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This article, published in the journal Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeon, explores the predictive value of the preoperative right-to-left ventricular filling pressures (CVP/PCWP) ratio on the development of right-sided heart failure (RSHF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The study analyzed data from 134 patients who received a continuous flow LVAD with a centrifugal pump, with 40 patients initially evaluated using a right-sided heart catheter. The results showed that a high CVP/PCWP ratio was associated with a higher incidence of RSHF after LVAD implantation. The study suggests that monitoring the CVP/PCWP ratio could help predict the risk of RSHF and guide treatment decisions. [Extracted from the article]

Presens a study which observed the axis-shielding phenomenon in cylindrical nuclear-reactor-pumped lasers. Information on the model problem; Details on the axis-shielding results; Conclusions.

A numerical modeling analysis of a pulse train diffusion, representing an odorant injection in a natural gas pipeline, was carried out and compared with experimental data from a real pipeline. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate how the odorant dispersion occurs along the pipe. Due to technical limitations, the odorant is injected in the line as a pulse and it is important to find out the point in the pipeline where the oscillating concentration of odorant fits into a range of values that meet both the legislation and the interests of customers who may have the quality of their products affected by this oscillation. Since the natural gas pipelines do not have strong streamline curvatures and the flow is always turbulent, it is relatively easy to determine the velocity and concentration fields using the Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques. In this study the RANS (Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes) equations with the k − ε turbulence model was used to build the mathematical model. Comparisons of the experimental data and numerical results show a strong agreement for the studied cases. Based on the results, it was possible to know the minimum and maximum values of odorant concentration along the pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using molecular tools to examine Gobiidae, the second most abundant taxon in ichthyoplankton samples in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus was the most abundant taxon (82% of all individuals analysed), the common goby Pomatoschistus microps constituted 12% and the black goby Gobius niger 6%. The spatiotemporal distribution of P. microps and G. niger indicated a preference for habitats closer to the river inlet and their abundances increased slightly towards the end of the sampling period in summer. The species composition was interpreted in the context of the prevailing habitat conditions, characterized by extremely low water transparency, low salinity, limited spread of vegetated area and dominance of sandy-muddy substrata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stiff knee gait is a troublesome gait disturbance related to spastic paresis, frequently associated with overactivity of the rectus femoris muscle in the swing phase of gait.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term effects of rectus femoris neurotomy for the treatment of spastic stiff-knee gait in patients with hemiparesis.Patients and Methods: An Intervention study (before-after trial) with an observational design was carried out in a university hospital. Seven ambulatory patients with hemiparesis of spinal or cerebral origin and spastic stiff-knee gait, which had previously been improved by botulinum toxin injections, were proposed a selective neurotomy of the rectus femoris muscle. A functional evaluation (Functional Ambulation Classification and maximal walking distance), clinical evaluation (spasticity - Ashworth scale and Duncan-Ely test, muscle strength - Medical Research Council scale), and quantitative gait analysis (spatiotemporal parameters, stiff knee gait-related kinematic and kinetic parameters, and dynamic electromyography of rectus femoris) were performed as outcome measures, before and 3 months after rectus femoris neurotomy.Results: Compared with preoperative values, there was a significant increase in maximal walking distance, gait speed, and stride length at 3 months. All kinematic parameters improved, and the average early swing phase knee extension moment decreased. The duration of the rectus femoris burst decreased post-op.Conclusion: This study is the first to show that rectus femoris neurotomy helps to normalise muscle activity during gait, and results in improvements in kinetic, kinematic, and functional parameters in patients with spastic stiff knee gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a commentary on the article Obesity is Not Associated with Increased Short-term Complications After Primary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty by Jiang and colleagues. Topics include establishment of Body mass index (BMI) as a standard index by National Institutes of Health, identification of the patient with obesity using BMI, and risks involved with shoulder replacement in the patient with moderate- to-severe obesity.

