Sample records for repeat request arq

  1. Automatic-repeat-request error control schemes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lin, S.; Costello, D. J., Jr.; Miller, M. J.

    1983-01-01

    Error detection incorporated with automatic-repeat-request (ARQ) is widely used for error control in data communication systems. This method of error control is simple and provides high system reliability. If a properly chosen code is used for error detection, virtually error-free data transmission can be attained. Various types of ARQ and hybrid ARQ schemes, and error detection using linear block codes are surveyed.

  2. Analysis of automatic repeat request methods for deep-space downlinks

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pollara, F.; Ekroot, L.

    1995-01-01

    Automatic repeat request (ARQ) methods cannot increase the capacity of a memoryless channel. However, they can be used to decrease the complexity of the channel-coding system to achieve essentially error-free transmission and to reduce link margins when the channel characteristics are poorly predictable. This article considers ARQ methods on a power-limited channel (e.g., the deep-space channel), where it is important to minimize the total power needed to transmit the data, as opposed to a bandwidth-limited channel (e.g., terrestrial data links), where the spectral efficiency or the total required transmission time is the most relevant performance measure. In the analysis, we compare the performance of three reference concatenated coded systems used in actual deep-space missions to that obtainable by ARQ methods using the same codes, in terms of required power, time to transmit with a given number of retransmissions, and achievable probability of word error. The ultimate limits of ARQ with an arbitrary number of retransmissions are also derived.

  3. Throughput and Energy Efficiency of a Cooperative Hybrid ARQ Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

    PubMed Central

    Ghosh, Arindam; Lee, Jae-Won; Cho, Ho-Shin

    2013-01-01

    Due to its efficiency, reliability and better channel and resource utilization, cooperative transmission technologies have been attractive options in underwater as well as terrestrial sensor networks. Their performance can be further improved if merged with forward error correction (FEC) techniques. In this paper, we propose and analyze a retransmission protocol named Cooperative-Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (C-HARQ) for underwater acoustic sensor networks, which exploits both the reliability of cooperative ARQ (CARQ) and the efficiency of incremental redundancy-hybrid ARQ (IR-HARQ) using rate-compatible punctured convolution (RCPC) codes. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the performance of the protocol, in terms of both throughput and energy efficiency. The results clearly reveal the enhancement in performance achieved by the C-HARQ protocol, which outperforms both CARQ and conventional stop and wait ARQ (S&W ARQ). Further, using computer simulations, optimum values of various network parameters are estimated so as to extract the best performance out of the C-HARQ protocol. PMID:24217359

  4. Power-Constrained Fuzzy Logic Control of Video Streaming over a Wireless Interconnect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razavi, Rouzbeh; Fleury, Martin; Ghanbari, Mohammed

    2008-12-01

    Wireless communication of video, with Bluetooth as an example, represents a compromise between channel conditions, display and decode deadlines, and energy constraints. This paper proposes fuzzy logic control (FLC) of automatic repeat request (ARQ) as a way of reconciling these factors, with a 40% saving in power in the worst channel conditions from economizing on transmissions when channel errors occur. Whatever the channel conditions are, FLC is shown to outperform the default Bluetooth scheme and an alternative Bluetooth-adaptive ARQ scheme in terms of reduced packet loss and delay, as well as improved video quality.

  5. Efficient Buffering Scheme in the LMA for Seamless Handover in PMIPv6

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Kwang-Ryoul; Lee, Hyo-Beom; Choi, Hyon-Young; Min, Sung-Gi; Han, Youn-Hee

    Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) is proposed as a new network-based local mobility protocol which does not involve the Mobile Node (MN) in mobility management. PMIPv6, which uses link-layer attachment information, reduces the movement detection time and eliminates duplicate address detection procedures in order to provide faster handover than Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6). To eliminate packet loss during the handover period, the Local Mobility Anchor (LMA) buffering scheme is proposed. In this scheme, the LMA buffers lost packets of the Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) and the MN during the handover and recovers them after handover. A new Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) handler is defined which efficiently manages the LMA buffer. The ARQ handler relays ARQ result between the MAG and the MN to the LMA. The LMA removes any buffered packets which have been successfully delivered to the MN. The ARQ handler recovers the packet loss during the handover using buffered packets in the LMA. The ARQ information, between the MAG and LMA, is inserted in the outer header of IP-in-IP encapsulated packets of a standard PMIPv6 tunnel. Since the proposed scheme simply adds information to the standard operation of an IP-in-IP tunnel between the LMA and the MAG, it can be implemented seamlessly without modification to the original PMIPv6 messages and signaling sequence. Unlike other Fast Handovers for Mobile IPv6 (FMIPv6) based enhancement for PMIPv6, the proposed scheme does not require any handover related information before the actual handover.

  6. Energy efficient rateless codes for high speed data transfer over free space optical channels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prakash, Geetha; Kulkarni, Muralidhar; Acharya, U. S.

    2015-03-01

    Terrestrial Free Space Optical (FSO) links transmit information by using the atmosphere (free space) as a medium. In this paper, we have investigated the use of Luby Transform (LT) codes as a means to mitigate the effects of data corruption induced by imperfect channel which usually takes the form of lost or corrupted packets. LT codes, which are a class of Fountain codes, can be used independent of the channel rate and as many code words as required can be generated to recover all the message bits irrespective of the channel performance. Achieving error free high data rates with limited energy resources is possible with FSO systems if error correction codes with minimal overheads on the power can be used. We also employ a combination of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) with provision for modification of threshold and optimized LT codes with belief propagation for decoding. These techniques provide additional protection even under strong turbulence regimes. Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) is another method of improving link reliability. Performance of ARQ is limited by the number of retransmissions and the corresponding time delay. We prove through theoretical computations and simulations that LT codes consume less energy per bit. We validate the feasibility of using energy efficient LT codes over ARQ for FSO links to be used in optical wireless sensor networks within the eye safety limits.

  7. Hybrid ARQ Scheme with Autonomous Retransmission for Multicasting in Wireless Sensor Networks.

    PubMed

    Jung, Young-Ho; Choi, Jihoon

    2017-02-25

    A new hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) scheme for multicast service for wireless sensor networks is proposed in this study. In the proposed algorithm, the HARQ operation is combined with an autonomous retransmission method that ensure a data packet is transmitted irrespective of whether or not the packet is successfully decoded at the receivers. The optimal number of autonomous retransmissions is determined to ensure maximum spectral efficiency, and a practical method that adjusts the number of autonomous retransmissions for realistic conditions is developed. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves higher spectral efficiency than existing HARQ techniques.

  8. A concatenated coding scheme for error control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lin, S.

    1985-01-01

    A concatenated coding scheme for error contol in data communications was analyzed. The inner code is used for both error correction and detection, however the outer code is used only for error detection. A retransmission is requested if either the inner code decoder fails to make a successful decoding or the outer code decoder detects the presence of errors after the inner code decoding. Probability of undetected error of the proposed scheme is derived. An efficient method for computing this probability is presented. Throughout efficiency of the proposed error control scheme incorporated with a selective repeat ARQ retransmission strategy is analyzed.

  9. Rate-compatible punctured convolutional codes (RCPC codes) and their applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hagenauer, Joachim

    1988-04-01

    The concept of punctured convolutional codes is extended by punctuating a low-rate 1/N code periodically with period P to obtain a family of codes with rate P/(P + l), where l can be varied between 1 and (N - 1)P. A rate-compatibility restriction on the puncturing tables ensures that all code bits of high rate codes are used by the lower-rate codes. This allows transmission of incremental redundancy in ARQ/FEC (automatic repeat request/forward error correction) schemes and continuous rate variation to change from low to high error protection within a data frame. Families of RCPC codes with rates between 8/9 and 1/4 are given for memories M from 3 to 6 (8 to 64 trellis states) together with the relevant distance spectra. These codes are almost as good as the best known general convolutional codes of the respective rates. It is shown that the same Viterbi decoder can be used for all RCPC codes of the same M. The application of RCPC codes to hybrid ARQ/FEC schemes is discussed for Gaussian and Rayleigh fading channels using channel-state information to optimize throughput.

  10. A Network Coding Based Hybrid ARQ Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Hao; Wang, Shilian; Zhang, Eryang; Zou, Jianbin

    2016-01-01

    Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs) have attracted increasing interest in recent years due to their extensive commercial and military applications. However, the harsh underwater channel causes many challenges for the design of reliable underwater data transport protocol. In this paper, we propose an energy efficient data transport protocol based on network coding and hybrid automatic repeat request (NCHARQ) to ensure reliability, efficiency and availability in UASNs. Moreover, an adaptive window length estimation algorithm is designed to optimize the throughput and energy consumption tradeoff. The algorithm can adaptively change the code rate and can be insensitive to the environment change. Extensive simulations and analysis show that NCHARQ significantly reduces energy consumption with short end-to-end delay. PMID:27618044

  11. Investigation of Inter-Node B Macro Diversity for Single-Carrier Based Radio Access in Evolved UTRA Uplink

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kawai, Hiroyuki; Morimoto, Akihito; Higuchi, Kenichi; Sawahashi, Mamoru

    This paper investigates the gain of inter-Node B macro diversity for a scheduled-based shared channel using single-carrier FDMA radio access in the Evolved UTRA (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) uplink based on system-level simulations. More specifically, we clarify the gain of inter-Node B soft handover (SHO) with selection combining at the radio frame length level (=10msec) compared to that for hard handover (HHO) for a scheduled-based shared data channel, considering the gains of key packet-specific techniques including channel-dependent scheduling, adaptive modulation and coding (AMC), hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) with packet combining, and slow transmission power control (TPC). Simulation results show that the inter-Node B SHO increases the user throughput at the cell edge by approximately 10% for a short cell radius such as 100-300m due to the diversity gain from a sudden change in other-cell interference, which is a feature specific to full scheduled-based packet access. However, it is also shown that the gain of inter-Node B SHO compared to that for HHO is small in a macrocell environment when the cell radius is longer than approximately 500m due to the gains from hybrid ARQ with packet combining, slow TPC, and proportional fairness based channel-dependent scheduling.

  12. Asymptotically reliable transport of multimedia/graphics over wireless channels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Richard Y.; Messerschmitt, David G.

    1996-03-01

    We propose a multiple-delivery transport service tailored for graphics and video transported over connections with wireless access. This service operates at the interface between the transport and application layers, balancing the subjective delay and image quality objectives of the application with the low reliability and limited bandwidth of the wireless link. While techniques like forward-error correction, interleaving and retransmission improve reliability over wireless links, they also increase latency substantially when bandwidth is limited. Certain forms of interactive multimedia datatypes can benefit from an initial delivery of a corrupt packet to lower the perceptual latency, as long as reliable delivery occurs eventually. Multiple delivery of successively refined versions of the received packet, terminating when a sufficiently reliable version arrives, exploits the redundancy inherently required to improve reliability without a traffic penalty. Modifications to acknowledgment-repeat-request (ARQ) methods to implement this transport service are proposed, which we term `leaky ARQ'. For the specific case of pixel-coded window-based text/graphics, we describe additional functions needed to more effectively support urgent delivery and asymptotic reliability. X server emulation suggests that users will accept a multi-second delay between a (possibly corrupt) packet and the ultimate reliably-delivered version. The relaxed delay for reliable delivery can be exploited for traffic capacity improvement using scheduling of retransmissions.

  13. A concatenated coding scheme for error control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kasami, T.; Fujiwara, T.; Lin, S.

    1986-01-01

    In this paper, a concatenated coding scheme for error control in data communications is presented and analyzed. In this scheme, the inner code is used for both error correction and detection; however, the outer code is used only for error detection. A retransmission is requested if either the inner code decoder fails to make a successful decoding or the outer code decoder detects the presence of errors after the inner code decoding. Probability of undetected error (or decoding error) of the proposed scheme is derived. An efficient method for computing this probability is presented. Throughput efficiency of the proposed error control scheme incorporated with a selective-repeat ARQ retransmission strategy is also analyzed. Three specific examples are presented. One of the examples is proposed for error control in the NASA Telecommand System.

  14. Random access to mobile networks with advanced error correction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dippold, Michael

    1990-01-01

    A random access scheme for unreliable data channels is investigated in conjunction with an adaptive Hybrid-II Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) scheme using Rate Compatible Punctured Codes (RCPC) Forward Error Correction (FEC). A simple scheme with fixed frame length and equal slot sizes is chosen and reservation is implicit by the first packet transmitted randomly in a free slot, similar to Reservation Aloha. This allows the further transmission of redundancy if the last decoding attempt failed. Results show that a high channel utilization and superior throughput can be achieved with this scheme that shows a quite low implementation complexity. For the example of an interleaved Rayleigh channel and soft decision utilization and mean delay are calculated. A utilization of 40 percent may be achieved for a frame with the number of slots being equal to half the station number under high traffic load. The effects of feedback channel errors and some countermeasures are discussed.

  15. An FEC Adaptive Multicast MAC Protocol for Providing Reliability in WLANs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Basalamah, Anas; Sato, Takuro

    For wireless multicast applications like multimedia conferencing, voice over IP and video/audio streaming, a reliable transmission of packets within short delivery delay is needed. Moreover, reliability is crucial to the performance of error intolerant applications like file transfer, distributed computing, chat and whiteboard sharing. Forward Error Correction (FEC) is frequently used in wireless multicast to enhance Packet Error Rate (PER) performance, but cannot assure full reliability unless coupled with Automatic Repeat Request forming what is knows as Hybrid-ARQ. While reliable FEC can be deployed at different levels of the protocol stack, it cannot be deployed on the MAC layer of the unreliable IEEE802.11 WLAN due to its inability to exchange ACKs with multiple recipients. In this paper, we propose a Multicast MAC protocol that enhances WLAN reliability by using Adaptive FEC and study it's performance through mathematical analysis and simulation. Our results show that our protocol can deliver high reliability and throughput performance.

  16. Efficient Sparse Signal Transmission over a Lossy Link Using Compressive Sensing

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Liantao; Yu, Kai; Cao, Dongyu; Hu, Yuhen; Wang, Zhi

    2015-01-01

    Reliable data transmission over lossy communication link is expensive due to overheads for error protection. For signals that have inherent sparse structures, compressive sensing (CS) is applied to facilitate efficient sparse signal transmissions over lossy communication links without data compression or error protection. The natural packet loss in the lossy link is modeled as a random sampling process of the transmitted data, and the original signal will be reconstructed from the lossy transmission results using the CS-based reconstruction method at the receiving end. The impacts of packet lengths on transmission efficiency under different channel conditions have been discussed, and interleaving is incorporated to mitigate the impact of burst data loss. Extensive simulations and experiments have been conducted and compared to the traditional automatic repeat request (ARQ) interpolation technique, and very favorable results have been observed in terms of both accuracy of the reconstructed signals and the transmission energy consumption. Furthermore, the packet length effect provides useful insights for using compressed sensing for efficient sparse signal transmission via lossy links. PMID:26287195

  17. Efficacy of AKT Inhibitor ARQ 092 Compared with Sorafenib in a Cirrhotic Rat Model with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Roth, Gaël S; Macek Jilkova, Zuzana; Zeybek Kuyucu, Ayca; Kurma, Keerthi; Ahmad Pour, Séyédéh Tayébéh; Abbadessa, Giovanni; Yu, Yi; Busser, Benoit; Marche, Patrice N; Leroy, Vincent; Decaens, Thomas

    2017-10-01

    Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The AKT pathway has been found activated in 50% of HCC cases, making it a promising target. Therefore, we assess efficacy of the allosteric AKT inhibitor ARQ 092 compared with untreated control and standard treatment, sorafenib, in vitro and in vivo ARQ 092 blocked phosphorylation of AKT in vitro and strongly inhibited cell growth with significantly higher potency than sorafenib. Similarly, apoptosis and cell migration were strongly reduced by ARQ 092 in vitro To mimic human advanced HCC, we used a diethylnitrosamine-induced cirrhotic rat model with fully developed HCC. MRI analyses showed that ARQ 092 significantly reduced overall tumor size. Furthermore, number of tumors was decreased by ARQ 092, which was associated with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation. Tumor contrast enhancement was significantly decreased in the ARQ 092 group. Moreover, on tumor tissue sections, we observed a vascular normalization and a significant decrease in fibrosis in the surrounding liver of animals treated with ARQ 092. Finally, pAKT/AKT levels in ARQ 092-treated tumors were reduced, followed by downregulation of actors of AKT downstream signaling pathway: pmTOR, pPRAS40, pPLCγ1, and pS6K1. In conclusion, we demonstrated that ARQ 092 blocks AKT phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo In the HCC-rat model, ARQ 092 was well tolerated, showed antifibrotic effect, and had stronger antitumor effect than sorafenib. Our results confirm the importance of targeting AKT in HCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2157-65. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

  18. Generalized type II hybrid ARQ scheme using punctured convolutional coding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kallel, Samir; Haccoun, David

    1990-11-01

    A method is presented to construct rate-compatible convolutional (RCC) codes from known high-rate punctured convolutional codes, obtained from best-rate 1/2 codes. The construction method is rather simple and straightforward, and still yields good codes. Moreover, low-rate codes can be obtained without any limit on the lowest achievable code rate. Based on the RCC codes, a generalized type-II hybrid ARQ scheme, which combines the benefits of the modified type-II hybrid ARQ strategy of Hagenauer (1988) with the code-combining ARQ strategy of Chase (1985), is proposed and analyzed. With the proposed generalized type-II hybrid ARQ strategy, the throughput increases as the starting coding rate increases, and as the channel degrades, it tends to merge with the throughput of rate 1/2 type-II hybrid ARQ schemes with code combining, thus allowing the system to be flexible and adaptive to channel conditions, even under wide noise variations and severe degradations.

  19. Different structural stability and toxicity of PrP(ARR) and PrP(ARQ) sheep prion protein variants.

    PubMed

    Paludi, Domenico; Thellung, Stefano; Chiovitti, Katia; Corsaro, Alessandro; Villa, Valentina; Russo, Claudio; Ianieri, Adriana; Bertsch, Uwe; Kretzschmar, Hans A; Aceto, Antonio; Florio, Tullio

    2007-12-01

    The polymorphisms at amino acid residues 136, 154, and 171 in ovine prion protein (PrP) have been associated with different susceptibility to scrapie: animals expressing PrP(ARQ) [PrP(Ala136/Arg154/Gln171)] show vulnerability, whereas those that express PrP(ARR) [PrP(Ala136/Arg154/Arg171)] are resistant to scrapie. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro toxic effects of PrP(ARR) and PrP(ARQ) variants in relation with their structural characteristics. We show that both peptides cause cell death inducing apoptosis but, unexpectedly, the scrapie resistant PrP(ARR) form was more toxic than the scrapie susceptible PrP(ARQ) variant. Moreover, the alpha-helical conformation of PrP(ARR) was less stable than that of PrP(ARQ) and the structural determinants responsible of these different conformational stabilities were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. We observed that PrP toxicity was inversely related to protein structural stability, being the unfolded conformation more toxic than the native one. However, the PrP(ARQ) variant displays a higher propensity to form large aggregates than PrP(ARR). Interestingly, in the presence of small amounts of PrP(ARR), PrP(ARQ) aggregability was reduced to levels similar to that of PrP(ARR). Thus, in contrast to PrP(ARR) toxicity, scrapie transmissibility seems to reside in the more stable conformation of PrP(ARQ) that allows the formation of large amyloid fibrils.

  20. Innovative Networking Concepts Tested on the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Friedman, Daniel; Gupta, Sonjai; Zhang, Chuanguo; Ephremides, Anthony

    1996-01-01

    This paper describes a program of experiments conducted over the advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) and the associated TI-VSAT (very small aperture terminal). The experiments were motivated by the commercial potential of low-cost receive only satellite terminals that can operate in a hybrid network environment, and by the desire to demonstrate frame relay technology over satellite networks. The first experiment tested highly adaptive methods of satellite bandwidth allocation in an integrated voice-data service environment. The second involved comparison of forward error correction (FEC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ) methods of error control for satellite communication with emphasis on the advantage that a hybrid architecture provides, especially in the case of multicasts. Finally, the third experiment demonstrated hybrid access to databases and compared the performance of internetworking protocols for interconnecting local area networks (LANs) via satellite. A custom unit termed frame relay access switch (FRACS) was developed by COMSAT Laboratories for these experiments; the preparation and conduct of these experiments involved a total of 20 people from the University of Maryland, the University of Colorado and COMSAT Laboratories, from late 1992 until 1995.

  1. ARQ-197, a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met, reduces tumour burden and prevents myeloma-induced bone disease in vivo.

    PubMed

    Lath, Darren L; Buckle, Clive H; Evans, Holly R; Fisher, Matthew; Down, Jenny M; Lawson, Michelle A; Chantry, Andrew D

    2018-01-01

    The receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met, its ligand HGF, and components of the downstream signalling pathway, have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of myeloma, both as modulators of plasma cell proliferation and as agents driving osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast inhibition thus, all these contribute substantially to the bone destruction typically caused by myeloma. Patients with elevated levels of HGF have a poor prognosis, therefore, targeting these entities in such patients may be of substantial benefit. We hypothesized that ARQ-197 (Tivantinib), a small molecule c-Met inhibitor, would reduce myeloma cell growth and prevent myeloma-associated bone disease in a murine model. In vitro we assessed the effects of ARQ-197 on myeloma cell proliferation, cytotoxicity and c-Met protein expression in human myeloma cell lines. In vivo we injected NOD/SCID-γ mice with PBS (non-tumour bearing) or JJN3 cells and treated them with either ARQ-197 or vehicle. In vitro exposure of JJN3, U266 or NCI-H929 cells to ARQ-197 resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and an induction of cell death by necrosis, probably caused by significantly reduced levels of phosphorylated c-Met. In vivo ARQ-197 treatment of JJN3 tumour-bearing mice resulted in a significant reduction in tumour burden, tumour cell proliferation, bone lesion number, trabecular bone loss and prevented significant decreases in the bone formation rate on the cortico-endosteal bone surface compared to the vehicle group. However, no significant differences on bone parameters were observed in non-tumour mice treated with ARQ-197 compared to vehicle, implying that in tumour-bearing mice the effects of ARQ-197 on bone cells was indirect. In summary, these res ults suggest that ARQ-197 could be a promising therapeutic in myeloma patients, leading to both a reduction in tumour burden and an inhibition of myeloma-induced bone disease.

  2. Measuring the ratio of CO2 efflux to O2 influx in tree stem respiration.

    PubMed

    Hilman, Boaz; Angert, Alon

    2016-11-01

    In recent studies, the ratio of tree stem CO 2 efflux to O 2 influx has been defined as the apparent respiratory quotient (ARQ). The metabolism of carbohydrates, the putative respiratory substrate in trees, is expected to yield an ARQ of 1.0. However, previous studies have reported ARQ values ranging between 0.23 and 0.90. These interesting results may indicate internal transport of respired CO 2 within stems; yet no simple field applicable methods for ARQ measurement have been available. Here, we report on the assembly of a closed circulating system called 'Hampadah', which uses CO 2 and O 2 analyzers to measure air samples from stem chambers. We tested the performance of the Hampadah with samples from 36 trees (Tetragastris panamensis (Engl.) Kuntze). Additionally, we showed the feasibility of measuring ARQ directly from stem chambers, using portable CO 2 and O 2 sensors, in both discrete and continuous modes of operation. The Hampadah measurement proved to be consistent with CO 2 gas standards (R 2 = 0.999) and with O 2 determined by O 2 /Ar measurements with a mass spectrometer (R 2 = 0.998). The Hampadah gave highly reproducible results for ARQ determination of field samples (±0.01 for duplicates). The portable sensors measurement showed good correlation with the Hampadah in measuring CO 2 , O 2 and ARQ (n = 5, R 2 = 0.97, 0.98 and 0.91, respectively). We have demonstrated here that the Hampadah and the sensors' methods enable accurate ARQ measurements for both laboratory and field research. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  3. ARQ 092, an orally-available, selective AKT inhibitor, attenuates neutrophil-platelet interactions in sickle cell disease

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Kyungho; Li, Jing; Barazia, Andrew; Tseng, Alan; Youn, Seock-Won; Abbadessa, Giovanni; Yu, Yi; Schwartz, Brian; Andrews, Robert K.; Gordeuk, Victor R.; Cho, Jaehyung

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies identified the Ser/Thr protein kinase, AKT, as a therapeutic target in thrombo-inflammatory diseases. Here we report that specific inhibition of AKT with ARQ 092, an orally-available AKT inhibitor currently in phase Ib clinical trials as an anti-cancer drug, attenuates the adhesive function of neutrophils and platelets from sickle cell disease patients in vitro and cell-cell interactions in a mouse model of sickle cell disease. Studies using neutrophils and platelets isolated from sickle cell disease patients revealed that treatment with 50–500 nM ARQ 092 significantly blocks αMβ2 integrin function in neutrophils and reduces P-selectin exposure and glycoprotein Ib/IX/V-mediated agglutination in platelets. Treatment of isolated platelets and neutrophils with ARQ 092 inhibited heterotypic cell-cell aggregation under shear conditions. Intravital microscopic studies demonstrated that short-term oral administration of ARQ 092 or hydroxyurea, a major therapy for sickle cell disease, diminishes heterotypic cell-cell interactions in venules of sickle cell disease mice challenged with tumor necrosis factor-α. Co-administration of hydroxyurea and ARQ 092 further reduced the adhesive function of neutrophils in venules and neutrophil transmigration into alveoli, inhibited expression of E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in cremaster vessels, and improved survival in these mice. Ex vivo studies in sickle cell disease mice suggested that co-administration of hydroxyurea and ARQ 092 efficiently blocks neutrophil and platelet activation and that the beneficial effect of hydroxyurea results from nitric oxide production. Our results provide important evidence that ARQ 092 could be a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of acute vaso-occlusive complications in patients with sickle cell disease. PMID:27758820

  4. Oral inoculation of neonatal Suffolk sheep with the agent of classical scrapie results in PrPSc accumulation in sheep with the PRNP ARQ/ARQ but not the ARQ/ARR genotype

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Background Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that can be transmitted amongst susceptible sheep. The prion protein gene (PRNP) profoundly influences the susceptibility of sheep to the scrapie agent. Findings This study reports the failure to detect PrPSc in nervous or lymphoid tis...

  5. Cross-layer Design for MIMO Systems with Transmit Antenna Selection and Imperfect CSI

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Xiangbin; Liu, Yan; Rui, Yun; Zhou, Tingting; Yin, Xin

    2013-04-01

    In this paper, by combining adaptive modulation and automatic repeat request (ARQ), a cross-layer design (CLD) scheme for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) system with transmit antenna selection (TAS) and imperfect channel state information (CSI) is presented. Based on the imperfect CSI, the probability density function of the effective signal to noise ratio (SNR) is derived, and the fading gain switching thresholds are also derived subject to a target packet loss rate and fixed power constraint. According to these results, we further derive the average spectrum efficiency (SE) and packet error rate (PER) of the system. As a result, closed-form expressions of the average SE and PER are obtained, respectively. The derived expressions include the expressions under perfect CSI as special cases, and can provide good performance evaluation for the CLD system with imperfect CSI. Simulation results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis. The results show that the CLD system with TAS provides better SE than that with space-time block coding, but the SE and PER performance of the system with imperfect CSI are worse than those with perfect CSI due to the estimation error.

  6. The Changing Energy Sources of Soil Respiration Seasonally and with Experimental Warming

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hicks Pries, C.; Angert, A.; Castanha, C.; Hilman, B.; Torn, M. S.

    2017-12-01

    Due to its importance in the global carbon cycle, soil respiration has been intensively measured. However, measurements are almost exclusively of CO2, which has limited our understanding of soil respiration's sources and its responses to climate change. Here, we show how dual CO2 and O2 measurements within the soil profile of a temperate forest can indicate how the energy sources driving soil respiration can change seasonally and with experimental warming. We calculated the apparent respiration quotient (ARQ), defined as CO2 produced/O2 consumed, calculated from gas soil concentrations and adjusted for differences in diffusion rates. The ARQ changes depending on the stoichiometry of the organic compounds utilized for energy by microbes and roots. Oxidation of carbohydrates and organic acids results in respiration quotients ≥1 while oxidation of lipids results in respiration quotients ≈0.7 with oxidation of proteins falling in between. We observed clear seasonal patterns in ARQ, with values ≈0.9 during the late spring and summer decreasing to 0.6-0.7 during the winter. These changes in ARQ imply carbohydrates are a more important energy source during the summer when trees are photosynthesizing and providing fresh substrate to both roots and microbes. During the winter, lipids, likely recycled within microbial biomass, are a more important energy source. Furthermore, winter ARQ was higher in heated plots (+4° relative to control) than in control plots, but only at 30 cm, possibly due to increased root activity with heating. These interpretations are supported by δ13CO2 values, which were relatively depleted in the winter and more enriched in the summer—lipids are more depleted in δ13C than are sugars. Consistent with the heating effect, there were strong correlations between temperature and ARQ and temperature and δ13C. Given the large differences in ARQ in this forest soil, we are looking into using ARQ to partition soil respiration fluxes based on energy sources. Integrating O2 and CO2 measurements increases our mechanistic understanding of soil respiration's response to change.

  7. Do Tree Stems Recapture Respired CO2?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hilman, B.; Angert, A.

    2016-12-01

    Tree stem respiration is an important, yet not well understood, component of the terrestrial carbon cycle. Predicting how trees as whole organisms respond to changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 requires understanding of the variability in the fraction of assimilated carbon allocated to respiration, versus the allocation to growth, damage repair, and to rhizosphere symbionts. Here we used the ratio of CO2 efflux/O2 influx (Apparent Respiratory Quotient, ARQ) to study stem respiration. The ARQ in trees stems is predicted to be 1.0, as a result of carbohydrates metabolism. Lower than 1.0 ARQ values may indicate a local assimilation of respired CO2, or dissolution and transport of CO2 in the xylem stream. We measured stems ARQ in 16 tree species at tropical, Mediterranean and temperate ecosystems using stem chambers and in-vitro incubations. The CO2 and O2 were measured by a system we developed, which is based on an IRGA and a Fuel-cell O2 analyzer (Hilman and Angert 2016). We found typical values of ARQ in the range of 0.4-0.8. Since incubations of detach stem tissues yielded similar ARQ values, and since the influence of natural variations in the transpiration stream on ARQ was found to be small, we conclude that the removal of the respired CO2 is not via dissolution in the xylem stream. Using 13C labeling, dark fixation of stem tissues was detected, which is most probably phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) mediated. Hence, we suggest that in-stem dark fixation of respired CO2 to organic acids (e.g. malate) affects the outgoing efflux. Further research should determine if these organic acids are transported to the canopy, stored in the stem, or transported to the roots to serve as exudates. Hilman B, Angert A (2016) Measuring the ratio of CO2 efflux to O2 influx in tree stem respiration. Tree Physiol 2016, doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpw057

  8. APC-PC Combined Scheme in Gilbert Two State Model: Proposal and Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bulo, Yaka; Saring, Yang; Bhunia, Chandan Tilak

    2017-04-01

    In an automatic repeat request (ARQ) scheme, a packet is retransmitted if it gets corrupted due to transmission errors caused by the channel. However, an erroneous packet may contain both erroneous bits and correct bits and hence it may still contain useful information. The receiver may be able to combine this information from multiple erroneous copies to recover the correct packet. Packet combining (PC) is a simple and elegant scheme of error correction in transmitted packet, in which two received copies are XORed to obtain the bit location of erroneous bits. Thereafter, the packet is corrected by bit inversion of bit located as erroneous. Aggressive packet combining (APC) is a logic extension of PC primarily designed for wireless communication with objective of correcting error with low latency. PC offers higher throughput than APC, but PC does not correct double bit errors if occur in same bit location of erroneous copies of the packet. A hybrid technique is proposed to utilize the advantages of both APC and PC while attempting to remove the limitation of both. In the proposed technique, applications of APC-PC on Gilbert two state model has been studied. The simulation results show that the proposed technique offers better throughput than the conventional APC and lesser packet error rate than PC scheme.

  9. Development and validation of attitudes towards Recovery Questionnaire across Chinese people in recovery, their family carers, and service providers in Hong Kong.

    PubMed

    Mak, Winnie W S; Chan, Randolph C H; Yau, Sania S W

    2018-05-29

    Considering the lack of existing measures on attitudes toward personal recovery and the need to acknowledge the cultural milieu in recovery attitude assessment, the present study developed and validated the Attitudes towards Recovery Questionnaire (ARQ) in a sample of people in recovery of mental illness, family carers, and mental health service providers in Hong Kong. The ARQ was developed based on existing literature and measures of recovery, and focus group discussions with various stakeholders. Findings of the multi-sample confirmatory factor analyses supported a five-factor structure: (1) resilience as a person in recovery, (2) self-appreciation and development, (3) self-direction, (4) family involvement, and (5) social ties and integration. The ARQ was positively correlated with recovery outcomes, empowerment, recovery knowledge, and recovery orientation of mental health services. As a tool for examining recovery attitudes, the ARQ informs us of the mindset across stakeholders and areas that need enhancement to facilitate the recovery process. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  10. An Energy-Aware Hybrid ARQ Scheme with Multi-ACKs for Data Sensing Wireless Sensor Networks.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jinhuan; Long, Jun

    2017-06-12

    Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are one of the important supporting technologies of edge computing. In WSNs, reliable communications are essential for most applications due to the unreliability of wireless links. In addition, network lifetime is also an important performance metric and needs to be considered in many WSN studies. In the paper, an energy-aware hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest protocol (ARQ) scheme is proposed to ensure energy efficiency under the guarantee of network transmission reliability. In the scheme, the source node sends data packets continuously with the correct window size and it does not need to wait for the acknowledgement (ACK) confirmation for each data packet. When the destination receives K data packets, it will return multiple copies of one ACK for confirmation to avoid ACK packet loss. The energy consumption of each node in flat circle network applying the proposed scheme is statistical analyzed and the cases under which it is more energy efficiency than the original scheme is discussed. Moreover, how to select parameters of the scheme is addressed to extend the network lifetime under the constraint of the network reliability. In addition, the energy efficiency of the proposed schemes is evaluated. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate that a node energy consumption reduction could be gained and the network lifetime is prolonged.

  11. Deep Space Optical Link ARQ Performance Analysis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clare, Loren; Miles, Gregory

    2016-01-01

    Substantial advancements have been made toward the use of optical communications for deep space exploration missions, promising a much higher volume of data to be communicated in comparison with present -day Radio Frequency (RF) based systems. One or more ground-based optical terminals are assumed to communicate with the spacecraft. Both short-term and long-term link outages will arise due to weather at the ground station(s), space platform pointing stability, and other effects. To mitigate these outages, an Automatic Repeat Query (ARQ) retransmission method is assumed, together with a reliable back channel for acknowledgement traffic. Specifically, the Licklider Transmission Protocol (LTP) is used, which is a component of the Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocol suite that is well suited for high bandwidth-delay product links subject to disruptions. We provide an analysis of envisioned deep space mission scenarios and quantify buffering, latency and throughput performance, using a simulation in which long-term weather effects are modeled with a Gilbert -Elliot Markov chain, short-term outages occur as a Bernoulli process, and scheduled outages arising from geometric visibility or operational constraints are represented. We find that both short- and long-term effects impact throughput, but long-term weather effects dominate buffer sizing and overflow losses as well as latency performance.

  12. VHF Air/Ground Communications for Air Traffic Control: A Decision Tree Approach to System Innovations. Volume 2

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-07-01

    GROUND RADIO ISSUES Multiple transmitters and receivers at a common site has been a dfficult integration issue for many communicaton systems...lower data rate vocoders become available. 10. Compatibility of modulation with channel availability and message integrity improvements, including...overrides can use in- frequency and path diversity, integrity improvements band signaling, busy channel overrides, and Frequency diversity and ARQ ARQ is

  13. Assessing resilience in adolescence: the Spanish adaptation of the Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire.

    PubMed

    Guilera, Georgina; Pereda, Noemí; Paños, Ana; Abad, Judit

    2015-07-11

    The concept and assessment of resilience have attracted considerable attention in recent years, but none of the instruments developed to measure resilience in adolescents have been adapted to the Spanish context. The Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire (ARQ) provides a comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of the resources associated with resilience in adolescents. This study analyzes the psychometric properties of the ARQ. Participants included a community sample of 1101 Spanish adolescents (53.5 % boys) aged 12-17 years (M = 14.51; SD = 1.755). Results confirm the factor structure based on 12 scales. Internal consistency was generally adequate (between .60 and .84), although the unacceptable coefficient for the Empathy/Tolerance scale (α = .38) means that this scale needs to be revised for the Spanish context. Relationships between ARQ scales and psychopathology were in the expected direction and magnitude. Some gender differences were observed, with higher scores for boys on Confidence and Negative cognition. The Spanish version of the ARQ can help to identify personal characteristics associated with resilience and signs of positive engagement with family, peers, school, and the community. It can identify those adolescents most likely to show resilience in response to adversity, as well as those who may be vulnerable under situations of stress.

  14. Performance Analysis of Hybrid ARQ Protocols in a Slotted Code Division Multiple-Access Network

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-08-01

    Convolutional Codes . in Proc Int. Conf. Commun., 21.4.1-21.4.5, 1987. [27] J. Hagenauer. Rate Compatible Punctured Convolutional Codes . in Proc Int. Conf...achieved by using a low rate (r = 0.5), high constraint length (e.g., 32) punctured convolutional code . Code puncturing provides for a variable rate code ...investigated the use of convolutional codes in Type II Hybrid ARQ protocols. The error

  15. Androgen receptor and monoamine oxidase polymorphism in wild bonobos

    PubMed Central

    Garai, Cintia; Furuichi, Takeshi; Kawamoto, Yoshi; Ryu, Heungjin; Inoue-Murayama, Miho

    2014-01-01

    Androgen receptor gene (AR), monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and monoamine oxidase B gene (MAOB) have been found to have associations with behavioral traits, such as aggressiveness, and disorders in humans. However, the extent to which similar genetic effects might influence the behavior of wild apes is unclear. We examined the loci AR glutamine repeat (ARQ), AR glycine repeat (ARG), MAOA intron 2 dinucleotide repeat (MAin2) and MAOB intron 2 dinucleotide repeat (MBin2) in 32 wild bonobos, Pan paniscus, and compared them with those of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, and humans. We found that bonobos were polymorphic on the four loci examined. Both loci MAin2 and MBin2 in bonobos showed a higher diversity than in chimpanzees. Because monoamine oxidase influences aggressiveness, the differences between the polymorphisms of MAin2 and MBin2 in bonobos and chimpanzees may be associated with the differences in aggression between the two species. In order to understand the evolution of these loci and AR, MAOA and MAOB in humans and non-human primates, it would be useful to conduct future studies focusing on the potential association between aggressiveness, and other personality traits, and polymorphisms documented in bonobos. PMID:25606465

  16. Evidence of scrapie transmission to sheep via goat milk.

    PubMed

    Konold, Timm; Thorne, Leigh; Simmons, Hugh A; Hawkins, Steve A C; Simmons, Marion M; González, Lorenzo

    2016-09-17

    Previous studies confirmed that classical scrapie can be transmitted via milk in sheep. The current study aimed to investigate whether scrapie can also be transmitted via goat milk using in vivo (new-born lambs fed milk from scrapie-affected goats due to the unavailability of goat kids from guaranteed scrapie-free herds) and in vitro methods (serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification [sPMCA] on milk samples). In an initial pilot study, new-born lambs of two different prion protein gene (PRNP) genotypes (six VRQ/VRQ and five ARQ/ARQ) were orally challenged with 5 g brain homogenate from two scrapie-affected goats to determine susceptibility of sheep to goat scrapie. All sheep challenged with goat scrapie brain became infected based on the immunohistochemical detection of disease-associated PrP (PrP(sc)) in lymphoid tissue, with an ARQ/ARQ sheep being the first to succumb. Subsequent feeding of milk to eight pairs of new-born ARQ/ARQ lambs, with each pair receiving milk from a different scrapie-affected goat, resulted in scrapie in the six pairs that received the largest volume of milk (38-87 litres per lamb), whereas two pairs fed 8-9 litres per lamb, and an environmental control group raised on sheep milk from healthy ewes, did not show evidence of infection when culled at up to 1882 days of age. Infection in those 12 milk recipients occurred regardless of the clinical status, PrP(sc) distribution, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus infection status and PRNP polymorphisms at codon 142 (II or IM) of the donor goats, but survival time was influenced by PRNP polymorphisms at codon 141. Serial PMCA applied to a total of 32 milk samples (four each from the eight donor goats collected throughout lactation) detected PrP(sc) in one sample each from two goats. The scrapie agent was present in the milk from infected goats and was able to transmit to susceptible species even at early preclinical stage of infection, when PrP(sc) was undetectable in the brain of the donor goats. Serial PMCA as a PrP(sc) detection method to assess the risk of scrapie transmission via milk in goats proved inefficient compared to the bioassay.

  17. Adaptive Packet Combining Scheme in Three State Channel Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saring, Yang; Bulo, Yaka; Bhunia, Chandan Tilak

    2018-01-01

    The two popular techniques of packet combining based error correction schemes are: Packet Combining (PC) scheme and Aggressive Packet Combining (APC) scheme. PC scheme and APC scheme have their own merits and demerits; PC scheme has better throughput than APC scheme, but suffers from higher packet error rate than APC scheme. The wireless channel state changes all the time. Because of this random and time varying nature of wireless channel, individual application of SR ARQ scheme, PC scheme and APC scheme can't give desired levels of throughput. Better throughput can be achieved if appropriate transmission scheme is used based on the condition of channel. Based on this approach, adaptive packet combining scheme has been proposed to achieve better throughput. The proposed scheme adapts to the channel condition to carry out transmission using PC scheme, APC scheme and SR ARQ scheme to achieve better throughput. Experimentally, it was observed that the error correction capability and throughput of the proposed scheme was significantly better than that of SR ARQ scheme, PC scheme and APC scheme.

  18. Codon 141 polymorphisms of the ovine prion protein gene affect the phenotype of classical scrapie transmitted from goats to sheep.

