover/Frequency (CF) method is used to assess changes in plant species cover and frequency for a macroplot. This method uses multiple quadrats to sample within-plot variation and quantify statistically valid changes in plant species cover, height, and frequency over time. Because it is difficult to estimate cover in quadrats for larger plants, this method...

  7. Focusing on Concepts by Covering Them Simultaneously

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schwartz, Pete

    2017-05-01

    "Parallel" pedagogy covers the four mechanics concepts of momentum, energy, forces, and kinematics simultaneously instead of building each concept on an understanding of the previous one. Course content is delivered through interactive videos, allowing class time for group work and student-centered activities. We start with simple examples, building complexity throughout the course with the introduction of springs, two dimensions, vectors, energy diagrams, universal gravitation, and rotation. Success means that students ponder underlying physics concepts rather than hunt for formulas. Surveys indicate that students accept this learning model well and have considerable improvement in applied conceptual understanding.

  8. Interactive Design and Visualization of Branched Covering Spaces.

    PubMed

    Roy, Lawrence; Kumar, Prashant; Golbabaei, Sanaz; Zhang, Yue; Zhang, Eugene

    2018-01-01

    Branched covering spaces are a mathematical concept which originates from complex analysis and topology and has applications in tensor field topology and geometry remeshing. Given a manifold surface and an -way rotational symmetry field, a branched covering space is a manifold surface that has an -to-1 map to the original surface except at the ramification points, which correspond to the singularities in the rotational symmetry field. Understanding the notion and mathematical properties of branched covering spaces is important to researchers in tensor field visualization and geometry processing, and their application areas. In this paper, we provide a framework to interactively design and visualize the branched covering space (BCS) of an input mesh surface and a rotational symmetry field defined on it. In our framework, the user can visualize not only the BCSs but also their construction process. In addition, our system allows the user to design the geometric realization of the BCS using mesh deformation techniques as well as connecting tubes. This enables the user to verify important facts about BCSs such as that they are manifold surfaces around singularities, as well as the Riemann-Hurwitz formula which relates the Euler characteristic of the BCS to that of the original mesh. Our system is evaluated by student researchers in scientific visualization and geometry processing as well as faculty members in mathematics at our university who teach topology. We include their evaluations and feedback in the paper.

  9. Evapotranspiration (ET) covers.

    PubMed

    Rock, Steve; Myers, Bill; Fiedler, Linda

    2012-01-01

    Evapotranspiration (ET) cover systems are increasingly being used at municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, hazardous waste landfills, at industrial monofills, and at mine sites. Conventional cover systems use materials with low hydraulic permeability (barrier layers) to minimize the downward migration of water from the surface to the waste (percolation), ET cover systems use water balance components to minimize percolation. These cover systems rely on soil to capture and store precipitation until it is either transpired through vegetation or evaporated from the soil surface. Compared to conventional membrane or compacted clay cover systems, ET cover systems are expected to cost less to construct. They are often aesthetic because they employ naturalized vegetation, require less maintenance once the vegetative system is established, including eliminating mowing, and may require fewer repairs than a barrier system. All cover systems should consider the goals of the cover in terms of protectiveness, including the pathways of risk from contained material, the lifecycle of the containment system. The containment system needs to be protective of direct contact of people and animals with the waste, prevent surface and groundwater water pollution, and minimize release of airborne contaminants. While most containment strategies have been based on the dry tomb strategy of keeping waste dry, there are some sites where adding or allowing moisture to help decompose organic waste is the current plan. ET covers may work well in places where complete exclusion of precipitation is not needed. The U.S. EPA Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP), USDOE, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and others have researched ET cover design and efficacy, including the history of their use, general considerations in their design, performance, monitoring, cost, current status, limitations on their use, and project specific examples. An on-line database has been developed with information

  10. Multilingualism among University Staff: A Case Study of Language Management at an Australian University

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Marriott, Helen

    2013-01-01

    Employing the language management framework, this paper reports on multilingual use among the staff of a major metropolitan university in Melbourne and covers both simple and organised management. It describes a top-down attempt to survey staffs' (academic and general) background in Languages other than English (LOTE), LOTE usage and evaluative…

  11. Multi criteria evaluation for universal soil loss equation based on geographic information system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Purwaamijaya, I. M.

    2018-05-01

    The purpose of this research were to produce(l) a conceptual, functional model designed and implementation for universal soil loss equation (usle), (2) standard operational procedure for multi criteria evaluation of universal soil loss equation (usle) using geographic information system, (3) overlay land cover, slope, soil and rain fall layers to gain universal soil loss equation (usle) using multi criteria evaluation, (4) thematic map of universal soil loss equation (usle) in watershed, (5) attribute table of universal soil loss equation (usle) in watershed. Descriptive and formal correlation methods are used for this research. Cikapundung Watershed, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia was study location. This research was conducted on January 2016 to May 2016. A spatial analysis is used to superimposed land cover, slope, soil and rain layers become universal soil loss equation (usle). Multi criteria evaluation for universal soil loss equation (usle) using geographic information system could be used for conservation program.

  12. The Biological Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dick, Steven J.

    1999-12-01

    Throughout the twentieth century, from the furor over Percival Lowell's claim of canals on Mars to the sophisticated Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, otherworldly life has often intrigued and occasionally consumed science and the public. The Biological Universe provides a rich and colorful history of the attempts during the twentieth century to answer questions such as whether "biological law" reigns throughout the universe and whether there are other histories, religions, and philosophies outside those on Earth. Covering a broad range of topics, including the search for life in the solar system, the origins of life, UFOs, and aliens in science fiction, Steven J. Dick shows how the concept of extraterrestrial intelligence is a world view of its own, a "biophysical cosmology" that seeks confirmation no less than physical views of the universe. This book will fascinate astronomers, historians of science, biochemists, and science fiction readers.

  13. Embryology at the Universities of Lwow and Wroclaw.

    PubMed

    Ogorzalek, Antoni

    2008-01-01

    Embryological research at the University of Wroclaw covers hormonal control of metamorphosis, primarily invertebrate embryology and gametogenesis, vertebrate myogenesis and the developmental impact of external factors. Developmental studies at the University of Wroclaw are a continuation of those conducted at the former Jan Kazimierz (Johannes Casimirus) University in Lwow before World War II. The Wroclaw embryological school is best characterized as comparative embryology which approaches embryonic development experimentally as well as through the analysis of its natural diversity.

  14. Applications of the U.S. Geological Survey's global land cover product

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Reed, B.

    1997-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with several international agencies and universities, has produced a global land cover characteristics database. The land cover data were created using multitemporal analysis of advanced very high resolution radiometer satellite images in conjunction with other existing geographic data. A translation table permits the conversion of the land cover classes into several conventional land cover schemes that are used by ecosystem modelers, climate modelers, land management agencies, and other user groups. The alternative classification schemes include Global Ecosystems, the Biosphere Atmosphere Transfer Scheme, the Simple Biosphere, the USGS Anderson Level 2, and the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme. The distribution system for these data is through the World Wide Web (the web site address is: http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/landdaac/glcc/glcc.html) or by magnetic media upon special request The availability of the data over the World Wide Web, in conjunction with the flexible database structure, allows easy data access to a wide range of users. The web site contains a user registration form that allows analysis of the diverse applications of large-area land cover data. Currently, applications are divided among mapping (20 percent), conservation (30 percent), and modeling (35 percent).

  15. Facing Global Challenges: A European University Perspective. Policy Perspectives

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Swail, Watson Scott

    2014-01-01

    This EPI Policy Perspectives covers a presentation given at the European University Association Annual Convention (March 20, 2009, in Prague, Czech Republic) that addresses the Bologna process in the European Union. The process raised many questions regarding the role of the university, and the entire tertiary/postsecondary system of education.…

  16. [Quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor in USLE and RUSLE models by using remote sensing data: a review].

    PubMed

    Wu, Chang-Guang; Li, Sheng; Ren, Hua-Dong; Yao, Xiao-Hua; Huang, Zi-Jie

    2012-06-01

    Soil loss prediction models such as universal soil loss equation (USLE) and its revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) are the useful tools for risk assessment of soil erosion and planning of soil conservation at regional scale. To make a rational estimation of vegetation cover and management factor, the most important parameters in USLE or RUSLE, is particularly important for the accurate prediction of soil erosion. The traditional estimation based on field survey and measurement is time-consuming, laborious, and costly, and cannot rapidly extract the vegetation cover and management factor at macro-scale. In recent years, the development of remote sensing technology has provided both data and methods for the estimation of vegetation cover and management factor over broad geographic areas. This paper summarized the research findings on the quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor by using remote sensing data, and analyzed the advantages and the disadvantages of various methods, aimed to provide reference for the further research and quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor at large scale.

  17. University teaching - where next?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1999-03-01

    A one-day workshop will take place on 23 April 1999 at the University of Edinburgh's Conference and Training Centre to consider the topic `The future of university teaching? Multimedia, web and new technologies'. The workshop is being organized by Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre and will be attended by experts in distance learning from various institutions including the Clyde Virtual University and the Open University, plus a speaker from the USA. They will present case studies of the opportunities new technologies provide for higher education, covering all aspects from development of electronic courses through delivery mechanisms to user feedback. There is certainly an increasing need for quality teaching materials and new ways of learning. The workshop will aim to discuss how those involved in university teaching can benefit from new developments such as multimedia, the Internet, as well as new computing and networking technologies. Participation is free, with lunch and refreshments provided. More information and registration details can be found at http://www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/epcc-tec/JTAP/workshop/ or by e-mail to epcc-tec@epcc.ed.ac.uk.

  18. Egyptian Court Overrules American University in Cairo's Limits on Religious Garb

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Krieger, Zvika

    2007-01-01

    An Egyptian court ruled this month that the American University in Cairo could not bar a woman who wears the traditional niqab headdress from entering its library--the latest episode in the struggle between religion and secularism on Egypt's university campuses. The American University has outlawed the niqab--which covers the entire head except…

  19. Pelvic floor muscle training for overactive bladder symptoms - A prospective study.

    PubMed

    Fitz, Fátima; Sartori, Marair; Girão, Manoel João; Castro, Rodrigo

    2017-12-01

    Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) involves the contraction of the puborectal, anal sphincter and external urethral muscles, inhibiting the detrusor contraction, what justify its use in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. To verify the effects of isolated PFMT on the symptoms of OAB. Prospective clinical trial with 27 women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), with predominance of OAB symptoms and loss ≥ 2 g in the pad test. It was evaluated: pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) function (digital palpation and manometry); urinary symptoms (nocturia, frequency and urinary loss); degree of discomfort of OAB symptoms; and quality of life (Incontinence Quality-of-Life Questionnaire [I-QoL]). The PFMT program consisted of 24 outpatient sessions (2x/week + home PFMT). The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests (with a significance level of 5%) were used to analyse the data. There was a significant improvement of the urinary symptoms to the pad test (5.8±9.7, p<0.001), urinary loss (0.7±1.1, p=0.005) and nocturia (0.8±0.9, p=0.011). Reduction in the degree of discomfort of urinary symptoms was observed according to OAB-V8 questionnaire (10.0±7.7, p=0.001). There were also significant results in PFMs function: Oxford (3.6±0.9, p=0.001), endurance (5.2±1.8, p<0.001), fast (8.9±1.5, p<0.001) and manometry (26.6±15.8, p=0.003). In addition, quality of life had a significant improvement in the three domains evaluated by I-QoL. The PFMT without any additional guidelines improves the symptomatology, the function of PFMs and the quality of life of women with OAB symptoms.

  20. Coping with patients suffering from overactive bladder: experiences of family caregivers in Hong Kong.

    PubMed

    Siu, Judy Yuen-Man

    2017-01-01

    This article examines the experiences of family caregivers working with patients affected by overactive bladder (OAB) in Hong Kong. Chronic diseases create physical and emotional burdens not only for patients but also for family caregivers, who often experience physical and emotional burnout and social impairment. Extensive literature has pertained to caregiver experiences in western and non-western settings; however, few studies have addressed the livelihoods and experiences of family caregivers of patients with OAB in ethnic Chinese communities. Because of the increasing prevalence of OAB worldwide, this study investigated the experiences of such caregivers in Hong Kong, examining their emotional and social needs. A qualitative research design with individual semistructured interviews was adopted, and snowball sampling was used to recruit 35 family caregivers who were referred by patients with OAB. The participants were interviewed individually from May to August 2013. A phenomenological approach was adopted in the data analysis. The data revealed that all participants had unpleasant experiences in caring for family members with OAB. A sense of powerlessness, helplessness, confusion and guilt, as well as grievances and social withdrawal, was prevalent, causing great physical and emotional suffering and subsequent physical and emotional burnout. These negative experiences were often caused by confusion regarding caretaking duties. The negative emotions of the participants and their family members also caused a lack of communication and mutual understanding about the disease, causing care-giving to be even more confusing and difficult. Furthermore, because of traditional Chinese cultural values and gender expectations, male participants experienced the triple burden of employment, domestic duties and care-giving. More holistic social and healthcare support services should be provided for care-giving family members of patients with OAB patients, empowering such

  1. [Using autonomous electrostimulation device Erektron in treating female overactive bladder].

    PubMed

    Yarin, G Yu; Shelyakina, O V; Fedorenko, V N; Alekseeva, A V; Vilgelmi, I A

    2016-11-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the most common syndromes of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Besides standard therapy using anticholinergic medications, comprehensive management of overactive bladder includes physiotherapy. To test the clinical effectiveness and safety of autonomous electrostimulation device "Erektron" in treating OAB in women. The study was conducted at the Urology and Gynecology Clinic of the Innovative Medical Technology Center between 25.04.2014 and 30.01.2015. It included 20 women with newly diagnosed OAB both with and without urinary urgency incontinence or urinary stress incontinence. The patients were divided into 2 groups. All patients were treated with the first line anticholinergic agent solifenacin 5 mg daily. In patients of group 1, anticholinergic therapy was administered concurrently with intravaginal electrostimulation using "Erektron" device. In both groups, the treatment resulted in positive results, but a more pronounced improvement was found in group 1 patients with mixed incontinence. Autonomous electrostimulation device MT-RV "Erektron" can be used in comprehensive management of patients with OAB, including those with stress urinary incontinence.

  2. Multiple layer insulation cover

    DOEpatents

    Farrell, James J.; Donohoe, Anthony J.

    1981-11-03

    A multiple layer insulation cover for preventing heat loss in, for example, a greenhouse, is disclosed. The cover is comprised of spaced layers of thin foil covered fabric separated from each other by air spaces. The spacing is accomplished by the inflation of spaced air bladders which are integrally formed in the cover and to which the layers of the cover are secured. The bladders are inflated after the cover has been deployed in its intended use to separate the layers of the foil material. The sizes of the material layers are selected to compensate for sagging across the width of the cover so that the desired spacing is uniformly maintained when the cover has been deployed. The bladders are deflated as the cover is stored thereby expediting the storage process and reducing the amount of storage space required.

  3. Montana University System Fact Book.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Montana Univ. System, Helena. Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

    This report contains numerous figures and tables providing data about the Montana University System. The report is divided into 11 sections, with some preceded by a brief text summary, followed by data tables and figures. Sections cover: (1) total funds, (2) state appropriated funds, (3) funding sources, (4) enrollment, (5) employment, (6) state…

  4. Performance Results for a Universal Lithium Ion Battery Management System

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-08-01

    MODELING & SIMULATION, TESTING AND VALIDATION (MSTV) MINI-SYMPOSIUM AUGUST 14-16, MICHIGAN PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR A UNIVERSAL LITHIUM ION BATTERY MANAGEMENT...Article 3. DATES COVERED 12-08-2012 to 12-08-2012 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR A UNIVERSAL LITHIUM ION BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM...Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) Performance Results for a Universal Lithium Ion Battery Management System UNCLASSIFIED – Page 2 of 11

  5. Connecting Physical University Spaces with Research-Based Education Strategy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carnell, Brent

    2017-01-01

    This paper looks at the link between enhancing education and ensuring an innovative fit-for-purpose estate. It argues that a nuanced approach and joined-up dialogue is needed between university staff whose remit covers these areas. Drawing from fifteen semi-structured interviews with students and staff at a research-intensive university in London,…

  6. The Allama Iqbal Open University Library.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ul-Hassan, Mahmud

    1984-01-01

    This profile of an open university library system in Pakistan covers its primary objective; functional organization; library collection and collection development; staffing, budgets and expenditures; library services (users, technical, reference); departmental libraries (on-campus branch, regional); and the library building. A list of 16 library…

  7. Item bank development, calibration and validation for patient-reported outcomes in female urinary incontinence

    PubMed Central

    Sung, Vivian W.; Griffith, James W.; Rogers, Rebecca G.; Raker, Christina A.; Clark, Melissa A.

    2016-01-01

    Purpose Current patient-reported outcomes for female urinary incontinence (UI) are limited by their inability to be tailored. Our objective is to describe the development and field-testing of 7 item banks designed to measure domains identified as important UI in females (UIf). We also describe the calibration and validation properties of the UIf-item banks, which allow for more efficient computerized-adaptive testing (CAT) in the future. METHODS The UIf-measures included 168 items covering 7 domains: Stress UI (SUI), Overactive Bladder (OAB), Urinary Frequency, Physical, Social and Emotional Health Impact, and Adaptation. Items underwent rigorous qualitative development and psychometric testing across 2 sites. Items were calibrated using item response theory and evaluated for internal consistency, construct validity and responsiveness. RESULTS 750 women (249 SUI, 249 OAB, and 252 mixed UI) participated. Mean age was 55±14 years ,23% were Hispanic, 80% white. In addition to face and content validity, the measures demonstrated good internal consistency (coefficient alpha 0.92-0.98) and unidimensionality. There was evidence for construct validity with moderate to strong correlations with the UDI (r’s ≥ 0.6) and IIQ (r’s = ≥ 0.6) scales. The measures were responsive to change for SUI treatment (paired t-test p <.001, ES range=1.3 to 2.9; SRM range=1.3 to 2.5) and OAB treatment (paired t-test p <.05 for all domains except Social Health Impact and Adaptation, ES range=.3 to 1.5, SRM range=0.4 to 1.0). The measures were responsive based on concurrent changes with the UDI and IIQ (p < 0.05). CAT versions were developed and pilot tested. CONCLUSIONS The UIf-item banks demonstrate good psychometric characteristics and are a sufficiently valid set of customizable tools for measuring UI symptoms and life impact. PMID:26732514

  8. Empirical performance of the multivariate normal universal portfolio

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan, Choon Peng; Pang, Sook Theng

    2013-09-01

    Universal portfolios generated by the multivariate normal distribution are studied with emphasis on the case where variables are dependent, namely, the covariance matrix is not diagonal. The moving-order multivariate normal universal portfolio requires very long implementation time and large computer memory in its implementation. With the objective of reducing memory and implementation time, the finite-order universal portfolio is introduced. Some stock-price data sets are selected from the local stock exchange and the finite-order universal portfolio is run on the data sets, for small finite order. Empirically, it is shown that the portfolio can outperform the moving-order Dirichlet universal portfolio of Cover and Ordentlich[2] for certain parameters in the selected data sets.

  9. Participation in High Energy Physics at the University of Chicago

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

    Martinec, Emil J.

    2013-06-27

    This report covers research at the University of Chicago in theoretical high energy physics and its connections to cosmology, over the period Nov. 1, 2009 to April 30, 2013. This research is divided broadly into two tasks: Task A, which covers a broad array of topics in high energy physics; and task C, primarily concerned with cosmology.

  10. Producing Alaska interim land cover maps from Landsat digital and ancillary data

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Fitzpatrick-Lins, Katherine; Doughty, Eileen Flanagan; Shasby, Mark; Loveland, Thomas R.; Benjamin, Susan

    1987-01-01

    In 1985, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a research program to produce 1:250,000-scale land cover maps of Alaska using digital Landsat multispectral scanner data and ancillary data and to evaluate the potential of establishing a statewide land cover mapping program using this approach. The geometrically corrected and resampled Landsat pixel data are registered to a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection, along with arc-second digital elevation model data used as an aid in the final computer classification. Areas summaries of the land cover classes are extracted by merging the Landsat digital classification files with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Public Land Survey digital file. Registration of the digital land cover data is verified and control points are identified so that a laser plotter can products screened film separate for printing the classification data at map scale directly from the digital file. The final land cover classification is retained both as a color map at 1:250,000 scale registered to the U.S. Geological Survey base map, with area summaries by township and range on the reverse, and as a digital file where it may be used as a category in a geographic information system.

  11. Mekong Land Cover Dasboard: Regional Land Cover Mointoring Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saah, D. S.; Towashiraporn, P.; Aekakkararungroj, A.; Phongsapan, K.; Triepke, J.; Maus, P.; Tenneson, K.; Cutter, P. G.; Ganz, D.; Anderson, E.

    2016-12-01

    SERVIR-Mekong, a USAID-NASA partnership, helps decision makers in the Lower Mekong Region utilize GIS and Remote Sensing information to inform climate related activities. In 2015, SERVIR-Mekong conducted a geospatial needs assessment for the Lower Mekong countries which included individual country consultations. The team found that many countries were dependent on land cover and land use maps for land resource planning, quantifying ecosystem services, including resilience to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and other critical social issues. Many of the Lower Mekong countries have developed national scale land cover maps derived in part from remote sensing products and geospatial technologies. However, updates are infrequent and classification systems do not always meet the needs of key user groups. In addition, data products stop at political boundaries and are often not accessible making the data unusable across country boundaries and with resource management partners. Many of these countries rely on global land cover products to fill the gaps of their national efforts, compromising consistency between data and policies. These gaps in national efforts can be filled by a flexible regional land cover monitoring system that is co-developed by regional partners with the specific intention of meeting national transboundary needs, for example including consistent forest definitions in transboundary watersheds. Based on these facts, key regional stakeholders identified a need for a land cover monitoring system that will produce frequent, high quality land cover maps using a consistent regional classification scheme that is compatible with national country needs. SERVIR-Mekong is currently developing a solution that leverages recent developments in remote sensing science and technology, such as Google Earth Engine (GEE), and working together with production partners to develop a system that will use a common set of input data sources to generate high

  12. Home | Oregon State University Extension Service

    Science.gov Websites

    "How To" Communities OSU Open Campus Oregon's Agricultural Progress Magazine Emerging Issues Oregon's Agricultural Progress cover image Oregon's Agricultural Progress, the research magazine for the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station. Read current OAP issue » Bridges logo image

  13. Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Block, David L.; T-Raissi, Ali

    2009-01-01

    This final report describes the R&D activities and projects conducted for NASA under the 6-year NASA Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities grant program. Contained within this report are summaries of the overall activities, one-page description of all the reports funded under this program and all of the individual reports from each of the 29 projects supported by the effort. The R&D activities cover hydrogen technologies related to production, cryogenics, sensors, storage, separation processes, fuel cells, resource assessments and education. In the span of 6 years, the NASA Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities program funded a total of 44 individual university projects, and employed more than 100 faculty and over 100 graduate research students in the six participating universities. Researchers involved in this program have filed more than 20 patents in all hydrogen technology areas and put out over 220 technical publications in the last 2 years alone. This 6 year hydrogen research program was conducted by a consortium of six Florida universities: Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, and University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) of the University of Central Florida managed the research activities of all consortium member universities except those at the University of Florida. This report does not include any of the programs or activities conducted at the University of Florida, but can be found in NASA/CR-2008-215440-PART 1-3.

  14. Overactive Bladder Syndrome: Evaluation and Management.

    PubMed

    Leron, Elad; Weintraub, Adi Y; Mastrolia, Salvatore A; Schwarzman, Polina

    2018-03-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a chronic medical condition which has a major influence on the quality of life in a significant amount of the population. OAB affects performance of daily activities and has an estimated prevalence of 16.5%. Many sufferers do not seek medical help. Moreover, many family physicians and even gynecologists are not familiar with this issue. Usually patients suffer from OAB in advanced age. Nocturia is reported as the most bothersome symptom in the elderly population. The aim of our review was to discuss all aspects of this challenging disorder and suggest tools for assessment and management strategies. Practitioners can easily overlook urinary complains if they not directly queried. We would like to encourage practitioners to give more attention to this issue.

  15. Revenue and Expenses of Ontario Universities, 1981-82. Volume II, Affiliated and Federated Colleges and Universities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto. Research Div.

    Data for 1981-1982 on revenues and expenses of the affiliated and federated colleges and universities of Ontario, Canada, are presented for each institution and on a consolidated basis. Statistical tables cover: total actual revenue and expense by type of general fund and excess of revenue over expense before and after appropriations; actual…

  16. Summer Flowering Cover Crops Support Wild Bees in Vineyards.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Houston; Wong, Jessica S; Thorp, Robbin W; Miles, Albie F; Daane, Kent M; Altieri, Miguel A

    2018-02-08

    Agricultural expansion and intensification negatively affect pollinator populations and has led to reductions in pollination services across multiple cropping systems. As a result, growers and researchers have utilized the restoration of local and landscape habitat diversity to support pollinators, and wild bees in particular. Although a majority of studies to date have focussed on effects in pollinator-dependent crops such as almond, tomato, sunflower, and watermelon, supporting wild bees in self-pollinated crops, such as grapes, can contribute to broader conservation goals as well as provide other indirect benefits to growers. This study evaluates the influence of summer flowering cover crops and landscape diversity on the abundance and diversity of vineyard bee populations. We showed that diversity and abundance of wild bees were increased on the flowering cover crop, but were unaffected by changes in landscape diversity. These findings indicate that summer flowering cover crops can be used to support wild bees and this could be a useful strategy for grape growers interested in pollinator conservation as part of a broader farmscape sustainability agenda. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  17. Astronomy in the Digital Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haisch, Bernard M.; Lindblom, J.; Terzian, Y.

    2006-12-01

    The Digital Universe is an Internet project whose mission is to provide free, accurate, unbiased information covering all aspects of human knowledge, and to inspire humans to learn, make use of, and expand this knowledge. It is planned to be a decades long effort, inspired by the Encyclopedia Galactica concept popularized by Carl Sagan, and is being developed by the non-profit Digital Universe Foundation. A worldwide network of experts is responsible for selecting content featured within the Digital Universe. The first publicly available content is the Encyclopedia of Earth, a Boston University project headed by Prof. Cutler Cleveland, which will be part of the Earth Portal. The second major content area will be an analogous Encyclopedia of the Cosmos to be part of the Cosmos Portal. It is anticipated that this will evolve into a major resource for astronomy education. Authors and topic editors are now being recruited for the Encyclopedia of the Cosmos.

  18. How To Cover NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1999-07-01

    NASA's newest space telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, is scheduled for launch not earlier than July 20, 1999, aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-93. The world's most powerful X-ray observatory, Chandra will join the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA's other great observatories in an unprecedented study of our universe. With its capability to "see" an otherwise invisible but violent, vibrant and ever-changing universe, Chandra will provide insights into the universe's structure and evolution. The following information is designed to assist news media representatives cover launch and activation of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Covering from the Chandra Control Center NASA will establish a news center at the Chandra X-ray Observatory Operations Control Center in Cambridge, Mass., during the critical period of launch and early activation. The news center will be open from approximately two days prior to launch until the observatory is established in its operating orbit approximately 11 days after launch. The telephone numbers for the news center are: (617) 496-4454 (617) 496-4462 (617) 496-4484 The news center will be staffed around the clock during the Shuttle mission by media relations officers knowledgeable about the Chandra mission and its status. Media covering from the news center will be provided work space and have opportunities for face-to-face interviews with Chandra management, control team members and Chandra scientists. They will be able to participate in daily Chandra status briefings and have access to a special control room viewing area. Additionally, media covering from Cambridge will receive periodic status reports on Chandra and the STS-93 mission, and will be able to participate in interactive televised briefings on the STS-93 mission originating from other NASA centers. While advance accreditation is not required, media interested in covering Chandra from the Operations Control Center should contact Dave Drachlis by telephone at (256) 544

  19. A snapshot of global health education at North American universities.

    PubMed

    Lencucha, Raphael; Mohindra, Katia

    2014-03-01

    Global health education is becoming increasingly prominent in North America. It is widely agreed upon that global health is an important aspect of an education in the health sciences and increasingly in other disciplines such as law, economics and political science. There is currently a paucity of studies examining the content of global health courses at the post-secondary level. The purpose of our research is to identify the content areas being covered in global health curricula in North American universities, as a first step in mapping global health curricula across North America. We collected 67 course syllabi from 31 universities and analyzed the topics covered in the course. This snapshot of global health education will aid students searching for global health content, as well as educators and university administrators who are developing or expanding global health programs in Canada and the United States.

  20. [Physiopathology of overactive bladder syndrome].

    PubMed

    Sacco, Emilio

    2012-01-01

    The pathophysiology of OAB is complex, multifactorial and still largely unknown. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been highlighted that may play a different role in different patient groups. There are now experimental evidences that support both the myogenic and neurogenic hypothesis, but in recent years the "integrative" hypothesis has been gaining more and more acceptance, where a disruption in the multiple interactions between different cell types (neurons, urothelium, interstitial cells, myocytes) and network functions represent a central element of lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Of utmost importance, a disorder in the urothelial sensory function and in the urothelial/suburothelial non-neural cholinergic system, favored by age and comorbidities, appears to be crucial for the development of the OAB. Neuroplastic and detrusor changes in OAB are broadly similar to those observed in bladders exposed to outlet obstruction, neuropathies, inflammation or aging, and may be driven by a common urothelial dysfunction. Several signaling substances and their receptors were found to be involved in central pathways of bidirectional communication between the different cell types in the bladder, and were shown to be modified in several animal models of OAB as well as in human models, indicating new potential therapeutic targets.

  1. Biomarkers in lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder: a critical overview.

    PubMed

    Antunes-Lopes, Tiago; Cruz, Célia D; Cruz, Francisco; Sievert, Karl D

    2014-07-01

    Biomarkers constitute objectively measurable characteristics that can be evaluated as indicators of physiological and pathogenic processes and might be used as diagnostic, prognostic or predictive tools in clinical care. This review examines the availability of biomarkers to treat the dynamic and complex symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). OAB biomarkers may contribute to reveal the origin of storage symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. The research encompassing the changes that occur in the bladder or in the peripheral (and central) nervous system might be determined through blood or urinary molecules (neurotrophins, ATP, prostaglandins, C-reactive protein and cytokines) or the measurement of events occurring in the bladder wall (bladder wall or detrusor wall thickness, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentration). These biomarkers might contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying OAB. The word biomarker to name all the parameters described above, from bladder wall thickness to urinary molecules, has been introduced to call the attention to a field wherein objective noninvasive parameters were nonexistent. OAB treatment based on a biomarker, in comparison to the treatment based on a diagnosis made from a careful history and exclusion of urinary tract infection, is not supported by current literature.

  2. Do we need to know more about the effects of hormones on lower urinary tract dysfunction? ICI-RS 2014.

    PubMed

    Hanna-Mitchell, Ann T; Robinson, Dudley; Cardozo, Linda; Everaert, Karel; Petkov, Georgi V

    2016-02-01

    This review article reflects the presentations and subsequent discussions during a think tank at the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society's annual meeting, held in Bristol, UK (September 22-24, 2014). It reviews the current state of knowledge on the role of hormones in lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and overactive bladder (OAB) and in particular: highlights some specific basic research findings from discussion participants; reviews future research topics; and discusses potential new therapeutic opportunities for LUTD and OAB. The role of the large conductance voltage- and Ca(2+) -activated K(+) (BK) channels, as novel therapeutic targets for OAB was discussed, in particular as recent studies on human detrusor smooth muscle suggest that estradiol exerts a direct non-genomic activation of the BK channels. Recent developments on the roles of sex hormones on diuresis, as well as the roles of melatonin and vitamin D on LUTD were also discussed. It was concluded that further basic science and translational studies are needed to better understand hormonal regulatory mechanisms of the lower urinary tract and the implications for novel treatment options for LUTD and OAB. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Development and Management of University Research Groups.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Smith, Robert V.

