Geostatistical mapping and spatial variability of surficial sediment types on the Beaufort Sea shelf based on grain size data

The nearshore Beaufort Sea is a sensitive marine environment that is also the focus of oil and gas exploration. Offshore, the Beaufort Sea contains large potential reserves of hydrocarbons. Any future exploitation of these resources will present unique engineering challenges and will require an understanding of the processes that govern stability, nearshore morphology and sediment properties in the extensive shallow coastal zone of the Beaufort Sea shelf. Knowledge of the surficial sediment distribution is, therefore, necessary to provide a framework for understanding sediment stability, sediment transport, platform foundation conditions and to balance engineering challenges with environmental concerns, resource development and precautionary sustainable management. We describe an approach for a quality controlled mapping of grain sizes and sediment textures for the Beaufort Sea shelf in the Canadian Arctic. The approach is based on grain size data sampled during the period 1969-2008. A replenishment of grain size data since the 1980’s, as well as the consideration of correlating parameters (bathymetry, slope and sediment input) to a cokriging algorithm, amends the former way of mapping the surficial sediments of the Beaufort Sea shelf. Subsequent to data processing and applying autocorrelation, four single grids (clay, silt, sand and gravel) were generated from grain size data by ordinary kriging and cokriging. Cokriging also considered parameters that influence sediment texture such as bathymetry, slope, cost distance from the Mackenzie River and data anisotropy (directional dependency). The cokriging algorithm expressed as a variogram was quality controlled by cross-validation and predicted standard errors (PSEs). PSE values express a maximum deviation of modeled from the real values and therefore help to estimate the quality in these regions regarding the interpolation results for each grain size range. A sediment type classification scheme applied to the set of clay, silt, sand and gravel content maps resulted in a sediment type map of the Beaufort Sea shelf. The PSEs of ordinary kriging and cokriging have been compared and showed that the cokriging technique provided superior interpolation results for silt and slightly improved results for clay and sand. Cokriging was able to capture most of the small variations in the sediment texture distribution. Furthermore, reduced nugget effects confirmed that the cost distance grid was a better indicator for sediment texture when compared to bathymetry and slope. For gravel, ordinary kriging achieved better prediction probabilities and was, therefore, used for generation of the distribution map for this grain size class. The use of cokriging and ordinary kriging greatly enhanced interpolation estimates without additional sampling. Especially in nearshore regions, like the Beaufort Sea shelf, geostatistical interpolation techniques are very useful for evaluating seabed sediment texture because sampling is often difficult or impossible due to ice conditions or even prohibited near oil platforms. The described methodology along with the inclusion of recent data, provided an improved mapping of the surficial sediments of the Beaufort Sea shelf

Psychometric evaluation of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) with Dupuytren's contracture: validity evidence using Rasch modeling

Background Dupuytren’s contracture is a progressive, fibroproliferative disorder that causes fixed finger contractures and can lead to disability. With the advances of new therapeutic interventions, the necessity to assess the functional repercussions of this condition using valid, reliable and sensitive outcome measures is of growing interest. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) is one frequently used patient-reported outcome measure but its reliability and validity have never been demonstrated specifically for a population affected with Dupuytren’s contracture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DASH, with focus on validity evidence using the Rasch measurement model. Methods Secondary analysis was performed on data collected as part of a randomised clinical trial. One hundred fifty-three participants diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture completed the DASH at four time points (pre-op, 3, 6 and 12 months post-op). Baseline data were analysed using traditional analysis and to test whether they adhered to the expectations of the Rasch model. Post-intervention data were subsequently included and analyzed to determine the effect of the intervention on the items. Results DASH scores demonstrated large ceiling effects at all time points. Initial fit to the Rasch model revealed that the DASH did not adhere to the expectations of the Rasch partial credit model (χ2 = 119.92; p < 0.05). Multiple items displayed inadequate response categories and two items displayed differential item functioning by gender. Items were transformed and one item deleted leading to an adequate fit. Remaining items fit the Rasch model but still do not target well the population under study. Conclusions The original version of the 30-item DASH did not display adequate validity evidence for use in a population with Dupuytren’s contracture. Further development is required to improve the DASH for this population

Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Cartilage Metabolism in OA: Outlook on Other Nutrient Partners Especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized by increasing loss of cartilage, remodeling of the periarticular bone, and inflammation of the synovial membrane. Besides the common OA therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the treatment with chondroprotectives, such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, collagen hydrolysate, or nutrients, such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids is a promising therapeutic approach. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that the targeted administration of selected micronutrients leads to a more effective reduction of OA symptoms, with less adverse events. Their chondroprotective action can be explained by a dual mechanism: (1) as basic components of cartilage and synovial fluid, they stimulate the anabolic process of the cartilage metabolism; (2) their anti-inflammatory action can delay many inflammation-induced catabolic processes in the cartilage. These two mechanisms are able to slow the progression of cartilage destruction and may help to regenerate the joint structure, leading to reduced pain and increased mobility of the affected joint

Quantification of myocardial perfusion by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

The potential of contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for a quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion has been explored for more than a decade now, with encouraging results from comparisons with accepted "gold standards", such as microspheres used in the physiology laboratory. This has generated an increasing interest in the requirements and methodological approaches for the non-invasive quantification of myocardial blood flow by CMR. This review provides a synopsis of the current status of the field, and introduces the reader to the technical aspects of perfusion quantification by CMR. The field has reached a stage, where quantification of myocardial perfusion is no longer a claim exclusive to nuclear imaging techniques. CMR may in fact offer important advantages like the absence of ionizing radiation, high spatial resolution, and an unmatched versatility to combine the interrogation of the perfusion status with a comprehensive tissue characterization. Further progress will depend on successful dissemination of the techniques for perfusion quantification among the CMR community

A nuclear magnetic resonance study of vacancy and interstitial motion in scandium hydrides and deuterides

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methods have been used to study the nonstochiometric dihydrides and dideuterides of high purity scandium. For the first time, measurements have been made of the spin relaxation times T(,1) and T(,2) of all three nuclear species present ((\u2745)Sc, (\u272)D, (\u271)H) in a metal hydride (deuteride) system, permit- ting a comparison of the main features of both atomic and vacancy motion on the hydrogen sublattice. In the regions of the conventional diffusion induced (\u2745)Sc- and (\u272)D-T(,1) minima ( 0.03 and shows a weaker frequency dependence than expected. The jump-attempt frequencies (nu)(,o) obtained from the (\u2745)Sc-T(,1) data agree well with the values obtained from neutron scattering measurements, whereas the (\u271)H-T(,1) data yield anomalously low jump frequency prefactors. We interpret the departure of the (\u2745)Sc results from the Lorentzian model as indicating the formation of vacancy pairs and the importance of particle-particle interactions. The (\u2745)Sc- and (\u272)D- T(,1) data also reveal the importance of three particle correlations and conduction elec- tron screening for the quadrupolar relaxation mechanism. At high temperatures (\u3e800K), we have observed a new, previously unfore- seen and essentially frequency independent decrease of T(,1) and T(,2) for all three nuclear species ((\u2745)Sc, (\u272)D and (\u271)H). This second, high temperature T(,1) minimum suggests the formation of short-lived clusters on the H(D) sublattice similar to that occurring in superionic fluorides and the existence of highly correlated modes of motion. Large amplitude vibrations of the hydrogen (deuterium) atoms at high temperatures lead to an effective slowdown of atom diffusion and the T(,1) decrease. Several other high temperature relaxation;mechanisms have been considered and can be excluded on both theoretical and experimental grounds; (\u271)DOE REport IS-T-1237. This work was performed under contract No. W-7405-Eng-82 with the U.S. Department of Energy