    PubMed

    Konold, Timm; Phelan, Laura J; Donnachie, Ben R; Chaplin, Melanie J; Cawthraw, Saira; González, Lorenzo

    2017-05-04

    A study to investigate transmission of classical scrapie via goat milk was carried out in sheep: firstly, lambs were challenged orally with goat scrapie brain homogenate to confirm transmission of scrapie from goats to sheep. In the second study phase, milk from scrapie-infected goats was fed to lambs. Lambs were selected according to their prion protein gene (PRNP) genotype, which was either VRQ/VRQ or ARQ/ARQ, with or without additional polymorphisms at codon 141 (FF 141 , LF 141 or LL 141 ) of the ovine PRNP. This report describes the clinical, pathological and molecular phenotype of goat scrapie in those sheep that progressed to clinical end-stage. Ten sheep (six VRQ/VRQ and four ARQ/ARQ, of which three FF 141 and one LL 141 ) challenged with one of two scrapie brain homogenates, and six pairs of sheep (ARQ, of which five LL 141 and seven LF 141 ) fed milk from six different goats, developed clinical disease, which was characterised by a pruritic (all VRQ/VRQ and LL 141 sheep) or a non-pruritic form (all LF 141 and FF 141 sheep). Immunohistochemical (IHC) examination revealed that the pattern of intra- and extracellular accumulation of disease-associated prion protein in the brain was also dependent on PRNP polymorphisms at codon 141, which was similar in VRQ and LL 141 sheep but different from LF 141 and FF 141 sheep. The influence of codon 141 was also seen in discriminatory Western blot (WB), with LF 141 and FF 141 sheep showing a bovine spongiform encephalopathy-like profile (diminished reactivity with P4 antibody) on brain tissue. However, discriminatory WB in lymphoid tissues, and IHC pattern and profile both in lymphoid and brain tissue was consistent with classical scrapie in all sheep. This study provided further evidence that the clinical presentation and the pathological and molecular phenotypes of scrapie in sheep are influenced by PRNP polymorphisms, particularly at codon 141. Differences in the truncation of disease-associated prion protein between LL 141 sheep and those carrying the F 141 allele may be responsible for these observations.

  19. Identification of a novel ovine PrP polymorphism and scrapie-resistant genotypes for St. Croix White and a related composite breed.

    PubMed

    Seabury, C M; Derr, J N

    2003-01-01

    Susceptibility to scrapie is primarily controlled by polymorphisms in the ovine prion protein gene (PRNP). Here, we report a novel ovine exon three PRNP polymorphism (SNP G346C; P116), its association with the ovine ARQ allele (P116A136R154Q171), and two new genotypes (PARQ/ARR; PARQ/ARQ) for the St. Croix White (SCW) breed and a related composite (CMP) breed developed for meat production. The (P116) polymorphism occurs between the N-terminal cleavage site and the hydrophobic region of the ovine prion protein, a region which exhibits extreme conservation across mammalian taxa. The relatively high frequency (0.75) of resistant ARR alleles and the absence of ARQ alleles for the SCW ewes used as breeding stock for CMP resulted in significant genic differentiation (P = 0.0123; S.E. = 0.00113). Additionally, the majority of the SCW (66.7%) and CMP (65.4%) sampled possessed genotypes considered resistant or nearly resistant to scrapie and experimental BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  20. A Cost Effective Block Framing Scheme for Underwater Communication

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Soo-Young; Park, Soo-Hyun

    2011-01-01

    In this paper, the Selective Multiple Acknowledgement (SMA) method, based on Multiple Acknowledgement (MA), is proposed to efficiently reduce the amount of data transmission by redesigning the transmission frame structure and taking into consideration underwater transmission characteristics. The method is suited to integrated underwater system models, as the proposed method can handle the same amount of data in a much more compact frame structure without any appreciable loss of reliability. Herein, the performance of the proposed SMA method was analyzed and compared to those of the conventional Automatic Repeat-reQuest (ARQ), Block Acknowledgement (BA), block response, and MA methods. The efficiency of the underwater sensor network, which forms a large cluster and mostly contains uplink data, is expected to be improved by the proposed method. PMID:22247689

  1. Annual Targets, UAVs and Range Operations Symposium and Exhibition (49th) Held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on October 25-27, 2011

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-10-27

    COMP Mountain Home COMP Shaw COMP Barksdale COMP Hill COMP Homestead ARB COMP Savannah CRTC COMP Gulfport CRTC COMP Alpena CRTC COMP Montana...Spangdahlem AB Aviano AB Kadena AB Programmed: 165 Baseline Pods purchase in FY12 (del FY13) Alpena CRTC Holloman AFB Eielson AFB Planned: 368...ARQ-52(V)2 ARQ-52B(V)2 ARDS (HDIS) ASQ- T35A P4NS (NACTS-RSI) KITS (Kadena) ASQ-T34 ASQ-T46 AKITS ( Alpena ) Israel No Datalink No Datalink P4R1 ASQ

  2. Replacing the CCSDS Telecommand Protocol with Next Generation Uplink

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kazz, Greg; Burleigh, Scott; Greenberg, Ed

    2012-01-01

    Better performing Forward Error Correction on the forward link along with adequate power in the data open an uplink operations trade space that enable missions to: Command to greater distances in deep space (increased uplink margin) Increase the size of the payload data (latency may be a factor) Provides space for the security header/trailer of the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol Note: These higher rates could be used for relief of emergency communication margins/rates and not limited to improving top-end rate performance. A higher performance uplink could also reduce the requirements on flight emergency antenna size and/or the performance required from ground stations. Use of a selective repeat ARQ protocol may increase the uplink design requirements but the resultant development is deemed acceptable, due the factor of 4 to 8 potential increase in uplink data rate.

  3. NAND Flash Qualification Guideline

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Heidecker, Jason

    2012-01-01

    Better performing Forward Error Correction on the forward link along with adequate power in the data open an uplink operations trade space that enable missions to: Command to greater distances in deep space (increased uplink margin). Increase the size of the payload data (latency may be a factor). Provides space for the security header/trailer of the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol. Note: These higher rates could be used for relief of emergency communication margins/rates and not limited to improving top-end rate performance. A higher performance uplink could also reduce the requirements on flight emergency antenna size and/or the performance required from ground stations. Use of a selective repeat ARQ protocol may increase the uplink design requirements but the resultant development is deemed acceptable, due the factor of 4 to 8 potential increase in uplink data rate.

  4. Experimental Evaluation of Time Diversity Effect in Hybrid ARQ Considering Space and Path Diversity for Downlink OFDM-Based Broadband Radio Access

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miki, Nobuhiko; Atarashi, Hiroyuki; Higuchi, Kenichi; Sawahashi, Mamoru; Nakagawa, Masao

    This paper presents experimental evaluations of the effect of time diversity obtained by hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) with soft combining in space and path diversity schemes on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based packet radio access in a downlink broadband multipath fading channel. The effect of HARQ is analyzed through laboratory experiments employing fading simulators and field experiments conducted in downtown Yokosuka near Tokyo. After confirming the validity of experimental results based on numerical analysis of the time diversity gain in HARQ, we show by the experimental results that, for a fixed modulation and channel coding scheme (MCS), time diversity obtained by HARQ is effective in reducing the required received signal-to-interference plus noise power ratio (SINR) according to an increase in the number of transmissions, K, up to 10, even when the diversity effects are obtained through two-branch antenna diversity reception and path diversity using a number of multipaths greater than 12 observed in a real fading channel. Meanwhile, in combined use with the adaptive modulation and channel coding (AMC) scheme associated with space and path diversity, we clarify that the gain obtained by time diversity is almost saturated at the maximum number of transmissions in HARQ, K' = 4 in Chase combining and K' = 2 in Incremental redundancy, since the improvement in the residual packet error rate (PER) obtained through time diversity becomes small owing to the low PER in the initial packet transmission arising from appropriately selecting the optimum MCS in AMC. However, the experimental results elucidate that the time diversity in HARQ with soft combining associated with antenna diversity reception is effective in improving the throughput even in a broadband multipath channel with sufficient path diversity.

  5. Comparative Susceptibility of Sheep of Different Origins, Breeds and PRNP Genotypes to Challenge with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie

    PubMed Central

    Houston, Fiona; Goldmann, Wilfred; Foster, James; González, Lorenzo; Jeffrey, Martin; Hunter, Nora

    2015-01-01

    Sheep are natural hosts of the prion disease, scrapie. They are also susceptible to experimental challenge with various scrapie strains and with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which affects cattle and has been accidentally transmitted to a range of other species, including man. Incidence and incubation period of clinical disease in sheep following inoculation is controlled by the PRNP gene, which has different alleles defined on the basis of polymorphisms, particularly at codons 136, 154 and 171, although other codons are associated with survival time, and the exact responses of the sheep may be influenced by other breed-related differences. Here we report the results of a long term single study of experimental scrapie and BSE susceptibility of sheep of Cheviot, Poll Dorset and Suffolk breeds, originating from New Zealand and of a wide range of susceptible and resistant PRNP genotypes. Responses were compared with those of sheep from a closed Cheviot flock of UK origin (Roslin Cheviot flock). The unusually long observation period (6–8 years for most, but up to 12 years for others) allows us to draw robust conclusions about rates of survival of animals previously regarded as resistant to infection, particularly PRNP heterozygotes, and is the most comprehensive such study reported to date. BSE inoculation by an intracerebral route produced disease in all genotype groups with differing incubation periods, although M112T and L141F polymorphisms seemed to give some protection. Scrapie isolate SSBP/1, which has the shortest incubation period in sheep with at least one VRQ PRNP allele, also produced disease following sub-cutaneous inoculation in ARQ/ARQ animals of New Zealand origin, but ARQ/ARQ sheep from the Roslin flock survived the challenge. Our results demonstrate that the links between PRNP genotype and clinical prion disease in sheep are much less secure than previously thought, and may break down when, for example, a different breed of sheep is moved into a new flock. PMID:26587837

  6. Performance analysis of Aloha networks with power capture and near/far effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCartin, Joseph T.

    1989-06-01

    An analysis is presented for the throughput characteristics for several classes of Aloha packet networks. Specifically, the throughput for variable packet length Aloha utilizing multiple power levels to induce receiver capture is derived. The results are extended to an analysis of a selective-repeat ARQ Aloha network. Analytical results are presented which indicate a significant increase in throughput for a variable packet network implementing a random two power level capture scheme. Further research into the area of the near/far effect on Aloha networks is included. Improvements in throughput for mobile radio Aloha networks which are subject to the near/far effect are presented. Tactical Command, Control and Communications (C3) systems of the future will rely on Aloha ground mobile data networks. The incorporation of power capture and the near/far effect into future tactical networks will result in improved system analysis, design, and performance.

  7. Channel modelling for free-space optical inter-HAP links using adaptive ARQ transmission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Parthasarathy, S.; Giggenbach, D.; Kirstädter, A.

    2014-10-01

    Free-space optical (FSO) communication systems have seen significant developments in recent years due to growing need for very high data rates and tap-proof communication. The operation of an FSO link is suited to diverse variety of applications such as satellites, High Altitude Platforms (HAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), aircrafts, ground stations and other areas involving both civil and military situations. FSO communication systems face challenges due to different effects of the atmospheric channel. FSO channel primarily suffers from scintillation effects due to Index of Refraction Turbulence (IRT). In addition, acquisition and pointing becomes more difficult because of the high directivity of the transmitted beam: Miss-pointing of the transmitted beam and tracking errors at the receiver generate additional fading of the optical signal. High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) are quasi-stationary vehicles operating in the stratosphere. The slowly varying but precisely determined time-of-flight of the Inter-HAP channel adds to its characteristics. To propose a suitable ARQ scheme, proper theoretical understanding of the optical atmospheric propagation and modeling of a specific scenario FSO channel is required. In this paper, a bi-directional symmetrical Inter-HAP link has been selected and modeled. The Inter-HAP channel model is then investigated via simulations in terms of optical scintillation induced by IRT and in presence of pointing error. The performance characteristic of the model is then quantified in terms of fading statistics from which the Packet Error Probability (PEP) is calculated. Based on the PEP characteristics, we propose suitable ARQ schemes.

  8. Adolescent engagement in dangerous behaviors is associated with increased white matter maturity of frontal cortex.

    PubMed

    Berns, Gregory S; Moore, Sara; Capra, C Monica

    2009-08-26

    Myelination of white matter in the brain continues throughout adolescence and early adulthood. This cortical immaturity has been suggested as a potential cause of dangerous and impulsive behaviors in adolescence. We tested this hypothesis in a group of healthy adolescents, age 12-18 (N = 91), who underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to delineate cortical white matter tracts. As a measure of real-world risk taking, participants completed the Adolescent Risk Questionnaire (ARQ) which measures engagement in dangerous activities. After adjusting for age-related changes in both DTI and ARQ, engagement in dangerous behaviors was found to be positively correlated with fractional anisotropy and negatively correlated with transverse diffusivity in frontal white matter tracts, indicative of increased myelination and/or density of fibers (ages 14-18, N = 60). The direction of correlation suggests that rather than having immature cortices, adolescents who engage in dangerous activities have frontal white matter tracts that are more adult in form than their more conservative peers.

  9. Discovery of 3-(3-(4-(1-Aminocyclobutyl)phenyl)-5-phenyl-3 H -imidazo[4,5- b ]pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine (ARQ 092): An Orally Bioavailable, Selective, and Potent Allosteric AKT Inhibitor

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

    Lapierre, Jean-Marc; Eathiraj, Sudharshan; Vensel, David

    The work in this paper describes the optimization of the 3-(3-phenyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine chemical series as potent, selective allosteric inhibitors of AKT kinases, leading to the discovery of ARQ 092 (21a). The cocrystal structure of compound 21a bound to full-length AKT1 confirmed the allosteric mode of inhibition of this chemical class and the role of the cyclobutylamine moiety. Compound 21a demonstrated high enzymatic potency against AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3, as well as potent cellular inhibition of AKT activation and the phosphorylation of the downstream target PRAS40. Compound 21a also served as a potent inhibitor of the AKT1-E17K mutant protein and inhibited tumormore » growth in a human xenograft mouse model of endometrial adenocarcinoma.« less

  10. Acquisition Review Quarterly (ARQ) Vol. 4, No. 4.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-01-01

    served. Truly, as the African proverb has it, when elephants fight, the grass suffers. In a sinister twist, there is now a big push to get...institutionalizing a formal structure for reporting issues, problems, required actions, and successes. The re- ports were consolidated into a keystone

  11. La region en los procesos de planificacion Latinos Americanos. Estructura institucional y bases juridicas. (The Region in the Planning Processes in Latin America: Institutional Structures and Juridical Basis)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Basaldua, Raul Oscar; Moreno, Oscar Alberto

    1971-01-01

    This paper is part of a larger research project on the decisional structure of regionalized countries, which the authors are conducting at the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella with the Arq. Jorge Hardoy. (Editor)

  12. 47 CFR 80.1125 - Search and rescue coordinating communications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... station involved may impose silence on stations which interfere with that traffic. This instruction may be... “silence, m'aider”; (2) In narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy normally using forward-error correcting mode, the signal SILENCE MAYDAY. However, the ARQ mode may be used when it is advantageous to do so. (f...

  13. Binary Interval Search: a scalable algorithm for counting interval intersections

    PubMed Central

    Layer, Ryan M.; Skadron, Kevin; Robins, Gabriel; Hall, Ira M.; Quinlan, Aaron R.

    2013-01-01

    Motivation: The comparison of diverse genomic datasets is fundamental to understand genome biology. Researchers must explore many large datasets of genome intervals (e.g. genes, sequence alignments) to place their experimental results in a broader context and to make new discoveries. Relationships between genomic datasets are typically measured by identifying intervals that intersect, that is, they overlap and thus share a common genome interval. Given the continued advances in DNA sequencing technologies, efficient methods for measuring statistically significant relationships between many sets of genomic features are crucial for future discovery. Results: We introduce the Binary Interval Search (BITS) algorithm, a novel and scalable approach to interval set intersection. We demonstrate that BITS outperforms existing methods at counting interval intersections. Moreover, we show that BITS is intrinsically suited to parallel computing architectures, such as graphics processing units by illustrating its utility for efficient Monte Carlo simulations measuring the significance of relationships between sets of genomic intervals. Availability: https://github.com/arq5x/bits. Contact: arq5x@virginia.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:23129298

  14. Lack of prion accumulation in lymphoid tissues of PRNP ARQ/ARR sheep intracranially inoculated with the agent of scrapie

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Sheep scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that can be transmitted horizontally. The prion protein gene (PRNP) profoundly influences the susceptibility of sheep to the scrapie agent and the tissue levels and distribution of PrPSc in affected sheep. The purpose of this study was to co...

  15. Acquisition Review Quarterly (ARQ) Vol. 6, No.4

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1999-01-01

    collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services , Directorate for Information Operations...acquisition pro- services throughout the acquisition com- fessionals from the Department of Defense, munity. The views expressed were those federal...sums of money services than any other organization in the coupled with the declining budget high- world, with 8.7 million contracts worth light the

  16. Optimal Scheduling for Underwater Communications in Multiple-user Scenarios

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-09-30

    underwater acoustic sensor networks . These techniques aim at consuming as less energy as... underwater acoustic networks disrupt the behavior of surrounding species of marine mammals. As a consequence of these two studies, we aim at developing...Markov models of incremental redundancy hybrid ARQ over underwater acoustic channels. Elsevier Journal on Ad-hoc Networks (Special Issue on Underwater Communications and Networks ), 2014. 4

  17. Use of Murine Bioassay to Resolve Ovine Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Cases Showing a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Molecular Profile

    PubMed Central

    Beck, Katy E; Sallis, Rosemary E; Lockey, Richard; Vickery, Christopher M; Béringue, Vincent; Laude, Hubert; Holder, Thomas M; Thorne, Leigh; Terry, Linda A; Tout, Anna C; Jayasena, Dhanushka; Griffiths, Peter C; Cawthraw, Saira; Ellis, Richard; Balkema-Buschmann, Anne; Groschup, Martin H; Simmons, Marion M; Spiropoulos, John

    2012-01-01

    Two cases of unusual transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) were diagnosed on the same farm in ARQ/ARQ PrP sheep showing attributes of both bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie. These cases, UK-1 and UK-2, were investigated further by transmissions to wild-type and ovine transgenic mice. Lesion profiles (LP) on primary isolation and subpassage, incubation period (IP) of disease, PrPSc immunohistochemical (IHC) deposition pattern and Western blot profiles were used to characterize the prions causing disease in these sheep. Results showed that both cases were compatible with scrapie. The presence of BSE was contraindicated by the following: LP on primary isolation in RIII and/or MR (modified RIII) mice; IP and LP after serial passage in wild-type mice; PrPSc deposition pattern in wild-type mice; and IP and Western blot data in transgenic mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed that each case generated two distinct PrPSc deposition patterns in both wild-type and transgenic mice, suggesting that two scrapie strains coexisted in the ovine hosts. Critically, these data confirmed the original differential IHC categorization that these UK-1 and UK-2 cases were not compatible with BSE. PMID:21919992

  18. Repeat cesarean delivery: what indications are recorded in the medical chart?

    PubMed

    Lydon-Rochelle, Mona T; Gardella, Carolyn; Cárdenas, Vicky; Easterling, Thomas R

    2006-03-01

    National surveillance estimates reported a troubling 63 percent decline in the rate of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) from 1996 (28.3%) to 2003 (10.6%), with subsequent rising rates of repeat cesarean delivery. The study objective was to examine patterns of documented indications for repeat cesarean delivery in women with and without labor. We conducted a population-based validation study of 19 nonfederal short-stay hospitals in Washington state. Of the 4,541 women who had live births in 2000, 11 percent (n = 493) had repeat cesarean without labor and 3 percent (n = 138) had repeat cesarean with labor. Incidence of medical conditions and pregnancy complications, patterns of documented indications for repeat cesarean delivery, and perioperative complications in relation to repeat cesarean delivery with and without labor were calculated. Of the 493 women who underwent a repeat cesarean delivery without labor, "elective"(36%) and "maternal request"(18%) were the most common indications. Indications for maternal medical conditions (3.0%) were uncommon. Among the 138 women with repeat cesarean delivery with labor, 60.1 percent had failure to progress, 24.6 percent a non-reassuring fetal heart rate, 8.0 percent cephalopelvic disproportion, and 7.2 percent maternal request during labor. Fetal indications were less common (5.8%). Breech, failed vacuum, abruptio placentae, maternal complications, and failed forceps were all indicated less than 5.0 percent. Women's perioperative complications did not vary significantly between women without and with labor. Regardless of a woman's labor status, nearly 10 percent of women with repeat cesarean delivery had no documented indication as to why a cesarean delivery was performed. "Elective" and "maternal request" were common indications among women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery without labor, and nearly 10 percent of women had undocumented indications for repeat cesarean delivery in their medical record. Improvements in standardization of indication nomenclature and documentation of indication are especially important for understanding falling VBAC rates. Future research should examine how clinicians and women anticipate, discuss, and make decisions about childbirth after a previous cesarean delivery within the context of actual antepartum care.

  19. Acquisition Review Quarterly (ARQ), Volume 1 Number 3, Summer 1994

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-01-01

    sole- and dual-source production and their cost implications , and suggests the use of explicit demand curves. 281 - GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS...millions of square miles of the American landscape. If you look at a map, it is astonishing how much of the country we cover. Naturally, nearly every- thing...See Carnegie Commission Report, Facing Towards Governments - Nongovernmental Organi- zations and Scientific and Technical Advice (New York: Carnegie

  20. Acquisition Review Quarterly (ARQ): Volume 1, Number 1, Winter 1994

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-01-01

    OH. Horngren , C. T., & Foster, G. (1991). Cost Accounting , a Managerial Emphasis (7th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Moniison, D. C. (1901, March). Deep...1), or are predicted to occur for the duration of their cost account ( s ) as planned on Work Package Planning Sheets (WPPS). The Narrative Variance...in dealing with similar business situations. Research 19- COST OVERRUN OPTIMISM: Fact or Fiction Major David S . Christensen, USAF "Wheii idken to

  1. Acquisition Review Quarterly (ARQ): Volume 10, Number 3, Summer 2003

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2003-01-01

    PROJECT NUMBER Lt Col Robert L. Waller, USAF, (Ret), Robert Graham, Maj David R. King, USAF, Lt Col John D. Driessnack, USAF, LTC Michael D. Proctor...High-Technology Industries Implications for Industrial Policy Maj David R. King, USAF Lt Col John D. Driessnack, USAF Why the "T" in SMART A...Business School William H . Reed Director Michael Wynne Defense Contract Audit Agency Acting Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and

  2. Improving the satellite communication efficiency of the accumulative acknowledgement strategies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duarte, Otto Carlos M. B.; de Lima, Heliomar Medeiros

    The performances of two finite buffer error recovery strategies are analyzed. In both strategies the retransmission request decision between selective repeat and continuous retransmission is based on an imminent buffer overflow condition. These are accumulative acknowledgment schemes, but in the second strategy the selective-repeat control frame is uniquely an individual negative acknowledgment. The two strategies take advantage of the availability of a greater buffer capacity, making the most of the selective repeat, postponing the sending of a continuous retransmission request. Numerical results show a better performance very close to the ideal, but it does not integrally conform to the high-level data link control (HDLC) procedures. It is shown that these strategies are well suited for high-speed data transfer in the high-error-rate satellite environment.

  3. 24 CFR 1000.530 - What corrective and remedial actions will HUD request or recommend to address performance...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ACTIVITIES Recipient Monitoring, Oversight and Accountability... is repeated; (2) Request the recipient to submit progress schedules for completing activities or... incur costs for the affected activity; (4) Recommend that the recipient redirect funds from affected...

  4. 24 CFR 1000.530 - What corrective and remedial actions will HUD request or recommend to address performance...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ACTIVITIES Recipient Monitoring, Oversight and Accountability... is repeated; (2) Request the recipient to submit progress schedules for completing activities or... incur costs for the affected activity; (4) Recommend that the recipient redirect funds from affected...

  5. 76 FR 16609 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Identification of Human Cell Lines Project

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-24

    ... Collection; Comment Request; Identification of Human Cell Lines Project AGENCY: National Institute of... by short tandem repeat (STR) profiling up to 1500 human cell line samples as part of the Identification of Human Cell Lines Project. All data and corresponding information will be posted in a publically...

  6. The Brazilian Malaria Vector Anopheles (Kerteszia) Cruzii: Life Stages and Biology (Diptera: Culicidae)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-11-01

    Mosquitos no litoral paranaense. I - Idade fisioldgica de no Parque National da Serra dos Orgaos, Anopheles cruzii (Diptera, Culicidae). Arq. Estado do...no Parque National da Peryassii, A.G. 1908. OS culicideos do Brazil. Serra dos Grgaos, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Inst. de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro...Kerteszia no litoral Guimar%es, A.E. and V.N.M. Victoria. 1986. do estado de Santa Catarina. Rev. Bras. Mosquitos no Parque National da Serra dos

  7. Emergency supply of prescription-only medicines to patients by community pharmacists: a mixed methods evaluation incorporating patient, pharmacist and GP perspectives

    PubMed Central

    Morecroft, Charles W; Mackridge, Adam J; Stokes, Elizabeth C; Gray, Nicola J; Wilson, Sarah E; Ashcroft, Darren M; Mensah, Noah; Pickup, Graham B

    2015-01-01

    Objective To evaluate and inform emergency supply of prescription-only medicines by community pharmacists (CPs), including how the service could form an integral component of established healthcare provision to maximise adherence. Design Mixed methods. 4 phases: prospective audit of emergency supply requests for prescribed medicines (October–November 2012 and April 2013); interviews with CPs (February–April 2013); follow-up interviews with patients (April–May 2013); interactive feedback sessions with general practice teams (October–November 2013). Setting 22 community pharmacies and 6 general practices in Northwest England. Participants 27 CPs with experience of dealing with requests for emergency supplies; 25 patients who received an emergency supply of a prescribed medicine; 58 staff at 6 general practices. Results Clinical audit in 22 pharmacies over two 4-week periods reported that 526 medicines were requested by 450 patients. Requests peaked over a bank holiday and around weekends. A significant number of supplies were made during practice opening hours. Most requests were for older patients and for medicines used in long-term conditions. Difficulty in renewing repeat medication (forgetting to order, or prescription delays) was the major reason for requests. The majority of medicines were ‘loaned’ in advance of a National Health Service (NHS) prescription. Interviews with CPs and patients indicated that continuous supply had a positive impact on medicines adherence, removing the need to access urgent care. General practice staff were surprised and concerned by the extent of emergency supply episodes. Conclusions CPs regularly provide emergency supplies to patients who run out of their repeat medication, including during practice opening hours. This may aid adherence. There is currently no feedback loop, however, to general practice. Patient care and interprofessional communication may be better served by the introduction of a formally structured and funded NHS emergency supply service from community pharmacies, with ongoing optimisation of repeat prescribing. PMID:26163029

  8. Susceptibility of Young Sheep to Oral Infection with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Decreases Significantly after Weaning

    PubMed Central

    Houston, Fiona; Foster, James; Goldmann, Wilfred; Drummond, Dawn; Parnham, David; Kennedy, Iain; Green, Andrew; Stewart, Paula; Chong, Angela

    2012-01-01

    Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) (or prion disease) that is readily transmissible to sheep by experimental infection and has the shortest incubation period in animals with the ARQ/ARQ PRNP genotype (at codons 136, 154, and 171). Because it is possible that sheep in the United Kingdom could have been infected with BSE by being fed contaminated meat and bone meal supplements at the same time as cattle, there is considerable interest in the responses of sheep to BSE inoculation. Epidemiological evidence suggests that very young individuals are more susceptible to TSE infection; however, this has never been properly tested in sheep. In the present study, low doses of BSE were fed to lambs of a range of ages (∼24 h, 2 to 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months) and adult sheep. The incidence of clinical BSE disease after inoculation was high in unweaned lambs (∼24 h and 2 to 3 weeks old) but much lower in older weaned animals The incubation period was also found to be influenced by the genotype at codon 141 of the PRNP gene, as lambs that were LF heterozygotes had a longer mean incubation period than those that were homozygotes of either type. The results suggest that sheep in the United Kingdom would have been at high risk of BSE infection only if neonatal animals had inadvertently ingested contaminated supplementary foodstuffs. PMID:22915816

  9. Use of a service evaluation and lean thinking transformation to redesign an NHS 111 refer to community Pharmacy for Emergency Repeat Medication Supply Service (PERMSS)

    PubMed Central

    Nazar, Hamde; Nazar, Zachariah; Simpson, Jill; Yeung, Andre; Whittlesea, Cate

    2016-01-01

    Objectives To demonstrate the contribution of community pharmacy from NHS 111 referrals out of hours (OOH) for emergency supply repeat medication requests via presentation of service activity, community pharmacist feedback and lean thinking transformation. Design Descriptive service evaluation using routine service activity data over the pilot period; survey of community pharmacists, and service redesign through lean thinking transformation. Setting North East of England NHS 111 provider and accredited community pharmacies across the North East of England. Participants Patients calling the North East of England NHS 111 provider during OOH with emergency repeat medication supply requests. Interventions NHS 111 referral to community pharmacies for assessment and if appropriate, supply of emergency repeat medication. Main outcome measures Number of emergency repeat medication supply referrals, completion rates, reasons for rejections, time of request, reason for access, medication(s), pharmaceutical advice and services provided. Secondary outcomes were community pharmacist feedback and lean thinking transformation of the patient pathway. Results NHS 111 referred 1468 patients to 114 community pharmacies (15/12/2014–7/4/2015). Most patients presented on Saturdays, with increased activity over national holidays. Community pharmacists completed 951 (64.8%) referrals providing 2297 medications; 412 were high risk. The most common reason for rejecting referrals was no medication in stock. Community pharmacists were positive about the provision of this service. The lean thinking transformation reduced the number of non-added value steps, waits and bottlenecks in the patient pathway. Conclusions NHS 111 can redirect callers OOH from urgent and emergency care services to community pharmacy for management of emergency repeat medication supply. Existing IT and community pharmacy regulations allowed patients to receive a medication supply and pharmaceutical advice. Community pharmacists supported integration into the NHS OOH services. Adopting lean thinking provided a structured framework to evaluate and redesign the service with the aim to improve effectiveness and efficiency. PMID:27566629

  10. Dealing with requests for euthanasia: interview study among general practitioners in Belgium.

    PubMed

    Meeussen, Koen; Van den Block, Lieve; Bossuyt, Nathalie; Echteld, Michael; Bilsen, Johan; Deliens, Luc

    2011-06-01

    In many countries, physicians are confronted with requests for euthanasia. Notwithstanding that euthanasia is legally permitted in Belgium, it remains the subject of intense debate. To gather in-depth empirical data on how general practitioners (GPs) deal with these requests in Belgium. Mortality follow-back study in 2005-2006 via the nationwide Sentinel Network of General Practitioners. Standardized face-to-face interviews were conducted with GPs for all the reported patients who did not die suddenly or totally unexpectedly at home, as judged by the GP. We conducted 205 interviews. Of these, 27 patients had at some point expressed a wish to receive a drug administered by a physician with the explicit intention to end life, that is, euthanasia. Thirteen of these formulated their requests explicitly and repeatedly, according to their GP. Compared with patients who expressed a wish but not an explicit/repeated request for euthanasia, those patients' requests were more often documented (8 of 13 vs. 2 of 14; P=0.01), and reiterated until their final days of life (6 of 13 vs. 0 of 14; P=0.02). Five patients received euthanasia. For the other 22 patients, GPs gave different reasons for not acceding to the request, often related to criteria stipulated in the Belgian law on euthanasia, and sometimes related to personal reasons. It is not uncommon for patients to ask their GP for euthanasia, although explicit requests remain relatively rare. Requests tend to vary widely in form and content, and far more are expressed than complied with. For many GPs, the Belgian law on euthanasia serves as a guiding principle in this decision-making process, although in a minority of the cases, a GP's personal opinion toward euthanasia seems to be decisive. Copyright © 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Studies on Optimized Assured Cooperative Communications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-04-01

    a corresponding vector xr = [ −x∗ s ,2 x∗ s ,1 ] . The received signal yd, m at the destination at the m -th H-ARQ (re)transmission round with relay...3 15.54 15.48 21.65 28.30 15.05 s ,1 s ,2 r 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 Transmission round index T ra ns m is si on p ow er P s , l a nd...ns m is si on p ow er P s , l a nd P r Equal power assignment

  12. [Problems in the transmission of information during within-hospital medical consultations and referrals].

    PubMed

    Montero Ruiz, E; Rebollar Merino, Á; Melgar Molero, V; Barbero Allende, J M; Culebras López, A; López Álvarez, J

    2014-01-01

    Within-hospital medical consultations and referrals (MCR) have many problems, among them are those related to the oral and written transmission of information. Our aim is to analyze problems in the transmission of information related to MCR, and possible differences between medical (MS) and surgical (SS) services. A prospective, observational study was conducted on the MCR requested to Internal Medicine Service over an 8 month period. The following variables were collected: age, sex, the requester, MCR type, type of admission, comorbidity, hospital stay and mortality, length of MCR, the number of physicians responsible for the patient requesting service during the MCR, MCR repeats, information on the request, available medical records, verbal contact, conflict between doctors, and medical information in the discharge summary. Of the total 215 MCR received, 66 (30.7%) were requested by MS, and 149 (69.3%) per SS. MCR duration was 3 days (standard deviation [SD] 4.8. The number of doctors responsible was 1.7 (SD 1.1), with, Repeats 43 (20%) and Urgent 14 (6.5%). Minimum information on the request, 6 (9.1%) MS and 21 (27.5%) SS. Low availability of medical record, 2 (3%) MS and 50 (33.6%) SS. No verbal contact, 33 (15.4%). Conflict between doctors 13 (6%). Information acceptably good in MCR urgent request 100% MS, and 80% SS. Two out of three MCR were without reference to the discharge report. There are significant losses in the transmission of information during the process of the MCR, which is higher in surgical than in medical departments. Copyright © 2013 SECA. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  13. Emergency supply of prescription-only medicines to patients by community pharmacists: a mixed methods evaluation incorporating patient, pharmacist and GP perspectives.

    PubMed

    Morecroft, Charles W; Mackridge, Adam J; Stokes, Elizabeth C; Gray, Nicola J; Wilson, Sarah E; Ashcroft, Darren M; Mensah, Noah; Pickup, Graham B

    2015-07-10

    To evaluate and inform emergency supply of prescription-only medicines by community pharmacists (CPs), including how the service could form an integral component of established healthcare provision to maximise adherence. Mixed methods. 4 phases: prospective audit of emergency supply requests for prescribed medicines (October-November 2012 and April 2013); interviews with CPs (February-April 2013); follow-up interviews with patients (April-May 2013); interactive feedback sessions with general practice teams (October-November 2013). 22 community pharmacies and 6 general practices in Northwest England. 27 CPs with experience of dealing with requests for emergency supplies; 25 patients who received an emergency supply of a prescribed medicine; 58 staff at 6 general practices. Clinical audit in 22 pharmacies over two 4-week periods reported that 526 medicines were requested by 450 patients. Requests peaked over a bank holiday and around weekends. A significant number of supplies were made during practice opening hours. Most requests were for older patients and for medicines used in long-term conditions. Difficulty in renewing repeat medication (forgetting to order, or prescription delays) was the major reason for requests. The majority of medicines were 'loaned' in advance of a National Health Service (NHS) prescription. Interviews with CPs and patients indicated that continuous supply had a positive impact on medicines adherence, removing the need to access urgent care. General practice staff were surprised and concerned by the extent of emergency supply episodes. CPs regularly provide emergency supplies to patients who run out of their repeat medication, including during practice opening hours. This may aid adherence. There is currently no feedback loop, however, to general practice. Patient care and interprofessional communication may be better served by the introduction of a formally structured and funded NHS emergency supply service from community pharmacies, with ongoing optimisation of repeat prescribing. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

  14. Expressed wishes and incidence of euthanasia in advanced lung cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Pardon, Koen; Deschepper, Reginald; Vander Stichele, Robert; Bernheim, Jan L; Mortier, Freddy; Schallier, Denis; Germonpré, Paul; Galdermans, Daniella; Van Kerckhoven, Willem; Deliens, Luc

    2012-10-01

    This study explores expressed wishes and requests for euthanasia (i.e. administration of lethal drugs at the explicit request of the patient), and incidence of end-of-life decisions with possible life-shortening effects (ELDs) in advanced lung cancer patients in Flanders, Belgium. We performed a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of a consecutive sample of advanced lung cancer patients and selected those who died within 18 months of diagnosis. Immediately after death, the pulmonologist/oncologist and general practitioner (GP) of the patient filled in a questionnaire. Information was available for 105 out of 115 deaths. According to the specialist or GP, one in five patients had expressed a wish for euthanasia; and three in four of these had made an explicit and repeated request. One in two of these received euthanasia. Of the patients who had expressed a wish for euthanasia but had not made an explicit and repeated request, none received euthanasia. Patients with a palliative treatment goal at inclusion were more likely to receive euthanasia. Death was preceded by an ELD in 62.9% of patients. To conclude, advanced lung cancer patients who expressed a euthanasia wish were often determined. Euthanasia was performed significantly more among patients whose treatment goal after diagnosis was exclusively palliative.

  15. Use of a service evaluation and lean thinking transformation to redesign an NHS 111 refer to community Pharmacy for Emergency Repeat Medication Supply Service (PERMSS).

    PubMed

    Nazar, Hamde; Nazar, Zachariah; Simpson, Jill; Yeung, Andre; Whittlesea, Cate

    2016-08-26

    To demonstrate the contribution of community pharmacy from NHS 111 referrals out of hours (OOH) for emergency supply repeat medication requests via presentation of service activity, community pharmacist feedback and lean thinking transformation. Descriptive service evaluation using routine service activity data over the pilot period; survey of community pharmacists, and service redesign through lean thinking transformation. North East of England NHS 111 provider and accredited community pharmacies across the North East of England. Patients calling the North East of England NHS 111 provider during OOH with emergency repeat medication supply requests. NHS 111 referral to community pharmacies for assessment and if appropriate, supply of emergency repeat medication. Number of emergency repeat medication supply referrals, completion rates, reasons for rejections, time of request, reason for access, medication(s), pharmaceutical advice and services provided. Secondary outcomes were community pharmacist feedback and lean thinking transformation of the patient pathway. NHS 111 referred 1468 patients to 114 community pharmacies (15/12/2014-7/4/2015). Most patients presented on Saturdays, with increased activity over national holidays. Community pharmacists completed 951 (64.8%) referrals providing 2297 medications; 412 were high risk. The most common reason for rejecting referrals was no medication in stock. Community pharmacists were positive about the provision of this service. The lean thinking transformation reduced the number of non-added value steps, waits and bottlenecks in the patient pathway. NHS 111 can redirect callers OOH from urgent and emergency care services to community pharmacy for management of emergency repeat medication supply. Existing IT and community pharmacy regulations allowed patients to receive a medication supply and pharmaceutical advice. Community pharmacists supported integration into the NHS OOH services. Adopting lean thinking provided a structured framework to evaluate and redesign the service with the aim to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  16. Dynamic advance reservation with delayed allocation

    DOEpatents

    Vokkarane, Vinod; Somani, Arun

    2014-12-02

    A method of scheduling data transmissions from a source to a destination, includes the steps of: providing a communication system having a number of channels and a number of paths, each of the channels having a plurality of designated time slots; receiving two or more data transmission requests; provisioning the transmission of the data; receiving data corresponding to at least one of the two or more data transmission requests; waiting until an earliest requested start time T.sub.s; allocating at the current time each of the two or more data transmission requests; transmitting the data; and repeating the steps of waiting, allocating, and transmitting until each of the two or more data transmission requests that have been provisioned for a transmission of data is satisfied. A system to perform the method of scheduling data transmissions is also described.

  17. Music and communication in the operating theatre.

    PubMed

    Weldon, Sharon-Marie; Korkiakangas, Terhi; Bezemer, Jeff; Kneebone, Roger

    2015-12-01

    To observe the extent and the detail with which playing music can impact on communication in the operating theatre. According to the cited sources, music is played in 53-72% of surgical operations performed. Noise levels in the operating theatre already exceed World Health Organisation recommendations. There is currently a divide in opinions on the playing of music in operating theatres, with few studies conducted and no policies or guidance provided. An ethnographic observational study of teamwork in operating theatres through video recordings. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches were used. This study was conducted between 2012-2013 in the UK. Video recordings of 20 operations over six months in two operating theatres were captured. The recordings were divided into music and non-music playing cases. Each case was logged using a request/response sequence identified through interactional analysis. Statistical analysis, using a χ(2) , explored the difference between the proportion of request repetitions and whether music was playing or not. Further interactional analysis was conducted for each request repetition. Request/response observations (N = 5203) were documented. A chi-square test revealed that repeated requests were five times more likely to occur in cases that played music than those that did not. A repeated request can add 4-68 seconds each to operation time and increased tensions due to frustration at ineffective communication. Music played in the operating theatre can interfere with team communication, yet is seldom recognized as a potential safety hazard. Decisions around whether music is played and around the choice of music and its volume, are determined largely by surgeons. Frank discussions between clinicians, managers, patients and governing bodies should be encouraged for recommendations and guidance to be developed. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  18. Report of Investigation: Jill Vines Loftus, Senior Executive Service (Redacted)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-06-16

    should have kno\\V!i,. wiis baseless, for Which the1·e was llo stai1(1arq," . ·. . We considered her 11Uegationand d01e’.r111h1ed M$. Lo1t1,11>ptovlded...on Ms.· LOftus’ retunlli’lp from TrelW:lll, NJ, to Washington, D.C. Ms, Loftus submitted att Atlltrak boarding pass in lieu 0fa receipt...Loftus acknowledged she submitted a boarding pass in lieu ofa receipt for her Amtrak tran$portation to Trenton, NJ, and that she did not provide n

  19. Repeat haematinic requests in patients with previous normal results: the scale of the problem in elderly patients at a district general hospital.

    PubMed

    Ganiyu-Dada, Z; Bowcock, S

    2011-12-01

    Repeating normal laboratory tests can waste resources. This study aimed to quantify unnecessary repeat haematinic tests taken from the elderly in a district general hospital. Haematinic tests (ferritin, B12, serum folate) from patients age ≥ 70 years were reviewed for repeat tests during an 8-week period. Questionnaires were given to doctors to establish when the considered repeating a 'borderline low normal' result to be clinically justifiable. 7.7% of all haematinic tests were repeat tests and of these, the majority (83%) was performed following a previously normal result. Thirteen of 24 doctors believed repeating a normal result at the bottom of the normal range ('borderline low normal') was justifiable. After excluding 'borderline low normal' results, 6.0% (at minimum) of repeat tests were done following a previous normal result and were unnecessary. This audit showed that there are a significant number of unnecessary repeat haematinic tests being performed. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  20. The concordance of serial ANA tests in an Australian tertiary hospital pathology laboratory.

    PubMed

    Lee, Adrian Y S; Hudspeth, Andrew R; Adelstein, Stephen

    2016-10-01

    The antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests are some of the more frequently requested tests for the diagnosis of autoimmunity. Although they are used primarily as diagnostic blood tests, multiple requests on the same patient continue to be encountered in the laboratory. This retrospective analysis of serial ANA testing at one pathology laboratory in Australia is the first study that examines the statistical concordance and possible implications of this on clinical practice. High-titred ANA have quite good repeatability for titre and pattern, and low-titred ANA, which can be non-specific, have poor repeatability. Staining patterns are, in general, almost random in nature on serial tests when compared to the first-obtained ANA pattern for each patient. This study confirms that there is little benefit in serial ANA testing, and only if there is a clear change in the patient's clinical picture would repeat of an initial low-titred ANA be useful. The findings reinforce the need for pathology stewardship to minimise costs, wasted resources and unnecessary referrals. Copyright © 2016 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. All rights reserved.

