Heart transplantation in the setting of complex congenital heart disease and physiologic single lung.

PubMed

Zuckerman, Warren A; Richmond, Marc E; Lee, Teresa M; Bacha, Emile A; Chai, Paul J; Chen, Jonathan M; Addonizio, Linda J

2015-12-01

To highlight the success of heart transplantation in patients with complex congenital heart disease and physiologic single lung by providing an update on the world's largest reported cohort. Demographic, perioperative, postoperative, and outcomes data were collected retrospectively on all patients undergoing heart transplant to single lung at Columbia University Medical Center since 1992, and compared with all other patients undergoing transplants performed for single ventricle or tetralogy of Fallot during that time. Twenty-two patients (mean age, 20.6 years; range, 5 months-47 years) underwent heart transplant to single lung. Compared with controls (n = 67), the single lung group had more male patients and a greater proportion of tetralogy compared with single ventricle patients, although the single lung group had fewer post-Fontan patients. Age, weight, and body surface area were similar between the groups as were use of mechanical circulatory support and mechanical ventilation before transplant. Median time to extubation, time on inotropes, and length of stay were similar. There were 3 perioperative deaths, including a patient who died during postoperative day 1 from primary graft failure, likely related to a combination of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and volume load. There were 5 additional mortalities during intermediate- and long-term follow-up, none of which were related to single-lung physiology. There was no significant survival difference between the groups. In patients with complex congenital heart disease and single lung physiology, heart transplant alone remains an excellent option, with comparable outcomes to patients undergoing transplant with similar cardiac anatomy and dual lung physiology. Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Single-port (OctoPort) assisted extracorporeal ovarian cystectomy for the treatment of large ovarian cysts: compare to conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy.

PubMed

Chong, Gun Oh; Hong, Dae Gy; Lee, Yoon Soon

2015-01-01

To evaluate single-port assisted extracorporeal cystectomy for treatment of large ovarian cysts and to compare its surgical outcomes, complications, and cystic content spillage rates with those of conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy. Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). University teaching hospital. Twenty-five patients who underwent single-port assisted extracorporeal cystectomy (group 1), 33 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopy (group 2), and 25 patients who underwent laparotomy (group 3). Surgical outcomes, complications, and spillage rates in group 1 were compared with those in groups 2 and 3. Patients characteristics and tumor histologic findings were similar in the 3 groups. The mean (SD) largest diameter of ovarian cysts was 11.4 (4.2) cm in group 1, 9.7 (2.3) cm in group 2, and 12.0 (3.4) cm in group 3. Operative time in groups 1 and 2 was similar at 69.3 (26.3) minutes vs 73.1 (36.3) minutes (p = .66); however, operative time in group 1 was shorter than in group 3, at 69.3 (26.3) minutes vs 87.5 (26.6) minutes (p =.02). Blood loss in group 1 was significantly lower than in groups 2 and 3, at 16.0 (19.4) mL vs 36.1 (20.7) mL (p < .001) and 16.0 (19.4) mL vs 42.2 (39.7) mL (p = .005). The spillage rate in group 1 was profoundly lower than in group 2, at 8.0% vs 69.7% (p < .001). Single-port assisted extracorporeal cystectomy offers an alternative to conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy for management of large ovarian cysts, with comparable surgical outcomes. Furthermore, cyst content spillage rate in single-port assisted extracorporeal cystectomy was remarkably lower than that in conventional laparoscopy. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Characterization of the Ecosole HCPV tracker and single module inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpanelli, Maurizio; Borelli, Gianni; Verdilio, Daniele; De Nardis, Davide; Migali, Fabrizio; Cancro, Carmine; Graditi, Giorgio

2015-09-01

BECAR, the Beghelli group's R&D company, is leading ECOSOLE (Elevated COncentration SOlar Energy), one of the largest European Demonstration projects in solar photovoltaic. ECOSOLE, started in 2012, is focused on the study, design, and realization of new HCPV generator made of high efficiency PV modules equipped with SoG (Silicone on Glass) fresnel lenses and III-V solar cells, and a low cost matched solar tracker with distributed inverters approach. The project also regards the study and demonstration of new high throughput methods for the industrial large scale productions, at very low manufacturing costs. This work reports the description of the characterization of the tracker and single module.

Perceptual learning in children with visual impairment improves near visual acuity.

PubMed

Huurneman, Bianca; Boonstra, F Nienke; Cox, Ralf F A; van Rens, Ger; Cillessen, Antonius H N

2013-09-17

This study investigated whether visual perceptual learning can improve near visual acuity and reduce foveal crowding effects in four- to nine-year-old children with visual impairment. Participants were 45 children with visual impairment and 29 children with normal vision. Children with visual impairment were divided into three groups: a magnifier group (n = 12), a crowded perceptual learning group (n = 18), and an uncrowded perceptual learning group (n = 15). Children with normal vision also were divided in three groups, but were measured only at baseline. Dependent variables were single near visual acuity (NVA), crowded NVA, LH line 50% crowding NVA, number of trials, accuracy, performance time, amount of small errors, and amount of large errors. Children with visual impairment trained during six weeks, two times per week, for 30 minutes (12 training sessions). After training, children showed significant improvement of NVA in addition to specific improvements on the training task. The crowded perceptual learning group showed the largest acuity improvements (1.7 logMAR lines on the crowded chart, P < 0.001). Only the children in the crowded perceptual learning group showed improvements on all NVA charts. Children with visual impairment benefit from perceptual training. While task-specific improvements were observed in all training groups, transfer to crowded NVA was largest in the crowded perceptual learning group. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence for the improvement of NVA by perceptual learning in children with visual impairment. (http://www.trialregister.nl number, NTR2537.).

Shot Bee, a test of the TEAPOT series, 22 March 1955. Technical report

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

Maag, C.; Wilkinson, M.; Rohrer, S.

This report describes the activities of more than 3,000 DOD personnel, both military and civilian, in Shot BEE, the sixth nuclear test in the TEAPOT atmospheric nuclear weapons testing series. The test was conducted on 22 March 1955 and involved participants from Exercise Desert Rock VI, AFSWP, AFSWC, and the AEC Test Groups. The Marine Brigade Exercise troop test involved 2,271 Marines and was the largest single project conducted during Operation TEAPOT.

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

Anderson, W.F.; Martinell, J.; Whitney, J.B. III

The group of diseases called the thalassemias is the largest single-gene health problem in the world according the World Health Organization. The thalassemias are lethal hereditary anemias in which the infants cannot make their own blood. Three mouse mutants are shown to be models of the human disease ..cap alpha..-thalassemia. However, since an additional gene is affected, these mutants represent a particularly severe condition in which death occurs in the homozygous embryo even before globin genes are activated. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics are described. (ACR)

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

Bérczi, Viktor, E-mail: berczi@hotmail.com; Valcseva, Éva, E-mail: evapeneva@gmail.com; Kozics, Dóra, E-mail: dora.kozics@gmail.com

IntroductionEarly literature suggested that the size of the uterus, the size of the dominant fibroid, and the amount of applied embolization particles would be the risk factors for major postprocedural complications, but recent publications have confuted these early results. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the size of the dominant fibroid would influence the complication rate and effectiveness in a large single-center cohort.Patients and MethodsFrom 28 April 2008 until 31 December 2012, 303 patients had uterine artery embolization (UAE). 262 patients had small [largest diameter <10 cm (Group 1)], 41 patients had large [largest diameter >10 cm (Group 2)]more » fibroid. UAE was performed from unilateral femoral access using 500–710 and 355–500 µm polyvinyl alcohol particles. Periprocedural and postprocedural complications and numerical analog quality-of-life scores (0—unbearable symptoms; 100—perfect quality of life) were listed and statistically analyzed.ResultsDuring the mean follow-up time [7.79 ± 5.16 (SD) month], data on 275 patients (275/303 = 90.8 %) were available. Quality-of-life score was 33.3 ± 23.5 and 33.5 ± 24.1 before, whereas 85.6 ± 16.0 and 81.5 ± 23.5 after UAE in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, (Mann–Whitney U test one-sided, p = 0.365). There were 4 myoma expulsions, 1 acute myomectomy, and 2 acute hysterectomies reported from Group 1, meanwhile 1 myoma expulsion, 1 acute myomectomy, and 2 acute hysterectomies were documented from Group 2 (NS differences).ConclusionThere was no significant difference in the effectiveness and in the number of minor and major complications between fibroids with <10 cm largest diameter compared to those >10 cm.« less

Evaluation of Industrial Compensation to Cardiologists in 2015.

PubMed

Khan, Muhammad Shahzeb; Siddiqi, Tariq Jamal; Fatima, Kaneez; Riaz, Haris; Khosa, Faisal; Manning, Warren J; Krasuski, Richard

2017-12-15

The categorization and characterization of pharmaceutical and device manufacturers or group purchasing organization payments to clinicians is an important step toward assessing conflicts of interest and the potential impact of these payments on practice patterns. Payments have not previously been compared among the subspecialties of cardiology. This is a retrospective analysis of the Open Payments database, including all installments and payments made to doctors in the calendar year 2015 by pharmaceutical and device manufacturers or group purchasing organization. Total payments to individual physicians were then aggregated based on specialty, geographic region, and payment type. The Gini Index was further employed to calculate within each specialty to measure income disparity. In 2015, a total of $166,089,335 was paid in 943,744 payments (average $175.00 per payment) to cardiologists, including 23,372 general cardiologists, 7,530 interventional cardiologists, and 2,293 cardiac electro-physiologists. Payments were mal-distributed across the 3 subspecialties of cardiology (p <0.01), with general cardiology receiving the largest number (73.5%) and total payments (62.6%) and cardiac electrophysiologists receiving significantly higher median payments ($1,662 vs $361 for all cardiologists; p <0.01). The Medtronic Company was the largest single payer for all 3 subspecialties. In conclusion, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers or group purchasing organizations continue to make substantial payments to cardiac practitioners with a significant variation in payments made to different cardiology subspecialists. The largest number and total payments are to general cardiologists, whereas the highest median payments are made to cardiac electrophysiologists. The impact of these payments on practice patterns remains to be examined. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Genetic Differentiation of Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Kamchatka River Basin and the Lake-River Systems of the West Coast of the Bering Sea as Inferred from Data on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Klovach, N V; Vedischeva, E V; Seeb, J E

2015-10-01

The variability of 45 single nucleotide polymorphism loci (SNP) was studied in sockeye salmon from the Kamchatka River basin and four lake-river systems of the west coast of the Bering Sea. Based on the genetic differentiation estimates for the largest sockeye salmon populations of Eastern Kamchatka and Chukotka, the examined samples were combined into two regional groups represented by the population of the Kamchatka River drainage, which included numerous local subpopulations and seasonal races, and the northern population grouping from the rivers of Olutorsko-Navarinsky raion, wherein the sockeye salmon from Maynypilginskaya Lake-River system was relatively isolated. Considerable divergence was observed between the island (Sarannoe Lake, Bering Island) and continental populations. Genetic heterogeneity was revealed and groups of early- and late-maturing individuals were isolated in the sample of late-run sockeye salmon from Kamchatka River. In Apuka River, subdivision of the spawning run into two genetically distinct spatial and temporal groupings was also observed. The results suggest that the differentiation of sockeye salmon samples by single nucleotide substitution frequencies was largely due to differences in the direction and strength of local selection at some loci in the population complexes and intrapopulation groupings from the examined river basins of Eastern Kamchatka, Chukotka, and Commander Islands.

Response of anestrous ewes to the ram effect after follicular wave synchronization with a single dose of estradiol-17beta.

PubMed

Ungerfeld, Rodolfo; Dago, Ana L; Rubianes, Edgardo; Forsberg, Mats

2004-01-01

Anestrous ewes respond to the introduction of rams with either an ovulation within 2-3 days that may be followed by luteal phases of normal or short length, with delayed ovulations (5-6 days later), or with the luteinization of follicles. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between the growth status of the largest follicle present when rams are introduced and the type of ovarian response in non-treated ewes and in ewes treated with estradiol-17beta before ram introduction. Thirteen anestrous Corriedale ewes were divided into 2 groups: E2 (n = 7) and C (n = 6). The E2 ewes received a single dose of 50 microg estradiol-17beta 5 days before the introduction of the rams to synchronize the onset of their follicle waves, while C ewes remained untreated. When the rams were introduced, all E2 ewes had the largest follicle in a growing stage in contrast with the C ewes (3 out of 6; P < 0.05). Five C and 4 E2 ewes ovulated after the introduction of the rams (Day 3.4 +/- 0.4 for C vs. 4.8 +/- 0.3 for E2 ewes, respectively, P < 0.05). Only one ewe from each group developed a normal luteal phase: 4 C and 3 E2 ewes had short luteal phases. One C ewe and 2 E2 ewes had short luteal phases originating from follicles that did not ovulate. After the first luteal phase, all ewes returned to anesirus without a second ovulation or luteal phase. The remaining E2 ewe did not ovulate or show any changes in progesterone serum concentrations. We conclude that the growth status of the largest follicle alone does not determine the ovarian responding pattern of anestrous ewes to the ram effect.

Nagano, Japan 1998

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-02-06

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite captured this stunning view of Japan’ four largest islands on February 20, 2004. The snow-covered southern arm of Hokkaido extends into the upper left corner. Honshu, Japan’s largest island, curves across the center of the image. Shikoku, right, and Kyushu, left, form the southern tip of the group. Japan is mostly mountainous, and, as the dusting of snow in this image shows, is cold in the north and more tropical in the south. A single red dot marks the location of an active fire. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

A Novel and Functional Single-Layer Sheet of ZnSe

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Jia; Sumpter, Bobby G.; Kent, Paul R. C.; ...

2014-12-23

In this Communication, we report a novel singlelayer sheet of ZnSe, with a three-atomic thickness, which demonstrates a strong quantum confinement effect by exhibiting a large blue shift of 2.0 eV in its absorption edge relative to the zinc blende (ZB) bulk phase. Theoretical optical absorbance shows that the largest absorption of this ultrathin single-layer sheet of ZnSe occurs at a wavelength similar to its four-atom-thick doublelayer counterpart but with higher photoabsorption efficiency, suggesting a superior behavior on incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency for solar water splitting, among other potential applications. The results presented herein for ZnSe may be generalized tomore » other group II-VI analogues.« less

More than a Million New American Indians in 2000: Who Are They?

PubMed Central

Liebler, Carolyn A.; Ortyl, Timothy

2016-01-01

More than a million people reported their race as American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) in the 2000 U.S. Census but did not do so in the 1990 Census. We ask: (1) Which subgroups had the greatest numerical growth? (2) Which subgroups had the greatest proportional increase? And (3) are the 2000 single-race AIANs and the 1990 AIANs the same set of people? We use full-count and high-density decennial census data; adjust for birth, death, and immigration; decompose on age, gender, Latino origin, education, and birth state; and compare the observed subgroup sizes in 2000 to the sizes expected based on 1990 counts. The largest numerical increases were among adolescent and middle-aged non-Latinos, non-Latino women, and adults with no college degree. Latinos, women, highly-educated adults, and people born in Eastern states had the largest proportionate gains. The ability to report multiple races in 2000 and the new federal definition of “American Indian” may have especially affected these groups, though personal identity changes are probably also involved. We find that thousands of new Latino AIANs reported only one race in 2000. Also, many 1990 AIANs reported multiple races in 2000. Thus, the 1990 AIANs and 2000 single-race AIANs are not always the same individuals. PMID:24719274

Managing consumptive and nonconsumptive use in the United States largest wilderness

Treesearch

Vicki Snitzler; Barbara Cellarius

2007-01-01

With more than 13 million acres (5,260,913 ha) of land and in excess of 9 million acres (3,642,171 ha) of designated Wilderness, Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the United States and includes the country’s largest single-name wilderness area. Park managers face a variety of challenges in managing consumptive and...

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

Parthipun, A. A., E-mail: aneeta@hotmail.co.uk; Taylor, J.; Manyonda, I.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between large uterine fibroid diameter, uterine volume, number of vials of embolic agent used and risk of complications from uterine artery embolisation (UAE). This was a prospective study involving 121 patients undergoing UAE embolisation for symptomatic uterine fibroids at a single institution. Patients were grouped according to diameter of largest fibroid and uterine volume. Results were also stratified according to the number of vials of embolic agent used and rate of complications. No statistical difference in complication rate was demonstrated between the two groups according to diametermore » of the largest fibroid (large fibroids were classified as {>=}10 cm; Fisher's exact test P = 1.00), and no statistical difference in complication rate was demonstrated according to uterine volume (large uterine volume was defined as {>=}750 cm{sup 3}; Fisher's exact test P = 0.70). 84 of the 121 patients had documentation of the number of vials used during the procedure. Patients were divided into two groups, with {>=}4 used defined as a large number of embolic agent. There was no statistical difference between these two groups and no associated increased risk of developing complications. This study showed no increased incidence of complications in women with large-diameter fibroids or uterine volumes as defined. In addition, there was no evidence of increased complications according to quantity of embolic material used. Therefore, UAE should be offered to women with large fibroids and uterine volumes.« less

Exploratory analysis of meal composition in Australia: meat and accompanying foods.

PubMed

Sui, Zhixian; Raubenheimer, David; Rangan, Anna

2017-08-01

The study of meal patterns and overall diet in relation to health outcomes may be more important than focusing on single nutrients or food groups. The present study aimed to explore the composition of main meals and snacks in the Australian population and examine associations between meat/poultry/fish and other foods. The study utilised 24 h recalls. Meal composition was defined based on average intakes of food groups per meal disaggregated from all food sources. 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Australian people (n12153) aged 2 years or above. Overall, breakfast was the smallest meal of the day, typically consisting of grains, dairy products and fruit. Lunch was the second largest meal, consisting mostly of grains, non-starchy vegetables and meat/poultry/fish. The largest meal was dinner, comprising meat/poultry/fish, vegetables (starchy and non-starchy), grains and often including discretionary beverages (children) or alcohol (adults). The main food groups consumed at snacking occasions were dairy, fruit, discretionary foods and beverages (including alcohol for adults). The most frequently consumed meat types were beef and chicken at dinner and ham at lunch. Non-starchy vegetables were accompanying foods for red meat, poultry and fish/seafood consumed in varying portion sizes, but did not accompany processed meat. The present study considered meat, poultry and fish as the meal centre and their accompaniments of other food groups at different eating occasions. These findings expand the background evidence for health professionals developing meal-based framework/guidelines and public health messages.

Use of aggregate screenings as a substitute for silica sand in portland cement concrete (PCC).

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-06-01

The State of Florida is the third largest consumer of crushed rock products in the United States and is the largest : single contractor/user of crushed stone resources in the state. Crushed stone in Florida is produced from : limestone, which is mine...

Using Telepresence to Connect and Engage Classes and the Public in the Exploration of Tamu Massif, the World's Largest Single Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanez-James, S. E.; Sager, W.

2016-02-01

Research published in 2013 showed that TAMU Massif, the largest mountain in the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau, located approximately 1500 kilometers east of Japan, is the "World's Largest Single Volcano." This claim garnered widespread public interest and wonder concerning how something so big could remain so mysterious in the 21st century. This disconnect highlights the fact that oceans are still widely unexplored, especially the middle of the deep ocean. Because there is so much interest in TAMU Massif, a diverse outreach team lead by chief scientist Dr. William Sager from the University of Houston in partnership with the Texas State Aquarium and the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) conducted a multifaceted ship-to-shore outreach project that included secondary school students, formal and informal educators, university students and professors, the aquarium and museum audience, and the general public. The objective was to work in conjunction with SOI and various other partners, including the Texas Regional Collaborative, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, to promote science and ocean literacy while inspiring future scientists - especially those from underserved and underrepresented groups - through ocean connections. Participants were connected through live ship-to-shore distance learning broadcasts of ongoing marine research and discovery of TAMU Massif aboard the R/V Falkor, allowing audiences to participate in real-time research and apply real world science to curriculum in the classrooms. These ship-to-shore presentations connected to existing curriculums and standards, lessons, and career interests of the students and educators with special teacher events and professional development workshops conducted from aboard the R/V Falkor.

Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to Better Cobb Angle Outcomes in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis - an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Schreiber, Sanja; Parent, Eric C; Khodayari Moez, Elham; Hedden, Douglas M; Hill, Douglas L; Moreau, Marc; Lou, Edmond; Watkins, Elise M; Southon, Sarah C

2016-01-01

The North American non-surgical standard of care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) includes observation and bracing, but not exercises. Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) showed promise in several studies of suboptimal methodology. The Scoliosis Research Society calls for rigorous studies supporting the role of exercises before including it as a treatment recommendation for scoliosis. To determine the effect of a six-month Schroth PSSE intervention added to standard of care (Experimental group) on the Cobb angle compared to standard of care alone (Control group) in patients with AIS. Fifty patients with AIS aged 10-18 years, with curves of 10°-45° and Risser grade 0-5 were recruited from a single pediatric scoliosis clinic and randomized to the Experimental or Control group. Outcomes included the change in the Cobb angles of the Largest Curve and Sum of Curves from baseline to six months. The intervention consisted of a 30-45 minute daily home program and weekly supervised sessions. Intention-to-treat and per protocol linear mixed effects model analyses are reported. In the intention-to-treat analysis, after six months, the Schroth group had significantly smaller Largest Curve than controls (-3.5°, 95% CI -1.1° to -5.9°, p = 0.006). Likewise, the between-group difference in the square root of the Sum of Curves was -0.40°, (95% CI -0.03° to -0.8°, p = 0.046), suggesting that an average patient with 51.2° at baseline, will have a 49.3° Sum of Curves at six months in the Schroth group, and 55.1° in the control group with the difference between groups increasing with severity. Per protocol analyses produced similar, but larger differences: Largest Curve = -4.1° (95% CI -1.7° to -6.5°, p = 0.002) and [Formula: see text] (95% CI -0.8 to 0.2, p = 0.006). Schroth PSSE added to the standard of care were superior compared to standard of care alone for reducing the curve severity in patients with AIS. NCT01610908.

Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to Better Cobb Angle Outcomes in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis – an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Parent, Eric C.; Khodayari Moez, Elham; Hedden, Douglas M.; Hill, Douglas L.; Moreau, Marc; Lou, Edmond; Watkins, Elise M.; Southon, Sarah C.

2016-01-01

Background The North American non-surgical standard of care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) includes observation and bracing, but not exercises. Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) showed promise in several studies of suboptimal methodology. The Scoliosis Research Society calls for rigorous studies supporting the role of exercises before including it as a treatment recommendation for scoliosis. Objectives To determine the effect of a six-month Schroth PSSE intervention added to standard of care (Experimental group) on the Cobb angle compared to standard of care alone (Control group) in patients with AIS. Methods Fifty patients with AIS aged 10–18 years, with curves of 10°-45° and Risser grade 0–5 were recruited from a single pediatric scoliosis clinic and randomized to the Experimental or Control group. Outcomes included the change in the Cobb angles of the Largest Curve and Sum of Curves from baseline to six months. The intervention consisted of a 30–45 minute daily home program and weekly supervised sessions. Intention-to-treat and per protocol linear mixed effects model analyses are reported. Results In the intention-to-treat analysis, after six months, the Schroth group had significantly smaller Largest Curve than controls (-3.5°, 95% CI -1.1° to -5.9°, p = 0.006). Likewise, the between-group difference in the square root of the Sum of Curves was -0.40°, (95% CI -0.03° to -0.8°, p = 0.046), suggesting that an average patient with 51.2° at baseline, will have a 49.3° Sum of Curves at six months in the Schroth group, and 55.1° in the control group with the difference between groups increasing with severity. Per protocol analyses produced similar, but larger differences: Largest Curve = -4.1° (95% CI -1.7° to -6.5°, p = 0.002) and Sum of Curves=−0.5° (95% CI -0.8 to 0.2, p = 0.006). Conclusion Schroth PSSE added to the standard of care were superior compared to standard of care alone for reducing the curve severity in patients with AIS. Trial Registration NCT01610908 PMID:28033399

11,670 whole-genome sequences representative of the Han Chinese population from the CONVERGE project.

PubMed

Cai, Na; Bigdeli, Tim B; Kretzschmar, Warren W; Li, Yihan; Liang, Jieqin; Hu, Jingchu; Peterson, Roseann E; Bacanu, Silviu; Webb, Bradley Todd; Riley, Brien; Li, Qibin; Marchini, Jonathan; Mott, Richard; Kendler, Kenneth S; Flint, Jonathan

2017-02-14

The China, Oxford and Virginia Commonwealth University Experimental Research on Genetic Epidemiology (CONVERGE) project on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) sequenced 11,670 female Han Chinese at low-coverage (1.7X), providing the first large-scale whole genome sequencing resource representative of the largest ethnic group in the world. Samples are collected from 58 hospitals from 23 provinces around China. We are able to call 22 million high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from the nuclear genome, representing the largest SNP call set from an East Asian population to date. We use these variants for imputation of genotypes across all samples, and this has allowed us to perform a successful genome wide association study (GWAS) on MDD. The utility of these data can be extended to studies of genetic ancestry in the Han Chinese and evolutionary genetics when integrated with data from other populations. Molecular phenotypes, such as copy number variations and structural variations can be detected, quantified and analysed in similar ways.

Overcoming the Model Minority Myth: Experiences of Filipino American Graduate Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nadal, Kevin L.; Pituc, Stephanie T.; Johnston, Marc P.; Esparrago, Theresa

2010-01-01

Filipino Americans are one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States and the second largest Asian American/Pacific Islander ethnic group. However, there is little research focusing on the unique experiences of this group, particularly in higher education. This paper presents a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Filipino…

Karyotypic diversity and evolutionary trends in the Neotropical catfish genus Hypostomus Lacépède, 1803 (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

PubMed Central

Alves, Anderson Luis; de Borba, Rafael Splendore; Oliveira, Claudio; Mauro Nirchio; Granado, Angel; Foresti, Fausto

2012-01-01

Abstract The family Loricariidae with 813 nominal species is one of the largest fish families of the world. Hypostominae, its more complex subfamily, was recently divided into five tribes. The tribe Hypostomini is composed of a single genus, Hypostomus Lacépède, 1803, which exhibits the largest karyotypic diversity in the family Loricariidae. With the main objective of contributing to a better understanding of the relationship and the patterns of evolution among the karyotypes of Hypostomus species, cytogenetic studies were conducted in six species of the genus from Brazil and Venezuela. The results show a great chromosome variety with diploid numbers ranging from 2n=68 to 2n=76, with a clear predominance of acrocentric chromosomes. The Ag-NORs are located in terminal position in all species analyzed. Three species have single Ag-NORs (Hypostomus albopunctatus (Regan, 1908), Hypostomus prope plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Hypostomus prope paulinus (Ihering, 1905)) and three have multiple Ag-NORs (Hypostomus ancistroides (Ihering, 1911), Hypostomus prope iheringi (Regan, 1908), and Hypostomus strigaticeps (Regan, 1908)). In the process of karyotype evolution of the group, the main type of chromosome rearrangements was possibly centric fissions, which may have been facilitated by the putative tetraploid origin of Hypostomus species. The relationship between the karyotype changes and the evolution in the genus is discussed. PMID:24260683

The Facts, Faces, and Figures of Nassau Community College, 2000-2001.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY.

This fact book for Nassau Community College (NCC), New York, for 2000-2001 offers information about NCC's mission, publications, organizations, resources, services, and faculty and students. NCC is the largest community college in the state of New York, as well as one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the country. Report…

The Facts, Faces, and Figures of Nassau Community College, 1999-2000.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY.

This report provides facts about Nassau Community College (NCC) (New York)--its mission, publications, organization, resources, and faculty and students. Highlights include: (1) Nassau is the largest community college in the state of New York and one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the United States; (2) for the 1999-2000…

Carbon Cycling in Wetland Forest Soils

Treesearch

Carl C. Trettin; Martin F. Jurgensen

2003-01-01

Wetlands comprise a small proportion (i.e., 2 to 3%) of earth's terrestrial surface, yet they contain a significant proportion of the terrestrial carbon (C) pool. Soils comprise the largest terrestrial C pool (ca. 1550 Pg C in upper 100 cm; Eswaran et al., 1993; Batjes, 1996), and wetlands contain the single largest component, with estimates ranging between 18...

1.00 MeV proton radiation resistance studies of single-junction and single gap dual-junction amorphous-silicon alloy solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdulaziz, Salman; Payson, J. S.; Li, Yang; Woodyard, James R.

1990-01-01

A comparative study of the radiation resistance of a-Si:H and a-SiGe:H single-junction and a-Si:H dual-junction solar cells was conducted. The cells were irradiated with 1.00-MeV protons with fluences of 1.0 x 10 to the 14th, 5.0 x 10 to the 14th and 1.0 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm and characterized using I-V and quantum efficiency measurements. The radiation resistance of single-junction cells cannot be used to explain the behavior of dual-junction cells at a fluence of 1.0 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm. The a-Si H single-junction cells degraded the least of the three cells; a-SiGe:H single-junction cells showed the largest reduction in short-circuit current, while a-Si:H dual-junction cells exhibited the largest degradation in the open-circuit voltage. The quantum efficiency of the cells degraded more in the red part of the spectrum; the bottom junction degrades first in dual-junction cells.

Limb-bone scaling indicates diverse stance and gait in quadrupedal ornithischian dinosaurs.

PubMed

Maidment, Susannah C R; Linton, Deborah H; Upchurch, Paul; Barrett, Paul M

2012-01-01

The most primitive ornithischian dinosaurs were small bipeds, but quadrupedality evolved three times independently in the clade. The transition to quadrupedality from bipedal ancestors is rare in the history of terrestrial vertebrate evolution, and extant analogues do not exist. Constraints imposed on quadrupedal ornithischians by their ancestral bipedal bauplan remain unexplored, and consequently, debate continues about their stance and gait. For example, it has been proposed that some ornithischians could run, while others consider that none were cursorial. Drawing on biomechanical concepts of limb bone scaling and locomotor theory developed for extant taxa, we use the largest dataset of ornithischian postcranial measurements so far compiled to examine stance and gait in quadrupedal ornithischians. Differences in femoral midshaft eccentricity in hadrosaurs and ceratopsids may indicate that hadrosaurs placed their feet on the midline during locomotion, while ceratopsids placed their feet more laterally, under the hips. More robust humeri in the largest ceratopsids relative to smaller taxa may be due to positive allometry in skull size with body mass in ceratopsids, while slender humeri in the largest stegosaurs may be the result of differences in dermal armor distribution within the clade. Hadrosaurs are found to display the most cursorial morphologies of the quadrupedal ornithischian cades, indicating higher locomotor performance than in ceratopsids and thyreophorans. Limb bone scaling indicates that a previously unrealised diversity of stances and gaits were employed by quadrupedal ornithischians despite apparent convergence in limb morphology. Grouping quadrupedal ornithischians together as a single functional group hides this disparity. Differences in limb proportions and scaling are likely due to the possession of display structures such as horns, frills and dermal armor that may have affected the center of mass of the animal, and differences in locomotor behaviour such as migration, predator escape or home range size.

14 CFR 139.325 - Airport emergency plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., including a communications network; (2) Contain sufficient detail to provide adequate guidance to each... response for the largest air carrier aircraft in the Index group required under § 139.315. (b) The plan... that can be carried on board the largest air carrier aircraft in the Index group required under § 139...

Less is more: latent learning is maximized by shorter training sessions in auditory perceptual learning.

PubMed

Molloy, Katharine; Moore, David R; Sohoglu, Ediz; Amitay, Sygal

2012-01-01

The time course and outcome of perceptual learning can be affected by the length and distribution of practice, but the training regimen parameters that govern these effects have received little systematic study in the auditory domain. We asked whether there was a minimum requirement on the number of trials within a training session for learning to occur, whether there was a maximum limit beyond which additional trials became ineffective, and whether multiple training sessions provided benefit over a single session. We investigated the efficacy of different regimens that varied in the distribution of practice across training sessions and in the overall amount of practice received on a frequency discrimination task. While learning was relatively robust to variations in regimen, the group with the shortest training sessions (∼8 min) had significantly faster learning in early stages of training than groups with longer sessions. In later stages, the group with the longest training sessions (>1 hr) showed slower learning than the other groups, suggesting overtraining. Between-session improvements were inversely correlated with performance; they were largest at the start of training and reduced as training progressed. In a second experiment we found no additional longer-term improvement in performance, retention, or transfer of learning for a group that trained over 4 sessions (∼4 hr in total) relative to a group that trained for a single session (∼1 hr). However, the mechanisms of learning differed; the single-session group continued to improve in the days following cessation of training, whereas the multi-session group showed no further improvement once training had ceased. Shorter training sessions were advantageous because they allowed for more latent, between-session and post-training learning to emerge. These findings suggest that efficient regimens should use short training sessions, and optimized spacing between sessions.

Less Is More: Latent Learning Is Maximized by Shorter Training Sessions in Auditory Perceptual Learning

PubMed Central

Molloy, Katharine; Moore, David R.; Sohoglu, Ediz; Amitay, Sygal

2012-01-01

Background The time course and outcome of perceptual learning can be affected by the length and distribution of practice, but the training regimen parameters that govern these effects have received little systematic study in the auditory domain. We asked whether there was a minimum requirement on the number of trials within a training session for learning to occur, whether there was a maximum limit beyond which additional trials became ineffective, and whether multiple training sessions provided benefit over a single session. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated the efficacy of different regimens that varied in the distribution of practice across training sessions and in the overall amount of practice received on a frequency discrimination task. While learning was relatively robust to variations in regimen, the group with the shortest training sessions (∼8 min) had significantly faster learning in early stages of training than groups with longer sessions. In later stages, the group with the longest training sessions (>1 hr) showed slower learning than the other groups, suggesting overtraining. Between-session improvements were inversely correlated with performance; they were largest at the start of training and reduced as training progressed. In a second experiment we found no additional longer-term improvement in performance, retention, or transfer of learning for a group that trained over 4 sessions (∼4 hr in total) relative to a group that trained for a single session (∼1 hr). However, the mechanisms of learning differed; the single-session group continued to improve in the days following cessation of training, whereas the multi-session group showed no further improvement once training had ceased. Conclusions/Significance Shorter training sessions were advantageous because they allowed for more latent, between-session and post-training learning to emerge. These findings suggest that efficient regimens should use short training sessions, and optimized spacing between sessions. PMID:22606309

Iraqi Kurds. Their History and Culture. CAL Refugee Fact Sheet Series No. 13.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robson, Barbara

The Kurds are a distinct group of people who have inhabited the Middle East for as long as there have been written records. The Kurds are the second largest ethnic group in Iraq and Turkey and the third largest group in Iran. In 1975 and 1976, Kurdish refugees from Iraq were admitted to the United States after the failure of their attempt to…

Genetic Heterogeneity in Algerian Human Populations

PubMed Central

Deba, Tahria; Calafell, Francesc; Benhamamouch, Soraya; Comas, David

2015-01-01

The demographic history of human populations in North Africa has been characterized by complex processes of admixture and isolation that have modeled its current gene pool. Diverse genetic ancestral components with different origins (autochthonous, European, Middle Eastern, and sub-Saharan) and genetic heterogeneity in the region have been described. In this complex genetic landscape, Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has been poorly covered, with most of the studies using a single Algerian sample. In order to evaluate the genetic heterogeneity of Algeria, Y-chromosome, mtDNA and autosomal genome-wide makers have been analyzed in several Berber- and Arab-speaking groups. Our results show that the genetic heterogeneity found in Algeria is not correlated with geography or linguistics, challenging the idea of Berber groups being genetically isolated and Arab groups open to gene flow. In addition, we have found that external sources of gene flow into North Africa have been carried more often by females than males, while the North African autochthonous component is more frequent in paternally transmitted genome regions. Our results highlight the different demographic history revealed by different markers and urge to be cautious when deriving general conclusions from partial genomic information or from single samples as representatives of the total population of a region. PMID:26402429

National impacts of the Weatherization Assistance Program in single-family and small multifamily dwellings

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

Brown, M.A.; Berry, L.G.; Balzer, R.A.

1993-05-01

Since 1976, the US Department of Energy (DOE) has operated one of the largest energy conservation programs in the nation -- the low-income Weatherization Assistance Program. The program strives to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by low-income persons in order to reduce their energy consumption, lower their fuel bills, increase the comfort of their homes, and safeguard their health. It targets vulnerable groups including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with children. The most recent national evaluation of the impacts of the Program was completed in 1984 based on energy consumption data for households weatherized in 1981.more » DOE Program regulations and operations have changed substantially since then: new funding sources, management principles, diagnostic procedures, and weatherization technologies have been incorporated. Many of these new features have been studied in isolation or at a local level; however, no recent evaluation has assessed their combined, nationwide impacts to date or their potential for the future. In 1990, DOE initiated such an evaluation. This evaluation is comprised of three ``impact`` studies (the Single-Family Study, High-Density Multifamily Study, and Fuel-Oil Study) and two ``policy`` studies. Altogether, these five studies will provide a comprehensive national assessment of the Weatherization Assistance Program as it existed in the 1989 Program Year (PY 1989). This report presents the results of the first phase of the Single-Family Study. It evaluates the energy savings and cost effectiveness of the Program as it has been applied to the largest portion of its client base -- low-income households that occupy single-family dwellings, mobile homes, and small (2- to 4-unit) multifamily dwellings. It is based upon a representative national sample that covers the full range of conditions under which the program was implemented in PY 1989.« less

Identifying Likely Transmission Pathways within a 10-Year Community Outbreak of Tuberculosis by High-Depth Whole Genome Sequencing

PubMed Central

Sadsad, Rosemarie; Martinez, Elena; Jelfs, Peter; Hill-Cawthorne, Grant A.; Gilbert, Gwendolyn L.; Marais, Ben J.; Sintchenko, Vitali

2016-01-01

Background Improved tuberculosis control and the need to contain the spread of drug-resistant strains provide a strong rationale for exploring tuberculosis transmission dynamics at the population level. Whole-genome sequencing provides optimal strain resolution, facilitating detailed mapping of potential transmission pathways. Methods We sequenced 22 isolates from a Mycobacterium tuberculosis cluster in New South Wales, Australia, identified during routine 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit typing. Following high-depth paired-end sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform, two independent pipelines were employed for analysis, both employing read mapping onto reference genomes as well as de novo assembly, to control biases in variant detection. In addition to single-nucleotide polymorphisms, the analyses also sought to identify insertions, deletions and structural variants. Results Isolates were highly similar, with a distance of 13 variants between the most distant members of the cluster. The most sensitive analysis classified the 22 isolates into 18 groups. Four of the isolates did not appear to share a recent common ancestor with the largest clade; another four isolates had an uncertain ancestral relationship with the largest clade. Conclusion Whole genome sequencing, with analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, deletions, structural variants and subpopulations, enabled the highest possible level of discrimination between cluster members, clarifying likely transmission pathways and exposing the complexity of strain origin. The analysis provides a basis for targeted public health intervention and enhanced classification of future isolates linked to the cluster. PMID:26938641

Molecular and biochemical identification of alien chromosome additions in shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group) carrying extra chromosome(s) of bunching onion (A. fistulosum L.).

PubMed

Yaguchi, Shigenori; Hang, Tran Thi Minh; Tsukazaki, Hikaru; Hoa, Vu Quynh; Masuzaki, Shin-ichi; Wako, Tadayuki; Masamura, Noriya; Onodera, Shuichi; Shiomi, Norio; Yamauchi, Naoki; Shigyo, Masayoshi

2009-02-01

To develop the bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.; genomes, FF) chromosome-specific genetic markers for identifying extra chromosomes, eight shallot (A. cepa L. Aggregatum group; genomes, AA)--A. fistulosum monosomic addition plants (AA+nF) and 62 shallot--A. fistulosum single-alien deletion plants (AAF-nF) were analyzed by 23 different chromosome-specific genetic markers of shallot. The eight monosomic addition plants consisted of one AA+2F, two AA+6F, and five AA+8F. Of the 62 single-alien deletion plants, 60 could be identified as six different single-alien deletion lines (AAF-1F, -3F, -4F, -6F, -7F, and -8F) out of the eight possible types. Several single-alien deletion lines were classified on the basis of leaf and bulb characteristics. AAF-8F had the largest number of expanded leaves of five deletion plants. AAF-7F grew most vigorously, as expressed by its long leaf blade and biggest bulb size. AAF-4F had very small bulbs. AAF-7F and AAF-8F had different bulbs from those of shallot as well as other types of single-alien deletion lines in skin and outer scale color. Regarding the sugar content of the bulb tissues, the single-alien deletion lines showed higher fructan content than shallot. Moreover, shallot could not produce fructan with degree of polymerization (DP) 12 or higher, although the single-alien deletion lines showed DP 20 or higher. The content of S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO) in the single-alien deletion lines was significantly lower than that in shallot. These results indicated that chromosomes from A. fistulosum might carry anonymous factors to increase the highly polymerized fructan production and inhibit the synthesis of ACSO in shallot bulbs. Accordingly, alien chromosomes from A. fistulosum in shallot would contribute to modify the quality of shallot bulbs.

Atmospheric Aerosols in a Changing World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heald, C. L.

2015-12-01

Aerosols in the atmosphere impact human and environmental health, visibility, and climate. Exposure to air pollution is the leading environmental cause of premature mortality world-wide. The role of aerosols on the Earth's climate represents the single largest source of uncertainty in our understanding of global radiative forcing. Tremendous strides have been made to clean up the air in recent decades, and yet poor air quality continues to plague many regions of the world, and our understanding of how global change will feedback on to aerosol sources, formation, and impacts is limited. In this talk, I will use recent results from my research group to highlight some of the key uncertainties and research topics in global aerosol lifecycle.

ABO-Incompatible Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Under the Desensitization Protocol With Rituximab.

PubMed

Song, G-W; Lee, S-G; Hwang, S; Kim, K-H; Ahn, C-S; Moon, D-B; Ha, T-Y; Jung, D-H; Park, G-C; Kim, W-J; Sin, M-H; Yoon, Y-I; Kang, W-H; Kim, S-H; Tak, E-Y

2016-01-01

ABO incompatibility is no longer considered a contraindication for adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) due to various strategies to overcome the ABO blood group barrier. We report the largest single-center experience of ABO-incompatible (ABOi) ALDLT in 235 adult patients. The desensitization protocol included a single dose of rituximab and total plasma exchange. In addition, local graft infusion therapy, cyclophosphamide, or splenectomy was used for a certain time period, but these treatments were eventually discontinued due to adverse events. There were three cases (1.3%) of in-hospital mortality. The cumulative 3-year graft and patient survival rates were 89.2% and 92.3%, respectively, and were comparable to those of the ABO-compatible group (n = 1301). Despite promising survival outcomes, 17 patients (7.2%) experienced antibody-mediated rejection that manifested as diffuse intrahepatic biliary stricture; six cases required retransplantation, and three patients died. ABOi ALDLT is a feasible method for expanding a living liver donor pool, but the efficacy of the desensitization protocol in targeting B cell immunity should be optimized. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Probing the Fermi surface and magnetotransport properties of MoAs2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singha, Ratnadwip; Pariari, Arnab; Gupta, Gaurav Kumar; Das, Tanmoy; Mandal, Prabhat

2018-04-01

Transition-metal dipnictides (TMDs) have recently been identified as possible candidates to host a topology-protected electronic band structure. These materials belong to an isostructural family and show several exotic transport properties. Especially, the large values of magnetoresistance (MR) and carrier mobility have drawn significant attention from the perspective of technological applications. In this paper, we investigate the magnetotransport and Fermi surface properties of single-crystalline MoAs2, another member of this group of compounds. A field-induced resistivity plateau and a large MR have been observed, which are comparable to those in several topological systems. Interestingly, in contrast to other isostructural materials, the carrier density in MoAs2 is quite high and shows single-band-dominated transport. The Fermi pockets, which have been identified from the quantum oscillation, are the largest among the members of this group and have significant anisotropy with crystallographic direction. Our first-principles calculations reveal a substantial difference between the band structures of MoAs2 and that of other TMDs. The calculated Fermi surface consists of one electron pocket and another "open-orbit" hole pocket, which has not been observed in TMDs so far.

The Relationship between Policies, Practices and Institutional Trends in the Awarding of Doctoral Degrees to Hispanic Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunlap, Rosalinda C.

2013-01-01

According to the United States Census Bureau (2005), Hispanics are the youngest and largest minority group in the country. Unfortunately, Hispanics have the largest drop-out rates of any major ethnic group in the US, which will result in fewer Hispanics entering Ph.D. programs (Yosso & Solorzano, 2006). Because of this doctoral achievement gap…

Effect Size Calculations and Single Subject Designs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olive, Melissa L.; Smith, Benjamin W.

2005-01-01

This study compared visual analyses with five alternative methods for assessing the magnitude of effect with single subject designs. Each method was successful in detecting intervention effect. When rank ordered, each method was consistent in identifying the participants with the largest effect. We recommend the use of the standard mean difference…

Stiffness and strength of oxygen-functionalized graphene with vacancies

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

Zandiatashbar, A.; Ban, E.; Picu, R. C., E-mail: picuc@rpi.edu

2014-11-14

The 2D elastic modulus (E{sup 2D}) and strength (σ{sup 2D}) of defective graphene sheets containing vacancies, epoxide, and hydroxyl functional groups are evaluated at 300 K by atomistic simulations. The fraction of vacancies is controlled in the range 0% to 5%, while the density of functional groups corresponds to O:C ratios in the range 0% to 25%. In-plane modulus and strength diagrams as functions of vacancy and functional group densities are generated using models with a single type of defect and with combinations of two types of defects (vacancies and functional groups). It is observed that in models containing only vacancies,more » the rate at which strength decreases with increasing the concentration of defects is largest, followed by models containing only epoxide groups and those with only hydroxyl groups. The effect on modulus of vacancies and epoxides present alone in the model is similar, and much stronger than that of hydroxyl groups. When the concentration of defects is large, the combined effect of the functional groups and vacancies cannot be obtained as the superposition of individual effects of the two types of defects. The elastic modulus deteriorates faster (slower) than predicted by superposition in systems containing vacancies and hydroxyl groups (vacancies and epoxide groups)« less

Orthology prediction methods: A quality assessment using curated protein families

PubMed Central

Trachana, Kalliopi; Larsson, Tomas A; Powell, Sean; Chen, Wei-Hua; Doerks, Tobias; Muller, Jean; Bork, Peer

2011-01-01

The increasing number of sequenced genomes has prompted the development of several automated orthology prediction methods. Tests to evaluate the accuracy of predictions and to explore biases caused by biological and technical factors are therefore required. We used 70 manually curated families to analyze the performance of five public methods in Metazoa. We analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the methods and quantified the impact of biological and technical challenges. From the latter part of the analysis, genome annotation emerged as the largest single influencer, affecting up to 30% of the performance. Generally, most methods did well in assigning orthologous group but they failed to assign the exact number of genes for half of the groups. The publicly available benchmark set (http://eggnog.embl.de/orthobench/) should facilitate the improvement of current orthology assignment protocols, which is of utmost importance for many fields of biology and should be tackled by a broad scientific community. PMID:21853451

Deep vein thrombosis in the disabled pediatric population.

PubMed

Radecki, R T; Gaebler-Spira, D

1994-03-01

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the disabled pediatric population has rarely been studied. The purpose of our retrospective study was to define the incidence in patients younger than 18 years of age who were in a rehabilitation center. We reviewed the charts of 532 children admitted to the center from 1983 through 1987, and found a 2.2% overall incidence of DVT. The largest group of children under 18 of age with documented or suspected DVT was the group with spinal cord injuries (SCI). There were 87 SCI children, 67 of whom were between the ages of 15 and 18. Of the 67, 7 (10%) had DVT: 1 of the 20 SCI children under age 15 had DVT. There were single cases of DVT documented in children with: meningoencephalitis, arteriovenous malformation, closed head injuries, and Guillian-Barré syndrome. We studied the risk involved in treating DVT with heparin and formulated recommendations based on our findings.

College and University Challenge

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EPA's Green Power Partnership Challenge tracks and recognizes U.S. colleges and universities recognizes the largest single green power users within each participating collegiate athletic conferences.

The Incidence Patterns Model to Estimate the Distribution of New HIV Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: Development and Validation of a Mathematical Model.

PubMed

Bórquez, Annick; Cori, Anne; Pufall, Erica L; Kasule, Jingo; Slaymaker, Emma; Price, Alison; Elmes, Jocelyn; Zaba, Basia; Crampin, Amelia C; Kagaayi, Joseph; Lutalo, Tom; Urassa, Mark; Gregson, Simon; Hallett, Timothy B

2016-09-01

Programmatic planning in HIV requires estimates of the distribution of new HIV infections according to identifiable characteristics of individuals. In sub-Saharan Africa, robust routine data sources and historical epidemiological observations are available to inform and validate such estimates. We developed a predictive model, the Incidence Patterns Model (IPM), representing populations according to factors that have been demonstrated to be strongly associated with HIV acquisition risk: gender, marital/sexual activity status, geographic location, "key populations" based on risk behaviours (sex work, injecting drug use, and male-to-male sex), HIV and ART status within married or cohabiting unions, and circumcision status. The IPM estimates the distribution of new infections acquired by group based on these factors within a Bayesian framework accounting for regional prior information on demographic and epidemiological characteristics from trials or observational studies. We validated and trained the model against direct observations of HIV incidence by group in seven rounds of cohort data from four studies ("sites") conducted in Manicaland, Zimbabwe; Rakai, Uganda; Karonga, Malawi; and Kisesa, Tanzania. The IPM performed well, with the projections' credible intervals for the proportion of new infections per group overlapping the data's confidence intervals for all groups in all rounds of data. In terms of geographical distribution, the projections' credible intervals overlapped the confidence intervals for four out of seven rounds, which were used as proxies for administrative divisions in a country. We assessed model performance after internal training (within one site) and external training (between sites) by comparing mean posterior log-likelihoods and used the best model to estimate the distribution of HIV incidence in six countries (Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, and Zambia) in the region. We subsequently inferred the potential contribution of each group to transmission using a simple model that builds on the results from the IPM and makes further assumptions about sexual mixing patterns and transmission rates. In all countries except Swaziland, individuals in unions were the single group contributing to the largest proportion of new infections acquired (39%-77%), followed by never married women and men. Female sex workers accounted for a large proportion of new infections (5%-16%) compared to their population size. Individuals in unions were also the single largest contributor to the proportion of infections transmitted (35%-62%), followed by key populations and previously married men and women. Swaziland exhibited different incidence patterns, with never married men and women accounting for over 65% of new infections acquired and also contributing to a large proportion of infections transmitted (up to 56%). Between- and within-country variations indicated different incidence patterns in specific settings. It is possible to reliably predict the distribution of new HIV infections acquired using data routinely available in many countries in the sub-Saharan African region with a single relatively simple mathematical model. This tool would complement more specific analyses to guide resource allocation, data collection, and programme planning.

Thermoelectric Properties of Sr-Filled Ge-Based Type I Single-Crystal Clathrate Grown by Sn-Flux Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Shuping; Liu, Hongxia; Li, Decong; Wang, Jinsong; Cheng, Feng; Shen, Lanxian; Deng, Shukang

2017-05-01

Single-crystal samples of Sr-filled Ge-based type I clathrate have been prepared by the Sn-flux method, and their thermoelectric properties investigated. The obtained samples exhibited n-type conduction with carrier concentration varying from 2.8 × 1019/cm3 to 6.8 × 1019/cm3 as the carrier mobility changed from 23.9 cm2/V-s to 15.1 cm2/V-s at room temperature. Structural analysis indicated that all samples were type I clathrate in space group pm\\bar{it{3}}n . The total content of group IV (Ge + Sn) atoms in the crystalline structure increased with increasing x value (where x defines the atomic ratio of starting elements, Sr:Ga:Ge:Sn = 8:16: x:20), reaching a maximum value of 31.76 at.% for the sample with x = 30; consequently, the lattice parameters increased. The melting points for all samples were approximately 1012 K, being considerably lower than that of single-crystal Sr8Ga16Ge30 prepared by other methods. The electrical conductivity increased while the absolute value of α increased gradually with increasing temperature; the maximum value of α reached 193 μV/K at 750 K for the sample with x = 24. The sample with x = 30 exhibited lower lattice thermal conductivity of 0.80 W/m-K. As a result, among all the Sn-flux samples, single-crystal Sr7.92Ga15.04Sn0.35Ge30.69 had the largest ZT value of 1.0 at about 750 K.

Researchers propose single grade rule for evaluating hardwood pallet cants

Treesearch

Hal Mitchell; Marshall White; Philip Araman; Peter Hamner

2008-01-01

In "price taker" markets, successful businesses are the low cost producers, and pallet manufacturers are no exception. The single largest cost component of pallet manufacturing is raw material costs. Cants and lumber typically account for over 60% of operating costs. In the last three decades, cants have replaced lumber as the primary raw...

Intensive Language Action Therapy in Chronic Aphasia: A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining Guidance by Constraint

PubMed Central

Stanek,, Edward J.; Stokes, Polly; Li, Minming; Andrianopoulos, Mary

2016-01-01

Purpose Intensive language action therapy (ILAT) can be effective in overcoming learned nonuse in chronic aphasia. It is suggested that all three guiding principles (constraint, communication embedding, massed practice) are essential to ILAT's success. We examined whether one of these, guidance by constraint, is critical. Method Twenty-four participants with aphasia (PWAs) were assigned to ILAT or a modified version of promoting aphasic communicative effectiveness (PACE) in a randomized block, single-blind, parallel-group treatment study. Blocking was by severity (mild/moderate, moderate to severe, severe). Both groups received intensive treatment in the context of therapeutic language action games. Whereas the ILAT group was guided toward spoken responses, the PACE group could choose any response modality. Results All participants, whether assigned to ILAT or PACE groups, improved on the primary outcome measure, picture naming. There was a Severity × Treatment interaction, with the largest effects estimated for PWAs with mild/moderate and moderate to severe aphasia. Regardless of severity, the ILAT group outperformed the PACE group on untrained pictures, suggesting some benefit of ILAT to generalization. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Although the groups differed in subtle ways, including better generalization to untrained pictures for ILAT, the study was inconclusive on the influence of guidance by constraint. PMID:27997954

The effect of an interactive cycling training on cognitive functioning in older adults with mild dementia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Karssemeijer, E G A; Bossers, W J R; Aaronson, J A; Kessels, R P C; Olde Rikkert, M G M

2017-03-21

To date there is no cure or an effective disease-modifying drug to treat dementia. Available acetylcholine-esterase inhibiting drugs or memantine only produce small benefits on cognitive and behavioural functioning and their clinical relevance remains controversial. Combined cognitive-aerobic interventions are an appealing alternative or add-on to current pharmacological treatments. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a combined cognitive-aerobic training and a single aerobic training compared to an active control group in older adults with mild dementia. We expect to find a beneficial effect on executive functioning in both training regimes, compared to the control intervention, with the largest effect in the combined cognitive-aerobic group. Secondary, intervention effects on cognitive functioning in other domains, physical functioning, physical activity levels, activities of daily living, frailty and quality of life are studied. The design is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with three groups: a combined cognitive-aerobic bicycle training (interactive cycling), a single aerobic bicycle training and a control intervention, which consists of stretching and toning exercises. Older adults with mild dementia follow a 12-week training program consisting of three training sessions of 30-40 min per week. The primary study outcome is objective executive functioning measured with a neuropsychological assessment. Secondary measures are objective cognitive functioning in other domains, physical functioning, physical activity levels, activities of daily living, frailty, mood and quality of life. The three groups are compared at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks of training, and at 24-week follow-up. This study will provide novel information on the effects of an interactive cycling training on executive function in older adults with mild dementia. Furthermore, since this study has both a combined cognitive-aerobic training and a single aerobic training group the effectiveness of the different components of the intervention can be identified. The results of this study may be used for physical and mental activity recommendations in older adults with dementia. The Netherlands National Trial Register NTR5581 . Registered 14 February 2016.

Detection of Multiple Parallel Transmission Outbreak of Streptococcus suis Human Infection by Use of Genome Epidemiology, China, 2005

PubMed Central

Du, Pengcheng; Zheng, Han; Zhou, Jieping; Lan, Ruiting; Ye, Changyun; Jing, Huaiqi; Jin, Dong; Cui, Zhigang; Bai, Xuemei; Liang, Jianming; Liu, Jiantao; Xu, Lei; Zhang, Wen; Chen, Chen

2017-01-01

Streptococcus suis sequence type 7 emerged and caused 2 of the largest human infection outbreaks in China in 1998 and 2005. To determine the major risk factors and source of the infections, we analyzed whole genomes of 95 outbreak-associated isolates, identified 160 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and classified them into 6 clades. Molecular clock analysis revealed that clade 1 (responsible for the 1998 outbreak) emerged in October 1997. Clades 2–6 (responsible for the 2005 outbreak) emerged separately during February 2002–August 2004. A total of 41 lineages of S. suis emerged by the end of 2004 and rapidly expanded to 68 genome types through single base mutations when the outbreak occurred in June 2005. We identified 32 identical isolates and classified them into 8 groups, which were distributed in a large geographic area with no transmission link. These findings suggest that persons were infected in parallel in respective geographic sites. PMID:27997331

Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Windom, Herbert; Piola, Alberto; McKee, Brent

2009-03-01

State of Knowledge on the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean Margin; Montevideo, Uruguay, 16-22 November 2008; The southwestern Atlantic Ocean margin (SWAOM), along the coasts of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, is one of the most productive regions of the world ocean and is believed to be the largest carbon dioxide (CO2) sink in the Atlantic Ocean. The region is dominated by two major boundary currents (the Brazil and the Malvinas), which impinge on a broad continental shelf along southeastern South America and converge offshore of the Rio de la Plata, the largest source of freshwater to the South Atlantic Ocean. Scientific knowledge about this region is based on past research focused generally on processes within the confines of the waters of the individual countries and from single disciplines. However, the complex interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes that control the transport and production in time and space across this region require multidisciplinary investigation and international cooperation. This led a group of more than 40 marine scientists from these countries and the United States to convene a workshop to review what is known about this region, to suggest how future multidisciplinary research might be organized, and to foster regional and North-South scientific cooperation.

Herbicide targets and detoxification proteins in sugarcane: from gene assembly to structure modelling.

PubMed

Lloyd Evans, Dyfed; Joshi, Shailesh Vinay

2017-07-01

In a genome context, sugarcane is a classic orphan crop, in that no genome and only very few genes have been assembled. We have devised a novel exome assembly methodology that has allowed us to assemble and characterize 49 genes that serve as herbicide targets, safener interacting proteins, and members of herbicide detoxification pathways within the sugarcane genome. We have structurally modelled the products of each of these genes, as well as determining allelic, genomic, and RNA-Seq based polymorphisms for each gene. This study provides the largest collection of sugarcane structures modelled to date. We demonstrate that sugarcane genes are highly polymorphic, revealing that each genotype is evolving both uniquely and independently. In addition, we present an exome assembly system for orphan crops that can be executed on commodity infrastructure, making exome assembly practical for any group. In terms of knowledge about herbicide modes of action and detoxification, we have advanced sugarcane from a crop where no information about any herbicide-associated gene was available to the situation where sugarcane is now a species with the single largest collection of known and annotated herbicide-associated genes.

