Multisite evaluation of environmental cleanliness of high-touch surfaces in intensive care unit patient rooms.

PubMed

Hopman, Joost; Donskey, Curtis J; Boszczowski, Icaro; Alfa, Michelle J

2018-05-23

The efficacy of discharge cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces of intensive care unit patient rooms in Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States was evaluated and the effect of an educational intervention was determined. Significant site-to-site differences in cleaning regimens and baseline cleanliness levels were observed using ATP levels, colony-forming units, and reflective surface marker removal percent pass rates. An educational intervention that includes rapid feedback of the ATP measurements could significantly improve the quality of the cleaning and disinfection regimens. Copyright © 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.

Planning for an Evaluation of Teaching Performance. Volume IV. Summaries of Instruments for Use in Evaluating Teacher Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuzdepski, I., Comp.; Elliott, L., Comp.

This document presents information, in the form of summary sheets, on 54 teacher evaluation instruments. Each summary contains pertinent information about the instrument regarding publishing company, author, criteria evaluated, subject of observation, category dimension, and coding units. The 19 criteria used in the evaluation tests, which were…

Validation of Welding Curriculum Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Sheila D.

A study was conducted to validate the welding curriculum materials developed and published by the Oklahoma State Department of Vocational and Technical Education. Twelve instructors collected achievement data (unit tests, assignment sheets, and evaluation forms) concerning the performance of 280 students on a total of 46 instructional units. Item…

Antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine on intratubular Candida albicans

PubMed Central

Jacques Rezende Delgado, Ronan; Helena Gasparoto, Thaís; Renata Sipert, Carla; Ramos Pinheiro, Claudia; Gomes de Moraes, Ivaldo; Brandão Garcia, Roberto; Antônio Hungaro Duarte, Marco; Monteiro Bramante, Clóvis; Aparecido Torres, Sérgio; Pompermaier Garlet, Gustavo; Paula Campanelli, Ana; Bernardineli, Norberti

2013-01-01

This study investigated the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gel for the elimination of intratubular Candida albicans (C. albicans). Human single-rooted teeth contaminated with C. albicans were treated with calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine gel, calcium hydroxide plus 2% chlorhexidine gel, or saline (0.9% sodium chloride) as a positive control. The samples obtained at depths of 0–100 and 100–200 µm from the root canal system were analyzed for C. albicans load by counting the number of colony forming units and for the percentage of viable C. albicans using fluorescence microscopy. First, the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and the 2% chlorhexidine gel was evaluated by counting the number of colony forming units. After 14 days of intracanal medication, there was a significant decrease in the number of C. albicans colony forming units at a depth of 0–100 µm with chlorhexidine treatment either with or without calcium hydroxide compared with the calcium hydroxide only treatment. However, there were no differences in the number of colony forming units at the 100–200 µm depth for any of the medications investigated. C. albicans viability was also evaluated by vital staining techniques and fluorescence microscopy analysis. Antifungal activity against C. albicans significantly increased at both depths in the chlorhexidine groups with and without calcium hydroxide compared with the groups treated with calcium hydroxide only. Treatments with only chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine in combination with calcium hydroxide were effective for elimination of C. albicans. PMID:23538639

An ICU Preanesthesia Evaluation Form Reduces Missing Preoperative Key Information.

PubMed

Chuy, Katherine; Yan, Zhe; Fleisher, Lee; Liu, Renyu

2012-09-28

A comprehensive preoperative evaluation is critical for providing anesthetic care for patients from the intensive care unit (ICU). There has been no preoperative evaluation form specific for ICU patients that allows for a rapid and focused evaluation by anesthesia providers, including junior residents. In this study, a specific preoperative form was designed for ICU patients and evaluated to allow residents to perform the most relevant and important preoperative evaluations efficiently. The following steps were utilized for developing the preoperative evaluation form: 1) designed a new preoperative form specific for ICU patients; 2) had the form reviewed by attending physicians and residents, followed by multiple revisions; 3) conducted test releases and revisions; 4) released the final version and conducted a survey; 5) compared data collection from new ICU form with that from a previously used generic form. Each piece of information on the forms was assigned a score, and the score for the total missing information was determined. The score for each form was presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and compared by unpaired t test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of 52 anesthesiologists (19 attending physicians, 33 residents) responding to the survey, 90% preferred the final new form; and 56% thought the new form would reduce perioperative risk for ICU patients. Forty percent were unsure whether the form would reduce perioperative risk. Over a three month period, we randomly collected 32 generic forms and 25 new forms. The average score for missing data was 23 ± 10 for the generic form and 8 ± 4 for the new form (P = 2.58E-11). A preoperative evaluation form designed specifically for ICU patients is well accepted by anesthesia providers and helped to reduce missing key preoperative information. Such an approach is important for perioperative patient safety.

Food Service Trades. Instructional System Development Model for Vermont Area Vocational Centers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1975

The model curriculum guide in food service occupations consists of 26 units of study presented in outline form and intended for use at the secondary level. The outline presents a concept statement, behavioral objective, learning activities, teacher resource needs, suggested evaluation techniques, lesson objectives, a lesson/unit plan, and…

Keyphrase based Evaluation of Automatic Text Summarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elghannam, Fatma; El-Shishtawy, Tarek

2015-05-01

The development of methods to deal with the informative contents of the text units in the matching process is a major challenge in automatic summary evaluation systems that use fixed n-gram matching. The limitation causes inaccurate matching between units in a peer and reference summaries. The present study introduces a new Keyphrase based Summary Evaluator KpEval for evaluating automatic summaries. The KpEval relies on the keyphrases since they convey the most important concepts of a text. In the evaluation process, the keyphrases are used in their lemma form as the matching text unit. The system was applied to evaluate different summaries of Arabic multi-document data set presented at TAC2011. The results showed that the new evaluation technique correlates well with the known evaluation systems: Rouge1, Rouge2, RougeSU4, and AutoSummENG MeMoG. KpEval has the strongest correlation with AutoSummENG MeMoG, Pearson and spearman correlation coefficient measures are 0.8840, 0.9667 respectively.

Evaluation of a teflon based ultraviolet light system on the disinfection of water in a textile air washer

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

Smith, J.E.; Whisnant, R.B.

The report provides an in-depth evaluation of an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit as applied to the treatment of cooling water in a textile air washer system. The UV unit tests used a teflon tube to transport the aquatic phase. The unit reduced microbial populations and maintained an average level of 10,000 Colony formed unites/mL for the 6-month testing period, without the addition of biocides. No cleaning or other maintenance was required of the wetted surfaces during the testing period. Slime deposits observed on walls of the air washer during chemical treatment were also eliminated. The UV unit can be utilizedmore » on both cooling towers and air washers without extensive installation.« less

A Pilot Evaluation of an Art Therapy Program for Refugee Youth from Burma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kowitt, Sarah Dorothy; Emmerling, Dane; Gavarkavich, Diane; Mershon, Claire-Helene; Linton, Kristin; Rubesin, Hillary; Agnew-Brune, Christine; Eng, Eugenia

2016-01-01

Art therapy is a promising form of therapy to address mental health concerns for refugee youth. This article describes the development and implementation of a pilot evaluation of an art therapy program for refugee adolescents from Burma currently living in the United States. Evaluation activities were based on the Centers for Disease Control and…

Performance evaluation of a modular detector unit for X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Guo, Zhe; Tang, Zhiwei; Wang, Xinzeng; Deng, Mingliang; Hu, Guangshu; Zhang, Hui

2013-04-18

A research prototype CT scanner is currently under development in our lab. One of the key components in this project is the CT detector. This paper describes the design and performance evaluation of the modular CT detector unit for our proposed scanner. It consists of a Photodiode Array Assembly which captures irradiating X-ray photons and converts the energy into electrical current, and a mini Data Acquisition System which performs current integration and converts the analog signal into digital samples. The detector unit can be easily tiled together to form a CT detector. Experiments were conducted to characterize the detector performance both at the single unit level and system level. The noise level, linearity and uniformity of the proposed detector unit were reported and initial imaging studies were also presented which demonstrated the potential application of the proposed detector unit in actual CT scanners.

Eighth Grade Social Studies. An Experimental Program in Geography and Anthropology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanson, James; And Others

GRADES OR AGES: Grade 8. SUBJECT MATTER: Geography and Anthropology. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The introductory material includes descriptions of geography and anthropology as disciplines, the basic course objectives, techniques for evaluating objectives and a student self-evaluation form. The guide covers six units: 1) "What Kind of…

Theoretical Roots and Pedagogical Implications for Contextual Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ewald, Helen Rothschild

There are three types of contexts subject to evaluation of student writing; the textual context that influences grammatical acceptability and the rhetorical effectiveness of a sentence; the coded context or cultural constraints such as generic and stylistic conventions; and pragmatic contexts that unite form, function, and setting in a…

Surface Disinfectants for Burn Units Evaluated by a New Double Method, Using Microorganisms Recently Isolated From Patients, on a Surface Germ-Carrier Model.

PubMed

Herruzo, Rafael; Vizcaino, Maria Jose; Herruzo, Irene; Sanchez, Manuel

Assessment methods of surface disinfection based on international standards (Environmental Protection Agency, European Norms, etc) do not correspond to hospital reality. New evaluation methods of surfaces disinfection are proposed to choose the most suitable disinfectant to act against clinically relevant microorganisms detected on the surfaces of burn units. 1) "Immediate effect": 6 products were compared using a glass germ-carrier and 20 recently isolated microorganisms from different patients in the intensive care units. Disinfectants were applied with microfiber cloths. Log10 reductions were calculated for colony forming units produced after 15 minutes of disinfectant application. 2) "Residual effect": the glass germ-carriers were previously impregnated with one of the studied disinfectants. After a 30-minute wait period, they were then contaminated with 1 microorganism (from the 20 above-mentioned). After 15 minutes, the disinfectant was inhibited and the log10 reduction of colony forming units was assessed. The immediate effect (disinfection and microorganism dragging and transferring from the surface to the cloth) produced complete elimination of the inoculums for all products used except one (a diluted quaternary ammonium). The average residual effect found on the 20 microorganisms was moderate: 2 to 3 log10 colony forming unit reduction with chlorine dioxide or 0.5% chlorhexidine (and lower with the other products), obtaining surfaces refractory to recontamination, at least, during 30 minutes. Two tests should be performed before advising surface disinfectant: 1) direct effect and 2) residual efficacy. These characteristics should be considered when a new surface disinfectant is chosen. Chlorine dioxide has a similar or better direct effect than sodium hypochlorite and a similar residual effect than chlorhexidine.

The concept of hydrologic landscapes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Winter, T.C.

2001-01-01

Hydrologic landscapes are multiples or variations of fundamental hydrologic landscape units. A fundamental hydrologic landscape unit is defined on the basis of land-surface form, geology, and climate. The basic land-surface form of a fundamental hydrologic landscape unit is an upland separated from a lowland by an intervening steeper slope. Fundamental hydrologic landscape units have a complete hydrologic system consisting of surface runoff, ground-water flow, and interaction with atmospheric water. By describing actual landscapes in terms of land-surface slope, hydraulic properties of soils and geologic framework, and the difference between precipitation and evapotranspiration, the hydrologic system of actual landscapes can be conceptualized in a uniform way. This conceptual framework can then be the foundation for design of studies and data networks, syntheses of information on local to national scales, and comparison of process research across small study units in a variety of settings. The Crow Wing River watershed in central Minnesota is used as an example of evaluating stream discharge in the context of hydrologic landscapes. Lake-research watersheds in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska are used as an example of using the hydrologic-landscapes concept to evaluate the effect of ground water on the degree of mineralization and major-ion chemistry of lakes that lie within ground-water flow systems.

IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 104. Lithium Sulfate and its Double Salts in Aqueous Solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohr, Julia; Voigt, Wolfgang; Zeng, Dewen

2017-06-01

The solubility data for lithium sulfate and its double salts in water are reviewed. Where appropriate, binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems are critically evaluated. The best values were selected on basis of these evaluations and presented in tabular form. Fitting equations and plots are provided. The quantities, units, and symbols used are in accord with IUPAC recommendations. The original data have been reported and, if necessary, transferred into the units and symbols recommended by IUPAC. The literature on solubility data is covered up to the end of 2015.

Conserving Our Energy. Seychelles Integrated Science. [Teacher and Pupil Booklets]. Unit 11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brophy, M.; Fryars, M.

Seychelles Integrated Science (SIS), a 3-year laboratory-based science program for students (ages 11-15) in upper primary grades 7, 8, and 9, was developed from an extensive evaluation and modification of previous P7-P9 materials. This P9 SIS unit deals with: (1) the importance of energy in students' everyday lives; (2) energy forms and…

Occupational Exploration at Ontario Junior High School: 7th Grade.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bates, Gene; And Others

The document contains 47 activities for Grade 7. The contents include the following areas: vocabulary; a large variety of inventory and other forms focusing especially on self awareness, self evaluation, and value clarification; a 44-page unit guide for a course called Know Yourself, which includes objectives, activities, evaluation, and…

Evaluation of the relationship between the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay and the presence of Bacillus anthracis spores and vegetative cells.

PubMed

Gibbs, Shawn G; Sayles, Harlan; Colbert, Erica M; Hewlett, Angela; Chaika, Oleg; Smith, Philip W

2014-05-28

The Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay was utilized in laboratory evaluations to determine the presence and concentration of vegetative and spore forms of Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F2. Seventeen surfaces from the healthcare environment were selected for evaluation. Surfaces were inoculated with 50 µL of organism suspensions at three concentrations of 104, 106, 108 colony forming units per surface (CFU/surface) of B. anthracis. Culture-based methods and ATP based methods were utilized to determine concentrations. When all concentrations were evaluated together, a positive correlation between log-adjusted CFU and Relative Light Units (RLU) for endospores and vegetative cells was established. When concentrations were evaluated separately, a significant correlation was not demonstrated. This study demonstrated a positive correlation for ATP and culture-based methods for the vegetative cells of B. anthracis. When evaluating the endospores and combining both metabolic states, the ATP measurements and CFU recovered did not correspond to the initial concentrations on the evaluated surfaces. The results of our study show that the low ATP signal which does not correlate well to the CFU results would not make the ATP measuring devises effective in confirming contamination residual from a bioterrorist event.

Employing the Components of the Human Development Index to Drive Resources to Educational Policies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sant'Anna, Annibal Parracho; de Araujo Ribeiro, Rodrigo Otavio; Dutt-Ross, Steven

2011-01-01

A new form of composition of the indicators employed to generate the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) is presented here. This form of composition is based on the assumption that random errors affect the measurement of each indicator. This assumption allows for replacing the vector of evaluations according to each indicator by vectors…

Effective Documentation Tools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sleboda, Claire

1997-01-01

Quality assurance programs provide a very effective means to monitor and evaluate medical care. Quality assurance involves: (1) Identify a problem; (2) Determine the source and nature of the problem; (3) Develop policies and methods to effect improvement; (4) Implement those polices; (5) Monitor the methods applied; and (6) Evaluate their effectiveness. Because this definition of quality assurance so closely resembles the Nursing Process, the health unit staff was able to use their knowledge of the nursing process to develop many forms which improve the quality of patient care. These forms include the NASA DFRC Service Report, the occupational injury form (Incident Report), the patient survey (Pre-hospital Evaluation/Care Report), the Laboratory Log Sheet, the 911 Run Sheet, and the Patient Assessment Stamp. Examples and steps which are followed to generate these reports are described.

The photodynamic therapy on Streptococcus mutans biofilms using erythrosine and dental halogen curing unit

PubMed Central

Lee, Young-Ho; Park, Ho-Won; Lee, Ju-Hyun; Seo, Hyun-Woo; Lee, Si-Young

2012-01-01

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using erythrosine as a photosensitizing agent and a dental halogen curing unit as a light source, on Streptococcus mutans in a biofilm phase. The S. mutans biofilms were formed in a 24-well cell culture cluster. Test groups consisted of biofilms divided into four groups: group 1: no photosensitizer or light irradiation treatment (control group); group 2: photosensitizer treatment alone; group 3: light irradiation alone; group 4: photosensitizer treatment and light irradiation. After treatments, the numbers of colony-forming unit (CFU) were counted and samples were examined by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (CLSM). Only group 4 (combined treatment) resulted in significant increases in cell death, with rates of 75% and 55% after 8 h of incubation, and 74% and 42% at 12 h, for biofilms formed in brain–heart infusion (BHI) broth supplemented with 0% or 0.1% sucrose, respectively. Therefore, PDT of S. mutans biofilms using a combination of erythrosine and a dental halogen curing unit, both widely used in dental clinics, resulted in a significant increase in cell death. The PDT effects are decreased in biofilms that form in the presence of sucrose. PMID:23222991

Conformity of commercial oral single solid unit dose packages in hospital pharmacy practice.

PubMed

Thibault, Maxime; Prot-Labarthe, Sonia; Bussières, Jean-François; Lebel, Denis

2008-06-01

There are limited published data on the labelling of single unit dose packages in hospitals. The study was conducted in three large hospitals (two adult and one paediatric) in the metropolitan Montreal area, Quebec, Canada. The objective is to evaluate the labelling of commercial oral single solid unit dose packages available in Canadian urban hospital pharmacy practice. The study endpoint was the labelling conformity of each unit dose package for each criterion and overall for each manufacturer. Complete labelling of unit dose packages should include the following information: (1) brand name, (2) international non-proprietary name or generic name, (3) dosage, (4) pharmaceutical form, (5) manufacturer's name, (6) expiry date, (7) batch number and (8) drug identification number. We also evaluated the ease with which a single unit dose package is detached from a multiple unit dose package for quick, easy and safe use by pharmacy staff. Conformity levels were compared between brand-name and generic packages. A total of 124 different unit dose packages were evaluated. The level of conformity of each criterion varied between 19 and 50%. Only 43% of unit dose packages provided an easy-to-detach system for single doses. Among the 14 manufacturers with three or more unit dose packages evaluated, eight (57%) had a conformity level less than 50%. This study describes the conformity of commercial oral single solid unit dose packages in hospital pharmacy practice in Quebec. A large proportion of unit dose packages do not conform to a set of nine criteria set out in the guidelines of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.

Fabrication of micro metallic valve and pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ming; Kabasawa, Yasunari; Ito, Kuniyoshi

2010-03-01

Fabrication of micro devices by using micro metal forming was proposed by the authors. We developed a desktop servo-press machine with precise tooling system. Precise press forming processes including micro forging and micro joining has been carried out in a progressive die. In this study, micro metallic valve and pump were fabricated by using the precise press forming. The components are made of sheet metals, and assembled in to a unit in the progressive die. A micro check-valve with a diameter of 3mm and a length of 3.2mm was fabricated, and the property of flow resistance was evaluated. The results show that the check valve has high property of leakage proof. Since the valve is a unit parts with dimensions of several millimeters, it has advantage to be adapted to various pump design. Here, two kinds of micro pumps with the check-valves were fabricated. One is diaphragm pump actuated by vibration of the diaphragm, and another is tube-shaped pump actuated by resonation. The flow quantities of the pumps were evaluated and the results show that both of the pumps have high pumping performance.

The Role of Culture in Relational Aggression: Associations with Social-Psychological Adjustment Problems in Japanese and US School-Aged Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kawabata, Yoshito; Crick, Nicki R.; Hamaguchi, Yoshikazu

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate psychometric properties that assess forms of aggression (i.e., relational and physical aggression) across cultures (i.e., Japan and the United States) and (2) to investigate the role of culture in the associations between forms of aggression and social-psychological adjustment problems such as…

Implementing the "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pacyga, Robert

1994-01-01

Describes two activities to analyze unit-cell structures from a geometric viewpoint and invite students to apply their mathematical understanding to scientific phenomena. Students form models of the simple cube, a building block of crystalline structures, and a methane molecule. (MDH)

Quality of nursing diagnoses: evaluation of an educational intervention.

PubMed

Florin, Jan; Ehrenberg, Anna; Ehnfors, Margareta

2005-01-01

To investigate the effects on the quality of nursing diagnostic statements in patient records after education in the nursing process and implementation of new forms for recording. Quasi-experimental design. Randomly selected patient records reviewed before and after intervention from one experimental unit (n = 70) and three control units (n = 70). A scale with 14 characteristics pertaining to nursing diagnoses was developed and used together with the instrument (CAT-CH-ING) for record review. Quality of nursing diagnostic statements improved in the experimental unit, whereas no improvement was found in the control units. Serious flaws in the use of the etiology component were found. CONCLUSION. Nurses must be more concerned with the accuracy and quality of the nursing diagnoses and the etiology component needs to be given special attention. Education of RNs in nursing diagnostic statements and peer review using standardized evaluation instruments can be means to further enhance RNs' documentation practice.

Evaluation of the viability of Lactobacillus spp. after the production of different solid dosage forms.

PubMed

Brachkova, Mariya I; Duarte, Aida; Pinto, João F

2009-09-01

The work aims to provide evidence on the viability of Lactobacillus spp. and a spore form of Bacillus subtilis from nonprocessed bacteria to coated dosage forms (i.e., mini-tablets, pellets, and their coated forms). Lactobacillus spp. were cultivated overnight in MRS broth (10(9) cfu/mL) and B. subtilis spores were produced on plate count agar (10(7) cfu/mL) for 2 weeks. Bacteria and spores were freeze-dried in skim milk enriched with glycerol. The cakes were further processed into tablets (2.5 mm diameter) by direct compression with or without microcrystalline cellulose and inulin. Pellets (1-1.4 mm diameter) were produced by extrusion-spheronization of bacterial and spore suspensions with microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, inulin, and skim milk. Both tablets and pellets were film coated. The properties of the dosage forms, particularly the bacterial viability, were evaluated immediately after production and throughout storage for 6 months at 4 degrees C. The study has shown that for an adequate stabilization of the bacteria a protective matrix (e.g., skim milk) and cryoprotectors (e.g., glycerol) must be present at early stages of bacterial de-hydration. Tabletting had a less deleterious effect (<2 log units) on bacteria when compared to pelletization (in some cases 3 log units). Enteric coating (15%, w/w) of either tablets or pellets did not affect the viability of the bacteria.

[Integrated program of psychogeriatric care].

PubMed

López-Pousa, S; Serra-Mestres, J; Lozano-Gallego, M; Tron-Estrada, A; Vilalta-Franch, J; Garre-Olmo, J; Camps-Rovira, G; Hernández-Ferrándiz, M; Mariscot-Bas, C; Llinàs-Reglà, J; Pujol-Gómez, C

At the present time there is considerable controversy over the course to follow in attention to patients with psychogeriatric disorders. Rapid diagnosis and maintaining the patients in their homes are the basic objectives of the policy of sharing responsibility among those involved. We review the bibliography and suggest a form of attention based on experience acquired in the dementia evaluation unit of the Programme Vida als Anys of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The model described is based on making the diagnosis in the patient's home, giving support to the family and integrating the patient into a follow-up unit, with a person responsible for evaluating and resolving the needs of both patient and family as they arise. In order to carry out this programme, the attention must be given by multidiscliplinary units with the necessary resources.

IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 89. Alkali Metal Nitrates. Part 2. Sodium Nitrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eysseltová, Jitka; Zbranek, Vladimír; Skripkin, Mikhail Yurievich; Sawada, Kiyoshi; Tepavitcharova, Stefka

2017-03-01

The solubility data at 1 bar or saturation pressure for sodium nitrate are reviewed. Where appropriate, binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems are critically evaluated. The solubility results were obtained in water or aqueous solutions. All data were critically examined for their reliability. The best values were selected on the basis of critical evaluations and presented in tabular form. Fitting equations and plots are also provided. The quantities, units, and symbols used are in accord with IUPAC recommendations. The original data have been reported and, if necessary, transferred into the units and symbols recommended by IUPAC. The literature on solubility data was researched through 2014.

Evaluating Educative Temporary Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dickinson, Gary; Lamoureux, Marvin E.

1975-01-01

The framework of temporary systems theory was the basis for forming theoretical units and propositions pertaining to the outcomes of intensive adult education programs. Empirical indicators and research hypotheses were then developed and applied in the 1972 residential program of the Labour College of Canada. (Author)

Evaluation of a KeyStone/Tensar geogrid retaining wall system : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1992-01-01

The KeyStone/Tensar Geogrid retaining wall system is an alternative to conventional reinforced concrete retaining wall structures. KeyStone concrete wall units, Tensar geogrid, and compacted soils are combined to form a reinforced soil mass that toge...

Test and Evaluation Management Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

between Ser- biotoxicity . Chemical-mixing tests are con- vice and DOE test personnel (Reference ducted to obtain information on the binary 55). chemical...reaction. Biotoxicity tests are per- formed to assess the potency of the agent Since the United States signed and ratified generated. Chemical weapons

Elections: DOD Can Strengthen Evaluation of Its Absentee Voting Assistance Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Evaluation of Its Absentee Voting Assistance Program June 2010 GAO-10-476 Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public...4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Elections: DOD Can Strengthen Evaluation of Its Absentee Voting Assistance Program 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c...PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES

Evaluation of Selected Chemical Processes for Production of Low-cost Silicon, Phase 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blocher, J. M., Jr.; Browning, M. F.

1979-01-01

The construction of the 50 MT Si/year experimental process system development unit was deferred until FY 1980, and the fluidized bed, zinc vaporizer, by-product condenser, and electrolytic cell were combined with auxiliary units, capable of supporting 8-hour batchwise operation, to form the process development unit (PDU), which is scheduled to be in operation by October 1, 1979. The design of the PDU and objectives of its operation are discussed. Experimental program support activities described relate to: (1) a wetted-wall condensor; (2) fluidized-bed modeling; (3) zinc chloride electrolysis; and (4) zinc vaporizer.

77 FR 2730 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-19

...-Evaluation Assessments of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programs and Policies--New--National... Prevention (CDC). Background and Brief Description The causes of obesity in the United States are complex and... jurisdictions funded through CDC's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (NPAO) cooperative agreement program...

75 FR 3737 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-22

... days of this notice. Proposed Project Questionnaire Design Research Laboratory (QDRL) 2010-2012, (OMB... of health services in the United States. The Questionnaire Design Research Laboratory (QDRL) conducts... and more basic research on response errors in surveys. The most common questionnaire evaluation method...

EVALUATION OF MEDIA FOR RECOVERY OF AEROSOLIZED BACTERIA

EPA Science Inventory

Disease transmission by airborne bacteria is well known.Bacterial burden in indoor air is estimated by sampling the air and estimating Colony Forming Unites (CFU) using a variety of media.In this study, the recovery of bacteria, after aerosolization in an aerosol chamber, and emp...

Evaluation of intensivist-nurses' knowledge concerning medication administration through nasogastric and enteral tubes.

PubMed

Mota, Maria Lurdemiler Sabóia; Barbosa, Islene Victor; Studart, Rita Mônica Borges; Melo, Elizabeth Mesquita; Lima, Francisca Elisângela Teixeira; Mariano, Fabíola Amaro

2010-01-01

This study evaluates the knowledge of nurses working in intensive care units concerning recommendations for the proper administration of medication through nasogastric and enteral tubes. This exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out with 49 nurses in an intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. A total of 36.7% of nurses reported they disregard the dosage forms provided by the pharmacy at the time of administering the medication through tubes. Metal, wood, or a plastic mortar is the method most frequently reported (42.86%) for crushing prescribed solid forms; 32.65% leave the drugs in 20 ml of water until dissolved; 65.3% place the responsibility for choosing the pharmaceutical formulation and its correlation with the tube site, either into the stomach or into the intestine, on the physician. The results indicate there is a gap between specific literature on medication administered through tubes and knowledge of nurses on the subject.

Bank-a-Budget

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karls, Doris; Jordan, Elaine

1978-01-01

The article gives procedures for consumer foods teachers to use to actively involve students in making independent food purchasing decisions according to the school foods lab budget and food buying principles. Included are forms used to keep records for each lab: unit bank account, meat lab evaluation, and market order. (MF)

48 CFR 252.247-7008 - Evaluation of bids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

....247-7008 Section 252.247-7008 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of... accomplishment of any item in the bid schedule, the Offeror shall include in the unit price any costs for bridge...

48 CFR 252.247-7008 - Evaluation of bids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

....247-7008 Section 252.247-7008 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of... accomplishment of any item in the bid schedule, the Offeror shall include in the unit price any costs for bridge...

48 CFR 252.247-7008 - Evaluation of bids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

....247-7008 Section 252.247-7008 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of... accomplishment of any item in the bid schedule, the Offeror shall include in the unit price any costs for bridge...

48 CFR 252.247-7008 - Evaluation of bids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

....247-7008 Section 252.247-7008 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of... accomplishment of any item in the bid schedule, the Offeror shall include in the unit price any costs for bridge...

Comprehensive analysis of translational osteochondral repair: Focus on the histological assessment.

PubMed

Orth, Patrick; Peifer, Carolin; Goebel, Lars; Cucchiarini, Magali; Madry, Henning

2015-10-01

Articular cartilage guarantees for an optimal functioning of diarthrodial joints by providing a gliding surface for smooth articulation, weight distribution, and shock absorbing while the subchondral bone plays a crucial role in its biomechanical and nutritive support. Both tissues together form the osteochondral unit. The structural assessment of the osteochondral unit is now considered the key standard procedure for evaluating articular cartilage repair in translational animal models. The aim of this review is to give a detailed overview of the different methods for a comprehensive evaluation of osteochondral repair. The main focus is on the histological assessment as the gold standard, together with immunohistochemistry, and polarized light microscopy. Additionally, standards of macroscopic, non-destructive imaging such as high resolution MRI and micro-CT, biochemical, and molecular biological evaluations are addressed. Potential pitfalls of analysis are outlined. A second focus is to suggest recommendations for osteochondral evaluation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Mobile Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for Real-Time Resource Constrained Applications

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

Meredith, J; Conger, J; Liu, Y

2005-11-11

Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) can provide tremendous performance boosts for some applications beyond what a single CPU can accomplish, and their performance is growing at a rate faster than CPUs as well. Mobile GPUs available for laptops have the small form factor and low power requirements suitable for use in embedded processing. We evaluated several desktop and mobile GPUs and CPUs on traditional and non-traditional graphics tasks, as well as on the most time consuming pieces of a full hyperspectral imaging application. Accuracy remained high despite small differences in arithmetic operations like rounding. Performance improvements are summarized here relativemore » to a desktop Pentium 4 CPU.« less

Biochemical Traits, Survival and Biological Properties of the Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Grown in the Presence of Prebiotic Inulin and Pectin as Energy Source

PubMed Central

Nazzaro, Filomena; Fratianni, Florinda; Orlando, Pierangelo; Coppola, Raffaele

2012-01-01

The viability of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, after its passage through simulated gastric and pancreatic juices, was evaluated as function of its pre-growth in a medium containing the known prebiotics pectin or inulin, and was compared to glucose used as control. The presence of pectin or inulin did not markedly affect the growth (10.07 log10 colony forming units/mL and 10.28 log10 colony forming units/mL for pectin and inulin respectively versus 10.42 log10 colony forming units/mL obtained for glucose). Pectin and inulin, in contrast to glucose, induced cell stress resistance against gastrointestinal juices (Δ log101.5 and 2.4 colony forming units/mL respectively, versus Δ log10 4.0 for glucose). The data were corroborated by the analysis of the protein pattern following stress treatments which, in the case of microbial cells grown with glucose, revealed a more marked protein degradation after the double passage through simulated gastric and intestinal juices. Inulin stimulated the production of the relevant healthy bio-molecule butyrate, which amount was 30% higher respect of growth in the presence of glucose. Inulin and pectin improved cell DPPH scavenging activity, and an impressive hydrophobicity (35.28% and 34.81%, respectively) was observed with respect to the microbial growth in presence of glucose (3.39%). PMID:24281559

Use of scoring systems for assessing and reporting the outcome results from shoulder surgery and arthroplasty

PubMed Central

Booker, Simon; Alfahad, Nawaf; Scott, Martin; Gooding, Ben; Wallace, W Angus

2015-01-01

To investigate shoulder scoring systems used in Europe and North America and how outcomes might be classified after shoulder joint replacement. All research papers published in four major journals in 2012 and 2013 were reviewed for the shoulder scoring systems used in their published papers. A method of identifying how outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty might be used to categorize patients into fair, good, very good and excellent outcomes was explored using the outcome evaluations from patients treated in our own unit. A total of 174 research articles that were published in the four journals used some form of shoulder scoring system. The outcome from shoulder arthroplasty in our unit has been evaluated using the constant score (CS) and the oxford shoulder score and these scores have been used to evaluate individual patient outcomes. CSs of < 30 = unsatisfactory; 30-39 = fair; 40-59 = good; 60-69 = very good; and 70 and over = excellent. The most popular shoulder scoring systems in North America were Simple Shoulder Test and American shoulder and elbow surgeons standard shoulder assessment form score and in Europe CS, Oxford Shoulder Score and DASH score. PMID:25793164

Round-off error in long-term orbital integrations using multistep methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quinlan, Gerald D.

1994-01-01

Techniques for reducing roundoff error are compared by testing them on high-order Stormer and summetric multistep methods. The best technique for most applications is to write the equation in summed, function-evaluation form and to store the coefficients as rational numbers. A larger error reduction can be achieved by writing the equation in backward-difference form and performing some of the additions in extended precision, but this entails a larger central processing unit (cpu) cost.

Risk assessment for the spread of Candida sp. in dental chair unit waterlines using molecular techniques.

PubMed

Mazari, Wissame; Boucherit-Otmani, Zahia; El Haci, Imad Abdelhamid; Ilahi, Amine; Boucherit, Kebir

2018-05-04

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of yeasts in dental chair unit waterlines (DCUWLs) and to test their ability to form biofilms. Eighteen dental waterlines were analysed by culture in liquid Sabouraud in order to allow the quantification and the purification of isolated yeasts from their internal surfaces. All isolates were identified by standard laboratory procedures, including CHROMagar Candida medium for orientation, commercial yeast identification system Api Candida, MALDI-TOF MS and DNA sequencing. To evaluate their kinetics of antifungal susceptibility during different phases of biofilm formation, these yeasts were subjected to three antifungal agents. From the 18 DCUWLs studied, 10 were altered (55.56%). Eleven strains of Candida sp. [Candida albicans (2), Candida guilliermondii (5) and Candida glabrata (4)] and two species of non-Candida; Rhodotorula spp. (1) and Trichosporon spp. (2) were identified. The majority of yeasts in planktonic form were susceptible to amphotericin B, caspofungin and voriconazole, except C. albicans was resistant to voriconazole. In the biofilm form, caspofungin was the most effective antifungal agent for all isolated strains. For the other antifungal agents, sessile cells were resistant. Several types of yeasts were identified; the most frequently isolated genus was Candida. The majority of these yeasts had the ability to form biofilms and resisted antifungal agents used in this study. © 2018 FDI World Dental Federation.

Cell viability of Candida albicans against the antifungal activity of thymol.

PubMed

de Vasconcelos, Laís César; Sampaio, Fabio Correia; Albuquerque, Allan de Jesus dos Reis; Vasconcelos, Laurylene César de Souza

2014-01-01

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus, but circumstantially it may cause superficial infections of the mucous membranes, such as denture stomatitis, when a biofilm is formed on the surface of dental prostheses. This study evaluated the cell viability of C. albicans biofilms against the antifungal activity of thymol when compared with miconazole, by the fluorescence imaging using SYTO 9 and propidium iodide dyes, and counting of colony forming units. C. albicans standard strains (ATCC 11006) were used. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of drugs were determined by broth microdilution tests and the inoculum was standardized to match 0.5 on the McFarland scale (106 cfu/mL). Biofilms were grown on the surface of acrylic resin disks in parallel flow chambers from Sabouraud broth supplemented with 10% dextrose. For counting of colony forming units, the fungal solution was sequentially diluted and plated in Sabouraud dextrose agar. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=5%). Biofilms treated with thymol and miconazole presented low numbers of viable cells at the evaluated exposure times. There was statistically significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with control, and the mean value of the exposure times between miconazole and thymol did not differ significantly (p>0.05). In conclusion, both drugs have similar efficiency as antifungal agents against biofilms of C. albicans formed on acrylic surfaces.

The feasibility of sharing simulation-based evaluation scenarios in anesthesiology.

PubMed

Berkenstadt, Haim; Kantor, Gareth S; Yusim, Yakov; Gafni, Naomi; Perel, Azriel; Ezri, Tiberiu; Ziv, Amitai

2005-10-01

We prospectively assessed the feasibility of international sharing of simulation-based evaluation tools despite differences in language, education, and anesthesia practice, in an Israeli study, using validated scenarios from a multi-institutional United States (US) study. Thirty-one Israeli junior anesthesia residents performed four simulation scenarios. Training sessions were videotaped and performance was assessed using two validated scoring systems (Long and Short Forms) by two independent raters. Subjects scored from 37 to 95 (70 +/- 12) of 108 possible points with the "Long Form" and "Short Form" scores ranging from 18 to 35 (28.2 +/- 4.5) of 40 possible points. Scores >70% of the maximal score were achieved by 61% of participants in comparison to only 5% in the original US study. The scenarios were rated as very realistic by 80% of the participants (grade 4 on a 1-4 scale). Reliability of the original assessment tools was demonstrated by internal consistencies of 0.66 for the Long and 0.75 for the Short Form (Cronbach alpha statistic). Values in the original study were 0.72-0.76 for the Long and 0.71-0.75 for the Short Form. The reliability did not change when a revised Israeli version of the scoring was used. Interrater reliability measured by Pearson correlation was 0.91 for the Long and 0.96 for the Short Form (P < 0.01). The high scores for plausibility given to the scenarios and the similar reliability of the original assessment tool support the feasibility of using simulation-based evaluation tools, developed in the US, in Israel. The higher scores achieved by Israeli residents may be related to the fact that most Israeli residents are immigrants with previous training in anesthesia. Simulation-based assessment tools developed in a multi-institutional study in the United States can be used in Israel despite the differences in language, education, and medical system.

Ability Level Estimation of Students on Probability Unit via Computerized Adaptive Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özyurt, Hacer; Özyurt, Özcan

2015-01-01

Problem Statement: Learning-teaching activities bring along the need to determine whether they achieve their goals. Thus, multiple choice tests addressing the same set of questions to all are frequently used. However, this traditional assessment and evaluation form contrasts with modern education, where individual learning characteristics are…

Full-scale Experimental Evaluation of Partially Grouted, Minimally Reinforced Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) Walls Against Blast Demands

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-30

16 Figure 10. Top and Bottom Connections ...Masonry Beams ...............................66 Figure 61. Resistance-displacement Idealization for Reinforced Masonry Beams .......................66...patterns on exterior walls. Masonry can form structural elements (bearing walls, columns , or pilasters) and/or finished cladding systems. Masonry

Bench-Scale Evaluation of Peracetic Acid and Twin Oxide ™ as Disinfectants in Drinking Water

EPA Science Inventory

Chlorine is widely used as an inexpensive and potent disinfectant in the United States for drinking water. However, chlorine has the potential for forming carcinogenic and mutagenic disinfection by-products (DBPs). In this study, bench scale experiments were conducted at the U.S...

Recycling evaluation of new-generation environmentally benign pressure sensitive adhesives

Treesearch

Said M. Abubakr; Carl Houtman; Dave Bormett; Nancy Ross Sutherland; Joe Peng

1999-01-01

As a result of a United States Postal Service (USPS) initiative, a work team was formed consisting of representatives from USPS, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR), and industry. The industries represented included papermakers, paper recyclers, paper collectors, equipment manufacturers, paper users, adhesive manufacturers and...

Health effects from smoke exposure as reported by users of the EPA’s Smoke Sense application

EPA Science Inventory

Background: Large wildfires are increasing in frequency and contribute substantially to the air quality across the United States. Smoke Sense is an initiative that aims to understand the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure and evaluate effective forms of communication. The...

75 FR 16128 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-31

... Project Evaluation of Childhood Obesity Prevention and Control Initiative: New York City Health Bucks... Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background and Brief Description Childhood obesity is a major public health concern. One out of every five children is affected by overweight or obesity in the United States...

MMPI Modal Profiles in a Juvenile Delinquent Population.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pickett, Lawrence K., Jr.

1981-01-01

The MMPI results obtained from 245 adolescent males referred to the evaluation unit of a Juvenile Court were submitted to a multivariate classification system. By correlating individual subject profiles with the modal profiles, six membership groups were formed. No relationship was found between group membership and age or race. (Author)

Reliability of Current Biokinetic and Dosimetric Models for Radionuclides: A Pilot Study

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

Leggett, Richard Wayne; Eckerman, Keith F; Meck, Robert A.

2008-10-01

This report describes the results of a pilot study of the reliability of the biokinetic and dosimetric models currently used by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as predictors of dose per unit internal or external exposure to radionuclides. The study examines the feasibility of critically evaluating the accuracy of these models for a comprehensive set of radionuclides of concern to the NRC. Each critical evaluation would include: identification of discrepancies between the models and current databases; characterization of uncertainties in model predictions of dose per unit intake or unit external exposure; characterization of variability in dose per unit intakemore » or unit external exposure; and evaluation of prospects for development of more accurate models. Uncertainty refers here to the level of knowledge of a central value for a population, and variability refers to quantitative differences between different members of a population. This pilot study provides a critical assessment of models for selected radionuclides representing different levels of knowledge of dose per unit exposure. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) To optimize the use of available NRC resources, the full study should focus on radionuclides most frequently encountered in the workplace or environment. A list of 50 radionuclides is proposed. (2) The reliability of a dose coefficient for inhalation or ingestion of a radionuclide (i.e., an estimate of dose per unit intake) may depend strongly on the specific application. Multiple characterizations of the uncertainty in a dose coefficient for inhalation or ingestion of a radionuclide may be needed for different forms of the radionuclide and different levels of information of that form available to the dose analyst. (3) A meaningful characterization of variability in dose per unit intake of a radionuclide requires detailed information on the biokinetics of the radionuclide and hence is not feasible for many infrequently studied radionuclides. (4) The biokinetics of a radionuclide in the human body typically represents the greatest source of uncertainty or variability in dose per unit intake. (5) Characterization of uncertainty in dose per unit exposure is generally a more straightforward problem for external exposure than for intake of a radionuclide. (6) For many radionuclides the most important outcome of a large-scale critical evaluation of databases and biokinetic models for radionuclides is expected to be the improvement of current models. Many of the current models do not fully or accurately reflect available radiobiological or physiological information, either because the models are outdated or because they were based on selective or uncritical use of data or inadequate model structures. In such cases the models should be replaced with physiologically realistic models that incorporate a wider spectrum of information.« less

[Alcohol-related mortality in the assessments of hospital unit physicians and pathologists: analysis of accounting medical documents].

PubMed

Solov'ev, A G; Viaz'min, A M; Mordovskiĭ, É A; Krasil'nikov, S V

2014-01-01

To make a comparative analysis of the data available in the accounting medical documents drawn up at a multidisciplinary hospital on the level and structure of alcohol-related mortality (ARM) and to evaluate the efficiency of its accounting. Accounting medical documents, such as 453 inpatient cards (Form 003/y), 453 postmortem protocols (cards) (Form 013/H-80), and 453 death certificates (Form 106/y-08), were chosen as the basis for the study. The data of the final clinical and postmortem diagnoses in the patients who had died at hospital and their primary cause of death were comparatively analyzed. According to Form 003/y, ARM was 5.5%; the detection rate of alcohol-related disease (ARD) was 11% (95% confidence interval (CI), 8.3 to 14.3%); according to Form 013/H-80, ARM was 7.1% (95% CI, 4.9 to 9.8%) and the detection rate of ARD was 12.6% (95% CI, 9.7 to 16%). The consistency of the diagnoses of ARD as a main cause of death, made by hospital unit physicians and pathologists, is estimated as the mean--the Cohen's kappa coefficient (kappa) is 0.570) (p < 0.001). The results of the investigation suggest that there are 3 types of ARM, which differ in its level and structure: ARM in the assessments of hospital unit physicians; that in the assessments of pathologists, and that according to the death certificates drawn up. The consistency index for the diagnosis of ARD as a main cause of death indicates that the hospital unit physicians only determine the etiology of alcohol-related cause of death, without identifying it specifically.

Hyperoxaluria and Bariatric Surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asplin, John R.

2007-04-01

Bariatric surgery as a means to treat obesity is becoming increasingly common in the United States. An early form of bariatric surgery, the jejunoileal bypass, had to be abandoned in 1980 due to numerous complications, including hyperoxaluria and kidney stones. Current bariatric procedures have not been systematically evaluated to determine if they cause hyperoxaluria. Presented here are data showing that hyperoxaluria is the major metabolic abnormality in patients with bariatric surgery who form kidney stones. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence of hyperoxaluria in all patients with bariatric surgery.

Evaluating multiepisode events: boundary conditions for the peak-end rule.

PubMed

Miron-Shatz, Talya

2009-04-01

This study advances our understanding of how people arrive at retrospective evaluations of multiepisode experiences. Large samples from the United States, France, and Denmark (810, 820, and 805 participants, respectively) reported their feelings during each episode of the previous day using the Day Reconstruction Method. The duration-weighted average of these feelings represented the normative approach to evaluation, and, contrary to the predictions of the peak-end rule, the average was the best predictor of retrospective evaluations of the day. To capture participants' heuristic evaluation, they also reported having a wonderful (peak) and/or awful (low) moment during the previous day. The results indicate that retrospective evaluations of multiepisode events rely on the averaged ratings of emotions, ignore ends, and also consider the presence of lows, and occasionally peaks, as subjectively defined by those experiencing them. Peaks and lows contribute more to comparative, rather than absolute evaluations. Future research should examine whether these findings extend to other multiepisode events that, unlike days, form cohesive units in terms of their content, goal, and emotionality. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

[Current situations and problem analysis of influencing factors of traditional Chinese medicine tablets on forming quality].

PubMed

Li, Yan-Nian; Wu, Zhen-Feng; Wan, Na; Li, Yuan-Hui; Li, Hui-Ting; Yang, Ming

2018-04-01

The compressibility of tablets is the essential operating unit during the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine tablets, as well as a complicated process. Therefore, it is of great significance to comprehensively study the influencing factors on the formation process. This paper aimed to review the evaluation methods for the tablet forming quality and highlight the effects of material powder properties, excipients and preparation technology on the quality of traditional Chinese medicine tablets on the basis of relevant literatures. Furthermore, the common problems in tablet forming process are also analyzed to provide useful references for the development of tablet forming quality of traditional Chinese medicines. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Involuntary sterilization among HIV-positive Garifuna women from Honduras seeking asylum in the United States: Two case reports.

PubMed

Atkinson, Holly G; Ottenheimer, Deborah

2018-05-01

Voluntary sterilization is one of the most widely used forms of contraception by women worldwide; however, involuntary sterilization is considered a violation of multiple human rights and grounds for asylum in the United States. Women have been disproportionately affected by this practice. We report two cases of involuntary sterilization in HIV-positive Garifuna women from Honduras who sought asylum in America and were medically evaluated at the request of their attorneys. Key lessons can be drawn from these cases with regard to the importance of medical evaluations in establishing persecution. These include the need for a detailed account of the events surrounding sterilization, radiologic proof of tubal blockage if at all possible, and confirmation of significant and enduring mental distress as a result of the involuntary sterilization. Immigration attorneys and medical evaluators need to be attuned to the possibility of a history of involuntary sterilization among at risk women seeking asylum in the United States. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Performance evaluation of medical records departments by analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach in the selected hospitals in Isfahan : medical records dep. & AHP.

PubMed

Ajami, Sima; Ketabi, Saeedeh

2012-06-01

Medical Records Department (MRD) is an important unit for evaluating and planning of care services. The goal of this study is evaluating the performance of the Medical Records Departments (MRDs) of the selected hospitals in Isfahan, Iran by using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This was an analytic of cross-sectional study that was done in spring 2008 in Isfahan, Iran. The statistical population consisted of MRDs of Alzahra, Kashani and Khorshid Hospitals in Isfahan. Data were collected by forms and through brainstorm technique. To analyze and perform AHP, Expert Choice software was used by researchers. Results were showed archiving unit has received the largest importance weight with respect to information management. However, on customer aspect admission unit has received the largest weight. Ordering weights of Medical Records Departments' Alzahra, Kashani and Khorshid Hospitals in Isfahan were with 0.394, 0.342 and 0.264 respectively. It is useful for managers to allocate and prioritize resources according to AHP technique for ranking at the Medical Records Departments.

Evaluation of the SunWise School Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geller, Alan; Rutsch, Linda; Kenausis, Kristin; Zhang, Zi

2003-01-01

Melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer, is rising at rates faster than all other preventable cancers in the United States. Childhood exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases the risk for skin cancer as an adult, therefore, starting positive sun protection habits early may be key to reducing the incidence of this disease. The…

International Trade. U.S. Metric Study Interim Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Gerald F.

In order to evaluate the potential effects of U.S. conversion to SI (Systems International) units on U.S. foreign trade, 188 export product classes and 155 import product classes were selected from 1,166 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) product classes and questionnaires were mailed to a total of 510 firms, utilizing separate forms for…

"Star Power" for Teaching Professional Skills to Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goh, Suk Meng

2012-01-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of a game called "Star Power" to teach professional skills to mechanical engineering undergraduates. The game was conducted as an activity in a final year Professional Practice unit. A survey in the form of a questionnaire was administered to participating students in the following…

75 FR 29571 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment; Training Evaluation Form

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-26

... public housing agencies (PHAs) and establishes requirements for PHAs to convert to asset management... regarding asset management. Under Sec. 990.260(a), PHAs that own and operate 250 or more dwelling rental units must operate using an asset management model consistent with the subpart H regulations. However...

Cosmic ray heavy ion LET mapping for aluminum, silicon, and tissue targets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stassinopoulos, E. G.; Barth, J. M.; Jordan, T. M.

1987-01-01

Linear energy transfer (LET) values in aluminum, silicon, and tissue targets have been calculated for 31 galactic cosmic ray ion species in eight different units. The values are described for single event upset (SEU) effect assessments or radiobiological evaluations. The data are presented in graphical and tabular form.

Studying Cross-Cultural Differences in Temperament in the First Year of Life: United States and Italy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montirosso, Rosario; Cozzi, Patrizia; Putnam, Samuel P.; Gartstein, Maria A.; Borgatti, Renato

2011-01-01

An Italian translation of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) was developed and evaluated with 110 infants, demonstrating satisfactory internal consistency, discriminant validity, and construct validity in the form of gender and age differences, as well as factorial integrity. Cross-cultural differences were subsequently evaluated…

Leadership Assessment and Training Simulation; Field Application and Faculty Training System. Final Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunsaker, Phillip L.

In previous research a pilot simulation was developed for use by Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) units in assessing leadership potential of officer candidates in turbulent-field environments. Peer and instructor rating forms were also developed for evaluation of leadership, decision style, ability to cope with stress, and interpersonal…

Effects of a diphenyl-ether herbicide, oxyfluorfen, on human BFU-E/CFU-E development and haemoglobin synthesis.

PubMed

Rio, B; Parent-Massin, D; Lautraite, S; Hoellinger, H

1997-02-01

The diphenyl-ether herbicides exert their phytotoxic activity by preventing chlorophyll formation in plants as a result of inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase. This enzyme is the last step of the common pathway for chlorophyll and haem biosynthesis. The aim of this work is to determine whether herbicide inhibitors of plant protoporphyrinogen oxidase could act on the human protoporphyrinogen oxidase involved in haemoglobin synthesis and cause heamatologic diseases. Human erythroblastic progenitors (BFU-E/CFU-E: Burst Forming Unit-Erythroid and Colony Forming Unit-Erythroid) were exposed to oxyfluorfen, a diphenyl-ether herbicide in the presence of erythropoietin, and the haematoxicity evaluated in vitro by scoring the development of BFU-E/CFU-E colonies after 7 and 14 days of culture. The toxic effect on differentiation has been evaluated using four criteria: morphology, total protein, total porphyrin, and haemoglobin content. The study of BFU-E/CFU-E proliferation and differentiation showed a cytotoxic effect of oxyfluorfen only at very high concentrations. In contrast, haemoglobin synthesis can be inhibited by concentration of oxyfluorfen (10(-4) M) that have no adverse effect on cellular proliferation.