  1. Factors associated with ambulance requests for febrile seizures.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Rie; Marui, Eiji

    2008-08-01

    The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with ambulance requests for febrile seizures. This study retrospectively investigated medical records of patients who visited the Emergency Care Unit at Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital in the 5-year period after April 2001. Subjects' basic characteristics (e.g., age and sex), medical history of febrile seizures, sibling and parental medical history of febrile seizures, and distance from hospital were investigated. In total, 310 subjects used ambulances, and 106 came to the hospital without requesting ambulances. The results of binomial logistic analysis indicated that factors associated with ambulance requests included patient's and parents' medical history of febrile seizures. Increasing awareness of febrile seizures and provision of a general public educational campaign are possible strategies to help decrease unnecessary ambulance requests. However, a medical history of febrile seizures among siblings revealed no association, indicating the need to conduct repeated early-stage interventions.

  2. PrP genotype frequencies and risk evaluation for scrapie in dairy sheep breeds from southern Italy.

    PubMed

    Martemucci, Giovanni; Iamartino, Daniela; Blasi, Michele; D'Alessandro, Angela Gabriella

    2015-12-01

    Concerns regarding scrapie in sheep breeding have increased in the last few decades. The present study was carried out in dairy sheep breeds from southern Italy. In order to find breeding animals resistant to scrapie, the PrP genes of 1,205 animals from entire flocks of dairy native Apulian Leccese and Altamurana breeds, and Sicilian Comisana breed, were analysed for polymorphisms at codons 136, 154, and 171 related to scrapie resistance/susceptibility. The Altamurana breed was considered as two populations (Alt-Cav and Alt-Cra-Zoe), based on presumed cross-breeding. A total of five alleles and ten different genotypes were found. The ARQ allele was predominant for all breeds followed by ARR, the most resistant allele to scrapie, which was highly prevalent in Comisana (50%) and in native Alt-Cav (42.4%). The VRQ allele, associated with the highest susceptibility to scrapie, was detected at not negligeable levels in allocthonous Comisana (3.5%), at a low frequency (0.2%) in native Leccese and Alt-Cra-Zoe, while it was absent in Alt-Cav. The frequencies of PrP genotypes with a very low susceptibility risk to scrapie (R1) was higher in Comisana and Alt-Cav. The most susceptible genotype, ARQ/VRQ, was found only in Comisana. Within the Altamurana breed, there were notable differences between Alt-Cav and Alt-Cra-Zoe sheep. The Alt-Cav was characterised by the absence of VRQ and AHQ alleles and by the higher frequency of the ARR/ARR genotype (18.7%). Breeding programs, mainly in endangered breeds such as Altamurana, should be conducted gradually, combining resistance to scrapie, maintenance of genetic variability, and production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Catalase abrogates β-lapachone-induced PARP1 hyperactivation-directed programmed necrosis in NQO1-positive breast cancers

    PubMed Central

    Bey, Erik A.; Reinicke, Kathryn E.; Srougi, Melissa C.; Varnes, Marie; Anderson, Vernon; Pink, John J.; Li, Long Shan; Patel, Malina; Cao, Lifen; Moore, Zachary; Rommel, Amy; Boatman, Michael; Lewis, Cheryl; Euhus, David M.; Bornmann, William G.; Buchsbaum, Donald J.; Spitz, Douglas R.; Gao, Jinming; Boothman, David A.

    2013-01-01

    Improving patient outcome by personalized therapy involves a thorough understanding of an agent’s mechanism of action. β-Lapachone (clinical forms, Arq501/Arq761) has been developed to exploit dramatic cancer-specific elevations in the phase II detoxifying enzyme, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1). NQO1 is dramatically elevated in solid cancers, including primary and metastatic (e.g., triple-negative (ER-, PR-, Her2/Neu-)) breast cancers. To define cellular factors that influence the efficacy of β-lapachone using knowledge of its mechanism of action, we confirmed that NQO1 was required for lethality and mediated a futile redox cycle where ~120 moles of superoxide were formed per mole of β-lapachone in 5 min. β-Lapachone induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), stimulated DNA single strand break-dependent PARP1 hyperactivation, caused dramatic loss of essential nucleotides (NAD+/ATP) and elicited programmed necrosis in breast cancer cells. While PARP1 hyperactivation and NQO1 expression were major determinants of β-lapachone-induced lethality, alterations in catalase expression, including treatment with exogenous enzyme, caused marked cytoprotection. Thus, catalase is an important resistance factor, and highlights H2O2 as an obligate ROS for cell death from this agent. Exogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) enhanced catalase-induced cytoprotection. β-Lapachone-induced cell death included AIF translocation from mitochondria to nuclei, TUNEL+ staining, atypical PARP1 cleavage, and GAPDH S-nitrosylation, which were abrogated by catalase. We predict that the ratio of NQO1:catalase activities in breast cancer versus associated normal tissue are likely to be the major determinants affecting the therapeutic window of β-lapachone and other NQO1 bioactivatable drugs. PMID:23883585

  4. An empirical investigation of taxi driver response behavior to ride-hailing requests: A spatio-temporal perspective

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Ke; Sun, Luping; Wang, Hansheng

    2018-01-01

    Using data provided by a ride-hailing platform, this paper examines the factors that affect taxi driver response behavior to ride-hailing requests. The empirical investigation from a driver’s perspective is of great importance for ride-hailing service providers, given that approximately 40% of the hailing requests receive no response from any driver. To comprehensively understand taxi driver response behavior, we use a rich dataset to generate variables related to the spatio-temporal supply-demand intensities, the economic incentives, the requests’ and the drivers’ characteristics. The results show that drivers are more likely to respond to requests with economic incentives (especially a firm subsidy), and those with a lower spatio-temporal demand intensity or a higher spatio-temporal supply intensity. In addition, drivers are more likely to respond to requests involving rides covering a greater geographical distance and to those with a smaller number of repeated submissions. The drivers’ characteristics, namely, the number of requests received and the number of requests responded, however, have relatively little impacts on their response probability to the current request. Our findings contribute to the related literature and provide managerial implications for ride-hailing service providers. PMID:29883478

  5. Outside CT imaging among emergency department transfer patients.

    PubMed

    Sung, Jeffrey C; Sodickson, Aaron; Ledbetter, Stephen

    2009-09-01

    The aim of this study was to characterize the quantity and types of outside computed tomographic (CT) examinations submitted for reinterpretation among emergency department (ED) transfers to a tertiary care, level I trauma, academic medical center and the frequency of and reasons for repeat imaging. Reinterpretation requests for outside CT studies accompanying ED transfer patients over a 4-month period were prospectively audited. Clinicians completed forms specifying type of CT study, outside report availability, interpretational discrepancies, repeat imaging requests, and reasons for repeat imaging. A total of 425 CT studies were reviewed among 255 transfer patients, with a mean of 2.8 examinations (range, 0-16) on 1.7 patients (range, 0-8) per day. The patients' mean age was 59 years, and 57% were male. The clinicians reported no outside verbal or written reports for 16% of patients. Interpretational discrepancies were noted in 12% of those with outside reports. Repeat scans might have been avoided in as many as 25% of rescanned patients (35% of repeat examinations) because they were performed solely for imaging or information technology reasons (inadequate imaging, compact disc inoperability, or unavailable images within the hospital's picture archiving and communication system). Rescanned trauma patients in particular had a high per patient rate (32%) of potentially avoidable reasons, with a lower rate (11%) in nontrauma patients. Outside CT imaging in ED transfers adds workload and resource requirements for receiving institutions. A communication gap exists between transferring and receiving institutions, and interpretational discrepancies are common. Process improvement measures are suggested that might reduce the substantial rates of potentially avoidable reimaging.

  6. Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors among Adolescents Requesting Emergency Contraception.

    PubMed

    Cwiak, Carrie; Howard, Brandon; Hsieh, Jennifer; Ricciotti, Nancy; Sucato, Gina S

    2016-12-01

    Unintended pregnancy rates in the United States remain high among adolescents. Emergency contraception (EC) provides the only option for pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex. To better define the population of adolescents who request and use EC pills, we performed a post hoc analysis of an over-the-counter simulation study of EC pills. Teen reproductive health clinics in 5 cities. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years who requested EC. Single-tablet levonorgestrel 1.5 mg. We calculated the correlations between age and baseline sexual and contraceptive behaviors. χ 2 Tests were used to compare behaviors of first-time and repeat EC users. Overall, the most commonly reported contraceptive methods ever used were condoms, oral contraceptives, none, and withdrawal; the most common method ever used in each age group was no method for 13- to 14-year-olds and condom for 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds. The percentage of participants who had never used contraception before requesting EC decreased with age (53% [20/28] of 13- to 14-year-olds vs 15% [10/65] of 17-year-olds). First-time EC users were more likely to report no previous contraceptive use compared with repeat EC users (42% [88/208] vs 10% [13/135]; P < .001). Regardless of age, the most commonly reported reason for requesting EC was nonuse of any contraceptive method (ie, "unprotected sex"). Adolescents who requested EC most commonly reported ever-use of contraceptive methods that rely on user adherence or no method at all, with younger adolescents more likely than older adolescents to have used no previous method. The provision of EC presents an opportunity to provide education and access to highly effective, long-term contraceptive methods. Copyright © 2016 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. 77 FR 71171 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-29

    ... DHSS/DHIMS Information Systems User Satisfaction Survey, 0720-TBD. Needs and Uses: The information... (DHIMS) in a repeatable process for continued monitoring of user satisfaction using established... will determine user satisfaction with overall ease of use, access to information needed to perform...

  8. SSRscanner: a program for reporting distribution and exact location of simple sequence repeats.

    PubMed

    Anwar, Tamanna; Khan, Asad U

    2006-02-20

    Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have become important molecular markers for a broad range of applications, such as genome mapping and characterization, phenotype mapping, marker assisted selection of crop plants and a range of molecular ecology and diversity studies. These repeated DNA sequences are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They are distributed almost at random throughout the genome, ranging from mononucleotide to trinucleotide repeats. They are also found at longer lengths (> 6 repeating units) of tracts. Most of the computer programs that find SSRs do not report its exact position. A computer program SSRscanner was written to find out distribution, frequency and exact location of each SSR in the genome. SSRscanner is user friendly. It can search repeats of any length and produce outputs with their exact position on chromosome and their frequency of occurrence in the sequence. This program has been written in PERL and is freely available for non-commercial users by request from the authors. Please contact the authors by E-mail: huzzi99@hotmail.com.

  9. 9 CFR 78.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... designed by the herd owner, the owner's veterinarian if so requested, and a State representative or APHIS... handling facility for a maximum of 7 days and may not change ownership during this time. No cattle or bison... reinstated without repeating the certification process if epidemiological studies and bacteriological...

  10. Predictors of eyewitness identification decisions from video lineups in England: a field study.

    PubMed

    Horry, Ruth; Memon, Amina; Wright, Daniel B; Milne, Rebecca

    2012-08-01

    Eyewitness identification decisions from 1,039 real lineups in England were analysed. Identification procedures have undergone dramatic change in the United Kingdom over recent years. Video lineups are now standard procedure, in which each lineup member is seen sequentially. The whole lineup is seen twice before the witness can make a decision, and the witness can request additional viewings of the lineup. A key aim of this paper was to investigate the association between repeated viewing and eyewitness decisions. Repeated viewing was strongly associated with increased filler identification rates, suggesting that witnesses who requested additional viewings were more willing to guess. In addition, several other factors were associated with lineup outcomes, including the age difference between the suspect and the witness, the type of crime committed, and delay. Overall, the suspect identification rate was 39%, the filler identification rate was 26% and the lineup rejection rate was 35%. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).

  11. SAIL: automating interlibrary loan.

    PubMed Central

    Lacroix, E M

    1994-01-01

    The National Library of Medicine (NLM) initiated the System for Automated Interlibrary Loan (SAIL) pilot project to study the feasibility of using imaging technology linked to the DOCLINE system to deliver copies of journal articles. During the project, NLM converted a small number of print journal issues to electronic form, linking the captured articles to the MEDLINE citation unique identifier. DOCLINE requests for these journals that could not be filled by network libraries were routed to SAIL. Nearly 23,000 articles from sixty-four journals recently selected for indexing in Index Medicus were scanned to convert them to electronic images. During fiscal year 1992, 4,586 scanned articles were used to fill 10,444 interlibrary loan (ILL) requests, and more than half of these were used only once. Eighty percent of all the articles were not requested at all. The total cost per article delivered was $10.76, substantially more than it costs to process a photocopy request. Because conversion costs were the major component of the total SAIL cost, and most of the articles captured for the project were not requested, this model was not cost-effective. Data on SAIL journal article use was compared with all ILL requests filled by NLM for the same period. Eighty-eight percent of all articles requested from NLM were requested only once. The results of the SAIL project demonstrated that converting journal articles to electronic images and storing them in anticipation of repeated requests would not meet NLM's objective to improve interlibrary loan. PMID:8004020

  12. SAIL: automating interlibrary loan.

    PubMed

    Lacroix, E M

    1994-04-01

    The National Library of Medicine (NLM) initiated the System for Automated Interlibrary Loan (SAIL) pilot project to study the feasibility of using imaging technology linked to the DOCLINE system to deliver copies of journal articles. During the project, NLM converted a small number of print journal issues to electronic form, linking the captured articles to the MEDLINE citation unique identifier. DOCLINE requests for these journals that could not be filled by network libraries were routed to SAIL. Nearly 23,000 articles from sixty-four journals recently selected for indexing in Index Medicus were scanned to convert them to electronic images. During fiscal year 1992, 4,586 scanned articles were used to fill 10,444 interlibrary loan (ILL) requests, and more than half of these were used only once. Eighty percent of all the articles were not requested at all. The total cost per article delivered was $10.76, substantially more than it costs to process a photocopy request. Because conversion costs were the major component of the total SAIL cost, and most of the articles captured for the project were not requested, this model was not cost-effective. Data on SAIL journal article use was compared with all ILL requests filled by NLM for the same period. Eighty-eight percent of all articles requested from NLM were requested only once. The results of the SAIL project demonstrated that converting journal articles to electronic images and storing them in anticipation of repeated requests would not meet NLM's objective to improve interlibrary loan.

  13. Interlibrary loan in U.S. health sciences libraries: journal article use.

    PubMed Central

    Lacroix, E M

    1994-01-01

    Health sciences libraries in the United States use the National Library of Medicine (NLM) DOCLINE system to request more than two million items annually through interlibrary loan (ILL). Ninety-seven percent of all ILL requests are for journal articles. In this study, NLM analyzed four million ILL requests entered into the DOCLINE system during two twelve-month periods ending September 30, 1992. The requests were analyzed at both the journal title level and article level. Data for the two years were found to be remarkably similar. Results showed that a large number of journals are required to fill ILL requests and that there is a relatively low number of repeat requests for most journal articles. Seventy-six percent of journal articles analyzed were requested only once, and fewer than 1% were requested more than ten times. About 39% of journals used to fill ILL requests were indexed in MEDLINE at some time, while 84% of the articles supplied were indexed in MEDLINE. Ninety-two percent of articles supplied were from English-language journals. Sixty-seven percent of articles were published in the most recent five years, and 85% in the most recent ten years. The 100 most frequently requested articles for each of the two years were examined to determine characteristics such as language, where they were indexed, and the subject matter. This study has provided valuable information for planning of NLM's interlibrary document delivery services and also should have significance for libraries and other organizations involved in document delivery. Images PMID:7841903

  14. SSRscanner: a program for reporting distribution and exact location of simple sequence repeats

    PubMed Central

    Anwar, Tamanna; Khan, Asad U

    2006-01-01

    Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have become important molecular markers for a broad range of applications, such as genome mapping and characterization, phenotype mapping, marker assisted selection of crop plants and a range of molecular ecology and diversity studies. These repeated DNA sequences are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They are distributed almost at random throughout the genome, ranging from mononucleotide to trinucleotide repeats. They are also found at longer lengths (> 6 repeating units) of tracts. Most of the computer programs that find SSRs do not report its exact position. A computer program SSRscanner was written to find out distribution, frequency and exact location of each SSR in the genome. SSRscanner is user friendly. It can search repeats of any length and produce outputs with their exact position on chromosome and their frequency of occurrence in the sequence. Availability This program has been written in PERL and is freely available for non-commercial users by request from the authors. Please contact the authors by E-mail: huzzi99@hotmail.com PMID:17597863

  15. Unbiased and unnoticed verbal conditioning: the double agent robot procedure1

    PubMed Central

    Rosenfeld, Howard M.; Baer, Donald M.

    1970-01-01

    Subjects who were told they were “experimenters” attempted to reinforce fluent speech in a supposed subject with whom they spoke via intercom. The supposed subject was to say nouns, one at a time, on request by the “experimenter”, who reinforced fluent pronunciation with points. Actually, the “experimenter” was talking to a multi-track tape recording, one track of which contained fluently spoken nouns, the other track containing disfluently spoken nouns. If the “experimenter's” request for the next noun was in a specified form a word from the fluent track was played to him as reinforcement; requests in any other form produced the word from the disfluent track. Repeated conditioning of specific forms of requests was accomplished with two subject-“experimenters,” who were unable to describe changes in their own behavior, or the contingencies applied. This technique improved upon an earlier method that had yielded similar results, but was less thoroughly controlled against possible human bias. PMID:16811461

  16. 76 FR 31927 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Formative Research...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-02

    ... (pretest) survey, and one at posttest, for a total of two responses each. Finally, the school foodservice... inform curriculum revisions. A longitudinal, repeated measure, pretest-posttest design with a combination... students will be asked to participate in a pre-intervention (pretest) survey, post-intervention (posttest...

  17. 31 CFR 593.703 - Response to prepenalty notice; informal settlement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... CHARLES TAYLOR SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Penalties § 593.703 Response to prepenalty notice; informal... of time will be granted, at the Director's discretion, only upon the respondent's specific request to... repeated in the written response. Any defense not raised in the written response will be considered waived...

  18. 77 FR 12727 - Trifloxystrobin; Pesticide Tolerances

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-02

    ..., 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.555..., dermal and inhalation exposures. It is a strong dermal sensitizer. In repeated dose tests in rats, the... following pre-natal exposure to rats and rabbits and post-natal exposures to rats. Trifloxystrobin was...

  19. A Dissecting Competition for Medical Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Samalia, Latika; Stringer, Mark D.

    2012-01-01

    After repeated requests from medical students for more cadaver dissection opportunities, a voluntary dissecting "competition" was initiated for the third year medical students in 2006. This has been held annually on five occasions since, offering up to 30 dissection stations and accommodating an average of 53 students (range 40-66) per year,…

  20. Twelve-month contraceptive continuation and repeat pregnancy among young mothers choosing postdelivery contraceptive implants or postplacental intrauterine devices.

    PubMed

    Cohen, Rebecca; Sheeder, Jeanelle; Arango, Natalia; Teal, Stephanie B; Tocce, Kristina

    2016-02-01

    To compare discontinuation rates and incidence of repeat pregnancy within 1 year among young mothers choosing postplacental intrauterine devices (IUDs) versus postpartum contraceptive implants. We enrolled a prospective cohort of postpartum adolescents and young women who chose either postplacental IUDs or postpartum contraceptive implants prior to hospital discharge. We used chart review and phone interviews to assess device discontinuation (by request or expulsion) and pregnancy within 12 months. Of the 244 13-22 year-old participants, 82 chose IUDs (74 levonorgestrel IUDs and 8 copper IUDs), and 162 chose implants. Both groups had participant-requested discontinuation rates of 14% (9/67 IUD; 19/135 implant) within 1 year. Participants choosing IUDs had a 25% (17/67) expulsion rate. Median time to expulsion was 4.1 weeks (range: 0.4-29.3 weeks, 16/17 within 12 weeks), and participants recognized 15/17 expulsions. IUD initiators had significantly higher pregnancy rates by 12 months (7.6% vs. 1.5%, p=0.04). Most pregnancies occurred when women discontinued their initial device and did not start alternative contraception. Participant-requested discontinuation was similar in both groups. Differences in overall device discontinuation rates were due to IUD expulsions. Pregnancy rates by 12 months postpartum were lower than previously reported in this age group in both implant initiators and IUD initiators. Young mothers who choose postplacental IUDs or postpartum contraceptive implants are unlikely to request removal within the first year. Clinicians should counsel postplacental IUD users that early expulsion is common (25%) and may be unrecognized (11% of expulsions). Patients should have a plan for contraceptive management should expulsion occur. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Factors which influence necropsy requests: a psychological approach.

    PubMed Central

    Start, R. D.; Hector-Taylor, M. J.; Cotton, D. W.; Startup, M.; Parsons, M. A.; Kennedy, A.

    1992-01-01

    AIMS: To determine which factors influence a clinician's decision to request a necropsy. METHODS: Patient age, confidence in premortem diagnosis, relatives' attitudes, and conditions of necropsy practice were combined factorially (two levels each) in separate medical and surgical questionnaires based on clinical case histories. The interactions between the factors were measured by a repeated measures factorial analysis of variance for each of the two clinical groups. The influence of the clinician's interest in necropsies on these interactions was also examined by a similar method. RESULTS: Necropsies were more likely to be requested on young patients, when diagnostic confidence was low, and when relatives' attitudes were favourable. Conditions of necropsy practice did not affect the likelihood of a request and there was no apparent overall difference in necropsy requests between the two groups of clinicians. The "patient age" and "relatives" factors had less influence on the decision of the surgical group to request necropsy. This was attributed to the opportunity to "see for themselves" at operation and was supported by the finding that surgeons were very likely to request necropsies in the absence of surgical intervention. Clinicians from both groups with a high pre-existing interest in the necropsy were consistently more likely to request necropsies. CONCLUSIONS: The "case history" based questionnaires successfully measured the relative influence of multiple factors in relation to the decision of clinicians to request a necropsy. These findings suggest that any attempt to reverse the decline in necropsy rates should focus on changing the clinician's perception of the value of the modern necropsy. PMID:1556237

  2. 75 FR 69622 - Request for Comments on the Draft Revision of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy Prepared...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-15

    .... However, two issues-- climate change adaptation and socio-economic monitoring--were repeatedly raised. The... with climate change. The Council will use climate adaptation as a priority- setting tool, while still... stressors associated with climate change, (2) build conservation partnerships, (3) provide incentives to...

  3. Survey of School Library Media Programs in Wisconsin. A Brief Report of Statistics, 1994.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sorensen, Richard J.

    In 1994, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction repeated its 1988 survey of public school library media programs. Included in this report are statistics considered most significant, and those most often requested. The 147-item survey included questions about staffing, services, operation, automation, and facilities related to the library…

  4. 30 CFR 250.522 - When do I have to repeat casing diagnostic testing?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ..., previously on gas lift, has been shut-in or returned to flowing status without gas lift for more than 180... active gas lift are exempt from diagnostic testing. (c) your casing pressure request becomes invalid... percent of its minimum internal yield pressure (MIYP), except for production casings on active gas lift...

  5. Request-Driven Schedule Automation for the Deep Space Network

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnston, Mark D.; Tran, Daniel; Arroyo, Belinda; Call, Jared; Mercado, Marisol

    2010-01-01

    The DSN Scheduling Engine (DSE) has been developed to increase the level of automated scheduling support available to users of NASA s Deep Space Network (DSN). We have adopted a request-driven approach to DSN scheduling, in contrast to the activity-oriented approach used up to now. Scheduling requests allow users to declaratively specify patterns and conditions on their DSN service allocations, including timing, resource requirements, gaps, overlaps, time linkages among services, repetition, priorities, and a wide range of additional factors and preferences. The DSE incorporates a model of the key constraints and preferences of the DSN scheduling domain, along with algorithms to expand scheduling requests into valid resource allocations, to resolve schedule conflicts, and to repair unsatisfied requests. We use time-bounded systematic search with constraint relaxation to return nearby solutions if exact ones cannot be found, where the relaxation options and order are under user control. To explore the usability aspects of our approach we have developed a graphical user interface incorporating some crucial features to make it easier to work with complex scheduling requests. Among these are: progressive revelation of relevant detail, immediate propagation and visual feedback from a user s decisions, and a meeting calendar metaphor for repeated patterns of requests. Even as a prototype, the DSE has been deployed and adopted as the initial step in building the operational DSN schedule, thus representing an important initial validation of our overall approach. The DSE is a core element of the DSN Service Scheduling Software (S(sup 3)), a web-based collaborative scheduling system now under development for deployment to all DSN users.

  6. Transfusion audit of fresh-frozen plasma in southern Taiwan.

    PubMed

    Yeh, C-J; Wu, C-F; Hsu, W-T; Hsieh, L-L; Lin, S-F; Liu, T-C

    2006-10-01

    The demand for transfusions has increased rapidly in southern Taiwan. Between 1993 and 2003, requests for fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) in particular rose dramatically at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH). Transfusion orders were not tightly regulated, and inappropriate use of blood products was common. We carried out a prospective analysis of transfusion requests from October 2003 to January 2004 at KMUH, and then repeated the audit for another 3-month period after the clinical faculty had undergone five sessions of education on transfusion guidelines. Later, our consultant haematologist applied computerized guidelines to periodic audits. A 5.2% decrease in inappropriate FFP usage followed the educational programme and a further 30% reduction took place after the application of computerized transfusion guidelines. With the guidelines and periodic audits, FFP transfusions decreased by 74.6% and inappropriate requests from 65.2% to 30%. Hospital policy, computerized transfusion guidelines and periodic audits greatly reduced inappropriate FFP transfusions. An educational campaign had a more limited effect.

  7. Prion protein genotypes of sheep as determined from 3343 samples submitted from Ontario and other provinces of Canada from 2005 to 2012

    PubMed Central

    Cameron, Colin; Bell-Rogers, Patricia; McDowall, Rebeccah; Rebelo, Ana R.; Cai, Hugh Y.

    2014-01-01

    This study analyzed sheep prion protein (PrP) genotypes of samples submitted from Ontario and other provinces of Canada to the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, between 2005 and 2012. In Ontario, the proportion of scrapie-resistant sheep increased from 2005 to 2012 as evidenced by an increase in the ARR haplotype. When Canadian provinces (Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia) were compared from 2008 to 2012, a high proportion of scrapie-resistant sheep was found in all the provinces. The proportions of resistant sheep were lower in Alberta and Quebec than in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Alberta had higher proportions of susceptible sheep and a higher frequency of VRQ alleles, and Quebec had a higher frequency of the ARQ allele. PMID:25355994

  8. A Broadband VHF-L Band Cavity-Backed Slot Spiral Antenna

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-05-01

    each new frequency. When the frequency list is completed, the Flight Test Engineer will contact the Test Technician and request any necessary...immediately required elsewhere. Frequency List ; 50.05 MHz, 144.05 MHz, 432.05 MHz, 902.05 MHz, 1.29605 GHz...Repeat Completed? (Y/N) Test Completed? (Y/N) Frequency List ; 50.05 MHz, 144.05 MHz, 432.05 MHz, 902.05 MHz, 1.29605 GHz

  9. Highly Charged Rydberg Ions from the Coulomb Explosion of Clusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Komar, D.; Kazak, L.; Almassarani, M.; Meiwes-Broer, K.-H.; Tiggesbäumker, J.

    2018-03-01

    Ion emission from a nanoplasma produced in the interaction of intense optical laser pulses with argon clusters is studied resolving simultaneously charge states and recoil energies. By applying appropriate static electric fields we observe that a significant fraction of the ions Arq + (q =1 - 7 ) has electrons with binding energies lower than 150 meV; i.e., nRyd≥15 levels are populated. Charge state changes observed on a μ s time scale can be attributed to electron emission due to autoionizing Rydberg states, indicating that high-ℓ Rydberg levels are populated as well. The experiments support theoretical predictions that a significant fraction of delocalized electrons, which are bound with hundreds of eV to the nanoplasma after the laser exposure, fill up meV bound ion states in the adiabatic expansion. We expect the process to be relevant for the long-term evolution of expanding laser-induced dense plasmas in general.

  10. Optimizing Decision Preparedness by Adapting Scenario Complexity and Automating Scenario Generation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunne, Rob; Schatz, Sae; Flore, Stephen M.; Nicholson, Denise

    2011-01-01

    Klein's recognition-primed decision (RPD) framework proposes that experts make decisions by recognizing similarities between current decision situations and previous decision experiences. Unfortunately, military personnel arQ often presented with situations that they have not experienced before. Scenario-based training (S8T) can help mitigate this gap. However, SBT remains a challenging and inefficient training approach. To address these limitations, the authors present an innovative formulation of scenario complexity that contributes to the larger research goal of developing an automated scenario generation system. This system will enable trainees to effectively advance through a variety of increasingly complex decision situations and experiences. By adapting scenario complexities and automating generation, trainees will be provided with a greater variety of appropriately calibrated training events, thus broadening their repositories of experience. Preliminary results from empirical testing (N=24) of the proof-of-concept formula are presented, and future avenues of scenario complexity research are also discussed.

  11. Simple sequence repeat marker loci discovery using SSR primer.

    PubMed

    Robinson, Andrew J; Love, Christopher G; Batley, Jacqueline; Barker, Gary; Edwards, David

    2004-06-12

    Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have become important molecular markers for a broad range of applications, such as genome mapping and characterization, phenotype mapping, marker assisted selection of crop plants and a range of molecular ecology and diversity studies. With the increase in the availability of DNA sequence information, an automated process to identify and design PCR primers for amplification of SSR loci would be a useful tool in plant breeding programs. We report an application that integrates SPUTNIK, an SSR repeat finder, with Primer3, a PCR primer design program, into one pipeline tool, SSR Primer. On submission of multiple FASTA formatted sequences, the script screens each sequence for SSRs using SPUTNIK. The results are parsed to Primer3 for locus-specific primer design. The script makes use of a Web-based interface, enabling remote use. This program has been written in PERL and is freely available for non-commercial users by request from the authors. The Web-based version may be accessed at http://hornbill.cspp.latrobe.edu.au/

  12. Repeatability Measurements of Apparent Thermal Conductivity of Multilayer Insulation (MLI)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vanderlaan, M.; Stubbs, D.; Ledeboer, K.; Ross, J.; Van Sciver, S.; Guo, W.

    2017-12-01

    This report presents and discusses the results of repeatability experiments gathered from the multi-layer insulation thermal conductivity experiment (MIKE) for the measurement of the apparent thermal conductivity of multi-layer insulation (MLI) at variable boundary temperatures. Our apparatus uses a calibrated thermal link between the lower temperature shield of a concentric cylinder insulation assembly and the cold head of a cryocooler to measure the heat leak. In addition, thermocouple readings are taken in-between the MLI layers. These measurements are part of a multi-phase NASA-Yetispace-FSU collaboration to better understand the repeatability of thermal conductivity measurements of MLI. NASA provided five 25 layer coupons and requested boundary temperatures of 20 K and 300 K. Yetispace provided ten 12-layer coupons and requested boundary temperatures of 77 K and 293 K. Test conditions must be met for a duration of four hours at a steady state variance of less than 0.1 K/hr on both cylinders. Temperatures from three Cernox® temperature sensors on each of the two cylinders are averaged to determine the boundary temperatures. A high vacuum, less than 10-5 torr, is maintained for the duration of testing. Layer density varied from 17.98 - 26.36 layers/cm for Yetispace coupons and 13.05 - 17.45 layers/cm for the NASA coupons. The average measured heat load for the Yetispace coupons was 2.40 W for phase-one and 2.92 W for phase-two. The average measured heat load for the NASA coupons was 1.10 W. This suggests there is still unknown variance of MLI performance. It has been concluded, variations in the insulation installation heavy effect the apparent thermal conductivity and are not solely dependent on layer density.

  13. Effect of live music therapy for patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.

    PubMed

    Walworth, Darcy D

    2010-01-01

    The purpose of the current study was to identify the effects of live music therapy interventions compared with preferred recorded music for patients undergoing MRI scans. To date, there has not been a published study involving the use of live music therapy during MRI scans. The current study investigated the differences between teenage through adult patients receiving live music therapy intervention during outpatient MRI scans versus the standard protocol of care listening to recorded music (N = 88). Subjects ranged in age from 15 to 93 years old. Results indicated subjects who received the live music therapy protocol reported significantly better perception of the MRI procedure (p < 0.05). Additionally, subjects receiving the live music therapy protocol had fewer scans repeated due to movement. Of the repeated images, 26% occurred in the live music group and 73% occurred in the recorded music group. Subjects receiving live music therapy also requested less breaks from the scan. Two percent of the live music subjects requested a break and 17.6% of the control patients requested breaks. When comparing the same type of scan between groups, subjects receiving the live music protocol required less time to complete the scans. For lumbar scans without contrast (N = 14, n = 7, n = 7), live music subjects spent an average of 4.63 less min per scan for a total of 32 less min for 7 subjects. For brain scans (N = 8, n = 4, n = 4), live music subjects spent an average of 5.8 less min per scan for a total of 23 less min for 4 subjects. Results of the current study supports the use of live music therapy intervention for teenage and adult patients undergoing MRI scans to reduce patient anxiety and improve patient perception of the scan experience. Additionally, live music therapy has the potential to shorten the length of time required for patients to complete MRI scans due to decreased patient movements and fewer breaks requested during the scans. The cost savings impact of reduced procedure time can positively impact the facility productivity by allowing more scans to be scheduled daily.

  14. Research on an expert system for database operation of simulation-emulation math models. Volume 2, Phase 1: Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kawamura, K.; Beale, G. O.; Schaffer, J. D.; Hsieh, B. J.; Padalkar, S.; Rodriguez-Moscoso, J. J.

    1985-01-01

    A reference manual is provided for NESS, a simulation expert system. This manual gives user information regarding starting and operating NASA expert simulation system (NESS). This expert system provides an intelligent interface to a generic simulation program for spacecraft attitude control problems. A menu of the functions the system can perform is provided. Control repeated returns to this menu after executing each user request.

  15. Engineering customized TALE nucleases (TALENs) and TALE transcription factors by fast ligation-based automatable solid-phase high-throughput (FLASH) assembly.

    PubMed

    Reyon, Deepak; Maeder, Morgan L; Khayter, Cyd; Tsai, Shengdar Q; Foley, Jonathan E; Sander, Jeffry D; Joung, J Keith

    2013-07-01

    Customized DNA-binding domains made using transcription activator-like effector (TALE) repeats are rapidly growing in importance as widely applicable research tools. TALE nucleases (TALENs), composed of an engineered array of TALE repeats fused to the FokI nuclease domain, have been used successfully for directed genome editing in various organisms and cell types. TALE transcription factors (TALE-TFs), consisting of engineered TALE repeat arrays linked to a transcriptional regulatory domain, have been used to up- or downregulate expression of endogenous genes in human cells and plants. This unit describes a detailed protocol for the recently described fast ligation-based automatable solid-phase high-throughput (FLASH) assembly method. FLASH enables automated high-throughput construction of engineered TALE repeats using an automated liquid handling robot or manually using a multichannel pipet. Using the automated approach, a single researcher can construct up to 96 DNA fragments encoding TALE repeat arrays of various lengths in a single day, and then clone these to construct sequence-verified TALEN or TALE-TF expression plasmids in a week or less. Plasmids required for FLASH are available by request from the Joung lab (http://eGenome.org). This unit also describes improvements to the Zinc Finger and TALE Targeter (ZiFiT Targeter) web server (http://ZiFiT.partners.org) that facilitate the design and construction of FLASH TALE repeat arrays in high throughput. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  16. Engineering Customized TALE Nucleases (TALENs) and TALE Transcription Factors by Fast Ligation-based Automatable Solid-phase High-throughput (FLASH) Assembly

    PubMed Central

    Reyon, Deepak; Maeder, Morgan L.; Khayter, Cyd; Tsai, Shengdar Q.; Foley, Jonathan E.; Sander, Jeffry D.; Joung, J. Keith

    2013-01-01

    Customized DNA-binding domains made using Transcription Activator-Like Effector (TALE) repeats are rapidly growing in importance as widely applicable research tools. TALE nucleases (TALENs), composed of an engineered array of TALE repeats fused to the FokI nuclease domain, have been used successfully for directed genome editing in multiple different organisms and cell types. TALE transcription factors (TALE-TFs), consisting of engineered TALE repeat arrays linked to a transcriptional regulatory domain, have been used to up- or down-regulate expression of endogenous genes in human cells and plants. Here we describe a detailed protocol for practicing the recently described Fast Ligation-based Automatable Solid-phase High-throughput (FLASH) assembly method. FLASH enables automated high-throughput construction of engineered TALE repeats using an automated liquid handling robot or manually using a multi-channel pipet. With the automated version of FLASH, a single researcher can construct up to 96 DNA fragments encoding various length TALE repeat arrays in one day and then clone these to construct sequence-verified TALEN or TALE-TF expression plasmids in one week or less. Plas-mids required to practice FLASH are available by request from the Joung Lab (http://www.jounglab.org/). We also describe here improvements to the Zinc Finger and TALE Targeter (ZiFiT Targeter) webserver (http://ZiFiTBeta.partners.org) that facilitate the design and construction of FLASH TALE repeat arrays in high-throughput. PMID:23821439

  17. Pruritus is a common feature in sheep infected with the BSE agent

    PubMed Central

    Konold, Timm; Bone, Gemma; Vidal-Diez, Alberto; Tortosa, Raul; Davis, Andrew; Dexter, Glenda; Hill, Peter; Jeffrey, Martin; Simmons, Marion M; Chaplin, Melanie J; Bellworthy, Susan J; Berthelin-Baker, Christine

    2008-01-01

    Background The variability in the clinical or pathological presentation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in sheep, such as scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has been attributed to prion protein genotype, strain, breed, clinical duration, dose, route and type of inoculum and the age at infection. The study aimed to describe the clinical signs in sheep infected with the BSE agent throughout its clinical course to determine whether the clinical signs were as variable as described for classical scrapie in sheep. The clinical signs were compared to BSE-negative sheep to assess if disease-specific clinical markers exist. Results Forty-seven (34%) of 139 sheep, which comprised 123 challenged sheep and 16 undosed controls, were positive for BSE. Affected sheep belonged to five different breeds and three different genotypes (ARQ/ARQ, VRQ/VRQ and AHQ/AHQ). None of the controls or BSE exposed sheep with ARR alleles were positive. Pruritus was present in 41 (87%) BSE positive sheep; the remaining six were judged to be pre-clinically infected. Testing of the response to scratching along the dorsum of a sheep proved to be a good indicator of clinical disease with a test sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 98% and usually coincided with weight loss. Clinical signs that were displayed significantly earlier in BSE positive cases compared to negative cases were behavioural changes, pruritic behaviour, a positive scratch test, alopecia, skin lesions, teeth grinding, tremor, ataxia, loss of weight and loss of body condition. The frequency and severity of each specific clinical sign usually increased with the progression of disease over a period of 16–20 weeks. Conclusion Our results suggest that BSE in sheep presents with relatively uniform clinical signs, with pruritus of increased severity and abnormalities in behaviour or movement as the disease progressed. Based on the studied sheep, these clinical features appear to be independent of breed, affected genotype, dose, route of inoculation and whether BSE was passed into sheep from cattle or from other sheep, suggesting that the clinical phenotype of BSE is influenced by the TSE strain more than by other factors. The clinical phenotype of BSE in the genotypes and breed studied was indistinguishable from that described for classical scrapie cases. PMID:18445253

  18. Indirect Reciprocity; A Field Experiment.

    PubMed

    van Apeldoorn, Jacobien; Schram, Arthur

    2016-01-01

    Indirect reciprocity involves cooperative acts towards strangers, either in response to their kindness to third parties (downstream) or after receiving kindness from others oneself (upstream). It is considered to be important for the evolution of cooperative behavior amongst humans. Though it has been widely studied theoretically, the empirical evidence of indirect reciprocity has thus far been limited and based solely on behavior in laboratory experiments. We provide evidence from an online environment where members can repeatedly ask and offer services to each other, free of charge. For the purpose of this study we created several new member profiles, which differ only in terms of their serving history. We then sent out a large number of service requests to different members from all over the world. We observe that a service request is more likely to be rewarded for those with a profile history of offering the service (to third parties) in the past. This provides clear evidence of (downstream) indirect reciprocity. We find no support for upstream indirect reciprocity (in this case, rewarding the service request after having previously received the service from third parties), however. Our evidence of downstream indirect reciprocity cannot be attributed to reputational effects concerning one's trustworthiness as a service user.

  19. Indirect Reciprocity; A Field Experiment

    PubMed Central

    van Apeldoorn, Jacobien; Schram, Arthur

    2016-01-01

    Indirect reciprocity involves cooperative acts towards strangers, either in response to their kindness to third parties (downstream) or after receiving kindness from others oneself (upstream). It is considered to be important for the evolution of cooperative behavior amongst humans. Though it has been widely studied theoretically, the empirical evidence of indirect reciprocity has thus far been limited and based solely on behavior in laboratory experiments. We provide evidence from an online environment where members can repeatedly ask and offer services to each other, free of charge. For the purpose of this study we created several new member profiles, which differ only in terms of their serving history. We then sent out a large number of service requests to different members from all over the world. We observe that a service request is more likely to be rewarded for those with a profile history of offering the service (to third parties) in the past. This provides clear evidence of (downstream) indirect reciprocity. We find no support for upstream indirect reciprocity (in this case, rewarding the service request after having previously received the service from third parties), however. Our evidence of downstream indirect reciprocity cannot be attributed to reputational effects concerning one’s trustworthiness as a service user. PMID:27043712

  20. Mystery shopping and coaching as a form of audit and feedback to improve community pharmacy management of non-prescription medicine requests: an intervention study

    PubMed Central

    Schneider, Carl Richard; Naughtin, Clare Louise; Wilson, Frances; de Almeida Neto, Abilio Cesar; Moles, Rebekah Jane

    2017-01-01

    Objectives To determine whether repeated mystery shopping visits with feedback improve pharmacy performance over nine visits and to determine what factors predict an appropriate outcome. Design Prospective, parallel, repeated intervention, repeated measures mystery shopping (pseudopatient) design. Setting Thirty-six community pharmacies in metropolitan Sydney, Australia in March–October 2015. Participants Sixty-one University of Sydney pharmacy undergraduates acted as mystery shoppers. Students enrolled in their third year of Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2015 were eligible to participate. Any community pharmacy in the Sydney metropolitan region was eligible to take part and was selected through convenience sampling. Intervention Repeated mystery shopping with immediate feedback and coaching. Outcome measures Outcome for each given scenario (appropriate or not) and questioning scores for each interaction. Results Five hundred and twenty-one visits were analysed, of which 54% resulted in an appropriate outcome. Questioning scores and the proportion of interactions resulting in an appropriate outcome significantly improved over time (P<0.001). Involvement of pharmacists, visit number, increased questioning score and the prescribed scenario were predictors of an appropriate outcome (P=0.008, P=0.022, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Interactions involving a pharmacist had greater scores than those without (P<0.001). Conclusions Repeated mystery shopping visits with feedback were associated with improved pharmacy performance over time. Future work should focus on the role of non-pharmacist staff and design interventions accordingly. PMID:29247115

  1. Binary Interval Search: a scalable algorithm for counting interval intersections.

    PubMed

    Layer, Ryan M; Skadron, Kevin; Robins, Gabriel; Hall, Ira M; Quinlan, Aaron R

    2013-01-01

    The comparison of diverse genomic datasets is fundamental to understand genome biology. Researchers must explore many large datasets of genome intervals (e.g. genes, sequence alignments) to place their experimental results in a broader context and to make new discoveries. Relationships between genomic datasets are typically measured by identifying intervals that intersect, that is, they overlap and thus share a common genome interval. Given the continued advances in DNA sequencing technologies, efficient methods for measuring statistically significant relationships between many sets of genomic features are crucial for future discovery. We introduce the Binary Interval Search (BITS) algorithm, a novel and scalable approach to interval set intersection. We demonstrate that BITS outperforms existing methods at counting interval intersections. Moreover, we show that BITS is intrinsically suited to parallel computing architectures, such as graphics processing units by illustrating its utility for efficient Monte Carlo simulations measuring the significance of relationships between sets of genomic intervals. https://github.com/arq5x/bits.

