10 years of denosumab treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: results from the phase 3 randomised FREEDOM trial and open-label extension.

PubMed

Bone, Henry G; Wagman, Rachel B; Brandi, Maria L; Brown, Jacques P; Chapurlat, Roland; Cummings, Steven R; Czerwiński, Edward; Fahrleitner-Pammer, Astrid; Kendler, David L; Lippuner, Kurt; Reginster, Jean-Yves; Roux, Christian; Malouf, Jorge; Bradley, Michelle N; Daizadeh, Nadia S; Wang, Andrea; Dakin, Paula; Pannacciulli, Nicola; Dempster, David W; Papapoulos, Socrates

2017-07-01

Long-term safety and efficacy of osteoporosis treatment are important because of the chronic nature of the disease. We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of denosumab, which is widely used for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In the multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 FREEDOM trial, postmenopausal women aged 60-90 years with osteoporosis were enrolled in 214 centres in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Australasia and were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 60 mg subcutaneous denosumab or placebo every 6 months for 3 years. All participants who completed the FREEDOM trial without discontinuing treatment or missing more than one dose of investigational product were eligible to enrol in the open-label, 7-year extension, in which all participants received denosumab. The data represent up to 10 years of denosumab exposure for women who received 3 years of denosumab in FREEDOM and continued in the extension (long-term group), and up to 7 years for women who received 3 years of placebo and transitioned to denosumab in the extension (crossover group). The primary outcome was safety monitoring, comprising assessments of adverse event incidence and serious adverse event incidence, changes in safety laboratory analytes (ie, serum chemistry and haematology), and participant incidence of denosumab antibody formation. Secondary outcomes included new vertebral, hip, and non-vertebral fractures as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and one-third radius. Analyses were done according to the randomised FREEDOM treatment assignments. All participants who received at least one dose of investigational product in FREEDOM or the extension were included in the combined safety analyses. All participants who enrolled in the extension with observed data were included in the efficacy analyses. The FREEDOM trial (NCT00089791) and its extension (NCT00523341) are both registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. Between Aug 3, 2004, and June 1, 2005, 7808 women were enrolled in the FREEDOM study. 5928 (76%) women were eligible for enrolment in the extension, and of these, 4550 (77%) were enrolled (2343 long-term, 2207 crossover) between Aug 7, 2007, and June 20, 2008. 2626 women (1343 long-term; 1283 crossover) completed the extension. The yearly exposure-adjusted participant incidence of adverse events for all individuals receiving denosumab decreased from 165·3 to 95·9 per 100 participant-years over the course of 10 years. Serious adverse event rates were generally stable over time, varying between 11·5 and 14·4 per 100 participant-years. One atypical femoral fracture occurred in each group during the extension. Seven cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw were reported in the long-term group and six cases in the crossover group. The yearly incidence of new vertebral fractures (ranging from 0·90% to 1·86%) and non-vertebral fractures (ranging from 0·84% to 2·55%) remained low during the extension, similar to rates observed in the denosumab group during the first three years of the FREEDOM study, and lower than rates projected for a virtual long-term placebo cohort. In the long-term group, BMD increased from FREEDOM baseline by 21·7% at the lumbar spine, 9·2% at total hip, 9·0% at femoral neck, and 2·7% at the one-third radius. In the crossover group, BMD increased from extension baseline by 16·5% at the lumbar spine, 7·4% at total hip, 7·1% at femoral neck, and 2·3% at one-third radius. Denosumab treatment for up to 10 years was associated with low rates of adverse events, low fracture incidence compared with that observed during the original trial, and continued increases in BMD without plateau. Amgen. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigating the Effect of Extensive Reading on EFL Learners' Reading Attitudes at Hail University in KSA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salameh, Lina Abedelqader Mohmmad

2017-01-01

Extensive reading approach (ER) has received conceptual support from views and theories that prioritize the importance of input in second language acquisition. ER is probably one of the easiest ways to implement an input-rich learning environment in a pedagogical setting. Accordingly, the current study is an attempt to investigate the effect of ER…

Effect of knee joint icing on knee extension strength and knee pain early after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized cross-over study.

PubMed

Holm, Bente; Husted, Henrik; Kehlet, Henrik; Bandholm, Thomas

2012-08-01

To investigate the acute effect of knee joint icing on knee extension strength and knee pain in patients shortly after total knee arthroplasty. A prospective, single-blinded, randomized, cross-over study. A fast-track orthopaedic arthroplasty unit at a university hospital. Twenty patients (mean age 66 years; 10 women) scheduled for primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. The patients were treated on two days (day 7 and day 10) postoperatively. On one day they received 30 minutes of knee icing (active treatment) and on the other day they received 30 minutes of elbow icing (control treatment). The order of treatments was randomized. Maximal knee extension strength (primary outcome), knee pain at rest and knee pain during the maximal knee extensions were measured 2-5 minutes before and 2-5 minutes after both treatments by an assessor blinded for active or control treatment. The change in knee extension strength associated with knee icing was not significantly different from that of elbow icing (knee icing change (mean (1 SD)) -0.01 (0.07) Nm/kg, elbow icing change -0.02 (0.07) Nm/kg, P = 0.493). Likewise, the changes in knee pain at rest (P = 0.475), or knee pain during the knee extension strength measurements (P = 0.422) were not different between treatments. In contrast to observations in experimental knee effusion models and inflamed knee joints, knee joint icing for 30 minutes shortly after total knee arthroplasty had no acute effect on knee extension strength or knee pain.

Post-coma persons with multiple disabilities use assistive technology for their leisure engagement and communication.

PubMed

Lancioni, Giulio E; Singh, Nirbhay N; O'Reilly, Mark F; Sigafoos, Jeff; Oliva, Doretta; Buonocunto, Francesca; Sacco, Valentina; D'Amico, Fiora; Navarro, Jorge; Lanzilotti, Crocifissa; De Tommaso, Marina; Megna, Marisa

2014-01-01

Interventions for post-coma persons, who have emerged from a minimally conscious state but present with extensive neuro-motor impairment and lack of or minimal verbal skills, need to promote occupation and communication through the use of assistive technology. These two studies were aimed at assessing two technology-aided programs to promote leisure engagement and communication for three post-coma participants with multiple disabilities. Study I assessed a program to allow a woman and a man with extensive neuro-motor impairment and lack of speech to switch on music and videos, make requests to caregivers, and send messages to (communicate with) relevant partners and receive messages from those partners. Study II assessed a program to allow a post-coma woman with extensive motor impairment and reduced verbal behavior to activate music, videos and requests, send and receive messages, and make telephone calls. Data showed that both programs were successful. The participants of Study I managed leisure engagement, requests, as well as text messaging. The participant of Study II showed consistent leisure engagement, text messaging, and telephone calls. Assistive technology can be profitably used to provide post-coma persons with multiple disabilities relevant leisure and communication opportunities.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer: a single institution experience.

PubMed

Naidoo, J; Kehoe, M; Sasiadek, W; Hacking, D; Calvert, P

2014-03-01

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is used to prevent the development of brain metastases in small cell lung carcinoma. PCI confers an overall survival (OS) benefit in both limited and extensive stage disease. We analyze the incidence of symptomatic brain metastases, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in a cohort of patients who received PCI, in a 5-year period. A retrospective review of all patients who had received PCI between 2006 and 2011 at the Whitfield Clinic was completed. Patient- and disease-related characteristics, the number of patients who developed brain metastases, PFS and OS data were collected. 24 patients were identified. 14 (58.3 %) patients were male, 10 (41.7 %) were female, with a mean age of 62.5 years (range 31-78). All patients were smokers. 12 (50 %) patients had limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 12 (50 %) had extensive stage disease. 2 (8.2 %) patients developed brain metastases post PCI (p = 0.478.) The median PFS for limited stage SCLC was 13 months (range 3-20) and 10 months (range 5-18) for extensive stage SCLC. Median OS was 15 months (range 4-29) in limited stage SCLC, and 11 months (range 5-29) in extensive stage SCLC. Our study demonstrated a low incidence of symptomatic brain metastases and favourable median PFS and OS in the patients that received PCI, when compared to published phase III data.

75 FR 46885 - Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 and Satellite Home Viewer Extension and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-04

... determining the ability of individual locations, through the use of an antenna, to receive signals in... the ability of individual locations, through the use of an antenna, to receive signals in accordance... broadcast signal at the intensity level needed for service [[Page 46886

A Proposal for Public and Private Partnership in Extension.

PubMed

Krell, Rayda K; Fisher, Marc L; Steffey, Kevin L

2016-01-01

Public funding for Extension in the United States has been decreasing for many years, but farmers' need for robust information on which to make management decisions has not diminished. The current Extension funding challenges provide motivation to explore a different model for developing and delivering extension. The private sector has partnered with the public sector to fund and conduct agricultural research, but partnering on extension delivery has occurred far less frequently. The fundamental academic strength and established Extension network of the public sector combined with the ability of the private sector to encourage and deliver practical, implementable solutions has the potential to provide measurable benefits to farmers. This paper describes the current Extension climate, presents data from a survey about Extension and industry relationships, presents case studies of successful public- and private-sector extension partnerships, and proposes a framework for evaluating the state of effective partnerships. Synergistic public-private extension efforts could ensure that farmers receive the most current and balanced information available to help with their management decisions.

A Proposal for Public and Private Partnership in Extension

PubMed Central

Krell, Rayda K.; Fisher, Marc L.; Steffey, Kevin L.

2016-01-01

Public funding for Extension in the United States has been decreasing for many years, but farmers’ need for robust information on which to make management decisions has not diminished. The current Extension funding challenges provide motivation to explore a different model for developing and delivering extension. The private sector has partnered with the public sector to fund and conduct agricultural research, but partnering on extension delivery has occurred far less frequently. The fundamental academic strength and established Extension network of the public sector combined with the ability of the private sector to encourage and deliver practical, implementable solutions has the potential to provide measurable benefits to farmers. This paper describes the current Extension climate, presents data from a survey about Extension and industry relationships, presents case studies of successful public- and private-sector extension partnerships, and proposes a framework for evaluating the state of effective partnerships. Synergistic public–private extension efforts could ensure that farmers receive the most current and balanced information available to help with their management decisions. PMID:26949567

Article comprising a garment or other textile structure for use in controlling body temperature

DOEpatents

Butzer, Melissa J.

2000-01-01

There is disclosed an article for use in cooling body temperature which comprises a garment having a coat and pant, with each having a body section adapted to receive a portion of the torso of the wearer and extensions from the body section to receive the wearer's limbs. The garment includes a system for circulating temperature controlling fluid from a suitable source through patches removably received in pockets in each of body section and extensions.

Mirror therapy for distal radial fractures: A pilot randomized controlled study.

PubMed

Bayon-Calatayud, Manuel; Benavente-Valdepeñas, Ana Maria; Del Prado Vazquez-Muñoz, Maria

2016-10-12

To investigate the efficacy of mirror therapy in reducing pain and disability in patients with distal radial fractures. Pilot randomized controlled study. Twenty-two patients with closed distal radial fracture. Patients were randomly assigned to experimental (= 11) or control (= 11) groups. Researchers were blinded to group allocation. Both groups received conventional physiotherapy. In addition, the experimental group had 15 sessions of mirror therapy (a daily session, 30 min). The control group received the same amount of conventional occupational therapy. Assessment was made from baseline to post-treatment. Pain was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Active wrist extension and Quick-DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) were used to assess functional recovery. Pain, disability, and range of motion improved for both groups after intervention. No significant post-treatment differences were found between groups in Quick-DASH (= 0.409), active wrist extension (= 0.191) and VAS scores (= 0.807). There was no significant difference in active wrist extension between groups. Mirror therapy was not superior to conventional occupational therapy in reducing pain and disability.

Evaluation of the Mental Healthiness Aging Initiative: community program to promote awareness about mental health and aging issues.

PubMed

Zanjani, Faika; Kruger, Tina; Murray, Deborah

2012-04-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate the Mental Healthiness Aging Initiative, designed to promote community awareness and knowledge about mental health and aging issues. This study occurred during 2007-2009 in 67 of 120 counties in Kentucky. A rural region (11 counties) received the intervention, consisting of focus groups, Extension Agent training, and television-based social marketing campaign. Partial-intervention counties (29 counties) received only the television-based social marketing campaign. The control counties (27 counties) received no intervention activities. Results indicated that the intervention counties agreed more with being able to assist elder adults with a potential mental illness. Also, the intervention counties understood the risk of consuming alcohol and medications better, but had a poorer recognition of drinking problems in elder adults. These findings need to be considered within study limitations, such as measurement error, degree of intervention exposure, and regional differences across intervention groups. The study demonstrates that community interventions on mental health awareness and knowledge are feasible within majority rural regions, with Extension Agents being gatekeepers, for promoting positive messages about mental health and aging issues.

Efficacy of Vismodegib (Erivedge) for Basal Cell Carcinoma Involving the Orbit and Periocular Area.

PubMed

Demirci, Hakan; Worden, Francis; Nelson, Christine C; Elner, Victor M; Kahana, Alon

2015-01-01

Evaluate the effectiveness of vismodegib in the management of basal cell carcinoma with orbital extension and/or extensive periocular involvement. Retrospective chart review of 6 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven orbital basal cell carcinoma and 2 additional patients with extensive periocular basal cell carcinoma who were treated with oral vismodegib (150 mg/day) was performed. Basal cell carcinoma extended in the orbit in 6 of 8 patients (involving orbital bones in 1 patient), and 2 of 8 patients had extensive periocular involvement (1 with basal cell nevus syndrome). Vismodegib therapy was the only treatment in 6 patients, off-label neoadjuvant in 1 patient, and adjuvant treatment in 1 patient. Orbital tumors in all 4 patients who received vismodegib as sole treatment showed partial response with a mean 83% shrinkage in tumor size after a median of 7 months of therapy. In the 2 patients receiving vismodegib as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies, there was complete response after a median of 7 months of therapy and no evidence of clinical recurrence after discontinuing therapy for a median of 15 months. The 2 patients with extensive periocular involvement experienced complete clinical response after a median 14 months of treatment. During treatment, the most common side effects were muscle spasm (75%) followed by alopecia (50%), dysgeusia (25%), dysosmia, and episodes of diarrhea and constipation (13%). Basal cell carcinoma with orbital extension and extensive periocular involvement responds to vismodegib therapy. The long-term prognosis remains unknown, and additional prospective studies are indicated.

Challenges to the Lake

EPA Science Inventory

During the past decade we have extensively studied coastal ecosystems in the Great Lakes. Some research efforts have linked coastal receiving systems to conditions in their contributing watersheds; others have focused on developing invasive species detection and monitoring strat...

Assessment of safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with combination lumacaftor and ivacaftor therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation (PROGRESS): a phase 3, extension study.

PubMed

Konstan, Michael W; McKone, Edward F; Moss, Richard B; Marigowda, Gautham; Tian, Simon; Waltz, David; Huang, Xiaohong; Lubarsky, Barry; Rubin, Jaime; Millar, Stefanie J; Pasta, David J; Mayer-Hamblett, Nicole; Goss, Christopher H; Morgan, Wayne; Sawicki, Gregory S

2017-02-01

The 24-week safety and efficacy of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy was shown in two randomised controlled trials (RCTs)-TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT-in patients with cystic fibrosis who were aged 12 years or older and homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of extended lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in this group of patients in PROGRESS, the long-term extension of TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT. PROGRESS was a phase 3, parallel-group, multicentre, 96-week study of patients who completed TRAFFIC or TRANSPORT in 191 sites in 15 countries. Patients were eligible if they were at least 12 years old with cystic fibrosis and homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. Exclusion criteria included any comorbidity or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the results of the study or pose an additional risk in administering the study drug to the participant, history of drug intolerance, and history of poor compliance with the study drug. Patients who previously received active treatment in TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC remained on the same dose in PROGRESS. Patients who had received placebo in TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive lumacaftor (400 mg every 12 h)/ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h) or lumacaftor (600 mg once daily)/ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h). The primary outcome was to assess the long-term safety of combined therapy. The estimated annual rate of decline in percent predicted FEV 1 (ppFEV 1 ) in treated patients was compared with that of a matched registry cohort. Efficacy analyses were based on modified intention-to-treat, such that data were included for all patients who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01931839. Between Oct 24, 2013, and April 7, 2016, 1030 patients from the TRANSPORT and TRAFFIC studies enrolled in PROGRESS, and 1029 received at least one dose of study drug. 340 patients continued treatment with lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h; 176 patients who had received placebo in the TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC studies initiated treatment with lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h, the commercially available dose, for which data are presented. The most common adverse events were infective pulmonary exacerbations, cough, increased sputum, and haemoptysis. Modest blood pressure increases seen in TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT were also observed in PROGRESS. For patients continuing treatment, the mean change from baseline in ppFEV 1 was 0·5 (95% CI -0·4 to 1·5) at extension week 72 and 0·5 (-0·7 to 1·6) at extension week 96; change in BMI was 0·69 (0·56 to 0·81) at extension week 72 and 0·96 (0·81 to 1·11) at extension week 96. The annualised pulmonary exacerbation rate in patients continuing treatment through extension week 96 (0·65, 0·56 to 0·75) remained lower than the placebo rate in TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT. The annualised rate of ppFEV 1 decline was reduced in lumacaftor/ivacaftor-treated patients compared with matched controls (-1·33, -1·80 to -0·85 vs -2·29, -2·56 to -2·03). The efficacy and safety profile of the lumacaftor 600 mg once daily/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h groups was generally similar to that of the lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h groups. The long-term safety profile of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy was consistent with previous RCTs. Benefits continued to be observed with longer-term treatment, and lumacaftor/ivacaftor was associated with a 42% slower rate of ppFEV 1 decline than in matched registry controls. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Fulranumab in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Osteoarthritis Pain: A Phase II Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Extension Study.

PubMed

Sanga, Panna; Katz, Nathaniel; Polverejan, Elena; Wang, Steven; Kelly, Kathleen M; Haeussler, Juergen; Thipphawong, John

2017-04-01

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of fulranumab in patients with knee or hip pain caused by moderate-to-severe chronic osteoarthritis (OA). In this phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled extension study, patients who were randomized in equal proportions to receive subcutaneous doses of either placebo or fulranumab (1 mg every 4 weeks, 3 mg every 8 weeks, 3 mg every 4 weeks, 6 mg every 8 weeks, or 10 mg every 8 weeks) in the 12-week double-blind efficacy phase and who completed this double-blind efficacy phase were eligible to continue the dosage throughout a 92-week double-blind extension phase, followed by a 24-week posttreatment follow-up period. Safety assessments included evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), pre-identified AEs of interest, and joint replacements. Efficacy assessments included changes from baseline to the end of the double-blind extension phase in scores on the patient's global assessment and the pain and physical function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Overall, 401 of the 423 patients who completed the 12-week double-blind efficacy phase entered the extension study. Long-term sustained improvements were observed in all efficacy parameters following fulranumab treatment (1 mg every 4 weeks, 3 mg every 4 weeks, and 10 mg every 8 weeks) as compared with placebo. Similar percentages of patients in both groups experienced TEAEs (88% taking placebo and 91% taking fulranumab; all phases). Across all fulranumab groups, arthralgia (21%) and OA (18%) (e.g., exacerbation of OA pain) were the most common TEAEs. The most common serious TEAEs were the requirement for knee (10%) and hip (7%) arthroplasty, with 80% occurring during the posttreatment follow-up period. Neurologic-related TEAEs (28%; all phases) were generally mild-to-moderate. Overall, 81 joint replacements were performed in 71 patients (8 [11%] receiving placebo and 63 [89%] receiving fulranumab); 15 patients (21%) had rapid progression of OA (RPOA). All cases of RPOA occurred in fulranumab-treated patients who were concurrently receiving nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and occurred in joints with preexisting OA. Long-term treatment with fulranumab was generally well-tolerated and efficacious. RPOA was observed as a safety signal. Future studies are warranted to demonstrate whether the risk of RPOA can be reduced in patients taking fulranumab. © 2016, American College of Rheumatology.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Tapentadol Extended Release Following up to 2 Years of Treatment in Patients With Moderate to Severe, Chronic Pain: Results of an Open-label Extension Trial.

PubMed

Buynak, Robert; Rappaport, Stephen A; Rod, Kevin; Arsenault, Pierre; Heisig, Fabian; Rauschkolb, Christine; Etropolski, Mila

2015-11-01

Tapentadol extended release (ER) has demonstrated efficacy and safety for the management of moderate to severe, chronic pain in adults. This study evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of tapentadol ER in patients with chronic osteoarthritis or low back pain. Patients were enrolled in this 1-year, open-label extension study after completing one of two 15-week, placebo-controlled studies of tapentadol ER and oxycodone controlled release (CR) for osteoarthritis knee pain (NCT00421928) or low back pain (NCT00449176), a 7-week crossover study between tapentadol immediate release and tapentadol ER for low back pain (NCT00594516), or a 1-year safety study of tapentadol ER and oxycodone CR for osteoarthritis or low back pain (NCT00361504). After titrating the drug to an optimal dose, patients received tapentadol ER (100-250 mg BID) for up to 1 year (after finishing treatment in the preceding studies); patients who were previously treated with tapentadol ER in the 1-year safety study received tapentadol ER continuously for up to 2 years in total. Of the 1,154 patients in the safety population, 82.7% were aged >65 years and 57.9% were female; 50.1% had mild baseline pain intensity. Mean (SD) pain intensity scores (11-point numerical rating scale) were 3.9 (2.38) at baseline (end of preceding study) and 3.7 (2.42) at end point, indicating that pain relief was maintained during the extension study. Improvements in measures of quality of life (eg, EuroQol-5 Dimension and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) health status questionnaires) achieved during the preceding studies were maintained during the open-label extension study. Tapentadol ER was associated with a safety and tolerability profile comparable to that observed in the preceding studies. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (incidence ≥10%; n = 1154) were headache (13.1%), nausea (11.8%), and constipation (11.1%). Similar efficacy and tolerability results were shown for patients who received up to 2 years of tapentadol ER treatment. Pain relief and improvements in quality of life achieved during the preceding studies were maintained throughout this extension study, during which tapentadol ER was well tolerated for the long-term treatment of chronic osteoarthritis or low back pain over up to 2 years of treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00487435.). Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Study of cost structures and cost finding procedures in the regulated transportation industries

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1959-11-01

The study of transportation costs is an extensive, relatively neglected, but dynamic subject. In view of its importance to the well-being of the national transportation network, it is a subject that bids fair to receive increasing attention, although...

Defining Audience Segments for Extension Programming Using Reported Water Conservation Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monaghan, Paul; Ott, Emily; Wilber, Wendy; Gouldthorpe, Jessica; Racevskis, Laila

2013-01-01

A tool from social marketing can help Extension agents understand distinct audience segments among their constituents. Defining targeted audiences for Extension programming is a first step to influencing behavior change among the public. An online survey was conducted using an Extension email list for urban households receiving a monthly lawn and…

Immunonutrition - the influence of early postoperative glutamine supplementation in enteral/parenteral nutrition on immune response, wound healing and length of hospital stay in multiple trauma patients and patients after extensive surgery.

PubMed

Lorenz, Kai J; Schallert, Reiner; Daniel, Volker

2015-01-01

In the postoperative phase, the prognosis of multiple trauma patients with severe brain injuries as well as of patients with extensive head and neck surgery mainly depends on protein metabolism and the prevention of septic complications. Wound healing problems can also result in markedly longer stays in the intensive care unit and general wards. As a result, the immunostimulation of patients in the postoperative phase is expected to improve their immunological and overall health. A study involving 15 patients with extensive ENT tumour surgery and 7 multiple-trauma patients investigated the effect of enteral glutamine supplementation on immune induction, wound healing and length of hospital stay. Half of the patients received a glutamine-supplemented diet. The control group received an isocaloric, isonitrogenous diet. In summary, we found that total lymphocyte counts, the percentage of activated CD4+DR+ T helper lymphocytes, the in-vitro response of lymphocytes to mitogens, as well as IL-2 plasma levels normalised faster in patients who received glutamine-supplemented diets than in patients who received isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets and that these parameters were even above normal by the end of the second postoperative week. We believe that providing critically ill patients with a demand-oriented immunostimulating diet is fully justified as it reduces septic complications, accelerates wound healing, and shortens the length of ICU (intensive care unit) and general ward stays.

Long-term effects of the iron-based phosphate binder, sucroferric oxyhydroxide, in dialysis patients.

PubMed

Floege, Jürgen; Covic, Adrian C; Ketteler, Markus; Mann, Johannes F E; Rastogi, Anjay; Spinowitz, Bruce; Chong, Edward M F; Gaillard, Sylvain; Lisk, Laura J; Sprague, Stuart M

2015-06-01

Hyperphosphatemia necessitates the use of phosphate binders in most dialysis patients. Long-term efficacy and tolerability of the iron-based phosphate binder, sucroferric oxyhydroxide (previously known as PA21), was compared with that of sevelamer carbonate (sevelamer) in an open-label Phase III extension study. In the initial Phase III study, hemo- or peritoneal dialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia were randomized 2:1 to receive sucroferric oxyhydroxide 1.0-3.0 g/day (2-6 tablets/day; n = 710) or sevelamer 2.4-14.4 g/day (3-18 tablets/day; n = 349) for 24 weeks. Eligible patients could enter the 28-week extension study, continuing the same treatment and dose they were receiving at the end of the initial study. Overall, 644 patients were available for efficacy analysis (n = 384 sucroferric oxyhydroxide; n = 260 sevelamer). Serum phosphorus concentrations were maintained during the extension study. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) change in serum phosphorus concentrations from extension study baseline to Week 52 end point was 0.02 ± 0.52 mmol/L with sucroferric oxyhydroxide and 0.09 ± 0.58 mmol/L with sevelamer. Mean serum phosphorus concentrations remained within Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative target range (1.13-1.78 mmol/L) for both treatment groups. Mean (SD) daily tablet number over the 28-week extension study was lower for sucroferric oxyhydroxide (4.0 ± 1.5) versus sevelamer (10.1 ± 6.6). Patient adherence was 86.2% with sucroferric oxyhydroxide versus 76.9% with sevelamer. Mean serum ferritin concentrations increased over the extension study in both treatment groups, but transferrin saturation (TSAT), iron and hemoglobin concentrations were generally stable. Gastrointestinal-related adverse events were similar and occurred early with both treatments, but decreased over time. The serum phosphorus-lowering effect of sucroferric oxyhydroxide was maintained over 1 year and associated with a lower pill burden, compared with sevelamer. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide was generally well tolerated long-term and there was no evidence of iron accumulation. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA.

Treatment Outcomes for Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and HIV Co-infection

PubMed Central

Padayatchi, Nesri; Kvasnovsky, Charlotte; Werner, Lise; Master, Iqbal; Horsburgh, C. Robert

2013-01-01

High mortality rates have been reported for patients co-infected with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and HIV, but treatment outcomes have not been reported. We report treatment outcomes for adult XDR TB patients in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Initial data were obtained retrospectively, and outcomes were obtained prospectively during 24 months of treatment. A total of 114 XDR TB patients were treated (median 6 drugs, range 3–9 drugs); 82 (73%) were HIV positive and 50 (61%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy. After receiving treatment for 24 months, 48 (42%) of 114 patients died, 25 (22%) were cured or successfully completed treatment, 19 (17%) withdrew from the study, and 22 (19%) showed treatment failure. A higher number of deaths occurred among HIV-positive patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy and among patients who did not show sputum culture conversion. Culture conversion was a major predictor of survival but was poorly predictive (51%) of successful treatment outcome. PMID:23622055

Cultured allogenic keratinocytes for extensive burns: a retrospective study over 15 years.

PubMed

Auxenfans, Celine; Shipkov, Hristo; Bach, Christine; Catherine, Zulma; Lacroix, Pierre; Bertin-Maghit, Marc; Damour, Odile; Braye, Fabienne

2014-02-01

The aim was to review the use and indications of cultured allogenic keratinocytes (CAlloK) in extensive burns and their efficiency. This retrospective study comprised 15 years (1997-2012). all patients who received CAlloK. patients who died before complete healing. Evaluation criteria were clinical. Time and success of wound healing after CAlloK use were evaluated. The CAlloK were used for 2 indications - STSG donor sites and deep 2nd degree burns in extensively burned patients. A total of 70 patients were included with severity Baux score of 99.2 (from 51 to 144) and mean percentage of TBSA of 63.49% (from 21 to 96%). Fifty nine patients received CAlloK for STSG donor sites with a mean number of applications of 4 and mean surface of 3800 cm(2) per patient. Treated donor sites were re-harvested 2.5 times. The mean time of complete epithelialization was 7 days. In 11 patients, CAlloK were used for deep 2nd degree burns. The mean percentage of burned surface was 73.7%. The mean surface of CAlloK per patient was 2545 cm(2). Complete healing was achieved in 6.4 days. The CAlloK allow rapid healing of STSG donor-sites and deep 2nd second degree burns in extensively burned patients. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Extensive Surgical Wound Lavage Reduces the Incidence and Severity of Heterotopic Ossification in Primary Total Hip Replacement: A Study of 175 Hip Replacements.

PubMed

Kantak, Avadhoot P; Shah, Nirav N

2017-12-01

One of the local factors contributing to the formation of heterotopic ossification includes bone debris generated during the surgery. This risk can be partially nullified by use of saline wash. Our research aim was to ascertain if extensive intraoperative lavage can reduce the incidence and severity of heterotopic ossification in primary total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective case control radiological study of 145 patients (175 hip replacements). The control group received minimal intra-operative lavage (<1,000 mL); consisted of 90 primary hip replacements. The index group received extensive saline lavage (>3,000 mL), and included 85 primary hip replacements. Brooker classification was used to grade radiographs at one year for development of heterotopic ossification. Sixty-six patients in control group had heterotopic ossification, with six showing a significant grade (grade 3 or 4). Thirty-five patients in the index group had heterotopic ossification with no incidence of severe grade. Majority patients in the index group showed a predominantly grade 1 heterotopic ossification; 28 out of 35, as compared to 37 out of 66 in control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence ( P <0.05) as well as severity of heterotopic ossification between the groups ( P <0.05). We conclude that use of extensive lavage during total hip replacement reduces the incidence as well as severity of heterotopic ossification.

76 FR 3178 - Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Rock Burst Control Plan, Metal and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

... Extension of Existing Information Collection; Rock Burst Control Plan, Metal and Nonmetal Mines AGENCY: Mine... extension of the information collection for 30 CFR 57.3461 Rock Bursts. DATES: All comments must be received... contains the request for an extension of the existing collection of information in 30 CFR 57.3461 Rock...

Alemtuzumab CARE-MS II 5-year follow-up

PubMed Central

Cohen, Jeffrey A.; Fox, Edward J.; Giovannoni, Gavin; Hartung, Hans-Peter; Havrdova, Eva; Schippling, Sven; Selmaj, Krzysztof W.; Traboulsee, Anthony; Compston, D. Alastair S.; Margolin, David H.; Thangavelu, Karthinathan; Chirieac, Madalina C.; Jody, Darlene; Xenopoulos, Panos; Hogan, Richard J.; Panzara, Michael A.; Arnold, Douglas L.

2017-01-01

Objective: To evaluate 5-year efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and inadequate response to prior therapy. Methods: In the 2-year Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS) II study (NCT00548405), alemtuzumab-treated patients received 2 courses (baseline and 12 months later). Patients could enter an extension (NCT00930553), with as-needed alemtuzumab retreatment for relapse or MRI activity. Annualized relapse rate (ARR), 6-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW; ≥1-point Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score increase [≥1.5 if baseline EDSS = 0]), 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI; ≥1-point EDSS decrease [baseline score ≥2.0]), no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), brain volume loss (BVL), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Results: Most alemtuzumab-treated patients (92.9%) who completed CARE-MS II entered the extension; 59.8% received no alemtuzumab retreatment. ARR was low in each extension year (years 3–5: 0.22, 0.23, 0.18). Through 5 years, 75.1% of patients were free of 6-month CDW; 42.9% achieved 6-month CDI. In years 3, 4, and 5, proportions with NEDA were 52.9%, 54.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. Median yearly BVL remained low in the extension (years 1–5: −0.48%, −0.22%, −0.10%, −0.19%, −0.07%). AE exposure-adjusted incidence rates in the extension were lower than in the core study. Thyroid disorders peaked at year 3, declining thereafter. Conclusions: Alemtuzumab provides durable efficacy through 5 years in patients with an inadequate response to prior therapy in the absence of continuous treatment. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that alemtuzumab provides efficacy and slowing of brain atrophy through 5 years. PMID:28835403

Pasireotide can induce sustained decreases in urinary cortisol and provide clinical benefit in patients with Cushing's disease: results from an open-ended, open-label extension trial.

PubMed

Schopohl, Jochen; Gu, Feng; Rubens, Robert; Van Gaal, Luc; Bertherat, Jérôme; Ligueros-Saylan, Monica; Trovato, Andrew; Hughes, Gareth; Salgado, Luiz R; Boscaro, Marco; Pivonello, Rosario

2015-10-01

Report the efficacy and safety of pasireotide sc in patients with Cushing's disease during an open-ended, open-label extension to a randomized, double-blind, 12-month, Phase III study. 162 patients entered the core study. 58 patients who had mean UFC ≤ ULN at month 12 or were benefiting clinically from pasireotide entered the extension. Patients received the same dose of pasireotide as at the end of the core study (300-1,200 μg bid). Dose titration was permitted according to efficacy or drug-related adverse events. 40 patients completed 24 months' treatment. Of the patients who entered the extension, 50.0% (29/58) and 34.5% (20/58) had controlled UFC (UFC ≤ ULN) at months 12 and 24, respectively. The mean percentage decrease in UFC was 57.3% (95% CI 40.7-73.9; n = 52) and 62.1% (50.8-73.5; n = 33) after 12 and 24 months' treatment, respectively. Improvements in clinical signs of Cushing's disease were sustained up to month 24. The most frequent drug-related adverse events in patients who received ≥1 dose of pasireotide (n = 162) from core baseline until the 24-month cut-off were diarrhea (55.6%), nausea (48.1%), hyperglycemia (38.9%), and cholelithiasis (31.5%). No new safety issues were identified during the extension. Reductions in mean UFC and improvements in clinical signs of Cushing's disease were maintained over 24 months of pasireotide treatment. The safety profile of pasireotide is typical for a somatostatin analogue, except for the frequency and degree of hyperglycemia; patients should be monitored for changes in glucose homeostasis. Pasireotide represents the first approved pituitary-targeted treatment for patients with Cushing's disease.

78 FR 51695 - Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-21

... Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Environmental... composite wood products. After receiving requests for an extension, EPA extended the comment period from... Environmental protection, Formaldehyde, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Toxic substances, Wood. Dated...

Dual-Polarization, Sideband-Separating, Balanced Receiver for 1.5 THz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chattopadhyay, Goutman; Ward, John; Manohara, Harish; Siegel, Peter

2009-01-01

A proposed heterodyne receiver would be capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation in both of two orthogonal linear polarizations, separating sidebands, and providing balanced outputs in a frequency band centered at 1.5 THz with a fractional bandwidth greater than 40 percent. Dual polarization, sideband-separating, and balanced-output receivers are well-known and have been used extensively at frequencies up to about 100 GHz; and there was an earlier proposal for such a receiver for frequencies up to 900 GHz. However, the present proposal represents the first realistic design concept for such a receiver capable of operating above 1 THz. The proposed receiver is intended to be a prototype of mass-producible receiver units, operating at frequencies up to 6 THz, that would be incorporated into highly sensitive heterodyne array instruments to be used in astronomical spectroscopic and imaging studies.

Channel One and CNN Newsroom: A Comparative Study of Seven Districts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nasstrom, Roy; Gierok, Anne

Many American schools use the televised news programs Channel One and CNN Newsroom. Channel One has received considerable scrutiny, some of it highly unfavorable, while attention to CNN Newsroom has been less extensive and mostly benign. This study compares the two programs within seven school districts in Wisconsin. The study addresses three…

Medial vestibular connections with the hypocretin (orexin) system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horowitz, Seth S.; Blanchard, Jane; Morin, Lawrence P.

2005-01-01

The mammalian medial vestibular nucleus (MVe) receives input from all vestibular endorgans and provides extensive projections to the central nervous system. Recent studies have demonstrated projections from the MVe to the circadian rhythm system. In addition, there are known projections from the MVe to regions considered to be involved in sleep and arousal. In this study, afferent and efferent subcortical connectivity of the medial vestibular nucleus of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was evaluated using cholera toxin subunit-B (retrograde), Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (anterograde), and pseudorabies virus (transneuronal retrograde) tract-tracing techniques. The results demonstrate MVe connections with regions mediating visuomotor and postural control, as previously observed in other mammals. The data also identify extensive projections from the MVe to regions mediating arousal and sleep-related functions, most of which receive immunohistochemically identified projections from the lateral hypothalamic hypocretin (orexin) neurons. These include the locus coeruleus, dorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei, dorsal raphe, and lateral preoptic area. The MVe itself receives a projection from hypocretin cells. CTB tracing demonstrated reciprocal connections between the MVe and most brain areas receiving MVe efferents. Virus tracing confirmed and extended the MVe afferent connections identified with CTB and additionally demonstrated transneuronal connectivity with the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the medial habenular nucleus. These anatomical data indicate that the vestibular system has access to a broad array of neural functions not typically associated with visuomotor, balance, or equilibrium, and that the MVe is likely to receive information from many of the same regions to which it projects.

Female Aggression and Violence: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Penelope E.

2012-01-01

Aggression and violence among adolescent females has received extension attention throughout the nation. Girls often employ relationally aggressive behaviors to resolve conflict, which often leads to physical aggression. The purpose of this study was to examine a girl fight from multiple perspectives to gain a better understanding of the causes…

Educators' Perspectives on Having Been Cyber Harassed: A Phenomenological Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davenport, Paula M.

2014-01-01

The abuse of individuals through electronic means, typically of students by other students, has been researched extensively. The electronic abuse of other individuals through electronic means has received a dearth of research attention. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore, describe, and expand the…

A pilot study on the effect of a symbiotic mixture in irritable bowel syndrome: an open-label, partially controlled, 6-month extension of a previously published trial.

PubMed

Bucci, C; Tremolaterra, F; Gallotta, S; Fortunato, A; Cappello, C; Ciacci, C; Iovino, P

2014-04-01

In recent years, the efficacy of probiotics has received considerable attention in the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this regard, a symbiotic mixture (Probinul(®)) has shown beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to extend the previously published 4-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of this symbiotic mixture. This is an open-label prospective, partially controlled, 6-month extension period pilot study in which patients continued to receive the symbiotic mixture (Group 1) or were switched from placebo to symbiotic mixture (Group 2) using cyclic administration (last 2 weeks/month). The primary endpoints were the overall satisfactory relief of bloating and flatulence (assessed as proportions of responders). The secondary endpoints were evaluation of the symptom severity scores (bloating, flatulence, pain and urgency) and bowel function scores (frequency, consistency and incomplete evacuation). Twenty-six IBS patients completed the 6-month extension period (13 patients in Group 1 and 13 patients in Group 2). In the per-protocol analysis, the proportions of responders across time were not significantly different in the groups but in Group 2, there was an increased percentage of responders for flatulence (p = 0.07). In addition, the score of flatulence was reduced significantly during the 6-month treatment period in Group 2 (p < 0.05), while no other significant differences were detected. Treatment with this symbiotic mixture was associated with persistence of relief from flatulence or new reduction in flatulence in the present 6-month long extension study. These results need to be more comprehensively assessed in large, long-term, randomized, placebo-controlled studies.

Civamide cream 0.075% in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a 12-week randomized controlled clinical trial with a longterm extension.

PubMed

Schnitzer, Thomas J; Pelletier, Jean-Pierre; Haselwood, Doug M; Ellison, William T; Ervin, John E; Gordon, Richard D; Lisse, Jeffrey R; Archambault, W Tad; Sampson, Allan R; Fezatte, Heidi B; Phillips, Scott B; Bernstein, Joel E

2012-03-01

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of civamide cream 0.075% for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. We conducted a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study with a 52-week open-label extension. Patients with OA of the knee received either civamide cream 0.075% or a lower dose of civamide cream, 0.01%, as the control. The 3 co-primary endpoints in the double-blind study were the time-weighted average (TWA) of change from baseline to Day 84 in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale, the WOMAC physical function subscale, and the Subject Global Evaluation (SGE). In the 52-week open-label extension study, the Osteoarthritis Pain Score and SGE were assessed. A total of 695 patients were randomized to receive civamide cream 0.075% (n = 351) or civamide cream 0.01% (control; n = 344) in the double-blind study. Significance in favor of civamide cream 0.075% was achieved for the TWA for all 3 co-primary efficacy variables: WOMAC pain (p = 0.009), WOMAC physical function (p < 0.001), and SGE (p = 0.008); and at Day 84 for these 3 variables (p = 0.013, p < 0.001, and p = 0.049, respectively). These analyses accounted for significant baseline-by-treatment interactions. In the 52-week open-label extension, efficacy was maintained. Civamide cream 0.075% was well tolerated throughout the studies. These studies demonstrate the efficacy of civamide cream for up to 1 year of continuous use. Civamide cream, with its lack of systemic absorption, does not have the potential for serious systemic toxicity, in contrast to several other OA treatments.

Giving and getting: altruism and exchange in transplantation.

PubMed

Lamanna, Mary Ann

1997-01-01

In the study of organ and tissue transplantation, the focus tends to be on donation. But where there is "giving," there is also "getting:" receiving help. Altruism, helping behavior, and the exchange of benefits have received extensive attention from social psychological researchers. The gift exchange described by anthropologist Marcel Mauss provides a framework for reviewing this social psychological research on altruism and exchange and applying it to transplantation. An overall conclusion is that altruistic donation is not so ethically or clinically problematic, while receiving help has a complex psychosocial context that needs to be acknowledged and given more attention.

27 CFR 40.396 - Change in proprietorship.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... appropriate TTB officer, an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary successor... qualification of any administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary, together with an extension of coverage of the predecessor's bond executed by the administrator, executor, receiver, trustee...

Digital receiver study and implementation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fogle, D. A.; Lee, G. M.; Massey, J. C.

1972-01-01

Computer software was developed which makes it possible to use any general purpose computer with A/D conversion capability as a PSK receiver for low data rate telemetry processing. Carrier tracking, bit synchronization, and matched filter detection are all performed digitally. To aid in the implementation of optimum computer processors, a study of general digital processing techniques was performed which emphasized various techniques for digitizing general analog systems. In particular, the phase-locked loop was extensively analyzed as a typical non-linear communication element. Bayesian estimation techniques for PSK demodulation were studied. A hardware implementation of the digital Costas loop was developed.

Determination of maternal pedigree and ewe-lamb spatial relationships by application of Bluetooth technology in extensive farming systems.

PubMed

Sohi, R; Trompf, J; Marriott, H; Bervan, A; Godoy, B I; Weerasinghe, M; Desai, A; Jois, M

2017-11-01

The objectives of this study were to validate the application of Bluetooth technology to determine maternal pedigree and to determine ewe-lamb spatial relationships in extensive farming systems. A total of 35 first-cross Merino ewes (Merino × Border Leicester and East Friesian) and 23 of their lambs aged 1 to 3 wk were fitted with activity monitors equipped with Bluetooth (BT) technology (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) by means of halters and collars, respectively. The BT devices on lambs were programmed to receive wireless signals once every minute from nearby BT units on ewes, which were programmed as beacons sending BT signals 4 times every second. Ewes and lambs fitted with sensors were dispatched into the paddocks, and after 10 d, the sensor units were retrieved and the BT signals received by lambs were downloaded using the ActiGraph software. The maternal pedigree of the lambs was determined as the ewe from which the lamb received the most BT signals. The distance between the lamb receiving the signal and the ewe sending the signal was estimated from the strength of BT signal received. The pedigree determined by BT was compared with the pedigree determined by DNA profiling and verification. The results showed that the accuracy of maternal pedigree determined by BT signals reached 100% within the first 15 min of returning animals to pasture of ewes and lambs fitted with sensors. Maternal signals (counts/d) received by 1-, 2-, and 3-wk-old lambs were 617 ± 102, 603 ± 54, and 498 ± 36, respectively, and the corresponding nonmaternal signals received were 140 ± 27, 106 ± 30, and 155 ± 39, respectively. Maternal signals received during the dark period were significantly higher than the maternal signals received during the light period ( < 0.05). Maternal signals received during the light period by 3-wk-old lambs were significantly lower when compared with those received by 1- and 2-wk-old lambs. Over 90% of the BT signals received from within 2 m of the lamb were from its mother. The maternal BT signals expressed as a portion of total BT signals decreased with increasing distance from the lamb. The results show that BT wireless networking is a fast and reliable method for the determination of maternal pedigree of lambs in extensive farming systems. In addition, wireless BT technology is also useful in determining mother-offspring spatial relationships.

Impact of adalimumab on work participation in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of an open-label extension study and a registry-based control group.

PubMed

Halpern, M T; Cifaldi, M A; Kvien, T K

2009-06-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes considerable disability and often results in loss of work capacity and productivity. This study evaluated the impact of adalimumab, a tumour necrosis factor antagonist with demonstrated efficacy in RA, on long-term employment. Data from an open-label extension study (DE033) of 486 RA patients receiving adalimumab monotherapy who previously did not respond to at least one disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and had baseline work status information were compared with data from 747 RA patients receiving DMARD treatment in a Norway-based longitudinal registry. Primary outcomes included the time patients continued working at least part time and the likelihood of stopping work. Secondary outcomes included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) responses and disease remission. Outcomes were compared 6, 12 and 24 months after enrolment. During a 24-month period, the 158 patients who received adalimumab and were working at baseline worked 7.32 months longer (95% CI 4.8 to 9.1) than did the 180 patients treated with DMARDs, controlling for differences in baseline characteristics. Regardless of baseline work status, patients receiving adalimumab worked 2.0 months longer (95% CI 1.3 to 2.6) and were significantly less likely to stop working than those receiving DMARDs (HR 0.36 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.42) for all patients and 0.36 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.85) for patients working at baseline, respectively). The patients who received adalimumab were also considerably more likely to achieve ACR responses and disease remission than DMARD-treated patients. Patients who achieved EULAR good response and remission were less likely to stop working, but this relationship was only seen in patients receiving DMARDs. Patients with RA who received adalimumab experienced considerably longer periods of work and continuous employment, and greater rates of clinical responses, than patients receiving DMARDs. The mechanism by which adalimumab decreases likelihood of stopping work seems to be different from that of DMARD treatment and independent of clinical responses.

The effect of grapefruit juice on drug disposition

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Since their initial discovery in 1989, grapefruit juice-drug interactions have received extensive interest from the scientific, medical, regulatory, and lay communities. Although knowledge regarding the effects of grapefruit juice on drug disposition continues to expand, the list of drugs studied in...

Long-term safety and efficacy of ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis who have the Gly551Asp-CFTR mutation: a phase 3, open-label extension study (PERSIST).

PubMed

McKone, Edward F; Borowitz, Drucy; Drevinek, Pavel; Griese, Matthias; Konstan, Michael W; Wainwright, Claire; Ratjen, Felix; Sermet-Gaudelus, Isabelle; Plant, Barry; Munck, Anne; Jiang, Ying; Gilmartin, Geoffrey; Davies, Jane C

2014-11-01

Ivacaftor, a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator, is approved for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6 years or older with Gly551Asp-CFTR. We assessed the safety and efficacy of ivacaftor during 96 weeks of PERSIST in patients with cystic fibrosis who completed a previous 48-week, placebo-controlled trial of the drug (STRIVE or ENVISION). In this phase 3, open-label extension study, patients received ivacaftor 150 mg every 12 h in addition to their prescribed cystic fibrosis therapies. Patients who received placebo in their previous study initiated ivacaftor in this extension study. Patients were eligible if they had a Gly551Asp-CFTR mutation on at least one allele. The primary objective was to assess the long-term safety profile of ivacaftor as assessed by adverse events, clinical laboratory assessments, electrocardiograms, vital signs, and physical examination; secondary measures included change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), weight, and pulmonary exacerbations. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01117012 and EudraCT, number 2009-012997-11. Between July 8, 2010, and April 8, 2013, 144 adolescents/adults (≥12 years) from STRIVE and 48 children (6-11 years) from ENVISION were enrolled. Across both trials, 38 (20%) patients had a serious adverse event during the first 48 weeks and 44 (23%) during the subsequent 48 weeks. Two adults (1%) and one child (<1%) discontinued because of adverse events. The most common adverse events were pulmonary exacerbation, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection. Patients previously treated with ivacaftor had sustained improvements in FEV1, weight, and rate of pulmonary exacerbations for up to 144 weeks of treatment. Among adolescents/adults and children who previously received ivacaftor, absolute change in FEV1 at week 96 (144 weeks ivacaftor) was 9·4 and 10·3 % points and absolute increase in weight was 4·1 kg and 14·8 kg, respectively. For adolescents/adults only, the pulmonary exacerbation rate remained suppressed compared with that of patients who received placebo in the placebo-controlled study. At 144 weeks of treatment, ivacaftor was well tolerated, with no new safety concerns. Ivacaftor also provided durable effects for 144 weeks in patients who had received active treatment in the placebo-controlled study. Those patients who previously received placebo had improvements comparable to those of patients treated with ivacaftor in the placebo-controlled study. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Smooth time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve estimators.

PubMed

Martínez-Camblor, Pablo; Pardo-Fernández, Juan Carlos

2018-03-01

The receiver operating characteristic curve is a popular graphical method often used to study the diagnostic capacity of continuous (bio)markers. When the considered outcome is a time-dependent variable, two main extensions have been proposed: the cumulative/dynamic receiver operating characteristic curve and the incident/dynamic receiver operating characteristic curve. In both cases, the main problem for developing appropriate estimators is the estimation of the joint distribution of the variables time-to-event and marker. As usual, different approximations lead to different estimators. In this article, the authors explore the use of a bivariate kernel density estimator which accounts for censored observations in the sample and produces smooth estimators of the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves. The performance of the resulting cumulative/dynamic and incident/dynamic receiver operating characteristic curves is studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, the influence of the choice of the required smoothing parameters is explored. Finally, two real-applications are considered. An R package is also provided as a complement to this article.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Maltreated Youth: A Study of Diagnostic Comorbidity and Child Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Linning, Lisa M.; Kearney, Christopher A.

2004-01-01

The study of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in maltreated youth has received increased attention, though extensive comparisons to maltreated youth without PTSD and administrations of anxiety-based structured diagnostic interviews remain needed. We examined maltreated youth with or without PTSD using structured diagnostic interviews and…

An open-label study to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of lanadelumab for prevention of attacks in hereditary angioedema: design of the HELP study extension.

