Approaches to Studying and Academic Performance in Short Essay Exams

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minbashian, Amirali; Huon, Gail F.; Bird, Kevin D.

2004-01-01

Previous research has generally failed to find a relation between the way students approach the task of studying and their exam grades. The present study investigated why it is that a deep approach to studying, which has been shown to result in a higher quality of learning, does not consistently result in higher exam grades. The participants in…

Real-World Treatment Patterns for Golimumab and Concomitant Medications in Japanese Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

PubMed

Okazaki, Masateru; Kobayashi, Hisanori; Ishii, Yutaka; Kanbori, Masayoshi; Yajima, Tsutomu

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate real-world treatment patterns for use of golimumab and concomitant medications in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study was a post hoc retrospective analysis from post-marketing surveillance data on 2350 Japanese patients with moderate/severe rheumatoid arthritis who received golimumab for 24 weeks. The study population was divided based on initiation treatment or dose adjustment patterns with golimumab, methotrexate, or oral glucocorticoids. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the baseline factors associated with administration of golimumab (100 mg) were higher body weight, failure of prior biological therapy (bio-failure), no previous methotrexate use, and respiratory disease, while previous methotrexate use and absence of renal impairment or respiratory disease were associated with concomitant methotrexate therapy, and previous glucocorticoid use was associated with concomitant glucocorticoid therapy. The following associations were identified with regard to dose adjustment during treatment: bio-failure, no previous methotrexate use, previous csDMARDs use, presence of respiratory disease, allergy history, and higher CRP for golimumab dose escalation; shorter disease duration, previous GC, and no previous methotrexate use for methotrexate dose escalation; no prior biological therapy and renal impairment for methotrexate dose reduction; no previous GC use for glucocorticoid dose escalation; and absence of Steinbrocker's stage II/III/IV, absence of Steinbrocker's class II, no bio-failure, and no previous csDMARDs use for glucocorticoid dose reduction. This study revealed that various baseline factors were associated with initiation of treatment and dose adjustment of golimumab, methotrexate, or oral glucocorticoids, reflecting both the treatment strategies of physicians for improving RA symptoms and/or reducing adverse events. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.

Organizational Learning and the Application of Intelligence Processes in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breckenridge, James Garvin

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to explore intelligence processes and procedures as they apply to organizational learning in higher education settings. This exploration seeks to identify key components and processes in higher education institutions that were previously identified in the research as important and integral to the discipline of…

Open-Source Learning Management Systems: A Predictive Model for Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Rooij, S. Williams

2012-01-01

The present study investigated the role of pedagogical, technical, and institutional profile factors in an institution of higher education's decision to select an open-source learning management system (LMS). Drawing on the results of previous research that measured patterns of deployment of open-source software (OSS) in US higher education and…

Part-Time Students and Part-Time Study in Higher Education in the UK: Strand 2--A Survey of the Issues Facing Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boorman, Susan; Brown, Nigel; Payne, Philip; Ramsden, Brian

2006-01-01

This is the report on part-time study in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) for Universities UK and GuildHE (previously SCOP) from Nigel Brown Associates. It forms Strand 2 of the wider research into part-time higher education commissioned by Universities UK and GuildHE using quantitative data not available from published sources and…

Development of the Global-Self through Collegiate Recreational Sports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Accetta, Alexander Rocco

2017-01-01

Today's student has more access to global issues than any previous generation. Nearly one million higher education students study abroad worldwide, the workplace reflects a need to be interculturally competent, and students rarely have opportunities to learn how to thrive in the new global environment. This study explored how higher education, and…

Student Facilitators' Habits of Mind and Their Influences on Higher-Level Knowledge Construction Occurrences in Online Discussions: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hew, Khe Foon; Cheung, Wing Sum

2011-01-01

Previous research studies on factors influencing student higher-level knowledge construction in asynchronous online discussions have largely focused on the instructors' role, student learning style, and the complexity of the discussion task. This study explores the issue from a different angle--that of student facilitators' habits of mind.…

Motivation and social contexts: a crossnational pilot study of achievement, power, and affiliation motives.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaoyan; Xu, Yangang; Mellor, David; Duan, Liqiong

2012-01-01

Previous research suggests that there is a relationship between social contexts (e.g., economic growth, engagement in wars) and motives within populations. In particular, high achievement motive is associated with subsequent economic growth, which in turn increases power motive. Increased national achievement and power motives have been argued to precede social changes that lead to decreased affiliation motives, and engagement in wars. The present study aimed to examine differences in achievement, power, and affiliation motives between 266 college students in China (a nation with sustained high economic growth) and 255 college students in the USA (a nation with previously strong but now slowing economic growth, and engaged in war). Analysis of personal strivings suggested that Chinese college students showed significantly higher levels of achievement motive than the American college students, but American college students showed significantly higher levels of affiliation motive than Chinese college students. Overall, males exhibited higher achievement motivation than females. No significant interaction effects were found for gender by location for any of the three motives. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research.

Researcher Creations? The Positioning of Policy Texts in Higher Education Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashwin, Paul; Smith, Karen

2015-01-01

In this article we explore the way in which policy texts are positioned in a selection of higher education journal articles. Previous research has suggested that policy implementation studies have taken an uncritical approach to researching policies. Based on an analysis of articles published in higher education and policy journals in 2011, we…

The European Round Table of Industrialists and the Restructuring of European Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kauppinen, Ilkka

2014-01-01

The restructuring of European higher education (EHE) since the 1980s is a widely studied subject. However, this paper argues that previous studies have paid insufficient attention to the role of transnational policy-making groups in this complex and multilevel process. This argument is supported by focusing on how the European Round Table of…

Differentiation and Exploration of Model MACP for HE VER 1.0 on Prototype Performance Measurement Application for Higher Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Akbar, R. Reza; Anshary, Muhammad Adi Khairul; Hariadi, Dennis

2018-02-01

Model MACP for HE ver.1. Is a model that describes how to perform measurement and monitoring performance for Higher Education. Based on a review of the research related to the model, there are several parts of the model component to develop in further research, so this research has four main objectives. The first objective is to differentiate the CSF (critical success factor) components in the previous model, the two key KPI (key performance indicators) exploration in the previous model, the three based on the previous objective, the new and more detailed model design. The final goal is the fourth designed prototype application for performance measurement in higher education, based on a new model created. The method used is explorative research method and application design using prototype method. The results of this study are first, forming a more detailed new model for measurement and monitoring of performance in higher education, differentiation and exploration of the Model MACP for HE Ver.1. The second result compiles a dictionary of college performance measurement by re-evaluating the existing indicators. The third result is the design of prototype application of performance measurement in higher education.

Diabetes, plasma glucose and incidence of pancreatic cancer: A prospective study of 0.5 million Chinese adults and a meta-analysis of 22 cohort studies.

PubMed

Pang, Yuanjie; Kartsonaki, Christiana; Guo, Yu; Bragg, Fiona; Yang, Ling; Bian, Zheng; Chen, Yiping; Iona, Andri; Millwood, Iona Y; Lv, Jun; Yu, Canqing; Chen, Junshi; Li, Liming; Holmes, Michael V; Chen, Zhengming

2017-04-15

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) in Western populations. Uncertainty remains, however, about the relevance of plasma glucose for PC among people without diabetes and about the associations of diabetes and high blood glucose with PC in China where the increase in diabetes prevalence has been very recent. The prospective China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study recruited 512,000 adults aged 30-79 years from 10 diverse areas of China during 2004-2008, recording 595 PC cases during 8 years of follow-up. Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for PC associated with diabetes (previously diagnosed or screen-detected) and, among those without previously diagnosed diabetes, with levels of random plasma glucose (RPG). These were further meta-analysed with 22 published prospective studies. Overall 5.8% of CKB participants had diabetes at baseline. Diabetes was associated with almost twofold increased risk of PC (adjusted HR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.48-2.37), with excess risk higher in those with longer duration since diagnosis (p for trend = 0.01). Among those without previously diagnosed diabetes, each 1 mmol/L higher usual RPG was associated with a HR of 1.12 (1.04-1.21). In meta-analysis of CKB and 22 other studies, previously diagnosed diabetes was associated with a 52% excess risk (1.52, 1.43-1.63). Among those without diabetes, each 1 mmol/L higher blood glucose was associated with a 15% (1.15, 1.09-1.21) excess risk. In Chinese and non-Chinese populations, diabetes and higher blood glucose levels among those without diabetes are associated with an increased risk of PC. © 2017 The Authors International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.

Key Factors that Influence the Diffusion and Infusion of Information and Communication Technologies in Kenyan Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macharia, Jimmy K. N.; Pelser, Theunis G.

2014-01-01

Previous studies have shown that in the higher education sector, information and communication technology (ICT) provides the impetus for change from the traditional concepts of teaching and learning, as well as prime motivation behind the change in scholarly and professional activities. This underscores the importance of ICT in higher education in…

Informal Peer-Assisted Learning Groups Did Not Lead to Better Performance of Saudi Dental Students.

PubMed

AbdelSalam, Maha; El Tantawi, Maha; Al-Ansari, Asim; AlAgl, Adel; Al-Harbi, Fahad

2017-01-01

To describe peer-assisted learning (PAL) groups formed by dental undergraduate students in a biomedical course and to investigate the association of individual and group characteristics with academic performance. In 2015, 92 fourth-year students (43 males and 49 females) in the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, were invited to form PAL groups to study a unit of a biomedical course. An examination was used to assess their knowledge after 2 weeks. In addition, a questionnaire and social network analysis were used to investigate (1) individual student attributes: gender, role, subject matter knowledge, grade in previous year, teaming with friends, previous communication with teammates, and content discussion, and (2) group attributes: group teacher's previous grade, number of colleagues with whom a student connected, teaming with friends, similarity of teammates' previous grades, and teacher having higher previous grades than other teammates. Regression analysis was used to assess the association of examination scores with individual and group attributes. The response rate was 80.4% (74 students: 36 males and 38 females). Students who previously scored grades A and B had higher examination scores than students with grades C/less (regression coefficient = 18.50 and 13.39) within the groups. Higher scores were not associated with working in groups including friends only (regression coefficient = 1.17) or when all students had similar previous grades (regression coefficient = 0.85). Students with previous high grades benefited to a greater extent from working in PAL groups. Similarity of teammates in PAL groups was not associated with better scores. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

[Assessment of central hemodynamic properties of the arterial wall in women with previous preeclampsia].

PubMed

Polónia, Jorge; Olival, Catarina; Ribeiro, Sílvia; Silva, José A; Barbosa, Loide

2014-06-01

We investigated viscoelastic properties of the arterial wall in women with previous preeclampsia (PE) compared to those with normal pregnancy (NP). In a cross-sectional study 45 women with previous PE and 55 with NP were included, matched for age (PE 38±6 vs. NP 38±5 years, NS) and body mass index: (PE 25±4 vs. NP 26±4 kg/m(2), NS) studied, respectively, 76±34 and 86±48 months after delivery. We assessed arterial distensibility - pulse wave velocity (PWV, Complior) and reflected waves (augmentation pressure [AP], mmHg) and augmentation index (AIx) - in the central pressure wave and blood pressure (BP) on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). PE showed higher (p<0.01) peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP): PE 131±18 vs. NP 121±19, and central SBP: PE 122±18 vs. NP 110±19 mmHg, with less amplification of central-peripheral pressure: PE 10±4 vs. NP 12±5, p=0.041, and higher (p<0.05) AP: PE 10±3 vs. NP 8±2, and AIx: PE 26±5 vs. NP 20±5 mmHg, but PE and NP did not differ in pulse wave velocity. On ABPM, PE (n=39) vs. NP (n=33) had higher nighttime SBP: PE 121±10 vs. NP 108±10 mmHg and lower percentage nocturnal SBP fall: PE 11±6 vs. NP 18±11%, both p<0.02. During follow-up, the need for antihypertensive medication was seven times higher in PE than in NP. Women with previous PE have a greater risk of hypertension, higher nighttime BP values, blunted nocturnal BP fall and changes in central pressure suggestive of increased reflected waves and peripheral vascular resistance. These factors may contribute to their higher cardiovascular risk after pregnancy. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Abnormal eating attitudes and behaviours and perceived parental control: a study of white British and British-Asian school girls.

PubMed

Furnham, A; Adam-Saib, S

2001-09-01

Previous studies have found significantly higher scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) which measures eating disorders among second-generation British-Asian schoolgirls in comparison to their White counterparts. Further, high EAT-26 scores (an indication of unhealthy eating attitudes and behaviours) are positively associated with parental overprotection scores on the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). This study aimed to replicate and extend previous findings, comparing British-Asian schoolgirls to White schoolgirls and consider 'intra-Asian' differences on the same measures, including factor scores. Participants completed three questionnaires: EAT-26, PBI and BSS (Body Satisfaction Scale). There were 168 participants: 46 White, 40 Indian, 44 Pakistani and 38 Bengali. Previous findings were supported; the Asian scores were significantly higher than the White scores on the EAT-26 and PBI, but not the BSS. The Bengali sample had significantly higher EAT-26 total and 'oral control' scores than the other groups. There were no intra-Asian differences for the overprotection scores. PBI scores were not associated with EAT-26 scores. The BSS score was the only significant predictor of EAT scores, when entered into a regression along with PBI scores and the body mass index. Results demonstrated sociocultural factors in the development of eating disorders. The results suggest that there are important psychological differences between second-generation migrants from different countries on the Indian subcontinent. In line with previous studies, significant differences were found between the four ethnic groups, parenting styles, but these did not relate to actual eating disorders.

Higher Education-Business Interaction Survey. Research Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charles, David; Conway, Cheryl

A survey was conducted to study the interactions between higher education and business in the United Kingdom, updating previous surveys, and capturing the key outputs of such interactions, taking into account the institutions' differing missions, strategies, capacities, and expertise. Additional purposes were to quantify a baseline for the…

Association between Australian-Indian mothers' controlling feeding practices and children's appetite traits.

PubMed

Jani, Rati; Mallan, Kimberley M; Daniels, Lynne

2015-01-01

This cross-sectional study examined the association between controlling feeding practices and children's appetite traits. The secondary aim studied the relationship between controlling feeding practices and two proxy indicators of diet quality. Participants were 203 Australian-Indian mothers with children aged 1-5 years. Controlling feeding practices (pressure to eat, restriction, monitoring) and children's appetite traits (food approach traits: food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, desire to drink, emotional overeating; food avoidance traits: satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, fussiness and emotional undereating) were measured using self-reported, previously validated scales/questionnaires. Children's daily frequency of consumption of core and non-core foods was estimated using a 49-item list of foods eaten (yes/no) in the previous 24 hours as an indicator of diet quality. Higher pressure to eat was associated with higher scores for satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, fussiness and lower score for enjoyment of food. Higher restriction was related to higher scores for food responsiveness and emotional overeating. Higher monitoring was inversely associated with fussiness, slowness in eating, food responsiveness and emotional overeating and positively associated with enjoyment of food. Pressure to eat and monitoring were related to lower number of core and non-core foods consumed in the previous 24 hours, respectively. All associations remained significant after adjusting for maternal and child covariates (n = 152 due to missing data). In conclusion, pressure to eat was associated with higher food avoidance traits and lower consumption of core foods. Restrictive feeding practices were associated with higher food approach traits. In contrast, monitoring practices were related to lower food avoidance and food approach traits and lower non-core food consumption. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exposure-efficacy Relationships for Vedolizumab Induction Therapy in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

PubMed

Rosario, Maria; French, Jonathan L; Dirks, Nathanael L; Sankoh, Serap; Parikh, Asit; Yang, Huyuan; Danese, Silvio; Colombel, Jean-Frédéric; Smyth, Michael; Sandborn, William J; Feagan, Brian G; Reinisch, Walter; Sands, Bruce E; Sans, Miguel; Fox, Irving

2017-08-01

A positive relationship between vedolizumab trough serum concentrations and clinical outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] or Crohn's disease [CD] has been reported. Here we further explore exposure-efficacy relationships for vedolizumab induction therapy in post hoc analyses of GEMINI study data. Vedolizumab trough concentrations at Week 6 or 10 were grouped in quartiles and clinical outcome rates calculated. Exposure-efficacy relationships at Week 6 and potential baseline covariate effects were explored using logistic regression and individual predicted cumulative average concentration through Week 6 [Caverage] as exposure measure. Higher vedolizumab concentrations were associated with higher clinical remission rates; the exposure-efficacy relationship was steeper for UC than CD. Unadjusted analyses overestimated the relationship, more so for CD. From covariate-adjusted models, average probability of remission at Week 6 increased by approximately 15% for UC and 10% for CD between Caverage values of 35 and 84 µg/ml [5th and 95th percentiles, respectively]. On average, patients with higher albumin, lower faecal calprotectin [UC only], lower C-reactive protein [CD only], and no previous tumour necrosis factor-α [TNFα] antagonist use had a higher remission probability. Previous TNFα antagonist use had the greatest impact; remission probability was approximately 10% higher in treatment-naïve patients. Higher vedolizumab serum concentrations were associated with higher remission rates after induction therapy in patients with moderately to severely active UC or CD. This relationship is affected by several factors, including previous TNFα antagonist use. Prospective studies are needed to assess vedolizumab dose individualisation and optimisation. Copyright © 2017 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Lack of replication of higher genetic risk load in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Alonso-Perez, Elisa; Suarez-Gestal, Marian; Calaza, Manuel; Blanco, Francisco J; Suarez, Ana; Santos, Maria Jose; Papasteriades, Chryssa; Carreira, Patricia; Pullmann, Rudolf; Ordi-Ros, Josep; Marchini, Maurizio; Skopouli, Fotini N; Bijl, Marc; Barrizone, Nadia; Sebastiani, Gian Domenico; Migliaresi, Sergio; Witte, Torsten; Lauwerys, Bernard R; Kovacs, Attila; Ruzickova, Sarka; Gomez-Reino, Juan J; Gonzalez, Antonio

2014-06-19

We aimed to replicate a recent study which showed higher genetic risk load at 15 loci in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This difference was very significant, and it was interpreted as indicating that men require more genetic susceptibility than women to develop SLE. Nineteen SLE-associated loci (thirteen of which are shared with the previous study) were analyzed in 1,457 SLE patients and 1,728 healthy controls of European ancestry. Genetic risk load was calculated as sex-specific sum genetic risk scores (GRS(s)). Our results did not replicate those of the previous study at either the level of individual loci or the global level of GRS(s). GRS(s) were larger in women than in men (4.20 ± 1.07 in women vs. 3.27 ± 0.98 in men). This very significant difference (P < 10(-16)) was more dependent on the six new loci not included in the previous study (59% of the difference) than on the thirteen loci that are shared (the remaining 41%). However, the 13 shared loci also showed a higher genetic risk load in women than in men in our study (P = 6.6 × 10(-7)), suggesting that heterogeneity of participants, in addition to different loci, contributed to the opposite results. Our results show the lack of a clear trend toward higher genetic risk in one of the sexes for the analyzed SLE loci. They also highlight several limitations of assessments of genetic risk load, including the possibility of ascertainment bias with loci discovered in studies that have included mainly women.

Lack of replication of higher genetic risk load in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Introduction We aimed to replicate a recent study which showed higher genetic risk load at 15 loci in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This difference was very significant, and it was interpreted as indicating that men require more genetic susceptibility than women to develop SLE. Methods Nineteen SLE-associated loci (thirteen of which are shared with the previous study) were analyzed in 1,457 SLE patients and 1,728 healthy controls of European ancestry. Genetic risk load was calculated as sex-specific sum genetic risk scores (GRSs). Results Our results did not replicate those of the previous study at either the level of individual loci or the global level of GRSs. GRSs were larger in women than in men (4.20 ± 1.07 in women vs. 3.27 ± 0.98 in men). This very significant difference (P < 10−16) was more dependent on the six new loci not included in the previous study (59% of the difference) than on the thirteen loci that are shared (the remaining 41%). However, the 13 shared loci also showed a higher genetic risk load in women than in men in our study (P = 6.6 × 10−7), suggesting that heterogeneity of participants, in addition to different loci, contributed to the opposite results. Conclusion Our results show the lack of a clear trend toward higher genetic risk in one of the sexes for the analyzed SLE loci. They also highlight several limitations of assessments of genetic risk load, including the possibility of ascertainment bias with loci discovered in studies that have included mainly women. PMID:24946689

Assessing the Effect of Spaceflight on the Propensity for Astronauts to Develop Disc Herniation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feiveson, A.; Mendez, C.; Somers, J.

2015-01-01

A previous study reported that the instantaneous risk of developing a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP) was higher in astronauts who had flown at least one mission, as compared with those in the corps who had not yet flown. However, the study only analyzed time to HNP after the first mission (if any) and did not account for the possible effects of multiple missions. While many HNPs occurred well into astronauts' careers or in somecases years after retirement, the higher incidence of HNPs relatively soon after completion of space missions appears to indicate that spaceflight may lead to an increased risk of HNP. In addition, when an HNP occurs after spaceflight, is it related to previous spaceflight exposure? The purpose of this study was to investigate whether multiple missions, sex, age, vehicle landing dynamics, and flight duration affect the risk of developing an HNP usinga competing risks model. The outcome of the study will inform the Human System Risk Board assessment of back pain, inform the risk of injury due to dynamic loads, and update the previous dataset, which contained events up to December 31, 2006.

Differentiation and Social Selectivity in German Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schindler, Steffen; Reimer, David

2011-01-01

In this paper we investigate social selectivity in access to higher education in Germany and, unlike most previous studies, explicitly devote attention to semi-tertiary institutions such as the so-called universities of cooperative education. Drawing on rational choice models of educational decisions we seek to understand which factors influence…

Metaphors as Expressions of Followers' Experiences with Academic Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skorobohacz, Christina; Billot, Jennie; Murray, Shannon; Khong, Lana Y. L.

2016-01-01

Researchers continue to investigate and understand leadership in higher education. However, leadership does not stand alone; it is part of an interactive dyad with followers. Building on a previous study that aimed to unpack academics' experiences of leadership in higher education with a view to enhancing leadership practices, this paper…

The Current State of Marketing Activity among Higher Education Institutions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newman, Cynthia M.

2002-01-01

Investigated the current state of marketing, marketing research, and planning practices at four-year higher education institutions. Builds upon previous studies by Blackburn (1979) and Goldgehn (1982 and 1989). Determined whether the use and apparent understanding of marketing and its attendant activities by admissions and enrollment management…

Evolution: oskar reveals missing link in co-optive evolution.

PubMed

Abouheif, Ehab

2013-01-07

The oskar gene is critical for germ plasm formation and reproduction in higher insects. A recent study reports that oskar has more ancient roots than previously thought, indicating it was co-opted for its reproductive role in higher insects. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An Examination of the (Un)Intended Consequences of Performance Funding in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Umbricht, Mark R.; Fernandez, Frank; Ortagus, Justin C.

2017-01-01

Previous studies have shown that state performance funding policies do not increase baccalaureate degree production, but higher education scholarship lacks a rigorous, quantitative analysis of the unintended consequences of performance funding. In this article, we use difference-in-differences estimation with fixed effects to evaluate performance…

Understanding the Gender and Ethnicity Attainment Gap in UK Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cotton, D. R. E.; Joyner, M.; George, R.; Cotton, P. A.

2016-01-01

In recent years, the success rates of different groups of students in higher education have come under considerable scrutiny, with gender and ethnicity identified as key attributes predicting differential achievement of "good degrees". A review of previous studies highlights the need for research which looks beyond "the deficit…

Internationalization of Higher Education in University Institution Rankings: The Influence of National Culture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delgado-Márquez, Blanca L.; Hurtado-Torres, Nuria E.; Bondar, Yaroslava

2012-01-01

Internationalization constitutes a widespread concept in the management literature and has recently begun to be applied to higher education institutions. While previous research has analyzed the relationship between national culture and corporate profit-oriented behavior, in this study, we focus on university institutions to investigate the…

Technical Efficiency and Productivity for Higher Education Institutions in Sweden

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andersson, C.; Antelius, J.; Månsson, J.; Sund, K.

2017-01-01

This study investigates technical efficiency and productivity for Swedish higher education institutions (HEIs). One identified problem in previous research concerns adjusting efficiency scores for input quality. This problem is avoided using grades from upper-secondary schools. A second problem concerns heterogeneity with respect to subjects and…

Research Issues in Evaluating Learning Pattern Development in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, John T. E.

2013-01-01

This article concludes the special issue of "Studies in Educational Evaluation" concerned with "Evaluating learning pattern development in higher education" by discussing research issues that have emerged from the previous contributions. The article considers in turn: stability versus variability in learning patterns; old versus new analytic…

The Professor-Student Learning Relationship in Higher Education: Wisdom from Students with Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fox, Laurie; McNally, Jennifer Ceven

2018-01-01

This mixed-methods study addressed the professor-student learning relationship in higher education and perception of its helpfulness in learning among college students with diagnosed learning disabilities. The Relationship and Learning Questionnaire drew items from four previously researched instruments. Results identify students' preference for…

Emission factors for gaseous and particulate pollutants from offshore diesel engine vessels in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Fan; Chen, Yingjun; Tian, Chongguo; Lou, Diming; Li, Jun; Zhang, Gan; Matthias, Volker

2016-05-01

Shipping emissions have significant influence on atmospheric environment as well as human health, especially in coastal areas and the harbour districts. However, the contribution of shipping emissions on the environment in China still need to be clarified especially based on measurement data, with the large number ownership of vessels and the rapid developments of ports, international trade and shipbuilding industry. Pollutants in the gaseous phase (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, total volatile organic compounds) and particle phase (particulate matter, organic carbon, elemental carbon, sulfates, nitrate, ammonia, metals) in the exhaust from three different diesel-engine-powered offshore vessels in China (350, 600 and 1600 kW) were measured in this study. Concentrations, fuel-based and power-based emission factors for various operating modes as well as the impact of engine speed on emissions were determined. Observed concentrations and emission factors for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, total volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter were higher for the low-engine-power vessel (HH) than for the two higher-engine-power vessels (XYH and DFH); for instance, HH had NOx EF (emission factor) of 25.8 g kWh-1 compared to 7.14 and 6.97 g kWh-1 of DFH, and XYH, and PM EF of 2.09 g kWh-1 compared to 0.14 and 0.04 g kWh-1 of DFH, and XYH. Average emission factors for all pollutants except sulfur dioxide in the low-engine-power engineering vessel (HH) were significantly higher than that of the previous studies (such as 30.2 g kg-1 fuel of CO EF compared to 2.17 to 19.5 g kg-1 fuel in previous studies, 115 g kg-1 fuel of NOx EF compared to 22.3 to 87 g kg-1 fuel in previous studies and 9.40 g kg-1 fuel of PM EF compared to 1.2 to 7.6 g kg-1 fuel in previous studies), while for the two higher-engine-power vessels (DFH and XYH), most of the average emission factors for pollutants were comparable to the results of the previous studies, engine type was one of the most important influence factors for the differences. Emission factors for all three vessels were significantly different during different operating modes. Organic carbon and elemental carbon were the main components of particulate matter, while water-soluble ions and elements were present in trace amounts. The test inland ships and some test offshore vessels in China always had higher EFs for CO, NOx, and PM than previous studies. Besides, due to the significant influence of engine type on shipping emissions and that no accurate local EFs could be used in inventory calculation, much more measurement data for different vessels in China are still in urgent need. Best-fit engine speeds during actual operation should be based on both emission factors and economic costs.

Understanding Service Utilization in Cases of Elder Abuse to Inform Best Practices.

PubMed

Burnes, David; Rizzo, Victoria M; Gorroochurn, Prakash; Pollack, Martha H; Lachs, Mark S

2016-10-01

Elder abuse (EA) case resolution is contingent upon victims accepting and pursuing protective service interventions. Refusal/underutilization of services is a major problem. This study explored factors associated with extent of EA victim service utilization (SU). Data were collected from a random sample of EA cases (n = 250) at a protective service program in New York City. In cases involving financial abuse, higher SU was associated with females, poor health, perceived danger, previous help-seeking, and self or family referral. In physical abuse cases, higher SU was associated with family referral and previous help-seeking; lower SU was related to Hispanic race/ethnicity, being married, and child/grandchild perpetrator. In emotional abuse cases, higher SU was associated with self or family referral, victim-perpetrator gender differential, perceived danger, and previous help-seeking; lower SU was related to child/grandchild perpetrator. Findings carry implications for best practices to retain and promote service use among elder victims of abuse. © The Author(s) 2014.

High Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Levels in Older Patients with Acute Hip Fracture Are Correlated with Worse Function and Increased Bone Resorption

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Previous studies suggested that higher SHBG levels are associated with an increased hip fracture risk and that higher testosterone levels may reduce the odds of falling among men and women age 65 and older. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation of serum testosterone and SHBG with...

The Influence of Relationship Networks on Academic Performance in Higher Education: A Comparative Study between Students of a Creative and a Non-Creative Discipline

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomás-Miquel, José-Vicente; Expósito-Langa, Manuel; Nicolau-Juliá, Débora

2016-01-01

In recent years, the literature has highlighted the importance of relational aspects on student attainment in higher education. Much of this previous work agrees with the idea that students' connectedness has beneficial effects on their performance. However, this literature has generally overlooked the influence that the discipline of study may…

Incidence of status epilepticus in southern Europe: a population study in the health district of Ferrara, Italy.

PubMed

Govoni, Vittorio; Fallica, Elisa; Monetti, Vincenza Cinzia; Guerzoni, Franco; Faggioli, Raffaella; Casetta, Ilaria; Granieri, Enrico

2008-01-01

The epidemiologic features of status epilepticus (SE) are still in the course of definition. We carried out an intensive survey of multiple sources of case material in the resident population of the health district of Ferrara, Italy, in 2003. Information was collected on age, gender, duration, seizure type and etiology of SE. The age- adjusted annual incidence rate of SE was 27.2/100,000 (95% CI = 19.4-36.9) and it was higher in men (41.7/100,000, 95% CI = 26.9-61.7) than in women (12.3/100,000, 95% CI = 6.9-20.4). The incidence was higher in the elderly (older than 60 years, 39.2/100,000) than in younger adults in the age group 20-59 years (14.7/100,000). The age-specific incidence showed a bimodal distribution peaking in the youngest (0-4 years) and in the oldest age group (75+ years). Cerebrovascular disease was the most frequent etiologic factor (45%). Epilepsy had previously been diagnosed in 40% of the patients. The case fatality was 5%. The study found a higher incidence of SE than that expected on the basis of the previous European studies suggesting that the risk of SE in southern Europe is higher and more similar to that estimated in population studies in the United States. The case fatality was lower than that reported in previous South-European population studies despite the similar clinical features of the patients. Indirect evidence suggests that several factors related to the SE management could have positively influenced the outcome. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Metabolic and steroidogenic alterations related to increased frequency of polycystic ovaries in women with a history of gestational diabetes.

PubMed

Koivunen, R M; Juutinen, J; Vauhkonen, I; Morin-Papunen, L C; Ruokonen, A; Tapanainen, J S

2001-06-01

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO) and clinical, endocrine, and metabolic features were investigated in women with previous gestational diabetes (GDM). Thirty-three women with a history of GDM and 48 controls were studied. Glucose and insulin secretion capacity was evaluated by means of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and insulin action was determined by means of a euglycemic insulin clamp. Compared with control women, women with previous GDM more often had significantly abnormal OGTT, a higher prevalence of PCO (39.4% vs. 16.7%; P = 0.03), higher serum concentrations of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and a greater area under the glucose curve. Women with previous GDM showed a lowered early phase insulin response to glucose and impaired insulin sensitivity, which was accounted for mainly by decreased glucose nonoxidation. They also demonstrated a significantly lower fasting serum C peptide/insulin ratio than the controls, indicating that women with previous GDM have impaired hepatic insulin extraction, which tended to be more marked among women with PCO. This may explain why women with PCO and previous GDM were significantly more hyperinsulinemic than women with normal ovaries. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that women with previous GDM often have PCO and abnormal OGTT. They are insulin resistant as a result of lowered glucose nonoxidation and show inappropriately low insulin responses to glucose, reflecting impaired beta-cell function. They also have higher adrenal androgen secretion, which may be associated with abdominal obesity.

A Cross-Cultural Study of Adolescent Procrastination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klassen, Robert M.; Ang, Rebecca P.; Chong, Wan Har; Krawchuk, Lindsey L.; Huan, Vivien S.; Wong, Isabella Y. F.; Yeo, Lay See

2009-01-01

In this study, we explore academic procrastination and associated motivation variables in 612 adolescents from Canada and Singapore. Few studies have explored adolescent procrastination and no previous studies have investigated adolescent procrastination using a cross-cultural framework. Singaporean adolescents reported higher levels of…

Shame, internalized homophobia, identity formation, attachment style, and the connection to relationship status in gay men.

PubMed

Brown, Jac; Trevethan, Robert

2010-09-01

This study reports on a survey of 166 gay men in Sydney, Australia, that explores the links between internalized shame, internalized homophobia, and attachment style. These variables were linked to the age of coming out, family and peer acceptance of their sexuality, relationship status, and previous marriage. Findings suggest a strong relationship between shame, internalized homophobia, and anxious and avoidant attachment style. Shame was predicted by internalized homophobia and anxious and avoidant attachment style. A significant proportion of gay men reported that they were not easily accepted when they first came out. There was a significant relationship between coming out and internalized homophobia but not with shame and attachment style. Furthermore, men who had never come out to family and friends reported higher levels of internalized homophobia but not higher levels of shame and attachment style. Of particular significance was the connection between previous marriage and higher levels of shame and internalized homophobia. Finally, gay men who were not currently in a relationship reported higher levels of shame anxious and avoidant attachment style. These findings are related to therapeutic work with gay men who have previously been married and those who are concerned with their current single status.

Understanding Change in Higher Education as Bricolage: How Academics Engage in Curriculum Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Louvel, Séverine

2013-01-01

The engagement of academics in organizational change in higher education institutions is generally understood as involving a wide range of behaviors, and previous studies have situated academics' actions at various points along a continuum between passivity and pro-activity. This article complements this approach by asking how--rather than in…

Temperature and earthworm effects on C and N dynamics in oak stands along an urban-rural land use gradient

Treesearch

R. V. Pouyat; P. M. Groffman; M. M. Carreiro; P. Bohlen; R. W. Parmelee

1996-01-01

In previous studies of an urban-rural land use gradient in the New York City metropolitan area, urban forest soils had higher heavy metal concentrations, soil temperatures, and abundances of earthworms than rural soils, while rural soils had higher abundances of fungi.

Identifying Students with Dyslexia in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tops, Wim; Callens, Maaike; Lammertyn, Jan; Van Hees, Valerie; Brysbaert, Marc

2012-01-01

An increasing number of students with dyslexia enter higher education. As a result, there is a growing need for standardized diagnosis. Previous research has suggested that a small number of tests may suffice to reliably assess students with dyslexia, but these studies were based on post hoc discriminant analysis, which tends to overestimate the…

Pursuing Prestige in Higher Education: Stratification, Status, and the Influence of College Ranking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ortagus, Justin C.

2016-01-01

Research has suggested that changes in rankings have an impact on admissions outcomes at colleges and universities. This study incorporates organization theory to explain these mechanisms and other external forces driving the pursuit of prestige in higher education. Beyond updating and replicating previous findings related to the impact of college…

Perceived Stress in University Students Studying in a Further Education College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Matthew Peter; Peart, Daniel James; Fairhead, Orrin James William

2017-01-01

Previous research investigating perceived stress and mental health in UK university students has used a sample population from higher education institutes (HEIs). To the authors' knowledge, there is no literature specifically examining stress in a student population within a higher education in further education (HE-in-FE) environment. The aim of…

Influence of Caloric Vestibular Stimulation on Body Experience in Healthy Humans

PubMed Central

Schönherr, Andreas; May, Christian Albrecht

2016-01-01

The vestibular system has more connections with and influence on higher cortical centers than previously thought. These interactions with higher cortical centers and the phenomena that they elicit require a structural intact cerebral cortex. To date, little is known about the role and influence of the vestibular system on one’s body experience. In this study we show that caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) in healthy participants has an effect on the perceptive component of one’s body experience. After CVS all participants showed a statistically significant difference of thigh width estimation. In contrast to previous studies, which demonstrated an influence of CVS on higher cortical centers with an intact cerebral cortex both the cognitive and affective component of body experience were not effected by the CVS. Our results demonstrate the influence of the vestibular system on body perception and emphasize its role in modulating different perceptive-qualities which contributes to our body experience. We found that CVS has a limited influence on one’s conscious state, thought process and higher cortical functions. PMID:27013995

Cigarette smoking in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder: a report from the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS).

PubMed

Dell'Osso, Bernardo; Nicolini, Humberto; Lanzagorta, Nuria; Benatti, Beatrice; Spagnolin, Gregorio; Palazzo, M Carlotta; Marazziti, Donatella; Hollander, Eric; Fineberg, Naomi; Stein, Dan J; Pallanti, Stefano; Van Ameringen, Michael; Lochner, Christine; Hranov, Georgi; Karamustafalioglu, Oguz; Hranov, Luchezar; Zohar, Joseph; Denys, Damiaan; Altamura, A Carlo; Menchon, Jose M

2015-10-01

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) showed a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking compared to other psychiatric disorders in previous and recent reports. We assessed the prevalence and clinical correlates of the phenomenon in an international sample of 504 OCD patients recruited through the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) network. Cigarette smoking showed a cross-sectional prevalence of 24.4% in the sample, with significant differences across countries. Females were more represented among smoking patients (16% vs 7%; p<.001). Patients with comorbid Tourette's syndrome (p<.05) and tic disorder (p<.05) were also more represented among smoking subjects. Former smokers reported a higher number of suicide attempts (p<.05). We found a lower cross-sectional prevalence of smoking among OCD patients compared to findings from previous studies in patients with other psychiatric disorders but higher compared to previous and more recent OCD studies. Geographic differences were found and smoking was more common in females and comorbid Tourette's syndrome/tic disorder.

A gross anatomy flipped classroom effects performance, retention, and higher-level thinking in lower performing students.

PubMed

Day, Leslie J

2018-01-22

A flipped classroom is a growing pedagogy in higher education. Many research studies on the flipped classroom have focused on student outcomes, with the results being positive or inconclusive. A few studies have analyzed confounding variables, such as student's previous achievement, or the impact of a flipped classroom on long-term retention and knowledge transfer. In the present study, students in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in a traditional style lecture of gross anatomy (n = 105) were compared to similar students in a flipped classroom (n = 112). Overall, students in the flipped anatomy classroom had an increase in semester average grades (P = 0.01) and performance on higher-level analytical questions (P < 0.001). Long-term retention and knowledge transfer was analyzed in a subsequent semester's sequenced kinesiology course, with students from the flipped anatomy classroom performing at a higher level in kinesiology (P < 0.05). Student's pre-matriculation grade point average was also considered. Previously lower performing students, when in a flipped anatomy class, outperformed their traditional anatomy class counterparts in anatomy semester grades (P < 0.05), accuracy on higher-level analytical anatomy multiple-choice questions (P < 0.05) and performance in subsequent course of kinesiology (P < 0.05). This study suggests that the flipped classroom may benefit lower performing student's knowledge acquisition and transfer to a greater degree than higher performing students. Future studies should explore the underlying reasons for improvement in lower performing students. Anat Sci Educ. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.

Emotional Inertia is Associated with Lower Well-Being when Controlling for Differences in Emotional Context.

PubMed

Koval, Peter; Sütterlin, Stefan; Kuppens, Peter

2015-01-01

Previous studies have linked higher emotional inertia (i.e., a stronger autoregressive slope of emotions) with lower well-being. We aimed to replicate these findings, while extending upon previous research by addressing a number of unresolved issues and controlling for potential confounds. Specifically, we report results from two studies (Ns = 100 and 202) examining how emotional inertia, assessed in response to a standardized sequence of emotional stimuli in the lab, correlates with several measures of well-being. The current studies build on previous research by examining how inertia of both positive emotions (PE) and negative emotions (NE) relates to positive (e.g., life satisfaction) and negative (e.g., depressive symptoms) indicators of well-being, while controlling for between-person differences in the mean level and variability of emotions. Our findings replicated previous research and further revealed that (a) NE inertia was more strongly associated with lower well-being than PE inertia; (b) emotional inertia correlated more consistently with negative indicators (e.g., depressive symptoms) than positive indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) of well-being; and (c) these relationships were independent of individual differences in mean level and variability of emotions. We conclude, in line with recent findings, that higher emotional inertia, particularly of NE, may be an indicator of increased vulnerability to depression.

Emotional Inertia is Associated with Lower Well-Being when Controlling for Differences in Emotional Context

PubMed Central

Koval, Peter; Sütterlin, Stefan; Kuppens, Peter

2016-01-01

Previous studies have linked higher emotional inertia (i.e., a stronger autoregressive slope of emotions) with lower well-being. We aimed to replicate these findings, while extending upon previous research by addressing a number of unresolved issues and controlling for potential confounds. Specifically, we report results from two studies (Ns = 100 and 202) examining how emotional inertia, assessed in response to a standardized sequence of emotional stimuli in the lab, correlates with several measures of well-being. The current studies build on previous research by examining how inertia of both positive emotions (PE) and negative emotions (NE) relates to positive (e.g., life satisfaction) and negative (e.g., depressive symptoms) indicators of well-being, while controlling for between-person differences in the mean level and variability of emotions. Our findings replicated previous research and further revealed that (a) NE inertia was more strongly associated with lower well-being than PE inertia; (b) emotional inertia correlated more consistently with negative indicators (e.g., depressive symptoms) than positive indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) of well-being; and (c) these relationships were independent of individual differences in mean level and variability of emotions. We conclude, in line with recent findings, that higher emotional inertia, particularly of NE, may be an indicator of increased vulnerability to depression. PMID:26779099

Chinese Language Study in American Higher Education: State of the Art. Language in Education: Theory and Practice. No. 30.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eddy, Peter A.; And Others

A study was undertaken in order to provide current data and comprehensive information about Chinese language instruction in United States higher education. This report is based on the responses to a survey in 1979. In addition to the discussion of the survey responses, an examination of changes that have taken place since a previous report in 1969…

Incidence of Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Single Center Experience.

PubMed

Aziz, Fahad

2014-02-01

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a hemorrhagic complication after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of the study is to determine predictors of GI bleeding and impact of GI bleeding on the patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. GI bleeding occurred in 6 (7.1%) of 84 patients with STEMI/NSETMI (ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction/Non ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Univariate analysis demonstrates that patients with GI bleeding had a significantly higher previous GI bleeding (16.66% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.001). Higher Killip classification at presentation was associated with higher incidence of GI bleeding (61% vs. 18%, P < 0.01). The use of proton pump inhibitors did not reduce the risk of GI bleeding. The GI bleeding in these patients was associated with higher mortality and morbidity in the post percutaneous coronary intervention period. Although, GI bleeding in patients with MI significantly increases mortality and morbidity, previous GI bleeding and higher Killip class are associated with higher incidence of GI bleeding. High-risk patients for GI bleeding can be identified at presentation.

Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity Is Associated with Higher Adherence to a Traditional Dietary Pattern: A Cross-Sectional Study among Adults in Lebanon.

PubMed

Matta, Joane; Nasreddine, Lara; Jomaa, Lamis; Hwalla, Nahla; Mehio Sibai, Abla; Czernichow, Sebastien; Itani, Leila; Naja, Farah

2016-07-20

This study aimed to examine the proportion and socio-demographic correlates of Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity (MHOv/O) among Lebanese adults and to investigate the independent effect of previously identified dietary patterns on odds of MHOv/O. Data were drawn from the National Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey (Lebanon 2008-2009). Out of the 337 adult participants who had complete socio-demographic, lifestyle, dietary as well as anthropometric and biochemical data, 196 had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and their data were included in this study. MHOv/O was identified using the Adult Treatment Panel criteria. Dietary patterns previously derived in this study population were: Fast Food/Dessert, Traditional-Lebanese and High-Protein. The proportion of MHOv/O in the study sample was 37.2%. Females, higher education and high level of physical activity were positively associated with odds of MHOv/O. Subjects with higher adherence to the Traditional-Lebanese pattern had higher odds of MHOv/O (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09-3.91). No significant associations were observed between the Fast Food/Dessert and the high-protein patterns with MHOv/O. Follow-up studies are needed to confirm those findings and understand the mechanisms by which the Traditional-Lebanese pattern may exert a protective effect in this subgroup of overweight and obese adults.

Compulsive buying and depressive symptoms among female citizens of the United Arab Emirates.

PubMed

Thomas, Justin; Al-Menhali, Salwa; Humeidan, Majeda

2016-03-30

Compulsive buying is particularly relevant in nations with high levels of consumer spending. Most previous studies have focused on European and North America populations. This study explores compulsive buying amongst citizens of the United Arab Emirates, an Arab nation with high retail outlet density, and high levels of consumer spending. Female college students (N=100) completed an English/Arabic version of the compulsive buying scale along with a measure of depression. Rates of compulsive buying were higher than those reported in any previously published study. Furthermore, in line with previous findings from other nations, compulsive buying was associated with elevated depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Autonomic symptoms following Zika virus infection.

PubMed

Rodríguez, Yhojan; Rojas, Manuel; Ramírez-Santana, Carolina; Acosta-Ampudia, Yeny; Monsalve, Diana M; Anaya, Juan-Manuel

2018-04-01

To determine if autonomic symptoms are associated with previous Zika virus infection. Case-control study including 35 patients with Zika virus infection without evidence of neurological disease and 105 controls. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction were assessed with the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31). Patients with previous Zika virus infection had significantly higher COMPASS-31 score than controls regardless of age and sex (p = 0.007). The main drivers for the higher scores where orthostatic intolerance (p = 0.003), secretomotor (p = 0.04) and bladder symptoms (p < 0.001). Zika virus infection is associated with autonomic dysfunction. The mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Orthogonality measurements for multidimensional chromatography in three and higher dimensional separations.

PubMed

Schure, Mark R; Davis, Joe M

2017-11-10

Orthogonality metrics (OMs) for three and higher dimensional separations are proposed as extensions of previously developed OMs, which were used to evaluate the zone utilization of two-dimensional (2D) separations. These OMs include correlation coefficients, dimensionality, information theory metrics and convex-hull metrics. In a number of these cases, lower dimensional subspace metrics exist and can be readily calculated. The metrics are used to interpret previously generated experimental data. The experimental datasets are derived from Gilar's peptide data, now modified to be three dimensional (3D), and a comprehensive 3D chromatogram from Moore and Jorgenson. The Moore and Jorgenson chromatogram, which has 25 identifiable 3D volume elements or peaks, displayed good orthogonality values over all dimensions. However, OMs based on discretization of the 3D space changed substantially with changes in binning parameters. This example highlights the importance in higher dimensions of having an abundant number of retention times as data points, especially for methods that use discretization. The Gilar data, which in a previous study produced 21 2D datasets by the pairing of 7 one-dimensional separations, was reinterpreted to produce 35 3D datasets. These datasets show a number of interesting properties, one of which is that geometric and harmonic means of lower dimensional subspace (i.e., 2D) OMs correlate well with the higher dimensional (i.e., 3D) OMs. The space utilization of the Gilar 3D datasets was ranked using OMs, with the retention times of the datasets having the largest and smallest OMs presented as graphs. A discussion concerning the orthogonality of higher dimensional techniques is given with emphasis on molecular diversity in chromatographic separations. In the information theory work, an inconsistency is found in previous studies of orthogonality using the 2D metric often identified as %O. A new choice of metric is proposed, extended to higher dimensions, characterized by mixes of ordered and random retention times, and applied to the experimental datasets. In 2D, the new metric always equals or exceeds the original one. However, results from both the original and new methods are given. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Indications of a Scarring Effect of Sickness Absence Periods in a Cohort of Higher Educated Self-Employed.

PubMed

Wijnvoord, Liesbeth E C; Brouwer, Sandra; Buitenhuis, Jan; van der Klink, Jac J L; de Boer, Michiel R

2016-01-01

Little is known regarding incidence and recurrence of sickness absence in self-employed. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the number of prior episodes of sickness absence on the risk of subsequent periods of sickness absence in higher educated self-employed. In a historic register study based on the files of a Dutch private disability insurance company all sickness absence periods of 30 days or more were analysed. A total of 15,868 insured persons contributed 141,188 person years to the study. In total, 5608 periods of sickness absence occurred during follow-up. The hazard of experiencing a new period of sickness absence increased with every previous period, ranging from a hazard ratio of 2.83 in case of one previous period of sickness absence to a hazard ratio of 6.72 in case of four previous periods. This effect was found for both men and women and for all diagnostic categories of the first period of sickness absence. Our study shows that for all diagnostic categories the hazard of experiencing a recurrence of sickness absence is appreciably higher than for experiencing a first episode. This suggests that this increased hazard may be related to the occurrence of sickness absence itself rather than related to characteristics of the insured person or of the medical condition. These findings could indicate that sickness absence periods may have a scarring effect on the self-employed person experiencing the sickness absence.

Individual Differences in the Effects of Academic Motivation on Higher Education Students' Intention to Drop Out

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rump, Markus; Esdar, Wiebke; Wild, Elke

2017-01-01

The present study investigated individual differences in the effects of academic motivation based on self-determination theory (SDT), particularly intrinsic motivation, as well as identified, introjected, and external regulation on higher education students' intention to drop out. Based on previous research, we challenged the assumption of a…

Some Things Never Change: Gender Segregation in Higher Education across Eight Nations and Three Decades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barone, Carlo

2011-01-01

This article examines the overall strength, the qualitative pattern, and the evolution over time of gender segregation in higher education across eight European countries. Although previous studies have focused primarily on the divide between humanistic and scientific fields, this work indicates that this divide accounts for no more than half of…

From Higher Education to Work Patterns of Labor Market Entry in Germany and the US

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacob, Marita; Weiss, Felix

2010-01-01

Comparative studies describing the transition from higher education to work have often simplified the complex transition processes involved. In this paper we extend previous research by taking into account several steps that comprise labor market entry, e.g., recurrent education leading to more than one instance of labor market entry. By comparing…

Student Experiences of Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Insights from the BRAINHE Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffin, Edward; Pollak, David

2009-01-01

The number of students with identified learning differences (LDs) of all kinds is increasing in higher education. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 27 current and previous students with a range of specific LDs by means of semi-structured interviews, using a thematic approach. The findings revealed that participants shared many…

Systemic Glucose Level Changes with a Carbohydrate-Restricted and Higher Protein Diet Combined with Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowden, Rodney G.; Lanning, Beth A.; Doyle, Eva I.; Slonaker, Becky; Johnston, Holly M.; Scanes, Georgene

2007-01-01

Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to compare the effects of macronutrient intake on systemic glucose levels in previously sedentary participants who followed 1 of 4 diets that were either higher protein or high carbohydrate, while initiating an exercise program. Participants and Methods: The authors randomly assigned 94 sedentary…

Part-time Faculty Job Satisfaction in Higher Education: A Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howell, Scott L.; Hoyt, Jeff

2007-01-01

The purpose of this literature review was to inform researchers of those predictive factors of job satisfaction previously identified for part-time faculty in higher education. They used the information gathered to help develop a survey instrument that was administered to 700 part-time faculty at their own institution. The results of the study,…

Can E-Learning Promote Participation of Female Students in STEM Disciplines in Higher Learning Institutions of Tanzania?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanga, C.; Magesa, M. M.; Chingonikaya, E.; Kayunze, K. A.

2013-01-01

The recent development of ICTs has brought many changes in different sectors. In Higher Learning Institutions, there are a number of positive changes. ICTs have brought efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy in the provision of the core functions namely: teaching, outreach, research and consultancy. Previous studies showed that even though there…

Overconfidence of Vocational Education Students When Entering Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowden, Mark P.; Abhayawansa, Subhash; Bahtsevanoglou, John

2015-01-01

Purpose: There is evidence that students who attend Technical and Further Education (TAFE) prior to entering higher education underperform in their first year of study. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of self-efficacy in understanding the performance of students who completed TAFE in the previous year in a first year subject of…

Factors Affecting University Image Formation among Prospective Higher Education Students: The Case of International Branch Campuses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkins, Stephen; Huisman, Jeroen

2015-01-01

Previous research has found that the images of universities formed by prospective students greatly influence their choices. With the advent of international branch campuses in several higher education hubs worldwide, many international students now attempt to construct images of these institutions when deciding where to study. The aim of this…

Moral Judgments of Chief Academic Officers at Institutions of Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weaver, Megan D.

2012-01-01

Chief Academic Officers (CAO) are leaders in institutions of higher education and have wide decision-making scope. Previous research has clearly demonstrated the need for leaders to engage in ethical decision-making. Moral judgments are an aspect of ethical decision-making, so it is important for CAOs to make moral judgments. This study examined…

The Genetic Basis of Natural Variation in Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Virgin Egg Retention

PubMed Central

Akhund-Zade, Jamilla; Bergland, Alan O.; Crowe, Sarah O.; Unckless, Robert L.

2017-01-01

Drosophila melanogaster is able to thrive in harsh northern climates through adaptations in life-history traits and physiological mechanisms that allow for survival through the winter. We examined the genetic basis of natural variation in one such trait, female virgin egg retention, which was previously shown to vary clinally and seasonally. To further our understanding of the genetic basis and evolution of virgin egg retention, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the previously sequenced Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) mapping population. We found 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with virgin egg retention and assayed 6 available mutant lines, each harboring a mutation in a candidate gene, for effects on egg retention time. We found that four out of the six mutant lines had defects in egg retention time as compared with the respective controls: mun, T48, Mes-4, and Klp67A. Surprisingly, none of these genes has a recognized role in ovulation control, but three of the four genes have known effects on fertility or have high expression in the ovaries. We also found that the SNP set associated with egg retention time was enriched for clinal SNPs. The majority of clinal SNPs had alleles associated with longer egg retention present at higher frequencies in higher latitudes. Our results support previous studies that show higher frequency of long retention times at higher latitude, providing evidence for the adaptive value of virgin egg-retention. PMID:28042107

Prospective clinical observational study evaluating gender-associated differences of preoperative pain intensity.

PubMed

Tafelski, Sascha; Kerper, Léonie F; Salz, Anna-Lena; Spies, Claudia; Reuter, Eva; Nachtigall, Irit; Schäfer, Michael; Krannich, Alexander; Krampe, Henning

2016-07-01

Previous studies reported conflicting results concerning different pain perceptions of men and women. Recent research found higher pain levels in men after major surgery, contrasted by women after minor procedures. This trial investigates differences in self-reported preoperative pain intensity between genders before surgery.Patients were enrolled in 2011 and 2012 presenting for preoperative evaluation at the anesthesiological assessment clinic at Charité University hospital. Out of 5102 patients completing a computer-assisted self-assessment, 3042 surgical patients with any preoperative pain were included into this prospective observational clinical study. Preoperative pain intensity (0-100 VAS, visual analog scale) was evaluated integrating psychological cofactors into analysis.Women reported higher preoperative pain intensity than men with median VAS scores of 30 (25th-75th percentiles: 10-52) versus 21 (10-46) (P < 0.001). Adjusted multiple regression analysis showed that female gender remained statistically significantly associated with higher pain intensity (P < 0.001). Gender differences were consistent across several subgroups especially with varying patterns in elderly. Women scheduled for minor and moderate surgical procedures showed largest differences in overall pain compared to men.This large clinical study observed significantly higher preoperative pain intensity in female surgical patients. This gender difference was larger in the elderly potentially contradicting the current hypothesis of a primary sex-hormone derived effect. The observed variability in specific patient subgroups may help to explain heterogeneous findings of previous studies.

