Studies in carboniferous bryozoa

Morphological investigations of some British Carboniferous bryozoan taxa has allowed aspects of their palaeobiology and systematics to be revised. Forty-one taxa, representing seventeen genera of nine families in the extinct Palaeozoic orders Cryptostomata, Fenestrate, Trepostomata and Cystoporata, are redescribed. Lectotypes have been established wherever necessary. Three new species are described and holotypes have been selected for these. Ordinal, familial and generic assignments have been made and diagnoses emended. Significant aspects of ordinal, familial and generic morphological characters have been discussed. Skeletal ultrastructures have been analysed in most forms studied and the function of a number of morphological characters has been reviewed. Evidence of the double walled concept of growth in the four extinct stenolaemate order have been reviewed. Extensive quantitative studies have allowed precise assessment of taxa, and the accurate definition and quantification of some unusual aspects of skeletal morphology, notably in Rhabdomeson rhombifera (Phillips). Combined with the quantitative studies there are extensive photographs and illustrations of the new and redescribed taxa. Geological ranges have been established for all taxa described

Survival Analysis: A Modified Kaplan-Meir Estimator

The popular Kaplan-Meir estimator has traditionally been used to great effect as a survival function estimator. However, the Kaplan-Meir estimator is dependent upon a maximum likelihood parameter estimator which may not be the best estimator in all cases. We modify the Kaplan-Meir estimator, based on a Bayes parameter estimation, in hopes of providing a more accurate survival estimator for small sample sizes. Core elements of survival analysis are presented, acting as a foundation from which to construct and compare our modified Kaplan-Meir estimator. It is hypothesized that our modified Kaplan-Meir estimator is generally more accurate than the standard Kaplan-Meir estimator for smaller sample sizes, while the standard Kaplan-Meir estimator remains appropriate for larger sample sizes. Both Kaplan-Meir estimators are compared to theoretical distributions, with the traditional expectation that theoretical distributions will model data best if data can be fitted to a theoretical distribution. In order to show validity for our hypothesis one smaller data set and one larger data set were analyzed. The results of the analysis appeared to agree with our hypothesis

Predicting sexual problems in women: The relevance of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition

This is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be obtained from the link below.Data from a non-clinical sample of 540 heterosexual women were used to examine the relationships between scores on the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) and ratings of current sexual problems, lifetime arousal difficulty, lifetime orgasm difficulty, and lifetime problems with low sexual interest. Multiple regression analyses also included several demographic/background variables as predictors: age, full-time employment, completed college, children in household, married, health ratings, importance of sex, and whether the woman was in a sexual relationship. The strongest statistical predictors of both current and lifetime sexual problems were the SESII-W inhibition factors Arousal Contingency and Concerns about Sexual Function. Demographic factors did not feature largely in any of the models predicting sexual problems even when statistically significant relationships were found. If future research supports the predictive utility of the SESII-W in identifying women who are more likely to experience sexual difficulties, these scales may be used as prognostic factors in treatment studies.This study was funded, in part, by a grant from the Lilly Centre for Women's Health

Remtech SSME nozzle design TPS

Thermal damage to the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) aft manifold Thermal Protection System (TPS) has been observed for flights STS-8 through STS-13. This damaged area is located on the ME2 and ME3 and extends over a region of approximately one square foot. Total failure or burn-through of the TPS could lead to severe thermal damage of the SSME manifold and loss of an engine nozzle necessitating nozzle replacement causing significant schedule delays and cost increases. Thermal damage to the manifold can be defined as a situation where the manifold temperature becomes greater than 1300 F; thereby causing loss of heat treatment in the nozzle. Results of Orbiter/nozzle wind tunnel tests and Hot Gas Facility tests of the TPS are presented. Aerothermal and thermal analysis models for the SSME aft manifold are discussed along with the flight predictions, design trajectory and design environment. Finally, the TPS design concept and TPS thermal response are addressed

The Application of LANDSAT Data from Collection Platforms and LANDSAT Imagery for Fire Management, Everglades National Park, Florida

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Physiological basis for storage life extension in fresh sweet potato: Final technical report

The overall objective of this project was to work towards the identification of the major physiological and environmental factors affecting perishability of the fresh sweet potato root, and thereby to facilitate the identification of strategies for increasing shelf-life through cultivar selection and improved handling practice

Improved Management of Stillbirth using a Care Pathway.

PurposeEach year approximately 3,200 women have a stillbirth in the UK. Although national evidence-based guidance has existed since 2010, case reviews continue to identify suboptimal clinical care and communication with parents. Inconsistencies in management include induction and management of labour and the frequency of investigation after stillbirth. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachAn audit of stillbirths was performed in 2014 in 13 maternity units in the North West of England, this confirmed variation in practice described nationally. An integrated care pathway (ICP) was developed from national guidelines to enable optimal care for the management of stillbirth, reduce variation, standardise investigations and coordinate patient-focussed care. This was launched in 2015 and updated in 2016 to resolve the issues that were apparent after implementation.FindingsEach participating unit had commenced using the ICP by May 2015. Following implementation there were changes in care, most notably from diverse methods for the induction of labour to guideline-directed induction of labour. There were trends towards better care in terms of information given, choices offered, more appropriate analgesia in labour and improved post-delivery investigation for cause. Staff feedback about the ICP was positive.Practical implicationsThe use of this ICP improved care for women who had a stillbirth and their families. Issues with implementing a changed care pathway meant that further iterations were required, ongoing improvement is expected following the refinement of the ICP.Originality/valueICPs have been used for various clinical conditions. However, this is the first example of their use in women who had a stillbirth