Transactions: Chapter 1 of a Proposed 10 Chapter Business English Video Text

This is a prototype first chapter of a ten chapter Business English Video Text. It includes a student text, workbook, teacher guide and video. The materials are geared for Asians interested in trade and business. The title of this chapter is \u27Greetings and Introductions\u27

Quantitative studies of hybridization in wild plant populations

The methods for studying populations containing hybrids have been discussed and the quantative methods for describing and analysing such populations have been explored. These techniques mostly depend upon the properties of normal univariate r multivariate distributions. If the size of a character is normally distributed in a population free of hybrids, its deviation from normality in other populations may indicate the presence of hybrids. Most methods of analysis require that the characters measured are uninfluenced by the environment. A method of using pairs of correlated meaurements when each is influenced by the environment has been proposed. The techniques described have been applied to the study of introgression in the genera Juncus and Primula. In the genus Juncus some evidence was found for the introgression of J. Effusus (meadow form) into J. inflexus; the data further suggested that J. effuses contained at least two ecotypes, a meadow and a woodland form. Because of these, evidence of introgrssion of J. effuses by J. inflexus was not sought. In the genus Primula the data suggested that slight reciprocal introgression of P. Vulgaris and P. veris had occurred. Plants resembling the artificial Fl hybrid between these species were found in the most places where the two grew intermixed: their numbers were always small. Very few putative backcross hybrids were observed. Their scarcity may be real or due to many of them reembling the Fl hydrib or the recurrent parent, as they are known to from artificial backcross families. The absence of hybrids other than the apparent Fl in the field may be due to their inability to compete with their parents. Artifical backcross families are easily secured and they are relatively fertile, so it would appear that external and not internal barriers seperate the species

Comparison of Area Deprivation Index, Socioeconomic Parameters, and Preoperative Demographics With Postoperative Emergency Department Visits After Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine if socioeconomic (SE) parameters, primarily area deprivation index (ADI), relate to postoperative emergency department (ED) visits after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2655 patients who underwent TKA in a health system of 4 hospitals. The primary outcome was an ED visit within 90 days, which was divided into those with and without readmission. SE parameters including ADI as well as preoperative demographics were analyzed. Univariable and multiple logistic regressions were performed determining risk of 90-day postoperative ED visits, as well as once in the ED, risks for readmission. RESULTS: 436 patients (16.4%) presented to the ED within 90 days. ADI was not a risk factor. The multiple logistic regression demonstrated men, Medicare or Medicaid, and preoperative ED visits were consistently risk factors for a postoperative ED visit with and without readmission. Preoperative anticoagulation was only a risk factor for ED visits with readmission. Among patients who visited the ED, if the patient was Caucasian, a lower BMI, or higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, they were likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the percentage of early ED returns after TKA was high and that ADI was not a predictor for 90-day postoperative ED visit. The only SE factor that may contribute to this phenomenon was insurance type. Once in the ED, race, preoperative ED visits, preoperative anticoagulation, BMI, gender, and preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists score contributed to a risk of readmission. The study supports hospitals\u27 mission to provide equal access health care

ALDH Activity Correlates with Metastatic Potential in Primary Sarcomas of Bone.

Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CSA), and Ewings sarcoma (ES) are the most common primary malignancies of bone, and are rare diseases. As with all sarcomas, the prognosis of these diseases ultimately depends on the presence of metastatic disease. Survival is therefore closely linked with the biology and metastatic potential of a particular bone tumor's cells. Here we describe a significant correlation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and the presence/absence of distant metastases in ten consecutive cases of human bone sarcomas. Additionally, cultured human CSA cells, which are historically chemo- and radio-resistant, may be sensitive to the ALDH inhibitor, disulfiram. While it is premature to draw broad conclusions from such a small series, the importance of ALDH activity and inhibition in the metastatic potential of primary bone sarcomas should be investigated further

An Australian origin for the candle nut (Aleurites, Crotonoideae, Euphorbiaceae) and the fossil record of the Euphorbiaceae and related families in Australia and New Zealand

A fossil seed from south east Queensland referable to the extant genus Aleurites (candlenut) is described as a new species, A. australis, and is one of the few macrofossil records of Euphorbiaceae from Australia. The new fossil data and phylogenetic studies of the biogeographical relationships of Aleurites based upon analysis of rbcL and trnL-F sequence data support a Gondwanic origin for the clade. The macrofossil record of Euphorbiaceae in Australia is restricted to seeds of Aleurites; and fruits of Fontainocarpa which are thought to have affinities with Fontainea, and both extant genera are referable to the Crotonoideae. One group of crotonoids has inaperturate spheroidal pollen, that is comparable to the dispersed pollen genus, Crotonipollis, which has an Oligocene to Recent range in Australia. The fossil pollen record in Australia and New Zealand of other Euphorbiaceae and related families includes species of Malvacipollis that have affinities to the Picrodendraceae; Nyssapollenites endobalteus (McIntyre) Kemp and Harris has affinities with the subfamily Acalyphoideae (Euphorbiaceae); and putative records of Homalanthus suggest affinities with the subfamily Euphorbioideae (Euphorbiaceae). Fossil fruits of Glochidion provide possible evidence of the Phyllanthaceae. The stratigraphic range of these taxa in respect to the Weddellian Biostratigraphic Province, which includes southern South America, western Antarctica, New Zealand, and eastern Australia is also briefly reviewed