Evaluation of economic efficiencies in clinical retina practice: activity-based cost analysis and modeling to determine impacts of changes in patient management

PubMed Central

Murray, Timothy G; Tornambe, Paul; Dugel, Pravin; Tong, Kuo Bianchini

2011-01-01

Background The purpose of this study is to report the use of activity-based cost analysis to identify areas of practice efficiencies and inefficiencies within a large academic retinal center and a small single-specialty group. This analysis establishes a framework for evaluating rapidly shifting clinical practices (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, microincisional vitrectomy surgery) and incorporating changing reimbursements for care delivery (intravitreal injections, optical coherence tomography [OCT]) to determine the impact on practice profitability. Pro forma modeling targeted the impact of declining reimbursement for OCT imaging and intravitreal injection using a strategy that incorporates activity-based cost analysis into a direct evaluation schema for clinical operations management. Methods Activity-based costing analyses were performed at two different types of retinal practices in the US, ie, a small single-specialty group practice and an academic hospital-based practice (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute). Retrospective claims data were utilized to identify all procedures performed and billed, submitted charges, allowed charges, and net collections from each of these two practices for the calendar years 2005–2006 and 2007–2008. A pro forma analysis utilizing current reimbursement profiles was performed to determine the impact of altered reimbursement on practice profitability. All analyses were performed by a third party consulting firm. Results The small single-specialty group practice outperformed the academic hospital-based practice on almost all markers of efficiency. In the academic hospital-based practice, only four service lines were profitable, ie, nonlaser surgery, laser surgery, non-OCT diagnostics, and injections. Profit margin varied from 62% for nonlaser surgery to 1% for intravitreal injections. Largest negative profit contributions were associated with office visits and OCT imaging. Conclusion Activity-based cost analysis is a powerful tool to evaluate retinal practice efficiencies. These two distinct practices were able to provide significant increases in clinical care (office visits, ophthalmic imaging, and patient procedures) through maintaining efficiencies of care. Pro forma analysis of 2011 data noted that OCT payments to facilities and physicians continue to decrease dramatically and that this payment decrease further reduced the profitability for the two largest aspects of these retinal practices, ie, intravitreal injections and OCT retinal imaging. Ultimately, all retinal practices are at risk for significant shifts in financial health related to rapidly evolving changes in patterns of care and reimbursement associated with providing outstanding clinical care. PMID:21792278

The effect of TISSEEL fibrin sealant on seroma formation following complex abdominal wall hernia repair: a single institutional review and derived cost analysis.

PubMed

Azoury, S C; Rodriguez-Unda, N; Soares, K C; Hicks, C W; Baltodano, P A; Poruk, K E; Hu, Q L; Cooney, C M; Cornell, P; Burce, K; Eckhauser, F E

2015-12-01

The authors evaluated the ability of a fibrin sealant (TISSEEL™: Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, IL, USA) to reduce the incidence of post-operative seroma following abdominal wall hernia repair. We performed a 4-year retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominal wall hernia repair, with and without TISSEEL, by a single surgeon (FEE) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Demographics, surgical risk factors, operative data and 30-day outcomes, including wound complications and related interventions, were compared. The quantity and cost of Tisseel per case was reviewed. A total of 250 patients were evaluated: 127 in the TISSEEL group and 123 in the non-TISSEEL control group. The average age for both groups was 56.6 years (P = 0.97). The majority of patients were female (TISSEEL 52.8%, non-TISSEEL 56.1%, P = 0.59) and ASA Class III (TISSEEL 56.7%, non-TISSEEL 58.5%, P = 0.40). There was no difference in the average defect size for both groups (TISSEEL 217 ± 187.6 cm(2), non-TISSEEL 161.3 ± 141.5 cm(2), P = 0.36). Surgical site occurrences occurred in 18.1% of the TISSEEL and 13% of the non-TISSEEL group (P = 0.27). There was a trend towards an increased incidence of seroma in the TISSEEL group (TISSEEL 11%, non-TISSEEL 4.9%, P = 0.07). A total of $124,472.50 was spent on TISSEEL, at an average cost of $995.78 per case. In the largest study to date, TISSEEL™ application offered no advantage for the reduction of post-operative seroma formation following complex abdominal hernia repair. Moreover, the use of this sealant was associated with significant costs.

Identification of families among highly inclined asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil-Hutton, R.

2006-07-01

A dataset of 3652 high-inclination numbered asteroids was analyzed to search for dynamical families. A fully automated multivariate data analysis technique was applied to identify the groupings. Thirteen dynamical families and twenty-two clumps were found. When taxonomic information is available, the families show cosmochemical consistency and support an interpretation based on a common origin from a single parent body. Four families and three clumps found in this work show a size distribution which is compatible with a formation due to a cratering event on the largest member of the family, and also three families have B- or related taxonomic types members, which represents a 14% of the B-types classified by Bus and Binzel [2002. Icarus 158, 146-177].

A Bacillus anthracis Genome Sequence from the Sverdlovsk 1979 Autopsy Specimens

PubMed Central

Sahl, Jason W.; Pearson, Talima; Okinaka, Richard; Schupp, James M.; Gillece, John D.; Heaton, Hannah; Birdsell, Dawn; Hepp, Crystal; Fofanov, Viacheslav; Noseda, Ramón; Fasanella, Antonio; Hoffmaster, Alex; Wagner, David M.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that occurs naturally in wild and domestic animals but has been used by both state-sponsored programs and terrorists as a biological weapon. A Soviet industrial production facility in Sverdlovsk, USSR, proved deficient in 1979 when a plume of spores was accidentally released and resulted in one of the largest known human anthrax outbreaks. In order to understand this outbreak and others, we generated a Bacillus anthracis population genetic database based upon whole-genome analysis to identify all single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across a reference genome. Phylogenetic analysis has defined three major clades (A, B, and C), B and C being relatively rare compared to A. The A clade has numerous subclades, including a major polytomy named the trans-Eurasian (TEA) group. The TEA radiation is a dominant evolutionary feature of B. anthracis, with many contemporary populations having resulted from a large spatial dispersal of spores from a single source. Two autopsy specimens from the Sverdlovsk outbreak were deep sequenced to produce draft B. anthracis genomes. This allowed the phylogenetic placement of the Sverdlovsk strain into a clade with two Asian live vaccine strains, including the Russian Tsiankovskii strain. The genome was examined for evidence of drug resistance manipulation or other genetic engineering, but none was found. The Soviet Sverdlovsk strain genome is consistent with a wild-type strain from Russia that had no evidence of genetic manipulation during its industrial production. This work provides insights into the world’s largest biological weapons program and provides an extensive B. anthracis phylogenetic reference. PMID:27677796

Abortion and public health: Time for another look

PubMed Central

McCurdy, Stephen A.

2016-01-01

Four decades after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains highly contentious, pitting a woman's right to choose against a fetal claim to life. Public health implications are staggering: the US annual total of more than one million induced abortions equals nearly half the number of registered deaths from all causes. Sentiment regarding abortion is roughly evenly split among the general public, yet fundamental debate about abortion is largely absent in the public health community, which is predominantly supportive of its wide availability. Absence of substantive debate on abortion separates the public health community from the public we serve, jeopardizing the trust placed in us. Traditional public health values—support for vulnerable groups and opposition to the politicization of science—together with the principle of reciprocity weigh against abortion. Were aborted lives counted as are other human lives, induced abortion would be acknowledged as the largest single preventable cause of loss of human life. Lay Summary: Four decades after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains highly divisive. Public sentiment regarding abortion is roughly evenly split, yet fundamental debate is largely absent in the public health community, which supports abortion’s wide availability. Absence of substantive debate separates the public health community from the public it serves. Traditional public health values—support for vulnerable populations and opposition to politicization of science—and the principle of reciprocity (“the Golden Rule”) weigh against abortion. Were aborted lives counted as are other human lives, induced abortion would be acknowledged as the largest single preventable cause of loss of human life. PMID:27833179

Expansion of the neuropeptidome of the globally invasive marine crab Carcinus maenas.

PubMed

Christie, Andrew E

2016-09-01

Carcinus maenas is widely recognized as one of the world's most successful marine invasive species; its success as an invader is due largely to its ability to thrive under varied environmental conditions. The physiological/behavioral control systems that allow C. maenas to adapt to new environments are undoubtedly under hormonal control, the largest single class of hormones being peptides. While numerous studies have focused on identifying native C. maenas peptides, none has taken advantage of mining transcriptome shotgun assembly (TSA) sequence data, a strategy proven highly successful for peptide discovery in other crustaceans. Here, a C. maenas peptidome was predicted via in silico transcriptome mining. Thirty-seven peptide families were searched for in the extant TSA database, with transcripts encoding precursors for 29 groups identified. The pre/preprohormones deduced from the identified sequences allowed for the prediction of 263 distinct mature peptides, 193 of which are new discoveries for C. maenas. The predicted peptides include isoforms of adipokinetic hormone-corazonin-like peptide, allatostatin A, allatostatin B, allatostatin C, bursicon, CCHamide, corazonin, crustacean cardioactive peptide, crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, diuretic hormone 31, diuretic hormone 44, eclosion hormone, FMRFamide-like peptide, HIGSLYRamide, intocin, leucokinin, myosuppressin, neuroparsin, neuropeptide F, orcokinin, pigment dispersing hormone, proctolin, pyrokinin, red pigment concentrating hormone, RYamide, short neuropeptide F, SIFamide, and tachykinin-related peptide. This peptidome is the largest predicted from any single crustacean using the in silico approach, and provides a platform for investigating peptidergic signaling in C. maenas, including control of the processes that allow for its success as a global marine invader. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Large differences in proportions of harmful and benign amino acid substitutions between proteins and diseases.

PubMed

Schaafsma, Gerard C P; Vihinen, Mauno

2017-07-01

Genes and proteins are known to have differences in their sensitivity to alterations. Despite numerous sequencing studies, proportions of harmful and harmless substitutions are not known for proteins and groups of proteins. To address this question, we predicted the outcome for all possible single amino acid substitutions (AASs) in nine representative protein groups by using the PON-P2 method. The effects on 996 proteins were studied and vast differences were noticed. Proteins in the cancer group harbor the largest proportion of harmful variants (42.1%), whereas the non-disease group of proteins not known to have a disease association and not involved in the housekeeping functions had the lowest number of harmful variants (4.2%). Differences in the proportions of the harmful and benign variants are wide within each group, but they still show clear differences between the groups. Frequently appearing protein domains show a wide spectrum of variant frequencies, whereas no major protein structural class-specific differences were noticed. AAS types in the original and variant residues showed distinctive patterns, which are shared by all the protein groups. The observations are relevant for understanding genetic bases of diseases, variation interpretation, and for the development of methods for that purpose. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sex- and age-related differences in half-marathon performance and competitiveness in the world's largest half-marathon - the GöteborgsVarvet.

PubMed

Knechtle, B; Nikolaidis, P T

2018-01-01

In road runners, the age-related performance decline has been well investigated for marathoners, but little is known for half-marathoners. We analysed data from 138,616 runners (48,148 women and 90,469 men) competing between 2014 and 2016 in GöteborgsVarvet, the world's largest half-marathon. The men-to-women ratio in participants increased with age, the fastest race times were observed in age groups ˂35 and 35-39 years in women and in age group 35-39 years in men, the main effect of sex and the sex × age group interaction on race time were trivial, and the competitiveness was denser in men and in the younger age groups. In summary, in half-marathon running in the largest half-marathon in the world, the GöteborgsVarvet, women achieved the fastest race time at an earlier age compared to men where the fastest race times were observed in women in age groups ˂35 and 35-39 years and in men in age group 35-39 years.

Evaluation of TNF-α serum level in patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts, treated by lipid garlic extract.

PubMed

Kenawy, Soha; Mohammed, Ghada Farouk; Younes, Soha; Elakhras, Atef Ibrahim

2014-01-01

No universal consensus about optimal modality for treating the recalcitrant multiple common warts (RMCW). The objective of the study was to evaluate the immunological mechanisms and clinical therapeutic effect of using lipid garlic extract (LGE) in the treatment of RMCW. The study included 50 patients with RMCW. They were randomly assigned into two groups: the first group (25 patients) received LGE, and the second group (25 patients) received saline as a control group. In both groups, treatments were made to single lesions, or largest wart in case of multiple lesions, until complete clearance of lesions or for a maximum of 4 weeks. Blood serum was taken at pre-study and at the fourth week to measure tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level. A significant difference was found between the therapeutic responses of RMCW to LGE antigen and saline control group (p < 0.001). In the LGE group, complete response was achieved in 96% of patients presenting with RMCW. There was a statistically nonsignificant increase in TNF-α of LGE group versus saline group. No recurrence was observed in the LGE group. LGE as an immunotherapy is an inexpensive, effective, and safe modality with good cure rates for treatment of RMCWs, when other topical or physical therapies have failed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Force-frequency and fatigue properties of motor units in muscles that control digits of the human hand.

PubMed

Fuglevand, A J; Macefield, V G; Bigland-Ritchie, B

1999-04-01

Modulation of motor unit activation rate is a fundamental process by which the mammalian nervous system encodes muscle force. To identify how rate coding of force may change as a consequence of fatigue, intraneural microstimulation of motor axons was used to elicit twitch and force-frequency responses before and after 2 min of intermittent stimulation (40-Hz train for 330 ms, 1 train/s) in single motor units of human long finger flexor muscles and intrinsic hand muscles. Before fatigue, two groups of units could be distinguished based on the stimulus frequency needed to elicit half-maximal force; group 1 (n = 8) required 9.1 +/- 0.5 Hz (means +/- SD), and group 2 (n = 5) required 15.5 +/- 1.1 Hz. Twitch contraction times were significantly different between these two groups (group 1 = 66. 5 ms; group 2 = 45.9 ms). Overall 18% of the units were fatigue resistant [fatigue index (FI) > 0.75], 64% had intermediate fatigue sensitivity (0.25

The Crossbyton project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reichert, J. D.

1980-01-01

The Analog Design Verification System (ADVS), the largest single solar collector built, was tested. Referred to as the Solar Gridiron or Bowl Concept, it employs a stationary mirror, with tracking accomplished by the mirror.

[Changing the internal cost allocation (ICA) on DRG shares : Example of computed tomography in a university radiology setting].

PubMed

Wirth, K; Zielinski, P; Trinter, T; Stahl, R; Mück, F; Reiser, M; Wirth, S

2016-08-01

In hospitals, the radiological services provided to non-privately insured in-house patients are mostly distributed to requesting disciplines through internal cost allocation (ICA). In many institutions, computed tomography (CT) is the modality with the largest amount of allocation credits. The aim of this work is to compare the ICA to respective DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) shares for diagnostic CT services in a university hospital setting. The data from four CT scanners in a large university hospital were processed for the 2012 fiscal year. For each of the 50 DRG groups with the most case-mix points, all diagnostic CT services were documented including their respective amount of GOÄ allocation credits and invoiced ICA value. As the German Institute for Reimbursement of Hospitals (InEK) database groups the radiation disciplines (radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy) together and also lacks any modality differentiation, the determination of the diagnostic CT component was based on the existing institutional distribution of ICA allocations. Within the included 24,854 cases, 63,062,060 GOÄ-based performance credits were counted. The ICA relieved these diagnostic CT services by € 819,029 (single credit value of 1.30 Eurocent), whereas accounting by using DRG shares would have resulted in € 1,127,591 (single credit value of 1.79 Eurocent). The GOÄ single credit value is 5.62 Eurocent. The diagnostic CT service was basically rendered as relatively inexpensive. In addition to a better financial result, changing the current ICA to DRG shares might also mean a chance for real revenues. However, the attractiveness considerably depends on how the DRG shares are distributed to the different radiation disciplines of one institution.

The Local Group: Our Galactic Neighborhood.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodge, Paul

1987-01-01

Presents information on the properties and largest spirals of the Local Group galaxies. Explains the three categories of galaxies, identifies the brightest members of the Local Group, and discusses recent discoveries within the group. (ML)

Transcriptome-Mining for Single-Copy Nuclear Markers in Ferns

PubMed Central

Rothfels, Carl J.; Larsson, Anders; Li, Fay-Wei; Sigel, Erin M.; Huiet, Layne; Burge, Dylan O.; Ruhsam, Markus; Graham, Sean W.; Stevenson, Dennis W.; Wong, Gane Ka-Shu; Korall, Petra; Pryer, Kathleen M.

2013-01-01

Background Molecular phylogenetic investigations have revolutionized our understanding of the evolutionary history of ferns—the second-most species-rich major group of vascular plants, and the sister clade to seed plants. The general absence of genomic resources available for this important group of plants, however, has resulted in the strong dependence of these studies on plastid data; nuclear or mitochondrial data have been rarely used. In this study, we utilize transcriptome data to design primers for nuclear markers for use in studies of fern evolutionary biology, and demonstrate the utility of these markers across the largest order of ferns, the Polypodiales. Principal Findings We present 20 novel single-copy nuclear regions, across 10 distinct protein-coding genes: ApPEFP_C, cryptochrome 2, cryptochrome 4, DET1, gapCpSh, IBR3, pgiC, SQD1, TPLATE, and transducin. These loci, individually and in combination, show strong resolving power across the Polypodiales phylogeny, and are readily amplified and sequenced from our genomic DNA test set (from 15 diploid Polypodiales species). For each region, we also present transcriptome alignments of the focal locus and related paralogs—curated broadly across ferns—that will allow researchers to develop their own primer sets for fern taxa outside of the Polypodiales. Analyses of sequence data generated from our genomic DNA test set reveal strong effects of partitioning schemes on support levels and, to a much lesser extent, on topology. A model partitioned by codon position is strongly favored, and analyses of the combined data yield a Polypodiales phylogeny that is well-supported and consistent with earlier studies of this group. Conclusions The 20 single-copy regions presented here more than triple the single-copy nuclear regions available for use in ferns. They provide a much-needed opportunity to assess plastid-derived hypotheses of relationships within the ferns, and increase our capacity to explore aspects of fern evolution previously unavailable to scientific investigation. PMID:24116189

What Dominates a Craters Size, the Largest Single Explosion of the Formation Process or the Cumulative Energy of Many? Results of Multiblast Crater Evolution Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonder, I.; Graettinger, A. H.; Valentine, G. A.

2015-12-01

Craters of explosive volcanic eruptions are products of many explosions. Such craters are different than products of single events such as meteorite impacts or those produced by military testing because they typically result from multiple, rather than single, explosions. We analyzed the evolution of experimental craters that were created by several detonations of chemical explosives in layered aggregates. A method to calculate an effective explosion depth for non-flat topography (e.g. for explosions below existing craters) is derived, showing how multi-blast crater sizes differ from the single blast case. It is shown that sizes of natural caters (radii, volumes) are not characteristic of the number of explosions, and therefore not characteristic for the total acting energy, that formed a crater. Also the crater size is not simply related to the largest explosion in a sequence, but depends upon that explosion and the energy of that single blast and on the cumulative energy of all blasts that formed the crater. The two energies can be combined to form an effective number of explosions that is characteristic for the crater evolution. The multi-blast crater size evolution implies that it is not correct to estimate explosion energy of volcanic events from crater size using previously published relationships that were derived for single blast cases.

Characteristic Extraction of Mental Disease Patients by Nonlinear Analysis of Plethysmograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yuyu; Wang, Wenbiao; Suzuki, Takashi; Oyama-Higa, Mayumi

2011-06-01

We measured the pulse waves of 196 mentally ill patients and 113 healthy students. Using heartbeat changes, we calculated the values of their sympathetic nerves, parasympathetic nerves, and autonomic nerve balance. In addition, we calculated the largest Lyapunov exponents (LLE) by non-linear analysis of plethysmograms. Values were analyzed by group. The results revealed a significant relationship between LLE and the autonomic nerve balance. The sympathetic nerve values in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the student group, whereas the LLE values were significantly lower. Furthermore, we illustrated the dynamic change in the results for single participants over several testing times. The measurement of pulse waves is easy and economical and does not put a strain on the subject. Additionally, these values can provide information that is more accurate than medical examination obtained from an interview. Our study contributed to the existing methodology in this field, and future data collection and measurement will be carried out. We hope that our study will be useful for neurologists and psychotherapists in their detection and treatment of mental illness.

Quality, efficiency, and organizational structure.

PubMed

Sterns, Jay B

2007-01-01

Physicians and their practice patterns are the largest single determinant of the level of aggregate national health care expenditures. Integrated delivery systems (organizations linking a multispecialty physician groups and acute care hospitals) appear to be more efficient than other organizational structures while providing better clinical outcomes. To determine whether a subset of hospitals was more or less efficient than the national average, we relied on data from the Dartmouth Atlas Project, which included data from 4,346 hospitals. The analysis was restricted to patients who had one or more of 12 chronic illnesses associated with a high probability of death, and the number of hospitals identified as our control group was 14, represented by 13 organizations. Based on the preliminary data, physicians operating in a multispecialty group appear to use less physician resources to care for their patients and admit less often to a hospital, thereby reducing health care expenditures. As the federal government seeks to foster more efficient health care delivery and better outcomes, it may look to the physician-led integrated delivery network as an example of an efficient and high quality model.

The Incidence Patterns Model to Estimate the Distribution of New HIV Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: Development and Validation of a Mathematical Model

PubMed Central

Cori, Anne; Pufall, Erica L.; Price, Alison; Elmes, Jocelyn; Zaba, Basia; Crampin, Amelia C.; Lutalo, Tom; Gregson, Simon; Hallett, Timothy B.

2016-01-01

Background Programmatic planning in HIV requires estimates of the distribution of new HIV infections according to identifiable characteristics of individuals. In sub-Saharan Africa, robust routine data sources and historical epidemiological observations are available to inform and validate such estimates. Methods and Findings We developed a predictive model, the Incidence Patterns Model (IPM), representing populations according to factors that have been demonstrated to be strongly associated with HIV acquisition risk: gender, marital/sexual activity status, geographic location, “key populations” based on risk behaviours (sex work, injecting drug use, and male-to-male sex), HIV and ART status within married or cohabiting unions, and circumcision status. The IPM estimates the distribution of new infections acquired by group based on these factors within a Bayesian framework accounting for regional prior information on demographic and epidemiological characteristics from trials or observational studies. We validated and trained the model against direct observations of HIV incidence by group in seven rounds of cohort data from four studies (“sites”) conducted in Manicaland, Zimbabwe; Rakai, Uganda; Karonga, Malawi; and Kisesa, Tanzania. The IPM performed well, with the projections’ credible intervals for the proportion of new infections per group overlapping the data’s confidence intervals for all groups in all rounds of data. In terms of geographical distribution, the projections’ credible intervals overlapped the confidence intervals for four out of seven rounds, which were used as proxies for administrative divisions in a country. We assessed model performance after internal training (within one site) and external training (between sites) by comparing mean posterior log-likelihoods and used the best model to estimate the distribution of HIV incidence in six countries (Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, and Zambia) in the region. We subsequently inferred the potential contribution of each group to transmission using a simple model that builds on the results from the IPM and makes further assumptions about sexual mixing patterns and transmission rates. In all countries except Swaziland, individuals in unions were the single group contributing to the largest proportion of new infections acquired (39%–77%), followed by never married women and men. Female sex workers accounted for a large proportion of new infections (5%–16%) compared to their population size. Individuals in unions were also the single largest contributor to the proportion of infections transmitted (35%–62%), followed by key populations and previously married men and women. Swaziland exhibited different incidence patterns, with never married men and women accounting for over 65% of new infections acquired and also contributing to a large proportion of infections transmitted (up to 56%). Between- and within-country variations indicated different incidence patterns in specific settings. Conclusions It is possible to reliably predict the distribution of new HIV infections acquired using data routinely available in many countries in the sub-Saharan African region with a single relatively simple mathematical model. This tool would complement more specific analyses to guide resource allocation, data collection, and programme planning. PMID:27622516

Phase advancing human circadian rhythms with morning bright light, afternoon melatonin, and gradually shifted sleep: can we reduce morning bright light duration?

PubMed Central

Crowley, Stephanie J.; Eastman, Charmane I.

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE Efficient treatments to phase advance human circadian rhythms are needed to attenuate circadian misalignment and the associated negative health outcomes that accompany early morning shift work, early school start times, jet lag, and delayed sleep phase disorder. This study compared three morning bright light exposure patterns from a single light box (to mimic home treatment) in combination with afternoon melatonin. METHODS Fifty adults (27 males) aged 25.9±5.1 years participated. Sleep/dark was advanced 1 hour/day for 3 treatment days. Participants took 0.5 mg melatonin 5 hours before baseline bedtime on treatment day 1, and an hour earlier each treatment day. They were exposed to one of three bright light (~5000 lux) patterns upon waking each morning: four 30-minute exposures separated by 30 minutes of room light (2 h group); four 15-minute exposures separated by 45 minutes of room light (1 h group), and one 30-minute exposure (0.5 h group). Dim light melatonin onsets (DLMOs) before and after treatment determined the phase advance. RESULTS Compared to the 2 h group (phase shift=2.4±0.8 h), smaller phase advance shifts were seen in the 1 h (1.7±0.7 h) and 0.5 h (1.8±0.8 h) groups. The 2-hour pattern produced the largest phase advance; however, the single 30-minute bright light exposure was as effective as 1 hour of bright light spread over 3.25 h, and produced 75% of the phase shift observed with 2 hours of bright light. CONCLUSIONS A 30-minute morning bright light exposure with afternoon melatonin is an efficient treatment to phase advance human circadian rhythms. PMID:25620199

Phase advancing human circadian rhythms with morning bright light, afternoon melatonin, and gradually shifted sleep: can we reduce morning bright-light duration?

PubMed

Crowley, Stephanie J; Eastman, Charmane I

2015-02-01

Efficient treatments to phase-advance human circadian rhythms are needed to attenuate circadian misalignment and the associated negative health outcomes that accompany early-morning shift work, early school start times, jet lag, and delayed sleep phase disorder. This study compared three morning bright-light exposure patterns from a single light box (to mimic home treatment) in combination with afternoon melatonin. Fifty adults (27 males) aged 25.9 ± 5.1 years participated. Sleep/dark was advanced 1 h/day for three treatment days. Participants took 0.5 mg of melatonin 5 h before the baseline bedtime on treatment day 1, and an hour earlier each treatment day. They were exposed to one of three bright-light (~5000 lux) patterns upon waking each morning: four 30-min exposures separated by 30 min of room light (2-h group), four 15-min exposures separated by 45 min of room light (1-h group), and one 30-min exposure (0.5-h group). Dim-light melatonin onsets (DLMOs) before and after treatment determined the phase advance. Compared to the 2-h group (phase shift = 2.4 ± 0.8 h), smaller phase-advance shifts were seen in the 1-h (1.7 ± 0.7 h) and 0.5-h (1.8 ± 0.8 h) groups. The 2-h pattern produced the largest phase advance; however, the single 30-min bright-light exposure was as effective as 1 h of bright light spread over 3.25 h, and it produced 75% of the phase shift observed with 2 h of bright light. A 30-min morning bright-light exposure with afternoon melatonin is an efficient treatment to phase-advance human circadian rhythms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Different Mobile Messaging Interventions for Problem Drinking Compared to Weekly Drink Tracking

PubMed Central

van Stolk-Cooke, Katherine; Kuerbis, Alexis; Stadler, Gertraud; Baumel, Amit; Shao, Sijing; McKay, James R.; Morgenstern, Jon

2017-01-01

Introduction Recent evidence suggests that text messaging may help to reduce problem drinking as an extension to in-person services, but very little is known about the effectiveness of remote messaging on problem drinking as a stand-alone intervention, or how different types of messages may improve drinking outcomes in those seeking to moderate their alcohol consumption. Methods We conducted an exploratory, single-blind randomized controlled pilot study comparing four different types of alcohol reduction-themed text messages sent daily to weekly drink self-tracking texts in order to determine their impact on drinking outcomes over a 12-week period in 152 participants (≈ 30 per group) seeking to reduce their drinking on the internet. Messaging interventions included: weekly drink self-tracking mobile assessment texts (MA), loss-framed texts (LF), gain-framed texts (GF), static tailored texts (ST), and adaptive tailored texts (TA). Poisson and least squares regressions were used to compare differences between each active messaging group and the MA control. Results When adjusting for baseline drinking, participants in all messaging groups except GF significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed per week and the number of heavy drinking days compared to MA. Only the TA and GF groups were significantly different from MA in reducing the number of drinking days. While the TA group yielded the largest effect sizes on all outcome measures, there were no significant differences between active messaging groups on any outcome measure. 79.6% of individuals enrolled in the study wanted to continue receiving messages for an additional 12 weeks at the end of the study. Discussion Results of this pilot study indicate that remote automated text messages delivered daily can help adult problem drinkers reduce drinking frequency and quantity significantly more than once-a-week self-tracking messages only, and that tailored adaptive texts yield the largest effect sizes across outcomes compared to MA. Larger samples are needed to understand differences between messaging interventions and to target their mechanisms of efficacy. PMID:28146560

Orthology prediction methods: a quality assessment using curated protein families.

PubMed

Trachana, Kalliopi; Larsson, Tomas A; Powell, Sean; Chen, Wei-Hua; Doerks, Tobias; Muller, Jean; Bork, Peer

2011-10-01

The increasing number of sequenced genomes has prompted the development of several automated orthology prediction methods. Tests to evaluate the accuracy of predictions and to explore biases caused by biological and technical factors are therefore required. We used 70 manually curated families to analyze the performance of five public methods in Metazoa. We analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the methods and quantified the impact of biological and technical challenges. From the latter part of the analysis, genome annotation emerged as the largest single influencer, affecting up to 30% of the performance. Generally, most methods did well in assigning orthologous group but they failed to assign the exact number of genes for half of the groups. The publicly available benchmark set (http://eggnog.embl.de/orthobench/) should facilitate the improvement of current orthology assignment protocols, which is of utmost importance for many fields of biology and should be tackled by a broad scientific community. Copyright © 2011 WILEY Periodicals, Inc.

Fast transient X-rays and gamma ray bursts - Are they stellar flares?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, A. R.; Vahia, M. N.

Short period transient X-ray emissions (FTX) have been observed from several sources in the sky and the largest single group of objects identified with such sources are active stars: flare stars, and RS CVn binaries. The study of the number, source and flux distribution of the fast transient X-ray sources shows that all the FTX emission can be treated as flares in the interbinary regions of active stars. It is suggested that the FTX emission is a common feature of the gamma ray bursts (GRBs). The evidence for the similarity between the hard X-ray flares and GRBs is discussed, and the possibility that the gamma ray bursts are the impulsive precursors of FTX originating from active stars with large scale magnetic activity is examined.

Fidelity under isospectral perturbations: a random matrix study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leyvraz, F.; García, A.; Kohler, H.; Seligman, T. H.

2013-07-01

The set of Hamiltonians generated by all unitary transformations from a single Hamiltonian is the largest set of isospectral Hamiltonians we can form. Taking advantage of the fact that the unitary group can be generated from Hermitian matrices we can take the ones generated by the Gaussian unitary ensemble with a small parameter as small perturbations. Similarly, the transformations generated by Hermitian antisymmetric matrices from orthogonal matrices form isospectral transformations among symmetric matrices. Based on this concept we can obtain the fidelity decay of a system that decays under a random isospectral perturbation with well-defined properties regarding time-reversal invariance. If we choose the Hamiltonian itself also from a classical random matrix ensemble, then we obtain solutions in terms of form factors in the limit of large matrices.

Veterans’ Perspectives on Interventions to Improve Retention in HIV Care

PubMed Central

Kertz, Barbara L.; Cully, Jeffery A.; Stanley, Melinda A.; Davila, Jessica A.; Dang, Bich N.; Rodriguez-Barradas, Maria C.; Giordano, Thomas P.

2016-01-01

Poor retention in HIV medical care is associated with increased mortality among patients with HIV/AIDS. Developing new interventions to improve retention in HIV primary care is needed. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is the largest single provider of HIV care in the US. We sought to understand what veterans would want in an intervention to improve retention in VA HIV care. We conducted 18 one-on-one interviews and 15 outpatient focus groups with 46 patients living with HIV infection from the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC (MEDVAMC). Analysis identified three focus areas for improving retention in care: developing an HIV friendly clinic environment, providing mental health and substance use treatment concurrent with HIV care and encouraging peer support from other Veterans with HIV. PMID:26829641

Investigate plow blade optimization : executive summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-08-01

Snow and ice management is the single largest expenditure in the maintenance budget for the Ohio : Department of Transportation (ODOT), with an annual cost including labor, equipment, and materials : reaching approximately $86 million. Given the curr...

NBAA business aviation fact book, 2003

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-01-01

Business aircraft are utilized by all types of people : and companies, from individuals who often fly rented, : single-engine, piston-powered airplanes, to sales : or management teams from the largest multinational : corporations, many of which own f...

The best thermoelectric.

PubMed Central

Mahan, G D; Sofo, J O

1996-01-01

What electronic structure provides the largest figure of merit for thermoelectric materials? To answer that question, we write the electrical conductivity, thermopower, and thermal conductivity as integrals of a single function, the transport distribution. Then we derive the mathematical function for the transport distribution, which gives the largest figure of merit. A delta-shaped transport distribution is found to maximize the thermoelectric properties. This result indicates that a narrow distribution of the energy of the electrons participating in the transport process is needed for maximum thermoelectric efficiency. Some possible realizations of this idea are discussed. PMID:11607692

Implications of uncertainty on regional CO2 mitigation policies for the U.S. onroad sector based on a high-resolution emissions estimate

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

Mendoza, D.; Gurney, Kevin R.; Geethakumar, Sarath

2013-04-01

In this study we present onroad fossil fuel CO2 emissions estimated by the Vulcan Project, an effort quantifying fossil fuel CO2 emissions for the U.S. in high spatial and temporal resolution. This high-resolution data, aggregated at the state-level and classified in broad road and vehicle type categories, is compared to a commonly used national-average approach. We find that the use of national averages incurs state-level biases for road groupings that are almost twice as large as for vehicle groupings. The uncertainty for all groups exceeds the bias, and both quantities are positively correlated with total state emissions. States with themore » largest emissions totals are typically similar to one another in terms of emissions fraction distribution across road and vehicle groups, while smaller-emitting states have a wider range of variation in all groups. Errors in reduction estimates as large as ±60% corresponding to ±0.2 MtC are found for a national-average emissions mitigation strategy focused on a 10% emissions reduction from a single vehicle class, such as passenger gas vehicles or heavy diesel trucks. Recommendations are made for reducing CO2 emissions uncertainty by addressing its main drivers: VMT and fuel efficiency uncertainty.« less

Speech Motor Sequence Learning: Effect of Parkinson Disease and Normal Aging on Dual-Task Performance.

PubMed

Whitfield, Jason A; Goberman, Alexander M

2017-06-22

Everyday communication is carried out concurrently with other tasks. Therefore, determining how dual tasks interfere with newly learned speech motor skills can offer insight into the cognitive mechanisms underlying speech motor learning in Parkinson disease (PD). The current investigation examines a recently learned speech motor sequence under dual-task conditions. A previously learned sequence of 6 monosyllabic nonwords was examined using a dual-task paradigm. Participants repeated the sequence while concurrently performing a visuomotor task, and performance on both tasks was measured in single- and dual-task conditions. The younger adult group exhibited little to no dual-task interference on the accuracy and duration of the sequence. The older adult group exhibited variability in dual-task costs, with the group as a whole exhibiting an intermediate, though significant, amount of dual-task interference. The PD group exhibited the largest degree of bidirectional dual-task interference among all the groups. These data suggest that PD affects the later stages of speech motor learning, as the dual-task condition interfered with production of the recently learned sequence beyond the effect of normal aging. Because the basal ganglia is critical for the later stages of motor sequence learning, the observed deficits may result from the underlying neural dysfunction associated with PD.

Study of Refractory Status Epilepticus from a Tertiary Care Center.

PubMed

Kohli, Sahil; Pasangulapati, Suresh Babu; Yoganathan, Sangeetha; Rynjah, Gideon Lyngsyun; Prabhakar, A T; Aaron, Sanjith; Alexander, Mathew; Mathew, Vivek

2017-01-01

To determine the proportion of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-RSE (SRSE) among patients with status epilepticus (SE) and to analyze RSE and non-RSE (NRSE) in terms of etiology and predictors for RSE. Patients were identified from discharge summaries database with keywords of SE and records of the portable electroencephalogram (EEG) machine from January 2011 to March 2016. Two hundred and eighteen events were included in the study with 114 (52.3%) males, bimodal age preponderance age <5 years 30%, and second peak in age 15-65 years 52.8%, preexisting seizures were present in 34.4% ( n = 75). Nearly 77.1% had NRSE ( n = 168) and 22.9% had RSE ( n = 50). This included 17 patients with SRSE ( n = 17, 7.8% of all SE). Central nervous system (CNS) infection was a single largest etiological group in SE (69/218, 31.7%). In RSE, autoimmune encephalitis (17/50) and CNS infection (13/50) were the largest groups. De novo seizures ( P = 0.007), low sensorium at admission ( P = 0.001), low albumin at admission ( P = 0.002), and first EEG being abnormal ( P = 0.001) were risk factors on bivariate analysis. An unfavorable status epilepticus severity score (STESS) was predictive for RSE ( P = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, de novo seizures ( P = 0.009) and abnormal EEG at admission ( P = 0.03) were predictive for RSE. Fifty patients had RSE (22.9%), of which 17 went on to become SRSE (7.8%). Unfavorable STESS score was predictive for RSE on bivariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, de novo seizures and abnormal initial EEG were predictors of RSE.

Lymphomas in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: Immunohistochemical Characterization and Detection of Epstein-Barr virus Encoded RNA.

PubMed

Onwubuya, Ifeyinwa M; Adelusola, Kayode A; Durosinmi, Muheez A; Sabageh, Donatus; Ezike, Kevin N

2015-06-01

The proper histopathological characterization of malignant lymphomas requires the use of immunohistochemistry along with other molecular pathology techniques. Malignant lymphomas histologically diagnosed in our hospital were reclassified according to the WHO scheme using immunohistochemistry while in-situ hybridization was performed for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA. There were 83 cases of lymphoma. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1 while the overall mean age was 41.7 years. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) constituted about 79.5% of cases. The majority of cases (98.8%) were B-cell lymphomas. Nine subtypes of lymphomas were identified with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (56.4% of which were of the germinal centre type) constituting the largest group (47.0%). Intermediate and high grade subtypes were more common. The majority of cases (72.3%) were nodal lymphomas with cervical lymph node being the commonest site (48.2%). Only classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (20.5%) was seen of which the mixed cellularity subtype was the most common. Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded ribonucleic acid was detected in 7 cases (8.4%) including 4 cases of HL, 2 cases of Burkitt lymphoma and the only case of plasmablastic lymphoma. About five cases were reclassified as non-lymphoid malignant lesions. Immunohistochemistry is vital to the proper classification of lymphomas even in a resource poor environment. Although nine subtypes of lymphomas were identified, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas formed the largest single group. Epstein-Barr virus probably plays an important role in lymphomatogenesis in this environment. A larger multicentre study is required to prove this.

Effect of Habitat Size, Quality, and Isolation on Functional Groups of Beetles in Hollow Oaks

PubMed Central

Pilskog, Hanne Eik; Birkemoe, Tone; Framstad, Erik; Sverdrup-Thygeson, Anne

2016-01-01

One of the largest threats to biodiversity is land use change and habitat loss. Hollow oaks (Quercus spp. L.) are well-defined patches that are hotspots for biodiversity and red-listed species, but they are often rare and fragmented in the landscape. We investigated the effect of patch size, habitat quality, and isolation on functional groups and red-listed saproxylic beetles in hollow oaks (n = 40) in Norway. The groups were defined by host tree association, trophic grouping, and red-listed status. Habitat quality, represented by tree form was most important in explaining species richness for most groups. Patch size, represented by circumference and amount of dead branches, was most important in explaining abundance. Isolation, that is single oaks compared with oaks in groups, had a negative effect on the abundance of beetles feeding both on wood and fungi (xylomycethopagous), as well as on species associated with broadleaved trees (oak semi-specialists), but did not affect species richness. This indicates that at this scale and in this landscape, isolated oaks are as species rich and valuable for conservation as other oaks, although some functional groups may be more vulnerable to isolation than others. The red-listed species only responded to patch size, indicating that oaks with large circumference and many dead branches are especially important for red-listed species and for conservation. PMID:26945089

Town and Gown Differences Among the 100 Largest Medical Groups in the United States.

PubMed

Welch, W Pete; Bindman, Andrew B

2016-07-01

The authors undertook a study to determine whether large academic and community-based medical groups differ in terms of their financial stake in Medicare Advantage or Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and whether their participation in these alternative payment models is related to their size, specialty mix, and Medicare physician market share in their local area. The authors used the 2013 Medicare Data on Provider Practice and Specialty database and a national database of ACOs to conduct a cross-sectional descriptive study of the 100 largest medical groups in the United States. Medical groups were categorized as academic or community based on matches of their name with a list of U.S. medical schools or the results of a series of Internet search procedures. Sixty-eight of the 100 largest groups were academic, and 32 were community based. On average, community-based groups had more than twice the percentage of primary care physicians as academic groups (mean, 38.4%; 95% CI, 34.7%-42.0%; vs. 18.3%; 95% CI, 17.0%-19.6%). Community groups were significantly (P < .001) more likely than academic groups to have a financial stake in a Medicare ACO or Medicare Advantage plan, but this difference was no longer significant when the percentage of primary care physicians in the group was added to the model. The specialty mix within academic medical groups may hinder their ability to transform themselves into organizations that can manage the financial responsibilities of caring for a patient population through a Medicare ACO or Medicare Advantage.

Elaborate visual and acoustic signals evolve independently in a large, phenotypically diverse radiation of songbirds.

PubMed

Mason, Nicholas A; Shultz, Allison J; Burns, Kevin J

2014-08-07

The concept of a macroevolutionary trade-off among sexual signals has a storied history in evolutionary biology. Theory predicts that if multiple sexual signals are costly for males to produce or maintain and females prefer a single, sexually selected trait, then an inverse correlation between sexual signal elaborations is expected among species. However, empirical evidence for what has been termed the 'transfer hypothesis' is mixed, which may reflect different selective pressures among lineages, evolutionary covariates or methodological differences among studies. Here, we examine interspecific correlations between song and plumage elaboration in a phenotypically diverse, widespread radiation of songbirds, the tanagers. The tanagers (Thraupidae) are the largest family of songbirds, representing nearly 10% of all songbirds. We assess variation in song and plumage elaboration across 301 species, representing the largest scale comparative study of multimodal sexual signalling to date. We consider whether evolutionary covariates, including habitat, structural and carotenoid-based coloration, and subfamily groupings influence the relationship between song and plumage elaboration. We find that song and plumage elaboration are uncorrelated when considering all tanagers, although the relationship between song and plumage complexity varies among subfamilies. Taken together, we find that elaborate visual and vocal sexual signals evolve independently among tanagers. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

[Analysis of Spanish research collaboration in emergency medicine: 2010-2014].

PubMed

Burbano Santos, Pablo; Fernández-Guerrero, Inés María; Martín-Sánchez, Francisco Javier; Burillo, Guillermo; Miró, Òscar

2017-10-01

To describe the structure of the Spanish emergency medicine research network or networks, researchers' roles, and patterns of collaboration between hospitals. The search for publications was carried out in the SCOPUS database for the 5-year period of 2010 to 2014. We used network analysis software to map ties between researchers and hospitals that had established at least 5 and 10 relationships, respectively, during the period under study. We calculated indicators of degree of centrality for individual scientists and hospitals and tabulated data for the main authors and centers. We identified 2626 articles with 12 372 different authors at 1134 hospitals in 75 countries. The largest number of international relations were with France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Authors had established 93 687 connections that allowed us to identify 23 collaborating groups, the largest of which was comprised of 30 individuals. We also found 12 855 connections between hospitals that identified a single subnetwork of collaboration comprised of 19 hospitals, 1 of which was in Switzerland. Measures of centrality, intermediation, and proximity led to classification of the most important members of author and hospital networks. This analysis of research networks in emergency medicine has afforded the first details describing the relationships maintained by Spanish scientists and hospitals.

Day-to-day discrimination and health among Asian Indians: a population-based study of Gujarati men and women in Metropolitan Detroit.

PubMed

Yoshihama, Mieko; Bybee, Deborah; Blazevski, Juliane

2012-10-01

This study examined the relationship between experiences of day-to-day discrimination and two measures of health among Gujaratis, one of the largest ethnic groups of Asian Indians in the U.S. Data were collected via computer-assisted telephone interviews with a random sample of Gujarati men and women aged 18-64 in Metropolitan Detroit (N = 423). Using structural equation modeling, we tested two gender-moderated models of the relationship between day-to-day discrimination and health, one using the single-item general health status and the other using the 4-item emotional wellbeing measure. For both women and men, controlling for socio-demographic and other relevant characteristics, the experience of day-to-day discrimination was associated with worse emotional wellbeing. However, day-to-day discrimination was associated with the single-item self-rated general health status only for men. This study identified not only gender differences in discrimination-health associations but also the importance of using multiple questions in assessing perceived health status.

The Power of Nature. World's Largest Math Event 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc., Reston, VA.

The theme of the fifth annual World's Largest Math Event (WLME 5) is "The Power of Nature." This theme encourages students to explore natural forces that affect humankind, including phenomena such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and snowstorms, and the mathematics that underlies their study. The 15 activities for WLMES have been grouped into five…

Ground Ant Diversity (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Iberá Nature Reserve, the Largest Wetland of Argentina

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Iberá Nature Reserve in northeastern Argentina protects one of the largest freshwater wetlands and reservoirs of species in South America. However, key invertebrate groups such as the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) remain almost unknown. The main objective of this work was to study the ground an...

No Time for Complacency: Teen Births in California.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Constantine, Norman A.; Nevarez, Carmen R.

California's recent investment in teen pregnancy prevention has contributed to the largest decline in teen birth rates and the second largest percentage reduction of all 50 states. California's annual teen birth rate is now similar to the national rate. This occurred while the highest teen birth rate group, Latinas, increased as a proportion of…

Numerical study of the influence of applied voltage on the current balance factor of single layer organic light-emitting diodes

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

Lu, Fei-ping, E-mail: lufp-sysu@163.com; Liu, Xiao-bin; Xing, Yong-zhong

2014-04-28

Current balance factor (CBF) value, the ratio of the recombination current density and the total current density of a device, has an important function in fluorescence-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), as well as in the performance of the organic electrophosphorescent devices. This paper investigates the influence of the applied voltage of a device on the CBF value of single layer OLED based on the numerical model of a bipolar single layer OLED with organic layer trap free and without doping. Results show that the largest CBF value can be achieved when the electron injection barrier (ϕ{sub n}) is equal tomore » the hole injection barrier (ϕ{sub p}) in the lower voltage region at any instance. The largest CBF in the higher voltage region can be achieved in the case of ϕ{sub n} > ϕ{sub p} under the condition of electron mobility (μ{sub 0n}) > hole mobility (μ{sub 0p}), whereas the result for the case of μ{sub 0n} < μ{sub 0p}, is opposite. The largest CBF when μ{sub 0n} = μ{sub 0p} can be achieved in the case of ϕ{sub n} = ϕ{sub p} in the entire region of the applied voltage. In addition, the CBF value of the device increases with increasing applied voltage. The results obtained in this paper can present an in-depth understanding of the OLED working mechanism and help in the future fabrication of high efficiency OLEDs.« less

Pupil transportation : travel behavior, traffic impacts, and potentials for improvement.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-11-24

"Although the student transportation industry has been the largest single carrier of passengers in the United States for several decades, there is very limited information on student travel behavior and preferences, impacts of student travel mode cho...

Single photon infrared emission spectroscopy: a study of IR emission from UV laser excited PAHs between 3 and 15 micrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, D. J.; Schlemmer, S.; Balucani, N.; Wagner, D. R.; Harrison, J. A.; Steiner, B.; Saykally, R. J.

1998-01-01

Single-photon infrared emission spectroscopy (SPIRES) has been used to measure emission spectra from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A supersonic free-jet expansion has been used to provide emission spectra of rotationally cold and vibrationally excited naphthalene and benzene. Under these conditions, the observed width of the 3.3-micrometers (C-H stretch) band resembles the bandwidths observed in experiments in which emission is observed from naphthalene with higher rotational energy. To obtain complete coverage of IR wavelengths relevant to the unidentified infrared bands (UIRs), UV laser-induced desorption was used to generate gas-phase highly excited PAHs. Lorentzian band shapes were convoluted with the monochromator-slit function in order to determine the widths of PAH emission bands under astrophysically relevant conditions. Bandwidths were also extracted from bands consisting of multiple normal modes blended together. These parameters are grouped according to the functional groups mostly involved in the vibration, and mean bandwidths are obtained. These bandwidths are larger than the widths of the corresponding UIR bands. However, when the comparison is limited to the largest PAHs studied, the bandwidths are slightly smaller than the corresponding UIR bands. These parameters can be used to model emission spectra from PAH cations and cations of larger PAHs, which are better candidate carriers of the UIRs.

Do exercises used in injury prevention programmes modify cutting task biomechanics? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

PubMed

Pappas, Evangelos; Nightingale, Elizabeth J; Simic, Milena; Ford, Kevin R; Hewett, Timothy E; Myer, Gregory D

2015-05-01

Some injury prevention programmes aim to reduce the risk of ACL rupture. Although the most common athletic task leading to ACL rupture is cutting, there is currently no consensus on how injury prevention programmes influence cutting task biomechanics. To systematically review and synthesise the scientific literature regarding the influence of injury prevention programme exercises on cutting task biomechanics. The three largest databases (Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL) were searched for studies that investigated the effect of injury prevention programmes on cutting task biomechanics. When possible meta-analyses were performed. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Across all studies, a total of 100 participants received exercises that are part of ACL injury prevention programmes and 76 participants served in control groups. Most studies evaluated variables associated with the quadriceps dominance theory. The meta-analysis revealed decreased lateral hamstrings electromyography activity (p ≤ 0.05) while single studies revealed decreased quadriceps and increased medial hamstrings activity and decreased peak knee flexion moment. Findings from single studies reported that ACL injury prevention exercises reduce neuromuscular deficits (knee valgus moment, lateral trunk leaning) associated with the ligament and trunk dominance theories, respectively. The programmes we analysed appear most effective when they emphasise individualised biomechanical technique correction and target postpubertal women. The exercises used in injury prevention programmes have the potential to improve cutting task biomechanics by ameliorating neuromuscular deficits linked to ACL rupture, especially when they emphasise individualised biomechanical technique correction and target postpubertal female athletes. 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.

Therapeutic Outcome of Intralesional Immunotherapy in Cutaneous Warts Using the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella Vaccine

PubMed Central

Awal, Guneet

2018-01-01

Background: Various treatment modalities have been described in the literature for treating warts, but none thus far have demonstrated optimal results. Recently, the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) antigen has gained popularity because of its proven efficacy in the treatment of warts. Aim: The goal was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional MMR antigen in the treatment of cutaneous warts. Methods: Patients were divided into an MMR (study) group and a normal saline (control) group. Injections were administered into the single largest wart on each patient every two weeks. Follow-up was done at six weeks and 16 weeks after the last injection for any side effects and/or recurrence. Results: Out of 150 patients, 72 received the MMR injection and 50 received normal saline injections. Twenty-eight patients did not complete the study. A statistically significant (p<0.00001) difference in results was found between the two groups: 68 percent of patients in the MMR group showed complete response compared to 10 percent in the control group. Pain during injection was the most common side effect and was seen in both groups. Conclusion: MMR injection has shown significant results with almost negligible adverse effects. The MMR antigen vaccine has therapeutic potential as a treatment for warts with its demonstrated efficacy, safety profile, and cost-effectiveness. PMID:29785233

Fruit and vegetable consumption and prevention of cancer: the Black Churches United for Better Health project.

PubMed Central

Campbell, M K; Demark-Wahnefried, W; Symons, M; Kalsbeek, W D; Dodds, J; Cowan, A; Jackson, B; Motsinger, B; Hoben, K; Lashley, J; Demissie, S; McClelland, J W

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effects of the Black Churches United for Better Health project on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among rural African American church members in North Carolina. METHODS: Ten counties comprising 50 churches were pair matched and randomly assigned to either intervention or delayed intervention (no program until after the follow-up survey) conditions. A multicomponent intervention was conducted over approximately 20 months. A total of 2519 adults (77.3% response rate) completed both the baseline and 2-year follow-up interviews. RESULTS: The 2 study groups consumed similar amounts of fruits and vegetables at baseline. AT the 2-year follow-up, the intervention group consumed 0.85 (SE = 0.12) servings more than the delayed intervention group (P < .0001). The largest increases were observed among people 66 years or older (1 serving), those with education beyond high school (0.92 servings), those widowed or divorced (0.96 servings), and those attending church frequently (1.3 servings). The last improvement occurred among those aged 18 to 37 years and those who were single. CONCLUSIONS: The project was a successful model for achieving dietary change among rural African Americans. PMID:10474558

Using the critical incident survey to assess hospital service quality.

PubMed

Longo, B; Connor, G; Barnhart, T

1993-01-01

This survey was designed to determine "standards of excellence" in hospital services as defined by (a) former patients, (b) physicians, (c) hospital employees, and (d) corporate insurance subscribers. One hundred forty-seven (147) patients, 188 employees, and 20 corporate subscribers were interviewed by telephone, and 52 physicians were interviewed in their offices. The interview consisted of a single question: "Can you think of a time when, as a patient/employee/employer/physician, you had a particularly satisfying or dissatisfying experience with a local hospital?" Reported incidents were reviewed, and 239 "critical incidents" were identified. These incidents were classified into 12 descriptive categories relating to the underlying factors in the incident reports. Six focus groups were later held with participants segregated by the population pool they represented. These groups were asked to develop definitions of "excellence" in hospital service quality and standards for service which would "exceed expectations." The focus groups created 122 standards of excellence, which were classified into 43 categories. Overall, the largest percentages of corporate, physician, and employee critical incidents were classified as "Administrative Policy" issues. Patients most often reported "Nurturing" incidents as critical to their perceptions of hospital service quality.

Obama Indicates Strong Support for Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2009-05-01

In remarks delivered at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) annual meeting on 27 April, U.S. President Barack Obama indicated his administration's strong support for science and for pursuing a clean energy economy. He also announced a goal that the United States “will devote more than 3% of our [gross domestic product] to research and development.” “This represents the largest commitment to scientific research and innovation in American history,” Obama said, noting that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act already is providing the nation with its largest single boost to investment in basic research.

Large engines and vehicles, 1958

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

During the mid-1950s, the Air Force sponsored work on the feasibility of building large, single-chamber engines, presumably for boost-glide aircraft or spacecraft. In 1956, the Army missile development group began studies of large launch vehicles. The possibilities opened up by Sputnik accelerated this work and gave the Army an opportunity to bid for the leading role in launch vehicles. The Air Force had the responsibility for the largest ballistic missiles and hence a ready-made base for extending their capability for spaceflight. During 1958, actions taken to establish a civilian space agency, and the launch vehicle needs seen by its planners, added a third contender to the space vehicle competition. These activities during 1958 are examined as to how they resulted in the initiation of a large rocket engine and the first large launch vehicle.

Does harm reduction programming make a difference in the lives of highly marginalized, at-risk drug users?

PubMed Central

Rogers, Susan J; Ruefli, Terry

2004-01-01

Harm reduction is a controversial model for treating drug users, with little formal research available on its operation and effectiveness. In order to advance the field, we first conducted participatory research of harm reduction with 120 clients using nominal-group technique to develop culturally relevant outcomes to measure progress. Second, we conducted focus group interviews with a different group of clients to help validate the outcomes. Third, we used the outcomes in an evaluation of the largest harm reduction program in New York City, which involved a representative sample of 261 and entailed baseline, post, and six follow-up assessments. The participatory research resulted in outcomes of 10 life areas important to drug users. Evaluation results showed that program participants made positive improvements across most outcomes, with the most substantial progress made in how clients dealt with drug-use problems. Along with their participation in the program, progress in some outcomes was also associated with clients' type of drug use (i.e., stable vs. chaotic), where more stable drug use was associated with better ways of making an income and types of housing. Surprisingly, progress was not associated with the kinds or numbers of services received or the length of time in the program. This was attributed to the service delivery model of harm reduction, in which clients are less inclined to associate their success with a single staff person or with a single service or intervention received than with the program as a whole. PMID:15171790

Will increased highway funding help rural areas?

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-08-01

Rural areas in the United States stand to benefit from new highway funding legislation, especially the South. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorizes sharply increased funding for major roads and is the single largest p...

Health Assessment Document for Ethylene Oxide

EPA Science Inventory

The largest single use of ethylene oxide is as an intermediate in the synthesis of ethylene glycol. However, small amounts of this epoxide are used as a sterilant or pesticide in commodities, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco, and other items, representing a considerable ...

Ethnic differences in BMI and body/self-dissatisfaction among Whites, Asian subgroups, Pacific Islanders, and African-Americans.

PubMed

Yates, Alayne; Edman, Jeanne; Aruguete, Mara

2004-04-01

To distinguish body mass index (BMI) and body/self-dissatisfaction among Asian subgroups. 211 white, 155 Japanese, 112 African-American, 79 Filipino, 70 Chinese, 70 Hawaiian, and 124 multiethnic college students in Hawaii completed: Figure Drawings (index of body-dissatisfaction), self-loathing subscale (SLSS, exercise-based measure of self-dissatisfaction), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI), and symptom self-report. Pearson correlation analyses were performed to determine whether BMI scores were related to self- and body-dissatisfaction and the relationship between self- and body-dissatisfaction. BMI was highly correlated with body and self-dissatisfaction for males and females. Males appeared more satisfied than females with the body and more diverse in choice of larger or smaller ideal body type. Highly significant BMI/ethnic group differences emerged. White males were large (high BMI) but very satisfied with body and self. Filipino males were the largest of all male groups but followed a female pattern of strong body/self-dislike and preference for smaller body. Chinese females were small and highly satisfied with body/self whereas Japanese females were small but highly dissatisfied with body/self. Combining various ethnic groups under a single "Asian" category obscures important group differences. Study clearly demonstrates Asian ethnic subgroup differences in BMI and body/self dissatisfaction.

Parkinson's Disease Glossary

MedlinePlus

... Epidemiology The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people. Epidemiological studies can be used to ... largest component of the basal ganglia, the striatum controls movement, balance, and walking. It is ... groups Many people find that support groups are tremendously ...

Comparison between medial rectus pulley fixation and augmented recession in children with convergence excess and variable-angle infantile esotropia.

