Clothespins on Timelines: Utilities and The Interval Representation of Time

We discuss the problem of representing utility in planning systems that are based on Allen\u27s [83] popular ontology for planning, which represents actions and events as time intervals. We identify a small number of primitive functions on time intervals which may be helpful in representing preference and also in eliminating dominated actions. Assuming that utility can be decomposed to take advantage of these primitives, these functions provide one solution to the problem of specifying utility in such expressive planning languages. We identify a restricted class of utility expressions that generate linear programming problems. The contribution is not deep, but is instructive. We conclude with the pessimistic observation that any extension to the Allen framework to support DMUR destroys much of the initial appeal of the system. What remains is the ontological emphasis on intervals. It may yet be appealing to some who find the ontology cognitively concordant, but it forces the introduction of a metric that Allen had originally sought to avoid

Komposisi hasil tangkapan soma darape di perairan pantai Desa Bajo Kecamatan Tatapaan Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan

ABSTRACT Soma darape is a traditional net fishing gear that still operated in Amurang Bay because of simple in construction, relatively inexpensive, and easy to operate using a small boat. The operation, however, sometimes is done in damaging ways to fish resources and the environment. Therefore, this research aims to study the species and composition of catches of soma darape, as well as assessing the legal size of catches. This research was done in coastal waters near mangrove of Bajo Village, Tatapaan District, South Minahasa Regency in June 2015; based on descriptive method. The catch consisted of 19 species, and the predominant species (≥ 20) were Scatophagus argus (42), Tylosurus crocodiles (33), Carangoides ferdau (27), Scylla serrata (26), Leiognathus smithursti (21) and Terapon jarbua (20). There were 6 species that have a legal size, namely Terapon jarbua (1), Scatophagus argus (18), Siganus canaliculatus (3), Lutjanus fulvus (5), Sillago analysts (16) and Scylla serrata (1). Of the total catch, only 17.89% was legal size and 82.11% was not legal size. Keywords: soma darape, gill net, catch composition, Amurang Bay   ABSTRAK Soma darape merupakan alat tangkap jaring tradisional yang masih dioperasikan di Teluk Amurang karena konstruksinya sederhana, relatif murah dan mudah dioperasikan dengan perahu ukuran kecil. Tetapi kadang-kadang pengoperasiannya dilakukan dengan cara-cara yang bersifat merusak sumberdaya ikan dan lingkungan. Oleh karena itu penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mempelajari jenis dan komposisi hasil tangkapan soma darape; serta menilai ukuran legal hasil tangkapan. Penelitian ini dilakukan di perairan pantai dekat mangrove Desa Bajo, Kecamatan Tatapaan Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan pada bulan Juni 2015; yang didasarkan pada metode deskriptif. Hasil tangkapan terdiri dari 19 spesies, dan spesies yang dominan (≥ 20 ekor) secara berturut-turut adalah ikan Scatophagus argus (42 ekor), Tylosurus crocodiles (33 ekor), Carangoides ferdau (27 ekor), Scylla serrata (26 ekor), Leiognathus smithursti (21 ekor) dan Terapon jarbua (20 ekor). Hanya 6 spesies yang memiliki ukuran legal tangkap, yaitu Terapon Jarbua (1 ekor), Scatophagus argus (18 ekor), Siganus canaliculatus (3 ekor), Lutjanus fulvus (5 ekor), Sillago analis (16 ekor) dan Scylla serrata (1 ekor). Secara total hasil tangkapan, hanya 17,89% yang layak tangkap dan 82,11% tidak layak tangkap. Kata-kata kunci: soma darape, jaring insang, komposisi tangkapan, Teluk Amuran

Oral health among white, black, and Mexican‐American elders: an examination of edentulism and dental caries

Objectives: To examine racial/ethnic disparities in oral health among older Americans. Methods: Differences in frequency of edentulism and number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth were assessed in 2,679 non‐Hispanic white, 742 non‐Hispanic black, and 934 Mexican‐American individuals aged 60 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999‐2004). Results: Controlling for potential confounding variables, blacks and Mexican‐Americans had significantly higher numbers of decayed teeth but fewer numbers of filled teeth than whites. Although blacks had a lower likelihood of being edentulous than whites, dentate blacks had a higher number of missing teeth. Compared with whites, Mexican‐Americans were less likely to be edentulous, and dentate Mexican‐Americans had fewer missing teeth. Our study also showed that blacks and Mexican‐Americans had less frequent dental checkups than whites. Conclusions: Oral health disparities are persistent across racial/ethnic groups for older Americans despite the fact that the differences between groups typically diminish when socioeconomic, health‐related, and behavioral factors are considered in the models. Our study suggests that reducing racial/ethnic oral health disparities requires multiple clinical approaches.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88103/1/j.1752-7325.2011.00273.x.pd

