Mindfulness meditation use in Britain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and associations of mindfulness meditation use and also its perceived mental health effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using repeated cross-sectional data from broad online samples weighted to be representative of the adult population in Britain, we estimated the prevalence of mindfulness meditation use and employed logistic regression models to investigate sociodemographic and political associations of mindfulness meditation use and also its perceived mental health effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The findings suggest that 16 percent of adults in Britain had learnt to practice mindfulness in 2021. In covariate-adjusted regression models, having learnt to practice mindfulness was more common among young and middle-aged adults, residents in London, and respondents who voted for the Liberal Democrats. Among mindfulness meditation users who reported having practiced mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic, 60 percent reported that it positively affected their mental health and 24 percent reported that it negatively affected their mental health. Notably, 41 percent of respondents with children under 18 (versus 13 percent of those without minors) reported negative mental health effects. In covariate-adjusted regression models, negative mental health effects from mindfulness practice during the COVID-19 pandemic were not concentrated in any particular groups, except for respondents with children under 18. Conclusions: Mindfulness meditation has become widespread in Britain, but the results in this study suggest that mindfulness meditation use may be concentrated in certain sociodemographic and political groups. The results also suggest that practicing mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic had positive mental health effects for a majority of users, but approximately one-quarter of users reported negative mental health effects. It is therefore important for future research to continue monitoring the prevalence of mindfulness meditation use in society and to investigate under what circumstances, for whom, and in what ways mindfulness-based practices may have negative effects on mental health

Quantification of Flow Unit and Bounding Element Properties and Geometries, Ferron Sandstone, Utah: Implications for Heterogeneity in Gulf Coast Tertiary Deltaic Reservoirs

Outcrop mapping, field permeability measurements, petrographic analyses, petrophysical measurements, and pore-level modeling studies are being conducted on exposures of the Ferron Sandstone, east-central Utah, to develop a better understanding of the dimensions and internal arrangement of flow units, baffles, and barriers in sandstone gas reservoirs. The ultimate goals of this work are to establish methods for applying outcrop studies to reservoir characterization and to develop reservoir models that will guide infill drilling to maximize incremental gas reserve growth from fluvial-deltaic sandstone reservoirs. Activities during the second year of this 3-year project focused on data collection and preliminary interpretations. Mapping and field permeability measurements were initiated on the seaward-stepping Ferron unit 2 sandstone. These results will provide a comparison with data collected during the 1990 field season when landward-stepping sandstones of Ferron unit 3 were examined. Framework grain and cement mineralogy and the composition of intergranular material were quantified for selected samples from unit 3. Petrophysical measurements were completed on 24 specimens from units 2, 4, and 3. Sections of the pore-level modeling code were rewritten to improve accuracy and efficiency, and scenarios were developed to model the effects of grain size, cementation, and compaction on porosity, single-phase permeability, and formation factor. Preliminary results indicate that important differences exist in the internal geometry of landward- and seaward-stepping fluvial-deltaic sandstones. It was also found that closer-spaced permeability measurements improved the resolution of permeability structure. Petrographic studies documented differences in composition between fluvial, transgressive, delta-front, and distributary-channel sandstones; these differences in rock composition are reflected by differences in the mean permeability of these facies as measured on outcrop. Initial comparisons of pore-level model results with measured petrophysical properties are encouraging and suggest that refinements based on examination of the analyzed samples will lead to a close match between observed and modeled behavior.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Quantification of Flow Unit and Bounding Element Properties and Geometries, Ferron Sandstone, Utah: Implications for Heterogeneity in Gulf Coast Tertiary Deltaic Reservoirs