PubMed

Fouad, Heba M; Abdelhakim, Mohamad A; Awadein, Ahmed; Elhilali, Hala

2016-10-01

To compare the outcomes of medial rectus (MR) muscle pulley fixation and augmented recession in children with convergence excess esotropia and variable-angle infantile esotropia. This was a prospective randomized interventional study in which children with convergence excess esotropia or variable-angle infantile esotropia were randomly allocated to either augmented MR muscle recession (augmented group) or MR muscle pulley posterior fixation (pulley group). In convergence excess, the MR recession was based on the average of distance and near angles of deviation with distance correction in the augmented group, and on the distance angle of deviation in the pulley group. In variable-angle infantile esotropia, the MR recession was based on the average of the largest and smallest angles in the augmented group and on the smallest angle in the pulley group. Pre- and postoperative ductions, versions, pattern strabismus, smallest and largest angles of deviation, and angle disparity were analyzed. Surgery was performed on 60 patients: 30 underwent bilateral augmented MR recession, and 30 underwent bilateral MR recession with pulley fixation. The success rate was statistically significantly higher (P = 0.037) in the pulley group (70%) than in the augmented group (40%). The postoperative smallest and largest angles and the angle disparity were statistically significantly lower in the pulley group than the augmented group (P < 0.01). Medial rectus muscle pulley fixation is a useful surgical step for addressing marked variability of the angle in variable angle esotropia and convergence excess esotropia. Copyright © 2016 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Two-faced property of a market factor in asset pricing and diversification effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eom, Cheoljun

2017-04-01

This study empirically investigates the test hypothesis that a market factor acting as a representative common factor in the pricing models has a negative influence on constructing a well-diversified portfolio from the Markowitz mean-variance optimization function (MVOF). We use the comparative correlation matrix (C-CM) method to control a single eigenvalue among all eigenvalues included in the sample correlation matrix (S-CM), through the random matrix theory (RMT). In particular, this study observes the effect of the largest eigenvalue that has the property of the market factor. According to the results, the largest eigenvalue has the highest explanatory power on the stock return changes. The C-CM without the largest eigenvalue in the S-CM constructs a more diversified portfolio capable of improving the practical applicability of the MVOF. Moreover, the more diversified portfolio constructed from this C-CM has better out-of-sample performance in the future period. These results support the test hypothesis for the two-faced property of the market factor, defined by the largest eigenvalue.

Ultrasonographic characterization of follicle deviation in follicular waves with single dominant and codominant follicles in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius).

PubMed

Manjunatha, B M; Al-Bulushi, S; Pratap, N

2014-04-01

Follicular wave emergence was synchronized by treating camels with GnRH when a dominant follicle (DF) was present in the ovaries. Animals were scanned twice a day from day 0 (day of GnRH treatment) to day 10, to characterize emergence and deviation of follicles during the development of the follicular wave. Follicle deviation in individual animals was determined by graphical method. Single DFs were found in 16, double DFs in 9 and triple DFs in two camels. The incidence of codominant (double and triple DFs) follicles was 41%. The interval from GnRH treatment to wave emergence, wave emergence to deviation, diameter and growth rate of F1 follicle before or after deviation did not differ between the animals with single and double DFs. The size difference between future DF(s) and the largest subordinate follicle (SF) was apparent from the day of wave emergence in single and double DFs. Overall, interval from GnRH treatment to wave emergence and wave emergence to the beginning of follicle deviation was 70.6 ± 1.4 and 58.6 ± 2.7 h, respectively. Mean size of the DF and largest SF at the beginning of deviation was 7.4 ± 0.2 and 6.3 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. In conclusion, the characteristics of follicle deviation are similar between the animals that developed single or double DFs. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Reliability and validity of a dual-task test for skill proficiency in roundhouse kicks in elite taekwondo athletes.

PubMed

Chen, Chung-Yu; Dai, Jing; Chen, I-Fan; Chou, Kuei-Ming; Chang, Chen-Kang

2015-01-01

The dual-task methodology, conducting two tasks simultaneously, may provide better validity than the traditional single-task tests in the environment that is closely related to real sport competitions. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability and validity of a dual-task test that aims to measure the reaction time and skill proficiency in roundhouse kicks in elite and sub-elite taekwondo athletes. The dual-task results were compared to those in the single-task movements with various levels of complexity. The single-task movements A, B, and C were composed of one, three, and five roundhouse kicks, respectively. The dual-task movement D was composed of movement C and a push of a button in response to a light stimulus as the secondary task. The subjects were 12 elite and 12 sub-elite male taekwondo athletes. The test included four movements with five repeats of each movement in a randomized order. Each subject conducted the same test on two consecutive days. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed moderate-to-high correlation in the premotor time (ICC =0.439-0.634 in elite and ICC =0.681-0.824 in sub-elite), motor time (ICC =0.861-0.956 in elite and ICC =0.721-0.931 in sub-elite), and reaction time (ICC =0.692 in elite and ICC =0.676 in sub-elite) in the secondary task in both groups. The elite athletes had significantly faster premotor time than their sub-elite counterparts in all the four movements (all P<0.05). The largest difference lies in the reaction time in the secondary task, in which the elite group (0.248±0.026 seconds) was 33.0% faster than the sub-elite group (0.370±0.081 seconds) (P<0.001). This study shows that the test developed in this study has reasonable reliability and validity in both single- and dual-task methods. In addition, the dual-task method may be a more appropriate way to assess the reaction time and skill proficiency in taekwondo athletes.

Reliability and validity of a dual-task test for skill proficiency in roundhouse kicks in elite taekwondo athletes

PubMed Central

Chen, Chung-Yu; Dai, Jing; Chen, I-Fan; Chou, Kuei-Ming; Chang, Chen-Kang

2015-01-01

The dual-task methodology, conducting two tasks simultaneously, may provide better validity than the traditional single-task tests in the environment that is closely related to real sport competitions. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability and validity of a dual-task test that aims to measure the reaction time and skill proficiency in roundhouse kicks in elite and sub-elite taekwondo athletes. The dual-task results were compared to those in the single-task movements with various levels of complexity. The single-task movements A, B, and C were composed of one, three, and five roundhouse kicks, respectively. The dual-task movement D was composed of movement C and a push of a button in response to a light stimulus as the secondary task. The subjects were 12 elite and 12 sub-elite male taekwondo athletes. The test included four movements with five repeats of each movement in a randomized order. Each subject conducted the same test on two consecutive days. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed moderate-to-high correlation in the premotor time (ICC =0.439–0.634 in elite and ICC =0.681–0.824 in sub-elite), motor time (ICC =0.861–0.956 in elite and ICC =0.721–0.931 in sub-elite), and reaction time (ICC =0.692 in elite and ICC =0.676 in sub-elite) in the secondary task in both groups. The elite athletes had significantly faster premotor time than their sub-elite counterparts in all the four movements (all P<0.05). The largest difference lies in the reaction time in the secondary task, in which the elite group (0.248±0.026 seconds) was 33.0% faster than the sub-elite group (0.370±0.081 seconds) (P<0.001). This study shows that the test developed in this study has reasonable reliability and validity in both single- and dual-task methods. In addition, the dual-task method may be a more appropriate way to assess the reaction time and skill proficiency in taekwondo athletes. PMID:26150736

Voxel-based statistical analysis of cerebral blood flow using Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT in patients with traumatic brain injury: group and individual analyses.

PubMed

Shin, Yong Beom; Kim, Seong-Jang; Kim, In-Ju; Kim, Yong-Ki; Kim, Dong-Soo; Park, Jae Heung; Yeom, Seok-Ran

2006-06-01

Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was applied to brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to investigate regional cerebral abnormalities compared to age-matched normal controls. Thirteen patients with TBI underwent brain perfusion SPECT were included in this study (10 males, three females, mean age 39.8 +/- 18.2, range 21 - 74). SPM2 software implemented in MATLAB 5.3 was used for spatial pre-processing and analysis and to determine the quantitative differences between TBI patients and age-matched normal controls. Three large voxel clusters of significantly decreased cerebral blood perfusion were found in patients with TBI. The largest clusters were area including medial frontal gyrus (voxel number 3642, peak Z-value = 4.31, 4.27, p = 0.000) in both hemispheres. The second largest clusters were areas including cingulated gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus of left hemisphere (voxel number 381, peak Z-value = 3.67, 3.62, p = 0.000). Other clusters were parahippocampal gyrus (voxel number 173, peak Z-value = 3.40, p = 0.000) and hippocampus (voxel number 173, peak Z-value = 3.23, p = 0.001) in the left hemisphere. The false discovery rate (FDR) was less than 0.04. From this study, group and individual analyses of SPM2 could clearly identify the perfusion abnormalities of brain SPECT in patients with TBI. Group analysis of SPM2 showed hypoperfusion pattern in the areas including medial frontal gyrus of both hemispheres, cingulate gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus in the left hemisphere compared to age-matched normal controls. Also, left parahippocampal gyrus and left hippocampus were additional hypoperfusion areas. However, these findings deserve further investigation on a larger number of patients to be performed to allow a better validation of objective SPM analysis in patients with TBI.

Small Unit Decision Making (SUDM) Assessment Battery

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-21

largest contribution towards differentiating between the performance level of the NCO and Lt groups participating in the project. Two additional...Situational Judgment Test, made the largest contribution towards differentiating between the performance level of NCOs and Lts. Additionally, two other...basic perceptual skills. For the construct of cognitive flexibility we suggest the development of a performance instrument in line with our definition

German Migrant Teachers in Australia: Insights into the Largest Cohort of Non-English Speaking Background Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bense, Katharina

2015-01-01

The research reported in this paper investigates the situation of German migrant teachers in Australia. Although German born teachers represent the largest group of non-English speaking background teachers in Australia, there is no study of the circumstances and experiences of these teachers in Australia. This study aims to fill this gap. It…

An institutional six-year trend analysis of the neurological outcome after lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a 6-year trend analysis of a single institution.

PubMed

Aichmair, Alexander; Lykissas, Marios G; Girardi, Federico P; Sama, Andrew A; Lebl, Darren R; Taher, Fadi; Cammisa, Frank P; Hughes, Alexander P

2013-11-01

Retrospective case series. To evaluate the proportional trend over time of neurological deficits after lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) at a single institution. Because lumbar nerve roots converge to run as the lumbar plexus within or less frequently underneath the posterior part of the psoas muscle, they are prone to iatrogenic damage during the transpsoas approach in LLIF, and adverse postoperative neurological sequelae remain a major concern. The electronic medical records and office notes of 451 patients who had consecutively undergone LLIF between March 2006 and April 2012 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed for reports on postoperative neurological deficits. A total of 293 patients (173 females and 120 males) met the study inclusion criteria and were followed postoperatively for a mean period of 15.4 ± 9.2 months (range: 6-53 mo). The number of included patients who underwent LLIF at our institution was 47 in the years 2006 to 2008 (group A), 155 in 2009 to 2010 (group B), and 91 in 2011 to 2012 (group C). Our data indicate a decreasing proportional trend during the past 6 years for postoperative sensory deficits (SDs), motor deficits (MDs), and anterior thigh pain (TP). The decreasing trends were statistically significant for the proportion of SDs in the immediate postoperative setting (P = 0.018) and close to statistically significant for SDs at last follow-up (P = 0.126), TP immediately after surgery (P = 0.098), and TP at last follow-up (P = 0.136). To the authors' best knowledge, this study constitutes the largest series of this sort to date, with regard to both sample size and study period. The present data indicate a decreasing proportional trend over time for SDs, MDs, and anterior TP, which can be considered a representation of an institutional learning curve during a 6-year time period of performing LLIF.

Phylogenetic relationships and morphological evolution in Lentinus, Polyporellus and Neofavolus, emphasizing southeastern Asian taxa.

PubMed

Seelan, Jaya Seelan Sathiya; Justo, Alfredo; Nagy, Laszlo G; Grand, Edward A; Redhead, Scott A; Hibbett, David

2015-01-01

The genus Lentinus (Polyporaceae, Basidiomycota) is widely documented from tropical and temperate forests and is taxonomically controversial. Here we studied the relationships between Lentinus subg. Lentinus sensu Pegler (i.e. sections Lentinus, Tigrini, Dicholamellatae, Rigidi, Lentodiellum and Pleuroti and polypores that share similar morphological characters). We generated sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and partial 28S regions of nuc rDNA and genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), focusing on Lentinus subg. Lentinus sensu Pegler and the Neofavolus group, combined these data with sequences from GenBank (including RPB2 gene sequences) and performed phylogenetic analyses with maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. We also evaluated the transition in hymenophore morphology between Lentinus, Neofavolus and related polypores with ancestral state reconstruction. Single-gene phylogenies and phylogenies combining ITS and 28S with RPB1 and RPB2 genes all support existence of a Lentinus/Polyporellus clade and a separate Neofavolus clade. Polyporellus (represented by P. arcularius, P. ciliatus, P. brumalis) forms a clade with species representing Lentinus subg. Lentinus sensu Pegler (1983), excluding L. suavissimus. Lentinus tigrinus appears as the sister group of Polyporellus in the four-gene phylogeny, but this placement was weakly supported. All three multigene analyses and the single-gene analysis using ITS strongly supported Polyporus tricholoma as the sister group of the Lentinus/Polyporellus clade; only the 28S rRNA phylogeny failed to support this placement. Under parsimony the ancestral hymenophoral configuration for the Lentinus/Polyporellus clade is estimated to be circular pores, with independent transitions to angular pores and lamellae. The ancestral state for the Neofavolus clade is estimated to be angular pores, with a single transition to lamellae in L. suavissimus. We propose that Lentinus suavissimus (section Pleuroti) should be reclassified as Neofavolus suavissimus comb. nov. © 2015 by The Mycological Society of America.

Brazil: Changing Patterns of Foreign Trade,

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-01-01

Primary products other than coffee which are important in the trade——sugar , cocoa beans, frozen shrimp and lobsters, Brazil and cashew nuts , tobacco...export categories. “Vegetable products” , a class which includes coffee , cereals , nuts and oilseeds , remained the largest single category of exports

Estimating costs and benefits of emissions reduction strategies for transit by extending the TRIMMS model : [summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-01-01

Floridas remarkable transportation infrastructure is a key to its economic vitality, but transportation is also the single largest contributor to air pollution. Pollutants such as greenhouse gases (GHG) degrade air quality and contribute to climat...

Evaluation of the GPS/AVL systems for snow and ice operations resource management.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-09-01

Snow and ice management is the single largest expenditure in the maintenance budget for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) with an annual cost including labor, equipment, and materials reaching approximately $86 million (ODOT, 2013). One me...

Minefields Associated with Mining Data from Peer-reviewed Literature

EPA Science Inventory

The USEPA’s ECOTOX database is the largest compilation of ecotoxicity study results, providing information on the adverse effects of single chemical stressors to ecologically relevant aquatic and terrestrial species. The primary source of data included in the ECOTOX database is t...

Health Assessment Document for Ethylene Oxide (External Review Draft)

EPA Science Inventory

The largest single use of ethylene oxide is an intermediate in the synthesis of ethylene glycol. However, small amounts of this epoxide are used as a sterilant or pesticide in commodities, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco, and other items, representing a considerable pot...

Emory University Decides How to Allot $100,000,000.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teel, Leonard Ray

1981-01-01

In 1979 Emory University became the recipient of the largest single endowment gift (from Coca-Cola's Robert Woodruff) to a college or university. Self-studies have been initiated to recommend improvements that will guide the allocation of the uncommitted funds. (MLW)

Lymphomas in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: Immunohistochemical Characterization and Detection of Epstein-Barr virus Encoded RNA

PubMed Central

Onwubuya, Ifeyinwa M.; Adelusola, Kayode A.; Durosinmi, Muheez A.; Ezike, Kevin N.

2015-01-01

Background The proper histopathological characterization of malignant lymphomas requires the use of immunohistochemistry along with other molecular pathology techniques. Materials and Methods Malignant lymphomas histologically diagnosed in our hospital were reclassified according to the WHO scheme using immunohistochemistry while in-situ hybridization was performed for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA. Results There were 83 cases of lymphoma. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1 while the overall mean age was 41.7 years. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) constituted about 79.5% of cases. The majority of cases (98.8%) were B-cell lymphomas. Nine subtypes of lymphomas were identified with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (56.4% of which were of the germinal centre type) constituting the largest group (47.0%). Intermediate and high grade subtypes were more common. The majority of cases (72.3%) were nodal lymphomas with cervical lymph node being the commonest site (48.2%). Only classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (20.5%) was seen of which the mixed cellularity subtype was the most common. Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded ribonucleic acid was detected in 7 cases (8.4%) including 4 cases of HL, 2 cases of Burkitt lymphoma and the only case of plasmablastic lymphoma. About five cases were reclassified as non-lymphoid malignant lesions. Conclusion Immunohistochemistry is vital to the proper classification of lymphomas even in a resource poor environment. Although nine subtypes of lymphomas were identified, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas formed the largest single group. Epstein-Barr virus probably plays an important role in lymphomatogenesis in this environment. A larger multicentre study is required to prove this. PMID:26266128

Comparative Effectiveness of Personalized Lifestyle Management Strategies for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction.

PubMed

Chu, Paula; Pandya, Ankur; Salomon, Joshua A; Goldie, Sue J; Hunink, M G Myriam

2016-03-29

Evidence shows that healthy diet, exercise, smoking interventions, and stress reduction reduce cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of these lifestyle interventions for individual risk profiles and determine their rank order in reducing 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. We computed risks using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equations for a variety of individual profiles. Using published literature on risk factor reductions through diverse lifestyle interventions-group therapy for stopping smoking, Mediterranean diet, aerobic exercise (walking), and yoga-we calculated the risk reduction through each of these interventions to determine the strategy associated with the maximum benefit for each profile. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the results. In the base-case analysis, yoga was associated with the largest 10-year cardiovascular disease risk reductions (maximum absolute reduction 16.7% for the highest-risk individuals). Walking generally ranked second (max 11.4%), followed by Mediterranean diet (max 9.2%), and group therapy for smoking (max 1.6%). If the individual was a current smoker and successfully quit smoking (ie, achieved complete smoking cessation), then stopping smoking yielded the largest reduction. Probabilistic and 1-way sensitivity analysis confirmed the demonstrated trend. This study reports the comparative effectiveness of several forms of lifestyle modifications and found smoking cessation and yoga to be the most effective forms of cardiovascular disease prevention. Future research should focus on patient adherence to personalized therapies, cost-effectiveness of these strategies, and the potential for enhanced benefit when interventions are performed simultaneously rather than as single measures. © 2016 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

Soil Fluxomics: Disentangling Microbial Group Specific Metabolism by Modeling of 13C-Incorporation into PLFAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apostel, C.; Kuzyakov, Y.; Dippold, M. A.

2016-12-01

Soils are the largest terrestrial C sinks and microorganisms are the most important drivers of organic matter (OM) dynamics in soils: C allocation to ana- or catabolism in microbial cells is the decisive step, whether C gets oxidized to CO2 or whether it is allocated to microbial biomass, which, after cell death can be stabilized in soils. The metabolic parameter describing the ratio between the two fluxes is the carbon use efficiency (CUE), which can be assessed by position-specific labeling followed by metabolic flux modelling. However, to disentangle the single microbial groups' contribution to the bulk soil CUE, a tracing of individual groups metabolism is necessary. We assessed short-term (3 and 10 days) transformations of monosaccharides by adding position-specifically 13C labeled glucose to soil in a field experiment. Incorporation of 13C in the microbial PLFAs enabled us to distinguish individual microbial groups metabolic fluxes and compare their C-utilization efficiency using a quantitative C-flux model. The position-specific pattern in PLFAs revealed two sets of microorganisms: one metabolized glucose mainly by glycolysis and the other mainly by the pentose-phosphate pathway, which results in a higher CUE. Both of those sets included prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic microorganisms. This demonstrates that phylogenetic grouping is not decisive for the metabolic behavior of a microbial group and that the contribution of individual group members to the soil C fluxes cannot be concluded from their phylogeny.

Observational study on preservation of the superior rectal artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease.

PubMed

Borchert, D H; Schachtebeck, M; Schoepe, J; Federlein, M; Bunse, J; Gellert, K; Burghardt, J

2015-09-01

Recent investigations have shown improved patient reported outcome after preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. We report on our experience with preservation of the superior rectal artery (SRA). This is an observational single center study in a high-volume, level II inner city hospital from 2006 to 2008. Inclusion criteria were all patients with diverticular disease. Exclusion criteria were stoma formation, cancer, and iatrogenic perforation. Patients were investigated in group A with preservation of the SRA, and group B ligation of the SRA. Outcomes assessed, included incidence of anastomotic breakdown, intraoperative complications, hospital stay, and risk factors. The patient population included 259 patients, 46 patients were excluded, leaving 100 patients in group A and 113 patients in group B. Patients in both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, co-morbidities and stage of disease. Anastomotic breakdown occurred in one patient in group A and in eight patients in group B (p = 0.038). Incidence of intraoperative bleeding, wound dehiscence, and length of stay was increased in group B (p < 0.03; p < 0.04; p = 0.05). Obesity was an independent risk factor for anastomotic dehiscence in group B (p < 0.04). Our data comprise the largest patient population reported so far on vascular preservation in surgery for diverticular disease. The results of this study support the establishment of evidence based recommendations on the level of dissection in diverticular disease. Specifically obese patients are at risk of anastomotic breakdown with ligation of the SRA. Copyright © 2015 IJS Publishing Group Limited. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A drug from poison: how the therapeutic effect of arsenic trioxide on acute promyelocytic leukemia was discovered.

PubMed

Rao, Yi; Li, Runhong; Zhang, Daqing

2013-06-01

It is surprising that, while arsenic trioxide (ATO) is now considered as "the single most active agent in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)", the most important discoverer remains obscure and his original papers have not been cited by a single English paper. The discovery was made during the Cultural Revolution when most Chinese scientists and doctors struggled to survive. Beginning with recipes from a countryside practitioner that were vague in applicable diseases, Zhang TingDong and colleagues proposed in the 1970s that a single chemical in the recipe is most effective and that its target is APL. More than 20 years of work by Zhang and colleagues eliminated the confusions about whether and how ATO can be used effectively. Other researchers, first in China and then in the West, followed his lead. Retrospective analysis of data from his own group proved that APL was indeed the most sensitive target. Removal of a trace amount of mercury chloride from the recipe by another group in his hospital proved that only ATO was required. Publication of Western replication in 1998 made the therapy widely accepted, though neither Western, nor Chinese authors of English papers on ATO cited Zhang's papers in the 1970s. This article focuses on the early papers of Zhang, but also suggests it worth further work to validate Chinese reports of ATO treatment of other cancers, and infers that some findings published in Chinese journals are of considerable value to patients and that doctors from other countries can benefit from the clinical experience of Chinese doctors with the largest population of patients.

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

Grebenkemper, Jason H.; Hu, Yufei; Abdusalyamova, M.N.

Single crystals of Yb{sub 14−x}RE{sub x}MnSb{sub 11} (x~0.1, 0.4; RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) have been prepared as a solid solution by Sn flux reactions of the elements. They crystallize in the Ca{sub 14}AlSb{sub 11} structure type in the I4{sub 1}/acd space group. The RE{sup 3+}preferentially substitutes on the Yb(1) site which is the smallest volume Yb containing polyhedron. In the case of Ho{sup 3+}, a small amount of Ho{sup 3+} also substitutes on the Yb(4) site. The ferromagnetic ordering temperature of Yb{sub 14}MnSb{sub 11} is reduced from 53 K to 41 K as x increases and dependent on themore » identity of the RE. This is attributed to the reduction in carriers and reduced screening of the Mn{sup 2+} local moment. The effective moments, μ{sub eff,} agree well with the calculated moments assuming the RE substitutes as a trivalent cation. The largest coercive field is observed for RE = Dy (1000 Oe). For the maximum x of Yb{sub 14−x}RE{sub x}MnSb{sub 11} there are enough carriers for the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) mechanism of magnetic coupling via conduction electrons to still be valid in describing the ferromagnetic ordering. - Graphical abstract: Field dependent susceptibility loops revealed magnetic remanence in these materials, which has not been previously observed in Yb{sub 14}MnSb{sub 11} compounds. The coercive field increases with the strength of the paramagnetic moment for the substituting rare earth and the amount of the rare earth that is substituted. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Yb{sub 14−x}RE{sub x}MnSb{sub 11} (RE=Tb, Dy, & Ho) were synthesized with x~0.2 and x~0.4. • Tb, Dy, & Ho preferentially substitute on the Yb(1) site. • Samples with the largest x and largest RE moment have the largest coercive field. • There is a split between zero field cooled and field cooled susceptibility.« less

The Single-Phase ProtoDUNE Technical Design Report

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

Abi, B.

2017-06-21

ProtoDUNE-SP is the single-phase DUNE Far Detector prototype that is under construction and will be operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform (NP) starting in 2018. ProtoDUNE-SP, a crucial part of the DUNE effort towards the construction of the first DUNE 10-kt fiducial mass far detector module (17 kt total LAr mass), is a significant experiment in its own right. With a total liquid argon (LAr) mass of 0.77 kt, it represents the largest monolithic single-phase LArTPC detector to be built to date. It's technical design is given in this report.

The burden of disease from indoor air pollution in developing countries: comparison of estimates.

PubMed

Smith, Kirk R; Mehta, Sumi

2003-08-01

Four different methods have been applied to estimate the burden of disease due to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use in developing countries (LDCs). The largest number of estimates involves applying exposure-response information from urban ambient air pollution studies to estimate indoor exposure concentrations of particulate air pollution. Another approach is to construct child survival curves using the results of large-scale household surveys, as has been done for India. A third approach involves cross-national analyses of child survival and household fuel use. The fourth method, referred to as the 'fuel-based' approach, which is explored in more depth here, involves applying relative risk estimates from epidemiological studies that use exposure surrogates, such as fuel type, to estimates of household solid fuel use to determine population attributable fractions by disease and age group. With this method and conservative assumptions about relative risks, 4-5 percent of the global LDC totals for both deaths and DALYs (disability adjusted life years) from acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, asthma, lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and blindness can be attributed to solid fuel use in developing countries. Acute respiratory infections in children under five years of age are the largest single category of deaths (64%) and DALYs (81%) from indoor air pollution, apparently being responsible globally for about 1.2 million premature deaths annually in the early 1990s.

FastSKAT: Sequence kernel association tests for very large sets of markers.

PubMed

Lumley, Thomas; Brody, Jennifer; Peloso, Gina; Morrison, Alanna; Rice, Kenneth

2018-06-22

The sequence kernel association test (SKAT) is widely used to test for associations between a phenotype and a set of genetic variants that are usually rare. Evaluating tail probabilities or quantiles of the null distribution for SKAT requires computing the eigenvalues of a matrix related to the genotype covariance between markers. Extracting the full set of eigenvalues of this matrix (an n×n matrix, for n subjects) has computational complexity proportional to n 3 . As SKAT is often used when n>104, this step becomes a major bottleneck in its use in practice. We therefore propose fastSKAT, a new computationally inexpensive but accurate approximations to the tail probabilities, in which the k largest eigenvalues of a weighted genotype covariance matrix or the largest singular values of a weighted genotype matrix are extracted, and a single term based on the Satterthwaite approximation is used for the remaining eigenvalues. While the method is not particularly sensitive to the choice of k, we also describe how to choose its value, and show how fastSKAT can automatically alert users to the rare cases where the choice may affect results. As well as providing faster implementation of SKAT, the new method also enables entirely new applications of SKAT that were not possible before; we give examples grouping variants by topologically associating domains, and comparing chromosome-wide association by class of histone marker. © 2018 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

MULTI-WAVELENGTH STUDY OF A DELTA-SPOT. I. A REGION OF VERY STRONG, HORIZONTAL MAGNETIC FIELD

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

Jaeggli, S. A., E-mail: sarah.jaeggli@nasa.gov

Active region NOAA 11035 appeared in 2009 December, early in the new solar activity cycle. This region achieved a delta sunspot (δ spot) configuration when parasitic flux emerged near the rotationally leading magnetic polarity and traveled through the penumbra of the largest sunspot in the group. Both visible and infrared imaging spectropolarimetry of the magnetically sensitive Fe i line pairs at 6302 and 15650 Å show large Zeeman splitting in the penumbra between the parasitic umbra and the main sunspot umbra. The polarized Stokes spectra in the strongest field region display anomalous profiles, and strong blueshifts are seen in anmore » adjacent region. Analysis of the profiles is carried out using a Milne–Eddington inversion code capable of fitting either a single magnetic component with stray light or two independent magnetic components to verify the field strength. The inversion results show that the anomalous profiles cannot be produced by the combination of two profiles with moderate magnetic fields. The largest field strengths are 3500–3800 G in close proximity to blueshifts as strong as 3.8 km s{sup −1}. The strong, nearly horizontal magnetic field seen near the polarity inversion line in this region is difficult to understand in the context of a standard model of sunspot magnetohydrostatic equilibrium.« less

ALMA Observing Strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biggs, Andy

2018-03-01

The ALMA Observing Tool (OT) is a Java-based tool used to prepare ALMA observations. In this talk, I highlight the particular features relevant to setting up single dish observations when these are needed to observe sources where the largest angular scale requires the addition of the total power antennas.

Fifteen Years of Operation at NASA's National Transonic Facility with the World's Largest Adjustable Speed Drive

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sydnor, George H.; Bhatia, Ram; Krattiger, Hansueli; Mylius, Justus; Schafer, D.

2012-01-01

In September 1995, a project was initiated to replace the existing drive line at NASA's most unique transonic wind tunnel, the National Transonic Facility (NTF), with a single 101 MW synchronous motor driven by a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI). This Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) system also included a custom four-winding transformer, harmonic filter, exciter, switch gear, control system, and feeder cable. The complete system requirements and design details have previously been presented and published [1], as well as the commissioning and acceptance test results [2]. The NTF was returned to service in December 1997 with the new drive system powering the fan. Today, this installation still represents the world s largest horizontal single motor/drive combination. This paper describes some significant events that occurred with the drive system during the first 15 years of service. These noteworthy issues are analyzed and root causes presented. Improvements that have substantially increased the long term viability of the system are given.

Optimization Strategies for Single-Stage, Multi-Stage and Continuous ADRs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter J.

2014-01-01

Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators (ADR) have many advantages that are prompting a resurgence in their use in spaceflight and laboratory applications. They are solid-state coolers capable of very high efficiency and very wide operating range. However, their low energy storage density translates to larger mass for a given cooling capacity than is possible with other refrigeration techniques. The interplay between refrigerant mass and other parameters such as magnetic field and heat transfer points in multi-stage ADRs gives rise to a wide parameter space for optimization. This paper first presents optimization strategies for single ADR stages, focusing primarily on obtaining the largest cooling capacity per stage mass, then discusses the optimization of multi-stage and continuous ADRs in the context of the coordinated heat transfer that must occur between stages. The goal for the latter is usually to obtain the largest cooling power per mass or volume, but there can also be many secondary objectives, such as limiting instantaneous heat rejection rates and producing intermediate temperatures for cooling of other instrument components.

The largest survivorship and clinical outcomes study of the fixed bearing Stryker Triathlon Partial Knee Replacement - A multi-surgeon, single centre cohort study with a minimum of two years of follow-up.

PubMed

Middleton, S W F; Schranz, P J; Mandalia, V I; Toms, A D

2018-05-03

The surgical management of isolated medial compartment degenerative disease of the knee causes debate. Unicompartmental arthroplasty options include fixed and mobile bearing implant designs with fixed bearing becoming increasingly popular. We present the largest cohort of a fixed bearing single radius design, Stryker Triathlon Partial Knee Replacement (PKR). We prospectively collected demographic data and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) on our cohort of PKR implants since its adoption in our unit, 2009 until March 2015. A total of 129 implants in 115 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (2.5 to 8.5 years) were included. There were 11 revisions at an average of 1.7 years (0.6-4.1 years), two for infection, two for mal-alignment, five for progression of disease and two for loosening. The survivorship of the implants at five years is 90%. The PKR provides good survivorship at five years and PROM scores that are equal to the largest and most popular comparable implants. There is an associated learning curve with this implant, as there is with all systems and this is reflected in our results. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Collective action problem in heterogeneous groups

PubMed Central

Gavrilets, Sergey

2015-01-01

I review the theoretical and experimental literature on the collective action problem in groups whose members differ in various characteristics affecting individual costs, benefits and preferences in collective actions. I focus on evolutionary models that predict how individual efforts and fitnesses, group efforts and the amount of produced collective goods depend on the group's size and heterogeneity, as well as on the benefit and cost functions and parameters. I consider collective actions that aim to overcome the challenges from nature or win competition with neighbouring groups of co-specifics. I show that the largest contributors towards production of collective goods will typically be group members with the highest stake in it or for whom the effort is least costly, or those who have the largest capability or initial endowment. Under some conditions, such group members end up with smaller net pay-offs than the rest of the group. That is, they effectively behave as altruists. With weak nonlinearity in benefit and cost functions, the group effort typically decreases with group size and increases with within-group heterogeneity. With strong nonlinearity in benefit and cost functions, these patterns are reversed. I discuss the implications of theoretical results for animal behaviour, human origins and psychology. PMID:26503689

Low-frequency tone-pip-evoked otoacoustic emissions originate over a broad cochlear region in chinchillas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charaziak, Karolina K.; Siegel, Jonathan H.

2015-12-01

Otoacoustic emissions evoked with transient sounds (TEOAEs) are believed to originate within the tonotopic region of the stimulus in the cochlea via the same mechanisms as emissions evoked with single tones. However, we found that emissions evoked by low frequency (< 3 kHz) single-tones have an extended region of generation (> 6 mm) in chinchillas (Charaziak and Siegel, 2014, ARO Abst., 119). Here we test whether a broad region of generation for low-frequency stimuli is also a characteristic of TEOAEs evoked with 1-kHz tone pips extracted with compression and suppression methods. The TEOAE could be revealed with moderate level suppressors with frequencies extending beyond the stimulus bandwidth (up to 12.1 kHz), with the largest responses obtained with 3.1 - 4.1 kHz suppressors. There was a consistent decline in group delays of suppressor-revealed TEOAEs with increasing suppressor frequency, as expected if higher-frequency suppressors acted on more basal TEOAE generators. Effects of mid- to high-frequency acoustic trauma on TEOAE levels confirm the notion that the suppressors interact with emission components arising near the tonotopic place of the suppressor.

Orbital optimisation in the perfect pairing hierarchy: applications to full-valence calculations on linear polyacenes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehtola, Susi; Parkhill, John; Head-Gordon, Martin

2018-03-01

We describe the implementation of orbital optimisation for the models in the perfect pairing hierarchy. Orbital optimisation, which is generally necessary to obtain reliable results, is pursued at perfect pairing (PP) and perfect quadruples (PQ) levels of theory for applications on linear polyacenes, which are believed to exhibit strong correlation in the π space. While local minima and σ-π symmetry breaking solutions were found for PP orbitals, no such problems were encountered for PQ orbitals. The PQ orbitals are used for single-point calculations at PP, PQ and perfect hextuples (PH) levels of theory, both only in the π subspace, as well as in the full σπ valence space. It is numerically demonstrated that the inclusion of single excitations is necessary also when optimised orbitals are used. PH is found to yield good agreement with previously published density matrix renormalisation group data in the π space, capturing over 95% of the correlation energy. Full-valence calculations made possible by our novel, efficient code reveal that strong correlations are weaker when larger basis sets or active spaces are employed than in previous calculations. The largest full-valence PH calculations presented correspond to a (192e,192o) problem.

Genetic variation in avocado stem weevils Copturus aguacatae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Mexico.

PubMed

Engstrand, Rachel C; Cibrián Tovar, Juan; Cibrián-Jaramillo, Angélica; Kolokotronis, Sergios-Orestis

2010-12-01

The avocado stem weevil Copturus aguacatae is an important pest in avocado plantations. Its presence hinders the production and marketing of avocado in Mexico, the largest avocado producer worldwide. Biological control through pheromone synthesis, a strategy favored over chemical control in crops, is currently limited by difficult field identification of this species. Using DNA barcoding, we examine the patterns of genetic variation of C. aguacatae in avocado trees in Mexico to help facilitate its identification and biological control. We show that there is one single species of avocado stem weevil throughout the sampled sites in Mexico. Overall, haplotype diversity is high, with Oaxaca forming one distinct group and all other sampled populations are admixed irrespective of geographic origin. The results suggest that high gene flow is maintained in this species and that a global strategy for biocontrol can be designed and implemented throughout the sampled range.

Galapagos Islands taken by the STS-109 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-03-10

STS109-718-102 (1-12 March 2002) --- The astronauts on board the Space Shuttle Columbia took this 70mm picture featuring the Galapagos Islands. For orientation purposes, north is towards the bottom of the view. Most of the largest island in the Galapagos group, Isla Isabela, stretches across the middle of the frame. The circular feature on this island at bottom is Volcano Wolf (1707 meters in altitude). Volcano Darwin (1280 meters in sea level) is the next volcano above and to the left, partly ringed with cloud. The single island top right is Isla Fernandina, the top of another volcano (1547 meters). Recent lava flows appear as darker surfaces and the older surfaces appear green, as a result of unusual rains and vegetational greening in this normally arid part of the world. The Equator passes exactly through Volcano Wolf, roughly left to right.

Patterns of genome size variation in snapping shrimp.

PubMed

Jeffery, Nicholas W; Hultgren, Kristin; Chak, Solomon Tin Chi; Gregory, T Ryan; Rubenstein, Dustin R

2016-06-01

Although crustaceans vary extensively in genome size, little is known about how genome size may affect the ecology and evolution of species in this diverse group, in part due to the lack of large genome size datasets. Here we investigate interspecific, intraspecific, and intracolony variation in genome size in 39 species of Synalpheus shrimps, representing one of the largest genome size datasets for a single genus within crustaceans. We find that genome size ranges approximately 4-fold across Synalpheus with little phylogenetic signal, and is not related to body size. In a subset of these species, genome size is related to chromosome size, but not to chromosome number, suggesting that despite large genomes, these species are not polyploid. Interestingly, there appears to be 35% intraspecific genome size variation in Synalpheus idios among geographic regions, and up to 30% variation in Synalpheus duffyi genome size within the same colony.

Separate and unsanitary: African American women railroad car cleaners and the Women's Service Section, 1918-1920.

PubMed

Muhammad, Robin Dearmon

2011-01-01

The Women's Service Section (WSS) investigated federally controlled railroad stations and yards at the end of World War I. Few women worked in car cleaning before the war, and railroad management preferred to block women workers, especially African Americans, from gaining any kind of foothold in railroad work. African American women were the single largest group of railroad car cleaners during this period but they were routinely denied adequate facilities, including toilets, locker rooms, and dining facilities throughout the railroad system. By raising the issues of facilities, workers' rights, and public health, these women shaped federal policy and widened the agenda of the WSS to include a direct attack on segregated workplaces. This article argues that African American women car cleaners launched an industrial campaign that wove together concerns about racism, sexism, and health issues, and successfully removed barriers to women working in a predominately male industry.

Effects of leadership characteristics on pediatric registered nurses' job satisfaction.

PubMed

Roberts-Turner, Reneé; Hinds, Pamela S; Nelson, John; Pryor, Juanda; Robinson, Nellie C; Wang, Jichuan

2014-01-01

Job satisfaction levels among registered nurses (RNs) influence RN recruitment, retention, turnover, and patient outcomes. Researchers examining the relationship between characteristics of nursing leadership and RN job satisfaction have treated RNs as a monolithic group with little research on the satisfaction of hospital-based pediatric RNs. This study assessed the relationship of transformational and transactional nursing leadership characteristics and RN job satisfaction reported by pediatric RNs. This single site study included 935 hospital-based pediatric RNs who completed validated survey items regarding nursing leadership and job satisfaction. A structural equation model (SEM) was applied to assess how autonomy (transformational leadership) and distributive justice (transactional leadership) influence RN job satisfaction, and how RN socio-demographic characteristics influence job satisfaction via autonomy and distributive justice. Findings revealed that both autonomy and distributive justice had significant positive effects on RN job satisfaction but the largest source of influence was autonomy.

Spain Country Analysis Brief

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

Spain is the fifth largest energy consumer in Europe, after Germany, France, United Kingdom, and Italy, and has virtually no domestic production of liquid fuels or natural gas. Government regulation limits the percent of total oil and gas that can be imported from any single country to ensure diversity of supply.

Gaseous losses of nitrogen other than through denitrification

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nitrogen (N) losses from human activities are the major reason behind the growing concerns about the enrichment of the biosphere with reactive N. The single largest cause of human alteration of the global N cycle is crop production. Reactive atmospheric N trace gases resulting from agricultural acti...

Gaseous Losses of Nitrogen Other Than Through Denitrification

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nitrogen (N) losses from human activities are the major reason behind the growing concerns about the enrichment of the biosphere with reactive N. The single largest cause of human alteration of the global N cycle is crop production. Reactive atmospheric N trace gases resulting from agricultural acti...

Complete chloroplast genome sequences of Drimys, Liriodendron, andPiper: Implications for the phylogeny of magnoliids and the evolution ofGC content

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

Zhengqiu, C.; Penaflor, C.; Kuehl, J.V.

2006-06-01

The magnoliids represent the largest basal angiosperm clade with four orders, 19 families and 8,500 species. Although several recent angiosperm molecular phylogenies have supported the monophyly of magnoliids and suggested relationships among the orders, the limited number of genes examined resulted in only weak support, and these issues remain controversial. Furthermore, considerable incongruence has resulted in phylogenies supporting three different sets of relationships among magnoliids and the two large angiosperm clades, monocots and eudicots. This is one of the most important remaining issues concerning relationships among basal angiosperms. We sequenced the chloroplast genomes of three magnoliids, Drimys (Canellales), Liriodendron (Magnoliales),more » and Piper (Piperales), and used these data in combination with 32 other completed angiosperm chloroplast genomes to assess phylogenetic relationships among magnoliids. The Drimys and Piper chloroplast genomes are nearly identical in size at 160,606 and 160,624 bp, respectively. The genomes include a pair of inverted repeats of 26,649 bp (Drimys) and 27,039 (Piper), separated by a small single copy region of 18,621 (Drimys) and 18,878 (Piper) and a large single copy region of 88,685 bp (Drimys) and 87,666 bp (Piper). The gene order of both taxa is nearly identical to many other unrearranged angiosperm chloroplast genomes, including Calycanthus, the other published magnoliid genome. Comparisons of angiosperm chloroplast genomes indicate that GC content is not uniformly distributed across the genome. Overall GC content ranges from 34-39%, and coding regions have a substantially higher GC content than non-coding regions (both intergenic spacers and introns). Among protein-coding genes, GC content varies by codon position with 1st codon > 2nd codon > 3rd codon, and it varies by functional group with photosynthetic genes having the highest percentage and NADH genes the lowest. Across the genome, GC content is highest in the inverted repeat due to the presence of rRNA genes and lowest in the small single copy region where most NADH genes are located. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods were performed on DNA sequences of 61 protein-coding genes. Trees from both analyses provided strong support for the monophyly of magnoliids and two strongly supported groups were identified, the Canellales/Piperales and the Laurales/Magnoliales. The phylogenies also provided moderate to strong support for the basal position of Amborella, and a sister relationship of magnoliids to a clade that includes monocots and eudicots. The complete sequences of three magnoliid chloroplast genomes provide new data from the largest basal angiosperm clade. Evolutionary comparisons of these new genome sequences, combined with other published angiosperm genome, confirm that GC content is unevenly distributed across the genome by location, codon position, and functional group. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses provide the strongest support so far for the hypothesis that the magnoliids are sister to a large clade that includes both monocots and eudicots.« less

Polymorphisms of uric transporter proteins in the pathogenesis of gout in a Chinese Han population.

PubMed

Wan, W; Xu, X; Zhao, D B; Pang, Y F; Wang, Y X

2015-03-30

In this study, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in urate transporter genes to examine the pathogenesis of gout. We conducted a 1:1-matched case-control study that included 110 patients with acute gout attacks as the patient group and 110 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects as the control group. Clinical parameters were recorded and blood biochemistry tests were conducted for both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were found to be the main risk factors for the onset of gout, with relative risks of 29.2 (P < 0.001), 25.5 (P = 0.003), and 11.2 (P < 0.001). For all detected SNP, rs2231142, located in ABCG2, showed the largest frequency differences for the G/G, G/T, and T/T genotypes between groups: the distribution of these genotypes in the case group was 22, 49, and 26 individuals, respectively, and was 54, 38, and 9 individuals, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.001) and the odds ratio was 7.091 (95% confidence interval = 2.867-17.541). Other SNPs (rs1165196, rs1165205, rs1183201, rs17300741, rs2078267, rs2242206, rs3733591, and rs9358856) showed no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). The risk factors of gout were hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and the T/T genotype of the rs2231142 locus in the ABCG2 gene; expression of the G/G genotype may be a protective factor against gout development.

Male/Female Salary Disparity for Professors of Educational Administration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pounder, Diana G.

The earnings gap between male and female workers across all occupational groups has been well documented; full-time women workers earn, on average, approximately 65 percent of men's salaries. Although male/female salary disparity is largest across occupational groups, salary disparity within occupational groups still prevails. For example, the…

Dismantling multicomponent behavioral treatment for insomnia in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Epstein, Dana R; Sidani, Souraya; Bootzin, Richard R; Belyea, Michael J

2012-06-01

Recently, the use of multicomponent insomnia treatment has increased. This study compares the effect of single component and multicomponent behavioral treatments for insomnia in older adults after intervention and at 3 months and 1 yr posttreatment. A randomized, controlled study. Veterans Affairs medical center. 179 older adults (mean age, 68.9 yr ± 8.0; 115 women [64.2%]) with chronic primary insomnia. Participants were randomly assigned to 6 wk of stimulus control therapy (SCT), sleep restriction therapy (SRT), the 2 therapies combined into a multicomponent intervention (MCI), or a wait-list control group. Primary outcomes were subjective (daily sleep diary) and objective (actigraphy) measures of sleep-onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), time in bed (TIB), and sleep efficiency (SE). Secondary outcomes were clinical measures including response and remission rates. There were no differences between the single and multicomponent interventions on primary sleep outcomes measured by diary and actigraphy. All treatments produced significant improvement in diary-reported sleep in comparison with the control group. Effect sizes for sleep diary outcomes were medium to large. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up for diary and actigraph measured SOL, WASO, and SE. The MCI group had the largest proportion of treatment remitters. For older adults with chronic primary insomnia, the findings provide initial evidence that SCT, SRT, and MCI are equally efficacious and produce sustainable treatment gains on diary, actigraphy, and clinical outcomes. From a clinical perspective, MCI may be a preferred treatment due to its higher remission rate. Behavioral Intervention for Insomnia in Older Adults. NCT01154023. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01154023?term=Behavioral+Intervention+for+Insomnia+in+Older+Adults&rank=1.

Safety climate and its association with office type and team involvement in primary care.

PubMed

Gehring, Katrin; Schwappach, David L B; Battaglia, Markus; Buff, Roman; Huber, Felix; Sauter, Peter; Wieser, Markus

2013-09-01

To assess differences in safety climate perceptions between occupational groups and types of office organization in primary care. Primary care physicians and nurses working in outpatient offices were surveyed about safety climate. Explorative factor analysis was performed to determine the factorial structure. Differences in mean climate scores between staff groups and types of office were tested. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors for a 'favorable' safety climate. 630 individuals returned the survey (response rate, 50%). Differences between occupational groups were observed in the means of the 'team-based error prevention'-scale (physician 4.0 vs. nurse 3.8, P < 0.001). Medical centers scored higher compared with single-handed offices and joint practices on the 'team-based error prevention'-scale (4.3 vs. 3.8 vs. 3.9, P < 0.001) but less favorable on the 'rules and risks'-scale (3.5 vs. 3.9 vs. 3.7, P < 0.001). Characteristics on the individual and office level predicted favorable 'team-based error prevention'-scores. Physicians (OR = 0.4, P = 0.01) and less experienced staff (OR 0.52, P = 0.04) were less likely to provide favorable scores. Individuals working at medical centers were more likely to provide positive scores compared with single-handed offices (OR 3.33, P = 0.001). The largest positive effect was associated with at least monthly team meetings (OR 6.2, P < 0.001) and participation in quality circles (OR 4.49, P < 0.001). Results indicate that frequent quality circle participation and team meetings involving all team members are effective ways to strengthen safety climate in terms of team-based strategies and activities in error prevention.

Flow Cytometry of Human Primary Epidermal and Follicular Keratinocytes

PubMed Central

Gragnani, Alfredo; Ipolito, Michelle Zampieri; Sobral, Christiane S; Brunialti, Milena Karina Coló; Salomão, Reinaldo; Ferreira, Lydia Masako

2008-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize using flow cytometry cultured human primary keratinocytes isolated from the epidermis and hair follicles by different methods. Methods: Human keratinocytes derived from discarded fragments of total skin and scalp hair follicles from patients who underwent plastic surgery in the Plastic Surgery Division at UNIFESP were used. The epidermal keratinocytes were isolated by using 3 different methods: the standard method, upon exposure to trypsin for 30 minutes; the second, by treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes; and the third, by treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 30 minutes. Follicular keratinocytes were isolated using the standard method. Results: On comparing the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 30 minutes, it was observed that the first group presented the largest number of viable cells, the smallest number of cells in late apoptosis and necrosis with statistical significance, and no difference in apoptosis. When we compared the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the group treated with trypsin, the first group presented the largest number of viable cells, the smallest number of cells in apoptosis with statistical significance, and no difference in late apoptosis and necrosis. When we compared the results of the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the results for follical isolation, there was a statistical difference in apoptosis and viable cells. Conclusion: The isolation method of treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes produced the largest number of viable cells and the smallest number of cells in apoptosis/necrosis. PMID:18350110

Flow cytometry of human primary epidermal and follicular keratinocytes.

PubMed

Gragnani, Alfredo; Ipolito, Michelle Zampieri; Sobral, Christiane S; Brunialti, Milena Karina Coló; Salomão, Reinaldo; Ferreira, Lydia Masako

2008-02-19

The aim of this study was to characterize using flow cytometry cultured human primary keratinocytes isolated from the epidermis and hair follicles by different methods. Human keratinocytes derived from discarded fragments of total skin and scalp hair follicles from patients who underwent plastic surgery in the Plastic Surgery Division at UNIFESP were used. The epidermal keratinocytes were isolated by using 3 different methods: the standard method, upon exposure to trypsin for 30 minutes; the second, by treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes; and the third, by treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 30 minutes. Follicular keratinocytes were isolated using the standard method. On comparing the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 30 minutes, it was observed that the first group presented the largest number of viable cells, the smallest number of cells in late apoptosis and necrosis with statistical significance, and no difference in apoptosis. When we compared the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the group treated with trypsin, the first group presented the largest number of viable cells, the smallest number of cells in apoptosis with statistical significance, and no difference in late apoptosis and necrosis. When we compared the results of the group treated with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes with the results for follical isolation, there was a statistical difference in apoptosis and viable cells. The isolation method of treatment with dispase for 18 hours and with trypsin for 10 minutes produced the largest number of viable cells and the smallest number of cells in apoptosis/necrosis.

Co-culture of channel catfish with hybrid catfish facilitates 'herd effect' to improve production performance

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Herd effect is an epidemiological phenomenon, where the presence or proximity of a certain proportion of improved (superior) individuals improve the performance of less improved (normal) individuals. Channel catfish, Ictalurus puntatus is the single largest aquaculture species cultured in US. Ho...

Learning to Share: Australia's "Building the Education Revolution" and Shared Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McShane, Ian

2012-01-01

This article analyses the conceptual and policy contexts of the Australian government's "Building the Education Revolution" (BER) programme. This $A15 billion commitment to renewing school facilities is the Australian government's largest single measure of economic stimulus in response to the recent global financial crisis. Public debate…

TOWARDS A VERIFIABLE AMMONIA EMISSIONS INVENTORY FOR CATTLE FEEDLOTS IN THE GREAT PLAINS

EPA Science Inventory

Collectively, beef cattle feedlots in the Great Plains may be the nation’s single largest source of atmospheric ammonia. Unfortunately, the large uncertainty around these emissions not only affects the U.S. ammonia inventory, but also undermines attempts to understand and miti...

Impacts of Climate Change on Operation of the US Rail Network

EPA Science Inventory

The rail network in the US is the largest network within any single country at 140,000 miles of Class 1 tracks. The network is predominantly focused on freight traffic with the exception of key passenger corridors along the eastern seaboard and in the upper Midwest. This extens...

Contribution of the automotive industry to the U.S. economy in 1998 : the nation and its fifty states

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-12-01

The automotive industry is the largest manufacturing industry in the United States. No other single industry is linked to as much of the U.S. manufacturing or generates as much retail business and employment. The study describes the economic and soci...

Montane forests

Treesearch

Malcolm North; Brandon M. Collins; Hugh Safford; Nathan L. Stephenson

2016-01-01

California’s montane forests include some of the most productive and diverse temperate ecosystems in the world, containing the largest single stem tree (the 1487 m3 General Sherman giant sequoia [Sequoiadendron giganteum]) (Van Pelt 2001) and highest conifer diversity (30 plus species in the Klamath-Siskiyou mountain range) (Sawyer 2006)....

46 CFR 108.233 - Location and size.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.233 Location and size. (a) Each helicopter deck must be— (1) At least the size of the rotor diameter of the largest single main rotor helicopter that will be used on the facility; or (2) If tandem main rotor helicopters use the facility, at...

46 CFR 108.233 - Location and size.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.233 Location and size. (a) Each helicopter deck must be— (1) At least the size of the rotor diameter of the largest single main rotor helicopter that will be used on the facility; or (2) If tandem main rotor helicopters use the facility, at...

46 CFR 108.233 - Location and size.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.233 Location and size. (a) Each helicopter deck must be— (1) At least the size of the rotor diameter of the largest single main rotor helicopter that will be used on the facility; or (2) If tandem main rotor helicopters use the facility, at...

46 CFR 108.233 - Location and size.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.233 Location and size. (a) Each helicopter deck must be— (1) At least the size of the rotor diameter of the largest single main rotor helicopter that will be used on the facility; or (2) If tandem main rotor helicopters use the facility, at...

46 CFR 108.233 - Location and size.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.233 Location and size. (a) Each helicopter deck must be— (1) At least the size of the rotor diameter of the largest single main rotor helicopter that will be used on the facility; or (2) If tandem main rotor helicopters use the facility, at...

Research Supervisors' Perceptions of Effective Practices for Selecting Successful Research Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blunt, R. J. S.

2009-01-01

This investigation elicited the perceptions of thirteen of the most successful research supervisors from one university, with a view to identifying their approaches to selecting research candidates. The supervisors were identified by the university's research office using the single criterion of having the largest number of completed research…

Prediction of a peptidome for the western tarnished plant bug Lygus hesperus

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Many strategies for controlling insect pests require an understanding of their hormonal signaling agents, peptides being the largest and most diverse single class of these molecules. Lygus hesperus is a pest species of particular concern; it responsible for millions of dollars of damage to cotton, ...

Evaluating variable rate fungicide applications for control of Sclerotinia

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Oklahoma peanut growers continue to try to increase yields and reduce input costs. Perhaps the largest input in a peanut crop is fungicide applications. This is especially true for areas in the state that have high disease pressure from Sclerotinia. On average, a single fungicide application cost...

Recruiting Trends, 2005-2006

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collegiate Employment Research Institute (NJ3), 2006

2006-01-01

Almost 900 employers responded to this year's "Recruiting Trends" survey, the largest response in the history of this project. Hiring of college graduates is expected to increase by single digits minimally, or double digits if certain geographic sectors are excluded (between 6% and 14%). This growth follows a robust 20% increase in…

In vitro to In vivo extrapolation of hepatic metabolism in fish: An inter-laboratory comparison of In vitro methods

EPA Science Inventory

Chemical biotransformation represents the single largest source of uncertainty in chemical bioaccumulation assessments for fish. In vitro methods employing isolated hepatocytes and liver subcellular fractions (S9) can be used to estimate whole-body rates of chemical metabolism, ...

Distribution and evolution of cotton fiber development genes in the fibreless Gossypium raimondii genome

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cotton fibers represent the largest single cell in the plant kingdom, and they have been used as a model to study cell function, differentiation, maturation, and cell death. The cotton fiber transcriptome can be clustered into two genomic regions: conserved and recombination hotspots. Genetic link...

Genomic landscape of fiber genes in fibered and non-fibered cottons

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cotton fiber is the largest single cell in the plant kingdom. It is the best model to study cell function, differentiation, maturation, and cell death. Cotton fiber transcriptome can be clustered into two types of regions: conservative areas and recombination hotspots. This study was to investig...

40 CFR 112.12 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... equipment failure or human error at the facility. (c) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for... means of containment for the entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to... soil conditions. (6) Bulk storage container inspections. (i) Except for containers that meet the...

40 CFR 112.12 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... equipment failure or human error at the facility. (c) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for... means of containment for the entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to... soil conditions. (6) Bulk storage container inspections. (i) Except for containers that meet the...

40 CFR 112.12 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... equipment failure or human error at the facility. (c) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for... means of containment for the entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to... soil conditions. (6) Bulk storage container inspections. (i) Except for containers that meet the...

Improving the Targeting of Treatment: Evidence from College Remediation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott-Clayton, Judith; Crosta, Peter M.; Belfield, Clive R.

2014-01-01

Remediation is one of the largest single interventions intended to improve outcomes for underprepared college students, yet little is known about the remedial screening process. Using administrative data and a rich predictive model, we find that severe mis-assignments are common using current test-score-cutoff-based policies, with…

Nontraditional Family Forms: A Decade of Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macklin, Eleanor D.

1980-01-01

Nontraditional forms which have shown the largest increase in the 70s are those resulting from divorce, dual-work and dual-career families, single-person households, and couples living together. Lifestyles reflect acceptance of nonmarital sexuality, growing freedom from traditional roles and expectations, and greater equality between men and…

COMBINING EVIDENCE ON AIR POLLUTION AND DAILY MORTALITY FROM 20 LARGEST U.S. CITIES: A HIERARCHICAL MODELING STRATEGY

EPA Science Inventory

Environmental science and management are fed by individual studies of pollution effects, often focused on single locations. Data are encountered data, typically from multiple sources and on different time and spatial scales. Statistical issues including publication bias and m...

Nonlinear anelastic modal theory for solar convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latour, J.; Toomre, J.; Zahn, J.-P.

1983-01-01

Solar envelope models are developed using single-mode anelastic equations as a description of turbulent convection which provide estimates for the variation with depth of the largest convective cellular flows, with horizontal sizes comparable to the total depth of the convection zone. These models can be used to describe compressible motions occurring over many density scale heights. Single-mode anelastic solutions are obtained for a solar envelope whose mean stratification is nearly adiabatic over most of its vertical extent because of the enthalpy flux explicitly carried by the big cell, while a subgrid scale representation of turbulent heat transport is incorporated into the treatment near the surface. It is shown that the single-mode equations allow two solutions for the same horizontal wavelength which are distinguished by the sense of the vertical velocity at the center of the three-dimensional cell. It is found that the upward directed flow experiences large pressure effects which can modify the density fluctuations so that the sense of the buoyancy force is changed, with buoyancy braking actually achieved near the top of the convection zone. It is suggested that such dynamical processes may explain why the amplitudes of flows related to the largest scales of convection are so weak in the solar atmosphere.