Solid waste management in primary healthcare centers: application of a facilitation tool 1

PubMed Central

Moreira, Ana Maria Maniero; Günther, Wanda Maria Risso

2016-01-01

Abstract Objectives: to propose a tool to facilitate diagnosis, formulation and evaluation of the Waste Management Plan in Primary Healthcare Centers and to present the results of the application in four selected units. Method: descriptive research, covering the stages of formulation /application of the proposed instrument and the evaluation of waste management performance at the units. Results: the tool consists in five forms; specific indicators of waste generation for outpatients healthcare units were proposed, and performance indicators that give scores for compliance with current legislation. In the studied units it is generated common waste (52-60%), infectious-sharps (31-42%) and recyclable (5-17%). The average rates of generation are: 0,09kg of total waste/outpatient assistance and 0,09kg of infectious-sharps waste/outpatient procedure. The compliance with regulations, initially 26-30%, then reached 30-38% a year later. Conclusion: the tool showed to be easy to use, bypassing the existence of a complex range of existing regulatory requirements, allowed to identify non-conformities, pointed out corrective measures and evaluated the performance of waste management. In this sense, it contributes to decision making and management practices relating to waste, tasks usually assigned to nurses. It is recommended that the tool be applied in similar healthcare units for comparative studies, and implementation of necessary adaptations for other medical services. PMID:27556874

Freshwater diatomite deposits in the western United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wallace, Alan R.; Frank, David G.; Founie, Alan

2006-01-01

Freshwater diatomite deposits in the Western United States are found in lake beds that formed millions of years ago. These diatom-rich sediments are among the Nation's largest commercial diatomite deposits. Each deposit contains billions of tiny diatom skeletons, which are widely used for filtration, absorption, and abrasives. New studies by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are revealing how ancient lakes in the Western States produced such large numbers of diatoms. These findings can be used by both land-use managers and mining companies to better evaluate diatomite resources in the region.

The circum-Chryse region as a possible example of a hydrologic cycle on Mars: Geologic observations and theoretical evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Jeffrey M.; Clow, Gary D.; Davis, Wanda L.; Gulick, Virginia C.; Janke, David R.; Mckay, Christopher P.; Stoker, Carol R.; Zent, Aaron P.

1995-01-01

The transection and superposition relationships among channels, chaos, surface materials units, and other features in the circum-Chryse region of Mars were used to evaluate relative age relationships and evolution of flood events. Channels and chaos in contact (with one another) were treated as single discrete flood-carved systems. Some outflow channel systems form networks and are inferred to have been created by multiple flood events. Within some outflow channel networks, several separate individual channel systems can be traced to a specific chaos which acted as flood-source area to that specific flood channel. Individual flood-carved systems were related to widespread materials units or other surface features that served as stratigraphic horizons. Chryse outflow channels are inferred to have formed over most of the perceivable history of Mars. Outflow channels are inferred to become younger with increasing proximity to the Chryse basin. The relationship of subsequent outflow channel sources to the sources of earlier floods is inferred to disfavor episodic flooding due to the progresssive tapping of a juvenile near-surface water supply. Instead, we propose the circum-Chryse region as a candidate site of past hydrological recycling. The discharge rates necessary to carve the circum-Chryse outflow channels would have inevitably formed temporary standing bodies of H2O on the Martian surface where the flood-waters stagnated and pooled (the Chryse basin is topographically enclosed). These observations and inferences have led us to formulate and evaluate two hypotheses. Our numerical evaluations indicate that of these two hypotheses formulated, the groundwater seep cycle seems by far the more viable. Further observations from forthcoming missions may permit the determination of which mechanisms may have operated to recycle the Chryse flood-waters.

Method for evaluating wind turbine wake effects on wind farm performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neustadter, H. E.; Spera, D. A.

1985-01-01

A method of testing the performance of a cluster of wind turbine units an data analysis equations are presented which together form a simple and direct procedure for determining the reduction in energy output caused by the wake of an upwind turbine. This method appears to solve the problems presented by data scatter and wind variability. Test data from the three-unit Mod-2 wind turbine cluster at Goldendale, Washington, are analyzed to illustrate the application of the proposed method. In this sample case the reduction in energy was found to be about 10 percent when the Mod-2 units were separated a distance equal to seven diameters and winds were below rated.

Social Media Technology and Public Health in Ontario: Findings from a Planning Meeting Exploring Current Practices and Future Research Directions.

PubMed

Booth, Richard; McMurray, Josephine; Regan, Sandra; Kothari, Anita; Donelle, Lorie; McBride, Susan; Sobel, Annette; Hall, Jodi; Fraser, Robert; Foisey, Lyndsay

2017-01-01

In the province of Ontario, many of the public health units (PHUs) now possess and use social media as part of their daily health promotion and communication operations. To explore this topic, a planning meeting was held to generate deeper insights toward the use of these forms of technology for preventative services delivery. The planning meeting was held with 50 participants, comprising representatives from 20 of the 36 PHUs in Ontario, interested academics, students and government representatives. A nominal group technique (NGT) was used to build consensus related to future research needs, as related to public health and social media. Participants generated a range of insights around the use of social media, including the need for: leadership buy-in and resource allocation; social media policy and governance structure; performance measurement and evaluation; practices related to engagement with program recipients and addressing the lack of resources faced by many health units. Future research priorities were also generated, related to evaluating the cost-benefit of social media activities and understanding behaviour change implications. Further research is needed to evaluate the functionality, leadership and competency requirements and impact(s) of these new forms of health communication technology within public health service delivery. Copyright © 2017 Longwoods Publishing.

Habit formation coincides with shifts in reinforcement representations in the sensorimotor striatum.

PubMed

Smith, Kyle S; Graybiel, Ann M

2016-03-01

Evaluating outcomes of behavior is a central function of the striatum. In circuits engaging the dorsomedial striatum, sensitivity to goal value is accentuated during learning, whereas outcome sensitivity is thought to be minimal in the dorsolateral striatum and its habit-related corticostriatal circuits. However, a distinct population of projection neurons in the dorsolateral striatum exhibits selective sensitivity to rewards. Here, we evaluated the outcome-related signaling in such neurons as rats performed an instructional T-maze task for two rewards. As the rats formed maze-running habits and then changed behavior after reward devaluation, we detected outcome-related spike activity in 116 units out of 1,479 recorded units. During initial training, nearly equal numbers of these units fired preferentially either after rewarded runs or after unrewarded runs, and the majority were responsive at only one of two reward locations. With overtraining, as habits formed, firing in nonrewarded trials almost disappeared, and reward-specific firing declined. Thus error-related signaling was lost, and reward signaling became generalized. Following reward devaluation, in an extinction test, postgoal activity was nearly undetectable, despite accurate running. Strikingly, when rewards were then returned, postgoal activity reappeared and recapitulated the original early response pattern, with nearly equal numbers responding to rewarded and unrewarded runs and to single rewards. These findings demonstrate that outcome evaluation in the dorsolateral striatum is highly plastic and tracks stages of behavioral exploration and exploitation. These signals could be a new target for understanding compulsive behaviors that involve changes to dorsal striatum function. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Image forming apparatus

DOEpatents

Satoh, Hisao; Haneda, Satoshi; Ikeda, Tadayoshi; Morita, Shizuo; Fukuchi, Masakazu

1996-01-01

In an image forming apparatus having a detachable process cartridge in which an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit which develops the electrostatic latent image so that a toner image can be formed, both integrally formed into one unit. There is provided a developer container including a discharge section which can be inserted into a supply opening of the developing unit, and a container in which a predetermined amount of developer is contained, wherein the developer container is provided to the toner supply opening of the developing unit and the developer is supplied into the developing unit housing when a toner stirring screw of the developing unit is rotated.

Study on Topology Optimization Design, Manufacturability, and Performance Evaluation of Ti-6Al-4V Porous Structures Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

PubMed Central

Xu, Yangli; Zhang, Dongyun; Zhou, Yan; Wang, Weidong; Cao, Xuanyang

2017-01-01

The combination of topology optimization (TOP) and selective laser melting (SLM) provides the possibility of fabricating the complex, lightweight and high performance geometries overcoming the traditional manufacturing “bottleneck”. This paper evaluates the biomechanical properties of porous structures with porosity from 40% to 80% and unit cell size from 2 to 8 mm, which are designed by TOP and manufactured by SLM. During manufacturability exploration, three typical structures including spiral structure, arched bridge structure and structures with thin walls and small holes are abstracted and investigated, analyzing their manufacturing limits and forming reason. The property tests show that dynamic elastic modulus and compressive strength of porous structures decreases with increases of porosity (constant unit cell size) or unit cell size (constant porosity). Based on the Gibson-Ashby model, three failure models are proposed to describe their compressive behavior, and the structural parameter λ is used to evaluate the stability of the porous structure. Finally, a numerical model for the correlation between porous structural parameters (unit cell size and porosity) and elastic modulus is established, which provides a theoretical reference for matching the elastic modulus of human bones from different age, gender and skeletal sites during innovative medical implant design and manufacturing. PMID:28880229

Study on Topology Optimization Design, Manufacturability, and Performance Evaluation of Ti-6Al-4V Porous Structures Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

PubMed

Xu, Yangli; Zhang, Dongyun; Zhou, Yan; Wang, Weidong; Cao, Xuanyang

2017-09-07

The combination of topology optimization (TOP) and selective laser melting (SLM) provides the possibility of fabricating the complex, lightweight and high performance geometries overcoming the traditional manufacturing "bottleneck". This paper evaluates the biomechanical properties of porous structures with porosity from 40% to 80% and unit cell size from 2 to 8 mm, which are designed by TOP and manufactured by SLM. During manufacturability exploration, three typical structures including spiral structure, arched bridge structure and structures with thin walls and small holes are abstracted and investigated, analyzing their manufacturing limits and forming reason. The property tests show that dynamic elastic modulus and compressive strength of porous structures decreases with increases of porosity (constant unit cell size) or unit cell size (constant porosity). Based on the Gibson-Ashby model, three failure models are proposed to describe their compressive behavior, and the structural parameter λ is used to evaluate the stability of the porous structure. Finally, a numerical model for the correlation between porous structural parameters (unit cell size and porosity) and elastic modulus is established, which provides a theoretical reference for matching the elastic modulus of human bones from different age, gender and skeletal sites during innovative medical implant design and manufacturing.

Crime scene units: a look to the future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldwin, Hayden B.

1999-02-01

The scientific examination of physical evidence is well recognized as a critical element in conducting successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. The forensic science field is an ever changing discipline. With the arrival of DNA, new processing techniques for latent prints, portable lasers, and electro-static dust print lifters, and training of evidence technicians has become more important than ever. These scientific and technology breakthroughs have increased the possibility of collecting and analyzing physical evidence that was never possible before. The problem arises with the collection of physical evidence from the crime scene not from the analysis of the evidence. The need for specialized units in the processing of all crime scenes is imperative. These specialized units, called crime scene units, should be trained and equipped to handle all forms of crime scenes. The crime scenes units would have the capability to professionally evaluate and collect pertinent physical evidence from the crime scenes.

Evaluation of a Program Designed to Reduce Relational Aggression in Middle School Girls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dellasega, Cheryl; Adamshick, Pamela

2005-01-01

Physical and verbal aggression is an increasing problem in both middle and high schools across the United States. While physical forms of aggression are targeted in traditional "bullying" programs, relational aggression (RA), or the use of relationships to hurt another, is often not detected or addressed. For girls in the stage of identity…

Student Satisfaction and Student Perceptions of Quality at International Branch Campuses in the United Arab Emirates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkins, Stephen; Balakrishnan, Melodena Stephens; Huisman, Jeroen

2012-01-01

The international branch campus has emerged as a popular form of transnational higher education but to date little research has been undertaken on student perceptions and experiences, other than the student feedback evaluations conducted by institutions. This research employed a survey questionnaire to investigate student perceptions of study at…

Student Involvement with the Regionally Important Geomorphological Site (RIGS) Scheme: An Opportunity to Learn Geomorphology and Gain Transferable Skills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McEwen, Lindsey

1996-01-01

Outlines student involvement with a conservation project that aims to develop a Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Site network (RIGS) at a county level in the United Kingdom. Emphasis is placed on identifying, describing, evaluating, and documenting land forms of educational, research, historical, and/or aesthetic value. (MJP)

A comparison of two modeling approaches for evaluating wildlife--habitat relationships

Treesearch

Ryan A. Long; Jonathan D. Muir; Janet L. Rachlow; John G. Kie

2009-01-01

Studies of resource selection form the basis for much of our understanding of wildlife habitat requirements, and resource selection functions (RSFs), which predict relative probability of use, have been proposed as a unifying concept for analysis and interpretation of wildlife habitat data. Logistic regression that contrasts used and available or unused resource units...

History of Abuse and Neglect in Patients with Schizophrenia Who Have a History of Violence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennouna-Greene, Mehdi; Bennouna-Greene, Valerie; Berna, Fabrice; Defranoux, Luc

2011-01-01

Objective: To determine the prevalence of five forms of abuse/neglect during childhood and adolescence in a group of schizophrenic patients with a history of violence. Methods: Twenty-eight patients hospitalized in a highly secured psychiatric unit were included. Abuse and neglect during patients' growth were evaluated with the childhood trauma…

An Evaluation of Perceptions of Form, Fit, Function (F3) Standardization on the Standard Inertial Navigation Unit (STD INU) Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

support durring the first few years of operations, which provides an incentive for such innovations and defers the acquisition of AGE until the equipment...along with number of standard avionics programs worked and the ranks of each individual. Table 5. Expierence With Avionics Standardization Years

Susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum and inoculum production potential of some common eastern forest understory plant species

Treesearch

Paul W. Tooley; Marsha Browning

2009-01-01

Twenty-five plant species (21 genera, 14 families), which comprise a portion of the understory in forests of the Eastern United States, were evaluated for susceptibility to infection by Phytophthora ramorum. The degree to which P. ramorum is able to form sporangia and chlamydospores was also assessed on...

Results of Descriptive Study of Crisis Nursery and Respite Care Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huntington, Gail S.; And Others

This report describes results of an evaluation of respite care programs and crisis nursery programs for children with disabilities, based on survey forms received from 81 programs and site visits to selected programs across the United States. The survey of crisis nursery programs and the survey of respite care programs gathered data on amount of…

Adult Roles & Functions. Objective Based Evaluation System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

West Virginia State Vocational Curriculum Lab., Cedar Lakes.

This book of objective-based test items is designed to be used with the Adult Roles and Functions curriculum for a non-laboratory home economic course for grades eleven and twelve. It contains item banks for each cognitive objective in the curriculum. In addition, there is a form for the table of specifications to be developed for each unit. This…

Exercise to Counteract Loss of Bone and Muscle During Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Men with Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

finishers in the current study on age and body mass index . This will enable us to evaluate BMD and body composition changes in response to exercise in men...support from the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit (CNRU) • prepare data forms • prepare data base • train research staff Final approval of the protocol...the local IRB on 19 Feb 2008. In the past year, the consent form underwent minor changes to update standard language used by the local IRB (approved

[Drug administration to pediatric patients: Evaluation of the nurses' preparation habits in pediatric units].

PubMed

Ménétré, S; Weber, M; Socha, M; Le Tacon, S; May, I; Schweitzer, C; Demoré, B

2018-04-01

In hospitals, the nursing staff is often confronted with the problem of the preparation and administration of drugs for their pediatric patients because of the lack of indication, pediatric dosage, and appropriate galenic form. The goal of this study was to give an overview of the nurses' preparation habits in pediatric units and highlight their daily problems. This single-center prospective study was conducted through an observation of the nursing staff during the drug preparation process in medicine, surgery and intensive care units. We included 91 patients (55 boys and 36 girls), with an average age of 6.3 years (youngest child, 10 days old; oldest child, 18 years old). We observed a mean 2.16 drug preparations per patient [1-5]. We collected 197 observation reports regarding 66 injectable drugs and 131 oral drugs (71 liquid forms and 60 solid forms). The majority of these reports concerned central nervous system drugs (63/197), metabolism and digestive system drugs (50/197), and anti-infective drugs (46/197). The study highlights the nurses' difficulties: modification of the solid galenic forms, lack of knowledge on oral liquid form preservation or reconstitution methods, withdrawal of small volumes, and vague and noncompliant labeling. This study led to the creation of a specific working group for pediatrics. This multidisciplinary team meets on a regular basis to work toward improving the current habits to both simplify and secure drug administration to hospitalized children. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Ability of field populations of Coptotermes spp., Reticulitermes flavipes, and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae; Mastotermitidae) to damage plastic cable sheathings.

PubMed

Lenz, Michael; Kard, Brad; Creffield, James W; Evans, Theodore A; Brown, Kenneth S; Freytag, Edward D; Zhong, Jun-Hong; Lee, Chow-Yang; Yeoh, Boon-Hoi; Yoshimura, Tsuyoshi; Tsunoda, Kunio; Vongkaluang, Charunee; Sornnuwat, Yupaporn; Roland, Ted A; de Santi, Marie Pommier

2013-06-01

A comparative field study was conducted to evaluate the ability of subterranean termites to damage a set of four different plastic materials (cable sheathings) exposed below- and above-ground. Eight pest species from six countries were included, viz., Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) in China, Japan, and the United States; Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) in Thailand and Malaysia; Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) and Coptotermes kalshoveni (Kemner) in Malaysia; Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) with two forms of the species complex and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Froggatt) in Australia; and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) in the United States. Termite species were separated into four tiers relative to decreasing ability to damage plastics. The first tier, most damaging, included C. acinaciformis, mound-building form, and M. darwiniensis, both from tropical Australia. The second tier included C. acinaciformis, tree-nesting form, from temperate Australia and C. kalshoveni from Southeast Asia. The third tier included C. curcignathus and C. gestroi from Southeast Asia and C. formosanus from China, Japan, and the United States, whereas the fourth tier included only R. flavipes, which caused no damage. A consequence of these results is that plastics considered resistant to termite damage in some locations will not be so in others because of differences in the termite fauna, for example, resistant plastics from the United States and Japan will require further testing in Southeast Asia and Australia. However, plastics considered resistant in Australia will be resistant in all other locations.

Loss of the ability to generate large burst-forming unit-like megakaryocytic colonies from thawed cord blood in semisolid cultures after short term suspension culture.

PubMed

Eskola, M; Bäckman, S; Möttönen, S; Kekomäki, R

2015-04-01

Total colony-forming cells from thawed cord blood units (CBUs) include megakaryocytic colony-forming units (CFU-Mks), which survive the freezing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether different megakaryocytic progenitors from unseparated CBUs survive the freezing process and a short-term liquid culture. Thawed samples of CBUs were cultured in liquid medium. During the cultures, serial samples were drawn to assess the growth of different megakaryocytic progenitors in a semisolid collagen medium with identical cytokines as in the liquid medium. Megakaryocytic cells were detected using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. In suspension culture, the megakaryocytic progenitors almost completely lost the ability to generate large (burst-forming unit-like, BFU-like) megakaryocytic colonies in semisolid cultures (large colonies, median count per chamber d0: 7.25 vs. d7: 1.5; P < 0.0001), whereas the number of small colonies (median count per chamber d0: 7.25 vs. d7: 16.0; P = 0.0505) peaked at day seven. Further 7-day culture in suspension resulted in the decline of small colonies as well (d7: 16.0 vs. d14: 5.75; P = 0.0088). Total CFU-Mk count declined from 23.3 (range 12.5-34.0) at d0 to 7.25 (range 1.0-13.5) at d14 (P < 0.0001). Immediately post-thaw, CBUs possess an ability to generate large BFU-like megakaryocytic colonies, whereas the colonies were not detectable in most CBUs in semisolid culture after a short suspension culture. Small CFU-Mks were observed throughout the cultures. It may be that the BFU-Mk colonies matured and acquired CFU-Mk behaviour. © 2014 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Stromal and Hematopoietic Progenitors from C57/BI/6N Murine Bone Marrow After 30-Day "BION-M1" Spaceflight.

PubMed

Markina, Elena; Andreeva, Elena; Andrianova, Irina; Sotnezova, Elena; Buravkova, Ludmila

2018-05-02

Elucidation of the spaceflight (SF) effects on the adult stem and progenitor cells is an important goal in space biology and medicine. A unique opportunity for this was provided by project "BION-M1". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 30-day SF on biosatellite, 7-day recovery (SFR), and subsequent ground control (GC) experiment on the mononuclear cells (MNCs) from C57/BI/6N murine tibia bone marrow. Also, hematopoietic and stromal precursor functions were characterized ex vivo. There was no significant difference in the total MNC number between experimental groups. After SF, immunophenotyping revealed an increase of large-sized CD45 + MNCs corresponded to committed hematopoietic progenitors. The total hematopoietic colony-forming unit (CFU) number decreased after SF and did not restore after 7 day of recovery due to predominant reduction of bi- and multipotent CFUs and primitive burst-forming units in favor of unipotent CFUs. Functional activity of stromal precursors in vitro was only slightly altered. SF cells displayed the enhanced expression of alkaline phosphatase. The data of the GC experiment demonstrated the preservation of the functional activity of progenitor cells from mice bone marrow. The activation of erythropoiesis in expense of burst-forming units of erythrocytes elevation was detected. After 7 days of recovery, the number of colony-forming units of fibroblast (CFUs-f) was similar to the vivarium control, while the proliferative activity of bone marrow stromal precursors decreased. The present study demonstrated that certain hematopoietic progenitors are susceptible to SF factors, while the stromal precursors displayed a certain degree of resistance. These data indicate mild and reversible alterations of bone marrow progenitors after SF.

Somatic mosaicism in Fanconi anemia: Evidence of genotypic reversion in lymphohematopoietic stem cells

PubMed Central

Gregory, John J.; Wagner, John E.; Verlander, Peter C.; Levran, Orna; Batish, Sat Dev; Eide, Cindy R.; Steffenhagen, Amy; Hirsch, Betsy; Auerbach, Arleen D.

2001-01-01

Somatic mosaicism has been observed previously in the lymphocyte population of patients with Fanconi anemia (FA). To identify the cellular origin of the genotypic reversion, we examined each lymphohematopoietic and stromal cell lineage in an FA patient with a 2815–2816ins19 mutation in FANCA and known lymphocyte somatic mosaicism. DNA extracted from individually plucked peripheral blood T cell colonies and marrow colony-forming unit granulocyte–macrophage and burst-forming unit erythroid cells revealed absence of the maternal FANCA exon 29 mutation in 74.0%, 80.3%, and 86.2% of colonies, respectively. These data, together with the absence of the FANCA exon 29 mutation in Epstein–Barr virus-transformed B cells and its presence in fibroblasts, indicate that genotypic reversion, most likely because of back mutation, originated in a lymphohematopoietic stem cell and not solely in a lymphocyte population. Contrary to a predicted increase in marrow cellularity resulting from reversion in a hematopoietic stem cell, pancytopenia was progressive. Additional evaluations revealed a partial deletion of 11q in 3 of 20 bone marrow metaphase cells. By using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization with an MLL gene probe mapped to band 11q23 to identify colony-forming unit granulocyte–macrophage and burst-forming unit erythroid cells with the 11q deletion, the abnormal clone was exclusive to colonies with the FANCA exon 29 mutation. Thus, we demonstrate the spontaneous genotypic reversion in a lymphohematopoietic stem cell. The subsequent development of a clonal cytogenetic abnormality in nonrevertant cells suggests that ex vivo correction of hematopoietic stem cells by gene transfer may not be sufficient for providing life-long stable hematopoiesis in patients with FA. PMID:11226273

Comparison of the biological NH3 removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials.

PubMed

Hirai, M; Kamamoto, M; Yani, M; Shoda, M

2001-01-01

Four inorganic packing materials were evaluated in terms of their availability as a packing material of a packed tower deodorization apparatus (biofilter) from the viewpoints of biological NH3 removal characteristics and some physical properties. Porous ceramics (A), calcinated cristobalite (B), calcinated and formed obsidian (C), granulated and calculated soil (D) were used. The superiority of these packing materials determined based on the values of non-biological removal per unit weight or unit volume of packing material, complete removal capacity of NH3 per unit weight of packing material per day or unit volume of packing material per day and pressure drop of the packed bed was in the order of A approximately = C > B > or = D. Packing materials A and C with high porosity, maximum water content, and suitable mean pore diameter showed excellent removal capacity.

Comparison of the biological H2S removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials.

PubMed

Hirai, M; Kamamoto, M; Yani, M; Shoda, M

2001-01-01

Four inorganic packing materials were evaluated in terms of their availability as packing materials of a packed tower deodorization apparatus (biofilter) from the viewpoints of biological H2S removal characteristics and some physical properties. Among porous ceramics (A), calcinated cristobalite (B), calcinated and formed obsidian (C), granulated and calcinated soil (D), the superiority of these packing materials determined based on the values of non-biological removal per unit weight or unit volume of packing material, complete removal capacity of H2S per unit weight of packing material per day or unit volume of packing material per day and pressure drop of the packed bed was in the order of A approximately equal to C > D approximately equal to B, which is correlated with the maximum water content, porosity, and mean pore diameter.

Two-digit number comparison: Decade-unit and unit-decade produce the same compatibility effect with number words.

PubMed

Macizo, Pedro; Herrera, Amparo

2010-03-01

This study explored the processing of 2-digit number words by examining the unit-decade compatibility effect in Spanish. Participants were required to choose the larger of 2-digit number words presented in verbal notation. In compatible trials the decade and unit comparisons led to the same response (e.g., 53-68) while in incompatible trials the decade and unit comparisons led to different responses (e.g., 59-74). Participants were slower on compatible trials as compared to incompatible trials. In Experiments 2 and 3, we evaluated whether the reverse compatibility effect in Spanish was only due to a pure left-to-right encoding which favours the decade processing in this language (decade-unit order). When participants processed 2-digit number words presented in reverse form (in the unit-decade order), the same reverse compatibility effect was found. This pattern of results suggests that participants have learnt a language-dependent process for analysing written numbers which is used irrespective of the specific arrangement of units and decades in the comparison task. 2010 APA, all rights reserved.

Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery in mapping and managing soil and range resources in the Sand Hills Region of Nebraska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seevers, P. M.; Drew, J. V.

1973-01-01

Interpretations of high altitude photography of test sites in the Sandhills of Nebraska permitted identification of subirrigated range sites as well as complexes of choppy sands and sands range sites, units composing approximately 85% of the Sandhills rangeland. These range sites form the basic units necessary for the interpretation of range condition classes used in grazing management. Analysis of ERTS-1 imagery acquired during August, September and October, 1972 indicated potential for the identification of gross differences in forage density within given range sites identified on early season aerial photography.

NURE aerial gamma ray and magnetic detail survey of portions of northeast Washington. Final report

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

Not Available

1981-11-01

The Northeast Washington Survey was performed under the United States Department of Energy's National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Program, which is designed to provide radioelement distribution information to assist in assessing the uraniferous material potential of the United States. The radiometric and ancilliary data were digitally recorded and processed. The results are presented in the form of stacked profiles, contour maps, flight path maps, statistical tables and frequency distribution histograms. These graphical outputs are presented at a scale of 1:62,500 and are contained in the individual Volume 2 reports.

A novel shape-changing haptic table-top display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiabin; Zhao, Lu; Liu, Yue; Wang, Yongtian; Cai, Yi

2018-01-01

A shape-changing table-top display with haptic feedback allows its users to perceive 3D visual and texture displays interactively. Since few existing devices are developed as accurate displays with regulatory haptic feedback, a novel attentive and immersive shape changing mechanical interface (SCMI) consisting of image processing unit and transformation unit was proposed in this paper. In order to support a precise 3D table-top display with an offset of less than 2 mm, a custommade mechanism was developed to form precise surface and regulate the feedback force. The proposed image processing unit was capable of extracting texture data from 2D picture for rendering shape-changing surface and realizing 3D modeling. The preliminary evaluation result proved the feasibility of the proposed system.

BMP2 repression and optimized culture conditions promote human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell isolation.

PubMed

Kay, Alasdair Gawain; Dale, Tina Patricia; Akram, Khondoker Mehedi; Mohan, Param; Hampson, Karen; Maffulli, Nicola; Spiteri, Monica A; El Haj, Alicia Jennifer; Forsyth, Nicholas Robert

2015-01-01

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are multipotent progenitor cells. We propose the optimization of hMSC isolation and recovery using the application of a controlled hypoxic environment. We evaluated oxygen, glucose and serum in the recovery of hMSC from bone marrow (BMhMSC). Colony forming units-fibroblastic, cell numbers, tri-lineage differentiation, immunofluorescence and microarray were used to confirm and characterize BMhMSC. In an optimized (2% O(2), 4.5 g/l glucose and 5% serum) environment both colony forming units-fibroblastic (p = 0.01) and cell numbers (p = 0.0001) were enhanced over standard conditions. Transcriptional analysis identified differential expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and, putatively, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) signaling pathways. We have detailed a potential milestone in the process of refinement of the BMhMSC isolation process.

Three-dimensional computer visualization of forensic pathology data.

PubMed

March, Jack; Schofield, Damian; Evison, Martin; Woodford, Noel

2004-03-01

Despite a decade of use in US courtrooms, it is only recently that forensic computer animations have become an increasingly important form of communication in legal spheres within the United Kingdom. Aims Research at the University of Nottingham has been influential in the critical investigation of forensic computer graphics reconstruction methodologies and techniques and in raising the profile of this novel form of data visualization within the United Kingdom. The case study presented demonstrates research undertaken by Aims Research and the Department of Forensic Pathology at the University of Sheffield, which aims to apply, evaluate, and develop novel 3-dimensional computer graphics (CG) visualization and virtual reality (VR) techniques in the presentation and investigation of forensic information concerning the human body. The inclusion of such visualizations within other CG or VR environments may ultimately provide the potential for alternative exploratory directions, processes, and results within forensic pathology investigations.

Effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine on microbial and fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines

PubMed Central

Agahi, Raha Habib; Hashemipour, Maryam Alsadat; Kalantari, Mahsa; Ayatollah-Mosavi, Amin; Aghassi, Hossein; Nassab, Amir Hossein Gandjalikhan

2014-01-01

Background: It is known that dental unit waterline can be a source of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mouthwash, chlorhexidine, in controlling microbial and fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, the water in high-speed handpieces and air/water syringes of 35 dental units in a dental school was investigated microbiologically. Five of the units and one tap water served as controls; 100-200-mL water samples were collected aseptically in sterile containers in the morning after a 2-min purge. Water reservoir bottles were emptied and 50 mL of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash was introduced into the tank. Then the water syringe was used to flush the waterline until the pink-colored chlorhexidine was observed to flow from the water syringe. Before the next day's session and before the students used the unit, two water samples from the water syringe and water turbine was collected. The samples were transferred to the laboratory. After 48 h at 37°C, the microbial colonies were counted. The number of these colonies was evaluated using colony forming unit CFU. Data were analyzed with Mann — Whitney U test and SPSS 13.5 statistical program. The statistical significance was defined at P ≤ 0.05. Results: All 35 units were contaminated before chlorhexidine use; no contamination was detected after adding chlorhexidine to the waterlines of the units. After week 1, 28 of the 30 treated dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) had values of CFU/mL less than 200. Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of chlorhexidine could reduce microbial counts in dental unit waterlines. PMID:25097645

Effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine on microbial and fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines.

PubMed

Agahi, Raha Habib; Hashemipour, Maryam Alsadat; Kalantari, Mahsa; Ayatollah-Mosavi, Amin; Aghassi, Hossein; Nassab, Amir Hossein Gandjalikhan

2014-05-01

It is known that dental unit waterline can be a source of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mouthwash, chlorhexidine, in controlling microbial and fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines. In the present experimental study, the water in high-speed handpieces and air/water syringes of 35 dental units in a dental school was investigated microbiologically. Five of the units and one tap water served as controls; 100-200-mL water samples were collected aseptically in sterile containers in the morning after a 2-min purge. Water reservoir bottles were emptied and 50 mL of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash was introduced into the tank. Then the water syringe was used to flush the waterline until the pink-colored chlorhexidine was observed to flow from the water syringe. Before the next day's session and before the students used the unit, two water samples from the water syringe and water turbine was collected. The samples were transferred to the laboratory. After 48 h at 37°C, the microbial colonies were counted. The number of these colonies was evaluated using colony forming unit CFU. Data were analyzed with Mann - Whitney U test and SPSS 13.5 statistical program. The statistical significance was defined at P ≤ 0.05. All 35 units were contaminated before chlorhexidine use; no contamination was detected after adding chlorhexidine to the waterlines of the units. After week 1, 28 of the 30 treated dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) had values of CFU/mL less than 200. The present study showed that the use of chlorhexidine could reduce microbial counts in dental unit waterlines.

Handwashing with soap or alcoholic solutions? A randomized clinical trial of its effectiveness.

PubMed

Zaragoza, M; Sallés, M; Gomez, J; Bayas, J M; Trilla, A

1999-06-01

The effectiveness of an alcoholic solution compared with the standard hygienic handwashing procedure during regular work in clinical wards and intensive care units of a large public university hospital in Barcelona was assessed. A prospective, randomized clinical trial with crossover design, paired data, and blind evaluation was done. Eligible health care workers (HCWs) included permanent and temporary HCWs of wards and intensive care units. From each category, a random sample of persons was selected. HCWs were randomly assigned to regular handwashing (liquid soap and water) or handwashing with the alcoholic solution by using a crossover design. The number of colony-forming units on agar plates from hands printing in 3 different samples was counted. A total of 47 HCWs were included. The average reduction in the number of colony-forming units from samples before handwashing to samples after handwashing was 49.6% for soap and water and 88.2% for the alcoholic solution. When both methods were compared, the average number of colony-forming units recovered after the procedure showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the alcoholic solution (P <.001). The alcoholic solution was well tolerated by HCWs. Overall acceptance rate was classified as "good" by 72% of HCWs after 2 weeks use. Of all HCWs included, 9.3% stated that the use of the alcoholic solution worsened minor pre-existing skin conditions. Although the regular use of hygienic soap and water handwashing procedures is the gold standard, the use of alcoholic solutions is effective and safe and deserves more attention, especially in situations in which the handwashing compliance rate is hampered by architectural problems (lack of sinks) or nursing work overload.

Northeastern FIA Tree Taper Study: Current Status and Future Work

Treesearch

James A. Westfall; Charles T. Scott

2005-01-01

The northeastern unit of the Forest Inventory and Analysis program (NE-FIA) is engaged in an ongoing project to develop regionwide tree taper equations. Sampling intensity is based on NE-FIA plot data and is stratified by species, diameter class, and height class. To date, modeling research has been aimed largely at evaluating existing model forms (and hybrids thereof...

An Analysis of U.S. Sex Education Programs and Evaluation Methods. Volume I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirby, Douglas; And Others

The volume, first in a series of five, presents an analysis of sex education programs in the United States. It is presented in six chapters. Chapter I provides a brief overview of sex education in the public schools and summarizes goals, forms, and prevalence of sex education. Chapter II reviews literature on the effects of school sex education…

Gauging the ecological capacity of southern Appalachian reserves: does wilderness matter?

Treesearch

J. C. Haney; M. Wilbert; C. De Grood; D. S. Lee; J. Thomson

2000-01-01

A multi-unit wilderness system in the Southern Appalachians was evaluated for its long-term capacity to support biodiversity and provide other forms of “ecological insurance.” Based on spatial thresholds for selected species, community and ecosystem level attributes, ecological capacity was found to be conditional, hierarchical and interactive. Existing reserves appear...

An Evaluation of the Importance of Military Associations at Civil Airports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Patti J.

2010-01-01

Today there are over 1,500 public-use airports in the United States. Each of these airports provides a service to the surrounding community, whether in the form of a general aviation or commercial air service facility. An airport is dependent on many facets of the local government infrastructure for support services. Also, the airports have ties…

Comparative evaluation of apical extrusion of bacteria using hand and rotary systems : An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Ghivari, Sheetal B; Kubasad, Girish C; Deshpande, Preethi

2012-01-01

Aim: To evaluate the bacteria extruded apically during root canal preparation using two hand and rotary instrumentation techniques. Materials and Methods: Eighty freshly extracted mandibular premolars were mounted in bacteria collection apparatus. Root canals were contaminated with the pure culture of Enterococcus fecalis (ATCC 29212) and dried at 37°C for 24 h. Bacteria extruded were collected, incubated in brain heart infusion agar for 24 h at 36°C and the colony forming units (CFU) were counted. Statistical Analysis: The mean number of colony forming units were calculated by One-way ANOVA and comparison between the groups made by multiple comparison (Dunnet D) test. Results: The step-back technique extruded highest number of bacteria in comparison to other hand and rotary Ni–Ti systems. Conclusion: Under the limitation of this study all hand and rotary instrumentation techniques extruded bacteria. Among all the instrumentation techniques step-back technique extruded more number of bacteria and K-3 system the least. Further in vivo research in this direction could provide more insight into the biologic factors associated and focus on bacterial species that essentially play a major role in post instrumentation flare-ups. PMID:22368332

Physical Fitness Index for Assess Fitness Speed Among Army Reserve Officer Training Unit Cadet in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rustam, Shahrulfadly; Kassim, Mohar

2018-05-01

The aim of this study is to develop physical fitness index (PFI) for physical fitness among Army Reserve Officer Training Unit Cadet Malaysia. This study use 30 meter speed run as a physical fitness test battery to develop physical fitness index (PFI) and to evaluate the subject fitness speed. 212 male respondent (N=212) was selected in this study including Army Reserve Officer Training Unit Cadet of National Defence University of Malaysia. 30 meter sprint was used as a instrument for this study. The methodology will be adopted for this study is quantitative research in the form of a quasi-experiment. Quasi-experimental methods is used to measure and evaluate the level of physical fitness and develop Physical Fitness Index especially in speed. The design of this study is quasi-experimental study design with pre-test and post-test. The study design is quasi-experimental research design in which the data is obtained through the practical test in the field. The data were analysed by using the SPSS software version 20 to calculate the mean, standard deviation and t-test for develop physical fitness index (PFI) and to evaluate the fitness speed level for Army Reserve Officers Training Unit Cadet Malaysia. The findings showed mean and standard deviation for develope physical fitness index is (M=4.84) and (SD=0.48). The t-test for evaluate fitness level in speed for pre-test and post-test is significantly difference (p ≤ 0.05). The implication at this study is that the develope of standard physical fitness index is able to identify the level of physical fitness among Army Reserve Officer Training Unit Cadet Malaysia.

Evaluation of bacterial contamination of dental unit waterlines and use of a newly designed measurement device to assess retraction of a dental chair unit.

PubMed

Ji, Xue-Yue; Fei, Chun-Nan; Zhang, Ying; Zhang, Wei; Liu, Jun; Dong, Jie

2016-08-01

Dental unit waterline (DUWL) output water is delivered through instruments of a dental chair unit (DCU) to irrigate and cool teeth. However, these waterlines can be heavily contaminated with bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to assess retraction and investigate the contamination level and prevalence of bacteria in DUWL output water. Fifty-eight DCUs were randomly selected from 30 hospitals in 10 districts of Tianjin, one of the four special municipalities of China. A unique sampling connector was used in place of the dental handpiece to collect water samples. Evaluation of retraction was accomplished using a retraction measurement device designed in accordance with the International Standard ISO 7494-2:2015(E). A total of 263 water samples were collected, and the highest concentration of bacteria [1.8 × 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL] was found in the handpiece group. Thirty (51.72%) water samples in the handpiece group and 21 (36.21%) in the air/water syringe groups were cultured, yielding colony counts of > 500 CFU/mL. Potential infectious agents, such as Bacillus cereus, Kocuria kristinae and Pseudomonas fluorescens, were isolated from the water samples. Thirty (51.72%) DCUs failed the retraction evaluation. There was a significant, positive correlation (P < 0.05) between the concentration of bacteria in the water sample and the retracted volume. It is of paramount importance to increase compliance with the standards for controlling DUWL contamination. Routine microbial monitoring and evaluation of retraction are necessary to provide high-quality water for use in dental treatment. © 2016 FDI World Dental Federation.

Partitioning factor of mercury during coal combustion in low capacity domestic heating units.

PubMed

Hlawiczka, Stanislaw; Kubica, Krystyna; Zielonka, Urszula

2003-08-01

Data from an experiment concerning Hg emission from coal combustion in a furnace of 5.6 kW capacity are presented. The goal of the experiment was to define how much of the mercury in coal combusted in the stove was emitted to the atmosphere in gaseous form because vapors contribute mainly to human intake of the metal from ambient air. The partitioning factor kappa, defined as the ratio of gaseous mercury mass emitted to the air and mercury mass contained in the unit coal mass before combustion was evaluated. The mean value of the kappa factors determined in the study was 0.52 indicating that on average only 52% of the mercury was emitted to the air in gaseous form during coal combustion in an apparatus similar to a domestic furnace. The kappa value determined seems relatively low indicating that besides mercury emitted to the atmosphere in gaseous form, a large portion of the mercury is present in particulate matter trapped in the chimney duct and emitted to the air.

Analysis of dosimetry from the H.B. Robinson unit 2 pressure vessel benchmark using RAPTOR-M3G and ALPAN

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

Fischer, G.A.

2011-07-01

Document available in abstract form only, full text of document follows: The dosimetry from the H. B. Robinson Unit 2 Pressure Vessel Benchmark is analyzed with a suite of Westinghouse-developed codes and data libraries. The radiation transport from the reactor core to the surveillance capsule and ex-vessel locations is performed by RAPTOR-M3G, a parallel deterministic radiation transport code that calculates high-resolution neutron flux information in three dimensions. The cross-section library used in this analysis is the ALPAN library, an Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)/B-VII.0-based library designed for reactor dosimetry and fluence analysis applications. Dosimetry is evaluated with the industry-standard SNLRMLmore » reactor dosimetry cross-section data library. (authors)« less

Alternative approaches to predicting methane emissions from dairy cows.

PubMed

Mills, J A N; Kebreab, E; Yates, C M; Crompton, L A; Cammell, S B; Dhanoa, M S; Agnew, R E; France, J

2003-12-01

Previous attempts to apply statistical models, which correlate nutrient intake with methane production, have been of limited value where predictions are obtained for nutrient intakes and diet types outside those used in model construction. Dynamic mechanistic models have proved more suitable for extrapolation, but they remain computationally expensive and are not applied easily in practical situations. The first objective of this research focused on employing conventional techniques to generate statistical models of methane production appropriate to United Kingdom dairy systems. The second objective was to evaluate these models and a model published previously using both United Kingdom and North American data sets. Thirdly, nonlinear models were considered as alternatives to the conventional linear regressions. The United Kingdom calorimetry data used to construct the linear models also were used to develop the three nonlinear alternatives that were all of modified Mitscherlich (monomolecular) form. Of the linear models tested, an equation from the literature proved most reliable across the full range of evaluation data (root mean square prediction error = 21.3%). However, the Mitscherlich models demonstrated the greatest degree of adaptability across diet types and intake level. The most successful model for simulating the independent data was a modified Mitscherlich equation with the steepness parameter set to represent dietary starch-to-ADF ratio (root mean square prediction error = 20.6%). However, when such data were unavailable, simpler Mitscherlich forms relating dry matter or metabolizable energy intake to methane production remained better alternatives relative to their linear counterparts.

Evaluation of drug-induced hematotoxicity using novel in vitro monkey CFU-GM and BFU-E colony assays.

PubMed

Goto, Koichi; Goto, Mayumi; Ando-Imaoka, Masako; Kai, Kiyonori; Mori, Kazuhiko

2017-01-01

In order to evaluate drug-induced hematotoxicity in monkey cells in vitro, colony-forming unit-granulocyte, macrophage (CFU-GM), and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony assays were established using mononuclear cells in the bone marrow collected from male cynomolgus monkeys. Furthermore, the effects of doxorubicin, chloramphenicol, and linezolid on CFU-GM and BFU-E colony formation were investigated using established monkey CFU-GM and BFU-E colony assays in comparison with those on human CFU-GM and BFU-E colonies acquired from human umbilical cord blood cells. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were collected from the ischial or iliac bone of male cynomolgus monkeys. The cells were subsequently processed by density gradient separation at 1.067, 1.070, or 1.077 g/mL for CFU-GM or 1.077 g/mL for BFU-E, and then cultured in methylcellulose medium for 9 or 13 days, respectively. A sufficient number of CFU-GM colonies were formed from mononuclear cells processed at a density of 1.070 g/mL. Moreover, the number of BFU-E colonies from the cells processed at a density of 1.077 g/mL was sufficient for the colony assay. The number of CFU-GM or BFU-E colonies decreased after treatment with the drugs of interest in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with human CFU-GM, monkey CFU-GM were more sensitive to chloramphenicol and resistant to doxorubicin, whereas monkey BFU-E were more sensitive to all compounds in comparison to the sensitivity of human BFU-E. In conclusion, monkey CFU-GM and BFU-E colony assays were established and considered useful tools to evaluate the differences in drug-induced hematotoxicity between species.

[Better communication between surgery and anesthesia may provide safer surgery. The exchange of information has been mapped within the framework of "Safe abdominal surgery"].

PubMed

Göransson, Katarina; Lundberg, Johan; Ljungqvist, Olle; Ohlsson, Elisabet; Sandblom, Gabriel

2015-09-01

Poor communication between surgical and anesthesia unit personnel may jeopardize patient safety.  Review reports from a national survey on patient safety performed at 17 units 2011-2013 were analyzed in order to identify strategies to reduce risks related to the interaction between surgery and anesthesia. The reports were reviewed in this study by an independent group in order to extract findings related to communication between anesthesia and surgical unit personnel. Suggested strategies to improve patient safety included: uniform national health declaration forms; consistent use of admission notes; uniform systems for documenting medical information; multidisciplinary forum for evaluation of high-risk patients; weekly and daily scheduling of surgical programs; application of the WHO check list; open dialog during surgery; oral and written reports from the surgeon to the postoperative unit; and combined mortality and morbidity conferences.

Assessing model uncertainty using hexavalent chromium and ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction: The National Research Council recommended quantitative evaluation of uncertainty in effect estimates for risk assessment. This analysis considers uncertainty across model forms and model parameterizations with hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and lung cancer mortality as an example. The objective of this analysis is to characterize model uncertainty by evaluating the variance in estimates across several epidemiologic analyses.Methods: This analysis compared 7 publications analyzing two different chromate production sites in Ohio and Maryland. The Ohio cohort consisted of 482 workers employed from 1940-72, while the Maryland site employed 2,357 workers from 1950-74. Cox and Poisson models were the only model forms considered by study authors to assess the effect of Cr(VI) on lung cancer mortality. All models adjusted for smoking and included a 5-year exposure lag, however other latency periods and model covariates such as age and race were considered. Published effect estimates were standardized to the same units and normalized by their variances to produce a standardized metric to compare variability in estimates across and within model forms. A total of 7 similarly parameterized analyses were considered across model forms, and 23 analyses with alternative parameterizations were considered within model form (14 Cox; 9 Poisson). Results: Across Cox and Poisson model forms, adjusted cumulative exposure coefficients for 7 similar analyses ranged from 2.47

Comparison between the evaluation of bacterial regrowth capability in a turbidimeter and biodegradable dissolved organic carbon bioreactor measurements in water.

PubMed

Kott, Y; Ribas, F; Frías, J; Lucena, F

1997-09-01

In recent years, two different approaches to the study of biodegradable organic matter in distribution systems have been followed. The assimilable organic carbon (AOC) indicates the portion of the dissolved organic matter used by bacteria and converted to biomass, which is directly measured as total bacteria, active bacteria or colony-forming units and indirectly as ATP or increase in turbidity. In contrast, the biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) is the portion of the dissolved organic carbon that can be mineralized by heterotrophic microorganisms, and it is measured as the difference between the inflow and the outflow of a bioreactor. In this study, at different steps in a water treatment plant, the bacterial regrowth capability was determined by the AOC method that measures the maximum growth rate by using a computerized Monitek turbidimeter. The BDOC was determined using a plug flow bioreactor. Measurements of colony-forming units and total organic carbon (TOC) evolution in a turbidimeter and of colony-forming units at the inflow/outflow of the bioreactor were also performed, calculating at all sampling points the coefficient yield (Y = cfu/delta TOC) in both systems. The correlations between the results from the bioreactor and turbidimeter have been calculated; a high correlation level was observed between BDOC values and all the other parameters, except for Y calculated from bacterial suspension measured in the turbidimeter.

A call for evidence-based medical treatment of opioid dependence in the United States and Canada.

PubMed

Nosyk, Bohdan; Anglin, M Douglas; Brissette, Suzanne; Kerr, Thomas; Marsh, David C; Schackman, Bruce R; Wood, Evan; Montaner, Julio S G

2013-08-01

Despite decades of experience treating heroin or prescription opioid dependence with methadone or buprenorphine--two forms of opioid substitution therapy--gaps remain between current practices and evidence-based standards in both Canada and the United States. This is largely because of regulatory constraints and pervasive suboptimal clinical practices. Fewer than 10 percent of all people dependent on opioids in the United States are receiving substitution treatment, although the proportion may increase with expanded health insurance coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act. In light of the accumulated evidence, we recommend eliminating restrictions on office-based methadone prescribing in the United States; reducing financial barriers to treatment, such as varying levels of copayment in Canada and the United States; reducing reliance on less effective and potentially unsafe opioid detoxification; and evaluating and creating mechanisms to integrate emerging treatments. Taking these steps can greatly reduce the harms of opioid dependence by maximizing the individual and public health benefits of treatment.

Field evaluation of effect of temperature on release of Disparlure from a pheromone-baited trapping system used to monitor gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Treesearch

Patrick C. Tobin; Aijun Zhang; Ksenia Onufrieva; Donna Leonard

2011-01-01

Traps baited with disparlure, the synthetic form of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), sex pheromone are used to detect newly founded populations and estimate population density across the United States. The lures used in trapping devices are exposed to field conditions with varying climates, which can affect the rate...

Teacher Training and the Curriculum: An Investigation. Papers Relating to the Dunford House Seminar (England, United Kingdom, July 19-29, 1982).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coffey, B., Ed.

Proceedings of a seminar on the design and implementation of training education programs for English-as-a-Second-Language teachers are presented in the form of papers, presentations, and summary narrative. They include the following: the keynote address (Peter Strevens); "Case Studies Evaluation Exercise" (M. P. Breen); "The Simulation Exercise"…

Least Squares Method for Equating Logistic Ability Scales: A General Approach and Evaluation. Iowa Testing Programs Occasional Papers, Number 30.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haebara, Tomokazu

When several ability scales in item response models are separately derived from different test forms administered to different samples of examinees, these scales must be equated to a common scale because their units and origins are arbitrarily determined and generally different from scale to scale. A general method for equating logistic ability…

Survival and growth of white ash families and provenances 15 years after establishment in West Virginia

Treesearch

Thomas M. Schuler

1994-01-01

The survival, growth, and stem form of 45 white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) families nested within 22 provenances were evaluated 15 years after establishment in north central West Virginia. Geographic family origins encompassed a wide area in the eastern and central United States, including locations from Maine in the North to Mississippi in the South to Nebraska in...

Implementation, reliability testing, and compliance monitoring of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) in trauma patients

PubMed Central

Soja, Stacie L.; Pandharipande, Pratik P.; Fleming, Sloan B.; Cotton, Bryan A.; Miller, Leanna R.; Weaver, Stefanija G.; Lee, Byron T.; Ely, E. Wesley

2013-01-01

Objective To implement delirium monitoring, test reliability, and monitor compliance of performing the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) in trauma patients. Design and setting Prospective, observational study in a Level 1 trauma unit of a tertiary care, university-based medical center. Patients Acutely injured patients admitted to the trauma unit from February 1, 2006–April 16, 2006. Measurements and Results Following web-based teaching modules and group in-services, bedside nurses evaluated patients daily for depth of sedation with the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and for the presence of delirium with the CAM-ICU. On randomly assigned days over a 10-week period, evaluations by nursing staff were followed by evaluations by an expert evaluator of the RASS and the CAM-ICU, in order to assess compliance and reliability of the CAM-ICU in trauma patients. Following the audit period, the nurses completed a post-implementation survey. One thousand and eleven random CAM-ICU assessments were performed by the expert evaluator, within 1 hour of the bedside nurses’ assessments. Nurses completed the CAM-ICU assessments in 84% (849 of 1011) of evaluations. Overall agreement (κ) between nurses and the expert evaluator was 0.77 (0.721, 0.822; p<0.0001). In TBI patients κ was 0.75 (0.667, 0.829; p<0.0001), while in mechanically-ventilated patients κ was 0.62 (0.534, 0.704; p<0.0001). The survey revealed nurses were confident in performing the CAM-ICU, realized the importance of delirium, and were satisfied with the training they received. The survey also acknowledged obstacles to implementation including nursing time and failure of physicians/surgeons to address treatment approaches for delirium. Conclusions The CAM-ICU can be successfully implemented in a university-based trauma unit with high compliance and reliability. Quality improvement projects seeking to implement delirium monitoring would be wise to address potential pitfalls including time complaints and the negative impact of physician indifference regarding this form of organ dysfunction. PMID:18297270

Floating drug delivery systems: a review.

PubMed

Arora, Shweta; Ali, Javed; Ahuja, Alka; Khar, Roop K; Baboota, Sanjula

2005-10-19

The purpose of writing this review on floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) was to compile the recent literature with special focus on the principal mechanism of floatation to achieve gastric retention. The recent developments of FDDS including the physiological and formulation variables affecting gastric retention, approaches to design single-unit and multiple-unit floating systems, and their classification and formulation aspects are covered in detail. This review also summarizes the in vitro techniques, in vivo studies to evaluate the performance and application of floating systems, and applications of these systems. These systems are useful to several problems encountered during the development of a pharmaceutical dosage form.

78 FR 63570 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, and W-8IMY

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... Owner for United States Tax Withholding, Form W-8BEN-E, Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding, Form W-8ECI, Certificate of Foreign Person's Claim for Exemption From Withholding on Income Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United States, Form...

