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At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Response of Eucalyptus tereticornis to inoculation with indigenous AM fungi in a semiarid alfisol achieved with different concentrations of available soil P.

Eucalyptus tereticornis was grown in a green house in a low phosphorus (0.67 ppm Olsen's P) soil (Typic Haplustalf) inoculated with mixed indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Soil was amended to achieve P levels of 10, 20, 25, 30 and 40 ppm to evaluate the growth response and dependence of E. tereticornis to inoculation with AM fungi. A positive response to mycorrhizal inoculation was evident at the first two levels of soil P, i.e., at 0.67 and 10 ppm but not at the higher levels of soil P. Dry matter yield of inoculated plants beyond 20 ppm soil P was similar or even less compared to their uninoculated counterparts. Inoculated plants produced maximum dry matter (root and shoot) at 10 ppm soil P, whereas uninoculated plants did not produce until the level reached 20 ppm. The percentage root length colonized by AM fungi decreased from 31% to 3% as the concentration of P increased beyond 10 ppm soil P. Higher levels of soil P depressed the AM colonization significantly. Inoculated plants had higher shoot P and N contents compared to their uninoculated counterparts at all levels of soil P. However, at the first two lower levels of soil P, inoculated plants showed significantly higher shoot P and N contents over their respective uninoculated counterparts. The increasing shoot P accumulation beyond 10 ppm did not enhance dry matter yields. Inoculated plants had lower values of phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) at all levels of soil P except at the unamended level (0.67 ppm) where the inoculated plants showed higher values of NUE compared to uninoculated control plants. Taking dry matter yield into consideration, Eucalyptus plants were found to be highly dependent on 10 ppm of soil P for maximum dry matter production. Any further amendment of P to soil was not beneficial neither for AM symbiosis nor plant growth.

Desert Climate↗
PubMed2003

[Occupational disease 2108. Degenerative changes of the cervical spine as a causality criterion in the assessment of discogenic diseases according to BeKV 2108].

With the second amendment to the Ordinance on Occupational Diseases (BeKV) of 18 December 1992, discogenic diseases of the spine are included in the disease register of occupational diseases for the first time. If occupations that impose stress on the spine have been practised for many years, the possibility exists of recognizing degenerative diseases as an occupational disease. In assessment practice, the radiological data on the spine exposed to stress is compared with that of regions which are remote from the stress (cervical/thoracic spine). This pattern of the distribution of degenerative disease is then used as the basis for determining a causal relationship between the occupation causing the stress and disease of the axial skeleton. The pattern of degeneration of the cervical spine was investigated in two groups, one with ( n =153) and one without ( n =333) occupations that impose stress on the lumbar spine. A cumulative score of degenerative changes was elaborated and presented as a new classification. No differences were found between the groups with regard to either the frequency of occurrence, segmental distribution or severity of disease. In both groups, degenerative changes correlated with age. The prevailing assessment practice is discussed on the basis of these data.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Outcomes of rehabilitation services for nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine survival and community discharge outcomes related to rehabilitation services among patients admitted to nursing homes before the implementation of the Balanced Budget Amendment of 1997. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: A total of 945 Medicaid-certified nursing homes in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 11,150 patients admitted for the first time to a nursing home from 1994 to 1996. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Community discharge and survival rates among patients who did or did not receive rehabilitation services, using multivariable techniques to adjust for patients' propensity to receive rehabilitation and for other potential confounders. In secondary analyses, we also examined dose-response effects and analyzed the effects of rehabilitation when patients were divided into 5 diagnostic groups (stroke, hip fracture, congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, other). RESULTS: Rehabilitation was provided to 58% of the patients and was associated with higher community discharge rates (relative risk=1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-1.57) and a lower hazard of death (hazard ratio=.81; 95% CI,.75-.88). Dose-response effects were observed for both outcomes (P<.001) among patients receiving rehabilitation. Rehabilitation was associated with improved community discharge rates in each of the 5 diagnostic groups. CONCLUSIONS: New reimbursement policies that discourage the provision of rehabilitation services may have adverse effects on patients, their families, and societal costs of care.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Radiation protection at an aviation museum.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S. NRC) will soon publish a proposed amendment to its rules that will classify the naturally occurring isotope Ra as "byproduct material" subject to its regulatory control. One of the uses of radium in the first half of the twentieth century was as a source of energy that would make certain consumer products "glow in the dark." In addition to wristwatches and other timepieces, this form of self-luminescence was widely used on aircraft instruments. There have been a number of facilities where large numbers of such instruments were stored and leakage of this isotope occurred. Subsequent decontamination of these areas, including expensive disposal of the radioactive waste, was required. We were asked to evaluate the potential hazards of aircraft and aircraft instruments at a museum in New York City, specifically the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. We present the results of our investigation and discuss the implications as they relate to the proposed new U.S. NRC regulations and compatibility issues with State regulations.