Synthesis and Structure Property Studies of Toughened Epoxy Resins via Functionalized Polysiloxanes. Friction and Wear Studies.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-30

TFP) siloxane and of ATBN and CTBN rubber modified epoxies were previously reported,,[1]. There was no significant evidence that the low surface energy...siloxane- modified epoxies reduced friction compared with the unmodified epoxy or the ATBN and CTBN modified epoxies. The reduction in wear noted for...is for the control, but their elastic moduli are lower. The CTBN samples from the previous work also had higher wear rates at the 5 percent level. It

Personal Goals and Academic Achievement among Theology Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Litmanen, Topi; Hirsto, Laura; Lonka, Kirsti

2010-01-01

Studying in higher education requires long-term commitment. Previous studies have shown that commitment, perceived competence, intrinsic motivation and work-life orientation are positively related to academic achievement. This study examines the kinds of goals theology students have at the beginning of studies, and whether these goals are related…

Ethnicity, Russification, and Excess Mortality in Kazakhstan*

PubMed Central

Sharygin, Ethan J.; Guillot, Michel

2014-01-01

Russians experience higher adult mortality than Central Asians despite higher socioeconomic status. This study exploits Kazakhstan’s relatively heterogeneous population and geographic diversity to study ethnic differences in cause-specific mortality. In multivariate regression, all-cause mortality rates for Russian men is 27% higher than for Kazakh men, and alcohol-related death rates among Russian men are 2.5 times higher (15% and 4.1 times higher for females, respectively). Significant mortality differentials exist by ethnicity for external causes and alcohol-related causes of death. Adult mortality among Kazakhs is higher than previously found among Kyrgyz and lower than among Russians. The results suggest that ethnic mortality differentials in Central Asia may be related to the degree of russification, which could be replicating documented patterns of alcohol consumption in non-Russian populations. PMID:26207118

The Prevalence of Tooth Wear in the Dutch Adult Population

PubMed Central

Wetselaar, Peter; Vermaire, Jan H.; Visscher, Corine M.; Lobbezoo, Frank; Schuller, Annemarie A.

2016-01-01

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tooth wear in different age groups of the Dutch adult population and to determine this tooth wear distribution by gender, socioeconomic class, and type of teeth. Results were compared with the outcomes of a previous study in a comparable population. As part of a comprehensive investigation of the oral health of the general Dutch adult population in 2013, tooth wear was assessed among 1,125 subjects in the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The data collected were subjected to stratified analysis by 5 age groups (25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65-74 years), gender, socioeconomic class, and type of teeth. Tooth wear was assessed using a 5-point ordinal occlusal/incisal grading scale. The number of teeth affected was higher in older age groups. Men showed more tooth wear than women, and subjects with low socioeconomic status (low SES) showed on average higher scores than those with high SES. Tooth wear prevalence found in this study was higher in all age groups than in the previous study. The present study found prevalences of 13% for mild tooth wear and 80% for moderate tooth wear, leading to the conclusion that these are common conditions in the Dutch adult population. Severe tooth wear (prevalence 6%) may however be characterized as rare. A tendency was found for there to be more tooth wear in older age groups, in men as compared with women, in persons with lower SES, and in the present survey as compared with the previous one. PMID:27694757

The Prevalence of Tooth Wear in the Dutch Adult Population.

PubMed

Wetselaar, Peter; Vermaire, Jan H; Visscher, Corine M; Lobbezoo, Frank; Schuller, Annemarie A

2016-01-01

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tooth wear in different age groups of the Dutch adult population and to determine this tooth wear distribution by gender, socioeconomic class, and type of teeth. Results were compared with the outcomes of a previous study in a comparable population. As part of a comprehensive investigation of the oral health of the general Dutch adult population in 2013, tooth wear was assessed among 1,125 subjects in the city of 's-Hertogenbosch. The data collected were subjected to stratified analysis by 5 age groups (25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65-74 years), gender, socioeconomic class, and type of teeth. Tooth wear was assessed using a 5-point ordinal occlusal/incisal grading scale. The number of teeth affected was higher in older age groups. Men showed more tooth wear than women, and subjects with low socioeconomic status (low SES) showed on average higher scores than those with high SES. Tooth wear prevalence found in this study was higher in all age groups than in the previous study. The present study found prevalences of 13% for mild tooth wear and 80% for moderate tooth wear, leading to the conclusion that these are common conditions in the Dutch adult population. Severe tooth wear (prevalence 6%) may however be characterized as rare. A tendency was found for there to be more tooth wear in older age groups, in men as compared with women, in persons with lower SES, and in the present survey as compared with the previous one. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Golden Gate Bridge response: a study with low-amplitude data from three earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Çelebi, Mehmet

2012-01-01

The dynamic response of the Golden Gate Bridge, located north of San Francisco, CA, has been studied previously using ambient vibration data and finite element models. Since permanent seismic instrumentation was installed in 1993, only small earthquakes that originated at distances varying between ~11 to 122 km have been recorded. Nonetheless, these records prompted this study of the response of the bridge to low amplitude shaking caused by three earthquakes. Compared to previous ambient vibration studies, the earthquake response data reveal a slightly higher fundamental frequency (shorter-period) for vertical vibration of the bridge deck center span (~7.7–8.3 s versus 8.2–10.6 s), and a much higher fundamental frequency (shorter period) for the transverse direction of the deck (~11.24–16.3 s versus ~18.2 s). In this study, it is also shown that these two periods are dominant apparent periods representing interaction between tower, cable, and deck.

Depressive symptoms, antidepressant medication use, and insulin resistance: the PPP-Botnia Study.

PubMed

Pyykkönen, Antti-Jussi; Räikkönen, Katri; Tuomi, Tiinamaija; Eriksson, Johan G; Groop, Leif; Isomaa, Bo

2011-12-01

Although insulin resistance (IR) may underlie associations between depressive symptoms and diabetes, previous findings have been contradictory. We examined whether depressive symptoms associate with IR and insulin secretion, and, additionally, whether antidepressant medication use may modulate such associations. A total of 4,419 individuals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Participants with previously or newly diagnosed diabetes are excluded from this sample. The homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and corrected insulin response (CIR) were calculated. Depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication use were self-reported. After controlling for confounding factors, depressive symptoms were associated with higher fasting and 30-min insulin during the OGTT and higher HOMA-IR but not CIR. Antidepressant medication use failed to modify these associations. Depressive symptoms are associated with IR but not with changes in insulin response when corrected for IR in individuals without previously or newly diagnosed diabetes.

Weather, season, and daily stroke admissions in Hong Kong

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goggins, William B.; Woo, Jean; Ho, Suzanne; Chan, Emily Y. Y.; Chau, P. H.

2012-09-01

Previous studies examining daily temperature and stroke incidence have given conflicting results. We undertook this retrospective study of all stroke admissions in those aged 35 years old and above to Hong Kong public hospitals from 1999 through 2006 in order to better understand the effects of meteorological conditions on stroke risk in a subtropical setting. We used Poisson Generalized Additive Models with daily hemorrhagic (HS) and ischemic stroke (IS) counts separately as outcomes, and daily mean temperature, humidity, solar radiation, rainfall, air pressure, pollutants, flu consultation rates, day of week, holidays, time trend and seasonality as predictors. Lagged effects of temperature, humidity and pollutants were also considered. A total of 23,457 HS and 107,505 IS admissions were analyzed. Mean daily temperature had a strong, consistent, negative linear association with HS admissions over the range (8.2-31.8°C) observed. A 1°C lower average temperature over the same day and previous 4 days (lags 0-4) being associated with a 2.7% (95% CI: 2.0-3.4%, P < .0.0001) higher admission rate after controlling for other variables. This association was stronger among older subjects and females. Higher lag 0-4 average change in air pressure from previous day was modestly associated with higher HS risk. The association between IS and temperature was weaker and apparent only below 22°C, with a 1°C lower average temperature (lags 0-13) below this threshold being associated with a 1.6% (95% CI:1.0-2.2%, P < 0.0001) higher IS admission rate. Pollutant levels were not associated with HS or IS. Future studies should examine HS and IS risk separately.

Tuition Reductions: A Quantitative Analysis of the Prevalence, Circumstances and Outcomes of an Emerging Pricing Strategy in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kottich, Sarah

2017-01-01

This study analyzed tuition reductions in the private not-for-profit sector of higher education, utilizing a quantitative descriptive and correlational approach with secondary data analysis. It resulted in a listing of 45 institutions with verified tuition reductions from 2007 to 2017, more than previously thought. It found that the…

Effects of Honours Programme Participation in Higher Education: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kool, Ada; Mainhard, Tim; Jaarsma, Debbie; van Beukelen, Peter; Brekelmans, Mieke

2017-01-01

Honours programmes have become part of higher education systems around the globe, and an increasing number of students are enrolled in such programmes. So far, effects of these programmes are largely under-researched. Two gaps in previous research on the effects of such programmes were addressed: (1) most studies lack a comparable control group of…

Higher Education in the U.S.S.R.: Curriculums, Schools, and Statistics. Bulletin, 1963, No. 16. OE-14088

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosen, Seymour M.

1963-01-01

The demand for basic information on Soviet higher education continues to grow. Previous bulletins on Soviet education published by the Office of Education have either been overall surveys ("Education in the U.S.S.R.," Bulletin 1957, No. 14; "Soviet Commitment to Education," Bulletin 1959, No. 16) or studies of general…

Inclusive Education and Training in South African Higher Education: Mapping the Experiences of a Student with Physical Disability at University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ntombela, Sithabile

2013-01-01

The South African Constitution upholds and entrenches the human right of all citizens. Similarly, the Higher Education Act of 1997 promotes equality of access for all, especially for those previously marginalised or excluded. The study reported in this article explored challenges experienced by students with disabilities at his university. Using…

In a Practical Mood: Studying for a Profession in the Changing Kibbutz

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avrahami, Arza; Dar, Yechezkel

2004-01-01

The influence of recent social and economic changes in the Israeli kibbutz on the prolonged stage of youth was examined with respect to higher education. The young people on the kibbutz of the late 1990s appear less moratorial and more instrumental about their future and commence higher education earlier than in previous age cohorts. When starting…

The Twenty-Third Dudley Allen Sargent Commemorative Lecture 2003: Knowledge and Physical Activity in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Estes, Steven G.

2003-01-01

In preparation for this lecture, the author read, among other studies, previous Sargent, Homans, and Hannah lectures. These papers read well, and, they continue to inform people today. Importantly, these lecturers addressed timely issues that confronted physical education in higher education and to some extent shaped the field as one now knows it.…

Impact of Fathers on Parental Monitoring of Daughters and Their Affiliation with Sexually Promiscuous Peers: A Genetically and Environmentally Controlled Sibling Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DelPriore, Danielle J.; Schlomer, Gabriel L.; Ellis, Bruce J.

2017-01-01

Girls who receive higher quality fathering engage in less risky sexual behavior (RSB) than their peers. Previous research identifies higher levels of parental monitoring/knowledge and reduced affiliation with deviant peers as potential mediators of this observed fathering effect. Although paternal investment theory posits a causal effect of…

Making the "Third Stream", Mainstream: Facilitating Effective Higher Education-Employer Engagement in Workforce Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petrov, Georgy; Southall, Jane; Bolden, Richard

2016-01-01

In the past decade successive UK governments have placed a strong emphasis on, and renewed interest in, the role of higher education in skills development. In the light of recent skills policy developments in England and drawing upon the findings of an empirical qualitative study of specific workforce development initiatives and previous research,…

Frequency of placenta previa in previously scarred and non scarred uterus.

PubMed

Majeed, Tayyaba; Waheed, Fatima; Mahmood, Zahid; Saba, Kanwal; Mahmood, Hamis; Bukhari, Mulazim Hussain

2015-01-01

To determine the frequency of placenta Previa in patients coming to a tertiary care unit with previously scarred and non-scarred uterus. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried on 114 cases who underwent caesarean sections (37 cases out of 645 cases with non scarred uterus and 77 cases from 721 cases with scarred uterus) in the department of obstetrics and gynecology Lady Willingdon Hospital from January 2008- December 2011. Most patients (47.36%) were between 26-30 years age group, presented with gestational age between 36-40 weeks (70.17%), were mostly G2-4, while frequency of placenta Previa in non-scarred uterus was 32.45% (37 cases), and frequency in previously scarred uterus was 67.54% (77 cases). Major degree Previa was found in 88 cases (77.19%). There were 5.70% cases of placenta Previa from non-scarred uteruses and 10.67% cases of placenta Previa (10.67%) from already scarred uteruses. Stratification revealed a higher trend of the morbidity with the increase in number of previous caesarean sections. A significantly higher frequency of placenta Previa was found among patients coming to a tertiary care hospital with previously scarred uterus.

Frequency of placenta previa in previously scarred and non scarred uterus

PubMed Central

Majeed, Tayyaba; Waheed, Fatima; Mahmood, Zahid; Saba, Kanwal; Mahmood, Hamis; Bukhari, Mulazim Hussain

2015-01-01

Objective: To determine the frequency of placenta Previa in patients coming to a tertiary care unit with previously scarred and non-scarred uterus. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried on 114 cases who underwent caesarean sections (37 cases out of 645 cases with non scarred uterus and 77 cases from 721 cases with scarred uterus) in the department of obstetrics and gynecology Lady Willingdon Hospital from January 2008– December 2011. Results: Most patients (47.36%) were between 26-30 years age group, presented with gestational age between 36-40 weeks (70.17%), were mostly G2-4, while frequency of placenta Previa in non-scarred uterus was 32.45% (37 cases), and frequency in previously scarred uterus was 67.54% (77 cases). Major degree Previa was found in 88 cases (77.19%). There were 5.70% cases of placenta Previa from non-scarred uteruses and 10.67% cases of placenta Previa (10.67%) from already scarred uteruses. Stratification revealed a higher trend of the morbidity with the increase in number of previous caesarean sections. Conclusion: A significantly higher frequency of placenta Previa was found among patients coming to a tertiary care hospital with previously scarred uterus. PMID:26101491

Commonly Prescribed Blood Thinner Associated with Higher Risk of Post-Surgery Complications

MedlinePlus

... via an injection, requires no monitoring or blood tests, according to the study. Previous, single-site studies have suggested that there may be an association between preventive anticoagulant use and post-surgery infections or other problems, but this is ...

Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity Is Associated with Higher Adherence to a Traditional Dietary Pattern: A Cross-Sectional Study among Adults in Lebanon

PubMed Central

Matta, Joane; Nasreddine, Lara; Jomaa, Lamis; Hwalla, Nahla; Mehio Sibai, Abla; Czernichow, Sebastien; Itani, Leila; Naja, Farah

2016-01-01

This study aimed to examine the proportion and socio-demographic correlates of Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity (MHOv/O) among Lebanese adults and to investigate the independent effect of previously identified dietary patterns on odds of MHOv/O. Data were drawn from the National Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey (Lebanon 2008–2009). Out of the 337 adult participants who had complete socio-demographic, lifestyle, dietary as well as anthropometric and biochemical data, 196 had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and their data were included in this study. MHOv/O was identified using the Adult Treatment Panel criteria. Dietary patterns previously derived in this study population were: Fast Food/Dessert, Traditional-Lebanese and High-Protein. The proportion of MHOv/O in the study sample was 37.2%. Females, higher education and high level of physical activity were positively associated with odds of MHOv/O. Subjects with higher adherence to the Traditional-Lebanese pattern had higher odds of MHOv/O (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09–3.91). No significant associations were observed between the Fast Food/Dessert and the high-protein patterns with MHOv/O. Follow-up studies are needed to confirm those findings and understand the mechanisms by which the Traditional-Lebanese pattern may exert a protective effect in this subgroup of overweight and obese adults. PMID:27447668

Comparing Students' Perceived and Actual Competence in Higher Vocational Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baartman, Liesbeth; Ruijs, Lotte

2011-01-01

This article studies the relationship between students' perceived competence--operationalised in self-efficacy beliefs--and their competence as assessed by the educational institute. Contrary to previous studies, the current study focuses on competence instead of on isolated knowledge and skills. Students (N = 169) in four subsequent years of a…

Factors associated with lip and oral cavity cancer.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Isabella Lima Arrais; de Medeiros, Júlia Julliêta; Rodrigues, Larycia Vicente; Valença, Ana Maria Gondim; Lima Neto, Eufrásio de Andrade

2015-01-01

This study aimed to identify factors associated with the occurrence of primary cancer of the lip and oral cavity regions compared to other types of head and neck cancers according to demographic, socioeconomic data and lifestyle, in Brazil, from 2000 to 2011. A study was conducted using Hospital Cancer Records (Instituto Nacional do Câncer), from 2000 to 2011, totaling 23,153 cases. Data were analyzed by binary logistic regression (response category: primary cancers located in the lip and oral cavity; comparison category; other types of primary cancer in the head and neck, which does not affect the lip and oral cavity) at a significance level α = 5%. The study showed factors associated with higher incidence of cancer in the lip and oral cavity: being of advanced age (OR = 1.16), not having a family history of cancer (OR = 2.38), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.17); former tobacco use (OR = 1.51) or current tobacco use (OR = 1.65); having a previous diagnosis of cancer without treatment (OR =1.66). Being female (OR = 0.92), having completed basic (OR = 0.71) and higher (OR = 0.46) education and having previous diagnosis of cancer with treatment (OR = 0.74) constituted factors associated with lower prevalence of cancer of the lip and oral cavity. Age, absence of family history of cancer, smoking habits and alcohol consumption, and previous diagnosis of cancer without treatment were associated with a higher incidence of cancer of the lip and oral cavity.

Sun exposure habits and health risk-related behaviours among individuals with previous history of skin cancer.

PubMed

Falk, Magnus; Faresjö, Ashild; Faresjö, Tomas

2013-02-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between UV exposure and other health risk behaviours in different social environments and in regard to previous history of skin cancer. In two closely-located, equally-sized cities in Sweden, representing different social environments (blue collar and white collar), patients aged 55-69 years, diagnosed with skin cancer (study group, n=489) or seborrhoeic keratosis (control group, n=664), were identified through a regional Health Care Register, and were given a questionnaire mapping for sun habits, tobacco smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity. A previous history of skin cancer was associated with reduced UV exposure (p<0.01) and increased UV protection (p<0.001), higher alcohol consumption (p<0.05), and higher level of physical activity (p<0.05). Smoking was more common among subjects frequently sunbathing and rarely using sunscreen, but frequent sunbathing was positively associated with physical activity (p<0.05). Daily smoking and risky drinking habits were more common in the blue collar social environment, while no differences were seen for sun habits in this respect. A previous history of skin cancer appears to promote increased UV protection. In contrast to alcohol/smoking habits, no association between social environment and sun habits was found.

Regional Comparison of Organophosphate Flame Retardant (PFRs) Urinary Metabolites and Tetrabromobenzoic Acid (TBBA) In Mother-Toddler Pairs from California and New Jersey

PubMed Central

Butt, Craig M.; Hoffman, Kate; Chen, Albert; Lorenzo, Amelia; Congleton, Johanna; Stapleton, Heather M.

2016-01-01

The use of alternative chemical flame retardants in consumer products is increasing as the result of the phase-out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Today, the most commonly detected alternatives in residential furniture include the organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) and the Firemaster 550® mixture (FM550). Urinary levels of dialkyl and diaryl phosphate esters, and 2-ethylhexyl tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) have been used as biomarkers of human exposure to PFRs and FM550, respectively. In a previous study, we demonstrated that toddlers had significantly higher levels of PFRs relative to their mothers in a cohort from New Jersey; however, it is unclear if there are regional differences in exposure. It is possible that exposure to PFRs may be higher in California relative to other US States due to the California flammability standard, as was seen previously observed for PBDEs. In the current study, we examined urinary levels of PFR metabolites and TBBA in 28 mother-child pairs from California, USA, collected in 2015, and compared them with levels measured in our previous study from New Jersey. Urine samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), isopropyl-phenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-PPP), bis(1,3-dichloro-2propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) and BCIPHIPP conjugates were detected in 100% of mother and child urine samples, while bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP), tert-butyl-phenyl phenyl phosphate (tb-PPP) and TBBA were detected in <50% of samples. Interestingly, BCIPHIPP conjugates were detected in 100% of the urine samples, suggesting ubiquitous exposure to the parent compound, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP). The current study found significantly higher BDCIPP levels in California toddlers and higher and ip-PPP levels in mothers as compared to the New Jersey cohort, which may be reflective of California’s furniture flammability standard. For example, BDCIPP levels in California children were 2.4 times higher than those in New Jersey children. Consistent with our previous work, the current study showed higher PFR and EH-TBB exposure in children, likely due to increased hand-mouth behavior. Children’s DPHP and BDCIPP levels, on average, were 5.9 times and 15 times those of their mothers. Positive correlations between paired mothers and their children were shown for DPHP and BCIPHIPP conjugates but not BDCIPP or ip-PPP. In the children, several predictors of hand-mouth behavior were associated with BDCIPP, DPHP and ip-PPP urine levels, but no associations were observed with BCIPHIPP conjugates. PMID:27397928

Radiographers' professional knowledge regarding parameters and safety issues in plain radiography: a questionnaire survey.

PubMed

Farajollahi, A R; Fouladi, D F; Ghojazadeh, M; Movafaghi, A

2014-08-01

To review the knowledge of radiographers and examine the possible sociodemographic and situational contributors to this knowledge. A questionnaire survey was devised and distributed to a cohort of 120 radiographers. Each questionnaire contained two sections. In the first section, background data, including sex, age, highest academic level, grade point average (GPA), length of time from graduation, work experience as a radiographer and the status of previous refresher course(s), were collected. The second section contained 17 multiple-choice questions concerning radiographic imaging parameters and safety issues. The response rate was 63.8%. In univariate analytic model, higher academic degree (p < 0.001), higher GPA (r(2) = 0.11; p = 0.001), academic workplace (p = 0.04) and taking previous refresher course(s) (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with higher knowledge score. In multivariate analytic model, however, higher academic degree (B = 1.62; p = 0.01), higher GPA (B = 0.50; p = 0.01) and taking previous refresher course(s) (B = -1.26; p = 0.03) were independently associated with higher level of knowledge. Age, sex, length of time from graduation and work experience were not associated with the respondents' knowledge score. Academic background is a robust indicator of a radiographer's professional knowledge. Refresher courses and regular knowledge assessments are highly recommended. This is the first study in the literature that examines professional knowledge of radiographers in terms of technical and safety issues in plain radiography. Academic degree, GPA and refresher courses are independent predictors of this knowledge. Regular radiographer professional knowledge checks may be recommended.

Phylogeny and strain typing of Escherichia coli, inferred from variation at mononucleotide repeat loci.

PubMed

Diamant, Eran; Palti, Yniv; Gur-Arie, Riva; Cohen, Helit; Hallerman, Eric M; Kashi, Yechezkel

2004-04-01

Multilocus sequencing of housekeeping genes has been used previously for bacterial strain typing and for inferring evolutionary relationships among strains of Escherichia coli. In this study, we used shorter intergenic sequences that contained simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of repeating mononucleotide motifs (mononucleotide repeats [MNRs]) to infer the phylogeny of pathogenic and commensal E. coli strains. Seven noncoding loci (four MNRs and three non-SSRs) were sequenced in 27 strains, including enterohemorrhagic (six isolates of O157:H7), enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, B, and K-12 strains. The four MNRs were also sequenced in 20 representative strains of the E. coli reference (ECOR) collection. Sequence polymorphism was significantly higher at the MNR loci, including the flanking sequences, indicating a higher mutation rate in the sequences flanking the MNR tracts. The four MNR loci were amplifiable by PCR in the standard ECOR A, B1, and D groups, but only one (yaiN) in the B2 group was amplified, which is consistent with previous studies that suggested that B2 is the most ancient group. High sequence compatibility was found between the four MNR loci, indicating that they are in the same clonal frame. The phylogenetic trees that were constructed from the sequence data were in good agreement with those of previous studies that used multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that MNR loci are useful for inferring phylogenetic relationships and provide much higher sequence variation than housekeeping genes. Therefore, the use of MNR loci for multilocus sequence typing should prove efficient for clinical diagnostics, epidemiology, and evolutionary study of bacteria.

Phylogeny and Strain Typing of Escherichia coli, Inferred from Variation at Mononucleotide Repeat Loci

PubMed Central

Diamant, Eran; Palti, Yniv; Gur-Arie, Riva; Cohen, Helit; Hallerman, Eric M.; Kashi, Yechezkel

2004-01-01

Multilocus sequencing of housekeeping genes has been used previously for bacterial strain typing and for inferring evolutionary relationships among strains of Escherichia coli. In this study, we used shorter intergenic sequences that contained simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of repeating mononucleotide motifs (mononucleotide repeats [MNRs]) to infer the phylogeny of pathogenic and commensal E. coli strains. Seven noncoding loci (four MNRs and three non-SSRs) were sequenced in 27 strains, including enterohemorrhagic (six isolates of O157:H7), enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, B, and K-12 strains. The four MNRs were also sequenced in 20 representative strains of the E. coli reference (ECOR) collection. Sequence polymorphism was significantly higher at the MNR loci, including the flanking sequences, indicating a higher mutation rate in the sequences flanking the MNR tracts. The four MNR loci were amplifiable by PCR in the standard ECOR A, B1, and D groups, but only one (yaiN) in the B2 group was amplified, which is consistent with previous studies that suggested that B2 is the most ancient group. High sequence compatibility was found between the four MNR loci, indicating that they are in the same clonal frame. The phylogenetic trees that were constructed from the sequence data were in good agreement with those of previous studies that used multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that MNR loci are useful for inferring phylogenetic relationships and provide much higher sequence variation than housekeeping genes. Therefore, the use of MNR loci for multilocus sequence typing should prove efficient for clinical diagnostics, epidemiology, and evolutionary study of bacteria. PMID:15066845

Prevalent fragility fractures as risk factor for skeletal muscle function deficit and dysmobility syndrome in post-menopausal women.

PubMed

Iolascon, Giovanni; Moretti, Antimo; Giamattei, Maria Teresa; Migliaccio, Silvia; Gimigliano, Francesca

2015-10-01

Fragility fractures are a major burden for health and social care in elderly people. In order to identify earlier the "frail elders", new concepts of "dysmobility syndrome" and skeletal muscle function deficit (SMFD), including sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity, and mobility limitation, leading to a higher risk of fractures, have been recently introduced. There are very few studies investigating the association between fragility fractures and both the dysmobility syndrome and the SMFD. The objective of our study is to investigate the role of previous fragility fractures as a risk factor in determining the dysmobility syndrome and/or the SMFD in post-menopausal women. In this case-control study, we retrospectively examined data from the medical records of post-menopausal women aged 50 or older. We divided the study population in two groups. The first group includes women with a previous fragility fracture (cases) and the other group includes women without any previous osteoporotic fracture (controls). We identified the subjects with "dysmobility syndrome", "dynapenic SMFD", "sarcopenic SMFD", and "mixed SMFD" in both groups. Data collected refer to a 6-month period. We retrieved data of 121 post-menopausal women, 77 (63.64%) had already sustained a fragility fracture at any site (cases). The risk for dysmobility syndrome was significantly higher (adjusted OR for age and serum 25-OH vitamin D3 of 2.46) in the cases compared with the controls. An early diagnosis of conditions limiting mobility, including dysmobility syndrome, might be useful to identify, among patients with osteoporotic fractures, those who might have a higher risk of a new fragility fracture.

The disproportionate high risk of HIV infection among the urban poor in sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed

Magadi, Monica A

2013-06-01

The link between HIV infection and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is rather complex and findings from previous studies remain inconsistent. While some argue that poverty increases vulnerability, existing empirical evidence largely support the view that wealthier men and women have higher prevalence of HIV. In this paper, we examine the association between HIV infection and urban poverty in SSA, paying particular attention to differences in risk factors of HIV infection between the urban poor and non-poor. The study is based on secondary analysis of data from the Demographic and Health Surveys from 20 countries in SSA, conducted during 2003-2008. We apply multilevel logistic regression models, allowing the urban poverty risk factor to vary across countries to establish the extent to which the observed patterns are generalizable across countries in the SSA region. The results reveal that the urban poor in SSA have significantly higher odds of HIV infection than their urban non-poor counterparts, despite poverty being associated with a significantly lower risk among rural residents. Furthermore, the gender disparity in HIV infection (i.e. the disproportionate higher risk among women) is amplified among the urban poor. The paper confirms that the public health consequence of urban poverty that has been well documented in previous studies with respect to maternal and child health outcomes does apply to the risk of HIV infection. The positive association between household wealth and HIV prevalence observed in previous studies largely reflects the situation in the rural areas where the majority of the SSA populations reside.

Factors Influencing a Learner's Decision to Drop-Out or Persist in Higher Education Distance Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Street, Hannah

2010-01-01

Previous studies conducted on dropouts within online courses have found inconsistent factors affecting attrition. A literature review was performed, focusing on eight main studies. These studies were performed at both national and international universities. The methodology, participants, research question, and results varied by study. Overall,…

Food Addiction and Bulimia Nervosa: New Data Based on the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0.

PubMed

de Vries, Sarah-Kristin; Meule, Adrian

2016-11-01

Previous research on 'food addiction' as measured with the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) showed a large overlap between addiction-like eating and bulimia nervosa. Most recently, a revised version of the YFAS has been developed according to the changes made in the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition. The current study examined prevalence and correlates of the YFAS2.0 in individuals with bulimia (n = 115) and controls (n = 341). Ninety-six per cent of participants with bulimia and 14% of controls received a YFAS2.0 diagnosis. A higher number of YFAS2.0 symptoms was associated with lower interoceptive awareness, higher depressiveness, and higher impulsivity in both groups. However, a higher number of YFAS2.0 symptoms was associated with higher body mass and weight suppression in controls only and not in participants with bulimia. The current study is the first to show a large overlap between bulimia and 'food addiction' as measured with the YFAS2.0, replicating and extending findings from studies, which used the previous version of the YFAS. Compensatory weight control behaviours in individuals with bulimia likely alleviate the association between addiction-like eating and higher body mass. Thus, the large overlap between bulimia and 'food addiction' should be taken into consideration when examining the role of addiction-like eating in weight gain and obesity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Price Collusion or Competition in US Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gu, Jiafeng

2015-01-01

How geographical neighboring competitors influence the strategic price behaviors of universities is still unclear because previous studies assume spatial independence between universities. Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics college navigator dataset, this study shows that the price of one university is spatially…

Personality Correlates of Machiavellianism: VI. Machiavellianism and the Psychopath.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skinner, Nicholas F.

1988-01-01

Previous studies have not demonstrated hypothesized link between Machiavellianism (interpersonally manipulative behavior) and psychopathy. Results from two studies using college student samples revealed that High Machs obtained significantly higher Psychopathy scores than did Low Machs, and Mach V totals for Primary Psychopaths were significantly…

Role of U(VI) Adsorption in U(VI) Reduction by Geobacter Species.

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

None, None

2009-03-09

Previous work had suggested that Acholeplasma palmae has a higher capacity for uranium sorption than other bacteria studied. Sorption studies were performed with cells in suspension in various solutions containing uranium and results were used to generate uranium-biosorption isotherms.

Worklife After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

PubMed Central

Pflaum, Christopher; McCollister, George; Strauss, David J; Shavelle, Robert M; DeVivo, Michael J

2006-01-01

Objective: To develop predictive models to estimate worklife expectancy after spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Inception cohort study. Setting: Model SCI Care Systems throughout the United States. Participants: 20,143 persons enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center database since 1973. Intervention: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Postinjury employment rates and worklife expectancy. Results: Using logistic regression, we found a greater likelihood of being employed in any given year to be significantly associated with younger age, white race, higher education level, being married, having a nonviolent cause of injury, paraplegia, ASIA D injury, longer time postinjury, being employed at injury and during the previous postinjury year, higher general population employment rate, lower level of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and calendar years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Conclusions: The likelihood of postinjury employment varies substantially among persons with SCI. Given favorable patient characteristics, worklife should be considerably higher than previous estimates. PMID:17044388

Psychological well-being and reactions to multiple unemployment events: adaptation or sensitisation?

PubMed

Booker, Cara L; Sacker, Amanda

2012-09-01

Unemployment has been negatively associated with psychological well-being. This study examines the effect of multiple unemployment spells, specifically whether people become sensitised or adapt to unemployment if they are previously employed or economically inactive. Data come from waves 1-17 of the British Household Panel Survey. Psychological well-being was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and employment status was self-reported. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the effects of unemployment, overall and by previous employment status, on well-being. Without consideration of prior employment status, psychological well-being was poorer at each unemployment spell. Previously employed persons had significantly higher GHQ-12 scores at the first and second unemployment spells but not at the third spell (p(trend)<0.0001). Previously economically inactive persons had poorer psychological well-being at all unemployment spells, with significantly higher scores at the third spell than those at the first two spells (p(trend)=0.0004). Thus, those employed prior to all unemployment spells adapted, while those previously economically inactive became more sensitised with additional unemployment spells. Pre-study unemployment and average annual household income moderated the effects of unemployment; effects varied by previous employment status and unemployment spell number. The findings suggest that initially employed people who experience repeated unemployment cope better psychologically if they are able to regain employment in between unemployment spells. Those who make several attempts to re-enter the labour market following economic inactivity have a more difficult time, becoming more distressed with each try. This has implications for people affected by welfare to work policies.

The Genetic Basis of Natural Variation in Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Virgin Egg Retention.

PubMed

Akhund-Zade, Jamilla; Bergland, Alan O; Crowe, Sarah O; Unckless, Robert L

2017-01-01

Drosophila melanogaster is able to thrive in harsh northern climates through adaptations in life-history traits and physiological mechanisms that allow for survival through the winter. We examined the genetic basis of natural variation in one such trait, female virgin egg retention, which was previously shown to vary clinally and seasonally. To further our understanding of the genetic basis and evolution of virgin egg retention, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the previously sequenced Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) mapping population. We found 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with virgin egg retention and assayed 6 available mutant lines, each harboring a mutation in a candidate gene, for effects on egg retention time. We found that four out of the six mutant lines had defects in egg retention time as compared with the respective controls: mun, T48, Mes-4, and Klp67A Surprisingly, none of these genes has a recognized role in ovulation control, but three of the four genes have known effects on fertility or have high expression in the ovaries. We also found that the SNP set associated with egg retention time was enriched for clinal SNPs. The majority of clinal SNPs had alleles associated with longer egg retention present at higher frequencies in higher latitudes. Our results support previous studies that show higher frequency of long retention times at higher latitude, providing evidence for the adaptive value of virgin egg-retention. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of America.

L-Mapping Solar Energetic Particles from LEO to High Altitudes at High Latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, S. L.; Wilson, G.

2017-12-01

The current solar energetic particle (SEP) hazard specification is focused on geosynchronous orbit with some capability at LEO, but there is no specification for the large region between these orbital regimes. The L-mapping technique, which attempts to fill this capability gap, assumes that there is a simple relationship between magnetic L-shells and SEP penetration boundaries that can be exploited. A previous study compared POES observations that had been mapped to the Van Allen Probes with local observations. It found that more than 90% of the mapped and local fluxes were within a factor of four of each other; this is thought to be sucient for operational purposes. One concern with the previous study was the limited number of SEP events that have occurred during the Van Allen Probes mission. The current study examines the L-mapping method's accuracy at higher latitudes. Observations from a satellite that was launched into a HEO orbit with a 63° inclination before the peak of solar cycle 24 are compared to L-mapped POES observations. The larger number of events provides better statistics and the 63° orbit inclination allows us to examine the difference between mapping from POES to the magnetic equator, as in the previous study, and mapping from POES to higher latitudes.

Clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome in patients previously treated with nitrates.

PubMed

Latour-Pérez, Jaime; Gómez-Tello, Vicente; Fuset-Cabanes, María Paz; Balsa, Eva de Miguel; Sáez, Frutos Del Nogal; Orts, Francisco Javier Coves; Rodríguez, Carmen Martín; Pino-Izquierdo, Karel; Pesquera, María de la Concepción Pavía; Rodríguez, Antonio José Montón

2013-11-01

Several reports have suggested that nitrates limit acute ischaemic damage by a mechanism similar to preconditioning. This study aims to evaluate the effect of chronic oral nitrates on the clinical presentation and short-term outcomes of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with ACS admitted to 62 acute care units from 2010 to 2011. A propensity score-matched samples analysis was performed. We analysed 3171 consecutive patients, of whom 298 (9.4%) were chronically treated with nitrates. Patients previously treated with nitrates had higher comorbidity and disease severity at admission, lower prevalence of ACS with ST elevation, lower troponin elevation, higher prevalence of initial Killip class 2-4 and higher hospital mortality. The propensity score-matched analysis confirmed that previous use of nitrates is independently associated with a lower prevalence of ST-elevation ACS [odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.78; P = 0.0014] and a lower troponin elevation (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.92) but not with Killip class on admission (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.83-1.67, P = 0.3697) or mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.38, P = 0.3196). The results support the hypothesis that nitrates have a protective effect on acute ischaemic injury.

Association between Pap smear screening and job stress in Taiwanese nurses.

PubMed

Su, Shiang-Yuan; Chiou, Shu-Ti; Huang, Nicole; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Chiang, Jen-Huai; Chien, Li-Yin

2016-02-01

Nursing is a professional job characterized by high stress. Stress could be associated with less practice of health promoting behaviors; however, no study has investigated the relationship between job stress and health screening behaviors among nurses. This study aimed to describe the rate of Pap smears in hospital nurses and examine the effects of job stress on receiving a Pap smear. This study was a cross-sectional survey. The study participants were 30,681 full-time female nurses who were at least 30 years of age working in 100 hospitals across Taiwan. The study participants filled out an anonymous structured questionnaire from May to July, 2011. The outcome variable was having a Pap test during the previous 3 years. The level of stress was measured by a 19-item scale, with higher scores indicating higher stress levels. About 62.4% of the nurses had a Pap smear during the previous three years. Each point increase in the stress score decreased the likelihood of Pap smears (OR = .997, 95% CI: .995-.999), after adjustment for participant characteristics, health status, health behaviors, and hospital characteristics. Despite more knowledge and higher accessibility, nurses were less likely to have Pap smear screening than the general population. A higher level of job stress was associated with a lower likelihood of having a Pap smear. Hospital administrators could help decrease work-related stress and improve stress adaption among nurses in order to improve their health screening behaviors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Describe Academics' Confidence, Attitudes, and Experience of Online Distance Learning in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Roger; Hutt, Ian; Thomas-Varcoe, Catherine; Motteram, Gary; Else, Kathryn; Rawlings, Barbara; Gemmell, Isla

2017-01-01

Previous research, mainly from North America and Asia, has highlighted how many academics in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are concerned about the academic integrity of online distance learning (ODL) compared with face-to-face-teaching and its impact on their work and the student learning experience. Far less is known about this topic for…

Yip-08 Hypervelocity Boundary Layer Studies for Axisymmetric Engine Flowpaths

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-25

theoretical potential to achieve higher efficiencies than conventional two-dimensional geometries [1, 2]. The inward-turning or axisymmetric Busemann inlet...thermocouples involved epoxying the two electrodes together first, waiting for the epoxy to dry , and then soldering the wires to the electrodes. This...encountered previously and resulted in a much higher thermocouple survival rate. The form for holding the drying thermocouple had to be slightly

Dense downtown living more carbon intense due to higher consumption: a case study of Helsinki

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinonen, Jukka; Kyrö, Riikka; Junnila, Seppo

2011-07-01

Hindering urban sprawl is one of the main goals for contemporary urban planning. Urban density is considered crucial in climate change mitigation since it reduces automobile dependence and decreases unit sizes, for example. This letter analyzes the effect of density in a city context. In the study the Finnish capital Helsinki is divided into two areas of different urban densities: the high density downtown area and the more scarcely populated suburbs. The study is a continuation of a recently published study on the implications of urban structure on carbon emissions, and analyzes further the main finding of the first study—that higher urban density might have negligible or even reverse effect on the per capita carbon emissions. Similarly to the previous study, a consumption based tiered hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) approach is employed in order to produce a comprehensive assessment, free of territorial boundaries and system cutoffs typical of traditional LCAs. Based on the findings of the previous study, it is hypothesized that when assessing city level carbon dioxide emissions from a wider, consumer oriented LCA perspective, increased urban density may not necessarily reduce carbon emissions. Surprisingly, the study finds that carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions are substantially higher in the dense downtown area than in the surrounding suburbs, which is suggested to imply that the increased consumption due to the higher standard of living increases emissions more than the higher density is able to reduce them. The results demonstrate that, while increasing urban density can be justified from a number of ecological, social and economic viewpoints, density is not necessarily a key parameter in the particular case of climate change. In cities like Helsinki, where wealth is concentrated in the downtown area, climate policies should give higher priority to the energy consumption of buildings, to alternative energy production and distribution modes, as well as to low carbon consumption within the city.

Associations of self estimated workloads with musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses

PubMed Central

Ando, S.; Ono, Y.; Shimaoka, M.; Hiruta, S.; Hattori, Y.; Hori, F.; Takeuchi, Y.

2000-01-01

OBJECTIVES—To investigate the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and arm pain (NSAP) as well as low back pain (LBP) among hospital nurses, and to examine the association of work tasks and self estimated risk factors with NSAP and LBP.
METHODS—A cross sectional study was carried out in a national university hospital in Japan. Full time registered nurses in the wards (n=314) were selected for analysis. The questionnaire was composed of items on demographic conditions, severity of workloads in actual tasks, self estimated risk factors for fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain in the previous month. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Cox's proportional hazards model to study the association of pain with variables related to work and demographic conditions.
RESULTS—The prevalences of low back, shoulder, neck, and arm pain in the previous month were 54.7%, 42.8%, 31.3%, and 18.6%, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses was higher than in previous studies. In the Cox's models for LBP and NSAP, there were no significant associations between musculoskeletal pain and the items related to work and demographic conditions. The RRs for LBP tended to be relatively higher for "accepting emergency patients" and some actual tasks. Some items of self estimated risk factors for fatigue tended to have relatively higher RRs for LBP and NSAP.
CONCLUSIONS—It was suggested that musculoskeletal pain among hospital nurses may have associations with some actual tasks and items related to work postures, work control, and work organisation. Further studies, however, are necessary, as clear evidence of this potential association was not shown in the study.


Keywords: workloads; musculoskeletal pain; nurses PMID:10810105

Who wants to go to occupational therapy school? Characteristics of Norwegian occupational therapy students.

PubMed

Bonsaksen, Tore; Kvarsnes, Hildegunn; Dahl, Mona

2016-07-01

Research on occupational therapy students has often been concerned with quite narrow topics. However, the basic characteristics of this group are yet to be examined in more depth. This study aimed to explore the sociodemographic, education-related, and work-related characteristics of occupational therapy students. A sample of 160 occupational therapy students in Norway participated. Differences between cohorts of students were examined with one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables and with chi-square tests for categorical variables. The sample had a mean age of 24 years and was predominantly female (79%). More than one -third of the students had one or both parents in an occupation requiring health education, whereas two-thirds of the students had one or both parents in an occupation requiring higher education. At entry, 57% of the participants had occupational therapy as their preferred choice of education and 43% had previous higher education experience. The few significant differences between the study cohorts were negligible. In the education programmes, specific attention may be considered for students with characteristics associated with increased risk of poorer study performance or other problems. This may concern male students and students with no previous higher education experience.

Investigations of in vitro bioaccessibility from interesterified stearic and oleic acid-rich blends.

PubMed

Thilakarathna, S H; Rogers, M; Lan, Y; Huynh, S; Marangoni, A G; Robinson, L E; Wright, A J

2016-04-01

Interesterification was previously found to impact stearic acid absorption in a randomized cross-over study, when human volunteers consumed a 70 : 30 wt% high-oleic sunflower and canola stearin blend (NIE) compared to the same blend which had undergone either chemical (CIE) or enzymatic (EIE) interesterification. In this research, in vitro lipid digestion, bioaccessibility, and changes in undigested lipid composition and melting behavior of these same test fats were investigated using the dynamic, multi-compartmental TIM-1 digestion model and compared with the previous human study. Overall, TIM-1 bioaccessibility was higher with interesterification (p < 0.05). Oleic acid bioaccessibility was higher than stearic acid bioaccessibility for NIE, and vice versa for the interesterified blends (p < 0.05). Stearic acid was more concentrated in the undigested triacylglycerols (TAG) from NIE, corresponding to a relatively higher melting temperature of the undigested lipids. The results confirm the impact of TAG composition, fatty acid position and/or physical properties on lipid digestion. TIM-1 bioaccessibility was linearly correlated (R(2) = 0.8640) with postprandial serum TAG concentration in the human study. Therefore, the in vitro digestion model offered predictive insights related to the impacts of lipid interesterificaton on absorption.

The Effects of Organizational Cynicism on Community Colleges: Exploring Concepts from Positive Psychology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnes, Lenora Lacy

2010-01-01

This study tested the negative relationships between organizational cynicism and organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior, and the positive relationship between organizational cynicism and turnover intention within the context of higher education. Going beyond previous research efforts, this study identified how these…

Bullying Victims: The Effects Last into College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adams, Frank D.; Lawrence, Gloria J.

2011-01-01

This study examined whether those bullied in schools continued to show the effects of being bullied after they enrolled in an institution of higher education. There were 269 undergraduate students participating in the study. Previous studies (2006; 2008) conducted by the authors suggested the effects of bullying upon both the victim and bully are…

Impact of Including Higher Actinides in Fast Reactor Transmutation Analyses

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

B. Forget; M. Asgari; R. Ferrer

2007-09-01

Previous fast reactor transmutation studies generally disregarded higher mass minor actinides beyond Cm-246 due to various considerations including deficiencies in nuclear cross-section data. Although omission of these higher mass actinides does not significantly impact the neutronic calculations and fuel cycle performance parameters follow-on neutron dose calculations related to fuel recycling, transportation and handling are significantly impacted. This report shows that including the minor actinides in the equilibrium fast reactor calculations will increase the predicted neutron emission by about 30%. In addition a sensitivity study was initiated by comparing the impact of different cross-section evaluation file for representing these minor actinides.

Inefficient Executive Cognitive Control in Schizophrenia Is Preceded by Altered Functional Activation during Information Encoding: An fMRI Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schlosser, Ralf G. M.; Koch, Kathrin; Wagner, Gerd; Nenadic, Igor; Roebel, Martin; Schachtzabel, Claudia; Axer, Martina; Schultz, Christoph; Reichenbach, Jurgen R.; Sauer, Heinrich

2008-01-01

Working memory deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia. Previous working memory studies suggest a load dependent storage deficit. However, explicit studies of higher executive working memory processes are limited. Moreover, few studies have examined whether subcomponents of working memory such as encoding and maintenance of information are…

Sinuosity of Martian rampart ejecta deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, Nadine G.

1994-01-01

The sinuosities of 2213 Martian rampart ejecta craters are quantified through measurement of the ejecta flow front perimeter and ejecta area. This quantity, called lobateness, was computed for each complete lobe of the 1582 single lobe (SL), 251 double lobe (DL), and 380 multiple lobe (ML) craters included in this study. A lobateness value of 1 indicates a circular ejecta blanket, whereas more sinuous ejecta perimeters have lobateness values greater than 1. Although resolution does have an effect on the absolute values of lobateness, the general relationships between lobateness and morphology exist regardless of resolution. Evaluation of the lobateness values reveals that the outer lobes of DL and ML craters have higher median lobateness values (i.e., are more sinuous) than the inner lobes. The outermost lobe of ML craters displays higher lobateness values than the outer lobe of DL craters or the single lobe of SL craters. Previous reports of lobateness-diameter, lobateness-latitude, and lobateness-terrain relationships for rampart craters are not supported by this study. Many of the differences between the results of this study and the previous lobateness analyses can be attributed to the inclusion of resolution effects and the distinction between different ejecta morphologies in this study. The results of this study taken together with a previous analysis of the distribution and diameter dependence of different ejecta morphologies are most consistent with the theory that Martian lobate ejecta morphologies form from impact into subsurface volatiles.

Death by unnatural causes during childhood and early adulthood in offspring of psychiatric inpatients.

PubMed

Webb, Roger T; Pickles, Andrew R; Appleby, Louis; Mortensen, Preben B; Abel, Kathryn M

2007-03-01

Offspring of psychiatric inpatients are at higher risk of death from all causes, but their cause-specific risks have not been quantified. To investigate cause-specific deaths at 1 to 25 years in offspring of parents previously admitted as psychiatric inpatients. Population-based cohort study. The entire Danish population. All singleton births (N = 1.38 million) from January 1, 1973, to December 31, 1997, with follow-up to January 1, 1999. Linkage to the national psychiatric register identified all previous parental admissions. Deaths from all natural causes and all unnatural causes, specifically, accidents, homicides, suicides, and undetermined causes. The highest observed relative risk (RR) was for homicide in young and older children with affected mothers or fathers. Homicides were between 5 and 10 times more likely to occur in this group, according to child's age and whether the mother or father had been admitted. There was previous parental admission in approximately one third of all child homicides. We found no evidence of increased risk of homicide in exposed young adults, but this group had a 2-fold to 3-fold higher risk of suicide. In almost one fourth of the suicides, there was a history of parental admission. Young adults with 2 previously admitted parents were 6 times more likely to kill themselves than were their peers in the general population. Relative risk of suicide or open-verdict deaths by poisoning were higher than for such deaths occurring by other means. Almost 99% of children studied survived to their mid-20s. However, they were more vulnerable to death from unnatural causes, notably, homicide during childhood and suicide in early adulthood. Further research is needed to establish how parental psychopathology contributes to increased risk of premature death in these offspring.

Previous pregnancy outcomes and subsequent pregnancy anxiety in a Quebec prospective cohort

PubMed Central

Shapiro, Gabriel D.; Séguin, Jean R.; Muckle, Gina; Monnier, Patricia; Fraser, William D.

2017-01-01

Introduction Pregnancy anxiety is an important psychosocial risk factor that may be more strongly associated with adverse birth outcomes than other measures of stress. Better understanding of the upstream predictors and causes of pregnancy anxiety could help to identify high-risk women for adverse maternal and infant outcomes. The objective of the present study was to measure the associations between five past pregnancy outcomes (live preterm birth (PTB), live term birth, miscarriage at <20 weeks, stillbirth at ≥20 weeks, and elective abortion) and pregnancy anxiety at three trimesters in a subsequent pregnancy. Methods Analyses were conducted using data from the 3D Cohort Study, a Canadian birth cohort. Data on maternal demographic characteristics and pregnancy history for each known previous pregnancy were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires at study entry. Pregnancy anxiety for the index study pregnancy was measured prospectively by self-administered questionnaire following three prenatal study visits. Results Of 2366 participants in the 3D Study, 1505 had at least one previous pregnancy. In linear regression analyses with adjustment for confounding variables, prior live term birth was associated with lower pregnancy anxiety in all three trimesters, whereas prior miscarriage was significantly associated with higher pregnancy anxiety in the first trimester. Prior stillbirth was associated with greater pregnancy anxiety in the third trimester. Prior elective abortion was significantly associated with higher pregnancy anxiety scores in the first and second trimesters, with an association of similar magnitude observed in the third trimester. Discussion Our findings suggest that the outcomes of previous pregnancies should be incorporated, along with demographic and psychosocial characteristics, into conceptual models framing pregnancy anxiety. PMID:28079434

Handedness in pedophilia and hebephilia.

PubMed

Cantor, James M; Klassen, Philip E; Dickey, Robert; Christensen, Bruce K; Kuban, Michael E; Blak, Thomas; Williams, Natasha S; Blanchard, Ray

2005-08-01

A sample of 404 adult men underwent assessment following illegal or clinically significant sexual behaviors or interests. Patients' assessments included: administration of a modified version of the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; recording of patients' phallometric (penile) responses to erotic stimuli depicting adults, pubescent children, and prepubescent children of both sexes; and a tabulation of the numbers of patients' victims, ages 0-11, 12-14, 15-16, and 17 and older, of both sexes. In Study 1, patients' right-handedness scores correlated negatively with their phallometric responses to stimuli depicting prepubescent children and positively with stimuli depicting adults, replicating the pattern described in a previous report (Cantor et al., 2004). Unlike the previous study, however, patients' handedness scores did not significantly correlate with their numbers of prepubescent victims. To explore this discrepancy, Study 2 combined the patients from this replication sample with those in the previously reported sample, categorizing them by the sex and age group of greatest erotic interest to them. The odds of non-right-handedness in men offending predominantly against prepubescent children were approximately two-fold higher than that in men offending predominantly against adults and three-fold higher after eliminating those men with intrafamilial (i.e., incest) offenses. Handedness differences between men erotically interested in males versus females were not statistically significant. These results indicate that the rates of non-right-handedness in pedophilia are much larger than previously suggested and are comparable to the rates observed in pervasive developmental disorders, such as autism, suggesting a neurological component to the development of pedophilia and hebephilia.

Linguistic Factors Associated with Self-Inflicted Injury in Borderline Personality Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Birdwell, Benjamin Park

2009-01-01

The present study builds on previous research, which demonstrated higher levels of depressive and interpersonal conflict language in first-person narrative accounts of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempt (SA) in borderline personality disorder. The present study was designed to examine the semantic similarity of time-sequences…

Reading, Writing, and Animation in Character Learning in Chinese as a Foreign Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xu, Yi; Chang, Li-Yun; Zhang, Juan; Perfetti, Charles A.

2013-01-01

Previous studies suggest that writing helps reading development in Chinese in both first and second language settings by enabling higher-quality orthographic representation of the characters. This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of reading, animation, and writing in developing foreign language learners' orthographic knowledge…

Maintaining Momentum toward Graduation: OER and the Course Throughput Rate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hilton, John, III; Fischer, Lane; Wiley, David; Williams, Linda

2016-01-01

"Open Educational Resources" (OER) have the potential to replace traditional textbooks in higher education. Previous studies indicate that use of OER results in high student and faculty satisfaction, lower costs, and similar or better educational outcomes. In this case study, we compared students using traditional textbooks with those…

Higher dietary anthocyanin and flavonol intakes are associated with anti-inflammatory effects in a population of US adults

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Although growing evidence from trials and population-based studies has supported a protective role for flavonoids in relation to risk of certain chronic diseases, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Several previous studies focused on individual inflammatory biomarkers, but because...

Intelligence Score Profiles of Female Juvenile Offenders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Werner, Shelby Spare; Hart, Kathleen J.; Ficke, Susan L.

