FLOOD RESPONSES OF LEERSIA ORYZOIDES AND BACOPA MONNIERI: IMPLICATIONS FOR WATER QUALITY IN AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE DITCHES

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted using mesocosms, comparing flood responses of two species common to rural drainage ditches in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Leersia oryzoides and Bacopa monnieri were subjected to four treatments: 1. a well-watered, well-drained control, 2. an intermittently flooded treatment, 3. a partially flooded treatment, and 4. a continuously flooded treatment. Over the course of these experiments, soil redox potential (Eh) decreased in flooded treatments, while aerated conditions were maintained in the control. L. oryzoides was fairly resilient to flooding, demonstrating increased biomass, and no effect on root depth under any flooding regime. However, rhizome penetration depth and eventually, net photosynthesis was reduced in the continuously flooded treatment. While macronutrient concentrations in aboveground tissues of L. oryzoides decreased slightly in response to flooding, belowground concentrations of iron and phosphorus, and belowground and aboveground manganese concentrations increased. B. monnieri exhibited decreased root penetration and aboveground concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in response to flooding, with greater effects observed under partial and continuously flooded treatments. Soil Eh was significantly lower in flooded treatments of L. oryzoides when compared to B. monnieri. L. oryzoides demonstrated greater overall uptake of phosphate than B. monnieri resulting in lower concentrations of phosphate in effluent from mesocosms containing L. oryzoides. Several interactions were noted. For instance, in the control soil nitrogen was higher in L. oryzoides mesocosms than in B. monnieri mesocosms. Additionally, specific conductivity of effluent from B. monnieri mesocosms increased in response to flooding, an effect that was not observed in L. oryzoides mesocosms

Content Validity and Internal Consistency Reliability of a New Scale on Violence Potential

The differential prediction of violence potential in adolescents m juvenile corrections and the mental health fields continues to garner concern. The result of this inability to predict ;md therefore prevent these aces of violence has resulted in an increased incarceration of adolescents in the criminal justice system. Two previous studies (Criminal Justice Association, 1993; Dembo. Hughes, Jackson & Mieczkowski, 1993) have noted similar results. While no system is 100% accurate. there arc known risk factors of violent behavior (Flannery. 1998: Monahan. 1981: Webster & fackson. 1997). This study examined many of these known indicators of violent behavior: and, identified other indicators in the research process. The study went further and developed an assessment scale to measure violence risk or violence potential. A brief overview of the literature on violence produced a total of 23 indicators. Results of expert ratings by doctorate level psychologist increased the number to 26 indicators. Afterward. more than 450 items were developed as a measure of content validity of the indicators. Utilizing doctorate level graduate students as content validity raters of the items produced a trial questionnaire of 202 items. Trials were conducted using male youth from a state correctional institution as subjects; and. conducting statistical analysis of content validity and internal consistency reliability to Content Validity and Internal Consistency and Reliability of a New Scale on Violence Potential measure the viability of the proposed instrument. The results produced 15 scales with internal consistency reliability ratings between .70 to .91. Using the work of Achenbach (1992) on factor loading. four factors were found: internalizing. externalizing. personal violence experience, and fear and oppression. Although more work on larger samples is required. the preliminary instrument appears promising

Just Food: Why We Need to Think More About Decoupled Crop Subsidies as an Obligation to Justice

In this article I respond to the obligation to institute the policy of decoupled crop subsidies as is provided in Pilchman’s article “Money for Nothing: Are decoupled Crop Subsidies Just?” With growing problems of poor nutrition in the United States there have been two different but related phenomenon that have appeared. First, the obesity epidemic that has ravaged the nation and left an increasing number of people very unhealthy; and second, the phenomenon of food deserts where individuals are unable to access fresh fruits and vegetables. A possible solution to this problem, as has been proposed by some, is to institute a decoupled crop subsidy that would increase the production of fruits and vegetables in the United States. In this paper I explore the possible unintended consequences of this policy and how it may violate liberal international conceptions of justice. I conclude that there must be further empirical research before anyone can call decoupled crop subsidies an obligation to justice