  2. Use of CCSDS and OSI Protocols on the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chirieleison, Don

    1996-01-01

    Although ACTS (Advanced Communications Technology Satellite) provides an almost error-free channel during much of the day and under most conditions, there are times when it is not suitable for reliably error-free data communications when operating in the uncoded mode. Because coded operation is not always available to every earth station, measures must be taken in the end system to maintain adequate throughput when transferring data under adverse conditions. The most effective approach that we tested to improve performance was the addition of an 'outer' Reed-Solomon code through use of CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) GOS 2 (a forward error correcting code). This addition can benefit all users of an ACTS channel including those applications that do not require totally reliable transport, but it is somewhat expensive because additional hardware is needed. Although we could not characterize the link noise statistically (it appeared to resemble uncorrelated white noise, the type that block codes are least effective in correcting), we did find that CCSDS GOS 2 gave an essentially error-free link at BER's (bit error rate) as high as 6x10(exp -4). For users that demand reliable transport, an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Queuing) protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or TP4 (Transport Protocol, Class 4) will probably be used. In this category, it comes as no surprise that the best choice of the protocol suites tested over ACTS was TP4 using CCSDS GOS 2. TP4 behaves very well over an error-free link which GOS 2 provides up to a point. Without forward error correction, however, TP4 service begins to degrade in the 10(exp -7)-10(exp -6) range and by 4x10(exp -6), it barely gives any throughput at all. If Congestion Avoidance is used in TP4, the degradation is even more pronounced. Fortunately, as demonstrated here, this effect can be more than compensated for by choosing the Selective Acknowledgment option. In fact, this option can enable TP4 to deliver some throughput at error rates as high as 10(exp -5).

  3. Distraction or cognitive overload? Using modulations of the autonomic nervous system to discriminate the possible negative effects of advanced assistance system.

    PubMed

    Ruscio, D; Bos, A J; Ciceri, M R

    2017-06-01

    The interaction with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems has several positive implications for road safety, but also some potential downsides such as mental workload and automation complacency. Malleable attentional resources allocation theory describes two possible processes that can generate workload in interaction with advanced assisting devices. The purpose of the present study is to determine if specific analysis of the different modalities of autonomic control of nervous system can be used to discriminate different potential workload processes generated during assisted-driving tasks and automation complacency situations. Thirty-five drivers were tested in a virtual scenario while using head-up advanced warning assistance system. Repeated MANOVA were used to examine changes in autonomic activity across a combination of different user interactions generated by the advanced assistance system: (1) expected take-over request without anticipatory warning; (2) expected take-over request with two-second anticipatory warning; (3) unexpected take-over request with misleading warning; (4) unexpected take-over request without warning. Results shows that analysis of autonomic modulations can discriminate two different resources allocation processes, related to different behavioral performances. The user's interaction that required divided attention under expected situations produced performance enhancement and reciprocally-coupled parasympathetic inhibition with sympathetic activity. At the same time, supervising interactions that generated automation complacency were described specifically by uncoupled sympathetic activation. Safety implications for automated assistance systems developments are considered. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Polar Satcom System and Related Method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mitchell, James P. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    A system and method for communication relay via a repeater platform satellite vehicle to a near surface station in the Polar Region is disclosed. A preferred embodiment receives a plurality of positioning and content data from a plurality of constellations of Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) Satellite Vehicles (SAT). Additionally, the system receives a plurality of position, time and altitude data from constellations of available repeater platform (RP) SATs. The system receives a request for content from a near surface station located in an area lacking adequate line-of-sight to the GEO based signal. The system aligns antenna elements onboard the desired RP SATs to amplify and relay the GEO based signal toward the near surface station and vice versa. Additionally, the system commands directional antenna elements onboard the station to send and receive the relayed signal making the GEO based content available to the near surface station.

  5. Monthly communication skill coaching for healthcare staff.

    PubMed

    Rowan, Katherine E

    2008-06-01

    To promote monthly interpersonal skill communication role-play and coaching for front-office staff. For 15 min a month, during staff meetings, healthcare staff such as receptionists and medical assistants should participate in communication skill coaching. Participants should discuss a recurring communication challenge (e.g., patients irritated by repeated requests for health histories), role-play options for communication, and receive feedback. Interpersonal communication skills such as acknowledging the concerns of others are acquired slowly. Repeated practice and supportive feedback increase the likelihood that these skills will be valued and mastered. Research shows communication skills develop when they are modeled and role-played frequently and are less likely to develop with occasional interventions. Health care professionals should devote time to role-playing interaction with patients for brief intervals at least monthly. Staff should give one another feedback on the best options for managing challenging communication situations.

  6. Genetic and Pathological Follow-Up Study of Goats Experimentally and Naturally Exposed to a Sheep Scrapie Isolate.

    PubMed

    Maestrale, Caterina; Cancedda, Maria G; Pintus, Davide; Masia, Mariangela; Nonno, Romolo; Ru, Giuseppe; Carta, Antonello; Demontis, Francesca; Santucciu, Cinzia; Ligios, Ciriaco

    2015-10-01

    Thirty-seven goats carrying different prion protein genotypes (PRNP) were orally infected with a classical scrapie brain homogenate from wild-type (ARQ/ARQ) sheep and then mated to obtain 2 additional generations of offspring, which were kept in the same environment and allowed to be naturally exposed to scrapie. Occurrence of clinical or subclinical scrapie was observed in the experimentally infected goats (F0) and in only one (F1b) of the naturally exposed offspring groups. In both groups (F0 and F1b), goats carrying the R154H, H154H, R211Q, and P168Q-P240P dimorphisms died of scrapie after a longer incubation period than wild-type, G37V, Q168Q-P240P, and S240P goats. In contrast, D145D and Q222K goats were resistant to infection. The immunobiochemical signature of the scrapie isolate and its pathological aspects observed in the sheep donors were substantially maintained over 2 goat generations, i.e., after experimental and natural transmission. This demonstrates that the prion protein gene sequence, which is shared by sheep and goats, is more powerful than any possible but unknown species-related factors in determining scrapie phenotypes. With regard to genetics, our study confirms that the K222 mutation protects goats even against ovine scrapie isolates, and for the first time, a possible association of D145 mutation with scrapie resistance is shown. In addition, it is possible that the sole diverse frequencies of these genetic variants might, at least in part, shape the prevalence of scrapie among naturally exposed progenies in affected herds. This study was aimed at investigating the genetic and pathological features characterizing sheep-to-goat transmission of scrapie. We show that in goats with different prion protein gene mutations, the K222 genetic variant is associated with scrapie resistance after natural and experimental exposure to ovine prion infectivity. In addition, we observed for the first time a protective effect of the D145 goat variant against scrapie. Importantly, our results demonstrate that the phenotypic characteristic of the wild-type sheep scrapie isolate is substantially preserved in goats carrying different susceptible PRNP gene variants, thus indicating that the prion protein gene sequence, which is shared by sheep and goats, plays a fundamental role in determining scrapie phenotypes. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  7. Genetic and Pathological Follow-Up Study of Goats Experimentally and Naturally Exposed to a Sheep Scrapie Isolate

    PubMed Central

    Maestrale, Caterina; Cancedda, Maria G.; Pintus, Davide; Masia, Mariangela; Nonno, Romolo; Ru, Giuseppe; Carta, Antonello; Demontis, Francesca; Santucciu, Cinzia

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT Thirty-seven goats carrying different prion protein genotypes (PRNP) were orally infected with a classical scrapie brain homogenate from wild-type (ARQ/ARQ) sheep and then mated to obtain 2 additional generations of offspring, which were kept in the same environment and allowed to be naturally exposed to scrapie. Occurrence of clinical or subclinical scrapie was observed in the experimentally infected goats (F0) and in only one (F1b) of the naturally exposed offspring groups. In both groups (F0 and F1b), goats carrying the R154H, H154H, R211Q, and P168Q-P240P dimorphisms died of scrapie after a longer incubation period than wild-type, G37V, Q168Q-P240P, and S240P goats. In contrast, D145D and Q222K goats were resistant to infection. The immunobiochemical signature of the scrapie isolate and its pathological aspects observed in the sheep donors were substantially maintained over 2 goat generations, i.e., after experimental and natural transmission. This demonstrates that the prion protein gene sequence, which is shared by sheep and goats, is more powerful than any possible but unknown species-related factors in determining scrapie phenotypes. With regard to genetics, our study confirms that the K222 mutation protects goats even against ovine scrapie isolates, and for the first time, a possible association of D145 mutation with scrapie resistance is shown. In addition, it is possible that the sole diverse frequencies of these genetic variants might, at least in part, shape the prevalence of scrapie among naturally exposed progenies in affected herds. IMPORTANCE This study was aimed at investigating the genetic and pathological features characterizing sheep-to-goat transmission of scrapie. We show that in goats with different prion protein gene mutations, the K222 genetic variant is associated with scrapie resistance after natural and experimental exposure to ovine prion infectivity. In addition, we observed for the first time a protective effect of the D145 goat variant against scrapie. Importantly, our results demonstrate that the phenotypic characteristic of the wild-type sheep scrapie isolate is substantially preserved in goats carrying different susceptible PRNP gene variants, thus indicating that the prion protein gene sequence, which is shared by sheep and goats, plays a fundamental role in determining scrapie phenotypes. PMID:26202249

  8. Sensitivity to emotional ill health

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Felton, J. S.

    1969-01-01

    The services of mental specialists, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or psychiatric social workers are required to assure maximum human performance in Government facilities. Contemporary mental health programming covers emotionally generated problems at operational sites to complete disclaiming of the existence of such difficulties among workers. Frequent taking of sick leave or annual leave when work seems demanding or when a promotion does not materialize, chronic or repeated tardiness, requests for frequent transfers, work over-loading, accidental injuries, and alcoholism are all forms of stress responses and indicate a need for emotional counselling.

  9. High capacity low delay packet broadcasting multiaccess schemes for satellite repeater systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bose, S. K.

    1980-12-01

    Demand assigned packet radio schemes using satellite repeaters can achieve high capacities but often exhibit relatively large delays under low traffic conditions when compared to random access. Several schemes which improve delay performance at low traffic but which have high capacity are presented and analyzed. These schemes allow random acess attempts by users, who are waiting for channel assignments. The performance of these are considered in the context of a multiple point communication system carrying fixed length messages between geographically distributed (ground) user terminals which are linked via a satellite repeater. Channel assignments are done following a BCC queueing discipline by a (ground) central controller on the basis of requests correctly received over a collision type access channel. In TBACR Scheme A, some of the forward message channels are set aside for random access transmissions; the rest are used in a demand assigned mode. Schemes B and C operate all their forward message channels in a demand assignment mode but, by means of appropriate algorithms for trailer channel selection, allow random access attempts on unassigned channels. The latter scheme also introduces framing and slotting of the time axis to implement a more efficient algorithm for trailer channel selection than the former.

  10. [Use of prostatic specific antigen in primary care (PSA)].

    PubMed

    Panach-Navarrete, J; Gironés-Montagud, A; Sánchez-Cano, E; Doménech-Pérez, C; Martínez-Jabaloyas, J M

    2017-04-01

    In the literature it is shown that the use of PSA is occasionally wrong, by requesting this marker in very young or very old men, and repeated measurements in short periods of time. The main objective of this study was to describe the use of PSA in daily practice by primary care physicians in our area, dealing with aspects such as the importance of patient age, the value in the screening for prostate cancer, or the subjective beliefs about its usefulness. A secondary objective was the comparison of use, and beliefs among doctors who claim to know PSA well, and those who do not. A descriptive and comparative study was conducted using questionnaires that were handed to primary care doctors in all health centres in our area. A descriptive analysis was performed and response rates among doctors who thought they had enough information about PSA, and those who did not, were compared using the Chi-squared test. A total of 103 questionnaires were received from the physicians, with 83.5% claiming to have sufficient knowledge about the PSA. The professionals in this latter group request PSA at an earlier age (P=.029), with a higher frequency (P=.011) and have more doubts about its usefulness (P=.009) than those with less knowledge. Almost half (49.5%) said they request less than 50 determinations per year, and 33% between 50 and 100. More than half (53.4%) of doctors would not request the first PSA on a patient until their 50s, and up to 49% request it up to 80 years. The true value of PSA has been established many times by 64.1% of requesters, and 29.1% believe it is unhelpful in the diagnosis of cancer. In our study, 64% of primary care physicians have considered the true value of the PSA several times, and 29% believe it to be of little use in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. In addition, some data suggest it has limited use due to the fact that 50% made less than 50 PSA requests per years, and 28% of the professionals would never request it on a male without urinary symptoms. In this study, it has been observed that those professionals who claim not to have enough information about the PSA make more requests in patients of an older age, and consider that it is of limited use as a marker. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  11. ESTABLISHING VERBAL REPERTOIRES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM USING FUNCTION-BASED VIDEO MODELING

    PubMed Central

    Plavnick, Joshua B; Ferreri, Summer J

    2011-01-01

    Previous research suggests that language-training procedures for children with autism might be enhanced following an assessment of conditions that evoke emerging verbal behavior. The present investigation examined a methodology to teach recognizable mands based on environmental variables known to evoke participants' idiosyncratic communicative responses in the natural environment. An alternating treatments design was used during Experiment 1 to identify the variables that were functionally related to gestures emitted by 4 children with autism. Results showed that gestures functioned as requests for attention for 1 participant and as requests for assistance to obtain a preferred item or event for 3 participants. Video modeling was used during Experiment 2 to compare mand acquisition when video sequences were either related or unrelated to the results of the functional analysis. An alternating treatments within multiple probe design showed that participants repeatedly acquired mands during the function-based condition but not during the nonfunction-based condition. In addition, generalization of the response was observed during the former but not the latter condition. PMID:22219527

  12. Establishing verbal repertoires in children with autism using function-based video modeling.

    PubMed

    Plavnick, Joshua B; Ferreri, Summer J

    2011-01-01

    Previous research suggests that language-training procedures for children with autism might be enhanced following an assessment of conditions that evoke emerging verbal behavior. The present investigation examined a methodology to teach recognizable mands based on environmental variables known to evoke participants' idiosyncratic communicative responses in the natural environment. An alternating treatments design was used during Experiment 1 to identify the variables that were functionally related to gestures emitted by 4 children with autism. Results showed that gestures functioned as requests for attention for 1 participant and as requests for assistance to obtain a preferred item or event for 3 participants. Video modeling was used during Experiment 2 to compare mand acquisition when video sequences were either related or unrelated to the results of the functional analysis. An alternating treatments within multiple probe design showed that participants repeatedly acquired mands during the function-based condition but not during the nonfunction-based condition. In addition, generalization of the response was observed during the former but not the latter condition.

  13. Receptionist input to quality and safety in repeat prescribing in UK general practice: ethnographic case study

    PubMed Central

    Greenhalgh, Trisha; Russell, Jill; Myall, Michelle

    2011-01-01

    Objective To describe, explore, and compare organisational routines for repeat prescribing in general practice to identify contributors and barriers to safety and quality. Design Ethnographic case study. Setting Four urban UK general practices with diverse organisational characteristics using electronic patient records that supported semi-automation of repeat prescribing. Participants 395 hours of ethnographic observation of staff (25 doctors, 16 nurses, 4 healthcare assistants, 6 managers, and 56 reception or administrative staff), and 28 documents and other artefacts relating to repeat prescribing locally and nationally. Main outcome measures Potential threats to patient safety and characteristics of good practice. Methods Observation of how doctors, receptionists, and other administrative staff contributed to, and collaborated on, the repeat prescribing routine. Analysis included mapping prescribing routines, building a rich description of organisational practices, and drawing these together through narrative synthesis. This was informed by a sociological model of how organisational routines shape and are shaped by information and communications technologies. Results Repeat prescribing was a complex, technology-supported social practice requiring collaboration between clinical and administrative staff, with important implications for patient safety. More than half of requests for repeat prescriptions were classed as “exceptions” by receptionists (most commonly because the drug, dose, or timing differed from what was on the electronic repeat list). They managed these exceptions by making situated judgments that enabled them (sometimes but not always) to bridge the gap between the idealised assumptions about tasks, roles, and interactions that were built into the electronic patient record and formal protocols, and the actual repeat prescribing routine as it played out in practice. This work was creative and demanded both explicit and tacit knowledge. Clinicians were often unaware of this input and it did not feature in policy documents or previous research. Yet it was sometimes critical to getting the job done and contributed in subtle ways to safeguarding patients. Conclusion Receptionists and administrative staff make important “hidden” contributions to quality and safety in repeat prescribing in general practice, regarding themselves accountable to patients for these contributions. Studying technology-supported work routines that seem mundane, standardised, and automated, but which in reality require a high degree of local tailoring and judgment from frontline staff, opens up a new agenda for the study of patient safety. PMID:22053317

  14. Receptionist input to quality and safety in repeat prescribing in UK general practice: ethnographic case study.

    PubMed

    Swinglehurst, Deborah; Greenhalgh, Trisha; Russell, Jill; Myall, Michelle

    2011-11-03

    To describe, explore, and compare organisational routines for repeat prescribing in general practice to identify contributors and barriers to safety and quality. Ethnographic case study. Four urban UK general practices with diverse organisational characteristics using electronic patient records that supported semi-automation of repeat prescribing. 395 hours of ethnographic observation of staff (25 doctors, 16 nurses, 4 healthcare assistants, 6 managers, and 56 reception or administrative staff), and 28 documents and other artefacts relating to repeat prescribing locally and nationally. Potential threats to patient safety and characteristics of good practice. Observation of how doctors, receptionists, and other administrative staff contributed to, and collaborated on, the repeat prescribing routine. Analysis included mapping prescribing routines, building a rich description of organisational practices, and drawing these together through narrative synthesis. This was informed by a sociological model of how organisational routines shape and are shaped by information and communications technologies. Results Repeat prescribing was a complex, technology-supported social practice requiring collaboration between clinical and administrative staff, with important implications for patient safety. More than half of requests for repeat prescriptions were classed as "exceptions" by receptionists (most commonly because the drug, dose, or timing differed from what was on the electronic repeat list). They managed these exceptions by making situated judgments that enabled them (sometimes but not always) to bridge the gap between the idealised assumptions about tasks, roles, and interactions that were built into the electronic patient record and formal protocols, and the actual repeat prescribing routine as it played out in practice. This work was creative and demanded both explicit and tacit knowledge. Clinicians were often unaware of this input and it did not feature in policy documents or previous research. Yet it was sometimes critical to getting the job done and contributed in subtle ways to safeguarding patients. Conclusion Receptionists and administrative staff make important "hidden" contributions to quality and safety in repeat prescribing in general practice, regarding themselves accountable to patients for these contributions. Studying technology-supported work routines that seem mundane, standardised, and automated, but which in reality require a high degree of local tailoring and judgment from frontline staff, opens up a new agenda for the study of patient safety.

  15. The Necessity of Follow-Up Brain Computed-Tomography Scans: Is It the Pathology Itself Or Our Fear that We Should Overcome?

    PubMed Central

    Öğrenci, Ahmet; Koban, Orkun; Ekşi, Murat; Yaman, Onur; Dalbayrak, Sedat

    2017-01-01

    AIM: This study aimed to make a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with head traumas that were admitted to one hospital setting and to make an analysis of the patients for whom follow-up CT scans were obtained. METHODS: Pediatric head trauma cases were retrospectively retrieved from the hospital’s electronic database. Patients’ charts, CT scans and surgical notes were evaluated by one of the authors. Repeat CT scans for operated patients were excluded from the total number of repeat CT scans. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and thirty-eight pediatric patients were admitted to the clinic due to head traumas. Brain CT scan was requested in 863 patients (76%) in the cohort. Follow-up brain CT scans were obtained in 102 patients. Additional abnormal finding requiring surgical intervention was observed in only one patient (isolated 4th ventricle hematoma) on the control CTs (1% of repeat CT scans), who developed obstructive hydrocephalus. None of the patients with no more than 1 cm epidural hematoma in its widest dimension and repeat CT scans obtained 1.5 hours after the trauma necessitated surgery. CONCLUSION: Follow-up CT scans changed clinical approach in only one patient in the present series. When ordering CT scan in the follow-up of pediatric traumas, benefits and harms should be weighted based upon time interval from trauma onset to initial CT scan and underlying pathology. PMID:29104682

  16. A Decision Support Framework for Feasibility Analysis of International Space Station (ISS) Research Capability Enhancing Options

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ortiz, James N.; Scott,Kelly; Smith, Harold

    2004-01-01

    The assembly and operation of the ISS has generated significant challenges that have ultimately impacted resources available to the program's primary mission: research. To address this, program personnel routinely perform trade-off studies on alternative options to enhance research. The approach, content level of analysis and resulting outputs of these studies vary due to many factors, however, complicating the Program Manager's job of selecting the best option. To address this, the program requested a framework be developed to evaluate multiple research-enhancing options in a thorough, disciplined and repeatable manner, and to identify the best option on the basis of cost, benefit and risk. The resulting framework consisted of a systematic methodology and a decision-support toolset. The framework provides quantifiable and repeatable means for ranking research-enhancing options for the complex and multiple-constraint domain of the space research laboratory. This paper describes the development, verification and validation of this framework and provides observations on its operational use.

  17. The mere exposure effect depends on an odor's initial pleasantness.

    PubMed

    Delplanque, Sylvain; Coppin, Géraldine; Bloesch, Laurène; Cayeux, Isabelle; Sander, David

    2015-01-01

    The mere exposure phenomenon refers to improvement of one's attitude toward an a priori neutral stimulus after its repeated exposure. The extent to which such a phenomenon influences evaluation of a priori emotional stimuli remains under-investigated. Here we investigated this question by presenting participants with different odors varying in a priori pleasantness during different sessions spaced over time. Participants were requested to report each odor's pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity. As expected, participants became more familiar with all stimuli after the repetition procedure. However, while neutral and mildly pleasant odors showed an increase in pleasantness ratings, unpleasant and very pleasant odors remained unaffected. Correlational analyses revealed an inverse U-shape between the magnitude of the mere exposure effect and the initial pleasantness of the odor. Consequently, the initial pleasantness of the stimuli appears to modulate the impact of repeated exposures on an individual's attitude. These data underline the limits of mere exposure effect and are discussed in light of the biological relevance of odors for individual survival.

  18. The mere exposure effect depends on an odor’s initial pleasantness

    PubMed Central

    Delplanque, Sylvain; Coppin, Géraldine; Bloesch, Laurène; Cayeux, Isabelle; Sander, David

    2015-01-01

    The mere exposure phenomenon refers to improvement of one’s attitude toward an a priori neutral stimulus after its repeated exposure. The extent to which such a phenomenon influences evaluation of a priori emotional stimuli remains under-investigated. Here we investigated this question by presenting participants with different odors varying in a priori pleasantness during different sessions spaced over time. Participants were requested to report each odor’s pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity. As expected, participants became more familiar with all stimuli after the repetition procedure. However, while neutral and mildly pleasant odors showed an increase in pleasantness ratings, unpleasant and very pleasant odors remained unaffected. Correlational analyses revealed an inverse U-shape between the magnitude of the mere exposure effect and the initial pleasantness of the odor. Consequently, the initial pleasantness of the stimuli appears to modulate the impact of repeated exposures on an individual’s attitude. These data underline the limits of mere exposure effect and are discussed in light of the biological relevance of odors for individual survival. PMID:26191021

  19. Use of FEC coding to improve statistical multiplexing performance for video transport over ATM networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurceren, Ragip; Modestino, James W.

    1998-12-01

    The use of forward error-control (FEC) coding, possibly in conjunction with ARQ techniques, has emerged as a promising approach for video transport over ATM networks for cell-loss recovery and/or bit error correction, such as might be required for wireless links. Although FEC provides cell-loss recovery capabilities it also introduces transmission overhead which can possibly cause additional cell losses. A methodology is described to maximize the number of video sources multiplexed at a given quality of service (QoS), measured in terms of decoded cell loss probability, using interlaced FEC codes. The transport channel is modelled as a block interference channel (BIC) and the multiplexer as single server, deterministic service, finite buffer supporting N users. Based upon an information-theoretic characterization of the BIC and large deviation bounds on the buffer overflow probability, the described methodology provides theoretically achievable upper limits on the number of sources multiplexed. Performance of specific coding techniques using interlaced nonbinary Reed-Solomon (RS) codes and binary rate-compatible punctured convolutional (RCPC) codes is illustrated.

  20. Tivantinib (ARQ-197) exhibits anti-tumor activity with down-regulation of FAK in oral squamous cell carcinoma

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

    Xi, Wei-Hong; Yang, Li-Yun; Cao, Zhong-Yi, E-mail: m18070383032@163.com

    Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the 5 years survival rate of the patients is about 60% in the USA, due to acquired chemotherapeutic resistance and metastasis of the disease. In this study, we found that tivantinib, a selective MET inhibitor, suppresses OCSS cell proliferation and colony formation, however, anti-tumor activities induced by tivantinib are independent of the inhibition of MET signaling pathway. In addition, tivantinib cause G2/M cell cycle arrest and caspases-dependent apoptosis in OSCC cell lines. We also found that tivantinib dose-dependently suppressed the activation and expression of FAK. Inmore » all, these data suggested that tivantinib may be developed as a chemotherapeutic agent to effectively treat certain cancers including OSCC. - Highlights: • Tivantinib suppresses OSCC cell growth independent of the inhibition of HGF/MET signaling pathway. • Tivantinib blocks cell cycle and induces caspases-mediated apoptosis. • Tivantinib elicits its anti-tumor activity with the inhibition of FAK signaling pathway.« less

  1. Population-based structural variation discovery with Hydra-Multi.

    PubMed

    Lindberg, Michael R; Hall, Ira M; Quinlan, Aaron R

    2015-04-15

    Current strategies for SNP and INDEL discovery incorporate sequence alignments from multiple individuals to maximize sensitivity and specificity. It is widely accepted that this approach also improves structural variant (SV) detection. However, multisample SV analysis has been stymied by the fundamental difficulties of SV calling, e.g. library insert size variability, SV alignment signal integration and detecting long-range genomic rearrangements involving disjoint loci. Extant tools suffer from poor scalability, which limits the number of genomes that can be co-analyzed and complicates analysis workflows. We have developed an approach that enables multisample SV analysis in hundreds to thousands of human genomes using commodity hardware. Here, we describe Hydra-Multi and measure its accuracy, speed and scalability using publicly available datasets provided by The 1000 Genomes Project and by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Hydra-Multi is written in C++ and is freely available at https://github.com/arq5x/Hydra. aaronquinlan@gmail.com or ihall@genome.wustl.edu Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

  2. Practicing more retrieval routes leads to greater memory retention.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Jun; Zhang, Wei; Li, Tongtong; Liu, Zhaomin; Luo, Liang

    2016-09-01

    A wealth of research has shown that retrieval practice plays a significant role in improving memory retention. The current study focused on one simple yet rarely examined question: would repeated retrieval using two different retrieval routes or using the same retrieval route twice lead to greater long-term memory retention? Participants elaborately learned 22 Japanese-Chinese translation word pairs using two different mediators. Half an hour after the initial study phase, the participants completed two retrieval sessions using either one mediator (Tm1Tm1) or two different mediators (Tm1Tm2). On the final test, which was performed 1week after the retrieval practice phase, the participants received only the cue with a request to report the mediator (M1 or M2) followed by the target (Experiment 1) or only the mediator (M1 or M2) with a request to report the target (Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 indicated that the participants who practiced under the Tm1Tm2 condition exhibited greater target retention than those who practiced under the Tm1Tm1 condition. This difference in performance was due to the significant disadvantage in mediator retrieval and decoding of the unpracticed mediator under the Tm1Tm1 condition. Although mediators were provided to participants on the final test in Experiment 2, decoding of the unpracticed mediators remained less effective than decoding of the practiced mediators. We conclude that practicing multiple retrieval routes leads to greater memory retention than focusing on a single retrieval route. Thus, increasing retrieval variability during repeated retrieval practice indeed significantly improves long-term retention in a delay test. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. TRDistiller: a rapid filter for enrichment of sequence datasets with proteins containing tandem repeats.

    PubMed

    Richard, François D; Kajava, Andrey V

    2014-06-01

    The dramatic growth of sequencing data evokes an urgent need to improve bioinformatics tools for large-scale proteome analysis. Over the last two decades, the foremost efforts of computer scientists were devoted to proteins with aperiodic sequences having globular 3D structures. However, a large portion of proteins contain periodic sequences representing arrays of repeats that are directly adjacent to each other (so called tandem repeats or TRs). These proteins frequently fold into elongated fibrous structures carrying different fundamental functions. Algorithms specific to the analysis of these regions are urgently required since the conventional approaches developed for globular domains have had limited success when applied to the TR regions. The protein TRs are frequently not perfect, containing a number of mutations, and some of them cannot be easily identified. To detect such "hidden" repeats several algorithms have been developed. However, the most sensitive among them are time-consuming and, therefore, inappropriate for large scale proteome analysis. To speed up the TR detection we developed a rapid filter that is based on the comparison of composition and order of short strings in the adjacent sequence motifs. Tests show that our filter discards up to 22.5% of proteins which are known to be without TRs while keeping almost all (99.2%) TR-containing sequences. Thus, we are able to decrease the size of the initial sequence dataset enriching it with TR-containing proteins which allows a faster subsequent TR detection by other methods. The program is available upon request. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Optimal Power Allocation for CC-HARQ-based Cognitive Radio with Statistical CSI in Nakagami Slow Fading Channels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Ding; Li, Qun

    2017-01-01

    This paper addresses the power allocation problem for cognitive radio (CR) based on hybrid-automatic-repeat-request (HARQ) with chase combining (CC) in Nakagamimslow fading channels. We assume that, instead of the perfect instantaneous channel state information (CSI), only the statistical CSI is available at the secondary user (SU) transmitter. The aim is to minimize the SU outage probability under the primary user (PU) interference outage constraint. Using the Lagrange multiplier method, an iterative and recursive algorithm is derived to obtain the optimal power allocation for each transmission round. Extensive numerical results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.

  5. Improving the care pathway for women who request Caesarean section: an experience-based co-design study.

    PubMed

    Kenyon, Sara L; Johns, Nina; Duggal, Sandhya; Hewston, Ruth; Gale, Nicola

    2016-11-09

    Maternal request for Caesarean section is controversial and yet the NICE Caesarean section Guideline recommends that that if this is requested, following discussion of the risks and benefits, women should be supported in their choice. There was a desire to improve the pathway at Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust. Experience-based co-design methodology uses service user and clinicians experiences collected using qualitative methods to jointly re-design services. Firstly semi-structured interviews were conducted to elicit the views and experiences of health care professionals and women who requested Caesarean section (with and without medical indication). Analysis identified key themes arising from the health care professionals' interviews and 'touch points' (key moments or events related to the experience of care) arising from the interviews with women.. Separate workshops were then held with each group to ensure these resonated and to identify key areas for service improvement. At the first joint workshop a pathway using 'audio clips' demonstrating women's agreed 'touch points' prompted discussion and joint working began to change the pathway. A final second workshop was held to agree changes to the pathway. Interviews were conducted with health care professionals (n = 22, 10 consultant obstetricians and 12 midwives) and women (n = 15). The women's 'touch points' included repetition of request, delay in the decision for Caesarean section to be made, feeling judged, and that information was poor with similar findings identified from the health care professionals. Joint working resulted in a revised pathway for women who request Caesarean section. Changes to the pathway for women as a result of the work include written information about 'The way your baby may be born' which is given to the woman followed by a discussion about mode of birth around the 16 week appointment. If the woman wishes to have a Caesarean section, referral is made to appropriate health care professionals (e.g., Consultant Midwife, counsellor) only if support and information would be useful. If Caesarean section is requested, woman is referred to a consultant obstetrician for an appointment at 20/40, with a decision by 28/40. Recording this in the notes minimises repeated challenge described by women. Final consent and timing of Caesarean section remain as recommended. This has resulted in changes to the pathway agreed by a co-design process and which are acceptable to both health care professionals and women. Use of such methodologies should be considered more frequently when implementing service change.

  6. Impact of Health Information Exchange on Emergency Medicine Clinical Decision Making.

    PubMed

    Gordon, Bradley D; Bernard, Kyle; Salzman, Josh; Whitebird, Robin R

    2015-12-01

    The objective of the study was to understand the immediate utility of health information exchange (HIE) on emergency department (ED) providers by interviewing them shortly after the information was retrieved. Prior studies of physician perceptions regarding HIE have only been performed outside of the care environment. Trained research assistants interviewed resident physicians, physician assistants and attending physicians using a semi-structured questionnaire within two hours of making a HIE request. The responses were recorded, then transcribed for qualitative analysis. The transcribed interviews were analyzed for emerging qualitative themes. We analyzed 40 interviews obtained from 29 providers. Primary qualitative themes discovered included the following: drivers for requests for outside information; the importance of unexpected information; historical lab values as reference points; providing context when determining whether to admit or discharge a patient; the importance of information in refining disposition; improved confidence of provider; and changes in decisions for diagnostic imaging. ED providers are driven to use HIE when they're missing a known piece of information. This study finds two additional impacts not previously reported. First, providers sometimes find additional unanticipated useful information, supporting a workflow that lowers the threshold to request external information. Second, providers sometimes report utility when no changes to their existing plan are made as their confidence is increased based on external records. Our findings are concordant with previous studies in finding exchanged information is useful to provide context for interpreting lab results, making admission decisions, and prevents repeat diagnostic imaging.

  7. Implementing a reward and reminder underage drinking prevention program in convenience stores near Southern California American Indian reservations.

    PubMed

    Moore, Roland S; Roberts, Jennifer; McGaffigan, Richard; Calac, Daniel; Grube, Joel W; Gilder, David A; Ehlers, Cindy L

    2012-09-01

    Underage drinking is associated with a number of social and public health consequences. Preventing access to alcohol is one approach to reducing underage drinking. This study assesses the efficacy of a culturally tailored "reward and reminder" program aimed at reducing convenience store alcohol sales to youth living on or near nine American Indian reservations. First, tribal council proclamations were sought to support underage drinking prevention, including reward and reminder efforts. Then, decoys (volunteers over 21 years of age but judged to look younger) attempted to purchase alcohol without identification. Clerks who asked for identification were given "rewards" (gift cards and congratulatory letters), whereas clerks who did not were given "reminders" of the law regarding sales to minors. Following an initial baseline of 12 purchase attempts, three repeated reward and reminder visits were made to 13 convenience stores selling alcohol within 10 miles of the reservations (n = 51 total attempts). Five of nine tribal councils passed resolutions in support of the program. The baseline sales rate without requesting ID was 33%. Similarly, 38% of stores in the first reward and reminder visit round failed to request identification. However, in the following two reward and reminder rounds, 0% of the stores failed to request identification. These results indicate that environmental community-level underage drinking prevention strategies to reduce alcohol sales near rural reservations are feasible and can be effective. Environmental prevention strategies within reservation communities support integrated supply and demand reduction models for reducing underage drinking.

  8. Dynamic Server-Based KML Code Generator Method for Level-of-Detail Traversal of Geospatial Data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baxes, Gregory; Mixon, Brian; Linger, TIm

    2013-01-01

    Web-based geospatial client applications such as Google Earth and NASA World Wind must listen to data requests, access appropriate stored data, and compile a data response to the requesting client application. This process occurs repeatedly to support multiple client requests and application instances. Newer Web-based geospatial clients also provide user-interactive functionality that is dependent on fast and efficient server responses. With massively large datasets, server-client interaction can become severely impeded because the server must determine the best way to assemble data to meet the client applications request. In client applications such as Google Earth, the user interactively wanders through the data using visually guided panning and zooming actions. With these actions, the client application is continually issuing data requests to the server without knowledge of the server s data structure or extraction/assembly paradigm. A method for efficiently controlling the networked access of a Web-based geospatial browser to server-based datasets in particular, massively sized datasets has been developed. The method specifically uses the Keyhole Markup Language (KML), an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGS) standard used by Google Earth and other KML-compliant geospatial client applications. The innovation is based on establishing a dynamic cascading KML strategy that is initiated by a KML launch file provided by a data server host to a Google Earth or similar KMLcompliant geospatial client application user. Upon execution, the launch KML code issues a request for image data covering an initial geographic region. The server responds with the requested data along with subsequent dynamically generated KML code that directs the client application to make follow-on requests for higher level of detail (LOD) imagery to replace the initial imagery as the user navigates into the dataset. The approach provides an efficient data traversal path and mechanism that can be flexibly established for any dataset regardless of size or other characteristics. The method yields significant improvements in userinteractive geospatial client and data server interaction and associated network bandwidth requirements. The innovation uses a C- or PHP-code-like grammar that provides a high degree of processing flexibility. A set of language lexer and parser elements is provided that offers a complete language grammar for writing and executing language directives. A script is wrapped and passed to the geospatial data server by a client application as a component of a standard KML-compliant statement. The approach provides an efficient means for a geospatial client application to request server preprocessing of data prior to client delivery. Data is structured in a quadtree format. As the user zooms into the dataset, geographic regions are subdivided into four child regions. Conversely, as the user zooms out, four child regions collapse into a single, lower-LOD region. The approach provides an efficient data traversal path and mechanism that can be flexibly established for any dataset regardless of size or other characteristics.

  9. Do older adults change their eyewitness reports when re-questioned?

    PubMed

    Henkel, Linda A

    2014-05-01

    This study examined how older adults responded to different types of pressure to change their responses when questioned a second time about their memory for a crime. After watching a video of a crime and answering questions about remembered details, younger (18-22 years) and older adults (64-91 years) were either given negative feedback about their memory performance, were told that most people their age did poorly on the memory test (stereotype threat), or were simply asked to answer the questions again. This was done regardless of their actual accuracy, and the questions were then repeated. Results showed that both younger and older adults changed significantly more responses following negative feedback and changed more responses on misleading than on nonleading questions. Among older adults, as age increased, accuracy decreased and rate of response change increased. People were moderately confident overall about both their correct and incorrect responses. These results highlight the dangers of repeatedly questioning older witnesses with misleading questions and suggest that the responses that are changed may come to be remembered confidently-regardless of whether they are correct or incorrect.

  10. Competitive Bidding in a Certain Class of Auctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johansson, Mathias

    2006-11-01

    We consider the problem of determining the amount to bid in a certain type of auctions in which customers submit one sealed bid. The bid reflects the price a customer is willing to pay for one unit of the offered goods. The auction is repeated and at each auction each customer requests a certain amount of goods, an amount that we call the capacity of the customer and that varies among customers and over time. At each auction, only the customer with the largest bid-capacity product obtains any goods. The price paid by the winner equals his/her bid-capacity product, and the amount of goods obtained in return equals the winner's capacity. The auction is repeated many times, with only limited information concerning winning bid-capacity products being announced to the customers. This situation is motivated in for example wireless communication networks in which a possible way of obtaining a desired service level is to use dynamic pricing and competitive bidding. In this application, the capacity is typically uncertain when the bid is made. We derive bidding rules and loss functions for a few typical service requirements.

  11. Radiation dose exposure in patients affected by lymphoma undergoing repeat CT examinations: how to manage the radiation dose variability.

    PubMed

    Paolicchi, Fabio; Bastiani, Luca; Guido, Davide; Dore, Antonio; Aringhieri, Giacomo; Caramella, Davide

    2018-03-01

    To assess the variability of radiation dose exposure in patients affected by lymphoma undergoing repeat CT (computed tomography) examinations and to evaluate the influence of different scan parameters on the overall radiation dose. A series of 34 patients (12 men and 22 women with a median age of 34.4 years) with lymphoma, after the initial staging CT underwent repeat follow-up CT examinations. For each patient and each repeat examination, age, sex, use of AEC system (Automated Exposure Control, i.e. current modulation), scan length, kV value, number of acquired scans (i.e. number of phases), abdominal size diameter and dose length product (DLP) were recorded. The radiation dose of just one venous phase was singled out from the DLP of the entire examination. All scan data were retrieved by our PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) by means of a dose monitoring software. Among the variables we considered, no significant difference of radiation dose was observed among patients of different ages nor concerning tube voltage. On the contrary the dose delivered to the patients varied depending on sex, scan length and usage of AEC. No significant difference was observed depending on the behaviour of technologists, while radiologists' choices had indirectly an impact on the radiation dose due to the different number of scans requested by each of them. Our results demonstrate that patients affected by lymphoma who undergo repeat whole body CT scanning may receive unnecessary overexposure. We quantified and analyzed the most relevant variables in order to provide a useful tool to manage properly CT dose variability, estimating the amount of additional radiation dose for every single significant variable. Additional scans, incorrect scan length and incorrect usage of AEC system are the most relevant cause of patient radiation exposure.

  12. Energy Consumption Research of Mobile Data Collection Protocol for Underwater Nodes Using an USV.

    PubMed

    Lv, Zhichao; Zhang, Jie; Jin, Jiucai; Li, Qi; Gao, Baoru

    2018-04-16

    The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) integrated with an acoustic modem is a novel mobile vehicle for data collection, which has an advantage in terms of mobility, efficiency, and collection cost. In the scenario of data collection, the USV is controlled autonomously along the planning trajectory and the data of underwater nodes are dynamically collected. In order to improve the efficiency of data collection and extend the life of the underwater nodes, a mobile data collection protocol for underwater nodes using the USV was proposed. In the protocol, the stop-and-wait ARQ transmission mechanism is adopted, where the duty cycle is designed considering the ratio between the sleep mode and the detection mode, and the transmission ratio is defined by the duty cycle, wake-up signal cycles, and USV’s speed. According to protocol, the evaluation index for energy consumption is constructed based on the duty cycle and the transmission ratio. The energy consumption of the protocol is simulated and analyzed using the mobile communication experiment data of USV, taking into consideration USV’s speed, data sequence length, and duty cycle. Optimized protocol parameters are identified, which in turn denotes the proposed protocol’s feasibility and effectiveness.