Fictional Narrative as Speech Event.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Myers, Miles A.

The issue addressed in this paper is the relationship between form in fictional prose and form in other uses of language, particularly those uses important in composition theory. Form in composition theory has traditionally had two ways of identifying units of analysis: (1) the sentence and semantic units, and (2) pragmatic and rhetorical units.…

Wind energy and wildlife research at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phillips, Susan L.

2011-01-01

The United States has embarked on a goal to increase electricity generation from clean, renewable sources by 2012. Towards this end, wind energy is emerging as a widely distributed form of renewable energy throughout the country. The national goal is for energy from wind to supply 20 percent of the country's electricity by 2030. As with many land uses, trade-offs exist between costs and benefits. New wind developments are occurring rapidly in parts of the United States, often leaving little time for evaluation of potential site-specific effects. These developments are known to affect wildlife, directly from fatality due to collision with the infrastructure and indirectly from loss of habitat and migration routes. The Department of the Interior, in particular, is challenged to balance energy development on public lands and also to conserve fish and wildlife. The Secretary of the Interior has proposed a number of initiatives to encourage responsible development of renewable energy. These initiatives are especially important in the western United States where large amounts of land are being developed or evaluated for wind farms.

Change champions at the grassroots level: practice innovation using team process.

PubMed

Scott, J; Rantz, M

1994-01-01

A nursing administrative group recognized the critical value of staff participation in the formulation of a restructuring project and guidance throughout the project. Using a team approach, a task force of three staff nurses, two assistant nurse managers, a nurse clinician, a nursing practice specialist, and a representative from nursing administration came together. They were given responsibility for researching and setting the course for restructuring change. A unit-based team including a unit secretary, a nursing attendant, licensed practical nurse (LPN), and six staff nurses was formed from volunteers from the 40-bed medicine unit to develop that unit's plan for restructuring. The unit-based team analyzed patient care needs and staff member roles. They created a new patient care technician role as well as a nurse care coordinator role. The role of the LPN was envisioned as providing technical support. Staffing mix was also determined by the unit-based team. Both the task force and the unit-based team continue to evaluate, troubleshoot, and take every opportunity to sell their vision to solidify it further as the foundation for the future of patient care services at the hospital. The process will soon move forward to a large surgical unit.

Comparative evaluation of rotary ProTaper, Profile, and conventional stepback technique on reduction in Enterococcus faecalis colony-forming units and vertical root fracture resistance of root canals.

PubMed

Singla, Mamta; Aggarwal, Vivek; Logani, Ajay; Shah, Naseem

2010-03-01

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of various root canal instrumentation techniques with different instrument tapers on cleaning efficacy and resultant vertical root fracture (VRF) strength of the roots. Fifty human mandibular first premolar roots were enlarged to ISO size 20, inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis [ATCC2912] for 72 hours and divided into 5 groups: group I: prepared with .02 taper hand instruments ISO size 40; group II: Profile .04 taper size 40; group III: Profile .06 taper size 40; group IV: ProTaper size F4; and group V (control group) further divided into: Va: with bacterial inoculation and no mechanical instrumentation; and Group Vb: neither bacterial inoculation nor mechanical instrumentation. Cleaning efficacy was evaluated in terms of reduction of colony forming units (CFUs). The VRF strength was evaluated using D11 spreader as wedge in an Instron testing machine. Root canals instrumented with ProTaper and 6% Profile instruments showed maximum reduction in CFUs, with statistically insignificant difference between them. The VRF resistance decreased in all instrumented groups. The difference of VRF between 2% and 4% taper Profile groups was statistically insignificant (P = .195). One-way analysis of variance showed that canals instrumented with ProTaper F4 showed maximum reduction in VRF resistance compared with control uninstrumented group. Profile 6% taper instruments offer the advantage of maximum debridement without significant reduction in root fracture resistance. Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Rempe, Joy; Farmer, Mitchell; Corradini, Michael

The Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) accident, which occurred on March 28, 1979, led industry and regulators to enhance strategies to protect against severe accidents in commercial nuclear power plants. Investigations in the years after the accident concluded that at least 45% of the core had melted and that nearly 19 tonnes of the core material had relocated to the lower head. Postaccident examinations indicate that about half of that material formed a solid layer near the lower head and above it was a layer of fragmented rubble. As discussed in this paper, numerous insights related to pressurized watermore » reactor accident progression were gained from postaccident evaluations of debris, reactor pressure vessel (RPV) specimens, and nozzles taken from the RPV. In addition, information gleaned from TMI-2 specimen evaluations and available data from plant instrumentation were used to improve severe accident simulation models that form the technical basis for reactor safety evaluations. Finally, the TMI-2 accident led the nuclear community to dedicate considerable effort toward understanding severe accident phenomenology as well as the potential for containment failure. Because available data suggest that significant amounts of fuel heated to temperatures near melting, the events at Fukushima Daiichi Units 1, 2, and 3 offer an unexpected opportunity to gain similar understanding about boiling water reactor accident progression. To increase the international benefit from such an endeavor, we recommend that an international effort be initiated to (a) prioritize data needs; (b) identify techniques, samples, and sample evaluations needed to address each information need; and (c) help finance acquisition of the required data and conduct of the analyses.« less

Informed consent recall and comprehension in orthodontics: traditional vs improved readability and processability methods.

PubMed

Kang, Edith Y; Fields, Henry W; Kiyak, Asuman; Beck, F Michael; Firestone, Allen R

2009-10-01

Low general and health literacy in the United States means informed consent documents are not well understood by most adults. Methods to improve recall and comprehension of informed consent have not been tested in orthodontics. The purposes of this study were to evaluate (1) recall and comprehension among patients and parents by using the American Association of Orthodontists' (AAO) informed consent form and new forms incorporating improved readability and processability; (2) the association between reading ability, anxiety, and sociodemographic variables and recall and comprehension; and (3) how various domains (treatment, risk, and responsibility) of information are affected by the forms. Three treatment groups (30 patient-parent pairs in each) received an orthodontic case presentation and either the AAO form, an improved readability form (MIC), or an improved readability and processability (pairing audio and visual cues) form (MIC + SS). Structured interviews were transcribed and coded to evaluate recall and comprehension. Significant relationships among patient-related variables and recall and comprehension explained little of the variance. The MIC + SS form significantly improved patient recall and parent recall and comprehension. Recall was better than comprehension, and parents performed better than patients. The MIC + SS form significantly improved patient treatment comprehension and risk recall and parent treatment recall and comprehension. Patients and parents both overestimated their understanding of the materials. Improving the readability of consent materials made little difference, but combining improved readability and processability benefited both patients' recall and parents' recall and comprehension compared with the AAO form.

Special Form Testing of Sealed Source Encapsulation for High-Alpha-Activity Actinide Materials

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

Martinez, Oscar A

In the United States all transportation of radioactive material is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Beginning in 2008 a new type of sealed-source encapsulation package was developed and tested by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). These packages contain high-alpha-activity actinides and are regulated and transported in accordance with the requirements for DOT Class 7 hazardous material. The DOT provides specific regulations pertaining to special form encapsulation designs. The special form designation indicates that the encapsulated radioactive contents have a very low probability of dispersion even when subjected to significant structural events. The special form designs have beenmore » shown to simplify the delivery, transport, acceptance, and receipt processes. It is intended for these sealed-source encapsulations to be shipped to various facilities making it very advantageous for them to be certified as special form. To this end, DOT Certificates of Competent Authority (CoCAs) have been sought for the design suitable for containing high-alpha-activity actinide materials. This design consists of the high-alpha-activity material encapsulated within a triangular zirconia canister, referred to as a ZipCan, tile that is then enclosed by a spherical shell. The spherical shell design, with ZipCan tile inside, was tested for compliance with the special form regulations found in 49 CFR 173.469. The spherical enclosure was subjected to 9-m impact, 1 m percussion, and 10-minute thermal tests at the Packaging Evaluation Facility located at the National Transportation Research Center in Knoxville, TN USA and operated by ORNL. Before and after each test, the test units were subjected to a helium leak check and a bubble test. The ZipCan tiles and core were also subjected to the tests required for ISO 2919:2012(E), including a Class IV impact test and heat test and subsequently subjected to helium leakage rate tests [49 CFR 173.469(a)(4)(i)]. The impact-tile test unit contained a nonradioactive surrogate; however, the thermal test unit contained a radioactive source. This paper describes the regulatory special form tests and presents detailed impact and leak test results that demonstrate that the sealed source encapsulation designs satisfy the regulatory tests.« less

Crop weather models of barley and spring wheat yield for agrophysical units in North Dakota

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leduc, S. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

Models based on multiple regression were developed to estimate barley yield and spring wheat yield from weather data for Agrophysical units(APU) in North Dakota. The predictor variables are derived from monthly average temperature and monthly total precipitation data at meteorological stations in the cooperative network. The models are similar in form to the previous models developed for Crop Reporting Districts (CRD). The trends and derived variables were the same and the approach to select the significant predictors was similar to that used in developing the CRD models. The APU models show sight improvements in some of the statistics of the models, e.g., explained variation. These models are to be independently evaluated and compared to the previously evaluated CRD models. The comparison will indicate the preferred model area for this application, i.e., APU or CRD.

Blood component use in a sub-Saharan African country: results of a 4-year evaluation of diagnoses associated with transfusion orders in Namibia.

PubMed

Pitman, John P; Wilkinson, Robert; Liu, Yang; von Finckenstein, Bjorn; Smit Sibinga, Cees Th; Lowrance, David W; Marfin, Anthony A; Postma, Maarten J; Mataranyika, Mary; Basavaraju, Sridhar V

2015-01-01

National blood use patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly described. Although malaria and maternal hemorrhage remain important drivers of blood demand across Africa, economic growth and changes in malaria, HIV/AIDS, and noncommunicable disease epidemiology may contribute to changes in blood demand. We evaluated indications for blood use in Namibia, a country in southern Africa, using a nationally representative sample and discuss implications for the region. Clinical and demographic data related to the issuance of blood component units in Namibia were reviewed for a 4-year period (August 1, 2007-July 31, 2011). Variables included blood component type, recipient age and sex, and diagnosis. Diagnoses reported by clinicians were reclassified into International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision categories. Multiple imputation methods were used to complete a data set missing age, sex or diagnosis data. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe indications for transfusions and use of red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and plasma. A total of 39,313 records accounting for 91,207 blood component units were analyzed. The median age of Namibian transfusion recipients was 45 years (SD, ±19). A total of 78,660 RBC units were issued in Namibia during the study period. Red blood cells transfused for "unspecified anemia" accounted for the single largest category of blood issued (24,798 units). Of the overall total, 38.9% were for diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs (D50-D89). Infectious disease (A00-B99), pregnancy (O00-O99), and gastrointestinal (K20-K93) accounted for 14.8%, 11.1%, and 6.1% of RBC units issued, respectively. Although a specific diagnosis of malaria accounted for only 2.7% of pediatric transfusions, an unknown number of additional transfusions for malaria may have been categorized by requesting physicians as unspecified anemia and counted under diseases of blood forming organs. During the study period, 9751 units of fresh-frozen plasma were issued. Nearly one-quarter of these units (23.1%) were issued for gastrointestinal (K20-K93) diagnoses. Malignant neoplasms (C00-C97) accounted for 38.1% of 2978 platelet units issued. Blood use in Namibia reflects changes in the health care system due to economic development, improvement in HIV/AIDS and malaria epidemiology, high rates of health care facility-based childbirth, and access to noncommunicable disease treatment. However, better documentation of the indications for transfusion is needed to confirm these observations. Changing patterns of health care will result in changing demands for blood components. Improved methods to evaluate blood use patterns in sub-Saharan Africa may help set realistic national blood collection goals. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Behçet syndrome manifestations and activity in the United States versus Turkey -- a cross-sectional cohort comparison.

PubMed

Sibley, Cailin; Yazici, Yusuf; Tascilar, Koray; Khan, Nafiz; Bata, Yasmin; Yazici, Hasan; Goldbach-Mansky, Raphaela; Hatemi, Gulen

2014-07-01

To compare clinical manifestations and activity of Behçet syndrome (BS) in the United States versus Turkey using validated outcome measures. Consecutive patients with BS from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), New York University, and the University of Istanbul were evaluated. Disease activity was measured using the Behçet's Syndrome Activity Scale (BSAS) and the Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) with quality of life measured by the Behçet Disease Quality of Life (BDQOL) form. One-way ANOVA, t-tests, and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Mean age did not differ between sites; however, more women were seen in the United States versus in Turkey (p < 0.001), and disease duration was longer in the United States (p = 0.02). Organ manifestations were similar for oral and genital ulcers, skin disease, arthralgia, eye disease, and thrombosis. However, more gastrointestinal (p < 0.001) and neurologic disease (p = 0.003) was seen in the United States. BSAS and BDCAF scores were worse in the United States compared to Turkey (p = 0.013 and < 0.001, respectively). Worse mean BDQOL scores were observed at the NIH compared to Istanbul (not significant). Multivariable regression models showed worse scores in ethnically atypical patients for BSAS and BDCAF (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001), American patients for BDCAF (p = 0.01), older age for BDCAF (p = 0.005), and women for BDQOL (p = 0.01). Demographic and clinical manifestations of BS differ between sites with higher disease activity in the United States compared to Turkey. Referral patterns, age, sex, ethnicity, and country of origin may be important in these differences. These observations raise the question of whether pathogenic mechanisms differ in Turkish and American patients.

Proposal for Creating a Pocket of Innovation and Adaptability Within a Bureaucratic Enterprise

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

Nichols, T. T.; Millet, C. B.

2001-07-02

A conceptual framework is developed that is based on a behavioral model for organizations that rely upon innovation and adaptability for their survival in the market place. The model supports the assertion that change efforts aimed at performance improvement need a systems approach because contributions to an organization's performance cross functional lines and are systemic in nature. The model implies four conclusions for a unit trying to effectuate change within a greater bureaucracy. First, the desired behaviors are currently neither evaluated nor rewarded enough by either the enterprise or the local unit. Second, the model has to be applied tomore » the local unit, treating the unit as a distinct enterprise itself. Third, a misalignment between the unit's new form and that of the rest of the enterprise will invariably be created. Fourth, this misalignment has to be minimized enough by the local unit to avoid the larger enterprise from responding negatively to the change effort. The mode l results in a change approach that constrains localized behavior modification by the need to remain aligned with the overall structure of the complete enterprise. The conceptual framework is used to develop a proposal for effectuating behavioral change within the High-Level Waste (HLW) Program at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). A ''strawman'' involving a set of critical systems, performance and evaluation measures, and tactics is presented as a starting point for further discussion and development within the Program organization.« less

Proposal for Creating a Pocket of Innovation & Adaptability within a Bureaucratic Enterprise

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

Nichols, Todd Travis; Millet, C. D.

2001-07-01

A conceptual framework is developed that is based on a behavioral model for organizations that rely upon innovation and adaptability for their survival in the market place. The model supports the assertion that change efforts aimed at performance improvement need a systems approach because contributions to an organization's performance cross functional lines and are systemic in nature. The model implies four conclusions for a unit trying to effectuate change within a greater bureaucracy. First, the desired behaviors are currently neither evaluated nor rewarded enough by either the enterprise or the local unit. Second, the model has to be applied tomore » the local unit, treating the unit as a distinct enterprise itself. Third, a misalignment between the unit's new form and that of the rest of the enterprise will invariably be created. Fourth, this misalignment has to be minimized enough by the local unit to avoid the larger enterprise from responding negatively to the change effort. The model results in a change approach that constrains localized behavior modification by the need to remain aligned with the overall structure of the complete enterprise. The conceptual framework is used to develop a proposal for effectuating behavioral change within the High-Level Waste (HLW) Program at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). A "strawman" involving a set of critical systems, performance and evaluation measures, and tactics is presented as a starting point for further discussion and development within the Program organization.« less

Evaluation of mercury loads from climate change projections

Treesearch

Paul Conrads; Paul M. Bradley; Stephen T. Benedict; Toby D. Feaster

2016-01-01

McTier Creek is a small coastal plain watershed located in Aiken County, South Carolina. McTier Creek forms part of the headwaters for the Edisto River basin, which is noted for having some of the highest recorded fish-tissue mercury concentrations in the United States. A simple water-quality load model, TOPLOAD, which was developed for McTier Creek, utilizes a mass...

Evaluation of Topramezone and Benzobicyclon for Activity on Giant Salvinia

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

in water bodies throughout the southeastern U.S., Puerto Rico, and Hawaii (Mudge et al. 2013). Under optimal growth conditions, plants can double in... hairs (trichomes), topped with four branches united distally to form a structure resembling an “eggbeater” (McFarland et al. 2004), which can impede...herbicide deposition and penetration (Nelson et al. 2007). Giant salvinia initially expands throughout an aquatic system in the primary growth or

Nondestructive Evaluation of Metallized Tape Bonds Formed by Tape Automated Bonding (TAB)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-04-01

powered by micro-positioning linear actuators. 3) Interchangeable sample-holding fixtures mounted upon top of slide assembly. 4) Coverslip gantry mounted...Controller Unit 1) Motor power supplies 2) Motor output servo driver amplifiers 3) "Macro-language" command Interpreter 4) Two-way cormunications with...adjustments are manual knobs giving approximately one degree of tilt adjustment per turn. The servo controller has self-contained power supplies for

Evaluation of Data Elements for Training Information Feedback System in Context of Post-CGSC Assignments

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

Appendix B. 12 ------------- ---. _ _ _ _ ______i_____mi__i_ LEGEND Percent of Time Spend Criticalit Aplicability *** on Job Commnent*** t--etc...Communications Officer G-2 Performs communications-electronics (CE) staff functions 6-3 Directs and controls operations of mobile communications...support unit FORM B Cont’d _ _ _ _ -W -l G-4 Establishes and controls mobile area signal center G-5 Manages communications-electronics facilities and

The effect of a honey based gel and silver sulphadiazine on bacterial infections of in vitro burn wounds.

PubMed

Boekema, B K H L; Pool, L; Ulrich, M M W

2013-06-01

Bacterial contamination remains a constant threat in burn wound care. Topical treatments to combat contaminations have good bactericidal effects but can have detrimental effects for the healing process. Treatments with for example silver can increase healing times. Honey based products can be a good alternative as it is antibacterial and patient-friendly. We evaluated the bactericidal and cytotoxic effects of a honey based gel and silver sulphadiazine in a human burn wound model with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After adding 10(5)colony forming units of P. aeruginosa, topical treatments were applied on the burn wound models. After 2, 12, 24, 28 and 70 h, bacteria were dislodged and counted by plating dilutions. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated histologically in samples of burn wound models treated topically for 3 weeks, without bacteria. L-Mesitran Soft significantly reduced the bacterial load (5-log reduction) up to 24h but did not completely eliminate bacteria from the burn wounds. After Flammazine(®) treatment, only a few colony forming units were observed at all time points. In contrast, re-epithelialization was significantly reduced after application of Flammazine(®) compared to L-Mesitran Soft or control. This in vitro model of burn wound infection can be used to evaluate topical treatments. L-Mesitran Soft is a good alternative for treating burn wounds but the slightly lower bactericidal activity in the burn wound model warrants a higher frequency of application. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of an ethanol/guar/triclosan/glycerine gel on bacteria and yeast loads in canine pododermatitis: a pilot study.

PubMed

Ortalda, C; Noli, C; Cena, T

2016-04-01

To assess efficacy of a gel compound containing guar, glycerine, triclosan and ethanol (Pawcare®, JOKER Technologies, Kerzers, Switzerland) in decreasing bacterial and yeast loads on the paws of dogs with erythematous, greasy and/or malodorous pododermatitis. In 20 dogs, each with at least two affected paws, semiquantitative Malassezia species counts were performed on 10 oil-immersion fields (range: 0 to 30) from acetate tapes pressed on the palmar/plantar surface of one paw. Half of the area was sampled before and the other half immediately after the application of Pawcare(®) . With a similar procedure, swab samples were collected from the other paw for bacterial culture, identification and evaluation of colony-forming units before and immediately after treatment. Statistical evaluation of pre- and posttreatment counts was performed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Nine dogs were positive for Malassezia species Mean acetate tape preparation counts decreased significantly from 8·78 (±8·03) to 5·668 (±6·65) (P=0·0039) after treatment. Twenty-five bacterial isolates of 11 different species were cultured in 19 dogs. Posttreatment cultures were sterile in 8 dogs that had an initial zero or low number (1 to 2 log counts) of colony-forming units. In cases with a higher pre-treatment number of colony forming units (2 to 6 log counts), there was a significant decrease - by a mean of 1·16 log counts (pre 3·12 ±1·69, post 1·96 ±1·57) (P=0·0002). The findings of the present study support the use of PawCare® gel to decrease bacterial and yeast loads in dogs affected by chronic diseases involving the inter-digital spaces. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Influence of unit operations on the levels of polyacetylenes in minimally processed carrots and parsnips: An industrial trial.

PubMed

Koidis, Anastasios; Rawson, Ashish; Tuohy, Maria; Brunton, Nigel

2012-06-01

Carrots and parsnips are often consumed as minimally processed ready-to-eat convenient foods and contain in minor quantities, bioactive aliphatic C17-polyacetylenes (falcarinol, falcarindiol, falcarindiol-3-acetate). Their retention during minimal processing in an industrial trial was evaluated. Carrot and parsnips were prepared in four different forms (disc cutting, baton cutting, cubing and shredding) and samples were taken in every point of their processing line. The unit operations were: peeling, cutting and washing with chlorinated water and also retention during 7days storage was evaluated. The results showed that the initial unit operations (mainly peeling) influence the polyacetylene retention. This was attributed to the high polyacetylene content of their peels. In most cases, when washing was performed after cutting, less retention was observed possibly due to leakage during tissue damage occurred in the cutting step. The relatively high retention during storage indicates high plant matrix stability. Comparing the behaviour of polyacetylenes in the two vegetables during storage, the results showed that they were slightly more retained in parsnips than in carrots. Unit operations and especially abrasive peeling might need further optimisation to make them gentler and minimise bioactive losses. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Statistical modeling of dental unit water bacterial test kit performance.

PubMed

Cohen, Mark E; Harte, Jennifer A; Stone, Mark E; O'Connor, Karen H; Coen, Michael L; Cullum, Malford E

2007-01-01

While it is important to monitor dental water quality, it is unclear whether in-office test kits provide bacterial counts comparable to the gold standard method (R2A). Studies were conducted on specimens with known bacterial concentrations, and from dental units, to evaluate test kit accuracy across a range of bacterial types and loads. Colony forming units (CFU) were counted for samples from each source, using R2A and two types of test kits, and conformity to Poisson distribution expectations was evaluated. Poisson regression was used to test for effects of source and device, and to estimate rate ratios for kits relative to R2A. For all devices, distributions were Poisson for low CFU/mL when only beige-pigmented bacteria were considered. For higher counts, R2A remained Poisson, but kits exhibited over-dispersion. Both kits undercounted relative to R2A, but the degree of undercounting was reasonably stable. Kits did not grow pink-pigmented bacteria from dental-unit water identified as Methylobacterium rhodesianum. Only one of the test kits provided results with adequate reliability at higher bacterial concentrations. Undercount bias could be estimated for this device and used to adjust test kit results. Insensitivity to methylobacteria spp. is problematic.

Measurement Invariance of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) between the United States of America, India and the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Pontes, Halley M; Stavropoulos, Vasileios; Griffiths, Mark D

2017-11-01

The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) has been extensively used worldwide to assess Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) behaviors. Therefore, investigating cultural limitations and implications in its applicability is necessary. The cross-cultural feasibility of a test can be psychometrically evaluated with measurement invariance analyses. Thus, the present study used Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) to examine the IGDS9-SF measurement invariance across gamers from the United States of America (USA), India, and the United Kingdom (UK). A total of 1013 gamers from the USA (n = 405), India (n = 336), and the UK (n = 272) were recruited. Although the one-factor structure of the IGD construct was supported, cross-country variations were demonstrated considering the way that this was reflected on items assessing preoccupation/salience, tolerance, deception, gaming escapism/mood modification, as well as daily activities' impairment related to gaming. Furthermore, the same scores on items assessing withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, lack of control over gaming engagement, escapism/mood modification and daily activities impairment associated to gaming, have been found to reflect various levels of IGD severity across the three groups. The implications of these results are further discussed in the context of existing evidence regarding the assessment of IGD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical/Pyrometallurgical Waste Stream Processing and Waste Form Fabrication

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

Steven Frank; Hwan Seo Park; Yung Zun Cho

This report summarizes treatment and waste form options being evaluated for waste streams resulting from the electrochemical/pyrometallurgical (pyro ) processing of used oxide nuclear fuel. The technologies that are described are South Korean (Republic of Korea – ROK) and United States of America (US) ‘centric’ in the approach to treating pyroprocessing wastes and are based on the decade long collaborations between US and ROK researchers. Some of the general and advanced technologies described in this report will be demonstrated during the Integrated Recycle Test (IRT) to be conducted as a part of the Joint Fuel Cycle Study (JFCS) collaboration betweenmore » US Department of Energy (DOE) and ROK national laboratories. The JFCS means to specifically address and evaluated the technological, economic, and safe guard issues associated with the treatment of used nuclear fuel by pyroprocessing. The IRT will involve the processing of commercial, used oxide fuel to recover uranium and transuranics. The recovered transuranics will then be fabricated into metallic fuel and irradiated to transmutate, or burn the transuranic elements to shorter lived radionuclides. In addition, the various process streams will be evaluated and tested for fission product removal, electrolytic salt recycle, minimization of actinide loss to waste streams and waste form fabrication and characterization. This report specifically addresses the production and testing of those waste forms to demonstrate their compatibility with treatment options and suitability for disposal.« less

Mapping the Mineral Resource Base for Mineral Carbon-Dioxide Sequestration in the Conterminous United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Krevor, S.C.; Graves, C.R.; Van Gosen, B. S.; McCafferty, A.E.

2009-01-01

This database provides information on the occurrence of ultramafic rocks in the conterminous United States that are suitable for sequestering captured carbon dioxide in mineral form, also known as mineral carbon-dioxide sequestration. Mineral carbon-dioxide sequestration is a proposed greenhouse gas mitigation technology whereby carbon dioxide (CO2) is disposed of by reacting it with calcium or magnesium silicate minerals to form a solid magnesium or calcium carbonate product. The technology offers a large capacity to permanently store CO2 in an environmentally benign form via a process that takes little effort to verify or monitor after disposal. These characteristics are unique among its peers in greenhouse gas disposal technologies. The 2005 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage suggested that a major gap in mineral CO2 sequestration is locating the magnesium-silicate bedrock available to sequester the carbon dioxide. It is generally known that silicate minerals with high concentrations of magnesium are suitable for mineral carbonation. However, no assessment has been made in the United States that details their geographical distribution and extent, nor has anyone evaluated their potential for use in mineral carbonation. Researchers at Columbia University and the U.S. Geological Survey have developed a digital geologic database of ultramafic rocks in the conterminous United States. Data were compiled from varied-scale geologic maps of magnesium-silicate ultramafic rocks. The focus of our national-scale map is entirely on ultramafic rock types, which typically consist primarily of olivine- and serpentine-rich rocks. These rock types are potentially suitable as source material for mineral CO2 sequestration.

Fabrication method for small-scale structures with non-planar features

DOEpatents

Burckel, David Bruce; Ten Eyck, Gregory A.

2016-09-20

The fabrication of small-scale structures is disclosed. A unit-cell of a small-scale structure with non-planar features is fabricated by forming a membrane on a suitable material. A pattern is formed in the membrane and a portion of the substrate underneath the membrane is removed to form a cavity. Resonators are then directionally deposited on the wall or sides of the cavity. The cavity may be rotated during deposition to form closed-loop resonators. The resonators may be non-planar. The unit-cells can be formed in a layer that includes an array of unit-cells.

Fabrication of small-scale structures with non-planar features

DOEpatents

Burckel, David B.; Ten Eyck, Gregory A.

2015-11-19

The fabrication of small-scale structures is disclosed. A unit-cell of a small-scale structure with non-planar features is fabricated by forming a membrane on a suitable material. A pattern is formed in the membrane and a portion of the substrate underneath the membrane is removed to form a cavity. Resonators are then directionally deposited on the wall or sides of the cavity. The cavity may be rotated during deposition to form closed-loop resonators. The resonators may be non-planar. The unit-cells can be formed in a layer that includes an array of unit-cells.

Assessing uncertainty in published risk estimates using ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction: The National Research Council recommended quantitative evaluation of uncertainty in effect estimates for risk assessment. This analysis considers uncertainty across model forms and model parameterizations with hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and lung cancer mortality as an example. The objective is to characterize model uncertainty by evaluating estimates across published epidemiologic studies of the same cohort.Methods: This analysis was based on 5 studies analyzing a cohort of 2,357 workers employed from 1950-74 in a chromate production plant in Maryland. Cox and Poisson models were the only model forms considered by study authors to assess the effect of Cr(VI) on lung cancer mortality. All models adjusted for smoking and included a 5-year exposure lag, however other latency periods and model covariates such as age and race were considered. Published effect estimates were standardized to the same units and normalized by their variances to produce a standardized metric to compare variability within and between model forms. A total of 5 similarly parameterized analyses were considered across model form, and 16 analyses with alternative parameterizations were considered within model form (10 Cox; 6 Poisson). Results: Across Cox and Poisson model forms, adjusted cumulative exposure coefficients (betas) for 5 similar analyses ranged from 2.47 to 4.33 (mean=2.97, σ2=0.63). Within the 10 Cox models, coefficients ranged from 2.53 to 4.42 (mean=3.29, σ2=0.

Review of Potential Candidate Stabilization Technologies for Liquid and Solid Secondary Waste Streams

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

Pierce, Eric M.; Mattigod, Shas V.; Westsik, Joseph H.

2010-01-30

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has initiated a waste form testing program to support the long-term durability evaluation of a waste form for secondary wastes generated from the treatment and immobilization of Hanford radioactive tank wastes. The purpose of the work discussed in this report is to identify candidate stabilization technologies and getters that have the potential to successfully treat the secondary waste stream liquid effluent, mainly from off-gas scrubbers and spent solids, produced by the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Down-selection to the most promising stabilization processes/waste forms is needed to support the design of a solidificationmore » treatment unit (STU) to be added to the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF). To support key decision processes, an initial screening of the secondary liquid waste forms must be completed by February 2010.« less

A microbiological surrogate for evaluating treatment efficiency

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

Rice, E.W.; Fox, K.W.; Miltner, R.J.

1995-10-01

In this study we report on the use of a microbial surrogate system which can be used to evaluate the efficiency of various unit processes used in drinking water treatment for the removal of microbial contaminants. The proposed procedure uses Gram-positive, mesophilic, aerobic spore-forming bacteria as the surrogate organisms. These bacteria do not pose a public health threat and are naturally occurring in most surface water supplies. The aerobic spore-formers are easy to culture and are present throughout the treatment train. This group of organisms consists primarily of species of the genus Bacillus. These organisms form endospores which are ellipsoidalmore » to spherical in shape and measure on average approximately 0.5 X 1.0 X 1.5 micrometers, and are environmentally resistant. Like pathogenic Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts endospores of aerobic bacilli may be found far into the treatment train.« less

77 FR 22561 - Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks From the People's Republic of China: Correction to Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-16

... with multiple bowls that are joined through a welding operation to form one unit are covered by the... bowls that are joined through a welding operation to form one unit are covered by the scope of the... sinks with multiple drawn bowls that are joined through a welding operation to form one unit are covered...

75 FR 6002 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-05

... Unit, DA Form 3126-1, OMB Control Number 0702-0110. Type of Request: Extension. Number of Respondents... Cadet Corps Unit (NDCC) may apply by using a DA Form 3126-1. The DA Form 3126-1 documents the agreement...

ERTS: A multispectral image analysis contribution for the geomorphological evaluation of southern Maracaibo Lake Basin. [geological survey and drainage patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salas, F.; Cabello, O.; Alarcon, F.; Ferrer, C.

1974-01-01

Multispectral analysis of ERTS-A images at scales of 1:1,000,000 and 1:500,000 has been conducted with conventional photointerpretation methods. Specific methods have been developed for the geomorphological analysis of southern Maracaibo Lake Basin which comprises part of the Venezuelan Andean Range, Perija Range, the Tachira gap and the Southern part of the Maracaibo Lake depression. A steplike analysis was conducted to separate macroforms, landscapes and relief units as well as drainage patterns and tectonic features, which permitted the delineation of tectonic provinces, stratigraphic units, geomorphologic units and geomorphologic positions. The geomorphologic synthesis obtained compares favorably with conventional analysis made on this area for accuracy of 1:100,000 scale, and in some features with details obtained through conventional analysis for accuracy of 1:15,000 and field work. Geomorphological units in the mountains were identified according to changes in tone, texture, forms orientation of interfluves and tectonic characteristics which control interfluvial disimetrics.

Geometric morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae shape and its relationship to skeletal maturation.

PubMed

Chatzigianni, Athina; Halazonetis, Demetrios J

2009-10-01

Cervical vertebrae shape has been proposed as a diagnostic factor for assessing skeletal maturation in orthodontic patients. However, evaluation of vertebral shape is mainly based on qualitative criteria. Comprehensive quantitative measurements of shape and assessments of its predictive power have not been reported. Our aims were to measure vertebral shape by using the tools of geometric morphometrics and to evaluate the correlation and predictive power of vertebral shape on skeletal maturation. Pretreatment lateral cephalograms and corresponding hand-wrist radiographs of 98 patients (40 boys, 58 girls; ages, 8.1-17.7 years) were used. Skeletal age was estimated from the hand-wrist radiographs. The first 4 vertebrae were traced, and 187 landmarks (34 fixed and 153 sliding semilandmarks) were used. Sliding semilandmarks were adjusted to minimize bending energy against the average of the sample. Principal components analysis in shape and form spaces was used for evaluating shape patterns. Shape measures, alone and combined with centroid size and age, were assessed as predictors of skeletal maturation. Shape alone could not predict skeletal maturation better than chronologic age. The best prediction was achieved with the combination of form space principal components and age, giving 90% prediction intervals of approximately 200 maturation units in the girls and 300 units in the boys. Similar predictive power could be obtained by using centroid size and age. Vertebrae C2, C3, and C4 gave similar results when examined individually or combined. C1 showed lower correlations, signifying lower integration with hand-wrist maturation. Vertebral shape is strongly correlated to skeletal age but does not offer better predictive value than chronologic age.

FP-180 Water Motor AFFF Proportioner First Article Procedure and Evaluation

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-20

concentrates. The first fluorocarbon-based Aqueous Film Forming Foam ( AFFF ) concentrate fully suitable for use with ocean water was FC -195, which had a...Fil E W Y. . Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 20375-500 NRL Memorandum Report 6507 FP-180 Water Motor AFFF Proportioner First Article...NUMBERS PROGRAM :PROJECT TASK WORK UNIT ELEMENT NO NO NO ACCESSION NO 11 TITLE (Include Security Classification) FP-180 Water Motor AFFF Proportioner

Test and Evaluation Enhancements for Cognitive Radio Technologies

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-13

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: This document serves as the final report for the Department of Defense (DoD) Research and Education Program for...report will described the instrumentation and the integration into the academic and research programs . All instrumentation has been procured, delivered...UNIT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Form Approved OMB NO. 0704-0188 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) - UU UU UU UU

An Evaluation of Stereoscopic Digital Mammography for Earlier Detection of Breast Cancer and Reduced Rate of Recall

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-08-01

on a pair of high -resolution, LCD medical monitors. The change to the new workstation has required us to rewrite the software... In the original CRT-based system, the two 7 images forming a stereo pair were displayed alternately on the same CRT face, at a high frame rate (120 Hz...then, separately, receive the stereo screening exam on the research GE digital mammography unit.

Creating an Effective Regional Alignment Strategy for the U.S. Army

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-01

profession of arms, and by serving as a crucible for educating future leaders in the analysis, evaluation, and refinement of professional expertise in war ...Carlisle Barracks, PA and UNITED STATES ARMY WAR COLLEGE PRESS U.S. ARMY WAR COLLEGE Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public... War College,Strategic Studies Institute,47 Ashburn Drive ,Carlisle,PA,17013-5010 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING

76 FR 47540 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-05

....S. Census Bureau. Title: 2011 Government Units Survey. OMB Control Number: 0607-0930. Form Number(s... Government Units Survey will be used to update the universe list of public sector entities for the 2012... questions on the form, and return the form. The directory survey for the 2007 Census of Governments, form G...

Breaking the Chain of Infection: Dental Unit Water Quality Control

PubMed Central

Pawar, Amrita; Mehta, Sonia; Dang, Rajat

2016-01-01

Introduction The air–water syringes, ultrasonic scalers, high speed air turbine handpieces are connected to dental units by a network of small-bore plastic tubes through which water and air travel to activate or cool the instruments and it had been shown that this system is extensively contaminated with microbial biofilms and pose a potential risk of infection for patients as well as dental professionals. Aim To evaluate and compare the efficacy of various disinfectants in reducing the microbial colony count in water derived from Dental Unit Waterlines. Materials and Methods Five random dental units were selected and samples were collected before and after intervention with 5 disinfectants (0.02% H2O2 continuously, 0.02% H2O2 continuously with shock treatment with 0.25% H2O2 weekly, 0.12% Chlorohexidine and 12% Ethanol overnight, 1:50 Original Listerine overnight, 2% Sodium Perborate and 2% EDTA 5 minutes in morning) using different disinfection methods for 4 weeks. Samples were cultured on Reasoner’s 2A (R2A) agar for microbial counting. Results Results were recorded as Colony forming units/ml (cfu/ml) and were evaluated statistically. Results showed that all the dental unit waterlines were heavily contaminated with microbes before any intervention. After 1 day of disinfection regime the counts reduced significantly and showed progressive reduction in consecutive weeks. Goals set by ADA & CDC were ultimately achieved at the end of 4 weeks. Conclusion All the disinfectants were equally effective in reducing the microbial colony count of DUWLs, irrespective of their concentration and method of disinfection. PMID:27630960

Breaking the Chain of Infection: Dental Unit Water Quality Control.

PubMed

Pawar, Amrita; Garg, Sandeep; Mehta, Sonia; Dang, Rajat

2016-07-01

The air-water syringes, ultrasonic scalers, high speed air turbine handpieces are connected to dental units by a network of small-bore plastic tubes through which water and air travel to activate or cool the instruments and it had been shown that this system is extensively contaminated with microbial biofilms and pose a potential risk of infection for patients as well as dental professionals. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of various disinfectants in reducing the microbial colony count in water derived from Dental Unit Waterlines. Five random dental units were selected and samples were collected before and after intervention with 5 disinfectants (0.02% H2O2 continuously, 0.02% H2O2 continuously with shock treatment with 0.25% H2O2 weekly, 0.12% Chlorohexidine and 12% Ethanol overnight, 1:50 Original Listerine overnight, 2% Sodium Perborate and 2% EDTA 5 minutes in morning) using different disinfection methods for 4 weeks. Samples were cultured on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar for microbial counting. Results were recorded as Colony forming units/ml (cfu/ml) and were evaluated statistically. Results showed that all the dental unit waterlines were heavily contaminated with microbes before any intervention. After 1 day of disinfection regime the counts reduced significantly and showed progressive reduction in consecutive weeks. Goals set by ADA & CDC were ultimately achieved at the end of 4 weeks. All the disinfectants were equally effective in reducing the microbial colony count of DUWLs, irrespective of their concentration and method of disinfection.

The effect of tablet computers with a mobile patient portal application on hospitalized patients' knowledge and activation.

PubMed

O'Leary, Kevin J; Lohman, Mary E; Culver, Eckford; Killarney, Audrey; Randy Smith, G; Liebovitz, David M

2016-01-01

To assess the effect of tablet computers with a mobile patient portal application on hospitalized patients' knowledge and activation. We developed a mobile patient portal application including pictures, names, and role descriptions of team members, scheduled tests and procedures, and a list of active medications. We evaluated the effect of the application using a controlled trial involving 2 similar units in a large teaching hospital. Patients on the intervention unit were offered use of tablet computers with the portal application during their hospitalization. We assessed patients' ability to correctly name their nurse, primary service physicians, physician roles, planned tests and procedures, medications started, and medications stopped since admission. We also administered the Short Form of the Patient Activation Measure. Overall, 100 intervention- and 102 control-unit patients participated. A higher percentage of intervention-unit patients correctly named ≥1 physician (56% vs 29.4%; P < .001) and ≥1 physician role (47% vs 15.7%; P < .001). Knowledge of nurses' names, planned tests, planned procedures, and medication changes was generally low and not significantly different between the study units. The Short Form of the Patient Activation Measure mean (SD) score was also not significantly different at 64.1 (13.4) vs 62.7 (12.8); P = .46. Additional research is needed to identify optimal methods to engage and inform patients during their hospitalization, which will improve preparation for self- management after discharge. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Tuberculosis in Mexico and the USA, Comparison of Trends Over Time 1990-2010.

PubMed

Hernández-Garduño, Eduardo; Mendoza-Damián, Fabiola; Garduño-Alanís, Adriana; Ayón-Garibaldo, Salvador

2015-07-01

The aim was to compare tuberculosis trends in Mexico and United States and to evaluate Mexican diagnostic methods and contact investigation. Retrospective comparative study of tuberculosis cases and incidence rates between both countries (1990-2010). Diagnostic methods and contact investigations were also evaluated for Mexico. Estimates were obtained from official websites. In Mexico, no clear trend was found over time for cases. Pulmonary (PTB) and all forms of tuberculosis (AFTB) incidence decreased 2.0% annually. There was a negative correlation between the mean contacts examined per case and AFTB incidence (r(2)=-0.44, p=0.01) with a 33% reduction in AFTB incidence. In United States, PTB and AFTB cases have been decreasing 6.0% and 5.6% annually, respectively. The incidence decreased 7.3% and 6.8%, respectively. The incidence of tuberculosis in Mexico is decreasing slightly over time at 2% annually. In the United States, cases and incidence rates have been decreasing at a higher rate (5% to 7% annually). The inverse association between number of contacts examined per state and incidence rates in Mexico underscore the importance of reinforcing and improving contact investigations with the likely translation of a decrease of TB incidence at a higher rate.

Polarization splitting phenomenon of photonic crystals constructed by two-fold rotationally symmetric unit-cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasa, U. G.; Giden, I. H.; Turduev, M.; Kurt, H.

2017-09-01

We present an intrinsic polarization splitting characteristic of low-symmetric photonic crystals (PCs) formed by unit-cells with C 2 rotational symmetry. This behavior emerges from the polarization sensitive self-collimation effect for both transverse-magnetic (TM) and transverse-electric (TE) modes depending on the rotational orientations of the unit-cell elements. Numerical analyzes are performed in both frequency and time domains for different types of square lattice two-fold rotational symmetric PC structures. At incident wavelength of λ = 1550 nm, high polarization extinction ratios with ˜26 dB (for TE polarization) and ˜22 dB (for TM polarization) are obtained with an operating bandwidth of 59 nm. Moreover, fabrication feasibilities of the designed structure are analyzed to evaluate their robustness in terms of the unit-cell orientation: for the selected PC unit-cell composition, corresponding extinction ratios for both polarizations still remain to be over 18 dB for the unit-cell rotation interval of θ = [40°-55°]. Taking all these advantages, two-fold rotationally symmetric PCs could be considered as an essential component in photonic integrated circuits for polarization control of light.

75 FR 52540 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-130; Extension of an Existing Information...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-26

...: 60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review; Form I- 130, Petition for Alien Relative; OMB... the Form/Collection: Petition for Alien Relative. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable... the United States to petition on behalf of certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United...

Assessment of the efficacy of the first water system for emergency hospital use.

PubMed

Long, Sharon C; Olstadt, Jeremy

2011-03-01

The First Water Responder B package water treatment device was evaluated for its ability to reduce the levels of spiked indicators and pathogens (Escherichia coli, MS2 coliphage, murine adenovirus, and Cryptosporidium oocysts) in a surface water to partially evaluate its appropriateness to be used to provide safe drinking water to hospitals during emergency situations. Lake water was collected in 50-L carboys and spiked with selected indicators and pathogens (E coli, MS2 coliphage, murine adenovirus, and Cryptosporidium oocysts) at 2 different spike levels (low and high). This water was treated using the First Water Responder B, and the microorganisms were enumerated before and after treatment using US Environmental Protection Agency and Standard Methods. Microbial removal efficiencies were compared with Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. E coli spikes ranged from 2.9 to 1059 colony-forming units (CFU)/100 mL with removals to below detection limits (1 CFU/100 mL) to 2.8 CFU/100 mL or 0.98 to 3.5 log(10) reductions. MS2 coliphage spikes ranged from 3 plaque-forming units (PFU) to 837 PFU/100 mL with removals to below detection limits (1 PFU/100 mL) to 11.7 PFU/100 mL or 0.65 to 1.9 log(10) reductions. Murine adenovirus spikes ranged from 203 to 8410 most probable number (MPN) of infectious units/100 mL with removals to below detection limits (23 MPN infectious units/100 mL) to 1370 MPN infectious units/100 mL or 0.79 to >1.2 log(10) reductions. Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst spikes ranged from 52 to 853 oocysts per liter with removals to below detection limits (<1 oocyst per liter) to 0.3 oocysts per liter or >2.2 to 3.4 log(10) reductions. Although the First Water system could remove a significant portion of the spiked organisms, it is recommended that this point-of-use system be coupled with chemical disinfection in a multiple-barrier approach to provide water of the highest reasonably achievable quality for hospital use in emergency situations. ©2011 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Experiences of the Dresdner Cord Blood Bank, supported by the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei.

PubMed

Ordemann, R; Petzold, K; Hölig, K; Schaffer, B; Mauersberger, S; Ehninger, G; Ehminger, G

1999-01-01

Allogeneic bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for some malignant hematologic diseases, marrow failure syndromes, and severe congenital immunodeficiency states. Since Gluckman et al reported in 1988 the first successful human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation, it has been known that cord blood is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells. The Cord Blood Bank at the University Hospital of Dresden was founded in 1997 and started collecting, processing, and cryoconserving umbilical cord blood in August 1997. The cord blood bank is supported by the largest German donor registry: Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS) in Tubingen, Germany. With the informed consent of the mothers, the collection is performed in collaboration with six hospitals in Dresden, Berlin, and Bautzen. We routinely perform a volume reduction by centrifuging the blood bag and expressing the leukocyte-rich supernatant. Routinely, sterility, total nucleated cells (TNC), CD34+ cell count, HLA class I and II, ABO/Rh blood group, and colony-forming units are evaluated. The maternal blood is screened for anti-immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs), anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc), anticytomegalovirus (anti-CMV), and toxoplasmosis and with Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA). More than 1,000 cord blood units could be collected. Because of the required volume and cell count and because of sterility, 50% of the collected units had to be discharged. Our results are comparable with data of other cord blood banks: mean volume 79 mL; cell count after volume reduction-TNC, 7.16 x 10(8); mononucleated cells (MNC), 3.75 x 10(8); CD34+ cells, 1.95 x 10(6); colony-forming units (CFU), 67.1 x 10(4). To increase the pool of potential umbilical cord blood units and in order to evaluate the possibility for unrelated transplants, cryopreservation and banking of large numbers of cord bloods are necessary.

40 CFR 60.4102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... products), and landscape or right-of-way tree trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil-or other fuel.... Total energy input means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, total energy of all forms supplied to the cogeneration unit, excluding energy produced by the cogeneration unit itself. Each form of energy supplied...

40 CFR 60.4102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... products), and landscape or right-of-way tree trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil-or other fuel.... Total energy input means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, total energy of all forms supplied to the cogeneration unit, excluding energy produced by the cogeneration unit itself. Each form of energy supplied...

Degradation mechanism of polysaccharides on irradiated sugarcane bagasse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribeiro, M. A.; Oikawa, H.; Mori, M. N.; Napolitano, C. M.; Duarte, C. L.

2013-03-01

Sugarcane bagasse is composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and a minor amount of protein and inorganic materials. Cellulose consists of linear macromolecular chains of glucose, linked by β-1,4-glucosidic bonds between the number one and the number four carbon atoms of the adjacent glucose units. Hemicelluloses are heterogeneous polymers, unlike cellulose, and are usually composed of 50-200 monomer units of pentose such as xylose and arabinose. Lignin is a complex polymer of p-hydroxyphenylpropanoid units connected by CC and COC links. Radiation-induced reactions in the macromolecules of the cellulose materials are known to be initiated through fast distribution of the absorbed energy within the molecules to produce long- and short-lived radicals. The present study was carried out using sugarcane bagasse samples irradiated by a Radiation Dynamics electron beam accelerator with 1.5 MeV and 37 kW, with the objective to evaluate the cleavage of the polysaccharides and the by-products formed as a result of the absorbed dose. The electron beam processing in 30 kGy of absorbed dose changed the sugarcane bagasse structure and composition, causing some cellulose and hemicelluloses cleavage. These cleavages were partial, forming oligosaccharides and liberating the sugars glucose and arabinose. The main by-product was acetic acid, originated from the de-acetylating of hemicelluloses.

Knowledge levels of intensive care nurses on prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

PubMed

Akın Korhan, Esra; Hakverdioğlu Yönt, Gülendam; Parlar Kılıç, Serap; Uzelli, Derya

2014-01-01

Ventilator-associated pneumonia constitutes a significant concern for ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. This study was planned to evaluate the knowledge of nurses working in general intensive care units concerning evidence-based measures for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. This study design is cross-sectional. It was carried out on nurses working in the general intensive care units of anesthiology and re-animation clinics. Collection of research data was performed by means of a Nurse Identification Form and a Form of Evidence-Based Knowledge concerning the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. Characterization statistics were shown by percentage, median and interquartile range. Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. The median value of total points scored by nurses on the questionnaire was 4.00 ± 2.00. The difference between the nurses' education levels, duration of work experience and participation in in-service training programmes on ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention and the median value of their total scores on the questionnaire was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The conclusion of the study was that critical care nurses' knowledge about ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention is poor. © 2013 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

40 CFR 60.24 - Emission standards and compliance schedules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... fossil-or other fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to recirculating... cogeneration unit, total energy of all forms supplied to the cogeneration unit, excluding energy produced by the cogeneration unit itself. Each form of energy supplied shall be measured by the lower heating...

40 CFR 60.24 - Emission standards and compliance schedules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... fossil-or other fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to recirculating... cogeneration unit, total energy of all forms supplied to the cogeneration unit, excluding energy produced by the cogeneration unit itself. Each form of energy supplied shall be measured by the lower heating...

75 FR 38874 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 706-NA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

... INFORMATION: Title: United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, Estate of nonresident... Form 706-NA, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, Estate of nonresident not a citizen of the United States. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before September...

Anthropometric Sizing, Fit-Testing and Evaluation of the MBU-12/P Oral-Nasal Oxygen Mask

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-08-01

Engineering Company, Sierra Madre , California, has a low profile single-unit facepiece in which a deformable silicone rubber face form is bonded to a...Churchill & Truett, 1957; Hertzberg et al., 1954). This comparison indicated that the 1967 sample was, on the average, older (2.64 years), taller (1.78...Support Special Projects Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, which, in turn, contracted with Sierra Engineering Company, Sierra Madre , California

Virulence of Curvularia in a murine model.

PubMed

Paredes, Katihuska; Capilla, Javier; Sutton, Deanna A; Mayayo, Emilio; Fothergill, Annette W; Guarro, Josep

2013-09-01

We have evaluated the virulence of two clinically relevant species of Curvularia; Curvularia spicifera and C. hawaiiensis, using an experimental model of disseminated infection in immunocompromised mice. Several inocula were tested over a range 1 × 10(3) -1 × 10(6) colony-forming units/animal. Both species had a similar behaviour, producing a high mortality. Tissue burden and histopathology studies demonstrated that lung was the organ most affected. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Development and Evaluation of a Career Continuance Model for Company Grade Officers in the United States Army

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

causal inference (e.g., longitudinal designs , training designs that include matched control groups ). Given the importance of time in our model... quantitative results. We did, of course, do qualitative research as part of this project in the form of focus groups and interviews. There are a... nonequivalent group designs . In T. D. Cook & D. T. Campbell, D. T. Quasi-experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings. (pp. 147-205

Effect of Fluoride Varnish on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva of Caries Free Children Using Dentocult SM Strip Mutans Test: A Randomized Controlled Triple Blind Study.

PubMed

A, Deepti; Jeevarathan, J; Muthu, Ms; Prabhu V, Rathna; Chamundeswari

2008-09-01

The aim of this study was to estimate the count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of caries free children using Dentocult SM strip mutans and to evaluate the effect of fluoride varnish on the Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of these caries free children. Thirty caries free children were selected for the study based on the information obtained from a questionnaire prepared. They were randomly assigned into the control group and the study group consisting of ten and twenty children respectively. Samples of saliva were collected using the saliva strips from the Dentocult SM kit and after incubation the presence of the Streptococcus mutans was evaluated using the manufacturers' chart. The study group was subjected to Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application after 24 hours following which the samples were collected again. The average Streptococcus mutans count in primary dentition of caries free children was in the range of 10(4) to 10(5) colony forming units/ml. The average Streptococcus mutans count in primary dentition of caries free children after Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application was below 10(4) colony forming units/ml. Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application showed a statistically significant reduction in the Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of the caries free children in the study group.

