21 research outputs found
Eucalypts as a genus for short rotation forestry in Great Britain
The study focused on four research objectives:
1. To identify the species and provenances of eucalypts most suitable for biomass production
in Great Britain.
2. To compare growth of eucalypts with other promising short rotation forestry genera.
3. To develop volume and biomass functions for E. gunnii.
4. To estimate yields and patterns of growth for E. gunnii.
Searches on CAB abstracts and World of Science showed that there was limited research
conducted on eucalypts in the UK. This research provides an original contribution to knowledge
through; a long term assessment of the performance of species of cold tolerant eucalypts across
a range of sites, identification of the basis for the rapid growth of eucalypts in comparison with
trees from other genera, identification of the best fit function to describe stem form in E.gunnii
and a characterisation of the pattern of growth in this species.
The thesis provides an account of the long history of eucalypts in the UK, the first record of a
eucalypt being planted in Britain probably being Eucalyptus obliqua in the late 1700s (Aiton
1789). A review is then provided of the experience and constraints to growing nine eucalypt
species in the UK and their potential for short rotation forestry are described. The rapid growth
of eucalypts makes them well suited to short rotation forestry, but there are considerable risks
from frosts and extreme winters.
Results from a trial established in Cumbria, north west England are described. Survival and
growth was compared between E.gunnii, E. nitens and native or naturalised species, identified
by Hardcastle (2006) as having potential for short rotation forestry. The rapid rate of growth of
E. gunnii was attributed to a combination of large leaf area, a long period of growth during the
year and a high specific leaf area. There was 99% mortality of E. nitens at the trial over winter,
preventing comparison with other species. At the same trial and assessment was made of frost
damage during the winter of 2009-2010, which proved to be the coldest for thirty years (Met
Office 2010). E. gunnii was found to be more cold-tolerant than E. nitens, with 35% of the
former surviving the winter and less than 1% of the latter. Larger trees were damaged more so
than smaller trees reinforcing the argument for good silviculture to promote rapid, early growth.
The study on stem form and growth of E. gunnii represents the first in the UK. Volume, height
and dbh of a total of 636 trees, measured by felling, optical dendrometer and terrestrial laser
scanner were used to test the goodness of fit of a volume function developed in France by
AFOCEL and is South America by Shell Oil. The AFOCEL function was found to predict
volume with less bias and be suitable for all but the smallest trees. Characterisation of growth
curves using mined historic data indicated yields of 16 m3 ha-1 y-1 or approximately 8 t ha-1 y-1 at
20 years old. In contrast, growth curves derived from stem analysis of nine trees from
Chiddingfold (south east England) and Glenbranter (central western Scotland) indicated lower
yields at 7 m3 ha-1 y-1 at age 28 years and 4.5 m3 ha-1 y-1 at age 30 years respectively. Evidence
from plantings elsewhere in the UK show that higher rates of growth are possible, but also that
yields are often compromised by high mortality
Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures
Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo
O "pessimismo sentimental" e a experiência etnográfica: por que a cultura não é um "objeto" em via de extinção (parte I)
Este artigo (publicado em duas partes) examina e refuta as crÃticas ao conceito de cultura. A identificação pós-modernista da "cultura" com o colonialismo e o imperialismo é um diagnóstico falso: o contexto histórico-ideológico de gestação da idéia de cultura, marcado pela reação ao universalismo iluminista, aponta na direção oposta. Por sua vez, as ansiedades sobre o fim iminente da variedade cultural humana se mostram sem objeto: a globalização e outras peripécias capitalistas, longe de impor uma hegemonia monótona sobre o planeta, têm gerado uma diversidade de formas e conteúdos culturais historicamente sem precedentes<br>This article (published in two parts) examines and refutes critiques of the concept of culture. The post-modernist identification of "culture" with colonialism and imperialism is a false diagnosis: marked by its reaction to Enlightenment universalism, the historico-idelogical context within which the idea of culture took shape indicates the opposite. In turn, anxieties over the imminent end of human cultural variety are revealed to be foundless: globalisation and others capitalist phenomena, far from imposing a monotonous hegemony on the planet, have generated a historically unprecedent diversity of cultural forms and contents
Baseline Features and Reasons for Nonparticipation in the Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM) Study, a Colorectal Cancer Screening Trial
Importance: The Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM) randomized clinical trial sought to recruit 50 000 adults into a study comparing colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality outcomes after randomization to either an annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy.