PubMed

Riedl, Marc A; Bernstein, Jonathan A; Craig, Timothy; Banerji, Aleena; Magerl, Markus; Cicardi, Marco; Longhurst, Hilary J; Shennak, Mustafa M; Yang, William H; Schranz, Jennifer; Baptista, Jovanna; Busse, Paula J

2017-01-01

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by recurrent attacks of subcutaneous or submucosal edema. Attacks are unpredictable, debilitating, and have a significant impact on quality of life. Patients may be prescribed prophylactic therapy to prevent angioedema attacks. Current prophylactic treatments may be difficult to administer (i.e., intravenously), require frequent administrations or are not well tolerated, and breakthrough attacks may still occur frequently. Lanadelumab is a subcutaneously-administered monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein in clinical development for prophylaxis of hereditary angioedema attacks. A Phase 1b study supported its efficacy in preventing attacks. A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study has been completed and an open-label extension is currently ongoing. The primary objective of the open-label extension is to evaluate the long-term safety of repeated subcutaneous administrations of lanadelumab in patients with type I/II HAE. Secondary objectives include evaluation of efficacy and time to first angioedema attack to determine outer bounds of the dosing interval. The study will also evaluate immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, quality of life, characteristics of breakthrough attacks, ease of self-administration, and safety/efficacy in patients who switch to lanadelumab from another prophylactic therapy. The open-label extension will enroll patients who completed the double-blind study ("rollover patients") and those who did not participate in the double-blind study ("non-rollover patients"), which includes patients who may or may not be currently using another prophylactic therapy. Rollover patients will receive a single 300 mg dose of lanadelumab on Day 0 and the second dose after the patient's first confirmed angioedema attack. Thereafter, lanadelumab will be administered every 2 weeks. Non-rollover patients will receive 300 mg lanadelumab every 2 weeks regardless of the first attack. All patients will receive their last dose on Day 350 (maximum of 26 doses), and will then undergo a 4-week follow-up. Prevention of attacks can reduce the burden of illness associated with HAE. Prophylactic therapy requires extended, repeated dosing and the results of this study will provide important data on the long-term safety and efficacy of lanadelumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein for subcutaneous administration for the treatment of HAE. Trial registration NCT02741596.

Decreased flexion contracture after total knee arthroplasty using Botulinum toxin A: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Smith, Eric B; Shafi, Karim A; Greis, Ari C; Maltenfort, Mitchell G; Chen, Antonia F

2016-10-01

Flexion contracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can cause significant dissatisfaction. Botulinum toxin A has shown improved extension in patients with spastic flexion contractures after TKA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Botulinum toxin A improves knee extension for any patient with flexion contractures following TKA. A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Fourteen patients (15 knees), with a flexion contracture (≥10°) one month postoperatively, were randomized to receive either Botulinum toxin A or saline placebo to the affected hamstrings. The subject, surgeon, and administering physiatrist were blinded to the treatment group throughout the study. Subject range of motion (ROM) was evaluated at 1, 6, and 12 months following injection. Differences were tested using mixed-effects regression to control for multiple measurements. The initial post-operative flexion contracture averaged 19° ± 6° in the Botulinum toxin A group and 13° ± 3° in the saline group. Injections were performed 53 and 57 days after TKA in the Botulinum toxin A and saline groups, respectively. Post-injection extension improved to an average of 8, 5, and 1 degrees for BTX and 4, 2, and 1 degrees for SAL, at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively, compared to pre-injection extension (p < 0.0001). Improvement in knee extension at 1 year improved 18° ± 7.5° for Botulinum toxin A and 12° ± 2° for saline (p = 0.04). No complications resulted from either injection. Patients who received Botulinum toxin A or placebo were able to achieve near full extension one year after surgery. There was a statistically significant improvement in the amount of extension achieved at 1 year with Botulinum toxin A, but this may be of little clinical significance. Since achieving full extension is important for patient function and satisfaction, novel techniques to address this issue deserve special attention. I.

Gender-Sensitive Approaches to Extension Programme Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jafry, Tahseen; Sulaiman, V. Rasheed

2013-01-01

Purpose: Though women are engaged in farming and play a major role in almost every agricultural operation, they continue to receive very limited extension support. While several interventions have been made to address this "gender" bias in extension delivery, there continues to be a shortfall between the kind of support that is provided…

Characteristics Shaping College Student Organizational Citizenship Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeBlanc, Cary J.

2014-01-01

This study explored the concept of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) in relation to undergraduate college students. The extensive research on OCB within traditional work environments indicates that while workers who demonstrate OCB usually receive more favorable performance evaluations, those behaviors also help build community and culture…

Revisiting Cyberbullying: Perspectives from Taiwanese Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Yun-yin; Chou, Chien

2013-01-01

Cyberbullying among students has received extensive attention from researchers and educators. Most research is, however, based on student reports while teachers' perceptions of this aggressive behavior among students have rarely been studied. We surveyed 2821 Taiwanese teachers on their perceptions of cyberbullying among students, including the…

Does rehabilitation of cervical lordosis influence sagittal cervical spine flexion extension kinematics in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy subjects?

PubMed

Moustafa, Ibrahim Moustafa; Diab, Aliaa Attiah Mohamed; Hegazy, Fatma A; Harrison, Deed E

2017-01-01

To test the hypothesis that improvement of cervical lordosis in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) will improve cervical spine flexion and extension end range of motion kinematics in a population suffering from CSR. Thirty chronic lower CSR patients with cervical lordosis < 25° were included. IRB approval and informed consent were obtained. Patients were assigned randomly into two equal groups, study (SG) and control (CG). Both groups received stretching exercises and infrared; the SG received 3-point bending cervical extension traction. Treatments were applied 3 × per week for 10 weeks, care was terminated and subjects were evaluated at 3 intervals: baseline, 30 visits, and 3-month follow-up. Radiographic neutral lateral cervical absolute rotation angle (ARA C2-C7) and cervical segmental (C2-C7 segments) rotational and translational flexion-extension kinematics analysis were measured for all patients at the three intervals. The outcome were analyzed using repeated measures one-way ANOVA. Tukey's post-hoc multiple comparisons was implemented when necessary. Pearson correlation between ARA and segmental translational and rotational displacements was determined. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in segmental motion at the 10-week follow up; but only the SG group showed a statistically significant increase in cervical lordosis (p < 0.0001). At 3-month follow up, only the SG improvements in segmental rotation and translation were maintained. Improved lordosis in the study group was associated with significant improvement in the translational and rotational motions of the lower cervical spine. This finding provides objective evidence that cervical flexion/extension is partially dependent on the posture and sagittal curve orientation. These findings are in agreement with several other reports in the literature; whereas ours is the first post treatment analysis identifying this relationship.

The association between nitroglycerin use and adverse outcomes in women undergoing cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor.

PubMed

Isquick, Sarah; Henry, Dana; Nakagawa, Sanae; Moghadassi, Michelle; Thiet, Mari-Paule; Norton, Mary; Lucero, Jennifer

2017-06-01

To identify predictors of hysterotomy extension in women undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) in the second stage of labor, and whether use of nitroglycerin (NTG) during CD has a protective effect. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing CD in the second stage of labor from 2012 to 2015. Some women received NTG at the obstetrician's request. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between second stage duration and NTG administration on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Of the 391 women in the sample, 27% had an extension and 12% received NTG. Second stage ≥4 h was associated with a 2.14-fold higher risk of extension (95% CI 1.22-3.75), a 2.00-fold higher risk of hemorrhage (95% CI: 1.20-3.33) and 2.42-fold higher risk of blood transfusion during delivery hospitalization (95% CI: 0.99-5.91). Intravenous (IV) and sublingual-spray (SL-spray) NTG administration were not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage or extension. SL-NTG was associated with 4.68-fold increased odds of 5-min Apgar <7 (95% CI 1.42-15.41) and 3.36-fold greater odds of NICU admission (95% CI 1.20-9.41). We found no evidence that NTG protects against extension, and SL-NTG use was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate risk and benefits of NTG use.

REDUCTION OF CLASSROOM NOISE LEVELS USING GROUP CONTINGENCIES

PubMed Central

Ring, Brandon M.; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur O.; Eubanks, Sean L.; Silverman, Kenneth

2016-01-01

The therapeutic workplace is an employment-based abstinence reinforcement intervention for unemployed drug users where trainees receive on-the-job employment skills training in a classroom setting. The study is an extension of prior therapeutic workplace research, which suggested that trainees frequently violated noise standards. Participants received real-time graphed feedback of noise levels and had the opportunity to earn monetary group reinforcement for maintaining a low number of noise violations. Results suggested that feedback and monetary reinforcement reduced the number of noise violations. PMID:25175843

Variations in the crustal structure beneath western Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, Paul; Priestley, Keith; Taymaz, Tuncay

1998-08-01

We use teleseismic receiver functions to investigate the crustal structure at two locations in western Turkey using seismic data recorded on small arrays of temporary broad-band seismographs. The results from these analyses are compared with receiver function results from the GDSN station ANTO on the Anatolian Plateau in central Turkey. The crust is ~ 30 km thick in the region of western Turkey where active normal faulting reveals present-day extension in the upper crust and alkali-basaltic volcanism reveals recent extension within the subcrustal lithosphere The crust is ~ 34 km thick further east where crustal extension is still evident but less pronounced. In the Anatolian Plateau, which is not currently extending, the crust is ~ 38 km thick. The level of extension estimated from these measurements of crustal thickness implies a β -factor of ~ 1.2. This value agrees with the amount of extension estimated in the upper crust from the integrated seismic strain rate (β -factor of ~ 1.3), from surface faulting(β -factor of ~ 1.25) and from the amount of extension in the subcrustal lithosphere estimated from the volcanism (β -factor < 2), all indicating that the extension is approximately uniformly distributed vertically throughout the lithosphere. The Moho transition in this region appears to thin slightly as the degree of extension increases westwards.

Complete Placenta Previa: Ultrasound Biometry and Surgical Outcomes

PubMed Central

Wortman, Alison C.; Schaefer, Stephanie L.; McIntire, Donald D.; Sheffield, Jeanne S.; Twickler, Diane M.

2018-01-01

Objective  To evaluate the relationship between surgical outcomes and ultrasound measurement of placental extension beyond the cervical os in women with placenta previa. Study Design  This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with placenta previa undergoing third-trimester ultrasound and delivering at our institution from 2002 through 2011. For study purposes, an investigator measured placental extension, defined as the placental distance from the internal os across the placenta continuing out to the lowest placental edge. If morbidly adherent placentation was suspected, women were excluded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for pertinent surgical outcomes, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the placental extension with the best predictive discriminatory zone. Results  In total, 157 women had placenta previa, ultrasound, and delivery data: 86 (55%) had a placental extension of <40 mm, and 71 (45%) had a placental extension of ≥40 mm. Women with placental extension of ≥40 mm had increased surgical time, blood loss > 2,000 mL, blood transfusion, and rate of peripartum hysterectomy. After multivariate analysis, only peripartum hysterectomy and surgical time > 90 minutes remained significant, p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively. Conclusion  In women with placenta previa, the placental extension ultrasound measurement of ≥40 mm is a predictor of adverse surgical outcomes. PMID:29686936

Complete Placenta Previa: Ultrasound Biometry and Surgical Outcomes.

PubMed

Wortman, Alison C; Schaefer, Stephanie L; McIntire, Donald D; Sheffield, Jeanne S; Twickler, Diane M

2018-04-01

Objective  To evaluate the relationship between surgical outcomes and ultrasound measurement of placental extension beyond the cervical os in women with placenta previa. Study Design  This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with placenta previa undergoing third-trimester ultrasound and delivering at our institution from 2002 through 2011. For study purposes, an investigator measured placental extension, defined as the placental distance from the internal os across the placenta continuing out to the lowest placental edge. If morbidly adherent placentation was suspected, women were excluded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for pertinent surgical outcomes, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the placental extension with the best predictive discriminatory zone. Results  In total, 157 women had placenta previa, ultrasound, and delivery data: 86 (55%) had a placental extension of <40 mm, and 71 (45%) had a placental extension of ≥40 mm. Women with placental extension of ≥40 mm had increased surgical time, blood loss > 2,000 mL, blood transfusion, and rate of peripartum hysterectomy. After multivariate analysis, only peripartum hysterectomy and surgical time > 90 minutes remained significant, p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively. Conclusion  In women with placenta previa, the placental extension ultrasound measurement of ≥40 mm is a predictor of adverse surgical outcomes.

Exhaustion in University Students and the Effect of Coursework Involvement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Law, Daniel W.

2007-01-01

Although researchers have examined exhaustion extensively in occupational studies, this work-specific variable--despite its widespread acceptance and negative outcomes--has received little attention in regard to university students and their coursework. Objective: The author examined the severity of exhaustion in students and the relationship…

Reduction of Classroom Noise Levels Using Group Contingencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ring, Brandon M.; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur O.; Eubanks, Sean L.; Silverman, Kenneth

2014-01-01

The therapeutic workplace is an employment-based abstinence reinforcement intervention for unemployed drug users where trainees receive on-the-job employment skills training in a classroom setting. The study is an extension of prior therapeutic workplace research, which suggested that trainees frequently violated noise standards. Participants…

Internationalization of the Undergraduate Curriculum: Insight from Recruiters.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albers-Miller, Nancy D.; Sigerstad, Thomas D.; Straughan, Robert D.

2000-01-01

Surveyed recruiters on the value of international studies. Found that most would prefer students receiving an added international certificate but not those with a degree in international business or a non-discernible (fused) international education. A small number of companies with extensive international operations prefer the international…

A Nationwide Survey of Environmental Protection.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erdos & Morgan, Inc., New York, NY.

This study was made in two phases. Phase I was conducted to obtain extensive information about "The Wall Street Journal's" subscribers on their business activities, purchasing influence, involvement in pollution control, personal resources, etc. Those personally active in anti-pollution programs received a second survey dealing with environmental…

A new fifth parameter for transverse isotropy III: reflection and transmission coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawakatsu, Hitoshi

2018-04-01

The effect of the newly defined fifth parameter, ηκ, of transverse anisotropy to the reflection and transmission coefficients, especially for P-to-S and S-to-P conversion coefficients, is examined. While ηκ systematically affects the P-to-S and S-to-P conversions, in the incidence angle range of the practical interest of receiver function studies, the effect may be asymmetric in a sense that P-wave receiver function is affected more than S-receiver function in terms of amplitude. This asymmetry may help resolving ηκ via extensive receiver function analysis. It is also found that P-wave anisotropy significantly influences P-to-S and S-to-P conversion coefficients that complicates the interpretation of receiver functions, because, for isotropic media, we typically attribute the primary receiver function signals to S-wave velocity changes but not to P-wave changes.

Future Orientation, School Contexts, and Problem Behaviors: A Multilevel Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Pan; Vazsonyi, Alexander T.

2013-01-01

The association between future orientation and problem behaviors has received extensive empirical attention; however, previous work has not considered school contextual influences on this link. Using a sample of N = 9,163 9th to 12th graders (51.0% females) from N = 85 high schools of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the…

An Empirical Study on Behavioural Intention to Reuse E-Learning Systems in Rural China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Yan; Duan, Yanqing; Fu, Zetian; Alford, Philip

2012-01-01

The learner's acceptance of e-learning systems has received extensive attention in prior studies, but how their experience of using e-learning systems impacts on their behavioural intention to reuse those systems has attracted limited research. As the applications of e-learning are still gaining momentum in developing countries, such as China,…

Preparation and properties of films cast from mixtures of poly(vinyl alcohol) and submicron particles prepared from amylose-palmitic acid inclusion complexes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The use of starch in polymer composites for film production has been studied extensively for increasing biodegradability, improving film properties and reducing cost. Starch nanoparticles have received much attention, primarily those obtained by acid hydrolysis of starch granules. In this study, nan...

Teacher Greetings Increase College Students' Test Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weinstein, Lawrence; Laverghetta, Antonio; Alexander, Ralph; Stewart, Megan

2009-01-01

The current study is an extension of a previous investigation dealing with teacher greetings to students. The present investigation used teacher greetings with college students and academic performance (test scores). We report data using university students and in-class test performance. Students in introductory psychology who received teachers'…

Misunderstandings and Ensuring Understanding in Private ELF Talk

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pietikäinen, Kaisa S.

2018-01-01

Although misunderstandings as such have been extensively studied, the ways in which problems of understanding are avoided--especially in cross-cultural communication--have so far received limited attention. This article examines over 24 h of private conversation data from seven established, intercultural couples who use lingua franca English as…

School Experience of Chinese Sexual Minority Students in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kwok, Diana K.

2016-01-01

Heterosexism faced by sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer/questioning [LGBQ]) students has been extensively studied internationally in the past 2 decades but has only recently received attention from Hong Kong Chinese society. Chinese LGBQ students are not guaranteed to be included in Hong Kong schools, where antidiscrimination…

76 FR 12213 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension of an Approved Information Collection Request...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-04

...: Household Goods Consumer Information Program Assessment Study AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety... Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to http://www.regulations.gov... your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or post card or print the...

Adjunctive memantine in clozapine-treated refractory schizophrenia: an open-label 1-year extension study.

PubMed

Veerman, S R T; Schulte, P F J; Deijen, J B; de Haan, L

2017-01-01

In a recent placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial (n = 52), significant beneficial effects on memory (d = 0.30) and negative symptoms (d = 0.29) were found after 12 weeks of memantine augmentation in patients with clozapine-refractory schizophrenia. In this open-label 1-year extension study we report the long-term effects and tolerability of memantine add-on therapy to clozapine. Completers of the first trial who experienced beneficial effects during 12 weeks of memantine treatment received memantine for 1 year. Primary endpoints were memory and executive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S). Of 31 randomized controlled trial completers who experienced beneficial effects from memantine, 24 received memantine for 1 year. The small improvement in memory found in the memantine condition in the placebo-controlled trial remained stable in the extension study. Executive function did not improve. After 26 weeks of memantine add-on therapy to clozapine, PANSS negative symptoms (r = 0.53), PANSS positive symptoms (r = 0.50) and PANSS total symptoms (r = 0.54) significantly improved. Even further significant improvement in all these measures was observed between 26 weeks and 52 weeks of memantine, with effect sizes varying from 0.39 to 0.51. CGI-S showed a non-significant moderate improvement at 26 weeks (r = 0.36) and 52 weeks (r = 0.34). Memantine was well tolerated without serious adverse effects. In the 1-year extension phase the favourable effect of adjunctive memantine on memory was sustained and we observed further improvement of negative, positive and overall symptoms in patients with clozapine-treated refractory schizophrenia.

Disease management patterns for postmenopausal women in Europe with hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative advanced breast cancer.

PubMed

André, Fabrice; Neven, Patrick; Marinsek, Nina; Zhang, Jie; Baladi, Jean-Francois; Degun, Ravi; Benelli, Giancarlo; Saletan, Stephen; Jerusalem, Guy

2014-06-01

International guidelines for hormone-receptor-positive (HR(+)), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2(-)) advanced breast cancer (BC) recommend sequential lines of hormonal therapy (HT), and only recommend chemotherapy for patients with extensive visceral involvement or rapidly progressive disease. This study evaluated actual physician-reported treatments for advanced BC in Europe. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 355 postmenopausal women with HR(+), HER2(-) advanced BC who progressed on ≥1 line of HT (adjuvant or advanced) and completed ≥1 line of chemotherapy (advanced). Treatment choice was evaluated for each line of therapy. Of 355 patients, 111 (31%) received first-line chemotherapy, whereas 218 (61%) and 26 (7%) switched from HT to chemotherapy in second and third line, respectively. More patients receiving first-line HT had bone metastases (73% vs 27% chemotherapy). Patients treated with first-line chemotherapy had more brain (12% vs 3% HT) or extensive liver (13% vs 6% HT) metastases. Subgroup analysis of 188 patients who received first-line HT and had de novo advanced BC or relapsed/recurrent disease more than 1 year after adjuvant therapy found that the majority (89%; n = 167) of these patients switched to chemotherapy in second line. However, among these 167 patients, 27% had no significant changes in metastases between first and second line. Among the 73% of patients who had significant changes in metastases, 20% had no brain metastases or extensive visceral disease. Our study suggests that the guideline-recommended use of multiple HT lines is open to interpretation and that optimal treatment for European postmenopausal women with HR(+), HER2(-) advanced BC who responded to HT may not be achieved.

75 FR 23238 - Notice of Deadline Extension To Receive Nominations for the National Advisory Council on Minority...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-03

... received many applications and is still considering all applications received to date, the Agency is... broader applicant pool to reflect greater ethnic, gender, and industry diversity. The requirements for... following materials: (1) Resume, (2) personal statement of interest, including a summary of how the nominee...

76 FR 14636 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Primary Lead Smelting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-17

... 15 days to April 19, 2011. The EPA received a request for this extension from the Doe Run Company, the sole covered facility. Doe Run Company requested the extension in order to analyze data and review...

How Tracking Structures Attitudes towards Ethnic Out-Groups and Interethnic Interactions in the Classroom: An Ethnographic Study in Belgium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Praag, Lore; Boone, Simon; Stevens, Peter A. J.; Van Houtte, Mieke

2015-01-01

The influence of the ethnic composition of schools on interethnic relations and attitudes has been studied extensively and has received ample interest from policy makers. However, less attention has been paid to the structures and processes inside schools that organize interethnic relations and attitudes. In Flanders (Belgium), secondary education…

Appointing Senior Managers in Education: Homosociability, Local Logics and Authenticity in the Selection Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grummell, Bernie; Devine, Dympna; Lynch, Kathleen

2009-01-01

While there is extensive research on educational leadership and management, the selection of leaders has received comparatively little attention. This article examines how educational leadership is constructed through the selection process in the context of a qualitative study of Irish education. It highlights the tensions that can exist for…

Issues of Cause and Control in Patient Accounts of Type 2 Diabetes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parry, O.; Peel, E.; Douglas, M.; Lawton, J.

2006-01-01

Patients experience considerable difficulties in making and sustaining health-related lifestyle changes. Many Type 2 diabetes patients struggle to follow disease risk-management advice even when they receive extensive information and support. Drawing on a qualitative study of patients with Type 2 diabetes, the paper uses discourse analysis to…

Phenomenological Behavior-Exchange Models of Marital Success.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gottman, John; And Others

The objective of two studies was to devise an assessment procedure for the evaluation of therapy with distressed marriages. An extension of behavior exchange theory was proposed to include phenomenological ratings by the couple of the intent of messages sent and the impact of messages received. Convergent criteria were used to select 14…

Language Revitalization Processes and Prospects: Quichua in the Ecuadorian Andes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, Kendall A.

This paper examines efforts to reverse language shift in two indigenous communities in southern Ecuador. The ongoing decline and rapid pace of extinction of many of the world's languages have received increasing amounts of attention, but while processes of language loss and extinction have been extensively studied, relatively little work of…

78 FR 45919 - Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form 80); Comment Request; Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-30

... Information Collection Activities (FERC Form 80); Comment Request; Extension AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory... Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: [email protected] . Attention: Federal Energy... receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances...

76 FR 30199 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Consent To...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-24

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Consent To Receive Employee Benefit Plan Disclosure... Request under ERISA Section 104(a)(6) AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of...

Malnutrition, poverty and intellectual development.

PubMed

Brown, J L; Pollitt, E

1996-02-01

New findings with important policy implications have revealed that malnutrition in childhood impairs intellectual function in more ways than was previously recognized, but also that some of the damage to the brain caused by malnutrition may be reversed. Early research indicated that malnourished animals lacked the energy to interact with their environment and, thus, performed poorly on tests of mental ability. To determine the effect of poor diet and an impoverished environment on mental development in humans, an extensive follow-up study was made of Guatemalan children who received two different nutritional supplements in a 1969-77 study. Mothers and children in two villages received a high-protein supplement (Atole), and those in two additional villages received a supplement with no protein (Fresco). Both supplements reduced mortality, but Atole villages saw a 69% reduction in infant mortality (vs. 24% in the Fresco villages). The 1988-89 follow-up of 70% of the original participants involved extensive cognitive testing and socioeconomic assessment. Atole subjects performed significantly better on the cognitive tests, and the lowest-income children did as well as their more economically advantaged (but still poor) peers. Those who received Atole exhibited an increased benefit from their years of education and grew up faster and stronger than those who received Fresco. Smaller children who appear younger than their age may receive less stimulation from adult expectations than larger children. These findings indicate that the deleterious effects of early malnutrition on intellectual development can continue into adulthood. Other research has revealed that iron supplements can improve the intellectual and motor abilities of infants. While enriched educational programs can ameliorate some of the problems associated with malnutrition, poor children rarely live where such programs are available. The best and least expensive policy would be to prevent malnutrition among young children who would then be able to take advantage of the money invested in schools for their education.

Information and Language for Effective Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pitoy, Sammy P.

2012-01-01

Information and Language for Effective Communication (ILEC) is a language teaching approach emphasizing learners' extensive exposure in different language communicative sources. In ILEC, the language learners will first receive instructions of ILEC principles and application. Afterwards, they will receive autonomous, direct, purposeful, and…

Gender and Age Differences in the Core Triad of Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wijngaarden-Cremers, Patricia J. M.; van Eeten, Evelien; Groen, Wouter B.; Van Deurzen, Patricia A.; Oosterling, Iris J.; Van der Gaag, Rutger Jan

2014-01-01

Autism is an extensively studied disorder in which the gender disparity in prevalence has received much attention. In contrast, only a few studies examine gender differences in symptomatology. This systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 peer reviewed original publications examines gender differences in the core triad of impairments in autism.…

Comparison of ranibizumab versus dexamethasone for macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion: 1-year results of the COMRADE extension study.

PubMed

Feltgen, Nicolas; Hattenbach, Lars-Olof; Bertelmann, Thomas; Callizo, Josep; Rehak, Matus; Wolf, Armin; Berk, Hüsnü; Eter, Nicole; Lang, Gabriele E; Pielen, Amelie; Schmitz-Valckenberg, Steffen; Quiering, Claudia; Rose, Uwe; Hoerauf, Hans

2018-05-31

The COMRADE studies are the first randomized controlled head-to-head trials comparing the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab versus dexamethasone (DEX) in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The COMRADE extension trial was designed to provide additional 6-month data of patients who completed the core studies. In this open-label, phase IV study patients who completed the COMRADE core studies were prospectively enrolled. Overall, 92 branch RVO (BRVO) patients (ranibizumab 52, DEX 40) and 83 central RVO (CRVO) patients (ranibizumab 61, DEX 22) were treated, and 94.6% of BRVO patients and 97.6% of CRVO patients completed the extension study. Patients were assigned to the same treatment group as in the core studies. Patients were monitored monthly and received either 0.5 mg ranibizumab or a 0.7 mg DEX implant as needed. Over the course of the extension, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of the study eye occurred in 55.8% of BRVO patients on ranibizumab and in 62.5% of those on DEX. Among CRVO patients, 65.5% in the ranibizumab group and 59.1% in the DEX group developed TEAEs. Overall, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was more frequent with DEX than ranibizumab treatment. Mean average change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in BRVO patients was significantly better for ranibizumab than DEX (p = 0.0249). The CRVO results were consistent with BRVO's, although not significant (p = 0.1119). When used according to the European labels, ranibizumab revealed a better ocular safety profile and produced greater average BCVA gains than DEX. By the end of the additional 6-month study period, this difference in BCVA was more pronounced in BRVO as in CRVO patients. The main limitation of the COMRADE studies was that DEX patients received only a single intravitreal treatment during the first 6 months, which is presumably not adequate. However, frequent DEX implants could lead to more steroid-related side effects, especially to an increased intraocular pressure. © 2018 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Experimental integrative muscular movement technique enhances cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot study.

PubMed

Rohe, Benjamin G; Carter, Ronald; Thompson, William R; Duncan, Randall L; Cooper, Carlton R

2015-04-01

Neck pain presents a tremendous physical and financial burden. This study compared the efficacy of the complementary and alternative medical treatments of integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) and Swedish massage on neck pain in women of occupation age, the largest demographic group with neck pain. A total of 38 women were assigned to IMMT (n=28) or Swedish massage (n=10) in a blinded manner. Both groups received eight 30-minute treatments over 4 weeks. Cervical range of motion (ROM) in flexion, extension, sidebending, and rotation was measured before and after treatment. Each patient's pain was assessed by using an analogue pain scale of 0-10. Compared with the Swedish massage group, patients receiving IMMT experienced a significant increase in ROM in cervical flexion (p<0.001), extension (p<0.001), sidebending (p<0.05), and rotation (p<0.001). Absolute change in pain for IMMT was -1.75 units compared with -0.3 units for Swedish massage (p<0.05). Patients receiving the IMMT demonstrated significantly improved cervical ROM in every movement measured compared with Swedish massage. Inclusion of the IMMT in a treatment regimen for chronic neck pain may lead to decreased pain and increased cervical ROM. These positive effects of the IMMT intervention may have a role in enhancing functional outcomes in patients with neck pain.

SCTP as scalable video coding transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, Jordi; Graciá, Eduardo Martínez; Skarmeta, Antonio F.

2013-12-01

This study presents an evaluation of the Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP) for the transport of the scalable video codec (SVC), proposed by MPEG as an extension to H.264/AVC. Both technologies fit together properly. On the one hand, SVC permits to split easily the bitstream into substreams carrying different video layers, each with different importance for the reconstruction of the complete video sequence at the receiver end. On the other hand, SCTP includes features, such as the multi-streaming and multi-homing capabilities, that permit to transport robustly and efficiently the SVC layers. Several transmission strategies supported on baseline SCTP and its concurrent multipath transfer (CMT) extension are compared with the classical solutions based on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Realtime Transmission Protocol (RTP). Using ns-2 simulations, it is shown that CMT-SCTP outperforms TCP and RTP in error-prone networking environments. The comparison is established according to several performance measurements, including delay, throughput, packet loss, and peak signal-to-noise ratio of the received video.

Detections of Acoustic-Tagged Green Sturgeon in Baker Bay on the Lower Columbia River during September - November 2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Parsley, Michael J.

2009-01-01

Acoustic transmitters implanted in green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) captured in rivers in California were detected by acoustic receivers deployed within and around Baker Bay. The receivers were deployed at eight locations in the Bay and adjacent navigation channels of the Lower Columbia River during a period of anticipated channel dredging. Three of the transmitters detected were confirmed to have been implanted into green sturgeon in previous years; two were from the Sacramento River and one was from the Klamath River. The transmitters (fish) were within detection range of the receivers for only a short period, which is consistent with findings of earlier studies that green sturgeon make rapid and extensive intra-estuary movements.

78 FR 56268 - Pipeline Safety: Public Workshop on Integrity Verification Process, Comment Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-12

.... PHMSA-2013-0119] Pipeline Safety: Public Workshop on Integrity Verification Process, Comment Extension... public workshop on ``Integrity Verification Process'' which took place on August 7, 2013. The notice also sought comments on the proposed ``Integrity Verification Process.'' In response to the comments received...

Pre-Gas Drilling Drinking Water Testing--An Educational Opportunity for Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swistock, Brian; Clark, James

2015-01-01

The increase in shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania has resulted in thousands of landowners receiving predrilling testing of their drinking water. Landowners often have difficulty understanding test reports resulting in low awareness of pre-existing problems. Extension and several partners developed a program to improve understanding of…

76 FR 33780 - Extension of Time for Inventory

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-09

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [2253-665] Extension of Time for Inventory AGENCY... recognized Indian Tribe or an institution receives Federal funds for the first time. Section 5 of the statute (25 U.S.C. 3003(c)) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to extend the inventory time requirements...

76 FR 3175 - Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Hoist Operators' Physical Fitness

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

... Extension of Existing Information Collection; Hoist Operators' Physical Fitness AGENCY: Mine Safety and... fitness. DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Standard Time on March 21, 2011... 56.19057 and 57.19057 require the annual examination and certification of hoist operators' fitness by...

77 FR 12245 - Deep Seabed Mining: Request for Extension of Exploration Licenses

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-29

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Deep Seabed Mining: Request.... Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of application to extend Deep Seabed Mining Exploration... received an application for five-year extensions of Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses USA-1 and USA-4...

77 FR 73614 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Permanent, Privately...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-11

... Horse Quarantine Facilities AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension..., privately owned horse quarantine facilities. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or... for permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities, contact Dr. Ellen Buck, Staff Veterinary...

Providing Graduated Corrective Feedback in an Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ai, Haiyang

2017-01-01

Corrective feedback (CF), a response to linguistic errors made by second language (L2) learners, has received extensive scholarly attention in second language acquisition. While much of the previous research in the field has focused on whether CF facilitates or impedes L2 development, few studies have examined the efficacy of gradually modifying…

Cultural Capital and Habitus in Context: The Importance of High School College-Going Culture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roksa, Josipa; Robinson, Karen Jeong

2017-01-01

While an extensive body of research has examined the role of cultural capital in reproducing social class inequality in educational outcomes, the role of habitus and school context has received less attention in quantitative studies. We attend to this gap in the literature by considering the relationship between cultural capital, habitus, and the…

Long-Term Effects of an Extensive Cognitive Training on Personality Development.

PubMed

Sander, Julia; Schmiedek, Florian; Brose, Annette; Wagner, Gert G; Specht, Jule

2017-08-01

Previous research found that cognitive training increases the Big Five personality trait Openness to Experience during and some weeks after the intervention. The present study investigated whether long-term changes happen in Openness to Experience and other personality traits after an extensive cognitive training of memory and perceptual speed. The intervention group consisted of 204 adults (20-31 years and 65-80 years; 50% female) who received daily 1-hour cognitive training sessions for about 100 days. The control group consisted of 86 adults (21-29 years and 65-82 years; 51% female) who received no cognitive training. All participants answered the NEO Five-Factor Inventory before and 2 years after the cognitive training. Latent change models were applied that controlled for age group (young vs. old) and gender. In the long run, the cognitive training did not affect changes in any facet of Openness to Experience. This was true for young and old participants as well as for men and women. Instead, the cognitive training lowered the general increase of Conscientiousness. Even an extensive cognitive training on memory and perceptual speed does not serve as a sufficient intervention for enduring changes in Openness to Experiences or one of its facets. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Non-formal educator use of evaluation results.

PubMed

Baughman, Sarah; Boyd, Heather H; Franz, Nancy K

2012-08-01

Increasing demands for accountability in educational programming have resulted in increasing calls for program evaluation in educational organizations. Many organizations include conducting program evaluations as part of the job responsibilities of program staff. Cooperative Extension is a complex organization offering non-formal educational programs through land grant universities. Many Extension services require non-formal educational program evaluations be conducted by field-based Extension educators. Evaluation research has focused primarily on the efforts of professional, external evaluators. The work of program staff with many responsibilities including program evaluation has received little attention. This study examined how field based Extension educators (i.e. program staff) in four Extension services use the results of evaluations of programs that they have conducted themselves. Four types of evaluation use are measured and explored; instrumental use, conceptual use, persuasive use and process use. Results indicate that there are few programmatic changes as a result of evaluation findings among the non-formal educators surveyed in this study. Extension educators tend to use evaluation results to persuade others about the value of their programs and learn from the evaluation process. Evaluation use is driven by accountability measures with very little program improvement use as measured in this study. Practical implications include delineating accountability and program improvement tasks within complex organizations in order to align evaluation efforts and to improve the results of both. There is some evidence that evaluation capacity building efforts may be increasing instrumental use by educators evaluating their own programs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A study of 60 GHz intersatellite link applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anzic, G.; Connolly, D. J.; Haugland, E. J.; Kosmahl, H. G.; Chitwood, J. S.

1983-01-01

Applications of intersatellite links operating at 60 GHz are reviewed. Likely scenarios, ranging from transmission of moderate and high data rates over long distances to low data rates over short distances are examined. A limited parametric tradeoff is performed with system variables such as radiofrequency power, receiver noise temperature, link distance, data rate, and antenna size. Present status is discussed and projections are given for both electron tube and solid state transmitter technologies. Monolithic transmit and receive module technology, already under development at 20 to 30 GHz, is reviewed and its extension to 60 GHz, and possible applicability is discussed.

A study of 60 Gigahertz intersatellite link applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anzic, G.; Connolly, D. J.; Haugland, E. J.; Kosmahl, H. G.; Chitwood, J. S.

Applications of intersatellite links operating at 60 GHz are reviewed. Likely scenarios, ranging from transmission of moderate and high data rates over long distances to low data rates over short distances are examined. A limited parametric tradeoff is performed with system variables such as radiofrequency power, receiver noise temperature, link distance, data rate, and antenna size. Present status is discussed and projections are given for both electron tube and solid state transmitter technologies. Monolithic transmit and receive module technology, already under development at 20 to 30 GHz, is reviewed and its extension to 60 GHz, and possible applicability is discussed.

A study of 60 Gigahertz intersatellite link applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anzic, G.; Connolly, D. J.; Haugland, E. J.; Kosmahl, H. G.; Chitwood, J. S.

1983-01-01

Applications of intersatellite links operating at 60 GHz are reviewed. Likely scenarios, ranging from transmission of moderate and high data rates over long distances to low data rates over short distances are examined. A limited parametric tradeoff is performed with system variables such as radiofrequency power, receiver noise temperature, link distance, data rate, and antenna size. Present status is discussed and projections are given for both electron tube and solid state transmitter technologies. Monolithic transmit and receive module technology, already under development at 20 to 30 GHz, is reviewed and its extension to 60 GHz, and possible applicability is discussed.

A study of 60 GHz intersatellite link applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anzic, G.; Connolly, D. J.; Haugland, E. J.; Kosmahl, H. G.; Chitwood, J. S.

Applications of intersatellite links operating at 60 GHz are reviewed. Likely scenarios, ranging from transmission of moderate and high data rates over long distances to low data rates over short distances are examined. A limited parametric tradeoff is performed with system variables such as radiofrequency power, receiver noise temperature, link distance, data rate, and antenna size. Present status is discussed and projections are given for both electron tube and solid state transmitter technologies. Monolithic transmit and receive module technology, already under development at 20 to 30 GHz, is reviewed and its extension to 60 GHz, and possible applicability is discussed.

Implementation of an experimental program to investigate the performance characteristics of OMEGA navigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baxa, E. G., Jr.

1974-01-01

A theoretical formulation of differential and composite OMEGA error is presented to establish hypotheses about the functional relationships between various parameters and OMEGA navigational errors. Computer software developed to provide for extensive statistical analysis of the phase data is described. Results from the regression analysis used to conduct parameter sensitivity studies on differential OMEGA error tend to validate the theoretically based hypothesis concerning the relationship between uncorrected differential OMEGA error and receiver separation range and azimuth. Limited results of measurement of receiver repeatability error and line of position measurement error are also presented.

Compact beam splitters with deep gratings for miniature photonic integrated circuits: design and implementation aspects.

PubMed

Chen, Chin-Hui; Klamkin, Jonathan; Nicholes, Steven C; Johansson, Leif A; Bowers, John E; Coldren, Larry A

2009-09-01

We present an extensive study of an ultracompact grating-based beam splitter suitable for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that have stringent density requirements. The 10 microm long beam splitter exhibits equal splitting, low insertion loss, and also provides a high extinction ratio in an integrated coherent balanced receiver. We further present the design strategies for avoiding mode distortion in the beam splitter and discuss optimization of the widths of the detectors to improve insertion loss and extinction ratio of the coherent receiver circuit. In our study, we show that the grating-based beam splitter is a competitive technology having low fabrication complexity for ultracompact PICs.

Long-term Immunogenicity of Elosulfase Alfa in the Treatment of Morquio A Syndrome: Results From MOR-005, a Phase III Extension Study.

PubMed

Long, Brian; Tompkins, Troy; Decker, Celeste; Jesaitis, Lynne; Khan, Shahid; Slasor, Peter; Harmatz, Paul; O'Neill, Charles A; Schweighardt, Becky

2017-01-01

Elosulfase alfa is an enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Morquio A syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IVA), a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactose-amine-6-sulfatase. We previously reported immunogenicity data from our 24-week placebo-controlled Phase III study, MOR-004. Here, we report the long-term immunogenicity profile of elosulfase alfa from MOR-005, the Phase III extension trial to assess potential correlations between antidrug antibodies and efficacy and safety profile outcomes throughout 120 weeks of treatment. The long-term immunogenicity of elosulfase alfa was evaluated in patients with Morquio A syndrome in an open-label extension study for a total of 120 weeks. All patients received 2.0 mg/kg elosulfase alfa either weekly or every other week before establishment of 2.0 mg/kg/wk as the recommended dose, at which time all patients received weekly treatment. Efficacy measures were compared with those from the MOR-004 baseline, enabling analysis of changes over 120 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline in 6-minute walk test. Secondary measures included changes from baseline in 3-minute stair climb test and normalized urine keratan sulfate, a pharmacodynamic metric. All patients treated with elosulfase alfa developed antidrug total antibodies (TAb) by week 24 of MOR-004. In the extension study, all patients, including those who had previously received placebo, were TAb positive by study week 36 (MOR-005 week 12). All patients remained TAb positive throughout the study, and TAb titers were similar across treatment groups at week 120. Nearly all patients tested positive for neutralizing antibodies (NAb) at least once, with incidence of NAb positivity peaking at 85.9% at study week 36, then steadily declining to 66.0% at study week 120. In all treatment groups, mean urine keratan sulfate remained below treatment-naive baseline despite the presence of antidrug antibodies. No relationship was observed between TAb titers or NAb positivity and changes in urine keratan sulfate, 6-minute walk test, or 3-minute stair climb test from baseline to week 120. No consistent associations were detected between antidrug antibodies and the occurrence of hypersensitivity adverse events or anaphylaxis over the course of the study. Immunogenicity results from this long-term study are consistent with previously reported 24-week results. Despite the sustained presence of antidrug antibodies, elosulfase alfa was well tolerated, and patients continued to benefit from treatment through week 120. No associations were detected between higher TAb titers or NAb positivity and reduced treatment effect or worsened safety profile measures. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01415427. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Atomoxetine and Parent Training for Children With Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A 24-Week Extension Study.

PubMed

Smith, Tristram; Aman, Michael G; Arnold, L Eugene; Silverman, Laura B; Lecavalier, Luc; Hollway, Jill; Tumuluru, Rameshwari; Hyman, Susan L; Buchan-Page, Kristin A; Hellings, Jessica; Rice, Robert R; Brown, Nicole V; Pan, Xueliang; Handen, Benjamin L

2016-10-01

The authors previously reported on a 2-by-2 randomized clinical trial of individual and combined treatment with atomoxetine (ATX) and parent training (PT) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and behavioral noncompliance in 128 5- to 14-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder. In the present report, they describe a 24-week extension of treatment responders and nonresponders. One-hundred seventeen participants from the acute trial (91%) entered the extension; 84 of these were in 2 subgroups: "treatment responders" (n = 43) from all 4 groups in the acute trial, seen monthly for 24 weeks, and "placebo nonresponders" (n = 41), treated with open-label ATX for 10 weeks. Participants originally assigned to PT continued PT during the extension; the remainder served as controls. Primary outcome measurements were the parent-rated Swanson, Nolan and Pelham ADHD scale and the Home Situations Questionnaire. Sixty percent (26 of 43) of treatment responders in the acute trial, including 68% of responders originally assigned to ATX, still met the response criteria at the end of the extension. The response rate of placebo nonresponders treated with 10-week open-label ATX was 37% (15 of 41), similar to the acute trial. Children receiving open-label ATX + PT were significantly more likely to be ADHD responders (53% versus 23%) and noncompliance responders (58% versus 14%) than those receiving open-label ATX alone. Most ATX responders maintained their responses during the extension. PT combined with ATX in the open-label trial appeared to improve ADHD and noncompliance outcomes more than ATX alone. Clinical trial registration information-Atomoxetine, Placebo and Parent Management Training in Autism (Strattera); http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00844753. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rural primary care practices and meaningful use of electronic health records: the role of Regional Extension Centers.

PubMed

Casey, Michelle M; Moscovice, Ira; McCullough, Jeffrey

2014-01-01

To examine the role of Regional Extension Centers (RECs) in helping rural physician practices adopt electronic health records (EHRs) and achieve meaningful use. Using data from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, we conducted a county-level regression analysis using ordinary least squares to better understand rural-urban differences in REC participation, EHR implementation, and meaningful use, controlling for counties' economic conditions. We prepared case studies of 2 RECs that are serving a large number of rural practices, based on interviews with key individuals at the RECs, their partner organizations, and rural primary care practices that received assistance from the RECs. RECs are largely achieving their objective of targeting providers in communities that face barriers to EHRs. REC participants are disproportionately rural and more likely to come from high poverty and low employment communities. The case study RECs had long-standing relationships with rural providers, as well as extensive staff expertise in quality improvement and EHR implementation, and employed a variety of strategies to successfully assist rural providers. Rural providers report that REC assistance was invaluable in helping them implement EHRs and achieve meaningful use status. Modifying the criteria for Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentives could help additional rural providers pay for EHRs. REC federal funding is scheduled to end in 2014, but practices that have not yet adopted EHRs may need significant, ongoing assistance to receive meaningful use. © 2013 National Rural Health Association.

77 FR 2677 - EPA Responses to State and Tribal 2008 Ozone Designation Recommendations; Extension of Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-19

... State and Tribal 2008 Ozone Designation Recommendations; Extension of Public Comment Period AGENCY... and tribal ozone designation recommendations for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards... designation determinations for the 2008 ozone standards in spring 2012. DATES: Comments must be received on or...

77 FR 37839 - Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) No-Health Period Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-25

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 38 CFR Part 9 RIN 2900-AO24 Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI... Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) to extend to 240 days the current 120-day ``no-health'' period during... Life Insurance (VGLI) No-Health Period Extension.'' Copies of comments received will be available for...

Sull'Integrazione delle Strutture Numeriche nella Scuola dell'Obbligo (Integrating Numerical Structures in Mandatory School).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonotto, C.

1995-01-01

Attempted to verify knowledge regarding decimal and rational numbers in children ages 10-14. Discusses how pupils can receive and assimilate extensions of the number system from natural numbers to decimals and fractions and later can integrate this extension into a single and coherent numerical structure. (Author/MKR)

75 FR 63506 - Logging Operations; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-15

...] Logging Operations; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information... Logging Operations (29 CFR 1910.266). DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by... following elements: Safe work practices, including the use, operation, and maintenance of tools, machines...

75 FR 80354 - Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 and Satellite Home Viewer Extension and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-22

... Commission, adopts a point-to-point predictive model for determining the ability of individual locations to... predictive model for reliably and presumptively determining the ability of individual locations, through the... adopted a point-to-point predictive model for determining the ability of individual locations to receive...

75 FR 31747 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Interstate Movement of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-04

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Interstate Movement of Certain... interstate movement of certain land tortoises. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or... FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the interstate movement of certain land...

76 FR 71621 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8892

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-18

... 8892, Payment of Gift/GST Tax and/or Application for Extension to File Form 709. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 17, 2012 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct... Tax and/or Application for Extension to File Form 709. OMB Number: 1545-1913. Form Number: Form 8892...

Foliar fungicides on alfalfa: 2012 University extension field trial results from Minnesota and Wisconsin

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To answer the increasing number of questions received regarding the use of foliar fungicide on alfalfa, a group of Extension and USDA Agricultural Research Station staff in southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin worked together to conduct field research trials to examine the benefit of using a foliar ...

76 FR 19902 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting 180-Day Extension...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-11

... for Residential Furnaces and Boilers Test Procedure Amendments; Correction AGENCY: Office of Energy..., 2011), a 180-day extension of the compliance date for recent amendments to the DOE test procedure for... DOE received this petition well after February 17, 2011, the Department believes a number of factors...

76 FR 43650 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Infectious Salmon...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-21

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Infectious Salmon Anemia... of indemnity due to infectious salmon anemia. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on... the payment of indemnity due to infectious salmon anemia, contact Dr. William G. Smith, Area...

A role for midline and intralaminar thalamus in the associative blocking of Pavlovian fear conditioning.

PubMed

Sengupta, Auntora; McNally, Gavan P

2014-01-01

Fear learning occurs in response to positive prediction error, when the expected outcome of a conditioning trial exceeds that predicted by the conditioned stimuli present. This role for error in Pavlovian association formation is best exemplified by the phenomenon of associative blocking, whereby prior fear conditioning of conditioned stimulus (CS) A is able to prevent learning to CSB when they are conditioned in compound. The midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei (MIT) are well-placed to contribute to fear prediction error because they receive extensive projections from the midbrain periaqueductal gray-which has a key role in fear prediction error-and project extensively to prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Here we used an associative blocking design to study the role of MIT in fear learning. In Stage I rats were trained to fear CSA via pairings with shock. In Stage II rats received compound fear conditioning of CSAB paired with shock. On test, rats that received Stage I training expressed less fear to CSB relative to control rats that did not receive this training. Microinjection of bupivacaine into MIT prior to Stage II training had no effect on the expression of fear during Stage II and had no effect on fear learning in controls, but prevented associative blocking and so enabled fear learning to CSB. These results show an important role for MIT in predictive fear learning and are discussed with reference to previous findings implicating the midline and posterior intralaminar thalamus in fear learning and fear responding.

Cross-cultural medical education: can patient-centered cultural competency training be effective in non-Western countries?

PubMed

Ho, Ming-Jung; Yao, Grace; Lee, Keng-Lin; Beach, Mary Catherine; Green, Alexander R

2008-01-01

No evidence addresses the effectiveness of patient-centered cultural competence training in non-Western settings. To examine whether a patient-centered cultural competency curriculum improves medical students' skills in eliciting the patients' perspective and exploring illness-related social factors. Fifty-seven medical students in Taiwan were randomly assigned to either the control (n = 27) or one of two intervention groups: basic (n = 15) and extensive (n = 15). Both intervention groups received two 2-hour patient-centered cultural competency workshops. In addition, the extensive intervention group received a 2-hour practice session. The control group received no training. At the end of the clerkship, all students were evaluated with an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Students in the extensive intervention group scored significantly higher than the basic intervention and control groups in eliciting the patient's perspective (F = 18.38, p < 0.001, eta(2) = 0.40). Scores of both intervention groups were significantly higher than the control group in the exploring social factors (F = 6.66, p = 0.003, eta(2) = 0.20). Patient-centered cultural competency training can produce improvement in medical students' cross-cultural communication skills in non-Western settings, especially when adequate practice is provided.

Long-term safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as add-on to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, open-label extension, Phase 4 study in Japan (J-STEP/INS).

PubMed

Terauchi, Yasuo; Tamura, Masahiro; Senda, Masayuki; Gunji, Ryoji; Kaku, Kohei

2018-05-01

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as an add-on treatment to insulin over 52 weeks. This 52-week, multicentre, Phase 4 study consisted of a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase and a 36-week open label extension phase (NCT02201004). Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 20 to 75 years, with suboptimal glycaemic control (7.5%-10.5%) receiving insulin monotherapy (basal-bolus, bolus, premix [low and high] and basal) or receiving combination therapy with basal insulin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor were eligible for participation. Patients who received tofogliflozin throughout the study (52 weeks) were referred to as the 'tofo-tofo group' and patients who received placebo and tofogliflozin (36 weeks) were referred to as the 'pla-tofo group'. A total of 210 patients received treatment per randomization. Hypoglycaemia was the most common treatment-emergent adverse event (AE) (42.9% in the tofo-tofo group and 29.4% in the pla-tofo group). Patients reported genital infection, urinary tract infection, excessive urination and AEs related to volume depletion (2.1%, 2.1%, 7.1% and 10.0% of patients in the tofo-tofo group, and 0%, 1.5%, 2.9% and 7.4% of patients in the pla-tofo group, respectively). Mean HbA1c and body weight at baseline (mean changes ± standard error from baseline to Week 52) in the tofo-tofo and pla-tofo groups were 8.53% (-0.76% ± 0.077) and 8.40% (-0.73% ± 0.102); 68.84 kg (-1.52 kg ± 0.207) and 72.24 kg (-2.13 kg ± 0.313), respectively. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as add-on to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, offering a new therapeutic solution to diabetes management. © 2018 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Long‐term safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as add‐on to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from a 52‐week, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, open‐label extension, Phase 4 study in Japan (J‐STEP/INS)

PubMed Central

Tamura, Masahiro; Senda, Masayuki; Gunji, Ryoji; Kaku, Kohei

2018-01-01

Aims To evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as an add‐on treatment to insulin over 52 weeks. Materials and methods This 52‐week, multicentre, Phase 4 study consisted of a 16‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase and a 36‐week open label extension phase (NCT02201004). Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 20 to 75 years, with suboptimal glycaemic control (7.5%‐10.5%) receiving insulin monotherapy (basal‐bolus, bolus, premix [low and high] and basal) or receiving combination therapy with basal insulin and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor were eligible for participation. Patients who received tofogliflozin throughout the study (52 weeks) were referred to as the ‘tofo‐tofo group’ and patients who received placebo and tofogliflozin (36 weeks) were referred to as the ‘pla‐tofo group’. Results A total of 210 patients received treatment per randomization. Hypoglycaemia was the most common treatment‐emergent adverse event (AE) (42.9% in the tofo‐tofo group and 29.4% in the pla‐tofo group). Patients reported genital infection, urinary tract infection, excessive urination and AEs related to volume depletion (2.1%, 2.1%, 7.1% and 10.0% of patients in the tofo‐tofo group, and 0%, 1.5%, 2.9% and 7.4% of patients in the pla‐tofo group, respectively). Mean HbA1c and body weight at baseline (mean changes ± standard error from baseline to Week 52) in the tofo‐tofo and pla‐tofo groups were 8.53% (−0.76% ± 0.077) and 8.40% (−0.73% ± 0.102); 68.84 kg (−1.52 kg ± 0.207) and 72.24 kg (−2.13 kg ± 0.313), respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of tofogliflozin as add‐on to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, offering a new therapeutic solution to diabetes management. PMID:29316236

Thoracic radiation therapy improves the overall survival of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer with distant metastasis.

PubMed

Zhu, Hui; Zhou, Zongmei; Wang, Yan; Bi, Nan; Feng, Qinfu; Li, Junling; Lv, Jima; Chen, Dongfu; Shi, Yuankai; Wang, Luhua

2011-12-01

The authors conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effects of thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). Between January 2003 and December 2006, the records of 119 patients who were diagnosed with ED-SCLC (all with distant metastasis [M1]) were included in the study. Sixty patients received chemotherapy (ChT) and TRT (ChT/TRT), and 59 patients received ChT alone. The ChT regimens consisted of either carboplatin and etoposide (CE) or cisplatin and etoposide (PE). The total dose of TRT ranged from 40 to 60 grays (Gy) at 1.8 to 2.0 Gy per fraction. For the entire group, the median survival was 13 months, and the 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 26.1% and 6.5%, respectively. The median survival and the 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 17 months, 35%, and 7.1%, respectively, in the ChT/TRT group and 9.3 months, 17%, and 5.1%, respectively, in the ChT group (P = .014). However, this improvement was achieved at the expense of low toxicity. Multivariate analysis revealed that receiving ≥4 cycles of ChT (P = .032) and TRT (P = .005) were favorable prognostic factors for OS. Of all toxicities, only high-grade leucopenia (grade >3) was more frequent in the ChT/TRT group. The addition of TRT to ChT improved the OS of patients with ED-SCLC. Furthermore, receiving ≥4 cycles of ChT and TRT were independent, favorable prognostic factors for OS. Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Long-term tolerability of ethinylestradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg in a flexible extended regimen: results from a randomised, controlled, multicentre study.

PubMed

Klipping, Christine; Duijkers, Ingrid; Fortier, Michel P; Marr, Joachim; Trummer, Dietmar; Elliesen, Jörg

2012-04-01

This study was designed to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of a new flexible extended regimen of ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 μg/drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg, which allows management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding [flexible management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding (MIB)], in comparison to conventional 28-day and fixed extended regimens. In this Phase III, multicentre, open-label study, women (aged 18-35 years) were randomised to EE/DRSP in the following regimens: flexible(MIB) (24-120 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval), conventional 28-day (24 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day hormone-free interval) or fixed extended (120 days' uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval) during a 1-year comparative phase. Thereafter, women entered a 1-year safety extension phase in which the majority received the flexible(MIB) regimen. Safety/tolerability outcomes were measured over 2 years. A separate analysis of certain safety parameters (endometrial, hormonal, lipid, haemostatic and metabolic variables) was conducted at two of the study centres. Results were analysed in 1067 and 783 women in the comparative and safety extension phases. Overall, 56.3% of women experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE) in the safety extension phase. Serious AEs occurred in 3.0%, 1.4% and 3.3% of women receiving the flexible(MIB), conventional and fixed extended regimens, respectively. No unexpected endometrial, hormonal, lipid, haemostatic or metabolic findings occurred with any of the three regimens. EE/DRSP in a flexible extended regimen with management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding is well-tolerated and, when administered for up to 2 years, has a good safety profile comparable to other estrogen/progestogen oral contraceptives.

Area burned in alpine treeline ecotones reflects region-wide trends

Treesearch

C. Alina Cansler; Donald McKenzie; Charles B. Halpern

2016-01-01

The direct effects of climate change on alpine treeline ecotones – the transition zones between subalpine forest and non-forested alpine vegetation – have been studied extensively, but climate-induced changes in disturbance regimes have received less attention. To determine if recent increases in area burned extend to these higher-elevation landscapes, we analysed...

Sudden Gains in Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A Replication and Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardy, Gillian E.; Cahill, Jane; Stiles, William B.; Ispan, Caroline; Macaskill, Norman; Barkham, Michael

2005-01-01

Of 76 clients receiving 8-20 sessions of cognitive therapy (CT) in a joint university and a national health service clinic, 31 experienced sudden gains that appeared very similar to those first reported in clinical trials of CT by T. Z. Tang and R. J. DeRubeis (1999) and subsequently replicated in other studies. The sudden gains appeared less…

A Primer on Value-Added Models: Towards a Better Understanding of the Quantitative Analysis of Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nakamura, Yugo

2013-01-01

Value-added models (VAMs) have received considerable attention as a tool to transform our public education system. However, as VAMs are studied by researchers from a broad range of academic disciplines who remain divided over the best methods in analyzing the models and stakeholders without the extensive statistical background have been excluded…

Economic and policy factors driving adoption of institutional woody biomass heating systems in the United States

Treesearch

Jesse D. Young; Nathaniel M. Anderson; Helen T. Naughton; Katrina Mullan

2018-01-01

Abundant stocks of woody biomass that are associated with active forest management can be used as fuel for bioenergy in many applications. Though factors driving large-scale biomass use in industrial settings have been studied extensively, small-scale biomass combustion systems commonly used by institutions for heating have received less attention. A zero inflated...

[Comparative study of the fracture resistance of sound upper premolars and upper premolars restored with bonded amalgam].

PubMed

Minto, André Marcelo Peruchi; Dinelli, Welingtom; Nonaka, Tomio; Thome, Luis Henrique de Camargo

2002-01-01

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the fracture resistance of upper premolars which had received class II preparations (conservative and extensive) and were restored with bonded amalgam, with two different adhesive systems. Seventy teeth were divided in four groups: group 1 (control), with ten sound teeth; group 2, with twenty prepared teeth (10 teeth received conservative cavities and 10, extensive cavities) restored with amalgam without any kind of liner; groups 3 and 4, similar to group 2, though with linings of glass ionomer cement (Vitrebond - 3M) (group 3) and dental adhesive (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus - 3M) (group 4). The teeth were previously fixed in PVC cylinders with acrylic resin. After being restored and thermocycled, the test specimens were submitted to fracture by means of compression in an EMIC-MEM 2000 universal testing machine. After the application of the analysis of variance and complementary Tukey's test, we concluded that the utilized adhesive systems produced an increase of the fracture resistance of teeth presenting with conventional cavities; the teeth presenting with conservative cavities were more resistant in all experimental situations.

Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases From an Unknown Primary Site: Retrospective Analysis of 113 Patients

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

Beldi, Debora; Jereczek-Fossa, Barbara A.; University of Milan, Milan

2007-11-15

Purpose: The management of patients with cervical lymph-node metastases from unknown primary site (UPS) remains a matter of discussion. This study aimed to analyze the results and prognostic factors in a series of patients treated with radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Data from 113 patients who presented with cervical lymph nodes metastases from UPS treated from 1980 to 2004 were reviewed. Eighty-seven patients (77.0%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Ninety-one patients were treated with curative and 22 with palliative intent. Fifty-nine of 113 patients (52.2%) received surgery followed by radiotherapy and 54 of 113 (47.8%) received radiotherapy alone. Radiotherapy was deliveredmore » to the neck and pharyngeal mucosa in 67 patients and to the ipsilateral or bilateral neck in 45 patients. Twenty-one patients (18.5%) also received chemotherapy. Results: The 5-year overall survival rates were 40.7% for the entire group and 46.6% for the SCC subgroup. The occurrence of the occult primary was observed in 23 of 113 patients (20.3%), 19 (82.6%) within the head and neck region. At multivariate analysis, treatment with curative intent and extensive irradiation of bilateral neck and pharyngeal mucosa were favorable prognostic factors for the whole series, and treatment with curative intent, extensive irradiation of bilateral neck and pharyngeal mucosa, and absence of extracapsular spread were favorable prognostic factors for the SCC subgroup. Conclusions: Patients with cervical lymph node metastases from UPS have a similar prognosis to those affected by other head and neck malignancies. Curative treatment strategies including neck dissection and extensive irradiation by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy resulted in significantly better outcomes.« less

Exploring Women’s Perceptions of Their Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

into thrce categories based on its underlying etiology. Hereditary breast cancer comprises 5%-10%1 of cases and is attributed to known genetic muta...iavwomen did not recognize aec as a breast cancer risk - - ft~ctur after receiving extensive education on the subject. Other studies have suggeskd that...this issue. Limitations The limitations ofthis study should be considered to properly temper any conclusions drawn. The results were based on a

Neonatal outcomes following extensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the delivery room for infants born at less than 33 weeks gestational age.

PubMed

Soraisham, Amuchou Singh; Lodha, Abhay Kumar; Singhal, Nalini; Aziz, Khalid; Yang, Junmin; Lee, Shoo K; Shah, Prakesh S

2014-02-01

To examine the neonatal mortality and morbidity of infants born at <33 weeks gestational age (GA) who received extensive delivery room cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DR-CPR) immediately after birth. In this retrospective cohort study, we performed secondary analyses of data from infants born at <33 weeks GA and admitted to participating NICUs in the Canadian Neonatal Network between January 2010 and December 2011. Infants were divided into two groups based on birth weight (<1000 g and ≥1000 g) and neonatal morbidity and mortality compared using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 8033 eligible infants, 419 (5.2%) received DR-CPR. For infants weighing <1000 g at birth, 10.9% (outborn: 21.6%, inborn: 7.6%) received DR-CPR, whereas 3.4% (outborn: 9.6%, inborn: 2.2%) of those weighing ≥1000 g received DR-CPR. If infants received DR-CPR there was increased risk of mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and severe brain injury. Logistic regression analysis showed DR-CPR was associated with increased mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.09, 95% CI [1.39, 3.14]) in infants born weighing <1000 g. Among infants born weighing ≥1000 g, DR-CPR was associated with increased mortality (aOR: 7.16, 95% CI [3.88, 13.2]), severe brain injury (aOR: 3.08, 95% CI [1.82, 5.22]), BPD (aOR: 2.14, 95% CI [1.25, 3.65]), pneumothorax (aOR: 3.11, 95% CI [1.53, 6.31]) and intestinal perforation (aOR: 3.47, 95% CI [1.46, 8.24]). DR-CPR is associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity especially in preterm infants born weighing ≥1000 g. Long-term neurodevelopmental follow up is warranted for these infants.

Toys are me: children's extension of self to objects.

PubMed

Diesendruck, Gil; Perez, Reut

2015-01-01

Adults tend to believe that objects can function as extensions of people's selves. This belief has been demonstrated in that changes to people's sense of self affect their attachment to personally valuable objects, and vice-versa. Here we tested the development of this belief. In Study 1 we found that manipulating 5-year-olds' self-worth via positive or negative feedback on performance, affected their willingness to part with personally valuable objects, but had no effect vis-à-vis non-valuable objects. In Study 2 we found that 9-, but not 5-year-olds were more willing to give a personally valuable object to someone morally repulsive after the object had been cleaned of all remnants of the child's self, than before. Study 2b showed an analogous effect in 5-year-olds' willingness to receive an object from someone morally repulsive. These findings intimate that the extension of self to objects via contagion may derive not only from cultural values such as consumerism, materialism, or individualism, but also from basic human needs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

77 FR 58097 - Extension of Comment Period for Request for Comments Regarding Amending the First Filing Deadline...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-19

...] Extension of Comment Period for Request for Comments Regarding Amending the First Filing Deadline for... comment regarding a potential legislative change to amend the first filing deadline for Affidavits or... why such an amendment is or is not favored. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before...

75 FR 44935 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Certificate for Poultry...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-30

... Hatching Eggs for Export AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of... poultry hatching eggs from the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or... FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the export of poultry and poultry hatching eggs from the...

78 FR 58267 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Requirements for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-23

... Hatching Eggs for Export AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of... hatching eggs from the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before... and hatching eggs from the United States, contact Dr. Antonio Ramirez, Senior Staff Veterinarian, NCIE...

76 FR 31576 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-01

... Spain AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an... Spain. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 1, 2011. ADDRESSES: You... information on regulations for the importation of clementines from Spain, contact Mr. William Wesela, Staff...

43 CFR 4.909 - How do I request an extension of time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... purpose, you may obtain an extension of time under this section. (b) You must submit a written request for... Service, a private delivery or courier service, hand delivery or telefax to (703) 235-8349; (2) If you.... Postal Service, a private delivery or courier service or hand delivery so that it is received within 5...

75 FR 62363 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bees and Related Articles

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-08

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bees and Related Articles... articles. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before December 7, 2010. ADDRESSES... INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the importation of bees and related articles, contact...

76 FR 65162 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Peppers...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-20

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Peppers From the... importation of peppers from the Republic of Korea. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or... the importation of peppers from the Republic of Korea, contact Mr. Alex Belano, Senior Import...

76 FR 78229 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Hass...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-16

... From Peru AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an... Peru. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 14, 2012. ADDRESSES... avocados from Peru, contact Mr. Tony Roman, Import Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ...

77 FR 50981 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Swine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-23

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Swine Hides... of swine hides, bird trophies, and deer hides. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive... for the importation of swine hides, bird trophies, and deer hides, contact Dr. Tracye Butler...

78 FR 58512 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Swine Health

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-24

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Swine Health AGENCY: Animal and... information collection associated with the regulations to prevent the interstate spread of swine diseases and protect swine health. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 25, 2013...

78 FR 34636 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Unshu...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-10

... From Japan AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of... importation of Unshu oranges from Japan. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before... for the importation of Unshu oranges from Japan, contact Mr. Andrew Wilds, Trade Director, PPQ, APHIS...

Extension Wellness Ambassadors: Individual Effects of Participation in a Health-Focused Master Volunteer Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Washburn, Lisa T.; Traywick, LaVona; Copeland, Lauren; Vincent, Jessica

2017-01-01

We present findings from a pilot implementation of the Extension Wellness Ambassador Program, a health-focused master volunteer program, and briefly describe the program approach and purpose. Program participants received 40 hr of training and completed assessments of self-efficacy, physical activity, and functional fitness at baseline and 3-month…

75 FR 5866 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 4768

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-04

...: Application for Extension of Time To File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer... 4768, Application for Extension of Time To File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Taxes. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 5, 2010 to be...

76 FR 13970 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Black Stem Rust...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-15

...] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements for Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA... black stem rust quarantine and regulations. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or...

Farmer Perceptions of Soil and Water Conservation Issues: Implications to Agricultural and Extension Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruening, Thomas; Martin, Robert A.

1992-01-01

A survey of 731 Iowa farmers received 432 responses indicating that (1) groundwater and water quality were of greater concern than soil conservation; (2) field demonstrations and county meetings were useful information sources on these issues; and (3) government agencies such as cooperative extension and state universities were useful sources of…

76 FR 37054 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Eggplant...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... Israel AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an... Israel. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 23, 2011. ADDRESSES: You... from Israel, contact Ms. Donna West, Senior Import Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39...

Low data rate digital space communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. H.

1973-01-01

The low available transmitter power and the large frequency uncertainty constrain the data rate to be low. An all-digital communication receiver is proposed, and its feasibility is established. Although coherent systems should be used whenever practical, the noncoherent MFSK system is more suitable for very low data rates. The effect of Rician fading on the performance of MFSK receiver is studied. Fading characteristics of the Venus channel are examined based on the exponential model and available experimental data on the Venus atmosphere. Because of the requirement of high communication efficiency, three codes are evaluated and compared. The rapidly varying phase error at low data rate has great effects on the tracking loop behaviors which are examined by extensive computer study of the phase plane trajectories.

The effect of educational interventions with siblings of hospitalized children.

PubMed

Gursky, Barbara

2007-10-01

Research has demonstrated that siblings of chronically ill children can experience significant emotional and behavior changes; however, few studies have looked at the specific impact of pediatric hospitalization on the nonhospitalized child. Studies also indicate that children who receive age-appropriate information are better equipped to handle the stress and anxiety often associated with hospitalization.This study explored whether siblings of hospitalized children who received educational interventions had lower anxiety levels compared to siblings who did not receive interventions. A pretest-posttest experimental design was used with 50 subjects, ages 6-17 years, recruited from a children's hospital within a university medical center. Subjects were matched according to age, sex, and race, with 25 siblings each in the experimental and control groups. Siblings assigned to the experimental group received interventions from a standardized educational intervention protocol developed by the researcher. Interventions focused on teaching the sibling about hospitalization, illness or injury, and treatment for the patient, based on cognitive stages of development. All interventions were conducted by child life specialists on staff at the hospital with extensive training and experience in preparation and procedural teaching. Results shows that siblings who received educational interventions had significantly lower anxiety levels after interventions, compared to siblings who did not receive interventions. These findings have significant impact on children's health care and supporting family needs when a child is hospitalized.

12 CFR 232.2 - Rule of construction for obtaining and using unsolicited medical information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... connection with a consumer's application for an extension of credit, the creditor requests a consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and receives medical information in the consumer report furnished by... it receives medical information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the...

Comparison analysis for classification algorithm in data mining and the study of model use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Junde; Zhang, Defu

2018-04-01

As a key technique in data mining, classification algorithm was received extensive attention. Through an experiment of classification algorithm in UCI data set, we gave a comparison analysis method for the different algorithms and the statistical test was used here. Than that, an adaptive diagnosis model for preventive electricity stealing and leakage was given as a specific case in the paper.

Tor: Case Study of a Boy with Autism between the Age of Three and Eight

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wagner, C Reuterskiold; Nettelbladt, U.

2005-01-01

Longitudinal data are presented on a boy between the ages of three and eight. At age three he received a diagnosis of language impairment and at age six a diagnosis of high-functioning autism. Results are presented from extensive assessments at four points in time, including interviews with his mother and teachers. The results indicate that the…

OpenFlow Extensions for Programmable Quantum Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-19

Extensions for Programmable Quantum Networks by Venkat Dasari, Nikolai Snow, and Billy Geerhart Computational and Information Sciences Directorate...distribution is unlimited. 1 1. Introduction Quantum networks and quantum computing have been receiving a surge of interest recently.1–3 However, there has...communicate using entangled particles and perform calculations using quantum logic gates. Additionally, quantum computing uses a quantum bit (qubit

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

Evans, V.; Foltz, D.

In 1990, the Clean Air Act was amended amidst a flurry of lobbying. One of the special provisions added was Section 404(d) (see also 40 CFR 72.42) to extend the deadline for compliance under Title IV from 1995 to 1997 for units that committed to install high-efficiency SO{sub 2} scrubbers. Title IV created the Acid Rain Program to reduce emissions of SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} from electric utility boilers. Section 404(d) was added as a result of the efforts to encourage the continued use of high sulfur coal. Congress allocated 3.5 million allowances for EPA to award under thesemore » provisions. To reduce the uncertainty of being selected to receive extension allowances through EPA`s lottery system, utilities interested in participating in the Program formed the Extension Allowance Pool. The Extension Allowance Pooling Agreement was executed as of March 1992 by 16 utilities. The underlying principle of the Pool is that those utilities whose control units were selected to receive extension allowances would share a portion of those allowances with those Pool participants that were not chosen by EPA. The Pool also provided for the various activities required to implement these arrangements.« less

The Telescope Array RADAR (TARA) Project and the Search for the Radar Signature of Cosmic Ray Induced Extensive Air Showers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prohira, Steven; TARA Collaboration; Telescope Array Collaboration

2016-03-01

The TARA (Telescope Array Radar) cosmic ray detector has been in operation since May 2013. It is the most ambitious effort to date to test an idea that originated in the 1940's: that ionization produced by cosmic ray extensive air showers should reflect electromagnetic radiation. The observation of this effect would open the possibility that remote-sensing radar technology could be used to detect and reconstruct extensive air showers, thus increasing the aperture available for the study of the highest-energy cosmic rays. TARA employs a bi-static radar configuration, consisting of a 25 kW, 5 MW ERP transmitter at 54.1 MHz broadcasting across the Telescope Array surface detector. 40 km distant, a set of log-periodic receiver antennas are read out by two independent data acquisition systems employing different techniques to select signals of the form expected for radar targets moving at close to the speed of light. In this talk, we describe the TARA detector and present the first quantitative limits on the radar cross-section of extensive air showers.

Implementation of concussion legislation and extent of concussion education for athletes, parents, and coaches in Washington State.

PubMed

Chrisman, Sara P; Schiff, Melissa A; Chung, Shana K; Herring, Stanley A; Rivara, Frederick P

2014-05-01

Most states in the United States have passed laws regarding concussions, but little is known regarding the implementation of these laws. Hypothesis/ The purpose of this study was to survey high school coaches 3 years after the passage of a concussion law to evaluate the variation in concussion education and knowledge in the context of this law as well as measure the effects of sport (football vs soccer) and urban versus rural locations. The hypothesis was that concussion education and knowledge would be more extensive in football compared with soccer and in urban locations compared with rural locations. Descriptive epidemiology study. A mixed-methods (paper and online) survey was conducted in 2012 to 2013 on a random sample of public high school football, girls' soccer, and boys' soccer coaches in Washington State, stratified by urban and rural locality. The survey covered the extent of concussion education for coaches, athletes, and parents as well as coaches' concussion knowledge and experience. Of 496 coaches contacted, 270 responded (54.4%). Nearly all coaches answered concussion knowledge questions correctly, and nearly all coaches received education via ≥2 modalities (written, video, slide presentation, test, and in person). Athlete education was less extensive, with 34.7% exposed to ≥2 modalities and 29.5% only signing a concussion information form. Parent education was even more limited, with 16.2% exposed to ≥2 modalities and 57.9% only signing a concussion information form. Significantly more football than soccer coaches gave their athletes an in-person talk about concussions (59.1% vs. 39.4%, respectively; P = .002) and provided concussion education to athletes via ≥2 modalities (44.1% vs. 29.7%, respectively; P = .02). Concussion education for coaches and parents was similar between sports, and concussion education for all parties was similar in urban and rural localities. Three years after the passage of a concussion law in Washington State, high school football and soccer coaches are receiving substantial concussion education and have good concussion knowledge. Concussion education for athletes and parents is more limited. Football players receive more extensive concussion education than do soccer players. Clinicians should be aware that athletes and parents may not be receiving significant concussion education.

Prevalence of anaemia among HIV patients in rural China during the HAART era.

PubMed

Jin, Yantao; Li, Qingya; Meng, Xiangle; Xu, Qianlei; Yuan, Jun; Li, Zhengwei; Guo, Huijun; Liu, Zhibin

2017-01-01

The prevalence of anaemia among HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in China has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among HIV patients receiving HAART in China. This cross-sectional study was conducted based on data in routine record registers. Factors associated with anaemia were evaluated by logistic regression model. Among the 8632 HIV patients in this analysis, the overall prevalence of anaemia was 39.2%, and the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anaemia were 27.2%, 10.8%, and 1.2%, respectively. Anaemia was more prevalence among male, older, little time taken HAART and lower CD4 cell count. Patients taken TCM had lower prevalence of anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia among the HIV patients receiving HAART was high in this study. HIV patients with anaemia who are older and have CD4 cells count lower than 200 cells/mL require more attention. Traditional Chinese medicine may be a potential method to lower the frequency of anaemia.

Morphological characterization of rat entorhinal neurons in vivo: soma-dendritic structure and axonal domains.

PubMed

Lingenhöhl, K; Finch, D M

1991-01-01

We used in vivo intracellular labeling with horseradish peroxidase in order to study the soma-dendritic morphology and axonal projections of rat entorhinal neurons. The cells responded to hippocampal stimulation with inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, and thus likely received direct or indirect hippocampal input. All cells (n = 24) showed extensive dendritic domains that extended in some cases for more than 1 mm. The dendrites of layer II neurons were largely restricted to layers I and II or layers I-III, while the dendrites of deeper cells could extend through all cortical layers. Computed 3D rotations showed that the basilar dendrites of deep pyramids extended roughly parallel to the cortical layering, and that they were mostly confined to the layer containing the soma and layers immediately adjacent. Total dendritic lengths averaged 9.8 mm +/- 3.8 (SD), and ranged from 5 mm to more than 18 mm. Axonal processes could be visualized in 21 cells. Most of these showed axonal branching within the entorhinal cortex, sometimes extensive. Efferent axonal domains were reconstructed in detail in 3 layer II stellate cells. All 3 projected axons across the subicular complex to the dentate gyrus. One of these cells showed an extensive net-like axonal domain that also projected to several other structures, including the hippocampus proper, subicular complex, and the amygdalo-piriform transition area. The axons of layer III and IV cells projected to the angular bundle, where they continued in a rostral direction. In contrast to the layer II, III and IV cells, no efferent axonal branches leaving the entorhinal cortex could be visualized in 5 layer V neurons. The data indicate that entorhinal neurons can integrate input from a considerable volume of entorhinal cortex by virtue of their extensive dendritic domains, and provide a further basis for specifying the layers in which cells receive synaptic input. The extensive axonal branching pattern seen in most of the cells would support divergent propagation of their activity.

Evaluation of nerve transfer options for treating total brachial plexus avulsion injury: a retrospective study of 73 participants

PubMed Central

Gao, Kai-ming; Hu, Jing-jing; Lao, Jie; Zhao, Xin

2018-01-01

Despite recent great progress in diagnosis and microsurgical repair, the prognosis in total brachial plexus-avulsion injury remains unfavorable. Insufficient number of donors and unreasonable use of donor nerves might be key factors. To identify an optimal treatment strategy for this condition, we conducted a retrospective review. Seventy-three patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injury were followed up for an average of 7.3 years. Our analysis demonstrated no significant difference in elbow-flexion recovery between phrenic nerve-transfer (25 cases), phrenic nerve-graft (19 cases), intercostal nerve (17 cases), or contralateral C7-transfer (12 cases) groups. Restoration of shoulder function was attempted through anterior accessory nerve (27 cases), posterior accessory nerve (10 cases), intercostal nerve (5 cases), or accessory + intercostal nerve transfer (31 cases). Accessory nerve + intercostal nerve transfer was the most effective method. A significantly greater amount of elbow extension was observed in patients with intercostal nerve transfer (25 cases) than in those with contralateral C7 transfer (10 cases). Recovery of median nerve function was noticeably better for those who received entire contralateral C7 transfer (33 cases) than for those who received partial contralateral C7 transfer (40 cases). Wrist and finger extension were reconstructed by intercostal nerve transfer (31 cases). Overall, the recommended surgical treatment for total brachial plexus-avulsion injury is phrenic nerve transfer for elbow flexion, accessory nerve + intercostal nerve transfer for shoulder function, intercostal nerves transfer for elbow extension, entire contralateral C7 transfer for median nerve function, and intercostal nerve transfer for finger extension. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03166033). PMID:29623932

Proprioceptive Interaction between the Two Arms in a Single-Arm Pointing Task.

PubMed

Kigawa, Kazuyoshi; Izumizaki, Masahiko; Tsukada, Setsuro; Hakuta, Naoyuki

2015-01-01

Proprioceptive signals coming from both arms are used to determine the perceived position of one arm in a two-arm matching task. Here, we examined whether the perceived position of one arm is affected by proprioceptive signals from the other arm in a one-arm pointing task in which participants specified the perceived position of an unseen reference arm with an indicator paddle. Both arms were hidden from the participant's view throughout the study. In Experiment 1, with both arms placed in front of the body, the participants received 70-80 Hz vibration to the elbow flexors of the reference arm (= right arm) to induce the illusion of elbow extension. This extension illusion was compared with that when the left arm elbow flexors were vibrated or not. The degree of the vibration-induced extension illusion of the right arm was reduced in the presence of left arm vibration. In Experiment 2, we found that this kinesthetic interaction between the two arms did not occur when the left arm was vibrated in an abducted position. In Experiment 3, the vibration-induced extension illusion of one arm was fully developed when this arm was placed at an abducted position, indicating that the brain receives increased proprioceptive input from a vibrated arm even if the arm was abducted. Our results suggest that proprioceptive interaction between the two arms occurs in a one-arm pointing task when the two arms are aligned with one another. The position sense of one arm measured using a pointer appears to include the influences of incoming information from the other arm when both arms were placed in front of the body and parallel to one another.

Proprioceptive Interaction between the Two Arms in a Single-Arm Pointing Task

PubMed Central

Kigawa, Kazuyoshi; Izumizaki, Masahiko; Tsukada, Setsuro; Hakuta, Naoyuki

2015-01-01

Proprioceptive signals coming from both arms are used to determine the perceived position of one arm in a two-arm matching task. Here, we examined whether the perceived position of one arm is affected by proprioceptive signals from the other arm in a one-arm pointing task in which participants specified the perceived position of an unseen reference arm with an indicator paddle. Both arms were hidden from the participant’s view throughout the study. In Experiment 1, with both arms placed in front of the body, the participants received 70–80 Hz vibration to the elbow flexors of the reference arm (= right arm) to induce the illusion of elbow extension. This extension illusion was compared with that when the left arm elbow flexors were vibrated or not. The degree of the vibration-induced extension illusion of the right arm was reduced in the presence of left arm vibration. In Experiment 2, we found that this kinesthetic interaction between the two arms did not occur when the left arm was vibrated in an abducted position. In Experiment 3, the vibration-induced extension illusion of one arm was fully developed when this arm was placed at an abducted position, indicating that the brain receives increased proprioceptive input from a vibrated arm even if the arm was abducted. Our results suggest that proprioceptive interaction between the two arms occurs in a one-arm pointing task when the two arms are aligned with one another. The position sense of one arm measured using a pointer appears to include the influences of incoming information from the other arm when both arms were placed in front of the body and parallel to one another. PMID:26317518

Evaluation of nerve transfer options for treating total brachial plexus avulsion injury: A retrospective study of 73 participants.

PubMed

Gao, Kai-Ming; Hu, Jing-Jing; Lao, Jie; Zhao, Xin

2018-03-01

Despite recent great progress in diagnosis and microsurgical repair, the prognosis in total brachial plexus-avulsion injury remains unfavorable. Insufficient number of donors and unreasonable use of donor nerves might be key factors. To identify an optimal treatment strategy for this condition, we conducted a retrospective review. Seventy-three patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injury were followed up for an average of 7.3 years. Our analysis demonstrated no significant difference in elbow-flexion recovery between phrenic nerve-transfer (25 cases), phrenic nerve-graft (19 cases), intercostal nerve (17 cases), or contralateral C 7 -transfer (12 cases) groups. Restoration of shoulder function was attempted through anterior accessory nerve (27 cases), posterior accessory nerve (10 cases), intercostal nerve (5 cases), or accessory + intercostal nerve transfer (31 cases). Accessory nerve + intercostal nerve transfer was the most effective method. A significantly greater amount of elbow extension was observed in patients with intercostal nerve transfer (25 cases) than in those with contralateral C 7 transfer (10 cases). Recovery of median nerve function was noticeably better for those who received entire contralateral C 7 transfer (33 cases) than for those who received partial contralateral C 7 transfer (40 cases). Wrist and finger extension were reconstructed by intercostal nerve transfer (31 cases). Overall, the recommended surgical treatment for total brachial plexus-avulsion injury is phrenic nerve transfer for elbow flexion, accessory nerve + intercostal nerve transfer for shoulder function, intercostal nerves transfer for elbow extension, entire contralateral C 7 transfer for median nerve function, and intercostal nerve transfer for finger extension. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03166033).

76 FR 10899 - Proposed HHS Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for Prevention of Dental...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-28

... Drinking Water for Prevention of Dental Caries; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Office of the Secretary... dental caries while limiting the risk of dental fluorosis. The proposed recommendation was published in... caries has been extended to April 15, 2011. To receive consideration comments must be received no later...

75 FR 21626 - Notice of Public Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-26

... enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of..., TV Broadcast Receivers. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved... Commission's rules requires sellers of TV sets (and other TV receiver equipment) that do not contain a...

Chemotherapy in combination with cytokine-induced killer cell transfusion: An effective therapeutic option for patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Huang, Jianmin; Kan, Quancheng; Lan; Zhao, Xuan; Zhang, Zhen; Yang, Shuangning; Li, Hong; Wang, Liping; Xu, Li; Cheng, Zhe; Zhang, Yi

2017-05-01

In the past decade of clinical studies, the combination of chemotherapy with cytokine induced killer (CIK) cell transfusion has confirmed a promised efficacy in several types of cancer. CIK cells are a mixture of T lymphocytes, generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by multiple cytokines. This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy combined with CIK- cell therapy in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES SCLC). Forty four patients with ES SCLC were enrolled in this study. All the patients received treatment from Oct 2010 to Sep 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Included patients were equally divided into 2 groups according to the treatment strategies. Patients in the combined treatment group received chemotherapy combined with CIK-cell transfusion and patients in the control group received chemotherapy alone. The short-term effects, overall survival (OS), progress free survival (PFS) and therapy-related adverse events were analyzed retrospectively. Short-term efficacy evaluation indicated that the total response rates in the combined treatment group and control group were 40.9% (9/22) and 9.1% (2/22), respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.0339). Furthermore, the PFS of the combined treatment group was significantly longer than that of the control group (8 vs. 4months, P=0.005). No severe side effect was observed after transfusion of CIK cells. These results indicated that chemotherapy combined with CIK-cell immunotherapy might provide a safe and effective treatment for patients with ES SCLC. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

AMN082-a metabotropic glutamate receptor type 7 allosteric agonist in the NAc facilitates extinction and inhibits the reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rats.

PubMed

Vatankhah, Mahsaneh; Sarihi, Abdolrahman; Komaki, Alireza; Shahidi, Siamak; Haghparast, Abbas

2018-03-29

Nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a primary role in opioid reward. The actions of glutamate (which is the most extensive excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system) are mediated through the activation of the ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Previous studies have shown the extensive distributions of the different types of mGluRs, including mGluR7, in regions that are involved in opioid reward, such as NAc. In this study, CPP was used to investigate the effect of mGluR7 on the extinction period, and the reinstatement of morphine. The animals received bilaterally microinjections of AMN082, a selective mGluR 7 allosteric agonist, into the NAc. In Experiment 1, the rats received AMN082 (1 and 5 μg/0.5 μl) during the extinction period. In Experiment 2, the CPP morphine-extinguished rats received AMN082 (1, 3 and 5 μg/0.5 μl) five minutes prior to the administration of an ineffective dosage of morphine (1 mg/kg) in order to reinstate the extinguished morphine. The results of the recorded conditioning scores in this study showed that the intra-accumbal administration of AMN08 reduced the extinction period of morphine. Moreover, the administration of AMN082 into the NAc dose-dependently inhibited the reinstatement of morphine. The findings suggested that the mGluR7 in the NAc facilitates the extinction and inhibits the reinstatement of the morphine-induced CPP that could have been mediated by an increase in the release of extracellular glutamate. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Safety and Efficacy of Baricitinib Through 128 Weeks in an Open-label, Longterm Extension Study in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PubMed

Keystone, Edward C; Genovese, Mark C; Schlichting, Douglas E; de la Torre, Inmaculada; Beattie, Scott D; Rooney, Terence P; Taylor, Peter C

2018-01-01

To assess the safety and efficacy of baricitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to 128 weeks in a phase IIb study (NCT01185353). After a 24-week blinded period, eligible patients entered an initial 52-week open-label extension (OLE); patients receiving 8 mg once daily (QD) continued with that dose and all others received 4 mg QD. Doses could be escalated to 8 mg QD at 28 or 32 weeks at investigator discretion when ≥ 6 tender and ≥ 6 swollen joints were present. Patients completing the first OLE were eligible to enter a second 52-week OLE and receive 4 mg QD regardless of previous dose. In the 4-mg (n = 108) and 8-mg (n = 93) groups, treatment-emergent adverse events (AE) occurred in 63% and 67%, serious AE in 16% and 13%, infections in 35% and 40%, and serious infections in 5% and 3% of patients, respectively. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates for AE for all baricitinib groups in the second OLE were similar to or lower than rates observed in the first OLE. No opportunistic infections, tuberculosis cases, or lymphomas were observed through 128 weeks; 1 death occurred during the first OLE. Among all patients in both OLE, the proportions who achieved disease improvement at Week 24 were similar or increased at weeks 76 and 128. In a phase IIb study in RA, the safety and tolerability profile of baricitinib, up to 128 weeks, remained consistent with earlier observations, without unexpected late signals. Clinical improvements seen in the 24-week blinded period were maintained during the OLE.

I Want Your Sext: Sexting and Sexual Risk in Emerging Adult Minority Men.

PubMed

Davis, Mikaela Jessica; Powell, Adeya; Gordon, Derrick; Kershaw, Trace

2016-04-01

Sexting, sending, or receiving sexually suggestive or explicit messages/photos/videos, have not been studied extensively. The aims of this study is to understand factors associated with sexting among minority (e.g., African- American, Hispanic) emerging adult males and the association between sexting and sexual risk. We recruited 119 emerging adult heterosexual males and assessed sexting and sexual risk behaviors. Fifty-four percent of participants sent a sext, and 70% received a sext. Participants were more likely to sext with casual partners than with steady partners. Multiple regression analyses showed that participants who sent sexts to steady partners had significantly more unprotected vaginal intercourse and oral sex. Participants who sent sexts to casual partners had significantly more partners, and participants who received sexts from casual partners had significantly more unprotected oral sex and sex while on substances. We found that sexting is a frequent and reciprocal behavior among emerging adults, and there were different patterns of significance for sexts with casual and steady partners.

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Muscle Size and Strength in Patients on Hemodialysis

PubMed Central

Gordon, Patricia L.; Sakkas, Giorgos K.; Doyle, Julie W.; Shubert, Tiffany; Johansen, Kirsten L.

2007-01-01

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D has various actions in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to compare lower limb muscle size and strength in hemodialysis (HD) patients being treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) or a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D analog (paricalcitol) to HD patients who were receiving none. DESIGN This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING Outpatient hemodialysis centers. PATIENTS HD patients receiving calcitriol or paricalcitol (active vitamin D) for control of secondary hyperparathyroidism (VitD, n = 49) were compared to HD patients who were not (n = 30). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cross-sectional areas (CSA) of thigh and tibialis anterior muscles by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and three measures of strength; three-repetition maximum (3RM) for knee extension (isotonic), peak torque of knee extensors (isokinetic), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles (isometric). RESULTS There were no differences in age, weight, dialysis vintage, or intact parathyroid hormone levels between the groups, although serum albumin was higher in the VitD group (p <0.05). Patients in the VitD group had larger thigh muscle CSA (p < 0.05) and were stronger across all strength measures (p< 0.05) after controlling for age and gender (ANCOVA). When all analyses were subsequently adjusted for serum albumin concentration, only the difference in 3RM knee extension strength lost significance. There were no significant differences in any measurements between patients who received calcitriol or paricalcitol. CONCLUSION Treatment with active vitamin D was associated with greater muscle size and strength in this cohort of HD patients. PMID:17971312

Switching patients with erectile dysfunction from sildenafil citrate to tadalafil: results of a European multicenter, open-label study of patient preference.

PubMed

Ströberg, Peter; Murphy, Aileen; Costigan, Tim

2003-11-01

Three inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) are now available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED): sildenafil citrate, vardenafil, and tadalafil. Pharmacologic differences between these compounds may result in patient preferences for one over another and may influence treatment decisions made by the physician and patient. Therefore, clinical research is needed to investigate whether individual properties of the PDE5 inhibitors play a role in shaping patient preference. The goal of this study was to determine what proportion of ED patients currently taking sildenafil would, after a period of treatment with tadalafil, elect to resume treatment with sildenafil at the customary dose and what proportion would elect a switch to tadalafil 20 mg for a longer period. The tolerability of both treatments was also investigated. This was a short-term, multicenter, open-label, 1-way crossover trial conducted in Sweden and Italy. Eligible patients included men aged >or=18 years with a minimum 3-month history of ED who had been taking sildenafil at stable fixed doses of 25, 50, or 100 mg as needed for at least 6 weeks and up to 24 weeks. The study consisted of 6 phases: a 1-week screening phase, a 3-week sildenafil assessment phase, a 1-week washout phase, a 6-week tadalafil initiation phase, a 3-week tadalafil assessment phase, and a 6-month extension phase, during which patients received their treatment of choice free of charge. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients electing to take sildenafil or tadalafil during the extension phase. Of 155 men enrolled, 147 (97.8%) completed the assessment phases of the trial. Of these 147 men, 133 (90.5%) elected to receive tadalafil in the 6-month extension phase and 14 (9.5%) elected to receive sildenafil (P < 0.001). The proportions preferring tadalafil to sildenafil were similar irrespective of age group (>or=50 years, 92%; <50 years, 90%), severity of ED (mild, 95%; moderate, 88%; severe, 96%), etiology of ED (psychogenic, 94%; organic, 91%; mixed, 87%), and sildenafil dose at study entry (50 mg, 90%; 100 mg, 89%). Both medications were well tolerated. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events occurring in >or=2% of patients during the tadalafil assessment phase included headache (4.8%), nasal congestion (4.1%), dyspepsia (3.4%), flushing (2.7%), back pain (2.0%), diarrhea (2.0%), and nausea (2.0%); the most common treatment-emergent adverse events during the sildenafil assessment phase were flusing (7.1%), nasal congestion (6.5%), headache (4.5%), and nasopharyngitis (3.2%). In this short-term, open-label study, patients who were currently taking sildenafil for ED and then received tadalafil preferred to continue oral therapy with tadalafil over sildenafil by a ratio of approximately 9:1. Although the study sought to mimic the experience of actual patients receiving treatment for ED, the results are subject to potential limitations due to the design of the study, which included differences in dosing instructions and dosages for sildenafil and tadalafil. Both sildenafil and tadalafil were well tolerated.

Characterization of a symbol rate timing recovery technique for a 2B1Q digital receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aboulnasr, T.; Hage, M.; Sayar, B.; Aly, S.

1994-02-01

This paper presents a study of several implementations of the Mueller and Muller symbol rate timing recovery algorithm for ISDN transmission over digital subscriber loops (DSL). Implementations of this algorithm using various estimates of a specified timing function are investigated. It will be shown that despite the fact that all of the estimates considered are derived based on one set of conditions, their performance varies widely in a real system. The intrinsic properties of these estimates are first analyzed, then their performance on real subscriber loops is studied through extensive simulations of a practical digital receiver. The effect of various system parameters such as channel distortion and additive noise are included. Possible sources of convergence problems are also identified and corrective action proposed.

Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in patients with macular edema related to branch or central retinal vein occlusion twelve-month study results.

PubMed

Haller, Julia A; Bandello, Francesco; Belfort, Rubens; Blumenkranz, Mark S; Gillies, Mark; Heier, Jeffrey; Loewenstein, Anat; Yoon, Young Hee; Jiao, Jenny; Li, Xiao-Yan; Whitcup, Scott M; Li, Joanne

2011-12-01

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1 or 2 treatments with dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) over 12 months in eyes with macular edema owing to branch or central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO or CRVO). Two identical, multicenter, prospective studies included a randomized, 6-month, double-masked, sham-controlled phase followed by a 6-month open-label extension. We included 1256 patients with vision loss owing to macular edema associated with BRVO or CRVO. At baseline, patients received DEX implant 0.7 mg (n = 421), DEX implant 0.35 mg (n = 412), or sham (n = 423) in the study eye. At day 180, patients could receive DEX implant 0.7 mg if best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was <84 letters or retinal thickness was >250 μm. The primary outcome for the open-label extension was safety; BCVA was also evaluated. At day 180, 997 patients received open-label DEX implant. Except for cataract, the incidence of ocular adverse events was similar in patients who received their first or second DEX implant. Over 12 months, cataract progression occurred in 90 of 302 phakic eyes (29.8%) that received 2 DEX implant 0.7 mg injections versus 5 of 88 sham-treated phakic eyes (5.7%); cataract surgery was performed in 4 of 302 (1.3%) and 1 of 88 (1.1%) eyes, respectively. In the group receiving two 0.7-mg DEX implants (n = 341), a ≥ 10-mmHg intraocular pressure (IOP) increase from baseline was observed in (12.6% after the first treatment, and 15.4% after the second). The IOP increases were usually transient and controlled with medication or observation; an additional 10.3% of patients initiated IOP-lowering medications after the second treatment. A ≥ 15-letter improvement in BCVA from baseline was achieved by 30% and 32% of patients 60 days after the first and second DEX implant, respectively. Among patients with macular edema owing to BRVO or CRVO, single and repeated treatment with DEX implant had a favorable safety profile over 12 months. In patients who qualified for and received 2 DEX implant injections, the efficacy and safety of the 2 implants were similar with the exception of cataract progression. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distribution of birds and plants at the western and southern edges of the Madrean Sky Islands in Sonora, Mexico

Treesearch

Aaron D. Flesch; Lisa A. Hahn

2005-01-01

The western and southern edges of the Madrean Sky Island region are poorly defined and have received little study. After exploring mountains in these areas, we documented range extensions and additional records for several species of interest. Although many of these disjunct mountains have not been considered Sky Islands, their flora and fauna are similar to other...

The Management of Intercollegiate Athletics at UC Berkeley: Turning Points and Consequences. Research & Occasional Paper Series: CSHE.12.13

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cummins, John; Hextrum, Kirsten

2013-01-01

This white paper was prepared at the request of the Advisory Committee to the Athletic Study Center as a result of their concern over poor graduation rates in football as released by the NCAA in 2012. The paper received extensive review by the members of that committee as well as several other knowledgeable faculty and senior administrators before…

Clinimetric evaluation of shoulder disability questionnaires: a systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

Bot, S; Terwee, C; van der Windt, D A W M; Bouter, L; Dekker, J; de Vet, H C W

2004-01-01

Methods: Systematic literature searches were performed to identify self administered shoulder disability questionnaires. A checklist was developed to evaluate and compare the clinimetric quality of the instruments. Results: Two reviewers identified and evaluated 16 questionnaires by our checklist. Most studies were found for the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scale (DASH), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardised Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES). None of the questionnaires demonstrated satisfactory results for all properties. Most questionnaires claim to measure several domains (for example, pain, physical, emotional, and social functioning), yet dimensionality was studied in only three instruments. The internal consistency was calculated for seven questionnaires and only one received an adequate rating. Twelve questionnaires received positive ratings for construct validity, although depending on the population studied, four of these questionnaires received poor ratings too. Seven questionnaires were shown to have adequate test-retest reliability (ICC >0.70), but five questionnaires were tested inadequately. In most clinimetric studies only small sample sizes (n<43) were used. Nearly all publications lacked information on the interpretation of scores. Conclusion: The DASH, SPADI, and ASES have been studied most extensively, and yet even published validation studies of these instruments have limitations in study design, sample sizes, or evidence for dimensionality. Overall, the DASH received the best ratings for its clinimetric properties. PMID:15020324

Schottky Heterodyne Receivers With Full Waveguide Bandwidth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hesler, Jeffrey; Crowe, Thomas

2011-01-01

Compact THz receivers with broad bandwidth and low noise have been developed for the frequency range from 100 GHz to 1 THz. These receivers meet the requirements for high-resolution spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres (including the Earth s) from spacecraft, as well as airborne and balloon platforms. The ongoing research is significant not only for the development of Schottky mixers, but also for the creation of a receiver system, including the LO chain. The new receivers meet the goals of high sensitivity, compact size, low total power requirement, and operation across complete waveguide bands. The exceptional performance makes these receivers ideal for the broader range of scientific and commercial applications. These include the extension of sophisticated test and measurement equipment to 1 THz and the development of low-cost imaging systems for security applications and industrial process monitoring. As a particular example, a WR-1.9SHM (400-600 GHz) has been developed (see Figure 1), with state-of-the-art noise temperature ranging from 1,000-1,800 K (DSB) over the full waveguide band. Also, a Vector Network Analyzer extender has been developed (see Figure 2) for the WR1.5 waveguide band (500 750 GHz) with 100-dB dynamic range.

Long-term tolerability of ethinylestradiol 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg in a flexible extended regimen: results from a randomised, controlled, multicentre study

PubMed Central

Klipping, Christine; Duijkers, Ingrid; Fortier, Michel P; Marr, Joachim; Trummer, Dietmar; Elliesen, Jörg

2012-01-01

Background This study was designed to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of a new flexible extended regimen of ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 μg/drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg, which allows management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding [flexible management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding (MIB)], in comparison to conventional 28-day and fixed extended regimens. Study design In this Phase III, multicentre, open-label study, women (aged 18–35 years) were randomised to EE/DRSP in the following regimens: flexibleMIB (24–120 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval), conventional 28-day (24 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day hormone-free interval) or fixed extended (120 days' uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval) during a 1-year comparative phase. Thereafter, women entered a 1-year safety extension phase in which the majority received the flexibleMIB regimen. Safety/tolerability outcomes were measured over 2 years. A separate analysis of certain safety parameters (endometrial, hormonal, lipid, haemostatic and metabolic variables) was conducted at two of the study centres. Results Results were analysed in 1067 and 783 women in the comparative and safety extension phases. Overall, 56.3% of women experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE) in the safety extension phase. Serious AEs occurred in 3.0%, 1.4% and 3.3% of women receiving the flexibleMIB, conventional and fixed extended regimens, respectively. No unexpected endometrial, hormonal, lipid, haemostatic or metabolic findings occurred with any of the three regimens. Conclusions EE/DRSP in a flexible extended regimen with management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding is well-tolerated and, when administered for up to 2 years, has a good safety profile comparable to other estrogen/progestogen oral contraceptives. PMID:22454004

Body composition and skeletal health: too heavy? Too thin?

PubMed

Faje, Alexander; Klibanski, Anne

2012-09-01

The relationship between body composition and skeletal metabolism has received growing recognition. Low body weight is an established risk factor for fracture. The effect of obesity on skeletal health is less well defined. Extensive studies in patients with anorexia nervosa and obesity have illuminated many of the underlying biologic mechanisms by which body composition modulates bone mass. This review examines the relationship between body composition and bone mass through data from recent research studies throughout the weight spectrum ranging from anorexia nervosa to obesity.

Clinical evaluation of pacemaker automatic capture management and atrioventricular interval extension algorithm.

PubMed

Chen, Ke-ping; Xu, Geng; Wu, Shulin; Tang, Baopeng; Wang, Li; Zhang, Shu

2013-03-01

The present study was to assess the accuracy of automatic atrial and ventricular capture management (ACM and VCM) in determining pacing threshold and the performance of a second-generation automatic atrioventricular (AV) interval extension algorithm for reducing unnecessary ventricular pacing. A total of 398 patients at 32 centres who received an EnPulse dual-chamber pacing/dual-chamber adaptive rate pacing pacemaker (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) were enrolled. The last amplitude thresholds as measured by ACM and VCM prior to the 6-month follow-up were compared with manually measured thresholds. Device diagnostics were used to evaluate ACM and VCM and the percentage of ventricular pacing with and without the AV extension algorithm. Modelling was performed to assess longevity gains relating to the use of automaticity features. Atrial and ventricular capture management performed accurately and reliably provided complete capture management in 97% of studied patients. The AV interval extension algorithm reduced the median per cent of right ventricular pacing in patients with sinus node dysfunction from 99.7 to 1.5% at 6-month follow-up and in patients with intermittent AV block (excluding persistent 3° AV block) from 99.9 to 50.2%. On the basis of validated modelling, estimated device longevity could potentially be extended by 1.9 years through the use of the capture management and AV interval extension features. Both ACM and VCM features reliably measured thresholds in nearly all patients; the AV extension algorithm significantly reduced ventricular pacing; and the use of pacemaker automaticity features potentially extends device longevity.

A new radio propagation model at 2.4 GHz for wireless medical body sensors in outdoor environment.

PubMed

Yang, Daniel S

2013-01-01

This study investigates the effect of antenna height, receive antenna placement on human body, and distance between transmitter and receiver on the loss of wireless signal power in order to develop a wireless propagation model for wireless body sensors. Although many studies looked at the effect of distance, few studies were found that investigated methodically the effect of antenna height and antenna placement on the human body. Transmit antenna heights of 1, 2, and 3 meters, receive antenna heights of 1 and 1.65 meters, "on-body" and "off-body" placements of receive antenna, and a total of 11 distances ranging from 1 to 45 meters are tested in relation to received power in dBm. Multiple regression is used to analyze the data. Significance of a variable is tested by comparing its p-value with alpha, and model fit is assessed using adjusted R(2) and s of residuals. It is found that an increase in antenna height would increase power--but only for transmit antenna. The receive antenna height has a surprising, opposite effect in the on-body case and an insignificant effect in the off-body case. To formalize the propagation model, coefficient values from multiple regression are incorporated in an extension of the log-distance model to produce a new empirical model for on-body and off-body cases, and the new empirical model could conceivably be utilized to design more reliable wireless links for medical body sensors.

Biological Synthesis of Nanoparticles from Plants and Microorganisms.

PubMed

Singh, Priyanka; Kim, Yu-Jin; Zhang, Dabing; Yang, Deok-Chun

2016-07-01

Nanotechnology has become one of the most promising technologies applied in all areas of science. Metal nanoparticles produced by nanotechnology have received global attention due to their extensive applications in the biomedical and physiochemical fields. Recently, synthesizing metal nanoparticles using microorganisms and plants has been extensively studied and has been recognized as a green and efficient way for further exploiting microorganisms as convenient nanofactories. Here, we explore and detail the potential uses of various biological sources for nanoparticle synthesis and the application of those nanoparticles. Furthermore, we highlight recent milestones achieved for the biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles by controlling critical parameters, including the choice of biological source, incubation period, pH, and temperature. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extension and Density of Root Fillings and Post-operative Apical Radiolucencies in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study

PubMed Central

Zhong, Yan; Chasen, Joel; Yamanaka, Ryan; Garcia, Raul; Kaye, Elizabeth Krall; Kaufman, Jay S; Cai, Jianwen; Wilcosky, Tim; Trope, Martin; Caplan, Daniel J

2008-01-01

We evaluated the association between radiographically-assessed extension and density of root canal fillings and post-operative apical radiolucencies (AR) using data from 288 participants in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study. Study subjects were not VA patients; all received their medical and dental care in the private sector. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to account for multiple teeth within subjects and to control for covariates of interest. Defective root filling density was associated with increased odds of post-operative AR among teeth with no pre-operative AR (Odds Ratio=3.0, 95%CI=1.3–7.1), though pre-operative AR was the strongest risk factor for post-operative AR (Odds Ratio=29.2, 95%CI=13.6–63.0 among teeth with ideal density). Compared to well-extended root fillings, neither over- nor under-extended root fillings separately were related to post-operative AR, but when those two categories were collapsed into one “poorly-extended” category, poor extension was related to post-operative AR (Odds Ratio=1.8, 95%CI=1.1–3.2). PMID:18570982

Reciprocal Family, Friendship and Church Support Networks of African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life.

PubMed

Taylor, Robert Joseph; Mouzon, Dawne M; Nguyen, Ann W; Chatters, Linda M

2016-12-01

This study examined reciprocal support networks involving extended family, friends and church members among African Americans. Our analysis examined specific patterns of reciprocal support (i.e., received only, gave only, both gave and received, neither gave or received), as well as network characteristics (i.e., contact and subjective closeness) as correlates of reciprocal support. The analysis is based on the African American sub-sample of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Overall, our findings indicate that African Americans are very involved in reciprocal support networks with their extended family, friends and church members. Respondents were most extensively involved in reciprocal supports with extended family members, followed closely by friends and church networks. Network characteristics (i.e., contact and subjective closeness) were significantly and consistently associated with involvement with reciprocal support exchanges for all three networks. These and other findings are discussed in detail. This study complements previous work on the complementary roles of family, friend and congregational support networks, as well as studies of racial differences in informal support networks.

A theory-based approach to teaching young children about health: A recipe for understanding

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Simone P.; McCullough, Mary Beth; Noble, Ashley

2011-01-01

The theory-theory account of conceptual development posits that children’s concepts are integrated into theories. Concept learning studies have documented the central role that theories play in children’s learning of experimenter-defined categories, but have yet to extensively examine complex, real-world concepts such as health. The present study examined whether providing young children with coherent and causally-related information in a theory-based lesson would facilitate their learning about the concept of health. This study used a pre-test/lesson/post-test design, plus a five month follow-up. Children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: theory (i.e., 20 children received a theory-based lesson); nontheory (i.e., 20 children received a nontheory-based lesson); and control (i.e., 20 children received no lesson). Overall, the results showed that children in the theory condition had a more accurate conception of health than children in the nontheory and control conditions, suggesting the importance of theories in children’s learning of complex, real-world concepts. PMID:21894237

The attenuation of microorganisms in on-site wastewater effluent discharged into highly permeable subsoils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Luanaigh, N. D.; Gill, L. W.; Misstear, B. D. R.; Johnston, P. M.

2012-11-01

An extensive field study on percolation areas receiving both septic tank and secondary treated on-site effluents from single houses in Ireland was carried out to investigate the attenuation capacity of highly permeable subsoils with respect to E. coli bacteria and spiked bacteriophages (MS2, ΦX174 and PR772). The development of biomats across the percolation areas receiving the secondary effluent was restricted compared to the percolation area receiving septic tank effluent, promoting a much higher areal hydraulic loading which created significant differences in the potential microbiological loading to groundwater. Greatest E. coli removal in the subsoil occurred within the first 0.35 m of unsaturated subsoil for all effluent types. Analysis showed, however, that more evidence of faecal contamination occurred at depth in the subsoils receiving secondary treated effluents than that receiving septic tank effluent, despite the lower bacterial influent load. All three bacteriophages were reduced to their minimum detection limit (< 10 PFU/mL) at a depth of 0.95 m below the percolation trenches receiving septic tank effluent, although isolated incidences of ΦX174 and PR772 were measured below one trench. However again, slightly higher breakthroughs of MS2 and PR772 contamination were detected at the same depth under the trenches receiving secondary treated effluent.

Use of Combination Thermal Therapy and Radiation in Breast-Conserving Treatment of Extensive Intraductal Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-07-01

Review Board of the DFCI is provided in Appendix A . The investigator will keep the following information on each patient: 1. Past medical ...treatments, you will receive radiation therapy to your breast. Your radiation oncologist will decide what radiation dose you receive . On the basis of... Activities 6/87 Controversies in radiation therapy in

42 CFR 137.424 - Is the recommended decision from the informal conference final for the Secretary?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SELF-GOVERNANCE Appeals Pre-Award Disputes § 137.424 Is the recommended decision from the informal... from the informal conference, it may still appeal the initial decision within 30 days of receiving the... appeal within 30 days, or before the expiration of the extension it has received under § 137.426 , the...

78 FR 14515 - Extension of Comment Period for Request for Comments on a Patent Small Claims Proceeding in the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

... be submitted by postal mail, the USPTO prefers to receive comments via email. Written comments should.... DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 30, 2013. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent by email to [email protected] . Comments may also be submitted by postal mail addressed to...

Isometric Exercise for the Cervical Extensors Can Help Restore Physiological Lordosis and Reduce Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Alpayci, Mahmut; İlter, Server

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to investigate whether isometric neck extension exercise restores physiological cervical lordosis and reduces pain. Sixty-five patients with loss of cervical lordosis were randomly assigned to exercise (27 women, 7 men; mean age, 32.82 ± 8.83 yrs) and control (26 women, 5 men; mean age, 33.48 ± 9.67 yrs) groups. Both groups received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 10 days. The exercise group received additional therapy as a home exercise program, which consisted of isometric neck extension for 3 mos. Neck pain severity and cervical lordosis were measured at baseline and at 3 mos after baseline. Compared with baseline levels, cervical lordosis angle was significantly improved in the exercise group (P < 0.001) but not in the control group (P = 0.371) at the end of 3 mos. Moreover, the exercise group was significantly superior to the control group considering the number of patients in whom cervical lordosis angle returned to physiological conditions (85.2% vs. 22.5%; P < 0.001). At the end of 3 mos, pain intensity was significantly reduced in both groups compared with baseline levels (for all, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, considering the change from baseline to month 3, the reduction in pain was about twice in the exercise group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Isometric neck extension exercise improves cervical lordosis and pain.

Oil mixes omega 9, 6 and 3, enriched with seaweed, promoted reduction of thermal burned modulating NF-kB and Ki-67.

PubMed

Campelo, Ana Paula Bomfim Soares; Campelo, Márcio Wilker Soares; Brito, Gerly Anne de Castro; Jamacaru, Francisco Vagnaldo Fechine; Leitão, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho; Vasconcelos, Paulo Roberto Leitão de

2015-06-01

To examine the effects of the oil mixes (ω-9, ω-6 and ω-3) in rats subjected to thermal burn. It was also aimed to assess whether the sources of ω3 would interfere with the effect of such mixes on the thermal injury. Thirty-six rats distributed into five groups: burned + water, burned + isolipid mix, burned + oil mix 1 (ALA), burned + oil mix 2 (ALA + EPA + DHA of fish) and burned + oil mix 3 (ALA + DHA from seaweed). The thermal injury was involving total thickness of skin. After the burns animals received the oil mixes for seven days. The lesions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Animals receiving mix 3 showed a smaller extension of the thermal injury as compared to those that were supplemented with other oils mixes. Expression of Ki-67 in the receiving Mix 3 increased as compared to all the other groups. Animals supplemented with mix 3 were able to inhibit NF-κB in injured tissue. Rats received oil mix in which the source of ω3 (ALA+DHA of seaweed) showed inhibition of NF-κB, increase in cell proliferation, and reduction the extension of thermal lesion.

Does place of education matter? Contextualizing the education and health status association among Asian Americans.

PubMed

Walton, Emily; Takeuchi, David T; Herting, Jerald R; Alegría, Margarita

2009-01-01

The educational gradient in health is one of the most robust associations in social science research. Results of the current study indicate that, like the pattern observed among other racial and ethnic minority groups, the well-established educational gradient in health is attenuated among Asian Americans. We also show that the gradient association between educational attainment and self-rated health among Asian Americans depends on whether they receive the bulk of their education in the United States or abroad. Compared to the schooling received in the United States, being educated in a foreign country does not result in the same health payoffs for increasing educational attainment. Analysis of an extensive set of mediators indicates that a foreign education restricts economic opportunities, limits positive social interaction, and inhibits English language proficiency. We discuss the implications for Asian Americans, a group composed largely of immigrants who received their education outside the United States.

High dynamic GPS receiver validation demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurd, W. J.; Statman, J. I.; Vilnrotter, V. A.

1985-01-01

The Validation Demonstration establishes that the high dynamic Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver concept developed at JPL meets the dynamic tracking requirements for range instrumentation of missiles and drones. It was demonstrated that the receiver can track the pseudorange and pseudorange rate of vehicles with acceleration in excess of 100 g and jerk in excess of 100 g/s, dynamics ten times more severe than specified for conventional High Dynamic GPS receivers. These results and analytic extensions to a complete system configuration establish that all range instrumentation requirements can be met. The receiver can be implemented in the 100 cu in volume required by all missiles and drones, and is ideally suited for transdigitizer or translator applications.

Cultured autologous keratinocytes in the treatment of large and deep burns: a retrospective study over 15 years.

PubMed

Auxenfans, Celine; Menet, Veronique; Catherine, Zulma; Shipkov, Hristo; Lacroix, Pierre; Bertin-Maghit, Marc; Damour, Odile; Braye, Fabienne

2015-02-01

The aim was to review the use and indications of cultured autologous epidermis (CAE) in extensive burns and to evaluate the efficiency of our strategy of burn treatment. This retrospective study comprised 15 years (1997-2012). all patients who received CAE. patients who died before complete healing and patients who received exclusively cultured allogeneic keratinocytes. Evaluation criteria were clinical. Time and success of wound healing after CAE graft were evaluated. A total of 63 patients were included with severity Baux score of 107 (from 70 to 140) and mean percentage of TBSA of 71% (from 40% to 97%). The CAE were used as Cuono method, in STSG donor sites and deep 2nd degree burns and in combination with large-meshed STSG (1:6-1:12) in extensively burned patients. Cuono method was used in 6 patients. The final take was 16% (0-30) because of the great fragility of the obtained epidermis. Nine patients with deep 2nd degree burns (mean TBSA 81%, from 60 to 97%) were successfully treated with only CAE without skin grafting. Combined technique (STSG meshed at 1:6-1:12 covered with CAE) was used in 27 patients (mean TBSA 69%, from 49% to 96%) with 85% success rate. Finally, donor sites treated with CAE in 49 patients could be harvested several times thanks to rapid epithelialization (time of wound healing was 7 days (from 5 to 10 days)). The CAE allow rapid healing of STSG donor sites and deep 2nd second degree burns in extensively burned patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Crustal structure in Ethiopia and Kenya from receiver function analysis: Implications for rift development in eastern Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugda, Mulugeta T.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Julia, Jordi; Langston, Charles A.; Ammon, Charles J.; Simiyu, Silas

2005-01-01

Crustal structure in Kenya and Ethiopia has been investigated using receiver function analysis of broadband seismic data to determine the extent to which the Cenozoic rifting and magmatism has modified the thickness and composition of the Proterozoic crust in which the East African rift system developed. Data for this study come from broadband seismic experiments conducted in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2002 and in Kenya between 2001 and 2002. Two methods have been used to analyze the receiver functions, the H-κ method, and direct stacks of the waveforms, yielding consistent results. Crustal thickness to the east of the Kenya rift varies between 39 and 42 km, and Poisson's ratios for the crust vary between 0.24 and 0.27. To the west of the Kenya rift, Moho depths vary between 37 and 38 km, and Poisson's ratios vary between 0.24 and 0.27. These findings support previous studies showing that crust away from the Kenya rift has not been modified extensively by Cenozoic rifting and magmatism. Beneath the Ethiopian Plateau on either side of the Main Ethiopian Rift, crustal thickness ranges from 33 to 44 km, and Poisson's ratios vary from 0.23 to 0.28. Within the Main Ethiopian Rift, Moho depths vary from 27 to 38 km, and Poisson's ratios range from 0.27 to 0.35. A crustal thickness of 25 km and a Poisson's ratio of 0.36 were obtained for a single station in the Afar Depression. These results indicate that the crust beneath the Ethiopian Plateau has not been modified significantly by the Cenozoic rifting and magmatism, even though up to a few kilometers of flood basalts have been added, and that the crust beneath the rifted regions in Ethiopia has been thinned in many places and extensively modified by the addition of mafic rock. The latter finding is consistent with models for rift evolution, suggesting that magmatic segments with the Main Ethiopian Rift, characterized by dike intrusion and Quaternary volcanism, act now as the locus of extension rather than the rift border faults.

Honors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anonymous

2012-05-01

A number of AGU members were honored during the European Geosciences Union's (EGU) General Assembly, held on 22-27 April in Vienna. EGU Union awards were presented to the following people: Vincent Courtillot, University of Paris Diderot, France, received the 2012 Arthur Holmes Medal and EGU honorary membership for seminal contributions to geomagnetism and the geodynamics of mantle hot spots.Michael Ghil, University of California, Los Angeles, and École Normale Supérieure, France, received the 2012 Alfred Wegener Medal and EGU honorary membership for his leading contributions to theoretical climate dynamics; his innovative observational studies involving model assimilation of satellite data in meteorology, oceanography, and space physics; the breadth of his interdisciplinary studies, including macroeconomics; and his extensive supervision and mentoring of scores of graduate and postdoctoral students. Robin Clarke, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, received the 2012 Alexander von Humboldt Medal for fundamental contributions in statistical analysis and modeling of hydrological processes.Angioletta Coradini, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofsica, Italy, received the 2012 Jean Dominique Cassini Medal and EGU honorary membership in recognition of her important and wide range of work in planetary sciences and solar system formation and for her leading role in the development of space infrared instrumentation for planetary exploration.

Honors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2012-05-01

A number of AGU members were honored during the European Geosciences Union's (EGU) General Assembly, held on 22-27 April in Vienna. EGU Union awards were presented to the following people: Vincent Courtillot, University of Paris Diderot, France, received the 2012 Arthur Holmes Medal and EGU honorary membership for seminal contributions to geomagnetism and the geodynamics of mantle hot spots. Michael Ghil, University of California, Los Angeles, and École Normale Supérieure, France, received the 2012 Alfred Wegener Medal and EGU honorary membership for his leading contributions to theoretical climate dynamics; his innovative observational studies involving model assimilation of satellite data in meteorology, oceanography, and space physics; the breadth of his interdisciplinary studies, including macroeconomics; and his extensive supervision and mentoring of scores of graduate and postdoctoral students. Robin Clarke, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, received the 2012 Alexander von Humboldt Medal for fundamental contributions in statistical analysis and modeling of hydrological processes. Angioletta Coradini, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofsica, Italy, received the 2012 Jean Dominique Cassini Medal and EGU honorary membership in recognition of her important and wide range of work in planetary sciences and solar system formation and for her leading role in the development of space infrared instrumentation for planetary exploration.

Early effects of Lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets on intragastric pH in CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers

PubMed Central

Yamagishi, Hatsushi; Koike, Tomoyuki; Ohara, Shuichi; Horii, Toru; Kikuchi, Ryousuke; Kobayashi, Shigeyuki; Abe, Yasuhiko; Iijima, Katsunori; Imatani, Akira; Suzuki, Kaori; Hishinuma, Takanori; Goto, Junichi; Shimosegawa, Tooru

2008-01-01

AIM: To compare rabeprazole (RPZ; 10 mg) with Lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets (LPZ; 30 mg OD) in terms of antisecretory activity and blood drug concentration after a single dose. METHODS: Eight H pylori-negative cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 extensive metabolizers were assigned to receive a single oral dose of RPZ 10 mg or LPZ 30 mg OD. Twelve hour intragastric pH monitoring was performed on the day of treatment. Blood samples were also collected after the administration of each drug. RESULTS: LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly earlier rise in blood drug concentration than RPZ 10 mg; consequently, LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly earlier rise in median pH in the third and fourth hours of the study. CONCLUSION: In H pylori-negative CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers, LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly faster inhibition of gastric acid secretion than RPZ 10 mg. PMID:18395905

Advances in Time-Distance Helioseismology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duvall, Thomas L., Jr.; Beck, John G.; Gizon, Laurent; Kosovichev, Alexander F.; Oegerle, William (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Time-distance helioseismology is a way to measure travel times between surface locations for waves traversing the solar interior. Coupling the travel with an extensive modeling effort has proven to be a powerful tool for measuring flows and other wave speed inhomogeneities in the solar interior. Problems receiving current attention include studying the time variation of the meridional circulation and torsional oscillation and active region emergence and evolution, current results on these topics will be presented.

Turhan Baytop (1920-2002): A pioneer historian of pharmacy from Turkey.

PubMed

Tekiner, Halil

2017-11-01

Turhan Baytop, a Turkish professor of pharmacognosy (the scientific study of crude drugs of animal, vegetable, and mineral origin), received international acclaim not only for his contributions in collecting and identifying the Anatolian plants, but also for his extensive research shedding light on the history of Turkish pharmacy. As a devoted researcher, collector, and lecturer, T Baytop was a genuine pioneer of the history of pharmacy as a discipline in Turkey.

76 FR 75797 - Transportation Conformity Rule: MOVES Regional Grace Period Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-05

... INFORMATION CONTACT: Meg Patulski, State Measures and Transportation Planning Center, Environmental Protection...) 214-4052; email address: patulski.meg@epa.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because EPA received...

Coupled modeling of a directly heated tubular solar receiver for supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle: Structural and creep-fatigue evaluation

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

Ortega, Jesus; Khivsara, Sagar; Christian, Joshua

A supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2) Brayton cycle is an emerging high energy-density cycle undergoing extensive research due to the appealing thermo-physical properties of sCO 2 and single phase operation. Development of a solar receiver capable of delivering sCO 2 at 20 MPa and 700 °C is required for implementation of the high efficiency (~50%) solar powered sCO 2 Brayton cycle. In this work, extensive candidate materials are review along with tube size optimization using the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Moreover, temperature and pressure distribution obtained from the thermal-fluid modeling (presented in a complementary publication) are used tomore » evaluate the thermal and mechanical stresses along with detailed creep-fatigue analysis of the tubes. The lifetime performance of the receiver tubes were approximated using the resulting body stresses. A cyclic loading analysis is performed by coupling the Strain-Life approach and the Larson-Miller creep model. The structural integrity of the receiver was examined and it was found that the stresses can be withstood by specific tubes, determined by a parametric geometric analysis. Furthermore, the creep-fatigue analysis displayed the damage accumulation due to cycling and the permanent deformation on the tubes showed that the tubes can operate for the full lifetime of the receiver.« less

Coupled modeling of a directly heated tubular solar receiver for supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle: Structural and creep-fatigue evaluation

DOE PAGES

Ortega, Jesus; Khivsara, Sagar; Christian, Joshua; ...

2016-06-06

A supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2) Brayton cycle is an emerging high energy-density cycle undergoing extensive research due to the appealing thermo-physical properties of sCO 2 and single phase operation. Development of a solar receiver capable of delivering sCO 2 at 20 MPa and 700 °C is required for implementation of the high efficiency (~50%) solar powered sCO 2 Brayton cycle. In this work, extensive candidate materials are review along with tube size optimization using the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Moreover, temperature and pressure distribution obtained from the thermal-fluid modeling (presented in a complementary publication) are used tomore » evaluate the thermal and mechanical stresses along with detailed creep-fatigue analysis of the tubes. The lifetime performance of the receiver tubes were approximated using the resulting body stresses. A cyclic loading analysis is performed by coupling the Strain-Life approach and the Larson-Miller creep model. The structural integrity of the receiver was examined and it was found that the stresses can be withstood by specific tubes, determined by a parametric geometric analysis. Furthermore, the creep-fatigue analysis displayed the damage accumulation due to cycling and the permanent deformation on the tubes showed that the tubes can operate for the full lifetime of the receiver.« less

Microleakage of stainless steel crowns placed on intact and extensively destroyed primary first molars: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Seraj, Bahman; Shahrabi, Mahdi; Motahari, Pouria; Ahmadi, Rahil; Ghadimi, Sara; Mosharafian, Shahram; Mohammadi, Kaveh; Javad Kharazifard, Mohammad

2011-01-01

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of residual tooth structure on the microleakage of stainless steel crowns cemented with glass ionomer on primary maxillary and mandibular first molars. Thirty extracted primary molars were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included intact teeth; and group 2 included extensively carious samples. Each tooth received standard preparation, and each crown was luted with G-CEM on its specific specimen. Teeth were loaded vertically and transferred to distilled water. After thermocycling and immersing in methylene blue solution, the teeth were sectioned and examined microscopically for microleakage. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. All specimens (intact and damaged teeth) had microleakage, although most of these presented only minimum microleakage. No statistically significant differences were found in the microleakage of sound and extensively carious teeth on either the buccal (P=.62) or lingual (P=.65) side. Buccal (P=.73) and lingual (P=.63) surfaces showed similar microleakage scores in primary maxillary and mandibular molars. There was no significant difference in the microleakage of sound or extensively carious teeth and primary maxillary or mandibular first molars.

Women who receive continuous support during labour have reduced risk of caesarean, instrumental delivery or need for analgesia compared to usual care.

PubMed

McDonald, Susan

2013-04-01

Models of care supporting continuous support during labour were shown to be more likely to result in a spontaneous vaginal birth. Women receiving continuous support required less analgesia and were less likely to report negative feelings about the birth experience. Women receiving continuous support experienced shorter labours and their babies were less likely to have low 5-min Agpar scores. Therefore, such models of care should be considered for more extensive implementation in clinical practice settings.

Extensive but not Limited Repeated Trials in Passive Avoidance Task Induce Stress-like Symptoms and Affect Memory Function in Rats.

PubMed

Tabassum, Saiqa; Haider, Saida

2018-02-10

Stressful and emotionally arousing experiences are remembered, and previous reports show that repeated exposure to stressful condition enhances emotional learning. However, the usefulness of the repeated exposure depends on the intensity and duration. Although repeated training as a strategy to improve memory performance is receiving increased attention from researchers, repeated training may induce stressful effects that have not yet been considered. The present study investigated whether exposure to repetitive learning trials with limited or extensive durations in a passive avoidance task (PAT) would be beneficial or harmful to emotional memory performance in rats. Rats were exposed to repetitive learning trials for two different durations in the limited exposure (exposure to four repetitive trials) and extensive exposure groups (exposure to 16 repetitive trials) in a single day to compare the impact of both conditions on rat emotional memory performance. Alterations in corticosterone content and associated oxidative and neurochemical systems were assessed to explore the underlying mechanism responsible for changes in emotional memory. Following extensive exposure, a negative impact on emotional memory was observed compared with the limited exposure group. A lack of any further improvement in memory function following extensive training exposure was supported by increased corticosterone levels, decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and abnormal oxidative stress levels, which may induce negative effects on memory consolidation. It is suggested that limited exposure to repetitive learning trials is more useful for studying improvement in emotional memory, whereas extensive exposure may produce chronic stress-like condition that can be detrimental and responsible for compromised memory performance. Copyright © 2017 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Switching from adalimumab to tofacitinib in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Genovese, Mark C; van Vollenhoven, Ronald F; Wilkinson, Bethanie; Wang, Lisy; Zwillich, Samuel H; Gruben, David; Biswas, Pinaki; Riese, Richard; Takiya, Liza; Jones, Thomas V

2016-06-23

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of open-label tofacitinib following blinded treatment with adalimumab or tofacitinib for moderate to severe RA. Analyses included patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) with background methotrexate (MTX) in a 12-month randomized study (NCT00853385), who subsequently received tofacitinib 10 mg BID (with/without background MTX) in an open-label extension (NCT00413699). Patients with treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) and serious or recurrent infections in the index study were excluded from the extension study. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of safety-related events were assessed in 3-month and 12-month periods in the year before and in the year after switching. Efficacy was assessed 3 months before, at the time of, and 3 months after switching. There were 233 (107 adalimumab to tofacitinib 10 mg BID, 126 blinded to open-label tofacitinib 10 mg BID) patients included in these analyses. Patients in both treatment sequences had similar incidence rates (per 100 patient-years) of discontinuation due to AEs, serious AEs, and serious infections in the year before and in the year after switching. Incidence rates of AEs were increased in the first 3 months after switching compared with the last 3 months before switching in both treatment groups. Switching from either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib to open-label tofacitinib resulted in numerically higher incidence of responders for signs and symptoms of disease and improved physical function. Treatment can be directly switched from adalimumab to tofacitinib. A similar safety and efficacy profile was seen when patients received open-label tofacitinib after receiving either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00853385 , registered 27 February 2009; NCT00413699 , registered 18 December 2006.

A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Polmacoxib Compared with Celecoxib and Placebo for Patients with Osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Lee, Myungchul; Yoo, Juhyung; Kim, Jin Goo; Kyung, Hee-Soo; Bin, Seong-Il; Kang, Seung-Baik; Choi, Choong Hyeok; Moon, Young-Wan; Kim, Young-Mo; Han, Seong Beom; In, Yong; Choi, Chong Hyuk; Kim, Jongoh; Lee, Beom Koo; Cho, Sangsook

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and analgesic efficacy of polmacoxib 2 mg versus placebo in a superiority comparison or versus celecoxib 200 mg in a noninferiority comparison in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). This study was a 6-week, phase III, randomized, double-blind, and parallel-group trial followed by an 18-week, single arm, open-label extension. Of the 441 patients with knee or hip OA screened, 362 were randomized; 324 completed 6 weeks of treatment and 220 completed the extension. Patients were randomized to receive oral polmacoxib 2 mg (n = 146), celecoxib 200 mg (n = 145), or placebo (n = 71) once daily for 6 weeks. During the extension, all participants received open-label polmacoxib 2 mg. The primary endpoint was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC)-pain subscale score from baseline to week 6. Secondary endpoints included WOMAC-OA Index, OA subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function) and Physician's and Subject's Global Assessments at weeks 3 and 6. Other outcome measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and physical examinations. After 6 weeks, the polmacoxib-placebo treatment difference was -2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.4 to -0.6; p = 0.011) and the polmacoxib-celecoxib treatment difference was 0.6 (CI, -0.9 to 2.2; p = 0.425). According to Physician's Global Assessments, more subjects were "much improved" at week 3 with polmacoxib than with celecoxib or placebo. Gastrointestinal and general disorder AEs occurred with a greater frequency with polmacoxib or celecoxib than with placebo. Polmacoxib 2 mg was relatively well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy superior to placebo and noninferior to celecoxib after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with OA. The results obtained during the 18-week trial extension with polmacoxib 2 mg were consistent with those observed during the 6-week treatment period, indicating that polmacoxib can be considered safe for long-term use based on this relatively small scale of study in a Korean population. More importantly, the results of this study showed that polmacoxib has the potential to be used as a pain relief drug with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA.

[Case allocation of extensive operations on head and neck within the German DRG system 2004-2007: what is the net result of the continued developments in case allocation?].

PubMed

Franz, D; Franz, K; Roeder, N; Hörmann, K; Fischer, R-J; Alberty, Jürgen

2007-07-01

When the German DRG system was implemented there was some doubt about whether patients with extensive head and neck surgery would be properly accounted for. Significant efforts have therefore been invested in analysis and case allocation of those in this group. The object of this study was to investigate whether the changes within the German DRG system have led to improved case allocation. Cost data received from 25 ENT departments on 518 prospective documented cases of extensive head and neck surgery were compared with data from the German institute dealing with remuneration in hospitals (InEK). Statistical measures used by InEK were used to analyse the quality of the overall system and the homogeneity of the individual case groups. The reduction of variance of inlier costs improved by about 107.3% from the 2004 version to the 2007 version of the German DRG system. The average coefficient of cost homogeneity rose by about 9.7% in the same period. Case mix index and DRG revenues were redistributed from less extensive to the more complex operations. Hospitals with large numbers of extensive operations and university hospitals will gain most benefit from this development. Appropriate case allocation of extensive operations on the head and neck has been improved by the continued development of the German DRG system culminating in the 2007 version. Further adjustments will be needed in the future.

Learning basic surgical skills with mental imagery: using the simulation centre in the mind.

PubMed

Sanders, Charles W; Sadoski, Mark; van Walsum, Kim; Bramson, Rachel; Wiprud, Robert; Fossum, Theresa W

2008-06-01

Although surgeons and athletes frequently use mental imagery in preparing to perform, mental imagery has not been extensively researched as a learning technique in medical education. A mental imagery rehearsal technique was experimentally compared with textbook study to determine the effects of each on the learning of basic surgical skills. Sixty-four Year 2 medical students were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups in which they undertook either mental imagery or textbook study. Both groups received the usual skills course of didactic lectures, demonstrations, physical practice with pigs' feet and a live animal laboratory. One group received additional training in mental imagery and the other group was given textbook study. Performance was assessed at 3 different time-points using a reliable rating scale. Analysis of variance on student performance in live rabbit surgery revealed a significant interaction favouring the imagery group over the textbook study group. The mental imagery technique appeared to transfer learning from practice to actual surgery better than textbook study.

X-Ray Laser Program Final Report for FY91

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-16

from a Na z pinch is used to photoionize Ne to the He-like ground state and radiation from the Na 1 s 2-1 s2p 1P1 transition is used to resonantly...creating photopumped x-ray lasers2 , imploding inertial confinement fusion capsules, 3 and studying the photoionization kinetics of plasmas in intense...has received extensive theoretical study, 5 -8 employs radiation from the 1s2 -1s2p 1P1 transition at 11.0027 A in He-like Na to resonantly photoexcite

Petrography and physical properties of selected rock types associated with the Hayward Fault, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moore, Diane E.; Ponce, David A.

2001-01-01

A larger group of samples, most of them 1"-diameter cores, on which density and magnetic susceptibility measurements were made as part of gravity and magnetic surveys of the Hayward Fault. Because this second group of samples received less extensive laboratory study, examination of them was limited to standard petrographic microscope examination of covered thin sections. The density and susceptibility measurements of this second group of samples are included in this report.

A Study of Time Dependent Response of Ceramic Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemann, John

1997-01-01

The research accomplishments under this grant were very extensive in the areas of the development of computer software for the design of ceramic materials. Rather than try to summarize all this research I have enclosed research papers and reports which were completed with the funding provided by the grant. These papers and reports are listed below. Additionally a large amount of technology transfer occurred in this project and a significant number of national awards were received.

Extending the Stabilized Supralinear Network model for binocular image processing.

PubMed

Selby, Ben; Tripp, Bryan

2017-06-01

The visual cortex is both extensive and intricate. Computational models are needed to clarify the relationships between its local mechanisms and high-level functions. The Stabilized Supralinear Network (SSN) model was recently shown to account for many receptive field phenomena in V1, and also to predict subtle receptive field properties that were subsequently confirmed in vivo. In this study, we performed a preliminary exploration of whether the SSN is suitable for incorporation into large, functional models of the visual cortex, considering both its extensibility and computational tractability. First, whereas the SSN receives abstract orientation signals as input, we extended it to receive images (through a linear-nonlinear stage), and found that the extended version behaved similarly. Secondly, whereas the SSN had previously been studied in a monocular context, we found that it could also reproduce data on interocular transfer of surround suppression. Finally, we reformulated the SSN as a convolutional neural network, and found that it scaled well on parallel hardware. These results provide additional support for the plausibility of the SSN as a model of lateral interactions in V1, and suggest that the SSN is well suited as a component of complex vision models. Future work will use the SSN to explore relationships between local network interactions and sophisticated vision processes in large networks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical usefulness of brain-computer interface-controlled functional electrical stimulation for improving brain activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kim, Tae-Woo; Lee, Byoung-Hee

2016-09-01

[Purpose] Evaluating the effect of brain-computer interface (BCI)-based functional electrical stimulation (FES) training on brain activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) was the aim of this study. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were randomized into a BCI-FES group (n=9) and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) control group (n=9). Subjects in the BCI-FES group received wrist and hand extension training with FES for 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week for 6 weeks under the BCI-based program. The FES group received wrist and hand extension training with FES for the same amount of time. Sensorimotor rhythms (SMR) and middle beta waves (M-beta) were measured in frontopolar regions 1 and 2 (Fp1, Fp2) to determine the effects of BCI-FES training. [Results] Significant improvements in the SMR and M-beta of Fp1 and Fp2 were seen in the BCI-FES group. In contrast, significant improvement was only seen in the SMR and M-beta of Fp2 in the control group. [Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that BCI-controlled FES training may be helpful in improving brain activity in patients with cerebral palsy and may be applied as effectively as traditional FES training.

Ptaquiloside in Irish Bracken Ferns and Receiving Waters, with Implications for Land Managers.

PubMed

O'Driscoll, Connie; Ramwell, Carmel; Harhen, Brendan; Morrison, Liam; Clauson-Kaas, Frederik; Hansen, Hans Christian B; Campbell, Graeme; Sheahan, Jerome; Misstear, Bruce; Xiao, Liwen

2016-04-26

Ptaquiloside, along with other natural phytotoxins, is receiving increased attention from scientists and land use managers. There is an urgent need to increase empirical evidence to understand the scale of phytotoxin mobilisation and potential to enter into the environment. In this study the risk of ptaquiloside to drinking water was assessed by quantifying ptaquiloside in the receiving waters at three drinking water abstraction sites across Ireland and in bracken fronds surrounding the abstraction sites. We also investigated the impact of different management regimes (spraying, cutting and rolling) on ptaquiloside concentrations at plot-scale in six locations in Northern Ireland, UK. Ptaquiloside concentrations were determined using recent advances in the use of LC-MS for the detection and quantification of ptaquiloside. The results indicate that ptaquiloside is present in bracken stands surrounding drinking water abstractions in Ireland, and ptaquiloside concentrations were also observed in the receiving waters. Furthermore, spraying was found to be the most effective bracken management regime observed in terms of reducing ptaquiloside load. Increased awareness is vital on the implications of managing land with extensive bracken stands.

76 FR 14386 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-16

... information collection must be received on or before May 16, 2011. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Written...

76 FR 2152 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-12

... Management and Budget for extension and approval. Rule 17a-4 requires exchange members, brokers and dealers.... These include, but are not limited to, bank statements, cancelled checks, bills receivable and payable...

Six-month, open-label study of hydrocodone extended release formulated with abuse-deterrence technology: Safety, maintenance of analgesia, and abuse potential.

PubMed

Hale, Martin E; Ma, Yuju; Malamut, Richard

2016-01-01

To evaluate long-term safety, maintenance of analgesia, and aberrant drug-related behaviors of hydrocodone extended release (ER) formulated with CIMA® Abuse-Deterrence Technology. Phase 3, multicenter, open-label extension. Fifty-six US centers. Adults with chronic low back pain completing a 12-week placebocontrolled study of abuse-deterrent hydrocodone ER were eligible. One hundred eighty-two patients enrolled and received ≥1 dose of study drug, 170 entered openlabel treatment, and 136 completed the study. Patients receiving hydrocodone ER in the 12-week, placebo-controlled study continued their previous dose unless adjustment was needed; those previously receiving placebo (n=78) underwent dose titration/adjustment to an analgesic dose (15-90 mg every 12 hours). Patients received 22 weeks of open-label treatment. adverse events (AEs). Maintenance of analgesia: worst pain intensity (WPI) and average pain intensity (API) at each study visit. Aberrant drug behavior: study drug loss and diversion. AEs were reported for 65/182 (36 percent) patients during dose titration/ adjustment and 88/170 (52 percent) during open-label treatment. No treatmentrelated serious AEs were reported. There were no clinically meaningful trends in other safety assessments, including physical examinations and pure tone audiometry. One patient receiving hydrocodone ER 30 mg twice daily experienced a severe AE of neurosensory deafness that was considered treatment related. Mean WPI and API remained steady throughout open-label treatment. Six (3 percent) patients reported medication loss, and 5 (3 percent) reported diversion. Abuse-deterrent hydrocodone ER was generally well tolerated in patients with chronic low back pain, maintained efficacy, and was associated with low rates of loss and diversion.

Extending Time Profile of Morphine-Induced Analgesia Using a Chitosan-Based Molecular Imprinted Polymer Nanogel.

PubMed

Hassanzadeh, Marjan; Ghaemy, Mousa; Ahmadi, Shamseddin

2016-10-01

Chitosan-based molecular imprinted polymer (CS-MIP) nanogel is prepared in the presence of morphine template, fully characterized and used as a new vehicle to extend duration of morphine analgesic effect in Naval Medical Research Institute mice. The CS-MIP nanogel with ≈25 nm size range exhibits 98% loading efficiency, and in vitro release studies show an initial burst followed by an extended slow release of morphine. In order to study the feasibility of CS-MIP nanogel as morphine carrier, 20 mice are divided into two groups randomly and received subcutaneous injection of morphine-loaded CS-MIP and morphine (10 mg kg -1 ) dissolved in physiologic saline. Those received injection of morphine-loaded CS-MIP show slower and long lasting release of morphine with 193 min effective time of 50% (ET50) analgesia compared to 120 min ET50 in mice received morphine dissolved in physiologic saline. These results suggest that CS-MIP nanogel can be a possible strategy as morphine carrier for controlled release and extension of its analgesic efficacy. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Standard Versus Extended Proximal Fixation Olecranon Plates for Fixation of Olecranon Fractures.

PubMed

Boden, Allison L; Daly, Charles A; Dalwadi, Poonam P; Boden, Stephanie A; Hutton, William C; Muppavarapu, Raghuveer C; Gottschalk, Michael B

2018-01-01

Small olecranon fractures present a significant challenge for fixation, which has resulted in development of plates with proximal extension. Olecranon-specific plates with proximal extensions are widely thought to offer superior fixation of small proximal fragments but have distinct disadvantages: larger dissection, increased hardware prominence, and the increased possibility of impingement. Previous biomechanical studies of olecranon fracture fixation have compared methods of fracture fixation, but to date there have been no studies defining olecranon plate fixation strength for standard versus extended olecranon plates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical utility of the extended plate for treatment of olecranon fractures. Sixteen matched pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric elbows were used. Of the 16, 8 matched pairs received a transverse osteotomy including 25% and 8 including 50% of the articular surface on the proximal fragment. One elbow from each pair was randomly assigned to a standard-length plate, and the other elbow in the pair received the extended-length plate, for fixation of the fracture. The ulnae were cyclically loaded and subsequently loaded to failure, with ultimate load, number of cycles, and gap formation recorded. There was no statistically significant difference between the standard and extended fixation plates in simple transverse fractures at either 25% or 50% from the proximal most portion of the articular surface of the olecranon. Standard fixation plates are sufficient for the fixation of small transverse fractures, but caution should be utilized particularly with comminution and nontransverse fracture patterns.

Translating exercise interventions to an in-home setting for seniors: preliminary impact on physical activity and function.

PubMed

Dondzila, Christopher J; Swartz, Ann M; Keenan, Kevin G; Harley, Amy E; Azen, Razia; Strath, Scott J

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether an in-home, individually tailored intervention is efficacious in promoting increases in physical activity (PA) and improvements in physical functioning (PF) in low-active older adults. Participants were randomized to two groups for the 8-week intervention. The enhanced physical activity (EPA) group received individualized exercise programming, including personalized step goals and a resistance band training program, and the standard of care (SoC) group received a general activity goal. Pre- and post-intervention PF measures included choice step reaction time, knee extension/flexion strength, hand grip strength, and 8 ft up and go test completion time. Thirty-nine subjects completed this study (74.6 ± 6.4 years). Significant increases in steps/day were observed for both the EPA and SoC groups, although the improvements in the EPA group were significantly higher when including only those who adhered to weekly step goals. Both groups experienced significant PF improvements, albeit greater in the EPA group for the 8 ft up and go test and knee extension strength. A low cost, in-home intervention elicited improvements in both PA and PF. Future research is warranted to expand upon the size and scope of this study, exploring dose thresholds (and time frames) for PA to improve PF and strategies to further bolster adherence rates to maximize intervention benefits.

What You Should Know About Loran-C Receivers. Another Title in the Series "Marine Electronics."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Panshin, Daniel A.

This Extension Service publication from Oregon State University explains the Long Range Navigation or Loran system and what to look for in a Loran-C receiver. There are two Loran systems, Loran-A and Loran-C, the latter of which will be completed by 1980. The Loran-C system operates at 100 kiloHertz and a ship at sea can be navigated by analyzing…

Characterization of bulbospongiosus muscle reflexes activated by urethral distension in male rats.

PubMed

Tanahashi, Masayuki; Karicheti, Venkateswarlu; Thor, Karl B; Marson, Lesley

2012-10-01

The urethrogenital reflex (UGR) is used as a surrogate model of the autonomic and somatic nerve and muscle activity that accompanies ejaculation. The UGR is evoked by distension of the urethra and activation of penile afferents. The current study compares two methods of elevating urethral intraluminal pressure in spinalized, anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60). The first method, penile extension UGR, involves extracting the penis from the foreskin, so that urethral pressure rises due to a natural anatomical flexure in the penis. The second method, penile clamping UGR, involves penile extension UGR with the addition of clamping of the glans penis. Groups of animals were prepared that either received no additional treatment, surgical shams, or received bilateral nerve cuts (4 nerve cut groups): either the pudendal sensory nerve branch (SbPN), the pelvic nerves, the hypogastric nerves, or all three nerves. Penile clamping UGR was characterized by multiple bursts, monitored by electromyography (EMG) of the bulbospongiosus muscle (BSM) accompanied by elevations in urethral pressure. The penile clamping UGR activity declined across multiple trials and eventually resulted in only a single BSM burst, indicating desensitization. In contrast, the penile extension UGR, without penile clamping, evoked only a single BSM EMG burst that showed no desensitization. Thus, the UGR is composed of two BSM patterns: an initial single burst, termed urethrobulbospongiosus (UBS) reflex and a subsequent multiple bursting pattern (termed ejaculation-like response, ELR) that was only induced with penile clamping urethral occlusion. Transection of the SbPN eliminated the ELR in the penile clamping model, but the single UBS reflex remained in both the clamping and extension models. Pelvic nerve (PelN) transection increased the threshold for inducing BSM activation with both methods of occlusion but actually unmasked an ELR in the penile extension method. Hypogastric nerve (HgN) cuts did not significantly alter any parameter. Transection of all three nerves eliminated BSM activation completely. In conclusion, penile clamping occlusion recruits penile and urethral primary afferent fibers that are necessary for an ELR. Urethral distension without significant penile afferent activation recruits urethral primary afferent fibers carried in either the pelvic or pudendal nerve that are necessary for the single-burst UBS reflex.

7 CFR 23.5 - Availability of funds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Availability of funds. Funds available under title V for extension and research programs shall be allocated to... University designated to receive funds under the Smith-Lever and Hatch Acts respectively. Funds will be...

76 FR 58540 - Proposed Information Collection Request of the ETA 581, Contribution Operations Report; Extension...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-21

... resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection...), report delinquency, collections (accounts receivable), the audit function, and the detection of employer...

77 FR 24678 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-25

... Entrepreneurial Outreach and Development Initiative Program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by...: 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach and Development Initiative Program. OMB...

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

Shi, Qiurong; Zhu, Chengzhou; Bi, Cuixia

Intermetallic nanocrystals are currently receiving extensive attention due to their well-defined crystal structures, highly ordered atomic distribution and superior structural stability that endow them with optimized catalytic activities, stabilities and high selectivity for use as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.

Sensorimotor Exercises and Enhanced Trunk Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Mueller, Steffen; Engel, Tilman; Mueller, Juliane; Stoll, Josefine; Baur, Heiner; Mayer, Frank

2018-05-18

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-week sensorimotor or resistance training on maximum trunk strength and response to sudden, high-intensity loading in athletes.Forty-three healthy, well-trained participants were randomized into sensorimotor (SMT; n=11), resistance training (RT; n=16) and control groups (CG; n=16). Treatment groups received either sensorimotor training (SMT) or resistance training (RT) for 6 weeks, 3 times a week. At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention, participants' maximum isokinetic strength in trunk rotation and extension was tested (concentric/eccentric 30°/s). In addition, sudden, high-intensity trunk loading was assessed for eccentric extension and rotation, with additional perturbation. Peak torque [Nm] was calculated as the outcome.Interventions showed no significant difference for maximum strength in concentric and eccentric testing (p>0.05). For perturbation compensation, higher peak torque response following SMT (Extension: +24 Nm 95%CI±19 Nm; Rotation: +19 Nm 95%CI±13 Nm) and RT (Extension: +35 Nm 95%CI±16 Nm; Rotation: +5 Nm 95%CI±4 Nm) compared to CG (Extension: -4 Nm 95%CI±16 Nm; Rotation: -2 Nm 95%CI±4 Nm) was present (p<0.05).This study showed that isokinetic strength gains were small, but that significant improvements in high-intensity trunk loading response could be shown for both interventions. Therefore, depending on the individual's preference, therapists have two treatment options to enhance trunk function for back pain prevention. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Linear combination methods to improve diagnostic/prognostic accuracy on future observations

PubMed Central

Kang, Le; Liu, Aiyi; Tian, Lili

2014-01-01

Multiple diagnostic tests or biomarkers can be combined to improve diagnostic accuracy. The problem of finding the optimal linear combinations of biomarkers to maximise the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve has been extensively addressed in the literature. The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) to provide an extensive review of the existing methods for biomarker combination; (2) to propose a new combination method, namely, the nonparametric stepwise approach; (3) to use leave-one-pair-out cross-validation method, instead of re-substitution method, which is overoptimistic and hence might lead to wrong conclusion, to empirically evaluate and compare the performance of different linear combination methods in yielding the largest area under receiver operating characteristic curve. A data set of Duchenne muscular dystrophy was analysed to illustrate the applications of the discussed combination methods. PMID:23592714

Association between Sexting and Sexual Coercion among Female Adolescents

PubMed Central

Choi, HyeJeong; Ouytsel, Joris Van; Temple, Jeff R.

2016-01-01

This study aims to investigate whether experiences of offline sexual coercion are associated with adolescent females’ involvement in different types of sexting behaviors. It draws on data from 450 ethnically diverse female adolescents with an average age of 19.02 years (SD = 0.74) who were originally recruited in southeast Texas. The participants were asked about their experiences with sexual coercion, and their engagement in sexting behavior (i.e., sending, requesting, and being asked for a sext, and receiving a sext without giving permission). Logistic regressions were used to analyze these relationships, while controlling for age, ethnicity, education level, living situation, and sexting behaviors in the year prior of the study. Offline sexual coercion was significantly associated with sending and being asked for a naked image, as well as receiving a naked image without giving permission. The results suggest that sexting could function as an online extension of offline forms of sexual coercion. PMID:27814493

Management of Hyperglycemia During Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Therapy

PubMed Central

Umpierrez, Guillermo E.

