Development and Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol for Thoracic Surgery Procedures

A high prevalence of lung and esophageal cancers leads to significant healthcare dollars utilized for treatment and management. Surgical resection is regarded as a key component for multidisciplinary treatment and management of these cancers. By standardizing multidisciplinary patient care and utilizing evidence-based practice, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for thoracic surgery have offered better outcomes with fewer complications and reduced healthcare costs. The anesthesia providers at the host facility were deficient in basic knowledge related to ERAS protocols and best practice management of thoracic surgery patients. The purpose of this project was to educate anesthesia providers on ERAS principles and introduce a thoracic surgery ERAS protocol tailored to host institution resources. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, a thoracic ERAS protocol was developed at a tertiary care center. An educational presentation was delivered utilizing Powerpoint to introduce ERAS principles and a standardized thoracic ERAS protocol. A post education survey was utilized to assess understanding of ERAS principles and willingness to implement the protocol into practice. Results of the project confirmed all respondents had a better understanding of ERAS principles and goals after the PowerPoint presentation. Anesthesia providers also indicated a high intent to implement the protocol into their practice. Limitations of this project are selection bias through volunteer participation and lack of generalizability with the protocol being customized to host facility needs and resources

Wild record of an apple snail in the Waikato River, Hamilton, New Zealand and their incidence in freshwater aquaria

We report the discovery of a single specimen of a live apple snail Pomacea diffusa Blume 1957 (Ampullariidae: Prosobranchia), from the Waikato River, Hamilton city, central North Island, New Zealand. This species, along with the congeneric P. insularum, is imported for the aquarium trade, and its occurrence in the river likely stemmed from an aquarium release. A survey of 55 aquaria belonging to 43 hobbyists revealed 27 apple snails, with one owner having 22 snails. Assessment of environmental tolerances and impacts of P. diffusa, based largely on studies of the closely related and commonly confused congener P. bridgesii, suggests that direct habitat impacts by this species are likely to be minor. However, there could be indirect influences on native biodiversity through predation on eggs or competition for food supplies with other detritivorous species if densities were to become high. Water temperatures in the Waikato River below Hamilton (10-23˚C in 2009) may enable released individuals to persist for an extended period, and over summer may exceed the threshold required to enable breeding. However, population establishment would be most likely in locations where water is heated through geothermal influences or industrial cooling water discharges

Identification of Novel Pesticides for Use against Glasshouse Invertebrate Pests in UK Tomatoes and Peppers

To inform current and future pesticide availability to glasshouse vegetable growers, the current project trialled more than twenty products, including existing industry standards, against four key pests of glasshouse tomatoes and bell peppers. These included experimental conventional chemical pesticides as well as alternative biopesticide and biorational products based on phytochemicals, microbials and physically-acting substances. The results suggest that certain biopesticide products, particularly botanicals, provide good levels of pest control, with the same being true of experimental conventional chemical pesticides not yet recommended for use against these pests on these crops. Efforts are on-going to ensure that results of the current project translate to industry benefit via new pesticide approvals

Incubation recess behaviors influence nest survival of Wild Turkeys

In ground nesting upland birds, reproductive activities contribute to elevated predation risk, so females presumably use multiple strategies to ensure nest success. Identification of drivers reducing predation risk has primarily focused on evaluating vegetative conditions at nest sites, but behavioral decisions manifested through movements during incubation may be additional drivers of nest survival. However, our understanding of how movements during incubation impact nest survival is limited for most ground nesting birds. Using GPS data collected from female Eastern Wild Turkeys (n = 206), we evaluated nest survival as it relates to movement behaviors during incubation, including recess frequency, distance traveled during recesses, and habitat selection during recess movements. We identified 9,361 movements off nests and 6,529 recess events based on approximately 62,065 hr of incubation data, and estimated mean nest attentiveness of 84.0%. The numbers of recesses taken daily were variable across females (range: 1-7). Nest survival modeling indicated that increased cumulative distance moved during recesses each day was the primary driver of positive daily nest survival. Our results suggest behavioral decisions are influencing trade-offs between nest survival and adult female survival during incubation to reduce predation risk, specifically through adjustments to distances traveled during recesses

