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The article discusses a study on monthly modelling of Ammonia emissions from Canada's dairy farms in its 12 ecoregions. It mentions that the said chemical compound from livestock manure is expelled from barns, storages and manure land which affects farm operations as well as human health and ecology whenever it is emitted in the atmosphere. It also notes the application of models for estimating the intensity and spatial extent of the emission and its proportionality to the animal census.

Damage-induced G1 checkpoint in mammalian cells involves upregulation of p53, which activates transcription of p21Waf1 (CDKN1A). Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2 and CDK4/6 by p21 leads to dephosphorylation and activation of Rb. We now show that ectopic p21 expression in human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells causes not only dephosphorylation but also depletion of Rb; this effect was p53-independent and susceptible to a proteasome inhibitor. CDK inhibitor p27 (CDKN1B) also caused Rb dephosphorylation and depletion, but another CDK inhibitor p16 (CDKN2A) induced only dephosphorylation but not depletion of Rb. Rb depletion was observed in both HT1080 and HCT116 colon carcinoma cells, where p21 was induced by DNA-damaging agents. Rb depletion after DNA damage did not occur in the absence of p21, and it was reduced when p21 induction was inhibited by p21-targeting short hairpin RNA or by a transdominant inhibitor of p53. These results indicate that p21 both activates Rb through dephosphorylation and inactivates it through degradation, suggesting negative feedback regulation of damage-induced cell-cycle checkpoint arrest.Oncogene (2007) 26, 6954–6958. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210516; published online 7 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose expansion of the standard 'time-out' into a comprehensive 'preparatory pause' encompassing five well-documented perioperative risk avoidance strategies: beta-adrenergic blockade, DVT prophylaxis, preoperative antibiotics, normothermia, and euglycemia. Although all members of the surgical team acknowledge the clear benefit of these five prophylactic strategies, published national compliance even in the target patient population is a disappointingly consistent 50%. We have developed and field-tested a 'preparatory pause' form that we appended to our 'surgical time-out.' By politely challenging our surgical team as to the inclusion of these five risk avoidance strategies in 167 consecutive patients, we increased our compliance to more than 90% for each preventive measure. We have not attempted to quantify the physical and psychological benefit of complication avoidance due to the enhanced activation of these five prophylactic strategies. Using published surgical complication prevalence data, with and without these accepted risk avoidance measures, we estimate the number of complications per 100 patients avoided. Utilizing the Medicare payment schedule for each complication, we approximate the purely financial benefit of the 'preparatory pause' to be $88,640 per 100 patients, or almost $900 per patient. The now standard surgical 'time-out' is designed to avoid the gratifyingly uncommon problem of 'wrong patient,''wrong procedure,' and 'wrong site.' Many surgeons negotiate an entire career without stumbling over these disastrous problems. We propose expansion of the 'time-out' to include five well-documented perioperative risk avoidance strategies that many of us overlook all too often. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the feasibility of altering the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) in grass by altering the grass variety and the amount and formulation of K fertilizer application. In experiment 1, treatments were combinations of 2 varieties (Barcel and HiMag) of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb); 2 rates of K (0 and 250 kg/ha), supplied as KCl; and 2 rates of Mg (0 and 60 kg/ha), supplied as MgO. In experiment 2, K fertilizer was applied at 0 or 125 kg/ha as KCl or K2SO4. There was no difference between HiMag and Barcel tall fescue in the concentrations of Mg, S, and Cl. Application of K fertilizer decreased concentrations of Mg, but the magnitude of the decrease was not consistent across harvests. Conversely, application of Mg fertilizer increased Mg concentrations, but again, the magnitude of the increase was not consistent across harvests. The concentrations of Ca were higher in HiMag than in Barcel tall fescue, with the magnitude of the difference increasing from first to last harvest. Potassium fertilizer decreased Ca concentrations in the first, fourth, and fifth harvests only. Calcium concentration was decreased by a greater magnitude in HiMag tall fescue as a result of Mg fertilization. The HiMag tall fescue contained lower concentrations of K than did Barcel tall fescue in the first, second, and third harvests. Application of K fertilizer increased the K concentration in all 5 harvests but did not affect Na concentrations except in the last harvest. The HiMag tall fescue contained less Na than did Barcel, but the magnitude of the difference was affected by K and Mg fertilization. Application of K fertilizer decreased S concentrations in first-harvest grass, increased concentrations in second-and third-harvest grasses, and had no effect in fourth-or fifth-harvest grasses. Application of Mg fertilizer decreased S concentrations of tall fescue. Application of K fertilizer increased DCAD values for grass harvested from the second through fifth harvests. The increase in DCAD attributable to K fertilizer was less in HiMag than in Barcel tall fescue. Application of K fertilizer as K2SO4 increased dry matter yield and S concentrations of HiMag tall fescue, whereas K applied as KCl increased concentrations of K and Cl. There was no effect of fertilizer formulation on Na concentrations. The DCAD was lower in HiMag tall fescue fertilized