  13. The automated Army ROTC Questionnaire (ARQ)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Young, David L. H.

    1991-01-01

    The Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Command (ROTCCC) takes applications for its officer training program from college students and Army enlisted personnel worldwide. Each applicant is required to complete a set of application forms prior to acceptance into the ROTC program. These forms are covered by several regulations that govern the eligibility of potential applicants and guide the applicant through the application process. Eligibility criteria changes as Army regulations are periodically revised. Outdated information results in a loss of applications attributable to frustration and error. ROTCCC asked for an inexpensive and reliable way of automating their application process. After reviewing the process, it was determined that an expert system with good end user interface capabilities could be used to solve a large part of the problem. The system captures the knowledge contained within the regulations, enables the quick distribution and implementation of eligibility criteria changes, and distributes the expertise of the admissions personnel to the education centers and colleges. The expert system uses a modified version of CLIPS that was streamlined to make the most efficient use of its capabilities. A user interface with windowing capabilities provides the applicant with a simple and effective way to input his/her personal data.

  14. Reproducibility of CT bone densitometry: operator versus automated ROI definition.

    PubMed

    Louis, O; Luypaert, R; Kalender, W; Osteaux, M

    1988-05-01

    Intrasubject reproducibility with repeated determination of vertebral mineral density from a given set of CT images was investigated. The region of interest (ROI) in 10 patient scans was selected by four independent operators either manually or with an automated procedure separating cortical and spongeous bone, the operators being requested to interact in ROI selection. The mean intrasubject variation was found to be much lower with the automated process (0.3 to 0.6%) than with the conventional method (2.5 to 5.2%). In a second study, 10 patients were examined twice to determine the reproducibility of CT slice selection by the operator. The errors were of the same order of magnitude as in ROI selection.

  15. Self-healing failures in the aerial plant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kiss, Gabor D.

    1994-03-01

    This account begins in the wee hours of a bitterly cold night in the winter of '92 - '93. A fiber optic transmission system starts to incur unacceptable errors and switches to a protect channel. The system is being run at 1550 nm because it is a route which is long enough to otherwise require a repeater at 1310 nm. OTDR measurement shows high splice losses. By dawn the high-loss splices have partially recovered so the system is switched back to the original fibers. Failure of the mechanical splices is suspected, the RBOC requests post-mortem assistance from Bellcore, and a team is dispatched immediately to work with RBOC personnel in determining the cause of the failure.

  16. Implementing a reward and reminder underage drinking prevention program in convenience stores near Southern California American Indian reservations

    PubMed Central

    Moore, Roland S.; Roberts, Jennifer; McGaffigan, Richard; Calac, Daniel; Grube, Joel W.; Gilder, David A.; Ehlers, Cindy L.

    2012-01-01

    Background Underage drinking is associated with a number of social and public health consequences. Preventing access to alcohol is one approach to reducing underage drinking. Objectives This study assesses the efficacy of a culturally tailored “reward and reminder” program aimed at reducing convenience store alcohol sales to youth living on or near nine American Indian reservations. Methods First, tribal council proclamations were sought to support underage drinking prevention, including reward and reminder efforts. Then, decoys (volunteers over 21 years of age but judged to look younger) attempted to purchase alcohol without identification. Clerks who asked for identification were given “rewards” (gift cards and congratulatory letters), whereas clerks who did not were given “reminders” of the law regarding sales to minors. Following an initial baseline of 12 purchase attempts, three repeated reward and reminder visits were made to 13 convenience stores selling alcohol within ten miles of the reservations (n=51 total attempts). Results Five of nine tribal councils passed resolutions in support of the program. The baseline sales rate without requesting ID was 33%. Similarly, 38% of stores in the first reward and reminder visit round failed to request identification. However, in the following two reward and reminder rounds, 0% of the stores failed to request identification. Conclusions These results indicate that environmental community-level underage drinking prevention strategies to reduce alcohol sales near rural reservations are feasible and can be effective. Scientific Significance Environmental prevention strategies within reservation communities support integrated supply and demand reduction models for reducing underage drinking. PMID:22931080

  17. Maintaining the continuity of HIV-care records for patients transferring care between centers: challenges, workloads, needs and risks.

    PubMed

    Gill, M John; Ody, Meagan; Lynch, Tarah; Jessiman-Perreault, Lynn; Krentz, Hartmut B

    2016-08-01

    With improved life expectancy, the medical records of HIV-infected patients are likely to be transferred repeatedly between HIV caregivers. The challenges, and risk for introducing medical error from incomplete record transfers are poorly understood. We measured number of requests for record transfer, the workload incurred, and explore, using genotypic antiretroviral resistance testing results (GART), the potential risk of incomplete records. Using retrospective database and chart review, we examined all patients followed at the Southern Alberta Clinic between 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2015, and determined how many patients transferred care into and out our program, the associated requests and the workload for record transfer. Using a complete record of all GART tests, the potential importance of absent historic records in current treatment decisions was analyzed. The annual churn rate was 22 ± 3.4%. We received requests for only 70% of patient records who had left our care. Median time for receipt of incoming medical records was 28 days; average clerical time for processing data was 2 hours/record. Of all GART results, 25% exhibited resistance. Of 111 patients with potentially misleading GART results (i.e., documented historical resistance not visible on more recent GART), 34 (30.6%) had moved in from elsewhere. Rigorous maintenance of the continuity of the HIV record is not universally practiced. Resources, costs and logistic challenges as well as a lack of appreciation of risks clearly shown by GART testing, may be relevant barriers. Addressing such issues is pressing as aging and transfers of care are increasingly common.

  18. Python-based dynamic scheduling assistant for atmospheric measurements by Bruker instruments using OPUS.

    PubMed

    Geddes, Alexander; Robinson, John; Smale, Dan

    2018-02-01

    Atmospheric remote sensing by instruments such as spectrometers and interferometers often requires scheduling that is dependent on external factors, for example; time and solar (or lunar) zenith angle. Such instruments manufactured by Bruker often use the software package OPUS, which, while useful, is not flexible enough for automatic, repeated, atmospheric measurements of this nature. In this brief paper, we describe ASAP, a Python tool developed to run our network of Fourier transform interferometers in New Zealand and Antarctica. It allows the automated scheduling of measurements by time, lunar, or solar zenith angle while accounting for weather or other external parameters. There is a wide range of useful functions, all packaged in a simple graphical user interface; it is available on request.

  19. Health hazard evaluation report HETA 81-138-1563, Fillmore Dole Mushrooms, Castle and Cooke Foods, Fillmore, Utah. [Analyses for bacteria, fungi, formaldehyde, and vapona

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

    Gunter, B.J.; Thoburn, T.W.; Lockey, J.E.

    1985-01-01

    Environmental and breathing-zone samples were analyzed for bacteria, fungi, formaldehyde, and 2,2-dichlorovinyldimethylphosphate (vapona) at Fillmore Dole Mushrooms, Castle and Cooke Foods, Fillmore, Utah in June, 1981. The survey was requested by the workers to evaluate respiratory problems. A total of 111 workers, including 59 Southeast Asians, were interviewed by questionnaire. There were 48 English-speaking and 18 Asian comparisons. The authors conclude that a potential hazard exists due to exposure to airborne fungi and bacteria. Formaldehyde and vapona are not a problem. Recommendations include conducting more intensive medical studies of the exposed workers and repeating the survey in about 5 years.

  20. Examination of Routine Practice Patterns in the Hospital Information Data Warehouse: Use of OLAP and Rough Set Analysis with Clinician Feedback

    PubMed Central

    Grant, Andrew; Grant, Gwyneth; Gagné, Jean; Blanchette, Carl; Comeau, Émilie; Brodeur, Guillaume; Dionne, Jonathon; Ayite, Alphonse; Synak, Piotr; Wroblewski, Jakub; Apanowitz, Cas

    2001-01-01

    The patient centred electronic patient record enables retrospective analysis of practice patterns as one means to assist clinicians adjust and improve their practice. An interrogation of the data-warehouse linking test use to Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) of one years data of the Sherbrooke University Hospital showed that one-third of patients used two-thirds of these diagnostic tests. Using RoughSets analysis, zones of repeated tests were demonstrated where results remained within stable limits. It was concluded that 30% of fluid and electrolyte testing was probably unnecessary. These findings led to an endorsement of changing the test request formats in the hospital information system from profiles to individual tests requiring justification.

  1. Standardization and validation of a parallel form of the verbal and non-verbal recognition memory test in an Italian population sample.

    PubMed

    Smirni, Daniela; Smirni, Pietro; Di Martino, Giovanni; Cipolotti, Lisa; Oliveri, Massimiliano; Turriziani, Patrizia

    2018-05-04

    In the neuropsychological assessment of several neurological conditions, recognition memory evaluation is requested. Recognition seems to be more appropriate than recall to study verbal and non-verbal memory, because interferences of psychological and emotional disorders are less relevant in the recognition than they are in recall memory paradigms. In many neurological disorders, longitudinal repeated assessments are needed to monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs or pharmacological treatments on the recovery of memory. In order to contain the practice effect in repeated neuropsychological evaluations, it is necessary the use of parallel forms of the tests. Having two parallel forms of the same test, that kept administration procedures and scoring constant, is a great advantage in both clinical practice, for the monitoring of memory disorder, and in experimental practice, to allow the repeated evaluation of memory on healthy and neurological subjects. First aim of the present study was to provide normative values in an Italian sample (n = 160) for a parallel form of a verbal and non-verbal recognition memory battery. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant effects of age and education on recognition memory performance, whereas sex did not reach a significant probability level. Inferential cutoffs have been determined and equivalent scores computed. Secondly, the study aimed to validate the equivalence of the two parallel forms of the Recognition Memory Test. The correlations analyses between the total scores of the two versions of the test and correlation between the three subtasks revealed that the two forms are parallel and the subtasks are equivalent for difficulty.

  2. Heritability of children's prosocial behavior and differential susceptibility to parenting by variation in the dopamine receptor D4 gene.

    PubMed

    Knafo, Ariel; Israel, Salomon; Ebstein, Richard P

    2011-02-01

    Theoretical considerations and new empirical evidence suggest that children's development cannot simply be explained by either genes or environment but that their interaction is important to understanding child behavior. In particular, a genetic polymorphism, the exon III repeat region of the dopamine receptor D4, has been the focus of interest regarding differential susceptibility to parental influence. To study environmental and genetic influences on children's prosocial behavior, 168 twin pairs (mean age = 44 months) participated in an experiment that assessed prosocial behavior via three measures: compliant prosocial behavior elicited in response to social requests, self-initiated prosocial behavior enacted voluntarily, and mothers' rating of children's behavior. Genetic effects accounted for 34% to 53% of the variance in prosocial behavior. The rest of the variance was accounted for by nonshared environment and error. Parenting measures of maternal positivity, negativity, and unexplained punishment did not correlate significantly with children's prosocial behavior. However, when parenting was stratified by presence or absence of the child's dopamine receptor D4 7-repeat allele in an overlapping sample of 167 children to model differential susceptibility to parental influence, a richer picture emerged. Positive parenting related meaningfully to mother-rated prosocial behavior, and unexplained punishment related positively to self-initiated prosocial behavior, but only among children carrying the 7-repeat allele. The findings demonstrate that a molecular genetic strategy, based on genotyping of common polymorphisms and combined with a classic twin approach, provides a richer description of how genes and environment interact to shape children's behavior, and allows for the identification of differential sensitivity to parental influence.

  3. Functional MR imaging assessment of a non-responsive brain injured patient.

    PubMed

    Moritz, C H; Rowley, H A; Haughton, V M; Swartz, K R; Jones, J; Badie, B

    2001-10-01

    Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was requested to assist in the evaluation of a comatose 38-year-old woman who had sustained multiple cerebral contusions from a motor vehicle accident. Previous electrophysiologic studies suggested absence of thalamocortical processing in response to median nerve stimulation. Whole-brain fMRI was performed utilizing visual, somatosensory, and auditory stimulation paradigms. Results demonstrated intact task-correlated sensory and cognitive blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) hemodynamic response to stimuli. Electrodiagnostic studies were repeated and evoked potentials indicated supratentorial recovery in the cerebrum. At 3-months post trauma the patient had recovered many cognitive & sensorimotor functions, accurately reflecting the prognostic fMRI evaluation. These results indicate that fMRI examinations may provide a useful evaluation for brain function in non-responsive brain trauma patients.

  4. CommServer: A Communications Manager For Remote Data Sites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Irving, K.; Kane, D. L.

    2012-12-01

    CommServer is a software system that manages making connections to remote data-gathering stations, providing a simple network interface to client applications. The client requests a connection to a site by name, and the server establishes the connection, providing a bidirectional channel between the client and the target site if successful. CommServer was developed to manage networks of FreeWave serial data radios with multiple data sites, repeaters, and network-accessed base stations, and has been in continuous operational use for several years. Support for Iridium modems using RUDICS will be added soon, and no changes to the application interface are anticipated. CommServer is implemented on Linux using programs written in bash shell, Python, Perl, AWK, under a set of conventions we refer to as ThinObject.

  5. Television and contraception.

    PubMed

    Klein, L

    1986-01-01

    This article consists of excerpts from a speach made on October 19th at the 1986 annual meeting of the Association of Planned Parenthood Professionals by Dr. Luella Klein, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) between 1984-85. The speaker described the reaction of US television network to the ACOG's request that the networks air a public service announcement encouraging responsible sexual behavior among the nation's young people. In 1984 the ACOG initiated a public information program aimed at reducing the high number of unwanted births among young people. The ACOG with the help of an advertising agency developed a 27-second public service announcement stressing responsible parenthood and informing young people that they could write or call for further information. A booklet, entitled "Facts," was prepared for distribution to those who inquired. It advised young people to consider postponing sexual intercourse but to use the most effective methods of contraception if they decided to be sexually active. Oral contraceptives for females and condoms for males were recommended as the most effective methods. When the 3 major television networks, i.e., the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), and the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), were requested to carry the announcement, all 3 networks claimed the announcement was too controversial to air. These same networks do not hesitate to show blatant, irresponsible sexual behavior repeatedly during their entertainment programming, and commercials with sexual innuendos are routinely accepted for airing by the networks. In July, 1986, the ACOG called a news conference in New York City to inform the news media about the rejection of the announcement by the networks. The conference stimulated considerable interest, and the story was carried by many newspapers and by radio and television news programs. Many of the news accounts of the story contained the public service announcement itself. As a result, young people began calling and writing for the booklet. Editorials critical of the networks' handling of the ACOG request appeared in numerous publications. The author then wrote to the presidents of each network asking them to reconsider the ACOG request. The presidents of ABC and CBS flatly rejected the request, but the president of NBC agreed to meet with the ACOG to work out an acceptable announcement. The networks must be encouraged to promote a more responsible and realistic image of sexual behavior than the image currently being conveyed in television programs and ads.

  6. Developing and Trialling an independent, scalable and repeatable IT-benchmarking procedure for healthcare organisations.

    PubMed

    Liebe, J D; Hübner, U

    2013-01-01

    Continuous improvements of IT-performance in healthcare organisations require actionable performance indicators, regularly conducted, independent measurements and meaningful and scalable reference groups. Existing IT-benchmarking initiatives have focussed on the development of reliable and valid indicators, but less on the questions about how to implement an environment for conducting easily repeatable and scalable IT-benchmarks. This study aims at developing and trialling a procedure that meets the afore-mentioned requirements. We chose a well established, regularly conducted (inter-) national IT-survey of healthcare organisations (IT-Report Healthcare) as the environment and offered the participants of the 2011 survey (CIOs of hospitals) to enter a benchmark. The 61 structural and functional performance indicators covered among others the implementation status and integration of IT-systems and functions, global user satisfaction and the resources of the IT-department. Healthcare organisations were grouped by size and ownership. The benchmark results were made available electronically and feedback on the use of these results was requested after several months. Fifty-ninehospitals participated in the benchmarking. Reference groups consisted of up to 141 members depending on the number of beds (size) and the ownership (public vs. private). A total of 122 charts showing single indicator frequency views were sent to each participant. The evaluation showed that 94.1% of the CIOs who participated in the evaluation considered this benchmarking beneficial and reported that they would enter again. Based on the feedback of the participants we developed two additional views that provide a more consolidated picture. The results demonstrate that establishing an independent, easily repeatable and scalable IT-benchmarking procedure is possible and was deemed desirable. Based on these encouraging results a new benchmarking round which includes process indicators is currently conducted.

  7. Changes in pathology test ordering by early career general practitioners: a longitudinal study.

    PubMed

    Magin, Parker J; Tapley, Amanda; Morgan, Simon; Henderson, Kim; Holliday, Elizabeth G; Davey, Andrew R; Ball, Jean; Catzikiris, Nigel F; Mulquiney, Katie J; van Driel, Mieke L

    2017-07-17

    To assess the number of pathology tests ordered by general practice registrars during their first 18-24 months of clinical general practice. Longitudinal analysis of ten rounds of data collection (2010-2014) for the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) study, an ongoing, multicentre, cohort study of general practice registrars in Australia. The principal analysis employed negative binomial regression in a generalised estimating equations framework (to account for repeated measures on registrars).Setting, participants: General practice registrars in training posts with five of 17 general practice regional training providers in five Australian states. The registrar participation rate was 96.4%. Number of pathology tests requested per consultation. The time unit for analysis was the registrar training term (the 6-month full-time equivalent component of clinical training); registrars contributed data for up to four training terms. 876 registrars contributed data for 114 584 consultations. The number of pathology tests requested increased by 11% (95% CI, 8-15%; P < 0.001) per training term. Contrary to expectations, pathology test ordering by general practice registrars increased significantly during their first 2 years of clinical practice. This causes concerns about overtesting. As established general practitioners order fewer tests than registrars, test ordering may peak during late vocational training and early career practice. Registrars need support during this difficult period in the development of their clinical practice patterns.

  8. Recruitment of prospective donors: what do they expect from a homepage of a blood transfusion service?

    PubMed

    Moog, R; Fourné, K

    2007-08-01

    In times of shrinking donor population, the recruitment of donors is of utmost importance. Recruitment can be done by personal communication, advertisement/information, classical mass media (newspaper, radio, TV) or new computerized media. The aim of this study was to gain information about the donors' demands of an Internet presentation of a blood transfusion service. Between October and December 2004 inclusive, prospective donors were asked to complete a survey about the impact of Internet information for blood donors. The survey contained questions measuring demographics, education and motivation for blood donation. In addition, the survey included questions that measured Internet access, duration of online time and donors' demands for an Internet presentation of a blood transfusion service. Donors were asked to tick a box with predefined answers. In cases where no options were applied, donors were requested to specify their answers. One hundred and fourteen prospective donors (71 female, 43 male) with a median age of 25 years (range 18-57 years) completed the survey. Most donors (57.9%) were 18-30 years old. Forty-two (36.8%) of the surveyed donors were repeat donors, whereas 72 (63.2%) were first-time donors. The majority of donors were informed about blood donation from relatives or friends (70.7% repeat donors and 67.7% first-time donors). Most of them had Internet access (85.7% repeat donors and 90.3% first-time donors). Exclusive use of private access was more often reported in repeat donors (77.8%), whereas both private and professional access was more frequently used in first-time donors (32.3%). Most donors used the Internet access daily, followed by weekly and monthly use. Multiple answers were given about the importance of desired information about the topic 'blood donation'. Both first-time and repeat donors wanted to be informed about organizational details of blood donation such as opening times, eligibility criteria, donation process and the kind of donation, e.g. whole blood donation or apheresis donation. Information about the use of the donated blood products, remuneration and laboratory tests performed were also required. The Internet is an important new tool for the recruitment of prospective donors. Donors want to be informed about organizational details of the donation. In the meantime, we have implemented a homepage for our transfusion service meeting the demands of prospective donors.

  9. Implementation of a novel occupational and environmental medicine specialty teleconsultation service: the VHA experience.

    PubMed

    Eaton, Jennifer L; Mohr, David C; Mohammad, Amir; Kirkhorn, Steven; Gerstel-Santucci, Christina; McPhaul, Kathleen; Hodgson, Michael J

    2015-02-01

    Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) physician specialty practices continue to grow in scope and intensity across the Veterans Health Administration. This study characterizes the implementation of a novel, nationwide telemedicine program that provides OEM specialty consultation to providers across the Veterans Health Administration. We examined provider requests and specialist responses for a 6-month pilot from May to October 2013. Characteristics of consult users, determinants of case complexity, and specific applications of OEM specialty expertise were identified. Over a 6-month period, employee occupational health providers consulted the OEM telemedicine pilot a total of 65 times. Employee occupational health providers without formal training repeatedly identified complex cases related to work and disability. The program has created a new system management solution to deliver expert, in-depth consultation and real-time provider education in OEM.

  10. A tactile-output paging communication system for the deaf-blind

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baer, J. A.

    1979-01-01

    A radio frequency paging communication system that has coded vibrotactile outputs suitable for use by deaf-blind people was developed. In concept, the system consists of a base station transmitting and receiving unit and many on-body transmitting and receiving units. The completed system has seven operating modes: fire alarm; time signal; repeated single character Morse code; manual Morse code; emergency aid request; operational status test; and message acknowledge. The on-body units can be addressed in three ways: all units; a group of units; or an individual unit. All the functions developed were integrated into a single package that can be worn on the user's wrist. The control portion of the on-body unit is implemented by a microcomputer. The microcomputer is packaged in a custom-designed hybrid circuit to reduce its physical size.

  11. Reporting of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands: descriptive study.

    PubMed

    Buiting, Hilde; van Delden, Johannes; Onwuteaka-Philpsen, Bregje; Rietjens, Judith; Rurup, Mette; van Tol, Donald; Gevers, Joseph; van der Maas, Paul; van der Heide, Agnes

    2009-10-27

    An important principle underlying the Dutch Euthanasia Act is physicians' responsibility to alleviate patients' suffering. The Dutch Act states that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are not punishable if the attending physician acts in accordance with criteria of due care. These criteria concern the patient's request, the patient's suffering (unbearable and hopeless), the information provided to the patient, the presence of reasonable alternatives, consultation of another physician and the applied method of ending life. To demonstrate their compliance, the Act requires physicians to report euthanasia to a review committee. We studied which arguments Dutch physicians use to substantiate their adherence to the criteria and which aspects attract review committees' attention. We examined 158 files of reported euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide cases that were approved by the review committees. We studied the physicians' reports and the verdicts of the review committees by using a checklist. Physicians reported that the patient's request had been well-considered because the patient was clear-headed (65%) and/or had repeated the request several times (23%). Unbearable suffering was often substantiated with physical symptoms (62%), function loss (33%), dependency (28%) or deterioration (15%). In 35%, physicians reported that there had been alternatives to relieve patients' suffering which were refused by the majority. The nature of the relationship with the consultant was sometimes unclear: the consultant was reported to have been an unknown colleague (39%), a known colleague (21%), otherwise (25%), or not clearly specified in the report (24%). Review committees relatively often scrutinized the consultation (41%) and the patient's (unbearable) suffering (32%); they had few questions about possible alternatives (1%). Dutch physicians substantiate their adherence to the criteria in a variable way with an emphasis on physical symptoms. The information they provide is in most cases sufficient to enable adequate review. Review committees' control seems to focus on (unbearable) suffering and on procedural issues.

  12. Repeated attempted homicide by administration of drugs documented by hair analysis.

    PubMed

    Baillif-Couniou, Valérie; Bartoli, Christophe; Sastre, Caroline; Chèze, Marjorie; Deveaux, Marc; Léonetti, Georges; Pélissier-Alicot, Anne-Laure

    2018-02-01

    Attempted murder by repeated poisoning is quite rare. The authors describe the case of a 62-year-old man who was admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for neurological disturbances complicated by inhalation pneumopathy. He presented a loss of consciousness while his wife was visiting him at the ICU (H0). Forty-eight hours later (H48), police officers apprehended the patient's wife pouring a liquid into his fruit salad at the hospital. Toxicological analyses of a blood sample and the infusion equipment (H0), as well as the fruit salad and its container (H48), confirmed the attempted poisoning with cyamemazine (H0) and hydrochloric acid (H48). In order to evaluate the anteriority of poisonings, hair analysis was requested and the medical records of the 6 previous months were also examined. Two 6-cm brown hair strands were sampled and the victim's medical record was seized in order to determine the treatments he had been given during the previous six months. Segmental hair testing on two 6-cm brown hair was conducted by GC-MS, LC-DAD and LC-MS/MS (0-2/2-4/4-6 cm; pg/mg). Haloperidol (9200/1391/227), amitriptyline (7450/1850/3260), venlafaxine (332/560/260), that had never been part of the victim's treatment were detected, as well as some benzodiazepines (alprazolam, bromazepam, nordazepam); cyamemazine was also detected in all the segments (9960/1610/2367) though only a single dose administration was reported in the medical records. The toxicological analyses performed at H0 and H48 confirmed the homicide attempts in the ICU. In addition, comparison of the results in hair analysis with the medical records confirmed repeated poisoning attempts over the previous six months, and thus explain the origin of the disorders presented by the victim. This case serves to remind us that repeated attempted murder can be difficult to diagnose and that hair analysis can be an effective way to detect such attempts. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  13. Cross-Layer Design for Space-Time coded MIMO Systems over Rice Fading Channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Xiangbin; Zhou, Tingting; Liu, Xiaoshuai; Yin, Xin

    A cross-layer design (CLD) scheme for space-time coded MIMO systems over Rice fading channel is presented by combining adaptive modulation and automatic repeat request, and the corresponding system performance is investigated well. The fading gain switching thresholds subject to a target packet error rate (PER) and fixed power constraint are derived. According to these results, and using the generalized Marcum Q-function, the calculation formulae of the average spectrum efficiency (SE) and PER of the system with CLD are derived. As a result, closed-form expressions for average SE and PER are obtained. These expressions include some existing expressions in Rayleigh channel as special cases. With these expressions, the system performance in Rice fading channel is evaluated effectively. Numerical results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis. The results show that the system performance in Rice channel is effectively improved as Rice factor increases, and outperforms that in Rayleigh channel.

  14. Resource allocation for error resilient video coding over AWGN using optimization approach.

    PubMed

    An, Cheolhong; Nguyen, Truong Q

    2008-12-01

    The number of slices for error resilient video coding is jointly optimized with 802.11a-like media access control and the physical layers with automatic repeat request and rate compatible punctured convolutional code over additive white gaussian noise channel as well as channel times allocation for time division multiple access. For error resilient video coding, the relation between the number of slices and coding efficiency is analyzed and formulated as a mathematical model. It is applied for the joint optimization problem, and the problem is solved by a convex optimization method such as the primal-dual decomposition method. We compare the performance of a video communication system which uses the optimal number of slices with one that codes a picture as one slice. From numerical examples, end-to-end distortion of utility functions can be significantly reduced with the optimal slices of a picture especially at low signal-to-noise ratio.

  15. Environmental health and justice and the right to research: institutional review board denials of community-based chemical biomonitoring of breast milk.

    PubMed

    Saxton, Dvera I; Brown, Phil; Seguinot-Medina, Samarys; Eckstein, Lorraine; Carpenter, David O; Miller, Pamela; Waghiyi, Vi

    2015-11-25

    Recently, conflicts and challenges have emerged regarding environmental justice and research ethics for some indigenous communities. Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) responded to community requests for breast milk biomonitoring and conceived the Breast Milk Pilot Study (BMPS). Despite having community support and federal and private funding, the BMPS remains incomplete due to repeated disapprovals by the Alaska Area IRB (Institutional Review Board). In this commentary, we explore the consequences of years of IRB denials, in terms of health inequalities, environmental justice, and research ethics. We highlight the greater significance of this story with respect to research in Alaska Native communities, biomonitoring, and global toxics regulation. We offer suggestions to community-based researchers conducting biomonitoring projects on how to engage with IRBs in order to cultivate reflective, context-based research ethics that better consider the needs and concerns of communities.

  16. Intelligent Manufacturing of Commercial Optics Final Report CRADA No. TC-0313-92

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

    Taylor, J. S.; Pollicove, H.

    The project combined the research and development efforts of LLNL and the University of Rochester Center for Manufacturing Optics (COM), to develop a new generation of flexible computer controlled optics· grinding machines. COM's principal near term development effort is to commercialize the OPTICAM-SM, a new prototype spherical grinding machine. A crucial requirement for commercializing the OPTICAM-SM is the development of a predictable and repeatable material removal process ( deterministic micro-grinding) that yields high quality surfaces that minimize non-deterministic polishing. OPTICAM machine tools and the fabrication process development studies are part of COM' s response to the DOD (ARPA) request tomore » implement a modernization strategy for revitalizing the U.S. optics manufacturing base. This project was entered into in order to develop a new generation of :flexible, computer-controlled optics grinding machines.« less

  17. Epidural Blood Patch Using Manometry for Sinking Skin Flap Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Turner, James D; Farmer, Justin L; Dobson, Sean W

    2016-06-01

    We describe here a 55-year-old male patient with a medical history significant for chronic back pain and substance abuse with cocaine who sustained a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage after a fall from a roof while acutely intoxicated on cocaine requiring decompressive hemicraniectomy and cranioplasty that was complicated by an epidural abscess requiring a repeat craniectomy. He was diagnosed with sinking skin flap syndrome consistent with altered mental status and a sunken skin flap with increased midline shift. Despite treatment with Trendelenburg positioning and appropriate fluid management, the patient continued to decline, and an epidural blood patch was requested for treatment. After placement of the epidural blood patch using manometry in the epidural space, the patient's neurologic status improved allowing him to ultimately receive a cranioplasty. The patient is now able to perform several of his activities of daily living and communicate effectively.

  18. Education Creates Welcoming Environment for Transgender Patients.

    PubMed

    Ehrenfeld, Jesse; Gridley, Samantha

    2016-08-01

    The ED often is the access point of choice for transgender patients who may be reluctant to interact with providers. Experts say there is a need for training and education of how to present a gender-affirming healthcare environment. Recommended steps include a review of policies, along with corresponding changes to electronic and paper intake forms to ensure that the language used is inclusive of all genders. While blanket discrimination may be declining, experts note that some providers are uncertain about how to interact with a transgender patient. It's always best to ask patients for their preferred name and pronoun and to repeat this exercise every three to six months for return patients, as gender identify can be fluid. To ease anxiety for transgender patients, consider developing a navigator program that will pair any transgender patient who requests the service with a trained advocate who can support and guide the patient through the system.

  19. Scope for more genetic testing in learning disability. Case report of an inherited duplication on the X-chromosome.

    PubMed

    Robertshaw, B A; MacPherson, J

    2006-08-01

    There have been major advances in the past few years in our understanding of the X-linked learning disabilities. The most common of these is the fragile-X syndrome, but the number of other gene defects that are now recognised to be linked with learning disability is increasing year on year. We describe one family displaying a family displaying a rare X-linked abnormality. Repeat genetic testing was requested for a family member with mild learning disability when, following chromosomal analysis for her brother, it became known that he had a genetic defect. The genetic defect 46, Xdup(X) (p22.13 p22.31) was identified. To our knowledge this is the first time this precise configuration has been demonstrated. We conclude that genetic testing for individuals with learning disability is worthwhile, even when there may be only a low index of suspicion.

  20. System for controlling a hybrid energy system

    DOEpatents

    Hoff, Brian D.; Akasam, Sivaprasad

    2013-01-29

    A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.

  1. Precision-controlled elution of a 82Sr/82Rb generator for cardiac perfusion imaging with positron emission tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klein, R.; Adler, A.; Beanlands, R. S.; de Kemp, R. A.

    2007-02-01

    A rubidium-82 (82Rb) elution system is described for use with positron emission tomography. Due to the short half-life of 82Rb (76 s), the system physics must be modelled precisely to account for transport delay and the associated activity decay and dispersion. Saline flow is switched between a 82Sr/82Rb generator and a bypass line to achieve a constant-activity elution of 82Rb. Pulse width modulation (PWM) of a solenoid valve is compared to simple threshold control as a means to simulate a proportional valve. A predictive-corrective control (PCC) algorithm is developed which produces a constant-activity elution within the constraints of long feedback delay and short elution time. The system model parameters are adjusted through a self-tuning algorithm to minimize error versus the requested time-activity profile. The system is self-calibrating with 2.5% repeatability, independent of generator activity and elution flow rate. Accurate 30 s constant-activity elutions of 10-70% of the total generator activity are achieved using both control methods. The combined PWM-PCC method provides significant improvement in precision and accuracy of the requested elution profiles. The 82Rb elution system produces accurate and reproducible constant-activity elution profiles of 82Rb activity, independent of parent 82Sr activity in the generator. More reproducible elution profiles may improve the quality of clinical and research PET perfusion studies using 82Rb.

  2. Effects of the implementation of an 84-hour workweek on neurobehavioral test performance and cortisol responsiveness during testing.

    PubMed

    Persson, Roger; Orbaek, Palle; Ursin, Holger; Kecklund, Göran; Osterberg, Kai; Akerstedt, Torbjörn

    2003-08-01

    This study examined whether long workhours in combination with an extended workweek (12 hours/7 days), as requested by the workers, impaired attention and cognitive performance and whether the degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation was related to the response to the performance tasks. A group of 41 male construction workers between 21 and 60 (mean 39) years of age who worked 84 hours a week, with alternate weeks off, was compared with a group of 23 male construction workers between 24 and 65 (mean 43) years of age who had a traditional 40-hour work schedule. Neurobehavioral test performance, self-ratings of fatigue and sleepiness, and salivary cortisol levels were evaluated in a counterbalanced repeated-measures design. The 84-hour group did not show any signs of reduced test performance or elevated fatigue and sleepiness. The 84-hour group had faster reaction times on day 7 than on days 1 and 5. Although the expected activation of the HPA axis was only found in the total study sample when workdays 1 and 5 were collapsed, the HPA activation can be considered normal. The results suggest that an 84-hour work regimen in response to requests from workers does not induce more performance deficits than an ordinary 40-hour workweek. An extended work schedule of 84 hours cannot in the short-term be considered to affect basic mental capabilities negatively.

  3. From customer satisfaction survey to corrective actions in laboratory services in a university hospital.

    PubMed

    Oja, Paula I; Kouri, Timo T; Pakarinen, Arto J

    2006-12-01

    To find out the satisfaction of clinical units with laboratory services in a university hospital, to point out the most important problems and defects in services, to carry out corrective actions, and thereafter to identify the possible changes in satisfaction. and Senior physicians and nurses-in-charge of the clinical units at Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Customer satisfaction survey using a questionnaire was carried out in 2001, indicating the essential aspects of laboratory services. Customer-specific problems were clarified, corrective actions were performed, and the survey was repeated in 2004. In 2001, the highest dissatisfaction rates were recorded for computerized test requesting and reporting, turnaround times of tests, and the schedule of phlebotomy rounds. The old laboratory information system was not amenable to major improvements, and it was renewed in 2004-05. Several clinical units perceived turnaround times to be long, because the tests were ordered as routine despite emergency needs. Instructions about stat requesting were given to these units. However, no changes were evident in the satisfaction level in the 2004 survey. Following negotiations with the clinics, phlebotomy rounds were re-scheduled. This resulted in a distinct increase in satisfaction in 2004. Satisfaction survey is a screening tool that identifies topics of dissatisfaction. Without further clarifications, it is not possible to find out the specific problems of customers and to undertake targeted corrective actions. Customer-specific corrections are rarely seen as improvements in overall satisfaction rates.

  4. Precision-controlled elution of a 82Sr/82Rb generator for cardiac perfusion imaging with positron emission tomography.

    PubMed

    Klein, R; Adler, A; Beanlands, R S; Dekemp, R A

    2007-02-07

    A rubidium-82 ((82)Rb) elution system is described for use with positron emission tomography. Due to the short half-life of (82)Rb (76 s), the system physics must be modelled precisely to account for transport delay and the associated activity decay and dispersion. Saline flow is switched between a (82)Sr/(82)Rb generator and a bypass line to achieve a constant-activity elution of (82)Rb. Pulse width modulation (PWM) of a solenoid valve is compared to simple threshold control as a means to simulate a proportional valve. A predictive-corrective control (PCC) algorithm is developed which produces a constant-activity elution within the constraints of long feedback delay and short elution time. The system model parameters are adjusted through a self-tuning algorithm to minimize error versus the requested time-activity profile. The system is self-calibrating with 2.5% repeatability, independent of generator activity and elution flow rate. Accurate 30 s constant-activity elutions of 10-70% of the total generator activity are achieved using both control methods. The combined PWM-PCC method provides significant improvement in precision and accuracy of the requested elution profiles. The (82)Rb elution system produces accurate and reproducible constant-activity elution profiles of (82)Rb activity, independent of parent (82)Sr activity in the generator. More reproducible elution profiles may improve the quality of clinical and research PET perfusion studies using (82)Rb.

  5. Monitoring Conformational Landscape of Ovine Prion Protein Monomer Using Ion Mobility Coupled to Mass Spectrometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Van der Rest, Guillaume; Rezaei, Human; Halgand, Frédéric

    2017-02-01

    Prion protein is involved in deadly neurodegenerative diseases. Its pathogenicity is linked to its structural conversion (α-helix to β-strand transition). However, recent studies suggest that prion protein can follow a plurality of conversion pathways, which hints towards different conformers that might coexist in solution. To gain insights on the plasticity of the ovine prion protein (PrP) monomer, wild type (A136, R154, Q171), mutants and deletions of ARQ were studied by traveling wave ion mobility experiments coupled to mass spectrometry. In order to perform the analysis of a large body of data sets, we designed and evaluated the performance of a processing pipeline based on Driftscope peak detection and a homemade script for automated peak assignment, annotation, and quantification on specific multiply charged protein data. Using this approach, we showed that in the gas phase, PrPs are represented by at least three conformer families differing in both charge state distribution and collisional cross-section, in agreement with the work of Hilton et al. (2010). We also showed that this plasticity is borne both by the N- and C-terminal domains. Effect of protein concentration, pH and temperature were also assessed, showing that (1) pH does not affect conformer distributions, (2) protein concentration modifies the conformational landscape of one mutant (I208M) only, and (3) heating leads to other unfolded species and to a modification of the conformer intensity ratios.

  6. Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients with and without Heart Failure in Primary Care.

    PubMed

    Jorge, Antonio José Lagoeiro; Rosa, Maria Luiza Garcia; Correia, Dayse Mary da Silva; Martins, Wolney de Andrade; Ceron, Diana Maria Martinez; Coelho, Leonardo Chaves Ferreira; Soussume, William Shinji Nobre; Kang, Hye Chung; Moscavitch, Samuel Datum; Mesquita, Evandro Tinoco

    2017-09-01

    Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue with implications on health-related quality of life (HRQL). To compare HRQL, estimated by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), in patients with and without HF in the community. Cross-sectional study including 633 consecutive individuals aged 45 years or older, registered in primary care. The subjects were selected from a random sample representative of the population studied. They were divided into two groups: group I, HF patients (n = 59); and group II, patients without HF (n = 574). The HF group was divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF - n = 35) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF - n = 24). Patients without HF had a mean SF-36 score significantly greater than those with HF (499.8 ± 139.1 vs 445.4 ± 123.8; p = 0.008). Functional capacity - ability and difficulty to perform common activities of everyday life - was significantly worse (p < 0.0001) in patients with HF independently of sex and age. There was no difference between HFpEF and HFrEF. Patients with HF had low quality of life regardless of the syndrome presentation (HFpEF or HFrEF phenotype). Quality of life evaluation in primary care could help identify patients who would benefit from a proactive care program with more emphasis on multidisciplinary and social support. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

  7. Tumor and circulating biomarkers in patients with second-line hepatocellular carcinoma from the randomized phase II study with tivantinib

    PubMed Central

    Rimassa, Lorenza; Abbadessa, Giovanni; Personeni, Nicola; Porta, Camillo; Borbath, Ivan; Daniele, Bruno; Salvagni, Stefania; Van Laethem, Jean-Luc; Van Vlierberghe, Hans; Trojan, Jörg; De Toni, Enrico N.; Weiss, Alan; Miles, Steven; Gasbarrini, Antonio; Lencioni, Monica; Lamar, Maria E.; Wang, Yunxia; Shuster, Dale; Schwartz, Brian E.; Santoro, Armando

    2016-01-01

    ARQ 197-215 was a randomized placebo-controlled phase II study testing the MET inhibitor tivantinib in second-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. It identified tumor MET as a key biomarker in HCC. Aim of this research was to study the prognostic and predictive value of tumor (MET, the receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the homonymous MNNG-HOS transforming gene) and circulating (MET, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) biomarkers in second-line HCC. Tumor MET-High status was centrally assessed by immunohistochemistry. Circulating biomarkers were centrally analyzed on serum samples collected at baseline and every 4-8 weeks, using medians as cut-off to determine High/Low status. Tumor MET, tested in 77 patients, was more frequently High after (82%) versus before (40%) sorafenib. A significant interaction (p = 0.04) between tivantinib and baseline tumor MET in terms of survival was observed. Baseline circulating MET and HGF (102 patients) High status correlated with shorter survival (HR 0.61, p = 0.03, and HR 0.60, p = 0.02, respectively), while the association between AFP (104 patients) or VEGF (103 patients) status and survival was non-significant. Conclusions: Tumor MET levels were higher in patients treated with sorafenib. Circulating biomarkers such as MET and HGF may be prognostic in second-line HCC. These results need to be confirmed in larger randomized clinical trials. PMID:27579536

  8. Crowdsourcing as a novel technique for retinal fundus photography classification: analysis of images in the EPIC Norfolk cohort on behalf of the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium.

    PubMed

    Mitry, Danny; Peto, Tunde; Hayat, Shabina; Morgan, James E; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Foster, Paul J

    2013-01-01

    Crowdsourcing is the process of outsourcing numerous tasks to many untrained individuals. Our aim was to assess the performance and repeatability of crowdsourcing for the classification of retinal fundus photography. One hundred retinal fundus photograph images with pre-determined disease criteria were selected by experts from a large cohort study. After reading brief instructions and an example classification, we requested that knowledge workers (KWs) from a crowdsourcing platform classified each image as normal or abnormal with grades of severity. Each image was classified 20 times by different KWs. Four study designs were examined to assess the effect of varying incentive and KW experience in classification accuracy. All study designs were conducted twice to examine repeatability. Performance was assessed by comparing the sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Without restriction on eligible participants, two thousand classifications of 100 images were received in under 24 hours at minimal cost. In trial 1 all study designs had an AUC (95%CI) of 0.701(0.680-0.721) or greater for classification of normal/abnormal. In trial 1, the highest AUC (95%CI) for normal/abnormal classification was 0.757 (0.738-0.776) for KWs with moderate experience. Comparable results were observed in trial 2. In trial 1, between 64-86% of any abnormal image was correctly classified by over half of all KWs. In trial 2, this ranged between 74-97%. Sensitivity was ≥ 96% for normal versus severely abnormal detections across all trials. Sensitivity for normal versus mildly abnormal varied between 61-79% across trials. With minimal training, crowdsourcing represents an accurate, rapid and cost-effective method of retinal image analysis which demonstrates good repeatability. Larger studies with more comprehensive participant training are needed to explore the utility of this compelling technique in large scale medical image analysis.