Trends in decayed teeth among middle‐aged and older adults in the United States: socioeconomic disparities persist over time

ObjectivesWhile trends in tooth loss among older adults have been well documented and show a decline over the last few decades, little is known about trends in tooth decay which may lead to tooth loss. The study aim was to examine trends in tooth decay among adults ages 50 years and older in the United States and determine whether these trends were consistent across demographic and socioeconomic subgroups of middle‐aged and older adults.MethodsSecondary analysis of data collected through detailed oral health examinations in the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) surveys 1988–1994 and 1999–2004. Tooth decay was measured as active caries. Multivariable associations were estimated using negative binomial regression models.ResultsAveraged over time, the mean number of decayed teeth was 0.54. Rates of decay remained stable over time. Males, non‐Hispanic Blacks, Mexican‐Americans, and those of other race/ethnicity as well as those with fewer years of education and lower levels of income had more decayed teeth. The increased number of decayed teeth for Mexican‐Americans and those of other race/ethnicity was due in part to differing levels of education and income. Trends over time did not vary by any of these demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Trends in the number of decayed teeth did not meaningfully change when the numbers of missing and filled teeth were controlled.ConclusionsAlthough studies have shown the number of middle‐aged and older Americans experiencing tooth loss has decreased over time, trends in tooth decay have remained relatively stable, with socioeconomic disparities persisting over time.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135439/1/jphd12153_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135439/2/jphd12153.pd

An interdisciplinary intervention for older Taiwanese patients after surgery for hip fracture improves health-related quality of life

Abstract Background The effects of intervention programs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with hip fracture have not been well studied. We hypothesized that older patients with hip fracture who received our interdisciplinary intervention program would have better HRQOL than those who did not. Methods A randomized experimental design was used. Older patients with hip fracture (N = 162), 60 to 98 years old, from a medical center in northern Taiwan were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 80) or control (n = 82) group. HRQOL was measured by the SF-36 Taiwan version at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Results The experimental group had significantly better overall outcomes in bodily pain (β = 9.38, p = 0.002), vitality (β = 9.40, p < 0.001), mental health (β = 8.16, p = 0.004), physical function (β = 16.01, p < 0.001), and role physical (β = 22.66, p < 0.001) than the control group at any time point during the first year after discharge. Physical-related health outcomes (physical functioning, role physical, and vitality) had larger treatment effects than emotional/mental- and social functioning-related health outcomes. Conclusions This interdisciplinary intervention program may improve health outcomes of elders with hip fracture. Our results may provide a reference for health care providers in countries using similar programs with Chinese/Taiwanese immigrant populations. Trial registration NCT01052636http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78259/1/1471-2474-11-225.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78259/2/1471-2474-11-225.pdfPeer Reviewe

Eplontersen for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis With Polyneuropathy