2013-01-01

Hyperglycemia is a frequent complication of enteral and parenteral nutrition in hospitalized patients. Extensive evidence from observational studies indicates that the development of hyperglycemia during parenteral and enteral nutrition is associated with an increased risk of death and infectious complications. There are no specific guidelines recommending glycemic targets and effective strategies for the management of hyperglycemia during specialized nutritional support. Managing hyperglycemia in these patients should include optimization of carbohydrate content and administration of intravenous or subcutaneous insulin therapy. The administration of continuous insulin infusion and insulin addition to nutrition bag are efficient approaches to control hyperglycemia during parenteral nutrition. Subcutaneous administration of long-acting insulin with scheduled or corrective doses of short-acting insulin is superior to the sliding scale insulin strategy in patients receiving enteral feedings. Randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate safe and effective therapeutic strategies for the management of hyperglycemia in patients receiving nutritional support. PMID:23065369

A Comprehensive Survey of Current and Former College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

PubMed Central

Gelbar, Nicholas W.; Shefcyk, Allison; Reichow, Brian

2015-01-01

Background: There is a paucity of research concerning individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) pursuing higher education. Method: This study sought to augment this gap in the literature by surveying individuals with ASD who are currently college students or who have previously attended college. Results: Thirty-five individuals completed an online survey. These individuals reported receiving extensive academic supports that enabled their academic success. Their reported difficulties in the social and emotional domains received less support. In addition, not all areas of campus life were supportive, as study abroad and career service offices were reported to not understand individuals with ASD. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this survey indicate the importance of self-advocacy and the need for institutions of higher education to provide comprehensive supports for individuals with ASD in the academic, social, and emotional domains in order to effectively integrate this group into the campus environment. PMID:25745374

Long-term efficacy and safety of safinamide as add-on therapy in early Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Schapira, A H V; Stocchi, F; Borgohain, R; Onofrj, M; Bhatt, M; Lorenzana, P; Lucini, V; Giuliani, R; Anand, R

2013-02-01

Safinamide is an α-aminoamide with both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic mechanisms of action in Phase III clinical development as a once-daily add-on to dopamine agonist (DA) therapy for early Parkinson's disease (PD). Study 017 was a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pre-planned extension study to the previously reported Study 015. Patients received safinamide 100 or 200 mg/day or placebo added to a single DA in early PD. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time from baseline (Study 015 randomization) to 'intervention', defined as increase in DA dose; addition of another DA, levodopa or other PD treatment; or discontinuation due to lack of efficacy. Safinamide groups were pooled for the primary efficacy endpoint analysis; post hoc analyses were performed on each separate dose group. Of the 269 patients randomized in Study 015, 227 (84%) enrolled in Study 017 and 187/227 (82%) patients completed the extension study. Median time to intervention was 559 and 466 days in the pooled safinamide and placebo groups, respectively (log-rank test; P = 0.3342). In post hoc analyses, patients receiving safinamide 100 mg/day experienced a significantly lower rate of intervention compared with placebo (25% vs. 51%, respectively) and a delay in median time to intervention of 9 days (P < 0.05; 240- to 540-day analysis). The pooled data from the safinamide groups failed to reach statistical significance for the primary endpoint of median time from baseline to additional drug intervention. Post hoc analyses indicate that safinamide 100 mg/day may be effective as add-on treatment to DA in PD. © 2012 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2012 EFNS.

Steroid therapy in children with fulminant hepatitis A.

PubMed

Zakaria, H M; Salem, T A; El-Araby, H A; Salama, R M; Elbadry, D Y; Sira, A M; Ali, M A; Salem, M E; Abd-Alaaty, B M; Goda, S S; Eltaras, S M; Khalil, F O; Abou-Zeinah, S S; Sira, M M

2018-02-03

Fulminant hepatic failure is a life-threatening disease. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause fulminant hepatic failure and death in about 0.2% of cases. Extensive destruction of infected hepatocytes by immune-mediated lysis is thought to be the cause. We aimed to evaluate the use of steroid therapy in children with fulminant HAV. This study included 33 children with fulminant HAV in two groups. Steroid group: comprised of 18 children who received prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) or its equivalent dose of methylprednisolone, and the nonsteroid group: comprised another 15 children who did not receive steroid therapy. Age and sex were matched for both groups (P > .05), and they were comparable regarding baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics. Of the steroid group, 15 patients survived and 3 died, while in the nonsteroid group, 4 patients survived and 11 died (P = .001). Of the living patients, 15 of 19 (78.9%) received steroids while only 3 of 14 (21.4%) of the dead patients received steroids (P = .001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that steroid therapy was the only independent variable associated with recovery (P = .001). Steroid therapy in children with fulminant HAV associated significantly with improved outcome and survival. Future studies on a larger population size are strongly recommended. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Safety Guidelines for Field Data Collection

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-02-01

Safety concerns are always present when personnel are working near or adjacent to a highway. Safety considerations must include the workers as well as the motoring public. Construction safety has received extensive attention, but this research focuse...

12 CFR 535.13 - Unfair or deceptive cosigner practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... increase this amount. The creditor can collect this debt from you without first trying to collect from the... receiving the contractual right to obtain extensions of credit under the account. (2) Cosigner includes any...

12 CFR 535.13 - Unfair or deceptive cosigner practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... increase this amount. The creditor can collect this debt from you without first trying to collect from the... receiving the contractual right to obtain extensions of credit under the account. (2) Cosigner includes any...

12 CFR 535.13 - Unfair or deceptive cosigner practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... increase this amount. The creditor can collect this debt from you without first trying to collect from the... receiving the contractual right to obtain extensions of credit under the account. (2) Cosigner includes any...

12 CFR 535.13 - Unfair or deceptive cosigner practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... increase this amount. The creditor can collect this debt from you without first trying to collect from the... receiving the contractual right to obtain extensions of credit under the account. (2) Cosigner includes any...

77 FR 59242 - Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Public Charters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-26

... previous notice. DATES: Comments on this notice should be received by October 26, 2012: attention OMB/OST... operator's advertising, selling or operating the charter. If the prospectus information were not collected...

Agents Contribute to Statewide Program Designs in Yardwaste Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

May, James H.; And Others

1994-01-01

A survey of 125 Virginia extension agents received 90 responses demonstrating their knowledge of yard waste management and composting. Results were used to develop public education programs and pilot projects about composting. (SK)

Molecular Markers of Carotenoid and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Breast Cancer Risk in a Heterogeneous Population

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-07-01

tissue fatty acid composition of adolescents in a U.S.--Greece cross-cultural study of coronary heart disease risk factors. J Chronic Disease 36:481-486...year’s Report for further detail. The possible involvement of dietary fat in many diseases , including breast cancer, continues to receive extensive...In exploring associations with disease , crude mean levels of fatty acids or micronutrients among cases and controls were compared using Student’s t

Acoustic reciprocity: An extension to spherical harmonics domain.

PubMed

Samarasinghe, Prasanga; Abhayapala, Thushara D; Kellermann, Walter

2017-10-01

Acoustic reciprocity is a fundamental property of acoustic wavefields that is commonly used to simplify the measurement process of many practical applications. Traditionally, the reciprocity theorem is defined between a monopole point source and a point receiver. Intuitively, it must apply to more complex transducers than monopoles. In this paper, the authors formulate the acoustic reciprocity theory in the spherical harmonics domain for directional sources and directional receivers with higher order directivity patterns.

Turning Cyberpower into Idea Power: The Role of Social Media in US Strategic Communications

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Stephanie Jung , Chief of Operations Branch, IO Division of USAFRICOM provided extensive notes that provided insight on digital outreach efforts in...Twitter: The Whole Foods Story," 7 ———, "Reaching Millions With Twitter: The Whole Foods Story," 3 synchronization between sender and receiver...Press, 2008), 157. Shirky describes how phone conversations have a higher transaction cost because the sender and the receiver must be synchronized

Receiving instrumental support at work: when help is not welcome.

PubMed

Deelstra, Janna T; Peeters, Maria C W; Schaufeli, Wilmar B; Stroebe, Wolfgang; Zijlstra, Fred R H; van Doornen, Lorenz P

2003-04-01

Although the role of social support in promoting employees' health and well-being has been studied extensively, the evidence is inconsistent, sometimes even suggesting that social support might have negative effects. The authors examined some psychological processes that might explain such effects. On the basis of the threat-to-self-esteem model, the authors tested the hypothesis that receiving imposed support elicits negative reactions, which are moderated by someone's need for support. The authors distinguished 3 different reactions: (a) self-related, (b) interaction-related, and (c) physiological. The results of an experiment with 48 temporary administrative workers generally confirmed the hypothesis. Imposed support elicited negative reactions, except when there was an unsolvable problem, but even then the effect of imposed support was not positive but neutral.

Good clean fun? A content analysis of profanity in video games and its prevalence across game systems and ratings.

PubMed

Ivory, James D; Williams, Dmitri; Martins, Nicole; Consalvo, Mia

2009-08-01

Although violent video game content and its effects have been examined extensively by empirical research, verbal aggression in the form of profanity has received less attention. Building on preliminary findings from previous studies, an extensive content analysis of profanity in video games was conducted using a sample of the 150 top-selling video games across all popular game platforms (including home consoles, portable consoles, and personal computers). The frequency of profanity, both in general and across three profanity categories, was measured and compared to games' ratings, sales, and platforms. Generally, profanity was found in about one in five games and appeared primarily in games rated for teenagers or above. Games containing profanity, however, tended to contain it frequently. Profanity was not found to be related to games' sales or platforms.

Does Place of Education Matter? Contextualizing the Education and Health Status Association Among Asian Americans

PubMed Central

WALTON, EMILY; TAKEUCHI, DAVID T.; HERTING, JERALD R.; ALEGRÍA, MARGARITA

2009-01-01

The educational gradient in health is one of the most robust associations in social science research. Results of the current study indicate that, like the pattern observed among other racial and ethnic minority groups, the well-established educational gradient in health is attenuated among Asian Americans. We also show that the gradient association between educational attainment and self-rated health among Asian Americans depends on whether they receive the bulk of their education in the United States or abroad. Compared to the schooling received in the United States, being educated in a foreign country does not result in the same health payoffs for increasing educational attainment. Analysis of an extensive set of mediators indicates that a foreign education restricts economic opportunities, limits positive social interaction, and inhibits English language proficiency. We discuss the implications for Asian Americans, a group composed largely of immigrants who received their education outside the United States. PMID:19835099

GH treatment to final height produces similar height gains in patients with SHOX deficiency and Turner syndrome: results of a multicenter trial.

PubMed

Blum, Werner F; Ross, Judith L; Zimmermann, Alan G; Quigley, Charmian A; Child, Christopher J; Kalifa, Gabriel; Deal, Cheri; Drop, Stenvert L S; Rappold, Gudrun; Cutler, Gordon B

2013-08-01

Growth impairment in short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency and Turner syndrome share a similar etiology. Because of the established effect of GH treatment on height in patients with Turner syndrome, we hypothesized that GH therapy would also stimulate growth in patients with SHOX deficiency. Our objectives were to evaluate long-term efficacy of GH treatment in short patients with SHOX deficiency and to compare the effect on final (adult) height (FH) in patients with SHOX deficiency and Turner syndrome. A prospective, multinational, open-label, randomized 3-arm study consisting of a 2-year control period and a subsequent extension period to FH. The treatment groups were 1) SHOX-D-C/GH (untreated during the control period, GH-treated during the extension), 2) SHOX-D-GH/GH, and 3) Turner-GH/GH (GH-treated during both study periods). Short-statured prepubertal patients with genetically confirmed SHOX deficiency (n = 49) or Turner syndrome (n = 24) who participated in the extension. Depending on the study arm, patients received a daily sc injection of 0.05 mg/kg recombinant human GH from start of the study or start of the extension until attainment of FH or study closure. Height SD score gain from start of GH treatment to FH was similar between the combined SHOX-deficient groups (n = 28, 1.34 ± 0.18 [least-squares mean ± SE]) and the Turner group (n = 19, 1.32 ± 0.22). In this FH population, 57% of the patients with SHOX deficiency and 32% of the patients with Turner syndrome achieved a FH greater than -2 SD score. GH treatment in short children with SHOX deficiency showed similar long-term efficacy as seen in girls with Turner syndrome.

Impact of Retrograde Arch Extension in Acute Type B Aortic Dissection on Management and Outcomes.

PubMed

Nauta, Foeke J H; Tolenaar, Jip L; Patel, Himanshu J; Appoo, Jehangir J; Tsai, Thomas T; Desai, Nimesh D; Montgomery, Daniel G; Mussa, Firas F; Upchurch, Gilbert R; Fattori, Rosella; Hughes, G Chad; Nienaber, Christoph A; Isselbacher, Eric M; Eagle, Kim A; Trimarchi, Santi

2016-12-01

Optimal management of acute type B aortic dissection with retrograde arch extension is controversial. The effect of retrograde arch extension on operative and long-term mortality has not been studied and is not incorporated into clinical treatment pathways. The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection was queried for all patients presenting with acute type B dissection and an identifiable primary intimal tear. Outcomes were stratified according to management for patients with and without retrograde arch extension. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. Between 1996 and 2014, 404 patients (mean age, 63.3 ± 13.9 years) were identified. Retrograde arch extension existed in 67 patients (16.5%). No difference in complicated presentation was noted (36.8% vs 31.7%, p = 0.46), as defined by limb or organ malperfusion, coma, rupture, and shock. Patients with or without retrograde arch extension received similar treatment, with medical management in 53.7% vs 56.5% (p = 0.68), endovascular treatment in 32.8% vs 31.1% (p = 0.78), open operation in 11.9% vs 9.5% (p = 0.54), or hybrid approach in 1.5% vs 3.0% (p = 0.70), respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was similar for patients with (10.7%) and without (10.4%) retrograde arch extension (p = 0.96), and 5-year survival was also similar at 78.3% and 77.8%, respectively (p = 0.27). The incidence of retrograde arch dissection involves approximately 16% of patients with acute type B dissection. In the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection, this entity seems not to affect management strategy or early and late death. Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the treatment efficacy between tigecycline plus high-dose cefoperazone-sulbactam and tigecycline monotherapy against ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

PubMed

Qin, Youfa; Zhang, Jie; Wu, Lei; Zhang, Dailong; Fu, Lunjiao; Xue, Xiaoyan

2018-03-01

The present study examined the effect of high-dose cefoperazone-sulbactam combined with tigecycline against ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(XDR-AB). 42 patients with VAP due to XDR-AB infection were randomized into two groups: the TIG group (received tigecycline injection) and the TIG+CFS group (received tigecycline and cefoperazone-sulbactam (1 : 1) injection). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for genotyping the isolated XDR-AB. The microdilution method was used to test the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cefoperazone-sulbactam or tigecycline in vitro and the combined effect was determined with the checkerboard method. The total combined effectiveness rate (including all patients who demonstrated an improved condition) was significantly higher in the TIG+CFS group (85.7%) compared with the TIG group (47.6%) (p = 0.010). No significant differences were noted with regard to the adverse reactions between the two groups. The 42 isolated XDR-AB strains were classified into four types. The MIC of the two drugs in combination was significantly lower than that of each drug used alone (p < 0.05). High dose of cefoperazone-sulbactam can improve the antimicrobial activity of tigecycline against XDR-AB.
.

Effect of Lumbar Progressive Resistance Exercise on Lumbar Muscular Strength and Core Muscular Endurance in Soldiers.

PubMed

Mayer, John M; Childs, John D; Neilson, Brett D; Chen, Henian; Koppenhaver, Shane L; Quillen, William S

2016-11-01

Low back pain is common, costly, and disabling for active duty military personnel and veterans. The evidence is unclear on which management approaches are most effective. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of lumbar extensor high-intensity progressive resistance exercise (HIPRE) training versus control on improving lumbar extension muscular strength and core muscular endurance in soldiers. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with active duty U.S. Army Soldiers (n = 582) in combat medic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Soldiers were randomized by platoon to receive the experimental intervention (lumbar extensor HIPRE training, n = 298) or control intervention (core stabilization exercise training, n = 284) at one set, one time per week, for 11 weeks. Lumbar extension muscular strength and core muscular endurance were assessed before and after the intervention period. At 11-week follow-up, lumbar extension muscular strength was 9.7% greater (p = 0.001) for HIPRE compared with control. No improvements in core muscular endurance were observed for HIPRE or control. Lumbar extensor HIPRE training is effective to improve isometric lumbar extension muscular strength in U.S. Army Soldiers. Research is needed to explore the clinical relevance of these gains. Reprint & Copyright © 2016 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

The PLVCR 500 and HCPC, tests and results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leuchsner, Volker

1991-09-01

Developments of volumetric receivers during the last decade which have pointed out the advantages and the wide range of applications in comparison with tube receivers are reported. During three test periods in 1990 the 500 kW version of the Pressure Loaded Volumetric Ceramic Receiver (PLVCR 500) and the Hexagonal Compound Parabolic Concentrator (HCPC) were mounted on the Small Solar Power System (SSPS) tower. Concerning the size of the experiment, it represents the most extensive research and development work on pressure loaded volumetric receivers until now. The receiver and the secondary concentrator were tested together and separately. A gauge pressure of 4.2 bars at air outlet temperatures of 960 C was reached. The secondary concentrator was tested under various flux conditions, the inlet and outlet flux distributions were measured. With this test the feasibility of a modular design of receiver and secondary concentrator could be shown.

76 FR 13597 - Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; County Committee Elections

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-14

... individual with farming interest in the Local Administrative Area (LAA) (eligible voters). Estimated Number... technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses received in response...

Pavement marking extensions for deceleration lanes.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-01-01

Pavement markings have definite and important functions in a proper scheme of traffic control. One such marking, the pavement edge line, has received much favorable public reaction. One of the limitations of the edge line as conventionally applied is...

Berry Amendment Extension Act

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Kissell, Larry [D-NC-8

2009-07-07

Senate - 09/16/2010 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Passed HouseHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Solar thermal energy receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, Karl W. (Inventor); Dustin, Miles O. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A plurality of heat pipes in a shell receive concentrated solar energy and transfer the energy to a heat activated system. To provide for even distribution of the energy despite uneven impingement of solar energy on the heat pipes, absence of solar energy at times, or failure of one or more of the heat pipes, energy storage means are disposed on the heat pipes which extend through a heat pipe thermal coupling means into the heat activated device. To enhance energy transfer to the heat activated device, the heat pipe coupling cavity means may be provided with extensions into the device. For use with a Stirling engine having passages for working gas, heat transfer members may be positioned to contact the gas and the heat pipes. The shell may be divided into sections by transverse walls. To prevent cavity working fluid from collecting in the extensions, a porous body is positioned in the cavity.

Thalamic connections of the core auditory cortex and rostral supratemporal plane in the macaque monkey.

PubMed

Scott, Brian H; Saleem, Kadharbatcha S; Kikuchi, Yukiko; Fukushima, Makoto; Mishkin, Mortimer; Saunders, Richard C

2017-11-01

In the primate auditory cortex, information flows serially in the mediolateral dimension from core, to belt, to parabelt. In the caudorostral dimension, stepwise serial projections convey information through the primary, rostral, and rostrotemporal (AI, R, and RT) core areas on the supratemporal plane, continuing to the rostrotemporal polar area (RTp) and adjacent auditory-related areas of the rostral superior temporal gyrus (STGr) and temporal pole. In addition to this cascade of corticocortical connections, the auditory cortex receives parallel thalamocortical projections from the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Previous studies have examined the projections from MGN to auditory cortex, but most have focused on the caudal core areas AI and R. In this study, we investigated the full extent of connections between MGN and AI, R, RT, RTp, and STGr using retrograde and anterograde anatomical tracers. Both AI and R received nearly 90% of their thalamic inputs from the ventral subdivision of the MGN (MGv; the primary/lemniscal auditory pathway). By contrast, RT received only ∼45% from MGv, and an equal share from the dorsal subdivision (MGd). Area RTp received ∼25% of its inputs from MGv, but received additional inputs from multisensory areas outside the MGN (30% in RTp vs. 1-5% in core areas). The MGN input to RTp distinguished this rostral extension of auditory cortex from the adjacent auditory-related cortex of the STGr, which received 80% of its thalamic input from multisensory nuclei (primarily medial pulvinar). Anterograde tracers identified complementary descending connections by which highly processed auditory information may modulate thalamocortical inputs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patient Preference for Instructional Reinforcement Regarding Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.

PubMed

Laszewski, Pamela; Zelko, Cynthia; Andriths, Lena; Vera Cruz, Eva; Bauer, Carole; Magnan, Morris A

2016-04-01

Although patient preference is a core value within the context of patient-centered models of care, little attention has been paid to determining patient preference for instructional media. Nurses have traditionally used verbal face-to-face instruction as the mainstay of patient education, with written materials being used extensively as teaching guides to supplement verbal instruction or for instructional reinforcement. However, advances in technology have made possible the adding of video instruction to nurses' repertoire of instructional media. The purpose of this study was to determine patients' media preferences (verbal, video, written) when receiving instructional reinforcement about self-care needed to prevent radiation dermatitis. The current study was conducted as a secondary analysis of data from a process improvement initiative. In the parent study, patients received multimedia education related to skin care to prevent radiation dermatitis. This secondary analysis examined patient preference for verbal, video, or written education reinforcement at treatment weeks 1 and 3. Results suggest that, when given a choice, verbal and video reinforcement are preferred over written reinforcement.

Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Receivers with High Electromechanical Coupling PMN-32%PT Strip-Like Piezoelectric Elements

PubMed Central

Kazys, Rymantas J.; Sliteris, Reimondas; Sestoke, Justina

2017-01-01

For improvement of the efficiency of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers PMN-32%PT piezoelectric crystals which possess very high piezoelectric properties may be used. The electromechanical coupling factor of such crystals for all main vibration modes such as the thickness extension and transverse extension modes is more than 0.9. Operation of ultrasonic transducers with such piezoelectric elements in transmitting and receiving modes is rather different. Therefore, for transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals, separate piezoelectric elements with different dimensions must be used. The objective of this research was development of novel air-coupled ultrasonic receivers with PMN-32%PT strip-like piezoelectric elements vibrating in a transverse-extension mode with electromechanically controlled operation and suitable for applications in ultrasonic arrays. Performance of piezoelectric receivers made of the PMN-32%PT strip-like elements vibrating in this mode may be efficiently controlled by selecting geometry of the electrodes covering side surfaces of the piezoelectric element. It is equivalent to introduction of electromechanical damping which does not require any additional backing element. For this purpose; we have proposed the continuous electrodes to divide into two pairs of electrodes. The one pair is used to pick up the electric signal; another one is exploited for electromechanical damping. Two types of electrodes may be used—rectangular or non-rectangular—with a gap between them directed at some angle, usually 45°. The frequency bandwidth is wider (up to 9 kHz) in the case of non-rectangular electrodes. The strip-like acoustic matching element bonded to the tip of the PMN-32%PT crystal may significantly enhance the performance of the ultrasonic receiver. It was proposed to use for this purpose AIREX T10.110 rigid polymer foam, the acoustic impedance of which is close to the optimal value necessary for matching with air. It was found that in order to get a wide bandwidth the length of the matching strip should be selected not a quarter wavelength λ/4 at the antiresonance frequency but at lower frequency. It allowed achieving the frequency bandwidth (14–18)% with respect to the central frequency at −3 dB level. PMID:29035348

Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Receivers with High Electromechanical Coupling PMN-32%PT Strip-Like Piezoelectric Elements.

PubMed

Kazys, Rymantas J; Sliteris, Reimondas; Sestoke, Justina

2017-10-16

For improvement of the efficiency of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers PMN-32%PT piezoelectric crystals which possess very high piezoelectric properties may be used. The electromechanical coupling factor of such crystals for all main vibration modes such as the thickness extension and transverse extension modes is more than 0.9. Operation of ultrasonic transducers with such piezoelectric elements in transmitting and receiving modes is rather different. Therefore, for transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals, separate piezoelectric elements with different dimensions must be used. The objective of this research was development of novel air-coupled ultrasonic receivers with PMN-32%PT strip-like piezoelectric elements vibrating in a transverse-extension mode with electromechanically controlled operation and suitable for applications in ultrasonic arrays. Performance of piezoelectric receivers made of the PMN-32%PT strip-like elements vibrating in this mode may be efficiently controlled by selecting geometry of the electrodes covering side surfaces of the piezoelectric element. It is equivalent to introduction of electromechanical damping which does not require any additional backing element. For this purpose; we have proposed the continuous electrodes to divide into two pairs of electrodes. The one pair is used to pick up the electric signal; another one is exploited for electromechanical damping. Two types of electrodes may be used-rectangular or non-rectangular-with a gap between them directed at some angle, usually 45°. The frequency bandwidth is wider (up to 9 kHz) in the case of non-rectangular electrodes. The strip-like acoustic matching element bonded to the tip of the PMN-32%PT crystal may significantly enhance the performance of the ultrasonic receiver. It was proposed to use for this purpose AIREX T10.110 rigid polymer foam, the acoustic impedance of which is close to the optimal value necessary for matching with air. It was found that in order to get a wide bandwidth the length of the matching strip should be selected not a quarter wavelength λ/4 at the antiresonance frequency but at lower frequency. It allowed achieving the frequency bandwidth (14-18)% with respect to the central frequency at -3 dB level.

Optimization of an acoustic telemetry array for detecting transmitter-implanted fish

USGS Publications Warehouse

Clements, S.; Jepsen, D.; Karnowski, M.; Schreck, C.B.

2005-01-01

The development of miniature acoustic transmitters and economical, robust automated receivers has enabled researchers to study the movement patterns and survival of teleosts in estuarine and ocean environments, including many species and age-classes that were previously considered too small for implantation. During 2001-2003, we optimized a receiver mooring system to minimize gear and data loss in areas where current action or wave action and acoustic noise are high. In addition, we conducted extensive tests to determine (1) the performance of a transmitter and receiver (Vemco, Ltd.) that are widely used, particularly in North America and Europe and (2) the optimal placement of receivers for recording the passage of fish past a point in a linear-flow environment. Our results suggest that in most locations the mooring system performs well with little loss of data; however, boat traffic remains a concern due to entanglement with the mooring system. We also found that the reception efficiency of the receivers depends largely on the method and location of deployment. In many cases, we observed a range of 0-100% reception efficiency (the percentage of known transmissions that are detected while the receiver is within range of the transmitter) when using a conventional method of mooring. The efficiency was improved by removal of the mounting bar and obstructions from the mooring line. ?? Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 2005.

Coherent Optical Communications: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Kazuro

Coherent optical fiber communications were studied extensively in the 1980s mainly because high sensitivity of coherent receivers could elongate the unrepeated transmission distance; however, their research and development have been interrupted for nearly 20 years behind the rapid progress in high-capacity wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). In 2005, the demonstration of digital carrier phase estimation in coherent receivers has stimulated a widespread interest in coherent optical communications again. This is due to the fact that the digital coherent receiver enables us to employ a variety of spectrally efficient modulation formats such as M-ary phase-shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) without relying upon a rather complicated optical phase-locked loop. In addition, since the phase information is preserved after detection, we can realize electrical post-processing functions such as compensation for chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode dispersion in the digital domain. These advantages of the born-again coherent receiver have enormous potential for innovating existing optical communication systems. In this chapter, after reviewing the 20-year history of coherent optical communication systems, we describe the principle of operation of coherent detection, the concept of the digital coherent receiver, and its performance evaluation. Finally, challenges for the future are summarized.

A phase 2, open-label, multicenter study of the long-term safety of siltuximab (an anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody) in patients with multicentric Castleman disease.

PubMed

van Rhee, Frits; Casper, Corey; Voorhees, Peter M; Fayad, Luis E; van de Velde, Helgi; Vermeulen, Jessica; Qin, Xiang; Qi, Ming; Tromp, Brenda; Kurzrock, Razelle

2015-10-06

Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a rare, systemic lymphoproliferative disorder driven by interleukin (IL)-6 overproduction. Siltuximab, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated durable tumor and symptomatic responses in a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled study of MCD. This preplanned safety analysis was conducted to evaluate the long-term safety of siltuximab treatment among 19 patients with MCD who had stable disease or better and were enrolled in a phase-1 study and subsequent ongoing, open-label, phase-2 extension study. Dosing was 11 mg/kg administered intravenously every 3 weeks, per protocol, or every 6 weeks at the investigator's discretion. Safety monitoring focused on potential risks associated with the anti-IL-6 mechanism of action. Investigator-assessed disease control status was also documented. Median treatment duration for the 19 patients was 5.1 (range 3.4, 7.2) years, with 14 (74%) patients treated for >4 years. Grade-≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) reported in >1 patient included hypertension (n = 3) and nausea, cellulitis, and fatigue (n = 2 each). Grade-≥ 3 AEs at least possibly attributed to siltuximab were leukopenia, lymphopenia, and a serious AE of polycythemia (n = 1 each). Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol) were reported in 8 and 9 patients, respectively. No disease relapses were observed, and 8 of 19 patients were able to switch to an every-6-week dosing schedule. All MCD patients in this extension study have received siltuximab for a prolonged duration (up to 7 years) without evidence of cumulative toxicity or treatment discontinuations and with few serious infections. All patients are alive, demonstrate sustained disease control, and continue to receive siltuximab.

Nursing's contribution to research about parenting children with complex chronic conditions: an integrative review, 2002 to 2012.

PubMed

Rehm, Roberta S

2013-01-01

Children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) need extensive, costly care, usually provided at home by parents. These children often rely on technology to survive or avoid complications. Children with CCC receive nursing care in hospital, community, and home settings. An integrative review of 22 nursing studies, from 2002 to 2012, of parenting for children with CCC was conducted to synthesize nursing research addressing parenting a child with a CCC and identify promising areas for future inquiry and development of supportive interventions and policies. Criteria for sampling in these studies were reviewed, and an updated definition for children with CCC is offered to replace an outdated definition of "medically fragile" children. Findings include the extensive impacts of providing complex care at home, including the tension between the difficulties and recognition of the rewards of providing that care. Disruptions occurred in emotional, role development, social, and moral realms. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in technically unresectable carcinoma of external auditory canal

PubMed Central

Joshi, Amit; Tandon, Nidhi; Noronha, Vanita; Dhumal, Sachin; Patil, Vijay; Arya, Supreeta; Juvekar, Shashikant; Agarwal, Jaiprakash; DCruz, Anil; Pai, Prathmesh; Prabhash, Kumar

2015-01-01

Background: Carcinoma of external auditory canal (EAC) is a very rare malignancy with surgical resection as the main modality of treatment. The outcomes with nonsurgical modalities are very dismal. We present a retrospective analysis of 4 patients evaluating the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in technically unresectable cancers. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 4 patients from our institute from 2010 to 2014 with carcinoma EAC who were deemed unfit for surgery due to extensive disease involving occipital bone with soft tissue infiltration (n = 2), temporal dura (n = 1), left temporal lobe, and extensive soft tissue involvement (n = 1). All these patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil (n = 3) and paclitaxel and cisplatin (n = 1). Results: Response evaluation showed a partial response (PR) in 3 and stable disease (SD) in 1 patient by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. All 3 patients who received 3 drug chemotherapy had PR while 1 patient who received 2 drug chemotherapy had SD. Two of these patients underwent surgery, and other 2 underwent definitive chemoradiation. One of 3 patients who achieved PR underwent surgical resection; the other 2 remained unresectable in view of the persistent intradural extension and infratemporal fossa involvement. One patient who had SD could undergo surgery in view of clearance of infraatemporal fossa. Recent follow-up shows that 3 out of these 4 patients are alive. Conclusion: This indicates that there may be a role of induction chemotherapy in converting potentially unresectable tumors to resectable disease that could produce better outcomes in carcinoma EAC. PMID:26855526

Performance Analysis of Receive Diversity in Wireless Sensor Networks over GBSBE Models

PubMed Central

Goel, Shivali; Abawajy, Jemal H.; Kim, Tai-hoon

2010-01-01

Wireless sensor networks have attracted a lot of attention recently. In this paper, we develop a channel model based on the elliptical model for multipath components involving randomly placed scatterers in the scattering region with sensors deployed on a field. We verify that in a sensor network, the use of receive diversity techniques improves the performance of the system. Extensive performance analysis of the system is carried out for both single and multiple antennas with the applied receive diversity techniques. Performance analyses based on variations in receiver height, maximum multipath delay and transmit power have been performed considering different numbers of antenna elements present in the receiver array, Our results show that increasing the number of antenna elements for a wireless sensor network does indeed improve the BER rates that can be obtained. PMID:22163510

The benefit of lithium carbonate adjunct in refractory depression--fact or fiction?

PubMed

Kantor, D; McNevin, S; Leichner, P; Harper, D; Krenn, M

1986-06-01

Our group attempted to validate previous claims of rapid success with lithium carbonate adjunct therapy in antidepressant-resistant depression. Seven depressed patients volunteered for a study of placebo controlled, double-blind design. During their treatment on general hospital psychiatric wards, these patients received antidepressant medication for a period of at least 21 days. While continuing to receive antidepressant medication after the 21 day period, four of the patients then received lithium carbonate, and three received placebo. This combination pharmacological therapy continued for a 48 hour period. After this time, six of the seven patients showed no significant improvement. The remaining patient, who had received lithium carbonate, improved markedly over the 48 hour period. However, this patient relapsed within one week. A review of the two most extensive studies claiming significant results with the lithium carbonate adjunct therapy was performed. We feel that they, as presented, leave serious doubt as to the validity of their conclusions. We conclude that on the basis of our work up to this point in time and the analysis of previous reports claiming otherwise, no valid evidence exists for a consistent therapeutic effect of lithium carbonate adjunct in antidepressant-resistant depression. It was also found that methodologic contamination necessitated the exclusion of an additional six patients from the double-blind trial. We conclude that in order to objectively examine the rapidly expanding field of biological psychiatry, teaching of clinical staff in basic research procedure should be stressed as a part of routine ward orientation.

Social support and ambulatory blood pressure: an examination of both receiving and giving.

PubMed

Piferi, Rachel L; Lawler, Kathleen A

2006-11-01

The relationship between the social network and physical health has been studied extensively and it has consistently been shown that individuals live longer, have fewer physical symptoms of illness, and have lower blood pressure when they are a member of a social network than when they are isolated. Much of the research has focused on the benefits of receiving social support from the network and the effects of giving to others within the network have been neglected. The goal of the present research was to systematically investigate the relationship between giving and ambulatory blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were recorded every 30 min during the day and every 60 min at night during a 24-h period. Linear mixed models analyses revealed that lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were related to giving social support. Furthermore, correlational analyses revealed that participants with a higher tendency to give social support reported greater received social support, greater self-efficacy, greater self-esteem, less depression, and less stress than participants with a lower tendency to give social support to others. Structural equation modeling was also used to test a proposed model that giving and receiving social support represent separate pathways predicting blood pressure and health. From this study, it appears that giving social support may represent a unique construct from receiving social support and may exert a unique effect on health.

Effectiveness of lurasidone in schizophrenia or schizoaffective patients switched from other antipsychotics: a 6-month, open-label, extension study.

PubMed

Citrome, Leslie; Weiden, Peter J; McEvoy, Joseph P; Correll, Christoph U; Cucchiaro, Josephine; Hsu, Jay; Loebel, Antony

2014-08-01

To evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of lurasidone in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients switched to lurasidone. Patients in this multicenter, 6-month open-label, flexible-dose, extension study had completed a core 6-week randomized trial in which clinically stable, but symptomatic, outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were switched to lurasidone. Patients started the extension study on treatment with the same dose of lurasidone taken at study endpoint of the 6-week core study; following this, lurasidone was flexibly dosed (40-120 mg/day), if clinically indicated, starting on Day 7 of the extension study. The primary safety endpoints were the proportion of patients with treatment emergent adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, or who discontinued due to AEs. Secondary endpoints included metabolic variables and measures of extrapyramidal symptoms and akathisia, as well as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S), and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). The study was conducted from August 2010 to November 2011. Of the 198 patients who completed the 6-week core study, 149 (75.3%) entered the extension study and 148 received study medication. A total of 98 patients (65.8%) completed the 6-month extension study. Lurasidone 40, 80, and 120 mg were the modal daily doses for 19 (12.8%), 65 (43.9%), and 64 (43.2%) of patients, respectively. Overall mean (SD) daily lurasidone dose was 102.0 mg (77.1). The most commonly reported AEs were insomnia (13 patients [8.8%]), nausea (13 patients [8.8%]), akathisia (12 patients [8.1%]), and anxiety (9 patients [6.1%]). A total of 16 patients (10.8%) had at least one AE leading to discontinuation from the study. Consistent with prior studies of lurasidone, there was no signal for clinically relevant adverse changes in body weight, lipids, glucose, insulin, or prolactin. Movement disorder rating scales did not demonstrate meaningful changes. Treatment failure (defined as any occurrence of discontinuation due to insufficient clinical response, exacerbation of underlying disease, or AE) was observed for 19 patients (12.8% of patients entering) and median time to treatment failure was 58 days (95% CI 22-86). The discontinuation rate due to any cause was 50/148 (33.8%), and median time to discontinuation was 62 days (95% CI 30-75). The mean PANSS total score, mean CGI-S score, and mean CDSS score decreased consistently from core study baseline across extension visits, indicating an improvement in overall condition. In this 6-month, open-label extension study, treatment with lurasidone was generally well-tolerated with sustained improvement in efficacy measures observed in outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had switched to lurasidone from a broad range of antipsychotic agents.

Analysis of lung function and survival in RECAP: An open-label extension study of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

PubMed

Costabel, Ulrich; Albera, Carlo; Bradford, Williamson Z; Hormel, Phil; King, Talmadge E; Noble, Paul W; Sahn, Steven A; Valeyre, Dominique; du Bois, Roland M

2014-10-20

RECAP is an open-label extension study evaluating pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who completed the Phase 3 CAPACITY program. We examined the effect of pirfenidone on lung function and survival in patients who were previously randomised to the placebo group in one of the two CAPACITY studies and received pirfenidone for the first time in RECAP. Eligible patients received oral pirfenidone 2403 mg/day. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured at baseline and at weeks 12, 36, and 60. To facilitate comparison with CAPACITY outcomes, analyses were based on patients newly treated with pirfenidone in RECAP who had baseline FVC and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) values that met CAPACITY entry criteria. A total of 178 patients were included in the analysis. Among these, 16.3% experienced an FVC decline ≥10% at week 60, compared with 16.8% and 24.8%, respectively, in the CAPACITY pirfenidone (n=345) and placebo (n=347) groups. The mean change from baseline to week 60 in %FVC was -5.9%, compared with -7.0% and -9.4% in the CAPACITY pirfenidone and placebo groups. Overall survival was similar to that of pirfenidone treated patients in CAPACITY. Treatment was safe and generally well tolerated; the type and frequency of adverse events were consistent with previous clinical experience. FVC and survival outcomes in IPF patients newly treated with pirfenidone in RECAP were similar to those in the CAPACITY pirfenidone group. These data provide further evidence to support the use of pirfenidone in patients with IPF.

Longterm Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab Monotherapy: Results from the 2-year Open-label Extension of the MUSASHI Study.

PubMed

Ogata, Atsushi; Amano, Koichi; Dobashi, Hiroaki; Inoo, Masayuki; Ishii, Tomonori; Kasama, Tsuyoshi; Kawai, Shinichi; Kawakami, Atsushi; Koike, Tatsuya; Miyahara, Hisaaki; Miyamoto, Toshiaki; Munakata, Yasuhiko; Murasawa, Akira; Nishimoto, Norihiro; Ogawa, Noriyoshi; Ojima, Tomohiro; Sano, Hajime; Shi, Kenrin; Shono, Eisuke; Suematsu, Eiichi; Takahashi, Hiroki; Tanaka, Yoshiya; Tsukamoto, Hiroshi; Nomura, Akira

2015-05-01

To evaluate the longterm safety and efficacy of subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ-SC) as monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of 346 patients who received 24 weeks of double-blind treatment with either TCZ-SC monotherapy, 162 mg every 2 weeks (q2w); or intravenous TCZ (TCZ-IV) monotherapy, 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks; 319 patients continued to receive TCZ-SC q2w in the 84-week open-label extension (OLE) of the MUSASHI study (JAPICCTI-101117). Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity were evaluated for all patients treated with TCZ during 108 weeks. The proportions of patients who achieved American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 responses, low disease activity [28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) ≤ 3.2], or remission (DAS28 < 2.6) at Week 24 were maintained until Week 108. The incidences of adverse events and serious adverse events were 498.3 and 16.9 per 100 patient-years (PY), respectively. The overall safety of TCZ-SC monotherapy was similar to that of TCZ-IV monotherapy. Rates of injection site reactions (ISR) through 108 weeks remained similar to rates through 24 weeks. ISR were mild and did not cause any patient withdrawals. No serious hypersensitivity events (including anaphylactic reactions) occurred. Anti-TCZ antibodies were present in 2.1% of patients treated with TCZ-SC monotherapy. TCZ-SC monotherapy maintained a favorable safety profile and consistent efficacy throughout the 108-week study. Like TCZ-IV, TCZ-SC could provide an additional treatment option for patients with RA.

The Effect of Three or Six Years of Denosumab Exposure in Women With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Results From the FREEDOM Extension

PubMed Central

Chapurlat, Roland; Brandi, Maria-Luisa; Brown, Jacques P.; Czerwiński, Edward; Krieg, Marc-Antoine; Mellström, Dan; Radominski, Sebastião C.; Reginster, Jean-Yves; Resch, Heinrich; Ivorra, Jose A. Román; Roux, Christian; Vittinghoff, Eric; Daizadeh, Nadia S.; Wang, Andrea; Bradley, Michelle N.; Franchimont, Nathalie; Geller, Michelle L.; Wagman, Rachel B.; Cummings, Steven R.; Papapoulos, Socrates

2013-01-01

Context: The Fracture Reduction Evaluation of Denosumab in Osteoporosis Every 6 Months (FREEDOM) extension is evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of denosumab for up to 10 years. Objective: The objective of the study was to report results from the first 3 years of the extension, representing up to 6 years of denosumab exposure. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a multicenter, international, open-label study of 4550 women. Intervention: Women from the FREEDOM denosumab group received 3 more years of denosumab for a total of 6 years (long-term) and women from the FREEDOM placebo group received 3 years of denosumab (crossover). Main Outcome Measures: Bone turnover markers (BTMs), bone mineral density (BMD), fracture, and safety data are reported. Results: Reductions in BTMs were maintained (long-term) or achieved rapidly (crossover) after denosumab administration. In the long-term group, BMD further increased for cumulative 6-year gains of 15.2% (lumbar spine) and 7.5% (total hip). During the first 3 years of denosumab treatment, the crossover group had significant gains in lumbar spine (9.4%) and total hip (4.8%) BMD, similar to the long-term group during the 3-year FREEDOM trial. In the long-term group, fracture incidences remained low and below the rates projected for a virtual placebo cohort. In the crossover group, 3-year incidences of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures were similar to those of the FREEDOM denosumab group. Incidence rates of adverse events did not increase over time. Six participants had events of osteonecrosis of the jaw confirmed by adjudication. One participant had a fracture adjudicated as consistent with atypical femoral fracture. Conclusion: Denosumab treatment for 6 years remained well tolerated, maintained reduced bone turnover, and continued to increase BMD. Fracture incidence remained low. PMID:23979955

Sustained glycaemic control and less nocturnal hypoglycaemia with insulin glargine 300U/mL compared with glargine 100U/mL in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes (EDITION JP 1 randomised 12-month trial including 6-month extension).

PubMed

Matsuhisa, Munehide; Koyama, Masayoshi; Cheng, Xi; Sumi, Mariko; Riddle, Matthew C; Bolli, Geremia B; Hirose, Takahisa

2016-12-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300U/mL (Gla-300) versus glargine 100U/mL (Gla-100) in adults with type 1 diabetes in Japan over 12months. EDITION JP 1 was a multicentre, randomised, open-label phase 3 study. Following a 6-month on-treatment period, participants continued to receive Gla-300 or Gla-100 once daily, plus mealtime insulin, over a 6-month open-label extension phase. HbA1c, hypoglycaemia, body weight and adverse events were assessed. Overall, 114/122 (93%) and 114/121 (94%) of participants in the Gla-300 and Gla-100 group, respectively, completed the 6-month extension phase. Glycaemic control was sustained in both groups up to month 12 (mean HbA1c: Gla-300, 7.9% [62mmol/mol]; Gla-100, 7.8% [62mmol/mol]). Annualised rates of hypoglycaemia were lower with Gla-300 versus Gla-100; significantly for nocturnal confirmed (<3.0mmol/L [<54mg/dL]) or severe hypoglycaemia (2.39 and 3.85 events per participant-year; rate ratio: 0.62 [0.39-0.97]). No between-treatment differences in mean body weight change or adverse events were observed. Over 12months' treatment, participants with type 1 diabetes receiving Gla-300 achieved sustained glycaemic control and experienced less nocturnal hypoglycaemia that was confirmed (<3.0mmol/L [<54mg/dL]) or severe compared with Gla-100, supporting the 6-month results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Telmisartan improves survival and ventricular function in SHR rats with extensive cardiovascular damage induced by dietary salt excess.

PubMed

Susic, Dinko; Frohlich, Edward D

2014-05-01

Excessive dietary salt intake induces extensive cardiovascular and renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that may be prevented by antihypertensive agents. This study examines whether salt-induced cardiac damage may be reversed by angiotensin II (type 1) receptor blockade (telmisartan). Eight-week-old male SHRs were divided into four groups; Group 1 (NS) was fed regular rat chow, and Group 2 (HS) received high-salt diet (HS; 8% NaCl). After 8 weeks on their respective diets, systemic hemodynamics and indices of left ventricular (LV) function were determined. Group 3 (HSnoT) was given HS for 8 weeks and then switched to a regular chow (0.6% NaCl) diet with no other treatment, and Group 4 (HSArb) received HS for 8 weeks and was then given regular diet plus telmisartan. Rats from these latter two groups were monitored for the ensuing 30 days. Compared with the NS group, rats in the HS group exhibited increased mean arterial pressure (161 ± 7 vs. 184 ± 8 mm Hg) and LV diastolic dysfunction, as evidenced by a decreased rate of LV pressure decline (-8754 ± 747 vs. -4234 ± 754 mmHg/sec) at the end of the 8 weeks of their respective treatment. After switching to regular chow, only one of 11 rats in the HSnoT group survived for the 30 days, whereas 10 died within 18 days; in the HSArb group only one of nine rats died; eight survived 30 days (P < .01). Telmisartan significantly improved LV function and survival in those SHR rats having extensive cardiovascular damage induced by dietary salt excess. Copyright © 2014 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

78 FR 55240 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

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Preserving the Welfare Work Requirement and TANF Extension Act of 2013

THOMAS, 113th Congress

Rep. Camp, Dave [R-MI-4

2013-02-28

Senate - 03/14/2013 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Passed HouseHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Transconjuctival Incision with Lateral Paracanthal Extension for Corrective Osteotomy of Malunioned Zygoma

PubMed Central

Chung, Jae-Ho; You, Hi-Jin; Hwang, Na-Hyun; Yoon, Eul-Sik

2016-01-01

Background Conventional correction of malunioned zygoma requires complete regional exposure through a bicoronal flap combined with a lower eyelid incision and an upper buccal sulcus incision. However, there are many potential complications following bicoronal incisions, such as infection, hematoma, alopecia, scarring and nerve injury. We have adopted a zygomaticofrontal suture osteotomy technique using transconjunctival incision with lateral paracanthal extension. We performed a retrospective review of clinical cases underwent correction of malunioned zygoma with the approach to evaluate outcomes following this method. Methods Between June 2009 and September 2015, corrective osteotomies were performed in 14 patients with malunioned zygoma by a single surgeon. All 14 patients received both upper gingivobuccal and transconjunctival incisions with lateral paracanthal extension. The mean interval from injury to operation was 16 months (range, 12 months to 4 years), and the mean follow-up was 1 year (range, 4 months to 3 years). Results Our surgical approach technique allowed excellent access to the infraorbital rim, orbital floor, zygomaticofrontal suture and anterior surface of the maxilla. Of the 14 patients, only 1 patient suffered a complication—oral wound dehiscence. Among the 6 patients who received infraorbital nerve decompression, numbness was gradually relieved in 4 patients. Two patients continued to experience persistent numbness. Conclusion Transconjunctival incision with lateral paracanthal extension combined with upper gingivobuccal sulcus incision offers excellent exposure of the zygoma-orbit complex, and could be a valid alternative to the bicoronal approach for osteotomy of malunioned zygoma. PMID:28913268

Clinical Value of CYP2C19 Genetic Testing for Guiding the Antiplatelet Therapy in a Chinese Population.

PubMed

Shen, De-Liang; Wang, Bo; Bai, Jing; Han, Qing; Liu, Chuang; Huang, Xiao-Hui; Zhang, Jin-Ying

2016-03-01

To compare the clinical effects between individual antiplatelet therapy guided by CYP2C19 genetic testing and conventional dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. In total of 628 coronary artery disease patients who had undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention were included in this study. Patients were consecutively divided into routine group (n = 319) and individual group (n = 309) because of weather received CYP2C19 genetic testing. The individual group was divided again into extensive metabolizer group, intermediate metabolizer group, and poor metabolizer group according to CYP2C19 genotype. Then extensive metabolizer group received 75 mg daily of clopidogrel, intermediate metabolizer group received 150 mg daily of clopidogrel, and poor metabolizer group received ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily. Routine group was treated with clopidogrel 75 mg daily conventionally. The primary end points were defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), namely a composite of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization. Safety end points were bleeding events classified by GUSTO. All the 628 patients were followed for an average of 12 months and clinical outcomes were analyzed at 1, 6, and 12 months after discharge. The morbidity rates of MACE in individual group were all lower than those in routine group at 1, 6, and 12 months (1.3% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.003; 3.2% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.012; 4.2% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.010). No significant difference in the rates of bleeding was found between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Even performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the benefit of individual antiplatelet therapy remained. Individual antiplatelet therapy guided by CYP2C19 genetic testing significantly reduced the rate of MACE without an increase in the rate of bleeding in the near term in this Chinese population.

Positive Interaction Between Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation And Maintenance Sunitinib For Untreated Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients After Standard Chemotherapy: A Secondary Analysis Of CALGB 30504 (Alliance)

PubMed Central

Salama, Joseph K.; Gu, Lin; Wang, Xiaofei; Pang, Herbert H.; Bogart, Jeffrey A.; Crawford, Jeffrey; Schild, Steven E.; Vokes, Everett E.; Ready, Neal E.

2015-01-01

Background Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has become a standard option for extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients. CALGB 30504 was a randomized phase II study of sunitinib vs placebo in ES-SCLC patients responding to platinum-based therapy requiring pre-enrollment brain imaging. PCI was at the discretion of treating physicians. We performed a secondary analysis of CALGB 30504 to determine the impact of PCI on ES-SCLC patients. Methods Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were conducted to test the differences between PCI and non-PCI patients. Kaplan-Meier analyses described PFS and OS for PCI and non-PCI patients. Results 85 patients received maintenance (41 placebo, 44 sunitinib). 41 received PCI, 44 did not. Characteristics were balanced between PCI and no-PCI patients. PCI patients receiving sunitinib had non-significant 2.7-month PFS improvement (5.0 months vs. 2.3 months, p=0.14, HR=0.62 (95% CI: 0.33–1.18)), trending toward improved OS (8.9 months vs. 5.4 months, p=0.053, HR: 0.47 (0.22–1.03)). PCI was associated with a trend toward improved median PFS (2.9 months vs. 2.2 months, p=0.096, HR=0.69 (95% CI 0.45–1.07)), but not median OS (PCI 8.3 months vs. no PCI 8.7 months, p=0.76, HR=1.07 (95% CI 0.67–1.71)). Placebo patients had no PFS or OS difference. Conclusions Trends for improved PFS and OS were seen in patients receiving PCI and sunitinib supporting the need for further prospective research evaluating the integration of maintenance systemic therapy and PCI in ES-SCLC. Improved outcomes for ES-SCLC patients after induction chemotherapy may require PCI and systemic therapy to achieve control of both intracranial and extracranial disease. PMID:26723241

[Treatment Strategy and Results of Carotid Endarterectomy in Chronic Renal Failure Patients].