Aviation↗
PubMed2004

Anaerobic bioprocessing of sewage sludge, focusing on degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS).

Anaerobic degradation of sludge amended with linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) was tested in a one stage continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a two stage reactor system consisting of a CSTR as first step and upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor as the second step. Anaerobic removal of LAS was only observed at the second step but not at the first step. Removal of LAS in the UASB reactors was approx. 80% where half was due to absorption and the other half was apparently due to biological removal as shown from the LAS mass balance. At the end of the experiment the reactors were spiked with 14C-LAS which resulted in 5.6% 14CO2 in the produced gas. Total mass balance of the radioactivity was however not achieved. In batch experiments it was found that LAS at concentrations higher than 50 mg/l is inhibitory for most microbial groups of the anaerobic process. Therefore, low initial LAS concentration is a prerequisite for successful LAS degradation. The results from the present study suggest that anaerobic degradation of LAS is possible in UASB reactors when the concentration of LAS is low enough to avoid inhibition of microorganisms active in the anaerobic process.

Absorption↗
PubMed2005

Social security: a program and policy history.

Many of the federal and state programs that provide income security to U.S. families have their roots in the Social Security Act (the Act) of 1935. This Act provided for unemployment insurance, old-age insurance, and means-tested welfare programs. The Great Depression was clearly a catalyst for the Social Security Act of 1935, and some of its provisions--notably the means-tested programs--were intended to offer immediate relief to families. However, the old-age insurance program-the precursor to today's Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, or Social Security, program-was not designed specifically to deal with the economic crisis of that era. Indeed, monthly benefit payments, under the original Act, were not scheduled to begin until 1942. In addition, from the beginning, the Social Security program has embodied social insurance principles that were widely discussed even before the onset of the Great Depression. The first four decades of the Social Security program were, in general, ones of expansion. In fact, the program was expanded even before it became truly operational. In 1939, amendments added child, spouse, and survivor benefits to the retirement benefits authorized by the 1935 Act. Those amendments also allowed for monthly benefits to begin in 1940. Although the program was not changed substantially during the war years and the initial postwar period, the 1950s were a transformational decade in the program's history: benefit amounts were increased substantially, coverage under the program became close to universal, and a new disability insurance benefit was offered. The 1960s witnessed additional growth in Social Security, but the most important development in social insurance occurred in health insurance, with the creation of the Medicare program in 1965. Legislative actions in the 1970s had profound effects on the Social Security program and, indeed, set the stage for many of today's reform debates. Large benefit increases, a new benefit formula that was erroneously generous, and other changes in the early 1970s created a situation in which annual program costs, as a share of gross domestic product, increased during a 12-year period from about 3 percent to 5 percent. In 1977, amendments to the Act corrected the flawed benefit formula and made other changes in the financing of the system to shore up the program. Thus, the 1970s represent a watershed in the program's history-program growth gave way to increasing concerns about the program's finances. Those concerns were reflected in the amendments to the Act in 1983, which were the last major changes to the program. These amendments, based largely on recommendations from a commission chaired by Alan Greenspan, adjusted benefits and taxes to address pressing near-term financing problems faced by the system. Although the Greenspan Commission focused to a large extent on short-range issues, the resulting reforms have generated large surpluses in the program and the buildup of a substantial trust fund. However, the looming retirement of the baby boomers and several other demographic factors will, according to projections, result in the exhaustion of the trust fund by 2042.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical treatment of metatarsus adductus using a combined soft tissue and osseous approach.

