Hot utilitarianism and cold deontology: Insights from a response patterns approach to sacrificial and real world dilemmas.

PubMed

Rosas, Alejandro; Viciana, Hugo; Caviedes, Esteban; Arciniegas, Alejandra

2018-04-18

Research on moral judgment with moral dilemmas suggests that "utilitarian" responses (UR) to sacrificial high-conflict dilemmas are due to decreased harm aversion, not only in individuals with clinical conditions, but also in healthy participants with high scores in antisocial personality traits. We investigated the patterns of responses to different dilemma types in healthy participants and present evidence that some URs to sacrificial dilemmas are morally motivated, as indicated by their empathic concern (EC) or primary psychopathy (PP) scores. In study 1 (N = 230) we tested students with four categories of sacrificial dilemmas featuring innocent victims. In study 2 (N = 590) we tested students with two categories of sacrificial dilemmas and two "real-world" moral dilemmas, where the agent can improve the lot of strangers by making a personal sacrifice. Results in both studies showed no decreased harm aversion in a pattern where the only UR is to the sacrificial dilemma where the number of saved people is very high, and significantly lower harm aversion only in the pattern of all-deontological respondents in Study 2. The analysis by response patterns allowed a better discrimination of the moral motivations of participants and showed that at least some of them express moral concerns in their URs.

An amperometric urea bisosensor based on covalent immobilization of urease on N2 incorporated diamond nanowire electrode.

PubMed

Shalini, Jayakumar; Sankaran, Kamatchi Jothiramalingam; Lee, Chi-Young; Tai, Nyan-Hwa; Lin, I-Nan

2014-06-15

N2 incorporated diamond nanowire (N-DNW) film electrochemical biosensor has utilized for the quantitative determination of urea in aqueous solution and urine sample. N-DNW electrode is wet-chemically cleaned (oxidation) by boiling in a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 (3:1) at 200°C for 2h to remove graphite. Urease (Urs) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) are covalently attached to the oxidized N-DNW electrode by activating the COOH group of N-DNW using ethyl(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide as the coupling agent and N-hydroxysuccinimide as activator. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data reveal that carboxylic and hydroxyl functionalized nature of N-DNW electrodes Urs-GLDH immobilized N-DNW (Urs-GLDH/N-DNW) has been successfully utilized in urea biosensor which exhibits good performance in sensitivity (6.18 μA/mg dL/cm(2)), stability (~1 month), reproducibility, lower detection limit (3.87 mg/dL) and fast response time (>10s). Urs-GLDH/N-DNW also exhibits electrochemical response when tested for different concentration of human urine in buffer solution (from 1:9 to 4:6). In addition, Urs-GLDH/N-DNW bioelectrode retains 80% of its initial enzyme activity for <1 month, when stored at 4-6°C in a refrigerator. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evoking Blinks with Natural Stimulation and Detecting Them with a Noninvasive Optical Device: A Simple, Inexpensive Method for Use with Freely Moving Animals

PubMed Central

Weiss, Craig; Disterhoft, John F.

2008-01-01

Many laboratories studying eyeblinks in unanesthetized rodents use a periorbital shock to evoke the blink. The stimulus is typically delivered via a tether and usually obliterates detection of a full unconditioned response with electromyographic (EMG) recording. Here we describe the adapter we have used successfully for several years to deliver puffs of air to the cornea of freely moving rats during our studies of eyeblink conditioning. The stimulus evokes an unconditioned response that can be recorded without affecting the EMG signal. This allows a complete analysis of the unconditioned response which is important for studies examining reflex modification or the effect of drugs, genetic manipulations, or aging on the unconditioned blink reflex. We also describe an infrared reflective sensor that can be added to the tether to minimize the number of wires that need to be implanted around the eye, and which is relatively immune to electrical artifacts associated with a periorbital shock stimulus or other devices powered by alternating current. The responses recorded simultaneously by EMG wires and the optical sensor appear highly correlated and demonstrate that the optical sensor can measure responses that might otherwise be lost due to electrical interference from a shock stimulus. PMID:18598716

An evaluation of resistance to change with unconditioned and conditioned reinforcers.

PubMed

Vargo, Kristina K; Ringdahl, Joel E

2015-09-01

Several reinforcer-related variables influence a response's resistance to change (Nevin, 1974). Reinforcer type (i.e., conditioned or unconditioned) is a reinforcer-related variable that has not been studied with humans but may have clinical implications. In Experiment 1, we identified unconditioned and conditioned reinforcers of equal preference. In Experiments 2, 3, and 4, we reinforced participants' behavior during a baseline phase using a multiple variable-interval (VI) 30-s VI 30-s schedule with either conditioned (i.e., token) or unconditioned (i.e., food; one type of reinforcement in each component) reinforcement. After equal reinforcement rates across components, we introduced a disruptor. Results of Experiments 2 and 3 showed that behaviors were more resistant to extinction and distraction, respectively, with conditioned than with unconditioned reinforcers. Results of Experiment 4, however, showed that when prefeeding disrupted responding, behaviors were more resistant to change with unconditioned reinforcers than with conditioned reinforcers. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Unconditional regard buffers children's negative self-feelings.

PubMed

Brummelman, Eddie; Thomaes, Sander; Walton, Gregory M; Poorthuis, Astrid M G; Overbeek, Geertjan; Orobio de Castro, Bram; Bushman, Brad J

2014-12-01

Unconditional regard refers to the feeling that one is accepted and valued by others without conditions. Psychological theory suggests that experiences of unconditional regard lead children to feel that they are valuable despite setbacks. We hypothesized that reflecting on experiences of unconditional regard would buffer children's negative self-feelings (eg, shame, insecurity, powerlessness) in the face of setbacks. To test this hypothesis, we randomized children to reflect on experiences of unconditional regard or other experiences, and examined their response to an academic setback 3 weeks later. Participants (11-15 years old) were randomly assigned to reflect for 15 minutes on experiences of unconditional regard (n = 91), conditional regard (n = 80), or other social experiences (n = 76). Research personnel, teachers, and classmates remained blind to condition assignment. Three weeks later, after receiving their course grades, children reported their self-feelings. Course grades were obtained from school records. Receiving low course grades represents a salient and painful real-world setback for children. Replicating previous research, children who received lower grades experienced more negative self-feelings (P < .001). As predicted, this well-established relationship was significantly attenuated among children who had reflected, 3 weeks previously, on experiences of unconditional regard (Ps < .03). Reflecting on unconditional regard specifically reduced negative self-feelings after low grades (P = .01), not after average or high grades (Ps > .17). Reflecting on unconditional regard buffered children's selves against the adverse impact of an academic setback over an extended period of time. Unconditional regard may thus be an important psychological lever to reduce negative self-feelings in youth. Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Species-specific response-topography of chickens' and pigeons' water-induced autoshaped responding.

PubMed

Ploog, Bertram O

2014-07-01

Four pigeons and eight chickens received autoshaping training where a keylight (conditioned stimulus) signaled response-independent deliveries of water (unconditioned stimulus). Pigeons drink while keeping their beaks submerged in water and moving their beaks to create suction ("mumbling"), whereas chickens drink by trapping a small amount of water in their mouths and then lifting their heads so the water trickles down. This experiment tested whether these and other species-specific differences in drinking and related behaviors of pigeons and chickens would be reflected in the form of conditioned (autoshaped) responding. Touchscreens and videotapes were used for data recording. Results showed that chickens moved their heads more than pigeons when drinking (unconditioned response). The birds also differed in conditioned responding in the presence of the keylight: Pigeons produced more keyswitch closures and mumbled at the keylight more than chickens whereas chickens scratched more than pigeons. In conclusion, with this unique comparative method that employed identical contingencies and comparable deprivation levels, species-specific differences in unconditioned responses and, more importantly, differences in their corresponding conditioned responses were observed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using multiple methods to characterize the phenotype of individuals with a family history of major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Watters, Anna J; Gotlib, Ian H; Harris, Anthony W F; Boyce, Philip M; Williams, Leanne M

2013-09-05

Unaffected relatives (URs) of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) are biologically more vulnerable to depression. We compare healthy URs and controls at the level of phenotype (symptoms and functioning) and endophenotype (negative emotion bias), and further investigate the interrelation between these and the contribution of environmental early life stress. URs (n=101), identified using Family History Screen interview methods and matched controls completed written and interview questions assessing symptoms of depression and anxiety, negative cognitive style, life functioning and early life stress. Biases in emotion processing were measured using a facial expression of emotion identification paradigm. Compared to controls, URs reported higher levels of depression and anxiety, a stronger negative cognitive bias, and poorer functioning and lower satisfaction with life. URs were slower to correctly identify fear and sad facial expressions. A slower response time to identify sad faces was correlated with lower quality of life in the social domain. Early life stress (ELS) did not contribute significantly to any outcome. The methodology relies on accurate reporting of participants' own psychiatric history and that of their family members. The degree of vulnerability varies among URs. A family history of depression accounts for subtle differences in symptom levels and functioning without a necessary role of ELS. A negative emotion bias in processing emotion may be one vulnerability marker for MDD. Biological markers may affect functioning measures before symptoms at the level of experience. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging actions of two herbs, Uncaria rhynchophylla (MIQ) Jack and Gastrodia elata Bl., in kainic acid-treated rats.

PubMed

Hsieh, C L; Tang, N Y; Chiang, S Y; Hsieh, C T; Lin, J G

1999-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jack (UR) and Gastrodia elata BI. (GE) are traditional Chinese herbs that are usually used in combination to treat convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, in China. The aim of this study was to compare the anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of UR alone and UR in combination with GE in rats. For the in vitro studies, brain tissues from 6 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 120 microg/ml kainic acid (KA), with or without varied concentrations of UR or UR plus GE. For the in vivo studies, male SD rats (6 per group) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA 12 mg/kg to induce epileptic seizures and generation of free radicals, with or without oral administration of UR 1 g/kg alone or UR 1 g/kg plus GE 1 g/kg. Epileptic seizures were verified by behavioral observations, and electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings. These results showed that UR alone decreased KA-induced lipid peroxide levels in vitro, whereas UR plus GE did not produce a greater effect than UR alone. UR significantly reduced counts of wet dog shakes (WDS), paw tremor (PT) and facial myoclonia (FM) in KA-treated rats and significantly delayed the onset time of WDS, from 27 min in the control group to 40 min in the UR group. UR plus GE did not inhibit seizures more effectively than UR alone, but did further prolong the onset time of WDS to 63 min (P < 0.05 vs. UR alone). UR alone reduced the levels of free radicals in vivo, as measured by lipid peroxidation in the brain and luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) counts and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral whole blood, but the combination of GE and UR did not reduce free radical levels more markedly than UR alone. In conclusion, our results indicate that UR has anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities, and UR combined with GE exhibit greater inhibition on the onset time of WDS than UR alone. These findings suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of UR and GE may be synergistic. However, the mechanism of interaction between UR and GE remains unknown.

Disambiguating ventral striatum fMRI-related bold signal during reward prediction in schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Morris, R W; Vercammen, A; Lenroot, R; Moore, L; Langton, J M; Short, B; Kulkarni, J; Curtis, J; O'Donnell, M; Weickert, C S; Weickert, T W

2012-01-01

Reward detection, surprise detection and prediction-error signaling have all been proposed as roles for the ventral striatum (vStr). Previous neuroimaging studies of striatal function in schizophrenia have found attenuated neural responses to reward-related prediction errors; however, as prediction errors represent a discrepancy in mesolimbic neural activity between expected and actual events, it is critical to examine responses to both expected and unexpected rewards (URs) in conjunction with expected and UR omissions in order to clarify the nature of ventral striatal dysfunction in schizophrenia. In the present study, healthy adults and people with schizophrenia were tested with a reward-related prediction-error task during functional magnetic resonance imaging to determine whether schizophrenia is associated with altered neural responses in the vStr to rewards, surprise prediction errors or all three factors. In healthy adults, we found neural responses in the vStr were correlated more specifically with prediction errors than to surprising events or reward stimuli alone. People with schizophrenia did not display the normal differential activation between expected and URs, which was partially due to exaggerated ventral striatal responses to expected rewards (right vStr) but also included blunted responses to unexpected outcomes (left vStr). This finding shows that neural responses, which typically are elicited by surprise, can also occur to well-predicted events in schizophrenia and identifies aberrant activity in the vStr as a key node of dysfunction in the neural circuitry used to differentiate expected and unexpected feedback in schizophrenia. PMID:21709684

Repeated administration of LiCl produces an unconditioned stimulus preexposure effect in backward excitatory CTA but not habituation of the unconditioned increment in neophobia.

PubMed

De Brugada, Isabel; González, Felisa; Cándido, Antonio

2003-01-31

In one experiment using conditioned taste aversion and the unconditioned stimulus (US) preexposure procedure, one group of rats was given LiCl exposure for 3 days, whereas two other groups received saline. Following this phase, all groups were given a novel flavour (saccharine) to drink following either LiCl (group preexposed and one of the control groups) or saline injections (the remaining control group) and the consumption of the flavour was assessed. After this neophobia test, the acquired saccharine aversion was evaluated. The results show that three LiCl injections are enough to produce a US preexposure effect on backward excitatory taste aversion conditioning, whereas this number of injections procedure does not produce habituation of the increment in neophobia, an unconditioned response to the LiCl. The results are discussed taking into account different mechanisms involved in US preexposure effect.

Use of flexible ureteroscopy in the clinical practice for the treatment of renal stones: results from a large European survey conducted by the EAU Young Academic Urologists-Working Party on Endourology and Urolithiasis.

PubMed

Sanguedolce, F; Liatsikos, E; Verze, P; Hruby, S; Breda, A; Beatty, J D; Knoll, T

2014-08-01

Treatment of renal stones using flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is increasingly common despite the poor evidence in literature supporting its use and indications. With this study, we wanted to investigate the current use and indication of fURS for the treatment of renal stones in the clinical practice across the European countries. A survey was conducted using an emailed questionnaire consisting of 21 items; 2,894 recipients were selected via the EAU membership database. The questionnaires were collected through the SurveyMonkey system and the data were processed with the SPSS statistical package. Frequencies, cross tabs and Pearson correlation coefficients were applied as appropriate. 1,168 questionnaires were collected (response rate 40.4%). fURS was performed in 72.9% of the respondents' institutions, and 54.2% of the respondents were performing the procedure. For 95% of the users, fURS was considered first-line treatment, for stone of lower pole stone (45.9%) and <1 cm (44.2%) and 2 cm (43.8%) in size. The ureteral access sheaths were used routinely by more than 70% of the respondents. Lower pole stone repositioning technique was routinely performed by 45.9% of the surgeons. After fragmentation, 47.2% of the responders preferred to retrieve only the bigger fragments. At the end of fURS, lower volume surgeons were more likely to place routinely a double-J stent (p = 0.001). Higher volume surgeons estimated a higher durability of devices, both optical and digital ones (p < 0.001), and were more prone to consider fURS cost-effective when compared to other treatment modalities (p < 0.001). fURS is widely used for the treatment of renal stones and its use and indication can vary according to the age and surgeons' case volume. Higher volume surgeons are more prompt to extend international guidelines indications and to consider the technology cost-effective.

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

PubMed

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

2004-06-01

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

Mucosal immunity and upper respiratory tract symptoms in recreational endurance runners.

PubMed

Ihalainen, Johanna K; Schumann, Moritz; Häkkinen, Keijo; Mero, Antti A

2016-01-01

The present study investigated the effects of a 12-week endurance-training intervention on salivary proteins and upper respiratory tract symptoms (URS) in 25 young men. Saliva samples of 25 recreational male endurance runners (age 34.6 years, body mass index = 23.8 kg·m(-2), peak aerobic capacity = 47.2 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) were collected before (PRE) and after (POST) the training intervention, in a fasting state, as well as both before and after a maximal incremental treadmill run. The training consisted of both continuous and interval training sessions, 4-6 times per week based on the polarized training approach. Participants filled in Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 and were retrospectively divided into 2 groups according to whether they reported URS (URS group, n = 13) or not (HEALTHY group, n = 12). Basal salivary immunoglobulin A (sa-sIgA) levels were significantly higher (+70%, p < 0.05) in the HEALTHY group both at PRE and POST whereas no significant differences were observed in salivary immunoglobulin M, salivary immunoglobulin G, lysozyme, or salivary α-amylase activity (sAA). Sa-sIgA concentration at PRE significantly correlated with the number of sick-days (R = -0.755, p < 0.001) in all subjects. The incremental treadmill run acutely increased sAA significantly (p < 0.05) at PRE (200%) and POST (166%) in the HEALTHY group but not in the URS group. This study demonstrated that subjects, who experienced URS during the 12 weeks of progressive endurance training intervention, had significantly lower basal sa-sIgA levels both before and after the experimental endurance training period. In addition to sa-sIgA, acute sAA response to exercise might be a possible determinant of susceptibility to URS in endurance runners.

42 CFR 456.406 - Description of UR review function: Who performs UR; disqualification from performing UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...; disqualification from performing UR. 456.406 Section 456.406 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.406 Description...

42 CFR 456.406 - Description of UR review function: Who performs UR; disqualification from performing UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...; disqualification from performing UR. 456.406 Section 456.406 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.406 Description...

42 CFR 456.406 - Description of UR review function: Who performs UR; disqualification from performing UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...; disqualification from performing UR. 456.406 Section 456.406 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.406 Description...

42 CFR 456.406 - Description of UR review function: Who performs UR; disqualification from performing UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...; disqualification from performing UR. 456.406 Section 456.406 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.406 Description...

Numerical investigation of flow-induced rotary oscillation of circular cylinder with rigid splitter plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Lin; Guo, Xiao-ling; Tang, Guo-qiang; Liu, Ming-ming; Chen, Chuan-qi; Xie, Zhi-hua

2016-09-01

Numerical results of fluid flow over a rotationally oscillating circular cylinder with splitter plate are presented here. Different from the previous examinations with freely rotatable assembly, the fluid and structure interactions are treated as a coupled dynamic system by fully considering the structural inertia, stiffness, and damping. The hydrodynamic characteristics are examined in terms of reduced velocity Ur at a relatively low Reynolds number Re = 100 for different plate lengths of L/D = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5, where Ur = U/(Dfn), Re = UD/υ and fn = (κ/J)0.5/2π with U the free stream velocity, D the diameter of the circular cylinder, υ the fluid kinematic viscosity, fn the natural frequency, J the inertial moment, κ the torsional stiffness, and L the plate length. Contrast to the freely rotating cylinder/plate body, that is, in the limit of κ → 0 or Ur →∞, remarkable rotary oscillation is observed at relatively low reduced velocities. For the typical case with L/D = 1.0, the maximum amplitude may reach five times that at the highest reduced velocity of Ur = 15.0 considered in this work. At the critical reduced velocity Ur = 4.2, notable hydrodynamic jumps are identified for the rotation amplitude, response frequency, mean drag coefficient, lift amplitude, and vortex shedding frequency. Moreover, the phase angle between the fluid moment and rotary oscillation abruptly changes from 0 to π at Ur = 6.5. Due to the combined effect of fluid moment, rotation response, and phase difference, the natural frequency of the rotating body varies in flow, leading to a wide regime of lock-in/synchronization (Ur ≥4.2, for L/D = 1.0). The phenomenon of rotation bifurcation, i.e., the equilibrium position of the rotary oscillation deflects to a position which is not parallel to the free stream, is found to only occur at higher reduced velocities. The longer splitter plate has the lower critical reduced velocity. The occurrence of bifurcation is attributed to the anti-symmetry breaking of the wake flow evolution. The resultant asymmetric mean pressure distribution on the splitter plate gives rise to the net lift force and the deviated moment on the assembly, leading to the offset mean position of splitter plate. The global vortex shedding is identified to be the classic 2S mode for both cases with and without the bifurcation, although the second vortex formation and the shedding pattern in the near wake for the bifurcate case are different from the non-bifurcate case with lower reduced velocities.

Near wall effects on flexible splitter plate behind a cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkat Narayanan, K.; Vengadesan, S.; Murali, K.

2017-11-01

Vortex induced vibrations(VIV) of a rigid circular cylinder with a flexible plate attached to its rear end, close to the plane wall is numerically studied for Re = 200. Amplitude modulations were observed in the response of the flexible plate at the ground distance of G/D=0.5. Numerical simulations were conducted for a range of reduced velocities Ur(3,4,5 and 6), which appropriately captures the synchronization range of VIV of the structure. At Ur=3 there is no significant amplitude modulation. As Ur is increased further, the modulation appears. The modulation appears symmetric about the peak amplitude for successive cycles at Ur=4. The phase plots of lift coefficient CL and plate tip displacement revealed the change in sign of energy transfer between the plate and the wake. Amplitude modulation is reflected in the interaction of shed vortices and the plane wall. Shed vortices are convected parallel to the wall when the amplitude of the plate rises to its local maximum during modulation. During the growth and damping phase of the amplitudes in each modulation cycle, the vortex shedding is observed to be oblique towards the wall.

The Effect of Response Bias on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5).

PubMed

McGee Ng, Sarah A; Bagby, R Michael; Goodwin, Brandee E; Burchett, Danielle; Sellbom, Martin; Ayearst, Lindsay E; Dhillon, Sonya; Yiu, Shirley; Ben-Porath, Yossef S; Baker, Spencer

2016-01-01

Valid self-report assessment of psychopathology relies on accurate and credible responses to test questions. There are some individuals who, in certain assessment contexts, cannot or choose not to answer in a manner typically representative of their traits or symptoms. This is referred to, most broadly, as test response bias. In this investigation, we explore the effect of response bias on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5; Krueger, Derringer, Markon, Watson, & Skodol, 2013 ), a self-report instrument designed to assess the pathological personality traits used to inform diagnosis of the personality disorders in Section III of DSM-5. A set of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008 / 2011 ) validity scales, which are used to assess and identify response bias, were employed to identify individuals who engaged in either noncredible overreporting (OR) or underreporting (UR), or who were deemed to be reporting or responding to the items in a "credible" manner-credible responding (CR). A total of 2,022 research participants (1,587 students, 435 psychiatric patients) completed the MMPI-2-RF and PID-5; following protocol screening, these participants were classified into OR, UR, or CR response groups based on MMPI-2-RF validity scale scores. Groups of students and patients in the OR group scored significantly higher on the PID-5 than those students and patients in the CR group, whereas those in the UR group scored significantly lower than those in the CR group. Although future research is needed to explore the effects of response bias on the PID-5, results from this investigation provide initial evidence suggesting that response bias influences scale elevations on this instrument.

Interaction between the Ur-4 and Ur-5 bean rust resistance genes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We aimed to use phenotypic and genetic markers to elucidate the interaction between the Ur-4 and Ur-5 genes for resistance to the rust pathogen of common bean. The resistant reaction of Ur-4 is characterized by necrotic spots (HR) with no sporulation. On the other hand, the resistant reaction of the...

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR...: General Requirement § 456.401 State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. (a) The State plan must provide that— (1) UR is performed for each ICF that...

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR...: General Requirement § 456.401 State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. (a) The State plan must provide that— (1) UR is performed for each ICF that...

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR...: General Requirement § 456.401 State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. (a) The State plan must provide that— (1) UR is performed for each ICF that...

National survey of physicians to determine the effect of unconditional incentives on response rates of physician postal surveys

PubMed Central

Abdulaziz, Kasim; Brehaut, Jamie; Taljaard, Monica; Émond, Marcel; Sirois, Marie-Josée; Lee, Jacques S; Wilding, Laura; Perry, Jeffrey J

2015-01-01

Objectives Physicians are a commonly targeted group in health research surveys, but their response rates are often relatively low. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the effect of unconditional incentives in the form of a coffee card on physician postal survey response rates. Design Following 13 key informant interviews and eight cognitive interviews a survey questionnaire was developed. Participants A random sample of 534 physicians, stratified by physician group (geriatricians, family physicians, emergency physicians) was selected from a national medical directory. Setting Using computer generated random numbers; half of the physicians in each stratum were allocated to receive a coffee card to a popular national coffee chain together with the first survey mailout. Interventions The intervention was a $10 Tim Hortons gift card given to half of the physicians who were randomly allocated to receive the incentive. Results 265 (57.0%) physicians completed the survey. The response rate was significantly higher in the group allocated to receive the incentive (62.7% vs 51.3% in the control group; p=0.01). Conclusions Our results indicate that an unconditional incentive in the form of a coffee gift card can substantially improve physician response rates. Future research can look at the effect of varying amounts of cash on the gift cards on response rates. PMID:25694460

Evaluation of a Hepatitis C Patient Management Program at a University Specialty Pharmacy.

PubMed

Zaepfel, Michelle; Cristofaro, Lisa; Trawinski, Allison; McCarthy, Katharine; Rightmier, Elizabeth; Khadem, Tina

2017-04-01

The University of Rochester (UR) Specialty Pharmacy hepatitis C patient management program offers a unique advantage of being integrated within the same health system as the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Gastroenterology and Hepatology division. The primary purpose of this study was to assess treatment success through the incidence of achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) in patients served by the UR Specialty Pharmacy versus other nonintegrated pharmacies. This was a single-center retrospective cohort study in adult patients of URMC Gastroenterology and Hepatology prescribed hepatitis C treatment between January 1, 2014, and July 15, 2015. The incidence of SVR, adherence, delay in therapy initiation, early treatment discontinuation, rate of attainment of viral load measurement post-therapy completion, and predictors associated with treatment outcome were assessed. A total of 414 patients were prescribed hepatitis C virus treatment during the study period; 137 did not initiate therapy. The rate of SVR was 93% among patients at the UR Specialty Pharmacy and 89% at nonintegrated pharmacies ( P = 0.357). Adherence to therapy was 100% and 97% at the UR Specialty Pharmacy and nonintegrated pharmacies, respectively ( P = 0.046). The UR Specialty Pharmacy was associated with a 93% SVR rate and significantly greater adherence compared with nonintegrated pharmacies. Larger studies are needed to determine if a significant difference in SVR exists between integrated and nonintegrated pharmacies. This study provides a framework for other institutions to justify developing integrated hepatitis C specialty pharmacy services and evaluate their success.

Probabilistic assessment of safe groundwater utilization in farmed fish ponds of blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas in terms of the regulation of arsenic concentrations.

PubMed

Jang, Cheng-Shin

2008-03-15

This work probabilistically explored a safe utilization ratio (UR) of groundwater in fish ponds located in blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas in terms of the regulation of arsenic (As) concentrations. Sequential indicator simulation was used to reproduce As concentrations in groundwater and to propagate their uncertainty. Corresponding URs of groundwater were obtained from the relationship of mass balance between reproduced As concentrations in groundwater and the As regulation in farmed fish ponds. Three levels were adopted to evaluate the UR - UR> or =0.5, 0.5>UR> or =0.1 and UR<0.1. The high probability of the UR> or =0.5 level presents in the northern and southern regions where groundwater can be a major water source. The high probability of the 0.5>UR> or =0.1 level is mainly distributed in the central-coastal, central-eastern and southeastern regions where groundwater should be considered as a subordinate water source. Being available, extra surface water has priority over providing aquacultural needs of the regions with the high probability of the UR> or =0.5 and 0.5>UR> or =0.1 levels. In the regions with the high probability of the UR<0.1 level, in the central-coastal and southwestern regions, groundwater utilization should be reduced substantially or even prohibited completely for no adverse effects on human health.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 271: Areas 25, 26, and 27 Septic Systems Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the August 2004, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 271, Areas 25, 26, and 27 Septic Systems as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consistsmore » of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the modification of the UR for CAS 27-05-02, Leachfield. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to modify the UR to an administrative UR. Administrative URs differ from standard URs in that they do not require onsite postings (i.e., signs) or other physical barriers (e.g., fencing, monuments), and they do not require periodic inspections (see Section 6.2 of the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels [NNSA/NSO, 2006c]). This Administrative UR was based on an “Occasional Use Area” future land use scenario that was used to calculate the FAL. The administrative UR will protect workers from an exposure exceeding that used in the calculation of the FAL (i.e., 400 total work hours). Any proposed activity within this use restricted area that would potentially cause an exposure exceeding this exposure limit would require approval from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). Requirements for inspecting and maintaining postings at this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Enhancement of antibody response by one-trial conditioning: contrasting results using different antigens.

PubMed

Espinosa, Enrique; Calderas, Tania; Flores-Muciño, Oscar; Pérez-García, Georgina; Vázquez-Camacho, Ana C; Bermúdez-Rattoni, Federico

2004-01-01

New research in conditioned enhancement of antibody response requires a general paradigm effective with different antigens. In this experiment series we applied a one-trial protocol using keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunization as an unconditioned stimulus. Several different conditions were tested. Two different times between conditioning and test trial, two relevant antigen doses and the use of an antigen booster during test trial were investigated. We did not find a conditioned effect in any of the conditions used. In contrast, we found a reliable albeit modest conditioned effect using hen egg lysozyme as unconditioned stimulus. By comparing these and other findings we conclude that the number of conditioning trials is a possible requirement for a more reliable conditioning of antibody response.

TU-H-CAMPUS-TeP1-05: Fast Processed 3D Printing-Aided Urethane Resin (PUR) Bolus in Radiation Therapy

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

Zhao, B; Chiu, T; Gu, X

Purpose: 3D printed custom bolus is regularly used in radiation therapy clinic as a compensator. However, usual method of bolus printing with 100% filling is very time-consuming. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and benefit of 3D printed bolus filled with UR. Methods: Two boluses were designed on nose (9e electrons) and ear (6× photons) for a head phantom in treatment planning system (TPS) to achieve dose coverage to the skin. The bolus structures (56–167cc) were converted to STereoLithographic (STL) model using an in-house developed algorithm and sent to a commercial fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer.more » Only shells were printed with polylactic acid (PLA) material. Liquid UR was then placed in a vacuum pump and slowly poured into the hollow bolus from its top opening. Liquid UR hardened in around half an hour. The phantom was rescanned with custom boluses attached and the dosimetry was compared with original design in TPS. Basic CT and dose properties were investigated. GaF films were irradiated to measure dose profile and output of several open photon and electron beams under solid water and UR slabs of same thicknesses. Results: CT number was 11.2±7.3 and 65.4±7.8, respectively for solid water(∼1.04g/cc) and UR(∼1.08g/cc). The output measurement at dmax for 6× was within 2% for the two materials. The relative dose profiles of the two materials above dmax show 94–99% Gamma analysis passing rates for both photons and electrons. Dose distributions with 3D PUR boluses maintained great coverage on the intended skin regions and resembled that with computer generated boluses. Manufacturing 3D PUR boluses was 3–4 times faster than 100% printed boluses. The efficiency significantly improves for larger boluses. Conclusion: The study suggests UR has similar dose responses as solid water. Making custom bolus with UR greatly increases clinical workflow efficiency.« less

Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications To Downgrade Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order, Revision 1

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

Birney, Cathleen; Krauss, Mark J

This document is part of an effort to reevaluate 37 FFACO and Administrative URs against the current Soils Risk-Based Corrective Action Evaluation Process. After reviewing 37 existing FFACO and Administrative URs, 11 URs addressed in this document have sufficient information to determine that these current URs may be downgraded to Administrative URs based on the RBCA criteria. This document presents recommendations on modifications to existing URs that will be consistent with the RBCA criteria.

Examining Pediatric Cases From the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study.

PubMed

Guven, Selcuk; Basiri, Abbas; Varshney, Anil Kumar; Aridogan, Ibrahim Atilla; Miura, Hiroyasu; White, Mark; Kilinc, Mehmet; de la Rosette, Jean

2017-03-01

To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of ureteroscopy (URS) in children treated in several hospitals participating in the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Study, and to present the overall results of pediatric URS compared with adults. The CROES Study collected data on consecutive patients treated with URS for urolithiasis at each participating center over a 1-year period. The collected prospective global database includes data for 11,885 patients who received URS at 114 centers in 32 countries. Of these URS-treated patients, 192 were ≤18 years old. Of the 114 centers participating in the study, 42% had conducted pediatric URS. Among the pediatric cases, 7 were infants, 53 were small children, 59 were school-aged children, and 73 were adolescents. A considerable number (37%) of the pediatric cases had previously undergone URS treatment. No differences in the surgical outcomes of the adults and children were reported. The URS-treated children had a greater number of positive preoperative urine cultures when compared with adult cases treated. A semirigid scope was used in the vast majority of pediatric cases (85%). According to the present data, within the group of URS-treated children, the younger the child, the more readmissions occurred. URS is as efficient and safe in children as it is in adults. The data suggest that readmissions among URS-treated children are associated with age, with the likelihood of readmissions greater among younger age groups. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 404: Roller Coaster Sewage Lagoons and North Disposal Trench, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 1

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the September 1998, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 404: Roller Coaster Lagoons and Trench, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, thismore » addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the modification of the UR for CAS TA-03-001-TARC Roller Coaster Lagoons. This UR was established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and was based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This reevaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to modify the UR for CAS TA-03-001-TARC to an administrative UR. Administrative URs differ from standard URs in that they do not require onsite postings (i.e., signs) or other physical barriers (e.g., fencing, monuments), and they do not require periodic inspections (see Section 6.2 of the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels [NNSA/NSO, 2006c]). This Administrative UR was based on a “Remote Work Sites” future land use scenario that was used to calculate the FAL. The administrative UR will protect workers from an exposure exceeding that used in the calculation of the FAL (i.e., 336 hours per year). Any proposed activity within these use restricted areas that would potentially cause an exposure exceeding this exposure limit would require approval from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 404: Roller Coaster Lagoons and Trench, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the September 1998, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 404: Roller Coaster Lagoons and Trench, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, thismore » addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS TA-03-001-TARC Roller Coaster Lagoons • CAS TA-21-001-TARC Roller Coaster N. Disposal Trench These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to modify these URs to administrative URs. Administrative URs differ from standard URs in that they do not require onsite postings (i.e., signs) or other physical barriers (e.g., fencing, monuments), and they do not require periodic inspections (see Section 6.2 of the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels [NNSA/NSO, 2006c]). These Administrative URs were based on a “Remote Work Sites” future land use scenario that was used to calculate the FAL. The administrative UR will protect workers from an exposure exceeding that used in the calculation of the FAL (i.e., 336 hours per year). Any proposed activity within these use restricted areas that would potentially cause an exposure exceeding this exposure limit would require approval from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

How might Levinas' concept of the other's priority and Derrida's unconditional hospitality contribute to the philosophy of the modern hospice movement?

PubMed

Floriani, Ciro Augusto; Schramm, Fermin Roland

2010-06-01

Hospitality is commonly referred as one of the meanings of hospes, the Latin word which is also the root of hospice. This article explores the semantics of the word hospice - the seal of identity of modern hospice movement - and attempts to integrate the meaning of hospitality into the modern hospice movement, understood as unconditional reception. Therefore, the article analyzes the concept of unconditional hospitality, developed by Jacques Derrida and that of ethical responsibility proposed by Emmanuel Levinas based on the phenomenological experience of the other. From this point of view, these two concepts tie in with the meaning of hospice, bringing substantial grounding elements to the hospice movement for the construction of a protective ethos.

Anticonvulsant effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack. in rats with kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure.

PubMed

Hsieh, C L; Chen, M F; Li, T C; Li, S C; Tang, N Y; Hsieh, C T; Pon, C Z; Lin, J G

1999-01-01

This study investigated the anticonvulsant effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and the physiological mechanisms of its action in rats. A total of 70 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected for study. Thirty four of these rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1) CONTROL GROUP (n = 6): received intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of kainic acid (KA, 12 mg/kg); 2) UR1000 group (n = 10), 3) UR500 group (n = 6) 4) UR250 group, received UR 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration, respectively; 5) Contrast group: received carbamazepine 20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration. Behavior and EEG were monitored from 15 min prior to drug administration to 3 hours after KA administration. The number of wet dog shakes were counted at 10 min intervals throughout the experimental course. The remaining 36 rats were used to measure the lipid peroxide level in the cerebral cortex one hour after KA administration. These rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats as follows: 1) Normal group: no treatment was given; 2) CONTROL GROUP: received KA (12 mg/kg) i.p.; 3) UR1000 group, 4) UR500 group, 5) UR250 group, received UR 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration, respectively; 6) Contrast group: received carbamazepine 20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration. Our results indicated that both UR 1000 and 500 mg/kg decreased the incidence of KA-induced wet dog shakes, no similar effect was observed in the UR 250 mg/kg and carbamazepine 20 mg/kg group. Treatment with UR 1000 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, or 250 mg/kg and carbamazepine 20 mg/kg decreased KA-induced lipid peroxide level in the cerebral cortex and was dose-dependent. These findings suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of UR possibly results from its suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation in the brain.

National survey of physicians to determine the effect of unconditional incentives on response rates of physician postal surveys.

PubMed

Abdulaziz, Kasim; Brehaut, Jamie; Taljaard, Monica; Émond, Marcel; Sirois, Marie-Josée; Lee, Jacques S; Wilding, Laura; Perry, Jeffrey J

2015-02-18

Physicians are a commonly targeted group in health research surveys, but their response rates are often relatively low. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the effect of unconditional incentives in the form of a coffee card on physician postal survey response rates. Following 13 key informant interviews and eight cognitive interviews a survey questionnaire was developed. A random sample of 534 physicians, stratified by physician group (geriatricians, family physicians, emergency physicians) was selected from a national medical directory. Using computer generated random numbers; half of the physicians in each stratum were allocated to receive a coffee card to a popular national coffee chain together with the first survey mailout. The intervention was a $10 Tim Hortons gift card given to half of the physicians who were randomly allocated to receive the incentive. 265 (57.0%) physicians completed the survey. The response rate was significantly higher in the group allocated to receive the incentive (62.7% vs 51.3% in the control group; p=0.01). Our results indicate that an unconditional incentive in the form of a coffee gift card can substantially improve physician response rates. Future research can look at the effect of varying amounts of cash on the gift cards on response rates. 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.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 427: Area 3 Septic Waste Systems 2, 6, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the April 1999, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 427: Area 3 Septic Waste Systems 2, 6, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modificationmore » document, this addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 03-05-002-SW02, Septic Waste System • CAS 03-05-002-SW06, Septic Waste System These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 454: Historical Undrground Storage Tank Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the April 1998, Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 454: Historical Underground Storage Tank Release Sites as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modificationmore » document, this addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 12-25-09, Spill 960722-02 (from UST 12-B-3). This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 335: Area 6 Injection Well and Drain Pit Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revison 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the June 2003, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 335: Area 6 Injection Well and Drain Pit as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consistsmore » of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 06-20-02, 20-inch Cased Hole • CAS 06-23-03, Drain Pit These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 356: Mud Pits and Disposal Sites Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the November 2002, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 356: Mud Pits and Disposal Sites as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of: •more » This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 03-04-01, Area 3 Change House Septic System • CAS 03-09-04, Mud Pit These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Corrective Action Decision Document/Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 321: Area 22 Weather Station Fuel Storage Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the August 2001, Corrective Action Decision Document / Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 321: Area 22 Weather Station Fuel Storage as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modificationmore » document, this addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 22-99-05, Fuel Storage Area. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 398: Area 25 Spill Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the April 2003, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 398: Area 25 Spill Sites as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of: • Thismore » cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 25-25-17, Subsurface Hydraulic Oil Spill. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 423: Area 3 Building 03-60 Underground Discharge Point, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the July 1999, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 423: Area 3 Building 0360 Underground Discharge Point, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modificationmore » document, this addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 03-02-002-0308, Underground Discharge Point. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 214: Bunkers and Storage Areas Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the September 2006, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 214: Bunkers and Storage Areas as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of: • Thismore » cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 25-23-01, Contaminated Materials • CAS 25-23-19, Radioactive Material Storage These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 342: Area 23 Mercury Fire Training Pit Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the April 2000, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 342: Area 23 Mercury Fire Training Pit as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of:more » • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 23-56-01, Former Mercury Fire Training Pit. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 322: Areas 1 & 3 Release Sites and Injection Wells Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the June 2006, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 322: Areas 1 & 3 Release Sites and Injection Wells as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, thismore » addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 01-25-01, AST Release • CAS 03-25-03, Mud Plant AST Diesel Release These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

42 CFR 456.201 - UR plan required for inpatient mental hospital services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false UR plan required for inpatient mental hospital... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Utilization Review (ur) Plan: General Requirements § 456.201 UR plan required for...

42 CFR 456.406 - Description of UR review function: Who performs UR; disqualification from performing UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.406 Description...; (2) In an ICF that cares primarily for mental patients, at least one individual knowledgeable in the...

42 CFR 456.206 - Organization and composition of UR committee; disqualification from UR committee membership.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...; disqualification from UR committee membership. 456.206 Section 456.206 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE... UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.206... the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, and assisted by other professional personnel. (c) The...

42 CFR 456.206 - Organization and composition of UR committee; disqualification from UR committee membership.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...; disqualification from UR committee membership. 456.206 Section 456.206 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE... UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.206... the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, and assisted by other professional personnel. (c) The...

42 CFR 456.206 - Organization and composition of UR committee; disqualification from UR committee membership.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...; disqualification from UR committee membership. 456.206 Section 456.206 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE... UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.206... the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, and assisted by other professional personnel. (c) The...

42 CFR 456.206 - Organization and composition of UR committee; disqualification from UR committee membership.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...; disqualification from UR committee membership. 456.206 Section 456.206 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE... UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.206... the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, and assisted by other professional personnel. (c) The...

Learning to See: Research in Training a Robot Vision System

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

Seraji (2001) and Howard et al. (2001) was focused...Threshold Fe at ur es P er S eg m en t 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0 5 10 15 20 25 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Trafficability Score Distance Threshold Fe at ur es P er...S eg m en t 5 10 15 20 25 Fe at ur es P er S eg m en t Fe at ur es P er S eg m en t Fe at ur es P er S eg m en t Fe at ur es P er S eg m en

Insights into the etiology-associated gene regulatory networks in hepatocellular carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

PubMed

Seshachalam, Veerabrahma Pratap; Sekar, Karthik; Hui, Kam M

2018-04-19

Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, alcoholic consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver are the major known risk factors for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There have been very few studies comparing the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the different etiologies of HCC. In this study, we hypothesized the existence of different regulatory networks associated with different liver disease etiologies involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Using upstream regulatory analysis tool in ingenuity pathway analysis software, URs were predicted using differential expressed genes for HCC to facilitate the interrogation of global gene regulation. Analysis of regulatory networks for HBV HCC revealed E2F1 as activated UR, regulating genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication and HNF4A and HNF1A as inhibited UR. In HCV HCC, IFNG, involved in cellular movement and signaling was activated while IL1RN, MAPK1 involved in IL-22 signaling and immune response was inhibited. In Alcoholic-consumption HCC, ERBB2 involved in inflammatory response and cellular movement was activated, whereas HNF4A, NUPR1 were inhibited. For HCC derived from Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, miR-1249-5p was activated and NUPR1 involved in cell cycle and apoptosis was inhibited. The prognostic value of representative genes identified in the regulatory networks for HBV HCC can be further validated by an independent HBV HCC dataset established in our laboratory with survival data. Our study identified functionally distinct candidate URs for HCC developed from different etiologic risk factors. Further functional validation studies of these regulatory networks could facilitate the management of HCC towards personalized medicine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 456.206 - Organization and composition of UR committee; disqualification from UR committee membership.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Administrative Requirements § 456.206... the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, and assisted by other professional personnel. (c) The UR committee must be constituted as— (1) A committee of the mental hospital staff; (2) A group...

Fine Mapping of Ur-3, a Historically Important Rust Resistance Locus in Common Bean

PubMed Central

Hurtado-Gonzales, Oscar P.; Valentini, Giseli; Gilio, Thiago A. S.; Martins, Alexandre M.; Song, Qijian; Pastor-Corrales, Marcial A.

2016-01-01

Bean rust, caused by Uromyces appendiculatus, is a devastating disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in the Americas and Africa. The historically important Ur-3 gene confers resistance to many races of the highly variable bean rust pathogen that overcome other rust resistance genes. Existing molecular markers tagging Ur-3 for use in marker-assisted selection produce false results. Here, we describe the fine mapping of the Ur-3 locus for the development of highly accurate markers linked to Ur-3. An F2 population from the cross Pinto 114 (susceptible) × Aurora (resistant with Ur-3) was evaluated for its reaction to four different races of U. appendiculatus. A bulked segregant analysis using the SNP chip BARCBEAN6K_3 placed the approximate location of Ur-3 in the lower arm of chromosome Pv11. Specific SSR and SNP markers and haplotype analysis of 18 sequenced bean varieties positioned Ur-3 in a 46.5 kb genomic region from 46.96 to 47.01 Mb on Pv11. We discovered in this region the SS68 KASP marker that was tightly linked to Ur-3. Validation of SS68 on a panel of 130 diverse common bean cultivars containing all known rust resistance genes revealed that SS68 was highly accurate and produced no false results. The SS68 marker will be of great value in pyramiding Ur-3 with other rust resistance genes. It will also significantly reduce time and labor associated with the current phenotypic detection of Ur-3. This is the first utilization of fine mapping to discover markers linked to rust resistance in common bean. PMID:28031244

Fine Mapping of Ur-3, a Historically Important Rust Resistance Locus in Common Bean.

PubMed

Hurtado-Gonzales, Oscar P; Valentini, Giseli; Gilio, Thiago A S; Martins, Alexandre M; Song, Qijian; Pastor-Corrales, Marcial A

2017-02-09

Bean rust, caused by Uromyces appendiculatus , is a devastating disease of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) in the Americas and Africa. The historically important Ur-3 gene confers resistance to many races of the highly variable bean rust pathogen that overcome other rust resistance genes. Existing molecular markers tagging Ur-3 for use in marker-assisted selection produce false results. Here, we describe the fine mapping of the Ur-3 locus for the development of highly accurate markers linked to Ur-3 An F 2 population from the cross Pinto 114 (susceptible) × Aurora (resistant with Ur-3 ) was evaluated for its reaction to four different races of U. appendiculatus A bulked segregant analysis using the SNP chip BARCBEAN6K_3 placed the approximate location of Ur-3 in the lower arm of chromosome Pv11. Specific SSR and SNP markers and haplotype analysis of 18 sequenced bean varieties positioned Ur-3 in a 46.5 kb genomic region from 46.96 to 47.01 Mb on Pv11. We discovered in this region the SS68 KASP marker that was tightly linked to Ur-3 Validation of SS68 on a panel of 130 diverse common bean cultivars containing all known rust resistance genes revealed that SS68 was highly accurate and produced no false results. The SS68 marker will be of great value in pyramiding Ur-3 with other rust resistance genes. It will also significantly reduce time and labor associated with the current phenotypic detection of Ur-3 This is the first utilization of fine mapping to discover markers linked to rust resistance in common bean. Copyright © 2017 Hurtado-Gonzales et al.

Uracil misincorporation into DNA and folic acid supplementation123

PubMed Central

Selhub, Jacob; Chao, Wei-Hsun; Ueland, Per Magne; Hunter, David J; Baron, John A

2010-01-01

Background: Folate deficiency decreases thymidylate synthesis from deoxyuridylate, which results in an imbalance of deoxyribonucleotide that may lead to excessive uracil misincorporation (UrMis) into DNA during replication and repair. Objective: We evaluated the relation between UrMis in different tissues and the effect of folate supplementation on UrMis. Design: We analyzed UrMis concentrations in rectal mucosa (n = 92) and white blood cells (WBCs; n = 60) among individuals randomly assigned to receive supplementation with 1 mg folate/d or placebo, who were then evaluated for colorectal adenoma recurrence. Results: As expected, total homocysteine was significantly lower among the study participants who received active folate treatment (Wilcoxon's P = 0.003) than among those in the placebo group. The median UrMis concentration in rectal mucosa and WBCs among individuals treated with folate was not significantly lower than that in those who received placebo (Wilcoxon's P = 0.17). UrMis concentrations in both rectal mucosa and WBCs did not correlate significantly with folate measured in plasma and red blood cells. UrMis in rectal mucosa was marginally associated with an increased risk of adenoma recurrence (odds ratio per SD: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.91, 2.25). Conclusions: UrMis measurements in WBCs are not a robust surrogate for UrMis measurements in the rectal mucosa (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.23, P = 0.08). Furthermore, folate supplementation in an already replete population (half treated with folic acid supplements and all exposed to folic acid fortification of the food supply) was not significantly associated with reduced UrMis in rectal mucosa cells or WBCs. Large-scale studies are needed to evaluate whether excessive UrMis concentrations are an important risk factor for colorectal neoplasia. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00272324. PMID:19923375

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 358: Areas 18, 19, 20 Cellars/Mud Pits Nevada Test Site, Nevada

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the January 2004, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 358: Areas 18, 19, 20 Cellars/Mud Pits as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of:more » • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 20-23-02, Postshot Cellar • CAS 20-23-03, Cellar • CAS 20-23-04, Postshot Cellar • CAS 20-23-05, Postshot Cellar • CAS 20-23-06, Cellar • CAS 20-37-01, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 20-37-05, Cellar These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 394: Areas 12, 18, and 29 Spill/Release Sites Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the September 2003, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 394: Areas 12, 18, and 29 Spill/Release Sites as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consistsmore » of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 12-25-04, UST 12-16-2 Waste Oil Release • CAS 18-25-01, Oil Spills • CAS 18-25-02, Oil Spills • CAS 18-25-03, Oil Spill • CAS 29-44-01, Fuel Spill These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Recommendations and Justifications To Remove Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order, Revision 0

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

Birney, Cathleen; Krauss, Mark J

This document is part of an effort to reevaluate 37 FFACO and Administrative URs against the current Soils Risk-Based Corrective Action Evaluation Process. After reviewing 37 existing FFACO and Administrative URs, 3 URs addressed in this document have sufficient information to determine that these current URs may be removed, based on the RBCA criteria. This document presents recommendations on modifications to existing URs that will be consistent with the RBCA criteria.

Exercise induced bronchospasm in Ghana: differences in prevalence between urban and rural schoolchildren

PubMed Central

Addo, Y; Custovic, A.; Taggart, S. C.; Asafo-Agyei, A. P.; Woodcock, A.

1997-01-01

BACKGROUND: As more developing countries adopt a westernised style of living, an increase in the prevalence of asthma can be expected to occur in these areas. A study was undertaken to establish the normal response to exercise in Ghanaian children and to use these normal values to determine the prevalence of exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) in urban rich (UR), urban poor (UP), and rural (R) school children. Skin test reactivity to common inhalant allergens in UR, UP, and R children with and without EIB was also investigated. METHODS: Two hundred children aged 9-16 years without a previous history of respiratory symptoms were randomly selected and underwent free running exercise testing. A normal response to exercise was defined as the group mean change in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) +/- 2 standard deviations. This value was used to identify the prevalence of EIB in UR, UP, and R schoolchildren. A total of 1095 children from three different schools underwent exercise testing (220 UP, 599 UR, 276 R), after which 916 children underwent skin prick testing to six common inhalant allergens (D farinae, D pteronyssinus, cat, dog, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans). RESULTS: From the results of exercise testing in asymptomatic children the normal range was defined as a fall in PEFR of < 12.5% after exercise. Thirty four children were classified as having EIB on the basis of the above definition, giving an overall prevalence of 3.1%. The prevalence of EIB was significantly higher in UR children (4.7%) than in both UP (2.2%; p < 0.05) and R children (1.4%; p < 0.01). However, the prevalence rates in the UP and R children were similar. The prevalence of atopy in the whole population was 4.4%. Of the children with EIB, 10% were skin test positive to at least one of the allergens tested. The prevalence of atopy was significantly higher in UR children (6.55%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.5% to 9.2%) than in UP (2.9%, 95% CI 0.9% to 6.7%) and R children (1.5%, 95% CI 0.4% to 3.7%), respectively (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EIB and atopy is higher in urban rich than in urban poor or rural children suggesting that, in addition to genetic predisposition, social and environmental factors such as wealth, life style, and housing are important determinants of these phenotypes. 


 PMID:9059478

Compensatory and mimetic conditioned responses to effects of heroin in addicted persons.

PubMed

Trujillo, Humberto M; Oviedo-Joekes, Eugenia; Vargas, Cristina

2006-02-01

Study 1: The aim of this study was to analyze in persons detoxified of heroin, compensatory conditioned responses (CCRs) that are opposite to the unconditioned physiological, and subjective effects that are induced by this substance. The procedure consisted in presenting slides with images of neutral stimuli (NSs) and conditioned stimuli (CSs) of heroin to both non-addicted and detoxified addicted persons. The evaluated responses were heart rate (HR) and desire for heroin (DH). Study 2: The aim was to facilitate the emission of mimetic conditioned responses (MCRs) to the unconditioned physiological, and subjective effects of heroin in detoxified heroin addicts. Three different stimulus series were manipulated: SA, during which the participant remained alone; SB, administration of a needle prick given by the researcher; SC, performance of the "pump" ritual without drug by the participants. The responses measured were HR and DH. The results of both studies are considered, respectively, to be indicators of compensatory and mimetic conditioned responses.

Cost-effectiveness v patient preference in the choice of treatment for distal ureteral calculi: a literature-based decision analysis.

PubMed

Wolf, J S; Carroll, P R; Stoller, M L

1995-06-01

Ureteroscopy (URS) and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) battle for supremacy in the management distal ureteral calculi. In order to clarify issues surrounding this controversy, we created a decision tree modeling URS or SWL with literature-based probabilities and used as endpoints both cost and patient preferences. Ureteroscopy was more successful than single-session or multiple-session SWL, 92.1% v 74.3% or 84.5%, and had a lower retreatment/complication rate. Although initial SWL was only slightly more expensive than URS, $4,420 v $4,337, the difference increased when the additional costs of complications and retreatment were calculated, $6,745 v $5,555. Using values for an "average" patient, SWL was preferred to URS in terms of patient satisfaction. The most important factors distinguishing between URS and SWL were the success of treatment, the cost of initial therapy, and patient attitudes toward unplanned ancillary procedures and retreatment. Although no alteration of success rates and cost figures within reasonable ranges made URS less cost-effective than SWL, individual differences in patients' aversion for complications allowed URS to be preferred to SWL in some situations. Therefore, SWL is less cost-effective than URS and is not necessarily preferred by patients. The physician should be aware of the principal determinants of the choice between URS and SWL treatment of distal ureteral calculi.

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control:...

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control:...

Addendum to the Corrective Action Decision Document/Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 406: Area 3 Building 03-74 & Building 03-58 Underground Discharge Points and Corrective Action Unit 429: Area 3 Building 03-55 & Area 9 Building 09-52 Underground Discharge Points, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the March 2000, Corrective Action Decision Document / Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 406: Area 3 Building 03-74 & 03-58 Underground Discharge Points and Corrective Action Unit 429: Area 3 Building 03-55 & Area 9 Building 09-52 Underground Discharge Points (TTR) as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. Themore » approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of: • This cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 03-51-001-0355 – Photo Shop UDP, Drains in CAU 429. It should be noted that there are no changes to CAU 406. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Nucleon matter equation of state, particle number fluctuations, and shear viscosity within UrQMD box calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motornenko, A.; Bravina, L.; Gorenstein, M. I.; Magner, A. G.; Zabrodin, E.

2018-03-01

Properties of equilibrated nucleon system are studied within the ultra-relativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) transport model. The UrQMD calculations are done within a finite box with periodic boundary conditions. The system achieves thermal equilibrium due to nucleon-nucleon elastic scattering. For the UrQMD-equilibrium state, nucleon energy spectra, equation of state, particle number fluctuations, and shear viscosity η are calculated. The UrQMD results are compared with both, statistical mechanics and Chapman-Enskog kinetic theory, for a classical system of nucleons with hard-core repulsion.

Extreme Unconditional Dependence Vs. Multivariate GARCH Effect in the Analysis of Dependence Between High Losses on Polish and German Stock Indexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rokita, Pawel

Classical portfolio diversification methods do not take account of any dependence between extreme returns (losses). Many researchers provide, however, some empirical evidence for various assets that extreme-losses co-occur. If the co-occurrence is frequent enough to be statistically significant, it may seriously influence portfolio risk. Such effects may result from a few different properties of financial time series, like for instance: (1) extreme dependence in a (long-term) unconditional distribution, (2) extreme dependence in subsequent conditional distributions, (3) time-varying conditional covariance, (4) time-varying (long-term) unconditional covariance, (5) market contagion. Moreover, a mix of these properties may be present in return time series. Modeling each of them requires different approaches. It seams reasonable to investigate whether distinguishing between the properties is highly significant for portfolio risk measurement. If it is, identifying the effect responsible for high loss co-occurrence would be of a great importance. If it is not, the best solution would be selecting the easiest-to-apply model. This article concentrates on two of the aforementioned properties: extreme dependence (in a long-term unconditional distribution) and time-varying conditional covariance.

Mentor Perspectives on the Place of Undergraduate Research Mentoring in Academic Identity and Career Development: An Analysis of Award Winning Mentors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Eric E.; Walkington, Helen; Shanahan, Jenny Olin; Ackley, Elizabeth; Stewart, Kearsley A.

2018-01-01

This study examines how Undergraduate Research (UR) mentoring fits into the career profile of award-winning UR mentors and the factors that motivate engagement as UR mentors. Twenty-four award-winning UR mentors in four countries were interviewed about their mentoring practices. Six themes emerged: (1) Academic Identity and Motivations; (2)…

Management patterns of medicare patients undergoing treatment for upper urinary tract calculi.

PubMed

Matlaga, Brian R; Meckley, Lisa M; Kim, Micheline; Byrne, Thomas W

2014-06-01

We conducted this study to identify differences in the re-treatment rates and ancillary procedures for the two most commonly utilized stone treatment procedures in the Medicare population: ureteroscopy (URS) and shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). A retrospective claims analysis of the Medicare standard analytical file 5% sample was conducted to identify patients with a new diagnosis of urolithiasis undergoing treatment with URS or SWL from 2009-2010. Outcomes evaluated: (1) repeat stone removal procedures within 120 days post index procedure, (2) stent placement procedures on the index date, 30 days prior to and 120 days post index date, and (3) use of general anesthesia. We identified 3885 eligible patients, of which 2165 (56%) underwent SWL and 1720 (44%) underwent URS. Overall, SWL patients were 1.73 times more likely to undergo at least one repeat procedure than URS patients, and twice as likely to require multiple re-treatments compared to URS. Among those with ureteral stones, SWL patients were 2.27 times more likely to undergo repeat procedures. The difference was not statistically significant in renal stone patients. Overall, SWL patients were 1.41 times more likely than URS patients to have a stent placed prior to index procedure, and 1.33 times more likely to have a stent placed subsequent to the index procedure. The majority of URS patients (77.8%) had a stent placed at the time of index procedure. There was no significant difference in anesthetic approaches between SWL and URS. Patients undergoing SWL are significantly more likely to require re-treatments than URS patients. SWL patients are also significantly more likely to require ureteral stent placement as a separate event. SWL and URS patients have similar rates of general anesthesia.

Comparison of flexible ureterorenoscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treatment of lower calyceal stones smaller than 2 cm.

PubMed

Akbulut, Fatih; Kucuktopcu, Onur; Kandemir, Emre; Sonmezay, Erkan; Simsek, Abdulmuttalip; Ozgor, Faruk; Binbay, Murat; Muslumanoglu, Ahmet Yaser; Gurbuz, Gokhan

2016-01-01

To compare the outcomes of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PNL) in the treatment of lower calyceal stones smaller than 2 cm. Patients who underwent F-URS and mini-PNL for the treatment of lower calyceal stones smaller than 2 cm between March 2009 and December 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Ninety-four patients were divided into two groups by treatment modality: F-URS (Group 1: 63 patients) and mini-PNL (Group 2: 31 patients). All patients were preoperatively diagnosed with intravenous pyelography or computed tomography. Success rates for F-URS and mini-PNL at postoperative first month were 85.7% and 90.3%, respectively. Operation time, fluoroscopy time, and hospitalization time for F-URS and mini-PNL patients were 44.40 min, 2.9 min, 22.4 h, and 91.9 min, 6.4 min, and 63.8 h, respectively. All three parameters were significantly shorter among the F-URS group (p < 0.001). Postoperative hemoglobin drop was significantly lower in F-URS group compared to mini-PNL group (0.39 mg/dL vs. 1.15 mg/dL, p = 0.001). A comparison of complications according to the Clavien classification demonstrated significant differences between the groups (p = 0.001). More patients in the F-URS groups require antibiotics due to urinary tract infection, and more patients in the mini-PNL group required ureteral double J catheter insertion under general anesthesia. Although both F-URS and mini-PNL have similar success rates for the treatment of lower calyceal stones, F-URS appears to be more favorable due to shorter fluoroscopy and hospitalization times; and lower hemoglobin drops. Multicenter and studies using higher patient volumes are needed to confirm these findings.

Matched pair analysis of ureteroscopy vs. shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of upper ureteric calculi.

PubMed

Stewart, G D; Bariol, S V; Moussa, S A; Smith, G; Tolley, D A

2007-05-01

There is controversy over whether shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) or ureteroscopy (URS) is the best management of ureteric calculi, especially for stones located in the upper ureter. This study compares URS and SWL management of upper ureteric stones directly for the first time using a different analysis tool, the matched pair analysis study design. This method enables meaningful comparisons to be made on a small number of matched patients, using precise like-for-like matching. Adult patients undergoing primary treatment of solitary radiopaque proximal ureteric stones were identified. Patients with stents, nephrostomies or stones at the pelvi-ureteric junction were excluded. Patients had a minimum of 3 months follow-up. Patients treated by primary URS were matched using four parameters (sex, laterality, stone size and location) to patients treated on a Dornier Compact Delta Lithotriptor. A total of 1479 patients had URS or SWL from which 27 upper ureteric stone matched pairs were identified. Three-month stone free rates were 82% for URS and 89% for SWL (McNemar's test, p=0.625). Re-treatment was required in 11% and 26% following URS and SWL respectively (p=0.219). Forty-one per cent of URS patients required an ancillary treatment, such as stent removal, compared with only 22% of SWL patients (p=0.227). Introduction of a holmium:YAG laser for use with URS improved the stone free rate for URS to 100%. Using a robust like-for-like comparison of similar patients with very similar upper ureteric stones the outcomes following SWL and URS were comparable. Choice of treatment should therefore be based on parameters such as availability of equipment, waiting times and patient preference.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 357: Mud Pits and Waste Dump, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Krauss, Mark J

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 357: Mud Pits and Waste Dump, Nevada Test Site, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications To Remove Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order dated September 2013. The Use Restriction Removal document was approved by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on October 16, 2013. The approval of the UR Removal document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the UR Removal document, thismore » addendum consists of: This page that refers the reader to the UR Removal document for additional information The cover, title, and signature pages of the UR Removal document The NDEP approval letter The corresponding section of the UR Removal document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 04-26-03, Lead Bricks. This UR was established as part of FFACO corrective actions and was based on the presence of lead contamination at concentrations greater than the action level established at the time of the initial investigation.« less

Attachment B: URS Shale Gas Emissions Analysis

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This data was provided in response to a request by ANGA for actual current data that could be compared to EPA's assumptions used in the newly proposed Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards, Subpart quad 0

Efficacy Management of Urolithiasis: Flexible Ureteroscopy versus Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy.