Swim speed, behavior, and movement of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in coastal waters of northeastern Florida, USA.

PubMed

Hain, James H W; Hampp, Joy D; McKenney, Sheila A; Albert, Julie A; Kenney, Robert D

2013-01-01

In a portion of the coastal waters of northeastern Florida, North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) occur close to shore from December through March. These waters are included within the designated critical habitat for right whales. Data on swim speed, behavior, and direction of movement--with photo-identification of individual whales--were gathered by a volunteer sighting network working alongside experienced scientists and supplemented by aerial observations. In seven years (2001-2007), 109 tracking periods or "follows" were conducted on right whales during 600 hours of observation from shore-based observers. The whales were categorized as mother-calf pairs, singles and non-mother-calf pairs, and groups of 3 or more individuals. Sample size and amount of information obtained was largest for mother-calf pairs. Swim speeds varied within and across observation periods, individuals, and categories. One category, singles and non mother-calf pairs, was significantly different from the other two--and had the largest variability and the fastest swim speeds. Median swim speed for all categories was 1.3 km/h (0.7 kn), with examples that suggest swim speeds differ between within-habitat movement and migration-mode travel. Within-habitat right whales often travel back-and-forth in a north-south, along-coast, direction, which may cause an individual to pass by a given point on several occasions, potentially increasing anthropogenic risk exposure (e.g., vessel collision, fishing gear entanglement, harassment). At times, mothers and calves engaged in lengthy stationary periods (up to 7.5 h) that included rest, nursing, and play. These mother-calf interactions have implications for communication, learning, and survival. Overall, these behaviors are relevant to population status, distribution, calving success, correlation to environmental parameters, survey efficacy, and human-impacts mitigation. These observations contribute important parameters to conservation biology, predictive modeling, and management. However, while we often search for predictions, patterns, and means, the message here is also about variability and the behavioral characteristics of individual whales.

Efficacy of aspiration in amebic liver abscess.

PubMed

Ghosh, Jayant Kumar; Goyal, Sundeep Kumar; Behera, Manas Kumar; Tripathi, Manish Kumar; Dixit, Vinod Kumar; Jain, Ashok Kumar; Shukla, Ramchandra

2015-01-01

Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is a common and serious problem in our country. There are only a few controlled trials on the efficacy and advantages of combination therapy with percutaneous needle aspiration and pharmacotherapy, over pharmacotherapy alone for amebic liver abscess. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of two different treatment modalities i.e. drug treatment alone vs. drug treatment and aspiration of abscess cavity in patients with small (up to 5 cm) and large (5 cm to 10 cm) size ALA. This is one of the largest single center, prospective, randomized studies comparing the efficacy of aspiration in ALA. (i) Mean body temperature, liver tenderness, total leukocyte count (TLC), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and liver span were significantly decreased in the aspiration group on days 8 and 15 as compared to non-aspiration group especially in large abscess (5 cm to 10 cm). (ii) Abscess cavity maximum diameter decreased significantly in aspiration group on days 8 and 15, and 1 month & 3 months in large abscess (5cm to 10 cm). (i) Needle aspiration along with metronidazole hastens clinical improvement especially in large (5 cm up to 10 cm) cavities in patients with ALA. (ii) Aspiration is safe and no major complications occurred. (iii) Hence, combination therapy should be the first choice especially in large ALA (5 cm to 10 cm).

A presentation of the differences between the sheep and goat genetic maps

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

The current autosomal version (4.2) of the sheep genetic map comprises 1175 loci and spans ~3540 cM. This corresponds to almost complete coverage of the sheep genome. Each chromosome is represented by a single linkage group, with the largest gap between adjacent loci being 19.8 cM. In contrast the 1998 goat genetic map (the most recently published) is much less well developed spanning 2737 cM and comprising only 307 loci. Only one of the goat chromosomes appears to have complete coverage (chromosome 27), and 16 of the chromosomes are comprised of two or more linkage groups, or a linkage group and one or more unlinked markers. The two maps share 218 loci, and the maps have been aligned using the shared loci as reference points. Overall there is good agreement between the maps in terms of homologous loci mapping to equivalent chromosomes in the two species, with only four markers mapping to non-equivalent chromosomes. However, there are lots of inversions in locus order between the sheep and goat chromosomes. Whilst some of these differences in locus order may be genuine, the majority are likely to be a consequence of the paucity of genetic information for the goat map. PMID:15601590

Anatomical classification of breast sentinel lymph nodes using computed tomography-lymphography.

PubMed

Fujita, Tamaki; Miura, Hiroyuki; Seino, Hiroko; Ono, Shuichi; Nishi, Takashi; Nishimura, Akimasa; Hakamada, Kenichi; Aoki, Masahiko

2018-05-03

To evaluate the anatomical classification and location of breast sentinel lymph nodes, preoperative computed tomography-lymphography examinations were retrospectively reviewed for sentinel lymph nodes in 464 cases clinically diagnosed with node-negative breast cancer between July 2007 and June 2016. Anatomical classification was performed based on the numbers of lymphatic routes and sentinel lymph nodes, the flow direction of lymphatic routes, and the location of sentinel lymph nodes. Of the 464 cases reviewed, anatomical classification could be performed in 434 (93.5 %). The largest number of cases showed single route/single sentinel lymph node (n = 296, 68.2 %), followed by multiple routes/multiple sentinel lymph nodes (n = 59, 13.6 %), single route/multiple sentinel lymph nodes (n = 53, 12.2 %), and multiple routes/single sentinel lymph node (n = 26, 6.0 %). Classification based on the flow direction of lymphatic routes showed that 429 cases (98.8 %) had outward flow on the superficial fascia toward axillary lymph nodes, whereas classification based on the height of sentinel lymph nodes showed that 323 cases (74.4 %) belonged to the upper pectoral group of axillary lymph nodes. There was wide variation in the number of lymphatic routes and their branching patterns and in the number, location, and direction of flow of sentinel lymph nodes. It is clinically very important to preoperatively understand the anatomical morphology of lymphatic routes and sentinel lymph nodes for optimal treatment of breast cancer, and computed tomography-lymphography is suitable for this purpose.

The role of coparents in African American single-mother families: the indirect effect of coparent identity on youth psychosocial adjustment.

PubMed

Parent, Justin; Jones, Deborah J; Forehand, Rex; Cuellar, Jessica; Shoulberg, Erin K

2013-04-01

The majority (67%) of African American youth live in single-parent households, a shift in the family structure that has been linked to increased risk for both internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Although the majority of single mothers endorse the assistance of another adult or family member in child rearing, relatively little is known about who is engaged in this nonmarital coparenting role (i.e., grandmother, father/social father, aunt, and female family friend) and how it relates to coparenting quality, maternal parenting, and youth psychosocial outcomes (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). This question, which is critical to the advancement of family focused programming for youth in these families, is addressed in this study. The participants examined in the current study were 159 African American single-mother child dyads. Adolescents' maternal grandmothers constituted the largest proportion of coparents in the sample (37.2%), followed by the mothers' female family friends (22.5%), adolescents' maternal aunts (12.7%), and adolescents' fathers/social fathers (11%). Differences emerged among groups of coparents in support and conflict with the mother. Specifically, grandmothers, aunts, and female family friends provided significantly more instrumental support than fathers. Furthermore, grandmothers and fathers had more conflict with the mother, both generally and specifically in front of the child, than aunts or female family friends. In turn, these differences were associated directly and indirectly through maternal parenting with internalizing and externalizing problems. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).

Advanced Analytic Cognition: Critical Thinking

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

showed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups . Further, posttest means were not significantly different from pretest ...means in either group ( Pretest : Experimental M = 296, Control M = 297; Posttest : Experimental M = 298, Control M = 302). It appears that taking a...Delphi group - this was the largest dissident group on any topic - supported the view expressed in this chapter, that critical thinking should be

Comprehensive analysis of correlation coefficients estimated from pooling heterogeneous microarray data

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The synthesis of information across microarray studies has been performed by combining statistical results of individual studies (as in a mosaic), or by combining data from multiple studies into a large pool to be analyzed as a single data set (as in a melting pot of data). Specific issues relating to data heterogeneity across microarray studies, such as differences within and between labs or differences among experimental conditions, could lead to equivocal results in a melting pot approach. Results We applied statistical theory to determine the specific effect of different means and heteroskedasticity across 19 groups of microarray data on the sign and magnitude of gene-to-gene Pearson correlation coefficients obtained from the pool of 19 groups. We quantified the biases of the pooled coefficients and compared them to the biases of correlations estimated by an effect-size model. Mean differences across the 19 groups were the main factor determining the magnitude and sign of the pooled coefficients, which showed largest values of bias as they approached ±1. Only heteroskedasticity across the pool of 19 groups resulted in less efficient estimations of correlations than did a classical meta-analysis approach of combining correlation coefficients. These results were corroborated by simulation studies involving either mean differences or heteroskedasticity across a pool of N > 2 groups. Conclusions The combination of statistical results is best suited for synthesizing the correlation between expression profiles of a gene pair across several microarray studies. PMID:23822712

Shoulder Strength Requirements for Upper Limb Functional Tasks: Do Age and Rotator Cuff Tear Status Matter?

PubMed

Santago, Anthony C; Vidt, Meghan E; Li, Xiaotong; Tuohy, Christopher J; Poehling, Gary G; Freehill, Michael T; Saul, Katherine R

2017-12-01

Understanding upper limb strength requirements for daily tasks is imperative for early detection of strength loss that may progress to disability due to age or rotator cuff tear. We quantified shoulder strength requirements for 5 upper limb tasks performed by 3 groups: uninjured young adults and older adults, and older adults with a degenerative supraspinatus tear prior to repair. Musculoskeletal models were developed for each group representing age, sex, and tear-related strength losses. Percentage of available strength used was quantified for the subset of tasks requiring the largest amount of shoulder strength. Significant differences in strength requirements existed across tasks: upward reach 105° required the largest average strength; axilla wash required the largest peak strength. However, there were limited differences across participant groups. Older adults with and without a tear used a larger percentage of their shoulder elevation (p < .001, p < .001) and external rotation (p < .001, p = .017) strength than the young adults, respectively. Presence of a tear significantly increased percentage of internal rotation strength compared to young (p < .001) and uninjured older adults (p = .008). Marked differences in strength demand across tasks indicate the need for evaluating a diversity of functional tasks to effectively detect early strength loss, which may lead to disability.

Nurse staffing and deficiencies in the largest for-profit nursing home chains and chains owned by private equity companies.

PubMed

Harrington, Charlene; Olney, Brian; Carrillo, Helen; Kang, Taewoon

2012-02-01

To compare staffing levels and deficiencies of the 10 largest U.S. for-profit nursing home chains with five other ownership groups and chain staffing and deficiencies before and after purchase by four private equity (PE) companies. Facilities for the largest for-profit chains were identified through Internet searches and company reports and matched with federal secondary data for 2003-2008 for each ownership group. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimation equation panel regression models examined staffing and deficiencies by ownership groups in the 2003-2008 period, controlling for facility characteristics, resident acuity, and market factors with state fixed effects. The top 10 for-profit chains had lower registered nurse and total nurse staffing hours than government facilities, controlling for other factors. The top 10 chains received 36 percent higher deficiencies and 41 percent higher serious deficiencies than government facilities. Other for-profit facilities also had lower staffing and higher deficiencies than government facilities. The chains purchased by PE companies showed little change in staffing levels, but the number of deficiencies and serious deficiencies increased in some postpurchase years compared with the prepurchase period. There is a need for greater study of large for-profit chains as well as those chains purchased by PE companies. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

No difference in terms of radiostereometric analysis between fixed- and mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial.

PubMed

Schotanus, M G M; Pilot, P; Kaptein, B L; Draijer, W F; Tilman, P B J; Vos, R; Kort, N P

2017-09-01

A concern that arises with any new prosthesis is whether it will achieve satisfactory long-term implant stability. The gold standard of assessing the quality of fixation in a new or relatively new implant is to undertake a randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis. It was hypothesized that both mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty and fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty have comparable migration patterns at 2-year follow-up. This study investigated two types of cemented total knee arthroplasty, the mobile- or fixed-bearing variant from the same family with use of radiostereometric analysis. This prospective, patient-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was designed to investigate early migration of the tibia component after two years of follow-up with use of radiostereometric analysis. A total of 50 patients were randomized to receive a mobile- or fixed-bearing TKA from the same family. Patients were evaluated during 2-year follow-up, including radiostereometric analysis, physical and clinical examination and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). At two-year follow-up, the mean (±SD) maximum total point motion (MTPM) in the fixed-bearing group was 0.82 (±1.16) versus 0.92 mm (±0.64) in the mobile-bearing group (p = n.s) with the largest migration seen during the first 6 weeks (0.45 ± 0.32 vs. 0.54 ± 0.30). The clinical outcome and PROMs significantly improved within each group, not between both groups. Measuring early micromotion is useful for predicting clinical loosening that can lead to revision. The results of this study demonstrate that early migration of the mobile-bearing is similar to that of the fixed-bearing component at two years and was mainly seen in the first weeks after implantation. Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, Level I.

In vitro marginal fit of three all-ceramic crown systems.

PubMed

Yeo, In-Sung; Yang, Jae-Ho; Lee, Jai-Bong

2003-11-01

Studies on marginal discrepancies of single restorations using various systems and materials have resulted in statistical inferences that are ambiguous because of small sample sizes and limited numbers of measurements per specimen. The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal adaptation of single anterior restorations made using different systems. The in vitro marginal discrepancies of 3 different all-ceramic crown systems (Celay In-Ceram, conventional In-Ceram, and IPS Empress 2 layering technique), and a control group of metal ceramic restorations were evaluated and compared by measuring the gap dimension between the crowns and the prepared tooth at the marginal opening. The crowns were made for 1 extracted maxillary central incisor prepared with a 1-mm shoulder margin and 6-degree tapered walls by milling. Thirty crowns per system were fabricated. Crown measurements were recorded with an optical microscope, with an accuracy of +/-0.1 microm, at 50 points spaced approximately 400 microm along the circumferential margin. The criterion of 120 microm was used as the maximum clinically acceptable marginal gap. Mean gap dimensions and standard deviations were calculated for marginal opening. The data were analyzed with a 1-way analysis of variance (alpha=.05). Mean gap dimensions and standard deviations at the marginal opening for the incisor crowns were 87 +/- 34 microm for control, 83 +/- 33 microm for Celay In-Ceram, 112 +/- 55 microm for conventional In-Ceram, and 46 +/- 16 microm for the IPS Empress 2 layering technique. Significant differences were found among the crown groups (P<.05). Compared with the control group, the IPS Empress 2 group had significantly smaller marginal discrepancies (P<.05), and the conventional In-Ceram group exhibited significantly greater marginal discrepancies (P<.05). There was no significant difference between the Celay In-Ceram and the control group. Within the limitations of this study, the marginal discrepancies were all within the clinically acceptable standard set at 120 microm. However, the IPS Empress 2 system showed the smallest and most homogeneous gap dimension, whereas the conventional In-Ceram system presented the largest and more variable gap dimension compared with the metal ceramic (control) restoration.

Public Higher Education Governance: An Empirical Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowles, Jacob

2010-01-01

Public higher education is a large enterprise in the United States. Total state expenditures for higher education totaled nearly $152 billion dollars in FY2008, accounting for over ten percent of total state expenditures and representing the single largest category of discretionary spending in most states (NASBO, 2009). The last three decades have…

Return to Play Guidelines Cannot Solve the Football-Related Concussion Problem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, L. Syd M.

2012-01-01

Background: High school football players are the single largest cohort of athletes playing tackle football, and account for the majority of sport-related concussions. Return to play guidelines (RTPs) have emerged as the preferred approach for addressing the problem of sport-related concussion in youth athletes. Methods: This article reviews…

Report on Educational Developments, 1974-1976. Mauritius.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs (Mauritius).

Educational development in Mauritius is directed by a Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs in conjunction with a government appointed advisory board. Education is the largest single item in the national budget and comprises 25% of estimated annual expenditure for 1977-8. The primary education system serves 92% of the primary school age…

The Origins of Better Jobs Better Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Robyn I.; Dawson, Steven L.

2008-01-01

Better Jobs Better Care was the nation's largest single initiative created to reduce the high vacancy and turnover rates of direct care workers and improve workforce quality through both policy and practice changes. In this article, we describe the important role and key characteristics of direct care workers, what motivated the unique partnership…

ACHP | News | Federal Highway Administration wins Chairman's Award for

Science.gov Websites

major source of federal funding for local and state historic preservation efforts." The award was Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act began to find an appropriate balance by creating and funding largest single source of federal funding for historic preservation. The funding is provided through a

Retail Trade. Industry Training Monograph No. 7.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dumbrell, Tom

Australia's retailing sector is the largest single industry of employment, with more than 1.2 million workers. It is characterized by high levels of part-time and casual employment; a young work force, including many young people still in full-time education; and employment widely distributed geographically. Over the past 10 years, employment has…

The Sundarbans: a unique wilderness of the world

Treesearch

Laskar Muqsudur Rahman

2000-01-01

The Sundarbans, natural mangrove forests of Bangladesh covers an area of 577,000 ha. It is the largest single tract of mangrove forest in the world. The members of the family Rhizophoracae do not dominate the tree vegetation of the Sundarbans. Heritiera fomes and Excoecaria agallocha are the two most extensively occurring tree...

Immunological dysfunction in periparturient cows: Evidence, causes and ramifications

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

With a $35.7 billion Gross Domestic Value for milk produced in the U.S. during 2007, the dairy industry was the single largest component of the 2007 U.S. animal agriculture economic engine. The value of milk produced in 2007 represented 30.2% of the total value of animal agriculture production; thi...

Validation of a chicken ileal explant culture for measurement of mucosal inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Gut mucosa holds a single layer of epithelial cells and the largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body. While epithelial cell cultures are widely used to assess intestinal barrier functions, they have limitations to study cellular interactions with other cells, in particular those of the immune sys...

Faculty Teaching Loads in the UNC System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schalin, Jay

2014-01-01

This paper explores the teaching loads of faculty in the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. Salaries for faculty members are the single largest cost of higher education in the UNC system, accounting for approximately half of expenditures. The system's funding formula for its 16 college campuses is largely dependent upon the number of…

Lobbying Behaviors of Higher Education Institutions: Structures, Attempts, and Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgess, Brent; Miller, Michael T.

2009-01-01

As colleges and universities are under increased pressure to demonstrate their effectiveness, leaders have come to rely on government relations personnel to adequately tell the story of the activities and needs of the campus. State governments typically are the largest single supplier of public institution funding, yet they have been challenged by…

40 CFR 112.8 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements for onshore facilities (excluding...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for the storage of oil unless its material and... of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation. You must ensure... conditions. (6) Test or inspect each aboveground container for integrity on a regular schedule and whenever...

40 CFR 112.8 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements for onshore facilities (excluding...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for the storage of oil unless its material and... of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation. You must ensure... conditions. (6) Test or inspect each aboveground container for integrity on a regular schedule and whenever...

40 CFR 112.8 - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan requirements for onshore facilities (excluding...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Bulk storage containers. (1) Not use a container for the storage of oil unless its material and... of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation. You must ensure... conditions. (6) Test or inspect each aboveground container for integrity on a regular schedule and whenever...

Properties of the O-type giants and supergiants in 30 Doradus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramírez-Agudelo, O. H.; VFTS Consortium

2017-11-01

We discuss the stellar and wind properties of 72 presumably single O-type giants, bright giants, and supergiants in the 30 Doradus region. This sample constitutes the largest and most homogeneous sample of such stars ever analyzed and offers the opportunity to test models describing their main-sequence evolution.

Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, Mary; Edwards, Brian

2009-01-01

With K-12 schools representing the single largest expenditure in the state budget, education funding has been a central issue throughout the chaos that has recently characterized California's budget process. School districts throughout California have endured deep cuts in state funding, and more cuts are looming. But state law severely limits the…

Symbiotic diversity in the cosmopolitan genus Acacia

Treesearch

James K. Leary; Paul W. Singleton; Paul G. Scowcroft; Dulal Borthakur

2006-01-01

Acacia is the second largest genus within the Leguminosae, with 1352 species identified. This genus is now known to be polyphyletic and the international scientific community will presumably split Acacia into five new genera. This review examines the diversity of biological nitrogen fixation symbiosis within Acacia as a single genus. Due to its global importance, an...

School Turnaround Teachers: Competencies for Success. Part of the School Turnaround Collection from Public Impact

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Impact, 2008

2008-01-01

Individual teachers have the largest single school effect on student performance. Documented experience also indicates that individual teachers in high-poverty schools can effect rapid, dramatic student learning improvements within their own classrooms. Organization-wide change of a similar magnitude takes a broader effort with daring leadership…

The Tenth Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Totten, Samuel

2006-01-01

The genocide in Srebrenica was the largest single act of genocide in Europe in 50 years, or since the Naziperpetrated Holocaust. In this article, the author was invited by the Bosnian foreign ministry to attend a 10-year commemoration of the genocide on July 11, 2005. It was followed by an international conference in Sarajevo, "The…

Marketing/Sales Students' Understanding of What Counts as Sales

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoshower, Leon; Gupta, Ashok K.

2009-01-01

Improper sales revenue recognition is the single largest issue contributing to financial restatements. Understanding and applying the rules of sales revenue recognition is not just an accounting problem; it is a marketing problem, too. Thus, it is important that the sales force has a basic understanding of the rules of sales recognition and be…

Strategies for single-point diamond machining a large format germanium blazed immersion grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montesanti, R. C.; Little, S. L.; Kuzmenko, P. J.; Bixler, J. V.; Jackson, J. L.; Lown, J. G.; Priest, R. E.; Yoxall, B. E.

2016-07-01

A large format germanium immersion grating was flycut with a single-point diamond tool on the Precision Engineering Research Lathe (PERL) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in November - December 2015. The grating, referred to as 002u, has an area of 59 mm x 67 mm (along-groove and cross-groove directions), line pitch of 88 line/mm, and blaze angle of 32 degree. Based on total groove length, the 002u grating is five times larger than the previous largest grating (ZnSe) cut on PERL, and forty-five times larger than the previous largest germanium grating cut on PERL. The key risks associated with cutting the 002u grating were tool wear and keeping the PERL machine running uninterrupted in a stable machining environment. This paper presents the strategies employed to mitigate these risks, introduces pre-machining of the as-etched grating substrate to produce a smooth, flat, damage-free surface into which the grooves are cut, and reports on trade-offs that drove decisions and experimental results.

World's Largest Gold Crystal Studied at Los Alamos

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

Vogel, Sven; Nakotte, Heinz

2014-04-03

When geologist John Rakovan needed better tools to investigate whether a dazzling 217.78-gram piece of gold was in fact the world's largest single-crystal specimen - a distinguishing factor that would not only drastically increase its market value but also provide a unique research opportunity - he traveled to Los Alamos National Laboratory's Lujan Neutron Scattering Center to peer deep inside the mineral using neutron diffractometry. Neutrons, different from other probes such as X-rays and electrons, are able to penetrate many centimeters deep into most materials. Revealing the inner structure of a crystal without destroying the sample - imperative, as thismore » one is worth an estimated $1.5 million - would allow Rakovan and Lujan Center collaborators Sven Vogel and Heinz Nakotte to prove that this exquisite nugget, which seemed almost too perfect and too big to be real, was a single crystal and hence a creation of nature. Its owner, who lives in the United States, provided the samples to Rakovan to assess the crystallinity of four specimens, all of which had been found decades ago in Venezuela.« less

World's Largest Gold Crystal Studied at Los Alamos

ScienceCinema

Vogel, Sven; Nakotte, Heinz

2018-02-07

When geologist John Rakovan needed better tools to investigate whether a dazzling 217.78-gram piece of gold was in fact the world's largest single-crystal specimen - a distinguishing factor that would not only drastically increase its market value but also provide a unique research opportunity - he traveled to Los Alamos National Laboratory's Lujan Neutron Scattering Center to peer deep inside the mineral using neutron diffractometry. Neutrons, different from other probes such as X-rays and electrons, are able to penetrate many centimeters deep into most materials. Revealing the inner structure of a crystal without destroying the sample - imperative, as this one is worth an estimated $1.5 million - would allow Rakovan and Lujan Center collaborators Sven Vogel and Heinz Nakotte to prove that this exquisite nugget, which seemed almost too perfect and too big to be real, was a single crystal and hence a creation of nature. Its owner, who lives in the United States, provided the samples to Rakovan to assess the crystallinity of four specimens, all of which had been found decades ago in Venezuela.

Discrepancy between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection in gastric epithelial neoplasia.

PubMed

Lim, Hyun; Jung, Hwoon-Yong; Park, Young Soo; Na, Hee Kyong; Ahn, Ji Yong; Choi, Ji Young; Lee, Jeong Hoon; Kim, Mi-Young; Choi, Kwi-Sook; Kim, Do Hoon; Choi, Kee Don; Song, Ho June; Lee, Gin Hyug; Kim, Jin-Ho

2014-04-01

Endoscopic forceps biopsy (EFB) is a major diagnostic procedure for gastric epithelial neoplasia (GEN). However, discrepancy between the result of EFB and endoscopic resection (ER) is not uncommon. Thus, there is controversy over whether specimens obtained by EFB are optimal for diagnosis of GEN. We investigated the discrepancy between EFB and ER in the diagnosis of GEN. A total of 1,850 GEN cases were histologically diagnosed with EFB, including 954 low-grade dysplasias (LGDs), 315 high-grade dysplasias (HGDs), and 581 carcinomas. Following diagnosis with EFB, all patients were treated with ER. We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic findings and patient characteristics and analyzed predictors for the discrepancy between the two procedures (largest diameter, number of biopsy fragments, number of biopsy fragments/largest diameter, location, macroscopic type, color, surface unevenness, and erosion). The overall discrepancy rate between EFB and ER was 31.7 % (587/1,850). Among the discordant group, 440 (23.9 %) cases showed a higher grade of disease after ER; 229 of the 954 LGDs (24.0 %) were diagnosed as HGD or carcinoma, 166 of the 315 HGDs (52.7 %) as carcinoma, and 45 of the 581 differentiated carcinomas (7.7 %) as undifferentiated carcinoma. In the LGD group with EFB, the largest diameter (≥1.8 cm; P < 0.001), surface unevenness (P = 0.014), and depressed macroscopic type (P < 0.001) were factors associated with discrepancy. In the carcinoma group with EFB, flat macroscopic type (P = 0.043) was the only significant factor. In the HGD group with EFB, there were no significant factors for discrepancy. EFB can be insufficient for diagnosing GENs, and ER can be considered not only as treatment but also as a diagnostic modality in GEN. It is especially pertinent to all cases of HGD regardless of their endoscopic features and to cases of LGDs with the largest lesion diameter ≥1.8 cm, surface unevenness, or a depressed macroscopic type.

Capitalizing Baccalaureate Degree Attainment: Revealing the Path of the Latina/o Scholar

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arellano, Lucy

2011-01-01

Educational attainment is increasingly necessary for individual mobility and national economic development at the same time that the racial and ethnic makeup of the population continues to diversify, signaling a need to improve degree attainments across racial/ethnic groups. Latinos are the largest minority group in the country and the group with…

Why Ability Grouping Must End: Achieving Excellence and Equity in American Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Braddock, Jomills Henry, II; Slavin, Robert E.

This review of research focuses on policies and practices that result in placing students in groups that are more or less homogeneous with respect to academic performance. Recent analysis of data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 provides the largest and best-controlled multi-year study of ability grouping ever conducted…

Redistricting in the 1990s: A Guide for Minority Groups.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Hare, William P., Ed.

This guide provides basic information for members of minority groups who wish to participate effectively in the reapportionment that will take place as a result of the 1990 Census. The guide focuses on Blacks and Hispanics--the largest minority groups and the only ones for which there are reliable population figures that are more recent than the…

Phylogeny and biogeography of 91 species of heroine cichlids (Teleostei: Cichlidae) based on sequences of the cytochrome b gene.

PubMed

Pérez, Gustavo A Concheiro; Rícan, Oldrich; Ortí, Guillermo; Bermingham, Eldredge; Doadrio, Ignacio; Zardoya, Rafael

2007-04-01

Heroini constitute the second largest tribe of Neotropical cichlids and show their greatest diversity in Mesoamerica. Although heroine species are morphologically and ecologically very diverse, they were all historically assigned to one single genus, Cichlasoma that was never formally revised from a phylogenetic point of view. Here, we present the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the tribe Heroini to date, based on the complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, and the analysis of 204 individuals representing 91 species. Phylogenetic analyses did not support the monophyly of heroines because the genus Pterophyllum was placed as the sister group of all remaining heroines plus cichlasomatines. However, the recovered relative position of Pterophyllum was without strong statistical support. Within the remaining heroines, Hyspelecara and Hoplarchus are recovered with low support in a basal position with respect to a clade that includes Heros, Uaru, Mesonauta, and Symphysodon, and the circumamazonian (CAM) heroines. The first clade is restricted to South America. The largest clade of heroines, the CAM heroines, include more than 85% of the species within the tribe. This clade is mostly Mesoamerican, but also contains four species found in the Greater Antilles (Nandopsis), and three genera found in South America (the 'Heros' festae group, Australoheros, and Caquetaia). Up to eight major lineages can be recovered within the CAM heroines, but the phylogenetic relationships among them remain unresolved. Two large suprageneric groups can be distinguished, the amphilophines and the herichthyines. The amphilophines include Amphilophus, Archocentrus, Hypsophrys, Neetroplus, Parachromis, Petenia, and five additional unnamed genera (the 'Heros' istlanus group, the 'Amphilophus' calobrensis group, the 'Heros' urophthalmus group, the 'Heros' wesseli group, and the 'Heros' sieboldii group). The herichthyines include the crown-group herichthyines (Herichthys, Theraps, Vieja, and Paratheraps) and the genera Tomocichla, Herotilapia, and Thorichthys, together with three unnamed genera (the 'Heros' umbriferus group, the 'Heros' grammodes group, and the 'Heros' salvini group). Amphilophines are prevalent in southern Mesomerica south of the Motagua fault. Herichthyines have basal linages in Central America, whereas crown-group herichthyines and three related genera are found north from the Motagua fault. At least two independent origins are required to explain current Mesoamerican heroine distribution. Dispersal of heroines from South America into Mesoamerica was dated between 24 and 16 million years ago (MYA) based on geological calibrations and on standard fish mitochondrial cytochrome b rates, respectively. These datings cannot be reconciled with currently known geological evidence, and the existence of a connection between Central America and South America in the Miocene needs to be postulated in order to explain the origins of Mesoamerican heroine lineages. However, our datings agree with those estimated for the dispersal of other secondary freshwater fishes (Rivulidae, Synbranchus) into Mesoamerica, and predate the invasion of primary freshwater fishes by at least 10 myr.

Recent Trends in Coverage of the Mexican-Born Population of the United States: Results From Applying Multiple Methods Across Time

PubMed Central

Van Hook, Jennifer; Bean, Frank D.; Bachmeier, James D.; Tucker, Catherine

2014-01-01

The accuracy of counts of U.S. racial/ethnic and immigrant groups depends on coverage of the foreign-born in official data. Because Mexicans constitute by far the largest single national-origin group among the foreign-born in the United States, we compile new evidence about the coverage of the Mexican-born population in the 2000 census and 2001–2010 American Community Survey (ACS) using three techniques: a death registration, a birth registration, and a net migration method. For the late 1990s and first half of the 2000–2010 decade, results indicate that coverage error was somewhat higher than currently assumed but substantially declined by the latter half of the 2000–2010 decade. Additionally, we find evidence that U.S. census and ACS data miss substantial numbers of children of Mexican immigrants, as well as people who are most likely to be unauthorized: namely, working-aged Mexican immigrants (ages 15–64), especially males. The findings highlight the heterogeneity of the Mexican foreign-born population and the ways in which migration dynamics may affect population coverage. PMID:24570373

Heavy metal resistant strains are widespread along Streptomyces phylogeny.

PubMed

Alvarez, Analía; Catalano, Santiago A; Amoroso, María Julia

2013-03-01

The genus Streptomyces comprises a group of bacteria species with high economic importance. Several of these species are employed at industrial scale for the production of useful compounds. Other characteristic found in different strains within this genus is their capability to tolerate high level of substances toxic for humans, heavy metals among them. Although several studies have been conducted in different species of the genus in order to disentangle the mechanisms associated to heavy metal resistance, little is known about how they have evolved along Streptomyces phylogeny. In this study we built the largest Streptomyces phylogeny generated up to date comprising six genes, 113 species of Streptomyces and 27 outgroups. The parsimony-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that (i) Streptomyces is monophyletic and (ii) it appears as sister clade of a group formed by Kitasatospora and Streptacidiphilus species, both genera also monophyletic. Streptomyces strains resistant to heavy metals are not confined to a single lineage but widespread along Streptomyces phylogeny. Our result in combination with genomic, physiological and biochemical data suggest that the resistance to heavy metals originated several times and by different mechanisms in Streptomyces history. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A model of high-affinity antibody binding to type III group B Streptococcus capsular polysaccharide.

PubMed

Wessels, M R; Muñoz, A; Kasper, D L

1987-12-01

We recently reported that the single repeating-unit pentasaccharide of type III group B Streptococcus (GBS) capsular polysaccharide is only weakly reactive with type III GBS antiserum. To further elucidate the relationship between antigen-chain length and antigenicity, tritiated oligosaccharides derived from type III capsular polysaccharide were used to generate detailed saturation binding curves with a fixed concentration of rabbit antiserum in a radioactive antigen-binding assay. A graded increase in affinity of antigen-antibody binding was seen as oligosaccharide size increased from 2.6 repeating units to 92 repeating units. These differences in affinity of antibody binding to oligosaccharides of different molecular size were confirmed by immunoprecipitation and competitive ELISA, two independent assays of antigen-antibody binding. Analysis of the saturation binding experiment indicated a difference of 300-fold in antibody-binding affinity for the largest versus the smallest tested oligosaccharides. Unexpectedly, the saturation binding values approached by the individual curves were inversely related to oligosaccharide chain length on a molar basis but equivalent on a weight basis. This observation is compatible with a model in which binding of an immunoglobulin molecule to an antigenic site on the polysaccharide facilitates subsequent binding of antibody to that antigen.

No nitrate spikes detectable in several polar ice cores following the largest known solar events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekhaldi, Florian; McConnell, Joseph R.; Adolphi, Florian; Arienzo, Monica; Chellman, Nathan J.; Maselli, Olivia; Sigl, Michael; Muscheler, Raimund

2017-04-01

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are a genuine and recognized threat to our modern society which is increasingly relying on satellites and technological infrastructures. However, knowledge on the frequency and on the upper limit of the intensity of major solar storms is largely limited by the relatively short direct observation period. In an effort to extend the observation period and because atmospheric ionization induced by solar particles can lead to the production of odd nitrogen, spikes in the nitrate content of ice cores have been tentatively used to reconstruct both the occurrence and intensity of past SEP events. Yet the reliability of its use as such a proxy has been long debated. This is partly due to differing chemistry-climate model outputs, equivocal detection of nitrate spikes in single ice cores for single events, and possible alternative sources to explain nitrate spikes in ice cores. Here we present nitrate measurements from several Antarctic and Greenland ice cores for time periods covering the largest known solar events. More specifically, we use new highly-resolved nitrate and biomass burning proxy species data (e.g. black carbon) from continuous flow analysis following the largest known solar events from the paleo record - the SEP events of 775 and 994 AD. We also consider the historical Carrington event of 1859 as well as contemporary events from the past 60 years which were observed by satellites. Doing so we show that i) there are no reproducible nitrate spikes in Greenland and Antarctic ice cores following any of these major events and that ii) most nitrate spikes found in ice cores are related to biomass burning plumes. Our analysis thus suggests that ice-core nitrate data is not a reliable proxy for atmospheric ionization by SEP events. In light of our results, we advocate that nitrate spikes so far identified from single ice cores should not be used to assess the intensity and occurrence rate of extreme solar events.

An original model of the northern Gulf of Mexico using Ecopath with Ecosim and its implications for the effects of fishing on ecosystem structure and maturity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geers, T. M.; Pikitch, E. K.; Frisk, M. G.

2016-07-01

The Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is a valuable ecosystem both socially and economically, and fisheries contribute substantially to this value. Gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, support the largest fishery in the Gulf (by weight) and provide forage for marine mammals, seabirds and commercially and recreationally important fish species. Understanding the complex interactions among multiple fisheries and myriad unfished species requires tools different from those used in traditional single-species management. One such tool, Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) is increasingly being used to construct food web models of aquatic ecosystems and to evaluate fisheries management options within a broader, ecosystem context. Here, an EwE model was developed to examine the impact of Gulf fisheries on ecosystem structure and maturity. This model builds on previously published EwE models of the GoM, and is tailored to the range and habitat of Gulf menhaden. The model presented here consists of 47 functional groups, including 4 seabird groups, 1 marine mammal group, 3 elasmobranch groups, 26 bony fish groups, 9 invertebrate groups, 3 primary producer groups and 1 detritus group. A number of different management scenarios for Gulf fisheries were modeled and the results were evaluated in terms of impacts on ecosystem maturity and development. The results of the model simulations indicated that the northern Gulf of Mexico is in an immature state (sensuOdum, 1969). Management scenarios that increased fishing pressure over time consistently resulted in a decrease in the maturity indices. In particular, we found that Gulf menhaden, as a key forage fish in the ecosystem, plays a substantial role in the structure and functioning of the ecosystem.

Tunable room-temperature single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths from sp 3 defects in carbon nanotubes

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

He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.; Ma, Xuedan

Generating quantum light emitters that operate at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths remains a significant materials challenge. To achieve this goal requires light sources that emit in the near-infrared wavelength region and that, ideally, are tunable to allow desired output wavelengths to be accessed in a controllable manner. Here, we show that exciton localization at covalently introduced aryl sp 3 defect sites in single-walled carbon nanotubes provides a route to room-temperature single-photon emission with ultrahigh single-photon purity (99%) and enhanced emission stability approaching the shot-noise limit. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inherent optical tunability of single-walled carbon nanotubes, presentmore » in their structural diversity, allows us to generate room-temperature single-photon emission spanning the entire telecom band. Furthermore, single-photon emission deep into the centre of the telecom C band (1.55 um) is achieved at the largest nanotube diameters we explore (0.936 nm).« less

Tunable room-temperature single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths from sp 3 defects in carbon nanotubes

DOE PAGES

He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.; Ma, Xuedan; ...

2017-07-31

Generating quantum light emitters that operate at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths remains a significant materials challenge. To achieve this goal requires light sources that emit in the near-infrared wavelength region and that, ideally, are tunable to allow desired output wavelengths to be accessed in a controllable manner. Here, we show that exciton localization at covalently introduced aryl sp 3 defect sites in single-walled carbon nanotubes provides a route to room-temperature single-photon emission with ultrahigh single-photon purity (99%) and enhanced emission stability approaching the shot-noise limit. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inherent optical tunability of single-walled carbon nanotubes, presentmore » in their structural diversity, allows us to generate room-temperature single-photon emission spanning the entire telecom band. Furthermore, single-photon emission deep into the centre of the telecom C band (1.55 um) is achieved at the largest nanotube diameters we explore (0.936 nm).« less

Durability investigation of a group of strain gage pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, P. S.; Hilten, J. S.

1972-01-01

A durability investigation was conducted on a group of eighteen bonded-wire strain gage pressure transducers with ranges of 0 to 15 psig and 0 to 100 psig using an improved version of a previously developed technique. Some of the transducers were subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at a 5-Hz rate at laboratory ambient conditions, others were cycled at a temperature of 150 F (65.6 C). The largest change in sensitivity observed was 0.22% for a 100-psig transducer subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at 150 F. The largest change in zero pressure output observed was 0.91% FS for the same transducer. None of the transducers failed completely as a result of cycling at or below full scale pressure.

Allergic contact dermatitis pattern in Kuwait: nickel leads the pack. In-depth analysis of nickel allergy based on the results from a large prospective patch test series report

PubMed Central

Almutawa, Fahad

2017-01-01

Introduction Contact dermatitis is a relatively common dermatosis reported among several population groups from all around the globe. However, the data from Kuwait is unavailable. Patch tests are essential for the diagnosis of contact sensitization. Aim To determine a relative frequency and pattern of sensitizers to different allergens in patients of suspected contact dermatitis in Kuwait and, also to study the role of the commonest sensitizer in detail. Material and methods Patch tests were performed in 2461 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis seen at our hospital between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015. Out of the total of 1381 (56.1%) patients with positive patch test results to at least one allergen, 546 (22.2%) patients with a single positive reaction to nickel only (single largest sensitizer) were selected as the study population for further detailed analysis. Results At least one positive patch test reaction was found in 1381 (56.12%) patients. Nickel was found to be the most common sensitizer seen in 546 (40%) patients. The mean age was 37.3 ±13.8 years and the mean duration of disease was 27.3 ±13.8 months. Most (387/546) patients sensitized were females. The forearms/hands and wrists were the most prevalent sites (52.56% of the participants). In 58.91% of women, dermatitis was more often confined to other sites, mostly ears and the neck due to earrings and necklaces. Just more than half of the number (51.09%) of nickel allergic patients were found in the age group of 15–25 years. Hairdressers/beauticians were the most affected group followed by house workers (housewives, cleaners, housekeepers). Conclusions Nickel is the single most common sensitizer found in our patients, and female sex, young age, occupation with long hours of contact to nickel are high risk factors. We recommend that a directive, which limits the release of nickel from products with extended skin contact, be approved in Kuwait. PMID:28670248

Genetic Population Structure Analysis in New Hampshire Reveals Eastern European Ancestry

PubMed Central

Sloan, Chantel D.; Andrew, Angeline D.; Duell, Eric J.; Williams, Scott M.; Karagas, Margaret R.; Moore, Jason H.

2009-01-01

Genetic structure due to ancestry has been well documented among many divergent human populations. However, the ability to associate ancestry with genetic substructure without using supervised clustering has not been explored in more presumably homogeneous and admixed US populations. The goal of this study was to determine if genetic structure could be detected in a United States population from a single state where the individuals have mixed European ancestry. Using Bayesian clustering with a set of 960 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) we found evidence of population stratification in 864 individuals from New Hampshire that can be used to differentiate the population into six distinct genetic subgroups. We then correlated self-reported ancestry of the individuals with the Bayesian clustering results. Finnish and Russian/Polish/Lithuanian ancestries were most notably found to be associated with genetic substructure. The ancestral results were further explained and substantiated using New Hampshire census data from 1870 to 1930 when the largest waves of European immigrants came to the area. We also discerned distinct patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the genetic groups in the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR). To our knowledge, this is the first time such an investigation has uncovered a strong link between genetic structure and ancestry in what would otherwise be considered a homogenous US population. PMID:19738909

Reconstructing the plinian and co-ignimbrite sources of large volcanic eruptions: A novel approach for the Campanian Ignimbrite

PubMed Central

Marti, Alejandro; Folch, Arnau; Costa, Antonio; Engwell, Samantha

2016-01-01

The 39 ka Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) super-eruption was the largest volcanic eruption of the past 200 ka in Europe. Tephra deposits indicate two distinct plume forming phases, Plinian and co-ignimbrite, characteristic of many caldera-forming eruptions. Previous numerical studies have characterized the eruption as a single-phase event, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment of eruption dynamics. To reconstruct the volume, intensity, and duration of the tephra dispersal, we applied a computational inversion method that explicitly accounts for the Plinian and co-ignimbrite phases and for gravitational spreading of the umbrella cloud. To verify the consistency of our results, we performed an additional single-phase inversion using an independent thickness dataset. Our better-fitting two-phase model suggests a higher mass eruption rate than previous studies, and estimates that 3/4 of the total fallout volume is co-ignimbrite in origin. Gravitational spreading of the umbrella cloud dominates tephra transport only within the first hundred kilometres due to strong stratospheric winds in our best-fit wind model. Finally, tephra fallout impacts would have interrupted the westward migration of modern hominid groups in Europe, possibly supporting the hypothesis of prolonged Neanderthal survival in South-Western Europe during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition. PMID:26883449

Accessing Novel Conoidean Venoms: Biodiverse Lumun-lumun Marine Communities, An Untapped Biological and Toxinological Resource

PubMed Central

Seronay, Romell A.; Fedosov, Alexander E.; Astilla, Mary Anne; Watkins, Maren; Saguil, Noel; Heralde, Francisco M.; Tagaro, Sheila; Poppe, Guido T.; Aliño, Porfirio M.; Oliverio, Marco; Kantor, Yuri I.; Concepcion, Gisela P.; Olivera, Baldomero M.

2010-01-01

Cone snail venoms have yielded pharmacologically-active natural products of exceptional scientific interest. However, cone snails are a small minority of venomous molluscan biodiversity, the vast majority being tiny venomous morphospecies in the family Turridae. A novel method called lumun-lumun opens access to these micromolluscs and their venoms. Old fishing nets are anchored to the sea bottom for a period of 1–6 months and marine biotas rich in small molluscs are established. In a single lumun-lumun community, we found a remarkable gastropod biodiversity (155 morphospecies). Venomous predators belonging to the superfamily Conoidea (36 morphospecies) were the largest group, the majority being micromolluscs in the family Turridae. We carried out an initial analysis of the most abundant of the turrid morphospecies recovered, Clathurella (Lienardia) cincta (Dunker, 1871). In contrast to all cDNA clones characterized from cone snail venom ducts, one of the C. cincta clones identified encoded two different peptide precursors presumably translated from a single mRNA. The prospect of easily accessing so many different morphospecies of venomous marine snails raises intriguing toxinological possibilities: the 36 conoidean morphospecies in this one net alone have the potential to yield thousands of novel pharmacologically-active compounds. PMID:20005243

Genetic population structure analysis in New Hampshire reveals Eastern European ancestry.

PubMed

Sloan, Chantel D; Andrew, Angeline D; Duell, Eric J; Williams, Scott M; Karagas, Margaret R; Moore, Jason H

2009-09-07

Genetic structure due to ancestry has been well documented among many divergent human populations. However, the ability to associate ancestry with genetic substructure without using supervised clustering has not been explored in more presumably homogeneous and admixed US populations. The goal of this study was to determine if genetic structure could be detected in a United States population from a single state where the individuals have mixed European ancestry. Using Bayesian clustering with a set of 960 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) we found evidence of population stratification in 864 individuals from New Hampshire that can be used to differentiate the population into six distinct genetic subgroups. We then correlated self-reported ancestry of the individuals with the Bayesian clustering results. Finnish and Russian/Polish/Lithuanian ancestries were most notably found to be associated with genetic substructure. The ancestral results were further explained and substantiated using New Hampshire census data from 1870 to 1930 when the largest waves of European immigrants came to the area. We also discerned distinct patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the genetic groups in the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR). To our knowledge, this is the first time such an investigation has uncovered a strong link between genetic structure and ancestry in what would otherwise be considered a homogenous US population.

Reconstructing the plinian and co-ignimbrite sources of large volcanic eruptions: A novel approach for the Campanian Ignimbrite.

PubMed

Marti, Alejandro; Folch, Arnau; Costa, Antonio; Engwell, Samantha

2016-02-17

The 39 ka Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) super-eruption was the largest volcanic eruption of the past 200 ka in Europe. Tephra deposits indicate two distinct plume forming phases, Plinian and co-ignimbrite, characteristic of many caldera-forming eruptions. Previous numerical studies have characterized the eruption as a single-phase event, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment of eruption dynamics. To reconstruct the volume, intensity, and duration of the tephra dispersal, we applied a computational inversion method that explicitly accounts for the Plinian and co-ignimbrite phases and for gravitational spreading of the umbrella cloud. To verify the consistency of our results, we performed an additional single-phase inversion using an independent thickness dataset. Our better-fitting two-phase model suggests a higher mass eruption rate than previous studies, and estimates that 3/4 of the total fallout volume is co-ignimbrite in origin. Gravitational spreading of the umbrella cloud dominates tephra transport only within the first hundred kilometres due to strong stratospheric winds in our best-fit wind model. Finally, tephra fallout impacts would have interrupted the westward migration of modern hominid groups in Europe, possibly supporting the hypothesis of prolonged Neanderthal survival in South-Western Europe during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition.

Islands within an island: repeated adaptive divergence in a single population.

PubMed

Langin, Kathryn M; Sillett, T Scott; Funk, W Chris; Morrison, Scott A; Desrosiers, Michelle A; Ghalambor, Cameron K

2015-03-01

Physical barriers to gene flow were once viewed as prerequisites for adaptive evolutionary divergence. However, a growing body of theoretical and empirical work suggests that divergence can proceed within a single population. Here we document genetic structure and spatially replicated patterns of phenotypic divergence within a bird species endemic to 250 km(2) Santa Cruz Island, California, USA. Island scrub-jays (Aphelocoma insularis) in three separate stands of pine habitat had longer, shallower bills than jays in oak habitat, a pattern that mirrors adaptive differences between allopatric populations of the species' mainland congener. Variation in both bill measurements was heritable, and island scrub-jays mated nonrandomly with respect to bill morphology. The population was not panmictic; instead, we found a continuous pattern of isolation by distance across the east-west axis of the island, as well as a subtle genetic discontinuity across the boundary between the largest pine stand and adjacent oak habitat. The ecological factors that appear to have facilitated adaptive differentiation at such a fine scale--environmental heterogeneity and localized dispersal--are ubiquitous in nature. These findings support recent arguments that microgeographic patterns of adaptive divergence may be more common than currently appreciated, even in mobile taxonomic groups like birds. © 2015 The Author(s).

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

Hamoda, Haitham, E-mail: haithamhamoda@hotmail.co; Tait, P.; Edmonds, D. K.

We report a 44-year-old woman who developed a fatal pulmonary embolus after uterine artery fibroid embolisation (UAE). Bilateral UAE was carried out through a single right-femoral artery puncture. The largest fibroid in the anterior fundal wall measured 4.5 cm, and the largest fibroid in the posterior fundal wall measured 6 cm. The appearances after UAE were satisfactory, and the procedure was apparently uneventful. No immediate complications were noted. The patient developed sudden-onset shortness of breath and went into cardiac arrest 19 h after the procedure. Postmortem autopsy confirmed that the cause of a death was a pulmonary embolism. To ourmore » knowledge this is the first reported case in the United Kingdom in which death occurred from a pulmonary embolus after UAE.« less

Security Force Assistance: Strategic, Advisory, and Partner Nation Considerations

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

ethnic groups and tribes (which are further divided into sub-tribes and clans),97 spread out throughout a country with little (and in many places...and Hazara ethnic groups . Claims of certain ethnic groups receiving preferential treatment are common (and certainly not unique to the GIRoA or...the Pashtuns, despite being Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group (comprising 42% of the population),128 continue to be highly underrepresented in the

Improving the Targeting of Treatment: Evidence from College Remediation. NBER Working Paper No. 18457

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott-Clayton, Judith; Crosta, Peter M.; Belfield, Clive R.

2012-01-01

At an annual cost of roughly $7 billion nationally, remedial coursework is one of the single largest interventions intended to improve outcomes for underprepared college students. But like a costly medical treatment with non-trivial side effects, the value of remediation overall depends upon whether those most likely to benefit can be identified…

Cracking Open the Curriculum: Lessons from a Community College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanson, Chad; Amelotte, Patrick

2013-01-01

Community colleges comprise the largest single sector of the US higher education network. Forty percent of undergraduates attend one of our two-year schools. Some estimates suggest that, since the turnover is quicker than on four-year campuses, two-thirds of the students who attend a college at all attend a community college. For many of those…

The Experience of Rural Independent Pharmacies with Medicare Part D: Reports from the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radford, Andrea; Slifkin, Rebecca; Fraser, Roslyn; Mason, Michelle; Mueller, Keith

2007-01-01

Context: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) created prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries through a new Part D program, the single largest addition to Medicare since its creation in 1965. Prior to program implementation in January 2006, concerns had been voiced as to how independent…

Ultrasonic Inspection of Wooden Pallet Parts Using Time of Flight

Treesearch

Daniel L. Schmoldt; Robert M. Nelson; Robert J. Ross; Kent A. McDonald

1997-01-01

Wooden pallets are the largest single use of sawn hardwood logs in the USA. Unfortunately, millions of wooden pallets are discarded annually due to damage or because their low cost makes them readily disposable. In general, pallets are constructed from stringers and deckboards of random quality. Higher quality wooden pallets, however, can be built from higher quality...

The History and Problems in the Making of Education Policy at the World Bank 1960-2000

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heyneman, S. P.

2003-01-01

The reports seem contradictory. With about three billion dollars per year in new loan commitments, the World Bank has become the single largest source of development capital in the field of international education. These resources help expand educational opportunities for young women in South Asia and rebuild primary schools following civil…

Developing Inquiry for Learning: Reflecting Collaborative Ways to Learn How to Learn in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ovens, Peter; Wells, Frances; Wallis, Patricia; Hawkins, Cyndy

2011-01-01

"Developing Inquiry for Learning" shows how university tutors can help students to improve their abilities to learn and to become professional inquirers. An increasing proportion of students entering higher education seem to assume that learning is a relatively passive process. This may be the largest single limitation to their achievement.…

Altered Amygdala Function in Nicotine Addiction: Insights from Human Neuroimaging Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mihov, Yoan; Hurlemann, Rene

2012-01-01

More than 5 million deaths a year are attributable to tobacco smoking, making it the largest single cause of preventable death worldwide. The primary addictive component in tobacco is nicotine. Its addictive power is exemplified by the fact that by far most attempts to quit smoking fail. It is therefore mandatory to understand the biological…

Safety Belt Programs at the Workplace. WBGH Worksite Wellness Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sleet, David A.

Cited as the largest single cause of lost work time and on-the-job fatalities for U.S. workers, motor vehicle crashes cause major nonrecoverable losses for U.S. businesses. Workplace programs to encourage employees to wear safety belts can thus help employers reduce traffic accident-related losses of work time and can substantially reduce the…

46 CFR 34.20-5 - Quantity of foam required-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... to give primary protection to the spaces over the cargo tanks. (b) Rate of application. The water... liters/min per square meter of cargo tanks deck area, where cargo tanks deck area means the maximum.../min per square meter of the horizontal sectional area of the single tank having the largest such area...

40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Bbbbb of... - Requirements for Performance Tests

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... HAP used as the calibration gas must be the single organic HAP representing the largest percent of... determining compliance with a ppmv concentration limit. c. Conduct gas molecular weight analysis i. Method 3... York, NY 10016-5990) as an alternative to EPA Method 3B. d. Measure moisture content of the stack gas...

Development of a chicken ileal explant culture model for measurement of gut inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Gut mucosa holds a single layer of epithelial cells and the largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body. While epithelial cell culture is widely used to assess intestinal barrier functions, it has limitations for studying cellular interactions with other cells, in particular those of the immune syst...

The Relationships among the Fine Arts, School Culture, and High School Graduation Rates in Georgia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lovett, Andrew, Jr.

2014-01-01

High school graduation is the single largest hurdle that students must achieve to prepare for college and career (National Governor's Association, 2011). Fleischman & Heppen (2009) agree that American high schools must address the problem of declining graduation rate. Approximately 1.28 million students drop out of high school annually (Amos,…

The Impact of VA and Navy Hospital Collaboration on Medical School Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atre-Vaidya, Nutan; Ross, Arthur, III; Sandu, Ioana C.; Hassan, Tariq

2009-01-01

Objective: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single provider of medical education in the United States and is often the preferred training site for medical students and residents. However, changing priorities of patients and the marketplace are forcing medical schools and the VA to consider new ways of practicing medicine…

Strategy for Engaging the Society for Neuroscience in Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cameron, William E.; McNerney, Colleen D.

2006-01-01

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) has more than 37,000 members and constitutes one of the largest single-theme scientific societies in the United States. Although many of its members are engaged in various activities that support their local science education programs, historically the society has not played a major role in shaping the national…

West Nile Virus Outbreak in Houston and Harris County, Texas, USA, 2014.

PubMed

Martinez, Diana; Murray, Kristy O; Reyna, Martin; Arafat, Raouf R; Gorena, Roberto; Shah, Umair A; Debboun, Mustapha

2017-08-01

Since 2002, West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected every year in Houston and the surrounding Harris County, Texas. In 2014, the largest WNV outbreak to date occurred, comprising 139 cases and causing 2 deaths. Additionally, 1,286 WNV-positive mosquito pools were confirmed, the most reported in a single mosquito season.

The Educators' Guide to the Day of Silence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 2010

2010-01-01

The Day of Silence is the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across…

How Risky Is Marijuana Possession? Considering the Role of Age, Race, and Gender

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nguyen, Holly; Reuter, Peter

2012-01-01

Arrest rates per capita for possession of marijuana have increased threefold over the last 20 years and now constitute the largest single arrest offense category. Despite the increase in arrest numbers, rates of use have remained stable during much of the same period. This article presents the first estimates of the arrest probabilities for…

A School District Financial Condition Assessment System and Its Application to Pennsylvania School Districts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruck, W. Earl; Miltenberger, Lauren

2013-01-01

The funding of public education in America has been a primary concern for government officials at the federal, state, and local levels for several generations. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, this expenditure accounts for the single largest allocation in most state and local government operating budgets (Stanley and…

diversity | News

Science.gov Websites

, 2018 | Mario Lucero As a group, the Asian/Pacific community at Fermilab is the largest ethnic group, at schoolers April 30, 2018 Jose de la O leads a group on a tour of the lab's accelerators. Photo: Reidar Hahn only about self-doubt in one's abilities, but the thrill of making a discovery and being the one to

Threat to Valued Elements of Life: The Experience of Dementia across Three Ethnic Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lawrence, Vanessa; Samsi, Kritika; Banerjee, Sube; Morgan, Craig; Murray, Joanna

2011-01-01

Purpose: There is a fundamental knowledge gap regarding the experience of dementia within minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The present study examined the subjective reality of living with dementia from the perspective of people with dementia within the 3 largest ethnic groups in the United Kingdom. Design and Methods:…

Far-field pressurization likely caused one of the largest injection induced earthquakes by reactivating a large pre-existing basement fault structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yeck, William; Weingarten, Matthew; Benz, Harley M.; McNamara, Daniel E.; Bergman, E.; Herrmann, R.B; Rubinstein, Justin L.; Earle, Paul

2016-01-01

The Mw 5.1 Fairview, Oklahoma, earthquake on 13 February 2016 and its associated seismicity produced the largest moment release in the central and eastern United States since the 2011 Mw 5.7 Prague, Oklahoma, earthquake sequence and is one of the largest earthquakes potentially linked to wastewater injection. This energetic sequence has produced five earthquakes with Mw 4.4 or larger. Almost all of these earthquakes occur in Precambrian basement on a partially unmapped 14 km long fault. Regional injection into the Arbuckle Group increased approximately sevenfold in the 36 months prior to the start of the sequence (January 2015). We suggest far-field pressurization from clustered, high-rate wells greater than 12 km from this sequence induced these earthquakes. As compared to the Fairview sequence, seismicity is diffuse near high-rate wells, where pressure changes are expected to be largest. This points to the critical role that preexisting faults play in the occurrence of large induced earthquakes.