Randomized comparison of the Personality Assessment Inventory and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 in the epilepsy monitoring unit.

PubMed

Locke, Dona E C; Kirlin, Kristin A; Wershba, Rebecca; Osborne, David; Drazkowski, Joseph F; Sirven, Joseph I; Noe, Katherine H

2011-08-01

The two most common personality measures used in evaluation of patients on epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) are the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Both have been evaluated separately for their ability to distinguish patients with epilepsy from patients with psychogenic events, but they have never been compared directly. The primary aim of this study was to provide comparison data in an EMU population between the PAI, MMPI-2, and the MMPI-2-RF (MMPI-2 Restructured Form). Results show that the PAI Somatic Complaints (SOM) scale and the Conversion subscale (SOM-C), with classification rates of 79%, outperform other indicators from the PAI and indicators from the MMPI-2 and the MMPI-2-RF. Given its other strengths combined with better diagnostic validity performance, the PAI may be the better personality assessment measure for use in distinguishing patients with epilepsy from those with psychogenic seizures in the EMU. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating environmental impact caused by industrial activities - Implementation of the WTP-WTA approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopsidas, Odysseas; Batzias, Fragiskos

2012-12-01

In this work, a methodological framework under the form of an algorithmic procedure, including 28 activity stages and 6 decision nodes, has been developed for evaluating environmental impact caused by industrial activities. The main part of this procedure is a modification of the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), which is heavily relied on survey-based estimation of WTP-WTA (willingness to pay/accept, respectively). The survey may take place either under a strictly controlled environment or in situ and as-is ('laboratory conditions' or 'field conditions', respectively, in the terminology of experimental economics). Implementation of this methodology is presented, referring to three cases of industrial pollution (in three different sites) caused by (i) a cement producing units, (ii) an oil refinery complex, and (iii) an industrialized small city with an intensively polluted port, where several industrial units co-exist, all of them located in the vicinity of Athens, Greece. The results are interpreted/discussed and conclusions are drawn.

Crop weather models of corn and soybeans for Agrophysical Units (APU's) in Iowa using monthly meteorological predictors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leduc, S. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

Models based on multiple regression were developed to estimate corn and soybean yield from weather data for agrophysical units (APU) in Iowa. The predictor variables are derived from monthly average temperature and monthly total precipitation data at meteorological stations in the cooperative network. The models are similar in form to the previous models developed for crop reporting districts (CRD). The trends and derived variables were the same and the approach to select the significant predictors was similar to that used in developing the CRD models. The APU's were selected to be more homogeneous with respect crop to production than the CRDs. The APU models are quite similar to the CRD models, similar explained variation and number of predictor variables. The APU models are to be independently evaluated and compared to the previously evaluated CRD models. That comparison should indicate the preferred model area for this application, i.e., APU or CRD.

Wavelet methodology to improve single unit isolation in primary motor cortex cells

PubMed Central

Ortiz-Rosario, Alexis; Adeli, Hojjat; Buford, John A.

2016-01-01

The proper isolation of action potentials recorded extracellularly from neural tissue is an active area of research in the fields of neuroscience and biomedical signal processing. This paper presents an isolation methodology for neural recordings using the wavelet transform (WT), a statistical thresholding scheme, and the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm. The effectiveness of five different mother wavelets was investigated: biorthogonal, Daubachies, discrete Meyer, symmetric, and Coifman; along with three different wavelet coefficient thresholding schemes: fixed form threshold, Stein’s unbiased estimate of risk, and minimax; and two different thresholding rules: soft and hard thresholding. The signal quality was evaluated using three different statistical measures: mean-squared error, root-mean squared, and signal to noise ratio. The clustering quality was evaluated using two different statistical measures: isolation distance, and L-ratio. This research shows that the selection of the mother wavelet has a strong influence on the clustering and isolation of single unit neural activity, with the Daubachies 4 wavelet and minimax thresholding scheme performing the best. PMID:25794461

Monitoring and reporting transfusion reactions as a quality indicator - a clinical audit.

PubMed

Hussain, Shabneez; Moiz, Bushra; Ausat, Fatima Azra; Khurshid, Mohammad

2015-02-01

This audit was conducted as a part of a quality assurance activity to assess the frequency of receiving completely filled out blood transfusion reaction forms which were accompanied by the required samples. Once this information is known, we will elevate the bar each year to achieve 100% compliance. The sub-aim was to evaluate the frequency of the reported transfusion reactions. The study was conducted from 1st April 2010 to 30th April 2011. The information was evaluated and the frequency of receiving completely filled blood transfusion reaction forms was assessed. The variables identified were the type of transfusion reaction, the blood component transfused, the health care personnel filling the form, and whether there was legible handwriting and a completely filled form. Transfusion reactions were reported as a percentage of the total number of units transfused. During the study period, 17,880 packed red cells, 13,200 platelets, 13,620 fresh frozen plasma and 2256 cryoprecipitate were transfused and 106 transfusion reactions (0.23%) were reported. Of these, febrile non hemolytic transfusion reaction was the most common (47%), the majority caused by packed red cells. Eighty-four percent of the transfusion reaction forms were completely filled as per our criteria. Febrile non hemolytic transfusion reactions were the most common reactions reported. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 28303 - Requiring Residents Who Live Outside the United States To File Petitions According to Form...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-17

... Special Immigrant, Form I-360, may be filed, accepted, processed and approved through form instructions... Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360, on behalf of a widow or widower may be... immigrate to the United States. A Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant is used by an...

17 CFR 274.11d - Form N-6, registration statement of separate accounts organized as unit investment trusts that...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... variable life insurance policies. Form N-6 shall be used as the registration statement to be filed pursuant... insurance policies to register as unit investment trusts. This form shall also be used for registration... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form N-6, registration...

Patterns in Nature Forming Patterns in Minds: An Evaluation of an Introductory Physics Unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheaffer, Christopher Ryan

Educators are increasingly focused on the process over the content. In science especially, teachers want students to understand the nature of science and investigation. The emergence of scientific inquiry and engineering design teaching methods have led to the development of new teaching and evaluation methods that concentrate on steps in a process rather than facts in a topic. Research supports the notion that an explicit focus on the scientific process can lead to student science knowledge gains. In response to new research and standards many teachers have been developing teaching methods that seem to work well in their classrooms, but lack the time and resources to test them in other classroom environments. A high school Physics teacher (Bradford Hill) has developed a unit called Patterns in Nature (PIN) with objectives relating mathematical modeling to the scientific process. Designed for use in his large public school classroom, the unit was taken and used in a charter school with small classes. This study looks at specifically whether or not the PIN unit effectively teaches students how to graph the data they gather and fit an appropriate mathematical pattern, using that model to predict future measurements. Additionally, the study looks at the students' knowledge and views about the nature of science and the process of scientific investigation as it is affected by the PIN unit. Findings show that students are able to identify and apply patterns to data, but have difficulties explaining the meaning of the math. Students' show increases in their knowledge of the process of science, and the majority develop positive views about science in general. A major goal of this study is to place this unit in the cyclical process of Design-Based Research and allow for Pattern in Nature's continuous improvement, development and evaluation. Design-Based Research (DBR) is an approach that can be applied to the implementation and evaluation of classroom materials. This method incorporates the complexities of different contexts and changing treatments into the research methods and analysis. From the use of DBR teachers can understand more about how the designed materials affect the students. Others may be able to use the development and analysis of PIN study as a guide to look at similar aspects of science units developed elsewhere.

Fast Quaternion Attitude Estimation from Two Vector Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Markley, F. Landis; Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Many spacecraft attitude determination methods use exactly two vector measurements. The two vectors are typically the unit vector to the Sun and the Earth's magnetic field vector for coarse "sun-mag" attitude determination or unit vectors to two stars tracked by two star trackers for fine attitude determination. Existing closed-form attitude estimates based on Wahba's optimality criterion for two arbitrarily weighted observations are somewhat slow to evaluate. This paper presents two new fast quaternion attitude estimation algorithms using two vector observations, one optimal and one suboptimal. The suboptimal method gives the same estimate as the TRIAD algorithm, at reduced computational cost. Simulations show that the TRIAD estimate is almost as accurate as the optimal estimate in representative test scenarios.

Outdoor unit construction for an electric heat pump

DOEpatents

Draper, Robert; Lackey, Robert S.

1984-01-01

The outdoor unit for an electric heat pump is provided with an upper portion 10 containing propeller fan means 14 for drawing air through the lower portion 12 containing refrigerant coil means 16 in the form of four discrete coils connected together in a subassembly forming a W shape, the unit being provided with four adjustable legs 64 which are retracted in shipment, and are adjusted on site to elevate the unit to a particular height suitable for the particular location in which the unit is installed.

Outdoor unit construction for an electric heat pump

DOEpatents

Draper, R.; Lackey, R.S.

1984-09-11

The outdoor unit for an electric heat pump is provided with an upper portion containing propeller fan means for drawing air through the lower portion containing refrigerant coil means in the form of four discrete coils connected together in a subassembly forming a W shape, the unit being provided with four adjustable legs which are retracted in shipment, and are adjusted on site to elevate the unit to a particular height suitable for the particular location in which the unit is installed. 4 figs.

Preservation Building Survey Form for Freestanding Library Unit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huff, Susan M.

A modification of a University of Michigan form, this survey form is designed to obtain information on a freestanding library unit for preservation. The questionnaire covers the following areas: (1) library facility construction--e.g., primary building materials, characteristics of the foundation and roof, recent problems; (2) heating and cooling…

Behçet Syndrome Manifestations and Activity in the United States versus Turkey — A Cross-sectional Cohort Comparison

PubMed Central

Sibley, Cailin; Yazici, Yusuf; Tascilar, Koray; Khan, Nafiz; Bata, Yasmin; Yazici, Hasan; Goldbach-Mansky, Raphaela; Hatemi, Gulen

2015-01-01

Objective To compare clinical manifestations and activity of Behçet syndrome (BS) in the United States versus Turkey using validated outcome measures. Methods Consecutive patients with BS from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), New York University, and the University of Istanbul were evaluated. Disease activity was measured using the Behçet’s Syndrome Activity Scale (BSAS) and the Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) with quality of life measured by the Behçet Disease Quality of Life (BDQOL) form. One-way ANOVA, t-tests, and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results Mean age did not differ between sites; however, more women were seen in the United States versus in Turkey (p < 0.001), and disease duration was longer in the United States (p = 0.02). Organ manifestations were similar for oral and genital ulcers, skin disease, arthralgia, eye disease, and thrombosis. However, more gastrointestinal (p < 0.001) and neurologic disease (p = 0.003) was seen in the United States. BSAS and BDCAF scores were worse in the United States compared to Turkey (p = 0.013 and < 0.001, respectively). Worse mean BDQOL scores were observed at the NIH compared to Istanbul (not significant). Multivariable regression models showed worse scores in ethnically atypical patients for BSAS and BDCAF (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001), American patients for BDCAF (p = 0.01), older age for BDCAF (p = 0.005), and women for BDQOL (p = 0.01). Conclusion Demographic and clinical manifestations of BS differ between sites with higher disease activity in the United States compared to Turkey. Referral patterns, age, sex, ethnicity, and country of origin may be important in these differences. These observations raise the question of whether pathogenic mechanisms differ in Turkish and American patients. PMID:24931953

Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells behavior with or without growth factors in trauma hemorrhagic shock

PubMed Central

Kumar, Manoj; Bhoi, Sanjeev; Mohanty, Sujata; Kamal, Vineet Kumar; Rao, D. N.; Mishra, Pravas; Galwankar, Sagar

2016-01-01

Background: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is the major leading cause of death after trauma. Up to 50% of early deaths are due to massive hemorrhage. Excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokine and hypercatecholamine induces hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) apoptosis, leading to multiorgan failure and death. However, still, result remains elusive for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) behavior in trauma HS (T/HS). Objectives: Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the in vitro HSCs behavior with or without recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) alone, and combination with rhEPO + rhGM-CSF + rhIL-3 (EG3) in T/HS patients. Methodology: Bone marrow (BM) aspirates (n = 14) were collected from T/HS patients, those survived on day 3. BM cells were cultured for HPCs: Colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E), burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), and colony-forming unit-granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage colonies growth. HPCs were counted with or without rhEPO, rhGM-CSF, rhIL-3 alone, and combination with EG3 in T/HS patients. Results: BM HSCs growth significantly suppressed in T/HS when compared with control group (P < 0.05). In addition, CFU-E and BFU-E colony growth were increased with additional growth factor (AGF) (rhEPO, rhGM-CSF, and rhIL-3) as compared to baseline (without AGF) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Suppressed HPCs may be reactivated by addition of erythropoietin, GM-CSF, IL-3 alone and with combination in T/HS. PMID:27722113

Streamlining the medication process improves safety in the intensive care unit.

PubMed

Benoit, E; Eckert, P; Theytaz, C; Joris-Frasseren, M; Faouzi, M; Beney, J

2012-09-01

Multiple interventions were made to optimize the medication process in our intensive care unit (ICU). 1 Transcriptions from the medical order form to the administration plan were eliminated by merging both into a single document; 2 the new form was built in a logical sequence and was highly structured to promote completeness and standardization of information; 3 frequently used drug names, approved units, and fixed routes were pre-printed; 4 physicians and nurses were trained with regard to the correct use of the new form. This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of these interventions on clinically significant types of medication errors. Eight types of medication errors were measured by a prospective chart review before and after the interventions in the ICU of a public tertiary care hospital. We used an interrupted time-series design to control the secular trends. Over 85 days, 9298 lines of drug prescription and/or administration to 294 patients, corresponding to 754 patient-days were collected and analysed for the three series before and three series following the intervention. Global error rate decreased from 4.95 to 2.14% (-56.8%, P < 0.001). The safety of the medication process in our ICU was improved by simple and inexpensive interventions. In addition to the optimization of the prescription writing process, the documentation of intravenous preparation, and the scheduling of administration, the elimination of the transcription in combination with the training of users contributed to reducing errors and carried an interesting potential to increase safety. © 2012 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica © 2012 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

Circulating Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Aging Atomic Bomb Survivors.

PubMed

Kyoizumi, Seishi; Kubo, Yoshiko; Misumi, Munechika; Kajimura, Junko; Yoshida, Kengo; Hayashi, Tomonori; Imai, Kazue; Ohishi, Waka; Nakachi, Kei; Young, Lauren F; Shieh, Jae-Hung; Moore, Malcolm A; van den Brink, Marcel R M; Kusunoki, Yoichiro

2016-01-01

It is not yet known whether hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are compromised in the aging population of atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors after their exposure nearly 70 years ago. To address this, we evaluated age- and radiation-related changes in different subtypes of circulating HSPCs among the CD34-positive/lineage marker-negative (CD34(+)Lin(-)) cell population in 231 Hiroshima A-bomb survivors. We enumerated functional HSPC subtypes, including: cobblestone area-forming cells; long-term culture-initiating cells; erythroid burst-forming units; granulocyte and macrophage colony-forming units; and T-cell and natural killer cell progenitors using cell culture. We obtained the count of each HSPC subtype per unit volume of blood and the proportion of each HSPC subtype in CD34(+)Lin(-) cells to represent the lineage commitment trend. Multivariate analyses, using sex, age and radiation dose as variables, showed significantly decreased counts with age in the total CD34(+)Lin(-) cell population and all HSPC subtypes. As for the proportion, only T-cell progenitors decreased significantly with age, suggesting that the commitment to the T-cell lineage in HSPCs continuously declines with age throughout the lifetime. However, neither the CD34(+)Lin(-) cell population, nor HSPC subtypes showed significant radiation-induced dose-dependent changes in counts or proportions. Moreover, the correlations of the proportions among HSPC subtypes in the survivors properly revealed the hierarchy of lineage commitments. Taken together, our findings suggest that many years after exposure to radiation and with advancing age, the number and function of HSPCs in living survivors as a whole may have recovered to normal levels.

Circulating Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Aging Atomic Bomb Survivors

PubMed Central

Kyoizumi, Seishi; Kubo, Yoshiko; Misumi, Munechika; Kajimura, Junko; Yoshida, Kengo; Hayashi, Tomonori; Imai, Kazue; Ohishi, Waka; Nakachi, Kei; Young, Lauren F.; Shieh, Jae-Hung; Moore, Malcolm A.; van den Brink, Marcel R. M.; Kusunoki, Yoichiro

2016-01-01

It is not yet known whether hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are compromised in the aging population of atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors after their exposure nearly 70 years ago. To address this, we evaluated age- and radiation-related changes in different subtypes of circulating HSPCs among the CD34-positive/lineage marker-negative (CD34+Lin− ) cell population in 231 Hiroshima A-bomb survivors. We enumerated functional HSPC subtypes, including: cobblestone area-forming cells; long-term culture-initiating cells; erythroid burst-forming units; granulocyte and macrophage colony-forming units; and T-cell and natural killer cell progenitors using cell culture. We obtained the count of each HSPC subtype per unit volume of blood and the proportion of each HSPC subtype in CD34+Lin− cells to represent the lineage commitment trend. Multivariate analyses, using sex, age and radiation dose as variables, showed significantly decreased counts with age in the total CD34+Lin− cell population and all HSPC subtypes. As for the proportion, only T-cell progenitors decreased significantly with age, suggesting that the commitment to the T-cell lineage in HSPCs continuously declines with age throughout the lifetime. However, neither the CD34+Lin− cell population, nor HSPC subtypes showed significant radiation-induced dose-dependent changes in counts or proportions. Moreover, the correlations of the proportions among HSPC subtypes in the survivors properly revealed the hierarchy of lineage commitments. Taken together, our findings suggest that many years after exposure to radiation and with advancing age, the number and function of HSPCs in living survivors as a whole may have recovered to normal levels. PMID:26720799

Physical properties of Meridiani Sinus-type units in the central equatorial region of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strickland, Edwin L., III

1992-01-01

Classification and mapping of surficial units in the central equatorial region of Mars (30 degrees N to 20 degrees S, 57 degrees E to 75 degrees W) using enhanced color images and Mars Consortium data identified four major color/albedo units in the dark, reddish-gray regions that form the classical dark albedo markings of Mars, including Meridiani Sinus. The darkest, least red (relatively 'blue') materials form splotches (some with dune forms) in craters, inter-crater depressions, and part of Valles Marineris. These form the 'Dark Blue' Meridiani unit. Abundant materials that have higher albedos and are somewhat redder than the 'Dark Blue' unit have uniquely high green/(violet + red) color ratios in Viking Orbiter images. These materials, named 'Green-blue' Meridiani surround and mix with 'Dark Blue' Meridiani patches and are abundant on crater rims and local elevations. Discontinuous, patchy deposits with still higher albedos and much redder colors have morphologies classified of the Type Ib bright depositional dust streaks and sheets that were classified by Thomas et al. These dust deposits, which appear to be optically thin and patchy and are darker and not as red as other Type Ib dust deposits on Mars, and their Meridiani substrates, were designated the 'Red' Meridiani unit. Distinctive deposits that form highly eroded mesas and escarpments in northern Meridiani Sinus were named 'Light Blue' Meridiani, since they are not as red as other materials with moderately high albedos. Large areas dominated by these units form Meridiani Province in the central equatorial region of Mars.

Single and combined effects of peppermint and thyme essential oils on productive performance, egg quality traits, and blood parameters of laying hens reared under cold stress condition (6.8 ± 3 °C)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbari, Mohsen; Torki, Mehran; Kaviani, Keyomars

2016-03-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding peppermint essential oil (PEO), thyme essential oil (TEO), or their combination to diet on productive performance, egg quality traits, and blood parameters of laying hens reared under cold stress condition (6.8 ± 3 °C). Feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg weight (EW), egg production (EP), and egg mass (EM) were evaluated during the 56-day trial period using 120 Lohmann LSL-lite laying hens. Significant interactions between PEO and TEO on FCR, EP, and EM were observed ( P < 0.05). The EP and EM increased, whereas FCR decreased ( P < 0.05) in the hens fed the diets supplemented by the combined form of PEO and TEO compared to those fed the basal diet. Also, increased EW and FI were observed in the laying hens fed the diet added by PEO compared to the birds fed the basal diet. There were significant interactions between PEO and TEO on the serum level of cholesterol, shell thickness, and Hough unit of egg ( P < 0.05), so that serum content of cholesterol decreased, but egg shell thickness and Hough unit increased in the hens fed the diet supplemented by the combined form of PEO and TEO compared to those fed the basal diet. From the results of the present experiment, it can be concluded that diet supplementation by combined form of PEO and TEO could have beneficial effects on performance parameters of hens reared under cold stress condition.

Delineation of tectonic provinces of New York state as a component of seismic-hazard evaluation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fakundiny, R.H.

2004-01-01

Seismic-hazard evaluations in the eastern United States must be based on interpretations of the composition and form of Proterozoic basement-rock terranes and overlying Paleozoic strata, and on factors that can cause relative movements among their units, rather than Phanerozoic orogenic structures, which may be independent of modern tectonics. The tectonic-province concept is a major part of both probabilistic and deterministic seismic-hazard evaluations, yet those that have been proposed to date have not attempted to geographically correlate modern earthquakes with regional basement structure. Comparison of basement terrane (megablock) boundaries with the spatial pattern of modern seismicity may lead to the mechanically sound definition of tectonic provinces, and thus, better seismic-hazard evaluation capability than is currently available. Delineation of megablock boundaries will require research on the many factors that affect their structure and movement. This paper discusses and groups these factors into two broad categories-megablock tectonics in relation to seismicity and regional horizontal-compressive stresses, with megablock tectonics divided into subcategories of basement, overlying strata, regional lineaments, basement tectonic terranes, earthquake epicenter distribution, and epeirogeny, and compressive stresses divided into pop-ups and the contemporary maximum horizontal-compressive stress field. A list presenting four to nine proposed research topics for each of these categories is given at the end.

Design and demonstration of a storage assisted air conditioning system

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

Not Available

1982-04-01

One phase-change material, sodium sulfate decahydrate, has generated considerable interest for thermal storage. A form of this material containing salts to adjust the transition point to approximately 55/sup 0/F and a gelling agent to prevent segregation of the salts has been developed. This material is packaged in the form of a CHUB, (a cylinder two inches in diameter and twenty inches long) having a weight of 3.25 pounds and a thermal storage capability of 50 Btu per pound. Under this project, a storage-assisted (partial storage) air conditioning system was designed, installed, monitored and evaluated in a typical residential application. Thismore » feasibility demonstration was conducted under the direction of the Long Island Lighting Company in a single family residence in Melville, Long Island, New York. The demonstration system consisted of a CHUB thermal storage system utilized in conjunction with a one and one-half ton air conditioning unit to cool a house that would normally require a two and one half ton air conditioning unit.« less

Photo-antimicrobial efficacy of zinc complexes of porphyrin and phthalocyanine activated by inexpensive consumer LED lamp.

PubMed

George, Lijo; Hiltunen, Arto; Santala, Ville; Efimov, Alexander

2018-06-01

The properties and antimicrobial efficacies of zinc complexes of tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl) tetraiodide porphyrin and tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl) tetraiodide phthalocyanine impregnated to paper were evaluated. Photo-inactivation of microbes using inexpensive consumer light-emitting diode lamp was assessed on surface of dyed papers. Antimicrobial experiments of phthalocyanine-dyed paper by live cell assessment through colony forming units counting demonstrated 3.72 and 4.01 log reduction against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Acinetobacter baylyi (A. baylyi) respectively after 1 h of illumination with 35 mW/cm 2 light. The porphyrin-dyed paper exhibited 1.66 and 2.01 log reduction in colony forming units against E. coli and A. baylyi respectively after 1 h exposure with 4 mW/cm 2 light. Both dyed papers were photo-stable after 64 h of continuous exposure with 42 mW/cm 2 light, while phthalocyanine-dyed paper exhibited superior leaching stability in phosphate-buffered saline. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Decreasing airborne contamination levels in high-risk hospital areas using a novel mobile air-treatment unit.

PubMed

Bergeron, V; Reboux, G; Poirot, J L; Laudinet, N

2007-10-01

To evaluate the performance of a new mobile air-treatment unit that uses nonthermal-plasma reactors for lowering the airborne bioburden in critical hospital environments and reducing the risk of nosocomial infection due to opportunistic airborne pathogens, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Tests were conducted in 2 different high-risk hospital areas: an operating room under simulated conditions and rooms hosting patients in a pediatric hematology ward. Operating room testing provided performance evaluations of removal rates for airborne contamination (ie, particles larger than 0.5 microm) and overall lowering of the airborne bioburden (ie, colony-forming units of total mesophilic flora and fungal flora per cubic meter of air). In the hematology service, opportunistic and nonpathogenic airborne fungal levels in a patient's room equipped with an air-treatment unit were compared to those in a control room. In an operating room with a volume of 118 m(3), the time required to lower the concentration of airborne particles larger than 0.5 microm by 90% was decreased from 12 minutes with the existing high-efficiency particulate air filtration system to less than 2 minutes with the units tested, with a 2-log decrease in the steady-state levels of such particles (P<.01). Concurrently, total airborne mesophilic flora concentrations dropped by a factor of 2, and the concentrations of fungal species were reduced to undetectable levels (P<.01). The 12-day test period in the hematology ward revealed a significant reduction in airborne fungus levels (P<.01), with average reductions of 75% for opportunistic species and 82% for nonpathogenic species. Our data indicate that the mobile, nonthermal-plasma air treatment unit tested in this study can rapidly reduce the levels of airborne particles and significantly lower the airborne bioburden in high-risk hospital environments.

A descriptive survey of types, spread and characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria.

PubMed

Onifade, Peter O; Somoye, Edward B; Ogunwobi, Olorunfemi O; Ogunwale, Adegboyega; Akinhanmi, Akinwande O; Adamson, Taiwo A

2011-09-18

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of over 154 million, does not have current data on substance abuse treatment demand and treatment facilities; however, the country has the highest one-year prevalence rate of Cannabis use (14.3%) in Africa and ranks third in Africa with respect to the one-year prevalence rate of cocaine (0.7%) and Opioids (0.7%) use. This study aimed to determine the types, spread and characteristics of the substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. The study was a cross sectional survey of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. Thirty-one units were invited and participated in filling an online questionnaire, adapted from the European Treatment Unit/Program Form (June 1997 version). All the units completed the online questionnaire. A large proportion (48%) was located in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. Most (58%) were run by Non-Governmental Organizations. Half of them performed internal or external evaluation of treatment process or outcome. There were a total of 1043 for all categories of paid and volunteer staff, with an average of 33 staff per unit. Most of the funding came from charitable donations (30%). No unit provided drug substitution/maintenance therapy. The units had a total residential capacity of 566 beds. New client admissions in the past one year totalled 765 (mean = 48, median = 26.5, min = 0, max = 147) and 2478 clients received services in the non-residential units in the past year. No unit provided syringe exchange services. The study revealed a dearth of substance abuse treatment units (and of funds for the available ones) in a country with a large population size and one of the highest prevalence rates of substance abuse in Africa. The available units were not networked and lacked a directory or an evaluation framework. To provide an environment for effective monitoring, funding and continuous quality improvement, the units need to be organized into a sustainable network.

Ultrasonic Phased Array Evaluation of Control Rod Drive Mechanism (CRDM) Nozzle Interference Fit and Weld Region

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

Cinson, Anthony D.; Crawford, Susan L.; MacFarlan, Paul J.

2011-07-31

Ultrasonic phased array data were collected on a removed-from-service CRDM nozzle specimen to assess a previously reported leak path. First a mock-up CRDM specimen was evaluated that contained two 0.076-mm (3.0-mil) interference fit regions formed from an actual Inconel CRDM tube and two 152.4-mm (6.0-in.) thick carbon steel blocks. One interference fit region has a series of precision crafted electric discharge machining (EDM) notches at various lengths, widths, depths, and spatial separations for establishing probe sensitivity, resolution and calibration. The other interference fit has zones of boric acid (crystal form) spaced periodically between the tube and block to represent anmore » actively leaking CRDM nozzle assembly in the field. Ultrasonic phased-array evaluations were conducted using an immersion 8-element annular 5.0-MHz probe from the tube inner diameter (ID). A variety of focal laws were employed to evaluate the interference fit regions and J grove weld, where applicable. Responses from the mock-up specimen were evaluated to determine detection limits and characterization ability as well as contrast the ultrasonic response differences with the presence of boric acid in the fit region. Nozzle 63, from the North Anna Unit-2 nuclear power plant, was evaluated to assess leakage path(s) and was destructively dismantled to allow a visual verification of the leak path(s).« less

Using health care audit to improve quality of clinical records: the preliminary experience of an Italian Cancer Institute.

PubMed

Cadeddu, Chiara; Specchia, Maria Lucia; Cacciatore, Pasquale; Marchini, Raffaele; Ricciardi, Walter; Cavuto, Costanza

2017-01-01

Audit and feedback are recognized as part of a strategy for improving performance and supporting quality and safety in European health care systems. These considerations led the Clinical Management Staff of the "Regina Elena" Italian Cancer Institute to start a project of self-assessment of the quality of clinical records and organizational appropriateness through a retrospective review. The evaluation about appropriateness and congruity concerned both clinical records of 2013 and of 2015. At the end of the assessment of clinical records of each Care Unit, results were shared with medical staff in scheduled audit meetings. One hundred and thirteen clinical records (19%) did not meet congruity criteria, while 74 (12.6%) resulted as inappropriate. Considering the economic esteem calculated from the difference between Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) primarily identified as main diagnosis and main surgical intervention or procedure and those modified during the Local Health Unit (LHU) assessment, 2 surgical Care Units produced a high negative difference in terms of economic value with a consequent drop of hospital discharge form (named in Italian "scheda di dimissione ospedaliera", SDO) remuneration, 7 Care Units produced about the same medium difference with almost no change as SDO remuneration, and 2 Care Units had a positive difference with a profit in terms of SDO remuneration. Concerning the quality assessment of clinical records of 2015, the most critical areas were related to medical documents and hospital discharge form compilation. Our experience showed the effectiveness of clinical audit in assessing the quality of filling in medical records and the appropriateness of hospital admissions and the acceptability of this tool by clinicians.

Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?

MedlinePlus

... Forms Standard Forms FSIS United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service About FSIS District ... are continually discovering new ones. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that ...

Low driving voltage simplified tandem organic light-emitting devices by using exciplex-forming hosts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Dong-Ying; Cui, Lin-Song; Zhang, Ying-Jie; Liao, Liang-Sheng; Aziz, Hany

2014-10-01

Tandem organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), i.e., OLEDs containing multiple electroluminescence (EL) units that are vertically stacked, are attracting significant interest because of their ability to realize high current efficiency and long operational lifetime. However, stacking multiple EL units in tandem OLEDs increases driving voltage and complicates fabrication process relative to their standard single unit counterparts. In this paper, we demonstrate low driving voltage tandem OLEDs via utilizing exciplex-forming hosts in the EL units instead of conventional host materials. The use of exciplex-forming hosts reduces the charge injection barriers and the trapping of charges on guest molecules, resulting in the lower driving voltage. The use of exciplex-forming hosts also allows using fewer layers, hence simpler EL configuration which is beneficial for reducing the fabrication complexity of tandem OLEDs.

Towards a Framework for Evaluating and Comparing Diagnosis Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurtoglu, Tolga; Narasimhan, Sriram; Poll, Scott; Garcia,David; Kuhn, Lukas; deKleer, Johan; vanGemund, Arjan; Feldman, Alexander

2009-01-01

Diagnostic inference involves the detection of anomalous system behavior and the identification of its cause, possibly down to a failed unit or to a parameter of a failed unit. Traditional approaches to solving this problem include expert/rule-based, model-based, and data-driven methods. Each approach (and various techniques within each approach) use different representations of the knowledge required to perform the diagnosis. The sensor data is expected to be combined with these internal representations to produce the diagnosis result. In spite of the availability of various diagnosis technologies, there have been only minimal efforts to develop a standardized software framework to run, evaluate, and compare different diagnosis technologies on the same system. This paper presents a framework that defines a standardized representation of the system knowledge, the sensor data, and the form of the diagnosis results and provides a run-time architecture that can execute diagnosis algorithms, send sensor data to the algorithms at appropriate time steps from a variety of sources (including the actual physical system), and collect resulting diagnoses. We also define a set of metrics that can be used to evaluate and compare the performance of the algorithms, and provide software to calculate the metrics.

Use of Intraductal Adenovins Transduction to Assess the Mammary Tumorigenic Potential of a Constitutively Active Prolactin Receptor

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-10-01

interfere with the function of the mammary cells in which they are expressed. Transgenic technology has been used to evaluate the effects of an activated... wheat germ agglutinin; pfu, plaque-forming units; Cy3, a red fluorescent used for visualization of cell structures in the presence of GFP; DAPI, a...tumorigenesis in mice. The second objective has been achieved in part using transgenic mouse technology. We have begun exploration of the third objective. BODY

An Impaled Potential Unexploded Device in the Civilian Training Trauma Setting: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-11

responsibility.(!) 62 Additionally, eme rgency physicians need to know how to manage a patient with 63 an impaled unexploded device. Improper...his leg during the explosion. He was evaluated by EMS in 76 the field where his limb was noted to be grossly unstable with a large anterior soft 77...including roadside 127 explosives, explosive formed projectile devices and suicide bombs .(S) 128 In the United States military medical literature

Airborne Data Link Operational Evaluation Test Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

be provided by a combination of glare shield mounted, blue lens , aviation-type lamps and lighted distinctive message indicators on the CDUs or CDU...consist of either SELCAL sound only or SELCAL tone combined with forward primary field of view visual alerting (a blue light mounted on the glare shield in...INCORPORATED DOT/FAA/CT-TN93/30 9. Pe’form,"g Orgaoniatio Name end Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) CTA, INCORPORATED Suite 1000 11 Contac of Great me. 2500

Science hub spore data

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Data set includes UV dose, and Bacillus pumilus spore plate counts in colony forming unitsThis dataset is associated with the following publication:Boczek , L., E. Rhodes , J. Cashdollar, J. Ryu, J. Popovici , J. Hoelle , M. Sivaganesan , S. Hayes , M. Rodgers , and H. Ryu. Applicability of UV resistant Bacillus pumilus endospores as a human adenovirus surrogate for evaluating the effectiveness of virus inactivation in low-pressure UV treatment systems. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 122: 43-49, (2016).

An Evaluation of Law Enforcement Application of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 3P Strategy from 2003 to 2014

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-10

Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Human Trafficking ( HT ) is the modern day form of...slavery. In 2000, the United States joined the worldwide efforts and made to the commitment to combat HT with passing of the Trafficking Victims...Protection Act (TVPA). In 2003, they adopted the world approach to combating HT through the 3P paradigm of prevention, protection, and prosecution. Since

Estimating aquatic toxicity as determined through laboratory tests of great lakes sediments containing complex mixtures of environmental contaminants

USGS Publications Warehouse

1996-01-01

We developed and evaluated a total toxic units modeling approach for predicting mean toxicity as measured in laboratory tests for Great Lakes sediments containing complex mixtures of environmental contaminants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, chlorinated dioxins, and metals). The approach incorporates equilibrium partitioning and organic carbon control of bioavailability for organic contaminants and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) control for metals, and includes toxic equivalency for planar organic chemicals. A toxic unit is defined as the ratio of the estimated pore-water concentration of a contaminant to the chronic toxicity of that contaminant, as estimated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC). The toxic unit models we developed assume complete additivity of contaminant effects, are completely mechanistic in form, and were evaluated without any a posteriori modification of either the models or the data from which the models were developed and against which they were tested. A linear relationship between total toxic units, which included toxicity attributable to both iron and un-ionized ammonia, accounted for about 88% of observed variability in mean toxicity; a quadratic relationship accounted for almost 94%. Exclusion of either bioavailability components (i.e., equilibrium partitioning control of organic contaminants and AVS control of metals) or iron from the model substantially decreased its ability to predict mean toxicity. A model based solely on un-ionized ammonia accounted for about 47% of the variability in mean toxicity. We found the toxic unit approach to be a viable method for assessing and ranking the relative potential toxicity of contaminated sediments.

75 FR 47895 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 13818-The Limited Payability Claim Against the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-09

... 13818--The Limited Payability Claim Against the United States For Proceeds of An Internal Revenue Refund... Limited Payability Claim Against the United States For Proceeds of An Internal Revenue Refund Check. DATES... Against the United States For Proceeds of An Internal Revenue Refund Check. OMB Number: 1545-2024. Form...

The Covariant Formulation of Maxwell's Equations Expressed in a Form Independent of Specific Units

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heras, Jose A.; Baez, G.

2009-01-01

The covariant formulation of Maxwell's equations can be expressed in a form independent of the usual systems of units by introducing the constants alpha, beta and gamma into these equations. Maxwell's equations involving these constants are then specialized to the most commonly used systems of units: Gaussian, SI and Heaviside-Lorentz by giving…

Metabolic flexibility: the key to long-term evolutionary success in Bryozoa?

PubMed

Peck, Lloyd S; Barnes, David K A

2004-02-07

Oxygen consumption (MO2) and activity were evaluated in Antarctic Bryozoa. Three species representing two different morphologies, flat sheet, laminar forms, Isoseculiflustra tenuis and Kymella polaris, and the bush form Camptoplites bicornis were used. In Bryozoa, activity is measured as the proportion of colony zooids with their lophophores extended. In I. tenuis and K. polaris, residual analysis showed that the percentage of zooids with extended lophophores was not correlated with colony MO2. Lophophore extension is, therefore, a poor measure of activity, and other costs (e.g. growth, reproduction, storage) probably form the major metabolic costs. MO2 per unit of ash-free dry mass (AFDM) in the laminar forms was low compared with other Antarctic marine invertebrates, but not lower than brachiopods and echinoderms. However, the lowest rate here, 16.8 microg O2 g AFDM(-1) h(-1) for a K. polaris colony, is (to our knowledge) the lowest for any animal so far reported. MO2 per unit of AFDM for C. bicornis, however, is among the highest reported for sessile or slow moving Antarctic marine ectotherms, with values similar to those for bivalve and gastropod molluscs. The highest rate, 527 microg O2 g AFDM(-1) h(-1) for one colony is (to our knowledge) the highest reported for polar animals of this type. Extreme diversity in metabolic strategy may explain the bryozoan long evolutionary record and great success in shallow marine environments worldwide.

The skeptic's guide to a movement for universal health insurance.

PubMed

Nathanson, Constance A

2003-01-01

The social movement has become institutionalized as a form of political action. The aim of this article is to evaluate the possibilities presented by this form as a strategy to bring about universal health insurance in the United States. I draw on the work of social movement theorists, on the substantial body of empirical research on health-related social movements, and on relevant comparative work from Canada to develop a template for this evaluation. Using that template I compare the failed campaign for President Bill Clinton's health insurance plan with a recent, more successful campaign in the state of New York. I conclude that the keys to success are, first, a broad-based coalition that combines an ideologically and/or grievance-motivated grass roots with financially and politically well-endowed mainstream organizations; second, a "master frame" that resonates with the American people; and, third, a political window of opportunity. The prospects for such a conjunction are not hopeless, but they are not high.

Meteoric sphaerosiderite lines and their use for paleohydrology and paleoclimatology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ludvigson, Greg A.; Gonzalez, Luis A.; Metzger, R.A.; Witzke, B.J.; Brenner, Richard L.; Murillo, A.P.; White, T.S.

1998-01-01

Sphaerosiderite, a morphologically distinct millimeter-scale spherulitic siderite (FeCO3), forms predominantly in wetland soils and sediments, and is common in the geologic record. Ancient sphaerosiderites are found in paleosol horizons within coal-bearing stratigraphic intervals and, like their modern counterparts, are interpreted as having formed in water-saturated environments. Here we report on sphaerosiderites from four different stratigraphic units, each of which has highly variable 13C and relatively stable 18O compositions. The unique isotopic trends are analogous to well-documented meteoric calcite lines, which we define here as meteoric sphaerosiderite lines. Meteoric sphaerosiderite lines provide a new means of constraining ground-water ??18O and thus allow evaluation of paleohydrology and paleoclimate in humid continental settings.

A Novel Process Audit for Standardized Perioperative Handoff Protocols.

PubMed

Pallekonda, Vinay; Scholl, Adam T; McKelvey, George M; Amhaz, Hassan; Essa, Deanna; Narreddy, Spurthy; Tan, Jens; Templonuevo, Mark; Ramirez, Sasha; Petrovic, Michelle A

2017-11-01

A perioperative handoff protocol provides a standardized delivery of communication during a handoff that occurs from the operating room to the postanestheisa care unit or ICU. The protocol's success is dependent, in part, on its continued proper use over time. A novel process audit was developed to help ensure that a perioperative handoff protocol is used accurately and appropriately over time. The Audit Observation Form is used for the Audit Phase of the process audit, while the Audit Averages Form is used for the Data Analysis Phase. Employing minimal resources and using quantitative methods, the process audit provides the necessary means to evaluate the proper execution of any perioperative handoff protocol. Copyright © 2017 The Joint Commission. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On the Kernel function of the integral equation relating lift and downwash distributions of oscillating wings in supersonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watkins, Charles E; Berman, Julian H

1956-01-01

This report treats the Kernel function of the integral equation that relates a known or prescribed downwash distribution to an unknown lift distribution for harmonically oscillating wings in supersonic flow. The treatment is essentially an extension to supersonic flow of the treatment given in NACA report 1234 for subsonic flow. For the supersonic case the Kernel function is derived by use of a suitable form of acoustic doublet potential which employs a cutoff or Heaviside unit function. The Kernel functions are reduced to forms that can be accurately evaluated by considering the functions in two parts: a part in which the singularities are isolated and analytically expressed, and a nonsingular part which can be tabulated.

Growing Global Migration and Its Implications for the United States

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-03-01

Growing Global Migration and Its Implications for the United States NIE 2001-02D March 2001 Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188...00-00-2001 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Growing Global Migration and Its Implications for the United States 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c...unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Growing Global Migration and Its Implications for the United States This

Psychometric evaluation of the Arabic language person-centred climate questionnaire-staff version.

PubMed

Aljuaid, Mohammed; Elmontsri, Mustafa; Edvardsson, David; Rawaf, Salman; Majeed, Azeem

2018-05-01

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic language person-centred climate questionnaire-staff version. There have been increasing calls for a person-centred rather than a disease-centred approach to health care. A limited number of tools measure the extent to which care is delivered in a person-centred manner, and none of these tools have been validated for us in Arab settings. The validated form of the person-centred climate questionnaire-staff version was translated into Arabic and distributed to 152 health care staff in teaching and non-teaching hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Statistical estimates of validity and reliability were used for psychometric evaluation. Items on the Arabic form of the person-centred climate questionnaire-staff version had high reliability (Cronbach's alpha .98). Cronbach's alpha values for the three sub-scales (safety, everydayness and community), were .96, .97 and .95 respectively. Internal consistency was also high and measures of validity were very good. Arabic form of the person-centred climate questionnaire-staff version provides a valid and reliable way to measure the degree of perceived person-centredness. The tool can be used for comparing levels of person-centredness between wards, units, and public and private hospitals. The tool can also be used to measure the extent of person-centredness in health care settings in other Arab countries. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Determination of optimum parameters of the technological process for plates forming from V95 and V-1461 alloys in creep applied in aircrafts constructed by “Sukhoi design bureau”

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raevskaya, G. A.; Zakharchenko, K.; Larichkin, A.

2017-10-01

The research is devoted to the scientific justification of metal processing by pressure with the help of thick monolithic plates forming (thickness 40 mm) from the V95 (analog 7475) (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) and V-1461 (analog 2099) (Al-Cu-Li-Zn) alloys in creep and close-to-superplasticity. Optimum parameters of the technological process of plate forming are described. The effect of temperature on the magnitude of mechanical stresses (relaxation) during the tests of materials on pure bending is experimentally determined. Forming of thick plates (40 mm) on the UFP-1M unit, and the control of the obtained surface, in comparison with the given electronic model, made it possible to experimentally determine the time and number of forming stages. Mechanical properties of the material after the technological process and heat treatment are preliminary evaluated. The efficiency of using the obtained parameters of the technological process and treatment of metals by pressure in such methods in general is shown.

Evaluation of a peer consultation program for burn inpatients. 2000 ABA paper.

PubMed

Williams, Rhonda M; Patterson, David R; Schwenn, Clay; Day, Jeanette; Bartman, Mark; Engrav, Loren H

2002-01-01

A burn survivor may provide unique psychological support to patients who have been burned more recently and enhance their adjustment to burn injury. The purpose of this study was to describe the peer consultation/burn survivor support program at a large regional burn center in the Northwest United States. Over the course of 17 months, three specially trained peer consultants who had survived their own burn injuries in the past made 167 visits to 108 patients, who, in turn, completed evaluation forms for each visit. Findings indicated that patients reported that the peer consultants approached them in an appropriate manner, answered their questions, and provided useful support and information.

An evaluation of various forms of VAS retrievals in the analysis of a preconvective environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petersen, R. A.; Keyser, D. A.

1987-01-01

VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) radiance data obtained over the continental United States on July 20, 1981 are used to evaluate a variety of VAS retrieval procedures and parameters in the qualitative analysis and forecasting of severe weather events. The particular case analyzed contains two significantly different mesoscale convective events in the central plains. Retrievals of temperature, dewpoint temperature, equivalent potential temperature, total column precipitable water, and lifted index are shown to be physically consistent in space and time and to compare well with available radiosonde data. The analysis of the VAS retrievals identified significant spatial gradients and temporal changes in the thermal and moisture fields, including times and locations between radiosonde observations.

Prospective Patient-Related Outcome Evaluation of Secondary Cleft Rhinoplasty Using a Validated Questionnaire.

PubMed

Sawyer, Adam R; Robinson, Stephen; Cadier, Michael

2017-07-01

To evaluate patient satisfaction and quality of life following secondary cleft rhinoplasty. Prospective consecutive patient, single unit, single surgeon study. Spires Cleft Centre, Salisbury, Wilshire, United Kingdom, and private practice. 56 (27 secondary cleft rhinoplasty) patients completed evaluation forms preoperatively and 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Subjective assessment was performed using a validated Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire. This instrument comprises six questions that capture three quality-of-life domains: physical, mental/emotional, and social. Rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation scores were calculated (range = 0 to 100) to indication satisfaction with rhinoplasty outcomes. Average age was 28 years (range = 18 to 59 years). There was a significant subjective improvement in the total ROE evaluation scores from 28 ± 10 to 80 ± 11 (P < .01) in secondary cleft rhinoplasty. Similar results were achieved in noncleft rhinoplasty 34 ± 9 to 84 ± 9 (P < .01). Specific scores for nasal aesthetic appearance improved from 0.3 ± 0.2 to 3.2 ± 0.3 (P < .01) in secondary cleft rhinoplasty. No significant change was seen in breathing capacity in secondary cleft rhinoplasty (from 2.7 ± 0.3 to 3.2 ± 0.2; P = .29). All patients said they would undergo the procedure again. Our results demonstrate high patient satisfaction after cleft rhinoplasty with particular regard to cosmetic appearance. These results are similar to those for noncleft rhinoplasty. We would recommend the use of this simple and quick validated outcome tool with all rhinoplasty patients.

Social Studies Units: An Idea Becomes Law [and] The State; Forms of Government and Political Systems. English-Laotian.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Markatos, John; Vongkhamdeng, Meng

Two secondary level social studies units concerning two aspects of American democracy, the legislative function of Congress and the basic forms of government and political systems, are translated into Lao and adapted for intermediate and secondary instructional levels. These units had originally been produced in Spanish and English for the federal…

[Pilot-experience in home care: bedridden aged patients of a basic health unit, Porto Alegre, Brazil].

PubMed

Marques, Giselda Quintana; Freitas, Ivani Bueno de Almeida

2009-12-01

The objectives of this study were to describe the development of a pilot-project in home care to bedridden aged patients at a Basic Health Unit, and identify demographic, social and health aspects of these patients, as well as relevant aspects reported by the health team that implemented the home care. The study had descriptive and evaluative characteristics. The patients' enrollment forms and health records and the project's records were analyzed. The pilot-experience permitted to develop the team's skills, in addition to being enriching and of great responsibility for the professionals and caregivers involved. The results indicated the need for continuous home care and adjustments in its organization with the purpose of increasing the areas for health care and improving the population's quality of life.

Intramolecular Charge-Transfer Interaction of Donor-Acceptor-Donor Arrays Based on Anthracene Bisimide.

PubMed

Iwanaga, Tetsuo; Ogawa, Marina; Yamauchi, Tomokazu; Toyota, Shinji

2016-05-20

We designed anthracene bisimide (ABI) derivatives having two triphenylamine (TPA) groups as donor units at the 9,10-positions to form a novel π-conjugated donor-acceptor system. These compounds and their analogues with ethynylene linkers were synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira coupling reactions, respectively. In UV-vis spectra, the linker-free derivatives showed broad absorption bands arising from intramolecular charge-transfer interactions. Introducing ethynylene linkers resulted in a considerable red shift of the absorption bands. In fluorescence spectra, the ethynylene derivatives showed intense emission bands at 600-650 nm. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties were compared with those of the corresponding mono TPA derivatives on the basis of theoretical calculations and cyclic voltammetry to evaluate the intramolecular electronic interactions between the donor and acceptor units.

Study on Edge Thickening Flow Forming Using the Finite Elements Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young Jin; Park, Jin Sung; Cho, Chongdu

2011-08-01

This study is to examine the forming features of flow stress property and the incremental forming method with increasing the thickness of material. Recently, the optimized forming method is widely studied through the finite element analysis to optimize forming process conditions in many different forming fields. The optimal forming method should be adopted to meet geometric requirements as the reduction in volume per unit length of material such as forging, rolling, spinning etc. However conventional studies have not dealt with issue regarding volume per unit length. For the study we use the finite element method and model a gear part of an automotive engine flywheel as the study model, which is a weld assembly of a plate and a gear with respective different thickness. In simulation of the present study, a optimized forming condition for gear machining, considering the thickness of the outer edge of flywheel is studied using the finite elements analysis for the increasing thickness of the forming method. It is concluded from the study that forming method to increase the thickness per unit length for gear machining is reasonable using the finite elements analysis and forming test.

Cost unit accounting based on a clinical pathway: a practical tool for DRG implementation.

PubMed

Feyrer, R; Rösch, J; Weyand, M; Kunzmann, U

2005-10-01

Setting up a reliable cost unit accounting system in a hospital is a fundamental necessity for economic survival, given the current general conditions in the healthcare system. Definition of a suitable cost unit is a crucial factor for success. We present here the development and use of a clinical pathway as a cost unit as an alternative to the DRG. Elective coronary artery bypass grafting was selected as an example. Development of the clinical pathway was conducted according to a modular concept that mirrored all the treatment processes across various levels and modules. Using service records and analyses the process algorithms of the clinical pathway were developed and visualized with CorelTM iGrafix Process 2003. A detailed process cost record constituted the basis of the pathway costing, in which financial evaluation of the treatment processes was performed. The result of this study was a structured clinical pathway for coronary artery bypass grafting together with a cost calculation in the form of cost unit accounting. The use of a clinical pathway as a cost unit offers considerable advantages compared to the DRG or clinical case. The variance in the diagnoses and procedures within a pathway is minimal, so the consumption of resources is homogeneous. This leads to a considerable improvement in the value of cost unit accounting as a strategic control instrument in hospitals.

Structures of the N-acetyltransferase domain of Xylella fastidiosa N-acetyl-L-glutamate synthase/kinase with and without a His tag bound to N-acetyl-L-glutamate.

PubMed

Zhao, Gengxiang; Jin, Zhongmin; Allewell, Norma M; Tuchman, Mendel; Shi, Dashuang

2015-01-01

Structures of the catalytic N-acetyltransferase (NAT) domain of the bifunctional N-acetyl-L-glutamate synthase/kinase (NAGS/K) from Xylella fastidiosa bound to N-acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG) with and without an N-terminal His tag have been solved and refined at 1.7 and 1.4 Å resolution, respectively. The NAT domain with an N-terminal His tag crystallized in space group P4(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a=b=51.72, c=242.31 Å. Two subunits form a molecular dimer in the asymmetric unit, which contains ∼41% solvent. The NAT domain without an N-terminal His tag crystallized in space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a=63.48, b=122.34, c=75.88 Å, β=107.6°. Eight subunits, which form four molecular dimers, were identified in the asymmetric unit, which contains ∼38% solvent. The structures with and without the N-terminal His tag provide an opportunity to evaluate how the His tag affects structure and function. Furthermore, multiple subunits in different packing environments allow an assessment of the plasticity of the NAG binding site, which might be relevant to substrate binding and product release. The dimeric structure of the X. fastidiosa N-acetytransferase (xfNAT) domain is very similar to that of human N-acetyltransferase (hNAT), reinforcing the notion that mammalian NAGS is evolutionally derived from bifunctional bacterial NAGS/K.