Children between 6 and 8 years of age with metatarsus adductus deformity have been considered to be in the gray zone for surgical correction. Should osseous or soft tissue procedures be implemented to reduce the adducted attitude of the metatarsals? The literature clearly describes one or the other and the intermediary chondrotomy procedure described by Johnson. The use of a combined approach has not been presented. The present authors offer a brief review of metatarsus adductus, and two case reports using a modified, combined approach. Two 7-year-old girls presented with bilateral resistant metatarsus adductus deformities. The authors contend that the first and fifth metatarsals are the major deforming forces in this age group, and may be corrected with base wedge osteotomies, while the central three metatarsals are more amendable to capsular and ligamentous releases. Advantages of soft tissue procedures on the central rays include avoidance of extensive dissection, creating less trauma and avoidance of the need for internal fixation. The obvious disadvantage is the inability to adequately reduce the deformity. This can be assessed intraoperatively. These authors, therefore, conclude that this modified surgical approach is a viable alternative to the previously described procedures for resistant metatarsus adductus.

Bone Wires↗
PubMed2006

Sorption kinetics and leachability of heavy metal from the contaminated soil amended with immobilizing agent (humus soil and hydroxyapatite).

Release of heavy metals onto the soil as a result of agricultural and industrial activities may pose a serious threat to the environment. This study investigated the kinetics of sorption of heavy metals on the non-humus soil amended with (1:3) humus soil and 1% hydroxyapatite used for in situ immobilization and leachability of heavy metals from these soils. For this, a batch equilibrium experiment was performed to evaluate metal sorption in the presence of 0.05 M KNO(3) background electrolyte solutions. The Langmuir isotherms applied for sorption studies showed that the amount of metal sorbed on the amended soil decreased in the order of Pb(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cd(2+). The data suggested the possibility of immobilization of Pb due to sorption process and immobilization of Zn and Cd by other processes like co-precipitation and ion exchange. The sorption kinetics data showed the pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics rather than pseudo-first-order kinetics. Leachability study was performed at various pHs (ranging from 3 to 10). Leachability rate was slowest for the Pb(2+) followed by Zn(2+) and Cd(2+). Out of the metal adsorbed on the soil only 6.1-21.6% of Pb, 7.3-39% of Zn and 9.3-44.3% of Cd leached out from the amended soil.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Cohort size and the allocation of social effort by female mountain baboons

Dunbar (1992,Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.33, 35-49) argued that constraints on social time limited the size to which savannah baboon, Papio cynocephalustroops in any given population could grow before fissioning. Since this should be reflected in population structure, we have elsewhere (Henzi et al. 1997a, Anim. Behav. 53, 525-535) constructed a model, based on a rising probability of fission, that fits the observed distribution of troop sizes of mountain baboons, P. c. ursinusin the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa and which predicts that the probability of fission will rapidly increase once a troop has more than 23 members (or 8.7 females). We test this prediction in this paper. Since Dunbar argued that females will drive fission once they cannot engage in the grooming necessary to sustain alliances, we compared the grooming interactions of adult females from four troops in the Drakensberg mountains. The mean female grooming clique size reached an asymptote at 7.4 females, so that females in cohorts of eight or more no longer attempted to groom all other females, and mean grooming bout length declined as the cohort grew to 7.9 females and then increased again. These values are coincident with the female cohort size predicted by our model of troop growth and fission. We argue that females attempt to groom all other females as well as sustain closer relationships with a few females through longer bouts of reciprocated grooming. When the demands of grooming all other females reduce bout length to a point when no reciprocated bouts are possible, female clique size is capped. As a troop continues to grow, the mechanical difficulties involved in gaining access to grooming partners leads to a reduction in the diversity of grooming relationships. This weakening of the total female network, as cliques become more differentiated, is likely to facilitate fission. We conclude that our data provide the first within-population validation of Dunbar's hypothesis concerning the mechanism underpinning fission. In the Drakensberg, where there is no advantage to female coalitions, we propose, as an amendment, that females will leave a troop not to escape local competition, but to follow a male with whom they have a close friendship.Copyright 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Reduction of Pb and Zn bioavailable forms in metal polluted soils due to paper mill sludge addition. Effects on Pb and Zn transferability to barley.

In the last few years solidification/stabilisation of acidic soils polluted by heavy metals with low-cost sorbents has been investigated. Paper mill sludges are produced in large amounts and their disposal is a serious environmental problem. The possibility was therefore studied of using paper mill sludge as a stabilizer to reduce the bioavailable metal forms in polluted soils and thus the transferability of metals to plants (barley). We first investigated the sorbing properties of paper mill sludge for Zn(II) and Pb(II) and then their fractionation both in a polluted soil and in the same soil amended with paper mill sludge in order to check the decrease in mobile forms. Finally in both soils we tested the uptake of two metals by common barley in order to assess the performance of soil remediation from an ecological point of view. The addition of paper mill sludge to a soil contaminated by lead and zinc induces a decrease in the mobile forms of both metals, probably due to the presence in sludge of organic matter and kaolinite, which are able to bind the metals very strongly. The decrease in the mobile forms, which are the most readily available for uptake by plants, corresponds to a decrease in plant uptake.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1994

Changing cognitive functioning in rehabilitation of schizophrenia.

