Between Subgraph Isomorphism and Maximum Common Subgraph

When a small pattern graph does not occur inside a larger target graph, we can ask how to find "as much of the pattern as possible" inside the target graph. In general, this is known as the maximum common subgraph problem, which is much more computationally challenging in practice than subgraph isomorphism. We introduce a restricted alternative, where we ask if all but k vertices from the pattern can be found in the target graph. This allows for the development of slightly weakened forms of certain invariants from subgraph isomorphism which are based upon degree and number of paths. We show that when k is small, weakening the invariants still retains much of their effectiveness. We are then able to solve this problem on the standard problem instances used to benchmark subgraph isomorphism algorithms, despite these instances being too large for current maximum common subgraph algorithms to handle. Finally, by iteratively increasing k, we obtain an algorithm which is also competitive for the maximum common subgraph

Assessment of the Intake and Knowledge of Folate/Folic Acid Among UNH Students

There are 3,000 U.S. pregnancies affected by spina bifida and anencephaly annually. If women consume adequate amounts of folic acid (400 mcg/day) one month before pregnancy and through the first trimester, then the risk of their infant developing a neural tube defect (NTD) is reduced by 50-70%. However, approximately 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, with some of the highest rates among 18-24 year olds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge source, knowledge level, and intake of folic acid among college-aged students. Qualtrics surveys from 96 subjects (87.5% female, aged 18-24) were used for analysis. In the female sample, 16% were taking a multivitamin containing folic acid and 7% a folic acid supplement. Three questions assessed the sample’s level of folic acid knowledge. Seventy-six percent knew adequate amounts are needed to prevent NTDs, 71% knew it is most important to start consuming it before pregnancy, and 54% answered at least half of the correct food sources. There were 19 females who took an introductory nutrition course, and 63.2% correctly answered NTDs, before pregnancy, and at least half the food sources. Subjects who got folic acid knowledge from a college course were significantly more likely to answer the three questions correctly compared to those who never received information on the vitamin. Findings suggested that among college students, the best source of information about folic acid is college courses. Future research may study the correlation between folic acid knowledge and knowledge source among a larger, more diverse college population

Factors that influence the decision regarding hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States today. Prior to menopause women have lower rates of heart disease than men; however, after menopause a woman\u27s risk for heart disease rises dramatically. This is thought to be due the ovaries\u27 decreased production of estradiol, but the mechanisms for this effect have not been fully elucidated. The need exists to investigate the impact of healthy lifestyles on attenuating the risk of cardiovascular disease in women as they age. The majority of research on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has focused on the biomedical model suggesting that menopause reflects an estrogen deficiency and is treatable by pharmaceutical intervention. Little information is available that views menopause from a broader perspective which includes psychological and social factors. This research tested the hypothesis that postmenopausal women who practice positive lifestyle interventions, such as health supporting diets and regular exercise, will demonstrate positive biological, social and psychological outcomes independent of HRT. Seventy healthy postmenopausal women, aged 48-66, who had experienced a surgical or natural menopause were categorized into one of three groups: (1) no hormone replacement therapy (n = 36); (2) estrogen only (n = 11); and (3) estrogen and progestin (n = 23). Subjects donated a fasting blood sample and completed a comprehensive lifestyle and medical questionnaire that gathered information regarding health, menopause, decision making, self-esteem, and mood states. Subjects also completed a food frequency and three-day food diary. Anthropometric measurements were performed to determine body mass index and waist hip ratios. Biological assays of collected blood samples included estradiol and progesterone concentrations, lipid profiles, serum beta-carotene and vitamin E in total serum and in LDL, total antioxidants and the resistance of LDL to oxidation. Results indicated that lifestyle factors including quality of dietary intake, duration and intensity of exercise, and body weight may be better predictors of disease risk than use of HRT in postmenopausal women. Results suggest that, regardless of hormone use, positive lifestyle interventions will provide improved quality of life in women as they age

Body fatness or anthropometry for assessment of unhealthy weight status? Comparison between methods in South African children and adolescents

A variety of methods are available for defining undernutrition (thinness/underweight/under-fat) and overnutrition (overweight/obesity/over-fat). The extent to which these definitions agree is unclear. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess agreement between widely used methods of assessing nutritional status in children and adolescents, and to examine the benefit of body composition estimates. The main objective of the cross-sectional study was to assess underweight, overweight and obesity using four methods: (i) BMI-for-age using WHO (2007) reference data; (ii) BMI-for-age using Cole et al. and International Obesity Taskforce cut-offs; (iii) weight-for-age using the National Centre for Health Statistics/WHO growth reference 1977; and (iv) body fat percentage estimated by bio-impedance (body fat reference curves for children of McCarthy et al., 2006). Comparisons were made between methods using weighted kappa analyses. Subjects Individuals (n 1519) in three age groups (school grade 1, mean age 7 years; grade 5, mean age 11 years; grade 9, mean age 15 years). Results In boys, prevalence of unhealthy weight status (both under- and overnutrition) was much higher at all ages with body fatness measures than with simple anthropometric proxies for body fatness; agreement between fatness and weight-based measures was fair or slight using Landis and Koch categories. In girls, prevalence of unhealthy weight status was also higher with body fatness than with proxies, although agreement between measures ranged from fair to substantial. Methods for defining under- and overnutrition should not be considered equivalent. Weight-based measures provide highly conservative estimates of unhealthy weight status, possibly more conservative in boys. Simple body composition measures may be more informative than anthropometry for nutritional surveillance of children and adolescents

