54 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Geologic and Hydrogeologic Framework of Regional Aquifers in the Twin Mountains, Paluxy, and Woodbine Formations Near the SSC Site, North-Central Texas
Water-utility districts and many municipalities in North-Central Texas
recently obtained as much as 100 percent of their water supply from deep
regional aquifers in Cretaceous formations. Use of groundwater from the
aquifers during the past century has resulted in water-level declines of as
much as 850 ft (259 m), especially in Dallas and Tarrant Counties. Future
water-level changes will depend on the amount of groundwater produced to
help meet growing water-supply needs for municipalities, industries, and
agriculture throughout North-Central Texas. It is probable that a significant
part of the increased water demand will be met by groundwater although at
less than historic rates.
The objective of this study was to develop a predictive tool for studying
the effect of future groundwater production from regional aquifers in North-Central
Texas. To do this, we reviewed the history of groundwater
development, hydrogeology of the regional aquifers, and constructed
numerical models of groundwater flow. A cross-sectional model of both
aquifers and confining layers was used to evaluate model boundary
conditions and the vertical hydrologic properties of the confining layers.
Results and insights from the cross-sectional model were used in a three-dimensional
simulation of groundwater flow in the deep aquifers. The layers
of the regional confining system were not explicitly included in the three-dimensional
model. Hydrogeologic properties were assigned on the basis of
aquifer test results and stratigraphic mapping of sandstone distribution in the
aquifer units.Bureau of Economic Geolog
Mailed HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among underserved minority women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Outcomes of a Comparison Study into a Group-Based Infant Parenting Programme
This paper reports on a quantitative evaluation of a group-based programme designed to promote parent-infant attachment and child development. Whilst group-based parenting programmes are recommended for treating and preventing conduct disorder in older children, there is, as yet, little evidence as to whether they have a positive effect on very young children and their carers’. Recent UK Government initiatives to support families and improve parenting skills in the first 2 years of children’s lives have increased the demand for the delivery and evaluation of community-based programmes. Eighty mother–child dyads were recruited from nine areas to intervention (n = 54) and control condition (n = 26). Baseline measures were collected in the children’s home when the infants were on average 3-months-old, and follow-up measures were collected 6 months post-baseline (N = 63). Mothers’ positive play behaviours were independently coded from video recordings taken in the home. Other measures included self-reported maternal confidence and mental well-being, assessed infant development and home environment. Socio-demographic data was collected once at baseline. After controlling for baseline scores, control mothers were observed to be significantly less sensitive during play with their baby at the 6 months follow-up with a significant increase in confidence. No differences were found between the groups on the other measures. This paper provides limited evidence for the effectiveness of the Incredible Years Parents and Babies group-based programme delivered in the first year of life. Further evaluation, particularly with parents at increased risk of poorer outcomes is needed to confirm and extend these results
A trematode parasite derived growth factor binds and exerts influences on host immune functions via host cytokine receptor complexes
The trematode Fasciola hepatica is responsible for chronic zoonotic infection globally. Despite causing a potent T-helper 2 response, it is believed that potent immunomodulation is responsible for rendering this host reactive non-protective host response thereby allow- ing the parasite to remain long-lived. We have previously identified a growth factor, FhTLM, belonging to the TGF superfamily can have developmental effects on the parasite. Herein we demonstrate that FhTLM can exert influence over host immune functions in a host receptor specific fashion. FhTLM can bind to receptor members of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) superfamily, with a greater affinity for TGF-β RII. Upon ligation FhTLM initiates the Smad2/3 pathway resulting in phenotypic changes in both fibroblasts and macrophages. The formation of fibroblast CFUs is reduced when cells are cultured with FhTLM, as a result of TGF-β RI kinase activity. In parallel the wound closure response of fibroblasts is also delayed in the presence of FhTLM. When stimulated with FhTLM blood monocyte derived macrophages adopt an alternative or regulatory phenotype. They express high levels interleukin (IL)-10 and arginase-1 while displaying low levels of IL-12 and nitric oxide. Moreover they also undergo significant upregulation of the inhibitory recep- tor PD-L1 and the mannose receptor. Use of RNAi demonstrates that this effect is depen- dent on TGF-β RII and mRNA knock-down leads to a loss of IL-10 and PD-L1. Finally, we demonstrate that FhTLM aids newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) in their evasion of antibody- dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) by reducing the NO response of macrophages—again dependent on TGF-β RI kinase. FhTLM displays restricted expression to the F. hepatica gut resident NEJ stages. The altered fibroblast responses would suggest a role for damp- ened tissue repair responses in facilitating parasite migration. Furthermore, the adoption of a regulatory macrophage phenotype would allow for a reduced effector response targetingjuvenile parasites which we demonstrate extends to an abrogation of the ADCC response. Thus suggesting that FhTLM is a stage specific evasion molecule that utilises host cytokine receptors. These findings are the first to clearly demonstrate the interaction of a helminth cytokine with a host receptor complex resulting in immune modifications that facilitate the non-protective chronic immune response which is characteristic of F. hepatica infection
