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Community participation in health (CPH) has been advocated as a health-improving strategy for many decades. However, CPH comes in many different forms, one of which is the use of health facility committees (HFCs) on which there is community representation. This paper presents the findings of a systematic literature review of: (a) the evidence of HFCs' effectiveness, and (b) the factors that influence the performance and effectiveness of HFCs. Four electronic databases and the websites of eight key organizations were searched. Out of 341 potentially relevant publications, only four provided reasonable evidence of the effectiveness of HFCs. A further 37 papers were selected and used to draw out data on the factors that influence the functioning of HFCs. A conceptual model was developed to describe the key factors. It consists of, firstly, the features of the HFC, community and facility, and their interactions; secondly, process factors relating to the way HFCs are established and supported; and finally, a set of contextual factors. The review found some evidence that HFCs can be effective in terms of improving the quality and coverage of health care, as well as impacting on health outcomes. However, the external validity of these studies is inevitably limited. Given the different potential roles/functions of HFCs and the complex and multiple set of factors influencing their functioning, there is no 'one size fits all' approach to CPH via HFCs, nor to the evaluation of HFCs. However, there are plenty of experiences and lessons in the literature which decision makers and managers can use to optimize HFCs.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) now under development can protect against muscle and bone loss without causing prostate growth or polycythemia. 17β-Hydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one (trenbolone), a potent testosterone analog, may have SARM-like actions because, unlike testosterone, trenbolone does not undergo tissue-specific 5α-reduction to form more potent androgens. We tested the hypothesis that trenbolone-enanthate (TREN) might prevent orchiectomy-induced losses in muscle and bone and visceral fat accumulation without increasing prostate mass or resulting in adverse hemoglobin elevations. Male F344 rats aged 3 mo underwent orchiectomy or remained intact and were administered graded doses of TREN, supraphysiological testosterone-enanthate, or vehicle for 29 days. In both intact and orchiectomized animals, all TREN doses and supraphysiological testosterone-enanthate augmented androgen-sensitive levator ani/bulbocavernosus muscle mass by 35–40% above shams ( P ≤ 0.001) and produced a dose-dependent partial protection against orchiectomy-induced total and trabecular bone mineral density losses ( P < 0.05) and visceral fat accumulation ( P < 0.05). The lowest doses of TREN successfully maintained prostate mass and hemoglobin concentrations at sham levels in both intact and orchiectomized animals, whereas supraphysiological testosterone-enanthate and high-dose TREN elevated prostate mass by 84 and 68%, respectively ( P < 0.01). In summary, low-dose administration of the non-5α-reducible androgen TREN maintains prostate mass and hemoglobin concentrations near the level of shams while producing potent myotrophic actions in skeletal muscle and partial protection against orchiectomy-induced bone loss and visceral fat accumulation. Our findings indicate that TREN has advantages over supraphysiological testosterone and supports the need for future preclinical studies examining the viability of TREN as an option for androgen replacement therapy.

This article uses exponential random graph models to investigate the roles of policy-relevant beliefs and social capital as drivers of network structure. The advocacy coalition framework argues that actors with similar policy beliefs are more likely to form coalitions, leading to policy subsystems fragmented into ideological groups. Social capital is defined as trust and norms of reciprocity, which helps cement cooperative relationships. Hypotheses are tested using survey data of policy elites involved in land-use and transportation planning in four regions of California. The findings suggest that coalitions of actors with similar belief systems are knit together by policy brokers seeking to build transitive social relationships.

This article seeks to improve our understanding of policy institutions and cooperation by adapting Long's (1958)analysis of the ecology of games to the context of collaborative land use and transportation planning in California. The traditional institutional rational choice analysis argues that collaborative institutions reduce the transaction costs of cooperation among multiple policy actors. The ecology of games framework extends IRC by emphasizing the consequences of multiple institutions and identifies several reasons why collaborative institutions may actually reduce the amount of cooperation in existing policy venues. Analyses of survey data from policy actors in five California regions demonstrate that higher levels of cooperation in collaborative institutions are associated with lower levels of cooperation in other land-use and transportation planning institutions.

The path of a thrown ball is one of many examples that can connect middle school math to calculus. Showing this calculus connection early may motivate students to undertake increasingly advanced high school and college math.

Global human population transitioned from a rural to urban majority in 2008. The struggle to accommodate urban growth while simultaneously conserving natural resources will be felt around the globe. The capacity to project urban growth scenarios that reflect various public policies so that their relative impacts can be evaluated on natural resources is broadly needed. We developed a framework for such analyses by using a spatially explicit urban growth model to project seven different growth scenarios that represent a range of public policies. The outputs were analyzed in terms of their impacts on 14 types of conservation priority lands. The scenarios covered policies that ranged from "Business as Usual," to "Farmland Soils Protection," to "Compact Growth." At state-government convened meetings, regional scientists identified and assembled the 14 key conservation priority data layers reflecting high value open space and conservation opportunities. We assessed the impact of each projected urban growth output with each conservation priority layer. The scenario with the least overall ecological impact was the Compact Growth Scenario; the Great Cities Scenario was also relatively low. Because of its efficiency and ease of use, the general availability of needed data, and its suitability for use by local governments, the method presented here could be incorporated for other regions of the world where working landscapes are negatively affected by urban growth. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The authors show how sites in upland Hawai‘i may be dated using uranium series radiogenic measurements on coral. The sites lie in a quarry, inland and at high altitude, with little carboniferous material around, and radiocarbon dating is anyway problematic here for the first millennium. Freshly broken coral had been transported to these sites, remote from the sea – no doubt for ritual purposes. Giving a date in the fifteenth century with an error range of only five years, the method promises to be valuable for the early history of the Pacific.