Health impact of catch-up growth in low-birth weight infants : systematic review, evidence appraisal, and meta-anaylsis

This study aimed to systematically review and appraise evidence on the short-term (e.g. morbidity, mortality) and long-term (obesity and non-communicable diseases, NCDs) health consequences of catch-up growth (versus no catch-up growth) in individuals with a history of low birth weight (LBW).We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL plus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis, and reference lists. Study quality was assessed using the risk of bias assessment tool from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, and the evidence base was assessed using the GRADE tool. Eight studies in 7 cohorts (2 from high-income countries, 5 from low-middle income countries) met the inclusion criteria for short-term (mean age: 13.4 months) and/or longer-term (mean age: 11.1 years) health outcomes of catch-up growth which had occurred by 24 or 59 months. Of 5 studies on short-term health outcomes, 3 found positive associations between weight catch-up growth and body mass and/or glucose metabolism; 1 suggested reduced risk of hospitalisation and mortality with catch-up growth. Three studies on longer-term health outcomes found catch-up growth was associated with higher body mass, BMI, or cholesterol. GRADE assessment suggested that evidence quantity and quality were low. Catch-up growth following LBW may have benefits for the individual with LBW in the short term, and may have adverse population health impacts in the long-term, but the evidence is limited. Future cohort studies could address the question of the consequences of catch-up growth following LBW more convincingly, with a view to informing future prevention of obesity and NCDs

Comparing Two Methods for Quantifying Soil-borne Entomophaga maimaiga Resting Spores

To improve usability of methods for quantifying environmentally persistent entomophthoralean resting spores in soil, we modified and tested two methods using resting spores (azygospores) of the gypsy moth pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga. Both methods were effective for recovering resting spores at concentrations \u3e100 resting spores/g dry soil. While a modification of a method originally described by Weseloh and Andreadis (2002) recovered more resting spores than a modified method based on Percoll density gradients, the ability to estimate true densities from counts was similar for both methods. Regression equations are provided for predicting true resting spore densities from counts, with R 2 values for both methods P0.90

A study of recreation and recreational facilities of freshman high school girls

It has long been recognized that relief from regular routine is necessary for the happiness and well being of individuals. Recreation in the form of play has become an accepted means of relief from routine. It is true that people enjoy recreation alone, but since man is a "gregarious animal" it is reasonable to assume that people find greater enjoyment in participating in some kind of group recreation. The youth, of high school age, whether boy or girl, is usually group minded. The sudden and rapid organization of gangs and clubs at this age emphasizes this point. Teen age girls of this generation are faced with many problems which are not easily understood by parents or teachers. It is hoped that this study will provide useful information to the teacher in helping teen age girls to meet their recreational problems with greater understanding

A compilation, tabulation and analysis of spelling errors made by pupils in grades four, five, and six in free writing of sentences using given stimuli words

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Executive functioning, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive difficulties in school-aged children prenatally exposed to methadone

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine executive function and emotional and behavioural difficulties of children aged between 8 and 10 years who had been prenatally exposed to methadone, compared to non-exposed peers. Methods: Prospective study: third follow-up of an original cohort of 153 children born to methadone-maintained opioid-dependent mothers 2008–2010: previous investigations were at 1–3 days and at 6–7 months of age. Carers completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF®2). Results were compared between exposed and non-exposed groups. Results: Carers of 33 of 144 traceable children completed the measures. SDQ responses showed no group differences on subscales of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, or peer relationship problems. A marginally higher proportion of exposed children had a high or very high hyperactivity subscale score. Exposed children scored significantly higher on BRIEF®2 behavioural, emotional, and cognitive regulation indices, and on the global executive composite. After controlling for potentially confounding higher reported maternal tobacco use in the exposed group via regression modelling, the effect of methadone exposure reduced. Interpretation: This study supports evidence that methadone exposure in utero is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood. Challenges in studying this population include difficulties with long-term follow-up and controlling for potentially confounding factors. Further investigation of the safety of methadone and other opioids in pregnancy must include consideration of maternal tobacco use