1,570 results on '"McCarthy, Michael"'
Search Results
102. In Sickness and in Health: Couples Coping with Stroke across the Life Span.
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McCarthy, Michael J. and Bauer, Elizabeth
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STROKE , *PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *AGE distribution , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *INTERVIEWING , *INTIMACY (Psychology) , *LIFE change events , *LONELINESS , *MARRIAGE , *SOCIAL case work , *PSYCHOLOGY of Spouses , *SURVEYS , *QUALITATIVE research , *JUDGMENT sampling , *DATA analysis , *DATA analysis software , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Although its impact on individual survivors and caregivers is well understood, few studies have examined how it affects both members of a couple and how the experience may differ according to age and duration of a couple's relationship. This study reports findings from qualitative interviews of couples coping with stroke. Sixty-two survivors and spouses (that is, 31 couples) between the ages of 31 and 93 years described the impact of stroke on their own life, their spouse's life, and their lives as a couple. Qualitative analysis methods were used, through the lens of biographical disruption theory, to extract themes. Four primary themes were identified: (1) practical and emotional challenges, (2) relationship challenges, (3) unexpected changes to couples' anticipated life course, and (4) mobilization of emotional and relationship resources after stroke. Participants experienced these themes differently according to their ages and duration of their relationship. The article ends with a discussion of implications for social work practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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103. The Decaying Near‐Surface Boundary Layer of a Retreating Alpine Glacier.
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Shaw, Thomas E., Buri, Pascal, McCarthy, Michael, Miles, Evan S., Ayala, Álvaro, and Pellicciotti, Francesca
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ALPINE glaciers , *BOUNDARY layer (Aerodynamics) , *GLOBAL warming , *KATABATIC winds , *CLIMATE sensitivity , *GLACIAL melting - Abstract
The presence of a developed boundary layer decouples a glacier's response from ambient conditions, suggesting that sensitivity to climate change is increased by glacier retreat. To test this hypothesis, we explore six years of distributed meteorological data on a small Swiss glacier in the period 2001–2022. Large glacier fragmentation has occurred since 2001 (−35% area change up to 2022) coinciding with notable frontal retreat, an observed switch from down‐glacier katabatic to up‐glacier valley winds and an increased sensitivity (ratio) of on‐glacier to off‐glacier temperature. As the glacier ceases to develop density‐driven katabatic winds, sensible heat fluxes on the glacier are increasingly determined by the conditions occurring outside the boundary layer of the glacier, sealing the glacier's demise as the climate continues to warm and experience an increased frequency of extreme summers. Plain Language Summary: Down‐glacier winds promote a unique micro‐climate, maintaining relatively lower temperatures over the surface of mountain glaciers. Using six years of meteorological data in the period 2001–2022, we observe increases in the relative changes of above‐ice air temperatures compared to temperatures outside the glacier. As the glacier ceases to develop its own micro‐climate, warmer winds generated by heated valley slopes increasingly control the amount of heat transfer to melt glacier ice. This work offers new observational evidence that suggests that, as glaciers continue to shrink and fragment, they becoming increasingly sensitive to future climate warming. Key Points: On‐glacier air temperatures have become more sensitive to ambient temperatures in a warming climateUp‐valley winds have increased >20% between 2001 and 2021, making sensible heat fluxes more dependent on conditions outside the glacierThe decay of the katabatic system due to glacier retreat indicates a nonlinear sensitivity of the glacier to continued warming [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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104. Shouldn't Chaplains Be Handling Cases With Miracle Language?
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Mccarthy, Michael and Wasson, Katherine
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PROFESSIONAL practice , *CHAPLAINS , *CONTINUING education , *ETHICS , *MEDICAL care , *PATIENTS , *SPIRITUALITY , *DECISION making in clinical medicine - Abstract
The article discusses the aspects of chaplains in the spiritual beliefs and values of patients and families. Topics include collaborative partnerships of chaplains and clinical ethics consultants (CECs), analysis of pastoral care services in U.S. hospitals, and standards of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
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- 2018
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105. RelativelySelective Production of the Simplest CriegeeIntermediate in a CH4/O2Electric Discharge:Kinetic Analysis of a Plausible Mechanism.
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Nguyen, Thanh Lam, McCarthy, Michael C., and Stanton, John F.
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METHANE , *FREE radicals , *ELECTRIC discharges , *ABSTRACTION reactions , *TRANSITION state theory (Chemistry) , *BIOCHEMICAL substrates - Abstract
High-accuracy coupled cluster methods in combination with microcanonicalsemiclassical transition state theory are used to investigate a plausibleformation mechanism of the simplest Criegee intermediate in a CH4/O2discharge experiment. Our results suggest thatthe Criegee intermediate is produced in a three-step process: (i)production of methyl radical by cleavage of a C–H bond of CH4; (ii) association of methyl radical with molecular oxygento form a vibrationally excited methyl peroxy, which is in a rapidmicroequilibrium with the reactants; and finally, (iii) H-abstractionof CH3OO by O2, which results in the formationof cool CH2OO, which has insufficient internal energy torearrange to dioxirane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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106. Evaluating the effect of recycled aggregate on damaging AAR in concrete.
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Csetenyi, Laszlo J., McCarthy, Michael J., Dhir, Ravindra K., and Halliday, Judith E.
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ALKALI-aggregate reactions , *CONCRETE masonry , *WASTE products as building materials , *MINERAL aggregates , *ALKALI metal compounds - Abstract
A study examining damaging alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) in concretes containing recycled aggregate is described. This considered masonry units, concrete, demolition waste, road planings, slate and plasterboard. Alkali release tests indicated that masonry units tended to release more alkali than recycled concrete (with higher levels generally obtained from recently produced materials), with slate and plasterboard giving least. Accelerated mortar expansion (reactivity) test results suggested there was a low risk of AAR for the materials. Concrete tests were then made using BS 812-123 exposure conditions. The concretes were proportioned (i) following the standard mixes (NaO = 7·0 kg/m) with recycled materials replacing fine or coarse aggregate in a low-reactivity aggregate combination and (ii) at high alkali level (NaO = 5·4 kg/m) with the materials as fine aggregate in a normal-reactivity aggregate combination. The tests for (i) gave results for the recycled materials indicating low reactivity, with classifications of non-expansive or probably non-expansive to BRE Digest 330. For (ii), expansions for the materials were mainly similar/slightly higher than those found for (i). However, recycled concrete that previously exhibited damaging AAR had greater expansions. Selected concretes were exposed at an external site for up to 8·5 years, during which observations by microscopy were carried out. These gave general agreement with the laboratory tests. The practical implications of the study are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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107. An Accurate Molecular Structure of Phenyl, the Simplest Aryl Radical.
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Gottlieb, Carl A., McCarthy, Michael C., Martinez, Oscar, Crabtree, Kyle N., and Stanton, John F.
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PHENYL compounds , *MOLECULAR structure , *ARYL radicals , *BENZENE compounds , *ISOTOPIC analysis , *SPECTRUM analysis - Abstract
The phenyl radical (C6H5.) is the prototypical σ-type aryl radical and one of the most common aromatic building blocks for larger ring molecules. Using a combination of rotational spectroscopy of singly substituted isotopic species and vibrational corrections calculated theoretically, an extremely accurate molecular structure has been determined. Relative to benzene, the phenyl radical has a substantially larger C-Cipso-C bond angle [125.8(3)° vs. 120°], and a shorter distance [2.713(3) Å vs. 2.783(2) Å] between the ipso and para carbon atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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108. Incongruence between stroke survivor and spouse perceptions of survivor functioning and effects on spouse mental health: a mixed-methods pilot study.
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McCarthy, Michael J. and Lyons, Karen S.
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STATISTICAL correlation , *MENTAL depression , *INTERVIEWING , *LIFE skills , *RESEARCH methodology , *MENTAL health , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *PSYCHOLOGY of Spouses , *T-test (Statistics) , *PILOT projects , *MULTIPLE regression analysis , *STROKE patients , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Objectives:This pilot study investigated stroke survivors’ and caregiving spouses’ individual perspectives on survivor cognitive and physical functioning and the extent to which incongruence between partners’ perceptions affects spouse depressive symptoms and overall mental health. Method:Mixed-methods, with quantitative survey data from 35 couples and qualitative interview data from a subsample of 13 couples being collected and analyzed using pairedt-tests, multiple regression with survivor–spouse discrepancy scores as predictors of spouse depressive symptoms, and interpretive-description techniques. Results:Quantitative data indicated that spouses rated survivor cognitive functioning as significantly worse than survivors rated their own and that survivor–spouse discrepancy scores for physical functioning were significantly associated with spouse depressive symptoms. Qualitative data enhanced understanding about the nuances of partner incongruence and the ramifications of partner incongruence for spouse mental health. Conclusion:Partner incongruence has an impact on spouse depressive symptoms and overall mental health. Interventions targeted at survivor–spouse dyads and focused on improving communication between partners about survivor abilities may be effective for improving the mental health of spousal caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
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- 2015
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109. Development of wine colour and non-bleachable pigments during the fermentation and ageing of (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) Cabernet Sauvignon wines differing in anthocyanin and tannin concentration.