with K2SO4 compared with that fertilized with KCl. This study showed that DCAD of grass can be manipulated by the choice of grass variety, fertilizer formulation, and fertilizer application rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophy Hallam (consultant) and Patience Seebohm (independent researcher) discuss what makes an entrepreneur, and Paul Grey, Ross Parker and Mark Swift (all experts by experience in mental health and enterprise) share their views on what it takes to set up and run your own business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic predisposition plays an important role in most common psychiatric disorders. The identification of a specific gene associated with a psychiatric illness can lead to improved management of the gene-associated disorder. Mutations in the wolframin gene are associated with mental illness. Many patients with the Wolfram syndrome (WS), who are homozygous or compound heterozygous for wolframin mutations, have severe psychiatric symptoms. In WS families, close blood relatives, who have a high probability of carrying a single wolframin mutation, had a statistically significant excess, over spouse controls, of psychiatric hospitalizations, attempted and completed suicides, and self-reports of mental illness. Since heterozygous carriers of wolframin mutations are relatively frequent in the population according to the general Hardy–Weinberg principle, such mutations might be responsible for the illnesses of many psychiatric patients. The hypothesis that heterozygous carriers of a wolframin mutation are predisposed to psychiatric illness was tested in subjects from 25 WS families. In all, 11 relatives who had psychiatric hospitalizations could be genotyped through mutation analysis. Eight of these carried the wolframin mutation transmitted in their family, significantly (one-sided P=0.0022) more than the 3.0 expected if there were no association between psychiatric hospitalizations and mutations at this locus. All eight mutation-positive subjects had been hospitalized for a major depression. This confirmation of the association is not influenced by confounders, undetected stratification, or genetic heterogeneity. The relative risk of psychiatric hospitalization for depression was estimated to be 7.1 (95% CI 1.9–26.6) for carriers of a single wolframin mutation compared to noncarriers.Molecular Psychiatry (2005) 10, 799–803. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001681; published online 26 April 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified gravity-type cage, developed by SADCO Shelf Ltd., was examined using numerical and physical models to determine if the cage and mooring system is suitable for an exposed site south of the Isles of Shoals, NH. The 3000-m³ SADCO Shelf Submersible Fish Cage has angled stays between the upper framework and the ballasted bottom rim (in addition to net) to resist the horizontal shear deformation. The mooring system consists of three legs--each made up of a taut vertical chain and an angled rope, both leading to deadweight anchors. Normalized response amplitudes (response amplitude operators) were found for motion response in heave, surge and pitch, and load response in the anchor and bridle lines, in regular (single frequency) waves. In addition, a stochastic approach was taken to determine the motion and load transfer functions in random waves using a spectrum representative of seas at the selected site. In general, the system motion had a highly damped response, with no resonant peaks within the wave excitation range of 0.05 to 0.45 Hz. The anchor line force response was at all frequencies below 5 kN per meter of wave amplitude. The physical model tests showed consistently more conservative (larger) results compared to those for the numerical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent work in the area of open ocean aquaculture system dynamics has focused separately upon either the response of fish cages in waves or the steady drag response due to ocean currents. In reality, however, forcing on these open ocean structures is a nonlinear, multidirectional combination of both wave and current profiles. At the University of New Hampshire-operated Open Ocean Aquaculture site, data were collected from a wave measurement buoy and a downward-looking Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler to characterize the surface elevation and water velocity profiles during an extreme northeast storm event. In addition to waves and currents, fish cage motion response in heave, surge, and pitch was inferred from accelerometer measurements during the same storm. The environmental data sets obtained during the peak of the storm were processed, analyzed, and used as input to a dynamic finite-element model. Simulations were performed using three load case scenarios: 1) in both waves and currents; 2) in waves only; and 3) in currents only. Model motion response results in both the time and frequency domain were compared with data obtained in situ. In addition to the motion response tests, the wave and current forcing influencing the mooring line tension response was also investigated. Analysis shows that in this case, the currents do not severely influence the oscillatory motion response, but do cause the cage to tilt, layback, and sink. The wave and current interaction effect did, however, influence the anchor line loads with a portion being attributed to nonlinear effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research prototype feed-buoy was developed to supply a submerged net pen at an exposed site south of the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire, in the Gulf of Maine. The system, designed for a quarter-ton feed capacity, consists of a surface feed-buoy, rubber tether moorings attached to a submerged grid, a feed transfer hose, feed dispensing machinery, and telemetry/control components. The buoy is taut-moored above the cage by compliant members in order to allow for the tidal range and large