    Guidelines for managers of university research groups cover securing resources, personnel, and services and choosing collaborators, as well as organizing, supervising, and controlling research activities. Attention is directed to: orientation of personnel; reporting mechanisms; boosting morale; the needs of different personnel; handling travel,…

  4. Multidecadal Changes in Near-Global Cloud Cover and Estimated Cloud Cover Radiative Forcing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Norris, Joel

    2005-01-01

    The first paper was Multidecadal changes in near-global cloud cover and estimated cloud cover radiative forcing, by J. R. Norris (2005, J. Geophys. Res. - Atmos., 110, D08206, doi: lO.l029/2004JD005600). This study examined variability in zonal mean surface-observed upper-level (combined midlevel and high-level) and low-level cloud cover over land during 1971-1 996 and over ocean during 1952-1997. These data were averaged from individual synoptic reports in the Extended Edited Cloud Report Archive (EECRA). Although substantial interdecadal variability is present in the time series, long-term decreases in upper-level cloud cover occur over land and ocean at low and middle latitudes in both hemispheres. Near-global upper-level cloud cover declined by 1.5%-sky-cover over land between 1971 and 1996 and by 1.3%-sky-cover over ocean between 1952 and 1997. Consistency between EECRA upper-level cloud cover anomalies and those from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) during 1984-1 997 suggests the surface-observed trends are real. The reduction in surface-observed upper-level cloud cover between the 1980s and 1990s is also consistent with the decadal increase in all-sky outgoing longwave radiation reported by the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (EMS). Discrepancies occur between time series of EECRA and ISCCP low-level cloud cover due to identified and probable artifacts in satellite and surface cloud data. Radiative effects of surface-observed cloud cover anomalies, called "cloud cover radiative forcing (CCRF) anomalies," are estimated based on a linear relationship to climatological cloud radiative forcing per unit cloud cover. Zonal mean estimated longwave CCRF has decreased over most of the globe. Estimated shortwave CCRF has become slightly stronger over northern midlatitude oceans and slightly weaker over northern midlatitude land areas. A long-term decline in the magnitude of estimated shortwave CCRF occurs over low-latitude land and ocean

  5. Stanford university medical media and information technologies hosts open source surgical simulation workshop.

    PubMed

    Cornelius, Craig W; Heinrichs, Leroy; Youngblood, Patricia; Dev, Parvati

    2007-01-01

    Stanford University Medical Media and Information Technologies's technical workshop "Prototyping of Surgical Simulators using Open Source Simulation Software" was held in August 2006 at Stanford University. The objectives, program, and topics covered are presented in this short report.

  6. Changes in intraocular pressure and tear secretion in patients given 5 mg solifenacin for the treatment of overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Turkoglu, Ali Riza; Yener, Neslihan Parmak; Coban, Soner; Guzelsoy, Muhammet; Demirbas, Murat; Demirci, Hakan

    2017-05-01

    To investigate the effect of solifenacin succinate on intraocular pressure (IOP) and dry eye in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). The study was conducted prospectively between October 2014 and November 2015. A total of 93 female OAB patients with a mean age of 48.59 ± 11.28 years (range 19-75 years) were evaluated. A full ophthalmic examination, including the Schirmer I test and IOP measurements, was conducted. Solifenacin succinate (5 mg/day) was started orally. All procedures were repeated at the 4- and 12-week follow-up, and the effects and side effects were documented. No statistically significant difference was observed in IOP (p = 0.282, p = 0.189) and tear secretion (p = 0.122, p = 0.071) values from the baseline (day 0) to the 12th week in OAB patients using solifenacin succinate. Solifenacin succinate treatment was terminated in 3 patients owing to dry eye in 1 patient, increased IOP in 1 patient, and systemic side effects in 1 patient. Constipation and dry mouth at various rates were the most common systemic side effects observed. Solifenacin succinate is useful in eliminating OAB symptoms in female patients, but can cause systemic side effects. It had no significant side effects on tear secretion (Schirmer I) and IOP. We concluded that solifenacin succinate could be reliably used in pure OAB patients without comorbidity in terms of dry eye and IOP. We believe that prospective studies with larger series are still needed to reach a definite conclusion.

  7. Short-term results of the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on urinary symptoms and its financial cost

    PubMed Central

    Kurdoğlu, Zehra; Carr, Danielle; Harmouche, Jihad; Ünlü, Serdar; Kılıç, Gökhan S.

    2018-01-01

    Objective: Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 16.9% of women in the United States. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a third-line treatment for patients who are refractory to behavioral and pharmacologic therapies. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PTNS on urinary symptoms in patients diagnosed as having refractory OAB and investigate the cost of medications and clinical visits before and after PTNS treatment. Material and Methods: We reviewed 60 women with refractory OAB treated with PTNS. Episodes of urinary frequency, leakage, urgency, and nocturia; number of follow-up visits; and medications were recorded. The mean quarterly drug, physician, nurse, and provider costs were calculated. The episodes of urinary symptoms, numbers of follow-up visits, and costs of medications and visits before and after PTNS were compared. Results: Of the 60 patients with refractory OAB, 24 patients who completed 12 weekly sessions of initial PTNS were evaluated. The number of urinary symptoms and follow-up visits significantly decreased after PTNS (p<0.05). The average quarterly medication cost decreased from $656.36±292.45 to $375.51±331.79 after PTNS (p=0.001). After PTNS, quarterly physician and nurse visit costs decreased from $81.73±70.39 to $25.89±54.40 and from $55.23±38.32 to $15.53±19.58, respectively (p<0.05). The quarterly total provider cost was similar before and after PTNS. Conclusion: PTNS treatment significantly improved urinary symptoms of patients with refractory OAB and reduced the costs of medications and physician and nurse visits. PMID:29503256

  8. Short-term results of the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on urinary symptoms and its financial cost.

    PubMed

    Kurdoğlu, Zehra; Carr, Danielle; Harmouche, Jihad; Ünlü, Serdar; Kılıç, Gökhan S

    2018-03-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 16.9% of women in the United States. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a third-line treatment for patients who are refractory to behavioral and pharmacologic therapies. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PTNS on urinary symptoms in patients diagnosed as having refractory OAB and investigate the cost of medications and clinical visits before and after PTNS treatment. We reviewed 60 women with refractory OAB treated with PTNS. Episodes of urinary frequency, leakage, urgency, and nocturia; number of follow-up visits; and medications were recorded. The mean quarterly drug, physician, nurse, and provider costs were calculated. The episodes of urinary symptoms, numbers of follow-up visits, and costs of medications and visits before and after PTNS were compared. Of the 60 patients with refractory OAB, 24 patients who completed 12 weekly sessions of initial PTNS were evaluated. The number of urinary symptoms and follow-up visits significantly decreased after PTNS (p<0.05). The average quarterly medication cost decreased from $656.36±292.45 to $375.51±331.79 after PTNS (p=0.001). After PTNS, quarterly physician and nurse visit costs decreased from $81.73±70.39 to $25.89±54.40 and from $55.23±38.32 to $15.53±19.58, respectively (p<0.05). The quarterly total provider cost was similar before and after PTNS. PTNS treatment significantly improved urinary symptoms of patients with refractory OAB and reduced the costs of medications and physician and nurse visits.

  9. Validation of the urinary sensation scale (USS).

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Margolis, Mary Kay; Hsieh, Ray; Vats, Vasudha; Chapple, Christopher R

    2011-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the Urinary Sensation Scale (USS) in men with overactive bladder and voiding symptoms (OAB-LUTS) and women with overactive bladder (OAB). Data from two OAB clinical trials of tolterodine were used. The USS, a 5-point scale, assesses the amount of urinary urgency associated with each urination. Three methods to calculate the USS are: mean urgency (Mean USS); mode urgency (Mode USS); and sum urgency (sum USS). The validity and responsiveness of the scoring methods was assessed using Spearman's correlations, general linear models, and effect sizes. Data from 650 men (Study 1) and 413 women (Study 2) were analyzed. Mean age was 65.2 (men) and 47.8 (women); 70% were Caucasian in both studies. Correlations of USS scores with bladder diary variables were small to moderate and higher among Sum USS than Mean USS (r=0.02-0.64). Correlations among the USS and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were again small to moderate and higher with Sum USS (r=0.05-0.41). Both the Mean USS and Sum USS significantly discriminated (all P<0.001) among all bladder diary variables (except nocturia and UUI in men) when grouped as improved/not improved as well as by the PROs. Effect sizes for men and women, respectively, were -0.52 and -1.09 for Mean USS and -0.72 and -1.36 for Sum USS. The USS is a valid and highly responsive measure of urinary urgency in men with OAB-LUTS and women with OAB. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  10. Vibegron, a Novel Potent and Selective β3-Adrenoreceptor Agonist, for the Treatment of Patients with Overactive Bladder: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study.

    PubMed

    Yoshida, Masaki; Takeda, Masayuki; Gotoh, Momokazu; Nagai, Shinji; Kurose, Takafumi

    2018-05-01

    Vibegron is a novel, potent, and selective β 3 -adrenoreceptor agonist for the treatment of patients with overactive bladder (OAB). To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vibegron versus placebo in Japanese OAB patients. Patients with OAB entered a 2-wk placebo run-in phase. Once eligibility (≥8 micturition/d and either ≥1 urgency episodes/d or ≥1 urgency incontinence episodes/d) was confirmed, patients entered a 12-wk double-blind treatment phase. The anticholinergic imidafenacin was used as an active reference. A total of 1232 patients were randomly assigned to one of the four 12-wk treatment groups: vibegron (50mg or 100mg once daily), placebo, or imidafenacin (0.1mg twice daily). The primary endpoint was change in the mean number of micturitions/d at wk 12 from baseline. The secondary endpoints were changes from baselines in OAB symptom variables (daily episodes of urgency, urgency incontinence, incontinence, and nocturia, and voided volume/micturition). Quality of life (QoL) and safety were assessed. A constrained longitudinal data analysis model was used for analysis of efficacy. Patients taking vibegron 50mg and 100mg orally for 12 wk had significant improvements over the placebo in the primary and secondary endpoints. The proportions of patients with normalization of micturition, resolution of urgency, urgency incontinence, and incontinence were significantly greater than placebo. Vibegron significantly improved QoL, with high patient satisfaction. Incidences of drug-related adverse events with vibegron 50mg and 100mg were 7.6%, 5.4%, similar to placebo (5.1%), and less than imidafenacin (10.3%). Treatment was for just 12 wk and a long-term study is needed. The 12-wk treatment with vibegron is effective and well tolerated in patients with OAB. This randomized study demonstrated that vibegron is clinically useful for treatment of patients with OAB. Trial registration ​JapicCTI-152936. http://www.clinicaltrials.jp/user/cteDetail.jsp. Copyright

  11. Distance Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Keough, Erin

    This presentation describes the distance education program at Memorial University (Newfoundland), which operates the Telemedicine Centre, including an audiographic, teleconference network that uses a combination of hardware and software to turn an MS DOS computer into an interactive long distance blackboard. Topics covered by the presentation…

  12. World-Wide Web: The Information Universe.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Berners-Lee, Tim; And Others

    1992-01-01

    Describes the World-Wide Web (W3) project, which is designed to create a global information universe using techniques of hypertext, information retrieval, and wide area networking. Discussion covers the W3 data model, W3 architecture, the document naming scheme, protocols, document formats, comparison with other systems, experience with the W3…

  13. The Universe Untangled; Modern physics for everyone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pillitteri, Abigail

    2017-04-01

    Physics has always been a tricky subject for the general public. Millions are fascinated by the laws of the physical world, but there has been a lack of books written specifically for general readers. The Universe Untangled is for those who are curious; yet do not have an extensive mathematical background. It uses images, analogies and comprehensible language to cover popular topics of interest including the evolution of the Universe, fundamental forces, the nature of space and time, and the quest for knowing the unknown.

  14. Overactive bladder syndrome in the older woman: conservative treatment.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Ellie

    2009-11-01

    Over active bladder syndrome (OAB) is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in the older population (Gadgil and Wagg, 2008). Many women do not seek medical help and advice as they consider it to be an inevitable part of ageing. It can have significant impact on sufferers' lives and can contribute to an increased risk of falls, reduced quality of life, social isolation and depression. It is also known to be hugely underreported as patients are often too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with members of their family or health professionals. OAB syndrome can however, be treated effectively in primary care with conservative, nurse-led treatments. This article will discuss the causes, implications, assessment and conservative treatments available to women over 65 years old presenting with OAB syndrome in primary care.

  15. Cover Your Cough

    MedlinePlus

    ... KB] Spanish [153 KB] Cover Your Cough, Flyer & Poster for Health Care Settings Flyer : English Portuguese [268 ... KB] Chinese [246 KB] Cover Your Cough, Flyer & Poster for Community and Public Settings Flyer : English Portuguese [ ...

  16. What Medicare Covers

    MedlinePlus

    ... your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). What Part A covers Medicare ... health plans cover Medicare health plans include Medicare Advantage, Medical Savings Account (MSA), Medicare Cost plans, PACE, ...

  17. [Activities of Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, Iowa State University

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gray, Joe

    2002-01-01

    The final report of NASA funded activities at Iowa State University (ISU) for the period between 1/96 and 1/99 includes two main areas of activity. The first is the development and delivery of an x-ray simulation package suitable for evaluating the impact of parameters affects the inspectability of an assembly of parts. The second area was the development of images processing tools to remove reconstruction artifacts in x-ray laminagraphy images. The x-ray simulation portion of this work was done by J. Gray and the x-ray laminagraphy work was done by J. Basart. The report is divided into two sections covering the two activities respectively. In addition to this work reported the funding also covered NASA's membership in the NSF University/Industrial Cooperative Research Center.

  18. Dimer covering and percolation frustration.

    PubMed

    Haji-Akbari, Amir; Haji-Akbari, Nasim; Ziff, Robert M

    2015-09-01

    Covering a graph or a lattice with nonoverlapping dimers is a problem that has received considerable interest in areas, such as discrete mathematics, statistical physics, chemistry, and materials science. Yet, the problem of percolation on dimer-covered lattices has received little attention. In particular, percolation on lattices that are fully covered by nonoverlapping dimers has not evidently been considered. Here, we propose a procedure for generating random dimer coverings of a given lattice. We then compute the bond percolation threshold on random and ordered coverings of the square and the triangular lattices on the remaining bonds connecting the dimers. We obtain p_{c}=0.367713(2) and p_{c}=0.235340(1) for random coverings of the square and the triangular lattices, respectively. We observe that the percolation frustration induced as a result of dimer covering is larger in the low-coordination-number square lattice. There is also no relationship between the existence of long-range order in a covering of the square lattice and its percolation threshold. In particular, an ordered covering of the square lattice, denoted by shifted covering in this paper, has an unusually low percolation threshold and is topologically identical to the triangular lattice. This is in contrast to the other ordered dimer coverings considered in this paper, which have higher percolation thresholds than the random covering. In the case of the triangular lattice, the percolation thresholds of the ordered and random coverings are very close, suggesting the lack of sensitivity of the percolation threshold to microscopic details of the covering in highly coordinated networks.

  19. Mean species cover: a harmonized indicator of shrub cover for forest inventories

    Treesearch

    Iciar Alberdi; Sonia Condés; Ronald E. Mcroberts; Susanne Winter

    2018-01-01

    Because shrub cover is related to many forest ecosystem functions, it is one of the most relevant variables for describing these communities. Nevertheless, a harmonized indicator of shrub cover for large-scale reporting is lacking. The aims of the study were threefold: to define a shrub indicator that can be used by European countries for harmonized shrub cover...

  20. The Second Annual International Space University Alumni Conference

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, Les (Compiler); Robinson, Paul A. (Compiler)

    1994-01-01

    The papers presented at the conference reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the International Space University (ISU) and its alumni. The first papers presented hold special relevance to the design projects, and cover such topics as lunar-based astronomical instrumentation, solar lunar power generation, habitation on the moon, and the legal issues governing multinational astronauts conducting research in space. The next set of papers cover various technical issues such as project success assessment, satellite networks and space station dynamics, thus reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the ISU alumni.

  1. The Sixth Alumni Conference of the International Space University

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Berry, Steve (Editor)

    1997-01-01

    These proceedings cover the sixth alumni conference of the International Space University, coordinated by the ISU U.S. Alumni Organization, which was held at Rice University in Houston, Texas, on July 11, 1997. The alumni conference gives graduates of the International Space University's interdisciplinary, international, and intercultural program a forum in which they may present and exchange technical ideas, and keep abreast of the wide variety of work in which the ever-growing body of alumni is engaged. The diversity that is characteristic of ISU is reflected in the subject matter of the papers published in this proceedings. This proceedings preserves the order of the alumni presentations given at the 1997 ISU Alumni Conference. As in previous years, a special effort was made to solicit papers with a strong connection to the two ISU 1997 Summer Session Program design projects: (1) Transfer of Technology, Spin-Offs, Spin-Ins; and (2) Strategies for the Exploration of Mars. Papers in the remaining ten sessions cover the departmental areas traditional to the ISU summer session program.

  2. Cover crops for Alabama

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cover crops are grown to benefit the following crop as well as to improve the soil, but they are normally not intended for harvest. Selecting the right cover crops for farming operations can improve yields, soil and water conservation and quality, and economic productivity. Properly managed cover ...

  3. Public Relations: Ketchum brands new product with innovative PR strategy.

    PubMed

    2006-01-01

    Novartis Pharmaceuticals tapped publis relations (PR) giant Ketchum earlier this year to spearhead a marketing campaign that would make its new U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription-based medication, Enablex, stand out among the crowd in over active bladder (OAB) treatment. OAB is a disorder that affects an estimated 33 million Americans making this treatment highly in demand with consumers and highly competitive with other pharmaceutical companies.

  4. [Effects of transcranial magnetotherapy on electroencephalographic parameters in females with overactive urinary bladder].

    PubMed

    Neĭmark, A I; Klyzhina, E A; Neĭmark, B A; Mel'nik, M A

    2007-01-01

    Urodynamic parameters and bioelectric brain activity were studied in 30 females aged 24-66 years with overactive bladder (OAB) before and after transcranial magnetotherapy. It was found that OAB patients have disorders of bioelectric brain activity by two types of EEG patterns (I.A. Svyatogor classification)--thalamic and stem, Patients with thalamic type EEG benefit more from magnetotherapy higher efficacy of which manifests with regress of clinical symptoms and urodynamic improvement.

  5. Land-cover change detection

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Chen, Xuexia; Giri, Chandra; Vogelmann, James

    2012-01-01

    Land cover is the biophysical material on the surface of the earth. Land-cover types include grass, shrubs, trees, barren, water, and man-made features. Land cover changes continuously.  The rate of change can be either dramatic and abrupt, such as the changes caused by logging, hurricanes and fire, or subtle and gradual, such as regeneration of forests and damage caused by insects (Verbesselt et al., 2001).  Previous studies have shown that land cover has changed dramatically during the past sevearal centuries and that these changes have severely affected our ecosystems (Foody, 2010; Lambin et al., 2001). Lambin and Strahlers (1994b) summarized five types of cause for land-cover changes: (1) long-term natural changes in climate conditions, (2) geomorphological and ecological processes, (3) human-induced alterations of vegetation cover and landscapes, (4) interannual climate variability, and (5) human-induced greenhouse effect.  Tools and techniques are needed to detect, describe, and predict these changes to facilitate sustainable management of natural resources.

  6. Forest Cover Change and Soil Erosion in Toledo's Rio Grande Watershed

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chicas, S.; Omine, K.

    2015-04-01

    Toledo, the southernmost district, is the hub of Belize's Mayan population, descendants of the ancient Mayan civilization. The Toledo District is primarily inhibited by Kekchi and Mopan Mayans whose subsistence needs are met by the Milpa slash-and-burn agricultural system and the extraction of forest resources. The poverty assessment in the country indicates that Toledo is the district with the highest percentage of household an individual indigence of 37.5 % and 49.7 % respectively. Forest cover change in the area can be attributed to rapid population growth among the Maya, together with increase in immigration from neighboring countries, logging, oil exploration and improvement and construction of roads. The forest cover change analysis show that from 2001 to 2011 there was a decrease of Lowland broad-leaved wet forest of 7.53 km sq, Shrubland of 4.66 km sq, and Wetland of 0.08 km sq. Forest cover change has resulted in soil erosion which is causing the deterioration of soils. The land cover types that are contributing the most to total erosion in the Rio Grande watershed are no-forest, lowland broad-leaved wet forest and submontane broad-leaved wet forest. In this study the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was employed in a GIS platform to quantify and assess forest cover change and soil erosion. Soil erosion vulnerability maps in Toledo's Rio Grande watershed were also created. This study provides scientifically sound information in order to understand and respond effectively to the impacts of soil erosion in the study site.

  7. Ontario Universities Statistical Compendium, 1970-71 to 1978-79. Part B, Supporting Data.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

    Data on the 1970-79 conditions of Ontario universities that were used in the derivation of macro-indicators are presented. The supporting data cover the following areas: operating revenue in Ontario universities; operating expenditures; distribution of academic salaries, nonacademic salaries, employee benefits; and nonsalary operating…

  8. Improving Universal Suicide Prevention Screening in Primary Care by Reducing False Negatives

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-1-0272 TITLE: Improving universal suicide prevention screening in primary care by reducing false negatives PRINCIPAL...COVERED 9/1/2015-8/31/2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Improving universal suicide prevention screening in primary care by 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER reducing...proposed project is to develop a shortened version of the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) and to evaluate its efficacy as a universal suicide prevention

  9. Limited Impact of a Fall-Seeded, Spring-Terminated Rye Cover Crop on Beneficial Arthropods.

    PubMed

    Dunbar, Mike W; Gassmann, Aaron J; O'Neal, Matthew E

    2017-04-01

    Cover crops are beneficial to agroecosystems because they decrease soil erosion and nutrient loss while increasing within-field plant diversity. Greater plant diversity within cropping systems can positively affect beneficial arthropod communities. We hypothesized that increasing plant diversity within annually rotated corn and soybean with the addition of a rye cover crop would positively affect the beneficial ground and canopy-dwelling communities compared with rotated corn and soybean grown without a cover crop. From 2011 through 2013, arthropod communities were measured at two locations in Iowa four times throughout each growing season. Pitfall traps were used to sample ground-dwelling arthropods within the corn and soybean plots and sweep nets were used to measure the beneficial arthropods in soybean canopies. Beneficial arthropods captured were identified to either class, order, or family. In both corn and soybean, community composition and total community activity density and abundance did not differ between plots that included the rye cover crop and plots without the rye cover crop. Most taxa did not significantly respond to the presence of the rye cover crop when analyzed individually, with the exceptions of Carabidae and Gryllidae sampled from soybean pitfall traps. Activity density of Carabidae was significantly greater in soybean plots that included a rye cover crop, while activity density of Gryllidae was significantly reduced in plots with the rye cover crop. Although a rye cover crop may be agronomically beneficial, there may be only limited effects on beneficial arthropods when added within an annual rotation of corn and soybean. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  10. Nustar: Bringing the High-Energy Universe into Focus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fineberg, Larry

    2016-01-01

    This is a presentation to students at the University of Florida in the Small Satellite Design Club. The subject matter is the NuSTAR mission and covers topics about the spacecraft itself and the launch campaign. NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) is the first focusing high-energy X-ray mission. Studies the hottest, densest, most energetic phenomena in the Universe. Purpose is to search for black holes, map the remnants of stellar explosions, and study the most extreme active galaxies.

  11. Increased Risk of Insect Injury to Corn Following Rye Cover Crop.

    PubMed

    Dunbar, Mike W; O'Neal, Matthew E; Gassmann, Aaron J

    2016-08-01

    Decreased pest pressure is sometimes associated with more diverse agroecosystems, including the addition of a rye cover crop (Secale cereale L.). However, not all pests respond similarly to greater vegetational diversity. Polyphagous pests, such as true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta Haworth), black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel), and common stalk borer (Papaipema nebris Guenee), whose host range includes rye have the potential to cause injury to crops following a rye cover crop. The objectives of this study were to compare the abundance of early-season insect pests and injury to corn (Zea mays L.) from fields with and without a rye cover crop on commercial farms. Fields were sampled weekly to quantify adult and larval pests and feeding injury to corn plants from mid-April until corn reached V8 stage, during 2014 and 2015. Measurements within fields were collected along transects that extended perpendicularly from field edges into the interior of cornfields. Adult true armyworm and adult black cutworm were captured around all cornfields, but most lepidopteran larvae captured within cornfields were true armyworm and common stalk borer. Cornfields with a rye cover crop had significantly greater abundance of true armyworm and greater proportion of injured corn. Both true armyworm abundance and feeding injury were significantly greater in the interior of cornfields with rye. Common stalk borer abundance did not differ between cornfields with or without rye cover. Farmers planting corn following a rye cover crop should be aware of the potential for increased presence of true armyworm and for greater injury to corn. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  12. Do we need a new definition of the overactive bladder syndrome? ICI-RS 2013.

    PubMed

    Drake, Marcus J

    2014-06-01

    Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) has a symptom-based definition. Following a presentation of issues, the definition was subjected to expert discussion at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society to identify key issues. OAB is a widely used term; it is a pragmatic approach to categorizing a recognized group of patients, and is understood by the patients, however, expert opinion suggested several issues for which additional evidence should be sought. Naming an organ (bladder) in the condition may suggest underlying mechanism, when contributory aspects may lie outside the bladder. No severity thresholds are set, which can cause uncertainty. Urgency is prominent in the definition, but may not be prominent in patients whose adaptive behavior reduces their propensity to urgency. OAB can co-exist with other common conditions, such as benign prostate enlargement (BPE), stress incontinence or nocturnal polyuria. Consensus led by the International Continence Society can be attempted for aspects such as "fear of leakage." To develop a new definition, more substantive evidence is needed for key elements, and until such evidence is available, full redefinition is not appropriate. Thus, the medical profession should accept constructive compromise and work supportively. The ICI-RS proposes that the terminology is slightly rephrased as: "overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency, with or without urgency urinary incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia, if there is no proven infection or other obvious pathology." More substantive changes would require additional scientific evidence. Strengths, limitations, and practicalities of the definition of OAB were discussed at the ICIRS meeting 2013. Following a presentation of issues, the definition was subjected to expert discussion. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. Patient-targeted websites on overactive bladder: What are our patients reading?

    PubMed

    Clancy, Aisling A; Hickling, Duane; Didomizio, Laura; Sanaee, May; Shehata, Fady; Zee, Rebekah; Khalil, Hisham

    2018-02-01

    Patients often turn to the Internet for information on medical conditions. We sought to evaluate the quality and readability of highly visible websites on overactive bladder (OAB). A survey of 42 consecutive patients attending outpatient urogynecology clinics was performed to identify the most commonly used Internet search engines and search terms for information on OAB. The three most commonly used search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo!) were then queried using the three most commonly used search terms. The first 20 relevant websites from each search were reviewed. After excluding duplicates, 35 websites were analyzed. Website quality of information on OAB was evaluated using the DISCERN score, JAMA benchmark criteria, and Health on the Net code (HONcode) accreditation status. Readability was assessed using the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and Dale-Chall indices. Websites were classified as advertisement/commercial (31%), health portal (29%), professional (26%), patient group (6%), and other (9%). The overall mean DISCERN score was 44 ± 18 (maximum possible score of 80). Three websites (9%) met all four JAMA benchmark criteria. Seventeen percent of websites provided adequate information on content authorship and contributions. Median SMOG and Dale-Chall indices were 9.9 (IQR 9.3-11.2) and 9.0 (IQR 8.1-9.4), respectively. Nine websites (26%) were HONcode certified. Popular websites on OAB are of low quality, written for a high school to college-level readership, and often lack adequate information to assess the potential for commercial bias. Patients should be cautioned that incomplete and potentially biased information on OAB is prevalent online. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Prevalence of overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and lower urinary tract symptoms: results of Korean EPIC study.

    PubMed

    Lee, Young-Suk; Lee, Kyu-Sung; Jung, Jae Hun; Han, Deok Hyun; Oh, Seung-June; Seo, Ju Tae; Lee, Jeong Gu; Park, Hye Sook; Choo, Myung-Soo

    2011-04-01

    Despite growing interest in overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence in general population of Korea. This survey was aimed at estimating the prevalence of OAB, UI, and other LUTS among Korean men and women. Population-based cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between May and September 2006 using questionnaire regarding demographics and the prevalence. A geographically stratified random sample of men and women aged ≥ 18 years were selected. Current International Continence Society definitions were used for individual LUTS and OAB. Of a total of 9,067 individuals contacted, 2,000 (888 men, 1,112 women) agreed to participate. Overall prevalence of LUTS was 61.4% (53.7% of men, 68.9% of women) and the prevalence increased with age. Storage LUTS was more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS in both men (storage; 44.6%, voiding; 28.5%, post-micturition; 15.9%) and women (storage; 64.4%, voiding; 25.9%, post-micturition; 13.9%). Nocturia was the most frequently reported symptom (36.6% of men, 48.2% of women). Overall prevalence of OAB was 12.2% (10.0% of men, 14.3% of women). UI was reported by 2.9% of men and 28.4% of women. The most prevalent type was other UI in men and stress urinary incontinence in women. Lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB are prevalent among Korean men and women and the prevalence increases with age. Storage LUTS is more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS and nocturia is the most common symptom.

  15. EnviroAtlas - Phoenix, AZ - One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2010)

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The EnviroAtlas Phoenix, AZ land cover (LC) data and map were generated from USDA NAIP (National Agricultural Imagery Program) four band (red, green, blue and near-infrared) aerial photography taken from June through September, 2010 at 1 m spatial resolution. Seven land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees and forest, shrubs, grass and herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment using a completely random sampling of 598 land cover reference points yielded an overall accuracy of 69.2%. The area mapped includes the entirety of the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP-LTER) area, which was classified by the Environmental Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Lab (ERSG) at Arizona State University. The land cover dataset also includes an area of approximately 625 square kilometers which is located north of Phoenix. This section was classified by the EPA land cover classification team. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each at

  16. HectoMAPping the Universe. Karl Schwarzschild Award Lecture 2014

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geller, Margaret J.; Hwang, Ho Seong

    2015-06-01

    During the last three decades progress in mapping the Universe from an age of 400 000 years to the present has been stunning. Instrument/telescope combinations have naturally determined the sampling of various redshift ranges. Here we outline the impact of the Hectospec on the MMT on exploration of the Universe in the redshift range 0.2 ⪉ z ⪉ 0.8. We focus on dense redshift surveys, SHELS and HectoMAP. SHELS is a complete magnitude limited survey covering 8 square degrees. The HectoMAP survey combines a red-selected dense redshift survey and a weak lensing map covering 50 square degrees. Combining the dense redshift survey with a Subaru HyperSuprimeCam (HSC) weak lensing map will provide a powerful probe of the way galaxies trace the distribution of dark matter on a wide range of physical scales.

  17. Changes in Andes snow cover from MODIS data, 2000-2016

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saavedra, Freddy A.; Kampf, Stephanie K.; Fassnacht, Steven R.; Sibold, Jason S.

    2018-03-01

    The Andes span a length of 7000 km and are important for sustaining regional water supplies. Snow variability across this region has not been studied in detail due to sparse and unevenly distributed instrumental climate data. We calculated snow persistence (SP) as the fraction of time with snow cover for each year between 2000 and 2016 from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensors (500 m, 8-day maximum snow cover extent). This analysis is conducted between 8 and 36° S due to high frequency of cloud (> 30 % of the time) south and north of this range. We ran Mann-Kendall and Theil-Sens analyses to identify areas with significant changes in SP and snowline (the line at lower elevation where SP = 20 %). We evaluated how these trends relate to temperature and precipitation from Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications-2 (MERRA2) and University of Delaware datasets and climate indices as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Southern Annular Mode (SAM), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Areas north of 29° S have limited snow cover, and few trends in snow persistence were detected. A large area (34 370 km2) with persistent snow cover between 29 and 36° S experienced a significant loss of snow cover (2-5 fewer days of snow year-1). Snow loss was more pronounced (62 % of the area with significant trends) on the east side of the Andes. We also found a significant increase in the elevation of the snowline at 10-30 m year-1 south of 29-30° S. Decreasing SP correlates with decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature, and the magnitudes of these correlations vary with latitude and elevation. ENSO climate indices better predicted SP conditions north of 31° S, whereas the SAM better predicted SP south of 31° S.

