Context Dependency of Invasion Impacts on the Controllers of Invasibility in Microstegium vimineum

Although plant invasions are of major conservation concern, understanding of the natural controls on invasion and their impacts is largely limited to static observational studies or artificially manipulated systems. Linking patterns of invasion with subsequent impacts in natural systems is necessary to fully assess invasion causes and consequences. Therefore, I employed a long-term approach to sequentially assess the controls on invasion and their subsequent impacts in a self-assembled system for the highly invasive annual grass Microstegium vimineum. I modeled likely factors contributing to the probability of invasion and local invasion success of a natural invasion of M. vimineum in a forest understory between two time windows of 2001/2002 and 2007/2008. Following invasion, I also followed plots to determine the impacts of M. vimineum invasion. The probability of invasion was positively associated with herbaceous species richness and negatively associated with distance from the nearest invaded plot (a measure of propagule pressure). Following invasion, the increase in cover of M. vimineum in each plot was positively related to herbaceous plant cover and negatively related to both distance to the nearest invaded plot and tree cover. Invaded plots lost significantly more herbaceous species richness and cover at high levels of invasion relative to lightly or uninvaded plots. Problematically, the observed impacts on richness and herbaceous cover were dependent on their patterns of initial invasion success. These results suggest controllers of invasion can confound impact assessments, in this case offsetting each other

Context Dependency of Invasion Impacts on the Controllers of Invasibility in Microstegium vimineum

Although plant invasions are of major conservation concern, understanding of the natural controls on invasion and their impacts is largely limited to static observational studies or artificially manipulated systems. Linking patterns of invasion with subsequent impacts in natural systems is necessary to fully assess invasion causes and consequences. Therefore, I employed a long-term approach to sequentially assess the controls on invasion and their subsequent impacts in a self-assembled system for the highly invasive annual grass Microstegium vimineum. I modeled likely factors contributing to the probability of invasion and local invasion success of a natural invasion of M. vimineum in a forest understory between two time windows of 2001/2002 and 2007/2008. Following invasion, I also followed plots to determine the impacts of M. vimineum invasion. The probability of invasion was positively associated with herbaceous species richness and negatively associated with distance from the nearest invaded plot (a measure of propagule pressure). Following invasion, the increase in cover of M. vimineum in each plot was positively related to herbaceous plant cover and negatively related to both distance to the nearest invaded plot and tree cover. Invaded plots lost significantly more herbaceous species richness and cover at high levels of invasion relative to lightly or uninvaded plots. Problematically, the observed impacts on richness and herbaceous cover were dependent on their patterns of initial invasion success. These results suggest controllers of invasion can confound impact assessments, in this case offsetting each other

Controls in the NICU

Medication dosage errors cause too many adverse clinical events in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In this disguised and partially fictionalized teaching case a hospital administrator considers whether the skills she recently acquired in an MBA Accounting Information System class could be adapted for use in a quality improvement program related to medication errors. The case illustrates how the preparation of a system flowchart mapped to a control matrix – a technique that auditors commonly use to support analysis of the adequacy of controls over financial processes – can be adapted to support analysis of clinical process controls and controls over related information. The case offers an opportunity for students to discuss some of the benefits and limitations of this technique, and possible extensions of it to non-financial processes in health care and elsewhere

Electromagnetic induction mapping at varied soil moisture reveals field-scale soil textural patterns and gravel lenses

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of soil textural properties is important for determining soil moisture storage and soil hydraulic transport properties. Capturing field heterogeneity without exhaustive sampling and costly sample analysis is difficult. Our objective was to employ electromagnetic induction (EMI) mapping in low apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) soils at varying soil water contents to capture time invariant properties such as soil texture. Georeferenced ECa measurements were taken using a ground conductivity meter on six different days where volumetric water content (θv) varied from 0.11 to 0.23. The 50 m × 50 m field included a subsurface gravelly patch in an otherwise homogeneous silt-loam alluvial soil. Ordinary block kriging predicted ECa at unsampled areas to produce 1-m resolution maps. Temporal stability analysis was used to divide the field into three distinct ECa regions. Subsequent ground-truthing confirmed the lowest conductivity region correlated with coarse textured soil parent materials associated with a former high-energy alluvial depositional area. Combining maps using temporal stability analysis gives the clearest image of the textural difference. These maps could be informative for modeling, experimental design, sensor placement and targeted zone management strategies in soil science, ecology, hydrology, and agricultural applications