Asian Americans and Campus Climate: Investigating Group Differences around a Racial Incident

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnston, Marc P.; Yeung, Fanny P. F

2014-01-01

Racially biased incidents pervade college campuses warranting further attention to their influence on campus climate. This study examines one such incident that targeted Asian American students, who are the largest racial group at the compositionally diverse institution. Using the Diverse Learning Environments survey and the "naturally…

Predictors of Noncitizen and Immigrant Retention in the U.S. Military

DTIC Science & Technology

immigrant groups to assess the role of immigrants as a source of military manpower. Previous studies of noncitizen recruits have compared noncitizens to...has found that Hispanics, the largest group of noncitizen and immigrant recruits, do face unique challenges in their military experience when compared

Helping Young Hispanic Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia, Eugene E.; Jensen, Bryant

2007-01-01

Hispanics are the largest and youngest ethnic group in the United States. Moreover, young Hispanic children make up approximately 80 percent of the U.S. English language learner population. They are a heterogeneous group, born both inside and outside the United States and having origins in Mexico, Cuba, Central America, South America, and the…

Reducing blood testing in pediatric patients after heart surgery: a quality improvement project.

PubMed

Delgado-Corcoran, Claudia; Bodily, Stephanie; Frank, Deborah U; Witte, Madolin K; Castillo, Ramon; Bratton, Susan L

2014-10-01

To safely optimize blood testing and costs for pediatric cardiac surgical patients without adversely impacting patient outcomes. This is a quality improvement cohort project with pre- and postintervention groups. University-affiliated pediatric cardiac ICU in a tertiary care children's hospital. All patients were surgical patients for whom Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery categories allowed for stratification by complexity. The preintervention group was treated in 2010 and the postintervention group in 2011. Laboratory ordering processes were analyzed, and practice changed to limit standing blood test orders and requires individualized ordering. Three hundred nineteen patients were studied in 2010 and 345 in 2011. Groups were similar in median age, weight, length of stay (ICU length of stay), and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery category. There was a reduction in the total blood tests per patient (24 vs 38; p < 0.0001) and length of stay adjusted tests per patient-day (10.4 vs 14.4; p = 0.0001) in the postintervention group. The largest test reductions were blood gases and single electrolytes. Adverse outcomes, such as extubation failure (6.4% vs 5.6%), central catheter-associated bloodstream infection (2.2 vs 1.5), and hospital mortality (0.6% vs 0.6%), were not significantly different between the groups. Cost analysis demonstrated an overall laboratory cost savings of 32%. In addition, the volume of packed RBC transfusions was also significantly decreased in the postintervention group among the most complex patients (Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery, 6). Blood testing rates were safely decreased in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients by changing laboratory ordering practices. In addition, packed RBC transfusion was decreased among the most complex patients.

Patient-reported Symptom Burden, Rate of Completion of Palliative Radiotherapy and 30-day Mortality in Two Groups of Cancer Patients Managed With or Without Additional Care by a Multidisciplinary Palliative Care Team.

PubMed

Nieder, Carsten; Dalhaug, Astrid; Haukland, Ellinor; Engljähringer, Kirsten

2018-04-01

The aim of this study was to analyze differences in symptom burden, baseline and outcome parameters, including completion of palliative radiotherapy and 30-day mortality, between patients treated with palliative radiotherapy (RT) who were managed exclusively by regular oncology staff or a multidisciplinary palliative care team (MPCT) in addition. This was a retrospective single-institution analysis. Comparison of two groups of patients: MPCT versus none (n=36 and 65, respectively). All patients provided Edmonton symptom assessment system (ESAS) data before RT. The MPCT group included significantly more patients with reduced performance status. Furthermore, these patients had higher ESAS symptom scores, except for two items (dyspnea, sleep). The largest differences were observed for pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression. The significant difference in pain scores was also reflected in different opioid medication rates. Failure to complete radiotherapy was more common in the MPCT group (11 and 2%, respectively, p=0.05). Thirty-day mortality was different, too (28 and 2%, respectively, p=0.0001). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were not significantly different (1-year survival rates 21 and 25%, respectively, p=0.27). The MPCT group was characterized by a higher symptom burden. Prognostic factors such as performance status were not balanced between the two groups. Despite this fact, actuarial overall survival was comparable. Given the high rate of 30-day mortality in the MPCT group, efforts to optimize criteria for initiation of radiotherapy are warranted. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Error-Transparent Quantum Gates for Small Logical Qubit Architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kapit, Eliot

2018-02-01

One of the largest obstacles to building a quantum computer is gate error, where the physical evolution of the state of a qubit or group of qubits during a gate operation does not match the intended unitary transformation. Gate error stems from a combination of control errors and random single qubit errors from interaction with the environment. While great strides have been made in mitigating control errors, intrinsic qubit error remains a serious problem that limits gate fidelity in modern qubit architectures. Simultaneously, recent developments of small error-corrected logical qubit devices promise significant increases in logical state lifetime, but translating those improvements into increases in gate fidelity is a complex challenge. In this Letter, we construct protocols for gates on and between small logical qubit devices which inherit the parent device's tolerance to single qubit errors which occur at any time before or during the gate. We consider two such devices, a passive implementation of the three-qubit bit flip code, and the author's own [E. Kapit, Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 150501 (2016), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.150501] very small logical qubit (VSLQ) design, and propose error-tolerant gate sets for both. The effective logical gate error rate in these models displays superlinear error reduction with linear increases in single qubit lifetime, proving that passive error correction is capable of increasing gate fidelity. Using a standard phenomenological noise model for superconducting qubits, we demonstrate a realistic, universal one- and two-qubit gate set for the VSLQ, with error rates an order of magnitude lower than those for same-duration operations on single qubits or pairs of qubits. These developments further suggest that incorporating small logical qubits into a measurement based code could substantially improve code performance.

Molecular Characterisation of α- and β-Thalassaemia among Indigenous Senoi Orang Asli Communities in Peninsular Malaysia.

PubMed

Koh, Danny Xuan Rong; Raja Sabudin, Raja Zahratul Azma; Mohd Yusoff, Malisa; Hussin, Noor Hamidah; Ahmad, Rahimah; Othman, Ainoon; Ismail, Endom

2017-09-01

Thalassaemia is a public health problem in Malaysia, with each ethnic group having their own common mutations. However, there is a lack on data on the prevalence and common mutations among the indigenous people. This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the common mutations of α- and β-thalassaemia among the subethnic groups of Senoi, the largest Orang Asli group in Peninsular Malaysia. Blood samples collected from six Senoi subethnic groups were analysed for full blood count and haemoglobin analysis (HbAn). Samples with abnormal findings were then screened for α- and β-globin gene mutations. Out of the 752 samples collected, 255 showed abnormal HbAn results, and 122 cases showing abnormal red cell indices with normal HbAn findings were subjected to molecular screening. DNA analysis revealed a mixture of α- and β-globin gene mutations with 25 concomitant cases. The types of gene abnormalities detected for α-thalassaemia were termination codon (T>C) Hb CS (α CS α), Cd59 (G>A) haemoglobin Adana (Hb Adana) (α Cd59 α), initiation codon (ATG>A-G) (α IniCd α), two-gene deletion (- SEA ), and single-gene 3.7-kb deletion (-α 3.7 ). For β-thalassaemia, there were Cd26 (G>A) Hb E (β E ), Cd19 (A>G) Haemoglobin Malay (Hb Malay) (β Cd19 ), and IVS 1-5 (G>C) (β IVS 1-5 ). © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/University College London.

Design for the sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) compared with enalapril study of pediatric patients with heart failure due to systemic left ventricle systolic dysfunction (PANORAMA-HF study).

PubMed

Shaddy, Robert; Canter, Charles; Halnon, Nancy; Kochilas, Lazaros; Rossano, Joseph; Bonnet, Damien; Bush, Christopher; Zhao, Ziqiang; Kantor, Paul; Burch, Michael; Chen, Fabian

2017-11-01

Sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor approved for the treatment of adult heart failure (HF); however, the benefit of sacubitril/valsartan in pediatric HF patients is unknown. This global multi-center study will use an adaptive, seamless two-part design. Part 1 will assess the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of single ascending doses of sacubitril/valsartan in pediatric (1 month to <18 years) HF patients with systemic left ventricle and reduced left ventricular systolic function stratified into 3 age groups (Group 1: 6 to <18 years; Group 2: 1 to <6 years; Group 3: 1 month to <1 year). Part 2 is a 52-week, efficacy and safety study where 360 eligible patients will be randomized to sacubitril/valsartan or enalapril. A novel global rank primary endpoint derived by ranking patients (worst-to-best outcome) based on clinical events such as death, initiation of mechanical life support, listing for urgent heart transplant, worsening HF, measures of functional capacity (NYHA/Ross scores), and patient-reported HF symptoms will be used to assess efficacy. The PANORAMA-HF study, which will be the largest prospective pediatric HF trial conducted to date and the first to use a global rank primary endpoint, will determine whether sacubitril/valsartan is superior to enalapril for treatment of pediatric HF patients with reduced systemic left ventricular systolic function. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Barriers and Facilitators to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Vietnamese Americans: A Qualitative Analysis

PubMed Central

Kimura, Amanda; Sin, Mo-Kyung; Spigner, Clarence; Tran, Anh; Tu, Shin-Ping

2015-01-01

Background Vietnamese Americans are the fourth largest Asian ethnic group in the United States. Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the most common cancers in Vietnamese Americans. However, CRC screening rates remain low among Vietnamese Americans, with 40% of women and 60% of men reporting never having a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or Fecal Occult Blood Test. Methods We partnered with a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Seattle, Washington, to conduct focus groups as part of a process evaluation. Using interpreters, we recruited and conducted three focus groups comprised of 6 women screened for CRC, 6 women not screened for CRC, and 7 men screened for CRC, which made up a total of 19 FQHC patients of Vietnamese descent between 50 and 79 years old. Three team members analyzed transcripts using open coding and axial coding. Major themes were categorized into barriers and facilitators to CRC screening. Results Barriers include lack of health problems, having comorbidities, challenges with medical terminology, and concerns with the colonoscopy. Participants singled out the risk of perforation as a fear they have towards colonoscopy procedures. Facilitators include knowledge about CRC and CRC screening, access to sources of information and social networks, and physician recommendation. Conclusion Our focus groups elicited information that adds to the literature and has not been previously captured through published surveys. Findings from this study can be used to develop more culturally appropriate CRC screening interventions and improve upon existing CRC screening programs for the Vietnamese American population. PMID:24756545

Effect of fresh orange juice intake on physiological characteristics in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Asgary, Sedigheh; Keshvari, Mahtab; Afshani, Mohammad Reza; Amiri, Masoud; Laher, Ismail; Javanmard, Shaghayegh Haghjooy

2014-01-01

Background. Impaired endothelial function is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Orange juice (OJ) is rich in dietary flavonoids and could inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. We examined the effects of commercial (COJ) and fresh orange juice (FOJ) on endothelial function and physiological characteristics in healthy humans. Materials and Methods. Twenty-two healthy volunteers years were enrolled in a single blind randomized crossover controlled trial. The two groups consumed either COJ for the first 4 weeks and then FOJ (CFOJ, 4 weeks), or FOJ for the first 4 weeks and then COJ (FCOJ, 4 weeks). We assessed endothelial function by measuring flow-mediated dilation, serum concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins A and B (apo A-1 and apo B), and inflammatory markers such as vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6. Results. Consumption of both juices decreased VCAM, hs-CRP, and E-selectin but increased apo A-1. A decline in LDL occurred in the FOJ group. There were no differences between the characteristics of two groups, with the exception of apo A-1 levels that were increased with both forms of OJ. The largest variations occurred with hs-CRP, VCAM in both groups. Conclusion. Consumption of COJ and FOJ produced beneficial effects on the physiological characteristics of healthy volunteers. Although these results could encourage the consumption of OJ, intervention studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of these types of OJ on metabolic and cardiovascular endpoints.

Evaluation of degree of conversion and the effect of thermal aging on the color stability of resin cements and flowable composite.

PubMed

Prieto, Lúcia Trazzi; Pimenta de Araújo, Cíntia Tereza; Araujo Pierote, Josué Junior; Salles de Oliveira, Dayane Carvalho Ramos; Coppini, Erick Kamiya; Sartini Paulillo, Luís Alexandre Maffei

2018-01-01

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color stability and degree of conversion (DC) of dual-cure and light-cure cements and flowable composites after thermal aging. A total of 50 human incisors were prepared and divided into six groups ( n = 10). Veneers were fabricated using IPS Empress Direct composite resin were bonded with three types of luting agents: Light-cured, conventional dual, and flowable composite according to the manufacturer's instructions. The groups were as follows: Filtek Z350XT Flow/Single Bond 2, RelyX ARC/Single Bond 2, RelyX Veneer/Single Bond 2, Tetric N-Flow/Tetric N-Bond, and Variolink II/Tetric N-Bond. Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage L*, a* and b* color coordinates were measured 24 h after cementation procedure with a color spectrophotometer and reevaluated after 10,000 thermal cycles. To evaluate the DC 50 specimens ( n = 10) of each resin material were obtained and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate the absorption spectra. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). No statistically significant differences in ΔE* occurred after aging. The greatest change in lightness occurred in the Variolink II resin cement. Changes in red-green hue were very small for the same cement and largest in the Tetric N-Flow flowable resin composite, while the greatest change in blue-yellow hue was a yellowing of the RelyX ARC luting cement. RelyX ARC exhibited the highest DC, and there were no statistically significant differences in DC among the other cements. Resin-based luting agent might affect the final of ceramic veneer restorations. The thermal aging affected the final color of the evaluated materials, and these were regarded as clinically unacceptable (ΔE >3.3).

Nurse Staffing and Deficiencies in the Largest For-Profit Nursing Home Chains and Chains Owned by Private Equity Companies

PubMed Central

Harrington, Charlene; Olney, Brian; Carrillo, Helen; Kang, Taewoon

2012-01-01

Objective To compare staffing levels and deficiencies of the 10 largest U.S. for-profit nursing home chains with five other ownership groups and chain staffing and deficiencies before and after purchase by four private equity (PE) companies. Data Sources Facilities for the largest for-profit chains were identified through Internet searches and company reports and matched with federal secondary data for 2003–2008 for each ownership group. Study Design Descriptive statistics and generalized estimation equation panel regression models examined staffing and deficiencies by ownership groups in the 2003–2008 period, controlling for facility characteristics, resident acuity, and market factors with state fixed effects. Principal Findings The top 10 for-profit chains had lower registered nurse and total nurse staffing hours than government facilities, controlling for other factors. The top 10 chains received 36 percent higher deficiencies and 41 percent higher serious deficiencies than government facilities. Other for-profit facilities also had lower staffing and higher deficiencies than government facilities. The chains purchased by PE companies showed little change in staffing levels, but the number of deficiencies and serious deficiencies increased in some postpurchase years compared with the prepurchase period. Conclusions There is a need for greater study of large for-profit chains as well as those chains purchased by PE companies. PMID:22091627

Structure and dynamics of water inside endohedrally functionalized carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Paul, Sanjib; Abi, T G; Taraphder, Srabani

2014-05-14

We have carried out classical molecular dynamics simulations on the formation of extended water chains inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in water in the presence of selected functional groups covalently attached to the inner wall of the tube. Analogues of polar amino acid sidechains have been chosen to carry out the endohedral functionalization of SWCNTs. Our results show a spontaneous and asymmetric filling of the nanotube with dynamical water chains in all the cases studied. The presence of Asp- and Glu-like sidechains is found to result in the formation of well-ordered water chains across the tube having the maximum number of water molecules being retained within the core with the largest residence times. The presence of methyl or methylene groups along the suspended chain is observed to disrupt the formation of water chains with higher length and/or longer residence times. The importance of hydrogen bonding in forming these water chains is assessed in terms of the relaxations of different hydrogen bond correlation functions. For a given dimension of the hydrophobic nanopore, we thus obtain a scale comparing the ability of carboxylic, alcohol, and imidazole groups in controlling the structure and dynamics of water in it. Our results also suggest that SWCNTs of varying lengths, endohedrally functionalized with Asp- and Glu-like sidechains, may be used as design templates in CNT-based water storage devices.

Aspergillus, its sexual states and the new International Code of Nomenclature.

PubMed

Pitt, John I; Taylor, John W

2014-01-01

The newly adopted International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN) demands that dimorphic fungi, in particular those with both sexual and asexual names, now bear a single name. Although priority is no longer associated with the mode of reproduction, the ICN requires justification for choosing an asexual name over an existing sexual one. The phylogenetic approach that made dual nomenclature for fungi obsolete can be used to help choose names for large groups of fungi that are best known by asexual names. Here we apply this approach to one of the largest and most diverse asexual genera, the genus Aspergillus. We find that existing sexual names may be given to well supported clades of fungi with distinct phenotypes, which include sexual morphology as well as physiological attributes associated with xerophily, thermophily and mycotoxin production. One group of species important to food production and food safety, Aspergillus subgen. Circumdati, lacks a well supported clade; here we propose that the name Aspergillus be retained for this group. Recognizing that nomenclature has economic and social implications, particularly for old, important genera, we discuss the consequences of various scenarios to implement the new "one name for one fungus" article in the ICN, showing that our approach requires the fewest appeals to the ICN while retaining the name Aspergillus for many of the most economically and socially important species. © 2014 by The Mycological Society of America.

Using various lines of evidence to identify Chironomus species (Diptera: Chironomidae) in eastern Canadian lakes.

PubMed

Proulx, Isabelle; Martin, Jon; Carew, Melissa; Hare, Landis

2013-11-29

Chironomus Meigen (Diptera, Chironomidae) larvae are usually the largest sediment-burrowing chironomids, and as such often constitute a major part of the freshwater infaunal biomass. However, use of this genus in ecological, environmental and paleoecological studies is hampered by the fact that Chironomus larvae are difficult to identify to species because the larvae of many species are morphologically similar. We used a combination of morphological, cytological and genetic techniques to distinguish Chironomus larvae collected from 31 water bodies located in eastern Canada, producing 17 distinguishable groupings. These groups of larvae were ultimately identified as belonging to 14 known species (C. anthracinus, C. bifurcatus, C. cucini, C. decorus-group sp. 2, C. dilutus, C. entis, C. frommeri, C. harpi, C. maturus, C. nr. atroviridis (sp. 2i), C. ochreatus, C. plumosus, C. staegeri and C. 'tigris') and three other species that remain unidentified (C. sp. NAI-III). No single approach served to delimit and identify larvae of all 17 Chironomus species that we collected. Although we expected that morphological criteria alone would be insufficient, our results suggest that DNA barcoding, using either the mitochondrial cox1 or the nuclear gb2β gene, was also inadequate for separating some Chironomus species. Thus we suggest that multiple approaches will often be needed to correctly identify Chironomus larvae to species.

Comparison of marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate, glass ionomer cement and intermediate restorative material as root-end filling materials, using scanning electron microscope: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Gundam, Sirisha; Patil, Jayaprakash; Venigalla, Bhuvan Shome; Yadanaparti, Sravanthi; Maddu, Radhika; Gurram, Sindhura Reddy

2014-01-01

Aim: The present study compares the marginal adaption of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM) as root-end filling materials in extracted human teeth using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: Thirty single rooted human teeth were obturated with Gutta-percha after cleaning and shaping. Apical 3 mm of roots were resected and retrofilled with MTA, GIC and IRM. One millimeter transverse section of the retrofilled area was used to study the marginal adaptation of the restorative material with the dentin. Mounted specimens were examined using SEM at approximately 15 Kv and 10-6 Torr under high vacuum condition. At 2000 X magnification, the gap size at the material-tooth interface was recorded at 2 points in microns. Statistical Analysis: One way ANOVA Analysis of the data from the experimental group was carried out with gap size as the dependent variable, and material as independent variable. Results: The lowest mean value of gap size was recorded in MTA group (0.722 ± 0.438 μm) and the largest mean gap in GIC group (1.778 ± 0.697 μm). Conclusion: MTA showed least gap size when compared to IRM and GIC suggesting a better marginal adaptation. PMID:25506146

The resolution of identity and chain of spheres approximations for the LPNO-CCSD singles Fock term

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izsák, Róbert; Hansen, Andreas; Neese, Frank

2012-10-01

In the present work, the RIJCOSX approximation, developed earlier for accelerating the SCF procedure, is applied to one of the limiting factors of LPNO-CCSD calculations: the evaluation of the singles Fock term. It turns out that the introduction of RIJCOSX in the evaluation of the closed shell LPNO-CCSD singles Fock term causes errors below the microhartree limit. If the proposed procedure is also combined with RIJCOSX in SCF, then a somewhat larger error occurs, but reaction energy errors will still remain negligible. The speedup for the singles Fock term only is about 9-10 fold for the largest basis set applied. For the case of Penicillin using the def2-QZVPP basis set, a single point energy evaluation takes 2 day 16 h on a single processor leading to a total speedup of 2.6 as compared to a fully analytic calculation. Using eight processors, the same calculation takes only 14 h.

Time-dependent gravity in Southern California, May 1974 to April 1979

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitcomb, J. H.; Franzen, W. O.; Given, J. W.; Pechmann, J. C.; Ruff, L. J.

1980-01-01

The Southern California gravity survey, begun in May 1974 to obtain high spatial and temporal density gravity measurements to be coordinated with long-baseline three dimensional geodetic measurements of the Astronomical Radio Interferometric Earth Surveying project, is presented. Gravity data was obtained from 28 stations located in and near the seismically active San Gabriel section of the Southern California Transverse Ranges and adjoining San Andreas Fault at intervals of one to two months using gravity meters relative to a base station standard meter. A single-reading standard deviation of 11 microGal is obtained which leads to a relative deviation of 16 microGal between stations, with data averaging reducing the standard error to 2 to 3 microGal. The largest gravity variations observed are found to correlate with nearby well water variations and smoothed rainfall levels, indicating the importance of ground water variations to gravity measurements. The largest earthquake to occur during the survey, which extended to April, 1979, is found to be accompanied in the station closest to the earthquake by the largest measured gravity changes that cannot be related to factors other than tectonic distortion.

Sugar export limits size of conifer needles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rademaker, Hanna; Zwieniecki, Maciej A.; Bohr, Tomas; Jensen, Kaare H.

2017-04-01

Plant leaf size varies by more than three orders of magnitude, from a few millimeters to over one meter. Conifer leaves, however, are relatively short and the majority of needles are no longer than 6 cm. The reason for the strong confinement of the trait-space is unknown. We show that sugars produced near the tip of long needles cannot be exported efficiently, because the pressure required to drive vascular flow would exceed the greatest available pressure (the osmotic pressure). This basic constraint leads to the formation of an inactive region of stagnant fluid near the needle tip, which does not contribute to sugar flow. Remarkably, we find that the size of the active part does not scale with needle length. We predict a single maximum needle size of 5 cm, in accord with data from 519 conifer species. This could help rationalize the recent observation that conifers have significantly smaller leaves than angiosperms, and provide a biophysical explanation for this intriguing difference between the two largest groups of plants.

SAR11 bacteria linked to ocean anoxia and nitrogen loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsementzi, Despina; Wu, Jieying; Deutsch, Samuel; Nath, Sangeeta; Rodriguez-R, Luis M.; Burns, Andrew S.; Ranjan, Piyush; Sarode, Neha; Malmstrom, Rex R.; Padilla, Cory C.; Stone, Benjamin K.; Bristow, Laura A.; Larsen, Morten; Glass, Jennifer B.; Thamdrup, Bo; Woyke, Tanja; Konstantinidis, Konstantinos T.; Stewart, Frank J.

2016-08-01

Bacteria of the SAR11 clade constitute up to one half of all microbial cells in the oxygen-rich surface ocean. SAR11 bacteria are also abundant in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen falls below detection and anaerobic microbes have vital roles in converting bioavailable nitrogen to N2 gas. Anaerobic metabolism has not yet been observed in SAR11, and it remains unknown how these bacteria contribute to OMZ biogeochemical cycling. Here, genomic analysis of single cells from the world’s largest OMZ revealed previously uncharacterized SAR11 lineages with adaptations for life without oxygen, including genes for respiratory nitrate reductases (Nar). SAR11 nar genes were experimentally verified to encode proteins catalysing the nitrite-producing first step of denitrification and constituted ~40% of OMZ nar transcripts, with transcription peaking in the anoxic zone of maximum nitrate reduction activity. These results link SAR11 to pathways of ocean nitrogen loss, redefining the ecological niche of Earth’s most abundant organismal group.

SAR11 bacteria linked to ocean anoxia and nitrogen loss.

PubMed

Tsementzi, Despina; Wu, Jieying; Deutsch, Samuel; Nath, Sangeeta; Rodriguez-R, Luis M; Burns, Andrew S; Ranjan, Piyush; Sarode, Neha; Malmstrom, Rex R; Padilla, Cory C; Stone, Benjamin K; Bristow, Laura A; Larsen, Morten; Glass, Jennifer B; Thamdrup, Bo; Woyke, Tanja; Konstantinidis, Konstantinos T; Stewart, Frank J

2016-08-11

Bacteria of the SAR11 clade constitute up to one half of all microbial cells in the oxygen-rich surface ocean. SAR11 bacteria are also abundant in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen falls below detection and anaerobic microbes have vital roles in converting bioavailable nitrogen to N2 gas. Anaerobic metabolism has not yet been observed in SAR11, and it remains unknown how these bacteria contribute to OMZ biogeochemical cycling. Here, genomic analysis of single cells from the world's largest OMZ revealed previously uncharacterized SAR11 lineages with adaptations for life without oxygen, including genes for respiratory nitrate reductases (Nar). SAR11 nar genes were experimentally verified to encode proteins catalysing the nitrite-producing first step of denitrification and constituted ~40% of OMZ nar transcripts, with transcription peaking in the anoxic zone of maximum nitrate reduction activity. These results link SAR11 to pathways of ocean nitrogen loss, redefining the ecological niche of Earth's most abundant organismal group.

SAR11 bacteria linked to ocean anoxia and nitrogen loss

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

Tsementzi, Despina; Wu, Jieying; Deutsch, Samuel

Bacteria of the SAR11 clade constitute up to one half of all microbial cells in the oxygen-rich surface ocean. SAR11 bacteria are also abundant in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen falls below detection and anaerobic microbes have vital roles in converting bioavailable nitrogen to N 2 gas. Anaerobic metabolism has not yet been observed in SAR11, and it remains unknown how these bacteria contribute to OMZ biogeochemical cycling. Here in this paper, genomic analysis of single cells from the world's largest OMZ revealed previously uncharacterized SAR11 lineages with adaptations for life without oxygen, including genes for respiratory nitrate reductasesmore » (Nar). SAR11 nar genes were experimentally verified to encode proteins catalysing the nitrite-producing first step of denitrification and constituted ~40% of OMZ nar transcripts, with transcription peaking in the anoxic zone of maximum nitrate reduction activity. Finally, these results link SAR11 to pathways of ocean nitrogen loss, redefining the ecological niche of Earth's most abundant organismal group.« less

SAR11 bacteria linked to ocean anoxia and nitrogen loss

DOE PAGES

Tsementzi, Despina; Wu, Jieying; Deutsch, Samuel; ...

2016-08-03

Bacteria of the SAR11 clade constitute up to one half of all microbial cells in the oxygen-rich surface ocean. SAR11 bacteria are also abundant in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen falls below detection and anaerobic microbes have vital roles in converting bioavailable nitrogen to N 2 gas. Anaerobic metabolism has not yet been observed in SAR11, and it remains unknown how these bacteria contribute to OMZ biogeochemical cycling. Here in this paper, genomic analysis of single cells from the world's largest OMZ revealed previously uncharacterized SAR11 lineages with adaptations for life without oxygen, including genes for respiratory nitrate reductasesmore » (Nar). SAR11 nar genes were experimentally verified to encode proteins catalysing the nitrite-producing first step of denitrification and constituted ~40% of OMZ nar transcripts, with transcription peaking in the anoxic zone of maximum nitrate reduction activity. Finally, these results link SAR11 to pathways of ocean nitrogen loss, redefining the ecological niche of Earth's most abundant organismal group.« less

The problem of scale in planetary geomorphology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rossbacher, L. A.

1985-01-01

Recent planetary exploration has shown that specific landforms exhibit a significant range in size between planets. Similar features on Earth and Mars offer some of the best examples of this scale difference. The difference in heights of volcanic features between the two planets has been cited often; the Martian volcano Olympus Mons stands approximately 26 km high, but Mauna Loa rises only 11 km above the Pacific Ocean floor. Polygonally fractured ground in the northern plains of Mars has diameters up to 20 km across; the largest terrestrial polygons are only 500 m in diameter. Mars also has landslides, aeolian features, and apparent rift valleys larger than any known on Earth. No single factor can explain the variations in landform size between planets. Controls on variation on Earth, related to climate, lithology, or elevation, have seldom been considered in detail. The size differences between features on Earth and other planets seem to be caused by a complex group of interacting relationships. The major planetary parameters that may affect landform size are discussed.

Time and the rivers flowing: Fluvial geomorphology since 1960

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohl, Ellen

2014-07-01

Fluvial geomorphology has been the largest single subdiscipline within geomorphology for many decades. Fluvial geomorphic expertise is integral to understanding and managing rivers and to developing strategies for sustainable development. This paper provides an overview of some of the significant advances in fluvial geomorphology between 1960 and 2010 with respect to: conceptual models; fluvial features and environments being studied; tools used by fluvial geomorphologists; geomorphic specialty groups within professional societies; journals in which fluvial geomorphic research is published; and textbooks of fluvial geomorphology. During this half century, fluvial geomorphology broadened considerably in scope, from a focus primarily on physical principles underlying process and form in lower gradient channels with limited grain size range, to a more integrative view of rivers as ecosystems with nonlinear behavior and great diversity of gradient, substrate composition, and grain size. The array of tools for making basic observations, analyzing data, and disseminating research results also expanded considerably during this period, as did the diversity of the fluvial geomorphic community.

Efficacy of a reading and language intervention for children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Burgoyne, Kelly; Duff, Fiona J; Clarke, Paula J; Buckley, Sue; Snowling, Margaret J; Hulme, Charles

2012-01-01

Background This study evaluates the effects of a language and literacy intervention for children with Down syndrome. Methods Teaching assistants (TAs) were trained to deliver a reading and language intervention to children in individual daily 40-min sessions. We used a waiting list control design, in which half the sample received the intervention immediately, whereas the remaining children received the treatment after a 20-week delay. Fifty-seven children with Down syndrome in mainstream primary schools in two UK locations (Yorkshire and Hampshire) were randomly allocated to intervention (40 weeks of intervention) and waiting control (20 weeks of intervention) groups. Assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-intervention, after 20 weeks of intervention, and after 40 weeks of intervention. Results After 20 weeks of intervention, the intervention group showed significantly greater progress than the waiting control group on measures of single word reading, letter-sound knowledge, phoneme blending and taught expressive vocabulary. Effects did not transfer to other skills (nonword reading, spelling, standardised expressive and receptive vocabulary, expressive information and grammar). After 40 weeks of intervention, the intervention group remained numerically ahead of the control group on most key outcome measures; but these differences were not significant. Children who were younger, attended more intervention sessions, and had better initial receptive language skills made greater progress during the course of the intervention. Conclusions A TA-delivered intervention produced improvements in the reading and language skills of children with Down syndrome. Gains were largest in skills directly taught with little evidence of generalization to skills not directly taught in the intervention. PMID:22533801

Suicide in the oldest old: an observational study and cluster analysis.

PubMed

Sinyor, Mark; Tan, Lynnette Pei Lin; Schaffer, Ayal; Gallagher, Damien; Shulman, Kenneth

2016-01-01

The older population are at a high risk for suicide. This study sought to learn more about the characteristics of suicide in the oldest-old and to use a cluster analysis to determine if oldest-old suicide victims assort into clinically meaningful subgroups. Data were collected from a coroner's chart review of suicide victims in Toronto from 1998 to 2011. We compared two age groups (65-79 year olds, n = 335, and 80+ year olds, n = 191) and then conducted a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis using Ward's method to identify distinct clusters in the 80+ group. The younger and older age groups differed according to marital status, living circumstances and pattern of stressors. The cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters in the 80+ group. Cluster 1 was the largest (n = 124) and included people who were either married or widowed who had significantly more depression and somewhat more medical health stressors. In contrast, cluster 2 (n = 50) comprised people who were almost all single and living alone with significantly less identified depression and slightly fewer medical health stressors. All members of cluster 3 (n = 17) lived in a retirement residence or nursing home, and this group had the highest rates of depression, dementia, other mental illness and past suicide attempts. This is the first study to use the cluster analysis technique to identify meaningful subgroups among suicide victims in the oldest-old. The results reveal different patterns of suicide in the older population that may be relevant for clinical care. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Decreased oscillation threshold of a continuous-wave OPO using a semiconductor gain mirror.

PubMed

Siltanen, Mikael; Leinonen, Tomi; Halonen, Lauri

2011-09-26

We have constructed a singly resonant, continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator, where the signal beam resonates and is amplified by a semiconductor gain mirror. The gain mirror can significantly decrease the oscillation threshold compared to an identical system with conventional mirrors. The largest idler beam tuning range reached by changing the pump laser wavelength alone is from 3.6 to 4.7 µm. The single mode output power is limited but can be continuously scanned for at least 220 GHz by adding optical components in the oscillator cavity for increased stability. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Is improved contrast sensitivity a natural consequence of visual training?

PubMed Central

Levi, Aaron; Shaked, Danielle; Tadin, Duje; Huxlin, Krystel R.

2015-01-01

Many studies have shown that training and testing conditions modulate specificity of visual learning to trained stimuli and tasks. In visually impaired populations, generalizability of visual learning to untrained stimuli/tasks is almost always reported, with contrast sensitivity (CS) featuring prominently among these collaterally-improved functions. To understand factors underlying this difference, we measured CS for direction and orientation discrimination in the visual periphery of three groups of visually-intact subjects. Group 1 trained on an orientation discrimination task with static Gabors whose luminance contrast was decreased as performance improved. Group 2 trained on a global direction discrimination task using high-contrast random dot stimuli previously used to recover motion perception in cortically blind patients. Group 3 underwent no training. Both forms of training improved CS with some degree of specificity for basic attributes of the trained stimulus/task. Group 1's largest enhancement was in CS around the trained spatial/temporal frequencies; similarly, Group 2's largest improvements occurred in CS for discriminating moving and flickering stimuli. Group 3 saw no significant CS changes. These results indicate that CS improvements may be a natural consequence of multiple forms of visual training in visually intact humans, albeit with some specificity to the trained visual domain(s). PMID:26305736

Current rectification in a single molecule diode: the role of electrode coupling.

PubMed

Sherif, Siya; Rubio-Bollinger, Gabino; Pinilla-Cienfuegos, Elena; Coronado, Eugenio; Cuevas, Juan Carlos; Agraït, Nicolás

2015-07-24

We demonstrate large rectification ratios (> 100) in single-molecule junctions based on a metal-oxide cluster (polyoxometalate), using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) both at ambient conditions and at low temperature. These rectification ratios are the largest ever observed in a single-molecule junction, and in addition these junctions sustain current densities larger than 10(5) A cm(-2). By following the variation of the I-V characteristics with tip-molecule separation we demonstrate unambiguously that rectification is due to asymmetric coupling to the electrodes of a molecule with an asymmetric level structure. This mechanism can be implemented in other type of molecular junctions using both organic and inorganic molecules and provides a simple strategy for the rational design of molecular diodes.

Current rectification in a single molecule diode: the role of electrode coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherif, Siya; Rubio-Bollinger, Gabino; Pinilla-Cienfuegos, Elena; Coronado, Eugenio; Cuevas, Juan Carlos; Agraït, Nicolás

2015-07-01

We demonstrate large rectification ratios (\\gt 100) in single-molecule junctions based on a metal-oxide cluster (polyoxometalate), using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) both at ambient conditions and at low temperature. These rectification ratios are the largest ever observed in a single-molecule junction, and in addition these junctions sustain current densities larger than 105 A cm-2. By following the variation of the I-V characteristics with tip-molecule separation we demonstrate unambiguously that rectification is due to asymmetric coupling to the electrodes of a molecule with an asymmetric level structure. This mechanism can be implemented in other type of molecular junctions using both organic and inorganic molecules and provides a simple strategy for the rational design of molecular diodes.

What Drives Health Professionals to Tweet About #HPVvaccine? Identifying Strategies for Effective Communication.

PubMed

Massey, Philip M; Budenz, Alex; Leader, Amy; Fisher, Kara; Klassen, Ann C; Yom-Tov, Elad

2018-02-22

We conducted this study to quantify how health professionals use Twitter to communicate about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. We collected 193,379 tweets from August 2014 through July 2015 that contained key words related to HPV vaccine. We classified all tweets on the basis of user, audience, sentiment, content, and vaccine characteristic to examine 3 groups of tweets: 1) those sent by health professionals, 2) those intended for parents, and 3) those sent by health professionals and intended for parents. For each group, we identified the 7-day period in our sample with the most number of tweets (spikes) to report content. Of the 193,379 tweets, 20,451 tweets were from health professionals; 16,867 tweets were intended for parents; and 1,233 tweets overlapped both groups. The content of each spike varied per group. The largest spike in tweets from health professionals (n = 851) focused on communicating recently published scientific evidence. Most tweets were positive and were about resources and boys. The largest spike in tweets intended for parents (n = 1,043) centered on a national awareness day and were about resources, personal experiences, boys, and girls. The largest spike in tweets from health professionals to parents (n = 89) was in January and centered on an event hosted on Twitter that focused on cervical cancer awareness month. Understanding drivers of tweet spikes may help shape future communication and outreach. As more parents use social media to obtain health information, health professionals and organizations can leverage awareness events and personalize messages to maximize potential reach and parent engagement.

What Drives Health Professionals to Tweet About #HPVvaccine? Identifying Strategies for Effective Communication

PubMed Central

Budenz, Alex; Leader, Amy; Fisher, Kara; Klassen, Ann C.; Yom-Tov, Elad

2018-01-01

Introduction We conducted this study to quantify how health professionals use Twitter to communicate about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Methods We collected 193,379 tweets from August 2014 through July 2015 that contained key words related to HPV vaccine. We classified all tweets on the basis of user, audience, sentiment, content, and vaccine characteristic to examine 3 groups of tweets: 1) those sent by health professionals, 2) those intended for parents, and 3) those sent by health professionals and intended for parents. For each group, we identified the 7-day period in our sample with the most number of tweets (spikes) to report content. Results Of the 193,379 tweets, 20,451 tweets were from health professionals; 16,867 tweets were intended for parents; and 1,233 tweets overlapped both groups. The content of each spike varied per group. The largest spike in tweets from health professionals (n = 851) focused on communicating recently published scientific evidence. Most tweets were positive and were about resources and boys. The largest spike in tweets intended for parents (n = 1,043) centered on a national awareness day and were about resources, personal experiences, boys, and girls. The largest spike in tweets from health professionals to parents (n = 89) was in January and centered on an event hosted on Twitter that focused on cervical cancer awareness month. Conclusion Understanding drivers of tweet spikes may help shape future communication and outreach. As more parents use social media to obtain health information, health professionals and organizations can leverage awareness events and personalize messages to maximize potential reach and parent engagement. PMID:29470166

Analysis of the suitability of various soil groups and types of climate for avocado growing in the state of Michoacán, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubrovina, I. A.; Bautista, F.

2014-05-01

Avocado is the largest cash crop exported by Mexico, and the state of Michoacán is its largest producer. For the further development of avocado plantations, the optimal edaphic and bioclimatic conditions for this crop should be determined. We performed a review of the literature to find out the requirements of the avocado for soil and climatic conditions and analyzed the maps, soil databases, and data from local weather stations in the studied region for developing scales of suitability of soils and climates for avocado growing. To verify these scales, a method of data mining was applied; a decision tree developed by this method confirmed the high accuracy and adequacy of the suggested grouping.

Retailing in Tennessee 1979

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

Not Available

1979-01-01

Data are summarized on retail sales compiled from sales tax records. Contained in this report are retail sales estimates for the 95 counties in the State of Tennessee and 294 cities, towns or parts of towns which are shown in various degrees of detail depending on disclosure restrictions. Number of firms is determined by the total number of reports submitted. Sales and percent distribution of sales are shown for the State of Tennessee and counties by Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) designation and by various county groupings based on the size of largest city. A list of counties by SMSAmore » designation and by size class of largest city is given in the Appendix. The number of firms and estimated retail sales are also shown for 10 business groups.« less

Effects of variety and repeated in-home consumption on product acceptance.

PubMed

Zandstra, E H; de Graaf, C; van Trijp, H C

2000-10-01

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of variety on long-term product acceptance and consumption in a home-use situation. Subjects (N= 105) consumed a meat sauce once a week at dinner at home for a period of 10 weeks. Three variety groups were designed. The monotony group (N= 45) consistently received the same flavour of meat sauce across all 10 weeks; the imposed variation group (N= 30) received one from three different flavours of the meat sauce in random order, and the free choice (N= 30) in variation group was allowed to choose among three flavours of the meat sauce. Results showed a substantial increase in boredom and decline in acceptance ratings after repeated consumption. As hypothesized, this effect was the largest for the monotony group and was least pronounced in the free-choice group, with the imposed variation group in between. Consumption data were in line with these acceptance ratings; the monotony group consumed less of the food than the free-choice group over that time. In conclusion, repeated consumption of a food product only once a week at home resulted in a remarkable increase of boredom over time. The boredom effect was the largest for subjects who consistently received the same food, and was least pronounced for subjects who were allowed to choose among three different flavours of the food. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Considering dominance in reduced single-step genomic evaluations.

PubMed

Ertl, J; Edel, C; Pimentel, E C G; Emmerling, R; Götz, K-U

2018-06-01

Single-step models including dominance can be an enormous computational task and can even be prohibitive for practical application. In this study, we try to answer the question whether a reduced single-step model is able to estimate breeding values of bulls and breeding values, dominance deviations and total genetic values of cows with acceptable quality. Genetic values and phenotypes were simulated (500 repetitions) for a small Fleckvieh pedigree consisting of 371 bulls (180 thereof genotyped) and 553 cows (40 thereof genotyped). This pedigree was virtually extended for 2,407 non-genotyped daughters. Genetic values were estimated with the single-step model and with different reduced single-step models. Including more relatives of genotyped cows in the reduced single-step model resulted in a better agreement of results with the single-step model. Accuracies of genetic values were largest with single-step and smallest with reduced single-step when only the cows genotyped were modelled. The results indicate that a reduced single-step model is suitable to estimate breeding values of bulls and breeding values, dominance deviations and total genetic values of cows with acceptable quality. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Residential Group Care Quarterly. Volume 7, Number 4, Spring 2007

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shenk, Emily, Ed.

2007-01-01

"Residential Group Care Quarterly" is published four times a year by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). The Child Welfare League of America is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. It is committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the wellbeing of children, youth, and their families, and…

Latin American Immigrant Women and Intergenerational Sex Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alcalde, Maria Cristina; Quelopana, Ana Maria

2013-01-01

People of Latin American descent make up the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the USA. Rates of pregnancy, childbirth, and sexually transmitted infections among people of Latin American descent are higher than among other ethnic groups. This paper builds on research that suggests that among families of Latin American descent, mothers…

Integrating Disability: Boomerang Effects When Using Positive Media Exemplars to Reduce Disability Prejudice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kallman, Davi

2017-01-01

Individuals with disabilities comprise the largest minority group in the world, yet they are the most underrepresented minority group in higher education, the job market and entertainment media such as literature. This population is often underrepresented because of the overlapping physical, attitudinal and policy barriers that prevent them from…

Latinas: Hispanic Women in the United States. The Hispanic Experience in America.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garza, Hedda

The term "Latinas" encompasses many different groups of women. Despite the disparities among the cultures of their countries of origin, Spanish-speaking peoples have been lumped as "Hispanics," and later "Latinos," in the United States. The Latino group is rapidly becoming the largest minority population in the United…

Atmospheric ammonia measurements at low concentration sites in the northeastern USA: implications for total nitrogen deposition and comparison with CMAQ estimates

EPA Science Inventory

We evaluated the relative importance of dry deposition of ammonia (NH3) gas at several headwater areas of the Susquehanna River, the largest single source of nitrogen pollution to Chesapeake Bay, including three that are remote from major sources of NH3 emissions (CTH, ARN, and K...

Boundary Layer Remote Sensing with Combined Active and Passive Techniques: GPS Radio Occultation and High-Resolution Stereo Imaging (WindCam) Small Satellite Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mannucci, A.J.; Wu, D.L.; Teixeira, J.; Ao, C.O.; Xie, F.; Diner, D.J.; Wood, R.; Turk, Joe

2012-01-01

Objective: significant progress in understanding low-cloud boundary layer processes. This is the Single largest uncertainty in climate projections. Radio occultation has unique features suited to boundary layer remote sensing (1) Cloud penetrating (2) Very high vertical resolution (approximately 50m-100m) (3) Sensitivity to thermodynamic variables

Connecting the Disconnected: Scholar Activists and Education Reform in Post-Katrina New Orleans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, Daniella Ann

2014-01-01

When Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans on August 29, 2005, the failure of the levees resulted in the largest single human-made disaster in the United States. In addition to the physical devastation of the city, the landscape of public schools in New Orleans was permanently altered, as was the national dialogue about school reform in the…

77 FR 12241 - Smart Grid Trade Mission to the United Kingdom; London, United Kingdom, October 15-17, 2012

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-29

... 2020 and by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. Power generation is a major source of carbon emissions, with 74% of power generated in the United Kingdom coming from fossil fuels. As the government seeks to reduce... power. Highly developed, sophisticated, and diversified, the UK market is the single largest export...

Response of vegetation, soil nitrogen, and sediment transport to a prescribed fire in semiarid grasslands

Treesearch

Carleton S. White; Samuel R. Loftin; Steven Hofstad

1999-01-01

Shrubs and trees have invaded semiarid grasslands throughout much of the Southwestern United States. This invasion not only has decreased grass cover, but also increased runoff and erosion. In fact, sediment from rangelands constitutes the single largest source of nonpoint stream pollutants within the state of New Mexico. Fire, which was a natural factor that shaped...

A Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to States Program Activities and the Transformation of Library Services to the Public

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2009

2009-01-01

This report focuses on funding and services provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grants to States program in the most recent full reporting years. IMLS grants to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA's) represent the single largest source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and are the only…

Low Velocity Impact Damage to Carbon/Epoxy Laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nettles, Alan T.

2011-01-01

Impact damage tends to be more detrimental to a laminate's compression strength as compared to tensile strength. Proper use of Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Techniques can remove conservatism (weight) from many structures. Test largest components economically feasible as coupons. If damage tolerance is a driver, then consider different resin systems. Do not use a single knockdown factor to account for damage.

Ultrasonic Inspection of Wooden Pallet Parts for Grading and Sorting

Treesearch

Daniel L. Schmoldt; Michael Morrone; John C. Duke

1994-01-01

Wooden pallets are the largest single use of sawn hardwood logs in the USA. Unfortunately, millions of pallets are discarded into landfills annually. High quality wooden pallets, on the other hand, promote longevity and re-use. To build durable pallets requires high quality parts. Manual grading and sorting of pallet parts is not feasible, however, so we are developing...

Training in the Food and Beverages Sector in Denmark. Report for the FORCE Programme.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holst, Ole

A study of the food sector in Denmark was limited to the slaughterhouse, dairy, beverages sectors. The food sector was the most important single industry in the Danish economy. It was the largest manufacturing sector, generated one-third of total manufacturing, and comprised approximately 8 percent of the total Danish gross domestic product. It…

Genetic identity and diversity of Nigerian cacao genebank collections verified by Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): A guide to field genebank management and utilization

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nigeria is the fourth largest cacao producer in the world. Field performance and quality of cacao hybrid families is largely dependent on the genetic integrity of parental clones obtained from field genebank collections. However, information on the impact of mislabeling on seed garden output and ger...

Preparatory Study for Constructing FAST, the World's Largest Single Dish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Bo; Jin, Chengjin; Wang, Qiming; Zhu, Lichun; Zhu, Wenbai; Zhang, Haiyan; Nan, Rendong

2009-08-01

A 500-m aperture spherical telescope (FAST) was funded by the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) in July 2007 and will be located in the unique Karst region, a sinkhole-like landform, in Guizhou province. FAST can be seen as a modified "Arecibo" type radio telescope using many innovative techniques, with as much as twice the collecting area and a wider sky coverage. FAST has, first, an active reflector, conforming to a paraboloid of revolution from a sphere in real time through actuated control, which enables the realization of wide bandwidth and full polarization capability by using standard feed design. Secondly, it has a light focus cabin suspension system, integrating optical, mechanical, and electronic technologies, reducing effectively the cost of the support structure and control system. With such a huge collecting area of more than 30 football fields, FAST will become the largest single dish ever built. Here we will summarize the FAST concept and the milestones achieved in experiments on its key technologies, i.e., site exploration, active reflector prototyping, focus cabin driving mechanism, measurement and control techniques, and the receiver layout. The Miyun FAST demonstrator also will be presented.

Localization of multilayer networks by optimized single-layer rewiring.

PubMed

Jalan, Sarika; Pradhan, Priodyuti

2018-04-01

We study localization properties of principal eigenvectors (PEVs) of multilayer networks (MNs). Starting with a multilayer network corresponding to a delocalized PEV, we rewire the network edges using an optimization technique such that the PEV of the rewired multilayer network becomes more localized. The framework allows us to scrutinize structural and spectral properties of the networks at various localization points during the rewiring process. We show that rewiring only one layer is enough to attain a MN having a highly localized PEV. Our investigation reveals that a single edge rewiring of the optimized MN can lead to the complete delocalization of a highly localized PEV. This sensitivity in the localization behavior of PEVs is accompanied with the second largest eigenvalue lying very close to the largest one. This observation opens an avenue to gain a deeper insight into the origin of PEV localization of networks. Furthermore, analysis of multilayer networks constructed using real-world social and biological data shows that the localization properties of these real-world multilayer networks are in good agreement with the simulation results for the model multilayer network. This paper is relevant to applications that require understanding propagation of perturbation in multilayer networks.

Localization of multilayer networks by optimized single-layer rewiring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jalan, Sarika; Pradhan, Priodyuti

2018-04-01

We study localization properties of principal eigenvectors (PEVs) of multilayer networks (MNs). Starting with a multilayer network corresponding to a delocalized PEV, we rewire the network edges using an optimization technique such that the PEV of the rewired multilayer network becomes more localized. The framework allows us to scrutinize structural and spectral properties of the networks at various localization points during the rewiring process. We show that rewiring only one layer is enough to attain a MN having a highly localized PEV. Our investigation reveals that a single edge rewiring of the optimized MN can lead to the complete delocalization of a highly localized PEV. This sensitivity in the localization behavior of PEVs is accompanied with the second largest eigenvalue lying very close to the largest one. This observation opens an avenue to gain a deeper insight into the origin of PEV localization of networks. Furthermore, analysis of multilayer networks constructed using real-world social and biological data shows that the localization properties of these real-world multilayer networks are in good agreement with the simulation results for the model multilayer network. This paper is relevant to applications that require understanding propagation of perturbation in multilayer networks.

Closing the Aboriginal child injury gap: targets for injury prevention.

PubMed

Möller, Holger; Falster, Kathleen; Ivers, Rebecca; Falster, Michael O; Clapham, Kathleen; Jorm, Louisa

2017-02-01

To describe the leading mechanisms of hospitalised unintentional injury in Australian Aboriginal children and identify the injury mechanisms with the largest inequalities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. We used linked hospital and mortality data to construct a whole of population birth cohort including 1,124,717 children (1,088,645 non-Aboriginal and 35,749 Aboriginal) born in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 1 July 2000 and 31 December 2012. Injury hospitalisation rates were calculated per person years at risk for injury mechanisms coded according to the ICD10-AM classification. The leading injury mechanisms in both groups of children were falls from playground equipment. For 66 of the 69 injury mechanisms studied, Aboriginal children had a higher rate of hospitalisation compared with non-Aboriginal children. The largest relative inequalities were observed for injuries due to exposure to fire and flame, and the largest absolute inequalities for injuries due to falls from playground equipment. Aboriginal children in NSW experience a significant higher burden of unintentional injury compared with their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Implications for Public Health: We suggest the implementation of targeted injury prevention measures aimed at injury mechanism and age groups identified in this study. © 2016 The Authors.

Network-induced chaos in integrate-and-fire neuronal ensembles.

PubMed

Zhou, Douglas; Rangan, Aaditya V; Sun, Yi; Cai, David

2009-09-01

It has been shown that a single standard linear integrate-and-fire (IF) neuron under a general time-dependent stimulus cannot possess chaotic dynamics despite the firing-reset discontinuity. Here we address the issue of whether conductance-based, pulsed-coupled network interactions can induce chaos in an IF neuronal ensemble. Using numerical methods, we demonstrate that all-to-all, homogeneously pulse-coupled IF neuronal networks can indeed give rise to chaotic dynamics under an external periodic current drive. We also provide a precise characterization of the largest Lyapunov exponent for these high dimensional nonsmooth dynamical systems. In addition, we present a stable and accurate numerical algorithm for evaluating the largest Lyapunov exponent, which can overcome difficulties encountered by traditional methods for these nonsmooth dynamical systems with degeneracy induced by, e.g., refractoriness of neurons.

Inhibitory Effect of Anti-rheumatic Drug Iguratimod for Hepatocellular Carcinogenesis by Inhibition of Serum Interleukin-8 Production.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Taro; Ishii, Yuji; Shiba, Hiroaki; Furukawa, Kenei; Fujiwara, Yuki; Haruki, Koichiro; Iwase, Ryota; Shirai, Yoshihiro; Yanaga, Katsuhiko

2016-07-01

Angiogenesis is a known factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to assess the property of iguratimod, that is an anti-inflammatory drug for rheumatoid arthritis, on anti-angiogenesis and anti-carcinogensis for HCC. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured under interleukin-8 (IL-8) with or without iguratimod. In vivo, a rat model with HCC received iguratimod or distilled water for 6 weeks. Diameter of the largest tumor, number of tumors and serum interleukin-8 concentration were compared between iguratimod and control groups. By an in vitro angiogenesis assay, it was found angiogenesis in iguratimod group was significantly lower than that in control group (p=0.013). In vivo, largest tumor diameter (p=0.036), number of the tumor (p=0.011) and serum interleukin-8 concentration (p=0.036) in the iguratimod group were significantly smaller and lower than those in the control group. Iguratimod may inhibit hepatocellular carcinogensis by inhibition of interleukin-8 production in a rat model. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Post ablation recanalization of varicose veins of the limbs: Comparison ablation method of mechanochemical and laser procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suhartono, R.; Irfan, W.; Wangge, G.; Moenadjat, Y.; Destanto, W. I.

2017-08-01

Endovenous ablation has been performed for varicose veins of the limbs in Indonesia since 2010. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) therapy has been performed in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) has been conducted in Fatmawati Hospital. This was a descriptive analytical study, with a cross-sectional design to analyze post-ablation recanalization after MOCA and EVLA procedures. Patients who had undergone MOCA or EVLA treatment were interviewed 3-18 months after the procedures. All the patients underwent vascular ultrasonography (USG) of the operated limb to assess recanalization. Secondary presurgery data were obtained from the patients’ from patients’ medical records. The clinical characteristics of the subjects were recorded to compare the potential correlation between these characteristics and recanalization post-MOCA and EVLA procedures. All the data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 20.0. The study consisted of 43 limbs: 24 treated by MOCA and 19 treated by EVLA. Most subjects in the MOCA group were <60 years (20/24), and 16 of the subjects were women. In the EVLA group, nine patients were <60 years, and 19 were ≥60 years, 15 of whom were women. The body mass index (BMI) of the majority (18/24) of the subjects in the MOCA group was normal, whereas most of the patients in the EVLA (10/19) group were overweight. In the MOCA group, the largest diameter of the vena saphena magna (VSM) in 20/24 extremities prior to treatment was VSM 4-7 mm, whereas the largest diameter in the EVLA group prior to treatment was >7 mm in 13/19 extremities. In the MOCA group, total recanalization occurred in 2/24 extremities, and partial recanalization occurred in 8/24 extremities. In the EVLA group, total recanalization occurred in 1/19 extremities, and partial recanalization occurred in 3/19 extremities. The association between the clinical characteristics of the patients and recanalization was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The recanalization tendency was higher in the MOCA group than in the EVLA group. Although there was no statistically significant association between the clinical characteristics of the patients and recanalization, the largest diameter of the VSM presurgery (>7 mm) was higher in 3/4 extremities in the MOCA group, as compared to 3/13 extremities in the EVLA group.

Comparison of Both Sides for Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Experience From a Single Center in China.

PubMed

Qiu, Y; Wang, X; Song, T; Rao, Z; Liu, J; Huang, Z; Lin, T

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has gradually become the main approach to obtain live donor kidneys. However, the shorter right renal vein limits its wider application. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of left- and right-side retroperitoneal LDN. We reviewed the perioperative data of 527 consecutive donors receiving retroperitoneal pure LDN with a new method at our center between April 2009 and April 2014. The patients were divided into group A (the first 100 patients) and group B (the remaining 427 patients). A total of 423 cases of left donor surgery and 104 cases of right donor surgery were compared. The comparison of the laterality of LDN was also performed between group A and group B. This is currently the largest case series of LDN in our country. Although right-side LDN patients had longer operation time and a slightly higher incidence of intraoperative complications compared with left-side LDN patients, the operation time was shorter in both the groups compared with previous reports. In group B, patients undergoing right-side LDN had longer operation time and more frequent complications. Once the learning curve of 100 cases was completed, the incidence of complications and operation time were greatly reduced in both sides for LDN. There was no significant difference in the serum creatinine levels in recipients at 6 months of follow-up. Despite a slightly higher incidence of complications and longer operation time, right-side LDN can achieve equally safe and effective transplantation outcomes. This expands the source of potential donor kidneys. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Intraradicular Appearances Affect Radiographic Interpretation of the Periapical Area.