This study presents a GIS-based database framework used to assess aggregate terrestrial habitat impacts from multiple highway construction projects in California, USA. Transportation planners need such impact assessment tools to effectively address additive biological mitigation obligations. Such assessments can reduce costly delays due to protracted environmental review. This project incorporated the best available statewide natural resource data into early project planning and preliminary environmental assessments for single and multiple highway construction projects, and provides an assessment of the 10-year state-wide mitigation obligations for the California Department of Transportation. Incorporation of these assessments will facilitate early and more strategic identification of mitigation opportunities, for single-project and regional mitigation efforts. The data architecture format uses eight spatial scales: six nested watersheds, counties, and transportation planning districts, which were intersected. This resulted in 8058 map planning units statewide, which were used to summarize all subsequent analyses. Range maps and georeferenced locations of federally and state-listed plants and animals and a 55-class landcover map were spatially intersected with the planning units and the buffered spatial footprint of 967 funded projects. Projected impacts were summarized and output to the database. Queries written in the database can sum expected impacts and provide summaries by individual construction project, or by watershed, county, transportation district or highway. The data architecture allows easy incorporation of new information and results in a tool usable without GIS by a wide variety of agency biologists and planners. The data architecture format would be useful for other types of regional planning.

espanolLa cantera de azuela en Mauna Kea es la cantera prehistorica mas grande en la Cuenca Pacifica. La region principal de extraccion se situa a una altitud extrema (3800 m), cerca de la cima de la montana mas alta en Hawaii, Mauna Kea. La cima de Mauna Kea y la cantera constituyen un paisaje sagrado de la cultura tradicional de Hawai, y los arqueologos necesitan considerar los conflictos eticos al trabajar investigaciones cientificas en estos sitios. Aunque los estudios sobre el origen de azuela basaltica son integrales para el analisis de la economia precolombina en Hawaii, los estudios precedentes de la distribucion de azuelas hawaianas han sido limitados en alcance y, de una manera convencional, han sido basados en la petrologia y la petrografia destructiva para sus analisis. Los datos geoquimicos publicados sobre la cantera se derivan de solamente ocho muestras que han sido analizadas por medio de metodos destructivos. Para definir mejor la variacion geoquimica en la cantera, y para crear un metodo mas sensible a la cultura hawaiana, empleamos la Fluorescencia de Rayos X para la Energia Dispersiva (EDXRF), no destructiva, de 820 lascas y 47 muestras geologicas de la cantera. Este estudio presenta la primera valoracion solida del alcance posible de la variabilidad geoquimica en la cantera. Los resultados sugieren que la EDXRF no destructiva se puede utilizar para diferenciar el basalto en Mauna Kea de otras canteras hawaianas, y tambien puede detectar la variacion geoquimica desde dentro de la misma cantera. EnglishThe Mauna Kea Adze Quarry Complex is the largest-known prehistoric quarry in the Pacific Basin. The main extraction areas are located at an extreme altitude (3,800 m), near the summit of Hawaii�s tallest mountain. The Mauna Kea summit region and the quarry are considered by many Hawaiians to be a sacred landscape and archaeologists must consider the ethical tensions involved in conducting Western science in these areas. Although provenance studies of basalt adzes are integral to the examination of pre-contact Hawaiian economics, former studies of Hawaiian adze distribution have been limited in scope, and conventionally relied on destructive petrography and petrology for the analyses. Published geochemical data on the quarry are derived from only eight samples analyzed with destructive methods. In order to better define the variation within the quarry, and to develop a more culturally sensitive approach, we employed nondestructive energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) of whole-rock samples to characterize 820 flakes and 47 geological samples from the quarry complex. This study offers the first reliable estimation of the overall range of geochemical variability in the complex. These results suggest that nondestructive EDXRF can be used to differentiate Mauna Kea basalts from other known Hawaiian quarries, but more characterization of other quarries is necessary to confirm exclusive separation of sources. The results further demonstrate that EDXRF is capable of detecting intra-site geochemical variation in Mauna Kea quarry material.

Background. The authors report adverse events (AEs) related to the use of chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse in a clinical trial of the efficacy of periodontal treatment in older adults with diabetes. Methods. Participants were U.S. veterans with uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A 1c value ≥8.5 percent) and periodontal disease. Treatment included periodontal scaling, 0.12 percent chlorhexidine lavage during ultrasonic scaling and use of chlorhexidine mouthrinse at home. Results. Forty-four (31 percent) of 140 subjects reported having AEs. Most common were taste changes and tooth staining, sore mouth and/or throat, tongue irritation and wheezing/shortness of breath; the latter was reported more commonly before chlorhexidine use than after. Only body mass index greater than 30 was significantly related to AEs. Conclusions. AEs are common among subjects using chlorhexidine mouthrinse. Most AEs (taste change and staining) were resolved easily by subjects' discontinuing mouthrinse use and receiving dental prophylaxis. No serious AEs were reported. Clinical Implications. Clinicians should advise patients using chlorhexidine mouthrinse of possible side effects. If necessary, patients should discontinue mouthrinse use and obtain medical care. Careful monitoring of AEs in patients using chlorhexidine is warranted.