  9. 49 CFR 802.7 - Requests: How, where, and when presented; verification of identity of individuals making requests...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...; verification of identity of individuals making requests; accompanying persons; and procedures for... individuals making requests; accompanying persons; and procedures for acknowledgment of requests. (a) Requests... Request,” “Privacy Act Statement of Disagreement,” “Privacy Act Disclosure Accounting Request,” “Appeal...

  10. 12 CFR 1402.27 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Information § 1402.27 Aggregating requests. A requester may not file multiple requests at the same time, each... in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests for the purpose of... reasonable is the time period over which the requests have occurred. ...

  11. 12 CFR 1402.27 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Information § 1402.27 Aggregating requests. A requester may not file multiple requests at the same time, each... in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests for the purpose of... reasonable is the time period over which the requests have occurred. ...

  12. 12 CFR 1402.27 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Information § 1402.27 Aggregating requests. A requester may not file multiple requests at the same time, each... in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests for the purpose of... reasonable is the time period over which the requests have occurred. ...

  13. 25 CFR 517.4 - Requirements for making requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... INFORMATION ACT PROCEDURES § 517.4 Requirements for making requests. (a) How to make a FOIA request. Requests... additional information. If the requester is making a request for records about another individual, the..., the requester will be notified of this decision and advised that fees associated with the processing...

  14. 76 FR 34102 - Request for Comments-LSC Budget Request for FY 2013

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-10

    ... LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2013 AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation. ACTION: Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2013. SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation is beginning the process of developing its FY 2013 budget request to Congress and is...

  15. 75 FR 54389 - Request for Comments-LSC Budget Request for FY 2012

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-07

    ... LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2012 AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation. ACTION: Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2012. SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation is beginning the process of developing its FY 2012 budget request to Congress and is...

  16. 77 FR 27801 - Request for Comments-LSC Budget Request for FY 2014

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-11

    ... LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2014 AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation. ACTION: Request for Comments--LSC Budget Request for FY 2014. SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation is beginning the process of developing its FY 2014 budget request to Congress and is...

  17. 38 CFR 20.1304 - Rule 1304. Request for change in representation, request for personal hearing, or submission of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... change in representation, request for personal hearing, or submission of additional evidence following... Miscellaneous § 20.1304 Rule 1304. Request for change in representation, request for personal hearing, or...) Request for a change in representation, request for a personal hearing, or submission of additional...

  18. 36 CFR 1007.4 - Preliminary processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... requests. 1007.4 Section 1007.4 Parks, Forests, and Public Property PRESIDIO TRUST REQUESTS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT § 1007.4 Preliminary processing of requests. (a) Scope of requests. Unless a... request under § 1007.6, the requester shall be notified of the delay as provided in § 1007.6(f). (5...

  19. 76 FR 24912 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Request for...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-03

    ... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Request for Examination and/or Treatment ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The... information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Request for Examination and/or Treatment,'' Form LS-1, to the... Request for Examination and/or Treatment, Form LS-1, is used by employers to authorize medical treatment...

  20. Eye bank tissue utilization between endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty.

    PubMed

    Croasdale, Christopher R; Barney, Erin; Warner, Evan J

    2013-03-01

    To determine rates of tissue use for corneal transplants via endothelial keratoplasty (EK) relative to penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Retrospective chart review of all cornea tissues (n = 3669) distributed from the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin for EK or PK from August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2009 (60 months). Rates of tissue use for EK relative to PK were determined both on a yearly basis and for the overall study period. Replacement frequency and time to subsequent surgery were established for each group. Donor tissue and recipient characteristics were compared between groups. Donor characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups; 11.9% of EK tissues failed and were replaced during the study period compared with 5.1% of PK tissues (P < 0.0001). Additional tissue for the same eye came at a mean of 174 days after an EK surgery compared with 558 days after a PK (P < 0.0001). Surgeons requesting tissue for EK increased each year, whereas the number of repeat tissue requests decreased over time. Additional tissues were required for recipients of EK more than twice as often as for recipients of PK, and replacement of EK grafts occurred at a mean of more than 1 year before replacement of PK grafts. This pattern of tissue utilization during the first 5 years of distribution for EK did not negatively affect the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin from meeting the surgeon demand for tissue in its service area. Eye banks may wish to monitor tissue utilization as part of their quality assurance program.

  1. Insertion of the endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway and oesophageal-tracheal Combitube. A 6-month comparative prospective study of acquisition and retention skills by medical students.

    PubMed

    Weksler, N; Tarnopolski, A; Klein, M; Schily, M; Rozentsveig, V; Shapira, A R; Gurman, G M

    2005-05-01

    To assess the ability of medical students to learn and retain skills of airway manipulation for insertion of the endotracheal tube, the laryngeal mask airway (Laryngeal Mask Company, Henley-on-Thames, UK) and the oesophageal-tracheal Combitube (Kendall-Sheridan Catheter Corp., Argyle, NY, USA). A 6-month prospective study was conducted among fifth-year medical students attending a 3-week clerkship in the Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine in the Soroka Medical Center. All the students viewed a demonstration of insertion technique for the endotracheal tube, the laryngeal mask airway and the Combitube, followed by formal teaching in a mannikin. At the end of the program, the insertion skills were demonstrated in the mannikin, the success rate on the first attempt was registered and the students were requested to assess (by questionnaire) their ability to execute airway manipulation (phase 1). Six months later, the students were requested to repeat the insertion technique, and a similar re-evaluation applied (phase 2). The success rate, during the first phase, at first attempts was 100% for the laryngeal mask airway and the Combitube, compared to 57.4% for the endotracheal tube (P < 0.02), and 92.6%, 96.2% and 62.9% (P < 0.02) respectively for the second phase of the study. Learning and retention skills of medical students, in a mannikin, are more accentuated with the laryngeal mask airway and the Combitube than seen with an endotracheal tube.

  2. Evolution of a rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) service for endobronchial ultrasound guided (EBUS) fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in a UK Hospital: A 7 year audit.

    PubMed

    Stevenson, Tracey; Powari, Manish; Bowles, Christopher

    2018-05-13

    Endobronchial ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EBUS FNA) is a well-established procedure for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. We review our provision of this service at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and the role of rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) with the increasing demand for molecular markers in this era of personalized medicine. A review of the changes in the Endoscopy clinic over the 7 years from the introduction of EBUS at the end of 2010 until 2017 was carried out. This included the availability of material obtained for diagnosis, accurate subtyping, and molecular testing. We also assessed the success of molecular genetics DNA techniques from EBUS material versus formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE). A total of 1218 EBUS cases with ROSE were reported between 2011 and 2017 Percentage diagnostic rates were calculated as 83, 82, 84, 92, 93, 94, and 92 for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. Availability of material for immunocytochemistry ranged from 86 to 100% over the 7 years. Molecular testing was successfully performed for EGFR in 89-100% of requested cases and ALK testing in 87-100% of requested cases. EBUS sourced material gave on average twice the amount of DNA and fewer amplicon repeats per patient compared to FFPE material. ROSE at EBUS FNA provides access to suitable material for molecular testing with increased yields in the form of needle washings for EGFR with FFPE materials for ALK and PDL1 testing. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. A comparison of two search methods for determining the scope of systematic reviews and health technology assessments.

    PubMed

    Forsetlund, Louise; Kirkehei, Ingvild; Harboe, Ingrid; Odgaard-Jensen, Jan

    2012-01-01

    This study aims to compare two different search methods for determining the scope of a requested systematic review or health technology assessment. The first method (called the Direct Search Method) included performing direct searches in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and the Health Technology Assessments (HTA). Using the comparison method (called the NHS Search Engine) we performed searches by means of the search engine of the British National Health Service, NHS Evidence. We used an adapted cross-over design with a random allocation of fifty-five requests for systematic reviews. The main analyses were based on repeated measurements adjusted for the order in which the searches were conducted. The Direct Search Method generated on average fewer hits (48 percent [95 percent confidence interval {CI} 6 percent to 72 percent], had a higher precision (0.22 [95 percent CI, 0.13 to 0.30]) and more unique hits than when searching by means of the NHS Search Engine (50 percent [95 percent CI, 7 percent to 110 percent]). On the other hand, the Direct Search Method took longer (14.58 minutes [95 percent CI, 7.20 to 21.97]) and was perceived as somewhat less user-friendly than the NHS Search Engine (-0.60 [95 percent CI, -1.11 to -0.09]). Although the Direct Search Method had some drawbacks such as being more time-consuming and less user-friendly, it generated more unique hits than the NHS Search Engine, retrieved on average fewer references and fewer irrelevant results.

  4. Atomic memory access hardware implementations

    DOEpatents

    Ahn, Jung Ho; Erez, Mattan; Dally, William J

    2015-02-17

    Atomic memory access requests are handled using a variety of systems and methods. According to one example method, a data-processing circuit having an address-request generator that issues requests to a common memory implements a method of processing the requests using a memory-access intervention circuit coupled between the generator and the common memory. The method identifies a current atomic-memory access request from a plurality of memory access requests. A data set is stored that corresponds to the current atomic-memory access request in a data storage circuit within the intervention circuit. It is determined whether the current atomic-memory access request corresponds to at least one previously-stored atomic-memory access request. In response to determining correspondence, the current request is implemented by retrieving data from the common memory. The data is modified in response to the current request and at least one other access request in the memory-access intervention circuit.

  5. Evaluation of Portable Multi-Gas Analyzers for use by Safety Personnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lueck, D. E.; Meneghelli, B. J.; Bardel, D. N.

    1998-01-01

    During confined space entry operations as well as Shuttle-safing operations, United Space Alliance (USA)/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) safety personnel use a variety of portable instrumentation to monitor for hazardous levels of compounds such as nitrogen dioxide (N%), monomethylhydrazine (NMM), FREON 21, ammonia (NH3), oxygen (O2), and combustibles (as hydrogen (H2)). Except for O2 and H2, each compound is monitored using a single analyzer. In many cases these analyzers are 5 to 10 years old and require frequent maintenance. In addition, they are cumbersome to carry and tend to make the job of personnel monitoring physically taxing. As part of an effort to upgrade the sensor technology background information was requested from a total of 27 manufacturers of portable multi-gas instruments. A set of criteria was established to determine which vendors would be selected for laboratory evaluation. These criteria were based on requests made by USA/NASA Safety personnel in order to meet requirements within their respective areas for confined-space and Shuttle-safing operations. Each of the 27 manufacturers of multi-gas analyzers was sent a copy of the criteria and asked to fill in the appropriate information pertaining to their instrumentation. Based on the results of the sensor criteria worksheets, a total of 9 vendors out of 27 surveyed manufacturers were chosen for evaluation. Each vendor included in the final evaluation process was requested to configure each of two analyzers with NO2, NH3, O2, and combustible sensors. A set of lab tests was designed in order to determine which of the multi-gas instruments under evaluation was best suited for use in both shuttle and confined space operations. These tests included linearity/repeatability, zero/span drift response/recovery, humidity, interference, and maintenance. At the conclusion of lab testing three vendors were selected for additional field testing. Based on the results of both the lab and field evaluations a single vendor was recommended for use by NASA/IJSA Safety personnel. Vendor selection criteria, as well as the results from both laboratory and field testing of the multi-gas analyzers, are presented as part of this paper.

  6. 18 CFR 388.108 - Requests for Commission records not available through the Public Reference Room (FOIA requests).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.108 Requests for Commission records not available through the... “Freedom of Information Act Request.” (ii) The request must include: (A) A statement by the requester of a... paragraph (a)(5) of this section. (5) Except for the purpose of making a determination regarding expedited...

  7. SETTING UP OF A HOMECARE SYSTEM FOR HIGH COST NEBULISERS IN A PAEDIATRIC CYSTIC FIBROSIS CENTRE.

    PubMed

    Chorro-Mari, Veronica; Christiansen, Nanna

    2016-09-01

    Due to national changes to the commissioning process of high cost nebulisers (HCN) for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients, CF centres have to repatriate the prescribing of the HCN to the tertiary care centres.1 The following nebulisers will no longer be prescribed by primary care: Cayston® (Aztreonam); Colomycin®, Pomixin®, Clobreathe® (Colistimethate); Pulmozyme® (Dornase alfa); Tobi®, Tobi Podhaler ®, Bramitob® (Tobramycin).This abstract explains how the Royal London Hospital (RLH) Paediatric Pharmacy recruited over 100 paediatric (CF) patients smoothly within a period of 4 months and set up a homecare system to avoid patients and families having to travel large distances to obtain their medication. A number of homecare companies were evaluated initially. Parameters looked at were reports of customer satisfaction, delivery cost, turn-around time once the prescription was received and availability of same day delivery service.In order to capture existing patients we met with CF Specialist Nurses to establish the total number of patients on HCN, what nebulised treatment they were on and their respective doses. We prioritised patients that had known problems with GP prescribing and anybody newly starting on HCN.To communicate the change to parents, a letter was sent to all parents explaining the changeover to homecare delivery and tertiary prescribing. In addition a section in the parent bulletin was dedicated to the topic as well. Following this we contacted parents via phone and in clinic to request consent and explain the process.Up to 10 patients were contacted weekly (average of 7); the consent form and registration form were then faxed to the Homecare company for patient registration. In parallel to this prescriptions were requested for the patients that had been set up in the previous week, ensuring that prescribing was spread out over time to avoid having peak times for repeat prescriptions.In addition to the letter to parents GP surgeries were also informed in writing about the changes in commissioning and planned repatriation of HCN. This information was also included on discharge prescriptions for patients on any of the HCNs as part of the pharmacy screening process.A system for follow up prescriptions as repeat was set up between the team so we would not have unexpected urgent requests and we could avoid missed doses, urgent delivery charge or stress in the team. In order to manage the prescriptions and ease communication across the team a database was developed. From March to July 2014 (16 weeks) one hundred and four patients were successfully repatriated to tertiary care. A planned method and agreed standard operation procedure was key to effectively capture and repatriate all patients while at the same time keeping the increase on workload for the pharmacy team to a minimum. The fact of having a strong pharmacy presence as part of the multidisciplinary team attending CF clinics and ward rounds was vital in making this work. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  8. 78 FR 66382 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested: Request by...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-05

    ... Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested: Request by Organization for... Information Collection: New Voluntary Collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Request by Organization... information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in...

  9. 8 CFR 103.40 - Genealogical Research Requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Genealogical Research Requests. 103.40... Research Requests. (a) Nature of requests. Genealogy requests are requests for searches and/or copies of historical records relating to a deceased person, usually for genealogy and family history research purposes...

  10. 8 CFR 103.40 - Genealogical Research Requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    .... Genealogy requests are requests for searches and/or copies of historical records relating to a deceased person, usually for genealogy and family history research purposes. (b) Manner of requesting genealogical searches and records. Requests must be submitted on Form G-1041, Genealogy Index Search Request, or Form G...

  11. 78 FR 75575 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Request for...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-12

    ... Request; Request for the Site Inspection, Landowners Authorization/Ingress/Egress Agreement. AGENCY... . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Collection of Information Title: Request for the Site Inspection, Landowners...-09, Request for the Site Inspection; FEMA Form 010-0-10, Landowner's Authorization Ingress- Egress...

  12. 18 CFR 385.2013 - Notification of requests for Federal authorizations and requests for further information (Rule...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... requests for Federal authorizations and requests for further information (Rule 2013). 385.2013 Section 385.2013 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF... Before the Commission § 385.2013 Notification of requests for Federal authorizations and requests for...

  13. 18 CFR 385.2013 - Notification of requests for Federal authorizations and requests for further information (Rule...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... requests for Federal authorizations and requests for further information (Rule 2013). 385.2013 Section 385.2013 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF... Before the Commission § 385.2013 Notification of requests for Federal authorizations and requests for...

  14. 25 CFR 517.6 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... FOIA Officer will respond. Unusual circumstances warranting extension are: (i) The need to search for... the office processing the request; (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a... conclude that a requester or group of requesters has divided a request into a series of requests on a...

  15. 25 CFR 517.6 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... FOIA Officer will respond. Unusual circumstances warranting extension are: (i) The need to search for... the office processing the request; (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a... conclude that a requester or group of requesters has divided a request into a series of requests on a...

  16. 25 CFR 517.6 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... FOIA Officer will respond. Unusual circumstances warranting extension are: (i) The need to search for... the office processing the request; (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a... conclude that a requester or group of requesters has divided a request into a series of requests on a...

  17. 32 CFR 300.7 - FOIA request processing procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... (CONTINUED) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROGRAM DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROGRAM... request is perfected. When a DLA FOIA Requester Service Center receives a request for records that clearly... Service Center has a telephone line to inform the requester of the status of their request (see Appendix A...

  18. 40 CFR 57.804 - Request for hearing; request to participate in hearing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 5 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Request for hearing; request to participate in hearing. 57.804 Section 57.804 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... of Continuous Emission Reduction Technology § 57.804 Request for hearing; request to participate in...

  19. 32 CFR 806.29 - Administrative processing of Air Force FOIA requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... section. (c) Contacts with FOIA requesters and non-Air Force submitters of data. (1) Contacts with Air... memoranda documenting requester contacts with Air Force elements regarding a pending FOIA request in the requester's FOIA file. If the requester contacts Air Force elements telephonically about a pending FOIA...

  20. 32 CFR 806.29 - Administrative processing of Air Force FOIA requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... section. (c) Contacts with FOIA requesters and non-Air Force submitters of data. (1) Contacts with Air... memoranda documenting requester contacts with Air Force elements regarding a pending FOIA request in the requester's FOIA file. If the requester contacts Air Force elements telephonically about a pending FOIA...

  1. 32 CFR 806.29 - Administrative processing of Air Force FOIA requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... section. (c) Contacts with FOIA requesters and non-Air Force submitters of data. (1) Contacts with Air... memoranda documenting requester contacts with Air Force elements regarding a pending FOIA request in the requester's FOIA file. If the requester contacts Air Force elements telephonically about a pending FOIA...

  2. 43 CFR 4.1363 - Contents of request; amendment of request; responses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Request for Review of Approval Or Disapproval of Applications for New Permits, Permit Revisions, Permit Renewals, the Transfer, Assignment Or Sale of Rights Granted Under Permit (federal Program; Federal Lands... Contents of request; amendment of request; responses. (a) The request for review shall include— (1) A clear...

  3. Facilitating the exploitation of ERTS-1 imagery using snow enhancement techniques. [geological fault maps of Massachusetts and Connecticut

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wobber, F. J. (Principal Investigator); Martin, K. R.; Amato, R. V.; Leshendok, T.

    1973-01-01

    The author has identified the following significant results. The applications of ERTS-1 imagery for geological fracture mapping regardless of season has been repeatedly confirmed. The enhancement provided by a differential cover of snow increases the number and length of fracture-lineaments which can be detected with ERTS-1 data and accelerates the fracture mapping process for a variety of practical applications. The geological mapping benefits of the program will be realized in geographic areas where data are most needed - complex glaciated terrain and areas of deep residual soils. ERTS-1 derived fracture-lineament maps which provide detail well in excess of existing geological maps are not available in the Massachusetts-Connecticut area. The large quantity of new data provided by ERTS-1 may accelerate and improve field mapping now in progress in the area. Numerous other user groups have requested data on the techniques. This represents a major change in operating philosophy for groups who to data judged that snow obscured geological detail.

  4. Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 84-513-1572, Hawaii News Agency, Honolulu, Hawaii

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

    Okawa, M.T.

    1985-04-01

    On September 5, 1984, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from an authorized representative of employees from the Hawaii Newspaper Agency (HNA), Honolulu, Hawaii, to conduct a health-hazard evaluation of the indoor air quality in the HNA Building. The requestor was concerned about the incidence of colds, flu, and sore throats which seemed to linger among employees in the Star-Bulletin side of the Building. On October 17, 1984, the NIOSH investigator visited the Building in order to obtain information on the ventilation system, to pass out a short questionnaire concerning possible workplace related symptoms,more » and to take detector tube readings for carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/). On October 18, 1984, the NIOSH investigator repeated CO/sub 2/ samples and also took detector tube readings for carbon monoxide (CO). The detector tube measurements for CO/sub 2/ and CO were used as a screening device to assess the general air circulation in the office spaces.« less

  5. Adaptive and reliably acknowledged FSO communications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fitz, Michael P.; Halford, Thomas R.; Kose, Cenk; Cromwell, Jonathan; Gordon, Steven

    2015-05-01

    Atmospheric turbulence causes the receive signal intensity on free space optical (FSO) communication links to vary over time. Scintillation fades can stymie connectivity for milliseconds at a time. To approach the information-theoretic limits of communication in such time-varying channels, it necessary to either code across extremely long blocks of data - thereby inducing unacceptable delays - or to vary the code rate according to the instantaneous channel conditions. We describe the design, laboratory testing, and over-the-air testing of an FSO modem that employs a protocol with adaptive coded modulation (ACM) and hybrid automatic repeat request. For links with fixed throughput, this protocol provides a 10dB reduction in the required received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); for links with fixed range, this protocol provides the greater than a 3x increase in throughput. Independent U.S. Government tests demonstrate that our protocol effectively adapts the code rate to match the instantaneous channel conditions. The modem is able to provide throughputs in excess of 850 Mbps on links with ranges greater than 15 kilometers.

  6. Token transfers among great apes (Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Pan paniscus, and Pan troglodytes): species differences, gestural requests, and reciprocal exchange.

    PubMed

    Pelé, Marie; Dufour, Valérie; Thierry, Bernard; Call, Josep

    2009-11-01

    Great apes appear to be the nonhuman primates most capable of recognizing trading opportunities and engaging in transfers of commodities with conspecifics. Spontaneous exchange of goods between them has not yet been reported. We tested gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), bonobos (Pan paniscus), and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in a token-exchange task involving two conspecifics and a human experimenter. Tested in pairs, subjects had to exchange tokens with a partner to obtain food from the experimenter. We observed 4, 5, 264, and 328 transfers of tokens in gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos, respectively. Most gifts were indirect in gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos, whereas most were direct in orangutans. The analysis showed no evidence of calculated reciprocity in interactions. A main finding of the study was the high rate of repeated gifts and begging gestures recorded in orangutans. This raises the question of the meaning of pointing in great apes and their ability to understand the communicative intent of others.

  7. Five-year review of a UK 24 hour testing service for plasma ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

    PubMed

    Ford, Loretta T; Berg, Jonathan D

    2016-07-01

    We present a 5-year review of our UK service for plasma ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol determination in cases of acute poisoning. Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol have been measured on all samples received for screening for toxicity by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection over a five-year period. A detailed audit of the results has been undertaken. In this period, we received 811 requests, 56% were for first-time screening and 44% repeat analysis where a positive sample has already been received. Of the first-time screen samples, 33.5% screened positive for glycol poisoning. The mean positive ethylene glycol concentration was 1204 mg/L (range 31 to 8666 mg/L). Diethylene glycol was present in 14% of ethylene glycol positive samples but never found alone. The data presented here suggest it is not essential to measure diethylene glycol since its inclusion is rarely likely to change patient management. © The Author(s) 2015.

  8. Online social integration is associated with reduced mortality risk.

    PubMed

    Hobbs, William R; Burke, Moira; Christakis, Nicholas A; Fowler, James H

    2016-11-15

    Social interactions increasingly take place online. Friendships and other offline social ties have been repeatedly associated with human longevity, but online interactions might have different properties. Here, we reference 12 million social media profiles against California Department of Public Health vital records and use longitudinal statistical models to assess whether social media use is associated with longer life. The results show that receiving requests to connect as friends online is associated with reduced mortality but initiating friendships is not. Additionally, online behaviors that indicate face-to-face social activity (like posting photos) are associated with reduced mortality, but online-only behaviors (like sending messages) have a nonlinear relationship, where moderate use is associated with the lowest mortality. These results suggest that online social integration is linked to lower risk for a wide variety of critical health problems. Although this is an associational study, it may be an important step in understanding how, on a global scale, online social networks might be adapted to improve modern populations' social and physical health.

  9. Online social integration is associated with reduced mortality risk

    PubMed Central

    Hobbs, William R.; Burke, Moira; Christakis, Nicholas A.; Fowler, James H.

    2016-01-01

    Social interactions increasingly take place online. Friendships and other offline social ties have been repeatedly associated with human longevity, but online interactions might have different properties. Here, we reference 12 million social media profiles against California Department of Public Health vital records and use longitudinal statistical models to assess whether social media use is associated with longer life. The results show that receiving requests to connect as friends online is associated with reduced mortality but initiating friendships is not. Additionally, online behaviors that indicate face-to-face social activity (like posting photos) are associated with reduced mortality, but online-only behaviors (like sending messages) have a nonlinear relationship, where moderate use is associated with the lowest mortality. These results suggest that online social integration is linked to lower risk for a wide variety of critical health problems. Although this is an associational study, it may be an important step in understanding how, on a global scale, online social networks might be adapted to improve modern populations’ social and physical health. PMID:27799553

  10. 5 CFR 2604.502 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... various requester categories. The paragraphs below state, for each category of requester, the type of fees... requesters. (c) Educational and noncommercial scientific institutions and news media. If the request is from... scientific research, or a representative of the news media, and the request is not for a commercial use, the...

  11. 49 CFR 802.7 - Requests: How, where, and when presented; verification of identity of individuals making requests...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...; verification of identity of individuals making requests; accompanying persons; and procedures for... Procedures and Requirements § 802.7 Requests: How, where, and when presented; verification of identity of... which the record is contained. (d) Verification of identity of requester. (1) For written requests, the...

  12. 49 CFR 802.7 - Requests: How, where, and when presented; verification of identity of individuals making requests...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...; verification of identity of individuals making requests; accompanying persons; and procedures for... Procedures and Requirements § 802.7 Requests: How, where, and when presented; verification of identity of... which the record is contained. (d) Verification of identity of requester. (1) For written requests, the...

  13. 42 CFR 110.44 - Legal or personal representatives of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... jurisdiction, does not need a legal or personal representative to file a Request Form or Request Package on his... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Legal or personal representatives of requesters... or personal representatives of requesters. (a) Generally. Persons other than a requester (e.g., a...

  14. 78 FR 54637 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; State Educational Agency, Local...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-05

    ... requests have occurred in several iterations: Window 1, for which SEAs submitted requests in November 2011; Window 2, for which SEAs submitted requests in February 2012; Window 3, for which SEAs submitted requests in September 2012; and Window 4, for which SEAs submitted requests in spring 2013. Generally, ED...

  15. REQUEST A COLOR GUARD

    Science.gov Websites

    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONTACT REQUEST A SPEAKER REQUEST A COLOR GUARD OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT HomeCONTACTREQUEST A COLOR GUARD Request a Color Guard Please take a moment to fill out the document at the link one month to process your request, but no more than three. Color Guard Request Form For Community

  16. 14 CFR 1206.703 - Aggregation of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.703 Aggregation of requests... group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests...

  17. 14 CFR 1206.703 - Aggregation of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.703 Aggregation of requests... group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests...

  18. 14 CFR 1206.703 - Aggregation of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.703 Aggregation of requests... group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests...

  19. 45 CFR 2106.2 - Requests for access.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... WITH 5 U.S.C. 552a, THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 § 2106.2 Requests for access. (a) Requirement for written.... The request should state that the request is pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974. In the absence of... system of records, the request will be presumed to be made under the Privacy Act of 1974. The requester...

  20. 45 CFR 2106.2 - Requests for access.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... WITH 5 U.S.C. 552a, THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 § 2106.2 Requests for access. (a) Requirement for written.... The request should state that the request is pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974. In the absence of... system of records, the request will be presumed to be made under the Privacy Act of 1974. The requester...

  1. 17 CFR 200.304 - Disclosure of requested records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... making the request. (b) Grant of request for access. (1) If it is determined that a request for access to... individual shall pay the cost of making the requested copies, as set forth in § 200.310 of this subpart. (2... pertaining to individuals other than the person making the request or of other information that does not...

  2. Process and outcomes of euthanasia requests under the belgian act on euthanasia: a nationwide survey.

    PubMed

    Van Wesemael, Yanna; Cohen, Joachim; Bilsen, Johan; Smets, Tinne; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje; Deliens, Luc

    2011-11-01

    Since 2002, the administration of a lethal drug by a physician at the explicit request of the patient has been legal in Belgium. The incidence of euthanasia in Belgium has been studied, but the process and outcomes of euthanasia requests have not been investigated. To describe which euthanasia requests were granted, withdrawn, and rejected since the enactment of the euthanasia law in terms of the characteristics of the patient, treating physician, and aspects of the consultation with a second physician. A representative sample of 3006 Belgian physicians received a questionnaire investigating their most recent euthanasia request. The response rate was 34%. Since 2002, 39% of respondents had received a euthanasia request. Forty-eight percent of requests had been carried out, 5% had been refused, 10% had been withdrawn, and in 23%, the patient had died before euthanasia could be performed. Physicians' characteristics associated with receiving a request were not being religious, caring for a high number of terminally ill patients, and having experience in palliative care. Patient characteristics associated with granting a request were age, having cancer, loss of dignity, having no depression, and suffering without prospect of improvement as a reason for requesting euthanasia. A positive initial position toward the request from the attending physician and positive advice from the second physician also contributed to having a request granted. Under the Belgian Act on Euthanasia, about half of the requests are granted. Factors related to the reason for the request, position of the attending physician toward the request, and advice from the second physician influence whether a request is granted or not. Copyright © 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. 14 CFR 1206.703 - Aggregation of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... documents, solely in order to avoid payment of fees. When NASA has reason to believe that a requester or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests...

  4. Gateways to clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Tomillero, A; Moral, M A

    2010-01-01

    (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate, Abafungin, ACE-031, Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, AE-37, Aflibercept, AGS-003, Albiglutide, Alemtuzumab, Aliskiren fumarate, ALT-801, AN-2728, Anacetrapib, API, Aprepitant, ARQ-197, Ascorbic acid, Atazanavir sulfate, ATN-224, AVI-4658, Azacitidine, Azelnidipine; Belinostat, Bevacizumab, BI-2536, Biphasic insulin aspart, Bortezomib, Bovine lactoferrin, Bryostatin 1, Budesonide/formoterol fumarate; cAC10, Canfosfamide hydrochloride, Cediranib, Clofarabine, Cocaine conjugate vaccine; Darbepoetin alfa, Dasatinib, Denosumab, Disomotide, Doripenem, Dovitinib Lactate, Dronedarone hydrochloride, Drospirenone/estradiol, Dutasteride; Ecogramostim, Entinostat, Enzastaurin hydrochloride, Erlotinib hydrochloride, Everolimus, Exenatide, Ezetimibe, Ezetimibe/simvastatin; Fampridine, Fenretinide LXS, FFR-factor VIIa, Fingolimod hydrochloride, Frovatriptan; Gefitinib, Gimatecan, GP-2/GM-CSF; Iloperidone, Imatinib mesylate, Indibulin, Ipilimumab, Ivabradine hydrochloride; Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lapatinib ditosylate, LC-07, Lenalidomide, Linifanib, Liposomal doxorubicin, Liposomal vincristine, Litenimod, Lutein; M-118, MDX-1401, MEDI-528, Midostaurin, Miglustat, MK-0657; Natalizumab, Nesiritide, NGR-TNF, Niacin/simvastatin; Obatoclax mesylate, Olaparib, Omacetaxine mepesuccinate; Paclitaxel nanoparticles, Paclitaxel-eluting stent, Palonosetron hydrochloride, Pazopanib hydrochloride, Pegfilgrastim, Pemetrexed disodium, PER.C-flu, Perifosine, PF-02341066, Pimecrolimus, Pitrakinra, Plerixafor hydrochloride, Posaconazole; Rasburicase, Recombinant human relaxin H2, ReoT3D, Retaspimycin hydrochloride, Riferminogene pecaplasmid, Rindopepimut, Romiplostim, Ronacaleret hydrochloride, Rosuvastatin calcium, Rotigotine; Sagopilone, sALP-FcD10, SAR-245409, SCH-697243, Selumetinib, Sirolimus-eluting stent, SIR-Spheres, Sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate, Sitaxentan sodium, Sorafenib, Sunitinib malate; Tadalafil, Tandutinib, Tasimelteon, Temsirolimus, Teriparatide, Tiotropium bromide, TIV, Trabectedin, Tremelimumab, TRU-016; Vadimezan, Val8-GLP-1(7-37)OH, Vandetanib, Vernakalant hydrochloride, Voreloxin, Voriconazole, Vorinostat, Yttrium 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan; Zeaxanthin, Ziprasidone hydrochloride, Zosuquidar trihydrochloride. Copyright 2010 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.

  5. Left Atrial Appendage Closure with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Safety and Long-Term Outcome.

    PubMed

    Costa, Marcio José Montenegro da; Ferreira, Esmeralci; Quintella, Edgard Freitas; Amorim, Bernardo; Fuchs, Alexandre; Zajdenverg, Ricardo; Sabino, Hugo; Albuquerque, Denilson Campos de

    2017-12-01

    Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia with high risk for thromboembolic events, specially stroke. To assess the safety of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with nonvalvular AF. This study included 15 patients with nonvalvular AF referred for LAAC, 6 older than 75 years (mean age, 69.4 ± 9.3 years; 60% of the male sex). The mean CHADS2 score was 3.4 ± 0.1, and mean CHA2DS2VASc , 4.8 ± 1.8, evidencing a high risk for thromboembolic events. All patients had a HAS-BLED score > 3 (mean, 4.5 ± 1.2) with a high risk for major bleeding within 1 year. The device was successfully implanted in all patients, with correct positioning in the first attempt in most of them (n = 11; 73.3%). There was no periprocedural complication, such as device migration, pericardial tamponade, vascular complications and major bleeding. All patients had an uneventful in-hospital course, being discharged in 2 days. The echocardiographic assessments at 6 and 12 months showed neither device migration, nor thrombus formation, nor peridevice leak. On clinical assessment at 12 months, no patient had thromboembolic events or bleeding related to the device or risk factors. In this small series, LAAC with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug proved to be safe, with high procedural success rate and favorable outcome at the 12-month follow-up. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

  6. 12 CFR 1202.11 - What will it cost to get the records I requested?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ...) Assessment of Fees, Categories of Requesters. The fees that FHFA may assess vary depending on the type of request or the type of requester you are— (1) Commercial Use. If you request records for a commercial use..., Representative of the News Media. If you are not requesting records for commercial use and you are an educational...

  7. 12 CFR 1202.5 - How do I request information from FHFA under FOIA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... waiver. (h) Valid Requests. FHFA will only process valid requests. A valid request must meet all the... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false How do I request information from FHFA under... OPERATIONS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT § 1202.5 How do I request information from FHFA under FOIA? (a) Where...

  8. 12 CFR 1202.5 - How do I request information from FHFA under FOIA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... waiver. (h) Valid Requests. FHFA will only process valid requests. A valid request must meet all the... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false How do I request information from FHFA under... OPERATIONS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT § 1202.5 How do I request information from FHFA under FOIA? (a) Where...

  9. Who Is Influencing Whom? Latino Parent–Child Request Interactions and Product Purchases in Food Retail Environments

    PubMed Central

    Castro, Iana A.; Calderon, Joanna; Ayala, Guadalupe X.

    2017-01-01

    This study examines Latino parent–child interactions about foods and beverages requested in food retail environments in San Diego, CA. It seeks to extend our understanding of parent–child request interactions and purchases by studying how the number of product request interactions and purchases differ based on four factors that have been understudied in previous parent–child interaction research: parent gender, child gender, product healthfulness, and who initiated the request interaction (parent or child). By unobtrusively observing Latino parent–child dyads for the duration of a brief shopping trip, we found that parent and child gender are related to the number of request interactions initiated by parents and children. For gender-specific child-initiated request interactions, sons initiated more request interactions with fathers while daughters initiated more request interactions with mothers. Most request interactions were for products that were categorized as calorie dense, and a higher percentage of these products were purchased as a result of parent-initiated (vs. child-initiated) request interactions. The results provide important considerations for practitioners and researchers working on improving nutrition and reducing obesity. Assumptions about who is influencing whom in food store request interactions are challenged, requiring more research. PMID:29081718

  10. A review of the management of positive biochemical screening for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma: a salutary tale.

    PubMed

    Garrahy, A; Casey, R; Wall, D; Bell, M; O'Shea, P M

    2015-07-01

    Phaeochromocytomas (PC) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumours of chromaffin cells. Diagnosis depends on biochemical evidence of excessive production of catecholamines. This is straightforward when test results are orders of magnitude above the concentrations expected in healthy individuals and those with essential hypertension. Equivocal results pose a management dilemma. We reviewed biochemical screens that were positive and the ensuing management for PC/PGL at our institution. The objective was to inform the development of a standardised approach to investigation and clinical follow-up. All records of positive biochemical screening for PC/PGL were extracted from the laboratory information system between January 2004 and June 2012. Clinical notes of patients with positive results were reviewed. A total of 2749 biochemical screens were performed during the evaluation period. Of these, 106 (3.9%) performed on 82 patients were positive. Chart review determined that 12/82 patients had histologically confirmed PC/PG. Of the 70 patients remaining, the most common indication for biochemical screening was hypertension and the medical subspecialty most frequently requesting the test was Endocrinology. The primary team carried out repeat testing on 35/70 (50%) patients and in 29 results normalised. Notably, 35/70 (50%) patients did not have any follow-up of positive test results. This study highlights the necessity for a standardised diagnostic protocol for PC/PGL. We suggest that appropriate follow-up of borderline-elevated results should first include repeat biochemical testing. This should be performed under standardised pre-analytical conditions and where possible off all potentially interfering medications, measuring plasma free metadrenalines. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  11. Crowdsourcing as a screening tool to detect clinical features of glaucomatous optic neuropathy from digital photography.

    PubMed

    Mitry, Danny; Peto, Tunde; Hayat, Shabina; Blows, Peter; Morgan, James; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Foster, Paul J

    2015-01-01

    Crowdsourcing is the process of simplifying and outsourcing numerous tasks to many untrained individuals. Our aim was to assess the performance and repeatability of crowdsourcing in the classification of normal and glaucomatous discs from optic disc images. Optic disc images (N = 127) with pre-determined disease status were selected by consensus agreement from grading experts from a large cohort study. After reading brief illustrative instructions, we requested that knowledge workers (KWs) from a crowdsourcing platform (Amazon MTurk) classified each image as normal or abnormal. Each image was classified 20 times by different KWs. Two study designs were examined to assess the effect of varying KW experience and both study designs were conducted twice for consistency. Performance was assessed by comparing the sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Overall, 2,540 classifications were received in under 24 hours at minimal cost. The sensitivity ranged between 83-88% across both trials and study designs, however the specificity was poor, ranging between 35-43%. In trial 1, the highest AUC (95%CI) was 0.64(0.62-0.66) and in trial 2 it was 0.63(0.61-0.65). There were no significant differences between study design or trials conducted. Crowdsourcing represents a cost-effective method of image analysis which demonstrates good repeatability and a high sensitivity. Optimisation of variables such as reward schemes, mode of image presentation, expanded response options and incorporation of training modules should be examined to determine their effect on the accuracy and reliability of this technique in retinal image analysis.

  12. Expansion of genetic testing in the division of functional genomics, research center for bioscience and technology, tottori university from 2000 to 2013.

    PubMed

    Adachi, Kaori

    2014-03-01

    At the Division of Functional Genomics, Research Center for Bioscience and Technology, Tottori University, we have been making an effort to establish a genetic testing facility that can provide the same screening procedures conducted worldwide. Direct Sequencing of PCR products is the main method to detect point mutations, small deletions and insertions. Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) was used to detect large deletions or insertions. Expansion of the repeat was analyzed for triplet repeat diseases. Original primers were constructed for 41 diseases when the reported primers failed to amplify the gene. Prediction of functional effects of human nsSNPs (PolyPhen) was used for evaluation of novel mutations. From January 2000 to September 2013, a total of 1,006 DNA samples were subjected to genetic testing in the Division of Functional Genomics, Research Center for Bioscience and Technology, Tottori University. The hospitals that requested genetic testing were located in 43 prefectures in Japan and in 11 foreign countries. The genetic testing covered 62 diseases, and mutations were detected in 287 out of 1,006 with an average mutation detection rate of 24.7%. There were 77 samples for prenatal diagnosis. The number of samples has rapidly increased since 2010. In 2013, the next-generation sequencers were introduced in our facility and are expected to provide more comprehensive genetic testing in the near future. Nowadays, genetic testing is a popular and powerful tool for diagnosis of many genetic diseases. Our genetic testing should be further expanded in the future.

  13. 21 CFR 1401.12 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... are sought for scholarly or scientific research not a commercial use. (3) Requesters who are... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions... reproduction of documents. (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters. ONDCP will...

  14. 78 FR 72078 - Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-02

    ... Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Phosphate Rock Plants (Renewal... Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NSPS for Phosphate Rock Plants (40 CFR... 72079

  15. 78 FR 20102 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Reformulated Gasoline Commingling...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-03

    ... Request; Comment Request; Reformulated Gasoline Commingling Provisions AGENCY: Environmental Protection... information collection request (ICR), ``Reformulated Gasoline Commingling Provisions'' (EPA ICR No.2228.04.... Abstract: EPA would like to continue collecting notifications from gasoline retailers and wholesale...

  16. 36 CFR § 404.8 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-commercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c... use requesters; educational and noncommercial scientific institutions; representatives of the news... record sought. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. Commercial use requesters are not...

  17. The practice of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States: adherence to proposed safeguards and effects on physicians.

    PubMed

    Emanuel, E J; Daniels, E R; Fairclough, D L; Clarridge, B R

    1998-08-12

    Despite intense debates about legalization, there are few data examining the details of actual euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) cases in the United States. To determine whether the practices of euthanasia and PAS are consistent with proposed safeguards and the effect on physicians of having performed euthanasia or PAS. Structured in-depth telephone interviews. Randomly selected oncologists in the United States. Adherence to primary and secondary safeguards for the practice of euthanasia and PAS; regret, comfort, and fear of prosecution from performing euthanasia or PAS. A total of 355 oncologists (72.6% response rate) were interviewed on euthanasia and PAS. On 2 screening questions, 56 oncologists (15.8%) reported participating in euthanasia or PAS; 53 oncologists (94.6% response rate) participated in in-depth interviews. Thirty-eight of 53 oncologists described clearly defined cases of euthanasia or PAS. Twenty-three patients (60.5%) both initiated and repeated their request for euthanasia or PAS, but 6 patients (15.8%) did not participate in the decision for euthanasia or PAS. Thirty-seven patients (97.4%) were experiencing unremitting pain or such poor physical functioning they could not perform self-care. Physicians sought consultation in 15 cases (39.5%). Overall, oncologists adhered to all 3 main safeguards in 13 cases (34.2%): (1) having the patient initiate and repeat the request for euthanasia or PAS, (2) ensuring the patient was experiencing extreme physical pain or suffering, and (3) consulting with a colleague. Those who adhered to the safeguards had known their patients longer and tended to be more religious. In 28 cases (73.7%), the family supported the decision. In all cases of pain, patients were receiving narcotic analgesia. Fifteen patients (39.5%) were enrolled in a hospice. While 19 oncologists (52.6%) received comfort from having helped a patient with euthanasia or PAS, 9 (23.7%) regretted having performed euthanasia or PAS, and 15 (39.5%) feared prosecution. Intractable pain or poor physical functioning seem to be nearly absolute requirements for physicians to perform euthanasia or PAS. Only one third of cases are performed consistently with proposed safeguards. For some patients, end-of-life care that includes opioid analgesia and hospice care does not obviate their desire for euthanasia or PAS. While the majority of physicians seem comforted by their actions, some experience adverse consequences from having performed euthanasia or PAS.

