Dissolved oxygen as an indicator of bioavailable dissolved organic carbon in groundwater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chapelle, Francis H.; Bradley, Paul M.; McMahon, Peter B.; Kaiser, Karl; Benner, Ron

2012-01-01

Concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) plotted vs. dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in groundwater samples taken from a coastal plain aquifer of South Carolina (SC) showed a statistically significant hyperbolic relationship. In contrast, DO-DOC plots of groundwater samples taken from the eastern San Joaquin Valley of California (CA) showed a random scatter. It was hypothesized that differences in the bioavailability of naturally occurring DOC might contribute to these observations. This hypothesis was examined by comparing nine different biochemical indicators of DOC bioavailability in groundwater sampled from these two systems. Concentrations of DOC, total hydrolysable neutral sugars (THNS), total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA), mole% glycine of THAA, initial bacterial cell counts, bacterial growth rates, and carbon dioxide production/consumption were greater in SC samples relative to CA samples. In contrast, the mole% glucose of THNS and the aromaticity (SUVA254) of DOC was greater in CA samples. Each of these indicator parameters were observed to change with depth in the SC system in a manner consistent with active biodegradation. These results are uniformly consistent with the hypothesis that the bioavailability of DOC is greater in SC relative to CA groundwater samples. This, in turn, suggests that the presence/absence of a hyperbolic DO-DOC relationship may be a qualitative indicator of relative DOC bioavailability in groundwater systems.

Genetic stock identification of Russian honey bees.

PubMed

Bourgeois, Lelania; Sheppard, Walter S; Sylvester, H Allen; Rinderer, Thomas E

2010-06-01

A genetic stock certification assay was developed to distinguish Russian honey bees from other European (Apis mellifera L.) stocks that are commercially produced in the United States. In total, 11 microsatellite and five single-nucleotide polymorphism loci were used. Loci were selected for relatively high levels of homogeneity within each group and for differences in allele frequencies between groups. A baseline sample consisted of the 18 lines of Russian honey bees released to the Russian Bee Breeders Association and bees from 34 queen breeders representing commercially produced European honey bee stocks. Suitability tests of the baseline sample pool showed high levels of accuracy. The probability of correct assignment was 94.2% for non-Russian bees and 93.3% for Russian bees. A neighbor-joining phenogram representing genetic distance data showed clear distinction of Russian and non-Russian honey bee stocks. Furthermore, a test of appropriate sample size showed a sample of eight bees per colony maximizes accuracy and consistency of the results. An additional 34 samples were tested as blind samples (origin unknown to those collecting data) to determine accuracy of individual assignment tests. Only one of these samples was incorrectly assigned. The 18 current breeding lines were represented among the 2009 blind sampling, demonstrating temporal stability of the genetic stock identification assay. The certification assay will be used through services provided by a service laboratory, by the Russian Bee Breeders Association to genetically certify their stock. The genetic certification will be used in conjunction with continued selection for favorable traits, such as honey production and varroa and tracheal mite resistance.

Drone Transport of Chemistry and Hematology Samples Over Long Distances.

PubMed

Amukele, Timothy K; Hernandez, James; Snozek, Christine L H; Wyatt, Ryan G; Douglas, Matthew; Amini, Richard; Street, Jeff

2017-11-02

We addressed the stability of biological samples in prolonged drone flights by obtaining paired chemistry and hematology samples from 21 adult volunteers in a single phlebotomy event-84 samples total. Half of the samples were held stationary, while the other samples were flown for 3 hours (258 km) in a custom active cooling box mounted on the drone. After the flight, 19 chemistry and hematology tests were performed. Seventeen analytes had small or no bias, but glucose and potassium in flown samples showed an 8% and 6.2% bias, respectively. The flown samples (mean, 24.8°C) were a mean of 2.5°C cooler than the stationary samples (mean, 27.3°C) during transportation to the flight field as well as during the flight. The changes in glucose and potassium are consistent with the magnitude and duration of the temperature difference between the flown and stationary samples. Long drone flights of biological samples are feasible but require stringent environmental controls to ensure consistent results. © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

An investigation of the kinetic processes influencing mercury emissions from sand and soil samples of varying thickness.

PubMed

Quinones, Jason L; Carpi, Anthony

2011-01-01

Mercury flux from HgCl2-treated sand and untreated soil samples of varying thickness (0.5-15 mm) were measured in dark and light under a Teflon dynamic flux chamber. Mean emissions over a 5.5-d sampling period showed an increase with depth for sand samples between 0.5 and 2 mm, but increasing depth above 2 mm had no effect. First-order kinetic models showed strong goodness of fit to the data and explained a high degree ofvariability in the emissions profile of all sand samples (R = 0.70-0.98). Soil samples showed an initial emissions peak that was not correlated with depth, suggesting a very shallow process at work. However, longer-term "baseline" emissions, measured as mean emissions between days 4.5 and 5.5, did show a relationship with depth. First-order kinetic models showed good fit for soil samples up to 4 mm thick (R2 = 0.66-0.91); however, thicker samples did not show a consistent fit to first- or second-order kinetic models (1 degree R2 = 0.00-0.46; 2 degree R2 = 0.00-0.54). The data suggest that mercury emissions from soil samples may follow a multicomponent model for which more

Conodont color and surface textural alteration in the Muschelkalk (Triassic) of the Silesian-Cracow Zn-Pb district, Poland

USGS Publications Warehouse

Repetski, J.E.; Narkiewicz, M.

1996-01-01

Limestone and dolostone samples were collected from sites within and adjacent to ore zones in the Trzebionka mine, Silesia-Cracow zinc-lead mining district, southern Poland, to assess the level of thermal alteration of the enclosed conodonts, via the color alteration index (CAI) technique, and to study any surface alteration effects on these microfossils. Additional conodont sampling from stratigraphic levels correlative with the horizons being mined in the Trzebionka mine was accomplished at four surface and two borehole localities in the district, to compare the CAI and surface alteration effects at these, commercially non-mineralized, localities with those effects in the mine. Data show that: 1. The overall background thermal level of the Triassic strata studied, presumably due to only shallow burial, is very low: CAI = 1; in the range of 50 to 80??C. 2. CAI values in the ore zones in the Trzebionka mine are slightly higher than this regional background: 1+ to 1.5 (in the range ???50 to 90??C minimum heating over geologic time of about 0.1 to more than 1 m. y.). This implies that heating "events" of higher temperatures affecting the conodonts, including the passage of the local ore-bearing solutions, were of rather short duration(s), on the order of about 1,000 to 50,000 years. CAI data from the Trzebionka Mine is consistent with temperature data from fluid inclusions, indicating ore-bearing fluid temperatures in the 100 to 138??C range, and the scenario that these fluids were resident in these strata for a geologically short period. 3. Conodonts from both surface and subsurface samples rarely show surface corrosion effects, but tend to show apatite overgrowths. These overgrowths vary in degree of development, but are consistent for each morphological type of conodont element, and qualitatively are consistent in each sample observed. 4. Ichthyoliths (fish teeth, spines, and scales), found in most of the samples, do not exhibit either mineral overgrowths or apparent corrosion effects to the extent seen in the conodont elements. 5. Ichthyoliths show color alteration effects that are consistent within-sample but which are very different from the CAI values of conodonts in the same sample. The color alteration of the fish teeth might be of value as a thermal maturation index in the future, if and when calibrated through controlled laboratory experimental testing, but at present cannot and should not be used as equivalent to conodont CAI.

Quantifying Antimicrobial Resistance at Veal Calf Farms

PubMed Central

Bosman, Angela B.; Wagenaar, Jaap; Stegeman, Arjan; Vernooij, Hans; Mevius, Dik

2012-01-01

This study was performed to determine a sampling strategy to quantify the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance on veal calf farms, based on the variation in antimicrobial resistance within and between calves on five farms. Faecal samples from 50 healthy calves (10 calves/farm) were collected. From each individual sample and one pooled faecal sample per farm, 90 selected Escherichia coli isolates were tested for their resistance against 25 mg/L amoxicillin, 25 mg/L tetracycline, 0.5 mg/L cefotaxime, 0.125 mg/L ciprofloxacin and 8/152 mg/L trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (tmp/s) by replica plating. From each faecal sample another 10 selected E. coli isolates were tested for their resistance by broth microdilution as a reference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the odds of testing an isolate resistant between both test methods (replica plating vs. broth microdilution) and to evaluate the effect of pooling faecal samples. Bootstrap analysis was used to investigate the precision of the estimated prevalence of resistance to each antimicrobial obtained by several simulated sampling strategies. Replica plating showed similar odds of E. coli isolates tested resistant compared to broth microdilution, except for ciprofloxacin (OR 0.29, p≤0.05). Pooled samples showed in general lower odds of an isolate being resistant compared to individual samples, although these differences were not significant. Bootstrap analysis showed that within each antimicrobial the various compositions of a pooled sample provided consistent estimates for the mean proportion of resistant isolates. Sampling strategies should be based on the variation in resistance among isolates within faecal samples and between faecal samples, which may vary by antimicrobial. In our study, the optimal sampling strategy from the perspective of precision of the estimated levels of resistance and practicality consists of a pooled faecal sample from 20 individual animals, of which 90 isolates are tested for their susceptibility by replica plating. PMID:22970313

Analgesic efficacy of lysine clonixinate, paracetamol and dipyrone in lower third molar extraction: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Noronha, Vladimir-Reimar-Augusto-de Souza; Gurgel, Gladson-de Souza; Alves, Luiz-César-Fonseca; Noman-Ferreira, Luiz-Cláudio; Mendonça, Lisette-Lobato; Aguiar, Evandro-Guimarães de; Abdo, Evandro-Neves

2009-08-01

The purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic effect of lysine clonixinate, paracetamol and dipyrone after lower third molar extraction. The sample consisted of 90 individuals with clinical indication for inferior third molar extraction. The mean age of the sample was 22.3 years (DP +/-2.5). The individuals received the medication in unidentified bottles along with the intake instructions. The postoperative pain parameters were measured according to the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) and the data was evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis Test and Friedman Test, with the latter used to test different time intervals for each one of the drugs. The final sample consisted of 64 individuals, including 23 males (45.9%) and 41 females (64.1%) The mean age of the entire sample was 22.3 years (+/-2.5). The average length of the procedures was 33.9 minutes (+/-9.8). The distribution of mean values for this variable showed little variance for the different drugs (p=0.07). Lysine Clonixinate did not show any substantial impact on the postoperative pain control when compared to other drugs.

Association of Shifting Populations in the Root Zone Microbiome of Millet with Enhanced Crop Productivity in the Sahel Region (Africa)

PubMed Central

Assigbetse, Komi; Bayala, Roger; Chapuis-Lardy, Lydie; Dick, Richard P.; McSpadden Gardener, Brian B.

2015-01-01

This study characterized specific changes in the millet root zone microbiome stimulated by long-term woody-shrub intercropping at different sites in Senegal. At the two study sites, intercropping with woody shrubs and shrub residue resulted in a significant increase in millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] yield (P < 0.05) and associated patterns of increased diversity in both bacterial and fungal communities in the root zone of the crop. Across four experiments, operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to Chitinophaga were consistently significantly (P < 0.001) enriched in the intercropped samples, and “Candidatus Koribacter” was consistently significantly enriched in samples where millet was grown alone. Those OTUs belonging to Chitinophaga were enriched more than 30-fold in residue-amended samples and formed a distinct subgroup from all OTUs detected in the genus. Additionally, OTUs belonging to 8 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Coniella, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gibberella, Lasiodiplodia, Penicillium, and Phoma) were significantly (P < 0.005) enriched in all experiments at all sites in intercropped samples. The OTUs of four genera (Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gibberella, and Haematonectria) were consistently enriched at sites where millet was grown alone. Those enriched OTUs in intercropped samples showed consistently large-magnitude differences, ranging from 30- to 1,000-fold increases in abundance. Consistently enriched OTUs in intercropped samples in the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium also formed phylogenetically distinct subgroups. These results suggest that the intercropping system used here can influence the recruitment of potentially beneficial microorganisms to the root zone of millet and aid subsistence farmers in producing higher-yielding crops. PMID:25681183

Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and Associations with Personal and Perceived Stigma in a Depressed and Community Sample

PubMed Central

Cuijpers, P.; Griffiths, K. M.; Kleiboer, A. M.

2016-01-01

Background Research on depression stigma is needed to gain more insight into the underlying construct and to reduce the level of stigma in the community. However, few validated measurements of depression stigma are available in the Netherlands. Therefore, this study first sought to examine the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). Second, we examined which demographic (gender, age, education, partner status) and other variables (anxiety and knowledge of depression) are associated with personal and perceived stigma within these samples. Methods The study population consisted of an adult convenience sample (n = 253) (study 1) and a community adult sample with elevated depressive symptoms (n = 264) (study 2). Factor structure, internal consistency, and validity were assessed. The associations between stigma, demographic variables and anxiety level were examined with regression analyses. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the validity and internal consistency of the DSS personal stigma scale. Internal consistency was sufficient (Cronbach’s alpha = .70 (study 1) and .77 (study 2)). The results regarding the perceived stigma scale revealed no clear factor structure. Regression analyses showed that personal stigma was higher in younger people, those with no experience with depression, and those with lower education. Conclusions This study established the validity and internal consistency of the DSS personal scale in the Netherlands, in a community sample and in people with elevated depressive symptoms. However, additional research is needed to examine the factor structure of the DSS perceived scale and its use in other samples. PMID:27500969

Percolating transport in superconducting nanoparticle films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fostner, Shawn; Nande, Amol; Smith, Alex; Martinez Gazoni, Rodrigo; Grigg, Jack; Temst, Kristiaan; Van Bael, Margriet J.; Brown, Simon A.

2017-12-01

Nanostructured and disordered superconductors exhibit many exotic fundamental phenomena, and also have many possible applications. We show here that films of superconducting lead nanoparticles with a wide range of particle coverages, exhibit non-linear V(I) characteristics that are consistent with percolation theory. Specifically, it is found that V ∝(I-Ic) a , where a = 2.1 ± 0.2, independent of both temperature and particle coverage, and that the measured critical currents (Ic) are also consistent with percolation models. For samples with low normal state resistances, this behaviour is observable only in pulsed current measurements, which suppress heating effects. We show that the present results are not explained by vortex unbinding [Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless] physics, which is expected in such samples, but which gives rise to a different power law behaviour. Finally, we compare our results to previous calculations and simulations, and conclude that further theoretical developments are required to explain the high level of consistency in the measured exponents a.

Frictional Characteristics of graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Changgu; Carpick, Robert; Hone, James

2009-03-01

The frictional characteristics of graphene were characterized using friction force microscopy (FFM). The frictional force for monolayer graphene is more than twice that of bulk graphite, with 2,3, and 4 layer samples showing a monotonic decrease in friction with increasing sample thickness. Measurements on suspended graphene membranes show identical results, ruling out substrate effects as the cause of the observed variation. Likewise, the adhesion force is identical for all samples. The frictional force is independent of load within experimental uncertainty, consistent with previous measurements on graphite. We consider several possible explanations for the origin of the observed thickness dependence.

White blood cell counting system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The design, fabrication, and tests of a prototype white blood cell counting system for use in the Skylab IMSS are presented. The counting system consists of a sample collection subsystem, sample dilution and fluid containment subsystem, and a cell counter. Preliminary test results show the sample collection and the dilution subsystems are functional and fulfill design goals. Results for the fluid containment subsystem show the handling bags cause counting errors due to: (1) adsorption of cells to the walls of the container, and (2) inadequate cleaning of the plastic bag material before fabrication. It was recommended that another bag material be selected.

Pituitary gland volumes in bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Clark, Ian A; Mackay, Clare E; Goodwin, Guy M

2014-12-01

Bipolar disorder has been associated with increased Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis function. The mechanism is not well understood, but there may be associated increases in pituitary gland volume (PGV) and these small increases may be functionally significant. However, research investigating PGV in bipolar disorder reports mixed results. The aim of the current study was twofold. First, to assess PGV in two novel samples of patients with bipolar disorder and matched healthy controls. Second, to perform a meta-analysis comparing PGV across a larger sample of patients and matched controls. Sample 1 consisted of 23 established patients and 32 matched controls. Sample 2 consisted of 39 medication-naïve patients and 42 matched controls. PGV was measured on structural MRI scans. Seven further studies were identified comparing PGV between patients and matched controls (total n; 244 patients, 308 controls). Both novel samples showed a small (approximately 20mm(3) or 4%), but non-significant, increase in PGV in patients. Combining the two novel samples showed a significant association of age and PGV. Meta-analysis showed a trend towards a larger pituitary gland in patients (effect size: .23, CI: -.14, .59). While results suggest a possible small difference in pituitary gland volume between patients and matched controls, larger mega-analyses with sample sizes greater even than those used in the current meta-analysis are still required. There is a small but potentially functionally significant increase in PGV in patients with bipolar disorder compared to controls. Results demonstrate the difficulty of finding potentially important but small effects in functional brain disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Late-Quaternary recharge determined from chloride in shallow groundwater in the central Great Plains

USGS Publications Warehouse

Macfarlane, P.A.; Clark, J.F.; Davisson, M.L.; Hudson, G.B.; Whittemore, Donald O.

2000-01-01

An extensive suite of isotopic and geochemical tracers in groundwater has been used to provide hydrologic assessments of the hierarchy of flow systems in aquifers underlying the central Great Plains (southeastern Colorado and western Kansas) of the United States and to determine the late Pleistocene and Holocene paleotemperature and paleorecharge record. Hydrogeologic and geochemical tracer data permit classification of the samples into late Holocene, late Pleistocene-early Holocene, and much older Pleistocene groups. Paleorecharge rates calculated from the Cl concentration in the samples show that recharge rates were at least twice the late Holocene rate during late Pleistocene-early Holocene time, which is consistent with their relative depletion in 16O and D. Noble gas (Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) temperature calculations confirm that these older samples represent a recharge environment approximately 5??C cooler than late Holocene values. These results are consistent with the global climate models that show a trend toward a warmer, more arid climate during the Holocene. (C) 2000 University of Washington.

Is there an association between the level of grandiose narcissism severity of psychopathology?

PubMed

Olssøn, Ingrid; Svindseth, Marit F; Dahl, Alv A

2016-01-01

Narcissism is a personality trait associated with both psychological health and resilience as well as with aggression and interpersonal problems. This study compares levels of total narcissism and subscale scores in inpatients, outpatients and a community sample. Inpatients (N = 186) were recruited from consecutively admitted patients to two closed units, and the outpatient group (N = 144) consisted of patients attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic. The patients and a normative community sample (N = 437) all filled in the Narcissistic Personality Inventory questionnaire (NPI-29). The NPI total and subscales scores showed considerable gender differences. Among men only the Uniqueness/Entitlement subscale showed significant group differences, with inpatients showing higher mean score than the two other groups. Among women three factors, Leadership/Power, Superiority/Arrogance, and Uniqueness/ Entitlement, showed significant differences between the different levels of psychopathology. The outpatient female group regularly had the lowest group mean scores. The NPI-29 scores of the normative group showed weak internal consistencies. Our hypothesis of a significant association between mean levels of total narcissism and subscale scores and severity of psychopathology was not supported.

Overlap of Spoilage-Associated Microbiota between Meat and the Meat Processing Environment in Small-Scale and Large-Scale Retail Distributions

PubMed Central

Stellato, Giuseppina; La Storia, Antonietta; De Filippis, Francesca; Borriello, Giorgia; Villani, Francesco

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Microbial contamination in food processing plants can play a fundamental role in food quality and safety. The aims of this study were to learn more about the possible influence of the meat processing environment on initial fresh meat contamination and to investigate the differences between small-scale retail distribution (SD) and large-scale retail distribution (LD) facilities. Samples were collected from butcheries (n = 20), including LD (n = 10) and SD (n = 10) facilities, over two sampling campaigns. Samples included fresh beef and pork cuts and swab samples from the knife, the chopping board, and the butcher's hand. The microbiota of both meat samples and environmental swabs were very complex, including more than 800 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) collapsed at the species level. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that core microbiota were shared by 80% of the samples and included Pseudomonas spp., Streptococcus spp., Brochothrix spp., Psychrobacter spp., and Acinetobacter spp. Hierarchical clustering of the samples based on the microbiota showed a certain separation between meat and environmental samples, with higher levels of Proteobacteria in meat. In particular, levels of Pseudomonas and several Enterobacteriaceae members were significantly higher in meat samples, while Brochothrix, Staphylococcus, lactic acid bacteria, and Psychrobacter prevailed in environmental swab samples. Consistent clustering was also observed when metabolic activities were considered by predictive metagenomic analysis of the samples. An increase in carbohydrate metabolism was predicted for the environmental swabs and was consistently linked to Firmicutes, while increases in pathways related to amino acid and lipid metabolism were predicted for the meat samples and were positively correlated with Proteobacteria. Our results highlighted the importance of the processing environment in contributing to the initial microbial levels of meat and clearly showed that the type of retail facility (LD or SD) did not apparently affect the contamination. IMPORTANCE The study provides an in-depth description of the microbiota of meat and meat processing environments. It highlights the importance of the environment as a contamination source of spoilage bacteria, and it shows that the size of the retail facility does not affect the level and type of contamination. PMID:27129965

Differential geometry techniques for sets of nonlinear partial differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estabrook, Frank B.

1990-01-01

An attempt is made to show that the Cartan theory of partial differential equations can be a useful technique for applied mathematics. Techniques for finding consistent subfamilies of solutions that are generically rich and well-posed and for introducing potentials or other usefully consistent auxiliary fields are introduced. An extended sample calculation involving the Korteweg-de Vries equation is given.

Photoluminescence study of MBE grown InGaN with intentional indium segregation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Maurice C.; Namkoong, Gon; Chen, Fei; Furis, Madalina; Pudavar, Haridas E.; Cartwright, Alexander N.; Doolittle, W. Alan

2005-05-01

Proper control of MBE growth conditions has yielded an In0.13Ga0.87N thin film sample with emission consistent with In-segregation. The photoluminescence (PL) from this epilayer showed multiple emission components. Moreover, temperature and power dependent studies of the PL demonstrated that two of the components were excitonic in nature and consistent with indium phase separation. At 15 K, time resolved PL showed a non-exponential PL decay that was well fitted with the stretched exponential solution expected for disordered systems. Consistent with the assumed carrier hopping mechanism of this model, the effective lifetime, , and the stretched exponential parameter, , decrease with increasing emission energy. Finally, room temperature micro-PL using a confocal microscope showed spatial clustering of low energy emission.

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-16-26, 27) and Tank 43H (HTF-43-16-28, 29) Samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

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

Hay, M. S.

Savannah River National Laboratory analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support Enrichment Control Program and Corrosion Control Program. The total uranium in the Tank 38H samples ranged from 20.5 to 34.0 mg/L while the Tank 43H samples ranged from 47.6 to 50.6 mg/L. The U-235 percentage ranged from 0.62% to 0.64% over the four samples. The total uranium and percent U-235 results appear consistent with previous Tank 38H and Tank 43H uranium measurements. The Tank 38H plutonium results show a large difference between the surface and sub-surface sample concentrations and a somewhat higher concentration than previous sub-surfacemore » samples. The two Tank 43H samples show similar plutonium concentrations and are within the range of values measured on previous samples. The plutonium results may be biased high due to the presence of plutonium contamination in the blank samples from the cell sample preparations. The four samples analyzed show silicon concentrations ranging from 47.9 to 105 mg/L.« less

Prediction and Cross-Situational Consistency of Daily Behavior across Cultures: Testing Trait and Cultural Psychology Perspectives

PubMed Central

Church, A. Timothy; Katigbak, Marcia S.; Reyes, Jose Alberto S.; Salanga, Maria Guadalupe C.; Miramontes, Lilia A.; Adams, Nerissa B.

2008-01-01

Trait and cultural psychology perspectives on the cross-situational consistency of behavior, and the predictive validity of traits, were tested in a daily process study in the United States (N = 68), an individualistic culture, and the Philippines (N = 80), a collectivistic culture. Participants completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and a measure of self-monitoring, then reported their daily behaviors and associated situational contexts for approximately 30 days. Consistent with trait perspectives, the Big Five traits predicted daily behaviors in both cultures, and relative (interindividual) consistency was observed across many, although not all, situational contexts. The frequency of various Big Five behaviors varied across relevant situational contexts in both cultures and, consistent with cultural psychology perspectives, there was a tendency for Filipinos to exhibit greater situational variability than Americans. Self-monitoring showed some ability to account for individual differences in situational variability in the American sample, but not the Filipino sample. PMID:22146866

Synthesis and characterization of a model dual-phase system using the spark plasma sintering technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teimouri, M.; Godfrey, A.

2017-07-01

Samples of a model dual-phase system, consisting of copper and AISI-420 martensitic steel have been synthesized using spark plasma sintering, with the objective of developing a microstructural analogue for dual-phase steels, in which the volume fraction and size of each phase can be controlled independently. Microstructural investigation of the samples, including fractography of samples deformed in tension until failure, show that densification is strongly temperature dependent. Samples sintered at temperatures of 900 °C or above at a pressure of 60 MPa show a density of more than 98%. The best mechanical properties, in terms of ultimate tensile strength and ductility is found in samples sintered at a temperature of 1000 °C, where a density of nearly 99% is achieved.

Chemical differences between small subsamples of Apollo 15 olivine-normative basalts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shervais, J. W.; Vetter, S. K.; Lindstrom, M. M.

1990-01-01

Results are presented on the chemical and petrological characterization of nine samples of an Apollo 15 mare basalt suite. The results show that all nine samples are low-silica olivine normative basalts (ONBs) similar to those described earlier for low-silica ONBs from Apollo 15 site. The samples were found to vary in texture and grain size, from fine-grained intergranular or subophitic basalts to coarse-grained granular 'microgabbros'. Several displayed macroscopic heterogeneity. Variation diagrams show that the overall trend of the data is consistent with the fractionation of olivine (plus minor Cr-spinel) from a high-MgO parent magma.

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN INTELLIGENCE, HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE AND HEIGHT: EVIDENCE FROM TWO SAMPLES IN SAUDI ARABIA.

PubMed

Bakhiet, Salaheldin Farah Attallah; Essa, Yossry Ahmed Sayed; Dwieb, Amira Mahmood Mohsen; Elsayed, Abdelkader Mohamed Abdelkader; Sulman, Afra Sulman Mohammed; Cheng, Helen; Lynn, Richard

2017-03-01

This study was based on two independent studies which in total consisted of 1812 school pupils aged 6-12 years in Saudi Arabia. Study I consisted of 1591 school pupils (609 boys and 982 girls) attending state schools, and Study II consisted of 211 boys with learning disabilities. Intelligence (measured using the Standard Progressive Matrices Plus for Study I and the Standard Progressive Matrices for Study II), head size and height were measured for the two samples. The results showed that intelligence was statistically significantly correlated with head circumference (r=0.350, p<0.001 for Study I and r=0.168, p<0.05 for Study II) and height (r=0.271, p<0.001 for Study I and r=0.178, p<0.05 for Study II).

Concretionary manganese-iron oxides in streams and their usefulness as a sample medium for geochemical prospecting

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nowlan, G.A.

1976-01-01

Correlation studies of 400 samples of sieved stream sediments and 325 samples of fluvial, concretionary Mn-Fe oxides from Maine resulted in the separation of elements into the following categories: (1) elements not scavenged by Mn-Fe oxides - B, Cr, K, Mg, Rb, Sc, Ti, V, and Zr; (2) elements probably not scavenged by Mn-Fe oxides - Ag, Be, Ca, Ga, La, Sb, and Y; (3) elements scavenged weakly by Mn-Fe oxides - Cu, Mo, Pb, and Sr; (4) elements scavenged strongly by Mn oxides - Ba, Cd, Co, Ni, Tl, and Zn; and (5) elements scavenged strongly by Fe oxides - As and In. Studies of the scavenged elements showed that the deviation from the mean is characteristically greater in oxide samples as compared to sieved sediments from the same locality. However, a significant increase in contrast between anomalous and background localities, when oxides are the sample medium, more than offsets the disadvantage of data scatter. The use of oxides as a sampling medium clearly and significantly accentuates anomalous localities. In general, non-ratioed data on oxides give very nearly the same results as data consisting of scavenged elements ratioed to Mn and Fe. However, ratioed data expand the geographic area of specific anomalies. Cd and Zn consistently show strong correlations with concretionary Mn-Fe oxides, but their concentrations in the oxides do not generally show as much contrast between anomalous and background localities as do Cu, Mo, and Pb. These latter elements are strongly scavenged where rocks are mineralized. ?? 1976.

Psychometric properties of the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale in a sample of Italian adolescents.

PubMed

Schimmenti, Adriano

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES). A sample of 1,806 high-school students between the ages of 13 and 18 years, recruited in 6 Italian cities, completed the A-DES. The A-DES showed high internal consistency, excellent item-to-scale homogeneity, good split-half reliability, and a single-factor structure. The scores of the Italian adolescents were comparable to those found in previous research with the measure. No gender differences were found in mean A-DES scores, but boys and girls showed different patterns of responses on A-DES items. Age differences were also found, with 13- and 18-year-old students scoring higher on the measure than the other participants. A cluster analysis showed that participants could be consistently grouped into 2 clusters of low- and high-dissociative adolescents. This study supports the A-DES as a reliable and valid screening measure for dissociative symptoms in adolescents.

Correlates of Graduating with a Full-Time Job versus a Full-Time Job Consistent with Major

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blau, Gary; Hill, Theodore L.; Halbert, Terry A.; Snell, Corinne; Atwater, Graig A.; Kershner, Ronald; Zuckerman, M. Michael

2016-01-01

This is an exploratory study that compares the correlates of securing a full-time job at graduation to securing a full-time job at graduation consistent with one's major. Results are drawn from a sample of 310 graduating business school seniors who filled out a Fall 2014 survey. Results showed three positive correlates to graduating with a…

Interpreting MAD within multiple accretion regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mocz, Philip; Guo, Xinyi

2015-02-01

General relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of accreting black holes in the radiatively inefficient regime show that systems with sufficient magnetic poloidal flux become magnetically arrested disc (MAD) systems, with a well-defined relationship between the magnetic flux and the mass accretion rate. Recently, Zamaninasab et al. report that the jet magnetic flux and accretion disc luminosity are tightly correlated over 7 orders of magnitude for a sample of 76 radio-loud active galaxies, concluding that the data are explained by the MAD mode of accretion. Their analysis assumes radiatively efficient accretion, and their sample consists primarily of radiatively efficient sources, while GRMHD simulations of MAD thus far have been carried out in the radiatively inefficient regime. We propose a model to interpret MAD systems in the context of multiple accretion regimes, and apply it to the sample in Zamaninasab et al., along with additional radiatively inefficient sources from archival data. We show that most of the radiatively inefficient radio-loud galaxies are consistent with being MAD systems. Assuming the MAD relationship found in radiatively inefficient simulations holds at other accretion regimes, a significant fraction of our sample can be candidates for MAD systems. Future GRMHD simulations have yet to verify the validity of this assumption.

Honest Importance Sampling with Multiple Markov Chains

PubMed Central

Tan, Aixin; Doss, Hani; Hobert, James P.

2017-01-01

Importance sampling is a classical Monte Carlo technique in which a random sample from one probability density, π1, is used to estimate an expectation with respect to another, π. The importance sampling estimator is strongly consistent and, as long as two simple moment conditions are satisfied, it obeys a central limit theorem (CLT). Moreover, there is a simple consistent estimator for the asymptotic variance in the CLT, which makes for routine computation of standard errors. Importance sampling can also be used in the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) context. Indeed, if the random sample from π1 is replaced by a Harris ergodic Markov chain with invariant density π1, then the resulting estimator remains strongly consistent. There is a price to be paid however, as the computation of standard errors becomes more complicated. First, the two simple moment conditions that guarantee a CLT in the iid case are not enough in the MCMC context. Second, even when a CLT does hold, the asymptotic variance has a complex form and is difficult to estimate consistently. In this paper, we explain how to use regenerative simulation to overcome these problems. Actually, we consider a more general set up, where we assume that Markov chain samples from several probability densities, π1, …, πk, are available. We construct multiple-chain importance sampling estimators for which we obtain a CLT based on regeneration. We show that if the Markov chains converge to their respective target distributions at a geometric rate, then under moment conditions similar to those required in the iid case, the MCMC-based importance sampling estimator obeys a CLT. Furthermore, because the CLT is based on a regenerative process, there is a simple consistent estimator of the asymptotic variance. We illustrate the method with two applications in Bayesian sensitivity analysis. The first concerns one-way random effects models under different priors. The second involves Bayesian variable selection in linear regression, and for this application, importance sampling based on multiple chains enables an empirical Bayes approach to variable selection. PMID:28701855

Honest Importance Sampling with Multiple Markov Chains.

PubMed

Tan, Aixin; Doss, Hani; Hobert, James P

2015-01-01

Importance sampling is a classical Monte Carlo technique in which a random sample from one probability density, π 1 , is used to estimate an expectation with respect to another, π . The importance sampling estimator is strongly consistent and, as long as two simple moment conditions are satisfied, it obeys a central limit theorem (CLT). Moreover, there is a simple consistent estimator for the asymptotic variance in the CLT, which makes for routine computation of standard errors. Importance sampling can also be used in the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) context. Indeed, if the random sample from π 1 is replaced by a Harris ergodic Markov chain with invariant density π 1 , then the resulting estimator remains strongly consistent. There is a price to be paid however, as the computation of standard errors becomes more complicated. First, the two simple moment conditions that guarantee a CLT in the iid case are not enough in the MCMC context. Second, even when a CLT does hold, the asymptotic variance has a complex form and is difficult to estimate consistently. In this paper, we explain how to use regenerative simulation to overcome these problems. Actually, we consider a more general set up, where we assume that Markov chain samples from several probability densities, π 1 , …, π k , are available. We construct multiple-chain importance sampling estimators for which we obtain a CLT based on regeneration. We show that if the Markov chains converge to their respective target distributions at a geometric rate, then under moment conditions similar to those required in the iid case, the MCMC-based importance sampling estimator obeys a CLT. Furthermore, because the CLT is based on a regenerative process, there is a simple consistent estimator of the asymptotic variance. We illustrate the method with two applications in Bayesian sensitivity analysis. The first concerns one-way random effects models under different priors. The second involves Bayesian variable selection in linear regression, and for this application, importance sampling based on multiple chains enables an empirical Bayes approach to variable selection.

The Affective Reactivity Index: a concise irritability scale for clinical and research settings

PubMed Central

Stringaris, Argyris; Goodman, Robert; Ferdinando, Sumudu; Razdan, Varun; Muhrer, Eli; Leibenluft, Ellen; Brotman, Melissa A

2012-01-01

Background Irritable mood has recently become a matter of intense scientific interest. Here, we present data from two samples, one from the United States and the other from the United Kingdom, demonstrating the clinical and research utility of the parent- and self-report forms of the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), a concise dimensional measure of irritability. Methods The US sample (n = 218) consisted of children and adolescents recruited at the National Institute of Mental Health meeting criteria for bipolar disorder (BD, n = 39), severe mood dysregulation (SMD, n = 67), children at family risk for BD (n = 35), or were healthy volunteers (n = 77). The UK sample (n = 88) was comprised of children from a generic mental health setting and healthy volunteers from primary and secondary schools. Results Parent- and self-report scales of the ARI showed excellent internal consistencies and formed a single factor in the two samples. In the US sample, the ARI showed a gradation with irritability significantly increasing from healthy volunteers through to SMD. Irritability was significantly higher in SMD than in BD by parent-report, but this did not reach significance by self-report. In the UK sample, parent-rated irritability was differentially related to emotional problems. Conclusions Irritability can be measured using a concise instrument both in a highly specialized US, as well as a general UK child mental health setting. PMID:22574736

Decay resistance of wood treated with boric acid and tall oil derivates.

PubMed

Temiz, Ali; Alfredsen, Gry; Eikenes, Morten; Terziev, Nasko

2008-05-01

In this study, the effect of two boric acid concentrations (1% and 2%) and four derivates of tall oil with varying chemical composition were tested separately and in combination. The tall oil derivates were chosen in a way that they consist of different amounts of free fatty, resin acids and neutral compounds. Decay tests using two brown rot fungi (Postia placenta and Coniophora puteana) were performed on both unleached and leached test samples. Boric acid showed a low weight loss in test samples when exposed to fungal decay before leaching, but no effect after leaching. The tall oil derivates gave better efficacy against decay fungi compared to control, but are not within the range of the efficacy needed for a wood preservative. Double impregnation with boric acid and tall oil derivates gave synergistic effects for several of the double treatments both in unleached and leached samples. In the unleached samples the double treatment gave a better efficacy against decay fungi than tall oil alone. In leached samples a better efficacy against brown rot fungi were achieved than in samples with boron alone and a nearly similar or better efficacy than for tall oil alone. Boric acid at 2% concentration combined with the tall oil derivate consisting of 90% free resin acids (TO-III) showed the best performance against the two decay fungi with a weight loss less than 3% after a modified pure culture test.

Individual Differences in the Relationship between Satisfaction with Job Rewards and Job Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hofmans, Joeri; De Gieter, Sara; Pepermans, Roland

2013-01-01

Although previous research often showed a positive relationship between pay satisfaction and job satisfaction, we dispute the universality of this finding. Cluster-wise regression analyses on three samples consistently show that two types of individuals can be distinguished, each with a different job reward-job satisfaction relationship. For the…

The space of ultrametric phylogenetic trees.

PubMed

Gavryushkin, Alex; Drummond, Alexei J

2016-08-21

The reliability of a phylogenetic inference method from genomic sequence data is ensured by its statistical consistency. Bayesian inference methods produce a sample of phylogenetic trees from the posterior distribution given sequence data. Hence the question of statistical consistency of such methods is equivalent to the consistency of the summary of the sample. More generally, statistical consistency is ensured by the tree space used to analyse the sample. In this paper, we consider two standard parameterisations of phylogenetic time-trees used in evolutionary models: inter-coalescent interval lengths and absolute times of divergence events. For each of these parameterisations we introduce a natural metric space on ultrametric phylogenetic trees. We compare the introduced spaces with existing models of tree space and formulate several formal requirements that a metric space on phylogenetic trees must possess in order to be a satisfactory space for statistical analysis, and justify them. We show that only a few known constructions of the space of phylogenetic trees satisfy these requirements. However, our results suggest that these basic requirements are not enough to distinguish between the two metric spaces we introduce and that the choice between metric spaces requires additional properties to be considered. Particularly, that the summary tree minimising the square distance to the trees from the sample might be different for different parameterisations. This suggests that further fundamental insight is needed into the problem of statistical consistency of phylogenetic inference methods. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Long-range (fractal) correlations in the LEDA database.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

di Nella, H.; Montuori, M.; Paturel, G.; Pietronero, L.; Sylos Labini, F.

1996-04-01

All the recent redshift surveys show highly irregular patterns of galaxies on scales of hundreds of megaparsecs such as chains, walls and cells. One of the most powerful catalog of galaxies is represented by the LEDA database that contains more than 36,000 galaxies with redshift. We study the correlation properties of such a sample finding that galaxy distribution shows well defined fractal nature up to R_S_~150h^-1^Mpc with fractal dimension D~2. We test the consistency of these results versus the incompleteness in the sample.

Analysis of Crystallographic Structure of a Japanese Sword by the Pulsed Neutron Transmission Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kino, K.; Ayukawa, N.; Kiyanagi, Y.; Uchida, T.; Uno, S.; Grazzi, F.; Scherillo, A.

We measured two-dimensional transmission spectra of pulsed neutron beams for a Japanese sword sample. Atom density, crystalline size, and preferred orientation of crystals were obtained using the RITS code. The position dependence of the atomic density is consistent with the shape of the sample. The crystalline size is very small and shows position dependence, which is understood by the unique structure of Japanese swords. The preferred orientation has strong position dependence. Our study shows the usefulness of the pulsed neutron transmission method for cultural metal artifacts.

Dissolved oxygen as an indicator of bioavailable dissolved organic carbon in groundwater.

PubMed

Chapelle, Francis H; Bradley, Paul M; McMahon, Peter B; Kaiser, Karl; Benner, Ron

2012-01-01

Concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) plotted vs. dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in groundwater samples taken from a coastal plain aquifer of South Carolina (SC) showed a statistically significant hyperbolic relationship. In contrast, DO-DOC plots of groundwater samples taken from the eastern San Joaquin Valley of California (CA) showed a random scatter. It was hypothesized that differences in the bioavailability of naturally occurring DOC might contribute to these observations. This hypothesis was examined by comparing nine different biochemical indicators of DOC bioavailability in groundwater sampled from these two systems. Concentrations of DOC, total hydrolysable neutral sugars (THNS), total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA), mole% glycine of THAA, initial bacterial cell counts, bacterial growth rates, and carbon dioxide production/consumption were greater in SC samples relative to CA samples. In contrast, the mole% glucose of THNS and the aromaticity (SUVA(254)) of DOC was greater in CA samples. Each of these indicator parameters were observed to change with depth in the SC system in a manner consistent with active biodegradation. These results are uniformly consistent with the hypothesis that the bioavailability of DOC is greater in SC relative to CA groundwater samples. This, in turn, suggests that the presence/absence of a hyperbolic DO-DOC relationship may be a qualitative indicator of relative DOC bioavailability in groundwater systems. Ground Water © 2011, National Ground Water Association. Published 2011. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Exhibitionism: findings from a Midwestern police contact sample.

PubMed

Bader, Shannon M; Schoeneman-Morris, Katherine A; Scalora, Mario J; Casady, Thomas K

2008-06-01

This study used a police sample to examine offense characteristics, recidivism rates, and other types of sexual offending among individuals suspected of exhibitionism. The sample consisted of 202 incidents of indecent exposure perpetrated by 106 identified individuals. Demographic information showed that one quarter of the sample had symptoms of a mental illness and one quarter had a history of substance abuse. More than 84% of the sample had other nonsexual criminal charges. Approximately 30% of the perpetrators were charged for more than one exposure incident. Masturbating during the offense, exposing to child victims, and speaking to the victim did not show any relationship to the occurrence of more sexually aggressive behaviors. However, individuals who had subsequent rape or molestation charges (16.9%) were more likely than those who did not to have had multiple exposure incidents and a history of physical assault charges.

Changes in creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase in saliva samples after an intense exercise: a pilot study.

PubMed

Barranco, Tomas; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Tecles, Fernando; Carrillo, Jose M; Sánchez-Resalt, Cristina; Jimenez-Reyes, Pedro; Rubio, Monica; García-Balletbó, Monserrat; Cerón, Jose J; Cugat, Ramon

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the enzymes creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in saliva before and after an intense exercise consisting of a futsal match. CK, LDH and AST were analyzed in saliva and serum samples of eleven, injury-free, amateur young men before and 30 minutes, 12 hours and 36 hours after a futsal match. A significant increase in CK, LDH and AST was observed after the game in serum samples. In saliva, although a high interindividual variability was found with some individuals no showing increases, significant increases in CK and LDH were observed after the game. No significant changes were observed in saliva AST after the game. Our study showed for first time that CK and LDH can increase in saliva after an intensive exercise consisting on a futsal match. Results suggest that measurements of CK and LDH in saliva could be potentially used to evaluate possible muscle stress or damage in cases of intensive exercise.

Community Structure of Decapod Inhabit Dead Coral Pocillopora sp. in Pemuteran, Bali

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pertiwi, N. P. D.; Malik, M. D. A.; Kholilah, N.; Kurniasih, E. M.; Sembiring, A.; Anggoro, A. W.; Ambariyanto; Meyer, C.

2018-02-01

Decapod is one of the cryptic fauna associated with coral reefs, which play an important role and accounts for a major part of the biodiversity in the reef ecosystem. However, this biodiversity is largely overlooked and assessment regarding this biodiversity has not been conducted thoroughly due to lack of resources and the difficulties of sample collection. This research used semi-quantitative sampling methods to assess the community structure of decapod species inhabit dead Pocillopora sp. in Pemuteran, Bali. Two dead coral head of Pocillopora sp. were used as pilot study and sampled at the 8-12 m depth. All decapod found were collected and identify into family level. The result showed 214 decapods found consisting 12 families, with Xanthidae as the most abundant family. Community Index which consisting diversity, uniformity, and dominancy, indicated medium diversity, stable uniformity, and low dominancy of decapod community. This result also indicated no dominancy between families of decapod. Meanwhile, Species Density Index showed the value of 84.58 ± 2.04 individual per m3, with mean diversity of 7.05 ± 2.04 individual per m3 for each family.

An Approach Based on HPLC-Fingerprint and Chemometrics to Quality Consistency Evaluation of Matricaria chamomilla L. Commercial Samples

PubMed Central

Viapiana, Agnieszka; Struck-Lewicka, Wiktoria; Konieczynski, Pawel; Wesolowski, Marek; Kaliszan, Roman

2016-01-01

Chamomile has been used as an herbal medication since ancient times and is still popular because it contains various bioactive phytochemicals that could provide therapeutic effects. In this study, a simple and reliable HPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality consistency of nineteen chamomile samples through establishing a chromatographic fingerprint, quantification of phenolic compounds and determination of antioxidant activity. For fingerprint analysis, 12 peaks were selected as the common peaks to evaluate the similarities of commercial samples of chamomile obtained from different manufacturers. A similarity analysis was performed to assess the similarity/dissimilarity of chamomile samples where values varied from 0.868 to 0.990 what indicating that samples from different manufacturers were consistent. Additionally, simultaneous quantification of five phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic) and four flavonoids (rutin, myricetin, quercetin and keampferol) was performed to interpret the quality consistency. In quantitative analysis, the nine individual phenolic compounds showed good regression (r > 0.9975). Inter- and intra-day precisions for all analyzed compounds expressed as relative standard deviation (CV) ranged from 0.05% to 3.12%. Since flavonoids and other polyphenols are commonly recognized as natural antioxidants, the antioxidant activity of chamomile samples was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between antioxidant activity and phenolic composition, and multivariate analysis (PCA and HCA) were applied to distinguish chamomile samples. Results shown in the study indicate high similarity of chamomile samples among them, widely spread in the market and commonly used by people as infusions or teas, as well as that there were no statistically significant differences among them, which in turn is a proof of high quality of commercially available samples of chamomile. The study indicated that the combination of chromatographic fingerprint and quantitative analysis can be readily utilized as a quality consistency method for chamomile and related medicinal preparations. Moreover, the applied strategy seems to be the most promising for the assessment of the investigated plant material. PMID:27818668

Oscillatory device for use with linear tribometer, for tribological evaluation of biomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Athayde, J. N.; Siqueira, C. J. M.; Kuromoto, N. K.; Cambraia, H. N.

2017-07-01

Orthopedic implants still have limitations regarding their durability, despite being in use for over fifty years. Particles arising from wear due to the relative motion of their surfaces remain responsible for aseptic failure. This paper presents a device to be coupled with a reciprocal linear tribometer to reproduce the ex vivo wear of biomaterials, allowing the measurement of force and coefficient of friction. The device consists of a structure connected to the tribometer that transforms its reciprocal linear motion into one that is oscillatory for the mechanical assembly that contains the samples to test the desired biomaterials. The tribological pair used for testing consisted of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) in conjunction with the austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L in dry lubrication. The results showed that the values of the coefficient of friction in the linear mode and oscillatory mode and the UHMWPE life curve in the oscillatory mode were consistent with those cited in the literature for tests in a dry lubrication environment. Moreover, the UHMWPE sample life curve showed a reduction in the wear rate that can be explained by the preponderance of a wear mechanism over the others. The volumetric wear showed an increase with the number of cycles.

Variation and Heritability in Hair Diameter and Curvature in an Australian Twin Sample.

PubMed

Ho, Yvonne Y W; Brims, Mark; McNevin, Dennis; Spector, Timothy D; Martin, Nicholas G; Medland, Sarah E

2016-08-01

Hair diameter and curvature are two characteristics of human scalp hair used in forensic contexts. While previous data show that subjective categorization of hair curvature is highly heritable, the heritability of objectively measured curvature and diameter, and variability of hair characteristics within each individual have not yet been studied. The present study measured hair diameter and curvature using an optical fiber diameter analyzer in a sample of 2,332 twins and siblings. Heritability was estimated using maximum likelihood structural equation modeling. Results show sex differences in the magnitude of genetic influence for mean diameter and curvature, with the vast majority of the variance accounted for by genetic effects in males (diameter = 86%, curvature = 53%) and females (diameter = 77%, curvature = 61%). The consistency of diameter (variance within an individual) was also highly heritable, but did not show sex limitation, with 68% of the variance accounted for by genetic factors. Moderate phenotypic correlations were seen between diameter and consistency (r = 0.3) but there was little correlation between diameter and curvature (r = -0.13). A bivariate Cholesky analysis was used to estimate the genetic and environmental correlations between hair diameter and consistency, yielding genetic correlations of r gF = 0.27 for females and r gM = 0.25 for males.

A maximum pseudo-profile likelihood estimator for the Cox model under length-biased sampling

PubMed Central

Huang, Chiung-Yu; Qin, Jing; Follmann, Dean A.

2012-01-01

This paper considers semiparametric estimation of the Cox proportional hazards model for right-censored and length-biased data arising from prevalent sampling. To exploit the special structure of length-biased sampling, we propose a maximum pseudo-profile likelihood estimator, which can handle time-dependent covariates and is consistent under covariate-dependent censoring. Simulation studies show that the proposed estimator is more efficient than its competitors. A data analysis illustrates the methods and theory. PMID:23843659

2169 steel waveform experiments.

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

Furnish, Michael David; Alexander, C. Scott; Reinhart, William Dodd

2012-11-01

In support of LLNL efforts to develop multiscale models of a variety of materials, we have performed a set of eight gas gun impact experiments on 2169 steel (21% Cr, 6% Ni, 9% Mn, balance predominantly Fe). These experiments provided carefully controlled shock, reshock and release velocimetry data, with initial shock stresses ranging from 10 to 50 GPa (particle velocities from 0.25 to 1.05 km/s). Both windowed and free-surface measurements were included in this experiment set to increase the utility of the data set, as were samples ranging in thickness from 1 to 5 mm. Target physical phenomena included themore » elastic/plastic transition (Hugoniot elastic limit), the Hugoniot, any phase transition phenomena, and the release path (windowed and free-surface). The Hugoniot was found to be nearly linear, with no indications of the Fe phase transition. Releases were non-hysteretic, and relatively consistent between 3- and 5-mmthick samples (the 3 mm samples giving slightly lower wavespeeds on release). Reshock tests with explosively welded impactors produced clean results; those with glue bonds showed transient releases prior to the arrival of the reshock, reducing their usefulness for deriving strength information. The free-surface samples, which were steps on a single piece of steel, showed lower wavespeeds for thin (1 mm) samples than for thicker (2 or 4 mm) samples. A configuration used for the last three shots allows release information to be determined from these free surface samples. The sample strength appears to increase with stress from ~1 GPa to ~ 3 GPa over this range, consistent with other recent work but about 40% above the Steinberg model.« less

Overlap of Spoilage-Associated Microbiota between Meat and the Meat Processing Environment in Small-Scale and Large-Scale Retail Distributions.

PubMed

Stellato, Giuseppina; La Storia, Antonietta; De Filippis, Francesca; Borriello, Giorgia; Villani, Francesco; Ercolini, Danilo

2016-07-01

Microbial contamination in food processing plants can play a fundamental role in food quality and safety. The aims of this study were to learn more about the possible influence of the meat processing environment on initial fresh meat contamination and to investigate the differences between small-scale retail distribution (SD) and large-scale retail distribution (LD) facilities. Samples were collected from butcheries (n = 20), including LD (n = 10) and SD (n = 10) facilities, over two sampling campaigns. Samples included fresh beef and pork cuts and swab samples from the knife, the chopping board, and the butcher's hand. The microbiota of both meat samples and environmental swabs were very complex, including more than 800 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) collapsed at the species level. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that core microbiota were shared by 80% of the samples and included Pseudomonas spp., Streptococcus spp., Brochothrix spp., Psychrobacter spp., and Acinetobacter spp. Hierarchical clustering of the samples based on the microbiota showed a certain separation between meat and environmental samples, with higher levels of Proteobacteria in meat. In particular, levels of Pseudomonas and several Enterobacteriaceae members were significantly higher in meat samples, while Brochothrix, Staphylococcus, lactic acid bacteria, and Psychrobacter prevailed in environmental swab samples. Consistent clustering was also observed when metabolic activities were considered by predictive metagenomic analysis of the samples. An increase in carbohydrate metabolism was predicted for the environmental swabs and was consistently linked to Firmicutes, while increases in pathways related to amino acid and lipid metabolism were predicted for the meat samples and were positively correlated with Proteobacteria Our results highlighted the importance of the processing environment in contributing to the initial microbial levels of meat and clearly showed that the type of retail facility (LD or SD) did not apparently affect the contamination. The study provides an in-depth description of the microbiota of meat and meat processing environments. It highlights the importance of the environment as a contamination source of spoilage bacteria, and it shows that the size of the retail facility does not affect the level and type of contamination. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

New Zealand = Maori, New Zealand = Bicultural: Ethnic Group Differences in a National Sample of Maori and Europeans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harding, Jessica F.; Sibley, Chris G.; Robertson, Andrew

2011-01-01

New Zealand (NZ) Europeans show a unique implicit bicultural effect, with research using the Implicit Association Test consistently showing that they associate Maori (the Indigenous peoples) and their own (dominant/advantaged majority) group as equally representative of the nation. We replicated and extended this NZ = bicultural effect in a small…

A three-dimensional finite element model of near-field scanning microwave microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balusek, Curtis; Friedman, Barry; Luna, Darwin; Oetiker, Brian; Babajanyan, Arsen; Lee, Kiejin

2012-10-01

A three-dimensional finite element model of an experimental near-field scanning microwave microscope (NSMM) has been developed and compared to experiment on non conducting samples. The microwave reflection coefficient S11 is calculated as a function of frequency with no adjustable parameters. There is qualitative agreement with experiment in that the resonant frequency can show a sizable increase with sample dielectric constant; a result that is not obtained with a two-dimensional model. The most realistic model shows a semi-quantitative agreement with experiment. The effect of different sample thicknesses and varying tip sample distances is investigated numerically and shown to effect NSMM performance in a way consistent with experiment. Visualization of the electric field indicates that the field is primarily determined by the shape of the coupling hooks.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Face-on disk galaxies photometry. I. (de Jong+, 1994)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Jong, R. S.; van der Kruit, P. C.

1995-07-01

We present accurate surface photometry in the B, V, R, I, H and K passbands of 86 spiral galaxies. The galaxies in this statistically complete sample of undisturbed spirals were selected from the UGC to have minimum diameters of 2' and minor over major axis ratios larger than 0.625. This sample has been selected in such a way that it can be used to represent a volume limited sample. The observation and reduction techniques are described in detail, especially the not often used driftscan technique for CCDs and the relatively new techniques using near-infrared (near-IR) arrays. For each galaxy we present radial profiles of surface brightness. Using these profiles we calculated the integrated magnitudes of the galaxies in the different passbands. We performed internal and external consistency checks for the magnitudes as well as the luminosity profiles. The internal consistency is well within the estimated errors. Comparisons with other authors indicate that measurements from photographic plates can show large deviations in the zero-point magnitude. Our surface brightness profiles agree within the errors with other CCD measurements. The comparison of integrated magnitudes shows a large scatter, but a consistent zero-point. These measurements will be used in a series of forthcoming papers to discuss central surface brightnesses, scalelengths, colors and color gradients of disks of spiral galaxies. (9 data files).

Impact of Satellite Viewing-Swath Width on Global and Regional Aerosol Optical Thickness Statistics and Trends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colarco, P. R.; Kahn, R. A.; Remer, L. A.; Levy, R. C.

2014-01-01

We use the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite aerosol optical thickness (AOT) product to assess the impact of reduced swath width on global and regional AOT statistics and trends. Alongtrack and across-track sampling strategies are employed, in which the full MODIS data set is sub-sampled with various narrow-swath (approximately 400-800 km) and single pixel width (approximately 10 km) configurations. Although view-angle artifacts in the MODIS AOT retrieval confound direct comparisons between averages derived from different sub-samples, careful analysis shows that with many portions of the Earth essentially unobserved, spatial sampling introduces uncertainty in the derived seasonal-regional mean AOT. These AOT spatial sampling artifacts comprise up to 60%of the full-swath AOT value under moderate aerosol loading, and can be as large as 0.1 in some regions under high aerosol loading. Compared to full-swath observations, narrower swath and single pixel width sampling exhibits a reduced ability to detect AOT trends with statistical significance. On the other hand, estimates of the global, annual mean AOT do not vary significantly from the full-swath values as spatial sampling is reduced. Aggregation of the MODIS data at coarse grid scales (10 deg) shows consistency in the aerosol trends across sampling strategies, with increased statistical confidence, but quantitative errors in the derived trends are found even for the full-swath data when compared to high spatial resolution (0.5 deg) aggregations. Using results of a model-derived aerosol reanalysis, we find consistency in our conclusions about a seasonal-regional spatial sampling artifact in AOT Furthermore, the model shows that reduced spatial sampling can amount to uncertainty in computed shortwave top-ofatmosphere aerosol radiative forcing of 2-3 W m(sup-2). These artifacts are lower bounds, as possibly other unconsidered sampling strategies would perform less well. These results suggest that future aerosol satellite missions having significantly less than full-swath viewing are unlikely to sample the true AOT distribution well enough to obtain the statistics needed to reduce uncertainty in aerosol direct forcing of climate.

Lunar troilite: Crystallography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Evans, H.T.

1970-01-01

Fine, euhedral crystals of troilite from lunar sample 10050 show a hexagonal habit consistent with the high-temperature NiAs-type structure. Complete three-dimensional counter intensity data have been measured and used to confirm and refine Bertaut's proposed low-temperature crystal structure.

Random sampling and validation of covariance matrices of resonance parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plevnik, Lucijan; Zerovnik, Gašper

2017-09-01

Analytically exact methods for random sampling of arbitrary correlated parameters are presented. Emphasis is given on one hand on the possible inconsistencies in the covariance data, concentrating on the positive semi-definiteness and consistent sampling of correlated inherently positive parameters, and on the other hand on optimization of the implementation of the methods itself. The methods have been applied in the program ENDSAM, written in the Fortran language, which from a file from a nuclear data library of a chosen isotope in ENDF-6 format produces an arbitrary number of new files in ENDF-6 format which contain values of random samples of resonance parameters (in accordance with corresponding covariance matrices) in places of original values. The source code for the program ENDSAM is available from the OECD/NEA Data Bank. The program works in the following steps: reads resonance parameters and their covariance data from nuclear data library, checks whether the covariance data is consistent, and produces random samples of resonance parameters. The code has been validated with both realistic and artificial data to show that the produced samples are statistically consistent. Additionally, the code was used to validate covariance data in existing nuclear data libraries. A list of inconsistencies, observed in covariance data of resonance parameters in ENDF-VII.1, JEFF-3.2 and JENDL-4.0 is presented. For now, the work has been limited to resonance parameters, however the methods presented are general and can in principle be extended to sampling and validation of any nuclear data.

A rapid procedure for the determination of thorium, uranium, cadmium and molybdenum in small sediment samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: Application in Chesapeake Bay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zheng, Yen; Weinman, B.; Cronin, T.; Fleisher, M.Q.; Anderson, Robert F.

2003-01-01

This paper describes a rapid procedure that allows precise analysis of Mo, Cd, U and Th in sediment samples as small as 10 mg by using a novel approach that utilizes a "pseudo" isotope dilution for Th and conventional isotope dilution for Mo, Cd and U by ICP-MS. Long-term reproducibility of the method is between 2.5 and 5% with an advantage of rapid analysis on a single digestion of sediment sample and the potential of adding other elements of interest if so desired. Application of this method to two piston cores collected near the mouth of the Patuxent River in Chesapeake Bay showed that the accumulation of authigenic Mo and Cd varied in response to the changing bottom water redox conditions, with anoxia showing consistent oscillations throughout both pre-industrial and industrial times. Accumulation of authigenic U shows consistent oscillations as well, without any apparent increase in productivity related to anoxic trends. Degrees of Mo and Cd enrichment also inversely correlate to halophilic microfaunal assemblages already established as paleoclimate proxies within the bay indicating that bottom water anoxia is driven in part by the amount of freshwater discharge that the area receives. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychometric Properties of the Family Inventory of Resources for Management in a Sample of Iranian Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

PubMed Central

Mirsoleymani, Seyed Reza; Matbouei, Mahsa; Nasiri, Malihe; Vasli, Parvaneh

2016-01-01

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Family Inventory of Resources for Management (FIRM) in a sample of family caregivers of cancer patients. Methods. In this methodological study, construct validity of the FIRM was evaluated by known groups and convergent validity in a convenience sample of family caregivers of cancer patients (n = 104) referred to the outpatient oncology wards of five educational hospitals in Tehran from January to April 2016. Reliability was determined by assessing the internal consistency and stability of the instrument. Results. The known-groups findings showed that there is a significant difference between the scores of the FIRM in family caregivers with different levels of caregiver burden (p < 0.001). Also, the results of convergent validity showed that there is a moderate negative correlation (r = −0.50; p < 0.001) between the total scores of the FIRM and the scores of the caregiver burden inventory (CBI). The FIRM showed a good internal consistency (α = 0.85) and a good stability of the test-retest reliability result. Conclusions. There is a sound psychometric basis for the use of the Persian translation of the FIRM for family studies in the Iranian population. PMID:28127470

Psychometric properties of the Brunel Mood Scale in Chinese adolescents and adults.

PubMed

Zhang, Chun-Qing; Si, Gangyan; Chung, Pak-Kwong; Du, Mengmeng; Terry, Peter C

2014-01-01

Building on the work of Terry and colleagues (Terry, P. C., Lane, A. M., Lane, H. J., & Keohane, L. (1999). Development and validation of a mood measure for adolescents. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17, 861-872; Terry, P. C., Lane, A. M., & Fogarty, G. J. (2003). Construct validity of the Profile of Mood States-Adolescents for use with adults. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 4, 125-139.), the present study examined the validity and internal consistency reliability of the Chinese version of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS-C) among 2,548 participants, comprising adolescent athletes (n = 520), adult athletes (n = 434), adolescent students (n = 673), and adult students (n = 921). Both adolescent and adult athletes completed the BRUMS-C before, during, or after regular training and both adolescent and adult students completed the BRUMS-C in a classroom setting. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) provided support for the factorial validity of a 23-item six-factor model, with one item removed from the hypothesised measurement model. Internal consistency reliabilities were satisfactory for all subscales across each of the four samples. Criterion validity was supported with strong relationships between the BRUMS-C, abbreviated POMS, and Chinese Affect Scale consistent with theoretical predictions. Multi-sample CFAs showed the BRUMS-C to be invariant at the configural, metric, strong, and structural levels for all samples. Furthermore, latent mean difference analyses showed that athletes reported significantly higher levels of fatigue than students while maintaining almost the same levels of vigour, and adolescent students reported significantly higher levels of depressed mood than the other three samples.

X-ray flux variability of active galactic nuclei observed using NuSTAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Priyanka; Stalin, C. S.; Rakshit, Suvendu

2017-04-01

We present results of a systematic study of flux variability on hourly time-scales in a large sample of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the 3-79 keV band using data from Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. Our sample consists of four BL Lac objects (BL Lacs), three flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) 24 Seyfert 1, 42 Seyfert 2 and eight narrow line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies. We find that in the 3-79 keV band, about 65 per cent of the sources in our sample show significant variations on hourly time-scales. Using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, we find no difference in the variability behaviour between Seyfert 1 and 2 galaxies. The blazar sources (FSRQs and BL Lacs) in our sample are more variable than Seyfert galaxies that include Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 in the soft (3-10 keV), hard (10-79 keV) and total (3-79 keV) bands. NLSy1 galaxies show the highest duty cycle of variability (87 per cent), followed by BL Lacs (82 per cent), Seyfert galaxies (56 per cent) and FSRQs (23 per cent). We obtained flux doubling/halving time in the hard X-ray band less than 10 min in 11 sources. The flux variations between the hard and soft bands in all the sources in our sample are consistent with zero lag.

[Consistency study of PowerPlex 21 kit and Goldeneye 20A kit and forensic application].

PubMed

Ren, He; Liu, Ying; Zhang, Qing-Xia; Jiao, Zhang-Ping

2014-06-01

To ensure the consistency of genotype results for PowerPlex 21 kit and Goldeneye 20A kit. The STR loci were amplified in DNA samples from 205 unrelated individuals in Beijing Han population. And consistency of 19 overlap STR loci typing were observed. The genetic polymorphism of D1S1656 locus was obtained. All 19 overlap loci typing showed consistent. The proportion of peak height of heterozygous loci in two kits showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). The observed heterozygosis of D1S1656 was 0.878. The discrimination power was 0.949. The excluding probability of paternity of triplet was 0.751. The excluding probability of paternity of diploid was 0.506. The polymorphism information content was 0.810. PowerPlex 21 kit and Goldeneye 20A kit present a good consistency. The primer design is reasonable. The polymorphism of D1S1656 is good. The two kits can be used for human genetic analysis, paternity test, and individual identification in forensic practice.

Semiautomated Device for Batch Extraction of Metabolites from Tissue Samples

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Metabolomics has become a mainstream analytical strategy for investigating metabolism. The quality of data derived from these studies is proportional to the consistency of the sample preparation. Although considerable research has been devoted to finding optimal extraction protocols, most of the established methods require extensive sample handling. Manual sample preparation can be highly effective in the hands of skilled technicians, but an automated tool for purifying metabolites from complex biological tissues would be of obvious utility to the field. Here, we introduce the semiautomated metabolite batch extraction device (SAMBED), a new tool designed to simplify metabolomics sample preparation. We discuss SAMBED’s design and show that SAMBED-based extractions are of comparable quality to extracts produced through traditional methods (13% mean coefficient of variation from SAMBED versus 16% from manual extractions). Moreover, we show that aqueous SAMBED-based methods can be completed in less than a quarter of the time required for manual extractions. PMID:22292466

Aquifer environment selects for microbial species cohorts in sediment and groundwater

PubMed Central

Hug, Laura A; Thomas, Brian C; Brown, Christopher T; Frischkorn, Kyle R; Williams, Kenneth H; Tringe, Susannah G; Banfield, Jillian F

2015-01-01

Little is known about the biogeography or stability of sediment-associated microbial community membership because these environments are biologically complex and generally difficult to sample. High-throughput-sequencing methods provide new opportunities to simultaneously genomically sample and track microbial community members across a large number of sampling sites or times, with higher taxonomic resolution than is associated with 16 S ribosomal RNA gene surveys, and without the disadvantages of primer bias and gene copy number uncertainty. We characterized a sediment community at 5 m depth in an aquifer adjacent to the Colorado River and tracked its most abundant 133 organisms across 36 different sediment and groundwater samples. We sampled sites separated by centimeters, meters and tens of meters, collected on seven occasions over 6 years. Analysis of 1.4 terabase pairs of DNA sequence showed that these 133 organisms were more consistently detected in saturated sediments than in samples from the vadose zone, from distant locations or from groundwater filtrates. Abundance profiles across aquifer locations and from different sampling times identified organism cohorts that comprised subsets of the 133 organisms that were consistently associated. The data suggest that cohorts are partly selected for by shared environmental adaptation. PMID:25647349

Stress-induced suppression of testosterone secretion in male alligators.

PubMed

Lance, V A; Elsey, R M

1986-08-01

In order to test the effect of acute stress on gonadal hormone secretion in reptiles, six mature male alligators were captured, and a blood sample was taken within 5 min of capture. Additional blood samples were taken at timed intervals for up to 41 hr, and plasma testosterone and corticosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma testosterone declined to 50% of the initial value by 4 hr and dropped to less than 10% of initial by 24 hr. Plasma corticosterone increased during the first 12 hr, declined at 24 hr, and rose again at 40 hr. Blood samples from male alligators collected in North and South Carolina, south Florida, and in south Louisiana in two consecutive breeding seasons were also assayed for testosterone and corticosterone. In these populations there were significant differences in mean plasma testosterone and corticosterone levels. Elevated corticosterone levels were consistently seen in alligators caught in traps and from which a blood sample was taken several hours later. Plasma testosterone, although consistently lower in trapped alligators, did not show a negative correlation with plasma corticosterone. Farm-reared alligators bled once, released, and bled again at 24 hr also showed a highly significant suppression of testosterone secretion. These results demonstrate that stress has a rapid and dramatic effect on testicular steroid secretion in both farm-reared and wild alligators.

Pb isotope compositions of modern deep sea turbidites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemming, S. R.; McLennan, S. M.

2001-01-01

Modern deep sea turbidite muds and sands collected from Lamont piston cores represent a large range in age of detrital sources as well as a spectrum of tectonic settings. Pb isotope compositions of all but three of the 66 samples lie to the right of the 4.56 Ga Geochron, and most also lie along a slope consistent with a time-integrated κ ( 232Th/ 238U) between 3.8 and 4.2. Modern deep sea turbidites show a predictable negative correlation between both Pb and Sr isotope ratios and ɛNd and ɛHf, clearly related to the age of continental sources. However, the consistency between Pb and Nd isotopes breaks down for samples with very old provenance ( ɛNd<-20) that are far less radiogenic than predicted by the negative correlation. The correlations among Sr, Nd and Hf isotopes also become more scattered in samples with very old provenance. The unradiogenic Pb isotopic character of modern sediments with Archean Nd model ages is consistent with a model where Th and U abundances of the Archean upper crust are significantly lower than the post-Archean upper crust.

Silicon nanoparticle-functionalized fiberglass pads for sampling

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

Mantey, Kevin; Nayfeh, Munir H.; Al-Hreish, Bahjat

2011-03-15

We used wet treatment to immobilize luminescent silicon nanoparticles on industrial glass fibers to impart optical and chemical functions to the fiber. Carpets or pads consisting of thousands of fibers are processed in parallel, enhancing the sensitivity of detection and the sampled volume. Treated pads exhibit strong luminescence, characteristic of the luminescence of the particles; showing no shift, broadening, or reduction of quantum efficiency. We demonstrate that drawing material by the pad due to physical adsorption can be reversed. We also demonstrate that allylamine can be covalently attached by photoinduced irradiation reactions, which results in imprinting the amine emission spectrum,more » providing spectral recognition. The imprint accompanied with a blue-shifting of the luminescence spectrum of the probe, allowing examination of the effect of termination on the nanoparticle structure. The shift is found to be consistent with an increase in the bandgap of the Si nanoparticle and is consistent with Quantum Monte Carlo calculations. In addition to sampling, the nano probe pad has the potential to enable a variety of biomedical applications through subsequent attachment.« less

Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The STARS Questionnaire.

PubMed

Delcourt, Cécile; Souied, Eric; Sanchez, Alice; Bandello, Francesco

2017-12-01

To develop and validate a risk score for AMD based on a simple self-administered questionnaire. Risk factors having shown the most consistent associations with AMD were included in the STARS (Simplified Théa AMD Risk-Assessment Scale) questionnaire. Two studies were conducted, one in Italy (127 participating ophthalmologists) and one in France (80 participating ophthalmologists). During 1 week, participating ophthalmologists invited all their patients aged 55 years or older to fill in the STARS questionnaire. Based on fundus examination, early AMD was defined by the presence of soft drusen and/or pigmentary abnormalities and late AMD by the presence of geographic atrophy and/or neovascular AMD. The Italian and French samples consisted of 12,639 and 6897 patients, respectively. All 13 risk factors included in the STARS questionnaire showed significant associations with AMD in the Italian sample. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve for the STARS risk score, derived from the multivariate logistic regression in the Italian sample, was 0.78 in the Italian sample and 0.72 in the French sample. In both samples, less than 10% of patients without AMD were classified at high risk, and less than 13% of late AMD cases were classified as low risk, with a more intermediate situation in early AMD cases. STARS is a new, simple self-assessed questionnaire showing good discrimination of risk for AMD in two large European samples. It might be used by ophthalmologists in routine clinical practice or as a self-assessment for risk of AMD in the general population.

Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Readiness to Change Questionnaire.

PubMed

Defuentes-Merillas, L; Dejong, C A J; Schippers, G M

2002-01-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ-D). The subjects were 246 excessive drinkers admitted to an addiction treatment centre and 54 offenders convicted of an alcohol-related crime in The Netherlands. The factor structure of the RCQ-D for the two samples combined was found to be consistent with the three-factor structure established for the original RCQ. The reliability of the items for each scale was found to be satisfactory. Allocated stage of change showed significant differences between the different subsamples. As expected, the scale scores for adjacent stages of change showed significantly higher inter-correlations than the scale scores for non-adjacent stages. Additionally, the negatively formulated items from the pre-contemplation scale were reformulated positively and their internal consistency tested among the offender sample. The positively formulated pre-contemplation items showed a higher alpha value than the negatively formulated items. We therefore suggest that the positively formulated items should replace the negatively formulated ones.

Stoichiometry dependence of potential screening at La ( 1 - δ ) Al ( 1 + δ ) O 3 / SrTiO 3 interfaces

DOE PAGES

Weiland, Conan; Sterbinsky, George E.; Rumaiz, Abdul K.; ...

2015-04-03

Hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and variable kinetic energy x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VKE-XPS) analyses have been performed on ten-unit-cell-thick La (1-δ)Al (1+δ)O₃ films, with La:Al ratios of 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9, deposited on SrTiO₃. Only Al-rich films are known to have a conductive interface. VKE-XPS, coupled with maximum entropy analysis, shows significant differences in the compositional depth profile among the Al-rich, La-rich, and stoichiometric films: significant La enrichment at the interface is observed in the La-rich and stoichiometric films, while the Al-rich film shows little to no intermixing. Additionally, the La-rich and stoichiometric films show a high concentration of Almore » at the surface, which is not observed in the Al-rich film. HAXPES valence band (VB) analysis shows a broadening of the VB for the Al-rich sample relative to the stoichiometric and La-rich samples. This broadening is consistent with an electric field across the Al-rich film. These results are consistent with a defect-driven electronic reconstruction.« less

[Validity and internal consistency of the Maslach Burnout Inventory in Dental Students from Cartagena, Colombia].

PubMed

Simancas-Pallares, Miguel Angel; Fortich Mesa, Natalia; González Martínez, Farith Damián

To determine the internal consistency and content validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) in dental students from Cartagena, Colombia. Scale validation study in 886 dental students from Cartagena, Colombia. Factor structure was determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was measured using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Analyses were performed using the Stata v.13.2 for Windows (Statacorp., USA) and Mplus v.7.31 for Windows (Muthén & Muthén, USA) software. Internal consistency was α=.806. The factor structure showed three that accounted for the 56.6% of the variance. CFA revealed: χ 2 =926.036; df=85; RMSEA=.106 (90%CI, .100-.112); CFI=.947; TLI=.934. The MBI showed an adequate internal consistency and a factor structure being consistent with the original proposed structure with a poor fit, which does not reflect adequate content validity in this sample. Copyright © 2016 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

[Development of the unexpected reality scale for childcare training].

PubMed

Matsuda, Yuko; Shitara, Saeko; Hamada, Shoko

2016-10-01

This study aimed to develop a scale for unexpected reality for childcare training (Study 1) and examine the change and influence it exerts on the efficacy of preschool teachers (Study 2). In Study 1, the sample consisted of 571 university and junior college students enrolled in a childcare course. After exploratory factor analysis, four factors were extracted: “actual feelings for childcare as a field of study,” “difficulties faced during involvement with children,” “negative aspects of the childcare worker,” and “severity of work.” The study’s scale was shown to be internally consistent and valid. In Study 2, the sample consisted of 122 junior college students enrolled in a childcare course. The results showed that the high-scoring groups of each unexpected reality subscales experienced less unexpected reality in the subsequent training session. Moreover, the results of multiple regression showed that preschool teacher efficacy was predicted positively by “actual feelings for childcare as a field of study” and negatively by “difficulties faced during involvement with children.” Thus, we suggest that for effective pre- and post-guidance of childcare training, unexpected realities should be considered.

REE in the Great Whale River estuary, northwest Quebec

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldstein, Steven J.; Jacobsen, Stein B.

1988-01-01

A report on REE concentrations within the estuary of the Great Whale River in northwest Quebec and in Hudson Bay is given, showing concentrations which are less than those predicted by conservative mixing of seawater and river water, indicating removal of REE from solution. REE removal is rapid, occurring primarily at salinities less than 2 percent and ranges from about 70 percent for light REE to no more than 40 percent for heavy REE. At low salinity, Fe removal is essentially complete. The shape of Fe and REE vs. salinity profiles is not consistent with a simple model of destabilization and coagulation of Fe and REE-bearing colloidal material. A linear relationship between the activity of free ion REE(3+) and pH is consistent with a simple ion-exchange model for REE removal. Surface and subsurface samples of Hudson Bay seawater show high REE and La/Yb concentrations relative to average seawater, with the subsurface sample having a Nd concentration of 100 pmol/kg and an epsilon(Nd) of -29.3; characteristics consistent with river inputs of Hudson Bay. This indicates that rivers draining the Canadian Shield are a major source of nonradiogenic Nd and REE to the Atlantic Ocean.

Targeted Data Extraction of the MS/MS Spectra Generated by Data-independent Acquisition: A New Concept for Consistent and Accurate Proteome Analysis*

PubMed Central

Gillet, Ludovic C.; Navarro, Pedro; Tate, Stephen; Röst, Hannes; Selevsek, Nathalie; Reiter, Lukas; Bonner, Ron; Aebersold, Ruedi

2012-01-01

Most proteomic studies use liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the peptides generated by the proteolysis of a biological sample. However, with the current methods it remains challenging to rapidly, consistently, reproducibly, accurately, and sensitively detect and quantify large fractions of proteomes across multiple samples. Here we present a new strategy that systematically queries sample sets for the presence and quantity of essentially any protein of interest. It consists of using the information available in fragment ion spectral libraries to mine the complete fragment ion maps generated using a data-independent acquisition method. For this study, the data were acquired on a fast, high resolution quadrupole-quadrupole time-of-flight (TOF) instrument by repeatedly cycling through 32 consecutive 25-Da precursor isolation windows (swaths). This SWATH MS acquisition setup generates, in a single sample injection, time-resolved fragment ion spectra for all the analytes detectable within the 400–1200 m/z precursor range and the user-defined retention time window. We show that suitable combinations of fragment ions extracted from these data sets are sufficiently specific to confidently identify query peptides over a dynamic range of 4 orders of magnitude, even if the precursors of the queried peptides are not detectable in the survey scans. We also show that queried peptides are quantified with a consistency and accuracy comparable with that of selected reaction monitoring, the gold standard proteomic quantification method. Moreover, targeted data extraction enables ad libitum quantification refinement and dynamic extension of protein probing by iterative re-mining of the once-and-forever acquired data sets. This combination of unbiased, broad range precursor ion fragmentation and targeted data extraction alleviates most constraints of present proteomic methods and should be equally applicable to the comprehensive analysis of other classes of analytes, beyond proteomics. PMID:22261725

Ultra-broadband ptychography with self-consistent coherence estimation from a high harmonic source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Odstrčil, M.; Baksh, P.; Kim, H.; Boden, S. A.; Brocklesby, W. S.; Frey, J. G.

2015-09-01

With the aim of improving imaging using table-top extreme ultraviolet sources, we demonstrate coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) with relative bandwidth of 20%. The coherence properties of the illumination probe are identified using the same imaging setup. The presented methods allows for the use of fewer monochromating optics, obtaining higher flux at the sample and thus reach higher resolution or shorter exposure time. This is important in the case of ptychography when a large number of diffraction patterns need to be collected. Our microscopy setup was tested on a reconstruction of an extended sample to show the quality of the reconstruction. We show that high harmonic generation based EUV tabletop microscope can provide reconstruction of samples with a large field of view and high resolution without additional prior knowledge about the sample or illumination.

Factorial validity of the Job Expectations Questionnaire in a sample of Mexican workers.

PubMed

Villa-George, Fabiola Itzel; Moreno-Jiménez, Bernardo; Rodríguez-Muñoz, Alfredo; Villalpando Uribe, Jessica

2011-11-01

The aim of this study was to examine the factorial validity of the Job Expectations Questionnaire (Cuestionario de Expectativas Laborales CEL) in a sample of Mexican workers. Following a cross validation approach, two samples were used in the study. The first sample consisted of 380 professionals who mainly performed administrative work in the Health Services in Puebla-Mexico. The second sample comprised 400 health professionals from the Hospital de la Mujer in Puebla-Mexico. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution, accounting for 51.8% of the variance. The results of confirmatory factorial analysis indicate that the three-factor model provided the best fit with the data (CFI = .96, GFI = .95, NNFI = .95, RMSEA = .04), maintaining the structure with 12 items. The reliability of the questionnaire and the diverse subscales showed high internal consistency. Significant correlations were found between job expectations and autonomy, vigor, dedication, and absorption, providing evidence of its construct validity. The evaluation of the psychometric qualities confirms this questionnaire as a valid and specific instrument to measure job expectations.

Y-chromosomal diversity of the Valachs from the Czech Republic: model for isolated population in Central Europe

PubMed Central

Ehler, Edvard; Vaněk, Daniel; Stenzl, Vlastimil; Vančata, Václav

2011-01-01

Aim To evaluate Y-chromosomal diversity of the Moravian Valachs of the Czech Republic and compare them with a Czech population sample and other samples from Central and South-Eastern Europe, and to evaluate the effects of genetic isolation and sampling. Methods The first sample set of the Valachs consisted of 94 unrelated male donors from the Valach region in northeastern Czech Republic border-area. The second sample set of the Valachs consisted of 79 men who originated from 7 paternal lineages defined by surname. No close relatives were sampled. The third sample set consisted of 273 unrelated men from the whole of the Czech Republic and was used for comparison, as well as published data for other 27 populations. The total number of samples was 3244. Y-short tandem repeat (STR) markers were typed by standard methods using PowerPlex® Y System (Promega) and Yfiler® Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems) kits. Y-chromosomal haplogroups were estimated from the haplotype information. Haplotype diversity and other intra- and inter-population statistics were computed. Results The Moravian Valachs showed a lower genetic variability of Y-STR markers than other Central European populations, resembling more to the isolated Balkan populations (Aromuns, Csango, Bulgarian, and Macedonian Roma) than the surrounding populations (Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Saxons). We illustrated the effect of sampling on Valach paternal lineages, which includes reduction of discrimination capacity and variability inside Y-chromosomal haplogroups. Valach modal haplotype belongs to R1a haplogroup and it was not detected in the Czech population. Conclusion The Moravian Valachs display strong substructure and isolation in their Y chromosomal markers. They represent a unique Central European population model for population genetics. PMID:21674832

Terahertz pulsed imaging for the monitoring of dental caries: a comparison with x-ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karagoz, Burcu; Kamburoglu, Kıvanc; Altan, Hakan

2017-07-01

Dental caries in sliced samples are investigated using terahertz pulsed imaging. Frequency domain terahertz response of these structures consistent with X-ray imaging results show the potential of this technique in the detection of early caries.

iGLASS: An Improvement to the GLASS Method for Estimating Species Trees from Gene Trees

PubMed Central

Rosenberg, Noah A.

2012-01-01

Abstract Several methods have been designed to infer species trees from gene trees while taking into account gene tree/species tree discordance. Although some of these methods provide consistent species tree topology estimates under a standard model, most either do not estimate branch lengths or are computationally slow. An exception, the GLASS method of Mossel and Roch, is consistent for the species tree topology, estimates branch lengths, and is computationally fast. However, GLASS systematically overestimates divergence times, leading to biased estimates of species tree branch lengths. By assuming a multispecies coalescent model in which multiple lineages are sampled from each of two taxa at L independent loci, we derive the distribution of the waiting time until the first interspecific coalescence occurs between the two taxa, considering all loci and measuring from the divergence time. We then use the mean of this distribution to derive a correction to the GLASS estimator of pairwise divergence times. We show that our improved estimator, which we call iGLASS, consistently estimates the divergence time between a pair of taxa as the number of loci approaches infinity, and that it is an unbiased estimator of divergence times when one lineage is sampled per taxon. We also show that many commonly used clustering methods can be combined with the iGLASS estimator of pairwise divergence times to produce a consistent estimator of the species tree topology. Through simulations, we show that iGLASS can greatly reduce the bias and mean squared error in obtaining estimates of divergence times in a species tree. PMID:22216756

The Authoritative Parenting Index: predicting health risk behaviors among children and adolescents.

PubMed

Jackson, C; Henriksen, L; Foshee, V A

1998-06-01

Public health research demonstrates increasing interest in mobilizing parental influence to prevent health risk behaviors among children and adolescents. This research focuses on authoritative parenting, which previous studies suggest can prevent health risk behaviors among youth. To evaluate the reliability and validity of a new survey measure of authoritative parenting, data from studies of (1) substance use in a sample of 1,236 fourth- and sixth-grade students; (2) weapon carrying and interpersonal violence in a sample of 1,490 ninth- and tenth-grade students, and (3) anger, alienation, and conflict resolution in a sample of 224 seventh- and eighth-grade students were analyzed. The Authoritative Parenting Index had a factor structure consistent with a theoretical model of the construct; had acceptable reliability; showed grade, sex, and ethnic differences consistent with other studies; and identified parenting types that varied as hypothesized with multiple indicators of social competence and health risk behaviors among children and adolescents.

Gas analyses from the Pu'u O'o eruption in 1985, Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

USGS Publications Warehouse

Greenland, L.P.

1986-01-01

Volcanic gas samples were collected from July to November 1985 from a lava pond in the main eruptive conduit of Pu'u O'o from a 2-week-long fissure eruption and from a minor flank eruption of Pu'u O'o. The molecular composition of these gases is consistent with thermodynamic equilibrium at a temperature slightly less than measured lava temperatures. Comparison of these samples with previous gas samples shows that the composition of volatiles in the magma has remained constant over the 3-year course of this episodic east rift eruption of Kilauea volcano. The uniformly carbon depleted nature of these gases is consistent with previous suggestions that all east rift eruptive magmas degas during prior storage in the shallow summit reservoir of Kilauea. Minor compositional variations within these gas collections are attributed to the kinetics of the magma degassing process. ?? 1986 Springer-Verlag.

Stardust Interstellar Preliminary Examination V: XRF Analyses of Interstellar Dust Candidates at ESRF ID13

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brenker, Frank E.; Westphal, Andrew J.; Simionovici, Alexandre S.; Flynn, George J.; Gainsforth, Zack; Allen, Carlton C.; Sanford, Scott; Zolensky, Michael E.; Bastien, Ron K.; Frank, David R.

2014-01-01

Here, we report analyses by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy of the elemental composition of eight candidate impact features extracted from the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector (SIDC). Six of the features were unambiguous tracks, and two were crater-like features. Five of the tracks are so-called midnight tracks that is, they had trajectories consistent with an origin either in the interstellar dust stream or as secondaries from impacts on the Sample Return Capsule (SRC). In a companion paper reporting synchrotron X-ray diffraction analyses of ISPE candidates, we show that two of these particles contain natural crystalline materials: the terminal particle of track 30contains olivine and spinel, and the terminal particle of track 34 contains olivine. Here, we show that the terminal particle of track 30, Orion, shows elemental abundances, normalized to Fe, that are close to CI values, and a complex, fine-grained structure. The terminal particle of track 34, Hylabrook, shows abundances that deviate strongly from CI, but shows little fine structure and is nearly homogenous. The terminal particles of other midnight tracks, 29 and 37, had heavy element abundances below detection threshold. A third, track28, showed a composition inconsistent with an extraterrestrial origin, but also inconsistent with known spacecraft materials. A sixth track, with a trajectory consistent with secondary ejecta from an impact on one of the spacecraft solar panels, contains abundant Ce and Zn. This is consistent with the known composition of the glass covering the solar panel. Neither crater-like feature is likely to be associated with extraterrestrial materials. We also analyzed blank aerogel samples to characterize background and variability between aerogel tiles. We found significant differences in contamination levels and compositions, emphasizing the need for local background subtraction for accurate quantification.

Hydrothermal Synthesized of CoMoO4 Microspheres as Excellent Electrode Material for Supercapacitor.

PubMed

Li, Weixia; Wang, Xianwei; Hu, Yanchun; Sun, Lingyun; Gao, Chang; Zhang, Cuicui; Liu, Han; Duan, Meng

2018-04-24

The single-phase CoMoO 4 was prepared via a facile hydrothermal method coupled with calcination treatment at 400 °C. The structures, morphologies, and electrochemical properties of samples with different hydrothermal reaction times were investigated. The microsphere structure, which consisted of nanoflakes, was observed in samples. The specific capacitances at 1 A g -1 are 151, 182, 243, 384, and 186 F g -1 for samples with the hydrothermal times of 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, respectively. In addition, the sample with the hydrothermal time of 12 h shows a good rate capability, and there is 45% retention of initial capacitance when the current density increases from 1 to 8 A g -1 . The high retain capacitances of samples show the fine long-cycle stability after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at current density of 8 A g -1 . The results indicate that CoMoO 4 samples could be a choice of excellent electrode materials for supercapacitor.

Hydrothermal Synthesized of CoMoO4 Microspheres as Excellent Electrode Material for Supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Weixia; Wang, Xianwei; Hu, Yanchun; Sun, Lingyun; Gao, Chang; Zhang, Cuicui; Liu, Han; Duan, Meng

2018-04-01

The single-phase CoMoO4 was prepared via a facile hydrothermal method coupled with calcination treatment at 400 °C. The structures, morphologies, and electrochemical properties of samples with different hydrothermal reaction times were investigated. The microsphere structure, which consisted of nanoflakes, was observed in samples. The specific capacitances at 1 A g-1 are 151, 182, 243, 384, and 186 F g-1 for samples with the hydrothermal times of 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, respectively. In addition, the sample with the hydrothermal time of 12 h shows a good rate capability, and there is 45% retention of initial capacitance when the current density increases from 1 to 8 A g-1. The high retain capacitances of samples show the fine long-cycle stability after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at current density of 8 A g-1. The results indicate that CoMoO4 samples could be a choice of excellent electrode materials for supercapacitor.

Genesis of highland basalt breccias - A view from 66095

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrison, J. R., Jr.; Taylor, L. A.

1980-01-01

Electron microprobe and defocused beam analyses of the lunar highland breccia sample 66095 show it consists of a fine-grained subophitic matrix containing a variety of mineral and lithic clasts, such as intergranular and cataclastic ANT, shocked and unshocked plagioclase, and basalts. Consideration of the chemistries of both matrix and clasts provides a basis for a qualitative three-component mixing model consisting of an ANT plutonic complex, a Fra Mauro basalt, and minor meteoric material.

Soil properties of crocker formation and its influence on slope instability along the Ranau-Tambunan highway, Sabah

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azlan, Noran Nabilla Nor; Simon, Norbert; Hussin, Azimah; Roslee, Rodeano

2016-11-01

The Crocker formation on the study area consists of an inter-bedded shale and sandstone. The intense deformation and discontinuity on sandstone and shale beds of the arenaceous Crocker Formation makes them easily exposed to weathering and instability. In this study, a total of 15 selected slopes representing highly weathered material of stable and unstable conditions were studied to identify the characteristics of soil material on both conditions and how these characteristics will lead to instability. Physical properties analysis of soil material were conducted on 5 samples from stable slopes and 10 samples from failed slopes collected along the Ranau-Tambunan highway (RTM), Sabah. The analysis shows that the Crocker Formation consists mainly of poorly graded materials of sandy SILT with low plasticity (MLS) and PI value ranges from 1%-14. The failures materials are largely consist of low water content (0.94%-2.03%), higher finer texture material (11%-71%), intermediate liquid limit (21%-44%) and low plastic limit (20%-30%) while stable material consist of low water content (1.25%-1.80%), higher coarser texture material (43%-78%), low liquid limit (25%-28%) and low plastic limit (22%-25%). Specific gravity shows a ranges value of 2.24-2.60 for both slope conditions. The clay content in failed slope samples exhibit a slightly higher percentage of clay indicating a higher plasticity value compared to stable slopes. Statistical analysis was carried out to examine the association between landslide occurrences with soil physical properties in both stable and unstable slopes. The significant of both slope condition properties association to landslide occurrences was determined by mean rank differences. The study reveals that the grain size and plasticity of soil have contributed largely to slope instability in the study area.

Content validation: clarity/relevance, reliability and internal consistency of enunciative signs of language acquisition.

PubMed

Crestani, Anelise Henrich; Moraes, Anaelena Bragança de; Souza, Ana Paula Ramos de

2017-08-10

To analyze the results of the validation of building enunciative signs of language acquisition for children aged 3 to 12 months. The signs were built based on mechanisms of language acquisition in an enunciative perspective and on clinical experience with language disorders. The signs were submitted to judgment of clarity and relevance by a sample of six experts, doctors in linguistic in with knowledge of psycholinguistics and language clinic. In the validation of reliability, two judges/evaluators helped to implement the instruments in videos of 20% of the total sample of mother-infant dyads using the inter-evaluator method. The method known as internal consistency was applied to the total sample, which consisted of 94 mother-infant dyads to the contents of the Phase 1 (3-6 months) and 61 mother-infant dyads to the contents of Phase 2 (7 to 12 months). The data were collected through the analysis of mother-infant interaction based on filming of dyads and application of the parameters to be validated according to the child's age. Data were organized in a spreadsheet and then converted to computer applications for statistical analysis. The judgments of clarity/relevance indicated no modifications to be made in the instruments. The reliability test showed an almost perfect agreement between judges (0.8 ≤ Kappa ≥ 1.0); only the item 2 of Phase 1 showed substantial agreement (0.6 ≤ Kappa ≥ 0.79). The internal consistency for Phase 1 had alpha = 0.84, and Phase 2, alpha = 0.74. This demonstrates the reliability of the instruments. The results suggest adequacy as to content validity of the instruments created for both age groups, demonstrating the relevance of the content of enunciative signs of language acquisition.

Resolution of plasma sample mix-ups through comparison of patient antibody patterns to E. coli.

PubMed

Vetter, Beatrice N; Orlowski, Vanessa; Schüpbach, Jörg; Böni, Jürg; Rühe, Bettina; Huder, Jon B

2015-12-01

Accidental sample mix-ups and the need for their swift resolution is a challenge faced by every analytical laboratory. To this end, we developed a simple immunoblot-based method, making use of a patient's characteristic plasma antibody profile to Escherichia coli (E. coli) proteins. Nitrocellulose strips of size-separated proteins from E. coli whole-cell lysates were incubated with patient plasma and visualised with an enzyme-coupled secondary antibody and substrate. Plasma samples of 20 random patients as well as five longitudinal samples of three patients were analysed for antibody band patterns, to evaluate uniqueness and consistency over time, respectively. For sample mix-ups, antibody band patterns of questionable samples were compared with samples of known identity. Comparison of anti-E. coli antibody patterns of 20 random patients showed a unique antibody profile for each patient. Antibody profiles remained consistent over time, as shown for three patients over several years. Three example cases demonstrate the use of this methodology in mis-labelling or -pipetting incidences. Our simple method for resolving plasma sample mix-ups between non-related individuals can be performed with basic laboratory equipment and thus can easily be adopted by analytical laboratories. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of signal-dependent noise level function in transform domain via a sparse recovery model.

PubMed

Yang, Jingyu; Gan, Ziqiao; Wu, Zhaoyang; Hou, Chunping

2015-05-01

This paper proposes a novel algorithm to estimate the noise level function (NLF) of signal-dependent noise (SDN) from a single image based on the sparse representation of NLFs. Noise level samples are estimated from the high-frequency discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients of nonlocal-grouped low-variation image patches. Then, an NLF recovery model based on the sparse representation of NLFs under a trained basis is constructed to recover NLF from the incomplete noise level samples. Confidence levels of the NLF samples are incorporated into the proposed model to promote reliable samples and weaken unreliable ones. We investigate the behavior of the estimation performance with respect to the block size, sampling rate, and confidence weighting. Simulation results on synthetic noisy images show that our method outperforms existing state-of-the-art schemes. The proposed method is evaluated on real noisy images captured by three types of commodity imaging devices, and shows consistently excellent SDN estimation performance. The estimated NLFs are incorporated into two well-known denoising schemes, nonlocal means and BM3D, and show significant improvements in denoising SDN-polluted images.

New light on a dark subject: On the use of fluorescence data to deduce redox states of natural organic matter (NOM)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Macalady, Donald L.; Walton-Day, Katherine

2009-01-01

This paper reports the use of excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMS), parallel factor statistical analysis (PARAFAC), and oxidation-reduction experiments to examine the effect of redox conditions on PARAFAC model results for aqueous samples rich in natural organic matter. Fifty-four aqueous samples from 11 different geographic locations and two plant extracts were analyzed untreated and after chemical treatments or irradiation were used in attempts to change the redox status of the natural organic matter. The EEMS spectra were generated and modeled using a PARAFAC package developed by Cory and McKnight (2005). The PARAFAC model output was examined for consistency with previously reported relations and with changes expected to occur upon experimental oxidation and reduction of aqueous samples. Results indicate the implied fraction of total sample fluorescence attributed to quinone-like moieties was consistent (0.64 to 0.78) and greater than that observed by Cory and McKnight (2005). The fraction of the quinone-like moieties that was reduced (the reducing index, RI) showed relatively little variation (0.46 to 0.71) despite attempts to alter the redox status of the natural organic matter. The RI changed little after reducing samples using zinc metal, oxidizing at high pH with air, or irradiating with a Xenon lamp. Our results, however, are consistent with the correlations between the fluorescence indices (FI) of samples and the ratio of PARAFAC fitting parameters suggested by Cory and McKnight (2005), though we used samples with a much narrower range of FI values.

Effect of 50 MeV Li3 + irradiation on structural and electrical properties of Mn-doped ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neogi, S. K.; Chattopadhyay, S.; Banerjee, Aritra; Bandyopadhyay, S.; Sarkar, A.; Kumar, Ravi

2011-05-01

The present work aims to study the effect of ion irradiation on structural and electrical properties and their correlation with the defects in the Zn1 - xMnxO-type system. Zn1 - xMnxO (x = 0.02, 0.04) samples have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and have been irradiated with 50 MeV Li3 + ions. The concomitant changes have been probed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-dependent electrical resistivity and positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy. The XRD result shows a single-phase wurtzite structure for Zn0.98Mn0.02O, whereas for the Zn0.96Mn0.04O sample an impurity phase has been found, apart from the usual peaks of ZnO. Ion irradiation removes this impurity peak. The grain size of the samples is found to be uniform. For Zn0.98Mn0.02O, the observed sharp decrease in room temperature resistivity (ρRT) with irradiation is consistent with the lowering of the full width at half maximum of the XRD peaks. However, for Zn0.96Mn0.04O, ρRT decreases for the initial fluence but increases for a further increase in fluence. All the irradiated Zn0.98Mn0.02O samples show a metal-semiconductor transition in temperature-dependent resistivity measurements at low temperature. But all the irradiated Zn0.96Mn0.04O samples show a semiconducting nature in the whole range of temperatures. Results of room temperature resistivity, XRD and PAL measurements are consistent with each other.

Effect of 50 MeV Li3+ irradiation on structural and electrical properties of Mn-doped ZnO.

PubMed

Neogi, S K; Chattopadhyay, S; Banerjee, Aritra; Bandyopadhyay, S; Sarkar, A; Kumar, Ravi

2011-05-25

The present work aims to study the effect of ion irradiation on structural and electrical properties and their correlation with the defects in the Zn(1 - x)Mn(x)O-type system. Zn(1 - x)Mn(x)O (x = 0.02, 0.04) samples have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and have been irradiated with 50 MeV Li(3+) ions. The concomitant changes have been probed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-dependent electrical resistivity and positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy. The XRD result shows a single-phase wurtzite structure for Zn(0.98)Mn(0.02)O, whereas for the Zn(0.96)Mn(0.04)O sample an impurity phase has been found, apart from the usual peaks of ZnO. Ion irradiation removes this impurity peak. The grain size of the samples is found to be uniform. For Zn(0.98)Mn(0.02)O, the observed sharp decrease in room temperature resistivity (ρ(RT)) with irradiation is consistent with the lowering of the full width at half maximum of the XRD peaks. However, for Zn(0.96)Mn(0.04)O, ρ(RT) decreases for the initial fluence but increases for a further increase in fluence. All the irradiated Zn(0.98)Mn(0.02)O samples show a metal-semiconductor transition in temperature-dependent resistivity measurements at low temperature. But all the irradiated Zn(0.96)Mn(0.04)O samples show a semiconducting nature in the whole range of temperatures. Results of room temperature resistivity, XRD and PAL measurements are consistent with each other.

Petrology and age of alkalic lava from the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, A.S.; Pringle, M.S.; Pickthorn, L.-B.G.; Clague, D.A.; Schwab, W.C.

1989-01-01

Volcanic rock dredged from the flanks of four volcanic edifices in the Ratak chain of the Marshall Islands consist of alkalic lava that erupted above sea level or in shallow water. Compositions of recovered samples are predominantly differentiated alkalic basalt and hawaiite but include strongly alkalic melilitite. Whole rock 40Ar/39Ar total fusion and incremental heating ages of 87.3 ?? 0.6 Ma and 82.2 ?? 1.6 Ma determined for samples from Erikub Seamount and Ratak Guyot, respectively, are within the range predicted by plate rotation models but show no age progression consistent with a simple hot spot model. Variations in isotopic and some incompatible element ratios suggest interisland heterogeneity. -from Authors

Magnetic properties of fishes from rivers near Semarang, Central Java

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khumaedi; Nurbaiti, U.; Setyaningsi, N. E.

2018-03-01

Magnetic properties, in the form of magnetic susceptibility (χ) and frequency-dependent susceptibility (χ fd) were measured on scores of samples made of fishes from river nearby Semarang, Central Java. Semarang is one of the major cities in Indonesia, where the river systems are very likely to be contaminated by anthropogenic activities. The objective of this study is to identify the presence of heavy metals in the fishes that will determine the suitability of these fishes for healthy food. The results show that magnetic susceptibility varies from -0.3 to 13.8 × 10-8 m3/kg, while the frequency-dependent susceptibility is less than 3% indicating the predominance of ferromagnetic minerals. Quantitative chemical analyses on four samples show consistently high concentration of Ca, while Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni present a few in some of the samples. This finding shows that the fishes are suitable for the ongoing research on environmental magnetism.

Bimodal TiO2 Contents of Mare Basalts at Apollo and Luna Sites and Implications for TiO2 Derived from Clementine Spectral Reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillis, J. J.; Jolliff, B. L.

2001-01-01

A revised algorithm to estimate Ti contents of mare regions centered on Apollo and Luna sites shows a bimodal distribution, consistent with mare-basalt sample data. A global TiO2 map shows abundant intermediate TiO2 basalts in western Procellarum. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Female sexual abuse and criminal justice intervention: a comparison of child protective service and criminal justice samples.

PubMed

Bader, Shannon M; Scalora, Mario J; Casady, Thomas K; Black, Shannon

2008-01-01

The current study compared a sample of female perpetrators reported to Child Protective Services (CPS) to a sample of women from the criminal justice system. Instead of examining a clinical or criminal justice sample in isolation, this comparison allows a more accurate description of female sexual offending. Cases were drawn from a Midwestern state's child abuse registry, law enforcement records, and sex offender registry. The CPS sample consisted of 179 women, and the criminal justice system sample consisted of 57 women. All cases were reported to the agencies between 1994 and 2004. Victims ranged in age from 1 to 18 years old (M=9.98, SD=4.37). As hypothesized, there were statistically significant differences between the CPS and criminal justice samples. Specifically, the CPS sample had a majority of victims under age 12 (74.9%), while the criminal justice sample had a majority of victims between ages 13 and 19 (73.8%). The CPS sample had predominantly intrafamilial victims (97.8%), while the criminal justice sample had a majority of extrafamilial victims (63.3%). The CPS sample also showed significantly more female victims (63.7%), while the criminal justice sample had mostly male victims (62.1%). There were significant differences in the victim's age, the victim's gender and the perpetrator-victim relationship between cases managed in the CPS and the criminal justice system. The results highlight the need for further research into child welfare and law enforcement collaboration.

Direct Analysis of Low-Volatile Molecular Marker Extract from Airborne Particulate Matter Using Sensitivity Correction Method

PubMed Central

Irei, Satoshi

2016-01-01

Molecular marker analysis of environmental samples often requires time consuming preseparation steps. Here, analysis of low-volatile nonpolar molecular markers (5-6 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, hopanoids, and n-alkanes) without the preseparation procedure is presented. Analysis of artificial sample extracts was directly conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). After every sample injection, a standard mixture was also analyzed to make a correction on the variation of instrumental sensitivity caused by the unfavorable matrix contained in the extract. The method was further validated for the PAHs using the NIST standard reference materials (SRMs) and then applied to airborne particulate matter samples. Tests with the SRMs showed that overall our methodology was validated with the uncertainty of ~30%. The measurement results of airborne particulate matter (PM) filter samples showed a strong correlation between the PAHs, implying the contributions from the same emission source. Analysis of size-segregated PM filter samples showed that their size distributions were found to be in the PM smaller than 0.4 μm aerodynamic diameter. The observations were consistent with our expectation of their possible sources. Thus, the method was found to be useful for molecular marker studies. PMID:27127511

Correcting for Microbial Blooms in Fecal Samples during Room-Temperature Shipping.

PubMed

Amir, Amnon; McDonald, Daniel; Navas-Molina, Jose A; Debelius, Justine; Morton, James T; Hyde, Embriette; Robbins-Pianka, Adam; Knight, Rob

2017-01-01

The use of sterile swabs is a convenient and common way to collect microbiome samples, and many studies have shown that the effects of room-temperature storage are smaller than physiologically relevant differences between subjects. However, several bacterial taxa, notably members of the class Gammaproteobacteria , grow at room temperature, sometimes confusing microbiome results, particularly when stability is assumed. Although comparative benchmarking has shown that several preservation methods, including the use of 95% ethanol, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and FTA cards, and Omnigene-GUT kits, reduce changes in taxon abundance during room-temperature storage, these techniques all have drawbacks and cannot be applied retrospectively to samples that have already been collected. Here we performed a meta-analysis using several different microbiome sample storage condition studies, showing consistent trends in which specific bacteria grew (i.e., "bloomed") at room temperature, and introduce a procedure for removing the sequences that most distort analyses. In contrast to similarity-based clustering using operational taxonomic units (OTUs), we use a new technique called "Deblur" to identify the exact sequences corresponding to blooming taxa, greatly reducing false positives and also dramatically decreasing runtime. We show that applying this technique to samples collected for the American Gut Project (AGP), for which participants simply mail samples back without the use of ice packs or other preservatives, yields results consistent with published microbiome studies performed with frozen or otherwise preserved samples. IMPORTANCE In many microbiome studies, the necessity to store samples at room temperature (i.e., remote fieldwork) and the ability to ship samples without hazardous materials that require special handling training, such as ethanol (i.e., citizen science efforts), is paramount. However, although room-temperature storage for a few days has been shown not to obscure physiologically relevant microbiome differences between comparison groups, there are still changes in specific bacterial taxa, notably, in members of the class Gammaproteobacteria , that can make microbiome profiles difficult to interpret. Here we identify the most problematic taxa and show that removing sequences from just a few fast-growing taxa is sufficient to correct microbiome profiles.

Correcting for Microbial Blooms in Fecal Samples during Room-Temperature Shipping

PubMed Central

Amir, Amnon; McDonald, Daniel; Navas-Molina, Jose A.; Debelius, Justine; Morton, James T.; Hyde, Embriette; Robbins-Pianka, Adam

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The use of sterile swabs is a convenient and common way to collect microbiome samples, and many studies have shown that the effects of room-temperature storage are smaller than physiologically relevant differences between subjects. However, several bacterial taxa, notably members of the class Gammaproteobacteria, grow at room temperature, sometimes confusing microbiome results, particularly when stability is assumed. Although comparative benchmarking has shown that several preservation methods, including the use of 95% ethanol, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and FTA cards, and Omnigene-GUT kits, reduce changes in taxon abundance during room-temperature storage, these techniques all have drawbacks and cannot be applied retrospectively to samples that have already been collected. Here we performed a meta-analysis using several different microbiome sample storage condition studies, showing consistent trends in which specific bacteria grew (i.e., “bloomed”) at room temperature, and introduce a procedure for removing the sequences that most distort analyses. In contrast to similarity-based clustering using operational taxonomic units (OTUs), we use a new technique called “Deblur” to identify the exact sequences corresponding to blooming taxa, greatly reducing false positives and also dramatically decreasing runtime. We show that applying this technique to samples collected for the American Gut Project (AGP), for which participants simply mail samples back without the use of ice packs or other preservatives, yields results consistent with published microbiome studies performed with frozen or otherwise preserved samples. IMPORTANCE In many microbiome studies, the necessity to store samples at room temperature (i.e., remote fieldwork) and the ability to ship samples without hazardous materials that require special handling training, such as ethanol (i.e., citizen science efforts), is paramount. However, although room-temperature storage for a few days has been shown not to obscure physiologically relevant microbiome differences between comparison groups, there are still changes in specific bacterial taxa, notably, in members of the class Gammaproteobacteria, that can make microbiome profiles difficult to interpret. Here we identify the most problematic taxa and show that removing sequences from just a few fast-growing taxa is sufficient to correct microbiome profiles. PMID:28289733

A latitudinal study of oxygen isotopes within horsehair

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, E.; Bronk Ramsey, C.; McConnell, J. R.

2016-12-01

This study aims to explore the hypothesis that 'if oxygen isotope ratios deplete with decreasing temperature then a study of oxygen isotope ratios within horsehair from Oxfordshire to Iceland will show a latitudinal depletion gradient'. By looking at oxygen isotope values at different geographical positions, we can track the relationship with latitude and with different regional climate features. This will provide a firmer understanding of how to compare climate records from different locations. Additionally, a comparison of the horse breeds from this study to those analysed within previous studies will create an even better understanding of the intra-species variation within the δ18O values of horsehair. A total of 24 horses were sampled on the 7th March from Thordale Stud in Shetland, the Icelandic Food And Veterinary Authority in Iceland, the Exmoor Pony Centre in Exmoor and the Pigeon House Equestrian Centre in Oxfordshire. By starting the sampling process from the most recent growth at the follicle, the sampling date becomes a chronological marker, temporally fixing the first sample within a sequential set of data points extending for one year or longer, depending on the length of each individual hair. The samples were analysed for oxygen isotope values using an IRMS coupled within a Sercon HTEA. Preliminary results show a latitudinal gradient is evident on comparison between the locations, consistent with the findings of Darling and Talbot's study of fresh water isotopes in the British Isles (2003). These results support the hypothesis, showing that a study of oxygen isotope ratios within horse hair from Oxfordshire to Iceland showing a latitudinal depletion gradient, consistent with a depletion of oxygen isotope ratios due to decreasing temperatures. Darling, W. and Talbot, J. (2003). The O and H stable isotope composition of freshwaters in the British Isles. 1. Rainfall. Hydrol. Earth System Science, 7(2), pp.163-181.

Calcium EXAFS Establishes the Mn-Ca Cluster in the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II†

PubMed Central

Cinco, Roehl M.; Holman, Karen L. McFarlane; Robblee, John H.; Yano, Junko; Pizarro, Shelly A.; Bellacchio, Emanuele; Sauer, Kenneth; Yachandra, Vittal K.

2014-01-01

The proximity of Ca to the Mn cluster of the photosynthetic water-oxidation complex is demonstrated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We have collected EXAFS data at the Ca K-edge using active PS II membrane samples that contain approximately 2 Ca per 4 Mn. These samples are much less perturbed than previously investigated Sr-substituted samples, which were prepared subsequent to Ca depletion. The new Ca EXAFS clearly shows backscattering from Mn at 3.4 Å, a distance that agrees with that surmised from previously recorded Mn EXAFS. This result is also consistent with earlier related experiments at the Sr K-edge, using samples that contained functional Sr, that show Mn is ~ 3.5 Å distant from Sr. The totality of the evidence clearly advances the notion that the catalytic center of oxygen evolution is a Mn-Ca heteronuclear cluster. PMID:12390018

The effect of education of women and urbanization on actual and desired fertility and on fertility control in Lebanon.

PubMed

Zurack, H C

1977-07-01

The influence of education of women and urbanization on actual and desired fertility and on fertility control in Lebanon was examined. Data were used from 1 study conducted in the Nabatieh district of South Lebanon in the summer of 1976 and from a 2nd study conducted in 1970 in an area on the outskirts of the capital city of Beirut. The total number of completed interviews in the Nabatieh sample was 1054. This population consisted mostly of Shiites with Christian and Sunni minorities. The urban sample consisted of 1545 Shiite and 1459 Maronite. The examination revealed that: 1) among the rural sample, a relatively high level of education (beyond the primary level) is necessary to induce a substantial decrease in average children ever born; 2) a comparison of rural and urban samples showed the effect of the education variable was dependent on religious affiliation - the Shiite women at low levels of education demonstrated higher fertility than Maronite women, but they responded more to an improvement in education in the urban area; 3) women urban residents showed lower fertility than women rural dwellers, controlling for religion and age; 4) the rural study conducted 5 years after the urban study showed a lower level of desired fertility; and 5) the Shiite women (who are a majority of the women in South Lebanon) revealed a tendency to use modern contraceptive methods, particularly the oral contraceptive, suggesting a receptivity in the area to the Lebanon Family Planning Associations project of Community Based Family Planning Services.

Amino acid composition and antioxidant capacity of Spanish honeys.

PubMed

Pérez, Rosa Ana; Iglesias, María Teresa; Pueyo, Encarnación; Gonzalez, Montserrat; de Lorenzo, Cristina

2007-01-24

The amino acid composition of 53 honey samples from Spain, consisting of 39 floral, 5 honeydew, and 9 blend honeys, has been determined. Physicochemical characteristics, polyphenolic content, amino acid composition, and estimation of the radical scavenging capacity against the stable free radical DPPH of the honey samples were analyzed. The resulting data have been statistically evaluated. The results showed that pH, acidity, net absorbance, electrical conductivity, and total polyphenolic contents of the honeys showed a strong correlation with the radical scavenging capacity. The correlation between the radical scavenging capacity of honey and amino acid contents was high with 18 of the 20 amino acids detected, with correlation values higher than those obtained for polyphenolic content. These results suggest that the amino acid composition of honey is an indicator of the sample's scavenging capacity.

Career Decision-Making Difficulties of Turkish Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bacanli, Feride

2016-01-01

The purposes of this study are (1) to adapt the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ) to Turkish high school students and (2) to examine gender differences, grade differences, and differences between "decided" and "undecided" students. The sample consisted of 2509 adolescent students. The results showed that…

Analysis of Structure and Composition of Bacterial Core Communities in Mature Drinking Water Biofilms and Bulk Water of a Citywide Network in Germany

PubMed Central

Henne, Karsten; Kahlisch, Leila; Brettar, Ingrid

2012-01-01

The bacterial core communities of bulk water and corresponding biofilms of a more than 20-year-old drinking water network were compared using 16S rRNA single-strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprints based on extracted DNA and RNA. The structure and composition of the bacterial core community in the bulk water was highly similar (>70%) across the city of Braunschweig, Germany, whereas all biofilm samples contained a unique community with no overlapping phylotypes from bulk water. Biofilm samples consisted mainly of Alphaproteobacteria (26% of all phylotypes), Gammaproteobacteria (11%), candidate division TM6 (11%), Chlamydiales (9%), and Betaproteobacteria (9%). The bulk water community consisted primarily of Bacteroidetes (25%), Betaproteobacteria (20%), Actinobacteria (16%), and Alphaproteobacteria (11%). All biofilm communities showed higher relative abundances of single phylotypes and a reduced richness compared to bulk water. Only biofilm communities sampled at nearby sampling points showed similar communities irrespective of support materials. In all of our bulk water studies, the community composition determined from 16S rRNA was completely different from the 16S rRNA gene-based community composition, whereas in biofilms both molecular fractions resulted in community compositions that were similar to each other. We hypothesize that a higher fraction of active bacterial phylotypes and a better protection from oxidative stress in drinking water biofilms are responsible for this higher similarity. PMID:22389373

[Assessment of temperament with the Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised (IBQ-R) - the psychometric properties of a German version].

PubMed

Vonderlin, Eva; Ropeter, Anna; Pauen, Sabina

2012-09-01

The Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised (IBQ-R; Gartstein & Rothbart, 2003) is one of the most common parent-report instruments for assessing infant temperament. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a German version. We studied item characteristics, internal consistency, and descriptive statistics for all 14 scales in a sample of 7- to 9-month-old infants and their mothers (N = 119). Factor analysis was conducted to identify higher-order relationships between the scales. Item analysis showed mixed corrected item-total correlations. Internal consistencies were all moderate to high. Results of the factor analysis confirmed the two dimensions of Surgency/Extraversion and Negative Affectivity, whereas the dimension Orienting/Regulation was not replicated. In contrast to the American sample, activity level in the German sample loaded on the factor Negative Affectivity. The scales low intensity pleasure and soothability, which loaded on factor Orienting/Regulation in the original version, showed substantial loadings on both dimensions Surgency/Extraversion and Negative Affectivity (inverted), whereas the scale duration of orienting was located on the factor Surgency/Extraversion. The German version of the IBQ-R provides a satisfying instrument for investigating infant temperament. However, further work is needed to improve the methodological quality of the questionnaire. Further research should especially focus on the factor structure of infant temperament. We suggest developing a shorter version and testing it with a larger and more diverse sample.

[Reliability and validity of the PAQ-A questionnaire to assess physical activity in Spanish adolescents].

PubMed

Martínez-Gómez, David; Martínez-de-Haro, Vicente; Pozo, Tamara; Welk, Gregory J; Villagra, Ariel; Calle, Marisa E; Marcos, Ascensión; Veiga, Oscar L

2009-01-01

Questionnaires are feasible instruments to assess physical activity (PA) in large samples. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the PAQ-A questionnaire in Spanish adolescents using the measurement of PA by accelerometer as criterion. In a sample of 82 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, 1-week PAQ-A test-retest was administered. Reliability was analyzed by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the internal consistency by the Cronbach's alpha Coefficient. Two hundred thirty-two adolescents, aged 13-17 years, completed the PAQ-A and wore the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer during 7-days. The PAQ-A was compared against total PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) obtained by the accelerometer. Test-retest reliability showed ICC = 0.71 for the final score of PAQ-A. Internal consistency was alpha = 0.65 in the first self-report, alpha = 0.67 in the retest in 82 adolescents sample, and alpha = 0.74 in the 232 adolescents sample. The PAQ-A was moderately correlated with total PA (rho = 0.39) and MVPA (rho= 0.34) assessed by the accelerometer. The PAQ-A obtained significantly moderate correlations in boys but not in girls against the accelerometer. The PAQ-A questionnaire shows an adequate reliability and a reasonable validity for assessing PA in Spanish adolescents.

Analysis of structure and composition of bacterial core communities in mature drinking water biofilms and bulk water of a citywide network in Germany.

PubMed

Henne, Karsten; Kahlisch, Leila; Brettar, Ingrid; Höfle, Manfred G

2012-05-01

The bacterial core communities of bulk water and corresponding biofilms of a more than 20-year-old drinking water network were compared using 16S rRNA single-strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprints based on extracted DNA and RNA. The structure and composition of the bacterial core community in the bulk water was highly similar (>70%) across the city of Braunschweig, Germany, whereas all biofilm samples contained a unique community with no overlapping phylotypes from bulk water. Biofilm samples consisted mainly of Alphaproteobacteria (26% of all phylotypes), Gammaproteobacteria (11%), candidate division TM6 (11%), Chlamydiales (9%), and Betaproteobacteria (9%). The bulk water community consisted primarily of Bacteroidetes (25%), Betaproteobacteria (20%), Actinobacteria (16%), and Alphaproteobacteria (11%). All biofilm communities showed higher relative abundances of single phylotypes and a reduced richness compared to bulk water. Only biofilm communities sampled at nearby sampling points showed similar communities irrespective of support materials. In all of our bulk water studies, the community composition determined from 16S rRNA was completely different from the 16S rRNA gene-based community composition, whereas in biofilms both molecular fractions resulted in community compositions that were similar to each other. We hypothesize that a higher fraction of active bacterial phylotypes and a better protection from oxidative stress in drinking water biofilms are responsible for this higher similarity.

Gas and Isotope Geochemistry of 81 Steam Samples from Wells in The Geysers Geothermal Field, Sonoma and Lake Counties, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lowenstern, Jacob B.; Janik, Cathy J.; Fahlquist, Lynne; Johnson, Linda S.

1999-01-01

The Geysers geothermal field in northern California, with about 2000-MW electrical capacity, is the largest geothermal field in the world. Despite its importance as a resource and as an example of a vapor-dominated reservoir, very few complete geochemical analyses of the steam have been published (Allen and Day, 1927; Truesdell and others, 1987). This report presents data from 90 steam, gas, and condensate samples from wells in The Geysers geothermal field in northern California. Samples were collected between 1978 and 1991. Well attributes include sampling date, well name, location, total depth, and the wellhead temperature and pressure at which the sample was collected. Geochemical characteristics include the steam/gas ratio, composition of noncondensable gas (relative proportions of CO2, H2S, He, H2, O2, Ar, N2, CH4, and NH3), and isotopic values for deltaD and delta18O of H2O, delta13C of CO2, and delta34S of H2S. The compilation includes 81 analyses from 74 different production wells, 9 isotopic analyses of steam condensate pumped into injection wells, and 5 complete geochemical analyses on gases from surface fumaroles and bubbling pools. Most samples were collected as saturated steam and plot along the liquid-water/steam boiling curve. Steam-togas ratios are highest in the southeastern part of the geothermal field and lowest in the northwest, consistent with other studies. Wells in the Northwest Geysers are also enriched in N2/Ar, CO2 and CH4, deltaD, and delta18O. Well discharges from the Southeast Geysers are high in steam/gas and have isotopic compositions and N2/Ar ratios consistent with recharge by local meteoric waters. Samples from the Central Geysers show characteristics found in both the Southeast and Northwest Geysers. Gas and steam characteristics of well discharges from the Northwest Geysers are consistent with input of components from a high-temperature reservoir containing carbonrich gases derived from the host Franciscan rocks. Throughout the geothermal field, the carbon-isotopic composition of CO2 is consistent with derivation of carbon from Franciscan metasedimentary rocks. NH3 concentrations are high in most Geysers well fluids, and are 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than would be expected in a the gas phase exhibiting homogeneous equilibrium at normal reservoir temperatures and pressures. Evidently, NH3 is flushed from the Franciscan host rocks at a rate that exceeds the reaction rate for NH3 breakdown. Many wells show clear influence by fluids from reinjection wells where steam condensate has been pumped back into the geothermal reservoir. Six wells were resampled over the time period of this study. One of these six wells was strongly affected by a nearby injection well. Three of the six resampled wells showed some signs of decreasing liquid/ steam within the geothermal reservoir, consistent with 'drying out' of the reservoir due to steam withdrawal. However, two wells exhibited little change. Analyses of gases from five surface manifestations (fumaroles and bubbling pools) are roughly similar to the deeper geothermal samples in both chemical and isotopic composition, but are lower in soluble gases that dissolve in groundwater during transit toward the surface.

A new statistical distance scale for planetary nebulae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Alaa; Ismail, H. A.; Alsolami, Z.

2015-05-01

In the first part of the present article we discuss the consistency among different individual distance methods of Galactic planetary nebulae, while in the second part we develop a new statistical distance scale based on a calibrating sample of well determined distances. A set composed of 315 planetary nebulae with individual distances are extracted from the literature. Inspecting the data set indicates that the accuracy of distances is varying among different individual methods and also among different sources where the same individual method was applied. Therefore, we derive a reliable weighted mean distance for each object by considering the influence of the distance error and the weight of each individual method. The results reveal that the discussed individual methods are consistent with each other, except the gravity method that produces higher distances compared to other individual methods. From the initial data set, we construct a standard calibrating sample consists of 82 objects. This sample is restricted only to the objects with distances determined from at least two different individual methods, except few objects with trusted distances determined from the trigonometric, spectroscopic, and cluster membership methods. In addition to the well determined distances for this sample, it shows a lot of advantages over that used in the prior distance scales. This sample is used to recalibrate the mass-radius and radio surface brightness temperature-radius relationships. An average error of ˜30 % is estimated for the new distance scale. The newly distance scale is compared with the most widely used statistical scales in literature, where the results show that it is roughly similar to the majority of them within ˜±20 % difference. Furthermore, the new scale yields a weighted mean distance to the Galactic center of 7.6±1.35 kpc, which in good agreement with the very recent measure of Malkin 2013.

Technological, rheological and sensory characterizations of a yogurt containing an exopolysaccharide extract from Lactobacillus fermentum Lf2, a new food additive.

PubMed

Ale, Elisa C; Perezlindo, Marcos J; Pavón, Yanina; Peralta, Guillermo H; Costa, Silvia; Sabbag, Nora; Bergamini, Carina; Reinheimer, Jorge A; Binetti, Ana G

2016-12-01

Lactobacillus fermentum Lf2, an autochthonous strain isolated as a non starter culture in Cremoso cheese, produces high EPS levels (~1g/L) in optimized conditions (SDM broth, pH6.0, 30°C, 72h). Technological (texture profile and rheological analysis) and sensory properties of non-fat yogurts with 300 and 600mg EPS/L were studied at 3 and 25days after manufacture. Yogurts with different EPS concentrations showed higher hardness values than the control group at both periods of time, being the only significant difference that remained stable during time. The consistency index was also higher for the treated samples at both times evaluated, being significantly different for samples with 300mg/L of EPS extract, while the flow behavior index was lower for EPS-added yogurts. The thixotropic index was lower (P<0.05) for samples with the highest EPS extract concentration at the end of the storage time. Regarding the sensory analysis, those yogurts with 600mg/L of EPS extract presented the highest values of consistency at 3days of storage. No considerable differences for defects (milk powder, acid, bitter and cooked milk flavors) were perceived between treated and control samples at both times evaluated. Syneresis was also studied and samples with 600mg/L of EPS extract presented the lowest syneresis values at 25days of storage, which considerably decreased with the time of storage. In conclusion, the EPS from L. fermentum Lf2, used as an additive, provided yogurt with creamy consistency and increased hardness, without the presence of unwanted defects and improving the water holding capacity of the product. All the analysis done showed the potential of this extract to be used as a technofunctional natural ingredient, and it should be considered its positive impact on health, according to previous studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of tank 38H (HTF-38-17-18, -19) and tank 43H (HTF-43-17-20, -21) samples for support of the enrichment control and corrosion control programs

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

Hay, M. S.; Coleman, C. J.; Diprete, D. P.

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The total uranium in the Tank 38H samples ranged from 53.7 mg/L for the surface sample to 57.0 mg/L in the sub-surface sample. The Tank 43H samples showed uranium concentrations of 46.2 mg/L for the surface sample and 45.7 mg/L in the sub-surface sample. The U-235 percentage was 0.63% in the Tank 38H samples and 0.62% in the Tank 43H samples. The total uranium and percent U-235 results appear consistent with recent Tank 38H and Tank 43H uranium measurements. The plutonium results for the Tank 38Hmore » surface sample are slightly higher than recent sample results, while the Tank 43H plutonium results are within the range of values measured on previous samples. The Cs-137 results for the Tank 38H surface and subsurface samples are slightly higher than the concentrations measured in recent samples. The Cs-137 results for the two Tank 43H samples are within the range of values measured on previous samples. The comparison of the sum of the cations in each sample versus the sum of the anions shows a difference of 23% for the Tank 38H surface sample and 18% for the Tank 43H surface sample. The four samples show silicon concentrations somewhat lower than the previous samples with values ranging from 80.2 to 105 mg/L.« less

[Validity and Reliability of the Attitudes Toward Sexuality in the Elderly Questionnaire in Cartagena, Colombia].

PubMed

Melguizo-Herrera, Estela; Álvarez-Romero, Yuleysi; Cabarcas-Mendoza, Mayerlin Vanessa; Calvo-Rodríguez, Rossy Stefanie; Flórez-Almanza, Jeomaidis; Moadie-Contreras, Olga Patricia; Campo-Arias, Adalberto

2015-01-01

There are many stereotypes and prejudices about the sexual lives of the elderly. However, there are no validated and reliable tools for measuring these in the Latin-American context. To determine the internal consistency, dimensionality, differential item functioning (DIF) by gender and stability of the Attitudes towards Sexuality in the Elderly Questionnaire (ASEQ) in adults over 60 years-old in Cartagena, Colombia. A validation study was designed that included a sample of 130 participants without cognitive impairment attending a Life Center. The ages ranged between 60 and 90 years (mean, 73.7±8.0), and there were 61.5% females. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach alpha and McDonald omega, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (dimensionality), DIF by gender (item response theory) with Kendall correlation, and stability (reproducibility) with Pearson correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ASEQ showed high internal consistency on the first application (α=.83 and ω=.87) and in the second one (α=.85 and ω=.89). AFE showed two salient factors (prejudices and limitations) that explained 42.6% of the total variance. The IDF presented appropriate coefficients, with the exception of item 14 that showed a high value (τ=.37). ASEQ showed high stability (r=.82 and ICC=.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.83- 0.92; P<.001). ASEQ is a two-dimensional and reliable scale in older adults attending a Life Center in Cartagena, Colombia. New studies are required to evaluate the performance in a representative sample. Copyright © 2014 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Analysis of genetic diversity and genome relationships of four eggplant species (Solanum melongena L) using RAPD markers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susilo; Setyaningsih, M.

2018-01-01

Solanum melongena (eggplant) is one of the diversity of the Solanum family which is grown and widely spread in Indonesia and widely used by the community. This research explored the genetic diversity of four local Indonesian eggplant species namely leuca, tekokak, gelatik and kopek by using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). The samples were obtained from Agricultural Technology Assessment Institute (BPTP) Bogor, Indonesia. The result of data observation was in the form of Solanum melongena plant’s DNA profile analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. 30 DNA bands (28 polymorphic and 2 monomorphic) were successfully scored by using four primers (OPF-01, OPF-02, OPF-03, and OPF-04). The Primers were used able to amplify all of the four eggplant samples. The result of PCR-RAPD visualization produces bands of 300-1500 bp. The result of cluster analysis showed the existence of three clusters (A, B, and C). Cluster A (coefficient of equal to 49%) consisted of a gelatik, cluster B (coefficient of 65% equilibrium) consisted of TPU (Kopek) and TK (Tekokak), and cluster C (55% equilibrium coefficient) consisted of LC (Leunca). These results indicated that the closest proximity is found in samples of TK (Tekokak) and TPU (Kopek).

Level 1 environmental assessment performance evaluation. Final report jun 77-oct 78

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

Estes, E.D.; Smith, F.; Wagoner, D.E.

1979-02-01

The report gives results of a two-phased evaluation of Level 1 environmental assessment procedures. Results from Phase I, a field evaluation of the Source Assessment Sampling System (SASS), showed that the SASS train performed well within the desired factor of 3 Level 1 accuracy limit. Three sample runs were made with two SASS trains sampling simultaneously and from approximately the same sampling point in a horizontal duct. A Method-5 train was used to estimate the 'true' particulate loading. The sampling systems were upstream of the control devices to ensure collection of sufficient material for comparison of total particulate, particle sizemore » distribution, organic classes, and trace elements. Phase II consisted of providing each of three organizations with three types of control samples to challenge the spectrum of Level 1 analytical procedures: an artificial sample in methylene chloride, an artificial sample on a flyash matrix, and a real sample composed of the combined XAD-2 resin extracts from all Phase I runs. Phase II results showed that when the Level 1 analytical procedures are carefully applied, data of acceptable accuracy is obtained. Estimates of intralaboratory and interlaboratory precision are made.« less

[GSTP1, APC and RASSF1 gene methylation in prostate cancer samples: comparative analysis of MS-HRM method and Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip beadchiparray diagnostic value].

PubMed

Skorodumova, L O; Babalyan, K A; Sultanov, R; Vasiliev, A O; Govorov, A V; Pushkar, D Y; Prilepskaya, E A; Danilenko, S A; Generozov, E V; Larin, A K; Kostryukova, E S; Sharova, E I

2016-11-01

There is a clear need in molecular markers for prostate cancer (PC) risk stratification. Alteration of DNA methylation is one of processes that occur during ÐÑ progression. Methylation-sensitive PCR with high resolution melting curve analysis (MS-HRM) can be used for gene methylation analysis in routine laboratory practice. This method requires very small amounts of DNA for analysis. Numerous results have been accumulated on DNA methylation in PC samples analyzed by the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (HM450). However, the consistency of MS-HRM results with chip hybridization results has not been examined yet. The aim of this study was to assess the consistency of results of GSTP1, APC and RASSF1 gene methylation analysis in ÐÑ biopsy samples obtained by MS-HRM and chip hybridization. The methylation levels of each gene determined by MS-HRM were statistically different in the group of PC tissue samples and the samples without signs of tumor growth. Chip hybridization data analysis confirmed the results obtained with the MS-HRM. Differences in methylation levels between tumor tissue and histologically intact tissue of each sample determined by MS-HRM and chip hybridization, were consistent with each other. Thus, we showed that the assessment of GSTP1, APC and RASSF1 gene methylation analysis using MS-HRM is suitable for the design of laboratory assays that will differentiate the PC tissue from the tissue without signs of tumor growth.

X-Ray Temperatures, Luminosities, and Masses from XMM-Newton Follow-up of the First Shear-selected Galaxy Cluster Sample

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

Deshpande, Amruta J.; Hughes, John P.; Wittman, David, E-mail: amrejd@physics.rutgers.edu, E-mail: jph@physics.rutgers.edu, E-mail: dwittman@physics.ucdavis.edu

We continue the study of the first sample of shear-selected clusters from the initial 8.6 square degrees of the Deep Lens Survey (DLS); a sample with well-defined selection criteria corresponding to the highest ranked shear peaks in the survey area. We aim to characterize the weak lensing selection by examining the sample’s X-ray properties. There are multiple X-ray clusters associated with nearly all the shear peaks: 14 X-ray clusters corresponding to seven DLS shear peaks. An additional three X-ray clusters cannot be definitively associated with shear peaks, mainly due to large positional offsets between the X-ray centroid and the shearmore » peak. Here we report on the XMM-Newton properties of the 17 X-ray clusters. The X-ray clusters display a wide range of luminosities and temperatures; the L {sub X} − T {sub X} relation we determine for the shear-associated X-ray clusters is consistent with X-ray cluster samples selected without regard to dynamical state, while it is inconsistent with self-similarity. For a subset of the sample, we measure X-ray masses using temperature as a proxy, and compare to weak lensing masses determined by the DLS team. The resulting mass comparison is consistent with equality. The X-ray and weak lensing masses show considerable intrinsic scatter (∼48%), which is consistent with X-ray selected samples when their X-ray and weak lensing masses are independently determined.« less

Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP): A Spanish Version.

PubMed

Bermúdez-de-Alvear, Rosa M; Gálvez-Ruiz, Pablo; Martínez-Arquero, A Ginés; Rando-Márquez, Sara; Fernández-Contreras, Elena

2018-06-11

This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Voice Activity and Participation Profile (SVAPP) questionnaire. A randomized, cross-sectional sampling strategy with controls was used. Two samples with a total of 169 participants were analyzed, specifically 61 men (mean age 37.02) and 108 women (mean age 37.78). Of these participants, 112 were patients and 57 were controls. The instrument was submitted to reliability (internal consistency and corrected item-total correlations) and reproducibility analyses. Validation assessment was based on the construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity. The global internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.976), corrected item-total correlations were satisfactory and ranged 0.63-0.89, and factor loadings were above 0.50. The different subscales showed good internal consistency (alpha coefficients ranged 0.830-0.956) and test-retest values were consistently associated. The exploratory factor analysis evidenced a strongly defined five factors internal structure, with factors loadings ranging 0.51-0.86. Convergent validity demonstrated that all subscales and scores were very strongly correlated (Pearson r above 0.735) and significantly associated. The discriminant validity analysis showed that SVAPP had good specificity to distinguish dysphonic from healthy voice subjects. Concurrent validity with Voice Handicap Index Spanish version (SVHI) showed very strong correlations between total scores, and between SVHI total score and SVAPP Daily and Social Communication subscales; correlations between both tests subscales were strong; only between SVAPP Work and SVHI Physical sections correlations were moderate. The findings of the present study demonstrated evidence for the SVAPP questionnaire reliability and validity, and provided insightful implications of voice disorders on Spanish patients' quality of life. However, further investigations are required. Copyright © 2018 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acidity and Alkalinity in mine drainage: Practical considerations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cravotta, III, Charles A.; Kirby, Carl S.

2004-01-01

In this paper, we emphasize that the Standard Method hot peroxide treatment procedure for acidity determination (hot acidity) directly measures net acidity or net alkalinity, but that more than one water-quality measure can be useful as a measure of the severity of acid mine drainage. We demonstrate that the hot acidity is related to the pH, alkalinity, and dissolved concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Al in fresh mine drainage. We show that the hot acidity accurately indicates the potential for pH to decrease to acidic values after complete oxidation of Fe and Mn, and it indicates the excess alkalinity or that required for neutralization of the sample. We show that the hot acidity method gives consistent, interpretable results on fresh or aged samples. Regional data for mine-drainage quality in Pennsylvania indicated the pH of fresh samples was predominantly acidic (pH 2.5 to 4) or near neutral (pH 6 to 7); approximately 25 percent of the samples had intermediate pH values. This bimodal frequency distribution of pH was distinctive for fully oxidized samples; oxidized samples had acidic or near-neutral pH, only. Samples that had nearneutral pH after oxidation had negative hot acidity; samples that had acidic pH after oxidation had positive hot acidity. Samples with comparable pH values had variable hot acidities owing to variations in their alkalinities and dissolved Fe, Mn, and Al concentrations. The hot acidity was comparable to net acidity computed on the basis of initial pH and concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Al minus the initial alkalinity. Acidity computed from the pH and dissolved metals concentrations, assuming equivalents of 2 per mole of Fe and Mn and 3 per mole of Al, was comparable to that computed on the basis of aqueous species and FeII/FeIII. Despite changes in the pH, alkalinity, and metals concentrations, the hot acidities were comparable for fresh and aged samples. Thus, meaningful “net” acidity can be determined from a measured hot acidity or by calculation from the pH, alkalinity, and dissolved metals concentrations. Together, these water-quality data can be useful for evaluating the potential for toxicity, corrosion, or encrustation and can be helpful for determining the appropriate remediation. By demonstrating the measurements on fresh and aged samples, we hope to encourage (1) consistent use of the hot peroxide treatment procedure for acidity determination and (2) consistent reporting of negative acidity values.

The transformation of magnetite to hematite and its influence on the rheology of iron oxide rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lagoeiro, Leonardo; Barbosa, Paola; Goncalves, Fabio; Rodrigues, Carlos

2013-04-01

Phase transformation is an important process for strain localization after the initiation of ductile shear zones. In polyphase aggregates one important aspect to consider is likely to be the interconnectivity of weak phase after the transformation of the load-bearing framework grains. However the physical processes involved in that transition is not well understood, partially because the microstructures of the initial weakening are generally obliterated by subsequent deformation. Iron oxide-quartz rocks from paleoproterozoic Iron Formations in southern Brazil preserve microstructures that allow a good insight into the evolution of the deformation mechanisms and fabrics during the transition from a load-bearing framework (magnetite) to an interconnected weak phase (hematite). We conducted microstructural and textural analyses of aggregates of magnetite and hematite combining observations in an optical microscope and measurements in the electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). The samples were cut parallel to the mineral lineation (the X-axis) and perpendicular to the foliation. Our goal was to understand the evolution of fabric and texture of the iron oxide aggregates caused by the change in deformation behavior resulting from the phase transformation. The studied samples consist mainly of aggregates of magnetite and hematite in a varied proportions. Samples that preserve the early microstructures consist in aggregate of magnetite grains of varied sizes. The grains are partially transformed to hematite along {111} planes but no foliation is observed in the samples. Basically the samples consist of grains of irregular shapes and a weak or absent crystallographic preferred orientation. The newly transformed hematite crystals share the (0001) planes and directions <11-20> with planes {111} and directions <110> of magnetite grains. Other samples present relicts of initial magnetite grains surrounded by a matrix of tabular to platy hematite crystals. The matrix show a preferred orientation of hematite grains. Close to the magnetite, hematite crystals show crystallographic relationship similar to those observed inside the magnetite crystals showing a good match in crystallographic planes and directions. However away from the magnetite crystals hematite of the matrix tend to show a more independent crystallographic orientation with respect to the magnetite grains. The poles to the basal planes of hematite distributed in a small circle centered around the Z-axis and the crystallographic directions <11-20> spread in a wide angle along the foliation plane. In samples where no crystal of magnetite grains is observed only platy hematite with a strong shape preferred orientation occur. Their basal planes show a strong concentration around the foliation pole contrasting to the more dispersed distribution around the Z-axis found in the samples with magnetite relicts.The directions <11-20> also distributed along the foliation planes in platy hematite samples but with a narrower angles than those of samples with magnetite relicts. The progressive transformation of magnetite to hematite led to a change in the iron formation rock fabrics from an isotropic distribution of a load-supporting magnetite to an interconnected weak platy hematite forming a strongly anisotropic fabric. The hard magnetite behaves in a brittle manner with a very limited operation of slip along the main crystallographic planes. The microfracturing creates an easy path for oxidation and transformation of magnetite. The newly formed hematite grains behave in a ductile manner and form a matrix of strongly oriented crystals. The deformation mechanisms change from the microfracturing of the harder magnetite phase to a crystal plastic deformation of the softer hematite platy grains through slip along their basal planes.

Consistency of biological networks inferred from microarray and sequencing data.

PubMed

Vinciotti, Veronica; Wit, Ernst C; Jansen, Rick; de Geus, Eco J C N; Penninx, Brenda W J H; Boomsma, Dorret I; 't Hoen, Peter A C

2016-06-24

Sparse Gaussian graphical models are popular for inferring biological networks, such as gene regulatory networks. In this paper, we investigate the consistency of these models across different data platforms, such as microarray and next generation sequencing, on the basis of a rich dataset containing samples that are profiled under both techniques as well as a large set of independent samples. Our analysis shows that individual node variances can have a remarkable effect on the connectivity of the resulting network. Their inconsistency across platforms and the fact that the variability level of a node may not be linked to its regulatory role mean that, failing to scale the data prior to the network analysis, leads to networks that are not reproducible across different platforms and that may be misleading. Moreover, we show how the reproducibility of networks across different platforms is significantly higher if networks are summarised in terms of enrichment amongst functional groups of interest, such as pathways, rather than at the level of individual edges. Careful pre-processing of transcriptional data and summaries of networks beyond individual edges can improve the consistency of network inference across platforms. However, caution is needed at this stage in the (over)interpretation of gene regulatory networks inferred from biological data.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Breastfeeding Intentions, Attitudes and Knowledge of a Sample of Croatian Secondary-School Students.