Oral administration of the amino acid/inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) reportedly elevates resting serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations.To test the hypothesis that GABA ingestion stimulates immunoreactive GH (irGH) and immunofunctional GH (ifGH) release at rest and that GABA augments the resistance exercise-induced irGH/ifGH responses.Eleven resistance-trained men (18-30 yr) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. During each experimental bout, participants ingested either 3 g of GABA or sucrose placebo (P), followed either by resting or resistance exercise sessions. Fasting venous blood samples were acquired immediately before and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min after GABA or P ingestion and were assayed for irGH and ifGH.At rest, GABA ingestion elevated both irGH and ifGH compared with placebo. Specifically, peak concentrations of both hormones were elevated by about 400%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was elevated by about 375% (P0.05). Resistance exercise (EX-P) elevated time-point (15-60 min) irGH and ifGH concentrations compared with rest (P0.05). The combination of GABA and resistance exercise (EX-GABA) also elevated the peak, AUC, and the 15- to 60-min time-point irGH and ifGH responses compared with resting conditions (P0.05). Additionally, 200% greater irGH (P0.01) and 175% greater ifGH (P0.05) concentrations were observed in the EX-GABA than in the EX-P condition, 30 min after ingestion. GABA ingestion did not alter the irGH to ifGH ratio, and, under all conditions, ifGH represented approximately 50% of irGH.Our data indicate that ingested GABA elevates resting and postexercise irGH and ifGH concentrations. The extent to which irGH/ifGH secretion contributes to skeletal muscle hypertrophy is unknown, although augmenting the postexercise irGH/ifGH response may improve resistance training-induced muscular adaptations.

The development of robust desulfurizers and new reforming catalysts is a critical path for the use of jet fuels in powering the commercial growth of fuel cell systems for air and military applications. The presence of high concentrations of sulfur-containing organic compounds leads to rapid deactivation of traditional reforming catalysts, and removal of the sulfur components from the fuel through adsorptive methods is not practical for long term operations. The current work describes the use of several ceria-based catalyst compositions that were studied to assess their performance based on the formation of hydrogen and product yield from a fuel consisting of toluene and thiophene. The effect of noble metals, metal oxide additives, and stabilized ceria supports on the performance of the catalyst was studied. The addition of selected components led to higher yields or greater stability; combinations of these additives were not necessarily synergistic. Interestingly, the presence of sulfur in the fuel was shown to enhance the initial activity of catalysts containing rhodium. Analysis in terms of the kinetic rates of reaction and deactivation illustrated the effects of these additives and provided insight into the design of a more highly stable steam reforming catalyst for production of hydrogen from jet fuel.

Although it is well known now that age affects swallowing function, few data have been reported for larger bolus sizes, such as 20 mL or sequential cup swallows, and few have reported data on the “oldest old,” or those older than 80 years. The purpose of this investigation was to provide data for future investigations on adults, ranging in age from 21 to older than 100 years, using thin liquid, puree, and solid boluses, ranging from 5 mL to 3 oz, and to add to the database regarding the effects of age, gender, bolus size, and bolus volume on swallowing function. Symptoms relating to swallowing dysfunction were also examined, including the presence of oropharyngeal residue and penetration-aspiration. Having incorporated data on larger swallows from older individuals than in the past and incorporating an 8-point penetration-aspiration scale, several findings emerged in this investigation that have not been clearly defined in prior research as being results of the aging process. Most prominently, it was observed that for older individuals laryngeal penetration is common, often with material remaining in the laryngeal vestibule after the swallow. Differences in oral transit duration and the duration of the onset of the pharyngeal swallow that may result from varying methodologies are also discussed. Implications are drawn for the appropriate evaluation and management of older adults with suspected dysphagia.

Objectives: Report results of a randomized-clinical trial of the efficacy of periodontal care in the improvement of glycemic control in 165 veterans with poorly controlled diabetes over 4 months. Methods: Outcomes were change in Haemoglobin A1c (HbAlc) in the Early Treatment versus untreated (Usual Care) groups and percent of participants with decreases in HbAlc. Analyses included simple/multiple variable linear/logistic regressions, adjusted for baseline HbAlc, age, and duration of diabetes. Results: Unadjusted analyses showed no differences between groups. After adjustment for baseline HbAlc, age, and diabetes duration, the mean absolute HbAlc change in the Early Treatment group was - 0.65% versus - 0.51% in the Usual Care group (p = 0.47). Adjusted odds for improvement by 0.5% in the Early Treatment group was 1.67 (95% confidence interval: 0.84, 3.34, p = 0.14). Usual Care subjects were twice as likely to increase insulin from baseline to 4 months (20% versus 11%, p = 0.12) and less likely to decrease insulin (1% versus 6%, p = 0.21) than Early Treatment subjects. Among insulin users at baseline, more increased insulin in the Usual Care group (40% versus 21%, p = 0.06). Conclusions: No significant benefit was found for periodontal therapy after 4 months in this study; trends in some results were in favour of periodontal treatment.