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Bindon, Keren A., McCarthy, Michael G., and Smith, Paul A.
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CABERNET wines , *FOOD color , *FERMENTED foods , *VITIS vinifera , *FOOD chemistry , *TANNING (Hides & skins) - Abstract
Non-bleachable (SO 2 -resistant) pigment formation in wine is related to the concentration of grape-derived anthocyanin and tannin, but their relative impact on the formation and composition of SO 2 -resistant pigments is poorly understood. Colour development during fermentation and ageing was analysed in two wines produced from grape batches with different anthocyanin and tannin concentrations. Higher anthocyanin and tannin concentrations extracted during fermentation were associated with increased wine colour density, total SO 2 -resistant pigments and SO 2 -resistant polymeric pigment. During ageing, wine colour density decreased, but differences between the respective wine treatments were retained. Wine tannin concentration was unchanged with age, anthocyanin decreased, and SO 2 -resistant pigments increased. Fractionation of wines indicated that SO 2 -resistant pigments in both polymeric and non-polymeric forms increased with ageing. Increases in tannin pigmentation over time were associated with decreased tannin molecular mass, reflecting the conversion of tannin to lower molecular mass pigmented polymers. The formation of polymeric pigment during ageing was related to the initial wine tannin concentration. However, non-polymeric forms of SO 2 -resistant pigments increased to a greater extent in wines with higher initial anthocyanin and tannin concentrations. The data suggests that both polymeric and low molecular mass anthocyanin derivatives are important for stable wine colour development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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110. Determining When to Change Course in Management Actions.
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NG, CHOOI FEI, MCCARTHY, MICHAEL A., MARTIN, TARA G., and POSSINGHAM, HUGH P.
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CONSERVATION biology , *BAT conservation , *WILDLIFE recovery , *CAPTIVE bats , *TIME management , *DECISION making - Abstract
Time is of the essence in conservation biology. To secure the persistence of a species, we need to understand how to balance time spent among different management actions. A new and simple method to test the efficacy of a range of conservation actions is required. Thus, we devised a general theoretical framework to help determine whether to test a new action and when to cease a trial and revert to an existing action if the new action did not perform well. The framework involves constructing a general population model under the different management actions and specifying a management objective. By maximizing the management objective, we could generate an analytical solution that identifies the optimal timing of when to change management action. We applied the analytical solution to the case of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat (Pipistrelle murrayi), a species for which captive breeding might have prevented its extinction. For this case, we used our model to determine whether to start a captive breeding program and when to stop a captive breeding program and revert to managing the species in the wild, given that the management goal is to maximize the chance of reaching a target wild population size. For the pipistrelle bat, captive breeding was to start immediately and it was desirable to place the species in captivity for the entire management period. The optimal time to revert to managing the species in the wild was driven by several key parameters, including the management goal, management time frame, and the growth rates of the population under different management actions. Knowing when to change management actions can help conservation managers' act in a timely fashion to avoid species extinction. Determinar Cuándo Cambiar el Rumbo en las Acciones de Manejo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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111. Linking Indices for Biodiversity Monitoring to Extinction Risk Theory.
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MCCARTHY, MICHAEL A., MOORE, ALANA L., KRAUSS, JOCHEN, MORGAN, JOHN W., and CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER F.
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BIODIVERSITY research , *BIOLOGICAL extinction , *BIRD conservation , *BIRD extinctions ,CONVENTION on Biological Diversity (1992) - Abstract
Biodiversity indices often combine data from different species when used in monitoring programs. Heuristic properties can suggest preferred indices, but we lack objective ways to discriminate between indices with similar heuristics. Biodiversity indices can be evaluated by determining how well they reflect management objectives that a monitoring program aims to support. For example, the Convention on Biological Diversity requires reporting about extinction rates, so simple indices that reflect extinction risk would be valuable. We developed 3 biodiversity indices that are based on simple models of population viability that relate extinction risk to abundance. We based the first index on the geometric mean abundance of species and the second on a more general power mean. In a third index, we integrated the geometric mean abundance and trend. These indices require the same data as previous indices, but they also relate directly to extinction risk. Field data for butterflies and woodland plants and experimental studies of protozoan communities show that the indices correlate with local extinction rates. Applying the index based on the geometric mean to global data on changes in avian abundance suggested that the average extinction probability of birds has increased approximately 1% from 1970 to 2009. Conectando Índices para el Monitoreo de la Biodiversidad con la Teoría de Riesgo de Extinción [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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112. Turning Labor into Capital: Pension Funds and the Corporate Control of Finance.
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McCarthy, Michael A.
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HISTORY of labor , *PENSION trusts , *CAPITAL , *CORPORATE finance , *LABOR unions , *EMPLOYEE Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 , *HISTORY , *HISTORY of labor unions , *UNITED States history - Abstract
This article explores union attempts to control pension fund investment for the debate on financial restructuring in the United States. It puts popular control of finance into comparative and historical perspective and argues that laws and politics help explain why the flow of finance is corporate controlled. First, changes in the legal regime—the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974—put constraints on labor’s ability to influence investment decisions. This is evident when comparing single- and multi-employer plans, where the laws had different consequences. Second, attempts to reform these laws failed. Had they been successful, Carter’s proposed economic revitalization plan in the run-up to his failed reelection in 1980 would have created new ways for unions to control and redirect retirement investment for social purposes. The reform failure is treated as a “suppressed historical alternative” through a comparison with a successful reform in Quebec, Canada, which gave unions broad controls over the Solidarity Fund in 1983. The findings suggest, somewhat counter-intuitively, that legal restrictions need to be loosened for democratic control of finance to be possible. For pension funds, more regulations led to more corporate control, not less. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
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- 2014
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113. The Optimal Number of Surveys when Detectability Varies.
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Moore, Alana L., McCarthy, Michael A., Parris, Kirsten M., and Moore, Joslin L.
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PLANT populations , *ANIMAL populations , *POPULATION ecology , *PREDICTION theory , *PROBABILITY theory - Abstract
The survey of plant and animal populations is central to undertaking field ecology. However, detection is imperfect, so the absence of a species cannot be determined with certainty. developed to account for imperfect detectability during surveys do not yet account for stochastic variation in detectability over time or space. When each survey entails a fixed cost that is not spent searching (e.g., time required to travel to the site), stochastic detection rates result in a trade-off between the number of surveys and the length of each survey when surveying a single site. We present a model that addresses this trade-off and use it to determine the number of surveys that: 1) maximizes the expected probability of detection over the entire survey period; and 2) is most likely to achieve a minimally-acceptable probability of detection. We illustrate the applicability of our approach using three practical examples (minimum survey effort protocols, number of frog surveys per season, and number of quadrats per site to detect a plant species) and test our model's predictions using data from experimental plant surveys. We find that when maximizing the expected probability of detection, the optimal survey design is most sensitive to the coefficient of variation in the rate of detection and the ratio of the search budget to the travel cost. When maximizing the likelihood of achieving a particular probability of detection, the optimal survey design is most sensitive to the required probability of detection, the expected number of detections if the budget were spent only on searching, and the expected number of detections that are missed due to travel costs. We find that accounting for stochasticity in detection rates is likely to be particularly important for designing surveys when detection rates are low. Our model provides a framework to do this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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114. Changes in air quality at near-roadway schools after a major freeway expansion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Brown, Steven G., McCarthy, Michael C., DeWinter, Jennifer L., Vaughn, David L., and Roberts, Paul T.