2016-01-01

Previous studies have found that male juvenile offenders typically obtain low scores on measures of intelligence, often with a pattern of higher scores on measures of nonverbal relative to verbal tasks. The research on the intelligence performance of female juvenile offenders is limited. This study explored the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for…

Artist-Teachers' In-Action Mental Models While Teaching Visual Arts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russo-Zimet, Gila

2017-01-01

Studies have examined the assumption that teachers have previous perceptions, beliefs and knowledge about learning (Cochran-Smith & Villegas, 2015). This study presented the In-Action Mental Model of twenty leading artist-teachers while teaching Visual Arts in three Israeli art institutions of higher Education. Data was collected in two…

Physical Aggression in Higher Education: Student-Athletes' Perceptions and Reporting Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pappas, Jason Christopher

2010-01-01

This study examined internal (personal) and external (situational) factors that previous research found affected perceptions of physical aggression and associated reporting behaviors among student-athletes. Results of this study suggested certain factors significantly impacted a student-athlete's decision to report and who received that report.…

A Comparison of Higher-Order Thinking between the Common Core State Standards and the 2009 New Jersey Content Standards in High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sforza, Dario; Tienken, Christopher H.; Kim, Eunyoung

2016-01-01

The creators and supporters of the Common Core State Standards claim that the Standards require greater emphasis on higher-order thinking than previous state standards in mathematics and English language arts. We used a qualitative case study design with content analysis methods to test the claim. We compared the levels of thinking required by the…

Systematic review of the risk of uterine rupture with the use of amnioinfusion after previous cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Hicks, Paul

2005-04-01

Amnioinfusion is commonly used for the intrapartum treatment of women with pregnancy complicated by thick meconium or oligohydramnios with deep variable fetal heart rate decelerations. Its benefit in women with previous cesarean deliveries is less known. Theoretically, rapid increases in intrauterine volume would lead to a higher risk of uterine rupture. Searches of the Cochrane Library from inception to the third quarter of 2001 and MEDLINE, 1966 to November 2001, were performed by using keywords "cesarean" and "amnioinfusion." Search terms were expanded to maximize results. All languages were included. Review articles, editorials, and data previously published in other sites were not analyzed. Four studies were retrieved having unduplicated data describing amnioinfusion in women who were attempting a trial of labor after previous cesarean section. As the studies were of disparate types, meta-analysis was not possible. The use of amnioinfusion in women with previous cesarean delivery who are undergoing a trial of labor may be a safe procedure, but confirmatory large, controlled prospective studies are needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

Relationship of Cognitive Style and Job Level: First Demonstration of Cultural Differences

PubMed Central

Kageyama, Tetsuya; Sugiura, Motoaki

2017-01-01

Higher-level managers are said to have a more intuitive cognitive style. To verify this hypothesis, we must consider three factors that have often been left out of account. Previous studies, related to managerial cognitive style and job level, used a unidimensional model of cognitive style, did not consider age, and have mainly been conducted in the UK. Our study replicated previous studies on a population of 1,533 Japanese fulltime workers, using a questionnaire based on a two-dimensional model of cognitive style and setting a frame by age for each job level. Our results showed that higher job levels are associated with more rational cognitive styles. There were significant main effects of the interaction of job level and job level by age in rational thinking style. There was no correlation between intuition and job level. Our findings are the first demonstration that the relationship between job level and cognitive style likely depends on culture. PMID:28790961

Laughter is not always funny: breath-holding spells in familial dysautonomia.

PubMed

Maayan, Channa; Katz, Eliot; Begin, Michal; Yuvchev, Ivelin; Kharasch, Virginia S

2015-02-01

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a genetic disease characterized by primary autonomic dysfunction including parasympathetic hypersensitivity. Breath-holding spells (BHS) are believed to be caused by autonomic dysregulation mediated via the vagus nerve and increased in patients with a family history of BHS. Details and understanding of its pathophysiology are lacking. In this retrospective study of patients with FD, the incidence of BHS was higher at 53.3%, compared with previous studies in normal children. Laughter as a precipitating factor for BHS has not been previously reported in FD and occurred in 10% of patients in this study. Lower lung volumes, chronic lung disease, chronic CO2 retention, and inadequate autonomic compensation occur in those with FD leading to a higher incidence and severity of BHS when crying or laughing. Thus, FD may be a good model for understanding manifestations of the autonomic nervous system dysfunction and contribute to our knowledge of BHS mechanisms. © The Author(s) 2014.

Relationship of Cognitive Style and Job Level: First Demonstration of Cultural Differences.

PubMed

Kageyama, Tetsuya; Sugiura, Motoaki

2017-01-01

Higher-level managers are said to have a more intuitive cognitive style. To verify this hypothesis, we must consider three factors that have often been left out of account. Previous studies, related to managerial cognitive style and job level, used a unidimensional model of cognitive style, did not consider age, and have mainly been conducted in the UK. Our study replicated previous studies on a population of 1,533 Japanese fulltime workers, using a questionnaire based on a two-dimensional model of cognitive style and setting a frame by age for each job level. Our results showed that higher job levels are associated with more rational cognitive styles. There were significant main effects of the interaction of job level and job level by age in rational thinking style. There was no correlation between intuition and job level. Our findings are the first demonstration that the relationship between job level and cognitive style likely depends on culture.

One explanatory basis for the discrepancy of reported prevalences of sleep paralysis among healthy respondents.

PubMed

Fukuda, K

1993-12-01

In a previous study, the author and coworkers found 39.8% of healthy young adults had experienced sleep paralysis. Some other studies reported prevalence as about the same or higher (i.e., 40.7% to 62.0%) than that previous estimate, while yet other studies, including Goode's work cited by ASDC and ASDA classifications, suggested much lower prevalences (i.e., 4.7% to 26.2%). The author tested the hypothesis that this discrepancy among the reported prevalences is partly due to the expression used in each questionnaire. University students who answered the questionnaire using the term 'transient paralysis' reported the lower prevalence (26.4%), while the second group of respondents who answered the questionnaire using the term kanashibari, the Japanese folklore expression for sleep paralysis, gave the higher prevalence (39.3%). The third group who answered the questionnaire with the term 'condition,' probably a rather neutral expression, marked the middle (31.0%) of these.

The CRC Contribution to Research Training: Report of a Scoping Study for the Cooperative Research Centres Association

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Nigel

2012-01-01

This report summarises findings from a scoping study conducted for the Cooperative Research Centres Association (CRCA) by the Centre for the Study of Higher Education. The purpose of the scoping study is to inform the research training activities of Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs). While previous studies have focussed on the outcomes supported…

Explaining variance in self-directed learning readiness of first year students in health professional programs.

PubMed

Slater, Craig E; Cusick, Anne; Louie, Jimmy C Y

2017-11-13

Self-directed learning (SDL) is expected of health science graduates; it is thus a learning outcome in many pre-certification programs. Previous research identified age, gender, discipline and prior education as associated with variations in students' self-directed learning readiness (SDLR). Studies in other fields also propose personality as influential. This study investigated relationships between SDLR and age, gender, discipline, previous education, and personality traits. The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale and the 50-item 'big five' personality trait inventory were administered to 584 first-year undergraduate students (n = 312 female) enrolled in a first-session undergraduate interprofessional health sciences subject. Students were from health promotion, health services management, therapeutic recreation, sports and exercise science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and podiatry. Four hundred and seven responses (n = 230 females) were complete. SDLR was significantly higher in females and students in occupational therapy and physiotherapy. SDLR increased with age and higher levels of previous education. It was also significantly associated with 'big five' personality trait scores. Regression analysis revealed 52.9% of variance was accounted for by personality factors, discipline and prior experience of tertiary education. Demographic, discipline and personality factors are associated with SDLR in the first year of study. Teachers need to be alert to individual student variation in SDLR.

Outcome of delivery following first-pregnancy abortion.

PubMed

Tangtrakul, S; Thongjerm, M; Suthutvoravuth, S; Phromboon, S; Chaturachinda, K

1988-03-01

To determine whether or not a previous abortion has a deleterious effect on the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy, 6443 delivery records at Ramathibodi hospital between January and December 1982 were reviewed. The 2 study groups consisted of 143 women who had previously had an induced abortion and 315 women who had previously had a spontaneous abortion. Control groups were women having a 2nd child after a normal 1st pregnancy. The 1st study group had fewer women under 19 and over 35 and a lower educational level. Group 2 had more women with a pregnancy interval of less than 2 years. There was no difference between the study groups and the controls in premature rupture of fetal membranes, placenta previa, cesarean sections, manual removal of placenta, retained secundine, postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight, Apgar score less than 6, congenital abnormalities, or perinatal mortality. The only difference between both study groups and the controls was that there was a higher percentage of assisted deliveries in both study groups. This finding is probably the result of the fact that these were 1st births and is totally unrelated to previous abortion.

Association of type D personality with unhealthy lifestyle, and estimated risk of coronary events in the general Icelandic population.

PubMed

Svansdottir, Erla; Denollet, Johan; Thorsson, Bolli; Gudnason, Thorarinn; Halldorsdottir, Sigrun; Gudnason, Vilmundur; van den Broek, Krista C; Karlsson, Hrobjartur D

2013-04-01

Type D personality is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality risk in cardiovascular disease patients, but the mechanisms explaining this risk are unclear. We examined whether Type D was associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, estimated risk of developing CAD, and previous cardiac events. Cross-sectional study in the general Icelandic population. A random sample of 4753 individuals (mean age 49.1 ± 12.0 years; 49% men) from the REFINE-Reykjavik study completed assessments for Type D personality and conventional CAD risk factors. Ten-year risk of developing CAD was estimated with the Icelandic risk calculator. Type D personality (22% of sample) was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension (35 vs. 31%, p = 0.009), but less use of hypertension medication (58 vs. 65%, p = 0.013) in hypertensives, more diabetes (6 vs. 4%, p = 0.023), wider waist circumference (p = 0.007), and elevated body mass index (p = 0.025) and blood lipids (p < 0.05). Type D individuals reported less physical exercise (p = 0.000) and more current (26 vs. 21%, p = 0.003) and former smoking (48 vs. 44%, p = 0.036). Estimates of 10-year risk of CAD were higher in Type D individuals (12.4%, 95% CI 1.9 to 23.8%), and Type Ds reported more previous cardiac events than non-Type Ds (5 vs. 3%, p < 0.01; OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.42). In the general Icelandic population, Type D personality was associated with differences in lifestyle-related CAD risk factors, a higher estimated risk of developing CAD, and higher incidence of previous cardiac events. Unhealthy lifestyles may partly explain the adverse cardiovascular effect of Type D personality.

Pregnancy outcomes among patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and uterine anatomic abnormalities.

PubMed

Gabbai, Daniel; Harlev, Avi; Friger, Michael; Steiner, Naama; Sergienko, Ruslan; Kreinin, Andrey; Bashiri, Asher

2017-07-25

Different etiologies for recurrent pregnancy loss have been identified, among them are: anatomical, endocrine, genetic, chromosomal and thrombophilia pathologies. To assess medical and obstetric characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes, among women with uterine abnormalities and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study also aims to assess the impact of uterine anatomic surgical correction on pregnancy outcomes. A retrospective case control study of 313 patients with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses followed by a subsequent (index) pregnancy. Anatomic abnormalities were detected in 80 patients. All patients were evaluated and treated in the RPL clinic at Soroka University Medical Center. Out of 80 patients with uterine anatomic abnormalities, 19 underwent surgical correction, 32 did not and 29 had no clear record of surgical intervention, and thus were excluded from this study. Women with anatomic abnormalities had a higher rate of previous cesarean section (18.8% vs. 8.6%, P=0.022), tended to have a lower number of previous live births (1.05 vs. 1.37, P=0.07), and a higher rate of preterm delivery (22.9% vs. 10%, P=0.037). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, anatomic abnormality was identified as an independent risk factor for RPL in patients with previous cesarean section after controlling for place of residence, positive genetic/autoimmune/endocrine workup, and fertility problems (OR 7.22; 95% CI 1.17-44.54, P=0.03). Women suffering from anatomic abnormalities tended to have a higher rate of pregnancy loss compared to those without anatomic abnormalities (40% vs. 30.9%, P=0.2). The difference in pregnancy loss rate among women who underwent surgical correction compared to those who did not was not statistically significant. In patients with previous cesarean section, uterine abnormality is an independent risk factor for pregnancy loss. Surgical correction of uterine abnormalities among RPL patients might have the potential to improve live birth rate.

Murine Lung Cancer Increases CD4+ T Cell Apoptosis and Decreases Gut Proliferative Capacity in Sepsis.

PubMed

Lyons, John D; Mittal, Rohit; Fay, Katherine T; Chen, Ching-Wen; Liang, Zhe; Margoles, Lindsay M; Burd, Eileen M; Farris, Alton B; Ford, Mandy L; Coopersmith, Craig M

2016-01-01

Mortality is significantly higher in septic patients with cancer than in septic patients without a history of cancer. We have previously described a model of pancreatic cancer followed by sepsis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in which cancer septic mice have higher mortality than previously healthy septic mice, associated with increased gut epithelial apoptosis and decreased T cell apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this represents a common host response by creating a new model in which both the type of cancer and the model of sepsis are altered. C57Bl/6 mice received an injection of 250,000 cells of the lung cancer line LLC-1 into their right thigh and were followed three weeks for development of palpable tumors. Mice with cancer and mice without cancer were then subjected to cecal ligation and puncture and sacrificed 24 hours after the onset of sepsis or followed 7 days for survival. Cancer septic mice had a higher mortality than previously healthy septic mice (60% vs. 18%, p = 0.003). Cancer septic mice had decreased number and frequency of splenic CD4+ lymphocytes secondary to increased apoptosis without changes in splenic CD8+ numbers. Intestinal proliferation was also decreased in cancer septic mice. Cancer septic mice had a higher bacterial burden in the peritoneal cavity, but this was not associated with alterations in local cytokine, neutrophil or dendritic cell responses. Cancer septic mice had biochemical evidence of worsened renal function, but there was no histologic evidence of renal injury. Animals with cancer have a significantly higher mortality than previously healthy animals following sepsis. The potential mechanisms associated with this elevated mortality differ significantly based upon the model of cancer and sepsis utilized. While lymphocyte apoptosis and intestinal integrity are both altered by the combination of cancer and sepsis, the patterns of these alterations vary greatly depending on the models used.

Murine Lung Cancer Increases CD4+ T Cell Apoptosis and Decreases Gut Proliferative Capacity in Sepsis

PubMed Central

Lyons, John D.; Mittal, Rohit; Fay, Katherine T.; Chen, Ching-Wen; Liang, Zhe; Margoles, Lindsay M.; Burd, Eileen M.; Farris, Alton B.

2016-01-01

Background Mortality is significantly higher in septic patients with cancer than in septic patients without a history of cancer. We have previously described a model of pancreatic cancer followed by sepsis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in which cancer septic mice have higher mortality than previously healthy septic mice, associated with increased gut epithelial apoptosis and decreased T cell apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this represents a common host response by creating a new model in which both the type of cancer and the model of sepsis are altered. Methods C57Bl/6 mice received an injection of 250,000 cells of the lung cancer line LLC-1 into their right thigh and were followed three weeks for development of palpable tumors. Mice with cancer and mice without cancer were then subjected to cecal ligation and puncture and sacrificed 24 hours after the onset of sepsis or followed 7 days for survival. Results Cancer septic mice had a higher mortality than previously healthy septic mice (60% vs. 18%, p = 0.003). Cancer septic mice had decreased number and frequency of splenic CD4+ lymphocytes secondary to increased apoptosis without changes in splenic CD8+ numbers. Intestinal proliferation was also decreased in cancer septic mice. Cancer septic mice had a higher bacterial burden in the peritoneal cavity, but this was not associated with alterations in local cytokine, neutrophil or dendritic cell responses. Cancer septic mice had biochemical evidence of worsened renal function, but there was no histologic evidence of renal injury. Conclusions Animals with cancer have a significantly higher mortality than previously healthy animals following sepsis. The potential mechanisms associated with this elevated mortality differ significantly based upon the model of cancer and sepsis utilized. While lymphocyte apoptosis and intestinal integrity are both altered by the combination of cancer and sepsis, the patterns of these alterations vary greatly depending on the models used. PMID:27018973

Status and health in Roman Dorset: the effect of status on risk of mortality in post-conquest populations.

PubMed

Redfern, Rebecca C; Dewitte, Sharon N

2011-10-01

The Roman conquest of Britain was previously shown to have negatively impacted health, particularly for children, older adults, and men. We build upon this previous research by investigating the effect that status had on risks of mortality within the Roman Britain populations of Dorset. This study incorporates a sample of 291 individuals excavated from several cemeteries in the county of Dorset dating between the first to early fifth centuries AD. To assess the effect of status on risks of mortality, burial type was used as a proxy for status and modeled as a covariate affecting the Siler and Gompertz-Makeham models of mortality. The results of these analyses indicate that high-status individuals, particularly children, had a lower mortality risk compared to lower-status groups; and for those buried in urban cemeteries, higher-status individuals of all age-groups had a lower mortality risk. As with our previous study (Redfern and DeWitte: Am J Phys Anthropol 144 (2011) 269-285), we found that male mortality risk was higher than females, which we consider to reflect underlying sex-differences in immunity and disease response. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Factors behind nonadherence to diet regimens among obese adults in Tanta, Egypt: a case-control study.

PubMed

Abo Ali, Ehab A; Atlam, Salwa A; Ghareeb, Wessam A

2016-03-01

Nonadherence to diet regimens is a major cause of treatment failure in the field of obesity management. It varies according to the study design and the type of intervention. In weight loss clinical trials, nonadherence rates range from 10 to 80%. Strategies to reduce dropout rates rely on precise identification of factors leading to premature program termination. The aim of this research was to study factors behind nonadherence to diet regimens among obese adults in Tanta, Egypt. A retrospective, case-control study was carried out during the year 2014 in an obesity management private clinic in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. The study included two groups of 150 participants each (adherents and nonadherents) matched for sex and BMI. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data concerning sociodemographic characteristics, weight changes, dieting, and behavioral, psychological, and medical factors. Personal perspectives on potential factors contributing to nonadherence to diet regimens were also investigated. Factors significantly associated with probabilities high probability of to loss of adherence to diet regimens were as follows: younger age, urban residence, higher educational levels, obesity of grades I and III, a higher frequency of previous weight loss trials, consumption of fruits and vegetables less than that recommended (<5 times/day), higher weight loss expectations, and binge eating. The most common personal perspectives on causes limiting adherence to diet regimens were as follows: unsatisfactory results (37.3%), difficulties in dieting practices (33.3%), logistics (30.0%), and fading of motives (27.3%). Obese individuals seeking weight reduction with young age, urban residence, higher educational levels, a higher frequency of previous weight loss trials, higher weight loss expectations, and those with perceived unsatisfactory results are more prone to lose their adherence to diet regimens. Individuals with factors of nonadherence should receive extra care to avoid their withdrawal from diet programs and to improve clinical outcomes.

Discovering Shared Experiences of Second Generation Community College Employees: A Grounded Theory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Studebaker, Eric J.

2012-01-01

The second generation community college employee had not been a target population of any previous research in the field of higher education. This study added to a broader understanding of employees, their various characteristics, and the implications of those characteristics. The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory defining the…

Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study.

PubMed

Koutsochristou, Vassiliki; Zellos, Aglaia; Dimakou, Konstantina; Panayotou, Ioanna; Siahanidou, Sultana; Roma-Giannikou, Eleftheria; Tsami, Alexandra

2015-08-01

Previous reports have demonstrated a higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but similar data in children and adolescents do not exist. The aim of the study was to evaluate the status of dental caries, oral hygiene, gingival status and periodontal treatment needs of children with IBD. In this case-control study, 55 children on remission from a single outpatient IBD clinic, aged 4 to 18 years (12.27 ± 3.67 yr) and 55 matched systemically healthy controls of a dental practice were assessed prospectively. The evaluation included medical history, dental questionnaire in both groups, and previous and current medical therapy of children with IBD. Additionally, the decayed, missing, and filled tooth (dmf-t or DMF-T), simplified gingival, plaque control record and community periodontal treatment needs indices were evaluated. Children with IBD compared with controls had a statistically significant (P < 0.001) higher dmf-t (2.95 versus 0.91) or DMF-T (5.81 versus 2.04) index and a higher gingival inflammation (simplified gingival, 40% versus 24%) although the respectively dental plaque index showed no significant difference (plaque control record, 42% versus 41%). Also, the community periodontal treatment needs was significantly higher compared with controls (P < 0.001); most of the patients with IBD needed treatment of gingivitis (47% versus 4%), and none of them had healthy periodontium (0% versus 69%). The results of this case-control study demonstrate a higher frequency of dental caries, more clinical signs of gingival inflammation, and increased periodontal treatment needs in children and adolescents with IBD despite similar oral hygiene status.

Patients with high serum substance P levels previously to liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma have higher risk of one-year liver transplantation mortality.

PubMed

Lorente, Leonardo; Rodriguez, Sergio T; Sanz, Pablo; Pérez-Cejas, Antonia; Padilla, Javier; Díaz, Dácil; González, Antonio; Martín, María M; Jiménez, Alejandro; Cerro, Purificación; Barrera, Manuel A

2018-04-20

Substance P is a tachykinins family member with inflammatory effects. Higher circulating levels of substance P have been found in patients with liver diseases and in patients with higher severity of liver diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether serum levels of substance P levels, prior to liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with one-year LT mortality. In this observational retrospective unicenter study were included patients with LT for HCC. Serum levels of substance P were measured before LT. The end-point of the study was one-year mortality after LT. We found that one-year survivor patients ( n = 127) showed a lower age in liver donors ( p = 0.03) and lower levels of serum substance P levels ( p = 0.003) than non-survivor patients ( n = 15). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum levels of substance P (levels) were associated with one-year mortality (Odds Ratio = 1.011; 95% CI = 1.004-1.018; p = 0.002) controlling for the age of the LT donor. We believe that our study is the first study reporting data on circulating levels of substance P previously to LT for HCC, and an association between elevated levels of serum substance P before LT and mortality during the first year of LT.

Patients with high serum substance P levels previously to liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma have higher risk of one-year liver transplantation mortality

PubMed Central

Lorente, Leonardo; Rodriguez, Sergio T.; Sanz, Pablo; Pérez-Cejas, Antonia; Padilla, Javier; Díaz, Dácil; González, Antonio; Martín, María M.; Jiménez, Alejandro; Cerro, Purificación; Barrera, Manuel A.

2018-01-01

Purpose Substance P is a tachykinins family member with inflammatory effects. Higher circulating levels of substance P have been found in patients with liver diseases and in patients with higher severity of liver diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether serum levels of substance P levels, prior to liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with one-year LT mortality. Material and Methods In this observational retrospective unicenter study were included patients with LT for HCC. Serum levels of substance P were measured before LT. The end-point of the study was one-year mortality after LT. Results We found that one-year survivor patients (n = 127) showed a lower age in liver donors (p = 0.03) and lower levels of serum substance P levels (p = 0.003) than non-survivor patients (n = 15). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum levels of substance P (levels) were associated with one-year mortality (Odds Ratio = 1.011; 95% CI = 1.004–1.018; p = 0.002) controlling for the age of the LT donor. Conclusions We believe that our study is the first study reporting data on circulating levels of substance P previously to LT for HCC, and an association between elevated levels of serum substance P before LT and mortality during the first year of LT. PMID:29765559

Prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in Indians: a comparative study in Singapore and India.

PubMed

Gemmy Cheung, Chui Ming; Li, Xiang; Cheng, Ching-Yu; Zheng, Yingfeng; Mitchell, Paul; Wang, Jie Jin; Jonas, Jost B; Nangia, Vinay; Wong, Tien Yin

2013-04-01

To compare the prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2 Indian populations, 1 living in urban Singapore and 1 in rural central India. Population-based, cross-sectional studies of Indians aged 40+ years. Our analysis included 3337 Singapore-residing participants and 3422 India-residing participants. All participants underwent comprehensive systemic and ocular examinations and retinal photography. AMD was graded from retinal photographs according to the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. Systemic and ocular risk factors were assessed for association with AMD. Singapore-residing participants were older (mean age 57.8 years vs 53.8 years) and, after adjusting for age and sex, were more likely to have previous cataract surgery, higher body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, higher cholesterol, and lower creatinine levels, but less likely to be current smokers, than India-residing participants. The age-standardized prevalence of early and late AMD was 4.45% and 0.34%, respectively, in Singapore and 5.80% and 0.16%, respectively, in India. Shorter axial length was associated with early AMD in both Singapore and India, whereas previous cataract surgery, higher body mass index, hypertension, and lower cholesterol were associated with early AMD in Singapore but not in India. The prevalence of AMD was similar among Indian adults living in urban Singapore and rural India, despite differences in cardiovascular risk factor profile and demographics. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Minute ventilation of cyclists, car and bus passengers: an experimental study.

PubMed

Zuurbier, Moniek; Hoek, Gerard; van den Hazel, Peter; Brunekreef, Bert

2009-10-27

Differences in minute ventilation between cyclists, pedestrians and other commuters influence inhaled doses of air pollution. This study estimates minute ventilation of cyclists, car and bus passengers, as part of a study on health effects of commuters' exposure to air pollutants. Thirty-four participants performed a submaximal test on a bicycle ergometer, during which heart rate and minute ventilation were measured simultaneously at increasing cycling intensity. Individual regression equations were calculated between heart rate and the natural log of minute ventilation. Heart rates were recorded during 280 two hour trips by bicycle, bus and car and were calculated into minute ventilation levels using the individual regression coefficients. Minute ventilation during bicycle rides were on average 2.1 times higher than in the car (individual range from 1.3 to 5.3) and 2.0 times higher than in the bus (individual range from 1.3 to 5.1). The ratio of minute ventilation of cycling compared to travelling by bus or car was higher in women than in men. Substantial differences in regression equations were found between individuals. The use of individual regression equations instead of average regression equations resulted in substantially better predictions of individual minute ventilations. The comparability of the gender-specific overall regression equations linking heart rate and minute ventilation with one previous American study, supports that for studies on the group level overall equations can be used. For estimating individual doses, the use of individual regression coefficients provides more precise data. Minute ventilation levels of cyclists are on average two times higher than of bus and car passengers, consistent with the ratio found in one small previous study of young adults. The study illustrates the importance of inclusion of minute ventilation data in comparing air pollution doses between different modes of transport.

Back to the Future: What Previous HEA Reauthorizations Might Say about the Next One

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madzelan, Dan

2015-01-01

For 50 years, the Higher Education Act has been the primary vehicle for advancing federal higher education policy. Many policymakers and interested observers expect its upcoming reauthorization to address three overarching topic areas: college affordability, institutional quality, and student safety. Indeed, previous reauthorizations have…

EMS versus civilian transportation of severely injured patients

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-08-26

A previous report of 5782 trauma patients demonstrated higher mortality among those transported by EMS than among their non-EMS transported counterparts. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that the two groups differed in the injury-to-ho...

More Young Adults at Risk for High Blood Pressure | NIH MedlinePlus the Magazine

MedlinePlus

... young adults have high blood pressure. NIH-funded analysis indicates higher risk for young adults than previously ... DASH) clinical study, which tested the effects of food nutrients on blood pressure. It emphasizes consumption of ...

The association between vitamin K status and knee osteoarthritis features in older adults: the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Vitamin K-dependent proteins, including the mineralization inhibitor matrix-gla protein (MGP), are found in joint tissues including cartilage and bone. Previous studies suggest low vitamin K status is associated with higher osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence and incidence. Objective: To cla...

Comparison of weight loss by weight classification in a commercial, community-based weight loss program

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of our study was to determine the impact of grade of obesity on weight-loss outcomes of a community-based, intensive behavioral counseling program (Weight Watchers Points-Plus). Previous studies have shown that individuals with a higher body mass index (BMI) at the beginning of treatme...

Impulsivity in College Students with and without ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Jessica A.

2010-01-01

Impulsivity is the cardinal symptom of ADHD. It is estimated that ADHD is present in eighteen percent of children and in four percent of adults. The present study repeats and extends a previous study (Gray, Breier, Foorman, & Fletcher, 2002) that measured impulsivity in adolescents with and without ADHD, which found higher false alarm rates…

The Sherborne Developmental Movement (SDM) Teaching Model for Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hen, Meirav; Walter, Ofra

2012-01-01

Previously, the Sherborne Developmental Movement (SDM) has been found to contribute to the development of emotional competencies in higher education. This study presents and evaluates a teaching model based on SDM for the development of emotional competencies in teacher education. The study examined the contributions of this model to the increase…

Gender Divergence in Academics' Representation and Research Productivity: A Nigerian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Opesade, Adeola Omobola; Famurewa, Kofoworola Folakemi; Igwe, Ebelechukwu Gloria

2017-01-01

Gender equity is increasingly seen as an indicator of development and global acceptance in networks of higher education. Despite this, gender divergence in research productivity of academics coupled with under-representation of women in science has been reported to beset female's scholarly activities. Previous studies provide differing results,…

A Comparison of Community College Full-Time and Adjunct Faculties' Perceptions of Factors Associated with Grade Inflation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schutz, Kelly R.; Drake, Brent M.; Lessner, Janet; Hughes, Gail F.

2015-01-01

Grades historically have indicated student performance in college. Previous studies in the higher education literature, primarily conducted at four-year teaching institutions, have suggested reasons for grade inflation but have provided little supporting empirical data. This quantitative, non-experimental, comparative study used survey research to…

What Influences College Students to Continue Using Business Simulation Games? The Taiwan Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tao, Yu-Hui; Cheng, Chieh-Jen; Sun, Szu-Yuan

2009-01-01

Previous studies have pointed out that computer games could improve students' motivation to learn, but these studies have mostly targeted teachers or students in elementary and secondary education and are without user adoption models. Because business and management institutions in higher education have been increasingly using educational…

Validation of "Teaching and Learning Guiding Principles Instrument" for Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rahman, Nurulhuda Abd; Masuwai, Azwani; Tajudin, Nor'ain Mohd; Tek, Ong Eng; Adnan, Mazlini

2016-01-01

Purpose: This study was aimed at establishing, through the validation of the "Teaching and Learning Guiding Principles Instrument" (TLGPI), the validity and reliability of the underlying factor structure of the Teaching and Learning Guiding Principles (TLGP) generated by a previous study. Method: A survey method was used to collect data…

Leading Change through Professional Development: An Exploration of a New Faculty Orientation Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Shawn W.

2013-01-01

This study explored new faculty satisfaction with participation in a professional development orientation program at a New England-based graduate-level, military institution of higher education. The new faculty orientation program had not been previously explored. The purpose of this study was to describe participant satisfaction with an ultimate…

Formant frequencies in country singers' speech and singing.

PubMed

Stone, R E; Cleveland, T F; Sundberg, J

1999-06-01

In previous investigations breathing kinematics, subglottal pressures, and voice source characteristics of a group of premier country singers have been analyzed. The present study complements the description of these singers' voice properties by examining the formant frequencies in five of these country singers' spoken and sung versions of the national anthem and of a song of their own choosing. The formant frequencies were measured for identical phonemes under both conditions. Comparisons revealed that the singers used the same or slightly higher formant frequencies when they were singing than when they were speaking. The differences may be related to the higher fundamental frequency in singing. These findings are in good agreement with previous observations regarding breathing, subglottal pressures, and voice source, but are in marked contrast to what has been found for classically trained singers.

Hemoglobin level and lipoprotein particle size.

PubMed

Hämäläinen, Päivi; Saltevo, Juha; Kautiainen, Hannu; Mäntyselkä, Pekka; Vanhala, Mauno

2018-01-10

Alterations in lipoprotein size are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Higher hemoglobin levels may indicate a higher risk of atherosclerosis and was previously associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. No previous studies have investigated an association between hemoglobin concentration and lipoprotein particle size. We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of 766 Caucasian, middle-aged subjects (341 men and 425 women) born in Pieksämäki, Finland, who were categorized into five age groups. The concentrations and sizes of lipoprotein subclass particles were analyzed by high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Larger very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle diameter was associated with higher hemoglobin concentrations in men (p = 0.003). There was a strong relationship between smaller high density lipoprotein (HDL) particle size and higher hemoglobin concentration in both men and women as well as with smaller low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and higher hemoglobin concentration in men and women (p < 0.001; p = 0.009, p = 0.008). VLDL particle concentration had a moderate positive correlation with hemoglobin concentration (r = 0.15; p < 0.001). LDL particle concentration showed a statistical trend suggesting increasing particle concentration with increasing hemoglobin levels (r = 0.08; p = 0.05). Higher hemoglobin levels are associated with larger VLDL, smaller LDL, and smaller HDL particle sizes and increasing amounts of larger VLDL and smaller LDL particles. This suggests that a higher hemoglobin concentration is associated with an unfavorable lipoprotein particle profile that is part of states that increase cardiovascular disease risk like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Treatment continuation of four long-acting antipsychotic medications in the Netherlands and Belgium: A retrospective database study

PubMed Central

Sermon, Jan; Geerts, Paul; Denee, Tom R.; De Vos, Cedric; Malfait, Bart; Lamotte, Mark; Mulder, Cornelis L.

2017-01-01

Achieving greater continuation of treatment is a key element to improve treatment outcomes in schizophrenia patients. However, reported treatment continuation can differ markedly depending on the study design. In a retrospective setting, treatment continuation remains overall poor among patients using antipsychotics. This study aimed to document the difference in treatment continuation between four long-acting injectable antipsychotics based on the QuintilesIMS LRx databases, national, longitudinal, panel based prescription databases of retail pharmacies, in the Netherlands and Belgium. Paliperidone palmitate once monthly, risperidone microspheres, haloperidol decanoate, and olanzapine pamoate were studied. This study demonstrated significantly higher treatment continuation of paliperidone palmitate once monthly compared to risperidone microspheres (p-value<0,01) and haloperidol decanoate (p-value<0,01) in both countries, a significantly higher treatment continuation of paliperidone palmitate once monthly compared to olanzapine pamoate in the Netherlands (p-value<0,01), and a general trend towards better treatment continuation versus olanzapine pamoate in Belgium. Analysing the subgroup of patients without previous exposure to long-acting antipsychotic treatment revealed the positive impact of previous exposure on treatment continuation with a subsequent long acting treatment. Additionally, the probability of restarting the index therapy was higher among patients treated with paliperidone palmitate once monthly compared to patients treated with risperidone microspheres and haloperidol decanoate. The data source used and the methodology defined ensured for the first time a comparison of treatment continuation in a non-interventional study design for the four long-acting injectable antipsychotics studied. PMID:28614404

Identifying the influence of gender on motivation and engagement levels in student physiotherapists.

PubMed

Edgar, Susan

2015-04-01

There is an increasing focus in higher education on the role of learner characteristics and their influence on academic performance. Educators are interested in how students engage with learning activities as they progress through the curriculum. A previous study highlighted gender effects in academic performance in student physiotherapists, despite comparable entry scores. The aim of this study was to determine variation in student motivation and engagement, across the four year levels of the physiotherapy program at The University of Notre Dame Australia while considering gender and age. A cross-sectional design was adopted surveying 233 students utilising the Motivation and Engagement Scale - University/College (MES-UC), to review motivational thoughts and behaviours influencing learning. RESULTS identified gender effects with males having on average significantly lower scores for planning, task management and persistence; and higher scores for disengagement from their studies. Females displayed higher average scores for anxiety particularly in their first year and final clinical year. RESULTS were consistent with gender effects noted in academic performance throughout the program for previous student cohorts. The application of the MES-UC early in course would highlight to educators the areas where intervention can be targeted. Early individualized intervention is recommended to address learner characteristics influencing performance.

Firearms and suicide in US cities.

PubMed

Miller, Matthew; Warren, Molly; Hemenway, David; Azrael, Deborah

2015-04-01

On an average day in the USA more than 100 Americans die by suicide-half use firearms. Suicide rates overall and by firearms are higher, on average, in states where household firearm ownership is more common. In general this means in states where a greater proportion of the population lives in rural areas. The current ecological study focuses on the relation between measures of household firearm prevalence and suicide mortality in urban areas (metropolitan statistical areas and divisions) using survey-based measures of firearm ownership. Suicide rates (1999-2010) for metropolitan statistical areas that are comprised of large US cities come from death certificate records; rates of household firearm ownership come from the 2002 and 2004 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System. Higher rates of firearm ownership are strongly associated with higher rates of overall suicide and firearm suicide, but not with non-firearm suicide. Stratification by gender, age and race did not materially affect the association between firearms and suicide. This study provides evidence consistent with previous case-control work and extends evidence from previous state- and region-level ecological studies that firearms in the home impose suicide risk above and beyond baseline. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Effects of the above the influence brand on adolescent drug use prevention normative beliefs.

PubMed

Evans, W Douglas; Holtz, Kristen; White, Tanya; Snider, Jeremy

2014-01-01

Health brands are based on the relations between individuals and health behaviors and lifestyles. Brands can be measured by the brand equity construct validated in previous studies. The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign brands alternative, non-drug use behaviors as a behavior change strategy. This study goes beyond previous campaign evaluations, which did not include specific brand equity measurements. Using data from a nationally representative media tracking, this study examined the relation between antidrug campaign brand equity and adoption of targeted attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Data were gathered before the relaunch of the campaign, and follow-up data collected 3 months later. On the basis of factor analysis, the authors developed a higher order antidrug brand equity factor and regressed campaign outcomes on that factor in multivariable models. The authors observed significant effects of higher brand equity on higher levels of targeted antidrug attitudes and normative beliefs at follow-up. The authors also observed some counterintuitive relations (i.e., less positive attitudes at follow-up). They interpreted these results in light of the changing messages and campaign strategy. The authors conclude that antidrug brand equity is an important construct for understanding campaign effectiveness. The present campaign shows signs of changing targeted antidrug attitudes and beliefs among youth with brand equity.

Enhanced identification of synergistic and antagonistic emergent interactions among three or more drugs

PubMed Central

White, Cynthia; Mao, Zhiyuan; Savage, Van M.

2016-01-01

Interactions among drugs play a critical role in the killing efficacy of multi-drug treatments. Recent advances in theory and experiment for three-drug interactions enable the search for emergent interactions—ones not predictable from pairwise interactions. Previous work has shown it is easier to detect synergies and antagonisms among pairwise interactions when a rescaling method is applied to the interaction metric. However, no study has carefully examined whether new types of normalization might be needed for emergence. Here, we propose several rescaling methods for enhancing the classification of the higher order drug interactions based on our conceptual framework. To choose the rescaling that best separates synergism, antagonism and additivity, we conducted bacterial growth experiments in the presence of single, pairwise and triple-drug combinations among 14 antibiotics. We found one of our rescaling methods is far better at distinguishing synergistic and antagonistic emergent interactions than any of the other methods. Using our new method, we find around 50% of emergent interactions are additive, much less than previous reports of greater than 90% additivity. We conclude that higher order emergent interactions are much more common than previously believed, and we argue these findings for drugs suggest that appropriate rescaling is crucial to infer higher order interactions. PMID:27278366

Comparison of microdose flare-up and antagonist multiple-dose protocols for poor-responder patients: a randomized study.

PubMed

Demirol, Aygul; Gurgan, Timur

2009-08-01

To compare the efficacy of the microdose flare-up and multiple-dose antagonist protocols for poor-responder patients in intracytoplasmic sperm injection-ET cycles. A randomized, prospective study. Center for assisted reproductive technology in Turkey. Ninety patients with poor ovarian response in a minimum of two previous IVF cycles. All women were prospectively randomized into two groups by computer-assisted randomization. The patients in group 1 were stimulated according to the microdose flare-up protocol (n = 45), while the patients in group 2 were stimulated according to antagonist multiple-dose protocol (n = 45). The mean number of mature oocytes retrieved was the primary outcome measure, and fertilization rate, implantation rate per embryo, and clinical pregnancy rates were secondary outcome measures. The mean age of the women, the mean duration of infertility, basal FSH level, and the number of previous IVF cycles were similar in both groups. The total gonadotropin dose used was significantly higher in group 2, while the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly greater in group 1. Although the fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were nonsignificantly higher in group 1 compared with group 2, the implantation rate was significantly higher in the microdose flare-up group than in the multiple-dose antagonist group (22% vs. 11%). The microdose flare-up protocol seems to have a better outcome in poor-responder patients, with a significantly higher mean number of mature oocytes retrieved and higher implantation rate.

Alcohol Pharmacology Education Partnership: Using Chemistry and Biology Concepts To Educate High School Students about Alcohol

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

We developed the Alcohol Pharmacology Education Partnership (APEP), a set of modules designed to integrate a topic of interest (alcohol) with concepts in chemistry and biology for high school students. Chemistry and biology teachers (n = 156) were recruited nationally to field-test APEP in a controlled study. Teachers obtained professional development either at a conference-based workshop (NSTA or NCSTA) or via distance learning to learn how to incorporate the APEP modules into their teaching. They field-tested the modules in their classes during the following year. Teacher knowledge of chemistry and biology concepts increased significantly following professional development, and was maintained for at least a year. Their students (n = 14 014) demonstrated significantly higher scores when assessed for knowledge of both basic and advanced chemistry and biology concepts compared to students not using APEP modules in their classes the previous year. Higher scores were achieved as the number of modules used increased. These findings are consistent with our previous studies, demonstrating higher scores in chemistry and biology after students use modules that integrate topics interesting to them, such as drugs (the Pharmacology Education Partnership). PMID:24803686

Trait Mindfulness as a Limiting Factor for Residual Depressive Symptoms: An Explorative Study Using Quantile Regression

PubMed Central

Radford, Sholto; Eames, Catrin; Brennan, Kate; Lambert, Gwladys; Crane, Catherine; Williams, J. Mark G.; Duggan, Danielle S.; Barnhofer, Thorsten

2014-01-01

Mindfulness has been suggested to be an important protective factor for emotional health. However, this effect might vary with regard to context. This study applied a novel statistical approach, quantile regression, in order to investigate the relation between trait mindfulness and residual depressive symptoms in individuals with a history of recurrent depression, while taking into account symptom severity and number of episodes as contextual factors. Rather than fitting to a single indicator of central tendency, quantile regression allows exploration of relations across the entire range of the response variable. Analysis of self-report data from 274 participants with a history of three or more previous episodes of depression showed that relatively higher levels of mindfulness were associated with relatively lower levels of residual depressive symptoms. This relationship was most pronounced near the upper end of the response distribution and moderated by the number of previous episodes of depression at the higher quantiles. The findings suggest that with lower levels of mindfulness, residual symptoms are less constrained and more likely to be influenced by other factors. Further, the limiting effect of mindfulness on residual symptoms is most salient in those with higher numbers of episodes. PMID:24988072

Factors influencing Chinese university students' willingness to performing bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PubMed

Lu, Cui; Jin, Ying-Hui; Shi, Xiao-Tong; Ma, Wen-Jing; Wang, Yun-Yun; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Yao

2017-05-01

Low rates of bystander-initiated CPR are a major obstacle to improved survival rates, and the aim of this study is to elucidate the factors associated with university students' attitudes toward performing bystander CPR. Questionnaires were distributed to 18 universities across three metropolises in China. One question asking for respondents' attitudes toward performing bystander CPR was set as the dependent variable, and the logistic regression models were used to extract independent factors for respondents' attitudes toward performing bystander CPR. 2934 questionnaires were completed, with a response rate of 81.5%. Results suggested that predictors of willingness to perform bystander CPR were: previous experience of performing bystander CPR, higher self-perceived ability to perform bystander CPR properly after instruction, medicine and law discipline, male gender, not being the single child of their parents, higher participation in university societies, being used to taking decisive action immediately, less self-perceived life stress and higher self-perceived knowledge level of CPR. Persons having previous experience of performing bystander CPR and those who thought they would have the ability to perform bystander CPR properly are predominantly associated with willingness to perform bystander CPR. Psychological and cultural factors need further study. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of skin peeling procedure in allergic contact dermatitis.

PubMed

Kim, Jung Eun; Park, Hyun Jeong; Cho, Baik Kee; Lee, Jun Young

2008-03-01

The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis in patients who have previously undergone skin peeling has been rarely studied. We compared the frequency of positive patch test (PT) reactions in a patient group with a history of peeling, to that of a control group with no history of peeling. The Korean standard series and cosmetic series were performed on a total of 262 patients. 62 patients had previously undergone peeling and 200 patients did not. The frequency of positive PT reactions on Korean standard series was significantly higher in the peeling group compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05, chi-square test). However, the most commonly identified allergens were mostly cosmetic-unrelated allergens. The frequency of positive PT reactions on cosmetic series in the peeling group was higher than that of the control group, but lacked statistical significance. The frequency (%) of positive PT reactions on cosmetic series in the high-frequency peel group was higher than that of the low-frequency group, but lacked statistical significance. It appears peeling may not generally affect the development of contact sensitization. Further work is required focusing on the large-scale prospective studies by performing a PT before and after peeling.

Genetic Knowledge Among Participants in the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative.

PubMed

Schmidlen, Tara J; Scheinfeldt, Laura; Zhaoyang, Ruixue; Kasper, Rachel; Sweet, Kevin; Gordon, Erynn S; Keller, Margaret; Stack, Cathy; Gharani, Neda; Daly, Mary B; Jarvis, Joseph; Christman, Michael F

2016-04-01

Genetic literacy is essential for the effective integration of genomic information into healthcare; yet few recent studies have been conducted to assess the current state of this knowledge base. Participants in the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC), a prospective study assessing the impact of personalized genetic risk reports for complex diseases and drug response on behavior and health outcomes, completed genetic knowledge questionnaires and other surveys through an online portal. To assess the association between genetic knowledge and genetic education background, multivariate linear regression was performed. 4 062 participants completed a genetic knowledge and genetic education background questionnaire. Most were older (mean age: 50), Caucasian (90 %), female (59 %), highly educated (69 % bachelor's or higher), with annual household income over $100 000 (49 %). Mean percent correct was 76 %. Controlling for demographics revealed that health care providers, participants previously exposed to genetics, and participants with 'better than most' self-rated knowledge were significantly more likely to have a higher knowledge score (p < 0.001). Overall, genetic knowledge was high with previous genetic education experience predictive of higher genetic knowledge score. Education is likely to improve genetic literacy, an important component to expanded use of genomics in personalized medicine.

Study of factors that influence the outcome of 131I treatment in hyperthyroidism secondary to nodular goitre.

PubMed

Tabuenca-Dopico, O; Boente-Varela, R; Lamas-Ferreiro, J L

To assess the outcome after 131 I treatment in patients with multinodular (MNG) and nodular toxic goitre (NTG) according to the administered dose and other factors related to the patient, pathology, or previous treatments. A retrospective study was conducted on 108 patients (67 MNG and 41 NTG) treated in our department, with a follow-up period of at least 2 years. Development of hypothyroidism and treatment failure were evaluated along with their relationship with the administered dose and other factors such as age, sex, grade of hyperthyroidism, type of goitre, presence of autoimmunity, or previous antithyroid medication. More than one-third (36.9%) of MNG patients, and even higher proportion of NTG patients (51.2%) developed non-transient hypothyroidism, particularly in those receiving 740MBq (66.7%). No relationship was found with any other variable. The development of early hypothyroidism (before one year) was also not related to any variable. Treatment failure was not related to the dose, but in MNG there was a relationship with male gender, presence of autoimmunity, or previous antithyroid drugs use. The high rate of hypothyroidism obtained with high doses of 131 I in hyperthyroidism secondary to nodular goitre treatment suggests that lower doses might be sufficient to control the disease without an increase in treatment failures. Only patients with positive autoimmunity, in previous anti-thyroid medication, and perhaps male gender in MNG might be given higher doses, as the failure rate increases, but further studies are required. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

Episode-specific drinking-to-cope motivation, daily mood, and fatigue-related symptoms among college students.

PubMed

Armeli, Stephen; O'Hara, Ross E; Ehrenberg, Ethan; Sullivan, Tami P; Tennen, Howard

2014-09-01

The goal of the present study was to examine whether within-person, episode-specific changes in drinking-to-cope (DTC) motivation from the previous evening were associated with concurrent daily mood and fatigue-related symptoms among college student drinkers (N = 1,421; 54% female). We conducted an Internet-based daily diary study in which students reported over 30 days on their previous night's drinking level and motivation and their current mood (i.e., sadness, anxiety, anger/hostility, and positive mood) and fatigue-related symptoms. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical linear models in which the current day's outcome was predicted by last night's levels of DTC motivation and drinking, controlling for drinking to enhance motivation, sex, current day's physical symptoms and drinking, and yesterday's level of the outcome. Subsequent models also predicted outcomes 2 days following the drinking event. Relative increases in previous night's DTC motivation were associated with higher levels of current day negative mood and fatigue-related symptoms and lower levels of positive mood. Also, the association between episode-specific DTC motivation and negative mood was stronger in the positive direction when individuals reported higher levels of nonsocial drinking from the previous night. Last, episode-specific DTC showed similar associations with sadness and anger/hostility 2 days after the drinking event. The results are generally consistent with the posited attention allocation and ego-depletion mechanisms. Findings suggest that the deleterious effects of repeated episodes of DTC, over time, could help to explain the increased likelihood of alcohol-related problems seen in prior studies.

The Effect of Enrollment Status on Plagiarism among Traditional and Non-Traditional Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roth, Robert

2017-01-01

Previous research has consistently shown that plagiarism in higher education exists. Most of the previous research had measured the number of incidents of plagiarism at different institutions of higher learning. Recently, research has tried to identify incidents of plagiarism in relation to student demographics or academic discipline. With the…

Emotional intelligence and perceived stress.

PubMed

Naidoo, Sudeshni; Pau, Allan

2008-04-01

Many studies have reported that high levels of stress and psychological morbidity occur in students in the health care profession. Stress has been defined as the strain that accompanies a demand perceived to be either challenging (positive) or threatening (negative) and, depending on the appraisal, may be either adaptive or debilitating. The aim of the present survey was to gain some understanding of the explanatory factors for stress and an evaluation of the role that emotional intelligence (EI) plays in the experience of perceived stress (PS). It also aimed to compare EI and PS and explore the association between academic background, satisfaction with career choice and EI, and PS in first year dental students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape. First year dental undergraduates who had completed at least six months of their dental degree course during 2005/06 were invited to complete a set of questionnaires on emotional intelligence and perceived stress. Demographic questions included gender and age. Students were also asked if they had a previous qualification from a higher education institution and if they were satisfied with their decision to study dentistry. Ninety eight completed the questionnaires representing a response rate of 96%. 43 were male (44%) and 55 female (56%), Results of t-tests indicated that low scorers on the EI scale were more likely to be (i) younger compared to older students (p<0.001), (ii) those without compared to those with a previous higher education qualification (p<0.001), and (iii) those who were not satisfied compared to those who were satisfied with their decision to study dentistry (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were noted in mean PS scores between (i) male and female students (p<0.05), (ii) younger compared to older students (p<0.001), (iii) those without compared to those with previous higher education qualification (p<0.001), and (iv) those who were not satisfied compared to those who were satisfied with their decisions to study dentistry (p<0.001). Correlation analysis between EI and PS indicated a statistically significant inverse relationship between EI and PS (coefficient =-0.50, p=0.001). Stepwise regression analysis identified significant predictors of PS as gender, previous higher education qualification, satisfaction with decision to study dentistry and EI. The t statistic indicates that EI is relatively the most important predictor of PS. The finding that low EI is associated the stress suggests two possible strategies: firstly, selection of prospective students could be based on EI, and there should be interventions to enhance students' emotional intelligence.

Review of heavy metal accumulation on aquatic environment in Northern East Mediterrenean Sea part I: some essential metals.

PubMed

Yılmaz, Ayşe Bahar; Yanar, Alper; Alkan, Ela Nur

2017-03-01

All pollutants can reach the aquatic environments and the levels of heavy metals in upper members of the food web like fish can reach values many times higher than those found in aquatic environment or in sediments. Although heavy metals are essential or non-essential, all heavy metals are potentially harmful to humans and most organisms at some level of exposure and absorption. Marine organisms are good indicators for long-term monitoring of metal accumulation. The present review study is for evaluation of the data from previous studies about the toxic effects of selected heavy metals, like essential metals (copper, zinc, iron, chromium, and manganese), on seawater, sediment, and in different tissues of aquatic animals (demersal and bentic fish, invertabres) collected from different areas in Northern East Mediterrenean Sea since the 1990s. Some concern arose from previous studies, particularly in terms of safety for human consumption. For this purpose, 86 articles and 4 theses were examined and information was collected on the table to open a forward-looking view of the pollution of studied area. In previous studies, the variations in feeding habits, habitats, and the level of copper found in edible muscles of the demersal fish species (deep water fish species, carnivore) such as Mullus barbatus barbatus, Solea lascaris, Sparus aurata were always higher than those found in pelagic (omnivore) Mugil cephalus, Liza aurata. Results show discrepancies caused by many factors; thus, more work must be done carefully.

The International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems study of uterine rupture: a descriptive multi-country population-based study.

PubMed

Vandenberghe, G; Bloemenkamp, K; Berlage, S; Colmorn, L; Deneux-Tharaux, C; Gissler, M; Knight, M; Langhoff-Roos, J; Lindqvist, P G; Oberaigner, W; Van Roosmalen, J; Zwart, J; Roelens, K

2018-05-04

International comparison of complete uterine rupture. Descriptive multi-country population-based study. International. International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS). We merged individual data, collected prospectively in nine population-based studies, of women with complete uterine rupture, defined as complete disruption of the uterine muscle and the uterine serosa, regardless of symptoms and rupture of fetal membranes. Prevalence of complete uterine rupture, regional variation and correlation with rates of caesarean section (CS) and trial of labour after CS (TOLAC). Severe maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. We identified 864 complete uterine ruptures in 2 625 017 deliveries. Overall prevalence was 3.3 (95% CI 3.1-3.5) per 10 000 deliveries, 22 (95% CI 21-24) in women with and 0.6 (95% CI 0.5-0.7) in women without previous CS. Prevalence in women with previous CS was negatively correlated with previous CS rate (ρ = -0.917) and positively correlated with TOLAC rate of the background population (ρ = 0.600). Uterine rupture resulted in peripartum hysterectomy in 87 of 864 women (10%, 95% CI 8-12%) and in a perinatal death in 116 of 874 infants (13.3%, 95% CI 11.2-15.7) whose mother had uterine rupture. Overall rate of neonatal asphyxia was 28% in neonates who survived. Higher prevalence of complete uterine ruptures per TOLAC was observed in countries with low previous CS and high TOLAC rates. Rates of hysterectomy and perinatal death are about 10% following complete uterine rupture, but in women undergoing TOLAC the rates are extremely low (only 2.2 and 3.2 per 10 000 TOLACs, respectively.) TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Prevalence of complete uterine rupture is higher in countries with low previous CS and high TOLAC rates. © 2018 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Higher Weight, Lower Education: A Longitudinal Association between Adolescents' Body Mass Index and Their Subsequent Educational Achievement Level?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Larsen, Junilla K.; Kleinjan, Marloes; Engels, Rutger C. M. E.; Fisher, Jennifer O.; Hermans, Roel

2014-01-01

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adolescents' body mass index (BMI) z-scores and their subsequent level of schooling, extending previous longitudinal research by using objectively measured weight and height data. Methods: A longitudinal study with 3 study waves (1-year intervals) involving 1248 Dutch…

Distribution and role of mat-forming saprobic basidiomycetes in a tropical forest

Treesearch

D. Jean Lodge; William H. McDowell; Jordan Macy; Sarah Katherine Ward; Rachel Leisso; Karla Claudio-Campos; Kerstin Kuhnert

2007-01-01

This chapter provides a brief synopsis of previous studies on the ecology of agaric decomposers that form litter 'mats' in tropical forests, augmented by data from temperate forest studies. Description of several experiments in tropical forests of the Luquillo Mountains in Puerto Rico is included. These studies showed higher rates of mass loss in leaves that...