storm waves. The feeding mechanism uses a small, electric powered pump to actively force feed slurry down to the cage. A wind generator and solar panels provide power to this pump, bilge pumps, and the telemetry/control system. The control system switches the power to the various pumps on a user-set schedule and also monitors the operation of the electric power system. A spread spectrum radio is used to send diagnostic and status information to shore and via Internet to the project manager. The high-stretch feed hose has integrated, spiral-wound conductive wires to transmit power down to, and receive data back from, instrumentation in the fish cage.The mooring system design was analyzed using the University of New Hampshire (UNH) developed, finite element program, Aqua-FE. Modified to include nonlinear material behavior, Aqua-FE was applied to evaluate various buoy-mooring line-submerged cage/grid configurations. To complement the computer modeling, a 1:15.2 scale model of the buoy was built for wave tank testing. Free release tests were conducted to determine heave and pitch natural frequencies and damping ratios. Heave and pitch responses to single frequency waves were measured in order to characterize seakeeping behavior.The three-point mooring system has operated successfully for over 10 months at the site. After correcting start-up problems, due in part to a winter ice storm, the internal systems have functioned as designed enabling the buoy to provide regular, metered fish feeding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines some medical causes of maternal mortality in detail. In patients who are at high risk because of previous thromboembolism, decisions should be made before pregnancy about thromboprophylaxis. Typical risk factors for thromboembolism are previous venous thromboembolism (VTE), known thrombophilia, family history of VTE obesity and increasing age. These will be identified by those, such as physicians and general practitioners, caring for women outwith pregnancy. These doctors must take obstetric medicine more into consideration.

As wild fish stocks decline, marine aquaculture is expected to play an increasing role in satisfying the global need for seafood. Since the expansion of near-shore aquaculture is becoming more difficult because of multi-use issues and environmental impact concerns, the feasibility of moving aquaculture into the open ocean is being studied. To enable the optimum design and evaluation of fish cage and mooring performance in the energetic open ocean, physical and numerical modeling techniques are being utilized. To validate these methods, the dynamics of a fish cage and mooring system deployed in the Gulf of Maine are simulated with physical and numerical models and compared with field observations. Assuming that the system can be modeled as a linear system, a stochastic approach was used to analyze the motion response (heave, surge and pitch) characteristics of the fish cage and the load (tension) response in an anchor line to wave forcing. Transfer functions were calculated from field observations for storm events and used to understand the system dynamics and to validate the models for the deployed system. Fish cage heave and surge motions were found to be overdamped, while pitch exhibited a resonance at low frequencies (less than 0.1 Hz). Transfer functions for anchor line tension were consistent with observations over most of the wave frequencies. The physical model clearly revealed the pitch resonance, while the numerical model was better at predicting mooring line tension. Results also provided insight concerning dynamical processes that require further study, including fluid–net panel interaction, transfer function amplitude dependence and the nonlinear relationship between steady current and wave fluid velocity on drag and its effect on system geometry and therefore response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Active surveillance of symptoms and disability due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in working populations can map individual transitions in symptom intensity or disability level. Using repeat surveys, this study examined if aetiological risk factors for new symptoms or disability, measured by interference with activities, were similar to prognostic risk factors for subsequent outcomes of symptoms and disability. This paper reports on 379 Toronto newspaper workers who completed questionnaires in 1996 and 1997. Questions on pain/discomfort during the last year, episode frequency and duration formed the basis for constructing three mutually exclusive symptom levels: noncases (Level 1); mild cases (Level 2); and more severe or frequent pain cases (Level 3). A similar construction of overall interference levels was based on the frequency with which musculoskeletal pain/discomfort interfered with daily, recreational, social and family activities, or ability to do one's job during the previous 12 months. The last was also examined as work interference alone. Levels of symptoms were cross-tabulated by overall and work interference at the two time points and Markov models of transitions between states were formulated. Results indicate that period prevalence of symptoms and overall interference increased between phases, though only significantly for symptoms (Levels 2 and 3, 65.7-70.7%, p = 0.04), while work interference was unchanged (17.9-17.0%). Equivalent proportions of workers improved as worsened in symptoms (21.1 and 22.4%, respectively), overall interference (16.7 and 17.8%), and work interference (7.4 and 6.6%). The only significant predictor for those without work interference at time one was job tenure, which was protective against work interference (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.01-1.12). Among those who had more severe/frequent symptoms at time one, lack of improvement over time was predicted by longer job tenure (OR = 0.92 per year, CI: 0.87-0.97), greater psychological demands of work (OR = 0.65 per