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AIR quality , *EXPRESS highways , *SOOT , *CARBON monoxide , *EMISSIONS (Air pollution) , *VEHICLES & the environment - Abstract
Near-roadway ambient black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were measured at two schools adjacent to a freeway and at an urban background school 2 km from the freeway to determine the change in concentrations attributable to vehicle emissions after the three-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 95 (US 95) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Between summer 2007 and summer 2008, average weekday small-vehicle volume increased by 40% ± 2% (standard error). Average weekday large-vehicle volume decreased by 17% ± 5%, due to a downturn in the economy and an associated decline in goods movement. Average vehicle speed increased from 58 to 69 mph, a 16% ± 1% increase. The authors compared BC and CO concentrations in summer 2007 with those in summer 2008 to understand what effect the expansion of the freeway may have had on ambient concentrations: BC and CO were measured 17 m north of the freeway sound wall, CO was measured 20 m south of the sound wall, and BC was measured at an urban background site 2 km south of the freeway. Between summer 2007 and summer 2008, median BC decreased at the near-road site by 40% ± 2% and also decreased at the urban background site by 24% ± 4%, suggesting that much of the change was due to decreases in emissions throughout Las Vegas, rather than only on US 95. CO concentrations decreased by 14% ± 2% and 10% ± 3% at the two near-road sites. The decrease in BC concentrations after the expansion is likely due to the decrease in medium- and heavy-duty-vehicle traffic resulting from the economic recession. The decrease in CO concentrations may be a result of improved traffic flow, despite the increase in light-duty-vehicle traffic.ImplicationsMonitoring of BC and CO at near-road locations in Las Vegas demonstrated the impacts of changes in traffic volume and vehicle speed on near-road concentrations. However, urban-scale declines in concentrations were larger than near-road changes due to the impacts of the economic recession that occurred contemporaneously with the freeway expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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115. Contending with uncertainty in conservation management decisions.
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McCarthy, Michael A.
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CONSERVATION biology , *BIODIVERSITY , *ENVIRONMENTAL management , *DECISION making , *PROBABILITY theory , *MAXIMIN strategies - Abstract
Efficient conservation management is particularly important because current spending is estimated to be insufficient to conserve the world's biodiversity. However, efficient management is confounded by uncertainty that pervades conservation management decisions. Uncertainties exist in objectives, dynamics of systems, the set of management options available, the influence of these management options, and the constraints on these options. Probabilistic and nonprobabilistic quantitative methods can help contend with these uncertainties. The vast majority of these account for known epistemic uncertainties, with methods optimizing the expected performance or finding solutions that achieve minimum performance requirements. Ignorance and indeterminacy continue to confound environmental management problems. While quantitative methods to account for uncertainty must aid decisions if the underlying models are sufficient approximations of reality, whether such models are sufficiently accurate has not yet been examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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116. The Practice of Institutionalizing Ideas: Institutionalizing "Popular Power" in Venezuela.
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McCarthy, Michael
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THEORY of knowledge , *THEORY-practice relationship , *PHILOSOPHY , *METAPHYSICS - Abstract
This paper makes a contribution to the research agenda on institutionalizing ideas, a subject related to but different than establishing an idea's causal power. It treats idea institutionalization as the dependent variable and argues that the practices actors use to determine an idea's meaning constitute a key element of the institutionalization puzzle. Conceiving of practices as mediums of translation and mechanisms of appropriation, the paper suggests that we need to know more about how the process of embedding an idea affects institutionalization and in turn how idea's meanings change as they get practiced. The case of "popular power" in Venezuela shows how the practices that actors used to implement an idea involuntarily changed its meaning while institutionalizing it. From this comes a lesson: analytic models of institutionalization need to be able to account for the contingencies that emerge from the process of implementing an idea in an already complicated institutional environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2010
117. Laboratory Astrophysics and Radio Astronomy: Some Recent Successes.
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McCarthy, Michael C.
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ASTROPHYSICS , *RADIO astronomy , *ASTRONOMICAL spectroscopy , *MOLECULAR clouds , *RADIAL velocity of galaxies , *FOURIER transform spectroscopy - Abstract
This paper presents several examples illustrating how the close coordination of laboratory astrophysics and radio astronomy can lead to an improved understanding of the rich chemistry of circumstellar shells which surround evolved carbon stars and dense molecular clouds. State-of-the-art microwave techniques in combination with supersonic molecular beam techniques and long path absorption spectroscopy at millimeter-wave wavelengths are used here to determine precise rest frequencies of known or postulated reactive molecules of astrophysical interest. Because the astronomically most interesting lines either have been measured or can be calculated to better than 1 km/sec in equivalent radial velocity, dedicated astronomical searches can be undertaken with confidence, and the carriers of unidentified series of astronomical lines can be established with certainty. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2006
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118. Nonlinear Effects of Stand Age on Fire Severity.
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Taylor, Chris, McCarthy, Michael A., and Lindenmayer, David B.
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EUCALYPTUS regnans , *PLANT growth , *PLANT canopies , *PROBITS , *LOGGING - Abstract
We quantify the relationship between forest stand age and fire severity using a detailed case study of Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans Muell) forest burned in south-eastern Australia in 2009. We focused on two important areas of Mountain Ash forest that feature a range of growth stages and disturbance histories. Using probit regression analysis, we identified a strong relationship between the age of a Mountain Ash forest and the severity of damage that the forest sustained from the fires under extreme weather conditions. Stands of Mountain Ash trees between the ages of 7 to 36 years mostly sustained canopy consumption and scorching, which are impacts resulting from high-severity fire. High-severity fire leading to canopy consumption almost never occurred in young stands (<7 years) and also was infrequent in older (>40 years) stands of Mountain Ash. We discuss the significant forest conservation and management implications of these results for Mountain Ash forests as well as other similar biomes, where high-severity fire is a common form of disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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119. Bayesian Estimates of Transition Probabilities in Seven Small Lithophytic Orchid Populations: Maximizing Data Availability from Many Small Samples.
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Tremblay, Raymond L. and McCarthy, Michael A.
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BAYESIAN analysis , *ESTIMATION theory , *PROBABILITY theory , *ORCHIDS , *PREDICTION models , *CORALS - Abstract
Predicting population dynamics for rare species is of paramount importance in order to evaluate the likelihood of extinction and planning conservation strategies. However, evaluating and predicting population viability can be hindered from a lack of data. Rare species frequently have small populations, so estimates of vital rates are often very uncertain due to lack of data. We evaluated the vital rates of seven small populations from two watersheds with varying light environment of a common epiphytic orchid using Bayesian methods of parameter estimation. From the Lefkovitch matrices we predicted the deterministic population growth rates, elasticities, stable stage distributions and the credible intervals of the statistics. Populations were surveyed on a monthly basis between 18–34 months. In some of the populations few or no transitions in some of the vital rates were observed throughout the sampling period, however, we were able to predict the most likely vital rates using a Bayesian model that incorporated the transitions rates from the other populations. Asymptotic population growth rate varied among the seven orchid populations. There was little difference in population growth rate among watersheds even though it was expected because of physical differences as a result of differing canopy cover and watershed width. Elasticity analyses of Lepanthes rupestris suggest that growth rate is more sensitive to survival followed by growth, shrinking and the reproductive rates. The Bayesian approach helped to estimate transition probabilities that were uncommon or variable in some populations. Moreover, it increased the precision of the parameter estimates as compared to traditional approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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120. The Role of the Circadian Clock in Animal Models of Mood Disorders.
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Landgraf, Dominic, McCarthy, Michael J., and Welsh, David K.
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ANIMAL models in research , *CIRCADIAN rhythms in animals , *AFFECTIVE disorders , *SLEEP-wake cycle , *MENTAL illness , *BRAIN damage - Abstract
An association between circadian clock function and mood regulation is well established and has been proposed as a factor in the development of mood disorders. Patients with depression or mania suffer disturbed sleep-wake cycles and altered rhythms in daily activities. Environmentally disrupted circadian rhythms increase the risk of mood disorders in the general population. However, proof that a disturbance of circadian rhythms is causally involved in the development of psychiatric disorders remains elusive. Using clock gene mutants, manipulations of sleep-wake and light-dark cycles, and brain lesions affecting clock function, animal models have been developed to investigate whether circadian rhythm disruptions alter mood. In this review, selected animal models are examined to address the issue of causality between circadian rhythms and affective behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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121. Whole Brain Expression of Bipolar Disorder Associated Genes: Structural and Genetic Analyses.
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McCarthy, Michael J., Liang, Sherri, Spadoni, Andrea D., Kelsoe, John R., and Simmons, Alan N.
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GENE expression , *BIPOLAR disorder , *BRAIN function localization , *HUMAN genetic variation , *GENETIC transcription , *SINGLE nucleotide polymorphisms - Abstract
Studies of bipolar disorder (BD) suggest a genetic basis of the illness that alters brain function and morphology. In recent years, a number of genetic variants associated with BD have been identified. However, little is known about the associated genes, or brain circuits that rely upon their function. Using an anatomically comprehensive survey of the human transcriptome (The Allen Brain Atlas), we mapped the expression of 58 genes with suspected involvement in BD based upon their relationship to SNPs identified in genome wide association studies (GWAS). We then conducted a meta-analysis of structural MRI studies to identify brain regions that are abnormal in BD. Of 58 BD associated genes, 22 had anatomically distinct expression patterns that could be categorized into one of three clusters (C1–C3). Brain regions with the highest and lowest expression of these genes did not overlap strongly with anatomical sites identified as abnormal by structural MRI except in the parahippocampal gyrus, the inferior/superior temporal gyrus and the cerebellar vermis, regions where overlap was significant. Using the 22 genes in C1–C3 as reference points, additional genes with correlated expression patterns were identified and organized into sets based on similarity. Further analysis revealed that five of these gene sets were significantly associated with BD, suggesting that anatomical expression profile is correlated with genetic susceptibility to BD, particularly for genes in C2. Our data suggest that expression profiles of BD-associated genes do not explain the majority of structural abnormalities observed in BD, but may be useful in identifying new candidate genes. Our results highlight the complex neuroanatomical basis of BD, and reinforce illness models that emphasize impaired brain connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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122. Engineering and durability properties of fly ash treated lime-stabilised sulphate-bearing soils.