Many salmonid fish populations are threatened by genetic homogenization, primarily due to introgressive hybridization with hatchery-reared conspecifics. By applying genomewide analysis using two molecular marker types (1986 SNPs and 17 microsatellites), we assessed the genetic impacts of inadvertent gene flow via straying from hatchery releases on wild populations of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea, over 16 years (1996-2012). Both microsatellites and SNPs revealed congruent population genetic structuring, indicating that introgression changed the genetic make-up of wild populations by increasing genetic diversity and reducing genetic divergence. However, the degree of genetic introgression varied among studied populations, being higher in the eastern part and lower in the western part of Estonia, which most likely reflects the history of past stocking activities. Using kernel smoothing and permutation testing, we detected considerable heterogeneity in introgression patterns across the genome, with a large number of regions exhibiting nonrandom introgression widely dispersed across the genome. We also observed substantial variation in nonrandom introgression patterns within populations, as the majority of genomic regions showing elevated or reduced introgression were not consistently detected among temporal samples. This suggests that recombination, selection and stochastic processes may contribute to complex nonrandom introgression patterns. Our results suggest that (i) some genomic regions in Atlantic salmon are more vulnerable to introgressive hybridization, while others show greater resistance to unidirectional gene flow; and (ii) the hybridization of previously separated populations leads to complex and dynamic nonrandom introgression patterns that most likely have functional consequences for indigenous populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A major debate in prehistory revolves around the time and place of the earliest habitual use of fire and the hominin species responsible for it. Here we present a newly discovered hearth at Qesem Cave (Israel) that was repeatedly used and was the focus of hearth-centered human activities, as early as three-hundred-thousand years ago. The hearth, identified based on mineralogical and microscopic criteria, contains two superimposed use cycles, each composed of shorter episodes – possibly the earliest superimposed hearth securely identified to date. The hearth covers ca. 4 m2 in area making it a uniquely large hearth in comparison to any contemporaneous hearth identified thus far, possibly indicating it has been used by a relatively large group of people. In addition, the hearth is located in the center of the cave and is associated with butchered animal remains and a dense flint assemblage. The flint assemblage indicates spatially differentiated meat cutting and hide working activity areas. The central location of the hearth within the cave and the activities associated with it may reflect an embedded perception of space organization of the Qesem Cave inhabitants. Since fire was habitually used throughout the 420–200 ky sequence of Qesem Cave, where preservation conditions are alike throughout, we suggest that this unique hearth may reflect a development in nature and most probably in the intensity of fire use in Qesem Cave, from ca. 300 ka ago onwards. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We retrospectively investigated the effects of rectus femoris nerve blocks on knee recurvatum in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. [•] A clinical assessment and 3D gait analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of the nerve blocks. [•] Blocks were performed using a double-location technique: electrical stimulation and ultrasonography. [•] Our negative results argue against treating spasticity of the rectus femoris to control recurvatum in this population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study design:A retrospective series of cases.Objective:To identify, among post-traumatic myelopathies, a specific entity in which clinical and radiological features are not extensive but are strictly limited to the perilesional zone.Setting:The data set of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Department of Nantes, France.Methods:A systematic analysis of all traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients who presented with a neurological aggravation delayed from initial injury, without syringomyelia or extensive myelomalacia.Results:Twelve patients presenting with this type of complication were identified (that is, four tetraplegics and eight paraplegics). The neurological worsening consisted in weakness of the muscles close to the motor level in five patients, and in isolated at-level neuropathic pain in seven patients. A tethered cord was evidenced by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results in all of the patients. Roots were involved by the tethering on the MRI results in eight cases. Surgery, with untethering and expansile duraplasty, was performed in all cases. Surgery allowed motor recovery in patients who presented with a motor loss (motor score gain range=1-7 points; median=3) and decreased pain in all pain patients (decrease on the 10-point numerical rating scale: range=1-6 points; median=4).Conclusions:In traumatic SCI patients, a tethered cord could be responsible for clinical and radiological changes, which are strictly localised to the perilesional area. The term perilesional myeloradiculopathy is proposed for this complication, which requires cord release surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present the case of a 54 year-old man presenting with a right Brown-Séquard plus syndrome (BSPS) after a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury. After being operated on with selective tibial neurotomy and triceps surae lengthening because of a right spastic equinus foot, he developed a gait disorder at high speed. The patient complained about an instability of the right knee. Observational gait analysis exhibited an