Carbonyl transport of metal in meteorite parent bodies

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 1981.Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science.Vita.Bibliography: leaves 45-49.by Mark Joseph Lupo.M.S

The Interannual variability of hurricane activity in the Atlantic and east pacific regions

The investigation of the interannual and interdecadal variations in hurricane activity has been an important topic of study lately, especially with regard to their implications for climate change issues. On the interannual time-scale, the El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase has been correlated with hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean Basins. For example, various atmospheric and oceanic parameters that influence hurricane development become significantly altered during an El Niño event, leading to suppressed easterly wave development and growth in the Atlantic, but more activity in the Eastern Pacific Ocean Basin. This study examined the interannual variability of hurricane intensity (measured as wind speed and interpreted through the Saffir-Simpson Scale) from 1938 through 2007 in the Atlantic and 1970 through 2007 in the Pacific basins, respectively. These data were then compared with the occurrence of El Niño/La Niña events as defined using the Japan Meteorological Association (JMA) index. El Niño/La Niña variability superimposed on variability associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) was also examined here. Not surprisingly, during an El Niño year the intensity of Atlantic hurricanes was found to be weaker than during a neutral year or a La Niña year, but these conclusions were opposite in the Eastern Pacific Ocean Basin. There were also significant differences found in hurricane intensity between El Niño and La Niña years when the PDO was in phase 1 (warm phase), rather than when the PDO was in phase 2 (cool phase). This study also examined the interannual variation in hurricane intensity by genesis region (i.e. Atlantic: the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean Basins, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico; Eastern Pacific: divided into quadrants using 20o N and 125o W as the quadrant intersection point). Finally, the utility of this information in a long-range forecast application is demonstrated

Psychological Types and Learning Styles

The aim of the research is to measure the relations and the directions of two modalities to study the approach to objects and learning. An observation group of 213 subjects, 93 males (43,7%) and 120 females (56,3%), (average of 24,73 years old; SD 2,28) all students from the V year Medicine and Surgery from the University of Messina, were involved. The evaluation was carried out with The Kolb's LSI II (Italian Adaptation) and the Mayers-Bryggs Type Indicator. Descriptive and correlational analysis were carried out.  Significant correlations emerged respectful to the Jung's introversion and extraversion (Hp 1), so that we assist to a positive correlation among every style. Referring to Learning Styles and the Jung's functions (Hp 2), significant positive and negative correlations emerged, but for AE. Significant and negative correlations emerged for judging functions, AC and RO (Hp 3). Negative correlations were highlighted by the relation among the two Leaning Styles groups and judging functions (Hp 4). The study could provide an integrative way to consider the teaching activity and  the curricula . The relations suggest that the awareness of the students about their learning and adaptation process can provide a viable mode to satisfy their desires

A comparison of two cases of low-latitude thundersnow

http://solberg.snr.missouri.edu/gcc/Two cases of low-latitude snow with lightning are studied to determine their characteristics. Both cases had synoptic-scale origins, but also featured smaller-scale influences (e. g. orographic lift and elevated instability).The first event occurred in the Southern Hemisphere and was a late winter case that developed under the influence of underlying orography. Lightning was plentiful in that event (94 cloud-to-ground flashes in the region), but snow accumulations were not significant. Lightning flashes of negative polarity dominated this case, with a mean peak amplitude of -43.2 kA. The second event was a Northern Hemisphere case of elevated convection, with frontogenesis beneath an extended layer of potential instability. Appreciable lightning occurred with this event as well (706 cloud-to-ground flashes in the region), and snow accumulations were significant over a broad area. Lightning flashes of negative polarity dominated this case also, with a mean peak amplitude of -23.7 kA. Each of these events is worthy of further scrutiny, as studies of such storms do not appear often in the literature. Indeed, such warm, subtropical regions are often unprepared for the effects of just a little snow or ice accumulation. Future forecasters can anticipate better such anomalous events by looking for these broad features: 1) significant and well-defined synoptic-scale weather systems at low latitudes, 2) a strong baroclinic zone with a well-defined (≥60 ms-1) jet structure aloft, 3) cold air of appreciable depth and areal extent drawn much closer to the equator than is typical, and 4) a moist neutral to conditionally unstable layer above the frontal zone

Presence of cerebral microbleeds is associated with worse executive function in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

