3,349 research outputs found
A study of the effects of micro-gravity on seed germination
This study will identify characteristics of seed germination dependent upon gravity. To accomplish this objective, four different seed types will be germinated in space and then be compared to a control group germinated on Earth. Both the experimental and control groups will be analyzed on the cellular level for the size of cells, structural anomalies, and gravitational effects. The experiment will be conducted in a Get Away Special Canister (GAS Can no. 608) owned by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and designed for students. The GAS Can will remain in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle with minimal astronaut interaction
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Needed in Obtaining High-Quality Medical Information in Child Abuse Investigations
Background
Despite reporting legislation, healthcare providers (HCPs) do not always report and collaborate in cases of suspected child abuse. Recognizing this leaves children at risk, the Wisconsin Child Abuse Network (WI CAN) sought to understand barriers to mandated reporting and collaboration with child abuse investigators. Objective
The purpose of the study was to investigate barriers for professionals in providing and obtaining high-quality medical information in child abuse investigations. Participants and setting
Participants included five discipline-specific focus groups: HCPs, child protective services (CPS), law enforcement, lawyers, and judges. All professionals had been directly involved in Wisconsin child abuse cases. Methods
This qualitative study consisted of discipline-specific focus groups, directed by open-ended interview questions. Data analysis was completed through the narrative inquiry methodology. Results
Barriers to providing and obtaining high-quality medical information in child abuse investigations were both discipline-specific and universal amongst all groups. Discipline-specific barriers included: HCPsâ discomfort with uncertainty; CPSâ perception of disrespect and mistrust by HCPs; law enforcementâs concerns with HCPsâ overstepping professional boundaries; lawyersâ concern of HCPsâ discomfort with court proceedings; and judgesâ perception of a lack of understanding between all disciplines. Universal barriers included: value of high-quality medical information in child abuse investigations, burden of time and money; unequal resources between counties; a need for protocols, and a need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Conclusion
Findings from this study suggest several ways to address identified barriers. Possible interventions include equalizing resources between urban and rural counties (specifically financial resources and access to child abuse experts); protocolizing reporting and investigations; and, increasing interprofessional education
Tantalum oxide coatings as candidate environmental barriers
Tantalum (Ta) oxide, due to its high-temperature capabilities and thermal expansion coefficient similar to silicon nitride, is a promising candidate for environmental barriers for silicon (Si) nitride-based ceramics. This paper focuses on the development of plasma-sprayed Ta oxide as an environmental barrier coating for silicon nitride. Using a D-optimal design of experiments, plasma-spray processing variables were optimized to maximize coating density. The effect of processing variables on coating thickness was also determined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was use to ascertain that the as-sprayed coatings were comprised of α- and ÎČ-Ta2O5, but were fully converted to ÎČ-Ta_2O_5 after a 1200 °C heat treatment. Grain growth of the Ta_2O_5 followed a time dependence of t^(0.2) at 1200 °C
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) Nest Cover and Depredation on Central Alaskan Beaufort Sea Barrier Islands
Female common eiders (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) generally select nest sites in areas with driftwood cover. Previous studies of common eiders have shown a positive relationship between nest success and driftwood cover. Our observations led us to hypothesize that cover does not enhance nest success when mammalian predators are present. To evaluate nest cover selection in common eiders, we examined five years of nesting data to determine the interactions between the probability of nest activity and the amount of driftwood cover in the presence of avian versus mammalian predators. Most common eider nests were surrounded by low (40%) or moderate (38%) driftwood cover. Nest failure rates were high (32%â 95%), and arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus), alone or with polar bears (Ursus maritimus), appeared to be more destructive than glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) to eider nests. Logistic regression was used to model common eider nest activity associated with driftwood cover and predators. When glaucous gulls were the only predators, more driftwood cover consistently increased the probability of nest activity. But when foxes were present, nest activity consistently decreased with increasing cover. Our models support our observations that nest cover was beneficial to eiders when glaucous gulls alone were predators. Driftwood cover may be most important for the thermal and structural protection