PubMed

Čatipović, Marija; Marković, Martina; Grgurić, Josip

2018-04-27

Validating a questionnaire/instrument before proceeding to the field for data collection is important. An 18-item breastfeeding intention, 39-item attitude and 44-item knowledge questionnaire was validated in a Croatian sample of secondary-school students ( N = 277). For the intentions, principal component analysis (PCA) yielded a four-factor solution with 8 items explaining 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.71) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. For the attitudes, PCA showed a seven-factor structure with 33 items explaining 58.41% of total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) indicated good internal consistency. There were 13 knowledge questions that were retained after item analysis, showing good internal consistency (KR20 = 0.83). In terms of criterion validity, the questionnaire differentiated between students who received breastfeeding education compared to students who were not educated in breastfeeding. Correlations between intentions and attitudes (r = 0.49), intentions and knowledge (r = 0.29), and attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38) confirmed concurrent validity. The final instrument is reliable and valid for data collection on breastfeeding. Therefore, the instrument is recommended for evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at upper-grade elementary and secondary school students.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Breastfeeding Intentions, Attitudes and Knowledge of a Sample of Croatian Secondary-School Students

PubMed Central

Marković, Martina; Grgurić, Josip

2018-01-01

Background: Validating a questionnaire/instrument before proceeding to the field for data collection is important. Methods: An 18-item breastfeeding intention, 39-item attitude and 44-item knowledge questionnaire was validated in a Croatian sample of secondary-school students (N = 277). Results: For the intentions, principal component analysis (PCA) yielded a four-factor solution with 8 items explaining 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.71) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. For the attitudes, PCA showed a seven-factor structure with 33 items explaining 58.41% of total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) indicated good internal consistency. There were 13 knowledge questions that were retained after item analysis, showing good internal consistency (KR20 = 0.83). In terms of criterion validity, the questionnaire differentiated between students who received breastfeeding education compared to students who were not educated in breastfeeding. Correlations between intentions and attitudes (r = 0.49), intentions and knowledge (r = 0.29), and attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38) confirmed concurrent validity. Conclusions: The final instrument is reliable and valid for data collection on breastfeeding. Therefore, the instrument is recommended for evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at upper-grade elementary and secondary school students. PMID:29702616

Turkish School Counsellors and Counselling Students' Knowledge of Adolescent Suicide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siyez, Digdem Müge; Bas, Asli Uz

2009-01-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge of Turkish high school counsellors and counselling students about adolescence suicide. The sample consisted of 71 school counsellors and 82 third and fourth year psychology counselling students who completed the Adolescent Suicide Behavior Questionnaire. The results showed that although…

Linguistic Development and Conceptualization: A Bilingual Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemon, Nigel

1975-01-01

Samples of secondary school students in Tanzania were administered repertory tests with elements consisting of either persons or countries in both of the languages English and Swahili. Comparison of English and Swahili grids showed that language deficit reduces the polarization of judgements made using constructs articulated in the weaker…

Antecedents of Norwegian Beginning Teachers' Turnover Intentions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tiplic, Dijana; Brandmo, Christian; Elstad, Eyvind

2015-01-01

This study aims at exploring several individual, organizational, and contextual factors that may affect beginning teachers' turnover intentions during their first years of practice. The sample consists of 227 beginning teachers (69% female and 31% male) from 133 schools in Norway. The results show four important antecedents of beginning teachers'…

The Marlowe-Crowne and Edwards Social Desirability Scales: A Psychometric Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Grady, Kevin E.

1988-01-01

Various psychometric characteristics of the Marlowe-Crowne and Edwards Social Desirability scales were assessed in a sample of 108 male and 189 female undergraduates. Results suggest that males and females show different means and similar internal consistency reliability and intercorrelation on the two scales. (TJH)

Thinking about Women's History, Part Two.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pope, Barbara Corrado

1993-01-01

Reviews eight European histories by Dorothy O. Helly, Ed., and Susan M. Reverby, Ed. (1992); Joy Wiltenburg (1992); Margaret L. King (1991); Joan DeJean (1991); Jacques Gelis (1991); Barbara Duden (1991); Jane Lewis (1991); and Sheila Rowbotham (1989). This sampling shows women's historians use an interdisciplinary approach and consistently deal…

Associative Symmetry by Pigeons after Few-Exemplar Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Velasco, Saulo M.; Huziwara, Edson M.; Machado, Armando; Tomanari, Gerson Y.

2010-01-01

The present experiment investigated whether pigeons can show associative symmetry on a two-alternative matching-to-sample procedure. The procedure consisted of a within-subject sequence of training and testing with reinforcement, and it provided (a) exemplars of symmetrical responding, and (b) all prerequisite discriminations among test samples…

3D imaging of nanomaterials by discrete tomography.

PubMed

Batenburg, K J; Bals, S; Sijbers, J; Kübel, C; Midgley, P A; Hernandez, J C; Kaiser, U; Encina, E R; Coronado, E A; Van Tendeloo, G

2009-05-01

The field of discrete tomography focuses on the reconstruction of samples that consist of only a few different materials. Ideally, a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of such a sample should contain only one grey level for each of the compositions in the sample. By exploiting this property in the reconstruction algorithm, either the quality of the reconstruction can be improved significantly, or the number of required projection images can be reduced. The discrete reconstruction typically contains fewer artifacts and does not have to be segmented, as it already contains one grey level for each composition. Recently, a new algorithm, called discrete algebraic reconstruction technique (DART), has been proposed that can be used effectively on experimental electron tomography datasets. In this paper, we propose discrete tomography as a general reconstruction method for electron tomography in materials science. We describe the basic principles of DART and show that it can be applied successfully to three different types of samples, consisting of embedded ErSi(2) nanocrystals, a carbon nanotube grown from a catalyst particle and a single gold nanoparticle, respectively.

Cluster and principal component analysis based on SSR markers of Amomum tsao-ko in Jinping County of Yunnan Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Mengli; Lei, En; Meng, Hengling; Wang, Tiantao; Xie, Linyan; Shen, Dong; Xianwang, Zhou; Lu, Bingyue

2017-08-01

Amomum tsao-ko is a commercial plant that used for various purposes in medicinal and food industries. For the present investigation, 44 germplasm samples were collected from Jinping County of Yunnan Province. Clusters analysis and 2-dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) was used to represent the genetic relations among Amomum tsao-ko by using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Clustering analysis clearly distinguished the samples groups. Two major clusters were formed; first (Cluster I) consisted of 34 individuals, the second (Cluster II) consisted of 10 individuals, Cluster I as the main group contained multiple sub-clusters. PCA also showed 2 groups: PCA Group 1 included 29 individuals, PCA Group 2 included 12 individuals, consistent with the results of cluster analysis. The purpose of the present investigation was to provide information on genetic relationship of Amomum tsao-ko germplasm resources in main producing areas, also provide a theoretical basis for the protection and utilization of Amomum tsao-ko resources.

Measuring Job Satisfaction in Portuguese Military Sergeants and Officers: Validation of the Job Descriptive Index and the Job in General Scale.

PubMed

Lopes, Silvia; Chambel, Maria José; Castanheira, Filipa; Oliveira-Cruz, Fernando

2015-01-01

This article presents the psychometric properties of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and Job in General (JIG) instruments with a Portuguese representative sample of military sergeants and officers. Demographic correlates of job satisfaction are also investigated. The sample consists of 413 sergeants and 362 officers in different hierarchical positions, who equally perform different functions. The results show high internal consistency coefficients for the scores on the JDI and JIG subscales, ranging from .76 to .92. The data support a 6-factor structure of job satisfaction. The results offer empirical support for the Portuguese adaptation of the JDI and JIG scales with these militaries. Pay and promotion opportunities emerge as the job satisfaction dimensions more related to the demographic variables.

Psychometrics of the preschool behavioral and emotional rating scale with children from early childhood special education settings.

PubMed

Lambert, Matthew C; Cress, Cynthia J; Epstein, Michael H

2015-01-01

In a previous study with a nationally representative sample, researchers found that the items of the Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale can best be described by a four-factor structure model (Emotional Regulation, School Readiness, Social Confidence, and Family Involvement). The findings of this investigation replicate and extend these previous results with a national sample of children (N = 1,075) with disabilities enrolled in early childhood special education programs. Data were analyzed using classical tests theory, Rasch modeling, and confirmatory factor analysis. Results confirmed that for the most part, individual items were internally consistent within a four-factor model and showed consistent item difficulty, discrimination, and fit relative to their respective subscale scores. © 2015 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

Psychometric properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 in a Spanish breast cancer sample.

PubMed

Galdón, Ma José; Durá, Estrella; Andreu, Yolanda; Ferrando, Maite; Murgui, Sergio; Pérez, Sandra; Ibañez, Elena

2008-12-01

The objective of this work was to study the psychometric and structural properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) in a sample of breast cancer patients (N=175). Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Two models were tested: the theoretical model with the original structure (three-dimensional), and the empirical model (a four-factor structure) obtained through exploratory factor analysis initially performed by the authors of the BSI-18. The eligible structure was the original proposal consisting of three dimensions: somatization, depression, and anxiety scores. These measures also showed good internal consistency. The results of this study support the reliability and structural validity of the BSI-18 as a standardized instrument for screening purposes in breast cancer patients, with the added benefits of simplicity and ease of application.

Measuring Job Satisfaction in Portuguese Military Sergeants and Officers: Validation of the Job Descriptive Index and the Job in General Scale

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

This article presents the psychometric properties of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and Job in General (JIG) instruments with a Portuguese representative sample of military sergeants and officers. Demographic correlates of job satisfaction are also investigated. The sample consists of 413 sergeants and 362 officers in different hierarchical positions, who equally perform different functions. The results show high internal consistency coefficients for the scores on the JDI and JIG subscales, ranging from .76 to .92. The data support a 6-factor structure of job satisfaction. The results offer empirical support for the Portuguese adaptation of the JDI and JIG scales with these militaries. Pay and promotion opportunities emerge as the job satisfaction dimensions more related to the demographic variables. PMID:28781429

A lower occurrence rate of bright X-ray flares in SN-GRBs than z < 1 GRBs: evidence of energy partitions?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mu, Hui-Jun; Gu, Wei-Min; Mao, Jirong; Liu, Tong; Hou, Shu-Jin; Lin, Da-Bin; Wang, Junfeng; Fang, Taotao; Liang, En-Wei

2018-05-01

The occurrence rates of bright X-ray flares in z < 1 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with or without observed supernovae (SNe) association were compared. Our Sample I: the z < 1 long GRBs (LGRBs) with SNe association (SN-GRBs) and with early Swift/X-Ray Telescope (XRT) observations, consists of 18 GRBs, among which only two GRBs have bright X-ray flares. Our Sample II: for comparison, all the z < 1 LGRBs without observed SNe association and with early Swift/XRT observations, consists of 45 GRBs, among which 16 GRBs present bright X-ray flares. Thus, the study indicates a lower occurrence rate of bright X-ray flares in Sample I (11.1%) than in Sample II (35.6%). In addition, if dim X-ray fluctuations are included as flares, then 16.7% of Sample I and 55.6% of Sample II are found to have flares, again showing the discrepancy between these two samples. We examined the physical origin of these bright X-ray flares and found that most of them are probably related to the central engine reactivity. To understand the discrepancy, we propose that such a lower occurrence rate of flares in the SN-GRB sample may hint at an energy partition among the GRB, SNe, and X-ray flares under a saturated energy budget of massive star explosion.

Space Weathering of Silicates Simulated by Successive Laser Irradiation: In Situ Reflectance Measurements of Fo90, Fo99+, and Sio2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loeffler, M. J.; Dukes, C. A.; Christoffersen, R.; Baragiola, R. A.

2016-01-01

Pulsed-laser irradiation causes the visible-near-infrared spectral slope of olivine (Fo90 and Fo99+) and SiO2 to increase (redden), while the olivine samples darken and the SiO2 samples brighten slightly. XPS analysis shows that irradiation of Fo90 produces metallic Fe. Analytical SEM and TEM measurements confirm that reddening in the Fo90 olivine samples correlates with the production of nanophase metallic Fe (npFe0) grains, 2050 nm in size. The reddening observed in the SiO2 sample is consistent with the formation of SiO or other SiOx species that absorb in the visible. The weak spectral brightening induced by laser irradiation of SiO2 is consistent with a change in surface topography of the sample. The darkening observed in the olivine samples is likely caused by the formation of larger npFe0 particles, such as the 100400 nm diameter npFe0 identified during our TEM analysis of Fo90 samples. The Fo90 reflectance spectra are qualitatively similar to those in previous experiments suggesting that in all cases formation of npFe0 is causing the spectral alteration. Finally, we find that the accumulation of successive laserpulses cause continued sample darkening in the Vis-NIR, which suggests that repeated surface impacts are an efficient way to darken airless body surfaces.

Stochastic Stability of Sampled Data Systems with a Jump Linear Controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonzalez, Oscar R.; Herencia-Zapana, Heber; Gray, W. Steven

2004-01-01

In this paper an equivalence between the stochastic stability of a sampled-data system and its associated discrete-time representation is established. The sampled-data system consists of a deterministic, linear, time-invariant, continuous-time plant and a stochastic, linear, time-invariant, discrete-time, jump linear controller. The jump linear controller models computer systems and communication networks that are subject to stochastic upsets or disruptions. This sampled-data model has been used in the analysis and design of fault-tolerant systems and computer-control systems with random communication delays without taking into account the inter-sample response. This paper shows that the known equivalence between the stability of a deterministic sampled-data system and the associated discrete-time representation holds even in a stochastic framework.

Efficacy of a Sonicating Swab for Removal and Capture of Listeria monocytogenes in Biofilms on Stainless Steel

PubMed Central

Branck, Tobyn A.; Hurley, Matthew J.; Prata, Gianna N.; Crivello, Christina A.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is of great concern in food processing facilities because it persists in biofilms, facilitating biotransfer. Stainless steel is commonly used for food contact surfaces and transport containers. L. monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel served as a model system for surface sampling, to test the performance of a sonicating swab in comparison with a standard cotton swab. Swab performance and consistency were determined using total viable counts. Stainless steel coupons sampled with both types of swabs were examined using scanning electron microscopy, to visualize biofilms and surface structures (i.e., polishing grooves and scratches). Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to image and to quantitate the biofilms remaining after sampling with each swab type. The total viable counts were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) with the sonicating swab than with the standard swab in each trial. The sonicating swab was more consistent in cell recovery than was the standard swab, with coefficients of variation ranging from 8.9% to 12.3% and from 7.1% to 37.6%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic imaging showed that biofilms remained in the polished grooves of the coupons sampled with the standard swab but were noticeably absent with the sonicating swab. Percent area measurements of biofilms remaining on the stainless steel coupons showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less biofilm remaining when the sonicating swab was used (median, 1.1%), compared with the standard swab (median, 70.4%). The sonicating swab provided greater recovery of cells, with more consistency, than did the standard swab, and it is employs sonication, suction, and scrubbing. IMPORTANCE Inadequate surface sampling can result in foodborne illness outbreaks from biotransfer, since verification of sanitization protocols relies on surface sampling and recovery of microorganisms for detection and enumeration. Swabbing is a standard method for microbiological sampling of surfaces. Although swabbing offers portability and ease of use, there are limitations, such as high user variability and low recovery rates, which can be attributed to many different causes. This study demonstrates some benefits that a sonicating swab has over a standard swab for removal and collection of microbiological samples from a surface, to provide better verification of surface cleanliness and to help decrease the potential for biotransfer of pathogens into foods. PMID:28314729

Efficacy of a Sonicating Swab for Removal and Capture of Listeria monocytogenes in Biofilms on Stainless Steel.

PubMed

Branck, Tobyn A; Hurley, Matthew J; Prata, Gianna N; Crivello, Christina A; Marek, Patrick J

2017-06-01

Listeria monocytogenes is of great concern in food processing facilities because it persists in biofilms, facilitating biotransfer. Stainless steel is commonly used for food contact surfaces and transport containers. L. monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel served as a model system for surface sampling, to test the performance of a sonicating swab in comparison with a standard cotton swab. Swab performance and consistency were determined using total viable counts. Stainless steel coupons sampled with both types of swabs were examined using scanning electron microscopy, to visualize biofilms and surface structures (i.e., polishing grooves and scratches). Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to image and to quantitate the biofilms remaining after sampling with each swab type. The total viable counts were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05) with the sonicating swab than with the standard swab in each trial. The sonicating swab was more consistent in cell recovery than was the standard swab, with coefficients of variation ranging from 8.9% to 12.3% and from 7.1% to 37.6%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic imaging showed that biofilms remained in the polished grooves of the coupons sampled with the standard swab but were noticeably absent with the sonicating swab. Percent area measurements of biofilms remaining on the stainless steel coupons showed significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) less biofilm remaining when the sonicating swab was used (median, 1.1%), compared with the standard swab (median, 70.4%). The sonicating swab provided greater recovery of cells, with more consistency, than did the standard swab, and it is employs sonication, suction, and scrubbing. IMPORTANCE Inadequate surface sampling can result in foodborne illness outbreaks from biotransfer, since verification of sanitization protocols relies on surface sampling and recovery of microorganisms for detection and enumeration. Swabbing is a standard method for microbiological sampling of surfaces. Although swabbing offers portability and ease of use, there are limitations, such as high user variability and low recovery rates, which can be attributed to many different causes. This study demonstrates some benefits that a sonicating swab has over a standard swab for removal and collection of microbiological samples from a surface, to provide better verification of surface cleanliness and to help decrease the potential for biotransfer of pathogens into foods. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Downhole Elemental Analysis with LIBS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moreschini, Paolo; Zacny, Kris; Rickman, Doug

2011-01-01

In this paper we discuss a novel instrument, currently under development at Honeybee Robotics with SBIR funding from NASA. The device is designed to characterize elemental composition as a function of depth in non-terrestrial geological formations. The instrument consists of a miniaturized laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) analyzer integrated in a 2" diameter drill string. While the drill provides subsurface access, the LIBS analyzer provides information on the elemental composition of the borehole wall. This instrument has a variety of space applications ranging from exploration of the Moon for which it was originally designed, to Mars, as well as a variety of terrestrial applications. Subsurface analysis is usually performed by sample acquisition through a drill or excavator, followed by sample preparation and subsequent sample presentation to an instrument or suite of instruments. An alternative approach consisting in bringing a miniaturized version of the instrument to the sample has many advantages over the traditional methodology, as it allows faster response, reduced probability of cross-contamination and a simplification in the sampling mechanisms. LIBS functions by focusing a high energy laser on a material inducing a plasma consisting of a small fraction of the material under analysis. Optical emission from the plasma, analyzed by a spectrometer, can be used to determine elemental composition. A triangulation sensor located in the sensor head determines the distance of the sensor from the borehole wall. An actuator modifies the position of the sensor accordingly, in order to compensate for changes due to the profile of the borehole walls. This is necessary because LIBS measurements are negatively affected by changes in the relative position of the focus of the laser with respect to the position of the sample (commonly referred to as the "lens to sample distance"). Profiling the borehole is done by adjusting the position of the sensor with a vertical stage; a second actuator at the top of the downhole probe allows radial scanning of the borehole. Analysis of iron and titanium in lunar simulant with LIBS was performed in air using the method of standard addition. The results for lunar simulant NU-LHT-2M show a value for the concentration of iron ranging between 2.29% and 3.05% depending on the atomic line selected. The accepted value for the sample analyzed is 2.83%, showing the capability for the system in development to provide qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis in real-time.

Diurnal and Reproductive Stage-Dependent Variation of Parental Behaviour in Captive Zebra Finches

PubMed Central

Morvai, Boglárka; Nanuru, Sabine; Mul, Douwe; Kusche, Nina; Milne, Gregory; Székely, Tamás; Komdeur, Jan; Miklósi, Ádám

2016-01-01

Parental care plays a key role in ontogeny, life-history trade-offs, sexual selection and intra-familial conflict. Studies focusing on understanding causes and consequences of variation in parental effort need to quantify parental behaviour accurately. The applied methods are, however, diverse even for a given species and type of parental effort, and rarely validated for accuracy. Here we focus on variability of parental behaviour from a methodological perspective to investigate the effect of different samplings on various estimates of parental effort. We used nest box cameras in a captive breeding population of zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, a widely used model system of sexual selection, intra-familial dynamics and parental care. We investigated diurnal and reproductive stage-dependent variation in parental effort (including incubation, brooding, nest attendance and number of feedings) based on 12h and 3h continuous video-recordings taken at various reproductive stages. We then investigated whether shorter (1h) sampling periods provided comparable estimates of overall parental effort and division of labour to those of longer (3h) sampling periods. Our study confirmed female-biased division of labour during incubation, and showed that the difference between female and male effort diminishes with advancing reproductive stage. We found individually consistent parental behaviours within given days of incubation and nestling provisioning. Furthermore, parental behaviour was consistent over the different stages of incubation, however, only female brooding was consistent over nestling provisioning. Parental effort during incubation did not predict parental effort during nestling provisioning. Our analyses revealed that 1h sampling may be influenced heavily by stochastic and diurnal variation. We suggest using a single longer sampling period (3h) may provide a consistent and accurate estimate for overall parental effort during incubation in zebra finches. Due to the large within-individual variation, we suggest repeated longer sampling over the reproductive stage may be necessary for accurate estimates of parental effort post-hatching. PMID:27973549

Adaptive Sampling-Based Information Collection for Wireless Body Area Networks.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaobin; Zhao, Fang; Wang, Wendong; Tian, Hui

2016-08-31

To collect important health information, WBAN applications typically sense data at a high frequency. However, limited by the quality of wireless link, the uploading of sensed data has an upper frequency. To reduce upload frequency, most of the existing WBAN data collection approaches collect data with a tolerable error. These approaches can guarantee precision of the collected data, but they are not able to ensure that the upload frequency is within the upper frequency. Some traditional sampling based approaches can control upload frequency directly, however, they usually have a high loss of information. Since the core task of WBAN applications is to collect health information, this paper aims to collect optimized information under the limitation of upload frequency. The importance of sensed data is defined according to information theory for the first time. Information-aware adaptive sampling is proposed to collect uniformly distributed data. Then we propose Adaptive Sampling-based Information Collection (ASIC) which consists of two algorithms. An adaptive sampling probability algorithm is proposed to compute sampling probabilities of different sensed values. A multiple uniform sampling algorithm provides uniform samplings for values in different intervals. Experiments based on a real dataset show that the proposed approach has higher performance in terms of data coverage and information quantity. The parameter analysis shows the optimized parameter settings and the discussion shows the underlying reason of high performance in the proposed approach.

Adaptive Sampling-Based Information Collection for Wireless Body Area Networks

PubMed Central

Xu, Xiaobin; Zhao, Fang; Wang, Wendong; Tian, Hui

2016-01-01

To collect important health information, WBAN applications typically sense data at a high frequency. However, limited by the quality of wireless link, the uploading of sensed data has an upper frequency. To reduce upload frequency, most of the existing WBAN data collection approaches collect data with a tolerable error. These approaches can guarantee precision of the collected data, but they are not able to ensure that the upload frequency is within the upper frequency. Some traditional sampling based approaches can control upload frequency directly, however, they usually have a high loss of information. Since the core task of WBAN applications is to collect health information, this paper aims to collect optimized information under the limitation of upload frequency. The importance of sensed data is defined according to information theory for the first time. Information-aware adaptive sampling is proposed to collect uniformly distributed data. Then we propose Adaptive Sampling-based Information Collection (ASIC) which consists of two algorithms. An adaptive sampling probability algorithm is proposed to compute sampling probabilities of different sensed values. A multiple uniform sampling algorithm provides uniform samplings for values in different intervals. Experiments based on a real dataset show that the proposed approach has higher performance in terms of data coverage and information quantity. The parameter analysis shows the optimized parameter settings and the discussion shows the underlying reason of high performance in the proposed approach. PMID:27589758

Comparative measurement of collagen bundle orientation by Fourier analysis and semiquantitative evaluation: reliability and agreement in Masson's trichrome, Picrosirius red and confocal microscopy techniques.

PubMed

Marcos-Garcés, V; Harvat, M; Molina Aguilar, P; Ferrández Izquierdo, A; Ruiz-Saurí, A

2017-08-01

Measurement of collagen bundle orientation in histopathological samples is a widely used and useful technique in many research and clinical scenarios. Fourier analysis is the preferred method for performing this measurement, but the most appropriate staining and microscopy technique remains unclear. Some authors advocate the use of Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) and confocal microscopy, but there are no studies comparing this technique with other classical collagen stainings. In our study, 46 human skin samples were collected, processed for histological analysis and stained with Masson's trichrome, Picrosirius red and H&E. Five microphotographs of the reticular dermis were taken with a 200× magnification with light microscopy, polarized microscopy and confocal microscopy, respectively. Two independent observers measured collagen bundle orientation with semiautomated Fourier analysis with the Image-Pro Plus 7.0 software and three independent observers performed a semiquantitative evaluation of the same parameter. The average orientation for each case was calculated with the values of the five pictures. We analyzed the interrater reliability, the consistency between Fourier analysis and average semiquantitative evaluation and the consistency between measurements in Masson's trichrome, Picrosirius red and H&E-confocal. Statistical analysis for reliability and agreement was performed with the SPSS 22.0 software and consisted of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plots and limits of agreement and coefficient of variation. Interrater reliability was almost perfect (ICC > 0.8) with all three histological and microscopy techniques and always superior in Fourier analysis than in average semiquantitative evaluation. Measurements were consistent between Fourier analysis by one observer and average semiquantitative evaluation by three observers, with an almost perfect agreement with Masson's trichrome and Picrosirius red techniques (ICC > 0.8) and a strong agreement with H&E-confocal (0.7 < ICC < 0.8). Comparison of measurements between the three techniques for the same observer showed an almost perfect agreement (ICC > 0.8), better with Fourier analysis than with semiquantitative evaluation (single and average). These results in nonpathological skin samples were also confirmed in a preliminary analysis in eight scleroderma skin samples. Our results show that Masson's trichrome and Picrosirius red are consistent with H&E-confocal for measuring collagen bundle orientation in histological samples and could thus be used indistinctly for this purpose. Fourier analysis is superior to average semiquantitative evaluation and should keep being used as the preferred method. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Chaotic rotation of Hyperion?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Binzel, R. P.; Green, J. R.; Opal, C. B.

1986-01-01

Thomas et al. (1984) analyzed 14 Voyager 2 images of Saturn's satellite Hyperion and interpreted them to be consistent with a coherent (nonchaotic) rotation period of 13.1 days. This interpretation was criticized by Peale and Wisdom (1984), who argued that the low sampling frequency of Voyager data does not allow chaotic or nonchaotic rotation to be distinguished. New observations obtained with a higher sampling frequency are reported here which conclusively show that the 13.1 day period found by Thomas et al. was not due to coherent rotation.

Effect of doping in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akbar, S. A.; Wong, M. S.; Botelho, M. J.; Sung, Y. M.; Alauddin, M.; Drummer, C. E.; Fair, M. J.

1991-01-01

The results of the effect of doping on the superconducting transition in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system are reported. Samples were prepared under identical conditions with varying types (Pb, Sb, Sn, Nb) and amounts of dopants. All samples consisted of multiple phases, and showed stable and reproducible superconducting transitions. Stabilization of the well known 110 K phase depends on both the type and amount of dopant. No trace of superconducting phase of 150 K and above was observed.

Analytical performance of reciprocal isotope labeling of proteome digests for quantitative proteomics and its application for comparative studies of aerobic and anaerobic Escherichia coli proteomes.

PubMed

Lo, Andy; Weiner, Joel H; Li, Liang

2013-09-17

Due to limited sample amounts, instrument time considerations, and reagent costs, only a small number of replicate experiments are typically performed for quantitative proteome analyses. Generation of reproducible data that can be readily assessed for consistency within a small number of datasets is critical for accurate quantification. We report our investigation of a strategy using reciprocal isotope labeling of two comparative samples as a tool for determining proteome changes. Reciprocal labeling was evaluated to determine the internal consistency of quantified proteome changes from Escherichia coli grown under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Qualitatively, the peptide overlap between replicate analyses of the same sample and reverse labeled samples were found to be within 8%. Quantitatively, reciprocal analyses showed only a slight increase in average overall inconsistency when compared with replicate analyses (1.29 vs. 1.24-fold difference). Most importantly, reverse labeling was successfully used to identify spurious values resulting from incorrect peptide identifications and poor peak fitting. After removal of 5% of the peptide data with low reproducibility, a total of 275 differentially expressed proteins (>1.50-fold difference) were consistently identified and were then subjected to bioinformatics analysis. General considerations and guidelines for reciprocal labeling experimental design and biological significance of obtained results are discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tsunami hazard assessments with consideration of uncertain earthquakes characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sepulveda, I.; Liu, P. L. F.; Grigoriu, M. D.; Pritchard, M. E.

2017-12-01

The uncertainty quantification of tsunami assessments due to uncertain earthquake characteristics faces important challenges. First, the generated earthquake samples must be consistent with the properties observed in past events. Second, it must adopt an uncertainty propagation method to determine tsunami uncertainties with a feasible computational cost. In this study we propose a new methodology, which improves the existing tsunami uncertainty assessment methods. The methodology considers two uncertain earthquake characteristics, the slip distribution and location. First, the methodology considers the generation of consistent earthquake slip samples by means of a Karhunen Loeve (K-L) expansion and a translation process (Grigoriu, 2012), applicable to any non-rectangular rupture area and marginal probability distribution. The K-L expansion was recently applied by Le Veque et al. (2016). We have extended the methodology by analyzing accuracy criteria in terms of the tsunami initial conditions. Furthermore, and unlike this reference, we preserve the original probability properties of the slip distribution, by avoiding post sampling treatments such as earthquake slip scaling. Our approach is analyzed and justified in the framework of the present study. Second, the methodology uses a Stochastic Reduced Order model (SROM) (Grigoriu, 2009) instead of a classic Monte Carlo simulation, which reduces the computational cost of the uncertainty propagation. The methodology is applied on a real case. We study tsunamis generated at the site of the 2014 Chilean earthquake. We generate earthquake samples with expected magnitude Mw 8. We first demonstrate that the stochastic approach of our study generates consistent earthquake samples with respect to the target probability laws. We also show that the results obtained from SROM are more accurate than classic Monte Carlo simulations. We finally validate the methodology by comparing the simulated tsunamis and the tsunami records for the 2014 Chilean earthquake. Results show that leading wave measurements fall within the tsunami sample space. At later times, however, there are mismatches between measured data and the simulated results, suggesting that other sources of uncertainty are as relevant as the uncertainty of the studied earthquake characteristics.

Psychometric evaluation of the Swedish version of Rosenberg's self-esteem scale.

PubMed

Eklund, Mona; Bäckström, Martin; Hansson, Lars

2018-04-01

The widely used Rosenberg's self-esteem scale (RSES) has not been evaluated for psychometric properties in Sweden. This study aimed at analyzing its factor structure, internal consistency, criterion, convergent and discriminant validity, sensitivity to change, and whether a four-graded Likert-type response scale increased its reliability and validity compared to a yes/no response scale. People with mental illness participating in intervention studies to (1) promote everyday life balance (N = 223) or (2) remedy self-stigma (N = 103) were included. Both samples completed the RSES and questionnaires addressing quality of life and sociodemographic data. Sample 1 also completed instruments chosen to assess convergent and discriminant validity: self-mastery (convergent validity), level of functioning and occupational engagement (discriminant validity). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modeling, and conventional inferential statistics were used. Based on both samples, the Swedish RSES formed one factor and exhibited high internal consistency (>0.90). The two response scales were equivalent. Criterion validity in relation to quality of life was demonstrated. RSES could distinguish between women and men (women scoring lower) and between diagnostic groups (people with depression scoring lower). Correlations >0.5 with variables chosen to reflect convergent validity and around 0.2 with variables used to address discriminant validity further highlighted the construct validity of RSES. The instrument also showed sensitivity to change. The Swedish RSES exhibited a one-component factor structure and showed good psychometric properties in terms of good internal consistency, criterion, convergent and discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change. The yes/no and the four-graded Likert-type response scales worked equivalently.

A gamma-ray spectroscopy survey of Omani meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Patrick; Hofmann, Beda A.; Tolba, Tamer; Vuilleumier, Jean-Luc

2017-06-01

The gamma-ray activities of 33 meteorite samples (30 ordinary chondrites, 1 Mars meteorite, 1 iron, 1 howardite) collected during Omani-Swiss meteorite search campaigns 2001-2008 were nondestructively measured using an ultralow background gamma-ray detector. The results provide several types of information: Potassium and thorium concentrations were found to range within typical values for the meteorite types. Similar mean 26Al activities in groups of ordinary chondrites with (1) weathering degrees W0-1 and low 14C terrestrial age and (2) weathering degree W3-4 and high 14C terrestrial age are mostly consistent with activities observed in recent falls. The older group shows no significant depletion in 26Al. Among the least weathered samples, one meteorite (SaU 424) was found to contain detectable 22Na identifying it as a recent fall close to the year 2000. Based on an estimate of the surface area searched, the corresponding fall rate is 120 events/106 km2*a, consistent with other estimations. Twelve samples from the large JaH 091 strewn field (total mass 4.5 t) show significant variations of 26Al activities, including the highest values measured, consistent with a meteoroid radius of 115 cm. Activities of 238U daughter elements demonstrate terrestrial contamination with 226Ra and possible loss of 222Rn. Recent contamination with small amounts of 137Cs is ubiquitous. We conclude that gamma-ray spectroscopy of a selection of meteorites with low degrees of weathering is particularly useful to detect recent falls among meteorites collected in hot deserts.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping Project: Composite Lags at z ≤ 1

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

Li, Jennifer; Shen, Yue; Horne, Keith

We present composite broad-line region (BLR) reverberation mapping lag measurements for H α , H β , He ii λ 4686, and Mg ii for a sample of 144, z ≲ 1 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping (SDSS-RM) project. Using only the 32-epoch spectroscopic light curves in the first six-month season of SDSS-RM observations, we compile correlation function measurements for individual objects and then coadd them to allow the measurement of the average lags for our sample at mean redshifts of 0.4 (for H α ) and ∼0.65 (for the other lines). At similar quasar luminositiesmore » and redshifts, the sample-averaged lag decreases in the order of Mg ii, H α , H β , and He ii. This decrease in lags is accompanied by an increase in the mean line width of the four lines, and is roughly consistent with the virialized motion for BLR gas in photoionization equilibrium. These are among the first RM measurements of stratified BLR structure at z > 0.3. Dividing our sample by luminosity, H α shows clear evidence of increasing lags with luminosity, consistent with the expectation from the measured BLR size–luminosity relation based on H β . The other three lines do not show a clear luminosity trend in their average lags due to the limited dynamic range of luminosity probed and the poor average correlation signals in the divided samples, a situation that will be improved with the incorporation of additional photometric and spectroscopic data from SDSS-RM. We discuss the utility and caveats of composite lag measurements for large statistical quasar samples with reverberation mapping data.« less

Proof of concept: preimplantation genetic screening without embryo biopsy through analysis of cell-free DNA in spent embryo culture media.

PubMed

Shamonki, Mousa I; Jin, Helen; Haimowitz, Zachary; Liu, Lian

2016-11-01

To assess whether preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is possible by testing for free embryonic DNA in spent IVF media from embryos undergoing trophectoderm biopsy. Prospective cohort analysis. Academic fertility center. Seven patients undergoing IVF and 57 embryos undergoing trophectoderm biopsy for PGS. On day 3 of development, each embryo was placed in a separate media droplet. All biopsied embryos received a PGS result by array comparative genomic hybridization. Preimplantation genetic screening was performed on amplified DNA extracted from media and results were compared with PGS results for the corresponding biopsy. [1] Presence of DNA in spent IVF culture media. [2] Correlation between genetic screening result from spent media and corresponding biopsy. Fifty-five samples had detectable DNA ranging from 2-642 ng/μL after a 2-hour amplification. Six samples with the highest DNA levels underwent PGS, rendering one result with a derivative log ratio SD (DLRSD) of <0.85 (a quality control metric of oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization). The fluid sample and trophectoderm results were identical demonstrating (45XY, -13). Three samples were reamplified 1 hour later and tested showing improving DLRSD. One of the three samples with a DLRSD of 0.85 demonstrated (46XY), consistent with the biopsy. Overnight DNA amplification showed DNA in all samples. We demonstrate two novel findings: the presence of free embryonic DNA in spent media and a result that is consistent with trophectoderm biopsy. Improvements in DNA collection, amplification, and testing may allow for PGS without biopsy in the future. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping Project: Composite Lags at z ≤ 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jennifer; Shen, Yue; Horne, Keith; Brandt, W. N.; Greene, Jenny E.; Grier, C. J.; Ho, Luis C.; Kochanek, Chris; Schneider, Donald P.; Trump, Jonathan R.; Dawson, Kyle S.; Pan, Kaike; Bizyaev, Dmitry; Oravetz, Daniel; Simmons, Audrey; Malanushenko, Elena

2017-09-01

We present composite broad-line region (BLR) reverberation mapping lag measurements for Hα, Hβ, He II λ4686, and Mg II for a sample of 144, z ≲ 1 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping (SDSS-RM) project. Using only the 32-epoch spectroscopic light curves in the first six-month season of SDSS-RM observations, we compile correlation function measurements for individual objects and then coadd them to allow the measurement of the average lags for our sample at mean redshifts of 0.4 (for Hα) and ˜0.65 (for the other lines). At similar quasar luminosities and redshifts, the sample-averaged lag decreases in the order of Mg II, Hα, Hβ, and He II. This decrease in lags is accompanied by an increase in the mean line width of the four lines, and is roughly consistent with the virialized motion for BLR gas in photoionization equilibrium. These are among the first RM measurements of stratified BLR structure at z > 0.3. Dividing our sample by luminosity, Hα shows clear evidence of increasing lags with luminosity, consistent with the expectation from the measured BLR size-luminosity relation based on Hβ. The other three lines do not show a clear luminosity trend in their average lags due to the limited dynamic range of luminosity probed and the poor average correlation signals in the divided samples, a situation that will be improved with the incorporation of additional photometric and spectroscopic data from SDSS-RM. We discuss the utility and caveats of composite lag measurements for large statistical quasar samples with reverberation mapping data.

The isolation of salmonellas from British pork sausages and sausage meat.

PubMed Central

Roberts, D.; Boag, K.; Hall, M. L.; Shipp, C. R.

1975-01-01

Between 1969 and 1974, 1467 packets (3309 samples) of pork sausages and sausage meat produced by two large and two medium sized manufacturers and several local butchers were examined for the presence of salmonellas. Of these, 435 packets (786 samples) were found to contain salmonellas, but there was a wide variation in the isolation rates according to the producer. The salmonella incidence in samples from several small and two medium sized producers was low (0-11%) while the results from the two large producers investigated showed a striking difference, the rate of salmonella contamination in the product of one was low (about 2%) and in that of the other consistently high (40-60%). A comparison of liquid enrichment media, incubation temperatures and selective agar media was also carried out to determine the most efficient combination for the isolation of salmonellas from minced meat products. The results showed that (a) incubation of enrichment cultures at 43 degrees C. yielded a consistently greater number of salmonella isolations that at 37 degrees C., regardless of plating medium, (b) tetrathionate broth A (Rolfe) was superior to selenite broth as en enrichment medium at both 37 and 43 degrees C. and (c) brilliant green agar gave better results than deoxycholate citrate sucrose agar and bismuth sulphite agar as a selective medium. PMID:1100710

The isolation of salmonellas from British pork sausages and sausage meat.

PubMed

Roberts, D; Boag, K; Hall, M L; Shipp, C R

1975-10-01

Between 1969 and 1974, 1467 packets (3309 samples) of pork sausages and sausage meat produced by two large and two medium sized manufacturers and several local butchers were examined for the presence of salmonellas. Of these, 435 packets (786 samples) were found to contain salmonellas, but there was a wide variation in the isolation rates according to the producer. The salmonella incidence in samples from several small and two medium sized producers was low (0-11%) while the results from the two large producers investigated showed a striking difference, the rate of salmonella contamination in the product of one was low (about 2%) and in that of the other consistently high (40-60%). A comparison of liquid enrichment media, incubation temperatures and selective agar media was also carried out to determine the most efficient combination for the isolation of salmonellas from minced meat products. The results showed that (a) incubation of enrichment cultures at 43 degrees C. yielded a consistently greater number of salmonella isolations that at 37 degrees C., regardless of plating medium, (b) tetrathionate broth A (Rolfe) was superior to selenite broth as en enrichment medium at both 37 and 43 degrees C. and (c) brilliant green agar gave better results than deoxycholate citrate sucrose agar and bismuth sulphite agar as a selective medium.

Consistently Showing Your Best Side? Intra-individual Consistency in #Selfie Pose Orientation

PubMed Central

Lindell, Annukka K.

2017-01-01

Painted and photographic portraits of others show an asymmetric bias: people favor their left cheek. Both experimental and database studies confirm that the left cheek bias extends to selfies. To date all such selfie studies have been cross-sectional; whether individual selfie-takers tend to consistently favor the same pose orientation, or switch between multiple poses, remains to be determined. The present study thus examined intra-individual consistency in selfie pose orientations. Two hundred selfie-taking participants (100 male and 100 female) were identified by searching #selfie on Instagram. The most recent 10 single-subject selfies for the each of the participants were selected and coded for type of selfie (normal; mirror) and pose orientation (left, midline, right), resulting in a sample of 2000 selfies. Results indicated that selfie-takers do tend to consistently adopt a preferred pose orientation (α = 0.72), with more participants showing an overall left cheek bias (41%) than would be expected by chance (overall right cheek bias = 31.5%; overall midline bias = 19.5%; no overall bias = 8%). Logistic regression modellng, controlling for the repeated measure of participant identity, indicated that sex did not affect pose orientation. However, selfie type proved a significant predictor when comparing left and right cheek poses, with a stronger left cheek bias for mirror than normal selfies. Overall, these novel findings indicate that selfie-takers show intra-individual consistency in pose orientation, and in addition, replicate the previously reported left cheek bias for selfies and other types of portrait, confirming that the left cheek bias also presents within individuals’ selfie corpora. PMID:28270790

Effect of the centrifugal force on domain chaos in Rayleigh-Bénard convection.

PubMed

Becker, Nathan; Scheel, J D; Cross, M C; Ahlers, Guenter

2006-06-01

Experiments and simulations from a variety of sample sizes indicated that the centrifugal force significantly affects the domain-chaos state observed in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection-patterns. In a large-aspect-ratio sample, we observed a hybrid state consisting of domain chaos close to the sample center, surrounded by an annulus of nearly stationary nearly radial rolls populated by occasional defects reminiscent of undulation chaos. Although the Coriolis force is responsible for domain chaos, by comparing experiment and simulation we show that the centrifugal force is responsible for the radial rolls. Furthermore, simulations of the Boussinesq equations for smaller aspect ratios neglecting the centrifugal force yielded a domain precession-frequency f approximately epsilon(mu) with mu approximately equal to 1 as predicted by the amplitude-equation model for domain chaos, but contradicted by previous experiment. Additionally the simulations gave a domain size that was larger than in the experiment. When the centrifugal force was included in the simulation, mu and the domain size were consistent with experiment.

Population clustering based on copy number variations detected from next generation sequencing data.

PubMed

Duan, Junbo; Zhang, Ji-Gang; Wan, Mingxi; Deng, Hong-Wen; Wang, Yu-Ping

2014-08-01

Copy number variations (CNVs) can be used as significant bio-markers and next generation sequencing (NGS) provides a high resolution detection of these CNVs. But how to extract features from CNVs and further apply them to genomic studies such as population clustering have become a big challenge. In this paper, we propose a novel method for population clustering based on CNVs from NGS. First, CNVs are extracted from each sample to form a feature matrix. Then, this feature matrix is decomposed into the source matrix and weight matrix with non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). The source matrix consists of common CNVs that are shared by all the samples from the same group, and the weight matrix indicates the corresponding level of CNVs from each sample. Therefore, using NMF of CNVs one can differentiate samples from different ethnic groups, i.e. population clustering. To validate the approach, we applied it to the analysis of both simulation data and two real data set from the 1000 Genomes Project. The results on simulation data demonstrate that the proposed method can recover the true common CNVs with high quality. The results on the first real data analysis show that the proposed method can cluster two family trio with different ancestries into two ethnic groups and the results on the second real data analysis show that the proposed method can be applied to the whole-genome with large sample size consisting of multiple groups. Both results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method for population clustering.

Intrinsic and induced isoproturon catabolic activity in dissimilar soils and soils under dissimilar land use.

PubMed

Reid, Brian J; Papanikolaou, Niki D; Wilcox, Ronah K

2005-02-01

The catabolic activity with respect to the systemic herbicide isoproturon was determined in soil samples by (14)C-radiorespirometry. The first experiment assessed levels of intrinsic catabolic activity in soil samples that represented three dissimilar soil series under arable cultivation. Results showed average extents of isoproturon mineralisation (after 240 h assay time) in the three soil series to be low. A second experiment assessed the impact of addition of isoproturon (0.05 microg kg(-1)) into these soils on the levels of catabolic activity following 28 days of incubation. Increased catabolic activity was observed in all three soils. A third experiment assessed levels of intrinsic catabolic activity in soil samples representing a single soil series managed under either conventional agricultural practice (including the use of isoproturon) or organic farming practice (with no use of isoproturon). Results showed higher (and more consistent) levels of isoproturon mineralisation in the soil samples collected from conventional land use. The final experiment assessed the impact of isoproturon addition on the levels of inducible catabolic activity in these soils. The results showed no significant difference in the case of the conventional farm soil samples while the induction of catabolic activity in the organic farm soil samples was significant.

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

Puls, R.W.; Powell, R.M.

R.S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory (RSKERL) personnel have evaluated sampling procedures for the collection of representative, accurate, and reproducible ground water quality samples for metals for the past four years. Intensive sampling research at three different field sites has shown that the method by which samples are collected has a greater impact on sample quality, accuracy, and reproducibility than whether the samples are filtered or not. In particular, sample collection practices that induce artifically high levels of turbidity have been shown to have the greatest negative impacts on sample quality. Results indicated the ineffectiveness of bailer for collection of representativemore » metal samples. Inconsistent operator usage together with excessive purging generally resulted in excessive turbidity and large differences in filtered and unfiltered metal samples. The use of low flow rate purging and sampling consistently produced filtered and unfiltered samples that showed no significant differences in concentrations. Turbidity levels were generally less than 5 NTUs, even in fine-textured glacial till. The authors recommend the use of low flow rates, during both purging and sampling.« less

A Data Cleaning Method for Big Trace Data Using Movement Consistency

PubMed Central

Tang, Luliang; Zhang, Xia; Li, Qingquan

2018-01-01

Given the popularization of GPS technologies, the massive amount of spatiotemporal GPS traces collected by vehicles are becoming a new kind of big data source for urban geographic information extraction. The growing volume of the dataset, however, creates processing and management difficulties, while the low quality generates uncertainties when investigating human activities. Based on the conception of the error distribution law and position accuracy of the GPS data, we propose in this paper a data cleaning method for this kind of spatial big data using movement consistency. First, a trajectory is partitioned into a set of sub-trajectories using the movement characteristic points. In this process, GPS points indicate that the motion status of the vehicle has transformed from one state into another, and are regarded as the movement characteristic points. Then, GPS data are cleaned based on the similarities of GPS points and the movement consistency model of the sub-trajectory. The movement consistency model is built using the random sample consensus algorithm based on the high spatial consistency of high-quality GPS data. The proposed method is evaluated based on extensive experiments, using GPS trajectories generated by a sample of vehicles over a 7-day period in Wuhan city, China. The results show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method. PMID:29522456

Differential Y-chromosome Anatolian influences on the Greek and Cretan Neolithic.

PubMed

King, R J; Ozcan, S S; Carter, T; Kalfoğlu, E; Atasoy, S; Triantaphyllidis, C; Kouvatsi, A; Lin, A A; Chow, C-E T; Zhivotovsky, L A; Michalodimitrakis, M; Underhill, P A

2008-03-01

The earliest Neolithic sites of Europe are located in Crete and mainland Greece. A debate persists concerning whether these farmers originated in neighboring Anatolia and the role of maritime colonization. To address these issues 171 samples were collected from areas near three known early Neolithic settlements in Greece together with 193 samples from Crete. An analysis of Y-chromosome haplogroups determined that the samples from the Greek Neolithic sites showed strong affinity to Balkan data, while Crete shows affinity with central/Mediterranean Anatolia. Haplogroup J2b-M12 was frequent in Thessaly and Greek Macedonia while haplogroup J2a-M410 was scarce. Alternatively, Crete, like Anatolia showed a high frequency of J2a-M410 and a low frequency of J2b-M12. This dichotomy parallels archaeobotanical evidence, specifically that while bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is known from Neolithic Anatolia, Crete and southern Italy; it is absent from earliest Neolithic Greece. The expansion time of YSTR variation for haplogroup E3b1a2-V13, in the Peloponnese was consistent with an indigenous Mesolithic presence. In turn, two distinctive haplogroups, J2a1h-M319 and J2a1b1-M92, have demographic properties consistent with Bronze Age expansions in Crete, arguably from NW/W Anatolia and Syro-Palestine, while a later mainland (Mycenaean) contribution to Crete is indicated by relative frequencies of V13.

The physical and microbiological quality of chicken meat in the different type of enterprise poultry slaughterhouse: a case study in Karanganyar District

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hertanto, B. S.; Nurmalasari, C. D. A.; Nuhriawangsa, A. M. P.; Cahyadi, M.; Kartikasari, L. R.

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the physical and microbiological quality of chicken meat produced by the different type of enterprise slaughterhouse in Karanganyar District. The number of 20 poultry slaughterhouses was determined by convenience sampling method. The samples of chicken meat were randomly collected from medium enterprise poultry slaughterhouses (n=12) and small enterprise poultry slaughterhouses (n=8). A survey was carried out among poultry slaughterhouses in Karanganyar District. All the samples were subjected to physical quality consisted of pH test, texture, and color, while microbiological quality consisted of total plate count, microbial detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella. The data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative analysis. The study showed that chicken meat in 6 small enterprise slaughterhouses and 11 medium enterprise slaughterhouses had normal pH of 5.81 - 6.3. Color and texture of chicken meats had relatively normal in both small and medium enterprise slaughterhouses. The total plate count of chicken meat showed in both small and medium enterprise slaughterhouses was <1x106 CFU/gr. The test of bacterial contamination showed that 3 of small and medium enterprise slaughterhouses were positively contaminated by Escherichia coli of >1x101 CFU/gr, and Salmonella was detected in 1 medium enterprise slaughterhouse. The overall results of the study suggest that the potential risk of chicken meat contamination depends on the processing of chicken meat in poultry slaughterhouses.

Percutaneous absorption of topically applied DTIC-14C (NSC-45388) in Yorkshire white pigs. Final report, 14 September-14 November 1976

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

Skierkowski, P.; Murphy, J.C.; Watson, E.S.

1978-03-01

The absorption of topically applied DTIC (5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) imidazole-4-carboxamide-2-14C) (NSC-45388) was studied in female, weanling, Yorkshire white pigs. After 48 hours, an average of 9.61% of the topically applied dose was excreted in the urine of the test animals. Liver and kidney showed the most consistent uptake of radioactivity with heart and adrenal samples also showing significant uptake. Radioactivity was detected in random muscle samples at 6 hours after application, and in bone after 48 hours. A significant percentage of the applied dose was generally detected at and near the site of application.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire in Undergraduate Students.

PubMed

Sequeira, Carlos Alberto da Cruz; Barbosa, Elsa Natalina Mendes; Nogueira, Maria José Carvalho; Sampaio, Francisco Miguel Correia

2017-10-01

Translate, adapt the language, and assess the psychometric properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire (MVQ) in a Portuguese population sample of young adults. A psychometric validation study was performed. The sample comprised 166 undergraduate students. Factor analysis was applied to extract three indicators. The MVQ showed divergent validity with the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (p < .001) and convergent validity with the Mental Health Inventory including five items (p < .001). Reliability was verified through the assessment of internal consistency, evidencing positive outcomes (Cronbach's α = 0.81). The MVQ shows psychometric properties enabling its adaptation to clinical practice and research, essential to an effective screening of mental vulnerability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical Characterization of an Envelope B/D Sample from Hanford Tank 241-AZ-102

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

Hay, M.S.

2000-08-23

A sample from Hanford waste tank 241-AZ-102 was received at the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) and chemically characterized. The sample containing supernate and a small amount of sludge solids was analyzed as-received. The filtered supernatant liquid, the total dried solids of the sample, and the washed insoluble solids obtained from filtration of the sample were analyzed. A mass balance calculation of the three fractions of the sample analyzed indicate the analytical results appear relatively self-consistent for major components of the sample. However, some inconsistency was observed between results were more than one method of determination was employed and formore » species present in low concentrations. The actinides isotopes, plutonium, americium, and curium, present analytical challenges due to the low concentration of these species and the potential for introduction of small amounts of contamination during sampling handling resulting in large uncertainties. A direct comparison to previous analyses of material from tank 241-AZ-102 showed good agreement with the filtered supernatant liquid. However, the comparison of solids data showed poor agreement. The poor agreement shown between the current results for the solids samples and previous analyses most likely results from the uncertainties associated with obtaining small solids samples from a large non-homogenized waste tank.« less

Development of Dielectric Material with Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Produced from Kaolinite and CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} (CCTO)

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

Yin, Wong Swee; Hassan, Jumiah; Hashim, Mansor

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) combine reinforcing ceramic phases, CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} (CCTO) with a ceramic matrix, kaolinite to create materials with new and superior properties. 10% and 20% CCTO were prepared by using a conventional solid state reaction method. CMC samples were pre-sintered at 800 deg. C and sintered at 1000 deg. C. The dielectric properties of samples were measured using HP 4192A LF Impedance Analyzer. Microstructures of the samples were observed using an optical microscope. XRD was used to determine the crystalline structure of the samples. The AFM showed the morphology of the samples. The results showed thatmore » the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor of both samples are frequency dependent. At 10 Hz, the dielectric constant is 10{sup 11} for both samples. The CMC samples were independent with temperature with low dielectric constant in the frequency range of 10{sup 4}-10{sup 6} Hz. Since the CMC samples consist of different amount of kaolinite, so each sample exhibit different defect mechanism. Different reaction may occur for different composition of material. The effects of processing conditions on the microstructure and electrical properties of CMC are also discussed.« less

Angular correlation function of 1.5 million luminous red galaxies: clustering evolution and a search for baryon acoustic oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawangwit, U.; Shanks, T.; Abdalla, F. B.; Cannon, R. D.; Croom, S. M.; Edge, A. C.; Ross, Nicholas P.; Wake, D. A.

2011-10-01

We present the angular correlation function measured from photometric samples comprising 1562 800 luminous red galaxies (LRGs). Three LRG samples were extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data, based on colour-cut selections at redshifts, z≈ 0.35, 0.55 and 0.7 as calibrated by the spectroscopic surveys, SDSS-LRG, 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO (quasi-stellar object) (2SLAQ) and the AAΩ-LRG survey. The galaxy samples cover ≈7600 deg2 of sky, probing a total cosmic volume of ≈5.5 h-3 Gpc3. The small- and intermediate-scale correlation functions generally show significant deviations from a single power-law fit with a well-detected break at ≈1 h-1 Mpc, consistent with the transition scale between the one- and two-halo terms in halo occupation models. For galaxy separations 1-20 h-1 Mpc and at fixed luminosity, we see virtually no evolution of the clustering with redshift and the data are consistent with a simple high peaks biasing model where the comoving LRG space density is constant with z. At fixed z, the LRG clustering amplitude increases with luminosity in accordance with the simple high peaks model, with a typical LRG dark matter halo mass 1013-1014 h-1 M⊙. For r < 1 h-1 Mpc, the evolution is slightly faster and the clustering decreases towards high redshift consistent with a virialized clustering model. However, assuming the halo occupation distribution (HOD) and Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) halo merger frameworks, ˜2-3 per cent/Gyr of the LRGs are required to merge in order to explain the small scales clustering evolution, consistent with previous results. At large scales, our result shows good agreement with the SDSS-LRG result of Eisenstein et al. but we find an apparent excess clustering signal beyond the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) scale. Angular power spectrum analyses of similar LRG samples also detect a similar apparent large-scale clustering excess but more data are required to check for this feature in independent galaxy data sets. Certainly, if the ΛCDM model were correct then we would have to conclude that this excess was caused by systematics at the level of Δw≈ 0.001-0.0015 in the photometric AAΩ-LRG sample.

Frequency Mixing Magnetic Detection Scanner for Imaging Magnetic Particles in Planar Samples.

PubMed

Hong, Hyobong; Lim, Eul-Gyoon; Jeong, Jae-Chan; Chang, Jiho; Shin, Sung-Woong; Krause, Hans-Joachim

2016-06-09

The setup of a planar Frequency Mixing Magnetic Detection (p-FMMD) scanner for performing Magnetic Particles Imaging (MPI) of flat samples is presented. It consists of two magnetic measurement heads on both sides of the sample mounted on the legs of a u-shaped support. The sample is locally exposed to a magnetic excitation field consisting of two distinct frequencies, a stronger component at about 77 kHz and a weaker field at 61 Hz. The nonlinear magnetization characteristics of superparamagnetic particles give rise to the generation of intermodulation products. A selected sum-frequency component of the high and low frequency magnetic field incident on the magnetically nonlinear particles is recorded by a demodulation electronics. In contrast to a conventional MPI scanner, p-FMMD does not require the application of a strong magnetic field to the whole sample because mixing of the two frequencies occurs locally. Thus, the lateral dimensions of the sample are just limited by the scanning range and the supports. However, the sample height determines the spatial resolution. In the current setup it is limited to 2 mm. As examples, we present two 20 mm × 25 mm p-FMMD images acquired from samples with 1 µm diameter maghemite particles in silanol matrix and with 50 nm magnetite particles in aminosilane matrix. The results show that the novel MPI scanner can be applied for analysis of thin biological samples and for medical diagnostic purposes.

Reliability and validity of TEMPS-A in a Japanese non-clinical population: application to unipolar and bipolar depressives.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Satoko; Akiyama, Tsuyoshi; Tsuda, Hitoshi; Miyake, Yuko; Kawamura, Yoshiya; Noda, Toshie; Akiskal, Kareen K; Akiskal, Hagop S

2005-03-01

In Japan, TEMPS-A has gathered much attention, because Kraepelin's concepts on "fundamental states" of mood disorder and temperaments have been widely respected. TEMPS-A was translated into Japanese (and after the approval of the English back translation by H.S.A.), it was administered to 1391 non-clinical subjects, and 29 unipolar and 30 bipolar patients in remission. Of the non-clinical sample, 426 were readministered the instrument again in 1 month. A control group matched for gender and age was drawn from the non-clinical sample. Regarding test-retest reliability, Spearman's coefficients for depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious temperaments were 0.79, 0.84, 0.87, 0.81 and 0.87, respectively; regarding internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.69, 0.84, 0.79, 0.83 and 0.87, respectively. The unipolar and bipolar groups showed significantly higher depressive, cyclothymic and anxious temperament scores than the control group. Curiously, the bipolar group showed significantly lower hyperthymic score than the control group; irritable temperament scores showed no significant differences. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperament scores showed significant correlations with each other. Between the unipolar and bipolar groups, there was little difference regarding the temperament scores. Also the inter-temperament correlations showed the same pattern in the unipolar and bipolar groups. The clinically well cohort was 70% male. TEMPS-A showed a high reliability and validity (internal consistency) in a Japanese non-clinical sample. By and large, the hypothesized five temperament structure was upheld. Depressive, cyclothymic and anxious temperaments showed concurrent validity with mood disorder. Irritable temperament may represent a subtype of depressive, cyclothymic or anxious temperaments. There may be a temperamental commonality between unipolar and bipolar disorders. TEMPS-A will open new possibilities for international research on mood disorder and personality traits.

Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-Body Image: Psychometric Properties and Its Incremental Power in the Prediction of Binge Eating Severity.

PubMed

Lucena-Santos, Paola; Trindade, Inês A; Oliveira, Margareth; Pinto-Gouveia, José

2017-05-19

Given the clinical usefulness of the CFQ-BI (Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-Body Image; the only existing measure to assess the body-image-related cognitive fusion), the present study aimed to confirm its one-factor structure, to verify its measurement invariance between clinical and non-clinical samples, to analyze its internal consistency and sensitivity to detect differences between samples, as well as to explore the incremental and convergent validities of the CFQ-BI scores in Brazilian samples.  This was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted in clinical (women with overweight or obesity in treatment for weight loss) and non-clinical samples (women from the general population). The one-factor structure was confirmed showing factorial measurement invariance across clinical and non-clinical samples. The CFQ-BI scores presented an excellent internal consistency, were able to discriminate clinical and non-clinical samples, and were positively associated with binge eating severity, general cognitive fusion, and psychological inflexibility. Furthermore, body-image-related cognitive fusion scores (CFQ-BI) presented incremental validity over a general measure of cognitive fusion in the prediction of binge eating symptoms. This study demonstrated that CFQ-BI is a short scale with reliable and robust scores in Brazilian samples, presenting incremental and convergent validities, measurement invariance, and sensitivity to detect differences between clinical and non-clinical groups of women, enabling comparative studies between them.

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Optimally Annealed Ni43Mn41Co5Sn11Heusler Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elwindari, Nastiti; Kurniawan, Budhy; Kurniawan, Candra; Manaf, Azwar

2017-05-01

In this work, synthesis and characterization of a polycrystalline Ni43Mn41Co5Sn11 (NMCS) alloy are reported. Alloy preparation was conducted by melting the constituent components of the designated alloy under an inert Argon (Ar) atmosphere in a vacuum mini arc-melting furnace. Microstructure observation to the as-cast and annealed ingots showing dendritic structure in the as-cast sample. Series of annealing treatment to the sample at 1173 K have changed dendrites progressively in the homogeneous structure after 24 hours annealing time. The annealed sample consisted of a NiMnCoSn main phase with 99.3 % volume fraction. Hence, the 24 hours annealed ingot is a single phase alloy. The curie temperature of the annealed NMCS alloys was found in the range 348∼351 K. Loop hysteresis evaluation of the annealed ingots showed that ingot which annealed for 12 hours showed the largest magnetization value of 57.96 emu/g.

Towards a consistent mantle carbon flux estimate: Insights from volatile systematics (H 2O/Ce, δD, CO 2/Nb) in the North Atlantic mantle (14° N and 34° N)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartigny, Pierre; Pineau, Françoise; Aubaud, Cyril; Javoy, Marc

2008-01-01

In order to better characterise mantle CO 2/Nb-variability, we obtained and compiled major and trace elements, content and isotope composition of both CO 2 and water on two series of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) samples dredged at ˜ 14° N ( n = 6) and 34° N ( n = 11) on the mid-Atlantic ridge. All samples are carbon-saturated. One, the so-called popping rock 2ΠD43 kept its vesicles, the initial (pre-degassing) C-contents of the 16 other samples being reconstructed from their assumed degassing history. For water, the samples show large variations, from 1300 to 6900 ppm and from 1900 to 7900 ppm with associated δD-values ranging from - 55 to - 79‰ and from - 55 to - 88‰ for samples at 14° N and 34° N respectively. For carbon, the inferred initial predegassing contents vary greatly, from 660 to 14,700 ppmCO 2 and from 1400 to 57,600 ppmCO 2 for samples at 14° N and 34° N respectively. Measured Nb-contents range from 4.5 to 29.6 ppm show both good agreement with previously published data and positive correlations with reconstructed initial CO 2-contents. The mean CO 2/Nb range from ˜ 570 to ˜ 730 at 14° N and 34° N respectively. CO 2 and Nb data for the two undegassed samples available so far (i.e. the popping rock of the present study and the basaltic glasses from the Siqueiros transform fault from the study of Saal et al., 2002) show significant variations in CO 2/Nb over a factor of 2 and thus questions the constant CO 2/Nb previously emphasised for these two samples, this view being supported by CO 2/Nb-ratios of samples whose initial C-contents were reconstructed. For incompatible elements such as Ce, K and including water, a comparison of the geochemical characteristics of transform fault basaltic magmatism with other MORB systems shows magma transform fault magmatism to be unrepresentative of mantle compositions. Assuming a more appropriate average MORB CO 2/Nb-ratio of ˜ 530 and a mean MORB Nb-content of 3.31-1.8+3.99, we computed a mantle carbon flux of 2.3-1.3+2.7 × 10 12 mol/yr, a value actually consistent with that derived from C/ 3He systematics.

Random matrix theory filters and currency portfolio optimisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, J.; Crane, M.; Ruskin, H. J.

2010-04-01

Random matrix theory (RMT) filters have recently been shown to improve the optimisation of financial portfolios. This paper studies the effect of three RMT filters on realised portfolio risk, using bootstrap analysis and out-of-sample testing. We considered the case of a foreign exchange and commodity portfolio, weighted towards foreign exchange, and consisting of 39 assets. This was intended to test the limits of RMT filtering, which is more obviously applicable to portfolios with larger numbers of assets. We considered both equally and exponentially weighted covariance matrices, and observed that, despite the small number of assets involved, RMT filters reduced risk in a way that was consistent with a much larger S&P 500 portfolio. The exponential weightings indicated showed good consistency with the value suggested by Riskmetrics, in contrast to previous results involving stocks. This decay factor, along with the low number of past moves preferred in the filtered, equally weighted case, displayed a trend towards models which were reactive to recent market changes. On testing portfolios with fewer assets, RMT filtering provided less or no overall risk reduction. In particular, no long term out-of-sample risk reduction was observed for a portfolio consisting of 15 major currencies and commodities.

[Discomfort associated with dental extraction surgery and development of a questionnaire (QCirDental). Part I: Impacts and internal consistency].

PubMed

Bortoluzzi, Marcelo Carlos; Martins, Luciana Dorochenko; Takahashi, André; Ribeiro, Bianca; Martins, Ligiane; Pinto, Marcia Helena Baldani

2018-01-01

The scope of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire (QCirDental) to measure the impacts associated with dental extraction surgery. The QCirDental questionnaire was developed in two steps; (1) question and item generation and selection, and (2) pretest of the questionnaire with evaluation of the its measurement properties (internal consistency and responsiveness). The sample was composed of 123 patients. None of the patients had any difficulty in understanding the QCirDental. The instrument was found to have excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83. The principal component analysis (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy 0,72 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity with p < 0.001) showed six (6) dimensions explaining 67.5% of the variance. The QCirDental presented excellent internal consistency, being a questionnaire that is easy to read and understand with adequate semantic and content validity. More than 80% of the patients who underwent dental extraction reported some degree of discomfort within the perioperative period which highlights the necessity to assess the quality of care and impacts of dental extraction surgery.

Evaluation of Vocational Services Provided to Jordanian Disabled People According to International Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Oweidi, Alia

2015-01-01

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the vocational rehabilitation services provided to people with disabilities according to international standards in Jordan. The sample of the study consisted of (56) managers and teachers in four specialized centers in vocational rehabilitation. The findings showed that the compatibility degree ranged…

Network analysis reveals multiscale controls on streamwater chemistry

Treesearch

Kevin J. McGuire; Christian E. Torgersen; Gene E. Likens; Donald C. Buso; Winsor H. Lowe; Scott W. Bailey

2014-01-01

By coupling synoptic data from a basin-wide assessment of streamwater chemistry with network-based geostatistical analysis, we show that spatial processes differentially affect biogeochemical condition and pattern across a headwater stream network. We analyzed a high-resolution dataset consisting of 664 water samples collected every 100 m throughout 32 tributaries in...

Assessing the Race-Crime and Ethnicity-Crime Relationship in a Sample of Serious Adolescent Delinquents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Piquero, Alex R.; Brame, Robert W.

2008-01-01

Official record studies consistently show that Blacks exhibit higher levels of involvement in criminal offending than Whites do. Although self-report studies suggest somewhat lower levels of Black overrepresentation in criminal offending activity (especially with less serious forms of crime), there appears to be considerable evidence that Blacks…

Marital Adjustment, Parental Functioning, and Emotional Sharing in War Veterans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solomon, Zahava; Debby-Aharon, Shimrit; Zerach, Gadi; Horesh, Danny

2011-01-01

The current study aimed to examine the implications of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and emotional sharing in marital adjustment and parental functioning among Israeli veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War. The sample consisted of combat stress reaction (CSR) veterans (n = 264) and non-CSR veterans (n = 209). Results show that traumatized…

Investigating the Role of Salivary Cortisol on Vocal Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmqvist-Jämsén, Sofia; Johansson, Ada; Santtila, Pekka; Westberg, Lars; von der Pahlen, Bettina; Simberg, Susanna

2017-01-01

Purpose: We investigated whether participants who reported more often occurring vocal symptoms showed higher salivary cortisol levels and if such possible associations were different for men and women. Method: The participants (N = 170; men n = 49, women n = 121) consisted of a population-based sample of Finnish twins born between 1961 and 1989.…

Correlates of Perceived Favorability of Online Courses for Quantitative versus Qualitative Undergraduate Business Majors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blau, Gary; Pred, Robert; Drennan, Rob B., Jr.; Kapanjie, Darin

2016-01-01

An online survey tested the association among background, technological, and course-related variables with perceived favorability of online courses for two independent samples of fall 2015 and spring 2016 business undergraduates taking at least one online or hybrid course. Results showed that perceived learning was a consistent positive correlate…

Psychometric Evaluation of Data from the Race-Related Events Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crusto, Cindy A.; Dantzler, John; Roberts, Yvonne Humenay; Hooper, Lisa M.

2015-01-01

Using exploratory factor analysis, we examined the factor structure of data collected from the Race-Related Events Scale, which assesses perceived exposure to race-related stress. Our sample (N = 201) consisted of diverse caregivers of Head Start preschoolers. Three factors explained 81% of the variance in the data and showed sound reliability.

Liquid-based cytology and cell block immunocytochemistry in veterinary medicine: comparison with standard cytology for the evaluation of canine lymphoid samples.

PubMed

Fernandes, N C C A; Guerra, J M; Réssio, R A; Wasques, D G; Etlinger-Colonelli, D; Lorente, S; Nogueira, E; Dagli, M L Z

2016-08-01

Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) consists of immediate wet cell fixation with automated slide preparation. We applied LBC, cell block (CB) and immunocytochemistry to diagnose canine lymphoma and compare results with conventional cytology. Samples from enlarged lymph nodes of 18 dogs were collected and fixed in preservative solution for automated slide preparation (LBC), CB inclusion and immunophenotyping. Two CB techniques were tested: fixed sediment method (FSM) and agar method (AM). Anti-CD79a, anti-Pax5, anti-CD3 and anti-Ki67 were used in immunocytochemistry. LBC smears showed better nuclear and nucleolar definition, without cell superposition, but presented smaller cell size and worse cytoplasmic definition. FSM showed consistent cellular groups and were employed for immunocytochemistry, while AM CBs presented sparse groups of lymphocytes, with compromised analysis. Anti-Pax-5 allowed B-cell identification, both in reactive and neoplastic lymph nodes. Our preliminary report suggests that LBC and FSM together may be promising tools to improve lymphoma diagnosis through fine-needle aspiration. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Differentially expressed microRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma invert effects of copy number aberrations of prognostic genes

PubMed Central

Tokar, Tomas; Pastrello, Chiara; Ramnarine, Varune R.; Zhu, Chang-Qi; Craddock, Kenneth J.; Pikor, Larrisa A.; Vucic, Emily A.; Vary, Simon; Shepherd, Frances A.; Tsao, Ming-Sound; Lam, Wan L.; Jurisica, Igor

2018-01-01

In many cancers, significantly down- or upregulated genes are found within chromosomal regions with DNA copy number alteration opposite to the expression changes. Generally, this paradox has been overlooked as noise, but can potentially be a consequence of interference of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, including microRNA-mediated control of mRNA levels. To explore potential associations between microRNAs and paradoxes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) we curated and analyzed lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) data, comprising gene expressions, copy number aberrations (CNAs) and microRNA expressions. We integrated data from 1,062 tumor samples and 241 normal lung samples, including newly-generated array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) data from 63 LUAD samples. We identified 85 “paradoxical” genes whose differential expression consistently contrasted with aberrations of their copy numbers. Paradoxical status of 70 out of 85 genes was validated on sample-wise basis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD data. Of these, 41 genes are prognostic and form a clinically relevant signature, which we validated on three independent datasets. By meta-analysis of results from 9 LUAD microRNA expression studies we identified 24 consistently-deregulated microRNAs. Using TCGA-LUAD data we showed that deregulation of 19 of these microRNAs explains differential expression of the paradoxical genes. Our results show that deregulation of paradoxical genes is crucial in LUAD and their expression pattern is maintained epigenetically, defying gene copy number status. PMID:29507679

A novel portable filtration system for sampling and concentration of microorganisms: Demonstration on marine microalgae with subsequent quantification using IC-NASBA.