PubMed

Tauber, Volkmar; Wohlmuth, Martin; Hochmuth, Andreas; Schimetta, Wolfgang; Schimetta, Wofgang; Krause, F Steffen

2015-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of flexible ureterscopy (fURS) and extracorporal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the treatment of urolithiasis, complemented by a subgroup analysis of lower pole calyx. Retrospective analysis of patients treated by fURS or SWL was performed by independent variables such as gender, age, nephrolith size, double-J stent (DJ stent) and stone localisation. Out of 326 patients, 165 were treated by SWL and 161 by fURS. Complete stone removal was achieved by fURS in 83.2% and by SWL in 43.0% (p < 0.001). Asymptomatic behaviour (88-89%) and complication rate (10-11%) were nearly the same in both methods. A higher retreatment rate for SWL was necessary; otherwise, an auxillary DJ stent was performed more often preoperative before fURS. The subgroup analysis of lower pole calyx confirmed these evaluations. Complete stone-free removal was almost 8 times higher after fURS compared to SWL. The efficacy of fURS in treatment of urolithiasis is substantially higher than the efficacy of SWL. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 355: Area 2 Cellars/Mud Pits Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Lynn Kidman

This document constitutes an addendum to the November 2003, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 355: Area 2 Cellars/Mud Pits as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications. In conformance with the UR Modification document, this addendum consists of: • Thismore » cover page that refers the reader to the UR Modification document for additional information • The cover and signature pages of the UR Modification document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the UR Modification document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for: • CAS 02-37-01, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-03, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-04, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-05, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-06, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-07, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-10, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-11, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-12, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-13, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-14, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-15, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-16, Cellar & Mud Pit • CAS 02-37-17, Cellar • CAS 02-37-18, Cellar & Tanks These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996; as amended August 2006). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006c). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004f). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Use of hospital discharge data to monitor uterine rupture--Massachusetts, 1990-1997.

PubMed

2000-03-31

Uterine rupture (UR), a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and infant, occurs in <0.1% of all pregnant women and <1% of women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) (1-4). During 1990-1997, the proportion of vaginal deliveries among women who had previous cesarean sections (CS) in Massachusetts increased 50%, from 22.3% to 33.5% (5). Concern about a corresponding increase in UR prompted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC to initiate a state-wide investigation that included an assessment of the validity and reliability of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) (6), codes in hospital discharge data to identify UR cases. This report summarizes the results of the investigation, which indicate that ICD-9-CM codes related to UR, designed before increased concern about UR, lack adequate specificity for UR surveillance and have not been applied consistently over time.

Undergraduate Research as a Primary Pathway to STEM Careers: Perspectives from the Council on Undergraduate Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manley, P. L.; Ambos, E. L.

2012-12-01

Undergraduate research (UR) is one of the most authentic and effective ways to promote student learning, and is a high-impact educational practice that can lead to measurable gains in student retention and graduation rates, as well as career aspirations. In recent years, UR has expanded from intensive summer one-on-one faculty-student mentored experiences to application in a variety of educational settings, including large lower division courses. The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), founded in 1978, is a national organization of individual (8000) and institutional members (650) within a divisional structure that includes geosciences, as well as 10 other thematic areas. CUR's main mission is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship that develops learning through research. CUR fulfills this mission through extensive publication offerings, faculty and student-directed professional development events, and outreach and advocacy activities that share successful models and strategies for establishing, institutionalizing, and sustaining undergraduate research programs. Over the last decade, CUR has worked with hundreds of academic institutions, including two-year colleges, to develop practices to build undergraduate research into campus cultures and operations. As documented in CUR publications such as Characteristics of Excellence in Undergraduate Research (COEUR), strategies institutions may adopt to enhance and sustain UR often include: (1) the establishment of a central UR campus office, (2) extensive student and faculty participation in campus-based, as well as regional UR celebration events, (3) development of a consistent practice of assessment of UR's impact on student success, and, (4) establishment of clear policies for recognizing and rewarding faculty engagement in UR, particularly with respect to mentorship and publication with student scholars. Three areas of current focus within the international UR community are particularly important to considerations of broadening and strengthening the pipeline of students entering careers in geosciences and other STEM disciplines: (1) embedding UR more effectively and systematically throughout the undergraduate curriculum, (2) connecting UR experiences with student developmental arcs in content knowledge and skill integration, and, (3) growing the scholarship of study of impact of UR on student success and professional achievements. Case studies of institutions, particularly those that represent collaborations between two and four year colleges and universities, that are successfully addressing these focus areas will be presented, along with specific challenges to expanding the use of UR in lower division curricula.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: VLBI Ecliptic Plane Survey: VEPS-1 (Shu+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, F.; Petrov, L.; Jiang, W.; Xia, B.; Jiang, T.; Cui, Y.; Takefuji, K.; McCallum, J.; Lovell, J.; Yi, S.-O.; Hao, L.; Yang, W.; Zhang, H.; Chen, Z.; Li, J.

2017-08-01

We began observations in the search mode in 2015 February. The participating stations included the three core stations of the Chinese VLBI Network (CVN): seshan25, kunming, and urumqi. Depending on the participating stations, the longest baseline length in each session can be varied from 3200km to 9800km. Our observations were performed at a 2048Mbps data rate, with 16 Intermediate Frequency (IF) channels and 2-bit sampling. The first eight IFs of 32MHz bandwidth were distributed in the range of [8.188, 8.444]GHz, and the remaining eight IFs of 32MHz bandwidth were in the range of [8.700, 8.956]GHz. Table 1: Summary of the VLBI Ecliptic Plane Survey (VEPS) observations in search mode: --------------------------------------------------- Date Dur. Code Stations Number of (Y/M/D) (h) Targets --------------------------------------------------- 2015 Feb 13 24 VEPS01 ShKmUr 293 2015 Feb 14 24 VEPS02 ShKmUr 338 2015 Apr 23 24 VEPS03 UrKv 300 2015 Apr 24 24 VEPS04 ShKmUrKv 400 2015 Aug 10 25 VEPS05 ShKmKvHo 252 2015 Aug 19 25 VEPS06 ShKmKvHo 277 2016 Mar 02 24 VEPS07 ShKmUrKb 333 2016 Mar 11 24 VEPS08 ShKmUrKb 477 2016 May 13 24 VEPS09 ShUrHo 291 2016 May 14 22 VEPS10 ShUrKv 322 2016 Jul 06 24 VEPS11 ShUrKb 307 2016 Sep 02 23 VEPS12 ShUr 424 2016 Sep 03 23 VEPS13 ShKmUr 344 --------------------------------------------------- Sh=Seshan25; Km=Kunming; Ur=Urumqi; Kv=Sejong; Kb=Kashim34; Ho=Hobart26. --------------------------------------------------- We ran two absolute astrometry dual-band VLBA programs that targeted ecliptic plane compact radio sources: the dedicated survey of weak ecliptic plane calibrators with the VLBA BS250 program in 2016 March-May, and the VLBA Calibrator Survey 9 (VCS-9) in 2015 August-2016 September. The International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) runs a number of VLBI observing programs. We made an attempt to improve the coordinates of some VEPS sources detected in the search mode and provide additional measurements of telescope position with the same experiments in two such 24hr sessions, AOV010 in July and AUA012 in 2016 August. (2 data files).

Addendum to the Corrective Action Decision Document/Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 529: Area 25 Contaminated Materials, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 1

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

Krauss, Mark J

This document constitutes an addendum to the Corrective Action Decision Document/Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 529: Area 25 Contaminated Materials, Nevada Test Site, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications To Remove Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order dated September 2013. The Use Restriction (UR) Removal document was approved by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on October 16, 2013. The approval of the UR Removal document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the URmore » Removal document, this addendum consists of: This page that refers the reader to the UR Removal document for additional information The cover, title, and signature pages of the UR Removal document The NDEP approval letter The corresponding section of the UR Removal document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 25-23-17, Contaminated Wash (Parcel H). This UR was established as part of FFACO corrective actions and was based on the presence of total petroleum hydrocarbon diesel-range organics contamination at concentrations greater than the NDEP action level at the time of the initial investigation.« less

Assessing Student Outcomes of Undergraduate Research with URSSA, the Undergraduate Student Self-Assessment Instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laursen, S. L.; Weston, T. J.; Thiry, H.

2012-12-01

URSSA is the Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment, an online survey instrument for programs and departments to use in assessing the student outcomes of undergraduate research (UR). URSSA focuses on what students learn from their UR experience, rather than whether they liked it. The online questionnaire includes both multiple-choice and open-ended items that focus on students' gains from undergraduate research. These gains include skills, knowledge, deeper understanding of the intellectual and practical work of science, growth in confidence, changes in identity, and career preparation. Other items probe students' participation in important research-related activities that lead to these gains (e.g. giving presentations, having responsibility for a project). These activities, and the gains themselves, are based in research and thus constitute a core set of items. Using these items as a group helps to align a particular program assessment with research-demonstrated outcomes. Optional items may be used to probe particular features that are augment the research experience (e.g. field trips, career seminars, housing arrangements). The URSSA items are based on extensive, interview-based research and evaluation work on undergraduate research by our group and others. This grounding in research means that URSSA measures what we know to be important about the UR experience The items were tested with students, revised and re-tested. Data from a large pilot sample of over 500 students enabled statistical testing of the items' validity and reliability. Optional items about UR program elements were developed in consultation with UR program developers and leaders. The resulting instrument is flexible. Users begin with a set of core items, then customize their survey with optional items to probe students' experiences of specific program elements. The online instrument is free and easy to use, with numeric results available as raw data, summary statistics, cross-tabs, and graphs, and as raw, downloadable data. Finally, URSSA has high content validity based on its research grounding and rigorous development. We will present examples of how URSSA has been used in evaluations of UR programs. A multi-year evaluation of a university-based UR program shows that URSSA items are sensitive to differences in students' prior level of experience with research. For example, experienced student researchers reported greater gains than did their peers new to UR in understanding the process of research and in coming to see themselves as scientists. These differences are consistent with interview data that suggest a developmental progression of gains as students pursue research and gain confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully. A second example comes from a multi-site evaluation of sites funded by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in Biology. This study acquired data from nearly 800 students at some 60 Bio REU sites in 2010 and 2011. Results reveal differences in gains among demographic groups, and the general strength of these well-planned programs relative to a comparison sample of UR programs that are not part of REU. Our presentation will demonstrate the evaluative use of URSSA and its potential applications to undergraduate research in the geosciences.

Antiepileptic Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla and Rhynchophylline Involved in the Initiation of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Phosphorylation of MAPK Signal Pathways in Acute Seizures of Kainic Acid-Treated Rats

PubMed Central

Hsu, Hsin-Cheng; Tang, Nou-Ying; Liu, Chung-Hsiang

2013-01-01

Seizures cause inflammation of the central nervous system. The extent of the inflammation is related to the severity and recurrence of the seizures. Cell surface receptors are stimulated by stimulators such as kainic acid (KA), which causes intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway transmission to coordinate a response. It is known that Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and rhynchophylline (RP) have anticonvulsive effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a novel strategy for treating epilepsy by investigating how UR and RP initiate their anticonvulsive mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered KA (12 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce seizure before being sacrificed. The brain was removed 3 h after KA administration. The results indicate that pretreatment with UR (1.0 g/kg), RP (0.25 mg/kg), and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg) for 3 d could reduce epileptic seizures and could also reduce the expression of c-Jun aminoterminal kinase phosphorylation (JNKp) of MAPK signal pathways in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus brain tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α remain unchanged, indicating that the anticonvulsive effect of UR and RP is initially involved in the JNKp MAPK signal pathway during the KA-induced acute seizure period. PMID:24381640

Antiepileptic Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla and Rhynchophylline Involved in the Initiation of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Phosphorylation of MAPK Signal Pathways in Acute Seizures of Kainic Acid-Treated Rats.

PubMed

Hsu, Hsin-Cheng; Tang, Nou-Ying; Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2013-01-01

Seizures cause inflammation of the central nervous system. The extent of the inflammation is related to the severity and recurrence of the seizures. Cell surface receptors are stimulated by stimulators such as kainic acid (KA), which causes intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway transmission to coordinate a response. It is known that Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and rhynchophylline (RP) have anticonvulsive effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a novel strategy for treating epilepsy by investigating how UR and RP initiate their anticonvulsive mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered KA (12 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce seizure before being sacrificed. The brain was removed 3 h after KA administration. The results indicate that pretreatment with UR (1.0 g/kg), RP (0.25 mg/kg), and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg) for 3 d could reduce epileptic seizures and could also reduce the expression of c-Jun aminoterminal kinase phosphorylation (JNKp) of MAPK signal pathways in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus brain tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 β , IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- α remain unchanged, indicating that the anticonvulsive effect of UR and RP is initially involved in the JNKp MAPK signal pathway during the KA-induced acute seizure period.

Development and validation of an algorithm for identifying urinary retention in a cohort of patients with epilepsy in a large US administrative claims database.

PubMed

Quinlan, Scott C; Cheng, Wendy Y; Ishihara, Lianna; Irizarry, Michael C; Holick, Crystal N; Duh, Mei Sheng

2016-04-01

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an insurance claims-based algorithm for identifying urinary retention (UR) in epilepsy patients receiving antiepileptic drugs to facilitate safety monitoring. Data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database(SM) in 2008-2011 (retrospective) and 2012-2013 (prospective) were used to identify epilepsy patients with UR. During the retrospective phase, three algorithms identified potential UR: (i) UR diagnosis code with a catheterization procedure code; (ii) UR diagnosis code alone; or (iii) diagnosis with UR-related symptoms. Medical records for 50 randomly selected patients satisfying ≥1 algorithm were reviewed by urologists to ascertain UR status. Positive predictive value (PPV) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the three component algorithms and the overall algorithm (defined as satisfying ≥1 component algorithms). Algorithms were refined using urologist review notes. In the prospective phase, the UR algorithm was refined using medical records for an additional 150 cases. In the retrospective phase, the PPV of the overall algorithm was 72.0% (95%CI: 57.5-83.8%). Algorithm 3 performed poorly and was dropped. Algorithm 1 was unchanged; urinary incontinence and cystitis were added as exclusionary diagnoses to Algorithm 2. The PPV for the modified overall algorithm was 89.2% (74.6-97.0%). In the prospective phase, the PPV for the modified overall algorithm was 76.0% (68.4-82.6%). Upon adding overactive bladder, nocturia and urinary frequency as exclusionary diagnoses, the PPV for the final overall algorithm was 81.9% (73.7-88.4%). The current UR algorithm yielded a PPV > 80% and could be used for more accurate identification of UR among epilepsy patients in a large claims database. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Estimates of the Burden of Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide for Pregnant Women, Stillbirths, and Children

PubMed Central

Seale, Anna C; Bianchi-Jassir, Fiorella; Russell, Neal J; Kohli-Lynch, Maya; Tann, Cally J; Hall, Jenny; Madrid, Lola; Blencowe, Hannah; Cousens, Simon; Baker, Carol J; Bartlett, Linda; Cutland, Clare; Gravett, Michael G; Heath, Paul T; Ip, Margaret; Le Doare, Kirsty; Madhi, Shabir A; Rubens, Craig E; Saha, Samir K; Schrag, Stephanie J; Sobanjo-ter Meulen, Ajoke; Vekemans, Johan; Lawn, Joy E

2017-01-01

Abstract Background We aimed to provide the first comprehensive estimates of the burden of group B Streptococcus (GBS), including invasive disease in pregnant and postpartum women, fetal infection/stillbirth, and infants. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is the current mainstay of prevention, reducing early-onset infant disease in high-income contexts. Maternal GBS vaccines are in development. Methods For 2015 live births, we used a compartmental model to estimate (1) exposure to maternal GBS colonization, (2) cases of infant invasive GBS disease, (3) deaths, and (4) disabilities. We applied incidence or prevalence data to estimate cases of maternal and fetal infection/stillbirth, and infants with invasive GBS disease presenting with neonatal encephalopathy. We applied risk ratios to estimate numbers of preterm births attributable to GBS. Uncertainty was also estimated. Results Worldwide in 2015, we estimated 205000 (uncertainty range [UR], 101000–327000) infants with early-onset disease and 114000 (UR, 44000–326000) with late-onset disease, of whom a minimum of 7000 (UR, 0–19000) presented with neonatal encephalopathy. There were 90000 (UR, 36000–169000) deaths in infants <3 months age, and, at least 10000 (UR, 3000–27000) children with disability each year. There were 33000 (UR, 13000–52000) cases of invasive GBS disease in pregnant or postpartum women, and 57000 (UR, 12000–104000) fetal infections/stillbirths. Up to 3.5 million preterm births may be attributable to GBS. Africa accounted for 54% of estimated cases and 65% of all fetal/infant deaths. A maternal vaccine with 80% efficacy and 90% coverage could prevent 107000 (UR, 20000–198000) stillbirths and infant deaths. Conclusions Our conservative estimates suggest that GBS is a leading contributor to adverse maternal and newborn outcomes, with at least 409000 (UR, 144000–573000) maternal/fetal/infant cases and 147000 (UR, 47000–273000) stillbirths and infant deaths annually. An effective GBS vaccine could reduce disease in the mother, the fetus, and the infant. PMID:29117332

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 5: Landfills, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0 with Errata Sheet and ROTC 1

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

None, None

The purpose of this CR is to document that the closure of CAU 5 complied with the NDEP-approved CAP closure requirements (NNSA/NSO, 2004). The closure activities specified in the CAP were based on the recommendations presented in the corrective action decision document (CADD) (NNSA/NSO, 2003). ROTC 1: The UR form was updated to the current format to include a. more detailed description of the UR and maintenance requirements. Information was edited due to the change of UR signs at the site to UR monuments/signs. The maintenance frequency was changed to annually because sign damage due to high winds was evidencedmore » during recent site inspections. The coordinates for the UR were originally based on NAD 27 and were modified to NAD 83 to comply with the most recent M&O database requirements. The modifications identified in this ROTC will supersede the existing posting requirements for the UR at CASs 06-1S-02 and 06-15-03 as identified in the CAU 5 CADD; CAU 5 CR; and the UR form associated with CASs 06-15-02 and 06-15-03.« less

Oral Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) reduces kainic acid-induced epileptic seizures and neuronal death accompanied by attenuating glial cell proliferation and S100B proteins in rats.

PubMed

Lin, Yi-Wen; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2011-05-17

Epilepsy is a common clinical syndrome with recurrent neuronal discharges in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Here we aim to determine the protective role of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR), an herbal drug belong to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), on epileptic rats. To address this issue, we tested the effect of UR on kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizures and further investigate the underlying mechanisms. Oral UR successfully decreased neuronal death and discharges in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. The population spikes (PSs) were decreased from 4.1 ± 0.4 mV to 2.1 ± 0.3 mV in KA-induced epileptic seizures and UR-treated groups, respectively. Oral UR protected animals from neuronal death induced by KA treatment (from 34 ± 4.6 to 191.7 ± 48.6 neurons/field) through attenuating glial cell proliferation and S100B protein expression but not GABAA and TRPV1 receptors. The above results provide detail mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective action of UR on KA-induced epileptic seizure in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Under-reporting of adverse drug reactions: a challenge for pharmacovigilance in India.

PubMed

Tandon, Vishal R; Mahajan, Vivek; Khajuria, Vijay; Gillani, Zahid

2015-01-01

The aim was to evaluate the extent and factors responsible for underreporting (UR) of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India. A retrospective observational, cross-sectional prospective questionnaire-based analysis was undertaken to evaluate the extent and factors for UR of ADRs in pharmacovigilance. At the time, this report was prepared, 90 ADR Monitoring Centers (AMC) were operational in India. Indian AMC functional rate was 56.45%. The average number of Individual Case Safety Reports reported by our center via VigiFlow per month was 48.038. In a period of the 3 years the total number of ADRs reported was 3024. The average number of reports per month was 80.08. Active surveillance versus spontaneous reporting contributed 66.13% versus 33.86% of the total ADRs (P < 0.0001). Outpatient Department (OPD) contribution was 76.05% and indoor contribution was 23.94% of total reports (P < 0.0001). Department of Medicine (33%), followed by oncology (19.27%) and chest disease (13.49%) contributed maximally. The contribution of Pharmacology ADR monitoring OPD was 16.20%. Eye, ear, nose and throat and surgery, private Medical Colleges, hospitals in periphery, sub-district and district contributed no ADRs. ADR detection rates by clinical presentation, biochemical investigation and diagnostic tools were 84.33%, 14.57%, and 1.09% respectively (P < 0.0001). Reporting by postgraduate, registrars, consultants and nurses were 72.65%, 6.58%, 16.56% and 4.19% respectively (P < 0.0001). PG students in Pharmacology contributed an average number of 5.61 ADR reports/month. The lack of knowledge and awareness about Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), lethargy, indifference, insecurity, complacency, workload, lack of training were the common factors responsible for UR. Major academic activity, exams, thesis and synopsis submission time influenced reporting of ADRs by postgraduate students. UR is a matter of concern PvPI. Multiple interventions are needed to improve ADR reporting.

42 CFR 456.205 - UR committee required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false UR committee required. 456.205 Section 456.205 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan...

What factors are associated with unplanned return following transurethral resection of bladder tumor? An analysis of a large single institution's experience.

PubMed

Ghali, Fady; Moses, Rachel A; Raffin, Eric; Hyams, Elias S

2016-10-01

This study sought to evaluate factors associated with unplanned hospital return (UR) following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), the largest source of readmission among ambulatory urological procedures. A retrospective review of TURBTs at a single academic institution between April 2011 and August 2014 was performed. Demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, tumor size and multiple other factors were recorded. UR was recorded within 30 days of surgery. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with UR. Among 708 patients undergoing TURBT, 23.9% were female with a mean age of 70 years. The rate of UR was 10.9%. The most common cause of UR was gross hematuria, accounting for 70%. On bivariate analysis, Foley catheter placement in the operating room, non-aspirin anticoagulation and index length of stay longer than 24 h were associated with hematuria-related UR (p < 0.05). Preoperative antibiotics, female gender and aspirin therapy were associated with lower rates of hematuria-related UR (p < 0.05), while tumor size, distance of residence to the hospital, and Foley on hospital discharge (rather than from the operating room) had no association (p > 0.05). On multivariable analysis, only Foley placement in the operating room remained associated with higher rates of hematuria-related UR, while preoperative antibiotics, female gender and aspirin therapy remained associated with a lower likelihood of this event. UR following TURBT is common and typically results from gross hematuria. Patients with postoperative Foley catheterization in the operating room may require additional counseling or supervision before discharge, and should be considered for discharge with a Foley rather than having a prompt voiding trial.

Ultra-Refractory Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusion in an AOA in CR Chondrite Yamato-793261

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Komatsu, M.; Fagan, T. J.; Yamaguchi, A.; Mikouchi, T.; Yasutake, M.; Zolensky, M. E.

2017-01-01

CR chondrites are a group of primitive carbonaceous chondrites that preserve nebular records of the formation conditions of their components. We have been investigating a set of Antarctic CR chondrites from the Japanese-NIPR collection in order to study variations within this group. During our study, we have found an AOA that encloses an ultrarefractory (UR) CAI in Yamato-793261 (Y-793261). UR CAIs are rare in carbonaceous chondrites, and only three UR CAIs in AOAs have been identified so far. UR CAIs can provide information on crystallization processes at very high temperatures in the solar nebula. Here we describe the petrology of Y-793261, and preliminary results on this newly discovered AOA enclosing a UR CAI.

Neuroprotective Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla in Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures by Modulating Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Sprouting, Neuron Survival, Astrocyte Proliferation, and S100B Expression

PubMed Central

Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Lin, Yi-Wen; Tang, Nou-Ying; Liu, Hsu-Jan; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2012-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR), which is a traditional Chinese medicine, has anticonvulsive effect in our previous studies, and the cellular mechanisms behind this are still little known. Because of this, we wanted to determine the importance of the role of UR on kainic acid- (KA-) induced epilepsy. Oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate the onset of epileptic seizure in animal tests. Hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting dramatically decreased, while neuronal survival increased with UR treatment in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas. Furthermore, oral UR for 6 weeks significantly attenuated the overexpression of astrocyte proliferation and S100B proteins but not γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors. These results indicate that oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate mossy fiber sprouting, astrocyte proliferation, and S100B protein overexpression and increase neuronal survival in KA-induced epileptic rat hippocampus PMID:21837247

Neuroprotective Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla in Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures by Modulating Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Sprouting, Neuron Survival, Astrocyte Proliferation, and S100B Expression.

PubMed

Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Lin, Yi-Wen; Tang, Nou-Ying; Liu, Hsu-Jan; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2012-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR), which is a traditional Chinese medicine, has anticonvulsive effect in our previous studies, and the cellular mechanisms behind this are still little known. Because of this, we wanted to determine the importance of the role of UR on kainic acid- (KA-) induced epilepsy. Oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate the onset of epileptic seizure in animal tests. Hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting dramatically decreased, while neuronal survival increased with UR treatment in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas. Furthermore, oral UR for 6 weeks significantly attenuated the overexpression of astrocyte proliferation and S100B proteins but not γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptors. These results indicate that oral UR for 6 weeks can successfully attenuate mossy fiber sprouting, astrocyte proliferation, and S100B protein overexpression and increase neuronal survival in KA-induced epileptic rat hippocampus.

[The relationship between unemployment rates and lost work time due to sickness absence in an economic recession].

PubMed

López López, J C; Ballesteros Polo, M; Sampere Valero, M; Sacristán Nieto, R; Alguacil García, S; Ruiz Julian, A; Santos Avila, E; García Rubia, S; López Costa, B; Martínez Martínez, J M

Different countries have shown an inverse relationship between unemployment rates (UR) and indicators of sickness absence during periods of economic recession. To evaluate the relationship between indicators of sickness absence and unemployment in Spain during 2009-2015. We obtained incidence and absenteeism rates of non-work related sickness absence (NWSA) from Social Security data, and UR from the National Institute of Statistics. The relationship between indicators of NWSA and UR in the period 2009 to 2015 was graphically described using time trend plots. Scatter plots of NWSA indicators were also made against UR. Finally, we fitted linear regression models. Incidence (IR) and absenteeism rates (AR) of NWSA showed downward trends in 2009-2013 (IR 2009=28.07%, IR 2013=20.41%; AR 2009=2.53% and AR 2013=1.86%), changing to an upward trend up to 2015 (IR 2015=22.52%, AR 2015=2.12%). Unemployment rates trended upward in 2009-2013 (UR 2009=17.86%, UR 2013=26.10%), and then changed to a downward trend through 2015 (UR 2015=22.06%). There was an inverse relationship between UR and NWSA indicators. As in previous international studies, we found an inverse relationship between unemployment rates and indicators of sickness absence in Spain. More detailed studies are needed to evaluate explanatory hypotheses, such as those associated with the effects of discipline, selection and/or changes in the workforce. Copyright belongs to the Societat Catalana de Salut Laboral.

Acquisition of heroin conditioned immunosuppression requires IL-1 signaling in the dorsal hippocampus.

PubMed

Lebonville, Christina L; Jones, Meghan E; Hutson, Lee W; Cooper, Letty B; Fuchs, Rita A; Lysle, Donald T

2016-08-01

Opioid users experience increased incidence of infection, which may be partially attributable to both direct opiate-immune interactions and conditioned immune responses. Previous studies have investigated the neural circuitry governing opioid conditioned immune responses, but work remains to elucidate the mechanisms mediating this effect. Our laboratory has previously shown that hippocampal IL-1 signaling, specifically, is required for the expression of heroin conditioned immunosuppression following learning. The current studies were designed to further characterize the role of hippocampal IL-1 in this phenomenon by manipulating IL-1 during learning. Experiment 1 tested whether hippocampal IL-1 is also required for the acquisition of heroin conditioned immunosuppression, while Experiment 2 tested whether hippocampal IL-1 is required for the expression of unconditioned heroin immunosuppression. We found that blocking IL-1 signaling in the dorsal hippocampus with IL-1RA during each conditioning session, but not on interspersed non-conditioning days, significantly attenuated the acquisition of heroin conditioned immunosuppression. Strikingly, we found that the same IL-1RA treatment did not alter unconditioned immunosuppression to a single dose of heroin. Thus, IL-1 signaling is not a critical component of the response to heroin but rather may play a role in the formation of the association between heroin and the context. Collectively, these studies suggest that IL-1 signaling, in addition to being involved in the expression of a heroin conditioned immune response, is also involved in the acquisition of this effect. Importantly, this effect is likely not due to blocking the response to the unconditioned stimulus since IL-1RA did not affect heroin's immunosuppressive effects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acquisition of Heroin Conditioned Immunosuppression Requires IL-1 Signaling in the Dorsal Hippocampus

PubMed Central

Lebonville, Christina L.; Jones, Meghan E.; Hutson, Lee W.; Cooper, Letty B.; Lysle, Donald T.

2016-01-01

Opioid users experience increased incidence of infection, which may be partially attributable to both direct opiate-immune interactions and conditioned immune responses. Previous studies have investigated the neural circuitry governing opioid conditioned immune responses, but work remains to elucidate the mechanisms mediating this effect. Our laboratory has previously shown that hippocampal IL-1 signaling, specifically, is required for the expression of heroin conditioned immunosuppression following learning. The current studies were designed to further characterize the role of hippocampal IL-1 in this phenomenon by manipulating IL-1 during learning. Experiment 1 tested whether hippocampal IL-1 is also required for the acquisition of heroin conditioned immunosuppression, while Experiment 2 tested whether hippocampal IL-1 is required for the expression of unconditioned heroin immunosuppression. We found that blocking IL-1 signaling in the dorsal hippocampus with IL-1RA during each conditioning session, but not on interspersed non-conditioning days, significantly attenuated the acquisition of heroin conditioned immunosuppression. Strikingly, we found that the same IL-1RA treatment did not alter unconditioned immunosuppression to a single dose of heroin. Thus, IL-1 signaling is not a critical component of the response to heroin but rather may play a role in the formation of the association between heroin and the context. Collectively, these studies suggest that IL-1 signaling, in addition to being involved in the expression of a heroin conditioned immune response, is also involved in the acquisition of this effect. Importantly, this effect is likely not due to blocking the response to the unconditioned stimulus since IL-1RA did not affect heroin’s immunosuppressive effects. PMID:27072068

In Search of the Spherical Femoroplasty: Cam Overresection Leads to Inferior Functional Scores Before and After Revision Hip Arthroscopic Surgery.

PubMed

Mansor, Yosif; Perets, Itay; Close, Mary R; Mu, Brian H; Domb, Benjamin G

2018-06-01

Femoroplasty performed for the treatment of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has become a common procedure. Underresection may result in residual FAI. Conversely, overresection may disrupt the labral seal, which is responsible for chondroprotective fluid dynamics of the hip. Hypothesis/Purpose: It was hypothesized that cam overresection negatively affects hip function. The purpose was to examine the effect of the accuracy of previous femoroplasty on hips presenting for revision hip arthroscopic surgery. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Data were prospectively collected for patients presenting for revision hip arthroscopic surgery between June 2010 and August 2014. On the basis of measurements on Dunn view radiographs, cases were divided into 3 groups: overresection (OR group) in which overresection measured over 5% of the diameter of the femoral head, underresection (UR group) in which there was a residual cam lesion (alpha angle >60°), and neutral resection (neutral group). Data collection included the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports-Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale at presentation and at a minimum 2-year follow-up after revision hip arthroscopic surgery and rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). One hundred thirty hips (120 patients) were included. Twenty hips (15.4%) were classified as the OR group, 16 (12.3%) as the UR group, and 94 (72.3%) as the neutral group. The mean follow-up was 39.6 ± 15.9 months. The mHHS and NAHS values at presentation were lower in the OR group compared with the UR group (50.2 ± 15.5 vs 64.7 ± 19.4 [ P = .033] and 48.5 ± 18.6 vs 63.0 ± 19.1 [ P = .044], respectively). The mHHS value at a minimum 2-year follow-up after revision was lower for the OR group (66.7 ± 19.8) than for the UR group (81.0 ± 14.5) ( P = .031). Conversion to THA was more common in the OR group than in the UR group (30% vs 0%, respectively; P = .024). Fifty percent of cases in the OR group, 69.9% in the neutral group, and 75% in the UR group met the minimal clinically important difference for the mHHS (Δ). The latest mHHS value reached the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) in 35% of the cases in the OR group, 53.2% in the neutral group, and 75% in the UR group. Hips in the OR group had a significantly lower chance of reaching the PASS than the UR group (odds ratio, 0.1795 [95% CI, 0.0418-0.7711]; P = .0209). Cam overresection of more than 5% of the diameter of the femoral head on the Dunn view predicts inferior clinical outcomes compared with cam underresection in this population. Furthermore, overresection predicts inferior outcomes after revision hip arthroscopic surgery and higher rates of conversion to THA.

42 CFR 456.242 - UR plan requirements for medical care evaluation studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Medical Care Evaluation Studies § 456.242 UR plan requirements for medical care... evaluation studies in the mental hospital; (2) Documents for each study— (i) Its results; and (ii) How the...

In Vitro Antifungal Activities of the New Triazole UR-9825 against Clinically Important Filamentous Fungi

PubMed Central

Capilla, Javier; Ortoneda, Montserrat; Pastor, Francisco Javier; Guarro, Josep

2001-01-01

We used a modified reference microdilution method (the M-38P method) to evaluate the in vitro activities of the new triazole UR-9825 in comparison with those of amphotericin B against 77 strains of opportunistic filamentous fungi. UR-9825 was clearly more active than amphotericin B against all fungi except Fusarium solani and Scytalidium spp. Notably, UR-9825 had low MICs for Aspergillus fumigatus and Paecilomyces lilacinus (MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited, 0.125 μg/ml for both species). PMID:11502542

Appropriate kidney stone size for ureteroscopic lithotripsy: When to switch to a percutaneous approach

PubMed Central

Takazawa, Ryoji; Kitayama, Sachi; Tsujii, Toshihiko

2015-01-01

Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) has become a more effective and safer treatment for whole upper urinary tract stones. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is currently the first-line recommended treatment for large kidney stones ≥ 20 mm and it has an excellent stone-free rate for large kidney stones. However, its invasiveness is not negligible considering its major complication rates. Staged fURS is a practical treatment for such large kidney stones because fURS has a minimal blood transfusion risk, short hospitalization and few restrictions on daily routines. However, as the stone size becomes larger, the stone-free rate decreases, and the number of operations required increases. Therefore, in our opinion, staged fURS is a practical option for kidney stones 20 to 40 mm. Miniaturized PNL combined with fURS should be considered to be a preferred option for stones larger than 40 mm. Moreover, URS is an effective treatment for multiple upper urinary tract stones. Especially for patients with a stone burden < 20 mm, URS is a favorable option that promises a high stone-free rate after a single session either unilaterally or bilaterally. However, for patients with a stone burden ≥ 20 mm, a staged operation should be considered to achieve stone-free status. PMID:25664253

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of use of the synthetic cannabinoid agonists UR-144 and XLR-11 in human urine.

PubMed

Mohr, Amanda L A; Ofsa, Bill; Keil, Alyssa Marie; Simon, John R; McMullin, Matthew; Logan, Barry K

2014-09-01

Ongoing changes in the synthetic cannabinoid drug market create the need for relevant targeted immunoassays for rapid screening of biological samples. We describe the validation and performance characteristics of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay designed to detect use of one of the most prevalent synthetic cannabinoids in urine, UR-144, by targeting its pentanoic acid metabolite. Fluorinated UR-144 (XLR-11) has been demonstrated to metabolize to this common product. The assay has significant cross-reactivity with UR-144-5-OH, UR-144-4-OH and XLR-11-4-OH metabolites, but <10% cross-reactivity with the parent compounds, and no measurable cross-reactivity with other synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites at concentrations of <1,000 ng/mL. The assay's cutoff is 5 ng/mL relative to the pentanoic acid metabolite of UR-144, which is used as the calibrator. The method was validated with 90 positive and negative control urine samples for UR-144, XLR-11 and its metabolites tested versus liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were determined to be 100% for the assay at the specified cutoff. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Classical Conditioning of Eyelid and Mystacial Vibrissae Responses in Conscious Mice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delgado-Garcia, Jose Maria; Troncoso, Julieta; Munera, Alejandro

2004-01-01

The murine vibrissae sensorimotor system has been scrutinized as a target of motor learning through trace classical conditioning. Conditioned eyelid responses were acquired by using weak electrical whisker-pad stimulation as conditioned stimulus (CS) and strong electrical periorbital stimulation as unconditioned stimulus (US). In addition,…

Response to “Comment on ‘The ion-kinetic D'Angelo mode’” [Phys. Plasmas 22, 044703 (2015)

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

Chibisov, D. V., E-mail: dmtchibisov@gmail.com; Mikhailenko, V. S., E-mail: vsmikhailenko@pusan.ac.kr

A response to “Comment on ‘The ion-kinetic D'Angelo mode’” by Aman-ur-Rehman, Shaukat Ali Shan, and Hamid Saleem is given. We find that all Comments are grounded on the misinterpretations of the results of our paper “The ion-kinetic D'Angelo mode” and are erroneous.

Ureteroscopy is more cost effective than shock wave lithotripsy for stone treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Geraghty, Robert M; Jones, Patrick; Herrmann, Thomas R W; Aboumarzouk, Omar; Somani, Bhaskar K

2018-05-05

A rising incidence of kidney stone disease has led to an increase in ureteroscopy (URS) and shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). Our aim was to compare the cost of URS and SWL for treatment of stones. A systematic review and meta-analysis based on Cochrane and PRISMA standards was conducted for all studies reporting on comparative cost of treatment between URS and SWL. The cost calculation was based on factual data presented in the individual studies as reported by the authors. English language articles from January 2001 to December 2017 using Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library and Google Scholar were selected. Our study was registered with PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews)-registration number CRD 42017080350. A total of 12 studies involving 2012 patients (SWL-1243, URS-769) were included after initial identification and screening of 725 studies with further assessment of 27 papers. The mean stone size was 10 and 11 mm for SWL and URS, respectively, with stone location in the proximal ureter (n = 8 studies), distal ureter (n = 1), all locations in the ureter (n = 1) and in the kidney (n = 2). Stone free rates (84 vs. 60%) were favourable for URS compared to SWL (p < 0.001). Complication rates (23 vs. 30%) were non-significantly in favor of SWL (p = 0.11) whereas re-treatment rates (11 vs. 27%) were non-significantly in favor of URS (p = 0.29). Mean overall cost was significantly lower for URS ($2801) compared to SWL ($3627) (p = 0.03). The included studies had high risk of bias overall. On sub-analysis, URS was significantly cost-effective for both stones  < 10 and  ≥ 10 mm and for proximal ureteric stones. There is limited evidence to suggest that URS is less expensive than SWL. However, due to lack of standardization, studies seem to be contradictory and further randomized studies are needed to address this issue.

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 165: Area 25 and 26 Dry Well and Washdown Areas, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Krauss, Mark J

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 165: Area 25 and 26 Dry Well and Washdown Areas, Nevada Test Site, Nevada as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications To Remove Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order dated September 2013. The Use Restriction Removal document was approved by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on October 16, 2013. The approval of the UR Removal document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with themore » UR Removal document, this addendum consists of: This page that refers the reader to the UR Removal document for additional information The cover, title, and signature pages of the UR Removal document The NDEP approval letter The corresponding section of the UR Removal document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 25-20-01, Lab Drain Dry Well. This UR was established as part of FFACO corrective actions and was based on the presence of tetrachloroethene contamination at concentrations greater than the action level established at the time of the initial investigation. Although total petroleum hydrocarbon diesel-range organics contamination at concentrations greater than the NDEP action level was present at the site, no hazardous constituents of TPH-DRO exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 preliminary remediation goals established at the time of the initial investigation.« less

The effect of repair costs on the profitability of a ureteroscopy program.

PubMed

Tosoian, Jeffrey J; Ludwig, Wesley; Sopko, Nikolai; Mullins, Jeffrey K; Matlaga, Brian R

2015-04-01

Ureteroscopy (URS) is a common treatment for patients with stone disease. One of the disadvantages of this approach is the great capital expense associated with the purchase and repair of endoscopic equipment. In some cases, these costs can outpace revenues and lead to an unprofitable and unsustainable enterprise. We sought to characterize the profitability of our URS program when accounting for endoscope maintenance and repair costs. We identified all URS cases performed at a single hospital during fiscal year 2013 (FY2013). Charges, collection rates, and fixed and variable costs including annual equipment repair costs were obtained. The net margin and break-even point of URS were derived on a per-case basis. For 190 cases performed in FY2013, total endoscope repair costs totaled $115,000, resulting in an average repair cost of $605 per case. The vast majority of cases (94.2%) were conducted in the outpatient setting, which generated a net margin of $659 per case, while inpatient cases yielded a net loss of $455. URS was ultimately associated with a net positive margin approaching $600 per case. On break-even analysis, URS remained profitable until repair costs reached $1200 per case. Based on these findings, an established URS program can sustain profitability even with large equipment repair costs. Nonetheless, our findings serve to emphasize the importance of controlling costs, particularly in the current setting of decreasing reimbursement. A multifaceted approach, based on improving endoscope durability and exploring digital and disposable platforms, will be critical in maintaining the sustainability of URS.

42 CFR 456.501 - UR plans as a condition for FFP.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals § 456.501 UR plans as a condition for FFP. (a) Except... services furnished by a hospital or mental hospital unless the facility has in effect a UR plan that meets...

Uncaria rhynchophylla and rhynchophylline improved kainic acid-induced epileptic seizures via IL-1β and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

PubMed

Ho, Tin-Yun; Tang, Nou-Ying; Hsiang, Chien-Yun; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2014-05-15

Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) has been used for the treatment of convulsions and epilepsy in traditional Chinese medicine. This study reported the major anti-convulsive signaling pathways and effective targets of UR and rhynchophylline (RP) using genomic and immunohistochemical studies. Epileptic seizure model was established by intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid (KA) in rats. Electroencephalogram and electromyogram recordings indicated that UR and RP improved KA-induced epileptic seizures. Toll-like receptor (TLR) and neurotrophin signaling pathways were regulated by UR in both cortex and hippocampus of KA-treated rats. KA upregulated the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and brain-derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF), which were involved in TLR and neurotrophin signaling pathways, respectively. However, UR and RP downregulated the KA-induced IL-1β and BDNF gene expressions. Our findings suggested that UR and RP exhibited anti-convulsive effects in KA-induced rats via the regulation of TLR and neurotrophin signaling pathways, and the subsequent inhibition of IL-1β and BDNF gene expressions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy versus miniaturized PNL for solitary renal calculi of 10-30 mm size.

PubMed

Knoll, Thomas; Jessen, Jan Peter; Honeck, Patrick; Wendt-Nordahl, Gunnar

2011-12-01

The value of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) and miniaturized PNL (mPNL) for larger renal calculi is under discussion. This non-randomized prospective study aimed to evaluate fURS and mPNL for solitary renal stones of 10-30 mm size. fURS was carried out in 21 patients with last generation 7.5F endoscopes. Ureteral access sheaths were used in 19 patients. For mPNL, an 18F modified Amplatz sheath with a 14F nephroscope were used (n = 25). The procedure was performed either tubeless with an antegrade stent or a nephrostomy. Outcome and complications of both procedures were assessed. Patients' demographics and stone sizes were comparable (18 ± 5 vs. 19 ± 4 mm, P = 0.08). Patients in the fURS group had a higher mean BMI (31 vs. 27, P < 0.05). Total OR time was significantly longer for fURS (106 ± 51 vs. 59 ± 19 min., P < 0.001). More patients were stone-free after one single percutaneous treatment, while 2nd-stage treatments with fURS were common (total procedures 1.04 vs. 1.52, P < 0.001; immediate stone-free rate (SFR) 96% vs. 71.5%, P < 0.001). SFR after 4 weeks was 100% (mPNL) and 85.8% (fURS) (P < 0.01). Minor complications as classified by Clavien I or II occurred in 16 and 23.8%, mPNL and fURS, respectively, P = 0.13). No major complications (Clavien III-V) occured in both groups. Our series supports both the concept of either percutaneous or retrograde endoscopic treatment for renal calculi with both modalities offering excellent safety. However, while for fURS, a significantly higher rate of 2nd-stage procedures was necessary, and mPNL led to faster and higher SFR without increasing complication rate.

The prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms in a cohort of adults presenting with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

PubMed

Amarasiri, D L; Pathmeswaran, A; Dassanayake, A S; de Silva, A P; Adikari, M D; Sanjeewa, P A; Jayaratne, A; de Silva, H J

2016-06-01

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is the pathological reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus. The oesophagus and the upper respiratory tract have a common origin from the foregut. There is increasing evidence for multiple associations of GORD with the upper respiratory tract. To study the presence of and association of upper respiratory symptoms (URS) with GORD. Seventy adults scoring ≥12.5 on a previously validated GORD symptom score (GORD patients) and 70 healthy controls who had infrequent GORD symptoms or no upper gastro-intestinal complaints completed a pre-tested URS questionnaire on the frequency of 14 URS in 5 categories (laryngeal, nasal, pharyngeal, sinusal and aural). All GORD patients underwent upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy. The calculated URS score was correlated against the GORD symptom score and endoscopy findings. URS scores and individual symptom scores were higher in GORD patients compared to controls (mean ± SE, 4.7 ± 4.0; 1.9 ± 2.3). Individuals with higher GORD symptom scores reported more frequent URS. Pharyngeal symptoms had the highest correlation with the GORD symptom score (r=0.507, p<0.001). The presence of oeso-phagitis did not seem to influence the frequency of reporting URS. Upper respiratory symptoms are common in individuals with GORD symptoms though there appears to be no association with oesophageal mucosal damage.

Uncaria rhynchophylla (miq) Jack plays a role in neuronal protection in kainic acid-treated rats.

PubMed

Tang, Nou-Ying; Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Su, Shan-Yu; Jan, Ya-Min; Hsieh, Ching-Tou; Cheng, Chin-Yi; Shyu, Woei-Cherng; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2010-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack (UR) is one of many Chinese herbs. Our previous studies have shown that UR has both anticonvulsive and free radical-scavenging activities in kainic acid (KA)-treated rats. The aim of the present study was to use the effect of UR on activated microglia, nitric oxide synthase, and apoptotic cells to investigate its function in neuroproction in KA-treated rats. UR of 1.0 or 0.5 g/kg was orally administered for 3 days (first day, second day, and 30 min prior to KA administration on the third day), or 10 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection, i.p.) N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 30 min prior to KA (2 microg/2 microl) was injected into the right hippocampus region of Sprague-Dawly rats. ED1 (mouse anti rat CD68), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactive cells and apoptotic cells were observed in the hippocampus region. The results indicated that 1.0 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg of UR and 10 mg/kg of L-NAME reduced the counts of ED1, nNOS, iNOS immunoreactive cells and apoptotic cells in KA-treated rats. This study demonstrates that UR can reduce microglia activation, nNOS, iNOS and apoptosis, suggesting that UR plays a neuro-protective role against neuronal damage in KA-treated rats.

Fine mapping of Ur-3, a historically important rust resistance locus in common bean

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Resistance in common bean to the highly variable bean rust pathogen is conditioned by single and dominant genes. The Ur-3 gene confers resistance to 55 of 94 races of this pathogen maintained at Beltsville, MD, Ur-3 is also resistant to many races that overcome all other rust resistance genes in com...

Overexpectation: Response Loss during Sustained Stimulus Compounding in the Rabbit Nictitating Membrane Preparation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kehoe, E. James; White, Natasha E.

2004-01-01

Rabbits were given reinforced training of the nictitating membrane (NM) response using separate conditioned stimuli (CSs), which were a tone, light, and/or tactile vibration. Then, two CSs were compounded and given further pairings with the unconditioned stimulus (US). Evidence of both overexpectation and summation effects appeared. That is,…

Priority-Setting for Novel Drug Regimens to Treat Tuberculosis: An Epidemiologic Model

PubMed Central

Cohen, Ted; Nuermberger, Eric; Dooley, Kelly E.; Gonzalez-Angulo, Lice; Churchyard, Gavin J.; Nahid, Payam; Rich, Michael L.; Bansbach, Cathy; Forissier, Thomas; Dowdy, David W.

2017-01-01

Background Novel drug regimens are needed for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. New regimens aim to improve on characteristics such as duration, efficacy, and safety profile, but no single regimen is likely to be ideal in all respects. By linking these regimen characteristics to a novel regimen’s ability to reduce TB incidence and mortality, we sought to prioritize regimen characteristics from a population-level perspective. Methods and Findings We developed a dynamic transmission model of multi-strain TB epidemics in hypothetical populations reflective of the epidemiological situations in India (primary analysis), South Africa, the Philippines, and Brazil. We modeled the introduction of various novel rifampicin-susceptible (RS) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB regimens that differed on six characteristics, identified in consultation with a team of global experts: (1) efficacy, (2) duration, (3) ease of adherence, (4) medical contraindications, (5) barrier to resistance, and (6) baseline prevalence of resistance to the novel regimen. We compared scale-up of these regimens to a baseline reflective of continued standard of care. For our primary analysis situated in India, our model generated baseline TB incidence and mortality of 157 (95% uncertainty range [UR]: 113–187) and 16 (95% UR: 9–23) per 100,000 per year at the time of novel regimen introduction and RR TB incidence and mortality of 6 (95% UR: 4–10) and 0.6 (95% UR: 0.3–1.1) per 100,000 per year. An optimal RS TB regimen was projected to reduce 10-y TB incidence and mortality in the India-like scenario by 12% (95% UR: 6%–20%) and 11% (95% UR: 6%–20%), respectively, compared to current-care projections. An optimal RR TB regimen reduced RR TB incidence by an estimated 32% (95% UR: 18%–46%) and RR TB mortality by 30% (95% UR: 18%–44%). Efficacy was the greatest determinant of impact; compared to a novel regimen meeting all minimal targets only, increasing RS TB treatment efficacy from 94% to 99% reduced TB mortality by 6% (95% UR: 1%–13%, half the impact of a fully optimized regimen), and increasing the efficacy against RR TB from 76% to 94% lowered RR TB mortality by 13% (95% UR: 6%–23%). Reducing treatment duration or improving ease of adherence had smaller but still substantial impact: shortening RS TB treatment duration from 6 to 2 mo lowered TB mortality by 3% (95% UR: 1%–6%), and shortening RR TB treatment from 20 to 6 mo reduced RR TB mortality by 8% (95% UR: 4%–13%), while reducing nonadherence to the corresponding regimens by 50% reduced TB and RR TB mortality by 2% (95% UR: 1%–4%) and 6% (95% UR: 3%–10%), respectively. Limitations include sparse data on key model parameters and necessary simplifications to model structure and outcomes. Conclusions In designing clinical trials of novel TB regimens, investigators should consider that even small changes in treatment efficacy may have considerable impact on TB-related incidence and mortality. Other regimen improvements may still have important benefits for resource allocation and outcomes such as patient quality of life. PMID:28045934

LTR Retrotransposons Show Low Levels of Unequal Recombination and High Rates of Intraelement Gene Conversion in Large Plant Genomes

PubMed Central

Cossu, Rosa Maria; Casola, Claudio; Giacomello, Stefania; Vidalis, Amaryllis

2017-01-01

Abstract The accumulation and removal of transposable elements (TEs) is a major driver of genome size evolution in eukaryotes. In plants, long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) represent the majority of TEs and form most of the nuclear DNA in large genomes. Unequal recombination (UR) between LTRs leads to removal of intervening sequence and formation of solo-LTRs. UR is a major mechanism of LTR-RT removal in many angiosperms, but our understanding of LTR-RT-associated recombination within the large, LTR-RT-rich genomes of conifers is quite limited. We employ a novel read-based methodology to estimate the relative rates of LTR-RT-associated UR within the genomes of four conifer and seven angiosperm species. We found the lowest rates of UR in the largest genomes studied, conifers and the angiosperm maize. Recombination may also resolve as gene conversion, which does not remove sequence, so we analyzed LTR-RT-associated gene conversion events (GCEs) in Norway spruce and six angiosperms. Opposite the trend for UR, we found the highest rates of GCEs in Norway spruce and maize. Unlike previous work in angiosperms, we found no evidence that rates of UR correlate with retroelement structural features in the conifers, suggesting that another process is suppressing UR in these species. Recent results from diverse eukaryotes indicate that heterochromatin affects the resolution of recombination, by favoring gene conversion over crossing-over, similar to our observation of opposed rates of UR and GCEs. Control of LTR-RT proliferation via formation of heterochromatin would be a likely step toward large genomes in eukaryotes carrying high LTR-RT content. PMID:29228262

Variation in Spending around Surgical Episodes of Urinary Stone Disease—Findings from Michigan

PubMed Central

Juan, Juan San; Hou, Hechuan; Ghani, Khurshid R.; Dupree, James M.; Hollingsworth, John M.

2017-01-01

Purpose To help rein in surgical spending, there is growing interest in the application of payment bundles to common outpatient procedures like ureteroscopy (URS) and shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). However, before urologists can move to such a payment system, they need to know where their episode costs are concentrated. Materials and Methods Using claims data from the Michigan Value Collaborative, we identified patients who underwent URS or SWL at hospitals in Michigan (2012 to 2015). We then totaled expenditures for all relevant services during these patients’ 30-day surgical episodes and categorized component payments [i.e., those for the index procedure, subsequent hospitalizations, professional services, and post-acute care (PAC)]. Finally, we quantified variation in total episode expenditures for URS and SWL across hospitals, examining drivers of this variation. Results In total, 9,449 URS and 6,446 SWL procedures were performed at 62 hospitals. Among these hospitals, there was three-fold variation in URS and SWL spending. The index procedure accounted for the largest payment difference between high- and low-cost hospitals (URS: $7,936 vs. $4,995, P<0.01; SWL: $4,832 vs. $3,207, P<0.01), followed by payments for PAC (URS: $2,207 vs. $1,711, P<0.01; SWL: $2,138 vs. $1,104, P<0.01). The index procedure explained 68% and 44%, and PAC payments explained 15% and 28% of the variation in episode spending for URS and SWL, respectively, across hospitals. Conclusions There exists substantial variation in ambulatory surgical spending across Michigan hospitals for urinary stone episodes, most of which can be explained by payment differences for the index procedure and PAC services. PMID:29180300

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 262: Area 25 Septic Systems and Underground Discharge Point, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

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

Lynn Kidman

2008-10-01

This document constitutes an addendum to the July 2003, Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 262: Area 25 Septic Systems and Underground Discharge Point as described in the document Recommendations and Justifications for Modifications for Use Restrictions Established under the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (UR Modification document) dated February 2008. The UR Modification document was approved by NDEP on February 26, 2008. The approval of the UR Modification document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR modifications.

Synthesis of the highly selective p38 MAPK inhibitor UR-13756 for possible therapeutic use in Werner syndrome.

PubMed

Bagley, Mark C; Davis, Terence; Rokicki, Michal J; Widdowson, Caroline S; Kipling, David

2010-02-01

UR-13756 is a potent and selective p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, reported to have good bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties and, thus, is of potential use in the treatment of accelerated aging in Werner syndrome. Irradiation of 2-chloroacrylonitrile and methylhydrazine in ethanol at 100 °C gives 1-methyl-3-aminopyrazole, which reacts with 4-fluorobenzaldehyde and a ketone, obtained by Claisen condensation of 4-picoline, in a Hantzsch-type 3-component hereocyclocondensation, to give the pyrazolopyridine UR-13756. UR-13756 shows p38 MAPK inhibitory activity in human telomerase reverse transcriptase-immortalized HCA2 dermal fibroblasts, with an IC(50) of 80 nm, as shown by ELISA, is 100% efficacious for up to 24 h at 1.0 μm and displays excellent kinase selectivity over the related stress-activated c-Jun kinases. In addition, UR-13756 is an effective p38 inhibitor at 1.0 μm in Werner syndrome cells, as shown by immunoblot. The convergent synthesis of UR-13756 is realized using microwave dielectric heating and provides a highly selective inhibitor that shows excellent selectivity for p38 MAPK over c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Oral administration of Uncariae rhynchophylla inhibits the development of DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions via IFN-gamma down-regulation in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Young; Jung, Jung-A; Kim, Tae-Ho; Seo, Sang-Wan; Jung, Sung-Ki; Park, Cheung-Seog

2009-04-21

Uncariae rhynchophylla (UR) is an herb which has blood pressure lowering and anti-inflammatory effects and has been prescribed traditionally to treat stroke and vascular dementia. In the present study, we examined whether UR suppress Atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice treated with 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) under SPF conditions. The effect of UR in DNFB- treated NC/Nga mice was determined by measuring the skin symptom severity, levels of serum IgE, and of the amounts of IL-4 and IFN-gamma secreted by activated T cells in draining lymph nodes. Oral administration of UR to DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was found to inhibit ear thickness increases and the skin lesions induced by DNFB. IFN-gamma production by CD4+ T cells from the lymph nodes of DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was significantly inhibited by UR treatment, although levels of IL-4 and total IgE in serum were not. UR may suppress the development of AD-like dermatitis in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing IFN-gamma production.

A new organic reference material, L-glutamic acid, USGS41a, for δ13C and δ15N measurements − a replacement for USGS41

USGS Publications Warehouse

Qi, Haiping; Coplen, Tyler B.; Mroczkowski, Stanley J.; Brand, Willi A.; Brandes, Lauren; Geilmann, Heike; Schimmelmann, Arndt

2016-01-01

RationaleThe widely used l-glutamic acid isotopic reference material USGS41, enriched in both 13C and 15N, is nearly exhausted. A new material, USGS41a, has been prepared as a replacement for USGS41.MethodsUSGS41a was prepared by dissolving analytical grade l-glutamic acid enriched in 13C and 15N together with l-glutamic acid of normal isotopic composition. The δ13C and δ15N values of USGS41a were directly or indirectly normalized with the international reference materials NBS 19 calcium carbonate (δ13CVPDB = +1.95 mUr, where milliurey = 0.001 = 1 ‰), LSVEC lithium carbonate (δ13CVPDB = −46.6 mUr), and IAEA-N-1 ammonium sulfate (δ15NAir = +0.43 mUr) and USGS32 potassium nitrate (δ15N = +180 mUr exactly) by on-line combustion, continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, and off-line dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometry.ResultsUSGS41a is isotopically homogeneous; the reproducibility of δ13C and δ15N is better than 0.07 mUr and 0.09 mUr, respectively, in 200-μg amounts. It has a δ13C value of +36.55 mUr relative to VPDB and a δ15N value of +47.55 mUr relative to N2 in air. USGS41 was found to be hydroscopic, probably due to the presence of pyroglutamic acid. Experimental results indicate that the chemical purity of USGS41a is substantially better than that of USGS41.ConclusionsThe new isotopic reference material USGS41a can be used with USGS40 (having a δ13CVPDB value of −26.39 mUr and a δ15NAir value of −4.52 mUr) for (i) analyzing local laboratory isotopic reference materials, and (ii) quantifying drift with time, mass-dependent isotopic fractionation, and isotope-ratio-scale contraction for isotopic analysis of biological and organic materials. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

A new organic reference material, l-glutamic acid, USGS41a, for δ(13) C and δ(15) N measurements - a replacement for USGS41.

PubMed

Qi, Haiping; Coplen, Tyler B; Mroczkowski, Stanley J; Brand, Willi A; Brandes, Lauren; Geilmann, Heike; Schimmelmann, Arndt

2016-04-15

The widely used l-glutamic acid isotopic reference material USGS41, enriched in both (13) C and (15) N, is nearly exhausted. A new material, USGS41a, has been prepared as a replacement for USGS41. USGS41a was prepared by dissolving analytical grade l-glutamic acid enriched in (13) C and (15) N together with l-glutamic acid of normal isotopic composition. The δ(13) C and δ(15) N values of USGS41a were directly or indirectly normalized with the international reference materials NBS 19 calcium carbonate (δ(13) CVPDB = +1.95 mUr, where milliurey = 0.001 = 1 ‰), LSVEC lithium carbonate (δ(13) CVPDB = -46.6 mUr), and IAEA-N-1 ammonium sulfate (δ(15) NAir = +0.43 mUr) and USGS32 potassium nitrate (δ(15) N = +180 mUr exactly) by on-line combustion, continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, and off-line dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. USGS41a is isotopically homogeneous; the reproducibility of δ(13) C and δ(15) N is better than 0.07 mUr and 0.09 mUr, respectively, in 200-μg amounts. It has a δ(13) C value of +36.55 mUr relative to VPDB and a δ(15) N value of +47.55 mUr relative to N2 in air. USGS41 was found to be hydroscopic, probably due to the presence of pyroglutamic acid. Experimental results indicate that the chemical purity of USGS41a is substantially better than that of USGS41. The new isotopic reference material USGS41a can be used with USGS40 (having a δ(13) CVPDB value of -26.39 mUr and a δ(15) NAir value of -4.52 mUr) for (i) analyzing local laboratory isotopic reference materials, and (ii) quantifying drift with time, mass-dependent isotopic fractionation, and isotope-ratio-scale contraction for isotopic analysis of biological and organic materials. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Comparison of urethral diameters for calculating the urethral dose after permanent prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Tanaka, Osamu; Hayashi, Shinya; Matsuo, Masayuki; Nakano, Masahiro; Kubota, Yasuaki; Maeda, Sunaho; Ohtakara, Kazuhiro; Deguchi, Takashi; Hoshi, Hiroaki

2007-08-01

No studies have yet evaluated the effects of a dosimetric analysis for different urethral volumes. We therefore evaluated the effects of a dosimetric analysis to determine the different urethral volumes. This study was based on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) combined findings in 30 patients who had undergone prostate brachytherapy. Postimplant CT/MRI scans were performed 30 days after the implant. The urethra was contoured based on its diameter (8, 6, 4, 2, and 0 mm). The total urethral volume-in cubic centimeters [UrV150/200(cc)] and percent (UrV150%/200%), of the urethra receiving 150% or 200% of the prescribed dose-and the doses (UrD90/30/5) in Grays to 90%, 30%, and 5% of the urethral volume were measured based on the urethral diameters. The UrV150(cc) and UrD30 were statistically different between the of 8-, 6-, 4-, 2-, and 0-mm diameters, whereas the UrD5 was statistically different only between the 8-, 6-, and 4-mm diameters. Especially for UrD5, there was an approximately 40-Gy difference between the mean values for the 8- and 0-mm diameters. We recommend that the urethra should be contoured as a 4- to 6-mm diameter circle or one side of a triangle of 5-7 mm. By standardizing the urethral diameter, the urethral dose will be less affected by the total urethral volume.