Outcrop exposures are being studied to quantify the internal permeability distribution of fluvial-deltaic sandstones, which results in reservoir compartments bounded by baffles or barriers to gas flow. This information will be used to develop reservoir models that can guide infill drilling to optimize incremental gas reserve growth from sandstone reservoirs. The objectives are being accomplished through integration of (1) outcrop characterization, (2) petrophysical measurements, and (3) pore-level modeling. Projected long-term benefits of the study are two-fold. First, increased understanding of internal architecture and improved methods for quantification of heterogeneity will facilitate development of strategies to minimize risk in the extended development of fluvial-dominated deltaic gas reservoirs. Second, targeting of incremental gas resources in mature reservoirs will lead to extended recovery of a low-cost, low-risk resource. Results of the first year of studies show that the architecture, geometry, and internal permeability distribution of fluvial-deltaic sandstones are generally predictable and that a four-order hierarchy of bounding surfaces exists. Initial tests have been completed, and reliable measurements of petrophysical properties of flow units, flow baffles, and flow barriers are being performed on outcrop samples. Development of a pore-level simulator has been essentially completed. Results, in general, indicate that the field approach is sound and that information gained on outcrop can be used to produce realistic reservoir models.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Quantifying Reservoir Heterogeneity Through Outcrop Characterization: 1. Architecture, Lithology, and Permeability Distribution of a Seaward-Stepping Fluvial-Deltaic Sequence, Ferron Sandstone (Cretaceous), Central Utah

The internal architecture of natural gas reservoirs fundamentally controls production efficiency and the volume of gas unrecovered at abandonment. To better understand reservoir complexity, we investigated relations between sandstone architecture and permeability structure of landward-stepping (wave-modified) Ferron deltaic sandstones exposed in central Utah. Deltaic sandstones extend 4 mi along sediment-transport direction in the landward-stepping Ferron genetic sequence GS 5. Most sand was deposited in transgressive, delta-front, and distributary-channel facies. Distributary channels constitute the principal reservoir facies because mean permeability in distributary-channel sandstones is approximately twice that of delta-front and transgressive sandstones, and because distributary-channel sandstones are well developed. Channel architecture, bounding-surface character, and permeability distribution change systematically from landward to seaward position in the system. Near the landward limit, mean permeability is 300 md, mud occurs as clasts along channel-flank bounding surfaces, and permeability systematically decreases upward. Near the seaward extent of the system, mean permeability is 750 md, mud is segregated into discrete strata-bounding sand bodies, and vertical permeability trends are uniformly high. Statistical analysis shows that lithofacies are the fundamental sandstone architectural units. Similar lithofacies have similar permeability character, regardless of position in the facies tract. Variable preservation of lithofacies controls permeability distribution throughout the channel system. Semivariogram analysis shows that vertical and horizontal permeability correlation distances correspond to distances between bounding surfaces and to sand-body dimensions. Diagenetic overprint is minor, owing to low burial temperatures.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Quantifying Reservoir Heterogeneity Through Outcrop Characterization: 2. Architecture, Lithology, and Permeability Distribution of a Seaward-Stepping Fluvial-Deltaic Sequence, Ferron Sandstone (Cretaceous), Central Utah

The internal architecture of natural gas reservoirs fundamentally determines gas migration, production efficiency, and the volume of gas unrecovered at abandonment. To determine the style and scale of reservoir complexity in fluvially dominated (seaward-stepping) deltaic reservoirs, we investigated relations between sandstone architecture and permeability distribution in seaward-stepping deltaic Ferron genetic sequence (GS) 2 sandstone outcrops in central Utah. Distributary-channel, mouth-bar, and delta-front deposits are the volumetrically important sand repositories in the Ferron GS 2. Mouth-bar facies are laterally extensive and relatively simple sand bodies with moderate mean permeabilities. Distributary channels also have good permeability but are narrow, sinuous, and separated from mouth-bar sandstones by low-permeability bounding surfaces, making them difficult targets for development. Statistical analyses of permeability data show that lithofacies are the fundamental sandstone architectural elements. Therefore, lithofacies are the basic units that should be used to construct reservoir models. The variable preservation of lithofacies controls permeability throughout the system. Vertical and horizontal permeability correlation distances correspond to distances between bounding surfaces and to macroform dimensions. Estimates based on field-scale mapping show that 91 percent of the reservoir area could be contacted at 320-acre well spacing. Sandstone architecture and permeability relations of the Ferron GS 2 are similar to those in Lake Creek (Wilcox Group, Texas Gulf Coast) reservoirs. This outcrop-reservoir comparison confirms that outcrop data are transferable to reservoirs.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Desynchronization of pathological low-frequency brain activity by the hypnotic drug zolpidem.