Effects of Remediation on Academic Success of First-Time-in-College Female African Americans in a Community College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jean-Francois, Francisse

2013-01-01

For decades, remedial education has been extensively used in higher education and studied as an effective tool to help overcome the challenge of student unpreparedness. While previous studies on remedial education addressed the academic failure of students, this study focuses on academic success of African American females. This causal-comparative…

A Finite Mixture Method for Outlier Detection and Robustness in Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beath, Ken J.

2014-01-01

When performing a meta-analysis unexplained variation above that predicted by within study variation is usually modeled by a random effect. However, in some cases, this is not sufficient to explain all the variation because of outlier or unusual studies. A previously described method is to define an outlier as a study requiring a higher random…

Development and preliminary validation of a Korean version of the Personal Relative Deprivation Scale.

PubMed

Kim, Hyunji; Kim, Eunbee; Suh, Eunkook M; Callan, Mitchell J

2018-01-01

The current research developed and validated a Korean-translated version of the Personal Relative Deprivation Scale (PRDS). The PRDS measures individual differences in people's tendencies to feel resentful about what they have compared to what other people like them have. Across 2 studies, Exploratory Factor Analyses revealed that the two reverse-worded items from the original PRDS did not load onto the primary factor for the Korean-translated PRDS. A reduced 3-item Korean PRDS, however, showed good convergent validity. Replicating previous findings using Western samples, greater tendencies to make social comparisons of abilities (but not opinions) were associated with higher PRDS (Studies 1 and 2), and participants scoring higher on the 3-item Korean PRDS were more materialistic (Studies 1 and 2), reported worse physical health (Study 1), had lower self-esteem (Study 2) and experienced higher stress (Study 2).

Development and preliminary validation of a Korean version of the Personal Relative Deprivation Scale

PubMed Central

Kim, Eunbee; Suh, Eunkook M.; Callan, Mitchell J.

2018-01-01

The current research developed and validated a Korean-translated version of the Personal Relative Deprivation Scale (PRDS). The PRDS measures individual differences in people’s tendencies to feel resentful about what they have compared to what other people like them have. Across 2 studies, Exploratory Factor Analyses revealed that the two reverse-worded items from the original PRDS did not load onto the primary factor for the Korean-translated PRDS. A reduced 3-item Korean PRDS, however, showed good convergent validity. Replicating previous findings using Western samples, greater tendencies to make social comparisons of abilities (but not opinions) were associated with higher PRDS (Studies 1 and 2), and participants scoring higher on the 3-item Korean PRDS were more materialistic (Studies 1 and 2), reported worse physical health (Study 1), had lower self-esteem (Study 2) and experienced higher stress (Study 2). PMID:29746534

Tracking of Medicine Use and Self-Medication From Infancy to Adolescence: 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Bertoldi, Andréa Dâmaso; Telis Silveira, Marysabel Pinto; Menezes, Ana M.B.; Formoso Assunção, Maria Cecília; Gonçalves, Helen; Hallal, Pedro Curi

2012-01-01

Purpose To track the use of medicine and self-medication from infancy to adolescence. Methods All newborns in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, were monitored and enrolled in the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. Subsamples of the cohort were visited at 1, 3, and 6 months and at 1 and 4 years of age. At 11 and 15 years of age, all cohort members were sought. In each of these visits, information on medicine use in the 15 days before the interview was collected. Two outcomes were analyzed: prevalence of medicine use and prevalence of self-medication. Results Prevalence of medicine use in the first year of life ranged from 52.0% to 68.6%. From 4 to 15 years of age, the prevalence decreased, ranging from 30.9% to 37.2%. At age 15, girls presented a 33% higher prevalence of medicine use than boys. The proportion of self-medication ranged from 12.4% to 29.0% and was higher in girls aged 11 and 15 years than boys of the same age. In all follow-up periods, use of medicines was significantly higher among children who used medicines in the earlier period. Prevalence of self-medication was higher among those who were self-medicated in the previous periods. Conclusions Tracking studies are important to public health because they can predict future behavior by analyzing past behavior, thus helping in designing preventive actions. In this study, previous use of medicines predicts future use, thus creating an opportunity to plan actions that promote the rational use of medicines. PMID:23283153

A Case Study on the Experiences of University-Based Muslim Women in Physical Activity during Their Studies at One UK Higher Education Institution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miles, Claire; Benn, Tansin

2016-01-01

The case study explores the experiences of Muslim women in the area of physical activity participation conducted whilst they were studying at one UK University. Previous research in the field indicated that Muslim women can be denied opportunities to participate in areas of sport-related physical activity through multiple factors such as…

Multicentre study of acute alcohol use and non-fatal injuries: data from the WHO collaborative study on alcohol and injuries.

PubMed Central

Borges, Guilherme; Cherpitel, Cheryl; Orozco, Ricardo; Bond, Jason; Ye, Yu; Macdonald, Scott; Rehm, Jürgen; Poznyak, Vladimir

2006-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To study the risk of non-fatal injury at low levels and moderate levels of alcohol consumption as well as the differences in risk across modes of injury and differences among alcoholics. METHODS: Data are from patients aged 18 years and older collected in 2001-02 by the WHO collaborative study on alcohol and injuries from 10 emergency departments around the world (n = 4320). We used a case-crossover method to compare the use of alcohol during the 6 hours prior to the injury with the use of alcohol during same day of the week in the previous week. FINDINGS: The risk of injury increased with consumption of a single drink (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.9-5.7), and there was a 10-fold increase for participants who had consumed six or more drinks during the previous 6 hours. Participants who had sustained intentional injuries were at a higher risk than participants who had sustained unintentional injuries. Patients who had no symptoms of alcohol dependence had a higher OR. CONCLUSION: Since low levels of drinking were associated with an increased risk of sustaining a non-fatal injury, and patients who are not dependent on alcohol may be at higher risk of becoming injured, comprehensive strategies for reducing harm should be implemented for all drinkers seen in emergency departments. PMID:16799729

Dose reduction in fluoroscopic interventions using a combination of a region of interest (ROI) x-ray attenuator and spatially different, temporally variable temporal filtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swetadri Vasan, S. N.; Pope, Liza; Ionita, Ciprian N.; Titus, A. H.; Bednarek, D. R.; Rudin, S.

2013-03-01

A novel dose reduction technique for fluoroscopic interventions involving a combination of a material x-ray region of interest (ROI) attenuator and spatially different, temporally variable ROI temporal recursive filter, was used to guide the catheter to the ROI in three live animal studies, two involving rabbits and one involving a sheep. In the two rabbit studies presented , a catheter was guided to the entrance of the carotid artery. With the added ROI attenuator the image under the high attenuation region is very noisy. By using temporal filtering with a filter weight of 0.6 on previous frames, the noise is reduced. In the sheep study the catheter was guided to the descending aorta of the animal. The sheep offered a relatively higher attenuation to the incident x-rays and thus a higher temporal filter weight of 0.8 on previous frames was used during the procedure to reduce the noise to levels acceptable by the interventionalist. The image sequences from both studies show that significant dose reduction of 5-6 times can be achieved with acceptable image quality outside the ROI by using the above mentioned technique. Even though the temporal filter weighting outside the ROI is higher, the consequent lag does not prevent perception of catheter movement.

The H3 antagonist ABT-288 is tolerated at significantly higher exposures in subjects with schizophrenia than in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Othman, Ahmed A; Haig, George; Florian, Hana; Locke, Charles; Gertsik, Lev; Dutta, Sandeep

2014-06-01

ABT-288 is a potent and selective H3 receptor antagonist with procognitive effects in several preclinical models. In previous studies, 3 mg once daily was the maximal tolerated dose in healthy volunteers. This study characterized the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ABT-288 in stable subjects with schizophrenia. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study of ABT-288 (10 dose levels, from 1 to 60 mg once daily for 14 days) in stable subjects with schizophrenia treated with an atypical antipsychotic. In each dose group, five to seven and two to three participants were assigned to ABT-288 and placebo, respectively. Of the 67 participants enrolled, nine participants (on ABT-288) were prematurely discontinued, in seven of these due to adverse events. ABT-288 was generally safe and tolerated at doses up to 45 mg once daily. The most common adverse events, in decreasing frequency (from 31 to 5%), were abnormal dreams, headache, insomnia, dizziness, somnolence, dysgeusia, dry mouth, psychotic disorder, parosmia and tachycardia. Adverse events causing early termination were psychotic events (four) and increased creatine phosphokinase, pyrexia and insomnia (one each). The half-life of ABT-288 ranged from 28 to 51 h, and steady state was achieved by day 12 of dosing. At comparable multiple doses, ABT-288 exposure in subjects with schizophrenia was 45% lower than that previously observed in healthy subjects. At trough, ABT-288 cerebrospinal fluid concentrations were 40% of the total plasma concentrations. ABT-288 was tolerated at a 15-fold higher dose and 12-fold higher exposures in subjects with schizophrenia than previously observed in healthy volunteers. The greater ABT-288 tolerability was not due to limited brain uptake. © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society.

Unified formalism for higher order non-autonomous dynamical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prieto-Martínez, Pedro Daniel; Román-Roy, Narciso

2012-03-01

This work is devoted to giving a geometric framework for describing higher order non-autonomous mechanical systems. The starting point is to extend the Lagrangian-Hamiltonian unified formalism of Skinner and Rusk for these kinds of systems, generalizing previous developments for higher order autonomous mechanical systems and first-order non-autonomous mechanical systems. Then, we use this unified formulation to derive the standard Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, including the Legendre-Ostrogradsky map and the Euler-Lagrange and the Hamilton equations, both for regular and singular systems. As applications of our model, two examples of regular and singular physical systems are studied.

[Food quality and nutritional status in university students of eleven Chilean regions].

PubMed

Ratner, Rinat G; Hernández, Paulina J; Martel, Jorge A; Atalah, Eduardo S

2012-12-01

The Chilean population has inadequate lifestyles and high prevalence of chronic diseases. To analyze eating behaviors, nutritional status and history of previous diseases, in students of higher education. Cross-sectional study in students of 54 higher education centers across the country. They answered a survey about dietary habits, physical activity, smoking, previous diseases and opinion of their nutritional condition. Weight and height were measured under standardized conditions and nutritional status classified according to body mass index. We studied 6,823 students aged 17 to 29 years. Forty seven percent did not have breakfast and 35% did not have lunch every day. A low proportion had a daily consumption of vegetables (51.2%), fruits (39.4%) and dairy products (57.5%). There was a high frequency of soft drinks, chips, cakes and sweets consumption. Seventy six percent were sedentary, 40.3% smokers and 27.4% overweight or obese. The latter had a significantly higher frequency of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. There was a poor agreement between actual nutritional status and self-perception, especially in males (Kappa index 0.38). Recipients of a food scholarship provided by the Ministry of Education ate lunch usually with a higher frequency (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of inadequate eating and physical activity patterns in these young subjects with good educational level was observed. The food scholarship has some positive effects, although differences in socioeconomic levels limited comparisons.

Assessing the Previous Economic Knowledge of Beginning Students in Germany: Implications for Teaching Economics in Basic Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Happ, Roland; Förster, Manuel; Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia, Olga; Carstensen, Vivian

2016-01-01

Study-related prior knowledge plays a decisive role in business and economics degree courses. Prior knowledge has a significant influence on knowledge acquisition in higher education, and teachers need information on it to plan their introductory courses accordingly. Very few studies have been conducted of first-year students' prior economic…

Returns to Education in Rural China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Litao

2007-01-01

Based on one of the most widely used datasets by foreign-based sociologists, this paper examines the rate of returns to education in rural China. Compared with the previous studies that showed rather low rates in rural areas throughout the 1980s, this study finds a considerably higher rate in 1996. A chief contributor is the rapid non-agricultural…

Participating with Experience--A Case Study of Students as Co-Producers of Course Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reneland-Forsman, Linda

2016-01-01

Higher Education (HE) needs to handle a diverse student population. The role of student expectations and previous experience is a key to fully participate. This study investigates student meaning making and interaction in a course designed to stimulate student as co-creators of course content and aims. Results revealed that rich communication…

Exploring the Relationship between Institutional and Professional Autonomy: A Comparative Study between Portugal and Finland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carvalho, Teresa; Diogo, Sara

2018-01-01

By comparing two distinct settings--Portugal and Finland--and based on previous studies revealing similar trends in both countries, this article analyses the relationship between institutional and academic autonomy in the higher education sector. Based on crosschecking of the literature review and 47 interviews with key actors in both the…

The Predictive Effects of Motivation toward Learning Science on TIMSS Grade 8 Students' Science Achievement: A Comparative Study between Malaysia and Singapore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lay, Yoon Fah; Chandrasegaran, A. L.

2016-01-01

TIMSS routinely presents very powerful evidence showing that students with more positive motivation toward learning science have substantially higher achievement. The results from TIMSS 2011 are consistent with previous assessments. This study explored the predictive effects of motivation toward learning science on science achievement among…

A Relationship Study on Retention among Traditional and Non-Traditional Students in Select North Carolina Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harpe, J. Michael

2010-01-01

Student retention has become one of the most significant issues facing higher education. Countless hours and considerable amounts of money have been spent in an attempt to determine why some students leave college and while others persist. Previous retention studies have focused primarily on traditional students from four-year, residential…

Helping Students Understand Their Learning Styles: Effects on Study Self-Efficacy, Preference for Group Work, and Group Climate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendry, Graham D.; Heinrich, Paul; Lyon, Patricia M.; Barratt, Alexandra L.; Simpson, Judy M.; Hyde, Sarah J.; Gonsalkorale, Shalinie; Hyde, Michelle; Mgaieth, Sara

2005-01-01

Small tutorial groups in higher education are often composed without regard to students' gender or broad knowledge background, for example, yet research indicates that composing groups on the basis of gender and prior qualifications may have significant effects on assessment outcomes. Previous studies have also investigated the effects of…

Leadership Development for Organizational Change in a "New" UK University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turnbull, Sharon; Edwards, Gareth

2005-01-01

This paper reports on the findings of a case study of an Organizational Development (OD) intervention within a new university in the UK. Previous research into the leadership of higher education has highlighted a number of apparently inevitable tensions. The findings of the case study uncovered a number of complex and interrelated tensions. The…

Experiencing More Mathematics Anxiety than Expected? Contrasting Trait and State Anxiety in High Achieving Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roos, A.-L.; Bieg, M.; Goetz, T.; Frenzel, A. C.; Taxer, J.; Zeidner, M.

2015-01-01

This study examined mathematics anxiety among high and low achieving students (N = 237, grades 9 and 10) by contrasting trait (habitual) and state (momentary) assessments of anxiety. Previous studies have found that trait anxiety measures are typically rated higher than state measures. Furthermore, the academic self-concept has been identified to…

Choosing a Higher Education Study Abroad Destination: What Mainland Chinese Parents and Students Rate as Important

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bodycott, Peter

2009-01-01

Mainland China is one of the largest sources of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Previous research has identified the push-pull factors and features that influence a student choice of study abroad destination. This article extends understanding by identifying and examining what 251 mainland Chinese parents and 100 students rated as most…

Association of Stress, General Health, and Alcohol Use with Poor Sleep Quality among U.S. College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valerio, Teresa D.; Kim, Myoung Jin; Sexton-Radek, Kathy

2016-01-01

Background: Poor sleep among college students is a major, growing problem associated with lower academic performance, higher rates of health and emotional problems, and development of chronic sleep disorders. Purpose: Though previous studies have focused on individual colleges, our study purpose was to reveal the association of behaviors and…

Transportation and global climate change : a review and analysis of the literature

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-08-01

Studies have shown that older drivers have higher rates of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on a per-mile-driven basis. A major cause of roadway accidents for older drivers is failure to heed traffic signs. Previous research found that older drive...

New VASCAR-plus timing mechanism test results

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-04-01

In a previous study (Analysis of VASCAR, DOT HS 807-748, May 1993), it was found that the VASCAR-plus timing mechanism was biased against the speed limit violator. The VASCAR speed reading was higher than the actual speed. At that time, it was sugges...

Experiencing Shame: Collegiate Alcohol Abuse, Religiosity, and Spirituality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prosek, Elizabeth A.; Giordano, Amanda L.; Holm, Jessica M.; Bevly, Cynthia M.; Sender, Kristy M.; Ramsey, Zachary B.; Abernathy, Meagan R.

2017-01-01

Previous researchers have established the relationship between substance abuse and shame and religiosity/spirituality and shame. This study investigated the associations among shame, religiosity, spirituality, and drinking behavior in a college student sample (N = 310). Participants classified as hazardous drinkers reported higher levels of shame…

Bioactive compounds in pigmented rice bran inhibit growth of human cancer cells

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rice bran contains both lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants. Our previous studies have shown that pigmented rice cultivars contained several-fold higher total phenolic concentrations and antioxidant capacities than non-pigmented cultivars. We investigated three rice brans (purple, red and light-...

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND REPRODUCTIVE IMPAIRMENT IN JAPANESE MEDAKA (ORYZIAS LATIPES): EFFECTS OF ETHINYLESTRADIOL

EPA Science Inventory

Previous studies have measured various physiological responses in fish from exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds, while others have observed higher level effects on reproduction and development. However, little is understood about the relationship that might exist between a...

Gender Differences in Computer- and Instrumental-Based Musical Composition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shibazaki, Kagari; Marshall, Nigel A.

2013-01-01

Background: Previous studies have argued that technology can be a major support to the music teacher enabling, amongst other things, increased student motivation, higher levels of confidence and more individualised learning to take place [Bolton, J. 2008. "Technologically mediated composition learning: Josh's story." "British…

Ethnic status and engagement with health services: Attitudes toward help-seeking and intercultural willingness to interact among South East Asian students in Australia.

PubMed

Logan, Shanna; Steel, Zachary; Hunt, Caroline

2017-04-01

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of intercultural willingness to interact; however, these investigations have yet to be applied to a health context or to compare an ethnic minority with a majority sample. Consequently, the current study sought to better understand engagement with health services by investigating both attitudes towards seeking psychological help and intercultural willingness to interact within an ethnic minority South East Asian population, relative to an Anglo Australian sample. As predicted, negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help were higher in the South East Asian sample, with this relationship persisting across generations, despite significant differences in acculturation. In contrast, intercultural willingness to interact was not associated with ethnicity status but was associated with higher anxiety, uncertainty, ethnocentrism and help-seeking, consistent with current empirical and theoretical literature. The current study also sought to examine factors associated with help-seeking attitudes and found that ethnocentrism was a significant predictor, when accounting for previous health experience.

Combined effects of compact cevelopment, transportation investments, and road user pricing on vehicle miles traveled in urbanized areas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ewing, Reid; Hamidi, Shima; Gallivan, Frank; Nelson, Arthur C.; Grace, James B.

2014-01-01

Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is the primary determinant of traffic congestion, vehicle crashes, greenhouse gas emissions, and other effects of transportation. Two previous studies have sought to explain VMT levels in urbanized areas. This study updates and expands on previous work with more recent data, additional metrics, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explain VMT levels in 315 urbanized areas. According to SEM, population, income, and gasoline prices are primary exogenous drivers of VMT. Development density is a primary endogenous driver. Urbanized areas with more freeway capacity are significantly less dense and have significantly higher VMT per capita. Areas with more transit service coverage and service frequency have higher development densities and per capita transit use, which leads to lower VMT per capita. The indirect effect of transit on VMT through land use, the so-called land use multiplier, is more than three times greater than the direct effect through transit ridership.

Emissions and accumulation of metals in the atmosphere due to crackers and sparkles during Diwali festival in India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulshrestha, U. C.; Nageswara Rao, T.; Azhaguvel, S.; Kulshrestha, M. J.

In India, Diwali is known as one of the most famous festivals. On the occasion of this festival, people burn crackers and sparkles to express their happiness. The burning of these fireworks leads to metal pollution in air. In this study, metal concentrations in ambient air were observed to be very high as compared to background values on previous days. For some metals the concentrations were observed to be higher than reported at industrial sites. The order of concentration of metals on the day of festival was observed to be in the order—K>Al>Ba>Mg>Fe>Sr>Na>Ca>Cu>Mn>As>V>Ni>Bi. Interestingly, the concentrations of Ba, K, Al and Sr went up to 1091, 25, 18 and 15 times higher than the previous day of Diwali. This study indicated that burning of crackers and sparkles on Diwali is a very strong source of air pollution which contributes significantly high amount of metals in air.

Formaldehyde levels in traditional and portable classrooms: A pilot investigation

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

This pilot study assessed formaldehyde levels in portable classrooms (PCs) and traditional classrooms (TCs) and explored factors influencing indoor air quality (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative humidity). In a cross-sectional design, we evaluated formaldehyde levels in day and overnight indoor air samples from nine PCs renovated within three years previously and three TCs in a school district in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Formaldehyde levels ranged from 0.0068 to 0.038 ppm. In both type of classrooms, overnight formaldehyde median levels (PCs = 0.018 ppm; TCs = 0.019 ppm) were higher than day formaldehyde median levels (PCs = 0.011 ppm; TCs = 0.016 ppm). CO2 levels measured 470–790 parts per million (ppm) at 7AM and 470–1800 ppm at 4PM. Afternoon medians were higher in TCs (1,400 ppm ) than in PCs (780 ppm). Consistent with previous studies, formaldehyde levels were similar among PCs and TCs. Reducing CO2 levels by improving ventilation is recommended for classrooms. PMID:27197349

Urethral toxicity after LDR brachytherapy: experience in Japan.

PubMed

Tanaka, Nobumichi; Asakawa, Isao; Hasegawa, Masatoshi; Fujimoto, Kiyohide

2015-01-01

Urinary toxicity is common after low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, and the resolution of urinary toxicity is a concern. In particular, urinary frequency is the most common adverse event among the urinary toxicities. We have previously reported that approximately 70% of patients experience urinary frequency during the first 6 months after seed implantation. Most urinary adverse events were classified as Grade 1, and Grade 2 or higher adverse events were rare. The incidence of urinary retention was approximately 2-4%. A high International Prostate Symptom Score before seed implantation was an independent predictor of acute urinary toxicity of Grade 2 or higher. Several previous reports from the United States also supported this trend. In Japan, LDR brachytherapy was legally approved in 2003. A nationwide prospective cohort study entitled Japanese Prostate Cancer Outcome Study of Permanent Iodine-125 Seed Implantation was initiated in July 2005. It is an important issue to limit urinary toxicities in patients who undergo LDR brachytherapy. Copyright © 2015 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genetic causes of maturity onset diabetes of the young may be less prevalent in American pregnant women recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus than in previously studied European populations.

PubMed

Sewell, M F; Presley, L H; Holland, S H; Catalano, P M

2015-07-01

There are many causes of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnant women. It is unclear whether genetic etiologies are a source of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnant women. To prospectively determine the prevalence of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to glucokinase (GCK) mutations in an American population of women with recent onset diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes. We hypothesized that based on America's higher prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and Type 2 diabetes, there may be an increased prevalence of GK mutations in our population than in previously reported studies from European studies. Over a three-year period, 72 pregnant women with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus were prospectively assessed for presence of the most common pathogenic GCK mutations. This study was performed in a gestational diabetes clinic in Urban America and a high-risk pregnancy clinic that served the military and their families on an American military base in Germany. Seventy-two women; 65 with diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in this pregnancy (GDM/overt diabetes) and 7 with diagnosis in the last nine years prior to pregnancy were recruited during pregnancy and blood samples were obtained. None. Each study participant's blood sample was analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism to assess for mutations in the GCK gene. There were 38 female and 34 male neonates born at 38 weeks gestation ± 1.2 weeks. Mean birth weight was 3351 g ± 450 g. There were no patients with GCK mutations found in our population 0/72. This prevalence is not greater than that seen in previous a similar study in European women with gestational diabetes, but in fact significantly less (p = 0.03). American women with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus likely have no higher prevalence of MODY than in previously studied European women with diabetes mellitus and may have a lower prevalence.

Clinical and Demographic Profile of Patients Receiving Fingolimod in Clinical Practice in Germany and the Benefit-Risk Profile of Fingolimod After 1 Year of Treatment: Initial Results From the Observational, Noninterventional Study PANGAEA.

PubMed

Ziemssen, Tjalf; Lang, Michael; Tackenberg, Björn; Schmidt, Stephan; Albrecht, Holger; Klotz, Luisa; Haas, Judith; Lassek, Christoph; Medin, Jennie; Cornelissen, Christian

2018-01-01

The population with multiple sclerosis receiving treatment in clinical practice differs from that in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). An assessment of the real-world benefit-risk profile of therapies is needed. This analysis used data from the large, noninterventional, observational German study Post-Authorization Non-interventional German sAfety study of GilEnyA (PANGAEA) to assess prospectively baseline characteristics and outcomes after 12 months (± 90 days) of fingolimod treatment. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: fingolimod starter [first received fingolimod in PANGAEA (n = 3315)] and previous study [received fingolimod before enrollment in PANGAEA in RCTs (n = 875), some of whom also had baseline data at entry into RCTs (n = 505)]. At PANGAEA baseline, patients in the fingolimod starter versus the previous study cohort had a higher annualized relapse rate [ARR (95% confidence interval): 1.79 (1.75-1.83) vs 1.32 (1.25-1.40)] and Expanded Disability Status Scale score [3.11 (3.04-3.17) vs 2.55 (2.44-2.66)]. A greater proportion in the fingolimod starter versus previous study cohort had diabetes (2.0% vs 0.7%). After 12 months of fingolimod, ARRs were lower than in the 12 months before PANGAEA enrollment in the fingolimod starter [0.386 (0.360-0.414)] and previous study [0.276 (0.238-0.320)] cohorts. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were stable versus baseline. Adverse events were experienced by similar proportions in both cohorts during fingolimod treatment. Relevant differences exist in disease activity and comorbidities between patients receiving fingolimod in clinical practice versus RCTs. Irrespective of baseline differences indicating a higher proportion at an advanced stage of multiple sclerosis in the real world versus RCTs, fingolimod remains effective, with a manageable safety profile.

Cow- and herd-level risk factors for on-farm mortality in Midwest US dairy herds.

PubMed

Shahid, M Q; Reneau, J K; Chester-Jones, H; Chebel, R C; Endres, M I

2015-07-01

The objectives of this study were to describe on-farm mortality and to investigate cow- and herd-level risk factors associated with on-farm mortality in Midwest US dairy herds using lactation survival analysis. We analyzed a total of approximately 5.9 million DHIA lactation records from 10 Midwest US states from January 2006 to December 2010. The cow-level independent variables used in the models were first test-day milk yield, milk fat percent, milk protein percent, fat-to-protein ratio, milk urea nitrogen, somatic cell score, previous dry period, previous calving interval, stillbirth, calf sex, twinning, calving difficulty, season of calving, parity, and breed. The herd-level variables included herd size, calving interval, somatic cell score, 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield, and herd stillbirth percentage. Descriptive analysis showed that overall cow-level mortality rate was 6.4 per 100 cow-years and it increased from 5.9 in 2006 to 6.8 in 2010. Mortality was the primary reason of leaving the herd (19.4% of total culls) followed by reproduction (14.6%), injuries and other (14.0%), low production (12.3%), and mastitis (10.5%). Risk factor analysis showed that increased hazard for mortality was associated with higher fat-to-protein ratio (>1.6 vs. 1 to 1.6), higher milk fat percent, lower milk protein percent, cows with male calves, cows carrying multiple calves, higher milk urea nitrogen, increasing parity, longer previous calving interval, higher first test-day somatic cell score, increased calving difficulty score, and breed (Holstein vs. others). Decreased hazard for mortality was associated with higher first test-day milk yield, higher milk protein, and shorter dry period. For herd-level factors, increased hazard for mortality was associated with increased herd size, increased percentage of stillbirths, higher somatic cell score, and increased herd calving interval. Cows in herds with higher milk yield had lower mortality hazard. Results of the study indicated that first test-day records, especially those indicative of negative energy balance in cows, could be helpful to identify animals at high risk for mortality. Higher milk yield per cow did not have a negative association with mortality. In addition, the association between herd-level factors and mortality indicated that management quality could be an important factor in lowering on-farm mortality, thereby improving cow welfare. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Symptomatic rotator cuff tears show higher radioisotope uptake on bone scintigraphy compared with asymptomatic tears.

PubMed

Koike, Yoichi; Sano, Hirotaka; Kita, Atushi; Itoi, Eiji

2013-09-01

Some patients with rotator cuff tears complain of pain, whereas others are asymptomatic. Previous studies have pointed out the presence of active bone metabolism in the painful shoulder, identified with increased radioisotope uptake during bone scintigraphy. Shoulders with symptomatic rotator cuff tears will demonstrate higher radioisotope uptake than shoulders with asymptomatic tears with bone scintigraphy, reflecting active bone metabolism in symptomatic tears. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. The study consisted of 3 groups: patients with symptomatic tears (symptomatic group), patients with asymptomatic tears (asymptomatic group), and controls (no tear group). The symptomatic group consisted of 28 shoulders from 28 patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears (pain score ≤4 on the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder evaluation form) who underwent bone scintigraphy followed by rotator cuff repair. Of 70 volunteers who had previously undergone bone scintigraphy for diseases unrelated to their shoulder, 34 were selected for the asymptomatic group (pain score ≥8 on the UCLA shoulder form), and 32 were selected for the no tear group. The mean radioisotope uptake in the symptomatic group was significantly higher than that in the asymptomatic group (P = .02) and the no tear group (P = .02). Ten of 28 shoulders (36%) in the symptomatic group showed increased radioisotope uptake exceeding 2 standard deviations from the mean of the no tear group. This percentage was significantly higher when compared with the asymptomatic group (0%) (P < .01). Shoulders with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear showed higher radioisotope uptake on bone scintigraphy than those with an asymptomatic tear. The radioisotope uptake in shoulders with an asymptomatic tear was comparable with that in shoulders without a tear. Positive radioisotope uptake may be associated with pain in a subgroup of patients with rotator cuff tears.

Predictors of Ibandronate Efficacy for the Management of Osteoporosis: A Meta-Regression Analysis

PubMed Central

Ma, Zeren; Li, Yong; Zhou, Ming; Huang, Kedi; Hu, Hejun; Liu, Xiaoping; Xu, Xiaosheng

2016-01-01

Background Aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of ibandronate efficacy in subjects with osteoporosis or decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Method Several electronic databases were searched by using specific keywords for the acquisition of research articles reporting the efficacy of ibandronate in subjects with osteoporosis or decreased BMD. Metaregression analyses were carried out by using changes in the BMD of lumbar spine and total hip following ibandronate treatment as dependent (outcome) variables against several independent (explanatory) variables. Results Data were extracted from 34 studies (11,090 ibandronate treated subjects) which fulfilled eligibility criteria. A history of previous fracture/s was reported by 46% of these subjects. In overall population, longer treatment duration from 1 to 5 years, increasing age, history of previous fractures, lower baseline T score, and higher baseline levels of C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) predicted higher ibandronate efficacy in improving BMD of the lumbar spine as well as of the total hip. Lower baseline levels of vitamin D and higher baseline levels of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) predicted higher efficacy of ibandronate for lumbar spine only. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or decreased BMD, in addition to above-mentioned predictors, better efficacy of ibandronate was also associated with increasing time since menopause for both lumbar spine and total hip and lower body weight for lumbar spine only. Conclusion Longer treatment duration from 1 to 5 years, increasing age, lower baseline T scores, and higher serum CTX levels are identified as the predictors of better efficacy of ibandronate in the study subjects with osteoporosis or decreased BMD. PMID:26930292

Increased rate of positive penicillin skin tests among patients with glioma: insights into the association between allergies and glioma risk.

PubMed

Han, Sheng; Huang, Yanming; Wang, Zixun; Li, Zhonghua; Qin, Xiaofei; Wu, Anhua

2014-11-01

Allergy and immunoglobulin E levels are inversely associated with glioma risk. Previous studies have focused on respiratory and food allergies, and little information is available regarding drug allergies. This study evaluated the rate of positive penicillin skin tests (PenSTs) and blood eosinophil counts in a large population of patients with glioma compared with nontumor controls to provide evidence for the relationship between drug allergies and glioma risk. A retrospective case-control study was conducted in patients diagnosed with glioma (n = 913) between January 2004 and June 2013. The study patients were matched with nontumor controls (n = 1091) for age, sex, and date of admission to the hospital. Preoperative results of the PenST and eosinophil counts were obtained, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression models, while a Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess overall survival. The percentage of positive PenSTs was higher among patients with glioma than in control subjects. The age-, sex-, and admission date-adjusted OR for positive versus negative PenSTs was 2.392 (95% CI 1.891-3.026). Eosinophil counts were also higher in glioma cases than in controls: the OR for eosinophil > 0.06 × 10(9)/L versus ≤ 0.06 × 10(9)/L was 1.923 (95% CI 1.608-2.301). There was no association between positive PenST/eosinophil counts and glioma grade or patient survival (n = 105). In contrast to previously reported relationships between allergy and glioma, in the present study a significantly higher rate of positive PenSTs and higher eosinophil counts were found in patients with glioma than in nontumor controls. These results suggest a complex relationship between allergies and glioma development.

The Role of Empathy and Life Satisfaction in Internet and Smartphone Use Disorder

PubMed Central

Lachmann, Bernd; Sindermann, Cornelia; Sariyska, Rayna Y.; Luo, Ruixue; Melchers, Martin C.; Becker, Benjamin; Cooper, Andrew J.; Montag, Christian

2018-01-01

Recent studies have yielded initial evidence for an association between Internet Use Disorder (IUD), empathy, and life satisfaction. In the present study we sought to replicate these previous findings, and then to extend this research by also examining the relationship between empathy, life satisfaction, and the related phenomenon of Smartphone Use Disorder (SUD). The present study included independent samples from China (N = 612, 162 females) and Germany (N = 304, 207 females), with the same set of questionnaires administered to both samples. IUD was measured with Pawlikowski's s-IAT and SUD was assessed with the short version of Kwon's Smartphone Addiction Scale. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used to assess individual differences in empathy. Please note that for the German sample data on the empathy quotient (EQ) are also available. Life satisfaction data were collected using items from the SOEP-Questionnaire (Socio-Economic Panel, Germany). In both of our samples we replicated previous findings showing the association between higher IUD, lower empathy, and lower life satisfaction scores. In addition, individuals with higher SUD showed higher scores on the IRI Personal Distress scale in China and Germany, while further associations between IRI dimensions and SUD were only found in the Chinese sample. Personal Distress is known to be highly correlated with the personality trait of Neuroticism, hence higher stress/negative emotionality in tense social situations is related to SUD. In the present study we confirm earlier findings showing the relationship between empathy, life satisfaction, and IUD, and extend some of these findings to SUD. We also emphasize the importance of cross-cultural studies when investigating IUD/SUD in the context of empathy and life satisfaction. PMID:29636714

Higher risk of orofacial clefts in children born to mothers with angina pectoris: a population-based case-control study.

PubMed

Czeizel, Andrew E; Vereczkey, Attila; Bánhidy, Ferenc

2015-02-01

Previously an unexpected association of maternal angina pectoris (MAP) during pregnancy with a higher risk of orofacial clefts in their children was found. There were three objectives of this study: (i) to evaluate the validity of MAP-diagnoses in the previous study and the recent history of mothers with MAP in a follow-up study; (ii) to estimate the prevalence of other congenital abnormalities in the offspring of mothers with MAP; and (iii) to analyze the possible effect of confounders for the risk of orofacial clefts. The large dataset of population-based Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance System of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980-1996 was evaluated including 22 843 cases with congenital abnormalities and 38 151 controls without any defect. Twenty-two cases (0.10%) and 12 controls (0.03%) were born to mothers with medically recorded MAP (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7, 1.8-7.3). Of 22 cases, six had isolated cleft lip ± palate (OR with 95% CI: 13.3, 4.9-35.9) and two were affected with isolated cleft palate (OR with 95% CI: 10.5, 2.3-47.6). The diagnosis of MAP was confirmed in seven women visited at home in 2009-2010, two had recent myocardial infarction and five were smokers. There was no higher risk for other congenital abnormalities. In conclusion the higher risk of orofacial clefts was confirmed in the children of mothers with MAP and smoking may trigger the genetic predisposition of both MAP and orofacial clefts. However, the number of cases was limited and therefore further studies are needed to confirm or reject this theoretically and practically important observation. © 2014 Japanese Teratology Society.

The Role of Empathy and Life Satisfaction in Internet and Smartphone Use Disorder.

PubMed

Lachmann, Bernd; Sindermann, Cornelia; Sariyska, Rayna Y; Luo, Ruixue; Melchers, Martin C; Becker, Benjamin; Cooper, Andrew J; Montag, Christian

2018-01-01

Recent studies have yielded initial evidence for an association between Internet Use Disorder (IUD), empathy, and life satisfaction. In the present study we sought to replicate these previous findings, and then to extend this research by also examining the relationship between empathy, life satisfaction, and the related phenomenon of Smartphone Use Disorder (SUD). The present study included independent samples from China ( N = 612, 162 females) and Germany ( N = 304, 207 females), with the same set of questionnaires administered to both samples. IUD was measured with Pawlikowski's s-IAT and SUD was assessed with the short version of Kwon's Smartphone Addiction Scale. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used to assess individual differences in empathy. Please note that for the German sample data on the empathy quotient (EQ) are also available. Life satisfaction data were collected using items from the SOEP-Questionnaire (Socio-Economic Panel, Germany). In both of our samples we replicated previous findings showing the association between higher IUD, lower empathy, and lower life satisfaction scores. In addition, individuals with higher SUD showed higher scores on the IRI Personal Distress scale in China and Germany, while further associations between IRI dimensions and SUD were only found in the Chinese sample. Personal Distress is known to be highly correlated with the personality trait of Neuroticism, hence higher stress/negative emotionality in tense social situations is related to SUD. In the present study we confirm earlier findings showing the relationship between empathy, life satisfaction, and IUD, and extend some of these findings to SUD. We also emphasize the importance of cross-cultural studies when investigating IUD/SUD in the context of empathy and life satisfaction.

Analysis of three-phase equilibrium conditions for methane hydrate by isometric-isothermal molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Yuhara, Daisuke; Brumby, Paul E; Wu, David T; Sum, Amadeu K; Yasuoka, Kenji

2018-05-14

To develop prediction methods of three-phase equilibrium (coexistence) conditions of methane hydrate by molecular simulations, we examined the use of NVT (isometric-isothermal) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. NVT MD simulations of coexisting solid hydrate, liquid water, and vapor methane phases were performed at four different temperatures, namely, 285, 290, 295, and 300 K. NVT simulations do not require complex pressure control schemes in multi-phase systems, and the growth or dissociation of the hydrate phase can lead to significant pressure changes in the approach toward equilibrium conditions. We found that the calculated equilibrium pressures tended to be higher than those reported by previous NPT (isobaric-isothermal) simulation studies using the same water model. The deviations of equilibrium conditions from previous simulation studies are mainly attributable to the employed calculation methods of pressure and Lennard-Jones interactions. We monitored the pressure in the methane phase, far from the interfaces with other phases, and confirmed that it was higher than the total pressure of the system calculated by previous studies. This fact clearly highlights the difficulties associated with the pressure calculation and control for multi-phase systems. The treatment of Lennard-Jones interactions without tail corrections in MD simulations also contributes to the overestimation of equilibrium pressure. Although improvements are still required to obtain accurate equilibrium conditions, NVT MD simulations exhibit potential for the prediction of equilibrium conditions of multi-phase systems.

Previous Dosage of Allopurinol Is a Strong Determinant of Febuxostat Efficacy.

PubMed

Koide, Hiroyoshi; Hira, Daiki; Tsujimoto, Masayuki; Katsube, Yurie; Minegaki, Tetsuya; Uzu, Takashi; Ikeda, Yoshito; Morita, Shin-Ya; Nishiguchi, Kohshi; Terada, Tomohiro

2017-01-01

Febuxostat has currently played pivotal role in the treatment of hyperuricemia, but there is little comprehensive information for the determinants of individual difference in efficacy of febuxostat. Therefore, the present study, a retrospective investigation, was carried out to analyze the effects of patient characteristics on the efficacy of febuxostat. A total of 225 patients who were continuously prescribed the same dose of febuxostat for 8-12 weeks from the initial therapy were enrolled in the present study. The data, including patient information and laboratory data, were collected from electronic medical records. Serum urate lowering effects of febuxostat were evaluated by calculating the change in serum urate level at baseline and at 8-12 weeks after starting febuxostat. The multiple regression analysis showed the change in serum urate level was significantly lower in male patients and in those with a lower baseline serum urate level, higher previous dose of allopurinol, lower dose of febuxostat and lower body surface area-unadjusted estimated glomerular filtration rate. Concomitantly administered drugs did not show a significantly influence on the efficacy of febuxostat. In conclusion, it should be noted that the serum urate lowering efficacy of febuxostat may decrease in patients with a higher previous dose of allopurinol, renal impairment or male patients. The basic findings of the present study are believed to contribute to the proper use of febuxostat.

Analysis of three-phase equilibrium conditions for methane hydrate by isometric-isothermal molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuhara, Daisuke; Brumby, Paul E.; Wu, David T.; Sum, Amadeu K.; Yasuoka, Kenji

2018-05-01

To develop prediction methods of three-phase equilibrium (coexistence) conditions of methane hydrate by molecular simulations, we examined the use of NVT (isometric-isothermal) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. NVT MD simulations of coexisting solid hydrate, liquid water, and vapor methane phases were performed at four different temperatures, namely, 285, 290, 295, and 300 K. NVT simulations do not require complex pressure control schemes in multi-phase systems, and the growth or dissociation of the hydrate phase can lead to significant pressure changes in the approach toward equilibrium conditions. We found that the calculated equilibrium pressures tended to be higher than those reported by previous NPT (isobaric-isothermal) simulation studies using the same water model. The deviations of equilibrium conditions from previous simulation studies are mainly attributable to the employed calculation methods of pressure and Lennard-Jones interactions. We monitored the pressure in the methane phase, far from the interfaces with other phases, and confirmed that it was higher than the total pressure of the system calculated by previous studies. This fact clearly highlights the difficulties associated with the pressure calculation and control for multi-phase systems. The treatment of Lennard-Jones interactions without tail corrections in MD simulations also contributes to the overestimation of equilibrium pressure. Although improvements are still required to obtain accurate equilibrium conditions, NVT MD simulations exhibit potential for the prediction of equilibrium conditions of multi-phase systems.

The construction, fouling and enzymatic cleaning of a textile dye surface.

PubMed

Onaizi, Sagheer A; He, Lizhong; Middelberg, Anton P J

2010-11-01

The enzymatic cleaning of a rubisco protein stain bound onto Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor chips having a dye-bound upper layer is investigated. This novel method allowed, for the first time, a detailed kinetic study of rubisco cleanability (defined as fraction of adsorbed protein removed from a surface) from dyed surfaces (mimicking fabrics) at different enzyme concentrations. Analysis of kinetic data using an established mathematical model able to decouple enzyme transfer and reaction processes [Onaizi, He, Middelberg, Chem. Eng. Sci. 64 (2008) 3868] revealed a striking effect of dyeing on enzymatic cleaning performance. Specifically, the absolute rate constants for enzyme transfer to and from a dye-bound rubisco stain were significantly higher than reported previously for un-dyed surfaces. These increased transfer rates resulted in higher surface cleanability. Higher enzyme mobility (i.e., higher enzyme adsorption and desorption rates) at the liquid-dye interface was observed, consistent with previous suggestions that enzyme surface mobility is likely correlated with overall enzyme cleaning performance. Our results show that reaction engineering models of enzymatic action at surfaces may provide insight able to guide the design of better stain-resistant surfaces, and may also guide efforts to improve cleaning formulations. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Consanguinity and recurrence risk of stillbirth and infant death.

PubMed Central

Stoltenberg, C; Magnus, P; Skrondal, A; Lie, R T

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the recurrence risk for stillbirth and infant death and compare results for offspring of first-cousin parents with results for offspring of unrelated parents. METHODS: The study population consisted of all single births with a previous sibling born in Norway between 1967 and 1994. Altogether, 629,888 births were to unrelated parents, and 3466 births were to parents who were first cousins. The risk of stillbirth and infant death was estimated for subsequent siblings contingent on parental consanguinity and survival of the previous sibling. RESULTS: For unrelated parents, the risk of early death (stillbirth plus infant death) for the subsequent sibling was 17 of 1000 if the previous child survived and 67 of 1000 if the previous child died before 1 year of age. For parents who were first cousins, the risk of early death for the subsequent sibling was 29 of 1000 if the previous child survived and 116 of 1000 if the previous child died. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of recurrence of stillbirth and infant death is higher for offspring of first-cousin parents compared with offspring of unrelated parents. PMID:10191794

An overview of Booster and AGS polarized proton operation during Run 15

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

Zeno, K.

2015-10-20

This note is an overview of the Booster and AGS for the 2015 Polarized Proton RHIC run from an operations perspective. There are some notable differences between this and previous runs. In particular, the polarized source intensity was expected to be, and was, higher this year than in previous RHIC runs. The hope was to make use of this higher input intensity by allowing the beam to be scraped down more in the Booster to provide a brighter and smaller beam for the AGS and RHIC. The RHIC intensity requirements were also higher this run than in previous runs, whichmore » caused additional challenges because the AGS polarization and emittance are normally intensity dependent.« less

Individual differences in simultaneous color constancy are related to working memory.

PubMed

Allen, Elizabeth C; Beilock, Sian L; Shevell, Steven K

2012-02-01

Few studies have investigated the possible role of higher-level cognitive mechanisms in color constancy. Following up on previous work with successive color constancy [J. Exper. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn. 37, 1014 (2011)], the current study examined the relation between simultaneous color constancy and working memory-the ability to maintain a desired representation while suppressing irrelevant information. Higher working memory was associated with poorer simultaneous color constancy of a chromatically complex stimulus. Ways in which the executive attention mechanism of working memory may account for this are discussed. This finding supports a role for higher-level cognitive mechanisms in color constancy and is the first to demonstrate a relation between simultaneous color constancy and a complex cognitive ability. © 2012 Optical Society of America

Aerosol filtration with steel fiber filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergman, W.; Wilson, K.; Larsen, G.; Lopez, R.

1993-04-01

An experimental study has been conducted of aerosol penetration through a new high efficiency steel fiber filter and filter media that was developed in cooperation with Pall Corporation. Previous studies have shown that sintered steel fiber media have significant improvements in higher filter efficiency and lower pressure drop than the previous steel filter technology based on sintered powder metal media. In the present study, measurements were made of the penetration of dioctyl sebacate (DOS) aerosols through flat sheet samples, pleated cartridge filters, and a 1000 cfm filter having 64 cartridges housed in a 2 x 2 x 1 ft. frame. The steel fiber media used in our study consists of 2 micron diameter stainless steel (316 L) fibers sintered together into sheets.

Effects of moment of inertia on restricted motion swing speed.

PubMed

Schorah, David; Choppin, Simon; James, David

2015-06-01

In many sports, the maximum swing speed of a racket, club, or bat is a key performance parameter. Previous research in multiple sports supports the hypothesis of an inverse association between the swing speed and moment of inertia of an implement. The aim of this study was to rigorously test and quantify this relationship using a restricted swinging motion. Eight visually identical rods with a common mass but variable moment of inertia were manufactured. Motion capture technology was used to record eight participants' maximal effort swings with the rods. Strict exclusion criteria were applied to data that did not adhere to the prescribed movement pattern. The study found that for all participants, swing speed decreased with respect to moment of inertia according to a power relationship. However, in contrast to previous studies, the rate of decrease varied from participant to participant. With further analysis it was found that participants performed more consistently at the higher end of the moment of inertia range tested. The results support the inverse association between swing speed and moment of inertia but only for higher moment of inertia implements.

Does sports participation (including level of performance and previous injury) increase risk of osteoarthritis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Tran, Gui; Smith, Toby O; Grice, Adam; Kingsbury, Sarah R; McCrory, Paul; Conaghan, Philip G

2016-01-01

Background To assess the relationship between sport and osteoarthritis (OA), and specifically to determine whether previous participation, in terms of level (elite or non-elite), type of sport, intensity or previous injury, was associated with OA. Methods This systematic review was developed using PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched (to May 2016). Narrative review and meta-analysis (with risk ratio (RR) and 95% CIs) approaches were undertaken where appropriate. Study quality was assessed using GRADE. Results 46 studies were included. Narratively, 31 studies reported an increased risk of OA, with 19 demonstrating an increased risk in elite athletes. There was an increased risk after sports exposure (irrespective of type; RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.64; 21 studies). It remained uncertain whether there was a difference in risk of OA between elite and non-elite athletes (RR 1.37; 95% CI 0.84 to 2.22; 17 studies). The risk was higher in soccer (RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.77; 15 studies) but lower in runners (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.41; 12 studies). 9 studies showed an association with the intensity of sport undertaken and OA. 5 studies demonstrated a higher prevalence of OA following meniscectomies and anterior cruciate ligament tears. Overall, the evidence was of GRADE ‘very low’ quality. Conclusions There was very low-quality evidence to support an increased relationship between sports participation and OA in elite participants. It is unclear whether there is a difference in risk between elite and non-elite participants with further prospective studies needed to evaluate this. Pooled findings suggested that significant injuries were associated with OA in soccer players. PMID:27683348

Effects of anticoagulant therapy on pregnancy outcomes in patients with thrombophilia and previous poor obstetric history.

PubMed

Mutlu, Ilknur; Mutlu, Mehmet Firat; Biri, Aydan; Bulut, Berk; Erdem, Mehmet; Erdem, Ahmet

2015-04-01

This study investigates the effects of anticoagulant therapy on pregnancy outcomes in 204 patients with thrombophilia and previous poor obstetric outcomes. Patients with poor obstetric history (pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal death, placental abruption, recurrent pregnancy loss) and having hereditary thrombophilia were included in this study. Poor obstetric outcomes were observed more frequently in patients who had not taken anticogulant therapy compared with treated group. Live birth rate, gestational age at birth and Apgar scores were significantly higher in the treated group when compared with the untreated group. There were no significant differences in terms of birthweight, mode of delivery and admission rates to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) had higher gestational age at birth, Apgar scores, live birth rate and a lower abortion rates when compared with controls; in contrast, no significant difference was observed in terms of birthweight, mode of delivery, obstetric complications and admission rates to NICU. There were no significant differences between control group and both LMWH only and ASA only groups in terms of gestational age at birth, Apgar scores, birthweight, mode of delivery, obstetric complications and admission rates to NICU. Only LMWH group had higher live birth rate as compared with control group. The use of only ASA did not seem to affect the perinatal complication rates and outcomes. In conclusion, anticoagulant therapy with both LMWH and ASA seems to provide better obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with thrombophilia and previous poor obstetric outcomes.

Extinction of over-selected stimuli causes emergence of under-selected cues in higher-functioning children with autistic spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Reed, Phil; Broomfield, Laura; McHugh, Louise; McCausland, Aisling; Leader, Geraldine

2009-02-01

Two experiments examined whether over-selectivity is the product of a post-acquisition performance deficit, rather than an attention problem. In both experiments, children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder were presented with a trial-and-error discrimination task using two, two-element stimuli and over-selected in both studies. After behavioral control by the previously over-selected stimulus was extinguished, behavioral control by the previously under-selected cue emerged without direct training. However, this effect was only found in higher-functioning children, and not with more severely impaired children. These findings suggest that over-selectivity is not simply due to a failure to attend to all of the stimuli presented. They also suggest that extinction of over-selected stimuli may be a fruitful line of intervention for clinical intervention for some individuals.

Sleep and its association with aggression among prisoners: Quantity or quality?

PubMed

Barker, Lyndsie Fiona; Ireland, Jane L; Chu, Simon; Ireland, Carol A

2016-01-01

The current paper aims to examine the association between self-reported sleep quality and quantity and how these relate to aggression motivation and hostile cognition in a male prisoner sample. The cognitive component of sleep, namely perception, is consequently a variable of particular interest and one neglected by previous research. Two independent studies are presented. The first comprised 95 adult male prisoners who completed a sleep quality index along with measures of implicit and explicit aggression. The second study extended this to consider aggression motivation and hostile attribution biases using a sample of 141 young male adult prisoners. In study one, sleep quantity and indicators of sleep quality were found not to associate with aggression whereas the perception of poor sleep did; those perceiving poor sleep quality were more likely than those perceiving good sleep to report they had perpetrated aggression in the previous week and to report higher levels of implicit aggression. Study two found that while increased indicators of poor sleep quality were associated with lower prosocial attribution tendencies and higher levels of reactive and proactive aggression, sleep quantity was not associated. The perception of poor quality sleep was important; those perceiving poor sleep were more likely to report higher levels of reactive and proactive aggression than those reporting good sleep. Collectively the studies highlight the importance of accounting for the perception of sleep quality as an important cognitive component in understanding the association between sleep and aggression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental evaluation of the effect of a modified port-location mode on the performance of a three-zone simulated moving-bed process for the separation of valine and isoleucine.

PubMed

Park, Chanhun; Nam, Hee-Geun; Kim, Pung-Ho; Mun, Sungyong

2014-06-01

The removal of isoleucine from valine has been a key issue in the stage of valine crystallization, which is the final step in the valine production process in industry. To address this issue, a three-zone simulated moving-bed (SMB) process for the separation of valine and isoleucine has been developed previously. However, the previous process, which was based on a classical port-location mode, had some limitations in throughput and valine product concentration. In this study, a three-zone SMB process based on a modified port-location mode was applied to the separation of valine and isoleucine for the purpose of making a marked improvement in throughput and valine product concentration. Computer simulations and a lab-scale process experiment showed that the modified three-zone SMB for valine separation led to >65% higher throughput and >160% higher valine concentration compared to the previous three-zone SMB for the same separation. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electroglottographic analysis of actresses and nonactresses' voices in different levels of intensity.

PubMed

Master, Suely; Guzman, Marco; Carlos de Miranda, Helder; Lloyd, Adam

2013-03-01

Previous studies with long-term average spectrum (LTAS) showed the importance of the glottal source for understanding the projected voices of actresses. In this study, electroglottographic (EGG) analysis was used to investigate the contribution of the glottal source to the projected voice, comparing actresses and nonactresses' voices, in different levels of intensity. Thirty actresses and 30 nonactresses sustained vowels in habitual, moderate, and loud intensity levels. The EGG variables were contact quotient (CQ), closing quotient (QCQ), and opening quotient (QOQ). Other variables were sound pressure level (SPL) and fundamental frequency (F0). A KayPENTAX EGG was used. Variables were inputted in a general linear model. Actresses showed significantly higher values for SPL, in all levels, and both groups increased SPL significantly while changing from habitual to moderate and further to loud. There were no significant differences between groups for EGG quotients. There were significant differences between the levels only for F0 and CQ for both groups. SPL was significantly higher among actresses in all intensity levels, but in the EGG analysis, no differences were found. This apparently weak contribution of the glottal source in the supposedly projected voices of actresses, contrary to previous LTAS studies, might be because of a higher subglottal pressure or perhaps greater vocal tract contribution in SPL. Results from the present study suggest that trained subjects did not produce a significant higher SPL than untrained individuals by increasing the cost in terms of higher vocal fold collision and hence more impact stress. Future researches should explore the difference between trained and nontrained voices by aerodynamic measurements to evaluate the relationship between physiologic findings and the acoustic and EGG data. Moreover, further studies should consider both types of vocal tasks, sustained vowel and running speech, for both EGG and LTAS analysis. Copyright © 2013 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sixty years from discovery to solution: crystal structure of bovine liver catalase form III

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

Foroughi, Leila M.; Kang, You-Na; Matzger, Adam J.