Carcinome épidermoïde de l’urètre masculin révélé par une rupture spontanée de l’urètre

PubMed Central

Ghorbel, Jilani; Hafsia, Ghassen; Derouiche, Amine; Jrad, Anis; Chebil, Mohamed

2011-01-01

Résumé Le carcinome épidermoïde de l’urètre masculin est une tumeur rare, les tumeurs de l’urètre tous types confondus représentant moins de 1 % des tumeurs de l’appareil urinaire. Le pronostic reste défavorable malgré un traitement chirurgical énergique. La radiochimiothérapie semble être un traitement prometteur, mais son rôle doit être défini par d’autres études. Nous rapportons un cas rare de carcinome épidermoïde de l’urètre bulbo-membraneux découvert à un stade localement avancé après observation d’une rupture urétrale transtumorale chez un homme âgé de 70 ans. Le patient a été traité, après drainage vésical, par une irradiation externe associée à une chimiothérapie par cisplatine, et est décédé après progression de la maladie sur un an. La rupture spontanée de l’urètre transtumorale est un mode de découverte exceptionnel témoignant d’une évolution locale défavorable, ce qui rend ces tumeurs difficilement opérables. Cependant, l’espoir actuel réside dans des protocoles thérapeutiques associant radiothérapie et chimiothérapie. PMID:21672490

Uncaria rhynchophylla and Rhynchophylline inhibit c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappaB activity in kainic acid-treated rats.

PubMed

Hsieh, Ching-Liang; Ho, Tin-Yun; Su, Shan-Yu; Lo, Wan-Yu; Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Tang, Nou-Ying

2009-01-01

Our previous studies have shown that Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) can reduce epileptic seizures. We hypothesized that UR and its major component rhynchophylline (RH), reduce epileptic seizures in rats treated with kainic acid (KA) by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator-protein-1 (AP-1) activity, and by eliminating superoxide anions. Therefore, the level of superoxide anions and the DNA binding activities of NF-kappaB and AP-1 were measured. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were pre-treated with UR (1.0 g/kg, i.p.), RH (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.), or valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg, i.p.) for 3 days and then KA was administered intra-peritoneal (i.p.). The results indicated that UR, RH, and VA can reduce epileptic seizures and the level of superoxide anions in the blood. Furthermore, KA was demonstrated to induce the DNA binding activities of NF-kappaB and AP-1. However, these inductions were inhibited by pre-treatment with UR, RH, or VA for 3 days. Moreover, UR and RH were shown to be involved in the suppression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. This study suggested that UR and RH have antiepileptic effects in KA-induced seizures and are associated with the regulation of the innate immune system via a reduction in the level of superoxide anions, JNK phosphorylation, and NF-kappaB activation.

Ground Juniperus pinchotii and urea in supplements fed to Rambouillet ewe lambs: I. Feedlot growth traits, blood serum parameters, and fecal characteristics.

PubMed

Whitney, T R

2017-08-01

Ground woody products and urea are low-cost roughage and N sources. Rambouillet ewe lambs ( = 48, 6 lambs/treatment; initial BW = 42 kg ± 3.8) were used to evaluate effects of using ground (juniper) and urea in supplements on feedlot lamb growth traits, blood serum parameters, and fecal characteristics. In a randomized complete block design (40 d), lambs were individually fed an ad libitum basal sorghum-Sudangrass hay diet, which was fed separate from 1 of 8 supplemental diets (6 lambs/diet; 533 g of supplement/d, as-fed basis). Treatment structure was a 4 × 2 factorial: 4 concentrations of ground juniper (JN: 15%, 30%, 45%, or 60% of DM) and 2 concentrations of urea (UR: 1 or 3% of DM). Lamb growth traits were evaluated on d 0, 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, and 40; blood serum was evaluated on d 6 to 8, 20 to 22, and 34 (at h 3 and 6), and feces was evaluated on d 35. Compared to lambs fed all of the other treatments, lambs fed JN60UR1 or JN60UR3 had reduced supplement DMI (negative quadratic, = 0.007). Hay and total DMI were variable across day (JN × UR × day, < 0.04), but no linear or quadratic trends were detected ( > 0.10). A JN × day interaction was detected ( < 0.001) for lamb BW and the JN × day negative quadratic trend ( = 0.02) for BW was influenced by reduced ADG (linear decrease, < 0.001) of lambs fed JN60. Lambs supplemented with UR3 vs. UR1 tended ( = 0.06) to have reduced BW but had similar ( > 0.17) ADG and G:F. Lamb G:F fluctuated across day (JN × day, = 0.007), but the JN × day quadratic trend ( < 0.001) was mainly due to reduced G:F in lambs fed JN45 or JN60 diets. As the percentage of JN increased in the supplement, serum IGF-1 linearly decreased ( = 0.04), and serum urea N quadratically increased ( < 0.001). The UR × hour interaction ( < 0.001) for serum urea N resulted from a greater decline from 3 to 6 h after feeding in lambs supplemented with UR1 vs. UR3. Increasing JN concentration tended to quadratically increase ( = 0.09) fecal DM and linearly decrease ( = 0.002) fecal N, but an effect due to dietary UR was not detected ( > 0.34). Results indicated that daily supplement DMI was restricted only by using JN60. However, a 60% JN-based supplement will not make an effective rangeland supplement for growing ewe lambs, and using 3% UR should not be considered, especially since daily UR intake was not restricted enough to be considered safe.

When orienting and anticipation dissociate--a case for scoring electrodermal responses in multiple latency windows in studies of human fear conditioning.

PubMed

Luck, Camilla C; Lipp, Ottmar V

2016-02-01

Electrodermal activity in studies of human fear conditioning is often scored by distinguishing two electrodermal responses occurring during the conditional stimulus-unconditional stimulus interval. These responses, known as first interval responding (FIR) and second interval responding (SIR), are reported to be differentially sensitive to the effects of orienting and anticipation. Recently, the FIR/SIR scoring convention has been questioned, with some arguing in favor of scoring a single response within the entire conditional stimulus-unconditional stimulus interval (entire interval responding, EIR). EIR can be advantageous in practical terms but may fail to capture experimental effects when manipulations produce dissociations between orienting and anticipation. As an illustration, we rescored the data reported by Luck and Lipp (2015b) using both FIR/SIR and EIR scoring techniques and provide evidence that the EIR scoring technique fails to detect the effects of instructed extinction, an experimental manipulation which produces a dissociation between orienting and anticipation. Thus, using a technique that scores electrodermal response indices of fear conditioning in multiple latency windows is recommended. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is aversive learning a marker of risk for anxiety disorders in children?

PubMed Central

Craske, Michelle G.; Waters, Allison M.; Bergman, R. Lindsey; Naliboff, Bruce; Lipp, Ottmar V.; Negoro, Hideki; Ornitz, Edward M.

2016-01-01

Aversive conditioning and extinction were evaluated in children with anxiety disorders (n = 23), at-risk for anxiety disorders (n = 15), and controls (n = 11). Participants underwent 16 trials of discriminative conditioning of two geometric figures, with (CS+) or without (CS−) an aversive tone (US), followed by 8 extinction trials (4 CS+, 4 CS−), and 8 extinction re-test trials averaging 2 weeks later. Skin conductance responses and verbal ratings of valence and arousal to the CS+/CS− stimuli were measured. Anxiety disordered children showed larger anticipatory and unconditional skin conductance responses across conditioning, and larger orienting and anticipatory skin conductance responses across extinction and extinction re-test, all to the CS+ and CS−, relative to controls. At-risk children showed larger unconditional responses during conditioning, larger orienting responses during the first block of extinction, and larger anticipatory responses during extinction re-test, all to the CS+ and CS−, relative to controls. Also, anxiety disordered children rated the CS+ as more unpleasant than the other groups. Elevated skin conductance responses to signals of threat (CS+) and signals of safety (CS−; CS+ during extinction) are discussed as features of manifestation of and risk for anxiety in children, compared to the specificity of valence judgments to the manifestation of anxiety. PMID:18539262

Biochemical effectiveness of allopurinol and allopurinol-probenecid in previously benzbromarone-treated gout patients.

PubMed

Reinders, Mattheus K; van Roon, Eric N; Houtman, Pieternella M; Brouwers, Jacobus R B J; Jansen, Tim L Th A

2007-09-01

In 2003, the uricosuric drug benzbromarone was withdrawn from the market. The first alternative drug of choice was the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. The purpose was to (1) investigate the efficacy of allopurinol (standard dosage) compared with previous treatment with benzbromarone; and (2) investigate the combination therapy allopurinol-probenecid as an effective alternative treatment compared with previous benzbromarone treatment. A prospective, open study was carried out in a cohort of 51 gout patients who discontinued benzbromarone therapy because of market withdrawal. Patients were given 200-300 mg allopurinol (stage 1). When allopurinol failed to attain the target serum urate (sUr) levels

Low expression of CD39 on regulatory T cells as a biomarker for resistance to methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

Peres, Raphael Sanches; Liew, Foo Y.; Talbot, Jhimmy; Carregaro, Vanessa; Oliveira, Rene D.; Almeida, Sergio L.; França, Rafael F. O.; Donate, Paula B.; Pinto, Larissa G.; Ferreira, Flavia I. S.; Costa, Diego L.; Demarque, Daniel P.; Gouvea, Dayana Rubio; Lopes, Norberto P.; Queiroz, Regina Helena C.; Silva, Joao Santana; Figueiredo, Florencio; Alves-Filho, Jose Carlos; Cunha, Thiago M.; Ferreira, Sérgio H.; Louzada-Junior, Paulo; Cunha, Fernando Q.

2015-01-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint destruction and severe morbidity. Methotrexate (MTX) is the standard first-line therapy of RA. However, about 40% of RA patients are unresponsive to MTX treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) are thought to play an important role in attenuating RA. To investigate the role of Tregs in MTX resistance, we recruited 122 RA patients (53 responsive, R-MTX; 69 unresponsive, UR-MTX) and 33 healthy controls. Three months after MTX treatment, R-MTX but not UR-MTX showed higher frequency of peripheral blood CD39+CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs than the healthy controls. Tregs produce adenosine (ADO) through ATP degradation by sequential actions of two cell surface ectonucleotidases: CD39 and CD73. Tregs from UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39, produced less ADO, and had reduced suppressive activity than Tregs from R-MTX. In a prospective study, before MTX treatment, UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39 on Tregs than those of R-MTX or control (P < 0.01). In a murine model of arthritis, CD39 blockade reversed the antiarthritic effects of MTX treatment. Our results demonstrate that MTX unresponsiveness in RA is associated with low expression of CD39 on Tregs and the decreased suppressive activity of these cells through reduced ADO production. Our findings thus provide hitherto unrecognized mechanism of immune regulation in RA and on mode of action of MTX. Furthermore, our data suggest that low expression of CD39 on Tregs could be a noninvasive biomarker for identifying MTX-resistant RA patients. PMID:25675517

Low expression of CD39 on regulatory T cells as a biomarker for resistance to methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Peres, Raphael Sanches; Liew, Foo Y; Talbot, Jhimmy; Carregaro, Vanessa; Oliveira, Rene D; Almeida, Sergio L; França, Rafael F O; Donate, Paula B; Pinto, Larissa G; Ferreira, Flavia I S; Costa, Diego L; Demarque, Daniel P; Gouvea, Dayana Rubio; Lopes, Norberto P; Queiroz, Regina Helena C; Silva, Joao Santana; Figueiredo, Florencio; Alves-Filho, Jose Carlos; Cunha, Thiago M; Ferreira, Sérgio H; Louzada-Junior, Paulo; Cunha, Fernando Q

2015-02-24

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint destruction and severe morbidity. Methotrexate (MTX) is the standard first-line therapy of RA. However, about 40% of RA patients are unresponsive to MTX treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)) are thought to play an important role in attenuating RA. To investigate the role of Tregs in MTX resistance, we recruited 122 RA patients (53 responsive, R-MTX; 69 unresponsive, UR-MTX) and 33 healthy controls. Three months after MTX treatment, R-MTX but not UR-MTX showed higher frequency of peripheral blood CD39(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Tregs than the healthy controls. Tregs produce adenosine (ADO) through ATP degradation by sequential actions of two cell surface ectonucleotidases: CD39 and CD73. Tregs from UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39, produced less ADO, and had reduced suppressive activity than Tregs from R-MTX. In a prospective study, before MTX treatment, UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39 on Tregs than those of R-MTX or control (P < 0.01). In a murine model of arthritis, CD39 blockade reversed the antiarthritic effects of MTX treatment. Our results demonstrate that MTX unresponsiveness in RA is associated with low expression of CD39 on Tregs and the decreased suppressive activity of these cells through reduced ADO production. Our findings thus provide hitherto unrecognized mechanism of immune regulation in RA and on mode of action of MTX. Furthermore, our data suggest that low expression of CD39 on Tregs could be a noninvasive biomarker for identifying MTX-resistant RA patients.

Autoshaping the pigeon's gape response: acquisition and topography as a function of reinforcer type and magnitude.

PubMed Central

Allan, R W; Zeigler, H P

1994-01-01

The pigeon's key-pecking response is experimentally dissociable into transport (head movement) and gape (jaw movement) components. During conditioning of the key-pecking response, both components come under the control of the conditioned stimulus. To study the acquisition of gape conditioned responses and to clarify the contribution of unconditioned stimulus (reinforcer) variables to the form of the response, gape and key-contact responses were recorded during an autoshaping procedure and reinforcer properties were systematically varied. One group of 8 pigeons was food deprived and subgroups of 2 birds each were exposed to four different pellet sizes as reinforcers, each reinforcer signaled by a keylight conditioned stimulus. A second group was water deprived and received water reinforcers paired with the conditioned stimulus. Water- or food-deprived control groups received appropriate water or food reinforcers that were randomly delivered with respect to the keylight stimulus. Acquisition of the conditioned gape response frequently preceded key-contact responses, and gape conditioned responses were generally elicited at higher rates than were key contacts. The form of the conditioned gape was similar to, but not identical with, the form of the unconditioned gape. The gape component is a critical topographical feature of the conditioned key peck, a sensitive measure of conditioning during autoshaping, and an important source of the observed similarities in the form of conditioned and consummatory responses. PMID:7964365

Autoshaping the pigeon's gape response: acquisition and topography as a function of reinforcer type and magnitude.

PubMed

Allan, R W; Zeigler, H P

1994-09-01

The pigeon's key-pecking response is experimentally dissociable into transport (head movement) and gape (jaw movement) components. During conditioning of the key-pecking response, both components come under the control of the conditioned stimulus. To study the acquisition of gape conditioned responses and to clarify the contribution of unconditioned stimulus (reinforcer) variables to the form of the response, gape and key-contact responses were recorded during an autoshaping procedure and reinforcer properties were systematically varied. One group of 8 pigeons was food deprived and subgroups of 2 birds each were exposed to four different pellet sizes as reinforcers, each reinforcer signaled by a keylight conditioned stimulus. A second group was water deprived and received water reinforcers paired with the conditioned stimulus. Water- or food-deprived control groups received appropriate water or food reinforcers that were randomly delivered with respect to the keylight stimulus. Acquisition of the conditioned gape response frequently preceded key-contact responses, and gape conditioned responses were generally elicited at higher rates than were key contacts. The form of the conditioned gape was similar to, but not identical with, the form of the unconditioned gape. The gape component is a critical topographical feature of the conditioned key peck, a sensitive measure of conditioning during autoshaping, and an important source of the observed similarities in the form of conditioned and consummatory responses.

Undergraduate science research: a comparison of influences and experiences between premed and non-premed students.

PubMed

Pacifici, Lara Brongo; Thomson, Norman

2011-01-01

Most students participating in science undergraduate research (UR) plan to attend either medical school or graduate school. This study examines possible differences between premed and non-premed students in their influences to do research and expectations of research. Questionnaire responses from 55 premed students and 80 non-premed students were analyzed. No differences existed in the expectations of research between the two groups, but attitudes toward science and intrinsic motivation to learn more about science were significantly higher for non-premed students. Follow-up interviews with 11 of the students, including a case study with one premed student, provided explanation for the observed differences. Premed students, while not motivated to learn more about science, were motivated to help people, which is why most of them are pursuing medicine. They viewed research as a way to help them become doctors and to rule out the possibility of research as a career. Non-premed students participated in research to learn more about a specific science topic and gain experience that may be helpful in graduate school research. The difference in the reasons students want to do UR may be used to tailor UR experiences for students planning to go to graduate school or medical school.

Ureteral Avulsion Associated with Ureteroscopy: Insights from the MAUDE Database.

PubMed

Tanimoto, Ryuta; Cleary, Ryan C; Bagley, Demetrius H; Hubosky, Scott G

2016-03-01

Flexible and semirigid ureteroscopy (URS) are widely performed for the treatment of upper tract calculi and tumors. Ureteral avulsion is a rare, but devastating complication of endoscopic stone removal having multiple possible etiologies. Awareness and avoidance of this rare complication depend on identifying responsible mechanisms. This study examines the situations in which ureteral avulsion occurs as described anonymously in the Manufacturer and User facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database. The MAUDE database was systematically reviewed to account for all reported complications of flexible and semirigid URS. Keywords "ureteroscopy, injury, death, malfunction and other" were entered in the database and medical device reports were reviewed to capture any cases resulting in ureteral avulsion. Attention was paid to the type of ureteroscope involved and the mechanism for avulsion. A total of 104 entries were found detailing the reported complications of flexible and semirigid URS. Ureteral avulsion was clearly noted in six reports with flexible (2) and semirigid ureteroscopes (4). Potential mechanisms included locked deflection of a flexible ureteroscope (1), bunching of the distal bending rubber in a flexible ureteroscope (1), scabbard avulsion (3), and stone basketing (1). Although the incidence of ureteral avulsion cannot truly be determined from this study, some potentially novel mechanisms for this rare complication are observed. This may target future educational efforts to maximize awareness and avoidance of this complication.

Undergraduate Science Research: A Comparison of Influences and Experiences between Premed and Non–Premed Students

PubMed Central

Pacifici, Lara Brongo; Thomson, Norman

2011-01-01

Most students participating in science undergraduate research (UR) plan to attend either medical school or graduate school. This study examines possible differences between premed and non–premed students in their influences to do research and expectations of research. Questionnaire responses from 55 premed students and 80 non–premed students were analyzed. No differences existed in the expectations of research between the two groups, but attitudes toward science and intrinsic motivation to learn more about science were significantly higher for non–premed students. Follow-up interviews with 11 of the students, including a case study with one premed student, provided explanation for the observed differences. Premed students, while not motivated to learn more about science, were motivated to help people, which is why most of them are pursuing medicine. They viewed research as a way to help them become doctors and to rule out the possibility of research as a career. Non–premed students participated in research to learn more about a specific science topic and gain experience that may be helpful in graduate school research. The difference in the reasons students want to do UR may be used to tailor UR experiences for students planning to go to graduate school or medical school. PMID:21633068

Schedules of controlled substances: extension of temporary placement of UR-144, XLR11, and AKB48 in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Final order.

PubMed

2015-05-15

The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing this final order to extend the temporary placement of (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (UR-144), [1-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (5-fluoro-UR-144, XLR11) and N-(1-adamantyl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (APINACA, AKB48), including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The current final order temporarily placing UR-144, XLR11, and AKB48 in schedule I is due to expire on May 15, 2015. This final order will extend the temporary scheduling of UR-144, XLR11, and AKB48 to May 15, 2016, or until the permanent scheduling action for these three substances is completed, whichever occurs first.

A cost analysis of stenting in uncomplicated semirigid ureteroscopic stone removal.

PubMed

Seklehner, Stephan; Sievert, Karl-Dietrich; Lee, Richard; Engelhardt, Paul F; Riedl, Claus; Kunit, Thomas

2017-05-01

To evaluate the outcome and the costs of stenting in uncomplicated semirigid ureteroscopic stone removal. A decision tree model was created to evaluate the economic impact of routine stenting versus non-stenting strategies in uncomplicated ureteroscopy (URS). Probabilities of complications were extracted from twelve randomized controlled trials. Stone removal costs, costs for complication management, and total costs were calculated using Treeage Pro (TreeAge Pro Healthcare version 2015, Software, Inc, Williamstown Massachusetts, USA). Stone removal costs were higher in stented URS (€1512.25 vs. €1681.21, respectively). Complication management costs were higher in non-stented procedures. Both for complications treated conservatively (€189.43 vs. €109.67) and surgically (€49.26 vs. €24.83). When stone removal costs, costs for stent removal, and costs for complication management were considered, uncomplicated URS with stent placement yielded an overall cost per patient of €1889.15 compared to €1750.94 without stent placement. The incremental costs of stented URS were €138.25 per procedure. Semirigid URS with stent placement leads to higher direct procedural costs. Costs for managing URS-related complications are higher in non-stented procedures. Overall, a standard strategy of deferring routine stenting uncomplicated ureteroscopic stone removal is more cost efficient.

Flow performance in MPD at NICA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svintsov, I. A.; Parfenov, P. E.; Selyuzhenkov, I. V.; Taranenko, A. V.

2017-01-01

The Nuclotron-based Ion Collider facility (NICA) in Dubna, Russia is currently under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). A Multi Purpose Detector (MPD) at NICA is designed to study properties of baryonic dense matter in the range of center of mass collision energy from 4 to 11 GeV. We present a performance study for anisotropic transverse flow measurement in Au+Au collisions using the UrQMD event generator and Geant4 simulation of the MPD response. The collision symmetry plane is estimated from event-by-event transverse energy distribution in Forward Hadron Calorimeters (FHCal’s). Performance of the MPD for a measurement of the directed (v 1) and elliptic (v 2) flow of identified charged hadrons is evaluated based on comparison between reconstructed v 1 and v 2 values and the input one from the UrQMD model.

Le diverticule de l'urètre féminin: à propos de 18 cas

PubMed Central

Statoua, Mouad; El Ghanmi, Jihad; Karmouni, Tarik; El Khader, Khalid; Koutani, Abdellatif; Attya, Ahmed Iben

2014-01-01

Le diverticule de l'urètre ou poche sous urétrale est une affection rare, d’étiopathogénie non clairement établie, le diagnostique est clinique confirmé par l'urétrocystographie et le traitement est principalement chirurgicale consistant en une diverticulectomie par voie transvaginale. Nous rapportons l'expérience de notre service dans la prise en charge de cette affection en présentons une étude rétrospective sur une durée de 14 ans (entre 2000 et 2014) où on a pris en charge 18 patientes qui présentait un diverticule de l'urètre, l’âge moyen était de 36 ans, une symptomatologie urinaire ramenait les patientes à consulter où le diagnostic de DU a été posé par examen clinique confirmé en précisant ses caractéristiques en urétrocystographie, la prise en charge était chirurgicale et consistait en une diverticulectomie par voie transvaginale. Les suites post-opératoire était simples, la sonde vésicale retirée en moyenne 5,8 jours après l'intervention, on n'a noté aucune complication chez toute nos patientes, hormis un cas de récidives repris. Devant des troubles mictionnels récidivants de la femme, il est indispensable de rechercher un diverticule uréthral à l'examen clinique. La diverticulectomie transvaginale est l'intervention de choix offrant les meilleurs résultats. PMID:25400845

Health and economic benefits of scaling up a home-based neonatal care package in rural India: a modelling analysis.

PubMed

Nandi, Arindam; Colson, Abigail R; Verma, Amit; Megiddo, Itamar; Ashok, Ashvin; Laxminarayan, Ramanan

2016-06-01

Approximately 900 000 newborn children die every year in India, accounting for 28% of neonatal deaths globally. In 2011, India introduced a home-based newborn care (HBNC) package to be delivered by community health workers across rural areas. We estimate the disease and economic burden that could be averted by scaling up the HBNC in rural India using IndiaSim, an agent-based simulation model, to examine two interventions. In the first intervention, the existing community health worker network begins providing HBNC for rural households without access to home- or facility-based newborn care, as introduced by India's recent programme. In the second intervention, we consider increased coverage of HBNC across India so that total coverage of neonatal care (HBNC or otherwise) in the rural areas of each state reaches at least 90%. We find that compared with a baseline of no coverage, providing the care package through the existing network of community health workers could avert 48 [95% uncertainty range (UR) 34-63] incident cases of severe neonatal morbidity and 5 (95% UR 4-7) related deaths, save $4411 (95% UR $3088-$5735) in out-of-pocket treatment costs, and provide $285 (95% UR $200-$371) in value of insurance per 1000 live births in rural India. Increasing the coverage of HBNC to 90% will avert an additional 9 (95% UR 7-12) incident cases, 1 death (95% UR 0.72-1.33), and $613 (95% UR $430-$797) in out-of-pocket expenditures, and provide $55 (95% UR $39-$72) in incremental value of insurance per 1000 live births. Intervention benefits are greater for lower socioeconomic groups and in the poorer states of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A New Alternative for Difficult Ureter in Adult Patients: No Need to Dilate Ureter via a Balloon or a Stent with the Aid of 4.5F Semirigid Ureteroscope.

PubMed

Söylemez, Haluk; Yıldırım, Kadir; Utangac, Mehmet Mazhar; Aydoğan, Tahsin Batuhan; Ezer, Mehmet; Atar, Murat

2016-06-01

To investigate the effectivity of 4.5F ultrathin ureteroscope (UT-URS) without any need for active or passive dilation in the treatment of adult patient population in whom ureteral orifices cannot be engaged using conventional URS. Among a total of 512 adult patients who had undergone URS between April 2012 and November 2015 in our department for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, 43 (8.4%) patients required ureteral dilation because we could not engage ureteral orifice. In adult patients in whom we could not engage ureteral orifice with 7.5F and 8F semirigid URS, we tried to complete the operation using 4.5F UT-URS without resorting to dilation. Age and gender of the patients, indication for operation, stone size, location, operative times, laterality of stone(s), stone-free rates, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. Mean age of the patients was 34.5 ± 11.2 (21-66) years. The patients had undergone operations for ureteral stone (n = 39), unexplained hydronephrosis (n = 2), and ureteral stenosis (n = 2). Mean stone size was 8.2 ± 2.3 (4-18) mm. Mean operative time was 64.2 ± 13.5 minutes. In 37 of 39 patients, a complete stone-free rate (94.8%) was achieved. Mean length of hospital stay was 8.9 ± 5.8 hours. It has been demonstrated that in an adult patient population in whom ureteral orifices cannot be engaged using conventional URS, ureteral access could be achieved with 4.5F UT-URS without any need for dilation. At the same time, use of 4.5F UT-URS resulted in an acceptable treatment success and lower complication rates in most of these patients without the need for a second session.

Pavlovian conditioning analysis of morphine tolerance.

PubMed

Siegel, S

1978-01-01

It has been demonstrated that many conditional responses to a variety of drugs are opposite in direction to the unconditional effects of the drug, and the conditioning analysis of morphine tolerance emphasizes the fact that subjects with a history of morphine administration display morphine-compensatory conditional responses when confronted with the usual administration procedure but without the drug. Thus, when the drug is presented in the context of the usual administration cues, these conditional morphine-compensatory responses would be expected to attenuate the drug-induced unconditional responses, thereby decreasing the observed response to the drug. Research has been summarized which supports this compensatory conditioning model of tolerance by demonstrating that the display of tolerance is specific to the environment in which the drug has been previously administered. Further evidence supporting this theory of tolerance has been provided by studies establishing that extinction, partial reinforcement, and latent inhibition--non-pharmacological manipulations known to be effective in generally affecting the display of conditional responses--similarly affect the display of morphine tolerance. Additional research has suggested many parallels between learning and morphine tolerance: Both processes exhibit great retention, both are disrupted by electroconvulsive shock and frontal cortical stimulation, both are retarded by inhibitors of protein synthesis, and both are facilitated by antagonists of these metabolic inhibitors.

RENP Replication Unlikely Without Federal Support. Technical Appendices Supporting RMC Report UR 327.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Errecart, Michael T.

The Response to Educational Needs Project (RENP) focuses on training teachers as a vehicle for promoting student achievement in a compensatory education program. This document supplements a report on RENP replication and provides information on cost analysis, methodology, and sample and data collection. In Appendix A the following questions are…

42 CFR 456.200 - Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Utilization Review (ur) Plan... requirements for a written utilization review (UR) plan for each mental hospital providing Medicaid services...

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 326: Areas 6 and 27 Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 1

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 326: Areas 6 and 27 Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (Revision 1), December 2002 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additional information • Themore » cover, title, and signature pages of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 06-25-01, CP-1 Heating Oil Release. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was reevaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 403: Second Gas Station, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 403: Second Gas Station, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, September 1998 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additional information • The cover, title, and signature pagesmore » of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 03-02-004-0360, Underground Storage Tanks. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was reevaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 339: Area 12 Fleet Operations Steam Cleaning Discharge Area, Nevada Test Site, Revision 0

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for CAU 339: Area 12 Fleet Operations Steam Cleaning Discharge Area Nevada Test Site, December 1997 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additional information • The cover, title, andmore » signature pages of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 12-19-01, A12 Fleet Ops Steam Cleaning Efflu. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was reevaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Addendum 2 to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 358: Areas 18, 19, 20 Cellars/Mud Pits, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revison 0

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 358: Areas 18, 19, 20 Cellars/Mud Pits, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, January 2004 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additional information • The cover, title,more » and signature pages of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the UR for CAS 19-09-05, Mud Pit. This UR was established as part of a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective action and is based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since this UR was established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, this UR was reevaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the UR) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove the UR because contamination is not present at the site above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining this UR will be canceled, and the postings and signage at this site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at this site that are unrelated to the FFACO UR such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at this site.« less

Intranasal administration of dopamine attenuates unconditioned fear in that it reduces restraint-induced ultrasound vocalizations and escape from bright light.

PubMed

Talbot, Teddy; Mattern, Claudia; de Souza Silva, Maria Angelica; Brandão, Marcus Lira

2017-06-01

Although substantial evidence suggests that dopamine (DA) enhances conditioned fear responses, few studies have examined the role of DA in unconditioned fear states. Whereas DA does not cross the blood-brain barrier, intranasally-applied dopamine reaches the brain directly via the nose-brain pathways in rodents, providing an alternative means of targeting DA receptors. Intranasal dopamine (IN-DA) has been demonstrated to bind to DA transporters and to increase extracellular DA in the striatum as well as having memory-promoting effects in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of IN-DA in three tests of fear/anxiety. The three doses of DA hydrochloride (0.03, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg) were applied in a viscous castor oil gel in a volume of 5 µl to each of both nostrils of adult Wistar rats prior to testing of (a) escape from a bright light, using a two-chamber procedure, (b) restraint-induced 22 kHz ultrasound vocalizations (USVs), and (c) exploratory behavior in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). IN-DA dose-dependently reduced escape from bright light and the number of USV responses to restraint. It had no influence on the exploratory behavior in the EPM. IN-DA application reduced escape behavior in two tests of unconditioned fear (escape from bright light and USV response to immobilization). These findings may be interpreted in light of the known antidepressant action of IN-DA and DA reuptake blockers. The results also confirm the promise of the nasal route as an alternative means for targeting the brain's dopaminergic receptors with DA.

The Transformative Impact of Undergraduate Research Mentoring on Students and the Role of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) in Supporting Faculty Mentors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, L. K.; Singer, J.

2015-12-01

Undergraduate Research (UR) is broadly accepted as a high impact educational practice. Student participation in UR contributes to measurable gains in content knowledge and skills/methodology, oral and written communication skills, problem solving and critical thinking, self-confidence, autonomy, among others. First-generation college students and students from underrepresented minorities that participate in UR are more likely to remain in STEM majors, persist to graduation, and pursue graduate degrees. While engagement in the research process contributes to these outcomes, the impact of the interaction with the faculty mentor is critical. A number of studies provide evidence that it is the relationship that forms with the faculty mentor that is most valued by students and strongly contributes to their career development. Faculty mentors play an important role in student development and the relationship between mentor and student evolves from teacher to coach to colleague. Effective mentoring is not an inherent skill and is generally not taught in graduate school and generally differs from mentoring of graduate students. Each UR mentoring relationship is unique and there are many effective mentoring models and practices documented in the literature. The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has a long history of supporting faculty who engage in research with undergraduates and offers resources for establishing UR programs at individual, departmental, and institutional levels. The Geosciences Division of CUR leads faculty development workshops at professional meetings and provides extensive resources to support geosciences faculty as UR mentors (http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/undergraduate_research/index.html). Examples of effective mentoring strategies are highlighted, including a model developed by SUNY- Buffalo State that integrates mentoring directly into the evaluation of UR.

The Influence of Body Mass Index on Outcomes in Ureteroscopy: Results from the Clinical Research Office of Endourological Society URS Global Study.

PubMed

Krambeck, Amy; Wijnstok, Nienke; Olbert, Peter; Mitroi, George; Bariol, Simon; Shah, Hemendra N; El-Abd, Ahmed S; Onal, Bulent; de la Rosette, Jean

2017-01-01

Although ureteroscopy (URS) has been established as a viable treatment for stones in obese patients, its safety and success has not been fully elucidated. The current study describes the worldwide prevalence of obesity in patients with urolithiasis and examines trends in URS outcomes, safety, and efficacy. This study utilized the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) URS Global Study, which was a prospective, multicenter study including 11,885 patients treated with URS for urinary stones at 1 of 114 urology departments across 32 countries. The relationship between body mass index (BMI), diabetes, and creatinine, with retreatment, stone-free rates, complications, and long hospital stay, was examined with a multivariate logistic regression analyses. Of the 10,099 URS patients with BMI data, 17.4% were obese and 2.2% were super obese. Overall, 86.7% patients were stone free and 16.8% required retreatment. Higher BMI was associated with lower stone-free rates, and any deviation from normal weight was associated with higher retreatment rates. In multivariate analysis controlling for several variables including stone size, the association between BMI and lower stone-free rates with higher retreatment rates persisted. Intraoperative complications occurred in 518 (5.1%) patients, and 343 (3.4%) experienced a postoperative complication. Postoperative complications were more frequent in the underweight and super obese subjects, and there was no relationship between BMI and intraoperative complications. Although URS for stone disease was found to be an overall safe procedure for obese and super obese patients, efficacy of the procedure may be lower compared with normal-weight subjects and higher retreatment rates may be necessary.

Application of ureterorenoscope and flexible ureterorenoscope lithotripsy in removing calculus from extracorporeal living donor renal graft: a single-center experience.

PubMed

Lin, Chun-Hua; Zhang, Zuo-Fu; Wang, Jiahui; Yu, Lu-Xin; Wang, Wen-Ting; Shi, Lei; Lin, Xiang-Nan

2017-11-01

Here, we reported our clinical application of ureterorenoscope (URS) and flexible URS lithotripsy in stone removal on 10 cases of excised living donor kidney graft. After the extraction of donor kidney by retroperitoneal laparoscopy, the donor graft was perfused with 4 °C HCA solution. Calculus between 2-4 mm were removed intact with lithotomy forceps under direct vision of URS. Larger calculi of >4 mm were fractured with flexible URS combining holmium laser lithotripsy. Fragments of the calculus were extracted with basket extractor and lithotomy forceps. All operations were successful. The operation time was 14-31 min (average 21.2 ± 6.3 min). The kidneys were then transplanted to the recipients using routine procedure. The transplanted kidneys functioned well after transplantation. Gross hematuria resolved 1-4 d after operation (average 2.6 ± 0.9 d). The transplanted kidneys functioned well without early complications such as functional recovery delay and acute graft rejection. The donors and recipients were followed for 12 months. The size of the transplanted kidneys was normal and new stones or urinary obstruction was not seen upon urinary color Doppler ultrasound examination. In conclusion, we believe it is feasible, safe and effective to use URS or flexible URS combining holmium laser lithotripsy on extracorporeal living donor kidney.

Does a retrograde pyelography prior to ureteroscopy influence stone-free rates and complication rates in ureteral calculi?

PubMed

Seklehner, Stephan; Heißler, Ortwin; Engelhardt, Paul F; Riedl, Claus

2015-01-01

To evaluate the impact of retrograde pyelography (RPG) in patients treated with ureteroscopy (URS) for ureteral calculi. Retrospective analysis of patients treated with and without RPG prior to URS at a single institution from 2010 to 2013. Assessment of stone-free rates and intraoperative complications. Out of 469 URS, 211 (45%) were done with and 258 (55%) without RPG. Complete stone removal was achieved in 86.8% without RPG compared to 73% with RPG (p=0.0001). Partial stone removal rates were similar in both groups (p=0.77). Stone removal was not achieved in 9.3 vs. 22.7% (p=0.0001), with concordant findings in the distal (7.4 vs. 16.9%, p=0.007) and the proximal ureter (14.5 vs. 38.6%, p=0.002). Patients with RPG had a threefold higher chance of an unsuccessful URS (OR 3.05, 1.71-5.43, p<0.0001) and were less likely of having a complete stone removal (OR 0.37, 0.22-0.61, p<0.0001). Ureteral avulsions (0%) and ureteral perforation rates were similar (4.7 vs. 3.8%, p=0.65). Patients treated with an RPG prior to URS had significantly inferior stone-free rates. RPG was identified as an independent risk factor for inferior results. RPG neither facilitates nor diminishes complication rates during URS. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Iron bioavailability in Wistar rats fed with fortified rice by Ultra Rice technology with or without addition of yacon flour (Smallanthus sonchifolius).

PubMed

Della Lucia, Ceres M; Vaz Tostes, Maria das Graças; Silveira, Carlos Mário M; Bordalo, Lívia A; Rodrigues, Fabiana C; Pinheiro-Sant'Ana, Helena Maria; Martino, Hércia S D; Costa, Neuza Maria B

2013-03-01

This study aimed to evaluate iron (Fe) bioavailability in Wistar rats fed with rice fortified with micronized ferric pyrophosphate (FP) by Ultra Rice (UR) technology with or without addition of yacon flour as a source of 7.5% of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Diets were supplied with 12 mg iron/kg from the following sources: ferrous sulfate (FS - control diet), fortified rice with micronized ferric pyrophosphate (Ultra Rice) (UR diet), ferrous sulfate + yacon flour (FS + Y diet) or Ultra Rice + yacon flour (UR + Y diet). Blood samples were collected at the end of depletion and repletion stages for determination of hemoglobin concentration and calculation of the relative biological value (RBV). Also, the content of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (acetic, propionic and butyric acids) from animals' stools and caecum weight were determined. The UR diet showed high iron bioavailability (RBV = 84.7%). However, the addition of yacon flour in the diet containing fortified rice (UR + Y diet) decreased RBV (63.1%) significantly below the other three groups (p < 0.05). Groups that received yacon flour showed higher acetic acid values compared to those who did not. In conclusion, fortified UR with micronized ferric pyrophosphate showed high iron bioavailability but the addition of yacon flour at 7.5% FOS reduced iron bioavailability despite increased caecum weight and SCFA concentration.

Three whole-wood isotopic reference materials, USGS54, USGS55, and USGS56, for δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O measurements

USGS Publications Warehouse

Qi, Haiping; Coplen, Tyler B.; Jordan, James A.

2016-01-01

Comparative measurements of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in wood are hampered by the lack of proper reference materials (RMs). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has prepared three powdered, whole-wood RMs, USGS54 (Pinus contorta, Canadian lodgepole pine), USGS55 (Cordia cf. dodecandra, Mexican ziricote), and USGS56 (Berchemia cf. zeyheri, South African red ivorywood). The stable isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen in these RMs span ranges as δ2HVSMOW from –150.4 to –28.2 mUr or ‰, as δ18OVSMOW from + 17.79 to + 27.23 mUr, as δ13CVPDB from –27.13 to –24.34 mUr, and as δ15N AIR-N2 from –2.42 to + 1.8 mUr. These RMs will enable users to normalize measurements of wood samples to isotope–delta scales, and they are intended primarily for the normalization of δ2H and δ18O measurements of unknown wood samples. However, they also are suitable for normalization of stable isotope measurements of carbon and nitrogen in wood samples. In addition, these RMs are suitable for inter-laboratory calibration for the dual-water suilibration procedure for the measurements of δ2HVSMOW values of non-exchangeable hydrogen. The isotopic compositions with 1-σ uncertainties, mass fractions of each element, and fractions of exchangeable hydrogen of these materials are:USGS54 (Pinus contorta, Canadian Lodgepole pine)δ2HVSMOW = –150.4 ± 1.1 mUr (n = 29), hydrogen mass fraction = 6.00 ± 0.04 % (n = 10)Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 5.4 ± 0.6 % (n = 29)δ18OVSMOW = + 17.79 ± 0.15 mUr (n = 18), oxygen mass fraction = 40.4 ± 0.2 % (n = 6)δ13CVPDB = –24.43 ± 0.02 mUr (n = 18), carbon mass fraction = 48.3 ± 0.4 % (n = 12)δ15NAIR-N2 = –2.42 ± 0.32 mUr (n = 17), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.05 % (n = 4)USGS55 (Cordia cf. dodecandra, Mexican ziricote)δ2HVSMOW = –28.2 ± 1.7 mUr (n = 30), hydrogen mass fraction = 5.65 ± 0.06 % (n = 10)Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 4.1 ± 0.5 % (n = 30)δ18OVSMOW = + 19.12 ± 0.07 mUr (n = 18), oxygen mass fraction = 35.3 ± 0.2 % (n = 6)δ13CVPDB = –27.13 ± 0.02 mUr (n = 18), carbon mass fraction = 53.3 ± 0.6 % (n = 12)δ15NAIR-N2 = –0.3 ± 0.4 mUr (n = 16), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.25 % (n = 4)USGS56 (Berchemia cf. zeyheri, South African red ivorywood)δ2HVSMOW = –44.0 ± 1.8 mUr (n = 30), hydrogen mass fraction = 5.65 ± 0.05 % (n = 10)Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 6.6 ± 0.3 % (n = 30)δ18OVSMOW = + 27.23 ± 0.03 mUr (n = 12), oxygen mass fraction = 41.1 ± 0.2 % (n = 6)δ13CVPDB = –24.34 ± 0.01 mUr (n = 12), carbon mass fraction = 47.3 ± 0.2 % (n = 12)δ15NAIR-N2 = + 1.8 ± 0.4 mUr (n = 15), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.27 % (n = 4)

Efficacy of Twisted File Adaptive, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal Retreatment instruments for root-canal-filling removal: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

PubMed

Akbulut, Makbule Bilge; Akman, Melek; Terlemez, Arslan; Magat, Guldane; Sener, Sevgi; Shetty, Heeresh

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Twisted File (TF) Adaptive, Reciproc, and ProTaper Universal Retreatment (UR) System instruments for removing root-canal-filling. Sixty single rooted teeth were decoronated, instrumented and obturated. Preoperative CBCT scans were taken and the teeth were retreated with TF Adaptive, Reciproc, ProTaper UR, or hand files (n=15). Then, the teeth were rescanned, and the percentage volume of the residual root-canal-filling material was established. The total time for retreatment was recorded, and the data was statistically analyzed. The statistical ranking of the residual filling material volume was as follows: hand file=TF Adaptive>ProTaper UR=Reciproc. The ProTaper UR and Reciproc systems required shorter periods of time for retreatment. Root canal filling was more efficiently removed by using Reciproc and ProTaper UR instruments than TF Adaptive instruments and hand files. The TF Adaptive system was advantageous over hand files with regard to operating time.

The Abundance and Isotopic Signature of Chlorine in UrKREEP: Implications for the Early Degassing of the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyce, J. W.; Kanee, S.; McCubbin, F. M.; Barnes, J. J.; Bricker, H.; Treiman. A. H.

2017-01-01

Initally, the elevated delta-37 Cl values of lunar materials were attributed to volcanic degassing[1]. However, chlorine isotope ratios of apatite in lunarmare basalts appear to reflect mixing between two reservoirs.One component, with elevated delta-37 Cl is greater than or equal to + (25%) ([2] may represent the urKREEP--the final product of the crystallization of the lunar magma ocean. The second component, with delta-37 Cl is approximately (0%), is inferred to represent either a mare basalt reservoir or meteoritic materials. The idea that high delta-37 Cl is related to urKREEP suggest a global enrichment that occurred earlier in the lunar history [2,3]. Here we test this urKREEP-mixing hypothesis more rigorously, and report the observed limits of the model. We then use the results to calculate the Cl content of the urKREEP component and use those results to update estimates of the bulk Cl content of the Moon. This allows us to speculate on the mechanisms of loss of Cl from the lunar magma ocean.

Sex Differences in Response to an Observational Fear Conditioning Procedure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Megan M.; Forsyth, John P.

2007-01-01

The present study evaluated sex differences in observational fear conditioning using modeled ''mock'' panic attacks as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Fifty-nine carefully prescreened healthy undergraduate participants (30 women) underwent 3 consecutive differential conditioning phases: habituation, acquisition, and extinction. It was expected…

Sign-tracking (autoshaping) in rats: a comparison of cocaine and food as unconditioned stimuli.

PubMed

Kearns, David N; Weiss, Stanley J

2004-11-01

A series of experiments was performed to determine whether sign-tracking would occur in rats with intravenous (i.v.) cocaine as the unconditioned stimulus. In Experiment 1, a retractable lever paired with food produced strong sign-tracking, but a lever paired with one of three doses of i.v. cocaine did not elicit any approach or contact behavior. Experiment 2 demonstrated that doses of cocaine that did not elicit sign-tracking would function as a positive reinforcer for a lever contact operant. In Experiment 3, an artificial consummatory response was added to make the cocaine reinforcement episode more behaviorally comparable to that occasioned by food. Although the rats readily performed this response when it was required to receive cocaine infusions, they still did not contact a lever that signaled the availability of these infusions. It appears that cocaine is different from other positive reinforcers (e.g., food, water, warmth, or intracranial stimulation) in that it will not produce sign-tracking in rats.

Effect of Ambulatory Utilization Review on Referrals from Generalists to Specialists

PubMed Central

Grimm, Cordelia T.; Gomez, Arthur G.

1998-01-01

We studied whether ambulatory utilization review (UR) alters how many patients internal medicine residents refer to subspecialists, and whether the effect persists without reinforcement. We compared referral rates of residents from a firm that held UR meetings (intervention firm residents, n=20) with those of residents from a firm that did not (control firm residents, n=21). We then compared referral rates of 17 intervention firm residents while they were participating in UR with their rates after not participating for at least 4 weeks. Intervention firm residents submitted 30% fewer referrals than control firm residents (9% vs 13%, p=.05). However, the effect was short-lived; after 4 weeks without UR, intervention firm resident referral rates were similar to control firm referral rates. PMID:9824526

Unconditional hospitality: HIV, ethics and the refugee 'problem'.

PubMed

Worth, Heather

2006-09-01

Refugees, as forced migrants, have suffered displacement under conditions not of their own choosing. In 2000 there were thought to be 22 million refugees of whom 6 million were HIV positive. While the New Zealand government has accepted a number of HIV positive refugees from sub-Saharan Africa, this hospitality is under threat due to negative public and political opinion. Epidemic conditions raise the social stakes attached to sexual exchanges, contagion becomes a major figure in social relationships and social production, and the fears of the contagious nature of those 'just off the plane' connect refugees to an equally deep-seated fear of racial miscegenation. Jacques Derrida's notion of unconditional hospitality is a dream of a democracy which would have a cosmopolitan form. This means that one cannot decide in advance which refugees one might choose to resettle. This paper will use Derrida's notion of unconditional hospitality to emphasise the fragility of HIV positive refugees' position, caught between becoming newly made New Zealand subjects while at the same time having that subjecthood threatened. For Derrida, both ethics and politics demand both an action and a need for a thoughtful response (a questioning without limit).

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 574: Neptune, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

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

NSTec Environmental Restoration

Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 574 is identified in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) as 'Neptune' and consists of the following two Corrective Action Sites (CASs), located in Area 12 of the Nevada National Security Site: (1) CAS 12-23-10, U12c.03 Crater (Neptune); and (2) CAS 12-45-01, U12e.05 Crater (Blanca). This Closure Report presents information supporting closure of CAU 574 according to the FFACO (FFACO, 1996 [as amended March 2010]) and the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Plan for CAU 574 (U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office [NNSA/NSO], 2011). The following activities were performedmore » to support closure of CAU 574: (1) In situ external dose rate measurements were collected using thermoluminescent dosimeters at CAS 12-45-01, U12e.05 Crater (Blanca). (2) Total effective dose rates were determined at both sites by summing the internal and external dose rate components. (3) A use restriction (UR) was implemented at CAS 12-23-10, U12c.03 Crater (Neptune). Areas that exceed the final action level (FAL) of 25 millirems per year (mrem/yr) based on the Occasional Use Area exposure scenario are within the existing use restricted area for CAU 551. The 25-mrem/yr FAL is not exceeded outside the existing CAU 551 UR for any of the exposure scenarios (Industrial Area, Remote Work Area, and Occasional Use Area). Therefore, the existing UR for CAU 551 is sufficient to bound contamination that exceeds the FAL. (4) An administrative UR was implemented at CAS 12-45-01, U12e.05 Crater (Blanca) as a best management practice (BMP). The 25-mrem/yr FAL was not exceeded for the Remote Work Area or Occasional Use Area exposure scenarios; therefore, a UR is not required. However, because the 25-mrem/yr FAL was exceeded for the Industrial Area exposure scenario, an administrative UR was established as a BMP. UR documentation is included as Appendix B. The UR at CAS 12-23-10, U12c.03 Crater (Neptune), is within the existing UR for CAU 551. Additional postings were not installed, and annual post-closure inspections will be performed in conjunction with the inspections performed for CAU 551. At CAS 12-45-01, U12e.05 Crater (Blanca), the administrative UR does not require postings or inspections. NNSA/NSO requests the following: (1) A Notice of Completion from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to NNSA/NSO for closure of CAU 574; and (2) The transfer of CAU 574 from Appendix III to Appendix IV, Closed Corrective Action Units, of the FFACO« less

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 329: Area 22 Desert Rock Airstrip Fuel Spill with Errata Sheet, Revision 0

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

Navarro Nevada Environmental Services

In Appendix 0, Use Restriction (UR) Form, the drawing of the use restricted area shows the incorrect coordinates for the use restricted area, the coordinates on the drawing do not match the approved UR Form. The coordinates have been verified and this Errata Sheet replaces the drawing of the use restricted area with an aerial photo showing the use restricted area and the correct coordinates that match the approved UR Form.

Ada/Xt Architecture: Design Report for the Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems (STARS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-25

N Task: UR20 CDRL: 01000 N UR2O--ProcesslEnvironmentx Ada/Xt. Architecture : Design Report ~ ~ fFCp Informal Technical Data I? ,LECp Sofwar Tehoog for...S. FUNDING NUMBERS Ada/Xt Architecture : Design Report STARS Contract 6.AUTHOR(S)_ Ft9628-88-D-0031 6. AUTHOR(S) Kurt Wallnau 7. PERFORMING...of the STARS Prime contract under the Process Environment Integration task (UR20). This document "Ada Xt Architecture : Design Report", type A005

NONLINEARITIES IN THE SULFATE SECONDARY FINE PARTICULATE RESPONSE TO NOX EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS AS MODELED BY THE REGIONAL ACID DEPOSITION MODEL

EPA Science Inventory

Attention is increasingly being devoted to the health effects of fine particulates. In regions that have a large production of sulfate, sulfuric acid and nitric acid compete for the available ammonia to form aerosols. In addition, the available nitric acid is the result of ur...

High-resolution mapping reveals linkage between genes in common bean cultivar Ouro Negro conferring resistance to the rust, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot diseases.

PubMed

Valentini, Giseli; Gonçalves-Vidigal, Maria Celeste; Hurtado-Gonzales, Oscar P; de Lima Castro, Sandra Aparecida; Cregan, Perry B; Song, Qijian; Pastor-Corrales, Marcial A

2017-08-01

Co-segregation analysis and high-throughput genotyping using SNP, SSR, and KASP markers demonstrated genetic linkage between Ur-14 and Co-3 4 /Phg-3 loci conferring resistance to the rust, anthracnose and angular leaf spot diseases of common bean. Rust, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot are major diseases of common bean in the Americas and Africa. The cultivar Ouro Negro has the Ur-14 gene that confers broad spectrum resistance to rust and the gene cluster Co-3 4 /Phg-3 containing two tightly linked genes conferring resistance to anthracnose and angular leaf spot, respectively. We used co-segregation analysis and high-throughput genotyping of 179 F 2:3 families from the Rudá (susceptible) × Ouro Negro (resistant) cross-phenotyped separately with races of the rust and anthracnose pathogens. The results confirmed that Ur-14 and Co-3 4 /Phg-3 cluster in Ouro Negro conferred resistance to rust and anthracnose, respectively, and that Ur-14 and the Co-3 4 /Phg-3 cluster were closely linked. Genotyping the F 2:3 families, first with 5398 SNPs on the Illumina BeadChip BARCBEAN6K_3 and with 15 SSR, and eight KASP markers, specifically designed for the candidate region containing Ur-14 and Co-3 4 /Phg-3, permitted the creation of a high-resolution genetic linkage map which revealed that Ur-14 was positioned at 2.2 cM from Co-3 4 /Phg-3 on the short arm of chromosome Pv04 of the common bean genome. Five flanking SSR markers were tightly linked at 0.1 and 0.2 cM from Ur-14, and two flanking KASP markers were tightly linked at 0.1 and 0.3 cM from Co-3 4 /Phg-3. Many other SSR, SNP, and KASP markers were also linked to these genes. These markers will be useful for the development of common bean cultivars combining the important Ur-14 and Co-3 4 /Phg-3 genes conferring resistance to three of the most destructive diseases of common bean.

Conditioned Attraction, Similarity, and Evaluative Meaning. Language, Personality, Social, and Cross-Cultural Study and Measurement of the Human A-R-D (Motivational) System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stalling, Richard B.

Recent stimulus-response formulations have indicated that similarity between persons functions as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and that interpersonal attraction is a classically conditioned evaluative response. The thesis of this study is that similarity is a correlate of evaluative meaning and that the latter rather than the former is…

Effects of road type during transport on lamb welfare and meat quality in dry hot climates.

PubMed

Miranda-de la Lama, Genaro C; Monge, Paula; Villarroel, Morris; Olleta, Jose Luis; García-Belenguer, Sylvia; María, Gustavo A

2011-06-01

This study determined whether transporting lambs on paved (PR) or unpaved roads (UR) for 3 h had an effect on plasma stress indicators (cortisol, lactate, glucose, creatine kinase [CK], red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, and neutrophil/lymphocyte [N/L] ratio) and instrumental meat quality (pH24, bruising score, water holding capacity [WHC], color, and texture). A total of 48 Rasa Aragonesa male lambs were used that were approximately 100 days old (12.5 kg ± 1.64, carcass weight). The results suggest that transport on unpaved roads had a significant influence on physiological and hematological stress parameters. Road type had a significant effect on all variables, except for white and red blood cells, and hematocrit levels. The UR lambs had significantly higher (at least p ≤ 0.01) cortisol, lactate, glucose, and CK levels and a higher N/L ratio than PR lambs. Meat from UR lambs had some dark-cutting characteristics, with a darker color, higher ultimate pH, and higher tenderness values than PR. In conclusion, lambs transported on unpaved roads had a more intense stress response and poorer meat quality than lambs transported on paved roads. An effort to improve the logistics associated with route planning is necessary to prevent welfare problems during transport to slaughter.

Long-term mesocosm experiments to investigate microbial degradation of fluorescent tracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández-Pascual, Elena; Zaman, Sameera; Lang, Friederike; Lange, Jens

2017-04-01

Uranine (UR) and sulforhodamine B (SRB) are two of the most commonly used fluorescent tracers in hydrology. Their suitability to be used as ideal tracers has been discussed since they might interact with the soil or become degraded. However, these properties have recently served to mimic processes of sorption and degradation of pollutants. The present study attempts to investigate to what extent UR and SRB could be used to imitate such processes in environments where saturation conditions are variable and the presence of plants might play an important role. For this purpose, both tracers were applied to 36 small mesocosms filled with a layer of 10 cm of gravel and 30 cm of sand in which 6 types of treatments, with 3 replicates each, were implemented based on the presence of two species of wetland plants (Typha latifolia and Phalaris arundinacea) and two types of hydrological conditions (saturated and unsaturated). The entire experiment lasted 10 months, during which two injections of equal concentration of tracers were performed. The first months served to ensure the adaptability of the plants and to achieve stationary conditions in the system. Water and sediment samples were collected weekly after the second injection while plants were measured at the end of the experiment distinguishing between roots and aerial parts. Mass balances of the tracers were combined with excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMS) to characterize dissolved organic matter in the water and soil. Degradation was quantified by subtracting the non-degraded tracer fraction (sorption and plant uptake) and the remaining non-degraded mass in the water from the tracer mass injected. Results revealed that most of the SRB accumulated in the sand in agreement with its sorption affinity, while UR was mainly found in the pore water. Both tracers showed more degradation in the treatments with plants than the controls. Overall, UR exhibited higher degradation than SRB. Differences between plant species were not found for UR, whereas SRB showed more degradation with Phalaris than with Typha. The alternation of oxic and anoxic conditions in the unsaturated treatments increased the degradation of both tracers, especially SRB. Two components were identified by parallel factor analysis of the EEMS in addition to the UR, one humic-like associated with biological activity (C1) and one humic-like of terrestrial origin (C3). A high positive correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.81, p < 0.0001) between C1 and UR suggested a probable link, in which the increase of UR would lead to an increase of C1. This hypothesis was supported by the results from the controls, where UR exhibited the highest values of C1 while it was absent with SRB. This suggested a possible association of UR with microbial activity, which is in agreement with the high overall degradation rates found for UR. Further research is needed to confirm these results, but we see the combination of EEMS with tracer mass analysis as a promising way to provide additional information on processes of sorption and degradation of contaminants.

Estimation of residual glomerular filtration rate in peritoneal dialysis patients using cystatin C: comparison with 51Cr-EDTA clearance.

PubMed

Carter, Joanne L; Lane, Catherine E; Fan, Stanley L; Lamb, Edmund J

2011-11-01

Measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important assessment in peritoneal dialysis patients. In clinical practice, it is commonly measured by calculating the mean of the urinary clearance of urea and creatinine (GFR(UrCl)) but this process is time consuming and unreliable. We wished to compare several estimates of GFR including residual GFR estimated from cystatin C (GFR(CysC)) using a published equation (Hoek), GFR(UrCl) and (51)Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) clearance, in peritoneal dialysis patients. GFR(CysC), GFR(UrCl) and (51)Cr-EDTA clearance were measured in 28 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in a single dialysis unit. GFR(CysC) was related to GFR(UrCl) (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient r(s) = 0.44; P = 0.0185) and to (51)Cr-EDTA clearance (r(s) = 0.48; P = 0.0099). GFR(CysC) values were significantly (P = 0.0077) lower than (51)Cr-EDTA clearance results (mean bias -19.7%). However, GFR(CysC) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from GFR(UrCl). GFR(CysC) is related to GFR(UrCl) but has a significant negative bias against (51)Cr-EDTA. Given the known limitations of (51)Cr-EDTA in estimating GFR in renal failure, this study provides additional validation suggesting that cystatin C-estimated rGFR (GFR(CysC)) gives a reasonable estimation of GFR without the clinical problems associated with 24 h urine collections.

Serial testing for latent tuberculosis using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube: A Markov model.

PubMed

Moses, Mark W; Zwerling, Alice; Cattamanchi, Adithya; Denkinger, Claudia M; Banaei, Niaz; Kik, Sandra V; Metcalfe, John; Pai, Madhukar; Dowdy, David

2016-07-29

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in low-incidence settings are often serially tested for latent TB infection (LTBI) with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) assay, which exhibits frequent conversions and reversions. The clinical impact of such variability on serial testing remains unknown. We used a microsimulation Markov model that accounts for major sources of variability to project diagnostic outcomes in a simulated North American HCW cohort. Serial testing using a single QFT with the recommended conversion cutoff (IFN-g > 0.35 IU/mL) resulted in 24.6% (95% uncertainty range, UR: 23.8-25.5) of the entire population testing false-positive over ten years. Raising the cutoff to >1.0 IU/mL or confirming initial positive results with a (presumed independent) second test reduced this false-positive percentage to 2.3% (95%UR: 2.0-2.6%) or 4.1% (95%UR: 3.7-4.5%), but also reduced the proportion of true incident infections detected within the first year of infection from 76.5% (95%UR: 66.3-84.6%) to 54.8% (95%UR: 44.6-64.5%) or 61.5% (95%UR: 51.6-70.9%), respectively. Serial QFT testing of HCWs in North America may result in tremendous over-diagnosis and over-treatment of LTBI, with nearly thirty false-positives for every true infection diagnosed. Using higher cutoffs for conversion or confirmatory tests (for initial positives) can mitigate these effects, but will also diagnose fewer true infections.

Gastrodia and Uncaria (tianma gouteng) water extract exerts antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects against cerebral ischemia in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Xian, Jia Wen; Choi, Angus Yiu-Ting; Lau, Clara Bik-San; Leung, Wing Nang; Ng, Chun Fai; Chan, Chun Wai

2016-01-01

Gastrodia and Uncaria decoction (tianma gouteng yin) is commonly used in Chinese medicine to treat cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of a water extract (GUW) of Gastrodia elata (tianma; GE) and Uncaria rhynchophylla (gouteng; UR) against ischemic insult using oxygen-glucose-deprived neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). GUW was prepared by boiling raw GE and UR in water, followed by the lyophilization of the resulting extract. Neuronal differentiated PC12 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation with or without GUW. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were compared with those of the corresponding GE and UR extracts to tease apart the effects of the different herbs. The synergistic effect of GE and UR in GUW was measured using a modified version of Burgi's formulae. The neuroprotective mechanisms via Nrf2 and anti-apoptotic pathways were investigated using real time PCR and enzyme activity assays. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were studied in vivo using a rat MCAO model. Neurofunctional outcome and brain infarct volume we assessed. H&E staining, cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the histological outcome. The results of lactate dehydrogenase assay showed that GUW protected cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of GUW were greater than those of GE + UR (P = 0.018). Burgi's formula showed that the herbs in GUW acted synergistically to protect cells from ischemic injury. GUW significantly upregulated Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.0130) and reduced caspase-3 activity by 60 % (P < 0.001). GUW upregulated Nrf-2 expression (P = 0.0066) and the antioxidant response element pathway genes. The infarct volume was reduced by 55 % at day 7 of reperfusion (P < 0.001), and significant improvements were observed in the neurological deficit score and beam-walking test at 7 days (P < 0.001). H&E and cresyl violet staining revealed higher tissue integrity in the GUW treatment group compared with MCAO rats. GUW modulated the antioxidant system and antiapoptotic genes in oxygen-glucose deprived neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and MCAO sprague-dawley rats.

