The fractional integrated bi- parameter smooth transition autoregressive model

This paper introduces the fractionally integrated Bi-parameter smooth transition autoregressive model (FI-BSTAR model) as an extension of BSTAR model proposed by Siliverstovs (2005) and the fractionally integrated STAR model (FI-STAR model) proposed by van Dijk et al. (2002). Our FI-BSTAR model is able to simultaneously describe persistence and asymmetric smooth structural change in time series. An empirical application using monthly growth rates of the American producer price index is provided.Long Memory, Nonlinearity, Asymmetry, STAR models.

Case Study of the American British Cowdray School of Nursing (ABCSN)

This post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of the article submitted to IUPUI ScholarWorks as part of the OASIS Project. Article reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Permission granted through posted policies on copyright owner’s website or through direct contact with copyright owner.This case study is the last of five looking at the influence of culture on fundraising activities in international non-profits. The American British Cowdray School of Nursing (ABCSN), a nonprofit school affiliated with a local Mexican hospital and university, reflects many of the fundraising practices common to Mexican non-profit organizations, which are in fact few. In Mexico, fundraising and philanthropy have never been widely practiced, a restrictive legal and tax framework inhibits fundraising activity, there is a general mistrust of nonprofits, and there is a general lack of knowledge about or skills with fundraising among nonprofit organizations. This case study examines the organizational structure and fundraising strategies of the ABCSN, and then reflects on the influence the cultural context of the organization has played on shaping them

Energy demand on dairy farms in Ireland

peer-reviewedReducing electricity consumption in Irish milk production is a topical issue for 2 reasons. First, the introduction of a dynamic electricity pricing system, with peak and off-peak prices, will be a reality for 80% of electricity consumers by 2020. The proposed pricing schedule intends to discourage energy consumption during peak periods (i.e., when electricity demand on the national grid is high) and to incentivize energy consumption during off-peak periods. If farmers, for example, carry out their evening milking during the peak period, energy costs may increase, which would affect farm profitability. Second, electricity consumption is identified in contributing to about 25% of energy use along the life cycle of pasture-based milk. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to document electricity use per kilogram of milk sold and to identify strategies that reduce its overall use while maximizing its use in off-peak periods (currently from 0000 to 0900h). We assessed, therefore, average daily and seasonal trends in electricity consumption on 22 Irish dairy farms, through detailed auditing of electricity-consuming processes. To determine the potential of identified strategies to save energy, we also assessed total energy use of Irish milk, which is the sum of the direct (i.e., energy use on farm) and indirect energy use (i.e., energy needed to produce farm inputs). On average, a total of 31.73 MJ was required to produce 1kg of milk solids, of which 20% was direct and 80% was indirect energy use. Electricity accounted for 60% of the direct energy use, and mainly resulted from milk cooling (31%), water heating (23%), and milking (20%). Analysis of trends in electricity consumption revealed that 62% of daily electricity was used at peak periods. Electricity use on Irish dairy farms, therefore, is substantial and centered around milk harvesting. To improve the competitiveness of milk production in a dynamic electricity pricing environment, therefore, management changes and technologies are required that decouple energy use during milking processes from peak periods

Radiometric Wireless Sensor Network Monitoring of Partial Discharge Sources in Electrical Substations

A wireless sensor network (WSN) with the potential to monitor and locate partial discharge (PD) in high-voltage electricity substations using only received signal strength (RSS) is proposed. The advantages of an RSS-based operating principle over more traditional methods (e.g., time-of-arrival and time-difference-of-arrival) are described. Laboratory measurements of PD that emulate the operation of a PD WSN are presented. The hardware architecture of a prototype PD WSN is described and the particular challenges of an RSS-based location approach in an environment with an unknown, and spatially varying, path-loss index are discussed. It is concluded that an RSS-based PD WSN is a plausible solution for the monitoring of insulation integrity in electricity substations

Primary renal aspergillosis and renal stones in both kidneys associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a leading cause of infectious mortality in patients who have undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT); the mortality due to IA ranges from 70% to 93% in HSCT patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are the cornerstones for the good prognosis of IA. Primary renal aspergillosis is an extremely rare presentation in patients who have undergone HSCT, and the risk factor for this uncommon presentation is not well known. We report a patient who developed primary renal aspergillosis and renal stones in both the kidneys after HSCT. Invasive renal aspergillosis was diagnosed after a nephrectomy, which was performed to treat massive renal hematoma

Identity issues surrounding American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and an optimised high performance liquid chromatography method to authenticate commercially available products