Polynomials, Quantum Query Complexity, and Grothendieck\u27s Inequality

We show an equivalence between 1-query quantum algorithms and representations by degree-2 polynomials. Namely, a partial Boolean function f is computable by a 1-query quantum algorithm with error bounded by epsilon<1/2 iff f can be approximated by a degree-2 polynomial with error bounded by epsilon\u27<1/2. This result holds for two different notions of approximation by a polynomial: the standard definition of Nisan and Szegedy and the approximation by block-multilinear polynomials recently introduced by Aaronson and Ambainis [Aaronson/Ambainis, STOC 2015]. The proof uses Grothendieck\u27s inequality to relate two matrix norms, with one norm corresponding to polynomial approximations and the other norm corresponding to quantum algorithms. We also show two results for polynomials of higher degree. First, there is a total Boolean function which requires ~Omega(n) quantum queries but can be represented by a block-multilinear polynomial of degree ~O(sqrt(n)). Thus, in the general case (for an arbitrary number of queries), block-multilinear polynomials are not equivalent to quantum algorithms. Second, for any constant degree k, the two notions of approximation by a polynomial (the standard and the block-multilinear) are equivalent. As a consequence, we solve an open problem from [Aaronson/Ambainis, STOC 2015], showing that one can estimate the value of any bounded degree-k polynomial p:{0,1}^n -> [-1,1] with O(n^{1-1/(2k)) queries

Improving process and enhancing parent and therapist satisfaction through a coordinated intake approach

Recent research indicates that, in Canada, approximately one in five children entering school are not meeting age appropriate milestones in physical, social, language, or cognitive development. Even where support services are available families often face barriers in accessing these. With the goals of improving access to programs, reducing barriers and increasing consistency and efficiency, a new Coordinated Intake Approach (CIA) was developed for families accessing Children’s Rehabilitation Services. It was expected that the CIA would result in 1) parents finding the intake process more satisfactory and easier to complete, 2) therapists feeling more supported and satisfied and 3) a decrease in wait times from the date referrals were received to initial contact with families. Initial data was collected prior to CIA implementation through parent telephone interviews and therapist surveys. This data was then compared with telephone interviews, therapist surveys and chart reviews completed following implementation. Results were consistent with expectations, suggesting that a family centered, CIA contributed to increased parent and therapist satisfaction as well as improved process efficiency. CIA successes and areas for improvement are identified. Possible directions for further process enhancements are also discussed

Older patients’ experience of primary hypothyroidism: A qualitative study

Background - Primary hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, more so in an increasing UK ageing population. There is no qualitative research examining the older patient perspective of symptoms, treatment and self‐management of hypothyroidism. Objective - In this study we explored the experience of hypothyroidism in older people and examined how this may influence their understanding and acceptance of diagnosis, treatment with Levothyroxine and the monitoring process. Design - We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 18 participants aged between 80 and 93 years. Interview transcripts were analysed using a thematic approach. Results - The themes involved older individuals’ knowledge about symptoms, confidence in diagnosis and understanding of clinical management regimen to understand hypothyroidism. Interpretation of the themes was informed by the Health Belief Model. Conclusion - Our findings can help to inform the development of interventions by treating clinicians and support staff to engage older patients in the long‐term management of this chronic condition

Discussions and Reviews : Waging experimental war: a review

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66539/2/10.1177_002200276200600108.pd

