The spectroscopic orbits and the geometrical configuration of the symbiotic binary AR Pavonis

We analyze optical and near infrared spectra of intermediate and high resolution of the eclipsing symbiotic system AR Pavonis. We have obtained the radial velocity curves for the red and the hot component from the M-giant absorption lines and from the wings of Halpha, H and He II4686 emission profiles, respectively. From the orbital elements we have derived the masses, Mgiant=2.5 and Mhot =1.0 solar masses, for the red giant and the hot component, respectively. We also present and discuss radial velocity patterns in the blue cF absorption spectrum as well as various emission lines. In particular, we confirm that the blue absorption lines are associated with the hot component. The radial velocity curve of the blue absorption system, however, does not track the hot companion's orbital motion in a straightforward way, and its departures from an expected circular orbit are particularly strong when the hot component is active. We suggest that the cF-type absorption system is formed in material streaming from the giant presumably in a region where the stream encounters an accretion disk or an extended envelope around the hot component. The broad emission wings originate from the inner accretion disk or the envelope around the hot star.We also suggest that the central absorption in H profiles is formed in a neutral portion of the cool giant's wind which is strongly concentrated towards the orbital plane. The nebula in AR Pav seems to be bounded by significant amount of neutral material in the orbital plane. The forbidden emission lines are probably formed in low density ionized regions extended in polar directions and/or the wind-wind interaction zone.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted by A&

Depressive symptoms predict callous-unemotional behavior in adjudicated adolescent males with conduct disorder

Depressive symptoms were examined in a sample of adjudicated adolescent males with conduct disorder and callous-unemotional behavior as measured by the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD) and the Youth Psychopathy Inventory (YPI). Results indicate that contrary to previous findings, depressive symptoms, as measured by the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale — 2 (RADS-2) are, indeed, present in callous-unemotional youth and significantly predict callous-unemotional behavior in this sample of male adolescents. In addition, dysphoria was negatively associated with callous-unemotional behavior whereas somatic complaints were positively associated with it. These findings suggest that the restricted affective displays in youth with callous-unemotional behavior may, in part, be related to a depressive process. In addition, somatic complaints were significantly related to impulsivity consistent with findings that depressive symptoms independently predict impulsivity in adolescents

Encystment of Acanthamoeba and Evaluating the Biobus Program

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous protists that play an environmental role in regulating microbial diversity; they also occasionally cause infections of the eye (Acanthamoeba keratitis) and brain (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis). These organisms exhibit two distinct phenotypes. The trophozoite form dominates in favorable conditions, in which the Acanthamoeba move through the extension of pseudopodia, engulfing microbes and other particles. During stressful conditions, the Acanthamoeba undergo a process of encystment, in which they build a double cell wall and become relatively inactive. The cyst form can survive years until more favorable conditions arise, at which point they may excyst. For this study, multiple laboratory encystment methods were compared to determine the percent encystment and the different viabilities of laboratory-produced cysts. Furthermore, four different encystment genes were targeted for development of a primer library for reverse-transcription, polymerase chain reaction expression studies. The library was developed using sequences accessed from various databases, including NCBI and EMBL; primers were screened through polymerase chain reaction, and those primers producing positive results were used to further screen cellular RNA that was extracted from encysting cells over various time points during the encystment process, and using various encystment media. Using these methods, target gene involvement in the encystment process was compared between species and encystment methods. These studies lay the foundation for quantitative gene expression analysis, and provide the basis for comparison of various encystment methods

Determining Seasonal Emergence, Growth Characteristics, and Control Programs for Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.)

To provide for a weed-free seedbed, Louisiana crop producers typically apply a burndown herbicide four to six wk prior to seeding summer annual crops; however, these treatments often provide inadequate henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.) control. Research was conducted in Louisiana to evaluate henbit emergence from north to south, compare growth of henbit accessions based on emergence date, and control with fall-applied residual herbicides. For the emergence study during the weeks of Oct 17 to Dec 12 at all locations in all years, soil temperatures at 2.5 cm averaged between 10 and 18.5 C. Henbit at densities of at least 50 m-2 emerged each week from approximately Oct 20 through Dec 20, for the three northern most sites which included the Northeast Research Station, a grower’s field in Concordia Parish, and the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center.. At all three northern most locations counts in excess of 1000 henbit m-2 were observed in November, indicating potential for high henbit density at these locations. Henbit emergence was more sporadic from 2012 through 2015 for the three northern locations, with densities not exceeding 40 henbit m-2 at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, although large single week increases in the number of henbit did occur between mid-October to mid-December at those locations. Regardless of year, densities at the Ben Hur Research Farm, the southern location, were less overall. Averaged across emergence date leaf area ratio (LAR) for September and October was 0.012 and 0.010 cm2 g-1, respectively, and although not significantly different was greater than henbit emerging in November. Specific leaf weight (SLW) for henbit emergence in November was 119.0 g cm-2, greater than September and October populations at 54 and 89 g cm-2, respectively. Additionally, relative growth rate (RGR) for September emerged henbit averaged across harvest intervals was 0.194 g g-1 d-1, and greater than for both October and November emerged henbit with 0.121 and 0.092 g g-1 d-1, respectively. Results suggest that September emerged henbit could be larger and more difficult to control than November emerged henbit. However, October populations had similar trends and were not different than September emerged henbit, conceding that any competitive advantage September may have over October is slight. For fall applied residual herbicides study variability in henbit control, across years was observed. Overall, application Nov 1 through Dec 1 provided more consistent henbit control compared with oxyfluorfen applications controlled henbit at least 76% 100 DAT regardless of herbicide date. For flumioxazin and rimsulfuron: thifensulfuron, greater than 70% henbit control 100 DAT was obtained only when applied Nov 1 through Dec 15