oscillating, flexion/extension motion of the right knee during stance, which was confirmed by gait analysis. Dynamic electromyographic recordings exhibited a clonus of the right rectus femoris (RF) during stance. The spastic activity of the RF and the abnormal knee motion totally reversed after a motor nerve block of the RF, as well as after botulinum toxin type A injection into the RF. We emphasize that complex, spastic gait disorders can benefit from a comprehensive assessment including gait analysis and nerve blocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By exchanging angular momentum with the solid earth, tidal variations in ocean currents and sea level cause the rotation of the solid earth to change. Observations of earth rotation variations can therefore be used to evaluate ocean tide models. The rotational predictions of a spherical harmonic ocean tide model that is not constrained by any type of data are compared here to the predictions of numerical ocean tide models and to earth rotation observations from which atmospheric and non-tidal oceanic effects have been removed. The spherical harmonic ocean tide model is shown to account for the observed variations at the fortnightly tidal period in polar motion excitation but not in length-of-day. Overall, its long-period polar motion excitation predictions fit the observed tidal signals better than do the predictions of the numerical ocean tide models studied here. It may be possible to improve its agreement with length-of-day observations by tuning certain model parameters, as was done to obtain the close agreement reported here between the modeled and observed polar motion excitation; alternatively, the discrepancy in length-of-day may point to the need to revise current models of mantle anelasticity and/or models of the oceanic response to atmospheric pressure variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L.), populations have steadily declined since the mid-1980s, mostly because of habitat degradation and increased predation pressure. To provide guidelines for conservation strategies and future management programmes, delineation of conservation and management units is warranted. Over the last decade, several studies have investigated the phylogeography and population genetic structure of T. thymallus using mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite DNA markers. However, no study has covered the distribution range of T. thymallus across Europe; thus, a comprehensive survey of the evolutionary history of the species is lacking. This paper synthesises the major findings of the molecular studies and provides guidelines for the conservation and management of genetic resources of T. thymallus. At least five major mtDNA lineages have evolved in geographical isolation during the Pleistocene and these lineages should be recognised as the basic evolutionary significant units for T. thymallus in northern, central and southern Europe. There is also evidence for a high level of admixture among major lineages and sublineages, especially in the contact zones of drainages (e.g. in mainland Sweden and Norway and in central Germany), most probably resulting from a complex process of post-glacial and inter-glacial colonisation and re-colonisation events from different refugia during the Pleistocene ice ages. Based on the microsatellite data, T. thymallus shows a substantial level of inter-population genetic differentiation and, compared with other freshwater fish species, a relatively low level of within-population genetic diversity. The species develops discrete population structure, both within hydrologically connected rivers or lakes on comparatively small scales as well as in large river systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we examined the effect of gender concordance on physicians' perception of their patients and of their medical condition, analyzing a data set of 8,258 visit questionnaires from the New Zealand National Primary Care Medical Care Survey conducted in 2001-2002. Multivariate analysis indicated that the concordant female patient/female physician dyad had a positive independent association with physicians' reporting high rapport and a negative independent association with reporting uncertainty about the diagnosis. The discordant female patient/male physician dyad had a positive independent association with physicians' perceptions of uncertainty of diagnosis and hidden agenda, and a negative independent association with rating the patient's condition of high severity. The findings suggest a need to raise male physicians' awareness to possible biases when treating female patients. The findings also suggest the need to empower female patients to take an active partnership role to improve their communication with male physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines primary care physicians' perceptions of a National Health Insurance Law that introduced managed competition into Israel's health care system, and the factors affecting their perceptions. Between April and July 1997, we conducted a mail survey of primary care physicians employed by Israel's four health plans (which are managed care organizations). Eight hundred questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 86%. The findings indicate that, overall most physicians support the components of the National Health Insurance Law with statistically significant differences among physicians by health plan. Multivariate analysis revealed that, contrary to theoretical expectations, a perceived decrease in professional autonomy and in the status of the profession following reform did not significantly affect attitudes toward national health insurance. These findings highlight the need for additional empirical studies to further examine theoretical contentions about the implications of infringing on the professional autonomy and the dominant status of physicians. The principal and most interesting finding of this study was the independent effect of health plan affiliation on physicians' attitudes toward each of the five components of the National Health