Addendum to the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 452: Historical Underground Storage Tank Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 452: Historical Underground Storage Tank Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, April 1998 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additionalmore » information • The cover, title, and signature pages of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for CASs: • 25-25-09, Spill H940825C (from UST 25-3101-1) • 25-25-14, Spill H940314E (from UST 25-3102-3) • 25-25-15, Spill H941020E (from UST 25-3152-1) These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Addendum 2 to the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 454: Historical Underground Storage Tank Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Grant Evenson

This document constitutes an addendum to the Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 454: Historical Underground Storage Tank Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, April 1998 as described in the document Supplemental Investigation Report for FFACO Use Restrictions, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (SIR) dated November 2008. The SIR document was approved by NDEP on December 5, 2008. The approval of the SIR document constituted approval of each of the recommended UR removals. In conformance with the SIR document, this addendum consists of: • This page that refers the reader to the SIR document for additionalmore » information • The cover, title, and signature pages of the SIR document • The NDEP approval letter • The corresponding section of the SIR document This addendum provides the documentation justifying the cancellation of the URs for CASs: • 12-25-08, Spill H950524F (from UST 12-B-1) • 12-25-10, Spill H950919A (from UST 12-COMM-1) These URs were established as part of Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) corrective actions and were based on the presence of contaminants at concentrations greater than the action levels established at the time of the initial investigation (FFACO, 1996). Since these URs were established, practices and procedures relating to the implementation of risk-based corrective actions (RBCA) have changed. Therefore, these URs were re-evaluated against the current RBCA criteria as defined in the Industrial Sites Project Establishment of Final Action Levels (NNSA/NSO, 2006). This re-evaluation consisted of comparing the original data (used to define the need for the URs) to risk-based final action levels (FALs) developed using the current Industrial Sites RBCA process. The re-evaluation resulted in a recommendation to remove these URs because contamination is not present at these sites above the risk-based FALs. Requirements for inspecting and maintaining these URs will be canceled, and the postings and signage at each site will be removed. Fencing and posting may be present at these sites that are unrelated to the FFACO URs such as for radiological control purposes as required by the NV/YMP Radiological Control Manual (NNSA/NSO, 2004). This modification will not affect or modify any non-FFACO requirements for fencing, posting, or monitoring at these sites.« less

Endoscopic Stone Measurement During Ureteroscopy.

PubMed

Ludwig, Wesley W; Lim, Sunghwan; Stoianovici, Dan; Matlaga, Brian R

2018-01-01

Currently, stone size cannot be accurately measured while performing flexible ureteroscopy (URS). We developed novel software for ureteroscopic, stone size measurement, and then evaluated its performance. A novel application capable of measuring stone fragment size, based on the known distance of the basket tip in the ureteroscope's visual field, was designed and calibrated in a laboratory setting. Complete URS procedures were recorded and 30 stone fragments were extracted and measured using digital calipers. The novel software program was applied to the recorded URS footage to obtain ureteroscope-derived stone size measurements. These ureteroscope-derived measurements were then compared with the actual-measured fragment size. The median longitudinal and transversal errors were 0.14 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1, 0.18) and 0.09 mm (95% CI 0.02, 0.15), respectively. The overall software accuracy and precision were 0.17 and 0.15 mm, respectively. The longitudinal and transversal measurements obtained by the software and digital calipers were highly correlated (r = 0.97 and 0.93). Neither stone size nor stone type was correlated with error measurements. This novel method and software reliably measured stone fragment size during URS. The software ultimately has the potential to make URS safer and more efficient.

How Well Do Undergraduate Research Programs Promote Engagement and Success of Students?

PubMed Central

Fechheimer, Marcus; Webber, Karen; Kleiber, Pamela B.

2011-01-01

Assessment of undergraduate research (UR) programs using participant surveys has produced a wealth of information about design, implementation, and perceived benefits of UR programs. However, measurement of student participation university wide, and the potential contribution of research experience to student success, also require the study of extrinsic measures. In this essay, institutional data on student credit-hour generation and grade point average (GPA) from the University of Georgia are used to approach these questions. Institutional data provide a measure of annual enrollment in UR classes in diverse disciplines. This operational definition allows accurate and retrospective analysis, but does not measure all modes of engagement in UR. Cumulative GPA is proposed as a quantitative extrinsic measure of student success. Initial results show that extended participation in research for more than a single semester is correlated with an increase in GPA, even after using SAT to control for the initial ability level of the students. While the authors acknowledge that correlation does not prove causality, continued efforts to measure the impact of UR programs on student outcomes using GPA or an alternate extrinsic measure is needed for development of evidence-based programmatic recommendations. PMID:21633064

Becoming a scientist: The role of undergraduate research in students' cognitive, personal, and professional development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunter, Anne-Barrie; Laursen, Sandra L.; Seymour, Elaine

2007-01-01

In this ethnographic study of summer undergraduate research (UR) experiences at four liberal arts colleges, where faculty and students work collaboratively on a project of mutual interest in an apprenticeship of authentic science research work, analysis of the accounts of faculty and student participants yields comparative insights into the structural elements of this form of UR program and its benefits for students. Comparison of the perspectives of faculty and their students revealed considerable agreement on the nature, range, and extent of students' UR gains. Specific student gains relating to the process of becoming a scientist were described and illustrated by both groups. Faculty framed these gains as part of professional socialization into the sciences. In contrast, students emphasized their personal and intellectual development, with little awareness of their socialization into professional practice. Viewing study findings through the lens of social constructivist learning theories demonstrates that the characteristics of these UR programs, how faculty practice UR in these colleges, and students' outcomes - including cognitive and personal growth and the development of a professional identity - strongly exemplify many facets of these theories, particularly, student-centered and situated learning as part of cognitive apprenticeship in a community of practice.

Neurobiological mechanisms underlying the blocking effect in aversive learning.

PubMed

Eippert, Falk; Gamer, Matthias; Büchel, Christian

2012-09-19

Current theories of classical conditioning assume that learning depends on the predictive relationship between events, not just on their temporal contiguity. Here we employ the classic experiment substantiating this reasoning-the blocking paradigm-in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether human amygdala responses in aversive learning conform to these assumptions. In accordance with blocking, we demonstrate that significantly stronger behavioral and amygdala responses are evoked by conditioned stimuli that are predictive of the unconditioned stimulus than by conditioned stimuli that have received the same pairing with the unconditioned stimulus, yet have no predictive value. When studying the development of this effect, we not only observed that it was related to the strength of previous conditioned responses, but also that predictive compared with nonpredictive conditioned stimuli received more overt attention, as measured by fMRI-concurrent eye tracking, and that this went along with enhanced amygdala responses. We furthermore observed that prefrontal regions play a role in the development of the blocking effect: ventromedial prefrontal cortex (subgenual anterior cingulate) only exhibited responses when conditioned stimuli had to be established as nonpredictive for an outcome, whereas dorsolateral prefrontal cortex also showed responses when conditioned stimuli had to be established as predictive. Most importantly, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex connectivity to amygdala flexibly switched between positive and negative coupling, depending on the requirements posed by predictive relationships. Together, our findings highlight the role of predictive value in explaining amygdala responses and identify mechanisms that shape these responses in human fear conditioning.

Forward and Backward Second-Order Pavlovian Conditioning in Honeybees

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hussaini, Syed Abid; Komischke, Bernhard; Menzel, Randolf; Lachnit, Harald

2007-01-01

Second-order conditioning (SOC) is the association of a neutral stimulus with another stimulus that had previously been combined with an unconditioned stimulus (US). We used classical conditioning of the proboscis extension response (PER) in honeybees ("Apis mellifera") with odors (CS) and sugar (US). Previous SOC experiments in bees were…

Reinstatement in Honeybees Is Context-Dependent

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plath, Jenny Aino; Felsenberg, Johannes; Eisenhardt, Dorothea

2012-01-01

During extinction animals experience that the previously learned association between a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US) no longer holds true. Accordingly, the conditioned response (CR) to the CS decreases. This decrease of the CR can be reversed by presentation of the US alone following extinction, a phenomenon termed…

Appetitive but Not Aversive Olfactory Conditioning Modifies Antennal Movements in Honeybees

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cholé, Hanna; Junca, Pierre; Sandoz, Jean-Christophe

2015-01-01

In honeybees, two olfactory conditioning protocols allow the study of appetitive and aversive Pavlovian associations. Appetitive conditioning of the proboscis extension response (PER) involves associating an odor, the conditioned stimulus (CS) with a sucrose solution, the unconditioned stimulus (US). Conversely, aversive conditioning of the sting…

Comparison of the efficacy and morbidity of flexible ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones compared with other renal locations.

PubMed

Jacquemet, Baptiste; Martin, Lucille; Pastori, Julie; Bailly, Vincent; Guichard, Guillaume; Bernardini, Stéphane; Chabannes, Eric; Bittard, Hugues; Kleinclauss, François

2014-10-01

Flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) for lower pole stones (LPS) compared with other renal locations can be challenging because of anatomic and technical considerations. We aimed to compare the stone-free rate (SFR) and surgical complication rate with f-URS for LPS vs other renal locations. We performed a retrospective, single-center study including 371 f-URS for renal stone retrieval performed in our institution between January 2004 and December 2010. Among the 371 procedures included in this analysis, 139 were performed for stones located in a single renal location other than the lower pole (group 1), and 232 for at least one stone located in the lower pole (group 2). We compared the efficacy (SFR) and the morbidity of f-URS between the two groups. The success of the procedure was defined as a complete SFR 6 months after f-URS. Age, sex, history of urolithiasis, body mass index, and preoperative stent placement did not differ between the two groups. No differences in stone characteristics were observed between both groups except stone size under 10 mm that was significantly higher in group 2 (P=0.018). Technical aspects of the procedure did not differ between the groups, except for more frequent use of an access sheath in group 2 (P=0.007). SFR was comparable between groups (P=0.774). The complication rate was similar in both groups, as was the severity of complications. By multivariate analysis, stone size >10 mm (P<0.0001) and multiple stone locations (P=0.001) were associated with f-URS failure, but lower pole location did not impact on SFR. In our study, stone location, in particular LPS, did not have any impact on efficacy and morbidity of f-URS. Only multiple locations and stone size >10 mm seemed to significantly decrease the SFR, without impacting morbidity.

Treatment of mid- and lower ureteric calculi: extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy vs laser ureteroscopy. A comparison of costs, morbidity and effectiveness.

PubMed

Bierkens, A F; Hendrikx, A J; De La Rosette, J J; Stultiens, G N; Beerlage, H P; Arends, A J; Debruyne, F M

1998-01-01

To determine the efficacy and costs of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) compared with ureteroscopy (URS) in the treatment of mid- and lower ureteric calculi. The records of patients treated primarily by ESWL and URS were analysed retrospectively. Treatment with ESWL included 63 patients (42 men and 21 women, mean age 52 years, range 23-78, 19 mid- and 44 lower ureteric calculi). All patients received 4000 shock waves at a mean energy setting of 18.1 kV. URS was used in 105 patients, with a 7.2 F miniscope or the 7.1 F flexible scope. Stones were fragmented with a pulsed-dye laser lithotripter at 504 nm and a power of up to 130 mJ (mean 53 mJ) using a 200 or 320 microns fibre. All ureteroscopies were performed with the patient under general (n = 17) or spinal (n = 87) anaesthesia in a mean treatment duration of 34 min. Stones were located in the mid-ureter in 24 patients and in the lower ureter in 80. The outcome was assessed by stone-free rates, re-treatment rates, time to become stone-free, complication and costs. ESWL for mid- and lower ureteric calculi resulted in a success rate of 90% and 81%, respectively, compared with 96% and 99% for URS. However, patients treated with URS were stone-free within 2 days, whereas patients in the ESWL group required up to 4 months. The best results for ESWL were achieved with stones of < 50 mm2. The costs of URS were higher than those for ESWL. ESWL provides a noninvasive, simple and safe option for the management of mid- and lower ureteric calculi, provided that the stones are < 50 mm2; larger stones are best treated by URS.

Quantifiable impact on poverty in Trinidad And Tobago of the Uruguay Round Agreement On Agriculture.

PubMed

Pemberton, Carlisle; Ramnarine, Deokie

2006-09-01

The agreement on agriculture and the World Trade Organization were major outcomes of the 1986-1994 Uruguay Round (UR) negotiations within the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The measures under the UR were predicted to increase poverty in developing countries, a serious cause for concern since poverty alleviation is a major goal of developing countries. Thus this paper simulated the impact on poverty of the UR for a net food importing country, Trinidad and Tobago. The objectives of the study were to determine the changes in poverty levels in Trinidad and Tobago that we expected would result from changes in the price levels of food commodities after the removal of trade protection following the UR, and to examine recent trends in poverty in Trinidad and Tobago and the prices of major agricultural exports from the United States, its principal trading partner. A regression model (poverty model) was used to determine the relationship between poverty levels and the prices of sensitive imported food commodities (SIFCs) and other key economic variables. Impact models were used to project changes in world market prices of the SIFCs due to the UR, and these price changes were used to predict changes in poverty in Trinidad and Tobago. The results showed a positive elasticity between poverty and the prices of SIFCs. The study also predicted that the average projected increase in price levels of the SIFCs of less than 9% by the year 2000 would cause an increase in poverty in Trinidad and Tobago of less than 4%. There has been, in fact, a small decline in poverty in Trinidad and Tobago since 1996. The prices of major agricultural exports from the United States have also been falling since 1995. Thus, so far the UR has had no perceptible effects in increasing the prices of food exports from the United States. Also, so far the UR has had no perceptible effect on the poverty level in Trinidad and Tobago.

Application of the informational reference system OZhUR to the automated processing of data from satellites of the Kosmos series

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pokras, V. M.; Yevdokimov, V. P.; Maslov, V. D.

1978-01-01

The structure and potential of the information reference system OZhUR designed for the automated data processing systems of scientific space vehicles (SV) is considered. The system OZhUR ensures control of the extraction phase of processing with respect to a concrete SV and the exchange of data between phases.The practical application of the system OZhUR is exemplified in the construction of a data processing system for satellites of the Cosmos series. As a result of automating the operations of exchange and control, the volume of manual preparation of data is significantly reduced, and there is no longer any need for individual logs which fix the status of data processing. The system Ozhur is included in the automated data processing system Nauka which is realized in language PL-1 in a binary one-address system one-state (BOS OS) electronic computer.

Adolescents' unconditional acceptance by parents and teachers and educational outcomes: A structural model of gender differences.

PubMed

Makri-Botsari, Evi

2015-08-01

The purpose of this study was to detect gender specific patterns in the network of relations between unconditionality of parental and teacher acceptance in the form of unconditional positive regard and a range of educational outcomes, as indexed by academic self-perception, academic intrinsic motivation, and academic achievement. To test the role of gender as a moderator, a multi-group analysis was employed within the framework of structural equation modelling with increasing restrictions placed on the structural paths across genders. The results on a sample of 427 adolescents in grades 7-9 showed that conditionality of acceptance undermined level of perceived acceptance for both social agents. Moreover, unconditionality of teacher acceptance exerted stronger influences on students' educational outcomes than unconditionality of parental acceptance, with effect sizes being larger for girls than for boys. Copyright © 2015 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Conditioned fear in low- and high-anxious rats is differentially regulated by cortical subcortical and midbrain 5-HT(1A) receptors.

PubMed

Ferreira, R; Nobre, M J

2014-05-30

Interactions between the prelimbic cortex and the basolateral amygdala underlie fear memory processing, mostly through acquiring and consolidating the learning of a conditioned fear. More recently, studies highlighted the role of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) in the modulation of learning fear responses. In addition, extensive data in the literature have signaled the importance of serotonin (5-HT) on fear and anxiety. In the present study, the role of 5-HT neurotransmission of the prelimbic cortex, basolateral amygdala or the DPAG on the unconditioned and conditioned fear responses in rats previously selected as low- (LA) or high-anxious (HA) were assessed through local infusions of 5-HT itself (10nmol/0.2μl) or the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT - 0.3μg/0.2μl). Behavioral analysis was conducted using the fear-potentiated startle (FPS) procedure. Dependent variables recorded were the latency and amplitude of the unconditioned startle response and FPS. Our findings suggest that, on the prelimbic cortex, 5-HT modulates the expression of conditioned fear response in HA rats and this modulation is dependent on 5-HT1A receptors. This is not true, however, for the basolateral amygdala or the DPAG. In these regions LA but not HA rats were susceptible to the anxiolytic-like effect of 5-HT1A receptor activation. It is thought that the expression of conditioned fear in HA subjects may be dependent on other 5-HT receptors, as the 5-HT1B subtype, and/or changes in other systems such as the GABA and glutamate neurotransmitters. These results increase our understanding of the rostrocaudal influence of 5-HT on the unconditioned and conditioned fear responses in LA and HA subjects and, to some extent, are in disagreement with the theoretical current that emphasizes the role of 5-HT on anxiety, mainly at the subcortical and midbrain levels. Copyright © 2014 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Serial testing for latent tuberculosis using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube: A Markov model

PubMed Central

Moses, Mark W.; Zwerling, Alice; Cattamanchi, Adithya; Denkinger, Claudia M.; Banaei, Niaz; Kik, Sandra V.; Metcalfe, John; Pai, Madhukar; Dowdy, David

2016-01-01

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in low-incidence settings are often serially tested for latent TB infection (LTBI) with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) assay, which exhibits frequent conversions and reversions. The clinical impact of such variability on serial testing remains unknown. We used a microsimulation Markov model that accounts for major sources of variability to project diagnostic outcomes in a simulated North American HCW cohort. Serial testing using a single QFT with the recommended conversion cutoff (IFN-g > 0.35 IU/mL) resulted in 24.6% (95% uncertainty range, UR: 23.8–25.5) of the entire population testing false-positive over ten years. Raising the cutoff to >1.0 IU/mL or confirming initial positive results with a (presumed independent) second test reduced this false-positive percentage to 2.3% (95%UR: 2.0–2.6%) or 4.1% (95%UR: 3.7–4.5%), but also reduced the proportion of true incident infections detected within the first year of infection from 76.5% (95%UR: 66.3–84.6%) to 54.8% (95%UR: 44.6–64.5%) or 61.5% (95%UR: 51.6–70.9%), respectively. Serial QFT testing of HCWs in North America may result in tremendous over-diagnosis and over-treatment of LTBI, with nearly thirty false-positives for every true infection diagnosed. Using higher cutoffs for conversion or confirmatory tests (for initial positives) can mitigate these effects, but will also diagnose fewer true infections. PMID:27469388

Genomic characterization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in radiation-exposed Chornobyl cleanup workers.

PubMed

Ojha, Juhi; Dyagil, Iryna; Finch, Stuart C; Reiss, Robert F; de Smith, Adam J; Gonseth, Semira; Zhou, Mi; Hansen, Helen M; Sherborne, Amy L; Nakamura, Jean; Bracci, Paige M; Gudzenko, Nataliya; Hatch, Maureen; Babkina, Nataliya; Little, Mark P; Chumak, Vadim V; Walsh, Kyle M; Bazyka, Dimitry; Wiemels, Joseph L; Zablotska, Lydia B

2018-05-02

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was the predominant leukemia in a recent study of Chornobyl cleanup workers from Ukraine exposed to radiation (UR-CLL). Radiation risks of CLL significantly increased with increasing bone marrow radiation doses. Current analysis aimed to clarify whether the increased risks were due to radiation or to genetic mutations in the Ukrainian population. A detailed characterization of the genomic landscape was performed in a unique sample of 16 UR-CLL patients and age- and sex-matched unexposed general population Ukrainian-CLL (UN-CLL) and Western-CLL (W-CLL) patients (n = 28 and 100, respectively). Mutations in telomere-maintenance pathway genes POT1 and ATM were more frequent in UR-CLL compared to UN-CLL and W-CLL (both p < 0.05). No significant enrichment in copy-number abnormalities at del13q14, del11q, del17p or trisomy12 was identified in UR-CLL compared to other groups. Type of work performed in the Chornobyl zone, age at exposure and at diagnosis, calendar time, and Rai stage were significant predictors of total genetic lesions (all p < 0.05). Tumor telomere length was significantly longer in UR-CLL than in UN-CLL (p = 0.009) and was associated with the POT1 mutation and survival. No significant enrichment in copy-number abnormalities at CLL-associated genes was identified in UR-CLL compared to other groups. The novel associations between radiation exposure, telomere maintenance and CLL prognosis identified in this unique case series provide suggestive, though limited data and merit further investigation.

[Effects of understory removal on soil labile organic carbon pool in a Cinnamomum camphora plantation].

PubMed

Wu, Ya-Cong; Li, Zheng-Cai; Cheng, Cai-Fang; Liu, Rong-Jie; Wang, Bin; Geri, Le-Tu

2013-12-01

Taking a 48-year-old Cinnamomum camphora plantation in the eastern area of our subtropics as test object, this paper studied the labile organic carbon contents and their ratios to the total organic carbon (TOC) in 0-60 cm soil layer under effects of understory removal (UR). As compared with no understory removal (CK), the soil TOC and easily-oxidized carbon (EOC) contents under UR decreased, with a decrement of 4.8% - 34.1% and 27.1% - 36.2%, respectively, and the TOC and EOC contents had a significant difference in 0-10 cm and 0-20 cm layers, respectively. The water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) (except in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers) and light fraction organic matter (LFOM) under UR increaesd, but the difference was not significant. The ratio of soil WSOC to soil TOC in UR stand was higher than that in CK stand, while the ratio of soil EOC to soil TOC showed an opposite trend. In the two stands, soil WSOC, EOC, and LFOM had significant or extremely significant correlations with soil TOC, and the correlation coefficients of soil EOC and LFOM with soil TOC were higher in UR stand than in CK, but the correlation coefficient between soil WSOC and TOC was in opposite. The soil EOC, LFOM, and TOC in the two stands were significantly or extremely significantly correlated with soil nutrients, but the soil WSOC in UR stand had no significant correlations with soil hydrolyzable N, available P, exchangeable Ca, and exchangeable Mg.

Factors affecting unplanned readmissions from community hospitals to acute hospitals: a prospective observational study.

PubMed

Leong, Ian Y O; Chan, Siew-Pang; Tan, Boon-Yeow; Sitoh, Yih-Yiow; Ang, Yan-Hoon; Merchant, Reshma; Kanagasabai, Kala; Lee, Patricia S Y; Pang, Weng-Sun

2009-02-01

While the readmission rate from community hospitals is known, the factors affecting it are not. Our aim was to determine the factors predicting unplanned readmissions from community hospitals (CHs) to acute hospitals (AHs). This was an observational prospective cohort study, involving 842 patients requiring post-acute rehabilitation in 2 CHs admitted from 3 AHs in Singapore. We studied the role of the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) organ impairment scores, the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) score, the Shah modified Barthel Index (BI) score, and the triceps skin fold thickness (TSFT) in predicting the rate of unplanned readmissions (UR), early unplanned readmissions (EUPR) and late unplanned readmissions (LUPR). We developed a clinical prediction rule to determine the risk of UR and EUPR. The rates of EUPR and LUPR were 7.6% and 10.3% respectively. The factors that predicted UR were the CIRS-heart score, the CIRS-haemopoietic score, the CIRS-endocrine / metabolic score and the BI on admission. The MMSE was predictive of EUPR. The TSFT and CIRS-liver score were predictive of LUPR. Upon receiver operator characteristics analysis, the clinical prediction rules for the prediction of EUPR and UR had areas under the curve of 0.745 and 0.733 respectively. The likelihood ratios of the clinical prediction rules for EUPR and UR ranged from 0.42 to 5.69 and 0.34 to 3.16 respectively. Patients who have UR can be identified by the admission BI, the MMSE, the TSFT and CIRS scores in the cardiac, haemopoietic, liver and endocrine/metabolic systems.

UrQt: an efficient software for the Unsupervised Quality trimming of NGS data.

PubMed

Modolo, Laurent; Lerat, Emmanuelle

2015-04-29

Quality control is a necessary step of any Next Generation Sequencing analysis. Although customary, this step still requires manual interventions to empirically choose tuning parameters according to various quality statistics. Moreover, current quality control procedures that provide a "good quality" data set, are not optimal and discard many informative nucleotides. To address these drawbacks, we present a new quality control method, implemented in UrQt software, for Unsupervised Quality trimming of Next Generation Sequencing reads. Our trimming procedure relies on a well-defined probabilistic framework to detect the best segmentation between two segments of unreliable nucleotides, framing a segment of informative nucleotides. Our software only requires one user-friendly parameter to define the minimal quality threshold (phred score) to consider a nucleotide to be informative, which is independent of both the experiment and the quality of the data. This procedure is implemented in C++ in an efficient and parallelized software with a low memory footprint. We tested the performances of UrQt compared to the best-known trimming programs, on seven RNA and DNA sequencing experiments and demonstrated its optimality in the resulting tradeoff between the number of trimmed nucleotides and the quality objective. By finding the best segmentation to delimit a segment of good quality nucleotides, UrQt greatly increases the number of reads and of nucleotides that can be retained for a given quality objective. UrQt source files, binary executables for different operating systems and documentation are freely available (under the GPLv3) at the following address: https://lbbe.univ-lyon1.fr/-UrQt-.html .

Microsatellite mapping of a Triticum urartu Tum. derived powdery mildew resistance gene transferred to common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Qiu, Y C; Zhou, R H; Kong, X Y; Zhang, S S; Jia, J Z

2005-11-01

A powdery mildew resistance gene from Triticum urartu Tum. accession UR206 was successfully transferred into hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through crossing and backcrossing. The F1 plants, which had 28 chromosomes and an average of 5.32 bivalents and 17.36 univalents in meiotic pollen mother cells (PMC), were obtained through embryos rescued owing to shriveling of endosperm in hybrid seed of cross Chinese Spring (CS) x UR206. Hybrid seeds were produced through backcrossing F1 with common wheat parents. The derivative lines had normal chromosome numbers and powdery mildew resistance similar to the donor UR206, indicating that the powdery mildew resistance gene originating from T. urartu accession UR206 was successfully transferred and expressed in a hexaploid wheat background. Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant gene controlled the powdery mildew resistance at the seedling stage. To map and tag the powdery mildew resistance gene, 143 F2 individuals derived from a cross UR206 x UR203 were used to construct a linkage map. The resistant gene was mapped on the chromosome 7AL based on the mapped microsatellite makers. The map spanned 52.1 cM and the order of these microsatellite loci agreed well with the established microsatellite map of chromosome arm 7AL. The resistance gene was flanked by the microsatellite loci Xwmc273 and Xpsp3003, with the genetic distances of 2.2 cM and 3.8 cM, respectively. On the basis of the origin and chromosomal location of the gene, it was temporarily designated PmU.

Flexible ureteroscopy versus laparoscopy for the treatment of patients who initially presented with obstructive pyelonephritis

PubMed Central

Sahin, Selcuk; Resorlu, Berkan; Eksi, Mithat; Aras, Bekir; Atar, Arda; Tugcu, Volkan

2016-01-01

Objective: To compare the safety and effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) with transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (TPLU) in cases of obstructive pyelonephritis secondary to large proximal ureteral stones. Methods: A series of 42 patients presenting with obstructive pyelonephritis due to proximal ureteral stones larger than 1.5 cm were included from April 2006 to February 2015 in this comparative study. After drainage of pyonephrosis and resolution of sepsis, 22 patients treated with TPLU (Group I), and 20 patients were treated with F-URS (Group II). Preoperative patient and stone characteristics, procedure-related parameters and clinical outcomes were assessed for each group. Results: It was seen that both methods were effective in the treatment of large proximal ureteral stones. However TPLU provided a higher stone- free rate (100% vs 80%. p=0.043) and lower retreatment rate. There was no difference between the groups for the operative time and complication rate. On the other hand, patients treated with F-URS had less postoperative pain (p=0.008), a shorter hospital stay (p<0.001) and a faster return to daily activities (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of our study show that both F-URS and TPLU are safe and effective surgical procedures for treatment of large proximal ureteral stones after controlling obstructive pyelonephritis. However, TPLU has a higher stone-free rate with comparable operating time and complication rate as compared to F-URS. On the other hand F-URS has the advantages of less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and faster return to daily activities. PMID:27375691

The use of incentives in vulnerable populations for a telephone survey: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Knoll, Megan; Soller, Lianne; Ben-Shoshan, Moshe; Harrington, Daniel; Fragapane, Joey; Joseph, Lawrence; La Vieille, Sebastien; St-Pierre, Yvan; Wilson, Kathi; Elliott, Susan; Clarke, Ann

2012-10-19

Poor response rates in prevalence surveys can lead to nonresponse bias thereby compromising the validity of prevalence estimates. We conducted a telephone survey of randomly selected households to estimate the prevalence of food allergy in the 10 Canadian provinces between May 2008 and March 2009 (the SCAAALAR study: Surveying Canadians to Assess the Prevalence of Common Food Allergies and Attitudes towards Food LAbeling and Risk). A household response rate of only 34.6% was attained, and those of lower socioeconomic status, lower education and new Canadians were underrepresented. We are now attempting to target these vulnerable populations in the SPAACE study (Surveying the Prevalence of Food Allergy in All Canadian Environments) and are evaluating strategies to increase the response rate. Although the success of incentives to increase response rates has been demonstrated previously, no studies have specifically examined the use of unconditional incentives in these vulnerable populations in a telephone survey. The pilot study will compare response rates between vulnerable Canadian populations receiving and not receiving an incentive. Randomly selected households were randomly assigned to receive either a $5 incentive or no incentive. The between group differences in response rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The response rates for the incentive and non-incentive groups were 36.1% and 28.7% respectively, yielding a between group difference of 7.4% (-0.7%, 15.6%). Although the wide CI precludes definitive conclusions, our results suggest that unconditional incentives are effective in vulnerable populations for telephone surveys.

42 CFR 456.142 - UR plan requirements for medical care evaluation studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... evaluation studies. (a) The UR plan must describe the methods that the committee uses to select and conduct... needed to— (i) Correct or investigate further any deficiencies or problems in the review process for...

Becoming a Scientist: Research Findings on STEM Students' Gains from Conducting Undergraduate Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunter, A.; Laursen, S.; Thiry, H.; Seymour, E.

2006-12-01

Undergraduate research is widely believed to enhance STEM students' education and increase their persistence to graduate education and careers in the sciences. Yet until very recently, little evidence from research and evaluation studies was available to substantiate such claims and document what students gain from doing undergraduate research or how these gains come about. We have conducted a three-year qualitative research study of STEM students participating in UR at four liberal arts colleges with a strong tradition of faculty-led summer research apprenticeships. Benefits to students reported by both students and their faculty advisors are categorized into six main categories of gains in skills, knowledge, "thinking like a scientist," career preparation, career development, and personal and professional growth. Student and faculty observations are strongly corroborative, but also differ in interesting ways that reflect the distinct perspectives of each group: students are still in the midst of discovering their own career paths while faculty advisors have observed the later career development of their past research students. While not all students find UR to heighten their interest in graduate school, they do find it a powerful growth experience that clarifies their career ambitions by providing a "real world" experience of science. For students whose interest in science is reinforced, UR has a significant role in their professional socialization into the culture and norms of science, which we call "becoming a scientist," through interactions that draw them into the scientific community and experiences that deepen their understanding of the nature of research. Cumulatively, the qualitative data set of nearly 350 interviews offers a rich portrayal of the UR enterprise from a variety of perspectives. Longitudinal data enable us to track the influence of UR on students' career and education trajectories in the years after college, and comparative data from a group of students who did not undertake UR or pursued alternate experiences reveal the extent to which some benefits of UR may be derived from other experiences. Faculty interviews reveal the costs and benefits to faculty of participating in this intensive form of science education. The presentation will highlight key findings and emphasize their relevance to faculty and program directors undertaking UR or seeking to generate its benefits through other activities.

Uracil misincorporation into DNA and folic acid supplementation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

BACKGROUND: Folate deficiency decreases thymidylate synthesis from deoxyuridylate, which results in an imbalance of deoxyribonucleotide that may lead to excessive uracil misincorporation (UrMis) into DNA during replication and repair. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relation between UrMis in different ...

Understanding and Assessing Risk of Intrastate Conflict: Human Development Theory and Practice

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-04-01

R es ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve l To ta l R is k R es...ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve l To ta l R is k R es ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve...l To ta l R is k R es ou rc es O pp or

Cellular proliferation in the urorectal septation complex of the human embryo at Carnegie stages 13-18: a nuclear area-based morphometric analysis.

PubMed

Nebot-Cegarra, Josep; Fàbregas, Pere Jordi; Sánchez-Pérez, Inma

2005-10-01

In order to analyse the patterns of cellular proliferation both in the mesenchyme of the urorectal septum (URS) and in the adjacent territories (posterior urogenital mesenchyme, anterior intestinal mesenchyme and cloacal folds mesenchyme), as well as their contribution to the process of cloacal division, a computer-assisted method was used to obtain the nuclear area of 3874 mesenchymal cells from camera lucida drawings of nuclear contours of selected sections of human embryos [Carnegie stages (CSs) 13-18]. Based on changes in the size of the nucleus during the cellular cycle, we considered proliferating cells in each territory to be those with a nuclear area over the 75th percentile. The URS showed increasing cell proliferation, with proliferation patterns that coincided closely with cloacal folds mesenchyme, and with less overall proliferation than urogenital and intestinal mesenchymes. Furthermore, at CS 18, we observed the beginning of the rupture in the cloacal membrane; however, no fusion has been demonstrated either between the URS and the cloacal membrane or between the cloacal folds. The results suggest that cloacal division depends on a morphogenetic complex where the URS adjacent territories could determine septal displacement at the time that their mesenchymes could be partially incorporated within the proliferating URS.

Errata Sheet for the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 538: Spill Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nevada with ROTC-1, Revision 0

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

Patrick Matthews

This Erratum is being issued to DOE/NV--1185 ROTC-1 for the CAU 538 Closure Report to correct three items. The original ROTC which was issued on November 30, 2011 corrected the Use Restriction for CAS 12-29-06 to remove a coordinate point from the Use Restriction. However, the ROTC contained three errors as follows: 1. The number of digits after the decimal place on the UR form was one while the map displayed two digits after the decimal place. The UR form and map were aligned as part of this Erratum so that only a single digit was shown after the decimalmore » place. 2. On the figure (Figure 1) included with the UR form issued as part of ROTC-1, CAU 538 was incorrectly called out as CAU 583. This error was corrected as part of this Erratum. 3. The coordinates on the UR form were developed from NAD 27 while the coordinate system stated on the form was UTM, Zone 11, NAD 83 meters. The coordinates were corrected on the UR form, developed as part of this Erratum, to reflect the UTM, Zone 11, NAD 83 meters system.« less

Cellular proliferation in the urorectal septation complex of the human embryo at Carnegie stages 13–18: a nuclear area-based morphometric analysis

PubMed Central

Nebot-Cegarra, Josep; Fàbregas, Pere Jordi; Sánchez-Pérez, Inma

2005-01-01

In order to analyse the patterns of cellular proliferation both in the mesenchyme of the urorectal septum (URS) and in the adjacent territories (posterior urogenital mesenchyme, anterior intestinal mesenchyme and cloacal folds mesenchyme), as well as their contribution to the process of cloacal division, a computer-assisted method was used to obtain the nuclear area of 3874 mesenchymal cells from camera lucida drawings of nuclear contours of selected sections of human embryos [Carnegie stages (CSs) 13–18]. Based on changes in the size of the nucleus during the cellular cycle, we considered proliferating cells in each territory to be those with a nuclear area over the 75th percentile. The URS showed increasing cell proliferation, with proliferation patterns that coincided closely with cloacal folds mesenchyme, and with less overall proliferation than urogenital and intestinal mesenchymes. Furthermore, at CS 18, we observed the beginning of the rupture in the cloacal membrane; however, no fusion has been demonstrated either between the URS and the cloacal membrane or between the cloacal folds. The results suggest that cloacal division depends on a morphogenetic complex where the URS adjacent territories could determine septal displacement at the time that their mesenchymes could be partially incorporated within the proliferating URS. PMID:16191164

Numerical Investigation of Upper-Room UVGI Disinfection Efficacy in an Environmental Chamber with a Ceiling Fan†

PubMed Central

Zhu, Shengwei; Srebric, Jelena; Rudnick, Stephen N.; Vincent, Richard L.; Nardell, Edward A.

2013-01-01

This study investigated the disinfection efficacy of the upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) system with ceiling fans. The investigation used the steady-state Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to solve the rotation of ceiling fan with a rotating reference frame. Two ambient air exchange rates, 2 ACH and 6 ACH (air changes per hour), and four downward fan rotational speeds, 0 rpm, 80 rpm, 150 rpm, and 235 rpm were considered. Additionally, the passive scalar concentration simulations incorporated ultraviolet (UV) dose by two methods: one based on the total exposure time and average UV fluence rate, and another based on SVE3* (New Scale for Ventilation Efficiency 3), originally defined to evaluate the mean age of the air from an air supply opening. Overall, the CFD results enabled the evaluation of UR-UVGI disinfection efficacy using different indices, including the fraction of remaining microorganisms, equivalent air exchange rate, UR-UVGI effectiveness, and tuberculosis infection probability by the Wells-Riley equation. The results indicated that air exchange rate was the decisive factor for determining UR-UVGI performance in disinfecting indoor air. Using a ceiling fan could also improve the performance in general. Furthermore, the results clarified the mechanism for the ceiling fan to influence UR-UVGI disinfection efficacy. PMID:23311354

Virus activation and immune function during intense training in rugby football players.

PubMed

Yamauchi, R; Shimizu, K; Kimura, F; Takemura, M; Suzuki, K; Akama, T; Kono, I; Akimoto, T

2011-05-01

Epidemiological studies suggest that highly trained athletes are more susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) compared with the general population. Upper respiratory symptoms (URS) often appear as either primary invasion of pathogenic organisms and/or reactivation of latent viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EBV reactivation and the appearance of URS during intensive training in collegiate rugby football players. We evaluated EBV-DNA expression in saliva and examined the relationship between onset of URS and daily changes in EBV-DNA as well as secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels among 32 male collegiate rugby football players during a 1-month training camp. The EBV-DNA expression tended to be higher in subjects who exhibited sore throat (p=0.07) and cough (p=0.18) than that of those who had no symptoms, although their differences were not significant. The SIgA level was significantly lower 1 day before the EBV-DNA expression (p<0.05). The number of URS increased along with the EBV-DNA expression and decrease of SIgA levels. These results suggest that the appearance of URS is associated with reactivation of EBV and reduction of SIgA during training. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

On the Intentional Control of Conditioned Evaluative Responses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balas, Robert; Gawronski, Bertram

2012-01-01

The evaluative conditioning (EC) effect is defined as a change in the evaluation of a conditioned stimulus (CS) due to its pairing with a valenced unconditioned stimulus (US). The current research investigated the controllability of EC effects by asking participants to either promote or prevent the influence of CS-US pairings before they provided…

Maximalist Islamic Education as a Response to Terror: Some Thoughts on Unconditional Action

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waghid, Yusef; Davids, Nuraan

2015-01-01

Inasmuch as Muslim governments all over the world dissociate themselves from despicable acts of terror, few can deny the brutality and violence perpetrated especially by those in authoritative positions like political governments against humanity. Poignant examples are the ongoing massacre of Muslim communities in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and…

Learned Together, Extinguished Apart: Reducing Fear to Complex Stimuli

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Carolyn E.; Ringuet, Stephanie; Monfils, Marie-H.

2013-01-01

Pairing a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; e.g., a tone) to an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; e.g., a footshock) leads to associative learning such that the tone alone comes to elicit a conditioned response (e.g., freezing). We have previously shown that an extinction session that occurs within the reconsolidation window…

Comparison of miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureterorenoscopy for moderate size renal stones in elderly patients.

PubMed

Ozgor, Faruk; Yanaral, Fatih; Savun, Metin; Ozdemir, Harun; Caglar, Ufuk; Sarilar, Omer

2018-06-01

Life expectancy has become longer, thus the number of elderly people who require treatment for nephrolithiasis has increased. We aimed to analyze the efficacy of flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) and miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL) in the management of 10 and 30 mm renal stones in patients aged >60 years. In prospective non-randomized series, the data of patients who underwent f-URS or mPNL for kidney stones between July 2013 and July 2016 were analyzed. The procedure was accepted as successful if the patient was achieved complete stone clearance according to CT imaging between 1-3 months postoperatively. In total 60 patients and 58 patients were underwent f-URS and mPNL, respectively. The mean operation time, fluoroscopy time and hospitalization time were significantly shorter for the f-URS (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). According to Clavien classification system, complication rates were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.673). The stone-free rate was 81.7% for the f-URS group and 77.6% for the mPNL group after a single-session procedure (p = 0.747). Calcium oxalate monohydrate stones were the most common stone type in both groups. In multivariate analysis, multiple stones localization was only independent factor to predict complications. Our study had showed that both f-URS and mPNL are effective treatment modalities for 10-30-mm renal stones in elderly patients. Additionally, presence of stones in multiple location was the only predictive factor for complication development. Copyright © 2017 Kaohsiung Medical University. Published by Elsevier Taiwan. All rights reserved.

Renal calculi: trends in the utilization of shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy.

PubMed

Seklehner, Stephan; Laudano, Melissa A; Del Pizzo, Joseph; Chughtai, Bilal; Lee, Richard K

2015-02-01

To assess trends in the usage of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) in the treatment of renal calculi. An analysis of the 5% Medicare Public Use Files (years 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010) was performed to evaluate changes in the use of SWL and URS to treat renal calculi. Patients were identified using ICD-9 (cm) and CPT codes. Statistical analyses, including the Fisher, 2 tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and SPSS v20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The absolute number of patients diagnosed with (+85.1%) and treated for (+31.5%) kidney calculi increased from 2001 to 2010. The ratio of diagnosed/treated patients declined from 15.2% in 2001 to 10.8% in 2010. Whites (OR = 1.27, p < 0.0001), patients in the South (OR = 1.16, p < 0.0001) and those ≤ 84 years of age were more likely to be treated. The utilization of SWL (84.7%) was greater than URS (15.3%), but the utilization of URS increased over time from 8.4% in 2001 to 20.6% of cases by 2010 (p < 0.0001). Treatment via URS was more likely in women (OR = 1.28, p < 0.0001), in patients living outside the South (OR = 1.29-1.45, p ≤ 0.006) and in later years of the study (OR = 2.87, p < 0.0001). Treatment patterns for renal calculi changed from 2001 to 2010. The usage of URS increased at the cost of SWL. Multiple sociodemographic factors correlated with the likelihood of being treated surgically as well as the choice of the surgical approach.

Utilization Rates of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: A 2012 Calculation for a Midwestern Health Referral Region

PubMed Central

Hoang, Allen; Shen, Changyu; Zheng, James; Taylor, Stanley; Groh, William J; Rosenman, Marc; Buxton, Alfred E.; Chen, Peng-Sheng

2014-01-01

Background Utilization rates (URs) for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (PPSCD) are lacking in the community. Objective To establish the ICD UR in central Indiana. Methods A query run on two hospitals in a health information exchange database in Indianapolis identified patients between 2011 and 2012 with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≤0.35. ICD-eligibility and utilization were determined from chart review. Results We identified 1,863 patients with at least one low-EF study. Two cohorts were analyzed: 1,672 patients without, and 191 patients with, ICD-9-CM procedure code 37.94 for ICD placement. We manually reviewed a stratified (by hospital) random sample of 300 patients from the no-ICD procedure code cohort and found that 48 (16%) had no ICD but had class I indications for ICD. Eight of 300 (2.7%) actually had ICD implantation for PPSCD. Review of all 191 patients in the ICD procedure code cohort identified 70 with ICD implantation for PPSCD. The ICD UR (ratio between patients with ICD for PPSCD and all with indication) was 38% overall (95% CI 28–49%). URs were 48% for males (95% CI 34–61%), 21% for females (95% CI 16–26%, p=0.0002 vs males), 40% for whites (95% CI 27–53%), and 37% for blacks (95% CI 28–46%, p=0.66 vs whites). Conclusions The ICD UR is 38% among patients meeting Class I indications, suggesting further opportunities to improve guideline compliance. Furthermore, this study illustrates limitations in calculating ICD UR using large electronic repositories without hands-on chart review. PMID:24566233

Incidence and Predictors for Ipsilateral Hydronephrosis Following Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy.

PubMed

Barbour, Meredith L; Raman, Jay D

2015-09-01

To review our experience in using ureteroscopy (URS) with lithotripsy for renal or ureteral calculi to determine the incidence and predictors of postprocedural ipsilateral hydronephrosis. Records of 324 URS cases for renal or ureteral calculi with imaging performed 4-12 weeks postprocedure were reviewed. Ipsilateral hydronephrosis was determined by computed tomography scan or renal ultrasound. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined the factors associated with hydronephrosis. 176 men and 148 women with a median age of 50 years were included. Median stone size was 6 mm and operative duration was 60 minutes; 30% of patients had multiple calculi; and 35% had undergone a prior ipsilateral URS. Overall, 49 of 324 patients (15%) had evidence of hydronephrosis, with 65% of these patients having symptoms and 40% requiring ancillary procedures. On multivariate analysis, increasing stone diameter (odds ratio [OR] 8.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-23.8, P = .03), prior ipsilateral URS (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.8-28.2, P = .006), longer operative duration (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.8-16.3, P = .02), and renal colic symptoms (OR 48.3, 95% CI 14.7-71.4, P <.001) independently predicted hydronephrosis. Conversely, other factors including stone impaction at procedure, ureteral dilation, use of an access sheath, intraoperative perforation, or use of a stent did not associate with ipsilateral hydronephrosis. In this contemporary cohort study, 15% of patients undergoing URS had evidence of ipsilateral hydronephrosis. Larger stone size, longer OR duration, prior ipsilateral URS, and recurrent colic were associated with an increased likelihood for this observation. Patients and stone cases with such characteristics likely warrant imaging modalities beyond plain radiography. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilization rates of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death: a 2012 calculation for a midwestern health referral region.

PubMed

Hoang, Allen; Shen, Changyu; Zheng, James; Taylor, Stanley; Groh, William J; Rosenman, Marc; Buxton, Alfred E; Chen, Peng-Sheng

2014-05-01

Utilization rates (URs) for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (PPSCD) are lacking in the community. The purpose of this study was to establish the ICD UR in central Indiana. A query run on 2 hospitals in a health information exchange database in Indianapolis identified patients between 2011 and 2012 with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≤0.35. ICD eligibility and utilization were determined from chart review. We identified 1863 patients with at least 1 low EF study. Two cohorts were analyzed: 1672 patients without and 191 patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure code 37.94 for ICD placement. We manually reviewed a stratified (by hospital) random sample of 300 patients from the no-ICD procedure code cohort and found that 48 (16%) had no ICD but had class I indications for ICD. Eight of 300 (2.7%) actually had ICD implantation for PPSCD. Review of all 191 patients in the ICD procedure code cohort identified 70 with ICD implantation for PPSCD. The ICD UR (ratio between patients with ICD for PPSCD and all with indication) was 38% overall (95% confidence interval [CI] 28%-49%). URs were 48% for males (95% CI 34%-61%), 21% for females (95% CI 16%-26%, P = .0002 vs males), 40% for whites (95% CI 27%-53%), and 37% for blacks (95% CI 28%-46%, P = .66 vs whites). ICD UR is 38% among patients meeting class I indications, suggesting further opportunities for improving guideline compliance. This study also illustrates limitations in calculating ICD UR using large electronic repositories without hands-on chart review. Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Uncaria rhynchophylla upregulates the expression of MIF and cyclophilin A in kainic acid-induced epilepsy rats: A proteomic analysis.

PubMed

Lo, Wan-Yu; Tsai, Fuu-Jen; Liu, Chung-Hsiang; Tang, Nou-Ying; Su, Shan-Yu; Lin, Shinn-Zong; Chen, Chun-Chung; Shyu, Woei-Cherng; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2010-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack (UR) is a traditional Chinese herb and is used for the treatment of convulsive disorders, including epilepsy. Our previous study has shown that UR, as well as its major component rhynchophylline (RH), has an anticonvulsive effect and this effect is closely related to its scavenging activities of oxygen free radicals. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of (UR) on the expression of proteins using a proteomics analysis in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizures. We profiled the differentially expressed proteins on two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) maps derived from the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rat brain tissue 24 hours after KA-induced epileptic seizures. The results indicated that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and cyclophilin A were under expressed in frontal cortex by an average of 0.19- and 0.23-fold, respectively. In the frontal cortex, MIF and cyclophilin A were significantly decreased in the KA group and these decreases were confirmed by the Western blots. However, in the hippocampus, only cyclophilin A was significantly decreased in the KA group. In addition, in real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), MIF and cyclophilin A gene expressions were also significantly under expressed in the frontal cortex, and only the cyclophilin A gene was also significantly under expressed in the hippocampus in the KA group. These under expressions of MIF and cyclophilin A could be overcome by the treatment of UR and RH. In conclusion, the under expressions of MIF and cyclophilin A in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in KA-treated rats, which were overcome by both UR and UH treatment, suggesting that both MIF and cyclophilin A at least partly participate in the anticonvulsive effect of UR.

42 CFR 456.211 - Recipient information required for UR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Recipient information required for UR. 456.211 Section 456.211 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals...

42 CFR 456.521 - Conditions for granting variance requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time... is unable to meet the time requirements for which the variance is requested; and (2) A revised UR...

42 CFR 456.523 - Revised UR plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.523 Revised... control over the utilization of services; and (2) Conducts reviews in a way that improves the quality of...

42 CFR 456.523 - Revised UR plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.523 Revised... control over the utilization of services; and (2) Conducts reviews in a way that improves the quality of...

Role of benzodiazepine and serotonergic mechanisms in conditioned freezing and antinociception using electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray as unconditioned stimulus in rats.

PubMed

Castilho, V M; Macedo, C E; Brandão, M L

2002-12-01

The dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG) has been implicated in the modulation of defensive behavior. Electrical stimulation of this structure can be used as an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned fear reaction expressed by freezing, antinociception, and autonomic responses. This study investigated the influence of benzodiazepine, serotonergic, and opioid mechanisms on these conditioned responses. Animals implanted with an electrode and a guide cannula into the dPAG were submitted to two conditioning sessions. Each session consisted of ten pairings of the light in a distinctive chamber (CS) with the electrical stimulation of this structure at the escape threshold. On the next day, each animal was exposed only to the CS (testing) and the duration of freezing, number of rearing and grooming episodes were recorded for 5 min. Before and after the testing session, animals were submitted to the tail-flick test. Fifteen minutes before the exposure to the CS, animals received injections into the dPAG of midazolam (a positive modulator of benzodiazepine sites), alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-Me-5-HT; an agonist of 5-HT(2) receptors), naltrexone (an opioid antagonist), or vehicle. Conditioning with dPAG electrical stimulation caused significant increases in the time of freezing and conditioned antinociception. Injections of midazolam into the dPAG significantly inhibited freezing behavior and antinociception due to conditioning. Injections of alpha-Me-5-HT inhibited the effects of conditioning on freezing without affecting conditioned antinociception. Injections of naltrexone (13 nmol/0.2 micro l) did not change any of the conditioned responses studied. (1) Conditioned freezing and antinociception are modulated by benzodiazepine mechanisms into dPAG. (2) 5-HT(2) receptors seem to regulate conditioned freezing behavior. However, conditioned antinociception was not affected by 13 nmol naltrexone. (3) Opioid mechanisms do not seem to be involved in the conditioned responses using electrical stimulation of the dPAG as unconditioned stimulus. Further studies with other opioid and 5-HT(2) receptor antagonists are still needed to confirm the conclusions drawn from the present work.

Quantitative measurement of XLR11 and UR-144 in oral fluid by LC-MS-MS.

PubMed

Amaratunga, Piyadarsha; Thomas, Christopher; Lemberg, Bridget Lorenz; Lemberg, Dave

2014-01-01

Availability and consumption of synthetic cannabinoids have risen recently in the USA and Europe. These drugs have adverse effects, including acute psychosis and bizarre behavior. In 2012, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency permanently banned five of the synthetic cannabinoids and in 2013, temporarily added XLR11, UR-144 and AKB48 to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. As synthetic cannabinoid strains are added to the Schedule I list, new strains are being introduced into the market. XLR11 and UR-144 are two of the most recent additions to the synthetic cannabinoid drug class. To test collected oral fluid samples for XLR11 and UR-144, we developed a bioanalytical method that initially purifies the sample with solid-phase extraction and then quantitatively identifies the drugs with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated according to United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines and Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology guidelines and the validation data showed that the method is an accurate, precise, robust and efficient method suited for high-throughput toxicological screening applications. We tested human subject samples with the developed method and found the presence of parent drugs (XLR11 and UR-144), their metabolites and their pyrolysis products in oral fluid. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

DISCUSSION ON ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF URÆMIA

PubMed Central

1948-01-01

Uræmia is common, little is known of its actual nature and treatment has therefore been unsatisfactory. The kidney is not only an organ of excretion but guards the chemical and physical constitution of the extracellular fluids. In uræmia, urea and other products of metabolism including the toxic phenols accumulate. That the physical and chemical composition of the extracellular fluids, excluding protein, can be influenced by contact across a semi-permeable membrane is the basic concept of the treatment of uræmia by dialysis, whether by means of the artificial kidney or by peritoneal lavage. The principles of treatment of uræmia are: (1) To remove the cause. (2) Reduce the load on the kidney. (3) Assist or take over the function of the failing kidney in the hope that it may recover. (4) To relieve symptoms without thereby prejudicing recovery. Dialysis can be effected by peritoneal lavage or by conducting the circulating blood through a tube of semi-permeable membrane. The composition of the dialysing fluid is of the utmost importance the aim being to keep the physical and chemical balance of the extracellular fluid within the normal range and to encourage the diffusion of toxic metabolic products. The excessive use of parenteral fluids and diuretics in uræmia may be harmful. A number of cases of peritoneal dialysis are described. PMID:18872157

An 'unconditional-like' structure for the conditional estimator of odds ratio from 2 x 2 tables.

PubMed

Hanley, James A; Miettinen, Olli S

2006-02-01

In the estimation of the odds ratio (OR), the conditional maximum-likelihood estimate (cMLE) is preferred to the more readily computed unconditional one (uMLE). However, the exact cMLE does not have a closed form to help divine it from the uMLE or to understand in what circumstances the difference between the two is appreciable. Here, the cMLE is shown to have the same 'ratio of cross-products' structure as its unconditional counterpart, but with two of the cell frequencies augmented, so as to shrink the unconditional estimator towards unity. The augmentation involves a factor, similar to the finite population correction, derived from the minimum of the marginal totals.

Key Exchange Trust Evaluation in Peer-to-Peer Sensor Networks With Unconditionally Secure Key Exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, Elias; Kish, Laszlo B.

2016-03-01

As the utilization of sensor networks continue to increase, the importance of security becomes more profound. Many industries depend on sensor networks for critical tasks, and a malicious entity can potentially cause catastrophic damage. We propose a new key exchange trust evaluation for peer-to-peer sensor networks, where part of the network has unconditionally secure key exchange. For a given sensor, the higher the portion of channels with unconditionally secure key exchange the higher the trust value. We give a brief introduction to unconditionally secured key exchange concepts and mention current trust measures in sensor networks. We demonstrate the new key exchange trust measure on a hypothetical sensor network using both wired and wireless communication channels.

Short- and Long-Term Memories Formed upon Backward Conditioning in Honeybees ("Apis Mellifera")

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Felsenberg, Johannes; Plath, Jenny Aino; Lorang, Steven; Morgenstern, Laura; Eisenhardt, Dorothea

2014-01-01

In classical conditioning, the temporal sequence of stimulus presentations is critical for the association between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US). In forward conditioning, the CS precedes the US and is learned as a predictor for the US. Thus it acquires properties to elicit a behavioral response, defined as…

The Etymology of Basic Concepts in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dinsmoor, James A.

2004-01-01

The origins of many of the basic concepts used in the experimental analysis of behavior can be traced to Pavlov's (1927/1960) discussion of unconditional and conditional reflexes in the dog, but often with substantial changes in meaning (e.g., stimulus, response, and reinforcement). Other terms were added by Skinner (1938/1991) to describe his…

Controlling parameters of fluorescent tracer sorption on soils and sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bork, Marcus; Graf-Rosenfellner, Markus; Lange, Jens; Lang, Friederike

2017-04-01

Fluorescent dyes like uranine (UR) and sulforhodamine B (SRB) have been widely used, especially for tracing hydrological processes. In the recent past, efforts have intensified to use fluorescent tracers also in soils, for example as proxies for organic pollutants. However, the sorption properties of both organic pollutants and fluorescent tracers have to be exactly known to succeed. Yet existing knowledge for soils is still incomplete and poorly standardized. For this reason, we carried out laboratory batch experiments to determine sorption isotherms of UR and SRB with varying pH, soil texture and organic carbon content (OC). As sorbents we used a sandy sediment with low OC, a silty loamy topsoil with 2.8 %-OC and a similar textured subsoil containing 0.6 %-OC. For both tracers six concentration steps each were prepared and shaken with the suspended sorbent for 42 h using a sorbent:solution ratio of 1:5. During the equilibration, the pH was repeatedly adjusted to 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5 by adding hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Subsequently, the tracer-sorbent-suspension was centrifuged and the fluorescence of the tracer in the supernatant was measured. In order to examine the influence of OC and the clay fraction on the tracer sorption, batch-experiments at pH 7.5 were also conducted with manipulated sorbents: top- and subsoil samples were treated with H2O2 to remove organic matter and the clay mineral montmorillonite was added to the sandy sediment to achieve final clay contents of 0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, 2 %, 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 % clay. We observed a negative relationship between the linear sorption coefficient Kd and pH, which was stronger for UR than for SRB. Increasing numbers of negative sorption sites and functional groups of both tracers and sorbents with increasing pH might be the reason for this observation. Besides the pH-value, quantity and quality of clay and OC had a crucial influence on the sorption of UR and SRB in soils and sediment. As expected, increasing clay content, which is associated with an increasing specific surface and therefore more sorption sites, led to an increasing sorption of UR and SRB. Here, after the addition of 4 % of the clay mineral montmorillonite, nearly 100 % of both tracers were sorbed. Furthermore, OC influenced the sorption of UR and SRB in different ways: while the sorption of UR increased, the sorption of SRB decreased with increasing OC. In conclusion, the sorption behaviour of the fluorescent tracers UR and SRB in soils is very complex, and for appropriate application, the physico-chemical properties of the respective soils or sediments have to be considered. These conditions essentially determine if the respective tracer shows a conservative or non-conservative behaviour. With these aspects in mind, applying SRB and UR has the potential to be a cheap and fast method to estimate the fate of pollutants in soils or sediments.

The effect of a dopamine antagonist on conditioning of sexual arousal in women.

PubMed

Brom, Mirte; Laan, Ellen; Everaerd, Walter; Spinhoven, Philip; Trimbos, Baptist; Both, Stephanie

2016-04-01

Dopamine (DA) plays a key role in reward-seeking behaviours. Accumulating evidence from animal and human studies suggests that human sexual reward learning may also depend on DA transmission. However, research on the role of DA in human sexual reward learning is completely lacking. To investigate whether DA antagonism attenuates classical conditioning of sexual response in humans. Healthy women were randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions: haloperidol (n = 29) or placebo (n = 29). A differential conditioning paradigm was applied with genital vibrostimulation as unconditional stimulus (US) and neutral pictures as conditional stimuli (CSs). Genital arousal was assessed, and ratings of affective value and subjective sexual arousal were obtained. Haloperidol administration affected unconditional genital responding. However, no significant effects of medication were found for conditioned responding. No firm conclusions can be drawn about whether female sexual reward learning implicates DA transmission since the results do not lend themselves to unambiguous interpretation.

Police attitudes toward policing partner violence against women: do they correspond to different psychosocial profiles?

PubMed

Gracia, Enrique; García, Fernando; Lila, Marisol

2011-01-01

This study analyzed whether police attitudes toward policing partner violence against women corresponded with different psychosocial profiles. Two attitudes toward policing partner violence were considered-one reflecting a general preference for a conditional law enforcement (depending on the willingness of the victim to press charges against the offender) and the other reflecting a general preference for unconditional law enforcement (regardless of the victim's willingness to press charges against the offender). Results from a sample of 378 police officers showed that those police officers who expressed a general preference for unconditional law enforcement scored higher in other-oriented empathy, were less sexist, tended to perceive the same incidents of partner violence as more serious, and felt more personally responsible, as compared to the group of police officers who expressed a preference for a conditional law enforcement approach. Implications for police education are considered.

Preparing Postbaccalaureates for Entry and Success in Biomedical PhD Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Joshua D.; Harrell, Jessica R.; Cohen, Kimberley W.; Miller, Virginia L.; Phelps, Patricia V.; Cook, Jeanette G.

2016-01-01

Certain racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds remain underrepresented (UR) in the biomedical sciences. This underrepresentation becomes more extreme at each higher education stage. To support UR scholars during the critical transition from baccalaureate to PhD, we established an…

Period Determination for (69315) 1992 UR2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco, Lorenzo; Marchini, Alessandro; Papini, Riccardo; Salvaggio, Fabio; Banfi, Massimo; Ago, Pasquale; Bacci, Paolo; Maestripieri, Martina; Baj, Giorgio; Bachini, Mauro; Foylan, Mike; Noschese, Alfonso; Zambelli, Roberto

2018-04-01

Photometric observations of the main-belt asteroid (69315) 1992 UR2 were conducted from a group of observers in order to determine its synodic rotation period. This asteroid turned out to be a slow rotator with a period of 106.25h ± 0.01 and an amplitude of 1.50 mag.

Initial Localization of the Memory Trace for a Basic Form of Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCormick, David A.; Clark, Gregory A.; Lavond, David G.; Thompson, Richard F.