Reports of the beneficial effects of the hypnotic imidazopyridine, zolpidem, described in persistent vegetative state^1, 2^ have been replicated recently in brain-injured and cognitively impaired patients^3-7^. Previous single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have suggested that sub-sedative doses of zolpidem increased regional cerebral perfusion in affected areas^5, 8^, implying enhanced neuronal metabolic activity; which has led to speculation that zolpidem 'reawakens' functionally dormant cortex. However, a neuronal mechanism by which this hypnotic drug affords benefits to brain injured patients has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we report the action of sub-sedative doses of zolpidem on neuronal network oscillatory activity in human brain, measured using pharmaco-magnetoencephalography (pharmaco-MEG). Study participant JP suffered a stroke in 1996, causing major damage to the left hemisphere that impaired aspects of both motor and cognitive function. Pharmaco-MEG analyses revealed robust and persistent pathological theta (4-10Hz) and beta (15-30Hz) oscillations within the lesion penumbra and surrounding cortex. Administration of zolpidem (5mg) reduced the power of pathological theta and beta oscillations in all regions of the lesioned hemisphere. This desynchronizing effect correlated well with zolpidem uptake (occurring approximately 40 minutes after acute administration) and was coincident with marked improvements in cognitive and motor function. Control experiments revealed no effect of placebo, while a structurally unrelated hypnotic, zopiclone, administered at a comparable dose (3.5mg) elicited widespread increases in cortical oscillatory power in the beta (15-30Hz) band without functional improvement. These results suggest that in JP, specific motor and cognitive impairments are related to increased low-frequency oscillatory neuronal network activity. Zolpidem is unique amongst hypnotic drugs in its ability to desynchronize such pathological low-frequency activity, thereby restoring cognitive function

Relative bioavailability of calcium from calcium formate, calcium citrate, and calcium carbonate

Final publisher version is available online openly at: http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/313/3/1217.full.pdf Author accepted manuscript is available in compliance with NIH requirements at, http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2005/02/25/jpet.104.081893/. Abstract is posted in fulfillment of the KU faculty's Open Access policy.Published Abstract: Calcium is an essential nutrient required in substantial amounts, but many diets are deficient in calcium making supplementation necessary or desirable. The objective of this study was to compare the oral bioavailability of calcium from calcium formate, a new experimental dietary calcium supplement, to that of calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. In a four-way crossover study, either a placebo or 1200 mg of calcium as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, or calcium formate were administered orally to 14 healthy adult female volunteers who had fasted overnight. After calcium carbonate, the maximum rise in serum calcium (~4%) and the fall in serum intact para-thyroid hormone 1–84 (iPTH) (~20–40%) did not differ significantly from placebo. After calcium citrate, the changes were modestly but significantly (p < 0.05) greater, but only at 135 to 270 min after ingestion. In contrast, within 60 min after calcium formate serum calcium rose by approximately 15% and serum iPTH fell by 70%. The mean increment in area under the plasma concentration-time curve (0–270 min) for serum calcium after calcium formate (378 mg∙min/dl) was double that for calcium citrate (178 mg∙min/dl; p < 0.01), whereas the latter was only modestly greater than either placebo (107; p < 0.05) or calcium carbonate (91; p < 0.05). In this study, calcium formate was clearly superior to both calcium carbonate and calcium citrate in ability to deliver calcium to the bloodstream after oral administration. Calcium formate may offer significant advantages as a dietary calcium supplement

Norton Healthcare: A Strong Payer-Provider Partnership for the Journey to Accountable Care

Examines the progress of an integrated healthcare delivery system in forming an accountable care organization with payer partners as part of the Brookings-Dartmouth ACO Pilot Program, including a focus on performance measurement and reporting

Selection Tool Use: A Focus on Personality Testing in Canada, the United States, and Germany

The purpose of this paper is to provide new data regarding the current staffing practices being used by organizations in Canada and the United States (US) as well as a comparison with existing data from Germany (Diekmann & König, 2015). Data regarding the beliefs of human resource (HR) practitioners in terms of using personality tests in personnel selection is also provided. A geographically representative sample of 453 HR practitioners across Canada and the US were surveyed. Although general mental ability testing has previously been found to be highly valid and cost effective, this selection tool was among the least commonly used in all three countries. Personality tests were also rarely used (especially in Canada and the US) and research–practice gaps still appear to be an issue (e.g., HR practitioners’ preference for personality types as opposed to traits)