2012-03-27

The crystallization and structural characterization of bovine liver catalase (BLC) has been intensively studied for decades. Forms I and II of BLC have previously been fully characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Form III has previously been analyzed by electron microscopy, but owing to the thinness of this crystal form an X-ray crystal structure had not been determined. Here, the crystal structure of form III of BLC is presented in space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 68.7, b = 173.7, c = 186.3 {angstrom}. The asymmetric unit is composed of the biological tetramer, which is packed in a tetrahedronmore » motif with three other BLC tetramers. This higher resolution structure has allowed an assessment of the previously published electron-microscopy studies.« less

A Study of Smoking Disparity and Factors Associated with Children Smoking Behavior in the Mountain and City Schools in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Hsiao-Ling; Chen, Ted; Chen, Fu-Li; Magnus, Jeanette; Rice, Janet; Yen, Yea-Yin; Hsu, Chih-Cheng

2009-01-01

Background: While higher smoking prevalences have been better described for adults and adolescents in the mountainous areas than in the plain area in Taiwan, no studies have previously examined whether this disparity begins with children in elementary schools. The purpose of this study was thus designed to explore clustering in smoking behavior…

Self-report vs. kinematic screening test: prevalence, demographics, and sports biography of yips-affected golfers.

PubMed

Klämpfl, Martin K; Philippen, Philipp B; Lobinger, Babett H

2015-01-01

The yips is considered a task-specific movement disorder. Its estimated prevalence, however, is high compared to similar neurological movement disorders, possibly resulting from previous studies' restriction of samples based on skill level, and self-report bias. Alternatively, this high prevalence might be an indication of additional aetiologies, for example the influence of previously played racket sports. We estimated the prevalence of the putting yips across the skill range, using self-reports in one study and a screening test in a second study. We explored if previously played sports matter for the development of the yips. In study 1, yips prevalence (N = 1,306) and golfers' sports biographies (n = 264) were examined via two online surveys, in which golfers indicated if they were yips-affected. In study 2, golfers (N = 186) putted in a standardised putting test while kinematic and performance measures were recorded. Prevalence was estimated via a kinematic threshold. Sports biographies (n = 119) were obtained via an online survey. Prevalence of currently yips-affected golfers was 22.4% in study 1 and 16.7% in study 2. In both studies, more yips-affected than unaffected golfers had experience in playing racket sports. Yips prevalence remained higher than previously estimated prevalence of other movement disorders but decreased when the whole skill range including professionals and novices was considered. Future studies should use the kinematic screening test instead of self-reports to detect the yips and further investigate the influence of previously played racket sports.

What Kinds of Skills Are Necessary for Physicians Involved in International Disaster Response?

PubMed

Noguchi, Norihito; Inoue, Satoshi; Shimanoe, Chisato; Shibayama, Kaoru; Matsunaga, Hitomi; Tanaka, Sae; Ishibashi, Akina; Shinchi, Koichi

2016-08-01

Introduction Physicians are key disaster responders in foreign medical teams (FMTs) that provide medical relief to affected people. However, few studies have examined the skills required for physicians in real, international, disaster-response situations. Problem The objectives of this study were to survey the primary skills required for physicians from a Japanese FMT and to examine whether there were differences in the frequencies of performed skills according to demographic characteristics, previous experience, and dispatch situations to guide future training and certification programs. This cross-sectional survey used a self-administered questionnaire given to 64 physicians with international disaster-response site experience. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics (sex, age, years of experience as a physician, affiliation, and specialty), previous experience (domestic disaster-relief experience, international disaster-relief experience, or disaster medicine training experience), and dispatch situation (length of dispatch, post-disaster phase, disaster type, and place of dispatch). In addition, the frequencies of 42 performed skills were assessed via a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the participants' characteristics and total scores as the frequencies of performed skills. Mean scores for surgical skills, health care-related skills, public health skills, and management and coordination skills were compared according to the demographic characteristics, previous experience, and dispatch situations. Fifty-two valid questionnaires (81.3% response rate) were collected. There was a trend toward higher skill scores among those who had more previous international disaster-relief experience (P=.03). The more disaster medicine training experience the participants had, the higher their skill score was (P<.001). Physicians reported involvement in 23 disaster-relief response skills, nine of which were performed frequently. There was a trend toward higher scores for surgical skills, health care-related skills, and management and coordination skills related to more disaster medicine training experience. This study's findings can be used as evidence to boost the frequency of physicians' performed skills by promoting previous experience with international disaster relief and disaster medicine training. Additionally, these results may contribute to enhancing the quality of medical practice in the international disaster relief and disaster training curricula. Noguchi N , Inoue S , Shimanoe C , Shibayama K , Matsunaga H , Tanaka S , Ishibashi A , Shinchi K . What kinds of skills are necessary for physicians involved in international disaster response? Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):397-406.

Farmers' market use among African-American women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

PubMed

Racine, Elizabeth F; Smith Vaughn, Ashley; Laditka, Sarah B

2010-03-01

This quasi-experimental pilot study explored farmers' market use among Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants and the effects of previous Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participation on farmers' market use. African-American women who were pregnant and enrolling in WIC in Washington, DC (n=71), and Charlotte, NC (n=108), participated in the study. Surveys were completed in May and June 2007 measuring farmers' market use, barriers to farmers' market use, previous Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participation, previous redemption of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers, and dietary consumption. Women in Washington, DC, might have previously participated in the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, while women in Charlotte had no previous Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participation. Analyses included descriptive, chi2 statistic, analysis of variance, and unadjusted and multiple logistic regression. Participants' average age was 24 years, average education was 12.2 years, and average daily fruit/vegetable consumption was 7.5 servings. Participants in Charlotte and Washington, DC, without previous Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participation had similar farmers' market use rates (32.4% and 40%, respectively); those with previous Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participation in Washington, DC, had higher farmers' market use rates (61%) (P=0.006). Previous participation in the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (odds ratio [OR]: 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57 to 6.93), previous redemption of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers (OR: 4.96; CI: 2.15 to 11.45), and higher fruit/vegetable consumption (OR: 2.59; CI: 1.31 to 5.12) were associated with farmers' market use. Controlling for city, women who previously redeemed Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers were more likely to use a farmers' market (OR: 6.90; CI: 1.54 to 31.00). Commonly reported barriers were lack of farmers' markets close to home and lack of transportation to farmers' markets. Women who received and redeemed Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers were much more likely to purchase fruits/vegetables at farmers' markets. Future research to explore barriers and incentives for farmers' market use among WIC participants in urban and rural settings is warranted. Copyright 2010 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical outcome comparison of patients with septic shock defined by the new sepsis-3 criteria and by previous criteria

PubMed Central

Ryoo, Seung Mok; Kang, Gu Hyun; Shin, Tae Gun; Hwang, Sung Yeon; Kim, Kyuseok; Jo, You Hwan; Park, Yoo Seok; Choi, Sung-Hyuk; Yoon, Young Hoon; Kwon, Woon Yong; Suh, Gil Joon; Lim, Tae Ho; Han, Kap Su; Choi, Han Sung; Chung, Sung Phil

2018-01-01

Background We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes between the new definition of sepsis-3 septic shock and the definition previously used from 1991 until recently. Methods We conducted an observational study using a prospective, multi-center registry of septic shock from October 2015 to February 2017. Registry data were collected by 10 emergency departments (EDs) in tertiary hospitals that are members of the Korean Shock Society. Data on septic shock patients who met the previous septic shock definition were collected. The patients were divided into a sepsis-3 defined septic shock group, made up of those who met the new criteria for refractory hypotension with hyperlactatemia, and a group of those who met only the 1991 definition for septic shock. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality, and secondary outcomes were 28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality. Results Of all 1,028 included patients, 574 (55.8%) met the septic shock criteria for sepsis-3, leaving 454 patients who met only the previous definition. Those who met the sepsis-3 criteria demonstrated higher comorbidity than those who met the previous definition (83.1% vs. 75.3%, P<0.01), but there was no difference in infection focus. The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) (initial/maximal), the acute physiology, and the chronic health evaluation II scores were significantly higher in for those who met the sepsis-3 criteria [6.5±3.1 vs. 5.0±2.9, 9.3±3.8 vs. 6.6±3.4, and 20.0 (15.0–26.0) vs. 15.0 (10.0–20.3), respectively; P<0.01]. The 90-day mortality was significantly higher in the sepsis-3 group (32.1% vs. 23.3%; P<0.01). In-hospital and 28-day mortality were also higher in the sepsis-3 group (26.8% vs. 17.1% and 25.1% vs. 16.5%, respectively; P<0.01). Conclusions The new definition of septic shock successfully selected patients with greater severities and worse outcomes. PMID:29607156

Head lice prevalence among households in Norway: importance of spatial variables and individual and household characteristics

PubMed Central

RUKKE, BJØRN ARNE; BIRKEMOE, TONE; SOLENG, ARNULF; LINDSTEDT, HEIDI HEGGEN; OTTESEN, PREBEN

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Head lice prevalence varies greatly between and within countries, and more knowledge is needed to approach causes of this variation. In the present study, we investigated head lice prevalence among elementary school students and their households in relation to individual and household characteristics as well as spatial variables. The investigation included households from 5 geographically separated municipalities. Present infestations among household members as well as previous infestations in the household were reported in a questionnaire. In elementary school students prevalence was low (1·63%), but more than one-third of the households (36·43%) had previously experienced pediculosis. Prevalence was higher in elementary school students than in other household members, and highest in third-grade children. Prevalence was also influenced by the school attended, which suggested that interactions between children in the same school are important for head lice transmission. Previous occurrence of head lice in homes also increased the risk of present infestation. Prevalence of previous infestations was higher in households with more children and in more densely populated municipalities, indicating that the density of hosts or groups of hosts influences transmission rates. These results demonstrate that information of hosts’ spatial distribution as well as household and individual characteristics is needed to better understand head lice population dynamics. PMID:21767439

Head lice prevalence among households in Norway: importance of spatial variables and individual and household characteristics.

PubMed

Rukke, Bjørn Arne; Birkemoe, Tone; Soleng, Arnulf; Lindstedt, Heidi Heggen; Ottesen, Preben

2011-09-01

Head lice prevalence varies greatly between and within countries, and more knowledge is needed to approach causes of this variation. In the present study, we investigated head lice prevalence among elementary school students and their households in relation to individual and household characteristics as well as spatial variables. The investigation included households from 5 geographically separated municipalities. Present infestations among household members as well as previous infestations in the household were reported in a questionnaire. In elementary school students prevalence was low (1·63%), but more than one-third of the households (36·43%) had previously experienced pediculosis. Prevalence was higher in elementary school students than in other household members, and highest in third-grade children. Prevalence was also influenced by the school attended, which suggested that interactions between children in the same school are important for head lice transmission. Previous occurrence of head lice in homes also increased the risk of present infestation. Prevalence of previous infestations was higher in households with more children and in more densely populated municipalities, indicating that the density of hosts or groups of hosts influences transmission rates. These results demonstrate that information of hosts' spatial distribution as well as household and individual characteristics is needed to better understand head lice population dynamics.

Prosocial Growth during College: Results of a National Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandenberger, Jay W.; Bowman, Nicholas A.

2015-01-01

Ethical growth and prosocial development are increasingly salient learning outcomes in higher education. Previous research has shown that the traditional college years facilitate moral development, especially with respect to moral reasoning. This research examined the impact of college experiences on students' sense of active responsibility for…

Motivation and Satisfaction in Internet-Supported Learning Environments: A Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bekele, Teklu Abate

2010-01-01

Previous studies examined student motivation and satisfaction in Internet-Supported Learning Environments (ISLE) in higher education but none provided a comprehensive analysis of significant methodological and theoretical issues. To contribute toward filling this knowledge gap and then to better inform instructional systems development, practice,…

Effect of Previous Abdominal Surgery on Laparoscopic Liver Resection: Analysis of Feasibility and Risk Factors for Conversion.

PubMed

Cipriani, Federica; Ratti, Francesca; Fiorentini, Guido; Catena, Marco; Paganelli, Michele; Aldrighetti, Luca

2018-03-28

Previous abdominal surgery has traditionally been considered an additional element of difficulty to later laparoscopic procedures. The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of previous surgery on the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), and its role as a risk factor for conversion. After matching, 349 LLR in patients known for previous abdominal surgery (PS group) were compared with 349 LLR on patients with a virgin abdomen (NPS group). Subgroup analysis included 161 patients with previous upper abdominal surgery (UPS subgroup). Feasibility and safety were evaluated in terms of conversion rate, reasons for conversion and outcomes, and risk factors for conversion assessed via uni/multivariable analysis. Conversion rate was 9.4%, and higher for PS patients compared with NPS patients (13.7% versus 5.1%, P = .021). Difficult adhesiolysis resulted the commonest reason for conversion in PS group (5.7%). However, operative time (P = .840), blood loss (P = .270), transfusion (P = .650), morbidity rate (P = .578), hospital stay (P = .780), and R1 rate (P = .130) were comparable between PS and NPS group. Subgroup analysis confirmed higher conversion rates for UPS patients (23%) compared with both NPS (P = .015) and PS patients (P = .041). Previous surgery emerged as independent risk factor for conversion (P = .033), alongside the postero-superior location and major hepatectomy. LLR are feasible in case of previous surgery and proved to be safe and maintain the benefits of LLR carried out in standard settings. However, a history of surgery should be considered a risk factor for conversion.

Lessons learned from the reimbursement profile of a mature private medical toxicology practice: office-based practice pays.

PubMed

Thompson, Trevonne M; Leikin, Jerrold B

2015-03-01

We previously reported the financial data for the first 5 years of one of the author's medical toxicology practice. The practice has matured; changes have been made. The practice is increasing its focus on office-based encounters and reducing hospital-based acute care encounters. We report the reimbursement rates and other financial metrics of the current practice. Financial records from October 2009 through September 2013 were reviewed. This is a period of 4 fiscal years and represents the currently available financial data. Charges, payments, and reimbursement rates were recorded according to the type and setting of the medical toxicology encounter: forensic consultations, outpatient clinic encounters, nonpsychiatric inpatient consultations, emergency department (ED) consultations, and inpatient psychiatric consultations. All patients were seen regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. The number of billed Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for office-based encounters increased over the study period; the number of billed CPT codes for inpatient and ED consultations reduced. Office-based encounters demonstrate a higher reimbursement rate and higher payments. In the fiscal year (FY) of 2012, office-based revenue exceeded hospital-based acute care revenue by over $140,000 despite a higher number of billed CPT encounters in acute care settings, and outpatient payments were 2.39 times higher than inpatient, inpatient psychiatry, observation unit, and ED payments combined. The average payment per CPT code was higher for outpatient clinic encounters than inpatient encounters for each fiscal year studied. There was an overall reduction in CPT billing volume between FY 2010 and FY 2013. Despite this, there was an increase in total practice revenue. There was no change in payor mix, practice logistics, or billing/collection service company. In this medical toxicology practice, office-based encounters demonstrate higher reimbursement rates and overall payments compared to inpatient and ED consultations. While consistent with our previous studies, these differences have been accentuated. This study demonstrates the results of changes to the practice--reduced inpatient/ED consultations and increased outpatient encounters. These practice changes resulted in higher overall revenue despite a lower patient volume. In this analysis, the office-based practice of medical toxicology has higher reimbursement rates, nearly 2.5 times higher, when compared to hospital-based acute care consultations.

Investigation of the expansion rate scaling of plasmas in the Electron Diffusion Gauge experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrison, Kyle A.; Davidson, Ronald C.; Paul, Stephen F.; Jenkins, Thomas G.

2002-01-01

The expansion of the Electron Diffusion Gauge (EDG) pure electron plasma due to collisions with background neutral gas atoms is characterized by the pressure and magnetic field scaling of the profile expansion rate (d/dt). Data obtained at higher background gas pressures [1] than previously studied [2] is presented. The measured expansion rate in the higher pressure regime is found to be in good agreement with the classical estimate of the expansion rate [3].

Ethnic Stigma, Academic Anxiety, and Intrinsic Motivation in Middle Childhood

PubMed Central

Gillen-O’Neel, Cari; Ruble, Diane N.; Fuligni, Andrew J.

2011-01-01

Previous research addressing the dynamics of stigma and academics has focused on African-American adolescents and adults. The present study examined stigma awareness, academic anxiety, and intrinsic motivation among 451 young (ages 6–11) and diverse (African-American, Chinese, Dominican, Russian, and European-American) students. Results indicated that ethnic-minority children reported higher stigma awareness than European-American children. For all children, stigma awareness was associated with higher academic anxiety and lower intrinsic motivation. Despite these associations, ethnic-minority children reported higher levels of intrinsic motivation than their European-American peers. A significant portion of the higher intrinsic motivation among Dominican students was associated with their higher levels of school belonging, suggesting that supportive school environments may be important sources of intrinsic motivation among some ethnic-minority children. PMID:21883152

Impact of previous vascular burden on in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Consuegra-Sánchez, Luciano; Melgarejo-Moreno, Antonio; Galcerá-Tomás, José; Alonso-Fernández, Nuria; Díaz-Pastor, Angela; Escudero-García, Germán; Jaulent-Huertas, Leticia; Vicente-Gilabert, Marta

2014-06-01

Patients with a current acute coronary syndrome and previous ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease are reported to have a poorer outcome than those without these previous conditions. It is uncertain whether this association with outcome is observed at long-term follow-up. Prospective observational study, including 4247 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Detailed clinical data and information on previous ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and cerebrovascular disease ("vascular burden") were recorded. Multivariate models were performed for in-hospital and long-term (median, 7.2 years) all-cause mortality. One vascular territory was affected in 1131 (26.6%) patients and ≥ 2 territories in 221 (5.2%). The total in-hospital mortality rate was 12.3% and the long-term incidence density was 3.5 deaths per 100 patient-years. A background of previous ischemic heart disease (odds ratio = 0.83; P = .35), peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio = 1.30; P = .34), or cerebrovascular disease (stroke) (odds ratio = 1.15; P = .59) was not independently predictive of in-hospital death. In an adjusted model, previous cerebrovascular disease and previous peripheral arterial disease were both predictors of mortality at long-term follow-up (hazard ratio = 1.57; P < .001; and hazard ratio = 1.34; P = .001; respectively). Patients with ≥ 2 diseased vascular territories showed higher long-term mortality (hazard ratio = 2.35; P < .001), but not higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio = 1.07; P = .844). In patients with a diagnosis of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, the previous vascular burden determines greater long-term mortality. Considered individually, previous cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease were predictors of mortality at long-term after hospital discharge. Copyright © 2013 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Association between mild intellectual disability and early mortality in men and women: evidence from a population-based cohort study

PubMed Central

Maenner, Matthew J; Greenberg, Jan S; Mailick, Marsha R

2016-01-01

Lower (versus higher) IQ scores have been shown to increase the risk of early mortality, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and previous studies underrepresent individuals with intellectual disabilities and women. This study followed one-third of all senior-year students (approximately aged 17) attending public high school in Wisconsin, USA in 1957 (n=10,317) until 2011. Men and women with mild intellectual disabilities had increased rates of mortality compared to people with the highest IQs, particularly for cardiovascular disease. Importantly, when educational attainment was held constant, people with intellectual disabilities did not have higher mortality by age 70 than people with higher IQs. Individuals with intellectual disabilities likely experience multiple disadvantages throughout life that contribute to increased risk of early mortality. PMID:25928436

The relations of parental autonomy support to cultural internalization and well-being of immigrants and sojourners.

PubMed

Downie, Michelle; Chua, Sook Ning; Koestner, Richard; Barrios, Maria-Fernanda; Rip, Blanka; M'Birkou, Sawsan

2007-07-01

Previous research has demonstrated that autonomy support is one particularly effective means of promoting internalization and fostering well-being. The present study sought to determine if this would also be the case with regards to culture by testing the relation of perceived parental autonomy support to the cultural internalization and well-being of multicultural students. In Study 1, 105 multicultural participants living in Canada were more likely to have fully internalized their host and heritage cultures and to have higher self-reported well-being when they reported that their parents were autonomy supportive. In Study 2, 125 Chinese-Malaysians sojourners were also more likely to have fully internalized their heritage culture and indicated higher well-being when they perceived their parents as autonomy supportive. In both studies, heritage cultural internalization was also associated with higher well-being. Copyright 2007 APA

Rhizolith evidence in support of a late Holocene sea-level highstand at least 0.5 m higher than present at Key Biscayne, Florida

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Froede, Carl R., Jr.

2002-03-01

R. Fairbridge and F. Shepard proposed different sea-level curves for the late Holocene. South Florida, as a tectonically stable platform, provides a key locale from which late Quaternary sea-level measurements have been attempted. Previous studies supporting Holocene sea-level curves have focused on mangrove peat deposits, barrier ridges, and archaeological sites. However, in situ biological indicators provide the best evidence in support of varying sea-level positions during the late Holocene. The northeastern side of Key Biscayne, Florida, has two areas of rock reef where rhizoliths (i.e., fossilized root casts) are exposed within the intertidal zone. They have previously been interpreted as the fossilized roots of a former black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) forest. However, the morphology, size, orientation, and areal extent of the rhizoliths is best understood if they are interpreted as the former root casts of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum). This interpretation would constitute in situ biological evidence of a late Holocene sea-level position at least 0.5 m higher than at present. Previously published 14C dating of the calcareous paste inside the rhizoliths suggests that they formed 1 2 k.y. before present. This corresponds to a higher than present sea-level highstand supported by independent evidence from other areas in south Florida.

Associations of the vaginal microbiota with HIV infection, bacterial vaginosis, and demographic factors.

PubMed

Chehoud, Christel; Stieh, Daniel J; Bailey, Aubrey G; Laughlin, Alice L; Allen, Shannon A; McCotter, Kerrie L; Sherrill-Mix, Scott A; Hope, Thomas J; Bushman, Frederic D

2017-04-24

We sought to investigate the effects of HIV infection on the vaginal microbiota and associations with treatment and demographic factors. We thus compared vaginal microbiome samples from HIV-infected (HIV+) and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) women collected at two Chicago area hospitals. We studied vaginal microbiome samples from 178 women analyzed longitudinally (n = 324 samples) and collected extensive data on clinical status and demographic factors. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the bacterial lineages present, then UniFrac, Shannon diversity, and other measures to compare community structure with sample metadata. Differences in microbiota measures were modest in the comparison of HIV+ and HIV- samples, in contrast to several previous studies, consistent with effective antiretroviral therapy. Proportions of healthy Lactobacillus species were not higher in HIV- patients overall, but were significantly higher when analyzed within each hospital in isolation. Rates of bacterial vaginosis were higher among African-American women and HIV+ women. Bacterial vaginosis was associated with higher frequency of HIV+. Unexpectedly, African-American women were more likely to switch bacterial vaginosis status between sampling times; switching was not associated with HIV+ status. The influence of HIV infection on the vaginal microbiome was modest for this cohort of well suppressed urban American women, consistent with effective antiretroviral therapy. HIV+ was found to be associated with bacterial vaginosis. Although bacterial vaginosis has previously been associated with HIV transmission, most of the women studied here became HIV+ many years before our test for bacterial vaginosis, thus implicating additional mechanisms linking HIV infection and bacterial vaginosis.

Differences Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Heterosexual Individuals, and those Who Reported an Other Identity on an Open-Ended Response on Levels of Social Anxiety

PubMed Central

Wadsworth, Lauren Page; Hayes-Skelton, Sarah A.

2015-01-01

Previous research suggests that individuals with a marginalized sexual orientation report higher levels of emotional distress (Cochran, 2001; Mayer, 2003), including higher prevalence of social anxiety (Gilman et al., 2001; Potoczniak, Aldea, & DeBlaere, 2007; Safren & Pantalone, 2006) than heterosexuals. The present study builds on previous research by examining results across sexual minority identities, including an additional write-in response option. One hundred eighty individuals participated in an online study in which they indicated their sexual orientation and completed measures of social anxiety. Results indicated that in a sample recruited in a liberal urban population, lesbian/gay, and heterosexual individuals rated similar levels of social anxiety across four Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale subscales (fear, avoidance, social, and performance; Liebowitz, 1987). Alternatively, individuals who identified as bisexual, or indicated a write-in sexual orientation rated significantly higher levels of social anxiety than the heterosexual, and lesbian/gay groups. Findings highlight the importance of offering a write-in sexual identity option, as well as looking at differences among group experiences across sexual minorities. Future studies should investigate potential group differences in social anxiety across sexual orientations in larger samples so that comparisons can be made among subgroups of the write-in response group, as well as investigate potential contributors to these group differences. PMID:26881266

Six-Year Effects of Two Late Spring Frosts on Appalachian Hardwoods

Treesearch

Everette D. Rast; Robert L. Brisbin; Robert L. Brisbin

1987-01-01

Severe late spring frosts can kill new shoots and leaves on commercial tree species at higher elevations. A previous short-term study has shown that the resulting defoliation and dieback does not seriously affect the radial growth or mortality of most species except American beech. In this study we found that defoliation, dieback, and radial growth increment were...

Exploring the Impact of the Increased Tuition Fees on Academic Staffs' Experiences in Post-92 Universities: A Small-Scale Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bates, Elizabeth A.; Kaye, Linda K.; Blewitt, John

2014-01-01

The introduction of the new tuition fee regime in the UK academic session 2012-2013 has resulted in concerns in the Higher Education (HE) community that students' expectations may become unmanageable. Previous research has explored the expectations and experiences of undergraduate psychology students; the current study extended this by considering…

Students' Academic Performance in Environmental Studies: An Empirical Study of Different Groups of Secondary School Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheung, Lewis Ting On; Fok, Lincoln; Gou, Gloria Rui

2016-01-01

The Hong Kong education system has undergone a dramatic change in its secondary and tertiary level of education. A single public examination for senior secondary education namely Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) was adopted to replace two previously used examinations in 2012. As a result, all higher education institutes in Hong…

From Social Class to Self-Efficacy: Internalization of Low Social Status Pupils' School Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiederkehr, Virginie; Darnon, Céline; Chazal, Sébastien; Guimond, Serge; Martinot, Delphine

2015-01-01

Previous research has largely documented that socioeconomic status (SES) is a strong and consistent predictor of pupils' school performance in several countries. In this research, we argue that children internalize the SES achievement gap in the form of a lower/higher sense of school self-efficacy. In two studies, teenaged students' (Study 1) and…

Should Gender Differences Be Considered When Assessing Student Satisfaction in the Online Learning Environment for Millennials?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvey, Heather Lea; Parahoo, Sanjai; Santally, Mohammad

2017-01-01

The majority of today's students in online higher education are millennials and have grown up using technology. Therefore, there is a need to determine if their expectations from online learning are different from previous contextual studies and whether or not these vary across gender. This study used a mixed method approach, using focus groups,…

Relationships of Attitudes toward Homework and Time Spent on Homework to Course Outcomes: The Case of Foreign Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Charles B.; Wall, Daniel; Tare, Medha; Golonka, Ewa; Vatz, Karen

2014-01-01

In previous studies of homework in core academic subjects, positive student attitudes toward homework were linked to higher achievement, whereas time spent on homework showed an inconsistent relationship with achievement. This study examined the generalizability of these findings to foreign language learning by analyzing 2,342 adult students'…

Collaboration, Reflection and Selective Neglect: Campus-Based Marketing Students' Experiences of Using a Virtual Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Molesworth, Mike

2004-01-01

Previous studies have suggested significant benefits to using computer-mediated communication in higher education and the development of the relevant skills may also be important for preparing students for their working careers. This study is a review of the introduction of a virtual learning environment to support a group of 60 campus-based,…

Longitudinal Relationship between Social Skills and Academic Achievement in a Gender Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gustavsen, Ann Margareth

2017-01-01

Previous studies found that girls have higher academic achievement than boys in most school subjects. Teachers' grading of academic achievement seems to be based not only on students' knowledge but also their social skills, and teachers tend to assess girls as having better social skills than boys. The main aim of this study was to examine through…

Analysis of syntactic foam – GFRP sandwich composites for flexural loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Daniel; Velmurugan, R.; Jayaganthan, R.; Gupta, N. K.; Manzhirov, A. V.

2018-04-01

The use of glass microballoon (GMB) — epoxy syntactic foams as a sandwich core material is studied. The skins and foam core are fabricated and joined instantaneously unlike the procedures followed in the previous studies. Each successive layer of the sandwich is fabricated when the previous layer is in a semi-gelled state. These sandwich samples are characterized for their properties under flexural loading. The failure modes and mechanical properties are carefully investigated. The change in fabrication technique results in a significant increase in the load bearing pattern of the sandwich. In earlier studies, debonding was found to occur prematurely since the bonding between the skins and core is the weakest plane. Using the current technique, core cracking occurs first, followed by skin fiber breaking and debonding happens at the end. This ensures that the load carrying phase of the structure is extended considerably. The sandwich is also analytically studied using Reddy’s higher order shear deformation theory. A higher order theory is selected as the sandwich can no longer be considered as a thin beam and thus shear effects also need to be considered in addition to bending effects.

Ethnic Variations in Severe Maternal Morbidity in the UK– A Case Control Study

PubMed Central

Nair, Manisha; Kurinczuk, Jennifer J.; Knight, Marian

2014-01-01

Background Previous studies showed a higher risk of maternal morbidity amongst black and other minority ethnic (BME) groups, but were unable to investigate whether this excess risk was concentrated within specific BME groups in the UK. Our aim was to analyse the specific risks and to investigate reasons for any disparity. Methods Unmatched case-control analysis using data from the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), February 2005-January 2013. Cases were 1,753 women who experienced severe morbidity during the peripartum period. Controls were 3,310 women who delivered immediately before the cases in the same hospital. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to adjust for known confounders and to understand their effects. Results Compared with white European women, the odds of severe maternal morbidity were 83% higher among black African women (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.83; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.39–2.40), 80% higher among black Caribbean (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.14–2.82), 74% higher in Bangladeshi (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.05–2.88), 56% higher in other non-whites (non-Asian) (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.05–2.33) and 43% higher among Pakistani women (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.07–1.92). There was no evidence of substantial confounding. Anaemia in current pregnancy, previous pregnancy problems, inadequate utilisation of antenatal care, pre-existing medical conditions, parity>3, and being younger and older were independent risk factors but, the odds of severe maternal morbidity did not differ by socioeconomic status, between smokers and non-smokers or by BMI. Discussion This national study demonstrates an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity among women of ethnic minority backgrounds which could not be explained by known risk factors for severe maternal morbidity. PMID:24743879

Ethnic variations in severe maternal morbidity in the UK- a case control study.

PubMed

Nair, Manisha; Kurinczuk, Jennifer J; Knight, Marian

2014-01-01

Previous studies showed a higher risk of maternal morbidity amongst black and other minority ethnic (BME) groups, but were unable to investigate whether this excess risk was concentrated within specific BME groups in the UK. Our aim was to analyse the specific risks and to investigate reasons for any disparity. Unmatched case-control analysis using data from the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), February 2005-January 2013. Cases were 1,753 women who experienced severe morbidity during the peripartum period. Controls were 3,310 women who delivered immediately before the cases in the same hospital. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to adjust for known confounders and to understand their effects. Compared with white European women, the odds of severe maternal morbidity were 83% higher among black African women (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.83; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.39-2.40), 80% higher among black Caribbean (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.14-2.82), 74% higher in Bangladeshi (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.05-2.88), 56% higher in other non-whites (non-Asian) (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.05-2.33) and 43% higher among Pakistani women (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.07-1.92). There was no evidence of substantial confounding. Anaemia in current pregnancy, previous pregnancy problems, inadequate utilisation of antenatal care, pre-existing medical conditions, parity>3, and being younger and older were independent risk factors but, the odds of severe maternal morbidity did not differ by socioeconomic status, between smokers and non-smokers or by BMI. This national study demonstrates an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity among women of ethnic minority backgrounds which could not be explained by known risk factors for severe maternal morbidity.

Maximum walking speeds obtained using treadmill and overground robot system in persons with post-stroke hemiplegia

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Previous studies demonstrated that stroke survivors have a limited capacity to increase their walking speeds beyond their self-selected maximum walking speed (SMWS). The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of stroke survivors to reach faster speeds than their SMWS while walking on a treadmill belt or while being pushed by a robotic system (i.e. “push mode”). Methods Eighteen chronic stroke survivors with hemiplegia were involved in the study. We calculated their self-selected comfortable walking speed (SCWS) and SMWS overground using a 5-meter walk test (5-MWT). Then, they were exposed to walking at increased speeds, on a treadmill and while in “push mode” in an overground robotic device, the KineAssist, until they were tested at a speed that they could not sustain without losing balance. We recorded the time and number of steps during each trial and calculated gait speed, average cadence and average step length. Results Maximum walking speed in the “push mode” was 13% higher than the maximum walking speed on the treadmill and both were higher (“push mode”: 61%; treadmill: 40%) than the maximum walking speed overground. Subjects achieved these faster speeds by initially increasing both step length and cadence and, once individuals stopped increasing their step length, by only increasing cadence. Conclusions With post-stroke hemiplegia, individuals are able to walk at faster speeds than their SMWS overground, when provided with a safe environment that provides external forces that requires them to attempt dynamic stability maintenance at higher gait speeds. Therefore, this study suggests the possibility that, given the appropriate conditions, people post-stroke can be trained at higher speeds than previously attempted. PMID:23057500

Further evidence for the fifth higher trait of personality pathology: a correlation study using normal and disordered personality measures.

PubMed

Chai, Hao; Xu, Shaofang; Zhu, Junpeng; Chen, Wanzhen; Xu, You; He, Wei; Wang, Wei

2012-12-30

Studies between disordered personality and the Big-Five or the Alternative Five-Factor model of normal personality have consistently shown four higher traits. The fifth higher trait, relating to Openness to Experience or Impulsive Sensation Seeking was less supported. The culture-free Nonverbal Personality Questionnaire (NPQ) might help us to characterise the fifth higher trait. We therefore tried the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP), the NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R), the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and the NPQ in 253 healthy participants. Our results yielded five factors, four of which resembled the previous ones. The fifth one, namely Peculiarity Seeking, was defined by NPQ and NEO-PI-R Openness to Experience, ZKPQ Impulsive Sensation Seeking and DAPP Stimulus Seeking. Whether the fifth factor is linked to the schizotypal personality disorder as proposed remains unanswered. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

False Memories for Shape Activate the Lateral Occipital Complex

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karanian, Jessica M.; Slotnick, Scott D.

2017-01-01

Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence has shown that false memories arise from higher-level conscious processing regions rather than lower-level sensory processing regions. In the present study, we assessed whether the lateral occipital complex (LOC)--a lower-level conscious shape processing region--was associated with false…

Hazards of Hospitalization: Residence Prior to Admission Predicts Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Friedman, Susan M.; Mendelson, Daniel A.; Bingham, Karilee W.; McCann, Robert M.

2008-01-01

Purpose: Previous studies investigating adverse outcomes of hospitalized elders have focused on community-dwelling patients. Given the rapid growth of populations living in other settings, such as assisted living facilities, it is important to understand whether these patients are at higher risk of experiencing specific adverse outcomes during…

Listening and Note-Taking in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fahmy, Jane Jackson; Bilton, Linda

A study at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman investigated the listening comprehension problems of students who were non-native speakers of English (NNS), in lectures by native English-speaking professors. Two professors with no previous experience in teaching non-native speakers introduced geology in 4 weeks of lectures. Instances of vocabulary…

Phonotactic Acquisition in Healthy Preterm Infants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonzalez-Gomez, Nayeli; Nazzi, Thierry

2012-01-01

Previous work has shown that preterm infants are at higher risk for cognitive/language delays than full-term infants. Recent studies, focusing on prosody (i.e. rhythm, intonation), have suggested that prosodic perception development in preterms is indexed by maturational rather than postnatal/listening age. However, because prosody is heard…

Gender Differences in Game Behaviour in Invasion Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gutierrez, David; Garcia-Lopez, Luis M.

2012-01-01

Background: Previous research has revealed the existence of gender differences in physical education. Most descriptive studies show that boys are more physically active than girls, have greater self-perception of enjoyment and competence in physical education, attach more importance to sports and participation in them and demonstrate higher game…

Participation in Extracurricular Activities and Adolescent Adjustment: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Findings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Darling, Nancy

2005-01-01

This study extends previous understanding of the association between adolescent extracurricular activity participation and adjustment by asking whether participation in school-based extracurricular activities is associated with lower substance use and depression, higher grades and academic aspirations, and more positive attitude toward school. In…

Relationships between Online Motivation, Participation, and Achievement: More Complex than You Might Think

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartnett, Maggie

2012-01-01

With the increasing importance and rapid growth of online courses, diversification of the student population, and the growing concern over retention rates, exploration of learner online participation and possible relationships with motivation and achievement behaviour is becoming increasingly relevant in higher education. Previous studies (Gerber,…

Academic Factors and Turnover Intention: Impact of Organization Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Awang, Amran; Ibrahim, Ima Ilyani; Nor, Mohamad Niza Md; Razali, Mohd Fazly Mohd; Arof, Zakaria Mat; Rahman, Ahmad Redzuan Abdul

2015-01-01

Institutional support and recognition led to less happier and committed academicians. Previous empirical findings justified that intentions to leave an organization has been due to issues in commitment and job performance. The study observes 130 academicians in five Malaysian public higher learning institutions in a cross-sectional data collection…

Raspberry supplementation alleviates age-related motor dysfunction in select populations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Age-related declines in balance, muscle strength and coordination often lead to a higher incidence of falling. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, and ultimately, loss of independence and death. Previous studies in our laboratory have demons...

The impact of acculturation level on weight status and weight outcomes in Hispanic children

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Previous studies revealed that higher levels of acculturation are related to obesity in Hispanic adults. Conflicting findings exist regarding this relationship in children, and little is known about the impact of acculturation on children's success in pediatric weight management programs. The purpos...

Use of additives to enhance the properties of cottonseed protein as wood adhesives

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soy protein is currently being used commercially as a “green” wood adhesive. Previous work in this laboratory has shown that cottonseed protein isolate, tested on maple wood veneer, produced higher adhesive strength and hot water resistance relative to soy protein. In the present study, cottonseed...

Is More Always Better? The Curvilinear Relationships between College Student Experiences and Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowman, Nicholas A.; Trolian, Teniell L.

2017-01-01

Many higher education studies have examined linear relationships between student experiences and outcomes, but this assumption may be questionable. In two notable examples previous research that assumed a linear relationship reached different substantive conclusions and implications than did research that explored non-linear associations among the…

Gaps in Sustainability Education: The Impact of Higher Education Coursework on Perceptions of Sustainability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, P. Brian; McAdams, Erin

2015-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to examine how both the amount and type of coursework impact students' conceptualizations of sustainability. Previous research demonstrates that academic coursework influences students' environmental attitudes, yet few studies have examined the impact of coursework on how students conceptualize "sustainability".…

Embracing the Paradox in Educational Change for Sustainable Development: A Case of Accounting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Qian, Wei

2013-01-01

Higher education institutions have been encouraged to prepare their graduates to be socially and environmentally responsible professionals. However, previous studies have found a slow uptake of education for sustainable development (ESD) in university curricula, particularly in non-environmental disciplines. This paper investigates the process of…

Mental Disorder Among Homeless Persons in the United States: An Overview of Recent Empirical Literature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Marjorie J.

1986-01-01

Reviews literature on the homeless reporting higher rates of psychiatric disorder, psychological distress, and previous psychiatric hospitalization compared to the general population. However, understandardized methodology and lack of consistent findings across studies prohibit reliable prevalence estimates of mental disorder among the homeless.…

Latina Teen Suicide and Bullying

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romero, Andrea J.; Wiggs, Christine Bracamonte; Valencia, Celina; Bauman, Sheri

2013-01-01

Latina adolescents experience depression and suicidal ideations in a disproportionate manner compared to their non-Latina counterparts. We investigate suicide and depressive symptoms among a state-wide sample (N = 650) of adolescent Latina girls with a focus on bullying as a predictor. Bullying rates are higher than previous studies have found for…

Gene-by-Socioeconomic Status Interaction on School Readiness

PubMed Central

Rhemtulla, Mijke; Tucker-Drob, Elliot M.

2017-01-01

In previous work with a nationally representative sample of over 1,400 monozygotic and dizygotic twins born in the United States, Tucker-Drob, Rhemtulla, Harden, Turkheimer, and Fask (2011; Psychological Science, 22, 125–133) uncovered a gene × environment interaction on scores on the Bayley Short Form test of mental ability at 2 years of age—higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated not only with higher mental ability, but also with larger genetic contributions to individual differences in mental ability. The current study examined gene × SES interactions in mathematics skill and reading skill at 4 years of age (preschool age) in the same sample of twins, and further examined whether interactions detected at 4 years could be attributed to the persistence of the interaction previously observed at 2 years. For early mathematics skill but not early reading skill, genetic influences were more pronounced at higher levels of SES. This interaction was not accounted for by the interaction observed at 2 years. These findings indicate that SES moderates the etiological influences on certain cognitive functions at multiple stages of child development. PMID:22350185

The personality basis of aggression: The mediating role of anger and the moderating role of emotional intelligence.

PubMed

García-Sancho, Esperanza; Dhont, Kristof; Salguero, José M; Fernández-Berrocal, Pablo

2017-08-01

High neuroticism and low agreeableness have been found to predict higher levels of aggression through an increase of negative emotions such as anger. However, previous research has only investigated these indirect associations for physical aggression, whereas evidence for such indirect effects on other types of aggression (i.e., verbal or indirect aggression) is currently lacking. Moreover, no previous work has investigated the moderating role of Ability Emotional Intelligence (AEI), which may buffer against the effects of anger on aggression. The present study (N = 665) directly addresses these gaps in the literature. The results demonstrate that high neuroticism and low agreeableness were indirectly related to higher levels of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression via increased chronic accessibility to anger. Importantly however, the associations with physical aggression were significantly weaker for those higher (vs. lower) on AEI, confirming the buffering role of AEI. We discuss the implications of our findings for theoretical frameworks aiming to understand and reduce aggression and violent behavior. © 2017 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Predictors of stroke in patients with impaired glucose tolerance: results from the Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research trial.

PubMed

Preiss, David; Giles, Thomas D; Thomas, Laine E; Sun, Jie-Lena; Haffner, Steven M; Holman, Rury R; Standl, Eberhard; Mazzone, Theodore; Rutten, Guy E; Tognoni, Gianni; Chiang, Fu-Tien; McMurray, John J V; Califf, Robert M

2013-09-01

Risk factors for stroke are well-established in general populations but sparsely studied in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. We identified predictors of stroke among participants with impaired glucose tolerance in the Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial. Cox proportional-hazard regression models were constructed using baseline variables, including the 2 medications studied, valsartan and nateglinide. Among 9306 participants, 237 experienced a stroke over 6.4 years. Predictors of stroke included classical risk factors such as existing cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease, higher pulse pressure, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, older age, and atrial fibrillation. Other factors, including previous venous thromboembolism, higher waist circumference, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, lower heart rate, and lower body mass index, provided additional important predictive information, yielding a C-index of 0.72. Glycemic measures were not predictive of stroke. Variables associated with stroke were similar in participants with no prior history of cerebrovascular disease at baseline. The most powerful predictors of stroke in patients with impaired glucose tolerance included a combination of established risk factors and novel variables, such as previous venous thromboembolism and elevated waist circumference, allowing moderately effective identification of high-risk individuals.

Prenatal influences on sexual orientation: digit ratio (2D:4D) and number of older siblings.

PubMed

Kangassalo, Katariina; Pölkki, Mari; Rantala, Markus J

2011-10-10

Prenatal androgen levels are suggested to influence sexual orientation in both sexes. The 2D:4D digit ratio has been found to associate with sexual orientation, but published findings have often been contradictory, which may partly be due to the large ethnic diversity between and within studied populations. In men, number of older brothers has been found to correlate positively with homosexuality. This phenomenon has been explained with a maternal immune reaction, which is provoked only by male fetuses and which gets stronger after each pregnancy. Here we assessed the relationship of sexual orientation to 2D:4D ratios and number of older siblings in Finland, where the population is found to be genetically relatively homogeneous. As in many previous studies, heterosexual men had lower 2D:4D than non-heterosexual men, which supports the notion that non- heterosexual men experience higher androgen levels in utero than population norms. Contrary to previous reports, non-heterosexual women had higher 2D:4D than heterosexual women. Non-heterosexual men had more older brothers and older sisters than heterosexual men. The greater number of older sisters in non-heterosexual men indicates that there are other factors that contribute to the higher birth order of homosexual men than the maternal immunization.

Sex differences in obesity, dietary habits, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshis.

PubMed

Saquib, Juliann; Saquib, Nazmus; Stefanick, Marcia L; Khanam, Masuma Akter; Anand, Shuchi; Rahman, Mahbubur; Chertow, Glenn M; Barry, Michele; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Cullen, Mark R

2016-07-01

The sustained economic growth in Bangladesh during the previous decade has created a substantial middle-class population, who have adequate income to spend on food, clothing, and lifestyle management. Along with the improvements in living standards, has also come negative impact on health for the middle class. The study objective was to assess sex differences in obesity prevalence, diet, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshi. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012, we randomly selected 402 adults from Mohammedpur, Dhaka. The sampling technique was multi-stage random sampling. We used standardized questionnaires for data collection and measured height, weight, and waist circumference. Mean age (standard deviation) was 49.4 (12.7) years. The prevalence of both generalized (79% vs. 53%) and central obesity (85% vs. 42%) were significantly higher in women than men. Women reported spending more time watching TV and spending less time walking than men (p<.05); however, men reported a higher intake of unhealthy foods such as fast food and soft drinks. We conclude that the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher in urban middle-class Bangladeshis than previous urban estimates, and the burden of obesity disproportionately affects women. Future research and public health efforts are needed to address this severe obesity problem and to promote active lifestyles.

Computer-aided interpretation approach for optical tomographic images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klose, Christian D.; Klose, Alexander D.; Netz, Uwe J.; Scheel, Alexander K.; Beuthan, Jürgen; Hielscher, Andreas H.

2010-11-01

A computer-aided interpretation approach is proposed to detect rheumatic arthritis (RA) in human finger joints using optical tomographic images. The image interpretation method employs a classification algorithm that makes use of a so-called self-organizing mapping scheme to classify fingers as either affected or unaffected by RA. Unlike in previous studies, this allows for combining multiple image features, such as minimum and maximum values of the absorption coefficient for identifying affected and not affected joints. Classification performances obtained by the proposed method were evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, and mutual information. Different methods (i.e., clinical diagnostics, ultrasound imaging, magnet resonance imaging, and inspection of optical tomographic images), were used to produce ground truth benchmarks to determine the performance of image interpretations. Using data from 100 finger joints, findings suggest that some parameter combinations lead to higher sensitivities, while others to higher specificities when compared to single parameter classifications employed in previous studies. Maximum performances are reached when combining the minimum/maximum ratio of the absorption coefficient and image variance. In this case, sensitivities and specificities over 0.9 can be achieved. These values are much higher than values obtained when only single parameter classifications were used, where sensitivities and specificities remained well below 0.8.

Return to work after vocational rehabilitation for sick-listed workers with long-term back, neck and shoulder problems: A follow-up study of factors involved.

PubMed

Rinaldo, Ulrika; Selander, John

2016-09-27

Absence from work due to musculoskeletal disorders is a significant problem from a number of perspectives, and there is a great need to identify factors that facilitate return to work (RTW). To identify factors related to RTW after vocational rehabilitation for sick-listed workers with long-term back, neck and/or shoulder problems, and to compare the results with those from a previous literature review based on studies from 1980 to 2000. A literature review based on studies published 2001-2014 in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC and the Cochrane Library. Major risk factors for not returning to work are: higher age, factors related to pain such as higher levels of pain and pain related fear, avoidance of activity, high distress and depression. Facilitating factors for RTW are: lower functional disability, gaining control over one's own condition, believing in RTW and work-related factors such as occupational training, and having a job coach or an RTW coordinator. Compared with the results from the previous review, the present review shows less of a focus on sociodemographic factors and more on psychological factors. Both studies highlight risk factors such as older age, higher levels of pain, depression and less internal locus of control. Psychosocial and work-related factors are important and should be included in interventions for the RTW of people with long-term back, neck and/or shoulder problems.

Maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight in term infants.

PubMed

Ecklund-Flores, Lisa; Myers, Michael M; Monk, Catherine; Perez, Albany; Odendaal, Hein J; Fifer, William P

2017-04-01

Previous research of maternal depression during pregnancy suggests an association with low birth weight in newborns. Review of these studies reveals predominant comorbidity with premature birth. This current study examines antenatal depression and birth weight in term, medically low-risk pregnancies. Maternal physiological and demographic measures were collected as well. In total, 227 pregnant women were recruited to participate in four experimental protocols at Columbia University Medical Center. Results indicate that depressed pregnant women who carry to term had significantly higher heart rates, lower heart rate variability, and gave birth to heavier babies than those of pregnant women who were not depressed. Low income participants had significantly higher levels of depression, as well as significantly higher heart rates and lower heart rate variability, than those in higher income groups. In full-term infants, maternal prenatal depression appears to promote higher birth weight, with elevated maternal heart rate as a likely mediating mechanism. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Higher speed freight truck : vehicle dynamics analysis.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-08-01

Previously, Sharma & Associates, Inc. (SA) developed a higher speed freight truck design under sponsorship of the Federal : Railroad Administration. Under the current contract, SA was tasked with developing performance requirements for higher speed :...

Students Leaving the STEM Pipeline: An Investigation of Their Attitudes and the Influence of Significant Others on Their Study Choice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korpershoek, Hanke; Kuyper, Hans; Bosker, Roel; van der Werf, Greetje

2013-01-01

The main aim of the present study was to investigate why some students do not continue in science-oriented studies in higher education despite that their previous career in secondary education proved that they were interested and suitably qualified to do so. We introduced a new approach to deal with these students' attitudes towards science,…

Living Animals in the Classroom: A Meta-Analysis on Learning Outcome and a Treatment-Control Study Focusing on Knowledge and Motivation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hummel, Eberhard; Randler, Christoph

2012-01-01

Prior research states that the use of living animals in the classroom leads to a higher knowledge but those previous studies have methodological and statistical problems. We applied a meta-analysis and developed a treatment-control study in a middle school classroom. The treatments (film vs. living animal) differed only by the presence of the…

Marine Biota and Psychological Well-Being

PubMed Central

Cracknell, Deborah; White, Mathew P.; Pahl, Sabine; Nichols, Wallace J.; Depledge, Michael H.

2015-01-01

Exposure to natural environments can have calming and stress-reducing effects on humans. Moreover, previous studies suggest that these benefits may be greater in areas with higher species richness. Our study took advantage of a “natural experiment” to examine people’s behavioral, physiological, and psychological reactions to increases in levels of marine biota in a large aquarium exhibit during three stages of restocking: Unstocked, Partially stocked, and Fully stocked. We found that increased biota levels were associated with longer spontaneous viewing of the exhibit, greater reductions in heart rate, greater increases in self-reported mood, and higher interest. We suggest that higher biota levels, even in managed settings, may be associated with important well-being and health benefits, particularly for individuals not able to access the natural analogues of managed environments. PMID:27818525

Changes in bone mineral metabolism parameters, including FGF23, after discontinuing cinacalcet at kidney transplantation.

PubMed

Barros, Xoana; Fuster, David; Paschoalin, Raphael; Oppenheimer, Federico; Rubello, Domenico; Perlaza, Pilar; Pons, Francesca; Torregrosa, Jose V

2015-05-01

Little is known about the effects of the administration of cinacalcet in dialytic patients who are scheduled for kidney transplantation, and in particular about the changes in FGF23 and other mineral metabolism parameters after surgery compared with recipients not on cinacalcet at kidney transplantation. We performed a prospective observational cohort study with recruitment of consecutive kidney transplant recipients at our institution. Patients were classified according to whether they were under treatment with cinacalcet before transplantation. Bone mineral metabolism parameters, including C-terminal FGF23, were measured at baseline, on day 15, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after transplantation. In previously cinacalcet-treated patients, cinacalcet therapy was discontinued on the day of surgery and was not restarted after transplantation. A total of 48 kidney transplant recipients, 20 on cinacalcet at surgery and 28 cinacalcet non-treated patients, completed the follow-up. Serum phosphate declined significantly in the first 15 days after transplantation with no differences between the two groups, whereas cinacalcet-treated patients showed higher FGF23 levels, although not significant. After transplantation, PTH and serum calcium were significantly higher in cinacalcet-treated patients. We conclude that patients receiving cinacalcet on dialysis presented similar serum phosphate levels but higher PTH and serum calcium levels during the initial six months after kidney transplantation than cinacalcet non-treated patients. The group previously treated with cinacalcet before transplantation showed higher FGF23 levels without significant differences, so further studies should investigate its relevance in the management of these patients.

Formyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase Gene Diversity in the Guts of Higher Termites with Different Diets and Lifestyles ▿ †

PubMed Central

Ottesen, Elizabeth A.; Leadbetter, Jared R.

2011-01-01

In this study, we examine gene diversity for formyl-tetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS), a key enzyme in homoacetogenesis, recovered from the gut microbiota of six species of higher termites. The “higher” termites (family Termitidae), which represent the majority of extant termite species and genera, engage in a broader diversity of feeding and nesting styles than the “lower” termites. Previous studies of termite gut homoacetogenesis have focused on wood-feeding lower termites, from which the preponderance of FTHFS sequences recovered were related to those from acetogenic treponemes. While sequences belonging to this group were present in the guts of all six higher termites examined, treponeme-like FTHFS sequences represented the majority of recovered sequences in only two species (a wood-feeding Nasutitermes sp. and a palm-feeding Microcerotermes sp.). The remaining four termite species analyzed (a Gnathamitermes sp. and two Amitermes spp. that were recovered from subterranean nests with indeterminate feeding strategies and a litter-feeding Rhynchotermes sp.) yielded novel FTHFS clades not observed in lower termites. These termites yielded two distinct clusters of probable purinolytic Firmicutes and a large group of potential homoacetogens related to sequences previously recovered from the guts of omnivorous cockroaches. These findings suggest that the gut environments of different higher termite species may select for different groups of homoacetogens, with some species hosting treponeme-dominated homoacetogen populations similar to those of wood-feeding, lower termites while others host Firmicutes-dominated communities more similar to those of omnivorous cockroaches. PMID:21441328

Childhood IQ and survival to 79: Follow-up of 94% of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947.

PubMed

Čukić, Iva; Brett, Caroline E; Calvin, Catherine M; Batty, G David; Deary, Ian J

2017-07-01

To extend previous literature that suggests higher IQ in youth is associated with living longer. Previous studies have been unable to assess reliably whether the effect differs across sexes and ages of death, and whether the effect is graded across different levels of IQ. We test IQ-survival associations in 94% of the near-entire population born in Scotland in 1936 who took an IQ test at age 11 (n = 70,805) and were traced in a 68-year follow-up. Higher IQ at age 11 years was associated with a lower risk of death (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.79, 0.81). The decline in risk across categories of IQ scores was graded across the full range with the effect slightly stronger in women (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.77, 0.80) than in men (HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.81, 0.84). Higher IQ had a significantly stronger association with death before and including age 65 (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.74, 0.77) than in those participants who died at an older age (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.80). Higher childhood IQ is associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in both men and women. This is the only near-entire population study to date that examines the association between childhood IQ and mortality across most of the human life course.