1982-04-01

Electrophysiological recording of neuronal unit activity during paired training trials from various regions of the ipsilateral cerebellum in rabbits well trained in the classically conditioned eyelid/nictitating membrane response have revealed both stimulus-evoked responses and responses that form an amplitude/temporal model of the learned behavioral response. Ablation of the ipsilateral, lateral cerebellum completely and permanently abolished the behavioral conditioned response in well-trained animals but had no effect at all on the unconditioned reflex response. In marked contrast, conditioned responses were easily trained in the eye contralateral to the cerebellar lesion. We suggest that at least part of the essential neuronal plasticity that codes the learned response may be localized to the cerebellum.

Is the devil in the detail? Evidence for S-S learning after unconditional stimulus revaluation in human evaluative conditioning under a broader set of experimental conditions.

PubMed

Jensen-Fielding, Hannah; Luck, Camilla C; Lipp, Ottmar V

2017-11-28

Whether valence change during evaluative conditioning is mediated by a link between the conditional stimulus (CS) and the unconditional stimulus (US; S-S learning) or between the CS and the unconditional response (S-R learning) is a matter of continued debate. Changing the valence of the US after conditioning, known as US revaluation, can be used to dissociate these accounts. Changes in CS valence after US revaluation provide evidence for S-S learning but if CS valence does not change, evidence for S-R learning is found. Support for S-S learning has been provided by most past revaluation studies, but typically the CS and US have been from the same stimulus category, the task instructions have suggested that judgements of the CS should be based on the US, and USs have been mildly valenced stimuli. These factors may bias the results in favour of S-S learning. We examined whether S-R learning would be evident when CSs and USs were taken from different categories, the task instructions were removed, and more salient USs were used. US revaluation was found to influence explicit US evaluations and explicit and implicit CS evaluations, supporting an S-S learning account and suggesting that past results are stable across procedural changes.

Fetal and infantile alcohol-mediated associative learning in the rat.

PubMed

Abate, P; Spear And, N E; Molina, J C

2001-07-01

Infant rats express conditioned responses to an odor experienced prenatally as a chemosensory cue associated with moderate alcohol intoxication. This study examined postnatal intake of a chemosensory cue (cineole) that had been paired with alcohol's unconditioned effects. It also tested the interaction between prenatal association and postnatal conditioning with cineole and alcohol. Pregnant female rats intubated with cineole were given ethanol (EtOH).25 or 4.0 hr later. Other groups received only water or water paired with ethanol. During postnatal day 15 (PD15), infant consumption of cineole solution was assessed. After the cineole drinking test, pups were intubated with EtOH or water to assess infant conditioning. On PD16, all pups were tested for mouthing to milk alone or to a milk-cineole solution. Statistical analysis confirmed fetal associative conditioning attributable to the unconditioned effects of prenatal alcohol. Fetuses given explicit pairings of cineole and alcohol ingested less cineole on PD15 than control fetuses given a 4-hr interval between cineole and alcohol. On PD16, consumption of cineole was significantly increased by prenatal exposure to cineole. Teratogenic effects of this dose of prenatal alcohol did not affect postnatal associative or nonassociative behavior. Prenatal associative learning can be established through temporal contiguity between fetal chemosensory stimulation and alcohol's unconditioned properties. This associative memory survives to infancy and modulates intake patterns and behavioral reactivity to substances that were prenatally paired with alcohol intoxication.

Can Surgery Improve Neurological Function in Penetrating Spinal Injury? A Review of the Military and Civilian Literature and Treatment Recommendations for Military Neurosurgeons

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

s ’ Op ini on Ja nk ov...Inj ur y ( %) Su ffic ien t Da ta? † Ne ur olo gic al Re su lts Au th or s ’ Op ini on Ja nk ov ić et al. , 1 99 8 49 47 19 21 56 NA NA 27 6 50 /9...Ne ur olo gic al Re su lts Au th or s ’ Op ini on Cy bu lsk i e t a l., 19 89 ha nd gu n 0 0 88 29 59 88 NA NA no 47 .5% im pr ov ed w / o p do

Four new triterpenoids from the leaves of Psidium guajava.

PubMed

Shao, Meng; Wang, Ying; Huang, Xiao-Jun; Fan, Chun-Lin; Zhang, Qing-Wen; Zhang, Xiao-Qi; Ye, Wen-Cai

2012-01-01

Four new triterpenoids, psiguanins A-D (1-4), along with 13 known ones (5-17), were isolated from the leaves of Psidium guajava. The structures of new compounds were determined as 2α,3β-dihydroxy-taraxer-20-en-28-oic acid (1), 2α,3β,12α,13β-tetrahydroxy-urs-28-oic acid (2), 2α,3β,12β,13β-tetrahydroxy-urs-28-oic acid (3), and 2α,3β,12β,13α-tetrahydroxy-urs-28-oic acid (4), respectively, on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling calculation. Among them, compound 4 was characterized as an unusual ursane-type triterpenoid with cis-fused C/D ring system.

Circadian Disruption Alters the Effects of Lipopolysaccharide Treatment on Circadian and Ultradian Locomotor Activity and Body Temperature Rhythms of Female Siberian Hamsters

PubMed Central

Prendergast, Brian J.; Cable, Erin J.; Stevenson, Tyler J.; Onishi, Kenneth G.; Zucker, Irving; Kay, Leslie M.

2016-01-01

The effect of circadian rhythm (CR) disruption on immune function depends on the method by which CRs are disrupted. Behavioral and thermoregulatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment were assessed in female Siberian hamsters in which circadian locomotor activity (LMA) rhythms were eliminated by exposure to a disruptive phase-shifting protocol (DPS) that sustains arrhythmicity even when hamsters are housed in a light-dark cycle. This noninvasive treatment avoids genome manipulations and neurological damage associated with other models of CR disruption. Circadian rhythmic (RHYTH) and arrhythmic (ARR) hamsters housed in a 16L:8D photocycle were injected with bacterial LPS near the onset of the light (zeitgeber time 1; ZT1) or dark (ZT16) phase. LPS injections at ZT16 and ZT1 elicited febrile responses in both RHYTH and ARR hamsters, but the effect was attenuated in the arrhythmic females. In ZT16, LPS inhibited LMA in the dark phase immediately after injection but not on subsequent nights in both chronotypes; in contrast, LPS at ZT1 elicited more enduring (~4 day) locomotor hypoactivity in ARR than in RHYTH hamsters. Power and period of dark-phase ultradian rhythms (URs) in LMA and Tb were markedly altered by LPS treatment, as was the power in the circadian waveform. Disrupted circadian rhythms in this model system attenuated responses to LPS in a trait- and ZT-specific manner; changes in UR period and power are novel components of the acute-phase response to infection that may affect energy conservation. PMID:26566981

75 FR 76520 - Designation of Three Individuals Pursuant to Executive Order 13224

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-08

.... ULLAH, Aman; a.k.a. URS, Amanullah; a.k.a. ``MUFTI ILYAS''), Frontier Region Kohat, Pakistan; DOB 1973... 1974; POB Bwawal Pur, Pakistan; alt. POB Bahawalpur, Pakistan (individual) [SDGT] 3. UR-REHMAN, Mati (a...; nationality Pakistan (individual) [SDGT] Dated: December 2, 2010. Adam J. Szubin, Director, Office of Foreign...

76 FR 65212 - Caterpillar, Inc., Large Power Systems Division, Including On-Site Leased Workers From Gray...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-20

..., River City, GCA, Lozier, Obrien Bros., HK, FCA and Clifton Gunderson, Mossville, IL; Amended..., Inc., ATS, URS, River City, GCA, Lozier, Obrien Bros., HK, FCA, and Clifton Gunderson were employed on... Interplant Systems, Inc., ATS, URS, River City, GCA, Lozier, Obrien Bros., HK, FCA, and Clifton Gunderson...

U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, VISCO 1153, 05/13/1991

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2011-04-19

... (urli .. It .. ,.1 iMhltli ... 'ntnt , ... ,lilt P •• tici •• If (oi,,_.111 C .. :"I .,."' zar .... IIIIt rtf'tlulli ••• t ..... rtI lI,i ... 1 "'ur fI' "i" •• , 1E1M. t.,AllOS, "i,l. ,ill' It, ... ...

Creating Inclusive Campus Communities: The Vital Role of Peer Mentorship in Inclusive Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Catherine

2017-01-01

Across the country, colleges are opening their doors to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At University of Rochester (UR), we coordinate one such initiative called "Transition Opportunities at University of Rochester (TOUR)." Inclusive higher education at UR is based on the philosophy that ACCESS + SUPPORT =…

Unconditionally secure multi-party quantum commitment scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ming-Qiang; Wang, Xue; Zhan, Tao

2018-02-01

A new unconditionally secure multi-party quantum commitment is proposed in this paper by encoding the committed message to the phase of a quantum state. Multi-party means that there are more than one recipient in our scheme. We show that our quantum commitment scheme is unconditional hiding and binding, and hiding is perfect. Our technique is based on the interference of phase-encoded coherent states of light. Its security proof relies on the no-cloning theorem of quantum theory and the properties of quantum information.

The Benefits of Multi-Year Research Experiences: Differences in Novice and Experienced Students’ Reported Gains from Undergraduate Research

PubMed Central

Thiry, Heather; Weston, Timothy J.; Laursen, Sandra L.; Hunter, Anne-Barrie

2012-01-01

This mixed-methods study explores differences in novice and experienced undergraduate students’ perceptions of their cognitive, personal, and professional gains from engaging in scientific research. The study was conducted in four different undergraduate research (UR) programs at two research-extensive universities; three of these programs had a focus on the biosciences. Seventy-three entry-level and experienced student researchers participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews and completed the quantitative Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment (URSSA) instrument. Interviews and surveys assessed students’ developmental outcomes from engaging in UR. Experienced students reported distinct personal, professional, and cognitive outcomes relative to their novice peers, including a more sophisticated understanding of the process of scientific research. Students also described the trajectories by which they developed not only the intellectual skills necessary to advance in science, but also the behaviors and temperament necessary to be a scientist. The findings suggest that students benefit from multi-year UR experiences. Implications for UR program design, advising practices, and funding structures are discussed. PMID:22949423

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of UR-144, XLR11, and AKB48 into Schedule I. Final rule.

PubMed

2016-05-11

With the issuance of this final rule, the Drug Enforcement Administration places (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (UR-144), [1-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (5-fluoro-UR-144, XLR11), and N-(1-adamantyl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (APINACA, AKB48), including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible, into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This scheduling action is pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act which requires that such actions be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing through formal rulemaking. This action imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle UR-144, XLR11, or AKB48.

Improving response rates using a monetary incentive for patient completion of questionnaires: an observational study

PubMed Central

Brealey, Stephen D; Atwell, Christine; Bryan, Stirling; Coulton, Simon; Cox, Helen; Cross, Ben; Fylan, Fiona; Garratt, Andrew; Gilbert, Fiona J; Gillan, Maureen GC; Hendry, Maggie; Hood, Kerenza; Houston, Helen; King, David; Morton, Veronica; Orchard, Jo; Robling, Michael; Russell, Ian T; Torgerson, David; Wadsworth, Valerie; Wilkinson, Clare

2007-01-01

Background Poor response rates to postal questionnaires can introduce bias and reduce the statistical power of a study. To improve response rates in our trial in primary care we tested the effect of introducing an unconditional direct payment of £5 for the completion of postal questionnaires. Methods We recruited patients in general practice with knee problems from sites across the United Kingdom. An evidence-based strategy was used to follow-up patients at twelve months with postal questionnaires. This included an unconditional direct payment of £5 to patients for the completion and return of questionnaires. The first 105 patients did not receive the £5 incentive, but the subsequent 442 patients did. We used logistic regression to analyse the effect of introducing a monetary incentive to increase the response to postal questionnaires. Results The response rate following reminders for the historical controls was 78.1% (82 of 105) compared with 88.0% (389 of 442) for those patients who received the £5 payment (diff = 9.9%, 95% CI 2.3% to 19.1%). Direct payments significantly increased the odds of response (adjusted odds ratio = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0, P = 0.009) with only 12 of 442 patients declining the payment. The incentive did not save costs to the trial – the extra cost per additional respondent was almost £50. Conclusion The direct payment of £5 significantly increased the completion of postal questionnaires at negligible increase in cost for an adequately powered study. PMID:17326837

Reciprocal responsiveness of nucleus accumbens shell and core dopamine to food- and drug-conditioned stimuli.

PubMed

Bassareo, Valentina; Musio, Paolo; Di Chiara, Gaetano

2011-04-01

Drugs of abuse and palatable food share the ability to stimulate dopamine (DA) transmission in the nucleus accumbens shell. However, while the stimulation of shell DA by food undergoes habituation, that by drugs of abuse does not. This study aims to directly compare the changes of extracellular DA, by microdialysis, in shell and core and prefrontal cortex (PFCX) in response to food- and drug-conditioned stimuli (CSs). Rats were trace-conditioned by Fonzies box (FB) or vanilla box (VB; CS), followed by food: Fonzies, intraoral chocolate solution (food-unconditioned stimulus (US)) and morphine (1.0 mg/Kg sc; drug US). Control (unconditioned) rats received standard food instead of Fonzies, tap water instead of chocolate, saline instead of morphine. Food-CSs increased core but not shell DA, while drug-CSs did the opposite. Food and drug-CSs both increased PFCX DA. Exposure to food-CSs potentiated core and PFCX DA response to food while shell responsiveness was dependent upon the relative CS and US nature. If the CS was intrinsic to the food US (CS = FB/US = Fonzies) the response of shell DA to the US was abolished. If the CS was extrinsic to the food US (CS = FB/US = chocolate; CS = VB/US = Fonzies), shell DA increased in response to the US. Exposure to the drug-CS potentiated the DA response to the drug-US in the shell and in the PFCX, but not in the core. Drug-CSs differentially activate DA as compared to food-CSs in shell and core and differentially affect DA response to the US in these areas. These differences might be relevant for the role of DA in the mechanism of drug addiction.

Comparison of Donor Sources in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Childhood Acute Leukemia: A Nationwide Retrospective Study.

PubMed

Sakaguchi, Hirotoshi; Watanabe, Nobuhiro; Matsumoto, Kimikazu; Yabe, Hiromasa; Kato, Shunichi; Ogawa, Atsushi; Inagaki, Jiro; Goto, Hiroaki; Koh, Katsuyoshi; Yoshida, Nao; Kato, Keisuke; Cho, Yuko; Kosaka, Yoshiyuki; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki; Inoue, Masami; Kato, Koji; Atsuta, Yoshiko; Miyamura, Koichi

2016-12-01

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the best therapeutic option for childhood high-risk acute leukemia. However, which donor source is optimal for children lacking an identical sibling remains unclear. To evaluate the clinical impact of donor source on allo-HSCT in childhood acute leukemia, we analyzed data from 577 children who underwent allo-HSCT after a myeloablative regimen during first or second complete remission from 2005 to 2012, using registry data of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and we compared outcomes of 7/8 to 8/8 HLA allelic-matched unrelated bone marrow transplantation (UR-BMT, n = 218) and 4/6 to 6/6 HLA allelic-matched unrelated cord blood transplantation (UR-CBT, n = 200) to those of HLA-identical related bone marrow transplantation (ID-BMT, n = 159). The median follow-up of survivors was 40.0 months. Three-year overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rates for ID-BMT, UR-BMT, and UR-CBT were 74.8% and 69.0%, 75.0% and 69.6%, and 71.8% and 63.8%, respectively. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that OS and LFS for the 3 groups are comparable, although UR-CBT carries a greater risk of nonrelapse mortality (hazard ratio, 2.20; P = .03, compared to ID-BMT) in the myeloablative setting for childhood high-risk acute leukemia. Copyright © 2016 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Undergraduate research in medical education: a descriptive study of students' views.

PubMed

Oliveira, Cristiano C; de Souza, Renata C; Abe, Erika H Sassaki; Silva Móz, Luís E; de Carvalho, Lidia R; Domingues, Maria A C

2014-03-17

Medical students engage in curricular and extracurricular activities, including undergraduate research (UR). The advantages, difficulties and motivations for medical students pursuing research activities during their studies have rarely been addressed. In Brazil, some medical schools have included undergraduate research into their curriculum. The present study aimed to understand the reality of scientific practice among medical students at a well-established Brazilian medical school, analyzing this context from the students' viewpoint. A cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire applied to students from years one to six enrolled in an established Brazilian medical school that currently has no curricular UR program. The questionnaire was answered by 415 students, 47.2% of whom were involved in research activities, with greater participation in UR in the second half of the course. Independent of student involvement in research activities, time constraints were cited as the main obstacle to participation. Among students not involved in UR, 91.1% said they favored its inclusion in the curriculum, since this would facilitate the development of such activity. This approach could signify an approximation between the axes of teaching and research. Among students who had completed at least one UR project, 87.7% said they would recommend the activity to students entering the course. Even without an undergraduate research program, students of this medical school report strong involvement in research activities, but discussion of the difficulties inherent in its practice is important to future developments.

Evaluation with Decision Trees of Efficacy and Safety of Semirigid Ureteroscopy in the Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Calculi.

PubMed

Sancak, Eyup Burak; Kılınç, Muhammet Fatih; Yücebaş, Sait Can

2017-01-01

The decision on the choice of proximal ureteral stone therapy depends on many factors, and sometimes urologists have difficulty in choosing the treatment option. This study is aimed at evaluating the factors affecting the success of semirigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) using the "decision tree" method. From January 2005 to November 2015, the data of consecutive patients treated for proximal ureteral stone were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 920 patients with proximal ureteral stone treated with semirigid URS were included in the study. All statistically significant attributes were tested using the decision tree method. The model created using decision tree had a sensitivity of 0.993 and an accuracy of 0.857. While URS treatment was successful in 752 patients (81.7%), it was unsuccessful in 168 patients (18.3%). According to the decision tree method, the most important factor affecting the success of URS is whether the stone is impacted to the ureteral wall. The second most important factor affecting treatment was intramural stricture requiring dilatation if the stone is impacted, and the size of the stone if not impacted. Our study suggests that the impacted stone, intramural stricture requiring dilatation and stone size may have a significant effect on the success rate of semirigid URS for proximal ureteral stone. Further studies with population-based and longitudinal design should be conducted to confirm this finding. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Treatment for residual stones using flexible ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy after the management of complex calculi with single-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PubMed

Chen, L; Sha, M-L; Li, D; Zhuo, J; Jiang, C-Y; Zhu, Y-P; Xia, S-J; Lu, J; Shao, Y

2017-04-01

This study validated the effectiveness and safety of the treatment for residual stones using flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) and holmium laser (0.6-1.2 J, 20-30 Hz) lithotripsy via a fiber with a 200-μm core diameter and 0.22 numerical aperture (NA) after the management of complex calculi with single-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Between January 2014 and June 2016, 27 consecutive patients with complex calculi underwent fURS and holmium laser lithotripsy after a planned single-tract PCNL. Among the 27 patients with complex calculi, 9 had full staghorn calculi, 7 had partial staghorn calculi, and 11 had multiple calculi. After the first single-tract PCNL session, the mean stone size and mean stone surface area were 18.0 ± 10.7 mm and 181.9 ± 172.2 mm 2 , respectively. Treatment for residual stones with fURS and holmium laser lithotripsy was successfully completed and was performed without intraoperative complications. The mean operative time of the fURS procedure was 69.1 ± 23.6 min, and the mean hospital stay was 5.3 ± 2.4 days. The mean decrease in the hemoglobin level was 7.3 ± 6.5 g/l. After the fURS procedure, the overall stone-free rate was 88.9%. The overall postoperative complication rate was 14.8% (Clavien grade I 11.1%; Clavien grade II 3.7%). The current approach tested here combines the advantages of both PCNL and fURS and effectively manages complex calculi with a high stone-free rate (SFR) (88.9%). This approach also reduced the number of treatment sessions, the number of percutaneous access tracts, and the blood loss and potential morbidity associated with multiple tracts.

Biomonitoring short- and long-term exposure to the herbicide terbuthylazine in agriculture workers and in the general population using urine and hair specimens.

PubMed

Mercadante, Rosa; Polledri, Elisa; Bertazzi, Pier Alberto; Fustinoni, Silvia

2013-10-01

The aim of this work was to evaluate short-term and long-term exposure to terbuthylazine (TBA) in agriculture workers (AW), rural residents (RR), and urban residents (UR) using urine and hair specimens. Twelve AW, 13 RR, and 17 UR were included in the study. Urine spot samples were collected with two different protocols. AW urine samples were collected before the application season (February, U0), at bedtime on the day of TBA application (March-May, U1), and prior to the next shift on the day after TBA application (U2). RR and UR urine samples were collected on any day during the application season (Ue). Hair samples were collected for all subjects before the application season (February, H0) and at the end of the season (June, H1). TBA and its metabolite desethylterbuthylazine (DET) were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection. DET was exclusively found in urine, while TBA was mostly found in the hair. In the AW, the urinary levels of DET were not detected in the U0 samples, and they increased to median levels of 1.81 and 2.94μg/L in the U1 and U2 samples, respectively (p<0.001). In the RR and UR, DET was not detected in the Ue samples. In the UR, TBA was not detected in the H0 samples, and the median levels of TBA were 0.01ng/mg hair in both the AW and RR. In the H1 samples, the median TBA levels were not detected, 0.01, and 0.08ng/mg hair in the UR, RR, and AW, respectively (p<0.001). Urinary DET and hair TBA are promising candidates for biomonitoring short- and long-term exposure to TBA. The use of this herbicide in agriculture leads to exposure in rural residents. © 2013.

Management of calyceal diverticular calculi: a comparison of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureterorenoscopy.

PubMed

Bas, Okan; Ozyuvali, Ekrem; Aydogmus, Yasin; Sener, Nevzat Can; Dede, Onur; Ozgun, Serhat; Hizli, Fatih; Senocak, Cagri; Bozkurt, Omer Faruk; Basar, Halil; Imamoglu, Abdurrahim

2015-04-01

To compare the outcomes in patients who have been treated with flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in managing stone-bearing caliceal diverticula. Between April 2007 and October 2013, we performed a retrospective analysis of 54 evaluable patients (28 women and 26 men) with symptomatic stone-bearing caliceal diverticula, who underwent PNL (n = 29) or F-URS (n = 25) in four referral hospitals in Turkey. The groups were compared with respect to demographics, stone location/size, success rate, stone-free status, symptom-free status, complication rates, and hospital stay. The average stone burden preoperatively was significantly larger in patients who were treated with PNL, with the average size for f-URS being 154 ± 77 mm(2) and that for PNL being 211 ± 97 mm(2) (p = 0.023). Symptom-free rates, success rates, stone-free rates and clinically insignificant residual fragments were similar between the groups (p = 0.880 vs. p = 0.537 vs. p = 0.539, and p = 0.877, respectively). There was no statistical difference between the groups for minor complications (p = 0.521) but no major complication (Clavien III-V) occured in the f-URS group; although there were three major complications (10.3 %) (Clavien III) in the PNL group (p < 0.001). Hospitalization time per patient was 1.04 ± 0.20 days in the f-URS group, while it was 3.86 ± 1.94 days in the PNL group (p < 0.001). Even though this study clearly shows that both techniques have high overall success and symptom-free rates with similar complication rates for stone-bearing calyceal diverticulum, major complication rates may suggest consideration of the invasiveness of PNL. The f-URS procedure is advantageous with respect to a shorter hospital stay and absence of major complications. Therefore, it should be emphasized that the location of the stone and diverticula is an important factor for the selection of the procedure.

Life-Work Balance and the Effects on Retention in the Navy Nurse Corps

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering...Flexible Time Management Initiatives ............................ 74 3. Reevaluation of Non-Clinical Issues to Increase LWB...interference with family xv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are so many people who gave me their time , attention, and unconditional support. If I

Survey Study Investigating the Significance of Conference Participation to Undergraduate Research Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mabrouk, Patricia Ann

2009-01-01

This article summarizes the findings of a survey study of undergraduate research (UR) students presenting their research at the fall 2007 and fall 2008 American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meetings. The purpose of the study is to probe the perceived benefits of conference participation to UR students. Results suggest that participation in…

Multi-environment selection of small sieve snap beans reduces production constraints in East Africa and subtropical regions

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Common bean rust caused by Uromyces appendiculatus, and heat stress lower the yield and quality of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in East Africa. Four snap bean breeding lines previously selected for broad-spectrum rust resistance (involving Ur-4 and Ur-11 rust genes) and heat tolerance followin...

Effects of inferior olive lesion on fear-conditioned bradycardia

PubMed Central

Kotajima, Hiroko; Sakai, Kazuhisa; Hashikawa, Tsutomu

2014-01-01

The inferior olive (IO) sends excitatory inputs to the cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei through the climbing fibers. In eyeblink conditioning, a model of motor learning, the inactivation of or a lesion in the IO impairs the acquisition or expression of conditioned eyeblink responses. Additionally, climbing fibers originating from the IO are believed to transmit the unconditioned stimulus to the cerebellum in eyeblink conditioning. Studies using fear-conditioned bradycardia showed that the cerebellum is associated with adaptive control of heart rate. However, the role of inputs from the IO to the cerebellum in fear-conditioned bradycardia has not yet been investigated. To examine this possible role, we tested fear-conditioned bradycardia in mice by selective disruption of the IO using 3-acetylpyridine. In a rotarod test, mice with an IO lesion were unable to remain on the rod. The number of neurons of IO nuclei in these mice was decreased to ∼40% compared with control mice. Mice with an IO lesion did not show changes in the mean heart rate or in heart rate responses to a conditioned stimulus, or in their responses to a painful stimulus in a tail-flick test. However, they did show impairment of the acquisition/expression of conditioned bradycardia and attenuation of heart rate responses to a pain stimulus used as an unconditioned stimulus. These results indicate that the IO inputs to the cerebellum play a key role in the acquisition/expression of conditioned bradycardia. PMID:24784584

Unconditionally Secure Blind Signatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hara, Yuki; Seito, Takenobu; Shikata, Junji; Matsumoto, Tsutomu

The blind signature scheme introduced by Chaum allows a user to obtain a valid signature for a message from a signer such that the message is kept secret for the signer. Blind signature schemes have mainly been studied from a viewpoint of computational security so far. In this paper, we study blind signatures in unconditional setting. Specifically, we newly introduce a model of unconditionally secure blind signature schemes (USBS, for short). Also, we propose security notions and their formalization in our model. Finally, we propose a construction method for USBS that is provably secure in our security notions.

Effects of feed consumption rate of beef cattle offered a diet supplemented with nitrate ad libitum or restrictively on potential toxicity of nitrate.

PubMed

Lee, C; Araujo, R C; Koenig, K M; Beauchemin, K A

2015-10-01

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of feed consumption rate on potential toxicity, rumen fermentation, and eating behavior when beef heifers were fed a diet supplemented with nitrate (NI). Twelve ruminally cannulated heifers (827 ± 65.5 kg BW) were used in a randomized complete block design. The experiment consisted of 10-d adaptation, 8-d urea-feeding, and 3-d nitrate-feeding periods. All heifers were fed a diet supplemented with urea (UR) during the adaptation and urea-feeding periods, whereas the NI diet (1.09% NO in dietary DM) was fed during the nitrate-feeding period. After adaptation, heifers were randomly assigned to ad libitum or restrictive feeding (about 80% of ad libitum intake) for the urea- and nitrate-feeding periods. Ad libitum DMI decreased (14.1 vs. 15.1 kg/d; < 0.01) when heifers were fed the NI diet compared with the UR diet. The amount of feed consumed increased ( < 0.01) at 0 to 3 h and decreased ( ≤ 0.03) at 3 to 24 h for restrictive vs. ad libitum feeding of both the UR and NI diets. Compared to the UR diet, the NI diet decreased ( < 0.01) feed consumption at 0 to 3 h and increased ( < 0.02) feed consumption at 3 to 24 h (except feed consumption at 9 to 12 h; = 0.90), indicating nitrate feeding changed the consumption pattern (a more even distribution of feed intake over the day). The increased feed consumption from 0 to 3 h after feeding the NI diet restrictively vs. ad libitum numerically decreased ( = 0.11) rumen pH and numerically or significantly increased ( = 0.01 to 0.28) rumen ammonia, NO, and NO; blood methemoglobin; and plasma NO and NO at 3 h. Regression analysis indicated that increased feed consumption (0 to 3 h) exponentially elevated ( < 0.01; = 0.75) blood methemoglobin, and plasma NO + NO among other rumen and blood variables had the greatest correlation (sigmoid response; < 0.01, = 0.47) with feed consumption (0 to 3 h). Particle size distribution of orts was partially altered ( = 0.02 to 0.40) when the NI diet was fed compared with the UR diet. During the nitrate-feeding period, the nitrate content of orts on d 2 and 3 was greater ( = 0.02) than that on d 1. In conclusion, the increased consumption rate of a diet supplemented with nitrate was an important factor influencing risk of nitrate toxicity based on blood methemoglobin and plasma NO. In addition, the pattern of daily feed consumption was altered by nitrate (creating a "nibbling" pattern of eating) in beef heifers.

An Approach for Group, Undergraduate Research Experiences in Courses Across the Geology Curriculum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lord, M.; Kinner, D. A.

2013-12-01

At Western Carolina University, a past NSF CCLI grant helped embed project-based learning throughout the geology curriculum, including a senior capstone seminar in which groups of students conduct authentic undergraduate research (UR). These curricular changes showed many high-level educational benefits to the group senior capstone research and the benefits of complex, technical projects at all levels of the curriculum if project goals and guidance for students is appropriate for their level, skills, and experiences. A current NSF TUES grant, now in its 3rd year, is formally assessing the impact of students participating in group UR experiences embedded in traditional courses at all curricular levels to determine if they have similar benefits to students conducting individually-mentored research. An ancillary goal is to develop a transferable, sustainable model for this approach, so UR experiences can formally broaden to more students at more levels. At this time, we have taught about 100 students in five research-based courses at all levels of the curriculum. Student's perceived strong benefits of their UR experience, and have been evaluated with quantitative (URSSA) and qualitative (focus groups) data. Benefits of their experiences are high related to personal growth and the scientific process and relatively low in research skills. Qualitative data shows students value 1) the open-ended nature of the authentic research questions, 2) group collaboration, and 3) hands-on learning. Similarity of student results across different courses reflect a now stable approach we have developed for courses with group UR experiences. Key elements to our approach are 1) an ongoing, broad research program (in our case, an on-campus hydrologic research station), 2) strategically assigned student groups (no. 3-6), group responsibilities that include a mix of individual and group assignments, and peer assessments, 3) student research fellows that help run the research station and mentor students in research-based courses, 4) multiple levels of research questions in a course, some to be answered by group data and some by class data, 5) intentional explicit development of and support for research skills appropriate for the research question and student level, 6) written and oral presentation of research, 7) willingness of participating faculty to redesign their course structure to meet learning goals so that at least 1/3 of the course time (noncontiguous) is dedicated to the research project versus traditional formats, and 8) a faculty involvement model whereby leading research-based courses also contributes to their research agenda and regional service expectations. We think this model works and is sustainable at Western Carolina University, and is readily transferable to other disciplines and universities.

Leishmania donovani Utilize Sialic Acids for Binding and Phagocytosis in the Macrophages through Selective Utilization of Siglecs and Impair the Innate Immune Arm.

PubMed

Roy, Saptarshi; Mandal, Chitra

2016-08-01

Leishmania donovani, belonging to a unicellular protozoan parasite, display the differential level of linkage-specific sialic acids on their surface. Sialic acids binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (siglecs) are a class of membrane-bound receptors present in the haematopoetic cell lineages interact with the linkage-specific sialic acids. Here we aimed to explore the utilization of sialic acids by Leishmania donovani for siglec-mediated binding, phagocytosis, modulation of innate immune response and signaling pathways for establishment of successful infection in the host. We have found enhanced binding of high sialic acids containing virulent strains (AG83+Sias) with siglec-1 and siglec-5 present on macrophages compared to sialidase treated AG83+Sias (AG83-Sias) and low sialic acids-containing avirulent strain (UR6) by flow cytometry. This specific receptor-ligand interaction between sialic acids and siglecs were further confirmed by confocal microscopy. Sialic acids-siglec-1-mediated interaction of AG83+Sias with macrophages induced enhanced phagocytosis. Additionally, sialic acids-siglec-5 interaction demonstrated reduced ROS, NO generation and Th2 dominant cytokine response upon infection with AG83+Sias in contrast to AG83-Sias and UR6. Sialic acids-siglecs binding also facilitated multiplication of intracellular amastigotes. Moreover, AG83+Sias induced sialic acids-siglec-5-mediated upregulation of host phosphatase SHP-1. Such sialic acids-siglec interaction was responsible for further downregulation of MAPKs (p38, ERK and JNK) and PI3K/Akt pathways followed by the reduced translocation of p65 subunit of NF-κβ to the nucleus from cytosol in the downstream signaling pathways. This sequence of events was reversed in AG83-Sias and UR6-infected macrophages. Besides, siglec-knockdown macrophages also showed the reversal of AG83+Sias infection-induced effector functions and downstream signaling events. Taken together, this study demonstrated that virulent parasite (AG83+Sias) establish a unique sialic acids-mediated binding and subsequent phagocytosis in the host cell through the selective exploitation of siglec-1. Additionally, sialic acids-siglec-5 interaction altered the downstream signaling pathways which contributed impairment of immune effector functions of macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, this is a comprehensive report describing sialic acids-siglec interactions and their role in facilitating uptake of the virulent parasite within the host.

Adverse Respiratory Symptoms and Environmental Exposures Among Children and Adolescents Following Hurricane Katrina

PubMed Central

Rath, Barbara; Young, Elizabeth A.; Harris, Amy; Perrin, Keith; Bronfin, Daniel R.; Ratard, Raoult; VanDyke, Russell; Goldshore, Matthew; Magnus, Manya

2011-01-01

Objectives Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to environmental exposures and their respiratory effects. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, residents experienced multiple adverse environmental exposures. We characterized the association between upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and lower respiratory symptoms (LRS) and environmental exposures among children and adolescents affected by Hurricane Katrina. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study following the return of the population to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina (October 2005 and February 2006) among a convenience sample of children and adolescents attending New Orleans health facilities. We used uni-, bi-, and multivariable analyses to describe participants, exposures, and associations with URS/LRS. Results Of 1,243 participants, 47% were Caucasian, 50% were male, and 72% were younger than 11 years of age. Multiple environmental exposures were identified during and after the storm and at current residences: roof/glass/storm damage (50%), outside mold (22%), dust (18%), and flood damage (15%). Self-reported URS and LRS (76% and 36%, respectively) were higher after the hurricane than before the hurricane (22% and 9%, respectively, p<0.0001). Roof/glass/storm damage at home was associated with URS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15, 2.21) and LRS (AOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.01, 1.80), while mold growth at home was associated with LRS (AOR=1.47, 95% CI 1.02, 2.12). Conclusions Children and adolescents affected by Hurricane Katrina experienced environmental exposures associated with increased prevalence of reported URS and LRS. Additional research is needed to investigate the long-term health impacts of Hurricane Katrina. PMID:22043101

Adverse respiratory symptoms and environmental exposures among children and adolescents following Hurricane Katrina.

PubMed

Rath, Barbara; Young, Elizabeth A; Harris, Amy; Perrin, Keith; Bronfin, Daniel R; Ratard, Raoult; Vandyke, Russell; Goldshore, Matthew; Magnus, Manya

2011-01-01

Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to environmental exposures and their respiratory effects. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, residents experienced multiple adverse environmental exposures. We characterized the association between upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and lower respiratory symptoms (LRS) and environmental exposures among children and adolescents affected by Hurricane Katrina. We conducted a cross-sectional study following the return of the population to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina (October 2005 and February 2006) among a convenience sample of children and adolescents attending New Orleans health facilities. We used uni-, bi-, and multivariable analyses to describe participants, exposures, and associations with URS/LRS. Of 1,243 participants, 47% were Caucasian, 50% were male, and 72% were younger than 11 years of age. Multiple environmental exposures were identified during and after the storm and at current residences: roof/glass/storm damage (50%), outside mold (22%), dust (18%), and flood damage (15%). Self-reported URS and LRS (76% and 36%, respectively) were higher after the hurricane than before the hurricane (22% and 9%, respectively, p<0.0001). Roof/glass/storm damage at home was associated with URS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15, 2.21) and LRS (AOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.01, 1.80), while mold growth at home was associated with LRS (AOR=1.47, 95% CI 1.02, 2.12). Children and adolescents affected by Hurricane Katrina experienced environmental exposures associated with increased prevalence of reported URS and LRS. Additional research is needed to investigate the long-term health impacts of Hurricane Katrina.

National Practice Pattern and Time Trends in Treatment of Upper Urinary Tract Calculi in Korea: a Nationwide Population-Based Study.

PubMed

Park, Jinsung; Suh, Beomseok; Lee, Myung Shin; Woo, Seung Hyo; Shin, Dong Wook

2016-12-01

Despite high prevalence of upper urinary tract calculi (UUTC), there are few studies regarding patterns of care in Asian populations. We investigated treatment patterns and time trends in patients with newly diagnosed UUTC in Korea using the National Health Insurance database that includes de-identified claims from a random 2% sample of the entire population (> 1 million people). A total of 14,282 patients who received active treatments, including shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), ureteroscopic surgery (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), and uretero/pyelolithotomy (UPL), for newly diagnosed UUTC between 2003 and 2013 were included. The number of primary and all treated cases of UUTC significantly (43% and 103.3%, respectively) increased over the 10-year period. While patients undergoing SWL, URS, PNL, and UPL as primary treatment increased by 43.7%, 31.9%, 87.5%, and 0%, respectively, the relative proportion undergoing each treatment remained constant over the 10 years (SWL > 90%, URS 4.5% to 7.8%, PNL 0.4% to 1.0%, and UPL < 0.4%, respectively). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age > 40 years (compared to age < 30 years) was significantly associated with URS, PNL, and UPL, rather than SWL, while patients living in urban or suburban/rural areas (compared to metropolitan) were significantly less likely to undergo URS and PNL. In summary, the majority of Korean patients underwent SWL as primary treatment for UUTC, and the predominant use of SWL remained steady over a 10-year period in Korea. Our results will be valuable in examining treatment patterns and time trends in Korean UUTC patients.

Prospective Measurement of Patient Exposure to Radiation During Pediatric Ureteroscopy

PubMed Central

Kokorowski, Paul J.; Chow, Jeanne S.; Strauss, Keith; Pennison, Melanie; Routh, Jonathan C.; Nelson, Caleb P.

2013-01-01

Objective Little data have been reported regarding radiation exposure during pediatric endourologic procedures, including ureteroscopy (URS). We sought to measure radiation exposure during pediatric URS and identify opportunities for exposure reduction. Methods We prospectively observed URS procedures as part of a quality improvement initiative. Pre-operative patient characteristics, operative factors, fluoroscopy settings and radiation exposure were recorded. Our outcomes were entrance skin dose (ESD, in mGy) and midline dose (MLD, in mGy). Specific modifiable factors were identified as targets for potential quality improvement. Results Direct observation was performed on 56 consecutive URS procedures. Mean patient age was 14.8 ± 3.8 years (range 7.4 to 19.2); 9 children were under age 12 years. Mean ESD was 46.4 ± 48 mGy. Mean MLD was 6.2 ± 5.0 mGy. The most important major determinant of radiation dose was total fluoroscopy time (mean 2.68 ± 1.8 min) followed by dose rate setting, child anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, and source to skin distance (all p<0.01). The analysis of factors affecting exposure levels found that the use of ureteral access sheaths (p=0.01) and retrograde pyelography (p=0.04) were significantly associated with fluoroscopy time. We also found that dose rate settings were higher than recommended in up to 43% of cases and ideal C-arm positioning could have reduced exposure 14% (up to 49% in some cases). Conclusions Children receive biologically significant radiation doses during URS procedures. Several modifiable factors contribute to dose and could be targeted in efforts to implement dose reduction strategies. PMID:22341275

Evaluation of Postoperative Hydronephrosis Following Ureteroscopy in Pediatric Population: Incidence and Predictors.

PubMed

Gökce, Mehmet Ilker; Telli, Onur; Özkıdık, Mete; Akıncı, Aykut; Hajıyev, Perviz; Soygür, Tarkan; Burgu, Berk

2016-07-01

To identify the incidence and associated factors of the postoperative hydronephrosis in pediatric patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy (URS) for renal or ureteral stones. We evaluated the results of 116 patients who underwent semirigid or flexible URS retrospectively. Primary end points of the study were to determine the incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis and factors associated with the development of postoperative hydronephrosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to define factors associated with the presence of hydronephrosis. Mean age of the population was 9.5 years and mean stone size was 9.4 mm. Hydronephrosis was detected in 32 (27.6%) patients. Stone-free status was achieved in 101 (87%) patients. Univariate analysis revealed history of ipsilateral URS, duration of operation, presence of impacted stone, development of ureteral injury during operation, and presentation with a renal colic episode as the parameter associated with increased risk of hydronephrosis. History of ipsilateral URS (odds ratio: 1.664, P = .027), presence of impacted stones (odds ratio: 1.788, P = .014), and development of ureteral injury during operation (odds ratio: 1.106, P = .039) were found to be the independent markers of developing postoperative hydronephrosis in a multivariate analysis. Ipsilateral hydronephrosis following URS develops in a significant portion of patients. In patients with history of ipsilateral procedure and those with an impacted stone and had ureteral injury, the risk of postoperative hydronephrosis is higher; therefore, physicians should keep these parameters in mind in the decision-making process of selective imaging postoperatively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment counteracts circadian arrhythmicity induced by phase shifts of the light-dark cycle in female and male Siberian hamsters

PubMed Central

Prendergast, Brian J.; Onishi, Kenneth G.; Zucker, Irving

2013-01-01

Studies of rats and voles suggest that distinct pathways emanating from the anterior hypothalamic-retrochiasmatic area and the mediobasal hypothalamic arcuate nucleus independently generate ultradian rhythms (URs) in hormone secretion and behavior. We evaluated the hypothesis that destruction of arcuate nucleus (ARC) neurons, in concert with dampening of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian rhythmicity, would compromise the generation of ultradian rhythms (URs) of locomotor activity. Siberian hamsters of both sexes treated neonatally with monosodium glutamate (MSG) that destroys ARC neurons were subjected in adulthood to a circadian disrupting phase-shift protocol (DPS) that produces SCN arrhythmia. MSG treatments induced hypogonadism and obesity, and markedly reduced the size of the optic chiasm and primary optic tracts. MSG-treated hamsters exhibited normal entrainment to the light-dark cycle, but MSG treatment counteracted the circadian arrhythmicity induced by the DPS protocol: only 6% of MSG-treated hamsters exhibited circadian arrhythmia, whereas 50% of control hamsters were circadian disrupted. In MSG-treated hamsters that retained circadian rhythmicity after DPS treatment, quantitative parameters of URs appeared normal, but in the 2 MSG-treated hamsters that became circadian arrhythmic after DPS, both dark-phase and light-phase URs were abolished. Although preliminary, these data are consistent with reports in voles suggesting that the combined disruption of SCN and ARC function impairs the expression of behavioral URs. The data also suggest that light thresholds for entrainment of circadian rhythms may be lower than those required to disrupt circadian organization. PMID:23701725

Sensory Responsiveness and the Effects of Equal Subjective Rewards on Tactile Learning and Memory of Honeybees

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scheiner, Ricarda; Kuritz-Kaiser, Anthea; Menzel, Randolf; Erber, Joachim

2005-01-01

In tactile learning, sucrose is the unconditioned stimulus and reward, which is usually applied to the antenna to elicit proboscis extension and which the bee can drink when it is subsequently applied to the extended proboscis. The conditioned stimulus is a tactile object that the bee can scan with its antennae. In this paper we describe the…

77 FR 6586 - GE Oil & Gas Operations, LLC Including On-Site Leased Workers From Adecco, Argus Technical, Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-08

..., LLC Including On-Site Leased Workers From Adecco, Argus Technical, Inc., Fox Valley Metrology URS Corp... the certification for workers of the subject firm. New information shows that workers leased from Fox... from Fox Valley Metrology, URS Corp. and CompuCom working on-site at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin location of...

Worldwide Use of Antiretropulsive Techniques: Observations from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study.

PubMed

Saussine, Christian; Andonian, Sero; Pacík, Dalibor; Popiolek, Marcin; Celia, Antonio; Buchholz, Noor; Sountoulides, Petros; Petrut, Bogdan; de la Rosette, Jean J M C H

2018-04-01

Retropulsion, defined as unintended migration of a stone under the influence of the fragmentation device in ureteroscopy (URS) procedures, occurs in 2% to 60% of the cases. Antiretropulsive devices (ARDs) have been studied in experimental and small clinical studies. The current study aims at describing the worldwide usage of ARD and the outcomes related to their usage. The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society URS Global Study enrolled 11,885 patients who underwent URS and stone fragmentation for ureteral and/or renal stones. Of the 11,885 treated patients, 9877 were treated for ureteral stones, and data were available on stone migration and ARD use. Of all procedures, 14.5% were performed with the use of an ARD. Less stone migration (-2.0%; p = 0.050), higher stone-free rates (SFRs) (2.8%; p < 0.001), and shorter length of stay (-4.7%; p = 0.001) were observed in the antiretropulsive group. When an ARD is used during URS, less migration, higher SFRs, and shorter length of hospital stay are observed. This effect is independent from baseline differences and corrected for other treatment characteristics.

Microbiota and prebiotics modulation of uremic toxin generation.

PubMed

Koppe, Laetitia; Fouque, Denis

2017-06-01

Recent data have shown that the host-intestinal microbiota interaction is intrinsically linked with overall health. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) could influence intestinal microbiota and gut dysbiosis is also considered as a cause of progression of kidney disease. An increasing body of evidence indicates that dysbiosis is a key contributor of uremic retention solutes (URS) accumulating in patients with CKD. The discovery of the kidney-gut axis has created new therapeutic opportunities for nutritional intervention in order to prevent adverse outcomes. One of these strategies is prebiotics, which refers to nondigestible food ingredients or substances that beneficial affect growth and/or activity of limited health-promoting bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The influence of prebiotics on the production and concentration of URS have been investigated in various animal and human CKD studies. However, to date, there is still paucity of high-quality intervention trials. Randomized controlled trials and adequately powered intervention studies are needed before recommending prebiotics in clinical practice. This review will outline the interconnection between CKD progression, dysbiosis and URS production and will discuss mechanisms of action and efficacy of prebiotics as a new CKD management tool, with a particular emphasis on URS generation.

Polarization characteristics of radiation in both 'light' and conventional undulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potylitsyn, A. P.; Kolchuzhkin, A. M.; Strokov, S. A.

2017-07-01

As a rule, an intensity spectrum of undulator radiation (UR) is calculated by using the classical approach, even for electron energy higher than 10 GeV. Such a spectrum is determined by an electron trajectory in an undulator while neglecting radiation loss. Using Planck's law, the UR photon spectrum can be calculated from the obtained intensity spectrum, for both linear and nonlinear regimes. The electron radiation process in a field of strong electromagnetic waves is considered within the quantum electrodynamics framework, using the Compton scattering process or radiation in a 'light' undulator. A comparison was made of the results from using these two approaches, for UR spectra generated by 250-GeV electrons in an undulator with a 11.5-mm period; this comparison shows that they coincide with high accuracy. The characteristics of the collimated UR beam (i.e. spectrum and circular polarization) were simulated while taking into account the discrete process of photon emission along an electron trajectory in both undulator types. Both spectral photon distributions and polarization dependence on photon energy are 'smoothed', in comparison to that expected for a long undulator-the latter of which considers the ILC positron source (ILC Technical Design Report).

Interpretation of the northern boundary of Ishtar Terra from Magellan images and altimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, S.; Grimm, Robert E.; Phillips, Roger J.

1991-01-01

Part of the controversy on the origin of western Ishtar Terra (IT) concerns the nature of Uorsar Rupes (UR), the northern boundary of IT. In the hypothesis of lithospheric convergence and underthrusting, UR is held to be the main boundary thrust fault at the toe of an accretionary wedge. A topographic rise parallel to the scarp was interpreted as a flexural bulge similar to those of terrestrial subduction zones, and quantitative models of this feature seemed broadly consistent with the expected lithospheric structure of Venus. In the alternative mantle upwelling hypothesis for western IT, the outer margins of the highland are thought to be collapsing, and UR has been interpreted as a normal fault. Herein, Magellan images and altimetry are interpreted for this region and the hypothesis that a flexural signature can be distinguished is reassessed. The Magellan images of IT show evidence of crustal shortening adjacent to UR, but extension and burial dominate northwards. Altimetric profiles display the same long wavelength trends visible in Venera data, but no clear evidence of the lithospheric flexure. A model of regional extension and burial is herein favored, but regional compression cannot be ruled out.

Neuropathogenicity of Two Saffold Virus Type 3 Isolates in Mouse Models

PubMed Central

Kotani, Osamu; Naeem, Asif; Suzuki, Tadaki; Iwata-Yoshikawa, Naoko; Sato, Yuko; Nakajima, Noriko; Hosomi, Takushi; Tsukagoshi, Hiroyuki; Kozawa, Kunihisa; Hasegawa, Hideki; Taguchi, Fumihiro; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Nagata, Noriyo

2016-01-01

Objective Saffold virus (SAFV), a picornavirus, is occasionally detected in children with acute flaccid paralysis, meningitis, and cerebellitis; however, the neuropathogenicity of SAFV remains undetermined. Methods The virulence of two clinical isolates of SAFV type 3 (SAFV-3) obtained from a patient with aseptic meningitis (AM strain) and acute upper respiratory inflammation (UR strain) was analyzed in neonatal and young mice utilizing virological, pathological, and immunological methods. Results The polyproteins of the strains differed in eight amino acids. Both clinical isolates were infective, exhibited neurotropism, and were mildly neurovirulent in neonatal ddY mice. Both strains pathologically infected neural progenitor cells and glial cells, but not large neurons, with the UR strain also infecting epithelial cells. UR infection resulted in longer inflammation in the brain and spinal cord because of demyelination, while the AM strain showed more infectivity in the cerebellum in neonatal ddY mice. Additionally, young BALB/c mice seroconverted following mucosal inoculation with the UR, but not the AM, strain. Conclusions Both SAFV-3 isolates had neurotropism and mild neurovirulence but showed different cell tropisms in both neonatal and young mouse models. This animal model has the potential to recapitulate the potential neuropathogenicity of SAFV-3. PMID:26828718

Transverse momentum spectra of hadrons in p + p collisions at CERN SPS energies from the UrQMD transport model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozvenchuk, V.; Rybicki, A.

2018-05-01

The UrQMD transport model, version 3.4, is used to study the new experimental data on transverse momentum spectra of π±, K±, p and p bar produced in inelastic p + p interactions at SPS energies, recently published by the NA61/SHINE Collaboration. The comparison of model predictions to these new measurements is presented as a function of collision energy for central and forward particle rapidity intervals. In addition, the inverse slope parameters characterizing the transverse momentum distributions are extracted from the predicted spectra and compared to the corresponding values obtained from NA61/SHINE distributions, as a function of particle rapidity and collision energy. A complex pattern of deviations between the experimental data and the UrQMD model emerges. For charged pions, the fair agreement visible at top SPS energies deteriorates with the decreasing energy. For charged K mesons, UrQMD significantly underpredicts positive kaon production at lower beam momenta. It also underpredicts the central rapidity proton yield at top collision energy and overpredicts antiproton production at all considered energies. We conclude that the new experimental data analyzed in this paper still constitute a challenge for the present version of the model.

Effects of chronic cocaine, morphine and methamphetamine on the mobility, immobility and stereotyped behaviors in crayfish.

PubMed

Imeh-Nathaniel, Adebobola; Rincon, Natalia; Orfanakos, Vasiliki Bessie; Brechtel, Leanne; Wormack, Leah; Richardson, Erika; Huber, Robert; Nathaniel, Thomas I

2017-08-14

The worth of crayfish as a model system for studies of addiction was not previously recognized because a drug-reward phenomenon had not been documented in this model system. In our previous experiments, we demonstrate that the crayfish natural reward pathways are sensitive to human drugs of abuse. This finding supports crayfish as a suitable model to characterize specific behaviors that are relevant in drug addiction research, and the current study builds on our previous findings. The aim of the present study was to investigate unconditioned neurobehavioral effects of repeated treatment regimens using cocaine, morphine, and methamphetamine for three consecutive days. We analyzed mobility, immobility and characterized stereotypic behaviors following intracardial infusions of 2.0μg/g or 10.0μg/g doses of cocaine, morphine, and methamphetamine for three days. The results showed that systemic cocaine, morphine, and methamphetamine increased mobility at a low dose of 2.0μg/g more effectively than a high dose of 10.0μg/g, while simultaneously showing that the high dose exerted a more prominent effect in increasing immobility. Moreover, systemic cocaine, morphine, and methamphetamine injections have discerning effects towards a group of defined unconditioned stereotyped behavioral patterns associated with each drug, rather than a shared universal behavioral effect. These findings provide insight into the behavioral and pharmacological basis responsible for the unconditioned effects of these drugs in crayfish. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Multihydroxylation of ursolic acid by Pestalotiopsis microspora isolated from the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata.

PubMed

Fu, Shao-bin; Yang, Jun-shan; Cui, Jin-long; Meng, Qing-feng; Feng, Xu; Sun, Di-An

2011-10-01

The structural modification of ursolic acid by an endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora, isolated from medicinal plant Huperzia serrata was reported for the first time. The structure diversity was very important for the SAR study of ursolic acid and its derivatives. Incubation of ursolic acid 1 with P. microspora afforded four metabolites: 3-oxo-15α, 30-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β, 15α-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 3β, 15α, 30- trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (4) and 3,4-seco-ursan-4,30-dihydroxy-12-en-3,28-dioic acid (5). All products were new compounds and their structures elucidation was mainly based on the spectroscopic data. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 impairs learning but not memory fixation or expression of classical fear conditioning in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

PubMed

Xu, X; Davis, R E

1992-04-01

The amnestic effects of the noncompetitive antagonist MK-801 on visually mediated, classic fear conditioning in goldfish (Carassius auratus) was examined in 5 experiments. MK-801 was administered 30 min before the training session on Day 1 to look for anterograde amnestic effects, immediately after training to look for retrograde amnestic effects, and before the training or test session, or both, to look for state-dependence effects. The results showed that MK-801 produced anterograde amnesia at doses that did not produce retrograde amnesia or state dependency and did not impair the expression of conditioned or unconditioned branchial suppression responses (BSRs) to the conditioned stimulus. The results indicate that MK-801 disrupts the mechanism of learning of the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus relation. Evidence is also presented that the learning processes that are disrupted by MK-801 occur during the initial stage of BSR conditioning.

Pavlovian drug-sickness pairings result in the conditioning of an antisickness response.

PubMed

Lett, B T

1983-10-01

After a drug conditioned stimulus (CS) has been injected prior to lithium chloride as the unconditioned stimulus (US) on five occasions, the drug CS becomes able to evoke a conditioned antisickness response (CAR). This CAR is implied by the finding that the CS drug mitigates the conditioned saccharin aversion produced by lithium when it is administered in the interval between saccharin consumption and lithium injection. The following drugs were tested and are listed in approximate order of their effectiveness in producing a conditioned antisickness effect: pentobarbital, ethanol, morphine, amphetamine, and chlordiazepoxide.

Sensitivity of Crustaceans to Substrate-Borne Vibration.

PubMed

Roberts, Louise; Breithaupt, Thomas

2016-01-01

There is increasing interest in the responsiveness of crustaceans to vibrations, especially in the context of marine developments where techniques such as pile driving create strong vibrations that are readily transmitted through the seabed. Experiments were undertaken under controlled conditions to investigate the sensitivity of unconditioned crustaceans to substrate-borne vibration. The subjects were exposed to a range of frequencies and amplitudes using the staircase method of presentation to determine the thresholds of response. Behavior varied according to the strength of the stimuli and included bursts of movement and rapid bouts of movement.

Non-conservative characteristics of fluorescent tracers help to assess in-situ transport and attenuation of pesticides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, Jens; Payraudeau, Sylvain; Imfeld, Gwenaël

2016-04-01

Traditionally, hydrological tracers are selected to behave as conservatively as possible, since most applications aim to investigate the transport of water or conservative solutes. Non-conservative tracer behavior is regarded as a limitation. However, the environmental behavior of organic pesticides is strictly non-conservative as their fate is affected by various processes, including sorption, photolysis and biochemical transformation in various environmental compartments. If tracers are used to study pesticides under these conditions, we believe that a paradigm shift is necessary: only a tracer that is affected by similar attenuation processes can realistically reproduce the overall behavior of a target pesticide. We present here two examples from two different environmental compartments: (i) agricultural soils and (ii) wetland systems. In both studies two organic fluorescent tracers (uranine, UR and sulforhodamine-B, SRB) and the salt tracer bromide (BR) were applied together with the chloroacetanilide herbicide S-metolachlor (S-MET). On an agricultural field, plot experiments were conducted under artificial and natural rainfall conditions. The use of BR overestimated both slow leaching and fast preferential transport of S-MET in the unsaturated zone, while UR/SRB were more realistic markers. Under artificial conditions, recovery rates of BR in a tile drain were twice as high as UR and one order of magnitude higher than SRB. Under natural conditions, BR concentrations in surface soils (0-1 cm) displayed larger variances during wetting and drying periods than UR, SRB and S-MET. BR also leached deeper (below 5 cm) than S-MET in the soil column. After 70 days, characteristic fluorescent peaks of UR and SRB gradually decreased in soil samples, while a new peak increased in another spectrum, which suggests the production of a potential transformation product. In two artificial wetland systems the impact of hydrological conditions (batch versus continuous-flow) on solute dissipation was studied. The solute mass budgets included plants, sediment and water phases and reflected the main dissipation pathways. Apart from plant uptake, BR was conservative under both conditions. Similar to S-MET, UR and SRB were affected by sorption, photo- and presumably biodegradation and all processes were more prominent in the batch than in the continuous flow wetland. This was in agreement with a larger overall dissipation of S-MET under batch (90%) than continuous mode (60%). Hence, only UR/SRB realistically illustrated the effect of hydrological conditions (different hydraulic residence times and alternating biogeochemical conditions) on S-MET attenuation in the wetland systems.

Access to chlamydia testing in remote and rural Scotland.

PubMed

Hawkins, Katherine E; Thompson, Lucy; Wilson, Philip

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess access to sexual health care in remote and rural settings using Chlamydia testing as a focus by measuring the extent of Chlamydia testing and positivity across the Scottish Highlands in relation to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Quintile (SIMD) and Urban Rural 8-fold index (UR8). Tests processed through Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, the main testing laboratory for microbiology tests in North and West and South and Mid Highlands, were studied. Where people are tested in relation to where they live was assessed, as well as the type of test they opt for. Also assessed was the rate of positivity in male and female patients in rural compared with urban settings using the Scottish Government UR8 and in relation to the SIMD. 9644 results were analysed. 77.2% of the results were for females and 22.4% for males. 8.1% of the results were positive and 84.4% were negative. There were proportionately more positive tests from the sexual health sources than from general practice. The proportion of men who had positive tests was almost double that for women (12.7% vs 6.6%) although men made up only 27.9% of the total number of tests. There was no significant difference in positivity when compared with UR8 index or SIMD. 37.7% of people living in the most rural areas (UR8 7-8) had their test performed in a more urban setting (UR8 1-6), and 20.4% people had their test performed in a very urban setting (UR8 1-2). Of these tests, there was a tendency for UR8 7-8 patients to be more likely to have a positive test if tested in an urban setting. These results are similar to previous results in other countries that suggest that Chlamydia positivity is similar in rural and urban settings. A large proportion of people living in more rurally classified areas, and perhaps those with a higher risk, have their test in a central setting, suggesting that they may be bypassing local resources to get a test. The reason for this is not clear. The results also show that men are more likely to have their test in a genitourinary setting as well as have proportionately more positive results. These results support the case for customising sexual health services to the most rural areas and suggest that providing an anonymous testing service in these areas might be beneficial, especially for men.

Conditional Versus Unconditional Procedures for Sample-Free Item Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Benjamin D.; Douglas, Graham A.

1977-01-01

Two procedures for Rasch, sample-free item calibration are reviewed and compared for accuracy. The theoretically ideal "conditional" procedure is impractical for more than fifteen items. The more practical but biased "unconditional" procedure is discussed in detail. (Author/JKS)

A Crank–Nicolson Leapfrog stabilization: Unconditional stability and two applications

DOE PAGES

Jiang, Nan; Kubacki, Michaela; Layton, William; ...

2014-12-09

We propose and analyze a linear stabilization of the Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog (CNLF) method that removes all time step/CFL conditions for stability and controls the unstable mode. It also increases the SPD part of the linear system to be solved at each time step while increasing solution accuracy. We give a proof of unconditional stability of the method as well as a proof of unconditional, asymptotic stability of both the stable and unstable modes. As a result, we illustrate two applications of the method: uncoupling groundwater-surface water flows and Stokes flow plus a Coriolis term.

Unconditionally energy stable numerical schemes for phase-field vesicle membrane model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillén-González, F.; Tierra, G.

2018-02-01

Numerical schemes to simulate the deformation of vesicles membranes via minimizing the bending energy have been widely studied in recent times due to its connection with many biological motivated problems. In this work we propose a new unconditionally energy stable numerical scheme for a vesicle membrane model that satisfies exactly the conservation of volume constraint and penalizes the surface area constraint. Moreover, we extend these ideas to present an unconditionally energy stable splitting scheme decoupling the interaction of the vesicle with a surrounding fluid. Finally, the well behavior of the proposed schemes are illustrated through several computational experiments.

Unconditional analyses can increase efficiency in assessing gene-environment interaction of the case-combined-control design.

PubMed

Goldstein, Alisa M; Dondon, Marie-Gabrielle; Andrieu, Nadine

2006-08-01

A design combining both related and unrelated controls, named the case-combined-control design, was recently proposed to increase the power for detecting gene-environment (GxE) interaction. Under a conditional analytic approach, the case-combined-control design appeared to be more efficient and feasible than a classical case-control study for detecting interaction involving rare events. We now propose an unconditional analytic strategy to further increase the power for detecting gene-environment (GxE) interactions. This strategy allows the estimation of GxE interaction and exposure (E) main effects under certain assumptions (e.g. no correlation in E between siblings and the same exposure frequency in both control groups). Only the genetic (G) main effect cannot be estimated because it is biased. Using simulations, we show that unconditional logistic regression analysis is often more efficient than conditional analysis for detecting GxE interaction, particularly for a rare gene and strong effects. The unconditional analysis is also at least as efficient as the conditional analysis when the gene is common and the main and joint effects of E and G are small. Under the required assumptions, the unconditional analysis retains more information than does the conditional analysis for which only discordant case-control pairs are informative leading to more precise estimates of the odds ratios.