  18. Institutionalizing Entrepreneurship: A History of Sponsored Research at the University of Michigan

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    DeGraff, Staney

    2006-01-01

    This paper examines the history of sponsored research and industrial relationships at the University of Michigan. For the purposes of this paper, sponsored research is defined as research performed by the university that is funded by an outside constituent. Although this paper covers events from the start of the twentieth century, it concentrates…

  19. Thematic accuracy of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001 land cover for Alaska

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Selkowitz, D.J.; Stehman, S.V.

    2011-01-01

    The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001 Alaska land cover classification is the first 30-m resolution land cover product available covering the entire state of Alaska. The accuracy assessment of the NLCD 2001 Alaska land cover classification employed a geographically stratified three-stage sampling design to select the reference sample of pixels. Reference land cover class labels were determined via fixed wing aircraft, as the high resolution imagery used for determining the reference land cover classification in the conterminous U.S. was not available for most of Alaska. Overall thematic accuracy for the Alaska NLCD was 76.2% (s.e. 2.8%) at Level II (12 classes evaluated) and 83.9% (s.e. 2.1%) at Level I (6 classes evaluated) when agreement was defined as a match between the map class and either the primary or alternate reference class label. When agreement was defined as a match between the map class and primary reference label only, overall accuracy was 59.4% at Level II and 69.3% at Level I. The majority of classification errors occurred at Level I of the classification hierarchy (i.e., misclassifications were generally to a different Level I class, not to a Level II class within the same Level I class). Classification accuracy was higher for more abundant land cover classes and for pixels located in the interior of homogeneous land cover patches. ?? 2011.

  20. The deuterium puzzle in the symmetric universe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leroy, B.; Nicolle, J. P.; Schatzman, E.

    1973-01-01

    An attempt was made to use deuterium abundance in the symmetric universe to prove that no nucleosynthesis takes place during annihilation and therefore neutrons were loss before nucleosynthesis. Data cover nucleosynthesis during the radiative era, cross section estimates, maximum abundance of He-4 at the end of nucleosynthesis area, and loss rate.

  1. Building the Sustainable Library at Macquarie University

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brodie, Maxine

    2012-01-01

    This article explores a number of current issues and challenges in sustainability, both of and in academic libraries of the future, using as a case study the new library opened at Macquarie University, Sydney in 2011. Issues covered include sustainable design and operation of library buildings, sustainability in relation to library collections,…

  2. Hatch Cover Slides Through Hatch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alton, Charles; Okane, James H.

    1989-01-01

    Hatch cover for pressurized vessel provides tight seal but opened quickly from either side. In opening or closing, cover sweeps out relatively little volume within vessel, so it does not hinder movement of people or objects from vessel to outside or placement of people or objects near hatch. Cover uses internal pressure to create seal when closed. Design of cover eliminates leakage paths, and cover immune to hazards of sudden decompression or jamming when bolts and latches fail.

  3. The Significance of Land Cover Delineation on Soil Erosion Assessment.

    PubMed

    Efthimiou, Nikolaos; Psomiadis, Emmanouil

    2018-04-25

    The study aims to evaluate the significance of land cover delineation on soil erosion assessment. To that end, RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) was implemented at the Upper Acheloos River catchment, Western Central Greece, annually and multi-annually for the period 1965-92. The model estimates soil erosion as the linear product of six factors (R, K, LS, C, and P) considering the catchment's climatic, pedological, topographic, land cover, and anthropogenic characteristics, respectively. The C factor was estimated using six alternative land use delineations of different resolution, namely the CORINE Land Cover (CLC) project (2000, 2012 versions) (1:100,000), a land use map conducted by the Greek National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF) (1:20,000), a land use map conducted by the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (PCAGGCA) (1:5,000), and the Landsat 8 16-day Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset (30 m/pixel) (two approximations) based on remote sensing data (satellite image acquired on 07/09/2016) (1:40,000). Since all other factors remain unchanged per each RUSLE application, the differences among the yielded results are attributed to the C factor (thus the land cover pattern) variations. Validation was made considering the convergence between simulated (modeled) and observed sediment yield. The latter was estimated based on field measurements conducted by the Greek PPC (Public Power Corporation). The model performed best at both time scales using the Landsat 8 (Eq. 13) dataset, characterized by a detailed resolution and a satisfactory categorization, allowing the identification of the most susceptible to erosion areas.

  4. Joint University Program for Air Transportation Research, 1990-1991

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morrell, Frederick R. (Compiler)

    1991-01-01

    The goals of this program are consistent with the interests of both NASA and the FAA in furthering the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Research carried out at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ohio University, and Princeton University are covered. Topics studied include passive infrared ice detection for helicopters, the cockpit display of hazardous windshear information, fault detection and isolation for multisensor navigation systems, neural networks for aircraft system identification, and intelligent failure tolerant control.

  5. Analysis of technical university information system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savelyev, N. A.; Boyarkin, M. A.

    2018-05-01

    The paper covers a set and interaction of the existing higher education institution automated control systems in φ state budgetary educational institution of higher professional education "Industrial University of Tyumen ". A structural interaction of the existing systems and their functions has been analyzed which has become a basis for identification of a number of system-related and local (related to separate modules) drawbacks of the university activities automation. The authors suggested a new structure of the automated control system, consisting of three major subsystems: management support; training and methodology support; distance and supplementary education support. Functionality for each subsystem has been defined in accordance with the educational institution automation requirements. The suggested structure of the ACS will solve the challenges facing the university during reorganization and optimization of the processes of management of the institution activities as a whole.

  6. Search for water and life's building blocks in the Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kwok, Sun; Bergin, Edwin; Ehrenfreund, Pascale

    Water is the common ground between astronomy and planetary science as the presence of water on a planet is universally accepted as essential for its potential habitability. Water assists many biological chemical reactions leading to complexity by acting as an effective solvent. It shapes the geology and climate on rocky planets, and is a major or primary constituent of the solid bodies of the outer solar system. Water ice seems universal in space and is by far the most abundant condensed-phase species in our universe. Water-rich icy layers cover dust particles within the cold regions of the interstellar medium and molecular ices are widespread in the solar system. The poles of terrestrial planets (e.g. Earth, Mars) and most of the outer-solar-system satellites are covered with ice. Smaller solar system bodies, such as comets and Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), contain a significant fraction of water ice and trace amounts of organics. Beneath the ice crust of several moons of Jupiter and Saturn liquid water oceans probably exist.

  7. Silostop Bunker Covers

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The quality of the seal provided by the plastic cover is a key issue for minimizing losses in bunker and pile silos. Most bunker covers are 6 to 8 mil polyethylene sheets held in place by tires or tire sidewalls. Frequently there are problems with spoilage at the shoulders (i.e., against the walls),...

  8. The Entrepreneurial University: A Case Study of the University of New Mexico in a Competitive Research Environment, 1972-1978.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bjork, Lars G.

    Factors affecting the emergence of the University of New Mexico as a research institution in a period of increased competition for research support are discussed. The case study covers the period of 1972-1978 and focuses on the development of the Office of the Vice President for Research and its entrepreneurial activities, including its increased…

  9. A new global 1-km dataset of percentage tree cover derived from remote sensing

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    DeFries, R.S.; Hansen, M.C.; Townshend, J.R.G.; Janetos, A.C.; Loveland, Thomas R.

    2000-01-01

    Accurate assessment of the spatial extent of forest cover is a crucial requirement for quantifying the sources and sinks of carbon from the terrestrial biosphere. In the more immediate context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, implementation of the Kyoto Protocol calls for estimates of carbon stocks for a baseline year as well as for subsequent years. Data sources from country level statistics and other ground-based information are based on varying definitions of 'forest' and are consequently problematic for obtaining spatially and temporally consistent carbon stock estimates. By combining two datasets previously derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) at 1 km spatial resolution, we have generated a prototype global map depicting percentage tree cover and associated proportions of trees with different leaf longevity (evergreen and deciduous) and leaf type (broadleaf and needleleaf). The product is intended for use in terrestrial carbon cycle models, in conjunction with other spatial datasets such as climate and soil type, to obtain more consistent and reliable estimates of carbon stocks. The percentage tree cover dataset is available through the Global Land Cover Facility at the University of Maryland at http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu.

  10. Monthly fractional green vegetation cover associated with land cover classes of the conterminous USA

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Gallo, Kevin P.; Tarpley, Dan; Mitchell, Ken; Csiszar, Ivan; Owen, Timothy W.; Reed, Bradley C.

    2001-01-01

    The land cover classes developed under the coordination of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Data and Information System (IGBP-DIS) have been analyzed for a study area that includes the Conterminous United States and portions of Mexico and Canada. The 1-km resolution data have been analyzed to produce a gridded data set that includes within each 20-km grid cell: 1) the three most dominant land cover classes, 2) the fractional area associated with each of the three dominant classes, and 3) the fractional area covered by water. Additionally, the monthly fraction of green vegetation cover (fgreen) associated with each of the three dominant land cover classes per grid cell was derived from a 5-year climatology of 1-km resolution NOAA-AVHRR data. The variables derived in this study provide a potential improvement over the use of monthly fgreen linked to a single land cover class per model grid cell.

  11. Impact of Technology on the University of Miami.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Little, Robert O.; Temares, M. Lewis

    As part of a long-range information systems planning effort at the University of Miami, the impact of technology on the organization was assessed. The assessment covered hardware, office automation, systems and database software, and communications. The trends in computer hardware point toward continued decreasing size and cost, placing computer…

  12. Development of a global land cover characteristics database and IGBP DISCover from 1 km AVHRR data

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Loveland, Thomas R.; Reed, B.C.; Brown, Jesslyn F.; Ohlen, D.O.; Zhu, Z.; Yang, L.; Merchant, J.W.

    2000-01-01

    Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy produced a 1 km resolution global land cover characteristics database for use in a wide range of continental-to global-scale environmental studies. This database provides a unique view of the broad patterns of the biogeographical and ecoclimatic diversity of the global land surface, and presents a detailed interpretation of the extent of human development. The project was carried out as an International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, Data and Information Systems (IGBP-DIS) initiative. The IGBP DISCover global land cover product is an integral component of the global land cover database. DISCover includes 17 general land cover classes defined to meet the needs of IGBP core science projects. A formal accuracy assessment of the DISCover data layer will be completed in 1998. The 1 km global land cover database was developed through a continent-by-continent unsupervised classification of 1 km monthly Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) composites covering 1992-1993. Extensive post-classification stratification was necessary to resolve spectral/temporal confusion between disparate land cover types. The complete global database consists of 961 seasonal land cover regions that capture patterns of land cover, seasonality and relative primary productivity. The seasonal land cover regions were aggregated to produce seven separate land cover data sets used for global environmental modelling and assessment. The data sets include IGBP DISCover, U.S. Geological Survey Anderson System, Simple Biosphere Model, Simple Biosphere Model 2, Biosphere-Atmosphere Transfer Scheme, Olson Ecosystems and Running Global Remote Sensing Land Cover. The database also includes all digital sources that were used in the classification. The complete database can be sourced from the website: http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/landdaac/glcc/glcc.html.

  13. Health economics perspective of fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin as first-time therapy for overactive bladder syndrome in the primary care setting in Spain

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Overactive bladder (OAB) is associated with high healthcare costs, which may be partially driven by drug treatment. There is little comparative data on antimuscarinic drugs with respect to resource use and costs. This study was conducted to address this gap and the growing need for naturalistic studies comparing health economics outcomes in adult patients with OAB syndrome initiating treatment with different antimuscarinic drugs in a primary care setting in Spain. Methods Medical records from the databases of primary healthcare centres in three locations in Spain were assessed retrospectively. Men and women ≥18 years of age who initiated treatment with fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin for OAB between 2008 and 2010 were followed for 52 weeks. Healthcare resource utilization and related costs in the Spanish National Health System were compared. Comparisons among drugs were made using multivariate general linear models adjusted for location, age, sex, time since diagnosis, Charlson comorbidity index, and medication possession ratio. Results A total of 1,971 medical records of patients (58.3% women; mean age, 70.1 [SD:10.6] years) initiating treatment with fesoterodine (n = 302), solifenacin (n = 952) or tolterodine (n = 717) were examined. Annual mean cost per patient was €1798 (95% CI: €1745; €1848). Adjusted mean (95% bootstrap CI) healthcare costs were significantly lower in patients receiving fesoterodine (€1639 [1542; 1725]) compared with solifenacin (€1780 [€1699; €1854], P = 0.022) or tolterodine (€1893 [€1815; €1969], P = 0.001). Cost differences occurred because of significantly fewer medical visits, and less use of absorbent products and OAB-related concomitant medication in the fesoterodine group. Conclusions Compared with solifenacin and tolterodine, fesoterodine was a cost-saving therapy for treatment of OAB in the primary care setting in Spain. PMID:24144225

  14. Urinary ATP May Be a Dynamic Biomarker of Detrusor Overactivity in Women with Overactive Bladder Syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Oliveira, Olga; Ferreira, Sónia; Reis, Maria Júlia; Oliveira, José Carlos; Correia-de-Sá, Paulo

    2013-01-01

    Background Nowadays, there is a considerable bulk of evidence showing that ATP has a prominent role in the regulation of human urinary bladder function and in the pathophysiology of detrusor overactivity. ATP mediates nonadrenergic-noncholinergic detrusor contractions in overactive bladders. In vitro studies have demonstrated that uroepithelial cells and cholinergic nerves from overactive human bladder samples (OAB) release more ATP than controls. Here, we compared the urinary ATP concentration in samples collected non-invasively from OAB women with detrusor overactivity and age-matched controls. Methods Patients with neurologic diseases, history of malignancy, urinary tract infections or renal impairment (creatinine clearance <70 ml/min) were excluded. All patients completed a 3-day voiding diary, a 24 h urine collection and blood sampling to evaluate creatinine clearance. Urine samples collected during voluntary voids were immediately freeze-preserved for ATP determination by the luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay; for comparison purposes, samples were also tested for urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) by ELISA. Results The urinary content of ATP, but not of NGF, normalized to patients’ urine creatinine levels (ATP/Cr) or urinary volume (ATP.Vol) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in OAB women with detrusor overactivity (n = 34) than in healthy controls (n = 30). Significant differences between the two groups were still observed by boosting urinary ATP/Cr content after water intake, but these were not detected for NGF/Cr. In OAB patients, urinary ATP/Cr levels correlated inversely with mean voided volumes determined in a 3-day voiding diary. Conclusion A high area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve (0.741; 95% CI 0.62–0.86; P<0.001) is consistent with urinary ATP/Cr being a highly sensitive dynamic biomarker for assessing detrusor overactivity in women with OAB syndrome. PMID:23741373

  15. Hyposensitivity of C-fiber Afferents at the Distal Extremities as an Indicator of Early Stages Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Women

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Wei-Chia; Wu, Han-Ching; Huang, Kuo-How; Wu, Huey-Peir; Yu, Hong-Jeng; Wu, Chia-Ching

    2014-01-01

    Purpose To investigate the relationship between distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy and early stages of autonomic bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic women. Materials and Methods A total of 137 diabetic women with minimal coexisting confounders of voiding dysfunction followed at a diabetes clinic were subject to the following evaluations: current perception threshold (CPT) tests on myelinated and unmyelinated nerves at the big toe for peroneal nerve and middle finger for median nerve, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine volume, and overactive bladder (OAB) symptom score questionnaire. Patients presenting with voiding difficulty also underwent urodynamic studies and intravesical CPT tests. Results Based on the OAB symptom score and urodynamic studies, 19% of diabetic women had the OAB syndrome while 24.8% had unrecognized urodynamic bladder dysfunction (UBD). The OAB group had a significantly greater mean 5 Hz CPT test value at the big toe by comparison to those without OAB. When compared to diabetic women without UBD, those with UBD showed greater mean 5 Hz CPT test values at the middle finger and big toe. The diabetic women categorized as C-fiber hyposensitivity at the middle finger or big toe by using CPT test also had higher odds ratios of UBD. Among diabetic women with UBD, the 5 Hz CPT test values at the big toe and middle finger were significantly associated with intravesical 5 Hz CPT test values. Conclusions Using electrophysiological evidence, our study revealed that hyposensitivity of unmyelinated C fiber afferents at the distal extremities is an indicator of early stages diabetic bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic women. The C fiber dysfunction at the distal extremities seems concurrent with vesical C-fiber neuropathy and may be a sentinel for developing early diabetic bladder dysfunction among female patients. PMID:24466107

  16. Impact of convenience void in a bladder diary with urinary perception grade to assess overactive bladder symptoms: a community-based study.

    PubMed

    Honjo, Hisashi; Kawauchi, Akihiro; Nakao, Masahiro; Ukimura, Osamu; Kitakoji, Hiroshi; Miki, Tsuneharu

    2010-09-01

    Bladder diaries including bladder perception grade were analyzed to assess convenience void (CV) in community-dwelling women 40 years of age or older. A total of 310 women completed a 3-day bladder diary with a grade for bladder perception. The grade was defined on scores 0-5 as follows: 0 = No bladder sensation, 1 = Sensation of bladder filling without desire to void, 2 = Desire to void, 3 = Strong desire to void, 4 = Urgency without urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and 5 = Urge incontinence episode. CV was defined as void without desire to void: when the grade was 0, CV in a narrow sense, and when 0 or 1, CV in a broad sense. The incidence of CV in the broad sense significantly decreased with age. Of the 310 women, 48 (15.5%) had overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms on the medical interview, including 37 (11.9%) without UUI (OAB-Dry) and 11 (3.5%) with UUI (OAB-Wet). Of the remaining 262 women, 111 (35.8%), who had urgency but a urinary frequency of 7 or less, and another 141 (48.7%) were classified into the Normal with Urgency and Normal without Urgency groups, respectively. The incidence of CV in a broad sense in the Normal without Urgency group was significantly greater than that in the Normal with Urgency and OAB-Wet groups. The mean voided volumes of CV in the broad sense in the OAB-Wet group were significantly smaller than those in the other three groups. The evaluation of CV may be a new tool in assessing storage condition and voiding dysfunction. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  17. Health economics perspective of fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin as first-time therapy for overactive bladder syndrome in the primary care setting in Spain.

    PubMed

    Sicras-Mainar, Antoni; Rejas, Javier; Navarro-Artieda, Ruth; Aguado-Jodar, Alba; Ruiz-Torrejón, Amador; Ibáñez-Nolla, Jordi; Kvasz, Marion

    2013-10-21

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is associated with high healthcare costs, which may be partially driven by drug treatment. There is little comparative data on antimuscarinic drugs with respect to resource use and costs. This study was conducted to address this gap and the growing need for naturalistic studies comparing health economics outcomes in adult patients with OAB syndrome initiating treatment with different antimuscarinic drugs in a primary care setting in Spain. Medical records from the databases of primary healthcare centres in three locations in Spain were assessed retrospectively. Men and women ≥18 years of age who initiated treatment with fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin for OAB between 2008 and 2010 were followed for 52 weeks. Healthcare resource utilization and related costs in the Spanish National Health System were compared. Comparisons among drugs were made using multivariate general linear models adjusted for location, age, sex, time since diagnosis, Charlson comorbidity index, and medication possession ratio. A total of 1,971 medical records of patients (58.3% women; mean age, 70.1 [SD:10.6] years) initiating treatment with fesoterodine (n = 302), solifenacin (n = 952) or tolterodine (n = 717) were examined. Annual mean cost per patient was €1798 (95% CI: €1745; €1848). Adjusted mean (95% bootstrap CI) healthcare costs were significantly lower in patients receiving fesoterodine (€1639 [1542; 1725]) compared with solifenacin (€1780 [€1699; €1854], P = 0.022) or tolterodine (€1893 [€1815; €1969], P = 0.001). Cost differences occurred because of significantly fewer medical visits, and less use of absorbent products and OAB-related concomitant medication in the fesoterodine group. Compared with solifenacin and tolterodine, fesoterodine was a cost-saving therapy for treatment of OAB in the primary care setting in Spain.

  18. University Benefits Survey: Part I (All Benefits Excluding Pensions).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    University of Western Ontario, London.

    Information on all benefits, excluding pensions, provided by 16 Ontario universities is presented. The following general questions concerning benefits are covered: administration and insurance plans, communication of benefit programs to employees, proposed changes in benefits, provision of life and dismemberment insurance, and maternity leave…

  19. University Library Online Reference Service Program Plan, 1986/87.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Koga, James S.

    This program plan for online reference service--the individualized assistance provided to a library patron using an online system--at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, covers the areas of funding, eligibility for online services, search request eligibility, database eligibility, management of online services, reference faculty…

  20. University Preparation for Native American Students: Theory and Application.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Beaty, Jeanna; Chiste, Katherine Beaty

    1986-01-01

    Describes a summer program at the University of Lethbridge designed to improve the retention and graduation rates of Native American students, most of whom are adult reentry students with incomplete secondary school preparation; covers program theory, cultural background, staffing, student screening, curriculum, and outcomes. (JHZ)

  1. A Graduate Seminar on Astronomical Citizenship at Indiana University

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pilachowski, Catherine A.; Durisen, Richard H.

    A series of graduate seminars on the activities of professional astronomers in the astronomical community was held at Indiana University during the spring 2002 semester. The seminars covered such topics as the role of professional societies, scholarly publishing, teaching, public outreach, the NSF and NASA, and the federal research budget. The goal of the series was first to inform our students about the many aspects of being a professional astronomer that are not covered in their normal coursework, and second, to foster in our students an appreciation of the value of service to the community.

  2. NASA/USRA University Advanced Design Program Fifth Annual Summer Conference

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1989-01-01

    The NASA/USRA University Advanced Design Program is a unique program that brings together NASA engineers, students, and faculty from United States engineering schools by integrating current and future NASA space/aeronautics engineering design projects into the university curriculum. The Program was conceived in the fall of 1984 as a pilot project to foster engineering design education in the universities and to supplement NASA's in-house efforts in advanced planning for space and aeronautics design. Nine universities and five NASA centers participated in the first year of the pilot project. Close cooperation between the NASA centers and the universities, the careful selection of design topics, and the enthusiasm of the students has resulted in a very successful program than now includes forty universities and eight NASA centers. The study topics cover a broad range of potential space and aeronautics projects.

  3. EnviroAtlas -Phoenix, AZ- One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2010) Web Service

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas web service supports research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas). The EnviroAtlas Phoenix, AZ land cover data and map were generated from USDA NAIP (National Agricultural Imagery Program) four band (red, green, blue and near-infrared) aerial photography taken from June through September, 2010 at 1 m spatial resolution. Seven land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees and forest, shrubland, grass and herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment using a completely random sampling of 598 land cover reference points yielded an overall accuracy of 69.2%. The area mapped includes the entirety of the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP-LTER) area, which was classified by the Environmental Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Lab (ERSG) at Arizona State University. The land cover dataset also includes an area of approximately 625 square kilometers which is located north of Phoenix. This section was classified by the EPA land cover classification team. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data

  4. Young Alumni Perceptions of English Universities in an Era of Tuition and Fees

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dobson, Gretchen C.

    2013-01-01

    Before 1998 a majority of English youth were supported to attend university. The government paid out "living grants" to students who enrolled in universities across the country. Some of the grants covered all living and school expenses outside tuition; others were not as generous. The subsequent story in England, however, is one of a…

  5. Fundamentals and clinical perspective of urethral sphincter instability as a contributing factor in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction--ICI-RS 2014.

    PubMed

    Kirschner-Hermanns, Ruth; Anding, Ralf; Rosier, Peter; Birder, Lori; Andersson, Karl Erik; Djurhuus, Jens Christian

    2016-02-01

    Urethral pathophysiology is often neglected in discussions of bladder dysfunction. It has been debated whether "urethral sphincter instability," referred to based on observed "urethral pressure variations," is an important aspect of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). The purpose of this report is to summarize current urethral pathophysiology evidence and outline directions for future research based on a literature review and discussions during the ICI-RS meeting in Bristol in 2014. Urethral pathophysiology with a focus on urethral pressure variation (UPV) was presented and discussed in a multidisciplinary think tank session at the ICI_R meeting in Bristol 2014. This think tank session was based on collaboration between physicians and basic science researchers. Experimental animal studies or studies performed in clinical series (predominantly symptomatic women) provided insights into UPV, but the findings were inconsistent and incomplete. However, UPV is certainly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (likely OAB), and thus, future research on this topic is relevant. Future research based on adequately defined clinical (and urodynamic) parameters with precisely defined patient groups might shed better light on the cause of OAB symptoms. Further fundamental investigation of urethral epithelial-neural interactions via the release of mediators should enhance our knowledge and improve the management of patients with OAB. © 2016 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Overactive bladder in the vulnerable elderly

    PubMed Central

    Wolff, Gillian F; Kuchel, George A; Smith, Phillip P

    2014-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common problem that may occur in individuals of all ages. It has a considerable impact on patient quality of life, and although moderately effective management strategies do exist, this condition often remains undiagnosed and untreated. OAB needs to be viewed as a symptom complex. Its presentation and management are complicated in the vulnerable elderly by the presence of baseline frailty and multiple coexisting chronic conditions. Furthermore, and beyond a simple understanding of symptomatology, providers must address patient goals and motivations as well as the expectations of caretakers. These multiple levels of perception, function, expectations, and treatment efficacy/risks must be tailored to the individual patient. While the vulnerable elderly patient may often have evidence of urinary tract dysfunction, OAB and urge urinary incontinence in this population must be understood as a multifactorial geriatric syndrome and viewed in the context of medical and functional baseline and precipitating risk factors. Expectations and goals must be tailored to the resources of vulnerable elderly patients and their caregivers, and care must be coordinated with other medical care providers. The management of OAB in the vulnerable elderly often poses significant management challenges. Nonetheless, with a thoughtful approach and an aim towards future research specifically for this population, significant reductions in morbidity and mortality long with enhancement in health-related quality of life are possible. PMID:25328867

  7. Overactive bladder and pontine reticular formation.

    PubMed

    Zorba, Orhan Ünal; Kırbaş, Serkan; Uzun, Hakkı; Cetinkaya, Mehmet; Önem, Kadir; Rifaioğlu, Mehmet Murat

    2013-01-01

    The etiology of overactive bladder (OAB) remains unclear. Observed neurogenic factors in the literature are limited to suprapontine or spinal pathologies. The blink reflex is a useful tool in the evaluation of brainstem functions. Blink reflex latency times were evaluated in order to reveal pathology in the brainstem. A total of 60 women, 30 patients with idiopathic OAB and 30 healthy controls, were enrolled in the study. Blink reflex latency times were analyzed by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve. Two responses in the orbicularis oculi muscle, early ipsilateral response (R1) and late bilateral response (R2) latency times, were recorded. Mean ages of the patients and controls were 51.9 ± 5.3 and 49.2 ± 6.2 years, respectively. R2 latency times were significantly higher in patients than in controls. However, R1 latency times were similar between the two groups. The results of the study suggest a significant relation between late blink latency times and OAB. An oligosynaptic path via the trigeminal nuclei is responsible for R1; however, R2 response is relayed through the reticular formation. Stimulation of pontine reticular formation inhibits micturition contraction. In some patients, idiopathic OAB may result from reticular formation-originated pathology. Additional studies on other reticular formation-mediated reflexes are needed to reveal possible dysfunction of reticular formation. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  8. Completion of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 1992-2001 Land Cover Change Retrofit Product

    EPA Science Inventory

    The Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium has supported the development of two national digital land cover products: the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) 1992 and National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001. Substantial differences in imagery, legends, and methods betwe...

  9. Liability Insurance: A Primer for College and University Counsel.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ende, Howard; Anderson, Eugene R.; Crego, Susannah

    1997-01-01

    Because of the rise in litigation involving colleges and universities, basic information about liability insurance is provided. Administrators are warned that previously purchased liability insurance may not cover damages and losses incurred today, and that insurance companies often benefit from extended litigation. College counsel must understand…

  10. Support Services: University of Missouri-Columbia. Creating Employment Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gregory, Martha Wille, Ed.

    This training module was developed to introduce postsecondary personnel to the support services available for students with disabilities at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The module covers the definition and philosophy of support services, including the development of rehabilitation services, independent living, and the disability rights…

  11. Climate Impacts of Cover Crops

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lombardozzi, D.; Wieder, W. R.; Bonan, G. B.; Morris, C. K.; Grandy, S.

    2016-12-01

    Cover crops are planted in agricultural rotation with the intention of protecting soil rather than harvest. Cover crops have numerous environmental benefits that include preventing soil erosion, increasing soil fertility, and providing weed and pest control- among others. In addition to localized environmental benefits, cover crops can have important regional or global biogeochemical impacts by increasing soil organic carbon, changing emissions of greenhouse trace gases like nitrous oxide and methane, and reducing hydrologic nitrogen losses. Cover crops may additionally affect climate by changing biogeophysical processes, like albedo and latent heat flux, though these potential changes have not yet been evaluated. Here we use the coupled Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) - Community Land Model (CLM4.5) to test how planting cover crops in the United States may change biogeophysical fluxes and climate. We present seasonal changes in albedo, heat fluxes, evaporative partitioning, radiation, and the resulting changes in temperature. Preliminary analyses show that during seasons when cover crops are planted, latent heat flux increases and albedo decreases, changing the evaporative fraction and surface temperatures. Understanding both the biogeophysical changes caused by planting cover crops in this study and the biogeochemical changes found in other studies will give a clearer picture of the overall impacts of cover crops on climate and atmospheric chemistry, informing how this land use strategy will impact climate in the future.

  12. Cover crops and N credits

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cover crops often provide many short- and long-term benefits to cropping systems. Legume cover crops can significantly reduce the N fertilizer requirement of non-legume cash crops that follow. The objectives of this presentation were to: I) educate stakeholders about the potential benefits of cover ...

  13. Forest service contributions to the national land cover database (NLCD): Tree Canopy Cover Production

    Treesearch

    Bonnie Ruefenacht; Robert Benton; Vicky Johnson; Tanushree Biswas; Craig Baker; Mark Finco; Kevin Megown; John Coulston; Ken Winterberger; Mark Riley

    2015-01-01

    A tree canopy cover (TCC) layer is one of three elements in the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2011 suite of nationwide geospatial data layers. In 2010, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) committed to creating the TCC layer as a member of the Multi-Resolution Land Cover (MRLC) consortium. A general methodology for creating the TCC layer was reported at the 2012 FIA...

  14. Beach Books: 2016-2017. What Do Colleges and Universities Want Students to Read outside Class?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Randall, David

    2017-01-01

    "Beach Books 2016-17," which covers 348 colleges and universities, continues the National Association of Scholars' long-running record of providing the most comprehensive information about colleges and universities that assign common readings to incoming freshmen. Although there are several databases of common reading assignments, Beach…

  15. Completion of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 1992–2001 Land Cover Change Retrofit product

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Fry, J.A.; Coan, Michael; Homer, Collin G.; Meyer, Debra K.; Wickham, J.D.