Objective: To (1) describe study participant characteristics and (2) examine who declined participation because of a preference for colonoscopy or stool testing (ie, fecal occult blood test [FOBT]/FIT) and assess that preference's association with geographic and temporal factors.
Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional study within CONFIRM, which completed enrollment through 46 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers between May 22, 2012, and December 1, 2017, with follow-up planned through 2028, comprised veterans aged 50 to 75 years with an average CRC risk and due for screening. Data were analyzed between March 7 and December 5, 2022.
Exposure: Case report forms were used to capture enrolled participant data and reasons for declining participation among otherwise eligible individuals.
Main outcomes and measures: Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the cohort overall and by intervention. Among individuals declining participation, logistic regression was used to compare preference for FOBT/FIT or colonoscopy by recruitment region and year.
Results: A total of 50 126 participants were recruited (mean [SD] age, 59.1 [6.9] years; 46 618 [93.0%] male and 3508 [7.0%] female). The cohort was racially and ethnically diverse, with 748 (1.5%) identifying as Asian, 12 021 (24.0%) as Black, 415 (0.8%) as Native American or Alaska Native, 34 629 (69.1%) as White, and 1877 (3.7%) as other race, including multiracial; and 5734 (11.4%) as having Hispanic ethnicity. Of the 11 109 eligible individuals who declined participation (18.0%), 4824 (43.4%) declined due to a stated preference for a specific screening test, with FOBT/FIT being the most preferred method (2820 [58.5%]) vs colonoscopy (1958 [40.6%]; P < .001) or other screening tests (46 [1.0%] P < .001). Preference for FOBT/FIT was strongest in the West (963 of 1472 [65.4%]) and modest elsewhere, ranging from 199 of 371 (53.6%) in the Northeast to 884 of 1543 (57.3%) in the Midwest (P = .001). Adjusting for region, the preference for FOBT/FIT increased by 19% per recruitment year (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.14-1.25).
Conclusions and relevance: In this cross-sectional analysis of veterans choosing nonenrollment in the CONFIRM study, those who declined participation more often preferred FOBT or FIT over colonoscopy. This preference increased over time and was strongest in the western US and may provide insight into trends in CRC screening preferences
Baseline Features and Reasons for Nonparticipation in the Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM) Study, a Colorectal Cancer Screening Trial.
IMPORTANCE: The Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM) randomized clinical trial sought to recruit 50 000 adults into a study comparing colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality outcomes after randomization to either an annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy.
OBJECTIVE: To (1) describe study participant characteristics and (2) examine who declined participation because of a preference for colonoscopy or stool testing (ie, fecal occult blood test [FOBT]/FIT) and assess that preference\u27s association with geographic and temporal factors.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study within CONFIRM, which completed enrollment through 46 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers between May 22, 2012, and December 1, 2017, with follow-up planned through 2028, comprised veterans aged 50 to 75 years with an average CRC risk and due for screening. Data were analyzed between March 7 and December 5, 2022.
EXPOSURE: Case report forms were used to capture enrolled participant data and reasons for declining participation among otherwise eligible individuals.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the cohort overall and by intervention. Among individuals declining participation, logistic regression was used to compare preference for FOBT/FIT or colonoscopy by recruitment region and year.
RESULTS: A total of 50 126 participants were recruited (mean [SD] age, 59.1 [6.9] years; 46 618 [93.0%] male and 3508 [7.0%] female). The cohort was racially and ethnically diverse, with 748 (1.5%) identifying as Asian, 12 021 (24.0%) as Black, 415 (0.8%) as Native American or Alaska Native, 34 629 (69.1%) as White, and 1877 (3.7%) as other race, including multiracial; and 5734 (11.4%) as having Hispanic ethnicity. Of the 11 109 eligible individuals who declined participation (18.0%), 4824 (43.4%) declined due to a stated preference for a specific screening test, with FOBT/FIT being the most preferred method (2820 [58.5%]) vs colonoscopy (1958 [40.6%]; P \u3c .001) or other screening tests (46 [1.0%] P \u3c .001). Preference for FOBT/FIT was strongest in the West (963 of 1472 [65.4%]) and modest elsewhere, ranging from 199 of 371 (53.6%) in the Northeast to 884 of 1543 (57.3%) in the Midwest (P = .001). Adjusting for region, the preference for FOBT/FIT increased by 19% per recruitment year (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.14-1.25).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional analysis of veterans choosing nonenrollment in the CONFIRM study, those who declined participation more often preferred FOBT or FIT over colonoscopy. This preference increased over time and was strongest in the western US and may provide insight into trends in CRC screening preferences