Cross-Species Affective Neuroscience Decoding of the Primal Affective Experiences of Humans and Related Animals

PubMed Central

Panksepp, Jaak

2011-01-01

Background The issue of whether other animals have internally felt experiences has vexed animal behavioral science since its inception. Although most investigators remain agnostic on such contentious issues, there is now abundant experimental evidence indicating that all mammals have negatively and positively-valenced emotional networks concentrated in homologous brain regions that mediate affective experiences when animals are emotionally aroused. That is what the neuroscientific evidence indicates. Principal Findings The relevant lines of evidence are as follows: 1) It is easy to elicit powerful unconditioned emotional responses using localized electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB); these effects are concentrated in ancient subcortical brain regions. Seven types of emotional arousals have been described; using a special capitalized nomenclature for such primary process emotional systems, they are SEEKING, RAGE, FEAR, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF and PLAY. 2) These brain circuits are situated in homologous subcortical brain regions in all vertebrates tested. Thus, if one activates FEAR arousal circuits in rats, cats or primates, all exhibit similar fear responses. 3) All primary-process emotional-instinctual urges, even ones as complex as social PLAY, remain intact after radical neo-decortication early in life; thus, the neocortex is not essential for the generation of primary-process emotionality. 4) Using diverse measures, one can demonstrate that animals like and dislike ESB of brain regions that evoke unconditioned instinctual emotional behaviors: Such ESBs can serve as ‘rewards’ and ‘punishments’ in diverse approach and escape/avoidance learning tasks. 5) Comparable ESB of human brains yield comparable affective experiences. Thus, robust evidence indicates that raw primary-process (i.e., instinctual, unconditioned) emotional behaviors and feelings emanate from homologous brain functions in all mammals (see Appendix S1), which are regulated by higher brain regions. Such findings suggest nested-hierarchies of BrainMind affective processing, with primal emotional functions being foundational for secondary-process learning and memory mechanisms, which interface with tertiary-process cognitive-thoughtful functions of the BrainMind. PMID:21915252

Cross-species affective neuroscience decoding of the primal affective experiences of humans and related animals.

PubMed

Panksepp, Jaak

2011-01-01

The issue of whether other animals have internally felt experiences has vexed animal behavioral science since its inception. Although most investigators remain agnostic on such contentious issues, there is now abundant experimental evidence indicating that all mammals have negatively and positively-valenced emotional networks concentrated in homologous brain regions that mediate affective experiences when animals are emotionally aroused. That is what the neuroscientific evidence indicates. The relevant lines of evidence are as follows: 1) It is easy to elicit powerful unconditioned emotional responses using localized electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB); these effects are concentrated in ancient subcortical brain regions. Seven types of emotional arousals have been described; using a special capitalized nomenclature for such primary process emotional systems, they are SEEKING, RAGE, FEAR, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF and PLAY. 2) These brain circuits are situated in homologous subcortical brain regions in all vertebrates tested. Thus, if one activates FEAR arousal circuits in rats, cats or primates, all exhibit similar fear responses. 3) All primary-process emotional-instinctual urges, even ones as complex as social PLAY, remain intact after radical neo-decortication early in life; thus, the neocortex is not essential for the generation of primary-process emotionality. 4) Using diverse measures, one can demonstrate that animals like and dislike ESB of brain regions that evoke unconditioned instinctual emotional behaviors: Such ESBs can serve as 'rewards' and 'punishments' in diverse approach and escape/avoidance learning tasks. 5) Comparable ESB of human brains yield comparable affective experiences. Thus, robust evidence indicates that raw primary-process (i.e., instinctual, unconditioned) emotional behaviors and feelings emanate from homologous brain functions in all mammals (see Appendix S1), which are regulated by higher brain regions. Such findings suggest nested-hierarchies of BrainMind affective processing, with primal emotional functions being foundational for secondary-process learning and memory mechanisms, which interface with tertiary-process cognitive-thoughtful functions of the BrainMind.

The relationship of Arctic precipitation rates to stratus cloud thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Z.; Garrett, T. J.

2013-12-01

Cloud properties are changing with a warming Arctic, yet it is unclear how precipitation rates will respond. For mid-latitude stratiform clouds, van Zanten et al. (2005) have shown that precipitation rates R decrease with droplet concentration N, but that they increase with the cube of cloud depth H. Furthermore, Kostinski (2008) used physical reasoning to show that the drizzle rate is related to the water content volume fraction (f) and the size dependent fall speed of particles u(r), i.e. R = f u(r). Kostinski's result suggests that R = f u(r) ~ H^ (1+2a), where a = 1 and 0.5 in the intermediate and turbulent regimes of fall speed, respectively. In general, mid-latitude stratocumuli tend to produce drizzles whose fall speed u(r) = k r^1 (a = 1) falls within the intermediate regime. Thus, the physically derived R ~ H^ (1+2 x 1) =H^3 relationship agrees well with the van Zanten et al. (2005) observations. To evaluate Kostinski's hypotheses with respect to Arctic stratus, cloud and precipitation retrieval techniques developed by Zhao and Garrett (2008) and Garrett and Zhao (2012) are used from the ARM NSA-AAO site near Barrow, Alaska. Specifically, cloud top height, cloud base height, and rain rate at cloud base and ground are used to develop dependence relationships. These data show that R ~ H^1.54 in the summer of Arctic, implying that a = 0.27. A low value of parameter a in the relationship u(r) = k r^a suggests wake turbulence behind falling precipitation particles. In the Arctic, stratocumuli often generate ice phase precipitation (or snow crystals). Snow crystals falling in air generate wake turbulence more than the drizzle that is characteristic of stratocumuli in mid-latitudes. A fall speed versus size dependence of u(r) = k r^0.27 suggests that a parameterization R ~ H^ (1+2 x 0.27) = H^1.54 is most suitable for Arctic cloud and climate models that do not explicitly resolve small and fast scale microphysical processes.

Spinal Motion and Muscle Activity during Active Trunk Movements – Comparing Sheep and Humans Adopting Upright and Quadrupedal Postures

PubMed Central

Valentin, Stephanie; Licka, Theresia F.

2016-01-01

Sheep are used as models for the human spine, yet comparative in vivo data necessary for validation is limited. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare spinal motion and trunk muscle activity during active trunk movements in sheep and humans. Three-dimensional kinematic data as well as surface electromyography (sEMG) of spinal flexion and extension was compared in twenty-four humans in upright (UR) and 4-point kneeling (KN) postures and in 17 Austrian mountain sheep. Kinematic markers were attached over the sacrum, posterior iliac spines, and spinous and transverse processes of T5, T8, T11, L2 and L5 in humans and over the sacrum, tuber sacrale, T5, T8, T12, L3 and L7 in sheep. The activity of erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), obliquus externus (OE), and obliquus internus (OI) were collected. Maximum sEMG (MOE) was identified for each muscle and trial, and reported as a percentage (MOE%) of the overall maximally observed sEMG from all trials. Spinal range of motion was significantly smaller in sheep compared to humans (UR / KN) during flexion (sheep: 6–11°; humans 12–34°) and extension (sheep: 4°; humans: 11–17°). During extension, MOE% of ES was greater in sheep (median: 77.37%) than UR humans (24.89%), and MOE% of OE and OI was greater in sheep (OE 76.20%; OI 67.31%) than KN humans (OE 21.45%; OI 19.34%), while MOE% of RA was lower in sheep (21.71%) than UR humans (82.69%). During flexion, MOE% of RA was greater in sheep (83.09%) than humans (KN 47.42%; UR 41.38%), and MOE% of ES in sheep (45.73%) was greater than KN humans (14.45%), but smaller than UR humans (72.36%). The differences in human and sheep spinal motion and muscle activity suggest that caution is warranted when ovine data are used to infer human spine biomechanics. PMID:26741136

Tear Fluid SIgA as a Noninvasive Biomarker of Mucosal Immunity and Common Cold Risk.

PubMed

Hanstock, Helen G; Walsh, Neil P; Edwards, Jason P; Fortes, Matthew B; Cosby, Sara L; Nugent, Aaron; Curran, Tanya; Coyle, Peter V; Ward, Mark D; Yong, Xin Hui Aw

2016-03-01

Research has not convincingly demonstrated the utility of saliva secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA) as a biomarker of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) risk, and disagreement exists about the influence of heavy exercise ("open-window theory") and dehydration on saliva SIgA. Prompted by the search for viable alternatives, we compared the utility of tear and saliva SIgA to predict URTI prospectively (study 1) and assessed the influence of exercise (study 2) and dehydration (study 3) using a repeated-measures crossover design. In study 1, 40 subjects were recruited during the common-cold season. Subjects provided tear and saliva samples weekly and recorded upper respiratory symptoms (URS) daily for 3 wk. Real-time PCR confirmed common-cold pathogens in 9 of 11 subjects reporting URS (82%). Predictive utility of tear and saliva SIgA was explored by comparing healthy samples with those collected during the week before URS. In study 2, 13 subjects performed a 2-h run at 65% V˙O2peak. In study 3, 13 subjects performed exercise heat stress to 3% body mass loss followed by overnight fluid restriction. Tear SIgA concentration and secretion rate were 48% and 51% lower, respectively, during URTI and 34% and 46% lower the week before URS (P < 0.05), but saliva SIgA remained unchanged. The risk of URS the following week increased ninefold (95% confidence interval, 1.7-48) when the tear SIgA secretion rate was <5.5 μg·min(-1) and sixfold (95% confidence interval, 1.2-29) when the tear SIgA secretion rate decreased >30%. Tear SIgA secretion rate >5.5 μg·min(-1) or no decrease of >30% predicted subjects free of URS in >80% of cases. Tear SIgA concentration decreased after exercise (-57%, P < 0.05) in line with the "open-window theory" but was unaffected by dehydration. Saliva flow rate decreased and saliva SIgA concentration increased after exercise and during dehydration (P < 0.05). Tear SIgA has utility as a noninvasive biomarker of mucosal immunity and common-cold risk.

Spinal Motion and Muscle Activity during Active Trunk Movements - Comparing Sheep and Humans Adopting Upright and Quadrupedal Postures.

PubMed

Valentin, Stephanie; Licka, Theresia F

2016-01-01

Sheep are used as models for the human spine, yet comparative in vivo data necessary for validation is limited. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare spinal motion and trunk muscle activity during active trunk movements in sheep and humans. Three-dimensional kinematic data as well as surface electromyography (sEMG) of spinal flexion and extension was compared in twenty-four humans in upright (UR) and 4-point kneeling (KN) postures and in 17 Austrian mountain sheep. Kinematic markers were attached over the sacrum, posterior iliac spines, and spinous and transverse processes of T5, T8, T11, L2 and L5 in humans and over the sacrum, tuber sacrale, T5, T8, T12, L3 and L7 in sheep. The activity of erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), obliquus externus (OE), and obliquus internus (OI) were collected. Maximum sEMG (MOE) was identified for each muscle and trial, and reported as a percentage (MOE%) of the overall maximally observed sEMG from all trials. Spinal range of motion was significantly smaller in sheep compared to humans (UR / KN) during flexion (sheep: 6-11°; humans 12-34°) and extension (sheep: 4°; humans: 11-17°). During extension, MOE% of ES was greater in sheep (median: 77.37%) than UR humans (24.89%), and MOE% of OE and OI was greater in sheep (OE 76.20%; OI 67.31%) than KN humans (OE 21.45%; OI 19.34%), while MOE% of RA was lower in sheep (21.71%) than UR humans (82.69%). During flexion, MOE% of RA was greater in sheep (83.09%) than humans (KN 47.42%; UR 41.38%), and MOE% of ES in sheep (45.73%) was greater than KN humans (14.45%), but smaller than UR humans (72.36%). The differences in human and sheep spinal motion and muscle activity suggest that caution is warranted when ovine data are used to infer human spine biomechanics.

The Rhetoric of "Unconditional Surrender" and the Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hikins, James W.

1983-01-01

Analyzes the decision to drop the atomic bomb from a rhetorical point of view, arguing that the bombs were launched because of an American commitment to a particular rhetoric that focused on the propaganda slogan "unconditional surrender." (PD)

Single use disposable digital flexible ureteroscopes: an ex-vivo assessment and cost analysis.

PubMed

Hennessey, D B; Fojecki, G; Papa, N; Lawrentschuk, N; Bolton, D

2018-04-15

The single use flexible ureteroscope (fURS), the LithoVue is an important recent development. We aim to measure the capability of this instrument and to assess if there is a benefit to switching to single use instruments. The LithoVue was compared to Olympus URF-V and Stortz Flex Xc ex-vivo. An analysis of reusable fURS usage was performed to evaluate damage, durability and maintenance costs. This was then compared to the projected costs of using single use instruments. Flexion, deflection and irrigation flow of the LithoVue was equivalent, if not better than reusable instruments. An analysis of 234 procedures with 7 new Olympus URF-V scopes, revealed 15 scope damages. Staghorn stones and lower pole/midzone stones were significant risk factors for damage, p=0.014. Once damage occurred, it was likely to occur again. Total repair costs were $162,628 (£92,411), the mean cost per case is $695 (£395). Factoring in the purchase cost, cleaning and repair costs, and the cumulative cost of 28 reusable fURS cases is approximately $50,000 (£28,412). If the LithoVue was priced at $1200 AUD, switching to a single use scope would cost approximately $35,000 (£19,888). The LithoVue is analogous to reusable fURS scopes in regard to standard technical metrics. Depending on its purchase cost it may also represent a cost saving for hospitals when compared to the cumulative costs of maintaining reusable fURS. Additionally, urologist may consider to use the scope in cases in which reusable scope damage is anticipated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota ingestion on common cold infection and herpes virus antibodies in endurance athletes: a placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

PubMed

Gleeson, Michael; Bishop, Nicolette C; Struszczak, Lauren

2016-08-01

To assess evidence of health and immune benefit by consumption of a Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotic in highly physically active people. Single-centre, population-based, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Daily ingestion of probiotic (PRO) or placebo (PLA) for 20 weeks for n = 243 (126 PRO, 117 PLA) university athletes and games players. Subjects completed validated questionnaires on upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (URS) on a daily basis and on physical activity status at weekly intervals during the intervention period. Blood samples were collected before and after 20 weeks of the intervention for determination of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus and antibody levels. URS episode incidence was unexpectedly low (mean 0.6 per individual) and was not significantly different on PRO compared with PLA. URS episode duration and severity were also not influenced by PRO. A significant time × group interaction effect was observed for plasma CMV antibody titres in CMV seropositive participants (p < 0.01) with antibody titre falling in the PRO group but remaining unchanged in the PLA group over time. A similar effect was found for plasma EBV antibody titres in EBV seropositive participants (p < 0.01) with antibody titre falling in the PRO group but increasing in the PLA group over time. In summary, regular ingestion of PRO did not reduce URS episode incidence which might be attributable to the low URS incidence in this study. Regular ingestion of PRO reduced plasma CMV and EBV antibody titres, an effect that can be interpreted as a benefit to overall immune status.

Simulation of RIRS in soft cadavers: a novel training model by the Cadaveric Research On Endourology Training (CRET) Study Group.

PubMed

Huri, Emre; Skolarikos, Andreas; Tatar, İlkan; Binbay, Murat; Sofikerim, Mustafa; Yuruk, Emrah; Karakan, Tolga; Sargon, Mustafa; Demiryurek, Deniz; Miano, Roberto; Bagcioglu, Murat; Ezer, Mehmet; Cracco, Cecilia Maria; Scoffone, Cesare Marco

2016-05-01

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the use of fresh-frozen concurrently with embalmed cadavers as initial training models for flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) in a group of urologists who were inexperienced in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Twelve urologists involved in a cadaveric fURS training course were enrolled into this prospective study. All the participants were inexperienced in fURS. Theoretical lectures and step-by-step tips and tricks video presentations on fURS were used to incorporate the technical background of the procedure to the hands-on-training course and to standardize the operating steps of the procedure. An 8-item survey was administered to the participants upon initiation and at the end of the course. Pre- and post-training scores were similar for each question. All the participants successfully completed the hands-on-training tasks. Mean pre-training duration [3.56 ± 2.0 min (range 1.21-7.46)] was significantly higher than mean post-training duration [1.76 ± 1.54 min (range 1.00-6.34)] (p = 0.008). At the end of the day, the trainers checked the integrity of the collecting system both by endoscopy and by fluoroscopy and could not detect any injury of the upper ureteral wall or pelvicalyceal structures. The functionality of the scopes was also checked, and no scope injury (including a reduction in the deflection capacity) was noted. The fURS simulation training model using soft human cadavers has the unique advantage of perfectly mimicking the living human tissues. This similarity makes this model one of the best if not the perfect simulator for an effective endourologic training.

Retrograde Ureteroscopic Management of Large Renal Calculi: A Single Institutional Experience and Concise Literature Review.

PubMed

Scotland, Kymora B; Rudnick, Benjamin; Healy, Kelly A; Hubosky, Scott G; Bagley, Demetrius H

2018-06-06

Advances in flexible ureteroscope design and accessory instrumentation have allowed for more challenging cases to be treated ureteroscopically. Here, we evaluate our experience with ureteroscopy (URS) for the management of large renal calculi (≥2 cm) and provide a concise review of recent reports. A retrospective review was undertaken of all URS cases between 2004 and 2014 performed by the endourologic team at a single academic tertiary care institution. We identified patients with at least one stone ≥2 cm managed with retrograde URS. Stone size was defined as the largest linear diameter of the index stone. Small diameter flexible ureteroscopes were used primarily with holmium laser. Patient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. We evaluated 167 consecutive patients who underwent URS for large renal stones ≥2 cm. The initial reason for choosing URS included patient preference (29.5%), failure of other therapies (8.2%), anatomic considerations/body habitus (30.3%), and comorbidities (28.8%). Mean patient age was 55.5 years (22-84). The mean stone size was 2.75 cm with mean number of procedures per patient of 1.65 (1-6). The single session stone-free rate was 57.1%, two-stage procedure stone-free rate was 90.2% and three-stage stone-free rate was 94.0%. Access sheaths were used in 47% of patients. An association was identified between stone size and patient outcomes; smaller stones correlated with decreased number of procedures. Postoperative complications were minor. Single or multi-stage retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and effective mode of surgical management of large renal calculi. Total stone burden is a reliable predictor of the need for a staged procedure and of stone-free rate.

Bilateral Same-Session Ureteroscopy for Treatment of Ureteral Calculi: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Ge, Hongwei; Zheng, Xiaoqing; Na, Yanqun; Hou, Xinzhi; Yu, Chengfan; Ding, Wenting; Wang, Yuyong; Yu, Zhijian; He, Huadong

2016-11-01

The traditional procedure for the management of bilateral ureteral stones is staged ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS). However, in recent years particularly, some urologists advocate same-session bilateral URS on the ground of success rates and minimal morbidity. This systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of same-session bilateral ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral calculi. We conducted a bibliographic search using MEDLINE (1980 to August 2015) and EMBASE (1980 to August 2015). Review articles and abstract data were excluded and only studies in English reporting on outcomes of bilateral URS were included in this meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each included studies and extracted data. STATA 12.0 was used for meta-analysis. In 11 studies, 431 patients were reportedly treated with bilateral URS. Most of the stone sizes were not larger than 20 mm. The mean stone-free rate is 96% for the distal ureter, 85% for the middle ureter, and 72% for the proximal ureter. The mean operative time ranged from 45 to 100 minutes with an average hospital stay from 2 to 4 days. The overall complications rates were 17%, with the incidence of postoperative fever 4%, postoperative pain 20%, and gross hematuria 4%. Other complications, including urosepsis, urinary tract infection, small mucosal laceration, stone migration, and ureteral perforation, accounted for 6% of overall complications. This meta-analysis found that bilateral same-session ureteroscopy could achieve a high overall stone-free rate. There might be a relatively higher complication incidence, but most of the complications are minor. For selected cases, bilateral URS could be safe and effective.

Forest soil CO2 fluxes as a function of understory removal and N-fixing species addition.

PubMed

Li, Haifang; Fu, Shenglei; Zhao, Hongting; Xia, Hanping

2011-01-01

We report on the effects of forest management practices of understory removal and N-fixing species (Cassia alata) addition on soil CO2 fluxes in an Eucalyptus urophylla plantation (EUp), Acacia crassicarpa plantation (ACp), 10-species-mixed plantation (Tp), and 30-species-mixed plantation (THp) using the static chamber method in southern China. Four forest management treatments, including (1) understory removal (UR); (2) C. alata addition (CA); (3) understory removal and replacement with C. alata (UR+CA); and (4) control without any disturbances (CK), were applied in the above four forest plantations with three replications for each treatment. The results showed that soil CO2 fluxes rates remained at a high level during the rainy season (from April to September), followed by a rapid decrease after October reaching a minimum in February. Soil CO2 fluxes were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in EUp (132.6 mg/(m2 x hr)) and ACp (139.8 mg/(m2 x hr)) than in Tp (94.0 mg/(m2 x hr)) and THp (102.9 mg/(m2 x hr)). Soil CO2 fluxes in UR and CA were significantly higher (P < 0.01) among the four treatments, with values of 105.7, 120.4, 133.6 and 112.2 mg/(m2 x hr) for UR+CA, UR, CA and CK, respectively. Soil CO2 fluxes were positively correlated with soil temperature (P < 0.01), soil moisture (P < 0.01), NO3(-)-N (P < 0.05), and litterfall (P < 0.01), indicating that all these factors might be important controlling variables for soil CO2 fluxes. This study sheds some light on our understanding of soil CO2 flux dynamics in forest plantations under various management practices.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones: influence of the collecting system's anatomy.

PubMed

Jessen, Jan Peter; Honeck, Patrick; Knoll, Thomas; Wendt-Nordahl, Gunnar

2014-02-01

The impact of renal anatomy on the success rate of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) for lower pole stones is less clear than it is on shock wave lithotripsy, for which it is a recognized influence factor. We analyzed safety and efficiency of fURS using modern endoscopes for lower pole stones dependent on the collecting system's configuration. We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive sample of 111 fURS for lower pole stones at our tertiary care center between January 2010 and September 2012 from our prospectively kept database. All procedures were performed with modern flexible ureterorenoscopes, nitinol baskets, holmium laser lithotripsy, and ureteral access sheaths whenever needed. The infundibular length (IL) and width (IW) and infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) were measured and the data were stratified for stone-free status and complications classified by the Clavien-Dindo scale. Univariate and multifactorial statistical analyses were performed. Correlation of operation time (OR-time) with anatomical parameters was conducted. Ninety-eight (88.3%) of the 111 patients were stone free after a single fURS. On multifactorial analysis, the stone size and IL had significant influence on the stone-free rate (SFR) (p<0.01), whereas IW did not. An acute IPA (<30°) also had significant influence (p=0.01). The incidence of complications and OR-time were not influenced by the pelvicaliceal anatomy. fURS is a safe and efficient treatment option for lower pole kidney stones. A long infundibulum and a very acute IPA (<30°) negatively affect the SFR. However, with second look procedures, a complete stone clearance is achievable even in case of unfavorable anatomic conditions. A narrow infundibulum has no negative effect while using modern endoscopes. The complication rate is not affected by the collecting system's anatomy.

Comparison of the Nanopulse Lithotripter to the Holmium Laser: Stone Fragmentation Efficiency and Impact on Flexible Ureteroscope Deflection and Flow.

PubMed

Kaplan, Adam G; Chen, Tony T; Sankin, Georgy; Yang, Chen; Dale, Joanne A; Simmons, W Neal; Zhong, Pei; Preminger, Glenn M; Lipkin, Michael Eric

2016-11-01

The Nanopulse Lithotripter (NPL; Lithotech Medical, Israel) is a novel intracorporeal device that uses a nanosecond duration electrical discharge through a reusable flexible coaxial probe to endoscopically fragment urinary stones. This device was compared with a holmium laser lithotripsy (HoL) with regard to stone fragmentation efficiency (SFE) and its impact on flexible ureteroscope (URS) deflection and flow of irrigation. Using a custom bench model, a 6 mm BegoStone cylindrical phantom (mixture 5:2) was confined under 0.9% saline atop sequential mesh sieves. The SFE of two NPL probe sizes (2.0F, 3.6F) and two HoL fibers (200, 365 μm) was evaluated using concordant settings of 1 J and 5 Hz. URS deflection and irrigation flow with NPL probes in the working channel were tested in five new fourth generation flexible URS and compared with other adjunct endourologic instruments. The 2.0F NPL showed improved SFE compared with the 200 μm laser (86 mg/min vs 52 mg/min, p = 0.014) as did the 3.6F NPL vs the 365 μm laser (173 mg/min vs 80 mg/min, p = 0.05). The NPL created more 1 to 2 mm fragments; the laser created more dust. URS deflection reduced by 3.75° with the 2.0 NPL probe. URS irrigation flow reduced from 36.5 to 6.3 mL/min with the 2.0F NPL probe. NPL shows improved SFE compared with HoL. Flow with the 2.0F probe is akin to a stone basket. NPL offers an effective alternative to HoL.

Regulation of L-ascorbic acid content in strawberry fruits

PubMed Central

Cruz-Rus, Eduardo; Amaya, Iraida; Sánchez-Sevilla, José F.; Botella, Miguel A.; Valpuesta, Victoriano

2011-01-01

Plants have several L-ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthetic pathways, but the contribution of each one to the synthesis of AsA varyies between different species, organs, and developmental stages. Strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) fruits are rich in AsA. The pathway that uses D-galacturonate as the initial substrate is functional in ripe fruits, but the contribution of other pathways to AsA biosynthesis has not been studied. The transcription of genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes such as D-galacturonate reductase (FaGalUR) and myo-inositol oxygenase (FaMIOX), and the AsA recycling enzyme monodehydroascorbate reductase (FaMDHAR) were positively correlated with the increase in AsA during fruit ripening. Fruit storage for 72 h in a cold room reduced the AsA content by 30%. Under an ozone atmosphere, this reduction was 15%. Ozone treatment increased the expression of the FaGalUR, FaMIOX, and L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase (FaGIPP) genes, and transcription of the L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (FaGLDH) and FAMDHAR genes was higher in the ozone-stored than in the air-stored fruits. Analysis of AsA content in a segregating population from two strawberry cultivars showed high variability, which did not correlate with the transcription of any of the genes studied. Study of GalUR protein in diverse cultivars of strawberry and different Fragaria species showed that a correlation between GalUR and AsA content was apparent in most cases, but it was not general. Three alleles were identified in strawberry, but any sequence effect on the AsA variability was eliminated by analysis of the allele-specific expression. Taken together, these results indicate that FaGalUR shares the control of AsA levels with other enzymes and regulatory elements in strawberry fruit. PMID:21561953

The effect of pulse width and contact configuration on paresthesia coverage in spinal cord stimulation.

PubMed

Holsheimer, Jan; Buitenweg, Jan R; Das, John; de Sutter, Paul; Manola, Ljubomir; Nuttin, Bart

2011-05-01

In spinal cord stimulation for the management of chronic, intractable pain, a satisfactory analgesic effect can be obtained only when the stimulation-induced paresthesias cover all painful body areas completely or partially. To investigate the effect of stimulus pulse width (PW) and contact configuration (CC) on the area of paresthesia (PA), perception threshold (VPT), discomfort threshold (VDT), and usage range (UR) in spinal cord stimulation. Chronic pain patients were tested during a follow-up visit. They were stimulated monopolarly and with the CC giving each patient the best analgesia. VPT, VDT, and UR were determined for PWs of 90, 210, and 450 microseconds. The paresthesia contours at VDT were drawn on a body map and digitized; PA was calculated; and its anatomic composition was described. The effects of PW and CC on PA, VPT, VDT, and UR were tested statistically. Twenty-four of 31 tests with low thoracic stimulation and 8 of 9 tests with cervical stimulation gave a significant extension of PA at increasing PW. In 14 of 18 tests (low thoracic), a caudal extension was obtained (primarily in L5-S2). In cervical stimulation the extension was predominantly caudal as well. In contrast to VPT and VDT, UR is not significantly different when stimulating with any CC. PA extends caudally with increasing PW. The mechanism includes that the larger and smaller dorsal column fibers have a different mediolateral distribution and that smaller dorsal column fibers have a smaller UR and can be activated only when PW is sufficiently large. A similar effect of CC on PA is unlikely as long as electrodes with a large intercontact distance are applied.

U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-29

Resolution 1368 (to combat terrorism). On September 20, Beijing said that it offered “unconditional support” in fighting terrorism. On September 20-21...bilateral relationship pursued by President Bush since late 2001. In the short-term, U.S. security policy toward Beijing sought counterterrorism...attacks), and its image as a responsible world power helped explain China’s supportive stance. However, Beijing also worried about U.S. military action

Latent Inhibition as a Function of US Intensity in a Two-Stage CER Procedure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez, Gabriel; Alonso, Gumersinda

2004-01-01

An experiment is reported in which the effect of unconditioned stimulus (US) intensity on latent inhibition (LI) was examined, using a two-stage conditioned emotional response (CER) procedure in rats. A tone was used as the pre-exposed and conditioned stimulus (CS), and a foot-shock of either a low (0.3 mA) or high (0.7 mA) intensity was used as…

Effect of Dorsal and Ventral Hippocampal Lesions on Contextual Fear Conditioning and Unconditioned Defensive Behavior Induced by Electrical Stimulation of the Dorsal Periaqueductal Gray

PubMed Central

Ballesteros, Carolina Irurita; de Oliveira Galvão, Bruno; Maisonette, Silvia; Landeira-Fernandez, J.

2014-01-01

The dorsal (DH) and ventral (VH) subregions of the hippocampus are involved in contextual fear conditioning. However, it is still unknown whether these two brain areas also play a role in defensive behavior induced by electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG). In the present study, rats were implanted with electrodes into the dPAG to determine freezing and escape response thresholds after sham or bilateral electrolytic lesions of the DH or VH. The duration of freezing behavior that outlasted electrical stimulation of the dPAG was also measured. The next day, these animals were subjected to contextual fear conditioning using footshock as an unconditioned stimulus. Electrolytic lesions of the DH and VH impaired contextual fear conditioning. Only VH lesions disrupted conditioned freezing immediately after footshock and increased the thresholds of aversive freezing and escape responses to dPAG electrical stimulation. Neither DH nor VH lesions disrupted post-dPAG stimulation freezing. These results indicate that the VH but not DH plays an important role in aversively defensive behavior induced by dPAG electrical stimulation. Interpretations of these findings should be made with caution because of the fact that a non-fiber-sparing lesion method was employed. PMID:24404134

A test of the opponent-process theory of motivation using lesions that selectively block morphine reward.

PubMed

Vargas-Perez, Hector; Ting-A-Kee, Ryan A; Heinmiller, Andrew; Sturgess, Jessica E; van der Kooy, Derek

2007-06-01

The opponent-process theory of motivation postulates that motivational stimuli activate a rewarding process that is followed by an opposed aversive process in a homeostatic control mechanism. Thus, an acute injection of morphine in nondependent animals should evoke an acute rewarding response, followed by a later aversive response. Indeed, the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus (TPP) mediates the rewarding effects of opiates in previously morphine-naive animals, but not other unconditioned effects of opiates, or learning ability. The aversive opponent process for acute morphine reward was revealed using a place-conditioning paradigm. The conditioned place aversion induced by 16-h spontaneous morphine withdrawal from an acute morphine injection in nondependent rats was abolished by TPP lesions performed prior to drug experience. However, TPP-lesioned rats did show conditioned aversions for an environment paired with the acute administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone, which blocks endogenous opioids. The results show that blocking the rewarding effects of morphine with TPP lesions also blocked the opponent aversive effects of acute morphine withdrawal in nondependent animals. Thus, this spontaneous withdrawal aversion (the opponent process) is induced by the acute rewarding effects of morphine and not by other unconditioned effects of morphine, the pharmacological effects of morphine or endogenous opioids being displaced from opiate receptors.

The Development of Permanent Medical Standards for Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Crew Personnel.

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

8217 ,-,. ,A.c,,, Jack Stuster, Ph.D. 2 Kevin Schneider3 ,.. Daniel Braun1 Dist 1 NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CA AL I 2 ANACAPA SCIENCES, INC...surf. 9. Operate craft while being towed. 10. Perlomr low speed waer -o-land transition In smooth water and obstades on beach. 11. PerformOf ur nderway...procedures, based on conditions and avable rionamaion 34. Respond and dmct crew response to a coision. 35. Pedorm high speed waer -to-aind tranition in

Dynamic of distribution of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells after transplantation into adult unconditioned mice.

PubMed

Allers, Carolina; Sierralta, Walter D; Neubauer, Sonia; Rivera, Francisco; Minguell, José J; Conget, Paulette A

2004-08-27

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for cell therapy relies on their capacity to engraft and survive long-term in the appropriate target tissue(s). Animal models have demonstrated that the syngeneic or xenogeneic transplantation of MSC results in donor engraftment into the bone marrow and other tissues of conditioned recipients. However, there are no reliable data showing the fate of human MSC infused into conditioned or unconditioned adult recipients. In the present study, the authors investigated, by using imaging, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in situ hybridization, the biodistribution of human bone marrow-derived MSC after intravenous infusion into unconditioned adult nude mice. As assessed by imaging (gamma camera), PCR, and in situ hybridization analysis, the authors' results demonstrate the presence of human MSC in bone marrow, spleen, and mesenchymal tissues of recipient mice. These results suggest that human MSC transplantation into unconditioned recipients represents an option for providing cellular therapy and avoids the complications associated with drugs or radiation conditioning.

The East-German Research Landscape in Transition. Part C. Research at East-German Universities

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-10

Software-Systemlosungen fUr Aufgaben der Qualit ~ tssicherung und Pr~zisionsmeBtechnik. Beratung zur automatisierten ProzeBsteuerung und rechnergestUtzten... Qualit ~ tssicherung Beratung zu Schnittstellenproblemen und zur Lichtzeichentechnik Beratung zu Auswahl und Einsatz von metrischen Bi...49 (351) 463-2786 with seventeen institutes. C45.wp-09 05 MAR 93 #4350 DEPARTMENT FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING. WATER- AND FOREST TECHNOLOGY Fakult~t fUr Bau

A Detailed Study and Synthesis of Flow Observables in the IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Scott; Shen, Chun; Fillion-Gourdeau, François; Jeon, Sangyong; Gale, Charles

2017-11-01

In this work we use the IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD framework to systematically study a wide range of hadronic flow observables at 2.76 TeV. In addition to the single particle spectra and anisotropic flow coefficients vn previously studied in [S. McDonald, C. Shen, F. Fillion-Gourdeau, S. Jeon and C. Gale, arxiv:arXiv:1609.02958 [hep-ph

Differences in net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity between major rice-based cropping systems in China.

PubMed

Xiong, Zhengqin; Liu, Yinglie; Wu, Zhen; Zhang, Xiaolin; Liu, Pingli; Huang, Taiqing

2015-12-02

Double rice (DR) and upland crop-single rice (UR) systems are the major rice-based cropping systems in China, yet differences in net global warming potential (NGWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) between the two systems are poorly documented. Accordingly, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in oil rape-rice-rice and wheat-rice (representing DR and UR, respectively) systems with straw incorporation (0, 3 and 6 t/ha) during the rice-growing seasons. Compared with the UR system, the annual CH4, N2O, grain yield and NGWP were significantly increased in the DR system, though little effect on SOC sequestration or GHGI was observed without straw incorporation. Straw incorporation increased CH4 emission and SOC sequestration but had no significant effect on N2O emission in both systems. Averaged over the three study years, straw incorporation had no significant effect on NGWP and GHGI in the UR system, whereas these parameters were greatly increased in the DR system, i.e., by 108% (3 t/ha) and 180% (6 t/ha) for NGWP and 103% (3 t/ha) and 168% (6 t/ha) for GHGI.

Differences in net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity between major rice-based cropping systems in China

PubMed Central

Xiong, Zhengqin; Liu, Yinglie; Wu, Zhen; Zhang, Xiaolin; Liu, Pingli; Huang, Taiqing

2015-01-01

Double rice (DR) and upland crop-single rice (UR) systems are the major rice-based cropping systems in China, yet differences in net global warming potential (NGWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) between the two systems are poorly documented. Accordingly, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in oil rape-rice-rice and wheat-rice (representing DR and UR, respectively) systems with straw incorporation (0, 3 and 6 t/ha) during the rice-growing seasons. Compared with the UR system, the annual CH4, N2O, grain yield and NGWP were significantly increased in the DR system, though little effect on SOC sequestration or GHGI was observed without straw incorporation. Straw incorporation increased CH4 emission and SOC sequestration but had no significant effect on N2O emission in both systems. Averaged over the three study years, straw incorporation had no significant effect on NGWP and GHGI in the UR system, whereas these parameters were greatly increased in the DR system, i.e., by 108% (3 t/ha) and 180% (6 t/ha) for NGWP and 103% (3 t/ha) and 168% (6 t/ha) for GHGI. PMID:26626733

Differences in net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity between major rice-based cropping systems in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Zhengqin; Liu, Yinglie; Wu, Zhen; Zhang, Xiaolin; Liu, Pingli; Huang, Taiqing

2015-12-01

Double rice (DR) and upland crop-single rice (UR) systems are the major rice-based cropping systems in China, yet differences in net global warming potential (NGWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) between the two systems are poorly documented. Accordingly, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in oil rape-rice-rice and wheat-rice (representing DR and UR, respectively) systems with straw incorporation (0, 3 and 6 t/ha) during the rice-growing seasons. Compared with the UR system, the annual CH4, N2O, grain yield and NGWP were significantly increased in the DR system, though little effect on SOC sequestration or GHGI was observed without straw incorporation. Straw incorporation increased CH4 emission and SOC sequestration but had no significant effect on N2O emission in both systems. Averaged over the three study years, straw incorporation had no significant effect on NGWP and GHGI in the UR system, whereas these parameters were greatly increased in the DR system, i.e., by 108% (3 t/ha) and 180% (6 t/ha) for NGWP and 103% (3 t/ha) and 168% (6 t/ha) for GHGI.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Treatment of Kidney Stones: Establishment as Primary Standard Therapy in a Tertiary Stone Center.

PubMed

Ising, Stephan; Labenski, Heike; Baltes, Stefan; Khaffaf, Aso; Thomas, Christian; Wiesner, Christoph

2015-01-01

To analyze the primary stone free rate (pSFR) of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) in the treatment of renal stones and to identify clinical predictors for the primary freedom from renal stones. Two hundred and seventy five patients, who underwent fURS for kidney stones were analyzed. Index stone size was 6 mm. The stone was located in the lower calyx in 48%. Ureteral access sheath was used in 97%. Operation time was 35 min and primary stone clearance was 83%. pSFR increased from 74% in 2012 to 83% in 2013 and 90% in 2014 (p = 0.001). Preoperative stenting, index stone size, cumulative stone size, lithotripsy, ureteral access sheath and operation time were significantly correlated with the pSFR by univariate analysis. Multivariate regression analysis showed index stone size, cumulative stone size, ureteral access sheath and operation time as independent parameters for pSFR. fURS for kidney stones is safe with a high pSFR. Clinical parameters for pSFR are stone size, use of ureteral access sheath and operation time. In future, the effective use of fURS for the removal of kidney stones needs to be checked by prospective randomized trials. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Unconditional security of quantum key distribution over arbitrarily long distances

PubMed

Lo; Chau

1999-03-26

Quantum key distribution is widely thought to offer unconditional security in communication between two users. Unfortunately, a widely accepted proof of its security in the presence of source, device, and channel noises has been missing. This long-standing problem is solved here by showing that, given fault-tolerant quantum computers, quantum key distribution over an arbitrarily long distance of a realistic noisy channel can be made unconditionally secure. The proof is reduced from a noisy quantum scheme to a noiseless quantum scheme and then from a noiseless quantum scheme to a noiseless classical scheme, which can then be tackled by classical probability theory.

THE ROLE OF AMYGDALAR MU OPIOID RECEPTORS IN ANXIETY-RELATED RESPONSES IN TWO RAT MODELS

PubMed Central

Wilson, Marlene A.; Junor, Lorain

2009-01-01

Amygdala opioids such as enkephalin appear to play some role in the control of anxiety and the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines, although the opioid receptor subtypes mediating such effects are unclear. This study compared the influences of mu opioid receptor (MOR) activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) on unconditioned fear or anxiety-like responses in two models, the elevated plus maze and the defensive burying test. The role of MOR in the anxiolytic actions of the benzodiazepine agonist diazepam was also examined using both models. Either the MOR agonist [D-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO) or the MOR antagonists Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTAP) or β-funaltrexamine (FNA) were bilaterally infused into the CEA of rats prior to testing. The results show that microinjection of DAMGO in the CEA decreased open arm time in the plus maze, while CTAP increased open arm behaviors. In contrast, DAMGO injections in the CEA reduced burying behaviors and increased rearing following exposure to a predator odor, suggesting a shift in the behavioral response in this context. Amygdala injections of the MOR agonist DAMGO or the MOR antagonist CTAP failed to change the anxiolytic effects of diazepam in either test. Our results demonstrate that MOR activation in the central amygdala exerts distinctive effects in two different models of unconditioned fear or anxiety-like responses, and suggest that opioids may exert context-specific regulation of amygdala output circuits and behavioral responses during exposure to potential threats (open arms of the maze) versus discrete threats (predator odor). PMID:18216773

Brain response to visceral aversive conditioning: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

Yágüez, Lidia; Coen, Steven; Gregory, Lloyd J; Amaro, Edson; Altman, Christian; Brammer, Michael J; Bullmore, Edward T; Williams, Steven C R; Aziz, Qasim

2005-06-01

Brain-imaging studies to date have confounded visceral pain perception with anticipation. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain to study the neuroanatomic network involved in aversive conditioning of visceral pain and, thus, anticipation. Eight healthy volunteers (5 male) participated in the study. We used a classic conditioning paradigm in which 3 neutral stimuli (differently colored circles) that acted as conditioned stimuli were paired with painful esophageal distention, air puff to the wrist, or nothing, which acted as unconditioned stimuli. Neural activity was measured during learning, anticipation (pairing only 50% of conditioned stimuli with their unconditioned stimuli), and extinction (unpaired conditioned stimuli) phases. For magnetic resonance imaging, axial slices depicting blood oxygen level-dependent contrast were acquired with a 1.5-T system. Neural responses during the learning phase included areas commonly associated with visceral pain (anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and primary and secondary somatosensory cortices) and innocuous somatosensory perception (primary and secondary somatosensory cortices and insula). During the anticipation and extinction phases of aversive stimulation, brain activity resembled that seen during actual painful esophageal stimulation. In contrast, anticipation and extinction of the innocuous somatic stimulus failed to show that effect. We have shown that actual and anticipated visceral pain elicit similar cortical responses. These results have implications for the design and interpretation of brain-imaging studies of visceral pain. They not only contribute to our understanding of the processing of visceral pain, but also have clinical implications for the management of chronic pain states.

Intracellular signalling and plasma hormone profiles associated with the expression of unconditioned and conditioned fear and anxiety in female rats.

PubMed

Simone, Jonathan J; McCormick, Cheryl M

2017-02-01

There is considerable overlap in the neural regions and intracellular signalling pathways implicated in anxiety and fear, although less is known in females. Here, we investigated whether unconditioned and conditioned fear are associated with distinct patterns of expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2), protein kinase B (Akt), and calcineurin (CaN) (proteins that are key regulators of the expression of and/or memory processes of fear and anxiety) in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and amygdala (important regions in neural fear circuitry) of adult female rats, and used a multivariate approach to find patterns of signalling that might discriminate between the different states of fear. To isolate fear to the conditioned cue from generalized fear to the test context, rats were conditioned to an auditory tone (i.e. tone paired with footshock) and twenty-four hours later exposed to a novel context in the presence or absence of the conditioned cue. A third group that was exposed to the conditioning context without undergoing fear conditioning was included to control for unconditioned responses to the testing procedures, which are anxiogenic. A discriminate function analysis and MANOVA determined that hippocampal signalling best discriminated the three groups from each other. The addition of values for plasma concentrations of corticosterone and progesterone (as indices of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress axis) to statistical analyses increased the separation of the three groups. There was high degree of association among the three signalling molecules in the four brain regions within each group. There was an absence of the associations between the medial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in the cued fear recall group that were strong for the non-conditioned group. These results demonstrated unique neuronal and hormonal signalling profiles associated with unconditioned, generalized, and conditioned fear expression in females and highlight the importance of including appropriate comparisons to best discriminate between these different emotional states. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

12 CFR 4.62 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members of a minority group or by one or more women... the partnership interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members who are individuals with... illegal use of drugs nor an individual who has a currently contagious disease or infection and who, by...

12 CFR 4.62 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members of a minority group or by one or more women... the partnership interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members who are individuals with... illegal use of drugs nor an individual who has a currently contagious disease or infection and who, by...

12 CFR 4.62 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members of a minority group or by one or more women... the partnership interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members who are individuals with... illegal use of drugs nor an individual who has a currently contagious disease or infection and who, by...

12 CFR 4.62 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members of a minority group or by one or more women... the partnership interest must be unconditionally-owned by one or more members who are individuals with... illegal use of drugs nor an individual who has a currently contagious disease or infection and who, by...

A 2e Parent's Journey: Persistence, Partnership, and the Provision of Unconditional Love

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brownstein, Michelle

2015-01-01

I have four children, three of whom are twice exceptional in the context of the new Community of Practice (2e CoP) definition highlighted in this issue. I share a personal story of a parent's journey in persistence, partnerships, and the provision of unconditional love.

The PSRO hospital review system.

PubMed

Goran, M J; Roberts, J S; Kellogg, M A; Fielding, J; Jessee, W

1975-04-01

The 1972 Social Security amendments contained the landmark Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) provisions as well as several sections upgrading existing utilization review (UR) requirements under Medicare and Medicaid. With issuance of the PSRO Program Manual and the recent publication of the new UR regulations, HEW for the first time has brought Medicare and Medicaid hospital review requirements into conformity and made them compatible with and supportive of the PSRO program. This article defines the PSRO hospital review system, describes how the three major components-concurrent review, medical care evaluation studies, and profile analysis-interrelate and provides examples of each of these components. Under utilization review requirements or PSRO, hospitals will be required to implement an integrated system of review designed to assure appropriate utilization practices and improve the quality of care. These aims are to be accomplished through the application of concepts of peer review, the use of norms, criteria, and standards, the identification of deficiencies in the quality, administration, or appropriateness of health care services, and their correction through linkage with programs of continuing medical education. Although PSROs are initially responsible for review in hospitals, they will likely provide the locus for a community-wide system of peer review for all services provided under National Health Insurance.

Using SNP genetic markers to elucidate the linkage of the Co-34/Phg-3 anthracnose and angular leaf spot resistance gene cluster with the Ur-14 resistance gene

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Ouro Negro common bean cultivar contains the Co-34/Phg-3 gene cluster that confers resistance to the anthracnose (ANT) and angular leaf spot (ALS) pathogens. These genes are tightly linked on chromosome 4. Ouro Negro also has the Ur-14 rust resistance gene, reportedly in the vicinity of Co- 34; ...

Coexistence of bipolar and unipolar resistive switching behaviors in the double-layer Ag/ZnS-Ag/CuAlO2/Pt memory device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Xu, Haiyang; Wang, Zhongqiang; Yu, Hao; Ma, Jiangang; Liu, Yichun

2016-01-01

The coexistence of uniform bipolar and unipolar resistive-switching (RS) characteristics was demonstrated in a double-layer Ag/ZnS-Ag/CuAlO2/Pt memory device. By changing the compliance current (CC) from 1 mA to 10 mA, the RS behavior can be converted from the bipolar mode (BRS) to the unipolar mode (URS). The temperature dependence of low resistance states further indicates that the CFs are composed of the Ag atoms and Cu vacancies for the BRS mode and URS mode, respectively. For this double-layer structure device, the thicker conducting filaments (CFs) will be formed in the ZnS-Ag layer, and it can act as tip electrodes. Thus, the formation and rupture of these two different CFs are located in the CuAlO2 layer, realizing the uniform and stable BRS and URS.

Water Content of Lunar Alkali Fedlspar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mills, R. D.; Simon, J. I.; Wang, J.; Alexander, C. M. O'D.; Hauri, E. H.

2016-01-01

Detection of indigenous hydrogen in a diversity of lunar materials, including volcanic glass, melt inclusions, apatite, and plagioclase suggests water may have played a role in the chemical differentiation of the Moon. Spectroscopic data from the Moon indicate a positive correlation between water and Th. Modeling of lunar magma ocean crystallization predicts a similar chemical differentiation with the highest levels of water in the K- and Th-rich melt residuum of the magma ocean (i.e. urKREEP). Until now, the only sample-based estimates of water content of KREEP-rich magmas come from measurements of OH, F, and Cl in lunar apatites, which suggest a water concentration of < 1 ppm in urKREEP. Using these data, predict that the bulk water content of the magma ocean would have <10 ppm. In contrast, estimate water contents of 320 ppm for the bulk Moon and 1.4 wt % for urKREEP from plagioclase in ferroan anorthosites. Results and interpretation: NanoSIMS data from granitic clasts from Apollo sample 15405,78 show that alkali feldspar, a common mineral in K-enriched rocks, can have approx. 20 ppm of water, which implies magmatic water contents of approx. 1 wt % in the high-silica magmas. This estimate is 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that estimated from apatite in similar rocks. However, the Cl and F contents of apatite in chemically similar rocks suggest that these melts also had high Cl/F ratios, which leads to spuriously low water estimates from the apatite. We can only estimate the minimum water content of urKREEP (+ bulk Moon) from our alkali feldspar data because of the unknown amount of degassing that led to the formation of the granites. Assuming a reasonable 10 to 100 times enrichment of water from urKREEP into the granites produces an estimate of 100-1000 ppm of water for the urKREEP reservoir. Using the modeling of and the 100-1000 ppm of water in urKREEP suggests a minimum bulk silicate Moon water content between 2 and 20 ppm. However, hydrogen loss was likely very significant in the evolution of the lunar mantle. Conclusions: Lunar granites crystallized between 4.3-3.8 Ga from relatively wet melts that degassed upon crystallization. The formation of these granites likely removed significant amounts of water from some mantle source regions, e.g. later mare basalts predicting derivation from a mantle with <10 ppm water. However, this would have been a heterogeneous pro-cess based on K distribution. Thus some, if not most of the mantle may not have been devolatilized by this process; as seen by water in volcanic glasses and melt inclusions.

Interest Inventory Items as Attitude Eliciting Stimuli in Classical Conditioning: A Test of the A-R-D Theory. Language, Personality, and Cross-Cultural Study and Measurement of the Human A-R-D (Motivational) System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gross, Michael C.; Staats, Arthur W.

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that interest inventory items elicit classically conditionable attitudinal responses. A higher-order conditioning procedure was used in which items from the Strong Vocational Interest Blank were employed as unconditioned stimuli and nonsense syllables as conditioned stimuli. Items for which the…

Linearly first- and second-order, unconditionally energy stable schemes for the phase field crystal model

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

Yang, Xiaofeng, E-mail: xfyang@math.sc.edu; Han, Daozhi, E-mail: djhan@iu.edu

2017-02-01

In this paper, we develop a series of linear, unconditionally energy stable numerical schemes for solving the classical phase field crystal model. The temporal discretizations are based on the first order Euler method, the second order backward differentiation formulas (BDF2) and the second order Crank–Nicolson method, respectively. The schemes lead to linear elliptic equations to be solved at each time step, and the induced linear systems are symmetric positive definite. We prove that all three schemes are unconditionally energy stable rigorously. Various classical numerical experiments in 2D and 3D are performed to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposedmore » schemes.« less

Effects of UCS intensity and duration of exposure of nonreinforced CS on conditioned electrodermal responses: an experimental analysis of the incubation theory of anxiety.

PubMed

Chorot, P; Sandín, B

1993-12-01

Eysenck's incubation theory of fear or anxiety was examined in a human Pavlovian conditioning experiment with skin-conductance responses as the dependent variable. The conditioned stimuli (CSs) were fear-relevant slides (snakes and spiders) and the unconditioned stimuli (UCSs) were aversive tones. Different groups of subjects were presented two tone intensities during the acquisition phase and three durations of nonreinforced CS (extinction phase) in a delay differential conditioning paradigm. Resistance to extinction of conditioned skin-conductance responses (conditioned fear responses) exhibited was largest for high intensity of tone and short presentations of the nonreinforced CS (CS+presented alone). The result tends to support Eysenck's incubation theory of anxiety.

13 CFR 127.200 - What are the requirements a concern must meet to qualify as an EDWOSB or WOSB?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT ASSISTANCE PROCEDURES... percent unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States... unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens. ...

Unconditional Space: Turning Risk into Resilience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smart, Max

2012-01-01

The concept of "space" has been used in youth care parlance to describe how and where relational care with youth takes place. Interpersonal space is central to child and youth care practice. It is the realm in which helping adults work to engage and connect with a youth. Unconditional space is designed around the "needs" of the…

13 CFR 127.201 - What are the requirements for ownership of an EDWOSB and WOSB?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... ADMINISTRATION WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM Eligibility Requirements To Qualify as an... qualify as an EDWOSB one or more economically disadvantaged women must unconditionally and directly own at least 51 percent of the concern. To qualify as a WOSB, one or more women must unconditionally and...

13 CFR 127.201 - What are the requirements for ownership of an EDWOSB and WOSB?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... ADMINISTRATION WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM Eligibility Requirements To Qualify as an... qualify as an EDWOSB one or more economically disadvantaged women must unconditionally and directly own at least 51 percent of the concern. To qualify as a WOSB, one or more women must unconditionally and...

13 CFR 127.201 - What are the requirements for ownership of an EDWOSB and WOSB?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... ADMINISTRATION WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM Eligibility Requirements To Qualify as an... qualify as an EDWOSB one or more economically disadvantaged women must unconditionally and directly own at least 51 percent of the concern. To qualify as a WOSB, one or more women must unconditionally and...

Unconditional security proof of long-distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution with discrete modulation.

PubMed

Leverrier, Anthony; Grangier, Philippe

2009-05-08

We present a continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol combining a discrete modulation and reverse reconciliation. This protocol is proven unconditionally secure and allows the distribution of secret keys over long distances, thanks to a reverse reconciliation scheme efficient at very low signal-to-noise ratio.

Matched samples logistic regression in case-control studies with missing values: when to break the matches.

PubMed

Hansson, Lisbeth; Khamis, Harry J

2008-12-01

Simulated data sets are used to evaluate conditional and unconditional maximum likelihood estimation in an individual case-control design with continuous covariates when there are different rates of excluded cases and different levels of other design parameters. The effectiveness of the estimation procedures is measured by method bias, variance of the estimators, root mean square error (RMSE) for logistic regression and the percentage of explained variation. Conditional estimation leads to higher RMSE than unconditional estimation in the presence of missing observations, especially for 1:1 matching. The RMSE is higher for the smaller stratum size, especially for the 1:1 matching. The percentage of explained variation appears to be insensitive to missing data, but is generally higher for the conditional estimation than for the unconditional estimation. It is particularly good for the 1:2 matching design. For minimizing RMSE, a high matching ratio is recommended; in this case, conditional and unconditional logistic regression models yield comparable levels of effectiveness. For maximizing the percentage of explained variation, the 1:2 matching design with the conditional logistic regression model is recommended.

In Vitro Susceptibilities of Malassezia Species to a New Triazole, Albaconazole (UR-9825), and Other Antifungal Compounds

PubMed Central

Garau, Margarita; Pereiro, Jr., Manolo; del Palacio, Amalia

2003-01-01

The in vitro activity of the new triazole albaconazole (UR-9825) in comparison with those of flucytosine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole against 70 strains of Malassezia spp. was determined by a microdilution method using a colorimetric indicator for metabolic activity. Albaconazole showed an in vitro profile similar to those of the different antifungals tested (MIC ≤ 0.06 μg/ml for all the strains). PMID:12821494

Environmental Assessment for Capital Improvement Projects, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. Volume 2 of 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

2003 Air Emission Inventory, July 2004. o The generators are assumed to be diesel-fired and have a horsepower rating of less than 600 hp. o...In July 2003, the 460th LRS purchased and installed an automated movable storage system for mobility bag storage. This system eliminates wasted aisle...Installation Restoration Program Draft Final Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis IRP Site 4. July . • URS Corporation (URS). 2003a. Buckley Air Force

Influence of a ketogenic diet, fish-oil, and calorie restriction on plasma metabolites and lipids in C57BL/6J mice

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Diet therapies including calorie restriction, ketogenic diets, and fish-oil supplementation have been used to improve health and to treat a variety of neurological and non-neurological diseases. Methods We investigated the effects of three diets on circulating plasma metabolites (glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate), hormones (insulin and adiponectin), and lipids over a 32-day period in C57BL/6J mice. The diets evaluated included a standard rodent diet (SD), a ketogenic diet (KD), and a standard rodent diet supplemented with fish-oil (FO). Each diet was administered in either unrestricted (UR) or restricted (R) amounts to reduce body weight by 20%. Results The KD-UR increased body weight and glucose levels and promoted a hyperlipidemic profile, whereas the FO-UR decreased body weight and glucose levels and promoted a normolipidemic profile, compared to the SD-UR. When administered in restricted amounts, all three diets produced a similar plasma metabolite profile, which included decreased glucose levels and a normolipidemic profile. Linear regression analysis showed that circulating glucose most strongly predicted body weight and triglyceride levels, whereas calorie intake moderately predicted glucose levels and strongly predicted ketone body levels. Conclusions These results suggest that biomarkers of health can be improved when diets are consumed in restricted amounts, regardless of macronutrient composition. PMID:24910707

Heat release, time required, and cleaning ability of MTwo R and ProTaper universal retreatment systems in the removal of filling material.

PubMed

Bramante, Clovis Monteiro; Fidelis, Natasha Siqueira; Assumpção, Tatiana Santos; Bernardineli, Norberti; Garcia, Roberto Brandão; Bramante, Alexandre Silva; de Moraes, Ivaldo Gomes

2010-11-01

This ex vivo study evaluated the heat release, time required, and cleaning efficacy of MTwo (VDW, Munich, Germany) and ProTaper Universal Retreatment systems (Dentsply/Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and hand instrumentation in the removal of filling material. Sixty single-rooted human teeth with a single straight canal were obturated with gutta-percha and zinc oxide and eugenol-based cement and randomly allocated to 3 groups (n = 20). After 30-day storage at 37 °C and 100% humidity, the root fillings were removed using ProTaper UR, MTwo R, or hand files. Heat release, time required, and cleaning efficacy data were analyzed statistically (analysis of variance and the Tukey test, α = 0.05). None of the techniques removed the root fillings completely. Filling material removal with ProTaper UR was faster but caused more heat release. Mtwo R produced less heat release than the other techniques but was the least efficient in removing gutta-percha/sealer. ProTaper UR and MTwo R caused the greatest and lowest temperature increase on root surface, respectively; regardless of the type of instrument, more heat was released in the cervical third. Pro Taper UR needed less time to remove fillings than MTwo R. All techniques left filling debris in the root canals. Copyright © 2010 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Ureteroscopy Prior to Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Increased the Risk of Intravesical Recurrence.

PubMed

Tan, Ping; Xie, Nan; Yang, Lu; Liu, Liangren; Tang, Zhuang; Wei, Qiang

2018-01-01

To assess the impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) prior to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) on intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). A systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane library was performed in August 2017. Cumulative analyses of available hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% CI were conducted using Stata version 12.0. Eleven studies including 4,057 participants were included, with a total of 1,403 patients diagnosed with IVR during the follow-up period. The pooled HRs of eight studies suggested that diagnostic URS prior to RNU significantly increased the IVR risk after RNU (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.31-1.77; p < 0.001). However, the preoperative diagnostic URS was not associated with cancer-specific survival (HR 0.72; p = 0.11), metastasis-free survival (HR 1.09; p = 0.60) or overall survival (HR 1.12; p = 0.73). No publication bias was observed (Begg, p = 0.90; Egger, p = 0.71). Regardless, the diagnostic URS prior to RNU might increase the IVR risk in patients with UTUC. As ureteroscopy provides important prognostic and therapeutic value and guides decisions in UTUC, more future studies should be performed to find a novel way to mitigate the potential risk of IVR after RNU, such as chemoprophylaxis after endoscopy. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

geant4 hadronic cascade models analysis of proton and charged pion transverse momentum spectra from p + Cu and Pb collisions at 3, 8, and 15 GeV/c

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

Abdel-Waged, Khaled; Benha University, Faculty of Science, Physics Department; Felemban, Nuha

2011-07-15

We describe how various hadronic cascade models, which are implemented in the geant4 toolkit, describe proton and charged pion transverse momentum spectra from p + Cu and Pb collisions at 3, 8, and 15 GeV/c, recently measured in the hadron production (HARP) experiment at CERN. The Binary, ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) and modified FRITIOF (FTF) hadronic cascade models are chosen for investigation. The first two models are based on limited (Binary) and branched (UrQMD) binary scattering between cascade particles which can be either a baryon or meson, in the three-dimensional space of the nucleus, while the latter (FTF) considersmore » collective interactions between nucleons only, on the plane of impact parameter. It is found that the slow (p{sub T}{<=}0.3 GeV/c) proton spectra are quite sensitive to the different treatments of cascade pictures, while the fast (p{sub T}>0.3 GeV/c) proton spectra are not strongly affected by the differences between the FTF and UrQMD models. It is also shown that the UrQMD and FTF combined with Binary (FTFB) models could reproduce both proton and charged pion spectra from p + Cu and Pb collisions at 3, 8, and 15 GeV/c with the same accuracy.« less

[Effects of combined use of total alkaloids of Uncaria rhynchophylla and Coryadlis ambailis migo on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats].

PubMed

Hu, Xue-yong; Sun, An-sheng; Sui, Yu-xia

2007-11-01

To study the effects of combined use of total alkaloids (TA) of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and Coryadlis ambailis migo (CAM) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Rat model of middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion was established, the changes of neurological state was scored before and after treatment with the two kinds of TA, single or combined, and the changes of cerebral infarcted volume, cerebral water content, activities of NOS and SOD and content of MDA in rats' brain were estimated as well. After being treated with the combination of both TA, the average neurological score, cerebral infracted volume, cerebral water content, activity of NOS and content of MDA in the model rats significantly decreased, and the activity of SOD was significantly increased (all P < 0.05). The effect of combined use of the two TA was higher than that of use TA of UR or CAM alone (P <0.05). Moreover, the central nervous system inhibitory effect induced by combined TA was significantly weaker than that of UR. Combined use of TA of UR and CAM may facilitate the protection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage, the action mechanism might be relevant to reducing the lipid peroxidation injury of brain cells through inhibiting the NOS activity and increasing the SOD activity.