    2009-01-01

    The Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium has supported the development of two national digital land cover products: the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) 1992 and National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001. Substantial differences in imagery, legends, and methods between these two land cover products must be overcome in order to support direct comparison. The NLCD 1992-2001 Land Cover Change Retrofit product was developed to provide more accurate and useful land cover change data than would be possible by direct comparison of NLCD 1992 and NLCD 2001. For the change analysis method to be both national in scale and timely, implementation required production across many Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) path/rows simultaneously. To meet these requirements, a hybrid change analysis process was developed to incorporate both post-classification comparison and specialized ratio differencing change analysis techniques. At a resolution of 30 meters, the completed NLCD 1992-2001 Land Cover Change Retrofit product contains unchanged pixels from the NLCD 2001 land cover dataset that have been cross-walked to a modified Anderson Level I class code, and changed pixels labeled with a 'from-to' class code. Analysis of the results for the conterminous United States indicated that about 3 percent of the land cover dataset changed between 1992 and 2001.

  16. 77 FR 48733 - Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents-Definitions of Covered Business Method...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-14

    ... Office 37 CFR Part 42 Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents--Definitions of Covered Business Method Patent and Technological Invention; Final Rule #0;#0;Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 157... Business Method Patents-- Definitions of Covered Business Method Patent and Technological Invention AGENCY...

  17. [Advance in researches on vegetation cover and management factor in the soil erosion prediction model].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yan; Yuan, Jianping; Liu, Baoyuan

    2002-08-01

    Vegetation cover and land management are the main limiting factors of soil erosion, and quantitative evaluation on the effect of different vegetation on soil erosion is essential to land use and soil conservation planning. The vegetation cover and management factor (C) in the universal soil loss equation (USLE) is an index to evaluate this effect, which has been studied deeply and used widely. However, the C factor study is insufficient in China. In order to strengthen the research of C factor, this paper reviewed the developing progress of C factor, and compared the methods of estimating C value in different USLE versions. The relative studies in China were also summarized from the aspects of vegetation canopy coverage, soil surface cover, and root density. Three problems in C factor study were pointed out. The authors suggested that cropland C factor research should be furthered, and its methodology should be unified in China to represent reliable C values for soil loss prediction and conservation planning.

  18. Environmental engineering education at Ghent University, Flanders (Belgium).

    PubMed

    Demeestere, K; Dewulf, J; Janssen, C; Van Langenhove, H

    2004-01-01

    Since the 1980s, environmental engineering education has been a rapidly growing discipline in many universities. This paper discusses the history, the current status and the near future of environmental engineering education at Ghent University. This university, with about 50% of the Flemish university environmental engineering students, can be considered as representative for the situation in Flanders, Belgium. In contrast to many other universities, environmental engineering education at Ghent University does not have its historical roots in civil engineering, but has been developed from the curricula organized by the former Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. As part of a reorganisation of the education and research activities at this faculty, a curriculum leading to the degree of "bio-engineer in environmental technology" was established in 1991. This curriculum covers a 5-year study and is constructed around 8 main components. Exchange of students with other European universities, e.g. within the Socrates framework, has become a prominent aspect of student life and education. This paper also briefly describes the employment opportunities of graduated bio-engineers in environmental technology. Finally, the current implementation of the bachelor's-master's structure, leading to a "master of science in environmental technology" degree is summarized.

  19. The consequences of land-cover changes on soil erosion distribution in Slovakia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cebecauer, Tomáš; Hofierka, Jaroslav

    2008-06-01

    Soil erosion is a complex process determined by mutual interaction of numerous factors. The aim of erosion research at regional scales is a general evaluation of the landscape susceptibility to soil erosion by water, taking into account the main factors influencing this process. One of the key factors influencing the susceptibility of a region to soil erosion is land cover. Natural as well as human-induced changes of landscape may result in both the diminishment and acceleration of soil erosion. Recent studies of land-cover changes indicate that during the last decade more than 4.11% of Slovak territory has changed. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of land-cover and crop rotation changes over the 1990-2000 period on the intensity and spatial pattern of soil erosion in Slovakia. The assessment is based on principles defined in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) modified for application at regional scale and the use of the CORINE land cover (CLC) databases for 1990 and 2000. The C factor for arable land has been refined using statistical data on the mean crop rotation and the acreage of particular agricultural crops in the districts of Slovakia. The L factor has been calculated using sample areas with parcels identified by LANDSAT TM data. The results indicate that the land-cover and crop rotation changes had a significant influence on soil erosion pattern predominately in the hilly and mountainous parts of Slovakia. The pattern of soil erosion changes exhibits high spatial variation with overall slightly decreased soil erosion risks. These changes are associated with ongoing land ownership changes, changing structure of crops, deforestation and afforestation.

  20. Compendium of University Statistics, 1985 Edition = Compendium de statistique concernant les universites, edition 1984.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario).

    Statistics on Canadian universities are presented in 31 tables in both English and French. The data cover: total population and age group 18-24 by province for 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1984; full-time enrollment rates by educational level; graduation rates for secondary schools, community colleges, and universities; enrollments in second language…

  1. The University of Akron and Its Economic Impact on Its Community. A Research Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Simmons, F. Bruce, III

    This report covers the University of Akron's impact on the income, employment, credit availability, governments, and individuals within the community in which the school is located--Summit County, Ohio. Presented is evidence of the impact, as measured by the American Council on Education economic impact model, of the university on its service…

  2. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus electrical stimulation with pelvic floor muscle training for overactive bladder syndrome in women: results of a randomized controlled study.

    PubMed

    Scaldazza, Carlo Vecchioli; Morosetti, Carolina; Giampieretti, Rosita; Lorenzetti, Rossana; Baroni, Marinella

    2017-01-01

    This study compared percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) versus electrical stimulation with pelvic floor muscle training (ES + PFMT) in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). 60 women with OAB were enrolled. Patients were randomized into two groups. In group A, women underwent ES with PFMT, in group B women underwent PTNS. A statistically significant reduction in the number of daily micturitions, episodes of nocturia and urge incontinence was found in the two groups but the difference was more substantial in women treated with PTNS; voided volume increased in both groups. Quality of life improved in both groups, whereas patient perception of urgency improved only in women treated with PTNS. Global impression of improvement revealed a greater satisfaction in patients treated with PTNS. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of PTNS and ES with PFMT in women with OAB, but greater improvements were found with PTNS. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

  3. Agreement Between Bard College and the Bard College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bard Coll., Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

    This agreement between Bard College and the Bard College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors covers the period from April 24, 1973 until June 30, 1974. The articles of the agreement cover recognition tenure, adequate cause for dismissal, retirement, contractual obligations, academic policy, research and travel,…

  4. Universal clustering of dark matter in phase space

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zavala, Jesús; Afshordi, Niayesh

    2016-03-01

    We have recently introduced a novel statistical measure of dark matter clustering in phase space, the particle phase-space average density (P2SAD). In a two-paper series, we studied the structure of P2SAD in the Milky Way-size Aquarius haloes, constructed a physically motivated model to describe it, and illustrated its potential as a powerful tool to predict signals sensitive to the nanostructure of dark matter haloes. In this work, we report a remarkable universality of the clustering of dark matter in phase space as measured by P2SAD within the subhaloes of host haloes across different environments covering a range from dwarf-size to cluster-size haloes (1010-1015 M⊙). Simulations show that the universality of P2SAD holds for more than seven orders of magnitude, over a 2D phase space, covering over three orders of magnitude in distance/velocity, with a simple functional form that can be described by our model. Invoking the universality of P2SAD, we can accurately predict the non-linear power spectrum of dark matter at small scales all the way down to the decoupling mass limit of cold dark matter particles. As an application, we compute the subhalo boost to the annihilation of dark matter in a wide range of host halo masses.

  5. ENGINEERING BULLETIN: LANDFILL COVERS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Landfill covers are used at Superfund sites to minimize surface water infiltration and control gas migration. In many cases covers are used in conjunction with other waste treatment technologies, such as slurry walls, ground water pump-and-treat systems, and gas collection. This ...

  6. Automatic design of magazine covers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jahanian, Ali; Liu, Jerry; Tretter, Daniel R.; Lin, Qian; Damera-Venkata, Niranjan; O'Brien-Strain, Eamonn; Lee, Seungyon; Fan, Jian; Allebach, Jan P.

    2012-03-01

    In this paper, we propose a system for automatic design of magazine covers that quantifies a number of concepts from art and aesthetics. Our solution to automatic design of this type of media has been shaped by input from professional designers, magazine art directors and editorial boards, and journalists. Consequently, a number of principles in design and rules in designing magazine covers are delineated. Several techniques are derived and employed in order to quantify and implement these principles and rules in the format of a software framework. At this stage, our framework divides the task of design into three main modules: layout of magazine cover elements, choice of color for masthead and cover lines, and typography of cover lines. Feedback from professional designers on our designs suggests that our results are congruent with their intuition.

  7. Agreement between Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and the American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO, Local 4531, Temple Chapter. July 1, 1988-June 30, 1990.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    This document presents the agreement between Temple University and the Temple Chapter of the American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers (AAUP/AFT) for the period July 1, 1988 through June 30, 1990. The text of the agreement covers the following 28 articles: recognition; definitions; no discrimination; affirmative…

  8. Designing the Psychology Laboratories at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fawl, Clifford L.

    This paper describes the psychology laboratory at Nebraska Wesleyan University and the efforts of the small department which participated in the design and development process. The lab consists of 26 rooms, mostly small cubicles, and covers approximately 3,800 square feet. Each area of the lab is described in terms of its design and function.…

  9. Agreement between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the School of Health Related Professions Faculty, July 1, 1986-June 30, 1989.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the School of Health Related Professions Faculty, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), covering the period July 1, 1986 through June 30, 1989, is presented. Topics covered include the following: preamble;…

  10. National land-cover pattern data

    Treesearch

    Kurt H. Riitters; James D. Wickham; James E. Vogelmann; K. Bruce Jones

    2000-01-01

    Land cover and its spatial patterns are key ingredients in ecological studies that consider large regions and the impacts of human activities. Because humanity is a principal driver of land-cover change over large regions (Turner et al. 1990), land-cover data provide direct measures of human activity, and both direct and indirect measures of ecological conditions...

  11. Gainesville's urban forest canopy cover

    Treesearch

    Francisco Escobedo; Jennifer A. Seitz; Wayne Zipperer

    2009-01-01

    Ecosystem benefits from trees are linked directly to the amount of healthy urban forest canopy cover. Urban forest cover is dynamic and changes over time due to factors such as urban development, windstorms, tree removals, and growth. The amount of a city's canopy cover depends on its land use, climate, and people's preferences. This fact sheet examines how...

  12. MODIS Snow-Cover Products

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hall, Dorothy K.; Riggs, George A.; Salomonson, Vinvent V.; DiGirolamo, Nicolo; Bayr, Klaus J.; Houser, Paul (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    On December 18, 1999, the Terra satellite was launched with a complement of five instruments including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Many geophysical products are derived from MODIS data including global snow-cover products. These products have been available through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) since September 13, 2000. MODIS snow-cover products represent potential improvement to the currently available operation products mainly because the MODIS products are global and 500-m resolution, and have the capability to separate most snow and clouds. Also the snow-mapping algorithms are automated which means that a consistent data set is generated for long-term climates studies that require snow-cover information. Extensive quality assurance (QA) information is stored with the product. The snow product suite starts with a 500-m resolution swath snow-cover map which is gridded to the Integerized Sinusoidal Grid to produce daily and eight-day composite tile products. The sequence then proceeds to a climate-modeling grid product at 5-km spatial resolution, with both daily and eight-day composite products. A case study from March 6, 2000, involving MODIS data and field and aircraft measurements, is presented. Near-term enhancements include daily snow albedo and fractional snow cover.

  13. Impact of solifenacin on quality of life, medical care use, work productivity, and health utility in the elderly: an exploratory subgroup analysis.

    PubMed

    Zinner, Norman; Noe, Les; Rasouliyan, Lawrence; Marshall, Thomas; Runken, M Christopher; Seifeldin, Raafat

    2009-12-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common problem among the elderly and a financial burden to society. The prevalence of OAB increases with age and affects > or = 25% of people aged > or = 65 years. The goal of this exploratory subgroup analysis of the VESIcare Efficacy and Research Study US (VERSUS) was to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), medical care resource utilization, work and activity impairment, and health utility among elderly patients with OAB who continued to have urgency symptoms with tolterodine and were willing to try solifenacin. This was a 12-week, multicenter, prospective, open-label, noncomparative, flexible-dosing study designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin. Patients who received tolterodine 4 mg/d for > or = 4 weeks but continued to experience urgency symptoms (> or = 3 urgency episodes/24 hours) were enrolled. This exploratory analysis describes results from 2 elderly cohorts (patients 65 to 74 years and > or = 75 years of age). After a washout period of > or = 14 days, patients began treatment with solifenacin 5 mg/d with dosing adjustments allowed at week 4 (to 10 mg/d) and at week 8 (back to 5 mg/d for patients whose dose was increased to 10 mg/d at week 4). Outcomes were assessed using the OAB-q (a questionnaire specific to OAB and HRQoL), the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Specific Health Problem index, the Medical Care Use Index, and the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 and Mark 3 (HUI2/3), administered at the prewashout and week-12 visits. The subgroup analysis included 108 patients 65 to 74 years of age and 86 patients > or = 75 years of age. Patients in both age groups experienced significant improvement in HRQoL (P < 0.001), as well as significant reductions in nonprotocol-related office visits (P < 0.001) and activity impairment (P < 0.025). A significant reduction in the use of pads/diapers was reported for patients 65 to 74 years of age (P < 0.018), and patients in this age

  14. Covered California: The Impact of Provider and Health Plan Market Power on Premiums.

    PubMed

    Scheffler, Richard M; Kessell, Eric; Brandt, Margareta

    2015-12-01

    We explain the establishment of Covered California, California's health insurance marketplace. The marketplace uses an active purchaser model, which means that Covered California can selectively contract with some health plans and exclude others. During the 2014 open-enrollment period, it enrolled 1.3 million people, who are covered by eleven health plans. We describe the market shares of health plans in California and in each of the nineteen rating regions. We examine the empirical relationship between measures of provider market concentration--spanning health plans, hospitals, and medical groups--and rating region premiums. To do this, we analyze premiums for silver and bronze plans for specific age groups. We find both medical group concentration and hospital concentration to be positively associated with premiums, while health plan concentration is not statistically significant. We simulate the impact of reducing hospital concentration to levels that would exist in moderately competitive markets. This produces a predicted overall premium reduction of more than 2 percent. However, in three of the nineteen rating regions, the predicted premium reduction was more than 10 percent. These results suggest the importance of provider market concentration on premiums. Copyright © 2016 by Duke University Press.

  15. Mapping land cover through time with the Rapid Land Cover Mapper—Documentation and user manual

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Cotillon, Suzanne E.; Mathis, Melissa L.

    2017-02-15

    The Rapid Land Cover Mapper is an Esri ArcGIS® Desktop add-in, which was created as an alternative to automated or semiautomated mapping methods. Based on a manual photo interpretation technique, the tool facilitates mapping over large areas and through time, and produces time-series raster maps and associated statistics that characterize the changing landscapes. The Rapid Land Cover Mapper add-in can be used with any imagery source to map various themes (for instance, land cover, soils, or forest) at any chosen mapping resolution. The user manual contains all essential information for the user to make full use of the Rapid Land Cover Mapper add-in. This manual includes a description of the add-in functions and capabilities, and step-by-step procedures for using the add-in. The Rapid Land Cover Mapper add-in was successfully used by the U.S. Geological Survey West Africa Land Use Dynamics team to accurately map land use and land cover in 17 West African countries through time (1975, 2000, and 2013).

  16. 46 CFR 171.117 - Dead covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Dead covers. 171.117 Section 171.117 Shipping COAST... Dead covers. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each port light with the sill located below the margin line must have a hinged, inside dead cover. (b) The dead cover on a port light...

  17. 46 CFR 171.117 - Dead covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Dead covers. 171.117 Section 171.117 Shipping COAST... Dead covers. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each port light with the sill located below the margin line must have a hinged, inside dead cover. (b) The dead cover on a port light...

  18. 46 CFR 171.117 - Dead covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Dead covers. 171.117 Section 171.117 Shipping COAST... Dead covers. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each port light with the sill located below the margin line must have a hinged, inside dead cover. (b) The dead cover on a port light...

  19. 46 CFR 171.117 - Dead covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Dead covers. 171.117 Section 171.117 Shipping COAST... Dead covers. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each port light with the sill located below the margin line must have a hinged, inside dead cover. (b) The dead cover on a port light...

  20. 46 CFR 171.117 - Dead covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Dead covers. 171.117 Section 171.117 Shipping COAST... Dead covers. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each port light with the sill located below the margin line must have a hinged, inside dead cover. (b) The dead cover on a port light...

  1. MODIS Snow-Cover Products

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hall, Dorothy K.; Riggs, George A.; Salomonson, Vincent V.; DiGirolamo, Nicole E.; Bayr, Klaus J.; Houser, Paul R. (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    On December 18, 1999, the Terra satellite was launched with a complement of five instruments including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Many geophysical products are derived from MODIS data including global snow-cover products. MODIS snow and ice products have been available through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) since September 13, 2000. MODIS snow-cover products represent potential improvement to or enhancement of the currently-available operational products mainly because the MODIS products are global and 500-m resolution, and have the capability to separate most snow and clouds. Also the snow-mapping algorithms are automated which means that a consistent data set may be generated for long-term climate studies that require snow-cover information. Extensive quality assurance (QA) information is stored with the products. The MODIS snow product suite begins with a 500-m resolution, 2330-km swath snow-cover map which is then gridded to an integerized sinusoidal grid to produce daily and 8-day composite tile products. The sequence proceeds to a climate-modeling grid (CMG) product at about 5.6-km spatial resolution, with both daily and 8-day composite products. Each pixel of the CMG contains fraction of snow cover from 40 - 100%. Measured errors of commission in the CMG are low, for example, on the continent of Australia in the spring, they vary from 0.02 - 0.10%. Near-term enhancements include daily snow albedo and fractional snow cover. A case study from March 6, 2000, involving MODIS data and field and aircraft measurements, is presented to show some early validation work.

  2. Observations of temporal change of nighttime cloud cover from Himawari 8 and ground-based sky camera over Chiba, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lagrosas, N.; Gacal, G. F. B.; Kuze, H.

    2017-12-01

    Detection of nighttime cloud from Himawari 8 is implemented using the difference of digital numbers from bands 13 (10.4µm) and 7 (3.9µm). The digital number difference of -1.39x104 can be used as a threshold to separate clouds from clear sky conditions. To look at observations from the ground over Chiba, a digital camera (Canon Powershot A2300) is used to take images of the sky every 5 minutes at an exposure time of 5s at the Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University. From these images, cloud cover values are obtained using threshold algorithm (Gacal, et al, 2016). Ten minute nighttime cloud cover values from these two datasets are compared and analyzed from 29 May to 05 June 2017 (20:00-03:00 JST). When compared with lidar data, the camera can detect thick high level clouds up to 10km. The results show that during clear sky conditions (02-03 June), both camera and satellite cloud cover values show 0% cloud cover. During cloudy conditions (05-06 June), the camera shows almost 100% cloud cover while satellite cloud cover values range from 60 to 100%. These low values can be attributed to the presence of low-level thin clouds ( 2km above the ground) as observed from National Institute for Environmental Studies lidar located inside Chiba University. This difference of cloud cover values shows that the camera can produce accurate cloud cover values of low level clouds that are sometimes not detected by satellites. The opposite occurs when high level clouds are present (01-02 June). Derived satellite cloud cover shows almost 100% during the whole night while ground-based camera shows cloud cover values that range from 10 to 100% during the same time interval. The fluctuating values can be attributed to the presence of thin clouds located at around 6km from the ground and the presence of low level clouds ( 1km). Since the camera relies on the reflected city lights, it is possible that the high level thin clouds are not observed by the camera but is

  3. Optimal shortening of uniform covering arrays

    PubMed Central

    Rangel-Valdez, Nelson; Avila-George, Himer; Carrizalez-Turrubiates, Oscar

    2017-01-01

    Software test suites based on the concept of interaction testing are very useful for testing software components in an economical way. Test suites of this kind may be created using mathematical objects called covering arrays. A covering array, denoted by CA(N; t, k, v), is an N × k array over Zv={0,…,v-1} with the property that every N × t sub-array covers all t-tuples of Zvt at least once. Covering arrays can be used to test systems in which failures occur as a result of interactions among components or subsystems. They are often used in areas such as hardware Trojan detection, software testing, and network design. Because system testing is expensive, it is critical to reduce the amount of testing required. This paper addresses the Optimal Shortening of Covering ARrays (OSCAR) problem, an optimization problem whose objective is to construct, from an existing covering array matrix of uniform level, an array with dimensions of (N − δ) × (k − Δ) such that the number of missing t-tuples is minimized. Two applications of the OSCAR problem are (a) to produce smaller covering arrays from larger ones and (b) to obtain quasi-covering arrays (covering arrays in which the number of missing t-tuples is small) to be used as input to a meta-heuristic algorithm that produces covering arrays. In addition, it is proven that the OSCAR problem is NP-complete, and twelve different algorithms are proposed to solve it. An experiment was performed on 62 problem instances, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of solving the OSCAR problem to facilitate the construction of new covering arrays. PMID:29267343

  4. Automation of University Libraries in Kerala: Status, Problems and Prospects

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Suku, J.; Pillai, Mini G.

    2005-01-01

    This paper discusses the present scenario of automation activities of university libraries in Kerala. The survey findings mainly cover various aspects of library automation such as information technology infrastructure, in-house activities, information services and their usage, manpower development, and budget. The paper briefly describes the role…

  5. SMU (Southern Methodist University) Institute of Technology 1974 Annual Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Southern Methodist Univ., Dallas, TX. Inst. of Tech.

    This 1974 annual report of Southern Methodist University (SMU) deals with intentions for 1975-1980 and presents a statistical report and evaluation of trends. Section I, intentions for 1975-80, covers achieving excellence, superior programs, physical plant expansion, minority student program, increasing baccalaureate degrees, an educational…

  6. 7 CFR 65.135 - Covered commodity.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., PEANUTS, AND GINSENG General Provisions Definitions § 65.135 Covered commodity. (a) Covered commodity... nuts; (6) Pecans; and (7) Ginseng. (b) Covered commodities are excluded from this part if the commodity...

  7. 7 CFR 65.135 - Covered commodity.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., PEANUTS, AND GINSENG General Provisions Definitions § 65.135 Covered commodity. (a) Covered commodity... nuts; (6) Pecans; and (7) Ginseng. (b) Covered commodities are excluded from this part if the commodity...

  8. 7 CFR 65.135 - Covered commodity.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., PEANUTS, AND GINSENG General Provisions Definitions § 65.135 Covered commodity. (a) Covered commodity... nuts; (6) Pecans; and (7) Ginseng. (b) Covered commodities are excluded from this part if the commodity...

  9. 7 CFR 65.135 - Covered commodity.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., PEANUTS, AND GINSENG General Provisions Definitions § 65.135 Covered commodity. (a) Covered commodity... nuts; (6) Pecans; and (7) Ginseng. (b) Covered commodities are excluded from this part if the commodity...

  10. A randomized, multicenter, controlled study, comparing efficacy and safety of a new complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) versus Solifenacin Succinate in women with overactive bladder syndrome.

    PubMed

    Vecchioli-Scaldazza, Carlo; Morosetti, Carolina; Maruccia, Serena; Casellato, Stefano; Rociola, Wilma; Illiano, Ester; Garofalo, Francesco

    2017-12-31

    To assess efficacy and tolerability of a new complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consisting of vitamins (C and D), herbal products (cucurbita maxima, capsicum annum, polygonum capsicatum) and amino acid L-Glutammina, in the treatment of female Overactive Bladder syndrome (OAB). 90 consecutive women with OAB symptoms were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled study. Women were divided randomly into two groups of 45 patients each. In group A, women received Solifenacin Succinate (SS), 5 mg. once a day for 12 weeks. In group B, women received CAM, 930 mg, twice daily for 12 weeks. Women were assessed with 3-day micturition diary, Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale (PPIUS), Overactive Bladder questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire (PGI-I). 8 patients in group A and 1 patient in group B dropped out from therapy because of side effects. A reduction in the number of daily micturitions, nocturia and episodes of urge incontinence was present with both SS and CAM with statistically highly significant differences, but CAM was significantly more effective than SS. PPIUS and OAB-q SF showed improvements with both SS and CAM with a more significant efficacy of CAM. PGI-I, demonstrated improvements in the two groups of patients with a greater satisfaction expressed by patients treated with CAM. the small number of patients does not permit definitive conclusions; however, the results of the research showed the greater effectiveness and tolerability of CAM.

  11. Acupuncture for adults with overactive bladder

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Yuwei; Zhou, Jing; Mo, Qian; Wang, Yang; Yu, Jinna; Liu, Zhishun

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Background: Overactive bladder is stated as the occurrence of urinary urgency which will cause negative impacts and decrease patients’ health-related quality of life. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficiency and safety of acupuncture for adults with overactive bladder (OAB) comparing with sham-acupuncture, drugs, and acupuncture plus drugs. Methods: We independently searched 9 databases from beginning to August 15, 2017. Two writers extracted data at the same time independently. Study outcomes were calculated by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs. Results: Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 794 patients were included in this systematic review. The combined results showed that electroacupuncture (EA) may be more effective than sham electroacupuncture (sham EA) in improving the 24-hour nocturia episodes and EA may enhance tolterodine for relieving voiding symptoms and enhancing patients’ quality of life. However, more trials with high quality and larger sample sizes will be needed in the future to provide sufficient evidence. Only 15 of 794 OAB patients from the included studies reported mild adverse reactions related to EA, therefore, acupuncture is safe for treating OAB. Conclusion: Acupuncture might have effect in decreasing the number of micturition episodes, incontinence episodes, and nocturia episodes. However, the evidence is insufficient to show the effect using acupuncture alone or the additional effect to drugs in treating OAB. PMID:29465566

  12. Multi Satellites Monitoring of Land Use/Cover Change and Its Driving Forces in Kashgar Region, China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maimaitiaili, Ayisulitan; Aji, xiaokaiti; Kondoh, Akihiko

    2016-04-01

    Multi Satellites Monitoring of Land Use/Cover Change and Its Driving Forces in Kashgar Region, China Ayisulitan Maimaitiaili1, Xiaokaiti Aji2 Akihiko Kondoh2 1Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Japan 2Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University The spatio-temporal changes of Land Use/Cover (LUCC) and its driving forces in Kashgar region, Xinjiang Province, China, are investigated by using satellite remote sensing and a geographical information system (GIS). Main goal of this paper is to quantify the drivers of LUCC. First, considering lack of the Land Cover (LC) map in whole study area, we produced LC map by using Landsat images. Land use information from Landsat data was collected using maximum likelihood classification method. Land use change was studied based on the change detection method of land use types. Second, because the snow provides a key water resources for stream flow, agricultural production and drinking water for sustaining large population in Kashgar region, snow cover are estimated by Spot Vegetation data. Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) algorithm are applied to make snow cover map, which is used to screen the LUCC and climate change. The best agreement is found with threshold value of NDSI≥0.2 to generate multi-temporal snow cover and snowmelt maps. Third, driving forces are systematically identified by LC maps and statistical data such as climate and socio-economic data, regarding to i) the climate changes and ii) socioeconomic development that the spatial correlation among LUCC, snow cover change, climate and socioeconomic changes are quantified by using liner regression model and negative / positive trend analysis. Our results showed that water bodies, bare land and grass land have decreasing notably. By contrast, crop land and urban area have continually increasing significantly, which are dominated in study area. The area of snow/ice have fluctuated and has strong seasonal trends, total annual snow cover

  13. Agreement between Rutgers the State University of New Jersey and Rutgers Council of American Association of University Professors Chapters, July 1, 1986-June 30, 1989.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Rutgers and the Rutgers Council of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapters is presented, covering the period from July 1, 1986 through June 30, 1989. Topics include the following: purpose; academic freedom; recognition; nondiscrimination; deduction of professional dues;…

  14. [Snow cover pollution monitoring in Ufa].

    PubMed

    Daukaev, R A; Suleĭmanov, R A

    2008-01-01

    The paper presents the results of examining the snow cover polluted with heavy metals in the large industrial town of Ufa. The level of man-caused burden on the snow cover of the conventional parts of the town was estimated and compared upon exposure to a wide range of snow cover pollutants. The priority snow cover pollutants were identified among the test heavy metals.

  15. Pin-Retraction Mechanism On Quick-Release Cover

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Macmartin, Malcolm

    1994-01-01

    Quick-release cover includes pin-retraction mechanism releasing cover quickly from lower of two sets of pin connections holding cover. Cover released at top by pulling lever as described in "Lever-Arm Pin Puller" (NPO-18788). Removal of cover begins when technician or robot pulls upper-pin-release lever. Cover swings downward until tabs on lower pins are pulled through slots in their receptacles. Lower pins are then free.

  16. A biomass representative land cover classification for the Democratic Republic of Congo derived from the Forets D'Afrique Central Evaluee par Teledetection (FACET) data set

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Molinario, G.; Hansen, M.; Potapov, P.; Altstatt, A. L.; Justice, C. O.

    2012-12-01

    The FACET forest cover and forest cover loss 2000-2005-2010 data set has been produced by South Dakota State University, the University of Maryland and the Kinshasa-based Observatoire Satellital des Forets D'Afrique Central (OSFAC) with funding from the USAID Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE). The product is now available or being finalized for the DRC, the ROC and Gabon with plans to complete all Congo Basin countries. While FACET provides unprecedented synoptic detail in the extent of Congo Basin forest and the forest cover loss, additional information is required to stratify land cover into types indicative of biomass content. Analysis of the FACET patterns of deforestation, more detailed remote sensing analysis of biophysical attributes within the FACET land cover classes and GIS-derived classes of degradation obtained through variable distance buffers based on relevant literature and ground truth data are combined with the existing FACET classes to produce a ranking of land cover from low biomass to high biomass for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The resulting classification can be used in all Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) pre-inventory phases when baseline forest cover needs to be known and the location and amount of forest biomass inventory plots needs to be designed. FACET cover loss classes were kept in the classification and can provide the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification tools needed for REDD projects. The project will be demonstrated for the Maringa Lopori Wamba Landscape of the DRC where this work was funded by the African Wildlife Foundation to support the design of a REDD pilot project.

  17. NASA Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities, Program Year 2003

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Block, David L.; Raissi, Ali

    2006-01-01

    This document presents the final report for the NASA Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities project for program year 2003. This multiyear hydrogen research program has positioned Florida to become a major player in future NASA space and space launch projects. The program is funded by grants from NASA Glenn Research Center with the objective of supporting NASA's hydrogen-related space, space launch and aeronautical research activities. The program conducts over 40 individual projects covering the areas of cryogenics, storage, production, sensors, fuel cells, power and education. At the agency side, this program is managed by NASA Glenn Research Center and at the university side, co-managed by FSEC and the University of Florida with research being conducted by FSEC and seven Florida universities: Florida International University, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida and University of Florida. For detailed information, see the documents section of www.hydrogenresearch.org. This program has teamed these universities with the nation's premier space research center, NASA Glenn, and the nation's premier space launch facility, NASA Kennedy Space Center. It should be noted that the NASA Hydrogen Research at Florida Universities program has provided a shining example and a conduit for seven Florida universities within the SUS to work collaboratively to address a major problem of national interest, hydrogen energy and the future of energy supply in the U.S.

  18. Wheelspace windage cover plate for turbine

    DOEpatents

    Lathrop, Norman Douglas

    2002-01-01

    Windage cover plates are secured between the wheels and spacer of a turbine rotor to prevent hot flow path gas ingestion into the wheelspace cavities. Each cover plate includes a linear, axially extending body curved circumferentially with a radially outwardly directed wall at one axial end. The wall defines a axially opening recess for receiving a dovetail lug. The cover plate includes an axially extending tongue received in a circumferential groove of the spacer. The cover plate is secured with the tongue in the groove and dovetail lug in the recess. Lap joints between circumferentially adjacent cover plates are provided.

  19. BOOK REVIEW: The Artful Universe Expanded

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bassett, B. A.