Denisovan DNA retained in Melanesians Modern humans carry remnants of DNA from interbreeding events with archaic lineages, such as Neandertals. However, people from Oceania also retain genes from a second ancient lineage, the Denisovans. Vernot et al. surveyed archaic genomic sequences in a worldwide sample of modern humans, including 35 individuals from the Melanesian Islands. All non-African genomes surveyed contained Neandertal DNA, but a significant Denisovan component was found only in the Melanesians. Reconstruction of this genetic history suggests that Neandertals bred with modern humans multiple times, but Denosivans only once, in ancestors of modern-day Melanesians. Science , this issue p. 235

Objective To determine the effect of maternal age on the average number of euploid embryos retrieved during oocyte harvest as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, including the probability of retrieving at least one euploid embryo in a cohort (PrE). Design Retrospective study. Setting Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) laboratory. Patient(s) Women aged 18 to 48 years undergoing IVF treatment. Intervention(s) Use of 24-chromosome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based PGS of day-3 and day-5 embryo biopsies. Main Outcome Measure(s) Relationships between maternal age and the rate of embryos that tested as euploid (hereafter referred to as "euploid embryos"), the average number and proportion of euploid embryos per IVF cycle, and PrE. Result(s) We analyzed 22,599 day-3 embryos and 15,112 day-5 embryos. In women aged 27 to 35 years, the median proportion of euploid embryos in each cycle remained constant at ∼35% in day-3 biopsies and ∼55% in day-5 biopsies, but it decreased rapidly after age 35. On average, women in their late 20s had four euploid embryos (day 3 or day 5) per cycle, but this number decreased linearly (R 2 ≥ 0.983) after 35 years of age. The effect of maternal age on PrE was similar, with a rapid exponential decline (R 2 = 0.986). Across all maternal ages, the euploid proportion and number of embryos per cycle were counterbalanced, so the number of euploid embryos per cycle was the same for day-3 and day-5 biopsies. This suggests that the loss of embryos from day 3 to day 5 was primarily due to aneuploidy. Conclusion(s) Our results confirm the known inverse relationship between advanced maternal age (>35 years) and embryo euploidy, demonstrating that equal numbers of euploid embryos are available at day 3 and day 5.

This paper describes a modification to the layered-sectional analysis approach, which provides the engineer with a tool to assess structural behavior of concrete beams with localized damage, a problem not well suited to classical, closed-form solutions. The modified layered-sectional analysis (MLSA) framework is applied to a forensic investigation case study in which two prestressed double-tee beams are exposed to a short duration, intense fire in a parking structure. The results of the MLSA are within 1% of the case study load test, which indicates that the MLSA could be a useful, computationally efficient tool for the investigating engineer to predict the postfire serviceability and strength of damaged beams, and potentially eliminate the need for expensive load testing. A short parametric study is included for the research engineer interested in the MLSA for predicting the postdamage behavior of non-standard materials such as enhanced sustainability concrete (ESC).

Whole-chromosome imbalances affect over half of early human embryos and are the leading cause of pregnancy loss. While these errors frequently arise in oocyte meiosis, many such whole-chromosome abnormalities affecting cleavage-stage embryos are the result of chromosome missegregation occurring during the initial mitotic cell divisions. The first wave of zygotic genome activation at the 4–8 cell stage results in the arrest of a large proportion of embryos, the vast majority of which contain whole-chromosome abnormalities. Thus, the full spectrum of meiotic and mitotic errors can only be detected by sampling after the initial cell divisions, but prior to this selective filter. Here, we apply 24-chromosome preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to 28,052 single-cell day-3 blastomere biopsies and 18,387 multi-cell day-5 trophectoderm biopsies from 6,366 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. We precisely characterize the rates and patterns of whole-chromosome abnormalities at each developmental stage and distinguish errors of meiotic and mitotic origin without embryo disaggregation, based on informative chromosomal signatures. We show that mitotic errors frequently involve multiple chromosome losses that are not biased toward maternal or paternal homologs. This outcome is characteristic of spindle abnormalities and chaotic cell division detected in previous studies. In contrast to meiotic errors, our data also show that mitotic errors are not significantly associated with maternal age. PGS patients referred due to previous IVF failure had elevated rates of mitotic error, while patients referred due to recurrent pregnancy loss had elevated rates of meiotic error, controlling for maternal age. These results support the conclusion that mitotic error is the predominant mechanism contributing to pregnancy losses occurring prior to blastocyst formation. This high-resolution view of the full spectrum of whole-chromosome abnormalities affecting early embryos provides insight into the cytogenetic mechanisms underlying their formation and the consequences for human fertility., Author Summary By day 3 of development, more than half of human embryos contain at least one cell that deviates from the typical 46-chromosome complement. These whole-chromosome abnormalities include polyploidies, which affect the entire chromosome set, as well as aneuploidies, which involve gains and losses of particular chromosomes. The rate of aneuploidy increases with maternal age, primarily due to chromosome segregation errors arising during egg formation (maternal meiosis). While some forms of aneuploidy, such as Trisomy 21, are compatible with live birth, most aneuploid embryos do not survive to term. Our study applied genetic techniques to screen early embryos from in vitro fertilization cycles, demonstrating that while diverse whole-chromosome abnormalities can be observed at early developmental stages, these errors are strongly filtered during preimplantation development. Specifically, errors occurring during the initial post-fertilization cell divisions often result in the simultaneous loss of multiple chromosomes, a pattern consistent with abnormal cell division. Our data provide evidence of selection against this class of aneuploidy before day 5 of development, thus reducing fertility. Patients referred for genetic screening due to previous IVF failure had higher rates of mitotic error, highlighting its clinical relevance and indicating that patient-specific genetic and environmental factors influence error rates.