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McCarthy, Michael J., Csetenyi, Laszlo J., Sachdeva, Anisha, and Dhir, Ravindra K.
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ENGINEERING geology , *FLY ash , *SULFATES , *SOIL mechanics , *LIME (Minerals) , *DURABILITY - Abstract
Abstract: The paper describes a study carried out to investigate the engineering and durability properties of lime-stabilised soils treated with low-lime fly ash to limit swelling (heave) due to sulphate, associated with the ground improvement process. Two clays (Lias and Oxford with total potential sulphate levels >1.0%), a quicklime, two fly ashes (fine/low loss-on-ignition (LOI)/dry; and coarse/high LOI/wet (pond) stored) and a ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) were considered. The lime-stabilised soils contained 3% quicklime and various levels of fly ash (up to 24%) and GGBS (up to 9%), and were tested at optimum moisture content and maximum dry density. The properties considered included, immediate-bearing index, unconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, water permeability and frost-heave. The results indicate that for most of these, the fly ash combinations gave improvements compared to lime-only treated soils, with the benefits generally increasing with addition level. Between fly ashes, the fine/dry material mainly gave better properties for those considered. This differs from behaviour noted previously for sulphate-heave, where coarser/wet-stored fly ash was most effective in minimizing the process. At comparable application levels, GGBS contributed more than fly ash to the properties of the lime-stabilised soils. The underlying mechanisms associated with these effects and the practical implications of the study are explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2014
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123. Towards the clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics in bipolar disorder.
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Salloum, Naji C., McCarthy, Michael J., Leckband, Susan G., and Kelsoe, John R.
- Abstract
Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric illness defined by pathological alterations between the mood states of mania and depression, causing disability, imposing healthcare costs and elevating the risk of suicide. Although effective treatments for BD exist, variability in outcomes leads to a large number of treatment failures, typically followed by a trial and error process of medication switches that can take years. Pharmacogenetic testing (PGT), by tailoring drug choice to an individual, may personalize and expedite treatment so as to identify more rapidly medications well suited to individual BD patients. Discussion: A number of associations have been made in BD between medication response phenotypes and specific genetic markers. However, to date clinical adoption of PGT has been limited, often citing questions that must be answered before it can be widely utilized. These include: What are the requirements of supporting evidence? How large is a clinically relevant effect? What degree of specificity and sensitivity are required? Does a given marker influence decision making and have clinical utility? In many cases, the answers to these questions remain unknown, and ultimately, the question of whether PGT is valid and useful must be determined empirically. Towards this aim, we have reviewed the literature and selected drug-genotype associations with the strongest evidence for utility in BD. Summary: Based upon these findings, we propose a preliminary panel for use in PGT, and a method by which the results of a PGT panel can be integrated for clinical interpretation. Finally, we argue that based on the sufficiency of accumulated evidence, PGT implementation studies are now warranted. We propose and discuss the design for a randomized clinical trial to test the use of PGT in the treatment of BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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124. Political Mediation and American Old-Age Security Exceptionalism.
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McCarthy, Michael A.
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MEDIATION , *CONFLICT management , *PENSIONS , *WORLD War II , *TRADE associations , *DEMOCRATS (United States) - Abstract
Debates over America’s heavy reliance on employer-provided private pensions have understated the profound role organized labor played after World War II. Archival evidence from prominent unions and business associations suggests that the shift in organized labor’s strategy after the New Deal toward electoral activity helps explain critical interventions by Northern Democrats into the system of private pensioning in the postwar period that laid the foundation for America’s old-age security system. Such a strategy was insufficient, however, to expand Social Security. This article offers a political mediation account of electoral activity as a source of labor influence on social policy that draws on political institutionalist and class power theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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125. Inferring extinctions from sighting records of variable reliability.
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Lee, Tamsin E., McCarthy, Michael A., Wintle, Brendan A., Bode, Michael, Roberts, David L., Burgman, Mark A., and Matthiopoulos, Jason
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WILDLIFE watching , *BIOLOGICAL extinction , *ANIMAL species , *BAYES' estimation , *UNCERTAINTY , *MARKOV chain Monte Carlo - Abstract
A range of mathematical models has been developed to infer whether a species is extinct based on a sighting record. Although observations have variable reliability, current methods for detecting extinction do not differentiate observation qualities., A more suitable approach would consider certain and uncertain sightings throughout the sighting period. We consider a small population system, meaning we assume sighting rates are constant and the population is not declining. Based on such an assumption, we develop a Bayesian method that assumes that certain and uncertain sightings occur independently and at uniform rates. These two types of sightings are connected by a common extinction date. Several rates of false sightings can be calculated to differentiate between observation types. Prior rates of false and true sightings, as well as a prior probability that the species is extant, are included. The model is implemented in Open Bugs, which uses Markov chain Monte Carlo ( MCMC)., Based on records of variable reliability, we estimate the probability that the following species are extinct: Caribbean seal Monachus tropicalis, grey , black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes, Audubon & Bachman, greater stick-nest rat Leporillus conditor, Sturt, and lesser stick-nest rat Leporillus apicalis, Gould. As further examples, Birdlife International provided the sighting records for the Alaotra grebe Tachybaptus rufolavatus, Delacour, Jamaica petrel Pterodroma caribbaea, Carte, and Pohnpei mountain starling Aplonis pelzelni, Finsch, with prior probabilities for extinction. The results are compared with existing methods, which ignore uncertain sightings. We find that including uncertain sightings can considerably change the probability that the species is extant, in either direction. However, in our examples, including the quality of the uncertain sighting made little difference. When we ignore uncertain sightings, our results agree with existing methods, especially when the last sighting was near the end of the sighting period., Synthesis and applications. Estimating the probability that a species is extinct based on sighting records is important when determining conservation priorities and allocating available resources into management activities. Having a model that allows for certain and uncertain observations throughout the sighting period better accommodates the realities of sighting quality, providing a more reliable basis for decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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126. Source apportionment of volatile organic compounds measured in Edmonton, Alberta.
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McCarthy, Michael C., Aklilu, Yayne-Abeba, Brown, Steven G., and Lyder, David A.
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AIR quality research , *VOLATILE organic compounds & the environment , *TRANSPORTATION & the environment , *COMBUSTION research , *GASOLINE & the environment - Abstract
Abstract: From 2003 to 2009, whole air samples were collected at two sites in Edmonton and analyzed for over 77 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs were sampled in the downtown area (Central site) and an industrial area on the eastern side of the city (East site). Concentrations of most VOCs were highest at the East site, with an average total VOC mass concentration of 221 μg m−3. The average total VOC mass concentration at the Central site was 65 μg m−3. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's positive matrix factorization receptor model (EPA PMF) was used to apportion ambient concentrations of VOCs into eleven factors, which were associated with emissions sources. On average, 94 and 99% of the measured mass were apportioned by PMF at the East and Central site, respectively. Factors include transportation combustion (gasoline and diesel), industrial sources (industrial evaporative, industrial feedstock, gasoline production/storage, industrial chemical use), mixed mobile and industrial (gasoline evaporative, fugitive butane), a biogenic source, a natural gas related source, and a factor that was associated with global background pollutants transported into the area. Transportation sources accounted for more than half of the reconstructed VOC mass concentration at the Central site, but less than 10% of the reconstructed mass concentration at the East site. By contrast, industrial sources accounted for ten times more of the reconstructed VOC mass concentration at the East site than at the Central site and were responsible for approximately 75% of the reconstructed VOC mass concentration observed at the East site. Of the six industrial factors identified at the East site, four were linked to petrochemical industry production and storage. The two largest contributors to the reconstructed VOC mass concentration at the East site were associated with fugitive emissions of volatile species (butanes, pentanes, hexane, and cyclohexane); together, these two factors accounted for more than 50% of the reconstructed VOC mass concentration at the East site in contrast to less than 2% of the reconstructed mass concentration at the Central site. Natural gas related emissions accounted for 10%–20% of the reconstructed mass concentration at both sites. Biogenic emissions and VOCs associated with well-mixed global background were less than 10% of the reconstructed VOC mass concentration at the Central site and less than 3% of the reconstructed mass concentration at the East site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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127. Effect of controlled atmosphere storage on pomegranate quality investigated by two dimensional NMR correlation spectroscopy.