Insurance Law, after controlling for background characteristics, for the reform's perceived effect on the physicians' autonomy and status in the health plan, and for the reform's perceived effect on the level of health plan services and the health plan's financial situation. We found that physicians' perceptions tended to conform to the formal position of their health plan, suggesting the need to analyze the attitudes of physicians in their organizational context, rather than treating them as members of a uniform professional community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and smoking. Based on a theoretical model relating attitudes and behavior, this study examined the association between physicians' self efficacy in counseling diabetic patients on life style behaviors and their counseling practices. Data were gathered from a representative sample of 743 primary care physicians in Israel's two largest health plans. The main findings were that only a small percentage of physicians felt capable of influencing their patients' life-style behaviors. Self-efficacy had an independent effect on the likelihood of counseling diabetic patients on life style behaviors, controlling for other background variables. We conclude that there is a need for enhancing physicians' life-style counseling skills, and that social workers could expand their role by training physicians to counsel effectively. This could both improve the care of diabetic patients, and strengthen the status of the social work profession in the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women appear to be more vulnerable than men to emotional distress (ED) However, ED often goes unrecognized by family physicians. Purpose: To (1) assess the rate of inquiry about ED by family physicians and (2) explore the association between physician's inquiry about ED and women's satisfaction with care. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted in 2003 using a structured questionnaire in a representative sample of 991 Israeli women aged 22 years or older, with a response rate of 84%. Results: 33% of women reported ED during the past year but only 15% of women reported having discussed ED with their family physician in the last year. Higher rates of discussion of ED with the physician were found among women who had experienced ED (22.5%), those who had a chronic illness (20.1%) had low income (22.7%), and were Arabic (29.5%) or Russian speakers (26.3%). Multivariate analysis indicated that women who had discussed ED with their physician expressed higher satisfaction with the physicians professional level (OR = 6.85), attitude (OR = 2.45), spending enough time (OR = 2.90), and listening to the patient (OR = 3.19), compared with women who had not discussed ED with their physician. Conclusions: Given the current low rates of inquiry about ED, it appears that developing sensitivity to women's emotional concerns and encouraging physicians to inquire about ED should be given higher priority in medical education at all levels. Furthermore, since inquiry about ED not only improves the appropriateness of care but is also associated with higher satisfaction with the physician, organizations in a competitive health care enviroment may have a particular interest in promoting this practice. doi:10.1300/J013v45n01_04. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsatellite markers were first used to partition individuals of European grayling Thymallus thymallus, from the Danube, Rhine and Main, and Elbe drainage systems into subpopulations and to estimate individual immigrant ancestries over the last few generations. Subsequently, the studied populations were ‘purged’ from recent immigrants and the proportions of evolutionary lineages within the ‘purged’ populations were re-estimated by applying mtDNA markers. The results confirmed a high level of admixture of the divergent mtDNA lineages ( i.e. natural secondary contact) in populations sampled at the contact zones of the drainages. In addition, a substantial amount of introgression was observed for several populations that were known to be affected by stocking of European grayling from different origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High levels of antiretroviral therapy adherence are important for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) suppression, yet the magnitude of adherence required to maintain it is less well characterized. Furthermore, methods to accommodate changes in adherence over time are lacking. In the present study, our objective was to determine the magnitude of antiretroviral therapy adherence needed to maintain HIV-1 suppression by use of a time-updated adherence measure that has the potential to be of use in a clinical setting.Methods: We examined a population-based cohort of HIV-1-infected subjects > or =18 years of age, residing in British Columbia, Canada, who started receiving antiretroviral therapy between 1 August 1996 and 30 September 2003, who had at least 2 consecutive viral loads <500 copies/mL and who had prescriptions filled at least 3 times during a follow-up period ending 30 September 2004. Virological failure was defined as the second of 2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the relationship between virological failure and refill-based, time-updated surrogate measure of adherence.Results: Among the 1634 participants > or =18 years of age who initiated triple combination therapy during the study, 606 virological failure events were identified. In multivariate analyses, subjects with < or =95% adherence were 1.