Background: The biologic mechanisms that differentiate successful arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation from stenosis are not well understood. The brachiobasilic transposition offers an opportunity for studying the vascular remodeling process. This procedure is a two stage process: first to create a brachiobasilic AVF and second, to transpose the AVF near the skin in a delayed fashion, allowing the opportunity to harvest naïve vein, mature and stenotic AVF tissue. Identifying the molecular differences with regards to success (maturation) or failure (stenosis) are vital both for dialysis access care and as a model of vein remodeling on exposure to arterial flow. We hypothesize that basilic vein transposition (BVT) can be utilized as a unique means with which to study the biologic factors that affect stenosis and maturation. Methods/Results: Vein tissue was obtained at the time of initial access creation as naïve segments and again at the time of basilic vein transposition (following venous “arterialization”), resulting in a cohort of patient-matched naïve, mature, and stenotic segments. Time between procedures ranged from 3-8 months, with a mean of 5. Vein segments were scored at time of collection as mature or stenotic, and confirmed by histology. Real-time PCR was performed on extracted RNA using a panel of genes implicated in the process and regulation of both successful and “unsuccessful” vascular wall remodeling. Heme oxygenase-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and osteopontin (SPP1) are significantly upregulated in both mature and stenotic vein segments (vs. naïve); MMP9 and SPP1 were also significantly upregulated in mature vs. stenotic tissue. SPP1 was exclusively expressed in the medial region of mature and stenotic AVF. Stenotic samples demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and endothelin-1 (EDN-1) versus both naïve and mature samples. Conclusion: The BVT offers a unique opportunity to identify potential mechanisms involved in AVF maturation and stenosis. There appears to be overlap in gene expression profiles for both mature and stenotic samples, however MMP-1 and EDN-1 appear to be significantly increased in venous stenosis.

Chromosome number varies in humans Pregnancy loss is often associated with a loss of chromosome number, a condition known as aneuploidy. When examining aneuploid embryos during in vitro fertilization cycles, McCoy et al. found a large genomic region associated with defects in maternal chromosome number (see the Perspective by Vohr and Green). This region contains a gene, Polo-like Kinase 4 ( PLK4 ), that is known to affect chromosome segregation and has variants that correlate with an increased rate of maternal aneuploidy. Surprisingly, such variants occur at relatively high levels in human populations and may be under positive selection. Science , this issue p. 235 ; see also p. 180

Since the development of a dependable and durable synthetic non-autogenous vascular conduit in the mid-twentieth century, the field of vascular surgery has experienced tremendous growth. Concomitant with this growth, development in the field of bioengineering and the development of different tissue engineering techniques have expanded the armamentarium of the surgeon for treating a variety of complex cardiovascular diseases. The recent development of completely tissue engineered vascular conduits that can be implanted for clinical application is a particularly exciting development in this field. With the rapid advances in the field of tissue engineering, the great hope of the surgeon remains that this conduit will function like a true blood vessel with an intact endothelial layer, with the ability to respond to endogenous vasoactive compounds. Eventually, these engineered tissues may have the potential to supplant older organic but not truly biologic technologies, which are used currently.

BICYCLIC BIQUADRATIC FIELDS WHICH CONTAIN IRREDUCIBLE RATIONAL PRIMES

One-foot resolution imagery is used to develop a detailed land cover map for part of Highway 99 in the San Joaquin Valley of California, US. The land cover map is used to model the probability of occurrence of 12 endangered or threatened species and as input to an urban growth model to examine the likelihood of development of every map unit. The combination of the two model predictions permits the categorization of every map unit with a potential endangered species richness index and predicted degree of development. Polygons with high potential endangered species richness were ranked according to the degree of development pressure. This planning approach is computationally intensive, but the input data are relatively easy to assemble, consisting of: a detailed, and fine-scale, land cover map; species presence locations; state-wide climate and landcover maps; a parcel ownership map; population growth projections; and a digital map of the county general plan.

Every year, WHO produces the World health report: the 2005 report concentrated on maternal, neonatal and child health. But what is the value of these reports? Are they ritualistic publications designed to promote WHO, or are they worthy of proper discussion and debate? One would think that given the current crises in global health, the annual report of the UN's primary agency for health would be important. However, unless there is evidence that these reports are taken seriously, discussed and debated, and shown to have an effect, a conclusion might be drawn that they are largely insignificant. And that would consign WHO to a level of insignificance that it does not warrant. In this discussion of the 2005 report, I aim to provoke a response from both WHO and the international health community to demonstrate that the annual World health reports are meaningful. Furthermore, I suggest here that WHO shows its commitment to the recommendations of the 2005 report by monitoring how well recommendations have been taken forward.

