Switching model with two habitats and a predator involving group defence

Switching model with one predator and two prey species is considered. The prey species have the ability of group defence. Therefore, the predator will be attracted towards that habitat where prey are less in number. The stability analysis is carried out for two equilibrium values. The theoretical results are compared with the numerical results for a set of values. The Hopf bifuracation analysis is done to support the stability results

What can local authorities do to improve the social care-related quality of life of older adults living at home? Evidence from the Adult Social Care Survey

Local authorities spend considerable resources on social care at home for older adults. Given the expected growth in the population of older adults and budget cuts on local government, it is important to find efficient ways of maintaining and improving the quality of life of older adults. The ageing in place literature suggests that policies in other functions of local authorities may have a significant role to play. This study aims to examine the associations between social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) in older adults and three potential policy targets for local authorities: (i) accessibility of information and advice, (ii) design of the home and (iii) accessibility of the local area. We used cross-sectional data from the English national Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS) 2010/2011 on service users aged 65 years and older and living at home (N=29,935). To examine the association between SCRQoL, as measured by the ASCOT, and three single-item questions about accessibility of information, design of the home and accessibility of the local area, we estimate linear and quantile regression models. After adjusting for physical and mental health factors and other confounders our findings indicate that SCRQoL is significantly lower for older adults who find it more difficult to find information and advice, for those who report that their home design is inappropriate for their needs and for those who find it more difficult to get around their local area. In addition, these three variables are as strongly associated with SCRQoL as physical and mental health factors. We conclude that in seeking to find ways to maintain and improve the quality of life of social care users living at home, local authorities could look more broadly across their responsibilities. Further research is required to explore the cost-effectiveness of these options compared to standard social care services

Consensus recommendations for the use of automated insulin delivery technologies in clinical practice

The significant and growing global prevalence of diabetes continues to challenge people with diabetes (PwD), healthcare providers, and payers. While maintaining near-normal glucose levels has been shown to prevent or delay the progression of the long-term complications of diabetes, a significant proportion of PwD are not attaining their glycemic goals. During the past 6 years, we have seen tremendous advances in automated insulin delivery (AID) technologies. Numerous randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have shown that the use of AID systems is safe and effective in helping PwD achieve their long-term glycemic goals while reducing hypoglycemia risk. Thus, AID systems have recently become an integral part of diabetes management. However, recommendations for using AID systems in clinical settings have been lacking. Such guided recommendations are critical for AID success and acceptance. All clinicians working with PwD need to become familiar with the available systems in order to eliminate disparities in diabetes quality of care. This report provides much-needed guidance for clinicians who are interested in utilizing AIDs and presents a comprehensive listing of the evidence payers should consider when determining eligibility criteria for AID insurance coverage

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

ACUTE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AT REST

ACUTE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AT REST J.E. Kumanchik, J.R. McNeal, and N.H. Lawton Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA The cardiovascular system (CVS) is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Heart rate variability (HRV) is considered a balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity of the ANS that regulates heart rate, and thus a determinant of cardiovascular health. Therefore, measurement of HRV can provide insight into the autonomic function of the CVS and factors that influence it, such as caffeine consumption. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the acute effects of caffeine consumption on HRV at rest. METHODS: A group of 23 apparently healthy male and female adults (21-27 years) were used for this study. Following 5 min of quiet sitting, subjects underwent an initial electrocardiogram (ECG) recording at rest for 3 min, using a 3-lead ECG. Subjects then consumed a dosage of caffeine equivalent to 2 mg per 1 kg of body mass using caffeinated jellybeans. Thirty minutes following ingestion, subjects underwent a second ECG recording at rest for 3 min. From the ECG record, duration between successive R-R waves was measured to determine HRV before and after caffeine consumption. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare HRV at rest between no caffeine (NC) and caffeine (C) conditions. Two independent-samples t-tests were conducted to determine if there were significant differences in HRV at rest in NC and C conditions between sexes. RESULTS: All HRV data are reported in the unit of milliseconds (msec). Coefficient of variation (CV) is also reported. There was a significant difference in HRV between NC (.76 ± .13 msec; CV = 17.1%) and C (.81 ± .15 msec; CV = 18.5%) conditions (p \u3c .001). There was no significant difference in HRV between sex in the NC condition (Male = .77 ± .14 msec, CV = 18.1%; Female = .75 ± .13 msec, CV = 17.3%; p = .689) or the C condition (Male = .83 ± .15 msec, CV = 18.07%; Female = .79 ± .15 msec, CV = 18.9%; p = .547). CONCLUSION: These data suggest caffeine does have an effect on HRV at rest. Specifically, the results from this study suggest that caffeine consumption decreases HRV at rest, regardless of sex. Researchers or clinicians using HRV as a diagnostic tool should be aware that caffeine ingestion can reduce HRV, and should consider controlling for caffeine ingestion in their protocols

Pen picture of the progress of the city of St. Louis, Mo.

Shows views of St. Louis between 1784 and 1884.LC Panoramic maps (2nd ed.), 44