1,964 research outputs found
A comparison of three outcome measures of the impact of vasomotor symptoms on women’s lives
Objective: Measures of the impact of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) have been used as outcomes in clinical trials but have not been compared. This study compares the Hot Flush Rating Scale (HFRS), the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), and the shorter Hot Flash Interference (HFI) scale.Methods: Baseline data were taken from two studies including healthy women (menopause transition or postmenopause) and breast cancer patients experiencing VMS. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographics, the HFRS, the HFRDIS, the HFI, the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), on depression (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), on anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), and on use of medical services.Results: A total of 169 women (129 with history of breast cancer and 40 without) aged 54.47 (standard deviation [SD] = 9.11) years took part. They had an average of 66 (SD = 40.94) VMS per week, with a mean HFRS problem-rating of 6.53 (SD = 1.99), HFRDIS score of 5.36 (SD = 2.22), and HFI score of 6.13 (SD = 2.30). The HFRS problem-rating, HFRDIS, and HFI were significantly associated (r = 0.61–0.85), had good internal reliability (α = 0.76–0.91), and had significant concurrent validity with mood, the WSAS, and use of medical services. VMS frequency was not associated with mood, the WSAS, or use of medical services.Conclusion: The HFRS problem-rating scale and the HFI are two brief, three-item measures that measure a similar concept of VMS interference/impact, with evidence of reliability and validity.</p
Large-Scale Image Processing with the ROTSE Pipeline for Follow-Up of Gravitational Wave Events
Electromagnetic (EM) observations of gravitational-wave (GW) sources would
bring unique insights into a source which are not available from either channel
alone. However EM follow-up of GW events presents new challenges. GW events
will have large sky error regions, on the order of 10-100 square degrees, which
can be made up of many disjoint patches. When searching such large areas there
is potential contamination by EM transients unrelated to the GW event.
Furthermore, the characteristics of possible EM counterparts to GW events are
also uncertain. It is therefore desirable to be able to assess the statistical
significance of a candidate EM counterpart, which can only be done by
performing background studies of large data sets. Current image processing
pipelines such as that used by ROTSE are not usually optimised for large-scale
processing. We have automated the ROTSE image analysis, and supplemented it
with a post-processing unit for candidate validation and classification. We
also propose a simple ad hoc statistic for ranking candidates as more likely to
be associated with the GW trigger. We demonstrate the performance of the
automated pipeline and ranking statistic using archival ROTSE data. EM
candidates from a randomly selected set of images are compared to a background
estimated from the analysis of 102 additional sets of archival images. The
pipeline's detection efficiency is computed empirically by re-analysis of the
images after adding simulated optical transients that follow typical light
curves for gamma-ray burst afterglows and kilonovae. We show that the automated
pipeline rejects most background events and is sensitive to simulated
transients to limiting magnitudes consistent with the limiting magnitude of the
images
A comparison of four different imaging modalities - conventional, cross polarized, infra-red and ultra-violet in the assessment of childhood bruising
Background
It is standard practice to image concerning bruises in children. We aim to compare the clarity and measurements of bruises using cross polarized, infra-red (IR) and ultra-violet (UV) images to conventional images.
Methods
Children aged <11 years with incidental bruising were recruited. Demographics, skin and bruise details were recorded. Bruises were imaged by standard protocols in conventional, cross-polarized, IR and UV lights. Bruises were assessed in vivo for contrast, uniformity and diffuseness, and these characteristics were then compared across image modalities. Color images (conventional, cross polarized) were segmented and measured by ImageJ. Bruises of grey scale images (IR, UV) were measured by a ‘plug in’ of ImageJ. The maximum and minimum Feret's diameter, area and aspect ratio, were determined. Comparison of measurements across imaging modalities was conducted using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and modified Bland-Altman graphs. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Twenty five children had 39 bruises. Bruises that were of low contrast, i.e. difficult to distinguish from surrounding skin, were also more diffuse, and less uniformity in vivo. Low contrast bruises were best seen on conventional and cross-polarized images and less distinctive on IR and UV images. Of the 19 bruises visible in all modalities, the only significant difference was maximum and minimum Feret's diameters and area were smaller on IR compared to conventional images. Aspect ratios were not affected by the modality.
Conclusions
Conventional and cross-polarized imaging provides the most consistent bruise measurement, particularly in bruises that are not easily distinguished from surrounding skin visually
The effect of forage management on carbon storage in pastureland and rotation
Non-Peer ReviewedDegraded land with less than 1.5% organic carbon (class 4 and 5 land) in the Parkland of Western
Canada has significant potential, from 5 to 15 Mg C ha-1 depending on management, for carbon storage
with forages in the Parkland. The potential ranges from 5 to 15 Mg C ha-1, over a period from 15 to 20
years, depending on fertility management of forages in pasture and initial levels of soil organic carbon.