Carbon amendment stimulates benthic nitrogen cycling during the bioremediation of particulate aquaculture waste

The treatment of organic wastes remains one of the key sustainability challenges facing the growing global aquaculture industry. Bioremediation systems based on coupled bioturbation-microbial processing offer a promising route for waste management. We present, for the first time, a combined biogeochemical-molecular analysis of the short-term performance of one such system that is designed to receive nitrogen-rich particulate aquaculture wastes. Using sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) as a model bioturbator we provide evidence that adjusting the waste CgN from 5g1 to 20g1 promoted a shift in nitrogen cycling pathways towards the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), resulting in net NH4+ efflux from the sediment. The carbon amended treatment exhibited an overall net N2 uptake, whereas the control receiving only aquaculture waste exhibited net N2 production, suggesting that carbon supplementation enhanced nitrogen fixation. The higher NH4+ efflux and N2 uptake was further supported by meta-genome predictions that indicate that organic-carbon addition stimulated DNRA over denitrification. These findings indicate that carbon addition may potentially result in greater retention of nitrogen within the system; however, longer-term trials are necessary to determine whether this nitrogen retention is translated into improved sea cucumber biomass yields. Whether this truly constitutes a remediation process is open for debate as there remains the risk that any increased nitrogen retention may be temporary, with any subsequent release potentially raising the eutrophication risk. Longer and larger-scale trials are required before this approach may be validated with the complexities of the in-system nitrogen cycle being fully understood

Naturopathic Medicine in Vermont\u27s Healthcare System: A Thematic Analysis

Naturopathic Medicine is a system of health care that utilizes education, natural medicines, and natural therapies to support and stimulate a patient\u27s intrinsic self-healing processes and prevents, diagnoses, and treats human health conditions, injuries, and pain. There are 5 accredited schools of naturopathic medicine in the US and 2 in Canada. Naturopathic physicians were recognized as primary care providers (PCP) in 2009. There are 355 NDs licensed in VT, and 88 NDs with a VT address. 81% participate in Medicaid. OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of naturopathic physicians in Vermont\u27s healthcare systemhttps://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1317/thumbnail.jp

A Trial of Wound Irrigation in the Initial Management of Open Fracture Wounds

Copyright © 2015 Massachusetts Medical Society. BACKGROUND The management of open fractures requires wound irrigation and dridement to remove contaminants, but the effectiveness of various pressures and solutions for irrigation remains controversial. We investigated the effects of castile soap versus normal saline irrigation delivered by means of high, low, or very low irrigation pressure. METHODS In this study with a 2-by-3 factorial design, conducted at 41 clinical centers, we randomly assigned patients who had an open fracture of an extremity to undergo irrigation with one of three irrigation pressures (high pressure [\u3e20 psi], low pressure [5 to 10 psi], or very low pressure [1 to 2 psi]) and one of two irrigation solutions (castile soap or normal saline). The primary end point was reoperation within 12 months after the index surgery for promotion of wound or bone healing or treatment of a wound infection. RESULTS A total of 2551 patients underwent randomization, of whom 2447 were deemed eligible and included in the final analyses. Reoperation occurred in 109 of 826 patients (13.2%) in the high-pressure group, 103 of 809 (12.7%) in the low-pressure group, and 111 of 812 (13.7%) in the very-low-pressure group. Hazard ratios for the three pairwise comparisons were as follows: for low versus high pressure, 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70 to 1.20; P = 0.53), for high versus very low pressure, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.33; P = 0.89), and for low versus very low pressure, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.23; P = 0.62). Reoperation occurred in 182 of 1229 patients (14.8%) in the soap group and in 141 of 1218 (11.6%) in the saline group (hazard ratio, 1.32, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.66; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The rates of reoperation were similar regardless of irrigation pressure, a finding that indicates that very low pressure is an acceptable, low-cost alternative for the irrigation of open fractures. The reoperation rate was higher in the soap group than in the saline group. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; FLOW ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00788398

The art of indigeneity: Aesthetics and competition in Mexican economies of culture

On the basis of ethnographic research with woodcarvers in Oaxaca, Mexico, this paper investigates the role that aesthetic practices play in economic competition in cultural markets. I explain how one family has become the most successful artisans in their village by aesthetically referencing the indigenous art that is highly sought after by the North American ethnic art market. By reformulating Bourdieu's analysis of artistic fields, I argue that aesthetic competition should be theorised at the level of genres, which allow insight into how individual aesthetic innovations may transform the fields in which art is produced and circulated. I show that by referencing indigeneity, this successful family not only accesses a new market but also renders their work more authoritative than the carvings of their neighbours, which aesthetically reference Mexican ‘artesanías’ (craftwork). In so doing, they not only earn more money but also change the ways that Oaxacan woodcarvings are valued in general