545 research outputs found
Linkages Between the Phenologies of Jack Pine \u3ci\u3e(Pinus Banksiana)\u3c/i\u3e Foliage and Jack Pine Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
A field study conducted in 2001 and 2002 in the Michigan Upper Peninsula investigated seasonal associations between the development of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb., and larvae of the jack pine budworm Choristoneura pinus Freeman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). There was almost no active relationship between post-diapause emerging second instars and elongation of vegetative shoots. Early instars were not closely synchronized with the flushing of current-year needle fascicles, which is required to optimize larval feeding. How- ever, there were close feeding and shelter relationships between early instars and year-2 pollen cone development. Associations with, and larval damage to, year-2 seed cones were dependent upon larval population size and posed only minimal and periodic threats to jack pine seed production. As a consequence, early instar jack pine budworm relied almost exclusively on pollen cones for survival. Third to fifth instars vacated pollen cones as soon as they became desiccated. Only then did these larvae start close associations with vegetative shoots. First, they excised partially emerged needles at their base, and when the needle-pairs completely escaped their fascicle sheath, the larvae fed routinely on the complete needle lamina. Late instars, pupae and adults were associated with previous yearsâ and current-year foliage without any apparent bias. This study has shown that it might be more practical to time insecticide strategies, which are intended to manage jack pine budworm larvae, to the treeâs phenology rather than jack pine budworm larval indices
The design, implementation and evaluation of a laboratory based intervention to optimise serum immunoglobulin use in primary care
Background Laboratory testing plays a fundamental role in the screening, diagnoses and monitoring of many conditions. Given the increased pressures on the Irish health service, improving inefficiencies and reducing waste, while maintaining the quality of care is at the forefront of healthcare planning. Promoting optimal laboratory service utilisation could play a key role in reducing health expenditure, in particular by preventing the unnecessary use of costly downstream services that often arise as a result of testing. Aims and objectives The overall aim of this thesis was to design, implement and evaluate a behaviour change intervention for optimising serum immunoglobulin test use in primary care. The thesis objectives were as follows: 1. To conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on the effectiveness of previous interventions targeting primary care test use. 2. Identify the barriers and enablers of improving test ordering for serum immunoglobulins among General Practitioners (GPs), using semi-structured interviews. 3. Identify the intervention components (behaviour change techniques and mode(s) of delivery) that could overcome the modifiable barriers and enhance the enablers.
4. Determine which GP and practice characteristics are associated with higher serum immunoglobulin test ordering patterns in the South of Ireland. 5. To implement and evaluate a behaviour change intervention targeting GP serum immunoglobulin test use in the Cork-Kerry region. Structure and Methods The published literature to date was synthesised in a systematic review (Chapter 3). This review was conducted in accordance with the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) guidelines and quality appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. A theory-based paper identifying the modifiable barriers and enablers to test ordering behaviour change and the selection of intervention components to overcome these is presented in Chapter 4. This involved using a combination of behaviour change models including the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), the behaviour change wheel constructs; capabilities, opportunities, motivations of behaviour (COM-B) and Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) to identify intervention functions best suited to targeting GP test ordering behaviour. The GP and practice characteristics associated with higher test ordering patterns are described in Chapter 5. These were identified by performing a multi-level analysis of all GP test orders in the studied region for a one-year time period, using routine laboratory data. The design of the intervention material and details on the implementation plans are provided in Chapter 6. Results of the effect of the intervention using nine-month follow up data are described in Chapter 7. This was performed using interrupted time-series with segmented Poisson regression models to assess the pre-and
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post-intervention trend for serum immunoglobulin testing among GPs in the Cork-Kerry region of Ireland. Finally, a discussion of the key findings, strengths and limitations of the thesis and recommendations for future research are addressed (Chapter 8).