PubMed

Loukas, Christos-Moritz; Mowlem, Matthew C; Tsaloglou, Maria-Nefeli; Green, Nicolas G

2018-05-01

This paper presents a novel portable sample filtration/concentration system, designed for use on samples of microorganisms with very low cell concentrations and large volumes, such as water-borne parasites, pathogens associated with faecal matter, or toxic phytoplankton. The example application used for demonstration was the in-field collection and concentration of microalgae from seawater samples. This type of organism is responsible for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), an example of which is commonly referred to as "red tides", which are typically the result of rapid proliferation and high biomass accumulation of harmful microalgal species in the water column or at the sea surface. For instance, Karenia brevis red tides are the cause of aquatic organism mortality and persistent blooms may cause widespread die-offs of populations of other organisms including vertebrates. In order to respond to, and adequately manage HABs, monitoring of toxic microalgae is required and large-volume sample concentrators would be a useful tool for in situ monitoring of HABs. The filtering system presented in this work enables consistent sample collection and concentration from 1 L to 1 mL in five minutes, allowing for subsequent benchtop sample extraction and analysis using molecular methods such as NASBA and IC-NASBA. The microalga Tetraselmis suecica was successfully detected at concentrations ranging from 2 × 10 5  cells/L to 20 cells/L. Karenia brevis was also detected and quantified at concentrations between 10 cells/L and 10 6  cells/L. Further analysis showed that the filter system, which concentrates cells from very large volumes with consequently more reliable sampling, produced samples that were more consistent than the independent non-filtered samples (benchtop controls), with a logarithmic dependency on increasing cell numbers. This filtering system provides simple, rapid, and consistent sample collection and concentration for further analysis, and could be applied to a wide range of different samples and target organisms in situations lacking laboratories. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Comparison of three sampling instruments, Cytobrush, Curette and OralCDx, for liquid-based cytology of the oral mucosa.

PubMed

Reboiras-López, M D; Pérez-Sayáns, M; Somoza-Martín, J M; Antúnez-López, J R; Gándara-Vila, P; Gayoso-Diz, P; Gándara-Rey, J M; García-García, A

2012-01-01

Exfoliative cytology of the oral cavity is a simple and noninvasive technique that permits the study of epithelial cells. Liquid-based cytology is an auxiliary diagnostic tool for improving the specificity and sensitivity of conventional cytology. The objective of our study was to compare the quality of normal oral mucosa cytology samples obtained using three different instruments, Cytobrush®, dermatological curette and Oral CDx® for liquid-based cytology. One hundred four cytological samples of oral cavity were analyzed. Samples were obtained from healthy volunteer subjects using all three instruments. The clinical and demographic variables were age, sex and smoking habits. We analyzed cellularity, quality of the preparation and types of cells in the samples. All preparations showed appropriate preparation quality. In all smears analyzed, cells were distributed uniformly and showed no mucus, bleeding, inflammatory exudate or artifacts. We found no correlation between the average number of cells and the type of instrument. The samples generally consisted of two types of cells: superficial and intermediate. No differences were found among the cytological preparations of these three instruments. We did not observe basal cells in any of the samples analyzed.

The ionisation parameter of star-forming galaxies evolves with the specific star formation rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaasinen, Melanie; Kewley, Lisa; Bian, Fuyan; Groves, Brent; Kashino, Daichi; Silverman, John; Kartaltepe, Jeyhan

2018-04-01

We investigate the evolution of the ionisation parameter of star-forming galaxies using a high-redshift (z ˜ 1.5) sample from the FMOS-COSMOS survey and matched low-redshift samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. By constructing samples of low-redshift galaxies for which the stellar mass (M*), star formation rate (SFR) and specific star formation rate (sSFR) are matched to the high-redshift sample we remove the effects of an evolution in these properties. We also account for the effect of metallicity by jointly constraining the metallicity and ionisation parameter of each sample. We find an evolution in the ionisation parameter for main-sequence, star-forming galaxies and show that this evolution is driven by the evolution of sSFR. By analysing the matched samples as well as a larger sample of z < 0.3, star-forming galaxies we show that high ionisation parameters are directly linked to high sSFRs and are not simply the byproduct of an evolution in metallicity. Our results are physically consistent with the definition of the ionisation parameter, a measure of the hydrogen ionising photon flux relative to the number density of hydrogen atoms.

SPECTROSCOPY OF HIGH-REDSHIFT SUPERNOVAE FROM THE ESSENCE PROJECT: THE FIRST FOUR YEARS

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

Foley, R. J.; Chornock, R.; Silverman, J. M.

We present the results of spectroscopic observations from the ESSENCE high-redshift supernova (SN) survey during its first four years of operation. This sample includes spectra of all SNe Ia whose light curves were presented by Miknaitis et al. and used in the cosmological analyses of Davis et al. and Wood-Vasey et al. The sample represents 273 hr of spectroscopic observations with 6.5-10 m class telescopes of objects detected and selected for spectroscopy by the ESSENCE team. We present 184 spectra of 156 objects. Combining this sample with that of Matheson et al., we have a total sample of 329 spectramore » of 274 objects. From this, we are able to spectroscopically classify 118 Type Ia SNe. As the survey has matured, the efficiency of classifying SNe Ia has remained constant while we have observed both higher-redshift SNe Ia and SNe Ia farther from maximum brightness. Examining the subsample of SNe Ia with host-galaxy redshifts shows that redshifts derived from only the SN Ia spectra are consistent with redshifts found from host-galaxy spectra. Moreover, the phases derived from only the SN Ia spectra are consistent with those derived from light-curve fits. By comparing our spectra to local templates, we find that the rate of objects similar to the overluminous SN 1991T and the underluminous SN 1991bg in our sample are consistent with that of the local sample. We do note, however, that we detect no object spectroscopically or photometrically similar to SN 1991bg. Although systematic effects could reduce the high-redshift rate we expect based on the low-redshift surveys, it is possible that SN 1991bg-like SNe Ia are less prevalent at high redshift.« less

X-Ray Temperatures, Luminosities, and Masses from XMM-Newton Follow-upof the First Shear-selected Galaxy Cluster Sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deshpande, Amruta J.; Hughes, John P.; Wittman, David

2017-04-01

We continue the study of the first sample of shear-selected clusters from the initial 8.6 square degrees of the Deep Lens Survey (DLS); a sample with well-defined selection criteria corresponding to the highest ranked shear peaks in the survey area. We aim to characterize the weak lensing selection by examining the sample’s X-ray properties. There are multiple X-ray clusters associated with nearly all the shear peaks: 14 X-ray clusters corresponding to seven DLS shear peaks. An additional three X-ray clusters cannot be definitively associated with shear peaks, mainly due to large positional offsets between the X-ray centroid and the shear peak. Here we report on the XMM-Newton properties of the 17 X-ray clusters. The X-ray clusters display a wide range of luminosities and temperatures; the L X -T X relation we determine for the shear-associated X-ray clusters is consistent with X-ray cluster samples selected without regard to dynamical state, while it is inconsistent with self-similarity. For a subset of the sample, we measure X-ray masses using temperature as a proxy, and compare to weak lensing masses determined by the DLS team. The resulting mass comparison is consistent with equality. The X-ray and weak lensing masses show considerable intrinsic scatter (˜48%), which is consistent with X-ray selected samples when their X-ray and weak lensing masses are independently determined. Some of the data presented herein were obtained at the W.M. Keck Observatory, which is operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation.

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

Novak, Erik; Trolinger, James D.; Lacey, Ian

This work reports on the development of a binary pseudo-random test sample optimized to calibrate the MTF of optical microscopes. The sample consists of a number of 1-D and 2-D patterns, with different minimum sizes of spatial artifacts from 300 nm to 2 microns. We describe the mathematical background, fabrication process, data acquisition and analysis procedure to return spatial frequency based instrument calibration. We show that the developed samples satisfy the characteristics of a test standard: functionality, ease of specification and fabrication, reproducibility, and low sensitivity to manufacturing error. © (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading ofmore » the abstract is permitted for personal use only.« less

Sampling design for groundwater solute transport: Tests of methods and analysis of Cape Cod tracer test data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Knopman, Debra S.; Voss, Clifford I.; Garabedian, Stephen P.

1991-01-01

Tests of a one-dimensional sampling design methodology on measurements of bromide concentration collected during the natural gradient tracer test conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, demonstrate its efficacy for field studies of solute transport in groundwater and the utility of one-dimensional analysis. The methodology was applied to design of sparse two-dimensional networks of fully screened wells typical of those often used in engineering practice. In one-dimensional analysis, designs consist of the downstream distances to rows of wells oriented perpendicular to the groundwater flow direction and the timing of sampling to be carried out on each row. The power of a sampling design is measured by its effectiveness in simultaneously meeting objectives of model discrimination, parameter estimation, and cost minimization. One-dimensional models of solute transport, differing in processes affecting the solute and assumptions about the structure of the flow field, were considered for description of tracer cloud migration. When fitting each model using nonlinear regression, additive and multiplicative error forms were allowed for the residuals which consist of both random and model errors. The one-dimensional single-layer model of a nonreactive solute with multiplicative error was judged to be the best of those tested. Results show the efficacy of the methodology in designing sparse but powerful sampling networks. Designs that sample five rows of wells at five or fewer times in any given row performed as well for model discrimination as the full set of samples taken up to eight times in a given row from as many as 89 rows. Also, designs for parameter estimation judged to be good by the methodology were as effective in reducing the variance of parameter estimates as arbitrary designs with many more samples. Results further showed that estimates of velocity and longitudinal dispersivity in one-dimensional models based on data from only five rows of fully screened wells each sampled five or fewer times were practically equivalent to values determined from moments analysis of the complete three-dimensional set of 29,285 samples taken during 16 sampling times.

Methane Cycling in a Warming Wetland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noyce, G. L.; Megonigal, P.; Rich, R.; Kirwan, M. L.; Herbert, E. R.

2017-12-01

Coastal wetlands are global hotspots of carbon (C) storage, but the future of these systems is uncertain. In June 2016, we initiated an in-situ, active, whole-ecosystem warming experiment in the Smithsonian's Global Change Research Wetland to quantify how warming and elevated CO2 affect the stability of coastal wetland soil C pools and contemporary rates of C sequestration. Transects are located in two plant communities, dominated by C3 sedges or C4 grasses. The experiment has a gradient design with air and soil warming treatments ranging from ambient to +5.1 °C and heated plots consistently maintain their target temperature year-round. In April 2017, an elevated CO2 treatment was crossed with temperature in the C3community. Ongoing measurements include soil elevation, C fluxes, porewater chemistry and redox potential, and above- and below-ground growth and biomass. In both years, warming increased methane (CH4) emissions (measured at 3-4 week intervals) from spring through fall at the C3 site, but had little effect on emissions from the C4 site. Winter (Dec-Mar) emissions showed no treatment effect. Stable isotope analysis of dissolved CH4 and DIC also indicated that warming had differing effects on CH4 pathways in the two vegetation communities. To better understand temperature effects on rates of CH4 production and oxidation, 1 m soil cores were collected from control areas of the marsh in summer 2017 and incubated at temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 35 °C. Warming increased CH4 production and oxidation rates in surface samples and oxidation rates in the rooting zone samples from both sites, but temperature responses in deep (1 m) soil samples were minimal. In the surface and rooting zone samples, production rates were also consistently higher in C3 soils compared to C4 soils, but, contrary to our expectations, the temperature response was stronger in the C4 soils. However, oxidation in C3 rooting zone samples did have a strong temperature response. The ratio of CO2:CH4 decreased with increasing temperature in surface samples from both sites, indicating that anaerobic respiration in surface soil may become increasingly methanogenic with warming. In contrast, the rooting zone and deep soil samples showed the opposite trend, again suggesting that the soil profile will not respond consistently to warming.

Root location in random trees: a polarity property of all sampling consistent phylogenetic models except one.

PubMed

Steel, Mike

2012-10-01

Neutral macroevolutionary models, such as the Yule model, give rise to a probability distribution on the set of discrete rooted binary trees over a given leaf set. Such models can provide a signal as to the approximate location of the root when only the unrooted phylogenetic tree is known, and this signal becomes relatively more significant as the number of leaves grows. In this short note, we show that among models that treat all taxa equally, and are sampling consistent (i.e. the distribution on trees is not affected by taxa yet to be included), all such models, except one (the so-called PDA model), convey some information as to the location of the ancestral root in an unrooted tree. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Is Coefficient Alpha Robust to Non-Normal Data?

PubMed Central

Sheng, Yanyan; Sheng, Zhaohui

2011-01-01

Coefficient alpha has been a widely used measure by which internal consistency reliability is assessed. In addition to essential tau-equivalence and uncorrelated errors, normality has been noted as another important assumption for alpha. Earlier work on evaluating this assumption considered either exclusively non-normal error score distributions, or limited conditions. In view of this and the availability of advanced methods for generating univariate non-normal data, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to show that non-normal distributions for true or error scores do create problems for using alpha to estimate the internal consistency reliability. The sample coefficient alpha is affected by leptokurtic true score distributions, or skewed and/or kurtotic error score distributions. Increased sample sizes, not test lengths, help improve the accuracy, bias, or precision of using it with non-normal data. PMID:22363306

Sedentary images in a popular US based parenting magazine: 2010-2015.

PubMed

Basch, Corey H; Kecojevic, Aleksandar; Cadorett, Valerie; Zagnit, Emily A

2016-01-01

Parenting magazines serve as a platform for advertisers to target children and their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe the number of pictures of sedentary and non-sedentary children pictured in the popular parenting magazine, Parents. Our sample consisted of 72 issues from Parents magazine from January 2010 to December 2015. The sampling frame consisted of all printed issues over this time period. All pictures of children, whether they were in advertisements or models appearing throughout the magazine were included. There were a total of 11 018 children images reviewed. The overwhelming majority included sedentary children (n = 9734, 88.3%), while the minority showed children engaged in some kind of activity (n = 1284, 11.7%). Parents are encouraged to discuss with their pediatricians which activities are most beneficial for their children's health.

Ecological Consistency of SSU rRNA-Based Operational Taxonomic Units at a Global Scale

PubMed Central

Schmidt, Thomas S. B.; Matias Rodrigues, João F.; von Mering, Christian

2014-01-01

Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), usually defined as clusters of similar 16S/18S rRNA sequences, are the most widely used basic diversity units in large-scale characterizations of microbial communities. However, it remains unclear how well the various proposed OTU clustering algorithms approximate ‘true’ microbial taxa. Here, we explore the ecological consistency of OTUs – based on the assumption that, like true microbial taxa, they should show measurable habitat preferences (niche conservatism). In a global and comprehensive survey of available microbial sequence data, we systematically parse sequence annotations to obtain broad ecological descriptions of sampling sites. Based on these, we observe that sequence-based microbial OTUs generally show high levels of ecological consistency. However, different OTU clustering methods result in marked differences in the strength of this signal. Assuming that ecological consistency can serve as an objective external benchmark for cluster quality, we conclude that hierarchical complete linkage clustering, which provided the most ecologically consistent partitions, should be the default choice for OTU clustering. To our knowledge, this is the first approach to assess cluster quality using an external, biologically meaningful parameter as a benchmark, on a global scale. PMID:24763141

Antarctic meteor observations using the Davis MST and meteor radars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holdsworth, David A.; Murphy, Damian J.; Reid, Iain M.; Morris, Ray J.

2008-07-01

This paper presents the meteor observations obtained using two radars installed at Davis (68.6°S, 78.0°E), Antarctica. The Davis MST radar was installed primarily for observation of polar mesosphere summer echoes, with additional transmit and receive antennas installed to allow all-sky interferometric meteor radar observations. The Davis meteor radar performs dedicated all-sky interferometric meteor radar observations. The annual count rate variation for both radars peaks in mid-summer and minimizes in early Spring. The height distribution shows significant annual variation, with minimum (maximum) peak heights and maximum (minimum) height widths in early Spring (mid-summer). Although the meteor radar count rate and height distribution variations are consistent with a similar frequency meteor radar operating at Andenes (69.3°N), the peak heights show a much larger variation than at Andenes, while the count rate maximum-to-minimum ratios show a much smaller variation. Investigation of the effects of the temporal sampling parameters suggests that these differences are consistent with the different temporal sampling strategies used by the Davis and Andenes meteor radars. The new radiant mapping procedure of [Jones, J., Jones, W., Meteor radiant activity mapping using single-station radar observations, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 367(3), 1050-1056, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10025.x, 2006] is investigated. The technique is used to detect the Southern delta-Aquarid meteor shower, and a previously unknown weak shower. Meteoroid speeds obtained using the Fresnel transform are presented. The diurnal, annual, and height variation of meteoroid speeds are presented, with the results found to be consistent with those obtained using specular meteor radars. Meteoroid speed estimates for echoes identified as Southern delta-Aquarid and Sextantid meteor candidates show good agreement with the theoretical pre-atmospheric speeds of these showers (41 km s -1 and 32 km s -1, respectively). The meteoroid speeds estimated for these showers show decreasing speed with decreasing height, consistent with the effects of meteoroid deceleration. Finally, we illustrate how the new radiant mapping and meteoroid speed techniques can be combined for unambiguous meteor shower detection, and use these techniques to detect a previously unknown weak shower.

[Consistency and Reliability of MDK Expertise Examining the Encoding in the German DRG System].

PubMed

Gaertner, T; Lehr, F; Blum, B; van Essen, J

2015-09-01

Hospital inpatient stays are reimbursed on the basis of German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG). The G-DRG classification system is based on complex coding guidelines. The Medical Review Board of the Statutory Health Insurance Funds (MDK) examines the encoding by hospitals and delivers individual expertises on behalf of the German statutory health insurance companies in cases in which irregularities are suspected. A study was conducted on the inter-rater reliability of the MDK expertises regarding the scope of the assessment. A representative sample of 212 MDK expertises was taken from a selected pool of 1 392 MDK expertises in May 2013. This representative sample underwent a double-examination by 2 independent MDK experts using a special software based on the 3MTM G-DRG Grouper 2013 of 3M Medica, Germany. The following items encoded by the hospitals were examined: DRG, principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, procedures and additional payments. It was analysed whether the results of MDK expertises were consistent, reliable and correct. 202 expertises were eligible for evaluation, containing a total of 254 questions regarding one or more of the 5 items encoded by hospitals. The double-examination by 2 independent MDK experts showed matching results in 187 questions (73.6%) meaning they had been examined consistently and correctly. 59 questions (23.2%) did not show matching results, nevertheless they had been examined correctly regarding the scope of the assessment. None of the principal diagnoses was significantly affected by inconsistent or wrong judgment. A representative sample of MDK expertises examining the DRG encoding by hospitals showed a very high percentage of correct examination by the MDK experts. Identical MDK expertises cannot be achieved in all cases due to the scope of the assessment. Further improvement and simplification of codes and coding guidelines are required to reduce the scope of assessment with regard to correct DRG encoding and its examination. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Mechanochemistry for shock wave energy dissipation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaw, William L.; Ren, Yi; Moore, Jeffrey S.; Dlott, Dana D.

2017-01-01

Using a laser-driven flyer-plate apparatus to launch 75 μm thick Al flyers up to 2.8 km/s, we developed a technique for detecting the attenuation of shock waves by mechanically-driven chemical reactions. The attenuating sample was spread on an ultrathin Au mirror deposited onto a glass window having a known Hugoniot. As shock energy exited the sample and passed through the mirror, into the glass, photonic Doppler velocimetry monitored the velocity profile of the ultrathin mirror. Knowing the window Hugoniot, the velocity profile could be quantitatively converted into a shock energy flux or fluence. The flux gave the temporal profile of the shock front, and showed how the shock front was reshaped by passing through the dissipative medium. The fluence, the time-integrated flux, showed how much shock energy was transmitted through the sample. Samples consisted of microgram quantities of carefully engineered organic compounds selected for their potential to undergo negative-volume chemistry. Post mortem analytical methods were used to confirm that shock dissipation was associated with shock-induced chemical reactions.

Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Properties of Y2O3 Nanoparticles Prepared by Co-Precipitation Method.

PubMed

Saravanan, Thulasingam; Raj, Srinivasan Gokul; Chandar, Nagamuthu Raja Krishna; Jayavel, Ramasamy

2015-06-01

Y2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation route using yttrium nitrate hexahydrate and ammonium hydroxide as precursors. The prepared sample was calcined at 500 degrees C and subjected to various characterization studies like thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD pattern showed the cubic fluorite structure of Y2O3 without any impurity peaks, revealing high purity of the prepared sample. TEM images revealed that the calcined Y2O3 nanoparticles consist of spherical-like morphology with an average particle size of 12 nm. The absorption spectrum of calcined samples shows blue-shift compared to the as-prepared sample, which was further confirmed by PL studies. The possible formation mechanism of Y2O3 nanoparticles has been discussed based on the experimental results. Electrochemical behavior of Y2O3 nanoparticles was studied by cyclic voltammetry to assess their suitability for supercapacitor applications.

Limits of metastability in amorphous ices: the neutron scattering Debye-Waller factor.

PubMed

Amann-Winkel, Katrin; Löw, Florian; Handle, Philip H; Knoll, Wiebke; Peters, Judith; Geil, Burkhard; Fujara, Franz; Loerting, Thomas

2012-12-21

Recently, it became clear that relaxation effects in amorphous ices play a very important role that has previously been overlooked. The thermodynamic history of amorphous samples strongly affects their transition behavior. In particular, well-relaxed samples show higher thermal stability, thereby providing a larger window to investigate their glass transitions. We here present neutron scattering experiments using fixed elastic window scans on relaxed forms of amorphous ice, namely expanded high density amorphous ice (eHDA), a variant of low density amorphous ice (LDA-II) and hyperquenched glassy water (HGW). These amorphous ices are expected to be true glassy counterparts of deeply supercooled liquid water, therefore fast precursor dynamics of structural relaxation are expected to appear below the calorimetric glass transition temperature. The Debye-Waller factor shows a very weak sub-T(g) anomaly in some of the samples, which might be the signature of such fast precursor dynamics. However, we cannot find this behavior consistently in all samples at all reciprocal length scales of momentum transfer.

Surfactant-assisted growth and optical properties of ZnO hexagonal bilayer disk-like microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Q. P.; Shen, X. Y.; Wang, L. L.; Zhu, L. P.; Wang, L. J.; Liao, G. H.

2018-01-01

ZnO hexagonal bilayer disk-like microstructures are successfully fabricated using a simple solvothermal method assisted with surfactant. The structure and morphology were investigated by XRD, SEM, and EDS. XRD result indicated that the as-obtained samples were well-crystallized wurtzite hexagonal ZnO structure. SEM images showed that the ZnO hexagonal bilayer disk-like assembles consist of two uniform and smooth disks with an average edge length of 6 μm and thickness of ˜4 μm. UV-vis spectrum reveals that ZnO sampls show an appreciable red shift and the band gap energy of the obtained ZnO samples were about 3.15 eV. A very strong UV emission at the ultraviolet (UV) region was observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the as-prepared ZnO samples tested at room-temperature. A possible growth process of the ZnO hexagonal bilayer disk-like microstructures was schematically illustrated.

Development of a problematic mobile phone use scale for Turkish adolescents.

PubMed

Güzeller, Cem Oktay; Coşguner, Tolga

2012-04-01

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale (PMPUS) for Turkish Adolescents. The psychometric properties of PMPUS were tested in two separate sample groups that consisted of 950 Turkish high school students. The first sample group (n=309) was used to determine the factor structure of the scale. The second sample group (n=461) was used to test data conformity with the identified structure, discriminant validity and concurrent scale validity, internal consistency reliability calculations, and item statistics calculations. The results of exploratory factor analyses indicated that the scale had three factors: interference with negative effect, compulsion/persistence, and withdrawal/tolerance. The results showed that item and construct reliability values yielded satisfactory rates in general for the three-factor construct. On the other hand, the average variance extracted value remained below the scale value for three subscales. The scores for the scale significantly correlated with depression and loneliness. In addition, the discriminant validity value was above the scale in all sub-dimensions except one. Based on these data, the reliability of the PMPUS scale appears to be satisfactory and provides good internal consistency. Therefore, with limited exception, the PMPUS was found to be reliable and valid in the context of Turkish adolescents.

Development and validation of the Hospitality Axiological Scale for Humanization of Nursing Care

PubMed Central

Galán González-Serna, José María; Ferreras-Mencia, Soledad; Arribas-Marín, Juan Manuel

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: to develop and validate a scale to evaluate nursing attitudes in relation to hospitality for the humanization of nursing care. Participants: the sample consisted of 499 nursing professionals and undergraduate students of the final two years of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Method: the instrument has been developed and validated to evaluate the ethical values related to hospitality using a methodological approach. Subsequently, a model was developed to measure the dimensions forming the construct hospitality. Results: the Axiological Hospitality Scale showed a high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s Alpha=0.901. The validation of the measuring instrument was performed using factorial, exploratory and confirmatory analysis techniques with high goodness of fit measures. Conclusions: the developed instrument showed an adequate validity and a high internal consistency. Based on the consistency of its psychometric properties, it is possible to affirm that the scale provides a reliable measurement of the hospitality. It was also possible to determine the dimensions or sources that embrace it: respect, responsibility, quality and transpersonal care. PMID:28793127

[Adaptation of the Hinting Task theory of the mind test to Spanish].

PubMed

Gil, David; Fernández-Modamio, Mar; Bengochea, Rosario; Arrieta, Marta

2012-01-01

Many studies have found that patients with schizophrenia have a deficit in theory of mind. Some authors associate this deficit with the presence of symptoms, while others maintain that it can also be observed in patients in the remission phase. There is no reference test to assess theory of mind in schizophrenia, although one of the most used is the Hinting Task. The aim of the present study consists of adapting and validating, in Spanish, the 10 histories that make up this test. The study was conducted on a sample of 39 control subjects and 40 patients with schizophrenia. The internal consistency and the between-observer reliability and test-retest were assessed in both sample groups. The performance of the patients and control subjects were also compared. Good reliability data was obtained in the inter-observer and test-retest in the two samples. On the other hand, the internal consistency was somewhat low for all of the 10 histories. For this reason, and starting from a previous study, a reduced version of 5 histories was prepared, which showed good internal consistency. The patients with schizophrenia obtained a significantly lower score than the control subjects in 8 out of the 10 histories. The reduced Spanish version of the Hinting Task demonstrated good psychometric properties. When compared to the control group, the patients with schizophrenia had a deficit in theory of mind. Copyright © 2011 SEP y SEPB. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Experimental Magnetohydrodynamic Energy Extraction from a Pulsed Detonation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

experimental data taken in this thesis will follow voltage profiles similar to Fig. 2. Notice the initial section in Fig. 2 shows exponential decay consistent...equal that time constant. The exponential curves in Fig. 2 show how changing the time constant can change the charge and/or discharge rate of the...see Fig. 1), at a sampling rate of 1 MHz. Shielded wire and a common ground were used throughout the DAQ system to avoid capacitive issues in the

Space Weathering of Silicates Simulated by Successive Laser Irradiation: in Situ Reflectance Measurements of Fo90, Fo99+, and SiO2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loeffler, M. J.; Dukes, C. A.; Christoffersen, R.; Baragiola, R. A.

2016-01-01

Pulsed-laser irradiation causes the visible-near-infrared spectral slope of olivine (Fo90 and Fo99+) and SiO2 to increase (redden), while the olivine samples darken and the SiO2 samples brighten slightly. XPS analysis shows that irradiation of Fo90 produces metallic Fe. Analytical SEM and TEM measurements confirm that reddening in the Fo90 olivine samples correlates with the production of "nanophase" metallic Fe (npFe0) grains, 20-50 nm in size. The reddening observed in the SiO2 sample is consistent with the formation of SiO or other SiOx species that absorb in the visible. The weak spectral brightening induced by laser irradiation of SiO2 is consistent with a change in surface topography of the sample. The darkening observed in the olivine samples is likely caused by the formation of larger npFe0 particles, such as the 100-400 nm diameter npFe0 identified during our TEM analysis of Fo90 samples. The Fo90 reflectance spectra are qualitatively similar to those in previous experiments suggesting that in all cases formation of npFe0 is causing the spectral alteration. Finally, we find that the accumulation of successive laser pulses cause continued sample darkening in the Vis-NIR, which suggests that repeated surface impacts are an efficient way to darken airless body surfaces.

High resolution DNA melting analysis: an application for prenatal control of alpha-thalassemia.

PubMed

Sirichotiyakul, Supatra; Wanapirak, Chanane; Saetung, Rattika; Sanguansermsri, Torpong

2010-04-01

To report the use of real-time gap-PCR using SYTO9 with high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) in prenatal diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia 1. Real-time gap-PCR using SYTO9 with HRMA was performed in 33 DNA samples from chorionic villi sampling (8 normal, 16 heterozygous, and 9 homozygous) to determine the alpha-thalassemia 1 gene [normal and Southeast Asia (-SEA) allele]. The dissociation curve analysis in normal and - SEA allele gave a peak of T(m) at 91.80 +/- 0.14 degrees C and 88.67 +/- 0.08 degrees C, respectively. Normal genotype and homozygous alpha-thalassemia 1 showed a single peak of T(m) that corresponded to their alleles. The heterozygotes gave both peaks with higher normal peak and smaller - SEA peak. Thirty one samples showed consistent results with the conventional gap-PCR. Two samples with ambiguous results were confirmed to be maternal DNA contamination on real-time quantitative PCR and microsatellite assay. HRMA from both samples showed similar pattern to that of heterozygotes. However, they showed much smaller normal peak compared with the - SEA peak, which is in contrast to those of heterozygotes and can readily be distinguished. HRMA with SYTO9 is feasible for prenatal diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia. It had potential advantage of prompt detection maternal DNA contamination. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Distribution of Apollo 15 lunar samples: News release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dick, L.

1971-01-01

More than 2200 Apollo 15 samples and polished thin sections weighing a total of about three kilograms will be distributed to 201 principal investigators for study during the next year. The scientific investigations will provide detailed information on the samples' mineralogy, petrology, chemistry, age, and history and on the effects of micrometeorite impacts, solar radiation, and cosmic ray bombardment. Preliminary examination of samples show the Apollo 15 material to be of three types: dark colored iron-rich basalts associated with mare and rille formation; a few basalts enriched in feldspar collected near the Apennine front; and light colored fragmental rocks or breccias consisting of soil-like materials which were cemented together or of rock fragments which were welded together by partial remelting.

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of Geriatric Anxiety Inventory--GAI-BR.

PubMed

Massena, Patrícia Nitschke; de Araújo, Narahyana Bom; Pachana, Nancy; Laks, Jerson; de Pádua, Analuiza Camozzato

2015-07-01

The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) is a recently developed scale aiming to evaluate symptoms of anxiety in later life. This 20-item scale uses dichotomous answers highlighting non-somatic anxiety complaints of elderly people. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version GAI (GAI-BR) in a sample from community and outpatient psychogeriatric clinic. A mixed convenience sample of 72 subjects was recruited for answering the research protocol. The interview procedures were structured with questionnaires about sociodemographic data, clinical health status, anxiety, and depression previously validated instruments, Mini-Mental State Examination, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and GAI-BR. Twenty-two percent of the sample were interviewed twice for test-retest reliability. For internal consistency analyses, the Cronbach's α test was applied. The Spearman correlation test was applied to evaluate the test-retest GAI-BR reliability. A ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve study was made to estimate the GAI-BR area under curve, cut-off points, sensitivity, and specificity for the Generalized Anxiety Disorder diagnosis. The GAI-BR version showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and strong and significant test-retest reliability (ρ = 0.85, p < 0.001). It also showed moderate and significant correlation with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (ρ = 0.68, p < 0.001) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (ρ = 0.61, p < 0.001) showing evidence of concurrent validation. The cut-off point of 13 estimated by ROC curve analyses showed sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 84.6% to detect Generalized Anxiety Disorder (DSM-IV). GAI-BR has demonstrated very good psychometric properties and can be a reliable instrument to measure anxiety in Brazilian elderly people.

The CaGeO3 Ca3Fe2Ge3O12 garnet join: an experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iezzi, Gianluca; Boffa-Ballaran, Tiziana; McCammon, Catherine; Langenhorst, Falko

2005-06-01

Germanate garnets are often used as isostructural analogues of silicate garnets to provide insight into the crystal chemistry and symmetry of the less accessible natural garnet solid solutions. We synthesised two series of germanate garnets at 3 GPa along the joinVIIICa3VI(CaGe)IVGe3O12 VIIICa3VIFe2IVGe3O12 at 900 °C and 1,100 °C. Samples with compositions close to the CaGeO3 end-member consist of tetragonal garnet with a small amount of triclinic CaGe2O5. Samples with nominal compositions between XFe=0.4 and 1.0 consist of a mixture of tetragonal and cubic garnets; whereas, single-phase cubic garnets were obtained for compositions with XFe>1.2 (XFe gives the iron content expressed in atoms per formula unit, and varies between 0 and 2 along the join). Run products which were primarily single-phase garnet were investigated using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Spectra from samples synthesised at 1,100°C consist of one well-resolved doublet that can be assigned to Fe3+ in the octahedral site of the garnet structure. A second doublet, present primarily in samples synthesised at 900°C, can be assigned to Fe2+ at the octahedral sites of the garnet structure. The relative abundance of Fe2+ decreases with increasing iron content. Transmission electron microscopy analyses confirm this tendency and show that the garnets are essentially defect-free. The unit-cell parameters of tetragonal VIIICa3VI(CaGe)IVGe3O3 garnet decrease with increasing synthesis temperature, and the deviation from cubic symmetry becomes smaller. Cubic garnets show a linear decrease of unit-cell parameter with increasing iron content. The results are discussed in the context of iron incorporation into VIIIMg3VI(MgSi)IVSi3O3 majorite.

[Study on the resilience internal factors in a sample of Puerto Rican centenarians].

PubMed

Rosado-Medina, José J; Rodríguez-Gómez, José R; Altieri-Ramirez, Gladys

2012-01-01

Old age is a stage that is usually characterized by lost at the physiological, psychological and social level that generates much distress to individuals. However, the centenaries have been identified as an example of successful aging, within other factors, because they have adequate managed skills that help them to deal with healthy normal losses. Resilience could be one of the factors that may help the Centennials to age successfully. It is necessary more studies with Puerto Rico Centennials since we lack such investigations. This study has an expo facto design; in addition we evaluate psychometrically the Symptoms Check List 90-R (SCL-90-R). The scale of Internal Resilience Factors (EFIR), a semi structured interview and the SCL-90-R were used to identify factors associated with successful aging in the centennials. In addition we explore if there exist gender differences in internal factors of resilience within the sample. 23 Centennials, 15 men and 8 women, of different parts of Puerto Rico (average age = 101. 5 years). Internal resilience factors associated with the aging process were identifying, those were: emotional stability, optimism, behavioral factor and behavioral and emotional skills component. These factors are consistent with the revised literature on positive emotions and adaptive ageing. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was identified (p <. 05) for the internal factors of resilience on the basis of gender, a finding agreed with the revised literature. The multiple tests administered showed adequate internal consistency (EFIR: (=. 726); SCL-90-R: (=. 941). The Symptoms Check list 90-R (SCL-90-R) was valid with a Cronbach's alpha of. 941. We identified internal resilience factors that could be linked with successfully aging: those factors are encouraging the elderly population. In addition used tests showed adequate internal consistency. Limitations in relation to the size of the sample and the distribution of gender were identified, thus we suggest further research with larger samples.

A large sample of Kohonen-selected SDSS quasars with weak emission lines: selection effects and statistical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meusinger, H.; Balafkan, N.

2014-08-01

Aims: A tiny fraction of the quasar population shows remarkably weak emission lines. Several hypotheses have been developed, but the weak line quasar (WLQ) phenomenon still remains puzzling. The aim of this study was to create a sizeable sample of WLQs and WLQ-like objects and to evaluate various properties of this sample. Methods: We performed a search for WLQs in the spectroscopic data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 based on Kohonen self-organising maps for nearly 105 quasar spectra. The final sample consists of 365 quasars in the redshift range z = 0.6 - 4.2 (z¯ = 1.50 ± 0.45) and includes in particular a subsample of 46 WLQs with equivalent widths WMg ii< 11 Å and WC iv< 4.8 Å. We compared the luminosities, black hole masses, Eddington ratios, accretion rates, variability, spectral slopes, and radio properties of the WLQs with those of control samples of ordinary quasars. Particular attention was paid to selection effects. Results: The WLQs have, on average, significantly higher luminosities, Eddington ratios, and accretion rates. About half of the excess comes from a selection bias, but an intrinsic excess remains probably caused primarily by higher accretion rates. The spectral energy distribution shows a bluer continuum at rest-frame wavelengths ≳1500 Å. The variability in the optical and UV is relatively low, even taking the variability-luminosity anti-correlation into account. The percentage of radio detected quasars and of core-dominant radio sources is significantly higher than for the control sample, whereas the mean radio-loudness is lower. Conclusions: The properties of our WLQ sample can be consistently understood assuming that it consists of a mix of quasars at the beginning of a stage of increased accretion activity and of beamed radio-quiet quasars. The higher luminosities and Eddington ratios in combination with a bluer spectral energy distribution can be explained by hotter continua, i.e. higher accretion rates. If quasar activity consists of subphases with different accretion rates, a change towards a higher rate is probably accompanied by an only slow development of the broad line region. The composite WLQ spectrum can be reasonably matched by the ordinary quasar composite where the continuum has been replaced by that of a hotter disk. A similar effect can be achieved by an additional power-law component in relativistically boosted radio-quiet quasars, which may explain the high percentage of radio quasars. The full catalogue is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/568/A114

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the attitudes towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation with defibrillation (ACPRD-C) among female hospital nurses in Taiwan.

PubMed

Lin, Hsing-Long; Lin, Mei-Hsiang; Ho, Chao-Chung; Fu, Chin-Hua; Koo, Malcolm

2017-07-01

Nurses are often the first responders to in-hospital cardiac emergencies. A positive attitude towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation with defibrillation may contribute to early cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rapid defibrillation, which are associated with enhanced long-term survival. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the 31-item attitudes towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation with defibrillation and the national resuscitation guidelines (ACPRD) instrument into Chinese and to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of Taiwanese hospital nurses. The ACPRD instrument was translated into Chinese using professional translation services. Content validity index based on five experts to refine the translated instrument. The final instrument was applied to a sample of 290 female nurses, recruited from a regional hospital in southern Taiwan, to assess its internal consistency, factor structure, and discriminative validity. The Chinese ACPRD instrument showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.87). Seven factors emerged from the factor analysis. The instrument showed good discriminative validity and were able to differentiate the attitudes of nurses with more experience of defibrillation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation from those with less experience. Nurses working in emergency ward or intensive care unit also showed significantly higher overall scores compared to those working in other units. The Chinese ACPRD demonstrated adequate content validity, internal consistency, sensible factor structure, and good discriminative validity. Among Chinese-speaking nurses, it may be used as a tool for assessing the effectiveness of educational programs that aim to improve their confidence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with defibrillation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Motion patterns in acupuncture needle manipulation.

PubMed

Seo, Yoonjeong; Lee, In-Seon; Jung, Won-Mo; Ryu, Ho-Sun; Lim, Jinwoong; Ryu, Yeon-Hee; Kang, Jung-Won; Chae, Younbyoung

2014-10-01

In clinical practice, acupuncture manipulation is highly individualised for each practitioner. Before we establish a standard for acupuncture manipulation, it is important to understand completely the manifestations of acupuncture manipulation in the actual clinic. To examine motion patterns during acupuncture manipulation, we generated a fitted model of practitioners' motion patterns and evaluated their consistencies in acupuncture manipulation. Using a motion sensor, we obtained real-time motion data from eight experienced practitioners while they conducted acupuncture manipulation using their own techniques. We calculated the average amplitude and duration of a sampled motion unit for each practitioner and, after normalisation, we generated a true regression curve of motion patterns for each practitioner using a generalised additive mixed modelling (GAMM). We observed significant differences in rotation amplitude and duration in motion samples among practitioners. GAMM showed marked variations in average regression curves of motion patterns among practitioners but there was strong consistency in motion parameters for individual practitioners. The fitted regression model showed that the true regression curve accounted for an average of 50.2% of variance in the motion pattern for each practitioner. Our findings suggest that there is great inter-individual variability between practitioners, but remarkable intra-individual consistency within each practitioner. 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.

Environmental surveillance data report for the second quarter of 1990

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

Goldberg, P.Y.; Horwedel, B.M.; Osborne-Lee, A.E.

1991-02-01

Each section of this report consists of a program description; results for the quarter; and an analysis of trends over the previous two years, depending upon the availability of data. Emissions of tritium to the atmosphere returned to levels consistent with the latter part of 1989. Osmium-191 releases were down by a factor of fifty due to changes in operations. Ambient air sampling around ORNL and the reservation showed that I-131 and H-3 continue to be at concentrations of less than 0.01% of the derived concentration guides (DCG) for these isotopes. Tritium and strontium concentrations at White Oak Dam weremore » at 11% and 22% of their DCGs for the quarter respectively. All of the other radionuclides that were evaluated at the dam were at 2% or less of their DCGs. The NPDES compliance ratio for this quarter was 97% due to 20 noncompliances. Twelve of the exceedences were due to Category outfalls. Total radioactive strontium in milk was detected at two of the stations. The concentrations were less than 1% of the DCG for Sr-90. Samples from the perimeter wells of SWSA 6 were consistent with the data collected during the assessment phase with the exception of one well that showed twice the concentration of tritium previously seen (920 Bq/L versus 530 Bq/L). 20 figs., 39 tabs.« less

High dimensional linear regression models under long memory dependence and measurement error

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaul, Abhishek

This dissertation consists of three chapters. The first chapter introduces the models under consideration and motivates problems of interest. A brief literature review is also provided in this chapter. The second chapter investigates the properties of Lasso under long range dependent model errors. Lasso is a computationally efficient approach to model selection and estimation, and its properties are well studied when the regression errors are independent and identically distributed. We study the case, where the regression errors form a long memory moving average process. We establish a finite sample oracle inequality for the Lasso solution. We then show the asymptotic sign consistency in this setup. These results are established in the high dimensional setup (p> n) where p can be increasing exponentially with n. Finally, we show the consistency, n½ --d-consistency of Lasso, along with the oracle property of adaptive Lasso, in the case where p is fixed. Here d is the memory parameter of the stationary error sequence. The performance of Lasso is also analysed in the present setup with a simulation study. The third chapter proposes and investigates the properties of a penalized quantile based estimator for measurement error models. Standard formulations of prediction problems in high dimension regression models assume the availability of fully observed covariates and sub-Gaussian and homogeneous model errors. This makes these methods inapplicable to measurement errors models where covariates are unobservable and observations are possibly non sub-Gaussian and heterogeneous. We propose weighted penalized corrected quantile estimators for the regression parameter vector in linear regression models with additive measurement errors, where unobservable covariates are nonrandom. The proposed estimators forgo the need for the above mentioned model assumptions. We study these estimators in both the fixed dimension and high dimensional sparse setups, in the latter setup, the dimensionality can grow exponentially with the sample size. In the fixed dimensional setting we provide the oracle properties associated with the proposed estimators. In the high dimensional setting, we provide bounds for the statistical error associated with the estimation, that hold with asymptotic probability 1, thereby providing the ℓ1-consistency of the proposed estimator. We also establish the model selection consistency in terms of the correctly estimated zero components of the parameter vector. A simulation study that investigates the finite sample accuracy of the proposed estimator is also included in this chapter.

A Self-Regulatory Model of Behavioral Disinhibition in Late Adolescence: Integrating Personality Traits, Externalizing Psychopathology, and Cognitive Capacity

PubMed Central

Bogg, Tim; Finn, Peter R.

2011-01-01

Two samples with heterogeneous prevalence of externalizing psychopathology were used to investigate the structure of self-regulatory models of behavioral disinhibition and cognitive capacity. Consistent with expectations, structural equation modeling in the first sample (N = 541) showed a hierarchical model with three lower-order factors of impulsive sensation-seeking, anti-sociality/unconventionality, and lifetime externalizing problem counts, with a behavioral disinhibition superfactor best accounted for the pattern of covariation among six disinhibited personality trait indicators and four externalizing problem indicators. The structure was replicated in a second sample (N = 463) and showed that the behavioral disinhibition superfactor, and not the lower-order impulsive sensation-seeking, anti-sociality/unconventionality, and externalizing problem factors, was associated with lower IQ, reduced short-term memory capacity, and reduced working memory capacity. The results provide a systemic and meaningful integration of major self-regulatory influences during a developmentally important stage of life. PMID:20433626

Efforts to identify Te-rich nano-islands in ZnSe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lau, June W.; Volkov, Vyacheslav V.; Zhu, Yimei; Kuskovsky, Igor L.; Neumark, Gertrude F.; Lin, W.; Maksimov, Oleg; Tamargo, Maria C.

2002-03-01

Much work has been done on the study of nano-island formation (“dopants”) in various systems by use of electron microscopy, often complemented by x-ray microanalysis [1]. This works well for systems involving one or more monolayers of dopants. Our system consists of Te and N dopants incorporated into ZnSe in sub-monolayer quantities [2]. This presents a challenge; our calculations show that this case is probably below the detection limit of x-ray microanalysis. Our samples do show strain contrasts but we were unable to obtain direct confirmation of nano-islands’ existence. As an alternative, dark field images from chemically sensitively reflections were used in volumetric defect density studies. The defect density in the doped samples was higher than that of the undoped samples. 1. Dorin C., U of Mich. Poster presentation at Fall MRS meeting 2001 2. Lin et al., Apple. Phys. Let., 76, 2205 (2000).

Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) in a longitudinal study of African Americans with anxiety disorders.

PubMed

Beard, Courtney; Rodriguez, Benjamin F; Moitra, Ethan; Sibrava, Nicholas J; Bjornsson, Andri; Weisberg, Risa B; Keller, Martin B

2011-06-01

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is a widely used measure of social anxiety. However, no study has examined the psychometric properties of the LSAS in an African American sample. The current study examined the LSAS characteristics in 97 African Americans diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Overall, the original LSAS subscales showed excellent internal consistency and temporal stability. Similar to previous reports, fear and avoidance subscales were so highly correlated that they yielded redundant information. Confirmatory factor analyses for three previously proposed models failed to demonstrate an excellent fit to our data. However, a four-factor model showed minimally acceptable fit. Overall, the LSAS performed similarly in our African American sample as in previous European American samples. Exploratory factor analyses are warranted to determine whether a better factor structure exists for African Americans. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AMS 14C dating of lime mortar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinemeier, Jan; Jungner, Högne; Lindroos, Alf; Ringbom, Åsa; von Konow, Thorborg; Rud, Niels

1997-03-01

A method for refining lime mortar samples for 14C dating has been developed. It includes mechanical and chemical separation of mortar carbonate with optical control of the purity of the samples. The method has been applied to a large series of AMS datings on lime mortar from three medieval churches on the Åland Islands, Finland. The datings show convincing internal consistency and confine the construction time of the churches to AD 1280-1380 with a most probable date just before AD 1300. We have also applied the method to the controversial Newport Tower, Rhode Island, USA. Our mortar datings confine the building to colonial time in the 17th century and thus refute claims of Viking origin of the tower. For the churches, a parallel series of datings of organic (charcoal) inclusions in the mortar show less reliable results than the mortar samples, which is ascribed to poor association with the construction time.

Natural occurrence of ochratoxin A contamination in commercial black and white pepper products.

PubMed

Jalili, M; Jinap, S; Radu, S

2010-10-01

The concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in 120 commercial pepper (84 pre-packed and 36 bulk samples), which consist of local and imported white and black pepper in powder and seed form in Malaysia were determined. The objective of the study was to investigate and compare OTA concentration in black pepper and white pepper being commercialized in Malaysia. Determination method was based on HPLC with fluorescence detection coupled with immunoaffinity column clean-up step. Mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (49.5:49.5:1.0, v/v/v), and flow rate was 1 ml/min. The LOD was 0.02 ng/g, and the average recovery values of OTA ranged from 79.5 to 92.0% in black pepper and 81.2-90.3% in white pepper. A total of 57 samples (47.5%) were contaminated with OTA ranging from 0.15 to 13.58 ng/g. The results showed that there was a significant difference between type of pepper and brands. OTA concentration in black pepper was significantly higher than white pepper (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of ochratoxin, 13.58 ng/g, was detected in a sample of black pepper seed followed by 12.64 ng/g in a sample of black pepper powder, both were bulk samples purchased from open market.

The magnetic ground state and relationship to Kitaev physics in α-RuCl3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Arnab

The 2D Kitaev candidate alpha-RuCl3 consists of stacked honeycomb layers weakly coupled by Van der Waals interactions. Here we report the measurements of bulk properties and neutron diffraction in both powder and single crystal samples. Our results show that the full three dimensional magnetic ground state is highly pliable with at least two dominant phases corresponding to two different out-of-plane magnetic orders. They have different Neel temperatures dependent on the stacking of the 2D layers, such as a broad magnetic transition at TN = 14 K as observed in phase-pure powder samples, or a sharp magnetic transition at a lower TN = 7 K as observed in homogeneous single crystals with no evidence for stacking faults. The magnetic refinements of the neutron scattering data will be discussed, which in all cases shows the in-plane magnetic ground state is the zigzag phase common in Kitaev related materials including the honeycomb lattice Iridates. Inelastic neutron scattering in all cases shows that this material consistently exhibit strong two-dimensional magnetic fluctuations leading to a break-down of the classical spin-wave picture. Work performed at ORNL is supported by U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences and Office of User Facilities Division.

Changes of reduced glutathion, glutathion reductase, and glutathione peroxidase after radiation in guinea pigs

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

Erden, M.; Bor, N.M.

1984-04-01

In this series of experiments the protective action of reduced glutathion due to ionizing radiation has been studied. In the experimental group 18 guinea pigs were exposed to successive radiations of 150 rad 3 or 4 days apart. Total dose given amounted to 750 rad which is the LD50 for guinea pigs. Blood samples were taken 30 min after each exposure. The control series were sham radiated but otherwise treated identically. The cells of the removed blood samples were separated by centrifugation and were subjected to the reduced glutathion stability test. GSSGR, GPer, and LDH enzyme activities were also measuredmore » of which the latter served as a marked enzyme. It was found that LDH did not show any alteration after radiation. The reduced glutathion stability test showed a consistent but minor reduction (P greater than 0.05), in the experimental group. GSSGR enzyme activity on the other hand was reduced significantly (from 176.48 +/- 11.32 to 41.34 +/- 1.17 IU/ml of packed erythrocytes, P less than 0.001) in the same group. GPer activity showed a consistent but minor elevation during the early phase of the experimental group. It was later increased significantly beginning after 600 rad total radiation on the fourth session (P less than 0.050).« less

Classification of Odours for Mobile Robots Using an Ensemble of Linear Classifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trincavelli, Marco; Coradeschi, Silvia; Loutfi, Amy

2009-05-01

This paper investigates the classification of odours using an electronic nose mounted on a mobile robot. The samples are collected as the robot explores the environment. Under such conditions, the sensor response differs from typical three phase sampling processes. In this paper, we focus particularly on the classification problem and how it is influenced by the movement of the robot. To cope with these influences, an algorithm consisting of an ensemble of classifiers is presented. Experimental results show that this algorithm increases classification performance compared to other traditional classification methods.

Manual hierarchical clustering of regional geochemical data using a Bayesian finite mixture model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellefsen, Karl J.; Smith, David

2016-01-01

Interpretation of regional scale, multivariate geochemical data is aided by a statistical technique called “clustering.” We investigate a particular clustering procedure by applying it to geochemical data collected in the State of Colorado, United States of America. The clustering procedure partitions the field samples for the entire survey area into two clusters. The field samples in each cluster are partitioned again to create two subclusters, and so on. This manual procedure generates a hierarchy of clusters, and the different levels of the hierarchy show geochemical and geological processes occurring at different spatial scales. Although there are many different clustering methods, we use Bayesian finite mixture modeling with two probability distributions, which yields two clusters. The model parameters are estimated with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling of the posterior probability density function, which usually has multiple modes. Each mode has its own set of model parameters; each set is checked to ensure that it is consistent both with the data and with independent geologic knowledge. The set of model parameters that is most consistent with the independent geologic knowledge is selected for detailed interpretation and partitioning of the field samples.

[Psychometric properties of postpartum depression predictors inventory- revised- prenatal version in a sample of spanish pregnant women.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Muñoz, María de la Fe; Vallejo Slocker, Laura; Olivares Crespo, María Eugenia; Izquierdo Méndez, Nuria; Soto, Cristina; Le, Huynh-Nhu

2017-12-15

Prenatal depression is a major public health problem, therefore predicting and preventing it is a relevant objective for public health agendas. Consequently, it is important to have adequate screening tools to detect risk factors associated with prenatal depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties reliability and factor structure of the Spanish version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory- Revised- Prenatal Version (PDI-R) in pregnant women who attend prenatal care in an urban hospital in Spain. The sample was formed of 445 women receiving prenatal care in an obstetrics clinic in an urban public hospital in Madrid, Spain. The internal consistency of PDPI-R was assessed by measuring Cronbach's Alfa index, calculating the COR curve and percentiles for this sample. The PDPI-R showed good internal consistency in this sample (Cronbach's Alfa = 0,855). The area under the COR curve is 0,84 p≤0,001. Sensibility and specificity values were 62,3% and 69,5% respectively, and the cut-off point with greatest sensibility and specificity was 4. The PDPI-R is reliable and can be used to screen for risk factor for depression during pregnancy.

Gender Differences in Borderline Personality Disorder: Results From a Multinational, Clinical Trial Sample.

PubMed

Silberschmidt, Amy; Lee, Susanne; Zanarini, Mary; Schulz, S Charles

2015-12-01

This study aims to extend previous research by considering gender differences in borderline personality (BPD) using both dimensional self-reported and clinical measures of symptomatology. Drawing from a cross-cultural, clinical trial sample, the authors compared female and male BPD subjects (N = 770; 211 male) between the ages of 18 and 65 using diagnostic and self-report data. The authors found that women with BPD have greater hostility and relationship disruption than men. Gender differences in eating disorders, particularly bulimia, are more divergent than in the general population. Generally, gender differences in BPD in this sample are consistent with known general population differences. Women show greater overall symptomatology, including depressive, anxious, and somatic symptoms. Men have higher rates of antisocial personality disorder and a trend toward higher rates of narcissistic personality disorder. However, several gender differences consistently found in the general population are not present in this BPD sample. There are no differences in aggression, suicidality, substance abuse, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Gender differences in major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are attenuated. These findings support the conclusion that BPD may diminish normal gender differences.

The Ma_Miss instrument performance, II: Band parameters of rocks powders spectra by Martian VNIR spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Angelis, Simone; De Sanctis, Maria Cristina; Ammannito, Eleonora; Carli, Cristian; Di Iorio, Tatiana; Altieri, Francesca

2015-11-01

The Ma_Miss instrument (Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies, Coradini et al. (2001)) is a Visible and Near Infrared miniaturized spectrometer that will observe the Martian subsurface in the 0.4-2.2 μm spectral range. The instrument will be entirely hosted within the Drill of the ExoMars-2018 Pasteur Rover: it will allow analyzing the borehole wall excavated by the Drill, at different depths, down to 2 m. The aim will be to investigate and characterize the mineralogy and stratigraphy of the shallow Martian subsurface. A series of spectroscopic measurements have been performed in order to characterize the spectral performances of the laboratory model of the instrument (breadboard). A set of six samples have been analyzed. Each sample (four volcanic rocks, a micritic limestone and a calcite) has been reduced in particulate form, ground, sieved and divided into nine different grain sizes in the range d<0.02÷0.8 mm. Spectroscopic measurements have been performed on all samples using two distinct experimental setup: (a) the Ma_Miss breadboard, and (b) the Spectro-Goniometer setup, both in use in the laboratory at INAF - IAPS. In a previous paper spectral parameters such as the continuum slope and the reflectance level of the spectra have been discussed (De Angelis et al., 2014). In this work we focus our discussion on absorption band parameters (position, depth, area, band slope and asymmetry). We analyzed/investigated the absorption features at 1 μm for the volcanic samples and at 1.4, 1.9 and 2.2 μm for the two carbonate samples. Band parameters have been retrieved from spectra measured with both experimental setup and then compared. The comparison shows that band parameters are mutually consistent: band centers (for carbonate samples) are similar within few percent, and band depth and area values (for carbonates) show consistent trends vs. grain size (decreasing towards coarser grains) for most of samples.

How are mood and exercise related? Results from the Finnmark study.

PubMed

Sexton, H; Søgaard, A J; Olstad, R

2001-07-01

Recreational exercise and mood have frequently been correlated in population studies. Although it is often assumed that recreational exercise improves mood, this has not been consistently demonstrated in population studies. The relationship between mood and exercise was studied prospectively in a community sample. A series of synchronous panel models was constructed in two samples (2798 paired observations; sample I = 1219, sample II = 1498) to examine this relationship in the entire population, for women and men separately, for those with sedentary occupations, for those performing physical labour, and for those who initially showed a more dysphoric mood. Although mood and exercise were correlated, the only directional relationship that could be demonstrated was that recreational exercise had an inconsistently positive effect upon mood in those with sedentary occupations. There was no such relationship between doing physical work and mood. Analyses of those who initially showed higher levels of dysphoria did not uncover any directional relationship between mood and exercise. None of the other subgroups showed any directional effects between mood and recreational exercise, nor did the population as a whole. The relationship between exercise and mood in this population sample appears to be largely correlational in nature. This result suggests the need to take a cautious view of the role played by exercise in promoting mood in the general population.

Political Incongruity between Students' Ideological Identity and Stance on Specific Public Policies in a Predominantly White Southeastern State Institution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coles, Jeremy T.; Carstens, Brittany A.; Wright, Jennifer M.; Williams, Robert L.

2015-01-01

The study determined whether or not a predominantly Caucasian sample (N = 187) attending a southeastern state's major public university embraced political policies consistent with their self-identified political ideology. The findings showed that the highest percentage of students identified with a conservative ideology and that a much lower…

The Effect of Media on Preservice Science Teachers' Attitudes toward Astronomy and Achievement in Astronomy Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bektasli, Behzat

2013-01-01

Studies show that it is hard to change students' attitudes toward science. This study specifically explored if media affect preservice science teachers' attitudes toward astronomy and their astronomy achievement. The sample for the pilot study consisted of 196 preservice science and mathematics teachers for attitude assessment and 230 preservice…

Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence Group Training on Anger in Adolescents with Substance-Abusing Fathers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hojjat, Seyed Kaveh; Rezaei, Mahdi; Namadian, Gholamreza; Hatami, Seyed Esmaeil; Norozi Khalili, Mina

2017-01-01

Parental substance abuse is associated with impaired skills and ability to take care of children. Children of substance-abusing parents display higher levels of emotional difficulties. This article shows the effectiveness of emotional intelligence group training on anger in adolescents with substance-abusing fathers. The sample consisted of 60…

A Study Investigating Indian Middle School Students' Ideas of Design and Designers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ara, Farhat; Chunawala, Sugra; Natarajan, Chitra

2011-01-01

This paper reports on an investigation into middle school students' naive ideas about, and attitudes towards design and designers. The sample for the survey consisted of students from Classes 7 to 9 from a school located in Mumbai. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively to look for trends in students' responses. Results show that…

Establishing Consistent Fish Sampling Methods for Biological Assessments on Inter-state Great Rivers: A Case Study on the Upper Mississippi River.

EPA Science Inventory

The use of Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to assess aquatic waters has become an acceptable practice for many Clean Water Act (CWA) agencies. For states that share waters such as Minnesota and Wisconsin along the Mississippi River, the states’ respective IBIs may show vastly d...

Does Lecture Capturing Impact Student Performance and Attendance in an Introductory Accounting Course?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aldamen, Husam; Al-Esmail, Rajab; Hollindale, Janice

2015-01-01

The study empirically examines the interplay between lecture capturing viewership, performance and attendance for students in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. The sample consists of 254 students enrolled in an introductory accounting class either in the Fall semester or in the Spring semester. We show a weak positive relationship between…

Segregation in the Classroom: What Does It Take to Be Accepted as a Friend?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pijl, Sip Jan; Frostad, Per; Mjaavatn, Per-Egil

2011-01-01

Research on students' social relationships shows their preference to associate with similar peers. This study focused on the similarity in selection criteria used by students to form groups and similarity of characteristics of existing groups in schools. It compared these criteria to those of isolated students. The sample consisted of 124 students…

The intra-individual reproducibility of flash-evoked potentials in a sample of children.

PubMed

Schellberg, D; Gasser, T; Köhler, W

1987-07-01

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to flash stimuli were recorded twice from 26 children aged 10-13 years, with an intersession interval of about 10 months. Test-retest reliability was poor for recordings taken from scalp locations overlying non-specific cortex and somewhat better for specific cortex. The size of consistency coefficients (i.e. correlations within session) showed that noise and artefacts were not the decisive factors which lower reliability. A comparison with retest correlations of broad band parameters of the EEG at rest for the same sample showed, to our surprise, smaller retest reliability for VEP parameters. Variability of the VEP in children over time seems to be a substantial as its well-known inter-individual variability.

Implications of the admixture process in skin color molecular assessment.

PubMed

Cerqueira, Caio Cesar Silva de; Hünemeier, Tábita; Gomez-Valdés, Jorge; Ramallo, Virgínia; Volasko-Krause, Carla Daiana; Barbosa, Ana Angélica Leal; Vargas-Pinilla, Pedro; Dornelles, Rodrigo Ciconet; Longo, Danaê; Rothhammer, Francisco; Bedoya, Gabriel; Canizales-Quinteros, Samuel; Acuña-Alonzo, Victor; Gallo, Carla; Poletti, Giovanni; González-José, Rolando; Salzano, Francisco Mauro; Callegari-Jacques, Sídia Maria; Schuler-Faccini, Lavínia; Ruiz-Linares, Andrés; Cátira Bortolini, Maria

2014-01-01

The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear implications for the evolutionary history of humans, as well as for medical and forensic practices. Although dozens of genes have previously been associated with human skin color, knowledge about this trait remains incomplete. In particular, studies focusing on populations outside the European-North American axis are rare, and, until now, admixed populations have seldom been considered. The present study was designed to help fill this gap. Our objective was to evaluate possible associations of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located within nine genes, and one pseudogene with the Melanin Index (MI) in two admixed Brazilian populations (Gaucho, N = 352; Baiano, N = 148) with different histories of geographic and ethnic colonization. Of the total sample, four markers were found to be significantly associated with skin color, but only two (SLC24A5 rs1426654, and SLC45A2 rs16891982) were consistently associated with MI in both samples (Gaucho and Baiano). Therefore, only these 2 SNPs should be preliminarily considered to have forensic significance because they consistently showed the association independently of the admixture level of the populations studied. We do not discard that the other two markers (HERC2 rs1129038 and TYR rs1126809) might be also relevant to admixed samples, but additional studies are necessary to confirm the real importance of these markers for skin pigmentation. Finally, our study shows associations of some SNPs with MI in a modern Brazilian admixed sample, with possible applications in forensic genetics. Some classical genetic markers in Euro-North American populations are not associated with MI in our sample. Our results point out the relevance of considering population differences in selecting an appropriate set of SNPs as phenotype predictors in forensic practice.

Implications of the Admixture Process in Skin Color Molecular Assessment

PubMed Central

de Cerqueira, Caio Cesar Silva; Hünemeier, Tábita; Gomez-Valdés, Jorge; Ramallo, Virgínia; Volasko-Krause, Carla Daiana; Barbosa, Ana Angélica Leal; Vargas-Pinilla, Pedro; Dornelles, Rodrigo Ciconet; Longo, Danaê; Rothhammer, Francisco; Bedoya, Gabriel; Canizales-Quinteros, Samuel; Acuña-Alonzo, Victor; Gallo, Carla; Poletti, Giovanni; González-José, Rolando; Salzano, Francisco Mauro; Callegari-Jacques, Sídia Maria; Schuler-Faccini, Lavínia; Ruiz-Linares, Andrés; Cátira Bortolini, Maria

2014-01-01

The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear implications for the evolutionary history of humans, as well as for medical and forensic practices. Although dozens of genes have previously been associated with human skin color, knowledge about this trait remains incomplete. In particular, studies focusing on populations outside the European-North American axis are rare, and, until now, admixed populations have seldom been considered. The present study was designed to help fill this gap. Our objective was to evaluate possible associations of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located within nine genes, and one pseudogene with the Melanin Index (MI) in two admixed Brazilian populations (Gaucho, N = 352; Baiano, N = 148) with different histories of geographic and ethnic colonization. Of the total sample, four markers were found to be significantly associated with skin color, but only two (SLC24A5 rs1426654, and SLC45A2 rs16891982) were consistently associated with MI in both samples (Gaucho and Baiano). Therefore, only these 2 SNPs should be preliminarily considered to have forensic significance because they consistently showed the association independently of the admixture level of the populations studied. We do not discard that the other two markers (HERC2 rs1129038 and TYR rs1126809) might be also relevant to admixed samples, but additional studies are necessary to confirm the real importance of these markers for skin pigmentation. Finally, our study shows associations of some SNPs with MI in a modern Brazilian admixed sample, with possible applications in forensic genetics. Some classical genetic markers in Euro-North American populations are not associated with MI in our sample. Our results point out the relevance of considering population differences in selecting an appropriate set of SNPs as phenotype predictors in forensic practice. PMID:24809478

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis allows the simultaneous characterization of C-glycosyl and O-glycosyl flavonoids in stingless bee honeys.

PubMed

Truchado, Pilar; Vit, Patricia; Ferreres, Federico; Tomas-Barberan, Francisco

2011-10-21

The analysis of the phytochemicals present in stingless bee honey samples has been a difficult task due to the small amounts of samples available and to the complexity of the phytochemical composition that often combines flavonoid glycosides and aglycones. Honey samples produced in Venezuela from Melipona species were analyzed using a combination of solid-phase extraction and HPLC-DAD-MSn/ESI methodologies with specific study of the fragment ions produced from flavonoid glycosides. The analyses revealed that flavonoid glycosides were the main constituents. The honey samples analyzed contained a consistent flavonoid pattern composed of flavone-C-glycosides, flavonol-O-glycosides and flavonoid aglycones. The HPLC-DAD-MSn/ESI analysis and the study of the fragment ions obtained allowed the characterization and quantification for the first time of five apigenin-di-C-glycosides, and ten quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin O-glycosides (di- and tri- glycosides), and the aglycones pinobanksin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in the different samples. This is the first report of flavonoid-C-glycosides in honey. The results show that the content of flavonoid-glycosides (mean values of 2712 μg/100 g) in stingless bee honeys is considerably higher than the content of flavonoid aglycones (mean values of 315 μg/100 g). This differs from previous studies on Apis mellifera honeys that consistently showed much higher aglycone content and smaller flavonoid glycoside content. The occurrence of relevant amounts of flavonoid glycosides, and particularly C-glycosides, in stingless bee honeys could be associated with their putative anticataract properties. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-Temperature Photoluminescence of CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) Nanocrystals

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

Diroll, Benjamin T.; Nedelcu, Georgian; Kovalenko, Maksym

2017-03-30

Recent synthetic developments have generated intense interest in the use of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals for light-emitting applications. This work presents the photoluminescence (PL) of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals with tunable halide composition recorded as function of temperature from 80 to 550 K. CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals show the highest resilience to temperature while chloride-containing samples show relatively poorer preservation of photoluminescence at elevated temperatures. Thermal cycling experiments show that PL loss of CsPbBr 3 is largely reversible at temperatures below 450 K, but shows irreversible degradation at higher temperatures. Time-resolved measurements of CsPbX 3 samples show an increasemore » in the PL lifetime with temperature elevation, consistent with exciton fission to form free carriers, followed by a decrease in the apparent PL lifetime due to trapping. In conclusion, PL persistence measurements and time-resolved spectroscopies implicate thermally assisted trapping, most likely to halogen vacancy traps, as the mechanism of reversible PL loss.« less

Cognitive consistency and math-gender stereotypes in Singaporean children.

PubMed

Cvencek, Dario; Meltzoff, Andrew N; Kapur, Manu

2014-01-01

In social psychology, cognitive consistency is a powerful principle for organizing psychological concepts. There have been few tests of cognitive consistency in children and no research about cognitive consistency in children from Asian cultures, who pose an interesting developmental case. A sample of 172 Singaporean elementary school children completed implicit and explicit measures of math-gender stereotype (male=math), gender identity (me=male), and math self-concept (me=math). Results showed strong evidence for cognitive consistency; the strength of children's math-gender stereotypes, together with their gender identity, significantly predicted their math self-concepts. Cognitive consistency may be culturally universal and a key mechanism for developmental change in social cognition. We also discovered that Singaporean children's math-gender stereotypes increased as a function of age and that boys identified with math more strongly than did girls despite Singaporean girls' excelling in math. The results reveal both cultural universals and cultural variation in developing social cognition. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Corrosion of pre-oxidized nickel alloy X-750 in simulated BWR environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuzi, Silvia; Lai, Haiping; Göransson, Kenneth; Thuvander, Mattias; Stiller, Krystyna

2017-04-01

Samples of pre-oxidized Alloy X-750 were exposed to a simulated boiling water reactor environment in an autoclave at a temperature of 286 °C and a pressure of 80 bar for four weeks. The effect of alloy iron content on corrosion was investigated by comparing samples with 5 and 8 wt% Fe, respectively. In addition, the effect of two different surface pre-treatments was investigated. The microstructure of the formed oxide scales was studied using mainly electron microscopy. The results showed positive effects of an increased Fe content and of removing the deformed surface layer by pickling. After four weeks of exposure the oxide scale consists of oxides formed in three different ways. The oxide formed during pre-oxidization at 700 °C, mainly consisting of chromia, is partly still present. There is also an outer oxide consisting of NiFe2O4 crystals, reaching a maximum size of 3 μm, which has formed by precipitation of dissolved metal ions. Finally, there is an inner nanocrystalline and porous oxide, with a metallic content reflecting the alloy composition, which has formed by corrosion.

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) mitigation in seedling cotton using strip tillage and winter cover crops.

PubMed

Toews, Michael D; Tubbs, R Scott; Wann, Dylan Q; Sullivan, Dana

2010-10-01

Thrips are the most consistent insect pests of seedling cotton in the southeastern United States, where symptoms can range from leaf curling to stand loss. In a 2 year study, thrips adults and immatures were sampled at 14, 21 and 28 days after planting on cotton planted with a thiamethoxam seed treatment in concert with crimson clover, wheat or rye winter cover crops and conventional or strip tillage to investigate potential differences in thrips infestations. Densities of adult thrips, primarily Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), peaked on the first sampling date, whereas immature densities peaked on the second sampling date. Regardless of winter cover crop, plots that received strip tillage experienced significantly fewer thrips at each sampling interval. In addition, assessment of percentage ground cover 42 days after planting showed that there was more than twice as much ground cover in the strip-tilled plots compared with conventionally tilled plots. Correlation analyses showed that increased ground cover was inversely related to thrips densities that occurred on all three sampling dates in 2008 and the final sampling date in 2009. Growers who utilize strip tillage and a winter cover crop can utilize seed treatments for mitigation of early-season thrips infestation.

Design and validation of a wind tunnel system for odour sampling on liquid area sources.

PubMed

Capelli, L; Sironi, S; Del Rosso, R; Céntola, P

2009-01-01

The aim of this study is to describe the methods adopted for the design and the experimental validation of a wind tunnel, a sampling system suitable for the collection of gaseous samples on passive area sources, which allows to simulate wind action on the surface to be monitored. The first step of the work was the study of the air velocity profiles. The second step of the work consisted in the validation of the sampling system. For this purpose, the odour concentration of some air samples collected by means of the wind tunnel was measured by dynamic olfactometry. The results of the air velocity measurements show that the wind tunnel design features enabled the achievement of a uniform and homogeneous air flow through the hood. Moreover, the laboratory tests showed a very good correspondence between the odour concentration values measured at the wind tunnel outlet and the odour concentration values predicted by the application of a specific volatilization model, based on the Prandtl boundary layer theory. The agreement between experimental and theoretical trends demonstrate that the studied wind tunnel represents a suitable sampling system for the simulation of specific odour emission rates from liquid area sources without outward flow.