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Zhang, Lu and McCarthy, Michael J.
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CONTROLLED atmosphere storage , *POMEGRANATE , *FRUIT storage , *FRUIT quality , *NUCLEAR magnetic resonance , *WATER transfer - Abstract
Abstract: Pomegranate fruit was studied by two dimensional NMR correlation spectroscopy during 25 weeks of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. The proton T 1–T 2 correlation spectrum provided rich information on the characteristics of the environment of water in subcellular compartments. Three relaxation components were identified in the pomegranate arils, which could be assigned to the vacuole, cytoplasm, and cell wall. The results showed that water transferred out of the vacuole to other compartments during storage. Shrinkage of the vacuole was expected as a result of the significant loss of water. The soluble solids content and titratable acidity of the pomegranate decreased during the controlled atmosphere storage, but they were not the major contributor to the change in the relaxation rate of water in the subcellular compartments of the aril tissue. The change in the aril was gradual and not uniform across the tissue in response to CA storage. The variation in the response of the arils to CA diminished at longer storage time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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128. NMR study of hydration of navy bean during cooking.
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Zhang, Lu and McCarthy, Michael J.
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KIDNEY bean , *BEANS , *HYDRATION , *MAGNETIC resonance imaging , *WATER use , *FOOD chemistry , *COOKING - Abstract
Abstract: MRI and NMR relaxometry were used to monitor the water uptake at macroscopic and microscopic levels during cooking of navy beans. MRI images showed that water gradually penetrated into the center of the bean, and full hydration was achieved after 80 min. A biphasic model, which consists of an exponential phase and a linear phase, was applied to the water uptake data of the navy bean during cooking. The exponential stage finished after 80 min. The NMR relaxometry results indicated there are three water proton components in navy beans. The percentage of bound water decreased gradually as a function of cooking time. The population of the intracellular water reached its maximum at 80 min. A dramatic increase in the population of extracellular water was observed at 150 min. These results suggest that water was incorporated primarily with the intracellular content in navy beans during the initial exponential stage of water uptake. Further water uptake during the linear stage contributed to the increase in the water content in extracellular space. Optical microscopy of the navy bean provided more evidence for the changes in the water distribution at the microscopic level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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129. Defining vegetation age class distributions for multispecies conservation in fire-prone landscapes.
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Di Stefano, Julian, McCarthy, Michael A., York, Alan, Duff, Thomas J., Slingo, Jacqui, and Christie, Fiona
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VEGETATION & climate , *PLANT species , *PLANT conservation , *LANDSCAPES , *BIODIVERSITY , *PLANT diversity - Abstract
Highlights: [•] A formal relationship between the distribution of vegetation age classes and species diversity is defined. [•] The vegetation age class distribution that maximises species diversity is determined. [•] An operational objective linked to conservation outcomes is defined. [•] A measure is produced for quantifying the biodiversity cost of alternative management actions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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130. Predicting the Effect of Urban Noise on the Active Space of Avian Vocal Signals.
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Parris, Kirsten M., McCarthy, Michael A., Adkins-Regan, Elizabeth, and McPeek, Mark A.
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BIRD behavior , *AVIAN anatomy , *TRAFFIC noise , *URBAN ecology , *ANIMAL sounds , *CHARACTER displacement (Biology) , *COMPETITION (Biology) - Abstract
Urbanization changes the physical environment of nonhuman species but also markedly changes their acoustic environment. Urban noise interferes with acoustic communication in a range of animals, including birds, with potentially profound impacts on fitness. However, a mechanistic theory to predict which species of birds will be most affected by urban noise is lacking. We develop a mathematical model to predict the decrease in the active space of avian vocal signals after moving from quiet forest habitats to noisy urban habitats. We find that the magnitude of the decrease is largely a function of signal frequency. However, this relationship is not monotonic. A metaregression of observed increases in the frequency of birdsong in urban noise supports the model's predictions for signals with frequencies between 1.5 and 4 kHz. Using results of the metaregression and the model described above, we show that the expected gain in active space following observed frequency shifts is up to 12% and greatest for birds with signals at the lower end of this frequency range. Our generally applicable model, along with three predictions regarding the behavioral and population-level responses of birds to urban noise, represents an important step toward a theory of acoustic communication in urban habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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131. Circadian Clock Period Inversely Correlates with Illness Severity in Cells from Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders.
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McCarthy, Michael J., Fernandes, Malcolm, Kranzler, Henry R., Covault, Jonathan M., and Welsh, David K.
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CELL culture , *CHI-squared test , *CIRCADIAN rhythms , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *EPIDEMIOLOGY , *GENE expression , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RESEARCH funding , *T-test (Statistics) , *DATA analysis , *SEVERITY of illness index , *CASE-control method , *DATA analysis software , *ALCOHOL-induced disorders , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Background Clinical and genetic studies suggest circadian clock genes may contribute to biological mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorders ( AUD). In particular, the Per2 gene regulates alcohol consumption in mutant animals, and in humans with AUD, the 10870 variant in PER2 has been associated with alcohol consumption. However, with respect to function, the molecular clock remains largely uncharacterized in AUD patients. Methods In skin fibroblast cultures from well-characterized human AUD patients ( n = 19) and controls ( n = 13), we used a bioluminescent reporter gene ( Per2::luc) to measure circadian rhythms in gene expression at high sampling density for 5 days. Cells were genotyped for the PER2 10870 variant. The rhythm parameters period and amplitude were then analyzed using a case-control design and by genetic and clinical characteristics of the AUD subjects. Results There were no differences between AUD cases and controls in rhythm parameters. However, period was inversely correlated with illness severity (defined as the number of alcohol dependence criteria met). The PER2 variant 10870 was not associated with differences in rhythm parameters. Conclusions Our data suggest that differences in the cellular circadian clock are not pronounced in fibroblasts from AUD cases and controls. However, we found evidence that the circadian clock may be associated with an altered trajectory of AUD, possibly related to illness severity. Future work will be required to determine the mechanistic basis of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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132. Predictors of Smoking Patterns After First Stroke.
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Mccarthy, Michael J., Huguet, Nathalie, Newsom, Jason T., Kaplan, Mark S., and Mcfarland, Bentson H.
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HYPOTHESIS , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *STATISTICAL correlation , *MENTAL depression , *EPIDEMIOLOGY , *HOSPITAL care , *LENGTH of stay in hospitals , *LIFE skills , *LONGITUDINAL method , *PSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *RESEARCH funding , *SMOKING , *SMOKING cessation , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *DATA analysis , *SECONDARY analysis , *EDUCATIONAL attainment , *PREDICTIVE validity , *PRE-tests & post-tests , *STATISTICAL models , *STROKE patients , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Persistent smoking following stroke is associated with poor outcomes including development of secondary stroke and increased mortality risk. This study uses longitudinal data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1992–2008) to investigate whether depression and duration of inpatient hospital care impact smoking outcomes among stroke survivors (N = 745). Longer duration of care was associated with lower likelihood of persistent smoking. Depression was associated with greater cigarette consumption. Interaction effects were also significant, indicating that for survivors who experienced longer inpatient care there was a weaker association between depression and cigarette consumption. Implications for practice and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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133. The influence of abundance on detectability.
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McCarthy, Michael A., Moore, Joslin L., Morris, William K., Parris, Kirsten M., Garrard, Georgia E., Vesk, Peter A., Rumpff, Libby, Giljohann, Kate M., Camac, James S., Bau, S. Sana, Friend, Tessa, Harrison, Barnabas, and Yue, Benita
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DETECTION of animal droppings , *ANIMAL species , *ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis , *ZOOLOGICAL surveys , *INTRODUCED species , *SEEDLINGS - Abstract
Plant and animal survey detection rates are important for ecological surveys, environmental impact assessment, invasive species monitoring, and modeling species distributions. Species can be difficult to detect when rare but, in general, how detection probabilities vary with abundance is unknown. We developed a new detectability model based on the time to detection of the first individual of a species. Based on this model, the predicted detection rate is proportional to a power function of abundance with a scaling exponent between zero and one that depends on clustering of individuals. We estimated the model parameters with data from three independent datasets: searches for chenopod shrub species and coins, experimental searches for planted seedlings, and frog surveys at multiple sites in sub-tropical forests of eastern Australia. Analyses based on the detection time and detection probability suggest that detection rate increases with abundance as predicted. The model provides a way to scale detection rates to cases of low abundance when direct estimation of detection rates is often impractical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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134. Improving decisions for invasive species management: reformulation and extensions of the Panetta- Lawes eradication graph.