Mechanism of chemical sputtering of graphite under high flux deuterium bombardment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueda, Y.; Sugai, T.; Ohtsuka, Y.; Nishikawa, M.

2000-12-01

Chemical sputtering of graphite materials (isotropic graphite and carbon fiber composite) was studied by irradiation of 5 keV D 3+ beam with a flux up to 4×10 21 m-2 s-1, which is more than one order magnitude higher than previous low flux beam experiments (< 10 20 m-2 s-1) . The chemical sputtering yield was obtained from measurements of the released methane signal with a quadrupole mass analyser. It was found that the methane yield at peak temperatures is almost independent of flux from 5×10 20 to 4×10 21 m-2 s-1. Peak temperatures range between 900 and 1000 K, which is higher than those of the previous low flux experiments (<900 K, <10 20 m-2 s-1) . By comparing our experimental results with calculation results based on Roth's model, the annealing effect of radiation damage to prevent methyl group formation appears to be unimportant.

Lovelock branes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastor, David; Ray, Sourya; Traschen, Jennie

2017-10-01

We study the problem of finding brane-like solutions to Lovelock gravity, adopting a general approach to establish conditions that a lower dimensional base metric must satisfy in order that a solution to a given Lovelock theory can be constructed in one higher dimension. We find that for Lovelock theories with generic values of the coupling constants, the Lovelock tensors (higher curvature generalizations of the Einstein tensor) of the base metric must all be proportional to the metric. Hence, allowed base metrics form a subclass of Einstein metrics. This subclass includes so-called ‘universal metrics’, which have been previously investigated as solutions to quantum-corrected field equations. For specially tuned values of the Lovelock couplings, we find that the Lovelock tensors of the base metric need to satisfy fewer constraints. For example, for Lovelock theories with a unique vacuum there is only a single such constraint, a case previously identified in the literature, and brane solutions can be straightforwardly constructed.

Hexagonalization of correlation functions II: two-particle contributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleury, Thiago; Komatsu, Shota

2018-02-01

In this work, we compute one-loop planar five-point functions in N=4 super-Yang-Mills using integrability. As in the previous work, we decompose the correlation functions into hexagon form factors and glue them using the weight factors which depend on the cross-ratios. The main new ingredient in the computation, as compared to the four-point functions studied in the previous paper, is the two-particle mirror contribution. We develop techniques to evaluate it and find agreement with the perturbative results in all the cases we analyzed. In addition, we consider next-to-extremal four-point functions, which are known to be protected, and show that the sum of one-particle and two-particle contributions at one loop adds up to zero as expected. The tools developed in this work would be useful for computing higher-particle contributions which would be relevant for more complicated quantities such as higher-loop corrections and non-planar correlators.

Evaluation of rolling contact fatigue of induction heated 13Cr-2Ni-2Mo Stainless steel bar with Si3N4-ball

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadoiwa, Ariyasu; Mizobe, Koshiro; Kida, Katsuyuki

2018-03-01

13Cr % martensitic stainless steels were used in various industry, because they have excellent corrosion resistance and high hardness among other stainless steels. They are also expected as a bearing material, however, the research on rolling contact fatigue (RCF) is not enough. In this study, 13Cr-2Ni-2Mo stainless steels were quenched by induction heating and their RCF lives were evaluated. A Si3N4-ball was used in order to apply higher stress (Pmax = 5.6 GPa) than our previous tests (Pmax=5.3 GPa), in a single-ball RCF testing machine. It was found that the basic life (L10) was 2.20×106 cycles and Median life (L50) was 6.04×106 cycles. In addition, Weibull modulus became higher than the previous tests.

Human infertility: is medical treatment enough? A cross-sectional study of a sample of Italian couples.

PubMed

Sina, Manuela; Ter Meulen, Ruud; Carrasco de Paula, Ignacio

2010-09-01

To explore infertile couples' well-being, needs and drop-out rates considering their previous gynaecological history, treatments and support received. Self-reported questionnaires and a telephone follow-up were used to gather data from a sample of 57 Italian couples undergoing first-step procedures for infertility treatment. The questions concerned socio-demographic and personality factors, global perspective on generation, childbearing motivation, intra-psychic and relational dimensions. The study found a strong need for psychological and ethical counselling and showed that drop-out rates were related to psychological discontent. Among couples who had a longer history of infertility, those who had no previous treatments presented higher dyadic adjustment than those who had an history of previous treatments. Moreover, the study provides evidences of the stronger need for personal support for couples who had undergone previous treatments, and for psychological and ethical support for couples with previous generative failures. It also showed that there were beneficial effects to attending to couples' religious and ethical needs. Professional care for those who are undergoing or have undergone fertility treatment should (i) embrace a broader and more comprehensive perspective to understand infertile couples' experience and should (ii) provide appropriate therapy to cope with these experiences.

Oxidative potential of on-road fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measured on major freeways of Los Angeles, CA, and a 10-year comparison with earlier roadside studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirmohammadi, Farimah; Wang, Dongbin; Hasheminassab, Sina; Verma, Vishal; Schauer, James J.; Shafer, Martin M.; Sioutas, Constantinos

2017-01-01

This study describes on-road measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using a mobile instrumentation platform to assess the chemical composition and oxidative potential of PM2.5, using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay, over three representative roadways in the Los Angeles Basin: the I-110 and I-710 freeways, the Wilshire/Sunset boulevards as well as the main campus of the University of Southern California (USC), used as a reference urban background site. Samples were chemically analyzed for elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 50 elements. The cumulative mass fraction of the measured PAHs was highest on the freeways (0.16 ± 0.01 and 0.15 ± 0.01 ng/μg PM, on I-110 and I-710, respectively); which on average was 3 and 3.3-fold higher than at Wilshire/Sunset and USC site, respectively. Mass fractions of Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn, tracers of vehicular abrasion, were 3.8 ± 0.8 times higher on both freeways in comparison to Wilshire/Sunset. The observed intrinsic (normalized per PM mass) DTT activity was greatest on freeways, averaging 30.13 ± 3.15 nmol/min mg PM and being roughly 1.9 and 2.1 times higher than the values obtained at Wilshire/Sunset and USC, respectively. Furthermore, comparison of our results with previous on-road and roadside studies conducted in the last decade in Los Angeles indicated an overall reduction in the contribution of carbonaceous species and PAHs (important tracers of exhaust emissions) to PM mass, especially on I-710 freeway with the higher heavy-duty diesel vehicle fraction, indicating the effectiveness of diesel vehicle emissions control policies implemented in recent years in California. In contrast, greater contributions of certain groups of metals and trace elements that are indicators of non-tailpipe emissions compared to previous studies provide evidence on the increasing importance of non-tailpipe emissions to the oxidative potential of on-road PM2.5 as vehicular exhaust emissions becomes cleaner. This finding was also reflected in the increased levels of on-road DTT activity by factors of 1.4-1.5 in comparison to the DTT activity of vehicular emissions estimated in previous dynamometer studies.

Acoustic Reflexes in Normal-Hearing Adults, Typically Developing Children, and Children with Suspected Auditory Processing Disorder: Thresholds, Real-Ear Corrections, and the Role of Static Compliance on Estimates.

PubMed

Saxena, Udit; Allan, Chris; Allen, Prudence

2017-06-01

Previous studies have suggested elevated reflex thresholds in children with auditory processing disorders (APDs). However, some aspects of the child's ear such as ear canal volume and static compliance of the middle ear could possibly affect the measurements of reflex thresholds and thus impact its interpretation. Sound levels used to elicit reflexes in a child's ear may be higher than predicted by calibration in a standard 2-cc coupler, and lower static compliance could make visualization of very small changes in impedance at threshold difficult. For this purpose, it is important to evaluate threshold data with consideration of differences between children and adults. A set of studies were conducted. The first compared reflex thresholds obtained using standard clinical procedures in children with suspected APD to that of typically developing children and adults to test the replicability of previous studies. The second study examined the impact of ear canal volume on estimates of reflex thresholds by applying real-ear corrections. Lastly, the relationship between static compliance and reflex threshold estimates was explored. The research is a set of case-control studies with a repeated measures design. The first study included data from 20 normal-hearing adults, 28 typically developing children, and 66 children suspected of having an APD. The second study included 28 normal-hearing adults and 30 typically developing children. In the first study, crossed and uncrossed reflex thresholds were measured in 5-dB step size. Reflex thresholds were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). In the second study, uncrossed reflex thresholds, real-ear correction, ear canal volume, and static compliance were measured. Reflex thresholds were measured using a 1-dB step size. The effect of real-ear correction and static compliance on reflex threshold was examined using RM-ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively. Study 1 replicated previous studies showing elevated reflex thresholds in many children with suspected APD when compared to data from adults using standard clinical procedures, especially in the crossed condition. The thresholds measured in children with suspected APD tended to be higher than those measured in the typically developing children. There were no significant differences between the typically developing children and adults. However, when real-ear calibrated stimulus levels were used, it was found that children's thresholds were elicited at higher levels than in the adults. A significant relationship between reflex thresholds and static compliance was found in the adult data, showing a trend for higher thresholds in ears with lower static compliance, but no such relationship was found in the data from the children. This study suggests that reflex measures in children should be adjusted for real-ear-to-coupler differences before interpretation. The data in children with suspected APD support previous studies suggesting abnormalities in reflex thresholds. The lack of correlation between threshold and static compliance estimates in children as was observed in the adults may suggest a nonmechanical explanation for age and clinically related effects. American Academy of Audiology

Third and fourth degree perineal tears--the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancy.

PubMed

Yogev, Yariv; Hiersch, Liran; Maresky, Lance; Wasserberg, Nir; Wiznitzer, Arnon; Melamed, Nir

2014-01-01

To assess the risk of recurrence of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears (34DPT) and to determine whether previous 34DPT is an independent risk factor for 34DPT in subsequent deliveries. The study group included all women who had a vaginal delivery complicated by 34DPT (2000-2012, N = 356) and subsequently delivered again in the same medical center (N = 204). The rate of recurrence of 34DPT was compared with a control group of women who had a previous vaginal delivery not complicated by 34DPT (N = 58 581) and had a subsequent delivery in the same time period (N = 23 045). Women in the past-34DPT group had a higher rate of CS (18.6% versus 10.1%, p < 0.001), fetal head in occiput-posterior position (POP; 2.5% versus 0.7%, p = 0.004) and mediolateral episiotomy (25.5% versus 19.4%, p = 0.03). Women in the past-34DPT group had a higher rate of 34DPT in the subsequent delivery (2.0% versus 0.3%, p < 0.001). The rate of recurrence of 34DPT was considerably higher among women with past fourth-degree tear versus women with past third-degree tear (22.2% versus 1.0%, p < 0.001). 34DPT in previous pregnancy is independently associated with increased risk of 34DPT in subsequent delivery (OR = 4.6, 95%-CI 1.3-15.3). Women who experienced 34DPT in their previous pregnancy have an increased risk for recurrence of 34DPT in subsequent pregnancy, especially in cases of past fourth-degree tears.

Injury risk in Danish youth and senior elite handball using a new SMS text messages approach.

PubMed

Moller, Merete; Attermann, Jorn; Myklebust, Grethe; Wedderkopp, Niels

2012-06-01

To assess the injury incidence in elite handball, and if gender and previous injuries are risk factors for new injuries. Cohort study of 517 male and female elite handball players (age groups under (u)16, u-18 and senior). Participants completed a web survey establishing injury history, demographic information and sports experience, and provided weekly reports of time-loss injuries and handball exposure for 31 weeks by short message service text messaging (SMS). Injuries were further classified by telephone interview. The weekly response rate ranged from 85% to 90% illustrating the promise of the SMS system as a tool in injury surveillance. Of 448 reported injuries, 165 injuries (37%) were overuse injuries and 283 (63%) traumatic injuries. Knee (19%) and ankle (29%) were the most common traumatic injuries. The injury incidence during match play was 23.5 (95% CI 17.8 to 30.4), 15.1 (95% CI 9.7 to 22.2), 11.1 (95% CI 7.0 to 16.6) injuries per 1000 match hours among senior, u-18 and u-16 players, respectively. U-18 male players had an overall 1.76 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.80) times higher risk of injury compared to females. Having had two or more previous injuries causing absence from handball for more than 4 weeks increased the risk of new injury in the u-16 group (IRR: 1.79 (95% CI 1.03 to 3.11)-2.23 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.10)). The incidence of time-loss injuries in elite handball was higher during match play than previously reported in recreational handball. Previous injuries were a risk factor for new injuries among u-16 players. Male players had a significant higher injury rate in the u-18 group.

Promotion of cooperation by selective group extinction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böttcher, Marvin A.; Nagler, Jan

2016-06-01

Multilevel selection is an important organizing principle that crucially underlies evolutionary processes from the emergence of cells to eusociality and the economics of nations. Previous studies on multilevel selection assumed that the effective higher-level selection emerges from lower-level reproduction. This leads to selection among groups, although only individuals reproduce. We introduce selective group extinction, where groups die with a probability inversely proportional to their group fitness. When accounting for this the critical benefit-to-cost ratio is substantially lowered. Because in game theory and evolutionary dynamics the degree of cooperation crucially depends on this ratio above which cooperation emerges, previous studies may have substantially underestimated the establishment and maintenance of cooperation.

Association between depressive symptoms and reproductive variables in a group of perimenopausal women attending a menopause clinic in México City.

PubMed

Flores-Ramos, Mónica; Heinze, Gerhard; Silvestri-Tomassoni, Roberto

2010-02-01

The aim of this study was to explore the association between depressive symptoms and some variables related to the reproductive life, such as history of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, antecedent of postpartum depression, previous use of hormonal contraceptives, and current hot flushes, in a group of perimenopausal women attending a menopause clinic. Perimenopausal women, 45 to 55 years old, who had not received hormonal replacement therapy and/or psychotropic medication, were invited to participate in this study. 141 perimenopausal women were included; we obtained their psychiatric and gynecological data, and we evaluated their depressive symptomatology using the CES-D scale. There were a significantly higher number of cases of previous depressive episodes, PMDD and PPD history in depressed patients compared with non-depressed women; current hot flushes prevalence was similar between depressed and non-depressed women. Patients with a PMDD history were more likely to have experienced previous depressive episodes, a PPD history and high levels of depression. Variables associated with the level of depression were a previous history of PMDD, current hot flushes, and previous depressive episodes. The occurrence of perimenopausal depression is related to a previous history of PMDD, PPD, and depressive episodes; hot flushes only increase the severity of the depressive episode.

Methodological choices affect cancer incidence rates: a cohort study.

PubMed

Brooke, Hannah L; Talbäck, Mats; Feychting, Maria; Ljung, Rickard

2017-01-19

Incidence rates are fundamental to epidemiology, but their magnitude and interpretation depend on methodological choices. We aimed to examine the extent to which the definition of the study population affects cancer incidence rates. All primary cancer diagnoses in Sweden between 1958 and 2010 were identified from the national Cancer Register. Age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates of 29 cancer subtypes between 2000 and 2010 were calculated using four definitions of the study population: persons resident in Sweden 1) based on general population statistics; 2) with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis; 3) with no previous cancer diagnosis except non-melanoma skin cancer; and 4) with no previous cancer diagnosis of any type. We calculated absolute and relative differences between methods. Age-standardized incidence rates calculated using general population statistics ranged from 6% lower (prostate cancer, incidence rate difference: -13.5/100,000 person-years) to 8% higher (breast cancer in women, incidence rate difference: 10.5/100,000 person-years) than incidence rates based on individuals with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis. Age-standardized incidence rates in persons with no previous cancer of any type were up to 10% lower (bladder cancer in women) than rates in those with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis; however, absolute differences were <5/100,000 person-years for all cancer subtypes. For some cancer subtypes incidence rates vary depending on the definition of the study population. For these subtypes, standardized incidence ratios calculated using general population statistics could be misleading. Moreover, etiological arguments should be used to inform methodological choices during study design.

Prevalence of suicide attempt and clinical characteristics of suicide attempters with obsessive-compulsive disorder: a report from the International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS).

PubMed

Dell'Osso, Bernardo; Benatti, Beatrice; Arici, Chiara; Palazzo, Carlotta; Altamura, A Carlo; Hollander, Eric; Fineberg, Naomi; Stein, Dan J; Nicolini, Humberto; Lanzagorta, Nuria; Marazziti, Donatella; Pallanti, Stefano; van Ameringen, Michael; Lochner, Christine; Karamustafalioglu, Oguz; Hranov, Luchezar; Figee, Martijn; Drummond, Lynne; Rodriguez, Carolyn I; Grant, John; Denys, Damiaan; Menchon, Jose M; Zohar, Joseph

2018-02-01

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with variable risk of suicide and prevalence of suicide attempt (SA). The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of SA and associated sociodemographic and clinical features in a large international sample of OCD patients. A total of 425 OCD outpatients, recruited through the International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) network, were assessed and categorized in groups with or without a history of SA, and their sociodemographic and clinical features compared through Pearson's chi-squared and t tests. Logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of the collected data on the SA variable. 14.6% of our sample reported at least one SA during their lifetime. Patients with an SA had significantly higher rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders (60 vs. 17%, p<0.001; particularly tic disorder), medical disorders (51 vs. 15%, p<0.001), and previous hospitalizations (62 vs. 11%, p<0.001) than patients with no history of SA. With respect to geographical differences, European and South African patients showed significantly higher rates of SA history (40 and 39%, respectively) compared to North American and Middle-Eastern individuals (13 and 8%, respectively) (χ2=11.4, p<0.001). The logistic regression did not show any statistically significant predictor of SA among selected independent variables. Our international study found a history of SA prevalence of ~15% in OCD patients, with higher rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidities and previous hospitalizations in patients with a previous SA. Along with potential geographical influences, the presence of the abovementioned features should recommend additional caution in the assessment of suicide risk in OCD patients.

Knee Osteoarthritis Is Associated With Previous Meniscus and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Among Elite College American Football Athletes.

PubMed

Smith, Matthew V; Nepple, Jeffrey J; Wright, Rick W; Matava, Matthew J; Brophy, Robert H

Football puts athletes at risk for knee injuries such meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, which are associated with the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Previous knee surgery, player position, and body mass index (BMI) may be associated with knee OA. In elite football players undergoing knee magnetic resonance imaging at the National Football League's Invitational Combine, the prevalence of knee OA is associated with previous knee surgery and BMI. Retrospective cohort. Level 4. A retrospective review was performed of all participants of the National Football League Combine from 2005 to 2009 who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee because of prior knee injury, surgery, or knee-related symptoms or concerning examination findings. Imaging studies were reviewed for evidence of OA. History of previous knee surgery-including ACL reconstruction, meniscal procedures, and articular cartilage surgery-and position were recorded for each athlete. BMI was calculated based on height and weight. There was a higher prevalence of OA in knees with a history of previous knee surgery (23% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of knee OA was 4.0% in those without previous knee surgery, 11% in those with a history of meniscus repair, 24% of those with a history of ACL reconstruction, and 27% of those with a history of partial meniscectomy. Among knees with a previous ACL reconstruction, the rate of OA doubled in tibiofemoral compartments in which meniscal surgery was performed. BMI >30 kg/m 2 was also associated with a higher risk of OA ( P = 0.007) but player position was not associated with knee OA. Previous knee surgery, particularly ACL reconstruction and partial meniscectomy, and elevated BMI are associated with knee OA in elite football players. Future research should investigate ways to minimize the risk of OA after knee surgery in these athletes. Treatment of knee injuries in football athletes should consider chondroprotection, including meniscal preservation and cartilage repair, when possible.

The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for obstetrical outcome in anti-phospholipid syndrome: Data from a European multicenter retrospective study.

PubMed

Mekinian, Arsène; Lazzaroni, Maria Grazia; Kuzenko, Anna; Alijotas-Reig, Jaume; Ruffatti, Amelia; Levy, Pierre; Canti, Valentina; Bremme, Katarina; Bezanahary, Holy; Bertero, Tiziana; Dhote, Robin; Maurier, Francois; Andreoli, Laura; Benbara, Amélie; Tigazin, Ahmed; Carbillon, Lionel; Nicaise-Roland, Pascale; Tincani, Angela; Fain, Olivier

2015-06-01

In European multicenter study, we aimed to describe the real-life hydroxychloroquine use in APS patients during pregnancy and determine its benefit in refractory obstetrical APS. We analyzed the outcome of pregnancies treated by hydroxychloroquine in patients with APS or asymptomatic antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies carriers. Thirty patients with APS with 35 pregnancies treated by hydroxychloroquine were analyzed. Comparing the outcome of pregnancies treated by the addition of hydroxychloroquine to previous pregnancies under the conventional treatment, pregnancy losses decreased from 81% to 19% (p<0.05), without differences in the associated treatments. The univariate analysis showed that the previous intrauterine deaths and higher hydroxychloroquine amount (400mg per day) were the factors associated with pregnancy outcome. Considering 14 patients with previous refractory obstetrical APS (n=5 with obstetrical and thrombotic primary APS and n=9 with purely obstetrical APS), all with previous pregnancy losses under treatment (aspirin with LMWH in 11 cases and LMWH in 3 cases), the addition of hydroxychloroquine resulted in live born babies in 11/14 (78%) cases (p<0.05). Our study shows the benefit of hydroxychloroquine addition in patients with refractory obstetrical APS and raises the need of prospective studies to confirm our preliminary study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Can color changes alter the neural correlates of recognition memory? Manipulation of processing affects an electrophysiological indicator of conceptual implicit memory.

PubMed

Cui, Xiaoyu; Gao, Chuanji; Zhou, Jianshe; Guo, Chunyan

2016-09-28

It has been widely shown that recognition memory includes two distinct retrieval processes: familiarity and recollection. Many studies have shown that recognition memory can be facilitated when there is a perceptual match between the studied and the tested items. Most event-related potential studies have explored the perceptual match effect on familiarity on the basis of the hypothesis that the specific event-related potential component associated with familiarity is the FN400 (300-500 ms mid-frontal effect). However, it is currently unclear whether the FN400 indexes familiarity or conceptual implicit memory. In addition, on the basis of the findings of a previous study, the so-called perceptual manipulations in previous studies may also involve some conceptual alterations. Therefore, we sought to determine the influence of perceptual manipulation by color changes on recognition memory when the perceptual or the conceptual processes were emphasized. Specifically, different instructions (perceptually or conceptually oriented) were provided to the participants. The results showed that color changes may significantly affect overall recognition memory behaviorally and that congruent items were recognized with a higher accuracy rate than incongruent items in both tasks, but no corresponding neural changes were found. Despite the evident familiarity shown in the two tasks (the behavioral performance of recognition memory was much higher than at the chance level), the FN400 effect was found in conceptually oriented tasks, but not perceptually oriented tasks. It is thus highly interesting that the FN400 effect was not induced, although color manipulation of recognition memory was behaviorally shown, as seen in previous studies. Our findings of the FN400 effect for the conceptual but not perceptual condition support the explanation that the FN400 effect indexes conceptual implicit memory.

Urinary excretion of polyethylene glycol 3350 during colonoscopy preparation.

PubMed

Rothfuss, K S; Bode, J C; Stange, E F; Parlesak, A

2006-02-01

Whole gut lavage with a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG) is a common bowel cleansing method for diagnostic and therapeutic colon interventions. Absorption of orally administered PEG from the gastrointestinal tract in healthy human beings is generally considered to be poor. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal permeability and PEG absorption were previously reported to be higher than in normal subjects. In the current study, we investigated the absorption of PEG 3350 in patients undergoing routine gut lavage. Urine specimens were collected for 8 hours in 24 patients undergoing bowel cleansing with PEG 3350 for colonoscopy. The urinary excretion of PEG 3350, measured by size exclusion chromatography, ranged between 0.01 and 0.51 % of the ingested amount, corresponding to 5.8 and 896 mg in absolute amounts, respectively. Mean PEG excretion in patients with impaired mucosa such as inflammation or ulceration of the intestine (0.24 % +/- 0.19, n = 11) was not significantly higher (p = 0.173) compared to that in subjects with macroscopically normal intestinal mucosa (0.13 % +/- 0.13, n = 13). The results indicate that intestinal absorption of PEG 3350 is higher than previously assumed and underlies a strong inter-individual variation. Inflammatory changes of the intestine do not necessarily lead to a significantly higher permeability of PEG.

Dual Enrollment Policies and Undergraduate Rates in the United States: An Institutional and Cohert Approach Using the 2006-2014 IPEDS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Myers, Carrie B.; Myers, Scott M.

2017-01-01

Previous studies have found that freshmen who enter college with dual enrollment credits earned during high school have higher 6-year graduation rates. Yet, we do not know if institutional graduation rates benefit in the aggregate from their practice of accepting dual enrollment credits among incoming freshman cohorts. In this study, we used…

Rural-Urban Differences in the Social Climate Surrounding Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Report From the 2002 Social Climate Survey of Tobacco Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMillen, Robert; Breen, Julie; Cosby, Arthur G.

2004-01-01

Although previous research has found smoking rates to be higher among residents of rural areas, few studies have investigated rural-urban differences in exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Objective: This study contrasted the social climate surrounding ETS among Americans who resided in 5 levels of county urbanization. Design: Data were…

A Quantitative Assessment of Students' Experiences of Studying Music: A Spanish Perspective on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Esteve-Faubel, Jose-Maria; Stephens, Jonathan; Molina Valero, Miguel Angel

2013-01-01

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate whether or not the allocation of time proposed in the Music Study Guide, adapted from the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) guidelines, is consistent and adequate for students with minimal musical knowledge. The report takes into account the importance of students' previous knowledge and the…

Correlates of Leadership Decision Patterns of High School Pupils Socio-Economic Status, High School Grade, and Connotative Meaning of the Word "Leadership."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMillion, Martin B.

In a previous study by the investigator, it was determined that the lowest socioeconomic strata of pupils valued leadership significantly higher than did the upper socioeconomic group. This follow-up study attempted to determine whether pupils with similar connotations of leadership were more likely to be democratic leaders or autocratic leaders,…

A National Study of Differences between Online and Classroom-Only Community College Students in Time to First Associate Degree Attainment, Transfer, and Dropout

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shea, Peter; Bidjerano, Temi

2016-01-01

Previous research indicates that online learning at the community college level results in higher rates of withdrawal, failure, and dropout compared to classroom-based education (Xu & Smith Jaggars, 2011; Smith-Jaggars & Xu, 2010). The primary goal of the current study was to examine national data (US Dept. of Ed. Beginning Postsecondary…

Consumption of and satisfaction with health care among opioid users with chronic non-malignant pain.

PubMed

Hansen, A B; Skurtveit, S; Borchgrevink, P C; Dale, O; Romundstad, P R; Mahic, M; Fredheim, O M

2015-11-01

Although persons with chronic pain are frequent users of the health care system, they report poor satisfaction with health care services. Participants with persistent opioid use in Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)3 report severe pain in spite of treatment. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that subjects with persistent opioid use have both a higher consumption of health care services and a poorer satisfaction than the remaining subjects reporting chronic pain. This cross-sectional study was based on linkage of self-reported data from the substudy (10,238 were invited, 6927 met the inclusion criteria) of health care use in HUNT3; a population-based health survey during the years 2006-2008 and the complete national registers of the Norwegian Prescription Database and the Cancer Registry of Norway. Patients with chronic pain are stratified according to the level of opioid use as persistent users of opioids, intermittent users, and persons not using opioids. Persons with chronic non-malignant pain reported a higher consumption of all health care services compared to the control group. Consumption of health care services increased with increasing level of opioid use. Persons with persistent opioid use were highly satisfied with all health care services, although less satisfied than persons without chronic pain. Combined with previous findings of high levels of pain in spite of opioid treatment, the present findings indicate that symptomatic relief is not a prerequisite for patient satisfaction. The study shows higher patient satisfaction compared to previous studies. © 2015 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Metabolic syndrome risk factors among a sample of overweight and obese Mexican children.

PubMed

Elizondo-Montemayor, Leticia; Serrano-González, Mónica; Ugalde-Casas, Patricia A; Cuello-García, Carlos; Borbolla-Escoboza, José R

2010-05-01

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlations of components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition in a cross-sectional study of 215 overweight/obese Mexican children aged 6 to 12. There are no previous studies of this kind in Mexican children. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements were performed. The prevalence of MetS using the pediatric IDF criteria was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 4.0-11.1). A higher proportion of children in the younger age group had waist circumference above the cutoff, while a higher proportion in the older age group had hyperglycemia. Children with MetS had higher percentages of body fat, body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Increased triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and waist circumference were most highly associated with MetS. This has significant implications for public health.

Association Between Low IQ Scores and Early Mortality in Men and Women: Evidence From a Population-Based Cohort Study.

PubMed

Maenner, Matthew J; Greenberg, Jan S; Mailick, Marsha R

2015-05-01

Lower (versus higher) IQ scores have been shown to increase the risk of early mortality, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and previous studies underrepresent individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and women. This study followed one third of all senior-year students (approximately aged 17) attending public high school in Wisconsin, U.S. in 1957 (n  =  10,317) until 2011. Men and women with the lowest IQ test scores (i.e., IQ scores ≤ 85) had increased rates of mortality compared to people with the highest IQ test scores, particularly for cardiovascular disease. Importantly, when educational attainment was held constant, people with lower IQ test scores did not have higher mortality by age 70 than people with higher IQ test scores. Individuals with lower IQ test scores likely experience multiple disadvantages throughout life that contribute to increased risk of early mortality.

Long-term antipsychotic and benzodiazepine use and brain volume changes in schizophrenia: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study.

PubMed

Huhtaniska, Sanna; Jääskeläinen, Erika; Heikka, Tuomas; Moilanen, Jani S; Lehtiniemi, Heli; Tohka, Jussi; Manjón, José V; Coupé, Pierrick; Björnholm, Lassi; Koponen, Hannu; Veijola, Juha; Isohanni, Matti; Kiviniemi, Vesa; Murray, Graham K; Miettunen, Jouko

2017-08-30

High doses of antipsychotics have been associated with loss in cortical and total gray matter in schizophrenia. However, previous imaging studies have not taken benzodiazepine use into account, in spite of evidence suggesting adverse effects such as cognitive impairment and increased mortality. In this Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study, 69 controls and 38 individuals with schizophrenia underwent brain MRI at the ages of 34 and 43 years. At baseline, the average illness duration was over 10 years. Brain structures were delineated using an automated volumetry system, volBrain, and medication data on cumulative antipsychotic and benzodiazepine doses were collected using medical records and interviews. We used linear regression with intracranial volume and sex as covariates; illness severity was also taken into account. Though both medication doses associated to volumetric changes in subcortical structures, after adjusting for each other and the average PANSS total score, higher scan-interval antipsychotic dose associated only to volume increase in lateral ventricles and higher benzodiazepine dose associated with volume decrease in the caudate nucleus. To our knowledge, there are no previous studies reporting associations between benzodiazepine dose and brain structural changes. Further studies should focus on how these observations correspond to cognition and functioning. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deep Coverage Proteomics Identifies More Low-Abundance Missing Proteins in Human Testis Tissue with Q-Exactive HF Mass Spectrometer.

PubMed

Wei, Wei; Luo, Weijia; Wu, Feilin; Peng, Xuehui; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Manli; Zhao, Yan; Su, Na; Qi, YingZi; Chen, Lingsheng; Zhang, Yangjun; Wen, Bo; He, Fuchu; Xu, Ping

2016-11-04

Since 2012, missing proteins (MPs) investigation has been one of the critical missions of Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) through various biochemical strategies. On the basis of our previous testis MPs study, faster scanning and higher resolution mass-spectrometry-based proteomics might be conducive to MPs exploration, especially for low-abundance proteins. In this study, Q-Exactive HF (HF) was used to survey proteins from the same testis tissues separated by two separating methods (tricine- and glycine-SDS-PAGE), as previously described. A total of 8526 proteins were identified, of which more low-abundance proteins were uniquely detected in HF data but not in our previous LTQ Orbitrap Velos (Velos) reanalysis data. Further transcriptomics analysis showed that these uniquely identified proteins by HF also had lower expression at the mRNA level. Of the 81 total identified MPs, 74 and 39 proteins were listed as MPs in HF and Velos data sets, respectively. Among the above MPs, 47 proteins (43 neXtProt PE2 and 4 PE3) were ranked as confirmed MPs after verifying with the stringent spectra match and isobaric and single amino acid variants filtering. Functional investigation of these 47 MPs revealed that 11 MPs were testis-specific proteins and 7 MPs were involved in spermatogenesis process. Therefore, we concluded that higher scanning speed and resolution of HF might be factors for improving the low-abundance MP identification in future C-HPP studies. All mass-spectrometry data from this study have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD004092.

Light Sources and Lighting Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Honda, Hisashi; Suwa, Takumi; Yasuda, Takeo; Ohtani, Yoshihiko; Maehara, Akiyoshi; Okada, Atsunori; Komatsu, Naoki; Mannami, Tomoaki

According to the Machinery Statistics of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the production of incandescent lamps in Japan in 2007 was 990 million units (90.0% of the previous year's total), in which the production of incandescent lamps for general lighting was 110 million units (90.0% of the previous year's total) and of tungsten-halogen lamps was 44 million units (96.6% of the previous year's total). The production of fluorescent lamps was 927 million units (93.9% of the previous year's total), in which general fluorescent lamps, excluding those for LCD back lighting, was 320 million units (87.2% of the previous year's total). Also, the production of HID lamps was 10 million units (101.5% of the previous year's total). On the other hand, when the numbers of sales are compared with the sales of the previous year, incandescent lamps for general use was 99.8%, tungsten-halogen lamps was 96.9%, fluorescent lamps was 95.9%, and HID lamps was 98.9%. Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps alone showed an increase in sales as strong as 29 million units, or 121.7% of the previous year's sales. It is considered that the switchover of incandescent lamps to HID lamps was promoted for energy conservation and carbon dioxide reduction with the problem of global warming in the background. In regard to exhibitions, Lighting Fair 2007 was held in Tokyo in March, and LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL 2007 was held in New York in May. Regarding academic conferences, LS:11 (the 11th International Symposium on the Science & Technology of Light Sources) was held in Shanghai in May, and the First International Conference on White LEDs and Solid State Lighting was held in Tokyo in November. Both conferences suggested that there are strong needs and concerns now about energy conservation, saving natural resources, and restrictions of hazardous materials. In regard to incandescent lamps, the development of products aiming at higher efficacy, electric power savings, and longer life was advanced by means of using filler gas with a higher atomic weight. Regarding fluorescent lamps, studies and developments for longer operating life and improvement in the lumen maintenance factor for the straight-type and circular-type fluorescent lamps were actively pursued. Regarding self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, the main stream of development was aimed at reducing lamp size and increasing energy conservation, and the development of new products that took advantage of these features proceeded. In regard to LED light sources, basic research and product development, including new application development, were vigorously implemented. In basic research, studies were reported, not only on efficacy improvements through optimization of the LED chips, phosphor layers, and packaging technology, but also on photometry, colorimetry, and visual psychology. In the field of application, applications were studied for general lighting sources and also for a wide range of fields, such as automotive headlights and visible light communication. Also, many academic conferences and exhibitions were held domestically and overseas, and the high level of interest suggests high expectations for this next-generation light source. Regarding HID lamps, there was much activity in research and development and in the commercialization of the ceramic metal halide lamp product, and products were commercialized with features such as higher efficiency (130 lm/W) and higher color rendering properties (R9 ≥ 90). In the high-pressure sodium lamps, there were many study reports concerning plant growth and insect pest control using its low insect-attracting characteristics. With high-pressure mercury lamps, there were many reports on reducing lamp size and increasing intensity for use as a light source for projectors.

Fate of higher brominated PBDEs in lactating cows.

PubMed

Kierkegaard, Amelie; Asplund, Lillemor; de Wit, Cynthia A; McLachlan, Michael S; Thomas, Gareth O; Sweetman, Andrew J; Jones, Kevin C

2007-01-15

Dietary intake studies of lower brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) have shown that fish and animal products are important vectors of human exposure, but almost no data exist for higher brominated BDEs. Therefore, the fate of hepta- to decaBDEs was studied in lactating cows exposed to a naturally contaminated diet by analyzing feed, feces, and milk samples from a previous mass balance study of PCB. Tissue distribution was studied in one cow slaughtered after the experiment. BDE-209 was the dominant congener in feed, organs, adipose tissues, and feces, but not in milk. In contrast to PCBs and lower brominated BDEs, concentrations of hepta- to decaBDEs in adipose tissue were 9-80 times higher than in milk fat and the difference increased with degree of bromination/log K(OW). The congener profiles in adipose tissue and feed differed; BDE-207, BDE-196, BDE-197, and BDE-182 accumulated to a surprisingly greater extent in the fat compared to their isomers, suggesting metabolic debromination of BDE-209 to these BDEs. The results indicate that meat rather than dairy product consumption may be an important human exposure route to higher brominated BDEs.

Differential Processing for Actively Ignored Pictures and Words

PubMed Central

Ciraolo, Margeaux

2017-01-01

Previous work suggests that, when attended, pictures may be processed more readily than words. The current study extends this research to assess potential differences in processing between these stimulus types when they are actively ignored. In a dual-task paradigm, facilitated recognition for previously ignored words was found provided that they appeared frequently with an attended target. When adapting the same paradigm here, previously unattended pictures were recognized at high rates regardless of how they were paired with items during the primary task, whereas unattended words were later recognized at higher rates only if they had previously been aligned with primary task targets. Implicit learning effects obtained by aligning unattended items with attended task-targets may apply only to conceptually abstract stimulus types, such as words. Pictures, on the other hand, may maintain direct access to semantic information, and are therefore processed more readily than words, even when being actively ignored. PMID:28122022

Differential Processing for Actively Ignored Pictures and Words.

PubMed

Walker, Maegen; Ciraolo, Margeaux; Dewald, Andrew; Sinnett, Scott

2017-01-01

Previous work suggests that, when attended, pictures may be processed more readily than words. The current study extends this research to assess potential differences in processing between these stimulus types when they are actively ignored. In a dual-task paradigm, facilitated recognition for previously ignored words was found provided that they appeared frequently with an attended target. When adapting the same paradigm here, previously unattended pictures were recognized at high rates regardless of how they were paired with items during the primary task, whereas unattended words were later recognized at higher rates only if they had previously been aligned with primary task targets. Implicit learning effects obtained by aligning unattended items with attended task-targets may apply only to conceptually abstract stimulus types, such as words. Pictures, on the other hand, may maintain direct access to semantic information, and are therefore processed more readily than words, even when being actively ignored.

Effects of ungulate management on vegetation at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai'i Island

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hess, S.C.; Jeffrey, J.J.; Pratt, L.W.; Ball, D.L.

2010-01-01

We compiled and analysed data from 1987-2004 on vegetation monitoring during feral ungulate management at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a tropical montane rainforest on the island of Hawai'i All areas in the study had previously been used by ungulates, but cattle (Bos taurus) were removed and feral pig (Sus scrofa) populations were reduced during the study period. We monitored six line-intercept transects, three in previously high ungulate use areas and three in previously low ungulate use areas. We measured nine cover categories with the line-intercept method: native ferns; native woody plants; bryophytes; lichens; alien grasses; alien herbs; litter; exposed soil; and coarse woody debris. Vegetation surveys were repeated four times over a 16-year period. Vegetation monitoring revealed a strong increase in native fern cover and slight decreases in cover of bryophytes and exposed soil. Mean cover of native plants was generally higher in locations that were formerly lightly grazed, while alien grass and herb cover was generally higher in areas that were heavily grazed, although these effects were not statistically significant. These responses may represent early serai processes in forest regeneration following the reduction of feral ungulate populations. In contrast to many other Hawaiian forests which have become invaded by alien grasses and herbs after ungulate removal, HFNWR has not experienced this effect.

Estimated carbon emission from recent rapid forest loss in Southeast Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, A.; Zeng, Z.; Peng, L.; Fei, S.

2017-12-01

Driven by agricultural expansion, industrial logging, oil palm and rubber plantations, and urbanization, Southeast Asia (SEA) is one of the hotspots for tropical deforestation over recent decades. The extent of the tropical SEA deforestation rate, as well as its impacts on carbon cycle and biodiversity, however, is still highly uncertain. In relevant work using high resolution global maps of the 21st-century forest cover, we find tropical SEA lost 22 million hectares, or 9%, of forest area during 2000-2014, a much higher deforestation rate than previously reported. Here we further conduct research investigating carbon emissions from tropical deforestation in SEA with satellite data of forest cover, a global tropical forest biomass map, and Earth system models. Preliminary results suggest that deforestation in SEA causes about 2.8 Tg C emissions to the atmosphere during the same period, also higher than that of previous studies. Meanwhile, carbon emission from deforestation shows high variations across different countries, topography and between the insular and maritime SEA. Indonesia and Malaysia tops in both total carbon loss and loss from per unit land area. Our results indicates that previous studies have underestimated the carbon loss due to deforestation in SEA. And until further effective forest conservation measures can be adopted, tropical SEA will continue playing a role of atmospheric carbon source in the coming decades.

A comparison of kinematic algorithms to estimate gait events during overground running.

PubMed

Smith, Laura; Preece, Stephen; Mason, Duncan; Bramah, Christopher

2015-01-01

The gait cycle is frequently divided into two distinct phases, stance and swing, which can be accurately determined from ground reaction force data. In the absence of such data, kinematic algorithms can be used to estimate footstrike and toe-off. The performance of previously published algorithms is not consistent between studies. Furthermore, previous algorithms have not been tested at higher running speeds nor used to estimate ground contact times. Therefore the purpose of this study was to both develop a new, custom-designed, event detection algorithm and compare its performance with four previously tested algorithms at higher running speeds. Kinematic and force data were collected on twenty runners during overground running at 5.6m/s. The five algorithms were then implemented and estimated times for footstrike, toe-off and contact time were compared to ground reaction force data. There were large differences in the performance of each algorithm. The custom-designed algorithm provided the most accurate estimation of footstrike (True Error 1.2 ± 17.1 ms) and contact time (True Error 3.5 ± 18.2 ms). Compared to the other tested algorithms, the custom-designed algorithm provided an accurate estimation of footstrike and toe-off across different footstrike patterns. The custom-designed algorithm provides a simple but effective method to accurately estimate footstrike, toe-off and contact time from kinematic data. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Health Care Disparities Between Men and Women With Type 2 Diabetes.

PubMed

Mesa, Marady Sabiaga

2018-04-19

Regular medical checkups indicate a patient's level of adherence to health care treatment, and the frequency of cancelled appointments or no-shows can indicate adherence. This study investigated the use of health care services by men and women and its impact on the control of their type 2 diabetes. This study observed 100 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 45 years or older who lived in Ventura County, California, during January 1, 2015, to January 31, 2016. The data were collected by Magnolia Family Medical Center. A Pearson χ 2 test compared differences between men and women in whether they received a glycated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) test in previous 6 months, a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol test in previous year, and a retinal examination in previous year. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared attendance to medical appointments and HbA 1c values for men and women. Women had a higher rate of scheduling, cancelling or rescheduling, and showing up to their medical appointments than did men, and men had a higher median HbA 1c value than did women; all the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed a significant difference (P < .001). None of the χ 2 tests were significant. Although men and women had similar health care services for diabetes, men had less control of their disease and took less advantage of medical appointments than did women.

Mortality associated with influenza in tropics, state of são paulo, Brazil, from 2002 to 2011: the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.

PubMed

Freitas, André Ricardo Ribas; Francisco, Priscila M S Bergamo; Donalisio, Maria Rita

2013-01-01

The impact of the seasonal influenza and 2009 AH1N1 pandemic influenza on mortality is not yet completely understood, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. The trends of influenza related mortality rate in different age groups and different outcomes on a area in tropical and subtropical climate with more than 41 million people (State of São Paulo, Brazil), were studied from 2002 to 2011 were studied. Serfling-type regression analysis was performed using weekly mortality registries and virological data obtained from sentinel surveillance. The prepandemic years presented a well-defined seasonality during winter and a clear relationship between activity of AH3N2 and increase of mortality in all ages, especially in individuals older than 60 years. The mortality due to pneumonia and influenza and respiratory causes associated with 2009 pandemic influenza in the age groups 0-4 years and older than 60 was lower than the previous years. Among people aged 5-19 and 20-59 years the mortality was 2.6 and 4.4 times higher than that in previous periods, respectively. The mortality in all ages was higher than the average of the previous years but was equal mortality in epidemics of AH3N2. The 2009 pandemic influenza mortality showed significant differences compared to other years, especially considering the age groups most affected.

Cortical volume and sex influence visual gamma.

PubMed

van Pelt, Stan; Shumskaya, Elena; Fries, Pascal

2018-06-05

Visually induced gamma-band activity (GBA) has been implicated in several central cognitive functions, in particular perceptual binding, the feedforward routing of attended stimulus information and memory encoding. Several studies have documented that the strength and frequency of GBA are influenced by both subject-intrinsic factors like age, and subject-extrinsic factors such as stimulus contrast. Here, we investigated the relative contributions of previously tested factors, additional factors, and their interactions, in a cohort of 158 subjects recorded with magnetoencephalography (MEG). In agreement with previous studies, we found that gamma strength and gamma peak frequency increase with stimulus contrast and stimulus velocity. Also in confirmation of previous findings, we report that gamma peak frequency declines with subject age. In addition, we found that gamma peak frequency is higher for subjects with thicker occipital cortex, but lower for larger occipital cortices. Also, gamma peak frequency is higher in female than male subjects. Extrinsic factors (stimulus contrast and velocity) and intrinsic factors (age, cortical thickness and sex) together explained 21% of the variance in gamma peak frequency and 20% of the variance in gamma strength. These results can contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms, by which gamma is generated, and the mechanisms, through which it affects the cognitive performance of a given individual subject. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Influence of Curricula Content on English Sociology Students' Transformations: The Case of Feminist Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abbas, Andrea; Ashwin, Paul; McLean, Monica

2016-01-01

Previous research identifies the importance of feminist knowledge for improving gender equity, economic prosperity and social justice for all. However, there are difficulties in embedding feminist knowledge in higher education curricula. Across England, undergraduate sociology is a key site for acquiring feminist knowledge. In a study of four…

The Prevalence of Service Excellence and the Use of Business Process Improvement Methodologies in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciancio, Sharone

2018-01-01

Service transformation is an increasingly common pursuit in the higher education sector, with university strategic plans frequently featuring a "service excellence" objective and the adoption of leaner and more sustainable service models. Previous studies agree that service excellence is intentional not incidental, and systematic not…

How Effective Is Honor Code Reporting over Instructor- Implemented Measures? A Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnard-Brak, Lucy; Schmidt, Marcelo; Wei, Tianlan

2013-01-01

Honor codes have become increasingly popular at institutions of higher education as a means of reducing violations of academic integrity such as cheating and other academically dishonest acts. Previous research on honor code effectiveness has been limited to correlational research designs that preclude the examination of cause-and-effect…

The Impact of the Feedback Source on Developing Oral Presentation Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Ginkel, Stan; Gulikers, Judith; Biemans, Harm; Mulder, Martin

2017-01-01

While previous research in higher education emphasized the essence of feedback by the teacher, the peer or the self, it remains unclear whether the acquisition of students' oral presentation competence differs depending on the feedback source. This quasi-experimental study examines the effectiveness of the feedback source on 144 first-year…

Controlling fusarium wilt of California strawberries by anaerobic soil disinfestation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In the 2014-15 season, the ASD-treated berry acreage exceeded 1,000 acres in California; more than doubled from the previous season. Fusarium wilt an emerging lethal disease of strawberries in California, can also be controlled by ASD. However, a study has shown that higher soil temperatures are n...

Mediators of Telephone-Based Continuing Care for Alcohol and Cocaine Dependence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mensinger, Janell Lynn; Lynch, Kevin G.; Tenhave, Thomas R.; McKay, James R.

2007-01-01

A previous randomized trial with 224 alcohol and/or cocaine addicts who had completed an initial phase of treatment indicated that 12 weeks of telephone-based continuing care yielded higher abstinence rates over 24 months than did group counseling continuing care. The current study examined mediators of this treatment effect. Results suggested…

Assessing Learning in a Sociology Department: What Do Students Say That They Learn?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bandini, Julia; Shostak, Sara; Cunningham, David; Cadge, Wendy

2016-01-01

Assessment plays a central role in evaluating and strengthening student learning in higher education, and sociology departments, in particular, have increasingly become interested in engaging in assessment activities to better understand students' learning. This qualitative study builds on previous research on assessment by asking what students in…

Opportunity or Affection? Participation of Respondents' Partners in a Multi-Actor Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Müller, Bettina

2017-01-01

Multi-actor studies are particularly suited for partner and family research, as they capture relationships beyond the conventional restraint of the household. Previous research on partner participation in the German Family Panel indicates higher participation of cohabiting and married partners compared to those living apart together. The present…

Examining the Relations between Psychopathology and Social Skills in Children with ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez, Geovanna R.

2017-01-01

This study examined the relations between child internalizing behavior problems and social competence in a sample of young children (N = 166) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as they transitioned to early schooling. Previous literature suggested higher rates of comorbid psychopathology in this population of children; however, a limited number…

Pauses in Written Composition: On the Importance of Where Writers Pause

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Medimorec, Srdan; Risko, Evan F.

2017-01-01

Much previous research has conceptualized pauses during writing as indicators of the engagement of higher-level cognitive processes. In the present study 101 university students composed narrative or argumentative essays, while their key logging was recorded. We investigated the relation between pauses within three time intervals (300-999,…

Parent Alcoholism Impacts the Severity and Timing of Children's Externalizing Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hussong, Andrea M.; Huang, Wenjing; Curran, Patrick J.; Chassin, Laurie; Zucker, Robert A.

2010-01-01

Although previous studies show that children of alcoholic parents have higher rates of externalizing symptoms compared to their peers, it remains unclear whether the timing of children's externalizing symptoms is linked to that of their parent's alcohol-related symptoms. Using a multilevel modeling approach, we tested whether children aged 2…

Parental Care Aids, but Parental Overprotection Hinders, College Adjustment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Matthew B.; Pierce, John D., Jr.

2010-01-01

Previous work has shown that students who have troublesome relationships with their parents show higher risk factors for poorer college adjustment. In the present study, we focused on the balance between two key aspects of parenting style, parental care and overprotection, as they affect the transition to college life. Eighty-three undergraduate…

Social and Psychiatric Influences on Urban-Rural Differentials in Australian Suicide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Richard; Page, Andrew; Morrell, Stephen; Harrison, James; Carter, Greg

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate urban-rural differentials in Australian suicide rates, and to examine influences that previously have remained largely speculative. Suicide rates for males (all ages and young adults) were significantly higher in rural areas compared to urban areas. Urban-rural suicide rate differences in males were…

Buying Your Way into College? Private Tuition and the Transition to Higher Education in Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smyth, Emer

2009-01-01

A number of countries, including Ireland, have experienced a recent growth in the prevalence of "shadow education", that is, paid private tuition outside the schooling system. Previous international studies have indicated that such tuition can enhance academic performance and facilitate access to tertiary education. However, such studies…

Researching the Educational Benefits of Diversity. Research Report No. 2005-4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Emily J.

2005-01-01

There are many different ways to research the educational benefits of diversity. Most of the findings from the research in this field suggest that experiences with diversity in higher education result in significant benefits on learning and democracy outcomes. This paper offers several examples of previous studies, as well as recommendations and…

Sexual Orientation and Psychological Distress in Adolescence: Examining Interpersonal Stressors and Social Support Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ueno, Koji

2005-01-01

Adolescents with homosexual and bisexual orientations have higher levels of psychological distress than other adolescents. Drawing from previous studies, I hypothesize that this epidemiological pattern is due largely to the interpersonal problems that sexual minorities experience at home and at school. Analysis of longitudinal data based on a…

Studies on the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of fosetyl-al and phosphorous acid

Treesearch

Mark A. Fenn; M.D. Coffey

1984-01-01

In a low-phosphate medium fosetyl-Al showed a much higher activity in vitro against Phytophthora than previously reported in the literature. Both fosetyl-Al, and more particularly phosphorous acid (H3PO3), were highly inhibitory in vitro against several species of Phytophthora....

Heterogeneity in Schooling Rates of Return

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henderson, Daniel J.; Polachek, Solomon W.; Wang, Le

2011-01-01

This paper relaxes the assumption of homogeneous rates of return to schooling by employing nonparametric kernel regression. This approach allows us to examine the differences in rates of return to education both across and within groups. Similar to previous studies we find that on average blacks have higher returns to education than whites,…

Maternal Overcontrol and Child Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Perceived Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Affrunti, Nicholas W.; Ginsburg, Golda S.

2012-01-01

Previous research has shown that maternal overcontrol is related to higher levels of child anxiety. It has been theorized, though not empirically tested, that maternal overcontrol decreases child perceived competence and mastery, which increases child anxiety. The present study investigated this theory using a sample of 89 mother-child dyads…

Academics across Borders: Narratives of Linguistic Capital, Language Competence and Communication Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gimenez, Julio; Morgan, W. John

2017-01-01

This article reports on a study that examined the personal employment paths of six international academics at a British university. To complement previous accounts of difficult migration, it focuses on the successful experiences of such academics, in particular how proficiency in English facilitated their move into employment in higher education…

Thick Slice and Thin Slice Teaching Evaluations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tom, Gail; Tong, Stephanie Tom; Hesse, Charles

2010-01-01

Student-based teaching evaluations are an integral component to institutions of higher education. Previous work on student-based teaching evaluations suggest that evaluations of instructors based upon "thin slice" 30-s video clips of them in the classroom correlate strongly with their end of the term "thick slice" student evaluations. This study's…

Growth rates of fine aerosol particles at a site near Beijing in June 2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Chuanfeng; Li, Yanan; Zhang, Fang; Sun, Yele; Wang, Pucai

2018-02-01

Growth of fine aerosol particles is investigated during the Aerosol-CCN-Cloud Closure Experiment campaign in June 2013 at an urban site near Beijing. Analyses show a high frequency (˜ 50%) of fine aerosol particle growth events, and show that the growth rates range from 2.1 to 6.5 nm h-1 with a mean value of ˜ 5.1 nm h-1. A review of previous studies indicates that at least four mechanisms can affect the growth of fine aerosol particles: vapor condensation, intramodal coagulation, extramodal coagulation, and multi-phase chemical reaction. At the initial stage of fine aerosol particle growth, condensational growth usually plays a major role and coagulation efficiency generally increases with particle sizes. An overview of previous studies shows higher growth rates over megacity, urban and boreal forest regions than over rural and oceanic regions. This is most likely due to the higher condensational vapor, which can cause strong condensational growth of fine aerosol particles. Associated with these multiple factors of influence, there are large uncertainties for the aerosol particle growth rates, even at the same location.

May diabetes patients have trouble sleeping despite not having obesity?