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.38-2.01) times more likely to experience virological failure than those with >95% adherence.Conclusions: The highest levels of antiretroviral therapy adherence are associated with higher rates of maintained virological suppression. This simple, dynamic surrogate measure of adherence overcomes the limitation of single-point-in-time calculations of adherence and may be useful in real time to determine whether an individual is exhibiting incomplete adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how organizations can achieve the maximum potential from low-cost offshore manufacturing. In combination with a focus on timely implementation of pro-active risk management, the rigorous execution and management of complex projects can result in improvements that often exceed the stated targets, and certainly exceed current results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares rates of health counseling for women in the United States and Israel and identifies factors affecting counseling rates, based on a weighted sample of 2,257 US and 848 Israeli women. In both countries, fewer than half of the women reported speaking with a physician about any of a set of preventive counseling topics (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise) during the year preceding the survey. However, US women reported significantly higher rates of health counseling than did Israeli women, even among specific risk groups (e.g., smokers). Multivariate analysis revealed that 'country' had an independent effect after controlling for demographic factors. This paper highlights structural and functional barriers to counseling that persist in the Israeli system in the absence of financial barriers and discusses ways to overcome them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic homogenization has been recognized as a serious threat in an increasing number of species, including many salmonid fishes. We assessed the rate and impact of immigration from the main hatchery stocks of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Bothnia into one of the largest wild salmon populations in the Baltic Sea, the River Vindelälven, within a temporal framework of 18 years (from 1985–2003). We provide genetic evidence based on mtDNA and microsatellite markers, using mixed-stock analysis, that a large proportion (66%) of fin-damaged spawners (n=181) caught in the Ume/Vindelälven during 1997–2003 originated from the hatcheries in the Rivers Ångermanälven, Luleälven and Ljusnan. The maximum-likelihood estimate of immigration rate from these hatcheries into the wild Vindelälven population was 0.068 (95% CI 0.021–0.128) over the studied time period (1985–2003) and reached up to a quarter (m=0.249, 95% CI 0.106–0.419) of the total population during 1993–2000. This resulted in significant (P<0.01) genetic homogenization trend between the wild Vindelälven population and hatchery stocks of the Ångermanälven and Luleälven. Our results demonstrate extensive straying from geographically distant hatchery releases into wild salmon population and emphasize the genetic risks associated with current large-scale stocking practices in the Baltic Sea.Heredity (2005) 95, 76–83. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800693 Published online 4 May 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers were applied to infer the phylogeography, intraspecific diversity and dynamics of the distributional history of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) with focus on its central and northern European distribution range. Phylogenetic and nested clade analyses revealed at least four major mtDNA lineages, which evolved in geographical isolation during the Pleistocene. These lineages should be recognized as the basic evolutionary significant units (ESUs) for grayling in central and northern Europe. In addition, and in contrast to previous work on grayling, the results of Bayesian analysis of individual admixture coefficients, two-dimensional scaling analysis and spatial analysis of molecular variance provided evidence for a high level of admixture among major lineages in contact zones between drainages (e.g. the low mountain range of Germany), most likely resulting from glacial perturbations and ancient river connections between drainages during the Pleistocene glaciations. Even within river systems, a high level of differentiation among populations was revealed as indicated by the microsatellite data. Grayling sampled from 29 sites displayed high levels of differentiation (overallFST = 0.367), a high number of private alleles and high bootstrap support for the genetic distance-based population clusters across 12 loci. We specifically discuss our results in context of phylogeograpic studies on other European freshwater fish species with habitat preferences similar to those of grayling. Our study shows that both large-scale phylogeographical and detailed genetic analyses on a fine scale are mandatory for developing appropriate conservation guidelines of endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postimmigration adjustment is affected by demographic and health characteristics, as well as national resources. Since 1989, more than a million people emigrated from the former Soviet Union (FSU) to the United States and Israel. These countries differ substantially in health systems and immigrant benefits. The purpose of this study is to compare depressed mood between midlife women from the FSU who reside in the United States and Israel, controlling for demographic and health characteristics. The analysis includes 72 women, 36 from each country, who comprise subsets of larger studies and were matched on age and years since immigration. Women were aged 42-70, and immigrated fewer than 8 years prior to recruitment. Using multiple regression analyses it was found that living in the United States, having lower self-reported health status, and having arthritis predicted higher depression scores. Future cross-national interdisciplinary research should be directed toward identifying specific contextual factors that will guide interventions and influence health policy for new immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for an ill or disabled relative is a life experience shared by many women. Based on data from a representative sample of women in Israel, this study examined the demographic, employment, and health characteristics of women caregivers, focusing on the extent of care provided and its effect on the caregiver's physical and mental health. Using the conceptual framework of