Why Are There Revisions to the Jobs Numbers?

At the beginning of each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the change in payroll employment for the previous month. This estimate of jobs gained or lost over the month is closely watched by policymakers and those who work in financial markets and the media. When the estimate is revised in subsequent months, however, data users sometimes perceive a very different picture of the job market than what was initially reported. Data users frequently ask why the number was revised. The short answer is, the revised estimate includes additional information that was not available at the time of the initial release— information that makes the revised estimate more accurate. This BEYOND THE NUMBERS article explains the data collection process that BLS conducts every month to produce the estimate of U.S. employment. The article also should help clarify why BLS releases revisions to the initial estimate so that users will understand the change, if any, in the data

Linear And Nonlinear Arabesques: A Study Of Closed Chains Of Negative 2-Element Circuits

In this paper we consider a family of dynamical systems that we call "arabesques", defined as closed chains of 2-element negative circuits. An $n$-dimensional arabesque system has $n$ 2-element circuits, but in addition, it displays by construction, two $n$-element circuits which are both positive vs one positive and one negative, depending on the parity (even or odd) of the dimension $n$. In view of the absence of diagonal terms in their Jacobian matrices, all these dynamical systems are conservative and consequently, they can not possess any attractor. First, we analyze a linear variant of them which we call "arabesque 0" or for short "A0". For increasing dimensions, the trajectories are increasingly complex open tori. Next, we inserted a single cubic nonlinearity that does not affect the signs of its circuits (that we call "arabesque 1" or for short "A1"). These systems have three steady states, whatever the dimension is, in agreement with the order of the nonlinearity. All three are unstable, as there can not be any attractor in their state-space. The 3D variant (that we call for short "A1\_3D") has been analyzed in some detail and found to display a complex mixed set of quasi-periodic and chaotic trajectories. Inserting $n$ cubic nonlinearities (one per equation) in the same way as above, we generate systems "A2\_$n$D". A2\_3D behaves essentially as A1\_3D, in agreement with the fact that the signs of the circuits remain identical. A2\_4D, as well as other arabesque systems with even dimension, has two positive $n$-circuits and nine steady states. Finally, we investigate and compare the complex dynamics of this family of systems in terms of their symmetries.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication at Int. J. Bif. Chao

Barrett's esophagus: prevalence–incidence and etiology–origins

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86957/1/j.1749-6632.2011.06042.x.pd

Leptospirosis in Germany, 1962–2003

Epidemiologic trends of human leptospirosis in Germany were investigated by analyzing national surveillance data from 1962 to 2003 and by conducting a questionnaire-based survey from 1997 to 2000. After a steady decrease of leptospirosis incidence from 1962 to 1997, surveillance data indicate an increase in disease incidence to 0.06 per 100,000 (1998–2003). Of 102 laboratory-confirmed cases in humans from 1997 to 2000, 30% were related to occupational exposures. Recreational exposures were reported in 30% (including traveling abroad in 16%), whereas residential exposure accounted for 37% of the cases. Direct contact with animals, mostly rats and dogs, was observed in 31% of the cases. We conclude that recent changes in transmission patterns of leptospirosis, partially caused by an expanding rat population and the resurgence of canine leptospirosis, may facilitate the spread of the disease in temperate countries like Germany. Preventive measures should be adapted to the changing epidemiology of leptospirosis

Monitoring extreme meteo-marine events in the Mediterranean area using the microseism (Medicane Apollo case study)

Microseism is the continuous background seismic signal caused by the interaction between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the solid Earth. Several studies have dealt with the relationship between microseisms and the tropical cyclones, but none focused on the small-scale tropical cyclones that occur in the Mediterranean Sea, called Medicanes. In this work, we analysed the Medicane Apollo which impacted the eastern part of Sicily during the period 25 October–5 November 2021 causing heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and violent sea waves. We investigated the microseism accompanying this extreme Mediterranean weather event, and its relationship with the sea state retrieved from hindcast maps and wave buoys. The spectral and amplitude analyses showed the space–time variation of the microseism amplitude. In addition, we tracked the position of Apollo during the time using two different methods: (i) a grid search method; (ii) an array analysis. We obtained a good match between the real position of Apollo and the location constraint by both methods. This work shows that it is possible to extract information on Medicanes from microseisms for both research and monitoring purposes.peer-reviewe

100 years of STIs in the UK: a review of national surveillance data.

OBJECTIVES: The 1916 Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases was established in response to epidemics of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the UK. In the 100 years since the Venereal Diseases Act (1917), the UK has experienced substantial scientific, economic and demographic changes. We describe historical and recent trends in STIs in the UK. METHODS: We analysed surveillance data derived from STI clinics' statistical returns from 1917 to 2016. RESULTS: Since 1918, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses have fluctuated, reflecting social, economic and technological trends. Following spikes after World Wars I and II, rates declined before re-emerging during the 1960s. At that time, syphilis was more common in men, suggestive of transmission within the men who have sex with men (MSM) population. Behaviour change following the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s is thought to have facilitated a precipitous decline in diagnoses of both STIs in the mid-1980s. Since the early 2000s, gonorrhoea and syphilis have re-emerged as major public health concerns due to increased transmission among MSM and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhoea. Chlamydia and genital warts are now the most commonly diagnosed STIs in the UK and have been the focus of public health interventions, including the national human papillomavirus vaccination programme, which has led to substantial declines in genital warts in young people, and the National Chlamydia Screening Programme in England. Since the 1980s, MSM, black ethnic minorities and young people have experienced the highest STI rates. CONCLUSION: Although diagnoses have fluctuated over the last century, STIs continue to be an important public health concern, often affecting more marginalised groups in society. Prevention must remain a public health priority and, as we enter a new era of sexual healthcare provision including online services, priority must be placed on maintaining prompt access for those at greatest risk of STIs

