The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters measured using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18– 60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18–60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0–12), adolescents (aged 12–18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age. This was a population- based cross-sectional observational study of healthy Chinese subjects aged 0.5–89 years in Hong Kong. USCOM scans were performed on all subjects, to produce measurements including stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. Data from previously published studies (children, adolescents, and the elderly) were included. Normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. A total of 2218 subjects were studied (mean age = 16.4, range = 0.5–89; 52% male). From previous studies, 1197 children (aged 0–12, 55% male), 590 adolescents (aged 12–18, 49% male), and 77 elderly (aged 60–89, 55% male) were included. New data were collected from 354 adults aged 18–60 (47% male). Normal ranges are presented according to age and weight. We present comprehensive normal ranges for hemodynamic parameters obtained with USCOM in healthy subjects of all ages from infancy to the elderly

The Revised Reference Genome of the Leopard Gecko (\u3cem\u3eEublepharis macularius\u3c/em\u3e) Provides Insight into the Considerations of Genome Phasing and Assembly

Genomic resources across squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) have lagged behind other vertebrate systems and high-quality reference genomes remain scarce. Of the 23 chromosome-scale reference genomes across the order, only 12 of the ~60 squamate families are represented. Within geckos (infraorder Gekkota), a species-rich clade of lizards, chromosome-level genomes are exceptionally sparse representing only two of the seven extant families. Using the latest advances in genome sequencing and assembly methods, we generated one of the highest-quality squamate genomes to date for the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius (Eublepharidae). We compared this assembly to the previous, short-read only, E. macularius reference genome published in 2016 and examined potential factors within the assembly influencing contiguity of genome assemblies using PacBio HiFi data. Briefly, the read N50 of the PacBio HiFi reads generated for this study was equal to the contig N50 of the previous E. macularius reference genome at 20.4 kilobases. The HiFi reads were assembled into a total of 132 contigs, which was further scaffolded using HiC data into 75 total sequences representing all 19 chromosomes. We identified 9 of the 19 chromosomal scaffolds were assembled as a near-single contig, whereas the other 10 chromosomes were each scaffolded together from multiple contigs. We qualitatively identified that the percent repeat content within a chromosome broadly affects its assembly contiguity prior to scaffolding. This genome assembly signifies a new age for squamate genomics where high-quality reference genomes rivaling some of the best vertebrate genome assemblies can be generated for a fraction of previous cost estimates. This new E. macularius reference assembly is available on NCBI at JAOPLA010000000

New g'r'i'z' Photometry of the NGC 5128 Globular Cluster System

We present new photometry for 323 of the globular clusters in NGC 5128 (Centaurus A), measured for the first time in the $g'r'i'z'$ filter system. The color indices are calibrated directly to standard stars in the $g'r'i'z'$ system and are used to establish the fiducial mean colors for the blue and red (low and high metallicity) globular cluster sequences. We also use spectroscopically measured abundances to establish the conversion between the most metallicity-sensitive colors ($(g'-r')_0$, $(g'-i')_0$) and metallicity, [Fe/H].Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, accepted in A

Quantum field theory on a growing lattice

We construct the classical and canonically quantized theories of a massless scalar field on a background lattice in which the number of points--and hence the number of modes--may grow in time. To obtain a well-defined theory certain restrictions must be imposed on the lattice. Growth-induced particle creation is studied in a two-dimensional example. The results suggest that local mode birth of this sort injects too much energy into the vacuum to be a viable model of cosmological mode birth.Comment: 28 pages, 2 figures; v.2: added comments on defining energy, and reference

Comparison of general population, patient, and carer utility values for dementia health states.

