COMPARATIVE BIOGEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICAN PIKA PARASITES: UNRAVELING A HISTORY DRIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE

Parasites are an understudied group that can provide important information on ecosystem dynamics and climate change as well as host biogeographic history. I performed a comparative biogeographic study on two endoparasitic helminth lineages associated with pikas (Ochotona) -the tapeworm genus Schizorchis and the pinworm subgenus Labiostomum (Eugenuris). Colonization history across Beringia was assessed using analyses of historical range estimation and tests for simultaneous divergence. Analysis results allow me reject the hypothesis that these parasites colonized the Nearctic during a single glacial cycle, as evidenced by multiple Nearctic and Palearctic lineage pairs that did not diverge simultaneously. This evidence indicates a pre-Pleistocene (\u3e2.5Mya) history of multiple, independent colonizations of pikas and their parasites across Beringia primarily in an eastward direction. Comparison of these two major parasite lineages indicates semi-independent histories, with trans-Beringian parasite lineage formation likely driven by taxon pulses, with expansion and vicariance cycles reflecting periods of environmental stability and perturbation, leading to complex histories of colonization and host-switching within pikas

Measuring Change in Psychotherapy Using the MMPI-2 and the Holt Measure of Primary Process Manifestation

This study examined personality change in subjects after Long Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, defined as 10 months or longer of continuous therapy, at a University outpatient psychology clinic. Assessment measures used were the MMPI-2 and the Holt Measure of Primary Process Manifestation. An archival search of patient records over 7 years was conducted for files that included 1) adults 18 years or older, 2) attended therapy for at least 10 consecutive months or longer and 3) contained 2 completed MMPI-2 tests and/or 2 completed Rorschach Inkblot Tests. The sample included 17 patient files with 1 set of tests given as part of the initial psychological evaluation (Time 1) and the 2nd test completed after at least 10 months of continuous therapy or prior to the termination of therapy as per the therapists’ discretion (Time 2). Results were analyzed using paired t-tests to compare sample means and Bonferroni correction applied to reduce probability of obtaining a Type I error. Significant differences from Time 1 of testing to Time 2 of testing were reported on the MMPI-2 Clinical scales Hypochondriasis (Hs), Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), and Psychastenia (Pt). No significant differences were reported on the Holt Measure of Primary Process Manifestation. Previous research on personality change following long term psychodynamic therapy was supported using the MMPI/MMPI-2 and Intrapsychic or Structural Change issues were discussed

An Algorithm for Investigating the Structure of Material Surfaces

The aim of this paper is to summarize the algorithm and the experience that have been achieved in the investigation of grain structure of surfaces of certain materials, particularly from samples of gold. The main parts of the algorithm to be discussed are:1. acquisition of input data,2. localization of grain region,3. representation of grain size,4. representation of outputs (postprocessing)

Alternative Policies for the Control of Air Pollution in Poland

Like other Central European countries, Poland faces the twin challenges of improving environmental quality while also promoting economic development. This study examines the cost of achieving alternative emission standards and the savings in abatement cost that might be achieved with policies that rely on economic incentives rather than with rigid " command and control " measures. The focus is primarily on three pollutants arising from energy combustion - particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide - although carbon dioxide emissions also are tracked. A central element of the analysis is a dynamic model of least-cost energy supply in Poland that allows examination at a national level of effects of different pollution standards and policies

Optimal investments in clean production capacity

For the mitigation of long-term pollution threats, one must consider that both the process of environmental degradation and the switchover to new and cleaner technologies are dynamic. We develop a model of a uniform good that can be produced by either a polluting technology or a clean one; the latter is more expensive and requires investment in capacity. We derive the socially optimal pollution stock accumulation and creation of nonpolluting production capacity, weighing the tradeoffs among consumption, investment and djustment costs, and environmental damages. We consider the effects of changes in the pollution decay rate, the capacity depreciation rate, and the initial state of the environment on both the steady state and the transition period. The optimal transition path looks quite different with a clean or dirty initial environment. With the former, investment is slow and the price of pollution may overshoot the long-run optimum before converging. With the latter, capacity may overshoot

Ovarian vein thrombosis in a polytrauma patient

A young mother presented to a Major Trauma Centre (MTC) following a road traffic collision. Her admission computed tomography (CT) traumagram demonstrated liver and renal lacerations, spinal and pelvic fractures with no abnormalities of the ovarian veins. Her inpatient course was uncomplicated other than a sustained, isolated raised c-reactive protein (CRP). CT abdomen one week after injury demonstrated stable solid organ injuries and the additional, unexpected finding of a right ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT). A pragmatic approach was taken towards the management of the OVT given the haemorrhagic risk from her traumatic injuries. A multi-disciplinary, consultant-led plan was made to slowly increase enoxaparin to a therapeutic dose under close surveillance and to then switch to warfarin following an outpatient consultation with a consultant haematologist. A magnetic resonance venogram was performed after 3 months of anticoagulation and this demonstrated complete resolution of the OVT and normal appearances of the ovary

Management of Constipation

Constipation is the most ignored complaint by doctors and unfortunately, it requires urgent management due to the decreased quality of life. Most cases are functional constipation but there is also a great number of constipation due to organic abnormalities. In an attempt to manage the patient properly, we should put our emphasis on excellent knowledge of pathophysiology of constipation.By using the colonic transit time test, we could determine the type of constipation, which would have an effect on therapy. In most cases, constipation has a good response to high fiber diet and additional laxative medication and surgical therapy is seldom required unless complications have occurred. There is also a suggestion for preventing constipation may be caused by opioid USAge

Ethnic differences in lipid metabolism in two groups of obese South African women

There is a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in South African white than black women. The objective of this study was to determine biochemical explanations for this prevalence. The study group contained 15 obese black women (OBW) and 14 obese white women (OWW), ah premenopausal, who were examined after an overnight fast. Anthropometric measurements and blood concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), catecholamines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, C-peptide, proinsulin, lipograms, cortisol, growth hormone, and post-heparin Lipoprotein Lipase activity were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and subcutaneous and visceral fat mass were assessed with CT-scans. Visceral fat area was higher in OWW (139.7 +/- 10.7 cm(2)) than in OBW (72.3 +/- 3.9 cm(2)) (P < 0.01), as were fasting and 3 h triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.05 for all). OWW also had higher NEFA levels than OBW at 3 and 4 h compared, with OBW (P < 0.05 for both). Fasting cortisol (266 +/- 24 vs. 197 +/- 19 nmol/l; P < 0.05) was higher in OWW than in OBW. These data demonstrate that OWW have higher visceral fat mass than OBW, which may lead to a more atherogenic fasting and postprandial Lipid profile. The higher cortisol levels of the OWW may promote visceral fat deposition. - Punyadeera, C., M-T. van der Merwe, N.J. Crowther, M. Toman, C. P. Schlaphoff, and I. P. Gray. Ethnic differences in lipid metabolism in two groups of obese South African women