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Burgman, Mark A., McCarthy, Michael A., Robinson, Andrew, Hester, Susan M., McBride, Marissa F., Elith, Jane, Dane Panetta, F., and Yemshanov, Denys
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DECISION making , *ANIMAL species , *GRAPH theory , *FEEDBACK control systems , *DECISION support systems , *WEEDS - Abstract
Aim Effective decisions for managing invasive species depend on feedback about the progress of eradication efforts. Panetta & Lawes () developed the eradograph, an intuitive graphical tool that summarizes the temporal trajectories of delimitation and extirpation to support decision-making. We correct and extend the tool, which was affected by incompatibilities in the units used to measure these features that made the axes impossible to interpret biologically. Location Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Methods Panetta and Lawes' approach represented delimitation with estimates of the changes in the area known to be infested and extirpation with changes in the mean time since the last detection. We retain the original structure but propose different metrics that improve biological interpretability. We illustrate the methods with a hypothetical example and real examples of invasion and treatment of branched broomrape ( Orobanche ramosa L.) and the guava rust complex ( Puccinia psidii ( Winter 1884)) in Australia. Results These examples illustrate the potential of the tool to guide decisions about the effectiveness of search and control activities. Main conclusions The eradograph is a graphical data summary tool that provides insight into the progress of eradication. Our correction and extension of the tool make it easier to interpret and provide managers with better decision support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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135. A Bayesian model of metapopulation viability, with application to an endangered amphibian.
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Heard, Geoffrey W., McCarthy, Michael A., Scroggie, Michael P., Baumgartner, John B., Parris, Kirsten M., and Burgman, Mark
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BAYESIAN analysis , *STOCHASTIC analysis , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *PROBABILITY theory , *COLONIZATION , *WETLANDS - Abstract
Aim Population viability analysis ( PVA) is used to quantify the risks faced by species under alternative management regimes. Bayesian PVAs allow uncertainty in the parameters of the underlying population model to be easily propagated through to the predictions. We developed a Bayesian stochastic patch occupancy model ( SPOM) and used this model to assess the viability of a metapopulation of the growling grass frog ( Litoria raniformis) under different urbanization scenarios. Location Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Methods We fitted a Bayesian model that accounted for imperfect detection to a multiseason occupancy dataset for L. raniformis collected across northern Melbourne. The probability of extinction was modelled as a function of effective wetland area, aquatic vegetation cover and connectivity, using logistic regression. The probability of colonization was modelled as a function of connectivity alone. We then simulated the dynamics of a metapopulation of L. raniformis subject to differing levels of urbanization and compensatory wetland creation. Uncertainty was propagated by conducting simulations for 5000 estimates of the parameters of the models for extinction and colonization. Results There was considerable uncertainty in both the probability of quasi-extinction and the minimum number of occupied wetlands under most urbanization scenarios. Uncertainty around the change in quasi-extinction risk and minimum metapopulation size increased with increasing habitat loss. For our focal metapopulation, the analysis revealed that significant investment in new wetlands may be required to offset the impacts of urbanization. Main conclusions Bayesian approaches to PVA allow parametric uncertainty to be propagated and considered in management decisions. They also provide means of identifying parameters that represent critical uncertainties, and, through the use of informative priors, can easily assimilate new data to reduce parametric uncertainty. These advantages, and the ready availability of software to run Bayesian analyses, will ensure that Bayesian approaches are used increasingly for PVAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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136. Assessment of pomegranate postharvest quality using nuclear magnetic resonance
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Zhang, Lu and McCarthy, Michael J.
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POMEGRANATE , *NUCLEAR magnetic resonance , *FRUIT juices , *QUANTITATIVE research , *CROP loss assessment , *LEAST squares - Abstract
Abstract: Fruit quality parameters, soluble solids content (Brix), total titratable acidity, pH, and Brix/acid ratio, are often used as indicators of fruit maturity and palatability. Measurement of these fruit quality parameters requires a series of destructive methods, which can only be conducted on extracted fruit juice. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between spin–spin relaxation time and pomegranate quality attributes and the potential of MRI for quantitative analysis of pomegranate quality. Spin–spin relaxation time, T 2, measured using a low magnetic field (0.04T) showed correlation with the soluble solids content of pomegranate. The T 2 relaxation time ranged from 837ms to 1024ms for the fruit with soluble solids content from 15.3°Brix to 18.7°Brix. However, accurate prediction was not achieved. In the MRI experiment, six MR images with varying contribution to total signal intensity from proton density, relaxation rates, and diffusion weighing were obtained for pomegranate fruit using a 1T MR imaging system with 0.22T/m gradient strength. The pH, Brix, total titratable acidity, and Brix/acid ratio of pomegranate were also measured by traditional destructive methods. Partial least square (PLS) analysis was applied to the statistical features of the voxel signal intensities in the MR images and quality parameters to examine the correlation between MR images results and destructive measurements. The MR image based PLS model have a R 2 of 0.54, 0.6, and 0.63 for predicting titratable acidity, pH, and soluble solids/acidity levels, respectively. The correlation between MR image statistical features and soluble solids content of pomegranate was poor. In these models, T 2 weighted Fast Spin Echo, diffusion weighted image, and Spin Echo image with short TE and moderate TR are the most important images in predicting the pomegranate quality attributes. Unlike traditional destructive methods, MR imaging is capable of evaluating multiple quality parameters in a single measurement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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137. Adjunctive agomelatine therapy in the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: a preliminary open label study.
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Fornaro, Michele, McCarthy, Michael J., De Berardis, Domenico, De Pasquale, Concetta, Tabaton, Massimo, Martino, Matteo, Colicchio, Salvatore, Ignazio Cattaneo, Carlo, D'Angelo, Emanuela, and Fornaro, Pantaleo
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CIRCADIAN rhythms , *BIPOLAR disorder , *MENTAL depression , *THERAPEUTICS , *AFFECTIVE disorders , *DEPRESSED persons , *HYPOMANIA , *PATIENTS - Abstract
Purpose: The circadian rhythm hypothesis of bipolar disorder (BD) suggests a role for melatonin in regulating mood, thus extending the interest toward the melatonergic antidepressant agomelatine as well as type I (acute) or II cases of bipolar depression. Patients and methods: Twenty-eight depressed BD-II patients received open label agomelatine (25 mg/bedtime) for 6 consecutive weeks as an adjunct to treatment with lithium or valproate, followed by an optional treatment extension of 30 weeks. Measures included the Hamilton depression scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Clinical Global Impression Scale-Bipolar Version, Young Mania Rating Scale, and body mass index. Results: Intent to treat analysis results demonstrated that 18 of the 28 subjects (64%) showed medication response after 6 weeks (primary study endpoint), while 24 of the 28 subjects (86%) responded by 36 weeks. When examining primary mood stabilizer treatment, 12 of the 17 (70.6%) valproate and six of the 11 (54.5%) lithium patients responded by the first endpoint. At 36 weeks, 14 valproate treated (82.4%) and 10 lithium treated (90.9%) subjects responded. At 36 weeks, there was a slight yet statistically significant (P = 0.001) reduction in body mass index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores compared to respective baseline values, regardless of mood stabilizer/outcome. Treatment related drop-out cases included four patients (14.28%) at week 6 two valproate-treated subjects with pseudo-vertigo and drug-induced hypomania, respectively, and two lithium-treated subjects with insomnia and mania, respectively. Week 36 drop outs were two hypomanic cases, one per group. Conclusion: Agomelatine 25 mg/day was an effective and well-tolerated adjunct to valproate/lithium for acute depression in BD-II, suggesting the need for confirmation by future double blind, controlled clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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138. Incorporating Uncertainty of Management Costs in Sensitivity Analyses of Matrix Population Models.
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SALOMON, YACOV, McCARTHY, MICHAEL A., TAYLOR, PETER, and WINTLE, BRENDAN A.
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ENVIRONMENTAL management , *ENVIRONMENTAL protection , *ANIMAL populations , *KOALA , *OLIVE ridley turtle , *WILDLIFE conservation - Abstract
The importance of accounting for economic costs when making environmental-management decisions subject to resource constraints has been increasingly recognized in recent years. In contrast, uncertainty associated with such costs has often been ignored. We developed a method, on the basis of economic theory, that accounts for the uncertainty in population-management decisions. We considered the case where, rather than taking fixed values, model parameters are random variables that represent the situation when parameters are not precisely known. Hence, the outcome is not precisely known either. Instead of maximizing the expected outcome, we maximized the probability of obtaining an outcome above a threshold of acceptability. We derived explicit analytical expressions for the optimal allocation and its associated probability, as a function of the threshold of acceptability, where the model parameters were distributed according to normal and uniform distributions. To illustrate our approach we revisited a previous study that incorporated cost-efficiency analyses in management decisions that were based on perturbation analyses of matrix population models. Incorporating derivations from this study into our framework, we extended the model to address potential uncertainties. We then applied these results to 2 case studies: management of a Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population and conservation of an olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) population. For low aspirations, that is, when the threshold of acceptability is relatively low, the optimal strategy was obtained by diversifying the allocation of funds. Conversely, for high aspirations, the budget was directed toward management actions with the highest potential effect on the population. The exact optimal allocation was sensitive to the choice of uncertainty model. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for uncertainty when making decisions and suggest that more effort should be placed on understanding the distributional characteristics of such uncertainty. Our approach provides a tool to improve decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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139. Mood, Anxiety, and Substance-Use Disorders and Suicide Risk in a Military Population Cohort.