Adaptation and Validation of the Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) in a Sample of Male Drug Users.

PubMed

Vallejo-Medina, Pablo; Sierra, Juan Carlos

2015-04-21

The aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) in a sample of male drug users. A sample of 326 male drug users and 322 non-clinical males was selected by cluster sampling and convenience sampling, respectively. Results showed that the scale had good psychometric properties and adequate internal consistency reliability (Initiation = .66, Refusal = .74 and STD-P = .79). An evaluation of the invariance showed strong factor equivalence between both samples. A high and moderate effect of Differential Item Functioning was only found in items 1 and 14 (∆R 2 Nagelkerke = .076 and .037, respectively). We strongly recommend not using item 1 if the goal is to compare the scores of both groups, otherwise the comparison will be biased. Correlations obtained between the CSFQ-14 and the safe sex ratio and the SAS subscales were significant (CI = 95%) and indicated good concurrent validity. Scores of male drug users were similar to those of non-clinical males. Therefore, the adaptation of the SAS to drug users provides enough guarantees for reliable and valid use in both clinical practice and research, although care should be taken with item 1.

Structure and phase formation behavior and dielectric and magnetic properties of lead iron tantalate-lead zirconate titanate multiferroic ceramics

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

Wongmaneerung, R., E-mail: re_nok@yahoo.com; Tipakontitikul, R.; Jantaratana, P.

2016-03-15

Highlights: • The multiferroic ceramics consisted of PFT and PZT. • Crystal structure changed from cubic to mixedcubic and tetragonal with increasing PZT content. • Dielectric showed the samples underwent a typical relaxor ferroelectric behavior. • Magnetic properties showed very interesting behavior with square saturated magnetic hysteresis loops. - Abstract: Multiferroic (1 − x)Pb(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5})O{sub 3}–xPb(Zr{sub 0.53}Ti{sub 0.47})O{sub 3} (or PFT–PZT) ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure and phase formation of the ceramics were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The local structure surrounding Fe and Ti absorbing atoms was investigated by synchrotron X-ray Absorption Near-Edgemore » Structure (XANES) measurement. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of frequency and temperature using a LCR meter. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was used to determine the magnetic hysteresis loops. XRD study indicated that the crystal structure of the sample changed from pure cubic to mixed cubic and tetragonal with increasing PZT content. XANES measurements showed that the local structure surrounding Fe and Ti ions was similar. Dielectric study showed that the samples underwent a typical relaxor ferroelectric behavior while the magnetic properties showed very interesting behavior with square saturated magnetic hysteresis loops.« less

Optimal formation and enhanced superconductivity of Tl-1212 phase (Tl0.6Pb0.4)(Ba,Sr)CaCu2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjbar, M. G.; Ghoranneviss, Mahmood; Abd-Shukor, R.

2018-06-01

The effect of heating temperature on the formation of Tl-1212 phase with nominal starting composition (Tl0.6Pb0.4)(Ba,Sr)CaCu2O7 (Tl-1212) is reported. The Ba-bearing Tl-1212 phase is normally prepared at around 900 °C while with Sr-bearing sample is prepared at a much higher temperature of around 1000 °C. This work was conducted to determine the optimal temperature to synthesis the Tl-1212 phase when the sample contains Ba and Sr with 1:1 ratio. (Tl0.6Pb0.4)(Ba,Sr)CaCu2O7 samples were prepared using the solid-state reaction method via the precursor route. In the final preparation stage, the samples were heated at 850, 870, 900, 920, 950, 970 and 1000 °C in oxygen flow. X-Ray diffraction patterns showed that most samples consisted of a mixed (Tl0.6Pb0.4)(Ba,Sr)Ca2Cu3O9 (Tl-1223) and Tl-1212 phase except for the sample heated at 970 °C which showed a single Tl-1212 phase and the sample heated at 850 °C which showed the Tl-1223 phase. The transition temperature measured by four-probe method showed that the sample heated at 970 °C exhibited the highest onset temperature of 118 K and zero-resistance temperature of 100 K. This transition temperature is higher than the usually reported value for the Tl-1212 phase. AC susceptibility measurements also showed the 970 °C heated sample with the highest transition temperature T c χ' = 109 K. The interplay of ionic radius (Ba2+ and Sr2+) decreases of the unit cell volume and changes in the internal lattice strain enhanced the transition temperature and the formation of the Tl-1212 phase.

Assessing quality of life in severe obesity: development and psychometric properties of the ORWELL-R.

PubMed

Camolas, José; Ferreira, André; Mannucci, Edoardo; Mascarenhas, Mário; Carvalho, Manuel; Moreira, Pedro; do Carmo, Isabel; Santos, Osvaldo

2016-06-01

Several health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) dimensions are affected by obesity. Our goal was to characterize the psychometric properties of the ORWELL-R, a new obesity-related quality-of-life instrument for assessing the "individual experience of overweightness". This psychometric assessment included two different samples: one multicenter clinical sample, used for assessing internal consistency, construct validity and temporal reliability; and a community sample (collected through a cross-sectional mailing survey design), used for additional construct validity assessment and model fit confirmation. Overall, 946 persons participated (188 from the clinical sample; 758 from community sample). An alpha coefficient of 0.925 (clinical sample) and 0.934 (community sample) was found. Three subscales were identified (53.2 % of variance): Body environment experience (alpha = 0.875), Illness perception and distress (alpha = 0.864), Physical symptoms (alpha = 0.674). Adequate test-retest reliability has been confirmed (ICC: 0.78 for the overall score). ORWELL-R scores were worse in the clinical sample. Worst HRQoL, as measured by higher ORWELL-R scores, was associated with BMI increases. ORWELL-R scores were associated with IWQOL-Lite and lower scores in happiness. ORWELL-R shows good internal consistency and adequate test-retest reliability. Good construct validity was also observed (for convergent and discriminant validity) and confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis (in both clinical and community samples). Presented data sustain ORWELL-R as a reliable and useful instrument to assess obesity-related QoL, in both research and clinical contexts.

Synthesis and characterization of cerium containing iron phosphate based glass-ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Yi; Liao, Qilong; Wang, Fu; Zhu, Hanzhen

2018-02-01

The structure and properties of xCeO2-(100-x)(40Fe2O3-60P2O5), where x = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mol%, glass-ceramics prepared by melting and slow cooling method have been investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and the Product Consistency Test (PCT). The results show that the 40Fe2O3-60P2O5 sample is homogeneously amorphous and the sample containing 2 mol% CeO2 has a small amount of FePO4 phase embedded. For the sample containing up to 4 mol% CeO2, monazite CePO4 and a small amount of FePO4 appear. Spectra analysis show that the structure networks of the glass-ceramics mainly consist of orthophosphate, along with pyrophosphate and a small amount of metaphosphate units. Moreover, the leaching rates of Fe and Ce are about 3.5 × 10-5 g m-2 d-1 and 5.0 × 10-5 g m-2 d-1 respectively after immersion in deionized water at 90 °C for 56 days, indicating their good chemical durability. The conclusions imply that the prepared method may be a promising process to immobilize nuclear waste into glass-ceramic matrix.

Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Outcome Questionnaire OQ-30.2

PubMed Central

Errázuriz, Paula; Opazo, Sebastián; Behn, Alex; Silva, Oscar; Gloger, Sergio

2017-01-01

This study assessed the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Shortened Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-30.2, Lambert et al., 2004) validated with a sample of 546 patients in an outpatient mental health clinic and 100 non-clinical adults in Chile. Our results show that this measure has similar normative data to the original measure, with a cutoff score for the Chilean population set at 43.36, and the reliable change index at 14. This Spanish OQ-30.2 has good internal consistency (α = 0.90), has concurrent validity with the Depressive, Anxious, and Somatoform disorders measuring scale (Alvarado and Vera, 1991), and is sensitive to change during psychotherapy. Consistent with previous studies, factorial analyses showed that both, the one-factor solution for a general scale and the three-factor solution containing three theoretical scales yielded poor fit estimates. Overall, our results are similar to past research on the OQ-45 and the OQ-30. The short version has adequate psychometric properties, comparable to those of the OQ-45, but provides a gain in application time that could be relevant in the setting of psychotherapy research with large samples, frequent assessments over time, and/or samples that may require more assistance completing items (e.g., low-literacy). We conclude that this measure will be a valuable instrument for research and clinical practice. PMID:28559857

The Effects of Unilateral Adaptation of Hearing Aids on Symptoms of Depression and Social Activity Constraints of Elderly

PubMed Central

Santos, Fernanda Dutra dos; Teixeira, Adriane Ribeiro

2014-01-01

Introduction Hearing loss is one of the most common problems in the elderly population. Besides compromising oral communication, it directly affects social relations and prevents elderly patients from living actively in society, possibly leading to the onset of depression or other conditions. Objective To analyze the effects of unilateral adaptation of hearing aids on symptoms of depression and the social activity constraints of elderly subjects with hearing impairment. Methods The sample consisted of elderly subjects with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids. Data were collected in two phases. Initially, all participants underwent an audiological assessment and answered the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly (summarized version) and the Geriatric Depression Scale. All subjects participated in the selection and hearing aid adaptation processes and became monaural hearing aid users. After 30 days of hearing aid use, they were assessed with the same instruments. The results of the questionnaires before and after hearing aid adaptation were compared. Results The sample consisted of 13 individuals, between 60 and 90 years old (mean 72.85 ± 11.05 years). Data analysis showed that there was significant improvement in social activity constraints (p < 0.001) and in symptoms of depression (p = 0.031). Conclusion Results show that, in the sample studied, unilateral hearing aid adaptation reduced social activity constraints and depression symptoms. PMID:26157497

Compact groups in theory and practice - IV. The connection to large-scale structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendel, J. Trevor; Ellison, Sara L.; Simard, Luc; Patton, David R.; McConnachie, Alan W.

2011-12-01

We investigate the properties of photometrically selected compact groups (CGs) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. In this paper, the fourth in a series, we focus on understanding the characteristics of our observed CG sample with particular attention paid to quantifying and removing contamination from projected foreground or background galaxies. Based on a simple comparison of pairwise redshift likelihoods, we find that approximately half of CGs in the parent sample contain one or more projected (interloping) members; our final clean sample contains 4566 galaxies in 1086 CGs. We show that half of the remaining CGs are associated with rich groups (or clusters), i.e. they are embedded sub-structure. The other half have spatial distributions and number-density profiles consistent with the interpretation that they are either independently distributed structures within the field (i.e. they are isolated) or associated with relatively poor structures. Comparisons of late-type and red-sequence fractions in radial annuli show that galaxies around apparently isolated CGs resemble the field population by 300 to 500 kpc from the group centre. In contrast, the galaxy population surrounding embedded CGs appears to remain distinct from the field out beyond 1 to 2 Mpc, consistent with results for rich groups. We take this as additional evidence that the observed distinction between CGs, i.e. isolated versus embedded, is a separation between different host environments.

Cervical auscultation as an adjunct to the clinical swallow examination: a comparison with fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.

PubMed

Bergström, Liza; Svensson, Per; Hartelius, Lena

2014-10-01

This prospective, single-blinded study investigated the validity and reliability of cervical auscultation (CA) under two conditions; (1) CA-only, using isolated swallow-sound clips, and (2) CSE + CA, using extra clinical swallow examination (CSE) information such as patient case history, oromotor assessment, and the same swallow-sound clips as condition one. The two CA conditions were compared against a fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) reference test. Each CA condition consisted of 18 swallows samples compiled from 12 adult patients consecutively referred to the FEES clinic. Patients' swallow sounds were simultaneously recorded during FEES via a Littmann E3200 electronic stethoscope. These 18 swallow samples were sent to 13 experienced dysphagia clinicians recruited from the UK and Australia who were blinded to the FEES results. Samples were rated in terms of (1) if dysphagic, (2) if the patient was safe on consistency trialled, and (3) dysphagia severity. Sensitivity measures ranged from 83-95%, specificity measures from 50-92% across the conditions. Intra-rater agreement ranged from 69-97% total agreement. Inter-rater reliability for dysphagia severity showed substantial agreement (rs = 0.68 and 0.74). Results show good rater reliability for CA-trained speech-language pathologists. Sensitivity and specificity for both CA conditions in this study are comparable to and often better than other well-established CSE components.

The Effects of Unilateral Adaptation of Hearing Aids on Symptoms of Depression and Social Activity Constraints of Elderly.

PubMed

Santos, Fernanda Dutra Dos; Teixeira, Adriane Ribeiro

2015-07-01

Introduction Hearing loss is one of the most common problems in the elderly population. Besides compromising oral communication, it directly affects social relations and prevents elderly patients from living actively in society, possibly leading to the onset of depression or other conditions. Objective To analyze the effects of unilateral adaptation of hearing aids on symptoms of depression and the social activity constraints of elderly subjects with hearing impairment. Methods The sample consisted of elderly subjects with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids. Data were collected in two phases. Initially, all participants underwent an audiological assessment and answered the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly (summarized version) and the Geriatric Depression Scale. All subjects participated in the selection and hearing aid adaptation processes and became monaural hearing aid users. After 30 days of hearing aid use, they were assessed with the same instruments. The results of the questionnaires before and after hearing aid adaptation were compared. Results The sample consisted of 13 individuals, between 60 and 90 years old (mean 72.85 ± 11.05 years). Data analysis showed that there was significant improvement in social activity constraints (p < 0.001) and in symptoms of depression (p = 0.031). Conclusion Results show that, in the sample studied, unilateral hearing aid adaptation reduced social activity constraints and depression symptoms.

Determining Aliasing in Isolated Signal Conditioning Modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

The basic concept of aliasing is this: Converting analog data into digital data requires sampling the signal at a specific rate, known as the sampling frequency. The result of this conversion process is a new function, which is a sequence of digital samples. This new function has a frequency spectrum, which contains all the frequency components of the original signal. The Fourier transform mathematics of this process show that the frequency spectrum of the sequence of digital samples consists of the original signal s frequency spectrum plus the spectrum shifted by all the harmonics of the sampling frequency. If the original analog signal is sampled in the conversion process at a minimum of twice the highest frequency component contained in the analog signal, and if the reconstruction process is limited to the highest frequency of the original signal, then the reconstructed signal accurately duplicates the original analog signal. It is this process that can give birth to aliasing.

On the frictional (in) stability of clay-bearing faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Violay, M.; Orellana, F.; Scuderi, M. M.; Collettini, C.

2016-12-01

Opalinus clay (OPA) is shale rock studied under the context of deep geological disposal by The Mont Terri Laboratory research program in Switzerland. Despite its favorable hydro-mechanical properties, the presence of a large tectonic fault system intersecting the rock formation arises questions over the long-term safety performance of a nuclear waste repository, in terms of possible leakages and the possibility of earthquakes triggered by fault instability. To study the frictional stability of OPA, we have performed velocity steps (1-300 μm/s) and slide-hold-slide tests (1-10000 s) on simulated gouge and intact samples - sheared parallel and perpendicular to foliation - at different normal stresses (4 - 30 MPa). To understand the deformation mechanisms, we have analyzed the microstructures of the sheared samples trough optical and SE microscopy. Results reported peak and steady state friction values ranging from 0.21 to 0.52 and from 0.14 to 0.39 respectively. Consistently, samples with well-developed layering showed lower friction values than gouge samples even though they have the same mineralogical composition. At all normal stresses, velocity dependence tests on gouge showed a velocity strengthening regime, whereas, intact samples developed both velocity-strengthening and velocity-weakening regimes. Finally, we have recorded near zero healing values for both intact and powdered samples at different normal stress. However, a complex evolution from negative to positive frictional healing rate, with an inflexion holding time of 300 s, has been observed. In conclusion, our data suggests that both the velocity strengthening regime and the near zero healing for the simulated gouge, are consistent with aseismic creep. We have also reported the possibility of unstable sliding outside the fault core accompanied by low capacity of contact regeneration, and low capacity to sustain future stress drops compared to evidence showed by experiments on simulated gouge. Moreover, microstructure analysis revealed different deformation patterns due to anisotropy of the material. Thus, the complex frictional behavior of OPA highlights the need for further experiments in order to better evaluate the seismic risk during long-term nuclear waste disposal within the OPA clay formation.

The evolution of the Y-M scaling relation in MUSIC clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembolini, F.; Yepes, G.; De Petris, M.; Gottlöber, S.; Lamagna, L.; Comis, B.

2013-04-01

This work describes the baryon content and Sunyaev-Zeld'ovich properties of the MUSIC (Marenostrum-MultiDark SImulations of galaxy clusters) dataset and their evolution with redshift and aperture radius. The MUSIC dataset is one of the largest samples of hydrodynamically simulated galaxy clusters (more than 2000 objects, including more than 500 clusters). We show that when the effects of cooling and stellar feedbacks are properly taken into account, the gas fraction of the MUSIC clusters consistently agrees with recent observational results. Moreover, the gas fraction has a net dependence with the total mass of the cluster and increases slightly with redshift at high overdensities. The study of the Y-M relation confirms the consistence of the self-similar model, showing no evolution with redshift at low overdensities.

The influence of seafloor hydrothermal activity on major and trace elements of the sediments from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xin; Chen, Shuai; Zeng, Zhigang; Pu, Xiaoqiang; Hou, Qinghua

2017-10-01

Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were analyzed for the major and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results revealed that the contents of elements (e.g., Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, V, Co) were high in samples 22V-TVG10 and 26V-TVG05 from the sites near the hydrothermal areas, and low in sample 22V-TVG14, which was collected far from the hydrothermal areas. The contents of Ca, Sr and Ba in the samples showed opposite trends. A positive correlation between the concentrations of metallic elements (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Pb, V) and Fe in the samples were observed. These results are consistent with chemical evolution of the dispersing hydrothermal plume.

Assessing how much couples work at their relationship: the behavioral self-regulation for effective relationships scale.

PubMed

Wilson, Keithia L; Charker, Jill; Lizzio, Alf; Halford, Kim; Kimlin, Siobhan

2005-09-01

It is widely believed that satisfying couple relationships require work by the partners. The authors equated the concept of work to relationship self-regulation and developed a scale to assess this construct. A factor analysis of the scale in a sample of 187 newlywed couples showed it comprised 2 factors of relationship strategies and effort. The factor structure was replicated in an independent sample of 97 newlywed couples. In both samples the scale had good internal consistency and high convergent validity between self- and partner-report forms. Self-regulation accounted for substantial variance in relationship satisfaction in both newlywed samples and in a 3rd sample of 61 long-married couples. The self-regulation and satisfaction association was independent of mood or self-report common method variance. (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved

Factor structure and internal consistency of the Greek version of the Flow State Scale.

PubMed

Doganis, G; Iosifidou, P; Vlachopoulos, S

2000-12-01

The present study tested the internal consistency and the factor struc ture of a translated version of the Flow State Scale with Greek sport participants. Sport psychology literature is not conclusive regarding sex differences and the type of sport in flow. The sample was comprised of 144 women from interactive sports (volleyball and handball) who were drawn from the second division of the first national category. Athletes completed the scale immediately after a game. Values of Cronbach alpha were used to estimate the internal consistency of the scale and confirmatory factor analysis to examine the model. The results showed acceptable psychometric prop erties of the scale and suggest a need for improvement of the problematic items.

Magnetization measurements and XMCD studies on ion irradiated iron oxide and core-shell iron/iron-oxide nanomaterials

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

Kaur, Maninder; Qiang, You; Jiang, Weilin

2014-12-02

Magnetite (Fe3O4) and core-shell iron/iron-oxide (Fe/Fe3O4) nanomaterials prepared by a cluster deposition system were irradiated with 5.5 MeV Si2+ ions and the structures determined by x-ray diffraction as consisting of 100% magnetite and 36/64 wt% Fe/FeO, respectively. However, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) indicates similar surfaces in the two samples, slightly oxidized and so having more Fe3+ than the expected magnetite structure, with XMCD intensity much lower for the irradiated core-shell samples indicating weaker magnetism. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data lack the signature for FeO, but the irradiated core-shell system consists of Fe-cores with ~13 nm of separating oxide crystallite,more » so it is likely that FeO exists deeper than the probe depth of the XAS (~5 nm). Exchange bias (Hex) for both samples becomes increasingly negative as temperature is lowered, but the irradiated Fe3O4 sample shows greater sensitivity of cooling field on Hex. Loop asymmetries and Hex sensitivities of the irradiated Fe3O4 sample are due to interfaces and interactions between grains which were not present in samples before irradiation as well as surface oxidation. Asymmetries in the hysteresis curves of the irradiated core/shell sample are related to the reversal mechanism of the antiferromagnetic FeO and possibly some near surface oxidation.« less

Psychometric properties of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and its short-form (GAI-SF) in a clinical and non-clinical sample of older adults.

PubMed

Johnco, Carly; Knight, Ashleigh; Tadic, Dusanka; Wuthrich, Viviana M

2015-07-01

The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory is a 20-item geriatric-specific measure of anxiety severity. While studies suggest good internal consistency and convergent validity, divergent validity from measures of depression are weak. Clinical cutoffs have been developed that vary across studies due to the small clinical samples used. A six-item short form (GAI-SF) has been developed, and while this scale is promising, the research assessing the psychometrics of this scale is limited. This study examined the psychometric properties of GAI and GAI-SF in a large sample of 197 clinical geriatric participants with a comorbid anxiety and unipolar mood disorder, and a non-clinical control sample (N = 59). The internal consistency and convergent validity with other measures of anxiety was adequate for GAI and GAI-SF. Divergent validity from depressive symptoms was good in the clinical sample but weak in the total and non-clinical samples. Divergent validity from cognitive functioning was good in all samples. The one-factor structure was replicated for both measures. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses indicated that the GAI is more accurate at identifying clinical status than the GAI-SF, although the sensitivity and specificity for the recommended cutoffs was adequate for both measures. Both GAI and GAI-SF show good psychometric properties for identifying geriatric anxiety. The GAI-SF may be a useful alternative screening measure for identifying anxiety in older adults.

Consistent characterization of semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors with single-pulse and pump-probe spectroscopy.

PubMed

Fleischhaker, R; Krauss, N; Schättiger, F; Dekorsy, T

2013-03-25

We study the comparability of the two most important measurement methods used for the characterization of semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs). For both methods, single-pulse spectroscopy (SPS) and pump-probe spectroscopy (PPS), we analyze in detail the time-dependent saturation dynamics inside a SESAM. Based on this analysis, we find that fluence-dependent PPS at complete spatial overlap and zero time delay is equivalent to SPS. We confirm our findings experimentally by comparing data from SPS and PPS of two samples. We show how to interpret this data consistently and we give explanations for possible deviations.

Profiling the ‘Pro-environmental Individual’: A Personality Perspective

PubMed Central

Markowitz, Ezra M.; Goldberg, Lewis R.; Ashton, Michael C.; Lee, Kibeom

2011-01-01

There is considerable scientific interest in the psychological correlates of pro-environmental behaviors. Much research has focused on demographic and social-psychological characteristics of individuals who consistently perform such actions. Here, we report the results of two studies in which we explored relations between broad personality traits and pro-environmental actions. Using a wide variety of behavior and personality measures, we consistently found moderate positive relations between Openness to Experience and pro-environmental activities in both a community sample (Study 1: N = 778) and an undergraduate student sample (Study 2: N = 115). In Study 2 we showed that the effect of Openness on pro-environmental behaviors was fully mediated by individuals’ environmental attitudes and connection to nature. Our findings suggest that high levels of aesthetic appreciation, creativity, and inquisitiveness, but not personality traits associated with altruism, may have motivated the performance of pro-environmental actions among our respondents. Implications for intervention development are discussed. PMID:21241310

An aerosol particle containing enriched uranium encountered in the remote upper troposphere.

PubMed

Murphy, D M; Froyd, K D; Apel, E; Blake, D; Blake, N; Evangeliou, N; Hornbrook, R S; Peischl, J; Ray, E; Ryerson, T B; Thompson, C; Stohl, A

2018-04-01

We describe a submicron aerosol particle sampled at an altitude of 7 km near the Aleutian Islands that contained a small percentage of enriched uranium oxide. 235 U was 3.1 ± 0.5% of 238 U. During twenty years of aircraft sampling of millions of particles in the global atmosphere, we have rarely encountered a particle with a similarly high content of 238 U and never a particle with enriched 235 U. The bulk of the particle consisted of material consistent with combustion of heavy fuel oil. Analysis of wind trajectories and particle dispersion model results show that the particle could have originated from a variety of areas across Asia. The source of such a particle is unclear, and the particle is described here in case it indicates a novel source where enriched uranium was dispersed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A litmus test for exploitation: James Stacey Taylor's stakes and kidneys.

PubMed

Kuntz, J R

2009-12-01

James Stacy Taylor advances a thorough argument for the legalization of markets in current (live) human kidneys. The market is seemly the most abhorrent type of market, a market where the least well-off sell part of their body to the most well off. Though rigorously defended overall, his arguments concerning exploitation are thin. I examine a number of prominent bioethicists' account of exploitation: most importantly, Ruth Sample's exploitation as degradation. I do so in the context of Taylor's argument, with the aim of buttressing Taylor's position that a regulated kidney market is morally allowable. I argue that Sample fails to provide normative grounds consistent with her claim that exploitation is wrong. I then reformulate her account for consistency and plausibility. Still, this seemingly more plausible view does not show that Taylor's regulated kidney market is prohibitively exploitative of impoverished persons. I tack into place one more piece of support for Taylor's conclusion. (wc. 148).

Factor structure and reliability of the depression, anxiety and stress scales in a large Portuguese community sample.

PubMed

Vasconcelos-Raposo, José; Fernandes, Helder Miguel; Teixeira, Carla M

2013-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structure and reliability of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) in a large Portuguese community sample. Participants were 1020 adults (585 women and 435 men), with a mean age of 36.74 (SD = 11.90) years. All scales revealed good reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values between .80 (anxiety) and .84 (depression). The internal consistency of the total score was .92. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the best-fitting model (*CFI = .940, *RMSEA = .038) consisted of a latent component of general psychological distress (or negative affectivity) plus orthogonal depression, anxiety and stress factors. The Portuguese version of the DASS-21 showed good psychometric properties (factorial validity and reliability) and thus can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.

Gains following perceptual learning are closely linked to the initial visual acuity.

PubMed

Yehezkel, Oren; Sterkin, Anna; Lev, Maria; Levi, Dennis M; Polat, Uri

2016-04-28

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the dependence of perceptual learning gains on initial visual acuity (VA), in a large sample of subjects with a wide range of VAs. A large sample of normally sighted and presbyopic subjects (N = 119; aged 40 to 63) with a wide range of uncorrected near visual acuities (VA, -0.12 to 0.8 LogMAR), underwent perceptual learning. Training consisted of detecting briefly presented Gabor stimuli under spatial and temporal masking conditions. Consistent with previous findings, perceptual learning induced a significant improvement in near VA and reading speed under conditions of limited exposure duration. Our results show that the improvements in VA and reading speed observed following perceptual learning are closely linked to the initial VA, with only a minor fraction of the observed improvement that may be attributed to the additional sessions performed by those with the worse VA.

Chemical and biological quality of water in Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio, 2011-12, with emphasis on cyanobacteria

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dumouchelle, Denise H.; Stelzer, Erin A.

2014-01-01

Microcystin concentrations were correlated to cyanobacteria biovolumes, and to concentrations of one ion (sodium) and three trace elements (molybdenum, antimony, and lithium). Concentrations of toxin genes (mcyE) determined by qPCR were consistently low forMicrocystis and consistently high for Planktothrix throughout both sampling years. Concentrations of cyanobacteria found by qPCR were correlated to microcystin concentrations, cyanobacteria biovolumes, selected nutrient concentrations, and other parameters. Results from qRT-PCR assays showed that toxin gene expression was predominantly from the genus Planktothrix, and concentrations of the RNA transcript varied throughout the two sampling years. A number of conditions that may play a role in the dominance ofPlanktothrix and the production of microcystin were identified including water temperature; low-light transmission; low concentrations of silica and manganese; and relatively high concentrations of sodium, sulfate, and the trace elements of strontium, vanadium, and boron.

Structural validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) in a sample of the general Spanish population.

PubMed

González Rodríguez, Manuel; Avero Delgado, Pedro; Rovella, Anna Teresa; Cubas León, Rosario

2008-11-01

This paper introduces the validation of the Spanish adaptation of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) by Wegner and Zanakos (1994). A sample of 833 people from the general population completed the WBSI along with other questionnaires. The exploratory factor analysis and the confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor solution accounting for 51.8% of the cumulative variance. This structure is comprised of the two following factors: unwanted intrusive thoughts (alpha = .87, r = .70) and actions of distraction and suppression of thoughts (alpha = .80, r = .60). Both internal consistency reliability (alpha = .89) and test-retest reliability (r = .71) showed adequate homogeneity, sound consistency, and stability over time. The results are discussed bearing in mind both isolated factors and the possible relationships of the suppression factor with automatic negative thoughts and insomnia.

Rearing Environmental Influences on Religiousness: An Investigation of Adolescent Adoptees.

PubMed

Koenig, Laura B; McGue, Matt; Iacono, William G

2009-10-01

Religiousness is widely considered to be a culturally transmitted trait. However, twin studies suggest that religiousness is genetically influenced in adulthood, although largely environmentally influenced in childhood/adolescence. We examined genetic and environmental influences on a self-report measure of religiousness in a sample consisting of 284 adoptive families (two adopted adolescent siblings and their rearing parents); 208 biological families (two full biological adolescent siblings and their parents); and 124 mixed families (one adopted and one biological adolescent sibling and their parents). A sibling-family model was fit to the data to estimate genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental effects on religiousness, as well as cultural transmission and assortative mating effects. Religiousness showed little evidence of heritability and large environmental effects, which did not vary significantly by gender. This finding is consistent with the results of twin studies of religiousness in adolescent and preadolescent samples.

Rearing Environmental Influences on Religiousness: An Investigation of Adolescent Adoptees

PubMed Central

Koenig, Laura B.; McGue, Matt; Iacono, William G.

2009-01-01

Religiousness is widely considered to be a culturally transmitted trait. However, twin studies suggest that religiousness is genetically influenced in adulthood, although largely environmentally influenced in childhood/adolescence. We examined genetic and environmental influences on a self-report measure of religiousness in a sample consisting of 284 adoptive families (two adopted adolescent siblings and their rearing parents); 208 biological families (two full biological adolescent siblings and their parents); and 124 mixed families (one adopted and one biological adolescent sibling and their parents). A sibling-family model was fit to the data to estimate genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental effects on religiousness, as well as cultural transmission and assortative mating effects. Religiousness showed little evidence of heritability and large environmental effects, which did not vary significantly by gender. This finding is consistent with the results of twin studies of religiousness in adolescent and preadolescent samples. PMID:20161346

Absorption in Sport: A Cross-Validation Study

PubMed Central

Koehn, Stefan; Stavrou, Nektarios A. M.; Cogley, Jeremy; Morris, Tony; Mosek, Erez; Watt, Anthony P.

2017-01-01

Absorption has been identified as readiness for experiences of deep involvement in the task. Conceptually, absorption is a key psychological construct, incorporating experiential, cognitive, and motivational components. Although, no operationalization of the construct has been provided to facilitate research in this area, the purpose of this research was the development and examination of the psychometric properties of a sport-specific measure of absorption that evolved from the use of the modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS; Jamieson, 2005) in mainstream psychology. The study aimed to provide evidence of the psychometric properties, reliability, and validity of the Measure of Absorption in Sport Contexts (MASCs). The psychometric examination included a calibration sample from Scotland and a cross-validation sample from Australia using a cross-sectional design. The item pool was developed based on existing items from the modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (Jamieson, 2005). The MODTAS items were reworded and translated into a sport context. The Scottish sample consisted of 292 participants and the Australian sample of 314 participants. Congeneric model testing and confirmatory factor analysis for both samples and multi-group invariance testing across samples was used. In the cross-validation sample the MASC subscales showed acceptable internal consistency and construct reliability (≥0.70). Excellent fit indices were found for the final 18-item, six-factor measure in the cross-validation sample, χ(120)2 = 197.486, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.957; TLI = 0.945; RMSEA = 0.045; SRMR = 0.044. Multi-group invariance testing revealed no differences in item meaning, except for two items. The MASC and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 showed moderate-to-strong positive correlations in both samples, r = 0.38, p < 0.001 and r = 0.42, p < 0.001, supporting the external validity of the MASC. This article provides initial evidence in support of the psychometric properties, reliability, and validity of the sport-specific measure of absorption. The MASC provides rich research opportunities in sport psychology that can enhance the theoretical understanding between absorption and related constructs and facilitate future intervention studies. PMID:28883802

Fabrication of high-k dielectric Calcium Copper Titanate (CCTO) target by solid state route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathy, N.; Das, K. C.; Ghosh, S. P.; Bose, G.; Kar, J. P.

2016-02-01

CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) ceramic pellet of 10mm diameter has been synthesized by adopting solid state route. The structural and morphological characterization of the ceramics sample was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. XRD pattern revealed the CCTO phase formation, where as SEM micrograph shows the sample consisting of well defined grain and grain boundaries. The room temperature dielectric constant of the sample was found to be ∼ 5000 at 1kHz. After successful preparation of CCTO pellet, a 2 inch diameter CCTO sputtering target is also fabricated in order to deposit CCTO thin films for microelectronic applications.

Absolute Paleointensity Study of Miocene Tiva Canyon Tuff, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patiman, A.; Bowles, J.

2014-12-01

Unoriented samples from the ~12.7 Ma Tiva Canyon (TC) tuff from Yucca Mountain, Nevada are studied in terms of magnetic properties and geomagnetic paleointensity. The magnetic mineralogy and magnetic properties of the TC tuff have previously been well documented, and the remanence-carrier in ~15-m thick zones at the top and bottom of the unit is dominantly is single domain (SD) to superparamagnetic (SP) magnetite, which may be considered ideal for absolute paleointensity studies. Among one of the several episodic volcanic eruptions of the Southwestern Nevada Volcanic Field (SWNVF), the welded TC tuff belongs to the Paintbrush Group. Here we present magnetic properties from two previously unreported sections of the TC tuff, as well as Thellier-type absolute paleointensity estimates. Samples were collected from the lower ~7 m at the base of the flow. Magnetic properties studied include hysteresis, bulk magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent susceptibility, and anhysteretic remanent magnetization acquisition. Magnetic property results are consistent with earlier work, showing that the main magnetic mineral is magnetite. SP samples are dominant from the lower ~1 m to ~3.6 m basal unit while the middle unit of ~3.7 m to 7.0 m mainly consists of SD samples. The paleointensity results are closely tied to the stratigraphic height and magnetic properties linked to domain state. The SD samples have consistent absolute paleointensity values 32.40±0.22 uT, VADM 5.74*1022 A.m2 and behaved ideally during paleointensity experiments. The SP samples have consistently higher paleointensity and less ideal behavior, but would likely pass many traditional quality-control tests. Since the magnetite has been interpreted to form by precipitation out of the glass post-emplacement, but at temperatures higher than the Curie temperature, we tentatively interpret the SD remanence to be a primary thermal remanent magnetization and the paleointensity result to be a valid estimate of geomagnetic paleointensity for the Miocene. Post-emplacement vapor-phase alteration might be expected to alter magnetic mineralogy and magnetization, and has been reported in the upper portions of the TC tuff, but not in the lower sections discussed here.

Stochastic Stability of Nonlinear Sampled Data Systems with a Jump Linear Controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonzalez, Oscar R.; Herencia-Zapana, Heber; Gray, W. Steven

2004-01-01

This paper analyzes the stability of a sampled- data system consisting of a deterministic, nonlinear, time- invariant, continuous-time plant and a stochastic, discrete- time, jump linear controller. The jump linear controller mod- els, for example, computer systems and communication net- works that are subject to stochastic upsets or disruptions. This sampled-data model has been used in the analysis and design of fault-tolerant systems and computer-control systems with random communication delays without taking into account the inter-sample response. To analyze stability, appropriate topologies are introduced for the signal spaces of the sampled- data system. With these topologies, the ideal sampling and zero-order-hold operators are shown to be measurable maps. This paper shows that the known equivalence between the stability of a deterministic, linear sampled-data system and its associated discrete-time representation as well as between a nonlinear sampled-data system and a linearized representation holds even in a stochastic framework.

Cellular migration to electrospun poly(lactic acid) fibermats.

PubMed

Fujikura, Kie; Obata, Akiko; Kasuga, Toshihiro

2012-01-01

Nonwoven fabrics prepared via an electrospinning method, so-called electrospun fibermats, are expected to be promising scaffold materials for bone tissue engineering. In the present work, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibermats, consisting of fibers with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 μm, were prepared by electrospinning. Mouse osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1) were seeded on the fibermats with various fiber diameters (10, 5 and 2 μm; they are denoted by samples A, B and C, respectively) and cultured in two different directions in order to compare the migration behaviours into the scaffold of the normal condition and the anti-gravity condition. The cells in/on the fibermats were observed by laser confocal microscopy to estimate the cellular migration ability into them. When the MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in the normal direction, the thickness of their layer increased to approx. 90 μm in the sample A, consisting of 10-μm fibers after 13 days of culture, while that in the sample C, consisting of 2-μm fibers, did not increase. When the MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in the anti-gravity condition, the thickness of the cell layer in the sample A increased to approx. 60 μm. These results mean that the MC3T3-E1 cells migrated into the inside of sample A in either the normal direction or the anti-gravity one. The cellular proliferation showed no significant difference among the fibermats with three different fiber diameters; MC3T3-E1 cells on the fibermat with 2 μm fiber diameter grew two-dimensionally, while they grew three-dimensionally in the fibermat with 10 μm fiber diameter.

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Cosmology from Galaxy Clusters Detected Via the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sehgal, Neelima; Trac, Hy; Acquaviva, Viviana; Ade, Peter A. R.; Aguirre, Paula; Amiri, Mandana; Appel, John W.; Barrientos, L. Felipe; Battistelli, Elia S.; Bond, J. Richard;

The ionization parameter of star-forming galaxies evolves with the specific star formation rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaasinen, Melanie; Kewley, Lisa; Bian, Fuyan; Groves, Brent; Kashino, Daichi; Silverman, John; Kartaltepe, Jeyhan

2018-07-01

We investigate the evolution of the ionization parameter of star-forming galaxies using a high-redshift (z˜ 1.5) sample from the FMOS-COSMOS (Fibre Multi-Object Spectrograph-COSMic evOlution Survey) and matched low-redshift samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. By constructing samples of low-redshift galaxies for which the stellar mass (M*), star formation rate (SFR), and specific star formation rate (sSFR) are matched to the high-redshift sample, we remove the effects of an evolution in these properties. We also account for the effect of metallicity by jointly constraining the metallicity and ionization parameter of each sample. We find an evolution in the ionization parameter for main-sequence, star-forming galaxies and show that this evolution is driven by the evolution of sSFR. By analysing the matched samples as well as a larger sample of z< 0.3, star-forming galaxies we show that high ionization parameters are directly linked to high sSFRs and are not simply the by-product of an evolution in metallicity. Our results are physically consistent with the definition of the ionization parameter, a measure of the hydrogen ionizing photon flux relative to the number density of hydrogen atoms.

Characterization of methane hydrate host sediments using synchrotron-computed microtomography (CMT)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, K.W.; Feng, H.; Tomov, S.; Winters, W.J.; Prodanovic, M.; Mahajan, D.

2007-01-01

The hydrate-sediment interaction is an important aspect of gas hydrate studies that needs further examination. We describe here the applicability of the computed microtomography (CMT) technique that utilizes an intense X-ray synchrotron source to characterize sediment samples, two at various depths from the Blake Ridge area (a well-known hydrate-prone region) and one from Georges Bank, that once contained methane trapped as hydrates. Detailed results of the tomographic analysis performed on the deepest sample (667??m) from Blake Ridge are presented as 2-D and 3-D images which show several mineral constituents, the internal grain/pore microstructure, and, following segmentation into pore and grain space, a visualization of the connecting pathways through the pore-space of the sediment. Various parameters obtained from the analysis of the CMT data are presented for all three sediment samples. The micro-scale porosity values showed decreasing trend with increasing depth for all three samples that is consistent with the previously reported bulk porosity data. The 3-D morphology, pore-space pathways, porosity, and permeability values are also reported for all three samples. The application of CMT is now being expanded to the laboratory-formed samples of hydrate in sediments as well as field samples of methane hydrate bearing sediments.

A measure of the signal-to-noise ratio of microarray samples and studies using gene correlations.

PubMed

Venet, David; Detours, Vincent; Bersini, Hugues

2012-01-01

The quality of gene expression data can vary dramatically from platform to platform, study to study, and sample to sample. As reliable statistical analysis rests on reliable data, determining such quality is of the utmost importance. Quality measures to spot problematic samples exist, but they are platform-specific, and cannot be used to compare studies. As a proxy for quality, we propose a signal-to-noise ratio for microarray data, the "Signal-to-Noise Applied to Gene Expression Experiments", or SNAGEE. SNAGEE is based on the consistency of gene-gene correlations. We applied SNAGEE to a compendium of 80 large datasets on 37 platforms, for a total of 24,380 samples, and assessed the signal-to-noise ratio of studies and samples. This allowed us to discover serious issues with three studies. We show that signal-to-noise ratios of both studies and samples are linked to the statistical significance of the biological results. We showed that SNAGEE is an effective way to measure data quality for most types of gene expression studies, and that it often outperforms existing techniques. Furthermore, SNAGEE is platform-independent and does not require raw data files. The SNAGEE R package is available in BioConductor.

Monitoring the quality consistency of Fufang Danshen Pills using micellar electrokinetic chromatography fingerprint coupled with prediction of antioxidant activity and chemometrics.

PubMed

Ji, Zhengchao; Sun, Wanyang; Sun, Guoxiang; Zhang, Jin

2016-08-01

A fast micellar electrokinetic chromatography fingerprint method combined with quantification was developed and validated to evaluate the quality of Fufang Danshen Pills, a traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been used in the treatment of cardiovascular system diseases, in which the tetrahedron optimization method was first used to optimize the background electrolyte solution. Subsequently, the index of the fingerprint information amount of I was performed as an excellent objective indictor to investigate the experimental conditions. In addition, a systematical quantified fingerprint method was constructed for evaluating the quality consistency of 20 batches of test samples obtained from the same drug manufacturer. The fingerprint analysis combined with quantitative determination of two components showed that the quality consistency of the test samples was quite good within the same commercial brand. Furthermore, the partial least squares model analysis was used to explore the fingerprint-efficacy relationship between active components and antioxidant activity in vitro, which can be applied for the assessment of anti-oxidant activity of Fufang Danshen pills and provide valuable medicinal information for quality control. The result illustrated that the present study provided a reliable and reasonable method for monitoring the quality consistency of Fufang Danshen pills. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A study on rate of infestation to Sarcocystis cysts in supplied raw hamburgers.

PubMed

Nematollahia, Ahmad; Khoshkerdar, Afsaneh; Helan, Javad Ashrafi; Shahbazi, Parisa; Hassanzadeh, Parviz

2015-06-01

This study was carried on for determination of presence of Sarcocystis cysts in raw hamburgers in Tabriz North West of Iran. Ninety-six samples of industrial (70 % meat content) and traditional (30 % meat content) hamburgers (80 samples industrial and 16 samples traditional) were obtained from retail fast food stores. The samples were examined by gross examination, and microscopic examination methods consist impression smear and peptic digestion. Macroscopic cysts did not observed in any of the samples in gross examination. Microscopic study showed that from 96 samples 54 (56.25 %) samples were infected by at least one bradyzoites of Sarcocystis. From 54 infected samples, 45 industrial hamburgers and nine traditional hamburgers samples were infected. Statistical analysis showed that there was not significant differences between industrial and traditional hamburgers in infection to Sarcocystis. Infestation of hamburgers to Sarcocystis in summer was higher than other seasons but this difference was not significant. In Iran, beef meat is used for preparation of 70 % of hamburger and infestation of cattle to sarcocystosis was reported in many investigations in Iran. With regard to the high prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in meat products such as hamburgers in this study, it is strongly recommended to avoid eating raw or under-cooked hamburgers or keep them at freezing temperature for at least 3-5 days.

Effect of Angum gum in combination with tragacanth gum on rheological and sensory properties of ketchup.

PubMed

Komeilyfard, Ahmadreza; Fazel, Mohammad; Akhavan, Hamidreza; Mousakhani Ganjeh, Alireza

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Angum gum (AnG) alone and in combination with tragacanth gum (TG) on the stability, texture, sensory, and rheological properties of tomato ketchup. AnG, TG, and Angum gum and tragacanth gum mixture (AnGT; 1:1 ratio) were added at levels of 0.5, 1, and 1.5%. Ten tomato ketchup formulations were produced: control (without hydrocolloid), AnG (0.5-1.5%), TG (0.5-1.5%), AnGT (0.5-1.5%). It was observed that the hydrocolloids addition to tomato ketchup significantly decreased the Bostwick consistency value and serum separation at 2200, 5000, and 8800 g. Textural properties of tomato ketchup by using back extrusion test and particle size analysis were significantly increased with hydrocolloid addition. All tomato ketchup formulations showed shear thinning behavior and the addition of hydrocolloids increased apparent viscosity. The power law and Herschel-Bulkley models were successfully fitted with experimental data. The flow behavior indices of Herschel-Bulkley and power law models were changed in the range of 0.19-0.24 and 0.14-0.30, respectively. The consistency coefficients of these models were in the range of 16.31-79.57 and 11.19-146.06 Pa s n , respectively. The storage modulus (G') of all tomato ketchups was higher than the loss modulus (G″). Hydrocolloid addition showed no significant effect on the color indices (L*, a*, b*, hue angle, chroma, and total color differences) of tomato ketchup. The overall acceptability of 1.5% AnG, 0.5% TG, 1 and 1.5% AnGT were significantly higher than other samples. Therefore, AnG can be used alone and in combination with TG as stabilizer in tomato ketchup. The consistency of tomato ketchup is an important attribute from both engineering and consumer viewpoints. It was observed that addition of TG, AnG, and AnGT to tomato ketchups significantly decreased their Bostwick consistency values and their serum separation. In addition, hydrocolloid addition showed no significant effect on the color indices (L*, a*, b*, Hue angle, chroma, and total color differences) of samples. Also, the panelists gave greatest sensory scores in term of overall acceptance to ketchups containing 1% AnGT than other samples. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of Weather Shows in Eastern Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najman, M.

2009-09-01

Comparison of Weather Shows in Eastern Europe Television weather shows in Eastern Europe have in most cases in the high graphical standard. There is though a wast difference in duration and information content in the weather shows. There are few signs and regularities by which we can see the character of the weather show. The main differences are mainly caused by the income structure of the TV station. Either it is a fully privately funded TV relying on the TV commercials income. Or it is a public service TV station funded mainly by the national budget or fixed fee structure/tax. There are wast differences in duration and even a graphical presentation of the weather. Next important aspect is a supplier of the weather information and /or the processor. Shortly we can say, that when the TV show is produced by the national met office, the TV show consists of more scientific terms, synoptic maps, satellite imagery, etc. If the supplier is the private meteorological company, the weather show is more user-friendly, laical with less scientific terms. We are experiencing a massive shift in public weather knowledge and demand for information. In the past, weather shows consisted only of maps with weather icons. In todaýs world, even the laic weather shows consist partly of numerical weather model outputs - they are of course designed to be understandable and graphically attractive. Outputs of the numerical weather models used to be only a part of daily life of a professional meteorologist, today they are common part of life of regular people. Video samples are a part of this presentation.

Laser surface modification of 316 L stainless steel with bioactive hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Balla, Vamsi Krishna; Das, Mitun; Bose, Sreyashree; Ram, G D Janaki; Manna, Indranil

2013-12-01

Laser-engineered net shaping (LENS™), a commercial additive manufacturing process, was used to modify the surfaces of 316 L stainless steel with bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAP). The modified surfaces were characterized in terms of their microstructure, hardness and apatite forming ability. The results showed that with increase in laser energy input from 32 J/mm(2) to 59 J/mm(2) the thickness of the modified surface increased from 222±12 μm to 355±6 μm, while the average surface hardness decreased marginally from 403±18 HV0.3 to 372±8 HV0.3. Microstructural studies showed that the modified surface consisted of austenite dendrites with HAP and some reaction products primarily occurring in the inter-dendritic regions. Finally, the surface-modified 316 L samples immersed in simulated body fluids showed significantly higher apatite precipitation compared to unmodified 316 L samples. © 2013.

Temporal variability of urinary cadmium in spot urine samples and first morning voids.

PubMed

Vacchi-Suzzi, Caterina; Porucznik, Christina A; Cox, Kyley J; Zhao, Yuan; Ahn, Hongshik; Harrington, James M; Levine, Keith E; Demple, Bruce; Marsit, Carmen J; Gonzalez, Adam; Luft, Benjamin; Meliker, Jaymie R

2017-05-01

Cadmium is a carcinogenic heavy metal. Urinary levels of cadmium are considered to be an indicator of long-term body burden, as cadmium accumulates in the kidneys and has a half-life of at least 10 years. However, the temporal stability of the biomarker in urine samples from a non-occupationally exposed population has not been rigorously established. We used repeated measurements of urinary cadmium (U-Cd) in spot urine samples and first morning voids from two separate cohorts, to assess the temporal stability of the samples. Urine samples from two cohorts including individuals of both sexes were measured for cadmium and creatinine. The first cohort (Home Observation of Perinatal Exposure (HOPE)) consisted of 21 never-smokers, who provided four first morning urine samples 2-5 days apart, and one additional sample roughly 1 month later. The second cohort (World Trade Center-Health Program (WTC-HP)) consisted of 78 individuals, including 52 never-smokers, 22 former smokers and 4 current smokers, who provided 2 spot urine samples 6 months apart, on average. Intra-class correlation was computed for groups of replicates from each individual to assess temporal variability. The median creatinine-adjusted U-Cd level (0.19 and 0.21 μg/g in the HOPE and WTC-HP, respectively) was similar to levels recorded in the United States by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The intra-class correlation (ICC) was high (0.76 and 0.78 for HOPE and WTC-HP, respectively) and similar between cohorts, irrespective of whether samples were collected days or months apart. Both single spot or first morning urine cadmium samples show good to excellent reproducibility in low-exposure populations.

Consistency of Factor Structure on the Semantic Differential: An Analysis of Three Adult Samples.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sherry, David L.; Piotrowski, Chris

1986-01-01

The consistency of factor structure of Osgood's semantic differential was examined in three different adult samples, aged 18 to 87. Three different concepts were used: the University of West Florida, Myself, and Death. Results indicated consistency for the evaluation factor and moderate consistency for potency and activity. (Author/GDC)

Measurement of second order susceptibilities of GaN and AlGaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanford, N. A.; Davydov, A. V.; Tsvetkov, D. V.; Dmitriev, A. V.; Keller, S.; Mishra, U. K.; DenBaars, S. P.; Park, S. S.; Han, J. Y.; Molnar, R. J.

2005-03-01

Rotational Maker fringes, scaled with respect to χ11(2) of crystalline quartz, were used to determine the second order susceptibilities χ31(2) and χ33(2) for samples of thin AlxGa1-xN films, a thicker GaN film, and a free-standing GaN platelets. The pump wavelength was 1064nm. The AlxGa1-xN samples, ranging in thickness from roughly 0.5to4.4μm, were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) on (0001) sapphire substrates. The Al mole fractions x were 0, 0.419, 0.507, 0.618, 0.660, and 0.666, for the MOCVD-grown samples, and x =0, 0.279, 0.363, and 0.593 for the HVPE-grown samples. An additional HVPE-grown GaN sample ˜70μm thick was also examined. The free-standing bulk GaN platelets consisted of an HVPE grown film ˜226μm thick removed from its growth substrate, and a crystal ˜160μm thick grown by high-pressure techniques. For the AlxGa1-xN samples, the magnitudes of χ31(2) and χ33(2) decrease roughly linearly with increasing x and extrapolate to ˜0 for x =1. Furthermore, the constraint expected for a perfect wurtzite structure, namely χ33(2)=-2χ31(2), was seldom observed, and the samples with x =0.660 and x =0.666 showed χ31(2) and χ33(2) having the same sign. These results are consistent with the theoretical studies of nonlinear susceptibilities for AlN and GaN performed by Chen et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 66, 1129 (1995)]. The thicker bulk GaN samples displayed a complex superposition of high- and low-frequency Maker fringes due to the multiple-pass interference of the pump and second-harmonic generation beams, and the nonlinear coefficients were approximately consistent with those measured for the thin-film GaN sample.

Split sample comparison of a liquid-based method and conventional smears in thyroid fine needle aspiration.

PubMed

Jung, Chan-Kwon; Lee, Ahwon; Jung, Eun-Sun; Choi, Yeong-Jin; Jung, So-Lyung; Lee, Kyo-Young

2008-01-01

To compare the efficacy of the SurePath (SP) vs. conventional smears (CS) in fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid gland lesions. A total of 193 FNA cases with thyroid nodules were studied. Samples from ultrasound-guided FNA were split to prepare CS and SP slides. The diagnostic categories of unsatisfactory, benign, atypical and malignant were compared. Galectin-3 immunostaining was performed on SP slides. Some differences were found between the cytomorphology of CS and SP. SP slides showed more increased cellularity and more clustered tissue fragments. On SP slides, nuclear detail and nucleoli were more easily detected and nuclear irregularity was very useful for the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma. SP showed a trend toward a lower proportion of atypical category. The overall sensitivity of FNA in diagnosing thyroid neoplasm was 90.9% for CS and 93.9% for SP. Most lesions (73%) diagnosed as papillary carcinoma after surgery showed positive staining of galectin-3. The SP method showed easy evaluation of cytomorphologic features and consistent specimen quality and appeared to be more useful in diagnosing the suspicious cases. Moreover, it offered the possibility of adjunctive immunocytochemistry on the same sample.

[Development of a microenvironment test chamber for airborne microbe research].

PubMed

Zhan, Ningbo; Chen, Feng; Du, Yaohua; Cheng, Zhi; Li, Chenyu; Wu, Jinlong; Wu, Taihu

2017-10-01

One of the most important environmental cleanliness indicators is airborne microbe. However, the particularity of clean operating environment and controlled experimental environment often leads to the limitation of the airborne microbe research. This paper designed and implemented a microenvironment test chamber for airborne microbe research in normal test conditions. Numerical simulation by Fluent showed that airborne microbes were evenly dispersed in the upper part of test chamber, and had a bottom-up concentration growth distribution. According to the simulation results, the verification experiment was carried out by selecting 5 sampling points in different space positions in the test chamber. Experimental results showed that average particle concentrations of all sampling points reached 10 7 counts/m 3 after 5 minutes' distributing of Staphylococcus aureus , and all sampling points showed the accordant mapping of concentration distribution. The concentration of airborne microbe in the upper chamber was slightly higher than that in the middle chamber, and that was also slightly higher than that in the bottom chamber. It is consistent with the results of numerical simulation, and it proves that the system can be well used for airborne microbe research.

Effects of Partial Beef Fat Replacement with Gelled Emulsion on Functional and Quality Properties of Model System Meat Emulsions

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of partial beef fat replacement (0, 30, 50, 100%) with gelled emulsion (GE) prepared with olive oil on functional and quality properties of model system meat emulsion (MSME). GE consisted of inulin and gelatin as gelling agent and characteristics of gelled and model system meat emulsions were investigated. GE showed good initial stability against centrifugation forces and thermal stability at different temperatures. GE addition decreased the pH with respect to increase in GE concentration. Addition of GE increased lightness and yellowness but reduced redness compared to control samples. The results of the study showed that partial replacement of beef fat with GE could be used for improving cooking yield without negative effects on water holding capacity and emulsion stability compared to C samples when replacement level is up to 50%. The presence of GE significantly affected textural behaviors of samples (p<0.05). In conclusion, our study showed that GE have promising impacts on developing healthier meat product formulations besides improving technological characteristics. PMID:28115885

Effects of Partial Beef Fat Replacement with Gelled Emulsion on Functional and Quality Properties of Model System Meat Emulsions.

PubMed

Serdaroğlu, Meltem; Nacak, Berker; Karabıyıkoğlu, Merve; Keser, Gökçen

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of partial beef fat replacement (0, 30, 50, 100%) with gelled emulsion (GE) prepared with olive oil on functional and quality properties of model system meat emulsion (MSME). GE consisted of inulin and gelatin as gelling agent and characteristics of gelled and model system meat emulsions were investigated. GE showed good initial stability against centrifugation forces and thermal stability at different temperatures. GE addition decreased the pH with respect to increase in GE concentration. Addition of GE increased lightness and yellowness but reduced redness compared to control samples. The results of the study showed that partial replacement of beef fat with GE could be used for improving cooking yield without negative effects on water holding capacity and emulsion stability compared to C samples when replacement level is up to 50%. The presence of GE significantly affected textural behaviors of samples ( p <0.05). In conclusion, our study showed that GE have promising impacts on developing healthier meat product formulations besides improving technological characteristics.

Response of coral assemblages to thermal stress: are bleaching intensity and spatial patterns consistent between events?

PubMed

Penin, Lucie; Vidal-Dupiol, Jeremie; Adjeroud, Mehdi

2013-06-01

Mass bleaching events resulting in coral mortality are among the greatest threats to coral reefs, and are projected to increase in frequency and intensity with global warming. Achieving a better understanding of the consistency of the response of coral assemblages to thermal stress, both spatially and temporally, is essential to determine which reefs are more able to tolerate climate change. We compared variations in spatial and taxonomic patterns between two bleaching events at the scale of an island (Moorea Island, French Polynesia). Despite similar thermal stress and light conditions, bleaching intensity was significantly lower in 2007 (approximately 37 % of colonies showed signs of bleaching) than in 2002, when 55 % of the colonies bleached. Variations in the spatial patterns of bleaching intensity were consistent between the two events. Among nine sampling stations at three locations and three depths, the stations at which the bleaching response was lowest in 2002 were those that showed the lowest levels of bleaching in 2007. The taxonomic patterns of susceptibility to bleaching were also consistent between the two events. These findings have important implications for conservation because they indicate that corals are capable of acclimatization and/or adaptation and that, even at small spatial scales, some areas are consistently more susceptible to bleaching than others.

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

Jubin, Robert Thomas; Bruffey, Stephanie H.

Legacy samples composed of 85Kr encapsulated in solid zeolite 5A material and five small metal tubes containing a mixture of the zeolite combined with a glass matrix resulting from hot isostatic pressing have been preserved. The samples were a result of krypton R&D encapsulation efforts in the late 1970s performed at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant. These samples were shipped to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in mid-FY 2014. Upon receipt the outer shipping package was opened, and the inner package, removed and placed in a radiological hood. The individual capsules were double bagged as they were removed from themore » inner shipping pig and placed into individual glass sample bottles for further analysis. The five capsules were then x-ray imaged. Capsules 1 and 4 appear intact and to contain an amorphous mass within the capsules. Capsule 2 clearly shows the saw marks on the capsule and a quantity of loose pellet or bead-like material remaining in the capsule. Capsule 3 shows similar bead-like material within the intact capsule. Capsule 5 had been opened at an undetermined time in the past. The end of this capsule appears to have been cut off, and there are additional saw marks on the side of the capsule. X-ray tomography allowed the capsules to be viewed along the three axes. Of most interest was determining whether there was any residual material in the closed end of Capsule 5. The images confirmed the presence of residual material within this capsule. The material appears to be compacted but still retains some of the bead-like morphology. Based on the nondestructive analysis (NDA) results, a proposed path forward was formulated to advance this effort toward the original goals of understanding the effects of extended storage on the waste form and package. Based on the initial NDA and the fact that there are at least two breached samples, it was proposed that exploratory tests be conducted with the breached specimens before opening the three intact capsules. Portions of these would be analyzed to determine the fraction of krypton/xenon remaining in the matrix and the amount of rubidium remaining in the matrix. The inner surface of the breached capsules would be examined for corrosion. The materials contained in Capsules 2 and 5 have been examined. There appears to be a relatively uniform distribution of Kr and Rb throughout the pellets examined. The chemical composition of the pellets appears to be consistent with 5A molecular sieves. The material contained within Capsule 5 showed ~1 at. % lead. The origin of the Pb is currently indeterminate. X-ray diffraction analysis shows a significant shift from the 5A structure, most likely due to the Kr encapsulation / sintering process that occurred when the samples were made. The capsule walls were also examined and showed extensive corrosion throughout. Elemental mapping of the capsule material appeared consistent with carbon steel, while the weld material appeared consistent with a stainless steel. The interior surface of the capsule appeared to have a layer of material containing Al, Si, and Ca similar to the 5A molecular sieve. Analysis for Rb within the corrosion sites was inconclusive.« less

Examination of the Relationship between Eighth Grade Students' Learning Styles and Attitudes towards Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aydin, Bünyamin

2016-01-01

The aim of this research is to determine eighth grade students' learning styles and attitudes toward math class and to show the relationship between their learning styles and attitudes toward math class. Sample of the research consists of 100 eighth grade students having education in a school in the Central Anatolia of our country. As data…

More Authors, More Institutions, and More Funding Sources: Hot Papers in Biology from 1991 to 1993.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haiqi, Zhang

1997-01-01

A bibliometric study analyzed the authorship of biology periodicals, "Nature,""Science," and "Cell" from 1991 to 1993. The source data consisted of "hot papers" in biology and a sample of articles from the three periodicals. Results showed that the hot papers have more authors and participating institutions, and that funding sources are related to…

Bullying and Victimization among Native and Immigrant Adolescents in Norway: The Role of Proactive and Reactive Aggressiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fandrem, Hildegunn; Strohmeier, Dagmar; Roland, Erling

2009-01-01

This study compares levels of bullying others, victimization, and aggressiveness in native Norwegian and immigrant adolescents living in Norway and shows how bullying is related to proactive and reactive aggressiveness. The sample consists of 2,938 native Norwegians (1,521 girls, 1,417 boys) and 189 immigrant adolescents (97 girls, 92 boys) in…

Improving Treatment Adherence in Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Current Psychosocial Treatment Efficacy and Recommendations for Future Treatment Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaudiano, Brandon A.; Weinstock, Lauren M.; Miller, Ivan W.

2008-01-01

Treatment adherence is a frequent problem in bipolar disorder, with research showing that more than 60% of bipolar patients are at least partially nonadherent to medications. Treatment nonadherence is consistently predictive of a number of negative outcomes in bipolar samples, and the discontinuation of mood stabilizers places these patients at…

What Does It Take to Be an Adult in Austria? Views of Adulthood in Austrian Adolescents, Emerging Adults, and Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sirsch, Ulrike; Dreher, Eva; Mayr, Eva; Willinger, Ulrike

2009-01-01

The present study examined the defining features of emerging adulthood, subjects' conceptions of the transition to adulthood, and the perceived adult status in Austria. The sample consisted of 775 subjects (226 adolescents, 317 emerging adults, 232 adults). Results showed that most Austrian emerging adults feel themselves to be between adolescence…

Interest Profile Elevation, Big Five Personality Traits, and Secondary Constructs on the Self-Directed Search: A Replication and Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bullock, Emily E.; Reardon, Robert C.

2008-01-01

The study used the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the NEO-FFI to explore profile elevation, four secondary constructs, and the Big Five personality factors in a sample of college students in a career course. Regression model results showed that openness, conscientiousness, differentiation high-low, differentiation Iachan, and consistency accounted…

The Assessment of Intimate Partner Violence in Spanish Women: The Index of Spouse Abuse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plazaola-Castano, Juncal; Ruiz-Perez, Isabel; Escriba-Aguir, Vicenta; Montero-Pinar, Isabel; Vives-Cases, Carmen

2011-01-01

We aimed to analyze the internal consistency and construct validity of the Spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) in a representative sample of 8,995 women attending general practice in Spain in 2006-2007. The factor structure analysis shows that the ISA measures four intimate partner violence (IPV) dimensions: emotional, physical, and…

Examining Measurement Properties of an English Self-Efficacy Scale for English Language Learners in Korea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Chuang; Kim, Do-Hong; Bong, Mimi; Ahn, Hyun Seon

2013-01-01

This study provides evidence for the validity of the Questionnaire of English Self-Efficacy in a sample of 167 college students in Korea. Results show that the scale measures largely satisfy the Rasch model for unidimensionality. The rating scale appeared to function effectively. The item hierarchy was consistent with the expected item order. The…

Knowledge of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder of Behavior Modification Methods and Their Training Needs Accordingly

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deeb, Raid Mousa Al-Shaik

2016-01-01

The study aimed at identifying knowledge of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder of behavior modification methods and their training needs accordingly. The sample of the study consisted of (98) parents in Jordan. A scale of behavior modification methods was constructed, and then validated. The results of the study showed that the…

Teaching Efficacy and Teaching Performance among Student Teachers in a Jordanian Childhood Education Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weshah, Hani A.

2012-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the teaching efficacy of student teachers in the Childhood Education Program at the University of Jordan. The sample consisted of (106) female student teachers. The Teacher Efficacy Scale and the Effective Teaching Behaviors Scale were used to collect the data of this study. Results showed that a third of the…

An Analysis of the Mission and Vision Statements on the Strategic Plans of Higher Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozdem, Guven

2011-01-01

This study aimed to analyze the mission and vision statements on the strategic plans of higher education institutions. The sample of the study consisted of 72 public universities. Strategic plans of the universities were accessed over the internet, and the data collected were analyzed using content analysis. The findings show that statements on…

Delving into Alumni Perceptions about the Impact and Effectiveness of Two Certificate Programs: Meeting Their Mission?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Tristan E.; Yukselturk, Erman; Top, Ercan

2014-01-01

The purpose of the study was to analyze two certificate programs in regard to the impacts on alumni professional career and strengths and weaknesses of certificate programs in the views of their alumni. The sample consisted of 58 participants who completed one of the certificate programs. The results showed that alumni rated self-improvement as…

Preliminary psycometric assessment of the Brazilian version of the DISABKIDS Atopic Dermatitis Module.

PubMed

Deon, Keila Cristiane; Santos, Danielle Maria de Souza Sério dos; Bullinger, Monika; Santos, Claudia Benedita dos

2011-12-01

To assess preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of a questionnaire for measuring health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. Cross-sectional study with a sample consisting of 52 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, and their parents or caregivers, selected at the dermatology department of a university hospital in the city of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, in 2009. Construct validity, internal consistency and agreement between the responses of children and adolescents and their parents or caregivers were assessed in the Brazilian Portuguese version of the DISABKIDS-Atopic Dermatitis Module (ADM). Adequate internal consistency was found with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.7024/0.8124 and 0.7239/0.8604. The multitrait multimethod analysis for assessing convergent validity showed measures higher than 0.30 for all items. The analysis showed good discriminant validity. Agreement between child self-report and parent proxy-report was evaluated using intra-class correlation with measures impact and social stigma of disease of 0.8173 and 0.7629, respectively. The study results showed that the DISABKIDS-ADM can be used by Brazilian researchers after its complete validation as it showed adequate preliminary psychometric properties and can be considered a valid, reliable instrument.

A critical analysis of high-redshift, massive, galaxy clusters. Part I

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

Hoyle, Ben; Jimenez, Raul; Verde, Licia

2012-02-01

We critically investigate current statistical tests applied to high redshift clusters of galaxies in order to test the standard cosmological model and describe their range of validity. We carefully compare a sample of high-redshift, massive, galaxy clusters with realistic Poisson sample simulations of the theoretical mass function, which include the effect of Eddington bias. We compare the observations and simulations using the following statistical tests: the distributions of ensemble and individual existence probabilities (in the > M, > z sense), the redshift distributions, and the 2d Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Using seemingly rare clusters from Hoyle et al. (2011), and Jee etmore » al. (2011) and assuming the same survey geometry as in Jee et al. (2011, which is less conservative than Hoyle et al. 2011), we find that the ( > M, > z) existence probabilities of all clusters are fully consistent with ΛCDM. However assuming the same survey geometry, we use the 2d K-S test probability to show that the observed clusters are not consistent with being the least probable clusters from simulations at > 95% confidence, and are also not consistent with being a random selection of clusters, which may be caused by the non-trivial selection function and survey geometry. Tension can be removed if we examine only a X-ray selected sub sample, with simulations performed assuming a modified survey geometry.« less

Development of reproducible assays for polygalacturonase and pectinase.

PubMed

Li, Qian; Coffman, Anthony M; Ju, Lu-Kwang

2015-05-01

Polygalacturonase and pectinase activities reported in the literature were measured by several different procedures. These procedures do not give comparable results, partly owing to the complexity of the substrates involved. This work was aimed at developing consistent and efficient assays for polygalacturonase and pectinase activities, using polygalacturonic acid and citrus pectin, respectively, as the substrate. Different enzyme mixtures produced by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei with different inducing carbon sources were used for the method development. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the incubation time, substrate concentration, and enzyme dilution. Accordingly, for both assays the recommended (optimal) hydrolysis time is 30min and substrate concentration is 5g/L. For polygalacturonase, the sample should be adjusted to have 0.3-0.8U/mL polygalacturonase activity, because in this range the assay outcomes were consistent (independent of dilution factors). Such a range did not exist for the pectinase assay. The recommended procedure is to assay the sample at multiple (at least 2) dilution factors and determine, by linear interpolation, the dilution factor that would release reducing sugar equivalent to 0.4g/L d-galacturonic acid, and then calculate the activity of the sample accordingly (dilution factor×0.687U/mL). Validation experiments showed consistent results using these assays. Effects of substrate preparation methods were also examined. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Snow crystal imaging using scanning electron microscopy: III. Glacier ice, snow and biota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rango, A.; Wergin, W.P.; Erbe, E.F.; Josberger, E.G.

2000-01-01

Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe metamorphosed snow, glacial firn, and glacial ice obtained from South Cascade Glacier in Washington State, USA. Biotic samples consisting of algae (Chlamydomonas nivalis) and ice worms (a species of oligochaetes) were also collected and imaged. In the field, the snow and biological samples were mounted on copper plates, cooled in liquid nitrogen, and stored in dry shipping containers which maintain a temperature of -196??C. The firn and glacier ice samples were obtained by extracting horizontal ice cores, 8 mm in diameter, at different levels from larger standard glaciological (vertical) ice cores 7.5 cm in diameter. These samples were cooled in liquid nitrogen and placed in cryotubes, were stored in the same dry shipping container, and sent to the SEM facility. In the laboratory, the samples were sputter coated with platinum and imaged by a low-temperature SEM. To image the firn and glacier ice samples, the cores were fractured in liquid nitrogen, attached to a specimen holder, and then imaged. While light microscope images of snow and ice are difficult to interpret because of internal reflection and refraction, the SEM images provide a clear and unique view of the surface of the samples because they are generated from electrons emitted or reflected only from the surface of the sample. In addition, the SEM has a great depth of field with a wide range of magnifying capabilities. The resulting images clearly show the individual grains of the seasonal snowpack and the bonding between the snow grains. Images of firn show individual ice crystals, the bonding between the crystals, and connected air spaces. Images of glacier ice show a crystal structure on a scale of 1-2 mm which is considerably smaller than the expected crystal size. Microscopic air bubbles, less than 15 ??m in diameter, clearly marked the boundaries between these crystal-like features. The life forms associated with the glacier were easily imaged and studied. The low-temperature SEM sample collecting and handling methods proved to be operable in the field; the SEM analysis is applicable to glaciological studies and reveals details unattainable by conventional light microscopic methods.Low temperature scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe metamorphosed snow, glacial firn, and glacial ice obtained from South Cascade Glacier in Washington State, USA. Biotic samples consisting of algae and ice worms were also collected and imaged. The SEM images provide a clear and unique view of the surface of the samples because they are generated from electrons emitted or reflected only from the surface of the sample. The SEM has a great depth of field with a wide range of magnifying capabilities.