it offers, rather than for the camouflage it provides. The energetic benefit provided by driftwood windbreaks coupled with the common eiderâs behavioral response of decreased nest attendance, or increased exposure to avian depredation of nests as energy reserves are depleted during incubation, provides an explanatory mechanism for our model results.Lâeider Ă duvet femelle (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) choisit en gĂ©nĂ©ral son site de nidification dans des zones ayant un couvert de bois flottĂ©. Des Ă©tudes prĂ©cĂ©dentes sur les eiders Ă duvet ont rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© quâil existe une relation positive entre le succĂšs de la couvĂ©e et le couvert de bois flottĂ©. Nos observations nous ont amenĂ©s Ă Ă©mettre lâhypothĂšse que le couvert nâaugmente pas le succĂšs de la couvĂ©e en prĂ©sence de prĂ©dateurs mammifĂšres. Afin dâĂ©valuer le choix de couvert du nid chez lâeider Ă duvet, nous avons examinĂ© des donnĂ©es de nidification obtenues sur cinq annĂ©es, en vue de dĂ©gager les interactions entre la probabilitĂ© dâactivitĂ© au nid et la quantitĂ© de couvert de bois flottĂ© en prĂ©sence de prĂ©dateurs aviens par opposition aux prĂ©dateurs mammifĂšres. La plupart des nids de lâeider Ă duvet Ă©taient entourĂ©s par un faible couvert de bois flottĂ© (40 %) ou un couvert modĂ©rĂ© (38 %). Les taux dâinsuccĂšs Ă©taient Ă©levĂ©s (32 Ă 95 %) et le renard arctique (Alopex lagopus), seul ou avec lâours polaire (Ursus maritimus), semblait plus destructeur pour les nids de lâeider que le goĂ©land bourgmestre (Larus hyperboreus). On a utilisĂ© la rĂ©gression logistique pour simuler lâactivitĂ© au nid de lâeider Ă duvet associĂ©e au couvert de bois flottĂ© et aux prĂ©dateurs. Quand le goĂ©land bourgmestre Ă©tait le seul prĂ©dateur, une plus grande quantitĂ© de bois flottĂ© augmentait toujours la probabilitĂ© dâactivitĂ© au nid. En revanche, en prĂ©sence du renard, lâactivitĂ© au nid diminuait toujours avec une augmentation du couvert. Nos modĂšles viennent appuyer nos observations Ă lâeffet que le couvert du nid reprĂ©sentait un avantage pour lâeider quand le goĂ©land bourgmestre Ă©tait le seul prĂ©dateur. Le couvert de bois flottĂ© pourrait bien ĂȘtre dâune importance capitale en raison de la protection thermique et structurale quâil offre, plutĂŽt que pour ses capacitĂ©s de camouflage. Lâavantage Ă©nergĂ©tique quâoffrent les brise-vent de bois flottĂ© joint Ă la rĂ©action comportementale de lâeider Ă duvet â qui se manifeste par une plus grande prĂ©sence au nid, ou une plus grande exposition Ă une dĂ©prĂ©dation avienne du nid Ă mesure que sâĂ©puisent les rĂ©serves dâĂ©nergie durant lâincubation â, ces deux Ă©lĂ©ments donc fournissent un mĂ©canisme pouvant expliquer les rĂ©sultats de notre modĂšle
Long-Term Exposure to an Invasive Fungal Pathogen Decreases Eptesicus fuscus Body Mass With Increasing Latitude
Abstract Invasive pathogens threaten wildlife health and biodiversity. Physiological responses of species highly susceptible to pathogen infections following invasion are well described. However, the responses of less susceptible species (relative to highly susceptible species) are not well known. Latitudinal gradients, which can influence body condition via Bergmann\u27s rule and/or reflect the time it takes for an introduced pathogen to spread geographically, add an additional layer for how mammalian species respond to pathogen exposure. Our goal was to understand how hosts less susceptible to pathogen infections respond to longâterm pathogen exposure across a broad latitudinal gradient. We examined changes in body mass throughout pathogen exposure time across the eastern United States (latitude ranging 30.5° Nâ44.8° N) in Eptesicus fuscus, a bat species classified as less susceptible to infection (relative to highly susceptible species) by the invasive fungal pathogen that causes whiteânose syndrome, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Using 30 years of spring through fall adult capture records, we created linear mixedâeffects models for female and male bats to determine how mass or mass variation changed across the eastern United States from preâPd invasion years through Pd invasion (0â1 years with Pd), epidemic (2â4 years with Pd), and established years (5+ years with Pd). By Pd establishment, all female and male bats decreased body mass with increasing latitude across a spatial threshold at 39.6° N. Differences in bat mass north and south of the spatial threshold progressively increased over Pd exposure timeâsteps such that body mass was lower in northern latitudes compared to southern latitudes by Pd establishment. Results indicated that the progressive differences in E. fuscus body mass with latitude across the eastern United States are due to longâterm pathogen exposure; however, other environmental and ecological pressures may contribute to decreases in E. fuscus body mass with latitude and longâterm pathogen exposure. As pathogen introductions and emerging infectious diseases become more prevalent on the landscape, it is imperative that we understand how less susceptible species directly and indirectly respond to longâterm pathogen exposure in order to maintain population health in surviving species
Surveillance of congenital Zika syndrome in England and Wales: methods and results of laboratory, obstetric and paediatric surveillance.