PubMed

Murahashi, Takeo; Kamiyama, Kenji; Osato, Toshiaki; Watanabe, Toshiichi; Ogino, Tatsuya; Sugio, Hironori; Endo, Hideki; Takahira, Kazuki; Shindo, Koichiro; Takahashi, Shuhei; Nakamura, Hirohiko

2017-02-01

The number of patients receiving chronic dialysis treatment in Japan currently exceeds 300,000 people. Few reports have described carotid endarterectomy(CEA)for chronic renal failure patients because of the unacceptable rate of perioperative stroke and other morbidities. A strategy for and treatment results of CEA for chronic renal failure patients in our hospital are described herein. The present study included 6 patients who underwent CEA while receiving dialysis treatment between April 2011 and November 2014. Dialysis treatment was initiated due to diabetes in 4 patients and renal sclerosis in 2 patients. All the patients were men, with a mean age of 74.0 years. Two patients were symptomatic, and four were asymptomatic. In all the patients, heart vascular lesions and arteriosclerosis risk factors were present. Postoperatively, pneumonia transient cranial neuropathy, heart failure, and pneumonia in 1 case required extensive treatment. However, by the time of discharge from hospital, no cases had deteriorated compared with their pre-CEA state. The modified Rankin scale score on discharge was 0-2 for all the patients. CEA can be performed safely in patients receiving dialysis, but further operative procedures and careful postoperative management are likely to be needed for patients with CEA who are receiving dialysis.

LANDSAT-D investigations in snow hydrology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dozier, J. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

The sample LANDSAT-4 TM tape (7 bands) of NE Arkansas/Tennessee area was received and displayed. Snow reflectance in all 6 TM reflective bands, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 was simulated, using Wiscombe and Warren's (1980) delta-Eddington model. Snow reflectance in bands 4, 5, and 7 appear sensitive to grain size. One of the objectives is to interpret surface optical grain size of snow, for spectral extension of albedo. While TM data of the study area are not received, simulation results are encouraging. It also appears that the TM filters resemble a "square-wave" closely enough to permit assuming a square-wave in calculations. Integrated band reflectance over the actual response functions was simulated, using sensor data supplied by Santa Barbara Research Center. Differences between integrating over the actual response functions and the equivalent square wave were negligible.

Lacosamide for uncontrolled primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures: An open-label pilot study with 59-week extension.

PubMed

Wechsler, Robert T; Yates, Stephen L; Messenheimer, John; Leroy, Robert; Beller, Cynthia; Doty, Pamela

2017-02-01

Assess the safety of adjunctive lacosamide for the treatment of uncontrolled primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients (16-65 years) with primary generalized (genetic) epilepsy (PGE). An open-label pilot safety study (SP0961; NCT01118949), comprising 12 weeks' historical baseline, 4 weeks' prospective baseline, 3 weeks' titration (target: 400mg/day adjunctive lacosamide) and 6 weeks' maintenance. Patients who continued to the extension study (SP0962; NCT01118962) then received ≤59 weeks of flexible treatment (100-800mg/day lacosamide with flexible dosing of concomitant antiepileptic drugs). The primary outcomes for SP0961 were the mean change (±standard deviation) in absence seizure or myoclonic seizure days per 28days from prospective baseline to maintenance; for SP0962, the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and withdrawals because of TEAEs. Of the 49 patients who enrolled, 40 (82%) completed the pilot study and 9 discontinued (5 because of adverse events). Of the 39 patients who continued to the extension study, 10 discontinued (2 owing to TEAEs) and 29 (74%) completed the study. During the pilot study, patients reported a reduction in mean (±standard deviation) absence and myoclonic seizure days per 28days (-0.37±4.80, -2.19±5.80). Reductions were also observed during the extension study (-2.38±5.54, -2.78±6.43). Five patients in SP0961 and 2 patients in SP0962 experienced TEAEs of new or increased frequency of absence seizures or myoclonic seizures. The most common TEAEs during SP0961 were dizziness (39%) and nausea (27%), and during SP0962 were dizziness (26%) and upper respiratory tract infection (26%). The safety profile of adjunctive lacosamide was similar to that previously published. Adjunctive lacosamide did not systematically worsen absence or myoclonic seizures, and appears to be well tolerated in patients with PGE. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Antibody persistence 5 years after vaccination at 2 to 10 years of age with Quadrivalent MenACWY-CRM conjugate vaccine, and responses to a booster vaccination.

PubMed

Block, Stan L; Christensen, Shane; Verma, Bikash; Xie, Fang; Keshavan, Pavitra; Dull, Peter M; Smolenov, Igor

2015-04-27

In a multi-center extension study, children 2-10 years of age, initially vaccinated with one or two doses (2-5 year-olds) or one dose (6-10 year-olds) of quadrivalent meningococcal CRM197-conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-CRM), were assessed five years later for antibody persistence and booster response using serum bactericidal assay with human complement (hSBA). Children 7-10 and 11-15 years of age, who received MenACWY-CRM in the original study, and age-matched vaccine-naïve children, were enrolled in this extension study. After an initial blood draw, children received one dose of MenACWY-CRM as booster or primary dose, with a second blood draw 28 days later. hSBA titers decreased five years after primary vaccination, but were higher than in non-vaccinated controls against serogroups C, W and Y, with substantial proportions having titers ≥8: 7-22% for A, 32-57% for C, 74-83% for W, and 48-54% for Y. Previously-vaccinated children demonstrated booster responses to revaccination against all four serogroups. Responses to primary vaccination in vaccine-naïve controls were lower and similar to primary responses observed in the original study. All vaccinations were generally well tolerated, with no safety concern raised. Approximately half the children vaccinated as 2-10 year-olds maintained protective antibodies against serogroups C, W and Y five years later, but fewer did against serogroup A. Declining titers five years after vaccination and robust booster responses suggest that five years may be an appropriate interval to revaccinate children, subject to epidemiology and delivery considerations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bloodstream infection caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in cancer patients: high mortality associated with delayed treatment rather than with the degree of neutropenia.

PubMed

Freire, M P; de Oliveira Garcia, D; Garcia, C P; Campagnari Bueno, M F; Camargo, C H; Kono Magri, A S G; Francisco, G R; Reghini, R; Vieira, M F; Ibrahim, K Y; Rossi, F; Hajjar, L; Levin, A S; Hoff, P M; Pierrotti, L C; Abdala, E

2016-04-01

This study aimed to describe severe infections with extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (XDR-ABC), as well as to investigate risk factors for mortality, in cancer patients. It was a retrospective study including all patients diagnosed with XDR-ABC bacteraemia during hospitalization in the intensive care unit of a cancer hospital between July 2009 and July 2013. Surveillance cultures were collected weekly during the study period, and clonality was analysed using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). We analysed underlying diseases, oncology therapy, neutrophil counts, infection site and management of infection, in terms of their correlation with 30-day mortality. During the study period, 92 patients with XDR-ABC bacteraemia were identified, of whom 35 (38.0%) were patients with haematological malignancy. We identified XDR-ABC strains with four different profile patterns, 91.3% of patients harbouring the predominant PFGE type. Of the 92 patients with XDR-ABC bacteraemia, 66 (71.7%) had central line-associated bloodstream infections; infection occurred during neutropenia in 22 (23.9%); and 58 (63.0%) died before receiving the appropriate therapy. All patients were treated with polymyxin, which was used in combination therapy in 30 of them (32.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 83.7%. Multivariate analysis revealed that septic shock at diagnosis of XDR-ABC infection was a risk factor for 30-day mortality; protective factors were receiving appropriate therapy and invasive device removal within the first 48 h. Among cancer patients, ineffective management of such infection increases the risk of death, more so than do features such as neutropenia and infection at the tumour site. Copyright © 2015 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous Control of PTH and Ca×P Is Sustained over Three Years of Treatment with Cinacalcet HCl

PubMed Central

Evenepoel, Pieter; Curzi, Mario P.; González, Maria Teresa; Husserl, Fred E.; Kopyt, Nelson; Sterling, Lulu Ren; Mix, Chris; Wong, Gordon

2009-01-01

Background & objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), leading to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. SHPT is a progressive disease often requiring long-term therapy to control parathyroid hormone (PTH) and mineral imbalances. Vitamin D sterols and phosphate binders, used as traditional therapies to lower PTH and phosphorus, may provide inadequate long-term control for many dialysis patients. Cinacalcet, by simultaneously lowering PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus levels, may maintain PTH and mineral balance in these individuals. However, as with traditional therapies, long-term data are limited. Design, setting, participants, & measurement: Dialysis subjects from at least one of five lead-in studies (double-blind placebo-controlled, including one extension trial) completing up to 52 wk of either cinacalcet or placebo were eligible for this open-label extension study, including an 8-wk dose titration (initiated at 30 mg/d), followed by 24-wk maintenance and up to 132 wk of follow-up. Final efficacy analysis was at week 180. Results: Three hundred thirty-four of 589 enrolled subjects received cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study. Weekly median PTH values were ≤300 pg/ml (weeks 16 through 180) and median Ca×P values were ≤55 mg2/dl2 (weeks 4 through 180). Similar results were exhibited in the 255 subjects who initially received placebo. Among the patients exposed to cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study, 3% of subjects exhibited treatment-related serious adverse events. Conclusions: Cinacalcet effectively maintained PTH, Ca and P reductions in dialysis subjects for up to 180 wk. PMID:19696213

The safety and tolerability of rotigotine transdermal system over a 6-year period in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Giladi, Nir; Boroojerdi, Babak; Surmann, Erwin

2013-09-01

This open-label extension (SP716; NCT00599196) of a 6-month, double-blind, randomized study (SP513) investigated the safety and tolerability of rotigotine transdermal system over up to ~6 years in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD; early-stage PD at double-blind enrollment). Eligible patients completing the 6-month study received optimal dose open-label rotigotine (≤ 16 mg/24 h) for up to ~6 years. Adjunctive levodopa was permitted. Primary outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and extent of rotigotine exposure. Analysis of adjunctive levodopa use, dyskinesias [unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) IV], and efficacy (UPDRS II + III total score) were also assessed. Of 381 patients enrolled in the open-label extension, 52 % were still in the study at time of closure; 24 % withdrew because of AEs and 6 % because of lack of efficacy. Patients received rotigotine for a median duration of 1,564.5 days (~4 years, 3 months; range 5-2, 145 days). 69 % of patients started supplemental levodopa; median time to levodopa was 485 days (~1 year, 4 months). Most common AEs (% per patient-year) were somnolence (18 %), application site reactions (12 %), nausea (9 %), peripheral edema (7 %), and fall (7 %). AEs indicative of impulsive-compulsive behavior were recorded in 25 (7 %) patients. Dyskinesias were experienced by 65 (17 %) patients; the majority [47 of 65 (72 %)] reported first dyskinesia after starting levodopa. Mean UPDRS II + III total scores remained below double-blind baseline for 4 years (assessment of all patients). In conclusion, rotigotine was generally well tolerated for up to ~6 years in patients with early-stage PD. The AEs reported were in line with previous studies of rotigotine transdermal system, with typical dopaminergic side effects and application site reactions seen.

National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2009

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35

2009-07-09

Senate - 07/30/2009 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Passed HouseHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

75 FR 50775 - Extension of Approval of Information Collection, OMB Control Number 1004-0196

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Functional characterization of two distinct xyoglucanases from rumenal microbes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Xyloglucans are known to function by binding to cellulose microfibrils, crosslinking adjacent fibers forming cellulose-XG networks important for modulation of rigidity and extensibility of the primary cell wall of plants. Enzymatic hydrolysis and modification of xyloglucans has received considerabl...

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Design of an airborne lidar for stratospheric aerosol measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, W. E.

1977-01-01

A modular, multiple-telescope receiving concept is developed to gain a relatively large receiver collection aperture without requiring extensive modifications to the aircraft. This concept, together with the choice of a specific photodetector, signal processing, and data recording system capable of maintaining approximately 1% precision over the required large signal amplitude range, is found to be common to all of the options. It is recommended that development of the lidar begin by more detailed definition of solutions to these important common signal detection and recording problems.

A memory-mapped output interface: Omega navigation output data from the JOLT (TM) microcomputer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lilley, R. W.

1976-01-01

A hardware interface which allows both digital and analog data output from the JOLT microcomputer is described in the context of a software-based Omega Navigation receiver. The interface hardware described is designed for output of six (or eight with simple extensions) bits of binary output in response to a memory store command from the microcomputer. The interface was produced in breadboard form and is operational as an evaluation aid for the software Omega receiver.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy Has an Immediate Effect on Thermal Pain Sensitivity in People With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Bishop, Mark D.; Robinson, Michael E.; Zeppieri, Giorgio; George, Steven Z.

2009-01-01

Background Current evidence suggests that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is effective in the treatment of people with low back pain (LBP); however, the corresponding mechanisms are unknown. Hypoalgesia is associated with SMT and is suggestive of specific mechanisms. Objective The primary purpose of this study was to assess the immediate effects of SMT on thermal pain perception in people with LBP. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the resulting hypoalgesia was a local effect and whether psychological influences were associated with changes in pain perception. Design This study was a randomized controlled trial. Setting A sample of convenience was recruited from community and outpatient clinics. Participants Thirty-six people (10 men, 26 women) currently experiencing LBP participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 32.39 (SD=12.63) years, and the average duration of LBP was 221.79 (SD=365.37) weeks. Intervention and Measurements Baseline demographic and psychological measurements were obtained, followed by quantitative sensory testing to assess temporal summation and Aδ fiber–mediated pain perception. Next, participants were randomly assigned to ride a stationary bicycle, perform low back extension exercises, or receive SMT. Finally, the same quantitative sensory testing protocol was reassessed to determine the immediate effects of each intervention on thermal pain sensitivity. Results Hypoalgesia to Aδ fiber–mediated pain perception was not observed. Group-dependent hypoalgesia of temporal summation specific to the lumbar innervated region was observed. Pair-wise comparisons indicated significant hypoalgesia in participants who received SMT, but not in those who rode a stationary bicycle or performed low back extension exercises. Psychological factors did not significantly correlate with changes in temporal summation in participants who received SMT. Limitations Only immediate effects of SMT were measured, so the authors are unable to comment on whether the inhibition of temporal summation is a lasting effect. Furthermore, the authors are unable to comment on the relationship between their findings and changes in clinical pain. Conclusions Inhibition of Aδ fiber–mediated pain perception was similar for all groups. However, inhibition of temporal summation was observed only in participants receiving SMT, suggesting a modulation of dorsal horn excitability that was observed primarily in the lumbar innervated area. PMID:19797305

Silver metal nanoparticles study for biomedical and green house applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauwel, E.; Simón-Gracia, L.; Guha, M.; Rauwel, P.; Kuunal, S.; Wragg, D.

2017-02-01

Metallic nanoparticles (MNP) with diameters ranging from 2 to 100nm have received extensive attention during the past decades due to their many potential applications. This paper presents a structural and cytotoxicity study of silver metal nanoparticles targeted towards biomedical applications. Spherical Ag MNPs of diameter from 20 to 50 nm have been synthesized. The encapsulation of Ag MNPs inside pH-sensitive polymersomes has been also studied for the development of biomedical applications. A cytotoxicity study of the Ag MNPs against primary prostatic cancer cell line (PPC-1) has demonstrated a high mortality rate for concentrations ranging from 100 to 200mg/L. The paper will discuss the potential for therapeutic treatments of these Ag MNPs.

Extensive traumatic anterior skull base fractures with cerebrospinal fluid leak: classification and repair techniques using combined vascularized tissue flaps.

PubMed

Archer, Jacob B; Sun, Hai; Bonney, Phillip A; Zhao, Yan Daniel; Hiebert, Jared C; Sanclement, Jose A; Little, Andrew S; Sughrue, Michael E; Theodore, Nicholas; James, Jeffrey; Safavi-Abbasi, Sam

2016-03-01

This article introduces a classification scheme for extensive traumatic anterior skull base fracture to help stratify surgical treatment options. The authors describe their multilayer repair technique for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak resulting from extensive anterior skull base fracture using a combination of laterally pediculated temporalis fascial-pericranial, nasoseptal-pericranial, and anterior pericranial flaps. Retrospective chart review identified patients treated surgically between January 2004 and May 2014 for anterior skull base fractures with CSF fistulas. All patients were treated with bifrontal craniotomy and received pedicled tissue flaps. Cases were classified according to the extent of fracture: Class I (frontal bone/sinus involvement only); Class II (extent of involvement to ethmoid cribriform plate); and Class III (extent of involvement to sphenoid bone/sinus). Surgical repair techniques were tailored to the types of fractures. Patients were assessed for CSF leak at follow-up. The Fisher exact test was applied to investigate whether the repair techniques were associated with persistent postoperative CSF leak. Forty-three patients were identified in this series. Thirty-seven (86%) were male. The patients' mean age was 33 years (range 11-79 years). The mean overall length of follow-up was 14 months (range 5-45 months). Six fractures were classified as Class I, 8 as Class II, and 29 as Class III. The anterior pericranial flap alone was used in 33 patients (77%). Multiple flaps were used in 10 patients (3 salvage) (28%)--1 with Class II and 9 with Class III fractures. Five (17%) of the 30 patients with Class II or III fractures who received only a single anterior pericranial flap had persistent CSF leak (p < 0.31). No CSF leak was found in patients who received multiple flaps. Although postoperative CSF leak occurred only in high-grade fractures with single anterior flap repair, this finding was not significant. Extensive anterior skull base fractures often require aggressive treatment to provide the greatest long-term functional and cosmetic benefits. Several vascularized tissue flaps can be used, either alone or in combination. Vascularized flaps are an ideal substrate for cranial base repair. Dual and triple flap techniques that combine the use of various anterior, lateral, and nasoseptal flaps allow for a comprehensive arsenal in multilayered skull base repair and salvage therapy for extensive and severe fractures.

Inpatient treatment time across disciplines in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Whiteneck, Gale; Gassaway, Julie; Dijkers, Marcel; Backus, Deborah; Charlifue, Susan; Chen, David; Hammond, Flora; Hsieh, Ching-Hui; Smout, Randall J.

2011-01-01

Background/objective Length of stay (LOS) for rehabilitation treatment after spinal cord injury (SCI) has been documented extensively. However, there is almost no published research on the nature, extent, or intensity of the various treatments patients receive during their stay. This study aims at providing such information on a large sample of patients treated by specialty rehabilitation inpatient programs. Methods Six hundred patients with traumatic SCI admitted to six rehabilitation centers were enrolled. Time spent on various therapeutic activities was documented by each rehabilitation clinician after each patient encounter. Patients were grouped by neurologic level and completeness of injury. Total time spent by each rehabilitation discipline over a patient's stay and total minutes of treatment per week were calculated. Ordinary least squares stepwise regression models were used to identify patient and injury characteristics associated with time spent in rehabilitation treatment overall and within each discipline. Results Average LOS was 55 days (standard deviation 37), during which 180 (106) hours of treatment were received, or 24 (5) hours per week. Extensive variation was found in the amount of treatment received, between and within neurologic groups. Total hours of treatment provided throughout a patient's stay were primarily determined by LOS, which in turn was primarily predicted by medical acuity. Variation in minutes per week of treatment delivered by individual disciplines was predicted poorly by patient and injury characteristics. Conclusions Variations between and within SCI rehabilitation patient groups in LOS, minutes of treatment per week overall, and for each rehabilitation discipline are large. Variation in treatment intensity was not well explained by patient and injury characteristics. In accordance with practice-based evidence methodology, the next step in the SCIRehab study will be to determine which treatment interventions are related with positive outcomes (at 1 year post injury), after controlling for patient and injury differences. PMID:21675353

Telotristat Ethyl, a Tryptophan Hydroxylase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome.

PubMed

Kulke, Matthew H; Hörsch, Dieter; Caplin, Martyn E; Anthony, Lowell B; Bergsland, Emily; Öberg, Kjell; Welin, Staffan; Warner, Richard R P; Lombard-Bohas, Catherine; Kunz, Pamela L; Grande, Enrique; Valle, Juan W; Fleming, Douglas; Lapuerta, Pablo; Banks, Phillip; Jackson, Shanna; Zambrowicz, Brian; Sands, Arthur T; Pavel, Marianne

2017-01-01

Purpose Preliminary studies suggested that telotristat ethyl, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, reduces bowel movement (BM) frequency in patients with carcinoid syndrome. This placebo-controlled phase III study evaluated telotristat ethyl in this setting. Patients and Methods Patients (N = 135) experiencing four or more BMs per day despite stable-dose somatostatin analog therapy received (1:1:1) placebo, telotristat ethyl 250 mg, or telotristat ethyl 500 mg three times per day orally during a 12-week double-blind treatment period. The primary end point was change from baseline in BM frequency. In an open-label extension, 115 patients subsequently received telotristat ethyl 500 mg. Results Estimated differences in BM frequency per day versus placebo averaged over 12 weeks were -0.81 for telotristat ethyl 250 mg ( P < .001) and ‒0.69 for telotristat ethyl 500 mg ( P < .001). At week 12, mean BM frequency reductions per day for placebo, telotristat ethyl 250 mg, and telotristat ethyl 500 mg were -0.9, -1.7, and -2.1, respectively. Responses, predefined as a BM frequency reduction ≥ 30% from baseline for ≥ 50% of the double-blind treatment period, were observed in 20%, 44%, and 42% of patients given placebo, telotristat ethyl 250 mg, and telotristat ethyl 500 mg, respectively. Both telotristat ethyl dosages significantly reduced mean urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid versus placebo at week 12 ( P < .001). Mild nausea and asymptomatic increases in gamma-glutamyl transferase were observed in some patients receiving telotristat ethyl. Follow-up of patients during the open-label extension revealed no new safety signals and suggested sustained BM responses to treatment. Conclusion Among patients with carcinoid syndrome not adequately controlled by somatostatin analogs, treatment with telotristat ethyl was generally safe and well tolerated and resulted in significant reductions in BM frequency and urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid.

Impact of hospital type and treatment on long-term survival among patients with FIGO Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer: follow-up through two recurrences and three treatment lines in search for predictors for survival.

PubMed

Szczesny, W; Vistad, I; Kaern, J; Nakling, J; Tropé, C; Paulsen, T

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of hospital type determined at primary treatment and find possible predictors of survival in a cohort of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who recurred twice and received three lines of treatment during eight-year follow-up. Using the Norwegian Cancer Registry, the authors identified 174 women with FIGO Stage IIIC EOC diagnosed in 2002. First-line treatment consisted of up-front debulking surgery and chemotherapy, received in either a teaching hospital (TH, n = 84) or a non-teaching hospital (NTH, n = 90). After recurrence all patients in Norway are equally consulted at TH. Survival determined for three time intervals (TI): TI-1, from end date of first-line treatment to first recurrence or death, TI-2, from beginning of second-line treatment until second recurrence or death, and TI-3, from beginning of third-line treatment to death or end of follow-up. Extensive surgery carried out in TH followed by at least six cycles of platinol-taxan chemotherapy resulted in longer survival in the TH group during TI-1. Altogether, the majority of those who receive treatment for recurrences were primary better debulked with following platinol-taxane chemotherapy. Survival in TI-2 was influenced by platinol-sensitivity. During TI-3 the majority (96%) had good performance status and their mean age at primary diagnosis at either hospital type was 57 years. Extensive primary surgery at TH, platinol sensitivity, age, and performance status were predictors of survival in this cohort.

A Study to Develop a Methodology to Enable Direct Cost UCA (Uniform Chart of Accounts) Data to Be Expressed in Terms of Cost per Admission for Specific Diagnosis Related Groups

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

environment in which it functions . A particular debt of gratitude in this respect is owed to my preceptor, Colonel James Helgeson, for his enthusiasm...patient conditions might run from heart attacks, which often receive intensive care and extensive follow-up support, to episodes of acute respiratory ...to include the following features: a. No disruption of existing IAS and UCA functions as defined by appropriate regulations b. Minimized additional

Introduction to special issue on burnout and health.

PubMed

Schaufeli, W B; Greenglass, E R

2001-09-01

Abstract In recent years, the issue of occupational stress and burnout have received increasing research attention. Given the amount of time people spend on work-related activities and the central importance of work to one's sense of identity and self-worth, it is not surprising that occupational stress is regarded as a central area of study. Although burnout is linked to the extensive literature on occupational health, burnout goes beyond occupational health by focusing on specific stressors in the workplace to emphasize total life and environmental pressures affecting health.

The effect of night extension orthoses following surgical release of Dupuytren contracture: a single-center, randomized, controlled trial.

PubMed

Collis, Julie; Collocott, Shirley; Hing, Wayne; Kelly, Edel

2013-07-01

To clarify the efficacy and detrimental effects of orthoses used to maintain finger extension following surgical release of Dupuytren contracture. We conducted a single-center, randomized, controlled trial to investigate the effect of night extension orthoses on finger range of motion and hand function for 3 months following surgical release of Dupuytren contracture. We also wanted to determine how well finger extension was maintained in the total sample. We randomized 56 patients to receive a night extension orthosis plus hand therapy (n = 26) or hand therapy alone (n = 30). The primary outcome was total active extension of the operated fingers (°). Secondary outcomes were total active flexion of the operated fingers (°), active distal palmar crease (cm), grip strength (kg), and self-reported hand function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (0-100 scale). There were no statistically significant differences between the no-orthosis and orthosis groups for total active extension or for any of the secondary outcomes. Between the first postoperative measure and 3 months after surgery, 62% of little fingers had maintained or improved total active extension. The use of a night extension orthosis in combination with standard hand therapy has no greater effect on maintaining finger extension than hand therapy alone in the 3 months following surgical release of Dupuytren contracture. Our results indicate that the practice of providing every patient with a night extension orthosis following surgical release of Dupuytren contracture may not be justified except for cases in which extension loss occurs after surgery. Our results also challenge clinicians to research ways of maintaining finger extension in a greater number of patients. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial of a diabetes prevention intervention in Dutch primary health care: the SLIMMER study.

PubMed

van Dongen, Ellen Ji; Duijzer, Geerke; Jansen, Sophia C; Ter Beek, Josien; Huijg, Johanna M; Leerlooijer, Joanne N; Hiddink, Gerrit J; Feskens, Edith Jm; Haveman-Nies, Annemien

2016-11-01

To investigate (i) how the SLIMMER intervention was delivered and received in Dutch primary health care and (ii) how this could explain intervention effectiveness. A randomised controlled trial was conducted and subjects were randomly allocated to the intervention (10-month combined dietary and physical activity intervention) or the control group. A process evaluation including quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted. Data on process indicators (recruitment, reach, dose received, acceptability, implementation integrity and applicability) were collected via semi-structured interviews with health-care professionals (n 45) and intervention participant questionnaires (n 155). SLIMMER was implemented in Dutch primary health care in twenty-five general practices, eleven dietitians, nine physiotherapist practices and fifteen sports clubs. Subjects at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes were included. It was possible to recruit the intended high-risk population (response rate 54 %) and the SLIMMER intervention was very well received by both participants and health-care professionals (mean acceptability rating of 82 and 80, respectively). The intervention programme was to a large extent implemented as planned and was applicable in Dutch primary health care. Higher dose received and participant acceptability were related to improved health outcomes and dietary behaviour, but not to physical activity behaviour. The present study showed that it is feasible to implement a diabetes prevention intervention in Dutch primary health care. Higher dose received and participant acceptability were associated with improved health outcomes and dietary behaviour. Using an extensive process evaluation plan to gain insight into how an intervention is delivered and received is a valuable way of identifying intervention components that contribute to implementation integrity and effective prevention of type 2 diabetes in primary health care.

Persistent Classroom Management Training Needs of Experienced Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stough, Laura M.; Montague, Marcia L.; Landmark, Leena Jo; Williams-Diehm, Kendra

2015-01-01

Experienced special education teachers (n = 62) were surveyed on their professional preparation to become effective classroom managers. Despite having received extensive preservice training, over 83% of the sample reported being underprepared in classroom management and behavioral interventions. No statistically significant difference was found…

75 FR 23219 - Information Collection; Direct Loan Servicing-Special

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-03

... other forms of information technology. All comments received in response to this notice, including names... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Information Collection; Direct Loan Servicing... interested individuals and organizations on the extension with a revision of a currently approved information...

Review of best practices for the selection of rehab and preventive maintenance projects : technical report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-04-01

With finite resources and an extensive road network to maintain, Texas Department of Transportation : (TxDOT) personnel must select the roadways to receive rehabilitation and preventive maintenance : treatments as well as select rehabilitation and pr...

78 FR 70856 - Information Reporting of Mortgage Insurance Premiums

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-27

... Information Reporting of Mortgage Insurance Premiums AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION... regulations that require information reporting by persons who receive mortgage insurance premiums, including... reporting requirements that result from the extension of the treatment of mortgage insurance premiums made...

Michael F. Vaccaro Honors Attorney Fellowship Program in our Philadelphia (Region 3) Office

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Michael F. Vaccaro Honors Attorney Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to practice law in a major governmental environmental organization, and to receive extensive training in and exposure to environmental law and policy work in the public sector.

78 FR 57839 - Request for Information on Computer Security Incident Coordination (CSIC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-20

... Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice, extension of comment period. SUMMARY: NIST is extending the deadline for submitting comments relating to Computer Security Incident Coordination. NIST experienced technical difficulties with receiving email...

78 FR 14540 - Chlorpyrifos Registration Review; Preliminary Volatilization Assessment; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0850; FRL-9380-7] Chlorpyrifos Registration... Federal Register issue of February 6, 2013, concerning Chlorpyrifos Registration Review; Preliminary... volatilization assessment for the registration review of chlorpyrifos. EPA received requests from several...

Spacecraft applications of advanced global positioning system technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This is the final report on the Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) simulations study of Spacecraft Application of Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology. This work was conducted for the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) under contract NAS9-17781. GPS, in addition to its baselined capability as a highly accurate spacecraft navigation system, can provide traffic control, attitude control, structural control, and uniform time base. In Phase 1 of this program, another contractor investigated the potential of GPS in these four areas and compared GPS to other techniques. This contract was for the Phase 2 effort, to study the performance of GPS for these spacecraft applications through computer simulations. TI had previously developed simulation programs for GPS differential navigation and attitude measurement. These programs were adapted for these specific spacecraft applications. In addition, TI has extensive expertise in the design and production of advanced GPS receivers, including space-qualified GPS receivers. We have drawn on this background to augment the simulation results in the system level overview, which is Section 2 of this report.

Association between sexting and sexual coercion among female adolescents.

PubMed

Choi, HyeJeong; Van Ouytsel, Joris; Temple, Jeff R

2016-12-01

This study aims to investigate whether experiences of offline sexual coercion are associated with adolescent females' involvement in different types of sexting behaviors. It draws on data from 450 ethnically diverse female adolescents with an average age of 19.02 years (SD = 0.74) who were originally recruited in southeast Texas. The participants were asked about their experiences with sexual coercion, and their engagement in sexting behavior (i.e., sending, requesting, and being asked for a sext, and receiving a sext without giving permission). Logistic regressions were used to analyze these relationships, while controlling for age, ethnicity, education level, living situation, and sexting behaviors in the year prior of the study. Offline sexual coercion was significantly associated with sending and being asked for a naked image, as well as receiving a naked image without giving permission. The results suggest that sexting could function as an online extension of offline forms of sexual coercion. Copyright © 2016 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The importance of knowing the home conditions of patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy.

PubMed

Godoy, Ilda; Tanni, Suzana Erico; Hernández, Carme; Godoy, Irma

2012-01-01

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is one of the main treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients receiving LTOT may have less than optimal home conditions and this may interfere with treatment. The objective of this study was, through home visits, to identify the characteristics of patients receiving LTOT and to develop knowledge regarding the home environments of these patients. Ninety-seven patients with a mean age of 69 plus or minus 10.5 years were evaluated. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis. Data were collected during an initial home visit, using a questionnaire standardized for the study. The results were analyzed retrospectively. Seventy-five percent of the patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 11% were active smokers. The patients' mean pulse oximetry values were 85.9% plus or minus 4.7% on room air and 92% plus or minus 3.9% on the prescribed flow of oxygen. Most of the patients did not use the treatment as prescribed and most used a humidifier. The extension hose had a mean length of 5 plus or minus 3.9 m (range, 1.5-16 m). In the year prior to the visit, 26% of the patients received emergency medical care because of respiratory problems. Few patients reported engaging in leisure activities. The home visit allowed us to identify problems and interventions that could improve the way LTOT is used. The most common interventions related to smoking cessation, concentrator maintenance and cleaning, use of a humidifier, and adjustments of the length of the connector hose. Therefore, the home visit is a very important tool in providing comprehensive care to patients receiving LTOT, especially those who show lack of adequate progress and those who show uncertainty about the treatment method.

Tensile properties of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.

PubMed

Ahrari, F; Jalaly, T; Zebarjad, M

2010-01-01

Tensile properties of elastomeric ligatures become important when efficiency of orthodontic appliances is considered. The aim of this study was to compare tensile strength, extension to tensile strength, toughness and modulus of elasticity of elastomeric ligatures in both the as--received condition and after 28 days of immersion in the simulated oral environment. Furthermore, the changes that occurred in tensile properties of each brand of ligatures after 28 days were evaluated. Experimental-laboratory based. Elastomeric ligatures were obtained from different companies and their tensile properties were measured using Zwick testing machine in both the as-received condition and after 28 days of immersion in the simulated oral environment. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, analysis of variance and Tukey tests. After 28 days, all the ligatures experienced a significant decrease in tensile strength, extension to tensile strength and toughness ( P < 0.05), whereas modulus of elasticity increased in some groups and decreased in others. There were significant differences in tensile properties of different brands of ligatures in both conditions ( P < 0.05), with the exception of modulus of elasticity after 28 days. The decrease in strength properties of elastomeric ligatures shows that they should be replaced at each appointment to reduce the risk of rupture. There are significant differences in tensile properties of different brands of ligatures, which should be considered during selection of these products.

Chemoimmunotherapy of small cell bronchogenic carcinoma with VP-16-213, ifosfamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and Corynebacterium parvum

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

Valdivieso, M.; Tenczynski, T.F.; Rodriguez, V.

1981-07-15

Thirty-five consecutive patients with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma (SCBC) received chemoimmunotherapy with VP-16-213, Ifosfamide, vincristine, Adriamycin, and Corynebacterium parvum. Of 33 evaluable patients, 26 (79%) responded with complete (55%) or partial (24%) remissions. Complete remissions were more common among patients with limited disease (11/14 patients, 79%) compared with those with extensive disease (7/19 patients, 37%) and among patients (11/14 patients, 79%) compared with those with extensive disease (7/19 patients, 37%) and among patients who were ambulatory prior to therapy (16/25 patients, 64%) compared with those who were nonambulatory (2/8 patients, 25%). Myelosuppression consisted primarily of neutropenia. Eight percent of themore » treatment courses in 29% of the patients were associated with hematuria and/or documented episodes of infection during neutropenia. There were three deaths possibly related to treatment, in two of which there was no evidence of disease at post-mortem examination. Six patients relapsed in the central nervous system (CNS). In four instances, CNS relapse was the only site of tumor progression. Central nervous system relapse was more common among evaluable patients who did not receive prophylactic brain irradiation (5/17 patients, 29%, vs. 1/15 patients, 7%; P . 0.23). The median survival duration for all patients was 63 weeks, being slightly longer for patients with limited disease than for those with extensive disease (70.9 weeks vs. 56 weeks; P . 0.18). This was also true for patients who achieved complete rather than partial remissions (71 weeks vs. 50 weeks; P . 0.09). Patients receiving prophylactic brain irradiation experienced longer survival (100.8 weeks vs. 48 weeks; P . 0.01).« less

Contributions of community psychology to rural advisory services: an analysis of Latin American rural extensionists' point of view.

PubMed

Landini, Fernando

2015-06-01

During the last decade, rural extension has received interest as being a key tool for rural development. Despite rural extension being affected by many psychosocial processes, psychology has made scarce contributions to it. An investigation was conducted with the aim of gaining knowledge of rural extensionists' expectations of psychology, as well as to contribute to shaping community psychologists' role in the context of rural extension . 652 extensionists from 12 Latin American countries were surveyed. The survey included closed socio-demographic questions as well as open ones addressing extension practice and psychologists' potential contributions. 90.6 % of surveyed extensionists considered psychology could help them improve their practice. Most mentioned areas of contribution go in line with community psychology, including managing farmers groups, facilitating participatory processes and training extensionists; while others, such as the expectation of changing farmers' mindset and increasing the adoption of external technologies, go against its principles. Thus, in some cases, extensionists' expectations could help generate an interesting interaction between community psychology and rural extension, while in others, they need to be put up for discussion. In brief, community psychology has the potential to contribute to rural extension, but it needs to acknowledge extension practice as an interesting area for intervention.

Enteral Nutrition Is a Risk Factor for Airway Complications in Subjects Undergoing Noninvasive Ventilation for Acute Respiratory Failure.

PubMed

Kogo, Mariko; Nagata, Kazuma; Morimoto, Takeshi; Ito, Jiro; Sato, Yuki; Teraoka, Shunsuke; Fujimoto, Daichi; Nakagawa, Atsushi; Otsuka, Kojiro; Tomii, Keisuke

2017-04-01

Early enteral nutrition is recommended for mechanically ventilated patients in several studies and guidelines. In contrast, the effects of early enteral nutrition on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) have not been investigated extensively. The lack of an established method of airway protection suggests that enteral nutrition administration to these patients could increase airway complications and worsen outcomes. Between January 2007 and January 2015, 150 patients were admitted to our respiratory department for acute respiratory failure and received NIV for >48 h. Of these, 107 subjects incapable of oral intake were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical background and complications were compared in subjects who did and did not receive enteral nutrition. Sixty of the 107 subjects (56%) incapable of oral intake who received NIV also received enteral nutrition. Serum albumin concentration was significantly lower in subjects who received enteral nutrition than in those who did not (mean 2.7 ± 0.68 mg/dL vs 3.0 ± 0.75 mg/dL, P = .048). The rate of airway complications was significantly higher (53% [32/60] vs 32% [15/47], P = .03), and median NIV duration was significantly longer (16 [interquartile range 7-43] d vs 8 [5-20] d, P = .02) in subjects who received enteral nutrition than in those who did not. Multivariate analysis showed that enteral nutrition was unrelated to in-hospital mortality. Among subjects receiving NIV, enteral nutrition was associated with increased risk of airway complications but did not affect mortality. Enteral nutrition should be carefully considered in these patients. Copyright © 2017 by Daedalus Enterprises.

The treatment effect of hamstring stretching and nerve mobilization for patients with radicular lower back pain

PubMed Central

Lee, Ju-hyun; Kim, Tae-ho

2017-01-01

[Purpose] In this paper, hamstring stretching and nerve mobilization are conducted on patients with radicular lower back pain, and changes to pain levels, pressure thresholds, angles of knee joint extension, and disorder levels of lower back pain were studied. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were divided into two groups: one group conducted hamstring stretches and was comprised of 6 male and 5 female subjects, and the other group received nerve mobilization treatment and was comprised of 5 male and 6 female subjects. [Results] Pain level and the disorder index of lower back pain were significantly alleviated after the intervention in both groups. Pressure threshold and angles of knee extension were significantly increased after the intervention in both groups. Comparing the two groups, the alleviation of pain was more significant in the nerve mobilization group. [Conclusion] Patients with radicular lower back pain showed significant differences in pain level, pressure threshold, knee extension angle, and disorder index of lower back pain for both the hamstring stretching group and nerve mobilization group after the treatment. Hamstring stretching and nerve mobilization can be usefully applied for the therapy of patients with radicular lower back pain. PMID:28931991

Classical conditioning of proboscis extension in harnessed Africanized honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.).

PubMed

Aquino, Italo S; Abramson, Charles I; Soares, Ademilson E E; Fernandes, Andrea Cardoso; Benbassat, Danny

2004-06-01

Experiments are reported on learning in virgin Africanized honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.). Queens restrained in a "Pavlovian harness" received a pairing of hexanal odor with a 1.8-M feeding of sucrose solution. Compared to explicitly unpaired controls, acquisition was rapid in reaching about 90%. Acquisition was also rapid in queens receiving an unconditioned stimulus of "bee candy" or an unconditioned stimulus administered by worker bees. During extinction the conditioned response declines. The steepest decline was observed in queens receiving an unconditioned stimulus of bee candy. These findings extend previous work on learning of Afrianized honey bee workers to a population of queen bees.

Tsai Receives 2012 Keiiti Aki Young Scientist Award: Response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Victor C.

2013-10-01

I am honored to receive the Aki Award, but I would not be receiving this award without the benefit of many collaborations and inspirations as well as extensive mentoring and infrastructural, personal, and financial support. Although there are more individuals to thank than can be listed here, special thanks are due to Jim Rice, Hiroo Kanamori, Dave Stevenson, and Göran Ekström, who have all been irreplaceable mentors. I am also indebted to many other teachers, colleagues, and friends and to my parents, who have inspired in me a curiosity about the world, taught me the importance of hard work and persistence, supported my endeavors, and provided unimaginably rich opportunities throughout my life.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF A GREAT RIVER ECOSYSTEM: THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER PILOT

EPA Science Inventory

The Great River Ecosystems (GREs) are extensively modified physically, hydrologically, and chemically and are not receiving adequate protection to prevent further habitat degradation and loss of biotic integrity. In the United States, ecological monitoring and assessment of the G...

Measuring the Acquisition of Media-Literacy Skills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hobbs, Renee; Frost, Richard

2003-01-01

Explains that students who participated in a Grade 11 English media/communication course that incorporated extensive critical media analysis were compared with students who received no such instruction. Notes that the students' reading comprehension, writing skills, critical reading, critical listening, and critical viewing skills for nonfiction…

From Vegetated Ditches to Rice Fields: Thinking Outside the Box for Pesticide Mitigation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Innovative mitigation strategies are necessary to address pesticide contamination of surface waters. Since 1998, extensive research has been conducted on the ability of vegetated agricultural drainage ditches to reduce pesticide transport to aquatic receiving systems. Recently, new research has pr...

NETWORK DESIGN FOR OZONE MONITORING

EPA Science Inventory

The potential effects of air pollution on human health have received much attention in recent years. In the U.S. and other countries, there are extensive large-scale monitoring networks designed to collect data to inform the public of exposure risks from air pollution. A major cr...

7 CFR 3430.15 - Stakeholder input.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... any comments received within the specified timeframe in the development of the future RFAs for the... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND...) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7613(c...

7 CFR 3430.15 - Stakeholder input.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... any comments received within the specified timeframe in the development of the future RFAs for the... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND...) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7613(c...

7 CFR 3430.15 - Stakeholder input.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... any comments received within the specified timeframe in the development of the future RFAs for the... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND...) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7613(c...

Metalinguistic Negation in English and Arabic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nedwick, Kelly M.

2014-01-01

Negation is a unique and fascinating property of human language which has been given extensive theoretical and typological treatment. One categorization divides negation use into metalinguistic negation and descriptive negation (Horn, 1985). Descriptive negation (DN) is the truth-functional semantic operator which has received the most attention…

78 FR 18563 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-27

... information technology. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by May 28, 2013. ADDRESSES...; Comment Request AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and... 1995, the Department of the Air Force announces the proposed extension of a public information...

Risk Factors for Acquisition of Drug Resistance during Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, 2005–2010

PubMed Central

Ershova, Julia; Vlasova, Natalia; Nikishova, Elena; Tarasova, Irina; Eliseev, Platon; Maryandyshev, Andrey O.; Shemyakin, Igor G.; Kurbatova, Ekaterina; Cegielski, J. Peter

2015-01-01

Acquired resistance to antituberculosis drugs decreases effective treatment options and the likelihood of treatment success. We identified risk factors for acquisition of drug resistance during treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and evaluated the effect on treatment outcomes. Data were collected prospectively from adults from Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, who had pulmonary MDR TB during 2005–2008. Acquisition of resistance to capreomycin and of extensively drug-resistant TB were more likely among patients who received <3 effective drugs than among patients who received >3 effective drugs (9.4% vs. 0% and 8.6% vs. 0.8%, respectively). Poor outcomes were more likely among patients with acquired capreomycin resistance (100% vs. 25.9%), acquired ofloxacin resistance (83.6% vs. 22.7%), or acquired extensive drug resistance (100% vs. 24.4%). To prevent acquired drug resistance and poor outcomes, baseline susceptibility to first- and second-line drugs should be determined quickly, and treatment should be adjusted to contain >3 effective drugs. PMID:25988954

Extended treatment with pegylated interferon alfa/ribavirin in patients with genotype 2/3 chronic hepatitis C who do not achieve a rapid virological response: final analysis of the randomised N-CORE trial.

PubMed

Shiffman, Mitchell L; Cheinquer, Hugo; Berg, Christoph P; Berg, Thomas; de Figueiredo-Mendes, Cláudio; Dore, Gregory J; Ferraz, Maria Lúcia; Mendes-Corrêa, Maria Cássia; Lima, Maria Patelli; Parise, Edison R; Rios, Alma Minerva Perez; Reuter, Tania; Sanyal, Arun J; Shafran, Stephen D; Hohmann, Marc; Tatsch, Fernando; Bakalos, George; Zeuzem, Stefan

2014-10-01

The combination of pegylated interferon alfa/ribavirin will likely remain the treatment of choice for HCV genotype 2/3 patients in financially constrained countries for the foreseeable future. Patients with poor on-treatment response may benefit from treatment extension. This study examined the effect of 48 versus 24 weeks of peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin on the sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with HCV genotype 2/3 who did not achieve rapid virological response (RVR). N-CORE was a multicentre, randomised, phase III study. HCV genotype 2/3 patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin without a rapid but with an early virological response were randomised at week 24 to stop treatment (Arm A) or continue to 48 weeks (Arm B). The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR. Two hundred thirty-five patients were enrolled. End of treatment response was similar in both treatment arms. SVR24 rates were not significantly greater in the extended treatment arm compared with the standard 24-week treatment in either the intention-to-treat or the per-protocol populations (61 vs. 52 %, p = 0.1934 and 63 vs. 52 %, p = 0.1461, respectively). Serious adverse events occurred more frequently in patients receiving extended treatment duration (12 %) versus 24-week therapy (4 %). It is unclear whether the extension of peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin treatment may benefit HCV genotype 2/3 patients who do not achieve RVR. The study was stopped early because recruitment was slower than anticipated, and this may have limited the statistical impact of these findings.

"Call 911" STEMI protocol to reduce delays in transfer of patients from non primary percutaneous coronary intervention referral Centers.

PubMed

Baruch, Terrence; Rock, Alisa; Koenig, William J; Rokos, Ivan; French, William J

2010-09-01

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred method of reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), if it can be performed in a timely manner by an experienced interventional cardiologist at a high volume STEMI Receiving Center. However, an estimated 50% of STEMI patients present to STEMI Referral Centers without PPCI capability. Transfer of STEMI patients for PPCI has been shown to improve outcomes as compared with fibrinolysis given at the presenting hospital. Nonetheless, transfer of STEMI patients for PPCI has not been used extensively in the United States and is associated with markedly prolonged transfer times. This study demonstrates that rapid transfer of STEMI patients from community hospitals without PPCI capability to a STEMI Receiving Center is both safe and feasible using a standardized protocol with an integrated transfer system.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 on pathologic processes in the cuprizone model of multiple sclerosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorishin, D.; Sorokina, I.; Tolstikova, T.; Akulov, A.; Glazacheva, V.; Nemirovich-Danchenko, N.; Khodanovich, M.; Yarnykh, V.

2017-08-01

The study aims to evaluate the effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on the demyelination and astrogliosis using the cuprizone murine model. Demyelination was induced in 14 adult male mice by 0.3% cuprizone in drinking water. Five animals from the cuprizone-treated group received subcutaneous injections of IGF-1. Seven animals were used as a control group. The extent of demyelination was evaluated as a decrease in the size of the corpus callosum on T2-weighted images that were received using an 11.7T animal MRI scanner. Brain sections were immunohistochemically stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocytes. It was revealed that the cuprizone caused extensive demyelination and astroglyosis. IGF-1 treatment restored the size of the corpus callosum and the number of astrocytes in the corpus callosum and the anterior commissure to the control level.

A New Low Complexity Angle of Arrival Algorithm for 1D and 2D Direction Estimation in MIMO Smart Antenna Systems

PubMed Central

Al-Sadoon, Mohammed A. G.; Zuid, Abdulkareim; Jones, Stephen M. R.; Noras, James M.

2017-01-01

This paper proposes a new low complexity angle of arrival (AOA) method for signal direction estimation in multi-element smart wireless communication systems. The new method estimates the AOAs of the received signals directly from the received signals with significantly reduced complexity since it does not need to construct the correlation matrix, invert the matrix or apply eigen-decomposition, which are computationally expensive. A mathematical model of the proposed method is illustrated and then verified using extensive computer simulations. Both linear and circular sensors arrays are studied using various numerical examples. The method is systematically compared with other common and recently introduced AOA methods over a wide range of scenarios. The simulated results show that the new method has several advantages in terms of reduced complexity and improved accuracy under the assumptions of correlated signals and limited numbers of snapshots. PMID:29140313

A New Low Complexity Angle of Arrival Algorithm for 1D and 2D Direction Estimation in MIMO Smart Antenna Systems.

PubMed

Al-Sadoon, Mohammed A G; Ali, Nazar T; Dama, Yousf; Zuid, Abdulkareim; Jones, Stephen M R; Abd-Alhameed, Raed A; Noras, James M

2017-11-15

This paper proposes a new low complexity angle of arrival (AOA) method for signal direction estimation in multi-element smart wireless communication systems. The new method estimates the AOAs of the received signals directly from the received signals with significantly reduced complexity since it does not need to construct the correlation matrix, invert the matrix or apply eigen-decomposition, which are computationally expensive. A mathematical model of the proposed method is illustrated and then verified using extensive computer simulations. Both linear and circular sensors arrays are studied using various numerical examples. The method is systematically compared with other common and recently introduced AOA methods over a wide range of scenarios. The simulated results show that the new method has several advantages in terms of reduced complexity and improved accuracy under the assumptions of correlated signals and limited numbers of snapshots.

Impact of Current Antipsychotic Medications on Comparative Mortality and Adverse Events in People With Parkinson Disease Psychosis.

PubMed

Ballard, Clive; Isaacson, Stuart; Mills, Roger; Williams, Hilde; Corbett, Anne; Coate, Bruce; Pahwa, Rajesh; Rascol, Olivier; Burn, David J

2015-10-01

To establish the mortality risk and adverse events associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic medications in people with Parkinson disease psychosis (PDP) in a clinically defined trial cohort. Post hoc analysis of data from a multicenter, open-label extension study of pimavanserin comparing people taking and not taking current antipsychotics. Primary and secondary care medical centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and India. A total of 459 people with PDP enrolled in the extension study. Participants were between ages 30 and 80 years, and had an established diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease and moderate to severe psychosis. Participants were categorized into 2 groups: those receiving concomitant antipsychotic medications ("concurrent APD") and those who did not take antipsychotic medications at any time during the study ("no APD"). Participants were receiving 40 mg pimavanserin daily in addition to concurrent antipsychotics and Parkinson disease medications. Safety assessments at 2 weeks; 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and every 6 months thereafter, including evaluation of adverse events (AEs), vital signs, weight, physical examinations, 12-lead electrocardiograms, clinical laboratory tests (serum chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis), and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Parts II and III (UPDRS-II+III, activities of daily living and motor impairment, respectively). Differences between participants taking and not taking current antipsychotics were evaluated using incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was significant increase in the mortality rate for participants taking concurrent antipsychotics compared with the group not taking antipsychotic medications (IRR 4.20, 95% CI 2.13-7.96). Participants who received a concurrent antipsychotic were also significantly more likely to experience overall a serious AE (IRR 2.95, 95% CI 2.02-4.24), any antipsychotic-related event (IRR 1.66, 95% CI 1.18-2.29), cognition-related events (IRR 2.70, 95% CI 1.19-5.58), infections (IRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.17-3.16), and edema (IRR 2.61, 95% CI 1.09-5.59). The risk of falls, stroke, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and thromboembolic events was also increased in these individuals but this was not significant. This study highlights a significant risk of mortality, and severe AEs in patients with Parkinson disease receiving atypical antipsychotics. This is similar to or greater than the risks seen in people with Alzheimer disease, although with a less clear-cut risk of stroke and a longer delay to increased mortality. Copyright © 2015 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems analysis of urban wastewater systems--two systematic approaches to analyse a complex system.