Measurement Properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10): Findings from HCHS/SOL

PubMed Central

González, Patricia; Nuñez, Alicia; Merz, Erin; Brintz, Carrie; Weitzman, Orit; Navas, Elena; Camacho, Alvaro; Buelna, Christina; Penedo, Frank J.; Wassertheil-Smoller, Sylvia; Perreira, Krista; Isasi, Carmen; Choca, James; Talavera, Gregory A.; Gallo, Linda C.

2016-01-01

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is a widely used self-report measure of depression symptomatology. This study evaluated the reliability, validity, and measurement invariance of the CES-D 10 in a diverse cohort of Hispanics/Latinos from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). The sample consisted of 16,415 Hispanic/Latino adults recruited from four field centers (Miami, FL; San Diego, CA; Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL). Participants completed interview administered measures in English or Spanish. The CES-D 10 was examined for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and measurement invariance. The total score for the CES-D 10 displayed acceptable internal consistencies (Cronbach α’s = .80 – .86) and test-retest reliability (r’s = .41 – .70) across the total sample, language group and ethnic background group. The total CES-D 10 scores correlated in a theoretically consistent manner with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (r = .72, p < .001), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression measure (r = .80, p < .001) the Short Form-12’s Mental Component Summary (r = −.65, p < .001) and Physical Component Summary score (r = −.25, p < .001). A confirmatory factor analysis showed that a one-factor model fit the CES-D 10 data well (CFI = .986, RMSEA = .047) after correlating one pair of item residual variances. Multiple group analyses showed the one-factor structure to be invariant across English and Spanish speaking responders and partially invariant across Hispanic/Latino background groups. The total score of the CES-D 10 can be recommended for use with Hispanics/Latinos in English and Spanish. PMID:27295022

Psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS): secondary analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

PubMed

López-Ortega, Mariana; Torres-Castro, Sara; Rosas-Carrasco, Oscar

2016-12-09

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) has been widely used and has proven to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing satisfaction with life in diverse population groups, however, research on satisfaction with life and validation of different measuring instruments in Mexican adults is still lacking. The objective was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in a representative sample of Mexican adults. This is a methodological study to evaluate a satisfaction with life scale in a sample of 13,220 Mexican adults 50 years of age or older from the 2012 Mexican Health and Aging Study. The scale's reliability (internal consistency) was analysed using Cronbach's alpha and inter-item correlations. An exploratory factor analysis was also performed. Known-groups validity was evaluated comparing good-health and bad-health participants. Comorbidity, perceived financial situation, self-reported general health, depression symptoms, and social support were included to evaluate the validity between these measures and the total score of the scale using Spearman's correlations. The analysis of the scale's reliability showed good internal consistency (α = 0.74). The exploratory factor analysis confirmed the existence of a unique factor structure that explained 54% of the variance. SWLS was related to depression, perceived health, financial situation, and social support, and these relations were all statistically significant (P < .01). There was significant difference in life satisfaction between the good- and bad-health groups. Results show good internal consistency and construct validity of the SWLS. These results are comparable with results from previous studies. Meeting the study's objective to validate the scale, the results show that the Spanish version of the SWLS is a reliable and valid measure of satisfaction with life in the Mexican context.

Reassessment of the psychometric characteristics and factor structure of the 'Perceived Stress Questionnaire' (PSQ): analysis in a sample of dental students.

PubMed

Montero-Marin, Jesús; Piva Demarzo, Marcelo Marcos; Pereira, Joao Paulo; Olea, Marina; García-Campayo, Javier

2014-01-01

The training to become a dentist can create psychological distress. The present study evaluates the structure of the 'Perceived Stress Questionnaire' (PSQ), its internal consistency model and interrelatedness with burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience among dental students. The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of Spanish dental students (n = 314) completed the PSQ, the 'Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale' (GADS), 'Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale' (10-item CD-RISC) and 'Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey' (MBI-SS). The structure was estimated using Parallel Analysis from polychoric correlations. Unweighted Least Squares was the method for factor extraction, using the Item Response Theory to evaluate the discriminative power of items. Internal consistency was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variable. The relationships between the PSQ and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman's coefficient. The results showed a PSQ structure through two sub-factors ('frustration' and 'tenseness') with regard to one general factor ('perceived stress'). Items that did not satisfy discriminative capacity were rejected. The model fit were acceptable (GFI = 0.98; RSMR = 0.06; AGFI = 0.98; NFI = 0.98; RFI = 0.98). All the factors showed adequate internal consistency as measured by the congeneric model (≥0.91). High and significant associations were observed between perceived stress and burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience. The PSQ showed a hierarchical bi-factor structure among Spanish dental students. Using the questionnaire as a uni-dimensional scale may be useful in perceived stress level discrimination, while the sub-factors could help us to refine perceived stress analysis and improve therapeutic processes.

Perceived Stress Scale: confirmatory factor analysis of the PSS14 and PSS10 versions in two samples of pregnant women from the BRISA cohort.

PubMed

Yokokura, Ana Valéria Carvalho Pires; Silva, Antônio Augusto Moura da; Fernandes, Juliana de Kássia Braga; Del-Ben, Cristina Marta; Figueiredo, Felipe Pinheiro de; Barbieri, Marco Antonio; Bettiol, Heloisa

2017-12-18

This study aimed to assess the dimensional structure, reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and scalability of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The sample consisted of 1,447 pregnant women in São Luís (Maranhão State) and 1,400 in Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State), Brazil. The 14 and 10-item versions of the scale were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, using weighted least squares means and variance (WLSMV). In both cities, the two-factor models (positive factors, measuring resilience to stressful situations, and negative factors, measuring stressful situations) showed better fit than the single-factor models. The two-factor models for the complete (PSS14) and reduced scale (PSS10) showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70). All the factor loadings were ≥ 0.50, except for items 8 and 12 of the negative dimension and item 13 of the positive dimension. The correlations between both dimensions of stress and psychological violence showed the expected magnitude (0.46-0.59), providing evidence of an adequate convergent construct validity. The correlations between the scales' positive and negative dimensions were around 0.74-0.78, less than 0.85, which suggests adequate discriminant validity. Extracted mean variance and scalability were slightly higher for PSS10 than for PSS14. The results were consistent in both cities. In conclusion, the single-factor solution is not recommended for assessing stress in pregnant women. The reduced, 10-item two-factor scale appears to be more appropriate for measuring perceived stress in pregnant women.

Reassessment of the Psychometric Characteristics and Factor Structure of the ‘Perceived Stress Questionnaire’ (PSQ): Analysis in a Sample of Dental Students

PubMed Central

Montero-Marin, Jesús; Piva Demarzo, Marcelo Marcos; Pereira, Joao Paulo; Olea, Marina; García-Campayo, Javier

2014-01-01

Background The training to become a dentist can create psychological distress. The present study evaluates the structure of the ‘Perceived Stress Questionnaire’ (PSQ), its internal consistency model and interrelatedness with burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience among dental students. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of Spanish dental students (n = 314) completed the PSQ, the ‘Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale’ (GADS), ‘Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale’ (10-item CD-RISC) and ‘Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey’ (MBI-SS). The structure was estimated using Parallel Analysis from polychoric correlations. Unweighted Least Squares was the method for factor extraction, using the Item Response Theory to evaluate the discriminative power of items. Internal consistency was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variable. The relationships between the PSQ and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman’s coefficient. Results The results showed a PSQ structure through two sub-factors (‘frustration’ and ‘tenseness’) with regard to one general factor (‘perceived stress’). Items that did not satisfy discriminative capacity were rejected. The model fit were acceptable (GFI = 0.98; RSMR = 0.06; AGFI = 0.98; NFI = 0.98; RFI = 0.98). All the factors showed adequate internal consistency as measured by the congeneric model (≥0.91). High and significant associations were observed between perceived stress and burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience. Conclusions The PSQ showed a hierarchical bi-factor structure among Spanish dental students. Using the questionnaire as a uni-dimensional scale may be useful in perceived stress level discrimination, while the sub-factors could help us to refine perceived stress analysis and improve therapeutic processes. PMID:24466330

Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry of Wild Black Flying-Foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia

PubMed Central

McMichael, Lee; Edson, Daniel; McLaughlin, Amanda; Mayer, David; Kopp, Steven; Meers, Joanne; Field, Hume

2015-01-01

This paper establishes reference ranges for hematologic and plasma biochemistry values in wild Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto) captured in South East Queensland, Australia. Values were found to be consistent with those of other Pteropus species. Four hundred and forty-seven animals were sampled over 12 months and significant differences were found between age, sex, reproductive and body condition cohorts in the sample population. Mean values for each cohort fell within the determined normal adult reference range, with the exception of elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase in juvenile animals. Hematologic and biochemistry parameters of injured animals showed little or no deviation from the normal reference values for minor injuries, while two animals with more severe injury or abscessation showed leucocytosis, anaemia, thrombocytosis, hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia. PMID:25938493

Observations of Superwinds in Dwarf Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marlowe, A. T.; Heckman, T. M.; Wyse, R.; Schommer, R.

1993-12-01

Dwarf galaxies are important in developing our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, and of the structure in the universe. The concept of supernova-driven mass outflows is a vital ingredient in theories of the structure and evolution of dwarfs galaxies. We have begun a detailed multi-waveband search for outflows in starbursting dwarf galaxies, and have obtained Fabry-Perot images and Echelle spectra of 20 nearby actively-star-forming dwarf galaxies. In about half the sample, the Fabry-Perot Hα images show loops and filaments with sizes of one to a few kpc. The Echelle spectra taken through the loops and filaments show kinematics consistent with expanding bubble-like structures. We describe these data, and present seven dwarfs in our sample that have the strongest evidence of outflows.

A Computational Approach to Qualitative Analysis in Large Textual Datasets

PubMed Central

Evans, Michael S.

2014-01-01

In this paper I introduce computational techniques to extend qualitative analysis into the study of large textual datasets. I demonstrate these techniques by using probabilistic topic modeling to analyze a broad sample of 14,952 documents published in major American newspapers from 1980 through 2012. I show how computational data mining techniques can identify and evaluate the significance of qualitatively distinct subjects of discussion across a wide range of public discourse. I also show how examining large textual datasets with computational methods can overcome methodological limitations of conventional qualitative methods, such as how to measure the impact of particular cases on broader discourse, how to validate substantive inferences from small samples of textual data, and how to determine if identified cases are part of a consistent temporal pattern. PMID:24498398

Developmental aspects of synaesthesia across the adult lifespan

PubMed Central

Meier, Beat; Rothen, Nicolas; Walter, Stefan

2014-01-01

In synaesthesia, stimuli such as sounds, words or letters trigger experiences of colors, shapes or tastes and the consistency of these experiences is a hallmark of this condition. In this study we investigate for the first time whether there are age-related changes in the consistency of synaesthetic experiences. We tested a sample of more than 400 grapheme-color synaesthetes who have color experiences when they see letters and/or digits with a well-established test of consistency. Our results showed a decline in the number of consistent grapheme-color associations across the adult lifespan. We also assessed age-related changes in the breadth of the color spectrum. The results showed that the appearance of primary colors (i.e., red, blue, and green) was mainly age-invariant. However, there was a decline in the occurrence of lurid colors while brown and achromatic tones occurred more often as concurrents in older age. These shifts in the color spectrum suggest that synaesthesia does not simply fade, but rather undergoes more comprehensive changes. We propose that these changes are the result of a combination of both age-related perceptual and memory processing shifts. PMID:24653689

IMatter: validation of the NHS Scotland Employee Engagement Index.

PubMed

Snowden, Austyn; MacArthur, Ewan

2014-11-08

Employee engagement is a fundamental component of quality healthcare. In order to provide empirical data of engagement in NHS Scotland an Employee Engagement Index was co-constructed with staff. 'iMatter' consists of 25 Likert questions developed iteratively from the literature and a series of validation events with NHS Scotland staff. The aim of this study was to test the face, content and construct validity of iMatter. Cross sectional survey of NHS Scotland staff. In January 2013 iMatter was sent to 2300 staff across all disciplines in NHS Scotland. 1280 staff completed it. Demographic data were collected. Internal consistency of the scale was calculated. Construct validity consisted of concurrent application of factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Face and content validity were checked using 3 focus groups. The sample was representative of the NHSScotland population. iMatter showed very strong reliability (α = 0.958). Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure consistent with the following interpretation: iMatter showed evidence of high reliability and validity. It is a popular measure of staff engagement in NHS Scotland. Implications for practice focus on the importance of coproduction in psychometric development.

Evaluation of Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus couple and Zuojin products based on HPLC fingerprint chromatogram and simultaneous determination of main bioactive constituents.

PubMed

Gao, Xin; Yang, Xiu-Wei; Marriott, Philip J

2013-11-01

Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus couple (CEC) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine preparation consisting of Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus at the ratio of 6:1, and used to treat gastro-intestinal disorders. Alkaloids are the main bioactive component. This research provides comprehensive analysis information for the quality control of CEC. To develop a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection fingerprint for chemical composition characteristics of CEC and its products. The samples were separated with a Gemini C18 column by using gradient elution with water-formic acid (100:0.03) and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was 250 nm. Similarity analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to evaluate quality consistencies of analytes. Mean chromatograms and correlation coefficients of analytes were calculated by the software "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine". Fingerprint chromatogram comparison determined 20 representative general fingerprint peaks, and the fingerprint chromatogram resemblances are all better than 0.988. Consistent results were obtained to show that CEC and its related samples could be successfully divided into three groups. Contribution plots generated by PCA were performed to interpret differences among the sample groups while peaks which significantly contributed to classification were identified. Seven bioactive constituents in the samples were verified by quantitative analysis. The chromatographic fingerprint with similarity evaluation and PCA assay combined with quantification of seven compounds could be utilized as a quality control method for the herbal couple.

Rapid Decisions From Experience

PubMed Central

Zeigenfuse, Matthew D.; Pleskac, Timothy J.; Liu, Taosheng

2014-01-01

In many everyday decisions, people quickly integrate noisy samples of information to form a preference among alternatives that offer uncertain rewards. Here, we investigated this decision process using the Flash Gambling Task (FGT), in which participants made a series of choices between a certain payoff and an uncertain alternative that produced a normal distribution of payoffs. For each choice, participants experienced the distribution of payoffs via rapid samples updated every 50 ms. We show that people can make these rapid decisions from experience and that the decision process is consistent with a sequential sampling process. Results also reveal a dissociation between these preferential decisions and equivalent perceptual decisions where participants had to determine which alternatives contained more dots on average. To account for this dissociation, we developed a sequential sampling rank-dependent utility model, which showed that participants in the FGT attended more to larger potential payoffs than participants in the perceptual task despite being given equivalent information. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of computational models of preferential choice and a more complete understanding of experience-based decision making. PMID:24549141

Effect of water content and temperature on inactivation kinetics of myrosinase in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica).

PubMed

Oliviero, T; Verkerk, R; Van Boekel, M A J S; Dekker, M

2014-11-15

Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae plant family consisting of widely eaten vegetables containing high concentrations of glucosinolates. Enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates by endogenous myrosinase (MYR) can form isothiocyanates with health-promoting activities. The effect of water content (WC) and temperature on MYR inactivation in broccoli was investigated. Broccoli was freeze dried obtaining batches with WC between 10% and 90% (aw from 0.10 to 0.96). These samples were incubated for various times at different temperatures (40-70°C) and MYR activity was measured. The initial MYR inactivation rates were estimated by the first-order reaction kinetic model. MYR inactivation rate constants were lower in the driest samples (10% WC) at all studied temperatures. Samples with 67% and 90% WC showed initial inactivation rate constants all in the same order of magnitude. Samples with 31% WC showed intermediate initial inactivation rate constants. These results are useful to optimise the conditions of drying processes to produce dried broccoli with optimal MYR retention for human health. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multicenter evaluation of molecular and culture-dependent diagnostics for Shigella species and Entero-invasive Escherichia coli in the Netherlands.

PubMed

van den Beld, Maaike J C; Friedrich, Alexander W; van Zanten, Evert; Reubsaet, Frans A G; Kooistra-Smid, Mirjam A M D; Rossen, John W A

2016-12-01

An inter-laboratory collaborative trial for the evaluation of diagnostics for detection and identification of Shigella species and Entero-invasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) was performed. Sixteen Medical Microbiological Laboratories (MMLs) participated. MMLs were interviewed about their diagnostic methods and a sample panel, consisting of DNA-extracts and spiked stool samples with different concentrations of Shigella flexneri, was provided to each MML. The results of the trial showed an enormous variety in culture-dependent and molecular diagnostic techniques currently used among MMLs. Despite the various molecular procedures, 15 out of 16 MMLs were able to detect Shigella species or EIEC in all the samples provided, showing that the diversity of methods has no effect on the qualitative detection of Shigella flexneri. In contrast to semi quantitative analysis, the minimum and maximum values per sample differed by approximately five threshold cycles (Ct-value) between the MMLs included in the study. This indicates that defining a uniform Ct-value cut-off for notification to health authorities is not advisable. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ in commercial pasteurized milk samples in Sari, Mazandaran province, Iran.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Hamidreza; Shokrzadeh, Mohammad; Aliabadi, Zahra; Riahi-Zanjani, Bamdad

2016-05-01

The frequency and levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in pasteurized milk samples in Sari, located in Mazandaran province, Iran, were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Seventy-six samples of pasteurized milk from different retail stores were randomly collected over four seasons during the year 2015. AFM1 contamination was detected in all milk samples. The mean concentration of aflatoxin M1 was 65.8 ng/l, with a range of 11.7-106.6 ng/l. The highest AFM1 level was detected in milk samples collected during spring. Forty-six (60.53 %) samples had AFM1 levels that exceeded the maximum acceptable levels (50 ng/l) recommended by the European Union (EU). Comparison of these results with previously published data for AFM1 in milk in Iran shows that the percentage of samples exceeding the EU maximum level is consistently high over the years, indicating a general problem related to AFB1 contamination in dairy feedingstuff.

The Effects of One and Double Heat Treatment Cycles on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Ferritic-Bainitic Dual Phase Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piri, Reza; Ghasemi, Behrooz; Yousefpour, Mardali

2018-03-01

In this study, samples with ferritic-bainitic dual phase structures consisting of 62 pct bainite were obtained from the AISI 4140 steel by applying one and double heat treatment cycles. Microstructural investigations by electron and optical microscopy indicated that the sample heat treated through double cycle benefited from finer ferrite and bainite grains. Additionally, results obtained from mechanical tests implied that the double-cycle heat-treated sample not only has a higher tensile strength as well as ultimate strength but also benefits from a higher ductility along with a higher impact energy than the one-cycle heat-treated sample. Moreover, fractography results showed that the type of fracture in both samples is a combination of the brittle and the ductile fracture. Besides, the ratio of the ductile fracture is higher for the double-cycle heat-treated sample than for the one-cycle sample, due to the lower aggregation of sulfur at grain boundaries.

Thermal expansion of ceramic samples containing natural zeolite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sunitrová, Ivana; Trník, Anton

2017-07-01

In this study the thermal expansion of ceramic samples made from natural zeolite is investigated. Samples are prepared from the two most commonly used materials in ceramic industry (kaolin and illite). The first material is Sedlec kaolin from Czech Republic, which contains more than 90 mass% of mineral kaolinite. The second one is an illitic clay from Tokaj area in Hungary, which contains about 80 mass% of mineral illite. Varying amount of the clay (0 % - 50 %) by a natural zeolite from Nižný Hrabovec (Slovak Republic), containing clinoptilolite as major mineral phase is replaced. The measurements are performed on cylindrical samples with a diameter 14 mm and a length about 35 mm by a horizontal push - rod dilatometer. Samples made from pure kaolin, illite and zeolite are also subjected to this analysis. The temperature regime consists from linear heating rate of 5 °C/min from 30 °C to 1100 °C. The results show that the relative shrinkage of ceramic samples increases with amount of zeolite in samples.

Dosimetry analyses of the Ringhals 3 and 4 reactor pressure vessels

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

Kulesza, J.A.; Fero, A.H.; Rouden, J.

2011-07-01

A comprehensive series of neutron dosimetry measurements consisting of surveillance capsules, reactor pressure vessel cladding samples, and ex-vessel neutron dosimetry has been analyzed and compared to the results of three-dimensional, cycle-specific neutron transport calculations for the Ringhals Unit 3 and Unit 4 reactors in Sweden. The comparisons show excellent agreement between calculations and measurements. The measurements also demonstrate that it is possible to perform retrospective dosimetry measurements using the {sup 93}Nb (n,n') {sup 93m}Nb reaction on samples of 18-8 austenitic stainless steel with only trace amounts of elemental niobium. (authors)

Teaching calculus using module based on cooperative learning strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arbin, Norazman; Ghani, Sazelli Abdul; Hamzah, Firdaus Mohamad

2014-06-01

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a module which utilizes the cooperative learning for teaching Calculus for limit, derivative and integral. The sample consists of 50 semester 1 students from the Science Programme (AT 16) Sultan Idris Education University. A set of questions of related topics (pre and post) has been used as an instrument to collect data. The data is analyzed using inferential statistics involving the paired sample t-test and the independent t-test. The result shows that students have positive inclination towards the modulein terms of understanding.

Serbian translation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale: psychometric properties and the new methodological approach in translating scales.

PubMed

Trajanović, Nikola N; Djurić, Vladimir; Latas, Milan; Milovanović, Srdjan; Jovanović, Aleksandar A; Djurić, Dusan

2013-01-01

Since inception of the alexithymia construct in 1970's, there has been a continuous effort to improve both its theoretical postulates and the clinical utility through development, standardization and validation of assessment scales. The aim of this study was to validate the Serbian translation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and to propose a new method of translation of scales with a property of temporal stability. The scale was expertly translated by bilingual medical professionals and a linguist, and given to a sample of bilingual participants from the general population who completed both the English and the Serbian version of the scale one week apart. The findings showed that the Serbian version of the TAS-20 had a good internal consistency reliability regarding total scale (alpha=0.86), and acceptable reliability of the three factors (alpha=0.71-0.79). The analysis confirmed the validity and consistency of the Serbian translation of the scale, with observed weakness of the factorial structure consistent with studies in other languages. The results also showed that the method of utilizing a self-control bilingual subject is a useful alternative to the back-translation method, particularly in cases of linguistically and structurally sensitive scales, or in cases where a larger sample is not available. This method, dubbed as 'forth-translation' could be used to translate psychometric scales measuring properties which have temporal stability over the period of at least several weeks.

Development and initial validation of the Cardiovascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (CVD-AAQ) in an Italian sample of cardiac patients

PubMed Central

Spatola, Chiara A. M.; Cappella, Emanuele A. M.; Goodwin, Christina L.; Baruffi, Matteo; Malfatto, Gabriella; Facchini, Mario; Castelnuovo, Gianluca; Manzoni, Gian Mauro; Molinari, Enrico

2014-01-01

Psychological inflexibility refers to the attempt to decrease internal distress even when doing so is inconsistent with life values, and has been identified as a potential barrier to making and maintaining health behavior changes that are consistent with a heart-healthy lifestyle. Disease- and behavior-specific measures of psychological inflexibility have been developed and utilized in treatment research. However, no specific measure has been created for patients with heart disease. Thus, the CardioVascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (CVD-AAQ) was developed. The present study is aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CVD-AAQ and to explore its association with measures of psychological adjustment and cardiovascular risk factors in an Italian sample of 275 cardiac patients. Exploratory factor analysis showed a structural one-factor solution with satisfactory internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The relation with other measures was in the expected direction with stronger correlations for the theoretically consistent variables, supporting convergent and divergent validity. CVD-AAQ scores were associated with general psychological inflexibility, anxiety and depression and inversely correlated with psychological well-being. Moreover, the results showed that CVD-AAQ scores are associated with two relevant risk factors for cardiac patients, namely low adherence to medication and being overweight. In sum, results suggest that the CVD-AAQ is a reliable and valid measure of heart disease-specific psychological inflexibility with interesting clinical applications for secondary prevention care. PMID:25452737

Single and multi-layered core-shell structures based on ZnO nanorods obtained by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition

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

Sáenz-Trevizo, A.; Amézaga-Madrid, P.; Pizá-Ruiz, P.

2015-07-15

Core–shell nanorod structures were prepared by a sequential synthesis using an aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition technique. Several samples consisting of ZnO nanorods were initially grown over TiO{sub 2} film-coated borosilicate glass substrates, following the synthesis conditions reported elsewhere. Later on, a uniform layer consisting of individual Al, Ni, Ti or Fe oxides was grown onto ZnO nanorod samples forming the so-called single MO{sub x}/ZnO nanorod core–shell structures, where MO{sub x} was the metal oxide shell. Additionally, a three-layer core–shell sample was developed by growing Fe, Ti and Fe oxides alternately, onto the ZnO nanorods. The microstructure of the core–shellmore » materials was characterized by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was employed to corroborate the formation of different metal oxides. X-ray diffraction outcomes for single core–shell structures showed solely the presence of ZnO as wurtzite and TiO{sub 2} as anatase. For the multi-layered shell sample, the existence of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} as hematite was also detected. Morphological observations suggested the existence of an outer material grown onto the nanorods and further microstructural analysis by HR-STEM confirmed the development of core–shell structures in all cases. These studies also showed that the individual Al, Fe, Ni and Ti oxide layers are amorphous; an observation that matched with X-ray diffraction analysis where no apparent extra oxides were detected. For the multi-layered sample, the development of a shell consisting of three different oxide layers onto the nanorods was found. Overall results showed that no alteration in the primary ZnO core was produced during the growth of the shells, indicating that the deposition technique used herein was and it is suitable for the synthesis of homogeneous and complex nanomaterials high in quality and purity. In addition, materials absorptance determined from the total transmittance and reflectance spectra revealed a broader absorption interval including visible light, indicating potential uses of these nanostructures on solar energy appliances. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • Uniform ZnO nanorods (core)–metal oxide (shell) were obtained sequentially by AACVD. • Shells were structured of homogeneous single or multi-layered non-mixed metal oxides. • ZnO nanorod core was preserved during the shell synthesis. • Optical absorptance revealed visible interval absorption for FeO{sub x} shell samples. • Materials can be suitable for photocatalytic or photovoltaic applications.« less

Structural differences between single crystal and polycrystalline UBe 13

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

Volz, Heather Michelle; Vogel, Sven C.; Smith, Alice Iulia

Here, we report on observations of structural and chemical differences between samples of UBe 13 that were synthesised using two different methods. Unexplained discrepancies in properties between samples with differing synthesis had previously been found in this heavy fermion superconductor. A polycrystalline UBe13 sample was made by arc-melting the constituents. Single crystals were grown using an aluminium flux and had a consistently slightly larger lattice parameter than the polycrystals, which merited further study. Neutron diffraction data were collected at the Lujan Center at LANSCE on the HIPPO diffractometer. Aluminium was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in themore » flux-grown single crystal (0.803 wt%), and small amounts (~0.2 wt%) of thorium were detected in the UBe 13 polycrystalline sample. In order to probe the implications of the presence of Al, calculations by spin-polarised DFT-GGA+U show that the incorporation of Al onto the 96i site (the lowest symmetry site in the structure) is energetically more favourable than on other sites. In general, the trends calculated by DFT for bond lengths and lattice parameter increases are consistent with bond lengths experimentally observed by neutron diffraction, but specific percentage changes with aluminium incorporation may be obscured by the unexpected thorium in the polycrystalline sample. The aggregate of our initial observations suggests that incorporation of aluminium from the flux into single crystal UBe 13 is significant.« less

Structural differences between single crystal and polycrystalline UBe 13

DOE PAGES

Volz, Heather Michelle; Vogel, Sven C.; Smith, Alice Iulia; ...

2018-05-16

Here, we report on observations of structural and chemical differences between samples of UBe 13 that were synthesised using two different methods. Unexplained discrepancies in properties between samples with differing synthesis had previously been found in this heavy fermion superconductor. A polycrystalline UBe13 sample was made by arc-melting the constituents. Single crystals were grown using an aluminium flux and had a consistently slightly larger lattice parameter than the polycrystals, which merited further study. Neutron diffraction data were collected at the Lujan Center at LANSCE on the HIPPO diffractometer. Aluminium was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in themore » flux-grown single crystal (0.803 wt%), and small amounts (~0.2 wt%) of thorium were detected in the UBe 13 polycrystalline sample. In order to probe the implications of the presence of Al, calculations by spin-polarised DFT-GGA+U show that the incorporation of Al onto the 96i site (the lowest symmetry site in the structure) is energetically more favourable than on other sites. In general, the trends calculated by DFT for bond lengths and lattice parameter increases are consistent with bond lengths experimentally observed by neutron diffraction, but specific percentage changes with aluminium incorporation may be obscured by the unexpected thorium in the polycrystalline sample. The aggregate of our initial observations suggests that incorporation of aluminium from the flux into single crystal UBe 13 is significant.« less

The effects of transport by car on coagulation tests.

PubMed

Ergin, Merve; Erdogan, Serpil; Akturk, Onur; Erel, Ozcan

2017-10-26

This research investigated the effects of the transport of blood samples between centers/laboratories by car on coagulation tests. Five tubes of blood samples were taken from 20 healthy volunteers. The samples consisted of a baseline (control) group, centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples; centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples. The groups of centrifuged and noncentrifuged samples were transported by car for 2 h. The centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples were incubated in the laboratory until the transported samples arrived. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests were conducted for all samples. Significant differences between the baseline group and the centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples and the noncentrifuged untransported samples were found for APTT levels (p<0.05, for all). In addition, significant mean percentage differences in PT values were found between the baseline group and the noncentrifuged transported samples (p<0.001) and the noncentrifuged untransported samples (p=0.005). The mean level of PT in the noncentrifuged transported samples was outside the upper limit of the clinical decision level. Noncentrifuged transported samples showed clinically significant differences in PT test results that may have stemmed from mechanical agitation during transportation. Therefore, we recommend not transporting noncentrifuged specimens for PT testing by car.

Dynamic leaching studies of 48 MWd/kgU UO2 commercial spent nuclear fuel under oxic conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serrano-Purroy, D.; Casas, I.; González-Robles, E.; Glatz, J. P.; Wegen, D. H.; Clarens, F.; Giménez, J.; de Pablo, J.; Martínez-Esparza, A.

2013-03-01

The leaching of a high-burn-up spent nuclear fuel (48 MWd/KgU) has been studied in a carbonate-containing solution and under oxic conditions using a Continuously Stirred Tank Flow-Through Reactor (CSTR). Two samples of the fuel, one prepared from the centre of the pellet (labelled CORE) and another one from the fuel pellet periphery, enriched with the so-called High Burn-Up Structure (HBS, labelled OUT) have been used.For uranium and actinides, the results showed that U, Np, Am and Cm gave very similar normalized dissolution rates, while Pu showed slower dissolution rates for both samples. In addition, dissolution rates were consistently two to four times lower for OUT sample compared to CORE sample.Considering the fission products release the main results are that Y, Tc, La and Nd dissolved very similar to uranium; while Cs, Sr, Mo and Rb have up to 10 times higher dissolution rates. Rh, Ru and Zr seemed to have lower dissolution rates than uranium. The lowest dissolution rates were found for OUT sample.Three different contributions were detected on uranium release, modelled and attributed to oxidation layer, fines and matrix release.

Enhancement of green long lasting phosphorescence in CaSnO3:Tb3+ by addition of alkali ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Zuoqiu; Zhang, Jinsu; Sun, Jiashi; Li, Xiangping; Cheng, Lihong; Zhong, Haiyang; Fu, Shaobo; Tian, Yue; Chen, Baojiu

2013-03-01

Long lasting phosphors of CaSnO3:Tb3+ added alkali ions (Li+, Na+, K+) were prepared by solid-state reaction. The phosphorescence of samples consists of a group of green emission lines originating from 5D4→7FJ transitions of Tb3+. The afterglow spectra and concentration quenching behaviors of fluorescence were investigated in the Tb3+ mono-doped sample. The result shows the optimal doping concentration of Tb3+ is 0.3 mol%. In the co-doped samples, the doping concentrations of Tb3+ and alkali ions are both at 0.3 mol%. It is found from the afterglow decay curves that the introduction of alkali ions can prolong the phosphorescent lasting time and the sample of incorporating Na+ shows the best result. Tb3+ and alkali ions can substitute Ca2+ ions, acting as hole and electron traps, respectively. The thermoluminescence (TL) spectra are also investigated. The depths of traps for the mono- and co-doped samples are calculated to be 0.622, 0.541, 0.529 and 0.538 eV, respectively. Moreover, the possible mechanism of the green long lasting phosphorescence is proposed based on the experiment results.

Rapid screening of flonicamid residues in environmental and agricultural samples by a sensitive enzyme immunoassay.

PubMed

Liu, Zhenjiang; Zhang, Zhen; Zhu, Gangbing; Sun, Jianfan; Zou, Bin; Li, Ming; Wang, Jiagao

2016-05-01

A fast and sensitive polyclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the analysis of flonicamid in environmental and agricultural samples. Two haptens of flonicamid differing in spacer arm length were synthesized and conjugated to proteins to be used as immunogens for the production of polyclonal antibodies. To obtain most sensitive combination of antibody/coating antigen, two antibodies were separately screened by homologous and heterologous assays. After optimization, the flonicamid ELISA showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) was 3.86mgL(-1), and the limit of detection (IC20 value) was 0.032mgL(-1). There was no cross-reactivity to similar tested compounds. The recoveries obtained after the addition of standard flonicamid to the samples, including water, soil, carrot, apple and tomato, ranged from 79.3% to 116.4%. Moreover, the results of the ELISA for the spiked samples were largely consistent with the gas chromatography (R(2)=0.9891). The data showed that the proposed ELISA is an alternative tool for rapid, sensitive and accurate monitoring of flonicamid in environmental and agricultural samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Marital assortment for genetic similarity.

PubMed

Eckman, Ronael E; Williams, Robert; Nagoshi, Craig

2002-10-01

The present study involved analyses of a Caucasian American sample (n=949) and a Japanese American sample (n=400) for factors supporting Genetic Similarity Theory (GST). The analyses found no evidence for the presence of genetic similarity between spouses in either sample for the blood group analyses of nine loci. All results indicated random mating for blood group genes. The results did not provide consistent substantial support to show that spousal similarity is correlated with the degree of genetic component of a trait for a set of seventeen individual differences variables, with only the Caucasian sample yielding significant correlations for this analysis. A third analysis examining the correlation between presence of spousal genetic similarity and spousal similarity on observable traits was not performed because spousal genetic similarity was not observed in either sample. The overall implication of the study is that GST is not supported as an explanation for spousal similarity in humans.

Effects of sampling interval on spatial patterns and statistics of watershed nitrogen concentration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wu, S.-S.D.; Usery, E.L.; Finn, M.P.; Bosch, D.D.

2009-01-01

This study investigates how spatial patterns and statistics of a 30 m resolution, model-simulated, watershed nitrogen concentration surface change with sampling intervals from 30 m to 600 m for every 30 m increase for the Little River Watershed (Georgia, USA). The results indicate that the mean, standard deviation, and variogram sills do not have consistent trends with increasing sampling intervals, whereas the variogram ranges remain constant. A sampling interval smaller than or equal to 90 m is necessary to build a representative variogram. The interpolation accuracy, clustering level, and total hot spot areas show decreasing trends approximating a logarithmic function. The trends correspond to the nitrogen variogram and start to level at a sampling interval of 360 m, which is therefore regarded as a critical spatial scale of the Little River Watershed. Copyright ?? 2009 by Bellwether Publishing, Ltd. All right reserved.

Analysis of three variables in sampling solutions used to assay bacteria of hands: type of solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature.

PubMed Central

Larson, E L; Strom, M S; Evans, C A

1980-01-01

Tests were performed using the sterile bag technique to determine the effects of type of sampling solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature on the detection and quantitation of bacteria on hands. Using paired hand cultures, three sampling solutions were compared: quarter-strength Ringer solution, a phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100, and the same buffer containing antiseptic neutralizers. The phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100 was significantly better than quarter-strength Ringer solution in mean bacterial yield; the neutralizer-containing sampling solution was slightly better than Triton X-100-containing solution, although differences were not significant at the P = 0.05 level. Temperature (6 or 23 degrees C) of the sampling solution showed no consistent effect on bacterial yield from hands tested with the fluid containing neutralizers. PMID:7012171

Genetic variability in environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila from Comunidad Valenciana (Spain).

PubMed

Coscollá, Mireia; Gosalbes, María José; Catalán, Vicente; González-Candelas, Fernando

2006-06-01

Legionella pneumophila is associated to recurrent outbreaks in several Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) localities, especially in Alcoi, where social and climatic conditions seem to provide an excellent environment for bacterial growth. We have analysed the nucleotide sequences of three loci from 25 environmental isolates from Alcoi and nearby locations sampled over 3 years. The analysis of these isolates has revealed a substantial level of genetic variation, with consistent patterns of variability across loci, and comparable to that found in a large, European-wide sampling of clinical isolates. Among the tree loci studied, fliC showed the highest level of nucleotide diversity. The analysis of isolates sampled in different years revealed a clear differentiation, with samples from 2001 being significantly distinct from those obtained in 2002 and 2003. Furthermore, although linkage disequilibrium measures indicate a clonal nature for population structure in this sample, the presence of some recombination events cannot be ruled out.

Psychometric Characteristics of a Public-Domain Self-Report Measure of Vocational Interests: The Oregon Vocational Interest Scales

PubMed Central

Pozzebon, Julie A.; Visser, Beth A.; Ashton, Michael C.; Lee, Kibeom; Goldberg, Lewis R.

2009-01-01

We investigated the psychometric properties of the Oregon Vocational Interest Scales (ORVIS), a brief public-domain alternative to commercial inventories, in a large community sample and in a college sample. In both samples, we examined the factor structure, scale intercorrelations, and personality correlates of the ORVIS, and in the community sample we also examined the correlations of the ORVIS scales with cognitive abilities and with the scales of a longer, proprietary interest survey. In both samples, all eight scales—Leadership, Organization, Altruism, Creativity, Analysis, Producing, Adventuring, and Erudition—showed wide variation in scores, high internal-consistency reliabilities, and a pattern of high convergent and low discriminant correlations with the scales of the proprietary interest survey. Overall, the results support the construct validity of the scales, which are recommended for use in research on vocational interests and other individual differences. PMID:20155566

Psychometric characteristics of a public-domain self-report measure of vocational interests: the Oregon Vocational Interest Scales.

PubMed

Pozzebon, Julie A; Visser, Beth A; Ashton, Michael C; Lee, Kibeom; Goldberg, Lewis R

2010-03-01

We investigated the psychometric properties of the Oregon Vocational Interest Scales (ORVIS), a brief public-domain alternative to commercial inventories, in a large community sample and in a college sample. In both samples, we examined the factor structure, scale intercorrelations, and personality correlates of the ORVIS, and in the community sample, we also examined the correlations of the ORVIS scales with cognitive abilities and with the scales of a longer, proprietary interest survey. In both samples, all 8 scales-Leadership, Organization, Altruism, Creativity, Analysis, Producing, Adventuring, and Erudition-showed wide variation in scores, high internal-consistency reliabilities, and a pattern of high convergent and low discriminant correlations with the scales of the proprietary interest survey. Overall, the results support the construct validity of the scales, which are recommended for use in research on vocational interests and other individual differences.

Precipitation chemistry affected by differences in location of collection sites and storage methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahendrappa, M. K.

An investigation was carried out to evaluate rigorously the possible differences in measured concentrations of hydrogen, nitrate and sulfate ions in 'bulk' precipitation samples that may be caused by variations in location of rain collectors, and duration and temperature of storage. Storage of precipitation samples, up to 1 month, both in the coldroom and in the field resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of hydrogen ions. Only field storage caused a statistically significant reduction in the concentration of nitrate in the precipitation samples. Levels of sulfate ions were not found to be significantly affected by storage either in the field or in coldrooms. Samples collected from a rain gage located on a building roof were more acidic than those collected in open spaces in forests. Though all samples showed similar seasonal patterns in the concentrations of sulfate and nitrate, the individual values consistently differed from each other.

An analysis of the impact of pre-analytical factors on the urine proteome: Sample processing time, temperature, and proteolysis.

PubMed

Hepburn, Sophie; Cairns, David A; Jackson, David; Craven, Rachel A; Riley, Beverley; Hutchinson, Michelle; Wood, Steven; Smith, Matthew Welberry; Thompson, Douglas; Banks, Rosamonde E

2015-06-01

We have examined the impact of sample processing time delay, temperature, and the addition of protease inhibitors (PIs) on the urinary proteome and peptidome, an important aspect of biomarker studies. Ten urine samples from patients with varying pathologies were each divided and PIs added to one-half, with aliquots of each then processed and frozen immediately, or after a delay of 6 h at 4°C or room temperature (20-22°C), effectively yielding 60 samples in total. Samples were then analyzed by 2D-PAGE, SELDI-TOF-MS, and immunoassay. Interindividual variability in profiles was the dominant feature in all analyses. Minimal changes were observed by 2D-PAGE as a result of delay in processing, temperature, or PIs and no changes were seen in IgG, albumin, β2 -microglobulin, or α1 -microglobulin measured by immunoassay. Analysis of peptides showed clustering of some samples by presence/absence of PIs but the extent was very patient-dependent with most samples showing minimal effects. The extent of processing-induced changes and the benefit of PI addition are patient- and sample-dependent. A consistent processing methodology is essential within a study to avoid any confounding of the results. © 2014 The Authors PROTEOMICS Clinical Applications Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Measurements of concentrations of chlorofluoromethanes (CFMs) carbon dioxide and carbon isotope ratio in stratospheric and tropospheric air by grab-sampling systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Itoh, T.; Kubo, H.; Honda, H.; Tominaga, T.; Makide, Y.; Yakohata, A.; Sakai, H.

1985-01-01

Measurements of concentrations of chlorofluoromethanes (CFMs), carbon dioxide and carbon isotope ratio in stratospheric and tropospheric air by grab-sampling systems are reported. The balloon-borne grab-sampling system has been launched from Sanriku Balloon Center three times since 1981. It consists of: (1) six sampling cylinders, (2) eight motor driven values, (3) control and monitor circuits, and (4) pressurized housing. Particular consideration is paid to the problem of contamination. Strict requirements are placed on the choice of materials and components, construction methods, cleaning techniques, vacuum integrity, and sampling procedures. An aluminum pressurized housing and a 4-m long inlet line are employed to prevent the sampling air from contamination by outgassing of sampling and control devices. The sampling is performed during the descent of the system. Vertical profiles of mixing ratios of CF2Cl2, CFCl3 and CH4 are given. Mixing ratios of CF2Cl2 and CFCl3 in the stratosphere do not show the discernible effect of the increase of those in the ground level background, and decrease with altitude. Decreasing rate of CFCl3 is larger than that of CF2Cl2. CH4 mixing ratio, on the other hand, shows diffusive equilibrium, as the photodissociation cross section of CH4 is small and concentrations of OH radical and 0(sup I D) are low.

Thermal conductivity of bulk and thin film β-Ga2O3 measured by the 3ω technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumenschein, N.; Slomski, M.; Paskov, P. P.; Kaess, F.; Breckenridge, M. H.; Muth, J. F.; Paskova, T.

2018-02-01

Thermal conductivity of undoped and Sn-doped β-Ga2O3 bulk and single-crystalline thin films have been measured by the 3ω technique. The bulk samples were grown by edge-defined film-field growth (EFG) method, while the thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). All samples were with (-201) surface orientation. Thermal conductivity of bulk samples was calculated along the in-plane and cross-plane crystallographic directions, yielding a maximum value of 29 W/m-K in the [010] direction at room temperature. A slight thermal conductivity decrease was observed in the Sn-doped bulk samples, which was attributed to enhanced phonon-impurity scattering. The differential 3ω method was used for β-Ga2O3 thin film samples due to the small film thickness. Results show that both undoped and Sndoped films have a much lower thermal conductivity than that of the bulk samples, which is consistent with previous reports in the literature showing a linear relationship between thermal conductivity and film thickness. Similarly to bulk samples, Sn-doped thin films have exhibited a thermal conductivity decrease. However, this decrease was found to be much greater in thin film samples, and increased with Sn doping concentration. A correlation between thermal conductivity and defect/dislocation density was made for the undoped thin films.

Establishing Interpretive Consistency When Mixing Approaches: Role of Sampling Designs in Evaluations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, Kathleen M. T.; Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J.

2013-01-01

The goal of this chapter is to recommend quality criteria to guide evaluators' selections of sampling designs when mixing approaches. First, we contextualize our discussion of quality criteria and sampling designs by discussing the concept of interpretive consistency and how it impacts sampling decisions. Embedded in this discussion are…

Galaxies driven only by secular evolution?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verdes-Montenegro, Lourdes

2015-03-01

The AMIGA project (Analysis of the interstellar Medium of Isolated GAlaxies, http://amiga.iaa.es) has identified a significant sample of very isolated (T cc (nearest-neighbor) ~2-3Gyr) galaxies in the local Universe and revealed that they have different properties than galaxies in richer environments. Our analysis of a multiwavelength database includes quantification of degree of isolation, morphologies, as well as FIR and radio line/continuum properties. Properties usually regarded as susceptible to interaction enhancement show lower averages in AMIGA-lower than any galaxy sample yet identified. We find lower MIR/FIR measures (Lisenfeld et al. 2007), low levels of radio continuum emission (Leon et al. 2008), no radioexcess above the radioFIR correlation (0%, Sabater et al.2008), a small number of AGN (22%, Sabater et al. 2012), and lower molecular gas content (Lisenfeld et al. 2011). The late-type spiral majority in our sample show very small bulge/total ratios (largely <0.1) and Sersic indices consistent with an absence of classical bulges (Durbala et al. 2008). They show redder g-r colors and lower color dispersion for AMIGA subtypes (Fernandez-Lorenzo et al. 2012) and show the narrowest (gaussian) distribution of HI profile asymmetries of any sample yet studied. This work has been supported by Grant AYA2011-30491-C02-01 co-financed by MICINN and FEDER funds, and the Junta de Andalucia (Spain) grants P08-FQM-4205 and TIC-114.

Establishing the validity and reliability of the Project Talent Personality Inventory

PubMed Central

Pozzebon, Julie; Damian, Rodica I.; Hill, Patrick L.; Lin, Yuchen; Lapham, Susan; Roberts, Brent W.

2013-01-01

Project Talent is a national longitudinal study that started in 1960. The original sample included over 440,000 students, which amounted to a 5% representative sample of high school students across the United States. Previous research has not yet established the validity and reliability of the personality measure used in this study, that is, the Project Talent Personality Inventory (PTPI). Given the potential interest and use of the PTPI in forthcoming research, the goals of the present paper were to establish (a) the construct and predictive validity and (b) the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the PTPI. This information will be valuable to researchers who might be interested in using the PTPI to predict life course outcomes, such as mortality, occupational success, relationship success, and health. Study 1 found that the 10 sub-scales of the PTPI showed good internal consistency reliability, as well as good construct and predictive validity. With the use of several modern personality measures, we showed how the 10 PTPI scales can be mapped onto the Big Five personality traits, and we examined their relations with health, well-being, and life satisfaction outcomes. Study 2 found that the 10 PTPI scales showed good test-retest reliability. Together, these findings allow researchers to better understand and use the PTPI scales, as they are available in Project Talent. PMID:24399984

Phase behavior of charged colloids at a fluid interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelleher, Colm P.; Guerra, Rodrigo E.; Hollingsworth, Andrew D.; Chaikin, Paul M.

2017-02-01

We study the phase behavior of a system of charged colloidal particles that are electrostatically bound to an almost flat interface between two fluids. We show that, despite the fact that our experimental system consists of only 103-104 particles, the phase behavior is consistent with the theory of melting due to Kosterlitz, Thouless, Halperin, Nelson, and Young. Using spatial and temporal correlations of the bond-orientational order parameter, we classify our samples into solid, isotropic fluid, and hexatic phases. We demonstrate that the topological defect structure we observe in each phase corresponds to the predictions of Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young theory. By measuring the dynamic Lindemann parameter γL(τ ) and the non-Gaussian parameter α2(τ ) of the displacements of the particles relative to their neighbors, we show that each of the phases displays distinctive dynamical behavior.

Developmental antecedents of political ideology: a longitudinal investigation from birth to age 18 years.

PubMed

Fraley, R Chris; Griffin, Brian N; Belsky, Jay; Roisman, Glenn I

2012-01-01

The study reported here examined the developmental antecedents of conservative versus liberal ideologies using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development and a follow-up study conducted when the sample was 18 years old. Specifically, we examined variation in conservative versus liberal ideologies at age 18 years as a function of parenting attitudes and child temperament during the first 5 years of life. Consistent with long-standing theories on the development of political attitudes, our results showed that parents' authoritarian attitudes assessed when children were 1 month old predicted conservative attitudes in those children more than 17 years later. Consistent with the findings of Block and Block (2006), our results also showed that early childhood temperament predicted variation in conservative versus liberal ideologies.

Using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to explore geochemical taphonomy of vertebrate fossils in the upper cretaceous two medicine and Judith River formations of Montana

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rogers, R.R.; Fricke, H.C.; Addona, V.; Canavan, R.R.; Dwyer, C.N.; Harwood, C.L.; Koenig, A.E.; Murray, R.; Thole, J.T.; Williams, J.

2010-01-01

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine rare earth element (REE) content of 76 fossil bones collected from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Two Medicine (TMF) and Judith River (JRF) Formations of Montana. REE content is distinctive at the formation scale, with TMF samples exhibiting generally higher overall REE content and greater variability in REE enrichment than JRF samples. Moreover, JRF bones exhibit relative enrichment in heavy REE, whereas TMF bones span heavy and light enrichment fields in roughly equal proportions. TMF bones are also characterized by more negative Ce anomalies and greater U enrichment than JRF bones, which is consistent with more oxidizing diagenetic conditions in the TMF. Bonebeds in both formations show general consistency in REE content, with no indication of spatial or temporal mixing within sites. Previous studies, however, suggest that the bonebeds in question are attritional assemblages that accumulated over considerable time spans. The absence of geochemical evidence for mixing is consistent with diagenesis transpiring in settings that remained chemically and hydrologically stable during recrystallization. Lithology-related patterns in REE content were also compared, and TMF bones recovered from fluvial sandstones show relative enrichment in heavy REE when compared with bones recovered from fine-grained floodplain deposits. In contrast, JRF bones, regardless of lithologic context (sandstone versus mudstone), exhibit similar patterns of REE uptake. This result is consistent with previous reconstructions that suggest that channel-hosted microfossil bonebeds of the JRF developed via the reworking of preexisting concentrations embedded in the interfluve. Geochemical data further indicate that reworked elements were potentially delivered to channels in a recrystallized condition, which is consistent with rapid adsorption of REE postmortem. Copyright ?? 2010, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology).

A Submillimeter Continuum Survey of Local Dust-obscured Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jong Chul; Hwang, Ho Seong; Lee, Gwang-Ho

2016-12-01

We conduct a 350 μm dust continuum emission survey of 17 dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) at z = 0.05-0.08 with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). We detect 14 DOGs with S 350 μm = 114-650 mJy and signal-to-noise > 3. By including two additional DOGs with submillimeter data in the literature, we are able to study dust content for a sample of 16 local DOGs, which consist of 12 bump and four power-law types. We determine their physical parameters with a two-component modified blackbody function model. The derived dust temperatures are in the range 57-122 K and 22-35 K for the warm and cold dust components, respectively. The total dust mass and the mass fraction of the warm dust component are 3-34 × 107 M ⊙ and 0.03%-2.52%, respectively. We compare these results with those of other submillimeter-detected infrared luminous galaxies. The bump DOGs, the majority of the DOG sample, show similar distributions of dust temperatures and total dust mass to the comparison sample. The power-law DOGs show a hint of smaller dust masses than other samples, but need to be tested with a larger sample. These findings support that the reason DOGs show heavy dust obscuration is not an overall amount of dust content, but probably the spatial distribution of dust therein.

High-throughput quantitative analysis by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Manicke, Nicholas E; Kistler, Thomas; Ifa, Demian R; Cooks, R Graham; Ouyang, Zheng

2009-02-01

A newly developed high-throughput desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) source was characterized in terms of its performance in quantitative analysis. A 96-sample array, containing pharmaceuticals in various matrices, was analyzed in a single run with a total analysis time of 3 min. These solution-phase samples were examined from a hydrophobic PTFE ink printed on glass. The quantitative accuracy, precision, and limit of detection (LOD) were characterized. Chemical background-free samples of propranolol (PRN) with PRN-d(7) as internal standard (IS) and carbamazepine (CBZ) with CBZ-d(10) as IS were examined. So were two other sample sets consisting of PRN/PRN-d(7) at varying concentration in a biological milieu of 10% urine or porcine brain total lipid extract, total lipid concentration 250 ng/microL. The background-free samples, examined in a total analysis time of 1.5 s/sample, showed good quantitative accuracy and precision, with a relative error (RE) and relative standard deviation (RSD) generally less than 3% and 5%, respectively. The samples in urine and the lipid extract required a longer analysis time (2.5 s/sample) and showed RSD values of around 10% for the samples in urine and 4% for the lipid extract samples and RE values of less than 3% for both sets. The LOD for PRN and CBZ when analyzed without chemical background was 10 and 30 fmol, respectively. The LOD of PRN increased to 400 fmol analyzed in 10% urine, and 200 fmol when analyzed in the brain lipid extract.

An Experimental Study of Launch Vehicle Propellant Tank Fragmentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, Erin; Jackson, Austin; Hays, Michael; Bangham, Mike; Blackwood, James; Skinner, Troy; Richman, Ben

2014-01-01

In order to better understand launch vehicle abort environments, Bangham Engineering Inc. (BEi) built a test assembly that fails sample materials (steel and aluminum plates of various alloys and thicknesses) under quasi-realistic vehicle failure conditions. Samples are exposed to pressures similar to those expected in vehicle failure scenarios and filmed at high speed to increase understanding of complex fracture mechanics. After failure, the fragments of each test sample are collected, catalogued and reconstructed for further study. Post-test analysis shows that aluminum samples consistently produce fewer fragments than steel samples of similar thickness and at similar failure pressures. Video analysis shows that there are several failure 'patterns' that can be observed for all test samples based on configuration. Fragment velocities are also measured from high speed video data. Sample thickness and material are analyzed for trends in failure pressure. Testing is also done with cryogenic and noncryogenic liquid loading on the samples. It is determined that liquid loading and cryogenic temperatures can decrease material fragmentation for sub-flight thicknesses. A method is developed for capture and collection of fragments that is greater than 97 percent effective in recovering sample mass, addressing the generation of tiny fragments. Currently, samples tested do not match actual launch vehicle propellant tank material thicknesses because of size constraints on test assembly, but test findings are used to inform the design and build of another, larger test assembly with the purpose of testing actual vehicle flight materials that include structural components such as iso-grid and friction stir welds.

135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic composition of environmental samples across Europe: Environmental transport and source term emission applications

DOE PAGES

Snow, Mathew S.; Snyder, Darin C.

2015-11-02

135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic analyses represent an important tool for studying the fate and transport of radiocesium in the environment; in this work the 135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic composition in environmental samples taken from across Europe is reported. Surface soil and vegetation samples from western Russia, Ukraine, Austria, and Hungary show consistent aged thermal fission product 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios of 0.58 ± 0.01 (age corrected to 1/1/15), with the exception of one sample of soil-moss from Hungary which shows an elevated 135Cs/ 137Cs ratio of 1.78 ± 0.12. With the exception of the outlier sample from Hungary, surface soil/vegetation data aremore » in quantitative agreement with values previously reported for soils within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, suggesting that radiocesium at these locations is primarily composed of homogenous airborne deposition from Chernobyl. Seawater samples taken from the Irish Sea show 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios of 1.22 ± 0.11 (age corrected to 1/1/15), suggesting aged thermal fission product Cs discharged from Sellafield. Furthermore, the differences in 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios between Sellafield, Chernobyl, and global nuclear weapons testing fallout indicate that 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios can be utilized to discriminate between and track radiocesium transport from different nuclear production source terms, including major emission sources in Europe.« less

Gluten contamination of naturally gluten-free flours and starches used by Canadians with celiac disease.

PubMed

Koerner, Terence B; Cleroux, Chantal; Poirier, Christine; Cantin, Isabelle; La Vieille, Sébastien; Hayward, Stephen; Dubois, Sheila

2013-01-01

A large national investigation into the extent of gluten cross-contamination of naturally gluten-free ingredients (flours and starches) sold in Canada was performed. Samples (n = 640) were purchased from eight Canadian cities and via the internet during the period 2010-2012 and analysed for gluten contamination. The results showed that 61 of the 640 (9.5%) samples were contaminated above the Codex-recommended maximum level for gluten-free products (20 mg kg⁻¹) with a range of 5-7995 mg kg⁻¹. For the ingredients that were labelled gluten-free the contamination range (5-141 mg kg⁻¹) and number of samples were lower (3 of 268). This picture was consistent over time, with approximately the same percentage of samples above 20 mg kg⁻¹ in both the initial set and the subsequent lot. Looking at the total mean (composite) contamination for specific ingredients the largest and most consistent contaminations come from higher fibre ingredients such as soy (902 mg kg⁻¹), millet (272 mg kg⁻¹) and buckwheat (153 mg kg⁻¹). Of the naturally gluten-free flours and starches tested that do not contain a gluten-free label, the higher fibre ingredients would constitute the greatest probability of being contaminated with gluten above 20 mg kg⁻¹.

The Pittsburgh sleep quality index as a screening tool for sleep dysfunction in clinical and non-clinical samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Mollayeva, Tatyana; Thurairajah, Pravheen; Burton, Kirsteen; Mollayeva, Shirin; Shapiro, Colin M; Colantonio, Angela

2016-02-01

This review appraises the process of development and the measurement properties of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), gauging its potential as a screening tool for sleep dysfunction in non-clinical and clinical samples; it also compares non-clinical and clinical populations in terms of PSQI scores. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and HAPI databases were searched. Critical appraisal of studies of measurement properties was performed using COSMIN. Of 37 reviewed studies, 22 examined construct validity, 19 - known-group validity, 15 - internal consistency, and three - test-retest reliability. Study quality ranged from poor to excellent, with the majority designated fair. Internal consistency, based on Cronbach's alpha, was good. Discrepancies were observed in factor analytic studies. In non-clinical and clinical samples with known differences in sleep quality, the PSQI global scores and all subscale scores, with the exception of sleep disturbance, differed significantly. The best evidence synthesis for the PSQI showed strong reliability and validity, and moderate structural validity in a variety of samples, suggesting the tool fulfills its intended utility. A taxonometric analysis can contribute to better understanding of sleep dysfunction as either a dichotomous or continuous construct. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality and sensory acceptability of a chilled functional apple ready-dessert.

PubMed

Keenan, D F; Brunton, N P; Gormley, T R; Butler, F

2012-04-01

An apple and dairy based ready-dessert with an added prebiotic was stored and chill temperatures and number of quality attributes were monitored during chill (4 °C) storage for 30 days. All ready-desserts were thermally processed by sous vide (P (90) > 10 min). The stability of the dairy component in ready-desserts was monitored by measuring volatile free fatty acids. Changes in these components were more evident in prebiotic-enriched samples compared to controls. However, no significant differences were observed over storage in control and prebiotic-enriched ready-desserts. This was supported by sensory analysis that showed no significant changes over storage in control or prebiotic-enriched samples. Of the other quality parameters, the addition of prebiotic inclusions resulted in lower L and b values and dry matter (p < 0.05), while increasing (p < 0.05) soluble solids content compared to control samples. Fluctuations in some of the quality parameters were also observed over storage. Rheological characteristics, i.e. flow behaviour (n), consistency index (K), storage (G'), loss (G″) and complex (G*) moduli were unaffected by prebiotic inclusion. However, storage affected the rheological characteristics of ready-desserts. A decrease (p < 0.05) in flow behaviour (n) led to concomitant increases in consistency index (K) and complex modulus (G*) values in control samples.

Consistently Sampled Correlation Filters with Space Anisotropic Regularization for Visual Tracking

PubMed Central

Shi, Guokai; Xu, Tingfa; Luo, Jiqiang; Li, Yuankun

2017-01-01

Most existing correlation filter-based tracking algorithms, which use fixed patches and cyclic shifts as training and detection measures, assume that the training samples are reliable and ignore the inconsistencies between training samples and detection samples. We propose to construct and study a consistently sampled correlation filter with space anisotropic regularization (CSSAR) to solve these two problems simultaneously. Our approach constructs a spatiotemporally consistent sample strategy to alleviate the redundancies in training samples caused by the cyclical shifts, eliminate the inconsistencies between training samples and detection samples, and introduce space anisotropic regularization to constrain the correlation filter for alleviating drift caused by occlusion. Moreover, an optimization strategy based on the Gauss-Seidel method was developed for obtaining robust and efficient online learning. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations demonstrate that our tracker outperforms state-of-the-art trackers in object tracking benchmarks (OTBs). PMID:29231876

Grain Boundary Engineering and Air Oxidation Behavior of Alloy 690

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Peng; Zhao, Liang Y.; Sridharan, Kumar; Allen, Todd R.

Grain boundary engineering (GBE) was performed on nickel-based alloy 690 by thermomechanical processing (TMP) to alter the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD). It was found that 5% and 35% thickness reduction in single and multiple steps followed by solution annealing and water quench yielded a high fraction of special boundaries. The total length fraction of the low ∑ CSL (coincidence site lattice) was as high as 87.2%. The grain boundary network was disrupted after the TMP treatment, and the average grain size calculated after exclusion of special twin boundaries can be as much as 5 times larger than the as-received (AR) sample. The GBE sample showed better oxidation resistance compared to the AR sample during the long term air oxidation. In the cyclic oxidation test, both AR and GBE samples showed a mass gain at the beginning of the test which was then followed by a mass loss. The mass change of GBE samples oscillated after the first couple cycles, while the AR sample became relatively stable. The oxide film most likely consists of duplex structures with one stable layer that was formed inside and one unstable layer that was formed outside. The stable inner layer was the protective layer and prevented alloy 690 from further oxidation.

Predictive Detection of Tuberculosis using Electronic Nose Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibson, Tim; Kolk, Arend; Reither, Klaus; Kuipers, Sjoukje; Hallam, Viv; Chandler, Rob; Dutta, Ritaban; Maboko, Leonard; Jung, Jutta; Klatser, Paul

2009-05-01

The adaptation and use of a Bloodhound® ST214 electronic nose to rapidly detect TB in sputum samples has been discussed in the past, with some promising results being obtained in 2007. Some of the specific VOC's associated with Mycobacteria tuberculosis organisms are now being discovered and a paper was published in 2008, but the method of predicting the presence of TB in sputum samples using the VOC biomarkers has yet to be fully optimised. Nevertheless, with emphasis on the sampling techniques and with new data processing techniques to obtain consistent results progress is being made Sensitivity and specificity levels for field detection of TB have been set by WHO at a minimum level of 85% and 95% respectively, and the e-nose technique is working towards these figures. In a series of experiments carried out in Mbeya, Tanzania, Africa, data from a full 5 days of sampling was combined giving a total of 248 sputum samples analysed. From the data obtained we can report results that show specificities and sensitivities in the 70-80% region when actually predicting the presence of TB in unknown sputum samples. The results are a further step forward in the rapid detection of TB in the clinics in developing countries and show continued promise for future development of an optimised instrument for TB prediction.

Haplotype data for 23 Y-chromosome markers in a reference sample from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

PubMed

Kovačević, Lejla; Fatur-Cerić, Vera; Hadzic, Negra; Čakar, Jasmina; Primorac, Dragan; Marjanović, Damir

2013-06-01

To detect polymorphisms of 23 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, including 6 new loci, in a reference database of male population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to assess the importance of increasing the number of Y-STR loci utilized in forensic DNA analysis. The reference sample consisted of 100 healthy, unrelated men originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sample collection using buccal swabs was performed in all geographical regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 2010 to 2011. DNA samples were typed for 23 Y STR loci, including 6 new loci: DYS576, DYS481, DYS549, DYS533, DYS570, and DYS643, which are included in the new PowerPlex® Y 23 amplification kit. The absolute frequency of generated haplotypes was calculated and results showed that 98 samples had unique Y 23 haplotypes, and that only two samples shared the same haplotype. The most polymorphic locus was DYS418, with 14 detected alleles and the least polymorphic loci were DYS389I, DYS391, DYS437, and DYS393. This study showed that by increasing the number of highly polymorphic Y STR markers, to include those tested in our analysis, leads to a reduction of repeating haplotypes, which is very important in the application of forensic DNA analysis.

Social supports and mental health: a cross-sectional study on the correlation of self-consistency and congruence in China.

PubMed

Gu, YanMei; Hu, Jie; Hu, YaPing; Wang, JianRong

2016-06-28

Psychosocial job characteristics require nursing staff with high self-consistency and good mental health. However, the attention and effort of such study remained very limited in China. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the bedside nurses in an affiliated hospital of Hebei Medical University, China. Of 218 registered bedside nurses eligible to participate in the survey anonymously, the data producing sample of 172 subjects resulted in a 79 % of effective response rate.. The Social Support Rating Scale was used to measure social support, and the Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale were used to measure mental health. Compared with the normal referenced group of college students, higher self-flexibility scores, lower self-conflict and self-stethoscope scores from the sample group were obtained with statistical significance in self-conflict scores. The close correlations were observed between participants' social support and Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale score. The difference of Social Support Rating Scale score was significant in demographic features including years of work, marital status, only child family, and levels of cooperation with other health worker. Bedside nurses in this study show a better inner harmony, and their Self-Consistency and Congruence closely correlates with the levels of social support. Thus, it is substantial to improve inner perception of support and external factors, such as the workplace support, and offer beneficial social environment to improve the bedside nurse's sub-health symptoms and decrease the high turnover rate.

Ultrastructure and post-floral secretion of the pericarpial nectaries of Erythrina speciosa (Fabaceae)

PubMed Central

Paiva, Elder Antônio Sousa

2009-01-01

Background and Aims The occurrence of nectaries in fruits is restricted to a minority of plant families and consistent reports of their occurrence are not found associated with Fabaceae, mainly showing cellular details. The present study aims to describe the anatomical organization and ultrastructure of the pericarpial nectaries (PNs) in Erythrina speciosa, a bird-pollinated species, discussing functional aspects of these unusual structures. Methods Samples of floral buds, ovaries of flowers at anthesis and fruits at several developmental stages were fixed and processed by the usual methods for studies using light, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Nectar samples collected by filter paper wicks were subjected to chemical analysis using thin-layer chromatography. Key Results The PNs are distributed in isolation on the exocarp. Each PN is represented by a single hyaline trichome that consists of a basal cell at epidermal level, stalk cell(s) and a small secretory multicellular head. The apical stalk cell shows inner periclinal and anticlinal walls impregnated by lipids and lignin and has dense cytoplasm with a prevalence of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The secretory cells show voluminous nuclei and dense cytoplasm, which predominantly has dictyosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, plastids, mitochondria and free ribosomes. At the secretory stage the periplasmic space is prominent and contains secretion residues. Tests for sugar indicate the presence of non-reducing sugars in the secretory cells. Nectar samples from PNs contained sucrose, glucose and fructose. Conclusions The secretory stage of these PNs extends until fruit maturation and evidence suggests that the energetic source of nectar production is based on pericarp photosynthesis. Patrolling ants were seen foraging on fruits during all stages of fruit development, which suggests that the PNs mediate a symbiotic relationship between ants and plant, similar to the common role of many extrafloral nectaries. PMID:19617593

Ultrastructure and post-floral secretion of the pericarpial nectaries of Erythrina speciosa (Fabaceae).

PubMed

Paiva, Elder Antônio Sousa

2009-10-01

The occurrence of nectaries in fruits is restricted to a minority of plant families and consistent reports of their occurrence are not found associated with Fabaceae, mainly showing cellular details. The present study aims to describe the anatomical organization and ultrastructure of the pericarpial nectaries (PNs) in Erythrina speciosa, a bird-pollinated species, discussing functional aspects of these unusual structures. Samples of floral buds, ovaries of flowers at anthesis and fruits at several developmental stages were fixed and processed by the usual methods for studies using light, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Nectar samples collected by filter paper wicks were subjected to chemical analysis using thin-layer chromatography. The PNs are distributed in isolation on the exocarp. Each PN is represented by a single hyaline trichome that consists of a basal cell at epidermal level, stalk cell(s) and a small secretory multicellular head. The apical stalk cell shows inner periclinal and anticlinal walls impregnated by lipids and lignin and has dense cytoplasm with a prevalence of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The secretory cells show voluminous nuclei and dense cytoplasm, which predominantly has dictyosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, plastids, mitochondria and free ribosomes. At the secretory stage the periplasmic space is prominent and contains secretion residues. Tests for sugar indicate the presence of non-reducing sugars in the secretory cells. Nectar samples from PNs contained sucrose, glucose and fructose. The secretory stage of these PNs extends until fruit maturation and evidence suggests that the energetic source of nectar production is based on pericarp photosynthesis. Patrolling ants were seen foraging on fruits during all stages of fruit development, which suggests that the PNs mediate a symbiotic relationship between ants and plant, similar to the common role of many extrafloral nectaries.

RT-PCR detection of Candida albicans ALS gene expression in the reconstituted human epithelium (RHE) model of oral candidiasis and in model biofilms.

PubMed

Green, Clayton B; Cheng, Georgina; Chandra, Jyotsna; Mukherjee, Pranab; Ghannoum, Mahmoud A; Hoyer, Lois L

2004-02-01

An RT-PCR assay was developed to analyse expression patterns of genes in the Candida albicans ALS (agglutinin-like sequence) family. Inoculation of a reconstituted human buccal epithelium (RHE) model of mucocutaneous candidiasis with strain SC5314 showed destruction of the epithelial layer by C. albicans and also formation of an upper fungal layer that had characteristics similar to a biofilm. RT-PCR analysis of total RNA samples extracted from C. albicans-inoculated buccal RHE showed that ALS1, ALS2, ALS3, ALS4, ALS5 and ALS9 were consistently detected over time as destruction of the RHE progressed. Detection of transcripts from ALS7, and particularly from ALS6, was more sporadic, but not associated with a strictly temporal pattern. The expression pattern of ALS genes in C. albicans cultures used to inoculate the RHE was similar to that observed in the RHE model, suggesting that contact of C. albicans with buccal RHE does little to alter ALS gene expression. RT-PCR analysis of RNA samples extracted from model denture and catheter biofilms showed similar gene expression patterns to the buccal RHE specimens. Results from the RT-PCR analysis of biofilm RNA specimens were consistent between various C. albicans strains during biofilm development and were comparable to gene expression patterns in planktonic cells. The RT-PCR assay described here will be useful for analysis of human clinical specimens and samples from other disease models. The method will provide further insight into the role of ALS genes and their encoded proteins in the diverse interactions between C. albicans and its host.

Modification of defects and potential fluctuations in slow-cooled and quenched Cu2ZnSnSe4 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bishop, Douglas M.; McCandless, Brian; Gershon, Talia; Lloyd, Michael A.; Haight, Richard; Birkmire, Robert

2017-02-01

Recent literature reports have shown the ability to manipulate Cu-Zn cation ordering for Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) via low temperature treatments. Theoretical arguments suggest that one of the major roadblocks to higher VOC—significant band tailing—could be improved with increased cation order; however, few direct measurements have been reported and significant device improvements have not yet been realized. This report investigates electrical properties, defects, and devices from quenched and slow-cooled single crystals of CZTSe. The extent of disorder was characterized by Raman spectroscopy as well as x-ray diffraction, where the change in Cu-Zn order can be detected by a changing c/a ratio. Quenched samples show higher acceptor concentrations, lower hole mobilities, and a lower-energy photoluminescence (PL) peak than crystals cooled at slower rates, consistent with a reduction in the bandgap. In addition, samples quenched at the highest temperatures showed lower PL yield consistent with higher quantities of deep defects. Devices fabricated using slow-cooled CZTSe single crystals showed improved efficiencies, most notably with increased VOC; however, low temperature intensity-dependent photoluminescence measurements continue to indicate the existence of potential fluctuations. We discuss the possibility that potential fluctuations in slow-cooled samples may be related to the inability to achieve a long range order of the Cu-Zn sub-lattice resulting in local regions of high and low levels of cation order, and consequent local variations in the bandgap. The presence of significant potential fluctuations, even after the slow-cooling step, suggests the difficulty in eliminating band-tailing in this system, and thus, additional approaches may be needed for significant reduction of the VOC deficit.

Minority carrier diffusion lengths and absorption coefficients in silicon sheet material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dumas, K. A.; Swimm, R. T.

1980-01-01

Most of the methods which have been developed for the measurement of the minority carrier diffusion length of silicon wafers require that the material have either a Schottky or an ohmic contact. The surface photovoltage (SPV) technique is an exception. The SPV technique could, therefore, become a valuable diagnostic tool in connection with current efforts to develop low-cost processes for the production of solar cells. The technique depends on a knowledge of the optical absorption coefficient. The considered investigation is concerned with a reevaluation of the absorption coefficient as a function of silicon processing. A comparison of absorption coefficient values showed these values to be relatively consistent from sample to sample, and independent of the sample growth method.

Low-power, low-cost urinalysis system with integrated dipstick evaluation and microscopic analysis.

PubMed

Smith, Gennifer T; Li, Linkai; Zhu, Yue; Bowden, Audrey K

2018-06-21

We introduce a coupled dipstick and microscopy device for analyzing urine samples. The device is capable of accurately assessing urine dipstick results while simultaneously imaging the microscopic contents within the sample. We introduce a long working distance, cellphone-based microscope in combination with an oblique illumination scheme to accurately visualize and quantify particles within the urine sample. To facilitate accurate quantification, we couple the imaging set-up with a power-free filtration system. The proposed device is reusable, low-cost, and requires very little power. We show that results obtained with the proposed device and custom-built app are consistent with those obtained with the standard clinical protocol, suggesting the potential clinical utility of the device.

Correlation of heat transfer coefficient in quenching process using ABAQUS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davare, Sandeep Kedarnath; Balachandran, G.; Singh, R. K. P.

2018-04-01

During the heat treatment by quenching in a liquid medium the convective heat transfer coefficient plays a crucial role in the extraction of heat. The heat extraction ultimately influences the cooling rate and hence the hardness and mechanical properties. A Finite Element analysis of quenching a simple flat copper sample with different orientation of sample and with different quenchant temperatures were carried out to check and verify the results obtained from the experiments. The heat transfer coefficient (HTC) was calculated from temperature history in a simple flat copper disc sample experimentally. This HTC data was further used as input to simulation software and the cooling curves were back calculated. The results obtained from software and using experimentation shows nearly consistent values.

Arrhenius equation modeling for the shelf life prediction of tomato paste containing a natural preservative.

PubMed

Jafari, Seid Mahdi; Ganje, Mohammad; Dehnad, Danial; Ghanbari, Vahid; Hajitabar, Javad

2017-12-01

The shelf life of tomato paste with microencapsulated olive leaf extract was compared with that of samples containing a commercial preservative by accelerated shelf life testing. Based on previous studies showing that olive leaf extract as a rich source of phenolic compounds can have antimicrobial properties, application of its encapsulated form to improve the storage stability of tomato paste is proposed here. Regarding total soluble solids, the control and the sample containing 1000 µg g -1 sodium benzoate had the lowest (Q 10  = 1.63) and highest (Q 10  = 1.88) sensitivity to temperature changes respectively; also, the microencapsulated sample containing 1000 µg g -1 encapsulated olive leaf extract (Q 10  = 1.83) followed the sample containing 1000 µg g -1 sodium benzoate in terms of the highest kinetic rates. In the case of consistency, the lowest and highest activation energies (E a ) corresponded to samples containing 1000 µg g -1 non-encapsulated olive leaf extract and 1000 µg g -1 microencapsulated olive leaf extract respectively. Interestingly, samples containing microencapsulated olive leaf extract could maintain the original quality of the tomato paste very well, while those with non-encapsulated olive leaf extract rated the worst performance (among all specimens) in terms of maintaining their quality indices for a long time period. Overall, the shelf life equation was able to predict the consistency index of all tomato paste samples during long-time storage with high precision. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Schizophrenia and season of birth: relationship to geomagnetic storms.

PubMed

Kay, Ronald W

2004-01-01

An excess pattern of winter and spring birth, of those later diagnosed as schizophrenic, has been clearly identified in most Northern Hemisphere samples with none or lesser variation in Equatorial or Southern Hemisphere samples. Pregnancy and birth complications, seasonal variations in light, weather, temperature, nutrition, toxins, body chemistry and gene expression have all been hypothesized as possible causes. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that seasonal variation in the geomagnetic field of the earth primarily as a result of geomagnetic storms (GMS) at crucial periods in intrauterine brain development, during months 2 to 7 of gestation could affect the later rate of development of schizophrenia. The biological plausibility of this hypothesis is also briefly reviewed. A sample of eight representative published studies of schizophrenic monthly birth variation were compared with averaged geomagnetic disturbance using two global indices (AA*) and (aa). Three samples showed a significant negative correlation to both geomagnetic indices, a further three a significant negative correlation to one of the geomagnetic indices, one showed no significant correlation to either index and one showed a significant positive correlation to one index. It is suggested that these findings are all consistent with the hypothesis and that geomagnetic disturbance or factors associated with this disturbance should be further investigated in birth seasonality studies.

(I Can't Get No) Saturation: A simulation and guidelines for sample sizes in qualitative research.

PubMed

van Rijnsoever, Frank J

2017-01-01

I explore the sample size in qualitative research that is required to reach theoretical saturation. I conceptualize a population as consisting of sub-populations that contain different types of information sources that hold a number of codes. Theoretical saturation is reached after all the codes in the population have been observed once in the sample. I delineate three different scenarios to sample information sources: "random chance," which is based on probability sampling, "minimal information," which yields at least one new code per sampling step, and "maximum information," which yields the largest number of new codes per sampling step. Next, I use simulations to assess the minimum sample size for each scenario for systematically varying hypothetical populations. I show that theoretical saturation is more dependent on the mean probability of observing codes than on the number of codes in a population. Moreover, the minimal and maximal information scenarios are significantly more efficient than random chance, but yield fewer repetitions per code to validate the findings. I formulate guidelines for purposive sampling and recommend that researchers follow a minimum information scenario.

The reverse of social anxiety is not always the opposite: the reverse-scored items of the social interaction anxiety scale do not belong.

PubMed

Rodebaugh, Thomas L; Woods, Carol M; Heimberg, Richard G

2007-06-01

Although well-used and empirically supported, the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) has a questionable factor structure and includes reverse-scored items with questionable utility. Here, using samples of undergraduates and a sample of clients with social anxiety disorder, we extend previous work that opened the question of whether the reverse-scored items belong on the scale. First, we successfully confirmed the factor structure obtained in previous samples. Second, we found the reverse-scored items to show consistently weaker relationships with a variety of comparison measures. Third, we demonstrated that removing the reverse-scored questions generally helps rather than hinders the psychometric performance of the SIAS total score. Fourth, we found that the reverse-scored items show a strong relationship with the normal personality characteristic of extraversion, suggesting that the reverse-scored items may primarily assess extraversion. Given the above results, we suggest investigators consider performing data analyses using only the straightforwardly worded items of the SIAS.

Continuity of parenting practices across generations in an at-risk sample: a prospective comparison of direct and mediated associations.

PubMed

Capaldi, Deborah M; Pears, Katherine C; Patterson, Gerald R; Owen, Lee D

2003-04-01

A prospective model of parenting and externalizing behavior spanning 3 generations (G1, G2, and G3) was examined for young men from an at-risk sample of young adult men (G2) who were in approximately the youngest one third of their cohort to become fathers. It was first predicted that the young men in G2 who had children the earliest would show high levels of antisocial behavior. Second, it was predicted that G1 poor parenting practices would show both a direct association with the G2 son's subsequent parenting and a mediated effect via his development of antisocial and delinquent behavior by adolescence. The young fathers had more arrests and were less likely to have graduated from high school than the other young men in the sample. Findings were most consistent with the interpretation that there was some direct effect of parenting from G1 to G2 and some mediated effect via antisocial behavior in G2.

Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of the (GeTe) 1-x(PbTe) x alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, S. P.; Li, J. Q.; Wang, Q. B.; Wang, L.; Liu, F. S.; Ao, W. Q.

2011-02-01

The Ge-rich (GeTe) 1-x(PbTe) x alloys with x = 0.10, 0.14, 0.18 and 0.22 were prepared by induction melting, ball milling and spark plasma sintering techniques. The thermoelectric properties of the samples were investigated. The experimental results show that all samples consist of the solid solutions of the two phases GeTe and PbTe. The samples are of p-type semiconductors. The existence of PbTe solution in GeTe increases its resistivity and Seebeck coefficient slightly, but reduces its thermal conductivity significantly. As result, the figures of merit for the materials can be enhanced. The maximum figure of merit ZT value of 0.81 was obtained in the sample (GeTe) 0.82(PbTe) 0.18 at 673K.

Polydimethylsiloxane rod extraction, a novel technique for the determination of organic micropollutants in water samples by thermal desorption-capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Montero, L; Popp, P; Paschke, A; Pawliszyn, J

2004-01-30

A novel, simple and inexpensive approach to absorptive extraction of organic compounds from environmental samples is presented. It consists of a polydimethylsiloxane rod used as an extraction media, enriched with analytes during shaking, then thermally desorbed and analyzed by GC-MS. Its performance was illustrated and evaluated for the enrichment of sub- to ng/l of selected chlorinated compounds (chlorobenzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls) in water samples. The new approach was compared to the stir bar sorptive extraction performance. A natural ground water sample from Bitterfeld, Germany, was also extracted using both methods, showing good agreement. The proposed approach presented good linearity, high sensitivity, good blank levels and recoveries comparable to stir bars, together with advantages such as simplicity, lower cost and higher feasibility.

The two-sample problem with induced dependent censorship.

PubMed

Huang, Y

1999-12-01

Induced dependent censorship is a general phenomenon in health service evaluation studies in which a measure such as quality-adjusted survival time or lifetime medical cost is of interest. We investigate the two-sample problem and propose two classes of nonparametric tests. Based on consistent estimation of the survival function for each sample, the two classes of test statistics examine the cumulative weighted difference in hazard functions and in survival functions. We derive a unified asymptotic null distribution theory and inference procedure. The tests are applied to trial V of the International Breast Cancer Study Group and show that long duration chemotherapy significantly improves time without symptoms of disease and toxicity of treatment as compared with the short duration treatment. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed tests, with a wide range of weight choices, perform well under moderate sample sizes.

Increasing species richness of the macrozoobenthic fauna on tidal flats of the Wadden Sea by local range expansion and invasion of exotic species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beukema, J. J.; Dekker, R.

2011-06-01

A 40-y series of consistently collected samples (15 fixed sampling sites, constant sampled area of 15 × 0.95 m2, annual sampling only in late-winter/early-spring seasons, and consistent sieving and sorting procedures; restriction to 50 easily recognizable species) of macrozoobenthos on Balgzand, a tidal flat area in the westernmost part of the Wadden Sea (The Netherlands), revealed significantly increasing trends of species richness. Total numbers of species annually encountered increased from ~28 to ~38. Mean species density (number of species found per sampling site) increased from ~13 to ~18 per 0.95 m2. During the 40 years of the 1970-2009 period of observation, 4 exotic species invaded the area: (in order of first appearance) Ensis directus, Marenzelleria viridis, Crassostrea gigas, and Hemigrapsus takanoi. Another 5 species recently moved to Balgzand from nearby (subtidal) locations. Together, these 9 new species on the tidal flats explained by far most of the increase in total species numbers, but accounted for only one-third of the observed increase in species density (as a consequence of the restricted distribution of most of them). Species density increased particularly by a substantial number of species that showed increasing trends in the numbers of tidal flat sites they occupied. Most of these wider-spreading species were found to suffer from cold winters. During the 40-y period of observation, winter temperatures rose by about 2°C and cold winters became less frequent. The mean number of cold-sensitive species found per site significantly increased by almost 2 per 0.95 m2. Among the other species (not sensitive to low winter temperatures), 6 showed a rising and 2 a declining trend in number of occupied sites, resulting in a net long-term increase in species density amounting to another gain of 1.6 per 0.95 m2. Half of the 50 studied species did not show such long-term trend, nor were invaders. Thus, each of 3 groups (local or alien invaders/winter-sensitive species/other increasing species) contributed to a roughly similar extent to the overall increase in species density.

Violence Risk Assessment and Facet 4 of the Psychopathy Checklist: Predicting Institutional and Community Aggression in Two Forensic Samples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Glenn D.; Heilbrun, Kirk

2010-01-01

The Psychopathy Checklist and Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL/PCL-R) were used to predict institutional aggression and community violence in two groups of forensic patients. Results showed that Facet 4 (Antisocial) of the PCL/PCL-R or one of its parcels consistently achieved incremental validity relative to the first three facets, whereas the…

A comparison of leisure constraints among three outdoor recreation activities: whitewater rafting, canoeing and overnight horseback riding

Treesearch

Gyan P. Nyaupane; Duarte B. Morais; Alan Graefe

2003-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare leisure constraints across three outdoor recreation activities, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and overnight horseback riding, in the context of the three-dimensional leisure constraints model proposed by Crawford and Godbey (1987). The sample consisted of 650 outdoor enthusiasts from 14 U.S. states who showed an interest in...

Effects of a sexy appearance on perceived competence of women.

PubMed

Wookey, Melissa L; Graves, Nell A; Butler, J Corey

2009-02-01

The present study replicates P. Glick, S. Larsen, C. Johnson, and H. Branstiter's (2005) previous research showing that a sexy appearance may be detrimental to women in high-status jobs. The authors used a larger sample and different stimulus materials and evaluation measures. As in the original experiment, participants rated sexually and professionally dressed women in both low- and high-status positions on perceived ability. The results were consistent with the original study and showed that high-status, sexually dressed women receive lower ratings in competence.

The microstructure and magnetic properties of melt-spun Fe 76Nd 16B 8 magnetic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadjipanayis, G. C.; Dickenson, R. C.; Lawless, K. R.

1986-02-01

The origin of magnetic hardening has been examined in melt-spun Fe 76Nd 16B 8 samples heat-treated at around 700°C. Microstructure studies show the same phases as in sintered magnets consisting of Fe 14Nd 2B, Fe 4NdB 4 and two high-Nd content phases. These phases exist in both equiaxed and faceted crystallites of submicron size. Lorentz microscopy shows domain walls which end at grain boundaries indicating that they are pinned there.

An Apollo 15 Mare Basalt Fragment and Lunar Mare Provinces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryder, Graham; Burling, Trina Cox

1996-01-01

Lunar sample 15474,4 is a tiny fragment of olivine-augite vitrophyre that is a mare basalt. Although petroraphically distinct from all other Apollo 15 samples, it has been ignored since its first brief description. Our new petrographic and mineral chemical data show that the olivines and pyroxenes are distinct from those in other basalts. The basalt cooled and solidified extremely rapidly; some of the olivine might be cumulate or crystallized prior to extrusion. Bulk-chemical data show that the sample is probably similar to an evolved Apollo 15 olivine-normative basalt in major elements but is distinct in its rare earth element pattern. Its chemical composition and petrography both show that 15474,4 cannot be derived from other Apollo 15 mare basalts by shallow-level crystal fractionation. It represents a distinct extrusion of magma. Nonetheless, the chemical features that 15474,4 has in common with other Apollo 15 mare basalts, including the high FeO/Sc, the general similarity of the rare earth element pattern, and the common (and chondritic) TiO2/Sm ratio, emphasize the concept of a geochemical province at the Apollo 15 site that is distinct from basalts and provinces elsewhere. In making a consistent picture for the derivation of all of the Apollo 15 basalts, both the commonalities and the differences among the basalts must be explained. The Apollo 15 commonalities and differences suggest that the sources must have consisted of major silicate phases with the same composition but with varied amounts of a magma trapped from a contemporary magma ocean. They probably had a high olivine/pyroxene ratio and underwent small and reasonably consistent degrees of partial melting to produce the basalts. These inferences may be inconsistent with models that suggest greatly different depths of melting among basalts, primitive sources for the green glasses, or extensive olivine fractionation during ascent. An integrated approach to lunar mare provinces, of which the Apollo 15 mare basalts constitute only one, offers advances in our understanding of the physical and chemical processes of source formation and mare production but has so far not been utilized.

Quality of omeprazole purchased via the Internet and personally imported into Japan: comparison with products sampled in other Asian countries.

PubMed

Rahman, Mohammad Sofiqur; Yoshida, Naoko; Sugiura, Sakura; Tsuboi, Hirohito; Keila, Tep; Kiet, Heng Bun; Zin, Theingi; Tanimoto, Tsuyoshi; Kimura, Kazuko

2018-03-01

To evaluate the quality of omeprazole personally imported into Japan via the Internet and to compare the quality of these samples with previously collected samples from two other Asian countries. The samples were evaluated by observation, authenticity investigation and pharmacopoeial quality analysis. Quality comparison of some selected samples was carried out by dissolution profiling, Raman spectroscopy and principle component analysis (PCA). Observation of the Internet sites and samples revealed some discrepancies including the delivery of a wrong sample and the selling of omeprazole without a prescription, although it is a prescription medicine. Among the 28 samples analysed, all passed the identification test, 26 (93%) passed the quantity and content uniformity tests and all passed the dissolution test. Dissolution profiling confirmed that all the personally imported omeprazole samples remained intact in the acid medium. On the other hand, six samples from two of the same manufacturers, previously collected during surveys in Cambodia and Myanmar, frequently showed premature omeprazole release in acid. Raman spectroscopy and PCA showed significant variation between omeprazole formulations in personally imported samples and the samples from Cambodia and Myanmar. Our results indicate that the pharmaceutical quality of omeprazole purchased through the Internet was sufficient, as determined by pharmacopeial tests. However, omeprazole formulations distributed in different market segments by the same manufacturers were of diverse quality. Measures are needed to ensure consistent quality of products and to prevent entry of substandard products into the legitimate supply chain. © 2018 The Authors. Tropical Medicine & International Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Impact of Integrated Science and English Language Arts Literacy Supplemental Instructional Intervention on Science Academic Achievement of Elementary Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marks, Jamar Terry

The purpose of this quasi-experimental, nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design study was to determine if any differences existed in upper elementary school students' science academic achievement when instructed using an 8-week integrated science and English language arts literacy supplemental instructional intervention in conjunction with traditional science classroom instruction as compared to when instructed using solely traditional science classroom instruction. The targeted sample population consisted of fourth-grade students enrolled in a public elementary school located in the southeastern region of the United States. The convenience sample size consisted of 115 fourth-grade students enrolled in science classes. The pretest and posttest academic achievement data collected consisted of the science segment from the Spring 2015, and Spring 2016 state standardized assessments. Pretest and posttest academic achievement data were analyzed using an ANCOVA statistical procedure to test for differences, and the researcher reported the results of the statistical analysis. The results of the study show no significant difference in science academic achievement between treatment and control groups. An interpretation of the results and recommendations for future research were provided by the researcher upon completion of the statistical analysis.

Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity assessment in a sample of Greek breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Kolokotroni, Philippa; Anagnostopoulos, Fotios; Missitzis, Ioannis

2017-07-01

The study and measurement of psychosocial adjustment is important for evaluating patients' well-being, and assessing the illness's course, treatment's success, and patients' recovery. In this study, internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Greek version of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report (PAIS-SR) were examined. Demographic and psychosocial data were collected from a sample of 243 women with breast cancer, recruited from September 2011 to December 2012. With some exceptions in specific items, the original conceptually-derived PAIS-SR subscales emerged in a seven-factor solution. Social Environment, Job and Household Duties, and Psychological Distress accounted for more of the total variance than other subscales. PAIS-SR showed good internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients >0.62. Correlations of PAIS-SR domains with measures of quality of life and posttraumatic stress symptoms supported the convergent validity of the PAIS-SR and its significance for cancer research. The Greek version of the PAIS-SR has acceptable internal consistency reliability and construct validity, as well as satisfactory convergent validity. Results provide some suggestions for the development of programs to evaluate adjustment status and implement psychosocial interventions among breast cancer survivors.

Influence of polydimethylsiloxane outer coating and packing material on analyte recovery in dual-phase headspace sorptive extraction.

PubMed

Bicchi, Carlo; Cordero, Chiara; Liberto, Erica; Sgorbini, Barbara; David, Frank; Sandra, Pat; Rubiolo, Patrizia

2007-09-14

Dual phase twisters (DP twisters), consisting of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) outer coating and a second complementary (ad)sorbent as inner packing, have recently been shown to extend the applicability of headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE). In comparison to HSSE using PDMS only, the recovery of analytes from the headspace of a solid or liquid matrix is increased by combining the concentration capabilities of two sampling materials operating on different mechanisms (sorption and adsorption). This study compares the performance of DP twisters consisting of different PDMS outer coatings and different packing materials, including Tenax GC, a bisphenol-PDMS copolymer, Carbopack coated with 5% of Carbowax and beta-cyclodextrin, for the analysis of the headspace of roasted Arabica coffee, dried sage leaves and an aqueous test mixture containing compounds with different water solubility, acidity, polarity and volatility as test samples. In general, DP twisters showed a higher concentration capability than the corresponding conventional PDMS twisters for the analytes considered. The highest recoveries were obtained with DP twisters consisting of 0.2mm thick PDMS coating combined with Tenax GC, a bisphenol-PDMS copolymer and Carbopack coated with 5% of Carbowax as inner adsorption phase.

Development and Validation of a Measure of Maladaptive Social-Evaluative Beliefs Characteristic of Social Anxiety Disorder in Youth: The Report of Youth Social Cognitions (RYSC).

PubMed

Wong, Quincy J J; Certoma, Sarah P; McLellan, Lauren F; Halldorsson, Brynjar; Reyes, Natasha; Boulton, Kelsie; Hudson, Jennifer L; Rapee, Ronald M

2017-12-28

Recent research has started to examine the applicability of influential adult models of the maintenance of social anxiety disorder (SAD) to youth. This research is limited by the lack of psychometrically validated measures of underlying constructs that are developmentally appropriate for youth. One key construct in adult models of SAD is maladaptive social-evaluative beliefs. The current study aimed to develop and validate a measure of these beliefs in youth, known as the Report of Youth Social Cognitions (RYSC). The RYSC was developed with a clinical sample of youth with anxiety disorders (N = 180) and cross-validated in a community sample of youth (N = 305). In the clinical sample, the RYSC exhibited a 3-factor structure (negative evaluation, revealing self, and positive impression factors), good internal consistency, and construct validity. In the community sample, the 3-factor structure and the internal consistency of the RYSC were replicated, but the test of construct validity showed that the RYSC had similarly strong associations with social anxiety and depressed affect. The RYSC had good test-retest reliability overall, although the revealing self subscale showed lower temporal stability which improved when only older participants were considered (age ≥9 years). The RYSC in general was also shown to discriminate between youth with and without SAD although the revealing self subscale again performed suboptimally but improved when only older participants were considered. These findings provide psychometric support for the RYSC and justifies its use with youth in research and clinical settings requiring the assessment of maladaptive social-evaluative beliefs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Characterizing the Phyllosilicate Component of the Sheepbed Mudstone in Gale Crater, Mars Using Laboratory XRD and EGA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rampe, E. B.; Morris, R. V.; Ming, D. W.; Archer, P. D.; Bish, D. L.; Chipera, S. J.; Vaniman, D. T.; Blake, D. F.; Bristow, T. F.; Sutter, B.;

Urbanization drives community shifts towards thermophilic and dispersive species at local and landscape scales.

PubMed

Piano, Elena; De Wolf, Katrien; Bona, Francesca; Bonte, Dries; Bowler, Diana E; Isaia, Marco; Lens, Luc; Merckx, Thomas; Mertens, Daan; van Kerckvoorde, Marc; De Meester, Luc; Hendrickx, Frederik

2017-07-01

The increasing conversion of agricultural and natural areas to human-dominated urban landscapes is predicted to lead to a major decline in biodiversity worldwide. Two conditions that typically differ between urban environments and the surrounding landscape are increased temperature, and high patch isolation and habitat turnover rates. However, the extent and spatial scale at which these altered conditions shape biotic communities through selection and/or filtering on species traits are currently poorly understood. We sampled carabid beetles at 81 sites in Belgium using a hierarchically nested sampling design wherein three local-scale (200 × 200 m) urbanization levels were repeatedly sampled across three landscape-scale (3 × 3 km) urbanization levels. First, we showed that communities sampled in the most urbanized locations and landscapes displayed a distinct species composition at both local and landscape scale. Second, we related community means of species-specific thermal preferences and dispersal capacity (based on European distribution and wing morphology, respectively) to the urbanization gradients. We showed that urban communities consisted on average of species with a preference for higher temperatures and with better dispersal capacities compared to rural communities. These shifts were caused by an increased number of species tolerating higher temperatures, a decreased richness of species with low thermal preference, and an almost complete depletion of species with very low-dispersal capacity in the most urbanized localities. Effects of urbanization were most clearly detected at the local scale, although more subtle effects could also be found at the scale of entire landscapes. Our results demonstrate that urbanization may fundamentally and consistently alter species composition by exerting a strong filtering effect on species dispersal characteristics and favouring replacement by warm-dwelling species. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Identifying key demographic parameters of a small island-associated population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Reunion, Indian Ocean).

PubMed

Dulau, Violaine; Estrade, Vanessa; Fayan, Jacques

2017-01-01

Photo-identification surveys of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins were conducted from 2009 to 2014 off Reunion Island (55°E33'/21°S07'), in the Indian Ocean. Robust Design models were applied to produce the most reliable estimate of population abundance and survival rate, while accounting for temporary emigration from the survey area (west coast). The sampling scheme consisted of a five-month (June-October) sampling period in each year of the study. The overall population size at Reunion was estimated to be 72 individuals (SE = 6.17, 95%CI = 61-85), based on a random temporary emigration (γ") of 0.096 and a proportion of 0.70 (SE = 0.03) distinct individuals. The annual survival rate was 0.93 (±0.018 SE, 95%CI = 0.886-0.958) and was constant over time and between sexes. Models considering gender groups indicated different movement patterns between males and females. Males showed null or quasi-null temporary emigration (γ" = γ' < 0.01), while females showed a random temporary emigration (γ") of 0.10, suggesting that a small proportion of females was outside the survey area during each primary sampling period. Sex-specific temporary migration patterns were consistent with movement and residency patterns observed in other areas. The Robust Design approach provided an appropriate sampling scheme for deriving island-associated population parameters, while allowing to restrict survey effort both spatially (i.e. west coast only) and temporally (five months per year). Although abundance and survival were stable over the six years, the small population size of fewer than 100 individuals suggested that this population is highly vulnerable. Priority should be given to reducing any potential impact of human activity on the population and its habitat.

Estimation After a Group Sequential Trial.

PubMed

Milanzi, Elasma; Molenberghs, Geert; Alonso, Ariel; Kenward, Michael G; Tsiatis, Anastasios A; Davidian, Marie; Verbeke, Geert

2015-10-01

Group sequential trials are one important instance of studies for which the sample size is not fixed a priori but rather takes one of a finite set of pre-specified values, dependent on the observed data. Much work has been devoted to the inferential consequences of this design feature. Molenberghs et al (2012) and Milanzi et al (2012) reviewed and extended the existing literature, focusing on a collection of seemingly disparate, but related, settings, namely completely random sample sizes, group sequential studies with deterministic and random stopping rules, incomplete data, and random cluster sizes. They showed that the ordinary sample average is a viable option for estimation following a group sequential trial, for a wide class of stopping rules and for random outcomes with a distribution in the exponential family. Their results are somewhat surprising in the sense that the sample average is not optimal, and further, there does not exist an optimal, or even, unbiased linear estimator. However, the sample average is asymptotically unbiased, both conditionally upon the observed sample size as well as marginalized over it. By exploiting ignorability they showed that the sample average is the conventional maximum likelihood estimator. They also showed that a conditional maximum likelihood estimator is finite sample unbiased, but is less efficient than the sample average and has the larger mean squared error. Asymptotically, the sample average and the conditional maximum likelihood estimator are equivalent. This previous work is restricted, however, to the situation in which the the random sample size can take only two values, N = n or N = 2 n . In this paper, we consider the more practically useful setting of sample sizes in a the finite set { n 1 , n 2 , …, n L }. It is shown that the sample average is then a justifiable estimator , in the sense that it follows from joint likelihood estimation, and it is consistent and asymptotically unbiased. We also show why simulations can give the false impression of bias in the sample average when considered conditional upon the sample size. The consequence is that no corrections need to be made to estimators following sequential trials. When small-sample bias is of concern, the conditional likelihood estimator provides a relatively straightforward modification to the sample average. Finally, it is shown that classical likelihood-based standard errors and confidence intervals can be applied, obviating the need for technical corrections.

Evidence for a chondritic impactor, evaporation-condensation effects and melting of the Precambrian basement beneath the 'target' Deccan basalts at Lonar crater, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das Gupta, Rahul; Banerjee, Anupam; Goderis, Steven; Claeys, Philippe; Vanhaecke, Frank; Chakrabarti, Ramananda

2017-10-01

The ∼1.88 km diameter Lonar impact crater formed ∼570 ka ago and is an almost circular depression hosted entirely in the Poladpur suite of the ∼65 Ma old basalts of the Deccan Traps. To understand the effects of impact cratering on basaltic targets, commonly found on the surfaces of inner Solar System planetary bodies, major and trace element concentrations as well as Nd and Sr isotopic compositions were determined on a suite of selected samples composed of: basalts, a red bole sample, which is a product of basalt alteration, impact breccia, and impact glasses, either in the form of spherules (<1 mm in diameter) or non-spherical impact glasses (>1 mm and <1 cm). These data include the first highly siderophile element (HSE) concentrations for the Lonar spherules. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values for the basalts and impact breccia (36.4-42.7) are low while the red bole sample shows a high CIA value (55.6 in the acid-leached sample), consistent with its origin by aqueous alteration of the basalts. The Lonar spherules are classified into two main groups based on their CIA values. Most spherules show low CIA values (Group 1: 34.7-40.5) overlapping with the basalts and impact breccia, while seven spherules show significantly higher CIA values (Group 2: >43.0). The Group 1 spherules are further subdivided into Groups 1a and 1b, with Group 1a spherules showing higher Ni and mostly higher Cr compared to the Group 1b spherules. Iridium and Cr concentrations of the spherules are consistent with the admixture of 1-8 wt% of a chondritic impactor to the basaltic target rocks. The impactor contribution is most prominent in the Group 1a and Group 2 spherules, which show higher Ni/Co, Ni/Cr and Cr/Co ratios compared to the target basalts. In contrast, the Group 1b spherules show major and trace element compositions that overlap with those of the impact breccia and are characterized by high EFTh (Enrichment Factor for Th defined as the Nb-normalized concentration of Th relative to that of the average basalt) as well as fractionated La/Sm(N), and higher large ion lithophile element (LILE) concentrations compared to the basalts. The relatively more radiogenic Sr and less radiogenic Nd isotopic composition of the impact breccia and non-spherical impact glasses compared to the target basalts are consistent with melting and mixing of the Precambrian basement beneath the Deccan basalt with up to 15 wt% contribution of the basement to these samples. Variations in the moderately siderophile element (MSE) concentration ratios of the impact breccia as well as all the spherules are best explained by contributions from three components - a chondritic impactor, the basaltic target rocks at Lonar and the basement underlying the Deccan basalts. The large variations in concentrations of volatile elements like Zn and Cu and correlated variations of EFCu-EFZn, EFPb-EFZn, EFK-EFZn and EFNa-EFZn, particularly in the Group 1a spherules, are best explained by evaporation-condensation effects during impact. While most spherules, irrespective of their general major and trace element composition, show a loss in volatile elements (e.g., Zn and Cu) relative to the target basalts, some spherules, mainly of Group 1, display enrichments in these elements that are interpreted to reflect the unique preservation of volatile-rich vapour condensates resulting from geochemical fractionation in a vertical direction within the vapour cloud.

Improved Compressive Sensing of Natural Scenes Using Localized Random Sampling

PubMed Central

Barranca, Victor J.; Kovačič, Gregor; Zhou, Douglas; Cai, David

2016-01-01

Compressive sensing (CS) theory demonstrates that by using uniformly-random sampling, rather than uniformly-spaced sampling, higher quality image reconstructions are often achievable. Considering that the structure of sampling protocols has such a profound impact on the quality of image reconstructions, we formulate a new sampling scheme motivated by physiological receptive field structure, localized random sampling, which yields significantly improved CS image reconstructions. For each set of localized image measurements, our sampling method first randomly selects an image pixel and then measures its nearby pixels with probability depending on their distance from the initially selected pixel. We compare the uniformly-random and localized random sampling methods over a large space of sampling parameters, and show that, for the optimal parameter choices, higher quality image reconstructions can be consistently obtained by using localized random sampling. In addition, we argue that the localized random CS optimal parameter choice is stable with respect to diverse natural images, and scales with the number of samples used for reconstruction. We expect that the localized random sampling protocol helps to explain the evolutionarily advantageous nature of receptive field structure in visual systems and suggests several future research areas in CS theory and its application to brain imaging. PMID:27555464

Study samples are too small to produce sufficiently precise reliability coefficients.

PubMed

Charter, Richard A

2003-04-01

In a survey of journal articles, test manuals, and test critique books, the author found that a mean sample size (N) of 260 participants had been used for reliability studies on 742 tests. The distribution was skewed because the median sample size for the total sample was only 90. The median sample sizes for the internal consistency, retest, and interjudge reliabilities were 182, 64, and 36, respectively. The author presented sample size statistics for the various internal consistency methods and types of tests. In general, the author found that the sample sizes that were used in the internal consistency studies were too small to produce sufficiently precise reliability coefficients, which in turn could cause imprecise estimates of examinee true-score confidence intervals. The results also suggest that larger sample sizes have been used in the last decade compared with those that were used in earlier decades.

Replica Exchange Improves Sampling in Low-Resolution Docking Stage of RosettaDock

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhe; Lange, Oliver F.

2013-01-01

Many protein-protein docking protocols are based on a shotgun approach, in which thousands of independent random-start trajectories minimize the rigid-body degrees of freedom. Another strategy is enumerative sampling as used in ZDOCK. Here, we introduce an alternative strategy, ReplicaDock, using a small number of long trajectories of temperature replica exchange. We compare replica exchange sampling as low-resolution stage of RosettaDock with RosettaDock's original shotgun sampling as well as with ZDOCK. A benchmark of 30 complexes starting from structures of the unbound binding partners shows improved performance for ReplicaDock and ZDOCK when compared to shotgun sampling at equal or less computational expense. ReplicaDock and ZDOCK consistently reach lower energies and generate significantly more near-native conformations than shotgun sampling. Accordingly, they both improve typical metrics of prediction quality of complex structures after refinement. Additionally, the refined ReplicaDock ensembles reach significantly lower interface energies and many previously hidden features of the docking energy landscape become visible when ReplicaDock is applied. PMID:24009670

An Array-Based Analysis of MicroRNA Expression Comparing Matched Frozen and Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Human Tissue Samples

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiao; Chen, Jiamin; Radcliffe, Tom; LeBrun, Dave P.; Tron, Victor A.; Feilotter, Harriet

2008-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that suppress gene expression at the posttranscriptional level via an antisense RNA-RNA interaction. miRNAs used for array-based profiling are generally purified from either snap-frozen or fresh samples. Because tissues found in most pathology departments are available only in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) states, we sought to evaluate miRNA derived from FFPE samples for microarray analysis. In this study, miRNAs extracted from matched snap-frozen and FFPE samples were profiled using the Agilent miRNA array platform (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA). Each miRNA sample was hybridized to arrays containing probes interrogating 470 human miRNAs. Seven cases were compared in either duplicate or triplicate. Intrachip and interchip analyses demonstrated that the processes of miRNA extraction, labeling, and hybridization from both frozen and FFPE samples are highly reproducible and add little variation to the results; technical replicates showed high correlations with one another (Kendall tau, 0.722 to 0.853; Spearman rank correlation coefficient, 0.891 to 0.954). Our results showed consistent high correlations between matched frozen and FFPE samples (Kendall tau, 0.669 to 0.815; Spearman rank correlation coefficient, 0.847 to 0.948), supporting the use of FFPE-derived miRNAs for array-based, gene expression profiling. PMID:18832457

An analysis of the impact of pre‐analytical factors on the urine proteome: Sample processing time, temperature, and proteolysis

PubMed Central

Hepburn, Sophie; Cairns, David A.; Jackson, David; Craven, Rachel A.; Riley, Beverley; Hutchinson, Michelle; Wood, Steven; Smith, Matthew Welberry; Thompson, Douglas

2015-01-01

Purpose We have examined the impact of sample processing time delay, temperature, and the addition of protease inhibitors (PIs) on the urinary proteome and peptidome, an important aspect of biomarker studies. Experimental design Ten urine samples from patients with varying pathologies were each divided and PIs added to one‐half, with aliquots of each then processed and frozen immediately, or after a delay of 6 h at 4°C or room temperature (20–22°C), effectively yielding 60 samples in total. Samples were then analyzed by 2D‐PAGE, SELDI‐TOF‐MS, and immunoassay. Results Interindividual variability in profiles was the dominant feature in all analyses. Minimal changes were observed by 2D‐PAGE as a result of delay in processing, temperature, or PIs and no changes were seen in IgG, albumin, β2‐microglobulin, or α1‐microglobulin measured by immunoassay. Analysis of peptides showed clustering of some samples by presence/absence of PIs but the extent was very patient‐dependent with most samples showing minimal effects. Conclusions and clinical relevance The extent of processing‐induced changes and the benefit of PI addition are patient‐ and sample‐dependent. A consistent processing methodology is essential within a study to avoid any confounding of the results. PMID:25400092

Training effect of the exchange bias in sputter deposited Fe3O4 thin films with varying thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muhammed Shameem, P. V.; Senthil Kumar, M.

2018-07-01

The training effect property of the exchange bias in the reactively sputtered polycrystalline Fe3O4 thin films of varying thicknesses in the range 25-200 nm are studied. Structural studies by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction confirm the formation of single phase Fe3O4. The scanning electron spectroscopy images show that the grains are uniformly distributed. All the samples show clear and consistent exchange bias training behaviour due to the dynamics of the spins at the interface of the ferrimagnetic core and the spin glass-like surface of the grains. The analysis of the training effect data of the exchange bias field HE measured at 2 K by using three different models show that the model based on the relaxation of the frozen and rotatable spin components at the interface gives the best description for all the samples. From this model, it is found that the reversible interface spins relax around 7 times faster than the frozen interface spins at 2 K for all the samples and that their relative relaxation rates are independent of the sample thickness. This constancy show that the relative relaxation rates of the interfacial frozen and rotatable spin components is a material dependent property. The frozen component of the interfacial spins of each sample is found to be dominated at the initial stage of the training. A direct equivalence between the HE and remanence asymmetry ME is observed. Above the spin freezing temperature, the training effect measurements at 75 K show that the HE decreases sharply with successive field cycling as compared to the measurements made at 2 K and the HE vanishes after first few cycles.

Suicidal ideation in a community-derived sample of Spanish adolescents.

PubMed

Fonseca-Pedrero, Eduardo; Inchausti, Félix; Pérez-Gutiérrez, Laura; Aritio Solana, Rebeca; Ortuño-Sierra, Javier; Sánchez-García, M ª Ángeles; Lucas-Molina, Beatriz; Domínguez, César; Foncea, David; Espinosa, Virginia; Gorría, Ana; Urbiola-Merina, Elena; Fernández, Marta; Merina Díaz, Carmen; Gutiérrez, Carmen; Aures, Marta; Campos, María S; Domínguez-Garrido, Elena; Pérez de Albéniz Iturriaga, Alicia

Suicide is a current public health problem and among the main causes of mortality in adolescents and young adults. The main goal of this study was to analyse suicidal ideation in a representative sample of Spanish adolescents. Specifically, the prevalence rates of suicide ideation, the psychometric properties of the Paykel Suicide Scale (PSS) scores, and the socio-emotional adjustment of adolescents at risk for suicide were analysed. The sample consisted of 1,664 participants (M=16.12 years, SD=1.36, range 14-19 years), selected by stratified sampling by clusters. The instruments used were the PSS, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Children, and the Oviedo Infrequency Scale. The results showed that 4.1% of the sample indicated that they had tried to commit suicide in the previous year. Statistically significant differences were found according to gender but not according to age in the PSS mean scores. The analysis of the internal structure of the PSS showed that the one-dimensional model presented excellent goodness of fit indexes. This model showed measurement invariance across gender. The reliability of the scores, estimated with ordinal alpha, was 0.93. Participants who reported suicide ideation showed poorer mental health status and lower life satisfaction compared to the non-suicide ideation group. Suicidal ideation is present during adolescence and is associated with poor subjective well-being and increased emotional and behavioural problems. PSS seems to show adequate psychometric behaviour to assess suicidal ideation in adolescents. These findings have clear implications, both in health and education systems, to improve the promotion of emotional well-being and prevention of psychological and psychiatric problems in this sector of the population. Copyright © 2017 SEP y SEPB. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Fossil wood from the upper Miocene Mpesida Beds at Cheparain (Baringo District, Kenya): Botanical affinities and palaeoenvironmental implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Franceschi, Dario; Bamford, Marion; Pickford, Martin; Senut, Brigitte

2016-03-01

Seven wood samples from a petrified forest, in situ in ash flow deposits at Cheparain in the Tugen Hills (Kenya) in the Mpesida Beds, were discovered and studied. The age of the Mpesida Formation is estimated to be about 6.3 Ma on the basis of radio-isotope age determinations on the volcanic deposits, which overlie and underlie the sedimentary levels. The wood samples are mineralized with obvious sectors of differential mineralization, and different degrees of silica impregnation. All samples show heteroxylous structures corresponding to angiosperm dicotyledon trees. One sample consists in a half cylinder showing a well preserved mineralized structure of heteroxylous wood and probably corresponds to a fragment of root. This wood, with solitary (or in radial group) vessels, heterocellular multiseriate rays, paratracheal parenchyma in wide bands, and partly storied fusiform cells, clearly shows affinities with the genus Erythrina (Fabaceae). A slightly compressed branch, partly disturbed by injuries and highly mineralized shows solitary (or in short radial group) vessels, the rays uni-(bi) seriate are heterocellular, and the apotracheal parenchyma is in thin tangential bands. The closest affinities are with the genus Spirostachys (Euphorbiaceae). The other structures are poorly preserved (highly mineralized) and precise botanical affinities cannot be accessed. But the growth rings are distinct or diversely marked and the samples show semi-ring porous structures. They exhibit two different patterns. The growth rings reveal the presence of seasonal climate, and numerous injuries, a disturbance of the vegetation by animals and/or strong climatic events. Erythrina and Spirostachys are present in the extant vegetation of the Tana River Valley, in Kenya, which could represent a modern analogue for the vegetation of the Mpesida Beds prior to the major uplift of the Tugen Hills at the end of the Miocene.

Psychometric evaluation of the canine brief pain inventory in a Swedish sample of dogs with pain related to osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Essner, Ann; Zetterberg, Lena; Hellström, Karin; Gustås, Pia; Högberg, Hans; Sjöström, Rita

2017-07-01

To evaluate intervention, implement evidence-based practice and enhance the welfare of dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA), access to valid, reliable and clinically relevant outcome measures is crucial for researchers, veterinarians and rehabilitation practitioners. The objectives of the present study were to translate and evaluate psychometric properties, in terms of internal consistency and construct validity, of the owner-reported measure canine brief pain inventory (CBPI) in a Swedish sample of dogs with pain related to OA. Twenty-one owners of clinically sound dogs and 58 owners of dogs with pain related to OA were included in this observational and cross-sectional study. After being translated according to the guidelines for patient-reported outcome measures, the CBPI was completed by the canine owners. Construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis, by repeating the principal component analysis and by assessing for differences between clinically sound dogs and dogs with pain related to OA. Internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's α. Confirmatory factor analysis was not able to confirm the factor-structure models tested in our sample. Principal component analysis showed a two-component structure, pain severity and pain interference of function. Two components accounted for 76.8% of the total variance, suggesting an acceptable fit of a two-component structure. The ratings from the clinically sound dogs differed from OA dogs and showed significantly lower CBPI total sum. Cronbach's α was 0.94 for the total CBPI, 0.91 for the pain severity and 0.91 for the pain interference of function. The results indicate that the translated version of the CBPI is valid for use in the Swedish language. The findings suggest satisfying psychometric properties in terms of high internal consistencies and ability to discriminate clinically sound dogs from OA dogs. However, based on the confirmatory factor analysis, the original factor structure in the CBPI is not ideally suited to measure pain related to OA in our sample and the hypothesis of the presented two-factor structure was rejected. Further research needs to be conducted to determine whether the original psychometric results from CBPI can be replicated across different target groups and particularly with larger sample size.

Reliability and Validity of Assessing User Satisfaction With Web-Based Health Interventions

PubMed Central

Lehr, Dirk; Reis, Dorota; Vis, Christiaan; Riper, Heleen; Berking, Matthias; Ebert, David Daniel

2016-01-01

Background The perspective of users should be taken into account in the evaluation of Web-based health interventions. Assessing the users’ satisfaction with the intervention they receive could enhance the evidence for the intervention effects. Thus, there is a need for valid and reliable measures to assess satisfaction with Web-based health interventions. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the reliability, factorial structure, and construct validity of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire adapted to Internet-based interventions (CSQ-I). Methods The psychometric quality of the CSQ-I was analyzed in user samples from 2 separate randomized controlled trials evaluating Web-based health interventions, one from a depression prevention intervention (sample 1, N=174) and the other from a stress management intervention (sample 2, N=111). At first, the underlying measurement model of the CSQ-I was analyzed to determine the internal consistency. The factorial structure of the scale and the measurement invariance across groups were tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. Additionally, the construct validity of the scale was examined by comparing satisfaction scores with the primary clinical outcome. Results Multigroup confirmatory analyses on the scale yielded a one-factorial structure with a good fit (root-mean-square error of approximation =.09, comparative fit index =.96, standardized root-mean-square residual =.05) that showed partial strong invariance across the 2 samples. The scale showed very good reliability, indicated by McDonald omegas of .95 in sample 1 and .93 in sample 2. Significant correlations with change in depressive symptoms (r=−.35, P<.001) and perceived stress (r=−.48, P<.001) demonstrated the construct validity of the scale. Conclusions The proven internal consistency, factorial structure, and construct validity of the CSQ-I indicate a good overall psychometric quality of the measure to assess the user’s general satisfaction with Web-based interventions for depression and stress management. Multigroup analyses indicate its robustness across different samples. Thus, the CSQ-I seems to be a suitable measure to consider the user’s perspective in the overall evaluation of Web-based health interventions. PMID:27582341

Reliability and Validity of Assessing User Satisfaction With Web-Based Health Interventions.

PubMed

Boß, Leif; Lehr, Dirk; Reis, Dorota; Vis, Christiaan; Riper, Heleen; Berking, Matthias; Ebert, David Daniel

2016-08-31

The perspective of users should be taken into account in the evaluation of Web-based health interventions. Assessing the users' satisfaction with the intervention they receive could enhance the evidence for the intervention effects. Thus, there is a need for valid and reliable measures to assess satisfaction with Web-based health interventions. The objective of this study was to analyze the reliability, factorial structure, and construct validity of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire adapted to Internet-based interventions (CSQ-I). The psychometric quality of the CSQ-I was analyzed in user samples from 2 separate randomized controlled trials evaluating Web-based health interventions, one from a depression prevention intervention (sample 1, N=174) and the other from a stress management intervention (sample 2, N=111). At first, the underlying measurement model of the CSQ-I was analyzed to determine the internal consistency. The factorial structure of the scale and the measurement invariance across groups were tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. Additionally, the construct validity of the scale was examined by comparing satisfaction scores with the primary clinical outcome. Multigroup confirmatory analyses on the scale yielded a one-factorial structure with a good fit (root-mean-square error of approximation =.09, comparative fit index =.96, standardized root-mean-square residual =.05) that showed partial strong invariance across the 2 samples. The scale showed very good reliability, indicated by McDonald omegas of .95 in sample 1 and .93 in sample 2. Significant correlations with change in depressive symptoms (r=-.35, P<.001) and perceived stress (r=-.48, P<.001) demonstrated the construct validity of the scale. The proven internal consistency, factorial structure, and construct validity of the CSQ-I indicate a good overall psychometric quality of the measure to assess the user's general satisfaction with Web-based interventions for depression and stress management. Multigroup analyses indicate its robustness across different samples. Thus, the CSQ-I seems to be a suitable measure to consider the user's perspective in the overall evaluation of Web-based health interventions.

THE SPLASH SURVEY: SPECTROSCOPY OF 15 M31 DWARF SPHEROIDAL SATELLITE GALAXIES

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

Tollerud, Erik J.; Bullock, James S.; Yniguez, Basilio

2012-06-10

We present a resolved star spectroscopic survey of 15 dwarf spheroidal (dSph) satellites of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). We filter foreground contamination from Milky Way (MW) stars, noting that MW substructure is evident in this contaminant sample. We also filter M31 halo field giant stars and identify the remainder as probable dSph members. We then use these members to determine the kinematical properties of the dSphs. For the first time, we confirm that And XVIII, XXI, and XXII show kinematics consistent with bound, dark-matter-dominated galaxies. From the velocity dispersions for the full sample of dSphs we determine masses, which wemore » combine with the size and luminosity of the galaxies to produce mass-size-luminosity scaling relations. With these scalings we determine that the M31 dSphs are fully consistent with the MW dSphs, suggesting that the well-studied MW satellite population provides a fair sample for broader conclusions. We also estimate dark matter halo masses of the satellites and find that there is no sign that the luminosity of these galaxies depends on their dark halo mass, a result consistent with what is seen for MW dwarfs. Two of the M31 dSphs (And XV, XVI) have estimated maximum circular velocities smaller than 12 km s{sup -1} (to 1{sigma}), which likely places them within the lowest-mass dark matter halos known to host stars (along with Booetes I of the MW). Finally, we use the systemic velocities of the M31 satellites to estimate the mass of the M31 halo, obtaining a virial mass consistent with previous results.« less

Examination of the inventory of drug use consequences with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

PubMed

Bennett, Melanie E; Nidecker, Melissa; Strong Kinnaman, Joanna E; Li, Lan; Bellack, Alan S

2009-01-01

The Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (InDUC) ( [1] ) is a 50-item measure that evaluates lifetime and recent consequences of substance use. This study examined the psychometric properties of a modified version of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (InDUC-M) in individuals with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs). We examined self-reported consequences in the sample, evaluated internal consistency, identified items for a brief form of the InDUC-M, and explored relationships with indicators of substance use severity. InDUC-M Lifetime and Recent subscales showed good internal consistency and were related to other measures of substance use and problems. A brief version of the InDUC-M Recent (SIP-M) showed excellent internal consistency and was highly correlated with both Lifetime and Recent subscales. The InDUC-M and the SIP-M performed well in individuals with SPMI and SUDs. Overall, these findings are a useful first step in determining the utility of the InDUC-M in people with SPMI and SUDs.

Actors, observers, and causal attributions of homelessness: Differences in attribution for the causes of homelessness among domiciled and homeless people in Madrid (Spain).

PubMed

Vázquez, José Juan; Panadero, Sonia; Zúñiga, Claudia

2017-01-01

The study analyzes the differences in causal attributions of homelessness and attributions of responsibility among the members of 3 groups: homeless group, consisting of a representative sample of homeless people in Madrid, Spain (n = 188); domiciled service-users group, consisting of people at risk of homelessness (n = 164); and domiciled nonservice-users group, consisting of people at no imminent risk of homelessness (n = 180). The domiciled service-users group and domiciled nonservice-users group were matched to the homeless group or sex, age, and nationality. The article also analyzes homeless people's causal attributions as regards their own situation. The results show that compared with the domiciled nonservice-users group, a higher percentage of members of the homeless group and domiciled service-users group attributed homelessness to individualistic causes and they blamed homeless people for their situation to a greater extent. The results also show that there was no "actor-observer bias" in causal attributions for homelessness in Madrid. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

75 FR 26780 - State Median Income Estimate for a Four-Person Family: Notice of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-12

... Household Economic Statistics Division at (301) 763-3243. Under the advice of the Census Bureau, HHS..., which consists of the error that arises from the use of probability sampling to create the sample. For...) Sampling Error, which consists of the error that arises from the use of probability sampling to create the...

Effect of dental restorative materials on total antioxidant capacity and calcium concentration of unstimulated saliva.

PubMed

Ramezani, Gholam H; Moghadam, Mona-Momeni; Saghiri, Mohammad-Ali; Garcia-Godoy, Franklin; Asatourian, Armen; Aminsobhani, Mohsen; Scarbecz, Mark; Sheibani, Nader

2017-01-01

To evaluate the effect of dental amalgam and composite restorations on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and calcium (Ca) ion concentration of unstimulated saliva. Forty-eight children aged 6-10 years selected and divided into three groups of sixteen (8 males, 8 females). In group A and B, samples consisted of two class II dental composite or amalgam restorations, while in group C samples were caries-free (control group). Unstimulated saliva from all samples was collected and TAC was measured by spectrophotometry using an adaptation of 2, 2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) assay. The Ca ion level was estimated by an auto- analyzer. Data were analyzed with one- and two-way ANOVA test, at a p <.05 level of significance. Composite samples showed significantly higher TAC and lower Ca ion levels compared to amalgam and caries-free samples ( p <.05). The TAC values showed only significant difference between groups ( p <.05), while the Ca ion results showed significant differences within and between groups ( p <.05). Dental composite restorations increased TAC and decreased Ca ion levels more than amalgam restorations in saliva. Gender is an effective factor in changes induced in oral cavity as females showed more emphatic reaction to dental filling materials than males. Patients who have dental restorations, especially dental composites, should pay more attention to their dental hygiene, because dental restorations can increase oxidative stress and decrease Ca ion level in saliva, which might jeopardize remineralization process of tooth structures after demineralization. Key words: Amalgam, caries, composite, saliva, total antioxidant capacity.

Consistency argued students of fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viyanti; Cari; Suparmi; Winarti; Slamet Budiarti, Indah; Handika, Jeffry; Widyastuti, Fatma

2017-01-01

Problem solving for physics concepts through consistency arguments can improve thinking skills of students and it is an important thing in science. The study aims to assess the consistency of the material Fluid student argmentation. The population of this study are College students PGRI Madiun, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and Lampung University. Samples using cluster random sampling, 145 samples obtained by the number of students. The study used a descriptive survey method. Data obtained through multiple-choice test and interview reasoned. Problem fluid modified from [9] and [1]. The results of the study gained an average consistency argmentation for the right consistency, consistency is wrong, and inconsistent respectively 4.85%; 29.93%; and 65.23%. Data from the study have an impact on the lack of understanding of the fluid material which is ideally in full consistency argued affect the expansion of understanding of the concept. The results of the study as a reference in making improvements in future studies is to obtain a positive change in the consistency of argumentations.

An effective diagnostic strategy for accurate detection of RhD variants including Asian DEL type in apparently RhD-negative blood donors in Korea.

PubMed

Seo, M H; Won, E J; Hong, Y J; Chun, S; Kwon, J R; Choi, Y S; Kim, J N; Lee, S A; Lim, A H; Kim, S H; Park, K U; Cho, D

2016-11-01

The purpose of this study was to provide an effective RHD genotyping strategy for the East Asian blood donors. RhD phenotyping, weak D testing and RhCE phenotyping were performed on 110 samples from members of the RhD-negative club, private organization composed of RhD-negative blood donors, in the GwangJu-Chonnam region of Korea. The RHD promoter, intron 4, and exons 7 and 10 were analysed by real-time PCR. Two nucleotide changes (c.1227 G>A, and c.1222 T>C) in exon 9 were analysed by sequencing. Of 110 RhD-negative club members, 79 (71·8%) showed complete deletion of the RHD gene, 10 (9·1%) showed results consistent with RHD-CE-D hybrid, and 21 (19·1%) showed amplification of RHD promoter, intron 4, and exons 7 and 10. Of the latter group, 16 (14·5%) were in the DEL blood group including c.1227 G>A (N = 14) and c.1222 T>C (N = 2), 2 (1·8%) were weak D, 1(0·9%) was partial D, and 2 (1·8%) were undetermined. The RhD-negative phenotype samples consisted of 58 C-E-c+e+, 19 C-E+c+e+, 3 C-E+c+e-, 21 C+E-c+e-, 6 C+E-c+e+ and 3 C+E-c-e + . Notably, all 58 samples with the C-E-c+e+ phenotype were revealed to have complete deletion of the RHD gene. The C-E-c+e+ phenotype showed 100% positive predictive value for detecting D-negative cases. RHD genotyping is not required in half of D-negative cases. We suggest here an effective RHD genotyping strategy for accurate detection of RhD variants in apparently RhD-negative blood donors in East Asia. © 2016 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Water- and air-quality and surficial bed-sediment monitoring of the Sweetwater Reservoir watershed, San Diego County, California, 2003-09

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mendez, Gregory O.; Majewski, Michael S.; Foreman, William T.; Morita, Andrew Y.

2015-01-01

Sampling results show concentrations of the gasoline oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether in water and air samples declined after it was phased out by the State of California in January 2004. The largest concentrations of gasoline hydrocarbons benzene and toluene in water were detected at or near the surface of the SWR. Isophorone and phenol were the two most frequently detected BNA compounds in water. Diuron, prometon, and simazine were the most frequently detected pesticide compounds in water. Concentrations of benzene and toluene in air samples were highest during the cooler months and had a consistent seasonal pattern over time. Ten PAH compounds were detected frequently in air samples. Twelve pesticide compounds were also detected in air samples. Surficial bed-sediment samples were analyzed for 53 PAHs; 22 of the compounds had one or more detections. Surficial bed-sediment samples were analyzed for 22 organic compounds; only 6 compounds had one or more detections. Surficial bed-sediment samples were analyzed for 37 metals.

Experimental study on the influence of slickwater on shale permeability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhonghua; Bai, Baojun; Zhang, Zheyu; Tang, Jing; Zeng, Shunpeng; Li, Xiaogang

2018-02-01

There are two diametrically opposite views of the influence of slickwater on shale permeability among scholars at home and abroad. We used the shale outcrops rock samples from the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin. The permeability of these dry samples before and after immersion in different solution systems were tested by pulse attenuation method. The experimental results show that the impregnation of different slickwater components and standard salt solution can promote the increase of the permeability of shale samples. The stress sensitivity of shale samples after liquid immersion is medium weak to weak. The sample stress sensitivity is weak after soaked by the synergist solution and Drag reducing agent solution, and the sensitivity of the sample stress is medium weak after immersed by the standard saline solution, defoamer solution and antiswelling solution; The Ki/K0 of the shale sample after liquid immersion on σi/σ0 is consistent with the exponential stress sensitive evaluation model. With the increase of soaking time, the increase of sample permeability increases first and then decreases.

Coastal wave measurements during passage of tropical storm Amy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, W. D.

1977-01-01

Aerial photographic and laser profilometer data of waves generated by tropical storm Amy are presented. The data mission consisted primarily of two legs, one in the direction of the wind waves, and the second along the direction of swell propagation, using Jennette's Pier at Nags Head, North Carolina, as a focal point. At flight time, Amy's center was 512 nmi from shore and had maximum winds of 60 knots. The storm's history is presented, along with a satellite photograph, showing the extent of the storm on the day of the flight. Flight ground tracks are presented along with sample aerial photographs of the wave conditions showing approximate wavelength and direction. Sample wave energy spectra are presented both from the laser profilometer onboard the aircraft, and from the Corps of Engineers Research Center (CERC) shore gauge at Nags Head, North Carolina.

The nature and nurture of high IQ: An extended sensitive period for intellectual development

PubMed Central

Brant, Angela M; Munakata, Yuko; Boomsma, Dorret I; DeFries, John C; Haworth, Claire MA; Keller, Matthew C; Martin, Nicholas G; McGue, Matthew; Petrill, Stephen A; Plomin, Robert; Wadsworth, Sally J; Wright, Margaret J; Hewitt, John K

2015-01-01

IQ predicts many measures of life success, as well as trajectories of brain development. Prolonged cortical thickening observed in individuals with higher IQ might reflect an extended period of synaptogenesis and high environmental sensitivity or plasticity. We tested this hypothesis by examining the timing of changes in the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on IQ as a function of IQ score. We find that individuals with higher IQ show high environmental influence on IQ into adolescence (resembling younger children), whereas individuals with lower IQ show high heritability of IQ in adolescence (resembling adults), consistent with an extended sensitive period for intellectual development in more intelligent individuals. These patterns hold across a cross-sectional sample of almost 11,000 twin pairs, and a longitudinal sample of twins, biological siblings, and adoptive siblings. PMID:23818653

The nature and nurture of high IQ: an extended sensitive period for intellectual development.

PubMed

Brant, Angela M; Munakata, Yuko; Boomsma, Dorret I; Defries, John C; Haworth, Claire M A; Keller, Matthew C; Martin, Nicholas G; McGue, Matthew; Petrill, Stephen A; Plomin, Robert; Wadsworth, Sally J; Wright, Margaret J; Hewitt, John K

2013-08-01

IQ predicts many measures of life success, as well as trajectories of brain development. Prolonged cortical thickening observed in individuals with high IQ might reflect an extended period of synaptogenesis and high environmental sensitivity or plasticity. We tested this hypothesis by examining the timing of changes in the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on IQ as a function of IQ score. We found that individuals with high IQ show high environmental influence on IQ into adolescence (resembling younger children), whereas individuals with low IQ show high heritability of IQ in adolescence (resembling adults), a pattern consistent with an extended sensitive period for intellectual development in more-intelligent individuals. The pattern held across a cross-sectional sample of almost 11,000 twin pairs and a longitudinal sample of twins, biological siblings, and adoptive siblings.

Evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention intervention messages on a rural sam- ple of South African youth's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours over a period of 15 months.

PubMed

Peltzer, Karl; Seoka, Phillip

2004-10-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate HIV/AIDS prevention intervention messages in a large rural youth population (15-24 years) in South Africa over a period of 15 months. A representative community sample of 421 youth at time one and 416 at time two participated in the study using a three-stage cluster sampling method for a household survey. Results show that over a period of 15 months sexual risk behaviour reduced (multiple partners) and the number of sexually transmitted symptoms reduced. Attitudes towards persons living with HIV/AIDS improved partly due to mass media and to a lesser extent through community interventions and partly determined by the high level of mortality experienced in the studied communities. Peer educators had a significant impact on HIV/AIDS knowledge and favourable attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS, magazines on lower HIV risk behaviour and exposure to HIV/AIDS radio messages on consistent condom use. In this African sample of youth the reduction of sexual partners seem to be more feasible than (consistent) condom use to prevent STD and HIV infection.

Development of a measure of the experience of being bullied in youth.

PubMed

Hunt, Caroline; Peters, Lorna; Rapee, Ronald M

2012-03-01

The Personal Experiences Checklist (PECK) was developed to provide a multidimensional assessment of a young person's personal experience of being bullied that covered the full range of bullying behaviors, including covert relational forms of bullying and cyber bullying. A sample of 647 school children were used to develop the scale, and a 2nd sample of 218 children completed the PECK and a battery of measures of bullying (including peer nomination), anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, to provide validity evidence. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a further sample of 78 students. Four factors emerged from a principal axis factoring consistent with the domains of relational-verbal bullying, cyber bullying, physical bullying, and bullying based on culture and were confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. The data also supported a higher order bullying factor with direct effects on these 4 factors. All PECK scales showed good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α range = .78-.91) and adequate test-retest reliability (range r = .61-.86). Most, but not all, expected relations were found with alternative methods of assessing bullying and measures of psychopathology. Taken together, the PECK provides a promising comprehensive and behaviorally focused dimensional measure of bullying.

Phase retrieval on broadband and under-sampled images for the JWST testbed telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, J. Scott; Aronstein, David L.; Dean, Bruce H.; Acton, D. Scott

2009-08-01

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) consists of an optical telescope element (OTE) that sends light to five science instruments. The initial steps for commissioning the telescope are performed with the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument, but low-order optical aberrations in the remaining science instruments must be determined (using phase retrieval) in order to ensure good performance across the entire field of view. These remaining instruments were designed to collect science data, and not to serve as wavefront sensors. Thus, the science cameras are not ideal phase-retrieval imagers for several reasons: they record under-sampled data and have a limited range of diversity defocus, and only one instrument has an internal, narrowband filter. To address these issues, we developed the capability of sensing these aberrations using an extension of image-based iterative-transform phase retrieval called Variable Sampling Mapping (VSM). The results show that VSM-based phase retrieval is capable of sensing low-order aberrations to a few nm RMS from images that are consistent with the non-ideal conditions expected during JWST multi-field commissioning. The algorithm is validated using data collected from the JWST Testbed Telescope (TBT).

Cation solvation with quantum chemical effects modeled by a size-consistent multi-partitioning quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method.

PubMed

Watanabe, Hiroshi C; Kubillus, Maximilian; Kubař, Tomáš; Stach, Robert; Mizaikoff, Boris; Ishikita, Hiroshi

2017-07-21

In the condensed phase, quantum chemical properties such as many-body effects and intermolecular charge fluctuations are critical determinants of the solvation structure and dynamics. Thus, a quantum mechanical (QM) molecular description is required for both solute and solvent to incorporate these properties. However, it is challenging to conduct molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for condensed systems of sufficient scale when adapting QM potentials. To overcome this problem, we recently developed the size-consistent multi-partitioning (SCMP) quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method and realized stable and accurate MD simulations, using the QM potential to a benchmark system. In the present study, as the first application of the SCMP method, we have investigated the structures and dynamics of Na + , K + , and Ca 2+ solutions based on nanosecond-scale sampling, a sampling 100-times longer than that of conventional QM-based samplings. Furthermore, we have evaluated two dynamic properties, the diffusion coefficient and difference spectra, with high statistical certainty. Furthermore the calculation of these properties has not previously been possible within the conventional QM/MM framework. Based on our analysis, we have quantitatively evaluated the quantum chemical solvation effects, which show distinct differences between the cations.

Farsi version of social skills rating system-secondary student form: cultural adaptation, reliability and construct validity.

PubMed

Eslami, Ahmad Ali; Amidi Mazaheri, Maryam; Mostafavi, Firoozeh; Abbasi, Mohamad Hadi; Noroozi, Ensieh

2014-01-01

Assessment of social skills is a necessary requirement to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral interventions. This paper reports the cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the social skills rating system-secondary students form (SSRS-SS) questionnaire (Gresham and Elliot, 1990), in a normative sample of secondary school students. A two-phase design was used that phase 1 consisted of the linguistic adaptation and in phase 2, using cross-sectional sample survey data, the construct validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the SSRS-SS were examined in a sample of 724 adolescents aged from 13 to 19 years. Content validity index was excellent, and the floor/ceiling effects were low. After deleting five of the original SSRS-SS items, the findings gave support for the item convergent and divergent validity. Factor analysis revealed four subscales. RESULTS showed good internal consistency (0.89) and temporal stability (0.91) for the total scale score. Findings demonstrated support for the use of the 27-item Farsi version in the school setting. Directions for future research regarding the applicability of the scale in other settings and populations of adolescents are discussed.

Probability machines: consistent probability estimation using nonparametric learning machines.

PubMed

Malley, J D; Kruppa, J; Dasgupta, A; Malley, K G; Ziegler, A

2012-01-01

Most machine learning approaches only provide a classification for binary responses. However, probabilities are required for risk estimation using individual patient characteristics. It has been shown recently that every statistical learning machine known to be consistent for a nonparametric regression problem is a probability machine that is provably consistent for this estimation problem. The aim of this paper is to show how random forests and nearest neighbors can be used for consistent estimation of individual probabilities. Two random forest algorithms and two nearest neighbor algorithms are described in detail for estimation of individual probabilities. We discuss the consistency of random forests, nearest neighbors and other learning machines in detail. We conduct a simulation study to illustrate the validity of the methods. We exemplify the algorithms by analyzing two well-known data sets on the diagnosis of appendicitis and the diagnosis of diabetes in Pima Indians. Simulations demonstrate the validity of the method. With the real data application, we show the accuracy and practicality of this approach. We provide sample code from R packages in which the probability estimation is already available. This means that all calculations can be performed using existing software. Random forest algorithms as well as nearest neighbor approaches are valid machine learning methods for estimating individual probabilities for binary responses. Freely available implementations are available in R and may be used for applications.

Comparison of using polyurethane foam passive samplers and tree bark samples from Western China to determine atmospheric organochlorine pesticide.

PubMed

Li, Qiuxu; Lu, Yao; Jin, Jun; Li, Guangyao; Li, Peng; He, Chang; Wang, Ying

2016-03-01

Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers were deployed and tree bark samples were collected at 15 sites across western China in 2013, and the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) concentrations in the samples were determined. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its degradation products (collectively called DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were the dominant OCPs in the PUF samples and tree bark samples. The mean DDTs, HCHs and HCB concentrations were 33, 22 and 18ng/sample in the PUF samples, and 428, 74, and 43ng/(g lipid weight (lw)) in the tree bark, respectively. The OCP concentrations in the air, calculated using PUF-air and tree-bark-air partitioning models, were of the same order of magnitude. Both sample types showed that relatively fresh inputs of DDT and HCHs to the environment have occurred in western China. Meanwhile, PUF passive samplers were compared with the use of tree bark samples as passive samplers. The OCP compositions in the PUF and tree bark samples were different. Only the relatively stable OCPs (such as HCB, β-HCH and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE)) were consistent in the PUF and tree bark samples. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Design unbiased estimation in line intersect sampling using segmented transects

Treesearch

David L.R. Affleck; Timothy G. Gregoire; Harry T. Valentine; Harry T. Valentine

2005-01-01

In many applications of line intersect sampling. transects consist of multiple, connected segments in a prescribed configuration. The relationship between the transect configuration and the selection probability of a population element is illustrated and a consistent sampling protocol, applicable to populations composed of arbitrarily shaped elements, is proposed. It...

Across North America tracer experiment (ANATEX): Sampling and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draxler, R. R.; Dietz, R.; Lagomarsino, R. J.; Start, G.

Between 5 January 1987 and 29 March 1987, there were 33 releases of different tracers from each of two sites: Glasgow, MT and St. Cloud, MN. The perfluorocarbon tracers were routinely released in a 3-h period every 2.5 days, alternating between daytime and night-time tracer releases. Ground-level air samples of 24-h duration were taken at 77 sites mostly located near rawinsonde stations east of 105°W and between 26°N and 55°N. Weekly air samples were taken at 12 remote sites between San Diego, CA and Pt. Barrow, AK and between Norway and the Canary Islands. Short-term 6-h samples were collected at ground level and 200 m AGL along an arc of five towers between Tulsa, OK and Green Bay, WI. Aircraft sampling within several hundred kilometers of both tracer release sites was used to establish the initial tracer path. Experimental design required improved sampler performance, new tracers with lower atmospheric backgrounds, and improvements in analytic precision. The advances to the perfluorocarbon tracer system are discussed in detail. Results from the tracer sampling showed that the average and peak concentrations measured over the daily ground-level sampling network were consistent with what would be calculated using mass conservative approaches. however, ground-level samples from individual tracer patterns showed considerable complexity due to vertical stability or the interaction of the tracer plumes with low pressure and frontal systems. These systems could pass right through the tracer plume without appreciable effect. Aircraft tracer measurements are used to confirm the initial tracer trajectory when the narrow plume may miss the coarser spaced ground-level sampling network. Tower tracer measurements showed a more complex temporal structure than evident from the longer duration ground-level sampling sites. Few above background plume measurements were evident in the more distant remote sampling network due to larger than expected uncertainties in the ambient background concentrations.

Psychometric properties of the Thought-Action Fusion Scale in a Turkish sample.