An audit of fresh frozen plasma usage in a tertiary referral centre in a developing country.

PubMed

Prathiba, R; Jayaranee, S; Ramesh, J C; Lopez, C G; Vasanthi, N

2001-06-01

This paper evaluates the practice of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, and analyses its usage by the various clinical departments. The aim of this study is to identify where it is inappropriately used and the clinical indications in which such misuse is common. A retrospective analysis of the blood bank request forms and work sheets during a 6-month period between January 1998 and June 1998 formed the basis of this study. Overall, 40% of 2665 units transfused were considered appropriate. However, out of the 931 episodes of FFP transfusions only 31% were for appropriate indications. The average FFP requirement when used for appropriate indication was about 4 units per episode, whereas for inappropriate indication it was 2.5 units per episode. Inappropriate use in terms of the number of units was highest by the surgical services (68%) and Orthopaedics (64%), while the Department of Paediatrics had the lowest incidence of inappropriate use (40%). When Paediatrics was used as the benchmark, the incidence of inappropriate use by other departments was significantly higher (p < 0.01). As for FFP usage in common clinical indications, there was a high incidence of inappropriate use in burns (82%), perioperative period (73%), cardiac surgery (68%), massive bleeding (62%) and trauma (60%). The findings in this study, specifically the use of FFP for volume support in trauma, massive bleeding and burns, routine requests without identified indication in cardiac bypass surgery, and prophylactic use in the perioperative period can be the basis for recommendations to minimize the inappropriate use of FFP in the future.

The Nahuel Niyeu basin: A Cambrian forearc basin in the eastern North Patagonian Massif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greco, Gerson A.; González, Santiago N.; Sato, Ana M.; González, Pablo D.; Basei, Miguel A. S.; Llambías, Eduardo J.; Varela, Ricardo

2017-11-01

Early Paleozoic basement of the eastern North Patagonian Massif includes low- and high grade metamorphic units, which consist mainly of alternating paraderived metamorphic rocks (mostly derived from siliciclastic protoliths) with minor intercalations of orthoderived metamorphic rocks. In this contribution we provide a better understanding of the tectonic setting in which the protoliths of these units were formed, which adds to an earlier suggested idea. With this purpose, we studied the metasedimentary rocks of the low-grade Nahuel Niyeu Formation from the Aguada Cecilio area combining mapping and petrographic analysis with U-Pb geochronology and characterization of detrital zircon grains. The results and interpretations of this unit, together with published geological, geochronological and geochemical information, allow us to interpret the sedimentary and igneous protoliths of all metamorphic units from the massif as formed in a forearc basin at ∼520-510 Ma (Nahuel Niyeu basin). It probably was elongated in the ∼NW-SE direction, and would have received detritus from a proximal source area situated toward its northeastern side (present coordinates). The basin might be related to an extensional tectonic regime. Most likely source rocks were: (1) 520-510 Ma, acidic volcanic rocks (an active magmatic arc), (2) ∼555->520 Ma, acidic plutonic and volcanic rocks (earlier stages of the same arc), and (3) latest Ediacaran-Terreneuvian, paraderived metamorphic rocks (country rocks of the arc). We evaluate the Nahuel Niyeu basin considering the eastern North Patagonian Massif as an autochthonous part of South America, adding to the discussion of the origin of Patagonia.

Cumulant-based expressions for the multibody terms for the correlation between local and electrostatic interactions in the united-residue force field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liwo, Adam; Czaplewski, Cezary; Pillardy, Jarosław; Scheraga, Harold A.

2001-08-01

A general method to derive site-site or united-residue potentials is presented. The basic principle of the method is the separation of the degrees of freedom of a system into the primary and secondary ones. The primary degrees of freedom describe the basic features of the system, while the secondary ones are averaged over when calculating the potential of mean force, which is hereafter referred to as the restricted free energy (RFE) function. The RFE can be factored into one-, two-, and multibody terms, using the cluster-cumulant expansion of Kubo. These factors can be assigned the functional forms of the corresponding lowest-order nonzero generalized cumulants, which can, in most cases, be evaluated analytically, after making some simplifying assumptions. This procedure to derive coarse-grain force fields is very valuable when applied to multibody terms, whose functional forms are hard to deduce in another way (e.g., from structural databases). After the functional forms have been derived, they can be parametrized based on the RFE surfaces of model systems obtained from all-atom models or on the statistics derived from structural databases. The approach has been applied to our united-residue force field for proteins. Analytical expressions were derived for the multibody terms pertaining to the correlation between local and electrostatic interactions within the polypeptide backbone; these expressions correspond to up to sixth-order terms in the cumulant expansion of the RFE. These expressions were subsequently parametrized by fitting to the RFEs of selected peptide fragments, calculated with the empirical conformational energy program for peptides force field. The new multibody terms enable not only the heretofore predictable α-helical segments, but also regular β-sheets, to form as the lowest-energy structures, as assessed by test calculations on a model helical protein A, as well as a model 20-residue polypeptide (betanova); the latter was not possible without introducing these new terms.

Complex Social Structure of an Endangered Population of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy)

PubMed Central

Blasi, Monica F.; Boitani, Luigi

2014-01-01

We investigated social structure and association patterns for a small population of Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, inhabiting the Aeolian Archipelago (southern Italy). Specifically we evaluate the role of sex and age composition, residency patterns and interaction with trammel nets on this social organization. Association data for 23 regularly sighted individuals were obtained from summer photoidentification surveys collected from 2005–2012. Using a combined cluster and social network analysis approach, we found associations between dolphins were hierarchically structured, where two mixed-sex social units were subdivided into smaller temporarily dynamic groups. We found non-random and long-term preferred associations in the population; however, the degree of social cohesion, residence pattern and interaction with trammel nets differed considerably between the two social units. Six of eight females occurred in the more resident social unit-1; in addition, social unit-1 individuals had significantly stronger associations, higher preferred associates, lived in larger groups and occurred less frequently with trammel nets. Nine of eleven males were clustered in social unit-2 and five of these males, interacting with trammel nets, formed small groups and preferred associations. We propose that female and male groups associate in the study area during the breeding season and that some males choose to interact with reproductive females forming a distinct but interrelated social unit. Other males may be associating in a larger fission-fusion network, which consists of dolphins that appear to temporarily join the network from the coastal population. We cannot exclude that some males specialized in trammel net foraging, suggesting that this foraging technique may favor a solitary lifestyle. Large group sizes and high degree of social cohesion for females could be an indication of greater protection and more efficiency in detecting, deterring or repelling anthropogenic pressures. Most likely dolphins' social organization depends on a combination of socio-ecological, demographic and anthropogenic factors. PMID:25494331

Development of an advanced, continuous mild gasification process for the production of co-products. Quarterly report, October 30, 1991--January 2, 1992

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

O`Neal, G.W.

1991-12-31

During this quarter the work on Task 3, char upgrading, was in two areas; upgrading Penelec char made from Penelec filter cake to blast furnace formed coke, and evaluating various bituminous pitch binders. The formed coke from Penelec filter cake was of good quality with a high crush strength of 3000 pounds. The reactivity was not equal to that of conventional coke but it is felt that it could be made to equal conventional coke with further study, specifically by adding binder coal to the raw material recipe. The work evaluating bituminous pitch binders confirmed earlier thinking that will bemore » valuable to a commercial scale-up. Asphalt binders are compatible with coal tar binders and produce a coke of equal quality. Hence asphalt binders can be used to supply deficiencies of tar production in units employing coals with insufficient volatile matter to supply enough tar for the coking process. Asphalt binders have about a 50% savings from coal tar pitch. During the 4th Quarter of 1991, a total of 15 Continuous Mild Gasification Unit (CMGU) test runs were made. Efforts continued to determine the optimum forward/reverse ratio to maximize coal feed rate. The success of these efforts has been limited with a maximum coal feed rate of 400 lbs/hr obtainable with a caking coal. The handicap of not having screw shaft heaters cannot be overcome by adjustment of the forward/reverse ratio.« less

Development of an advanced, continuous mild gasification process for the production of co-products

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

O'Neal, G.W.

1991-01-01

During this quarter the work on Task 3, char upgrading, was in two areas; upgrading Penelec char made from Penelec filter cake to blast furnace formed coke, and evaluating various bituminous pitch binders. The formed coke from Penelec filter cake was of good quality with a high crush strength of 3000 pounds. The reactivity was not equal to that of conventional coke but it is felt that it could be made to equal conventional coke with further study, specifically by adding binder coal to the raw material recipe. The work evaluating bituminous pitch binders confirmed earlier thinking that will bemore » valuable to a commercial scale-up. Asphalt binders are compatible with coal tar binders and produce a coke of equal quality. Hence asphalt binders can be used to supply deficiencies of tar production in units employing coals with insufficient volatile matter to supply enough tar for the coking process. Asphalt binders have about a 50% savings from coal tar pitch. During the 4th Quarter of 1991, a total of 15 Continuous Mild Gasification Unit (CMGU) test runs were made. Efforts continued to determine the optimum forward/reverse ratio to maximize coal feed rate. The success of these efforts has been limited with a maximum coal feed rate of 400 lbs/hr obtainable with a caking coal. The handicap of not having screw shaft heaters cannot be overcome by adjustment of the forward/reverse ratio.« less

Accelerated in-vitro release testing methods for extended-release parenteral dosage forms.

PubMed

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J

2012-07-01

This review highlights current methods and strategies for accelerated in-vitro drug release testing of extended-release parenteral dosage forms such as polymeric microparticulate systems, lipid microparticulate systems, in-situ depot-forming systems and implants. Extended-release parenteral dosage forms are typically designed to maintain the effective drug concentration over periods of weeks, months or even years. Consequently, 'real-time' in-vitro release tests for these dosage forms are often run over a long time period. Accelerated in-vitro release methods can provide rapid evaluation and therefore are desirable for quality control purposes. To this end, different accelerated in-vitro release methods using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus have been developed. Different mechanisms of accelerating drug release from extended-release parenteral dosage forms, along with the accelerated in-vitro release testing methods currently employed are discussed. Accelerated in-vitro release testing methods with good discriminatory ability are critical for quality control of extended-release parenteral products. Methods that can be used in the development of in-vitro-in-vivo correlation (IVIVC) are desirable; however, for complex parenteral products this may not always be achievable. © 2012 The Authors. JPP © 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Accelerated in vitro release testing methods for extended release parenteral dosage forms

PubMed Central

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J.

2012-01-01

Objectives This review highlights current methods and strategies for accelerated in vitro drug release testing of extended release parenteral dosage forms such as polymeric microparticulate systems, lipid microparticulate systems, in situ depot-forming systems, and implants. Key findings Extended release parenteral dosage forms are typically designed to maintain the effective drug concentration over periods of weeks, months or even years. Consequently, “real-time” in vitro release tests for these dosage forms are often run over a long time period. Accelerated in vitro release methods can provide rapid evaluation and therefore are desirable for quality control purposes. To this end, different accelerated in vitro release methods using United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) apparatus have been developed. Different mechanisms of accelerating drug release from extended release parenteral dosage forms, along with the accelerated in vitro release testing methods currently employed are discussed. Conclusions Accelerated in vitro release testing methods with good discriminatory ability are critical for quality control of extended release parenteral products. Methods that can be used in the development of in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) are desirable, however for complex parenteral products this may not always be achievable. PMID:22686344

Computational Intelligence for Medical Imaging Simulations.

PubMed

Chang, Victor

2017-11-25

This paper describes how to simulate medical imaging by computational intelligence to explore areas that cannot be easily achieved by traditional ways, including genes and proteins simulations related to cancer development and immunity. This paper has presented simulations and virtual inspections of BIRC3, BIRC6, CCL4, KLKB1 and CYP2A6 with their outputs and explanations, as well as brain segment intensity due to dancing. Our proposed MapReduce framework with the fusion algorithm can simulate medical imaging. The concept is very similar to the digital surface theories to simulate how biological units can get together to form bigger units, until the formation of the entire unit of biological subject. The M-Fusion and M-Update function by the fusion algorithm can achieve a good performance evaluation which can process and visualize up to 40 GB of data within 600 s. We conclude that computational intelligence can provide effective and efficient healthcare research offered by simulations and visualization.

8 CFR 322.3 - How, where, and what forms and other documents should the United States citizen parent(s) file?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONALITY REGULATIONS CHILD BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES; REQUIREMENTS... citizenship under this section on behalf of a biological child shall be submitted on Form N-600, Application... citizenship under this section on behalf of an adopted child shall be submitted on Form N-643, Application for...

75 FR 38179 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms W-8BEN, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, and W-8IMY

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-01

... States Tax Withholding, Form W-8ECI, Certificate of Foreign Person's Claim for Exemption From Withholding on Income Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United States, Form W-8EXP, Certificate of Foreign Government or Other Foreign Organization for United States Tax Withholding...

Comparison of telavancin and vancomycin lock solutions in eradication of biofilm-producing staphylococci and enterococci from central venous catheters.

PubMed

Luther, Megan K; Mermel, Leonard A; LaPlante, Kerry L

2016-03-01

Results of a study of the activity of antibiotic lock solutions of vancomycin and telavancin against biofilm-forming strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus are reported. An established in vitro central venous catheter model was used to evaluate lock solutions containing vancomycin (5 mg/mL) or telavancin (5 mg/mL), with and without preservative-containing heparin sodium (with 0.45% benzyl alcohol) 2500 units/mL, heparin, and 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Lock solutions were introduced after 24-hour bacterial growth in catheters incubated at 35 °C. After 72 hours of exposure to the lock solutions, catheters were drained, flushed, and cut into segments for quantification of colony-forming units. Against S. epidermidis, vancomycin and telavancin (with or without heparin) had similar activity. Against E. faecalis, vancomycin alone was more active than telavancin alone (p < 0.01). Against S. aureus, vancomycin plus heparin had activity similar to that of vancomycin alone; both lock agents had greater activity than telavancin (p < 0.02). The addition of heparin was associated with reduced activity of the vancomycin lock solution against S. epidermidis and E. faecalis (p < 0.01). Telavancin activity was not significantly changed with the addition of heparin. In a central venous catheter model, vancomycin and telavancin activity was similar in reducing biofilm-producing S. epidermidis. However, vancomycin was more active than telavancin against E. faecalis and S. aureus. None of the tested agents eradicated biofilm-forming strains. The addition of preservative-containing heparin sodium 2500 units/mL to vancomycin was associated with reduced activity against S. epidermidis and E. faecalis. Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Breast cancer research output, 1945-2008: a bibliometric and density-equalizing analysis.

PubMed

Glynn, Ronan W; Scutaru, Cristian; Kerin, Michael J; Sweeney, Karl J

2010-01-01

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, with an estimated 194,280 new cases diagnosed in the United States in 2009 alone. The primary aim of this work was to provide an in-depth evaluation of research yield in breast cancer from 1945 to 2008, using large-scale data analysis, the employment of bibliometric indicators of production and quality, and density-equalizing mapping. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) Science Citation Expanded database; this was searched using the Boolean operator, 'OR', with different terms related to breast cancer, including "breast cancer", "mammary ductal carcinoma" and "breast tumour". Data were then extracted from each file, transferred to Excel charts and visualised as diagrams. Mapping was performed as described by Groneberg-Kloft et al. in 2008. A total of 180,126 breast cancer-associated items were produced over the study period; these had been cited 4,136,224 times. The United States returned the greatest level of output (n = 77,101), followed by the UK (n = 18,357) and Germany (n = 12,529). International cooperation peaked in 2008, with 3,127 entries produced as a result; relationships between the United States and other countries formed the basis for the 10 most common forms of bilateral cooperation. Publications from nations with high levels of international cooperation were associated with greater average citation rates. A total of 4,096 journals published at least one item on breast cancer, although the top 50 most prolific titles together accounted for over 43% (77,517/180,126) of the total output. Breast cancer-associated research output continues to increase annually. In an era when bibliometric indicators are increasingly being employed in performance assessment, these findings should provide useful information for those tasked with improving that performance.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for the prevention of bloodstream infections in infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit: A systematic review.

PubMed

Helder, Onno; van den Hoogen, Agnes; de Boer, Coby; van Goudoever, Johannes; Verboon-Maciolek, Malgosia; Kornelisse, René

2013-06-01

Bloodstream infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. To evaluate the available evidence for the effectiveness of non-pharmacological bloodstream infection-preventive measures in infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. A systematic review of randomized, controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, interrupted time series and pretest-posttest studies. PubMed, CINAHL, Web-of-Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase were searched. The systematic review was carried out according to the guidelines of the Center for Reviews and Dissemination. The methodological quality of the individual studies was evaluated with the quantitative evaluation form of McMaster University. The review included randomized, controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, interrupted time series, and pre-posttest studies published from January 1990 to January 2011. Quantitative pooling of the results was not feasible due to the high heterogeneity of the interventions, methods and outcome measures. Instead, we present the studies in tabular form and provide a narrative account of the study characteristics and results. Fifteen studies out of 288 generated hits were selected and categorized as research on: hand hygiene (5), intravenous (IV) bundles (4), closed IV sets/patches/filters (4), surveillance (1), and percutaneously inserted central catheter teams (1). IV bundles including proper insertion and proper maintenance showed to be the most effective intervention for preventing bloodstream infection in infants; in three out of four studies on IV bundles, a statistically significant reduction of bloodstream infections was mentioned. Although the methodological quality of most studies was not very robust, we conclude that IV bundles may decrease bloodstream infections in infants. However, differences in IV bundle components and in practices limited the underpinning evidence. There is limited evidence that the introduction of a percutaneously inserted central catheter team results in bloodstream infection reduction. Hand hygiene promotion increases hand hygiene among healthcare workers, but there is inconclusive evidence that this intervention subsequently leads to a bloodstream infection reduction in infants. Future studies must be well designed, with standardized outcome measures. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High collimated coherent illumination for reconstruction of digitally calculated holograms: design and experimental realization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozov, Alexander; Dubinin, German; Dubynin, Sergey; Yanusik, Igor; Kim, Sun Il; Choi, Chil-Sung; Song, Hoon; Lee, Hong-Seok; Putilin, Andrey; Kopenkin, Sergey; Borodin, Yuriy

2017-06-01

Future commercialization of glasses-free holographic real 3D displays requires not only appropriate image quality but also slim design of backlight unit and whole display device to match market needs. While a lot of research aimed to solve computational issues of forming Computer Generated Holograms for 3D Holographic displays, less focus on development of backlight units suitable for 3D holographic display applications with form-factor of conventional 2D display systems. Thereby, we report coherent backlight unit for 3D holographic display with thickness comparable to commercially available 2D displays (cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.). Coherent backlight unit forms uniform, high-collimated and effective illumination of spatial light modulator. Realization of such backlight unit is possible due to holographic optical elements, based on volume gratings, constructing coherent collimated beam to illuminate display plane. Design, recording and measurement of 5.5 inch coherent backlight unit based on two holographic optical elements are presented in this paper.

Evaluating the B-cell density with various activation functions using White Noise Path Integral Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aban, C. J. G.; Bacolod, R. O.; Confesor, M. N. P.

2015-06-01

A The White Noise Path Integral Approach is used in evaluating the B-cell density or the number of B-cell per unit volume for a basic type of immune system response based on the modeling done by Perelson and Wiegel. From the scaling principles of Perelson [1], the B- cell density is obtained where antigens and antibodies mutates and activation function f(|S-SA|) is defined describing the interaction between a specific antigen and a B-cell. If the activation function f(|S-SA|) is held constant, the major form of the B-cell density evaluated using white noise analysis is similar to the form of the B-cell density obtained by Perelson and Wiegel using a differential approach.A piecewise linear functionis also used to describe the activation f(|S-SA|). If f(|S-SA|) is zero, the density decreases exponentially. If f(|S-SA|) = S-SA-SB, the B- cell density increases exponentially until it reaches a certain maximum value. For f(|S-SA|) = 2SA-SB-S, the behavior of B-cell density is oscillating and remains to be in small values.

Mathematical structure of unit systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitano, Masao

2013-05-01

We investigate the mathematical structure of unit systems and the relations between them. Looking over the entire set of unit systems, we can find a mathematical structure that is called preorder (or quasi-order). For some pair of unit systems, there exists a relation of preorder such that one unit system is transferable to the other unit system. The transfer (or conversion) is possible only when all of the quantities distinguishable in the latter system are always distinguishable in the former system. By utilizing this structure, we can systematically compare the representations in different unit systems. Especially, the equivalence class of unit systems (EUS) plays an important role because the representations of physical quantities and equations are of the same form in unit systems belonging to an EUS. The dimension of quantities is uniquely defined in each EUS. The EUS's form a partially ordered set. Using these mathematical structures, unit systems and EUS's are systematically classified and organized as a hierarchical tree.

An exploratory study of cognitive load in diagnosing patient conditions.

PubMed

Workman, Michael; Lesser, Michael F; Kim, Joonmin

2007-06-01

To determine whether the ways in which information is presented to physicians will improve their ability to respond in a timely and accurate manner to acute care needs. The forms of the presentation compared traditional textual, chart and graph representations with equivalent symbolic language representations. To test this objective, our investigation involved two studies of interpreting patient conditions using two forms of information representation. The first assessed the level of cognitive effort (the outcome variable is known as cognitive load), and the second assessed the time and accuracy outcome variables. Our investigation consisted of two studies, the first study involved 3rd and 4th year medical students, and the second study involved three board certified physicians who worked in an intensive care unit of a metropolitan hospital. The first study utilized an all-within-subject design with repeated measures, where pretests were utilized as control covariate for prior learning and individual differences. The second study utilized a random sampling of records analyzed by two physicians and qualitatively evaluated by board-certified intensivists. The first study indicated that the cognitive load to interpret the symbolic representation was less than those presented in the more traditional textual, chart and graphic form. The second study suggests that experienced physicians may react in a more timely fashion with at least the same accuracy when the symbolic language was used than with traditional charts and graphs. The ways in which information is presented to physicians may affect the quality of acute care, such as in intensive, critical and emergency care units. When information can be presented in symbolic form, it may be cognitively processed more efficiently than when it is presented in the usual textual and chart form, potentially lowering errors in diagnosis and increasing the responsiveness to patient conditions.

Solid oxide fuel cell with multi-unit construction and prismatic design

DOEpatents

McPheeters, Charles C.; Dees, Dennis W.; Myles, Kevin M.

1999-01-01

A single cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell that is individually fabricated and sintered prior to being connected to adjacent cells to form a solid oxide fuel cell. The single cell unit is comprised of a shaped anode sheet positioned between a flat anode sheet and an anode-electrolyte-cathode (A/E/C) sheet, and a shaped cathode sheet positioned between the A/E/C sheet and a cathode-interconnect-anode (C/I/A) sheet. An alternate embodiment comprises a shaped cathode sheet positioned between an A/E/C sheet and a C/I/A sheet. The shaped sheets form channels for conducting reactant gases. Each single cell unit is individually sintered to form a finished sub-assembly. The finished sub-assemblies are connected in electrical series by interposing connective material between the end surfaces of adjacent cells, whereby individual cells may be inspected for defects and interchanged with non-defective single cell units.

Are Eastern Basin (Ross Sea, Antarctica) Bathymetric Ridges Associated With the Last Glacial Maximum?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chow, J. M.; Bart, P. J.

2005-05-01

Ross Sea (Antarctica) Eastern Basin bathymetric ridges have been interpreted to be ice stream divides created during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) advance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet based on radiocarbon dating of organic matter from near-seafloor sediments recovered in piston cores (Domack et al., 1999). Detailed seismic correlations and contour mapping show that there are at least five thick units outcropping in Eastern Basin. Four of these seismically-defined units can be correlated to age control at DSDP sites 270 and 272. In contrast to the near-seafloor sampling, the interiors of these units were initially assigned a Pliocene age based on a variety of microfossil biozones (Hayes and Frakes, 1975). Savage and Ciesielski (1983) determined that the youngest unit was deposited during the Coscinodiscus lentiginosus (since renamed Thalassiosira lentiginosa) diatom biozone (i.e., the unit formed sometime between 0.65 Ma to Recent timeframe). Thus, seafloor units in the area probably are of Quaternary age, but not necessarily LGM age. More recently, diatom biozonations for the Southern Ocean have been revised to provide more detailed biochronostratigraphic resolution (Zielinski and Gersonde, 2002; Zielinski et al., 2002). We are using the most recently-revised Southern Ocean diatom-zonation schemes to systematically evaluate ages of samples taken from the base of piston cores penetrating the five individual seismically-defined units in Eastern Basin. Using this sampling strategy, we increase the chances of penetrating through the Recent hemipelagic drape to sample the underlying seismically-defined units.

The importance of unitization for familiarity-based learning.

PubMed

Parks, Colleen M; Yonelinas, Andrew P

2015-05-01

It is often assumed that recollection is necessary to support memory for novel associations, whereas familiarity supports memory for single items. However, the levels of unitization framework assumes that familiarity can support associative memory under conditions in which the components of an association are unitized (i.e., treated as a single coherent item). In the current study we tested two critical assumptions of this framework. First, does unitization reflect a specialized form of learning or is it simply a form of semantic or elaborative encoding, and, second, can the beneficial effects of unitization on familiarity be observed for across-domain associations or are they limited to creating new associations between items that are from the same stimulus domains? Unitization was found to increase associative recognition but not item recognition. It affected familiarity more than recollection, increased associative but not item priming, and was dissociable from levels of processing effects. Moreover, unitization effects were found to be particularly effective in supporting face-word and fractal-sound pairs. The current results indicate that unitization reflects a specialized form of learning that supports associative familiarity of within- and across-domain associations. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

The temporal characteristics of humpback whale songs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Au, Whitlow W. L.; Lammers, Marc O.; Stimpert, Alison; Schotten, Michiel

2005-09-01

Songs sung by male humpback whales consist of distinct, pulsed sounds that are designated as units. Units are produced in some sequence to form a phrase, a repeated set of phrases forms a theme, and repeated themes form a song. A song can last from minutes to hours. The songs of eight humpback whales were recorded with a vertical array of five hydrophones spaced 7 m apart with the array located within 100 m of the whales. At least seven distinct units were identified aurally from this data set obtained during the 2002 winter humpback whale session in Hawaii. Four distinct recurring themes were found in the songs, and for each whale at least two themes were recorded. The average duration of each unit sampled and the silent interval following the unit were determined in order to describe the temporal characteristics of the songs. From the data the temporal consistency and cadence control of unit production by each humpback whale and between whales were determined. Understanding the temporal and spectral characteristics of units within songs and how these units vary between whales could ultimately help in the design of computer algorithms to automatically identify individual whales.

The importance of unitization for familiarity-based learning

PubMed Central

Parks, Colleen M.; Yonelinas, Andrew P.

2014-01-01

It is often assumed that recollection is necessary to support memory for novel associations, whereas familiarity supports memory for single items. However, the levels of unitization (LOU) framework assumes that familiarity can support associative memory under conditions in which the components of an association are unitized (i.e., treated as a single coherent item). In the current study we test two critical assumptions of this framework. First, does unitization reflect a specialized form of learning or is it simply a form of semantic or elaborative encoding, and, second, can the beneficial effects of unitization on familiarity be observed for across-domain associations or are they limited to creating new associations between items that are from the same stimulus domains? Unitization was found to increase associative recognition but not item recognition, it affected familiarity more so than recollection, it increased associative but not item priming, and it was dissociable from levels of processing effects. Moreover, unitization effects were found to be particularly effective in supporting face-word and fractal-sound pairs. The current results indicate that unitization reflects a specialized form of learning that supports associative familiarity of within- and across-domain associations. PMID:25329077

What every clinical geneticist should know about testing for osteogenesis imperfecta in suspected child abuse cases.

PubMed

Pepin, Melanie G; Byers, Peter H

2015-12-01

Non-accidental injury (NAI) is a major medical concern in the United States. One of the challenges in evaluation of children with unexplained fractures is that genetic forms of bone fragility are one of the differential diagnoses. Infants who present with fractures with mild forms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) (OI type I or OI type IV), the most common genetic form of bone disease leading to fractures might be missed if clinical evaluation alone is used to make the diagnosis. Diagnostic clinical features (blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta, Wormian bones on X-rays or positive family history) may not be present or apparent at the age of evaluation. The evaluating clinician faces the decision about whether genetic testing is necessary in certain NAI cases. In this review, we outline clinical presentations of mild OI and review the history of genetic testing for OI in the NAI versus OI setting. We summarize our data of molecular testing in the Collagen Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) from 2008 to 2014 where NAI was noted on the request for DNA sequencing of COL1A1 and COL1A2. We provide recommendations for molecular testing in the NAI versus OI setting. First, DNA sequencing of COL1A1, COL1A2, and IFITM5 simultaneously and duplication/deletion testing is recommended. If a causative variant is not identified, in the absence of a pathologic clinical phenotype, no additional gene testing is indicated. If a VUS is found, parental segregation studies are recommended. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Wavelet methodology to improve single unit isolation in primary motor cortex cells.

PubMed

Ortiz-Rosario, Alexis; Adeli, Hojjat; Buford, John A

2015-05-15

The proper isolation of action potentials recorded extracellularly from neural tissue is an active area of research in the fields of neuroscience and biomedical signal processing. This paper presents an isolation methodology for neural recordings using the wavelet transform (WT), a statistical thresholding scheme, and the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm. The effectiveness of five different mother wavelets was investigated: biorthogonal, Daubachies, discrete Meyer, symmetric, and Coifman; along with three different wavelet coefficient thresholding schemes: fixed form threshold, Stein's unbiased estimate of risk, and minimax; and two different thresholding rules: soft and hard thresholding. The signal quality was evaluated using three different statistical measures: mean-squared error, root-mean squared, and signal to noise ratio. The clustering quality was evaluated using two different statistical measures: isolation distance, and L-ratio. This research shows that the selection of the mother wavelet has a strong influence on the clustering and isolation of single unit neural activity, with the Daubachies 4 wavelet and minimax thresholding scheme performing the best. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Oral controlled release optimization of pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization processing.

PubMed

Bianchini, R; Vecchio, C

1989-06-01

Controlled release high dosage forms of a typical drug such as Indobufen were prepared as multiple-unit doses by employing extrusion-spheronization processing and subsequently film coating operations. The effects of drug particle size, drug/binder ratio, extruder screen size and preparation reproducibility on the physical properties of the spherical granules were evaluated. Controlled release optimization was obtained on the same granules by coating with polymeric membranes of different thickness consisting of water-soluble and insoluble substances. Film coating was applied from an organic solution using pan coating technique. The drug diffusion is allowed by dissolution of part of the membrane leaving small channels of the polymer coat. Further preparations were conducted to evaluate coatings applied from aqueous dispersion (pseudolatex) using air suspension coating technique. In this system the drug diffusion is governed by the intrinsic pore network of the membrane. The most promising preparations having the desired in vitro release, were metered into hard capsules to obtain the drug unit dosage. Accelerated stability tests were carried out to assess the influence of time and the other storage parameters on the drug release profile.

Manganese recycling in the United States in 1998

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, Thomas S.

2003-01-01

This report presents the results of the U.S. Geological Survey's analytical evaluation program for six standard reference samples -- T-163 (trace constituents), M-156 (major constituents), N-67 (nutrient constituents), N-68 (nutrient constituents), P-35 (low ionic strength constituents), and Hg-31 (mercury) -- that were distributed in October 2000 to 126 laboratories enrolled in the U.S. Geological Survey sponsored interlaboratory testing program. Analytical data that were received from 122 of the laboratories were evaluated with respect to overall laboratory performance and relative laboratory performance for each analyte in the six reference samples. Results of these evaluations are presented in tabular form. Also presented are tables and graphs summarizing the analytical data provided by each laboratory for each analyte in the six standard reference samples. The most probable value for each analyte was determined using nonparametric statistics.

Predicting the oral pharmacokinetic profiles of multiple-unit (pellet) dosage forms using a modeling and simulation approach coupled with biorelevant dissolution testing: case example diclofenac sodium.

PubMed

Kambayashi, Atsushi; Blume, Henning; Dressman, Jennifer B

2014-07-01

The objective of this research was to characterize the dissolution profile of a poorly soluble drug, diclofenac, from a commercially available multiple-unit enteric coated dosage form, Diclo-Puren® capsules, and to develop a predictive model for its oral pharmacokinetic profile. The paddle method was used to obtain the dissolution profiles of this dosage form in biorelevant media, with the exposure to simulated gastric conditions being varied in order to simulate the gastric emptying behavior of pellets. A modified Noyes-Whitney theory was subsequently fitted to the dissolution data. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for multiple-unit dosage forms was designed using STELLA® software and coupled with the biorelevant dissolution profiles in order to simulate the plasma concentration profiles of diclofenac from Diclo-Puren® capsule in both the fasted and fed state in humans. Gastric emptying kinetics relevant to multiple-units pellets were incorporated into the PBPK model by setting up a virtual patient population to account for physiological variations in emptying kinetics. Using in vitro biorelevant dissolution coupled with in silico PBPK modeling and simulation it was possible to predict the plasma profile of this multiple-unit formulation of diclofenac after oral administration in both the fasted and fed state. This approach might be useful to predict variability in the plasma profiles for other drugs housed in multiple-unit dosage forms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method for forming cooperative binary ionic solids

DOEpatents

Shelnutt, John A.; Martin, Kathleen E.; Wang, Zhongchun; Medforth, Craig J.

2013-03-05

A nanostructured molecular unit and method for forming is described where a cationic porphyrin having an ethanolic substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity is combined with an anionic porphyrin having a sulfonate substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity to form by self-assembly a nanostructured molecular unit with a morphology comprising four dendritic elements connected at a central node.

Method for forming cooperative binary ionic solids

DOEpatents

Shelnutt, John A.; Martin, Kathleen E.; Wang, Zhongchun; Medforth, Craig J.

2014-09-09

A nanostructured molecular unit and method for forming is described where a cationic porphyrin having an ethanolic substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity is combined with an anionic porphyrin having a sulfonate substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity to form by self-assembly a nanostructured molecular unit with a morphology comprising four dendritic elements connected at a central node.

40 CFR 723.250 - Polymers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... functional group. Fluorotelomers means the products of telomerization, which is the reaction of a telogen... relevant polymer-forming reaction used for the particular process. Monomer Unit means the reacted form of... monomer units but which, under the relevant reaction conditions used for the particular process, cannot...

Evaluation of Urinary Tract Dilation Classification System for Grading Postnatal Hydronephrosis.

PubMed

Hodhod, Amr; Capolicchio, John-Paul; Jednak, Roman; El-Sherif, Eid; El-Doray, Abd El-Alim; El-Sherbiny, Mohamed

2016-03-01

We assessed the reliability and validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system as a new grading system for postnatal hydronephrosis. We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients who presented with hydronephrosis from 2008 to 2013. We included patients diagnosed prenatally and those with hydronephrosis discovered incidentally during the first year of life. We excluded cases involving urinary tract infection, neurogenic bladder and chromosomal anomalies, those associated with extraurinary congenital malformations and those with followup of less than 24 months without resolution. Hydronephrosis was graded postnatally using the Society for Fetal Urology system, and then the management protocol was chosen. All units were regraded using the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system and compared to the Society for Fetal Urology system to assess reliability. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system in predicting hydronephrosis resolution and surgical intervention. A total of 490 patients (730 renal units) were eligible to participate. The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system was reliable in the assessment of hydronephrosis (parallel forms 0.92). Hydronephrosis resolved in 357 units (49%), and 86 units (12%) were managed by surgical intervention. The remainder of renal units demonstrated stable or improved hydronephrosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the likelihood of surgical intervention was predicted independently by Urinary Tract Dilation classification system risk group, while Society for Fetal Urology grades were predictive of likelihood of resolution. The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system is reliable for evaluation of postnatal hydronephrosis and is valid in predicting surgical intervention. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of environmental impact produced by different economic activities with the global pollution index.

PubMed

Zaharia, Carmen

2012-07-01

The paper analyses the environment pollution state in different case studies of economic activities (i.e. co-generation electric and thermal power production, iron profile manufacturing, cement processing, waste landfilling, and wood furniture manufacturing), evaluating mainly the environmental cumulative impacts (e.g. cumulative impact against the health of the environment and different life forms). The status of the environment (air, water resources, soil, and noise) is analysed with respect to discharges such as gaseous discharges in the air, final effluents discharged in natural receiving basins or sewerage system, and discharges onto the soil together with the principal pollutants expressed by different environmental indicators corresponding to each specific productive activity. The alternative methodology of global pollution index (I (GP)*) for quantification of environmental impacts is applied. Environmental data analysis permits the identification of potential impact, prediction of significant impact, and evaluation of cumulative impact on a commensurate scale by evaluation scores (ES(i)) for discharge quality, and global effect to the environment pollution state by calculation of the global pollution index (I (GP)*). The I (GP)* values for each productive unit (i.e. 1.664-2.414) correspond to an 'environment modified by industrial/economic activity within admissible limits, having potential of generating discomfort effects'. The evaluation results are significant in view of future development of each productive unit and sustain the economic production in terms of environment protection with respect to a preventive environment protection scheme and continuous measures of pollution control.

Promoting effects of serotonin on hematopoiesis: ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34+ stem/progenitor cells, proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells, and antiapoptosis.

PubMed

Yang, Mo; Li, Karen; Ng, Pak Cheung; Chuen, Carmen Ka Yee; Lau, Tze Kin; Cheng, Yuan Shan; Liu, Yuan Sheng; Li, Chi Kong; Yuen, Patrick Man Pan; James, Anthony Edward; Lee, Shuk Man; Fok, Tai Fai

2007-07-01

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that has multiple extraneuronal functions. We previously reported that serotonin exerted mitogenic stimulation on megakaryocytopoiesis mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2 receptors. In this study, we investigated effects of serotonin on ex vivo expansion of human cord blood CD34+ cells, bone marrow (BM) stromal cell colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) formation, and antiapoptosis of megakaryoblastic M-07e cells. Our results showed that serotonin at 200 nM significantly enhanced the expansion of CD34+ cells to early stem/progenitors (CD34+ cells, colony-forming unit-mixed [CFU-GEMM]) and multilineage committed progenitors (burst-forming unit/colony-forming unit-erythroid [BFU/CFU-E], colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage, colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte, CD61+ CD41+ cells). Serotonin also increased nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient repopulating cells in the expansion culture in terms of human CD45+, CD33+, CD14+ cells, BFU/CFU-E, and CFU-GEMM engraftment in BM of animals 6 weeks post-transplantation. Serotonin alone or in addition to fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, or vascular endothelial growth factor stimulated BM CFU-F formation. In M-07e cells, serotonin exerted antiapoptotic effects (annexin V, caspase-3, and propidium iodide staining) and reduced mitochondria membrane potential damage. The addition of ketanserin, a competitive antagonist of 5-HT2 receptor, nullified the antiapoptotic effects of serotonin. Our data suggest the involvement of serotonin in promoting hematopoietic stem cells and the BM microenvironment. Serotonin could be developed for clinical ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Detection of Gray Crystalline Hematite in the Aureum and Iani Chaos Layered Terrains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glotch, T. D.; Rogers, D.; Christensen, P. R.

2005-12-01

Using the TES and THEMIS datasets, small hematite-rich deposits have been discovered in Aureum and Iani Chaos. The newly discovered hematite-rich deposits share several similarities with the deposit in Aram Chaos [1], including the occurrence of hematite in a friable layered unit, and the presence of a light-toned caprock. The presence of these units over a distance of several hundred kilometers in the equatorial latitudes of Mars may point to a preferred global mechanism for hematite formation. However, it is unclear how, if at all, these units are related to the hematite- and sulfate-rich unit in Meridiani Planum, which is substantially larger and older (by as much as 1 Ga) than the layered units seen in the equatorial chaotic terrains. Though the caprock units in Aram Chaos and Aureum Chaos are similar, the corresponding unit in Iani Chaos is morphologically different, exhibiting less of a cliff-forming erosional pattern. The hematite-rich units in Aram and Aureum Chaos lie stratigraphically below the light-toned caprock units. In Iani Chaos, the hematite deposit is coincident with the light-toned unit. Data returned from the Mars Express OMEGA instrument have shown the presence of hydrated sulfates in the hematite-rich units associated with Aram and Iani Chaos, although to date, no sulfate detection has been reported in Aureum Chaos [2]. The sequence of caprock and hematite units in Aram, Aureum, and Iani Chaos probably did not form coincidentally as part of an extensive regional layer, but instead formed by similar, but not identical, processes in their respective chaotic terrains. The presence of these units in chaotic terrains, which have been hypothesized to form by subsidence after the release of subsurface water, indicate that these units may have been deposited in an aqueous environment. By analogy to Meridiani Planum, later subsurface aqueous activity in the region of the chaotic terrains may have provided the necessary diagenetic conditions for the formation of hematite within the layered units. [1] Glotch and Christensen, J. Geophys. Res., in press. [2] Gendrin et al., 2005, Science, 307 p. 1587-1590

Tellurite glasses for vitrification of technetium-99 from pyrochemical processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pyo, Jae-Young; Lee, Cheong Won; Park, Hwan-Seo; Yang, Jae Hwan; Um, Wooyong; Heo, Jong

2017-09-01

A new alkali-alumino tellurite glass composition was developed to immobilize highly-volatile technetium (Tc) wastes generated from the pyrochemical processing technology. Tellurite glass can incorporate up to 7 mass% of rhenium (Re, used as a surrogate for Tc) with an average retention of 86%. Normalized elemental releases evaluated by seven-day product consistency test (PCT) satisfied the immobilized low activity waste requirements of United States when concentration of Ca(ReO4)2 in the glass was <12 mass%. Re ions form Re7+ and are coordinated with four oxygens to form ReO4- tetrahedra. These tetrahedra bond to modifiers such as Ca2+ or Na+ that are further connected to the tellurite glass network by Ca2+ (or Na+) - non-bridging oxygen bonds.

Oxygen electrodes for rechargeable alkaline fuel cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swette, Larry; Giner, Jose

1987-01-01

Electrocatalysts and supports for the positive electrode of moderate temperature single unit rechargeable alkaline fuel cells were investigated and developed. The electrocatalysts are defined as the material with a higher activity for the oxygen electrode reaction than the support. Advanced development will require that the materials be prepared in high surface area forms, and may also entail integration of various candidate materials. Eight candidate support materials and seven electrocatalysts were investigated. Of the 8 support, 3 materials meet the preliminary requirements in terms of electrical conductivity and stability. Emphasis is now on preparing in high surface area form and testing under more severe corrosion stress conditions. Of the 7 electrocatalysts prepared and evaluated, at least 5 materials remain as potential candidates. The major emphasis remains on preparation, physical characterization and electrochemical performance testing.

Educational Attainment and Adult Mortality in the United States: A Systematic Analysis of Functional Form*

PubMed Central

Montez, Jennifer Karas; Hummer, Robert A.; Hayward, Mark D.

2012-01-01

A vast literature has documented the inverse association between educational attainment and U.S. adult mortality risk, but given little attention to identifying the optimal functional form of the association. A theoretical explanation of the association hinges on our ability to empirically describe it. Using the 1979–1998 National Longitudinal Mortality Study for non-Hispanic white and black adults aged 25–100 years during the mortality follow-up period (N=1,008,215), we evaluated 13 functional forms across race-gender-age subgroups to determine which form(s) best captured the association. Results revealed that a functional form that includes a linear decline in mortality risk from 0–11 years of education, followed by a step-change reduction in mortality risk upon attainment of a high school diploma, at which point mortality risk resumes a linear decline but with a steeper slope than that prior to a high school diploma was generally preferred. The findings provide important clues for theoretical development of explanatory mechanisms: an explanation for the selected functional form may require integrating a credentialist perspective to explain the step-change reduction in mortality risk upon attainment of a high school diploma, with a human capital perspective to explain the linear declines before and after a high school diploma. PMID:22246797

Compact cladding-pumped planar waveguide amplifier and fabrication method

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andy J.; Beach, Raymond J.; Honea, Eric; Murray, James E.; Payne, Stephen A.

2003-10-28

A low-cost, high performance cladding-pumped planar waveguide amplifier and fabrication method, for deployment in metro and access networks. The waveguide amplifier has a compact monolithic slab architecture preferably formed by first sandwich bonding an erbium-doped core glass slab between two cladding glass slabs to form a multi-layer planar construction, and then slicing the construction into multiple unit constructions. Using lithographic techniques, a silver stripe is deposited and formed at a top or bottom surface of each unit construction and over a cross section of the bonds. By heating the unit construction in an oven and applying an electric field, the silver stripe is then ion diffused to increase the refractive indices of the core and cladding regions, with the diffusion region of the core forming a single mode waveguide, and the silver diffusion cladding region forming a second larger waveguide amenable to cladding pumping with broad area diodes.

Application of Advanced Technologies to Small, Short-haul Air Transports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adcock, C.; Coverston, C.; Knapton, B.

1980-01-01

A study was conducted of the application of advanced technologies to small, short-haul transport aircraft. A three abreast, 30 passenger design for flights of approximately 100 nautical miles was evaluated. Higher wing loading, active flight control, and a gust alleviation system results in improved ride quality. Substantial savings in fuel and direct operating cost are forecast. An aircraft of this configuration also has significant benefits in forms of reliability and operability which should enable it to sell a total of 450 units through 1990, of which 80% are for airline use.

Implementation of mild therapeutic hypothermia for post-resuscitation care of sudden cardiac arrest survivors in cardiology units in Poland.

PubMed

Kołtowski, Łukasz; Malesa, Karolina; Tomaniak, Mariusz; Stępińska, Janina; Średniawa, Beata; Karolczyk, Paulina; Puchta, Dominika; Kowalik, Robert; Kremis, Elżbieta; Filipiak, Krzysztof J; Banaszewski, Marek; Opolski, Grzegorz; Bagińska, Marta

2017-11-01

The post-cardiac arrest (CA) period is often associated with secondary damage of the brain that leads to severe neurological deficits. The current practice guidelines recommend the use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to prevent neurological deficit and improve survival. The aim of the study was to investigate the implementation of medical guidelines in clinical practice and to evaluate the barriers for implementation of TH in cardiology units in Poland. A telephone survey, fax and online inquiry form were used to assess the implementation of TH in cardiology units in the management of unconscious patients after cardiac arrest (CA). The questions addressed the local practice, TH protocol, reasons for not using TH and outcomes of CA patients. We obtained information from 79 units out of 150 asked (53%). At the time of the survey, 24 units (30.8%) were using TH as part of their post-CA management. Of all CA patients, 45% underwent TH in cardiac intensive care units (CICU), 37.5% in the coronary care unit (CCU) and 12.5% in the intensive care unit (ICU). The major barrier for the implementation of TH declared by the non-cooling centers was lack of sufficient knowledge regarding the technique and protocol, as well as experience (37%); access to dedicated equipment was not perceived as an obstacle. The number of cardiology units that provide TH for comatose CA patients is low. The main limiting factor for wider use of TH is lack of knowledge and experience. There is a clear need for urgent educational activities for cardiology units. The benefits of TH still have not reached their potential in cardiology units.

Synthesis and biological activity of chimeric structures derived from the cytotoxic natural compounds dolastatin 10 and dolastatin 15.

PubMed

Poncet, J; Busquet, M; Roux, F; Pierré, A; Atassi, G; Jouin, P

1998-04-23

The natural cytotoxic compounds dolastatins 10 and 15 exhibit great similarities in structure and in their biological activity profiles. Two compounds (1 and 2) formed by interchanging the dolaisoleuine residue of dolastatin 10 and the MeVal-Pro dipeptide of dolastatin 15 were synthesized in order to evaluate the possible equivalence of these units. These compounds can be considered as chimeras of dolastatins 10 and 15 formed by the N-terminal part of the former and the C-terminal part of the latter and vice versa. Both analogues exhibited a marked decrease in their cytotoxic activity but showed similar differential cytotoxicity with regard to the cell lines assayed compared with the parent compounds. HT-29 cell line was the least sensitive one. However, this activity was in the nanomolar level and close to that of vincristine. The differences in their effect on tubulin polymerization were less pronounced. We confirmed the already known crucial role of the Dil residue in this assay. The nonequivalence of the Dil unit and the MeVal-Pro dipeptide probably reflects modification in the relative positions of the N-dimethylamino and the phenyl moieties.

Establishment of a mouse model for the complete mosquito-mediated transmission cycle of Zika virus.

PubMed

Kuo, Yi-Ping; Tsai, Kuen-Nan; Luo, Yin-Chiu; Chung, Pei-Jung; Su, Yu-Wen; Teng, Yu; Wu, Ming-Sian; Lin, Yu-Feng; Lai, Chao-Yang; Chuang, Tsung-Hsien; Dai, Shih-Syong; Tseng, Fan-Chen; Hsieh, Cheng-Han; Tsai, De-Jiun; Tsai, Wan-Ting; Chen, Chun-Hong; Yu, Guann-Yi

2018-04-01

Zika virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes in the subgenus Stegomyia but can also be transmitted sexually and vertically in humans. STAT1 is an important downstream factor that mediates type I and II interferon signaling. In the current study, we showed that mice with STAT1 knockout (Stat1-/-) were highly susceptible to ZIKV infection. As low as 5 plaque-forming units of ZIKV could cause viremia and death in Stat1-/- mice. ZIKV replication was initially detected in the spleen but subsequently spread to the brain with concomitant reduction of the virus in the spleen in the infected mice. Furthermore, ZIKV could be transmitted from mosquitoes to Stat1-/- mice back to mosquitoes and then to naïve Stat1-/- mice. The 50% mosquito infectious dose of viremic Stat1-/- mouse blood was close to 810 focus-forming units (ffu)/ml. Our further studies indicated that the activation of macrophages and conventional dendritic cells were likely critical for the resolution of ZIKV infection. The newly developed mouse and mosquito transmission models for ZIKV infection will be useful for the evaluation of antiviral drugs targeting the virus, vector, and host.

The Research and Evaluation of Road Environment in the Block of City Based on 3-D Streetscape Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, L.; Ding, Y.; Ge, J.; Yang, H.; Feng, X.; Chen, P.

2018-04-01

This paper focus on the problem of the street environment of block unit, based on making clear the acquisition mode and characteristics of 3D streetscape data, the paper designs the assessment model of regional block unit based on 3D streetscape data. The 3D streetscape data with the aid of oblique photogrammetry surveying and mobile equipment, will greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of urban regional assessment, and expand the assessment scope. Based on the latest urban regional assessment model, with the street environment assessment model of the current situation, this paper analyzes the street form and street environment assessment of current situation in the typical area of Beijing. Through the street environment assessment of block unit, we found that in the megacity street environment assessment model of block unit based on 3D streetscape data has greatly help to improve the assessment efficiency and accuracy. At the same time, motor vehicle lane, green shade deficiency, bad railings and street lost situation is still very serious in Beijing, the street environment improvement of the block unit is still a heavy task. The research results will provide data support for urban fine management and urban design, and provide a solid foundation for the improvement of city image.

Vibration influence on control of single motor unit activity.

PubMed

Malouin, F; Simard, T

1978-03-01

Effects of vibratory stimulation and maximal isometric contraction on a fine motor control task were evaluated in 17 human subjects. Electromyographic audiovisual feedback cues derived from two fine-wire bipolar electrodes, inserted to a depth of 12 and 6 mm respectively, were used to train the subjects to isolate a motor unit in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. A specially designed compressed air driven vibrator providing vibratory stimulation with an amplitude of 2 mm and a frequency range of 120-160 cycles per second was applied to the muscle tendon. A significant decrease was found in the subjects; ability to isolate the pretest motor unit during and after continuous and interrupted periods of vibration and following a maximal isometric contraction of the extensor carpi radials brevis muscle. Individual variations in the subjects' responses to the forms of application of the vibratory stimulus, electrode preference and feedback specificity were observed. Results suggest that marked spatial recruitment of motor units, brought into action by the vibration stimulus or by the maximal isometric contraction, interfered with inhibitory mechanisms necessary to achieve isolation and control of a single motor unit. A therapeutic application of vibration, based on the marked spatial recruitment observed during and after vibration, is proposed for muscle reeducation.

Fostering interprofessional learning in a rehabilitation setting: development of an interprofessional clinical learning unit.