Šeimos gyvenimo apsauga Europos Sąjungos teisėje: šeimos samprata

[full article, abstract in English; abstract in Lithuanian] The article investigates the right to respect for family life, established by Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as applied and interpreted in conjunction with the right to marry and the right to found a family, laid down in Article 9 of the Charter. The standard of protection set by European Union law regarding these rights is identified by taking into account the standard of protection of the relevant rights established by the European Convention on Human Rights and the established case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Topical issues relating to the consolidation of these individual rights at the national level in the Republic of Lithuania are also addressed in the article. In doing so, an emphasis is laid on the content of the concepts of “family” and “family life” under supranational and national law.[straipsnis ir santrauka anglų kalba, santrauka lietuvių kalba] Straipsnyje nagrinėjama Europos Sąjungos pagrindinių teisių chartijos 7 straipsnyje įtvirtinta teisė į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui, ją taikant ir aiškinant kartu su teise į santuoką ir teise kurti šeimą, užtikrinama Chartijos 9 straipsnio nuostatomis. Europos Sąjungos teisėje įtvirtintas šių teisių apsaugos standartas nustatomas atsižvelgiant į šias teises reglamentuojančias Europos žmogaus teisių konvencijos nuostatas bei Europos Žmogaus Teisių Teismo jurisprudenciją. Straipsnyje atskirai analizuojami ir teisės į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui įtvirtinimo Lietuvos Respublikos nacionalinėje teisėje probleminiai aspektai. Šiuo požiūriu daugiausiai dėmesio skiriama šeimos ir šeimos gyvenimo sąvokų turiniui supranacionalinėje ir nacionalinėje teisėje. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjama Europos Sąjungos pagrindinių teisių chartijos 7 straipsnyje įtvirtinta teisė į pagarbą šeimos gyve­nimui, ją taikant ir aiškinant kartu su teise į santuoką ir teise kurti šeimą, užtikrinama Chartijos 9 straipsnio nuostatomis. Europos Sąjungos teisėje įtvirtintas šių teisių apsaugos standartas nustatomas atsižvelgiant į šias teises reglamentuojančias Europos žmogaus teisių konvencijos nuostatas bei Europos Žmogaus Teisių Teismo jurisprudenciją. Straipsnyje atskirai analizuojami ir teisės į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui įtvirtinimo Lietuvos Respublikos nacionalinėje teisėje probleminiai aspektai. Straipsnyje konstatuojama, kad, pirma, Chartijos 7 ir 9 straipsniuose įtvirtintos individualios teisės, aiškinamos atsi­žvelgiant į EŽTK 8 ir 12 straipsnių nuostatas, inter alia, dėl funkcinio požiūrio į Chartijos taikymo sritį, lemia potencialiai plačias šiuose straipsniuose įtvirtintų teisių taikymo galimybes, tokiu būdu nustatomas ir pakankamai aukštas šių individualių teisių apsaugos standartas. Antra, daroma išvada, kad Chartijos 7 straipsnyje įtvirtinta teisė į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui, ją taikant ir aiškinant su Chartijos 9 straipsnyje įtvirtintomis teise tuoktis bei teise kurti šeimą (kaip ir EŽTK 8 ir 12 straipsnių nuostatos), nustato pakankamai aukštą šių individualių teisių apsaugos standartą. Nors supranacionalinėje teisėje šeimos tei­sinių santykių sritis priskiriama jautriems klausimams, todėl valstybėms pripažįstama plati nuožiūros laisvė ir sprendžiant dėl teisės į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui užtikrinimo, būtent supranacionalinė teisė tapo vienu iš pagrindinių kriterijų atskleidžiant konstitucinę šeimos sampratą, kuri iš esmės atitinka šeimos sampratą pagal Chartiją ir EŽTK. Trečia, atkreipiamas dėmesys, jog tiek teisę tuoktis įtvirtinanti lyčių atžvilgiu neutrali Chartijos 9 straipsnio nuostata, tiek Europos Žmogaus Teisių Teismo nustatytais žmogaus teisių apsaugos standartais grindžiama Europos Sąjungos Teisingumo Teismo jurisprudencija rodo, kad europiniai teisės į pagarbą šeimos gyvenimui standartai evoliucionuoja teisinio statuso pripažinimo ir tos pačios lyties asmenų šeimoms linkme. Ketvirta, pažymima, kad Lietuvos Respublikos nacionalinėje teisėje nesant civilinės partnerystės teisinio reguliavimo, nacionalinė ordinarinė teisė šiuo požiūriu užtikrina žemesnį individualių teisių apsaugos standartą, nei leidžia Europos Sąjungos teisė, taip pat EŽTK bei nuosekliai vystoma EŽTT jurisprudencija

Alendronate and Resistive Exercise Countermeasures Against Bed Rest-Induced Bone Loss: Biochemical Markers of Bone and Calcium Metabolism

Weightlessness-induced bone loss must be counteracted to ensure crew health during extendedduration space missions. Studies were conducted to assess two bone loss countermeasures in a ground-based model: horizontal bed rest. Following a 3-wk ambulatory adaptation period, male and female subjects (aged 21-56 y) completed a 17-wk bed rest protocol. Subjects were assigned to one of three treatments: alendronate (ALEN; 10 mg/d, n=6), resistive exercise (RE; 1.5 h/d, 6 d/wk, n=8), or control (CN; no countermeasure, n=8). Dietary intake was adjusted to maintain body weight. Endocrine and biochemical indices were measured in blood and urine using standard laboratory methods. All data reported are expressed as percent change from individual pre-bedrest data. Serum calcium changed little during bed rest, and tended to decrease (4-8%) in ALEN subjects. In RE subjects, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were increased >65 and >30%, respectively, during bed rest, while these were unchanged or decreased in ALEN and CN subjects. Urinary calcium was increased 50% in CN subjects, but was unchanged or decreased in both ALEN and RE groups. Urinary n-telopeptide excretion was increased 40-50% in CN and RE subjects, but decreased 20% in ALEN subjects. Pyridinium crosslink and deoxypyridinoline excretion were increased 20-50% during bed rest. These data suggest that RE countermeasures are effective at increasing markers of bone formation in an analog of weightlessness, while ALEN reduces markers of bone resorption. Counteracting the bone loss of space flight may require both pharmacologic and exercise countermeasures