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presenting as splenic hemorrhage following cardiac surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is a paradoxical prothrombotic complication of anticoagulant therapy. As many as 3% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery develop clinical HIT presenting as thrombocytopenia with or without thrombosis within 5-10 days of heparin exposure. Thrombotic complications associated with HIT carry a mortality rate of 5-10%. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of atraumatic splenic hemorrhage due to splenic vein thrombosis as the main indicator of HIT following cardiac surgery in a 62-year-old woman. She presented to the emergency department on day nine following coronary artery bypass graft surgery with acute weakness, dizziness, and malaise. Her evaluation in the emergency department found anemia and thrombocytopenia. A coagulation profile revealed a markedly elevated d-dimer. She underwent a computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis for suspected bleed and was found to have splenic vein thrombosis, right atrial filling defects consistent with atrial thrombus and mild to moderate hemoperitoneum. Surgical consultation was obtained due to splenic hemorrhage. Hematology was consulted on post-operative day 10, however, she unfortunately developed left sided weakness concerning for stroke. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain demonstrated infarct involving distribution of the right anterior cerebral artery. A transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a large immobile thrombus within the right atrium with a second, mobile thrombus arising from the left tricuspid valve annulus. Due to a 4Ts score of 7 and markedly positive platelet factor 4 (PF4) IgG antibody a serotonin release assay was not performed given the high probability of HIT. She was cautiously treated with bivalirudin and was transitioned to warfarin anticoagulation. In the following days her platelet count recovered and 3 months later a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed solution of the intracardiac thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Atraumatic splenic hemorrhage is an unusual presentation of HIT that is reminiscent of the rare bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to adrenal necrosis that also occurs in HIT. Alternative anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for HIT despite hemorrhage, given the underlying acquired hypercoagulability. Despite similarities of the presentation between splenic hemorrhage and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, splenic hemorrhage is rarely described in the literature. HIT should be considered in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia following cardiac surgery

Atoms and the Law

Early in 1951 a group of interested members of the faculty of The University of Michigan Law School conceived the idea of a research project, the purpose of which would be to investigate the principal unique legal problems being created and likely to be created in the future by peaceful uses of atomic energy. The group planned the preparation and publication of a series of manuscripts which might ultimately emerge as one or more printed volumes dealing with the legal problems affecting this new form of energy. Many phases of the subject were scrutinized, including the rule-making and licensing powers of the Atomic Energy Commission, the censoring of scientific information, liability for radiation injuries to persons and property, patent rights, state regulatory activities, imd other areas of possible interest. In July 1951 the Michigan Memorial-Phoenix Project, the University\u27s major program of research in all phases of peaceful uses of the atom, made a substantial grant in support of the proposed study of legal problems. The law faculty group, consisting at the outset of Professors Samuel D. Estep, William ]. Pierce, and the undersigned, organized and embarked upon the program. Later Professors Eric Stein and William W. Bishop were added. A small research staff was recruited and the studies were commenced, beginning with an intensive examination of the legislative history of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. In the summer of 1952, an Institute on Industrial and Legal Problems of Atomic Energy was organized and held in the Law Quadrangle in Ann Arbor. This proved to be one of the earliest of the many conferences held in this country resulting from the development of atomic enterprise, and it served to give very great stimulus to the research work being carried on within the staff of the Law School. The proceedings were published by the School and were widely distributed. In 1956 a second summer conference was held, this time a workshop, with a prepared agenda and working papers distributed in advance to the invited participants, who included not only lawyers but also engineers, A. E. C. staff members, scientists, health officials, and economists-a truly inter-disciplinary undertaking. The objective was to elicit concentrated thinking and interchange of ideas between knowledgeable people concerning atomic legal problems, and to precipitate these ideas in concrete form for the guidance of those responsible for current legal developments in the field. Again, proceedings were published and were widely distributed. Throughout the years manuscripts on various phases of the subject have been prepared by the research staff or by the members of the faculty engaged in the project. Little by little the materials, which now emerge as this volume entitled Atoms and the Law, took shape in manuscript ·form. Principal interest finally centered on tort liability for radiation injuries, workmen\u27s compensation for such injuries, federal statutory and administrative provisions regulating atomic activities, state regulation of atomic energy, and finally, in the later years, the international aspects of the subject. These became principal headings in the volume which is now being published. As the project unfolded, those of us who were participating in it became increasingly impressed with the feeling that here was something unique in legal research, for we were engaging in a task that involved not only frontiers of the law but also one which was ever so closely interwoven with the science and technology of tomorrow. In carrying out the project, it became necessary for us to proceed as far as possible to master a new scientific field, one with a new vocabulary and a radically different set of concepts. This certainly enhanced interest in the task, not to mention increasing the difficulty of carrying it forward. In addition, it afforded us an even more fascinating prospect, namely, the possibility of creation of a center for legal studies related to the new technological world, with its great variety of new facets-automation, water resources problems, aviation, etc., thus to make our contribution in providing the legal framework to facilitate the adjustment of scientific advances to the social order of which we are a part.https://repository.law.umich.edu/books/1025/thumbnail.jp