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Incidence, risks and survivals.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is frequently observed after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) decannulation; however, these issues have not been investigated well in the past. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed to identify post-ECMO SIRS phenomenon, defined by exhibiting 2/3 of the following criteria: fever, leukocytosis, and escalation of vasopressors. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with documented infections (Group I) and patients with true SIRS (Group TS) without any evidence of infection. Survival and pre-, intra- and post-ECMO risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 62 ECMO survivors, 37 (60%) patients developed the post-ECMO SIRS phenomenon, including Group I (n = 22) and Group TS (n = 15). The 30-day survival rate of Group I and TS was 77% and 100%, respectively (p = 0.047), although risk factors were identical. CONCLUSIONS: SIRS phenomenon after ECMO decannulation commonly occurs. Differentiating between the similar clinical presentations of SIRS and infection is important and will impact clinical outcomes

Synchronous climatic change inferred from diatom records in four western Montana lakes in the U.S. Rocky Mountains

Late-Holocene environmental and climatic conditions were reconstructed from diatom assemblages in sediment cores from four western Montana lakes: Crevice Lake, Foy Lake, Morrison Lake, and Reservoir Lake. The lakes show synchroneity in timing of shifts in diatom community structure, but the nature of these changes differs among the lakes. Two of the sites provide highly resolved records of hydrologic balance, while the other two stratigraphic sequences primarily record temperature impact on lake thermal structure. All four lakes show significant change in five discrete intervals: 2200–2100, 1700–1600, 1350–1200, 800–600, and 250 cal yr BP. The similarities in the timing of change suggest overlying regional climatic influences on lake dynamics. The 800–600 cal yr BP shift is evident in other paleorecords throughout the Great Plains and western US, associated with the transition from the Medieval Climate Anomaly to the Little Ice Age. Large-scale climatic mechanisms that influence these lake environments may result from atmospheric circulation patterns that are driven by interactions between Pacific and Atlantic sea-surface temperatures, which are then locally modified by topography

Trying to Help without getting in their Faces: Public Library Staff Descriptions of Providing Consumer Health Information

Several recent studies have analyzed users\u27 descriptions of the reference transaction, but little research has analyzed library staff members\u27 accounts of reference encounters. This article builds on the work of Marie Radford and the authors of the library visit studies by examining library staff members\u27 descriptions of providing consumer health reference services. WE conclude that an in-depth study of staff members\u27 accounts can provide insight into the different ways that library staff members and users construct problems in the reference encounter and can therefore suggest potential solutions

Assessing Healthcare Leader Competency Proficiency Levels in Evaluating Graduate Healthcare Leadership Student Competency Proficiency Levels and Curriculum

Healthcare leaders must possess specific competencies to perform their job requirements by identifying what competencies may need development and take steps to further their education, knowledge, and proficiency. This exploratory research aims to utilize industry data when evaluating student competency proficiency and how that data might impact curriculum development. The research question that is addressed: At what competency proficiency level do working healthcare leaders rate themselves utilizing Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory (1982)? Graduate programs should evaluate current industry data to evaluate how students’ progress in their programs and determine if curriculum changes are needed. Graduate programs should also determine a competency proficiency level goal that students will achieve based off stakeholder input. Twenty-two healthcare leaders from a Midwest, non-profit healthcare organization were invited to participate in an online survey that utilized a 5-point Likert scale in which participants rated their level of proficiency across five domains: (a) leadership, (b) professionalism, (c) communication and relationship building, (d) knowledge of the healthcare environment, and (e) business skills. The corresponding competencies were adapted from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Competencies Tool (2019) and the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) Competency Directory (2010). The majority of participants rated themselves between competent and intermediate/advanced on the competencies. Corresponding means and modes were rated highest with levels above three (intermediate) and four (between intermediate/advanced) related to the domains of leadership, professionalism, and communication and relationship building. The domains of knowledge of the healthcare environment and business skills had intermediate and intermediate/advanced ratings with lower means compared to the other three domains. The results of this study could help graduate programs define a program goal for student competency proficiency level and design a plan to utilize industry data to design, evaluate, and update graduate curriculum to help students meet the identified competency proficiency goal

Synchronous climatic change inferred from diatom records in four western Montana lakes in the U.S. Rocky Mountains

Late-Holocene environmental and climatic conditions were reconstructed from diatom assemblages in sediment cores from four western Montana lakes: Crevice Lake, Foy Lake, Morrison Lake, and Reservoir Lake. The lakes show synchroneity in timing of shifts in diatom community structure, but the nature of these changes differs among the lakes. Two of the sites provide highly resolved records of hydrologic balance, while the other two stratigraphic sequences primarily record temperature impact on lake thermal structure. All four lakes show significant change in five discrete intervals: 2200–2100, 1700–1600, 1350–1200, 800–600, and 250 cal yr BP. The similarities in the timing of change suggest overlying regional climatic influences on lake dynamics. The 800–600 cal yr BP shift is evident in other paleorecords throughout the Great Plains and western US, associated with the transition from the Medieval Climate Anomaly to the Little Ice Age. Large-scale climatic mechanisms that influence these lake environments may result from atmospheric circulation patterns that are driven by interactions between Pacific and Atlantic sea-surface temperatures, which are then locally modified by topography