A three-factor model is proposed for clinical assessment of cognitive and neuropsychological impairments in schizophrenia. The first factor is stable, pervasive and vulnerability-linked. The second and third include executive, memory and conceptual abilities and are episode-linked. The third factor may be amendable to psychosocial treatment.

Cognition Disorders↗
PubMed2005

Branchotenthes octohamatus sp. n. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from the gills of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) in South Australia: description of adult and larva.

Branchotenthes octohamatus sp. n. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) is described from the gills of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata Müller et Henle (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatidae), off Adelaide, South Australia. It is distinguished from the type species, Branchotenthes robinoverstreeti Bullard et Dippenaar, 2003, by producing eggs that are joined end to end forming a chain, in the morphology of the male copulatory organ that has a pronounced constriction in duct diameter between proximal and distal regions, the possession of a thin muscular layer surrounding the proximal part of the male copulatory organ and distal region of the vaginae, and by the absence of a raised process on the shaft of the hamulus. An amended generic diagnosis is provided and the reliability of sperm duct number as a generic character is discussed. The oncomiracidium of B. octohamatus is also described and is the first monogenean to be described with only eight hooklets in the larval haptor. This discovery of eight hooklets may be important for higher-level monogenean evolutionary hypotheses.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Federal regulation of experimental animal use in the United States of America.

The author outlines the regulation of animal experimentation in the United States of America (USA). Regulation in this field is at the developmental stage; issues are still being defined as public interest in animal welfare focuses on various aspects of animal science. Society continues to initiate regulations for animal experimentation in response to technological advances which were unknown when the first USA Federal legislation in this field (the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act) was signed in 1966. Under the sponsorship of animal welfare activists and, more recently, animal rights advocates, amendments to the 1966 law have increased the scope of Federal authority by extending both the number of species covered and the areas of care which are regulated. A greater awareness has evolved of the issues raised by animal experimentation, both among the general public and within the scientific communities. The importance of the Institutional Animal and Care Use Committees in research facilities is described, together with other factors which affect Federal legislation. Government regulatory philosophy is also changing towards a participatory relationship between regulators and public interest groups. Various affiliations to global and regional organisations have heightened national awareness with regard to the perceived exploitation of animal species. The author demonstrates clearly that the prevailing trend in the USA is towards expanded agreements which are jointly derived and implemented, and which will be instrumental in the search for resolutions. The author concludes that these resolutions will continue to revolve around the ethical need to respect the nature of animal species and the need for knowledge concerning both humans and animals which can help to extend and enhance the quality of life.

Analgesia↗
PubMed2005

Food labeling; nutrient content claims, definition of sodium levels for the term "healthy." Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its regulations concerning the maximum sodium levels permitted for foods that bear the implied nutrient content claim "healthy." The agency is retaining the currently effective, less restrictive, "first-tier" sodium level requirements for all food categories, including individual foods (480 milligrams (mg)) and meals and main dishes (600 mg), and is dropping the "second-tier" (more restrictive) sodium level requirements for all food categories. Based on the comments received about technological barriers to reducing sodium in processed foods and poor sales of products that meet the second-tier sodium level, the agency has determined that requiring the more restrictive sodium levels would likely inhibit the development of new "healthy" food products and risk substantially eliminating existing "healthy" products from the marketplace. After reviewing the comments and evaluating the data from various sources, FDA has become convinced that retaining the higher first-tier sodium level requirements for all food products bearing the term "healthy" will encourage the manufacture of a greater number of products that are consistent with dietary guidelines for a variety of nutrients. The agency has also revised the regulatory text of the "healthy" regulation to clarify the scope and meaning of the regulation and to reformat the nutrient content requirements for "healthy" into a more readable set of tables, consistent with the Presidential Memorandum instructing that regulations be written in plain language.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1993

A model for implementing Healthy People 2000 objectives in African-American communities in California.