    2005-07-01

    The cosmos is an awfully big place and there is no better guide to its vast expanse and fascinating nooks and crannies than John Barrow. A professor of mathematical sciences at Cambridge University, Barrow embodies that rare combination of highly polished writer and expert scientist. His deft touch brings together the disparate threads of human knowledge and weaves them into a tapestry as rich and interesting for the expert as it is for the layperson. The Artful Universe Expanded is an updated edition of this popular book first published in 1995. It explores the deeply profound manner in which natural law and the nature of the cosmos have moulded and shaped us, our cultures and the very form of our arts and music—a new type of `cosmic' anthropology. The main themes Barrow chooses for revealing this new anthropology are the subjects of evolution, the size of things, the heavens and the nature of music. The book is a large, eclectic repository of knowledge often unavailable to the layperson,\\endcolumn hidden in esoteric libraries around the world. It rivals The Da Vinci Code for entertainment value and insights, but this time it is Nature’s code that is revealed. It is rare indeed to find common threads drawn through topics as diverse as The Beetles, Bach and Beethoven or between Jackson Pollock, the Aztecs, Kant, Picasso, Byzantine mosaics, uranium-235 and the helix nebula. Barrow unerringly binds them together, presenting them in a stimulating, conversational style that belies the amount of time that must have gone into researching this book. Dip into it at random, or read it from cover to cover, but do read it. The Artful Universe Expanded is an entertaining antidote to the oft-lamented pressures to know more and more about less and less and the apparently inexorable march of specialization. On reading this book one can, for a short time at least, hold in one’s mind a vision that unifies science, art and culture and glimpse a universal tapestry of great

  20. Vegetative covers for waste containment.

    PubMed

    Rock, Steven A

    2003-01-01

    Disposal of municipal and hazardous waste in the United States is primarily accomplished by containment in lined and capped landfills. Evapotranspiration cover systems offer an alternative to conventional landfill cap systems. These covers work on completely different principles than traditional covers do, and that difference may slow understanding and acceptance by site owners, regulators, and stakeholders. This chapter provides an introduction to this alternative technique and explains some of the common concerns regarding its implementation.

  1. Forest Cover Estimation in Ireland Using Radar Remote Sensing: A Comparative Analysis of Forest Cover Assessment Methodologies.

    PubMed

    Devaney, John; Barrett, Brian; Barrett, Frank; Redmond, John; O Halloran, John

    2015-01-01

    Quantification of spatial and temporal changes in forest cover is an essential component of forest monitoring programs. Due to its cloud free capability, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an ideal source of information on forest dynamics in countries with near-constant cloud-cover. However, few studies have investigated the use of SAR for forest cover estimation in landscapes with highly sparse and fragmented forest cover. In this study, the potential use of L-band SAR for forest cover estimation in two regions (Longford and Sligo) in Ireland is investigated and compared to forest cover estimates derived from three national (Forestry2010, Prime2, National Forest Inventory), one pan-European (Forest Map 2006) and one global forest cover (Global Forest Change) product. Two machine-learning approaches (Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees) are evaluated. Both Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees classification accuracies were high (98.1-98.5%), with differences between the two classifiers being minimal (<0.5%). Increasing levels of post classification filtering led to a decrease in estimated forest area and an increase in overall accuracy of SAR-derived forest cover maps. All forest cover products were evaluated using an independent validation dataset. For the Longford region, the highest overall accuracy was recorded with the Forestry2010 dataset (97.42%) whereas in Sligo, highest overall accuracy was obtained for the Prime2 dataset (97.43%), although accuracies of SAR-derived forest maps were comparable. Our findings indicate that spaceborne radar could aid inventories in regions with low levels of forest cover in fragmented landscapes. The reduced accuracies observed for the global and pan-continental forest cover maps in comparison to national and SAR-derived forest maps indicate that caution should be exercised when applying these datasets for national reporting.

  2. Forest Cover Estimation in Ireland Using Radar Remote Sensing: A Comparative Analysis of Forest Cover Assessment Methodologies

    PubMed Central

    Devaney, John; Barrett, Brian; Barrett, Frank; Redmond, John; O`Halloran, John

    2015-01-01

    Quantification of spatial and temporal changes in forest cover is an essential component of forest monitoring programs. Due to its cloud free capability, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an ideal source of information on forest dynamics in countries with near-constant cloud-cover. However, few studies have investigated the use of SAR for forest cover estimation in landscapes with highly sparse and fragmented forest cover. In this study, the potential use of L-band SAR for forest cover estimation in two regions (Longford and Sligo) in Ireland is investigated and compared to forest cover estimates derived from three national (Forestry2010, Prime2, National Forest Inventory), one pan-European (Forest Map 2006) and one global forest cover (Global Forest Change) product. Two machine-learning approaches (Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees) are evaluated. Both Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees classification accuracies were high (98.1–98.5%), with differences between the two classifiers being minimal (<0.5%). Increasing levels of post classification filtering led to a decrease in estimated forest area and an increase in overall accuracy of SAR-derived forest cover maps. All forest cover products were evaluated using an independent validation dataset. For the Longford region, the highest overall accuracy was recorded with the Forestry2010 dataset (97.42%) whereas in Sligo, highest overall accuracy was obtained for the Prime2 dataset (97.43%), although accuracies of SAR-derived forest maps were comparable. Our findings indicate that spaceborne radar could aid inventories in regions with low levels of forest cover in fragmented landscapes. The reduced accuracies observed for the global and pan-continental forest cover maps in comparison to national and SAR-derived forest maps indicate that caution should be exercised when applying these datasets for national reporting. PMID:26262681

  3. Evaluation of impermeable covers for bedding in patients with allergic rhinitis.

    PubMed

    Terreehorst, Ingrid; Hak, Eelko; Oosting, Albert J; Tempels-Pavlica, Zana; de Monchy, Jan G R; Bruijnzeel-Koomen, Carla A F M; Aalberse, Rob C; Gerth van Wijk, Roy

    2003-07-17

    Encasing bedding in impermeable covers reduces exposure to house-dust mites, but the clinical benefit of this intervention as part of mite-avoidance measures for patients with allergic rhinitis is not known. We performed a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of one year of use of impermeable bedding covers in the bedrooms of patients with rhinitis who were sensitized to house-dust mites to determine the effects on the signs and symptoms of disease. Three participating university medical centers enrolled 279 patients with allergic rhinitis who were randomly assigned to receive impermeable or non-impermeable (control) covers for their mattress, pillow, and duvet or blanket. At the start of the study, all participants received information on general allergen-avoidance measures. The severity of rhinitis was measured on a rhinitis-specific visual-analogue scale and by means of a daily symptom score and nasal allergen provocation testing. We also measured the concentrations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1) and D. farinae (Der f1) in dust from patients' mattresses, bedroom floors, and living-room floors at base line and after 12 months as a measure of the efficacy of the intervention. A total of 232 patients completed the study. There was a significant reduction in Der p1 and Der f1 concentrations in the mattresses of the impermeable-cover group, whereas there was no significant reduction in the control group. However, there was no significant effect on the clinical outcome measures. Analyses of subgroups defined according to age, level of exposure, type and severity of sensitization, or characteristics of the patient's home had similar results. Mite-proof bedding covers, as part of a structured allergy-control program, reduced the level of exposure to mite allergens. Despite the success of the intervention, this single avoidance measure did not lead to a significant improvement of clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis. Copyright

  4. EnviroAtlas - New York, NY - One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2008)

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The New York, NY EnviroAtlas Meter-scale Urban Land Cover (MULC) Data were generated by the University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL) under the direction of Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne as part of the United States Forest Service Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessment program. Seven classes were mapped using LiDAR and high resolution orthophotography: Tree Canopy, Grass/Shrub, Bare Soil, Water, Buildings, Roads/Railroads, and Other Paved Surfaces. These data were subsequently merged to fit with the EPA classification. The SAL project covered the five boroughs within the NYC city limits. However the EPA study area encompassed that area plus a 1 kilometer buffer. Additional land cover for the buffer area was generated from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) four band (red, green, blue, and near infrared) aerial photography at 1 m spatial resolution from July, 2011 and LiDAR from 2010. Six land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees, grass-herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment of 600 completely random and 55 stratified random photo interpreted reference points yielded an overall User's fuzzy accuracy of 87 percent. The area mapped is the US Census Bureau's 2010 Urban Statistical Area for New York City plus a 1 km buffer. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAt

  5. Pension fund activities at Department laboratories managed by the University of California

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

    Not Available

    1992-09-18

    The Department of Energy`s (Department) Office of Contractor Human Resource Management, and San Francisco and Albuquerque Field Offices have responsibility for contract administration of the Department`s interest in two separate pension plans covering University of California (University) employees at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The purpose of the audit was to review the Department`s contract administration of its interest in those pension plans.

  6. Agreement 1982-1985 between Rider College and the Rider College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rider Coll., Trenton, NJ.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Rider College and the Rider College Chapter (295 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1982-August 31, 1985 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and AAUP recognition; nondiscrimination; affirmative action;…

  7. 10 CFR 950.14 - Standby Support Contract: Covered events, exclusions, covered delay and covered cost provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... environmental laws or regulations such as those related to pollution abatement or human health and the... a covered event(s) is determined to be the cause of delay in attainment of full power operation...

  8. 10 CFR 950.14 - Standby Support Contract: Covered events, exclusions, covered delay and covered cost provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... environmental laws or regulations such as those related to pollution abatement or human health and the... a covered event(s) is determined to be the cause of delay in attainment of full power operation...

  9. 10 CFR 950.14 - Standby Support Contract: Covered events, exclusions, covered delay and covered cost provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... environmental laws or regulations such as those related to pollution abatement or human health and the... a covered event(s) is determined to be the cause of delay in attainment of full power operation...

  10. 10 CFR 950.14 - Standby Support Contract: Covered events, exclusions, covered delay and covered cost provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... environmental laws or regulations such as those related to pollution abatement or human health and the... a covered event(s) is determined to be the cause of delay in attainment of full power operation...

  11. The Artful Universe Expanded

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barrow, John D.

    2005-07-01

    Our love of art, writes John Barrow, is the end product of millions of years of evolution. How we react to a beautiful painting or symphony draws upon instincts laid down long before humans existed. Now, in this enhanced edition of the highly popular The Artful Universe , Barrow further explores the close ties between our aesthetic appreciation and the basic nature of the Universe. Barrow argues that the laws of the Universe have imprinted themselves upon our thoughts and actions in subtle and unexpected ways. Why do we like certain types of art or music? What games and puzzles do we find challenging? Why do so many myths and legends have common elements? In this eclectic and entertaining survey, Barrow answers these questions and more as he explains how the landscape of the Universe has influenced the development of philosophy and mythology, and how millions of years of evolutionary history have fashioned our attraction to certain patterns of sound and color. Barrow casts the story of human creativity and thought in a fascinating light, considering such diverse topics as our instinct for language, the origins and uses of color in nature, why we divide time into intervals as we do, the sources of our appreciation of landscape painting, and whether computer-generated fractal art is really art. Drawing on a wide variety of examples, from the theological questions raised by St. Augustine and C.S. Lewis to the relationship between the pure math of Pythagoras and the music of the Beatles, The Artful Universe Expanded covers new ground and enters a wide-ranging debate about the meaning and significance of the links between art and science.

  12. Efficacy of Tadalafil once daily versus Fesoterodine in the treatment of overactive bladder in older patients.

    PubMed

    Dell'Atti, L

    2015-01-01

    Several studies have suggested that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (5-PDEi) show a potential therapeutic use in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim of this study was to evaluating the efficacy on OAB symptoms, impact on quality of life and sexual function of tadalafil 5mg once daily in older patients versus fesoterodine 8 mg. 108 consecutive patients diagnosed with OAB were divided into 2 groups: Group A: 56 patients treated with tadalafil 5 mg once daily; Group B: 52 patients treated with fesoterodine 8 mg, both groups treated for a period of 12 weeks. Eligible patients were men aged ≥ 65 years with OAB symptoms, including urgency and increased frequency during a period of ≥ 1 year and urgency urinary incontinence during a period of ≥ 6 months before enrolment. Patients were asked to complete the 3-day voiding diary prior each scheduled visit at weeks 0, 4 and 12. During these visits, they were administered: Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Quality of life (QoL). Not statistically significant differences emerged between the two groups at baseline, both patient groups had similar age and BMI; in each treatment group, the proportion of men ≥ 75 years was approximately 65%. From the results of our study, we can say that a treatment once a day with tadalafil improves not only significantly: micturition/24 hours (p < 0.001), urgency episodes/24 hours (p < 0.003), and urge incontinence episodes (p < 0.001) compared to fesoterodine treatment, but also the quality of life (p < 0.001) and sexual function (p < 0.001) in older patients. These analyses demonstrate that tadalafil 5 mg once daily vs. fesoterodine 8 mg is efficacious in the treatment of the symptoms of OAB in older adults, improving also the quality of life and sexual and social life.

  13. The effect of extended release tolterodine used for overactive bladder treatment on female sexual function.

    PubMed

    Zachariou, Athanasios; Filiponi, Maria

    2017-01-01

    Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition, especially in middle aged women, requiring long term therapy with anticholinergics to maintain symptoms relief. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tolterodine extended release (ER) used for OAB treatment on the sexual function of women. Between August 2010 and August 2014, 220 women with confirmed OAB, attended Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic and were prospectively enrolled in this study. 158 women were evaluated, with a comprehensive history, physical examination, urodynamic studies and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. 73 patients of group A (control group) received no treatment and 85 patients of group B received an anticholinergic regimen - tolterodine ER 4mg once daily. Data were evaluated again in accordance with FSFI after three months, using SPSS software. A statistically significant increase was noted in group B in domains of desire (pre-treatment 2.5±0.2 to 4.5±0.2 post-treatment), arousal (3.1±0.2 to 3.1±0.2 respectively), lubrication (3.4±0.3 to 4.3±0.3 respectively), orgasm (3.5±0.3 to 4.5±0.3 respectively), satisfaction (2.6±0.2 to 4.2±0.3 respectively) and pain (2.4±0.2 to 4.6±0.4 respectively) after three months treatment with tolterodine ER. In group A there were no statistically significant changes in pre and post treatment values (p>0.05). Total FSFI score for group B was significantly higher after tolterodine treatment (26.5±1.5) compared to pre-treatment values (17.4±1.4, p<0.01) and to control group A (17.7±1.2 and 17.9±1.5, p>0,05) respectively. This preliminary study demonstrates that treatment of OAB with tolterodine ER was found to have positive effect on sexual function of patients with OAB. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

  14. Expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the urothelium: relation with voiding function.

    PubMed

    Yuk, Seung Mo; Shin, Ju Hyun; Song, Ki Hak; Na, Yong Gil; Lim, Jae Sung; Sul, Chong Koo

    2015-05-08

    We designed this experiment to elucidate the relationship between the expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the expression of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and the development of overactive bladder (OAB). In our previous study, the urothelium was observed to be more than a simple mechanosensory receptor and was found to be a potential therapeutic target for OAB. Moreover, neuregulin-1 and BDNF were found to be potential new biomarkers of OAB. Here, we investigated the relationship between changes in the voiding pattern and the expression of BDNF and G-CSF in the urothelium and evaluated the effects of 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT) on rats with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). A total of 100 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: 20 control rats; 40 BOO rats; and 40 BOO rats administered 5-HMT (0.1 mg/kg). After BOO was induced for 4 weeks, the rats were assessed by cystometrography. The changes in BDNF and G-CSF expression were examined in both separated urothelial tissues and in cultured urothelial cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). BOO rats showed increased non-voiding activity [NVA; (number/10 voidings)] and bladder weight and decreased micturition volume (MV), micturition interval (MI), and micturition time (MT) relative to the controls. Moreover, the 5-HMT administration rats showed decreased NVA and bladder weight and increased MV and MI in comparison to the BOO rats. BDNF and G-CSF expression was increased in BOO rats and decreased following 5-HMT administration. In this model, voiding dysfunction developed as a result of BOO. As a therapeutic agent for OAB, the administration of 5-HMT improved the voiding dysfunction. BDNF and G-CSF might modulate voiding patterns through micturition pathways and might be involved only in the urothelium. Moreover, the expression of both genes in the urothelium might be related to voiding dysfunction in OAB patients. Thus, the

  15. The effect of extended release tolterodine used for overactive bladder treatment on female sexual function

    PubMed Central

    Zachariou, Athanasios; Filiponi, Maria

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Introduction Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition, especially in middle aged women, requiring long term therapy with anticholinergics to maintain symptoms relief. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tolterodine extended release (ER) used for OAB treatment on the sexual function of women. Materials and Methods Between August 2010 and August 2014, 220 women with confirmed OAB, attended Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic and were prospectively enrolled in this study. 158 women were evaluated, with a comprehensive history, physical examination, urodynamic studies and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. 73 patients of group A (control group) received no treatment and 85 patients of group B received an anticholinergic regimen – tolterodine ER 4mg once daily. Data were evaluated again in accordance with FSFI after three months, using SPSS software. Results A statistically significant increase was noted in group B in domains of desire (pre-treatment 2.5±0.2 to 4.5±0.2 post-treatment), arousal (3.1±0.2 to 3.1±0.2 respectively), lubrication (3.4±0.3 to 4.3±0.3 respectively), orgasm (3.5±0.3 to 4.5±0.3 respectively), satisfaction (2.6±0.2 to 4.2±0.3 respectively) and pain (2.4±0.2 to 4.6±0.4 respectively) after three months treatment with tolterodine ER. In group A there were no statistically significant changes in pre and post treatment values (p>0.05). Total FSFI score for group B was significantly higher after tolterodine treatment (26.5±1.5) compared to pre-treatment values (17.4±1.4, p<0.01) and to control group A (17.7±1.2 and 17.9±1.5, p>0,05) respectively. Conclusions This preliminary study demonstrates that treatment of OAB with tolterodine ER was found to have positive effect on sexual function of patients with OAB. PMID:28199076

  16. COVER (cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly): description of the England and Wales scheme.

    PubMed

    Begg, N T; Gill, O N; White, J M

    1989-03-01

    The COVER scheme, a method for the rapid evaluation of vaccine coverage in England and Wales, is described. The primary aim of the scheme is to improve cover by providing health district vaccination programme coordinators with relevant timely information. Quarterly data were obtained from, analysed and promptly fed back to, 126 health districts on cohorts of children who had recently attained the target ages for receiving the selected sentinel vaccines; 18 months for third diphtheria and third pertussis and 2 years for measles. Although the data suggested that vaccination cover is improving, national performance still falls well short of 90%, the 1990 target set by the World Health Organisation for countries in Europe.

  17. Covered Bridge Security Manual

    Treesearch

    Brett Phares; Terry Wipf; Ryan Sievers; Travis Hosteng

    2013-01-01

    The design, construction, and use of covered timber bridges is all but a lost art in these days of pre-stressed concrete, high-performance steel, and the significant growth both in the volume and size of vehicles. Furthermore, many of the existing covered timber bridges are preserved only because of their status on the National Registry of Historic Places or the...

  18. Astrobiology of Antarctic ice Covered Lakes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Doran, P. T.; Fritsen, C. H.

    2005-12-01

    Antarctica contains a number of permanently ice-covered lakes which have often been used as analogs of purported lakes on Mars in the past. Antarctic subglacial lakes, such as Lake Vostok, have also been viewed as excellent analogs for an ice covered ocean on the Jovian moon Europa, and to a lesser extend on Mars. Lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica have ice covers that range from 3 to 20 meters thick. Water salinities range from fresh to hypersaline. The thinner ice-covered lakes have a well-documented ecology that relies on the limited available nutrients and the small amount of light energy that penetrates the ice covers. The thickest ice-covered lake (Lake Vida in Victoria Valley) has a brine beneath 20 m of ice that is 7 times sea water and maintains a temperature below -10 degrees Celsius. This lake is vastly different from the thinner ice-covered lakes in that there is no communication with the atmosphere. The permanent ice cover is so thick, that summer melt waters can not access the sub-ice brine and so the ice grows from the top up, as well as from the bottom down. Brine trapped beneath the ice is believed to be ancient, stranded thousands of years ago when the ice grew thick enough to isolate it from the surface. We view Lake Vida as an excellent analog for the last aquatic ecosystem to have existed on Mars under a planetary cooling. If, as evidence is now increasingly supporting, standing bodies of water existed on Mars in the past, their fate under a cooling would be to go through a stage of permanent ice cover establishment, followed by a thickening of that ice cover until the final stage just prior to a cold extinction would be a Lake Vida-like lake. If dust storms or mass movements covered these ancient lakes, remnants may well be in existence in the subsurface today. A NASA Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) project will drill the Lake Vida ice cover and access the brine and sediments beneath in

  19. An Investigation of the Potential for a Computer-based Tutorial Program Covering the Cardiovascular System to Replace Traditional Lectures.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dewhurst, D. G.; Williams, A. D.

    1998-01-01

    Presents the results of a comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of two interactive computer-based learning (CBL) programs, covering the cardiovascular system, as an alternative to lectures for first year undergraduate students at a United Kingdom University. Discusses results in relation to the design of evaluative studies and the future…

  20. Institutional Repositories in Indian Universities and Research Institutes: A Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Krishnamurthy, M.; Kemparaju, T. D.

    2011-01-01

    Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report on a study of the institutional repositories (IRs) in use in Indian universities and research institutes. Design/methodology/approach: Repositories in various institutions in India were accessed and described in a standardised way. Findings: The 20 repositories studied covered collections of diverse…

  1. Sensitivity of selected landscape pattern metrics to land-cover misclassification and differences in land-cover composition

    Treesearch

    James D. Wickham; Robert V. O' Neill; Kurt H. Riitters; Timothy G. Wade; K. Bruce Jones

    1997-01-01

    Calculation of landscape metrics from land-cover data is becoming increasingly common. Some studies have shown that these measurements are sensitive to differences in land-cover composition, but none are known to have tested also their a sensitivity to land-cover misclassification. An error simulation model was written to test the sensitivity of selected land-scape...

  2. THE ALTERNATIVE COVERS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (ACAP)

    EPA Science Inventory

    Alternative covers attempt to achieve equivalent performance to conventional impermeable covers through an action that has been described as 'sponge and pump'. In this type of cover system, the soil and plants absorb moisture from precipitation, store it in the plant and soil str...

  3. Dark energy and fate of the Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, XiaoDong; Wang, Shuang; Huang, QingGuo; Zhang, Xin; Li, Miao

    2012-07-01

    We explore the ultimate fate of the Universe by using a divergence-free parametrization for dark energy w( z)= w 0+ w a [ln(2 + z) / (1 + z) - ln 2]. Unlike the Chevallier-Polarski-Linder parametrization, this parametrization has well behaved, bounded behavior for both high redshifts and negative redshifts, and thus can genuinely cover many theoretical dark energy models. After constraining the parameter space of this parametrization by using the current cosmological observations, we find that, at the 95.4% confidence level, our Universe can still exist at least 16.7 Gyr before it ends in a big rip. Moreover, for the phantom energy dominated Universe, we find that a gravitationally bound system will be destroyed at a time {{t ˜eq Psqrt {2| {1 + 3w( - 1)} |} } {/ {{t ˜eq Psqrt {2| {1 + 3w( - 1)} |} } {[ {6π | {1 + w( - 1)} |} ]}}} . } {[ {6π | {1 + w( - 1)} |} ]}}, where P is the period of a circular orbit around this system, before the big rip.

  4. University/industry collaboration in remote sensing education

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ragan, R. M.; Royal, J. A.

    1981-01-01

    A graduate level course covering the development and structure of geographical information systems and the acquisition and processing of LANDSAT data for input to these systems is described. A portion of the course was devoted to hands-on classification of LANDSAT digital tapes utilizing both university and private industry processing systems. This industry/university collaboration was extremely successful and resulted in a high quality course. It gave the students an excellent experience in working in a real-world client/consultant relationship undertaken to accomplish a specific task. There were two key factors in the success of the collaboration. First, there was a very careful product definition and advance meetings between the University faculty and the company personnel to be involved. Second, the students were not taken into the industrial facility until late in the course, after they had a reasonable knowledge of the physical bases of remote sensing, the concept of spectral signatures, and the fundamentals of pattern analysis.

  5. Land cover trends dataset, 1973-2000

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Soulard, Christopher E.; Acevedo, William; Auch, Roger F.; Sohl, Terry L.; Drummond, Mark A.; Sleeter, Benjamin M.; Sorenson, Daniel G.; Kambly, Steven; Wilson, Tamara S.; Taylor, Janis L.; Sayler, Kristi L.; Stier, Michael P.; Barnes, Christopher A.; Methven, Steven C.; Loveland, Thomas R.; Headley, Rachel; Brooks, Mark S.

    2014-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey Land Cover Trends Project is releasing a 1973–2000 time-series land-use/land-cover dataset for the conterminous United States. The dataset contains 5 dates of land-use/land-cover data for 2,688 sample blocks randomly selected within 84 ecological regions. The nominal dates of the land-use/land-cover maps are 1973, 1980, 1986, 1992, and 2000. The land-use/land-cover maps were classified manually from Landsat Multispectral Scanner, Thematic Mapper, and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus imagery using a modified Anderson Level I classification scheme. The resulting land-use/land-cover data has a 60-meter resolution and the projection is set to Albers Equal-Area Conic, North American Datum of 1983. The files are labeled using a standard file naming convention that contains the number of the ecoregion, sample block, and Landsat year. The downloadable files are organized by ecoregion, and are available in the ERDAS IMAGINETM (.img) raster file format.

  6. Continental estimates of forest cover and forest cover changes in the dry ecosystems of Africa between 1990 and 2000

    PubMed Central

    Bodart, Catherine; Brink, Andreas B; Donnay, François; Lupi, Andrea; Mayaux, Philippe; Achard, Frédéric

    2013-01-01

    Aim This study provides regional estimates of forest cover in dry African ecoregions and the changes in forest cover that occurred there between 1990 and 2000, using a systematic sample of medium-resolution satellite imagery which was processed consistently across the continent. Location The study area corresponds to the dry forests and woodlands of Africa between the humid forests and the semi-arid regions. This area covers the Sudanian and Zambezian ecoregions. Methods A systematic sample of 1600 Landsat satellite imagery subsets, each 20 km × 20 km in size, were analysed for two reference years: 1990 and 2000. At each sample site and for both years, dense tree cover, open tree cover, other wooded land and other vegetation cover were identified from the analysis of satellite imagery, which comprised multidate segmentation and automatic classification steps followed by visual control by national forestry experts. Results Land cover and land-cover changes were estimated at continental and ecoregion scales and compared with existing pan-continental, regional and local studies. The overall accuracy of our land-cover maps was estimated at 87%. Between 1990 and 2000, 3.3 million hectares (Mha) of dense tree cover, 5.8 Mha of open tree cover and 8.9 Mha of other wooded land were lost, with a further 3.9 Mha degraded from dense to open tree cover. These results are substantially lower than the 34 Mha of forest loss reported in the FAO's 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment for the same period and area. Main conclusions Our method generates the first consistent and robust estimates of forest cover and change in dry Africa with known statistical precision at continental and ecoregion scales. These results reduce the uncertainty regarding vegetation cover and its dynamics in these previously poorly studied ecosystems and provide crucial information for both science and environmental policies. PMID:23935237

  7. LACO-Wiki: A land cover validation tool and a new, innovative teaching resource for remote sensing and the geosciences

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    See, Linda; Perger, Christoph; Dresel, Christopher; Hofer, Martin; Weichselbaum, Juergen; Mondel, Thomas; Steffen, Fritz

    2016-04-01

    The validation of land cover products is an important step in the workflow of generating a land cover map from remotely-sensed imagery. Many students of remote sensing will be given exercises on classifying a land cover map followed by the validation process. Many algorithms exist for classification, embedded within proprietary image processing software or increasingly as open source tools. However, there is little standardization for land cover validation, nor a set of open tools available for implementing this process. The LACO-Wiki tool was developed as a way of filling this gap, bringing together standardized land cover validation methods and workflows into a single portal. This includes the storage and management of land cover maps and validation data; step-by-step instructions to guide users through the validation process; sound sampling designs; an easy-to-use environment for validation sample interpretation; and the generation of accuracy reports based on the validation process. The tool was developed for a range of users including producers of land cover maps, researchers, teachers and students. The use of such a tool could be embedded within the curriculum of remote sensing courses at a university level but is simple enough for use by students aged 13-18. A beta version of the tool is available for testing at: http://www.laco-wiki.net.

  8. On Universal Elements, and Conversion Procedures to and from Position and Velocity

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-07-01

    Abstract. An element set is advocated that is familiar (in traditional terms), and yet applicable to all types of orbit without loss of ,: ... accuracy...A Set of Universally Applicable Elements We seek to define a set of universally applicable elements for motion in unperturbed orbits about a centre...respect to 4 , and denote it by , If a particular element set can be chosen that covers every type of orbit , then in principle we regard these elements

  9. University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) Algebra. WWC Intervention Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    What Works Clearinghouse, 2009

    2009-01-01

    University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) Algebra is a one-year course covering three primary topics: (1) linear and quadratic expressions, sentences, and functions; (2) exponential expressions and functions; and (3) linear systems. Topics from geometry, probability, and statistics are integrated with the appropriate algebra.…

  10. 49 CFR 193.2167 - Covered systems.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Covered systems. 193.2167 Section 193.2167...: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Design Impoundment Design and Capacity § 193.2167 Covered systems. A covered impounding system is prohibited except for concrete wall designed tanks where the concrete wall is an outer...

  11. 49 CFR 193.2167 - Covered systems.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Covered systems. 193.2167 Section 193.2167...: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Design Impoundment Design and Capacity § 193.2167 Covered systems. A covered impounding system is prohibited except for concrete wall designed tanks where the concrete wall is an outer...

  12. 49 CFR 193.2167 - Covered systems.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Covered systems. 193.2167 Section 193.2167...: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Design Impoundment Design and Capacity § 193.2167 Covered systems. A covered impounding system is prohibited except for concrete wall designed tanks where the concrete wall is an outer...

  13. Role of muscarinic receptor antagonists in urgency and nocturia.

    PubMed

    Michel, Martin C; de la Rosette, Jean J M C H

    2005-09-01

    The overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is defined as urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia. Muscarinic receptor antagonists are the most established form of treatment for OAB, but until recently their effectiveness was only confirmed for symptoms of incontinence and frequency. In recent studies, selected muscarinic antagonists, including darifenacin, solifenacin, tolterodine and trospium, significantly reduced the number of urgency episodes per day relative to placebo. While some data raise the possibility that certain of these agents may be more effective than others in this regard, this variability in their effect on urgency needs to be confirmed in future studies. Moreover, it remains to be determined whether counting the number of urgency episodes or assessing the subjective intensity of the sensation of urgency more adequately reflects patient needs and therapeutic efficacy. For nocturia, muscarinic receptor antagonists have only inconsistently shown statistically greater effects than placebo. This inconsistency may relate to the multifactorial nature of nocturia, which even in patients with OAB can have many causes, not all of which may respond/be sensitive to muscarinic receptor antagonism.

  14. Hydrogen generation from deliquescence of ammonia borane using Ni-Co/r-GO catalyst

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chou, Chang-Chen; Chen, Bing-Hung

    2015-10-01

    Hydrogen generation from the catalyzed deliquescence/hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB) using the Ni-Co catalyst supported on the graphene oxide (Ni-Co/r-GO catalyst) under the conditions of limited water supply was studied with the molar feed ratio of water to ammonia borane (denoted as H2O/AB) at 2.02, 3.97 and 5.93, respectively. The conversion efficiency of ammonia borane to hydrogen was estimated both from the cumulative volume of the hydrogen gas generated and the conversion of boron chemistry in the hydrolysates analyzed by the solid-state 11B NMR. The conversion efficiency of ammonia borane could reach nearly 100% under excess water dosage, that is, H2O/AB = 3.97 and 5.93. Notably, the hydrogen storage capacity could reach as high as 6.5 wt.% in the case with H2O/AB = 2.02. The hydrolysates of ammonia borane in the presence of Ni-Co/r-GO catalyst were mainly the mixture of boric acid and metaborate according to XRD, FT-IR and solid-state 11B NMR analyses.