PubMed

Benedetti, L; Blumensaat, F; Bönisch, G; Dirckx, G; Jardin, N; Krebs, P; Vanrolleghem, P A

2005-01-01

This work was aimed at performing an analysis of the integrated urban wastewater system (catchment area, sewer, WWTP, receiving water). It focused on analysing the substance fluxes going through the system to identify critical pathways of pollution, as well as assessing the effectiveness of energy consumption and operational/capital costs. Two different approaches were adopted in the study to analyse urban wastewater systems of diverse characteristics. In the first approach a wide ranged analysis of a system at river basin scale is applied. The Nete river basin in Belgium, a tributary of the Schelde, was analysed through the 29 sewer catchments constituting the basin. In the second approach a more detailed methodology was developed to separately analyse two urban wastewater systems situated within the Ruhr basin (Germany) on a river stretch scale. The paper mainly focuses on the description of the method applied. Only the most important results are presented. The main outcomes of these studies are: the identification of stressors on the receiving water bodies, an extensive benchmarking of wastewater systems, and the evidence of the scale dependency of results in such studies.

Laronidase.

PubMed

2002-01-01

BioMarin Pharmaceutical is developing laronidase, recombinant alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS-I) [the most severe form of this is called Hurler syndrome]. The company has received US and European orphan drug designation for the enzyme and has fast-track review status with the FDA. In 1998, BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Genzyme General formed a joint venture for development and marketing of laronidase. A Phase I trial in 10 patients with a range of disease severity of MPS-I required for US and European filing was completed at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California. This open label trial involved weekly infusions with laronidase. The two-year follow-up data revealed sustained and, in certain parameters, improved clinical results recorded at the end of 1 year of therapy. BioMarin and Genzyme General have completed a pivotal, Phase III trial in the centres in the USA, Canada and Europe, including patients with Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndromes. In a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, all 45 patients with MPS-I have received at least their initial weekly infusion of laronidase. Patients are being evaluated over a 6-month period. BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Genzyme General have filed on 15 April 2002 the first portion of a 'rolling' BLA with the US FDA for use of laronidase in the treatment of MPS-I. The companies are planning to complete the BLA filing in Q3 2002. The application will include 6-month data from the ongoing open-label Phase III extension study and also the 6-month data from the placebo-controlled part of the Phase III study. In the open-label extension study, patients from both the treatment and placebo arms of the Phase III trial received weekly infusions of laronidase for at least 6 months. The response from the US FDA is anticipated during the H1 of 2003. Both companies plan to initiate two new clinical trials in patients with MPS-I. One study will enrol patients with MPS-I under 5 years old. Another study will investigate laronidase in patients with advanced clinical symptoms of MPS-I. Additionally, patients from the ongoing Phase III study will continue to receive treatment with laronidase. On 1 March 2002, BioMarin and Genzyme filed a marketing approval application with European regulatory authorities for AldurazymeOE for the treatment of MPS-I. Mucopolysaccharidosis I is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency. Its manifestations in children can include growth and developmental delay, enlargement of spleen and liver, skeletal deformity, cardiac and pulmonary impairment, vision or hearing loss and mental dysfunction. At present, bone marrow transplantation is the only available treatment.

Five-year Local Control in a Phase II Study of Hypofractionated Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy With an Incorporated Boost for Early Stage Breast Cancer

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

Freedman, Gary M., E-mail: Gary.Freedman@uphs.upenn.edu; Anderson, Penny R.; Bleicher, Richard J.

Purpose: Conventional radiation fractionation of 1.8-2 Gy per day for early stage breast cancer requires daily treatment for 6-7 weeks. We report the 5-year results of a phase II study of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), hypofractionation, and incorporated boost that shortened treatment time to 4 weeks. Methods and Materials: The study design was phase II with a planned accrual of 75 patients. Eligibility included patients aged {>=}18 years, Tis-T2, stage 0-II, and breast conservation. Photon IMRT and an incorporated boost was used, and the whole breast received 2.25 Gy per fraction for a total of 45 Gy, and themore » tumor bed received 2.8 Gy per fraction for a total of 56 Gy in 20 treatments over 4 weeks. Patients were followed every 6 months for 5 years. Results: Seventy-five patients were treated from December 2003 to November 2005. The median follow-up was 69 months. Median age was 52 years (range, 31-81). Median tumor size was 1.4 cm (range, 0.1-3.5). Eighty percent of tumors were node negative; 93% of patients had negative margins, and 7% of patients had close (>0 and <2 mm) margins; 76% of cancers were invasive ductal type: 15% were ductal carcinoma in situ, 5% were lobular, and 4% were other histology types. Twenty-nine percent of patients 29% had grade 3 carcinoma, and 20% of patients had extensive in situ carcinoma; 11% of patients received chemotherapy, 36% received endocrine therapy, 33% received both, and 20% received neither. There were 3 instances of local recurrence for a 5-year actuarial rate of 2.7%. Conclusions: This 4-week course of hypofractionated radiation with incorporated boost was associated with excellent local control, comparable to historical results of 6-7 weeks of conventional whole-breast fractionation with sequential boost.« less

The effects of an extensive exercise programme on the progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Devenney, Kate E; Sanders, Marit L; Lawlor, Brian; Olde Rikkert, Marcel G M; Schneider, Stefan

2017-03-22

Exercise interventions to prevent dementia and delay cognitive decline have gained considerable attention in recent years. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity targets brain function by increasing cognitive reserve. There is also evidence of structural changes caused by exercise in preventing or delaying the genesis of neurodegeneration. Although initial studies indicate enhanced cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) following an exercise intervention, little is known about the effect of an extensive, controlled and regular exercise regimen on the neuropathology of patients with MCI. This study aims to determine the effects of an extensive exercise programme on the progression of MCI. This randomised controlled clinical intervention study will take place across three European sites. Seventy-five previously sedentary patients with a clinical diagnosis of MCI will be recruited at each site. Participants will be randomised to one of three groups. One group will receive a standardised 1-year extensive aerobic exercise intervention (3 units of 45 min/week). The second group will complete stretching and toning (non-aerobic) exercise (3 units of 45 min/week) and the third group will act as the control group. Change in all outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), after six months (T1) and after 12 months (T2). The primary outcome, cognitive performance, will be determined by a neuropsychological test battery (CogState battery, Trail Making Test and Verbal fluency). Secondary outcomes include Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, structural changes of the brain, quality of life measures and measures of frailty. Furthermore, outcome variables will be related to genetic variations on genes related to neurogenesis and epigenetic changes in these genes caused by the exercise intervention programme. The results will add new insights into the prevailing notion that exercise may slow the rate of cognitive decline in MCI. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02913053.

Latent class instrumental variables: A clinical and biostatistical perspective

PubMed Central

Baker, Stuart G.; Kramer, Barnett S.; Lindeman, Karen S.

2015-01-01

In some two-arm randomized trials, some participants receive the treatment assigned to the other arm as a result of technical problems, refusal of a treatment invitation, or a choice of treatment in an encouragement design. In some before-and-after studies, the availability of a new treatment changes from one time period to this next. Under assumptions that are often reasonable, the latent class instrumental variable (IV) method estimates the effect of treatment received in the aforementioned scenarios involving all-or-none compliance and all-or-none availability. Key aspects are four initial latent classes (sometimes called principal strata) based on treatment received if in each randomization group or time period, the exclusion restriction assumption (in which randomization group or time period is an instrumental variable), the monotonicity assumption (which drops an implausible latent class from the analysis), and the estimated effect of receiving treatment in one latent class (sometimes called efficacy, the local average treatment effect, or the complier average causal effect). Since its independent formulations in the biostatistics and econometrics literatures, the latent class IV method (which has no well-established name) has gained increasing popularity. We review the latent class IV method from a clinical and biostatistical perspective, focusing on underlying assumptions, methodological extensions, and applications in our fields of obstetrics and cancer research. PMID:26239275

Precision radiotherapy for cancer of the pancreas: technique and results. [Photons and electrons

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

Dobelbower, R.R. Jr.; Borgelt, B.B.; Strubler, K.A.

1980-09-01

Forty patients with locally extensive, unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas received precision high dose (PHD) radiation therapy with a 45 MeV betatron. PHD radiotherapy was generally well tolerated. During treatment, only 7 patients experienced significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia. Late gastrointestinal radiation reactions were observed in 7 patients. Twelve patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The projected survival of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with PHD radiotherapy is comparable to that of patients with resectable disease operated on for cure. The projected one year survival rate is 49%.

XDR-TB: an outcome of programmatic management of TB in India.

PubMed

Mishra, Gyanshankar; Ghorpade, S V; Mulani, Jasmin

2014-01-01

A significantly strengthened Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is currently operational in India. In this case-based commentary, we describe the plight of a patient who developed extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) despite having received treatment under the RNTCP for a long period. Our aim is to analyse the programmatic management of tuberculosis in India by highlighting and discussing various issues related to the treatment received by the patient. Further, the article explores whether there is a need to incorporate an ethical element into the RNTCP as it stands today.

78 FR 58989 - Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Locations; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-25

... to foreign Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), floating facilities, and vessels that engage in... offshore supply vessels (OSVs). The proposed regulations would expand the list of national and... Purpose On September 6, 2013, we received a letter from the International Association of Drilling...

Theorizing and Researching Levels of Processing in Self-Regulated Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winne, Philip H.

2018-01-01

Background: Deep versus surface knowledge is widely discussed by educational practitioners. A corresponding construct, levels of processing, has received extensive theoretical and empirical attention in learning science and psychology. In both arenas, lower levels of information and shallower levels of processing are predicted and generally…

75 FR 60341 - Deposit Insurance Regulations; Unlimited Coverage for Noninterest-bearing Transaction Accounts

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-30

... mail for depositors who ordinarily receive account information in this manner. The notice may be in the... existing information collection, OMB No. 3064-0168, currently entitled SWEEP Accounts: Disclosure of... discontinue its existing ``Transaction Account Guarantee Program Extension'' information collection, OMB No...

7 CFR 3430.15 - Stakeholder input.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consider any comments received within the specified timeframe in the development of the future RFAs for the... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND...) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7613(c...

75 FR 47520 - Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition and Spark Ignition Internal...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-06

... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Extension of... for stationary compression ignition and spark ignition internal combustion engines. In this [[Page... combustion engines. After publication of the proposed rule, EPA received requests from the American Petroleum...

77 FR 15183 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension of a Currently-Approved Information...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-14

... forwarders, property brokers, and certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to register their operations with... we received your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard, or print..., freight forwarders, brokers, and certain Mexico-domiciled. Estimated Number of Respondents: 37,239...

A Conceptual Framework for Evaluating Higher Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chinta, Ravi; Kebritchi, Mansureh; Ellias, Janelle

2016-01-01

Purpose: Performance evaluation is a topic that has been researched and practiced extensively in business organizations but has received scant attention in higher education institutions. A review of literature revealed that context, input, process, product (CIPP) model is an appropriate performance evaluation model for higher education…

Teaching Introductory Chemistry with Videocassette Presentations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Enger, John; And Others

Reported here is the development and evaluation of an extensive series of video-cassette presentations developed for introductory chemical education. In measures of course achievement, students instructed by the video-cassette-discussion format received higher average scores than those taught by live lecture methods. A survey showed that the…

DESIGN OF LARGE-SCALE AIR MONITORING NETWORKS

EPA Science Inventory

The potential effects of air pollution on human health have received much attention in recent years. In the U.S. and other countries, there are extensive large-scale monitoring networks designed to collect data to inform the public of exposure risks to air pollution. A major crit...

Unemployment Insurance and Disability Insurance in the Great Recession

PubMed Central

Mueller, Andreas I.; Rothstein, Jesse; von Wachter, Till M.

2017-01-01

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) awards rise during recessions. If marginal applicants are able to work but unable to find jobs, countercyclical Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit extensions may reduce SSDI uptake. Exploiting UI extensions in the Great Recession as a source of variation, we find no indication that expiration of UI benefits causes SSDI applications and can rule out effects of meaningful magnitude. A supplementary analysis finds little overlap between the two programs’ recipient populations: only 28% of SSDI awardees had any labor force attachment in the prior calendar year, and of those, only 4% received UI. PMID:28736482

The Pittsburgh Randomized Trial of Tacrolimus Compared to Cyclosporine for Hepatic Transplantation

PubMed Central

Fung, John J.; Eliasziw, Michael; Todo, Satoru; Jain, Ashok; Demetris, Anthony J.; McMichael, John P.; Starzl, Thomas E.; Meier, Paul; Donner, Allan

2009-01-01

Background Tacrolimus (formerly FK 506) was first used clinically in 1989 to successfully replace cyclosporine in hepatic transplant recipients who were experiencing intractable rejection or as the baseline drug from the time of operation. After extensive pilot experience, an institutional review board-mandated clinical trial comparing cyclosporine with tacrolimus was performed. Study Design From February 16, 1990 to December 26, 1991, 154 patients were recruited. The competing drugs were combined with equal induction doses of prednisone in both arms of the study for the first 81 patients and with subsequently higher doses of prednisone in the remaining 35 patients who received cyclosporine and were entered into the trial. Drug crossover was permitted for lack of efficacy or adverse events. End points were rejection confirmed by biopsy and treatment failure leading to retransplantation or death. Results Seventy-nine patients were randomized to the tacrolimus arm and 75 to the cyclosporine arm during 1990 and 1991. All patients were available for follow-up throughout the trial, which terminated on May 30, 1995. The mean duration of follow-up was four years. Patients randomized to the tacrolimus arm were less likely to experience acute rejection than were those receiving cyclosporine, with 36.2 percent of the patients receiving tacrolimus and 16.8 percent of the patients receiving cyclosporine showing freedom from rejection at one year (p=0.003, likelihood ratio test). Survival of patients over the course of the study was virtually the same in the two groups. Conclusions Tacrolimus was more effective than cyclosporine in preventing acute rejection. PMID:8696542

Efficacy and Safety of Ixekizumab in Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis: 52-week Results from a Phase III Study (SPIRIT-P1).

PubMed

van der Heijde, Désirée; Gladman, Dafna D; Kishimoto, Mitsumasa; Okada, Masato; Rathmann, Suchitrita S; Moriarty, Susan R; Shuler, Catherine L; Carlier, Hilde; Benichou, Olivier; Mease, Philip J

2018-03-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab (IXE), an interleukin 17A antagonist, in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) after 52 weeks in a phase III study. Patients were initially randomly assigned to IXE 80 mg every 2 weeks (IXEQ2W) or every 4 weeks (IXEQ4W) after a 160-mg starting dose, placebo (PBO), or adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg Q2W. At Week 24 (Week 16 for inadequate responders), ADA (8-week washout before starting IXE) and PBO patients were rerandomized to IXEQ2W or IXEQ4W. Six treatment groups were evaluated in the extension period (weeks 24-52): IXEQ2W/IXEQ2W, IXEQ4W/IXEQ4W, ADA/IXEQ2W, ADA/IXEQ4W, PBO/IXEQ2W, and PBO/IXEQ4W. The extension period population (EPP) included patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study medication during the extension period. There were 381/417 (91.4%) patients who entered the extension period. In the IXEQ4W/IXEQ4W and IXEQ2W/IXEQ2W groups (EPP), respectively, American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 (69.1% and 68.8%), ACR50 (54.6% and 53.1%), and ACR70 (39.2% and 39.6%) response rates were sustained at Week 52. Patients rerandomized to IXE also demonstrated efficacy measured by ACR response rates at Week 52. A similar pattern was observed for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index outcomes. Radiographic progression in all 6 groups was minimal. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (≥ 4%) were nasopharyngitis, injection site reaction, injection site erythema, upper respiratory tract infection, and back pain. No deaths were reported, and serious adverse event frequency was 0-4% with IXE. During the extension period, IXEQ4W or IXEQ2W treatment demonstrated sustained efficacy in key PsA domains with a safety profile consistent with other studies investigating IXE. Clinical trial number: NCT01695239; EudraCT 2011-002326-49.

Influenza vaccination among cancer survivors: disparities in prevalence between blacks and whites.

PubMed

Stafford, Kristen A; Sorkin, John D; Steinberger, Eileen K

2013-06-01

Cancer survivors are at increased risk for influenza-related complications. Racial disparities in preventive health services have not been extensively studied among cancer survivors. Our objective is to compare influenza vaccination prevalence among black and white cancer survivors We performed a secondary data analysis of 41,346 white and black cancer survivors (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Respondents were asked whether they had received an influenza vaccination in the previous year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of having influenza vaccine by race. Sixty-five percent of whites reported receiving the vaccine in the last year compared to 50 % of blacks. Blacks had significantly lower odds of vaccination after controlling for covariates significantly associated with the odds of influenza vaccination. Higher education, having health insurance, having a primary care provider, and having a routine check-up in the last year increased the odds of receiving an influenza vaccine. Our analysis supports that racial disparities in vaccine coverage persist among cancer survivors, a group strongly recommended to receive annual influenza vaccine, even when predictors significantly associated with increased vaccination are controlled for. As a nationally representative survey with a large sample size, our study provides a picture of self-reported vaccine coverage among cancer survivors in the USA and the disparity that exists between blacks and whites in this population. Care teams can use these findings to better target follow-up care for cancer survivors.

Comparison of an indirect tri-planar myofascial release (MFR) technique and a hot pack for increasing range of motion.

PubMed

Kain, Jay; Martorello, Laura; Swanson, Edward; Sego, Sandra

2011-01-01

The purpose of the randomized clinical study was to scientifically assess which intervention increases passive range of motion most effectively: the indirect tri-planar myofascial release (MFR) technique or the application of hot packs for gleno-humeral joint flexion, extension, and abduction. A total of 31 participants from a sample of convenience were randomly assigned to examine whether or not MFR was as effective in increasing range of motion as hot packs. The sample consisted of students at American International College. Students were randomly assigned to two groups: hot pack application (N=13) or MFR technique (N=18). The independent variable was the intervention, either the tri-planar MFR technique or the hot pack application. Group one received the indirect tri-planar MFR technique once for 3min. Group two received one hot pack application for 20min. The dependent variables, passive gleno-humeral shoulder range of motion in shoulder flexion, shoulder extension, and shoulder abduction, were taken pre- and post-intervention for both groups. Data was analyzed through the use of a two-way factorial design with mixed-factors ANOVA. Prior to conducting the study, inter-rater reliability was established using three testers for goniometric measures. A 2 (type of intervention: hot packs or MFR) by 2 (pre-test or post-test) mixed-factors ANOVA was calculated. Significant increases in range of motion were found for flexion, extension and abduction when comparing pre-test scores to post-test scores. The results of the ANOVA showed that for passive range of motion no differences were found for flexion, extension and abduction between the effectiveness of hot packs and MFR. For each of the dependent variables measured, MFR was shown to be as effective as hot packs in increasing range of motion, supporting the hypothesis. Since there was no significant difference between the types of intervention, both the hot pack application and the MFR technique were found to be equally effective in increasing passive range of motion of the joint in flexion, extension, and abduction of the gleno-humeral joint. The indirect tri-planar intervention could be considered more effective as an intervention in terms of time spent with a patient and the number of patients seen in a 20-min period. No equipment is required to carry out the MFR intervention, whereby using a hot pack requires the hot pack, towels, and a hydraculator unit with the use of the indirect tri-planar intervention, a therapist could treat four to five patients in the time it would take for one standard hot pack treatment of 20min, less the hands-on intervention of the therapist. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of Latin American patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pooled efficacy and safety analyses of Phase 3 and long-term extension studies.

PubMed

Radominski, Sebastião Cezar; Cardiel, Mario Humberto; Citera, Gustavo; Goecke, Annelise; Jaller, Juan Jose; Lomonte, Andrea Barranjard Vannucci; Miranda, Pedro; Velez, Patricia; Xibillé, Daniel; Kwok, Kenneth; Rojo, Ricardo; García, Erika Gabriela

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed tofacitinib efficacy and safety in the Latin American (LA) subpopulation of global Phase 3 and long-term extension (LTE) studies. Data from LA patients with RA and inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were pooled across five Phase 3 studies. Phase 3 patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10mg twice daily (BID), adalimumab or placebo; patients in the single LTE study received tofacitinib 5 or 10mg BID; treatments were administered alone or with conventional synthetic DMARDs. Efficacy was reported up to 12 months (Phase 3) and 36 months (LTE) by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 response rates, Disease Activity Score (DAS)28-4(erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Incidence rates (IRs; patients with event/100 patient-years) of adverse events (AEs) of special interest were reported. The Phase 3 studies randomized 496 LA patients; the LTE study enrolled 756 LA patients from Phase 2 and Phase 3. In the Phase 3 studies, patients who received tofacitinib 5 and 10mg BID showed improvements vs placebo at Month 3 in ACR20 (68.9% and 75.7% vs 35.6%), ACR50 (45.8% and 49.7% vs 20.7%) and ACR70 (17.5% and 23.1% vs 6.9%) responses, mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI (-0.6 and -0.8 vs -0.3) and DAS28-4(ESR) score (-2.3 and -2.4 vs -1.4). The improvements were sustained up to Month 36 in the LTE study. In the Phase 3 studies, IRs with tofacitinib 5 and 10mg BID and placebo were 7.99, 6.57 and 9.84, respectively, for SAEs, and 3.87, 5.28 and 3.26 for discontinuation due to AEs. IRs of AEs of special interest in tofacitinib-treated LA patients were similar to the global population. In Phase 3 and LTE studies in LA patients with RA, tofacitinib demonstrated efficacy up to 36 months with a manageable safety profile up to 60 months, consistent with the overall tofacitinib study population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.

Predicting the extent of metabolism using in vitro permeability rate measurements and in silico permeability rate predictions

PubMed Central

Hosey, Chelsea M; Benet, Leslie Z

2015-01-01

The Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) can be utilized to predict drug disposition, including interactions with other drugs and transporter or metabolizing enzyme effects based on the extent of metabolism and solubility of a drug. However, defining the extent of metabolism relies upon clinical data. Drugs exhibiting high passive intestinal permeability rates are extensively metabolized. Therefore, we aimed to determine if in vitro measures of permeability rate or in silico permeability rate predictions could predict the extent of metabolism, to determine a reference compound representing the permeability rate above which compounds would be expected to be extensively metabolized, and to predict the major route of elimination of compounds in a two-tier approach utilizing permeability rate and a previously published model predicting the major route of elimination of parent drug. Twenty-two in vitro permeability rate measurement data sets in Caco-2 and MDCK cell lines and PAMPA were collected from the literature, while in silico permeability rate predictions were calculated using ADMET Predictor™ or VolSurf+. The potential for permeability rate to differentiate between extensively and poorly metabolized compounds was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curves. Compounds that yielded the highest sensitivity-specificity average were selected as permeability rate reference standards. The major route of elimination of poorly permeable drugs was predicted by our previously published model and the accuracies and predictive values were calculated. The areas under the receiver operating curves were >0.90 for in vitro measures of permeability rate and >0.80 for the VolSurf+ model of permeability rate, indicating they were able to predict the extent of metabolism of compounds. Labetalol and zidovudine predicted greater than 80% of extensively metabolized drugs correctly and greater than 80% of poorly metabolized drugs correctly in Caco-2 and MDCK, respectively, while theophylline predicted greater than 80% of extensively and poorly metabolized drugs correctly in PAMPA. A two-tier approach predicting elimination route predicts 72±9%, 49±10%, and 66±7% of extensively metabolized, biliarily eliminated, and renally eliminated parent drugs correctly when the permeability rate is predicted in silico and 74±7%, 85±2%, and 73±8% of extensively metabolized, biliarily eliminated, and renally eliminated parent drugs correctly, respectively when the permeability rate is determined in vitro. PMID:25816851

Cheating and Anti-Cheating in Gossip-Based Protocol: An Experimental Investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Xin; Shi, Yuanchun; Tang, Yun; Zhang, Nan

During recent years, there has been a rapid growth in deployment of gossip-based protocol in many multicast applications. In a typical gossip-based protocol, each node acts as dual roles of receiver and sender, independently exchanging data with its neighbors to facilitate scalability and resilience. However, most of previous work in this literature seldom considered cheating issue of end users, which is also very important in face of the fact that the mutual cooperation inherently determines overall system performance. In this paper, we investigate the dishonest behaviors in decentralized gossip-based protocol through extensive experimental study. Our original contributions come in two-fold: In the first part of cheating study, we analytically discuss two typical cheating strategies, that is, intentionally increasing subscription requests and untruthfully calculating forwarding probability, and further evaluate their negative impacts. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to defending cheating behaviors in gossip-based protocol. In the second part of anti-cheating study, we propose a receiver-driven measurement mechanism, which evaluates individual forwarding traffic from the perspective of receivers and thus identifies cheating nodes with high incoming/outgoing ratio. Furthermore, we extend our mechanism by introducing reliable factor to further improve its accuracy. The experiments under various conditions show that it performs quite well in case of serious cheating and achieves considerable performance in other cases.

77 FR 14725 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Standards for Privately...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-13

... Quarantine Facilities for Ruminants AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION... privately owned quarantine facilities for ruminants. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on... privately owned quarantine facilities for ruminants, contact Dr. Langston Hull, Senior Staff Veterinarian...

Tonomundo: A Public-Private Partnership in Education in Brazil

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parente, Rafael

2013-01-01

The main obstacle for public-private partnerships in their efforts to improve educational quality in Brazil remains implementation -despite, in many cases, extensive support from government officials, educators, and private industry. The challenge of implementing such programs has received little attention from scholars and policy makers. This…

Children, Redemption and Remembrance in Walter Benjamin

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jessop, Sharon

2013-01-01

Walter Benjamin wrote extensively on children and childhood, though this aspect of his work has hitherto received scant attention despite continuing and growing interest in his thought. This article makes explicit the connection between his acute observations of childhood and his distinctive messianic philosophy. The twin aspects of redemption in…

Electronic device increases threshold sensitivity and removes noise from FM communications receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conrad, W. M.; Loch, F. J.

1971-01-01

Threshold extension device connected between demodulator output and filter output minimizes clicking noise. Device consists of click-eliminating signal transfer channel with follow-and-hold circuit and detector for sensing click impulses. Final output consists of signal plus low level noise without high amplitude impulses.

78 FR 38298 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-26

... Card Plans (Form FR 2572). DATES: Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or before... submitting comments. Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office.... Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Business...

75 FR 36444 - Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection Requirements

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2010-06-25

... be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized... of the following methods: E-mail: [email protected] ; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Regulatory... collection. Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the Washington, DC area, commenters...

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43 CFR 6.6 - Appeals by employees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... longer period as the Commissioner may for good cause shown in writing, fix in any case) after receiving... determination of Government interest. Within 25 days (or such longer period as the Commissioner may, for good... original decision (or within such an extension thereof as may be set by the Commissioner before the...

GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING PROVIDES A SENSITIVE MEASURE OF EXPOSURE TO 17-A ETHINYLESTRADIOL IN THE FATHEAD MINNOW, PIMEPHALES PROMELAS

EPA Science Inventory

The freshwater fish, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) represents an outstanding biological indicator response model organism based on its ubiquitous North American distribution and extensive use in acute and chronic testing of contaminants, effluents and receiving waters....

Raising the Bar on Faculty Productivity: Realigning Performance Standards to Enhance Quality Trajectories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardré, Patricia L.

2014-01-01

Many universities have observed needs and shared goals that include increasing faculty members' research productivity (in quantity or quality). Strategies for raising faculty performance include revising standards and supporting valued outcomes with rewards and incentives. One college at a research-extensive university received institutional…

75 FR 28231 - Cotton Classification and Market News Service: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-20

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS-CN-10-0037; CN-10-003] Cotton... Cotton Classification and Market News Service. DATES: Comments received by July 19, 2010. ADDITIONAL... Shethir Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service...

78 FR 25352 - Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Preservation of Air carrier Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-30

... below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extension of currently... . Comments: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and... receivable and payable journals and legers, subsidy records documenting underlying financial and statistical...

76 FR 4390 - Draft Regulatory Guide: Comment Period Extension and Correction

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-25

....'' This Federal Register notice stated that electronic copies of DG-1229 were available in the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) ( http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html ), under... Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC...

Applying Total Quality Management in Cooperative Extension.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fredendall, Lawrence D.; Lippert, Robert M.

1995-01-01

South Carolina's Agricultural Service Laboratory received responses from 252 of 500 farmers who currently use the soil testing service; 97% were pleased with accuracy, 89% with turnaround time, 18% thought the fee too high. Nonusers (100 of 520) were mainly dissatisfied with turnaround time. Total quality management methods were used to improve…

76 FR 5296 - Safety Management System for Part 121 Certificate Holders; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-31

... INFORMATION: See the ``Additional Information'' section for information on how to comment on this proposal and how the FAA will handle comments received. The ``Additional Information'' section also contains... comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might result from...

75 FR 76928 - Safety Management System for Certificated Airports; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-10

[email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Additional Information section for information on how to comment on this proposal and how the FAA will handle comments received. The ``Additional... views. The agency also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism...

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs and Taxpayer Actions to Improve Personal Finances

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bobbitt, Erica; Bowen, Cathy F.; Kuleck, Robin L.; Taverno, Ronald

2012-01-01

The income tax-filing process creates teachable moments for learning about taxes and other financial matters. Educators and volunteers from Penn State Cooperative Extension helped taxpayers file 2008 returns under Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Nearly 600 filers (588) completed and simultaneously received educational information…

76 FR 11751 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Environmental...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-03

... Collection; Environmental Monitoring Form AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION... monitoring. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 2, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may... information on environmental monitoring, contact Dr. Robert Baca, Team Leader, Environmental Compliance...

Innovative Coatings Potentially Lower Facility Maintenance Costs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2013-01-01

Through extensive testing at Stennis Space Center, Nanocepts Inc. of Lexington, Kentucky, received key validation of the effectiveness of its photocatalytic coatings. Now a NASA Dual Use Technology partner, the company s commercial coatings offer unique environmental and medical benefits, and their self-cleaning properties help limit grime buildup on buildings.

75 FR 34449 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension Without Change of Existing Collection...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-17

... to EEOC, comments may be submitted to EEOC electronically on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . After accessing this web site, follow its instructions for submitting comments. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov , including any...

77 FR 40614 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-10

... to increase the accuracy of consumer reports. Specifically, section 114 requires financial... regulations that provide guidance on what users of consumer reports must do when they receive a notice of... course of business: (1) Obtain or use consumer reports, directly or indirectly, in connection with a...

76 FR 31606 - Cryolite Registration Review Docket; Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-01

... identification (ID) number EPA- HQ-OPP-2011-0173, must be received on or before July 5, 2011. ADDRESSES: Follow..., 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Miederhoff, Pesticide Re- evaluation Division (7508P... March 30, 2011 Federal Register document. If you have questions, consult the person listed under FOR...

78 FR 23545 - Proposed Extension of Approval of Information Collection; Comment Request: Third Party Conformity...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-19

... evaluate whether third party conformity assessment bodies meet the requirements to test for compliance to... background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT...: A. Background The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) requires third party...

Understanding Scoring Rubrics: A Guide for Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boston, Carol, Ed.

This compilation provides an introduction to using scoring rubrics in the classroom. When good rubrics are used well, teachers and students receive extensive feedback on the quality and quantity of student learning. When scoring rubrics are used in large-scale assessment, technical questions related to interrater reliability tend to dominate the…

[Modern research progress of traditional Chinese medicine based on integrative pharmacology].

PubMed

Wang, Ping; Tang, Shi-Huan; Su, Jin; Zhang, Jia-Qi; Cui, Ru-Yi; Xu, Hai-Yu; Yang, Hong-Jun

2018-04-01

Integrative pharmacology (IP) is a discipline that studies the interaction, integration and principle of action of multiple components with the body, emphasizing the integrations of multi-level and multi-link, such as "whole and part", " in vivo and in vitro ", " in vivo process and activity evaluation". After four years of development and practice, the theory and method of IP has received extensive attention and application.In order to better promote the development of IP, this paper systematically reviews the concepts, research contents, research methods and application fields about IP. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Atmospheric Propagation Effects Relevant to Optical Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaik, K. S.

1988-01-01

A number of atmospheric phenomena affect the propagation of light. This article reviews the effects of clear-air turbulence as well as atmospheric turbidity on optical communications. Among the phenomena considered are astronomical and random refraction, scintillation, beam broadening, spatial coherence, angle of arrival, aperture averaging, absorption and scattering, and the effect of opaque clouds. An extensive reference list is also provided for further study, Useful information on the atmospheric propagation of light in resolution to optical deep-space communications to an earth-based receiving station is available, however, further data must be generated before such a link can be designed with committed performance.

Atmospheric propagation effects relevant to optical communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaik, K. S.

1988-01-01

A number of atmospheric phenomena affect the propagation of light. The effects of clear air turbulence are reviewed as well as atmospheric turbidity on optical communications. Among the phenomena considered are astronomical and random refraction, scintillation, beam broadening, spatial coherence, angle of arrival, aperture averaging, absorption and scattering, and the effect of opaque clouds. An extensive reference list is also provided for further study. Useful information on the atmospheric propagation of light in relation to optical deep space communications to an earth based receiving station is available, however, further data must be generated before such a link can be designed with committed performance.

[Spinal manipulative therapy and cervical artery dissections].

PubMed

Saxler, G; Schopphoff, E; Quitmann, H; Quint, U

2005-06-01

Severe complications after cervical spine manipulation are rare. As experts for medical treatment errors, we received between July 2002 and February 2004 cases with serious complications in the central nervous system after manipulation. 5 vertebral artery dissections with subsequent brain infarction were registered. In all cases, the patients showed complete persisting remission of symptoms. In addition, a kinematic estimation model was developed to study the possible causes of vertebral artery damage. We were able to demonstrate that material extension is dependent on cervical rotation and the "free length" of the vertebral artery in the upper cervical spine.

Management of a hyperactive teen and cardiac safety.

PubMed

Sowinski, Heather; Karpawich, Peter P

2014-02-01

Since the earliest descriptions of the condition, controversy has prevailed as to the existence of as well as appropriate management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Often diagnosed in childhood, symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can continue into adolescence and adulthood, requiring lifelong therapy. Effective therapeutic interventions include stimulant medications with all their respective potential side effects, including the cardiovascular system. However, although initial studies raised concerns for an increase in serious adverse cardiovascular effects among children receiving these drugs, more recent and extensive reports have failed to substantiate those findings among young patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Next Generation Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC)–Based Cartilage Repair Using Scaffold-Free Tissue Engineered Constructs Generated with Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Shimomura, Kazunori; Ando, Wataru; Moriguchi, Yu; Sugita, Norihiko; Yasui, Yukihiko; Koizumi, Kota; Fujie, Hiromichi; Hart, David A.; Yoshikawa, Hideki

2015-01-01

Because of its limited healing capacity, treatments for articular cartilage injuries are still challenging. Since the first report by Brittberg, autologous chondrocyte implantation has been extensively studied. Recently, as an alternative for chondrocyte-based therapy, mesenchymal stem cell–based therapy has received considerable research attention because of the relative ease in handling for tissue harvest, and subsequent cell expansion and differentiation. This review summarizes latest development of stem cell therapies in cartilage repair with special attention to scaffold-free approaches. PMID:27340513

Fluoxetine for vestibular dysfunction and anxiety: a prospective pilot study.

PubMed

Simon, Naomi M; Parker, Stephen W; Wernick-Robinson, Mara; Oppenheimer, Julia E; Hoge, Elizabeth A; Worthington, John J; Korbly, Nicole B; Pollack, Mark H

2005-01-01

Anxiety states and disorders amplify the symptoms and impairment associated with vestibular dysfunction. Five patients with inner ear vestibular dysfunction and anxiety were prospectively treated with fluoxetine, 20-60 mg/day, and received an extensive battery of assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Fluoxetine led to significant or near significant reductions in anxiety measures and in impairment due to dizziness; improvements in clinical balance function and vestibular function were less clear. The data add to the literature suggesting a role for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of dizziness and anxiety.

Interplay between self-assembled structure of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteoblast functions in three-dimensional titanium alloy scaffolds: Stimulation of osteogenic activity.

PubMed

Nune, K C; Kumar, A; Murr, L E; Misra, R D K

2016-02-01

Three-dimensional cellular scaffolds are receiving significant attention in bone tissue engineering to treat segmental bone defects. However, there are indications of lack of significant osteoinductive ability of three-dimensional cellular scaffolds. In this regard, the objective of the study is to elucidate the interplay between bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) and osteoblast functions on 3D mesh structures with different porosities and pore size that were fabricated by electron beam melting. Self-assembled dendritic microstructure with interconnected cellular-type morphology of BMP-2 on 3D scaffolds stimulated osteoblast functions including adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization, with prominent effect on 2-mm mesh. Furthermore, immunofluorescence studies demonstrated higher density and viability of osteoblasts on lower porosity mesh structure (2 mm) as compared to 3- and 4-mm mesh structures. Enhanced filopodia cellular extensions with extensive cell spreading was observed on BMP-2 treated mesh structures, a behavior that is attributed to the unique self-assembled structure of BMP-2 that effectively communicates with the cells. The study underscores the potential of BMP-2 in imparting osteoinductive capability to the 3D printed scaffolds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Laser positioning of four-quadrant detector based on pseudo-random sequence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Yanqin; Cao, Ercong; Hu, Xiaobo; Gu, Guohua; Qian, Weixian

2016-10-01

Nowadays the technology of laser positioning based on four-quadrant detector has the wide scope of the study and application areas. The main principle of laser positioning is that by capturing the projection of the laser spot on the photosensitive surface of the detector, and then calculating the output signal from the detector to obtain the coordinates of the spot on the photosensitive surface of the detector, the coordinate information of the laser spot in the space with respect to detector system which reflects the spatial position of the target object is calculated effectively. Given the extensive application of FPGA technology and the pseudo-random sequence has the similar correlation of white noise, the measurement process of the interference, noise has little effect on the correlation peak. In order to improve anti-jamming capability of the guided missile in tracking process, when the laser pulse emission, the laser pulse period is pseudo-random encoded which maintains in the range of 40ms-65ms so that people of interfering can't find the exact real laser pulse. Also, because the receiver knows the way to solve the pseudo-random code, when the receiver receives two consecutive laser pulses, the laser pulse period can be decoded successfully. In the FPGA hardware implementation process, around each laser pulse arrival time, the receiver can open a wave door to get location information contained the true signal. Taking into account the first two consecutive pulses received have been disturbed, so after receiving the first laser pulse, it receives all the laser pulse in the next 40ms-65ms to obtain the corresponding pseudo-random code.

Comparison of platelet transfusion as fresh whole blood versus apheresis platelets for massively transfused combat trauma patients (CME).

PubMed

Perkins, Jeremy G; Cap, Andrew P; Spinella, Philip C; Shorr, Andrew F; Beekley, Alec C; Grathwohl, Kurt W; Rentas, Francisco J; Wade, Charles E; Holcomb, John B

2011-02-01

At major combat hospitals, the military is able to provide blood products to include apheresis platelets (aPLT), but also has extensive experience using fresh whole blood (FWB). In massively transfused trauma patients, we compared outcomes of patients receiving FWB to those receiving aPLT. This study was a retrospective review of casualties at the military hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between January 2004 and December 2006. Patients requiring massive transfusion (≥10 units in 24 hr) were divided into two groups: those receiving FWB (n = 85) or aPLT (n = 284) during their resuscitation. Admission characteristics, resuscitation, and survival were compared between groups. Multivariate regression analyses were performed comparing survival of patients at 24 hours and at 30 days. Secondary outcomes including adverse events and causes of death were analyzed. Unadjusted survival between groups receiving aPLT and FWB was similar at 24 hours (84% vs. 81%, respectively; p = 0.52) and at 30 days (60% versus 57%, respectively; p = 0.72). Multivariate regression failed to identify differences in survival between patients receiving PLT transfusions either as FWB or as aPLT at 24 hours or at 30 days. Survival for massively transfused trauma patients receiving FWB appears to be similar to patients resuscitated with aPLT. Prospective trials will be necessary before consideration of FWB in the routine management of civilian trauma. However, in austere environments where standard blood products are unavailable, FWB is a feasible alternative. © 2010 American Association of Blood Banks.

Long-term outcome in BRAF(V600E) melanoma patients treated with vemurafenib: Patterns of disease progression and clinical management of limited progression.

PubMed

Puzanov, Igor; Amaravadi, Ravi K; McArthur, Grant A; Flaherty, Keith T; Chapman, Paul B; Sosman, Jeffrey A; Ribas, Antoni; Shackleton, Mark; Hwu, Patrick; Chmielowski, Bartosz; Nolop, Keith B; Lin, Paul S; Kim, Kevin B

2015-07-01

Vemurafenib induces tumour regression in most patients with BRAF(V600E)-mutant melanoma; eventually, most experience progressive disease (PD). Long-term follow-up of patients with BRAF(V600E) melanoma treated in the phase 1 vemurafenib trial is reported. Patients received vemurafenib 240-1120 mg (dose escalation cohort) or 960 mg (extension cohort) orally twice daily. Clinical response was evaluated every 8 weeks by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST). Patients with PD amenable to local therapy (surgery or radiotherapy) were allowed to continue vemurafenib after progression. Overall survival (OS) from time of treatment initiation and from PD was estimated. Sites of PD were recorded. Forty-eight patients (escalation cohort, n = 16; extension cohort, n = 32) received therapeutic doses of vemurafenib (⩾ 240 mg twice daily). Forty-four patients had PD by the time of this analysis and four remained progression free (follow-up time, 1.2-56.1 months). Median OS was 14 months (range, 1.2-56.1); 3- and 4-year melanoma-specific survival rate in the extension cohort was 26% and 19%, respectively. Median OS was 26.0 months (range, 7.7-56.1) among 20 patients who continued vemurafenib after local therapy. Median treatment duration beyond initial PD was 3.8 months (range, 1.1-26.6). In the extension cohort, six and five patients were alive after 3 and 4 years, respectively, on vemurafenib monotherapy. Some patients with melanoma achieved long-term survival with vemurafenib monotherapy. Continuation of vemurafenib after PD might be beneficial in some patients because remaining disease might continue to respond to BRAF inhibition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Presynaptic Partners of Dorsal Raphe Serotonergic and GABAergic Neurons

PubMed Central

Weissbourd, Brandon; Ren, Jing; DeLoach, Katherine E.; Guenthner, Casey J.; Miyamichi, Kazunari; Luo, Liqun

2016-01-01

SUMMARY The serotonin system powerfully modulates physiology and behavior in health and disease, yet the circuit mechanisms underlying serotonin neuron activity are poorly understood. The major source of forebrain serotonergic innervation is from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), which contains both serotonin and GABA neurons. Using viral tracing combined with electrophysiology, we found that GABA and serotonin neurons in the DR receive excitatory, inhibitory, and peptidergic inputs from the same specific brain regions. Embedded in this overall similarity are important differences. Serotonin neurons are more likely to receive synaptic inputs from anterior neocortex while GABA neurons receive disproportionally higher input from the central amygdala. Local input mapping revealed extensive serotonin-serotonin as well as GABA-serotonin connectivity with a distinct spatial organization. Covariance analysis suggests heterogeneity of both serotonin and GABA neurons with respect to the inputs they receive. These analyses provide a foundation for further functional dissection of the serotonin system. PMID:25102560

Immediate effects of a high-velocity spine manipulation in paraspinal muscles activity of nonspecific chronic low-back pain subjects.

PubMed

Bicalho, Eduardo; Setti, João Antônio Palma; Macagnan, Jones; Cano, José Luis Rivas; Manffra, Elisangela Ferretti

2010-10-01

High-velocity spinal manipulation is commonly adopted for treating chronic low-back pain (CLBP) and has been associated with changes in muscle activity, but the evidence is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyse the immediate effects of high-velocity spine manipulation on paraspinal activity during flexion-extension trunk movements. Forty nonspecific CLBP patients were randomised into two groups, manipulation (n = 20) and control (n = 20). While the manipulation group received high-velocity spine manipulation at the L4-L5 level, the control group remained lying in the same position. EMG-related variables, perceived pain intensity (100 mm VAS) and finger-floor distance were collected before and after spinal manipulation at the L4-L5 level. EMG surface signals from the right and left paraspinal muscles (L5-S1 level) were acquired during trunk flexion-extension cycles. EMG activity during the static relaxation phase was significantly reduced following intervention for the manipulation group but not for the control group. The extension-phase EMG activity was also reduced after manipulation, but the flexion-phase EMG levels remained unchanged. Accordingly, the percent changes in FRR and ERR were significantly larger for the manipulation group compared to the control. The results suggest that a high-velocity spinal manipulation is able to acutely reduce abnormal EMG activity during the full-flexion static phase and activation during the extension phase. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Local reactions to radioiodine in the treatment of thyroid cancer

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

Burmeister, L.A.; du Cret, R.P.; Mariash, C.N.

1991-02-01

The purpose of this study is to compare the rate of local complications resulting from radioiodine ablation of thyroid cancer in patients with a residual intact thyroid lobe to that in patients who had more extensive surgical treatment prior to radioiodine administration. We retrospectively studied 59 patients who had received 131I between 1979 and 1989. The patients were divided into two groups, depending on the extent of their previous surgical thyroid excision. Group 1 comprised 10 patients with a lobectomy or hemithyroidectomy before the ablative radioiodine dose, and Group 2 comprised 49 patients with more extensive thyroid excision (near-total ormore » subtotal thyroidectomy) before the radioiodine treatment. Sixty percent of the 10 patients in Group 1 experienced some degree of neck pain or tenderness following radioiodine ablation of their residual thyroid. In one case, the local reaction was very severe and accompanied by the development of transient hyperthyroidism. There was only a 6% local complication rate in the patients who had undergone more extensive thyroid excision before ablative therapy (p less than 0.001), and none had a severe reaction. Patients with only unilateral surgical excision before radioiodine therapy have a higher rate of local complications than do patients treated with more extensive surgery prior to radioiodine ablation. If radioiodine is to be employed in such patients, they should be informed of this possible complication. Since evidence supports a dose effect in the pathogenesis of the complications, we recommend using a dose of less than 30 mCi for the initial ablation in these patients even though it may be necessary to repeat this dose to complete thyroid ablation.« less

[Causal analysis approaches in epidemiology].

PubMed

Dumas, O; Siroux, V; Le Moual, N; Varraso, R

2014-02-01

Epidemiological research is mostly based on observational studies. Whether such studies can provide evidence of causation remains discussed. Several causal analysis methods have been developed in epidemiology. This paper aims at presenting an overview of these methods: graphical models, path analysis and its extensions, and models based on the counterfactual approach, with a special emphasis on marginal structural models. Graphical approaches have been developed to allow synthetic representations of supposed causal relationships in a given problem. They serve as qualitative support in the study of causal relationships. The sufficient-component cause model has been developed to deal with the issue of multicausality raised by the emergence of chronic multifactorial diseases. Directed acyclic graphs are mostly used as a visual tool to identify possible confounding sources in a study. Structural equations models, the main extension of path analysis, combine a system of equations and a path diagram, representing a set of possible causal relationships. They allow quantifying direct and indirect effects in a general model in which several relationships can be tested simultaneously. Dynamic path analysis further takes into account the role of time. The counterfactual approach defines causality by comparing the observed event and the counterfactual event (the event that would have been observed if, contrary to the fact, the subject had received a different exposure than the one he actually received). This theoretical approach has shown limits of traditional methods to address some causality questions. In particular, in longitudinal studies, when there is time-varying confounding, classical methods (regressions) may be biased. Marginal structural models have been developed to address this issue. In conclusion, "causal models", though they were developed partly independently, are based on equivalent logical foundations. A crucial step in the application of these models is the formulation of causal hypotheses, which will be a basis for all methodological choices. Beyond this step, statistical analysis tools recently developed offer new possibilities to delineate complex relationships, in particular in life course epidemiology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Don't Mess with the NEST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larson, Michael

2012-03-01

This presentation will describe the history of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) and its evolution over the years. NEST was formed due to a number of nuclear extortion threats received in the early 1970s. From the beginning NEST developed an extensive exercise program to test and expand capabilities. The Nuclear Assessment Program (NAP) was developed, in part, to determine if NEST deployments were required. A major revamp of the NEST program occurred in 1994. Many other organizations work in conjunction with NEST in particular the FBI and DOD. Considerable research and development has been performed in the areas of Access, Search, Diagnostics, Device Assessment, and Disablement. Extensive searches of material appearing in the unclassified literature have been and are being performed to see what is being said about nuclear materials and devices. A comprehensive study of Improvised Nuclear Devices (IND) is ongoing to determine what a terrorist can and cannot do. NEST now consists of four phases with the latest additions of Phase III, Disposition and Phase IV, Nuclear Forensics. LLNL-ABS-521775

A trust-based recommendation method using network diffusion processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ling-Jiao; Gao, Jian

2018-09-01

A variety of rating-based recommendation methods have been extensively studied including the well-known collaborative filtering approaches and some network diffusion-based methods, however, social trust relations are not sufficiently considered when making recommendations. In this paper, we contribute to the literature by proposing a trust-based recommendation method, named CosRA+T, after integrating the information of trust relations into the resource-redistribution process. Specifically, a tunable parameter is used to scale the resources received by trusted users before the redistribution back to the objects. Interestingly, we find an optimal scaling parameter for the proposed CosRA+T method to achieve its best recommendation accuracy, and the optimal value seems to be universal under several evaluation metrics across different datasets. Moreover, results of extensive experiments on the two real-world rating datasets with trust relations, Epinions and FriendFeed, suggest that CosRA+T has a remarkable improvement in overall accuracy, diversity and novelty. Our work takes a step towards designing better recommendation algorithms by employing multiple resources of social network information.

Addressing a community's cancer cluster concerns

PubMed Central

Gavin, AT; Catney, D

2006-01-01

The felling of a telecommunications mast highlighted a community's concern regarding an alleged cancer cluster of eleven cases in a small rural area of Northern Ireland. At the request of the Local District Council, the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) undertook an investigation. After extensive searching and contact with the community, only 6 of the alleged cases could be identified. Of these six, two did not have cancer and one had a non-malignant tumour. In addition to the three confirmed cancer cases, a search of the NICR database identified a further 17 cancers of mixed types in keeping with the population pattern of cancers. Standardised incidence and mortality rates were within, or lower than, the expected level. The results were presented to the local community at an open meeting. Despite extensive media interest when the issue of the alleged cluster was first raised, the negative findings received only local media attention. This study illustrates the value of an accurate population cancer registry in addressing cancer cluster concerns. PMID:16964811

Sustained weight loss in patients treated with mifepristone for Cushing's syndrome: a follow-up analysis of the SEISMIC study and long-term extension.

