Lateral phase separation of confined membranes

We consider membranes interacting via short, intermediate and long stickers. The effects of the intermediate stickers on the lateral phase separation of the membranes are studied via mean-field approximation. The critical potential depth of the stickers increases in the presence of the intermediate sticker. The lateral phase separation of the membrane thus suppressed by the intermediate stickers. Considering membranes interacting with short and long stickers, the effect of confinement on the phase behavior of the membranes is also investigated analytically

A Farm Demonstrations Method for Estimating Cotton Yield in the Field for Use by Extension Agents and Specialists

This article describes a programming possibility for Extension agricultural agents working in cotton production. It describes methods by which scientific estimates of cotton yields may be performed by agents in the field and educational opportunities that may arise as a result of the estimation process. These programs have been very popular and successful in Alabama

Emphasizing Extension\u27s Unbiased, Research-Based Recommendations Is Critical

With a multitude of information sources available to stakeholders, it is critical that Extension emphasize the supporting work and unbiased approach that comprise the backbone of our recommendations. In Alabama, management of target spot, a disease that can devastate cotton, is the result of 100 field trials, 6,700 man-hours, and $485,800 in grants. The team involved delivered 94 associated publications and stakeholder activities and posted information via YouTube and Twitter. For Cooperative Extension to remain relevant, we must emphasize our strong experiment station partnership that ensures a foundation firmly planted in unbiased, research-based information that is not influenced by outside, market-driven interests

A mixed methods study of the impact of consultant overnight working in an English Emergency Department

This is the final version. Available on open access from BMJ Publishing Group via the DOI in this recordBackground There is a growing expectation that consultant-level doctors should be present within an ED overnight. However, there is a lack of robust evidence substantiating the impact on patient waiting times, safety or the workforce. Objectives To evaluate the impact of consultant-level doctors overnight working in ED in a large university hospital. Methods We conducted a controlled interrupted time series analysis to study ED waiting times before and after the introduction of consultant night working. Adverse event reports (AER) were used as a surrogate for patient safety. We conducted interviews with medical and nursing staff to explore attitudes to night work. Results The reduction seen in average time in department relative to the day, following the introduction of consultant was non-significant ('12 min; 95% CI '28 to 4, p=0.148). Analysis of hourly arrivals and departures indicated that overnight work was inherited from the day. There were three (0.9%) moderate and 0 severe AERs in 1 year. The workforce reported that night working had a negative impact on sleep patterns, performance and well-being and there were mixed views about the benefits of consultant night presence. Additional time off during the day acted as compensation for night work but resulted in reduced contact with ED teams. Conclusions Our single-site study was unable to demonstrate a clinically important impact of consultant night working on total time patients spend in the department. Our analysis suggests there may be more potential to reduce total time in department during the day, at our study site. Negative impacts on well-being, and likely resistance to consultant night working should not be ignored. Further studies of night working are recommended to substantiate our results.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)University Hospital Southampto

A Method for Evaluating Storm-Damaged Cotton for Extension County Agents and Specialists

Extension county agents and specialists are often asked to provide unbiased crop damage assessments when storms occur. There is generally no published methodology on which to base damage assessments. The objectives of the project described here were to (a) provide an unbiased database to producers and crop insurance representatives and (b) develop an unbiased, in-field method for damage evaluations for cotton. This method proved to be effective in allowing Extension personnel to monitor crop damage over time as a result of the storm. It provided an unbiased database for use by Extension and USDA workers, producers, and crop insurance personnel

Internet Protocol (IP) Videoconferencing for Networking During a Crisis

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) responded to clientele needs during the severe droughts in 2006 and 2007. The ACES Agronomic Crops Program Priority Team utilized interactive videoconferencing through Internet Protocol (IP), allowing real-time communication between producers, agricultural industry representatives, and state and federal officials. Travel time and costs were minimized, while information exchange was maximized. Planning through teleconferencing prior to the videoconference allowed on-site moderators to function efficiently with regard to time and topic management. Our intent is to develop procedures and infrastructure to allow faster response time and more efficient information exchange during times of crisis

Evaluation of the significance of polyamines and their oxidases in the aetiology of human cervical carcinoma.