PubMed

Vanderzalm, Jeanne; Hall, Mark D; McFarlane, Lu-Anne; Rutherford, Laurie; Patterson, Steven K

2013-01-01

The development and implementation of interprofessional (IP) clinical learning units as a method to enhance IP clinical education and improve patient care in a rehabilitation setting are described. Using a community-based participatory research approach, academia and healthcare delivery agencies formed a partnership to create an IP clinical learning unit in a rehabilitation setting. Preimplementation data from surveys and focus group data identified areas for improvement to enhance IP understanding and collaboration. A working group developed and implemented initiatives to enhance IP practice. Preimplementation, eight themes emerged from which the working group identified goals and implemented strategies to strengthen IP learning. Goals included Creation of an IP Learning Environment, Increased Awareness of IP Practice, Role Clarification, Enhanced IP Communication, and Reflection and Evaluation. Postimplementation data revealed six themes: Communication, Informal IP Learning, Role Awareness, Positive Learning Environment, Logistics, and Challenges. The development of the IP clinical learning unit was successful and rewarding, but not without its challenges. Formal IP education was necessary to enhance collaborative practice, even in a multidisciplinary environment. Commitment and support from all participants, particularly managers and administrators from the healthcare agency, were critical to success. The focus of this unit was on a stroke rehabilitation unit; however, the development and implementation principles identified may be applicable to any team-based clinical setting. © 2013 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

Expression, purification and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the transcriptional factor PyrR from Bacillus halodurans

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

Arreola, Rodrigo; Vega-Miranda, Anita; Gómez-Puyou, Armando

The gene-regulation factor PyrR from B. halodurans has been crystallized in two crystal forms. Preliminary crystallographic analysis showed that the protein forms tetramers in both space groups. The PyrR transcriptional regulator is widely distributed in bacteria. This RNA-binding protein is involved in the control of genes involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis, in which uridyl and guanyl nucleotides function as effectors. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of two crystal forms of Bacillus halodurans PyrR are reported. One of the forms belongs to the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1} with unit-cell parameters a = 59.7, b = 87.4, c =more » 72.1 Å, β = 104.4°, while the other form belongs to the orthorhombic space group P22{sub 1}2{sub 1} with unit-cell parameters a = 72.7, b = 95.9, c = 177.1 Å. Preliminary X-ray diffraction data analysis and molecular-replacement solution revealed the presence of four and six monomers per asymmetric unit; a crystallographic tetramer is formed in both forms.« less

Pacific island landbird monitoring annual report, National Park of American Samoa, Ta‘u and Tutuila units, 2011

USGS Publications Warehouse

Judge, Seth W.; Camp, Richard J.; Vaivai, Visa; Hart, Patrick J.

2013-01-01

NPSA canopy and understory composition was predominantly native, and trees formed a dense closed canopy at nearly 90% of the stations sampled. More than half of the tree heights in both units were taller than 5 m and the majority of slopes were steeper than 20 degrees. There were no clear dominant tree species in the mixed native forests. The most common tree species documented included Syzygium spp., Dysoxylum spp., Ficus spp., Hibiscus tiliaceus and Rhus taitensis (among others). There were significant differences in the distribution of bird densities between legacy and random transects. Determining differences in detection probabilities cannot be definitively assessed from a single survey. We recommend both panels be sampled in the future until bias in density and abundance can be evaluated, or if sampling may be reduced.

National Security Strategy of the United States of America

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-18

require fossil fuels, as well as other forms of energy, to power their economies and lift their people out of pover . e United States will...is tyr- anny. For these reasons, our Founders crafted and ratified the Constitution, establishing the repub- lican form of government we enjoy today...it continues to trans- form the future for all nations and all genera- tions. A strong, defensible cyber infrastructure fosters economic growth

Microencapsulation system and method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, Dennis R. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

A microencapsulation apparatus is provided which is configured to form co-axial multi-lamellar microcapsules from materials discharged from first and second microsphere dispensers of the apparatus. A method of fabricating and processing microcapsules is also provided which includes forming distinct droplets comprising one or more materials and introducing the droplets directly into a solution bath to form a membrane around the droplets such that a plurality of microcapsules are formed. A microencapsulation system is provided which includes a microcapsule production unit, a fluidized passage for washing and harvesting microcapsules dispensed from the microcapsule production unit and a flow sensor for sizing and counting the microcapsules. In some embodiments, the microencapsulation system may further include a controller configured to simultaneously operate the microcapsule production unit, fluidized passage and flow sensor to process the microcapsules in a continuous manner.

Microencapsulation system and method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, Dennis R. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A microencapsulation apparatus is provided which is configured to form co-axial multi-lamellar microcapsules from materials discharged from first and second microsphere dispensers of the apparatus. A method of fabricating and processing microcapsules is also provided which includes forming distinct droplets comprising one or more materials and introducing the droplets directly into a solution bath to form a membrane around the droplets such that a plurality of microcapsules are formed. A microencapsulation system is provided which includes a microcapsule production unit, a fluidized passage for washing and harvesting microcapsules dispensed from the microcapsule production unit and a flow sensor for sizing and counting the microcapsules. In some embodiments, the microencapsulation system may further include a controller configured to simultaneously operate the microcapsule production unit, fluidized passage and flow sensor to process the microcapsules in a continuous manner.

First status report on regional ground-water flow modeling for the Paradox Basin, Utah

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

Andrews, R.W.

1984-05-01

Regional ground-water flow within the principal hydrogeologic units of the Paradox Basin is evaluated by developing a conceptual model of the flow regime in the shallow aquifers and the deep-basin brine aquifers and testing these models using a three-dimensional, finite-difference flow code. Semiquantitative sensitivity analysis (a limited parametric study) is conducted to define the system response to changes in hydrologic properties or boundary conditions. A direct method for sensitivity analysis using an adjoint form of the flow equation is applied to the conceptualized flow regime in the Leadville limestone aquifer. All steps leading to the final results and conclusions aremore » incorporated in this report. The available data utilized in this study is summarized. The specific conceptual models, defining the areal and vertical averaging of litho-logic units, aquifer properties, fluid properties, and hydrologic boundary conditions, are described in detail. Two models were evaluated in this study: a regional model encompassing the hydrogeologic units above and below the Paradox Formation/Hermosa Group and a refined scale model which incorporated only the post Paradox strata. The results are delineated by the simulated potentiometric surfaces and tables summarizing areal and vertical boundary fluxes, Darcy velocities at specific points, and ground-water travel paths. Results from the adjoint sensitivity analysis include importance functions and sensitivity coefficients, using heads or the average Darcy velocities to represent system response. The reported work is the first stage of an ongoing evaluation of the Gibson Dome area within the Paradox Basin as a potential repository for high-level radioactive wastes.« less

Implementation of the interdisciplinary curriculum Teaching and Assessing Communicative Competence in the fourth academic year of medical studies (CoMeD).

PubMed

Mortsiefer, Achim; Rotthoff, Thomas; Schmelzer, Regine; Immecke, J; Ortmanns, B; in der Schmitten, J; Altiner, A; Karger, André

2012-01-01

Implementation of a longitudinal curriculum for training in advanced communications skills represents an unmet need in most German medical faculties, especially in the 4rth and 5th years of medical studies. The CoMeD project (communication in medical education Düsseldorf) attempted to establish an interdisciplinary program to teach and to assess communicative competence in the 4th academic year. In this paper, we describe the development of the project and report results of its evaluation by medical students. Teaching objectives and lesson formats were developed in a multistage process. A teaching program for simulated patients (SP) was built up and continuous lecturer trainings were estabilshed. Several clinical disciplines co-operated for the purpose of integrating the communication training into the pre-existing clinical teaching curriculum. The CoMeD project was evaluated using feedback-forms after each course. Until now, six training units for especially challenging communication tasks like "dealing with aggression" or "breaking bad news" were implemented, each unit connected with a preliminary tutorial or e-learning course. An OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) with 4 stations was introduced. The students' evaluation of the six CoMeD training units showed the top or second-best rating in more than 80% of the answers. Introducing an interdisciplinary communication training and a corresponding OSCE into the 4th year medical curriculum is feasible. Embedding communication teaching in a clinical context and involvement of clinicians as lecturers seem to be important factors for ensuring practical relevance and achieving high acceptance by medical students.

Gravity driven and in situ fractional crystallization processes in the Centre Hill complex, Abitibi Subprovince, Canada: Evidence from bilaterally-paired cyclic units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thériault, R. D.; Fowler, A. D.

1996-12-01

The formation of layers in mafic intrusions has been explained by various processes, making it the subject of much controversy. The concept that layering originates from gravitational settling of crystals has been superseded in recent years by models involving in situ fractional crystallization. Here we present evidence from the Centre Hill complex that both processes may be operative simultaneously within the same intrusion. The Centre Hill complex is part of the Munro Lake sill, an Archean layered mafic intrusion emplaced in volcanic rocks of the Abitibi Subprovince. The Centre Hill complex comprises the following lithostratigraphic units: six lower cyclic units of peridotite and clinopyroxenite; a middle unit of leucogabbro; six upper cyclic units of branching-textured gabbro (BTG) and clotted-textured gabbro (CTG), the uppermost of these units being overlain by a marginal zone of fine-grained gabbro. The cyclic units of peridotite/clinopyroxenite and BTG/CTG are interpreted to have formed concurrently through fractional crystallization, associated with periodic replenishment of magma to the chamber. The units of peridotite and clinopyroxenite formed by gravitational accumulation of crystals that grew under the roof. The cyclic units of BTG and CTG formed along the upper margin of the sill by two different mechanisms: (1) layers of BTG crystallized in situ along an inward-growing roof and (2) layers of CTG formed by accumulation of buoyant plagioclase crystals. The layers of BTG are characterized by branching pseudomorphs after fayalite up to 50 cm in length that extend away from the upper margin. The original branching crystals are interpreted to have grown from stagnant intercumulus melt in a high thermal gradient resulting from the injection of new magma to the chamber.

76 FR 55744 - Currently Approved Information Collection: Comment Request for Application for Intellectual...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-08

... Request for Application for Intellectual Property Use Forms AGENCY: United States Mint. ACTION: Notice and... United States Mint Application for Intellectual Property Use forms. DATES: Written comments should be....treas.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Applications for Intellectual Property Use. OMB Number...

Unit 802: Language Varies with Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis. Center for Curriculum Development in English.

This eighth-grade language unit stresses developing the student's sensitivity to variations in language, primarily the similarities and differences between spoken and written language. Through sample lectures and discussion questions, the students are helped to form generalizations about language: that speech is the primary form of language; that…

Evaluating evaluation forms form.

PubMed

Smith, Roger P

2004-02-01

To provide a tool for evaluating evaluation forms. A new form has been developed and tested on itself and a sample of evaluation forms obtained from the graduate medical education offices of several local universities. Additional forms from hospital administration were also subjected to analysis. The new form performed well when applied to itself. The form performed equally well when applied to the other (subject) forms, although their scores were embarrassingly poor. A new form for evaluating evaluation forms is needed, useful, and now available.

Monosaccharides as Versatile Units for Water-Soluble Supramolecular Polymers.

PubMed

Leenders, Christianus M A; Jansen, Gijs; Frissen, Martijn M M; Lafleur, René P M; Voets, Ilja K; Palmans, Anja R A; Meijer, E W

2016-03-18

We introduce monosaccharides as versatile water-soluble units to compatibilise supramolecular polymers based on the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) moiety with water. A library of monosaccharide-based BTAs is evaluated, varying the length of the alkyl chain (hexyl, octyl, decyl and dodecyl) separating the BTA and saccharide units, as well as the saccharide units (α-glucose, β-glucose, α-mannose and α-galactose). In all cases, the monosaccharides impart excellent water compatibility. The length of the alkyl chain is the determining factor to obtain either long, one-dimensional supramolecular polymers (dodecyl spacer), small aggregates (decyl spacer) or molecularly dissolved (octyl and hexyl) BTAs in water. For the BTAs comprising a dodecyl spacer, our results suggest that a cooperative self-assembly process is operative and that the introduction of different monosaccharides does not significantly change the self- assembly behaviour. Finally, we investigate the potential of post-assembly functionalisation of the formed supramolecular polymers by taking advantage of dynamic covalent bond formation between the monosaccharides and benzoxaboroles. We observe that the supramolecular polymers readily react with a fluorescent benzoxaborole derivative permitting imaging of these dynamic complexes by confocal fluorescence microscopy. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Discrepancy between Medical Evidence Form 2728 and Renal Biopsy for Glomerular Diseases

PubMed Central

Hogan, Susan L.; Jennette, Caroline E.; Kenderes, Barbara; Krisher, Jenna; Jennette, J. Charles; McClellan, William M.

2010-01-01

Background and objectives: The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) is a commonly utilized database for epidemiologic research of ESRD patients. USRDS uses Medical Evidence Form 2728 to collect medical information about ESRD patients. The validity of the Form 2728 “primary cause of renal failure” field for glomerular diseases has not been evaluated, although inconsistencies between Form 2728 information and medical records have been documented previously with respect to comorbidities. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: Form 2728 information was linked with renal biopsy results from the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network (GDCN) for 217 patients with biopsy-confirmed glomerular diseases who had reached ESRD. Biopsy results were compared with the Form 2728 “primary cause of renal failure” field. Diseases were considered individually, and also categorized into commonly used disease groups. Percentage of agreement and disease-specific measures of validity were calculated. Results: Overall agreement between renal biopsy and Form 2728 was low (14.8% overall, 23.0% when categorized). Agreement was better after Form 2728 was revised in 1995 (10.0% before versus 23.2% after overall). The cause of ESRD field was left blank in 57% of the forms submitted for glomerular disease patients. Individual glomerular diseases had very low specificities, but tended to have high positive predictive values. Conclusions: Form 2728 does not accurately reflect the renal pathology diagnosis as captured by biopsy. The large degree of missing data and misclassification should be of concern to those performing epidemiologic research using Form 2728 information on glomerular diseases. PMID:20688886

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antifungal efficacy of Chitosan as endodontic irrigant against Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans Biofilm formed on tooth substrate.

PubMed

Yadav, Pankaj; Chaudhary, Sarika; Saxena, Rajendra K; Talwar, Sangeeta; Yadav, Sudha

2017-03-01

Bacterial biofilms formed on the root canal wall are often difficult to remove. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and antibacterial efficacy of chitosan when used as root canal irrigant against E. Faecalis and Candida albicans biofilm formed on tooth substrate. The present study evaluated antibacterial effect of 0.25% Chitosan, 0.5% Chitosan, 2% chlorhexidine and 3% sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida Albicans . Agar-well diffusion methods, minimal inhibitory concentration tests and biofilm susceptibility assays were used to determine antibacterial activity. Teeth specimens were sectioned to obtain a standardized tooth length of 12mm. Specimens were inoculated with 10 mL of the freshly prepared E. Faecalis suspension and Candida albicans for 4 weeks. The specimens were then instrumented with ProTaper rotary files F3 size. After irrigation with test solution, three sterile paper points were placed into one canal, left for 60 s and transferred to a test tube containing 1 mL of reduced transport fluid. The number of CFU in 1 mL was determined. 3-week biofilm qualitative assay showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth with 3% Sodium hypochlorite, 2% Chlorhexidine and Chitosan except saline, which showed presence of bacterial growth. Significant reduction of colony forming units (CFU)/mL was observed for the chitosan groups and the antibacterial activity of the chitosan groups was at par with 3% NaOCl and 2% Chlorhexidine. It was observed that the chitosan showed no cytotoxicity at 3mg/ml and 10% cytotoxicity at 6mg/ml. The use of chitosan as a root canal irrigant might be an alternative considering the various undesirable properties of NaOCl and chlorhexidine. Key words: Biofilm, Candida albicans, Chitosan, Cytotoxicity, Enterococcus faecalis.

Does Finnish hospital staff job satisfaction vary across occupational groups?

PubMed

Kvist, Tarja; Mäntynen, Raija; Vehviläinen-Julkunen, Katri

2013-10-02

Job satisfaction of staff is an essential outcome variable in research when describing the work environment of successful hospitals. Numerous studies have evaluated the topic, but few previous studies have assessed the job satisfaction of all staff in hospital settings. It is important to discover if there are any unsatisfied groups of people working in hospitals, the aspects they are unsatisfied with and why. The aim of this study was to evaluate job satisfaction of all staff working at a Finnish university hospital, identify differences in job satisfaction between staff groups, and explore the relationship between their self-evaluated quality of work and job satisfaction. Data were collected from 1424 employees of the hospital using the web-based Kuopio University Job Satisfaction Scale survey instrument in autumn 2010. The research data were analysed by using SPSS 19.0 for Windows. Frequency and percentage distributions, as well as mean values, were used to describe the data. A non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis test) was used to determine the significance of differences in scores between different groups of staff members and between quality evaluations. The overall job satisfaction of the employees was good. They rated both motivating factors of their work and work welfare as excellent. The areas causing most dissatisfaction were work demands and participation in decision making. Physicians formed the most satisfied group, nurses and maintenance staff were the least satisfied, and office and administrative staff were fairly satisfied. Staff who rated the quality of work in their units as high usually also considered their job satisfaction to be excellent. Every staff member has an influence on job satisfaction in her/his unit. A culture of participation should be developed and maintained in the units and the whole hospital to ensure that all staff feel they play important roles in the hospital. A university hospital is a complex, continuously changing work environment. Managers of the hospital should continuously evaluate job satisfaction and quickly react to the results gained.

Microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines and effect on quality of indoor air.

PubMed

Kadaifciler, Duygu Göksay; Cotuk, Aysin

2014-06-01

The microbiological quality in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is considered to be important because patients and dental staff with suppressed immune systems are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from dental units (DUs). Opportunistic pathogens like Pseudomonas, Legionella, Candida, and Aspergillus can be present in DUWLs, while during consultations, bioaerosols can be dispersed in the air, thus resulting in effects on microbiological quality of indoor air. This present study represents microbiological air and water quality in dental offices (DOs) and also concerns the relationship between the quality of DO air and dental unit water. This study aimed to assess both the microbial quality of dental unit water and the indoor air in 20 DOs and to survey the effect on the quality of the indoor air with the existing microorganisms in dental unit water. Fourteen out of 20 (70 %) DUWLs were found to be contaminated with a high number of aerobic mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria. In terms of bacterial air contamination levels, in 90 % of DOs, a medium level (<500 colony-forming units (CFU)/m(3)) of contamination was determined, while in terms of microfungal air contamination, in all DOs, a low level (<100 CFU/m(3)) of contamination was determined. Potential infection or allergen agents, such as Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Paecilomyces were isolated from water and air samples. This study's determination of contamination sources and evaluation of microbial load in DOs could contribute to the development of quality control methods in the future.

A Cost-Effective Transparency-Based Digital Imaging for Efficient and Accurate Wound Area Measurement

PubMed Central

Li, Pei-Nan; Li, Hong; Wu, Mo-Li; Wang, Shou-Yu; Kong, Qing-You; Zhang, Zhen; Sun, Yuan; Liu, Jia; Lv, De-Cheng

2012-01-01

Wound measurement is an objective and direct way to trace the course of wound healing and to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Nevertheless, the accuracy and efficiency of the current measurement methods need to be improved. Taking the advantages of reliability of transparency tracing and the accuracy of computer-aided digital imaging, a transparency-based digital imaging approach is established, by which data from 340 wound tracing were collected from 6 experimental groups (8 rats/group) at 8 experimental time points (Day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 16) and orderly archived onto a transparency model sheet. This sheet was scanned and its image was saved in JPG form. Since a set of standard area units from 1 mm2 to 1 cm2 was integrated into the sheet, the tracing areas in JPG image were measured directly, using the “Magnetic lasso tool” in Adobe Photoshop program. The pixel values/PVs of individual outlined regions were obtained and recorded in an average speed of 27 second/region. All PV data were saved in an excel form and their corresponding areas were calculated simultaneously by the formula of Y (PV of the outlined region)/X (PV of standard area unit) × Z (area of standard unit). It took a researcher less than 3 hours to finish area calculation of 340 regions. In contrast, over 3 hours were expended by three skillful researchers to accomplish the above work with traditional transparency-based method. Moreover, unlike the results obtained traditionally, little variation was found among the data calculated by different persons and the standard area units in different sizes and shapes. Given its accurate, reproductive and efficient properties, this transparency-based digital imaging approach would be of significant values in basic wound healing research and clinical practice. PMID:22666449

Assessment of Clinical Practices for Crushing Medication in Geriatric Units.

PubMed

Fodil, M; Nghiem, D; Colas, M; Bourry, S; Poisson-Salomon, A-S; Rezigue, H; Trivalle, C

2017-01-01

To assess the modification of the form of medication and evaluate staff observance of good clinical practices. One-day assessment of clinical practices. 17 geriatrics units in the 3 Teaching Hospitals of Paris-Sud (APHP), France. Elderly in-patients with difficulties swallowing capsules and tablets. Assessment of target-patient prescriptions and direct observation of nurses' medical rounds. 155/526 in-patients (29.5%) were unable to swallow tablets or capsules: 98 (40.3%) in long-term care, 46 patients (23.8%) in the rehabilitation unit and 11 (12.2%) in the acute care unit (p = .005). In thirty-nine (27.3%) of the 143 prescriptions studied all tablets were safe to crush and all capsules were safe to open. In 104 cases, at least one medication could not be safely modified, including 26 cases (18.2%) in which none of the prescribed drugs were safe to crush or open. In 48.2% of the 110 medications that were crushed, crushing was forbidden, and presented a potential threat in 12.7% of cases or a reduced efficacy in 8.2% of cases. Crushing methods were rarely appropriate: no specific protective equipment was used (81.8%), crushing equipment was shared between patients without cleaning (95.1%), medications were spilled or lost (69.9%). The method of administration was appropriate (water, jellified water) in 25% of the cases, questionable (soup, coffee, compote, juice, cream) in 55% of the cases and unacceptable (laxative) in 21% of the cases. Management of drug prescriptions in patients with swallowing difficulties is not optimal, and may even have iatrogenic effects. In this study, 12.7% of the modifications of the drug form could have been harmful. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses need to reevaluate their practices.

Application of ultraviolet, ozone, and advanced oxidation treatments to washwaters to destroy nitrosamines, nitramines, amines, and aldehydes formed during amine-based carbon capture.

PubMed

Shah, Amisha D; Dai, Ning; Mitch, William A

2013-03-19

Although amine-based CO(2) absorption is a leading contender for full-scale postcombustion CO(2) capture at power plants, concerns have been raised about the potential release of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and N-nitramines formed by reaction of exhaust gas NO(x) with the amines. Experiments with a laboratory-scale pilot unit suggested that washwater units meant to scrub contaminants from absorber unit exhaust could potentially serve as a source of N-nitrosamines via reactions of residual NO(x) with amines accumulating in the washwater. Dosage requirements for the continuous treatment of the washwater recycle line with ultraviolet (UV) light for destruction of N-nitrosamines and N-nitramines, and with ozone or hydroxyl radical-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for destruction of amines and aldehydes, were evaluated. Although <1000 mJ/cm(2) UV fluence was generally needed for 90% removal of a series of model N-nitrosamines and N-nitramines, 280-1000 mJ/cm(2) average fluence was needed for 90% removal of total N-nitrosamines in pilot washwaters associated with two different solvents. While AOPs were somewhat more efficient than ozone for acetaldehyde destruction, ozone was more efficient for amine destruction. Ozone achieved 90% amine removal in washwaters at 5-12 molar excess of ozone, indicating transferred dosage levels of ∼100 mg/L for 90% removal in a first-stage washwater unit, but likely only ∼10 mg/L if applied to a second-stage washwater. Accurate dosage and cost estimates would require pilot testing to capture synergies between UV and ozone treatments.

Judith River Formation beneath Fort Peck Indian Reservation - proven high plains gas frontier in northeastern Montana

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

Monson, L.M.

1988-07-01

As one of the progradational sequences in the Late Cretaceous, the Claggett-Judith River cycle created potential reservoirs for shallow biogenic gas. From west to east across the Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana, in a distance of 75 mi (121 km), the Judith River Formation changes from a 350-ft (107-m) accumulation of fine-grained nonmarine clastics, to a 130-ft (39-m) deposit of fine-grained sandstone. Three units are present in the subsurface of the central part of the reservation. A continuous basal sandstone, 30-130 ft (9-39 m) thick, formed in a coastal environment. This unit thickens in the direction of progradation, whichmore » may indicate the addition of sand bodies in a shelf environment. The middle unit is a 20 to 50-ft (6 to 15-m) sequence of shale and siltstone. Capping the Judith River is a sandstone 20-50 ft (6-15 m) thick, which formed either as a shore facies in the regressive cycle or as a shelf sandstone prior to the final Cretaceous transgression that deposited the overlying Bearpaw Shale. Stratigraphic traps exist in the upper and lower sandstone units due to variation in grain size and clay content associated with the progradational facies changes. In addition, Laramide structures associated with the Poplar dome and Wolf Creek nose have created local trapping mechanisms. Judith River gas has been produced for operational use since 1952 in the East Poplar field. Shows have been reported in central reservation wells, although high mud weights and deeper exploration targets have prevented adequate evaluation of the Judith River gas frontier.« less

Optimising the emergency to ward handover process: A mixed methods study.

PubMed

Bakon, Shannon; Millichamp, Tracey

2017-11-01

The effective handover of patient health data from the emergency department to other hospital units is integral for the continuity of patient care. Yet no handover process has been identified as superior to others within this context. This study within a regional Australian hospital employed mixed methods approach including focus groups and key stakeholder consultation to develop a handover form appropriate for patient transfer from the emergency department to a variety of clinical areas. Paper-based surveys and audits were then employed to evaluate the implementation and understand staff perceptions of the form. The implementation of a patient handover form within the emergency setting was well received. Participants indicated that the form is clear, well designed and easy to navigate. It provided prompts to standardise their clinical handover and increased their accountability and responsibility within this process. To deliver an optimal nursing handover from the emergency department to various wards handovers should be structured and provide standardised content. The positive reception and use of this form provides evidence that a structured handover process can ensure standardisation of emergency department to ward nursing handovers. Copyright © 2017 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification of rat megakaryocyte colony-forming cells using a monoclonal antibody against rat platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa.

PubMed

Miyazaki, H; Inoue, H; Yanagida, M; Horie, K; Mikayama, T; Ohashi, H; Nishikawa, M; Suzuki, T; Sudo, T

1992-08-01

We recently reported the production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against rat platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa). In this study we developed a simple and efficient three-step procedure, based on positive selection by immunoadsorption (panning) using one MoAb, P55, to purify rat megakaryocyte colony-forming cells (megakaryocyte colony-forming units, CFU-MK) from normal bone marrow. Cells obtained after each step were assayed for their ability to form megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated rat spleen cell-conditioned medium in soft agar cultures. Marrow cells were first separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. Cells sedimented at densities between 1.063 and 1.082 g/ml were depleted of cells adherent to plastic tissue culture dishes. The nonadherent cells were further incubated on dishes coated with P55 MoAb. CFU-MK were enriched about 50-fold in the adsorbed cell fraction. This sequential fractionation procedure resulted in a 345-fold (range 276 to 412-fold) enrichment of rat CFU-MK over whole bone marrow cells. The average cloning efficiency of CFU-MK in the final fraction was about 7% (range 5%-9.2%) of the nucleated cells. The overall recovery of CFU-MK averaged 20% (range 9%-29%). The panning step provided a 46-fold enrichment of megakaryocyte burst-forming cells (megakaryocyte burst-forming units, BFU-MK), whose average cloning efficiency in the post-panning fraction was 0.14% (range 0.07%-0.2%). In addition, erythroid burst-forming cells (erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E) were also significantly enriched by panning, but to a lesser degree than BFU-MK and CFU-MK. By contrast, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, CFU-GM) and erythroid colony-forming cells (erythroid colony-forming units, CFU-E) were not enriched by panning. CFU-MK obtained after panning formed megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of recombinant rat interleukin 3 (rIL-3), mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF), or human erythropoietin (hEPO), as has been reported for murine CFU-MK in whole marrow cells. The highly enriched populations of rat CFU-MK should thus provide a basis for the further study of the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

Basic Facts about the United Nations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations, New York, NY. Office of Public Information.

The work of the United Nations is described in summary form. Material is divided into sections on the origin, programs, purpose, principles, and structure of the United Nations; the United Nations at work for International Peace; the United Nations at Work for Economic and Social Development; The United Nations at Work for Decolonization; the…

75 FR 78263 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of an Existing Information Collection...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-15

... of information collection under review; Form G- 646, Sworn Statement of Refugee Applying for... the Form/Collection: Sworn Statement of Refugee Applying for Admission to the United States. (3... the applicants to the United States as refugees. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents...

77 FR 11494 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-27

... Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-4000 or call (703) 588-0877. Title, Associated Form, and OMB... Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, DD Form 2168, OMB... the United States by certain groups shall be considered Active Duty service, and (2) to award members...

77 FR 8838 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-15

.... Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Nomination For Appointment To The United States Military Academy... form to nominate constituents to the three DoD Academies, West Point, Annapolis and Air Force. Data... outlined in AFI 36-2019, Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Affected Public: Applicants to...

Solid oxide fuel cell with multi-unit construction and prismatic design

DOEpatents

McPheeters, C.C.; Dees, D.W.; Myles, K.M.

1999-03-16

A single cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell is described that is individually fabricated and sintered prior to being connected to adjacent cells to form a solid oxide fuel cell. The single cell unit is comprised of a shaped anode sheet positioned between a flat anode sheet and an anode-electrolyte-cathode (A/E/C) sheet, and a shaped cathode sheet positioned between the A/E/C sheet and a cathode-interconnect-anode (C/I/A) sheet. An alternate embodiment comprises a shaped cathode sheet positioned between an A/E/C sheet and a C/I/A sheet. The shaped sheets form channels for conducting reactant gases. Each single cell unit is individually sintered to form a finished sub-assembly. The finished sub-assemblies are connected in electrical series by interposing connective material between the end surfaces of adjacent cells, whereby individual cells may be inspected for defects and interchanged with non-defective single cell units. 7 figs.

47 CFR 1.19 - Use of metric units required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Procedure General § 1.19 Use of metric units required. Where parenthesized English units accompany metric... currently required, and compliance with the English unit shall be considered sufficient when the Commission form requests that data showing compliance with that particular standard be submitted in English units...

Measurement properties of the Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index (SCI-FI) short forms.

PubMed

Heinemann, Allen W; Dijkers, Marcel P; Ni, Pengsheng; Tulsky, David S; Jette, Alan

2014-07-01

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index (SCI-FI) short forms (basic mobility, self-care, fine motor, ambulation, manual wheelchair, and power wheelchair) based on internal consistency; correlations between short forms banks, full item bank forms, and a 10-item computer adaptive test version; magnitude of ceiling and floor effects; and test information functions. Cross-sectional cohort study. Six rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. Individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (N=855) recruited from 6 national Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems facilities. Not applicable. SCI-FI full item bank, 10-item computer adaptive test, and parallel short form scores. The SCI-FI short forms (with separate versions for individuals with paraplegia and tetraplegia) demonstrate very good internal consistency, group-level reliability, excellent correlations between short forms and scores based on the total item bank, and minimal ceiling and floor effects (except ceiling effects for persons with paraplegia on self-care, fine motor, and power wheelchair ability and floor effects for persons with tetraplegia on self-care, fine motor, and manual wheelchair ability). The test information functions are acceptable across the range of scores where most persons in the sample performed. Clinicians and researchers should consider the SCI-FI short forms when computer adaptive testing is not feasible. Copyright © 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 63.1576 - What records must I keep, in what form, and for how long?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Cracking Units, Catalytic Reforming Units, and Sulfur Recovery Units Notifications, Reports, and Records... keep records required by Tables 6, 7, 13, and 14 of this subpart (for catalytic cracking units); Tables...

40 CFR 63.1576 - What records must I keep, in what form, and for how long?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Cracking Units, Catalytic Reforming Units, and Sulfur Recovery Units Notifications, Reports, and Records... keep records required by Tables 6, 7, 13, and 14 of this subpart (for catalytic cracking units); Tables...

Forming a new clinical team for frail older people: can a group development model help?

PubMed

Anderson, Elizabeth Susan; Pollard, Lorraine; Conroy, Simon; Clague-Baker, Nicola

2014-03-01

Integrated services which utilise the expertise of team members along care pathways are evolving. Changes in service structure and subsequent team working arrangements can be a challenge for practitioners expected to redefine how they work with one another. These services are particularly important for the care of frail older people. This exploratory study of one newly forming team presents the views of staff involved in establishing an interprofessional healthcare advisory team for older people within an acute hospital admissions unit. Staff experiences of forming a new service are aligned to a model of team development. The findings are presented as themes relating to the stages of team development and identify the challenges of setting up an integrated service alongside existing services. In particular, team process issues relating to the clarity of goals, role clarification, leadership, team culture and identity. Managers must allow time to ensure new services evolve before setting up evaluation studies for efficiency and effectiveness which might prove against the potential for interprofessional teamworking.

Effects of multiple enzyme-substrate interactions in basic units of cellular signal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seaton, D. D.; Krishnan, J.

2012-08-01

Covalent modification cycles are a ubiquitous feature of cellular signalling networks. In these systems, the interaction of an active enzyme with the unmodified form of its substrate is essential for signalling to occur. However, this interaction is not necessarily the only enzyme-substrate interaction possible. In this paper, we analyse the behaviour of a basic model of signalling in which additional, non-essential enzyme-substrate interactions are possible. These interactions include those between the inactive form of an enzyme and its substrate, and between the active form of an enzyme and its product. We find that these additional interactions can result in increased sensitivity and biphasic responses, respectively. The dynamics of the responses are also significantly altered by the presence of additional interactions. Finally, we evaluate the consequences of these interactions in two variations of our basic model, involving double modification of substrate and scaffold-mediated signalling, respectively. We conclude that the molecular details of protein-protein interactions are important in determining the signalling properties of enzymatic signalling pathways.

Evaluation of Different Disinfactants on Dimensional Accuracy and Surface Quality of Type IV Gypsum Casts Retrieved from Elastomeric Impression Materials.

PubMed

Pal, P K; Kamble, Suresh S; Chaurasia, Ranjitkumar Rampratap; Chaurasia, Vishwajit Rampratap; Tiwari, Samarth; Bansal, Deepak

2014-06-01

The present study was done to evaluate the dimensional stability and surface quality of Type IV gypsum casts retrieved from disinfected elastomeric impression materials. In an in vitro study contaminated impression material with known bacterial species was disinfected with disinfectants followed by culturing the swab sample to assess reduction in level of bacterial colony. Changes in surface detail reproduction of impression were assessed fallowing disinfection. All the three disinfectants used in the study produced a 100% reduction in colony forming units of the test organisms. All the three disinfectants produced complete disinfection, and didn't cause any deterioration in surface detail reproduction. How to cite the article: Pal PK, Kamble SS, Chaurasia RR, Chaurasia VR, Tiwari S, Bansal D. Evaluation of dimensional stability and surface quality of type IV gypsum casts retrieved from disinfected elastomeric impression materials. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):77-81.

The still uncertain identity of the channel-forming unit(s) of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

PubMed

Baines, Christopher P; Gutiérrez-Aguilar, Manuel

2018-07-01

Mitochondria from different organisms can undergo a sudden process of inner membrane unselective leakiness to molecules known as the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). This process has been studied for nearly four decades and several proteins have been claimed to constitute, or at least regulate the usually inactive pore responsible for this transition. However, no protein candidate proposed as the actual pore-forming unit has passed rigorous gain- or loss-of-function genetic tests. Here we review evidence for -and against- putative channel-forming components of the MPT pore. We conclude that the structure of the MPT pore still remains largely undefined and suggest that future studies should follow established technical considerations to unambiguously consolidate the channel forming constituent(s) of the MPT pore. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Octachlorodipropyl ether (s-2) mosquito coils are inadequately studied for residential use in Asia and illegal in the United States.

PubMed Central

Krieger, Robert I; Dinoff, Travis M; Zhang, Xiaofei

2003-01-01

Children and their parents in residences are often protected by insecticides from nuisance and disease-bearing mosquitoes. The annual worldwide consumption of the four major types of residential insecticide products--aerosols, mosquito coils, liquid vaporizers, and vaporizing mats--is in the billions of units. Mosquito coils are burned indoors and outdoors in East Asia and to a limited extent in other parts of the world, including the United States. Coils consist of an insecticide/repellant, organic fillers capable of burning with smoldering, binder, and additives such as synergists, dyes, and fungicide. The number of coil users in China is in the millions. In Indonesia alone, an estimated seven billion coils are purchased annually. Coils containing pyrethroid insecticides, particularly d-allethrin, may contain octachlorodipropyl ether (S-2, S-421) as a synergist or active ingredient. Use of those coils likely exposes children and adults to some level of bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME). BCME is formed from formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride, combustion products formed from the slow smoldering (about 8 hr/coil) of the mosquito coils. Because BCME is an extremely potent lung carcinogen, the nature and extent of prolonged exposures that recur in homes during the mosquito season in tropical regions must be evaluated with respect to health. In a small analytical study, coils purchased in Indonesia and in the United States contained highly variable amounts of S-2. Some coils that contained S-2 were not labeled, making it impossible for consumers to make an informed decision about coil contents. Mosquito coils containing S-2 are unregistered, and their use is illegal in the United States. Indoor air monitoring under conditions that represent conditions of use in tropical settings and epidemiology to assess health impacts of coil use are essential to permit responsible regulatory decisions regarding continuing S-2 use. PMID:12948880

Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ), Generic version (Short Form 2006).

PubMed

Deilkås, Ellen T; Hofoss, Dag

2008-09-22

How to protect patients from harm is a question of universal interest. Measuring and improving safety culture in care giving units is an important strategy for promoting a safe environment for patients. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is the only instrument that measures safety culture in a way which correlates with patient outcome. We have translated the SAQ to Norwegian and validated the translated version. The psychometric properties of the translated questionnaire are presented in this article. The questionnaire was translated with the back translation technique and tested in 47 clinical units in a Norwegian university hospital. SAQ's (the Generic version (Short Form 2006) the version with the two sets of questions on perceptions of management: on unit management and on hospital management) were distributed to 1911 frontline staff. 762 were distributed during unit meetings and 1149 through the postal system. Cronbach alphas, item-to-own correlations, and test-retest correlations were calculated, and response distribution analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed, as well as early validity tests. 1306 staff members completed and returned the questionnaire: a response rate of 68%. Questionnaire acceptability was good. The reliability measures were acceptable. The factor structure of the responses was tested by confirmatory factor analysis. 36 items were ascribed to seven underlying factors: Teamwork Climate, Safety Climate, Stress Recognition, Perceptions of Hospital Management, Perceptions of Unit Management, Working conditions, and Job satisfaction. Goodness-of-Fit Indices showed reasonable, but not indisputable, model fit. External validity indicators - recognizability of results, correlations with "trigger tool"-identified adverse events, with patient satisfaction with hospitalization, patient reports of possible maltreatment, and patient evaluation of organization of hospital work - provided preliminary validation. Based on the data from Akershus University Hospital, we conclude that the Norwegian translation of the SAQ showed satisfactory internal psychometric properties. With data from one hospital only, we cannot draw strong conclusions on its external validity. Further validation studies linking the SAQ-scores to patient outcome data should be performed.

Acoustic backscattering and radiation force on a rigid elliptical cylinder in plane progressive waves.

PubMed

Mitri, F G

2016-03-01

This work proposes a formal analytical theory using the partial-wave series expansion (PWSE) method in cylindrical coordinates, to calculate the acoustic backscattering form function as well as the radiation force-per-length on an infinitely long elliptical (non-circular) cylinder in plane progressive waves. The major (or minor) semi-axis of the ellipse coincides with the direction of the incident waves. The scattering coefficients for the rigid elliptical cylinder are determined by imposing the Neumann boundary condition for an immovable surface and solving a resulting system of linear equations by matrix inversion. The present method, which utilizes standard cylindrical (Bessel and Hankel) wave functions, presents an advantage over the solution for the scattering that is ordinarily expressed in a basis of elliptical Mathieu functions (which are generally non-orthogonal). Furthermore, an integral equation showing the direct connection of the radiation force function with the square of the scattering form function in the far-field from the scatterer (applicable for plane waves only), is noted and discussed. An important application of this integral equation is the adequate evaluation of the radiation force function from a bistatic measurement (i.e., in the polar plane) of the far-field scattering from any 2D object of arbitrary shape. Numerical predictions are evaluated for the acoustic backscattering form function and the radiation force function, which is the radiation force per unit length, per characteristic energy density, and per unit cross-sectional surface of the ellipse, with particular emphasis on the aspect ratio a/b, where a and b are the semi-axes, as well as the dimensionless size parameter kb, without the restriction to a particular range of frequencies. The results are particularly relevant in acoustic levitation, acousto-fluidics and particle dynamics applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Secondary Waste Form Down-Selection Data Package—Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming Waste Form

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

Qafoku, Nikolla; Westsik, Joseph H.; Strachan, Denis M.

2011-09-12

The Hanford Site in southeast Washington State has 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemically hazardous wastes stored in 177 underground tanks (ORP 2010). The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection (ORP), through its contractors, is constructing the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) to convert the radioactive and hazardous wastes into stable glass waste forms for disposal. Within the WTP, the pretreatment facility will receive the retrieved waste from the tank farms and separate it into two treated process streams. These waste streams will be vitrified, and the resulting waste canisters will be sentmore » to offsite (high-level waste [HLW]) and onsite (immobilized low-activity waste [ILAW]) repositories. As part of the pretreatment and ILAW processing, liquid secondary wastes will be generated that will be transferred to the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) on the Hanford Site for further treatment. These liquid secondary wastes will be converted to stable solid waste forms that will be disposed of in the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF). To support the selection of a waste form for the liquid secondary wastes from WTP, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) has initiated secondary waste form testing work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). In anticipation of a down-selection process for a waste form for the Solidification Treatment Unit to be added to the ETF, PNNL is developing data packages to support that down-selection. The objective of the data packages is to identify, evaluate, and summarize the existing information on the four waste forms being considered for stabilizing and solidifying the liquid secondary wastes. At the Hanford Site, the FBSR process is being evaluated as a supplemental technology for treating and immobilizing Hanford LAW radioactive tank waste and for treating secondary wastes from the WTP pretreatment and LAW vitrification processes.« less

Characterization of coke, or carbonaceous matter, formed on CoMo catalysts used in hydrodesulfurization unit in oil refinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimura, Nobuharu; Iwanami, Yoshimu; Koide, Ryutaro; Kudo, Reiko

2017-06-01

When a mixture of light gas oil (LGO) and light cycle oil is fed into an oil refinery’s hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit to produce diesel fuel, the catalyst in the HDS unit is rapidly deactivated. By contrast, when the feed is LGO mixed with residue desulfurization gas oil, the catalyst is deactivated slowly. Hoping to understand why, the authors focused on the coke formed on the catalysts during the HDS reaction. The result of a comprehensive analysis of the coke suggested that the ways coke formed and grew on the catalysts may differ depending on the feeds used, which in turn could affect the deactivation behaviors of the catalysts.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the PROMIS Pediatric Life Satisfaction item banks, child-report, and parent-proxy editions.

PubMed

Forrest, Christopher B; Devine, Janine; Bevans, Katherine B; Becker, Brandon D; Carle, Adam C; Teneralli, Rachel E; Moon, JeanHee; Tucker, Carole A; Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike

2018-01-01

To describe the psychometric evaluation and item response theory calibration of the PROMIS Pediatric Life Satisfaction item banks, child-report, and parent-proxy editions. A pool of 55 life satisfaction items was administered to 1992 children 8-17 years old and 964 parents of children 5-17 years old. Analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability, factor analysis, differential item functioning, and assessment of construct validity. Thirteen items were deleted because of poor psychometric performance. An 8-item short form was administered to a national sample of 996 children 8-17 years old, and 1294 parents of children 5-17 years old. The combined sample (2988 children and 2258 parents) was used in item response theory (IRT) calibration analyses. The final item banks were unidimensional, the items were locally independent, and the items were free from impactful differential item functioning. The 8-item and 4-item short form scales showed excellent reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Life satisfaction decreased with declining socio-economic status, presence of a special health care need, and increasing age for girls, but not boys. After IRT calibration, we found that 4- and 8-item short forms had a high degree of precision (reliability) across a wide range (>4 SD units) of the latent variable. The PROMIS Pediatric Life Satisfaction item banks and their short forms provide efficient, precise, and valid assessments of life satisfaction in children and youth.

Crystallization and initial X-ray diffraction studies of scaffolding protein (gp7) of bacteriophage ϕ29

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

Badasso, Mohammed O., E-mail: badas001@umn.edu; Anderson, Dwight L.; Department of Oral Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

2005-04-01

ϕ29 bacteriophage scaffolding protein (gp7) has been overproduced in E. coli, purified, crystallized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Two distinct crystal forms were obtained and a diffraction data set was collected to 1.8 Å resolution. The Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage ϕ29 scaffolding protein (gp7) has been crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 293 K. Two new distinct crystal forms that both differed from a previously crystallized and solved scaffolding protein were grown under the same conditions. Form I belongs to the primitive tetragonal space group P4{sub 1}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 77.13, c = 37.12 Å.more » Form II crystals exhibit an orthorhombic crystal form, with space group C222 and unit-cell parameters a = 107.50, b = 107. 80, c = 37.34 Å. Complete data sets have been collected to 1.78 and 1.80 Å for forms I and II, respectively, at 100 K using Cu Kα X-rays from a rotating-anode generator. Calculation of a V{sub M} value of 2.46 Å{sup 3} Da{sup −1} for form I suggests the presence of one molecule in the asymmetric unit, corresponding to a solvent content of 50.90%, whereas form II has a V{sub M} of 4.80 Å{sup 3} Da{sup −1} with a solvent content of 48.76% and two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structures of both crystal forms are being determined by the molecular-replacement method using the coordinates of the published crystal structure of gp7.« less

32 CFR 751.10 - Form of claim.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Claims Against the United States § 751.10 Form of claim. The claim should be submitted on DD Form 1842 (Claim for Personal Property) accompanied by DD Form 1844 (List of Property). If DD Forms 1842 and 1844 1...

The Changing Nature of Teaching and Unit Evaluations in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shah, Mahsood; Nair, Chenicheri Sid

2012-01-01

Purpose: Teaching and unit evaluations surveys are used to assess the quality of teaching and the quality of the unit of study. An analysis of teaching and unit evaluation survey practices in Australian universities suggests significant changes. One key change discussed in the paper is the shift from voluntary to mandatory use of surveys with the…

Managed access technology to combat contraband cell phones in prison: Findings from a process evaluation.

PubMed

Grommon, Eric

2018-02-01

Cell phones in correctional facilities have emerged as one of the most pervasive forms of modern contraband. This issue has been identified as a top priority for many correctional administrators in the United States. Managed access, a technology that utilizes cellular signals to capture transmissions from contraband phones, has received notable attention as a promising tool to combat this problem. However, this technology has received little evaluative attention. The present study offers a foundational process evaluation and draws upon output measures and stakeholder interviews to identify salient operational challenges and subsequent lessons learned about implementing and maintaining a managed access system. Findings suggest that while managed access captures large volumes of contraband cellular transmissions, the technology requires significant implementation planning, personnel support, and complex partnerships with commercial cellular carriers. Lessons learned provide guidance for practitioners to navigate these challenges and for scholars to improve future evaluations of managed access. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Construction and realization of real world integrated data warehouse from HIS on re-evaluation of post-maketing traditional Chinese medicine].

PubMed

Zhuang, Yan; Xie, Bangtie; Weng, Shengxin; Xie, Yanming

2011-10-01

To construct real world integrated data warehouse on re-evaluation of post-marketing traditional Chinese medicine for the research on key techniques of clinic re-evaluation which mainly includes indication of traditional Chinese medicine, dosage usage, course of treatment, unit medication, combined disease and adverse reaction, which provides data for reviewed research on its safety,availability and economy,and provides foundation for perspective research. The integrated data warehouse extracts and integrate data from HIS by information collection system and data warehouse technique and forms standard structure and data. The further research is on process based on the data. A data warehouse and several sub data warehouses were built, which focused on patients' main records, doctor orders, diseases diagnoses, laboratory results and economic indications in hospital. These data warehouses can provide research data for re-evaluation of post-marketing traditional Chinese medicine, and it has clinical value. Besides, it points out the direction for further research.

Performance study of a data flow architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, George

1985-01-01

Teams of scientists studied data flow concepts, static data flow machine architecture, and the VAL language. Each team mapped its application onto the machine and coded it in VAL. The principal findings of the study were: (1) Five of the seven applications used the full power of the target machine. The galactic simulation and multigrid fluid flow teams found that a significantly smaller version of the machine (16 processing elements) would suffice. (2) A number of machine design parameters including processing element (PE) function unit numbers, array memory size and bandwidth, and routing network capability were found to be crucial for optimal machine performance. (3) The study participants readily acquired VAL programming skills. (4) Participants learned that application-based performance evaluation is a sound method of evaluating new computer architectures, even those that are not fully specified. During the course of the study, participants developed models for using computers to solve numerical problems and for evaluating new architectures. These models form the bases for future evaluation studies.

Occurrence and Distribution of Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) Indicators in Non-Perennial Streams in the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region of the United States

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

1 Common hydrogeomorphic units that form in stream systems in response to spatially and temporally varying hydrologic and geomorphic processes... geomorphic , and vegetative indica- tors for use in OHWM delineations in arid streams and categorized their typical landscape positions with respect...the presence of a bed and banks. Hydrogeomorphic units are distinct macro- scale geomorphic features formed within stream systems in response to

Female Participation in Formed Police Units: A Report on the Integration of Women in Formed Police Units of Peacekeeping Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

the preservation of evidence or due process in mind. In contrast, police operations accept significant tacti- cal restraints military units...generally do not in order to assure due process and preserve evidence. A police action, such as an arrest, that involves maneuver and/or weapons is only...and the unique role they can play in the peace process . Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, 9 holds a promise to women across the globe that their

Music. Grade 13. Curriculum S.16.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ontario Dept. of Education, Toronto.

GRADES OR AGES: Grade 13. SUBJECT MATTER: Music. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The central portion of the guide is divided into six units: voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and theory and form. Each unit is in list form. The guide is offset printed and staple-bound with a paper cover. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES: A list of…

40 CFR 63.7575 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... Liquid fossil fuel means petroleum, distillate oil, residual oil and any form of liquid fuel derived from... primary purpose of recovering thermal energy in the form of steam or hot water. Waste heat boilers are... unit means a fossil fuel-fired combustion unit of more than 25 megawatts that serves a generator that...

40 CFR 63.7575 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... Liquid fossil fuel means petroleum, distillate oil, residual oil and any form of liquid fuel derived from... primary purpose of recovering thermal energy in the form of steam or hot water. Waste heat boilers are... unit means a fossil fuel-fired combustion unit of more than 25 megawatts that serves a generator that...

40 CFR 63.7575 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... Liquid fossil fuel means petroleum, distillate oil, residual oil and any form of liquid fuel derived from... primary purpose of recovering thermal energy in the form of steam or hot water. Waste heat boilers are... unit means a fossil fuel-fired combustion unit of more than 25 megawatts that serves a generator that...

24 CFR 3280.802 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... panelboard means a single panel or a group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a single panel... control of light, heat, or power circuits of small individual as well as aggregate capacity; designed to...) Panelboard means a single panel or group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a single panel...

75 FR 39950 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-13

... Request; Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms and Customer Satisfaction Surveys (NCI... of customer satisfaction for clinical site staff using the CTSU Help Desk and the CTSU web site. An ongoing user satisfaction survey is in place for the Oncology Patient Enrollment Network (OPEN). User...

Psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Relationship Inventory-Short Form for active duty female service members.

PubMed

Nayback-Beebe, Ann M; Yoder, Linda H

2011-06-01

The Interpersonal Relationship Inventory-Short Form (IPRI-SF) has demonstrated psychometric consistency across several demographic and clinical populations; however, it has not been psychometrically tested in a military population. The purpose of this study was to psychometrically evaluate the reliability and component structure of the IPRI-SF in active duty United States Army female service members (FSMs). The reliability estimates were .93 for the social support subscale and .91 for the conflict subscale. Principal component analysis demonstrated an obliquely rotated three-component solution that accounted for 58.9% of the variance. The results of this study support the reliability and validity of the IPRI-SF for use in FSMs; however, a three-factor structure emerged in this sample of FSMs post-deployment that represents "cultural context." Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dynamics of aluminum speciation in forest-well drainage waters from the Rhode River watershed, Maryland.

PubMed

Bi, S P; An, S Q; Yang, M; Chen, T

2001-05-01

This paper reports an investigation of the dynamics of aluminum (Al) speciation in the forest-well waters from study site 110 of the Rhode River watershed, a representative sub-unit of Chesapeake Bay. Seasonal changes of Al speciation are evaluated by a modified MINEQL computer model using chemical equilibrium calculation. It was found that Al-F and Al-Org complexes were the dominate forms, whereas toxic forms of Al3+ and Al-OH were not significant. This indicates that Al toxicity is not very serious in the Rhode River area due to the high concentrations of fluoride and organic materials, even though sometimes pH is very low (approximately 4). Increased H+ or some other associated factors may be responsible for the decline in fish and amphibian population on the watershed.