We examined the acute effect of cold-water temperature on post-exercise energy intake (EI) for 1 h. In a randomized, crossover design, 11 men (25.6 ± 5 y) exercised for 45 min on a submersed cycle ergometer at 60 ± 2% VO2max in 33°C (neutral) and 20° (cold) water temperatures, and also rested for 45 min (control). Energy expenditure (EE) was determined using indirect calorimetry before, during, and after each condition. Following exercise or rest, subjects had free access to a standard assortment of food items of known caloric value. EE was similar for the cold and neutral water conditions, averaging 505 ± 22 (± standard deviation) and 517 ± 42 kcal, respectively (P = NS). EI after the cold condition averaged 877 ± 457 kcal, 44% and 41% higher (P < 0.05) than for the neutral and resting conditions, respectively. Cold-water temperature thus stimulated post-exercise EI. Water temperature warrants consideration in aquatic programs designed for weight loss.

Few studies have focused on the effect of a broad range of phytohormones on growth and secondary metabolism of a single hairy root species. We measured growth, development, and production of the antimalarial drug, artemisinin, in Artemisia annua hairy roots in response to the five main hormones: auxins, cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA). Single roots grown in six-well plates in medium B5 with 0.01 mgl−1 (0.029 μM) GA3 produced the highest values overall in terms of the number of lateral roots, length of the primary root, lateral root tip density, total lateral root length, and total root length. When the total root lengths are compared, the best conditions for stimulating elongation appear to be: GA 0.01 mgl−1 (0.029μM)> ABA 1.0 mgl−1 (3.78μM)=GA 0.02 mgl−1 (0.058μM). Bulk yields of biomass were inversely proportional to the concentration of each hormone tested. All cultures provided with ABA yielded the highest amount of biomass. Both 6-benzylaminopurine and 2-isopentenyladenine inhibited root growth, however, only 2-isopentenyladenine stimulated artemisinin production, more than twice that of the B5 controls, and more than any other hormone studied. These results will prove useful in increasing hairy root growth and artemisinin production.

Bed sharing has been promoted as facilitating breastfeeding but also may increase risks for sudden, unexpected infant deaths. This prospective cohort study was performed to determine the prevalence of adult and infant bed sharing and its association with maternal and infant characteristics. Demographic data were collected from 10,355 infant-mother pairs at birth hospitals in Eastern Massachusetts and Northwest Ohio, and follow-up data were collected at 1, 3, and 6 months by questionnaire. Associations with bed sharing were estimated using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals from multiple logistic regression models while adjusting for confounding variables. At 1, 3, and 6 months, 22%, 14%, and 13% of infant-mother pairs shared a bed, respectively. On multivariate analysis, race/ethnicity and breastfeeding seemed to have the strongest association with bed sharing. These factors need to be considered in any comprehensive risk to benefit analysis of bed sharing.

Adipose tissue secretes adiponectin, an adipocytokine that is involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. Following acute exercise, insulin sensitivity has been shown to increase. Increased adiponectin following exercise may be related to the change in insulin sensitivity. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the effect of a single cycle exercise session on adiponectin and to compare the exercise effects between healthy male and female subjects. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), insulin, glucose, and leptin were assessed before and immediately after a 60-minute stationary cycle ergometry session at 65% of Vdot;O(2max). Male and female subjects were matched for cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition and dietary intake was controlled for the three days prior to the exercise trial. At rest, adiponectin concentration was not associated with percentage body fat, body mass index (BMI), fitness, or resting plasma variables ( P0.05). Following exercise, neither male nor female subjects exhibited changes in adiponectin or leptin concentrations ( P0.05). TNF-alpha exhibited a time main effect increase with exercise ( P0.05), but there were no gender differences. These results suggest that plasma adiponectin concentrations do not change with exercise in healthy male or female subjects. Results are given as mean (SE).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, FHWA, and California Department of Transportation have initiated a demonstration in California called Partnership for Integrated Planning. The purpose of this program is to obtain early involvement from local, state, and federal agency staff to help in planning for transportation infrastructure, urban growth, and resource protection together, rather than just to negotiate over permits for major infrastructure at the project stage. A report on this demonstration project is provided. The project applies a simple urban growth model based on a geographic information system to evaluate a transportation plan and projects in Merced County (population 211,000 in 2000). Interviews with agency participants show that, in general, resource agency personnel have limited involvement with transportation planning and transportation planners have limited knowledge of environmental planning; they therefore need to develop methods for identifying their concerns for 20-year planning purposes. Planning for resource protection for a whole county is quite different from arguing for maximum protection of resources at the project scale. The early steps in building the model and acquiring data sets are reviewed.

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was utilized to assess serum rubella immunoglobulin G antibody titers in a representative sample of American children. Antibody titers were significantly lower in children with a history of seizures and in children treated for seizures compared to unaffected children, after adjustment for age, ethnicity, residence, and region ( P =0.022 and 0.029, respectively). Children with the lowest antibody titers were non-Hispanic whites who had a history of seizures. The percentage of US adolescents and young adults with a history of seizures that may have insufficient immunity to rubella is estimated to be 14–50%.

"9LOOK UP ON ME, SIR9: Relationships in King Lear" explores some of the connections between current performance theory and early modern sacramental theology. Protestant reformers objected to "carnal fancies of a local presence," but, rather than regarding the sacraments as mere signs of things absent, they defined them as a "means effectual" for sustaining communion among the faithful. McCoy argues that Shakespeare9s drama functions in similar ways, supporting relationships with fictive characters from long ago and placing us "in their present" if not their presence, in the words of Stanley Cavell.