The spread of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas led to large outbreaks across the region and most of the Southern hemisphere. Of greatest concern were complications following acute infection during pregnancy. At the beginning of the outbreak, the risk to unborn babies and their clinical presentation was unclear. This report describes the methods and results of the UK surveillance response to assess the risk of ZIKV to children born to returning travellers. Established surveillance systems operating within the UK - the paediatric and obstetric surveillance units for rare diseases, and national laboratory monitoring - enabled rapid assessment of this emerging public health threat. A combined total of 11 women experiencing adverse pregnancy outcomes after possible ZIKV exposure were reported by the three surveillance systems; five miscarriages, two intrauterine deaths and four children with clinical presentations potentially associated with ZIKV infection. Sixteen women were diagnosed with ZIKV during pregnancy in the UK. Amongst the offspring of these women, there was unequivocal laboratory evidence of infection in only one child. In the UK, the number and risk of congenital ZIKV infection for travellers returning from ZIKV-affected countries is very small
Recommended from our members
Timber for Oregon's tomorrow : an analysis of reasonably possible occurrences
This study was conducted by the School of Forestry at Oregon State University to provide some of the information needed by the Oregon Board of Forestry to develop a forestry program for Oregon. The study makes three contributions: One, a data base that provides an up-to-date timber inventory and information on timber management practices and growth needed for projecting future timber availability; two, a computer simulation model that provides a unique capability for policy-makers to examine the projected effects of various courses of action as a step in developing a preferred action program; and three, specific projections of possible changes in future timber harvests in Oregon and their contributions to the economies of local areas (timbersheds) within the state. This report focuses on the projections.Gerald W. Williams Collectio
Complete Spontaneous Regression of Pulmonary Metastatic Melanoma
Complete spontaneous regression of melanoma metastatic to the lungs is a rare event. objective . To report a case of biopsy-proven melanoma metastatic to the lung with complete spontaneous regression. methods . Multidisciplinary case report. results . A 35-year-old white female was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma to the lung. A pleural biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Partial spontaneous regression was noted by a staging computed tomography scan prior to enrollment in an investiga-tional protocol. Complete spontaneous regression occurred over 5 months without any form of conventional or alternative therapy, and the patient remains disease-free 3 years after diagnosis. conclusions . Our case represents the seventh case of complete spontaneous regression of melanoma metastatic to the lung, and the only case with histologic confirmation of both the primary and pulmonary metastatic lesions. The patient was pregnant twice between the time of her initial diagnosis of primary melanoma and pulmonary metastatic disease.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75559/1/j.1524-4725.1998.tb04275.x.pd
Recommended from our members
An overview of the Lagrangian experiments undertaken during the North Atlantic regional Aerosol Characterisation Experiment (ACE-2)
One of the primary aims of the North Atlantic regional Aerosol Characterisation Experiment
(ACE-2) was to quantify the physical and chemical processes affecting the evolution of the
major aerosol types over the North Atlantic. The best, practical way of doing this is in a
Lagrangian framework where a parcel of air is sampled over several tens of hours and its
physical and chemical properties are intensively measured. During the intensive observational
phase of ACE-2, between 15 June 1997 and 24 July 1997, 3 cloudy Lagrangian experiments
and 3 cloud-free, Lagrangian experiments were undertaken between the south west tip of the
Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. This paper gives an overview of the aims and logistics
of all of the Lagrangian experiments and compares and contrasts them to provide a framework
for the more focused Lagrangian papers in this issue and future process modelling studies and
parametrisation development. The characteristics of the cloudy Lagrangian experiments were
remarkably different, enabling a wide range of different physical and chemical processes to be
studied. In the 1st Lagrangian, a clean maritime air mass was sampled in which salt particle
production, due to increased wind speed, dominated the change in the accumulation mode
concentrations. In the 2nd Lagrangian, extensive cloud cover resulted in cloud processing of
the aerosol in a polluted air mass, and entrainment of air from the free troposphere influenced
the overall decrease in aerosol concentrations in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Very little
change in aerosol characteristics was measured in the 3rd Lagrangian, where the pollution in
the MBL was continually being topped up by entraining air from a residual continental boundary
layer (CBL) above. From the analysis of all the Lagrangian experiments, it has been possible
to formulate, and present here, a generalised description of a European continental outbreak
of pollution over the sub-tropical North Atlantic
- âŠ