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Conner, Kenneth R., McCarthy, Michael D., Bajorska, Alina, Caine, Eric D., Tu, Xin M., and Knox, Kerry L.
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ANXIETY disorders , *SUBSTANCE-induced disorders , *SUICIDE , *MENTAL illness - Abstract
There are meager prospective data from nonclinical samples on the link between anxiety disorders and suicide or the extent to which the association varies over time. We examined these issues in a cohort of 309,861 U.S. Air Force service members, with 227 suicides over follow-up. Mental disorder diagnoses including anxiety, mood, and substance-use disorders ( SUD) were based on treatment encounters. Risk for suicide associated with anxiety disorders were lower compared with mood disorders and similar to SUD. Moreover, the associations between mood and anxiety disorders with suicide were greatest within a year of treatment presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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140. Preservation of the growth rates of delay differential equations by Euler schemes with non-uniform step sizes
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Appleby, John A.D. and McCarthy, Michael J.
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GROWTH rate , *DELAY differential equations , *EULER characteristic , *NONLINEAR differential equations , *MATHEMATICAL constants , *MATHEMATICAL analysis , *STOCHASTIC convergence - Abstract
Abstract: In this paper, we consider explicit Euler methods which recover the rate of growth to infinity of a highly nonlinear autonomous delay differential equation. The success of the methods rely on the step size changing in response to the state, as it has been shown that Euler methods with constant step size will systematically underestimate the growth rate. It is also shown that the computed solution converges to the true solution on any compact time interval, when a parameter which controls the step size is sent to zero. A second method, which applies to a related ordinary differential equation, and which requires less computational effort, is also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2012
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141. Cellular Circadian Clocks in Mood Disorders.
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McCarthy, Michael J. and Welsh, David K.
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BIPOLAR disorder , *MENTAL depression , *MOOD (Psychology) , *CIRCADIAN rhythms , *FIBROBLASTS - Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are heritable neuropsychiatric disorders associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. The hypothesis that circadian clock dysfunction plays a causal role in these disorders has endured for decades but has been difficult to test and remains controversial. In the meantime, the discovery of clock genes and cellular clocks has revolutionized our understanding of circadian timing. Cellular circadian clocks are located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the brain’s primary circadian pacemaker, but also throughout the brain and peripheral tissues. In BD and MDD patients, defects have been found in SCN-dependent rhythms of body temperature and melatonin release. However, these are imperfect and indirect indicators of SCN function. Moreover, the SCN may not be particularly relevant to mood regulation, whereas the lateral habenula, ventral tegmentum, and hippocampus, which also contain cellular clocks, have established roles in this regard. Dysfunction in these non-SCN clocks could contribute directly to the pathophysiology of BD/MDD. We hypothesize that circadian clock dysfunction in non-SCN clocks is a trait marker of mood disorders, encoded by pathological genetic variants. Because network features of the SCN render it uniquely resistant to perturbation, previous studies of SCN outputs in mood disorders patients may have failed to detect genetic defects affecting non-SCN clocks, which include not only mood-regulating neurons in the brain but also peripheral cells accessible in human subjects. Therefore, reporters of rhythmic clock gene expression in cells from patients or mouse models could provide a direct assay of the molecular gears of the clock, in cellular clocks that are likely to be more representative than the SCN of mood-regulating neurons in patients. This approach, informed by the new insights and tools of modern chronobiology, will allow a more definitive test of the role of cellular circadian clocks in mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
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- 2012
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142. A field test of mechanisms underpinning animal diversity in recently burned landscapes.
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Senior, Katharine L., Giljohann, Katherine M., McCarthy, Michael A., and Kelly, Luke T.
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ANIMAL communities , *PRESCRIBED burning , *REPTILE diversity , *RED fox , *SPECIES diversity , *HABITATS , *BIODIVERSITY , *ANIMAL diversity - Abstract
Planned burning generates different types of pyrodiversity, however, experimental tests of how alternative spatial patterns of burning influence animal communities remain rare. Field tests are needed to understand the mechanisms through which spatial variation in planned fire affects fauna, and how fire can be applied to benefit biodiversity.We tested five hypotheses of how fire‐driven variation in habitat composition and configuration affects fauna at fine scales. Small mammal, reptile and invasive predator activity was monitored at 12 burnt and eight unburnt sites through the year following a large, planned burn in semi‐arid 'mallee' woodlands of southern Australia. We explored measures of burnt or unburnt habitat ('habitat status'); amount of unburnt vegetation ('habitat amount'); interspersion of burnt and unburnt patches ('habitat complementation'); distance to external or internal unburnt vegetation ('habitat connectivity'); and unburnt patch size and local vegetation cover ('habitat refuge'). Generalized linear models were used to test the influence of each variable on capture rates of three small mammal and 11 reptile species; activity of the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes); and species richness of native animals.We found strong support for the habitat status hypothesis and moderate support for four hypotheses relating to spatial patterns of fire. Reptile assemblages varied between burnt and unburnt sites, and relationships were identified between abundance of one or more reptile species and each measure of spatial variation. Reptile species richness was higher at unburnt sites and at sites with more unburnt vegetation in the surrounding area. Sites that were less connected to unburnt vegetation had fewer reptile species. Mammals did not have clear relationships with fine‐scale fire patterns.Synthesis and applications. Application of planned fire to promote biodiversity is globally important. We show that retaining unburnt areas and well‐connected habitat refuges is important for reptile diversity. We also found that several species of small mammals and reptiles appear resilient to the fine‐scale patterns of planned fire experienced in this study, despite activity of introduced predators. The diversity of animals can remain relatively high in areas subject to planned fire, provided that internal and external habitat refuges are retained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
- Full Text
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143. Relational Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Stroke Survivor-Spouse Dyads.
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McCarthy, Michael J., Lyons, Karen S., and Powers, Laurie E.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *STATISTICAL correlation , *MENTAL depression , *DISEASES , *FAMILIES , *INTERVIEWING , *MATHEMATICAL models , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *SCALE analysis (Psychology) , *SCALES (Weighing instruments) , *SPOUSES , *STATISTICS , *THEORY , *FAMILY relations , *DATA analysis software , *STROKE patients , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Depression following stroke is a major problem for survivors and spouses, but few studies have focused on the experiences of couples. This study investigates associations between perceived relationship quality, communication and coping patterns, interpersonal misunderstandings and expectations, and survivors’ and spouses’ depressive symptoms after controlling for sociodemographic and proximal factors. It also compares the relative strength of these associations between partners to identify shared versus unique correlates of depressive symptoms. This study adds to a thus far underdeveloped literature about the range of factors that affect partners’ psychosocial adjustment to stroke. Implications for practice, research, and theory are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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144. CREB involvement in the regulation of striatal prodynorphin by nicotine.
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McCarthy, Michael, Duchemin, Anne-Marie, Neff, Norton, and Hadjiconstantinou, Maria
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TRANSCRIPTION factors , *PHOSPHORYLATION , *NEUROPLASTICITY , *MECAMYLAMINE , *DOPAMINE , *LABORATORY mice - Abstract
Rationale: The transcription factor cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein plays a pivotal role in drug-dependent neuronal plasticity. CREB phosphorylation at Ser133 is enhanced by drugs of abuse, including nicotine. Dynorphin (Dyn) contributes to the addictive process and its precursor gene prodynorphin (PD) is regulated by CREB. PD mRNA and Dyn synthesis were enhanced in the striatum following acute nicotine, suggesting genomic regulation. Objective: These studies investigated PD transcription in mice acutely treated with nicotine, determined the role of CREB, and characterized the receptors involved. Results: Acute nicotine increased adenylyl cyclase activity, cAMP, and pCREB Ser133 levels in striatum and enhanced CREB binding to CRE elements (DynCREs) of the PD promoter, preferentially DynCRE3. DynCRE3 binding was dose dependent with 1 mg of nicotine giving a maximal response. Additionally, DynCRE binding was time dependent, rising by 15 min, reaching a maximum at 1 h, and returning to control by 3 h, a temporal pattern similar to that of cAMP and pCREB. Supershift experiments showed that CREB and pCREB Ser133 were the major contributors to DynCRE3 binding complex. The nAChR antagonist mecamylamine and the dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390 prevented the nicotine-induced increase of pCREB and nuclear protein binding to DynCRE3. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that nicotine regulates PD expression in striatum at the transcriptional level and CREB is involved. Dopamine D1 receptor stimulation by nAChR-released dopamine appears to be an underlying mechanism. Altered Dyn synthesis might be relevant for the behavioral actions of nicotine and especially its aversive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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145. Black heart characterization and detection in pomegranate using NMR relaxometry and MR imaging
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Zhang, Lu and McCarthy, Michael J.
