Putting it to the Comic Book Fans: Is Auckland Libraries’ Comic Book/Graphic Novel and Manga Collection Meeting Customer Expectations?

This study examines whether Auckland Libraries’ comic book/graphic novel and manga collection is meeting customer expectations and ascertains possible improvements that could be made. Methodology: The study predominantly used a quantitative approach to gather data through the use of self-completion questionnaires. A small degree of qualitative data was obtained from the questionnaire through open-ended questions. There was no recruiting of participants. The target population for this study included all Auckland Libraries customers, regardless of whether they frequently borrow from the comic book/graphic novel and manga collection or not. Results: The study found that participants were generally satisfied with the range of materials in the collection. However, it was commonly agreed amongst participants that Auckland Libraries could be doing more to showcase what was available. Areas identified for improvement include the organisation of the collection, its promotion and staff knowledge of the comic book/graphic novel and manga formats. Implications: This study recommends Auckland Libraries redesign cataloguing procedures for comic book/graphic novel and manga collection in order to introduce standardised organisation at each site. It also recommends Auckland Libraries take more promotional opportunities for the collection as well as the up-skilling of staff to assist with these

Economic Equality and Victory in War: An Empirical Investigation

This paper tests a simple hypothesis: that given the occurrence of war between two countries, the country that is more egalitarian at the moment of military decision is likely to emerge the victor. First, we examine cases where comparative economic inequality can be measured directly, using the nearly comprehensive global data-sets of the University of Texas Inequality Project for the years 1963-1999. Second, we examine cases where reasonable inferences about comparative economic inequality may be drawn by analogy to UTIP measurements or from other political and economic evidence, including both bi-national wars and larger wars where there existed clear pair-wise fronts. Third, we discuss selected cases where inferences may be drawn from literary or historical sources. We find, all in all, that the evidence for an egalitarian victory proposition is remarkably strong.

Maternal Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus as Risk Factors for Congenital Heart Disease in the Offspring

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common anatomical malformation occurring live-born infants and an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality across the lifespan and throughout the world. Population-based observations have long described associations between maternal cardiometabolic disorders and the risk of CHD in the offspring. Here we review the epidemiological evidence and clinical observations relating maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus to the risk of CHD offspring with particular attention to mechanistic models of maternal-fetal risk transmission and first trimester disturbances of fetal cardiac development. A deeper understanding of maternal risk factors holds the potential to improve both prenatal detection of CHD by identifying at-risk pregnancies, along with primary prevention of disease by improving preconception and prenatal treatment of at-risk mothers.Peer reviewe

Upset Simulation and Training Initiatives for U.S. Navy Commercial Derived Aircraft

Militarized versions of commercial platforms are growing in popularity due to many logistical benefits in the form of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts, established production methods, and commonality for different certifications. Commercial data and best practices are often leveraged to reduce procurement and engineering development costs. While the developmental and cost reduction benefits are clear, these militarized aircraft are routinely operated in flight at significantly different conditions and in significantly different manners than for routine commercial flight. Therefore they are at a higher risk of flight envelope exceedance. This risk may lead to departure from controlled flight and/or aircraft loss1. Historically, the risk of departure from controlled flight for military aircraft has been mitigated by piloted simulation training and engineering analysis of typical aircraft response. High-agility military aircraft simulation databases are typically developed to include high angles of attack (AoA) and sideslip due to the dynamic nature of their missions and have been developed for many tactical configurations over the previous decades. These aircraft simulations allow for a more thorough understanding of the vehicle flight dynamics characteristics at high AoA and sideslip. In recent years, government sponsored research on transport airplane aerodynamic characteristics at high angles of attack has produced a growing understanding of stall/post-stall behavior. This research along with recent commercial airline training initiatives has resulted in improved understanding of simulator-based training requirements and simulator model fidelity.2-5 In addition, inflight training research over the past decade has produced a database of pilot performance and recurrency metrics6. Innovative solutions to aerodynamically model large commercial aircraft for upset conditions such as high AoA, high sideslip, and ballistic damage, as well as capability to accurately account for scaling factors, is necessary to develop realistic engineering and training simulations. Such simulations should significantly reduce the risk of departure from controlled flight, loss of aircraft, and ease the airworthiness certification process. The characteristics of commercial derivative aircraft are exemplified by the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) aircraft, and the largest benefits of initial investigation are likely to be yielded from this platform. The database produced would also be utilized by flight dynamics engineers as a means to further develop and investigate vehicle flight characteristics as mission tactics evolve through the years ahead. This paper will describe ongoing efforts by the U.S. Navy to develop a methodology for simulation and training for large commercial-derived transport aircraft at unusual attitudes, typically experienced during an aircraft upset. This methodology will be applied to a representative Navy aircraft (P-8A) and utilized to develop a robust simulation that should accurately represent aircraft response in these extremes. Simulation capabilities would then extend to flight dynamics analysis and simulation, as well as potential training applications. Recent evaluations of integrated academic, ground-based simulation, and in-flight upset training will be described along with important lessons learned, specific to military requirements