M-tropic HIV strains gain access to their host cell via interaction of the viral envelope protein gp120 with the CCR5 coreceptor and CD4 located on the host cell. Inhibition of this event has been shown to reduce viral fusion and entry into cells in vitro. In the present study we describe the development of a novel cell/cell fusion assay that both mimics the viral/cell fusion process and allows quantification of this event. The assay has been characterized both biochemically, using selective antibodies, and pharmacologically, using selective CCR5 antagonists, and has been shown to be selective for examining the interaction of viral gp120 with hCCR5/hCD4. In addition, compound pIC 50 data obtained from this cell/cell fusion assay correlates well (r 2 = 0.7274) with data obtained from an HIV-1 replication assay. Furthermore, this assay has the added ability to simultaneously determine compound toxicity, thus allowing rapid determination of active, non-toxic compounds. In conclusion, the cell/cell fusion ass...

International audience; High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies have revolutionized genomic analysis, including the de novo assembly of whole genomes. Nevertheless, assembly of complex genomes remains challenging, in part due to the presence of dispersed repeats which introduce ambiguity during genome reconstruction. Transposable elements (TEs) can be particularly problematic, especially for TE families exhibiting high sequence identity, high copy number, or complex genomic arrangements. While TEs strongly affect genome function and evolution, most current de novo assembly approaches cannot resolve long, identical, and abundant families of TEs. Here, we applied a novel Illumina technology called TruSeq synthetic long-reads, which are generated through highly-parallel library preparation and local assembly of short read data and which achieve lengths of 1.5-18.5 Kbp with an extremely low error rate ([Formula: see text]0.03% per base). To test the utility of this technology, we sequenced and assembled the genome of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (reference genome strain y; cn, bw, sp) achieving an N50 contig size of 69.7 Kbp and covering 96.9% of the euchromatic chromosome arms of the current reference genome. TruSeq synthetic long-read technology enables placement of individual TE copies in their proper genomic locations as well as accurate reconstruction of TE sequences. We entirely recovered and accurately placed 4,229 (77.8%) of the 5,434 annotated transposable elements with perfect identity to the current reference genome. As TEs are ubiquitous features of genomes of many species, TruSeq synthetic long-reads, and likely other methods that generate long-reads, offer a powerful approach to improve de novo assemblies of whole genomes.

Controversy exists over how long trials of nonoperative management should be pursued in patients with uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstructions (ASBOs) before deciding to proceed with surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of incremental delays in surgery on the 30-day postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated ASBO.American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005-2011 data were used to identify patients with uncomplicated ASBO in whom a trial of nonoperative management was attempted. Multivariate logistic or linear regression model was created to determine the independent association between the length of preoperative hospitalization and 30-day postoperative outcomes after adjustment for patient- and procedure-related factors.A total of 9,297 patients were included in the study. The 30-day postoperative mortality and overall morbidity rates of the entire cohort were 4.4% and 29.6%, respectively. The median postoperative length of hospitalization was 7 days (interquartile range, 5-11 days). After risk adjustment, there was no association between preoperative length of hospitalization and 30-day postoperative mortality. In contrast, increased 30-day overall morbidity was observed in patients who received their operation after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 3 days compared with earlier in their hospitalization. Furthermore, an increased postoperative length of hospitalization was found in patients who were operated on after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 4 days.Trials of nonoperative management for uncomplicated ASBO exceeding 3 days are associated with increased morbidity and postoperative length of hospitalization. These trials should therefore generally not extend beyond this time point.Therapeutic study, level IV.

Previous studies have reported that chromosome synteny in Lepidoptera has been well conserved, yet the number of haploid chromosomes varies widely from 5 to 223. Here we report the genome (393 Mb) of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia; Nymphalidae), a widely recognized model species in metapopulation biology and eco-evolutionary research, which has the putative ancestral karyotype of n=31. Using a phylogenetic analyses of Nymphalidae and of other Lepidoptera, combined with orthologue-level comparisons of chromosomes, we conclude that the ancestral lepidopteran karyotype has been n=31 for at least 140 My. We show that fusion chromosomes have retained the ancestral chromosome segments and very few rearrangements have occurred across the fusion sites. The same, shortest ancestral chromosomes have independently participated in fusion events in species with smaller karyotypes. The short chromosomes have higher rearrangement rate than long ones. These characteristics highlight distinctive features of the evolutionary dynamics of butterflies and moths., Marie Curie International Fellowship (PIOF-GA-2011-303312)

The exploration of a diarylsulfonamide series of free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4/GPR120) agonists is described. This work led to the identification of selective FFA4 agonist 8 (GSK137647A) and selective FFA4 antagonist 39. The in vitro profile of compounds 8 and 39 is presented herein.

This paper examines relationships between changes in the microstructure and selected elastic properties of various concrete mixtures exposed to moderately elevated temperatures. The crack density parameters before and after exposure were estimated from the shear modulus measured wet and dry of 1 in. thick by 4 in. diameter (25 x 100 mm) disks. Mixtures examined included both granitic and lightweight coarse aggregates in combination with cementitious systems containing either 20% fly ash, 60% fly ash, termed enhanced sustainability, or 60% slag cement. This study found that the changes in crack density parameter resulting from exposure to elevated temperatures appear to be more sensitive to differences between cementitious materials than to differences between aggregate type or cementitious material proportions. A critical finding was that the relationship between initial crack density parameter and changes in crack density parameter were similar regardless of fly ash content.