Percutaneous Externally Assembled Laparoscopic (PEAL) Donor Nephrectomy: A Cohort Pain Comparison

Donor nephrectomies can be technically demanding. Donors also may not be fully psychologically prepared for their post-operative pain or cosmetic outcome. A novel Percutaneous Externally Assembled Laparoscopic (PEAL) paradigm was developed to decrease incisional pain and laparoscopic scars. The aim of this study is to compare the post-operative outcomes between donor nephrectomies performed with and without the PEAL instruments

Noninvasive imaging of focal atherosclerotic lesions using fluorescence molecular tomography

Insights into the etiology of stroke and myocardial infarction suggest that rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque is the precipitating event. Clinicians lack tools to detect lesion instability early enough to intervene, and are often left to manage patients empirically, or worse, after plaque rupture. Noninvasive imaging of the molecular events signaling prerupture plaque progression has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with myocardial infarction and stroke by allowing early intervention. Here, we demonstrate proof-of-principle in vivo molecular imaging of C-type natriuretic peptide receptor in focal atherosclerotic lesions in the femoral arteries of New Zealand white rabbits using a custom built fiber-based, fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) system. Longitudinal imaging showed changes in the fluorescence signal intensity as the plaque progressed in the air-desiccated vessel compared to the uninjured vessel, which was validated by ex vivo tissue studies. In summary, we demonstrate the potential of FMT for noninvasive detection of molecular events leading to unstable lesions heralding plaque rupture

Trial and error versus errorless learning of functional skills in patients with acute stroke

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of errorless learning versus trial and error learning for teaching activities of daily living to patients with acute stroke with or without explicit memory impairments. Design: Randomized crossover. Setting: Rehabilitation hospital. Participants: 33 adult subjects following an acute stroke. Intervention: Subjects were taught to prepare a wheelchair for a transfer and to put on a sock with a sock-donner. Tasks were taught using errorless learning or trial and error learning. Explicit memory was assessed using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Exam. Main Outcome Measures: Days until subject was able to demonstrate retention of the task, and success or failure at carry-over to a similar task. Results: No significant differences were found in days to retention for either functional task when taught using errorless learning or trial and error learning in subjects with or without explicit memory impairments. Carry-over was significantly better when trial and error learning was used for learning sock donning. Conclusions: When choosing the best learning method for patients undergoing rehabilitation for stroke, the nature of the task should be considered. Additional research is needed to identify the best approach for teaching activities of daily living and facilitating carry-over of learning in individuals with acute stroke