Development of stormwater asset management plan for local council

This research project aims to develop a stormwater asset management plan for local council and how predictive modelling can be utilised to develop a more strategic advanced system. Local council have endorsed a ‘Core’ asset plan as the framework for all assets. The Chief Executive Officer has implemented a 95-point plan to improve council services and one of these is to progress from a ‘Core’ Asset plan to an advanced plan for all assets. Sunshine Coast Council Stormwater Unit has made a commitment to progress from the ‘Core’ plan and in doing so has now undertaken a proactive CCTV survey of all existing asset classes with a focus on critical assets. Predictive modelling of existing reinforced concrete pipe has been identified as a key driver and how council monitor the asset condition and determine the residual life of the asset. These outcomes in turn are calculating the useful life of the asset and providing some effective comparisons with more conventional models. A study was undertaken on a variety of stormwater networks and upon completion of the condition assessment and predictive modelling it was ascertained that these networks are not meeting their useful life expectation. This shortfall in useful life means that local council need to review all areas of the asset management plan including risk and criticality, levels of service, maintenance and renewal programs and growth management. IIMM (2015) clarifies that for any asset management plan to be effective it has to rely on good data, robust assessment of asset condition and to ensure the lifecycle costs of the assets will provide a sustainable future. The dissertation has provided a positive and proactive process for local councils to achieve a sustainable system that will enable the organisation and key stakeholders to deliver over the long term. The project has provided a solid base for council to improve on these processes and to also provide an opportunity for further development in how other asset classes can be incorporated into this plan

Birthweight, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Disease: Addressing the Barker Hypothesis With Mendelian Randomization.

BACKGROUND: Low birthweight has been associated with a higher risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and cardiovascular disease. The Barker hypothesis posits that intrauterine growth restriction resulting in lower birthweight is causal for these diseases, but causality is difficult to infer from observational studies. METHODS: We performed regression analyses to assess associations of birthweight with cardiovascular disease and T2D in 237 631 individuals from the UK Biobank. Further, we assessed the causal relationship of such associations using Mendelian randomization. RESULTS: In the observational analyses, birthweight showed inverse associations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (β, -0.83 and -0.26; per raw unit in outcomes and SD change in birthweight; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.90 to -0.75 and -0.31 to -0.22, respectively), T2D (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.79-0.87), lipid-lowering treatment (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.81-0.86), and coronary artery disease (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.94), whereas the associations with adult body mass index and body fat (β, 0.04 and 0.02; per SD change in outcomes and birthweight; 95% CI, 0.03-0.04 and 0.01-0.02, respectively) were positive. The Mendelian randomization analyses indicated inverse causal associations of birthweight with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 2-hour glucose, coronary artery disease, and T2D and positive causal association with body mass index but no associations with blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that lower birthweight, used as a proxy for intrauterine growth retardation, is causally related with increased susceptibility to coronary artery disease and T2D. This causal relationship is not mediated by adult obesity or hypertension

Maternal first trimester metabolic profile in pregnancies with transposition of the great arteries

Background: Higher maternal body mass index (BMI) and abnormal glucose metabolism during early pregnancy are associated with congenital heart defects in the offspring, but the exact mechanisms are unknown.Methods: We evaluated the association between maternal first trimester metabolic profile and transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in the offspring in a matched case-control study with 100 TGA mothers and 200 controls born in Finland during 2004-2014. Cases and controls were matched by birth year, child sex, and maternal age and BMI. Serum samples collected between 10- and 14-weeks of gestation were analyzed for 73 metabolic measures. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the risk for TGA in the offspring, and a subgroup analysis among mothers with high BMI was conducted.Results: Higher concentrations of four subtypes of extremely large very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and one of large VLDL particles were observed in TGA mothers. This finding did not reach statistical significance after multiple testing correction. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of the all metabolic variables was slightly higher in TGA mothers in the subgroup with maternal BMI over 25 (OR 1.25) and significantly higher in the subgroup with maternal BMI over 30 (OR 1.95) compared to the original population (OR 1.18).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that an abnormal maternal early pregnancy metabolic profile might be associated with TGA in the offspring, especially in obese mothers. A trend indicating altered VLDL subtype composition in TGA pregnancies warrants further research.Peer reviewe

Status and Trends of Phragmites australis invasion within constructed wetlands in Virginia

Part I. Field GPS Mapping of P. australis Populations. Kirk J. Havens, Harry Berquist, and Walter I. Priest, Ill Part II. Evaluating the Use of Multispectral Imagery for Identifying and Quantifying P. australis Populations in Created Wetlands. James E. Perry and John Anderson Part Ill. A Summary of Methods for Controlling Phragmites australis. Libby Norris, James E. Perry, and Kirk J. Haven

Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and C-Reactive Protein in Men

Objective - This study examined the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and C-reactive protein (CRP), with adjustment for weight and within weight categories. Methods and Results - We calculated median and adjusted geometric mean CRP levels, percentages of individuals with an elevated CRP (≥2.00 mg/L), and odds ratios of elevated CRP across 5 levels of cardiorespiratory fitness for 722 men. CRP values were adjusted for age, body mass index, vitamin use, statin medication use, aspirin use, the presence of inflammatory disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and smoking habit. We found an inverse association of CRP across fitness levels (P for trend\u3c0.001), with the highest adjusted CRP value in the lowest fitness quintile (1.64 [1.27 to 2.11] mg/L) and the lowest adjusted CRP value in the highest fitness quintile (0.70 [0.60 to 0.80] mg/L). Similar results were found for the prevalence of elevated CRP across fitness quintiles. We used logistic regression to model the adjusted odds for elevated CRP and found that compared with the referent first quintile, the second (odds ratio [OR] 0.43, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.85), third (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.65), fourth (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.47), and fifth (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.37) quintiles of fitness had significantly lower odds of elevated CRP. Similar results were found when examining the CRP-fitness relation within categories of body fatness (normal weight, overweight, and obese) and waist girth (\u3c102 or ≥102 cm). Conclusions - Cardiorespiratory fitness levels were inversely associated with CRP values and the prevalence of elevated CRP values in this sample of men from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study