Microseism and medicane Apollo : a new approach to investigate the Mediterranean extreme weather events

Microseism is the most continuous and ubiquitous seismic signal on the Earth and is caused by the interaction between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the Solid Earth. In literature, there are several studies that deal with the relationship between microseism and cyclonic activity considering in particular hurricanes, tropical cyclones and typhoons. However, the relationships between microseism and the small-scale tropical cyclones that occur in the Mediterranean Sea, called Medicanes, have never been analysed. For this reason, we considered the Medicane Apollo, which developed in the Ionian Sea and impacted the eastern part of Sicily during the period 25th October to 5th November 2021 causing heavy rainfall (> 400 mm/48h), strong wind gusts (104 km/h) and violent sea waves (significant wave height > 3.5 m). Furthermore, the heavy rainfall induced by the presence of Apollo, caused damage to infrastructure and agriculture forcing the Sicilian regional government to declare a state of emergency for 32 municipalities (in the provinces of Catania, Messina, Siracusa and Ragusa) that were mostly affected by the Medicane Apollo.peer-reviewe

Challenges in the implementation of the NeoOBS study, a global pragmatic observational cohort study, to investigate the aetiology and management of neonatal sepsis in the hospital setting

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. To deliver high-quality data studies and inform future trials, it is crucial to understand the challenges encountered when managing global multi-centre research studies and to identify solutions that can feasibly be implemented in these settings. This paper provides an overview of the complexities faced by diverse research teams in different countries and regions, together with actions implemented to achieve pragmatic study management of a large multi-centre observational study of neonatal sepsis. We discuss specific considerations for enrolling sites with different approval processes and varied research experience, structures, and training. Implementing a flexible recruitment strategy and providing ongoing training were necessary to overcome these challenges. We emphasize the attention that must be given to designing the database and monitoring plans. Extensive data collection tools, complex databases, tight timelines, and stringent monitoring arrangements can be problematic and might put the study at risk. Finally, we discuss the complexities added when collecting and shipping isolates and the importance of having a robust central management team and interdisciplinary collaborators able to adapt easily and make swift decisions to deliver the study on time and to target. With pragmatic approaches, appropriate training, and good communication, these challenges can be overcome to deliver high-quality data from a complex study in challenging settings through a collaborative research network

Challenges in the Implementation of the NeoOBS Study, a Global Pragmatic Observational Cohort Study, to Investigate the Aetiology and Management of Neonatal Sepsis in the Hospital Setting

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. To deliver high-quality data studies and inform future trials, it is crucial to understand the challenges encountered when managing global multi-centre research studies and to identify solutions that can feasibly be implemented in these settings. This paper provides an overview of the complexities faced by diverse research teams in different countries and regions, together with actions implemented to achieve pragmatic study management of a large multi-centre observational study of neonatal sepsis. We discuss specific considerations for enrolling sites with different approval processes and varied research experience, structures, and training. Implementing a flexible recruitment strategy and providing ongoing training were necessary to overcome these challenges. We emphasize the attention that must be given to designing the database and monitoring plans. Extensive data collection tools, complex databases, tight timelines, and stringent monitoring arrangements can be problematic and might put the study at risk. Finally, we discuss the complexities added when collecting and shipping isolates and the importance of having a robust central management team and interdisciplinary collaborators able to adapt easily and make swift decisions to deliver the study on time and to target. With pragmatic approaches, appropriate training, and good communication, these challenges can be overcome to deliver high-quality data from a complex study in challenging settings through a collaborative research network

Establishment and characterization of a new human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line with high metastatic potential to the lung

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pancreatic cancer is still associated with devastating prognosis. Real progress in treatment options has still not been achieved. Therefore new models are urgently needed to investigate this deadly disease. As a part of this process we have established and characterized a new human pancreatic cancer cell line.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The newly established pancreatic cancer cell line PaCa 5061 was characterized for its morphology, growth rate, chromosomal analysis and mutational analysis of the K-<it>ras</it>, EGFR and p53 genes. Gene-amplification and RNA expression profiles were obtained using an Affymetrix microarray, and overexpression was validated by IHC analysis. Tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastasis formation of PaCa 5061 cells were analyzed in pfp^-/-/rag2^-/-mice. Sensitivity towards chemotherapy was analysed by MTT assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PaCa 5061 cells grew as an adhering monolayer with a doubling time ranging from 30 to 48 hours. M-FISH analyses showed a hypertriploid complex karyotype with multiple numerical and unbalanced structural aberrations. Numerous genes were overexpressed, some of which have previously been implicated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (GATA6, IGFBP3, IGFBP6), while others were detected for the first time (MEMO1, RIOK3). Specifically highly overexpressed genes (fold change > 10) were identified as EGFR, MUC4, CEACAM1, CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. Subcutaneous transplantation of PaCa 5061 into pfp^-/-/rag2^-/-mice resulted in formation of primary tumors and spontaneous lung metastasis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The established PaCa 5061 cell line and its injection into pfp^-/-/rag2^-/-mice can be used as a new model for studying various aspects of the biology of human pancreatic cancer and potential treatment approaches for the disease.</p