Nitrogen fertilizer increased organic carbon stored in reseeded pastures at Pathlow and Brandon relative
to paddocks without fertilizer. Over a period of 12 years (1978-1989) in the Pathlow study, 21.9 Mg C ha-
1 (0-15 cm) was stored when N fertilizer was applied at an annual rate of 45 kg ha-1 compared to the
control treatment, which was attributed to accumulation of plant debris and roots at the surface. Increases
in organic carbon did not persist 10 years after N fertilizer was discontinued at the study at Pathlow,
Saskatchewan. At Brandon, Manitoba, fertilized grass pasture stored 16.2 Mg C ha-1 (0-50 cm) compared
to unfertilized bromegrass from 1994 to 1999. Long-term forage rotations at Melfort showed no
significant difference in the wheat phase of a F-W-W-H-H-W rotation due to nitrogen fertilizer (147.3 Mg
C ha-1 150.7 Mg C ha-1) over a period from 1957 to 1994. This was attributed to the high levels of soil
carbon in soils at Melfort. Forages in rotation had no significant effect on organic carbon in a study at
Glenlea MB conducted from 1992 to 1999, though a range from 110.8 to 145.7 Mg C ha-1 was observed.
Significant differences may occur in the long term as organic carbon accumulates in the treatments at
Glenlea
Experiences of disabled women during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting services: implications for occupational therapy
The aim of this study was to understand the experiences
of women with physical and sensory disability during their
interaction with maternity services. The study was funded by a
national charity whose previous research identified that disabled
women had more negative experiences than non-disabled
women (Birthrights, 2013). This paper specifically discusses
implications for occupational therapy.
Two-phase, inter-professional mixed methods research
was used involving online surveys in phase 1 and narrative
interviews in phase 2. Recruitment was through disability
and parenting networks and social media. Survey data were
analysed descriptively and open questions were themed. Phase 2
telephone interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim
and analysed thematically.
Although overall satisfaction with care was scored highly in
phase 1, negative experiences were described. Key challenges
included a lack of continuity of carer; women feeling that
they were not being listened to; feeling they were treated less
favourably because of disability; and 56% feeling that maternity
care providers did not have appropriate attitudes to disability.
Interview themes echoed these, when women described
implications of not being listened to, including that their
judgement about their own bodies was ignored or undermined.
The research revealed that occupational therapists did
little to support women during this time. While some
occupational therapy input was described, this focused on
equipment provision. Minimal support with the occupations
of parenting was described. The results suggest a clear need
for interprofessional working and the need for occupational
therapists to liaise between midwifery staff and disabled women
Control of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes without weight loss by modification of diet composition
BACKGROUND: Over the past several years our research group has taken a systematic, comprehensive approach to determining the effects on body function (hormonal and non-hormonal) of varying the amounts and types of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the diet. We have been particularly interested in the dietary management of type 2 diabetes. Our objective has been to develop a diet for people with type 2 diabetes that does not require weight loss, oral agents, or insulin, but that still controls the blood glucose concentration. Our overall goal is to enable the person with type 2 diabetes to control their blood glucose by adjustment in the composition rather than the amount of food in their diet. METHODS: This paper is a brief summary and review of our recent diet-related research, and the rationale used in the development of diets that potentially are useful in the treatment of diabetes. RESULTS: We determined that, of the carbohydrates present in the diet, absorbed glucose is largely responsible for the food-induced increase in blood glucose concentration. We also determined that dietary protein increases insulin secretion and lowers blood glucose. Fat does not significantly affect blood glucose, but can affect insulin secretion and modify the absorption of carbohydrates. Based on these data, we tested the efficacy of diets with various protein:carbohydrate:fat ratios for 5 weeks on blood glucose control in people with untreated type 2 diabetes. The results were compared to those obtained in the same subjects after 5 weeks on a control diet with a protein:carbohydrate:fat ratio of 15:55:30. A 30:40:30 ratio diet resulted in a moderate but significant decrease in 24-hour integrated glucose area and % total glycohemoglobin (%tGHb). A 30:20:50 ratio diet resulted in a 38% decrease in 24-hour glucose area, a reduction in fasting glucose to near normal and a decrease in %tGHb from 9.8% to 7.6%. The response to a 30:30:40 ratio diet was similar. CONCLUSION: Altering the diet composition could be a patient-empowering method of improving the hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetes without weight loss or pharmacologic intervention
Electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational wave transient signal candidates
Pioneering efforts aiming at the development of multi-messenger gravitational
wave and electromagnetic astronomy have been made. An electromagnetic
observation follow-up program of candidate gravitational wave events has been
performed (Dec 17 2009 to Jan 8 2010 and Sep 4 to Oct 20 2010) during the
recent runs of the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors. It involved