Key Findings
A number of different interventions were of variable efficacy at changing GP test ordering behaviour. However, generalisability across tests and methodological weakness were identified in these studies (Chapter 3). GP factors contributing to higher immunoglobulin test ordering in our sample included female gender and fewer years of clinical experience (Chapter 5). The lack of clear guidelines and knowledge on how to interpret the test results posed greatest problems for GPs. Four key intervention functions were identified for overcoming these modifiable barriers to effective test use; education, persuasion, enablement and environmental restructuring (Chapter 4). Following the introduction of a guideline and education-based strategy targeting the two key issues (by incorporating the four functions), test orders for serum immunoglobulins dropped significantly. A nine-month evaluation of the effectiveness of this intervention found a statistically significant 1.5% reduction in the fortnight-to-fortnight test ordering trend for serum immunoglobulins (Chapter 7).
Conclusions
This research provides an important overview of the behavioural factors influencing laboratory testing among GPs. The incorporation of behavioural theory, specifically the COM-B, TDF and BCT taxonomy, has supported the identification of factors such as
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knowledge and the social and environmental context, which are key for understanding testing behaviours. Combining these context specific "mechanisms of change" with international evidence on what has previously worked, assisted in the development of an effective behaviour change intervention targeting serum immunoglobulin test use in primary care
57-Fe Mossbauer study of magnetic ordering in superconducting K_0.85Fe_1.83Se_2.09 single crystals
The magnetic ordering of superconducting single crystals of
K_0.85Fe_1.83Se_2.09 has been studied between 10K and 550K using 57-Fe
Mossbauer spectroscopy. Despite being superconducting below T_sc ~30K, the iron
sublattice in K_0.85Fe_1.83Se_2.09 clearly exhibits magnetic order from well
below T_sc to its N\'eel temperature of T_N = 532 +/- 2K. The iron moments are
ordered perpendicular to the single crystal plates, i.e. parallel to the
crystal c-axis. The order collapses rapidly above 500K and the accompanying
growth of a paramagnetic component suggests that the magnetic transition may be
first order, which may explain the unusual temperature dependence reported in
recent neutron diffraction studies.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures Submitted to Phys.Rev.
Prevalence of and factors associated with herpes zoster in England: a cross-sectional analysis of the Health Survey for England
BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (commonly called shingles) is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, and results in substantial morbidity. While the risk of zoster increases significantly with age and immunosuppression, relatively little is known about other risk factors for zoster. Moreover, much evidence to date stems from electronic healthcare or administrative data. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore potential risk factors for herpes zoster using survey data from a nationally-representative sample of the general community-dwelling population in England. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2015 Health Survey for England, an annual cross-sectional representative survey of households in England. The lifetime prevalence of self-reported herpes zoster was described by age, gender and other socio-demographic factors, health behaviours (physical activity levels, body mass index, smoking status and alcohol consumption) and clinical conditions, including; diabetes, respiratory, digestive and genito-urinary system and mental health disorders. Logistic regression models were then used to identify possible factors associated with shingles, and results were presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of shingles among the sample was 11.5% (12.6% among women, 10.3% among men), which increased with age. After adjusting for a range of covariates, increased age, female gender (odds ratio: 1.21; 95%CI: 1.03, 1.43), White ethnic backgrounds (odds ratio: 2.00; 95%CI: 1.40, 2.88), moderate physical activity 7Â days per week (odds ratio: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.66) and digestive disorders (odds ratio: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13, 1.51) were each associated with increased odds of having had herpes zoster. CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, ethnicity and digestive disorders may be risk factors for herpes zoster among a nationally representative sample of adults in England. These potential risk factors and possible mechanisms should be further explored using longitudinal studies
