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PurposeTo examine the relationship of choroidal thickness with axial length (AL) and myopia in young adult eyes in the ethnically diverse Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) cohort.DesignCross-sectional, multicenter study.MethodsIn addition to measures of myopia by cycloplegic autorefraction and AL by A-scan ultrasonography, participants underwent optical coherence tomography imaging of the choroid in both eyes at their last visit (14 years after baseline). Using digital calipers, 2 independent readers measured choroidal thickness in the right eye (left eye if poor quality; n = 37) at 7 locations: fovea and 750, 1500, and 2250 μm nasal (N) and temporal (T) to the fovea.ResultsChoroidal thickness measurements were available from 294 of 346 (85%) imaged participants (mean age: 24.3 ± 1.4 years; 44.9% male) with mean myopia of -5.3 ± 2.0 diopters and mean AL of 25.5 ± 1.0 mm. Overall, choroidal thickness varied by location (P < .0001) and was thickest at the fovea (273.8 ± 70.9 μm) and thinnest nasally (N2250, 191.5 ± 69.3 μm). Multivariable analyses showed significantly thinner choroids in eyes with more myopia and longer AL at all locations except T2250 (P ≤ .001) and presence of peripapillary crescent at all locations except T1500 and T2250 (P ≤ .0001). Choroidal thickness varied by ethnicity at N2250 (P < .0001), with Asians having the thinnest and African Americans the thickest choroids.ConclusionChoroids are thinner in longer, more myopic young adult eyes. The thinning was most prominent nasally and in eyes with a crescent. In the furthest nasal location, ethnicity was associated with choroidal thickness. The findings suggest that choroidal thickness should be evaluated, especially in the nasal regions where myopic degenerations are most commonly seen clinically.

Cultivating an inclusive definition of citizenship is increasingly important to the maintenance of America's multicultural democracy. Yet, current college-level civic education and diversity interventions are incapable of fully addressing this problem. Hence, this comprehensive review of the literature on diversity and higher education suggests that political scientists--who are most likely to understand the pressing nature of this concern, as well as the role well-designed associational life might play in resolving it--address students' civic needs by renewing our interest in the on-campus equivalent of civil society. The article concludes with a recommendation for more empirical work to assess which specific features and activities of campus groups provide the most beneficial impact on students' civic identities.

Discusses how the mining of gold has impacted the development of both Australia and Papua, New Guinea. Outlines the essential chemistry of small scale mining, the impact of gold on the economy, and the environmental effect of mercury on both the miners and the environment. (Author/CCM)

As pharmacy professionals and health care systems serve diverse patient populations, especially in continued efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, racial and ethnic disparities must be acknowledged and addressed. The authors share a collaboration between a nonprofit immunization coalition and college of pharmacy to provide mobile coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination clinics to communities across Idaho that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The goal of this commentary is to share experiences providing vaccination services for the Hispanic community and discuss strategies for pharmacy professionals to provide more equitable care. Through clinical experience and listening sessions to address vaccine hesitancy, several themes emerged that could be categorized into the following: convenience, complacency, and confidence. Suggestions to overcome vaccine hesitancy include hosting events at work sites, bilingual communication techniques, targeted education, and collaboration with trusted community partners. Additional considerations in implementing more equitable care include creating a culturally competent workforce, combatting vaccine misinformation, and finding sustainable ways to continue community partnerships to provide ongoing and expanding services. Utilizing unique approaches to serve the stated needs of a Hispanic population is essential to providing equitable health care to all members of a community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little published information on heavy metals in surficial sediments of the upper Hawkesbury-Nepean River in central New South Wales, Australia. In the current investigation, the fine fraction ( Sediment in the upper Hawkesbury-Nepean River is not heavily polluted by heavy metals. Maximum enrichment over background for Ni and Ag, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn is 3x, 5.7x, 6x, 6.7x, 12x and 13.6x, respectively. Mean heavy metal concentrations for this, the upper section of the river, are about half the mean values for the Hawkesbury River between Windsor and Broken Bay in the lower, estuarine section of the river. The highest Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations (214, 108 and 334 mg [kg.sup. -1], respectively) occur in surficial sediments in Peachtree Creek at Penrith and the Nepean River near Jacksons Lane, Castlereagh. These metal concentrations are possibly associated with industrial activity at Penrith. Two of the six sewage treatment plants on the upper Hawkesbury-Nepean River are associated with high metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in sediments, that is, the West Camden and Penrith sewage treatment plants. Other possible sources of heavy metals are coal mining and washing which occurs at several places in the upper catchment. The highest Cd, Co and Fe concentrations (1.7, 27.6 mg [kg.sup.-1] and 4.81%, respectively) were found in sediments 400 m downstream of the Nepean Dam and the highest concentrations of Ni and Mn (54 and 790 mg [kg.sup.-1], respectively) were located in sediment from the Nepean River at Moresby Hill Road Bridge, near Robertson and at the Avon Dam Road Bridge. The source of these metals is unknown. KEY WORDS: Hawkesbury-Nepean River; heavy metals; surface sediments; flame AAS

The ARPA and the US Air Force Rome Laboratory developed the ARPI program in 1990 to design next generation artificial intelligence (AI) tools for planning, scheduling, resource allocation and improving crisis management planning. The program develops research projects, evaluates technical progress and demonstrates the operation of AI in military planning and scheduling. By applying Total Quality Management principles the research community are allowed to attain their goals while supporting the community goals.