Review of methods used by chiropractors to determine the site for applying manipulation
Background: With the development of increasing evidence for the use of manipulation in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, there is growing interest in identifying the appropriate indications for care. Recently, attempts have been made to develop clinical prediction rules, however the validity of these clinical prediction rules remains unclear and their impact on care delivery has yet to be established. The current study was designed to evaluate the literature on the validity and reliability of the more common methods used by doctors of chiropractic to inform the choice of the site at which to apply spinal manipulation. Methods: Structured searches were conducted in Medline, PubMed, CINAHL and ICL, supported by hand searches of archives, to identify studies of the diagnostic reliability and validity of common methods used to identify the site of treatment application. To be included, studies were to present original data from studies of human subjects and be designed to address the region or location of care delivery. Only English language manuscripts from peer-reviewed journals were included. The quality of evidence was ranked using QUADAS for validity and QAREL for reliability, as appropriate. Data were extracted and synthesized, and were evaluated in terms of strength of evidence and the degree to which the evidence was favourable for clinical use of the method under investigation. Results: A total of 2594 titles were screened from which 201 articles met all inclusion criteria. The spectrum of manuscript quality was quite broad, as was the degree to which the evidence favoured clinical application of the diagnostic methods reviewed. The most convincing favourable evidence was for methods which confirmed or provoked pain at a specific spinal segmental level or region. There was also high quality evidence supporting the use, with limitations, of static and motion palpation, and measures of leg length inequality. Evidence of mixed quality supported the use, with limitations, of postural evaluation. The evidence was unclear on the applicability of measures of stiffness and the use of spinal x-rays. The evidence was of mixed quality, but unfavourable for the use of manual muscle testing, skin conductance, surface electromyography and skin temperature measurement. Conclusions: A considerable range of methods is in use for determining where in the spine to administer spinal manipulation. The currently published evidence falls across a spectrum ranging from strongly favourable to strongly unfavourable in regard to using these methods. In general, the stronger and more favourable evidence is for those procedures which take a direct measure of the presumptive site of care– methods involving pain provocation upon palpation or localized tissue examination. Procedures which involve some indirect assessment for identifying the manipulable lesion of the spine–such as skin conductance or thermography–tend not to be supported by the available evidence.https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-709X-21-3
Strong Interaction Physics at the Luminosity Frontier with 22 GeV Electrons at Jefferson Lab
This document presents the initial scientific case for upgrading the
Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab (JLab)
to 22 GeV. It is the result of a community effort, incorporating insights from
a series of workshops conducted between March 2022 and April 2023. With a track
record of over 25 years in delivering the world's most intense and precise
multi-GeV electron beams, CEBAF's potential for a higher energy upgrade
presents a unique opportunity for an innovative nuclear physics program, which
seamlessly integrates a rich historical background with a promising future. The
proposed physics program encompass a diverse range of investigations centered
around the nonperturbative dynamics inherent in hadron structure and the
exploration of strongly interacting systems. It builds upon the exceptional
capabilities of CEBAF in high-luminosity operations, the availability of
existing or planned Hall equipment, and recent advancements in accelerator
technology. The proposed program cover various scientific topics, including
Hadron Spectroscopy, Partonic Structure and Spin, Hadronization and Transverse
Momentum, Spatial Structure, Mechanical Properties, Form Factors and Emergent
Hadron Mass, Hadron-Quark Transition, and Nuclear Dynamics at Extreme
Conditions, as well as QCD Confinement and Fundamental Symmetries. Each topic
highlights the key measurements achievable at a 22 GeV CEBAF accelerator.
Furthermore, this document outlines the significant physics outcomes and unique
aspects of these programs that distinguish them from other existing or planned
facilities. In summary, this document provides an exciting rationale for the
energy upgrade of CEBAF to 22 GeV, outlining the transformative scientific
potential that lies within reach, and the remarkable opportunities it offers
for advancing our understanding of hadron physics and related fundamental
phenomena.Comment: Updates to the list of authors; Preprint number changed from theory
to experiment; Updates to sections 4 and 6, including additional figure
Expression of HIF-1 dependent Gene in human Lung adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells and their behavior by Photon and Particle radiation
- …