A train of electrical pulses applied to the primary auditory cortex evokes a conditioned response in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Okuda, Yuji; Shikata, Hiroshi; Song, Wen-Jie

2011-09-01

As a step to develop auditory prosthesis by cortical stimulation, we tested whether a single train of pulses applied to the primary auditory cortex could elicit classically conditioned behavior in guinea pigs. Animals were trained using a tone as the conditioned stimulus and an electrical shock to the right eyelid as the unconditioned stimulus. After conditioning, a train of 11 pulses applied to the left AI induced the conditioned eye-blink response. Cortical stimulation induced no response after extinction. Our results support the feasibility of auditory prosthesis by electrical stimulation of the cortex. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.

Acute and transient activation of pituitary-thyroid axis during unforced restriction in rats: component of nonshivering thermogenesis in conscious animals?

PubMed

Langer, P; Földes, O; Macho, L; Kvetnanský, R

1983-01-01

Groups of 6-8 male Wistar Olac SPF rats weighing about 300 g were subjected to unforced restriction (UR) in small cages with a metallic bottom and a Plexiglas cover for various intervals from 2 min to 72 h. An acute activation of the pituitary-thyroid axis was found which was manifested by an increase of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels at 2-5 min of UR. This was presumably due to the emotional effect of a rapid transfer and to the placing of the animals into restriction cages. Later, between 3 and 6 h of UR, another, and more pronounced period of activation of the pituitary-thyroid axis and of the peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism was repeatedly observed which lasted until about 36-48 h and was manifested by a highly significant increase of TSH, T4, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) levels. It was concluded that this phenomenon presumably may be a component of nonshivering thermogenesis resulting from a decreased muscular activity and resembling the conditions occurring under cold stress. Such a view was supported by findings of highly increased nonesterified fatty acid levels in plasma in restricted animals, by unchanged levels of TSH and thyroid hormones found in unrestricted animals kept individually in regular group cages and, finally, by a preventive effect of ambient temperature of 32 degrees C on the pituitary-thyroid activation at 6 h of UR. In some experiments, no substantial differences in hormone levels were found between the animals kept in Plexiglas or stainless wire-mesh restriction cages. Finally, a multifold increase of prolactin level in plasma was found as early as 2 min of UR, the peak being observed between 5 and 20 min and a decrease to about the initial level at about 360 min.

Stable isotope deltas: Tiny, yet robust signatures in nature

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brand, Willi A.; Coplen, Tyler B.

2012-01-01

Although most of them are relatively small, stable isotope deltas of naturally occurring substances are robust and enable workers in anthropology, atmospheric sciences, biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, food and drug authentication, forensic science, geochemistry, geology, oceanography, and paleoclimatology to study a variety of topics. Two fundamental processes explain the stable isotope deltas measured in most terrestrial systems: isotopic fractionation and isotope mixing. Isotopic fractionation is the result of equilibrium or kinetic physicochemical processes that fractionate isotopes because of small differences in physical or chemical properties of molecular species having different isotopes. It is shown that the mixing of radioactive and stable isotope end members can be modelled to provide information on many natural processes, including 14C abundances in the modern atmosphere and the stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the oceans during glacial and interglacial times. The calculation of mixing fractions using isotope balance equations with isotope deltas can be substantially in error when substances with high concentrations of heavy isotopes (e.g. 13C, 2H, and 18O ) are mixed. In such cases, calculations using mole fractions are preferred as they produce accurate mixing fractions. Isotope deltas are dimensionless quantities. In the International System of Units (SI), these quantities have the unit 1 and the usual list of prefixes is not applicable. To overcome traditional limitations with expressing orders of magnitude differences in isotope deltas, we propose the term urey (symbol Ur), after Harold C. Urey, for the unit 1. In such a manner, an isotope delta value expressed traditionally as−25 per mil can be written as−25 mUr (or−2.5 cUr or−0.25 dUr; the use of any SI prefix is possible). Likewise, very small isotopic differences often expressed in per meg ‘units’ are easily included (e.g. either+0.015 ‰ or+15 per meg can be written as+15 μUr.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy versus Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for the Treatment of Renal Stones.

PubMed

Ergin, Giray; Kirac, Mustafa; Kopru, Burak; Ebiloglu, Turgay; Biri, Hasan

2018-04-22

To compare the pain status and stone free rates of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) versus mini-percutaneousnephrolithotomy (mini-PNL) for the treatment of 1-to 2-cm renal stones. This study was retrospectively designed with match paired method. Between January 2013 and December 2016, 387 patients underwent stone surgery for renal stones, 45 patients underwent FURS and 45 patients underwent mini-PNL. 90 patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures. Group 1 patients underwent F-URS, and Group 2 patients underwent mini-PNL. During the intraoperative andpostoperative periods, pain management for all patients was standardized. Pain scores were determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS) completed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. The stone free status, hemoglobin levels, fluoroscopy time (FT), operation time (OT), hospitalization time (HT), return to work time (RWT), and complications were noted for each patient. Of all patients, the mean age was 41.1 ± 12.1 years and the mean stone size was 13.9 ± 2.9 mm. The VAS scores were significantly higher in the mini-PNL group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours (P < .05). The stone-free status and complication rates were similar between the two groups (P > .05); however, the hemoglobin decreases and the fluoroscopy, operation, hospitalization and return to work times were higher in the mini-PNL group than in the F-URS group (P < .05). F-URS is less painful than mini-PNL for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm renal stones. However, the stone free rate is similar between the two procedures while mini-PNL is superior in terms of fluoroscopy, operation, hospitalization and return to work duration. We think that F-URS is more comfortable and less painful than mini-PNL and achieves a similar stone free rate for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm renal stones.

The GABA(B) receptor positive modulator BHF177 attenuated anxiety, but not conditioned fear, in rats.

PubMed

Li, Xia; Kaczanowska, Katarzyna; Finn, M G; Markou, Athina; Risbrough, Victoria B

2015-10-01

GABAB (γ-aminobutyric acid B) receptors may be a therapeutic target for anxiety disorders. Here we characterized the effects of the GABAB receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) BHF177 on conditioned and unconditioned physiological responses to threat in the light-enhanced startle (LES), stress-induced hyperthermia, and fear-potentiated startle (FPS) procedures in rats. The effects of BHF177 on LES were compared with those of the GABAB receptor agonists baclofen and CGP44532, and the positive control buspirone, a 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist with anxiolytic activity in humans. Baclofen (0.4, 0.9 and 1.25 mg/kg) and CGP44532 (0.065, 0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg) administration had significant sedative, but not anxiolytic, activity reflected in overall decrease in the startle response in the LES tests. BHF177 (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) had no effect on LES, nor did it produce an overall sedative effect. Interesting, however, when rats were grouped by high and low LES responses, BHF177 had anxiolytic-like effects only on LES in high, but not low, LES responding rats. BHF177 also blocked stress-induced hyperthermia, but had no effect on conditioned fear responses in the FPS test. Buspirone (1 and 3 mg/kg) had an anxiolytic-like profile in both LES and FPS tests. These results indicate that BHF177 may specifically attenuate unconditioned anxiety in individuals that exhibit a high anxiety state, and has fewer sedative effects than direct agonists. Thus, BHF177 or other GABAB receptor PAMs may be promising compounds for alleviating increased anxiety seen in various psychiatric disorders with a superior side-effect profile compared to GABAB receptor agonists. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Acetylcholine release in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system during cocaine seeking: conditioned and unconditioned contributions to reward and motivation.

PubMed

You, Zhi-Bing; Wang, Bin; Zitzman, Dawnya; Wise, Roy A

2008-09-03

Microdialysis was used to assess the contribution to cocaine seeking of cholinergic input to the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system in ventral tegmental area (VTA). VTA acetylcholine (ACh) was elevated in animals lever pressing for intravenous cocaine and in cocaine-experienced and cocaine-naive animals passively receiving similar "yoked" injections. In cocaine-trained animals, the elevations comprised an initial (first hour) peak to approximately 160% of baseline and a subsequent plateau of 140% of baseline for the rest of the cocaine intake period. In cocaine-naive animals, yoked cocaine injections raised ACh levels to the 140% plateau but did not cause the initial 160% peak. In cocaine-trained animals that received unexpected saline (extinction conditions) rather than the expected cocaine, the initial peak was seen but the subsequent plateau was absent. VTA ACh levels played a causal role and were not just a correlate of cocaine seeking. Blocking muscarinic input to the VTA increased cocaine intake; the increase in intake offset the decrease in cholinergic input, resulting in the same VTA dopamine levels as were seen in the absence of the ACh antagonists. Increased VTA ACh levels (resulting from 10 microM VTA neostigmine infusion) increased VTA dopamine levels and reinstated cocaine seeking in cocaine-trained animals that had undergone extinction; these effects were strongly attenuated by local infusion of a muscarinic antagonist and weakly attenuated by a nicotinic antagonist. These findings identify two cholinergic responses to cocaine self-administration, an unconditioned response to cocaine itself and a conditioned response triggered by cocaine-predictive cues, and confirm that these cholinergic responses contribute to the control of cocaine seeking.

Eye Movement in Response to Single and Multiple Targets

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-01

pursuit control system. METHOD The SVFB technique was described in detail elsewhere (Zeevi et al., 1979). Displaying, to the subject, the point of gaze , in...34 The subject was presented with his point of gaze using the unconditioned SVFB signal (gain = 1, eccentric bias = 0). The SVFB signal was locked on the...superimposing the SVFB on the target, is gazing away from it and thus achieves eccentric fixation (Zeevi et al., 1979). As the subject moves from one

S-R associations, their extinction, and recovery in an animal model of anxiety: a new associative account of phobias without recall of original trauma.

PubMed

Laborda, Mario A; Miller, Ralph R

2011-06-01

Associative accounts of the etiology of phobias have been criticized because of numerous cases of phobias in which the client does not remember a relevant traumatic event (i.e., Pavlovian conditioning trial), instructions, or vicarious experience with the phobic object. In three lick suppression experiments with rats as subjects, we modeled an associative account of such fears. Experiment 1 assessed stimulus-response (S-R) associations in first-order fear conditioning. After behaviorally complete devaluation of the unconditioned stimulus, the target stimulus still produced strong conditioned responses, suggesting that an S-R association had been formed and that this association was not significantly affected when the outcome was devalued through unsignaled presentations of the unconditioned stimulus. Experiments 2 and 3 examined extinction and recovery of S-R associations. Experiment 2 showed that extinguished S-R associations returned when testing occurred outside of the extinction context (i.e., renewal) and Experiment 3 found that a long delay between extinction and testing also produced a return of the extinguished S-R associations (i.e., spontaneous recovery). These experiments suggest that fears for which people cannot recall a cause are explicable in an associative framework, and indicate that those fears are susceptible to relapse after extinction treatment just like stimulus-outcome (S-O) associations. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Demonstration of Advanced Geophysics and Classification Technologies on Munitions Response Sites, Pole Mountain Target and Maneuver Area, Wyoming

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

both a transmitter and receiver antenna. The lower coil was located 42 cm above the ground surface for optimal data collection using the standard wheel ... eccentricity . Over 54% (26 of the 46) had P0x parameter values below the 4,500 Category 3 threshold in order to reduce the risk of missing TOI smaller...it is not uncommon to have a large eccentricity for an ordnance item. As previously stated, URS used LM as secondary, in that it served to override

The Impact of an Unconditional Cash Transfer on Early Child Development: The Zambia Child Grant Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seidenfeld, David; Prencipe, Leah; Handa, Sudhanshu; Hawkinson, Laura

2015-01-01

Little research has been conducted on unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) despite their growing prevalence in Africa, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Uganda. In this study, researchers implemented a randomized control trial with over 2,500 households to investigate the impact of Africa's child grant program on…

Quantum cryptography with finite resources: unconditional security bound for discrete-variable protocols with one-way postprocessing.

PubMed

Scarani, Valerio; Renner, Renato

2008-05-23

We derive a bound for the security of quantum key distribution with finite resources under one-way postprocessing, based on a definition of security that is composable and has an operational meaning. While our proof relies on the assumption of collective attacks, unconditional security follows immediately for standard protocols such as Bennett-Brassard 1984 and six-states protocol. For single-qubit implementations of such protocols, we find that the secret key rate becomes positive when at least N approximately 10(5) signals are exchanged and processed. For any other discrete-variable protocol, unconditional security can be obtained using the exponential de Finetti theorem, but the additional overhead leads to very pessimistic estimates.

In Vitro Activities of Four Novel Triazoles against Scedosporium spp.

PubMed Central

Carrillo, A. J.; Guarro, J.

2001-01-01

In order to develop new approaches to the treatment of the severe and usually fatal infections caused by Scedosporium spp., the in vitro antifungal activities of four novel triazoles (posaconazole, ravuconazole, voriconazole, and UR-9825) and some current antifungals (amphotericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and nystatin) were determined. The latter group was clearly ineffective against the two species tested. The four new antifungals showed activity against Scedosporium apiospermum, and UR-9825 and voriconazole were active against S. prolificans. PMID:11408242

Treatment of small lower pole calculi--SWL vs. URS vs. PNL?

PubMed

Knoll, Thomas; Tasca, Andrea; Buchholz, Noor P

2011-03-01

According to current guideline recommendations extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) remains the first choice treatment for small and mid-sized renal calculi. However, the results of SWL treatment for lower pole stones can be disappointing whilst more invasive endoscopic modalities, such as flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) are often considered more effective. This article summarizes a point-counterpoint discussion at the 9th eULIS symposium in Como, Italy, and discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the different therapeutic approaches.

A Short History of War: The Evolution of Warfare and Weapons. Professional Readings in Military Strategy Number 5

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-30

first employed on large scale public works projects-building dikes, irrigation systems, the pyramids, and ziggurats of ancient Sumer-it was but a...original Sumerian word for the southern part of Iraq, the site of Sumer with its capital at the city of Ur . If the river is followed northward from...The first historical evidence of soldiers wearing helmets is also provided on the stele. From the bodies of soldiers found in the Death Pits of Ur

Draft Environmental Assessment for the Combat Support Training Complex, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-25

nwdas Green Seaturtle PK E E 1,19 FISH Acipenser oxyrhynchus &esotoi Gulf Sturgeon SR SSC UR2 17,19 Mustela vison lutensis Florida Mink P - UR2 13...immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) with respect to respiratory irritation. This represents the maximum concentration from which one could...Threshold 0.004 mg/m3 ACGIH’ Median effective concentration 1-5 mg/m3 ACGIH Respiratory irritation Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 0.4 mg/m3

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Ribeirinhos in the North Araguaia microregion, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Reginaldo Vicente; Bieski, Isanete Geraldini Costa; Balogun, Sikiru Olaitan; Martins, Domingos Tabajara de Oliveira

2017-06-09

Currently, in many traditional communities, such as the riverine community in the North Araguaia microregion (Mato Grosso, Brazil), plant knowledge and use represent the main, if not the only, therapeutic resource for the maintenance of health and/or treatment of diseases. This study aimed to identify and document species of medicinal plants used by local experts from riverine communities in the North Araguaia microregion in Mato Grosso State, and to further chemical and pharmacological studies on species selected based on searches in the relevant literature. This is a cross-sectional ethnobotanical study, with non-probabilistic sampling (n =60), that applied the snowball method to select local riverine experts who understand medicinal plant use. Socio-demographic, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data (vernacular name, uses, geographical origin, habit, method of preparation and part used) on medicinal plants were collected during semi-structured interviews. The results were analyzed by descriptive and quantitative means: indices of use-report (UR) were used to select plant species with therapeutic potential. In total, 309 plant species belonging to 86 botanical families were cited; 73% were native to Brazil, and Fabaceae was the most representative family (11.3%). Arboreal was the predominant life form (37.2%). The leaf was the most used part (28.9%). Infusion was the most commonly reported method of preparation (31.3%). The plants reported in the survey were indicated for 18 of the 22 ICD-10 disease categories. The disease categories most commonly cited were the infectious and parasitic diseases (IPD, 718 UR), digestive system diseases (DSD, 565 UR) and respiratory system diseases (RSD, 504 UR), representing 16.6%, 13.1% and 11.7%, respectively of the total UR. Dysphania ambrosioides L. was the most sighted in the IPD category 50 UR. Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (133), Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. (131), and Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (126) were the species with the highest UR. Bidens pilosa L., Vernonia ferruginea Less, and L. pacari, respectively, were the most cited native plants used to treat such diseases. Of the 8 investigated native plants, C. langsdorffii, and Brosimum gaudichaudii are the most prominent: in addition to having been widely studied, in terms of phytochemical and pharmacological, these species have been marketed as pharmaceutical products, with associated patent deposits. Local riverine experts from the North Araguaia microregion use a wide variety of medicinal plants in self-care health, especially those species used to treat IPD. The therapeutic potential of some of these plants has been scientifically validated; however, there are other species whose pharmacological effects and safety remain to be properly investigated. Thus, the present study, aside from being a basis for future chemical, pharmacological and agronomic bioprospecting studies, may contribute to the development of the management, conservation and sustainable use of medicinal flora in the microregion studied. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corrective Action Plan for Corrective Action Unit 366: Area 11 Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

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

None

This Corrective Action Plan has been prepared for Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 366, Area 11 Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites, in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO, 1996 as amended). CAU 366 consists of the following six Corrective Action Sites (CASs) located in Area 11 of the Nevada National Security Site: · CAS 11-08-01, Contaminated Waste Dump #1 · CAS 11-08-02, Contaminated Waste Dump #2 · CAS 11-23-01, Radioactively Contaminated Area A · CAS 11-23-02, Radioactively Contaminated Area B · CAS 11-23-03, Radioactively Contaminated Area C · CAS 11-23-04, Radioactively Contaminated Area D Site characterization activities weremore » performed in 2011 and 2012, and the results are presented in Appendix A of the Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD) for CAU 366 (U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office [NNSA/NSO], 2012a). The following closure alternatives were recommended in the CADD: · No further action for CAS 11-23-01 · Closure in place for CASs 11-08-01, 11-08-02, 11-23-02, 11-23-03, and 11-23-04 The scope of work required to implement the recommended closure alternatives includes the following: · Non-engineered soil covers approximately 3 feet thick will be constructed at CAS 11-08-01 over contaminated waste dump (CWD) #1 and at CAS 11-08-02 over CWD #2. · FFACO use restrictions (URs) will be implemented for the areas where the total effective dose (TED) exceeds the final action level (FAL) of 25 millirems per Occasional Use Area year (mrem/OU-yr). The FAL is based on an assumption that the future use of the site includes occasional work activities and that workers will not be assigned to the area on a regular basis. A site worker under this scenario is assumed to be on site for a maximum of 80 hours per year for 5 years. The FFACO UR boundaries will encompass the areas where a worker would be exposed to 25 millirems of radioactivity per year if they are present for 80 hours per year. These boundaries will be defined as follows: – It is assumed that radiological contaminants are present at CAS 11-08-01 and CAS 11-08-02 within CWDs #1 and #2 at levels exceeding the FAL. Therefore, UR boundaries will be established around the perimeters of the soil covers that will be constructed at CWD #1 and CWD #2. A geophysical survey revealed buried metallic debris outside the fence and adjacent to CWD #1. Therefore, the UR boundary for CWD #1 will be expanded to include the mound containing buried material. – It is assumed that radiological contaminants are present at CAS 11-23-02, CAS 11-23-03, and CAS 11-23-04, within the three High Contamination Area (HCA) boundaries associated with the 11b, 11c, and 11d test areas at levels exceeding the FAL. Therefore, the UR boundaries will be established around the perimeters of the HCAs. The TED at an area of soil impacted by radiological debris outside the fence and adjacent to the 11c test area HCA exceeds the FAL of 25 mrem/OU-yr. Because the radiological impact from the debris at this location is visible on the aerial flyover radiological survey, all other areas within this isopleth of the flyover survey are conservatively also assumed to exceed the FAL. Therefore, the UR boundaries for the 11b, 11c, and 11d test areas will be expanded to include the areas within this isopleth. · The FFACO URs will all be located within the large Contamination Area (CA) that encompasses Plutonium Valley. Because access to the CA is limited and entry into the CA for post-closure inspections and maintenance would be impractical, UR warning signs will be posted along the existing CA fence. In accordance with the Soils Risk-Based Corrective Action Evaluation Process (NNSA/NSO, 2012b), an administrative UR will be implemented as a best management practice for the areas where the TED exceeds 25 millirems per Industrial Area year. This limit is based on continuous industrial use of the site and addresses exposure to industrial workers who would regularly be assigned to the work area for an entire career (250 days per year, 8 hours per day, for 25 years). Establishing an administrative UR will prevent inadvertent exposure of workers to radioactivity if a more intensive use of the site were to be considered in the future. As a precautionary measure, the administrative UR boundary will be expanded to include the areas where removable contamination is present that exceeds the criterion for a CA. This will further ensure that workers will not perform future activities within this area without being notified of the presence of site contaminants. Therefore, the administrative UR boundary will be established around the perimeters of the large CA that encompasses the site and the CAs associated with the decontamination station and hot park.« less

Glutamate supply positively affects serum cholesterol concentrations without increases in total protein and urea around the onset of puberty in goats.

PubMed

Meza-Herrera, C A; Calderón-Leyva, G; Soto-Sanchez, M J; Serradilla, J M; García-Martinez, A; Mellado, M; Veliz-Deras, F G

2014-06-30

Different neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems regulate synthesis and secretion of GnRH. Whereas the endocrine and neural systems are activated in response to the metabolic status and the circulating levels of specific blood metabolites, glutamate receptors have been reported at hepatic level. This study evaluated the possible effect of glutamate supplementation upon changes in serum concentrations across time for total protein (TP), urea (UR) and cholesterol (CL) around the onset of puberty in goats. Prepuberal female goats (n=18) were randomly assigned to: (1) excitatory amino acids group, GLUT, n=10; 16.52±1.04kg live weight (LW), 3.4±0.12 body condition score (BCS) receiving an i.v. infusion of 7mgkg(-1) LW of l-glutamate, and (2) Control group, CONT, n=8; 16.1±1.04kg LW, 3.1±0.12 BCS. General averages for LW (23.2±0.72kg), BCS (3.37±0.10 units), serum TP (65.28±2.46mgdL(-1)), UR (23.42±0.95mgdL(-1)), CL (77.89±1.10mgdL(-1)) as well as the serum levels for TP and UR across time did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. However, while GLUT positively affected (P<0.05) both the onset (207±9 vs. 225±12 d) and the percentage (70 vs. 25%) of females showing puberty, a treatment×time interaction effect (P<0.05) was observed in the GLUT group, with increases in serum cholesterol, coincident with the onset of puberty. Therefore, in peripuberal glutamate supplemented goats, serum cholesterol profile could act as a metabolic modulator for the establishment of puberty, denoting also a potential role of glutamate as modulator of lipid metabolism. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Culturing of the first 37:4 predominant lacustrine haptophyte: Geochemical, biochemical, and genetic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toney, Jaime L.; Theroux, Susanna; Andersen, Robert A.; Coleman, Annette; Amaral-Zettler, Linda; Huang, Yongsong

2012-02-01

Long chain alkenones (LCAs) are potential biomarkers for quantitative paleotemperature reconstructions from lacustrine environments. However, progress in this area has been hindered, because the conditions necessary for the growth of haptophytes responsible for alkenone distributions in lake sediments: the predominance of C 37:4 LCA are not known. Here we report the first enrichment culturing of a novel haptophyte phylotype (Hap-A) from Lake George, ND that produces predominantly C 37:4-LCA. Hap-A was enriched from its resting phase collected from deep sediments rather than from water column samples. In contrast, enrichments from near surface water yielded a different haptophyte phylotype (Hap-B), closely related to Chrysotila lamellosa and Pseudoisochrysis paradoxa, which does not display C 37:4-LCA predominance (similar enrichments have been reported previously). The LCA profile in sediments resembles that of enrichments containing Hap-A, suggesting that Hap-A is the dominant alkenone producer of the sedimentary LCAs. In enrichments, increased lighting appeared to be crucial for triggering alkenone production. Both U37K and U38K indices show a promising, positive relationship with temperature for Hap-A in enrichments, but the offset from the environmental calibration suggests that other factors (e.g., the growth stage or nutrients) may influence the absolute U37K value. Based on 18S rRNA gene analyses, several lakes from the Northern Great Plains, as well as Pyramid Lake, NV and Tso Ur, Tibetan Plateau, China contain the same two haptophyte phylotypes. Analysis of surface sediment from the Great Plains lakes show the Hap-A-type LCA distribution, whereas Pyramid and Tso Ur show the Hap-B type distribution. Waters of the Great Plain lakes are dominated by sulfate ions, whereas those Pyramid and Tso Ur are dominated by carbonate ions, suggesting that the sulfate to carbonate ratio may be a determining factor for the dominance of the Hap-A and Hap-B phylotypes in natural settings.

Responses of the circadian system of rats to conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.

PubMed

de Groot, M H; Rusak, B

2000-08-01

The circadian systems of rodents respond to light pulses presented during the subjective night with phase shifts and altered cellular activity in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), including expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs) such as c-fos. A recent study showed that a nonphotic stimulus (an air disturbance generated by a fan) that does not normally induce the expression of c-fos-like immunoreactivity in the SCN of rats can be made to do so after being paired repeatedly with a light pulse in a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm. Furthermore, after conditioning (but not after noncontingent exposure to these stimuli), the fan also induced phase shifts in activity and body temperature rhythms comparable to those produced by light. The authors performed three experiments designed to replicate and extend these findings in rats. In experiment 1, rats were tested for conditioning effects of repeated pairings of a light pulse with a neutral air disturbance under a full photoperiod. In experiment 2, a modified conditioning paradigm was used in which a skeleton photoperiod served as both the entraining zeitgeber and the unconditioned stimulus. Animals in the paired and unpaired training conditions were exposed to both the light pulse and the air disturbance, but the air disturbance signaled the onset of light in the paired condition only. Phase shifts of wheel-running activity rhythms and gene expression in the SCN, intergeniculate leaflet, and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus were assessed in animals following either of the training conditions or the control procedures. Experiment 3 assessed whether the air disturbance could entrain the circadian activity rhythms of rats with or without previous pairing with light in a classical conditioning paradigm. No evidence for classical conditioning, nor for unconditioned effects of the air disturbance on the circadian system, was found in these studies.

Unconditioned commercial embryo culture media contain a large variety of non-declared proteins: a comprehensive proteomics analysis.

PubMed

Dyrlund, Thomas F; Kirkegaard, Kirstine; Poulsen, Ebbe Toftgaard; Sanggaard, Kristian W; Hindkjær, Johnny J; Kjems, Jørgen; Enghild, Jan J; Ingerslev, Hans Jakob

2014-11-01

Which non-declared proteins (proteins not listed on the composition list of the product data sheet) are present in unconditioned commercial embryo culture media? A total of 110 non-declared proteins were identified in unconditioned media and between 6 and 8 of these were quantifiable and therefore represent the majority of the total protein in the media samples. There are no data in the literature on what non-declared proteins are present in unconditioned (fresh media in which no embryos have been cultured) commercial embryo media. The following eight commercial embryo culture media were included in this study: G-1 PLUS and G-2 PLUS G5 Series from Vitrolife, Sydney IVF Cleavage Medium and Sydney IVF Blastocyst Medium from Cook Medical and EmbryoAssist, BlastAssist, Sequential Cleav and Sequential Blast from ORIGIO. Two batches were analyzed from each of the Sydney IVF media and one batch from each of the other media. All embryo culture media are supplemented by the manufacturers with purified human serum albumin (HSA 5 mg/ml). The purified HSA (HSA-solution from Vitrolife) and the recombinant human albumin supplement (G-MM from Vitrolife) were also analyzed. For protein quantification, media samples were in-solution digested with trypsin and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For in-depth protein identification, media were albumin depleted, dialyzed and concentrated before sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gel was cut into 14 slices followed by in-gel trypsin digestion, and analysis by LC-MS/MS. Proteins were further investigated using gene ontology (GO) terms analysis. Using advanced mass spectrometry and high confidence criteria for accepting proteins (P < 0.01), a total of 110 proteins other than HSA were identified. The average HSA content was found to be 94% (92-97%) of total protein. Other individual proteins accounted for up to 4.7% of the total protein. Analysis of purified HSA strongly suggests that these non-declared proteins are introduced to the media when the albumin is added. GO analysis showed that many of these proteins have roles in defence pathways, for example 18 were associated with the innate immune response and 17 with inflammatory responses. Eight proteins have been reported previously as secreted embryo proteins. For six of the commercial embryo culture media only one batch was analyzed. However, this does not affect the overall conclusions. The results showed that the HSA added to IVF media contained many other proteins and that the amount varies from batch to batch. These variations in protein profiles are problematic when attempting to identify proteins derived from the embryos. Therefore, when studying the embryo secretome and analyzing conditioned media with the aim of finding potential biomarkers that can distinguish normal and abnormal embryo development, it is important that the medium used in the experimental and control groups is from the same batch. Furthermore, the proteins present in unconditioned media could potentially influence embryonic development, gestation age, birthweight and perhaps have subsequent effects on health of the offspring. The study was supported by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. Research at the Fertility Clinic, Aarhus University Hospital is supported by an unrestricted grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp and Ferring. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Surrogate markers of subtle renal injury in patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Elnojomi, N A A; Musa, A M; Younis, B M; Elfaki, M E E; El-Hassan, A M; Khalil, E A G

2010-09-01

Sudanese visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease of children that is characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, and renal injury. Microalbuminuria (MA) and urinary retinol binding protein (urRBP) are useful markers for glomerular and tubular dysfunctions, respectively. We report the prevalence of subtle renal injury in 88 parasitologically confirmed VL patients in a cross-sectional and hospital-based study. Blood and urine were collected before treatment for hematological, biochemical profiles in addition to MA and urRBP measurement using competitive solid phase, sandwich enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoturbidometry. All the patients had normal serum urea and creatinine levels and no detectable urRBP. However, 40% of the patients had MA detected by ELISA, and 42% were reactive with turbidometry. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for MA turbidometric technique were calculated as 100%; 96%; 95% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion; subtle renal injury in VL is mainly glomerular. Turbidometry for MA measurement is a simple, inexpensive, sensitive, and specific technique with high predictive values.

Copper tolerance of the biomass crops Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) and the upland reed (Phragmites australis) in soil culture.

PubMed

Liu, Xinghua; Shen, Yixing; Lou, Laiqing; Ding, Chenglong; Cai, Qingsheng

2009-01-01

Pot trials were conducted to study the influence of copper (Cu) on the growth and biomass of Elephant grass (EG, Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), Vetiver grass (VG, Vetiveria zizanioides) and the upland reed (UR, Phragmites australis). Cu toxicity in EG, VG and UR was positively correlated with the total and bioavailable Cu concentrations in the soil. Based on the EC50, dry weights, Cu contents, chlorophyll contents and photosynthesis rates, the Cu tolerance of the three species followed the trend EGNVGNUR. There were no significant differences in the unit calorific values among the different plants, though the total calorific values of EG were higher than those of VG and UR due to its higher biomass. The addition of KH2PO4 to the soil decreased the bioavailability of Cu and the Cu uptake by plants. EG could therefore be a good candidate for growth on Cu-contaminated soils, especially those improved by phosphate.

Quantum Computational Universality of the 2D Cai-Miyake-D"ur-Briegel Quantum State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Tzu-Chieh; Raussendorf, Robert; Kwek, Leong Chuan

2012-02-01

Universal quantum computation can be achieved by simply performing single-qubit measurements on a highly entangled resource state, such as cluster states. Cai, Miyake, D"ur, and Briegel recently constructed a ground state of a two-dimensional quantum magnet by combining multiple Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki quasichains of mixed spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 entities and by mapping pairs of neighboring spin-1/2 particles to individual spin-3/2 particles [Phys. Rev. A 82, 052309 (2010)]. They showed that this state enables universal quantum computation by constructing single- and two-qubit universal gates. Here, we give an alternative understanding of how this state gives rise to universal measurement-based quantum computation: by local operations, each quasichain can be converted to a one-dimensional cluster state and entangling gates between two neighboring logical qubits can be implemented by single-spin measurements. Furthermore, a two-dimensional cluster state can be distilled from the Cai-Miyake-D"ur-Briegel state.

Conditioned Taste Aversion Is Enhanced When the Unconditioned Stimulus Is Presented in a Different Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ishii, Kiyoshi; Iguchi, Yoshio; Fukumoto, Kazuya; Nakayasu, Tomohiro

2008-01-01

Using a conditioned taste aversion procedure with rats as the subjects, two experiments examined the effect of presenting a conditioned stimulus (CS saccharin solution) in one context followed by an unconditioned stimulus (US LiCl) in a different context. Experiment 1 showed that animals which received the above-mentioned procedure (Group D)…

Duration of the Unconditioned Stimulus in Appetitive Conditioning of Honeybees Differentially Impacts Learning, Long-Term Memory Strength, and the Underlying Protein Synthesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marter, Kathrin; Grauel, M. Katharina; Lewa, Carmen; Morgenstern, Laura; Buckemüller, Christina; Heufelder, Karin; Ganz, Marion; Eisenhardt, Dorothea

2014-01-01

This study examines the role of stimulus duration in learning and memory formation of honeybees ("Apis mellifera"). In classical appetitive conditioning honeybees learn the association between an initially neutral, conditioned stimulus (CS) and the occurrence of a meaningful stimulus, the unconditioned stimulus (US). Thereby the CS…

[Influences of environmental factors and interaction of several chemokines gene-environmental on systemic lupus erythematosus].

PubMed

Ye, Dong-qing; Hu, Yi-song; Li, Xiang-pei; Huang, Fen; Yang, Shi-gui; Hao, Jia-hu; Yin, Jing; Zhang, Guo-qing; Liu, Hui-hui

2004-11-01

To explore the impact of environmental factors, daily lifestyle, psycho-social factors and the interactions between environmental factors and chemokines genes on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Case-control study was carried out and environmental factors for SLE were analyzed by univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Interactions between environmental factors and chemokines polymorphism contributing to systemic lupus erythematosus were also analyzed by logistic regression model. There were nineteen factors associated with SLE when univariate unconditional logistic regression was used. However, when multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used, only five factors showed having impacts on the disease, in which drinking well water (OR=0.099) was protective factor for SLE, and multiple drug allergy (OR=8.174), over-exposure to sunshine (OR=18.339), taking antibiotics (OR=9.630) and oral contraceptives were risk factors for SLE. When unconditional logistic regression model was used, results showed that there was interaction between eating irritable food and -2518MCP-1G/G genotype (OR=4.387). No interaction between environmental factors was found that contributing to SLE in this study. Many environmental factors were related to SLE, and there was an interaction between -2518MCP-1G/G genotype and eating irritable food.

Comparison of shockwave lithotripsy and flexible ureteroscopy for the treatment of kidney stones in patients with a solitary kidney.

PubMed

Yuruk, Emrah; Binbay, Murat; Ozgor, Faruk; Sekerel, Levent; Berberoglu, Yalcin; Muslumanoglu, Ahmet Yaser

2015-04-01

To compare the outcomes of these minimally invasive procedures in this patient population. The database of our institution has been retrospectively reviewed, and medical records of urolithiasis patients with a solitary kidney who underwent flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) between January 2009 and December 2012 were examined. Retreatment rates, complications, changes in estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages, and stone-free rates were compared between the two groups. Stones of 48 patients (mean age: 48.8±15.4, range: 14-76) with solitary kidneys were treated with SWL (n=30, 62.5%) or F-URS (n=18, 37.5%). Patient demographics and stone related parameters were similar. The most common stone location was the pelvis in the SWL group (36.6%), whereas it was the pelvis and a calix in the F-URS group (38.8%). Complications and success rates were similar in both groups, however, patients in the SWL group needed more sessions to achieve stone clearance (2.2±0.89 vs 1.06±0.24, p=0.0001). Preoperative and postoperative eGFR and CKD stage changes were also similar. Both SWL and F-URS are effective and safe techniques, which can be used for the treatment of stones in patients with solitary kidneys. However, patients treated with SWL need more sessions to achieve stone clearance.

Systematic identification and quantification of tetracyclic monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids in Uncaria rhynchophylla and their fragmentations in Q-TOF-MS spectra.

PubMed

Xie, Shuanglu; Shi, Yuanyuan; Wang, Yixiang; Wu, Chunyong; Liu, Wenyuan; Feng, Feng; Xie, Ning

2013-01-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) is a species of Uncaria that is distributed mainly in China and Japan. In this study, the chemical constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinic acids, in UR have been systematically identified and quantified by a developed method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS). Tetracyclic monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids (TMOAs) are characteristic compounds in this herb, and their fragmentations in Q-TOF-MS have been investigated. Diagnostic fragmentation ions (DFIs) were first delineated for isorhynchophylline-type (7S, C20-ethyl) and corynoxeine-type (7R, C20-vinyl) TMOAs, and these were used for identification of these alkaloids in UR. In this study, a total of 29 compounds, comprising 18 alkaloids, six flavonoids, and five quinic acids, were identified. Among them, there are four novel TMOAs, named as 22-O-β-glucopyranosyl isorhynchophyllic acid (10), 22-O-β-glucopyranosyl rhynchophyllic acid (11), 9-hydroxy isocorynoxeine (16), and 9-hydroxy corynoxeine (20), which have not been reported previously. Furthermore, eight marker compounds, namely chlorogenic acid (3), catechin (8), epicatechin (9), isocorynoxeine (24), rhynchophylline (25), isorhynchophylline (27), vincoside lactam (28), and corynoxeine (29), have been simultaneously quantified. The developed method has been validated and successfully applied to analyze three samples of UR from Jiangxi Province. The contents of the marker compounds have been detected and compared. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Body temperature as a conditional response measure for pavlovian fear conditioning.

PubMed

Godsil, B P; Quinn, J J; Fanselow, M S

2000-01-01

On six days rats were exposed to each of two contexts. They received an electric shock in one context and nothing in the other. Rats were tested later in each environment without shock. The rats froze and defecated more often in the shock-paired environment; they also exhibited a significantly larger elevation in rectal temperature in that environment. The rats discriminated between each context, and we suggest that the elevation in temperature is the consequence of associative learning. Thus, body temperature can be used as a conditional response measure in Pavlovian fear conditioning experiments that use footshock as the unconditional stimulus.

Swiss ethnoveterinary knowledge on medicinal plants - a within-country comparison of Italian speaking regions with north-western German speaking regions.

PubMed

Mayer, Maria; Zbinden, Mirjam; Vogl, Christan R; Ivemeyer, Silvia; Meier, Beat; Amorena, Michele; Maeschli, Ariane; Hamburger, Matthias; Walkenhorst, Michael

2017-01-03

Ethnoveterinary knowledge in Europe may play an important role as a basis for sustainable treatment options for livestock. Aims of our study were (a) to compare the ethnoveterinary practices of two culturally and sociodemographically different regions of Switzerland, (b) to compare results with earlier ethnoveterinary studies conducted in Switzerland and in adjacent Italian regions and, (c) to evaluate possible reasons for regional differences in European ethnoveterinary medicine. 25 interviews were conducted in 2014 in all Italian speaking regions (ItR) of Switzerland, and 31 interviews were held in five north-western German speaking Cantons (GeC). Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect detailed information regarding plant species, mode of preparation, dosage, route of administration, category of use, origin of knowledge, frequency of use, and satisfaction with outcomes of the treatments. A total of 162 homemade remedies in ItR and 219 in GeC were reported, out of which 125 and 145, respectively, were reported to contain only one plant species (homemade single species herbal remedy report, HSHR). 44 ItR and 43 GeC plant species were reported to treat livestock, of which only a half were used in both regions. For each HSHR, we classified the treatment intention of all use reports (UR), leading to a total of 205 and 219 UR in ItR and GeC respectively. While cattle were the most often treated livestock species in both study regions, in ItR 40% of UR were administered to small ruminants. Main indications in both regions were gastrointestinal diseases and skin afflictions, but in ItR a high number of URs were reported as antiparasitics. URs were mainly handed down from the past generation, but in GeC the source of knowledge for 20% of URs were from courses. Regarding the used plant species, ItR showed a higher concordance with Swiss than Italian studies, but with some differences to all regions. A total of 22 (14 ItR; 8 GeC) plant species in this study have not been reported before in ethnoveterinary studies of Swiss and Italian alpine regions. ItR and GeC, show differences and similarities with respect to their own ethnoveterinary practices and earlier Swiss and Italian ethnoveterinary studies. Linguistic, geographical, as well as social and farm-structural conditions influence the regional ethnoveterinary knowledge. However, political borders seem to be more important than language or geographical barriers.

Cellular homeoproteins, SATB1 and CDP, bind to the unique region between the human cytomegalovirus UL127 and major immediate-early genes

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

Lee Jialing; Klase, Zachary; Gao Xiaoqi

An AT-rich region of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome between the UL127 open reading frame and the major immediate-early (MIE) enhancer is referred to as the unique region (UR). It has been shown that the UR represses activation of transcription from the UL127 promoter and functions as a boundary between the divergent UL127 and MIE genes during human CMV infection [Angulo, A., Kerry, D., Huang, H., Borst, E.M., Razinsky, A., Wu, J., Hobom, U., Messerle, M., Ghazal, P., 2000. Identification of a boundary domain adjacent to the potent human cytomegalovirus enhancer that represses transcription of the divergent UL127 promoter. J.more » Virol. 74 (6), 2826-2839; Lundquist, C.A., Meier, J.L., Stinski, M.F., 1999. A strong negative transcriptional regulatory region between the human cytomegalovirus UL127 gene and the major immediate-early enhancer. J. Virol. 73 (11), 9039-9052]. A putative forkhead box-like (FOX-like) site, AAATCAATATT, was identified in the UR and found to play a key role in repression of the UL127 promoter in recombinant virus-infected cells [Lashmit, P.E., Lundquist, C.A., Meier, J.L., Stinski, M.F., 2004. Cellular repressor inhibits human cytomegalovirus transcription from the UL127 promoter. J. Virol. 78 (10), 5113-5123]. However, the cellular factors which associate with the UR and FOX-like region remain to be determined. We reported previously that pancreatic-duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX1) bound to a 45-bp element located within the UR [Chao, S.H., Harada, J.N., Hyndman, F., Gao, X., Nelson, C.G., Chanda, S.K., Caldwell, J.S., 2004. PDX1, a Cellular Homeoprotein, Binds to and Regulates the Activity of Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate Early Promoter. J. Biol. Chem. 279 (16), 16111-16120]. Here we demonstrate that two additional cellular homeoproteins, special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) and CCAAT displacement protein (CDP), bind to the human CMV UR in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CDP is identified as a FOX-like binding protein and a repressor of the UL127 promoter, while SATB1 has no effect on UL127 expression. Since CDP is known as a transcription repressor and a nuclear matrix-associated region binding protein, CDP may have a role in the regulation of human CMV transcription.« less

Minimally Invasive Surgical Ureterolithotomy Versus Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy for Large Ureteric Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature.

PubMed

Kallidonis, Panagiotis; Ntasiotis, Panteleimon; Knoll, Thomas; Sarica, Kemal; Papatsoris, Athanasios; Somani, Bhaskar K; Greco, Francesco; Aboumarzouk, Omar M; Álvarez-Maestro, Mario; Sanguedolce, Francesco

2017-12-01

The management of large ureteric stones represents a technical and clinical challenge. To investigate the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgical ureterolithotomy (MISU) in comparison with ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) for the treatment of large ureteric stones. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the conduction of the study, which was registered in the PROSPERO database. Search string was "(laparoscop* OR retroperito* OR robot*) AND ureterolitho*"; database scope included PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and EMBASE. Primary end points were the stone-free (SFR) and complications rates. Secondary end points included operative time and hospital stay. Subgroup analyses were performed for stones 1-2 and >2cm, as well as different lithotripters and ureteroscopes. Meta-analysis and forest-plot diagrams were performed with the RevMan 5.3.5 software. After screening 673 publications, seven randomized controlled trials were eligible to be included in the meta-analysis. A total of 778 patients were pooled after the elimination of the dropouts. No robotic cohorts were found. Only upper ureteral stones were treated in the included studies. The SFR at discharge and 3 mo was higher with MISU with odds ratios of 6.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.05, 13.01; I 2 =0%) and 5.34 (95% CI: 2.41, 8.81; I 2 =0%), respectively. The most common complications for MISU and URS were conversion to open surgery and stone migration to the renal pelvis, respectively. Favorable results in terms of operative time were observed in the case of URS with a mean difference of 29.5min (95% CI: 14.74, 44.26; I 2 =98%). Hospitalization time was favorable in the case of URS with a mean difference of 2.08 days (95% CI: 0.96, 3.20; I 2 =99%). This meta-analysis showed a significantly higher SFR at discharge and 3 mo for MISU in comparison with URS when upper ureteral stones were treated. Operative and hospitalization time favored URS over MISU. The current study investigated the literature on the minimally invasive management of large ureteric stones. The available evidence shows that both ureteroscopic lithotripsy and minimally invasive surgical ureterolithotomy could be considered for the treatment of these stones with similar results. The selection of the approach should be based on the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. All rights reserved.

Fear Factors in: Political Rhetoric, Threat Inflation, and the Narrative of September 11

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

vacations during the program. Lastly, my wonderful parents , Robert and Barbara, who provided refuge from the storm and the unconditional love only... parents can. They reminded me you can always go home and I certainly did. Thank you and I love you all. I want to acknowledge the Nassau County...Graeme R. Newman and Ronald V. Clarke showed, “local response to the threat of terrorism is as much affected by public fear as is the national

Evidence of lung cancer risk from animal studies

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

Cross, F.T.

Human epidemiological data provide the most important basis for assessing risks of radon exposures. However, additional insight into the nature of exposure-response relationships is provided by animal experimentation and dosimetric determinations. Animal studies have now been conducted for more than 50 years to examine the levels of pollutants in underground mines that were responsible for the respiratory effects observed among miners. This work has emphasized respiratory cancer and the interaction of radon with other agents, such as ore dust, diesel-engine-exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. The more recent data on radon-daughter inhalation exposures were provided by two American research centers, Themore » University of Rochester (UR) and the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), and by the Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires (COGEMA) laboratory in France. Approximately 2000 mice, 100 rats and 80 dogs were employed in the completed UR studies, begun in the mid 1950s; 800 hamsters, 5000 rats and 100 dogs in the ongoing PNL studies, begun in the late 1960s; and 10,000 rats in the ongoing COGEMA studies, also begun in the late 1960s. More complete updated biological effects, data resulting from chronic radon-daughter inhalation exposures of mice, hamsters, rats and beagle dogs were examined. Emphasis on the carcinogenic effects of radon-decay product exposure, including the influences of radon-daughter exposure rate, unattached fraction and disequilibrium, and co-exposures to other pollutants. Plausible values for the radon (radon-daughter) lifetime lung-cancer risk coefficients are also provided. 13 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.« less

β1-Adrenoceptor in the Central Amygdala Is Required for Unconditioned Stimulus-Induced Drug Memory Reconsolidation

PubMed Central

Zhu, Huiwen; Zhou, Yiming; Liu, Zhiyuan; Chen, Xi; Li, Yanqing; Liu, Xing; Ma, Lan

2018-01-01

Abstract Background Drug memories become labile and reconsolidated after retrieval by presentation of environmental cues (conditioned stimulus) or drugs (unconditioned stimulus). Whether conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus retrieval trigger different memory reconsolidation processes is not clear. Methods Protein synthesis inhibitor or β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist was systemically administrated or intra-central amygdala infused immediately after cocaine reexposure in cocaine-conditioned place preference or self-administration mice models. β-ARs were selectively knocked out in the central amygdala to further confirm the role of β-adrenergic receptor in cocaine reexposure-induced memory reconsolidation of cocaine-conditioned place preference. Results Cocaine reexposure triggered de novo protein synthesis dependent memory reconsolidation of cocaine-conditioned place preference. Cocaine-priming-induced reinstatement was also impaired with post cocaine retrieval manipulation, in contrast to the relapse behavior with post context retrieval manipulation. Cocaine retrieval, but not context retrieval, induced central amygdala activation. Protein synthesis inhibitor or β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist infused in the central amygdala after cocaine retrieval, but not context retrieval, inhibited memory reconsolidation and reinstatement. β1-adrenergic receptor knockout in the central amygdala suppressed cocaine retrieval-triggered memory reconsolidation and reinstatement of cocaine conditioned place preference. β1-adrenergic receptor antagonism after cocaine retrieval also impaired reconsolidation and reinstatement of cocaine self-administration. Conclusions Cocaine reward memory triggered by unconditioned stimulus retrieval is distinct from conditioned stimulus retrieval. Unconditioned stimulus retrieval induced reconsolidation of cocaine reward memory depends on β1-adrenergic signaling in the central amygdala. Post unconditioned stimulus retrieval manipulation can prevent drug memory reconsolidation and relapse to cocaine, thus providing a potential strategy for the prevention of substance addiction. Significance Statement It is well known that drug memories become labile and reconsolidated upon retrieval by the presentation of conditioned stimulus (CS) or unconditioned stimulus (US). Whether CS and US retrieval trigger different memory reconsolidation processes is unknown. In this study, we found that US retrieval, but not CS retrieval, triggered memory reconsolidation of cocaine-conditioned place preference dependent on β1-AR and de novo protein synthesis in the central amygdala. Furthermore, cocaine priming-induced reinstatement was impaired with post US retrieval manipulation in contrast to the relapse behavior with post CS retrieval manipulation. In cocaine self-administration, β1-AR antagonism after US retrieval also impaired reconsolidation and reinstatement. Our study indicates that reconsolidation of cocaine reward memory triggered by US retrieval is distinct from CS retrieval. US retrieval induced reconsolidation of cocaine reward memory depends on β1-adrenergic signaling in the central amygdala. PMID:29216351

Movement Characteristics Analysis and Dynamic Simulation of Collaborative Measuring Robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

guoqing, MA; li, LIU; zhenglin, YU; guohua, CAO; yanbin, ZHENG

2017-03-01

Human-machine collaboration is becoming increasingly more necessary, and so collaborative robot applications are also in high demand. We selected a UR10 robot as our research subject for this study. First, we applied D-H coordinate transformation of the robot to establish a link system, and we then used inverse transformation to solve the robot’s inverse kinematics and find all the joints. Use Lagrange method to analysis UR robot dynamics; use ADAMS multibody dynamics simulation software to dynamic simulation; verifying the correctness of the derived kinetic models.

Environmental Impact Research Program. The Use of Fertilizer To Enhance Transplants of the Seagrasses Zostera marina and Halodule wrightii.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-01

throughout Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These two species co-occur only along a narrow band of the middle Atlantic ...Thayer et al. 1984). Zostera dominates the temperate seagrass community on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, while Halodule occurs in the United States...C and allowed to dry to a constant weight. After drying, each 9 - tN.WVunEY .M .UrS, .m w sample was pulverized with a mortar and pestle to ensure

Effects of Aversive Classical Conditioning on Sexual Response in Women With Dyspareunia and Sexually Functional Controls.

PubMed

Both, Stephanie; Brauer, Marieke; Weijenborg, Philomeen; Laan, Ellen

2017-05-01

In dyspareunia-a somatically unexplained vulvovaginal pain associated with sexual intercourse-learned pain-related fear and inhibited sexual arousal are supposed to play a pivotal role. Based on research findings indicating that enhanced pain conditioning is involved in the etiology and maintenance of chronic pain, in the present study it was hypothesized that enhanced pain conditioning also might be involved in dyspareunia. To test whether learned associations between pain and sex negatively affect sexual response; whether women with dyspareunia show stronger aversive learning; and whether psychological distress, pain-related anxiety, vigilance, catastrophizing, and sexual excitation and inhibition were associated with conditioning effects. Women with dyspareunia (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 35) completed a differential conditioning experiment, with one erotic picture (the CS + ) paired with a painful unconditional stimulus and one erotic picture never paired with pain (the CS - ). Genital sexual response was measured by vaginal photoplethysmography, and ratings of affective value and sexual arousal in response to the CS + and CS - were obtained. Psychological distress, pain cognitions, and sexual excitation and inhibition were assessed by validated questionnaires. The two groups showed stronger negative affect and weaker subjective sexual arousal to the CS + during the extinction phase, but, contrary to expectations, women with dyspareunia showed weaker differential responding. Controls showed more prominent lower genital response to the CS + during acquisition than women with dyspareunia. In addition, women with dyspareunia showed stronger expectancy for the unconditional stimulus in response to the safe CS - . Higher levels of pain-related fear, pain catastrophizing, and sexual inhibition were associated with weaker differential conditioning effects. Pairing of sex with pain negatively affects sexual response. The results indicate that a learned association of sex with pain and possibly deficient safety learning play a role in dyspareunia. Both S, Brauer M, Weijenborg P, Laan E. Effects of Aversive Classical Conditioning on Sexual Response in Women With Dyspareunia and Sexually Functional Controls. J Sex Med 2017;14:687-701. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Phoneme Identification Test for Assessment of Spectral and Temporal Discrimination Skills in Children: Development, Normative Data, and Test-Retest Reliability Studies.

PubMed

Cameron, Sharon; Chong-White, Nicky; Mealings, Kiri; Beechey, Tim; Dillon, Harvey; Young, Taegan

2018-02-01

Previous research suggests that a proportion of children experiencing reading and listening difficulties may have an underlying primary deficit in the way that the central auditory nervous system analyses the perceptually important, rapidly varying, formant frequency components of speech. The Phoneme Identification Test (PIT) was developed to investigate the ability of children to use spectro-temporal cues to perceptually categorize speech sounds based on their rapidly changing formant frequencies. The PIT uses an adaptive two-alternative forced-choice procedure whereby the participant identifies a synthesized consonant-vowel (CV) (/ba/ or /da/) syllable. CV syllables differed only in the second formant (F2) frequency along an 11-step continuum (between 0% and 100%-representing an ideal /ba/ and /da/, respectively). The CV syllables were presented in either quiet (PIT Q) or noise at a 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio (PIT N). Development of the PIT stimuli and test protocols, and collection of normative and test-retest reliability data. Twelve adults (aged 23 yr 10 mo to 50 yr 9 mo, mean 32 yr 5 mo) and 137 typically developing, primary-school children (aged 6 yr 0 mo to 12 yr 4 mo, mean 9 yr 3 mo). There were 73 males and 76 females. Data were collected using a touchscreen computer. Psychometric functions were automatically fit to individual data by the PIT software. Performance was determined by the width of the continuum for which responses were neither clearly /ba/ nor /da/ (referred to as the uncertainty region [UR]). A shallower psychometric function slope reflected greater uncertainty. Age effects were determined based on raw scores. Z scores were calculated to account for the effect of age on performance. Outliers, and individual data for which the confidence interval of the UR exceeded a maximum allowable value, were removed. Nonparametric tests were used as the data were skewed toward negative performance. Across participants, the median value of the F2 range that resulted in uncertain responses was 33% in quiet and 40% in noise. There was a significant effect of age on the width of this UR (p < 0.00001) in both quiet and noise, with performance becoming adult like by age 9 on the PIT Q and age 10 on the PIT N. A skewed distribution toward negative performance occurred in both quiet (p = 0.01) and noise (p = 0.006). Median UR scores were significantly wider in noise than in quiet (T = 2041, p < 0.0000001). Performance (z scores) across the two tests was significantly correlated (r = 0.36, p = 0.000009). Test-retest z scores were significantly correlated in both quiet and noise (r = 0.4 and 0.37, respectively, p < 0.0001). The PIT normative data show that the ability to identify phonemes based on changes in formant transitions improves with age, and that some children in the general population have performance much worse than their age peers. In children, uncertainty increases when the stimuli are presented in noise. The test is suitable for use in planned studies in a clinical population. American Academy of Audiology

The Reputational Consequences of Generalized Trust

PubMed Central

Evans, Anthony M.; van de Calseyde, Philippe P. F. M.

2017-01-01

The present research examines the reputational consequences of generalized trust. High-trust individuals are seen as moral and sociable, but not necessarily competent. When controlling for other traits, there is a negative relationship between trust and perceived competence (Studies 1 and 2). Compared with optimism, generalized trust has stronger effects on morality and sociability (Study 2). Furthermore, people judge those who do not discriminate between trustworthy and untrustworthy groups (unconditional trustors) more negatively than those who only trust groups that are, in fact, trustworthy (conditional trustors). Unconditional trust and unconditional distrust are both viewed negatively (Study 3), even after controlling for attitudinal similarity (Study 4). Critically, both generalized trust and discriminant ability (i.e., conditional trust) have independent reputational benefits (Study 5). These studies suggest that generalized trust plays an important role in how we perceive and judge others. PMID:29251247

[Effects of controlled release blend bulk urea on soil nitrogen and soil enzyme activity in wheat and rice fields].

PubMed

Zhang, Jing Sheng; Wang, Chang Quan; Li, Bing; Liang, Jing Yue; He, Jie; Xiang, Hao; Yin, Bin; Luo, Jing

2017-06-18

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) combined with urea (UR) on the soil fertility and environment in wheat-rice rotation system. Changes in four forms of nitrogen (total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and microbial biomass nitrogen) and in activities of three soil enzymes participating in nitrogen transformation (urease, protease, and nitrate reductase) were measured in seven fertilization treatments (no fertilization, routine fertilization, 10%CRF+90%UR, 20%CRF+80%UR, 40%CRF+60%UR, 80%CRF+20%UR, and 100%CRF). The results showed that soil total nitrogen was stable in the whole growth period of wheat and rice. There was no significant difference among the treatments of over 20% CRF in soil total nitrogen content of wheat and rice. The soil inorganic nitrogen content was increased dramatically in treatments of 40% or above CRF during the mid-late growing stages of wheat and rice. With the advance of the growth period, conventional fertilization significantly decreased soil microbial biomass nitrogen, but the treatments of 40% and above CRF increased the soil microbial biomass nitrogen significantly. The soil enzyme activities were increased with over 40% of CRF in the mid-late growing stage of wheat and rice. By increasing the CRF ratio, the soil protease activity and nitrate reductase activity were improved gradually, and peaked in 100% CRF. The treatments of above 20% CRF could decrease the urease activity in tillering stage of rice and delay the peak of ammonium nitrogen, which would benefit nitrogen loss reduction. The treatments of 40% and above CRF were beneficial to improving soil nitrogen supply and enhancing soil urease and protease activities, which could promote the effectiveness of nitrogen during the later growth stages of wheat and rice. The 100% CRF treatment improved the nitrate reductase activity significantly during the later stage of wheat and rice. Compared with the treatments of 40%-80% CRF, 100% CRF reduced the soil nitrate content of 20-40 cm soil layer in wheat significantly suggesting it could reduce the loss of nitrogen.

Feed intake, growth, and body and carcass attributes of feedlot steers supplemented with two levels of calcium nitrate or urea.

PubMed

Hegarty, R S; Miller, J; Oelbrandt, N; Li, L; Luijben, J P M; Robinson, D L; Nolan, J V; Perdok, H B

2016-12-01

Nitrate supplementation has been shown to be effective in reducing enteric methane emission from ruminants, but there have been few large-scale studies assessing the effects of level of nitrate supplementation on feed intake, animal growth, or carcass and meat quality attributes of beef cattle. A feedlot study was conducted to assess the effects of supplementing 0.25 or 0.45% NPN in dietary DM as either urea (Ur) or calcium nitrate (CaN) on DMI, ADG, G:F, and carcass attributes of feedlot steers ( = 383). The levels of NPN inclusion were selected as those at which nitrate has previously achieved measurable mitigation of enteric methane. The higher level of NPN inclusion reduced ADG as did replacement of Ur with CaN ( < 0.01). A combined analysis of DMI for 139 steers with individual animal intake data and pen-average intakes for 244 bunk-fed steers showed a significant interaction between NPN source and level ( = 0.02) with steers on the high-CaN diet eating less than those on the other 3 diets ( < 0.001). Neither level nor NPN source significantly affected cattle G:F. There was a tendency ( = 0.05) for nitrate-supplemented cattle to have a slower rate of eating (g DMI/min) than Ur-supplemented cattle. When adjusted for BW, neither NPN source nor inclusion level affected cross-sectional area of the LM or fatness measured on the live animal. Similarly, there were no significant main effects of treatments on dressing percentage or fat depth or muscling attributes of the carcass after adjustment for HCW ( > 0.05). Analysis of composited meat samples showed no detectable nitrates or nitrosamines in raw or cooked meat, and the level of nitrate detected in meat from nitrate-supplemented cattle was no higher than for Ur-fed cattle ( > 0.05). We conclude that increasing NPN inclusion from 0.25 to 0.45% NPN in dietary DM and replacing Ur with CaN decreased ADG in feedlot cattle without improving G:F.

Atomic and molecular analysis highlights the biophysics of unprotonated and protonated retinal in UV and scotopic vision.

PubMed

Kubli-Garfias, Carlos; Vázquez-Ramírez, Ricardo; Cabrera-Vivas, Blanca M; Gómez-Reyes, Baldomero; Ramírez, Juan Carlos

2015-09-26

During the photoreaction of rhodopsin, retinal isomerizes, rotating the C11[double bond, length as m-dash]C12 π-bond from cis to an all-trans configuration. Unprotonated (UR) or protonated (PR) retinal in the Schiff's base (SB) is related to UV and light vision. Because the UR and PR have important differences in their physicochemical reactivities, we compared the atomic and molecular properties of these molecules using DFT calculations. The C10-C11[double bond, length as m-dash]C12-C13 dihedral angle was rotated from 0° to 180° in 45° steps, giving five conformers, and the following were calculated from them: atomic orbital (AO) contributions to the HOMO and LUMO, atomic charges, bond length, bond order, HOMO, LUMO, hardness, electronegativity, polarizability, electrostatic potential, UV-vis spectra and dipole moment (DM). Similarly, the following were analyzed: the energy profile, hybridization, pyramidalization and the hydrogen-out-of-plane (HOOP) wagging from the H11-C11[double bond, length as m-dash]C12-H12 dihedral angle. In addition, retinal with a water H-bond (HR) in the SB was included for comparison. Interestingly, in the PR, C11 and C12 are totally the LUMO and the HOMO, respectively, and have a large electronegativity difference, which predicts an electron jump in these atoms during photoexcitation. At the same time, the PR showed a longer bond length and lower bond order, with a larger DM, lower HOMO-LUMO gap, lower hardness and higher electronegativity. In addition, the AOs of -45° and -90° conformers changed significantly, from pz to py, during the rotation concomitantly with marked hybridization, smooth pyramidalization and lower HOOP activity. Clearly, the atomic and molecular differences between the UR and PR are overwhelming, including the rotational energy profile and light absorption spectra, which indicates that light absorption of UR and PR is already determined by the retinal characteristics of the SB protonation. The HR-model compared with UR shows a lower energy barrier and a discreet bathochromic effect in the UV region.