caregiving-related stress, we compared women who care for a parent, and women who care for another relative. The study found more instrumental difficulties, which lead to greater burden, among women who care for a disabled relative who is not a parent. Furthermore, larger proportions of women caring for a disabled relative who is not a parent report depressive mood symptoms, poor health status, and the need for psychological counseling. The findings suggest that formal service providers, chiefly social workers, may better support women caregivers once they are aware of the needs arising from disparate contexts of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The founder event in a recently recolonized salmon population in the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland) was investigated. To identify the origin of the founders, four wild populations and two hatchery stocks were analysed using six microsatellite loci. The results of assignment tests and factorial correspondence analysis suggest that the initial recolonizers of the river Selja originated from the geographically nearest (7 km) wild population (river Kunda) but as the result of stocking activities, interbreeding between recolonizers and hatchery individuals has occurred in subsequent years. Although the hatchery releases are out-numbering the wild salmon recruitment in the Baltic Sea at present, our results suggest that the native populations may still have an important role in colonization processes of the former salmon rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Since 1989, Israel has absorbed over 700,000 Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, among them about 375,000 women. Immigrants are known to have greater and/or different health needs than non-immigrant residents, and to face unique barriers to receiving care. However, research addressing the specific health problems of these immigrant women has been scarce. OBJECTIVES: To compare self-reported health status and health care utilization patterns among immigrant and non-immigrant Israeli Jewish women; and to explore ways to overcome existing barriers to their care. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted in September and October 1998 among a random national sample of women age 22 and over, using a standard questionnaire. In all, 849 interviews were completed, with a response rate of 84%. In this article we present comparative data from a sub-set that included 760 immigrant respondents from the former Soviet Union and non-immigrant Jewish respondents. RESULTS: A greater proportion of immigrant versus non-immigrant women reported poor perceived health status (17% vs. 4%), chronic disease (61% vs. 38%), disability (31% vs. 18%) and depressive mood symptoms (52% vs. 38%). Lower rates of immigrant women visited a gynecologist regularly (57% vs. 83%) and were satisfied with their primary care physician. Lower rates of immigrants reported discussing health promotion issues such as smoking, diet, physical activity, HRT, and calcium intake with their physician. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for designing services that will effectively promote immigrant women's health, both in Israel and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sixty-four samples from 46 salmon populations totalling 2369 specimens were used for polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analysis of the mitochondrial ND1 region. The final analyses included 3095 specimens from 60 populations in Northern Europe. A subsample was analysed by RFLP of ND3/4/5/6. Representative RFLP haplotypes from different parts of the distribution area were sequenced and the phylogeny of European haplotypes and their relations to the North American lineage was described. The four common European haplotypes derive from the ancestral ND1-BBBA (rooting the European clade to the North American) by one-step substitutions: AAAA < AABA < BBBA > BBBB. The Swedish west-coast populations differ from the geographically close southern Baltic, indicating absence of inward and limited outward gene flow through the Danish straits during the last 8000 years. Within the Baltic Sea, only three ND1 haplotypes were detected and there was no variation for ND3/4/5/6. In the whole southern Baltic and in lakes Vänern, Ladoga and Onega the haplotype AABA dominated. Proposed postglacial colonization routes to the Baltic Sea are discussed in relation to the haplotype distribution pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on an article "Does the Use of Ultrasound Affect Contamination of Musculoskeletal Injections Sites?" by physician Thomas Sherman and colleagues, which appeared in the January 2015 issue of the periodical is presented. Topics include the use of ultrasound for rotator cuff pathology, treatment of tendinitis and evolution of visualization and diagnostic capabilities of arthroscope.

Deals with a study which aimed to gain information about the micronutrient status of breast-feeding mothers in relation to zinc and selected fat-soluble vitamins in plasma and breast milk and to assess possible interaction between the measured micronutrients. Background of the study; Subjects and methods; Results; Discussion.

Background: This study examined prevalence of perceived need for mental health assistance, characteristics of people with a perceived need, and how persons with a need who sought help were different from those who did not.Methods: A national random phone survey (n = 1,394) was conducted in Israel, which included questions about (1) perceived need for mental health assistance and (2) help seeking.Results: Prevalence of life-time and recent perceived need for males was 21% and 10.7%, and for females 31% and 15.1%. Of those with a perceived need, 31.4% of males and 41.6% of females had gone for help. Based on logistic regression models, the variables associated with need were being female, divorced, having a chronic physical disease, and low income (for males only), while predictors of help seeking were living in a big city and not being a recent immigrant. The major sources of help in descending order were: mental health professionals (46%), family physician (25%), family or friends (19%), and other (10%).Conclusions: A majority of people who feel that they need help for mental health problems do not get help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent operation of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) [Plasma Phys. Controlled Nucl. Fusion Research 1, 51 (1986) ] has produced plasma equilibria with values of Γ ≡ β[sub p eq] + l[sub i]/2 as large as 7, ∈β[sub p dia] ≡ 2μ[sub 0] ∈ 〈p[sub ⊥]〉 / 〈〈B[sub p]〉〉² as large as 1.6, and Troyon normalized diamagnetic beta [Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 26, 209 ( 1984); Phys. Lett. ll0A, 29 (1985)], β[sub N dia] ≡ 10[sup 8] 〈β[sub t⊥]〉aB[sub o]/I[sub p] as large as 4.7. When ∈β[sub p dia] ... 1.25, a separatrix entered the vacuum chamber, producing a naturally diverted discharge that was sustained for many energy confinement times, τ[sub E]. The largest values of ∈β[sub p] and plasma stored energy were obtained when the plasma current was ramped down prior to neutral beam injection. The measured peak ion and electron temperatures were as large as 24 and 8.5 keV, respectively. Plasma stored energy in excess of 2.5 MJ and τ[sub E] greater than 130 msec were obtained. Confinement times of greater than 3 times that expected from L-mode predictions have been achieved. The fusion power gain Q[sub DD] reached a value of 1.3 × 10[sup -3] in a discharge with I[sub p] = 1 MA and ∈β[sub p dia] = 0.85. A large, sustained negative loop voltage during the steady-state portion of the discharge indicates that a substantial noninductive component of I[sub p] exists in these plasmas. Transport code analysis indicates that the bootstrap current constitutes up to 65% of I[sub p]. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ballooning stability analysis shows that, while these plasmas are near, or at the β[sub p], limit, the pressure gradient in the plasma core is in the first region of stability to high-n modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), RAMPO (random amplified microsatellite polymorphism), SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified regions), microsatellite markers and heteroduplex analysis were applied to differentiate bream ( Abramis brama L.) populations from the rivers Main and Danube. Three molecular genetic markers were established; the frequencies of these markers and already established markers were estimated in three bream populations from the Danube River and two bream populations from the Main River. The results showed variation among populations from different river systems as well as variation among samples from the same river basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of testing the growth of different genetic groups of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., over 3 year cycles was demonstrated. In European aquaculture, attaining market weight of common carp usually requires growth periods of 3 years. Typical mean weights at the end of the first year are 20 to 40g. For genetic testing, each progeny is nursed in a separate first-year pond. Co-stocking these nursery ponds with samples of a genetically marked group of carp is a convenient method of multiple nursing for second- and third-year testing. This method does not require additional ponds for generating multiply nursed samples. Four successive experiments were carried out using this method of testing. Each experiment was run over a period of 3 years. The modified multiple nursing method generated sufficiently large weight differences only in one experiment. In the others, weight differentiation was small and unreliable, or several multiply nursed groups were lost or unidentifiable. Some improvements of this method are suggested. The genetic groups participating in the test included Ropsha carp, an Estonian strain and a strain of German mirror carp. The results are consistent with a similar study involving Chinese and European races of common carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and work productivity in Indonesian female industrial workers engaged in cigarette rolling.Design: Randomized-stratified, cross-sectional study.Setting: A clove cigarette factory in Central Java Province, Indonesia.Subjects: Two-hundred and thirty female cigarette-rollers.Methods: Anthropometric variables (height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, BMI), body composition (lean body mass and fat mass from skinfolds thicknesses), Hb, work productivity (cigarettes/hour) were determined.Results: Of the 230 selected subjects 40.4% were anaemic and 41.3% had BMI < 18.5. Average production was 620 +/- 86 cigarettes/h. Productivity was positively correlated with work experience (r = 0.214, P < 0.01), lean body mass (r = 0.183, P < 0.01), height (r = 0.150, P < 0.05), Hb (r = 0.141, P < 0.05), and arm muscle area (r = 0.120, P < 0.05). Anaemic subjects produced 4.9% less (P < 0.01) than the non-anaemic ones. No linear relationship existed between BMI and productivity, but subjects with a BMI < 18.5, or < 17.0, produced respectively 5.1% (P < 0.05) and 6.8% (P <0.05) less than subjects with BMI between 18.5-22.5.Conclusions: Work productivity of persons with low BMI and Hb may be reduced. However, BMI was not a good screening tool to detect low producers. When using BMI < 18.5 and a production < 550 cigarettes/h as cut-offs sensitivity (64.7%) and specificity (55.5%) were low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which looked at the relationship between body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and work productivity among Indonesian female factory workers. Detailed information on the methodology used to conduct the study; Discussion based on the results of the study.

Investigates the physical growth of Vietnamese children on a longitudinal basis. Feeding practices and health care during infancy; Weight and height of Vietnamese children determination; Comparison of Vietnam and French-born Vietnamese children; Secular trend among Vietnamese children.