The risk of cancer of the cervix is linked with sexual behaviour. Although infectious agents such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are implicated, these alone may be insufficient to induce the disease. We have investigated the potential role of oxidation products of the polyamines spermine and spermidine and the diamine putrescine in seminal plasma (SP) as co-factors in the development of cervical cancer. These amines are oxidised by polyamine oxidase (PAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) to generate oxygen radicals and hydrogen peroxide, reactive aldehydes and acrolein, which are likely to exert local mutagenic, cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects in vivo. Using a chemiluminescence assay, we determined the levels of these amines in 187 samples of SP. Spermine plus spermidine, as substrates for PAO, were present in a range equivalent to 0-4.8 mg ml-1 spermine. Putrescine, as a substrate for DAO, was detectable in only 4 of 40 samples assayed (range 0-168 micrograms ml-1) and constitutes a minor component of the oxidisable content of SP. Cervical mucus (126 samples) was assayed for the presence of PAO and DAO. Both enzymes were present in 14.3% of the samples, PAO only in 21.4%, DAO only in 15.1% and neither enzyme in 49.2%. PAO levels ranged from 0 to 0.828 pmol peroxide generated min-1 mg-1 mucus and DAO levels ranged from 0 to 7.0 pmol peroxide generated min-1 mg-1 mucus. These results suggest that sexual activity in the absence of physical barrier contraception may lead to the generation of mutagenic and immunosuppressive polyamine oxidation products within the female genital tract. We thus propose that women with high levels of PAO and/or DAO in their cervical mucus may be at increased risk of cervical cancer, especially if the male partner's SP shows high polyamine levels. HPV infection may synergise with the effects of polyamine oxidation by suppressing apoptosis in keratinocytes carrying potentially oncogenic mutations, leading to the survival and proliferation of transformed cells in the cervix

The TOMCAT global chemical transport model v1.6: description of chemical mechanism and model evaluation

This paper documents the tropospheric chemical mechanism scheme used in the TOMCAT 3-D chemical transport model. The current scheme includes a more detailed representation of hydrocarbon chemistry than previously included in the model, with the inclusion of the emission and oxidation of ethene, propene, butane, toluene and monoterpenes. The model is evaluated against a range of surface, balloon, aircraft and satellite measurements. The model is generally able to capture the main spatial and seasonal features of high and low concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reactive nitrogen. However, model biases are found in some species, some of which are common to chemistry models and some that are specific to TOMCAT and warrant further investigation. The most notable of these biases are (1) a negative bias in Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter and spring CO and a positive bias in Southern Hemisphere (SH) CO throughout the year, (2) a positive bias in NH O3 in summer and a negative bias at high latitudes during SH winter and (3) a negative bias in NH winter C2 and C3 alkanes and alkenes. TOMCAT global mean tropospheric hydroxyl radical (OH) concentrations are higher than estimates inferred from observations of methyl chloroform but similar to, or lower than, multi-model mean concentrations reported in recent model intercomparison studies. TOMCAT shows peak OH concentrations in the tropical lower troposphere, unlike other models which show peak concentrations in the tropical upper troposphere. This is likely to affect the lifetime and transport of important trace gases and warrants further investigation

Everyday executive function and adaptive skills in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cross-sectional developmental trajectories

Background and aims: The development of Executive Function (EF) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been investigated using mainly performance-based EF measures. Less is known about the development of everyday EF skills. The present study aimed to identify the developmental patterns of everyday EF of children and adolescents with ASD compared to neurotypical controls. The association between EF and adaptive skills was also investigated. Methods: The present study used a cross-sectional developmental trajectory approach and data were collected from 57 children and adolescents with ASD, matched to 63 controls of the same age (7-15 years). Results: Results showed age-related performance declines in most everyday EF domains (e.g. inhibition, working memory, planning) in ASD, whereas for EF emotional control and shift, non-significant differences emerged across age in ASD. Everyday EF predicted adaptive skills over and above age and IQ, in participants overall. Conclusions and Implications: These results suggest that several everyday EF problems increase in adolescence in ASD and that these everyday EF developmental patterns deviate to a great extent from those of typical development. Shedding more light on the developmental course of all types of EF processes as well as their association with crucial social outcomes in ASD could contribute to a better theoretical understanding of the heterogeneity of the neurocognitive development in ASD