PubMed

Fein, Henry G; Vaughan, T Brooks; Kushner, Harvey; Cram, David; Nguyen, Dat

2015-10-27

Overweight and obesity are common among patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) and may persist in some patients even after ostensibly curative surgery, contributing to cardiometabolic dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk. Mifepristone, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, was effective in controlling hyperglycemia in a 24-week trial of adults (N = 50) with endogenous CS and associated type 2 diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance or hypertension who had failed or were not candidates for surgery (SEISMIC, Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Mifepristone in the Treatment of Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome). This analysis examines long-term weight change among patients who received mifepristone in SEISMIC and enrolled in a long-term safety extension (LTE) study. Patients completing the 24-week SEISMIC study and subsequent 6-week off-drug safety evaluation were invited to enroll in the LTE study. Mifepristone doses at the end of SEISMIC were the LTE starting doses. Body weight measures were reviewed at baseline and week 24 of SEISMIC and at LTE month 6, 12, 18, 24, and final visit (last observation collected during the LTE study). Of the 30 patients enrolled in the LTE, evaluable weight data were available for 29 (20/29 female; mean age of 44.7 ± 11.2 years). These patients received mifepristone for a median of 29.2 months (range 8.4-41.9). Mean ± SD weight from SEISMIC baseline to LTE final visit decreased by 10.3 ± 16.3 kg (mean 105.4 ± 34.3 kg to 95.1 ± 32.9 kg), a 9.3 % decrease from baseline weight (P = 0.0008). Of the 29 LTE patients, 18 (62.1 %) lost ≥ 5 % of body weight by the end of the initial 24-week treatment period; this ≥5 % weight loss persisted in 83.3 % (15/18) at LTE final visit. Ten patients (34.5 %) lost ≥ 10 % of initial body weight by week 24 of SEISMIC, which persisted in 80 % at LTE final visit. No new safety signals were detected with long-term mifepristone use. Clinically meaningful weight loss achieved during a 24-week study of mifepristone for CS persisted for two additional years in patients who remained on therapy. Long-term treatment with mifepristone appears to have a beneficial effect on weight in patients with endogenous CS. NCT00569582 (SEISMIC); NCT00936741 (Long-Term Extension).

METCAN: The metal matrix composite analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hopkins, Dale A.; Murthy, Pappu L. N.

1988-01-01

Metal matrix composites (MMC) are the subject of intensive study and are receiving serious consideration for critical structural applications in advanced aerospace systems. MMC structural analysis and design methodologies are studied. Predicting the mechanical and thermal behavior and the structural response of components fabricated from MMC requires the use of a variety of mathematical models. These models relate stresses to applied forces, stress intensities at the tips of cracks to nominal stresses, buckling resistance to applied force, or vibration response to excitation forces. The extensive research in computational mechanics methods for predicting the nonlinear behavior of MMC are described. This research has culminated in the development of the METCAN (METal Matrix Composite ANalyzer) computer code.

Differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules and stratification of papillary thyroid cancer with aggressive histological features: Whole-lesion diffusion-weighted imaging histogram analysis.

PubMed

Hao, Yonghong; Pan, Chu; Chen, WeiWei; Li, Tao; Zhu, WenZhen; Qi, JianPin

2016-12-01

To explore the usefulness of whole-lesion histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from reduced field-of-view (r-FOV) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodules and stratifying papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with aggressive histological features. This Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective study included 93 patients with 101 pathologically proven thyroid nodules. All patients underwent preoperative r-FOV DWI at 3T. The whole-lesion ADC assessments were performed for each patient. Histogram-derived ADC parameters between different subgroups (pathologic type, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis) were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine optimal histogram parameters in differentiating benign and malignant nodules and predicting aggressiveness of PTC. Mean ADC, median ADC, 5 th percentile ADC, 25 th percentile ADC, 75 th percentile ADC, 95 th percentile ADC (all P < 0.001), and kurtosis (P = 0.001) were significantly lower in malignant thyroid nodules, and mean ADC achieved the highest AUC (0.919) with a cutoff value of 1842.78 × 10 -6 mm 2 /s in differentiating malignant and benign nodules. Compared to the PTCs without extrathyroidal extension, PTCs with extrathyroidal extension showed significantly lower median ADC, 5 th percentile ADC, and 25 th percentile ADC. The 5 th percentile ADC achieved the highest AUC (0.757) with cutoff value of 911.5 × 10 -6 mm 2 /s for differentiating between PTCs with and without extrathyroidal extension. Whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis might help to differentiate malignant nodules from benign ones and show the PTCs with extrathyroidal extension. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1546-1555. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Work-life policies for faculty at the top ten medical schools.

PubMed

Bristol, Mirar N; Abbuhl, Stephanie; Cappola, Anne R; Sonnad, Seema S

2008-10-01

There exists a growing consensus that career flexibility is critical to recruiting and retaining talented faculty, especially women faculty. This study was designed to determine both accessibility and content of work-life policies for faculty at leading medical schools in the United States. The sample includes the top ten medical schools in the United States published by U.S. News and World Report in August 2006. We followed a standardized protocol to collect seven work-life policies at each school: maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, extension of the probationary period for family responsibilities, part-time faculty appointments, job sharing, and child care. A review of information provided on school websites was followed by e-mail or phone contact if needed. A rating system of 0-3 (low to high flexibility) developed by the authors was applied to these policies. Rating reflected flexibility and existing opinions in published literature. Policies were often difficult to access. Individual scores ranged from 7 to 15 out of a possible 21 points. Extension of the probationary period received the highest cumulative score across schools, and job sharing received the lowest cumulative score. For each policy, there were important differences among schools. Work-life policies showed considerable variation across schools. Policy information is difficult to access, often requiring multiple sources. Institutions that develop flexible work-life policies that are widely promoted, implemented, monitored, and reassessed are likely at an advantage in attracting and retaining faculty while advancing institutional excellence.

Do Verbal and Tactile Cueing Selectively Alter Gluteus Maximus and Hamstring Recruitment During a Supine Bridging Exercise in Active Females? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Hollman, John H; Berling, Tyler A; Crum, Ellen O; Miller, Kelsie M; Simmons, Brent T; Youdas, James W

2018-03-01

Hip extension with hamstring-dominant rather than gluteus maximus-dominant recruitment may increase anterior femoracetabular forces and contribute to conditions that cause hip pain. Cueing methods during hip extension exercises may facilitate greater gluteus maximus recruitment. We examined whether specific verbal and tactile cues facilitate gluteus maximus recruitment while inhibiting hamstring recruitment during a bridging exercise. Randomized controlled trial. Biomechanics laboratory. 30 young adult women (age 24 [3] y; BMI 22.2 [2.4] kg/m 2 ). Participants were tested over 2 sessions, 1 week apart, while performing 5 repetitions of a bridging exercise. At their second visit, participants in the experimental group received verbal and tactile cues intended to facilitate gluteus maximus recruitment and inhibit hamstring recruitment. Control group participants received no additional cues beyond original instructions. Gluteus maximus and hamstring recruitment were measured with surface electromyography, normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). Gluteus maximus recruitment was unchanged in the control group and increased from 16.8 to 33.0% MVIC in the cueing group (F = 33.369, P < .001). Hamstring recruitment was unchanged in the control group but also increased from 16.5 to 29.8% MVIC in the cueing group (F = 6.400, P = .02). The effect size of the change in gluteus maximus recruitment in the cueing group (Cohen's d = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.9 to 2.2) was not significantly greater than the effect size in hamstring recruitment (Cohen's d = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.1 to 1.5). Verbal and tactile cues hypothesized to facilitate gluteus maximus recruitment yielded comparable increases in both gluteus maximus and hamstring recruitment. If one intends to promote hip extension by facilitating gluteus maximus recruitment while inhibiting hamstring recruitment during bridging exercises, the cueing methods employed in this study may not produce desired effects.

Decoupling factors affecting plant diversity and cover on extensive green roofs.

PubMed

MacIvor, J Scott; Margolis, Liat; Puncher, Curtis L; Carver Matthews, Benjamin J

2013-11-30

Supplemental irrigation systems are often specified on green roofs to ensure plant cover and growth, both important components of green roof performance and aesthetics. Properties of the growing media environment too can alter the assemblage of plant species able to thrive. In this study we determine how plant cover, above ground biomass and species diversity are influenced by irrigation and growing media. Grass and forb vegetative cover and biomass were significantly greater in organic based growing media but there was no effect of supplemental irrigation, with two warm season grasses dominating in those treatments receiving no supplemental irrigation. On the other hand, plant diversity declined without irrigation in organic media, and having no irrigation in inorganic growing media resulted in almost a complete loss of cover. Sedum biomass was less in inorganic growing media treatments and species dominance shifted when growing media organic content increased. Our results demonstrate that supplemental irrigation is required to maintain plant diversity on an extensive green roof, but not necessarily plant cover or biomass. These results provide evidence that planting extensive green roofs with a mix of plant species can ensure the survival of some species; maintaining cover and biomass when supplemental irrigation is turned off to conserve water, or during extreme drought. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sleep extension is a feasible lifestyle intervention in free-living adults who are habitually short sleepers: a potential strategy for decreasing intake of free sugars? A randomized controlled pilot study

PubMed Central

Al Khatib, Haya K; Hall, Wendy L; Creedon, Alice; Ooi, Emily; Masri, Tala; McGowan, Laura; Harding, Scott V; Darzi, Julia; Pot, Gerda K

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Background Evidence suggests that short sleep duration may be a newly identified modifiable risk factor for obesity, yet there is a paucity of studies to investigate this. Objective We assessed the feasibility of a personalized sleep extension protocol in adults aged 18–64 y who are habitually short sleepers (5 to <7 h), with sleep primarily measured by wrist actigraphy. In addition, we collected pilot data to assess the effects of extended sleep on dietary intake and quality measured by 7-d food diaries, resting and total energy expenditure, physical activity, and markers of cardiometabolic health. Design Forty-two normal-weight healthy participants who were habitually short sleepers completed this free-living, 4-wk, parallel-design randomized controlled trial. The sleep extension group (n = 21) received a behavioral consultation session targeting sleep hygiene. The control group (n = 21) maintained habitual short sleep. Results Rates of participation, attrition, and compliance were 100%, 6.5%, and 85.7%, respectively. The sleep extension group significantly increased time in bed [0:55 hours:minutes (h:mm); 95% CI: 0:37, 1:12 h:mm], sleep period (0:47 h:mm; 95% CI: 0:29, 1:05 h:mm), and sleep duration (0:21 h:mm; 95% CI: 0:06, 0:36 h:mm) compared with the control group. Sleep extension led to reduced intake of free sugars (–9.6 g; 95% CI: –16.0, –3.1 g) compared with control (0.7 g; 95% CI: –5.7, 7.2 g) (P = 0.042). A sensitivity analysis in plausible reporters showed that the sleep extension group reduced intakes of fat (percentage), carbohydrates (grams), and free sugars (grams) in comparison to the control group. There were no significant differences between groups in markers of energy balance or cardiometabolic health. Conclusions We showed the feasibility of extending sleep in adult short sleepers. Sleep extension led to reduced free sugar intakes and may be a viable strategy to facilitate limiting excessive consumption of free sugars in an obesity-promoting environment. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02787577. PMID:29381788

Neurodynamic responses to the femoral slump test in patients with anterior knee pain syndrome.

PubMed

Lin, Pei-Ling; Shih, Yi-Fen; Chen, Wen-Yin; Ma, Hsiao-Li

2014-05-01

Matched-control, cross-sectional study. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses to the femoral slump test (FST), including the change in hip range of motion and level of discomfort, between subjects with and without anterior knee pain. Anterior knee pain syndrome is a common problem among adults. The FST is the neurodynamic test used to assess the mechanosensitivity of the femoral component of the nervous system. However, as of yet, there is no literature discussing the use of the FST in patients with anterior knee pain. Thirty patients with anterior knee pain and 30 control participants, matched by gender, age, and dominant leg, were recruited. The subjects received the FST, during which the hip extension angle and the location and intensity of pain/discomfort were recorded. Reproduction of symptoms that were alleviated by neck extension was interpreted as a positive test. Differences in hip extension angle and pain intensity between groups were examined using a 2-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance and a Kruskal-Wallis analysis. The level of significance was set at α = .05. Subjects with anterior knee pain had a smaller hip extension angle than that of controls (-3.6° ± 5.3° versus 0.6° ± 6.1°; mean difference, 4.2°; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24°, 7.15°; P = .006). Eight patients with anterior knee pain showed a positive FST, and those with a positive FST had a smaller hip extension angle (-5.7° ± 4.5°) than that of controls (mean difference, 6.3°; 95% CI: 0.8°, 11.8°; P = .007). There was no difference in the hip extension angle between the positive and negative FST groups (mean difference, 2.9°; 95% CI: -8.5°, 2.0°) or between the negative FST and control groups (mean difference, 3.4°; 95% CI: -0.4°, 7.3°). Results of this study suggest that altered mechanosensitivity of the femoral nerve occurred in the patients with anterior knee pain who presented with a positive FST. The role of increased mechanosensitivity in the development and management of anterior knee pain should be investigated in the future.

Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis: Long-term efficacy and safety results from 2 randomized phase-III studies and 1 open-label long-term extension study.

PubMed

Papp, Kim A; Krueger, James G; Feldman, Steven R; Langley, Richard G; Thaci, Diamant; Torii, Hideshi; Tyring, Stephen; Wolk, Robert; Gardner, Annie; Mebus, Charles; Tan, Huaming; Luo, Yingchun; Gupta, Pankaj; Mallbris, Lotus; Tatulych, Svitlana

2016-05-01

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor being investigated for psoriasis. We sought to report longer-term tofacitinib efficacy and safety in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Data from 2 identical phase-III studies, Oral-treatment Psoriasis Trial Pivotal 1 and 2, were pooled with data from these patients in an ongoing open-label long-term extension study. Patients (n = 1861) were randomized 2:2:1 to tofacitinib 5 mg, 10 mg, or placebo twice daily (BID). At week 16, placebo patients were rerandomized to tofacitinib. Pivotal study participants could enroll into the long-term extension where they received tofacitinib at 10 mg BID for 3 months, after which dosing could be 5 or 10 mg BID. At week 28, the proportions of patients randomized to tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID achieving 75% or greater reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score from baseline were 55.6% and 68.8%, and achieving Physician Global Assessment of clear or almost clear were 54.7% and 65.9%. Efficacy was maintained in most patients through 24 months. Serious adverse events and discontinuations because of adverse events were reported in less than 11% of patients over 33 months of tofacitinib exposure. There was no dose comparison beyond week 52. Oral tofacitinib demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients with psoriasis through 2 years, with 10 mg BID providing greater efficacy than 5 mg BID. No unexpected safety findings were observed. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A 200kW central receiver CPV system

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

Lasich, John, E-mail: jbl@raygen.com; Thomas, Ian, E-mail: ithomas@raygen.com; Hertaeg, Wolfgang

2015-09-28

Raygen Resources has recently completed a Central Receiver CPV (CSPV) pilot plant in Central Victoria, Australia. The system is under final commissioning and initial operation is expected in late April 2015. The pilot demonstrates a full scale CSPV repeatable unit in a form that is representative of a commercial product and provides a test bed to prove out performance and reliability of the CSPV technology. Extensive testing of the system key components: dense array module, wireless solar powered heliostat and control system has been performed in the laboratory and on sun. Results from this key component testing are presented herein.

Fatal hemorrhagic cystitis induced by pelvic irradiation and cyclophosphamide therapy. Case reports and review

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

Price, W.E.; Keldahl, L.R.

The potent cytotoxic drug cyclophosphamide has been used extensively for neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. Patients taking this drug may have received or may be receiving pelvic irradiation concurrently. This report describes two patients who developed fatal hemorrhagic cystitis induced by pelvic irradiation and cyclophosphamide therapy. Etiology, incidence, pathologic descriptions, and diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this entity are described. The incidence and risk of serious, life-threatening bladder hemorrhage from cyclophosphamide therapy is increased by prior or concurrent pelvic irradiation. Alternative cytotoxic, non-urotoxic chemotherapy should be used in these high-risk patients.

Reasearch Activities for the Establishment of The Center for Sustainable Energy

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

Dr. Michael Seliger

2005-08-08

In 2003, Bronx Community College received a grant of $481,000 through the United States Department of Energy for the purpose of conducting research- related activities leading to the creation of the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College. The award, which was administered on behalf of Bronx Community College by the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, was initially for one year, from October 2003 through September 30, 2004. It received a no-cost extension to June 30, 2005. This report presents a summary of the activities and accomplishments attributable to the award.

Language Comprehension in Language-Learning Impaired Children Improved with Acoustically Modified Speech

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tallal, Paula; Miller, Steve L.; Bedi, Gail; Byma, Gary; Wang, Xiaoqin; Nagarajan, Srikantan S.; Schreiner, Christoph; Jenkins, William M.; Merzenich, Michael M.

1996-01-01

A speech processing algorithm was developed to create more salient versions of the rapidly changing elements in the acoustic waveform of speech that have been shown to be deficiently processed by language-learning impaired (LLI) children. LLI children received extensive daily training, over a 4-week period, with listening exercises in which all speech was translated into this synthetic form. They also received daily training with computer "games" designed to adaptively drive improvements in temporal processing thresholds. Significant improvements in speech discrimination and language comprehension abilities were demonstrated in two independent groups of LLI children.

Assessment of the use of latissimus dorsi restoration during modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Yang, Chao; Wang, Xinle; Zhang, Geng; Yang, Liu; Guo, Xuan; Wang, Xue; Song, Zhenchuan

2017-12-01

The incision area of modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients is associated with subcutaneous effusion and skin flap necrosis as the most common complications. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of latissimus dorsi restoration during modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients by evaluating 365 cases. Among these cases, 185 received modified radical mastectomy combined with intraoperative latissimus dorsi restoration, while 180 received modified radical mastectomy alone. The flap tension, drainage fluid amount and extubation time were compared between the two methods. The flap tension in patients who received modified radical mastectomy combined with intraoperative latissimus dorsi restoration was significantly lower and the blood supply was better. After surgery, the drainage fluid amount was also significantly lower in these patients compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mean time to drainage tube removal was significantly shorter in these patients and the postoperative cosmetic outcome was superior. Thus, it was concluded that modified radical mastectomy combined with intraoperative latissimus dorsi restoration in breast cancer patients was associated with reduced drainage fluid effusion, shorter hospitalization time and decreased flap tension. Overall, this method appears to be potentially suitable for extensive application in the clinical setting.

Effect of minoxidil topical foam on frontotemporal and vertex androgenetic alopecia in men: a 104-week open-label clinical trial.

PubMed

Kanti, V; Hillmann, K; Kottner, J; Stroux, A; Canfield, D; Blume-Peytavi, U

2016-07-01

Topical minoxidil formulations have been shown to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) for 12 months. Efficacy and safety in both frontotemporal and vertex regions over longer application periods have not been studied so far. To evaluate the effect of 5% minoxidil topical foam (5% MTF) in the frontotemporal and vertex areas in patients with moderate AGA over 104 weeks. An 80-week, open-label extension phase was performed, following a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in men with AGA grade IIIvertex to VI. Group 1 (n = 22) received ongoing 5% MTF for 104 weeks, Group 2 (n = 23) received placebo topical foam (plaTF) until week 24, followed by 5% MTF until week 104 during the extension phase. Frontotemporal and vertex target area non-vellus hair counts (f-TAHC, v-TAHC) and cumulative hair width (f-TAHW, v-TAHW) were assessed at baseline and at weeks 24, 52, 76 and 104. In Group 1, f-TAHW and f-TAHC showed a statistically significant increase from baseline to week 52 and week 76, respectively, returning to values comparable to baseline at week 104. No significant differences were found between baseline and week 104 in v-TAHC in Group 1 as well as f-TAHC, v-TAHC, f-TAHW and v-TAHW values in Group 2. 5% MTF is effective in stabilizing hair density, hair width and scalp coverage in both frontotemporal and vertex areas over an application period of 104 weeks, while showing a good safety and tolerability profile with a low rate of irritant contact dermatitis. © 2015 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Radiology scheduling: preferences of users of radiologic services and impact on referral base and extension.

PubMed

Mozumdar, Biswita C; Hornsby, Douglas Neal; Gogate, Adheet S; Intriere, Lisa A; Hanson, Richard; McGreal, Karen; Kelly, Pauline; Ros, Pablo

2003-08-01

To study end-user attitudes and preferences with respect to radiology scheduling systems and to assess implications for retention and extension of the referral base. A study of the institution's historical data indicated reduced satisfaction with the process of patient scheduling in recent years. Sixty physicians who referred patients to a single, large academic radiology department received the survey. The survey was designed to identify (A) the preferred vehicle for patient scheduling (on-line versus telephone scheduling) and (B) whether ease of scheduling was a factor in physicians referring patients to other providers. Referring physicians were asked to forward the survey to any appropriate office staff member in case the latter scheduled appointments for patients. Users were asked to provide comments and suggestions for improvement. The statistical method used was the analysis of proportions. Thirty-three responses were received, corresponding to a return rate of 55%. Twenty-six of the 33 respondents (78.8%, P < .01) stated they were willing to try an online scheduling system; 16 of which tried the system. Twelve of the 16 (75%, P < .05) preferred the on-line application to the telephone system, stating logistical simplification as the primary reason for preference. Three (18.75%) did not consider online scheduling to be more convenient than traditional telephone scheduling. One respondent did not indicate any preference. Eleven of 33 users (33.33%, P < .001) stated that they would change radiology service providers if expectations of scheduling ease are not met. On-line scheduling applications are becoming the preferred scheduling vehicle. Augmenting their capabilities and availability can simplify the scheduling process, improve referring physician satisfaction, and provide a competitive advantage. Referrers are willing to change providers if scheduling expectations are not met.

The role of magnesium as an adjuvant during general anaesthesia.

PubMed

Gupta, K; Vohra, V; Sood, J

2006-11-01

Magnesium sulphate is used extensively in the treatment of eclampsia, and is also used to treat refractory arrhythmias, asthma, myocardial ischaemia and acute respiratory failure. We studied the interaction between magnesium sulphate and the anaesthetic agents propofol, rocuronium bromide and fentanyl citrate. This randomised, double blind study was conducted in 50 patients. The magnesium group A (n = 25) received 30 mg x kg(-1) magnesium sulphate before induction of anaesthesia and 10 mg x kg(-1) continuously intra-operatively until the end of surgery. Group B (n = 25) received the same volume of isotonic saline. Propofol, rocuronium and fentanyl infusions were started and the patients lungs' were ventilated with 33% oxygen in nitrous oxide. Anaesthetic depth was maintained at a bispectral index value of between 40 and 60. Muscle relaxation was maintained at a train-of-four count of 1 throughout surgery using neuromuscular monitoring. The fentanyl infusion was titrated to haemodynamic variables: heart rate and blood pressure. We concluded that magnesium sulphate has anaesthetic, analgesic and muscle relaxation effects and significantly reduces the drug requirements of propofol, rocuronium and fentanyl during anaesthesia.

A storm-time plasmasphere evolution study using data assimilation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikoukar, R.; Bust, G. S.; Bishop, R. L.; Coster, A. J.; Lemon, C.; Turner, D. L.; Roeder, J. L.

2017-12-01

In this work, we study the evolution of the Earth's plasmasphere during geomagnetic active periods using the Plasmasphere Data Assimilation (PDA) model. The total electron content (TEC) measurements from an extensive network of global ground-based GPS receivers as well as GPS receivers on-board Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) satellites and Communications/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite are ingested into the model. Global Core Plasma model, which is an empirical plasmasphere model, is utilized as the background model. Based on the 3D-VAR optimization, the PDA assimilative model benefits from incorporation of regularization techniques to prevent non-physical altitudinal variation in density estimates due to the limited-angle observational geometry. This work focuses on the plasmapause location, plasmasphere erosion time scales and refilling rates during the main and recovery phases of geomagnetic storms as estimated from the PDA 3-dimensional global maps of electron density in the ionosphere/plasmasphere. The comparison between the PDA results with in-situ density measurements from THEMIS and Van Allen Probes, and the RCM-E first-principle model will be also presented.

78 FR 59335 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Previously Approved Information Collection (Industry...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-26

... information collection concerning industry responses to noncompliance records. There are no changes to the existing information collection. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before November 25... this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any...

Health Sciences Education in California, 1983-1984.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California State Postsecondary Education Commission, Sacramento.

The adequacy of health sciences education enrollment levels in California is reviewed in the context of the 1981 Health Manpower Plan. After reviewing the Plan, attention is focused on two continuing problems among the issues: medical residencies and attrition in the nursing profession. New issues that receive extensive treatment in the 1981 Plan…

75 FR 41438 - Stainless Steel Bar from India: Extension of Time Limit for the Final Results of the 2008-2009...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-16

..., following the preliminary results, the Department received additional cost information from Venus, as... a comprehensive cost analysis, significantly delaying the briefing schedule. See Memorandum from..., the Department requires additional time to review and address the detail and complexity of the cost...

Challenge and Retention in Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Debeauvais, Thomas

2016-01-01

Game designers and researchers agree that the main motivation for starting playing a game is challenge. It is only a small step to say that when the game becomes too difficult, players can become frustrated and quit. While extensive work shows that challenge is central in player enjoyment, its influence on player retention has received little…

Facilitating Backcountry Use of Bureau of Land Management Wildlands

Treesearch

R. Steve Smith

1992-01-01

BLM wildlands are extensive areas which offer opportunities for increased backcountry use. Many BLM wildland areas are not currently receiving much backcountry use due to their unfamiliarity by the public and lack of facilities. Increased urban/BLM wildland interfacing can produce important benefits for both individuals and our society. Using various informational...

78 FR 32226 - Poultry Market News Reports; Request for Extension and Revision of the Currently Approved...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-29

..., poultry, eggs, meats, grain, and wool. DATES: Comments on this document must be received by July 29, 2013..., movement, and other pertinent information affecting the trading of livestock, poultry, meat, eggs, grain.... LPGMN reporters communicate with buyers and sellers of livestock, poultry, meat, eggs, grain, and their...

77 FR 58097 - Extension of Comment Period for Notice of Inquiry Regarding Adjustment of Fees for Trademark...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-19

... customers by incentivizing complete electronic communication. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 22, 2012. ADDRESSES: The USPTO prefers that comments be submitted via electronic mail..., Alexandria, Virginia, attention Cynthia C. Lynch; or by electronic mail message via the Federal eRulemaking...

The Coast Artillery Journal. Volume 65, Number 3, September 1926

DTIC Science & Technology

1926-09-01

until July 2, 1927 (Under previously existing legislation , July 2, 1926, had been set as the terminal date); second, the extension of time for completion...Queen’s Westminister and Civil Service Rifles, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Jellico acted as chief umpire. The teams were also received by the King, and were

78 FR 34974 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-11

... authorized in the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 12, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. Eldon Eversull, Research and Education Division, RBS..., information, and education. The annual survey of farmer cooperatives collects basic statistics on cooperative...

Newspaper in the Classroom. Profiles of Promise 40.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawke, Sharryl

Newspapers are extensively used as the primary source material in all classes at Emerson Elementary School, Granite City, Illinois. Textbooks and other resources are used to supplement the daily issues of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat received at the school. Learning activities and the role of the newspaper vary in each classroom. The newspaper's…

Emerging Scholars: The Class of 2008

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forde, Dana; Lum, Lydia; Nealy, Michelle J.; Pluviose, David; Roach, Ronald; Rogers, Ibram; Rolo, Mark Anthony; Seymour, Add, Jr., Valdata, Patricia; Watson, Jamal

2008-01-01

This year's crop of "Emerging Scholars"--The Class of 2008--includes a math biologist who was only the second woman to receive the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in math; a geneticist who recently became one of 20 winners of the National Science Foundation's Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers; and an extensively published…

How Teachers' Beliefs about Learning and Teaching Relate to Their Continuing Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Vries, Siebrich; van de Grift, Wim J. C. M.; Jansen, Ellen P. W. A.

2014-01-01

Teachers' continuing professional development (CPD) can improve teacher quality and teaching practice, yet teachers differ greatly in the extent to which they engage in CPD. In extensive research into which factors affect teachers' participation in CPD, the effects of teachers' beliefs have received limited attention, despite their strong…

75 FR 20559 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Communicable Diseases...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-20

... tested positive for equine infectious anemia. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or... have tested positive for equine infectious anemia, contact Dr. Jill Rolland, Assistant Director... activities to protect the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry. Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an...

77 FR 19680 - Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Rail Transportation Security

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-02

... receivers of certain hazardous materials; and passenger railroad carriers, including each carrier operating light rail or heavy rail transit service on track that is part of the general railroad system of transportation and rail transit systems. Also, these persons are required to report significant security concerns...

78 FR 38330 - Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-26

... Marketing Act of 2003, CG Docket No. 04-53. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently... violations of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (CAN-SPAM Act). This information is used to help wireless subscribers stop receiving unwanted commercial mobile...

Attitudes of Small Farmers As 1995 Farm Bill Stakeholders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lockett, Benny L.

To design public issues education programs to meet the needs of small farmers, the Cooperative Extension programs at Prairie View A&M University (Texas) and nine other 1890 land grant institutions surveyed small farmers' opinions concerning the 1995 farm bill. Responses were received from 644 farmers in the states in which these institutions…

A report on the transmissibility of Sugarcane mosaic virus and Sugarcane yellow leaf virus through seed in sugarcane

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In the United States, exotic germplasm of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is mainly received as vegetative cuttings because the extensive actions required to meet existing APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) permit conditions make the importation of sugarcane seed impractical. While taking...

40 CFR Appendix II to Subpart S of... - As-Received Testing Vehicle Rejection Criteria

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND ENGINES... vehicle has been used for severe duty (trailer towing for passenger cars, snow plowing, racing) 4. The vehicle has a history of extensive collision damage or major engine repair (piston, crank, cylinder head...

40 CFR Appendix II to Subpart S of... - As-Received Testing Vehicle Rejection Criteria

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND ENGINES... vehicle has been used for severe duty (trailer towing for passenger cars, snow plowing, racing) 4. The vehicle has a history of extensive collision damage or major engine repair (piston, crank, cylinder head...

40 CFR Appendix II to Subpart S of... - As-Received Testing Vehicle Rejection Criteria

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND ENGINES... vehicle has been used for severe duty (trailer towing for passenger cars, snow plowing, racing) 4. The vehicle has a history of extensive collision damage or major engine repair (piston, crank, cylinder head...

40 CFR Appendix II to Subpart S of... - As-Received Testing Vehicle Rejection Criteria

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND ENGINES... vehicle has been used for severe duty (trailer towing for passenger cars, snow plowing, racing) 4. The vehicle has a history of extensive collision damage or major engine repair (piston, crank, cylinder head...

78 FR 64210 - Extension of Review Periods Under the Toxic Substances Control Act; Certain Chemicals and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-28

... Under the Toxic Substances Control Act; Certain Chemicals and Microorganisms; Premanufacture... 325 and 324110), e.g., chemical manufacturing and petroleum refineries. The North American Industrial... Agency under section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), received by EPA on or before October 1...

75 FR 37749 - Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-30

... Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention... received on or before September 3, 2010. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to June Blalock, USDA, ARS, Office...; Telephone Number 301-504-5989. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June Blalock, USDA, ARS, Office of...

Examining the Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy across Diverse Client Ethnic Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunham, Jessica Barfield

2009-01-01

Treatment for adolescent problem behavior has been given extensive attention in the literature due to the serious nature of the problem and the potential risk to others and the community. As the needs of an increasingly diverse juvenile population intensify and mounting evidence suggests ethnic minority youth receive disparate treatment across…

78 FR 52129 - Cotton Classification and Market News Service: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-22

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS-CN-13-0045] Cotton Classification... Cotton Classification and Market News Service. DATES: Comments received by October 21, 2013 will be... concerning this proposal to Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs...

77 FR 2265 - Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-17

... States Grain Standards Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. This voluntary survey gives... the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) to facilitate the marketing of grain... agricultural commodity markets an opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of services they receive and...

77 FR 50106 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-20

..., 2015, by that time, nine years will have passed since the Commission received the data informing its.... ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a comment online or on paper, by following the instructions in the... file your comment on paper, mail or deliver your comment to the following address: Federal Trade...

78 FR 73206 - Logging Operations; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-05

... the Standard, employers must assure that operating and maintenance instructions are available on... writing that a worker/supervisor received the training the Standard requires. Under paragraph (i)(10)(ii... requirements contained in the Logging Operations Standard (29 CFR 1910.266). DATES: Comments must be submitted...

75 FR 3275 - Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Part 249, Preservation of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-20

... below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extension of currently... receivable and payable journals and ledgers, subsidy records documenting underlying financial and statistical... comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th...

76 FR 81909 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-29

..., financial feasibility determinations and loan security determinations as required by the Con Act. Estimate... Industry Loan Program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 27, 2012 to be assured... for TDD users. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Business and Industry Loan Program. OMB Number: 0570...

76 FR 50716 - Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-16

... business programs on an equal opportunity basis. The laws implemented in 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E... Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS... with Civil Rights laws. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 17, 2011 to be...

Children with Cochlear Implants and Complex Needs: A Review of Outcome Research and Psychological Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Lindsay C.

2007-01-01

In recent years, the number of children receiving cochlear implants who have significant disabilities in addition to their deafness has increased substantially. However, in comparison with the extensive literature on speech, language, and communication outcomes following pediatric implantation in children without complex needs, the available…

Bilingual Education and Career Awareness Program. Project BECA, 1987-88. OREA Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berney, Tomi D.; Alvarez, Rosalyn

Project BECA (the Bilingual Education and Career Awareness program) served 346 students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in New York City in its second year of extension funding. Participating students received instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), native language arts (NLA), content area subjects, bilingual industrial arts, and…

38 CFR 21.5296 - Extended period of eligibility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of the veteran. VA will not consider the disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be the result of... child to whom entitlement may be or has been transferred may not apply for, nor receive, an extension based upon disability of either the veteran or the spouse or child. (2) The veteran must apply for the...

75 FR 41213 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of a Currently Approved Information...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-15

... ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection for Review; Form I-333, Obligor Change of Address. The... following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction..., 2010 Vol. 75 No. 86, 24720, allowing for a 60 day public comment period. ICE received one comment...

76 FR 1376 - Physical Protection of Irradiated Reactor Fuel in Transit Extension of Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-10

... dockets to Carol Gallagher, telephone: 301-492- 3668, e-mail: [email protected] . Mail comments to... Adjudications Staff. E-mail comments to: [email protected] . If you do not receive a reply e-mail..., e-mail: [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Submitting Comments and Accessing...

9 CFR 51.8 - Disinfection of premises, conveyances, and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Disinfection of premises, conveyances... ANIMALS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF BRUCELLOSIS Indemnity for Cattle, Bison, and Swine § 51.8 Disinfection of... for disinfection to 30 days when request for such extension is received by him prior to the expiration...

9 CFR 51.8 - Disinfection of premises, conveyances, and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Disinfection of premises, conveyances... ANIMALS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF BRUCELLOSIS Indemnity for Cattle, Bison, and Swine § 51.8 Disinfection of... for disinfection to 30 days when request for such extension is received by him prior to the expiration...

9 CFR 51.8 - Disinfection of premises, conveyances, and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Disinfection of premises, conveyances... ANIMALS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF BRUCELLOSIS Indemnity for Cattle, Bison, and Swine § 51.8 Disinfection of... for disinfection to 30 days when request for such extension is received by him prior to the expiration...

9 CFR 51.8 - Disinfection of premises, conveyances, and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Disinfection of premises, conveyances... ANIMALS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF BRUCELLOSIS Indemnity for Cattle, Bison, and Swine § 51.8 Disinfection of... for disinfection to 30 days when request for such extension is received by him prior to the expiration...

75 FR 14180 - 30-Day Notice of Intention To Request Clearance of Collection of Information; Opportunity for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-24

... of Collection of Information; Opportunity for Public Comment AGENCY: Department of the Interior... Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a... consideration, OMB should receive public comments by the date specified in the DATES section. The National Park...

Ace: Action-Communication-Expression. IMPACT II: Houston's Teacher-to-Teacher Network.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntyre, Margie

The Action-Communication-Expression program, an extension of a speech communication class in a Houston (Texas) high school, involves visual and concrete communication, such as photography, script writing, and filmmaking. Students in two speech classes work in small groups of four or five, independently of the teacher, after receiving initial…

78 FR 6350 - The Standard on 4,4′-Methylenedianiline for General Industry; Extension of the Office of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-30

... employers must perform initial, periodic, and additional exposure monitoring; notify each worker in writing of their results as soon as possible but no longer than 5 days after receiving exposure monitoring... products containing MDA, including containers used to store MDA-contaminated protective clothing and...

78 FR 10583 - Copyright Office Fees

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-14

... Counsel of the Copyright Office no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 22, 2013...). Comments to the proposed fees were due on January 7, 2013 and the Office received three comments at that... Office previously granted an extension of time to file reply comments to February 15, 2013 in response to...

76 FR 55917 - Medicare Program; Notification of Closure of St. Vincent's Medical Center; Extension of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-09

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-1587-N2... Submission of Applications AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of... hospitals to apply to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive St. Vincent's Medical...

Limits to the Extraction of Information from Multi-Hop Skywave Radar Signals

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-14

equations to compute the eikonal rays gh a model ionosphere, plotting the resulting tories in the range-height plane. oes received via these multi...kilometres. This extensive database is ideally suited to the sta- tistical analysis of the directional, diurnal, seasonal 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Building a Bridge from Neuroscience to the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willis, Judy

2008-01-01

Neuroscience and cognitive science relating to education are hot topics. They receive extensive but simplified coverage in the mass media, and there is a booming business in "brain-booster" books and products, which claim to be based on the research. Eric Jensen advocates more collaboration among scientists from the full variety of disciplines…

76 FR 4709 - Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Certified Cargo Screening...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-26

... period soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on October 14, 2010, 75 FR 63191. TSA has received no comments. The collections include: (1) Applications from entities that wish to... CCSFs and validation firms; (3) implementation of a standard security program or submission of a...

Ticking Time Bomb: U. of South Florida Responds to a Threat of Terrorism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fender, Rickard C.

1996-01-01

The University of South Florida's emergency plans were found inadequate when its campus newspaper received a letter threatening extensive destruction. A group of 31 representatives of 20 areas of the institution created 11 subplans for an emergency preparedness center, personnel, events and activities, faculty/student relations, communications,…

Early outreach to survivors of the shootings in Norway on the 22nd of July 2011

PubMed Central

Dyb, Grete; Jensen, Tine; Glad, Kristin Alve; Nygaard, Egil; Thoresen, Siri

2014-01-01

Background Under-treatment and unmet needs among survivors have been documented years after terror attacks. Improved early and proactive outreach strategies, including targeted interventions for individuals in need, are required. After the terrorist attacks in Norway on 22 July 2011, a national, proactive outreach strategy was developed and implemented to help those who were directly affected. Objectives The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to investigate whether the survivors at the island of Utøya had received proactive outreach from the municipalities, (2) to examine the relationships between received health services and the survivors’ level of exposure and post-trauma health problems, and (3) to explore the level of unmet needs among survivors 5 months post-terror. Methods Three hundred and twenty five survivors (M age=19.4, SD=4.6, 47.1% females, response rate 66%) of the 2011 massacre on Utøya Island, Norway, were interviewed face-to-face 4–5 months post-terror. The survivors were asked if they had received proactive outreach from their municipality, and what type of health services they had received. Survivors’ level of peri-trauma exposure, loss and injury, posttraumatic stress reactions, symptoms of anxiety and depression, somatic health problems, and sick leave, were assessed. Results Most participants (87%) reported that they had received early and proactive outreach, and most (84%) had a contact person. In addition a majority of the survivors has received support from their general practitioner (63%), or other municipal help services (66%). Specialized mental health services by psychiatrists or psychologists had been provided to 73.1% of the survivors. Survivors who had been referred to specialized mental health services reported higher levels of exposure to trauma, posttraumatic stress reactions, depression and anxiety, and somatic health problems, compared to non-receivers of such services. Forty-three survivors (14%) reported unmet needs for services. Conclusion In accordance with the national strategy, the vast majority of the participants in this study had received an early and proactive outreach and targeted responses from specialized mental health services had been provided to survivors in need of more extensive help. However, an important minority of the participants had not been reached as planned. The knowledge from this study may guide professionals and decision makers in planning for future disasters and improve the levels of care. PMID:25018858

Effect of Discontinuation or Initiation of Methotrexate or Glucocorticoids on Tofacitinib Efficacy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Post Hoc Analysis.

PubMed

Fleischmann, Roy; Wollenhaupt, Jürgen; Cohen, Stanley; Wang, Lisy; Fan, Haiyun; Bandi, Vara; Andrews, John; Takiya, Liza; Bananis, Eustratios; Weinblatt, Michael E

2018-06-01

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the effect of concomitant methotrexate (MTX) or glucocorticoid (GC) use on tofacitinib clinical efficacy. Data were pooled from two open-label, long-term extension studies of tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily in patients with RA. Response according to Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was assessed separately in patients who discontinued (no MTX/GC use within 30 days prior to year-3 visit; assessment at month 3/year 3) or initiated (on/before year 3; assessment at initiation and year 3) MTX/GC. By year 3, among patients receiving background MTX at baseline, 186/1608 (11.6%) discontinued MTX, and 319/1434 (22.2%) patients receiving GC at baseline discontinued GC. Overall, 70.4/69.1% of patients who discontinued/continued MTX and 72.7/65.9% who discontinued/continued GC achieved CDAI remission or low disease activity (LDA) at year 3. Month 3 remission/LDA rates were maintained at year 3 in the majority of patients, irrespective of MTX/GC discontinuation/continuation. By year 3, 6.2% of patients receiving tofacitinib without MTX at baseline had initiated concomitant MTX, and 25.1% receiving tofacitinib without GC initiated GC; 69.0% and 45.4% initiating MTX or GC, respectively, had a CDAI-defined incomplete response prior to initiation. RA signs/symptoms improved following MTX initiation; only modest improvement was observed with GC initiation. Patients achieving remission/LDA with tofacitinib may discontinue MTX or GC and maintain treatment response. Patients with an incomplete response may benefit from adding concomitant MTX. Pfizer Inc. Study A3921024 [NCT00413699] and Study A3921041 [NCT00661661].

Gender participation in sheep and goat farming in Najran, Southern Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Aldosari, Fahad O

2018-01-01

Sheep and goat farming is a major source of income in the rural areas of Al-Wadiah in Najran region of Southern Saudi Arabia. The study aims to identify the factors and parameters that influence gender participation in sheep and goat farming. Data were collected by interviewing 167 high school students, including 70 male and 97 female students, in Al-Wadiah, by using the simple random sampling technique. Data were statistically analyzed to establish the relationship between gender and participation in sheep and goat farming. The study revealed significant differences between the two genders, for instance, male herders were more experienced, received more benefits, showed greater interest in discussions on topics related to sheep and goat farming, followed information from TV and radio, and received more services offered by veterinary clinics, which proved more beneficial for them. On the other hand, female herders received fewer services, and the veterinary clinics proved less beneficial for them. However, the correlation between the participation of both genders in sheep and goats management was non-significant toward the statement "feeling ashamed of participating in sheep and goat farming." Generally, sheep and goat rearing proves more beneficial for male participants than female participants, owing to their greater experience and interest in livestock farming. Moreover, they receive more benefits from TV, radio and veterinary clinics to maintain better health of their livestock. Both male and female herders contribute equally to sheep and goat farming by limiting the time spent on their daily routine. This study would enable policymakers and planners to develop more strategies and extension education programs to overcome the identified barriers and improve the livelihood of herders through their enhanced participation in remote areas.

Therapeutic use of "prizing" and its effect on self-concept of elderly clients in nursing homes and group homes.

PubMed

Williams-Barnard, C L; Lindell, A R

1992-01-01

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of nurse high prizing and nurse low prizing during group therapy in changing the self-concept of institutionalized aged persons. The hypothesis tested was that institutionalized aged clients participating in group therapy who receive nurse high prizing will show an increase in self-concept as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) when compared with those aged clients in the same settings participating in group therapy who receive nurse low prizing or those aged clients constituting the matched control groups. The study used an existing data source generated from the research of Williams and Lindell to conduct a secondary analysis of a variable not previously investigated. Mean difference scores from the posttest total self-concept score and subscales of the TSCS were analyzed in conjunction with the levels of prizing within the experimental and control groups. Using the Scale for Rating Prizing, two nurse raters judged the degree of prizing on 40 randomly extracted video segments. The findings indicated that 47.1% of those subjects who received low prizing decreased in self-concept; 68.4% of those who received high prizing increased in self-concept. No change in self-concept was noted in the control group. Findings were significant at the .0001 level. Investigating the effect of nurse high and low levels of prizing on client self-concept completes the Rogerian trilogy of therapist-offered conditions with this same sample of subjects. Extension of previous studies adds to the ever-growing body of nursing knowledge and increases the certitude, casualty, and generalizability of such investigations.

Zonisamide and renal calculi in patients with epilepsy: how big an issue?

PubMed

Wroe, Stephen

2007-08-01

To determine the prevalence of renal calculi in patients treated with zonisamide during randomized, controlled and open-label clinical trials, and from post-marketing surveillance data. Reports of renal calculi from four placebo-controlled double-blind trials of zonisamide, their long-term open-label treatment extension phases, and the US/European zonisamide clinical trial programme were reviewed. One double-blind study and its extension included routine ultrasound screening to identify asymptomatic calculi. Post-marketing surveillance data were also investigated, as was concomitant treatment with topiramate. No symptomatic renal calculi were reported during four randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials involving 848 subjects (including 498 zonisamide recipients) treated for up to 3 months. In long-term extension studies with treatment for up to 24 months, symptomatic renal calculi were reported in 9/626 (1.4%) patients. Pooled safety data from all US/European clinical trials identified 15/1296 (1.2%) patients with symptomatic renal calculi during treatment for up to 8.7 years. Post-marketing surveillance revealed nine cases from 59 667 patient-years of exposure in the USA, and 14 from 709 294 patient-years of exposure in Japan; only one case occurred during concomitant topiramate and zonisamide treatment. No imbalance in electrolyte levels was found from 35 patients receiving such co-treatment in clinical trials. The available data suggest that the risk of developing renal calculi during zonisamide treatment is low. Data are insufficient to determine whether concomitant treatment with topiramate increases the risk of renal stones.

Latent class instrumental variables: a clinical and biostatistical perspective.

PubMed

Baker, Stuart G; Kramer, Barnett S; Lindeman, Karen S

2016-01-15

In some two-arm randomized trials, some participants receive the treatment assigned to the other arm as a result of technical problems, refusal of a treatment invitation, or a choice of treatment in an encouragement design. In some before-and-after studies, the availability of a new treatment changes from one time period to this next. Under assumptions that are often reasonable, the latent class instrumental variable (IV) method estimates the effect of treatment received in the aforementioned scenarios involving all-or-none compliance and all-or-none availability. Key aspects are four initial latent classes (sometimes called principal strata) based on treatment received if in each randomization group or time period, the exclusion restriction assumption (in which randomization group or time period is an instrumental variable), the monotonicity assumption (which drops an implausible latent class from the analysis), and the estimated effect of receiving treatment in one latent class (sometimes called efficacy, the local average treatment effect, or the complier average causal effect). Since its independent formulations in the biostatistics and econometrics literatures, the latent class IV method (which has no well-established name) has gained increasing popularity. We review the latent class IV method from a clinical and biostatistical perspective, focusing on underlying assumptions, methodological extensions, and applications in our fields of obstetrics and cancer research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Extensive treatment of teacher's voice disorders in health spa].

PubMed

Niebudek-Bogusz, Ewa; Marszałek, Sławomir; Woźnicka, Ewelina; Minkiewicz, Zofia; Hima, Joanna; Sliwińska-Kowalska, Mariola

2010-01-01

Treatment in a health spa with proper infrastructure and professional medical care can provide optimal conditions for intensive voice rehabilitation, especially for people with occupational voice disorders. The most numerous group of people with voice disorders are teachers. In Poland, they have an opportunity to take care of, or regain, their health during a one-year paid leave. The authors describe a multi-specialist model of extensive treatment of voice disorders in a health spa, including holistic and interdisciplinary procedures in occupational dysphonia. Apart from balneotherapy, the spa treatment includes vocal training exercises, relaxation exercises, elements of physiotherapy with the larynx manual therapy and psychological workshops. The voice rehabilitation organized already for two groups of teachers has been received with great satisfaction by this occupational group. The implementation of a model program of extensive treatment of voice disorders in a health spa should become one of the steps aimed at preventing occupational voice diseases.

Safety and efficacy of topical E6005, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in Japanese adult patients with atopic dermatitis: results of a randomized, vehicle-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

PubMed

Furue, Masutaka; Kitahara, Yasumi; Akama, Hideto; Hojo, Seiichiro; Hayashi, Nobukazu; Nakagawa, Hidemi

2014-07-01

The safety and efficacy of topical E6005, a novel phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in Japanese adults with atopic dermatitis were evaluated. A total of 78 patients were randomized to receive either the 0.2% E6005 ointment or vehicle control (without E6005) at an allocation ratio of 2:1. The randomization phase of 4 weeks was followed by an extension phase of 8 weeks. In the extension phase, all 67 subjects who completed the randomization phase were treated with 0.2% E6005 ointment. The 4-week application of topical E6005 twice daily was safe and well tolerated. The safety profile for up to 12 weeks was similar to that for the first 4 weeks. No deaths or other serious adverse effects were observed during the entire study period of 12 weeks. Plasma E6005 was undetectable in all subjects at all sampling points while very low plasma concentrations of an E6005 metabolite were detected in 47% of subjects receiving E6005 treatment. At the end of week 4, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Severity Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD)-objective, SCORAD-C (visual analog scales for pruritus and sleep loss), itch Behavioral Rating Scale, and the severity of the targeted eczematous lesions in the topical E6005 group showed trends toward improvement compared with those in the vehicle group (not statistically significant). However, the group receiving topical E6005 for 12 weeks showed significant score reductions from baselines for EASI (P = 0.030), SCORAD-objective (P < 0.001) and SCORAD-C (P = 0.038). These results further support the development of topical E6005 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. © 2014 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Clustering of ABCB1 and CYP2C19 Genetic Variants Predicts Risk of Major Bleeding and Thrombotic Events in Elderly Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy with Aspirin and Clopidogrel.

PubMed

Galeazzi, Roberta; Olivieri, Fabiola; Spazzafumo, Liana; Rose, Giuseppina; Montesanto, Alberto; Giovagnetti, Simona; Cecchini, Sara; Malatesta, Gelsomina; Di Pillo, Raffaele; Antonicelli, Roberto

2018-06-23

The clinical efficacy of clopidogrel in secondary prevention of vascular events is hampered by marked inter-patient variability in drug response, which partially depends on genetic make-up. The aim of this pilot prospective study was to evaluate 12-month cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) according to the clustering of CYP2C19 and ABCB1 genetic variants. Participants were 100 consecutive ACS patients who were genotyped for CYP2C19 (G681A and C-806T) and ABCB1 (C3435T) polymorphisms, which affect clopidogrel metabolism and bioavailability, using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. They were then grouped as poor, extensive and ultra-rapid metabolisers based on the combination of CYP2C19 loss-of-function (CYP2C19*2) and gain-of-function (CYP2C19*17) alleles and ABCB1 alleles. The predictive value of each phenotype for acute vascular events was estimated based on 12-month cardiovascular outcomes. The poor metabolisers were at an increased risk of thrombotic events (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.099-1.45; χ 2  = 5.676; p = 0.027), whereas the ultra-rapid metabolisers had a 1.31-fold increased risk of bleeding events compared with the poor and extensive metabolisers (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.033-1.67; χ 2  = 5.676; p = 0.048). Logistic regression model, including age, sex, BMI and smoking habit, confirmed the differential risk of major events in low and ultra-rapid metabolisers. Our findings suggest that ACS patients classified as 'poor or ultra-rapid' metabolisers based on CYP2C19 and ABCB1 genotypes should receive alternative antiplatelet therapies to clopidogrel.