  15. Academic Freedom and Racial Injustice: South Africa's Former "Open Universities"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taylor, Y.; Taylor, R.

    2010-01-01

    The article critically re-interrogates three high profile cases of white racism at South Africa's former "open universities" to highlight the way in which existing debates around academic freedom fail to come to terms with questions of racial injustice after apartheid. The cases covered are the Makgoba affair at Wits, the Mamdani affair…

  16. A globally complete map of supraglacial debris cover and a new toolkit for debris cover research

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Herreid, Sam; Pellicciotti, Francesca

    2017-04-01

    A growing canon of literature is focused on resolving the processes and implications of debris cover on glaciers. However, this work is often confined to a handful of glaciers that were likely selected based on criteria optimizing their suitability to test a specific hypothesis or logistical ease. The role of debris cover in a glacier system is likely to not go overlooked in forthcoming research, yet the magnitude of this role at a global scale has not yet been fully described. Here, we present a map of debris cover for all glacierized regions on Earth including the Greenland Ice Sheet using 30 m Landsat data. This dataset will begin to open a wider context to the high quality, localized findings from the debris-covered glacier research community and help inform large-scale modeling efforts. A global map of debris cover also facilitates analysis attempting to isolate first order geomorphological and climate controls of supraglacial debris production. Furthering the objective of expanding the inclusion of debris cover in forthcoming research, we also present an under development suite of open-source, Python based tools. Requiring minimal and often freely available input data, we have automated the mapping of: i) debris cover, ii) ice cliffs, iii) debris cover evolution over the Landsat era and iv) glacier flow instabilities from altered debris structures. At the present time, debris extent is the only globally complete quantity but with the expanding repository of high quality global datasets and further tool development minimizing manual tasks and computational cost, we foresee all of these tools being applied globally in the near future.

  17. Agreement between Bard College and the Bard College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors [1988-1989].

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bard Coll., Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

    The agreement between Bard College, New York, and the Bard College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period 1988 to 1989 is presented. The agreement covers the following items: recognition, tenure, cause for dismissal, hearings in the event of dismissal, termination for financial exigency, other…

  18. 29 CFR 1918.31 - Hatch coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 7 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Hatch coverings. 1918.31 Section 1918.31 Labor Regulations...) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING Working Surfaces § 1918.31 Hatch coverings. (a) No cargo... partially opened intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is sufficiently covered or an...

  19. 29 CFR 1918.31 - Hatch coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 7 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Hatch coverings. 1918.31 Section 1918.31 Labor Regulations...) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING Working Surfaces § 1918.31 Hatch coverings. (a) No cargo... partially opened intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is sufficiently covered or an...

  20. 29 CFR 1918.31 - Hatch coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 7 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Hatch coverings. 1918.31 Section 1918.31 Labor Regulations...) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING Working Surfaces § 1918.31 Hatch coverings. (a) No cargo... partially opened intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is sufficiently covered or an...

  1. 29 CFR 1918.31 - Hatch coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 7 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Hatch coverings. 1918.31 Section 1918.31 Labor Regulations...) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING Working Surfaces § 1918.31 Hatch coverings. (a) No cargo... partially opened intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is sufficiently covered or an...

  2. 29 CFR 1918.31 - Hatch coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 7 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Hatch coverings. 1918.31 Section 1918.31 Labor Regulations...) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING Working Surfaces § 1918.31 Hatch coverings. (a) No cargo... partially opened intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is sufficiently covered or an...

  3. Managing cover crops: an economic perspective

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Common reasons given by producers as to why they do not adopt cover crops are related to economics: time, labor, and cost required for planting and managing cover crops. While many of the agronomic benefits of cover crops directly relate to economics, there are costs associated with adopting the pra...

  4. VEGETATIVE COVERS FOR WASTE CONTAINMENT

    EPA Science Inventory

    Disposal of municipal ahd hazardous waste in the United States is primarily accomplished by containment in lined and capped landfills. Evapotranspiration cover systems offer an alternative to conventional landfill cap systems. These covers work on completely different principles ...

  5. Snow cover in the Siberian forest-steppe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zykov, I. V.

    1985-01-01

    A study is made of the snow cover on an experimental agricultural station in Mariinsk in the winter of 1945 to 1946. Conditions of snow cover formation, and types and indicators of snow cover are discussed. Snow cover structure and conditions and nature of thawing are described.

  6. 10 CFR 950.22 - Covered event determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Covered event determination. 950.22 Section 950.22 Energy... Covered event determination. (a) Completeness review. Upon notification of a covered event from the... with paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Covered Event Determination. The Claims Administrator shall...

  7. 10 CFR 950.22 - Covered event determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Covered event determination. 950.22 Section 950.22 Energy... Covered event determination. (a) Completeness review. Upon notification of a covered event from the... with paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Covered Event Determination. The Claims Administrator shall...

  8. 10 CFR 950.22 - Covered event determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Covered event determination. 950.22 Section 950.22 Energy... Covered event determination. (a) Completeness review. Upon notification of a covered event from the... with paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Covered Event Determination. The Claims Administrator shall...

  9. 10 CFR 950.22 - Covered event determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Covered event determination. 950.22 Section 950.22 Energy... Covered event determination. (a) Completeness review. Upon notification of a covered event from the... with paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Covered Event Determination. The Claims Administrator shall...

  10. 10 CFR 950.22 - Covered event determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Covered event determination. 950.22 Section 950.22 Energy... Covered event determination. (a) Completeness review. Upon notification of a covered event from the... with paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Covered Event Determination. The Claims Administrator shall...

  11. An information hidden model holding cover distributions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Min; Cai, Chao; Dai, Zuxu

    2018-03-01

    The goal of steganography is to embed secret data into a cover so no one apart from the sender and intended recipients can find the secret data. Usually, the way the cover changing was decided by a hidden function. There were no existing model could be used to find an optimal function which can greatly reduce the distortion the cover suffered. This paper considers the cover carrying secret message as a random Markov chain, taking the advantages of a deterministic relation between initial distributions and transferring matrix of the Markov chain, and takes the transferring matrix as a constriction to decrease statistical distortion the cover suffered in the process of information hiding. Furthermore, a hidden function is designed and the transferring matrix is also presented to be a matrix from the original cover to the stego cover. Experiment results show that the new model preserves a consistent statistical characterizations of original and stego cover.

  12. Land Cover Characterization Program

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    ,

    1997-01-01

    (2) identify sources, develop procedures, and organize partners to deliver data and information to meet user requirements. The LCCP builds on the heritage and success of previous USGS land use and land cover programs and projects. It will be compatible with current concepts of government operations, the changing needs of the land use and land cover data users, and the technological tools with which the data are applied.

  13. WATER COOLED RETORT COVER

    DOEpatents

    Ash, W.J.; Pozzi, J.F.

    1962-05-01

    A retort cover is designed for use in the production of magnesium metal by the condensation of vaporized metal on a collecting surface. The cover includes a condensing surface, insulating means adjacent to the condensing surface, ind a water-cooled means for the insulating means. The irrangement of insulation and the cooling means permits the magnesium to be condensed at a high temperature and in massive nonpyrophoric form. (AEC)

  14. On numerically pluricanonical cyclic coverings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kulikov, V. S.; Kharlamov, V. M.

    2014-10-01

    We investigate some properties of cyclic coverings f\\colon Y\\to X (where X is a complex surface of general type) branched along smooth curves B\\subset X that are numerically equivalent to a multiple of the canonical class of X. Our main results concern coverings of surfaces of general type with p_g=0 and Miyaoka-Yau surfaces. In particular, such coverings provide new examples of multi-component moduli spaces of surfaces with given Chern numbers and new examples of surfaces that are not deformation equivalent to their complex conjugates.

  15. The Costs of Implementing Federally Mandated Social Programs at Colleges and Universities. Policy Analysis Service Special Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Van Alstyne, Carol; Coldren, Sharon L.

    Federally mandated social programs that apply to colleges and universities because they are treated as business entities are covered in this report. These programs have contributed to the continually increasing operating costs of colleges and universities over the last decade. This study aims at providing quantified examples of these cost…

  16. The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Brien, P. T.

    2016-04-01

    The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor is a mission which will be proposed for the ESA M5 call. THESEUS will address multiple components in the Early Universe ESA Cosmic Vision theme:4.1 Early Universe,4.2 The Universe taking shape, and4.3 The evolving violent Universe.THESEUS aims at vastly increasing the discovery space of the high energy transient phenomena over the entire cosmic history. This is achieved via a unique payload providing an unprecedented combination of: (i) wide and deep sky monitoring in a broad energy band(0.3 keV-20 MeV; (ii) focusing capabilities in the soft X-ray band granting large grasp and high angular resolution; and (iii) on board near-IR capabilities for immediate transient identification and first redshift estimate.The THESEUS payload consists of: (i) the Soft X--ray Imager (SXI), a set of Lobster Eye (0.3--6 keV) telescopes with CCD detectors covering a total FOV of 1 sr; (ii) the X--Gamma-rays spectrometer (XGS), a non-imaging spectrometer (XGS) based on SDD+CsI, covering the same FOV than the Lobster telescope extending the THESEUS energy band up to 20 MeV; and (iii) a 70cm class InfraRed Telescope (IRT) observing up to 2 microns with imaging and moderate spectral capabilities.The main scientific goals of THESEUS are to:(a) Explore the Early Universe (cosmic dawn and reionization era) by unveiling the Gamma--Ray Burst (GRBs) population in the first billion years}, determining when did the first stars form, and investigating the re-ionization epoch, the interstellar medium (ISM) and the intergalactic medium (IGM) at high redshifts.(b) Perform an unprecedented deep survey of the soft X-ray transient Universe in order to fill the present gap in the discovery space of new classes of transient; provide a fundamental step forward in the comprehension of the physics of various classes of Galactic and extra--Galactic transients, and provide real time trigger and accurate locations of transients for follow-up with next

  17. A clinical perspective on electronically collecting patient-reported outcomes at the point-of-care for overactive bladder

    PubMed Central

    Desantis, Darren; Baverstock, Richard J.; Civitarese, Andrea; Crump, R. Trafford; Carlson, Kevin V.

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can inform the treatment and management of overactive bladder (OAB). However, collecting these data at the point-of-care can be time-consuming and have a negative impact on a clinic’s workflow. The purpose of this study was to pilot a digital system for collecting PROs at the point-of-care and qualitatively assess clinicians’ perspectives in terms of the system’s impact on the delivery of care for OAB. Methods Patients visiting a urology clinic for OAB completed several PRO instruments using a tablet while awaiting assessment. Clinicians reviewed their responses using a digital dashboard during clinical encounters. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the clinicians, to assess the collection system’s impact in terms of: 1) logistics, 2) workflow; 3) patient communication; 4) influence on clinical decisions; 5) user experiences; and 6) the care model. Results Six interviews were conducted and thematic saturation was met, with several themes emerging. All participants were generally positive regarding the use of the digital collecting system. Participants felt that the dashboard improved workflow and enhanced communication with patients, but it was not thought to be any more influential on clinical decision-making than conventional collection methods. Several aspects of the digital PRO collection system were identified as needing improvement. Conclusions The digital PRO collection system used at the point-of-care had a positive impact on the delivery of care for OAB. The results from this study could provide insight to other urologists who are interested in collecting PROs in their clinic. PMID:27942273

  18. Readability analysis of online health information about overactive bladder.

    PubMed

    Koo, Kevin; Shee, Kevin; Yap, Ronald L

    2017-09-01

    Despite the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and the widespread accessibility of patient education information on the Internet, the readability of this information and its potential impact on patient decision-making are not known. This study evaluates the readability of OAB material online in the context of website ownership and the Health on the Net standard for information reliability. Three Internet search platforms were queried daily with OAB-related keywords for 30 days. Readability analysis was performed using the SMOG test, Dale-Chall readability formula, and Fry readability graph. Websites were stratified by ownership type and Health on the Net certification to compare readability metrics. After 270 total searches, 57 websites were analyzed. Mean SMOG reading grade was 10.7 (SD = 1.6) and 10.1 in an adjusted calculation to reduce overestimation from medical jargon. Mean Dale-Chall score was 9.2 (SD = 0.9), or grade 13-15. Mean Fry graph coordinates (177 syllables, 5.9 sentences) corresponded to grade 15. Only seven sites (12%) were predicted to be readable by the average adult with an eighth-grade reading level. Mean reading grades were not significantly different between academic versus commercial sites and Health on the Net-certified versus non-certified sites. A large majority of online information about OAB treatment exceeds the reading ability of most adults. Neither websites sponsored by academic institutions nor those certified by the Health on the Net standard have easier readability. The readability of health information online may be distinct from reliability in the context of urological literacy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Exploring the X-Ray Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seward, Frederick D.; Charles, Philip A.

    1995-11-01

    Exploring the X-Ray Universe describes the view of the stars and galaxies that is obtained through X-ray telescopes. X-rays, which are invisible to human sight, are created in the cores of active galaxies, in cataclysmic stellar explosions, and in streams of gas expelled by the Sun and stars. The window on the heavens used by the X-ray astronomers shows the great drama of cosmic violence on the grandest scale.

    This account of X-ray astronomy incorporates the latest findings from several observatories operating in space. These include the Einstein Observatory operated by NASA, and the EXOSAT satellite of the European Space Agency. The book covers the entire field, with chapters on stars, supernova remnants, normal and active galaxies, clusters of galaxies, the diffuse X-ray background, and much more. The authors review basic principles, include the necessary historical background, and explain exactly what we know from X-ray observations of the Universe.

  20. A comparative analysis of the Global Land Cover 2000 and MODIS land cover data sets

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Giri, C.; Zhu, Z.; Reed, B.

    2005-01-01

    Accurate and up-to-date global land cover data sets are necessary for various global change research studies including climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem assessment, and environmental modeling. In recent years, substantial advancement has been achieved in generating such data products. Yet, we are far from producing geospatially consistent high-quality data at an operational level. We compared the recently available Global Land Cover 2000 (GLC-2000) and MODerate resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) global land cover data to evaluate the similarities and differences in methodologies and results, and to identify areas of spatial agreement and disagreement. These two global land cover data sets were prepared using different data sources, classification systems, and methodologies, but using the same spatial resolution (i.e., 1 km) satellite data. Our analysis shows a general agreement at the class aggregate level except for savannas/shrublands, and wetlands. The disagreement, however, increases when comparing detailed land cover classes. Similarly, percent agreement between the two data sets was found to be highly variable among biomes. The identified areas of spatial agreement and disagreement will be useful for both data producers and users. Data producers may use the areas of spatial agreement for training area selection and pay special attention to areas of disagreement for further improvement in future land cover characterization and mapping. Users can conveniently use the findings in the areas of agreement, whereas users might need to verify the informaiton in the areas of disagreement with the help of secondary information. Learning from past experience and building on the existing infrastructure (e.g., regional networks), further research is necessary to (1) reduce ambiguity in land cover definitions, (2) increase availability of improved spatial, spectral, radiometric, and geometric resolution satellite data, and (3) develop advanced

  1. 49 CFR 826.3 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ....” For the Board, the type of proceeding covered includes (but may not be limited to) aviation enforcement cases appealed to the Board under sections 501, 609, 611 and 901 of the Federal Aviation Act (49 U... believes the proceeding is covered by the Act; whether the procedure is covered will then be an issue for...

  2. 49 CFR 826.3 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ....” For the Board, the type of proceeding covered includes (but may not be limited to) aviation enforcement cases appealed to the Board under sections 501, 609, 611 and 901 of the Federal Aviation Act (49 U... believes the proceeding is covered by the Act; whether the procedure is covered will then be an issue for...

  3. Developed land cover of Puerto Rico

    Treesearch

    William A. Gould; Sebastian Martinuzzi; Olga M. Ramos Gonzalez

    2008-01-01

    This map shows the distribution of developed land cover in Puerto Rico (Martinuzzi et al. 2007). Developed land cover refers to urban, built-up and non-vegetated areas that result from human activity. These typically include built structures, concrete, asphalt, and other infrastructure. The developed land cover was estimated using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite images pan...

  4. 21 CFR 880.6185 - Cast cover.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Cast cover. 880.6185 Section 880.6185 Food and....6185 Cast cover. (a) Identification. A cast cover is a device intended for medical purposes that is made of waterproof material and placed over a cast to protect it from getting wet during a shower or a...

  5. Measuring and analyzing urban tree cover

    Treesearch

    David J. Nowak; Rowan A. Rowntree; E. Gregory McPherson; Susan M. Sisinni; Esther R. Kirkmann; Jack C. Stevens

    1996-01-01

    Measurement of city tree cover can aid in urban vegetation planning, management, and research by revealing characteristics of vegetation across a city. Urban tree cover in the United States ranges from 0.4% in Lancaster, California, to 55% in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Two important factors that affect the amount of urban tree cover are the natural environment and land...

  6. Quantization of noncompact coverings and its physical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivankov, Petr

    2018-02-01

    A rigorous algebraic definition of noncommutative coverings is developed. In the case of commutative algebras this definition is equivalent to the classical definition of topological coverings of locally compact spaces. The theory has following nontrivial applications: • Coverings of continuous trace algebras, • Coverings of noncommutative tori, • Coverings of the quantum SU(2) group, • Coverings of foliations, • Coverings of isospectral deformations of Spin - manifolds. The theory supplies the rigorous definition of noncommutative Wilson lines.

  7. 21 CFR 882.5250 - Burr hole cover.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Burr hole cover. 882.5250 Section 882.5250 Food... DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5250 Burr hole cover. (a) Identification. A burr hole cover is a plastic or metal device used to cover or plug holes drilled into the skull...

  8. 21 CFR 882.5250 - Burr hole cover.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Burr hole cover. 882.5250 Section 882.5250 Food... DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5250 Burr hole cover. (a) Identification. A burr hole cover is a plastic or metal device used to cover or plug holes drilled into the skull...

  9. 21 CFR 882.5250 - Burr hole cover.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Burr hole cover. 882.5250 Section 882.5250 Food... DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5250 Burr hole cover. (a) Identification. A burr hole cover is a plastic or metal device used to cover or plug holes drilled into the skull...

  10. EnviroAtlas - New York, NY - One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2008) Web Service

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas web service supports research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas ). The New York, NY EnviroAtlas Meter-scale Urban Land Cover (MULC) Data were generated by the University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL) under the direction of Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne as part of the United States Forest Service Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessment program. Seven classes were mapped using LiDAR and high resolution orthophotography: Tree Canopy, Grass/Shrub, Bare Soil, Water, Buildings, Roads/Railroads, and Other Paved Surfaces. These data were subsequently merged to fit with the EPA classification. The SAL project covered the five boroughs within the NYC city limits. However the EPA study area encompassed that area plus a 1 kilometer buffer. Additional land cover for the buffer area was generated from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) four band (red, green, blue, and near infrared) aerial photography at 1 m spatial resolution from July, 2011 and LiDAR from 2010. Six land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees, grass-herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment of 600 completely random and 55 stratified random photo interpreted reference points yielded an overall User's fuzzy accuracy of 87 percent. The area mapped is the US Census Bureau's 2010 Urban Statistical Area for New Yor

  11. Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Producers who want to prevent soil erosion, improve nutrient cycling, sustain their soils, and protect/maintain the environment have been returning to a very old practice: planting cover crops. Cover crops are effective tools for reducing soil erosion and increasing nutrient recycling on farmlands, ...

  12. Assessing uncertainties in land cover projections.

    PubMed

    Alexander, Peter; Prestele, Reinhard; Verburg, Peter H; Arneth, Almut; Baranzelli, Claudia; Batista E Silva, Filipe; Brown, Calum; Butler, Adam; Calvin, Katherine; Dendoncker, Nicolas; Doelman, Jonathan C; Dunford, Robert; Engström, Kerstin; Eitelberg, David; Fujimori, Shinichiro; Harrison, Paula A; Hasegawa, Tomoko; Havlik, Petr; Holzhauer, Sascha; Humpenöder, Florian; Jacobs-Crisioni, Chris; Jain, Atul K; Krisztin, Tamás; Kyle, Page; Lavalle, Carlo; Lenton, Tim; Liu, Jiayi; Meiyappan, Prasanth; Popp, Alexander; Powell, Tom; Sands, Ronald D; Schaldach, Rüdiger; Stehfest, Elke; Steinbuks, Jevgenijs; Tabeau, Andrzej; van Meijl, Hans; Wise, Marshall A; Rounsevell, Mark D A

    2017-02-01

    Understanding uncertainties in land cover projections is critical to investigating land-based climate mitigation policies, assessing the potential of climate adaptation strategies and quantifying the impacts of land cover change on the climate system. Here, we identify and quantify uncertainties in global and European land cover projections over a diverse range of model types and scenarios, extending the analysis beyond the agro-economic models included in previous comparisons. The results from 75 simulations over 18 models are analysed and show a large range in land cover area projections, with the highest variability occurring in future cropland areas. We demonstrate systematic differences in land cover areas associated with the characteristics of the modelling approach, which is at least as great as the differences attributed to the scenario variations. The results lead us to conclude that a higher degree of uncertainty exists in land use projections than currently included in climate or earth system projections. To account for land use uncertainty, it is recommended to use a diverse set of models and approaches when assessing the potential impacts of land cover change on future climate. Additionally, further work is needed to better understand the assumptions driving land use model results and reveal the causes of uncertainty in more depth, to help reduce model uncertainty and improve the projections of land cover. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. Interventions for Detrusor Overactivity: The Case for Multimodal Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Dmochowski, Roger

    2002-01-01

    Viable therapeutic alternatives for the management of overactive bladder (OAB) have recently evolved that provide satisfactory symptomatic control for the majority of patients. However, the presupposition that interventions exist as stand-alone entities is not representative of experience in unique populations with the therapeutic benefit of combination therapy, using components drawn from behavioral, physiotherapeutic, neuromodulatory, and, if necessary, surgical alternatives. Even in populations relatively refractory to therapy, the use of multimodal therapy yields additive benefits for patients with OAB symptoms. Herein is detailed the evidence supporting the concept that multimodal therapy provides optimal benefit to patients suffering from this symptom complex. PMID:16986017

  14. The Role of Geriatricians and Family Practitioners in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder and Incontinence

    PubMed Central

    Voytas, John

    2002-01-01

    Although the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and that of its symptoms (urinary urge incontinence, urgency, and frequency) increase with age, these conditions are not necessarily normal consequences of aging. Patients who present with urinary symptoms should be evaluated and treated, whether they are living on their own or in a residential, assisted-care, or long-term-care environment. Effective treatment for OAB and urinary incontinence (UI) is available and improves quality of life for the elderly. The primary care physician and geriatrician can accomplish a basic evaluation for UI using a systematic approach, as detailed in the following pages. PMID:16986021

  15. Focus on the Finger, Overlook the Moon: The Introduction of Performance Management in the Administration of Italian Universities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Busetti, Simone; Dente, Bruno

    2014-01-01

    This article investigates management systems in higher education organisations by analysing the 2009 Italian reform of performance management and its implementation within Italian universities. The research is based on a survey that covered about half of Italy's public universities. Survey results provide an account of the state of management…

  16. Modeling of Passive Forces of Machine Tool Covers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kolar, Petr; Hudec, Jan; Sulitka, Matej

    The passive forces acting against the drive force are phenomena that influence dynamical properties and precision of linear axes equipped with feed drives. Covers are one of important sources of passive forces in machine tools. The paper describes virtual evaluation of cover passive forces using the cover complex model. The model is able to compute interaction between flexible cover segments and sealing wiper. The result is deformation of cover segments and wipers which is used together with measured friction coefficient for computation of cover total passive force. This resulting passive force is dependent on cover position. Comparison of computational results and measurement on the real cover is presented in the paper.

  17. Assessment--Service--Training: The Many Faces of a University Peer Hotline.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Curran, Jack

    In this study, a peer-operated university-based anonymous hotline is a data source for the assessment of student concerns and needs, providing empirical information for prevention-oriented psycho-educational campus programming. This paper covers the collection and assessment of data from the anonymous hotline service of the Middle Earth Peer…

  18. Collective Bargaining Agreement 1985-1987 between Regis College and the Regis College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Regis Coll., Denver, CO.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Regis College and the Regis College Chapter (50 members) of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period August 1985-August 1987 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and AAUP recognition; faculty-administration relationships; stipends for…

  19. Regulatory guidance on soil cover systems

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

    Kane, J.D.

    1991-12-31

    The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 1991, completed revisions to 14 sections of the Standard Review Plan (SRP) for the Review of a License Application for a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility. The major purposes of the SRP are to ensure the quality and uniformity of the NRC staff`s safety reviews, and to present a well-defined base from which to evaluate the acceptability of information and data provided in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) portion of the license application. SRP 3.2, entitled, Design Considerations for Normal and Abnormal/Accident Conditions, was one of the sections that was revised bymore » the NRC staff. This revision was completed to provide additional regulatory guidance on the important considerations that need to be addressed for the proper design and construction of soil cover systems that are to be placed over the LLW. The cover system over the waste is acknowledged to be one of the most important engineered barriers for the long-term stable performance of the disposal facility. The guidance in revised SRP 3.2 summarizes the previous efforts and recommendations of the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and a peer review panel on the placement of soil cover systems. NRC published these efforts in NUREG/CR-5432. The discussions in this paper highlight selected recommendations on soil cover issues that the NRC staff considers important for ensuring the safe, long-term performance of the soil cover systems. The development phases to be discussed include: (1) cover design; (2) cover material selection; (3) laboratory and field testing; (4) field placement control and acceptance; and (5) penetrations through the constructed covers.« less

  20. Utilizing Multiple Datasets for Snow Cover Mapping

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tait, Andrew B.; Hall, Dorothy K.; Foster, James L.; Armstrong, Richard L.

    1999-01-01

    Snow-cover maps generated from surface data are based on direct measurements, however they are prone to interpolation errors where climate stations are sparsely distributed. Snow cover is clearly discernable using satellite-attained optical data because of the high albedo of snow, yet the surface is often obscured by cloud cover. Passive microwave (PM) data is unaffected by clouds, however, the snow-cover signature is significantly affected by melting snow and the microwaves may be transparent to thin snow (less than 3cm). Both optical and microwave sensors have problems discerning snow beneath forest canopies. This paper describes a method that combines ground and satellite data to produce a Multiple-Dataset Snow-Cover Product (MDSCP). Comparisons with current snow-cover products show that the MDSCP draws together the advantages of each of its component products while minimizing their potential errors. Improved estimates of the snow-covered area are derived through the addition of two snow-cover classes ("thin or patchy" and "high elevation" snow cover) and from the analysis of the climate station data within each class. The compatibility of this method for use with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, which will be available in 2000, is also discussed. With the assimilation of these data, the resolution of the MDSCP would be improved both spatially and temporally and the analysis would become completely automated.

  1. Designing and Implementing a Faculty Internet Workshop: A Collaborative Effort of Academic Computing Services and the University Library.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bradford, Jane T.; And Others

    1996-01-01

    Academic Computing Services staff and University librarians at Stetson University (DeLand, Florida) designed and implemented a three-day Internet workshop for interested faculty. The workshop included both hands-on lab sessions and discussions covering e-mail, telnet, ftp, Gopher, and World Wide Web. The planning, preparation of the lab and…

  2. Internationalization of U.K. University Business Schools: A Survey of Current Practice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bennett, Roger; Kane, Suzanne

    2011-01-01

    A questionnaire was sent to the heads of internationalization in the business schools of all U.K. universities. Sixty-five replies were received. The document covered, inter alia, the internationalization activities undertaken by the respondents' schools, the intensities with which internationalization had been implemented, motives for…

  3. The Regional Land Cover Monitoring System: Building regional capacity through innovative land cover mapping approaches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saah, D.; Tenneson, K.; Hanh, Q. N.; Aekakkararungroj, A.; Aung, K. S.; Goldstein, J.; Cutter, P. G.; Maus, P.; Markert, K. N.; Anderson, E.; Ellenburg, W. L.; Ate, P.; Flores Cordova, A. I.; Vadrevu, K.; Potapov, P.; Phongsapan, K.; Chishtie, F.; Clinton, N.; Ganz, D.

    2017-12-01

    Earth observation and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, products, and services are vital to support the environmental decision making by governmental institutions, non-governmental agencies, and the general public. At the heart of environmental decision making is the monitoring land cover and land use change (LCLUC) for land resource planning and for ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation and resilience to climate change. A major challenge for monitoring LCLUC in developing regions, such as Southeast Asia, is inconsistent data products at inconsistent intervals that have different typologies across the region and are typically made in without stakeholder engagement or input. Here we present the Regional Land Cover Monitoring System (RLCMS), a novel land cover mapping effort for Southeast Asia, implemented by SERVIR-Mekong, a joint NASA-USAID initiative that brings Earth observations to improve environmental decision making in developing countries. The RLCMS focuses on mapping biophysical variables (e.g. canopy cover, tree height, or percent surface water) at an annual interval and in turn using those biophysical variables to develop land cover maps based on stakeholder definitions of land cover classes. This allows for flexible and consistent land cover classifications that can meet the needs of different institutions across the region. Another component of the RLCMS production is the stake-holder engagement through co-development. Institutions that directly benefit from this system have helped drive the development for regional needs leading to services for their specific uses. Examples of services for regional stakeholders include using the RLCMS to develop maps using the IPCC classification scheme for GHG emission reporting and developing custom annual maps as an input to hydrologic modeling/flood forecasting systems. In addition to the implementation of this system and the service stemming from the RLCMS in Southeast Asia, it is

  4. Shuttle landing facility cloud cover study: Climatological analysis and two tenths cloud cover rule evaluation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Atchison, Michael K.; Schumann, Robin; Taylor, Greg; Warburton, John; Wheeler, Mark; Yersavich, Ann

    1993-01-01

    The two-tenths cloud cover rule in effect for all End Of Mission (EOM) STS landings at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) states: 'for scattered cloud layers below 10,000 feet, cloud cover must be observed to be less than or equal to 0.2 at the de-orbit burn go/no-go decision time (approximately 90 minutes before landing time)'. This rule was designed to protect against a ceiling (below 10,000 feet) developing unexpectedly within the next 90 minutes (i.e., after the de-orbit burn decision and before landing). The Applied Meteorological Unit (AMU) developed and analyzed a database of cloud cover amounts and weather conditions at the Shuttle Landing Facility for a five-year (1986-1990) period. The data indicate the best time to land the shuttle at KSC is during the summer while the worst time is during the winter. The analysis also shows the highest frequency of landing opportunities occurs for the 0100-0600 UTC and 1300-1600 UTC time periods. The worst time of the day to land a shuttle is near sunrise and during the afternoon. An evaluation of the two-tenths cloud cover rule for most data categorizations has shown that there is a significant difference in the proportions of weather violations one and two hours subsequent to initial conditions of 0.2 and 0.3 cloud cover. However, for May, Oct., 700 mb northerly wind category, 1500 UTC category, and 1600 UTC category there is some evidence that the 0.2 cloud cover rule may be overly conservative. This possibility requires further investigation. As a result of these analyses, the AMU developed nomograms to help the Spaceflight Meteorological Group (SMG) and the Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility (CCFF) forecast cloud cover for EOM and Return to Launch Site (RTLS) at KSC. Future work will include updating the two tenths database, further analysis of the data for several categorizations, and developing a proof of concept artificial neural network to provide forecast guidance of weather constraint violations for shuttle

  5. [Innovative ET cover system and its hydrologic evaluation].