Traditional use of American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) for anxiety and related conditions is well documented. There is evidence of flavonoid instability in S. lateriflora and a high rate of substitution with other skullcap species or adulteration with potentially hepatotoxic germanders (Teucrium spp.). It is therefore essential for the identity, quality and safety of a commercial S. lateriflora product to be verified prior to clinical use. The objective was to review the literature relating to substitution and adulteration of S. lateriflora and to present a simple, optimised high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to verify the absence of adulterants in a commercial sample of S. lateriflora, by comparing its chromatographic profile with that of authenticated S. lateriflora. S. lateriflora reference material and a freeze-dried commercial sample were extracted with methanol and water (80:20, v/v) and compared by HPLC analysis. The commercial sample showed reproducible retention times (RTs) of the flavonoid biomarkers baicalin (RT = 14.8 min; mean ± SD = 11.71 ± 1.16 mg/g); baicalein (RT = 20.4 min; 7.67 ± 0.89 mg/g); wogonin (RT = 23.7 min; 0.65 ± 0.06 mg/g). It appeared to be free from adulteration with germander (verbascoside was not detected; RT = 9.1 min) and its phytochemical profile was consistent with that of the S. lateriflora reference material. It is crucial that commercial products are adequately identified prior to use. The reported HPLC method has shown the potential to compare non-authenticated S. lateriflora samples with authenticated voucher specimens – essential when conducting any phytochemical analysis of the herb

Circulating 250HD, dietary vitamin D, PTH, and calcium associations with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality: The MIDSPAN Family Study

<p>Context: Observational studies relating circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and dietary vitamin D intake to cardiovascular disease (CVD) have reported conflicting results.</p> <p>Objective: Our objective was to investigate the association of 25OHD, dietary vitamin D, PTH, and adjusted calcium with CVD and mortality in a Scottish cohort.</p> <p>Design and Setting: TheMIDSPAN Family Study is a prospective study of 1040 men and 1298 women from the West of Scotland recruited in 1996 and followed up for a median 14.4 yr. Participants: Locally resident adult offspring of a general population cohort were recruited from 1972–1976.</p> <p>Main Outcome Measures: CVD events (n = 416) and all-cause mortality (n=100) were evaluated.</p> <p>Results: 25OHD was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in available plasma (n=2081). Median plasma 25OHD was 18.6 ng/ml, and median vitamin D intake was 3.2 µ g/d (128 IU/d). Vitamin D deficiency (25OHD<15 ng/ml) was present in 689 participants (33.1%). There was no evidence that dietary vitamin D intake, PTH, or adjusted calcium were associated with CVD events or with mortality. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with CVD (fully adjusted hazard ratio=1.00; 95% confidence interval=0.77–1.31). Results were similar after excluding patients who reported an activity-limiting longstanding illness at baseline (18.8%) and those taking any vitamin supplements (21.7%). However, there was some evidence vitamin D deficiency was associated with all-cause mortality (fully adjusted hazard ratio=2.02; 95% confidence interval=1.17–3.51).</p> <p>Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with risk of CVD in this cohort with very low 25OHD. Future trials of vitamin D supplementation in middle-aged cohorts should be powered to detect differences inmortality outcomes as well as CVD.(J Clin EndocrinolMetab97: 0000 –0000, 2012)</p&gt

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis post extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and literature review

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for reversible pulmonary failure in critically ill patients has increased over the last few decades. Nosocomial infections are a major complication of ECMO and fungi have been found to be a common cause. Herein, we describe a case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following ECMO, which was successfully treated with combination antifungal therapy and interferon-gamma

Psychosocial Interventions in the Treatment of Severe Adolescent Obesity: The SHINE Programme

Purpose: Psychosocial Interventions (PSI) are characterised by three phases: 1) an initial in-depth assessment, 2) an intensive multifaceted intervention to stem a condition, and 3) an extensive maintenance programme. PSIs are often used for treatment of mental health conditions, however applicability in the treatment of adolescent obesity is unknown. This paper sought to evaluate the service-level outcomes of a PSI for young people (aged 10-17) with severe obesity. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of participants attending the SHINE programme between 2011-2016 (n = 435; Age: 13.1±2.1 years, Male: 51%, White: 87.4%, BMI: 33.5±7.5 kg/m2, BMI SDS: 3.1±0.5 units). Anthropometric measurements (BMI and WC) were collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months. Psychosocial measures (anxiety, depression, and self-esteem) were collected at baseline and 3 months. Participant retention was also assessed. Results: After 3 months, 95% of participants remained with a mean BMI SDS reduction of 0.19 units (95% CI: 0.17, 0.21). Anxiety, depression, and self-esteem improved by 50%, 54% and 38% respectively. BMI SDS reductions of 0.29, 0.35 and 0.41 were found at 6-, 9-, and 12- months. Fifty-four percent of participants chose to attend the final intervention phase. A higher baseline BMI SDS and a greater reduction in BMI SDS predicted final intervention phase attendance. Conclusion: The SHINE PSI demonstrated positive mean reductions in all measurements across all time points. In contrast to other community-based weight management services, these results suggest the utility of, and further exploration of, PSIs in the treatment of severe adolescent obesity