BackgroundA specific form of small-vessel vasculopathy-cerebral microbleeds (CMBs)-has been linked to various types of dementia in adults. We assessed the incidence of CMBs and their association with neurocognitive function in pediatric brain tumor survivors.MethodsIn a multi-institutional cohort of 149 pediatric brain tumor patients who received cranial radiation therapy (CRT) between 1987 and 2014 at age <21 years and 16 patients who did not receive CRT, we determined the presence of CMBs on brain MRIs. Neurocognitive function was assessed using a computerized testing program (CogState). We used survival analysis to determine cumulative incidence of CMBs and Poisson regression to examine risk factors for CMBs. Linear regression models were used to assess effect of CMBs on neurocognitive function.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of CMBs was 48.8% (95% CI: 38.3-60.5) at 5 years. Children who had whole brain irradiation developed CMBs at a rate 4 times greater than those treated with focal irradiation (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, children with CMBs performed worse on the Groton Maze Learning test (GML) compared with those without CMBs (Z-score -1.9; 95% CI: -2.7, -1.1; P < .001), indicating worse executive function when CMBs are present. CMBs in the frontal lobe were associated with worse performance on the GML (Z-score -2.4; 95% CI: -2.9, -1.8; P < .001). Presence of CMBs in the temporal lobes affected verbal memory (Z-score -2.0; 95% CI: -3.3, -0.7; P = .005).ConclusionCMBs are common and associated with neurocognitive dysfunction in pediatric brain tumor survivors treated with radiation

www.Didartic.com: Activating the Didactic, Self-Reflective Fairytale through Hypermedia As a Model for the Art Education Activist

Abstract www.Didartic.com: Activating the Didactic, Self-Reflective Fairytale through Hypermedia As a Model for the Art Education Activist Timothy W. Broadwater The struggle for meaning, reflection, and self-understanding is an important process of human development. Throughout human history didactic art -art wherein the central purpose is to instruct the viewer -has been developed to aid this human function. Focusing primarily on the didactic art of fairytales, however, one can see that the dominant role of reflection and self-understanding is lost in contemporary translation. The role of the viewer/reader of the fairytale, contemporarily, has been switched from one of inner reflection to that of passive absorption. This thesis project will argue that reflection and self-understanding (on the part of the viewer) can best be restored to the fairytale through the use of hypermedia, as well as the artist adopting an art-activist approach to art production. i

Methodology used in studies reporting chronic kidney disease prevalence: a systematic literature review

Background Many publications report the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population. Comparisons across studies are hampered as CKD prevalence estimations are influenced by study population characteristics and laboratory methods. Methods For this systematic review, two researchers independently searched PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify all original research articles that were published between 1 January 2003 and 1 November 2014 reporting the prevalence of CKD in the European adult general population. Data on study methodology and reporting of CKD prevalence results were independently extracted by two researchers. Results We identified 82 eligible publications and included 48 publications of individual studies for the data extraction. There was considerable variation in population sample selection. The majority of studies did not report the sampling frame used, and the response ranged from 10 to 87%. With regard to the assessment of kidney function, 67% used a Jaffe assay, whereas 13% used the enzymatic assay for creatinine determination. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry calibration was used in 29%. The CKD-EPI (52%) and MDRD (75%) equations were most often used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). CKD was defined as estimated GFR (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 92% of studies. Urinary markers of CKD were assessed in 60% of the studies. CKD prevalence was reported by sex and age strata in 54 and 50% of the studies, respectively. In publications with a primary objective of reporting CKD prevalence, 39% reported a 95% confidence interval. Conclusions The findings from this systematic review showed considerable variation in methods for sampling the general population and assessment of kidney function across studies reporting CKD prevalence. These results are utilized to provide recommendations to help optimize both the design and the reporting of future CKD prevalence studies, which will enhance comparability of study result

Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research Consortium: Accelerating Evidence-Based Practice of Genomic Medicine

Despite rapid technical progress and demonstrable effectiveness for some types of diagnosis and therapy, much remains to be learned about clinical genome and exome sequencing (CGES) and its role within the practice of medicine. The Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research (CSER) consortium includes 18 extramural research projects, one National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intramural project, and a coordinating center funded by the NHGRI and National Cancer Institute. The consortium is exploring analytic and clinical validity and utility, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of sequencing via multidisciplinary approaches; it has thus far recruited 5,577 participants across a spectrum of symptomatic and healthy children and adults by utilizing both germline and cancer sequencing. The CSER consortium is analyzing data and creating publically available procedures and tools related to participant preferences and consent, variant classification, disclosure and management of primary and secondary findings, health outcomes, and integration with electronic health records. Future research directions will refine measures of clinical utility of CGES in both germline and somatic testing, evaluate the use of CGES for screening in healthy individuals, explore the penetrance of pathogenic variants through extensive phenotyping, reduce discordances in public databases of genes and variants, examine social and ethnic disparities in the provision of genomics services, explore regulatory issues, and estimate the value and downstream costs of sequencing. The CSER consortium has established a shared community of research sites by using diverse approaches to pursue the evidence-based development of best practices in genomic medicine

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely