Search

To analyze the records of the pregnancies of 2283 Australian women with epilepsy in the Australian Register of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy database to identify neurological factors relevant to the Cesarean sections carried out in these pregnancies.The Cesarean section rate in Australian women overall increased by an average of 0.59% annually over 20 years, from 26.0% to its calculated 2020 value of 37.3%. For the operations in women with epilepsy, the corresponding figures were 0.71% annually, and 34.4% and 48.7%. The average annual rate of increase for pre-labor operations was 0.89% to a 2020 value of 39.1%, the annual rate for operations during labor showing no statistically significant change. Multivariate regression analysis identified a number of characteristics of women with epilepsy that were statistically significantly associated with an increased likelihood of Cesarean section, but of these only seizures continuing to occur in the third trimester and having chronic illness, in particular migraine, were neurological ones. In 70 migraine-affected women, the Cesarean section rate was 51.4%, compared with 39% in the remaining pregnancies (P 0.05).Having seizures in the final trimester of pregnancy and having chronic neurological illness, especially migraine, favored Cesarean section being carried out in Australian women with epilepsy, but did not adequately account for the increasing rates of occurrence of the operation over the past 20 years.

There is a growing appreciation that the environmental conditions that we call space weather impact the technological infrastructure that powers the coupled economies around the world. With that comes the need to better shield society against space weather by improving forecasts, environmental specifications, and infrastructure design. [...] advanced understanding of space weather requires a coordinated international approach to effectively provide awareness of the processes within the Sun-Earth system through observation-driven models. This roadmap prioritizes the scientific focus areas and research infrastructure that are needed to significantly advance our understanding of space weather of all intensities and of its implications for society. Advancement of the existing system observatory through the addition of small to moderate state-of-the-art capabilities designed to fill observational gaps will enable significant advances. Such a strategy requires urgent action: key instrumentation needs to be sustained, and action needs to be taken before core capabilities are lost in the aging ensemble. We recommend advances through priority focus (1) on observation-based modeling throughout the Sun-Earth system, (2) on forecasts more than 12 hrs ahead of the magnetic structure of incoming coronal mass ejections, (3) on understanding the geospace response to variable solar-wind stresses that lead to intense geomagnetically-induced currents and ionospheric and radiation storms, and (4) on developing a comprehensive specification of space climate, including the characterization of extreme space storms to guide resilient and robust engineering of technological infrastructures. The roadmap clusters its implementation recommendations by formulating three action pathways, and outlines needed instrumentation and research programs and infrastructure for each of these. [...], In press for Advances of Space Research: an international roadmap on the science of space weather, commissioned by COSPAR and ILWS (63 pages and 4 figures)

Prenatal smoking cessation has been described as an empathic action “for the baby,” but this has not been empirically demonstrated. We capitalized on a genetically-characterized extant dataset with outstanding measurement of prenatal smoking patterns and maternal face processing data (as an indicator of empathy) to test this hypothesis, and explore how empathy and smoking patterns may be moderated by a genetic substrate of empathy, the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Participants were 143Caucasian women from the East Boston family study with repeated prospective reports of smoking level, adjusted based on repeated cotinine bioassays. Salivary DNA and face processing (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2) were assessed 14 years later at an adolescent follow-up of offspring. Two-thirds of participants reported smoking prior to pregnancy recognition. Of these, 21% quit during pregnancy; 56% reduced smoking, and 22% smoked persistently at the same level. A significant interaction between face processing and OXTR variants previously associated with increased sensitivity to social context, rs53576GG and rs2254298A, was found (β = −.181; p = .015); greater ability to identify distress in others was associated with lower levels of smoking during pregnancy for rs53576(GG)/rs2254298(A) individuals (p = .013), but not for other genotypes (p = .892). Testing this “empathy hypothesis of prenatal smoking cessation” in larger studies designed to examine this question can elucidate whether interventions to enhance empathy can improve prenatal smoking cessation rates.

We demonstrate a new method of analyzing observed storm-time pitch-angle distributions to obtain information regarding the appropriate choice of the pitch-angle diffusion coefficients. We apply this method to MeV electrons in the outer zone as a diagnostic of the relative contribution of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) waves and whistler-mode hiss and chorus. We assume EMIC and hiss are confined to a plasmaspheric plume (hence, “plume waves”), with chorus prevalent over large portions of the day and night side. First, we determine the eigenmodes and eigenvalues of the pitch-angle diffusion operator predicted by quasilinear diffusion theory and approximate chorus, hiss, or EMIC plasma wave parameters for energetic electrons in the outer zone. Then, by projecting pitch-angle distributions observed by CRRES into the eigenmodes, we determine whether the pitch-angle distributions are consistent with the assumed diffusion process for various relative weighting of chorus and plume waves. Eigenmodes with shorter decay times (i.e., larger negative eigenvalues) ought to represent a comparatively smaller portion of the total flux in the pitch-angle distribution. We show that several observed pitch-angle distributions are consistent with predominantly chorus-driven pitch-angle diffusion, with at most a minor contribution from plume waves.

On January 20, 2005 there was an X 7.1 solar flare at 0636 UT with an accompanied halo coronal mass ejection (CME). The resultant interplanetary shock impacted earth ∼36 h later. Near earth, the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft observed two impulses with a staircase structure in density and pressure. The estimated earth-arrival times of these impulses were 1713 UT and 1845 UT on January 21, 2005. Three MINIature Spectrometer (MINIS) balloons were aloft on January 21st; one in the northern polar stratosphere and two in the southern polar stratosphere. MeV relativistic electron precipitation (REP) observed by all three balloons is coincident (

We describe a tabular specification model of the density and temperature of ions and electrons at geosynchronous orbit as a function of magnetic local time and solar wind parameters. This model can be used to provide boundary conditions for numerical ring current models. Unlike previous specification models of geosynchronous plasma moments, this model is parameterized by upstream solar wind conditions. We find that solar wind parameters are a better predictor of geosynchronous ion density than magnetospheric indices, and as upstream parameters they are often more appropriate as model inputs since they causally precede the model outputs. Of the upstream parameters that were tested, the best predictors of geosynchronous conditions were the solar wind flow pressure and the magnitude and Z -component of the interplanetary magnetic field.

The outer radiation belt injection, transport, acceleration and loss satellite (ORBITALS) is a small satellite mission proposed as a Canadian contribution to the satellite infrastructure for the International Living With a Star (ILWS) program. The ORBITALS will monitor the energetic electron and ion populations in the inner magnetosphere across a wide range of energies (keV to tens of MeV) as well as the dynamic electric and magnetic fields, waves and cold plasma environment which govern the injection, transport, acceleration and loss of these energetic and space weather critical particle populations. ORBITALS will be launched around 2010–2012 into a low-inclination GTO-like orbit which maximizes the long-lasting apogee-pass conjunctions with both the ground-based instruments of the Canadian Geospace Monitoring (CGSM) array as well as with the GOES East and West and geosynchronous communications satellites in the North American sector. Specifically, the ORBITALS will make the measurements necessary to gain fundamental new understanding of the relative importance of different physical acceleration and loss processes which are hypothesised to shape the energetic particle populations in the inner magnetosphere. The ORBITALS will also provide the raw radiation measurements at MEO altitudes necessary for the development of the next-generation of radiation belt specification models, and on-board experiments will also monitor the dose, single-event upset, and deep-dielectric charging responses of electronic components on-orbit. In this paper we outline the scientific objectives of the ORBITALS mission, discuss how the ORBITALS will lead to solutions to outstanding questions in inner magnetospheric science, and examine how the ORBITALS will complement other proposed inner magnetosphere missions in the ILWS era.

We present results from a rank order correlation coefficient (ROCC) analysis between ground-based 1-10 mHz ultra-low frequency (ULF) wave power, upstream solar wind speed (v SW ), and MeV electron flux across the outer radiation belt. We use data spanning a complete solar cycle (1990-2001) from ground magnetometers from the SAMNET and IMAGE arrays, and MeV electron data from the Los Alamos spacecraft at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and from a HEO spacecraft at L = 5.5 and 4.5. We find a very high correlation between ULF wave power and r SW at all local times and on all L-shells between L = 3.1 and 6.6. Very strong cross-L-shell ULF power coherence is maintained throughout the solar cycle, although the efficiency of r SW in driving a given ULF power response is solar cycle dependent. Peak ULF power and peak ROCC (∼0.75) are observed during the declining phase of the solar cycle around 1994-1995, with smaller localised peaks in these parameters occurring during slower average v SW conditions close to solar maximum in 2000. There is also a strong correlation of both v SW and ULF power with MeV electron flux, these correlations being more strongly dependent on solar cycle phase. The v SW and ULF power correlations with MeV electron flux peak during the late declining phase of the solar cycle, when the radiation belts are most intense. Our results confirm that radiation belt flux demonstrates extremely strong global cross-L-shell coherence throughout the solar cycle. The ROCC between v SW or ULF power and MeV electron flux demonstrate a clear and systematic time lag following the peak in either v SW or ULF power. Electron fluxes respond first at GEO (lag ∼ 2 days), before subsequently peaking at lower L-shells. Importantly, our results indicate that u SW -correlated MeV electron acceleration processes operate by inwards radial transport. The correlation between ULF power and MeV energy electron flux further suggests that ULF waves could be causally responsible via ULF wave enhanced radial diffusion.

Small sub-component specimens consisting of solid laminates at the ends that transition to X-cor® truss sandwich in the center, were tested in a combination of three point bending, uni-axial tension, and combined tension and bending. The failure process in the transition region was documented for each loading using digital video and high-resolution cameras. For the three-point bending tests, most of the deformation occurred in the solid laminate regions on either end of the specimen. Some pin debonding from the skin of the X-cor® truss sandwich was observed in the transition region and was accompanied by audible “pings” throughout the loading. Tension loaded specimens failed in the sandwich skin in the middle of the gage length, accompanied by separation of the sandwich core from the back skin and by delamination between the top skin and bottom skin at the transition region. The pinging associated with pin debonding occurred as the load was increased. However, the frequency of the pinging exceeded any visual observations of pin debonding in the video of the transition region. For specimens tested in combined tension and bending, the greatest amount of pinging occurred during initial application of the axial load. High-resolution images in the transition region indicated that the pinging corresponded to pins debonding and buckling due to the through-thickness Poisson contraction of the specimen. This buckling continued to a much smaller extent as the transverse load was applied.

The influence of two-dimensional finite element modeling assumptions on the debonding prediction for skin-stiffener specimens was investigated. Geometrically nonlinear finite element analyses using two-dimensional plane-stress and plane-strain elements as well as three different generalized plane-strain type approaches were performed. The computed skin and flange strains, transverse tensile stresses and energy release rates were compared to results obtained from three-dimensional simulations. The study showed that for strains and energy release rate computations the generalized plane-strain assumptions yielded results closest to the full three-dimensional analysis. For computed transverse tensile stresses the plane-stress assumption gave the best agreement. Based on this study it is recommended that results from plane-stress and plane-strain models be used as upper and lower bounds. The results from generalized plane-strain models fall between the results obtained from plane-stress and plane-strain models. Two-dimensional models may also be used to qualitatively evaluate the stress distribution in a ply and the variation of energy release rates and mixed mode ratios with delamination length. For more accurate predictions, however, a three-dimensional analysis is required.

Three models for the evolution of the ring current index Dst are evaluated for real-time implementation. Each model provides the time evolution of Dst in terms of solar wind parameters. Real-time data resources employed by the models are Kyoto Quicklook Dst and ACE real-time solar wind parameters. The implementation described provides a forecast time of about 1h due to propagation of the solar wind from the ACE spacecraft to the Earth. The models are evaluated for simulated real-time data availability, and several error measures are provided. One-hour averages were used in keeping with the standard Dst index. By all measures used the model of O'Brien and McPherron (1999, Journal of Geophysical Research, in press) performs best.

The on-going efforts to achieve internationally accepted test standards for interlaminar fracture toughness over the past two decades will be reviewed. The status of current efforts to obtain an ISO standard for the Double Cantilever Beam test for mode I interlaminar fracture toughness will be highlighted. Current round robin activity underway to develop standards for mode II, mode III, and mixed-mode interlaminar fracture toughness will also be discussed. Differences in the interpretation of interlaboratory “round robin” test results will be highlighted. The influence of the different roles of standardization bodies in the US, Europe, and Japan on achieving international standards for interlaminar fracture toughness will be discussed.

Intra-articular morphine has been shown to provide prolonged analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery; the addition of local anaesthetic agents has been reported to improve this analgesic effect. Pethidine possesses local anaesthetic properties, and therefore this study was designed to evaluate its analgesic efficacy after arthroscopic meniscectomy. Sixty patients were allocated randomly to receive intra-articular injections of pethidine 50 mg, morphine 5 mg or saline after elective arthroscopic meniscectomy. Postoperative pain was assessed using an interval visual analogue scale and measuring analgesic requirements. Both treatment groups had significantly lower pain scores compared with the control group. Patients in the pethidine group had lower pain scores than those in the morphine group at 0.5, 1 and 2 h, but significantly higher scores at 12 and 24 h. These observations suggest that the local anaesthetic effect of pethidine may be responsible for the improved early analgesia, but its duration of action appears to be less than that of morphine.

The effects of laser fluence and shot number on the deposition of YBA2Cu3O7 are investigated. It is found that the evolution of target morphology during ablation is strongly dependent on fluence. Three ablation regimes are identified. In the low fluence region (fluence, less than 0.3 J cm−2, deposition is non-stoichiometric; at intermediate fluences ( 0.3 J cm −2 fluence J cm −2 ), both the stoichiometry and the deposition rate vary strongly with shot number; in the high fluence region (fluence, above 3 J cm−2), deposition is largely independent of shot number but particular contamination of films is a problem.

CA 125 is an antigenic determinant located on the surface of ovarian carcinoma cells and elevated in the serum of greater than 90% of patients with carcinoma. The antigen, derived from the ovarian epithelium, has been described as a mucinlike glycoprotein greater than 200 kd. To date little is known of the metabolic regulation or expression of this antigen in either normal or neoplastic tissues. New monoclonal antibodies that we describe here recognize both unique and similar epitopes to OC 125. These reagents may allow for a more complete definition of the structure and expression of the CA 125 complex. These antibodies recognize high-molecular weight (greater than 200 kd) subspecies and a lower-molecular-weight (68 kd) subspecies of the antigen and identify it in the cytoplasm and the extracellular matrix of CA 125-producing cells.

Previous angiographic and radiological studies have suggested that the peroneal artery is the best preserved of the calf vessels in peripheral vascular disease and should be a site of preference for a femorodistal bypass graft. Calf vessel run-off assessed by pulse generated run-off (PGR) provides a more accurate prediction of graft success or failure than angiography and may therefore give a better functional picture of vessel patency than angiography. This study compares the presence and degree of preservation of the three calf vessels in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease using both intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) and PGR. Thirty-four limbs in patients with either ischaemic rest pain, ulceration or gangrene were studied and the results were scored according to the extent and severity of disease in the peroneal, posterior tibial and anterior tibial arteries. On IADSA, the peroneal artery was patent significantly more often (79%) than the posterior tibial artery (47%) or the anterior tibial artery (38%). Conversely, PGR examination showed no difference in patency between the three vessels (peroneal 91%, posterior tibial 88%, anterior tibial 79%). The peroneal artery was also significantly better preserved on IADSA (65%) compared to the posterior tibial artery (38%) and the anterior tibial artery (23%). PGR studies again showed no difference in the best preserved vessel between peroneal (47%), posterior tibial (50%) and anterior tibial (50%) arteries. Thus, the peroneal artery appears the better preserved vessel on angiography but this appearance may be misleading because the more functional PGR studies show no significant difference in the patency or degree of preservation of the three calf vessels.

CP1 is a yeast protein which binds to the highly conserved DNA element I (CDEI) of yeast centromeres. We have purified CP1 to near homogeneity; it is comprised of a single polypeptide of molecular weight 58,400. When bound to yeast CEN3 DNA, CP1 protects a 12-15-base pair region centered over CDEI. Methylation interference experiments show that methylations of residues located outside of the 8-base pair CDEI sequence have no detectable effect on CP1 binding, suggesting that the DNA sequences important for CP1 recognition are confined to the CDEI octanucleotide. The equilibrium constant for CP1 binding to CEN3 DNA is relatively low, 3 x 10(8) M-1. Using a novel method to determine relative DNA binding constants, we analyzed the effect of CDEI mutations on CP1 binding. A C to T point mutation at position 5 (CO1) reduces the equilibrium constant about 35-fold, while the insertion of an additional T at this position (CAT) reduces the equilibrium constant 1,400-fold. The effect of these mutations on mitotic centromere function in vivo was assessed using a plasmid stability assay. While the CO1 mutation had a slight effect, the CAT mutation significantly impaired function, implying that CP1 binding is required for the optimal mitotic function of yeast centromeres.

Absorptive cell abnormalities during fat absorption have recently been demonstrated by electron microscopy in some patients with small intestinal stasis syndrome. We questioned whether deconjugated bile salts, produced by jejunal bacteria, might cause these abnormalities. The hypothesis was tested by feeding an intragastric test meal to three normal volunteers after prior overnight infusion with conjugated or unconjugated bile salts or with bicarbonate-buffered saline. No definite morphological evidence of injury to jejunal absorptive cells was discerned after infusing 1 or 2 mM deoxycholate. A method of evaluation was developed to overcome various pitfalls in electron-microscopic assessment of fat absorption. The only consistent electron-microscopic difference was seen after overnight infusion of deoxycholate, i.e., a marked decrease in the numbers of fat particles in the apical areas of absorptive cells located 10 and 20 cells below the villus tip. This finding was not seen after overnight infusion of conjugated bile salts or buffered saline, or after no overnight infusion. This marked decrease in apical fat particles was also observed in our patients with stasis syndrome. Possibly, it is explained by an inhibitory effect of unconjugated bile salts on reesterification of free fatty acids by the jejunal mucosa.

The fibrinolytic activity of blood draining from the stomachs of patients with gastroduodenal disease has been compared with the fibrinolytic acitivity of blood in the systemic venous circulation and with the blood draining from normal stomachs. Gastric venous blood from normal and diseased stomachs contains greater amounts of plasminogen activator than simultaneously sampled systemic venous blood. However, gastric venous fibrinolytic activity does not differ between the normal and diseased stomachs and thus indicates that increased gastric venous fibrinolysis is not just a characteristic of the diseased stomach. The studies suggest that stress may cause activation of the fibrinolytic system in gastric venous blood with the release of small amounts of free plasmin. It is postulated that local fibrinolysis may play a part in potentiating gastric hemorrhage.

The establishment of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands in the roots of Eucalyptus obliqua L'Herit. (susceptible), E. sieberi L. Johnson (susceptible) and E. sjohnii (R. T. Bak.) R. T. Bak. (tolerant) was studied for up to 24 h after the roots were inoculated with zoospores. In the interactions studied, rapid disruption of root tissues was associated apparently with the successful establishment of the parasite, P. cinnamomi. Host protoplasts often appeared collapsed or shrunken well in advance of invading hyphae; this effect was considered to be an example of false plasmolysis as most internal cell membranes were fragmented although the plasma membranes remained intact. Cell death appeared to precede any observable modification of cell walls but once hyphae had established in the root cortex diffuse hydrolysis of cell walls was observed. As similar ultrastructural changes were observed in infected roots of the three eucalypts and as host cell death proceeded rapidly in all, it was concluded that a hypersensitive type reaction of host cells was not a possible resistance mechanism in tolerant eucalypts.