PubMed

Rizzi, Maurizio; Razionale, Giancarlo; Bamberga, Michele; Barrella, Massimo; Kotzalidis, Georgios D; Certan, Diana; Bevilacqua, Maurizio

2014-06-01

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMs) are sleep-related disorders with a high prevalence in type 2 diabetes. Commonly OSA is considered as a consequence of obesity, but several previous studies have shown the presence of OSA in non-obese diabetic patients. A previous study showed higher PLMs prevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes, compared to age-matched controls. We speculated that both OSA and PLMs may reflect the presence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. To test this hypothesis, we compared a group of 112 non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes with 66 age-, sex-, and body mass index- matched nondiabetic patients. Both groups have been investigated through a set of tests including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, polysomnography, and the Orthostatic Grading Scale (OGS), a questionnaire to assess the degree of autonomic dysfunction. Diabetic patients with OSA and PLMs scored higher on the OGS than controls. Our results confirm that both OSA and PLMs are related to dysautonomy and may be unrelated to obesity in type 2 diabetes patients.

Ten-year fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction incidence in elderly populations in Spain: the EPICARDIAN cohort study

PubMed Central

Gabriel, Rafael; Alonso, Margarita; Reviriego, Blanca; Muñiz, Javier; Vega, Saturio; López, Isidro; Novella, Blanca; Suárez, Carmen; Rodríguez-Salvanés, Francisco

2009-01-01

Background In Spain, more than 85% of coronary heart disease deaths occur in adults older than 65 years. However, coronary heart disease incidence and mortality in the Spanish elderly have been poorly described. The aim of this study is to estimate the ten-year incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction in a population-based large cohort of Spanish elders. Methods A population-based cohort of 3729 people older than 64 years old, free of previous myocardial infarction, was established in 1995 in three geographical areas of Spain. Any case of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction was investigated until December 2004 using the "cold pursuit method", previously used and validated by the the WHO-MONICA project. Results Men showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher cumulative incidence of myocardial infarction (7.2%; 95%CI: 5.94-8.54) than women (3.8%; 95%CI: 3.06-4.74). Although cumulative incidence increased with age (p < 0.05), gender-differences tended to narrow. Adjusted incidence rates were higher in men (957 per 100 000 person-years) than in women (546 per 100 000 person-years) (p < 0.001) and increased with age (p < 0.001). The increase was progressive in women but not in men. Adjusted mortality rates were also higher in men than in women (p < 0.001), being three times higher in the age group of ≥ 85 years old than in the age group of 65-74 years old (p < 0.001). Conclusion Incidence of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction is high in the Spanish elderly population. Men show higher rates than women, but gender differences diminish with age. PMID:19778417

Olfactory discrimination predicts cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults

PubMed Central

Sohrabi, H R; Bates, K A; Weinborn, M G; Johnston, A N B; Bahramian, A; Taddei, K; Laws, S M; Rodrigues, M; Morici, M; Howard, M; Martins, G; Mackay-Sim, A; Gandy, S E; Martins, R N

2012-01-01

The presence of olfactory dysfunction in individuals at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease has significant diagnostic and screening implications for preventive and ameliorative drug trials. Olfactory threshold, discrimination and identification can be reliably recorded in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The current study has examined the ability of various olfactory functions in predicting cognitive decline in a community-dwelling sample. A group of 308 participants, aged 46–86 years old, were recruited for this study. After 3 years of follow-up, participants were divided into cognitively declined and non-declined groups based on their performance on a neuropsychological battery. Assessment of olfactory functions using the Sniffin' Sticks battery indicated that, contrary to previous findings, olfactory discrimination, but not olfactory identification, significantly predicted subsequent cognitive decline (odds ratio=0.869; P<0.05; 95% confidence interval=0.764−0.988). The current study findings confirm previously reported associations between olfactory and cognitive functions, and indicate that impairment in olfactory discrimination can predict future cognitive decline. These findings further our current understanding of the association between cognition and olfaction, and support olfactory assessment in screening those at higher risk of dementia. PMID:22832962

Olfactory discrimination predicts cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults.

PubMed

Sohrabi, H R; Bates, K A; Weinborn, M G; Johnston, A N B; Bahramian, A; Taddei, K; Laws, S M; Rodrigues, M; Morici, M; Howard, M; Martins, G; Mackay-Sim, A; Gandy, S E; Martins, R N

2012-05-22

The presence of olfactory dysfunction in individuals at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease has significant diagnostic and screening implications for preventive and ameliorative drug trials. Olfactory threshold, discrimination and identification can be reliably recorded in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The current study has examined the ability of various olfactory functions in predicting cognitive decline in a community-dwelling sample. A group of 308 participants, aged 46-86 years old, were recruited for this study. After 3 years of follow-up, participants were divided into cognitively declined and non-declined groups based on their performance on a neuropsychological battery. Assessment of olfactory functions using the Sniffin' Sticks battery indicated that, contrary to previous findings, olfactory discrimination, but not olfactory identification, significantly predicted subsequent cognitive decline (odds ratio = 0.869; P<0.05; 95% confidence interval = 0.764-0.988). The current study findings confirm previously reported associations between olfactory and cognitive functions, and indicate that impairment in olfactory discrimination can predict future cognitive decline. These findings further our current understanding of the association between cognition and olfaction, and support olfactory assessment in screening those at higher risk of dementia.

Child maltreatment among U.S. Air Force parents deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom.

PubMed

Rabenhorst, Mandy M; McCarthy, Randy J; Thomsen, Cynthia J; Milner, Joel S; Travis, Wendy J; Colasanti, Marie P

2015-02-01

This study examined child maltreatment perpetration among 99,697 active-duty U.S. Air Force parents who completed a combat deployment. Using the deploying parent as the unit of analysis, we analyzed whether child maltreatment rates increased postdeployement relative to predeployment. These analyses extend previous research that used aggregate data and extend our previous work that used data from the same period but used the victim as the unit of analysis and included only deploying parents who engaged in child maltreatment. In this study, 2% (n = 1,746) of deploying parents perpetrated child maltreatment during the study period. Although no overall differences were found in child maltreatment rates postdeployment compared to predeployment, several maltreatment-related characteristics qualified this finding. Rates for emotional abuse and mild maltreatment were lower following deployment, whereas child maltreatment rates for severe maltreatment were higher following deployment. The finding that rates of severe child maltreatment, including incidents involving alcohol use, were higher postdeployment suggests a need for additional support services for parents following their return from combat deployment, with a focus on returning parents who have an alcohol use problem. © The Author(s) 2014.

Confirmation of the immunoreactivity of monoclonal anti-human C-terminal EGFR antibodies in bronze Corydoras Corydoras aeneus (Callichthyidae Teleostei) by Western Blot method.

PubMed

Mytych, Jennifer; Satora, Leszek; Kozioł, Katarzyna

2018-02-01

Bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) uses the distal part of the intestine as accessory respiratory organ. Our previous study showed the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cytoplasmic domain in the digestive tract of the bronze corydoras. In this study, using Western Blot method, we validated the results presented in the previous research. In detail, results of Western Blot analysis on digestive and respiratory part of bronze corydoras intestine homogenates confirmed the immunoreactivity of anti-cytoplasmic domain (C-terminal) human EGFR antibodies with protein band of approximately 180kDa (EGFR molecular weight). This indicates a high homology of EGFR domain between these species and the possibility of such antibody use in bronze corydoras. Statistically significantly higher EGFR expression was observed in the respiratory part of intestine when compared to the digestive part. This implies higher proliferation activity and angiogenesis of epithelium in this part of intestine, creating conditions for air respiration. Therefore, Corydoras aeneus may be considered as a model organism for the molecular studies of the mechanisms of epithelial proliferation initiation and inhibition depending on hypoxia and normoxia. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Pressing movements and perceived force and displacement are influenced by object stiffness.

PubMed

Endo, Hiroshi

2016-09-01

Despite many previous studies on stiffness perception, few have investigated the exploratory procedures involved. This study evaluated whether stiffness range influences pressing movements and perception of force and displacement during stiffness discrimination tasks. Force and displacement data were obtained from 30 participants. Peak values of force and displacement, pressing duration and number of presses were analyzed. Two kinds of subjective evaluations were also recorded: perceived difference in force/displacement used to discriminate between specimens, and perceived effort. Although the number of presses and pressing duration were constant across a wide stiffness range, pressing strength was adjusted for the stiffness of objects, with harder specimens pressed more strongly. Further, even if the stiffnesses of two compared specimens were different, the pressing forces applied to the specimens approached the same magnitude at a higher stiffness range. Differences in force were most easily perceived at lower stiffness ranges, while displacement differences were perceived more readily at higher stiffness ranges. These results were consistent with those of previous studies. Finally, the reasons why stiffness range influenced pressing movements and perceived differences in force/displacement are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Couples' grief and experience of support in the aftermath of miscarriage.

PubMed

Conway, K; Russell, G

2000-12-01

The aim of this prospective study involving 39 women and 32 partners was to investigate the grief response of both the woman and her partner to miscarriage and to ascertain if support received was adequate and appropriate to their needs. Previous research shows that partners' grief can often be delayed and chronic. Special emphasis is placed on this area in this study. The miscarriage was found to be a significant event and the majority of women and partners still experienced feelings of loss up to 4 months afterwards, describing their reactions as sad or very sad. Scores on the first administration of the Perinatal Grief Scale showed that, in contrast with previous findings, partners scored significantly higher than the women on the three subscales and overall. Partners' scores on the second administration were also higher than those for the women but the difference was not significant. The women tended to receive and welcome social support more than the partners. Support received from health professionals was not always optimal, particularly for partners. Pregnancy subsequent to miscarriage was often viewed with some anxiety. It is argued that the results of the study have important implications for health practice.

Dynamic phase transition in the prisoner's dilemma on a lattice with stochastic modifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saif, M. Ali; Gade, Prashant M.

2010-03-01

We present a detailed study of the prisoner's dilemma game with stochastic modifications on a two-dimensional lattice, in the presence of evolutionary dynamics. By very nature of the rules, the cooperators have incentives to cheat and fear being cheated. They may cheat even when this is not dictated by the evolutionary dynamics. We consider two variants here. In each case, the agents mimic the action (cooperation or defection) in the previous time step of the most successful agent in the neighborhood. But over and above this, the fraction p of cooperators spontaneously change their strategy to pure defector at every time step in the first variant. In the second variant, there are no pure cooperators. All cooperators keep defecting with probability p at every time step. In both cases, the system switches from a coexistence state to an all-defector state for higher values of p. We show that the transition between these states unambiguously belongs to the directed percolation universality class in 2 + 1 dimensions. We also study the local persistence. The persistence exponents obtained are higher than the ones obtained in previous studies, underlining their dependence on details of the dynamics.

Comparison of alternative weight recalibration methods for diagnosis-related groups

PubMed Central

Rogowski, Jeannette Roskamp; Byrne, Daniel J.

1990-01-01

In this article, alternative methodologies for recalibration of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) weights are examined. Based on 1984 data, cost and charge-based weights are less congruent than those calculated with 1981 data. Previous studies using 1981 data demonstrated that cost- and charge-based weights were not very different. Charge weights result in higher payments to surgical DRGs and lower payments to medical DRGs, relative to cost weights. At the provider level, charge weights result in higher payments to large urban hospitals and teaching hospitals, relative to cost weights. PMID:10113568

Positive Effects of an Anti-Aggression and De-Escalation Training on Ward Atmosphere and Subjective Safety May Depend on Previous Training Experience.

PubMed

Fröhlich, Daniela; Rabenschlag, Franziska; Schoppmann, Susanne; Borgwardt, Stefan; Lang, Undine E; Huber, Christian G

2018-01-01

Anti-aggression and de-escalation (ADE) trainings of health-care professionals working on psychiatric inpatient wards have been shown to increase staff knowledge and confidence, which could be connected with higher subjective safety. Additionally, a potential reduction of aggressive incidents could improve ward atmosphere. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of ADE training on ward atmosphere and subjective safety. In 2015, an ADE training was established at the Psychiatric University Clinics (UPK), University of Basel. Nursing staff from 22 wards received theoretical and practical training over the course of 5 days. Ward atmosphere and subjective safety were assessed using the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES). A total of 46 people had been assessed in 2012 before training implementation (baseline), and 45 persons in 2016 after implementation. In the 2016 group, 23 people had previously participated in an ADE training, and 22 were first-time participants. Patients' coherence ( p  = 0.004), subjective safety ( p  = 0.004), and ward atmosphere ( p  = 0.001) were rated significantly higher by first-time ADE training participants compared to baseline, and patients' coherence ( p  = 0.029) and ward atmosphere ( p  = 0.011) were rated significantly higher by first-time ADE training participants than by nurses with prior ADE training. There were no significant differences regarding any EssenCES ratings by nurses with prior ADE training compared to baseline. ADE training was exclusively connected with higher ratings on most EssenCES scales for first-time participants. This indicates that the positive effects of ADE training may depend on previous training experience.

The ugrizYJHK luminosity distributions and densities from the combined MGC, SDSS and UKIDSS LAS data sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, David T.; Driver, Simon P.; Cameron, Ewan; Cross, Nicholas; Liske, Jochen; Robotham, Aaron

2010-05-01

We combine data from the Millennium Galaxy Catalogue, Sloan Digital Sky Survey and UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey Large Area Survey to produce ugrizYJHK luminosity functions and densities from within a common, low-redshift volume (z < 0.1, ~ 71000h-31 Mpc3 for L* systems) with 100 per cent spectroscopic completeness. In the optical the fitted Schechter functions are comparable in shape to those previously reported values but with higher normalizations (typically 0, 30, 20, 15, 5 per cent higher φ* values in u, g, r, i, z, respectively, over those reported by the SDSS team). We attribute these to differences in the redshift ranges probed, incompleteness and adopted normalization methods. In the near-IR (NIR) we find significantly different Schechter function parameters (mainly in the M* values) to those previously reported and attribute this to the improvement in the quality of the imaging data over previous studies. This is the first homogeneous measurement of the extragalactic luminosity density which fully samples both the optical and NIR regimes. Unlike previous compilations that have noted a discontinuity between the optical and NIR regimes our homogeneous data set shows a smooth cosmic spectral energy distribution (CSED). After correcting for dust attenuation we compare our CSED to the expected values based on recent constraints on the cosmic star formation history and the initial mass function.

Adolescents' physical activity is associated with previous and current physical activity practice by their parents.

PubMed

Christofaro, Diego Giulliano Destro; Andersen, Lars Bo; Andrade, Selma Maffei de; Barros, Mauro Virgílio Gomes de; Saraiva, Bruna Thamyres Ciccotti; Fernandes, Rômulo Araújo; Ritti-Dias, Raphael Mendes

The purpose of this study was to determine whether parents' current and previous physical activity practice is associated with adolescents' physical activity. The sample was composed of 1231 adolescents (14-17 years), and 1202 mothers and 871 fathers were interviewed. Weight and height of the adolescents were measured. Self-reported parents' weight and height were obtained. The current and previous physical activity levels (Baecke's questionnaire) of parents (during childhood and adolescence) and adolescents' physical activity levels were obtained using a questionnaire. The magnitude of the associations between parent and adolescent physical activity levels was determined by binary logistic regression (adjusted by sex, age, and socioeconomic level of adolescents and education level of parents). The current physical activity practice by parents was associated with adolescents' physical activity (p<0.001). The physical activities reported by parents in their childhood and adolescence were also associated with higher physical activity levels among adolescents. Adolescents whose parents were both physically active in the past and present were six times (OR=6.67 [CI=1.94-22.79]) more likely to be physically active compared to adolescents with no parents who were physically active in the past. The current and previous physical activities of parents were associated with higher levels of physical activity in adolescents, even after controlling for confounding factors. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Emerging depression is associated with face memory deficits in adolescent girls.

PubMed

Guyer, Amanda E; Choate, Victoria R; Grimm, Kevin J; Pine, Daniel S; Keenan, Kate

2011-02-01

To examine the association between memory for previously encoded emotional faces and depression symptoms assessed over 4 years in adolescent girls. Investigating the interface between memory deficits and depression in adolescent girls may provide clues about depression pathophysiology. Participants were 213 girls recruited from a longitudinal, community-based study; the majority were African American. Scores on depressive screening measures at age 8 were used to increase the base rate of depression. Depression symptoms and diagnoses were assessed annually for 4 years. In year 4, when the girls were 12 to 13 years old, a face emotion encoding task was administered during which ratings were generated in response to sad, fearful, angry, and happy faces. A surprise memory task followed whereby participants identified which of two faces, displaying neutral expressions, they had seen previously. Girls with higher depression symptom levels from ages 9 to 12 years evidenced lower accuracy in identifying previously encoded emotional faces. Controlling for IQ, higher depression symptom level was associated with a memory deficit specific to previously encoded sad and happy faces. These effects were not moderated by race. Individual differences in face memory deficits relate to individual differences in emerging, early adolescent depression, and may be vulnerability markers for depression. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Free-Riding Behavior in Vaccination Decisions: An Experimental Study

PubMed Central

Ibuka, Yoko; Li, Meng; Vietri, Jeffrey; Chapman, Gretchen B.; Galvani, Alison P.

2014-01-01

Individual decision-making regarding vaccination may be affected by the vaccination choices of others. As vaccination produces externalities reducing transmission of a disease, it can provide an incentive for individuals to be free-riders who benefit from the vaccination of others while avoiding the cost of vaccination. This study examined an individual's decision about vaccination in a group setting for a hypothetical disease that is called “influenza” using a computerized experimental game. In the game, interactions with others are allowed. We found that higher observed vaccination rate within the group during the previous round of the game decreased the likelihood of an individual's vaccination acceptance, indicating the existence of free-riding behavior. The free-riding behavior was observed regardless of parameter conditions on the characteristics of the influenza and vaccine. We also found that other predictors of vaccination uptake included an individual's own influenza exposure in previous rounds increasing the likelihood of vaccination acceptance, consistent with existing empirical studies. Influenza prevalence among other group members during the previous round did not have a statistically significant effect on vaccination acceptance in the current round once vaccination rate in the previous round was controlled for. PMID:24475246

Previous history of tuberculosis is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Shen, T-C; Lin, C-L; Wei, C-C; Chen, C-H; Tu, C-Y; Hsia, T-C; Shih, C-M; Hsu, W-H; Chung, C-J; Sung, F-C; Kao, C-H

2015-11-01

Previous studies have suggested that mycobacterial infections could trigger autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To explore the association between previous tuberculosis (TB) and RA. We conducted a case-control study using data obtained from the National Health Insurance (NHI) system of Taiwan. We identified 26 535 adults with RA from 2002 to 2011, with the date of diagnosis as the index date. This number was randomly selected and frequency-matched four times by age, sex and the year of index date from among non-RA individuals. Odds ratios (ORs) of RA were calculated for associations with TB. Compared with controls, RA patients had a crude OR of 1.77 for TB (95%CI 1.61-1.94). The strength of the association between RA and TB remained at the same level after controlling for other potential risk factors (adjusted OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.57-1.90), although RA patients tended to have a higher prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease and kidney disease. TB was much more prevalent in RA patients than in control subjects. Prospective cohort studies are required to establish a causal relationship between previous TB and RA.

Over diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an underserved patient population.

PubMed

Ghattas, Christian; Dai, Allen; Gemmel, David J; Awad, Magdi H

2013-01-01

While cross-national studies have documented rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) misdiagnosis among patients in primary care, US studies are scarce. Studies investigating diagnosis among uninsured patients are lacking. The purpose of this study is to identify patients who are over diagnosed and thus, mistreated, for COPD in a federally qualified health center. A descriptive study was conducted for a retrospective cohort from February 2011 to June 2012. Spirometry was performed by trained personnel following American Thoracic Society recommendations. Patients were referred for spirometry to confirm previous COPD diagnosis or to assess uncontrolled COPD symptoms. Airway obstruction was defined as a forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) to forced vital capacity ratio less than 0.7. Reversibility was defined as a postbronchodilator increase in FEV1 greater than 200 mL and greater than 12%. Eighty patients treated for a previous diagnosis of COPD (n = 72) or on anticholinergic inhalers (n = 8) with no COPD diagnosis were evaluated. The average age was 52.9 years; 71% were uninsured. Only 17.5% (14/80) of patients reported previous spirometry. Spirometry revealed that 42.5% had no obstruction, 22.5% had reversible obstruction, and 35% had non-reversible obstruction. Symptoms and smoking history are insufficient to diagnose COPD. Prevalence of COPD over diagnosis among uninsured patient populations may be higher than previously reported. Confirming previous COPD diagnosis with spirometry is essential to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.

Energy metabolism of Macaca mulatta during spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoban-Higgins, T. M.; Stein, T. P.; Dotsenko, M. A.; Korolkov, V. I.; Fuller, C. A.

2000-01-01

The mean daily energy expenditure rates of two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were determined during spaceflight on the joint U.S./Russian Bion 11 mission by the doubly labeled water (DLW, 2H218O) method. Control values were obtained from two studies performed under flight-like conditions (n = 4). The mean inflight energy expenditure for the two Bion 11 monkeys was 81.3 kcal/kg/day, which was higher than that seen previously. The average energy expenditure (77.6 +/- 4.4 kcal/kg/day) for the four ground control monkeys was slightly lower than had been measured previously.

Demographic and psychological variables affecting test subject evaluations of ride quality

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duncan, N. C.; Conley, H. W.

1975-01-01

Ride-quality experiments similar in objectives, design, and procedure were conducted, one using the U.S. Air Force Total In-Flight Simulator and the other using the Langley Passenger Ride Quality Apparatus to provide the motion environments. Large samples (80 or more per experiment) of test subjects were recruited from the Tidewater Virginia area and asked to rate the comfort (on a 7-point scale) of random aircraft motion typical of that encountered during STOL flights. Test subject characteristics of age, sex, and previous flying history (number of previous airplane flights) were studied in a two by three by three factorial design. Correlations were computed between one dependent measure, the subject's mean comfort rating, and various demographic characteristics, attitudinal variables, and the scores on Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. An effect of sex was found in one of the studies. Males made higher (more uncomfortable) ratings of the ride than females. Age and number of previous flights were not significantly related to comfort ratings. No significant interactions between the variables of age, sex, or previous number of flights were observed.

Love withdrawal predicts electrocortical responses to emotional faces with performance feedback: a follow-up and extension.

PubMed

Huffmeijer, Renske; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J; Alink, Lenneke R A; van IJzendoorn, Marinus H

2014-06-02

Parental use of love withdrawal is thought to affect children's later psychological functioning because it creates a link between children's performance and relational consequences. In addition, recent studies have begun to show that experiences of love withdrawal also relate to the neural processing of socio-emotional information relevant to a performance-relational consequence link, and can moderate effects of oxytocin on social information processing and behavior. The current study follows-up on our previous results by attempting to confirm and extend previous findings indicating that experiences of maternal love withdrawal are related to electrocortical responses to emotional faces presented with performance feedback. More maternal love withdrawal was related to enhanced early processing of facial feedback stimuli (reflected in more positive VPP amplitudes, and confirming previous findings). However, attentional engagement with and processing of the stimuli at a later stage were diminished in those reporting higher maternal love withdrawal (reflected in less positive LPP amplitudes, and diverging from previous findings). Maternal love withdrawal affects the processing of emotional faces presented with performance feedback differently in different stages of neural processing.

Glycemic Control Associated With Secure Patient-Provider Messaging Within a Shared Electronic Medical Record

PubMed Central

Harris, Lynne T.; Koepsell, Thomas D.; Haneuse, Sebastien J.; Martin, Diane P.; Ralston, James D.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE To study differences in glycemic control and HbA1c testing associated with use of secure electronic patient-provider messaging. We hypothesized that messaging use would be associated with better glycemic control and a higher rate of adherence to HbA1c testing recommendations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Retrospective observational study of secure messaging at Group Health, a large nonprofit health care system. Our analysis included adults with diabetes who had registered for access to a shared electronic medical record (SMR) between 2003 and 2006. We fit log-linear regression models, using generalized estimating equations, to estimate the adjusted rate ratio of meeting three indicators of glycemic control (HbA1c <7%, HbA1c <8%, and HbA1c >9%) and HbA1c testing adherence by level of previous messaging use. Multiple imputation and inverse probability weights were used to account for missing data. RESULTS During the study period, 6,301 adults with diabetes registered for access to the SMR. Of these individuals, 74% used messaging at least once during that time. Frequent use of messaging during the previous calendar quarter was associated with a higher rate of good glycemic control (HbA1c <7%: rate ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.15–1.37]) and a higher rate testing adherence (1.20 [1.15–1.25]). CONCLUSIONS Among SMR users, recent and frequent messaging use was associated with better glycemic control and a higher rate of HbA1c testing adherence. These results suggest that secure messaging may facilitate important processes of care and help some patients to achieve or maintain adequate glycemic control. PMID:23628618

HIGHER SERUM TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN LATE MIDDLE AGE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GLUCOSE HYPOMETABOLISM IN BRAIN REGIONS AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND NORMAL AGING

PubMed Central

Reiman, Eric M.; Chen, Kewei; Langbaum, Jessica B.S.; Lee, Wendy; Reschke, Cole; Bandy, Daniel; Alexander, Gene E.; Caselli, Richard J.

2010-01-01

Epidemiological studies suggest that higher midlife serum total cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in the study of cognitively normal late-middle-aged people, we demonstrated an association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene dose, the major genetic risk factor for late-onset AD, and lower measurements of the cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRgl) in AD-affected brain regions, we proposed using PET as a presymptomatic endophenotype to evaluate other putative AD risk modifiers, and we then used it to support an aggregate cholesterol-related genetic risk score in the risk of AD. In the present study, we used PET to investigate the association between serum total cholesterol levels and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose metabolism (CMRgl) in 117 cognitively normal late middle-aged APOE ε4 homozygotes, heterozygotes and noncarriers. Higher serum total cholesterol levels were associated with lower CMRgl bilaterally in precuneus, parietotemporal and prefrontal regions previously found to be preferentially affected by AD, and in additional frontal regions previously found to be preferentially affected by normal aging. The associations were greater in APOE ε4 carriers than non-carriers in some of the AD-affected brain regions. We postulate the higher midlife serum total cholesterol levels accelerate brain processes associated with normal aging and conspire with other risk factors in the predisposition to AD. We propose using PET in proof-of-concept randomized controlled trials to rapidly evaluate the effects of midlife cholesterol-lowering treatments on the brain changes associated with normal aging and AD. PMID:19631758

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in odontogenic cysts.

PubMed

Ali, Mohammad Abdulhadi Abbas

2008-08-01

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is known to induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. The expression of EMMPRIN in odontogenic cysts has not been previously studied. This study was done to determine the presence and the variability of EMMPRIN expression in various types of odontogenic cysts. An immunohistochemical study using a polyclonal anti-EMMPRIN antibody was done using 48 odontogenic cyst cases: 13 odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), 18 dentigerous cysts (DCs), and 17 periapical cysts (PAs). Twelve cases of normal dental follicles (DFs) were also included in this study for comparison. EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was detected in all of the cysts and DFs studied. In odontogenic cysts, EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was generally higher in basal cells than in suprabasal cells. The overall EMMPRIN expression in the epithelial lining of the 3 different types of odontogenic cyst was significantly higher than in the DFs. Overall EMMPRIN expression was also found to be significantly higher in the epithelial lining of OKCs than in the other types of cysts. This study confirmed that EMMPRIN is present in odontogenic cysts and DFs. The higher EMMPRIN expression in OKCs suggests that it may be involved in the aggressive behavior of this type of cyst.

Refill adherence and persistence to lipid‐lowering medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nation‐wide register‐based study

PubMed Central

Hero, Christel; Eliasson, Björn; Franzén, Stefan; Svensson, Ann‐Marie; Miftaraj, Mervete; Gudbjörnsdottir, Soffia; Eeg‐Olofsson, Katarina; Andersson Sundell, Karolina

2017-01-01

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to describe and compare refill adherence and persistence to lipid‐lowering medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes by previous cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We followed 97 595 patients (58% men; 23% with previous CVD) who were 18 years of age or older when initiating lipid‐lowering medicines in 2007–2010 until first fill of multi‐dose dispensed medicines, death, or 3 years. Using personal identity numbers, we linked individuals' data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, the Swedish National Diabetes Register, the National Patient Register, the Cause of Death Register, and the Longitudinal Integration Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies. We assessed refill adherence using the medication possession ratio (MPR) and the maximum gap method, and measured persistence from initiation to discontinuation of treatment or until 3 years after initiation. We analyzed differences in refill adherence and persistence by previous CVD in multiple regression models, adjusted for socioeconomic status, concurrent medicines, and clinical characteristics. Results The mean age of the study population was 64 years, 80% were born in Sweden, and 56% filled prescriptions for diabetes medicines. Mean MPR was 71%, 39% were adherent according to the maximum gap method, and mean persistence was 758 days. Patients with previous CVD showed higher MPR (3%) and lower risk for discontinuing treatment (12%) compared with patients without previous CVD (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients with previous CVD were more likely to be adherent to treatment and had lower risk for discontinuation compared with patients without previous CVD. PMID:28799214

Evaluate humidity sensing properties of novel TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} composite material

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

Lin, Wang-De; Department of Center for General Education, St. Mary's Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Yilan 26644 Taiwan, ROC; Lai, De-Sheng

2013-10-15

Graphical abstract: TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} (1:1) showed better humidity sensing properties than others within the range of 12–90% relative humidity (RH), the response and recovery time were about 20 s and 160 s, respectively. Compared to the previous studies, the prepared sensor exhibits higher sensitivity (S = 451) and the low hysteresis value was around 0.13% at 32% RH. - Highlights: • Novel TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} composite material was prepared for humidity sensor. • The sensor exhibits higher sensitivity (S = 451). • Low hysteresis value was around 0.13% at 32% RH. - Abstract: A novel TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} compositemore » material was prepared using a different proportion of TiO{sub 2} and WO{sub 3} to that investigated in previous studies. The obtained mesoporous material was characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and N{sub 2} adsorption-desorption techniques. The humidity-sensing properties were measured using an inductance, capacitance and resistance analyzer. The results demonstrated that the TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} sample with a ratio of 1:1 showed better humidity sensing properties. Compared to previous studies, the prepared sensor exhibited higher sensitivity (S = 451) and the lower hysteresis value was around 0.13% at 32% RH. Complex impedance analysis indicated that the enhanced humidity sensitivity was probably due to spherical Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and the hetero-junction between TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} thin films, while the impedance varied about three orders of magnitude. Our results demonstrated the potential application of TiO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} composite for fabricating high performance humidity sensors.« less

Epidemiology of forearm fractures in adults in Denmark: national age- and gender-specific incidence rates, ratio of forearm to hip fractures, and extent of surgical fracture repair in inpatients and outpatients.

PubMed

Abrahamsen, B; Jørgensen, N R; Schwarz, P

2015-01-01

National epidemiological studies of forearm fractures are scarce. We examined in- and outpatient rates in Denmark, including anatomical location, surgery, hospitalization ratio, recurrent fractures, and ratio of forearm to hip fractures. This may be useful for triangulation in countries with less detailed information. Rates were higher than previously estimated. Despite a significant contribution to the overall burden of osteoporotic, nonvertebral fractures, relatively little information is available about age- and gender-specific incidence rates for many countries including Denmark. We used national individual patient data on inpatient and outpatient treatment to calculate rates of forearm fractures, taking readmissions into account, with subtables for distal and proximal fractures. We also calculated ratios of forearm to hip fractures that may be useful when imputing forearm fracture rates from other administrative sources. In addition, we report the rates of hospital admission and the rates of surgical treatment, allowing readers to extrapolate from the number of admissions or surgical procedures to incidence rates, should their data sources be less comprehensive. Forearm fracture rates were 278 per 100,000 patient years in men aged 50+ and 1,110 per 100,000 in women aged 50+. The female to male incidence rate ratio was 4.0 for the age group 50+ but close to unity in persons aged 40 or under. Two thirds of patients were treated on an outpatient basis with little difference across age and gender strata. Four out of five fractures were treated conservatively. The rate of forearm fractures in Denmark was somewhat higher in both genders than recently imputed from hip fracture rates and were close to the rates previously reported in studies from Norway and Sweden. The rates of forearm fracture in Denmark are higher than previously estimated and very similar to the high risk reported from studies in Norway and Sweden.

Risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Ma, Lijie; Zhao, Sumei

2017-07-01

No consensus exists regarding the factors influencing mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of various patient characteristics on the risk of mortality in such patients. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched for studies evaluating the risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing HD. The factors included age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), previous cardiovascular disease (CVD), HD duration, hemoglobin, albumin, white blood cell, C-reactive protein (CRP), parathyroid hormone, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), iron, ln ferritin, adiponectin, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), ApoA2, ApoA3, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum phosphate, troponin T (TnT), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were derived. Data were synthesized using the random-effects model. Age (per 1-year increment), DM, previous CVD, CRP (higher versus lower), ln ferritin, adiponectin (per 10.0μg/mL increment), HbA1c (higher versus lower), TnT, and BNP were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. BMI (per 1kg/m 2 increment), hemoglobin (per 1d/dL increment), albumin (higher versus lower), TIBC, iron, ApoA2, and ApoA3 were associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Age (per 1-year increment), gender (women versus men), DM, previous CVD, HD duration, ln ferritin, HDL, and HbA1c (higher versus lower) significantly increased the risk of cardiac death. Albumin (higher versus lower), TIBC, and ApoA2 had a beneficial impact on the risk of cardiac death. Multiple markers and factors influence the risk of mortality and cardiac death in patients undergoing HD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Childhood trauma and factors associated with depression among inpatients with cardiovascular disease

PubMed Central

Barreto, Felipe José Nascimento; Garcia, Frederico Duarte; Prado, Paulo Henrique Teixeira; Rocha, Paulo Marcos Brasil; Las Casas, Nádia Souza; Vallt, Felipe Barbosa; Correa, Humberto; Neves, Maila Castro Lourenço

2017-01-01

AIM To identify factors associated with depressive symptoms among inpatients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS This is a cross-sectional study performed in a subsample of a large cross-sectional research that investigated affective disorders and suicide behaviour among inpatients hospitalized in non-surgical wards of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais from November 2013 to October 2015. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained through a structured interview and medical record review. Depression was assessed by the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, with scores ≥ 8 considered as positive screening for depression. We used the Fageström Test for Nicotine Dependence to characterize nicotine dependence. For assessing resilience and early-life trauma, we used the raw scores of the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS At endpoint, we included 137 subjects. Thirty-eight (27.7%) subjects presented depressive symptoms and nine (23.7%) of those were receiving antidepressant treatment during hospitalization. The female sex; a lower mean educational level; a greater prevalence of previous suicide attempts; a higher level of pain; a higher prevalence of family antecedents of mental disorders; a lower resilience score; and higher childhood trauma score were the factors significantly associated with screening positive for major depression (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the factors independently associated with the depressive symptoms were a higher childhood trauma severity (OR = 1.06; P = 0.004); moderate to severe nicotine dependence (OR = 8.58; P = 0.008); and the number of previous hospital admissions (OR = 1.11; P = 0.034). The obtained logistic model was considered valid, indicating that the three factors together distinguished between having or not depressive symptoms, and correctly classified 74.6% of individuals in the sample. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that inpatients presenting both CVD and a positive screening for depression are more prone to have antecedents of childhood trauma, nicotine dependence and a higher number of previous hospitalizations. PMID:28713688

Upper transition height at European mid-latitudes for the years of 2010 and 2016: surprising changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotov, Dmytro; Truhlík, Vladimír; Richards, Philip; Podolská, Kateřina; Bogomaz, Oleksandr; Chernogor, Leonid; Siusiuk, Maryna; Shulha, Maryna; Domnin, Igor

2017-04-01

Our previous studies with the Kharkiv incoherent scatter radar (49.6 N, 36.3 E) data in 2006-2010 revealed that the upper (O+ to H++He+) transition height at mid-latitudes is much more sensitive to the changes in solar and geomagnetic activity than was previously thought [1]. In 2016, solar activity was decreasing and both daily and average F10.7 indices were approaching those in 2010. Solar activity was 12% higher in June and 6% higher in September 2016. Geomagnetic activity was low for the measurements in both 2010 and 2016. Given the difference in solar activity, the 2016 nighttime upper transition heights would be expected to be 55 km higher in June and 30 km higher in September. On the contrary, the observed nighttime minimum of the upper transition heights were 18 km higher in June 2016 and 28 km lower in September 2016. This is a surprising result given that the measured ion temperatures indicate that the exospheric temperature in 2010 and 2016 were similar. The unexpectedly low values of the upper transition height in 2016 may be caused by reduced thermospheric hydrogen escape during the 2012-2014 solar maximum, which was notably weaker than previous maxima. We also show results of the upper transition height obtained from processing of the COSMIC electron density vertical profiles. A comparison with the latest version of the IRI ion composition model (TBT) is also presented. [1] Kotov, D. V., V. Truhlík, P. G. Richards, S. Stankov, O. V. Bogomaz, L. F. Chernogor, and I. F. Domnin (2015), Night-time light ion transition height behaviour over the Kharkiv (50°N, 36°E) IS radar during the equinoxes of 2006-2010, J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys., 132, 1-12, doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2015.06.004.

Differences in fecal microbial metabolites and microbiota of children with autism spectrum disorders

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

Kang, Dae-Wook; Ilhan, Zehra Esra; Isern, Nancy G.

Evidence supporting that gut problems are linked to ASD symptoms has been accumulating both in humans and animal models of ASD. Gut microbes and their metabolites may be linked not only to GI problems but also to ASD behavior symptoms. Despite this high interest, most previous studies have looked mainly at microbial structure, and studies on fecal metabolites are rare in the context of ASD. Thus, we aimed to detect fecal metabolites that may be present at significantly different concentrations between 21 children with ASD and 23 neurotypical children and to investigate its possible link to human gut microbiome. Usingmore » NMR spectroscopy and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we examined metabolite profiles and microbial compositions in fecal samples, respectively. Of the 59 metabolites detected, isopropanol concentrations were significantly higher in feces of children with ASD after multiple testing corrections. We also observed similar trends of fecal metabolites to previous studies; children with ASD have higher fecal p-cresol and possibly lower GABA concentrations. In addition, Fisher Discriminant Analysis (FDA) with leave-out-validation suggested that a group of metabolites- caprate, nicotinate, glutamine, thymine, and aspartate- may potentially function as a biomarker to separate ASD participants from the neurotypical group (78% sensitivity and 81% specificity). Consistent with our previous Arizona cohort study, we also confirmed lower gut microbial diversity and reduced relative abundances of Prevotella copri in children with ASD. After multiple testing corrections, we also learned that relative abundances of Feacalibacterium prausnitzii and Haemophilus parainfluenzae were lower in feces of children with ASD. Despite a relatively short list of fecal metabolites, the data in this study support that children with ASD have altered metabolite profiles in feces when compared with neurotypical children and warrant further investigation of metabolites in larger cohorts.« less

Payments, promotion, and the purple pill.

PubMed

Ridley, David B

2015-01-01

Understanding competition in the US drug market requires knowing how sensitive demand is to prices. The relevant prices for insured consumers are copayments. There are many studies of copayment elasticity in the health literature, but they are of limited applicability for studies of competition. Because of a paucity of data, such studies typically control for neither competitor copayment nor advertising. Whereas previous studies examined copayment sensitivity when copayments for branded drugs move in unison, this study examines copayment sensitivity when copayments diverge. This study uses unique panel data of insurance copayments and utilization for 77 insurance groups, as well as data on advertising. The results indicate that demand can be much more sensitive to copayment than previously recognized. Manufacturers selling drugs with higher copayments than branded competitors can lose substantial market share. Manufacturers can offset the loss of demand by increasing advertising to physicians, but it is costly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of novel polymorphisms related to cytotoxicity of cytarabine in the induction treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

PubMed

Megías-Vericat, Juan E; Montesinos, Pau; Herrero, María J; Moscardó, Federico; Bosó, Virginia; Martínez-Cuadrón, David; Poveda, José L; Sanz, Miguel Á; Aliño, Salvador F

2017-07-01

Several novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in cytarabine cytotoxicity and related to clinical outcomes have been reported recently in a series of 232 pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report the first adult AML cohort in which the influence of these SNPs in cytarabine efficacy and toxicity was analyzed. Six of polymorphisms with clinical significance in the previous study [rs12036333, rs10758713, rs9883101, rs6550826, IRX2: rs2897047, mutated in colorectal cancers (MCC): rs7729269] were analyzed in a cohort of 225 adult patients at initial diagnosis of AML treated with an induction scheme of idarubicin plus cytarabine. The variant alleles of rs12036333 and rs10758713 confirmed the previous associations with lower survival rates. The minor alleles of rs9883101 and rs6550826 were also related to lower survival, in concordance with higher cytarabine-induced cytotoxicity observed in pediatric patients. However, discordant findings between AML adult and pediatric population were observed with IRX2 rs2897047, showing higher survival in heterozygous genotype carriers. The heterozygous genotype of MCC rs7729269 was associated with higher cytarabine-induced toxicities (renal, hepatic, lung, skin toxicities), whereas lower time to thrombocytopenia recovery was associated with the MCC rs7729269 minor allele. This study confirms the influence in survival rates of these polymorphisms in an adult AML population. Novel associations between MCC SNPs and cytarabine toxicities were reported and should be validated in prospective studies involving larger groups of patients.

Birth order and hospitalization for alcohol and narcotics use in Sweden.

PubMed

Barclay, Kieron; Myrskylä, Mikko; Tynelius, Per; Berglind, Daniel; Rasmussen, Finn

2016-10-01

Previous studies have shown that birth order is an important predictor of later life health as well as socioeconomic attainment. In this study, we examine the relationship between birth order and hospitalization for alcohol and narcotics use in Sweden. We study the relationship between birth order and hospitalization related to alcohol and narcotics use before and after the age of 20 using Swedish register data for cohorts born 1987-1994. We apply Cox proportional hazard models and use sibling fixed effects, eliminating confounding by factors shared by the siblings. Before age 20 we find that later born siblings are hospitalized for alcohol use at a higher rate than first-borns, and there is a monotonic increase in the hazard of hospitalization with increasing birth order. Second-borns are hospitalized at a rate 47% higher than first-borns, and third-borns at a rate 65% higher. Similar patterns are observed for hospitalization for narcotics use. After age 20 the pattern is similar, but the association is weaker. These patterns are consistent across various sibling group sizes. Later born siblings are more likely to be hospitalized for both alcohol and narcotics use in Sweden. These birth order effects are substantial in size, and larger than the estimated sex differences for the risk of hospitalization related to alcohol and drug use before age 20, and previous estimates for socioeconomic status differences in alcohol and drug abuse. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Energy Drink Use Among Ohio Appalachian Smokers.

PubMed

Davison, Genevieve; Shoben, Abigail; Pasch, Keryn E; Klein, Elizabeth G

2016-10-01

Caffeine-containing energy drinks have emerged as a public health concern due to their association with caffeine toxicity and alcohol use. Despite the fact that previous research has linked caffeine use in the form of coffee drinking to smoking, there is little research examining the association between energy drinks and smoking. The present study examines demographic and behavioral factors associated with energy drink use among a sample of rural Ohio Appalachian smokers. It was hypothesized that male gender, young age (21-30 years.) and alcohol use would be associated with energy drink use. A sample of adult smokers (n = 298) from Ohio Appalachian counties were interviewed regarding demographic and behavioral factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between these factors and energy drink use. Seventy percent of Ohio Appalachian smokers studied had ever used an energy drink and 40 % had used an energy drink in the past month. Young age, male gender, and single marital status were associated with higher odds of ever having used an energy drink. Young age, and binge drinking were associated with higher odds of past 30-day use while abstinence from drinking was associated with lower odds of past 30-day use. Ohio Appalachian adult smokers had higher rates of energy drink use compared to previous estimates of ever or past month use found in other studies. The combined use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol warrants attention due to potential for health risk.

Energy Drink Use Among Ohio Appalachian Smokers

PubMed Central

Shoben, Abigail; Pasch, Keryn E.; Klein, Elizabeth G.

2017-01-01

Caffeine-containing energy drinks have emerged as a public health concern due to their association with caffeine toxicity and alcohol use. Despite the fact that previous research has linked caffeine use in the form of coffee drinking to smoking, there is little research examining the association between energy drinks and smoking. The present study examines demographic and behavioral factors associated with energy drink use among a sample of rural Ohio Appalachian smokers. It was hypothesized that male gender, young age (21–30 years.) and alcohol use would be associated with energy drink use. A sample of adult smokers (n = 298) from Ohio Appalachian counties were interviewed regarding demographic and behavioral factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between these factors and energy drink use. Seventy percent of Ohio Appalachian smokers studied had ever used an energy drink and 40 % had used an energy drink in the past month. Young age, male gender, and single marital status were associated with higher odds of ever having used an energy drink. Young age, and binge drinking were associated with higher odds of past 30-day use while abstinence from drinking was associated with lower odds of past 30-day use. Ohio Appalachian adult smokers had higher rates of energy drink use compared to previous estimates of ever or past month use found in other studies. The combined use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol warrants attention due to potential for health risk. PMID:26879965

A structural equation modelling approach examining the pathways between safety climate, behaviour performance and workplace slipping

PubMed Central

Swedler, David I; Verma, Santosh K; Huang, Yueng-Hsiang; Lombardi, David A; Chang, Wen-Ruey; Brennan, Melayne; Courtney, Theodore K

2015-01-01

Objective Safety climate has previously been associated with increasing safe workplace behaviours and decreasing occupational injuries. This study seeks to understand the structural relationship between employees’ perceptions of safety climate, performing a safety behaviour (ie, wearing slip-resistant shoes) and risk of slipping in the setting of limited-service restaurants. Methods At baseline, we surveyed 349 employees at 30 restaurants for their perceptions of their safety training and management commitment to safety as well as demographic data. Safety performance was identified as wearing slip-resistant shoes, as measured by direct observation by the study team. We then prospectively collected participants’ hours worked and number of slips weekly for the next 12 weeks. Using a confirmatory factor analysis, we modelled safety climate as a higher order factor composed of previously identified training and management commitment factors. Results The 349 study participants experienced 1075 slips during the 12-week follow-up. Confirmatory factor analysis supported modelling safety climate as a higher order factor composed of safety training and management commitment. In a structural equation model, safety climate indirectly affected prospective risk of slipping through safety performance, but no direct relationship between safety climate and slips was evident. Conclusions Results suggest that safety climate can reduce workplace slips through performance of a safety behaviour as well as suggesting a potential causal mechanism through which safety climate can reduce workplace injuries. Safety climate can be modelled as a higher order factor composed of safety training and management commitment. PMID:25710968

Study of the endogenous steroid profile of male athletes from the Brazilian National Soccer Championship 2009.

PubMed

Nicolich, Rebecca S; Padilha, Monica C; de Aquino Neto, Francisco R

2010-01-01

Changes in the endogenous profile of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) may be interpreted as markers of doping. The objective of this study was to evaluate the endogenous profile of AAS in male athletes of the 2009 Brazilian National Soccer Championship, in normal conditions, particularly in the light of the revision of World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Technical Document on the Interpretation of Endogenous AAS in athletes for doping control drafted in that year, as well as comparing these results to profiles already published in the literature. The upper limit of the 95% central reference interval of the following parameters for the studied population were estimated to be significantly higher than WADA's criteria, with a confidence of 90%: DHEA (about 2.3 times higher), Adiol (1.2 times higher), Bdiol (2.7 times higher), and Adiol/E (6 times higher). These findings seem to imply that WADA's criteria proposed in 2009 for DHEA, Adiol, Bdiol, and Adiol/E may not have been applicable to the studied population. Moreover, their comparison to previously published studies pointed to the need to evaluate in detail the appropriateness of adopting these criteria as universal, since there seems to be variations among different populations of athletes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antecedent flow conditions and nitrate concentrations in the Mississippi River basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murphy, Jennifer C.; Hirsch, Robert M.; Sprague, Lori A.

2014-01-01

The relationship between antecedent flow conditions and nitrate concentrations was explored at eight sites in the 2.9 million square kilometers (km2) Mississippi River basin, USA. Antecedent flow conditions were quantified as the ratio between the mean daily flow of the previous year and the mean daily flow from the period of record (Qratio), and the Qratio was statistically related to nitrate anomalies (the unexplained variability in nitrate concentration after filtering out season, long-term trend, and contemporaneous flow effects) at each site. Nitrate anomaly and Qratio were negatively related at three of the four major tributary sites and upstream in the Mississippi River, indicating that when mean daily streamflow during the previous year was lower than average, nitrate concentrations were higher than expected. The strength of these relationships increased when data were subdivided by contemporaneous flow conditions. Five of the eight sites had significant negative relationships (p ≤ 0.05) at high or moderately high contemporaneous flows, suggesting nitrate that accumulates in these basins during a drought is flushed during subsequent high flows. At half of the sites, when mean daily flow during the previous year was 50 percent lower than average, nitrate concentration can be from 9 to 27 percent higher than nitrate concentrations that follow a year with average mean daily flow. Conversely, nitrate concentration can be from 8 to 21 percent lower than expected when flow during the previous year was 50 percent higher than average. Previously documented for small, relatively homogenous basins, our results suggest that relationships between antecedent flows and nitrate concentrations are also observable at a regional scale. Relationships were not observed (using all contemporaneous flow data together) for basins larger than 1 million km2, suggesting that above this limit the overall size and diversity within these basins may necessitate the use of more complicated statistical approaches or that there may be no discernible basin-wide relationship with antecedent flow. The relationships between nitrate concentration and Qratio identified in this study serve as the basis for future studies that can better define specific hydrologic processes occurring during and after a drought (or high flow period) which influence nitrate concentration, such as the duration or magnitude of low flows, and the timing of low and high flows.

An Evaluation of ChalleNGe Graduates DOD Employability

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

long-term impacts for ChalleNGe graduates. Our previous work has shown that cadets with higher initial reading and applied math TABE scores are...levels of reading comprehension, writing, and basic math ; they simply are not ready to acquire a second language. In addition, program directors noted...graduates. Our previous work has shown that cadets with higher initial reading and applied math TABE scores are more likely to complete ChalleNGe. In

Military Enlistment and Attrition. An Analysis of Decision Reversal

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

instability, defined as being unemployed at the time of enlistment or having had a spell of jobless- ness within the past 12 months. For graduates, attrition...opportunities. The level of education an individual obtains is related to the value of higher education to the individual (both monetary and psychic ...value, does suggest that unemployed graduates are more likely to enlist, all other things equal, the higher their previous wage rate. The previous

Carrying capacity in a heterogeneous environment with habitat connectivity.

PubMed

Zhang, Bo; Kula, Alex; Mack, Keenan M L; Zhai, Lu; Ryce, Arrix L; Ni, Wei-Ming; DeAngelis, Donald L; Van Dyken, J David

2017-09-01

A large body of theory predicts that populations diffusing in heterogeneous environments reach higher total size than if non-diffusing, and, paradoxically, higher size than in a corresponding homogeneous environment. However, this theory and its assumptions have not been rigorously tested. Here, we extended previous theory to include exploitable resources, proving qualitatively novel results, which we tested experimentally using spatially diffusing laboratory populations of yeast. Consistent with previous theory, we predicted and experimentally observed that spatial diffusion increased total equilibrium population abundance in heterogeneous environments, with the effect size depending on the relationship between r and K. Refuting previous theory, however, we discovered that homogeneously distributed resources support higher total carrying capacity than heterogeneously distributed resources, even with species diffusion. Our results provide rigorous experimental tests of new and old theory, demonstrating how the traditional notion of carrying capacity is ambiguous for populations diffusing in spatially heterogeneous environments. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.

Carrying capacity in a heterogeneous environment with habitat connectivity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhang, Bo; Kula, Alex; Mack, Keenan M.L.; Zhai, Lu; Ryce, Arrix L.; Ni, Wei-Ming; DeAngelis, Donald L.; Van Dyken, J. David

2017-01-01

A large body of theory predicts that populations diffusing in heterogeneous environments reach higher total size than if non-diffusing, and, paradoxically, higher size than in a corresponding homogeneous environment. However, this theory and its assumptions have not been rigorously tested. Here, we extended previous theory to include exploitable resources, proving qualitatively novel results, which we tested experimentally using spatially diffusing laboratory populations of yeast. Consistent with previous theory, we predicted and experimentally observed that spatial diffusion increased total equilibrium population abundance in heterogeneous environments, with the effect size depending on the relationship between r and K. Refuting previous theory, however, we discovered that homogeneously distributed resources support higher total carrying capacity than heterogeneously distributed resources, even with species diffusion. Our results provide rigorous experimental tests of new and old theory, demonstrating how the traditional notion of carrying capacity is ambiguous for populations diffusing in spatially heterogeneous environments.

A 2-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Overuse Running Injuries: The Runners and Injury Longitudinal Study (TRAILS).

PubMed

Messier, Stephen P; Martin, David F; Mihalko, Shannon L; Ip, Edward; DeVita, Paul; Cannon, D Wayne; Love, Monica; Beringer, Danielle; Saldana, Santiago; Fellin, Rebecca E; Seay, Joseph F

2018-05-01

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, noting flaws in previous running injury research, called for more rigorous prospective designs and comprehensive analyses to define the origin of running injuries. To determine the risk factors that differentiate recreational runners who remain uninjured from those diagnosed with an overuse running injury during a 2-year observational period. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Inclusion criteria were running a minimum of 5 miles per week and being injury free for at least the past 6 months. Data were collected at baseline on training, medical and injury histories, demographics, anthropometrics, strength, gait biomechanics, and psychosocial variables. Injuries occurring over the 2-year observation period were diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon on the basis of predetermined definitions. Of the 300 runners who entered the study, 199 (66%) sustained at least 1 injury, including 73% of women and 62% of men. Of the injured runners, 111 (56%) sustained injuries more than once. In bivariate analyses, significant ( P ≤ .05) factors at baseline that predicted injury were as follows: Short Form Health Survey-12 mental component score (lower mental health-related quality of life), Positive and Negative Affect Scale negative affect score (more negative emotions), sex (higher percentage of women were injured), and knee stiffness (greater stiffness was associated with injury); subsequently, knee stiffness was the lone significant predictor of injury (odds ratio = 1.18) in a multivariable analysis. Flexibility, quadriceps angle, arch height, rearfoot motion, strength, footwear, and previous injury were not significant risk factors for injury. The results of this study indicate the following: (1) among recreational runners, women sustain injuries at a higher rate than men; (2) greater knee stiffness, more common in runners with higher body weights (≥80 kg), significantly increases the odds of sustaining an overuse running injury; and (3) contrary to several long-held beliefs, flexibility, arch height, quadriceps angle, rearfoot motion, lower extremity strength, weekly mileage, footwear, and previous injury are not significant etiologic factors across all overuse running injuries.

Music and academic performance.

PubMed

Arnaud Cabanac; Perlovsky, Leonid; Bonniot-Cabanac, Marie-Claude; Cabanac, Michel

2013-11-01

In a previous study we demonstrated that listening to a pleasant music while performing an academic test helped students to overcome stress, to devote more time to more stressful and more complicated task and the grades were higher. Yet, there remained ambiguities as for the causes of the higher test performance of these students: do they perform better because they hear music during their examinations, or would they perform better anyway because they are more gifted/motivated? This motivated the current study as a preliminary step toward that general question: Do students who like/perform music have better grades than the others? Our results confirmed this hypothesis: students studying music have better grades in all subjects. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is comprehension of problem solutions resistant to misleading heuristic cues?