On asymptotic stability of prime ideals in noncommutative rings

This thesis is concerned with the asymptotic behaviour of the prime divisors of powers of an ideal / in a ring R. The main focus is on the case when R is a prime Noetherian polynomial identity ring. Our starting point is a theorem, first proved by M. Brodrnann ([2]), which shows that in a commutative Noetherian ring, the prime divisors of powers of an ideal turn out, to be asymptotically stable. We first, generalize this result to Azumaya algebras, and then attempt to find an overring which satisfies the following two criteria: 1. prime divisors ‘go up and down’ between this overring and the original ring; 2. prime divisors ‘go up and down’ between this overring and its centre. After finding conditions under which such an overring exists, it is possible to formulate a theorem concerning asymptotic stability of prime divisors in the original ring, using the fact that prime divisors are asymptotically stable in the centre of the overring. In chapter 1 we outline the basic definitions, results and theory required for this thesis. In chapter 2 we first establish some properties concerning associated primes of a module, and in Proposition 2.1.3 we note that a result connecting two sequences, due to M. Brodinann in the commutative case, is equally valid in the noncomrnutative setting. Next we outline a proof of the definitive asymptotic stability result in the commutative theory, due to M. Brodinann ([2]). The proof followed in this thesis is that given by S. McAdam and P. Eakin in [10]. In the final section of this chapter we discuss some results concerning invertible ideals, due to A..1. Gray, and their applications to aspects of the proof of M. Brodmann’s result. We note difficulties with this approach and give reasons why this does not lead to a generalization of M. Brodmann’s theorem. In chapter 3 we provide the generalization of M. Brodmann’s theorem to Azumaya algebras. Affiliated prime ideals have often been viewed as a generalized class of associated prime ideals in the noncommutative setting, which contain more information than associated prime ideals. With this in mind, we shift the focus of our study from associated prime ideals to affiliated prime ideals. We also show that there is a very simple relationship between the prime divisors of an ideal in an Azuinaya algebra Rand the prime divisors of the corresponding ideal of the centre of It. We give an example to illustrate this result. Iu chapter 4 we introduce localizations of rings and modules, giving basic properties. We give a method of ‘going up and down’ between ideals of the original ring and ideals of localizations of that ring, and give conditions under which this method is applicable. We then use this to derive a relationship between the prime divisors of the original ring and the prime divisors of localizations of that ring. In chapter 5 we attempt to find a ring satisfying the two criteria set out above, using a localization as the overring. We give conditions under which this localization is an Azumaya algebra, enabling us to make use of the results in chapter 3. 1* iist, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability of prime divisors to hold in a prime Noetherian polynomial identity ring. We then give alternative sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability to hold in the same class of lings. We conclude with a discussion of some results in the general Noetherian c ase

The effect of organic retarders on grout thickening and setting during deep borehole disposal of high-level radioactive waste

Deep borehole disposal (DBD) is being increasingly seen as a viable and potentially superior alternative to comparatively shallow mined repository concepts for disposal of some high-level radioactive wastes. We report here details of proof-of-concept investigations into the use of cementitious grouts as sealing/ support matrices for use in low temperature DBD scenarios. Using the cementitious grout to fill annular space within the disposal zone will not only support waste packages during placement, but will also provide a low permeability layer around them which will ultimately enhance the safety case for DBD. Grouts based on Class G oil well cement are being developed. The use of retarders to delay the accelerated onset of thickening and setting (caused by the high temperature and pressure in the borehole) is being investigated experimentally. Sodium gluconate and a polycarboxylate additive each provide suf- ficient retardation over the range 90e140 °C in order to be considered for this application. Phosphonate and sulphonate additives provide desirable retardation at 90 °C. The additives did not affect grout composition at 14 days curing and the phases formed are durable at elevated temperature and pressure

Seafloor sediment thickness beneath the VoiLA broad-band ocean-bottom seismometer deployment in the Lesser Antilles from P-to-S delay times

Broad-band ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) deployments present an opportunity to investigate the seafloor sediment thickness, which is important for constraining sediment deposition, and is also useful for subsequent seismological analyses. The Volatile Recycling in the Lesser Antilles (VoiLA) project deployed 34 OBSs over the island arc, fore- and backarc of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone for 15 months from 2016 to 2017. Using the amplitudes and delay times of P-to-S (Ps) scattered waves from the conversion of teleseismic earthquake Pwaves at the crust–sediment boundary and pre-existing relationships developed for Cascadia, we estimate sediment thickness beneath each OBS. The delay times of the Ps phases vary from 0.20 ± 0.06 to 3.55 ± 0.70 s, generally increasing from north to south. Using a single-sediment and single-crystalline crust earth model in each case, we satisfactorily model the observations of eight OBSs. At these stations we find sediment thicknesses range from 0.43 ± 0.45 to 5.49 ± 3.23 km. To match the observations of nine other OBSs, layered sediment and variable thickness crust is required in the earth model to account for wave interference effects on the observed arrivals. We perform an inversion with a two-layer sediment and a single-layer crystalline crust in these locations finding overall sediment thicknesses of 1.75 km (confidence region: 1.45–2.02 km) to 7.93 km (confidence region: 6.32–11.05 km), generally thinner than the initial estimates based on the pre-existing relationships. We find agreement between our modelled velocity structure and the velocity structure determined from the VoiLA active-source seismic refraction experiment at the three common locations. Using the Ps values and estimates from the VoiLA refraction experiment, we provide an adjusted relationship between delay time and sediment equations for the Lesser Antilles. Our new relationship is H=1.42dt$^{1.44}$ , where H is sediment thickness in kilometres and dt is mean observed Ps delay time in seconds, which may be of use in other subduction zone settings with thick seafloor sediments