PubMed

Yorulmaz, Orçun; Yilmaz, A Esin; Gençöz, Tülin

2004-10-01

The aim of the present study was to reveal the cross-cultural utility of the Thought-Action Fusion Scale (TAFS; J. Anxiety Disord. 10 (1996) 379). Thought-action fusion (TAF) refers to the tendency to overvalue the significance and the consequences of thoughts. Two hundred and fifty one undergraduate Turkish students participated in the current study. The reliability and validity analyses of the Turkish version of the scale indicated that the TAFS had adequate psychometric properties in a Turkish sample. Consistent with the original TAF, the Turkish version of TAFS revealed two subscales as TAF-Likelihood and TAF-Morality. Reliability analysis showed that TAF Scale and its factors had adequate internal consistencies and split-half reliability coefficients. Confirming the expectations, TAFS scores were found to be significantly and positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, responsibility, and guilt measures. Moreover, it was found that people with high obsessive-compulsive symptoms had higher TAFS scores than those with low symptoms.

[French scale validation of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire three months after birth].

PubMed

Lacombe, Marie; Delmas, Philippe; Carrier, Nathalie; Rabillon, Florence; Couture, Marie-Estelle

2015-06-01

Breastfeeding is recognize to be the perfect food of mother and child's health. The child's temperament is one of the factors that may explain pursuing the breastfeeding. Few instruments are available in French to measure this factor. The objective of the study is to present and validate the French translation of the scale "Infant Behavior Questionnaire" (IBQ). The sample consists of 193 primaparous or multiparous women who gave birth in a maternity in Paris. The child's temperament questionnaire was sent by mail three months after the birth. The same questionnaire was sent to a sub-sample of 30 women 15 days later. Analyses were conducted to assess the temporal stability, internal consistency, construct validity and predictive. The different results tend to show a compliant validity to the french scale version. This first IBQ French-language validation is worth pursuing in order to confirm the scale factor structure and participate to studies supporting mothers in their breastfeeding project.

Reliability of the detailed assessment of speed of handwriting on Flemish children.

PubMed

Simons, Johan; Probst, Michel

2014-01-01

This study evaluates the reliability of the Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) in a Dutch-speaking sample of children. The sample included 650 boys and 513 girls (age range = 9-16 years). Handwriting speed measurements were obtained using the DASH. Interrater agreement, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency were calculated; gender and age effects were analyzed. Interrater agreement shows excellent reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients of at least 0.94. Test-retest correlations ranged from r = 0.65 to r = 0.81. The internal consistency measures, calculated with Cronbach's alpha, were between 0.88 and 0.94. Both gender and age have a significant effect on handwriting speed, with F (7.1144) = 17.43 (P < .001) for gender and F (7.1144) = 21.8 (P < .001) for age. The DASH is a reliable assessment tool to evaluate handwriting speed of Dutch-speaking children. There is a tendency of girls to write faster than boys.

A Comparison of Three Different Scoring Methods for Self-Report Measures of Psychological Aggression in a Sample of College Females

PubMed Central

Shorey, Ryan C.; Brasfield, Hope; Febres, Jeniimarie; Cornelius, Tara L.; Stuart, Gregory L.

2012-01-01

Psychological aggression in females’ dating relationships has received increased empirical attention in recent years. However, researchers have used numerous measures of psychological aggression, and various scoring methods with these measures, making it difficult to compare across studies on psychological aggression. In addition, research has yet to examine whether different scoring methods for psychological aggression measures may affect the psychometric properties of these instruments. The current study examined three self-report measures of psychological aggression within a sample of female college students (N = 108), including their psychometric properties when scored using frequency, sum, and variety scores. Results showed that the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) had variable internal consistency depending on the scoring method used and good validity; the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) and the Follingstad Psychological Aggression Scale (FPAS) both had good internal consistency and validity across scoring methods. Implications of these findings for the assessment of psychological aggression and future research are discussed. PMID:23393957

A comparison of three different scoring methods for self-report measures of psychological aggression in a sample of college females.

PubMed

Shorey, Ryan C; Brasfield, Hope; Febres, Jeniimarie; Cornelius, Tara L; Stuart, Gregory L

2012-01-01

Psychological aggression in females' dating relationships has received increased empirical attention in recent years. However, researchers' have used numerous measures of psychological aggression and various scoring methods with these measures, making it difficult to compare across studies on psychological aggression. In addition, research has yet to examine whether different scoring methods for psychological aggression measures may affect the psychometric properties of these instruments. This study examined three self-report measures of psychological aggression within a sample of female college students (N = 108), including their psychometric properties when scored using frequency, sum, and variety scores. Results showed that the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) had variable internal consistency depending on the scoring method used and good validity; the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) and the Follingstad Psychological Aggression Scale (FPAS) both had good internal consistency and validity across scoring methods. Implications of these findings for the assessment of psychological aggression and future research are discussed.

Assessing Mindfulness on a Sample of Catalan-Speaking Spanish Adolescents: Validation of the Catalan Version of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure.

PubMed

Viñas, Ferran; Malo, Sara; González, Mònica; Navarro, Dolors; Casas, Ferran

2015-06-22

Interest in mindfulness has increased over the last decade, resulting in several mindfulness-based interventions being developed and their efficacy empirically demonstrated. The practice of mindfulness has been associated with low levels of anxiety or depression and improved quality of life or personal well-being. The aim of this study is to translate the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM) and adapt it to Catalan so as to analyze its internal consistency and construct and convergent validity. The CAMM was administered to a sample of secondary school students ranging in age from 11 to 16 years old. The Catalan version of the CAMM shows a good fit with the unidimensional model and internal consistency similar to the original version (α = .80). Furthermore, CAMM scores correlated positively with subjective well-being, temperamental dimensions of effortful control and self-esteem. The Catalan Version of CAMM is a valid and reliable measure of mindfulness skills.

Effect of Heat Treatment Process on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of a 9% Ni Steel for Large LNG Storage Tanks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J. M.; Li, H.; Yang, F.; Chi, Q.; Ji, L. K.; Feng, Y. R.

2013-12-01

In this paper, two different heat treatment processes of a 9% Ni steel for large liquefied natural gas storage tanks were performed in an industrial heating furnace. The former was a special heat treatment process consisting of quenching and intercritical quenching and tempering (Q-IQ-T). The latter was a heat treatment process only consisting of quenching and tempering. Mechanical properties were measured by tensile testing and charpy impact testing, and the microstructure was analyzed by optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The results showed that outstanding mechanical properties were obtained from the Q-IQ-T process in comparison with the Q-T process, and a cryogenic toughness with charpy impact energy value of 201 J was achieved at 77 K. Microstructure analysis revealed that samples of the Q-IQ-T process had about 9.8% of austenite in needle-like martensite, while samples of the Q-T process only had about 0.9% of austenite retained in tempered martensite.

A discrimination index for selecting markers of tumor growth dynamic across multiple cancer studies with a cure fraction.

PubMed

Rouam, Sigrid; Broët, Philippe

2013-08-01

To identify genomic markers with consistent effect on tumor dynamics across multiple cancer series, discrimination indices based on proportional hazards models can be used since they do not depend heavily on the sample size. However, the underlying assumption of proportionality of the hazards does not always hold, especially when the studied population is a mixture of cured and uncured patients, like in early-stage cancers. We propose a novel index that quantifies the capability of a genomic marker to separate uncured patients, according to their time-to-event outcomes. It allows to identify genomic markers characterizing tumor growth dynamic across multiple studies. Simulation results show that our index performs better than classical indices based on the Cox model. It is neither affected by the sample size nor the cure rate fraction. In a cross-study of early-stage breast cancers, the index allows to select genomic markers with a potential consistent effect on tumor growth dynamics. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and functions of non-suicidal self-injury in Spanish adolescents.

PubMed

Calvete, Esther; Orue, Izaskun; Aizpuru, Leire; Brotherton, Hardin

2015-01-01

This study examined the prevalence, characteristics and functions of Non-suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) among Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of 1,864 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years (Mean Age = 15.32, SD = 1.97, 51.45% girls). The participants completed a modified version of the self-report scale Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM; Lloyd, Kelley, & Hope, 1997) to assess rates and methods of NSSI used during the last 12 months. They also indicated the functions of NSSI. NSSI behaviors are common among Spanish adolescents. More than half of the sample showed such behavior in the past year, and 32.2% had carried out severe NSSI behaviors. The functions of NSSI were examined by using confirmatory factor analyses. Results supported a hierarchical model consisting of two second-order factors: automatic reinforcement, which explained both positive and negative automatic reinforcement, and social reinforcement, which explained both positive and negative social reinforcement. These dimensions are critical to understand the factors that maintain NSSI behavior and have implications for treatments.

Robust estimation for partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates

PubMed Central

Zhu, LiPing; Li, RunZe; Cui, HengJian

2014-01-01

We are concerned with robust estimation procedures to estimate the parameters in partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates. To enhance the interpretability, we suggest implementing a noncon-cave regularization method in the robust estimation procedure to select important covariates from the linear component. We establish the consistency for both the linear and the nonlinear components when the covariate dimension diverges at the rate of o(n), where n is the sample size. We show that the robust estimate of linear component performs asymptotically as well as its oracle counterpart which assumes the baseline function and the unimportant covariates were known a priori. With a consistent estimator of the linear component, we estimate the nonparametric component by a robust local linear regression. It is proved that the robust estimate of nonlinear component performs asymptotically as well as if the linear component were known in advance. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and an application is presented to examine the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedures. PMID:24955087

Conodont (U Th)/He thermochronology: Initial results, potential, and problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peppe, Daniel J.; Reiners, Peter W.

2007-06-01

We performed He diffusion experiments and (U-Th)/He age determinations on conodonts from a variety of locations to explore the potential of conodont (U-Th)/He thermochronology to constrain thermal and exhumation histories of some sedimentary-rock dominated terrains. Based on two diffusion experiments and age results from some specimens, He diffusion in conodont elements appears to be similar to that in Durango apatite fragments of similar size, and closure temperatures are approximately 60-70 °C (for cooling rates of ˜ 10 °C/m.y.). (U-Th)/He ages of conodonts from some locations yield reproducible ages consistent with regional thermal history constraints and, in at least two cases, require a closure temperature lower than ˜ 80 °C. Other samples however, yield irreproducible ages, and in one case yield ages much younger than expected based on regional geologic considerations. These irreproducible samples show inverse correlations between parent nuclides and age consistent with late-stage open-system U-Th behavior.

Win-Stay, Lose-Sample: a simple sequential algorithm for approximating Bayesian inference.

PubMed

Bonawitz, Elizabeth; Denison, Stephanie; Gopnik, Alison; Griffiths, Thomas L

2014-11-01

People can behave in a way that is consistent with Bayesian models of cognition, despite the fact that performing exact Bayesian inference is computationally challenging. What algorithms could people be using to make this possible? We show that a simple sequential algorithm "Win-Stay, Lose-Sample", inspired by the Win-Stay, Lose-Shift (WSLS) principle, can be used to approximate Bayesian inference. We investigate the behavior of adults and preschoolers on two causal learning tasks to test whether people might use a similar algorithm. These studies use a "mini-microgenetic method", investigating how people sequentially update their beliefs as they encounter new evidence. Experiment 1 investigates a deterministic causal learning scenario and Experiments 2 and 3 examine how people make inferences in a stochastic scenario. The behavior of adults and preschoolers in these experiments is consistent with our Bayesian version of the WSLS principle. This algorithm provides both a practical method for performing Bayesian inference and a new way to understand people's judgments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Robust estimation for partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates.

PubMed

Zhu, LiPing; Li, RunZe; Cui, HengJian

2013-10-01

We are concerned with robust estimation procedures to estimate the parameters in partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates. To enhance the interpretability, we suggest implementing a noncon-cave regularization method in the robust estimation procedure to select important covariates from the linear component. We establish the consistency for both the linear and the nonlinear components when the covariate dimension diverges at the rate of [Formula: see text], where n is the sample size. We show that the robust estimate of linear component performs asymptotically as well as its oracle counterpart which assumes the baseline function and the unimportant covariates were known a priori. With a consistent estimator of the linear component, we estimate the nonparametric component by a robust local linear regression. It is proved that the robust estimate of nonlinear component performs asymptotically as well as if the linear component were known in advance. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and an application is presented to examine the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedures.

Derivation and Applicability of Asymptotic Results for Multiple Subtests Person-Fit Statistics

PubMed Central

Albers, Casper J.; Meijer, Rob R.; Tendeiro, Jorge N.

2016-01-01

In high-stakes testing, it is important to check the validity of individual test scores. Although a test may, in general, result in valid test scores for most test takers, for some test takers, test scores may not provide a good description of a test taker’s proficiency level. Person-fit statistics have been proposed to check the validity of individual test scores. In this study, the theoretical asymptotic sampling distribution of two person-fit statistics that can be used for tests that consist of multiple subtests is first discussed. Second, simulation study was conducted to investigate the applicability of this asymptotic theory for tests of finite length, in which the correlation between subtests and number of items in the subtests was varied. The authors showed that these distributions provide reasonable approximations, even for tests consisting of subtests of only 10 items each. These results have practical value because researchers do not have to rely on extensive simulation studies to simulate sampling distributions. PMID:29881053

Magnetic glass-film based on single-nanosize 𝜺 -Fe2O3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshikiyo, Marie; Namai, Asuka; Nakagawa, Kosuke; Ohkoshi, Shin-ichi

2017-05-01

We report a magnetic thin film of single-nanosize ɛ-Fe2O3 in SiO2 matrix. The glass-film was prepared by sintering a silica coated iron oxide hydroxide on a quartz substrate in air. The glass-film consists of ɛ-Fe2O3 of 8.8 nm size, and its thickness was 570 nm (0.57 μm) with a roughness of 10 nm (0.01 μm). UV-vis spectrum showed that the glass-film has small absorbance of 0.043 at 500 nm. The magneto-optical effect was investigated, and Faraday ellipticity showed a magnetic hysteresis loop with a coercive field of 3.0 ± 0.2 kOe. Furthermore, single-nanosize ɛ-Fe2O3 without silica was prepared as a reference sample, and ferroelectricity was observed. Therefore, the present thin glass-film consists of single-nanosize ferroelectric-ferromagnetic nanoparticles.

Daily Sampling of an HIV-1 Patient with Slowly Progressing Disease Displays Persistence of Multiple env Subpopulations Consistent with Neutrality

PubMed Central

Wilbe Ramsay, Karin; Alaeus, Annette; Albert, Jan; Leitner, Thomas

2011-01-01

The molecular evolution of HIV-1 is characterized by frequent substitutions, indels and recombination events. In addition, a HIV-1 population may adapt through frequency changes of its variants. To reveal such population dynamics we analyzed HIV-1 subpopulation frequencies in an untreated patient with stable, low plasma HIV-1 RNA levels and close to normal CD4+ T-cell levels. The patient was intensively sampled during a 32-day period as well as approximately 1.5 years before and after this period (days −664, 1, 2, 3, 11, 18, 25, 32 and 522). 77 sequences of HIV-1 env (approximately 3100 nucleotides) were obtained from plasma by limiting dilution with 7–11 sequences per time point, except day −664. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood methods showed that the sequences clustered in six distinct subpopulations. We devised a method that took into account the relatively coarse sampling of the population. Data from days 1 through 32 were consistent with constant within-patient subpopulation frequencies. However, over longer time periods, i.e. between days 1…32 and 522, there were significant changes in subpopulation frequencies, which were consistent with evolutionarily neutral fluctuations. We found no clear signal of natural selection within the subpopulations over the study period, but positive selection was evident on the long branches that connected the subpopulations, which corresponds to >3 years as the subpopulations already were established when we started the study. Thus, selective forces may have been involved when the subpopulations were established. Genetic drift within subpopulations caused by de novo substitutions could be resolved after approximately one month. Overall, we conclude that subpopulation frequencies within this patient changed significantly over a time period of 1.5 years, but that this does not imply directional or balancing selection. We show that the short-term evolution we study here is likely representative for many patients of slow and normal disease progression. PMID:21829600

Psychotropics and weak opioid analgesics in plasma samples of older hip fracture patients - detection frequencies and consistency with drug records.

PubMed

Waade, Ragnhild Birkeland; Molden, Espen; Martinsen, Mette Irene; Hermann, Monica; Ranhoff, Anette Hylen

2017-07-01

To determine use of psychotropic drugs and weak opioids in hip fracture patients by analysing plasma samples at admission, and compare detected drug frequencies with prescription registry data and drug records. Plasma from 250 hip fracture patients aged ≥65 years sampled at hospital admission were analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for detection of psychotropic drugs and weak opioid analgesics (alcohol also determined). Odds ratios for drugs detected in plasma of hip fracture patients vs. prescription frequencies of the same drugs in an age-, time- and region-matched reference population were calculated. Moreover, recorded and measured drugs were compared. Psychotropic drugs and/or weak opioid analgesics were detected in 158 (63%) of the patients (median age 84 years; 76% females), while alcohol was found in 19 patients (7.6%). The occurrence of diazepam (odds ratio 1.6; 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.4), nitrazepam (2.3; 1.3-4.1), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (1.9; 1.3-2.9) and mirtazapine (2.3; 1.2-4.3) was significantly higher in plasma samples of hip fracture patients than in prescription data from the reference population. Poor consistency between recorded and measured drugs was disclosed for z-hypnotics and benzodiazepines; e.g. diazepam was detected in 29 (11.6%), but only recorded in six (2.4%) of the patients. Plasma analysis shows that use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in hip fracture patients is significantly more frequent than respective prescription frequencies in the general elderly population. Moreover, consistency between recorded and actual use of psychotropic fall-risk drugs is poor at hospital admission of hip fracture patients. © 2017 The British Pharmacological Society.

Nanoscale surface characterization and miscibility study of a spray-dried injectable polymeric matrix consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

PubMed

Meeus, Joke; Chen, Xinyong; Scurr, David J; Ciarnelli, Valeria; Amssoms, Katie; Roberts, Clive J; Davies, Martyn C; van Den Mooter, Guy

2012-09-01

Injectable controlled-release formulations are of increasing interest for the treatment of chronic diseases. This study aims to develop and characterize a polymeric matrix for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, consisting of two biocompatible polymers, particularly suitable for formulating poorly soluble drugs. For this matrix, the water-insoluble polymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is combined with the water-soluble polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Microparticles of these two polymers were prepared by spray drying. The phase behavior of the samples was studied by means of modulated differential scanning calorimetry and the results showed that phase separation occurred in the bulk sample through evidence of two mixed amorphous phases, namely, a PLGA-rich phase and a PVP-rich phase. Characterization of the samples by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the spray-dried particles were hollow with a thin shell. Because of the importance in relation to stability and drug release, information about the surface of the microparticles was collected by different complementary surface analysis techniques. Atomic force microscopy gathered information about the morphology and phase behavior of the microparticle surface. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of the particles revealed that the surface consisted mainly of the PLGA-rich phase. This was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at an increased sampling depth (≈ 10 nm). Nanothermal analysis proved to be an innovative way to thermally detect the presence of the PLGA-dominated surface layer and the underlying PVP phase. Taken together, this information provides a rational basis for predicting the likely drug release behavior this formulation will display. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The reliability of the German version of the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.

PubMed

Krotsetis, Susanne; Richards, Kathy C; Behncke, Anja; Köpke, Sascha

2017-07-01

The assessment of sleep quality in critically ill patients is a relevant factor of high-quality care. Despite the fact that sleep disturbances and insufficient sleep management contain an increased risk of severe morbidity for these patients, a translated and applicable instrument to evaluate sleep is not available for German-speaking intensive care settings. This study aimed to translate the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), a simple and validated instrument eligible for measuring sleep quality in critically ill patients, and subsequently to evaluate the internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ. Furthermore, it also aimed to inquire into the perception of sleep in a sample of critically ill patients. The RCSQ was translated following established methodological standards. Data were collected cross-sectionally in a sample of 51 patients at 3 intensive care units at a university hospital in Germany. The German version of the RCSQ showed an overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of 0·88. The mean of the RSCQ in the sample was 47·00 (SD ± 27·57). Depth of sleep was rated the lowest and falling asleep again the highest of the RCSQ sleep items. The study demonstrated very good internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ, allowing for its application in practice and research in German-speaking countries. Quality of sleep perception was generally low in this sample, emphasizing the need for enhanced care concepts regarding the sleep management of critically ill patients. Relevance to clinical practice Assessment of self-perception of sleep is crucial in order to plan an individually tailored care process. © 2017 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

The effect of 8.25% sodium hypochlorite on dental pulp dissolution and dentin flexural strength and modulus.

PubMed

Cullen, James K T; Wealleans, James A; Kirkpatrick, Timothy C; Yaccino, John M

2015-06-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), including 8.25%, on dental pulp dissolution and dentin flexural strength and modulus. Sixty dental pulp samples and 55 plane parallel dentin bars were retrieved from extracted human teeth. Five test groups (n = 10) were formed consisting of a pulp sample and dentin bar immersed in various NaOCl solutions. The negative control group (n = 5) consisted of pulp samples and dentin bars immersed in saline. The positive control group (n = 5) consisted of pulp samples immersed in 8.25% NaOCl without a dentin bar. Every 6 minutes for 1 hour, the solutions were refreshed. The dentin bars were tested for flexural strength and modulus with a 3-point bend test. The time until total pulp dissolution and any changes in dentin bar flexural strength and modulus for the different NaOCl solutions were statistically analyzed. An increase in NaOCl concentration showed a highly significant decrease in pulp dissolution time. The pulp dissolution property of 8.25% NaOCl was significantly faster than any other tested concentration of NaOCl. The presence of dentin did not have a significant effect on the dissolution capacity of NaOCl if the solutions were refreshed. NaOCl concentration did not have a statistically significant effect on dentin flexural strength or modulus. Dilution of NaOCl decreases its pulp dissolution capacity. Refreshing the solution is essential to counteract the effects of dentin. In this study, NaOCl did not have a significant effect on dentin flexural strength or modulus. Published by Elsevier Inc.

How item banks and their application can influence measurement practice in rehabilitation medicine: a PROMIS fatigue item bank example.

PubMed

Lai, Jin-Shei; Cella, David; Choi, Seung; Junghaenel, Doerte U; Christodoulou, Christopher; Gershon, Richard; Stone, Arthur

2011-10-01

To illustrate how measurement practices can be advanced by using as an example the fatigue item bank (FIB) and its applications (short forms and computerized adaptive testing [CAT]) that were developed through the National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cooperative Group. Psychometric analysis of data collected by an Internet survey company using item response theory-related techniques. A U.S. general population representative sample collected through the Internet. Respondents used for dimensionality evaluation of the PROMIS FIB (N=603) and item calibrations (N=14,931). Not applicable. Fatigue items (112) developed by the PROMIS fatigue domain working group, 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, and 4-item Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Vitality scale. The PROMIS FIB version 1, which consists of 95 items, showed acceptable psychometric properties. CAT showed consistently better precision than short forms. However, all 3 short forms showed good precision for most participants in that more than 95% of the sample could be measured precisely with reliability greater than 0.9. Measurement practice can be advanced by using a psychometrically sound measurement tool and its applications. This example shows that CAT and short forms derived from the PROMIS FIB can reliably estimate fatigue reported by the U.S. general population. Evaluation in clinical populations is warranted before the item bank can be used for clinical trials. Copyright © 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Screening for alcohol use disorders and at-risk drinking in the general population: psychometric performance of three questionnaires.

PubMed

Rumpf, Hans-Jürgen; Hapke, Ulfert; Meyer, Christian; John, Ulrich

2002-01-01

Most screening questionnaires are developed in clinical settings and there are few data on their performance in the general population. This study provides data on the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity, and internal consistency of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the consumption questions of the AUDIT (AUDIT-C) and the Lübeck Alcohol Dependence and Abuse Screening Test (LAST) among current drinkers (n = 3551) of a general population sample in northern Germany. Alcohol dependence and misuse according to DSM-IV and at-risk drinking served as gold standards to assess sensitivity and specificity and were assessed with the Munich-Composite Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). AUDIT and LAST showed insufficient sensitivity for at-risk drinking and alcohol misuse using standard cut-off scores, but satisfactory detection rates for alcohol dependence. The AUDIT-C showed low specificity in all criterion groups with standard cut-off. Adjusted cut-points are recommended. Among a subsample of individuals with previous general hospital admission in the last year, all questionnaires showed higher internal consistency suggesting lower reliability in non-clinical samples. In logistic regression analyses, having had a hospital admission increased the sensitivity in detecting any criterion group of the LAST, and the number of recent general practice visits increased the sensitivity of the AUDIT in detecting alcohol misuse. Women showed lower scores and larger areas under the ROC curves. It is concluded that setting specific instruments (e.g. primary care or general population) or adjusted cut-offs should be used.

Extending the Theory of Normative Social Behavior to Predict Hand-Washing among Koreans.

PubMed

Chung, Minwoong; Lapinski, Maria Knight

2018-04-10

The current study tests the predictions of the theory of normative social behavior (TNSB) in a hand-washing context in a Korean sample and extends the theory to examine the role of perceived publicness, a variable believed to activate face concerns, as a moderator of the norm-behavior relationship. The findings show substantial main effects for all of the study variables on behavior. In addition, the descriptive norm-behavior relationship is moderated by perceived publicness and outcome expectations, but the nature of the interactions is not consistent with that evidenced in previous literature on US samples. Implications for normative theory and communication campaigns are discussed.

Automated solid-phase extraction of herbicides from water for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Meyer, M.T.; Mills, M.S.; Thurman, E.M.

1993-01-01

An automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the pre-concentration of chloroacetanilide and triazine herbicides, and two triazine metabolites from 100-ml water samples. Breakthrough experiments for the C18 SPE cartridge show that the two triazine metabolites are not fully retained and that increasing flow-rate decreases their retention. Standard curve r2 values of 0.998-1.000 for each compound were consistently obtained and a quantitation level of 0.05 ??g/l was achieved for each compound tested. More than 10,000 surface and ground water samples have been analyzed by this method.

Experimental petrology and origin of Fra Mauro rocks and soil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, D.; Longhi, J.; Hays, J. F.

1972-01-01

Melting experiments over the pressure range 0 to 20 kilobars were conducted on Apollo 14 igneous rocks 14310 and 14072 and on comprehensive fines 14259. The mineralogy and textures of rocks 14310 and 14072 are presumed to be the result of near-surface crystallization. The chemical compositions of the samples show special relationships to multiply-saturated liquids in the system: anorthite-forsterite-fayalite-silica at low pressure. Partial melting of a lunar crust consisting largely of plagioclase, low calcium pyroxene, and olivine, followed by crystal fractionation at the lunar surface is proposed as a mechanism for the production of the igneous rocks and soil glasses sampled by Apollo 14.

Zur chemie der marsoberfläche

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keil, Klaus; Clark, Benton C.; Baird, A.K.; Toulmin, Priestley; Rose, Harry J.

1978-01-01

Analyses of 13 samples of Martian surface materials with the Viking X-ray fluorescence spectrometers show SiO2 similar to that of terrestrial mafic rocks, whereas Fe2O3, Cl, and S are higher and Al2O3, K2O, Rb, Sr, Y, and Zr are lower. Low totals suggest presence of CO2, H2O, and Na2O. Duricrust fragments are higher in S than fines, but samples from both landing sites are surprisingly similar. We suggest that Martian surface materials are aeolian deposits of complex mixtures of weathering products of maficultramafic rocks, possibly consisting of iron-rich clays, sulfates, iron oxides, carbonates, and chlorides.

Search for anomalous kinematics in tt dilepton events at CDF II.

PubMed

Acosta, D; Adelman, J; Affolder, T; Akimoto, T; Albrow, M G; Ambrose, D; Amerio, S; Amidei, D; Anastassov, A; Anikeev, K; Annovi, A; Antos, J; Aoki, M; Apollinari, G; Arisawa, T; Arguin, J-F; Artikov, A; Ashmanskas, W; Attal, A; Azfar, F; Azzi-Bacchetta, P; Bacchetta, N; Bachacou, H; Badgett, W; Barbaro-Galtieri, A; Barker, G J; Barnes, V E; Barnett, B A; Baroiant, S; Barone, M; Bauer, G; Bedeschi, F; Behari, S; Belforte, S; Bellettini, G; Bellinger, J; Ben-Haim, E; Benjamin, D; Beretvas, A; Bhatti, A; Binkley, M; Bisello, D; Bishai, M; Blair, R E; Blocker, C; Bloom, K; Blumenfeld, B; Bocci, A; Bodek, A; Bolla, G; Bolshov, A; Booth, P S L; Bortoletto, D; Boudreau, J; Bourov, S; Brau, B; Bromberg, C; Brubaker, E; Budagov, J; Budd, H S; Burkett, K; Busetto, G; Bussey, P; Byrum, K L; Cabrera, S; Campanelli, M; Campbell, M; Canepa, A; Casarsa, M; Carlsmith, D; Carron, S; Carosi, R; Cavalli-Sforza, M; Castro, A; Catastini, P; Cauz, D; Cerri, A; Cerrito, L; Chapman, J; Chen, C; Chen, Y C; Chertok, M; Chiarelli, G; Chlachidze, G; Chlebana, F; Cho, I; Cho, K; Chokheli, D; Chou, J P; Chu, M L; Chuang, S; Chung, J Y; Chung, W-H; Chung, Y S; Ciobanu, C I; Ciocci, M A; Clark, A G; Clark, D; Coca, M; Connolly, A; Convery, M; Conway, J; Cooper, B; Cordelli, M; Cortiana, G; Cranshaw, J; Cuevas, J; Culbertson, R; Currat, C; Cyr, D; Dagenhart, D; Da Ronco, S; D'Auria, S; de Barbaro, P; De Cecco, S; De Lentdecker, G; Dell'Agnello, S; Dell'Orso, M; Demers, S; Demortier, L; Deninno, M; De Pedis, D; Derwent, P F; Dionisi, C; Dittmann, J R; Dörr, C; Doksus, P; Dominguez, A; Donati, S; Donega, M; Donini, J; D'Onofrio, M; Dorigo, T; Drollinger, V; Ebina, K; Eddy, N; Ehlers, J; Ely, R; Erbacher, R; Erdmann, M; Errede, D; Errede, S; Eusebi, R; Fang, H-C; Farrington, S; Fedorko, I; Fedorko, W T; Feild, R G; Feindt, M; Fernandez, J P; Ferretti, C; Field, R D; Flanagan, G; Flaugher, B; Flores-Castillo, L R; Foland, A; Forrester, S; Foster, G W; Franklin, M; Freeman, J C; Fujii, Y; Furic, I; Gajjar, A; Gallas, A; Galyardt, J; Gallinaro, M; Garcia-Sciveres, M; Garfinkel, A F; Gay, C; Gerberich, H; Gerdes, D W; Gerchtein, E; Giagu, S; Giannetti, P; Gibson, A; Gibson, K; Ginsburg, C; Giolo, K; Giordani, M; Giunta, M; Giurgiu, G; Glagolev, V; Glenzinski, D; Gold, M; Goldschmidt, N; Goldstein, D; Goldstein, J; Gomez, G; Gomez-Ceballos, G; Goncharov, M; González, O; Gorelov, I; Goshaw, A T; Gotra, Y; Goulianos, K; Gresele, A; Griffiths, M; Grosso-Pilcher, C; Grundler, U; Guenther, M; Guimaraes da Costa, J; Haber, C; Hahn, K; Hahn, S R; Halkiadakis, E; Hamilton, A; Han, B-Y; Handler, R; Happacher, F; Hara, K; Hare, M; Harr, R F; Harris, R M; Hartmann, F; Hatakeyama, K; Hauser, J; Hays, C; Hayward, H; Heider, E; Heinemann, B; Heinrich, J; Hennecke, M; Herndon, M; Hill, C; Hirschhbuehl, D; Hocker, A; Hoffman, K D; Holloway, A; Hou, S; Houlden, M A; Huffman, B T; Huang, Y; Hughes, R E; Huston, J; Ikado, K; Incandela, J; Introzzi, G; Iori, M; Ishizawa, Y; Issever, C; Ivanov, A; Iwata, Y; Iyutin, B; James, E; Jang, D; Jarrell, J; Jeans, D; Jensen, H; Jeon, E J; Jones, M; Joo, K K; Jun, S Y; Junk, T; Kamon, T; Kang, J; Karagoz Unel, M; Karchin, P E; Kartal, S; Kato, Y; Kemp, Y; Kephart, R; Kerzel, U; Khotilovich, V; Kilminster, B; Kim, D H; Kim, H S; Kim, J E; Kim, M J; Kim, M S; Kim, S B; Kim, S H; Kim, T H; Kim, Y K; King, B T; Kirby, M; Kirsch, L; Klimenko, S; Knuteson, B; Ko, B R; Kobayashi, H; Koehn, P; Kong, D J; Kondo, K; Konigsberg, J; Kordas, K; Korn, A; Korytov, A; Kotelnikov, K; Kotwal, A V; Kovalev, A; Kraus, J; Kravchenko, I; Kreymer, A; Kroll, J; Kruse, M; Krutelyov, V; Kuhlmann, S E; Kwang, S; Laasanen, A T; Lai, S; Lami, S; Lammel, S; Lancaster, J; Lancaster, M; Lander, R; Lannon, K; Lath, A; Latino, G; Lauhakangas, R; Lazzizzera, I; Le, Y; Lecci, C; LeCompte, T; Lee, J; Lee, J; Lee, S W; Lefèvre, R; Leonardo, N; Leone, S; Levy, S; Lewis, J D; Li, K; Lin, C; Lin, C S; Lindgren, M; Liss, T M; Lister, A; Litvintsev, D O; Liu, T; Liu, Y; Lockyer, N S; Loginov, A; Loreti, M; Loverre, P; Lu, R-S; Lucchesi, D; Lujan, P; Lukens, P; Lungu, G; Lyons, L; Lys, J; Lysak, R; MacQueen, D; Madrak, R; Maeshima, K; Maksimovic, P; Malferrari, L; Manca, G; Marginean, R; Marino, C; Martin, A; Martin, M; Martin, V; Martínez, M; Maruyama, T; Matsunaga, H; Mattson, M; Mazzanti, P; McFarland, K S; McGivern, D; McIntyre, P M; McNamara, P; NcNulty, R; Mehta, A; Menzemer, S; Menzione, A; Merkel, P; Mesropian, C; Messina, A; Miao, T; Miladinovic, N; Miller, L; Miller, R; Miller, J S; Miquel, R; Miscetti, S; Mitselmakher, G; Miyamoto, A; Miyazaki, Y; Moggi, N; Mohr, B; Moore, R; Morello, M; Movilla Fernandez, P A; Mukherjee, A; Mulhearn, M; Muller, T; Mumford, R; Munar, A; Murat, P; Nachtman, J; Nahn, S; Nakamura, I; Nakano, I; Napier, A; Napora, R; Naumov, D; Necula, V; Niell, F; Nielsen, J; Nelson, C; Nelson, T; Neu, C; Neubauer, M S; Newman-Holmes, C; Nigmanov, T; Nodulman, L; Norniella, O; Oesterberg, K; Ogawa, T; Oh, S H; Oh, Y D; Ohsugi, T; Okusawa, T; Oldeman, R; Orava, R; Orejudos, W; Pagliarone, C; Palencia, E; Paoletti, R; Papadimitriou, V; Pashapour, S; Patrick, J; Pauletta, G; Paulini, M; Pauly, T; Paus, C; Pellett, D; Penzo, A; Phillips, T J; Piacentino, G; Piedra, J; Pitts, K T; Plager, C; Pompos, A; Pondrom, L; Pope, G; Portell, X; Poukhov, O; Prakoshyn, F; Pratt, T; Pronko, A; Proudfoot, J; Ptohos, F; Punzi, G; Rademachker, J; Rahaman, M A; Rakitine, A; Rappoccio, S; Ratnikov, F; Ray, H; Reisert, B; Rekovic, V; Renton, P; Rescigno, M; Rimondi, F; Rinnert, K; Ristori, L; Robertson, W J; Robson, A; Rodrigo, T; Rolli, S; Rosenson, L; Roser, R; Rossin, R; Rott, C; Russ, J; Rusu, V; Ruiz, A; Ryan, D; Saarikko, H; Sabik, S; Safonov, A; St Denis, R; Sakumoto, W K; Salamanna, G; Saltzberg, D; Sanchez, C; Sansoni, A; Santi, L; Sarkar, S; Sato, K; Savard, P; Savoy-Navarro, A; Schlabach, P; Schmidt, E E; Schmidt, M P; Schmitt, M; Scodellaro, L; Scribano, A; Scuri, F; Sedov, A; Seidel, S; Seiya, Y; Semeria, F; Sexton-Kennedy, L; Sfiligoi, I; Shapiro, M D; Shears, T; Shepard, P F; Sherman, D; Shimojima, M; Shochet, M; Shon, Y; Shreyber, I; Sidoti, A; Siegrist, J; Siket, M; Sill, A; Sinervo, P; Sisakyan, A; Skiba, A; Slaughter, A J; Sliwa, K; Smirnov, D; Smith, J R; Snider, F D; Snihur, R; Soha, A; Somalwar, S V; Spalding, J; Spezziga, M; Spiegel, L; Spinella, F; Spiropulu, M; Squillacioti, P; Stadie, H; Stelzer, B; Stelzer-Chilton, O; Strologas, J; Stuart, D; Sukhanov, A; Sumorok, K; Sun, H; Suzuki, T; Taffard, A; Tafirout, R; Takach, S F; Takano, H; Takashima, R; Takeuchi, Y; Takikawa, K; Tanaka, M; Tanaka, R; Tanimoto, N; Tapprogge, S; Tecchio, M; Teng, P K; Terashi, K; Tesarek, R J; Tether, S; Thom, J; Thompson, A S; Thomson, E; Tipton, P; Tiwari, V; Trkaczyk, S; Toback, D; Tollefson, K; Tomura, T; Tonelli, D; Tönnesmann, M; Torre, S; Torretta, D; Tourneur, S; Trischuk, W; Tseng, J; Tsuchiya, R; Tsuno, S; Tsybychev, D; Turini, N; Turner, M; Ukegawa, F; Unverhau, T; Uozumi, S; Usynin, D; Vacavant, L; Vaiciulis, A; Varganov, A; Vataga, E; Vejcik, S; Velev, G; Veszpremi, V; Veramendi, G; Vickey, T; Vidal, R; Vila, I; Vilar, R; Vollrath, I; Volobouev, I; von der Mey, M; Wagner, P; Wagner, R G; Wagner, R L; Wagner, W; Wallny, R; Walter, T; Yamashita, T; Yamamoto, K; Wan, Z; Wang, M J; Wang, S M; Warburton, A; Ward, B; Waschke, S; Waters, D; Watts, T; Weber, M; Wester, W C; Whitehouse, B; Wicklund, A B; Wicklund, E; Williams, H H; Wilson, P; Winer, B L; Wittich, P; Wolbers, S; Wolter, M; Worcester, M; Worm, S; Wright, T; Wu, X; Würthwein, F; Wyatt, A; Yagil, A; Yang, C; Yang, U K; Yao, W; Yeh, G P; Yi, K; Yoh, J; Yoon, P; Yorita, K; Yoshida, T; Yu, I; Yu, S; Yu, Z; Yun, J C; Zanello, L; Zanetti, A; Zaw, I; Zetti, F; Zhou, J; Zsenei, A; Zucchelli, S

2005-07-08

We report on a search for anomalous kinematics of tt dilepton events in pp collisions at square root of s=1.96 TeV using 193 pb(-1) of data collected with the CDF II detector. We developed a new a priori technique designed to isolate the subset in a data sample revealing the largest deviation from standard model (SM) expectations and to quantify the significance of this departure. In the four-variable space considered, no particular subset shows a significant discrepancy, and we find that the probability of obtaining a data sample less consistent with the SM than what is observed is 1.0%-4.5%.

Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-F-26:15 Miscellaneous Pipelines Associated with the 132-F-6, 1608-F Waste Water Pumping Station, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2007-031

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

L. M. Dittmer

2008-03-18

The 100-F-26:15 waste site consisted of the remnant portions of underground process effluent and floor drain pipelines that originated at the 105-F Reactor. In accordance with this evaluation, the verification sampling results support a reclassification of this site to Interim Closed Out. The results of verification sampling show that residual contaminant concentrations do not preclude any future uses and allow for unrestricted use of shallow zone soils. The results also demonstrate that residual contaminant concentrations are protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.

Comparison of Relative Bias, Precision, and Efficiency of Sampling Methods for Natural Enemies of Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

PubMed

Bannerman, J A; Costamagna, A C; McCornack, B P; Ragsdale, D W

2015-06-01

Generalist natural enemies play an important role in controlling soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in North America. Several sampling methods are used to monitor natural enemy populations in soybean, but there has been little work investigating their relative bias, precision, and efficiency. We compare five sampling methods: quadrats, whole-plant counts, sweep-netting, walking transects, and yellow sticky cards to determine the most practical methods for sampling the three most prominent species, which included Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). We show an important time by sampling method interaction indicated by diverging community similarities within and between sampling methods as the growing season progressed. Similarly, correlations between sampling methods for the three most abundant species over multiple time periods indicated differences in relative bias between sampling methods and suggests that bias is not consistent throughout the growing season, particularly for sticky cards and whole-plant samples. Furthermore, we show that sticky cards produce strongly biased capture rates relative to the other four sampling methods. Precision and efficiency differed between sampling methods and sticky cards produced the most precise (but highly biased) results for adult natural enemies, while walking transects and whole-plant counts were the most efficient methods for detecting coccinellids and O. insidiosus, respectively. Based on bias, precision, and efficiency considerations, the most practical sampling methods for monitoring in soybean include walking transects for coccinellid detection and whole-plant counts for detection of small predators like O. insidiosus. Sweep-netting and quadrat samples are also useful for some applications, when efficiency is not paramount. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Optimization of whole-transcriptome amplification from low cell density deep-sea microbial samples for metatranscriptomic analysis.

PubMed

Wu, Jieying; Gao, Weimin; Zhang, Weiwen; Meldrum, Deirdre R

2011-01-01

Limitation in sample quality and quantity is one of the big obstacles for applying metatranscriptomic technologies to explore gene expression and functionality of microbial communities in natural environments. In this study, several amplification methods were evaluated for whole-transcriptome amplification of deep-sea microbial samples, which are of low cell density and high impurity. The best amplification method was identified and incorporated into a complete protocol to isolate and amplify deep-sea microbial samples. In the protocol, total RNA was first isolated by a modified method combining Trizol (Invitrogen, CA) and RNeasy (QIAGEN, CA) method, amplified with a WT-Ovation™ Pico RNA Amplification System (NuGEN, CA), and then converted to double-strand DNA from single-strand cDNA with a WT-Ovation™ Exon Module (NuGEN, CA). The products from the whole-transcriptome amplification of deep-sea microbial samples were assessed first through random clone library sequencing. The BLAST search results showed that marine-based sequences are dominant in the libraries, consistent with the ecological source of the samples. The products were then used for next-generation Roche GS FLX Titanium sequencing to obtain metatranscriptome data. Preliminary analysis of the metatranscriptomic data showed good sequencing quality. Although the protocol was designed and demonstrated to be effective for deep-sea microbial samples, it should be applicable to similar samples from other extreme environments in exploring community structure and functionality of microbial communities. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification of Marchfeld asparagus using Sr isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Swoboda, S; Brunner, M; Boulyga, S F; Galler, P; Horacek, M; Prohaska, T

2008-01-01

This work focuses on testing and application of Sr isotope signatures for the fast and reliable authentication and traceability of Asparagus officinalis originating from Marchfeld, Austria, using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after optimised Rb/Sr separation. The major sample pool comprises freeze-dried and microwave-digested asparagus samples from Hungary and Slovakia which are compared with Austrian asparagus originating from the Marchfeld region, which is a protected geographical indication. Additional samples from Peru, The Netherlands and Germany were limited in number and allowed therefore only restricted statistical evaluation. Asparagus samples from Marchfeld were harvested within two subsequent years in order to investigate the annual variation. The results show that the Sr isotope ratio is consistent within these 2 years of investigation. Moreover, the Sr isotope ratio of total Sr in soil was found to be significantly higher than in an NH4NO3 extract, reflecting the mobile (bioavailable) phase. The isotope composition in the latter extract corresponds well to the range found in the asparagus samples in Marchfeld, even though the concentration of Sr in asparagus shows no direct correlation to the concentration of Sr in the mobile phase of the soil. The major question was whether the 'Marchfelder Spargel' can be distinguished from samples from the neighbouring countries of Hungary and Slovakia. According to our findings, they can be clearly (100%) singled out from the Hungarian samples and can be distinguished from the Slovakian asparagus samples with a probability of more than 80%.

Photoelectron studies of machined brass surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potts, A. W.; Merrison, J. P.; Tournas, A. D.; Yacoot, A.

UV photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to determine the surface composition of machined brass. The results show a considerable change between the photoelectron surface composition and the bulk composition of the same sample determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. On the surface the lead composition is increased by ˜900 G. This is consistent with the important part that lead is believed to play in improving the machinability of this alloy.

Hydrothermal deformation of granular quartz sand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karner, Stephen L.; Kronenberg, Andreas K.; Chester, Frederick M.; Chester, Judith S.; Hajash, Andrew

2008-05-01

Isotropic and triaxial compression experiments were performed on porous aggregates of St Peter quartz sand to explore the influence of temperature (to 225°C). During isotropic stressing, samples loaded at elevated temperature exhibit the same sigmoidal stress-strain curves and non-linear acoustic emission rates as have previously been observed from room temperature studies on sands, sandstones, and soils. However, results from our hydrothermal experiments show that the critical effective pressure (P*) associated with the onset of significant pore collapse and pervasive cataclastic flow is lower at increased temperature. Samples subjected to triaxial loading at elevated temperature show yield behavior resembling that observed from room temperature studies on granular rocks and soils. When considered in terms of distortional and mean stresses, the yield strength data for a given temperature define an elliptical envelope consistent with critical state and CAP models from soil mechanics. For the conditions we tested, triaxial yield data at low effective pressure are essentially temperature-insensitive whereas yield levels at high effective pressure are lowered as a function of elevated temperature. We interpret our yield data in a manner consistent with Arrhenius behavior expected for thermally assisted subcritical crack growth. Taken together, our results indicate that increased stresses and temperatures associated with subsurface burial will significantly alter the yield strength of deforming granular media in systematic and predictable ways.

Men, women…who cares? A population-based study on sex differences and gender roles in empathy and moral cognition.

PubMed

Baez, Sandra; Flichtentrei, Daniel; Prats, María; Mastandueno, Ricardo; García, Adolfo M; Cetkovich, Marcelo; Ibáñez, Agustín

2017-01-01

Research on sex differences in empathy has revealed mixed findings. Whereas experimental and neuropsychological measures show no consistent sex effect, self-report data consistently indicates greater empathy in women. However, available results mainly come from separate populations with relatively small samples, which may inflate effect sizes and hinder comparability between both empirical corpora. To elucidate the issue, we conducted two large-scale studies. First, we examined whether sex differences emerge in a large population-based sample (n = 10,802) when empathy is measured with an experimental empathy-for-pain paradigm. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between empathy and moral judgment. In the second study, a subsample (n = 334) completed a self-report empathy questionnaire. Results showed some sex differences in the experimental paradigm, but with minuscule effect sizes. Conversely, women did portray themselves as more empathic through self-reports. In addition, utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas were less frequent in women, although these differences also had small effect sizes. These findings suggest that sex differences in empathy are highly driven by the assessment measure. In particular, self-reports may induce biases leading individuals to assume gender-role stereotypes. Awareness of the role of measurement instruments in this field may hone our understanding of the links between empathy, sex differences, and gender roles.

The liquid-liquid transition in supercooled ST2 water: a comparison between umbrella sampling and well-tempered metadynamics.

PubMed

Palmer, Jeremy C; Car, Roberto; Debenedetti, Pablo G

2013-01-01

We investigate the metastable phase behaviour of the ST2 water model under deeply supercooled conditions. The phase behaviour is examined using umbrella sampling (US) and well-tempered metadynamics (WT-MetaD) simulations to compute the reversible free energy surface parameterized by density and bond-orientation order. We find that free energy surfaces computed with both techniques clearly show two liquid phases in coexistence, in agreement with our earlier US and grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations [Y. Liu, J. C. Palmer, A. Z. Panagiotopoulos and P. G. Debenedetti, J Chem Phys, 2012, 137, 214505; Y. Liu, A. Z. Panagiotopoulos and P. G. Debenedetti, J Chem Phys, 2009, 131, 104508]. While we demonstrate that US and WT-MetaD produce consistent results, the latter technique is estimated to be more computationally efficient by an order of magnitude. As a result, we show that WT-MetaD can be used to study the finite-size scaling behaviour of the free energy barrier separating the two liquids for systems containing 192, 300 and 400 ST2 molecules. Although our results are consistent with the expected N(2/3) scaling law, we conclude that larger systems must be examined to provide conclusive evidence of a first-order phase transition and associated second critical point.

Neutral monosaccharides from a hypersaline tropical environment: Applications to the characterization of modern and ancient ecosystems

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

Moers, M.E.C.; Larter, S.R.

1993-07-01

Surficial and buried sediment samples from a hypersaline lagoon-sabkha system (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) were analyzed for carbohydrates (as neutral monosaccharides) to distinguish and characterize various types of recent and ancient tropical ecosystems on a molecular level. The samples consisted of surficial and buried microbial mats, lagoonal sediments containing seagrass (Halodule uninervis), and mangrove (Avicennia marine) paleosoils and handpicked mangrove leaves, ranging in age from contemporary to ca. 6000 yr BP. Analysis of quantitative neutral monosaccharide data by multivariate techniques shows that various groups can be distinguished: intact vascular plant material (mangrove leaf) contains high amounts of arabinose andmore » glucose and hardly any partially methylated monosaccharides, whereas microbial mats in general and lagoonal seagrass sediments show high contributions of fucose, ribose, mannose, galactose, and partially methylated monosaccharides. Moreover, surficial microbial mats consisting of filamentous cyanobacteria (Microcoleus chtonoplastes, Lyngbya aestuarii) can be distinguished from other mats and sediments containing coccoid cyanobacteria (Entophysalis major) and/or fermenting, sulphate reducing, and methanogenic bacteria on the basis of high contributions of specific groups of partially methylated monosaccharides and other [open quotes]minor[close quotes] saccharides. The neutral monosaccharides present in mangrove paleosoils are for a substantial part derived from microorganisms. 22 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-S).

PubMed

Lima, Juan F; Alarcón, Rafael; Escobar, Milagros; Fernández-Baena, F Javier; Muñoz, Ángela M; Blanca, María J

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to develop a Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire and to examine its psychometric properties: factor structure, measurement invariance across samples, reliability, and concurrent validity. Participants consisted of 1,560 Spanish students between 12 and 18 years of age. The results support a structure based on 10 first-order factors (corresponding to stressors on the dimensions Home Life, School Performance, School Attendance, Romantic Relationships, Peer Pressure, Teacher Interaction, Future Uncertainty, School/Leisure Conflict, Financial Pressure, and Emerging Adult Responsibility) and 1 second-order factor that subsumes the first-order factors. This model was selected for measurement invariance testing because it showed good fit indexes and was more parsimonious than the first-order factor model. This structure was replicated across 2 independent samples from the same population, as well as across 3 age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence), showing acceptable fit for all groups. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were adequate. Evidence of concurrent validity was provided by positive associations with measures of stress manifestations, anxiety, and depression, and by a negative association with life satisfaction. The results indicate that the Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire is a suitable tool for assessing stressors in Spanish adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

[A new method for quantitative measurement of the cadmium absorbed by chick embryos].

PubMed

Gottofrey, J

1984-01-01

We attempted to determine the quantity of cadmium incorporated in hens eggs after immersion in cadmium solutions, and the cadmium concentration measured in embryos. We discussed equipment allowing simultaneous treatment of up to 42 samples, and called it " digestor ". It consisted of two gas-heated sand baths, two stands for cooling down solutions and an evacuation system for toxic vapours. Our method was based on wet mineralisation. It consisted of desintegrating experimental chick embryos in a HNO3/H2O2 mixed solution. After heating and evaporating, the quantity of cadmium in the remnant was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The reliability of such a technique was tested by studying as controls controls 17 days-old chick embryos injected with a known quantity of Cd(NO3). It showed no loss of cadmium. We also compared our procedure with a dry ashing method. The latter showed unacceptable losses and insufficient precision for the problems we wanted to investigate. Our method gave us much more precise results. The equipment we developed has functioned wholly satisfactorily and allowed us to investigate for instance cadmium distribution and concentration in embryonic organs of 17 days-old chicks. It could also be useful for researches concerning other biological samples analyzed for different heavy metals.

Screening for pragmatic language impairment: the potential of the children's communication checklist.

PubMed

Ketelaars, Mieke P; Cuperus, Juliane M; van Daal, John; Jansonius, Kino; Verhoeven, Ludo

2009-01-01

The present study examines the validity of the Dutch Children's Communication Checklist (CCC) for children in kindergarten in a community sample, in order to assess the feasibility of using it as a screening instrument in the general population. Teachers completed the CCC for a representative sample of 1396 children at kindergarten level, taken from 53 primary schools in The Netherlands. The CCC was also completed for a clinical group consisting of children with SLI in special education. Reliability as measured with internal consistency scores was found to be good for the community sample. With regard to the construct validity, a five-factor second-order factor model was found when the pragmatic subscales were analysed, which provided a reasonable fit. Criterion validity as measured using the concordance between the CCC and teacher opinions was moderate. The children identified by the CCC as having Pragmatic Language Impairment (defined as scoring below the cut off of 132) were often characterized by the teachers as having social-emotional problems, language problems or combined problems. Comparison with a clinical SLI sample showed the pragmatically impaired children in the community sample to have a profile similar to that of the clinical group of children with PLI in special education. The main difference was visible in structural language problems, which were less severe for the PLI group in mainstream education. The results of this study suggest that screening for PLI is indeed possible using the CCC.

New Empirical Evidence on the Validity and the Reliability of the Early Life Stress Questionnaire in a Polish Sample.

PubMed

Sokołowski, Andrzej; Dragan, Wojciech Ł

2017-01-01

Background: The Early Life Stress Questionnaire (ELSQ) is widely used to estimate the prevalence of negative events during childhood, including emotional, physical, verbal, sexual abuse, negligence, severe conflicts, separation, parental divorce, substance abuse, poverty, and so forth. Objective: This study presents the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the ELSQ. It also verifies if early life stress (ELS) is a good predictor of psychopathology symptoms during adulthood. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from two samples. Sample 1 was selected by random quota method from across the country and included 609 participants aged 18-50 years, 306 women (50.2%) and 303 men (49.8%). Sample 2 contained 503 young adults (253 women and 250 men) aged 18-25. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were used to measure ELSQ internal consistency. The validity was based on the relation to psychopathological symptoms and substance misuse. Results: Results showed good internal consistency and validity. Exploratory factor analysis indicates a six-factor structure of the ELSQ. ELS was related to psychopathology in adulthood, including depressive, sociophobic, vegetative as well as pain symptoms. ELSQ score correlated also with alcohol use, but not nicotine dependence. Moreover, ELS was correlated with stress in adulthood. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the Polish version of the ELSQ is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing ELS in the Polish population and may be applied in both clinical and community samples.

Studies of surface states in zinc oxide nanopowders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Raul Mugabe

The surface of ZnO semiconductor nanosystems is a key performance-defining factor in numerous applications. In this work we present experimental results for the surface defect-related properties of ZnO nanoscale systems. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy was used to determine the defect level energies within the band gap, the conduction vs. valence band nature of the defect-related transitions, and to probe key dynamic parameters of the surface on a number of commercially available ZnO nanopowders. In our experimental setup, surface photovoltage characterization is conducted in high vacuum in tandem with in situ oxygen remote plasma treatments. Surface photovoltage investigations of the as-received and plasma-processed samples revealed a number of common spectral features related to surface states. Furthermore, we observed significant plasma-induced changes in the surface defect properties. Ex situ positron annihilation and photoluminescence measurements were performed on the studied samples and correlated with surface photovoltage results. The average positron lifetimes were found to be substantially longer than in a bulk single crystalline sample, which is consistent with the model of grains with defect-rich surface and subsurface layers. Compression of the powders into pellets yielded reduction of the average positron lifetimes. Surface photovoltage, positron annihilation, and photoluminescence spectra consistently showed sample-to-sample differences due to the variation in the overall quality of the nanopowders, which partially obscures observation of the scaling effects. However, the results demonstrated that our approach is efficient in detecting specific surface states in nanoscale ZnO specimens and in elucidating their nature.

Fusion welding of a modern borated stainless steel

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

Robino, C.V.; Cieslak, M.J.

1997-01-01

Experiments designed to assess the fabrication and service weldability of 304B4A borated stainless steel were conducted. Welding procedures and parameters for manual gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding, autogenous electron beam (EB) welding and filler-added EB welding were developed and found to be similar to those for austenitic stainless steels. Following the procedure development, four test welds were produced and evaluated by microstructural analysis and Charpy impact testing. Further samples were used for determination of the postweld heat treatment (PWHT) response of the welds. The fusion zone structure of welds in this alloy consists of primary austenite dendrites with an interdendriticmore » eutectic-like austenite/boride constituent. Welds also show an appreciable partially molten zone that consists of the austenite/boride eutectic surrounding unmelted austenite islands. The microstructure of the EB welds was substantially finer than that of the GTA welds, and boride coarsening was not observed in the solid state heat-affected zone (HAZ) of either weld type. The impact toughness of as-welded samples was found to be relatively poor, averaging less than 10 J for both GTA and EB welds. For fusion zone notched GTA and EB samples and centerline notched EB samples, fracture generally occurred along the boundary between the partially molten and solid-state regions of the HAZ. The results of the PWHT study were very encouraging, with typical values of the impact energy for HAZ notched samples approaching 40 J, or twice the minimum code-acceptable value.« less

Silica dust exposure: Effect of filter size to compliance determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amran, Suhaily; Latif, Mohd Talib; Khan, Md Firoz; Leman, Abdul Mutalib; Goh, Eric; Jaafar, Shoffian Amin

2016-11-01

Monitoring of respirable dust was performed using a set of integrated sampling system consisting of sampling pump attached with filter media and separating device such as cyclone or special cassette. Based on selected method, filter sizes are either 25 mm or 37 mm poly vinyl chloride (PVC) filter. The aim of this study was to compare performance of two types of filter during personal respirable dust sampling for silica dust under field condition. The comparison strategy focused on the final compliance judgment based on both dataset. Eight hour parallel sampling of personal respirable dust exposure was performed among 30 crusher operators at six quarries. Each crusher operator was attached with parallel set of integrated sampling train containing either 25 mm or 37 mm PVC filter. Each set consisted of standard flow SKC sampler, attached with SKC GS3 cyclone and 2 pieces cassette loaded with 5.0 µm of PVC filter. Samples were analyzed by gravimetric technique. Personal respirable dust exposure between the two types of filters indicated significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with moderate relationship (r2 = 0.6431). Personal exposure based on 25 mm PVC filter indicated 0.1% non-compliance to overall data while 37 mm PVC filter indicated similar findings at 0.4 %. Both data showed similar arithmetic mean(AM) and geometric mean(GM). In overall we concluded that personal respirable dust exposure either based on 25mm or 37mm PVC filter will give similar compliance determination. Both filters are reliable to be used in respirable dust monitoring for silica dust related exposure.

Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Desborough, G.A.; Smith, K.S.; Lowers, H.A.; Swayze, G.A.; Hammarstrom, J.M.; Diehl, S.F.; Leinz, R.W.; Driscoll, R.L.

2010-01-01

This paper presents a detailed study of the mineralogical, microscopic, thermal, and spectral characteristics of jarosite and natrojarosite minerals. Systematic mineralogic and chemical examination of a suite of 32 natural stoichiometric jarosite and natrojarosite samples from diverse supergene and hydrothermal environments indicates that there is only limited solid solution between Na and K at low temperatures, which suggests the presence of a solvus in the jarosite-natrojarosite system at temperatures below about 140 ??C. The samples examined in this study consist of either end members or coexisting end-member pairs of jarosite and natrojarosite. Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis data for several natural hydrothermal samples show only end-member compositions for individual grains or zones, and no detectable alkali-site deficiencies, which indicates that there is no hydronium substitution within the analytical uncertainty of the method. In addition, there is no evidence of Fe deficiencies in the natural hydrothermal samples. Hydronium-bearing jarosite was detected in only one relatively young supergene sample suggesting that terrestrial hydronium-bearing jarosites generally are unstable over geologic timescales. Unit-cell parameters of the 20 natural stoichiometric jarosites and 12 natural stoichiometric natrojarosites examined in this study have distinct and narrow ranges in the a- and c-cell dimensions. There is no overlap of these parameters at the 1?? level for the two end-member compositions. Several hydrothermal samples consist of fine-scale (2-10 ??m) intimate intergrowths of jarosite and natrojarosite, which could have resulted from solid-state diffusion segregation or growth zoning due to variations in the Na/K activity ratio of hydrothermal solutions.

Bacterial Microbiota Associated with the Glacier Ice Worm Is Dominated by Both Worm-Specific and Glacier-Derived Facultative Lineages

PubMed Central

Murakami, Takumi; Segawa, Takahiro; Dial, Roman; Takeuchi, Nozomu; Kohshima, Shiro; Hongoh, Yuichi

2017-01-01

The community structure of bacteria associated with the glacier ice worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus was analyzed by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and their transcripts. Ice worms were collected from two distinct glaciers in Alaska, Harding Icefield and Byron Glacier, and glacier surfaces were also sampled for comparison. Marked differences were observed in bacterial community structures between the ice worm and glacier surface samples. Several bacterial phylotypes were detected almost exclusively in the ice worms, and these bacteria were phylogenetically affiliated with either animal-associated lineages or, interestingly, clades mostly consisting of glacier-indigenous species. The former included bacteria that belong to Mollicutes, Chlamydiae, Rickettsiales, and Lachnospiraceae, while the latter included Arcicella and Herminiimonas phylotypes. Among these bacteria enriched in ice worm samples, Mollicutes, Arcicella, and Herminiimonas phylotypes were abundantly and consistently detected in the ice worm samples; these phylotypes constituted the core microbiota associated with the ice worm. A fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed that Arcicella cells specifically colonized the epidermis of the ice worms. Other bacterial phylotypes detected in the ice worm samples were also abundantly recovered from the respective habitat glaciers; these bacteria may be food for ice worms to digest or temporary residents. Nevertheless, some were overrepresented in the ice worm RNA samples; they may also function as facultative gut bacteria. Our results indicate that the community structure of bacteria associated with ice worms is distinct from that in the associated glacier and includes worm-specific and facultative, glacier-indigenous lineages. PMID:28302989

Bacterial Microbiota Associated with the Glacier Ice Worm Is Dominated by Both Worm-Specific and Glacier-Derived Facultative Lineages.

PubMed

Murakami, Takumi; Segawa, Takahiro; Dial, Roman; Takeuchi, Nozomu; Kohshima, Shiro; Hongoh, Yuichi

2017-03-31

The community structure of bacteria associated with the glacier ice worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus was analyzed by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and their transcripts. Ice worms were collected from two distinct glaciers in Alaska, Harding Icefield and Byron Glacier, and glacier surfaces were also sampled for comparison. Marked differences were observed in bacterial community structures between the ice worm and glacier surface samples. Several bacterial phylotypes were detected almost exclusively in the ice worms, and these bacteria were phylogenetically affiliated with either animal-associated lineages or, interestingly, clades mostly consisting of glacier-indigenous species. The former included bacteria that belong to Mollicutes, Chlamydiae, Rickettsiales, and Lachnospiraceae, while the latter included Arcicella and Herminiimonas phylotypes. Among these bacteria enriched in ice worm samples, Mollicutes, Arcicella, and Herminiimonas phylotypes were abundantly and consistently detected in the ice worm samples; these phylotypes constituted the core microbiota associated with the ice worm. A fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed that Arcicella cells specifically colonized the epidermis of the ice worms. Other bacterial phylotypes detected in the ice worm samples were also abundantly recovered from the respective habitat glaciers; these bacteria may be food for ice worms to digest or temporary residents. Nevertheless, some were overrepresented in the ice worm RNA samples; they may also function as facultative gut bacteria. Our results indicate that the community structure of bacteria associated with ice worms is distinct from that in the associated glacier and includes worm-specific and facultative, glacier-indigenous lineages.

Specific IgE and IgG to gelatin in children with systemic cutaneous reactions to Japanese encephalitis vaccines.

PubMed

Sakaguchi, M; Miyazawa, H; Inouye, S

2001-06-01

Systemic allergic reactions to Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine that include urticaria, angioedema, and rash have been reported. In Japan, children who suffered from allergic immediate-type reactions to JE vaccine had antigelatin IgE in their sera. However, the immunologic mechanism of allergic nonimmediate-type reactions that consist of cutaneous signs appearing several hours or more after JE vaccination has not been defined. Serum samples were taken from 28 children who showed allergic nonimmediate-type cutaneous reactions to JE vaccine. Furthermore, serum samples were taken from 10 children who showed allergic immediate-type reactions with cutaneous signs and/or respiratory symptoms to JE vaccine. We have defined an immediate-type reaction as one occurring within 1 h after vaccination. Of 10 children who showed immediate-type reactions, all had antigelatin IgE and IgG. Of 28 children who showed systemic nonimmediate-type reactions, one had antigelatin IgE and nine (32%) had antigelatin IgG. The child who had antigelatin IgE showed urticaria 2 h after JE vaccination. These results suggest that some children who showed allergic nonimmediate-type reactions to JE vaccine were sensitized to gelatin.

Work stress and oral health-related quality of life among Indian information technology workers: an exploratory study.

PubMed

Acharya, Shashidhar; Pentapati, Kalyana C

2012-06-01

To assess the relationships among work stress, oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in information technology (IT) professionals in south India. The study population consisted of 134 IT industry workers in four mid-size IT companies in south India. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of the eight-item Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) scale and a 25-item modified version of the original 167-item Work Stress Questionnaire was given, following which an oral examination was carried out. Mean ± standard deviation scores on the Work Stress Questionnaire, the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) for the sample population were 53.82 ± 15.07, 4.23 ± 3.47 and 1.81 ± 0.58, respectively. A comparison of clinical oral health status data against respondents' work stress and OIDP scores showed that mean DMFT and CPITN scores were significantly greater among those who reported oral impact on their daily performance. However, although participants who reported oral problems had consistently higher work stress scores, the differences were statistically significant only for gingival bleeding and sensitive teeth. Multivariate analysis after controlling for age and sex showed that higher levels of work stress and periodontal disease were significant predictors for poor OHRQoL in the sample population.  Work stress may be an important predictor for poor OHRQoL and hence requires to be studied in greater detail. © 2012 FDI World Dental Federation.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version for DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale (Child Form for Children Aged 11-17 Years and Parent Form for Children Aged 6-17 Years).

PubMed

Yalin Sapmaz, Şermin; Özek Erkuran, Handan; Yalin, Nefize; Önen, Özlem; Öztekin, Siğnem; Kavurma, Canem; Köroğlu, Ertuğrul; Aydemir, Ömer

2017-12-01

This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Level 2 Anger Scale. The scale was prepared by translation and back translation of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale. Study groups consisted of a clinical sample of cases diagnosed with depressive disorder and treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and a community sample. The study was continued with 218 children and 160 parents. In the assessment process, child and parent forms of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale and Children's Depression Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent Form were used. In the reliability analyses, the Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient values were found very high regarding child and parent forms. Item-total score correlation coefficients were high and very high, respectively, for child and parent forms indicating a statistical significance. As for construct validity, one factor was maintained for each form and was found to be consistent with the original form of the scale. As for concurrent validity, the child form of the scale showed significant correlation with Children's Depression Inventory, while the parent form showed significant correlation with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent Form. It was found that the Turkish version of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale could be utilized as a valid and reliable tool both in clinical practice and for research purposes.

Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20) in Healthy Volunteers and Patients Attending a Physiotherapy Clinic.

PubMed

Tashani, Osama A; AlAbas, Oras A; Kabil, Raafat A M; Johnson, Mark I

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the PASS-20 questionnaire for use in Libya. Participants were 71 patients (42 women) attending the physiotherapy clinic, Ibn Sina Hospital, Sirt, Libya for management of persistent pain and 137 healthy unpaid undergraduate students (52 women) from the University of Sirt, Libya. The English PASS-20 was translated into Arabic. Patients completed the Arabic PASS-20 and the Arabic Pain Rating Scales on two occasions separated by a 14-day interval. Healthy participants completed the Arabic PASS-20 on one occasion. The internal consistency (ICC) for pain patient and healthy participant samples yielded a good reliability for the total score, cognitive anxiety, fear of pain, and physiological anxiety. The test-retest reliability of the Arabic PASS-20 score showed high reliability for the total score (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), escape/avoidance (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), fear of pain (ICC = 0.94, p < 0.001), and physiological anxiety subscales (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.001) and good reliability for the cognitive anxiety (ICC = 0.85, p < 0.001). Inspection of the Promax rotation showed that each factor comprised of five items were consistent with the theoretical constructs of the original PASS-20 subscales. The Arabic PASS-20 retained internal consistency and reliability with the original English version and can be used to measure pain anxiety symptoms in both pain and healthy individual samples in Libya.

Conceptual model for transport processes in the Culebra Dolomite Member, Rustler Formation

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

Holt, R.M.

1997-08-01

The Culebra Dolomite Member of the Rustler Formation represents a possible pathway for contaminants from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant underground repository to the accessible environment. The geologic character of the Culebra is consistent with a double-porosity, multiple-rate model for transport in which the medium is conceptualized as consisting of advective porosity, where solutes are carried by the groundwater flow, and fracture-bounded zones of diffusive porosity, where solutes move through slow advection or diffusion. As the advective travel length or travel time increases, the nature of transport within a double-porosity medium changes. This behavior is important for chemical sorption, becausemore » the specific surface area per unit mass of the diffusive porosity is much greater than in the advective porosity. Culebra transport experiments conducted at two different length scales show behavior consistent with a multiple-rate, double-porosity conceptual model for Culebra transport. Tracer tests conducted on intact core samples from the Culebra show no evidence of significant diffusion, suggesting that at the core scale the Culebra can be modeled as a single-porosity medium where only the advective porosity participates in transport. Field tracer tests conducted in the Culebra show strong double-porosity behavior that is best explained using a multiple-rate model.« less

Phoenix Mars Lander's Chemistry Lab in a Box

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

The wet chemistry laboratory on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has four teacup-size beakers. This photograph shows one of them. The laboratory is part of the spacecraft's Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer.

Each beaker will be used only once, for assessing soluble chemicals in a sample of Martian soil by mixing water with the sample to a soupy consistency and keeping it warm enough to remain liquid during the analysis.

On the inner surface of the beaker are 26 sensors, mostly electrodes behind selectively permeable membranes or gels. Some sensors will give information about the acidity or alkalinity of the soil sample. Others will gauge concentrations of such ions as chlorides, bromides, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Comparisons of the concentrations of water-soluble ions in soil samples from different depths below the surface of the landing site may provide clues to the history of the water in the soil.

[Argentine norms for the 16 PF test taken by subjects 17 to 20 years old].

PubMed

Rodríquez Feijoo, N

1981-07-01

This test was administered to a sample of 314 17 years old Argentine subjects (157 boy and 157 girls), and to another sample of 240 Argentine subjects, consisting of 127 boys and 113 girls of 20 years of age. Means, standard deviations and percentile ranks for both samples were obtained. To compare groups of different sex and age test of significance for mean differences of independent samples were applied. Boys obtained scores significantly higher than girls, without taking into consideration the age, in Factors C (lower ego strength-higher ego strength), E (submissiveness-dominance), H (threctia-parmia), Q1 (conservativism of temperament-radicalism) and Q3 (low self-sentiment integration - high strength of self sentiment). Contrarywise, girl showed scores significantly higher than boys of the same age in factors I (harria-premsia), N (artlessness-shrewdness), O (untroubled adequacy-guilt proneness) and Q4 (low ergic tension-high ergic tension).