Radionuclide Retention Mechanisms in Secondary Waste-Form Testing: Phase II

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

Um, Wooyong; Valenta, Michelle M.; Chung, Chul-Woo

2011-09-26

This report describes the results from laboratory tests performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) to evaluate candidate stabilization technologies that have the potential to successfully treat liquid secondary waste stream effluents produced by the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). WRPS is considering the design and construction of a Solidification Treatment Unit (STU) for the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) at Hanford. The ETF, a multi-waste, treatment-and-storage unit that has been permitted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), can accept dangerous, low-level, and mixed wastewaters for treatment. The STU needsmore » to be operational by 2018 to receive secondary liquid waste generated during operation of the WTP. The STU will provide the additional capacity needed for ETF to process the increased volume of secondary waste expected to be produced by WTP. This report on radionuclide retention mechanisms describes the testing and characterization results that improve understanding of radionuclide retention mechanisms, especially for pertechnetate, {sup 99}TcO{sub 4}{sup -} in four different waste forms: Cast Stone, DuraLith alkali aluminosilicate geopolymer, encapsulated fluidized bed steam reforming (FBSR) product, and Ceramicrete phosphate bonded ceramic. These data and results will be used to fill existing data gaps on the candidate technologies to support a decision-making process that will identify a subset of the candidate waste forms that are most promising and should undergo further performance testing.« less

Development and evaluation of new multiple-unit levodopa sustained-release floating dosage forms.

PubMed

Goole, J; Vanderbist, F; Amighi, K

2007-04-04

This work relates to the development and the in vitro evaluation of sustained-release minitablets (MT), prepared by melt granulation and subsequent compression, which are designed to float over an extended period of time. Levodopa was used as a model drug. The importance of the composition and manufacturing parameters of the MT on their floating and dissolution properties was then examined. The investigation showed that MT composition and MT diameter had the greatest influence on drug release, which was sustained for more than 8h. By using the same formulation, the best floating properties were obtained with 3mm MT prepared at low compression forces ranging between 50 and 100N. Their resultant-weight (RW) values were always higher than those obtained with a marketed HBS dosage form within 13h. When they were filled into gelatin capsules, no sticking was observed. By evaluating the dissolution profiles of levodopa at different pH values, it was found that dissolution profiles depend more on the prolonged-release ability of Methocel K15M than on the pH-dependent solubility of levodopa. Finally, the robustness of the floating MT was assessed by testing the drug release variability in function of the stirring conditions during dissolution tests.

Optical apparatus for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors

DOEpatents

Butler, Michael A.; Ricco, Antonio J.; Sinclair, Michael B.; Senturia, Stephen D.

1999-01-01

Optical apparatus for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors. The optical apparatus comprises one or more diffractive optical elements formed on a substrate for receiving light from a source and processing the incident light. The optical apparatus includes an addressing element for alternately addressing each diffractive optical element thereof to produce for one unit of time a first correlation with the incident light, and to produce for a different unit of time a second correlation with the incident light that is different from the first correlation. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the optical apparatus is in the form of a correlation spectrometer; and in other embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of an optical processor. In some embodiments, the optical apparatus comprises a plurality of diffractive optical elements on a common substrate for forming first and second gratings that alternately intercept the incident light for different units of time. In other embodiments, the optical apparatus includes an electrically-programmable diffraction grating that may be alternately switched between a plurality of grating states thereof for processing the incident light. The optical apparatus may be formed, at least in part, by a micromachining process.

Optical apparatus for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors

DOEpatents

Butler, M.A.; Ricco, A.J.; Sinclair, M.B.; Senturia, S.D.

1999-05-18

Optical apparatus is disclosed for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors. The optical apparatus comprises one or more diffractive optical elements formed on a substrate for receiving light from a source and processing the incident light. The optical apparatus includes an addressing element for alternately addressing each diffractive optical element thereof to produce for one unit of time a first correlation with the incident light, and to produce for a different unit of time a second correlation with the incident light that is different from the first correlation. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the optical apparatus is in the form of a correlation spectrometer; and in other embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of an optical processor. In some embodiments, the optical apparatus comprises a plurality of diffractive optical elements on a common substrate for forming first and second gratings that alternately intercept the incident light for different units of time. In other embodiments, the optical apparatus includes an electrically-programmable diffraction grating that may be alternately switched between a plurality of grating states thereof for processing the incident light. The optical apparatus may be formed, at least in part, by a micromachining process. 24 figs.

Extruder system and method for treatment of a gaseous medium

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

Silvi, Norberto; Perry, Robert James; Singh, Surinder Prabhjot

A system for treatment of a gaseous medium, comprises an extruder having a barrel. The extruder further comprises a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and a plurality of outlet ports coupled to the barrel. The first inlet port is configured for feeding a lean sorbent, the second inlet port is configured for feeding a gaseous medium, and the plurality of outlet ports are configured for releasing a plurality of components removed from the gaseous medium. Further, the extruder comprises a plurality of helical elements coupled to a plurality of kneading elements, mounted on a shaft, and disposed withinmore » the barrel. The barrel and the plurality of helical and kneading elements together form an absorption unit and a desorption unit. The first and second inlet ports are formed in the absorption unit and the plurality of outlet ports are formed in the absorption and desorption units.« less

L-serine picrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharov, B. A.; Ghazaryan, V. V.; Boldyreva, E. V.; Petrosyan, A. M.

2015-11-01

Two crystalline salts have been obtained from the system L-serine - picric acid - H2O: L-serinium picrate monohydrate (I) and tris(L-serine) bis(L-serinium) dipicrate trihydrate (II). The salt (I) crystallizes in monoclinic system (space group P21, Z = 4). Asymmetric unit of (I) contains two formula units. Carboxyl groups of both L-serinium cations form hydrogen bonds with picrate anions with O···O distances: 2.595 (6) Å and 2.638 (5) Å. The salt (II) crystallizes in orthorhombic system (space group P212121, Z = 4). Asymmetric unit of (II) contains one formula unit. Carboxyl groups of both L-serinium cations form short O-H···O hydrogen bonds with two of three zwitterionic moieties, forming two dimeric (L-serine L-serinium) cations with O···O distances: 2.485 (3) Å and 2.487 (3) Å. The infrared and Raman spectra of obtained salts are recorded and discussed.

Pricing unit-linked insurance with guaranteed benefit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, M.; Novkaniza, F.; Novita, M.

2017-07-01

Unit-linked insurance is an investment-linked insurance, that is, the given benefit is the premium investment out-come. Recently, the most widely marketed insurance in the industry is unit-linked insurance with guaranteed benefit. With guaranteed benefit applied, the insurance benefits form is similar to the payoff form of European call option. Thereby, pricing European call option is involved in pricing unit-linked insurance with guaranteed benefit. The dynamics of investment outcome is assumed to follow stochastic interest rate. Hence, change of measure methods is used in pricing unit-linked insurance. The discount factor with stochastic interest rate needs to be modified as well to be zero coupon bond price. Eventually, the insurance premium is calculated by equivalence principle with guaranteed benefit and insurance period explicitly given.

Recent advances in the hydrostratigraphy of paleozoic bedrock in the midwestern united states

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradbury, K.R.; Runkel, Anthony C.

2011-01-01

Recent hydrostratigraphic researches have made it possible to acquire knowledge about the relatively undeformed Paleozoic bedrock that forms the most widely used aquifers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ongoing evaluation of the Cambrian Eau Claire Formation in southern Wisconsin has caused the formation to be considered a major regional aquitard. Subsurface logs indicate that its thickness ranges from absent to <75 m, and parts of the formation yield significant amounts of water to wells. A key part of modern aquitard hydrogeology is the integration of multi-level hydraulic head measurements into hydrostratigraphic analysis. In south-central Wisconsin, regional groundwater withdrawals from the confined Mount Simon aquifer have created a regional cone of depression. Regional groundwater modeling has demonstrated that this relatively thin unit exerts a major control on regional groundwater flow in the ??300-m-thick bedrock aquifer system and that it is critical in protecting deep wells from contamination.

Oral syringe use survey.

PubMed

Baldwin, J N; Wedemeyer, H F

1980-09-01

Use of oral syringes at children's and ASHP-accredited residency hospitals in the United States was surveyed. Questionnaires were mailed to 131 hospitals; 117 (89.3%) were returned. Of the responding hospitals, 54.5% of children's hospitals and 67.1% of residency hospitals used oral syringes. There was no definite preference for a particular brand or type (glass vs. plastic) of syringe. Patients who often required liquid dosage forms, including pediatric and geriatric patients and patients with nasogastric tubes, were most frequently included in oral syringe distribution systems. Twenty-six of the 73 hospitals utilizing oral syringes used them for most unit dose liquids in all drug distribution systems. The remainder reported use for specific medications or circumstances. Expiration dating policies varied from 24 hours to one year to the manufacturer's expiration dating. The survey indicates widespread use of oral syringes and identifies a need for evaluation of medication stability in these devices.

A wearable biofeedback control system based body area network for freestyle swimming.

PubMed

Rui Li; Zibo Cai; WeeSit Lee; Lai, Daniel T H

2016-08-01

Wearable posture measurement units are capable of enabling real-time performance evaluation and providing feedback to end users. This paper presents a wearable feedback prototype designed for freestyle swimming with focus on trunk rotation measurement. The system consists of a nine-degree-of-freedom inertial sensor, which is built in a central data collection and processing unit, and two vibration motors for delivering real-time feedback. Theses devices form a fundamental body area network (BAN). In the experiment setup, four recreational swimmers were asked to do two sets of 4 x 25m freestyle swimming without and with feedback provided respectively. Results showed that real-time biofeedback mechanism improves swimmers kinematic performance by an average of 4.5% reduction in session time. Swimmers can gradually adapt to feedback signals, and the biofeedback control system can be employed in swimmers daily training for fitness maintenance.

Feasibility and attractiveness of indication value-based pricing in key EU countries.

PubMed

Flume, Mathias; Bardou, Marc; Capri, Stefano; Sola-Morales, Oriol; Cunningham, David; Levin, Lars-Ake; Touchot, Nicolas

2016-01-01

Indication value-based pricing (IBP) has been proposed in the United States as a tool to capture the differential value of drugs across indications or patient groups and is in the early phases of implementation. In Europe, no major country has experimented with IBP or is seriously discussing its use. We assessed how the reimbursement and pricing environment allows for IBP in seven European countries, evaluating both incentives and hurdles. In price setting countries such as France and Germany, the Health Technology Assessment and pricing process already accounts for differences of value across indications. In countries where differential value drives coverage decisions such as the United Kingdom and Sweden, IBP is likely to be used, at least partially, but not in the short-term. Italy is already achieving some form of differential value through managed entry agreements, whereas in Spain the electronic prescription system provides the infrastructure necessary for IBP but other hurdles exist.

Effects of Plutonium on Soil Microorganisms

PubMed Central

Wildung, Raymond E.; Garland, Thomas R.

1982-01-01

As a first phase in an investigation of the role of the soil microflora in Pu complex formation and solubilization in soil, the effects of Pu concentration, form, and specific activity on microbial types, colony-forming units, and CO2 evolution rate were determined in soils amended with C and N sources to optimize microbial activity. The effects of Pu differed with organism type and incubation time. After 30 days of incubation, aerobic sporeforming and anaerobic bacteria were significantly affected by soil Pu levels as low as 1 μg/g when Pu was added as the hydrolyzable 239Pu(NO3)4 (solubility, <0.1% in soil). Other classes of organisms, except the fungi, were significantly affected at soil Pu levels of 10 μg/g. Fungi were affected only at soil Pu levels of 180 μg/g. Soil CO2 evolution rate and total accumulated CO2 were affected by Pu only at the 180 μg/g level. Because of the possible role of resistant organisms in complex formation, the mechanisms of effects of Pu on the soil fungi were further evaluated. The effect of Pu on soil fungal colony-forming units was a function of Pu solubility in soil and Pu specific activity. When Pu was added in a soluble, complexed form [238Pu2(diethylenetriaminepentaacetate)3], effects occurred at Pu levels of 1 μg/g and persisted for at least 95 days. Toxicity was due primarily to radiation effects rather than to chemical effects, suggesting that, at least in the case of the fungi, formation of Pu complexes would result primarily from ligands associated with normal (in contrast to chemically-induced) biochemical pathways. PMID:16345947

The Appropriateness of Language Found in Research Consent Form Templates: A Computational Linguistic Analysis.

PubMed

Villafranca, Alexander; Kereliuk, Stephanie; Hamlin, Colin; Johnson, Andrea; Jacobsohn, Eric

2017-01-01

To facilitate informed consent, consent forms should use language below the grade eight level. Research Ethics Boards (REBs) provide consent form templates to facilitate this goal. Templates with inappropriate language could promote consent forms that participants find difficult to understand. However, a linguistic analysis of templates is lacking. We reviewed the websites of 124 REBs for their templates. These included English language medical school REBs in Australia/New Zealand (n = 23), Canada (n = 14), South Africa (n = 8), the United Kingdom (n = 34), and a geographically-stratified sample from the United States (n = 45). Template language was analyzed using Coh-Metrix linguistic software (v.3.0, Memphis, USA). We evaluated the proportion of REBs with five key linguistic outcomes at or below grade eight. Additionally, we compared quantitative readability to the REBs' own readability standards. To determine if the template's country of origin or the presence of a local REB readability standard influenced the linguistic variables, we used a MANOVA model. Of the REBs who provided templates, 0/94 (0%, 95% CI = 0-3.9%) provided templates with all linguistic variables at or below the grade eight level. Relaxing the standard to a grade 12 level did not increase this proportion. Further, only 2/22 (9.1%, 95% CI = 2.5-27.8) REBs met their own readability standard. The country of origin (DF = 20, 177.5, F = 1.97, p = 0.01), but not the presence of an REB-specific standard (DF = 5, 84, F = 0.73, p = 0.60), influenced the linguistic variables. Inappropriate language in templates is an international problem. Templates use words that are long, abstract, and unfamiliar. This could undermine the validity of participant informed consent. REBs should set a policy of screening templates with linguistic software.

OSL age and stratigraphy of the Strauss sand sheet in New Mexico, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Stephen A.; Goble, Ronald J.

2015-07-01

The Strauss sand sheet occurs in south-central New Mexico, USA, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico, covering an area of about 4740 km2. Its chronology is determined by 19 OSL ages. The sand sheet formed primarily during three phases of eolian deflation and deposition, each phase with a separate sand source and under different climatic and environmental circumstances. The first phase of eolian sedimentation occurred 45 to 15 ka with the deposition of unit 1. The sand source for the first phase was beach-related features along the eastern shoreline of pluvial Lake Palomas in Mexico. The glacial-age climate was cool, wet, and windy because of the southern path of the jet stream at that time. After 15 ka, with the onset of warmer conditions of the Bølling-Allerød, the shutting down of the Palomas sand source, and wet conditions of the Younger Dryas, the sand sheet stabilized with weak soil development in unit 1. By 11 ka, the climate shifted to Holocene drying conditions and the second phase of sand accumulation began, forming unit 2; the sand source was the local deflation of the previously deposited unit 1 sand. The sand sheet stabilized again by 1.9 ka with slightly wetter late Holocene climate; a weak soil formed in unit 2 sand. About A.D. 1500 and extending to about A.D. 1850 or later, an A horizon formed on the sand sheet, probably in response to a desert grassland vegetation during the period of wet climate of the Little Ice Age. In an anthropogenic third phase of eolian activity, after A.D. 1850, the vegetation was likely disturbed by overgrazing; and the unit 2 and A horizon (unit 3) sands were deflated, resulting in the deposition of a thin layer of massive eolian sand (unit 4) across the sand sheet. By about A.D. 1900 mesquite shrubs had increased in abundance; and deflated sand, largely from unit 2, began to accumulate around the shrubs, forming coppice dunes (unit 5). Mesquite coppice dunes continued to increase in number and volume during the twentieth century and at present dominate most of the sand sheet. This third phase of eolian deflation-deposition is ongoing today.

Secondary Waste Form Screening Test Results—THOR® Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming Product in a Geopolymer Matrix

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

Pires, Richard P.; Westsik, Joseph H.; Serne, R. Jeffrey

2011-07-14

Screening tests are being conducted to evaluate waste forms for immobilizing secondary liquid wastes from the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Plans are underway to add a stabilization treatment unit to the Effluent Treatment Facility to provide the needed capacity for treating these wastes from WTP. The current baseline is to use a Cast Stone cementitious waste form to solidify the wastes. Through a literature survey, DuraLith alkali-aluminosilicate geopolymer, fluidized-bed steam reformation (FBSR) granular product encapsulated in a geopolymer matrix, and a Ceramicrete phosphate-bonded ceramic were identified both as candidate waste forms and alternatives to the baseline.more » These waste forms have been shown to meet waste disposal acceptance criteria, including compressive strength and universal treatment standards for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals (as measured by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure [TCLP]). Thus, these non-cementitious waste forms should also be acceptable for land disposal. Information is needed on all four waste forms with respect to their capability to minimize the release of technetium. Technetium is a radionuclide predicted to be in the secondary liquid wastes in small quantities, but the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF) risk assessment analyses show that technetium, even at low mass, produces the largest contribution to the estimated IDF disposal impacts to groundwater.« less

22 CFR 46.3 - Aliens whose departure is deemed prejudicial to the interests of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... United States or the United Nations for the defense of any other country. (c) Any alien who seeks to... Forces of the United States and who fails to present a Registration Certificate (SSS Form No. 2) showing... defensive operations of the United States or of any nation cooperating with the United States in the...

Antimycobacterial Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extracts Under Intracellular and Hypoxic Conditions.

PubMed

Bhatter, Purva; Gupta, Pooja; Daswani, Poonam; Tetali, Pundarikakshudu; Birdi, Tannaz

2015-01-01

The inhibition of the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the extracts of Andrographis paniculata has been studied using intracellular and axenic hypoxic conditions. The inhibition (confirmed using the gold standard colony forming unit assay) was found to increase with "double stimuli" or higher concentration of the extract. Organic solvent extracts were found to inhibit bacterial growth more than the aqueous extracts under microaerophilic conditions mimicked through axenic and intracellular assays. This could be further explored to evaluate the potential of the plant to be used against nonreplicating/dormant bacilli. © The Author(s) 2014.

Social Acceptance of Wind Energy: Managing and Evaluating Its Market Impacts (Presentation)

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

Baring-Gould, I.

2012-06-01

As with any industrial-scale technology, wind power has impacts. As wind technology deployment becomes more widespread, a defined opposition will form as a result of fear of change and competing energy technologies. As the easy-to-deploy sites are developed, the costs of developing at sites with deployment barriers will increase, therefore increasing the total cost of power. This presentation provides an overview of wind development stakeholders and related stakeholder engagement questions, Energy Department activities that provide wind project deployment information, and the quantification of deployment barriers and costs in the continental United States.

Screening for Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy

PubMed Central

Deshpande, Neha A; Lewis-O’Connor, Annie

2013-01-01

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as an actual or threatened abuse by an intimate partner that may be physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional in nature. Each year approximately 1.5 million women in the United States report some form of sexual or physical assault by an intimate partner; it is estimated that approximately 324,000 women are pregnant when violence occurs. Pregnancy may present a unique opportunity to identify and screen for patients experiencing IPV. This article provides health care practitioners and clinicians with the most current valid assessment and screening tools for evaluating pregnant women for IPV. PMID:24920977

Supersonic aerodynamic characteristics of an advanced F-16 derivative aircraft configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, Mike C.; Forrest, Dana K.

1993-01-01

A supersonic wind tunnel investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel on an advanced derivative configuration of the United States Air Force F-16 fighter. Longitudinal and lateral directional force and moment data were obtained at Mach numbers of 1.60 to 2.16 to evaluate basic performance parameters and control effectiveness. The aerodynamic characteristics for the F-16 derivative model were compared with the data obtained for the F-16C model and also with a previously tested generic wing model that features an identical plan form shape and similar twist distribution.

MO200: a model for evaluation safeguards through material accountability for a 200 tonne per year mixed-oxide fuel-rod fabrication plant

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

Sandborn, R.H.

1976-01-01

M0200, a computer simulation model, was used to investigate the safeguarding of plutonium dioxide. The computer program operating the model was constructed so that replicate runs could provide data for statistical analysis of the distributions of the randomized variables. The plant model was divided into material balance areas associated with definable unit processes. Indicators of plant operations studied were modified end-of-shift material balances, end-of-blend errors formed by closing material balances between blends, and cumulative sums of the differences between actual and expected performances. (auth)

Early Intervention for Preterm Infants and Their Mothers: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Zhang, Xin; Kurtz, Melissa; Lee, Shih-Yu; Liu, Huaping

2014-11-18

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of various early interventions on maternal emotional outcomes, mother-infant interaction, and subsequent infant outcomes during neonatal intensive care unit admission and postdischarge. Key interventions associated with outcomes in both the neonatal intensive care unit and postdischarge (ie, home) settings are summarized. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials involving early interventions for infants and their mother published between 1993 and 2013 in the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Cochrane was undertaken. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale to evaluate internal and external validity of the study. Twelve randomized controlled trials were included in the review, and all used some form of parenting education. The interventions had limited effects on maternal stress and mother-infant interaction and positive effects on maternal anxiety, depressive symptoms, and maternal coping. There were positive effects on infants' short-term outcomes for length of stay and breast-feeding rate. Positive and clinically meaningful effects of early interventions were seen in some physiological/psychological outcomes of mothers and preterm infants. It is important for nurses to foster close mother-infant contact and increase maternal competence during and after the infant's hospitalization period.

No differences in grades or level of satisfaction in a flipped classroom for neuroanatomy.

PubMed

Whillier, Stephney; Lystad, Reidar Petter

2015-10-01

The intensive nature of a 5- or 6-week teaching block poses unique problems for adequate delivery of content. This study was designed to compare the delivery of a unit of undergraduate neuroanatomy in a short summer school period, as a traditionally taught unit, with a rendition given in the form of the "Flipped Classroom." The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the flipped classroom in the intensive mode classroom. The flipped classroom encompassed the same learning outcomes, but students were responsible for covering the content at home in preparation for tutorials that applied their acquired knowledge to higher levels of thinking. The main outcome measures were the final course grades and the level of satisfaction with the course. There were no significant differences between the 2 cohorts in final grades (p = .259), self-rated knowledge (p = .182), or overall satisfaction with the course (p = .892). This particular design of the flipped classroom did not add value to the intensive mode experience. It may be that this mode of delivery is ill suited to intensive classes for subjects that carry a lot of content. The use of the flipped classroom requires further research to fully evaluate its value.

Validation of a proposal for evaluating hospital infection control programs.

PubMed

Silva, Cristiane Pavanello Rodrigues; Lacerda, Rúbia Aparecida

2011-02-01

To validate the construct and discriminant properties of a hospital infection prevention and control program. The program consisted of four indicators: technical-operational structure; operational prevention and control guidelines; epidemiological surveillance system; and prevention and control activities. These indicators, with previously validated content, were applied to 50 healthcare institutions in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the hospitals and indicator scores, and Cronbach's α coefficient was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The discriminant validity was analyzed by comparing indicator scores between groups of hospitals: with versus without quality certification. The construct validity analysis was based on exploratory factor analysis with a tetrachoric correlation matrix. The indicators for the technical-operational structure and epidemiological surveillance presented almost 100% conformity in the whole sample. The indicators for the operational prevention and control guidelines and the prevention and control activities presented internal consistency ranging from 0.67 to 0.80. The discriminant validity of these indicators indicated higher and statistically significant mean conformity scores among the group of institutions with healthcare certification or accreditation processes. In the construct validation, two dimensions were identified for the operational prevention and control guidelines: recommendations for preventing hospital infection and recommendations for standardizing prophylaxis procedures, with good correlation between the analysis units that formed the guidelines. The same was found for the prevention and control activities: interfaces with treatment units and support units were identified. Validation of the measurement properties of the hospital infection prevention and control program indicators made it possible to develop a tool for evaluating these programs in an ethical and scientific manner in order to obtain a quality diagnosis in this field.

Decolonizing Dance Curriculum in Higher Education: One Credit at a Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarthy-Brown, Nyama

2014-01-01

Most dance departments in the United States require rigorous study of traditional Western dance forms. This is common; many developed countries cultivate the art forms that reflect the aesthetics and philosophies of the majority culture in that nation. However, demographics in the United States have changed greatly over the past 50 years, with…

8 CFR 204.310 - Filing requirements for Form I-800A.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Filing requirements for Form I-800A. 204.310 Section 204.310 Aliens and Nationality DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS... evidence that the other spouse, if he or she lives in the United States, is either a non-citizen United...

8 CFR 204.310 - Filing requirements for Form I-800A.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Filing requirements for Form I-800A. 204.310 Section 204.310 Aliens and Nationality DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS... evidence that the other spouse, if he or she lives in the United States, is either a non-citizen United...

8 CFR 204.310 - Filing requirements for Form I-800A.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Filing requirements for Form I-800A. 204.310 Section 204.310 Aliens and Nationality DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS... evidence that the other spouse, if he or she lives in the United States, is either a non-citizen United...

8 CFR 204.310 - Filing requirements for Form I-800A.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Filing requirements for Form I-800A. 204.310 Section 204.310 Aliens and Nationality DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS... evidence that the other spouse, if he or she lives in the United States, is either a non-citizen United...

75 FR 66767 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-29

...; Comment Request; Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms and Customer Satisfaction Surveys (NCI...: CTSU collects annual surveys of customer satisfaction for clinical site staff using the CTSU Help Desk and the CTSU Web site. An ongoing user satisfaction survey is in place for the Oncology Patient...

75 FR 55586 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-13

...; Comment Request Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Public Use Forms and Customer Satisfaction Surveys (NCI... Collection: CTSU collects annual surveys of customer satisfaction for clinical site staff using the CTSU Help Desk and the CTSU Web site. An ongoing user satisfaction survey is in place for the Oncology Patient...

7 CFR 1150.156 - Charges and penalties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... assessment and any late charges to the Secretary in the form of a negotiable instrument made payable to “USDA.” The payment shall be mailed to a location designated by the Secretary or sent in an electronic form... penalty shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil suit brought by the United...

7 CFR 1150.156 - Charges and penalties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... assessment and any late charges to the Secretary in the form of a negotiable instrument made payable to “USDA.” The payment shall be mailed to a location designated by the Secretary or sent in an electronic form... penalty shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil suit brought by the United...

7 CFR 1150.156 - Charges and penalties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... assessment and any late charges to the Secretary in the form of a negotiable instrument made payable to “USDA.” The payment shall be mailed to a location designated by the Secretary or sent in an electronic form... penalty shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil suit brought by the United...

Rapid antibacterial activity of 2 novel hand soaps: evaluation of the risk of development of bacterial resistance to the antibacterial agents.

PubMed

Geraldo, Ingrid M; Gilman, Allan; Shintre, Milind S; Modak, Shanta M

2008-08-01

To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of and risk of organisms developing resistance to 2 novel hand soaps: (1) a soap containing triclosan, polyhexamethylene biguanide, and benzethonium chloride added to a soap base (TPB soap); and (2) a soap containing farnesol, polyhexamethylene biguanide, and benzethonium chloride added to a soap base (FPB soap). Tests also included soaps containing only triclosan. The risk of emergence of resistant bacterial mutants was investigated by determining the susceptibility changes after repeated exposure of bacteria to the drugs and soaps in vitro. The effectiveness of the soaps was evaluated using an in vitro tube dilution method, a volunteer method (the ASTM standard), and 2 pig skin methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of triclosan against Staphylococcus aureus increased 8- to 62.5-fold, whereas those of TPB and FPB (both alone and in soap) were unchanged. In vitro, TPB and FPB soaps produced higher log(10) reductions in colony-forming units of all tested organisms (4.95-8.58) than did soaps containing triclosan alone (0.29-4.86). In the test using the pig skin and volunteer methods, TPB soap produced a higher log(10) reduction in colony-forming units (3.1-3.3) than did the soap containing triclosan alone (2.6-2.8). The results indicate that TPB and FPB soaps may provide superior rapid and broad-spectrum efficacy with a lower risk of organisms developing resistance than do soaps containing triclosan alone. Pig skin methods may be used to predict the efficacy of antibacterial soaps in the rapid disinfection of contaminated hands. Hand washing with TPB and FPB soaps by healthcare workers and the general population may reduce the transmission of pathogens, with a lower risk of promoting the emergence of resistant organisms.

Comparative Evaluation of Oral Candida albicans Carriage in Children with and without Dental Caries: A Microbiological in vivo Study.

PubMed

Srivastava, Binita; Bhatia, Hind Pal; Chaudhary, Visuja; Aggarwal, Archana; Kumar Singh, Ashish; Gupta, Nidhi

2012-05-01

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Candida albicans in extensive carious lesions before and after treatment of the carious lesions and to evaluate the carriage of Candida albicans in children with and without caries. The study was conducted on 60 childrens who were divided into two groups: Experimental group (group 1) and controlled group (group 2). Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups according to the dentition as: Group A (Deciduous), group B (Mixed) and group C (Permanent). Swab samples for mycological studies were collected from the dorsum of the tongue, vestibular sulcus and peak of the palatal vault. All samples were cultured directly on SDA plate (Sabouraud's dextrose agar). Number of Candida colonies was determined by counting colony forming unit on SDA plates. Further identification of Candida albicans was done by germ-tube test and corn-meal agar. Overall prevalence of Candida albicans carriage was significantly higher and mean value of Candida albicans CFU (colony forming unit) was remarkably higher in group 1 (experimental group) as compare to group 2 (control group). Significant reduction in the frequency and mean value of Candida albicans CFU/plate was seen in children after treatment of carious lesions. This study supports the active role of Candida species in dental caries. Hence, Candida albicans may play an important role as a risk factor for dental caries. It was also seen that the oral environment stabilization procedures were able to reduce Candida albicans counts. Thus, these procedures can be considered efficient in the reduction of caries risk. How to cite this article: Srivastava B, Bhatia HP, Chaudhary V, Aggarwal A, Singh AK, Gupta N. Comparative Evaluation of Oral Candida albicans Carriage in Children with and without Dental Caries: A Microbiological in vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(2):108-112.

Environmental monitoring through use of silica-based TLD.

PubMed

Rozaila, Z Siti; Khandaker, M U; Abdul Sani, S F; Sabtu, Siti Norbaini; Amin, Y M; Maah, M J; Bradley, D A

2017-09-25

The sensitivity of a novel silica-based fibre-form thermoluminescence dosimeter was tested off-site of a rare-earths processing plant, investigating the potential for obtaining baseline measurements of naturally occurring radioactive materials. The dosimeter, a Ge-doped collapsed photonic crystal fibre (PCFc) co-doped with B, was calibrated against commercially available thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) (TLD-200 and TLD-100) using a bremsstrahlung (tube-based) x-ray source. Eight sampling sites within 1 to 20 km of the perimeter of the rare-earth facility were identified, the TLDs (silica- as well as TLD-200 and TLD-100) in each case being buried within the soil at fixed depth, allowing measurements to be obtained, in this case for protracted periods of exposure of between two to eight months. The values of the dose were then compared against values projected on the basis of radioactivity measurements of the associated soils, obtained via high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. Accord was found in relative terms between the TL evaluations at each site and the associated spectroscopic results. Thus said, in absolute terms, the TL evaluated doses were typically less than those derived from gamma-ray spectroscopy, by ∼50% in the case of PCFc-Ge. Gamma spectrometry analysis typically provided an upper limit to the projected dose, and the Marinelli beaker contents were formed from sieving to provide a homogenous well-packed medium. However, with the radioactivity per unit mass typically greater for smaller particles, with preferential adsorption on the surface and the surface area per unit volume increasing with decrease in radius, this made for an elevated dose estimate. Prevailing concentrations of key naturally occurring radionuclides in soil, 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K, were also determined, together with radiological dose evaluation. To date, the area under investigation, although including a rare-earth processing facility, gives no cause for concern from radiological impact. The current study reveals the suitability of the optical fibre based micro-dosimeter for all-weather monitoring of low-level environmental radioactivity.

8 CFR 233.4 - Preinspection outside the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Preinspection outside the United States... CONTRACTS WITH TRANSPORTATION LINES § 233.4 Preinspection outside the United States. (a) Form I-425 agreements. A transportation line bringing applicants for admission to the United States through...

8 CFR 233.4 - Preinspection outside the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Preinspection outside the United States... CONTRACTS WITH TRANSPORTATION LINES § 233.4 Preinspection outside the United States. (a) Form I-425 agreements. A transportation line bringing applicants for admission to the United States through...

Mineralogy and stratigraphy of phyllosilicate-bearing and dark mantling units in the greater Mawrth Vallis/west Arabia Terra area: Constraints on geological origin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Noe Dobrea, E.Z.; Bishop, J.L.; McKeown, N.K.; Fu, R.; Rossi, C.M.; Michalski, J.R.; Heinlein, C.; Hanus, V.; Poulet, F.; Mustard, R.J.F.; Murchie, S.; McEwen, A.S.; Swayze, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Malaret, E.; Hash, C.

2010-01-01

Analyses of MRO/CRISM images of the greater Mawrth Vallis region of Mars affirm the presence of two primary phyllosilicate assemblages throughout a region ∼1000 × 1000 km. These two units consist of an Fe/Mg-phyllosilicate assemblage overlain by an Al-phyllosilicate and hydrated silica assemblage. The lower unit contains Fe/Mg-smectites, sometimes combined with one or more of these other Fe/Mg-phyllosilicates: serpentine, chlorite, biotite, and/or vermiculite. It is more than 100 m thick and finely layered at meter scales. The upper unit includes Al-smectite, kaolin group minerals, and hydrated silica. It is tens of meters thick and finely layered as well. A common phyllosilicate stratigraphy and morphology is observed throughout the greater region wherever erosional windows are present. This suggests that the geologic processes forming these units must have occurred on at least a regional scale. Sinuous ridges (interpreted to be inverted channels) and narrow channels cut into the upper clay-bearing unit suggesting that aqueous processes were prevalent after, and possibly during, the deposition of the layered units. We propose that layered units may have been deposited at Mawrth Vallis and then subsequently altered to form the hydrated units. The Fe/Mg-phyllosilicate assemblage is consistent with hydrothermal alteration or pedogenesis of mafic to ultramafic rocks. The Al-phyllosilicate/hydrated silica unit may have formed through alteration of felsic material or via leaching of basaltic material through pedogenic alteration or a mildly acidic environment. These phyllosilicate-bearing units are overlain by a darker, relatively unaltered, and indurated material that has probably experienced a complex geological history.

Effects of exogenous phytase and xylanase, individually or in combination, and pelleting on nutrient digestibility, available energy content of wheat and performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets

PubMed Central

Yang, Y. Y.; Fan, Y. F.; Cao, Y. H.; Guo, P. P.; Dong, B.; Ma, Y. X.

2017-01-01

Objective Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adding exogenous phytase and xylanase, individually or in combination, as well as pelleting on nutrient digestibility, available energy content of wheat and the performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets. Methods In Experiment 1, forty-eight barrows with an initial body weight of 35.9±0.6 kg were randomly assigned to a 2×4 factorial experiment with the main effects being feed form (pellet vs meal) and enzyme supplementation (none, 10,000 U/kg phytase, 4,000 U/kg xylanase or 10,000 U/kg phytase plus 4,000 U/kg xylanase). The basal diet contained 97.8% wheat. Pigs were placed in metabolic cages for a 7-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d total collection of feces and urine. Nutrient digestibility and available energy content were determined. Experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate the effects of pelleting and enzymes on performance of wheat for growing pigs. In this experiment, 180 growing pigs (35.2±9.0 kg BW) were allocated to 1 of 6 treatments according to a 2×3 factorial treatment arrangement with the main effects being feed form (meal vs pellet) and enzyme supplementation (0, 2,500 or 5,000 U/kg xylanase). Results In Experiment 1, there were no interactions between feed form and enzyme supplementation. Pelleting reduced the digestibility of acid detergent fiber (ADF) by 6.4 percentage units (p<0.01), increased the digestibility of energy by 0.6 percentage units (p<0.05), and tended to improve the digestibility of crude protein by 0.5 percentage units (p = 0.07) compared with diets in mash form. The addition of phytase improved the digestibility of phosphorus (p<0.01) and calcium (p<0.01) by 6.9 and 7.6 percentage units respectively compared with control group. Adding xylanase tended to increase the digestibility of crude protein by 1.0 percentage units (p = 0.09) and increased the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p<0.01) compared with control group. Supplementation of the xylanase-phytase combination improved the digestibility of phosphorus (p<0.01) but impaired NDF digestibility (p<0.05) compared with adding xylanase alone. In Experiment 2, adding xylanase increased average daily gain (p<0.01) and linearly improved the feed:gain ratio (p<0.01) compared with control group. Conclusion Pelleting improved energy digestibility but decreased ADF digestibility. Adding xylanase increased crude protein digestibility and pig performance. Phytase increased the apparent total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium. The combination of phytase-xylanase supplementation impaired the effects of xylanase on NDF digestibility. PMID:27004820

Effects of exogenous phytase and xylanase, individually or in combination, and pelleting on nutrient digestibility, available energy content of wheat and performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets.

PubMed

Yang, Y Y; Fan, Y F; Cao, Y H; Guo, P P; Dong, B; Ma, Y X

2017-01-01

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adding exogenous phytase and xylanase, individually or in combination, as well as pelleting on nutrient digestibility, available energy content of wheat and the performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets. In Experiment 1, forty-eight barrows with an initial body weight of 35.9±0.6 kg were randomly assigned to a 2×4 factorial experiment with the main effects being feed form (pellet vs meal) and enzyme supplementation (none, 10,000 U/kg phytase, 4,000 U/kg xylanase or 10,000 U/kg phytase plus 4,000 U/kg xylanase). The basal diet contained 97.8% wheat. Pigs were placed in metabolic cages for a 7-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d total collection of feces and urine. Nutrient digestibility and available energy content were determined. Experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate the effects of pelleting and enzymes on performance of wheat for growing pigs. In this experiment, 180 growing pigs (35.2±9.0 kg BW) were allocated to 1 of 6 treatments according to a 2×3 factorial treatment arrangement with the main effects being feed form (meal vs pellet) and enzyme supplementation (0, 2,500 or 5,000 U/kg xylanase). In Experiment 1, there were no interactions between feed form and enzyme supplementation. Pelleting reduced the digestibility of acid detergent fiber (ADF) by 6.4 percentage units (p<0.01), increased the digestibility of energy by 0.6 percentage units (p<0.05), and tended to improve the digestibility of crude protein by 0.5 percentage units (p = 0.07) compared with diets in mash form. The addition of phytase improved the digestibility of phosphorus (p<0.01) and calcium (p<0.01) by 6.9 and 7.6 percentage units respectively compared with control group. Adding xylanase tended to increase the digestibility of crude protein by 1.0 percentage units (p = 0.09) and increased the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p<0.01) compared with control group. Supplementation of the xylanase-phytase combination improved the digestibility of phosphorus (p<0.01) but impaired NDF digestibility (p<0.05) compared with adding xylanase alone. In Experiment 2, adding xylanase increased average daily gain (p<0.01) and linearly improved the feed:gain ratio (p<0.01) compared with control group. Pelleting improved energy digestibility but decreased ADF digestibility. Adding xylanase increased crude protein digestibility and pig performance. Phytase increased the apparent total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium. The combination of phytase-xylanase supplementation impaired the effects of xylanase on NDF digestibility.

[Effect of cryopreservation on umbilical blood cells and its mechanism].

PubMed

Li, Xin; Chen, Fangping; Jiang, Tiebin; Wang, Erhua; Liu, Jing

2013-07-01

To evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on clonogenic ability and apoptosis rate of mono-nuclear cells and CD34+ cells in umbilical blood (UB), and to choose the index to present the freezing injury and optimize the cryopreservation of UB. The mono-nuclear cells (MNC) and CD34+ cells were separated from UB and frozen.After 30 days, they were thawed in warm water. Clonogenic capacity and clonogenic recovery before and after the cryopreservation was compared. We also used Annexin V-FITC-PI to investigate the apoptosis rate of the cells before and after the cryopreservation of these 2 types of cells. The number of colony forming unit-granulocyte/monocyte (CFU-GMs) was not changed after freezing and thawing in both MNCs and CD34+ cells, while the number of colony forming unit-granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte and megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM) was obviously reduced after freezing in CD34+ cells. The 2 types of cryopreserved cells had certain degree of apoptosis before the cryopreservation. MNC-type cryopreservation increased the cells apoptosis a little, while CD34+-type cryopreservation increased more. The cells have certain degree of apoptosis before the cryopreservation. The freezing and thawing procedure does affect the early stage progenitor cells-CFU-GEMM in the CD34+- type cryopreserved cells in UB. The damage may be induced by the cell apoptosis.

Patterns of Inequality. Unit 3, The Philosophy of Equality and Inequality. Unit 4, Personal Inequality as an Ideological Concept.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hookham, Maurice; Holloway, Clive

Open University course units are presented on the philosophy of equality and inequality (Unit 3) and on personal inequality as an ideological concept (Unit 4). The substance of Unit 3 consists of extracts from the writings of eight philosophers. The role of the philosopher in forming legitimatizing ideologies is also illustrated. The eight…

Packaging and Labeling of Pharmaceutical Products Obtained from the Internet

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background For patients, the prescription container label may be the only source of instructions on how to take their medicines. In the United States, the legal requirements for a prescription label are set by federal law and state statutes. The container should be comparable to that which manufacturers use to package drug products and should preserve a product’s identity, strength, quality, and purity and prevent contamination. Safety features such as a child-resistant closure should be provided. Pharmaceutical products purchased from international online pharmacies are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may not meet US guidelines for labeling and packaging. Objective The study objective was to determine whether commonly purchased pharmaceutical products obtained from international online pharmacies are comparable to products dispensed in the United States with regard to labeling and packaging. Methods During March 2006 through January 2007, 41 pharmaceutical oral dosage form samples were obtained from international Internet pharmacy websites for evaluation: 18 generic simvastatin samples, 18 generic amlodipine samples, and 5 generic sildenafil samples. Contents for each package were observed and recorded and comparison of the prescription labeling and packaging of these products was made with prescription labeling and packaging requirements in the United States. Results Of the 41 drug products obtained from online pharmacies from 12 different countries, only 1 product (from Canada) would meet both labeling and packaging guidelines for products dispensed in the United States. Of those not meeting the requirements, 7 were dispensed in paper envelopes with label affixed that was either handwritten or typed and contained missing information such as name and address of dispenser, name of prescriber, name of patient, and directions for use. Another 3 products did not have a label affixed to the drug product, but information was printed on a paper document enclosed in the shipping package, while 28 products did not have labels affixed to the drug product. In all, 39 of the 41 drug products’ packaging would not meet the US guidelines. Aside from the Canadian product, only 1 product from Mexico was dispensed in a container that would meet guidelines established in the United States. In total, 35 products were not dispensed in plastic vials but were dispensed in unit dose packages, paper envelopes with loose dosage forms, blister packs of drugs held together with rubber bands, or a combination of these packaging forms. Conclusions Results suggest that labeling and packaging standards for international generic drug products are not equivalent to labeling and packaging standards in the United States. This suggests dissimilar and substandard distribution processes compared with those in the United States, which in turn presents a challenge to patient comprehension and health literacy and may affect patient adherence to drug treatment regimens. These findings have strong implications for drug product quality, patient outcomes, therapeutic effectiveness, and safety. PMID:21324833

Packaging and labeling of pharmaceutical products obtained from the internet.

PubMed

Veronin, Michael

2011-02-15

For patients, the prescription container label may be the only source of instructions on how to take their medicines. In the United States, the legal requirements for a prescription label are set by federal law and state statutes. The container should be comparable to that which manufacturers use to package drug products and should preserve a product's identity, strength, quality, and purity and prevent contamination. Safety features such as a child-resistant closure should be provided. Pharmaceutical products purchased from international online pharmacies are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may not meet US guidelines for labeling and packaging. The study objective was to determine whether commonly purchased pharmaceutical products obtained from international online pharmacies are comparable to products dispensed in the United States with regard to labeling and packaging. During March 2006 through January 2007, 41 pharmaceutical oral dosage form samples were obtained from international Internet pharmacy websites for evaluation: 18 generic simvastatin samples, 18 generic amlodipine samples, and 5 generic sildenafil samples. Contents for each package were observed and recorded and comparison of the prescription labeling and packaging of these products was made with prescription labeling and packaging requirements in the United States. Of the 41 drug products obtained from online pharmacies from 12 different countries, only 1 product (from Canada) would meet both labeling and packaging guidelines for products dispensed in the United States. Of those not meeting the requirements, 7 were dispensed in paper envelopes with label affixed that was either handwritten or typed and contained missing information such as name and address of dispenser, name of prescriber, name of patient, and directions for use. Another 3 products did not have a label affixed to the drug product, but information was printed on a paper document enclosed in the shipping package, while 28 products did not have labels affixed to the drug product. In all, 39 of the 41 drug products' packaging would not meet the US guidelines. Aside from the Canadian product, only 1 product from Mexico was dispensed in a container that would meet guidelines established in the United States. In total, 35 products were not dispensed in plastic vials but were dispensed in unit dose packages, paper envelopes with loose dosage forms, blister packs of drugs held together with rubber bands, or a combination of these packaging forms. Results suggest that labeling and packaging standards for international generic drug products are not equivalent to labeling and packaging standards in the United States. This suggests dissimilar and substandard distribution processes compared with those in the United States, which in turn presents a challenge to patient comprehension and health literacy and may affect patient adherence to drug treatment regimens. These findings have strong implications for drug product quality, patient outcomes, therapeutic effectiveness, and safety.

The chiropractic scope of practice in the United States: a cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Chang, Mabel

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of chiropractic practice laws in the United States. This survey is an update and expansion of 3 original surveys conducted in 1987, 1992, and 1998. A cross-sectional survey of licensure officials from the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards e-mail list was conducted in 2011 requesting information about chiropractic practice laws and 97 diagnostic, evaluation, and management procedures. To evaluate content validity, the survey was distributed in draft form at the fall 2010 Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards regional meeting to regulatory board members and feedback was requested. Comments were reviewed and incorporated into the final survey. A duplicate question was imbedded in the survey to test reliability. Partial or complete responses were received from 96% (n = 51) of the jurisdictions in the United States. The states with the highest number of services that could be performed were Missouri (n = 92), New Mexico (n = 91), Kansas (n = 89), Utah (n = 89), Oklahoma (n = 88), Illinois (n = 87), and Alabama (n = 86). The states with the highest number of services that cannot be performed are New Hampshire (n = 49), Hawaii (n = 47), Michigan (n = 42), New Jersey (n = 39), Mississippi (n = 39), and Texas (n = 30). The scope of chiropractic practice in the United States has a high degree of variability. Scope of practice is dynamic, and gray areas are subject to interpretation by ever-changing board members. Although statutes may not address specific procedures, upon challenge, there may be a possibility of sanctions depending on interpretation. Copyright © 2014 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Women's experiences of nurse case management on a gynaecological oncology unit in a Swiss tertiary hospital. A thematic analysis.

PubMed

Grob, Silvia; Bläuer, Cornelia; Frei, Irena Anna

2017-12-01

Women with gynaecological cancer face various physical, social and emotional challenges concerning their health. Existing research shows that case management can improve patient satisfaction and reduce readmission rates. Although nurse case management was introduced on a gynaecological oncology unit in a Swiss university hospital in 2013, little is known about the experiences of female patients on a unit that uses this model of care. The aims were to explore women's experiences and to gain deeper understanding about hospital-based nurse case management on a gynaecological oncology unit and to qualitatively evaluate the concept of nurse case management. Sound research knowledge suggests that experiences are best explored with a qualitative research design. Ten participant interviews were conducted and inductively analysed between September 2014 and May 2015 as described by the thematic analysis method. Ethical approval was obtained, and the women signed a consent form. The first theme was named continuous relationship, with the nurse case manager as contact person and trusted partner. Study participants explained that friendliness and being present were essential qualities of nurse case management. Secondly, an essential support for women dealing with the situation of gynaecological cancer was described in the theme sharing information. The organisation of rehabilitation and other services by the nurse case management defined the third theme coordinating care. Trust was seen as the basis of the continuous relationship, marked by friendliness and presence of the nurse case manager. The helpful approach of persons practicing nurse case management made dealing with the situation of illness easier for women with gynaecological cancer. Coordination of information between the nurse case management and other healthcare services could be improved. Further evaluation is suggested to explore effects of the concept on family members. © 2017 Nordic College of Caring Science.

Evaluation of a modified cleaning procedure in the prevention of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal spread in a burn intensive care unit using a high-sensitivity luminometer.

PubMed

Casini, B; Selvi, C; Cristina, M L; Totaro, M; Costa, A L; Valentini, P; Barnini, S; Baggiani, A; Tagliaferri, E; Privitera, G

2017-01-01

Enhanced environmental cleaning practices are among the most accepted measures for controlling the spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab). To evaluate the impact of heightened cleaning on an ongoing CR-Ab outbreak in a burn intensive care unit (BICU) of an Italian teaching hospital, where chlorhexidine-60% isopropyl alcohol was applied as a complementary disinfectant on high-touch surfaces. Compliance with the microbial limit proposed for the BICU by AFNOR-NF-S90-351 (20 colony-forming units/100cm 2 ) was assessed by plate count, and compared with the results obtained with intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection. Genotyping was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. During the standard cleaning regimen, three out of 23 samples (13%) gave results over the AFNOR limit and five (21.7%) showed unacceptable ATP levels with 100 relative light units/100cm 2 as the benchmark limit (sensibility 86.4%, specificity 92.2%). Following improvement of the cleaning procedure, only two samples out of 50 (4%) did not satisfy the microbiological criteria and seven (14%) exceeded the ATP limit. In a successive phase, eight of 30 samples collected showed unacceptable results (27%). Adding chlorhexidine-60% isopropyl alcohol as complementary disinfectant proved to be effective for reducing environmental microbial contamination, ATP levels and CR-Ab infection/colonization in patients admitted to the BICU. Real-time monitoring by ATP assay was useful for managing the cleaning schedule and reducing hospital infections, although the calculated values must be interpreted as cleanliness indicators rather than risk indicators. Copyright © 2016 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Metrics, The Measure of Your Future: Materials Evaluation Forms.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Troy, Joan B.

Three evaluation forms are contained in this publication by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth Metric Education Project to be used in conjunction with their materials. They are: (1) Field-Test Materials Evaluation Form; (2) Student Materials Evaluation Form; and (3) Composite Materials Evaluation Form. The questions in these forms are phrased so they can…

Effect of the electrostatic surface potential on the oligomerization of full-length human recombinant prion protein at single-molecule level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Bin; Lou, Zhichao; Zhang, Haiqian; Xu, Bingqian

2016-03-01

The electrostatic surface potential (ESP) of prion oligomers has critical influences on the aggregating processes of the prion molecules. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and structural simulation were combined to investigate the molecular basis of the full-length human recombinant prion oligomerization on mica surfaces. The high resolution non-intrusive AFM images showed that the prion oligomers formed different patterns on mica surfaces at different buffer pH values. The basic binding units for the large oligomers were determined to be prion momoners (Ms), dimers (Ds), and trimers (Ts). The forming of the D and T units happened through the binding of hydrophobic β-sheets of the M units. In contrast, the α-helices of these M, D, and T units were the binding areas for the formation of large oligomers. At pH 4.5, the binding units M, D, and T showed clear polarized ESP distributions on the surface domains, while at pH 7.0, they showed more evenly distributed ESPs. Based on the conformations of oligomers observed from AFM images, the D and T units were more abundantly on mica surface at pH 4.5 because the ESP re-distribution of M units helped to stabilize these larger oligomers. The amino acid side chains involved in the binding interfaces were stabilized by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The detailed analysis of the charged side chains at pH 4.5 indicated that the polarized ESPs induced the aggregations among M, D, and T to form larger oligomers. Therefore, the hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions worked together to form the stabilized prion oligomers.

Effect of the electrostatic surface potential on the oligomerization of full-length human recombinant prion protein at single-molecule level

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

Wang, Bin; Xu, Bingqian, E-mail: bxu@engr.uga.edu; Lou, Zhichao

2016-03-21

The electrostatic surface potential (ESP) of prion oligomers has critical influences on the aggregating processes of the prion molecules. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and structural simulation were combined to investigate the molecular basis of the full-length human recombinant prion oligomerization on mica surfaces. The high resolution non-intrusive AFM images showed that the prion oligomers formed different patterns on mica surfaces at different buffer pH values. The basic binding units for the large oligomers were determined to be prion momoners (Ms), dimers (Ds), and trimers (Ts). The forming of the D and T units happened through the binding of hydrophobicmore » β-sheets of the M units. In contrast, the α-helices of these M, D, and T units were the binding areas for the formation of large oligomers. At pH 4.5, the binding units M, D, and T showed clear polarized ESP distributions on the surface domains, while at pH 7.0, they showed more evenly distributed ESPs. Based on the conformations of oligomers observed from AFM images, the D and T units were more abundantly on mica surface at pH 4.5 because the ESP re-distribution of M units helped to stabilize these larger oligomers. The amino acid side chains involved in the binding interfaces were stabilized by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The detailed analysis of the charged side chains at pH 4.5 indicated that the polarized ESPs induced the aggregations among M, D, and T to form larger oligomers. Therefore, the hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions worked together to form the stabilized prion oligomers.« less

Further bacteriological evaluation of the TOUL mobile system delivering ultra-clean air over surgical patients and instruments.