  18. 14 CFR 1206.701 - Categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c) Requesters who... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.701 Categories of requesters... scientific institutions; representatives of the news media; and all other requesters. The Act prescribes...

  19. 21 CFR 1401.12 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions... reproduction of documents. (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters. ONDCP will... the request is authorized by and under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records...

  20. 21 CFR 1401.12 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions... reproduction of documents. (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters. ONDCP will... the request is authorized by and under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records...

  1. 14 CFR 1206.701 - Categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c) Requesters who... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.701 Categories of requesters... scientific institutions; representatives of the news media; and all other requesters. The Act prescribes...

  2. 14 CFR 1206.701 - Categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c) Requesters who... RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.701 Categories of requesters... scientific institutions; representatives of the news media; and all other requesters. The Act prescribes...

  3. 21 CFR 1401.12 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions... reproduction of documents. (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters. ONDCP will... the request is authorized by and under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records...

  4. 31 CFR 14.4 - Contents of request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... § 14.4 Contents of request. The formal written request shall be in the form of a letter or memorandum... forth that official's name, title, business address and business phone number. The request shall also... order shall be attached to the formal written request. ...

  5. 45 CFR 612.6 - Processing requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Processing requests. 612.6 Section 612.6 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION § 612.6 Processing requests. (a) Acknowledgment of requests. Each request is...

  6. 45 CFR 612.6 - Processing requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Processing requests. 612.6 Section 612.6 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION § 612.6 Processing requests. (a) Acknowledgment of requests. Each request is...

  7. 45 CFR 612.6 - Processing requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Processing requests. 612.6 Section 612.6 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION § 612.6 Processing requests. (a) Acknowledgment of requests. Each request is...

  8. 8 CFR 103.40 - Genealogical Research Requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Genealogical Research Requests. 103.40... DUTIES; AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS § 103.40 Genealogical Research Requests. (a) Nature of requests... person, usually for genealogy and family history research purposes. (b) Manner of requesting genealogical...

  9. 77 FR 18849 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request: Insurance Termination Request for...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-28

    ... Information Collection: Comment Request: Insurance Termination Request for Multifamily Mortgage AGENCY: Office... also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Insurance Termination Request for Multifamily... mortgagee mutually agree to terminate the HUD multifamily mortgage insurance. Agency form numbers, if...

  10. 76 FR 60133 - Proposed Information Collection (Request for Supplies (Chapter 31-Vocational Rehabilitation...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-28

    ... (Request for Supplies (Chapter 31--Vocational Rehabilitation)); Comment Request AGENCY: Veterans Benefits... to determine whether supplies requested for a veteran's rehabilitation program are necessary. DATES.... Title: Request for Supplies (Chapter 31--Vocational Rehabilitation), VA Form 28-1905m. OMB Control...

  11. 32 CFR 1700.6 - Fees for records services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... explanation or argument as to how his or her request satisfies the requirements of this regulation and the Act... scientific institution requesters, representatives of the news media requesters, and all other requesters... duplicating responsive records (if any); (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters...

  12. 32 CFR 1700.6 - Fees for records services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... explanation or argument as to how his or her request satisfies the requirements of this regulation and the Act... scientific institution requesters, representatives of the news media requesters, and all other requesters... duplicating responsive records (if any); (2) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution requesters...

  13. 78 FR 41926 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Performance Evaluation Studies on...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-12

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OECA-2013-0413; FRL--9832-8] Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Performance Evaluation Studies on Wastewater Laboratories (Renewal); EPA... request (ICR), ``Performance Evaluation Studies on Wastewater Laboratories'' (EPA ICR No. 0234.11, OMB...

  14. 78 FR 69140 - CSMI, LLC; Request for Action

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-18

    ... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. NRC-2013-0250] CSMI, LLC; Request for Action AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Request for action; receipt. SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory... petitioner) has requested that the NRC take action with regard to CSMI. The petitioner's requests are...

  15. Larger differences in utilization of rarely requested tests in primary care in Spain.

    PubMed

    Salinas, Maria; López-Garrigós, Maite; Flores, Emilio; Uris, Joaquín; Leiva-Salinas, Carlos

    2015-01-01

    The study was performed to compare and analyze the inter-departmental variability in the request of rarely requested laboratory tests in primary care, as opposed to other more common and highly requested tests. Data from production statistics for the year 2012 from 76 Spanish laboratories was used. The number of antinuclear antibodies, antistreptolysin O, creatinine, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, deaminated peptide gliadine IgA antibodies, glucose, protein electrophoresis, rheumatoid factor, transglutaminase IgA antibodies, urinalysis and uric acid tests requested was collected. The number of test requests per 1000 inhabitants was calculated. In order to explore the variability the coefficient of quartile dispersion was calculated. The smallest variation was seen for creatinine, glucose, uric acid and urinalysis; the most requested tests. The tests that were least requested showed the greatest variability. Our study shows through a very simplified approach, in a population close to twenty million inhabitants, how in primary care, the variability in the request of laboratory tests is inversely proportional to the request rate.

  16. 7 CFR 1.6 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Aggregating requests. 1.6 Section 1.6 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS Official Records § 1.6 Aggregating requests. When an agency reasonably believes that a requester, or a group of requesters acting in concert...

  17. 22 CFR 1002.4 - Written requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 22 Foreign Relations 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Written requests. 1002.4 Section 1002.4 Foreign Relations INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS § 1002.4 Written requests. In order to facilitate the processing of written requests, every petitioner should: (a) Address his request to: General...

  18. 32 CFR 1900.13 - Fees for record services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... encouraged to provide any explanation or argument as to how his or her request satisfies the statutory... requesters for fee purposes: Commercial use requesters, educational and non-commercial scientific institution... scientific institution requesters as well as “representatives of the news media” requesters: Only charges for...

  19. 32 CFR 1900.13 - Fees for record services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... encouraged to provide any explanation or argument as to how his or her request satisfies the statutory... requesters for fee purposes: Commercial use requesters, educational and non-commercial scientific institution... scientific institution requesters as well as “representatives of the news media” requesters: Only charges for...

  20. 78 FR 55252 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; State Review Framework

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-10

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OECA-2010-0291; FRL-9900-88-OECA] Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; State Review Framework AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit a request to renew an...

  1. Next generation dilatometer for highest accuracy thermal expansion measurement of ZERODUR®

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jedamzik, Ralf; Engel, Axel; Kunisch, Clemens; Westenberger, Gerhard; Fischer, Peter; Westerhoff, Thomas

    2015-09-01

    In the recent years, the ever tighter tolerance for the Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of IC Lithography component materials is requesting significant progress in the metrology accuracy to determine this property as requested. ZERODUR® is known for its extremely low CTE between 0°C to 50°C. The current measurement of the thermal expansion coefficient is done using push rod dilatometer measurement systems developed at SCHOTT. In recent years measurements have been published showing the excellent CTE homogeneity of ZERODUR® in the one-digit ppb/K range using these systems. The verifiable homogeneity was limited by the CTE(0°C, 50°C) measurement repeatability in the range of ± 1.2 ppb/K of the current improved push rod dilatometer setup using an optical interferometer as detector instead of an inductive coil. With ZERODUR® TAILORED, SCHOTT introduced a low thermal expansion material grade that can be adapted to individual customer application temperature profiles. The basis for this product is a model that has been developed in 2010 for better understanding of the thermal expansion behavior under given temperature versus time conditions. The CTE behavior predicted by the model has proven to be in very good alignment with the data determined in the thermal expansions measurements. The measurements to determine the data feeding the model require a dilatometer setup with excellent stability and accuracy for long measurement times of several days. In the past few years SCHOTT spent a lot of effort to drive a dilatometer measurement technology based on the push rod setup to its limit, to fulfill the continuously demand for higher CTE accuracy and deeper material knowledge of ZERODUR®. This paper reports on the status of the dilatometer technology development at SCHOTT.

  2. Structured education to improve primary-care management of headache: how long do the benefits last? A follow-up observational study.

    PubMed

    Braschinsky, M; Haldre, S; Kals, M; Arge, M; Saar, B; Niibek, M; Katsarava, Z; Steiner, T J

    2018-03-01

    Our earlier study showed that structured education of general practitioners (GPs) improved their practice in headache management. Here the duration of this effect was assessed. In a follow-up observational study in southern Estonia, subjects were the same six GPs as previously, managing patients presenting with headache as the main complaint. Data reflecting their practice were collected prospectively during a 1-year period commencing 2 years after the educational intervention. The primary outcome measure was referral rate (RR) to neurological services. Comparisons were made with baseline and post-intervention data from the earlier study. In 366 patients consulting during the follow-up period, the RR was 19.9%, lower than at baseline (39.5%; P < 0.0001) or post-intervention (34.7%; P < 0.0001). The RR was diagnosis-dependent: the biggest decline was for migraine. Use of headache diagnostic terms showed changes generally favouring specific terminology. In particular, the proportion of patients given migraine diagnoses greatly increased whilst use of the inappropriate M79.1 (Pericranial) myalgia almost disappeared. Requests for investigations, which had fallen from 26% (of patients seen) at baseline to 4% post-intervention, resurged to 23% (mostly laboratory investigations; requests for X-rays continued to dwindle). Initiation of treatment by the GPs remained at the post-intervention level of just over 80% (up from baseline 58%). Improvements in GPs' practice after a structured educational programme mostly last for ≥3 years, some showing further betterment. A few measures suggest the beginnings of a decline towards baseline levels. This policy-informing evidence for continuing medical education indicates that the educational programme needs repeating every 2-3 years. © 2017 EAN.

  3. Lung Function Measurements in Rodents in Safety Pharmacology Studies

    PubMed Central

    Hoymann, Heinz Gerd

    2012-01-01

    The ICH guideline S7A requires safety pharmacology tests including measurements of pulmonary function. In the first step – as part of the “core battery” – lung function tests in conscious animals are requested. If potential adverse effects raise concern for human safety, these should be explored in a second step as a “follow-up study”. For these two stages of safety pharmacology testing, both non-invasive and invasive techniques are needed which should be as precise and reliable as possible. A short overview of typical in vivo measurement techniques is given, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed and out of these the non-invasive head-out body plethysmography and the invasive but repeatable body plethysmography in orotracheally intubated rodents are presented in detail. For validation purposes the changes in the respective parameters such as tidal midexpiratory flow (EF50) or lung resistance have been recorded in the same animals in typical bronchoconstriction models and compared. In addition, the technique of head-out body plethysmography has been shown to be useful to measure lung function in juvenile rats starting from day two of age. This allows safety pharmacology testing and toxicological studies in juvenile animals as a model for the young developing organism as requested by the regulatory authorities (e.g., EMEA Guideline 1/2008). It is concluded that both invasive and non-invasive pulmonary function tests are capable of detecting effects and alterations on the respiratory system with different selectivity and area of operation. The use of both techniques in a large number of studies in mice and rats in the last years have demonstrated that they provide useful and reliable information on pulmonary mechanics in safety pharmacology and toxicology testing, in investigations of respiratory disorders, and in pharmacological efficacy studies. PMID:22973226

  4. 78 FR 75342 - Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-11

    ... Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Lime Manufacturing (Renewal... Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NESHAP for Lime Manufacturing (40 CFR... required semiannually. Form Numbers: None. Respondents/affected entities: Lime manufacturing plants...

  5. 15 CFR 4.6 - Time limits and expedited processing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... to the extent reasonably necessary to properly process the particular request: (i) The need to search... office processing the request; (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a... reasonably believes that multiple requests submitted by a requester, or by a group of requesters acting in...

  6. 15 CFR 4.6 - Time limits and expedited processing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... to the extent reasonably necessary to properly process the particular request: (i) The need to search... office processing the request; (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a... reasonably believes that multiple requests submitted by a requester, or by a group of requesters acting in...

  7. 40 CFR 1601.24 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... by a group of requesters acting in concert, constitute a single request that would otherwise involve... means that there is a need to: (1) Search for and collect the requested records from facilities that are separate from the office processing the request; (2) Search for, collect, and appropriately examine a...

  8. 75 FR 67975 - Agency Information Collection Request; 30-Day Public Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-04

    ... Information Request Form. The Civil Rights Information Request Form is designed to collect data from health... of the Medicare certification process, health care facilities must receive a civil rights clearance... regulations. The civil rights information is requested only when a health care provider applies for Medicare...

  9. 75 FR 5801 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0120

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-04

    ... request for its Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSM Technical Training Courses, has been... Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSM Technical Training Courses. OSM is requesting a 3- year term... information collection activity: Title: Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSM Technical Training...

  10. 28 CFR 513.60 - Freedom of Information Act requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Freedom of Information Act requests. 513... AND ADMINISTRATION ACCESS TO RECORDS Release of Information Freedom of Information Act Requests for Information § 513.60 Freedom of Information Act requests. Requests for any Bureau record (including Program...

  11. 38 CFR 1.554 - Requirements for making requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... must contain an image of the requester's handwritten signature. To make a request for VA records, write... by another confidentiality statute, the e-mail transmission must contain an image of the requester's... assure prompt processing, e-mail FOIA requests must be sent to official VA FOIA mailboxes established for...

  12. 38 CFR 1.554 - Requirements for making requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... must contain an image of the requester's handwritten signature. To make a request for VA records, write... by another confidentiality statute, the e-mail transmission must contain an image of the requester's... assure prompt processing, e-mail FOIA requests must be sent to official VA FOIA mailboxes established for...

  13. 38 CFR 1.554 - Requirements for making requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... must contain an image of the requester's handwritten signature. To make a request for VA records, write... by another confidentiality statute, the e-mail transmission must contain an image of the requester's... assure prompt processing, e-mail FOIA requests must be sent to official VA FOIA mailboxes established for...

  14. 77 FR 30306 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; Request for Acceptance of Changes in...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-22

    ... Information Collection: Comment Request; Request for Acceptance of Changes in Approved Drawings and... also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Changes in Approved Drawings and... proposed use: Builders who request changes to HUD's accepted drawings and specifications for proposed...

  15. 32 CFR 1665.5 - Request for review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... PROCEDURES § 1665.5 Request for review. (a) Individuals wishing to request a review of the decision by SSS... the information specified in § 1665.5(b). Individuals desiring assistance in the preparation of their... requester believes that access should be granted or the disputed information amended. The request for review...

  16. 78 FR 25058 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-29

    ... tags: designation 10 minutes, requests for tags, 2 minutes; lobster area waiver, 20 minutes and request... also required to request gillnet and lobster tags through the Northeast region permit office when using gillnet gear or lobster traps. Lastly, vessel owners that own multiple vessels, but would like to request...

  17. 22 CFR 1502.4 - Written requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 22 Foreign Relations 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Written requests. 1502.4 Section 1502.4 Foreign Relations AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS § 1502.4 Written requests. In order to facilitate the processing of written requests, every petitioner should: (a) Address his or her request to...

  18. 78 FR 63496 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Medical...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-24

    ... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Medical Travel Refund Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department... information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Medical Travel Refund Request,'' to the Office of Management... reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred when traveling to medical providers for covered medical...

  19. 29 CFR 1921.5 - Motions and requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... motion or request shall state the particular order, ruling, or action desired, and the grounds therefor... 29 Labor 7 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Motions and requests. 1921.5 Section 1921.5 Labor... WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT Prehearing Procedures § 1921.5 Motions and requests. Motions or requests shall...

  20. 29 CFR 1921.5 - Motions and requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... motion or request shall state the particular order, ruling, or action desired, and the grounds therefor... 29 Labor 7 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Motions and requests. 1921.5 Section 1921.5 Labor... WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT Prehearing Procedures § 1921.5 Motions and requests. Motions or requests shall...

  1. 78 FR 77119 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-20

    ... Collection Request; Comment Request; Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards... collection request (ICR), ``Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards--Petition... whose disclosure is restricted by statute. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geanetta Heard, Fuels...

  2. 10 CFR 1705.05 - Processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Processing of requests. 1705.05 Section 1705.05 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PRIVACY ACT § 1705.05 Processing of requests. (a) Requests in writing. The Privacy Act Officer will acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days of its...

  3. 5 CFR 2604.502 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... requester will put the records sought, or where the use is not clear from the request itself, the Office... requesters. (c) Educational and noncommercial scientific institutions and news media. If the request is from an educational institution or a noncommercial scientific institution, operated for scholarly or...

  4. 10 CFR 1705.05 - Processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Processing of requests. 1705.05 Section 1705.05 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PRIVACY ACT § 1705.05 Processing of requests. (a) Requests in writing. The Privacy Act Officer will acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days of its...

  5. 10 CFR 1705.05 - Processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Processing of requests. 1705.05 Section 1705.05 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PRIVACY ACT § 1705.05 Processing of requests. (a) Requests in writing. The Privacy Act Officer will acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days of its...

  6. 78 FR 35631 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 40 CFR Part 64 Compliance Assurance...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-13

    ... the fact that most facilities are now using electronic monitoring to conduct their recording, thus... Request; Comment Request; 40 CFR Part 64 Compliance Assurance Monitoring Program AGENCY: Environmental... an information collection request, ``40 CFR Part 64 Compliance Assurance Monitoring Program'' (EPA...

  7. 10 CFR 501.131 - Filing a request for interpretation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Filing a request for interpretation. 501.131 Section 501.131 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ALTERNATE FUELS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS Requests for Interpretation § 501.131 Filing a request for interpretation. A proceeding to request an...

  8. 10 CFR 501.132 - Contents of a request for interpretation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Contents of a request for interpretation. 501.132 Section 501.132 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ALTERNATE FUELS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS Requests for Interpretation § 501.132 Contents of a request for interpretation. (a) A request for...

  9. 78 FR 73524 - Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-06

    ... Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Rubber Tire Manufacturing... Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NSPS for Rubber Tire Manufacturing.../dockets . Abstract: Respondents are owners or operators of rubber tire manufacturing plants which include...

  10. 10 CFR 1705.05 - Processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Processing of requests. 1705.05 Section 1705.05 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PRIVACY ACT § 1705.05 Processing of requests. (a) Requests in writing. The Privacy Act Officer will acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days of its...

  11. 10 CFR 1705.05 - Processing of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Processing of requests. 1705.05 Section 1705.05 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PRIVACY ACT § 1705.05 Processing of requests. (a) Requests in writing. The Privacy Act Officer will acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days of its...

  12. 76 FR 20987 - Agency Information Collection Request; 60-Day Public Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-14

    ... Information Collection Request; 60-Day Public Comment Request AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. In... of a proposed information collection request for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information...

  13. Message passing with queues and channels

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

    Dozsa, Gabor J; Heidelberger, Philip; Kumar, Sameer

    In an embodiment, a reception thread receives a source node identifier, a type, and a data pointer from an application and, in response, creates a receive request. If the source node identifier specifies a source node, the reception thread adds the receive request to a fast-post queue. If a message received from a network does not match a receive request on a posted queue, a polling thread adds a receive request that represents the message to an unexpected queue. If the fast-post queue contains the receive request, the polling thread removes the receive request from the fast-post queue. If themore » receive request that was removed from the fast-post queue does not match the receive request on the unexpected queue, the polling thread adds the receive request that was removed from the fast-post queue to the posted queue. The reception thread and the polling thread execute asynchronously from each other.« less

  14. Eating disorders among patients incarcerated only for repeated shoplifting: a retrospective quasi-case-control study in a medical prison in Japan.

    PubMed

    Asami, Tomokuni; Okubo, Yoshiro; Sekine, Mizuho; Nomura, Toshiaki

    2014-06-07

    Shoplifting is a serious problem among patients with eating disorders. For more than a decade, we have treated many patients with eating disorders incarcerated in Hachioji Medical Prison only for repeated shoplifting. We analyzed the prison records and medical records of female psychiatric patients transferred to Hachioji Medical Prison between 2002 and 2011. Based on the offense listed at the time of sentencing, we extracted a shoplifting group and a drug-offense group from among all patients with eating disorders. One patient from the former group who had used substances and two from the latter group who had never shoplifted were excluded from the study. The groups had 41 and 14 patients, respectively. A control group comprised patients with other mental disorders (n = 34). We compared eating disorder histories and subtypes, weight changes, comorbidities, life histories, past behavioral problems, and clinical behavioral problems among the three groups. The shoplifting group exhibited less impulsive behavior, substance abuse, antisocial features, borderline personality disorder, and past bulimia than did the drug-offense and control groups. The shoplifting group had higher educational achievement and steadier employment; however, their eating disorder histories and interpersonal dysfunction were more severe, and they had a higher psychiatric treatment dropout rate. There were also significant relationships with low body weight, anorexia nervosa-restricting type, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the shoplifting group. During the clinical course, food refusal, excessive exercise, food hoarding, and falsification of dietary intake amounts were more frequently observed in the shoplifting group. Conversely, drug requests and occurrences of self-harm were less frequent in the shoplifting group than in the drug-offense group. Although these results may be associated with specific characteristics of patients with eating disorders in the medical prison setting, we concluded that the repeated shoplifting by these patients is unrelated to antisocial or impulsive characteristics but is deeply rooted in these patients' severe and undertreated eating disorder psychopathology. Strong supportive treatment should be considered for patients with eating disorders who develop shoplifting behaviors. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the relationship between shoplifting and eating disorders.

  15. 49 CFR 701.7 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... by a requester or by a group of requesters acting in concert constitute a single request that would... circumstances that may justify delay include: (i) The need to search for and collect the requested records from other facilities that are separate from Amtrak's headquarters offices. (ii) The need to search for...

  16. 4 CFR 201.5 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 4 Accounts 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 201.5 Section 201.5 Accounts RECOVERY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 201.5 Requests for Board... of Information Act Request” on the letter and envelope or in the subject line of the e-mail request...

  17. 78 FR 15377 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Requests To...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-11

    ... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Requests To Approve Conformed Wage Classifications and Unconventional... Classifications and Unconventional Fringe Benefit Plans Under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and Contract Work... collection consist of: (A) Reports of conformed classifications and wage rates and (B) requests for approval...

  18. 40 CFR 1601.24 - Timing of responses to requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual; (ii) An urgency to inform the... affect public confidence. (2) A request for expedited processing may be made at the time of the initial... shall notify the requester of the decision. If a request for expedited treatment is granted, the request...

  19. 78 FR 62629 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Clean Water Act Section 404 State...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-22

    ... comments to OMB. Abstract: Section 404(g) of the Clean Water Act authorizes States [and Tribes] to assume... States/Tribes requesting assumption of the Clean Water Act section 404 permit program; States/ [[Page... Collection Request; Comment Request; Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs (Renewal) AGENCY...

  20. 78 FR 12782 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Request for Comments for 1029-0120

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-25

    ... information collection request for the Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSM's Technical Training... Payment Form for OSM Technical Training Courses. OSM is requesting a 3-year term of approval for this... collection activity: Title: Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSM Technical Training Courses. OMB...

  1. 78 FR 22252 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; FFEL/Direct Loan/Perkins Military...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-15

    ...; Comment Request; FFEL/ Direct Loan/Perkins Military Service Deferment/Post-Active Duty Student Deferment... Deferment/Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request & SCRA Request. OMB Control Number: 1845-0080. Type of...: 9,177. Abstract: The Military Service/Post-Active Duty Student Deferment request form serves as the...

  2. 78 FR 45965 - Research Lease on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Virginia, Request for Competitive...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-30

    ...; MMAA104000] Research Lease on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Virginia, Request for Competitive... Unsolicited Request for an OCS Research Lease; Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI); and Request for Public... for wind energy research activities; (2) solicit indications of interest in a renewable energy lease...

  3. 78 FR 118 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-02

    ... form number: NA Forms 13022, 13064, 13068. Type of review: Regular. Affected public: Former Federal... nature of the request. The NA Form 13022, Returned Request Form, is used to request additional information about the former Federal employee. The NA Form 13064, Reply to Request Involving Relief Agencies...

  4. 15 CFR 2005.6 - Request for review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... person making the request in writing of the decision on the request for review within 30 days (excluding... wishing to request a review of the decision by STR with regard to an initial request to amend a record in... extent possible, include the information specified in § 2005.5(a). Individuals desiring assistance in the...

  5. 16 CFR 610.3 - Streamlined process for requesting annual file disclosures from nationwide specialty consumer...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... and prominently posted on any website owned or maintained by the nationwide specialty consumer... by any additional available request methods; and (2) Be designed, funded, implemented, maintained... consumers request while the consumer is in the process of making a request; (B) For a website request method...

  6. 10 CFR 1303.105 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 1303.105 Section 1303.105 Energy NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1303.105 Requests for Board records. (a) A written FOIA request must be submitted. You may: (1) Write: NWTRB Designated FOIA Officer...

  7. 10 CFR 1303.105 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 1303.105 Section 1303.105 Energy NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1303.105 Requests for Board records. (a) A written FOIA request must be submitted. You may: (1) Write: NWTRB Designated FOIA Officer...

  8. 10 CFR 1303.105 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 1303.105 Section 1303.105 Energy NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1303.105 Requests for Board records. (a) A written FOIA request must be submitted. You may: (1) Write: NWTRB Designated FOIA Officer...

  9. 10 CFR 1303.105 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 1303.105 Section 1303.105 Energy NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1303.105 Requests for Board records. (a) A written FOIA request must be submitted. You may: (1) Write: NWTRB Designated FOIA Officer...

  10. 10 CFR 1303.105 - Requests for Board records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Requests for Board records. 1303.105 Section 1303.105 Energy NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1303.105 Requests for Board records. (a) A written FOIA request must be submitted. You may: (1) Write: NWTRB Designated FOIA Officer...

  11. 12 CFR 792.62 - Requests for accounting for disclosures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requests for accounting for disclosures. 792.62... § 792.62 Requests for accounting for disclosures. At the time of the request for access or correction or at any other time, an individual may request an accounting of disclosures made of the individual's...

  12. 42 CFR 423.2014 - Request for an ALJ hearing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Request for an ALJ hearing. 423.2014 Section 423.2014 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES..., and Judicial Review § 423.2014 Request for an ALJ hearing. (a) Content of the request. The request for...

  13. 29 CFR 458.72 - Motions and requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Motions and requests. 458.72 Section 458.72 Labor... STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Hearing and Related Matters § 458.72 Motions and requests. (a) Motions and requests... shall serve a copy of all motions and requests on all other parties. Motions during the course of the...

  14. 7 CFR 283.18 - Motions and requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... particular order, ruling, or action desired and the grounds therefor. (d) Response to motions and requests... 7 Agriculture 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Motions and requests. 283.18 Section 283.18... Claims of $50,000 or More § 283.18 Motions and requests. (a) Filing. All motions and requests shall be...

  15. 7 CFR 283.18 - Motions and requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... particular order, ruling, or action desired and the grounds therefor. (d) Response to motions and requests... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Motions and requests. 283.18 Section 283.18... Claims of $50,000 or More § 283.18 Motions and requests. (a) Filing. All motions and requests shall be...

  16. 40 CFR 1602.1 - General provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... request an accounting of disclosures of those records by the CSB. In addition, the CSB processes all... access, a request for amendment or correction, or a request for an accounting under the Privacy Act... subsection (d)(2) of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a. Request for an accounting means a request made as...

  17. 22 CFR 713.7 - What will OPIC do with my request?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, or hamper OPIC...) Review of your request. OPIC will process your request in the order it is received. OPIC will try to... request or subpoena be modified or withdrawn, or may try to resolve the request or subpoena informally...

  18. 22 CFR 713.7 - What will OPIC do with my request?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, or hamper OPIC...) Review of your request. OPIC will process your request in the order it is received. OPIC will try to... request or subpoena be modified or withdrawn, or may try to resolve the request or subpoena informally...

  19. 22 CFR 303.8 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ..., a requester should try to provide the following kinds of information, if known; (1) The specific... determination may be expected to be dispatched, and the requester's right to treat the delay as a denial and to... extension thereof, the requester may deem the request denied, and exercise a right of appeal in accordance...

  20. 22 CFR 713.7 - What will OPIC do with my request?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, or hamper OPIC...) Review of your request. OPIC will process your request in the order it is received. OPIC will try to... request or subpoena be modified or withdrawn, or may try to resolve the request or subpoena informally...

  1. 22 CFR 303.8 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., a requester should try to provide the following kinds of information, if known; (1) The specific... determination may be expected to be dispatched, and the requester's right to treat the delay as a denial and to... extension thereof, the requester may deem the request denied, and exercise a right of appeal in accordance...

  2. 22 CFR 303.8 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ..., a requester should try to provide the following kinds of information, if known; (1) The specific... determination may be expected to be dispatched, and the requester's right to treat the delay as a denial and to... extension thereof, the requester may deem the request denied, and exercise a right of appeal in accordance...

  3. 22 CFR 303.8 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., a requester should try to provide the following kinds of information, if known; (1) The specific... determination may be expected to be dispatched, and the requester's right to treat the delay as a denial and to... extension thereof, the requester may deem the request denied, and exercise a right of appeal in accordance...

  4. 22 CFR 713.7 - What will OPIC do with my request?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, or hamper OPIC...) Review of your request. OPIC will process your request in the order it is received. OPIC will try to... request or subpoena be modified or withdrawn, or may try to resolve the request or subpoena informally...

  5. 22 CFR 713.7 - What will OPIC do with my request?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, or hamper OPIC...) Review of your request. OPIC will process your request in the order it is received. OPIC will try to... request or subpoena be modified or withdrawn, or may try to resolve the request or subpoena informally...

  6. 10 CFR 1703.106 - Requests for waiver or reduction of fees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requests for waiver or reduction of fees. 1703.106 Section 1703.106 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.106... request within five working days of the request coming into his possession. No determination shall be made...

  7. 22 CFR 505.3 - Procedures for requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Foreign Relations BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS PRIVACY ACT REGULATION § 505.3 Procedures for requests... to herself/himself as a request made under the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a) whether or not the individual specifically cites the Privacy Act when making the request. (b) All requests...

  8. 36 CFR 1007.3 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Requests for records. 1007.3... INFORMATION ACT § 1007.3 Requests for records. (a) Submission of requests. A request to inspect or copy records shall be submitted to the Presidio Trust's FOIA Officer at P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129...

  9. 10 CFR 1703.106 - Requests for waiver or reduction of fees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Requests for waiver or reduction of fees. 1703.106 Section 1703.106 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.106... request within five working days of the request coming into his possession. No determination shall be made...

  10. 10 CFR 1703.106 - Requests for waiver or reduction of fees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Requests for waiver or reduction of fees. 1703.106 Section 1703.106 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.106... request within five working days of the request coming into his possession. No determination shall be made...

  11. 10 CFR 1703.106 - Requests for waiver or reduction of fees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Requests for waiver or reduction of fees. 1703.106 Section 1703.106 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.106... request within five working days of the request coming into his possession. No determination shall be made...

  12. 10 CFR 1703.106 - Requests for waiver or reduction of fees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Requests for waiver or reduction of fees. 1703.106 Section 1703.106 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.106... request within five working days of the request coming into his possession. No determination shall be made...

  13. 78 FR 24194 - Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Solid...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-24

    ... Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Solid Waste Disposal Facility Criteria... Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Solid Waste Disposal Facility... 40 CFR Part 258 on a State level, owners/operators of municipal solid waste landfills have to comply...

  14. 16 CFR 610.3 - Streamlined process for requesting annual file disclosures from nationwide specialty consumer...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... and prominently posted on any website owned or maintained by the nationwide specialty consumer... by any additional available request methods; and (2) Be designed, funded, implemented, maintained... consumers request while the consumer is in the process of making a request; (B) For a website request method...

  15. 16 CFR 610.3 - Streamlined process for requesting annual file disclosures from nationwide specialty consumer...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... and prominently posted on any website owned or maintained by the nationwide specialty consumer... by any additional available request methods; and (2) Be designed, funded, implemented, maintained... consumers request while the consumer is in the process of making a request; (B) For a website request method...

  16. 75 FR 44256 - Rotenone; Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Pesticide Registrations

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-28

    ... that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will... voluntarily cancel their rotenone registrations. The requests would not terminate the last rotenone products...

  17. 75 FR 17733 - Monosodium Methanearsonate (MSMA); Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Pesticide...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-07

    ... that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests within this period. Upon acceptance of these requests, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed... arsenical monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA). The requests would not terminate the last MSMA products...

  18. 13 CFR 102.26 - Responses to requests for access to records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Responses to requests for access to records. 102.26 Section 102.26 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RECORD... request, an office shall send an acknowledgement letter to the requester. (b) Grants of requests for...

  19. 39 CFR 233.5 - Requesting financial records from a financial institution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... the formal written request procedure authorized by section 1108 of the Act and (2) to set forth the... written request under the Act only if: (1) No administrative summons or subpoena authority reasonably... (e.g., section 1113(g)) where no notice is required. (d) Written request. (1) The formal request must...

  20. 40 CFR 205.160-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test request. 205.160-1 Section 205... TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS Motorcycles § 205.160-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under § 205.160 by means of a test request addressed to the manufacturer. (b) The test...

  1. 40 CFR 204.57-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test request. 204.57-1 Section 204.57... NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT Portable Air Compressors § 204.57-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under this subpart by means of a test request addressed to...

  2. 40 CFR 205.171-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test request. 205.171-1 Section 205... TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS Motorcycle Exhaust Systems § 205.171-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under § 205.171 by means of a test request addressed to the manufacturer...

  3. 40 CFR 205.57-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Test request. 205.57-1 Section 205.57... TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS Medium and Heavy Trucks § 205.57-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under § 205.57 by means of a test request addressed to the manufacturer...

  4. 40 CFR 205.57-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test request. 205.57-1 Section 205.57... TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS Medium and Heavy Trucks § 205.57-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under § 205.57 by means of a test request addressed to the manufacturer...

  5. 40 CFR 211.212-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test request. 211.212-1 Section 211... PRODUCT NOISE LABELING Hearing Protective Devices § 211.212-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under this section by means of a test request addressed to the -manufacturer. (b) The...

  6. 40 CFR 204.57-1 - Test request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Test request. 204.57-1 Section 204.57... NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT Portable Air Compressors § 204.57-1 Test request. (a) The Administrator will request all testing under this subpart by means of a test request addressed to...

  7. An audit of request forms submitted in a multidisciplinary diagnostic center in Lagos.

    PubMed

    Oyedeji, Olufemi Abiola; Ogbenna, Abiola Ann; Iwuala, Sandra Omozehio

    2015-01-01

    Request forms are important means of communication between physicians and diagnostic service providers. Pre-analytical errors account for over two thirds of errors encountered in diagnostic service provision. The importance of adequate completion of request forms is usually underestimated by physicians which may result in medical errors or delay in instituting appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to audit the level of completion of request forms presented at a multidisciplinary diagnostic center. A review of all requests forms for investigations which included radiologic, laboratory and cardiac investigations received between July and December 2011 was performed to assess their level of completeness. The data was entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed. Only 1.3% of the 7,841 request forms reviewed were fully completed. Patient's names, the referring physician's name and gender were the most completed information on the forms evaluated with 99.0%, 99.0% and 90.3% completion respectively. Patient's age was provided in 68.0%, request date in 88.2%, and clinical notes/ diagnosis in 65.9% of the requests. Patient's full address was provided in only 5.6% of requests evaluated. This study shows that investigation request forms are inadequately filled by physicians in our environment. Continuous medical education of physicians on the need for adequate completion of request forms is needed.

  8. 4 CFR 201.17 - How to track a FOIA request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 4 Accounts 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false How to track a FOIA request. 201.17 Section 201.17 Accounts RECOVERY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 201.17 How to track a FOIA request. (a) Tracking number. The Board will issue a tracking number to all FOIA requesters...

  9. 76 FR 64379 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested; eForm 6 Access...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-18

    ...] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested; eForm 6 Access Request... Form/Collection: eForm 6 Access Request. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component...: Respondents must complete the eForm 6 Access Request form in order to receive a user ID and password to obtain...

  10. 39 CFR 3005.13 - Subpoenas issued in response to a third-party request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... the issuance of a subpoena to a covered person pursuant to § 3005.11. (1) Subpoenas may be requested... Postal Service shall transmit a copy of the request to any covered person that it deems likely to be affected by the request and shall provide the person requesting the subpoena with the name, business...

  11. 39 CFR 3005.13 - Subpoenas issued in response to a third-party request.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... the issuance of a subpoena to a covered person pursuant to § 3005.11. (1) Subpoenas may be requested... Postal Service shall transmit a copy of the request to any covered person that it deems likely to be affected by the request and shall provide the person requesting the subpoena with the name, business...

  12. 36 CFR 1120.31 - A&TBCB receipt of requests; responsibilities of Freedom of Information Officer.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...; responsibilities of Freedom of Information Officer. 1120.31 Section 1120.31 Parks, Forests, and Public Property... Available Upon Request § 1120.31 A&TBCB receipt of requests; responsibilities of Freedom of Information Officer. (a) Upon receipt of a written request, the Freedom of Information Officer must mark the request...

  13. 32 CFR 1901.21 - Processing requests for access to or amendment of records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY PUBLIC RIGHTS UNDER THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 Action on Privacy Act Requests... requester cites one Act in the request, both, or neither. This action is taken in order to ensure the... written response, shall so inform the requester and advise of his or her right to an administrative appeal...

  14. 4 CFR 200.5 - Requests for access to records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... facsimile at (202) 254-7970. (d) Requests by phone. A person may request access to his or her records by... 4 Accounts 1 2014-01-01 2013-01-01 true Requests for access to records. 200.5 Section 200.5... records. (a) All requests for records should include the following information: (1) Full name, address...

  15. 4 CFR 200.5 - Requests for access to records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... facsimile at (202) 254-7970. (d) Requests by phone. A person may request access to his or her records by... 4 Accounts 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Requests for access to records. 200.5 Section 200.5... records. (a) All requests for records should include the following information: (1) Full name, address...

  16. 4 CFR 200.5 - Requests for access to records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... facsimile at (202) 254-7970. (d) Requests by phone. A person may request access to his or her records by... 4 Accounts 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Requests for access to records. 200.5 Section 200.5... records. (a) All requests for records should include the following information: (1) Full name, address...

  17. 4 CFR 200.5 - Requests for access to records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... facsimile at (202) 254-7970. (d) Requests by phone. A person may request access to his or her records by... 4 Accounts 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Requests for access to records. 200.5 Section 200.5... records. (a) All requests for records should include the following information: (1) Full name, address...

  18. 37 CFR 1.294 - Examination of request for publication of a statutory invention registration and patent...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... publication of a statutory invention registration and patent application to which the request is directed. 1... Public Use Proceedings § 1.294 Examination of request for publication of a statutory invention registration and patent application to which the request is directed. (a) Any request for a statutory invention...

  19. Polite Requestive Strategies in Emails: An Investigation of Pragmatic Competence of Chinese EFL Learners

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zhu, Wuhan

    2012-01-01

    This paper is motivated by the premise that little is known about the use of requestive strategies in request emails in Chinese English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) context. Specifically, the paper examines and compares requestive strategies in request emails between two groups of university students, namely English majors (EM) and non-English…

  20. 34 CFR 5.83 - Contents of request for review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 90-23 (Eff. until 7-14-10) Administrative Review § 5.83 Contents of request for review. The request for review shall include a copy of the written request and the denial. ... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Contents of request for review. 5.83 Section 5.83...

  1. 36 CFR § 1007.3 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2013-07-01 2012-07-01 true Requests for records. § 1007... INFORMATION ACT § 1007.3 Requests for records. (a) Submission of requests. A request to inspect or copy records shall be submitted to the Presidio Trust's FOIA Officer at P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129...

  2. 36 CFR 1260.58 - What are the procedures for requesting a mandatory review of White House originated information?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... requesting a mandatory review of White House originated information? 1260.58 Section 1260.58 Parks, Forests... review of White House originated information? (a) Requests for mandatory review must describe the...) NARA will promptly acknowledge to the requester the receipt of a request for White House originated...

  3. 16 CFR 1014.7 - Agency review of request for correction or amendment of a record.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Agency review of request for correction or... POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 § 1014.7 Agency review of request for... review the request and either make the requested correction or amendment or notify the individual of his...

  4. 12 CFR 1102.306 - Procedures for requesting records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... a request for records. (1) The request shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Director: (i... period of: (A) Ten (10) working days as provided by written notice to the requester, setting forth the... ASC will advise the requester in writing: (A) If the denial is in part or in whole; (B) The name and...

  5. 20 CFR 404.820 - Filing a request for correction of the record of your earnings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Filing a request for correction of the record of your earnings. 404.820 Section 404.820 Employees' Benefits SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION FEDERAL... evidence of the date when the request was mailed. (e) Withdrawal of a request for correction. A request for...

  6. 76 FR 55999 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-09

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information [email protected] . [[Page 56000

  7. Interlanguage request modification: a case in vocational college

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Widanta, I. M. R. J.; Sitawati, A. A. R.; Suciani, N. K.; Handayani, L. N. C.

    2018-01-01

    There has been much attention given by scholars to the investigation of inter-language pragmatics (ILP), and some of them have been concentrating on how ILP speakers modify their speech acts (SA) of request. This study was aimed at investigating request modification produced by Indonesian English speakers. A group of 23 college students majoring in tourism was involved as research participants. The participants were given two tests using two role play cards with two hotel-context request situations, i.e. low imposing request (R-Rq) and high imposing request (R+ Rq). Pretest was given prior to and post-test was given upon treatment. The situation was chosen based on[1] exemplar generation1 model. The data of request utterances was analyzed and compared with request taxonomies proposed by some scholars. Data analysis showed that the research participants were more competent pragmatically upon the treatment, indicated with the fact where they were able to produce 13 request modification patterns being compared to 11 patterns prior to the treatment.

  8. A Study of the First Year of the End-of-Life Clinic for Physician-Assisted Dying in the Netherlands.

    PubMed

    Snijdewind, Marianne C; Willems, Dick L; Deliens, Luc; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D; Chambaere, Kenneth

    2015-10-01

    Right to Die NL, an organization in the Netherlands that advocates for the option of euthanasia, founded the End-of-Life Clinic in 2012 to provide euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide for patients who meet all legal requirements but whose regular physicians rejected their request. Many patients whose requests are rejected have less common situations, such as a psychiatric or psychological condition, dementia, or being tired of living. To study outcomes of requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide received by the clinic and factors associated with granting or rejecting requests. Analysis of application forms and registration files from March 1, 2012, to March 1, 2013, the clinic's first year of operation, for 645 patients who applied to the clinic with a request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and whose cases were concluded during the study period. A request could be granted, rejected, or withdrawn or the patient could have died before a final decision was reached. We analyzed bivariate and multivariate associations with medical conditions, type of suffering, and sociodemographic variables. Of the 645 requests made by patients, 162 requests (25.1%) were granted, 300 requests (46.5%) were refused, 124 patients (19.2%) died before the request could be assessed, and 59 patients (9.1%) withdrew their requests. Patients with a somatic condition (113 of 344 [32.8%]) or with cognitive decline (21 of 56 [37.5%]) had the highest percentage of granted requests. Patients with a psychological condition had the smallest percentage of granted requests. Six (5.0%) of 121 requests from patients with a psychological condition were granted, as were 11 (27.5%) of 40 requests from patients who were tired of living. Physicians in the Netherlands have more reservations about less common reasons that patients request euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, such as psychological conditions and being tired of living, than the medical staff working for the End-of-Life Clinic. The physicians and nurses employed by the clinic, however, often confirmed the assessment of the physician who previously cared for the patient; they rejected nearly half of the requests for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, possibly because the legal due care criteria had not been met.

  9. Deferred Compensation Plan | Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

    Science.gov Websites

    Account Info Online General Info Empower Retirement Customer Service PIN Request Plan Booklet Investment Format Request Customer Service Request Status Refund Requests Resources Benefit Mailing Dates Booklets

  10. 12 CFR 602.16 - Combining requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ....16 Combining requests. You may not avoid paying fees by filing multiple requests at the same time. When FCA reasonably believes that you, alone or with others, are breaking down a request into a series...

  11. 41 CFR 51-8.6 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of... include the time period in which the requests have occurred and the subject matter involved. ...

  12. 12 CFR 602.16 - Combining requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ....16 Combining requests. You may not avoid paying fees by filing multiple requests at the same time. When FCA reasonably believes that you, alone or with others, are breaking down a request into a series...

  13. 12 CFR 602.16 - Combining requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ....16 Combining requests. You may not avoid paying fees by filing multiple requests at the same time. When FCA reasonably believes that you, alone or with others, are breaking down a request into a series...

  14. 41 CFR 51-8.6 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of... include the time period in which the requests have occurred and the subject matter involved. ...

  15. 41 CFR 51-8.6 - Aggregating requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of... include the time period in which the requests have occurred and the subject matter involved. ...

  16. 16 CFR § 1015.5 - Time limitation on responses to requests for records and requests for expedited processing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... circumstances: (1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the Office of the Secretary. (2) The need to search for, collect and... requester, or a group of requesters acting in concert, if the Secretary or delegate reasonably believes that...

  17. User Accounts | High-Performance Computing | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    see information on user account policies. ACCOUNT PASSWORDS Logging in for the first time? Forgot your Accounts User Accounts Learn how to request an NREL HPC user account. Request an HPC Account To request an HPC account, please complete our request form. This form is provided using DocuSign. REQUEST

  18. 12 CFR 1102.102 - Times, places and requirements for requests pertaining to individual records in a record system...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Times, places and requirements for requests... Individuals and Systems of Records Maintained by the Appraisal Subcommittee § 1102.102 Times, places and... individuals making requests for access to records pertaining to them. (a) Place to make request. Any request...

  19. 31 CFR 256.13 - Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? 256.13 Section 256.13 Money and... BILLS Requesting Payments § 256.13 Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? Yes, agencies must include a valid TIN on all requests for...

  20. 31 CFR 256.13 - Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? 256.13 Section 256.13 Money and... BILLS Requesting Payments § 256.13 Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? Yes, agencies must include a valid TIN on all requests for...

  1. 31 CFR 256.13 - Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? 256.13 Section 256.13 Money and... BILLS Requesting Payments § 256.13 Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? Yes, agencies must include a valid TIN on all requests for...

  2. 31 CFR 256.13 - Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? 256.13 Section 256.13 Money and... BILLS Requesting Payments § 256.13 Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? Yes, agencies must include a valid TIN on all requests for...

  3. 31 CFR 256.13 - Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? 256.13 Section 256.13 Money and... BILLS Requesting Payments § 256.13 Are agencies required to supply a taxpayer identification number (TIN) when submitting a request for payment? Yes, agencies must include a valid TIN on all requests for...

  4. 34 CFR 5.81 - Time for initiation of request for review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... PUBLIC PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 90-23 (Eff. until 7-14-10) Administrative Review § 5.81 Time for initiation of request for review. A person whose request has been denied may initiate a review by filing a request for... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Time for initiation of request for review. 5.81 Section...

  5. Method and apparatus for granting processors access to a resource

    DOEpatents

    Blumrich, Matthias A.; Salapura, Valentina

    2010-03-16

    An apparatus and method for granting one or more requesting entities access to a resource in a predetermined time interval. The apparatus includes a first circuit receiving one or more request signals, and implementing logic for assigning a priority to the one or more request signals, and, generating a set of first_request signals based on the priorities assigned. One or more priority select circuits for receiving the set of first_request signals and generating corresponding one or more fixed grant signals representing one or more highest priority request signals when asserted during the predetermined time interval. A second circuit device receives the one or more fixed grant signals generates one or more grant signals associated with one or more highest priority request signals assigned, the grant signals for enabling one or more respective requesting entities access to the resource in the predetermined time interval, wherein the priority assigned to the one or more request signals changes each successive predetermined time interval. In one embodiment, the assigned priority is based on a numerical pattern, the first circuit changing the numerical pattern with respect to the first_request signals generated at each successive predetermined time interval.

  6. Longitudinal evaluation of a World Wide Web-based antimicrobial stewardship program: assessing factors associated with approval patterns and trends over time.

    PubMed

    Venugopal, Vidya; Lehmann, Christoph U; Diener-West, Marie; Agwu, Allison L

    2014-02-01

    The Johns Hopkins Children's Medical and Surgery Center developed a Web-based Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) in 2005. The present study aimed to assess longitudinal antimicrobial request and approval patterns for this ASP. We analyzed a total of 16,229 antimicrobial requests for 3,542 patients between June 1, 2005, and June 30, 2009. Antimicrobial approval was the outcome of interest. We assessed gaming by studying trends in automatically approved requests. Nonparametric tests for trend were performed to detect changes in approval patterns. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with approval. The vast majority (91.3%) of antimicrobial requests were approved, with an increase of 6.1% over time (P < .01). Renewal requests were more likely than primary requests (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.04) to be approved. Antiviral requests had higher odds of approval than antibiotic requests (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.56). Compared with requests by medical services, requests by surgical services had lower odds of approval (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.83), whereas pediatric intensive care requests had higher odds of approval (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00-1.40). The number of auto-approved requests remained consistent. The Web-based ASP allows management of a large number of antimicrobial requests, without apparent gaming. Observed differences in approval patterns based on patient, requestor, and antimicrobial factors may inform the development of ASPs and evaluation of provider education and training. Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. 75 FR 52313 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-25

    .... Title, Form and OMB Number: Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events (Non-Aviation), DD Form 2536 and Request for Military Aerial Support, DD Form 2535; OMB Number 0704-0290. Type of Request...

  8. 5 CFR 2604.301 - Requests for records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... submit his request under the FOIA in writing. In the case of a written request, the envelope containing... requested records can be shown. (2) “Compelling need” means: (i) Circumstances in which failure to obtain...

  9. 32 CFR 806b.22 - Responding to amendment requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... ADMINISTRATION PRIVACY ACT PROGRAM Amending the Record § 806b.22 Responding to amendment requests. (a) Anyone may request minor corrections orally. Requests for more serious modifications should be in writing. (b) After...

  10. 32 CFR 806b.22 - Responding to amendment requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... ADMINISTRATION PRIVACY ACT PROGRAM Amending the Record § 806b.22 Responding to amendment requests. (a) Anyone may request minor corrections orally. Requests for more serious modifications should be in writing. (b) After...

  11. A pilot study of naturally occurring high-probability request sequences in hostage negotiations.

    PubMed

    Hughes, James

    2009-01-01

    In the current study, the audiotapes from three hostage-taking situations were analyzed. Hostage negotiator requests to the hostage taker were characterized as either high or low probability. The results suggested that hostage-taker compliance to a hostage negotiator's low-probability request was more likely when a series of complied-with high-probability requests preceded the low-probability request. However, two of the three hostage-taking situations ended violently; therefore, the implications of the high-probability request sequence for hostage-taking situations should be assessed in future research.

  12. A PILOT STUDY OF NATURALLY OCCURRING HIGH-PROBABILITY REQUEST SEQUENCES IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS

    PubMed Central

    Hughes, James

    2009-01-01

    In the current study, the audiotapes from three hostage-taking situations were analyzed. Hostage negotiator requests to the hostage taker were characterized as either high or low probability. The results suggested that hostage-taker compliance to a hostage negotiator's low-probability request was more likely when a series of complied-with high-probability requests preceded the low-probability request. However, two of the three hostage-taking situations ended violently; therefore, the implications of the high-probability request sequence for hostage-taking situations should be assessed in future research. PMID:19949541

  13. Ethical analysis of withdrawing ventricular assist device support.

    PubMed

    Mueller, Paul S; Swetz, Keith M; Freeman, Monica R; Carter, Kari A; Crowley, Mary Eliot; Severson, Cathy J Anderson; Park, Soon J; Sulmasy, Daniel P

    2010-09-01

    To describe a series of patients with heart failure supported with a ventricular assist device (VAD) who requested (or whose surrogates requested) withdrawal of VAD support and the legal and ethical aspects pertaining to these requests. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, from March 1, 2003, through January 31, 2009, who requested (or whose surrogates requested) withdrawal of VAD support and for whom the requests were fulfilled. We then explored the legal and ethical permissibility of carrying out such requests. The median age of the 14 patients identified (13 men, 1 woman) was 57 years. Requests were made by 2 patients and 12 surrogates. None of the patients' available advance directives mentioned the VAD. For 11 patients, multidisciplinary care conferences were held before withdrawal of VAD support. Only 1 patient had an ethics consultation. All 14 patients died within 1 day of withdrawal of VAD support. Patients have the right to refuse or request the withdrawal of any unwanted treatment, and we argue that this right extends to VAD support. We also argue that the cause of death in these cases is the underlying heart disease, not assisted suicide or euthanasia. Therefore, patients with heart failure supported with VADs or their surrogates may request withdrawal of this treatment. In our view, carrying out such requests is permissible in accordance with the principles that apply to withdrawing other life-sustaining treatments.

  14. 7 CFR 780.10 - State committee appeals.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... adverse decision to NAD before requesting an appeal to the State Committee. (c) If a participant requests mediation or requests an appeal to NAD before a request for an appeal to the State Committee has been acted...

  15. 12 CFR 563g.15 - Requests for interpretive advice or waiver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., Corporate and Securities Division; (b) The provisions of this part to which the request relates, the... SECURITIES OFFERINGS § 563g.15 Requests for interpretive advice or waiver. Any requests to the Office for...

  16. 12 CFR 563g.15 - Requests for interpretive advice or waiver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., Corporate and Securities Division; (b) The provisions of this part to which the request relates, the... SECURITIES OFFERINGS § 563g.15 Requests for interpretive advice or waiver. Any requests to the Office for...

  17. 12 CFR 563g.15 - Requests for interpretive advice or waiver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., Corporate and Securities Division; (b) The provisions of this part to which the request relates, the... SECURITIES OFFERINGS § 563g.15 Requests for interpretive advice or waiver. Any requests to the Office for...

  18. 12 CFR 563g.15 - Requests for interpretive advice or waiver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., Corporate and Securities Division; (b) The provisions of this part to which the request relates, the... SECURITIES OFFERINGS § 563g.15 Requests for interpretive advice or waiver. Any requests to the Office for...

  19. 12 CFR 563g.15 - Requests for interpretive advice or waiver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., Corporate and Securities Division; (b) The provisions of this part to which the request relates, the... SECURITIES OFFERINGS § 563g.15 Requests for interpretive advice or waiver. Any requests to the Office for...

  20. Using one-way communications in a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P.; Pratt, Robert G.

    2014-07-22

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  1. Electric power grid control using a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P

    2014-01-28

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  2. Using bi-directional communications in a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P; Pratt, Robert G

    2014-04-01

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  3. Electric power grid control using a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P.

    2015-07-21

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  4. Using bi-directional communications in a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P.; Pratt, Robert G.

    2015-09-08

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  5. Using bi-directional communications in a market-based resource allocation system

    DOEpatents

    Chassin, David P; Pratt, Robert G

    2015-05-05

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

  6. 78 FR 25091 - Submission for OMB Review; 30-Day Comment Request: Request for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line To...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-29

    ...; 30-Day Comment Request: Request for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line To Be Approved for Use in NIH... Embryonic Stem Cell Line to be Approved for Use in NIH-Funded Research, 0925-0601, Expiration Date 04/30... Information Collection: The form is used by applicants to request that human embryonic stem cell lines be...

  7. 10 CFR 1703.109 - Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee waiver or reduction. 1703.109 Section 1703.109 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.109 Procedure for appeal of denial...

  8. 10 CFR 1703.109 - Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee waiver or reduction. 1703.109 Section 1703.109 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.109 Procedure for appeal of denial...

  9. 10 CFR 1703.109 - Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee waiver or reduction. 1703.109 Section 1703.109 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.109 Procedure for appeal of denial...

  10. 10 CFR 1703.109 - Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee waiver or reduction. 1703.109 Section 1703.109 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.109 Procedure for appeal of denial...

  11. 10 CFR 1703.109 - Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Procedure for appeal of denial of requests for board records and denial of requests for fee waiver or reduction. 1703.109 Section 1703.109 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 1703.109 Procedure for appeal of denial...

  12. 77 FR 12827 - Alaska Energy Authority; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-02

    ... Study Requests a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application for an Original License... well as study requests. All comments on the PAD and SD1, and study requests should be sent to the address above in paragraph h. In addition, all comments on the PAD and SD1, study requests, requests for...

  13. Patient-initiated electronic health record amendment requests

    PubMed Central

    Hanauer, David A; Preib, Rebecca; Zheng, Kai; Choi, Sung W

    2014-01-01

    Background and objective Providing patients access to their medical records offers many potential benefits including identification and correction of errors. The process by which patients ask for changes to be made to their records is called an ‘amendment request’. Little is known about the nature of such amendment requests and whether they result in modifications to the chart. Methods We conducted a qualitative content analysis of all patient-initiated amendment requests that our institution received over a 7-year period. Recurring themes were identified along three analytic dimensions: (1) clinical/documentation area, (2) patient motivation for making the request, and (3) outcome of the request. Results The dataset consisted of 818 distinct requests submitted by 181 patients. The majority of these requests (n=636, 77.8%) were made to rectify incorrect information and 49.7% of all requests were ultimately approved. In 6.6% of the requests, patients wanted valid information removed from their record, 27.8% of which were approved. Among all of the patients requesting a copy of their chart, only a very small percentage (approximately 0.2%) submitted an amendment request. Conclusions The low number of amendment requests may be due to inadequate awareness by patients about how to make changes to their records. To make this approach effective, it will be important to inform patients of their right to view and amend records and about the process for doing so. Increasing patient access to medical records could encourage patient participation in improving the accuracy of medical records; however, caution should be used. PMID:24863430

  14. Failure to review STAT clinical laboratory requests and its economical impact.

    PubMed

    Rodriguez-Borja, Enrique; Villalba-Martinez, Celia; Barba-Serrano, Esther; Carratala-Calvo, Arturo

    2016-01-01

    Failure to follow-up laboratory test results has been described as one of the major processes contributing to unsafe patient care. Currently, most of the laboratories do not know with certainty not only their rate of missed (or unreviewed) requests but the economical cost and impact that this issue implies. The aim of our study was to measure that rate and calculate the resulting costs. In January 2015, we checked in our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for every emergency request from 1(st) July 2011 to 30(th) June 2014, if they had been reviewed by any allowed user or not. 319,064 requests were ordered during that period of time. Results were expressed as "ordered requests", "missed requests" and its percentage. Additionally, total cost of missed requests was calculated in euros (€). "Non-productive days" were theorised (as the days producing requests that were not reviewed) based on these results. 7924 requests (2.5%) were never reviewed by clinicians. This represented a total cost of 203,039 € and 27 "non-productive" days in three years. Significant differences between inpatients, outpatients and emergency department as well as different emergencies units were found after application of statistical analysis. In terms of resources, never reviewed or missed requests appear to be a not negligible problem for the clinical laboratory management. Electronic result delivery, with electronic endorsement to indicate follow-up of requests along with better systems of electronic requesting should be investigated as a way of improving patient outcomes and save unnecessary expenses.

  15. A mixed-method examination of food marketing directed towards children in Australian supermarkets.

    PubMed

    Campbell, Sarah; James, Erica L; Stacey, Fiona G; Bowman, Jennifer; Chapman, Kathy; Kelly, Bridget

    2014-06-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of children's food requests, and parents' experiences of food marketing directed towards children, in the supermarket environment. A mixed-method design was used. Firstly, intercept interviews were conducted with parents accompanied by a child/children on exiting supermarkets (sampled from a large regional centre in Australia). Parents were asked about the prevalence and types of food requests by child/children during their supermarket visit and whether they purchased these foods. Secondly, focus groups (n = 13) and telephone interviews (n = 3) were conducted exploring parents' experiences of supermarket shopping with children and the impact of child-directed marketing. Of the 158 intercept survey participants (30% response rate), 73% reported a food request during the supermarket visit. Most requested food items (88%) were unhealthy foods, with chocolate/confectionery being the most common food category requested (40%). Most parents (70%) purchased at least one food item requested during the shopping trip. Qualitative interviews identified four themes associated with food requests and prompts in the supermarket: parents' experience of pester power in the supermarket; prompts for food requests in the supermarket; parental responses to pestering in the supermarket environment, and; strategies to manage pestering and minimize requests for food items. Food requests from children are common during supermarket shopping. Despite the majority of the requests being unhealthy, parents often purchase these foods. Parents reported difficulties dealing with constant requests and expressed desire for environmental changes including confectionery-free checkouts, minimization of child friendly product placement and reducing children's exposure to food marketing.

  16. Predictors of outpatients' request for palliative care service at a medical oncology clinic of a German comprehensive cancer center.

    PubMed

    Tewes, Mitra; Rettler, Teresa; Wolf, Nathalie; Hense, Jörg; Schuler, Martin; Teufel, Martin; Beckmann, Mingo

    2018-05-05

    Early integration of palliative care (PC) is recommended. The determination of predictors for patients' request for PC may guide implementation in clinical practice. Toward this end, we analyzed the symptom burden and distress of cancer patients in outpatient care and examined their need and request for PC. Between October 2013 and March 2016, 705 patients receiving outpatient cancer treatment took part in the survey. We used the new MInimal DOcumentation System to detect symptom clusters. Additionally, patients' request for palliative and psychosocial support was assessed. Groups of patients with PC request were compared to patients without PC request regarding their symptom clusters. Logistic regression analysis was applied to discover significant predictors for the requested inclusion of PC. A total of 159 patients (25.5%) requested additional support by PC. Moderate and severe tiredness (40.3%), weakness (37.9%), pain (25.0%), loss of appetite (22.3%), and dyspnea (19.1%) were the most frequent symptoms. The group of patients requesting PC differed significantly in terms of pain, nausea, dyspnea, constipation, weakness, loss of appetite, tiredness, depression, and anxiety from patients without request for PC (p < .01). The perceived need for PC was identified by the significant predictors "depression," "anxiety," and "weakness" with an explained variance of 22%. Combining a standardized screening questionnaire and the assessment of patients' request for PC allows systematic monitoring for patients' need for PC in a large Medical Oncology clinic. Depression, anxiety, and weakness are predictors of requesting PC service by patients receiving outpatient cancer treatment.

  17. 78 FR 39054 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-28

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202- 395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration...

  18. 5 CFR 1209.8 - Filing a request for a stay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... WHISTLEBLOWING Stay Requests § 1209.8 Filing a request for a stay. (a) Time of filing. An appellant may request a stay of a personnel action allegedly based on whistleblowing at any time after the appellant becomes...

  19. 14 CFR § 1206.703 - Aggregation of requests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AGENCY RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Search, Review, and Duplication Fees § 1206.703 Aggregation of... requester or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of...

  20. 76 FR 41320 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-13

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Reports Clearance...

  1. 77 FR 71204 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-29

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  2. 78 FR 56265 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-12

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  3. 76 FR 71105 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-16

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: (202) 395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  4. 77 FR 58903 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-24

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... . (SSA), Social Security Administration, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, 107 Altmeyer Building...

  5. 76 FR 72994 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-28

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, 107...

  6. 78 FR 22935 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-17

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... . (SSA) Social Security Administration, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, 107 Altmeyer Building...

  7. 77 FR 37728 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-22

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...), Social Security Administration, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401...

  8. Identifying the factors and root causes associated with the unintentional usage of an adrenaline auto-injector in Japanese children and their caregivers.

    PubMed

    Sasaki, Kemal; Nakagawa, Tomoko; Sugiura, Shiro; Ebisawa, Motohiro; Ito, Komei

    2018-03-05

    The unintentional usage of adrenaline auto-injectors may cause injury to caregivers or patients. To prevent such incidents, we assessed the causative factors of these incidents. The Anaphylaxis Working Group of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology requested that society members register cases in which adrenaline auto-injectors were unintentionally used. One hundred cases were reported from June 2015 to March 2016. We identified the root causes of 70 child and 25 adult cases, separately. The incidents occurred with repeated prescriptions as well as the first prescription. Three cases resulted in a failure to administer an adrenaline auto-injector to children with anaphylaxis. Four caregivers used it with improper application (epilepsy or enteritis). Among the child cases, the median age at the time of the incident was 5.5 years (range, 2-14 years). Five children injected the adrenaline auto-injector on their own body trunk. Twenty children were not the allergic patients themselves. Improper management protocol of the device and the child's development were concomitantly involved in most of the cases. A variety of human behaviors were identified as the root causes in the adult cases. At least 34 cases were associated with mix-ups between the actual and training device. Health workers should provide sufficient education regarding safety use of adrenaline auto-injector for caregivers tailored to their experience levels at both first and repeated prescriptions. Such education must cover anticipatory behavior based on normal child development. Devices should also be further improved to prevent such incidents. Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society of Allergology. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

    Arntzen, Evan V.; Hand, Kristine D.; Carter, Kathleen M.

    At the request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE; Portland District), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) undertook a project in 2006 to look further into issues of total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation in the lower Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. In FY 2008, the third year of the project, PNNL conducted field monitoring and laboratory toxicity testing to both verify results from 2007 and answer some additional questions about how salmonid sac fry respond to elevated TDG in the field and the laboratory. For FY 2008, three objectives were 1) to repeat the 2006-2007 field effort tomore » collect empirical data on TDG from the Ives Island and Multnomah Falls study sites; 2) to repeat the static laboratory toxicity tests on hatchery chum salmon fry to verify 2007 results and to expose wild chum salmon fry to incremental increases in TDG, above those of the static test, until external symptoms of gas bubble disease were clearly present; and 3) to assess physiological responses to TDG levels in wild chum salmon sac fry incubating below Bonneville Dam during spill operations. This report summarizes the tasks conducted and results obtained in pursuit of the three objectives. Chapter 1 discusses the field monitoring, Chapter 2 reports the findings of the laboratory toxicity tests, and Chapter 3 describes the field-sampling task. Each chapter contains an objective-specific introduction, description of the study site and methods, results of research, and discussion of findings. Literature cited throughout this report is listed in Chapter 4. Additional details on the monitoring methodology and results are provided in Appendices A and B included on the compact disc bound inside the back cover of the printed version of this report.« less

  10. First identification of a diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, in hair: application to a doping case and interpretation of the results.

    PubMed

    Gheddar, L; Raul, J-S; Kintz, P

    2018-06-19

    An athlete contested an adverse analytical finding involving hydrochlorothiazide, and requested our laboratory for testing his hair. As there is no reference in the literature about identification of hydrochlorothiazide in hair, several volunteers were first enrolled (four after a single 25 mg administration and ten with daily therapeutic treatment). A specific method was developed by UPLC-MS/MS. Hair samples were decontaminated with dichloromethane and 30 mg were incubated in buffer at pH 7.0 during 15 h at 50°C. Then, 5mL ethyl acetate was added for extraction. Linearity was observed for hydrochlorothiazide concentrations ranging from 5 to 2000 pg/mg. The limit of quantification was 5 pg/mg. The CV's of repeatability and matrix effect were lower than 20%. Analysis of the 0-2 cm segment of the 4 volunteers having received a single dose, collected 1 month after administration, was negative at the limit of quantification. The hair of the ten patients (proximal 2 cm) on daily treatment was positive with concentrations ranging from 12 to 1845 pg/mg, with no correlation between daily dose and concentration. The athlete's hair tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide at 36 pg/mg in the segment corresponding to the period of the urinary control. Since a single exposure to hydrochlorothiazide is not detectable in hair and based on the results of the patients on daily treatment, the concentration found in the athlete has been interpreted as corresponding to repeated exposures, where it was not possible to establish the dosage and the frequency. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  11. 76 FR 23640 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-27

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  12. 76 FR 27378 - Request for Service Corporation Activity

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-11

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision Request for Service Corporation Activity AGENCY: Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comment. SUMMARY... on the following information collection. Title of Proposal: Request for Service Corporation Activity...

  13. 78 FR 33142 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-03

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration, DCRDP...

  14. 78 FR 79723 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-31

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA...

  15. 14 CFR 1206.701 - Categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... scientific institutions; representatives of the news media; and all other requesters. The Act prescribes... reproduction of documents. (b) Education and noncommercial scientific institution requesters. NASA shall... are representatives of the news media. NASA shall provide documents to requesters in this category for...

  16. 22 CFR 9.9 - Declassification and downgrading.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... occur: (1) After review of material in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, mandatory declassification review request, discovery request, subpoena, classification challenge, or other information access or declassification request; (2) After review as part of the Department's systematic...

  17. 78 FR 54889 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Confidentiality Rules (Renewal)

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-06

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OEI-2013-0565; FRL -9535-9] Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Confidentiality Rules (Renewal) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an...

  18. 77 FR 16587 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notice

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-21

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notice AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY...., Washington, DC 20224. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of...

  19. 30 CFR 250.530 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

  20. 30 CFR 250.531 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

  1. 30 CFR 250.531 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

  2. 78 FR 72744 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-03

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA...

  3. 5 CFR 1303.50 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... disclosure of records (see § 1303.60(b)). (b) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution...-commercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions...

  4. 5 CFR 1303.50 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... disclosure of records (see § 1303.60(b)). (b) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution...-commercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions...

  5. 5 CFR 1303.50 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... disclosure of records (see § 1303.60(b)). (b) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution...-commercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions...

  6. 5 CFR 1303.50 - Fees to be charged-categories of requesters.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... disclosure of records (see § 1303.60(b)). (b) Educational and non-commercial scientific institution...-commercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. (c... requesters: commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific institutions...

  7. 75 FR 35512 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-22

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  8. 78 FR 70391 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-25

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration, OLCA...

  9. 75 FR 59318 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-27

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202- 395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration...

  10. 76 FR 18290 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-01

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] ; (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  11. 76 FR 19175 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-06

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  12. 76 FR 48200 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-08

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security Administration...

  13. 76 FR 17977 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-31

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202- 395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration...

  14. 76 FR 5233 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-28

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: 202-395-6974. E-mail address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security Administration...

  15. Requester's Acceptance and Non-Acceptance of the Refusal of the Initial Request: How to Improve the Door-in-the-Face Effects?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Terrier, Lohyd; Joule, Robert-Vincent; Marfaing, Benedicte

    2011-01-01

    The door-in-the-face technique (Cialdini, Vincent, Lewis, Catalan, Wheeler & Darby, 1975) increases the likelihood that subjects will comply with a target request after they have been submitted first to a request too costly to for agreement. This study tests the effects of the requester's acceptance versus non-acceptance of the refusal of the…

  16. Potential over request in anemia laboratory tests in primary care in Spain.

    PubMed

    Salinas, María; López-Garrigós, Maite; Flores, Emilio; Uris, Joaquín; Leiva-Salinas, Carlos

    2015-07-01

    The aim was to study the inter-practice variability in anemia laboratory tests requested by general practitioners in Spain, to evaluate for a potential requesting inappropriateness. Laboratories from diverse Spanish regions filled out the number of cell blood count, ferritin, folate, iron, transferrin, and vitamin B12 requested by general practitioners during 2012. The number of test requests per 1000 inhabitants and ratios of related tests requests were calculated. The results obtained in hospitals from different areas (urban, rural, or urban-rural), type of management (public or private), and geographic regions were compared. There was a high variability in the number of test requests and ratios of related tests. Cell blood count was over requested in rural areas and in hospitals with private management. Andalucía was the community with the lowest number of iron requests and the lowest folate/vitamin B12 indicator value. Iron and transferrin seemed over requested in some areas; as were folate and ferritin when compared to vitamin B12 and cell blood count, respectively. The differences observed between areas indicate that other factors besides clinical reasons could be behind that variability and emphasize the need to accomplish interventions to improve the appropriate use of anemia laboratory tests.

  17. Indications for laboratory tests in primary care: assessment of the most frequent indications and requests with blank clinical information

    PubMed Central

    Salinas, Maria; López-Garrigós, Maite; Flores, Emilio; Leiva-Salinas, Maria; Esteban, Patricia; Ahumada, Miguel; Leiva-Salinas, Carlos

    2016-01-01

    Introduction The aim of this work is twofold. Firstly, to study the temporal evolution in the number of laboratory requests from primary care without clinical indication, and to analyse the number of such requests before and after the implementation of an automated requesting procedure. Secondly, to investigate what are the most frequent clinical indications that prompted laboratory testing. Materials and methods This is a retrospective observational study conducted from January 2009 to December 2015. We counted the requests without clinical question, calculated the number of such requests per total number of requests and listed the most frequent indications. Results The number of tests requests with a blank clinical indication was significantly higher in 2009 when compared to 2015 (80% vs. 20%; P < 0.001). For every year in this 7-year period, dyslipidemia, essential hypertension and diabetes were the most prevalent diagnoses that prompted a laboratory test in primary care, accounting for more than 20% of all indications. Conclusions The number of primary care requests without patient clinical question has decreased after the implementation of an automated requesting procedure. Disorders of lipid metabolism, essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most prevalent diagnoses that prompted a laboratory test in primary care. PMID:27812310

  18. A path analysis model of factors influencing children's requests for unhealthy foods.

    PubMed

    Pettigrew, Simone; Jongenelis, Michelle; Miller, Caroline; Chapman, Kathy

    2017-01-01

    Little is known about the complex combination of factors influencing the extent to which children request unhealthy foods from their parents. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive model of influencing factors to provide insight into potential methods of reducing these requests. A web panel provider was used to administer a national online survey to a sample of 1302 Australian parent-child dyads (total sample n=2604). Initial univariate analyses identified potential predictors of children's requests for and consumption of unhealthy foods. The identified variables were subsequently incorporated into a path analysis model that included both parents' and children's reports of children's requests for unhealthy foods. The resulting model accounted for a substantial 31% of the variance in parent-reported food request frequency and 27% of the variance in child-reported request frequency. The variable demonstrating the strongest direct association with both parents' and children's reports of request frequency was the frequency of children's current intake of unhealthy foods. Parents' and children's exposure to food advertising and television viewing time were also positively associated with children's unhealthy food requests. The results highlight the need to break the habitual provision of unhealthy foods to avoid a vicious cycle of requests resulting in consumption. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. TASAR Flight Trial 2: Assessment of Air Traffic Controller Acceptability of TASAR Requests

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Idris, Husni; Enea, Gabriele

    2016-01-01

    In support of the Flight Trial (FT-2) of NASA's prototype of the Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) concept, observations were conducted at the air traffic facilities to identify and assess the main factors that affect the acceptability of pilot requests by air traffic controllers. Two observers shadowed air traffic controllers at the Atlanta (ZTL) and Jacksonville (ZJX) air traffic control centers as the test flight pilot made pre-scripted requests to invoke acceptability issues and then they interviewed the observed and other controllers voluntarily. Fifty controllers were interviewed with experience ranging from one to thirty-five years. All interviewed controllers were enthusiastic about the technology and accounting for sector boundaries in pilot requests, particularly if pilots can be made aware of high workload situations. All interviewed controllers accept more than fifty percent of pilot requests; forty percent of them reject less than ten percent of requests. The most common reason for rejecting requests is conflicting with traffic followed by violating letters of agreement (LOAs) and negatively impacting neighboring sector workload, major arrival and departure flows and flow restrictions. Thirty-six requests were made during the test, eight of which were rejected due to: the aircraft already handed off to another sector, violating LOA, opposing traffic, intruding into an active special use airspace (SUA), intruding into another center, weather, and unfamiliarity with the requested waypoint. Nine requests were accepted with delay mostly because the controller needed to locate unfamiliar waypoints or to coordinate with other controllers.

  20. When the topic is you: genetic counselor responses to prenatal patients' requests for self-disclosure.

    PubMed

    Balcom, Jessica R; Veach, Patricia McCarthy; Bemmels, Heather; Redlinger-Grosse, Krista; LeRoy, Bonnie S

    2013-06-01

    A limited amount of research indicates patient requests play a major role in genetic counselors' self-disclosure decisions and that disclosure and non-disclosure responses to patient requests may differentially affect genetic counseling processes. Studies further suggest patient requests may be more common in prenatal settings, particularly when counselors are pregnant. Empirical evidence is limited however, concerning the nature of patient requests. This study explored genetic counselors' experiences of prenatal patients' requests for self-disclosure. Four major research questions were: (1) What types of questions do prenatal patients ask that invite self-disclosure?; (2) Do pregnant genetic counselors have unique experiences with prenatal patient disclosure requests?; (3) How do genetic counselors typically respond to disclosure requests?; and (4) What strategies are effective and ineffective in responding to disclosure requests? One hundred seventy-six genetic counselors completed an online survey and 40 also participated in telephone interviews. Inductive analysis of 21 interviews revealed patient questions vary, although questions about counselor demographics are most common, and patients are more likely to ask pregnant counselors questions about their personal pregnancy decisions. Participants reported greater discomfort with self-disclosure requests during pregnancy, yet also disclosing more frequently during pregnancy. Counselor responses included personal self-disclosure, professional self-disclosure, redirection, and declining to disclose. Factors perceived as influencing disclosure included: topic, patient motivations, timing of request, quality of counseling relationship, patient characteristics, and ethical/legal responsibilities. Disclosure practices changed over time for most counselors. Additional findings, practice implications, and research recommendations are discussed.

  1. Open access to MRI for general practitioners: 12 years' experience at one institution -- a retrospective analysis.

    PubMed

    Gough-Palmer, A L; Burnett, C; Gedroyc, W M

    2009-08-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate 12 years of general practitioner (GP) use of open access MRI services at a single London teaching hospital. A retrospective analysis of reports from all GP requests for MRI scans between 1994 and 2005 was performed. The date, scanned body part, and requester details from 1798 scans requested by 209 individual GPs over a continuous 12-year period were recorded. All scans were then graded into four categories based on the severity of reported findings from normal to gross abnormality. Over the study period, GP requests as a percentage of the total (MRI) department workload remained low at approximately 2.6%. Spine, knee and brain requests constituted 86% (n = 1546) of requested scans. 48% (n = 868) of scans were reported as normal or minor degenerative changes only. 26% (n = 466) of scans demonstrated serious pathology that was likely to warrant hospital consultant referral. There was a wide range of scans requested per requester, from 1 to 240 over the period, with an average of 8.5 scans per GP. In conclusion, any department wishing to set up open access to MRI services for GPs could cover the majority of requests by offering spine, knee and brain imaging. The percentage of normal report rates for GP requests is comparable with previous studies of outpatient referrals. A large variation in requesting patterns between GPs suggests the need for increased communication between GPs and imaging departments to optimise use of the service.

  2. Norwegian obstetricians' opinions about cesarean section on maternal request: should women pay themselves?

    PubMed

    Fuglenes, Dorthe; Oian, Pål; Gyrd-Hansen, Dorte; Olsen, Jan Abel; Kristiansen, Ivar S

    2010-12-01

    to explore obstetricians' opinions on cesarean section (CS) on maternal request in the absence of a medical indication, and the potential to regulate CS on maternal request through financial incentives such as patient co-payment. cross-sectional study. Norway. a total of 507 obstetricians (response rate 71%). Questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables, professional experience and attitudes about CS on maternal request (such as willingness to perform, views on how CS on maternal request should be financed). obstetricians' opinions about CS on maternal request including funding and use of patient co-payments. clinical encounters with CS on maternal request were considered problematic from a clinical viewpoint by 62% of the respondents. While 35% considered the costs of CS on maternal request to be a public responsibility, 40% suggested use of co-payments ranging from €188- €7,500. Male obstetricians less frequently considered CS on maternal request problematic and were more likely to favor public funding than females. Female obstetricians favored use of co-payments more often than males (64% female vs. 37% male obstetricians, χ(2) = 23.94, p < 0.001) and suggested higher co-payments. The median co-payment was €1,875 for female and €1,250 for male obstetricians (p < 0.001). the study supports the existence of a gender difference concerning obstetricians' responses to patient requested cesarean section. The results indicate that a substantial proportion of obstetricians welcome some form of constraint concerning cesarean section requests in the absence of a medical indication.

  3. 31 CFR 1.7 - Fees for services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... located. (2) Educational and Non-Commercial Scientific Institution Requesters. Records shall be provided... furtherance of scholarly (if the request is from an educational institution) or scientific (if the request is from a non-commercial scientific institution) research. These categories do not include requesters who...

  4. 76 FR 13273 - Request for Service Corporation Activity

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-10

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision Request for Service Corporation Activity AGENCY: Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comment. SUMMARY... collection. Title of Proposal: Request for Service Corporation Activity. OMB Number: 1550-0013. Form Numbers...

  5. 78 FR 79510 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request Copies Available From: Securities and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-30

    ... SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy... seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the...

  6. 5 CFR 911.104 - Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. 911.104 Section 911.104 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT... INDEMNIFICATION § 911.104 Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. When requesting an...

  7. 5 CFR 911.104 - Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. 911.104 Section 911.104 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT... INDEMNIFICATION § 911.104 Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. When requesting an...

  8. 5 CFR 911.104 - Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. 911.104 Section 911.104 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT... INDEMNIFICATION § 911.104 Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. When requesting an...

  9. 5 CFR 911.104 - Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. 911.104 Section 911.104 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT... INDEMNIFICATION § 911.104 Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. When requesting an...

  10. 5 CFR 911.104 - Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. 911.104 Section 911.104 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT... INDEMNIFICATION § 911.104 Procedures for requesting an indemnification agreement. When requesting an...

  11. 36 CFR § 1120.51 - Charges for services, generally.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION Copies of Records and Fees for... requested records. (b) Categories of requesters. For the purpose of standard FOIA fee assessment, the four categories of requesters are: Commercial use requesters; educational and non-commercial scientific...

  12. 78 FR 45283 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-26

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection...: Desk Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social...

  13. 78 FR 67434 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-12

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security...

  14. 77 FR 29441 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-17

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security...

  15. 78 FR 21181 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-09

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security...

  16. 77 FR 6853 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-09

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA), Social Security...

  17. 78 FR 9102 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-07

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection... Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected] . (SSA) Social Security...

  18. COMPONENT COMMANDS

    Science.gov Websites

    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONTACT REQUEST A SPEAKER REQUEST A COLOR GUARD OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT every two years and makes recommendations to the President, through the Secretary of Defense, on changes Preparedness Contact Request A Speaker Request A Color Guard Stay Connected Privacy & Security Inspector

  19. Early Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients using Strain and Strain Rate Imaging.

    PubMed

    Luo, Runlan; Cui, Hongyan; Huang, Dongmei; Sun, Lihua; Song, Shengda; Sun, Mengyao; Li, Guangsen

    2018-06-11

    Right ventricular function is a crucial factor of the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To evaluate the right ventricular function in SLE patients with different degrees of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by strain and strain rate imaging. A total of 102 SLE patients and 30 healthy volunteers were studied between October 2015 and May 2016. Patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimated by echocardiography: group control (A); PASP ≤ 30 mmHg (group B, n = 37); PASP 30-50 mmHg (mild PH; group C, n = 34); and PASP ≥ 50 mmHg (moderate-to-severe PH; group D, n = 31). Longitudinal peak systolic strain (ε) and strain rate (SR), including systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured in the basal, middle and apical segments of the right ventricular free wall in participants by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) from the apical four-chamber view. A p < 0.05 was set for statistical significance. The parameters of ε, SRs, SRe, and SRa were significantly decreased in groups C and D compared with groups A and B. The ε of each segments was significantly lower in group D than in group C, while there were no differences in SRs, SRe and SRa between groups C and D. Strain and strain rate imaging could early detect the right ventricular dysfunction in SLE patients with PH, and provide important value for clinical therapy and prognosis of these patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

  20. Data Relay Board with Protocol for High-Speed, Free-Space Optical Communications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wright, Malcolm; Clare, Loren; Gould, Gary; Pedyash, Maxim

    2004-01-01

    In a free-space optical communication system, the mitigation of transient outages through the incorporation of error-control methods is of particular concern, the outages being caused by scintillation fades and obscurants. The focus of this innovative technology is the development of a data relay system for a reliable high-data-rate free-spacebased optical-transport network. The data relay boards will establish the link, maintain synchronous connection, group the data into frames, and provide for automatic retransmission (ARQ) of lost or erred frames. A certain Quality of Service (QoS) can then be ensured, compatible with the required data rate. The protocol to be used by the data relay system is based on the draft CCSDS standard data-link protocol Proximity-1, selected by orbiters to multiple lander assets in the Mars network, for example. In addition to providing data-link protocol capabilities for the free-space optical link and buffering the data, the data relay system will interface directly with user applications over Gigabit Ethernet and/or with highspeed storage resources via Fibre Channel. The hardware implementation is built on a network-processor-based architecture. This technology combines the power of a hardware switch capable of data switching and packet routing at Gbps rates, with the flexibility of a software- driven processor that can host highly adaptive and reconfigurable protocols used, for example, in wireless local-area networks (LANs). The system will be implemented in a modular multi-board fashion. The main hardware elements of the data relay system are the new data relay board developed by Rockwell Scientific, a COTS Gigabit Ethernet board for user interface, and a COTS Fibre Channel board that connects to local storage. The boards reside in a cPCI back plane, and can be housed in a VME-type enclosure.

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