Objectives —To examine the implementation of graduated driver licensing (GDL) in Kentucky and to use the data collected to recommend actions to enhance the effectiveness of the GDL program. Methods —Data were acquired from surveys of 700 law enforcement officers and more than 40 judges and from interviews with 100 persons who implement or are affected by Kentucky9s GDL program—for example, traffic court judges, licensing clerks, law enforcement officers, insurance agents, driving instructors, parents, and employers of teens. Transcripts from interviews were analyzed using a qualitative data analysis computer program. Results and conclusions —Participants noted a widespread lack of awareness of the night-time driving restriction and a substantial number of young drivers receiving little driving time during the learner permit phase. It appeared that specific GDL provisions can be difficult for judges and law officers to enforce and the penalty of license suspension after several traffic violations may not be a sufficient deterrent. Efforts are needed to increase parental awareness of GDL provisions, GDL purpose, and their teen9s traffic violations and to increase parental enforcement of restrictions that are difficult for law enforcement agencies to monitor, such as the night-time driving restriction and the adult supervision requirement.

Asian elephants, Elephus maximus, have the greatest volume of cerebral cortex available for cognitive processing of all extant terrestrial animal species. A manifestation of cognitive behaviour is tool use and tool manufacture. Fly switching with branches is a type of tool use previously shown in captive Asian elephants to be effective in repelling flies and to vary in frequency with the intensity of flies. In the first part of the present study we report on observations of one juvenile and 33 adult wild elephants comprising 26.7 h of cumulative observations in Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India. Eight of these elephants were observed using branches presumably to repel flies. In the second part of the study, conducted also in Nagarhole Park, we presented to 13 captive elephants, maintained under a naturalistic system, branches that were too long or bushy to be effectively used as switches. The long branches were presented in two trials to each elephant and they were given 5 min to either attempt switching with the long branch, or modify the branch and switch with the altered branch. Eight of these elephants modified the branch on at least one trial to a smaller branch and switched with the altered branch. There were different styles of modification of the branches, the most common of which was holding the main stem with the front foot and pulling off a side branch or distal end with the trunk. We propose that fly switching with branches is a common form of tool use in wild Asian elephants when fly intensity is high. Our documentation of the manufacture of a tool by elephants, together with the fact that these animals have a volume of cerebral cortex available for cognitive processing that exceeds that of any primate species, would appear to place this animal in the category of great apes in terms of cognitive abilities for tool use and tool manufacture.

Eggs of Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) were routinely monitored in citrus groves at ten locations in Florida during 1997 and 1998 to study egg parasitism. One citrus location was studied in Puerto Rico. No native parasitoids were recovered from 1,337 D. abbreviatus egg masses studied in Florida citrus. In contrast, an average of 35.5% (range 12.5 to 68.8%) parasitism of egg masses was reported in Puerto Rico. The parasitoids Aprostocetus gala, Horismenusspp, and Quadrastichus haitiensiswere recovered from the eggs of D. abbreviatus studied in Puerto Rico. The Horismenusparasitoids were suspected hyperparasitoids. Releases of the parasitoid Ceratogramma etienneifrom Guadeloupe were initiated during 1998 at each of the Florida research sites. By the end of 1998, C. etiennei had been recovered from D. abbreviatus eggs at two of nine locations in Florida citrus. The parasitoid was recovered from 1 of 34 egg masses at one of these locations during the month of September and from 3 of 34 egg masses at the other location during the month of November. Whether or not C. etiennei establishes itself at one or more locations in Florida remains to be seen.

Known as “Valley Fever,” coccidiomycosis is a soil-borne, fungal infection predominately found in endemic regions of the southwestern United States and Latin America. While most infected individuals are asymptomatic, An 11-year-old boy presented with a 7-month history of left anterior knee pain. Physical examination revealed mild knee effusion and quadriceps atrophy with focal tenderness to palpation to the distal pole of the patella. Laboratory studies were unre-markable and plain radiographs revealed a radiolucency in the inferomedial aspect of the patella. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a corresponding focus of increased T2 signal with sclerotic margins and peripheral edema within the patella. Open biopsy with curettage confirmed coccidiomycosis, and the patient was successfully managed with long-term antifungal antibiotics. To our knowledge, this article presents the first known case of coccidioidal osteomyelitis of the patella.

This paper presents findings from an elicitation study that focused on the sexual risks and condom use behaviour of African American crack smokers. Of interest were the attitudes, beliefs, and barriers that affect the adoption and maintenance of condoms as an HIV prophylactic. Thick descriptive data were collected from 64 heterosexual African Americans who smoke crack cocaine. Data were content analysed for descriptions of condom use attitudes, normative beliefs, and barriers or facilitators of condom use. Participants described few positive condom use outcome expectations, while detailing several negative expectations. Normative beliefs were found to be weakly related to condom use with casual partners. However, descriptions of sexual relationships with intimate partners indicated that the normative expectations of the partner strongly influenced condom use. Participants described few contextual barriers to condom use, although situational barriers, including crack addiction, were identified.