Utility values to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for use in cost-utility analyses are usually elicited from members of the general population. Public attitudes and understanding of dementia in particular may mean that values elicited from the general population may differ from patients and carers for dementia health states. This study examines how the population impacts utility values elicited for dementia health states using interviewer-administered time tradeoff valuation of health states defined by the dementia-specific preference-based measures DEMQOL-U (patient-report) and DEMQOL-Proxy-U (carer-report). Eight DEMQOL-U states were valued by 78 members of the UK general population and 71 patients with dementia of mild severity. Eight DEMQOL-Proxy-U states were valued by 77 members of the UK general population and 71 carers of patients with dementia of mild severity. Random-effects generalized least squares regression estimated the impact of population, dementia health state, and respondent sociodemographic characteristics on elicited values, finding that values for dementia health states differed by population and that the difference varied across dementia health states. Patients with dementia and carers of patients with dementia gave systematically lower values than members of the general population that were not due to differences in the sociodemographic characteristics of the populations. Our results suggest that the population used to produce dementia health state values could impact the results of cost-utility analyses and potentially affect resource allocation decisions; yet, currently, only general population values are available for usage

Bilingual problem-solving training for caregivers of adults with dementia: A randomized, factorial-design protocol for the CaDeS trial

Objective: Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias (ADRD) often experience debilitating caregiver burden and emotional distress. To address these negative emotional consequences of caregiving, we will test and refine a strategy training intervention - Problem-Solving Training (PST) - that promotes self-efficacy and reduces caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Previous research supports efficacy of PST; however, we do not know exactly how many PST sessions are needed or if post-training boosters are required to maintain PST benefits. Additionally, we translated and culturally-adapted PST into Descubriendo Soluciones Juntos (DSJ), our novel intervention for Spanish-speaking caregivers. Method: In this 2 × 2 factorial design randomized controlled trial, we will test remotely-delivered PST/DSJ sessions for both English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers of persons with ADRD to determine the optimal number of PST/DSJ sessions and ongoing booster sessions needed to best help caregivers navigate their current and future needs. Aims: 1) Compare the efficacy of three vs. six PST/DSJ sessions each with and without booster sessions for decreasing caregiver burden and depression and enhancing caregiver problem-solving; 2) Identify key factors associated with efficacy of PST/DSJ, including age, gender, primary language, relationship to care recipient, and uptake of the PST/DSJ strategy. Results: These results will establish guidelines needed for an evidence-based, culturally-adapted, and implementable problem-solving intervention to reduce caregiver stress and burden and improve caregiver health and well-being. Conclusion: This work promotes inclusion of diverse and underserved populations and advances therapeutic behavioral interventions that improve the lives of caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions

Emoting infertility online: A qualitative analysis of men's forum posts

Relatively little research on infertility focuses exclusively or significantly on men’s experiences, particularly in relation to emotional aspects. Evidence that does exist around male infertility suggests that it is a distressing experience for men, due to stigma, threats to masculinity and the perceived need to suppress emotions, and that men and women experience infertility differently. Using thematic analysis, this article examines the online emoting of men in relation to infertility via forum posts from a men-only infertility discussion board. It was noted that men ‘talked’ to each other about the emotional burdens of infertility, personal coping strategies and relationships with others. Three major themes were identified following in-depth analysis: ‘the emotional rollercoaster’, ‘the tyranny of infertility’ and ‘infertility paranoia’. This article then offers insights into how men experience infertility emotionally, negotiate the emotional challenges involved (especially pertaining to diagnosis, treatment outcomes and their intimate relationships) and how they share (and find value in doing so) with other men the lived experience of infertility

Electronic and Structural Properties of a 4d-Perovskite: Cubic Phase of SrZrO3_3

First-principles density functional calculations are performed within the local density approximation to study the electronic properties of SrZrO$_3$, an insulating 4d-perovskite, in its high-temperature cubic phase, above 1400 K, as well as the generic 3d-perovskite SrTiO$_3$, which is also a d^0-insulator and cubic above 105 K, for comparison reasons. The energy bands, density of states and charge density distributions are obtained and a detailed comparison between their band structures is presented. The results are discussed also in terms of the existing data in the literature for both oxides.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Tradisi panangat pra nikah oleh wali perempuan dalam perspektif hukum Islam: studi kasus di Desa Sadulang Kecamatan Sapeken Kabupaten Sumenep