    PubMed

    Liu, Chuan-shun; Cai, Jun-xiong; Wang, Jing-zhai; Rong, Yu

    2010-07-01

    The evapotranspiration (ET) cover system,as an alternative cover system of landfill, has been used in many remediation projects since 2003. It is an inexpensive, practical,and easily maintained biological system, but is mainly favorable in arid and semiarid sites due to limited water-holding capacity of the single loam layer and limited transpiration of grass. To improve the effectiveness of percolation control, an innovative scheme of ET was suggested in this paper: (1) a clay liner was added under the single loam layer to increase the water-holding capacity; (2) combined vegetation consisting of shrub and grass was used to replace the grass cover. Hydrologic evaluation of conventional cover,ET cover and the innovative ET cover under the same condition was performed using the computer program HELP, which showed the performance of the innovative ET cover is obviously superior to that of ET cover and conventional cover.

  6. 10 CFR 950.14 - Standby Support Contract: Covered events, exclusions, covered delay and covered cost provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... include a provision setting forth the type of events that are covered events under the contract. The type...) Litigation in State, Federal, local, or tribal courts, including appeals of Commission decisions related to..., including but not limited to the following types of events: (i) The sponsor's failure to comply with...

  7. Potential for Monitoring Snow Cover in Boreal Forests by Combining MODIS Snow Cover and AMSR-E SWE Maps

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Riggs, George A.; Hall, Dorothy K.; Foster, James L.

    2009-01-01

    Monitoring of snow cover extent and snow water equivalent (SWE) in boreal forests is important for determining the amount of potential runoff and beginning date of snowmelt. The great expanse of the boreal forest necessitates the use of satellite measurements to monitor snow cover. Snow cover in the boreal forest can be mapped with either the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) or the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E) microwave instrument. The extent of snow cover is estimated from the MODIS data and SWE is estimated from the AMSR-E. Environmental limitations affect both sensors in different ways to limit their ability to detect snow in some situations. Forest density, snow wetness, and snow depth are factors that limit the effectiveness of both sensors for snow detection. Cloud cover is a significant hindrance to monitoring snow cover extent Using MODIS but is not a hindrance to the use of the AMSR-E. These limitations could be mitigated by combining MODIS and AMSR-E data to allow for improved interpretation of snow cover extent and SWE on a daily basis and provide temporal continuity of snow mapping across the boreal forest regions in Canada. The purpose of this study is to investigate if temporal monitoring of snow cover using a combination of MODIS and AMSR-E data could yield a better interpretation of changing snow cover conditions. The MODIS snow mapping algorithm is based on snow detection using the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to enhance snow detection in dense vegetation. (Other spectral threshold tests are also used to map snow using MODIS.) Snow cover under a forest canopy may have an effect on the NDVI thus we use the NDVI in snow detection. A MODIS snow fraction product is also generated but not used in this study. In this study the NDSI and NDVI components of the snow mapping algorithm were calculated and analyzed to determine how they changed

  8. National forest cover monitoring in mainland South and Southeast Asia: method development and capacity building

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyukavina, A.; Potapov, P.; Hansen, M.; Talero, Y.; Turubanova, S.; Pickering, J.; Pickens, A. H.; Quyen, N. H.; Spirovska Kono, M.

    2017-12-01

    Timely forest monitoring data produced following good practice guidance are required for national reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, national forest resource assessments, and monitoring for REDD+ projects. Remote sensing provides a cost-efficient supplement to national forest inventories, and is often the single viable source of data on forest extent for countries still in the process of establishing field-based inventories. Operational forest monitoring using remotely sensed data requires technical capacity to store, process, and analyze high volumes of satellite imagery. The University of Maryland Global Land Analysis and Discovery (UMD GLAD) lab possesses such technical capacity and is seeking to transfer it to national agencies responsible for forest reporting, national academic institutions, and NGOs. Our projects in South and Southeast Asia include regional forest monitoring in the lower Mekong region in support of the Regional Land Cover Monitoring System (funded by the NASA SERVIR program) and building capacity for forest monitoring in Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand (funded by the SilvaCarbon program). Our forest monitoring approach is a regional scale adaptation of methods developed for the global analysis (Hansen et al. 2013). The methodology to track large-scale clearing of natural forests (e.g. in Brazil and Indonesia) is well established; however, the methods for small-scale disturbance mapping and tree cover rotation assessment are still in development. In Bangladesh our mapping of tree cover change between 2000-2014 revealed that 54% of the tree canopy cover was outside forests, and the majority of canopy changes were smaller than 0.1 ha. Landsat's 30-m resolution was therefore insufficient to monitor changes in tree cover. By using a probability sample of high resolution (circa 1 m) imagery we were able to quantify change in tree canopy cover outside forests (including village woodlots, tree plantations and agroforestry

  9. Corrugated cover plate for flat plate collector

    DOEpatents

    Hollands, K. G. Terry; Sibbitt, Bruce

    1978-01-01

    A flat plate radiant energy collector is providing having a transparent cover. The cover has a V-corrugated shape which reduces the amount of energy reflected by the cover away from the flat plate absorber of the collector.

  10. ESTIMATING IMPERVIOUS COVER FROM REGIONALLY AVAILABLE DATA

    EPA Science Inventory

    The objective of this study is to compare and evaluate the reliability of different approaches for estimating impervious cover including three empirical formulations for estimating impervious cover from population density data, estimation from categorized land cover data, and to ...

  11. Border Lakes land-cover classification

    Treesearch

    Marvin Bauer; Brian Loeffelholz; Doug Shinneman

    2009-01-01

    This document contains metadata and description of land-cover classification of approximately 5.1 million acres of land bordering Minnesota, U.S.A. and Ontario, Canada. The classification focused on the separation and identification of specific forest-cover types. Some separation of the nonforest classes also was performed. The classification was derived from multi-...

  12. Assessment of Consistencies and Uncertainties between the NASA MODIS and VIIRS Snow-Cover Maps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hall, D. K.; Riggs, G. A., Jr.; DiGirolamo, N. E.; Roman, M. O.

    2017-12-01

    Snow cover has great climatic and economic importance in part due to its high albedo and low thermal conductivity and large areal extent in the Northern Hemisphere winter, and its role as a freshwater source for about one-sixth of the world's population. The Rutgers University Global Snow Lab's 50-year climate-data record (CDR) of Northern Hemisphere snow cover is invaluable for climate studies, but, at 25-km resolution, the spatial resolution is too coarse to provide accurate snow information at the basin scale. Since 2000, global snow-cover maps have been produced from the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites at 500-m resolution, and from the Suomi-National Polar Program (S-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) since 2011 at 375-m resolution. Development of a moderate-resolution (375 - 500 m) earth system data record (ESDR) that utilizes both MODIS and VIIRS snow maps is underway. There is a 6-year overlap between the data records. In late 2017 the second in a series of VIIRS sensors will be launched on the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1), with the JPSS-2 satellite scheduled for launch in 2021, providing the potential to extend NASA's snow-cover ESDR for decades into the future and to create a CDR. Therefore it is important to investigate the continuity between the MODIS and VIIRS NASA snow-cover data products and evaluate whether there are any inconsistencies and biases that would affect their value as CDR. Time series of daily normalized-difference snow index (NDSI) Terra and Aqua MODIS Collection 6 (C6) and NASA VIIRS Collection 1 (C1) snow-cover tile maps (MOD10A1 and VNP10A1) are studied for North America to identify NDSI differences and possible biases between the datasets. Developing a CDR using the MODIS and VIIRS records is challenging. Though the instruments and orbits are similar, differences in bands, viewing geometry, spatial resolution, and cloud- and snow-mapping algorithms

  13. Run for cover! What's covering your greenhouse and how is it affecting seedling growth?

    Treesearch

    Jeremy R. Pinto; Kas Dumroese; John D. Marshall

    2006-01-01

    Analysis of seedling growth characteristics between two greenhouse cover types, old fiberglass and new polycarbonate, shows significant differences in height and sturdiness coefficients in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings. Three rates of nitrogen (N) application (20, 40, and 60 mg) indicate that seedling growth will increase under both cover types, but may...

  14. Satellite Snow-Cover Mapping: A Brief Review

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hall, Dorothy K.

    1995-01-01

    Satellite snow mapping has been accomplished since 1966, initially using data from the reflective part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and now also employing data from the microwave part of the spectrum. Visible and near-infrared sensors can provide excellent spatial resolution from space enabling detailed snow mapping. When digital elevation models are also used, snow mapping can provide realistic measurements of snow extent even in mountainous areas. Passive-microwave satellite data permit global snow cover to be mapped on a near-daily basis and estimates of snow depth to be made, but with relatively poor spatial resolution (approximately 25 km). Dense forest cover limits both techniques and optical remote sensing is limited further by cloudcover conditions. Satellite remote sensing of snow cover with imaging radars is still in the early stages of research, but shows promise at least for mapping wet or melting snow using C-band (5.3 GHz) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. Observing System (EOS) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data beginning with the launch of the first EOS platform in 1998. Digital maps will be produced that will provide daily, and maximum weekly global snow, sea ice and lake ice cover at 1-km spatial resolution. Statistics will be generated on the extent and persistence of snow or ice cover in each pixel for each weekly map, cloudcover permitting. It will also be possible to generate snow- and ice-cover maps using MODIS data at 250- and 500-m resolution, and to study and map snow and ice characteristics such as albedo. been under development. Passive-microwave data offer the potential for determining not only snow cover, but snow water equivalent, depth and wetness under all sky conditions. A number of algorithms have been developed to utilize passive-microwave brightness temperatures to provide information on snow cover and water equivalent. The variability of vegetative Algorithms are being developed to map global snow

  15. 39 CFR 233.3 - Mail covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... transcription, photograph, photocopy or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper... Postal Inspection Service to transmit mail cover reports directly to the requesting authority. (j) Review...

  16. 39 CFR 233.3 - Mail covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... transcription, photograph, photocopy or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper... Postal Inspection Service to transmit mail cover reports directly to the requesting authority. (j) Review...

  17. 39 CFR 233.3 - Mail covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... transcription, photograph, photocopy or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper... Postal Inspection Service to transmit mail cover reports directly to the requesting authority. (j) Review...

  18. 39 CFR 233.3 - Mail covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... transcription, photograph, photocopy or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper... Postal Inspection Service to transmit mail cover reports directly to the requesting authority. (j) Review...

  19. 39 CFR 233.3 - Mail covers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... transcription, photograph, photocopy or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper... Postal Inspection Service to transmit mail cover reports directly to the requesting authority. (j) Review...

  20. Field Water Balance of Landfill Final Covers

    EPA Science Inventory

    Landfill covers are critical to waste containment, yet field performance of specific cover designs has not been well documented and seldom been compared in side-by-side testing. A study was conducted to assess the ability of landfill final covers to control percolation into unde...

  1. Covered bridge manual

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2005-04-01

    This manual provides guidance to those involved with all aspects of the work, from initial inspection and evaluation, through the engineering of rehabilitation, to construction issues. Broadly speaking, this manual covers general terminology and hist...

  2. The own-age bias in face memory is unrelated to differences in attention--evidence from event-related potentials.

    PubMed

    Neumann, Markus F; End, Albert; Luttmann, Stefanie; Schweinberger, Stefan R; Wiese, Holger

    2015-03-01

    Participants are more accurate at remembering faces from their own relative to a different age group (the own-age bias, or OAB). A recent socio-cognitive account has suggested that differential allocation of attention to old versus young faces underlies this phenomenon. Critically, empirical evidence for a direct relationship between attention to own- versus other-age faces and the OAB in memory is lacking. To fill this gap, we tested the roles of attention in three different experimental paradigms, and additionally analyzed event-related brain potentials (ERPs). In Experiment 1, we compared the learning of old and young faces during focused versus divided attention, but revealed similar OABs in subsequent memory for both attention conditions. Similarly, manipulating attention during learning did not differentially affect the ERPs elicited by young versus old faces. In Experiment 2, we examined the repetition effects from task-irrelevant old and young faces presented under varying attentional loads on the N250r ERP component as an index of face recognition. Independent of load, the N250r effects were comparable for both age categories. Finally, in Experiment 3 we measured the N2pc as an index of attentional selection of old versus young target faces in a visual search task. The N2pc was not significantly different for the young versus the old target search conditions, suggesting similar orientations of attention to either face age group. Overall, we propose that the OAB in memory is largely unrelated to early attentional processes. Our findings therefore contrast with the predictions from socio-cognitive accounts on own-group biases in recognition memory, and are more easily reconciled with expertise-based models.

  3. Presence of Cleaved Synaptosomal-Associated Protein-25 and Decrease of Purinergic Receptors P2X3 in the Bladder Urothelium Influence Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Liu, Hsin-Tzu; Chen, Sung-Ho; Chancellor, Michael B; Kuo, Hann-Chorng

    2015-01-01

    To evaluate whether botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection and Lipotoxin (liposomes with 200 U of BoNT-A) instillation target different proteins, including P2X3, synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A, and SNAP-25, in the bladder mucosa, leading to different treatment outcomes. This was a retrospective study performed in a tertiary teaching hospital. We evaluated the clinical results of 27 OAB patients treated with intravesical BoNT-A injection (n = 16) or Lipotoxin instillation (n = 11). Seven controls were treated with saline. Patients were injected with 100 U of BoNT-A or Lipotoxinin a single intravesical instillation. The patients enrolled in this study all had bladder biopsies performed at baseline and one month after BoNT-A therapy. Treatment outcome was measured by the decreases in urgency and frequency episodes at 1 month. The functional protein expressions in the urothelium were measured at baseline and after 1 month. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and ordinal logistic regression were used to compare the treatment outcomes. Both BoNT-A injection and Lipotoxin instillation treatments effectively decreased the frequency of urgency episodes in OAB patients. Lipotoxin instillation did not increase post-void residual volume. BoNT-A injection effectively cleaved SNAP-25 (p < 0.01). Liposome encapsulated BoNT-A decreased urothelial P2X3 expression in the five responders (p = 0.04), while SNAP-25 was not significantly cleaved. The results of this study provide a possible mechanism for the therapeutic effects of BoNT-A for the treatment of OAB via different treatment forms. BoNT-A and Lipotoxin treatments effectively decreased the frequency of urgency episodes in patients with OAB.

  4. Defining urinary urgency: patient descriptions of "gotta go".

    PubMed

    Coyne, Karin S; Harding, Gale; Jumadilova, Zhanna; Weiss, Jeffrey P

    2012-04-01

    Urgency is a key symptom in the diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB), yet its definition and measurement are subject to continuing debate whether urinary urgency is a pathologic sensation or an intensification of normal desire to pass urine. The objective of this research was to explore the concept of urgency among participants with OAB symptoms and to evaluate the content validity of the urinary sensation scale (USS). Two qualitative studies were conducted among participants with OAB symptoms. For both studies, participants were interviewed on the USS to ascertain their ability to complete and interpret each response. Study 2 included open-ended questions to explore the concept of urgency with participants asked to describe "normal urge" and "urgency." Thirty-one men and women (Study 1, n = 12; Study 2, n = 19) participated. Nearly all participants (n = 29) thought the word descriptions for the 1-5 scale were easy to comprehend and were able to differentiate among ratings by degree of severity. Study 2 noted little difference between continent (n = 9) and incontinent (n = 10) participant descriptions of "urge or desire to urinate" and "typical sensation." The majority of the continent (n = 6) and incontinent (n = 7) participants stated they have both "regular" sensations to urinate and "urgent" sensations to urinate. This qualitative research provides evidence that men and women with OAB symptoms can distinguish between "normal" urge (desire) to urinate and "urgency" suggesting that urinary urgency is a continuum, rather than an all-or-none phenomenon. The USS demonstrated content validity and was acceptable to patients. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Efficacy and persistence of low-dose mirabegron (25 mg) in patients with overactive bladder: analysis in a real-world urological practice.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yuan Chi; Wang, Hung Jen; Chuang, Yao Chi

    2018-06-07

    Mirabegron is a relatively new drug to treat overactive bladder (OAB). The therapeutic doses are between 25 and 100 mg in clinical trials. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and persistence of low-dose mirabegron (25 mg) in patients with OAB in daily urological practice. The study was a retrospective consecutive cohort of 177 OAB patients (101 male and 76 female) treated with 25 mg of mirabegron mg since January 2016 to November 2016. The therapeutic outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Mirabegron usage was associated with a statistically significant decrease in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, Urgency Severity Score, urge urinary incontinence, International Prostate Symptom Score (both storage and voiding symptom) at 4-week follow-up, and the therapeutic effects were further improved at 12- and 24-week follow-up. Among them, 118 patients (66.7%) and 84 patients (47.5%) were maintained on mirabegron therapy for more than 3 and 6 months, respectively. However, 29 patients (16%) had poor response with drug discontinuation within 3 months and 8 patients (4.5%) stopped medication due to adverse effects. The overall side effect was 10.2%, and the most common side effect was elevated blood pressure (2.8%) and increased post-void residual (2.8%). Between male and female patients, there was no statistical difference of symptom improvement and drug persistence rate. Low-dose mirabegron (25 mg) improves clinical outcomes in two-thirds of OAB patients with good safety profile and high persistence in daily urological practice. The therapeutic effect is similar between the genders.

  6. Bladder wall thickness in women with symptoms of overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity: Results from the randomised, placebo-controlled shrink study.

    PubMed

    Robinson, Dudley; Oelke, Matthias; Khullar, Vik; Wijkstra, Hessel; Tretter, Reiner; Stow, Bridget; Compion, Gerhard; Tubaro, Andrea

    2016-09-01

    Measurement of bladder wall thickness (BWT) by transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) may be a less invasive method to diagnose overactive bladder (OAB) or detrusor overactivity (DO) and monitor response to therapy. This study assessed whether treatment with solifenacin affects BWT. This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 4 study. Adult women with OAB symptoms received solifenacin 5 or 10 mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The co-primary endpoints were change from baseline to Week 12 in TVUS-measured BWT and urinary nerve growth factor. Only results for BWT are presented here. Overall, 547 patients were randomised, 501 patients had a baseline BWT measurement, and change from baseline could be calculated for 478 patients. Mean BWT at baseline was 5.08 mm (range 2.2-11.1, SD = 1.14) and was normally distributed. A significant reduction in BWT from baseline to 12 weeks versus placebo was observed with solifenacin 5 mg (-0.42 vs. -0.16 mm, P = 0.03), but not with the 10 mg dose or with pooled solifenacin, considered the primary comparison. Both solifenacin doses were associated with improvements in efficacy and patient satisfaction endpoints versus placebo. Solifenacin was well tolerated, with dry mouth being the most common adverse event. There was no consistent effect of solifenacin on BWT in women with OAB/DO, despite improvements in efficacy endpoints. This study suggests that routine clinical assessment of BWT with TVUS for monitoring the effects of OAB/DO treatment is not clinically useful. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:819-825, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Collective Bargaining Agreement between Montana University System and the Northern Montana College Federation of Teachers, July 1, 1985-June 30, 1987.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Montana Univ. System, Helena.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Montana University System and the Northern Montana College Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the National Education Association, covering the period July 1, 1985-June 30, 1987, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, dues deduction, access to information, use of…

  8. A Citizen's Guide to Evapotranspiration Covers

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This guide explains Evapotranspiration Covers which are Evapotranspiration (ET) covers are a type of cap placed over contaminated material, such as soil, landfill waste, or mining tailings, to prevent water from reaching it.

  9. Updating the 2001 National Land Cover Database land cover classification to 2006 by using Landsat imagery change detection methods

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Xian, George; Homer, Collin G.; Fry, Joyce

    2009-01-01

    The recent release of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001, which represents the nation's land cover status based on a nominal date of 2001, is widely used as a baseline for national land cover conditions. To enable the updating of this land cover information in a consistent and continuous manner, a prototype method was developed to update land cover by an individual Landsat path and row. This method updates NLCD 2001 to a nominal date of 2006 by using both Landsat imagery and data from NLCD 2001 as the baseline. Pairs of Landsat scenes in the same season in 2001 and 2006 were acquired according to satellite paths and rows and normalized to allow calculation of change vectors between the two dates. Conservative thresholds based on Anderson Level I land cover classes were used to segregate the change vectors and determine areas of change and no-change. Once change areas had been identified, land cover classifications at the full NLCD resolution for 2006 areas of change were completed by sampling from NLCD 2001 in unchanged areas. Methods were developed and tested across five Landsat path/row study sites that contain several metropolitan areas including Seattle, Washington; San Diego, California; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jackson, Mississippi; and Manchester, New Hampshire. Results from the five study areas show that the vast majority of land cover change was captured and updated with overall land cover classification accuracies of 78.32%, 87.5%, 88.57%, 78.36%, and 83.33% for these areas. The method optimizes mapping efficiency and has the potential to provide users a flexible method to generate updated land cover at national and regional scales by using NLCD 2001 as the baseline.

  10. The Press as a Policy Actor and Agent of Social Control and the Efforts of Universities to Negotiate Press Performance. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ratcliff, Gary R.

    This study sought to ascertain how the press covers higher education and how public research universities work with the press to advance their agendas. It examined the coverage that eight newspapers devoted to six public research universities, namely the Universities of Pittsburgh, Colorado (Boulder), Minnesota, California (Berkeley), and…

  11. Absence of snow cover reduces understory plant cover and alters plant community composition in boreal forests.

    PubMed

    Kreyling, Juergen; Haei, Mahsa; Laudon, Hjalmar

    2012-02-01

    Snow regimes affect biogeochemistry of boreal ecosystems and are altered by climate change. The effects on plant communities, however, are largely unexplored despite their influence on relevant processes. Here, the impact of snow cover on understory community composition and below-ground production in a boreal Picea abies forest was investigated using a long-term (8-year) snow cover manipulation experiment consisting of the treatments: snow removal, increased insulation (styrofoam pellets), and control. The snow removal treatment caused longer (118 vs. 57 days) and deeper soil frost (mean minimum temperature -5.5 vs. -2.2°C) at 10 cm soil depth in comparison to control. Understory species composition was strongly altered by the snow cover manipulations; vegetation cover declined by more than 50% in the snow removal treatment. In particular, the dominant dwarf shrub Vaccinium myrtillus (-82%) and the most abundant mosses Pleurozium schreberi (-74%) and Dicranum scoparium (-60%) declined strongly. The C:N ratio in V. myrtillus leaves and plant available N in the soil indicated no altered nitrogen nutrition. Fine-root biomass in summer, however, was negatively affected by the reduced snow cover (-50%). Observed effects are attributed to direct frost damage of roots and/ or shoots. Besides the obvious relevance of winter processes on plant ecology and distribution, we propose that shifts in the vegetation caused by frost damage may be an important driver of the reported alterations in biogeochemistry in response to altered snow cover. Understory plant performance clearly needs to be considered in the biogeochemistry of boreal systems in the face of climate change.

  12. On twelve types of covering-based rough sets.

    PubMed

    Safari, Samira; Hooshmandasl, Mohammad Reza

    2016-01-01

    Covering approximation spaces are a generalization of equivalence-based rough set theories. In this paper, we will consider twelve types of covering based approximation operators by combining four types of covering lower approximation operators and three types of covering upper approximation operators. Then, we will study the properties of these new pairs and show they have most of the common properties among existing covering approximation pairs. Finally, the relation between these new pairs is studied.

  13. 46 CFR 111.30-11 - Deck coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Deck coverings. 111.30-11 Section 111.30-11 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Switchboards § 111.30-11 Deck coverings. Non-conducting deck coverings, such as non-conducting...

  14. 46 CFR 111.30-11 - Deck coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Deck coverings. 111.30-11 Section 111.30-11 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Switchboards § 111.30-11 Deck coverings. Non-conducting deck coverings, such as non-conducting...

  15. 46 CFR 111.30-11 - Deck coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Deck coverings. 111.30-11 Section 111.30-11 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Switchboards § 111.30-11 Deck coverings. Non-conducting deck coverings, such as non-conducting...

  16. 46 CFR 111.30-11 - Deck coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Deck coverings. 111.30-11 Section 111.30-11 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Switchboards § 111.30-11 Deck coverings. Non-conducting deck coverings, such as non-conducting...

  17. 46 CFR 111.30-11 - Deck coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Deck coverings. 111.30-11 Section 111.30-11 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Switchboards § 111.30-11 Deck coverings. Non-conducting deck coverings, such as non-conducting...

  18. How Do Students Meet the Cost of Attending a State University? Information Brief. Volume 4, Issue 2

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Florida Board of Governors, State University System, 2007

    2007-01-01

    Students and their families must cover, on average, 83% of the roughly $16,000 cost of attendance for a full-time, in-state undergraduate at a state university in Florida. On average, 75% of the cost of attendance in Florida's public universities is from expenses other than tuition and fees and books. The largest expense is room and board,…

  19. Indicators: Lakeshore Habitat/Riparian Vegetative Cover

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Riparian and lakeshore vegetative cover consist of the vegetation corridor alongside streams, rivers, and lakes. Vegetative cover refers to overhanging or submerged tree limbs, shrubs, and other plants growing along the shore of the waterbody.

  20. MODIS Vegetative Cover Conversion and Vegetation Continuous Fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carroll, Mark; Townshend, John; Hansen, Matthew; DiMiceli, Charlene; Sohlberg, Robert; Wurster, Karl

    Land cover change occurs at various spatial and temporal scales. For example, large-scale mechanical removal of forests for agro-industrial activities contrasts with the small-scale clearing of subsistence farmers. Such dynamics vary in spatial extent and rate of land conversion. Such changes are attributable to both natural and anthropogenic factors. For example, lightning- or human-ignited fires burn millions of acres of land surface each year. Further, land cover conversion requires ­contrasting with the land cover modification. In the first instance, the dynamic represents extensive categorical change between two land cover types. Land cover modification mechanisms such as selective logging and woody encroachment depict changes within a given land cover type rather than a conversion from one land cover type to another. This chapter describes the production of two standard MODIS land products used to document changes in global land cover. The Vegetative Cover Conversion (VCC) product is designed primarily to serve as a global alarm for areas where land cover change occurs rapidly (Zhan et al. 2000). The Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) product is designed to continuously ­represent ground cover as a proportion of basic vegetation traits. Terra's launch in December 1999 afforded a new opportunity to observe the entire Earth every 1.2 days at 250-m spatial resolution. The MODIS instrument's appropriate spatial and ­temporal resolutions provide the opportunity to substantially improve the characterization of the land surface and changes occurring thereupon (Townshend et al. 1991).

  1. The efficacy of winter cover crops to stabilize soil inorganic nitrogen after fall-applied anhydrous ammonia.

    PubMed

    Lacey, Corey; Armstrong, Shalamar

    2015-03-01

    There is a dearth of knowledge on the ability of cover crops to increase the effectiveness of fall-applied nitrogen (N). The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of two cover crop species to stabilize inorganic soil N after a fall application of N. Fall N was applied at a rate of 200 kg N ha into living stands of cereal rye, tillage radish, and a control (no cover crop) at the Illinois State University Research and Teaching Farm in Lexington, Illinois. Cover crops were sampled to determine N uptake, and soil samples were collected in the spring at four depths to 80 cm to determine the distribution of inorganic N within the soil profile. Tillage radish (131.9-226.8 kg ha) and cereal rye (188.1-249.9 kg ha N) demonstrated the capacity to absorb a minimum of 60 to 80% of the equivalent rate of fall-applied N, respectively. Fall applying N without cover crops resulted in a greater percentage of soil NO-N (40%) in the 50- to 80-cm depth, compared with only 31 and 27% when tillage radish and cereal rye were present at N application. At planting, tillage radish stabilized an average of 91% of the equivalent rate of fall-applied N within the 0- to 20-cm, depth compared with 66 and 57% for the cereal rye and control treatments, respectively. This study has demonstrated that fall applying N into a living cover crop stand has the potential to reduce the vulnerability of soil nitrate and to stabilize a greater concentration of inorganic N within the agronomic depths of soil. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

  2. 49 CFR 1560.111 - Covered airport operators.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 9 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Covered airport operators. 1560.111 Section 1560... Transmission of Secure Flight Passenger Data for Watch List Matching § 1560.111 Covered airport operators. (a) Applicability. This section applies to a covered airport operator that has a program approved by TSA through...

  3. 49 CFR 1560.111 - Covered airport operators.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 9 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Covered airport operators. 1560.111 Section 1560... Transmission of Secure Flight Passenger Data for Watch List Matching § 1560.111 Covered airport operators. (a) Applicability. This section applies to a covered airport operator that has a program approved by TSA through...

  4. 49 CFR 1560.111 - Covered airport operators.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 9 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Covered airport operators. 1560.111 Section 1560... Transmission of Secure Flight Passenger Data for Watch List Matching § 1560.111 Covered airport operators. (a) Applicability. This section applies to a covered airport operator that has a program approved by TSA through...

  5. 49 CFR 1560.111 - Covered airport operators.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 9 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Covered airport operators. 1560.111 Section 1560... Transmission of Secure Flight Passenger Data for Watch List Matching § 1560.111 Covered airport operators. (a) Applicability. This section applies to a covered airport operator that has a program approved by TSA through...

  6. 49 CFR 1560.111 - Covered airport operators.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 9 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Covered airport operators. 1560.111 Section 1560... Transmission of Secure Flight Passenger Data for Watch List Matching § 1560.111 Covered airport operators. (a) Applicability. This section applies to a covered airport operator that has a program approved by TSA through...

  7. Agreement between The State of New York and United University Professions, 1985-1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    New York State Executive Office, Albany.

    The collective bargaining agreement between The State of New York and United University Professions, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, for 1985 to 1988 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, grievance procedure, arbitration procedure, grievance appeals, labor-management meetings, academic…

  8. Agreement between Rider College and the Rider College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, September 1, 1985-August 31, 1988.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rider Coll., Trenton, NJ.

    The collective bargaining agreement between Rider College and the Rider College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1985-August 31, 1988 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: definitions and unit recognition; nondiscrimination; affirmative action; academic freedom;…

  9. Spatio-temporal change in forest cover and carbon storage considering actual and potential forest cover in South Korea.

    PubMed

    Nam, Kijun; Lee, Woo-Kyun; Kim, Moonil; Kwak, Doo-Ahn; Byun, Woo-Hyuk; Yu, Hangnan; Kwak, Hanbin; Kwon, Taesung; Sung, Joohan; Chung, Dong-Jun; Lee, Seung-Ho

    2015-07-01

    This study analyzes change in carbon storage by applying forest growth models and final cutting age to actual and potential forest cover for six major tree species in South Korea. Using National Forest Inventory data, the growth models were developed to estimate mean diameter at breast height, tree height, and number of trees for Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus rigida, Larix kaempferi, Castanea crenata and Quercus spp. stands. We assumed that actual forest cover in a forest type map will change into potential forest covers according to the Hydrological and Thermal Analogy Groups model. When actual forest cover reaches the final cutting age, forest volume and carbon storage are estimated by changed forest cover and its growth model. Forest volume between 2010 and 2110 would increase from 126.73 to 157.33 m(3) hm(-2). Our results also show that forest cover, volume, and carbon storage could abruptly change by 2060. This is attributed to the fact that most forests are presumed to reach final cutting age. To avoid such dramatic change, a regeneration and yield control scheme should be prepared and implemented in a way that ensures balance in forest practice and yield.