ground-based and space electromagnetic facilities observing the sky at optical,
X-ray and radio wavelengths. The joint gravitational wave and electromagnetic
observation study requires the development of specific image analysis
procedures able to discriminate the possible electromagnetic counterpart of
gravitational wave triggers from contaminant/background events. The paper
presents an overview of the electromagnetic follow-up program and the image
analysis procedures.Comment: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on "Topics in
Astroparticle and Underground Physics" (TAUP 2011), Munich, September 2011
(to appear in IoP Journal of Physics: Conference Series
The neural basis of authenticity recognition in laughter and crying
Deciding whether others’ emotions are genuine is essential for successful communication and social relationships. While previous fMRI studies suggested that differentiation between authentic and acted emotional expressions involves higher-order brain areas, the time course of authenticity discrimination is still unknown. To address this gap, we tested the impact of authenticity discrimination on event-related potentials (ERPs) related to emotion, motivational salience, and higher-order cognitive processing (N100, P200 and late positive complex, the LPC), using vocalised non-verbal expressions of sadness (crying) and happiness (laughter) in a 32-participant, within-subject study. Using a repeated measures 2-factor (authenticity, emotion) ANOVA, we show that N100’s amplitude was larger in response to authentic than acted vocalisations, particularly in cries, while P200’s was larger in response to acted vocalisations, particularly in laughs. We suggest these results point to two different mechanisms: (1) a larger N100 in response to authentic vocalisations is consistent with its link to emotional content and arousal (putatively larger amplitude for genuine emotional expressions); (2) a larger P200 in response to acted ones is in line with evidence relating it to motivational salience (putatively larger for ambiguous emotional expressions). Complementarily, a significant main effect of emotion was found on P200 and LPC amplitudes, in that the two were larger for laughs than cries, regardless of authenticity. Overall, we provide the first electroencephalographic examination of authenticity discrimination and propose that authenticity processing of others’ vocalisations is initiated early, along that of their emotional content or category, attesting for its evolutionary relevance for trust and bond formation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Cost-benefit analysis for commissioning decisions in GEO600
Gravitational wave interferometers are complex instruments, requiring years
of commissioning to achieve the required sensitivities for the detection of
gravitational waves, of order 10^-21 in dimensionless detector strain, in the
tens of Hz to several kHz frequency band. Investigations carried out by the
GEO600 detector characterisation group have shown that detector
characterisation techniques are useful when planning for commissioning work. At
the time of writing, GEO600 is the only large scale laser interferometer
currently in operation running with a high duty factor, 70%, limited chiefly by
the time spent commissioning the detector. The number of observable
gravitational wave sources scales as the product of the volume of space to
which the detector is sensitive and the observation time, so the goal of
commissioning is to improve the detector sensitivity with the least possible
detector down time. We demonstrate a method for increasing the number of
sources observable by such a detector, by assessing the severity of
non-astrophysical noise contaminations to efficiently guide commissioning. This
method will be particularly useful in the early stages and during the initial
science runs of the aLIGO and adVirgo detectors, as they are brought up to
design performance.Comment: 17 pages, 17 figures, 2 table
Characterization of E'delta and triplet point defects in oxygen deficient amorphous silicon dioxide
We report an experimental study by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of
gamma ray irradiation induced point defects in oxygen deficient amorphous SiO2
materials. We have found that three intrinsic (E'gamma, E'delta and triplet)
and one extrinsic ([AlO4]0) paramagnetic centers are induced. All the
paramagnetic defects but E'gamma center are found to reach a concentration
limit value for doses above 10^3 kGy, suggesting a generation process from
precursors. Isochronal thermal treatments of a sample irradiated at 10^3 kGy
have shown that for T>500 K the concentrations of E'gamma and E'delta centers
increase concomitantly to the decrease of [AlO4]0. This occurrence speaks for
an hole transfer process from [AlO4]0 centers to diamagnetic precursors of E'
centers proving the positive charge state of the thermally induced E'gamma and
E'delta centers and giving insight on the origin of E'gamma from an oxygen
vacancy. A comparative study of the E'delta center and of the 10 mT doublet EPR
signals on three distinct materials subjected to isochronal and isothermal
treatments, has shown a quite general linear correlation between these two EPR
signals. This result confirms the attribution of the 10 mT doublet to the
hyperfine structure of the E'delta center, originating from the interaction of
the unpaired electron with a nucleus of 29Si (I=1/2). Analogies between the
microwave saturation properties of E'gamma and E'delta centers and between
those of their hyperfine structures are found and suggest that the unpaired
electron wave function involves similar Si sp3 hybrid orbitals; specifically,
for the E'delta the unpaired electron is supposed to be delocalized over four
such orbitals of four equivalent Si atoms.Comment: Approved for publication in Physical Review
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