PubMed

Biscontine, Ana C; Diliberto, Adam J; Hatton, John F; Woodmansey, Karl F

2017-12-01

No research exists evaluating the influences of specific variables such as obturation length, radiodensity, or the presence of voids on interpretation of periradicular area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of obturation length, radiodensity, and the presence of voids on the radiographic interpretations of periapical areas. In a Web-based survey, 3 test image groups of variable obturation lengths, radiodensities, and numbers of voids were presented to observers for evaluation of the periapical areas. Intracanal areas of the images were altered by using Adobe Photoshop to create 3 test image groups. Each observer reviewed 2 control images and 1 image from each test image group. Responses were recorded in a 5-point Likert-type scale. Within each test image group, the periapical areas were identical. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Cliff's delta statistical tests were used to analyze results. A total of 748 observer responses were analyzed. Significant differences (P ≤ .01) in the median Likert-type scale responses were identified between the following paired groups: 3 mm short and 1 mm short, 3 mm short and flush, lower radiodensity and higher radiodensity, lower radiodensity and intermediate radiodensity, no voids and several voids, and several voids and single void. Effect sizes ranged from 0.19 to 0.41. Significant differences were noted within all 3 test image groups: length, radiodensity, and presence of voids. Length of obturation had the largest effect on interpretation of the periapical area, with the 3 mm short radiographic obturation length image interpreted less favorably. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Full-Genome Characterisation of Orungo, Lebombo and Changuinola Viruses Provides Evidence for Co-Evolution of Orbiviruses with Their Arthropod Vectors

PubMed Central

Mohd Jaafar, Fauziah; Belhouchet, Mourad; Belaganahalli, Manjunatha; Tesh, Robert B.; Mertens, Peter P. C.; Attoui, Houssam

2014-01-01

The complete genomes of Orungo virus (ORUV), Lebombo virus (LEBV) and Changuinola virus (CGLV) were sequenced, confirming that they each encode 11 distinct proteins (VP1-VP7 and NS1-NS4). Phylogenetic analyses of cell-attachment protein ‘outer-capsid protein 1′ (OC1), show that orbiviruses fall into three large groups, identified as: VP2(OC1), in which OC1 is the 2nd largest protein, including the Culicoides transmitted orbiviruses; VP3(OC1), which includes the mosquito transmitted orbiviruses; and VP4(OC1) which includes the tick transmitted viruses. Differences in the size of OC1 between these groups, places the T2 ‘subcore-shell protein’ as the third largest protein ‘VP3(T2)’ in the first of these groups, but the second largest protein ‘VP3(T2)’ in the other two groups. ORUV, LEBV and CGLV all group with the Culicoides-borne VP2(OC1)/VP3(T2) viruses. The G+C content of the ORUV, LEBV and CGLV genomes is also similar to that of the Culicoides-borne, rather than the mosquito-borne, or tick borne orbiviruses. These data suggest that ORUV and LEBV are Culicoides- rather than mosquito-borne. Multiple isolations of CGLV from sand flies suggest that they are its primary vector. OC1 of the insect-borne orbiviruses is approximately twice the size of the equivalent protein of the tick borne viruses. Together with internal sequence similarities, this suggests its origin by duplication (concatermerisation) of a smaller OC1 from an ancestral tick-borne orbivirus. Phylogenetic comparisons showing linear relationships between the dates of evolutionary-separation of their vector species, and genetic-distances between tick-, mosquito- or Culicoides-borne virus-groups, provide evidence for co-evolution of the orbiviruses with their arthropod vectors. PMID:24475112

Dental health status in two groups of refugees in Sweden.

PubMed

Zimmerman, M; Bornstein, R; Martinsson, T

1988-02-01

The aim of this study was to determine dental health status in two separate groups of Chilean and Polish refugees in Sweden. In Scandinavia, Sweden has the largest number of immigrants--1 million out of a population of 8.3 million. Since 1975, most immigrants have been refugees and their families. During 1978-82 Sweden granted residency to 20,000 refugees, the two largest groups being Chileans and Poles. In 1981-83 a sample of 193 Chilean and 92 Polish refugees in the county of Stockholm were selected for this study. The investigation consisted of a questionnaire followed by clinical examination, including roentgenograms. The average age was 34.0 years in the Chilean group and 34.8 years in the Polish group. The Chileans had been in Sweden for 17.3 months on an average and the Poles for 16.0 months. The Chileans had an average of 10.0 carious surfaces, D(s), and the Poles 11.3. Gingivitis was recorded in 87% of the total number of sites examined in the Chilean group. The corresponding figure in the Polish group was 79%. Of the Chileans 36.5% and of the Poles 32.5% had periodontal pockets measuring more than 5 mm. The results indicate that, when compared with Swedish individuals of a corresponding age, the refugee groups have a high prevalence of caries and periodontal disease.

Discovery of the Largest Orbweaving Spider Species: The Evolution of Gigantism in Nephila

PubMed Central

Kuntner, Matjaž; Coddington, Jonathan A.

2009-01-01

Background More than 41,000 spider species are known with about 400–500 added each year, but for some well-known groups, such as the giant golden orbweavers, Nephila, the last valid described species dates from the 19th century. Nephila are renowned for being the largest web-spinning spiders, making the largest orb webs, and are model organisms for the study of extreme sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and sexual biology. Here, we report on the discovery of a new, giant Nephila species from Africa and Madagascar, and review size evolution and SSD in Nephilidae. Methodology We formally describe N. komaci sp. nov., the largest web spinning species known, and place the species in phylogenetic context to reconstruct the evolution of mean size (via squared change parsimony). We then test female and male mean size correlation using phylogenetically independent contrasts, and simulate nephilid body size evolution using Monte Carlo statistics. Conclusions Nephila females increased in size almost monotonically to establish a mostly African clade of true giants. In contrast, Nephila male size is effectively decoupled and hovers around values roughly one fifth of female size. Although N. komaci females are the largest Nephila yet discovered, the males are also large and thus their SSD is not exceptional. PMID:19844575

Discovery of the largest orbweaving spider species: the evolution of gigantism in Nephila.

PubMed

Kuntner, Matjaz; Coddington, Jonathan A

2009-10-21

More than 41,000 spider species are known with about 400-500 added each year, but for some well-known groups, such as the giant golden orbweavers, Nephila, the last valid described species dates from the 19(th) century. Nephila are renowned for being the largest web-spinning spiders, making the largest orb webs, and are model organisms for the study of extreme sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and sexual biology. Here, we report on the discovery of a new, giant Nephila species from Africa and Madagascar, and review size evolution and SSD in Nephilidae. We formally describe N. komaci sp. nov., the largest web spinning species known, and place the species in phylogenetic context to reconstruct the evolution of mean size (via squared change parsimony). We then test female and male mean size correlation using phylogenetically independent contrasts, and simulate nephilid body size evolution using Monte Carlo statistics. Nephila females increased in size almost monotonically to establish a mostly African clade of true giants. In contrast, Nephila male size is effectively decoupled and hovers around values roughly one fifth of female size. Although N. komaci females are the largest Nephila yet discovered, the males are also large and thus their SSD is not exceptional.

Dismantling Multicomponent Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Epstein, Dana R.; Sidani, Souraya; Bootzin, Richard R.; Belyea, Michael J.

2012-01-01

Study Objective: Recently, the use of multicomponent insomnia treatment has increased. This study compares the effect of single component and multicomponent behavioral treatments for insomnia in older adults after intervention and at 3 months and 1 yr posttreatment. Design: A randomized, controlled study. Setting: Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants: 179 older adults (mean age, 68.9 yr ± 8.0; 115 women [64.2%]) with chronic primary insomnia. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to 6 wk of stimulus control therapy (SCT), sleep restriction therapy (SRT), the 2 therapies combined into a multicomponent intervention (MCI), or a wait-list control group. Measurements and Results: Primary outcomes were subjective (daily sleep diary) and objective (actigraphy) measures of sleep-onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), time in bed (TIB), and sleep efficiency (SE). Secondary outcomes were clinical measures including response and remission rates. There were no differences between the single and multicomponent interventions on primary sleep outcomes measured by diary and actigraphy. All treatments produced significant improvement in diary-reported sleep in comparison with the control group. Effect sizes for sleep diary outcomes were medium to large. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up for diary and actigraph measured SOL, WASO, and SE. The MCI group had the largest proportion of treatment remitters. Conclusions: For older adults with chronic primary insomnia, the findings provide initial evidence that SCT, SRT, and MCI are equally efficacious and produce sustainable treatment gains on diary, actigraphy, and clinical outcomes. From a clinical perspective, MCI may be a preferred treatment due to its higher remission rate. Clinical Trial Information: Behavioral Intervention for Insomnia in Older Adults. NCT01154023. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01154023?term=Behavioral+Intervention+for+Insomnia+in+Older+Adults&rank=1. Citation: Epstein DR; Sidani S; Bootzin RR; Belyea MJ. Dismantling multicomponent behavioral treatment for insomnia in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. SLEEP 2012;35(6):797-805. PMID:22654199

Banded Ridges in Hellas

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-09

Low lying areas in the Hellas region, which is the largest impact basin on Mars, often show complex groups of banded ridges, furrows, and pits as seen in this observation from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Antipathogenic activity of probiotics against Salmonella Typhimurium and Clostridium difficile in anaerobic batch culture systems: is it due to synergies in probiotic mixtures or the specificity of single strains?

PubMed

Tejero-Sariñena, Sandra; Barlow, Janine; Costabile, Adele; Gibson, Glenn R; Rowland, Ian

2013-12-01

Probiotics are currently being investigated for prevention of infections caused by enteric pathogens. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of three single probiotics: Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 30185 (PXN 37), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 30184 (PXN 35), Bifidobacterium breve NCIMB 30180 (PXN 25) and a probiotic mixture containing the above strains plus twelve other strains belonging to the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus and Bacillus genera on the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium and Clostridium difficile using pH-controlled anaerobic batch cultures containing mixed faecal bacteria. Changes in relevant bacterial groups and effects of probiotic addition on survival of the two pathogens were assessed over 24 h. Quantitative analysis of bacterial populations revealed that there was a significant increase in lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria numbers, depending on probiotic addition, compared with the control (no added probiotic). There was also a significant reduction in S. Typhimurium and C. difficile numbers in the presence of certain probiotics compared with controls. Of the probiotic treatments, two single strains namely L. casei NCIMB 30185 (PXN 37), and B. breve NCIMB 30180 (PXN 25) were the most potent in reducing the numbers of S. Typhimurium and C. difficile. In addition, the supplementation with probiotics into the systems influenced some fermentations parameters. Acetate was found in the largest concentrations in all vessels and lactate and formate were generally detected in higher amounts in vessels with probiotic addition compared to controls. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative Review Finds No Evidence of Cognitive Effects in Healthy Populations From Single-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).

PubMed

Horvath, Jared Cooney; Forte, Jason D; Carter, Olivia

2015-01-01

Over the last 15-years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a relatively novel form of neuromodulation, has seen a surge of popularity in both clinical and academic settings. Despite numerous claims suggesting that a single session of tDCS can modulate cognition in healthy adult populations (especially working memory and language production), the paradigms utilized and results reported in the literature are extremely variable. To address this, we conduct the largest quantitative review of the cognitive data to date. Single-session tDCS data in healthy adults (18-50) from every cognitive outcome measure reported by at least two different research groups in the literature was collected. Outcome measures were divided into 4 broad categories: executive function, language, memory, and miscellaneous. To account for the paradigmatic variability in the literature, we undertook a three-tier analysis system; each with less-stringent inclusion criteria than the prior. Standard mean difference values with 95% CIs were generated for included studies and pooled for each analysis. Of the 59 analyses conducted, tDCS was found to not have a significant effect on any - regardless of inclusion laxity. This includes no effect on any working memory outcome or language production task. Our quantitative review does not support the idea that tDCS generates a reliable effect on cognition in healthy adults. Reasons for and limitations of this finding are discussed. This work raises important questions regarding the efficacy of tDCS, state-dependency effects, and future directions for this tool in cognitive research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Swim Speed, Behavior, and Movement of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in Coastal Waters of Northeastern Florida, USA

PubMed Central

Hain, James H. W.; Hampp, Joy D.; McKenney, Sheila A.; Albert, Julie A.; Kenney, Robert D.

2013-01-01

In a portion of the coastal waters of northeastern Florida, North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) occur close to shore from December through March. These waters are included within the designated critical habitat for right whales. Data on swim speed, behavior, and direction of movement – with photo-identification of individual whales – were gathered by a volunteer sighting network working alongside experienced scientists and supplemented by aerial observations. In seven years (2001–2007), 109 tracking periods or “follows” were conducted on right whales during 600 hours of observation from shore-based observers. The whales were categorized as mother-calf pairs, singles and non-mother-calf pairs, and groups of 3 or more individuals. Sample size and amount of information obtained was largest for mother-calf pairs. Swim speeds varied within and across observation periods, individuals, and categories. One category, singles and non mother-calf pairs, was significantly different from the other two – and had the largest variability and the fastest swim speeds. Median swim speed for all categories was 1.3 km/h (0.7 kn), with examples that suggest swim speeds differ between within-habitat movement and migration-mode travel. Within-habitat right whales often travel back-and-forth in a north-south, along-coast, direction, which may cause an individual to pass by a given point on several occasions, potentially increasing anthropogenic risk exposure (e.g., vessel collision, fishing gear entanglement, harassment). At times, mothers and calves engaged in lengthy stationary periods (up to 7.5 h) that included rest, nursing, and play. These mother-calf interactions have implications for communication, learning, and survival. Overall, these behaviors are relevant to population status, distribution, calving success, correlation to environmental parameters, survey efficacy, and human-impacts mitigation. These observations contribute important parameters to conservation biology, predictive modeling, and management. However, while we often search for predictions, patterns, and means, the message here is also about variability and the behavioral characteristics of individual whales. PMID:23326603

First report of Porcine teschovirus (PTV), Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and Enterovirus G (EV-G) in pig herds of Brazil.

PubMed

Donin, Daiane Güllich; de Arruda Leme, Raquel; Alfieri, Alice Fernandes; Alberton, Geraldo Camilo; Alfieri, Amauri Alcindo

2014-03-01

Porcine teschovirus (PTV), Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and Enterovirus G (EV-G) have been associated with enteric, respiratory, reproductive and neurological disorders. Although Brazil is the world's fourth largest producer and exporter of pork, no information on the occurrence of PTV, PSV and EV-G infections is available for Brazilian pig herds. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Porcine enteric picornavirus infections in pig farms located in three distinct geographical regions of Brazil. Forty randomly selected diarrhoeic and normal consistency faeces of suckling (n = 22) and nursery (n = 18) pigs from farms located in 21 distinct cities of the Southern, Southeast, and Midwest regions of Brazil were evaluated by nested-RT-PCR assays. Suckling piglets presented the expected amplicon size for PTV (158 bp) and EV-G (313 bp) in single and mixed infections in 40.9 % (9/22) of the faecal samples. PSV amplicon (212 bp) was not detected in this age group. For nursery pigs, Porcine enteric picornaviruses amplicons were present in 77.8 % (14/18) of the faecal samples. PTV and EV-G were detected in single and mixed infections, while PSV was detected only in two samples in co-infection with PTV and EV-G in this age group. The Brazilian regions evaluated presented at least two of the tested viruses. Sequencing analysis revealed high similarities to the related viruses (95.3 to 99.2 % for PTV, 94.2 to 98.5 % for PSV and 86 to 100 % for EV-G). For the first time PTV, PSV and EV-G have been molecularly detected and characterised in pig faecal samples in Brazil.

Construction of a microsatellites-based linkage map for the white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus).

PubMed

Dor, Lior; Shirak, Andrey; Gorshkov, Sergei; Band, Mark R; Korol, Abraham; Ronin, Yefim; Curzon, Arie; Hulata, Gideon; Seroussi, Eyal; Ron, Micha

2014-06-05

The white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) is a promising candidate for domestication and aquaculture due to its fast growth, excellent taste, and high market price. A linkage map is an essential framework for mapping quantitative trait loci for economic traits and the study of genome evolution. DNA of a single individual was deep-sequenced, and microsatellite markers were identified in 177 of the largest scaffolds of the sequence assembly. The success rate of developing polymorphic homologous markers was 94.9% compared with 63.1% of heterologous markers from other grouper species. Of the 12 adult mature fish present in the broodstock tank, two males and two females were identified as parents of the assigned offspring by parenthood analysis using 34 heterologous markers. A single full-sib family of 48 individuals was established for the construction of first-generation linkage maps based on genotyping data of 222 microsatellites. The markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups in accordance to the 24 chromosomal pairs. The female and male maps consisting of 203 and 202 markers spanned 1053 and 886 cM, with an average intermarker distance of 5.8 and 5.0 cM, respectively. Mapping of markers to linkage groups ends was enriched by using markers originating from scaffolds harboring telomeric repeat-containing RNA. Comparative mapping showed high synteny relationships among the white grouper, kelp grouper (E. bruneus), orange-spotted grouper (E. coioides), and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Thus, it would be useful to integrate the markers that were developed for different groupers, depending on sharing of sequence data, into a comprehensive consensus map. Copyright © 2014 Dor et al.

High concentration of basidiolichens in a single family of agaricoid mushrooms (Basidiomycota: Agaricales: Hygrophoraceae).

PubMed

Lawrey, James D; Lücking, Robert; Sipman, Harrie J M; Chaves, José L; Redhead, Scott A; Bungartz, Frank; Sikaroodi, Masoumeh; Gillevet, Patrick M

2009-10-01

The Agaricales is the largest and most diverse order of mushroom-forming Basidiomycota, with over 100 natural groups recognized in recent Fungal Tree of Life studies. Most agarics are either saprotrophic or ectomycorrhizal fungi, but the family Hygrophoraceae is in part characterized by a unique and remarkable diversity of lichenized forms. The most familiar of these is the chlorolichen genus Lichenomphalia, whose phylogenetic position in the Agaricales has been established. Recent limited evidence suggested that Hygrophoraceae also contains cyanolichens in the genus Dictyonema, which indicates a remarkable concentration and diversity of lichen-formers in a single family of agarics. To demonstrate the relationships of lichen-formers to other fungi in the family, we assembled ribosomal sequences from 52 species representing recognized groups within the Hygrophoraceae, among them new sequences representing Acantholichen and most species and forms of Dictyonema. The molecular data were evaluated using parsimony, likelihood, Bayesian, and distance analyses, including coding of ambiguous regions by means of INAASE and ARC, all of which indicate that Dictyonema and Acantholichen form a monophyletic clade derived from the primarily bryophilous genus Arrhenia and sister to the enigmatic Athelia pyriformis, a species unrelated to the Atheliales for which we are proposing a new genus name Eonema. The chlorolichen genus Lichenomphalia may be polyphyletic. Fungi in the Dictyonema-Acantholichen clade are typically tropical, entirely lichenized, and associate with cyanobacterial photobionts. Our data indicate a transition from agaricoid-omphalinoid basidiomes observed in Arrhenia to stereoid-corticioid forms in Dictyonema, and also support a previous suggestion of a connection between loss of clamp connections and lichenization. The diverse basidiome and thallus morphologies and nutritional ecologies of these fungi indicate a remarkable evolutionary flexibility that appears to have developed in part as a consequence of symbiosis.

A dominant mutation in mediator of paramutation2, one of three second-largest subunits of a plant-specific RNA polymerase, disrupts multiple siRNA silencing processes.

PubMed

Sidorenko, Lyudmila; Dorweiler, Jane E; Cigan, A Mark; Arteaga-Vazquez, Mario; Vyas, Meenal; Kermicle, Jerry; Jurcin, Diane; Brzeski, Jan; Cai, Yu; Chandler, Vicki L

2009-11-01

Paramutation involves homologous sequence communication that leads to meiotically heritable transcriptional silencing. We demonstrate that mop2 (mediator of paramutation2), which alters paramutation at multiple loci, encodes a gene similar to Arabidopsis NRPD2/E2, the second-largest subunit of plant-specific RNA polymerases IV and V. In Arabidopsis, Pol-IV and Pol-V play major roles in RNA-mediated silencing and a single second-largest subunit is shared between Pol-IV and Pol-V. Maize encodes three second-largest subunit genes: all three genes potentially encode full length proteins with highly conserved polymerase domains, and each are expressed in multiple overlapping tissues. The isolation of a recessive paramutation mutation in mop2 from a forward genetic screen suggests limited or no functional redundancy of these three genes. Potential alternative Pol-IV/Pol-V-like complexes could provide maize with a greater diversification of RNA-mediated transcriptional silencing machinery relative to Arabidopsis. Mop2-1 disrupts paramutation at multiple loci when heterozygous, whereas previously silenced alleles are only up-regulated when Mop2-1 is homozygous. The dramatic reduction in b1 tandem repeat siRNAs, but no disruption of silencing in Mop2-1 heterozygotes, suggests the major role for tandem repeat siRNAs is not to maintain silencing. Instead, we hypothesize the tandem repeat siRNAs mediate the establishment of the heritable silent state-a process fully disrupted in Mop2-1 heterozygotes. The dominant Mop2-1 mutation, which has a single nucleotide change in a domain highly conserved among all polymerases (E. coli to eukaryotes), disrupts both siRNA biogenesis (Pol-IV-like) and potentially processes downstream (Pol-V-like). These results suggest either the wild-type protein is a subunit in both complexes or the dominant mutant protein disrupts both complexes. Dominant mutations in the same domain in E. coli RNA polymerase suggest a model for Mop2-1 dominance: complexes containing Mop2-1 subunits are non-functional and compete with wild-type complexes.

Indiscriminate Fisheries: Understanding the Foodweb of the Great Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hannah, L.; Kaufman, L.

2014-12-01

Indiscriminate fisheries target multiple species with multiple gear types. In contrast to well-studied, industrialized single-species, single-gear fisheries, little theory and little but growing literature on practice exists for indiscriminate fisheries. Indiscriminate fisheries are disproportionately important in low-income countries, providing most of the animal protein intake in countries such as Cambodia and Bangladesh. Indiscriminate fisheries may be either freshwater or marine, but here we focus on what may be the largest freshwater indiscriminate fishery in the world. Cambodia's freshwater fishery stands out because it provides the majority of animal protein to over 3 million people living in poverty. The fishery of the Tonle Sap lake is one of the largest, if not the largest contributor to this freshwater fish take, and is perhaps the largest freshwater fishery in the world. In contrast to its importance, very little is known about the foodweb ecology of this system, or how community management which now governs the entire fishery, interacts with biological and physical factors such as climate change.The foodweb of the Tonle Sap has changed dramatically due to high fishing pressure. A system that once harbored giant catfish, barbs and stingrays is now dominated by fish under 20cm in length. The simplification of the system may not have reduced its productivity. Theory of indiscriminate fisheries suggests that r-selected species may be favored and that biomass available for harvest may be maximized, while being more sensitive to environmental fluctuations such as climate change due to food web simplification. The r-selection and size predictions of theory have been confirmed by observations of the Tonle Sap. Early model results suggest sensitivity to environmental stochasticity. The interaction of these ecological changes with social systems will be tested in the Tonle Sap. Fisheries management across the lake has been transferred to community management units. The capacity of the community management units to control illegal activities or set economically beneficial management objectives is unknown. Our social survey suggests that strengthening community management units could have strong benefits for incomes and biodiversity on the lake.

The Spanish Speaking People of the United States: A New Era.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conde, Carlos, Ed.

There are an estimated 10 million Spanish-speaking Americans who constitute the second largest minority group in the nation. Included in this group are Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans. Life styles of the Spanish-speaking Americans, who were here before the Pilgrims, did not change significantly with the arrival of the Northern…

The Economic Status of Americans of Asian Descent: An Clearinghouse Publication 95.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duleep, Harriet Orcutt; And Others

This report addresses the issues of whether discrimination adversely affects the economic status of Asian Americans today, and whether this group's relative economic status has improved over time. The study separately examines the economic status of the following six largest Asian groups in America: (1) Chinese; (2) Filipinos; (3) Japanese; (4)…

Dropout Rates in Texas School Districts: Influences of School Size and Ethnic Group.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Toenjes, Laurence A.

Longitudinal dropout rates (LDR's) for public school students and LDR's of pupil membership by ethnic group based on two Texas Education Agency reports are estimated. LDR's are calculated for the state, by school district size, for the 21 largest districts, and by average high school size. Findings dispel the prevalent perception of the dropout…

When Volunteering Is Mandatory: A Call for Research about Service Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cloyd, Melissa

2017-01-01

Stakeholders have long been concerned about high school drop-out rates and associated achievement gaps between groups, specifically racial, of high school students. While significant improvements have been made to these drop-out rates at the national level, the largest group of drop-out students continues to be those of Hispanic heritage. Research…

Acculturation, Partner Violence, and Psychological Distress in Refugee Women from Somalia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nilsson, Johanna E.; Brown, Chris; Russell, Emily B.; Khamphakdy-Brown, Supavan

2008-01-01

This study examined the relations among acculturation, domestic violence, and mental health in 62 married refugee women from Somalia. Refugees from Somalia constituted the largest group of refugees entering the United States in 2005, and little is known about the presence of domestic violence in this group. The results showed that women who…

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation and Attitudes toward Professional Continuing Education: Implications for the Counselors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drummond, Robert J.; Croll, James C.

1983-01-01

Surveyed 3,266 bankers enrolled in a continuing education program to examine differences in motivation. Results showed the largest group listed future advancement as an intrinsic motivational factor. Those in the extrinsic group listed personal growth as a motivator. Counseling strategies to increase employee self-confidence were also discussed.…

Social Stratification and Higher Education Outcomes: The Case of Filipinos in Hawai`i

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Libarios, Ernest Niki D., Jr.

2013-01-01

Filipinos are the second largest ethnic group in Hawai'i and their population continues to grow at a rapid pace. However, they are among the lower socioeconomic groups in Hawai'i and are disproportionately represented in the University of Hawai'i system--overrepresented in the community colleges while underrepresented at the flagship campus, the…

Comparison of Lumbar Lordosis in Lateral Radiographs in Standing Position with supine MR Imaging in consideration of the Sacral Slope.

PubMed

Benditz, Achim; Boluki, Daniel; Weber, Markus; Zeman, Florian; Grifka, Joachim; Völlner, Florian

2017-03-01

Purpose  To investigate the influence of sacral slope on the correlation between measurements of lumbar lordosis obtained by standing radiographs and magnetic resonance images in supine position (MRI). Little information is available on the correlation between measurements of lumbar lordosis obtained by radiographic and MR images. Most relevant studies have shown correlations for the thoracic spine, but detailed analyses on the lumbar spine are lacking. Methods  MR images and standing lateral radiographs of 63 patients without actual low back pain or radiographic pathologies of the lumbar spine were analyzed. Standing radiographic measurements included the sagittal parameters pelvic incidence (PI) pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS); MR images were used to additionally measure lumbar L1-S1 lordosis and single level lordosis. Differences between radiographic and MRI measurements were analyzed and divided into 4 subgroups of different sacral slope according to Roussouly's classification. Results  Global lumbar lordosis (L1-S1) was 44.99° (± 10 754) on radiographs and 47.91° (± 9.170) on MRI, yielding a clinically relevant correlation (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). Measurements of single level lordosis only showed minor differences. At all levels except for L5 / S1, lordosis measured by means of standing radiographs was higher than that measured by MRI. The difference in global lumbar L1-S1 lordosis was -2.9°. Analysis of the Roussouly groups showed the largest difference for L1-S1 (-8.3°) in group 2. In group 4, when measured on MRI, L5 / S1 lordosis (25.71°) was lower than L4 / L5 lordosis (27.63°) compared to the other groups. Conclusions  Although measurements of global lumbar lordosis significantly differed between the two scanning technologies, the mean difference was just 2.9°. MRI in supine position may be used for estimating global lumbar lordosis, but single level lordosis should be determined by means of standing radiographs. Key Points   · Large difference between radiographic and MRI measurements of level L5 / S1.. · MRI can be used for estimating global lumbar lordosis.. · Analysis of single level lordosis necessitates measurement in standing radiographs.. Citation Format · Benditz A, Boluki D, Weber M et al. Comparison of Lumbar Lordosis in Lateral Radiographs in Standing Position with supine MR Imaging in consideration of the Sacral Slope. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 233 - 239. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Network modules and hubs in plant-root fungal biomes

PubMed Central

Toju, Hirokazu; Yamamoto, Satoshi; Tanabe, Akifumi S.; Hayakawa, Takashi; Ishii, Hiroshi S.

2016-01-01

Terrestrial plants host phylogenetically and functionally diverse groups of below-ground microbes, whose community structure controls plant growth/survival in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the processes by which whole root-associated microbiomes are organized is one of the major challenges in ecology and plant science. We here report that diverse root-associated fungi can form highly compartmentalized networks of coexistence within host roots and that the structure of the fungal symbiont communities can be partitioned into semi-discrete types even within a single host plant population. Illumina sequencing of root-associated fungi in a monodominant south beech forest revealed that the network representing symbiont–symbiont co-occurrence patterns was compartmentalized into clear modules, which consisted of diverse functional groups of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi. Consequently, terminal roots of the plant were colonized by either of the two largest fungal species sets (represented by Oidiodendron or Cenococcum). Thus, species-rich root microbiomes can have alternative community structures, as recently shown in the relationships between human gut microbiome type (i.e. ‘enterotype’) and host individual health. This study also shows an analytical framework for pinpointing network hubs in symbiont–symbiont networks, leading to the working hypothesis that a small number of microbial species organize the overall root–microbiome dynamics. PMID:26962029

Structure of clusters and building blocks in amylopectin from African rice accessions.

PubMed

Gayin, Joseph; Abdel-Aal, El-Sayed M; Marcone, Massimo; Manful, John; Bertoft, Eric

2016-09-05

Enzymatic hydrolysis in combination with gel-permeation and anion-exchange chromatography techniques were employed to characterise the composition of clusters and building blocks of amylopectin from two African rice (Oryza glaberrima) accessions-IRGC 103759 and TOG 12440. The samples were compared with one Asian rice (Oryza sativa) sample (cv WITA 4) and one O. sativa×O. glaberrima cross (NERICA 4). The average DP of clusters from the African rice accessions (ARAs) was marginally larger (DP=83) than in WITA 4 (DP=81). However, regarding average number of chains, clusters from the ARAs represented both the smallest and largest clusters. Overall, the result suggested that the structure of clusters in TOG 12440 was dense with short chains and high degree of branching, whereas the situation was the opposite in NERICA 4. IRGC 103759 and WITA 4 possessed clusters with intermediate characteristics. The commonest type of building blocks in all samples was group 2 (single branched dextrins) representing 40.3-49.4% of the blocks, while groups 3-6 were found in successively lower numbers. The average number of building blocks in the clusters was significantly larger in NERICA 4 (5.8) and WITA 4 (5.7) than in IRGC 103759 and TOG 12440 (5.1 and 5.3, respectively). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of a sandwiched Ni2Ce complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Güngör, Seyit Ali; Kose, Muhammet

2017-12-01

In this study, a Ni2Ce complex [(NiL)2Ce(NO3)2](NO3) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. The structure of the complex was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. In the structure of the complex, a Ce(III) ion is sandwiched between the two NiL units, which are virtually parallel to each other. The Ce(III) center is 12-coordinate, surrounded by 12 oxygen atoms; four are from phenolic groups, four from methoxy groups, and four from two bidentate nitrate ligands. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to evaluate the inter-molecular interactions within the crystal packing. The complex molecules are linked by H⋯ONO2 interactions. The largest contribution is H⋯O/O⋯H with 41.6% contribution and followed by H⋯H contacts with 39.1%. The complex showed an excitation band in the range of 510-580 nm. A band in the range of 520-580 nm observed in the emission spectrum almost completely overlapped. This suggests that the band in the emission spectrum of the complex is not the actual fluorescence emission and is assigned to the Rayleigh scattering band. Electrochemical and thermal behaviours of the complex were also investigated.

Suicide by burning: epidemiological and clinical profiles.

PubMed

Theodorou, Panagiotis; Phan, Vu T Q; Weinand, Christian; Maegele, Marc; Maurer, Christoph A; Perbix, Walter; Leitsch, Sebastian; Lefering, Rolf; Spilker, Gerald

2011-04-01

Self-immolation constitutes a rare form of suicide in developed countries, though it accounts for unique injury characteristics in the burn intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to present the epidemiological and clinical features of patients burned during a suicidal attempt seen in a North Rhine-Westphalia burn intensive care unit (BICU). To address this aim, we undertook a 21-year retrospective study involving patients with thermal injuries admitted to the largest burn unit in Germany. A total of 125 suicide-related burn victims were identified in the study period (9.4%). Comparing the self-immolation group with the rest burn patient cohort, suicide victims were more likely to be single and to act under the influence of alcohol. The suicidal group had a larger extent of burns, higher incidence of inhalation injury, required more surgical procedures, catecholamines, blood transfusions, and a longer BICU stay. Their clinical course was complicated by prolonged intubation period, higher rate of multiple drug-resistant bacteria acquisition and sepsis, leading to a higher mortality rate. Although the proportion of self-immolation victims among all burned patients is not high, the markedly higher severity of their burns and their poorer quality of outcomes makes them an important clinical subgroup for further study.

Vascular flora of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area

Treesearch

Robert B. Coxe; Steven L. Stephenson; Darlene M. Madarish; Gary W. Miller

2006-01-01

The vascular flora of the region we considered include 94 families representing at least 461 species. Fifty-four of these or nearly 12 percent are species known to have been introduced. Asteraceae (46 species) is the single largest family; Cyperaceae (31), Liliaceae (29), Poaceae and Rosaceae (20 each) also are important families in the general study area. The 461...

77 FR 72856 - New York State Prohibition of Discharges of Vessel Sewage; Receipt of Petition and Tentative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-06

...: Notice is given that, pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 312(f)(3), the State of New York has determined...: http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/permits.html . ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the... the fresh surface water in the United States and serving as the largest single reservoir on Earth. The...

Service and Science in Times of Crisis: Developing, Planning, and Implementing a Clinical Research Program for Children Traumatically Bereaved after 9/11

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodman, Robin F.; Brown, Elissa J.

2008-01-01

September 11, 2001 was a tragedy unparalleled in the United States, resulting in the largest number of parentally bereaved children from a single terrorist incident. The event necessitated swift and sensitive development of programs to meet the needs of bereaved children and their families, and it offered a rare opportunity to investigate the…

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Takes the Mystery Out of Supercomupting

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-18

analysis, designing sensors, and developing algorithms. In 2008, the Lincoln demonstrated the largest single problem ever run on a computer using ... computation . As we design and prototype these devices, the use of leading–edge engineering practices have become the de facto standard. This includes...MIT Lincoln Laboratory Takes the Mystery Out of Supercomputing By Dr. Jeremy Kepner 1 The introduction of multicore and manycore processors

Follow the Money: Strategies for Using Finance to Leverage Change in Higher Education. Complete to Compete Briefing Paper

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conklin, Kristin

2011-01-01

The U.S. spends twice as much as the average industrialized country on higher education, but continues to slide relative to other nations in the percentage of young adults with an associate degree or higher. Despite recent reductions in state aid to higher education, state taxpayers continue to be the largest single source of unrestricted funds…

Sell Energy-Efficient Products: A Guide to Selling to the U.S. Government

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

None

The Federal Government spends $500 billion on goods and services every year and $20 billion on energy. For many product types, the U.S. Government is the single largest purchaser. Manufacturers and vendors can increase their sales potential by helping Federal purchasers meet their energy-efficient product purchasing requirements. This guide explains how to sell products to the government.

Why the Senate Higher Education Bill Is Good News for Low-Income Adults--And How to Make It Even Better

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strawn, Julie; Duke, Amy-Ellen

2005-01-01

The Higher Education Act (HEA) provides an annual $56 billion in financial assistance to students, many of whom are adults, and is by far the largest single source of federal funds for workforce development. On September 8th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved S. 1614, bipartisan legislation to…

A genome-wide association study for clinical mastitis in first parity US Holstein cows using a single-step approach and a genomic matrix re-weighting procedure

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Clinical mastitis (CM) is one of the health disorders with largest impacts on dairy farming profitability and animal welfare. Previous studies have consistently shown that CM is under genetic control but knowledge about regions of the genome associated with resistance to CM in US Holstein is lacking...

Russian Energy Policy Toward Neighboring Countries

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-22

countries, Russian energy firms are able to manipulate the internal political situation by favoring certain local businessmen and politicians...Russia is even more significant. It is the single largest contributor to the Russian government’s budget, providing about 25% of tax receipts. It...policy changed in 2003, when Mikhail Khodorkovsky, head of the giant Yukos oil firm, was arrested on tax evasion and other charges. However, most

Genetic identity, ancestry and parentage in farmer selections of cacao from Aceh, Indonesia revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is the source of cocoa powder and butter used for chocolate and this species originated in the rainforests of South America. Indonesia is the 3rd largest cacao producer in the world with an annual cacao output of 0.55 million tons. Knowledge of on-farm genetic diversity is...

Acidification of lakes in Canada by acid precipitation and the resulting effects on fishes

Treesearch

Richard J. Beamish

1976-01-01

There are several areas in Canada that could receive acidic fallout. Only in the area that produces Canada's largest single source of sulfur oxides has there been appreciable research. In the Sudbury region of Ontario, Canada, fallout of sulfur oxides has been shown to be responsible for damage to vegetation, lakes and fishes. The acidic fallout has been shown to...

Early Child Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: List of Projects with World Bank Support.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

World Bank, Washington, DC. Human Development Network.

In recent years the World Bank, currently the largest single funding source for education and health programs in the world, has put new emphasis on reaching children in the years before they enter school. Despite the acknowledged benefits to be gained from investing in education, schooling in Latin America has failed to keep pace with the…

Initial forces experienced by the anterior and posterior teeth during dental-anchored or skeletal-anchored en masse retraction in vitro.

PubMed

Lee, David; Heo, Giseon; El-Bialy, Tarek; Carey, Jason P; Major, Paul W; Romanyk, Dan L

2017-07-01

To investigate initial forces acting on teeth around the arch during en masse retraction using an in vitro Orthodontic SIMulator (OSIM). The OSIM was used to represent the full maxillary arch in a case wherein both first premolars had been extracted. Dental and skeletal anchorage to a posted archwire and skeletal anchorage to a 10-mm power arm were all simulated. A 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire was used in all cases, and 15-mm light nickel-titanium springs were activated to approximately 150 g on both sides of the arch. A sample size of n = 40 springs were tested for each of the three groups. Multivariate analysis of variance (α = 0.05) was used to determine differences between treatment groups. In the anterior segment, it was found that skeletal anchorage with power arms generated the largest retraction force (P < .001). The largest vertical forces on the unit were generated using skeletal anchorage, followed by skeletal anchorage with power arms, and finally dental anchorage. Power arms were found to generate larger intrusive forces on the lateral incisors and extrusive forces on the canines than on other groups. For the posterior anchorage unit, dental anchorage generated the largest protraction and palatal forces. Negligible forces were measured for both skeletal anchorage groups. Vertical forces on the posterior unit were minimal in all cases (<0.1 N). All retraction methods produced sufficient forces to retract the anterior teeth during en masse retraction. Skeletal anchorage reduced forces on the posterior teeth but introduced greater vertical forces on the anterior teeth.

Epidemiological profile of thoracolumbar fracture (TLF) over a period of 10 years in Tianjin, China.

PubMed

Li, Bo; Sun, Chao; Zhao, Chenxi; Yao, Xue; Zhang, Yan; Duan, Huiquan; Hao, Jian; Guo, Xing; Fan, Baoyou; Ning, Guangzhi; Feng, Shiqing

2018-03-29

The objective of the research was to illustrate the epidemiology profile of thoracolumbar fracture (TLF) in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, China, from 2006-2015. Hospital-based retrospective study. Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. Medical records of inpatient patients with TLF from 1 January 2006 to December 2015 were collected. Detailed information on epidemiological characters were analyzed based on the medical records suffering from TLF from T11-L2 level, including incidence, age and sex, marital, occupation, etiology and fracture type, types of injuries. Totally 132 cases were identified. The incidence rate was 2.4 patient per million population at 2015. Male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1, with a mean age of 49.1 ± 17.7 years. The cases number in 46-60 group, totally 35 and accounting for 26.5%, was the largest. There is a significant differences of cases number between 2011-2015 group and 2006-2010 group. Retiree, taken up 48.5%, was the largest group among TLF patients. The most common injury level was T12 (34) accounting for 25.7%. Falls (57, 43.2%) (low falls and high falls) were the leading causes, followed by motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (23, 17.4%).Compression is the only type of osteoporosis and took up 55.3%. The incidence ratio is increased annually in TMUGH. Male was more vulnerable than female based on different social character. The average age was older in 2011-2015, retiree accounted for the main proportion and compression took up the largest percentage, the mean age increased and osteoporosis takes more in recent years.

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Five Largest Islands of Indonesia: A Preliminary Study.

PubMed

Syam, Ari Fahrial; Miftahussurur, Muhammad; Makmun, Dadang; Nusi, Iswan Abbas; Zain, Lukman Hakim; Zulkhairi; Akil, Fardah; Uswan, Willi Brodus; Simanjuntak, David; Uchida, Tomohisa; Adi, Pangestu; Utari, Amanda Pitarini; Rezkitha, Yudith Annisa Ayu; Subsomwong, Phawinee; Nasronudin; Suzuki, Rumiko; Yamaoka, Yoshio

2015-01-01

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Indonesia is still controversial and mainly investigated in the largest ethnic group, Javanese. We examined the prevalence of H. pylori infection using four different tests including culture, histology confirmed by immunohistochemistry and rapid urease test. We also analyzed risk factors associated with H. pylori infection in five largest islands in Indonesia. From January 2014-February 2015 we consecutively recruited a total of 267 patients with dyspeptic symptoms in Java, Papua, Sulawesi, Borneo and Sumatera Island. Overall, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 22.1% (59/267). Papuan, Batak and Buginese ethnics had higher risk for H. pylori infection than Javanese, Dayak and Chinese ethnics (OR = 30.57, 6.31, 4.95; OR = 28.39, 5.81, 4.61 and OR = 23.23, 4.76, 3.77, respectively, P <0.05). The sensitivity and specificity for RUT and culture were 90.2%, 92.9% and 80.5%, 98.2%, respectively. The patients aged 50-59 years group had significantly higher H. pylori infection than 30-39 years group (OR 2.98, P = 0.05). Protestant had significantly higher H. pylori infection rate than that among Catholic (OR 4.42, P = 0.008). It was also significantly lower among peoples who used tap water as source of drinking water than from Wells/river (OR 9.67, P = 0.03). However only ethnics as become independent risk factors for H. pylori infection. Although we confirmed low prevalence of H. pylori in Javanese; predominant ethnic in Indonesia, several ethnic groups had higher risk of H. pylori infection. The age, religion and water source may implicate as a risk factor for H. pylori infection in Indonesia.

Successful Recovery and Transplantation of 11 Organs Including Face, Bilateral Upper Extremities, and Thoracic and Abdominal Organs From a Single Deceased Organ Donor.

PubMed

Tullius, Stefan G; Pomahac, Bohdan; Kim, Heung Bae; Carty, Matthew J; Talbot, Simon G; Nelson, Helen M; Delmonico, Francis L

2016-10-01

We report on the to date largest recovery of 11 organs from a single deceased donor with the transplantation of face, bilateral upper extremities, heart, 1 lung, liver (split for 2 recipients), kidneys, pancreas, and intestine. Although logistically challenging, this case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of the recovery of multiple thoracic and abdominal organs with multiple vascular composite allotransplants and tissues. Our experience of 8 additional successful multiple vascular composite allotransplants, thoracic, and abdominal organ recoveries suggests that such procedures are readily accomplishable from the same deceased donor.

Physical origins of weak H 2 binding on carbon nanostructures: Insight from ab initio studies of chemically functionalized graphene nanoribbons

DOE PAGES

Ulman, Kanchan; Bhaumik, Debarati; Wood, Brandon C.; ...

2014-05-05

Here, we have performed ab initio density functional theory calculations, incorporating London dispersion corrections, to study the absorption of molecular hydrogen on zigzag graphene nanoribbons whose edges have been functionalized by OH, NH 2, COOH, NO 2, or H 2PO 3. We find that hydrogen molecules always preferentially bind at or near the functionalized edge, and display induced dipole moments. Binding is generally enhanced by the presence of polar functional groups. Furthermore, the largest gains are observed for groups with oxygen lone pairs that can facilitate local charge reorganization, with the biggest single enhancement in adsorption energy found for “strongmore » functionalization” by H 2PO 3 (115 meV/H 2 versus 52 meV/H 2 on bare graphene). We show that for binding on the “outer edge” near the functional group, the presence of the group can introduce appreciable contributions from Debye interactions and higher-order multipole electrostatic terms, in addition to the dominant London dispersion interactions. For those functional groups that contain the OH moiety, the adsorption energy is linearly proportional to the number of lone pairs on oxygen atoms. Mixed functionalization with two different functional groups on a graphene edge can also have a synergistic effect, particularly when electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups are combined. For binding on the “inner edge” somewhat farther from the functional group, most of the binding again arises from London interactions; however, there is also significant charge redistribution in the π manifold, which directly reflects the electron donating or withdrawing capacity of the functional group. These results offer insight into the specific origins of weak binding of gas molecules on graphene, and suggest that edge functionalization could perhaps be used in combination with other strategies to increase the uptake of hydrogen in graphene. They also have relevance for the storage of hydrogen in porous carbon materials, such as activated carbons.« less

Dependence of Aerosol Light Absorption and Single-Scattering Albedo On Ambient Relative Humidity for Sulfate Aerosols with Black Carbon Cores

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Redemann, Jens; Russell, Philip B.; Hamill, Patrick

2001-01-01

Atmospheric aerosols frequently contain hygroscopic sulfate species and black carbon (soot) inclusions. In this paper we report results of a modeling study to determine the change in aerosol absorption due to increases in ambient relative humidity (RH), for three common sulfate species, assuming that the soot mass fraction is present as a single concentric core within each particle. Because of the lack of detailed knowledge about various input parameters to models describing internally mixed aerosol particle optics, we focus on results that were aimed at determining the maximum effect that particle humidification may have on aerosol light absorption. In the wavelength range from 450 to 750 nm, maximum absorption humidification factors (ratio of wet to 'dry=30% RH' absorption) for single aerosol particles are found to be as large as 1.75 when the RH changes from 30 to 99.5%. Upon lesser humidification from 30 to 80% RH, absorption humidification for single particles is only as much as 1.2, even for the most favorable combination of initial ('dry') soot mass fraction and particle size. Integrated over monomodal lognormal particle size distributions, maximum absorption humidification factors range between 1.07 and 1.15 for humidification from 30 to 80% and between 1.1 and 1.35 for humidification from 30 to 95% RH for all species considered. The largest humidification factors at a wavelength of 450 nm are obtained for 'dry' particle size distributions that peak at a radius of 0.05 microns, while the absorption humidification factors at 700 nm are largest for 'dry' size distributions that are dominated by particles in the radius range of 0.06 to 0.08 microns. Single-scattering albedo estimates at ambient conditions are often based on absorption measurements at low RH (approx. 30%) and the assumption that aerosol absorption does not change upon humidification (i.e., absorption humidification equal to unity). Our modeling study suggests that this assumption alone can introduce absolute errors in estimates of the midvisible single-scattering albedo of up to 0.05 for realistic dry particle size distributions. Our study also indicates that this error increases with increasing wavelength. The potential errors in aerosol single-scattering albedo derived here are comparable in magnitude and in addition to uncertainties in single-scattering albedo estimates that are based on measurements of aerosol light absorption and scattering.

Consequence of a sudden wind event on the dynamics of a coastal phytoplankton community: an insight into specific population growth rates using a single cell high frequency approach

PubMed Central

Dugenne, Mathilde; Thyssen, Melilotus; Nerini, David; Mante, Claude; Poggiale, Jean-Christophe; Garcia, Nicole; Garcia, Fabrice; Grégori, Gérald J.

2014-01-01

Phytoplankton is a key component in marine ecosystems. It is responsible for most of the marine primary production, particularly in eutrophic lagoons, where it frequently blooms. Because they are very sensitive to their environment, the dynamics of these microbial communities has to be observed over different time scales, however, assessment of short term variability is often out of reach of traditional monitoring methods. To overcome these limitations, we set up a Cytosense automated flow cytometer (Cytobuoy b.v.), designed for high frequency monitoring of phytoplankton composition, abundance, cell size, and pigment content, in one of the largest Mediterranean lagoons, the Berre lagoon (South-Eastern France). During October 2011, it recorded the cell optical properties of 12 groups of pico-, nano-, and microphytoplankton. Daily variations in the cluster optical properties were consistent with individual changes observed using microscopic imaging, during the cell cycle. We therefore used an adaptation of the size-structured matrix population model, developed by Sosik et al. (2003) to process the single cell analysis of the clusters and estimate the division rates of 2 dinoflagellate populations before, during, and after a strong wind event. The increase in the estimated in situ daily cluster growth rates suggest that physiological changes in the cells can prevail over the response of abundance. PMID:25309523

Multimodal treatment with primary single-agent epirubicin in operable breast cancer: 5-year experience of the Michelangelo Cooperative Group.

PubMed

Bonadonna, G; Zambetti, M; Bumma, C; Donadio, M; Bolognesi, A; Robustelli Della Cuna, G; Ambrosini, G; Lelli, G; Mansutti, M; Verderio, P; Valagussa, P

2002-07-01

To assess the efficacy of primary single-agent epirubicin (120 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for three cycles) in reducing tumor burden in operable breast cancer >or=2.5 cm in largest diameter at diagnosis and its effect on the rate of conservative surgery. A total of 319 eligible patients, who were all candidates for mastectomy, were enrolled on to a multicenter prospective non-randomized study. Tumor response was assessed clinically and pathologically. Relapse-free and overall survival were assessed on major prognostic variables. After primary epirubicin, complete disappearance of invasive neoplastic cells accounted for only 2.6% of patients, but 40% of patients had their primary tumor downstaged to

Ethnic differences in the diagnosis of schizophrenia and mood disorders during admission to an academic safety-net psychiatric hospital.

PubMed

Hamilton, Jane E; Heads, Angela M; Meyer, Thomas D; Desai, Pratikkumar V; Okusaga, Olaoluwa O; Cho, Raymond Y

2018-05-30

U.S. Hispanics, now the single largest minority group in the country, face unique mental health disparities. The current study utilizes Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use to examine ethnic disparities in receiving a schizophrenia or mood disorder diagnosis at psychiatric hospital admission. Our retrospective cohort study examined electronic health record data at an academic safety-net psychiatric hospital for adult patients (n = 5571) admitted between 2010 and 2013. Logistic regression with block-wise entry of predisposing, enabling and need variables was used to examine ethnic disparities in receiving a schizophrenia diagnosis at admission. The block of need factors was the strongest predictor of receiving a schizophrenia diagnosis compared to predisposing and enabling factors. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and African Americans had a greater likelihood of receiving a schizophrenia diagnosis at admission. Additionally, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia had elevated positive and negative symptoms and were more likely to be male, single/unmarried, homeless, high inpatient service utilizers, involuntarily hospitalized, and to exhibit functional impairment at psychiatric hospital admission. To address elevated positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, functional impairment, social withdrawal, and high inpatient service utilization, promising psychosocial interventions should be adapted for racial and ethnic minority populations and utilized as an adjuvant to antipsychotic medication. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Ascending Single-Dose, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Safety Study of Noribogaine in Opioid-Dependent Patients.

PubMed

Glue, Paul; Cape, Gavin; Tunnicliff, Donna; Lockhart, Michelle; Lam, Fred; Hung, Noelyn; Hung, C Tak; Harland, Sarah; Devane, Jane; Crockett, R S; Howes, John; Darpo, Borje; Zhou, Meijian; Weis, Holger; Friedhoff, Lawrence

2016-11-01

Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance that may reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. This was the first clinical trial of noribogaine, ibogaine's active metabolite, in patients established on methadone opioid substitution therapy (OST). In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending-dose study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of noribogaine in 27 patients seeking to discontinue methadone OST who had been switched to morphine during the previous week. Noribogaine doses were 60, 120, or 180 mg (n = 6/dose level) or matching placebo (n = 3/dose level). Noribogaine was well tolerated. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events were noneuphoric changes in light perception ∼1 hour postdose, headache, and nausea. Noribogaine had dose-linear increases for AUC and C max and was slowly eliminated (mean t 1/2 range, 24-30 hours). There was a concentration-dependent increase in QTcI (0.17 ms/ng/mL), with the largest observed mean effect of ∼16, 28, and 42 milliseconds in the 60-, 120-, and 180-mg groups, respectively. Noribogaine showed a nonstatistically significant trend toward decreased total score in opioid withdrawal ratings, most notably at the 120-mg dose; however, the study design may have confounded evaluations of time to resumption of OST. Future exposure-controlled multiple-dose noribogaine studies are planned that will address these safety and design issues. © 2016, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Identification of selection signatures in cattle breeds selected for dairy production.

PubMed

Stella, Alessandra; Ajmone-Marsan, Paolo; Lazzari, Barbara; Boettcher, Paul

2010-08-01

The genomics revolution has spurred the undertaking of HapMap studies of numerous species, allowing for population genomics to increase the understanding of how selection has created genetic differences between subspecies populations. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop an approach to detect signatures of selection in subsets of phenotypically similar breeds of livestock by comparing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity between the subset and a larger population, (2) verify this method in breeds selected for simply inherited traits, and (3) apply this method to the dairy breeds in the International Bovine HapMap (IBHM) study. The data consisted of genotypes for 32,689 SNPs of 497 animals from 19 breeds. For a given subset of breeds, the test statistic was the parametric composite log likelihood (CLL) of the differences in allelic frequencies between the subset and the IBHM for a sliding window of SNPs. The null distribution was obtained by calculating CLL for 50,000 random subsets (per chromosome) of individuals. The validity of this approach was confirmed by obtaining extremely large CLLs at the sites of causative variation for polled (BTA1) and black-coat-color (BTA18) phenotypes. Across the 30 bovine chromosomes, 699 putative selection signatures were detected. The largest CLL was on BTA6 and corresponded to KIT, which is responsible for the piebald phenotype present in four of the five dairy breeds. Potassium channel-related genes were at the site of the largest CLL on three chromosomes (BTA14, -16, and -25) whereas integrins (BTA18 and -19) and serine/arginine rich splicing factors (BTA20 and -23) each had the largest CLL on two chromosomes. On the basis of the results of this study, the application of population genomics to farm animals seems quite promising. Comparisons between breed groups have the potential to identify genomic regions influencing complex traits with no need for complex equipment and the collection of extensive phenotypic records and can contribute to the identification of candidate genes and to the understanding of the biological mechanisms controlling complex traits.

Dating young geomorphic surfaces using age of colonizing Douglas fir in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pierson, T.C.

2007-01-01

Dating of dynamic, young (<500 years) geomorphic landforms, particularly volcanofluvial features, requires higher precision than is possible with radiocarbon dating. Minimum ages of recently created landforms have long been obtained from tree-ring ages of the oldest trees growing on new surfaces. But to estimate the year of landform creation requires that two time corrections be added to tree ages obtained from increment cores: (1) the time interval between stabilization of the new landform surface and germination of the sampled trees (germination lag time or GLT); and (2) the interval between seedling germination and growth to sampling height, if the trees are not cored at ground level. The sum of these two time intervals is the colonization time gap (CTG). Such time corrections have been needed for more precise dating of terraces and floodplains in lowland river valleys in the Cascade Range, where significant eruption-induced lateral shifting and vertical aggradation of channels can occur over years to decades, and where timing of such geomorphic changes can be critical to emergency planning. Earliest colonizing Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were sampled for tree-ring dating at eight sites on lowland (<750 m a.s.l.), recently formed surfaces of known age near three Cascade volcanoes - Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood - in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon. Increment cores or stem sections were taken at breast height and, where possible, at ground level from the largest, oldest-looking trees at each study site. At least ten trees were sampled at each site unless the total of early colonizers was less. Results indicate that a correction of four years should be used for GLT and 10 years for CTG if the single largest (and presumed oldest) Douglas fir growing on a surface of unknown age is sampled. This approach would have a potential error of up to 20 years. Error can be reduced by sampling the five largest Douglas fir instead of the single largest. A GLT correction of 5 years should be added to the mean ring-count age of the five largest trees growing on the surface being dated, if the trees are cored at ground level. This correction would have an approximate error of ??5 years. If the trees are cored at about 1.4 m above the round surface (breast height), a CTG correction of 11 years should be added to the mean age of the five sampled trees (with an error of about ??7 years).

Energy scavenging based on a single-crystal PMN-PT nanobelt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Fan; Cai, Wei; Yeh, Yao-Wen; Xu, Shiyou; Yao, Nan

2016-03-01

Self-powered nanodevices scavenging mechanical energy require piezoelectric nanostructures with high piezoelectric coefficients. Here we report the fabrication of a single-crystal (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 - xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) nanobelt with a superior piezoelectric constant (d33 = ~550 pm/V), which is approximately ~150%, 430%, and 2100% of the largest reported values for previous PMN-PT, PZT and ZnO nanostructures, respectively. The high d33 of the single-crystalline PMN-PT nanobelt results from the precise orientation control during its fabrication. As a demonstration of its application in energy scavenging, a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) is built on the single PMN-PT nanobelt, generating a maximum output voltage of ~1.2 V. This value is ~4 times higher than that of a single-CdTe PNG, ~13 times higher than that of a single-ZnSnO3 PNG, and ~26 times higher than that of a single-ZnO PNG. The profoundly increased output voltage of a lateral PNG built on a single PMN-PT nanobelt demonstrates the potential application of PMN-PT nanostructures in energy harvesting, thus enriching the material choices for PNGs.

Energy scavenging based on a single-crystal PMN-PT nanobelt.

PubMed

Wu, Fan; Cai, Wei; Yeh, Yao-Wen; Xu, Shiyou; Yao, Nan

2016-03-01

Self-powered nanodevices scavenging mechanical energy require piezoelectric nanostructures with high piezoelectric coefficients. Here we report the fabrication of a single-crystal (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 - xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) nanobelt with a superior piezoelectric constant (d33 = ~550 pm/V), which is approximately ~150%, 430%, and 2100% of the largest reported values for previous PMN-PT, PZT and ZnO nanostructures, respectively. The high d33 of the single-crystalline PMN-PT nanobelt results from the precise orientation control during its fabrication. As a demonstration of its application in energy scavenging, a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) is built on the single PMN-PT nanobelt, generating a maximum output voltage of ~1.2 V. This value is ~4 times higher than that of a single-CdTe PNG, ~13 times higher than that of a single-ZnSnO3 PNG, and ~26 times higher than that of a single-ZnO PNG. The profoundly increased output voltage of a lateral PNG built on a single PMN-PT nanobelt demonstrates the potential application of PMN-PT nanostructures in energy harvesting, thus enriching the material choices for PNGs.

MIT Laboratory for Computer Science Progress Report 20 - July 1982 - Jun 1983,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-07-01

system by the Programming Technology Group. Research in the second and largest area entitled Machines, Languages , and Systems, strives to discover and...utilization and cost effectiveness . For example, the Programming Methodology Group and the Real Time Systems Group are developing languages and...100 Megabits per second when implemented with the 1.2[im. n- well cMOS process. 3. LANGUAGES 3.1. Demand Driven Evaluation In his engineer’s thesis

Special issue : pedestrian injuries:

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-03-13

This special issue focuses on effective ways to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries. Pedestrians represent the second largest group of motor vehicle deaths, second only to passenger vehicle occupant deaths. This study examines some of the most effe...