PubMed

Ackerman, Rakefet; Leiser, David; Shpigelman, Maya

2013-05-01

Previous studies in the domain of metacomprehension judgments have primarily used expository texts. When these texts include illustrations, even uninformative ones, people were found to judge that they understand their content better. The present study aimed to delineate the metacognitive processes involved in understanding problem solutions - a text type often perceived as allowing reliable judgments regarding understanding, and was not previously considered from a metacognitive perspective. Undergraduate students faced difficult problems. They then studied solution explanations with or without uninformative illustrations and provided judgments of comprehension (JCOMPs). Learning was assessed by application to near-transfer problems in an open-book test format. As expected, JCOMPs were polarized - they tended to reflect good or poor understanding. Yet, JCOMPs were higher for the illustrated solutions and even high certainty did not ensure resistance to this effect. Moreover, success in the transfer problems was lower in the presence of illustrations, demonstrating a bias stronger than that found with expository texts. Previous studies have suggested that weak learners are especially prone to being misled by superficial cues. In the present study, matching the difficulty of the task to the ability of the target population revealed that even highly able participants were not immune to misleading cues. The study extends previous findings regarding potential detrimental effects of illustrations and highlights aspects of the metacomprehension process that have not been considered before. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A general circulation model study of the effects of faster rotation rate, enhanced CO2 concentration, and reduced solar forcing: Implications for the faint young sun paradox

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Gregory S.

1993-01-01

Solar energy at the top of the atmosphere (solar constant), rotation rate, and carbon dioxide (CO2) may have varied significantly over Earth's history, especially during the earliest times. The sensitivity of a general circulation model to faster rotation, enhanced CO2 concentration, and reduced solar constant is presented. The control simulation of this study has a solar constant reduced by 10% the present amount, zero land fraction using a swamp ocean surface, CO2 concentrations of 330 ppmv, present-day rotation rate, and is integrated under mean diurnal and seasonal solar forcing. Four sensitivity test are performed under zero land fraction and reduced solar constant conditions by varying the earth's rotation rate atmospheric CO2 concentration and solar constant. The global mean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) compared to the control simulation: were 6.6 K to 12 K higher than the control's global mean temperature of 264.7 K. Sea ice is confined to higher latitudes in each experiment compared to the control, with ice-free areas equatorward of the subtropics. The warm SSTs are associated with a 20% reduction in clouds for the rotation rate experiments and higher CO2 concentrations in the other experiments. These results are in contrast to previous studies that have used energy balance and radiative convective models. Previous studies required a much larger atmospheric CO2 increase to prevent an ice-covered Earth. The results of the study, suggest that because of its possible feedback with clouds, the general circulation of the atmosphere should be taken into account in understanding the climate of early Earth. While higher CO2 concentrations are likely in view of the results, very large atmospheric CO2 concentrations may not be necessary to counterbalance the lower solar constant that existed early in Earth's history.

Speech Alarms Pilot Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandor, Aniko; Moses, Haifa

2016-01-01

Speech alarms have been used extensively in aviation and included in International Building Codes (IBC) and National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Life Safety Code. However, they have not been implemented on space vehicles. Previous studies conducted at NASA JSC showed that speech alarms lead to faster identification and higher accuracy. This research evaluated updated speech and tone alerts in a laboratory environment and in the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) in a realistic setup.

Using the Web as a Higher Order Thinking Partner: Case Study of an Advanced Learner Creatively Synthesizing Knowledge on the Web

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeSchryver, Michael

2017-01-01

Previous work provided foundations for the theory of web-mediated knowledge synthesis, a framework for using the web in more creative and generative ways. This article explores specific instances of the various elements of that theory in a single case from the initial study. That is, a thorough exploration of think-aloud, screen capture, and…

Classroom Engagement as a Proximal Lever for Student Success in Higher Education: What a Self-Determination Framework within a Multi-Level Developmental System Tells Us

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chi, Una J.

2014-01-01

This study examined the role of course engagement in college student success, especially for students who have multiple life commitments and few social supports. Building on previous measurement work and based in self-determination theory, the study was organized in five steps. Relying on information provided by 860 undergraduates from 12 upper…

Prevalence of Autism in Children of Somali Origin Living in Stockholm: Brief Report of an At-Risk Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnevik-Olsson, Martina; Gillberg, Christopher; Fernell, Elisabeth

2010-01-01

This work was a follow-up study (birth years 1999-2003) of the prevalence of autism in children of Somali background living in the county of Stockholm, Sweden. In a previous study (birth years 1988-98), the prevalence of autism associated with learning disability was found to be three to four times higher among Somali children compared with other…

Functional connectivity patterns reflect individual differences in conflict adaptation.

PubMed

Wang, Xiangpeng; Wang, Ting; Chen, Zhencai; Hitchman, Glenn; Liu, Yijun; Chen, Antao

2015-04-01

Individuals differ in the ability to utilize previous conflict information to optimize current conflict resolution, which is termed the conflict adaptation effect. Previous studies have linked individual differences in conflict adaptation to distinct brain regions. However, the network-based neural mechanisms subserving the individual differences of the conflict adaptation effect have not been studied. The present study employed a psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis with a color-naming Stroop task to examine this issue. The main results were as follows: (1) the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)-seeded PPI revealed the involvement of the salience network (SN) in conflict adaptation, while the posterior parietal cortex (PPC)-seeded PPI revealed the engagement of the central executive network (CEN). (2) Participants with high conflict adaptation effect showed higher intra-CEN connectivity and lower intra-SN connectivity; while those with low conflict adaptation effect showed higher intra-SN connectivity and lower intra-CEN connectivity. (3) The PPC-centered intra-CEN connectivity positively predicted the conflict adaptation effect; while the ACC-centered intra-SN connectivity had a negative correlation with this effect. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that conflict adaptation is likely supported by the CEN and the SN, providing a new perspective on studying individual differences in conflict adaptation on the basis of large-scale networks. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Living Animals in the Classroom: A Meta-Analysis on Learning Outcome and a Treatment-Control Study Focusing on Knowledge and Motivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hummel, Eberhard; Randler, Christoph

2012-02-01

Prior research states that the use of living animals in the classroom leads to a higher knowledge but those previous studies have methodological and statistical problems. We applied a meta-analysis and developed a treatment-control study in a middle school classroom. The treatments (film vs. living animal) differed only by the presence of the living animal. Both treatments were based on the self-determination theory. More than 400 pupils filled in pre-test, post-test and two follow-up-tests (with a delay of 6-8 weeks and 7-8 months). After each lesson, pupils rated the lesson on a short intrinsic motivation scale. In the meta-analysis, we found that the living animal treatments significantly scored better than a control group, but not when comparing living animals with alternative treatments. In the treatment-control study, both treatments led to a significant increase in knowledge but there were no differences between film and living animal treatment. Pre-test and previous grading had a significant influence on post- and both follow-up tests. In the mouse lesson, pupils of the living animal group showed higher values in interest and competence and lower values in pressure. Interest and competence correlated positively with achievement, while pressure correlated negatively.

Training directionally selective motion pathways can significantly improve reading efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawton, Teri

2004-06-01

This study examined whether perceptual learning at early levels of visual processing would facilitate learning at higher levels of processing. This was examined by determining whether training the motion pathways by practicing leftright movement discrimination, as found previously, would improve the reading skills of inefficient readers significantly more than another computer game, a word discrimination game, or the reading program offered by the school. This controlled validation study found that practicing left-right movement discrimination 5-10 minutes twice a week (rapidly) for 15 weeks doubled reading fluency, and significantly improved all reading skills by more than one grade level, whereas inefficient readers in the control groups barely improved on these reading skills. In contrast to previous studies of perceptual learning, these experiments show that perceptual learning of direction discrimination significantly improved reading skills determined at higher levels of cognitive processing, thereby being generalized to a new task. The deficits in reading performance and attentional focus experienced by the person who struggles when reading are suggested to result from an information overload, resulting from timing deficits in the direction-selectivity network proposed by Russell De Valois et al. (2000), that following practice on direction discrimination goes away. This study found that practicing direction discrimination rapidly transitions the inefficient 7-year-old reader to an efficient reader.

Placenta accreta is an independent risk factor for late pre-term birth and perinatal mortality.

PubMed

Vinograd, Adi; Wainstock, Tamar; Mazor, Moshe; Beer-Weisel, Ruthy; Klaitman, Vered; Dukler, Doron; Hamou, Batel; Novack, Lena; Ben-Shalom Tirosh, Neta; Vinograd, Ofir; Erez, Offer

2015-08-01

This study is aimed to identify the risk factors for the development of placenta accreta (PA) and characterize its effect on maternal and perinatal outcomes. This population-based retrospective cohort study included all deliveries at our medical center during the study period. Those with placenta accreta (n = 551) comprised the study group, while the rest of the deliveries (n = 239 089) served as a comparison group. The prevalence of placenta accerta is 0.2%. Women with this complication had higher rates of ≥2 previous CS (p < 0.001), recurrent abortions (p = 0.03), and previous placenta accreta [p < 0.001]. The rates of placenta previa and peripartum hemorrhage necessitating blood transfusion were higher in women with placenta accreta than in the comparison group. PTB before 34 and 37 weeks of gestation was more common among women with placenta accreta (p < 0.01), as was the rate of perinatal mortality (p < 0.001). Placenta accreta was an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality (adj. OR 8.2; 95% CI 6.4-10.4, p < 0.001) and late PTB (adj. OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7, p = 0.002). Placenta accreta is an independent risk factor for late PTB and perinatal mortality.

Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Austrian Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study among Civilians and Military Professionals

PubMed Central

Lagler, Heimo; Poeppl, Wolfgang; Winkler, Heidi; Herkner, Harald; Faas, Angelus; Mooseder, Gerhard; Burgmann, Heinz

2014-01-01

Background Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection is globally increasing. The present study was performed to investigate the HEV seroprevalence, exposure risks as well as occupational risks for military personnel in Austria, a Central European country. Methods and Findings A nationwide cross-sectional seroprevalence study was performed in 997 healthy Austrian adults, professional soldiers and civilians. Routine laboratory and HEV specific antibodies were determined. In addition, epidemiological information on possible risk factors for exposure to HEV was obtained. The overall seropositivity for HEV antibodies was 14.3% and significantly increased with age. Seroprevalence was significantly higher among individuals with previous military employments abroad (21.4% vs. 9.9%) and among professional soldiers aged 30–39 years (20.2% vs. 7.3%). No association was found for private travel, occupational or private animal contact or regular outdoor activities. Individuals who tested positive for antibodies against HEV had significantly higher laboratory values regarding liver enzymes, lipid levels and blood fasting glucose. Conclusions Exposure to HEV is common in Austria. Military employment abroad could be a potential risk factor for HEV infection. Further studies are required to investigate the significance of pathological laboratory results found among asymptomatic individuals previously exposed to HEV. PMID:24498349

Study of Material Densification of In718 in the Higher Throughput Parameter Regime

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cordner, Samuel

2016-01-01

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process used increasingly in the aerospace industry to reduce the cost, weight, and fabrication time for complex propulsion components. Previous optimization studies for SLM using the Concept Laser M1 and M2 machines at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center have centered on machine default parameters. The objective of this project is to characterize how heat treatment affects density and porosity from a microscopic point of view. This is performs using higher throughput parameters (a previously unexplored region of the manufacturing operating envelope for this application) on material consolidation. Density blocks were analyzed to explore the relationship between build parameters (laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing) and material consolidation (assessed in terms of density and porosity). The study also considers the impact of post-processing, specifically hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment, as well as deposition pattern on material consolidation in the higher energy parameter regime. Metallurgical evaluation of specimens will also be presented. This work will contribute to creating a knowledge base (understanding material behavior in all ranges of the AM equipment operating envelope) that is critical to transitioning AM from the custom low rate production sphere it currently occupies to the world of mass high rate production, where parts are fabricated at a rapid rate with confidence that they will meet or exceed all stringent functional requirements for spaceflight hardware. These studies will also provide important data on the sensitivity of material consolidation to process parameters that will inform the design and development of future flight articles using SLM.

Predictors of urinary flame retardant concentration among pregnant women

PubMed Central

Hoffman, Kate; Lorenzo, Amelia; Butt, Craig; Adair, Linda; Herring, Amy H.; Stapleton, Heather M.; Daniels, Julie

2016-01-01

Background Organophosphate compounds are commonly used in residential furniture, electronics, and baby products as flame retardants and are also used in other consumer products as plasticizers. Although the levels of exposure biomarkers are generally higher among children and decrease with age, relatively little is known about the individual characteristics associated with higher levels of exposure. Here, we investigate urinary metabolites of several organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) in a cohort of pregnant women to evaluate patterns of exposure. Methods Pregnant North Carolina women (n=349) provided information on their individual characteristics (e.g. age and body mass index (BMI)) as a part of the Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition Study (2002–2005). Women also provided second trimester urine samples in which six PFR metabolites were measured using mass spectrometry methods. Results PFR metabolites were detected in every urine sample, with BDCIPP, DHPH, ip-PPP and BCIPHIPP detected in >80% of samples. Geometric mean concentrations were higher than what has been reported previously for similarly-timed cohorts. Women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI tended to have higher levels of urinary metabolites. For example, those classified as obese at the start of pregnancy had ip-PPP levels that were 1.52 times as high as normal weight range women (95% confidence interval: 1.23, 1.89). Women without previous children also tended to have higher urinary levels of DPHP, but lower levels of ip-PPP. In addition, we saw strong evidence of seasonal trends in metabolite concentrations (e.g. higher DPHP, BDCIPP, and BCIPHIPP in summer, and evidence of increasing ip-PPP between 2002 and 2005). Conclusions Our results indicate ubiquitous exposure to PFRs among NC women in the early 2000s. Additionally, our work suggests that individual characteristics are related to exposure and that temporal variation, both seasonal and annual, may exist. PMID:27745946

IODP Site 1476: 7.5 Million Year Record of Southeast African Climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantu, K.; Norris, R. D.

2017-12-01

The primary focus of IODP Expedition 361 was Southeast African Climate. Site 1476 in the northern Mozambique Channel yielded a sediment record going back roughly 7.6 million years, a time frame particularly interesting due to its relevance to hominid evolution. Previous paleoclimate studies from the region have included lake sediments and soil carbonate isotopes, which have been interpreted as showing a long-term trend toward increasing aridity. Lake Malawi records from the last 1.3 million years show a change during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT) from high frequency variability and generally lower lake levels to higher amplitude variability and higher lake levels punctuated by long, severe droughts resulting in extreme and long-lasting low-stands. Site 1476 cores were scanned using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), which gives semi-quantitative elemental abundances. Elemental abundance ratios are used as proxies for a variety of climate-related signals, such as changes in weathering rates, the nature of terrigenous material, and grain size. Looking at the site's Fe/Ca, K/Ca, and Rb/Zr ratios, the period of 4.5 to about 1.5 million years ago shows higher terrigenous flux, higher clay flux, and a smaller grain size respectively than most of the previous 3 million years, followed by a steep decline before the MPT, before transitioning to a pattern of high amplitude oscillations post-MPT. These higher amplitude oscillations seem to correspond to Lake Malawi low stands in the post-MPT period, suggesting that the higher flux of terrigenous material to site 1476 is due to higher aridity resulting in lower vegetative cover. This data also point to high climate variability in the last million years, likely contributing to the evolution and ecological adaptability of our species.

Predictors of level of voice in adolescent girls: ethnicity, attachment, and gender role socialization.

PubMed

Theran, Sally A

2009-09-01

The current study empirically examined predictors of level of voice (ethnicity, attachment, and gender role socialization) in a diverse sample of 108 14-year-old girls. Structural equation modeling results indicated that parental attachment predicted level of voice with authority figures, and gender role socialization predicted level of voice with authority figures and peers. Both masculinity and femininity were salient for higher levels of voice with authority figures whereas higher scores on masculinity contributed to higher levels of voice with peers. These findings suggest that, contrary to previous theoretical work, femininity itself is not a risk factor for low levels of voice. In addition, African-American girls had higher levels of voice with teachers and classmates than did Caucasian girls, and girls who were in a school with a greater concentration of ethnic minorities had higher levels of voice with peers than did girls at a school with fewer minority students.

Ethnic stigma, academic anxiety, and intrinsic motivation in middle childhood.

PubMed

Gillen-O'Neel, Cari; Ruble, Diane N; Fuligni, Andrew J

2011-01-01

Previous research addressing the dynamics of stigma and academics has focused on African American adolescents and adults. The present study examined stigma awareness, academic anxiety, and intrinsic motivation among 451 young (ages 6-11) and diverse (African American, Chinese, Dominican, Russian, and European American) students. Results indicated that ethnic-minority children reported higher stigma awareness than European American children. For all children, stigma awareness was associated with higher academic anxiety and lower intrinsic motivation. Despite these associations, ethnic-minority children reported higher levels of intrinsic motivation than their European American peers. A significant portion of the higher intrinsic motivation among Dominican students was associated with their higher levels of school belonging, suggesting that supportive school environments may be important sources of intrinsic motivation among some ethnic-minority children. © 2011 The Authors. Child Development © 2011 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

Site fidelity, territory fidelity, and natal philopatry in Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sedgwick, James A.

2004-01-01

I investigated the causes and consequences of adult breeding-site fidelity, territory fidelity, and natal philopatry in Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii) in southeastern Oregon over a 10-year period, testing the general hypothesis that fidelity and dispersal distances are influenced by previous breeding performance. Willow Flycatchers adhered to the generally observed tendencies of passerine birds for low natal philopatry and high breedingsite fidelity. Site fidelity (return to the study area) of adult males (52.0%) and females (51.3%), and median dispersal distances between seasons (16 m vs. 19 m) were similar. Previous breeding performance and residency (age-experience), but not study-site quality, explained site fidelity in females. Site fidelity of females rearing 4–5 young (64.4%) exceeded that of unsuccessful females (40.0%), breeding dispersal was less (successful: 15 m; unsuccessful: 33 m), and novice residents were more site-faithful than former residents. Probability of site fidelity was higher for previously successful females (odds ratio = 4.76), those with greater seasonal fecundity (odds ratio = 1.58), novice residents (odds ratio = 1.41), and unparasitized females (odds ratio = 2.76). Male site fidelity was not related to residency, site quality, or previous breeding performance. Territory fidelity (return to the previous territory) in females was best explained by previous breeding performance, but not by site quality or residency. Previously successful females were more likely to return to their territory of the previous season than either unsuccessful (odds ratio = 14.35) or parasitized birds (odds ratio = 6.38). Male territory fidelity was not related to residency, site quality, or previous breeding performance. Natal philopatry was low (7.8%) and similar for males and females. Site quality appeared to influence philopatry, given that no birds reared at a low-quality study site returned there to breed, and birds reared there dispersed farther than birds reared at two other study sites. My results partially support the hypothesis that site fidelity is an adaptive response: (1) previously successful females that switched territories underperformed those that did not switch (P = 0.01); and (2) previously unsuccessful females that switched territories outperformed those that did not switch, but not significantly (P = 0.22).

[Atmospheric Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Eight Cities of China: Pollution Characteristics and Human Exposure].

PubMed

Lin, Hai-tao; Li, Qi-lu; Zhang, Gan; Li, Jun

2016-01-15

The gas and particle samples of eight cities were collected by high flow active air sampler in the Eastern and Western China and eight congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration of BDE-28 (tri-BDE) in the gas-phase (three bromide components) was the highest, which was different from previous studies where BDE-99 and-47 were the predominant homologues in the gas-phase while the concentration of BDE-209 [(25.4 ± 124) pg · m⁻³] in particle-phase was the highest. The atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs in Beijing and Guangzhou were relatively higher, especially the BDE-209 concentration in particle phases of Guangzhou was two orders higher than those of other cities. However, the atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs declined significantly when compared with the data from previous studies. Meanwhile, the results indicated that the gas-phase concentrations decreased slowly and the particle-phase concentrations decreased rapidly. Combined with the results of correlation analysis, this phenomenon might be ascribed to the ceased commercial production of penta- and octa-BDE, the light degradation of high bromide components and reduced concentrations of atmospheric particles in urban area. Inhalation exposure for infants was about 2-3 times higher than that of adults. This reflected that the potential health risk of atmospheric PBDEs in city for residents, especially infants and young children, should not be ignored.

Age-related prevalence of allergic diseases in Tokyo schoolchildren.

PubMed

Futamura, Masaki; Ohya, Yukihiro; Akashi, Masayuki; Adachi, Yuichi; Odajima, Hiroshi; Akiyama, Kazuo; Akasawa, Akira

2011-12-01

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) has reported the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in many countries. We used the ISAAC core written questionnaire to examine the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in 6- to 14-year old schoolchildren in Tokyo. In 2005, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of all schoolchildren in all public schools located in the Setagaya area of Tokyo. Data were collected from 27,196 children in 95 schools. Prevalence ranged from 10.5% to 18.2% for asthma symptoms and from 10.9% to 19.6% for atopic dermatitis, with both conditions tending to decrease with age. As has been previously reported for all age groups, significantly higher rates of current asthma are observed in boys than in girls. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis exhibited a different pattern from that of asthma and atopic dermatitis, peaking at the age of 10 (34.8%). Prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 1.5 to 2-fold higher than the previous ISAAC studies that were performed in Tochigi and Fukuoka. In all age groups, symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis were more frequent from February to May, which coincides with the Japanese cedar pollen season, and were less frequent between June to September. The prevalence of asthma and atopic dermatitis was higher in younger schoolchildren. Tokyo schoolchildren appear to have extremely high prevalence rates of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

The relative importance of avoidance and restoration-oriented stressors for grief and depression in bereaved parents.

PubMed

Harper, Mairi; O'Connor, Rory C; O'Carroll, Ronan E

2015-01-01

Previous research has identified a number of individual risk factors for parental bereavement including the sex of the parent, the sex of the child, avoidance-focussed coping style and time since death. These factors emerged from research where variables were tested univariately and their relative importance is currently unknown. The current research, therefore, aims to investigate which risk factors are important, multivariately, for the outcomes of grief and depression in parents following the death of their child. Psychosocial measures were completed by 106 bereaved parents four years post-loss, recruited from death records in Scotland. The cause of the child's death included long-term illness and stillbirths as well as sudden and violent deaths. In multivariate regression analyses, depression was predicted by higher avoidance-focussed coping and higher number of restoration-oriented stressors such as relationship difficulties, problems at work and financial issues. Grief was predicted by higher avoidance, restoration stressors and level of continuing bonds. The present study adds to the knowledge about the phenomenon of parental bereavement with participants recruited directly from death records rather than through support, clinical or obituary sources. Factors previously found to be associated with outcomes when tested univariately such as sudden, violent death or sex of the parent were not significant when tested multivariately. This study highlights that different vulnerability factors exist for grief and depression in bereaved parents.

Interaction between FTO rs9939609 and the Native American-origin ABCA1 rs9282541 affects BMI in the admixed Mexican population.

PubMed

Villalobos-Comparán, Marisela; Antuna-Puente, Bárbara; Villarreal-Molina, María Teresa; Canizales-Quinteros, Samuel; Velázquez-Cruz, Rafael; León-Mimila, Paola; Villamil-Ramírez, Hugo; González-Barrios, Juan Antonio; Merino-García, José Luis; Thompson-Bonilla, María Rocío; Jarquin, Diego; Sánchez-Hernández, Osvaldo Erik; Rodríguez-Arellano, Martha Eunice; Posadas-Romero, Carlos; Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto; Campos-Pérez, Francisco; Quiterio, Manuel; Salmerón-Castro, Jorge; Carnevale, Alessandra; Romero-Hidalgo, Sandra

2017-05-02

The aim of this study was to explore whether interactions between FTO rs9939609 and ABCA1 rs9282541 affect BMI and waist circumference (WC), and could explain previously reported population differences in FTO-obesity and FTO-BMI associations in the Mexican and European populations. A total of 3938 adults and 636 school-aged children from Central Mexico were genotyped for both polymorphisms. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue biopsies from 22 class III obesity patients were analyzed for FTO and ABCA1 mRNA expression. Generalized linear models were used to test for associations and gene-gene interactions affecting BMI, WC and FTO expression. FTO and ABCA1 risk alleles were not individually associated with higher BMI or WC. However, in the absence of the ABCA1 risk allele, the FTO risk variant was significantly associated with higher BMI (P = 0.043) and marginally associated with higher WC (P = 0.067), as reported in Europeans. The gene-gene interaction affecting BMI and WC was statistically significant only in adults. FTO mRNA expression in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue according to ABCA1 genotype was consistent with these findings. This is the first report showing evidence of FTO and ABCA1 gene variant interactions affecting BMI, which may explain previously reported population differences. Further studies are needed to confirm this interaction.

Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and In-Hospital Mortality of Venous Thromboembolism in Liver Cirrhosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xintong; Qi, Xingshun; De Stefano, Valerio; Hou, Feifei; Ning, Zheng; Zhao, Jiancheng; Peng, Ying; Li, Jing; Deng, Han; Li, Hongyu; Guo, Xiaozhong

2016-01-01

Background Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), may be increased in liver cirrhosis. We conducted a single-center study to explore the epidemiology, risk factors, and in-hospital mortality of VTE in Chinese patients with liver cirrhosis. Material/Methods All patients with liver cirrhosis who were consecutively admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively included. Results Of 2006 patients with liver cirrhosis included, 9 patients were diagnosed with or developed VTE during hospitalization, including 5 patients with a previous history of DVT, 1 patient with either a previous history of DVT or new onset of PE, and 3 patients with new onset of VTE (PE, n=1; DVT, n=2). Risk factors for VTE included a significantly higher proportion of hypertension and significantly higher red blood cells, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and Child-Pugh scores. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with VTE than those without VTE (33.3% [3/9] versus 3.4% [67/1997], P<0.001). Conclusions VTE was observed in 0.4% of patients with liver cirrhosis during hospitalization and it significantly increased the in-hospital mortality. Elevated PT/INR aggravated the risk of VTE. PMID:27009380

Sex differences in obesity, dietary habits, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshis

PubMed Central

Saquib, Juliann; Saquib, Nazmus; Stefanick, Marcia L.; Khanam, Masuma Akter; Anand, Shuchi; Rahman, Mahbubur; Chertow, Glenn M.; Barry, Michele; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Cullen, Mark R.

2016-01-01

Background The sustained economic growth in Bangladesh during the previous decade has created a substantial middle-class population, who have adequate income to spend on food, clothing, and lifestyle management. Along with the improvements in living standards, has also come negative impact on health for the middle class. The study objective was to assess sex differences in obesity prevalence, diet, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshi. Methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012, we randomly selected 402 adults from Mohammedpur, Dhaka. The sampling technique was multi-stage random sampling. We used standardized questionnaires for data collection and measured height, weight, and waist circumference. Results Mean age (standard deviation) was 49.4 (12.7) years. The prevalence of both generalized (79% vs. 53%) and central obesity (85% vs. 42%) were significantly higher in women than men. Women reported spending more time watching TV and spending less time walking than men (p<.05); however, men reported a higher intake of unhealthy foods such as fast food and soft drinks. Conclusions We conclude that the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher in urban middle-class Bangladeshis than previous urban estimates, and the burden of obesity disproportionately affects women. Future research and public health efforts are needed to address this severe obesity problem and to promote active lifestyles. PMID:27610059

Prediction of binding hot spot residues by using structural and evolutionary parameters.

PubMed

Higa, Roberto Hiroshi; Tozzi, Clésio Luis

2009-07-01

In this work, we present a method for predicting hot spot residues by using a set of structural and evolutionary parameters. Unlike previous studies, we use a set of parameters which do not depend on the structure of the protein in complex, so that the predictor can also be used when the interface region is unknown. Despite the fact that no information concerning proteins in complex is used for prediction, the application of the method to a compiled dataset described in the literature achieved a performance of 60.4%, as measured by F-Measure, corresponding to a recall of 78.1% and a precision of 49.5%. This result is higher than those reported by previous studies using the same data set.

Comparison between flipped classroom and team-based learning in fixed prosthodontic education.

PubMed

Nishigawa, Keisuke; Omoto, Katsuhiro; Hayama, Rika; Okura, Kazuo; Tajima, Toyoko; Suzuki, Yoshitaka; Hosoki, Maki; Shigemoto, Shuji; Ueda, Mayu; Rodis, Omar Marianito Maningo; Matsuka, Yoshizo

2017-04-01

We previously investigated the effects of team-based learning (TBL) on fixed prosthodontic education and reported that TBL could have higher efficiency with high student satisfaction than traditional lecture. In the current report, we introduced flipped classroom to the fixed prosthodontic education and compared their effectiveness based on the final examination score in addition to TBL. Participants were 41 students from Tokushima University School of Dentistry who attended a fixed prosthodontics course. The first six classes adopted the flipped classroom style while the latter eight classes adopted TBL. To evaluate the relationship between learning styles and their effectiveness, we compared results from the term-end examination between the curriculum covered by flipped classroom and TBL-style classes. To draw comparisons, a referential examination with the same questions was conducted to eight faculty members who had not attended any of these classes. Term-end examination results showed that TBL classes had slightly higher scores than flipped classroom classes. Referential examination results also showed higher scores for the same curriculum and no significant interaction was found between class formats and the term-end and referential examination scores. Analysis revealed no noticeable difference in the effectiveness of the class formats. Our previous study reported that TBL had higher efficiency than traditional style lecture. In the current study, there was no statistical difference in the examination score between flipped classroom and TBL. Therefore, we conclude that both styles are highly effective than traditional style lecture and constitute valid formats for clinical dental education. Copyright © 2016 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: psychometric properties of the parent and teacher version in children aged 4-7.

PubMed

Stone, Lisanne L; Janssens, Jan M A M; Vermulst, Ad A; Van Der Maten, Marloes; Engels, Rutger C M E; Otten, Roy

2015-01-01

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is one of the most employed screening instruments. Although there is a large research body investigating its psychometric properties, reliability and validity are not yet fully tested using modern techniques. Therefore, we investigate reliability, construct validity, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the parent and teacher version in children aged 4-7. Besides, we intend to replicate previous studies by investigating test-retest reliability and criterion validity. In a Dutch community sample 2,238 teachers and 1,513 parents filled out questionnaires regarding problem behaviors and parenting, while 1,831 children reported on sociometric measures at T1. These children were followed-up during three consecutive years. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega, construct validity was examined by Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and predictive validity was examined by calculating developmental profiles and linking these to measures of inadequate parenting, parenting stress and social preference. Further, mean scores and percentiles were examined in order to establish norms. Omega was consistently higher than alpha regarding reliability. The original five-factor structure was replicated, and measurement invariance was established on a configural level. Further, higher SDQ scores were associated with future indices of higher inadequate parenting, higher parenting stress and lower social preference. Finally, previous results on test-retest reliability and criterion validity were replicated. This study is the first to show SDQ scores are predictively valid, attesting to the feasibility of the SDQ as a screening instrument. Future research into predictive validity of the SDQ is warranted.

Stress and coping among gay men: age and ethnic differences.

PubMed

David, Steven; Knight, Bob G

2008-03-01

Previous studies suggest that perceived stigmatization of sexual minority status, ethnicity, and age are associated with negative mental health outcomes, and other studies suggest that coping styles may influence these outcomes. However, no studies have examined these relationships among gay men of varying ethnicities and age groups. Three hundred eighty-three Black and White, younger, middle-aged, and older adult gay men completed measures of perceived stigmatization, coping style, and mental health outcomes. Black older adult gay men reported significantly higher levels of perceived ageism than the older White group, significantly higher levels of perceived racism than the younger Black group, significantly higher levels of homonegativity than the younger Black and the White groups, and were more likely to use disengaged coping styles than White gay men. However, Black older adult gay men did not experience significantly higher levels of negative mental health outcomes. Results suggest that further research should examine how older Black gay men, who perceive higher levels of stigma while reporting greater use of less effective coping styles, do not appear to be experiencing more negative mental health outcomes as a result. (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

Exploring the Relationship Between Resilience and Ostomy Adjustment in Adults With a Permanent Ostomy.

PubMed

Scardillo, Jody; Dunn, Karen S; Piscotty, Ronald

2016-01-01

The aims of this study were to describe the relationship between resilience and ostomy adjustment in adults with permanent stomas and to determine if participants who report higher levels of resilience also report higher levels of adjustment to a permanent ostomy. Descriptive, correlational research design utilizing the Roy Adaptation Model as the theoretical framework was used. Persons with permanent stomas were recruited from ostomy support groups on the East Coast of the United States. The study sample included 48 respondents. Their mean age was 66 ± 12.7 years (mean ± SD); the majority (60.4%) were women, had an ileostomy (62.5%), and had a history of inflammatory bowel disease (62.5%). Respondents completed a questionnaire that queried demographic and pertinent clinical data, along with 2 previously validated instruments, the Resilience Scale and Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23. The relationships between levels of resilience, levels of adjustment to an ostomy, and demographic characteristics were examined. Participants with higher levels of ostomy adjustment had higher levels of resilience than respondents who reported lower levels of ostomy adjustment (r = 0.65, P ≤ .01). Findings from this study suggest that higher levels of resilience facilitate adjustment to a permanent ostomy.

Marital status as a predictor of diurnal salivary cortisol levels and slopes in a community sample of healthy adults

PubMed Central

Chin, Brian; Murphy, Michael L. M.; Janicki-Deverts, Denise; Cohen, Sheldon

2017-01-01

Married people tend to be healthier than both the previously (bereaved, divorced, and separated) and never married, but the mechanisms through which this occurs remain unclear. To this end, research has increasingly focused on how psychological stress experienced by unmarried versus married individuals may differentially impact physiological systems related to health. One key system that is modulated by stress is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, of which cortisol is a key hormonal product. Increased cortisol production and disruption of cortisol’s daily rhythm have been linked to poorer health outcomes. This study examined the association between current marital status and these two indices of cortisol in a community sample of 572 healthy men and women aged 21–55. It also tested whether marriage buffers against the effect of stress (perceived stress by marital status interaction) on cortisol production. Participants provided salivary cortisol samples during waking hours on three nonconsecutive separate days to calculate diurnal cortisol levels and slopes. Married individuals had lower cortisol levels than either their never married or previously married counterparts. Differences in cortisol levels were due at least in part to currently married individuals having a more rapid decline in cortisol through the afternoon hours compared to individuals who were never married (but not those who were previously married). Furthermore, there was an interaction between perceived stress and marital status in predicting cortisol levels. Specifically, higher stress was associated with higher cortisol levels for previously married individuals but not for the married or never married. The results of this study support cortisol as one candidate mechanism accounting for the association of marital status and health. PMID:28171850

Factors influencing participation in colorectal cancer screening programs in Spain.

PubMed

Vanaclocha-Espi, Mercedes; Ibáñez, Josefa; Molina-Barceló, Ana; Pérez, Elena; Nolasco, Andreu; Font, Rebeca; Pérez-Riquelme, Francisco; de la Vega, Mariola; Arana-Arri, Eunate; Oceja, MªElena; Espinàs, Josep Alfons; Portillo, Isabel; Salas, Dolores

2017-12-01

To analyze the sociodemographic and organizational factors influencing participation in population-based colorectal cancer screening programs (CRCSP) in Spain, a retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of people invited to participate in the first 3 screening rounds of 6 CRCSP from 2000 to 2012. Mixed logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and organizational factors, such as the type of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) used and the FOBT delivery type. The analysis was performed separately in groups (Initial screening-first invitation, Subsequent invitation for previous never-responders, Subsequent invitation-regular, Subsequent invitation-irregular intervals). The results showed that, in the Initial screening-first invitation group, participation was higher in women than in men in all age groups (OR 1.05 in persons aged 50-59years and OR 1.12 in those aged 60-69years). Participation was also higher when no action was required to receive the FOBT kit, independently of the type of screening (Initial screening-first invitation [OR 2.24], Subsequent invitation for previous never-responders [OR 2.14], Subsequent invitation-regular [OR 2.03], Subsequent invitation-irregular intervals [OR 9.38]) and when quantitative rather than qualitative immunological FOBT (FIT) was offered (Initial screening-first invitation [OR 0.70], Subsequent invitation for previous never-responders [OR 0.12], Subsequent invitation-regular [OR 0.20]) or guaiac testing (Initial screening-first invitation [OR 0.81], Subsequent invitation for previous never-responders [OR 0.88], Subsequent invitation-regular [OR 0.73]). In conclusion, the results of this study show that screening participation could be enhanced by inclusion of the FOBT kit with the screening invitation and the use of the quantitative FIT. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Is ideology a risk factor for PTSD symptom severity among Israeli political evacuees?

PubMed

Oren, Lior; Possick, Chaya

2010-08-01

To study the role of ideology in situations of extreme stress, a research questionnaire, measuring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), settlement ideology (the importance of Jewish settlement in Gaza), and type of evacuation was administered to 326 Jewish residents who were evacuated from Gaza settlements by the Israeli government. Forty percent of the participants met the criteria of probable PTSD. Forcibly evicted individuals reported higher levels of settlement ideology and higher levels of PTSD symptom severity compared to voluntarily evacuated individuals. Contrary to previous studies, ideology was found to be positively associated with PTSD symptom severity. The results are explained by the conservation of resources and terror management theories. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

CXCL4 in undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for systemic sclerosis (SSc) (previously referred to as very early SSc).

PubMed

Valentini, Gabriele; Riccardi, Antonella; Vettori, Serena; Irace, Rosaria; Iudici, Michele; Tolone, Salvatore; Docimo, Ludovico; Bocchino, Marialuisa; Sanduzzi, Alessandro; Cozzolino, Domenico

2017-08-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate CXCL4 levels in undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for SSc (UCTD-SSc-risk) and confirm its increase and investigate its prognostic value. Serum CXCL4 levels were measured in 45 patients and 24 controls. CXCL4 was significantly higher in UCTD-SSc-risk patients than in controls. It resulted higher in patients with a shorter disease duration and in those lacking capillaroscopic alterations. We confirm that CXCL4 levels are increased in UCTD-risk-SSc patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of CXCL4 assessment in UCTD-risk-SSc.

Funding and the Attainment of Transformation Goals in South Africa's Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wangenge-Ouma, Gerald

2010-01-01

The link between the funding of higher education and the attainment of higher education transformation goals in South Africa, especially access by students from previously under-represented communities, is the main focus of this paper. Specifically, the paper examines three questions: (a) How does public funding of higher education encourage (or…

Knowledge Sharing among Academics in Institutions of Higher Learning: A Research Agenda

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramayah, T.; Ignatius, Joshua; Leen, Jasmine Yeap Ai

2009-01-01

This paper presents a research agenda for a funded research project on knowledge sharing among academics in Malaysia. One of the main objectives is to develop validate and measure of knowledge sharing which is suitable for academicians. Previous studies on knowledge sharing have used standard measurement items which do not cater for the multiple…

Single-cell genomics for the masses

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

Tringe, Susannah G.

In this issue of Nature Biotechnology, Lan et al. describe a new tool in the toolkit for studying uncultivated microbial communities, enabling orders of magnitude higher single cell genome throughput than previous methods. This is achieved by a complex droplet microfluidics workflow encompassing steps from physical cell isolation through genome sequencing, producing tens of thousands of lowcoverage genomes from individual cells.

Single-cell genomics for the masses

DOE PAGES

Tringe, Susannah G.

2017-07-12

In this issue of Nature Biotechnology, Lan et al. describe a new tool in the toolkit for studying uncultivated microbial communities, enabling orders of magnitude higher single cell genome throughput than previous methods. This is achieved by a complex droplet microfluidics workflow encompassing steps from physical cell isolation through genome sequencing, producing tens of thousands of lowcoverage genomes from individual cells.

The New Higher Level Classification of Eukaryotes with Emphasis on the Taxonomy of Protists

Treesearch

SINA M. ADL; ALASTAIR G. B. SIMPSON; MARK A. FARMER; ROBERT A. ANDERSEN; O. ROGER ANDERSON; JOHN R. BARTA; SAMUEL S. BOWSER; GUY BRUGEROLLE; ROBERT A. FENSOME; SUZANNE FREDERICQ; TIMOTHY Y. JAMES; SERGEI KARPOV; PAUL KUGRENS; JOHN KRUG; CHRISTOPHER E. LANE; LOUISE A. LEWIS; JEAN LODGE; DENIS H. LYNN; DAVID G. MANN; RICHARD M. MCCOURT; LEONEL MENDOZA; ØJVIND MOESTRUP; SHARON E. MOZLEY-STANDRIDGE; THOMAS A. NERAD; CAROL A. SHEARER; ALEXEY V. SMIRNOV; FREDERICK W. SPIEGEL; MAX F.J.R. TAYLOR

2005-01-01

This revision of the classification of unicellular eukaryotes updates that of Levine et al. (1980) for the protozoa and expands it to include other protists. Whereas the previous revision was primarily to incorporate the results of ultrastructural studies, this revision incorporates results from both ultrastructural research since 1980 and molecular phylogenetic...

Examining the Link between Adult Attachment Style, Employment and Academic Achievement in First Semester Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beauchamp, Guy; Martineau, Marc; Gagnon, André

2016-01-01

Although previous research indicates that both employment and adult attachment style have an influence on academic achievement, the interaction of these two factors has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of adult attachment style on the relationship between employment status and first semester…

Physical Activity and Sports Team Participation: Associations with Academic Outcomes in Middle School and High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fox, Claudia K.; Barr-Anderson, Daheia; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Wall, Melanie

2010-01-01

Background: Previous studies have found that higher physical activity levels are associated with greater academic achievement among students. However, it remains unclear whether associations are due to the physical activity itself or sports team participation, which may involve requirements for maintaining certain grades, for example. The purpose…

Exploring Factors That Influence Technology-Based Distractions in Bring Your Own Device Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kay, Robin; Benzimra, Daniel; Li, Jia

2017-01-01

Previous research on distractions and the use of mobile devices (personal digital assistants, tablet personal computers, or laptops) have been conducted almost exclusively in higher education. The purpose of the current study was to examine the frequency and influence of distracting behaviors in Bring Your Own Device secondary school classrooms.…

One Mission-Centered, Market-Smart Globalization Response: A Case Study of the Georgia Tech-Emory University Biomedical Engineering Curricular Joint Venture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burriss, Annie Hunt

2010-01-01

One innovative, higher-education response to globalization and changing fiscal realities is the curricular joint venture (CJV), a formal collaboration between academic institutions that leverages missions through new joint degrees and research not previously offered by collaborating institutions (Eckel, 2003). In 1997, a pioneering biomedical…

Successful Programs for Undergraduate Women in Science and Engineering: "Adapting" versus "Adopting" the Institutional Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fox, Mary Frank; Sonnert, Gerhard; Nikiforova, Irina

2009-01-01

This article focuses upon programs for undergraduate women in science and engineering, which are a strategic research site in the study of gender, science, and higher education. The design involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches, linking theory, method, questions, and analyses in ways not undertaken previously. Using a comprehensive,…

Reconceptualising Moderation in Asynchronous Online Discussions Using Grounded Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vlachopoulos, Panos; Cowan, John

2010-01-01

This article reports a grounded theory study of the moderation of asynchronous online discussions, to explore the processes by which tutors in higher education decide when and how to moderate. It aims to construct a theory of e-moderation based on some key factors which appear to influence e-moderation. It discusses previous research on the…

The Effects of Developmental Quotient and Diagnostic Criteria on Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Medeiros, Kristen; Kozlowski, Alison M.; Beighley, Jennifer S.; Rojahn, Johannes; Matson, Johnny L.

2012-01-01

Previous research has found that individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and those with greater symptom severity within these diagnoses, show higher rates of aggressive/destructive behavior, stereotypic behavior, and self-injurious behavior. In this exploratory cross-sectional study, toddlers at-risk for a…

Learning as Researchers and Teachers: The Development of a Pedagogical Culture for Social Science Research Methods?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kilburn, Daniel; Nind, Melanie; Wiles, Rose

2014-01-01

In light of calls to improve the capacity for social science research within UK higher education, this article explores the possibilities for an emerging pedagogy for research methods. A lack of pedagogical culture in this field has been identified by previous studies. In response, we examine pedagogical literature surrounding approaches for…

Confronting Similar Challenges? Disabled and Non-Disabled Students' Learning and Assessment Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madriaga, Manuel; Hanson, Katie; Heaton, Caroline; Kay, Helen; Newitt, Sarah; Walker, Ann

2010-01-01

The article presents evidence from a systematic survey of disabled (n = 172) and non-disabled (n = 312) students regarding their learning and assessment experiences within one higher education institution in the UK. This study builds upon previous work in the sector, with the aim of gathering evidence to inform inclusive policy and practice for…

University Applicants' Critical Thinking Skills: The Case of the Finnish Educational Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Utriainen, Jukka; Marttunen, Miika; Kallio, Eeva; Tynjälä, Päivi

2017-01-01

This study investigates the quality of the critical thinking skills of applicants (n = 77) seeking entry to the faculty of educational sciences in a Finnish university and how these skills are associated with the applicant's age, previous higher education experience, and matriculation and entrance examination scores. The data consist of the…

Effect of reserve trees on regeneration in central Wisconsin oak sites

Treesearch

Michael C. Demchik; Kevin M. Schwartz; Elijah Mujuri; Emily E. Demchik

2017-01-01

Anecdotally, higher retention levels after harvest are believed to have a negative impact on oak (Quercus) regeneration accumulation. For this study, harvests with four retention levels of 0, 15, 30, and 45 percent were established to determine the impact of overstory retention on the success of oak regeneration after harvest. Previous research has...

Satisfaction Clustering Analysis of Distance Education Computer Programming Students: A Sample of Karadeniz Technical University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozyurt, Hacer

2014-01-01

In line with recently developing technology, distant education systems based on information technologies are started to be commonly used within higher education. Students' satisfaction is one of the vital aspects in order to maintain distant education efficiently and achieving its goal. As a matter of the fact, previous studies proved that student…

The Effects of Jigsaw Learning on Students' Attitudes in a Vietnamese Higher Education Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tran, Van Dat; Lewis, Ramon

2012-01-01

As a part of an experimental study on the effects of jigsaw learning on Vietnamese tertiary students' achievement and knowledge retention, students' attitudes towards six weeks of this kind of instruction were assessed. As noted in our previous report, students in the experimental group (N = 40), who perceived their instruction as more cooperative…

Behavioral Health and Adjustment to College Life for Student Service Members/Veterans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schonfeld, Lawrence; Braue, Lawrence A.; Stire, Sheryl; Gum, Amber M.; Cross, Brittany L.; Brown, Lisa M.

2015-01-01

Objective: Increasing numbers of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) are enrolling in college. However, little is known about how their previous military experience affects their adjustment to this new role. The present study tested the hypothesis that SSM/Vs who report adjustment problems in college have a higher incidence of posttraumatic…

From Accountability to Actionability: Making Sense of Multiple Measures in Local Control Accountability Plans. Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beach, Paul; Thier, Michael; Lench, Sarah Collins; Coleman, Matt

2015-01-01

"Understanding Entry-Level Courses in American Institutions of Higher Education" outlines a study conducted by EPIC that empirically identifies the characteristics of work at the college- and career-readiness level in English/language arts, science, and social sciences courses. Using a previously collected national sample of over two…

The Interaction of Attitudes toward Racial Membership and Learning Ability in School-Age Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nowicki, Elizabeth A.

2008-01-01

Although prejudice exists during childhood, it is unclear how attitudes toward peers of lower or higher academic ability and from one's own or a different racial group interact. This study qualifies previous research by showing that prejudice varies according to whether children are asked to evaluate peers based on academic ability, racial…

Using Asynchronous Online Discussion to Learn Introductory Programming: An Exploratory Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kay, Robin

2006-01-01

Previous research on online discussions has focused on university students learning higher level subjects. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether online discussions could be used effectively by secondary school students attempting to learn introductory level topics. Forty-­five male students, ranging in age from 13 to 15 years…

Media, Millennials, and the Academy: Understanding the State of Media Literacy within Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmidt, H. C.

2012-01-01

While the perception exists that today's university students are digital natives, comfortable with all forms of new media and digital technology, previous research has suggested that there may be limits to our students' media savvy. This study considers the extent to which students possess competencies related to the message communication…

The new higher level classification of eukaryotes with emphasis on the taxonomy of protists

Treesearch

Sina M. Adl; Alastair G.B. Simpson; Mark A. Farmer; Robert A. Andersen; O. Roger Anderson; John R. Barta; Samuel S. Bowser; Guy Brugerolle; Robert A. Fensome; Suzanne Fredericq; Timothy Y. James; Sergei Karpov; Paul Kugrens; John Krug; Christopher E. Lane; Louise A. Lewis; Jean Lodge; Denis H. Lynn; David G. Mann; Richard M. McCourt; Leonel Mendoza; Ojvind Moestrup; Sharon E. Mozley-Standridge; Thomas A. Nerad; Carol A. Shearer; Alexey V. Smirnov; Frederick W. Speigel; Max F.J.R. Taylor

2005-01-01

This revision of the classification of unicellular eukaryotes updates that of Levine et al. (1980) for the protozoa and expands it to include other protists. Whereas the previous revision was primarily to incorporate the results of ultrastructural studies, this revision incorporates results from both ultrastructural research since 1980 and molecular phylogenetic...

Earth Science

NASA Image and Video Library

1993-03-29

Small Expendable Deployer System (SEDS) is a tethered date collecting satellite and is intended to demonstrate a versatile and economical way of delivering smaller payloads to higher orbits or downward toward Earth's atmosphere. 19th Navstar Global Positioning System Satellite mission joined with previously launched satellites used for navigational purposes and geodite studies. These satellites are used commercially as well as by the military.

A Review of the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Asia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sun, Xiang; Allison, Carrie

2010-01-01

Electronic databases and bibliographies were searched for English language articles on the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Asia over time to estimate prevalence. The overall reported prevalence of ASD in recent studies was higher than the previously reported in Asia. The average prevalence of ASD before 1980 was around 1.9/10,000 while…

Managing Academic Tasks in Junior High School: Background, Design, and Methodology. (R & D Rep. No. 6185).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Walter; And Others

This report describes the conceptual background, design, and methodology for a study of management of academic tasks in junior high school. Previous research suggests that tasks students accomplish in classrooms determine what they actually learn, and acquisition of higher cognitive skills related to interpretation and planning is essential for…

The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Academic Progress and Achievement in UK University Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pope, Debbie; Roper, Claire; Qualter, Pamela

2012-01-01

Previous research has found relationships between higher levels of emotional intelligence (EI) and academic success in both adolescents and adults. This study examines the relationship between overall EI and specific EI competencies in 135 undergraduate psychology students in the UK. EI was measured at the start of a psychology degree course using…

Gender Differences in College Leisure Time Physical Activity: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Integrated Behavioral Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beville, Jill M.; Umstattd Meyer, M. Renée; Usdan, Stuart L.; Turner, Lori W.; Jackson, John C.; Lian, Brad E.

2014-01-01

Objective: National data consistently report that males participate in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) at higher rates than females. This study expanded previous research to examine gender differences in LTPA of college students using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) by including 2 additional constructs, descriptive norm and…

Promoting the Wellbeing and Social Inclusion of Students through Visual Art at University: An Open Arts Pilot Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Margrove, K. L.

2015-01-01

The proportion of students studying in higher education institutions who are experiencing mental health needs and social isolation is increasing. Innovative ways to improve wellbeing and social inclusion are urgently required, as the growing demands on student counselling services exceed capacity. Previous research in a variety of different…

The Relationship between Intrinsic Motivation and Academic Achievement for First Generation Latino College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trevino, Naomi Noel; DeFreitas, Stacie Craft

2014-01-01

Hispanic students are pursuing higher education more than in previous years and they often represent their family as the first member to attend college (Strage in "Coll Stud J" 33:198-205, 1999). Past educational research has studied the influence of intrinsic motivation on academic achievement in various ethnically diverse elementary,…

Reflecting on the Think-Aloud Method for Evaluating E-Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cotton, Deborah; Gresty, Karen

2006-01-01

E-learning is increasingly being used in higher education settings, yet research examining how students use e-resources is frequently limited. Some previous studies have used the think-aloud method (an approach with origins in cognitive psychology) as an alternative to the more usual questionnaire or focus groups, but there is little discussion in…

Stress for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Effects of Age, Gender, and Intelligence Quotient

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hess, Kristen Louise

2009-01-01

Researchers previously have found that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience higher levels of stress and anxiety than individuals who are typically developing and than those with other disabilities. The purpose of this study was to identify the nature and degree of stress reported for individuals with ASD, with particular…

New Directions for Academic Libraries in Research Staffing: A Case Study at National University of Ireland Galway

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cox, John

2017-01-01

New research needs, global developments and local shifts in emphasis are demanding a broader range of interactions by librarians with researchers and are challenging previous staffing structures. Research has a higher institutional profile and academic libraries have responded by creating new roles and staffing models, with stronger linkage across…

The Role of Learning Technologists in Supporting E-Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peacock, Susi; Robertson, Ann; Williams, Sarah; Clausen, Maria Giatsi

2009-01-01

This article explores how the role of learning technologists, a professional group that has emerged during the last 15 to 20 years, may be diversifying to include supporting e-research. It contributes to the current debate about the emerging profession and the roles it should play in contemporary higher education. Previous studies have shown that,…

Levels of Engagement and Barriers to Physical Activity in a Population of Adults with Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawkins, Andrew; Look, Roger

2006-01-01

This study examined levels of, and barriers to, physical activity in a population of 19 adults with learning disabilities living in community supported accommodation, using diary records and semi-structured interviews with staff. The levels of physical activity were higher in the sample population than previous figures for adults with learning…

A conditional Poisson analysis of fine particulate matter and U.S. Medicare hospitalization, 1999-2010, by individual-level chronic health conditions.

EPA Science Inventory

Background/Aim: A previous analysis suggested that U.S. counties with higher county-level prevalence of chronic conditions had stronger associations of mortality with fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study assesses the modification of the effect of PM2.5 on daily hospitaliz...

Linkages between Approaches to Learning, Perceived Stress and Expected and Actual Academic Outcomes among First-Semester Psychology Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Öhrstedt, Maria; Lindfors, Petra

2018-01-01

Previous research indicates that higher educational students' perceptions of stress are in part related to the teaching and learning context, and influence academic outcomes. This study intends to deepen our understanding of these processes by examining the linkages between approaches to learning, perceived stress and expected and actual academic…

Alignment of Teacher and Student Perceptions on the Continued Use of Business Simulation Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tao, Yu-Hui; Cheng, Chieh-Jen; Sun, Szu-Yuan

2012-01-01

The higher education system in Taiwan has increasingly adopted business simulation games (BSGs) in recent years. Previous BSG benefit research has shifted focus from learning performance to motivation due to mixed results. One recent study empirically investigated student perceptions on the continued use of BSGs; however, the counterpart of higher…

Enhancing Students' Computer Programming Performances, Critical Thinking Awareness and Attitudes towards Programming: An Online Peer-Assessment Attempt

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Xiao-Ming; Hwang, Gwo-Jen; Liang, Zi-Yun; Wang, Hsiu-Ying

2017-01-01

It has become an important and challenging issue to foster students' concepts and skills of computer programming. Scholars believe that programming training could promote students' higher order thinking performance; however, many school teachers have reported the difficulty of teaching programming courses. Although several previous studies have…