Evidence of Pavlovian conditioned fear following electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal grey in the rat.

PubMed

Di Scala, G; Mana, M J; Jacobs, W J; Phillips, A G

1987-01-01

Stimulation of the periaqueductal grey (PAG) has been used to support aversive conditioning in a variety of species with several experimental paradigms. However, it has not been clearly demonstrated whether the behavioral changes produced by PAG stimulation in these paradigms are mediated by associative or nonassociative mechanisms. The present studies demonstrate that electrical stimulation of the PAG in the rat may be used to support associative learning in a Pavlovian paradigm. In each experiment, a fully controlled conditional emotional response (CER) procedure was used to examine the unconditional aversive properties of PAG stimulation. In Experiment 1a, weak associative conditioning was observed when a light CS was paired with PAG stimulation over 6 conditioning trials. In Experiment 1b, robust associative conditioning was obtained with a light CS when 18 conditioning trials were used. In Experiment 2, robust associative conditioning was demonstrated with a tone CS when 6 conditioning trials were used. The results parallel those found when other aversive stimuli are used as a UCS (e.g., footshock or intraorbital air puff), and because the present experiments included the proper control procedures the results clearly indicate that the behavioral changes produced by PAG stimulation are mediated by associative Pavlovian learning mechanisms rather than nonassociative mechanisms such as sensitization or pseudoconditioning. The present technique may be useful for assessing the neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates underlying the aversive effects of brain-stimulation, and for screening the effects of drugs on the conditional and unconditional responses produced by such stimulation.

The dynamics of utilization review: a case study of 44 Massachusetts hospitals.

PubMed

Gertman, P M; Egdahl, R E

1978-10-01

Utilization review programs have existed on a national basis for over a decade, but relatively little is known about the patients who are scrutinized and what actions are taken to correct unnecessary use. In the fall of 1976, 44 of the 122 Massachusetts hospitals participated in a two-week in depth study of their utilization review activities. Over 22,000 admission and extended stay reviews were performed during this time period, and of these, 2,120 patients' continued stays in the hospital were questioned. In five admission review cases and 79 extended stay review cases, the UR committee formally terminated continued health insurance benefits, and in 12 admission reviews and 74 extended stay reviews, questioning by the UR committee led the attending physician to discharge the patient earlier than would have otherwise occurred. Ninety-four percent of the terminations occurred in Medicare patients and the median age of these patients exceeded 80 years. For medical patients, a disproportionate share of all those cases questioned and of those terminated occurred in chronic illness categories, such as cancer, heart failure, and organic brain syndromes. A higher than expected percentage of surgical cases questioned by the UR committee were in neurosurgical, cardiovascular and orthopedic procedure groups. The frequency with which UR committees identified and acted upon cases suggests that effective self-policing is occurring. A large portion of the utilization problem, however, may be related to the unavailability of appropriate sub-acute care for patients with chronic medical illness or surgical procedures which require long postoperative rehabilitation and recuperation.

Launching partnership in optics and photonics education between University of Rochester and Moscow Engineering Physics Institute NRNU MEPhI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lukishova, Svetlana G.; Zavestovskaya, Irina N.; Zhang, Xi-Cheng; Aleshchenko, Yury A.; Konov, Vitaly I.

2017-08-01

A collaboration in education between the oldest and one of the most comprehensive Optics schools in U.S., the Institute of Optics (IO), University of Rochester (UR), and one of the most recognized Russian university, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute) was started in 2015 by signing an agreement on a double-Master's degree program in optics. It was based on earlier collaboration between research groups in both universities. In summer of 2016, nine UR Optics undergraduate students participated with MEPhI students at the International School on Optics and Laser Physics in MEPhI. During five days they were immersed into the world of cutting edge research, technologies and ideas that Russian, European and U.S. scientists offered them. This School also included tours of MEPhI Nanotechnologies and Lasers Centers and Nano-bioengineering Laboratory as well as of scientific laboratories of the leading institutes in optics, photonics and laser physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In December of 2015, one MEPhI Master student visited IO UR for one month for a research project with results presented later at a MEPhI conference. Samples prepared by MEPhI researchers are used in IO students teaching laboratories. One Master student from MEPhI is working now towards the Master's degree at the IO UR. In this paper benefits and pitfalls of a cross-border collaboration are discussed as well as different directions of such a collaboration to provide a high-quality specialization for the students of the 21 century which includes international cooperation.

Trends of intervention for paediatric stone disease over the last two decades (2000-2015): A systematic review of literature.

PubMed

Pietropaolo, Amelia; Proietti, Silvia; Jones, Patrick; Rangarajan, Karan; Aboumarzouk, Omar; Giusti, Guido; Somani, Bhaskar K

2017-12-01

To ascertain the publication trends of interventions for paediatric kidney stone disease (KSD) we conducted a systematic review of literature over the last 16 years. With a rise of paediatric KSD and related interventions, a systematic review using PubMed was done over the last 16 years for all published papers on 'Paediatric stone disease intervention - ureteroscopy (URS), shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), open stone surgery, and laparoscopic stone surgery'. The search was limited to English language articles with a published abstract, whilst case reports, animal and laboratory studies, were excluded. We also analysed the data in two time periods, period-1 (2000-2007) and period-2 (2008-2015). During the last 16-years, 339 papers were published on paediatric stone disease intervention on PubMed. This included papers on URS (95), PCNL (97), SWL (102), open stone surgery (34) and laparoscopic stone surgery (11). During period-1 and period-2 there were 30 and 65 papers on URS, 16 and 81 papers on PCNL, 33 and 60 papers on SWL, nine and 25 papers on open surgery, respectively. When comparing the two periods, there were 92 published papers for all interventions in period-1 and this had risen almost threefold to 247 papers in period-2. Our systematic review shows that intervention for KSD in the paediatric age group has risen over the last 8 years. Whilst URS, SWL, open surgery and laparoscopic surgery have all doubled, PCNL has risen fivefold reflecting an increase in the new minimally invasive PCNL techniques.

Analysis of Contract Source Selection Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

for Default TINA Truth in Negotiation Act USD (AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistic xv...project to my beautiful and supportive wife, Amy, and my daughters, Peyton and Claire. Thank you for all your unconditional love and support these past...to his unconditional love. I would like to thank my mom, Saraswati, and my dad, Khilendra, for their support and patience during this time. I would

Analysis of Contract Source Selection Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-07

Logistic xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to express our gratitude to our advisors, Professor Rene Rendon and Professor Karen Landale, for their...like to dedicate this project to my beautiful and supportive wife, Amy, and my daughters, Peyton and Claire. Thank you for all your unconditional love...accomplish this milestone due to his unconditional love. I would like to thank my mom, Saraswati, and my dad, Khilendra, for their support and patience

Continuous-variable teleportation of a negative Wigner function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mišta, Ladislav, Jr.; Filip, Radim; Furusawa, Akira

2010-07-01

Teleportation is a basic primitive for quantum communication and quantum computing. We address the problem of continuous-variable (unconditional and conditional) teleportation of a pure single-photon state and a mixed attenuated single-photon state generally in a nonunity-gain regime. Our figure of merit is the maximum negativity of the Wigner function, which demonstrates a highly nonclassical feature of the teleported state. We find that the negativity of the Wigner function of the single-photon state can be unconditionally teleported for an arbitrarily weak squeezed state used to create the entangled state shared in teleportation. In contrast, for the attenuated single-photon state there is a strict threshold squeezing one has to surpass to successfully teleport the negativity of its Wigner function. The conditional teleportation allows one to approach perfect transmission of the single photon for an arbitrarily low squeezing at a cost of decrease of the success rate. In contrast, for the attenuated single photon state, conditional teleportation cannot overcome the squeezing threshold of the unconditional teleportation and it approaches negativity of the input state only if the squeezing increases simultaneously. However, as soon as the threshold squeezing is surpassed, conditional teleportation still pronouncedly outperforms the unconditional one. The main consequences for quantum communication and quantum computing with continuous variables are discussed.

Continuous-variable teleportation of a negative Wigner function

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

Mista, Ladislav Jr.; Filip, Radim; Furusawa, Akira

2010-07-15

Teleportation is a basic primitive for quantum communication and quantum computing. We address the problem of continuous-variable (unconditional and conditional) teleportation of a pure single-photon state and a mixed attenuated single-photon state generally in a nonunity-gain regime. Our figure of merit is the maximum negativity of the Wigner function, which demonstrates a highly nonclassical feature of the teleported state. We find that the negativity of the Wigner function of the single-photon state can be unconditionally teleported for an arbitrarily weak squeezed state used to create the entangled state shared in teleportation. In contrast, for the attenuated single-photon state there ismore » a strict threshold squeezing one has to surpass to successfully teleport the negativity of its Wigner function. The conditional teleportation allows one to approach perfect transmission of the single photon for an arbitrarily low squeezing at a cost of decrease of the success rate. In contrast, for the attenuated single photon state, conditional teleportation cannot overcome the squeezing threshold of the unconditional teleportation and it approaches negativity of the input state only if the squeezing increases simultaneously. However, as soon as the threshold squeezing is surpassed, conditional teleportation still pronouncedly outperforms the unconditional one. The main consequences for quantum communication and quantum computing with continuous variables are discussed.« less

Altered Cortical Responsiveness to Pain Stimuli after High Frequency Electrical Stimulation of the Skin in Patients with Persistent Pain after Inguinal Hernia Repair

PubMed Central

van den Broeke, Emanuel N.; Koeslag, Lonneke; Arendsen, Laura J.; Nienhuijs, Simon W.; Rosman, Camiel; van Rijn, Clementina M.; Wilder-Smith, Oliver H. G.; van Goor, Harry

2013-01-01

Background High Frequency electrical Stimulation (HFS) of the skin induces enhanced brain responsiveness expressed as enhanced Event-Related Potential (ERP) N1 amplitude to stimuli applied to the surrounding unconditioned skin in healthy volunteers. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this enhanced ERP N1 amplitude could be a potential marker for altered cortical sensory processing in patients with persistent pain after surgery. Materials and Methods Nineteen male patients; 9 with and 10 without persistent pain after inguinal hernia repair received HFS. Before, directly after and thirty minutes after HFS evoked potentials and the subjective pain intensity were measured in response to electric pain stimuli applied to the surrounding unconditioned skin. Results The results show that, thirty minutes after HFS, the ERP N1 amplitude observed at the conditioned arm was statistically significantly larger than the amplitude at the control arm across all patients. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding ERP N1 amplitude between patients with and without persistent pain. However, thirty minutes after HFS we did observe statistically significant differences of P2 amplitude at the conditioned arm between the two groups. The P2 amplitude decreased in comparison to baseline in the group of patients with pain. Conclusion The ERP N1 effect, induced after HFS, was not different between patients with vs. without persistent pain. The decreasing P2 amplitude was not observed in the patients without pain and also not in the previous healthy volunteer study and thus might be a marker for altered cortical sensory processing in patients with persistent pain after surgery. PMID:24376568

Classical eyeblink conditioning in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Daum, I; Schugens, M M; Breitenstein, C; Topka, H; Spieker, S

1996-11-01

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) show impairments of a range of motor learning tasks, including tracking or serial reaction time task learning. Our study investigated whether such deficits would also be seen on a simple type of motor learning, classic conditioning of the eyeblink response. Medicated and unmediated patients with PD showed intact unconditioned eyeblink responses and significant learning across acquisition; the learning rates did not differ from those of healthy control subjects. The overall frequency of conditioned responses was significantly higher in the medicated patients with PD relative to control subjects, and there was also some evidence of facilitation in the unmedicated patients with PD. Conditioning of electrodermal and electrocortical responses was comparable in all groups. The findings are discussed in terms of enhanced excitability of brainstem pathways in PD and of the involvement of different neuronal circuits in different types of motor learning.

Intraosseous Hydroxocobalamin in the Treatment of Acute, Severe Cyanide Induced Cardiotoxicity in a Swine (Sus Scrofa) Model - An Alternate Administration Route for Chemical Mass Casualties

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-05

Ut:IVI:I... I 11:111VI:> Hydroxocobalamin, hypotension, cyanide, poisoning , intraosseous, Vitamin B 12a, Vitamin B 12 I 1:). :>CI...U I111 T L.L~:>:>II...34II...A I IUIII Ul": I I. LIIVIII ~II UN Ur- I 0. IIIUIVItl1:11 I ::1a . 1\\I~ IVI I: ur- 111:.:>t’UN:>It:ILC 1ŕ:11:>UN II. 111:1"UI1 I D.Ati:>II1~L.I c

Preface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodionova, Valeria V.; Kurlyandskaya, Galina V.

2016-10-01

This special issue of Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials contains selected peer-reviewed papers from the International Baltic Conference on Magnetism: focus on biomedical aspects (IBCM-2015) held in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, Russia on the base of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (IKBFU, Kaliningrad, Russia) during August 30-September 03, 2015. Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (UrFU, Yekaterinburg, Russia) acted as a co-organizer of the IBCM-2015. IKBFU and UrFU vice-rectors for science - Prof. Artyom V. Yurov and Prof. Vladimir V. Kruzhaev - took a special care for the IBCM-2015.

Medicinal plants traditionally used in the northwest of the Basque Country (Biscay and Alava), Iberian Peninsula.

PubMed

Menendez-Baceta, Gorka; Aceituno-Mata, Laura; Molina, María; Reyes-García, Victoria; Tardío, Javier; Pardo-de-Santayana, Manuel

2014-02-27

Many ethnobotanical studies show that people in industrial countries still rely on their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants for self-treatment, although the trend might not be as common as some decades ago. Given the social and public health implications of ethnopharmacological practices, this survey aims at recording and analysing the medicinal plants used in the folk medicine of the Northwest of the Basque Country focusing on how medicinal plants knowledge and practices evolve. Fieldwork consisted of 265 orally consented semi-structured interviews with 207 informants about medicinal uses of plants. Interviews were conducted between September 2008 and January 2011. Informants were on average 76 years old (minimum 45, maximum 95), being more than half of them (112) men. Data collected were structured in use-reports (UR). Following informants' comments, medicinal use-reports were classified as abandoned-UR, when the informants reported that the use was only practiced in the past, and prevalent-UR, when the informants reported to continue the practice. A total of 2067 UR for 139 species that belong to 58 botanical families were recorded, being the most important families Asteraceae, Liliaceae sensu latu and Urticaceae. Some of the most important species are commonly used in other European areas (e.g., Chamaemelum nobile, Urtica dioica and Chelidonium majus). However, there are also plants commonly used in the area such as Helleborus viridis or Coronopus didymus, that are scarcely used in other areas, and whose record is an original contribution of the local pharmacopeia. It is also the case of remedies such as the use of Plantago leaves against strains in a local remedy called zantiritu. Overall, and for all variables analysed (total UR, medicinal use-categories, drug preparation and administration), the percentage of UR being currently practiced (prevalence ratio) was very low (near 30%) suggesting a strong decay in the use of traditional medicinal plants. Exceptionally, some species (Chamaemelum nobile, Verbena officinalis or Anagallis arvensis) had a high prevalence ratio, reflecting the fact that this erosion process is not evolving homogeneously. Informants also reported that new species and medicinal plant uses were entering into the local pharmacopeia via non-traditional sources such as books, courses, or the internet. These modern ways are now being used to spread some traditional remedies that in the past were only orally transmitted. This study shows that traditional knowledge is continuously changing, evolving and adapting to the new social and environmental conditions. The image of the local folk medicine as a dying reality doomed to disappear should be reviewed. It also shows the need of a culturally sensitive approach by the official health systems to these practices. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An unconditionally stable staggered algorithm for transient finite element analysis of coupled thermoelastic problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farhat, C.; Park, K. C.; Dubois-Pelerin, Y.

1991-01-01

An unconditionally stable second order accurate implicit-implicit staggered procedure for the finite element solution of fully coupled thermoelasticity transient problems is proposed. The procedure is stabilized with a semi-algebraic augmentation technique. A comparative cost analysis reveals the superiority of the proposed computational strategy to other conventional staggered procedures. Numerical examples of one and two-dimensional thermomechanical coupled problems demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed numerical solution algorithm.

Modeling hemoglobin at optical frequency using the unconditionally stable fundamental ADI-FDTD method.

PubMed

Heh, Ding Yu; Tan, Eng Leong

2011-04-12

This paper presents the modeling of hemoglobin at optical frequency (250 nm - 1000 nm) using the unconditionally stable fundamental alternating-direction-implicit finite-difference time-domain (FADI-FDTD) method. An accurate model based on complex conjugate pole-residue pairs is proposed to model the complex permittivity of hemoglobin at optical frequency. Two hemoglobin concentrations at 15 g/dL and 33 g/dL are considered. The model is then incorporated into the FADI-FDTD method for solving electromagnetic problems involving interaction of light with hemoglobin. The computation of transmission and reflection coefficients of a half space hemoglobin medium using the FADI-FDTD validates the accuracy of our model and method. The specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution of human capillary at optical frequency is also shown. While maintaining accuracy, the unconditionally stable FADI-FDTD method exhibits high efficiency in modeling hemoglobin.

Modeling hemoglobin at optical frequency using the unconditionally stable fundamental ADI-FDTD method

PubMed Central

Heh, Ding Yu; Tan, Eng Leong

2011-01-01

This paper presents the modeling of hemoglobin at optical frequency (250 nm – 1000 nm) using the unconditionally stable fundamental alternating-direction-implicit finite-difference time-domain (FADI-FDTD) method. An accurate model based on complex conjugate pole-residue pairs is proposed to model the complex permittivity of hemoglobin at optical frequency. Two hemoglobin concentrations at 15 g/dL and 33 g/dL are considered. The model is then incorporated into the FADI-FDTD method for solving electromagnetic problems involving interaction of light with hemoglobin. The computation of transmission and reflection coefficients of a half space hemoglobin medium using the FADI-FDTD validates the accuracy of our model and method. The specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution of human capillary at optical frequency is also shown. While maintaining accuracy, the unconditionally stable FADI-FDTD method exhibits high efficiency in modeling hemoglobin. PMID:21559129

Gene Map of the HLA Region, Graves' Disease and Hashimoto Thyroiditis, and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

PubMed

Sasazuki, Takehiko; Inoko, Hidetoshi; Morishima, Satoko; Morishima, Yasuo

2016-01-01

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genomic region spanning about 4 Mb is the most gene dense and the polymorphic stretches in the human genome. A total of the 269 loci were identified, including 145 protein coding genes mostly important for immunity and 50 noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Biological function of these ncRNAs remains unknown, becoming hot spot in the studies of HLA-associated diseases. The genomic diversity analysis in the HLA region facilitated by next-generation sequencing will pave the way to molecular understanding of linkage disequilibrium structure, population diversity, histocompatibility in transplantation, and associations with autoimmune diseases. The 4-digit DNA genotyping of HLA for six HLA loci, HLA-A through DP, in the patients with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) identified six susceptible and three resistant HLA alleles. Their epistatic interactions in controlling the development of these diseases are shown. Four susceptible and one resistant HLA alleles are shared by GD and HT. Two HLA alleles associated with GD or HT control the titers of autoantibodies to thyroid antigens. All these observations led us to propose a new model for the development of GD and HT. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donor (UR-HSCT) provides a natural experiment to elucidate the role of allogenic HLA molecules in immune response. Large cohort studies using HLA allele and clinical outcome data have elucidated that (1) HLA locus, allele, and haplotype mismatches between donor and patient, (2) specific amino acid substitution at specific positions of HLA molecules, and (3) ethnic background are all responsible for the immunological events related to UR-HSCT including acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), chronic GVHD, graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect, and graft failure. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sludge reduction by ozone: Insights and modeling of the dose-response effects.

PubMed

Fall, C; Silva-Hernández, B C; Hooijmans, C M; Lopez-Vazquez, C M; Esparza-Soto, M; Lucero-Chávez, M; van Loosdrecht, M C M

2018-01-15

Applying ozone to the return flow in an activated sludge (AS) process is a way for reducing the residual solids production. To be able to extend the activated sludge models to the ozone-AS process, adequate prediction of the tri-atoms effects on the particulate COD fractions is needed. In this study, the biomass inactivation, COD mineralization, and solids dissolution were quantified in batch tests and dose-response models were developed as a function of the reacted ozone doses (ROD). Three kinds of model-sludge were used. S1 was a lab-cultivated synthetic sludge with two components (heterotrophs X H and X P ). S2 was a digestate of S1 almost made by the endogenous residues, X P . S3 was from a municipal activated sludge plant. The specific ozone uptake rate (SO 3 UR, mgO 3 /gCOD.h) was determined as a tool for characterizing the reactivity of the sludges. SO 3 UR increased with the X H fraction and decreased with more X P . Biomass inactivation was exponential (e -β.ROD ) as a function of the ROD doses. The percentage of solids reduction was predictable through a linear model (C Miner  + Y sol ROD), with a fixed part due to mineralization (C Miner ) and a variable part from the solubilization process. The parameters of the models, i.e. the inactivation and the dissolution yields (β, 0.008-0.029 (mgO 3 /mgCOD ini ) -1 vs Y sol , 0.5-2.8 mg COD sol /mgO 3 ) varied in magnitude, depending on the intensity of the scavenging reactions and potentially the compactness of the flocs for each sludge. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anxiety and anxiety disorders. Toward a conceptual reorientation.

PubMed

Curtis, G C

1985-03-01

Traditionally, it has been assumed that there is only one type of anxiety; recent pharmacologic evidence suggests that there may be several. The psychoanalytic concept of "neurotic" symptoms as depressurizing mechanisms is out of keeping with most evidence now available. Spontaneous or "free-floating" anxiety may be partly biologic and genetic in origin. Anxiety symptoms evoked by specific stimuli behave in part like conditioned responses. Where conditioning theory has failed to propose a plausible unconditioned stimulus for pathologic anxiety, biology, ethology, and psychoanalysis may have been more successful.

Evidence for an expectancy-based theory of avoidance behaviour.

PubMed

Declercq, Mieke; De Houwer, Jan; Baeyens, Frank

2008-01-01

In most studies on avoidance learning, participants receive an aversive unconditioned stimulus after a warning signal is presented, unless the participant performs a particular response. Lovibond (2006) recently proposed a cognitive theory of avoidance learning, according to which avoidance behaviour is a function of both Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. In line with this theory, we found that avoidance behaviour was based on an integration of acquired knowledge about, on the one hand, the relation between stimuli and, on the other hand, the relation between behaviour and stimuli.

From VE Day to the Fulda Gap and New Europe: The Policy of U.S. Forces in Germany -- Implications for Twenty-First Century Conflict

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

the lack of a military collapse and complete unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, plans were already being developed by the United States and...105. 15 and summary imprisonment for anyone with a responsibility for Nazi war crimes.21 Secretary of War Henry Stimson, however, saw the needs...cause a situation that would "obscure the guilt of the Nazis and the viciousness of their doctrines and their acts." This sentiment was reinforced by

TANK OPERATIONS CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY UTILIZING THE AGENCY METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

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

LESKO KF; BERRIOCHOA MV

2010-02-26

Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) has faced significant project management challenges in managing Davis-Bacon construction work that meets contractually required small business goals. The unique challenge is to provide contracting opportunities to multiple small business constructioin subcontractors while performing high hazard work in a safe and productive manner. Previous to the WRPS contract, construction work at the Hanford Tank Farms was contracted to large companies, while current Department of Energy (DOE) Contracts typically emphasize small business awards. As an integral part of Nuclear Project Management at Hanford Tank Farms, construction involves removal of old equipment and structures and installationmore » of new infrastructure to support waste retrieval and waste feed delivery to the Waste Treatment Plant. Utilizing the optimum construction approach ensures that the contractors responsible for this work are successful in meeting safety, quality, cost and schedule objectives while working in a very hazardous environment. This paper descirbes the successful transition from a traditional project delivery method that utilized a large business general contractor and subcontractors to a new project construction management model that is more oriented to small businesses. Construction has selected the Agency Construction Management Method (John E Schaufelberger, Len Holm, "Management of Construction Projects, A Constructor's Perspective", University of Washington, Prentice Hall 2002). This method was implemented in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 (FY2009), where Construction Management is performed by substantially home office resources from the URS Northwest Office in Richland, Washington. The Agency Method has allowed WRPS to provide proven Construction Managers and Field Leads to mentor and direct small business contractors, thus providing expertise and assurance of a successful project. Construction execution contracts are subcontracted directly by WRPS to small or disadvantaged contractors that are mentored and supported by URS personnel. Each small contractor is mentored and supported utilizing the principles of the Construction Industry Institute (CII) Partnering process. Some of the key mentoring and partnering areas that are explored in this paper are, internal and external safety professional support, subcontractor safety teams and the interface with project and site safety teams, quality assurance program support to facilitate compliance with NQA-1, construction, team roles and responsibilities, work definition for successful fixed price contracts, scheduling and interface with project schedules and cost projection/accruals. The practical application of the CII Partnering principles, with the Construction Management expertise of URS, has led to a highly successful construction model that also meets small business contracting goals.« less

Large impacted upper ureteral calculi: A comparative study between retrograde ureterolithotripsy and percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy in the modified lateral position

PubMed Central

Moufid, Kamal; Abbaka, Najib; Touiti, Driss; Adermouch, Latifa; Amine, Mohamed; Lezrek, Mohammed

2013-01-01

Context: The treatment for patients with large impacted proximal ureteral stone remains controversial, especially at institutions with limited resources. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare and to evaluate the outcome and complications of two main treatment procedures for impacted proximal ureteral calculi, retrograde ureterolithotripsy (URS), and percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy (Perc-URS). Settings and Design: Our inclusion criteria were solitary, radiopaque calculi, >15 mm in size in a functioning renal unit. Only those patients in whom the attempt at passing a guidewire or catheter beyond the calculus failed were included in this study. Patients and Methods: Between January 2007 and July 2011, a total of 52 patients (13 women and 39 men) with large impacted upper-ureteral calculi >15 mm and meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. Of these, Perc-URS was done in 22 patients (group 1) while retrograde ureteroscopy was performed in 30 patients (group 2). We analyzed operative time, incidence of complications during and after surgery, the number of postoperative recovery days, median total costs associated per patient per procedure, and the stone-free rate immediately after 5 days and after 1 month. Statistical Analysis Used: Bivariate analysis used the Student t-test and the Mann-Whitney test to compare two means and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to compare two percentages. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age was 42.3 years (range 22-69). The mean stone sizes (mm) were 34 ± 1.2 and 29.3 ± 1.8 mm in group 1 and 2, respectively. In the Perc-URS group, 21 patients (95.45%) had complete calculus clearance through a single tract in one session of percutaneous surgery, whereas in the URS group, only 20 patients (66.7%) had complete stone clearance (P = 0.007). The mean operative time was higher in the Perc-URS group compared to group 2 (66.5 ± 21.7 vs. 52.13 ± 17.3 min, respectively; P = 0.013). Complications encountered in group 1 included transient postoperative fever (2 pts) and simple urine outflow (2 pts). Ten patients (33%) of group 2 experienced failure: Migration to the kidney (3 pts), ureteral perforation (2 pts), tortuosity of the ureter (2 pts), and epithelial polyps (2 patients). Group 1 patients had an average visual analog (VAS) pain score of 47 mm compared with 31 mm in group 2 patients. The mean hospital stay (days) in group 1 was higher than the group 2 (2.27 ± 0.8 vs. 1.67 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.01). The mean analgesia requirement for group 1 (paracetamol chlorhydrate + codeine 12 ± 3 g) was significantly more compared with group B (6.8 ± 2 g) (P < 0.01). The difference in average blood loss between the two groups was not statistically significant. Total costs was slightly higher in group 1 but the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (15000 vs. 13400 MDH respectively; P > 0.05). After 1 month, the stone free-rate remained higher in group 1 (95.5% vs. 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.012). Conclusions: In our series, Perc-URS is a safe and efficient treatment option for proximal ureteral stone, especially when the stone size is superior to 15 mm with the presence of moderate or severe hydronephrosis. PMID:24049373

Validation of the 'United Registries for Clinical Assessment and Research' [UR-CARE], a European Online Registry for Clinical Care and Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

PubMed

Burisch, Johan; Gisbert, Javier P; Siegmund, Britta; Bettenworth, Dominik; Thomsen, Sandra Bohn; Cleynen, Isabelle; Cremer, Anneline; Ding, Nik John Sheng; Furfaro, Federica; Galanopoulos, Michail; Grunert, Philip Christian; Hanzel, Jurij; Ivanovski, Tamara Knezevic; Krustins, Eduards; Noor, Nurulamin; O'Morain, Neil; Rodríguez-Lago, Iago; Scharl, Michael; Tua, Julia; Uzzan, Mathieu; Ali Yassin, Nuha; Baert, Filip; Langholz, Ebbe

2018-04-27

The 'United Registries for Clinical Assessment and Research' [UR-CARE] database is an initiative of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] to facilitate daily patient care and research studies in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Herein, we sought to validate the database by using fictional case histories of patients with IBD that were to be entered by observers of varying experience in IBD. Nineteen observers entered five patient case histories into the database. After 6 weeks, all observers entered the same case histories again. For each case history, 20 key variables were selected to calculate the accuracy for each observer. We assumed that the database was such that ≥ 90% of the entered data would be correct. The overall proportion of correctly entered data was calculated using a beta-binomial regression model to account for inter-observer variation and compared to the expected level of validity. Re-test reliability was assessed using McNemar's test. For all case histories, the overall proportion of correctly entered items and their confidence intervals included the target of 90% (Case 1: 92% [88-94%]; Case 2: 87% [83-91%]; Case 3: 93% [90-95%]; Case 4: 97% [94-99%]; Case 5: 91% [87-93%]). These numbers did not differ significantly from those found 6 weeks later [NcNemar's test p > 0.05]. The UR-CARE database appears to be feasible, valid and reliable as a tool and easy to use regardless of prior user experience and level of clinical IBD experience. UR-CARE has the potential to enhance future European collaborations regarding clinical research in IBD.

Effect of Glass Fiber Incorporation on Flexural Properties of Experimental Composites

PubMed Central

Fonseca, Rodrigo Borges; Marques, Aline Silva; Bernades, Karina de Oliveira; Carlo, Hugo Lemes; Naves, Lucas Zago

2014-01-01

This study evaluated the effect of fiber addiction in flexural properties of 30 wt% silica filled BisGMA resin (FR) or unfilled Bis-GMA (UR). Ten groups were created (N = 10) varying the resin (FR or UR) and quantity of glass fibers (wt%: 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30). Samples (10 × 2 × 1 mm) were submitted to flexural strength test following SEM examination. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, Tukey, and Student t-test (α = 0.05). Results for flexural strength (MPa) were FR-groups: 0% (442.7 ± 140.6)C, 10% (772.8 ± 446.3)ABC, 15% (854.7 ± 297.3)AB, 20% (863.4 ± 418.0)A, 30% (459.5 ± 140.5)BC; UR-groups: 0% (187.7 ± 120.3)B, 10% (795.4 ± 688.1)B, 15% (1999.9 ± 1258.6)A, 20% (1911.5 ± 596.8)A, and 30% (2090.6 ± 656.7)A, and for flexural modulus (GPa) FR-groups: 0% (2065.63 ± 882.15)B, 10% (4479.06 ± 3019.82)AB, 15% (5694.89 ± 2790.3)A, 20% (6042.11 ± 3392.13)A, and 30% (2495.67 ± 1345.86)B; UR-groups: 0% (1090.08 ± 708.81)C, 10% (7032.13 ± 7864.53)BC, 15% (19331.57 ± 16759.12)AB, 20% (15726.03 ± 8035.09)AB, and 30% (29364.37 ± 13928.96)A. Fiber addiction in BisGMA resin increases flexural properties, and the interaction between resin and fibers seems better in the absence of inorganic fillers increasing flexural properties. PMID:25136595

Effect of glass fiber incorporation on flexural properties of experimental composites.

PubMed

Fonseca, Rodrigo Borges; Marques, Aline Silva; Bernades, Karina de Oliveira; Carlo, Hugo Lemes; Naves, Lucas Zago

2014-01-01

This study evaluated the effect of fiber addiction in flexural properties of 30 wt% silica filled BisGMA resin (FR) or unfilled Bis-GMA (UR). Ten groups were created (N = 10) varying the resin (FR or UR) and quantity of glass fibers (wt%: 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30). Samples (10 × 2 × 1 mm) were submitted to flexural strength test following SEM examination. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, Tukey, and Student t-test (α = 0.05). Results for flexural strength (MPa) were FR-groups: 0% (442.7 ± 140.6)(C), 10% (772.8 ± 446.3)(ABC), 15% (854.7 ± 297.3)(AB), 20% (863.4 ± 418.0)(A), 30% (459.5 ± 140.5)(BC); UR-groups: 0% (187.7 ± 120.3)(B), 10% (795.4 ± 688.1)(B), 15% (1999.9 ± 1258.6)(A), 20% (1911.5 ± 596.8)(A), and 30% (2090.6 ± 656.7)(A), and for flexural modulus (GPa) FR-groups: 0% (2065.63 ± 882.15)(B), 10% (4479.06 ± 3019.82)(AB), 15% (5694.89 ± 2790.3)(A), 20% (6042.11 ± 3392.13)(A), and 30% (2495.67 ± 1345.86)(B); UR-groups: 0% (1090.08 ± 708.81)(C), 10% (7032.13 ± 7864.53)(BC), 15% (19331.57 ± 16759.12)(AB), 20% (15726.03 ± 8035.09)(AB), and 30% (29364.37 ± 13928.96)(A). Fiber addiction in BisGMA resin increases flexural properties, and the interaction between resin and fibers seems better in the absence of inorganic fillers increasing flexural properties.

Paucity and preferential suppression of transgenes in late replication domains of the D. melanogaster genome.

PubMed

Babenko, Vladimir N; Makunin, Igor V; Brusentsova, Irina V; Belyaeva, Elena S; Maksimov, Daniil A; Belyakin, Stepan N; Maroy, Peter; Vasil'eva, Lyubov A; Zhimulev, Igor F

2010-05-21

Eukaryotic genomes are organized in extended domains with distinct features intimately linking genome structure, replication pattern and chromatin state. Recently we identified a set of long late replicating euchromatic regions that are underreplicated in salivary gland polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster. Here we demonstrate that these underreplicated regions (URs) have a low density of P-element and piggyBac insertions compared to the genome average or neighboring regions. In contrast, Minos-based transposons show no paucity in URs but have a strong bias to testis-specific genes. We estimated the suppression level in 2,852 stocks carrying a single P-element by analysis of eye color determined by the mini-white marker gene and demonstrate that the proportion of suppressed transgenes in URs is more than three times higher than in the flanking regions or the genomic average. The suppressed transgenes reside in intergenic, genic or promoter regions of the annotated genes. We speculate that the low insertion frequency of P-elements and piggyBacs in URs partially results from suppression of transgenes that potentially could prevent identification of transgenes due to complete suppression of the marker gene. In a similar manner, the proportion of suppressed transgenes is higher in loci replicating late or very late in Kc cells and these loci have a lower density of P-elements and piggyBac insertions. In transgenes with two marker genes suppression of mini-white gene in eye coincides with suppression of yellow gene in bristles. Our results suggest that the late replication domains have a high inactivation potential apparently linked to the silenced or closed chromatin state in these regions, and that such inactivation potential is largely maintained in different tissues.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy is safe and efficient for the treatment of kidney stones in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Yuruk, Emrah; Binbay, Murat; Ozgor, Faruk; Erbin, Akif; Berberoglu, Yalcin; Muslumanoglu, Ahmet Y

2014-12-01

To evaluate the outcomes of kidney stone treatment using flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data of patients who underwent f-URS between January 2009 and December 2012 were collected. Patients were staged according to estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with stage ≥ 3 were accepted as having CKD (study group). These patients were matched with a group of patients without CKD (control group). Operative characteristics, complication rates, and third-month success rates were compared. Overall, 339 patients underwent f-URS and 62 (18.28%) had CKD. Control group constituted of 87 patients. Having a solitary kidney (17.4% vs 3.5%; P = .003) and history of stone intervention (51.6% vs 23%; P = .001) were more common in the CKD group. Similarly, access sheath was more commonly used among patients with CKD (87.1% vs 70.22%; P = .015). Both perioperative (19.35% vs 19.54; P = .372) and postoperative (22.6% vs 16.1%; P = .214) complication rates were similar in patients with and without CKD. Hospitalization time was 25.70 ± 25.62 and 24.5 ± 25 hours (P = .871) for patients with and without CKD, respectively. Although mean third postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate of patients with CKD did not change significantly (48.16 ± 8.72 vs 49.08 ± 9.26; P = .431), CKD stage of 13 patients shifted from 3 to 2. At the third postoperative month, stone free rate in patients with and without CKD was 87.1% vs 86.2% (P = .875). f-URS is a safe and effective procedure in patients with CKD and it is associated with improved overall kidney function. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Is There A Difference Between Presence of Single Stone And Multiple Stones in Flexible Ureterorenoscopy And Laser Lithotripsy For Renal Stone Burden < 300mm2 ?

PubMed

Ozgor, Faruk; Kucuktopcu, Onur; Ucpinar, Burak; Gurbuz, Zafer Gokhan; Sarilar, Omer; Berberoglu, Ahmet Yalcin; Baykal, Murat; Binbay, Murat

2016-01-01

In this study, we aim to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) for solitary and multiple renal stones with < 300 mm2 stone burden. Patients' charts who treated with f-URS for kidney stone between January 2010 and June 2015 were reviewed, retrospectively. Patients with solitary kidney stones (n:111) were enrolled in group 1. We selected 111 patients with multiple kidney stones to serve as the control group and the patients were matched at a 1:1 ratio with respect to the patient's age, gender, body mass index and stone burden. Additionally, patients with multiple stones were divided into two groups according to the presence or abscence of lower pole stones. Stone free status was accepted as complete stone clearence and presence of residual fragments < 2 mm. According to the study design; age, stone burden, body mass index were comparable between groups. The mean operation time was longer in group 2 (p= 0.229). However, the mean fluoroscopy screening time in group 1 and in group 2 was 2.1±1.7 and 2.6±1.5 min, respectively and significantly longer in patients with multiple renal stones (P=0.043). The stone-free status was significantly higher in patients with solitary renal stones after a single session procedure (p=0.02). After third month follow up, overall success rate was 92.7% in Group 1 and 86.4% in Group 2. Our study revealed that F-URS achieved better stone free status in solitary renal stones < 300 mm2. However, outcomes of F-URS were acceptable in patients with multiple stones. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

Expected number of asbestos-related lung cancers in the Netherlands in the next two decades: a comparison of methods.

PubMed

Van der Bij, Sjoukje; Vermeulen, Roel C H; Portengen, Lützen; Moons, Karel G M; Koffijberg, Hendrik

2016-05-01

Exposure to asbestos fibres increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. Although the vast majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure, the number of asbestos-related lung cancers is less clear. This number cannot be determined directly as lung cancer causes are not clinically distinguishable but may be estimated using varying modelling methods. We applied three different modelling methods to the Dutch population supplemented with uncertainty ranges (UR) due to uncertainty in model input values. The first method estimated asbestos-related lung cancer cases directly from observed and predicted mesothelioma cases in an age-period-cohort analysis. The second method used evidence on the fraction of lung cancer cases attributable (population attributable risk (PAR)) to asbestos exposure. The third method incorporated risk estimates and population exposure estimates to perform a life table analysis. The three methods varied substantially in incorporated evidence. Moreover, the estimated number of asbestos-related lung cancer cases in the Netherlands between 2011 and 2030 depended crucially on the actual method applied, as the mesothelioma method predicts 17 500 expected cases (UR 7000-57 000), the PAR method predicts 12 150 cases (UR 6700-19 000), and the life table analysis predicts 6800 cases (UR 6800-33 850). The three different methods described resulted in absolute estimates varying by a factor of ∼2.5. These results show that accurate estimation of the impact of asbestos exposure on the lung cancer burden remains a challenge. 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/

Transport of pesticides and artificial tracers in vertical-flow lab-scale wetlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durst, Romy; Imfeld, Gwenaël.; Lange, Jens

2013-01-01

Wetland systems can be hydrologically connected to a shallow aquifer and intercept upward flow of pesticide-contaminated water during groundwater discharge. However, pesticide transport and attenuation through wetland sediments (WSs) intercepting contaminated water is rarely evaluated quantitatively. The use of artificial tracers to evaluate pesticide transport and associated risks is a fairly new approach that requires evaluation and validation. Here we evaluate during 84 days the transport of two pesticides (i.e., isoproturon (IPU) and metalaxyl (MTX)) and three tracers (i.e., bromide (Br), uranine (UR), and sulforhodamine B (SRB)) in upward vertical-flow vegetated and nonvegetated lab-scale wetlands. The lab-scale wetlands were filled with outdoor WSs and were continuously supplied with tracers and the pesticide-contaminated water. The transport of IPU and UR was characterized by high solute recovery (approximately 80%) and low retardation compared to Br. The detection of desmethylisoproturon in the wetlands indicated IPU degradation. SRB showed larger retardation (>3) and lower recovery (approximately 60%) compared to Br, indicating that sorption controlled SRB transport. MTX was moderately retarded (approximately 1.5), and its load attenuation in the wetland reached 40%. In the vegetated wetland, preferential flow along the roots decreased interactions between solutes and sediments, resulting in larger pesticide and tracer recovery. Our results show that UR and IPU have similar transport characteristics under the tested subsurface-flow conditions, whereas SRB may serve as a proxy for less mobile and more persistent pesticides. Since UR and SRB are not significantly affected by degradation, their use as proxies for fast degrading pollutants may be limited. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for considering artificial tracers for investigating pesticide transport in environments at groundwater/surface-water interfaces.

Preoperative JJ stent placement in ureteric and renal stone treatment: results from the Clinical Research Office of Endourological Society (CROES) ureteroscopy (URS) Global Study.

PubMed

Assimos, Dean; Crisci, Alfonso; Culkin, Daniel; Xue, Wei; Roelofs, Anita; Duvdevani, Mordechai; Desai, Mahesh; de la Rosette, Jean

2016-04-01

To compare outcomes of ureteric and renal stone treatment with ureteroscopy (URS) in patients with or without the placement of a preoperative JJ stent. The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) URS Global Study collected prospective data for 1 year on consecutive patients with ureteric or renal stones treated with URS at 114 centres around the world. Patients that had had preoperative JJ stent placement were compared with those that did not. Inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) was used to examine the effect of preoperative JJ stent placement on the stone-free rate (SFR), length of hospital stay (LOHS), operative duration, and complications (rate and severity). Of 8 189 patients with ureteric stones, there were 978 (11.9%) and 7 133 patients with and without a preoperative JJ stent, respectively. Of the 1 622 patients with renal stones, 590 (36.4%) had preoperative stenting and 1 002 did not. For renal stone treatment, preoperative stent placement increased the SFR and operative time, and there was a borderline significant decrease in intraoperative complications. For ureteric stone treatment, preoperative stent placement was associated with longer operative duration and decreased LOHS, but there was no difference in the SFR and complications. One major limitation of the study was that the reason for JJ stent placement was not identified preoperatively. The placement of a preoperative JJ stent increases SFRs and decreases complications in patients with renal stones but not in those with ureteric stones. © 2015 The Authors BJU International © 2015 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Health Effects of Exposure to Water-Damaged New Orleans Homes Six Months After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

PubMed Central

Cummings, Kristin J.; Cox-Ganser, Jean; Riggs, Margaret A.; Edwards, Nicole; Hobbs, Gerald R.; Kreiss, Kathleen

2008-01-01

Objectives. We investigated the relation between respiratory symptoms and exposure to water-damaged homes and the effect of respirator use in posthurricane New Orleans, Louisiana. Methods. We randomly selected 600 residential sites and then interviewed 1 adult per site. We created an exposure variable, calculated upper respiratory symptom (URS) and lower respiratory symptom (LRS) scores, and defined exacerbation categories by the effect on symptoms of being inside water-damaged homes. We used multiple linear regression to model symptom scores (for all participants) and polytomous logistic regression to model exacerbation of symptoms when inside (for those participating in clean-up). Results. Of 553 participants (response rate=92%), 372 (68%) had participated in clean-up; 233 (63%) of these used a respirator. Respiratory symptom scores increased linearly with exposure (P<.05 for trend). Disposable-respirator use was associated with lower odds of exacerbation of moderate or severe symptoms inside water-damaged homes for URS (odds ratio (OR)=.51; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.24, 1.09) and LRS (OR=0.33; 95% CI=0.13, 0.83). Conclusions. Respiratory symptoms were positively associated with exposure to water-damaged homes, including exposure limited to being inside without participating in clean-up. Respirator use had a protective effect and should be considered when inside water-damaged homes regardless of activities undertaken. PMID:18381997

Roles of octopaminergic and dopaminergic neurons in appetitive and aversive memory recall in an insect.

PubMed

Mizunami, Makoto; Unoki, Sae; Mori, Yasuhiro; Hirashima, Daisuke; Hatano, Ai; Matsumoto, Yukihisa

2009-08-04

In insect classical conditioning, octopamine (the invertebrate counterpart of noradrenaline) or dopamine has been suggested to mediate reinforcing properties of appetitive or aversive unconditioned stimulus, respectively. However, the roles of octopaminergic and dopaminergic neurons in memory recall have remained unclear. We studied the roles of octopaminergic and dopaminergic neurons in appetitive and aversive memory recall in olfactory and visual conditioning in crickets. We found that pharmacological blockade of octopamine and dopamine receptors impaired aversive memory recall and appetitive memory recall, respectively, thereby suggesting that activation of octopaminergic and dopaminergic neurons and the resulting release of octopamine and dopamine are needed for appetitive and aversive memory recall, respectively. On the basis of this finding, we propose a new model in which it is assumed that two types of synaptic connections are formed by conditioning and are activated during memory recall, one type being connections from neurons representing conditioned stimulus to neurons inducing conditioned response and the other being connections from neurons representing conditioned stimulus to octopaminergic or dopaminergic neurons representing appetitive or aversive unconditioned stimulus, respectively. The former is called 'stimulus-response connection' and the latter is called 'stimulus-stimulus connection' by theorists studying classical conditioning in higher vertebrates. Our model predicts that pharmacological blockade of octopamine or dopamine receptors during the first stage of second-order conditioning does not impair second-order conditioning, because it impairs the formation of the stimulus-response connection but not the stimulus-stimulus connection. The results of our study with a cross-modal second-order conditioning were in full accordance with this prediction. We suggest that insect classical conditioning involves the formation of two kinds of memory traces, which match to stimulus-stimulus connection and stimulus-response connection. This is the first study to suggest that classical conditioning in insects involves, as does classical conditioning in higher vertebrates, the formation of stimulus-stimulus connection and its activation for memory recall, which are often called cognitive processes.

An Unconditionally Monotone C 2 Quartic Spline Method with Nonoscillation Derivatives

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

Yao, Jin; Nelson, Karl E.

Here, a one-dimensional monotone interpolation method based on interface reconstruction with partial volumes in the slope-space utilizing the Hermite cubic-spline, is proposed. The new method is only quartic, however is C 2 and unconditionally monotone. A set of control points is employed to constrain the curvature of the interpolation function and to eliminate possible nonphysical oscillations in the slope space. An extension of this method in two-dimensions is also discussed.

Recruiting Older Youths: Insights from a New Survey of Army Recruits

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

remaining in the service at the time to be considered for promotion 8. the unconditional probability of achieving the military grade of E-5 at four years...of service 9. the unconditional probability of achieving the military grade of E-5 at six years of ser- vice. We examined both the total effects of...career outcomes for Army enlist- ees. These effects are computed from separate linear probability regression models that include only dummy variables

An Unconditionally Monotone C 2 Quartic Spline Method with Nonoscillation Derivatives

DOE PAGES

Yao, Jin; Nelson, Karl E.

2018-01-24

Here, a one-dimensional monotone interpolation method based on interface reconstruction with partial volumes in the slope-space utilizing the Hermite cubic-spline, is proposed. The new method is only quartic, however is C 2 and unconditionally monotone. A set of control points is employed to constrain the curvature of the interpolation function and to eliminate possible nonphysical oscillations in the slope space. An extension of this method in two-dimensions is also discussed.

The special case of the 2 × 2 table: asymptotic unconditional McNemar test can be used to estimate sample size even for analysis based on GEE.

PubMed

Borkhoff, Cornelia M; Johnston, Patrick R; Stephens, Derek; Atenafu, Eshetu

2015-07-01

Aligning the method used to estimate sample size with the planned analytic method ensures the sample size needed to achieve the planned power. When using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to analyze a paired binary primary outcome with no covariates, many use an exact McNemar test to calculate sample size. We reviewed the approaches to sample size estimation for paired binary data and compared the sample size estimates on the same numerical examples. We used the hypothesized sample proportions for the 2 × 2 table to calculate the correlation between the marginal proportions to estimate sample size based on GEE. We solved the inside proportions based on the correlation and the marginal proportions to estimate sample size based on exact McNemar, asymptotic unconditional McNemar, and asymptotic conditional McNemar. The asymptotic unconditional McNemar test is a good approximation of GEE method by Pan. The exact McNemar is too conservative and yields unnecessarily large sample size estimates than all other methods. In the special case of a 2 × 2 table, even when a GEE approach to binary logistic regression is the planned analytic method, the asymptotic unconditional McNemar test can be used to estimate sample size. We do not recommend using an exact McNemar test. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unconditional or Conditional Logistic Regression Model for Age-Matched Case-Control Data?

PubMed

Kuo, Chia-Ling; Duan, Yinghui; Grady, James

2018-01-01

Matching on demographic variables is commonly used in case-control studies to adjust for confounding at the design stage. There is a presumption that matched data need to be analyzed by matched methods. Conditional logistic regression has become a standard for matched case-control data to tackle the sparse data problem. The sparse data problem, however, may not be a concern for loose-matching data when the matching between cases and controls is not unique, and one case can be matched to other controls without substantially changing the association. Data matched on a few demographic variables are clearly loose-matching data, and we hypothesize that unconditional logistic regression is a proper method to perform. To address the hypothesis, we compare unconditional and conditional logistic regression models by precision in estimates and hypothesis testing using simulated matched case-control data. Our results support our hypothesis; however, the unconditional model is not as robust as the conditional model to the matching distortion that the matching process not only makes cases and controls similar for matching variables but also for the exposure status. When the study design involves other complex features or the computational burden is high, matching in loose-matching data can be ignored for negligible loss in testing and estimation if the distributions of matching variables are not extremely different between cases and controls.

Unconditional or Conditional Logistic Regression Model for Age-Matched Case–Control Data?

PubMed Central

Kuo, Chia-Ling; Duan, Yinghui; Grady, James

2018-01-01

Matching on demographic variables is commonly used in case–control studies to adjust for confounding at the design stage. There is a presumption that matched data need to be analyzed by matched methods. Conditional logistic regression has become a standard for matched case–control data to tackle the sparse data problem. The sparse data problem, however, may not be a concern for loose-matching data when the matching between cases and controls is not unique, and one case can be matched to other controls without substantially changing the association. Data matched on a few demographic variables are clearly loose-matching data, and we hypothesize that unconditional logistic regression is a proper method to perform. To address the hypothesis, we compare unconditional and conditional logistic regression models by precision in estimates and hypothesis testing using simulated matched case–control data. Our results support our hypothesis; however, the unconditional model is not as robust as the conditional model to the matching distortion that the matching process not only makes cases and controls similar for matching variables but also for the exposure status. When the study design involves other complex features or the computational burden is high, matching in loose-matching data can be ignored for negligible loss in testing and estimation if the distributions of matching variables are not extremely different between cases and controls. PMID:29552553

Conservative, unconditionally stable discretization methods for Hamiltonian equations, applied to wave motion in lattice equations modeling protein molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LeMesurier, Brenton

2012-01-01

A new approach is described for generating exactly energy-momentum conserving time discretizations for a wide class of Hamiltonian systems of DEs with quadratic momenta, including mechanical systems with central forces; it is well-suited in particular to the large systems that arise in both spatial discretizations of nonlinear wave equations and lattice equations such as the Davydov System modeling energetic pulse propagation in protein molecules. The method is unconditionally stable, making it well-suited to equations of broadly “Discrete NLS form”, including many arising in nonlinear optics. Key features of the resulting discretizations are exact conservation of both the Hamiltonian and quadratic conserved quantities related to continuous linear symmetries, preservation of time reversal symmetry, unconditional stability, and respecting the linearity of certain terms. The last feature allows a simple, efficient iterative solution of the resulting nonlinear algebraic systems that retain unconditional stability, avoiding the need for full Newton-type solvers. One distinction from earlier work on conservative discretizations is a new and more straightforward nearly canonical procedure for constructing the discretizations, based on a “discrete gradient calculus with product rule” that mimics the essential properties of partial derivatives. This numerical method is then used to study the Davydov system, revealing that previously conjectured continuum limit approximations by NLS do not hold, but that sech-like pulses related to NLS solitons can nevertheless sometimes arise.

Functional gene polymorphisms in the serotonin system and traumatic life events modulate the neural basis of fear acquisition and extinction.

PubMed

Hermann, Andrea; Küpper, Yvonne; Schmitz, Anja; Walter, Bertram; Vaitl, Dieter; Hennig, Jürgen; Stark, Rudolf; Tabbert, Katharina

2012-01-01

Fear acquisition and extinction are crucial mechanisms in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders. Moreover, they might play a pivotal role in conveying the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the development of a (more or less) stronger proneness for, or resilience against psychopathology. There are only few insights in the neurobiology of genetically and environmentally based individual differences in fear learning and extinction. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, 74 healthy subjects were investigated. These were invited according to 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 (S+ vs. L(A)L(A); triallelic classification) and TPH2 (G(-703)T) (T+ vs. T-) genotype. The aim was to investigate the influence of genetic factors and traumatic life events on skin conductance responses (SCRs) and neural responses (amygdala, insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)) during acquisition and extinction learning in a differential fear conditioning paradigm. Fear acquisition was characterized by stronger late conditioned and unconditioned responses in the right insula in 5-HTTLPR S-allele carriers. During extinction traumatic life events were associated with reduced amygdala activation in S-allele carriers vs. non-carriers. Beyond that, T-allele carriers of the TPH2 (G(-703)T) polymorphism with a higher number of traumatic life events showed enhanced responsiveness in the amygdala during acquisition and in the vmPFC during extinction learning compared with non-carriers. Finally, a combined effect of the two polymorphisms with higher responses in S- and T-allele carriers was found in the dACC during extinction. The results indicate an increased expression of conditioned, but also unconditioned fear responses in the insula in 5-HTTLPR S-allele carriers. A combined effect of the two polymorphisms on dACC activation during extinction might be associated with prolonged fear expression. Gene-by-environment interactions in amygdala and vmPFC activation may reflect a neural endophenotype translating genetic and adverse environmental influences into vulnerability for or resilience against developing affective psychopathology.

Auditory cortex controls sound-driven innate defense behaviour through corticofugal projections to inferior colliculus.

PubMed

Xiong, Xiaorui R; Liang, Feixue; Zingg, Brian; Ji, Xu-ying; Ibrahim, Leena A; Tao, Huizhong W; Zhang, Li I

2015-06-11

Defense against environmental threats is essential for animal survival. However, the neural circuits responsible for transforming unconditioned sensory stimuli and generating defensive behaviours remain largely unclear. Here, we show that corticofugal neurons in the auditory cortex (ACx) targeting the inferior colliculus (IC) mediate an innate, sound-induced flight behaviour. Optogenetic activation of these neurons, or their projection terminals in the IC, is sufficient for initiating flight responses, while the inhibition of these projections reduces sound-induced flight responses. Corticocollicular axons monosynaptically innervate neurons in the cortex of the IC (ICx), and optogenetic activation of the projections from the ICx to the dorsal periaqueductal gray is sufficient for provoking flight behaviours. Our results suggest that ACx can both amplify innate acoustic-motor responses and directly drive flight behaviours in the absence of sound input through corticocollicular projections to ICx. Such corticofugal control may be a general feature of innate defense circuits across sensory modalities.

College females as mothers: balancing the roles of student and motherhood.

PubMed

Brown, Rita L; Amankwaa, Adansi A

2007-01-01

As more female college students are involved in sexual relationships their risk of conception increases. However, when pregnancy occurs it is only the woman who bears the burden and risk of the pregnancy and in most cases child care. Female college students who become pregnant are then faced with, not only the risk of the child birth but also the responsibility of their education and childcare. This study describes how the women in situations like this cope with their experiences. In their own words the participants will suggest how they handle their responsibility of school and parenting. Five themes are associated with this study: (a) mother's unconditional love; (b) relationship with the child's father; (c) responsibility for education; (d) family and friends involvement; and (e) the learned lessons. These themes are used as a guide to get an understanding of what the females go through when faced with these responsibilities.

Characterization of Periodic Variations in the GPS Satellite Clocks

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-08

la tin g th e M D EV . F or s at el lit es , t he le ge nd in di ca te s th e N av st ar v eh ic le n um be r/P R N c...10 Senior, Ray, and Beard Fi g. 3 — T im e- va ry in g am pl itu de s o f t he 1 2- ho ur (b la ck ), 6- ho ur (b lu e) , 4...Transfer and Time Scale Formation,” Metrologia 40, S270-S288. Ray, J.R., and K.L. Senior, 2005, “Geodetic

Rethinking the ethical approach to health information management through narration: pertinence of Ricœur's 'little ethics'.

PubMed

Mouton Dorey, Corine

2016-12-01

The increased complexity of health information management sows the seeds of inequalities between health care stakeholders involved in the production and use of health information. Patients may thus be more vulnerable to use of their data without their consent and breaches in confidentiality. Health care providers can also be the victims of a health information system that they do not fully master. Yet, despite its possible drawbacks, the management of health information is indispensable for advancing science, medical care and public health. Therefore, the central question addressed by this paper is how to manage health information ethically? This article argues that Paul Ricœur's "little ethics", based on his work on hermeneutics and narrative identity, provides a suitable ethical framework to this end. This ethical theory has the merit of helping to harmonise self-esteem and solicitude amongst patients and healthcare providers, and at the same time provides an ethics of justice in public health. A matrix, derived from Ricœur's ethics, has been developed as a solution to overcoming possible conflicts between privacy interests and the common good in the management of health information.

Long-Term Intake of Uncaria rhynchophylla Reduces S100B and RAGE Protein Levels in Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures Rats

PubMed Central

Tang, Nou-Ying; Ho, Tin-Yun; Chen, Chao-Hsiang

2017-01-01

Epileptic seizures are crucial clinical manifestations of recurrent neuronal discharges in the brain. An imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory neuronal discharges causes brain damage and cell loss. Herbal medicines offer alternative treatment options for epilepsy because of their low cost and few side effects. We established a rat epilepsy model by injecting kainic acid (KA, 12 mg/kg, i.p.) and subsequently investigated the effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and its underlying mechanisms. Electroencephalogram and epileptic behaviors revealed that the KA injection induced epileptic seizures. Following KA injection, S100B levels increased in the hippocampus. This phenomenon was attenuated by the oral administration of UR and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg). Both drugs significantly reversed receptor potentiation for advanced glycation end product proteins. Rats with KA-induced epilepsy exhibited no increase in the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 3, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and chemokine receptor type 2, which play a role in inflammation. Our results provide novel and detailed mechanisms, explaining the role of UR in KA-induced epileptic seizures in hippocampal CA1 neurons. PMID:28386293

Flexible ureterorenoscopy in position or fusion anomaly: Is it feasible?

PubMed

Astolfi, Rafael Haddad; Freschi, Gustavo; Berti, Fernando Figueiredo; Gattas, Nelson; Molina, Wilson Rica; Meller, Alex

2017-08-01

To analyze the results of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with holmium laser in the treatment of kidney stones with ectopic and fusion anomalies (horseshoe kidney and rotation anomalies). We reviewed data from 13 patients with fusion and ectopic renal anomalies that underwent F-URS from April 2011 to April 2017. We analyzed demographic and clinical data (age, gender, BMI, anatomical abnormality, location and dimension of the renal calculi) and perioperative data (method of treatment, stone-free rate, number of days with DJ catheter and perioperative complications). The mean stone size was 12.23 +/- 5.43 mm (range 6-22mm), located in the inferior (58.33%) and middle (16.76%) calyceal units, renal pelvis (16.67%) and multiple locations (8.33%). All 13 patients were treated with Ho-Yag laser, using dusting technique (25%), fragmentation and extraction of the calculi (58.33%) and mixed technique (16.67%). We did not have any severe perioperative complication. After 90 days, nine patients (75%) were considered stone free. Our data suggest that F-URS is a safe and feasible choice for the treatment of kidney stones in patients with renal ectopic and fusion anomalies.

Long-Term Intake of Uncaria rhynchophylla Reduces S100B and RAGE Protein Levels in Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures Rats.

PubMed

Tang, Nou-Ying; Lin, Yi-Wen; Ho, Tin-Yun; Cheng, Chin-Yi; Chen, Chao-Hsiang; Hsieh, Ching-Liang

2017-01-01

Epileptic seizures are crucial clinical manifestations of recurrent neuronal discharges in the brain. An imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory neuronal discharges causes brain damage and cell loss. Herbal medicines offer alternative treatment options for epilepsy because of their low cost and few side effects. We established a rat epilepsy model by injecting kainic acid (KA, 12 mg/kg, i.p.) and subsequently investigated the effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and its underlying mechanisms. Electroencephalogram and epileptic behaviors revealed that the KA injection induced epileptic seizures. Following KA injection, S100B levels increased in the hippocampus. This phenomenon was attenuated by the oral administration of UR and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg). Both drugs significantly reversed receptor potentiation for advanced glycation end product proteins. Rats with KA-induced epilepsy exhibited no increase in the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 3, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and chemokine receptor type 2, which play a role in inflammation. Our results provide novel and detailed mechanisms, explaining the role of UR in KA-induced epileptic seizures in hippocampal CA1 neurons.

Compound ultrarefractory CAI-bearing inclusions from CV3 carbonaceous chondrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanova, Marina A.; Krot, Alexander N.; Nagashima, Kazuhide; MacPherson, Glenn J.

2012-12-01