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POMEGRANATE , *FRUIT diseases & pests , *MAGNETIC resonance imaging , *PLANT cell compartmentation , *PLANT plasma membranes , *NONDESTRUCTIVE testing - Abstract
Abstract: In pomegranate, black heart disease develops inside the fruit without affecting the rind. Visual inspection is not effective for identification of black heart in pomegranate fruit because of the lack of external symptoms. It has been shown that the water proton T 2 relaxation time is sensitive to cell compartmentalization. Proton NMR relaxometry was used to investigate the water T 2 relaxation distribution in infected and healthy pomegranate arils, and to obtain information that indicates tissue damage. Multi-exponential inversion of the T 2 data of healthy arils gave three relaxation peaks, which correspond to different water compartments in tissue. In infected arils, the three relaxation components shifted to lower relaxation time and a new fast relaxation component appeared indicating there was water redistribution among cell compartments caused by the infection. The change in cell membrane integrity in arils was also investigated with the aid of paramagnetic ions. T 2-weighted fast spin echo images were acquired for healthy and pomegranates with black heart. Histogram features of images, including mean, median, mode, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis, were examined using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The PLS-DA model based on histogram features of MR image showed 92% accuracy in detecting the presence of black heart in pomegranate fruit. The significant change in T 2 relaxation distribution in arils after infection proved that T 2 relaxation time is a good indicator of black heart in pomegranate. The T 2 based MR imaging showed its potential as a nondestructive technique for black heart detection in pomegranate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2012
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146. Measurement and evaluation of tomato maturity using magnetic resonance imaging
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Zhang, Lu and McCarthy, Michael J.
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MAGNETIC resonance imaging , *TOMATO products , *IMAGE analysis , *LEAST squares , *PLANT growth , *DISCRIMINANT analysis - Abstract
Abstract: Tomato maturity is one of the most important factors associated with the quality of processed tomato products. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of probing the local environment and density of water protons, and encoding the differences in water properties in the form of contrast in image signal intensity. This study investigated changes in tomatoes at different maturity using MRI and the potential for using MRI for tomato maturity classification. A set of 5 MR images was collected on processing tomatoes at various maturity stages. The 5 MRI sequences were selected so that information on water proton properties, including proton density, T 1, T 2, and diffusion rate, are encoded in the MR image signal intensity. A relative water diffusion rate map was also calculated. Changes in structural features and volume element (voxel) intensity in the images were observed as tomatoes develop from green to red stage. In image analysis, voxels in the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the pericarp of the tomato were used to calculate statistical features of the voxel intensity for image characterization. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to a total of 48 image features calculated from 5 MR images of 144 processing tomatoes to predict the tomato maturity. The model with 4 latent variables captures 70% of the variation in tomato maturity. The classification accuracies of the PLS-DA model were around 90% for green, breaker-light red, and red maturity stages. The Variable Importance in Projection coefficient of the 48 image features in the model indicated that the diffusion weighted image and spin echo image with higher T 2 weighting were most important for tomato maturity classification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2012
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147. OCCUPYING HIGHER EDUCATION: The Revival of the Student Movement.
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McCarthy, Michael A.
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STUDENT activism , *OCCUPY Wall Street protest movement , *ACTIVISM , *ACTIVISTS , *SCHOOL privatization - Abstract
The article focuses on the organization of a student movement in the U.S. which is in solidarity with the objectives of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. It says that student activists pursue objectives in two areas such as off-campus student work with the OWS and organizing in campuses to oppose the tuition hike and university privatization. Furthermore, there are challenges facing campus activism such as identifying a clear target to change the loose network into a national movement.
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- 2012
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148. Use of the Air Force Post-Deployment Health Reassessment for the Identification of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Public Health Implications for Suicide Prevention.
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McCarthy, Michael D., Thompson, Sanna J., and Knox, Kerry L.
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MENTAL illness risk factors , *MEDICAL screening , *STATISTICAL correlation , *DATABASES , *MENTAL depression , *GOODNESS-of-fit tests , *IDENTIFICATION , *MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems , *INTERNET , *PATIENTS , *POST-traumatic stress disorder , *PSYCHOMETRICS , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *SELF-evaluation , *STATISTICAL significance , *STRUCTURAL equation modeling , *MILITARY service , *RESEARCH methodology evaluation - Abstract
Objectives. Military members are required to complete the Post-Deployment Health Assessment on return from deployment and the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PHDRA) 90 to 180 days later, and we assessed the PDHRA's sensitivity and specificity in identifying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression after a military deployment among US Air Force personnel. Methods. We computed the PDHRA's sensitivity and specificity for depression and PTSD and developed a structural model to suggest possible improvements to it. Results. For depression, sensitivity and specificity were 0.704 and 0.651, respectively; for PTSD, they were 0.774 and 0.650, respectively. Several variables produced significant direct effects on depression and trauma, suggesting that modifications could increase its sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions. The PDHRA was moderately effective in identifying airmen with depression and PTSD. It identified behavioral health concerns in many airmen who did not develop a diagnostic mental health condition. Its low level of specificity may result in reduced barriers to care and increased support services, key components of a public health approach to suicide prevention, for airmen experiencing subacute levels of distress after deployment, which may, in part, account for lower suicide rates among airmen after deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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149. Current Status of Metal–Organic Framework Membranes for Gas Separations: Promises and Challenges.
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Shah, Miral, McCarthy, Michael C., Sachdeva, Sonny, Lee, Alexander K., and Jeong, Hae-Kwon
- Abstract
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid organic–inorganic nanoporous materials that exhibit regular crystalline lattices with relatively well-defined pore structures. Chemical functionalization of the organic linkers in the structures of MOFs affords facile control over pore size and chemical/physical properties, making MOFs attractive for a variety of industrial applications including membrane-based gas separations. A wealth of reports exists discussing the synthesis and applications of MOFs; however, relatively few reports exist discussing MOF membranes. This disparity owes to challenges associated with fabricating films of MOF materials, including poor substrate–film interactions, moisture sensitivity, and thermal/mechanical instability. Since even nanometer-scale cracks and defects can affect the performance of a membrane for gas separation, these challenges are particularly acute for the fabrication of MOF membranes. Here, we review recent progress on MOF membranes with an emphasis on their fabrication techniques, challenges involved in membrane synthesis, reported strategies to address these challenges (issues), and gas separation performance. Finally, we conclude with our perspectives on future research directions in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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150. A Survey of Genomic Studies Supports Association of Circadian Clock Genes with Bipolar Disorder Spectrum Illnesses and Lithium Response.
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McCarthy, Michael J., Nievergelt, Caroline M., Kelsoe, John R., and Welsh, David K.
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BIPOLAR disorder , *CIRCADIAN rhythms , *GENES , *LITHIUM , *SCHIZOPHRENIA , *ATTENTION-deficit hyperactivity disorder - Abstract
Circadian rhythm abnormalities in bipolar disorder (BD) have led to a search for genetic abnormalities in circadian "clock genes" associated with BD. However, no significant clock gene findings have emerged from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). At least three factors could account for this discrepancy: complex traits are polygenic, the organization of the clock is more complex than previously recognized, and/or genetic risk for BD may be shared across multiple illnesses. To investigate these issues, we considered the clock gene network at three levels: essential "core" clock genes, upstream circadian clock modulators, and downstream clock controlled genes. Using relaxed thresholds for GWAS statistical significance, we determined the rates of clock vs. control genetic associations with BD, and four additional illnesses that share clinical features and/or genetic risk with BD (major depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit/hyperactivity). Then we compared the results to a set of lithium-responsive genes. Associations with BD-spectrum illnesses and lithiumresponsiveness were both enriched among core clock genes but not among upstream clock modulators. Associations with BD-spectrum illnesses and lithium-responsiveness were also enriched among pervasively rhythmic clock-controlled genes but not among genes that were less pervasively rhythmic or non-rhythmic. Our analysis reveals previously unrecognized associations between clock genes and BD-spectrum illnesses, partly reconciling previously discordant results from past GWAS and candidate gene studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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