Using Healthy People 2000 as the source document, regional task forces were formed at the request of the Health Promotion Section of the California Department of Health Services to set health promotion objectives and recommendations for the state's ethnic populations. The topics chosen by regional African-American task forces were (1) violence and abusive behavior, (2) physical activity and fitness, (3) nutrition, (4) tobacco, (5) educational and community-based programs, (6) cancer, and (7) heart disease and stroke. Objectives were expanded, linked together, and revised to meet felt needs. The regional task forces presented the first draft of the document for review at the Multiethnic Health Promotion Conference held in Sacramento, California, June 11 through 13, 1991. The expanded task force, including conference participants, amended the recommendations and ranked the topic areas in order of priority. The group also responded to the challenge of developing implementation strategies for the recommendations. We discuss the early stages of dissemination and implementation of the agenda among California African-American communities. American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Latino Task Forces have prepared similar documents, and each document will be used to prepare the Multiethnic Health Promotion Agenda for California. We summarize the process by which the papers were developed and provide detailed analysis of the African-American process.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1997

[Hypothermia in traumatology].

Basing on the experience of the Chamonix hospital team which managed in six years 89 cases of hypothermia in trauma patients, this article reviewed the literature concerning the association hypothermia-trauma. Shock is a major triggering factor. The deleterious effects of hypothermia on the outcome is due to inadequate cardiorespiratory adaptation to shock and to increased bleeding. Although a few articles reported a beneficial effect of hypothermia in head trauma, further studies are required to assess the value of deliberate hypothermia in such patients. Restoration of a satisfactory haemodynamic activity is a priority and most often requires surgery. The rewarming manoeuvres should be initiated early and always be preventive. They are active, internal and rapid in case of haemodynamic instability and when the central temperature is below 32 degrees C. It can be more progressive and less invasive in other cases. During recovery from anaesthesia the patient must be closely monitored. In spite of a possible protecting effect, hypothermia remains an aggravating factor in traumatology and must therefore be either prevented or amended.

Accidents↗
PubMed2000

Interspecific transfer of Streptomyces giant linear plasmids in sterile amended soil microcosms.

The interspecific transfer of two giant linear plasmids was investigated in sterile soil microcosms. Plasmids pRJ3L (322 kb) and pRJ28 (330 kb), both encoding mercury resistance, were successfully transferred in amended soil microcosms from their streptomycete hosts, the isolates CHR3 and CHR28, respectively, to a plasmidless and mercury-sensitive strain, Streptomyces lividans TK24. Transconjugants of S. lividans TK24 were first observed after 2 to 3 days of incubation at 30 degrees C, which corresponded to the time taken for the formation of mycelia in soil. Transfer frequencies were 4.8 x 10(-4) and 3.6 x 10(-5) CFU/donor genome for pRJ3L and pRJ28, respectively. Transconjugants were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for the presence of plasmids, and plasmid identity was confirmed by restriction digests. Total genomic DNA digests confirmed that transconjugants were S. lividans TK24. The mercury resistance genes were shown to be on the plasmid in the transconjugants by hybridization analysis and were still functional. This is the first demonstration of transfer of giant linear plasmids in sterile soil microcosms. Giant linear plasmids were detected in many Streptomyces spp. isolated from mercury-contaminated sediments from Boston Harbor (United States), Townsville Harbor (Australia), and the Sali River (Tucuman, Argentina). Mercury resistance genes were shown to be present on some of these plasmids. Our findings that giant linear plasmids can be transferred between Streptomyces spp. and are common in environmental Streptomyces isolates suggest that these plasmids are important in gene transfer between streptomycetes in the environment.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1999

What do the accreditation organizations expect? American Association of Blood Banks.

In 1958, the American Association of Blood Banks introduced the first edition of Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services. That same year, the association implemented the Inspection and Accreditation Program. This program served the association well for 40 years; however, factors such as the application of Current Good Manufacturing Practices by the Food and Drug Administration, the implementation of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 by the Health Care Financing Administration, managed care, competition, and increased cost pressures have changed the way the blood banking community conducts its business. In the early 1990s the board of directors recognized the need to reevaluate the Inspection and Accreditation Program and developed a strategic plan for implementation of a new accreditation program, with an emphasis on prevention rather than detection of errors. The first step in the process was the development of the Accreditation Program Committee. The committee was charged to develop and coordinate a program that would bring the accreditation process in tune with the current climate of blood banking and move it into the 21st century. The board charged the committee with the development of a program that recognizes the differences and similarities within the diverse groups of American Association of Blood Banks institutional members and to take into consideration how they do business and respond to regulations, standards, and other requirements.

Accreditation↗