Objective: To investigate the physical growth of Vietnamese children on a longitudinal basis and with regard to any secular trend.Design: A longitudinal study with four birth cohorts: 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 followed up in their homes from birth to 10 y.Subjects: Two-hundred twelve children (128 boys and 84 girls) from two (Hai Ba and Hoan Kiem) out of the four districts in Hanoi. MONITORING OF PHYSICAL GROWTH: Weight, height, feeding practices and diseases were recorded monthly from birth to 12 months, three monthly from 12-36 months, six monthly from 36-72 months, and annually thereafter until 10 y of age.Results: Mean body weight and height of the children at birth was reduced and after the first 3-4 months were comparable to NCHS reference data. Thereafter weight and height fell progressively from the NCHS reference. The most intense period of growth retardation was 15-36 months. The highest proportion of stunting occurred at 21 months (59.4% of males and 58.3% of females). Anthropometric data of Vietnamese children living 1981-1995 in Hanoi were lower than from those living at the same time in Paris but higher than from those living in earlier decades in Vietnam.Conclusions: The longitudinally-followed children showed growth retardation at birth due to the poor nutritional and health status of their mothers. Children grew well during the first 3-4 months of age, then growth faltering was observed due to inadequate complementary feeding practices. There was a positive secular trend among Vietnamese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the extent to which primary care physicians serve as gatekeepers for the treatment of psychosocial problems and the extent to which they have contact with social workers. We also attempted to identify physician variables related to gatekeeping and amount of contact with social workers. Data from a national study of the role of primary care physicians in Israel were used. About one-third of the physicians had regular contact with social workers, one-quarter had contact less often, and about one-third almost never had contact. Variables associated with gatekeeping for psychosocial problems included having a large caseload, specializing in family medicine, practicing in a rural location, and being under age 55. Variables associated with social work contact were affiliation with the largest health maintenance organization and specialization in family medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the physics and technology of high temperature superconducting (HTS) Josephson junctions. Control fabrication of reliable HTS Josephson junctions; Problems in HTS junctions; Use of intrinsic interfaces by HTS Josephson junctions.

The controllable fabrication of reliable HTS Josephson junctions with sufficiently small spread of their characteristic parameters has not yet been achieved and prevents the successful use of HTS Josephson junctions in complex integrated circuits. The problems in HTS junction fabrication certainly are related to the specific properties of the cuprate superconductors, which make the fabrication of high quality interfaces in HTS junctions employing artificial barrier layers extremely difficult. Therefore, several types of HTS Josephson junctions make use of so-called intrinsic interfaces originating from grain boundaries or the intrinsic layer structure of the cuprates. Beyond the fabrication technology, the physics of HTS Josephson junctions is not well understood. In particular, the detailed mechanisms of charge transport in the various junctions types and the impact of an unconventional symmetry of the superconducting order parameter are unsettled issues. We summarize the key issues regarding the physics and technology of HTS Josephson junctions and discuss possible routes to a useful HTS junction technology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cost-effectively decarbonising the power sector and household energy use using variable renewable energy will require that electricity consumption becomes much more flexible and responsive to constraints in supply and the distribution network. In recent years residential demand response (DR) has received increasing attention that has sought to answer, based on current evidence, questions about how much consumers will engage with DR. This paper critically reviews the evidence base for residential consumer engagement with DR and draws out several important limitations in it. We argue for a more action-oriented focus on developing practical strategies to enable and unlock greater loadshifting and consumer engagement with DR within a changing technology and regulatory context. A number of recommendations are put forward for accelerating UK consumer engagement with DR, presented under three broad strategies: (a) promote awareness of smart tariffs, smart meters and storage and automation behind-the-meter devices as mutually-supportive components within a common 'DR technology cluster'; (b) deliver targeted support for adoption of electric vehicles and other storage and automation technologies; (c) enable and support informed adoption of DR-enabling products and services through 'smarter' digital comparison tools (DCTs), data portability, and faster, simpler switching. The interdependency between components within this DR technology cluster delivers efficiency but also poses a risk that one delayed component (e.g., smart metering) will hold-up policy and industry support for other components. The urgency of decarbonisation goals makes it necessary to push forward as many of these elements as possible rather than the pace being set by the slowest. • Findings and limitations of the evidence base for residential DR are drawn out. • Smart meters, TOU and smart storage should be promoted as a DR 'technology cluster'. • Support EV adoption to drive greater engagement with smart meters and DR. • Enable adoption of DR products and services with smarter Digital Comparison Tools. • Support for each element of the DR technology cluster should be urgently pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]