Contemporary thinking in stroke prevention and management.

PubMed

Bryan, Jenny

Stroke is the third largest cause of death in the UK, after heart disease and cancer, and the largest single cause of severe adult disability (Stroke Association, 2003). Specialist and consultant stroke nurses are playing a growing role in rapid assessment clinics and acute care, as well as in coordinating rehabilitation and other follow-up services, including secondary prevention clinics. Health promotion to reduce the risk of stroke is also an important consideration and an area where nurses can play a leading role. Risk prevention measures and behaviours include physical activity, and cutting down on smoking and alcohol intake. A healthy diet is also a major factor in reducing stroke risk. This year Stoke Awareness Week, which starts on 29 September, is focusing on the importance of eating a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables, with the message: 'Eat a rainbow. Beat a stroke'.

Building Energy-Efficiency Best Practice Policies and Policy Packages

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

Levine, Mark; de la Rue de Can, Stephane; Zheng, Nina

2012-10-26

This report addresses the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and the greatest opportunity to reduce these emissions. The IPCC 4 th Assessment Report estimates that globally 35% to 40% of all energy-related CO2 emissions (relative to a growing baseline) result from energy use in buildings. Emissions reductions from a combination of energy efficiency and conservation (using less energy) in buildings have the potential to cut emissions as much as all other energy-using sectors combined. This is especially the case for China, India and other developing countries that are expected to account for 80% or more of growth inmore » building energy use worldwide over the coming decades. In short, buildings constitute the largest opportunity to mitigate climate change and special attention needs to be devoted to developing countries.« less

Dying at home: a qualitative study of the perspectives of older South Asians living in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Venkatasalu, Munikumar R; Seymour, Jane E; Arthur, Antony

2014-03-01

South Asians constitute the single largest ethnic minority group in the United Kingdom, yet little is known about their perspectives on, and experiences of, end-of-life care. To explore beliefs, attitudes and expectations expressed by older South Asians living in East London about dying at home. A qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Five focus groups and 29 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 55 older adults (24 men and 31 women) aged between 52 and 78 years. Participants from six South Asian ethnic groups were recruited via 11 local community organisations. Two key themes were identified. The theme of 'reconsidering the homeland' draws on the notion of 'diaspora' to help understand why for many participants, the physical place of death was perceived as less important than the opportunity to carry out cultural and religious practices surrounding death. The second theme 'home as a haven' describes participants' accounts of how their home is a place in which it is possible to perform various cultural and religious rituals. Cultural and religious practices were often seen as essential to achieving a peaceful death and honouring religious and filial duties. Older people of South Asian ethnicity living in East London perceive home as more than a physical location for dying relatives. They make efforts to adhere, and also adapt, to important social and cultural values relating to death and dying as part of the wider challenge of living in an emigrant society.

Effect of Fresh Orange Juice Intake on Physiological Characteristics in Healthy Volunteers

PubMed Central

Asgary, Sedigheh; Keshvari, Mahtab; Afshani, Mohammad Reza; Javanmard, Shaghayegh Haghjooy

2014-01-01

Background. Impaired endothelial function is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Orange juice (OJ) is rich in dietary flavonoids and could inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. We examined the effects of commercial (COJ) and fresh orange juice (FOJ) on endothelial function and physiological characteristics in healthy humans. Materials and Methods. Twenty-two healthy volunteers years were enrolled in a single blind randomized crossover controlled trial. The two groups consumed either COJ for the first 4 weeks and then FOJ (CFOJ, 4 weeks), or FOJ for the first 4 weeks and then COJ (FCOJ, 4 weeks). We assessed endothelial function by measuring flow-mediated dilation, serum concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins A and B (apo A-1 and apo B), and inflammatory markers such as vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6. Results. Consumption of both juices decreased VCAM, hs-CRP, and E-selectin but increased apo A-1. A decline in LDL occurred in the FOJ group. There were no differences between the characteristics of two groups, with the exception of apo A-1 levels that were increased with both forms of OJ. The largest variations occurred with hs-CRP, VCAM in both groups. Conclusion. Consumption of COJ and FOJ produced beneficial effects on the physiological characteristics of healthy volunteers. Although these results could encourage the consumption of OJ, intervention studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of these types of OJ on metabolic and cardiovascular endpoints. PMID:24967267

The Frequency of Hypertension Crises in the Emergency Medical Service Department in Tuzla

PubMed Central

Salkic, Sabina; Ljuca, Farid; Batic-Mujanovic, Olivera; Brkic, Selmira; Mesic, Dzenita; Mustafic, Sehveta

2013-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a frequency and clinical presentation of hypertension crises due to age, gender, duration and seriousness at Emergency Medical Service Department of the “Dr Mustafa Šehovic” Health Care Center Tuzla. Methods: The research was conducted in the period between November 2009 and April 2010 and involved 180 examinees of both genders, aging between 30 and 80 years of age with the diagnosis of arterial hypertension. The examinees were divided into two groups: control group consisting of examinees without hypertension crisis (95 examinees) and experimental group consisting of examinees with hypertensive crisis (85 examinees). Descriptive statistical methods were used in the statistical data processing. Results: The research results showed that there had been significantly more female examinees than the male ones (60% vs. 40%; p=0.007). The average age of male examinees was 55.83±11.06 years of age, and the average age of female examinees was 59.41±11.97 years of age. The hypertension crisis frequency was 47.22%, where the hypertensive urgencies were statistically significantly more present than the hypertensive emergencies (16.47%vs.83.53%; p<0.0001). The largest number of experimental group examinees (28.23%) belonged to the age group of 60 to 69 years of age; urgency 26.76% and emergency 35.71%. The largest number of examinees with hypertensive crisis (49.41%) appeared in the period between 6.00 p.m. and 11.59 p.m. The largest number of emergency group examinees (69.01%) had been treated for arterial hypertension for ten years, and the examinees from the emergency group (42.86%) had been treated for 10, 11 and 20 years. The average blood pressure value at the hypertensive crisis examinees was 204.82/126.58 mmHg. Conclusions: The frequency of hypertensive crises in the Emergency Medical Service Department is high and it reaches 47.22%. Hypertensive urgencies were significantly more present in terms of statistics than the hypertensive emergencies (83.53% vs. 16.47%; p<0.0001). PMID:25568505

Inversed Vernier effect based single-mode laser emission in coupled microdisks

PubMed Central

Li, Meng; Zhang, Nan; Wang, Kaiyang; Li, Jiankai; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2015-01-01

Recently, on-chip single-mode laser emissions in coupled microdisks have attracted considerable research attention due to their wide applications. While most of single-mode lasers in coupled microdisks or microrings have been qualitatively explained by either Vernier effect or inversed Vernier effect, none of them have been experimentally confirmed. Here, we studied the mechanism of single-mode laser operation in coupled microdisks. We found that the mode numbers had been significantly reduced to nearly single-mode within a large pumping power range from threshold to gain saturation. The detail laser spectra showed that the largest gain and the first lasing peak were mainly generated by one disk and the laser intensity was proportional to the wavelength detuning of two set of modes. The corresponding theoretical analysis showed that the experimental observations were dominated by internal coupling within one cavity, which was similar to the recently explored inversed Vernier effect in two coupled microrings. We believe our finding will be important for understanding the previous experimental findings and the development of on-chip single-mode laser. PMID:26330218

The Utility of a Benign Biliary Stricture Protocol in Preventing Symptomatic Recurrence and Surgical Revision.

PubMed

Kirkpatrick, Daniel L; Hasham, Hasnain; Collins, Zachary; Johnson, Philip; Lemons, Steven; Shahzada, Hassan; Hunt, Suzanne L; Walter, Carissa; Hill, Jacqueline; Fahrbach, Thomas

2018-05-01

To determine whether treating benign biliary strictures via a stricture protocol reduced the probability of developing symptomatic recurrence and requiring surgical revision compared to nonprotocol treatment. A stricture protocol was designed to include serial upsizing of internal/external biliary drainage catheters to a target maximum dilation of 18-French, optional cholangioplasty at each upsizing, and maintenance of the largest catheter for at least 6 months. Patients were included in this retrospective analysis if they underwent biliary ductal dilation at a single institution from 2005 to 2016. Forty-two patients were included, 25 women and 17 men, with an average age of 51.9 years (standard deviation ± 14.6). Logistic regression models were used to determine the probability of symptomatic recurrence and surgical revision by stricture treatment type. Twenty-two patients received nonprotocol treatment, while 20 received treatment on a stricture protocol. After treatment, 7 (32%) patients in the nonprotocol group experienced clinical or laboratory recurrence of a benign stricture, whereas only 1 patient in the stricture protocol group experienced symptom recurrence. Patients in the protocol group were 8.9 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-175.3) more likely to remain symptom free than patients in the nonprotocol group. Moreover, patients in the protocol group had an estimated 89% reduction in the probability of undergoing surgical revision compared to patients receiving nonprotocol treatment (odds ratio = .11, 95% CI = .01-.73). Establishing a stricture protocol may decrease the risk of stricture recurrence and the need for surgical revision when compared to a nonprotocol treatment approach. Copyright © 2017 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of spinal deformity in children with Chiari I malformation with and without syringomyelia: matched cohort study.

PubMed

Godzik, J; Dardas, A; Kelly, M P; Holekamp, T F; Lenke, L G; Smyth, M D; Park, T S; Leonard, J R; Limbrick, D D

2016-02-01

To describe curve patterns in patients with Chiari malformation I (CIM) without syringomyelia, and compare to patients with Chiari malformation with syringomyelia (CIM + SM). Review of medical records from 2000 to 2013 at a single institution was performed to identify CIM patients with scoliosis. Patients with CIM were matched (1:1) by age and gender to CIM + SM. Radiographic curve patterns, MRI-based craniovertebral junction parameters, and associated neurological signs were compared between the two cohorts. Eighteen patients with CIM-associated scoliosis in the absence of syringomyelia were identified; 14 (78 %) were female, with mean age of 11.5 ± 4.5 years. Mean tonsillar descent was 9.9 ± 4.1 mm in the CIM group and 9.1 ± 3.0 mm in the CIM + SM group (p = 0.57). Average syrinx diameter in the CIM + SM group was 9.0 ± 2.7 mm. CIM patients demonstrated less severe scoliotic curves (32.1° vs. 46.1°, p = 0.04), despite comparable thoracic kyphosis (43.7° vs. 49.6°, p = 0.85). Two (11 %) patients with CIM demonstrated thoracic apex left deformities compared to 9/18 (50 %) in the CIM + SM cohort (p = 0.01). Neurological abnormalities were only observed in the group with syringomyelia (6/18, or 33 %; p = 0.007). In the largest series specifically evaluating CIM and scoliosis, we found that these patients appear to present with fewer atypical curve features, with less severe scoliotic curves, fewer apex left curves, and fewer related neurological abnormalities than CIM + SM. Notably, equivalent thoracic kyphosis was observed in both groups. Future studies are needed to better understand pathogenesis of spinal deformity in CIM with and without SM.

A SNP based high-density linkage map of Apis cerana reveals a high recombination rate similar to Apis mellifera.

PubMed

Shi, Yuan Yuan; Sun, Liang Xian; Huang, Zachary Y; Wu, Xiao Bo; Zhu, Yong Qiang; Zheng, Hua Jun; Zeng, Zhi Jiang

2013-01-01

The Eastern honey bee, Apis cerana Fabricius, is distributed in southern and eastern Asia, from India and China to Korea and Japan and southeast to the Moluccas. This species is also widely kept for honey production besides Apis mellifera. Apis cerana is also a model organism for studying social behavior, caste determination, mating biology, sexual selection, and host-parasite interactions. Few resources are available for molecular research in this species, and a linkage map was never constructed. A linkage map is a prerequisite for quantitative trait loci mapping and for analyzing genome structure. We used the Chinese honey bee, Apis cerana cerana to construct the first linkage map in the Eastern honey bee. F2 workers (N = 103) were genotyped for 126,990 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After filtering low quality and those not passing the Mendel test, we obtained 3,000 SNPs, 1,535 of these were informative and used to construct a linkage map. The preliminary map contains 19 linkage groups, we then mapped the 19 linkage groups to 16 chromosomes by comparing the markers to the genome of A. mellfiera. The final map contains 16 linkage groups with a total of 1,535 markers. The total genetic distance is 3,942.7 centimorgans (cM) with the largest linkage group (180 loci) measuring 574.5 cM. Average marker interval for all markers across the 16 linkage groups is 2.6 cM. We constructed a high density linkage map for A. c. cerana with 1,535 markers. Because the map is based on SNP markers, it will enable easier and faster genotyping assays than randomly amplified polymorphic DNA or microsatellite based maps used in A. mellifera.

Atomic Data on Inelastic Processes in Calcium–Hydrogen Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belyaev, A. K.; Voronov, Y. V.; Yakovleva, S. A.; Mitrushchenkov, A.; Guitou, M.; Feautrier, N.

2017-12-01

Inelastic cross sections and rate coefficients in Ca + H and Ca+ + H‑ collisions for all transitions between the 17 lowest covalent states plus one ionic molecular state are calculated based on the most recent ab initio adiabatic potentials for the 11 lowest molecular states, as well as on the model asymptotic potentials for higher-lying states, including the ground ionic molecular state. Nuclear dynamics is treated by the probability-current method and the multichannel formulas for the collision energy range 0.01–100 eV. The rates are computed for mutual neutralization, ion-pair formation, and (de-)excitation processes for the temperature range T = 1000–10,000 K. The calculations single out the partial processes with large and moderate rate coefficients. The largest rates correspond to the mutual neutralization into the {Ca}(4s5s{}3S), {Ca}(4s5p{}3P^\\circ ), {Ca}(4s5s{}1S), and {Ca}(4s5p{}{1}P^\\circ ) final states; at T = 6000 K the largest value is 5.50 × 10‑8 cm3 s‑1 for {Ca}(4s5s{}3S). Among the (de-)excitation processes, the largest rate coefficient corresponds to the {Ca}(4s5s{}1S)\\to {Ca}(4s5s{}3S) transition; at T = 6000 K, the largest rate has the value of 8.46 × 10‑9 cm3 s‑1.

Japanese suppliers in transition from domestic nuclear reactor vendors to international suppliers

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

Forsberg, C.W.; Reich, W.J.; Rowan, W.J.

1994-06-27

Japan is emerging as a major leader and exporter of nuclear power technology. In the 1990s, Japan has the largest and strongest nuclear power supply industry worldwide as a result of the largest domestic nuclear power plant construction program. The Japanese nuclear power supply industry has moved from dependence on foreign technology to developing, design, building, and operating its own power plants. This report describes the Japanese nuclear power supply industry and examines one supplier--the Mitsubishi group--to develop an understanding of the supply industry and its relationship to the utilities, government, and other organizations.

Predation by fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) on Pacific salmon eggs in the Salmon River, New York

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, J. H.; Nack, C.C.; Chalupnicki, M.A.

2009-01-01

Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) are the largest native cyprinid in the northeastern United States and are the most abundant native species in the Salmon River, New York. The Salmon River is a high-quality spawning and nursery river for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) migrating from Lake Ontario. Because of the large number of Pacific salmon spawning in the river in the fall extensive redd superimposition occurs resulting in salmonid eggs being available on the substrate. We examined the fall diet of 647 fallfish in 2007 and 2008 to determine the extent of predation on Pacific salmon eggs. The contribution of eggs in the diet significantly increased once fallfish attained a size of 100 mm total length. The largest size category of fallfish examined (≥150 mm) had the highest proportion (86.1%) of salmon eggs in their diet. The contribution of Zooplankton and chironomids in the diet of fallfish decreased with fish size. Except for the two largest groups of fallfish examined (i.e., 100–149 mm and ≥150 mm) diet overlap among size groups was low. The high contribution in the diet during the fall and high caloric value of Pacific salmon eggs could increase growth and survival of this species in the Salmon River.

Small diameter symmetric networks from linear groups

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Lowell; Carlsson, Gunnar E.; Dinneen, Michael J.; Faber, Vance; Fellows, Michael R.; Langston, Michael A.; Moore, James W.; Multihaupt, Andrew P.; Sexton, Harlan B.

1992-01-01

In this note is reported a collection of constructions of symmetric networks that provide the largest known values for the number of nodes that can be placed in a network of a given degree and diameter. Some of the constructions are in the range of current potential engineering significance. The constructions are Cayley graphs of linear groups obtained by experimental computation.

Effects of a Dialogue-Based Program to Improve Emotion Knowledge in Spanish Roma Preschoolers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giménez-Dasí, Marta; Quintanilla, Laura; Ojeda, Vanesa; Lucas-Molina, Beatriz

2017-01-01

Romas are one of the largest minority groups in Spain and Europe, but no specific data on children's socioemotional learning are available. Our goal was to determine the level of socioemotional knowledge of a group of 4- and 5-year-old Roma children and to implement an intervention program at school. Forty-three Roma children participated…

Motivation of Latina/o Students in Algebra I: Intertwining Research and Reflections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruiz, Elsa Cantu

2011-01-01

Latinas/os, the largest and fastest growing minority ethnic group in the United States (impels research that focuses on the education of Latinas/os and the need to reduce the achievement gap that persists between Latinas/os and other groups. Such research has gained in popularity; however, it is still very limited. I use my teaching experience…

Chinese Immigrant Students in the California Classroom. New Faces of Liberty Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Sau-Ling Cynthia

The largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, as well as the group with the longest immigration history, is the Chinese. The presence of Chinese immigrants is felt strongly in California, the state where nearly 40 percent of the nation's Chinese have chosen to live. The history of Chinese immigration is traced to help understand…

Exposing K-12 Filipino Achievement Gaps and Opportunities in Hawaii Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halagao, Patricia Espiritu

2016-01-01

As a multicultural teacher educator, the author is always interested in teachers' perceptions of who their students are and where they come from. The purpose of this study is to examine the academic experiences of one of the largest ethnic groups in Hawai'i's public school system: Filipinos. Filipinos have long been an under-examined group in…

Comparing Indirect Effects in Different Groups in Single-Group and Multi-Group Structural Equation Models

PubMed Central

Ryu, Ehri; Cheong, Jeewon

2017-01-01

In this article, we evaluated the performance of statistical methods in single-group and multi-group analysis approaches for testing group difference in indirect effects and for testing simple indirect effects in each group. We also investigated whether the performance of the methods in the single-group approach was affected when the assumption of equal variance was not satisfied. The assumption was critical for the performance of the two methods in the single-group analysis: the method using a product term for testing the group difference in a single path coefficient, and the Wald test for testing the group difference in the indirect effect. Bootstrap confidence intervals in the single-group approach and all methods in the multi-group approach were not affected by the violation of the assumption. We compared the performance of the methods and provided recommendations. PMID:28553248

V-V compact group of galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahcall, N.

1984-01-01

A search for X-ray emission from five compact groups of galaxies with the Einstein Observatory revealed detections from three groups. Soft, extended X-ray emission was observed in Stephan's Quintet which is most likely caused by hot intracluster gas. This provides evidence for dynamical interaction among the group galaxies. X-ray emission from the group Arp 330 may also originate in hot intracluster gas. Stephan's Quintet and Arp 330 have the largest velocity dispersions among the groups studied suggesting a correlation between high velocity and the release (or properties) of hot gas. X-ray emission from Arp 318 may originate in its member galaxies.

New Methodologies for Generation of Multigroup Cross Sections for Shielding Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arzu Alpan, F.; Haghighat, Alireza

2003-06-01

Coupled neutron and gamma multigroup (broad-group) libraries used for Light Water Reactor shielding and dosimetry commonly include 47-neutron and 20-gamma groups. These libraries are derived from the 199-neutron, 42-gamma fine-group VITAMIN-B6 library. In this paper, we introduce modifications to the generation procedure of the broad-group libraries. Among these modifications, we show that the fine-group structure and collapsing technique have the largest impact. We demonstrate that a more refined fine-group library and the bi-linear adjoint weighting collapsing technique can improve the accuracy of transport calculation results.

A comparative analysis of costs of single and dual rapid HIV and syphilis diagnostics: results from a randomised controlled trial in Colombia.

PubMed

Obure, Carol Dayo; Gaitan-Duarte, Hernando; Losada Saenz, Ricardo; Gonzalez, Lina; Angel-Muller, Edith; Laverty, Maura; Perez, Freddy

2017-11-01

HIV and congenital syphilis are major public health burdens contributing to substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality globally. Although studies have reported on the costs and cost-effectiveness of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for syphilis screening within antenatal care in a number of resource-constrained settings, empirical evidence on country-specific cost and estimates of single RDTs compared with dual RDTs for HIV and syphilis are limited. A cluster randomised controlled study design was used to compare the incremental costs of two testing algorithms: (1) single RDTs for HIV and syphilis and (2) dual RDTs for HIV and syphilis, in 12 health facilities in Bogota and Cali, Colombia. The costs of single HIV and syphilis RDTs and dual HIV and syphilis RDTs were collected from each of the health facilities. The economic costs per woman tested for HIV and syphilis and costs per woman treated for syphilis defined as the total costs required to test and treat one woman for syphilis were estimated. A total of 2214 women were tested in the study facilities. Cost per pregnant woman tested and cost per woman treated for syphilis were US$10.26 and US$607.99, respectively in the single RDT arm. For the dual RDTs, the cost per pregnant woman tested for HIV and syphilis and cost per woman treated for syphilis were US$15.89 and US$1859.26, respectively. Overall costs per woman tested for HIV and syphilis and cost per woman treated for syphilis were lower in Cali compared with Bogota across both intervention arms. Staff costs accounted for the largest proportion of costs while treatment costs comprised <1% of the preventive programme. Findings show lower average costs for single RDTs compared with dual RDTs with costs sensitive to personnel costs and the scale of output at the health facilities. NCT02454816; results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Health, drugs and service use among deprived single men: comparing (subgroups) of single male welfare recipients against employed single men in Amsterdam.

PubMed

Kamann, Tjerk C; de Wit, Matty A S; Cremer, Stephan; Beekman, Aartjan T F

2014-02-20

To aid public health policy in preventing severe social exclusion (like homelessness) and promoting social inclusion (like labour market participation), we aimed to quantify (unmet) health needs of an expectedly vulnerable population on which little was known about: single male welfare recipients (SIM-welfare). One of the main policy questions was: is there need to promote access to healthcare for this specific group? A cross-sectional study incorporating peer-to-peer methodology to approach and survey SIM-welfare. Sociodemographics, prevalence of ill health, harmful drug use and healthcare utilisation for subgroups of SIM-welfare assessed with a different distance to the labour market and exposed to different reintegration policy were described and compared against single employed men (SIM-work). Men between the age of 23 and 64, living in single person households in Amsterdam. A random and representative sample of 472 SIM-welfare was surveyed during 2009-2010. A reference sample of 212 SIM-work was taken from the 2008 Amsterdam Health Survey. Standardised instruments were used to assess self-reported ill somatic and mental health, harmful drug use and service use. SIM-welfare are mostly long-term jobless, low educated, older men; 70% are excluded from re-employment policy due to multiple personal barriers. Health: 50% anxiety and depression; 47% harmful drug use; 41% multiple somatic illnesses. Health differences compared with SIM-work: (1) controlled for background characteristics, SIM-welfare report more mental (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.1 to 4.7) and somatic illnesses (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.7 to 6.0); (2) SIM-welfare assessed with the largest distance to the labour market report most combined health problems. Controlled for ill health, SIM-welfare are more likely to have service contacts than SIM-work. SIM-welfare form a selection of men with disadvantaged human capital and health. Findings do not support a need to improve access to healthcare. The stratification of welfare clients distinguishes between health needs.

Health, drugs and service use among deprived single men: comparing (subgroups) of single male welfare recipients against employed single men in Amsterdam

PubMed Central

Kamann, Tjerk C; de Wit, Matty A S; Cremer, Stephan; Beekman, Aartjan T F

2014-01-01

Objectives To aid public health policy in preventing severe social exclusion (like homelessness) and promoting social inclusion (like labour market participation), we aimed to quantify (unmet) health needs of an expectedly vulnerable population on which little was known about: single male welfare recipients (SIM-welfare). One of the main policy questions was: is there need to promote access to healthcare for this specific group? Design A cross-sectional study incorporating peer-to-peer methodology to approach and survey SIM-welfare. Sociodemographics, prevalence of ill health, harmful drug use and healthcare utilisation for subgroups of SIM-welfare assessed with a different distance to the labour market and exposed to different reintegration policy were described and compared against single employed men (SIM-work). Setting Men between the age of 23 and 64, living in single person households in Amsterdam. Participants A random and representative sample of 472 SIM-welfare was surveyed during 2009–2010. A reference sample of 212 SIM-work was taken from the 2008 Amsterdam Health Survey. Outcome measures Standardised instruments were used to assess self-reported ill somatic and mental health, harmful drug use and service use. Results SIM-welfare are mostly long-term jobless, low educated, older men; 70% are excluded from re-employment policy due to multiple personal barriers. Health: 50% anxiety and depression; 47% harmful drug use; 41% multiple somatic illnesses. Health differences compared with SIM-work: (1) controlled for background characteristics, SIM-welfare report more mental (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.1 to 4.7) and somatic illnesses (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.7 to 6.0); (2) SIM-welfare assessed with the largest distance to the labour market report most combined health problems. Controlled for ill health, SIM-welfare are more likely to have service contacts than SIM-work. Conclusions SIM-welfare form a selection of men with disadvantaged human capital and health. Findings do not support a need to improve access to healthcare. The stratification of welfare clients distinguishes between health needs. PMID:24556242

What are the major drivers of prevalent disability burden in young Australians?

PubMed

Mathews, Rebecca R S; Hall, Wayne D; Vos, Theo; Patton, George C; Degenhardt, Louisa

2011-03-07

To examine age and sex differences in the leading causes of prevalent disability in young Australians. We analysed data from the 2003 Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study, which estimated the prevalent disability burden attributable to 170 diseases and injuries, for younger adolescents (10-14 years), older adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years). The broad categories of disease and injury that are the main contributors to prevalent disability and the 10 leading disease and injury causes of prevalent disability, according to sex and age group. Total prevalent disability rates are lowest in younger adolescents and highest in young adults. Mental disorders are the largest "contributor" to disability in young Australians, and anxiety and depressive disorders are the leading single cause. In young males, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cause similar levels of disability as do anxiety and depression. In young females, eating disorders are the second leading cause of mental disorder disability. Alcohol use disorders and schizophrenia make important contributions to disability in young adult males. Asthma is the most prominent cause of physical disability in all three age groups. There are substantial changes in both the pattern and level of disability burden across the three age groups that we studied. The increase in total prevalent disability that occurs from early adolescence to young adulthood should focus attention on the delivery of accessible and youth friendly health care as well as the effectiveness of transitions from child health services to adult health services.

Frequency Optimization for Enhancement of Surface Defect Classification Using the Eddy Current Technique

PubMed Central

Fan, Mengbao; Wang, Qi; Cao, Binghua; Ye, Bo; Sunny, Ali Imam; Tian, Guiyun

2016-01-01

Eddy current testing is quite a popular non-contact and cost-effective method for nondestructive evaluation of product quality and structural integrity. Excitation frequency is one of the key performance factors for defect characterization. In the literature, there are many interesting papers dealing with wide spectral content and optimal frequency in terms of detection sensitivity. However, research activity on frequency optimization with respect to characterization performances is lacking. In this paper, an investigation into optimum excitation frequency has been conducted to enhance surface defect classification performance. The influences of excitation frequency for a group of defects were revealed in terms of detection sensitivity, contrast between defect features, and classification accuracy using kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) and a support vector machine (SVM). It is observed that probe signals are the most sensitive on the whole for a group of defects when excitation frequency is set near the frequency at which maximum probe signals are retrieved for the largest defect. After the use of KPCA, the margins between the defect features are optimum from the perspective of the SVM, which adopts optimal hyperplanes for structure risk minimization. As a result, the best classification accuracy is obtained. The main contribution is that the influences of excitation frequency on defect characterization are interpreted, and experiment-based procedures are proposed to determine the optimal excitation frequency for a group of defects rather than a single defect with respect to optimal characterization performances. PMID:27164112

Trends in dietary patterns and compliance with World Health Organization recommendations: a cross-country analysis.

PubMed

Mazzocchi, Mario; Brasili, Cristina; Sandri, Elisa

2008-05-01

To investigate time patterns of compliance with nutrient goals recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A single aggregated indicator of distance from the key WHO recommendations for a healthy diet is built using FAOSTAT intake data, bounded between 0 (maximum possible distance from goals) and 1 (perfect adherence). Two hypotheses are tested for different country groupings: (1) whether adherence has improved over time; and (2) whether cross-country disparities in terms of diet healthiness have decreased. One hundred and forty-nine countries, including 26 countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and 115 developing countries (including 43 least developed countries), with yearly data over the period 1961-2002. The Recommendation Compliance Index (RCI) shows significant improvements in adherence to WHO goals for both developing and especially OECD countries. The latter group of countries show the highest levels of the RCI and the largest increase over time, especially between 1981 and 2002. No improvement is detected for least developed countries. A reduction in disparities (convergence of the RCI) is observed only within the OECD grouping. Adherence to healthy eating guidelines depends on economic development. Diets are improving and converging in advanced economies, but developing and especially least developed countries are still far from meeting WHO nutrition goals. This confirms findings on the double burden of malnutrition and suggests that economic drivers are more relevant than socio-cultural factors in determining the healthiness of diets.

Frequency Optimization for Enhancement of Surface Defect Classification Using the Eddy Current Technique.

PubMed

Fan, Mengbao; Wang, Qi; Cao, Binghua; Ye, Bo; Sunny, Ali Imam; Tian, Guiyun

2016-05-07

Eddy current testing is quite a popular non-contact and cost-effective method for nondestructive evaluation of product quality and structural integrity. Excitation frequency is one of the key performance factors for defect characterization. In the literature, there are many interesting papers dealing with wide spectral content and optimal frequency in terms of detection sensitivity. However, research activity on frequency optimization with respect to characterization performances is lacking. In this paper, an investigation into optimum excitation frequency has been conducted to enhance surface defect classification performance. The influences of excitation frequency for a group of defects were revealed in terms of detection sensitivity, contrast between defect features, and classification accuracy using kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) and a support vector machine (SVM). It is observed that probe signals are the most sensitive on the whole for a group of defects when excitation frequency is set near the frequency at which maximum probe signals are retrieved for the largest defect. After the use of KPCA, the margins between the defect features are optimum from the perspective of the SVM, which adopts optimal hyperplanes for structure risk minimization. As a result, the best classification accuracy is obtained. The main contribution is that the influences of excitation frequency on defect characterization are interpreted, and experiment-based procedures are proposed to determine the optimal excitation frequency for a group of defects rather than a single defect with respect to optimal characterization performances.

A Cane Improves Postural Recovery From an Unpracticed Slip During Walking in People With Parkinson Disease

PubMed Central

Saengsirisuwan, Vitoon; Carlson-Kuhta, Patricia; Horak, Fay B.

2012-01-01

Background Little is known about the effects of use of a cane on balance during perturbed gait or whether people with Parkinson disease (PD) benefit from using a cane. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cane use on postural recovery from a slip due to repeated surface perturbations in individuals with PD compared with age- and sex-matched individuals who were healthy. Design This was a prospective study with 2 groups of participants. Methods Fourteen individuals with PD (PD group) and 11 individuals without PD (control group) walked across a platform that translated 15 cm rightward at 30 cm/s during the single-limb support phase of the right foot. Data from 15 trials in 2 conditions (ie, with and without an instrumented cane in the right hand) were collected in random order. Outcome measures included lateral displacement of body center of mass (COM) due to the slip and compensatory step width and length after the perturbation. Results Cane use improved postural recovery from the first untrained slip, characterized by smaller lateral COM displacement, in the PD group but not in the control group. The beneficial effect of cane use, however, occurred only during the first perturbation, and those individuals in the PD group who demonstrated the largest COM displacement without a cane benefited the most from use of a cane. Both PD and control groups gradually decreased lateral COM displacement across slip exposures, but a slower learning rate was evident in the PD group participants, who required 6, rather than 3, trials for adapting balance recovery. Limitations Future studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of repeated slip training in people with PD. Conclusions Use of a cane improved postural recovery from an unpracticed slip in individuals with PD. Balance in people with PD can be improved by training with repeated exposures to perturbations. PMID:22628583

Effect of antenatal education in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures on use of pain relief during labour and of obstetric interventions: results from the randomised NEWBORN trial.

PubMed

Brixval, Carina Sjöberg; Thygesen, Lau Caspar; Axelsen, Solveig Forberg; Gluud, Christian; Winkel, Per; Lindschou, Jane; Weber, Tom; Due, Pernille; Koushede, Vibeke

2016-06-10

To examine the effect of an antenatal education programme in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures. Randomised trial using random-generated web-based 1:1 allocation. The largest birth site in the Capital Region of Denmark, from August 2012 to May 2014. 1766 pregnant women. Inclusion criteria ≥18 years, pregnant with a single child, and able to speak and understand Danish. Women were enrolled in the trial from 10+0 to 20+0 weeks of gestation. The intervention programme consisted of three times 2.5 hours of antenatal education in small classes (n=6-8 women), and focused on improving information and problem-solving skills for expectant parents in order to ease birth and the transition to parenthood. The control group received standard auditorium-based lectures consisting of two times 2 hours in an auditorium with participation of ∼250 people. The primary trial outcome was use of epidural analgesia. Other types of pain relief and obstetric interventions were analysed as explorative outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference in use of epidural analgesia between participants in the intervention group (30.9%) versus the control group (29.1%), adjusted OR 1.10 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.34). Also, the two groups did not differ regarding other types of pain relief or obstetric interventions. Concomitant birth preparation was common in both groups and highest in the control group, but did not seem to influence our results noticeably. Antenatal education in small groups versus standard auditorium-based lectures did not differ regarding use of epidural analgesia, other pain relief, or obstetric interventions. NCT01672437; Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

A cane improves postural recovery from an unpracticed slip during walking in people with Parkinson disease.

PubMed

Boonsinsukh, Rumpa; Saengsirisuwan, Vitoon; Carlson-Kuhta, Patricia; Horak, Fay B

2012-09-01

Little is known about the effects of use of a cane on balance during perturbed gait or whether people with Parkinson disease (PD) benefit from using a cane. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cane use on postural recovery from a slip due to repeated surface perturbations in individuals with PD compared with age- and sex-matched individuals who were healthy. This was a prospective study with 2 groups of participants. Fourteen individuals with PD (PD group) and 11 individuals without PD (control group) walked across a platform that translated 15 cm rightward at 30 cm/s during the single-limb support phase of the right foot. Data from 15 trials in 2 conditions (ie, with and without an instrumented cane in the right hand) were collected in random order. Outcome measures included lateral displacement of body center of mass (COM) due to the slip and compensatory step width and length after the perturbation. Cane use improved postural recovery from the first untrained slip, characterized by smaller lateral COM displacement, in the PD group but not in the control group. The beneficial effect of cane use, however, occurred only during the first perturbation, and those individuals in the PD group who demonstrated the largest COM displacement without a cane benefited the most from use of a cane. Both PD and control groups gradually decreased lateral COM displacement across slip exposures, but a slower learning rate was evident in the PD group participants, who required 6, rather than 3, trials for adapting balance recovery. Future studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of repeated slip training in people with PD. Use of a cane improved postural recovery from an unpracticed slip in individuals with PD. Balance in people with PD can be improved by training with repeated exposures to perturbations.

WISE Spies the Tarantula Nebula

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-07-06

Sending chills down the spine of all arachnophobes is the Tarantula nebula, seen in this image from NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer; the nebula is the largest star-forming region known in our entire Local Group of galaxies.

Urban Data Book : Volume 1. Urban Data - Atlanta-Miami

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-11-01

A quick reference compilation of certain population, socio-economic, employment, and modal split characteristics of the 35 largest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA) in the United States is presented. The three basic groups or urban data ...

The white-margined penstemon (Penstemon albomarginatus Jones), a rare Mohave Desert species, and the Hualapai Mountains land exchange in Mohave County, Arizona

Treesearch

John L. Anderson

2001-01-01

The white-margined penstemon (Penstemon albomarginatus Jones) is a rare Mohave Desert species with an unusual tripartite distribution with disjunct localities in Arizona, California, and Nevada. The Arizona population is the largest single population occurring with a range of 15 miles by 5 miles in Dutch Flat near Yucca, Arizona in Mohave County. The land ownership...

Future Integrated Systems Concept for Preventing Aircraft Loss-of-Control Accidents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belcastro, Christine M.; Jacobson, Steven r.

2010-01-01

Loss of control remains one of the largest contributors to aircraft fatal accidents worldwide. Aircraft loss-of-control accidents are highly complex in that they can result from numerous causal and contributing factors acting alone or (more often) in combination. Hence, there is no single intervention strategy to prevent these accidents. This paper presents future system concepts and research directions for preventing aircraft loss-of-control accidents.

One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket?

Treesearch

Robert Lücking; Mark K. Johnston; Andre Aptroot; Ekaphan Kraichak; James C. Lendemer; Kansri Boonpragob; Marcela E.S. Caceres; Damien Ertz; Lidia Itati Ferraro; Ze Feng Jia; Klaus Kalb; Armin Mangold; Leka Manoch; Joel A. Mercado-Diaz; Bibiana Moncada; Pachara Mongkolsuk; Khwanruan Butsatorn Papong; Sittiporn Parnmen; Rouchi N. Pelaez; Vasun Poengsungnoen; Eimy Rivas Plata; Wanaruk Saipunkaew; Harrie J.M. Sipman; Jutarat Sutjaritturakan; Dries Van Den Broeck; Matt von Konrat; Gothamie Weerakoon; H. Thorsten Lumbsch

2014-01-01

Recent studies of the global diversity of the lichenized fungal family Graphidaceae suggest that there are a large number of species remaining to be discovered. No less than 640 species have been described since 2002, including 175 new species introduced in a collaborative global effort in a single issue in this journal. These findings suggest that the largest family...

Factors influencing changes in U.S. hardwood log and lumber exports from 1990 to 2011. BioResources

Treesearch

William G. Luppold; Matthew S. Bumgardner

2013-01-01

Domestic consumption of hardwood products in the United States since 2000 has trended downward, making exports the single most important market for higher grade hardwood lumber and a major market for higher value hardwood logs. Between 1990 and 2011, hardwood lumber exports increased by 46%. During most of this period, Canada was the largest export market for U.S....

Outlook for U.S. paper and paperboard sector and wood fiber supply in North America

Treesearch

Peter J. Ince

2000-01-01

Consumption of wood fiber in pulp, paper and paperboard increased in the United States over the past century and is projected to increase well into the next century at a decelerating rate of growth. Harvest of pulpwood on forest land is the single largest source of wood fiber, followed by recycled paper and wood residues. In the past decade, wood residues declined in...

2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy (Executive Summary)

DOE PAGES

Langholtz, Matthew; Stokes, Bryce; Eaton, Laurence

2016-10-01

We report that consumption of renewable energy in the United States is the highest in history, contributing to energy security, greenhouse gas reductions, and other social, economic, and environmental benefits. The largest single source of renewable energy is biomass, representing 3.9 quadrillion of 9.6 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2015. Biomass includes agricultural and forestry resources, municipal solid waste (MSW), and algae.

Towards Scalable 1024 Processor Shared Memory Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ciotti, Robert B.; Thigpen, William W. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Over the past 3 years, NASA Ames has been involved in a cooperative effort with SGI to develop the largest single system image systems available. Currently a 1024 Origin3OOO is under development, with first boot expected later in the summer of 2001. This paper discusses some early results with a 512p Origin3OOO system and some arcane IRIX system calls that can dramatically improve scaling performance.

Impact of SCBA size and fatigue from different firefighting work cycles on firefighter gait.

PubMed

Kesler, Richard M; Bradley, Faith F; Deetjen, Grace S; Angelini, Michael J; Petrucci, Matthew N; Rosengren, Karl S; Horn, Gavin P; Hsiao-Wecksler, Elizabeth T

2018-04-04

Risk of slips, trips and falls in firefighters maybe influenced by the firefighter's equipment and duration of firefighting. This study examined the impact of a four self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) three SCBA of increasing size and a prototype design and three work cycles one bout (1B), two bouts with a five-minute break (2B) and two bouts back-to-back (BB) on gait in 30 firefighters. Five gait parameters (double support time, single support time, stride length, step width and stride velocity) were examined pre- and post-firefighting activity. The two largest SCBA resulted in longer double support times relative to the smallest SCBA. Multiple bouts of firefighting activity resulted in increased single and double support time and decreased stride length, step width and stride velocity. These results suggest that with larger SCBA or longer durations of activity, firefighters may adopt more conservative gait patterns to minimise fall risk. Practitioner Summary: The effects of four self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and three work cycles on five gait parameters were examined pre- and post-firefighting activity. Both SCBA size and work cycle affected gait. The two largest SCBA resulted in longer double support times. Multiple bouts of activity resulted in more conservative gait patterns.

Ethiopian highlands as a cradle of the African fossorial root-rats (genus Tachyoryctes), the genetic evidence.

PubMed

Šumbera, Radim; Krásová, Jarmila; Lavrenchenko, Leonid A; Mengistu, Sewnet; Bekele, Afework; Mikula, Ondřej; Bryja, Josef

2018-09-01

Root-rats of the genus Tachyoryctes (Spalacidae) are subterranean herbivores occupying open humid habitats in the highlands of Eastern Africa. There is strong disagreement about species diversity of the genus, because some authors accept two species, while others more than ten. Species with relatively high surface activity, the giant root-rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, which is by far largest member of the genus, and the more fossorial African root-rat Tachyoryctes splendens, which eventually has been divided up to 12-13 species, represent two major morphological forms within the genus. In our study, we carried out a multilocus analysis of root-rats' genetic diversity based on samples from 41 localities representing most of Tachyoryctes geographic distribution. Using two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes, we found six main genetic clades possibly representing separate species. These clades were organised into three basal groups whose branching is not well resolved, probably due to fast radiation in the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene. Climatic changes in that time, i.e. fast and repeated changes between extremely dry and humid conditions, which both limited root-rat dispersal, probably stimulated their initial genetic diversification. Contrary to expectation based on the largest root-rat diversity in Kenya (up to eight species by some authors), we found the highest diversity in the Ethiopian highlands, because all but one putative species occur there. All individuals outside of Ethiopia belong to a single recently diverged and expanded clade. This species should bear the name T. annectens (Thomas, 1891), and all other names of taxa described from outside of Ethiopia should be considered its junior synonyms. However, to solve taxonomic issues, future detailed morphological analyses should be conducted on all main clades together with genetic analysis of material from areas of their supposed contact. One of the most interesting findings of the study is the internal position of T. macrocephalus in T. splendens sensu lato. This demonstrates the intriguing phenomenon of accelerated morphological evolution of rodents occupying the Afroalpine zone in Ethiopia. Finally, we discuss how the distribution of Tachyoryctes is influenced by competition with another group of subterranean herbivores on the continent, the African mole-rats. We assume that both groups do not compete directly as previously expected, but specialisation to different subterranean niches is the main factor responsible for their spatial segregation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation of the Deccan and Rajahmundry Trap lavas: Are these the longest and largest lava flows on Earth?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Self, S.; Jay, A. E.; Widdowson, M.; Keszthelyi, L. P.

2008-05-01

We propose that the Rajahmundry Trap lavas, found near the east coast of peninsular India , are remnants of the longest lava flows yet recognized on Earth (˜ 1000 km long). These outlying Deccan-like lavas are shown to belong to the main Deccan Traps. Several previous studies have already suggested this correlation, but have not demonstrated it categorically. The exposed Rajahmundry lavas are interpreted to be the distal parts of two very-large-volume pāhoehoe flow fields, one each from the Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formations of the Wai Sub-group in the Deccan Basalt Group. Eruptive conditions required to emplace such long flows are met by plausible values for cooling and eruption rates, and this is shown by applying a model for the formation of inflated pāhoehoe sheet flow lobes. The model predicts flow lobe thicknesses similar to those observed in the Rajahmundry lavas. For the last 400 km of flow, the lava flows were confined to the pre-existing Krishna valley drainage system that existed in the basement beyond the edge of the gradually expanding Deccan lava field, allowing the flows to extend across the subcontinent to the eastern margin where they were emplaced into a littoral and/or shallow marine environment. These lavas and other individual flow fields in the Wai Sub-group may exceed eruptive volumes of 5000 km 3, which would place them amongst the largest magnitude effusive eruptive units yet known. We suggest that the length of flood basalt lava flows on Earth is restricted mainly by the size of land masses and topography. In the case of the Rajahmundry lavas, the flows reached estuaries and the sea, where their advance was perhaps effectively terminated by cooling and/or disruption. However, it is only during large igneous province basaltic volcanism that such huge volumes of lava are erupted in single events, and when the magma supply rate is sufficiently high and maintained to allow the formation of very long lava flows. The Rajahmundry lava fields were emplaced around 65 Ma during the later times of Deccan volcanism, probably just after the K/T environmental crisis. However, many lava-forming eruptions of similar magnitude and style straddled the K/T boundary.

Correlation of the Deccan and Rajahmundry Trap lavas: Are these the longest and largest lava flows on Earth?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Self, S.; Jay, A.E.; Widdowson, M.; Keszthelyi, L.P.

2008-01-01

We propose that the Rajahmundry Trap lavas, found near the east coast of peninsular India, are remnants of the longest lava flows yet recognized on Earth (??? 1000??km long). These outlying Deccan-like lavas are shown to belong to the main Deccan Traps. Several previous studies have already suggested this correlation, but have not demonstrated it categorically. The exposed Rajahmundry lavas are interpreted to be the distal parts of two very-large-volume pa??hoehoe flow fields, one each from the Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formations of the Wai Sub-group in the Deccan Basalt Group. Eruptive conditions required to emplace such long flows are met by plausible values for cooling and eruption rates, and this is shown by applying a model for the formation of inflated pa??hoehoe sheet flow lobes. The model predicts flow lobe thicknesses similar to those observed in the Rajahmundry lavas. For the last 400??km of flow, the lava flows were confined to the pre-existing Krishna valley drainage system that existed in the basement beyond the edge of the gradually expanding Deccan lava field, allowing the flows to extend across the subcontinent to the eastern margin where they were emplaced into a littoral and/or shallow marine environment. These lavas and other individual flow fields in the Wai Sub-group may exceed eruptive volumes of 5000??km3, which would place them amongst the largest magnitude effusive eruptive units yet known. We suggest that the length of flood basalt lava flows on Earth is restricted mainly by the size of land masses and topography. In the case of the Rajahmundry lavas, the flows reached estuaries and the sea, where their advance was perhaps effectively terminated by cooling and/or disruption. However, it is only during large igneous province basaltic volcanism that such huge volumes of lava are erupted in single events, and when the magma supply rate is sufficiently high and maintained to allow the formation of very long lava flows. The Rajahmundry lava fields were emplaced around 65??Ma during the later times of Deccan volcanism, probably just after the K/T environmental crisis. However, many lava-forming eruptions of similar magnitude and style straddled the K/T boundary. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development and evaluation of culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions for under-served people in primary care.

PubMed

Lovell, Karina; Lamb, Jonathan; Gask, Linda; Bower, Pete; Waheed, Waquas; Chew-Graham, Carolyn; Lamb, Jon; Aseem, Saadia; Beatty, Susan; Burroughs, Heather; Clarke, Pam; Dowrick, Anna; Edwards, Suzanne; Gabbay, Mark; Lloyd-Williams, Mari; Dowrick, Chris

2014-08-01

Psychological therapy is effective for symptoms of mental distress, but many groups with high levels of mental distress face significant barriers in terms of access to care, as current interventions may not be sensitive to their needs or their understanding of mental health. There is a need to develop forms of psychological therapy that are acceptable to these groups, feasible to deliver in routine settings, and clinically and cost effective. We developed a culturally sensitive wellbeing intervention with individual, group and sign-posting elements, and tested its feasibility and acceptability for patients from ethnic minorities and older people in an exploratory randomised trial. We recruited 57 patients (57% of our target) from 4 disadvantaged localities in the NW of England. The results of the exploratory trial suggest that the group receiving the wellbeing interventions improved compared to the group receiving usual care. For elders, the largest effects were on CORE-OM and PHQ-9. For ethnic minority patients, the largest effect was on PHQ-9. Qualitative data suggested that patients found the intervention acceptable, both in terms of content and delivery. This exploratory trial provides some evidence of the efficacy and acceptability of a wellbeing intervention for older and ethnic minority groups experiencing anxiety and depression, although challenges in recruitment and engagement remain. Evidence from our exploratory study of wellbeing interventions should inform new substantive trial designs. Current controlled trials ISRCTN68572159.

Effects of Visceral Fat Accumulation Awareness on a Web-Based Weight-Loss Program: Japanese Study of Visceral Adiposity and Lifestyle Information-Utilization and Evaluation (J-VALUE).

PubMed

Sakane, Naoki; Dohi, Seitaro; Sakata, Koichi; Hagiwara, Shin-Ichi; Morimoto, Toshihisa; Uchida, Takanobu; Katashima, Mitsuhiro; Yanagisawa, Yoshiko; Yasumasu, Takeshi; Study Group, J-Value

2013-01-01

A reduction of visceral fat is important for improvement of metabolic risk. This study was designed to compare the effects of a web-based program alone or together with measurement and self-awareness of accumulated visceral fat in Japanese workers. A new noninvasive device to measure visceral fat accumulation was introduced, and efficacy on weight-loss and improvement of healthy behaviors were examined. This study was conducted according to Helsinki declaration and approved by the ethical committee of Japan Hospital Organization, National Kyoto Hospital. Two-hundred and sixteen overweight and obese males with BMI of more than 23 participated from 8 healthcare offices of 3 Japanese private companies. Subjects were randomly allocated into control group, Web-based weight-loss program (Web), or Web + Visceral fat measurement group (Web + VFA). Eighty-one percent of participants completed the study. Reductions of body weight, waist circumference, and BMI were the largest in Web + VFA group, and the differences between groups were significant by ANOVA. Improvements of healthy behaviors were the largest in Web + VFA group, and the differences of healthy eating improvement scores between Web + VFA and control groups were significant. Our findings suggest that measurement and awareness of visceral fat are effective in weight reduction in overweight and obese males in the workplace.

Identifying the structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Sanghyun; Choi, Jaewon; Lim, Gyuchang; Cha, Kil Young; Kim, Sooyong; Kim, Kyungsik

2011-06-01

We investigate the structure of the cross-correlation in the Korean stock market. We analyze daily cross-correlations between price fluctuations of 586 different Korean stock entities for the 6-year time period from 2003 to 2008. The main purpose is to investigate the structure of group correlation and its stability by undressing the market-wide effect using the Markowitz multi-factor model and the network-based approach. We find the explicit list of significant firms in the few largest eigenvectors from the undressed correlation matrix. We also observe that each contributor is involved in the same business sectors. The structure of group correlation can not remain constant during each 1-year time period with different starting points, whereas only two largest eigenvectors are stable for 6 years 8-9 eigenvectors remain stable for half-year. The structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market is disturbed during a sufficiently short time period even though the group correlation exists as an ensemble for the 6-year time period in the evolution of the system. We verify the structure of group correlation by applying a network-based approach. In addition, we examine relations between market capitalization and businesses. The Korean stock market shows a different behavior compared to mature markets, implying that the KOSPI is a target for short-positioned investors.

Final state interactions in single- and multiparticle inclusive cross sections for hadronic collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitov, Alexander; Sterman, George

2012-12-01

We study the role of low momentum transfer (soft) interactions between high transverse momentum heavy particles and beam remnants (spectators) in hadronic collisions. Such final state interactions are power suppressed for single-particle inclusive cross sections whenever that particle is accompanied by a recoiling high-pT partner whose momentum is not fixed. An example is the single-top inclusive cross section in top-pair production. Final state soft interactions in multiparticle inclusive cross sections, including transverse momentum distributions, however, produce leading-power corrections in the absence of hard recoiling radiation. Nonperturbative corrections due to scattering from spectators are generically suppressed by powers of Λ/pT', where Λ is a hadronic scale and pT' is the largest transverse momentum of radiation recoiling against the particles whose momenta are observed.

Single-event effects in avionics

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

Normand, E.

1996-04-01

The occurrence of single-event upset (SEU) in aircraft electronics has evolved from a series of interesting anecdotal incidents to accepted fact. A study completed in 1992 demonstrated that SEU`s are real, that the measured in-flight rates correlate with the atmospheric neutron flux, and that the rates can be calculated using laboratory SEU data. Once avionics DEU was shown to be an actual effect, it had to be dealt with in avionics designs. The major concern is in random access memories (RAM`s), both static (SRAM`s) and dynamic (DRAM`s), because these microelectronic devices contain the largest number of bits, but other parts,more » such as microprocessors, are also potentially susceptible to upset. In addition, other single-event effects (SEE`s), specifically latch-up and burnout, can also be induced by atmospheric neutrons.« less

Materials process and applications of single grain (RE)-Ba-Cu-O bulk high-temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Beizhan; Zhou, Difan; Xu, Kun; Hara, Shogo; Tsuzuki, Keita; Miki, Motohiro; Felder, Brice; Deng, Zigang; Izumi, Mitsuru

2012-11-01

This paper reviews recent advances in the melt process of (RE)-Ba-Cu-O [(RE)BCO, where RE represents a rare earth element] single grain high-temperature superconductors (HTSs), bulks and its applications. The efforts on the improvement of the magnetic flux pinning with employing the top-seeded melt-growth process technique and using a seeded infiltration and growth process are discussed. Which including various chemical doping strategies and controlled pushing effect based on the peritectic reaction of (RE)BCO. The typical experiment results, such as the largest single domain bulk, the clear TEM observations and the significant critical current density, are summarized together with the magnetization techniques. Finally, we highlight the recent prominent progress of HTS bulk applications, including Maglev, flywheel, power device, magnetic drug delivery system and magnetic resonance devices.

Unique Features of Fish Immune Repertoires: Particularities of Adaptive Immunity Within the Largest Group of Vertebrates

PubMed Central

Sunyer, Oriol J.

2016-01-01

Fishes (i.e., teleost fishes) are the largest group of vertebrates. Although their immune system is based on the fundamental receptors, pathways, and cell types found in all groups of vertebrates, fishes show a diversity of particular features that challenge some classical concepts of immunology. In this chapter, we discuss the particularities of fish immune repertoires from a comparative perspective. We examine how allelic exclusion can be achieved when multiple Ig loci are present, how isotypic diversity and functional specificity impact clonal complexity, how loss of the MHC class II molecules affects the cooperation between T and B cells, and how deep sequencing technologies bring new insights about somatic hypermutation in the absence of germinal centers. The unique coexistence of two distinct B-cell lineages respectively specialized in systemic and mucosal responses is also discussed. Finally, we try to show that the diverse adaptations of immune repertoires in teleosts can help in understanding how somatic adaptive mechanisms of immunity evolved in parallel in different lineages across vertebrates. PMID:26537384

Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as a universal DNA barcode marker for Fungi

PubMed Central

Schoch, Conrad L.; Seifert, Keith A.; Huhndorf, Sabine; Robert, Vincent; Spouge, John L.; Levesque, C. André; Chen, Wen; Bolchacova, Elena; Voigt, Kerstin; Crous, Pedro W.; Miller, Andrew N.; Wingfield, Michael J.; Aime, M. Catherine; An, Kwang-Deuk; Bai, Feng-Yan; Barreto, Robert W.; Begerow, Dominik; Bergeron, Marie-Josée; Blackwell, Meredith; Boekhout, Teun; Bogale, Mesfin; Boonyuen, Nattawut; Burgaz, Ana R.; Buyck, Bart; Cai, Lei; Cai, Qing; Cardinali, G.; Chaverri, Priscila; Coppins, Brian J.; Crespo, Ana; Cubas, Paloma; Cummings, Craig; Damm, Ulrike; de Beer, Z. Wilhelm; de Hoog, G. Sybren; Del-Prado, Ruth; Dentinger, Bryn; Diéguez-Uribeondo, Javier; Divakar, Pradeep K.; Douglas, Brian; Dueñas, Margarita; Duong, Tuan A.; Eberhardt, Ursula; Edwards, Joan E.; Elshahed, Mostafa S.; Fliegerova, Katerina; Furtado, Manohar; García, Miguel A.; Ge, Zai-Wei; Griffith, Gareth W.; Griffiths, K.; Groenewald, Johannes Z.; Groenewald, Marizeth; Grube, Martin; Gryzenhout, Marieka; Guo, Liang-Dong; Hagen, Ferry; Hambleton, Sarah; Hamelin, Richard C.; Hansen, Karen; Harrold, Paul; Heller, Gregory; Herrera, Cesar; Hirayama, Kazuyuki; Hirooka, Yuuri; Ho, Hsiao-Man; Hoffmann, Kerstin; Hofstetter, Valérie; Högnabba, Filip; Hollingsworth, Peter M.; Hong, Seung-Beom; Hosaka, Kentaro; Houbraken, Jos; Hughes, Karen; Huhtinen, Seppo; Hyde, Kevin D.; James, Timothy; Johnson, Eric M.; Johnson, Joan E.; Johnston, Peter R.; Jones, E.B. Gareth; Kelly, Laura J.; Kirk, Paul M.; Knapp, Dániel G.; Kõljalg, Urmas; Kovács, Gábor M.; Kurtzman, Cletus P.; Landvik, Sara; Leavitt, Steven D.; Liggenstoffer, Audra S.; Liimatainen, Kare; Lombard, Lorenzo; Luangsa-ard, J. Jennifer; Lumbsch, H. Thorsten; Maganti, Harinad; Maharachchikumbura, Sajeewa S. N.; Martin, María P.; May, Tom W.; McTaggart, Alistair R.; Methven, Andrew S.; Meyer, Wieland; Moncalvo, Jean-Marc; Mongkolsamrit, Suchada; Nagy, László G.; Nilsson, R. Henrik; Niskanen, Tuula; Nyilasi, Ildikó; Okada, Gen; Okane, Izumi; Olariaga, Ibai; Otte, Jürgen; Papp, Tamás; Park, Duckchul; Petkovits, Tamás; Pino-Bodas, Raquel; Quaedvlieg, William; Raja, Huzefa A.; Redecker, Dirk; Rintoul, Tara L.; Ruibal, Constantino; Sarmiento-Ramírez, Jullie M.; Schmitt, Imke; Schüßler, Arthur; Shearer, Carol; Sotome, Kozue; Stefani, Franck O.P.; Stenroos, Soili; Stielow, Benjamin; Stockinger, Herbert; Suetrong, Satinee; Suh, Sung-Oui; Sung, Gi-Ho; Suzuki, Motofumi; Tanaka, Kazuaki; Tedersoo, Leho; Telleria, M. Teresa; Tretter, Eric; Untereiner, Wendy A.; Urbina, Hector; Vágvölgyi, Csaba; Vialle, Agathe; Vu, Thuy Duong; Walther, Grit; Wang, Qi-Ming; Wang, Yan; Weir, Bevan S.; Weiß, Michael; White, Merlin M.; Xu, Jianping; Yahr, Rebecca; Yang, Zhu L.; Yurkov, Andrey; Zamora, Juan-Carlos; Zhang, Ning; Zhuang, Wen-Ying; Schindel, David

2012-01-01

Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative protein-coding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding gene regions often had a higher percent of correct identification compared with ribosomal markers, low PCR amplification and sequencing success eliminated them as candidates for a universal fungal barcode. Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation. The nuclear ribosomal large subunit, a popular phylogenetic marker in certain groups, had superior species resolution in some taxonomic groups, such as the early diverging lineages and the ascomycete yeasts, but was otherwise slightly inferior to the ITS. The nuclear ribosomal small subunit has poor species-level resolution in fungi. ITS will be formally proposed for adoption as the primary fungal barcode marker to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, with the possibility that supplementary barcodes may be developed for particular narrowly circumscribed taxonomic groups. PMID:22454494

Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as a universal DNA barcode marker for Fungi.