  10. Design, Development and Testing of Web Services for Multi-Sensor Snow Cover Mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kadlec, Jiri

    This dissertation presents the design, development and validation of new data integration methods for mapping the extent of snow cover based on open access ground station measurements, remote sensing images, volunteer observer snow reports, and cross country ski track recordings from location-enabled mobile devices. The first step of the data integration procedure includes data discovery, data retrieval, and data quality control of snow observations at ground stations. The WaterML R package developed in this work enables hydrologists to retrieve and analyze data from multiple organizations that are listed in the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences Inc (CUAHSI) Water Data Center catalog directly within the R statistical software environment. Using the WaterML R package is demonstrated by running an energy balance snowpack model in R with data inputs from CUAHSI, and by automating uploads of real time sensor observations to CUAHSI HydroServer. The second step of the procedure requires efficient access to multi-temporal remote sensing snow images. The Snow Inspector web application developed in this research enables the users to retrieve a time series of fractional snow cover from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for any point on Earth. The time series retrieval method is based on automated data extraction from tile images provided by a Web Map Tile Service (WMTS). The average required time for retrieving 100 days of data using this technique is 5.4 seconds, which is significantly faster than other methods that require the download of large satellite image files. The presented data extraction technique and space-time visualization user interface can be used as a model for working with other multi-temporal hydrologic or climate data WMTS services. The third, final step of the data integration procedure is generating continuous daily snow cover maps. A custom inverse distance weighting method has been developed

  11. Reusable pipe flange covers

    DOEpatents

    Holden, James Elliott; Perez, Julieta

    2001-01-01

    A molded, flexible pipe flange cover for temporarily covering a pipe flange and a pipe opening includes a substantially round center portion having a peripheral skirt portion depending from the center portion, the center portion adapted to engage a front side of the pipe flange and to seal the pipe opening. The peripheral skirt portion is formed to include a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, wherein free ends of the flexible tabs are formed with respective through passages adapted to receive a drawstring for pulling the tabs together on a back side of the pipe flange.

  12. The Effect of Conservation Tillage and Cover Crop Residue on Beneficial Arthropods and Weed Seed Predation in Acorn Squash.

    PubMed

    Quinn, N F; Brainard, D C; Szendrei, Z

    2016-12-01

    Conservation tillage combined with cover crops or mulching may enhance natural enemy activity in agroecosystems by reducing soil disturbance and increasing habitat structural complexity. In particular, weed seed predation can increase with vegetation cover and reduced tillage, indicating that mulches may improve the quality of the habitat for weed seed foraging. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of tillage and mulching for conservation biological control in cucurbit fields. The effects of mulch and reduced tillage on arthropods and rates of weed seed loss from arenas were examined in field trials on sandy soils in 2014 and 2015. Experimental factors included tillage and cover crop, each with two levels: strip-tillage or full-tillage, and cover crop mulch (rye residue) or no cover crop mulch (unmulched). Arthropod abundance on the crop foliage was not affected by tillage or cover crops. Contrary to expectations, epigeal natural enemies of insects and rates of weed seed removal either did not respond to treatments or were greater in full-tilled plots and plots without mulch. Our study demonstrates the potential importance of weed seed predators in reducing weed seedbanks in vegetable agroecosystems, and suggests that early-season tillage may not be detrimental to epigeal predator assemblages. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  13. 45 CFR 162.923 - Requirements for covered entities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Requirements for covered entities. 162.923 Section... Requirements for covered entities. (a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this part, if a covered entity conducts, with another covered entity that is required to comply with a transaction standard...

  14. 45 CFR 162.923 - Requirements for covered entities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Requirements for covered entities. 162.923 Section... Requirements for covered entities. (a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this part, if a covered entity conducts, with another covered entity that is required to comply with a transaction standard...

  15. 10 CFR 950.31 - Covered event dispute resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Covered event dispute resolution. 950.31 Section 950.31... § 950.31 Covered event dispute resolution. (a) If a sponsor disagrees with the Covered Event...) days of receipt of the Covered Event Determination, deliver to the Claims Administrator written notice...

  16. 10 CFR 950.31 - Covered event dispute resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Covered event dispute resolution. 950.31 Section 950.31... § 950.31 Covered event dispute resolution. (a) If a sponsor disagrees with the Covered Event...) days of receipt of the Covered Event Determination, deliver to the Claims Administrator written notice...

  17. 10 CFR 950.31 - Covered event dispute resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Covered event dispute resolution. 950.31 Section 950.31... § 950.31 Covered event dispute resolution. (a) If a sponsor disagrees with the Covered Event...) days of receipt of the Covered Event Determination, deliver to the Claims Administrator written notice...

  18. 10 CFR 950.31 - Covered event dispute resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Covered event dispute resolution. 950.31 Section 950.31... § 950.31 Covered event dispute resolution. (a) If a sponsor disagrees with the Covered Event...) days of receipt of the Covered Event Determination, deliver to the Claims Administrator written notice...

  19. 10 CFR 950.31 - Covered event dispute resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Covered event dispute resolution. 950.31 Section 950.31... § 950.31 Covered event dispute resolution. (a) If a sponsor disagrees with the Covered Event...) days of receipt of the Covered Event Determination, deliver to the Claims Administrator written notice...

  20. Universal slow dynamics in granular solids

    PubMed

    TenCate; Smith; Guyer

    2000-07-31

    Experimental properties of a new form of creep dynamics are reported, as manifest in a variety of sandstones, limestone, and concrete. The creep is a recovery behavior, following the sharp drop in elastic modulus induced either by nonlinear acoustic straining or rapid temperature change. The extent of modulus recovery is universally proportional to the logarithm of the time after source discontinuation in all samples studied, over a scaling regime covering at least 10(3) s. Comparison of acoustically and thermally induced creep suggests a single origin based on internal strain, which breaks the symmetry of the inducing source.

  1. Spectral Demixing and Spectral Index Correlations for Subpixel Quantification of Land-Cover Components from Coarse Resolution Imagery at Fort Bliss, Texas

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2003-12-01

    Application to Land-Cover Change in the Brazilian Amazon ,” Remote Sensing of Environment, vol 52, pp 137-154. Anderson, G.L., J.D. Hanson, and R.H. Haas...FORTRAN, Cambridge University Press. Price, K.P., D. A. Pyke,and L. Mendes. 1992. “Shrub Dieback in a Semiarid Ecosystem; The Integration of Remote

  2. Towards realistic Holocene land cover scenarios: integration of archaeological, palynological and geomorphological records and comparison to global land cover scenarios.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Brue, Hanne; Verstraeten, Gert; Broothaerts, Nils; Notebaert, Bastiaan

    2016-04-01

    Accurate and spatially explicit landscape reconstructions for distinct time periods in human history are essential for the quantification of the effect of anthropogenic land cover changes on, e.g., global biogeochemical cycles, ecology, and geomorphic processes, and to improve our understanding of interaction between humans and the environment in general. A long-term perspective covering Mid and Late Holocene land use changes is recommended in this context, as it provides a baseline to evaluate human impact in more recent periods. Previous efforts to assess the evolution and intensity of agricultural land cover in past centuries or millennia have predominantly focused on palynological records. An increasing number of quantitative techniques has been developed during the last two decades to transfer palynological data to land cover estimates. However, these techniques have to deal with equifinality issues and, furthermore, do not sufficiently allow to reconstruct spatial patterns of past land cover. On the other hand, several continental and global databases of historical anthropogenic land cover changes based on estimates of global population and the required agricultural land per capita have been developed in the past decennium. However, at such long temporal and spatial scales, reconstruction of past anthropogenic land cover intensities and spatial patterns necessarily involves many uncertainties and assumptions as well. Here, we present a novel approach that combines archaeological, palynological and geomorphological data for the Dijle catchment in the central Belgium Loess Belt in order to arrive at more realistic Holocene land cover histories. Multiple land cover scenarios (> 60.000) are constructed using probabilistic rules and used as input into a sediment delivery model (WaTEM/SEDEM). Model outcomes are confronted with a detailed geomorphic dataset on Holocene sediment fluxes and with REVEALS based estimates of vegetation cover using palynological data from

  3. 46 CFR 127.440 - Operability of window coverings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Operability of window coverings. 127.440 Section 127.440... ARRANGEMENTS Construction of Windows, Visibility, and Operability of Coverings § 127.440 Operability of window coverings. Any covering or protection placed over a window or porthole that could be used as a means of...

  4. Restructuring for Ethnic Peace: A Public Debate at the University of Hawaii.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tehranian, Majid, Ed.

    This volume represents the outcome of a series of seven public forums held at the University of Hawaii on problems of ethnic peace. The papers included cover such topics as academic freedom and responsibility; affirmative action and grievances; legacies of colonialism and racism; dynamics of class, ethnicity, culture, and education; and finally…

  5. Tuition and Fees at Virginia's State-Supported Colleges and Universities, 2015-16

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zheng, Yan; Hix, Dan

    2015-01-01

    Analysis of tuition and fees at public colleges and universities in Virginia must include a discussion of the funding received from the General Assembly. The period covered by this report represents a particularly complicated scenario that impacted not just higher education but all entities that receive general fund tax dollars in Virginia. The…

  6. Cytotoxicity of Etch-and-Rinse, Self-Etch, and Universal Dental Adhesive Systems in Fibroblast Cell Line 3T3

    PubMed Central

    Bernardo, Cintia Fernanda de Freitas; de Souza, Francielly Fernanda de Freitas A.; Michél, Milton Domingos; Ribeiro, Camila Nunes de Morais; Germano, Sandro; Maluf, Daniela Florencio

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate in fibroblast cultures the direct cytotoxic effects of etch-and-rinse, self-etch, and universal adhesive systems. The sterile glass cover slips (n = 3) were then immersed in culture medium to obtain the eluates for the experimental groups: (1) Adper™ Single Bond 2; (2) Ambar; (3) Adper™ Scotchbond™ Multi-Purpose; (4) Scotchbond™ Universal; (5) Ambar Universal; and (6) OptiBond All-In-One. As a negative control, sterile glass cover slips were immersed in culture medium only. After 24 h, the eluate obtained was applied on fibroblast culture. Cell viability and cell morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and SEM, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (α = 0.05). All adhesive systems except universal reduced cell viability in 3T3 cells to between 26.04% and 56.57%, and Scotchbond Universal and Ambar Universal reduced cell viability to 2.13% and 3.57%, respectively, when compared to the negative control. Cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage and cell-free areas with residual membrane fragments from dead cells were observed. In conclusion, improvements in universal adhesive system formulations and their mechanisms of action are not accompanied by increased toxicity compared with those in other systems, warranting commitment to the use of these dentin-pulp complexes. PMID:29109829

  7. The National Land Cover Database

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Homer, Collin G.; Fry, Joyce A.; Barnes, Christopher A.

    2012-01-01

    The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) serves as the definitive Landsat-based, 30-meter resolution, land cover database for the Nation. NLCD provides spatial reference and descriptive data for characteristics of the land surface such as thematic class (for example, urban, agriculture, and forest), percent impervious surface, and percent tree canopy cover. NLCD supports a wide variety of Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental applications that seek to assess ecosystem status and health, understand the spatial patterns of biodiversity, predict effects of climate change, and develop land management policy. NLCD products are created by the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium, a partnership of Federal agencies led by the U.S. Geological Survey. All NLCD data products are available for download at no charge to the public from the MRLC Web site: http://www.mrlc.gov.

  8. Land cover changes in central Sonora Mexico

    Treesearch

    Diego Valdez-Zamudio; Alejandro Castellanos-Villegas; Stuart Marsh

    2000-01-01

    Remote sensing techniques have been demonstrated to be very effective tools to help detect, analyze, and evaluate land cover changes in natural areas of the world. Changes in land cover can generally be attributed to either natural or anthropogenic forces. Multitemporal satellite imagery and airborne videography were used to detect, analyze, and evaluate land cover...

  9. Implant dentistry in postgraduate university education. Present conditions, potential, limitations and future trends.

    PubMed

    Mattheos, N; Wismeijer, D; Shapira, L

    2014-03-01

    In recent years, opportunities for postgraduate university education in implant dentistry have increased significantly, with an increase in both the number but also the complexity of available postgraduate programmes. However, there appears to be a lack of standards directing the learning outcomes of such programmes. A scientific literature search was conducted for publications reporting on university programmes within implant dentistry, including description of programmes and evaluation of learning outcomes. A separate Internet search was conducted to collect information on existing university programmes as presented on university websites. Implant dentistry has reached a critical mass of an independent, multidisciplinary and vibrant domain of science, which combines knowledge and discovery from many clinical and basic sciences. Many university programmes conclude with a master's or equivalent degree, but there appears to be a great diversity with regard to duration and learning objectives, as well as targeted skills and competences. The importance of implant dentistry has also increased within established specialist training programmes. There was little indication, however, that the comprehensive aspects of implant dentistry are present in all specialist training programmes where implants are being covered. Although universities should maintain the options of designing academic programmes as they best see fit, it is imperative for them to introduce some form of transparent and comparable criteria, which will allow the profession and the public to relate the degree and academic credentials to the actual skills and competences of the degree holder. With regard to established specialist training programmes, the interdisciplinary and comprehensive nature of implant dentistry needs to be emphasised, covering both surgical and restorative aspects. Finally, implant dentistry is not, at present, a dental specialty. The profession has not reached a consensus as to whether

  10. AsMA journal covers, a history.

    PubMed

    Day, Pamela C

    2014-01-01

    The cover of our journal has changed quite often over the years. As we look forward to changing the name and design of the journal, it seems appropriate to reflect on the previous journal titles and covers. A brief history follows.

  11. Modeling percent tree canopy cover: a pilot study

    Treesearch

    John W. Coulston; Gretchen G. Moisen; Barry T. Wilson; Mark V. Finco; Warren B. Cohen; C. Kenneth Brewer

    2012-01-01

    Tree canopy cover is a fundamental component of the landscape, and the amount of cover influences fire behavior, air pollution mitigation, and carbon storage. As such, efforts to empirically model percent tree canopy cover across the United States are a critical area of research. The 2001 national-scale canopy cover modeling and mapping effort was completed in 2006,...

  12. Cloud cover models derived from satellite radiation measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bean, S. J.; Somerville, P. N.

    1979-01-01

    Using daily measurement of day and night infrared and incoming and absorbed solar radiation obtained from a TIROS satellite over a period of approximately 45 months, and integrated over 2.5 degree latitude-longitude grids, the proportion of cloud cover over each grid each day was derived for the entire period. For each of four three-month periods, estimates a and b of the two parameters of the best-fit beta distribution were obtained for each grid location. The (a,b) plane was divided into a number of regions. All the geographical locations whose (a,b) estimates were in the same region in the (a,b) plane were said to have the same cloud cover type for that season. For each season, the world was thus divided into separate cloud cover types. Using estimates of mean cloud cover for each season, the world was again divided into separate cloud cover types. The process was repeated for standard deviations. Thus for each season, three separate cloud cover models were obtained using the criteria of shape of frequency distribution, mean cloud cover, and variability of cloud cover. The cloud cover statistics were derived from once-a-day, near-local-noon satellite radiation measurements.

  13. Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions--1988-1991.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    New York State Executive Office, Albany.

    The collective bargaining agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, for the period July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1991 is presented. The contract's 50 articles cover the following: recognition, unchallenged representation, exclusive negotiations, definitions, policies,…

  14. Intercomparison of Satellite-Derived Snow-Cover Maps

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hall, Dorothy K.; Tait, Andrew B.; Foster, James L.; Chang, Alfred T. C.; Allen, Milan

    1999-01-01

    In anticipation of the launch of the Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra, and the PM-1 spacecraft in 1999 and 2000, respectively, efforts are ongoing to determine errors of satellite-derived snow-cover maps. EOS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-E (AMSR-E) snow-cover products will be produced. For this study we compare snow maps covering the same study area acquired from different sensors using different snow- mapping algorithms. Four locations are studied: 1) southern Saskatchewan; 2) a part of New England (New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts) and eastern New York; 3) central Idaho and western Montana; and 4) parts of North and South Dakota. Snow maps were produced using a prototype MODIS snow-mapping algorithm used on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes of each study area at 30-m and when the TM data were degraded to 1 -km resolution. National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) 1 -km resolution snow maps were also used, as were snow maps derived from 1/2 deg. x 1/2 deg. resolution Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/1) data. A land-cover map derived from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) land-cover map of North America was also registered to the scenes. The TM, NOHRSC and SSM/I snow maps, and land-cover maps were compared digitally. In most cases, TM-derived maps show less snow cover than the NOHRSC and SSM/I maps because areas of incomplete snow cover in forests (e.g., tree canopies, branches and trunks) are seen in the TM data, but not in the coarser-resolution maps. The snow maps generally agree with respect to the spatial variability of the snow cover. The 30-m resolution TM data provide the most accurate snow maps, and are thus used as the baseline for comparison with the other maps. Comparisons show that the percent change in amount of snow cover relative to the 3 0-m resolution TM maps is lowest using the TM I -km resolution maps, ranging from 0 to 40

  15. Syndrome-source-coding and its universal generalization. [error correcting codes for data compression

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ancheta, T. C., Jr.

    1976-01-01

    A method of using error-correcting codes to obtain data compression, called syndrome-source-coding, is described in which the source sequence is treated as an error pattern whose syndrome forms the compressed data. It is shown that syndrome-source-coding can achieve arbitrarily small distortion with the number of compressed digits per source digit arbitrarily close to the entropy of a binary memoryless source. A 'universal' generalization of syndrome-source-coding is formulated which provides robustly effective distortionless coding of source ensembles. Two examples are given, comparing the performance of noiseless universal syndrome-source-coding to (1) run-length coding and (2) Lynch-Davisson-Schalkwijk-Cover universal coding for an ensemble of binary memoryless sources.

  16. 49 CFR 633.11 - Covered projects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT Project Management Oversight Services § 633.11 Covered projects. The Administrator may contract for project management oversight services when the... 49 Transportation 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Covered projects. 633.11 Section 633.11...

  17. 49 CFR 633.11 - Covered projects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT Project Management Oversight Services § 633.11 Covered projects. The Administrator may contract for project management oversight services when the... 49 Transportation 7 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Covered projects. 633.11 Section 633.11...

  18. 49 CFR 633.11 - Covered projects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT Project Management Oversight Services § 633.11 Covered projects. The Administrator may contract for project management oversight services when the... 49 Transportation 7 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Covered projects. 633.11 Section 633.11...

  19. 49 CFR 633.11 - Covered projects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT Project Management Oversight Services § 633.11 Covered projects. The Administrator may contract for project management oversight services when the... 49 Transportation 7 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Covered projects. 633.11 Section 633.11...

  20. 49 CFR 633.11 - Covered projects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT Project Management Oversight Services § 633.11 Covered projects. The Administrator may contract for project management oversight services when the... 49 Transportation 7 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Covered projects. 633.11 Section 633.11...

  1. 49 CFR 1016.103 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Proceedings covered. 1016.103 Section 1016.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD, DEPARTMENT... BY PARTIES TO BOARD ADJUDICATORY PROCEEDINGS General Provisions § 1016.103 Proceedings covered. (a...

  2. 49 CFR 1016.103 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 8 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Proceedings covered. 1016.103 Section 1016.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD, DEPARTMENT... BY PARTIES TO BOARD ADJUDICATORY PROCEEDINGS General Provisions § 1016.103 Proceedings covered. (a...

  3. Fish assemblage responses to forest cover

    Treesearch

    Chris L. Burcher; Matthew E. McTammany; E. Fred Benfield; Gene S. Helfman

    2008-01-01

    We investigated whether fish assemblage structure in southern Appalachian streams differed with historical and contemporary forest cover. We compared fish assemblages in 2nd?4th order streams draining watersheds that had increased forest cover between 1950 and 1993 (i.e., reforesting watersheds).

  4. Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Mirabegron and Solifenacin in Combination Compared with Monotherapy in Patients with Overactive Bladder: A Randomised, Multicentre Phase 3 Study (SYNERGY II).

    PubMed

    Gratzke, Christian; van Maanen, Rob; Chapple, Christopher; Abrams, Paul; Herschorn, Sender; Robinson, Dudley; Ridder, Arwin; Stoelzel, Matthias; Paireddy, Asha; Yoon, Sang Jin; Al-Shukri, Salman; Rechberger, Tomasz; Mueller, Elizabeth R

    2018-06-01

    The long-term potential of solifenacin and mirabegron combination treatment for patients with overactive bladder (OAB) has not been previously assessed. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of solifenacin succinate 5mg plus mirabegron 50mg tablets (combination treatment) versus solifenacin or mirabegron monotherapy in patients with OAB over 12 mo. Randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial (SYNERGY II) of patients with "wet" OAB symptoms (urinary frequency and urgency with incontinence) for ≥3 mo. The study was conducted from March 2014 to September 2016; with 1829 patients randomised. The full analysis set was comprised of 1794 patients. The primary objective was safety, measured as treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Efficacy was measured as the change from baseline to the end of treatment in the mean number of incontinence episodes/24h and micturitions/24h. The median age was 60 yr (range 19-86 yr) and 1434 patients (80%) were female. Overall, 856 patients (47%) experienced ≥1 TEAE. TEAE frequency was slightly higher in the combination group (596 patients, 49%; mirabegron 126 patients, 41%; solifenacin 134 patients, 44%). Serious TEAEs were reported by 67 patients (3.7%); one was considered possibly treatment-related (mirabegron group, atrial fibrillation). Dry mouth was the most common TEAE (combination 74 patients, 6.1%; solifenacin 18 patients, 5.9%; mirabegron 12 patients, 3.9%). Combination therapy was statistically superior to mirabegron and solifenacin for the number of incontinence episodes (vs mirabegron: adjusted mean difference [AMD] -0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.7 to -0.2, p<0.001; vs solifenacin: AMD -0.1, 95% CI -0.4 to 0.1, p=0.002) and micturitions (vs mirabegron: AMD -0.5, 95% CI -0.8 to -0.2, p<0.001; vs solifenacin: AMD -0.4, 95% CI -0.7 to -0.1, p=0.004). Mirabegron and solifenacin combination treatment for OAB symptoms was well tolerated over 12 mo and led to efficacy improvements over each monotherapy. This

  5. A transparently scalable visualization architecture for exploring the universe.

    PubMed

    Fu, Chi-Wing; Hanson, Andrew J

    2007-01-01

    Modern astronomical instruments produce enormous amounts of three-dimensional data describing the physical Universe. The currently available data sets range from the solar system to nearby stars and portions of the Milky Way Galaxy, including the interstellar medium and some extrasolar planets, and extend out to include galaxies billions of light years away. Because of its gigantic scale and the fact that it is dominated by empty space, modeling and rendering the Universe is very different from modeling and rendering ordinary three-dimensional virtual worlds at human scales. Our purpose is to introduce a comprehensive approach to an architecture solving this visualization problem that encompasses the entire Universe while seeking to be as scale-neutral as possible. One key element is the representation of model-rendering procedures using power scaled coordinates (PSC), along with various PSC-based techniques that we have devised to generalize and optimize the conventional graphics framework to the scale domains of astronomical visualization. Employing this architecture, we have developed an assortment of scale-independent modeling and rendering methods for a large variety of astronomical models, and have demonstrated scale-insensitive interactive visualizations of the physical Universe covering scales ranging from human scale to the Earth, to the solar system, to the Milky Way Galaxy, and to the entire observable Universe.

  6. Timely precipitation drives cover crop outcomes

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cover crops can expand ecosystem services, though sound management recommendations for their use within semi-arid cropping systems is currently constrained by a lack of information. This study was conducted to determine agroecosystem responses to late-summer seeded cover crops under no-till managem...

  7. Vegetative soil covers for hazardous waste landfills

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peace, Jerry L.

    Shallow land burial has been the preferred method for disposing of municipal and hazardous wastes in the United States because it is the simplest, cheapest, and most cost-effective method of disposal. Arid and semiarid regions of the western United States have received considerable attention over the past two decades in reference to hazardous, radioactive, and mixed waste disposal. Disposal is based upon the premise that low mean annual precipitation, high evapotranspiration, and low or negligible recharge, favor waste isolation from the environment for long periods of time. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that containment of municipal and hazardous wastes in arid and semiarid environments can be accomplished effectively without traditional, synthetic materials and complex, multi-layer systems. This research demonstrates that closure covers utilizing natural soils and native vegetation i.e., vegetative soil covers, will meet the technical equivalency criteria prescribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for hazardous waste landfills. Vegetative soil cover design combines layers of natural soil, native plant species, and climatic conditions to form a sustainable, functioning ecosystem that maintains the natural water balance. In this study, percolation through a natural analogue and an engineered cover is simulated using the one-dimensional, numerical code UNSAT-H. UNSAT-H is a Richards' equation-based model that simulates soil water infiltration, unsaturated flow, redistribution, evaporation, plant transpiration, and deep percolation. This study incorporates conservative, site-specific soil hydraulic and vegetation parameters. Historical meteorological data from 1919 to 1996 are used to simulate percolation through the natural analogue and an engineered cover, with and without vegetation. This study indicates that a 1 m (3 ft) cover is the minimum design thickness necessary to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  8. Serie Legislacion Educativa Argentina, 1: Leyes Universitarias (Series on Educational Legislation of Argentian, 1: Laws Governing Universities).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ministerio de Cultura y Educacion, Buenos Aires (Argentina). Centro National de Documentacion e Informacion Educativa.

    This document contains the laws governing national, private, and state universities in Argentina. The texts of the laws for each sector are contained, covering objectives, general administration, academic organization, students, and finances. (VM)

  9. Descriptive analysis of staff satisfaction and turnover intention in a Malaysian University

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sidik, Mohamad Hazeem; Hamid, Mohd Rashid Ab; Ibrahim, Abdullah

    2017-05-01

    This paper discussed the descriptive analysis of staff satisfaction in education organisation. This study employed a cross-sectional study involving a total of 1042 of respondents from a university in east coast of Malaysia. The survey covers six dimensions of staff satisfaction which are leadership, staff involvement, workload, self-development, working environment and communication. From the analysis of the mean score, it reveals that the staff enjoyed moderate level of satisfaction and the findings of the study generally support the past findings in the literature. This study paved the way for in-depth investigation towards staff satisfaction at the university under study.

  10. Memphis State University's New Five-year Program For the Initial Preparation of Teachers.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Saunders, Robert L.

    A description is presented of a new extended teacher education program at Memphis State University. Instituted in 1985, the program has four objectives: (1) to develop and implement an extended (five-year) program covering all areas of teacher preparation, with institutional recommendation for certification coming only after completion of the…

  11. A cloud cover model based on satellite data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Somerville, P. N.; Bean, S. J.

    1980-01-01

    A model for worldwide cloud cover using a satellite data set containing infrared radiation measurements is proposed. The satellite data set containing day IR, night IR and incoming and absorbed solar radiation measurements on a 2.5 degree latitude-longitude grid covering a 45 month period was converted to estimates of cloud cover. The global area was then classified into homogeneous cloud cover regions for each of the four seasons. It is noted that the developed maps can be of use to the practicing climatologist who can obtain a considerable amount of cloud cover information without recourse to large volumes of data.

  12. 7 CFR 353.4 - Products covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Products covered. 353.4 Section 353.4 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXPORT CERTIFICATION § 353.4 Products covered. Plants and plant products when...

  13. 7 CFR 353.4 - Products covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Products covered. 353.4 Section 353.4 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXPORT CERTIFICATION § 353.4 Products covered. Plants and plant products when...

  14. Thermal remote sensing of surface soil water content with partial vegetation cover for incorporation into climate models

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gillies, Robert R.; Carlson, Toby N.

    1995-01-01

    This study outlines a method for the estimation of regional patterns of surface moisture availability (M(sub 0)) and fractional vegetation (Fr) in the presence of spatially variable vegetation cover. The method requires relating variations in satellite-derived (NOAA, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)) surface radiant temperature to a vegetation index (computed from satellite visible and near-infrared data) while coupling this association to an inverse modeling scheme. More than merely furnishing surface soil moisture values, the method constitues a new conceptual and practical approach for combining thermal infrared and vegetation index measurements for incorporating the derived values of M(sub 0) into hydrologic and atmospheric prediction models. Application of the technique is demonstrated for a region in and around the city of Newcastle upon Tyne situated in the northeast of England. A regional estimate of M(sub 0) is derived and is probabbly good for fractional vegetation cover up to 80% before errors in the estimated soil water content become unacceptably large. Moreover, a normalization scheme is suggested from which a nomogram, `universal triangle,' is constructed and is seen to fit the observed data well. The universal triangle also simplifies the inclusion of remotely derived M(sub 0) in hydrology and meteorological models and is perhaps a practicable step toward integrating derived data from satellite measurements in weather forecasting.

  15. Climatological determinants of woody cover in Africa.

    PubMed

    Good, Stephen P; Caylor, Kelly K

    2011-03-22

    Determining the factors that influence the distribution of woody vegetation cover and resolving the sensitivity of woody vegetation cover to shifts in environmental forcing are critical steps necessary to predict continental-scale responses of dryland ecosystems to climate change. We use a 6-year satellite data record of fractional woody vegetation cover and an 11-year daily precipitation record to investigate the climatological controls on woody vegetation cover across the African continent. We find that-as opposed to a relationship with only mean annual rainfall-the upper limit of fractional woody vegetation cover is strongly influenced by both the quantity and intensity of rainfall events. Using a set of statistics derived from the seasonal distribution of rainfall, we show that areas with similar seasonal rainfall totals have higher fractional woody cover if the local rainfall climatology consists of frequent, less intense precipitation events. Based on these observations, we develop a generalized response surface between rainfall climatology and maximum woody vegetation cover across the African continent. The normalized local gradient of this response surface is used as an estimator of ecosystem vegetation sensitivity to climatological variation. A comparison between predicted climate sensitivity patterns and observed shifts in both rainfall and vegetation during 2009 reveals both the importance of rainfall climatology in governing how ecosystems respond to interannual fluctuations in climate and the utility of our framework as a means to forecast continental-scale patterns of vegetation shifts in response to future climate change.

  16. Replacing fallow by cover crops: economic sustainability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gabriel, José Luis; Garrido, Alberto; Quemada, Miguel

    2013-04-01

    Replacing fallow by cover crops in intensive fertilized systems has been demonstrated as an efficient tool for reducing nitrate leaching. However, despite the evident environmental services provided and the range of agronomic benefits documented in the literature, farmers' adoption of this new technology is still limited because they are either unwilling or unable, although adoption reluctance is frequently rooted in low economic profitability, low water se efficiency or poor knowledge. Economic analyses permit a comparison between the profit that farmers obtain from agricultural products and the cost of adopting specific agricultural techniques. The goal of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of replacing the usual winter fallow with cover crops (barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Vanessa), vetch (Vicia villosa L., cv. Vereda) and rapeseed (Brassica napus L., cv. Licapo)) in irrigated maize systems and variable Mediterranean weather conditions using stochastic Monte-Carlo simulations of key farms' financial performance indicators. The three scenarios studied for each cover crop were: i) just leaving the cover crop residue in the ground, ii) leaving the cover crop residue but reduce following maize fertilization according to the N available from the previous cover crop and iii) selling the cover crop residue for animal feeding. All the scenarios were compared with respect to a typical maize-fallow rotation. With observed data from six different years and in various field trials, looking for different weather conditions, probability distribution functions of maize yield, cover crop biomass production and N fertilizer saving was fitted. Based in statistical sources maize grain price, different forage prices and the cost of fertilizer were fitted to probability distribution functions too. As result, introducing a cover crop involved extra costs with respect to fallow as the initial investment, because new seed, herbicide or extra field operations. Additional

  17. Completion of the 2011 National Land Cover Database for the Conterminous United States – Representing a Decade of Land Cover Change Information

    EPA Science Inventory

    The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) provides nationwide data on land cover and land cover change at the native 30-m spatial resolution of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM). The database is designed to provide five-year cyclical updating of United States land cover and associat...

  18. The College Hill Chronicles: How the University of Alaska Came of Age.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Davis, Neil

    This volume relates the founding and subsequent history of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. It is written by a retired former student and lifelong faculty member in the geophysics department. Divided into major sections, the first covers the site, early Alaskan history, founding of the school when the focus was on agriculture and mining, the…

  19. 14 CFR 14.02 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Proceedings covered. 14.02 Section 14.02 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURAL RULES RULES IMPLEMENTING THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT OF 1980 General Provisions § 14.02 Proceedings covered. (a) The...

  20. 14 CFR 14.02 - Proceedings covered.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Proceedings covered. 14.02 Section 14.02 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURAL RULES RULES IMPLEMENTING THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT OF 1980 General Provisions § 14.02 Proceedings covered. (a) The...