point, CI: 0.51-0.84) and marginally by greater upper extremity disability score. At time one, women with work interference were more likely to have persistent interference at time two (OR = 7.22, CI: 1.57-33.20). Suggestive findings included opposite effects of social support at work: reduced risk of development of new symptoms but increased risk of persistence at the highest symptom level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to apply a benchmarking methodology to identify the most effective approaches used by long-term care facilities in implementing new computerized resident assessment instrument/minimum data set (RAI/MDS) systems and to develop implementation protocols based on these "best practices." Site visits were conducted with 3 long-term care facilities, selected on the basis of a national search. Facility directors, directors of nursing, information system managers, and frontline staff at each facility were targeted, and questionnaires were developed for each to assess factors viewed as important to successful implementation. A convergence was found in recommended action steps reported across sites to facilitate introduction and implementation of new RAI/MDS software. An example of how benchmarking results were used to develop an implementation plan is provided. Benchmarking provided a useful methodology for identifying best practices to guide implementation planing for adoption of a new computerized RAI/MDS system in the current trial. The benchmarking steps described are replicable and can be used to guide implementation of other new systems in the nursing home setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations at the ataxia-telangiectasia locus cause a distinctive autosomal recessive syndrome in homozygotes and predispose heterozygotes to cancer and ischemic heart disease.Objective: To examine mortality rates among persons carrying a mutated ataxia-telangiectasia gene.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: The United States and Canada.Participants: 405 grandparents of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia.Measurements: Ages at death and risk for death (from all causes, cancer, ischemic heart disease, and other causes) among carriers and noncarriers of ataxia-telangiectasia mutations.Results: Compared with noncarriers, carriers of a mutated ataxia-telangiectasia allele had a significantly increased risk for death at 20 through 79 years of age (relative risk, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.3 to 2.8]) (P < 0.001). On average, carriers died 7 to 8 years earlier than noncarriers. Cancer caused most of the excess deaths, and ischemic heart disease caused the remainder. Among carriers, relative risk for death from cancer and ischemic heart disease before 80 years of age was 2.6 (CI, 1.4 to 4.7; P = 0.002) and 2.0 (CI, 1.0 to 4.0; P = 0.062), respectively. Compared with noncarriers, carriers who died of cancer were a mean of 4 years younger (P > 0.2) and carriers who died of ischemic heart disease were a mean of 11 years younger (P = 0.006).Conclusion: Carriers of mutations at the ataxia-telangiectasia locus, who make up 1.4% to 2% of the general population, have a higher mortality rate and an earlier age at death from cancer and ischemic heart disease than noncarriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate of litter decomposition is often expressed as a constant decay rate (k; g g-1 yr-1) or as the time required for a certain percentage (often 95% and estimated as 3/k) of it to decompose (termed turnover time). Estimates of k may be obtained by determining the weight loss of litter in the field and also by assuming a steady state and obtaining the ratio of litter input: standing crop. Both methods were used to estimate decay rate and turnover times for beech and oak branches and twigs decomposing on the forest floor and these were critically evaluated. Considerable variation, ranging between 1.8-144.5 yr, was found between the 95% turnover time estimates of various size components of the two species, obtained from woodfall and standing crop data. Likewise variation in decay rate of 2-2.5 cm diameter beech branches, estimated from field experiments, was large both between and within groups of branches categorised according to initial state of decay and presence or absence of bark. The mean annual decay rate for the various categories ranged between k = 0.16.5-0.452 g g-1yr-1. Branches without bark generally decomposed more slowly than those with bark. Beech twig (<0.5 cm diameter) decomposition rates, from field experiments, ranged between k = 0.149-0.220 g g-1yr-1 and variation was relatively low compared with that of branches. No significant differences (P<0.05) were detected between twig decomposition rates obtained from experiments initiated at different seasons although there was a slight decline in decay rate in winter months. Twig and branch decomposition rates fell within the range found in the few other comparable studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of three surveys of wood decomposing on the forest floor of two sites in an abandoned beech and oak coppiced woodland, between 1968-1979, are described. Total wood stainding crop on the forest floor was estimated as 311 g m-2 on one site and 311-440 g m-2 on the other site. Between 1969-71 almost 1000 branches were sampled and of these 60% showed signs of past or present animal activity. Diptera were the major taxonomic category with Tipulidae being the most prevalent class; Tipula flavolineata was detected in 39% of the branches. The second most prevalent species was Cylindroiulus punctatus (Diplopoda) followed by Oniscus asellus (Isopoda), the Oligochaetes Lumbricus terrestris and Lumbricus rubellus, Lithobius variegatus (Chilopoda), Cylindronotus sp. (Coleoptera). Branches invaded by animals were generally more decayed than uninvaded branches on the forest floor which in turn were more decayed than branches at fall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]