IMPORTANCE: Transthyretin gene silencing is an emerging treatment strategy for hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate eplontersen, an investigational ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide, in ATTRv polyneuropathy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: NEURO-TTRansform was an open-label, single-group, phase 3 trial conducted at 40 sites across 15 countries (December 2019-April 2023) in 168 adults with Coutinho stage 1 or 2 ATTRv polyneuropathy, Neuropathy Impairment Score 10-130, and a documented TTR variant. Patients treated with placebo from NEURO-TTR (NCT01737398; March 2013-November 2017), an inotersen trial with similar eligibility criteria and end points, served as a historical placebo ("placebo") group. INTERVENTIONS: Subcutaneous eplontersen (45 mg every 4 weeks; n = 144); a small reference group received subcutaneous inotersen (300 mg weekly; n = 24); subcutaneous placebo weekly (in NEURO-TTR; n = 60). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary efficacy end points at week 65/66 were changes from baseline in serum transthyretin concentration, modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7) composite score (scoring range, -22.3 to 346.3; higher scores indicate poorer function), and Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QoL-DN) total score (scoring range, -4 to 136; higher scores indicate poorer quality of life). Analyses of efficacy end points were based on a mixed-effects model with repeated measures adjusted by propensity score weights. RESULTS: Among 144 eplontersen-treated patients (mean age, 53.0 years; 69% male), 136 (94.4%) completed week-66 follow-up; among 60 placebo patients (mean age, 59.5 years; 68% male), 52 (86.7%) completed week-66 follow-up. At week 65, adjusted mean percentage reduction in serum transthyretin was -81.7% with eplontersen and -11.2% with placebo (difference, -70.4% [95% CI, -75.2% to -65.7%]; P < .001). Adjusted mean change from baseline to week 66 was lower (better) with eplontersen vs placebo for mNIS+7 composite score (0.3 vs 25.1; difference, -24.8 [95% CI, -31.0 to -18.6; P < .001) and for Norfolk QoL-DN (-5.5 vs 14.2; difference, -19.7 [95% CI, -25.6 to -13.8]; P < .001). Adverse events by week 66 that led to study drug discontinuation occurred in 6 patients (4%) in the eplontersen group vs 2 (3%) in the placebo group. Through week 66, there were 2 deaths in the eplontersen group consistent with known disease-related sequelae (cardiac arrhythmia; intracerebral hemorrhage); there were no deaths in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with ATTRv polyneuropathy, the eplontersen treatment group demonstrated changes consistent with significantly lowered serum transthyretin concentration, less neuropathy impairment, and better quality of life compared with a historical placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04136184; EU Clinical Trials Register: EudraCT 2019-001698-10

Population exposure to trace elements in the Kilembe copper mine area, Western Uganda: a pilot study

The mining and processing of copper in Kilembe, Western Uganda, from 1956 to 1982 left over 15 Mt. of tailings containing cupriferous and cobaltiferous pyrite dumped within a mountain river valley. This pilot study was conducted to assess the nature and extent of risk to local populations from metal contamination arising from those mining activities. We determined trace element concentrations in mine tailings, soils, locally cultivated foods,house dust, drinking water and human biomarkers (toenails) using ICP-MS analysis of acid digested samples. The results showed that tailings, containing higher concentrations of Co, Cu, Ni and As compared with world average crust values had eroded and contaminated local soils. Pollution load indices revealed that 51% of agricultural soils sampled were contaminated with trace elements. Local water supplies were contaminated, with Co concentrations that exceeded Wisconsin (US) thresholds in 25% of domestic water supplies and 40% of Nyamwamba river water samples. Zinc exceeded WHO/FAO thresholds of 99.4 mg kg−1 in 36% of Amaranthus vegetable samples, Cu exceeded EC thresholds of 20 mg kg−1 in 19% of Amaranthus while Pb exceeded WHO thresholds of 0.3 mg kg−1 in 47% of Amaranthus vegetables. In bananas, 20% of samples contained Pb concentrations that exceeded the WHO/FAO recommended threshold of 0.3 mg kg−1. However, risk assessment of local foods and water, based on hazard quotients (HQ values) revealed no potential health effects. The high external contamination of volunteers' toenails with some elements (even after a washing process) calls into question their use as a biomarker for metal exposure in human populations where feet are frequently exposed to soil

Conflict and user involvement in drug misuse treatment decision-making: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper examines client/staff conflict and user involvement in drug misuse treatment decision-making.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy-nine in-depth interviews were conducted with new treatment clients in two residential and two community drug treatment agencies. Fifty-nine of these clients were interviewed again after twelve weeks. Twenty-seven interviews were also conducted with staff, who were the keyworkers for the interviewed clients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Drug users did not expect, desire or prepare for conflict at treatment entry. They reported few actual conflicts within the treatment setting, but routinely discussed latent conflicts – that is, negative experiences and problematic aspects of current or previous treatment that could potentially escalate into overt disputes. Conflict resulted in a number of possible outcomes, including the premature termination of treatment; staff deciding on the appropriate outcome; the client appealing to the governance structure of the agency; brokered compromise; and staff skilfully eliciting client consent for staff decisions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the implementation of user involvement in drug treatment decision-making has the potential to trigger high levels of staff-client conflict, latent conflict is more common than overt conflict and not all conflict is negative. Drug users generally want to be co-operative at treatment entry and often adopt non-confrontational forms of covert resistance to decisions about which they disagree. Staff sometimes deploy user involvement as a strategy for managing conflict and soliciting client compliance to treatment protocols. Suggestions for minimising and avoiding harmful conflict in treatment settings are given.</p