PubMed

Thore, M; Burman, L G

2006-06-01

Two mobile TOUL-400 units (types 1 and 2) that produce an exponential ultra-clean air flow (EUA) via a mobile screen were evaluated (maximum height from floor to centre of screen: type 1, 1.4m; type 2, 1.6m). Bacterial deposition rates were lowered by >60% (P=0.001) over a table area of 1.7 m (length)x1.0m (width) with the TOUL-400 type 1 unit, and the mean air count at 1.0m from the screen was reduced from 23 to 1.6 colony-forming units (CFU)/m3 in experiments in a room with six air changes/h (ACH). The corresponding reductions were two- to three-fold greater in an operating room (OR) with 16 ACH due to higher bacterial contamination levels in the control experiments. The dramatic but localized reduction of the deposition rate recorded on one 14-cm settle plate (>2376-fold at 0.8m from the screen in the OR) apparently reflected the focus of the EUA. The impact of the TOUL-400 unit was underestimated by almost 100-fold by the air counts of bacteria recorded in parallel at the same sampling point (26.5-fold reduction). During sham coronary angiography and sham hip arthroplasty performed in a room with six ACH, ultra-clean air (<10 CFU/m3) was obtained over the incision area with the TOUL-400 type 2 unit when the EUA was undisturbed (maximum screen-wound distance 1.7 m). In actual coronary angiography (room with six ACH, screen-wound distance 2.0-2.3m) and various surgical procedures in the OR (screen-wound distance 1.4-1.8m), ultra-clean air was obtained at the wound in three of 18 instances, characterized by undisturbed air flow and a maximum distance of 1.8 m. The newly developed TOUL-300 surgical instrument table (1.3-1.7 x 0.6m), equipped at one end with the same EUA unit as the TOUL-400 unit, was evaluated for a room with six ACH and an OR with 16 ACH. It yielded ultra-clean air at 0.8m (1.9 CFU/m3, 96% reduction, P=0.01) and reduced the deposition rate by >60% over most of the table surface. Simplified positioning of the screen or a longer reach, plus a mechanism for precise focusing of the air flow on to the wound area would increase the clinical utility of the TOUL EUA system.

7 CFR 1755.510 - Construction and assembly unit drawings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 11 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Construction and assembly unit drawings. 1755.510..., AND STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS § 1755.510 Construction and assembly unit drawings. (a) The construction and assembly unit drawings in this section shall be used by borrowers to assist the installer in...

7 CFR 1755.510 - Construction and assembly unit drawings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 11 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Construction and assembly unit drawings. 1755.510..., AND STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS § 1755.510 Construction and assembly unit drawings. (a) The construction and assembly unit drawings in this section shall be used by borrowers to assist the installer in...

7 CFR 1755.510 - Construction and assembly unit drawings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 11 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Construction and assembly unit drawings. 1755.510..., AND STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS § 1755.510 Construction and assembly unit drawings. (a) The construction and assembly unit drawings in this section shall be used by borrowers to assist the installer in...

A new state evaluation method of oil pump unit based on AHP and FCE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yang; Liang, Wei; Qiu, Zeyang; Zhang, Meng; Lu, Wenqing

2017-05-01

In order to make an accurate state evaluation of oil pump unit, a comprehensive evaluation index should be established. A multi-parameters state evaluation method of oil pump unit is proposed in this paper. The oil pump unit is analyzed by Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), so evaluation index can be obtained based on FMEA conclusions. The weights of different parameters in evaluation index are discussed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with expert experience. According to the evaluation index and the weight of each parameter, the state evaluation is carried out by Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) and the state is divided into five levels depending on status value, which is inspired by human body health. In order to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method, a state evaluation of oil pump used in a pump station is taken as an example.

The Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education (JCTSE) "Educate the Educators" Faculty Development Course: Analysis of the First 5 Years.

PubMed

Yang, Stephen C; Vaporciyan, Ara A; Mark, Rebecca J; DaRosa, Deborah A; Stritter, Frank T; Sullivan, Maura E; Verrier, Edward D

2016-12-01

Since 2010, the Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education, Inc (JCTSE) has sponsored an annual "Educate the Educators" (EtE) course. The goal is to provide United States academic cardiothoracic surgeons (CTS) the fundamentals of teaching skills, educational curriculum development, and using education for academic advancement. This report describes the course development and evaluation along with attendee's self-assessment of skills through the first 5 years of the program. The content of this 2½-day course was based on needs assessment surveys of CTS and residents attending annual meetings in 2009. From 2010 to 2014, EtE was offered to all CTS at training programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Course content was evaluated by using end-of-course evaluation forms. A 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 5 = excellent) was used to obtain composite assessment mean scores for the 5 years on course variables, session presentations, and self-assessments. With 963 known academic CTS in the United States, 156 (16.3%) have attended, representing 70 of 72 training programs (97%), and 1 international surgeon attended. There were also 7 program coordinators. Ratings of core course contents ranged from 4.4 to 4.8, accompanied with highly complementary comments. Through self-assessment, skills and knowledge in all content areas statistically improved significantly. The effect of the course was evaluated with a follow-up survey in which responders rated the program 4.3 on the usefulness of the information for their career and 3.9 for educational productivity. The EtE program offers an excellent opportunity for academic CTS to enhance their teaching skills, develop educational activities, and prepare for academic promotion. With its unique networking and mentorship environment, the EtE program is an important resource in the evolution of cardiothoracic surgical training in the United States. Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison between a clinical diagnosis method and the surveillance technique of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for identification of mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia.

PubMed

Waltrick, Renata; Possamai, Dimitri Sauter; de Aguiar, Fernanda Perito; Dadam, Micheli; de Souza Filho, Valmir João; Ramos, Lucas Rocker; Laurett, Renata da Silva; Fujiwara, Kênia; Caldeira Filho, Milton; Koenig, Álvaro; Westphal, Glauco Adrieno

2015-01-01

>To evaluate the agreement between a new epidemiological surveillance method of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the clinical pulmonary infection score for mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia detection. This was a prospective cohort study that evaluated patients in the intensive care units of two hospitals who were intubated for more than 48 hours between August 2013 and June 2014. Patients were evaluated daily by physical therapist using the clinical pulmonary infection score. A nurse independently applied the new surveillance method proposed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The diagnostic agreement between the methods was evaluated. A clinical pulmonary infection score of ≥ 7 indicated a clinical diagnosis of mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the association of a clinical pulmonary infection score ≥ 7 with an isolated semiquantitative culture consisting of ≥ 104 colony-forming units indicated a definitive diagnosis. Of the 801 patients admitted to the intensive care units, 198 required mechanical ventilation. Of these, 168 were intubated for more than 48 hours. A total of 18 (10.7%) cases of mechanical ventilation-associated infectious conditions were identified, 14 (8.3%) of which exhibited possible or probable mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia, which represented 35% (14/38) of mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia cases. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention method identified cases of mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia with a sensitivity of 0.37, specificity of 1.0, positive predictive value of 1.0, and negative predictive value of 0.84. The differences resulted in discrepancies in the mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence density (CDC, 5.2/1000 days of mechanical ventilation; clinical pulmonary infection score ≥ 7, 13.1/1000 days of mechanical ventilation). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention method failed to detect mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia cases and may not be satisfactory as a surveillance method.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluations of Asymmetric Bow-Tie PAMAM Dendrimer-Based Conjugates for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Zhang, Yaozhong; Wei, Longfei; Teng, Yuhan G; Honda, Tadashi; Ojima, Iwao

2018-04-30

A unique asymmetric bow-tie poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer (ABTD) scaffold was designed and developed as a well-defined macromolecular carrier for tumor-targeted drug delivery. The ABTD scaffold in this study consists of a G3-half-dendron (G3-HD) unit and a G1-half-dendron (G1-HD) unit, bearing thiol moiety in each unit and a bis(maleimide) linker unit, which undergo sequential thiol-maleimide coupling to assemble the scaffold. This assembly methodology is applicable to all other combinations of different generations of PAMAM dendrimers. In the prototype ABTD in this study, 16 biotin moieties were tethered to the G3-HD unit and 4 payloads (new-generation taxoid) to the G1-HD via a self-immolative linker to form an ABTD-tumor-targeting conjugate (ABTD-TTC-1). Two other ABTD-TTCs were synthesized, wherein the G1-HD unit was tethered to a fluorescence-labeled taxoid or to a fluorescent probe. These three ABTD-TTCs were constructed by using a common key ABTD 6 bearing a terminal acetylene group in the G1-HD unit, which was fully characterized as a single molecule by high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR despite its high molecular weight ( M w : 12 876). Then, the click reaction was employed to couple ABTD 6 with a small-molecule payload or fluorescence probe unit bearing a terminal azide moiety. ABTD-TTC-3, as a surrogate of ABTD-TTC-2, showed substantially enhanced internalization into two cancer cell lines via receptor-mediated endocytosis, attributed to multibinding effect. ABTD-TTC-1 exhibited a remarkable selectivity to cancer cells (1400-7500 times) compared to human normal cells, which demonstrates the salient feature and bright prospect of the ABTD-based tumor-targeted drug-delivery system.

Performance of air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cells systems for wastewater treatment and electricity production.

PubMed

Estrada-Arriaga, Edson Baltazar; Guillen-Alonso, Yvonne; Morales-Morales, Cornelio; García-Sánchez, Liliana; Bahena-Bahena, Erick Obed; Guadarrama-Pérez, Oscar; Loyola-Morales, Félix

2017-07-01

Two different air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cell (MFC) configurations were evaluated under continuous flow during the treatment of municipal wastewater and electricity production at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3, 1, and 0.5 d. Stacked MFC 1 was formed by 20 individual air-cathode MFC units. The second stacked MFC (stacked MFC 2) consisted of 40 air-cathode MFC units placed in a shared reactor. The maximum voltages produced at closed circuit (1,000 Ω) were 170 mV for stacked MFC 1 and 94 mV for stacked MFC 2. Different power densities in each MFC unit were obtained due to a potential drop phenomenon and to a change in chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations inside reactors. The maximum power densities from individual MFC units were up to 1,107 mW/m 2 for stacked MFC 1 and up to 472 mW/m 2 for stacked MFC 2. The maximum power densities in stacked MFC 1 and MFC 2 connected in series were 79 mW/m 2 and 4 mW/m 2 , respectively. Electricity generation and COD removal efficiencies were reduced when the HRT was decreased. High removal efficiencies of 84% of COD, 47% of total nitrogen, and 30% of total phosphorus were obtained during municipal wastewater treatment.

My cup runneth over: young people's lack of knowledge of low-risk drinking guidelines.

PubMed

de Visser, Richard O; Birch, Julian D

2012-03-01

If young people are to consume alcohol in accordance with government guidelines, they must possess the relevant knowledge and skills. No previous research has examined correlations between different forms of knowledge of alcohol guidelines or how they are related to personality variables and beliefs. Two samples were recruited in South-East England: 309 secondary school students aged 16-18, and 125 university students aged 18-25. All participants completed a computer-administered survey of knowledge and beliefs. University students also reported their alcohol consumption and completed tasks in which they poured their 'usual' drinks, and what they believed to be 'units' of alcohol. Most respondents lacked the knowledge and skills required to drink in accordance with government guidelines. Participants' usual drinks were substantially larger than one unit, and participants tended to underestimate the unit content of drinks. There was little evidence that possession of accurate knowledge of one aspect of alcohol units and guidelines was related to accurate knowledge in other domains. Many young people may lack the knowledge required to monitor their alcohol consumption or give accurate self-reports in research. Future research should evaluate using a drink-pouring task as part of interventions designed to improve knowledge and skills and encourage moderate consumption of alcohol. © 2011 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.

Effect of peer education on the noise management in Iranian neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Biabanakigoortani, Azam; Namnabati, Mahboobeh; Abdeyazdan, Zahra; Badii, Zohreh

2016-01-01

Advancements in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) science and technology have increased the survival rate of preterm infants. Despite these advances, they are still facing with neurobehavioral problems. Noise level in NICU is a potential source of stress for preterm infants. It should be decreased to the standard level as much as possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of peer education on the performance of staff in noise management in the NICU. A pre-post test quasi-experimental design was used. Fifty-eight staff members (nurses and physicians) participated in this study. Sound pressure levels were measured before and after the intervention. Peer education program formed the intervention. The staff performance in noise management was evaluated before and after the intervention by using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using t-test. The results of the study showed that the mean sound level in different environments significantly decreased after the intervention. It reached from 86.7 to 74.9 dB in the center of unit and from 68.2 to 48.50 dB in the infants' bedside (P < 0.0001). The mean score of the staff performance in noise management significantly increased after the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention score. It increased from 74.6 to 83.4 (P < 0.0001). Peer education was found to be successful in noise management because behavioral changes were done to avoid generating unnecessary noise by the staff.

Descriptive norms for 350 Chinese idioms with seven syntactic structures.

PubMed

Li, Degao; Zhang, Yu; Wang, Xiaolu

2016-12-01

The most important forms of idioms in Chinese, chengyus (CYs), have a fixed length of four Chinese characters. Most CYs are joined structures of two, two-character words-subject-verb units (SVs), verb-object units (VOs), structures of modification (SMs), or verb-verb units-or of four, one-character words. Both the first and second pairs of words in a four-word CY form an SV, a VO, or an SM. In the present study, normative measures were obtained for knowledge, familiarity, subjective frequency, age of acquisition, predictability, literality, and compositionality for 350 CYs, and the influences of the CYs' syntactic structures on the descriptive norms were analyzed. Consistent with previous studies, all of the norms yielded a high reliability, and there were strong correlations between knowledge, familiarity, subjective frequency, and age of acquisition, and between familiarity and predictability. Unlike in previous studies (e.g., Libben & Titone in Memory & Cognition, 36, 1103-1121, 2008), however, we observed a strong correlation between literality and compositionality. In general, the results seem to support a hybrid view of idiom representation and comprehension. According to the evaluation scores, we further concluded that CYs consisting of just one SM are less likely to be decomposable than those with a VOVO composition, and also less likely to be recognized through their constituent words, or to be familiar to, known by, or encountered by users. CYs with an SMSM composition are less likely than VOVO CYs to be decomposable or to be known or encountered by users. Experimental studies should investigate how a CY's syntactic structure influences its representation and comprehension.

7 CFR 51.697 - Well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND OTHER PRODUCTS 1,2 (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States... § 51.697 Well formed. Well formed means that the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety. ...

40 CFR 418.55 - Standards of performance for new sources.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.52 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units... limitations Maximum for any 1 day Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia... all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English...

40 CFR 418.52 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units... limitations Maximum for any 1 day Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia... all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English...

40 CFR 418.55 - Standards of performance for new sources.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.52 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units... limitations Maximum for any 1 day Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia... all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English...

40 CFR 418.52 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units... limitations Maximum for any 1 day Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia... all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English...

40 CFR 418.55 - Standards of performance for new sources.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.52 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units... limitations Maximum for any 1 day Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia... all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English...

40 CFR 418.55 - Standards of performance for new sources.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.55 - Standards of performance for new sources.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

26 CFR 31.3401(a)(8)(A)-1 - Remuneration for services performed outside the United States by citizens of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (ii) If the employer was entitled... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (4) The employer may, in the... to the Foreign Operations District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (IO-673). The...

Social Studies Units: An Idea Becomes Law [and] The State; Forms of Government and Political Systems. English-Vietnamese.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Markatos, John; And Others

Two secondary level social studies units concerning two aspects of American democracy, the legislative function of Congress and the basic forms of government and political systems, are translated into Vietnamese and adapted for intermediate and secondary instructional levels. They had originally been produced in Spanish and English for the federal…

The Entrepreneurial State and Research Universities in the United States: Policy and New State-Based Initiatives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Douglass, John Aubrey

2007-01-01

The convergence of United States federal science and economic policy that began in earnest under the Reagan administration formed the First Stage in an emerging post-Cold War drive toward technological innovation. A frenzy of new state-based initiatives now forms the Second Stage, further promoting universities as decisive tools for economic…

78 FR 44603 - Byron Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, and Braidwood Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2; Exelon...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-24

... rule, the participant must file the document using the NRC's online, Web-based submission form. In... form, including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on the NRC's public Web site... 61010, and near Braidwood at the Fossil Ridge (Braidwood) Public Library, 386 W. Kennedy Road, Braidwood...

8 CFR 499.1 - Prescribed forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... shown or a subsequent edition date. Form No. Edition date Title and description M-288 12-30-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level II. M-289 12-31-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level I. M-290 01-01-90 U.S. Government Structure, Level II. M-291 12-31-87 U.S. Government Structure, Level I. M-302 03...

8 CFR 499.1 - Prescribed forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... shown or a subsequent edition date. Form No. Edition date Title and description M-288 12-30-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level II. M-289 12-31-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level I. M-290 01-01-90 U.S. Government Structure, Level II. M-291 12-31-87 U.S. Government Structure, Level I. M-302 03...

26 CFR 31.3401(a)(8)(A)-1 - Remuneration for services performed outside the United States by citizens of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (ii) If the employer was entitled... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (4) The employer may, in the... to the Foreign Operations District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (IO-673). The...

26 CFR 31.3401(a)(8)(A)-1 - Remuneration for services performed outside the United States by citizens of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (ii) If the employer was entitled... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (4) The employer may, in the... to the Foreign Operations District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (IO-673). The...

26 CFR 31.3401(a)(8)(A)-1 - Remuneration for services performed outside the United States by citizens of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (ii) If the employer was entitled... District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (Form IO-673). (4) The employer may, in the... to the Foreign Operations District, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. 20225 (IO-673). The...

Enhancing Interpretation of Natural Phenomena through a Mathematical Apparatus: A Proposal of an Interactive Unit in Optics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sokolowski, Andrzej

2012-01-01

This paper integrates technology, in the form of a physics simulation; science concepts, via image formation by lenses; and a mathematics apparatus, in the form of rational functions. All constituents merge into an instructional unit that can be embedded into a high school or undergraduate mathematics or physics course. The cognitive purpose of…

Stromatolites of the Mescal Limestone (Apache Group, middle Proterozoic, central Arizona): taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and paleoenvironments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bertrand-Sarfati, J.; Awramik, S. M.

1992-01-01

The 25- to 30-m-thick Algal Member of the Mescal Limestone (middle Proterozoic Apache Group) contains two distinct stromatolitic units: at the base, a 2- to 3-m-thick unit composed of columnar stromatolites and above, a thicker unit of stratiform and pseudocolumnar stromatolites. Columnar forms from the first unit belong to the Group Tungussia, and two new Forms are described: T. mescalita and T. chrysotila. Among the pseudocolumnar stromatolites of the thicker unit, one distinctive new taxon, Apachina henryi, is described. Because of the low stromatolite diversity, the biostratigraphic value of this assemblage is limited. The presence of Tungussia is consistent with the generally accepted isotopic age for the Apache Group of 1200 to 1100 Ma. The Mescal stromatolites do not closely resemble any other known Proterozoic stromatolites in the southwestern United States or northwestern Mexico. Analyses of sedimentary features and stromatolite growth forms suggest deposition on a stable, flat, shallow, subtidal protected platform during phases of Tungussia growth. Current action probably influenced the development of columns, pseudocolumns, and elongate stromatolitic ridges; these conditions alternated with phases of relatively quiet water characterized by nonoriented stromatolitic domes and stratiform stromatolites. Stable conditions favorable for development of the Mescal stromatolites were short-lived and did not permit the development of thick, stromatolite-bearing units such as those characteristic of many Proterozoic sequences elsewhere.

76 FR 37824 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, OMB No...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-28

...; FEMA Form 078-0-2A, National Fire Academy (NFA) Long-Term Evaluation Student/Trainee; FEMA Form 078-0-2... Evaluation Student/Trainee; FEMA Form 078-0-2 (Presently FEMA Form 95-58), NFA Long-Term Evaluation...-term Evaluation Form for Supervisors and National Fire Academy Long-term Evaluation Form for Students...

Characterization of phyllosilicates observed in the central Mawrth Vallis region, Mars, their potential formational processes, and implications for past climate

USGS Publications Warehouse

McKeown, N.K.; Bishop, J.L.; Noe Dobrea, E.Z.; Ehlmann, B.L.; Parente, M.; Mustard, J.F.; Murchie, S.L.; Swayze, G.A.; Bibring, J.-P.; Silver, E.A.

2009-01-01

Mawrth Vallis contains one of the largest exposures of phyllosilicates on Mars. Nontronite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, and hydrated silica have been identified throughout the region using data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM). In addition, saponite has been identified in one observation within a crater. These individual minerals are identified and distinguished by features at 1.38-1.42, ???1.91, and 2.17-2.41 ??m. There are two main phyllosilicate units in the Mawrth Vallis region. The lowermost unit is nontronite bearing, unconformably overlain by an Al-phyllosilicate unit containing montmorillonite plus hydrated silica, with a thin layer of kaolinite plus hydrated silica at the top of the unit. These two units are draped by a spectrally unremarkable capping unit. Smectites generally form in neutral to alkaline environments, while kaolinite and hydrated silica typically form in slightly acidic conditions; thus, the observed phyllosilicates may reflect a change in aqueous chemistry. Spectra retrieved near the boundary between the nontronite and Al-phyllosilicate units exhibit a strong positive slope from 1 to 2 ??m, likely from a ferrous component within the rock. This ferrous component indicates either rapid deposition in an oxidizing environment or reducing conditions. Formation of each of the phyllosilicate minerals identified requires liquid water, thus indicating a regional wet period in the Noachian when these units formed. The two main phyllosilicate units may be extensive layers of altered volcanic ash. Other potential formational processes include sediment deposition into a marine or lacustrine basin or pedogenesis. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Effect of mobile unidirectional air flow unit on microbial contamination of air in standard urologic procedures.

PubMed

Ferretti, Stefania; Pasquarella, Cesira; Fornia, Samanta; Saccani, Elisa; Signorelli, Carlo; Vitali, Pietro; Sansebastiano, Giuliano Ezio

2009-12-01

Infection is one of the most feared complications of surgery. New instrumentation is being developed to reduce deposition of bacteria. We investigated 45 major surgical procedures (21 radical nephrectomies [RN] and 24 radical retropubic prostatectomies [RRP]) in our urology department during 2007. In about one-half of the interventions, an ultraclean air flow mobile (UAF) unit was used. Bacterial sedimentation was evaluated by nitrocellulose membranes placed on the instrument tray and by settle plates positioned at four points in the operating room. In 27 operations, an additional membrane was located near the incision. Bacterial counts on the nitrocellulose membranes during RN were 230 colony-forming units (cfu)/m(2)/h with the UAF unit and 2,254 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit (p = 0.001). During RRP, the values were 288 cfu/m(2)/h and 3,126 cfu/m(2)/h respectively (p = 0.001). The membrane placed near the incision during RN showed a microbial count of 1,235 cfu/m(2)/h with the UAF unit and 5,093 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit (p = 0.002); during RRP, the values were 1,845 cfu/m(2)/h and 3,790 cfu/m(2)/h, respectively (difference not significant). Bacterial contamination detected by settle plates during RN showed a mean value of 2,273 cfu/m(2)/h when the UAF unit was used and 2,054 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit; during RRP, the values were 2,332 cfu/m(2)/h and 2,629 cfu/m(2)/h with and without the UAF unit, respectively (NS). No statistically significant differences were detected in the clinical data registered in patients operated on under standard conditions and while the UAF unit was functioning. The UAF appears able to reduce microbial contamination at the operating table, reaching a bacterial number obtained in ultraclean operating theatres.

22 CFR 1103.110 - Self-evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Self-evaluation. 1103.110 Section 1103.110 Foreign Relations INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, UNITED STATES... INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, UNITED STATES SECTION § 1103.110 Self...

7 CFR 51.635 - Well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND OTHER PRODUCTS 1,2 (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States...) Definitions § 51.635 Well formed. Well formed means that the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety. ...

Quantifying Health Status and Function in Marfan Syndrome.

PubMed

Rao, Sandesh S; Venuti, Kristen D; Dietz, Harry C; Sponseller, Paul D

2016-01-01

Two hundred thirty patients were prospectively enrolled in this study and completed various portions of the Short Form 36 and a study-specific questionnaire (visual analog scale 1 to 10, comprising three separate questionnaires) to evaluate quality of life and function in patients with Marfan syndrome. The greatest health concern was cardiac problems (high in 70% of patients), followed by spine issues and generalized fatigue (both high, in 53%). The most severe reported pain involved the back: 105 patients (46%) rated pain as 6 to 10 on the visual analog scale. Among the 72 patients who responded to work life questions, work hours were reduced because of treatment in 59 (82%) or directly because of Marfan syndrome in 29 (40%). Across all Short Form 36 domains, patients scored significantly lower than United States population norms (p<.05); physical health scores were considerably lower than mental health scores.

Fuel change possibilities in small heat source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durčanský, Peter; Kapjor, Andrej; Jandačka, Jozef

2017-09-01

Rural areas are characterized by a larger number of older family houses with higher fuel consumption for heating. Some areas are not gasified, which means that the fuel base for heating the buildings is very limited. Heating is mainly covered by solid fuels with high emissions and low efficiency. But at the same time, the amount of energy in the form of biowaste can be evaluated and used further. We will explore the possibilities to convert biogas to heat of using a gas burner in a small heat source. However, the heat produced can be used other than for heating or hot water production. The added value for heat generation can be the production of electricity, in the use of heat energy through cogeneration unit with unconventional heat engine. The proposed solution could economically benefit the entire system, because electricity is a noble form of energy and its use is versatile.

Two-year evaluation indicates zirconia bridges acceptable alternative to PFMs.

PubMed

Perry, Ronald D; Kugel, Gerard; Sharma, Shradha; Ferreira, Susana; Magnuson, Britta

2012-01-01

The aim of this in-vivo study was to evaluate the 2-year clinical performance of zirconia computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-generated bridges. A total of 16 three- or four-unit Lava zirconia bridges were done on 15 subjects. The bridges were cemented using RelyX™ Unicem Self-Adhesive Universal Resin Cement. Evaluation was done at 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year recall visits. Evaluation criteria were color stability and matching, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, incidence of caries, changes in restoration-tooth interface, changes in surface texture, postoperative sensitivity, maintenance of periodontal health, changes in proximal and opposing teeth, and maintenance of anatomic form. In each of these parameters, the bridges were rated in one of three possible categories: "A" (alpha)--ideal; "B" (bravo)--acceptable; and "C" (charlie)--unacceptable. After 2 years, 100% of the bridges were rated "A" for color stability and matching, marginal discoloration, incidence of caries, changes in restoration-tooth interface, changes in surface texture, postoperative sensitivity, and change in proximal or opposing teeth. In the parameter of marginal integrity, 6.25% of the bridges were rated "B;" the remaining 93.75% were rated "A." Maintenance of periodontal health was rated "B" for 6.25% of the bridges and "A" for 93.75%. At 2 years, 12.5% of the bridges rated "C" in maintenance of anatomic form and 87.5% rated "A." The overall clinical outcome was that the CAD/CAM-generated zirconia bridges were clinically acceptable.

Evaluating the engagement of universities in capacity building for sustainable development in local communities.

PubMed

Shiel, Chris; Leal Filho, Walter; do Paço, Arminda; Brandli, Luciana

2016-02-01

Universities have the potential to play a leading role in enabling communities to develop more sustainable ways of living and working however, sustainable communities may only emerge with facilitation, community learning and continual efforts to build their capacities. Elements of programme planning and evaluation on the one hand, and capacity building on the other, are needed. The latter entails approaches and processes that may contribute to community empowerment; universities may either lead such approaches, or be key partners in an endeavour to empower communities to address the challenges posed by the need for sustainable development. Although capacity building and the promotion of sustainable development locally, are on the agenda for universities who take seriously regional engagement, very little is published that illustrates or describes the various forms of activities that take place. Further, there is a paucity of studies that have evaluated the work performed by universities in building capacity for sustainable development at the local level. This paper is an attempt to address this need, and entails an empirical study based on a sample of universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Brazil. The paper examines the extent to which capacity building for sustainable development is being undertaken, suggests the forms that this might take and evaluates some of the benefits for local communities. The paper concludes by reinforcing that universities have a critical role to play in community development; that role has to prioritise the sustainability agenda. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Healing Activities of Frog Skin on Guinea Pigs Wounds

PubMed Central

Rezazade Bazaz, Mahere; Mashreghi, Mohammad; Mahdavi Shahri, Nasser; Mashreghi, Mansour; Asoodeh, Ahmad; Behnam Rassouli, Morteza

2015-01-01

Background: Frog skin secretions have potentials against a wide spectrum of bacteria. Also, frog skin compositions have healing properties. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial potentials along with healing properties of frog skin Rana ridibunda, a species which thoroughly lives in Iran marshes, as a biological dressing on wounds. Materials and Methods: In this study, excisional wounds, dressed with frog skin, were compared between experimental and control groups of guinea pigs. In the experimental groups, wounds were dressed with the dermal (FS) and epidermal (RFS) sides of fresh frog R. ridibunda skin, while only usual cotton gauze covered the wounds of the control group. Furthermore, microbial samples were taken on different days (0, 3, 5, and 7 days post injury) to count the number of the colony-forming units. Additionally, the microbial penetration test was performed on frog skin and then the progression of wound closure was evaluated. Results: In the microbial studies, the bacterial load considerably declined in the wounds treated with FS and RFS compared with the control wounds. On day 7 post injury, the numbers of the colony-forming units for the FS, RFS, and control groups were 6.75, 105, and 375, respectively. In the penetration test, fresh frog skin showed to be a bacterial resistant dressing. The results revealed that the rate of wound closure in the experimental groups significantly was accelerated in comparison with that in the control group. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the antimicrobial properties of frog skin as a wound dressing, which has antimicrobial effects per se. This biological dressing shows promise as an effective biological wound dressing insofar as not only is it capable of resisting microbes and accelerating wound healing but also it is cost-effective and easy to use. PMID:26468364

Effect of cefuroxime and moxifloxacin on Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to intraocular lenses.

PubMed

Karadağ, Serhat; Ozkan, Berna; Karabaş, V Levent; Alintaş, Ozgül; Yumuk, Zeki; Cağlar, Yusuf

2009-12-01

To investigate and compare the effect of cefuroxime and moxifloxacin on adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis to intraocular lenses (IOLs). Experimental study. The 3-pieced hydrophobic acrylic lenses were contaminated with S. epidermidis (American Type Culture Collection 35983) solutions containing 108 colony-forming units. IOLs were inoculated into test tubes containing tryptic soy broth after being held in antibiotic solutions for 15 minutes. Sonication and vortex procedures were performed in order to remove all the remaining bacteria. From each tube 10 microL and 100 microL was taken and inoculated into sheep blood agar. The colonies were counted overnight. The statistical analyses were made using one-way ANOVA, Turkey Honestly Significant Differences test (HSD) and independent t tests, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, the mean numbers of colony-forming units on the lenses that were held in control, cefuroxime, moxifloxacin 0.5 mg/0.1 mL and moxifloxacin 0.1 mg/0.1 mL solutions were 1398 (SE 10.01 x 10(3)), 29.9 (SE 1.16 x 10(3)), 0.23 (SD 0.04 x 10(3)), and 0.41 (SD 0.05 x 10(3)), respectively. The evaluation using one-way ANOVA and Turkey HSD tests revealed significant statistical differences among the groups (p = 0.000). The evaluation using independent t tests revealed significant statistical differences between the 2 moxifloxacin groups (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that moxifloxacin and cefuroxime significantly inhibit bacterial adherence to IOLs. The effect of moxifloxacin on inhibition of bacterial adherence was significantly greater than that of cefuroxime. For this reason moxifloxacin might be considered as a better prophylactic agent.

Cardiovascular autonomic control in paraplegic and quadriplegic.

PubMed

de Carvalho Abreu, Elizângela Márcia; Dias, Lucas Pinto Salles; Lima, Fernanda Pupio Silva; de Paula Júnior, Alderico Rodrigues; Lima, Mário Oliveira

2016-04-01

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is commonly associated with devastating paralysis. This condition also results in cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in cardiovascular autonomic modulation in individuals with and without SCI. The study included 60 individuals: 30 individuals without SCI, who formed the control group-CG and 30 individuals with SCI, who formed the SCI group-SCIG. The latter group was divided into two, one group of subjects with SCI above the spinal segment T6-SCIG (above T6) and a group of individuals with SCI below T6-SCIG (below T6). The subjects were evaluated by linear and nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The SCIG showed significantly lower square root of the mean squares differences of successive NN intervals (rMSSD), number of pairs of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50), standard deviation of short-term HRV (SD1), and high frequency power (HF). Their low frequency power (LF) in absolute units (ms(2)) was significantly lower and their normalized units (n.u.) were significantly higher. Their LF/HF ratio was significantly higher, and sample entropy (SampEn), which indicates the complexity and irregularity of the NN intervals time series, was significantly lower compared to the CG. The differences between the SCIG and CG were derived mainly from the SCIG (above T6). The correlation test revealed very low values between each of the parameters evaluated for CG and SCIG. The SCIG (above T6) showed greater cardiovascular autonomic impairment compared to SCIG (below T6) and CG. The SCIG (below T6) also presented some degree of autonomic dysfunction. All parameters, linear or nonlinear, are suitable to demonstrate the differences between the SCIG and CG.

Dutch care innovation units in elderly care: A qualitative study into students' perspectives and workplace conditions for learning.

PubMed

Snoeren, Miranda; Volbeda, Patricia; Niessen, Theo J H; Abma, Tineke A

2016-03-01

To promote workplace learning for staff as well as students, a partnership was formed between a residential care organisation for older people and several nursing faculties in the Netherlands. This partnership took the form of two care innovation units; wards where qualified staff, students and nurse teachers collaborate to integrate care, education, innovation and research. In this article, the care innovation units as learning environments are studied from a student perspective to deepen understandings concerning the conditions that facilitate learning. A secondary analysis of focus groups, held with 216 nursing students over a period of five years, revealed that students are satisfied about the units' learning potential, which is formed by various inter-related and self-reinforcing affordances: co-constructive learning and working, challenging situations and activities, being given responsibility and independence, and supportive and recognisable learning structures. Time constraints had a negative impact on the units' learning potential. It is concluded that the learning potential of the care innovation units was enhanced by realising certain conditions, like learning structures and activities. The learning potential was also influenced, however, by the non-controllable and dynamic interaction of various elements within the context. Suggestions for practice and further research are offered. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Test Report of Special Form Qualification Testing for the ORNL U ZipCan

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

Martinez, Oscar A.

This test report describes the special form testing activities performed on the two ZiPCans. One prototype test unit was subjected to the tests stipulated by 10 CFR 71.75 (d)(1)(i), ISO 2919:1999(E) Class 4 impact test, along with the leak rate test specified in 49 CFR 173.469(a)(4)(i). The other test unit was subjected to a leak rate test as specified in 173.469(a)(4)(i) and a heat test as specified in 49 CFR 173.469 (b)(4). Each test unit was leak tested before and after these respective tests. The leak rate tests performed were helium back-pressure tests and bubble tests, as specified in ANSImore » N14.5-2014.The measured leak rates were converted to standard condition leak rates as specified in ASTM E 493. The determined standardized leak rates from the test and calculation for both test units met the requirements for special form certification.« less

Patient aggression towards different professional groups of healthcare workers.

PubMed

Kowalczuk, Krystyna; Krajewska-Kułak, Elżbieta

2017-03-31

Patient aggression affects healthcare quality and, in extreme situations, may even lead to medical malpractice. Little is known, however, about the specific distribution of health care professionals' exposure to patient aggression in various countries. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of various professional groups of healthcare personnel to patient aggression, and to identify potential determinants (medical profession, age, gender, professional experience and employment at outpatient/inpatient healthcare units) of this exposure. The study was performed between January 2008 - December 2009 in northeastern Poland, and included 1,624 healthcare workers (493 nurses, 504 midwives, 501 physicians and 126 medical rescue workers). Exposure to eight forms of patient aggression was assessed using the MDM Mobbing Questionnaire. Using a raised voice was the most frequently observed form of aggression in all groups, whereas the least frequent form of aggression encountered was the use of direct physical violence. In inpatient healthcare units, the intensity of patient aggression was encountered most by nurses and medical rescue workers, followed by physicians and midwives. In outpatient healthcare units, medical rescue workers experienced significantly higher levels of aggression when compared to other professional groups. Significant differences in mean aggression intensity experienced in inpatient and outpatient healthcare units were observed only in nurses and physicians. Furthermore, no significant effects of gender were observed on the intensity of patient aggression. Nurses are most exposed to different forms of patient aggression, with verbal attacks being most prevalent. Nurses employed at inpatient healthcare units experienced aggression more frequently than those working in outpatient healthcare units.

Pros and cons of multistory RC tunnel-form (box-type) buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kalkan, E.; Yuksel, S.B.

2008-01-01

Tunnel-form structural systems (i.e., box systems), having a load-carrying mechanism composed of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls and slabs only, have been prevailingly utilized in the construction of multistory residential units. The superiority of tunnel-form buildings over their conventional counterparts stems from the enhanced earthquake resistance they provide, and the considerable speed and economy of their construction. During recent earthquakes in Turkey, they exhibited better seismic performance in contrast to the damaged condition of a number of RC frames and dual systems (i.e., RC frames with shear wall configurations). Thus the tunnel-form system has become a primary construction technique in many seismically active regions. In this paper, the strengths and weaknesses of tunnel-form buildings are addressed in terms of design considerations and construction applications. The impacts of shear wall reinforcement ratio and its detailing on system ductility, loadcarrying capacity and failure mechanism under seismic forces are evaluated at section and global system levels. Influences of tension/compression coupling and wall openings on the response are also discussed. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models, verified through comparisons with experimental results, were used for numerical assessments. Findings from this projection provide useful information on adequate vertical reinforcement ratio and boundary reinforcement to achieve enhanced performance of tunnel-form buildings under seismic actions. Copyright ?? 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

8 CFR 236.16 - Travel outside the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Travel outside the United States. 236.16... Program § 236.16 Travel outside the United States. An alien granted Family Unity Program benefits who intends to travel outside the United States temporarily must apply for advance authorization using Form I...

8 CFR 236.16 - Travel outside the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Travel outside the United States. 236.16... Program § 236.16 Travel outside the United States. An alien granted Family Unity Program benefits who intends to travel outside the United States temporarily must apply for advance authorization using Form I...

76 FR 23541 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Government Units Survey

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-27

... Units Survey AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce.... Abstract The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request approval of the 2011 Government Units Survey data collection form. The Government Units Survey (GUS) is the directory survey for the 2012 Census of Governments...

7 CFR 51.2931 - Well-formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Well-formed. 51.2931 Section 51.2931 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apricots Definitions § 51.2931 Well-formed. Well-formed means having the shape characteristic of the variety. ...

7 CFR 51.2931 - Well-formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Well-formed. 51.2931 Section 51.2931 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apricots Definitions § 51.2931 Well-formed. Well-formed means having the shape characteristic of the variety. ...

Iodinated natural rubber latex: preparation, characterisation & antibacterial activity assessment.

PubMed

Tyagi, M; Singh, S; Singh, H

2000-11-01

Natural Rubber (NR) in both its latex and dried form was treated with iodine to make it antibacterial in nature. The NR latex was dried and washed, dissolved in toluene, iodinated and cast into films. In a different approach, NR in its latex form (emulsion) was blended with aqueous solution of povidone-iodine complex (PVP-I) and films were cast. Phase separation of PVP-I was observed in the films prepared using NR latex; whereas the film prepared using NR solution in toluene and molecular iodine were homogeneous, transparent light brown. Solubility assessment of the films revealed that unlike pure NR, the iodinated NR failed to go into solution completely. The films obtained from both the approaches were evaluated for release of iodide ions. On immersion in water, PVP-I blended latex did not retain iodine while sustained release of iodide ion was observed in case of dried NR dissolved in toluene and treated with iodine. The FT-IR spectra of the iodinated films revealed that iodine attaches covalently to the double bonds in the isoprene units of NR. The films were also evaluated for their antibacterial properties and it was observed that the films prepared from both the approaches, acquired antimicrobial properties.

The Frasnian-Famennian mass killing event(s), methods of identification and evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geldsetzer, H. H. J.

1988-01-01

The absence of an abnormally high number of earlier Devonian taxa from Famennian sediments was repeatedly documented and can hardly be questioned. Primary recognition of the event(s) was based on paleontological data, especially common macrofossils. Most paleontologists place the disappearance of these common forms at the gigas/triangularis contact and this boundary was recently proposed as the Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) boundary. Not unexpectedly, alternate F-F positions were suggested caused by temporary Frasnian survivors or sudden post-event radiations of new forms. Secondary supporting evidence for mass killing event(s) is supplied by trace element and stable isotope geochemistry but not with the same success as for the K/T boundary, probably due to additional 300 ma of tectonic and diagenetic overprinting. Another tool is microfacies analysis which is surprisingly rarely used even though it can explain geochemical anomalies or paleontological overlap not detectable by conventional macrofacies analysis. The combination of microfacies analysis and geochemistry was applied at two F-F sections in western Canada and showed how interdependent the two methods are. Additional F-F sections from western Canada, western United States, France, Germany and Australia were sampled or re-sampled and await geochemical/microfacies evaluation.

Transnational Environmental Problems--The United States, Canada, Mexico.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilcher, Marshall E.

1983-01-01

Examines problems associated with transboundary environmental pollution, focusing on problems arising between the United States and Mexico and between the United States and Canada. Also discusses new organizational forms developed to bring transboundary issues to a higher policy-making level. (JN)

An elective course in personal finance for health care professionals.

PubMed

Chui, Michelle A

2009-02-19

To create, implement, and assess an elective course on the principles and applications of personal finance. A 1.5 unit (15 hours total) elective course was designed using active-learning pedagogy, lecture, and group discussion. Homework assignments were designed to provide practical tools and materials that students could individualize and apply to their personal financial goals. Student satisfaction, using a standard course evaluation form, revealed consistent high ratings. Student enrollment increased from 19 students in its initial year to 90 students in its fourth year. Student knowledge, assessed using the Jump$tart Financial Literacy Survey, indicated significant knowledge acquisition. Many pharmacy students are ill equipped to effectively handle the complex financial decisions they face after graduation. This course provides students with practical tools to identify appropriate ways to achieve their financial goals and critically evaluate financial advice and advisors.

Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jucht, Carrie

2010-01-01

Remote sensing data are vital to understanding the physical world and to answering many of its needs and problems. The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Remote Sensing Technologies (RST) Project, working with its partners, is proud to sponsor the annual Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE) Workshop to help understand the quality and usefulness of remote sensing data. The JACIE program was formed in 2001 to leverage U.S. Federal agency resources for the characterization of commercial remote sensing data. These agencies sponsor and co-chair JACIE: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) JACIE is an effort to coordinate data assessments between the participating agencies and partners and communicate the knowledge and results of the quality and utility of the remotely sensed data available for government and private use.

Non-Deployable Soldiers: Understanding the Army’s Challenge

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-07

TERMS Medically Not Ready (MNR), Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), Disability Evaluation System (DES), Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), Medical Evaluation... Board (MEB), MOS Medical Retention Board (MMRB), Human Capital Enterprise, Personnel Management, Physical Evaluations System. 16. SECURITY...Medically Not Ready (MNR), Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), Disability Evaluation System (DES), Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), Medical Evaluation

Terminal NiII-OH/-OH2 complexes in trigonal bipyramidal geometries derived from H2O.

PubMed

Lau, Nathanael; Sano, Yohei; Ziller, Joseph W; Borovik, A S

2017-03-29

The preparation and characterization of two Ni II complexes are described, a terminal Ni II -OH complex with the tripodal ligand tris[(N)-tertbutylureaylato)-N-ethyl)]aminato ([H 3 buea] 3- ) and a terminal Ni II -OH 2 complex with the tripodal ligand N , N ', N ″-[2,2',2″-nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)]tris(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamido) ([MST] 3- ). For both complexes, the source of the -OH and -OH 2 ligand is water. The salts K 2 [Ni II H 3 buea(OH)] and NMe 4 [Ni II MST(OH 2 )] were characterized using perpendicular-mode X-band electronic paramagnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, UV-visible spectroscopies, and its electrochemical properties were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The solid state structures of these complexes determined by X-ray diffraction methods reveal that they adopt a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, an unusual structure for 5-coordinate Ni II complexes. Moreover, the Ni II -OH and Ni II -OH 2 units form intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks with the [H 3 buea] 3- and [MST] 3- ligands. The oxidation chemistry of these complexes was explored by treating the high-spin Ni II compounds with one-electron oxidants. Species were formed with S = 1/2 spin ground states that are consistent with formation of monomeric Ni III species. While the formation of Ni III -OH complexes cannot be ruled out, the lack of observable O-H vibrations from the putative Ni-OH units suggest the possibility that other high valent Ni species are formed.

40 CFR 418.53 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.53 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.53 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.53 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

40 CFR 418.53 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... material ammonia is in the gaseous form: [Metric units, kg/kkg of product; English units, lb/1,000 lb of... consecutive days shall not exceed— Ammonia (as N) 0.0045 0.00045 Nitrate (as N) 0.17 0.023 (b) The following... from nitric acid production in which all the raw material ammonia is in the shipped liquid form...

GIS Analysis to Assess where Shallow Ground Water Supplies in the United States are Vulnerable to Contamination by Releases of Motor Fuel from Underground Storage Tanks

EPA Science Inventory

Data reported on the long form of the 1990 United State Census were used to identify the number of households in each census block group that obtained water from a private source. A data file was purchased form ESRI Business Solutions (ESRI, 2009) that contained the latitude and ...

The Ankara Mélange: an indicator of Tethyan evolution of Anatolia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çakir, Üner; Üner, Tijen

2016-08-01

The Ankara Mélange is a complex formed by imbricated slices of limestone block mélanges (Karakaya and Hisarlıkaya Formations), Neotethyan ophiolites (Eldivan, Ahlat and Edige ophiolites), post-ophiolitic cover units (Mart and Kavak formations) and Tectonic Mélange Unit (Hisarköy Formation or Dereköy Mélange). The Karakaya and Hisarlıkaya formations are roughly similar and consist mainly of limestone block mélange. Nevertheless, they represent some important geological differences indicating different geological evolution. Consequently, the Karakaya and Hisarlıkaya formations are interpreted as Eurasian and Gondwanian marginal units formed by fragmentation of the Gondwanian carbonate platform during the continental rifting of the Neotethys in the Middle Triassic time. During the latest Triassic, Neotethyan lithosphere began to subduct beneath the Eurasian continent and caused intense deformation of the marginal units. The Eldivan, Ahlat and Edige ophiolites represent different fragments of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere emplaced onto the Gondwanian margin during the Albian-Aptian, middle Turonian and middle Campanian, respectively. The Eldivan Ophiolite is a NE-SW trending and a nearly complete assemblage composed, from bottom to top, of a volcanic-sedimentary unit, a metamorphic unit, peridotite tectonites, cumulates and sheeted dykes. The Eldivan Ophiolite is unconformably covered by Cenomanian-Lower Turonian sedimentary unit. The Eldivan Ophiolite is overthrust by the Ahlat Ophiolite in the north and Edige Ophiolite in the west. The Ahlat ophiolite is an east-west oriented assemblage comprised of volcanic-sedimentary unit, metamorphic unit, peridotite tectonites and cumulates. The Edige Ophiolite consists of a volcanic-sedimentary unit, peridotite tectonites, dunite, wherlite, pyroxenite and gabbro cumulates. The Tectonic Mélange Unit is a chaotic formation of various blocks derived from ophiolites, from the Karakaya and Hisarlıkaya formations and from post-ophiolitic sedimentary units. It was formed during the collision between Anatolian Promontory and Eurasian Continent in the middle Campanian time.

Searching the Sinus Amoris: Using profiles of geological units, impact and volcanic features to characterize a major terrane interface on the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, P.; Joerg, S.; Dehon, R.

1994-01-01

Geochemical profiles of surface units, impact, and volcanic features are studied in detail to determine the underlying structure in an area of extensive mare/highland interface, Sinus Amoris. This study region includes and surrounds the northeastern embayment of Mare Tranquillitatis. The concentrations of two major rock-forming elements (Mg and Al), which were derived from the Apollo 15 orbital geochemical measurements, were used in this study. Mapped units and deposits associated with craters in the northwestern part of the region tend to have correlated low Mg and Al concentrations, indicating the presence of Potassium (K)-Rare Earth Elements (REE)-Phosphorus (P) (KREEP)-enriched basalt. Found along the northeastern rim of Tranquillitatis were areas with correlated high Mg and Al concentration, indicating the presence of troctolite. Distinctive west/east and north/south trends were observed in the concentrations of Mg and Al, and, by implication, in the distribution of major rock components on the surface. Evidence for a systematic geochemical transition in highland or basin-forming units may be observed here in the form of distinctive differences in chemistry in otherwise similar units in the western and eastern portions of the study region.

Does Finnish hospital staff job satisfaction vary across occupational groups?

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Job satisfaction of staff is an essential outcome variable in research when describing the work environment of successful hospitals. Numerous studies have evaluated the topic, but few previous studies have assessed the job satisfaction of all staff in hospital settings. It is important to discover if there are any unsatisfied groups of people working in hospitals, the aspects they are unsatisfied with and why. The aim of this study was to evaluate job satisfaction of all staff working at a Finnish university hospital, identify differences in job satisfaction between staff groups, and explore the relationship between their self-evaluated quality of work and job satisfaction. Methods Data were collected from 1424 employees of the hospital using the web-based Kuopio University Job Satisfaction Scale survey instrument in autumn 2010. The research data were analysed by using SPSS 19.0 for Windows. Frequency and percentage distributions, as well as mean values, were used to describe the data. A non-parametric test (Kruskal–Wallis test) was used to determine the significance of differences in scores between different groups of staff members and between quality evaluations. Results The overall job satisfaction of the employees was good. They rated both motivating factors of their work and work welfare as excellent. The areas causing most dissatisfaction were work demands and participation in decision making. Physicians formed the most satisfied group, nurses and maintenance staff were the least satisfied, and office and administrative staff were fairly satisfied. Staff who rated the quality of work in their units as high usually also considered their job satisfaction to be excellent. Conclusions Every staff member has an influence on job satisfaction in her/his unit. A culture of participation should be developed and maintained in the units and the whole hospital to ensure that all staff feel they play important roles in the hospital. A university hospital is a complex, continuously changing work environment. Managers of the hospital should continuously evaluate job satisfaction and quickly react to the results gained. PMID:24088218

8 CFR 1215.3 - Alien whose departure is deemed prejudicial to the interests of the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... United Nations for the defense of any other country. (c) Any alien who seeks to depart from the United... States and who fails to present a Registration Certificate (SSS Form No. 2) showing that he has complied... operations of the United States or of any nation cooperating with the United States in the interests of...

40 CFR 471.20 - Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... magnesium forming subcategory. 471.20 Section 471.20 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Magnesium Forming Subcategory § 471.20 Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

40 CFR 471.20 - Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... magnesium forming subcategory. 471.20 Section 471.20 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Magnesium Forming Subcategory § 471.20 Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

40 CFR 471.20 - Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... magnesium forming subcategory. 471.20 Section 471.20 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Magnesium Forming Subcategory § 471.20 Applicability; description of the magnesium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

40 CFR 471.70 - Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... uranium forming subcategory. 471.70 Section 471.70 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Uranium Forming Subcategory § 471.70 Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

40 CFR 471.70 - Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... uranium forming subcategory. 471.70 Section 471.70 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Uranium Forming Subcategory § 471.70 Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

40 CFR 471.70 - Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... uranium forming subcategory. 471.70 Section 471.70 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... POWDERS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Uranium Forming Subcategory § 471.70 Applicability; description of the uranium forming subcategory. This subpart applies to discharges of pollutants to waters of the United...

7 CFR 51.3060 - Well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Well formed. 51.3060 Section 51.3060 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Florida Avocados Definitions § 51.3060 Well formed. Well formed means that the avocado has the normal shape characteristic of the variety. ...

7 CFR 51.1320 - Fairly well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Fairly well formed. 51.1320 Section 51.1320... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Winter Pears 1 Definitions § 51.1320 Fairly well formed. Fairly well... general appearance of the pear shall be considered fairly well formed. ...

7 CFR 51.1320 - Fairly well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fairly well formed. 51.1320 Section 51.1320... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Winter Pears 1 Definitions § 51.1320 Fairly well formed. Fairly well... general appearance of the pear shall be considered fairly well formed. ...

7 CFR 51.3060 - Well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Well formed. 51.3060 Section 51.3060 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Florida Avocados Definitions § 51.3060 Well formed. Well formed means that the avocado has the normal shape characteristic of the variety. ...

7 CFR 51.1320 - Fairly well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fairly well formed. 51.1320 Section 51.1320... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Winter Pears 1 Definitions § 51.1320 Fairly well formed. Fairly well... general appearance of the pear shall be considered fairly well formed. ...

7 CFR 51.569 - Well formed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Well formed. 51.569 Section 51.569 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Celery Definitions § 51.569 Well formed. Well formed...