PubMed

Schoch, Conrad L; Seifert, Keith A; Huhndorf, Sabine; Robert, Vincent; Spouge, John L; Levesque, C André; Chen, Wen

2012-04-17

Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative protein-coding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding gene regions often had a higher percent of correct identification compared with ribosomal markers, low PCR amplification and sequencing success eliminated them as candidates for a universal fungal barcode. Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation. The nuclear ribosomal large subunit, a popular phylogenetic marker in certain groups, had superior species resolution in some taxonomic groups, such as the early diverging lineages and the ascomycete yeasts, but was otherwise slightly inferior to the ITS. The nuclear ribosomal small subunit has poor species-level resolution in fungi. ITS will be formally proposed for adoption as the primary fungal barcode marker to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, with the possibility that supplementary barcodes may be developed for particular narrowly circumscribed taxonomic groups.

Leaning to the Left: Increasing the Donor Pool by Using the Left Lobe, Outcomes of the Largest Single-center North American Experience of Left Lobe Adult-to-adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

PubMed

Halazun, Karim J; Przybyszewski, Eric M; Griesemer, Adam D; Cherqui, Daniel; Michelassi, Fabrizio; Guarrera, James V; Kato, Tomoaki; Brown, Robert S; Emond, Jean C; Samstein, Benjamin

2016-09-01

Centers offering adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) mostly use right lobe grafts due to fears of providing recipients with insufficient hepatic volume, and the technical challenges presented by using left lobe grafts (LLGs). LLGs therefore represent approximately 5% of adult LDLTs performed in the United States. Here we present the largest North American experience with the use of LLG for adult LDLT. Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of LDLTs performed from 1998 to 2015 at our institution. A total of 214 adult LDLTs were studied. Fifty-six patients (26%) received LLG. LLG recipients were more likely to be women, had significantly lower BMI, graft weight, and graft-weight-recipient-weight ratios (P < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in vascular or biliary complication between the groups. No significant differences existed in patient or graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years (P = 0.747 and P = 0.398 respectively). Despite significantly increased risk of small-for-size syndrome in LLG, there was no increased risk of retransplant within 90-days or perioperative mortality in LLG recipients (P = 0.308 and P = 0.932 respectively). Graft type did not predict patient or graft outcomes on regression analysis (P = 0.857 and 0.399 respectively). Despite smaller graft sizes, outcomes of adult LDLT using LLG are comparable to right lobe grafts transplants. Left lobes can provide an important resource in an era of severe organ shortages, and these data should serve to allay the concerns of the transplant community in the United States.

Brominated Flame Retardants

EPA Science Inventory

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) belong to a large class of compounds known as organohalogens. BFRs are currently the largest marketed flame retardant group due to their high performance efficiency and low cost. In the commercial market, more than 75 different BFRs are recogniz...

Shaded relief, color as height, Fiji

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-02-21

The Sovereign Democratic Republic of the Fiji Islands, commonly known as Fiji, is an independent nation consisting of some 332 islands surrounding the Koro Sea in the South Pacific Ocean. This image shows Viti Levu, the largest island in the group.

"Bunched Black Swans" in Complex Geosystems: Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to the Additive and Multiplicative Modelling of Correlated Extreme Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watkins, N. W.; Rypdal, M.; Lovsletten, O.

2012-12-01

For all natural hazards, the question of when the next "extreme event" (c.f. Taleb's "black swans") is expected is of obvious importance. In the environmental sciences users often frame such questions in terms of average "return periods", e.g. "is an X meter rise in the Thames water level a 1-in-Y year event ?". Frequently, however, we also care about the emergence of correlation, and whether the probability of several big events occurring in close succession is truly independent, i.e. are the black swans "bunched". A "big event", or a "burst", defined by its integrated signal above a threshold, might be a single, very large, event, or, instead, could in fact be a correlated series of "smaller" (i.e. less wildly fluctuating) events. Several available stochastic approaches provide quantitative information about such bursts, including Extreme Value Theory (EVT); the theory of records; level sets; sojourn times; and models of space-time "avalanches" of activity in non-equilibrium systems. Some focus more on the probability of single large events. Others are more concerned with extended dwell times above a given spatiotemporal threshold: However, the state of the art is not yet fully integrated, and the above-mentioned approaches differ in fundamental aspects. EVT is perhaps the best known in the geosciences. It is concerned with the distribution obeyed by the extremes of datasets, e.g. the 100 values obtained by considering the largest daily temperature recorded in each of the years of a century. However, the pioneering work from the 1920s on which EVT originally built was based on independent identically distributed samples, and took no account of memory and correlation that characterise many natural hazard time series. Ignoring this would fundamentally limit our ability to forecast; so much subsequent activity has been devoted to extending EVT to encompass dependence. A second group of approaches, by contrast, has notions of time and thus possible non-stationarity explicitly built in. In record breaking statistics, a record is defined in the sense used in everyday language, to be the largest value yet recorded in a time series, for example, the 2004 Sumatran Boxing Day earthquake was at the time the largest to be digitally recorded. The third group of approaches (e.g. avalanches) are explicitly spatiotemporal and so also include spatial structure. This presentation will discuss two examples of our recent work on the burst problem. We will show numerical results extending the preliminary results presented in [Watkins et al, PRE, 2009] using a standard additive model, linear fractional stable motion (LFSM). LFSM explicitly includes both heavy tails and long range dependence, allowing us to study how these 2 effects compete in determining the burst duration and size exponent probability distributions. We will contrast these simulations with new analytical studies of bursts in a multiplicative process, the multifractal random walk (MRW). We will present an analytical derivation for the scaling of the burst durations and make a preliminary comparison with data from the AE index from solar-terrestrial physics. We believe our result is more generally applicable than the MRW model, and that it applies to a broad class of multifractal processes.

Invasive treatment of NSTEMI patients in German Chest Pain Units - Evidence for a treatment paradox.

PubMed

Schmidt, Frank P; Schmitt, Claus; Hochadel, Matthias; Giannitsis, Evangelos; Darius, Harald; Maier, Lars S; Schmitt, Claus; Heusch, Gerd; Voigtländer, Thomas; Mudra, Harald; Gori, Tommaso; Senges, Jochen; Münzel, Thomas

2018-03-15

Patients with non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represent the largest fraction of patients with acute coronary syndrome in German Chest Pain units. Recent evidence on early vs. selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is ambiguous with respect to effects on mortality, myocardial infarction (MI) and recurrent angina. With the present study we sought to investigate the prognostic impact of PCI and its timing in German Chest Pain Unit (CPU) NSTEMI patients. Data from 1549 patients whose leading diagnosis was NSTEMI were retrieved from the German CPU registry for the interval between 3/2010 and 3/2014. Follow-up was available at median of 167days after discharge. The patients were grouped into a higher (Group A) and lower risk group (Group B) according to GRACE score and additional criteria on admission. Group A had higher Killip classes, higher BNP levels, reduced EF and significant more triple vessel disease (p<0.001). Surprisingly, patients in group A less frequently received early diagnostic catheterization and PCI. While conservative management did not affect prognosis in Group B, higher-risk CPU-NSTEMI patients without PCI had a significantly worse survival. The present results reveal a substantial treatment gap in higher-risk NSTEMI patients in German Chest Pain Units. This treatment paradox may worsen prognosis in patients who could derive the largest benefit from early revascularization. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

West Africa Since the Cold War: Implications for U.S. Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

the result of primordial tensions between ethnic groups, but rather “…reactions of pre-colonial societies to the social, economic, cultural and...appearance, or occupation that were subsequently labeled in ethnic terms. This was reinforced by European assumptions of neatly bounded and culturally ...into three administrative regions based on the three largest indigenous ethnic groups; Igbo, Yoruba , and Hausa-Fulani. This partition essentially

Undocumented Latino Parents' Access to Services for Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Narrative Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mora-Lopez, Marie

2016-01-01

An estimated 13 percent of children in the U.S. ages 3-21 have special needs. The Latino population is the largest minority group in the United States, and in this group there is an increasing number of Latino parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The problem is that the combined negative effects of Latinos occupying three…

Safety of Single-Dose Primaquine in G6PD-Deficient and G6PD-Normal Males in Mali Without Malaria: An Open-Label, Phase 1, Dose-Adjustment Trial.

PubMed

Chen, Ingrid; Diawara, Halimatou; Mahamar, Almahamoudou; Sanogo, Koualy; Keita, Sekouba; Kone, Daouda; Diarra, Kalifa; Djimde, Moussa; Keita, Mohamed; Brown, Joelle; Roh, Michelle E; Hwang, Jimee; Pett, Helmi; Murphy, Maxwell; Niemi, Mikko; Greenhouse, Bryan; Bousema, Teun; Gosling, Roly; Dicko, Alassane

2018-03-28

The World Health Organization recommendation on the use of a single low dose of primaquine (SLD-PQ) to reduce Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission requires more safety data. We conducted an open-label, nonrandomized, dose-adjustment trial of the safety of 3 single doses of primaquine in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient adult males in Mali, followed by an assessment of safety in G6PD-deficient boys aged 11-17 years and those aged 5-10 years, including G6PD-normal control groups. The primary outcome was the greatest within-person percentage drop in hemoglobin concentration within 10 days after treatment. Fifty-one participants were included in analysis. G6PD-deficient adult males received 0.40, 0.45, or 0.50 mg/kg of SLD-PQ. G6PD-deficient boys received 0.40 mg/kg of SLD-PQ. There was no evidence of symptomatic hemolysis, and adverse events considered related to study drug (n = 4) were mild. The mean largest within-person percentage change in hemoglobin level between days 0 and 10 was -9.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.5% to -5.90%) in G6PD-deficient adults receiving 0.50 mg/kg of SLD-PQ, -11.5% (95% CI, -16.1% to -6.96%) in G6PD-deficient boys aged 11-17 years, and -9.61% (95% CI, -7.59% to -13.9%) in G6PD-deficient boys aged 5-10 years. The lowest hemoglobin concentration at any point during the study was 92 g/L. SLD-PQ doses between 0.40 and 0.50 mg/kg were well tolerated in G6PD-deficient males in Mali. NCT02535767.

Costs of current antihypertensive therapy in Switzerland: an economic evaluation of 3,489 patients in primary care.

PubMed

Schäfer, Hans Hendrik; Scheunert, Uta

2013-10-25

Due to greater life expectancy, costs of medication have increased within the last decade. This investigation assesses health care expenditures needed to manage the current state of blood pressure (BP) control in Switzerland. a) average day therapy costs (DTC) of substances, b) actual DTC of currently prescribed antihypertensive therapy, c) monetary differences of treatment regimens within different BP-groups and different high risk patients, d) estimated compliance-related financial loss/annum and adjusted costs/annum. Single-pill-combinations appear to be useful to increase patient's compliance, to reduce side effects and to bring more patients to their blood pressure goal. Costs were identified based on data from the Swiss department of health. We calculated DTC for each patient using prices of the largest available tablet box. The average antihypertensive therapy in Switzerland currently costs CHF 1.198 ± 0.732 per day. On average beta blockers were the cheapest substances, followed by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ARBs), calcium channel blockers and diuretics. The widest price ranges were observed within the class of ARBs. Most expensive were patients with impaired renal function. Throughout all stages, single-pill-combinations appeared to be significantly cheaper than dual-free-combinations. Stage-II-hypertension yielded the highest costs for dual free combination drug use. The actual costs for all patients observed in this analysis added up to CHF 1,525,962. Based on a compliance model, only treatment amounting to CHF 921,353 is expected to be actually taken. A disproportionately high healthcare cost is expected due to compliance reasons. The prescription of mono-therapies appears to be a major cost factor, thus, the use of single-pill-combination therapy can be considered as a suitable approach to saving costs throughout all BP- stages.

Few-mode fiber based Raman distributed temperature sensing.

PubMed

Wang, Meng; Wu, Hao; Tang, Ming; Zhao, Zhiyong; Dang, Yunli; Zhao, Can; Liao, Ruolin; Chen, Wen; Fu, Songnian; Yang, Chen; Tong, Weijun; Shum, Perry Ping; Liu, Deming

2017-03-06

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a few mode fiber (FMF) based Raman distributed temperature sensor (RDTS) to extend the sensing distance with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of backscattered anti-Stokes spontaneous Raman scattering. Operating in the quasi-single mode (QSM) with efficient fundamental mode excitement, the FMF allows much larger input pump power before the onset of stimulated Raman scattering compared with the standard single mode fiber (SSMF) and mitigates the detrimental differential mode group delay (DMGD) existing in the conventional multimode fiber (MMF) based RDTS system. Comprehensive theoretical analysis has been conducted to reveal the benefits of RDTS brought by QSM operated FMFs with the consideration of geometric/optical parameters of different FMFs. The measurement uncertainty of FMF based scheme has also been evaluated. Among fibers being investigated and compared (SSMF, 2-mode and 4-mode FMFs, respectively), although an ideal 4-mode FMF based RDTS has the largest SNR enhancement in principle, real fabrication imperfections and larger splicing loss degrade its performance. While the 2-mode FMF based system outperforms in longer distance measurement, which agrees well with the theoretical calculations considering real experimental parameters. Using the conventional RDTS hardware, a 30-ns single pulse at 1550nm has been injected as the pump; the obtained temperature resolutions at 20km distance are estimated to be about 10°C, 7°C and 6°C for the SSMF, 4-mode and 2-mode FMFs, respectively. About 4°C improvement over SSMF on temperature resolution at the fiber end with 3m spatial resolution within 80s measuring time over 20km 2-mode FMFs have been achieved.

Stability of a giant connected component in a complex network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitsak, Maksim; Ganin, Alexander A.; Eisenberg, Daniel A.; Krapivsky, Pavel L.; Krioukov, Dmitri; Alderson, David L.; Linkov, Igor

2018-01-01

We analyze the stability of the network's giant connected component under impact of adverse events, which we model through the link percolation. Specifically, we quantify the extent to which the largest connected component of a network consists of the same nodes, regardless of the specific set of deactivated links. Our results are intuitive in the case of single-layered systems: the presence of large degree nodes in a single-layered network ensures both its robustness and stability. In contrast, we find that interdependent networks that are robust to adverse events have unstable connected components. Our results bring novel insights to the design of resilient network topologies and the reinforcement of existing networked systems.

Giant optical rotation in a three-dimensional semiconductor chiral photonic crystal.

PubMed

Takahashi, S; Tandaechanurat, A; Igusa, R; Ota, Y; Tatebayashi, J; Iwamoto, S; Arakawa, Y

2013-12-02

Optical rotation is experimentally demonstrated in a semiconductor-based three-dimensional chiral photonic crystal (PhC) at a telecommunication wavelength. We design a rotationally-stacked woodpile PhC structure, where neighboring layers are rotated by 45° and four layers construct a single helical unit. The mirror-asymmetric PhC made from GaAs with sub-micron periodicity is fabricated by a micro-manipulation technique. The linearly polarized light incident on the structure undergoes optical rotation during transmission. The obtained results show good agreement with numerical simulations. The measurement demonstrates the largest optical rotation angle as large as ∼ 23° at 1.3 μm wavelength for a single helical unit.

Higher-order derivative correlations and the alignment of small-scale structures in isotropic numerical turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerr, R. A.

1983-01-01

In a three dimensional simulation higher order derivative correlations, including skewness and flatness factors, are calculated for velocity and passive scalar fields and are compared with structures in the flow. The equations are forced to maintain steady state turbulence and collect statistics. It is found that the scalar derivative flatness increases much faster with Reynolds number than the velocity derivative flatness, and the velocity and mixed derivative skewness do not increase with Reynolds number. Separate exponents are found for the various fourth order velocity derivative correlations, with the vorticity flatness exponent the largest. Three dimensional graphics show strong alignment between the vorticity, rate of strain, and scalar-gradient fields. The vorticity is concentrated in tubes with the scalar gradient and the largest principal rate of strain aligned perpendicular to the tubes. Velocity spectra, in Kolmogorov variables, collapse to a single curve and a short minus 5/3 spectral regime is observed.

Seasonal occurrence and production effects of the biting louse Damalinia limbata on Angora goats and 2 treatment options.

PubMed

Brown, L; van der Linde, T C de K; Fourie, L J; Horak, I G

2005-06-01

Adult biting lice Damalinia limbata (Gervais 1844) were most numerous on Angora goats in southwestern Free State Province from November to May with the smallest numbers present during August. Nymphs were most numerous from January to March with the smallest numbers present during July. The largest proportion of adult lice was present on the ventral surface of goats during winter, when population numbers were lowest, and the largest proportion of nymphs during summer, when population numbers were highest. Infestation did not affect the body weight of goats, but adversely affected both the quantity and quality of mohair produced. A single treatment with deltamethrin, applied as a pour-on along the mid-line of the backs of the goats, effectively controlled infestation and resulted in a significant increase in mohair production compared with untreated goats. Deltamethrin sprayed along the sides of the animals was equally effective in controlling infestation.

Intergenerational preferences for radio loudness during automobile driving.

PubMed

Hanser, Frederick Howard Bateman; Adjei Boakye, Eric; Mikulec, Anthony Alan

2017-07-01

The comparative contribution to human noise exposure from the vehicular radio is unknown, as are the radio volume preferences of different generations when driving an automobile. A single vehicle was used to measure radio listening level in decibels of three generations (age 16-17 years, age 32-50 years, and age 51-73 years) in various conditions, ranging from engine off with windows closed to 60 miles per hour (mph) with windows open. No differences in radio loudness based on the sex of the driver were found. Statistically significant differences were identified in preferred signal to noise ratio among multiple vehicular paradigms, with the youngest generation preferring the largest signal to noise ratio in conditions with low background noise. The youngest generation favored the largest signal to noise ratio (radio level above background noise), a preference which waned with increasing background noise. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Linear estimation of coherent structures in wall-bounded turbulence at Re τ = 2000

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oehler, S.; Garcia–Gutiérrez, A.; Illingworth, S.

2018-04-01

The estimation problem for a fully-developed turbulent channel flow at Re τ = 2000 is considered. Specifically, a Kalman filter is designed using a Navier–Stokes-based linear model. The estimator uses time-resolved velocity measurements at a single wall-normal location (provided by DNS) to estimate the time-resolved velocity field at other wall-normal locations. The estimator is able to reproduce the largest scales with reasonable accuracy for a range of wavenumber pairs, measurement locations and estimation locations. Importantly, the linear model is also able to predict with reasonable accuracy the performance that will be achieved by the estimator when applied to the DNS. A more practical estimation scheme using the shear stress at the wall as measurement is also considered. The estimator is still able to estimate the largest scales with reasonable accuracy, although the estimator’s performance is reduced.

Elusive retributive justice in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia: Challenges of using ECCC Victim Information Forms as a victim participatory rights mechanism.

PubMed

Nou, Leakhena

2015-01-01

This paper focuses on the procedural challenges of using the Victim Information Forms (VIFs) to analyze survivors' experiences with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), commonly known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. The paper takes a systematic public/medical sociology approach to examining the VIF as a participatory rights mechanism for victims wishing to pursue justice for themselves and their loved ones who experienced the Khmer Rouge atrocities, torture, forced relocation, starvation, forced labor, rape, robbery, and other physical and psychological torment, firsthand. It provides the first comparative, critical analysis of both the original VIF and the revised form issued midway through the submission period; both forms appear as appendices to the paper. Conclusions are drawn and suggestions made by the researcher based on the firsthand collection and submission of the largest group of VIFs from any single source around the world (outside of Cambodia itself), as well as on support work with victims/survivors during the ECCC proceedings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2013.

Recent trends in the U.S. Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) workforce

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

While behavioral and social sciences occupations comprise one of the largest portions of the “STEM” workforce, most studies of diversity in STEM overlook this population, focusing instead on fields such as biomedical or physical sciences. This study evaluates major demographic trends and productivity in the behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) workforce in the United States during the past decade. Our analysis shows that the demographic trends for different BSSR fields vary. In terms of gender balance, there is no single trend across all BSSR fields; rather, the problems are field-specific, and disciplines such as economics and political science continue to have more men than women. We also show that all BSSR fields suffer from a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. The BSSR workforce is, in fact, less representative of racial and ethnic minorities than are biomedical sciences or engineering. Moreover, in many BSSR subfields, minorities are less likely to receive funding. We point to various funding distribution patterns across different demographic groups of BSSR scientists, and discuss several policy implications. PMID:28166252

Adoption age effects on english language acquisition: infants and toddlers from China.

PubMed

Krakow, Rena A; Tao, Shannon; Roberts, Jenny

2005-02-01

Children adopted from China represent the single largest group of internationally adopted children in this country. Because the adoptive families typically do not speak any Chinese language or dialect, most of these children experience an abrupt shift in their language environment. How age of adoption affects the course of English language development of children adopted from China is the focus of this study. All of the children in this study were either infants or toddlers at the time of adoption and all came from the same orphanage. The results showed that the older children (toddlers) were at both an advantage and a disadvantage when it came to English language development. The advantage of being older was that they learned faster. The disadvantage of being older was that there was more for them to learn to become age-appropriate in their English language development. There was, however, no evidence to suggest that the language switch from a Chinese- to an English-language environment was a formidable obstacle for either the infants or the toddlers.

Recent trends in the U.S. Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) workforce.

PubMed

Hur, Hyungjo; Andalib, Maryam A; Maurer, Julie A; Hawley, Joshua D; Ghaffarzadegan, Navid

2017-01-01

While behavioral and social sciences occupations comprise one of the largest portions of the "STEM" workforce, most studies of diversity in STEM overlook this population, focusing instead on fields such as biomedical or physical sciences. This study evaluates major demographic trends and productivity in the behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) workforce in the United States during the past decade. Our analysis shows that the demographic trends for different BSSR fields vary. In terms of gender balance, there is no single trend across all BSSR fields; rather, the problems are field-specific, and disciplines such as economics and political science continue to have more men than women. We also show that all BSSR fields suffer from a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. The BSSR workforce is, in fact, less representative of racial and ethnic minorities than are biomedical sciences or engineering. Moreover, in many BSSR subfields, minorities are less likely to receive funding. We point to various funding distribution patterns across different demographic groups of BSSR scientists, and discuss several policy implications.

Recognizing nurse stakeholder dissonance as a critical determinant of patient safety in new healthcare information technologies.

PubMed

Samaras, Elizabeth A; Real, Sara D; Curtis, Amber M; Meunier, Tessa S

2012-01-01

Proper identification of all stakeholders and the comprehensive assessment of their evolving and often conflicting Needs, Wants, and Desires (NWDs) is a fundamental principle of human factors science and human-centered systems engineering; it is not yet a consistent element in development and deployment of new health information technologies (HIT). As the single largest group of healthcare professionals, nurses are critical stakeholders for these new technologies. Careful analysis can reveal nurse stakeholder dissonance (NSD) when integrating new technologies into the healthcare environment. Stakeholder dissonance is a term that describes the conflict between the NWDs of different stakeholders which, if left unresolved, can result in dissatisfaction, workarounds, errors, and threats to patient safety. Three case studies drawn from the authors' experience in a variety of acute-care settings where new HITs have been recently deployed are examined to illustrate the concept of NSD. Conflicting NWDs, other stakeholders, and possible root causes of the NSD are analyzed and mapped to threats to patient safety. Lessons learned, practical guidance for anticipating, identifying, and mitigating NSD, future research and implications for HFE and nursing practice are discussed.

Analysis of intra-host genetic diversity of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) using amplicon next generation sequencing.

PubMed

Kinoti, Wycliff M; Constable, Fiona E; Nancarrow, Narelle; Plummer, Kim M; Rodoni, Brendan

2017-01-01

PCR amplicon next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis offers a broadly applicable and targeted approach to detect populations of both high- or low-frequency virus variants in one or more plant samples. In this study, amplicon NGS was used to explore the diversity of the tripartite genome virus, Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) from 53 PNRSV-infected trees using amplicons from conserved gene regions of each of PNRSV RNA1, RNA2 and RNA3. Sequencing of the amplicons from 53 PNRSV-infected trees revealed differing levels of polymorphism across the three different components of the PNRSV genome with a total number of 5040, 2083 and 5486 sequence variants observed for RNA1, RNA2 and RNA3 respectively. The RNA2 had the lowest diversity of sequences compared to RNA1 and RNA3, reflecting the lack of flexibility tolerated by the replicase gene that is encoded by this RNA component. Distinct PNRSV phylo-groups, consisting of closely related clusters of sequence variants, were observed in each of PNRSV RNA1, RNA2 and RNA3. Most plant samples had a single phylo-group for each RNA component. Haplotype network analysis showed that smaller clusters of PNRSV sequence variants were genetically connected to the largest sequence variant cluster within a phylo-group of each RNA component. Some plant samples had sequence variants occurring in multiple PNRSV phylo-groups in at least one of each RNA and these phylo-groups formed distinct clades that represent PNRSV genetic strains. Variants within the same phylo-group of each Prunus plant sample had ≥97% similarity and phylo-groups within a Prunus plant sample and between samples had less ≤97% similarity. Based on the analysis of diversity, a definition of a PNRSV genetic strain was proposed. The proposed definition was applied to determine the number of PNRSV genetic strains in each of the plant samples and the complexity in defining genetic strains in multipartite genome viruses was explored.

Clinical, metabolic and psychological outcomes and treatment costs of a prospective randomized trial based on different educational strategies to improve diabetes care (PRODIACOR).

PubMed

Gagliardino, J J; Lapertosa, S; Pfirter, G; Villagra, M; Caporale, J E; Gonzalez, C D; Elgart, J; González, L; Cernadas, C; Rucci, E; Clark, C

2013-09-01

To evaluate the effect of system interventions (formalized data collection and 100% coverage of medications and supplies) combined with physician and/or patient education on therapeutic indicators and costs in Type 2 diabetes. This was a randomized 2 × 2 design in public health, social security or private prepaid primary care clinics in Corrientes, Argentina. Thirty-six general practitioners and 468 adults with Type 2 diabetes participated. Patients of nine participating physicians were selected randomly and assigned to one of four structured group education programmes (117 patients each): control (group 1), physician education (group 2), patient education (group 3), and both physician education and patient education (group 4), with identical system interventions in all four groups. Outcome measures included HbA(1c), BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, drug consumption, resource use and patient well-being at baseline and every 6 months up to 42 months. HbA(1c) decreased significantly from 4 mmol/mol to 10 mmol/mol by 42 months (P < 0.05); the largest and more consistent decrease was in the groups where patients and physicians were educated. Blood pressure and triglycerides decreased significantly in all groups; the largest changes were recorded in the combined education group. The World Health Organization-5 Lowe score showed significant improvements, without differences among groups. The lowest treatment cost was seen in the combined education group. In a primary care setting, educational interventions combined with comprehensive care coverage resulted in long-term improvement in clinical, metabolic and psychological outcomes at the best cost-effectiveness ratio. © 2013 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2013 Diabetes UK.

Car Talk: Ethnic And Religious Identity In The Central African Republic

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

Republic and Democracy (APRD) began conducting raids on army positions. Ange-Felix Patassé controlled the APRD from his exile in Togo and the group was...Séléka forces razed villages to the ground. As it became apparent Djotodia could not or would not control the Séléka even more groups took up the Séléka...largest groups , the Rassemblement Patriotique pour le Renouveau de la Centrafrique (RPRC), the Front Populaire pour la Reniasance de la Centrafrique

Minimizing the Diameter of a Network Using Shortcut Edges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demaine, Erik D.; Zadimoghaddam, Morteza

We study the problem of minimizing the diameter of a graph by adding k shortcut edges, for speeding up communication in an existing network design. We develop constant-factor approximation algorithms for different variations of this problem. We also show how to improve the approximation ratios using resource augmentation to allow more than k shortcut edges. We observe a close relation between the single-source version of the problem, where we want to minimize the largest distance from a given source vertex, and the well-known k-median problem. First we show that our constant-factor approximation algorithms for the general case solve the single-source problem within a constant factor. Then, using a linear-programming formulation for the single-source version, we find a (1 + ɛ)-approximation using O(klogn) shortcut edges. To show the tightness of our result, we prove that any ({3 over 2}-ɛ)-approximation for the single-source version must use Ω(klogn) shortcut edges assuming P ≠ NP.

A metamorphic inorganic framework that can be switched between eight single-crystalline states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhan, Caihong; Cameron, Jamie M.; Gabb, David; Boyd, Thomas; Winter, Ross S.; Vilà-Nadal, Laia; Mitchell, Scott G.; Glatzel, Stefan; Breternitz, Joachim; Gregory, Duncan H.; Long, De-Liang; MacDonell, Andrew; Cronin, Leroy

2017-02-01

The design of highly flexible framework materials requires organic linkers, whereas inorganic materials are more robust but inflexible. Here, by using linkable inorganic rings made up of tungsten oxide (P8W48O184) building blocks, we synthesized an inorganic single crystal material that can undergo at least eight different crystal-to-crystal transformations, with gigantic crystal volume contraction and expansion changes ranging from -2,170 to +1,720 Å3 with no reduction in crystallinity. Not only does this material undergo the largest single crystal-to-single crystal volume transformation thus far reported (to the best of our knowledge), the system also shows conformational flexibility while maintaining robustness over several cycles in the reversible uptake and release of guest molecules switching the crystal between different metamorphic states. This material combines the robustness of inorganic materials with the flexibility of organic frameworks, thereby challenging the notion that flexible materials with robustness are mutually exclusive.

Improved simulation of regional CO2 surface concentrations using GEOS-Chem and fluxes from VEGAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Z. H.; Zhu, J.; Zeng, N.

2013-08-01

CO2 measurements have been combined with simulated CO2 distributions from a transport model in order to produce the optimal estimates of CO2 surface fluxes in inverse modeling. However, one persistent problem in using model-observation comparisons for this goal relates to the issue of compatibility. Observations at a single station reflect all underlying processes of various scales. These processes usually cannot be fully resolved by model simulations at the grid points nearest the station due to lack of spatial or temporal resolution or missing processes in the model. In this study the stations in one region were grouped based on the amplitude and phase of the seasonal cycle at each station. The regionally averaged CO2 at all stations in one region represents the regional CO2 concentration of this region. The regional CO2 concentrations from model simulations and observations were used to evaluate the regional model results. The difference of the regional CO2 concentration between observation and modeled results reflects the uncertainty of the large-scale flux in the region where the grouped stations are. We compared the regional CO2 concentrations between model results with biospheric fluxes from the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) and VEgetation-Global-Atmosphere-Soil (VEGAS) models, and used observations from GLOBALVIEW-CO2 to evaluate the regional model results. The results show the largest difference of the regionally averaged values between simulations with fluxes from VEGAS and observations is less than 5 ppm for North American boreal, North American temperate, Eurasian boreal, Eurasian temperate and Europe, which is smaller than the largest difference between CASA simulations and observations (more than 5 ppm). There is still a large difference between two model results and observations for the regional CO2 concentration in the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South Pacific tropics. The regionally averaged CO2 concentrations will be helpful for comparing CO2 concentrations from modeled results and observations and evaluating regional surface fluxes from different methods.

Multiple tobacco product use among US adolescents and young adults.

PubMed

Soneji, Samir; Sargent, James; Tanski, Susanne

2016-03-01

To assess the extent to which multiple tobacco product use among adolescents and young adults falls outside current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority. We conducted a web-based survey of 1596 16-26-year-olds to assess use of 11 types of tobacco products. We ascertained current (past 30 days) tobacco product use among 927 respondents who ever used tobacco. Combustible tobacco products included cigarettes, cigars (little filtered, cigarillos, premium) and hookah; non-combustible tobacco products included chew, dip, dissolvables, e-cigarettes, snuff and snus. We then fitted an ordinal logistic regression model to assess demographic and behavioural associations with higher levels of current tobacco product use (single, dual and multiple product use). Among 448 current tobacco users, 54% were single product users, 25% dual users and 21% multiple users. The largest single use category was cigarettes (49%), followed by hookah (23%), little filtered cigars (17%) and e-cigarettes (5%). Most dual and multiple product users smoked cigarettes, along with little filtered cigars, hookah and e-cigarettes. Forty-six per cent of current single, 84% of dual and 85% of multiple tobacco product users consumed a tobacco product outside FDA regulatory authority. In multivariable analysis, the adjusted risk of multiple tobacco use was higher for males, first use of a non-combustible tobacco product, high sensation seeking respondents and declined for each additional year of age that tobacco initiation was delayed. Nearly half of current adolescent and young adult tobacco users in this study engaged in dual and multiple tobacco product use; the majority of them used products that fall outside current FDA regulatory authority. This study supports FDA deeming of these products and their incorporation into the national media campaign to address youth tobacco use. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Single Fraction Versus Fractionated Linac-Based Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Single-Institution Experience

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

Collen, Christine, E-mail: ccollen@uzbrussel.be; Ampe, Ben; Gevaert, Thierry

2011-11-15

Purpose: To evaluate and compare outcomes for patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) treated in a single institution with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). Methods and Materials: One hundred and nineteen patients (SRS = 78, SRT = 41) were treated. For both SRS and SRT, beam shaping is performed by a mini-multileaf collimator. For SRS, a median single dose of 12.5 Gy (range, 11-14 Gy), prescribed to the 80% isodose line encompassing the target, was applied. Of the 42 SRT treatments, 32 treatments consisted of 10 fractions of 3-4 Gy, and 10 patients received 25 sessionsmore » of 2 Gy, prescribed to the 100% with the 95% isodose line encompassing the planning target volume. Mean largest tumor diameter was 16.6 mm in the SRS and 24.6 mm in the SRT group. Local tumor control, cranial nerve toxicity, and preservation of useful hearing were recorded. Any new treatment-induced cranial nerve neuropathy was scored as a complication. Results: Median follow-up was 62 months (range, 6-136 months), 5 patients progressed, resulting in an overall 5-year local tumor control of 95%. The overall 5-year facial nerve preservation probability was 88% and facial nerve neuropathy was statistically significantly higher after SRS, after prior surgery, for larger tumors, and in Koos Grade {>=}3. The overall 5-year trigeminal nerve preservation probability was 96%, not significantly influenced by any of the risk factors. The overall 4-year probability of preservation of useful hearing (Gardner-Robertson score 1 or 2) was 68%, not significantly different between SRS or SRT (59% vs. 82%, p = 0.089, log rank). Conclusion: Linac-based RT results in good local control and acceptable clinical outcome in small to medium-sized vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Radiosurgery for large VSs (Koos Grade {>=}3) remains a challenge because of increased facial nerve neuropathy.« less

Utilizing GPS to Determine Ionospheric Delay over the Ocean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katzberg, Stephen J.; Garrison, James L., Jr.

1996-01-01

Several spaceborne altimeters have been built and flown, and others are being developed to provide measurements of ocean and ice sheet topography. Until the launch of TOPEX, altimeters were single frequency systems incapable of removing the effects of ionospheric delay on the radar pulse. With the current state of the art in satellite altimetry, the ionosphere causes the largest single error when using single frequency altimeters. Ionospheric models provide the only recourse short of adding a second frequency to the altimeter. Unfortunately, measurements of the ionosphere are lacking over the oceans or ice sheets where they are most needed. A possible solution to the lack of data density may result from an expanded use of the Global Positioning System (GPS). This paper discusses how the reflection of the GPS signal from the ocean can be used to extend ionospheric measurements by simply adding a GPS receiver and downward-pointing antenna to satellites carrying single frequency altimeters. This paper presents results of a study assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a GPS receiver and downward-pointing antenna to satellites carrying single frequency altimeters.

Mineral resource of the month: molybdenum

USGS Publications Warehouse

Magyar, Michael J.

2004-01-01

Molybdenum is a metallic element that is most frequently used in alloy and stainless steels, which together represent the single largest market for molybdenum. Molybdenum has also proven invaluable in carbon steel, cast iron and superalloys. Its alloying versatility is unmatched because its addition enhances material performance under high-stress conditions in expanded temperature ranges and in highly corrosive environments. The metal is also used in catalysts, other chemicals, lubricants and many other applications.

FIBER OPTICS: Polarization phase nonreciprocity in all-fiber ring interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, A. Ts; Vasilev, V. D.; Kozlov, V. A.; Kuznetsov, A. V.; Senatorov, A. A.; Shubochkin, R. L.

1993-08-01

The polarization phase nonreciprocity in all-fiber ring interferometers based on single-mode optical fibers was studied experimentally. The results confirm existing theoretical models. Experimentally, it was possible to use fiber ring interferometers to measure the extinction coefficients of optical fiber polarizers. The largest extinction coefficients found for optical-fiber polarizers were 84 dB (for the wavelength 0.82 μm) and 86 dB (1.3 μm).

Automated Camouflage Pattern Generation Technology Survey.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-08-07

supported by high speed data communications? Costs: 9 What are your rates? $/CPU hour: $/MB disk storage/day: S/connect hour: other charges: What are your... data to the workstation, tape drives are needed for backing up and archiving completed patterns, 256 megabytes of on-line hard disk space as a minimum...is needed to support multiple processes and data files, and 4 megabytes of actual or virtual memory is needed to process the largest expected single

System for Initial Assessment, Management, and Physiologic Monitoring of Battlefield Casualties

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-01

largest volume of closed head injury patients of any single hospital in the United States, the ABER study has become a screening procedure of choice...ABBREVIATED INJURY SCALE Severity Category/Injury Description Severity code GENERAL 1. -- Aches all over -- Minor lacerations, contusions, and...surface 2* or 3* burns 5. -- Over 50% body surface 20 or 30 burns HEAD AND NECK 1. -- Cerebral injury with headache; dizziness; no loss of consciousness

Nisaidie Nif Anye Mwenyewe, Pomogi Mne Eto Sdelat' Samomu: A Comparative Case Study of the Implementation of Montessori Pedagogy in the United Republic of Tanzania and the Russian Federation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schnepf, Candy A.

2010-01-01

The system of education developed by Maria Montessori, noted Italian feminist, anthropologist and physician, is the single largest pedagogy in the world with over 22,000 public, private, parochial, and charter schools on six continents, enduring even as other teaching methods have waxed and waned. Despite its international diffusion and longevity,…

A Case for Development: Rebalancing America’s Foreign Aid Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-24

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican. Helms saw the organization as an unaffordable, unpopular foreign version...other success stories that can be used to cite the power of developmental aid. Germany, South Korea , and Taiwan, are all former recipients of large...to such funds is Official Development Assistance ( ODA ). The graph below (Figure 2) demonstrates that the U.S. was the single largest donor in 2009

NAVO MSRC Navigator. Spring 2003

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

computational model run on the IBM POWER4 (MARCELLUS) in support of the Airborne Laser Challenge Project II. The data were visualized using Alias|Wavefront Maya...Turbulence in a Jet Stream in the Airborne Laser Context High Performance Computing 11 Largest NAVO MSRC System Becomes Even Bigger and Better 11 Using the smp...centimeters (cm). The resolution requirement to resolve the microjets and the flow outside in the combustor is too severe for any single numerical method

Geologic map of the Santa Ana Pueblo quadrangle, Sandoval County, New Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Personius, Stephen F.

2002-01-01

The Santa Ana Pueblo quadrangle is located in the northern part of the Albuquerque basin, which is the largest basin or graben within the Rio Grande rift. The quadrangle is underlain by poorly consolidated sedimentary rocks of the Santa Fe Group and is dominated by Santa Ana Mesa, a volcanic tableland underlain by basalt flows of the San Felipe volcanic field. The San Felipe volcanic field is the largest area of basaltic lavas exposed in the Albuquerque basin. The structural fabric of the quadrangle is dominated by dozens of generally north striking, east- and west-dipping normal faults associated with the Neogene Rio Grande rift.

Urban Data Book : Volume 2. Urban Data - Milwaukee-Washington, Notes and Technical Appendixes

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-11-01

A quick reference compilation of certain population, socio-economic, employment, and modal split characteristics of the 35 largest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA) in the United States is presented. The three basic groups of urban data ...

X-ray emission from Stephan's Quintet and other compact groups

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahcall, N. A.; Harris, D. E.; Rood, H. J.

1984-01-01

A search for X-ray emission from five compact groups of galaxies with the Einstein Observatory revealed detections from three groups. Soft, extended X-ray emission was observed in Stephan's Quintet, which is most likely caused by hot intracluster gas. This provides evidence for dynamical interaction among the group galaxies. X-ray emission from the group Arp 330 may also originate in hot intracluster gas. Stephan's Quintet and Arp 330 have the largest velocity dispersions among the groups studied, suggesting a correlation between high velocity and the release (or properties) of hot gas. X-ray emission from Arp 318 may originate in its member galaxies.

NO2 and SO2 dispersion modeling and relative roles of emission sources over Map Ta Phut industrial area, Thailand.

PubMed

Chusai, Chatinai; Manomaiphiboon, Kasemsan; Saiyasitpanich, Phirun; Thepanondh, Sarawut

2012-08-01

Map Ta Phut industrial area (MA) is the largest industrial complex in Thailand. There has been concern about many air pollutants over this area. Air quality management for the area is known to be difficult, due to lack of understanding of how emissions from different sources or sectors (e.g., industrial, power plant, transportation, and residential) contribute to air quality degradation in the area. In this study, a dispersion study of NO2 and SO2 was conducted using the AERMOD model. The area-specific emission inventories of NOx and SO2 were prepared, including both stack and nonstack sources, and divided into 11 emission groups. Annual simulations were performed for the year 2006. Modeled concentrations were evaluated with observations. Underestimation of both pollutants was Jbund, and stack emission estimates were scaled to improve the modeled results before quantifying relative roles of individual emission groups to ambient concentration overfour selected impacted areas (two are residential and the others are highly industrialized). Two concentration measures (i.e., annual average area-wide concentration or AC, and area-wide robust highest concentration or AR) were used to aggregately represent mean and high-end concentrations Jbfor each individual area, respectively. For AC-NO2, on-road mobile emissions were found to be the largest contributor in the two residential areas (36-38% of total AC-NO2), while petrochemical-industry emissions play the most important role in the two industrialized areas (34-51%). For AR-NO2, biomass burning has the most influence in all impacted areas (>90%) exceptJor one residential area where on-road mobile is the largest (75%). For AC-SO2, the petrochemical industry contributes most in all impacted areas (38-56%). For AR-SO2, the results vary. Since the petrochemical industry was often identified as the major contributor despite not being the largest emitter, air quality workers should pay special attention to this emission group when managing air quality for the MA.

NO2 and SO2dispersion modeling and relative roles of emission sources over Map Ta Phut industrial area, Thailand.

PubMed

Chusai, Chatinai; Manomaiphiboon, Kasemsan; Saiyasitpanich, Phirun; Thepanondh, Sarawut

2012-08-01

Map Ta Phut industrial area (MA) is the largest industrial complex in Thailand. There has been concern about many air pollutants over this area. Air quality management for the area is known to be difficult, due to lack of understanding of how emissions from different sources or sectors (e.g., industrial, power plant, transportation, and residential) contribute to air quality degradation in the area. In this study, a dispersion study of NO 2 and SO 2 was conducted using the AERMOD model. The area-specific emission inventories of NO x and SO 2 were prepared, including both stack and nonstack sources, and divided into 11 emission groups. Annual simulations were performed for the year 2006. Modeled concentrations were evaluated with observations. Underestimation of both pollutants was found, and stack emission estimates were scaled to improve the modeled results before quantifying relative roles of individual emission groups to ambient concentration over four selected impacted areas (two are residential and the others are highly industrialized). Two concentration measures (i.e., annual average area-wide concentration or AC, and area-wide robust highest concentration or AR) were used to aggregately represent mean and high-end concentrations for each individual area, respectively. For AC-NO 2 , on-road mobile emissions were found to be the largest contributor in the two residential areas (36-38% of total AC-NO 2 ), while petrochemical-industry emissions play the most important role in the two industrialized areas (34-51%). For AR-NO 2 , biomass burning has the most influence in all impacted areas (>90%) except for one residential area where on-road mobile is the largest (75%). For AC-SO 2 , the petrochemical industry contributes most in all impacted areas (38-56%). For AR-SO 2 , the results vary. Since the petrochemical industry was often identified as the major contributor despite not being the largest emitter, air quality workers should pay special attention to this emission group when managing air quality for the MA. [Box: see text] [Box: see text].

The effect of aging on pacing strategies of cross-country skiers and the role of performance level.

PubMed

Nikolaidis, Pantelis Theodoros; Villiger, Elias; Rosemann, Thomas; Knechtle, Beat

2018-01-01

The participation of master cross-country (XC) skiers in training and competition has increased during the last decades; however, little is known yet about whether these athletes differ from their younger counterparts in aspects of performance such as pacing. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the combined effect of age and performance (race time) on pacing in cross-country (XC) skiing. We analyzed all finishers ( n  = 79,722) in 'Vasaloppet' from 2012 to 2017, the largest cross-country skiing race in the world, classified according to their race time into 10 groups: 3-4 h, 4-5 h, ..., 12-13 h. A trivial main effect of sex on total pace range was observed ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.002), where women (44.1 ± 10.2%) had larger total pace range than men (40.9 ± 11.8%). A large main effect of performance group on total pace range was shown ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.160), where the smallest total pace range was 21.8 ± 1.9% (3-4 h group) and the largest 50.1 ± 9.9% (10-11 h group). A trivial sex×performance group interaction on total pace range was found ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.001) with the largest sex difference in pacing shown in 9-10 h group. A trivial and small main effect of age was found in women ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.005) and men ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.011), respectively, where the masters had smaller total pace range than their younger counterparts. A trivial age group×performance group interaction on total pace range was observed in both women ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.008) and men ( p  < 0.001, η 2  = 0.006) with smaller differences among age groups in the faster performance groups. In summary, master XC skiers adopted a relatively even pacing independently from their race time and the differences in pacing from the younger XC skiers were more pronounced in the slower masters. These findings suggest that exercise attenuates the decline of performance in master XC skiers as shown by the similar pacing strategies between fast master XC skiers and their younger counterparts.

Streptozotocin diabetes attenuates the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular relaxants on rat muscles.

PubMed

Huang, Lina; Chen, Dan; Li, Shitong

2014-12-01

The hypothesis of this study was that diabetes-induced desensitization of rat soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (NDMRs) depends on the stage of diabetes and on the kind of NDMRs. We tested the different magnitude of resistance to vecuronium, cisatracurium, and rocuronium at different stages of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes by the EDL sciatic nerve-muscle preparations, and the SOL sciatic nerve-muscle preparations from rats after 4 and 16 weeks of STZ treatment. The concentration-twitch tension curves were significantly shifted from those of the control group to the right in the diabetic groups. Concentration giving 50% of maximal inhibition (IC50) was larger in the diabetic groups for all the NDMRs. For rocuronium and cisatracurium in both SOL and EDL, IC50 was significantly larger in diabetic 16 weeks group than those in the diabetic 4 weeks group. For SOL/EDL, the IC50 ratios were significantly largest in the diabetic 16 weeks group, second largest in the diabetic 4 weeks group, and smallest for the control group. Diabetes-induced desensitization to NDMRs depended on the stage of diabetes and on the different kind of muscles observed while was independent on different kind of NDMRs. The resistance to NDMRs was stronger in the later stage of diabetes (16 versus 4 weeks after STZ treatment). Additionally, when monitoring in SOL, diabetes attenuated the actions of neuromuscular blockade more intensely than that in EDL. Nonetheless, the hyposensitivity to NDMRs in diabetes was not relevant for the kind of NDMRs.

Rational dissection of a high institutional cesarean section rate: an analysis using the Robson Ten Group Classification System.

PubMed

Tan, Jarrod K H; Tan, Eng Loy; Kanagalingan, Devendra; Tan, Lay Kok

2015-04-01

Cesarean section (CS) rates have risen far in excess of the optimal 15% recommended by the World Health Organization. The Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) allows meaningful analysis of a CS rate. The aim of this study is to identify the leading patient categories contributing to our institution's CS rate. Prospective study of all women who delivered at the Singapore General Hospital from January 2008 to December 2011. The following data was recorded: parity, singleton/multiple pregnancy, previous CS, mode of labor onset and gestational age at delivery. CS rates were computed for each group, as well as their relative contribution to the overall CS rate. There were 6074 deliveries, in which 2011 (33.1%) women had CS delivery. Group 5 was the largest contributor to the overall CS rate (25.9%). Of the patients in this group, 18.8% had a successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Group 2 was the second largest contributor to the overall CS rate at 18.0%. Group 10 had a high contribution of 16.1%. The TGCS allows easy identification of the leading contributing patient groups. The surprisingly high contribution of group 10 suggests that our institution, a tertiary multidisciplinary teaching hospital, manages a sizeable group of high-risk patients in its obstetric case mix accounting for the high CS rate. Almost one in five term pregnancies with one previous CS had a successful vaginal delivery, suggesting that the institutional attempted VBAC rate is higher than 20%. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2014 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A novel prediction method about single components of analog circuits based on complex field modeling.

PubMed

Zhou, Jingyu; Tian, Shulin; Yang, Chenglin

2014-01-01

Few researches pay attention to prediction about analog circuits. The few methods lack the correlation with circuit analysis during extracting and calculating features so that FI (fault indicator) calculation often lack rationality, thus affecting prognostic performance. To solve the above problem, this paper proposes a novel prediction method about single components of analog circuits based on complex field modeling. Aiming at the feature that faults of single components hold the largest number in analog circuits, the method starts with circuit structure, analyzes transfer function of circuits, and implements complex field modeling. Then, by an established parameter scanning model related to complex field, it analyzes the relationship between parameter variation and degeneration of single components in the model in order to obtain a more reasonable FI feature set via calculation. According to the obtained FI feature set, it establishes a novel model about degeneration trend of analog circuits' single components. At last, it uses particle filter (PF) to update parameters for the model and predicts remaining useful performance (RUP) of analog circuits' single components. Since calculation about the FI feature set is more reasonable, accuracy of prediction is improved to some extent. Finally, the foregoing conclusions are verified by experiments.

Between Two Languages and Two Worlds: Identity of Korean Early Study-Abroad Undergraduates in the U.S

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Mun Woo

2010-01-01

Along with "English fever" (Krashen, 2003) in South Korea, the number of Korean students in the U.S. has increased every year so that they are now the largest group of international students in the U.S. Among those Korean students in the U.S, the early study-abroad group is particularly noteworthy because they share the unique experience…

La Union Hace La Fuerza: Together We Can from High School to College to Power--Latinas and the Decision to Go to College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plasencia-Romero, Ana Isabel

2017-01-01

The United States' Latino population has been expanding in recent decades becoming California's largest ethnic group in 2014 (Pew Research Center, 2016). It is crucial to provide a solid structure within which members of this minority group will be able to succeed. Higher education is particularly important in order to ensure that Latinos will be…

Highly Entangled, Non-random Subspaces of Tensor Products from Quantum Groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brannan, Michael; Collins, Benoît

2018-03-01

In this paper we describe a class of highly entangled subspaces of a tensor product of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces arising from the representation theory of free orthogonal quantum groups. We determine their largest singular values and obtain lower bounds for the minimum output entropy of the corresponding quantum channels. An application to the construction of d-positive maps on matrix algebras is also presented.

Indigenous Mexican Culture, Identity and Academic Aspirations: Results from a Community-Based Curriculum Project for Latina/Latino Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luna, Nora; Evans, William P.; Davis, Bret

2015-01-01

The Latina/Latino population is the largest minority group in the United States and has the highest high school dropout rate of any ethnic group. Nationally, just over one-half of Latina/Latino students graduate on time with a regular diploma, compared to nearly 80% of Whites. Because of the growing population and the wide achievement gap, there…

Group Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy with Former Child Soldiers and Other War-Affected Boys in the DR Congo: A Randomised Controlled Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMullen, John; O'Callaghan, Paul; Shannon, Ciaran; Black, Alastair; Eakin, John

2013-01-01

Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been home to the world's deadliest conflict since World War II and is reported to have the largest number of child soldiers in the world. Despite evidence of the debilitating impact of war, no group-based mental health or psychosocial intervention has been evaluated in a randomised controlled…

Diverse Hispanic population to become largest U.S. minority.

PubMed

1997-11-01

High immigration rates and relatively high birth rates have made Hispanics the second fastest growing minority population in the US. Only the Asian population is growing faster. In 1996, 11% of the US's population was Hispanic. However, Hispanic Americans are projected to outnumber African Americans by 2005, and by 2050, the Hispanic population in the US is projected to total approximately 100 million, 25% of the US population and the largest of the country's ethnic minorities. Latinos have the lowest rates of high school and college graduation of any major population group in the US. Since relevant data first became available in 1972 and until 1994, the median income of Latino families has remained below that of White families, but above that of African American families. The Hispanics' median family income of $24,000 in 1995 was below that of African American families. Puerto Rican and Mexican families are most likely to be poor, while Cubans are least likely. There is considerable diversity within the US's Hispanic population. For example, some Hispanics speak only Spanish, while others speak no Spanish at all. Hispanic Americans come from many countries and cultures, making the differences between and within the Hispanic ethnic groups sometimes as great as their similarities. Most Americans do not understand that Hispanics are an ethnic group, not a racial group.

Transfusion practice in Helsinki University Central Hospital: an analysis of diagnosis-related groups (DRG).

PubMed

Syrjälä, M T; Kytöniemi, I; Mikkolainen, K; Ranimo, J; Lauharanta, J

2001-12-01

Transfusion data combined with data automatically recorded in hospital databases provides an outstanding tool for blood utilization reporting. When the reporting is performed with an online analytical processing (OLAP) tool, real time reporting can be provided to blood subscribers. When this data is combined with a common patient classification system, Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG), it is possible to produce statistical results, that are similar in different institutions and may provide a means for international transfusion bench-marking and cost comparison. We use a DRG classification to describe the transfusion practice in Helsinki University Central Hospital. The key indicators include the percentage of transfused patients, the number of transfused units and costs in different DRG groups, as well as transfusion rates per DRG weighted treatment episodes. Ninety-three per cent of all transfusions could be classified into different DRGs. The largest blood-using DRG group was acute adult leukaemia (DRG 473), which accounted for 10.4% of all transfusion costs. The 13 largest blood consuming DRGs accounted for half the total costs in 1998. Currently, there is a lack of an internationally accepted standardized way to report institutional or national transfusion practices. DRG-based transfusion reporting might serve as a means for transfusion benchmarking and thus aid studies of variations in transfusion practice.

Spall behaviour of single crystal aluminium at three principal orientations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owen, G. D.; Chapman, D. J.; Whiteman, G.; Stirk, S. M.; Millett, J. C. F.; Johnson, S.

2017-10-01

A series of plate impact experiments have been conducted to study the spall strength of the three principal crystallographic orientations of single crystal aluminium ([100], [110] and, [111]) and ultra-pure polycrystalline aluminium. The samples have been shock loaded at two impact stresses (4 GPa and 10 GPa). Significant differences have been observed in the elastic behaviour, the pullback velocities, and the general shape of the wave profiles, which can be accounted for by considerations of the microscale homogeneity, the dislocation density, and the absence of grain boundaries in the single crystal materials. The data have shown that there is a consistent order of spall strength measured for the four sample materials. The [111] orientation has the largest spall strength and elastic limit, followed closely by [110], [100], and then the polycrystalline material. This order is consistent with both quasi-static data and geometrical consideration of Schmid factors.

California's Proposition 186: lessons from a single-payer health care reform ballot initiative campaign.

PubMed

Farey, K; Lingappa, V R

1996-01-01

Proposition 186 was an initiative on the November 1994 California ballot which proposed to establish a state single-payer health care program. Although Prop 186 was overwhelmingly defeated in the November 1994 election (73% No, 27% Yes), it accomplished many things. Model legislation was developed showing the feasibility of a specific single-payer program for California. It was placed on the ballot by an unprecedented volunteer signature-gathering effort and was the largest grassroots political campaign fund-raising effort in California history. A novel strategy for the discussion of complex issues through 1500 house parties was launched. Prop 186 was defeated by an insurance industry-led coalition with an anti-government message. Lessons for future efforts include increasing the size and duration of the grassroots organizing and educational effort, and decreasing reliance on conventional political campaign tactics and the mainstream media.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery through an ostomy site: a natural approach by an unnatural orifice.

PubMed

Lopez, Nicole E; Peterson, Carrie Y; Ramamoorthy, Sonia L; McLemore, Elisabeth C; Sedrak, Michael F; Lowy, Andrew M; Horgan, Santiago; Talamini, Mark A; Sicklick, Jason K

2015-02-01

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is gaining popularity for a wide variety of surgical operations and capitalizes on the benefits of traditional laparoscopic surgery without incurring multiple incision sites. Traditionally, SILS is performed by a midline periumbilical approach. However, such a minimally invasive approach may be utilized in patients who already have an abdominal incision. Our series retrospectively reviews 7 cases in which we utilized the fascial defect at the time of after ostomy reversal as our SILS incision site. In turn, we performed a variety of concurrent intra-abdominal procedures with excellent technical success and outcomes. Our study is the largest single-institution case series of this novel approach and suggests that utilizing an existing ostomy-site abdominal incision is a safe and effective location for SILS port placement and should be considered in patients undergoing concurrent procedures.

Production of single cell protein (SCP) from food and agricultural waste by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Gervasi, Teresa; Pellizzeri, Vito; Calabrese, Giorgio; Di Bella, Giuseppa; Cicero, Nicola; Dugo, Giacomo

2018-03-01

Food waste is the single-largest component of the waste stream, in order to protect and safeguard the public health, useful and innovative recycling methods are investigated. The conversion of food wastes in value-added products is becoming a more economically viable and interesting practice. Food waste, collected in the distribution sector and citrus industries, was characterised for its potential as a raw material to use in fermentation processes. In this study, the production of single-cell protein (SCP) using food waste as a substrate was investigated. The purpose of this study has been to produce SCP from mixtures of food waste using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The main fermentation test was carried out using a 25 l bioreactor. The utilisation of food waste can allow us to not only to reduce environmental pollution, but also to obtain value-added products such as protein supply for animal feed.