Skripsi dengan judul “Tradisi Panangat Pra Nikah Oleh Wali Perempuan Dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam (Studi Kasus di Desa Sadulang Kecamatan Sapeken Kabupaten Sumenep. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjawab pertanyaan: 1. Bagaimana tradisi panangat pra nikah oleh wali perempuan dalam di Desa Sadulang Kecamatan Sapeken Kabupaten Sumenep? 2. Bagaimana analisis hukum Islam terhadap tradisi panangat pra nikah oleh wali perempuan di Desa Sadulang Kecamatan Sapeken Kabupaten Sumenep? Jenis penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan metode penelitian lapangan, yaitu sebuah penelitian yang dilakukan secara langsung terhadap peristiwa data-data ada di lapangan. Teknik pengumpulan data yang penulis gunakan adalah wawancara. Setelah data terkumpul, maka penulis melakukan analisis dengan metode analisis kualitatif. Dari data-data yang telah diperoleh, pemberian panangat ini telah dilakukan oleh masyarakat Desa Sadulang sudah menjadi turun-temurun sejak dahulu sampai sekarang. Pemberian panangat di Desa Sadulang merupakan sebagai syarat wajibnya sebelum melaksanakan perkawinan. Adapun tujuannya adalah untuk menghormati atau menghargai wanita yang ingin dinikahi. Proses penentuan panangat tersebut dilakukan dengan cara musyawarah antara pihak laki-laki dengan pihak perempuan, sehingga setelah ada kata sepakat maka perkawinan akan dilangsungkan. Menurut analisis hukum Islam, adat tentang pemberian panangat ada dua yaitu: 1. Di bolehkan selama permintaan panangat tidak memberatkan. 2. Tidak boleh jika permintaan panangat mempersulit atau memberatkan, karena hal itu sangat bertentangan dengan syariat Islam. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian di atas hendaknya pemberian panangat di Desa Sadulang yang diminta oleh pihak perempuan tidak memberatkan pihak lika-laki, sehingga bagi pemuda yang ingin menyempurnakan separuh agamanya yaitu menikah bisa melangsungkannya, jangan sampai gara-gara permintaan panangat yang terlalu tinggi bisa menghalangi niat baik seseorang yang ingin menikah. Kepada para tokoh agama, tokoh masyarakat hendaknya memberikan pemahaman kepada masyarakat Desa Sadulang tentang pelaksanaan panangat yang tidak bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam, karena pada dasarnya masyarakat Desa Sadulang 100% (seratus persen) beragama Islam. Sehingga adat yang berlaku harus sesuai dengan ajaran Islam

Dry Creek Revisited: New Excavations, Radiocarbon Dates, and Site Formation Inform on the Peopling of Eastern Beringia

The multicomponent Dry Creek site, located in the Nenana Valley, central Alaska, is arguably one of the most important archaeological sites in Beringia. Original work in the 1970s identified two separate cultural layers, called Components 1 and 2, thought to date to the terminal Pleistocene and suggesting that the site was visited by Upper Paleolithic huntergatherers between about 13,000 and 12,000 calendar years before present (cal B.P.). The oldest of these became the typeassemblage for the Nenana complex. Recently, some have questioned the geoarchaeological integrity of the site's early deposits, suggesting that the separated cultural layers resulted from natural postdepositional disturbances. In 2011, we revisited Dry Creek to independently assess the site's age and formation. Here we present our findings and reaffirm original interpretations of clear separation of two terminal Pleistocene cultural occupations. For the first time, we report direct radiocarbon dates on cultural features associated with both occupation zones, one dating to 13,485-13,305 and the other to 11,060-10,590 cal B.P.</jats:p