Seafloor sediment thickness beneath the VoiLA broad-band ocean-bottom seismometer deployment in the Lesser Antilles from P-to-S delay times

Broad-band ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) deployments present an opportunity to investigate the seafloor sediment thickness, which is important for constraining sediment deposition, and is also useful for subsequent seismological analyses. The Volatile Recycling in the Lesser Antilles (VoiLA) project deployed 34 OBSs over the island arc, fore- and backarc of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone for 15 months from 2016 to 2017. Using the amplitudes and delay times of P-to-S (Ps) scattered waves from the conversion of teleseismic earthquake Pwaves at the crust–sediment boundary and pre-existing relationships developed for Cascadia, we estimate sediment thickness beneath each OBS. The delay times of the Ps phases vary from 0.20 ± 0.06 to 3.55 ± 0.70 s, generally increasing from north to south. Using a single-sediment and single-crystalline crust earth model in each case, we satisfactorily model the observations of eight OBSs. At these stations we find sediment thicknesses range from 0.43 ± 0.45 to 5.49 ± 3.23 km. To match the observations of nine other OBSs, layered sediment and variable thickness crust is required in the earth model to account for wave interference effects on the observed arrivals. We perform an inversion with a two-layer sediment and a single-layer crystalline crust in these locations finding overall sediment thicknesses of 1.75 km (confidence region: 1.45–2.02 km) to 7.93 km (confidence region: 6.32–11.05 km), generally thinner than the initial estimates based on the pre-existing relationships. We find agreement between our modelled velocity structure and the velocity structure determined from the VoiLA active-source seismic refraction experiment at the three common locations. Using the Ps values and estimates from the VoiLA refraction experiment, we provide an adjusted relationship between delay time and sediment equations for the Lesser Antilles. Our new relationship is H=1.42dt$^{1.44}$ , where H is sediment thickness in kilometres and dt is mean observed Ps delay time in seconds, which may be of use in other subduction zone settings with thick seafloor sediments

Injuries in International Men’s Sixes Lacrosse: Injury Surveillance of the British Lacrosse Men’s National Team During a 9-Month Training Cycle Leading up to and Including The World Games 2022

OBJECTIVE: To describe the injury epidemiology of a men’s national Sixes lacrosse team across training and competition. DESIGN: Prospective observation study. METHODS: This study prospectively observed in- juries that occurred within a training and competition cycle of the British Men’s National Lacrosse team. Data were collected by the team physiotherapist, injury incidence was calculated, and data categorized into injury type, body part, and mechanism. RESULTS: Forty-three injuries occurred during Sixes competition. Injury incidence varied between practice and tournaments. Twelve percent of all injuries were time loss. Two thirds of the time, players continued playing following intervention. One in every 5 injuries was treated with self-management strate- gies. Injuries most frequently occurred in competitive matches (65%). Most injuries were sustained through a contact mechanism (49%) or an overload mechanism (37%). The most frequent injuries were contusions (26%) and muscle injuries (26%). The lower limb was the most frequently injured area (63%), with the lower leg predominantly being the most affected part of the lower limb (63%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first epidemiology study of Sixes lacrosse injuries. Further research is required to better understand the epidemiology and risk factors for injuries in Sixes lacrosse. JOSPT Open 2023;1(1):1-7. Epub: 19 June 2023. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2023.000

New periodic variable stars coincident with ROSAT sources discovered using SuperWASP

We present optical lightcurves of 428 periodic variable stars coincident with ROSAT X-ray sources, detected using the first run of the SuperWASP photometric survey. Only 68 of these were previously recognised as periodic variables. A further 30 of these objects are previously known pre-main sequence stars, for which we detect a modulation period for the first time. Amongst the newly identified periodic variables, many appear to be close eclipsing binaries, their X-ray emission is presumably the result of RS CVn type behaviour. Others are probably BY Dra stars, pre-main sequence stars and other rapid rotators displaying enhanced coronal activity. A number of previously catalogued pulsating variables (RR Lyr stars and Cepheids) coincident with X-ray sources are also seen, but we show hat these are likely to be misclassifications. We identify four objects which are probable low mass eclipsing binary stars, based on their very red colour and light curve morphology