An Examination of Community Band Members\u27 Ratings of Skills, Traits, and Behaviors of Community Band Conductors

The purpose of this study was to examine community band members’ perceptions of the skills, traits, and behaviors of community band conductors. Community band members rated the importance of a range of such skills, traits, and behaviors in relation to their experience within their band. Adult community band members learn differently from the ways that school-aged students do because they have different life experiences, motivations, and educational needs. Adult learners desire to be part of their own learning, and they need a conductor who has the skills, traits, and behaviors that are important from their perspectives. The conductor/musician relationship is an important part of what motivates adults to play in community bands. My research may provide current and future community concert band conductors information that they may use to assess their own conducting skills, traits, and behaviors from the perspective of band members in order to improve the quality of the concert band experience for the band members. The 5 highest rated traits are as follows: “The community band conductor demonstrates proficient conducting skills” was the highest rated trait. “The community band conductor demonstrates a positive approach” was the second highest rated trait. “The community band conductor demonstrates proficient score-reading skills” was the third highest rated trait. “The community band conductor demonstrates a positive rapport with the band members” was the fourth highest rated trait. “The community band conductor demonstrates good rehearsal planning skills” was the fifth highest trait. The most important category of skills, traits, and behaviors was personal skills followed by musical skills, followed by teaching skills. The findings from this research differ from previous research in skills, traits, and behaviors. Adult learners want to have a say in their own education and they bring a wealth of life experience to their educational endeavors. Perhaps they need a mentor and not a teacher. Adult musicians need the conductor/musician relationship and community involvement as well as a quality musical experience to enhance their enjoyment and contribute to life-long participation in a community band

Wildkatzen und Straßen : Ermittlung von Unfallschwerpunkten im Ostharz

Seit einigen Jahren wird für Teilpopulationen der Wildkatze (Felis s. silvestris) in Deutschland ein positiver Ausbreitungstrend beobachtet. Auch an der Peripherie ihres nördlichen Verbreitungsgebietes, dem Harz, wird die Art wieder häufiger nachgewiesen. Dennoch beschränkt sich die Verbreitung der Wildkatze heute lediglich auf einen Bruchteil ihres ursprünglichen Areals, so dass die Art weiterhin als gefährdet gilt und eines hohen internationalen wie nationalen Schutzes bedarf. Neben der Gefahr einer zunehmenden Hybridisierung mit Hauskatzen (Felis catus), ist heute der Straßenverkehr die häufigste anthropogen bedingte Gefährdungsursache für die Wildkatze. Wie stark der Einfluss der Straßenverkehrsmortalität auf die Entwicklung einer Population ist, wurde bisher nicht untersucht. Die genaue Erfassung von Verkehrsopfern ermöglicht, Gefahrenschwerpunkte zu benennen, um effektive Artenschutzmaßnahmen herzuleiten. Diese Studie, die im Auftrag der Biosphärenreservatsverwaltung Karstlandschaft Südharz erstellt wurde, fokussiert auf die Ermittlung von Verkehrsstrecken mit erhöhter Mortalität und Unfallschwerpunkten. Im Folgenden werden Methoden und Ergebnisse vorgestellt sowie Handlungsempfehlungen für den Wildkatzenschutz formuliert

Simultaneous Network Line Planning and Traffic Assignment

One of the basic problems in strategic planning of public and rail transport is the line planning problem to find a system of lines and its associated frequencies. The objectives of this planning process are usually manifold and often contradicting. The transport operator wants to minimize cost, whereas passengers want to have travel time shortest routes without any or only few changings between different lines. The travel quality of a passenger route depends on the travel time and on the number of necessary changings between lines and is usually measured by a disutility or impedance function. In practice the disutility strongly depends on the line plan, which is not known, but should be calculated. The presented model combines line planning models and traffic assignment model to overcome this dilemma. Results with data of Berlin\u27s city public transportion network are reported