Stereotypes of salespeople in Taiwan:an empirical examination and research agenda
Stereotypes of salespeople are common currency in US media outlets, and research suggests that these stereotypes are uniformly negative. However there is no reason to expect that stereotypes will be consistent across cultures. The present paper provides the first empirical examination of salesperson stereotypes in an Asian country, specifically Taiwan. Using accepted psychological methods, Taiwanese salesperson stereotypes are found to be twofold, with a negative stereotype being quite congruent with existing US stereotypes, but also a positive stereotype, which may be related to the specific culture of Taiwan
The effects of individual, family and environmental factors on physical activity levels in children: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND: Physical activity plays an important role in optimising physical and mental health during childhood, adolescence, and throughout adult life. This study aims to identify individual, family and environmental factors that determine physical activity levels in a population sample of children in Ireland. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the first wave (2008) of the nationally representative Growing Up in Ireland study. A two-stage clustered sampling method was used where national schools served as the primary sampling unit (response rate: 82%) and age eligible children from participating schools were the secondary units (response rate: 57%). Parent reported child physical activity levels and potential covariates (parent and child reported) include favourite hobby, total screen time, sports participation and child body mass index (measured by trained researcher). Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression (forward block entry) examined the association between individual, family and environmental level factors and physical activity levels. RESULTS: The children (N = 8,568) were classified as achieving low (25%), moderate (20%) or high (55%) physical activity levels. In the fully adjusted model, male gender (OR 1.64 [95% CI: 1.34-2.01]), having an active favourite hobby (OR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.31-2.08]) and membership of sports or fitness team (OR 1.90 [95% CI: 1.48-2.45]) were significantly associated with being in the high physical activity group. Exceeding two hours total screen time (OR 0.66 [95% CI: 0.52-0.85]), being overweight (OR 0.41 [95%CI: 0.27-0.61]; or obese (OR 0.68 [95%CI: 0.54-0.86]) were significantly associated with decreased odds of being in the high physical activity group. CONCLUSIONS: Individual level factors appear to predict PA levels when considered in the multiple domains. Future research should aim to use more robust objective measures to explore the usefulness of the interconnect that exists across these domains. In particular how the family and environmental settings could be useful facilitators for consistent individual level factors such as sports participation
Mineralogia e quĂmica de um Latossolo câmbico desenvolvido de rocha pelĂtica do grupo BambuĂ, MG.
Foram realizados analises quimica e mineralogica das fracoes argila e silte de amostras de um perfil de solo com tres camadas distintas: uma superficies xantizada, uma camada de subsuperficie vermelha e um horizonte C apresentado variegados amarelos e vermelhos. Os minerais de maior ocorrencia sao caulinita, mica/vermiculita e goethita. A cor do solo esta relacionada a proporcao hematita/goethita (determinada pela espectroscopia Mossbauer). A substituicao isomorfica de ferro por aluminio na goethita aumenta uniformemente, de 20 a 40 mol%, da base para o topo de perfil; SiO2 decresce uniformemente e ha, ainda, uma tendencia de o Fe 2+ ser continuamente oxidado, na medida em que mica se transforma em vermiculita. O aparecimento de hematita na camada vermelha nao pode ser explicado quantitativamente pela hipotese de que os silicatos sejam a unica fonte de ferro, a menos que haja uma consideravel reducao de volume de camada siltosa amarela do horizonte C para as camadas vermelhas do horizonte B. Os dados sugerem uma transformacao reversivel goethita hematita, em resposta as condicoes ambientais
Prevalence of and factors associated with herpes zoster in England: a cross-sectional analysis of the Health Survey for England.
BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (commonly called shingles) is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, and results in substantial morbidity. While the risk of zoster increases significantly with age and immunosuppression, relatively little is known about other risk factors for zoster. Moreover, much evidence to date stems from electronic healthcare or administrative data. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore potential risk factors for herpes zoster using survey data from a nationally-representative sample of the general community-dwelling population in England. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2015 Health Survey for England, an annual cross-sectional representative survey of households in England. The lifetime prevalence of self-reported herpes zoster was described by age, gender and other socio-demographic factors, health behaviours (physical activity levels, body mass index, smoking status and alcohol consumption) and clinical conditions, including; diabetes, respiratory, digestive and genito-urinary system and mental health disorders. Logistic regression models were then used to identify possible factors associated with shingles, and results were presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of shingles among the sample was 11.5% (12.6% among women, 10.3% among men), which increased with age. After adjusting for a range of covariates, increased age, female gender (odds ratio: 1.21; 95%CI: 1.03, 1.43), White ethnic backgrounds (odds ratio: 2.00; 95%CI: 1.40, 2.88), moderate physical activity 7Â days per week (odds ratio: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.66) and digestive disorders (odds ratio: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13, 1.51) were each associated with increased odds of having had herpes zoster. CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, ethnicity and digestive disorders may be risk factors for herpes zoster among a nationally representative sample of adults in England. These potential risk factors and possible mechanisms should be further explored using longitudinal studies
Needle size for vaccination procedures in children and adolescents
Background: This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2015. The conclusions have not changed. Hypodermic needles of different sizes (gauges and lengths) can be used for vaccination procedures. The gauge (G) refers to the outside diameter of the needle tubing. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the diameter of the needle (e.g. a 23 G needle is 0.6 mm in diameter, whereas a 25 G needle is 0.5 mm in diameter). Many vaccines are recommended for injection into muscle (intramuscularly), although some are delivered subcutaneously (under the skin) and intradermally (into skin). Choosing an appropriate length and gauge of a needle may be important to ensure that a vaccine is delivered to the appropriate site and produces the maximum immune response while causing the least possible harm. Guidelines conflict regarding the sizes of needles that should be used for vaccinating children and adolescents. Objectives: To assess the effects of using needles of different sizes for administering vaccines to children and adolescents on vaccine immunogenicity (the ability of the vaccine to elicit an immune response), procedural pain, and other reactogenicity events (adverse events following vaccine administration). Search methods: We updated our searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL to October 2017. We also searched proceedings of vaccine conferences and two trials registers. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of using hypodermic needles of any gauge or length to administer any type of vaccine to people aged from birth to 24 years. Data collection and analysis: Three review authors independently extracted trial data and assessed the risk of bias. We contacted trial authors for additional information. We rated the quality of evidence using the GRADE system. Main results: We included five trials involving 1350 participants in the original review. The updated review identified no new trials. The evidence from two small trials (one trial including infants and one including adolescents) was insufficient to allow any definitive statements to be made about the effects of the needles evaluated in the trials on vaccine immunogenicity and reactogenicity. The remaining three trials (1135 participants) contributed data to comparisons between 25 G 25 mm, 23 G 25 mm, and 25 G 16 mm needles. These trials included infants predominantly aged from two to six months undergoing intramuscular vaccination in the anterolateral thigh using the World Health Organization (WHO) injection technique (skin stretched flat, needle inserted at a 90° angle and up to the needle hub in healthy infants). The vaccines administered were combination vaccines containing diphtheria, tetanus, and wholeâcell pertussis antigens (DTwP). In some trials, the vaccines also contained Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTwPâHib) and hepatitis B (DTwPâHibâHep B) antigen components. Primary outcomes: Incidence of vaccineâpreventable diseases: No trials reported this outcome. Procedural pain and crying: Using a wider gauge 23 G 25 mm needle may slightly reduce procedural pain (lowâquality evidence) and probably leads to a slight reduction in the duration of crying time immediately after vaccination (moderateâquality evidence) compared with a narrower gauge 25 G 25 mm needle (one trial, 320 participants). The effects are probably not large enough to be clinically relevantâŚAuthors' conclusions: Using 25 mm needles (either 23 G or 25 G) for intramuscular vaccination procedures in the anterolateral thigh of infants using the WHO injection technique probably reduces the occurrence of local reactions while achieving a comparable immune response to 25 G 16 mm needles. These findings are applicable to healthy infants aged two to six months receiving combination DTwP vaccines with a reactogenic wholeâcell pertussis antigen component. These vaccines are predominantly used in lowâ and middleâincome countries. The applicability of the findings to vaccines with acellular pertussis components and other vaccines with different reactogenicity profiles is uncertain
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