Main Response Variables Research Articles

Impact of Medical and Surgical Obesity Treatment on Dental Caries: A 2-Year Prospective Cohort Study

The objective was to study the long-term effects on oral health of bariatric surgery compared with medical treatment of obesity. Swedish females with morbid obesity (n = 66; 18–35 years at baseline) were followed prospectively from before obesity treatment until 2 years after treatment. The main response variable was dental caries registered according to the ICDAS-II system. Possible confounding factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, general health, oral health habits, and oral hygiene, were controlled for. The statistical methods included χ² tests, Student’s t tests, one-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon’s nonparametric tests, and linear regression models. In the surgically treated patients (n = 40), a significant increase over time in enamel caries (mean increase 4.13 tooth surfaces ICDAS_1–2), dentine caries (mean increase 2.18 tooth surfaces ICDAS_3–6), and total caries (mean increase 6.30 tooth surfaces ICDAS_1–6) was registered (all p < 0.001), which was not seen in the medically treated patients (n = 26). However, the difference between the treatment groups (surgical or medical) was only statistically significant for enamel caries (crude β 4.89, p = 0.003) and total caries (crude β 6.53, p < 0.001). The relationships were stable and independent of differences in confounders as socioeconomy, general health, and oral health behaviors. In conclusion, 2 years after obesity treatment, a significant increase in dental caries was registered in the surgically treated but not in the medically treated women. The dental service should intensify its preventive efforts in individuals undergoing obesity treatment.

Analysis and determination of bolt tightening process factors for composite structures under multiple working conditions

When developing the tightening process for composite bolts, ensuring that the target preload( F) required by design is achieved is a key scientific issue in meeting the mechanical properties of the connected structure. Variations in complex process factors during tightening have a large effect on the tightening torque( T)-preload curve( F), and the mechanism by which the tightening process factor affects the target preload must be considered. Using experimental means, the significance and coupling effects of tightening speed, lubrication conditions, tightening areas, joint sealants and washers have been systematically investigated. The tightening torque( T), torque coefficient( K), preload( F) and the peak stress coefficients X( σ) and interlaminar stress coefficients Y( σ) within the composite laminate are used as the main response variables, and a mathematical model between each response variable and the process factor is established to analyse the effect of significant factors on the response variables from a quantitative perspective. Finally, with a certain size of preload( F) as the optimisation target, the optimisation analysis of the tightening speed is carried out for four working conditions with different sealing conditions and different tightening area, and the optimum tightening speed for each working condition is determined. Based on the above study, an analytical method was proposed to determine the reasonable interval of tightening process parameters in this paper.

Temperature and winter duration requirements for reproductive success in johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum in the South Platte River basin, Colorado

Abstract Changes in water temperature and its seasonal timing influences the physiological processes of many aquatic ectotherms. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) contribute to warmer and more consistent water temperatures in streams draining the North American Great Plains, particularly during winter months. Reduced variation in seasonal water temperature may adversely affect fishes that rely on temperature fluctuation or specific overwintering temperatures for reproductive cues. We used johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum (Family Percidae), a thermally sensitive species native to the South Platte River Basin, as a focal species to assess the effects of winter water temperature regulations in Colorado. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of winter stream temperature and winter duration on reproductive success of johnny darter in the laboratory to inform development of water quality criteria for the South Platte River Basin. Winter duration (60, 90 or 120 days) and temperature (4 or 12°C) were crossed in a factorial design of six treatments that simulated warmed effluent‐impacted streams as well as streams with a more natural thermal regime. We defined reproductive success in johnny darter by examining four reproductive endpoints: (1) spawning timing, (2) egg and larvae production, (3) egg success, and (4) egg development. Across the four endpoints, seven main response variables were measured: spawning initiation date, eggs per gram of female per week, live larvae per gram of female per week, fertilisation success, hatching success, egg‐to‐larva survival and days to hatch. Winter temperature and duration influenced spawning timing and egg development. Earlier spawning initiation dates were observed in fish exposed to 12°C winters and was associated with a higher number of days to hatch. Eggs per gram of female per week, live larvae per gram of female per week, fertilisation success, hatching success, and egg‐to‐larva survival were similar among winter treatments. Although the State of Colorado chronic winter water temperature standard of 12°C appears to be adequate for egg and larvae production in johnny darter, our results showed that fish exposed to the standard began spawning significantly earlier than fish exposed to 4°C winters. Evaluating reproductive output in the context of seasonal timing is valid because spawning timing has the potential to affect overall production and egg development, and consequently recruitment and population sustainability. Therefore, spawning timing should be considered when making management decisions and revising water temperature standards. The warming of streams and rivers from WWTP effluent is a global issue, especially in areas that are undergoing rapid urbanisation. Fishes are particularly sensitive to water temperature and many fishes worldwide are likely to be experiencing changes in important physiological processes, affecting both reproduction and survival. Our study indicates that reproductive timing could be influenced by stream warming and stresses the need for further studies on the influence of anthropogenic effects on stream warming.

Modifying and parameterizing the individual-based model inSTREAM for Atlantic salmon and brown trout in the regulated Gullspång River, Sweden

We modified, parameterized, and applied the individual-based model inSTREAM version 6.1 for lake-migrating populations of landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta) in a residual flow stretch of the hydropower-regulated Gullspång River, Sweden. This model description is structured according to the TRACE model description framework. Our aim was to model responses in salmonid recruitment to alternative scenarios of flow release and other environmental alterations. The main response variable was the number of large out-migrating juvenile fish per year, with the assumption that individuals are more inclined to out-migrate the larger they get, and that migration is an obligatory strategy. Population and species-specific parameters were set based on local electrofishing surveys, redd surveys, physical habitat surveys, broodstock data as well as scientific literature.•Simulations were set to run over 10 years, with sub-daily time steps, in this spatially and temporally explicit model.•Model calibration and validation of fish growth was done using data on juvenile fish from electrofishing.•The results were found to be sensitive to parameter values for aggregated fish, i.e., “superindividuals” and for the high temperature limit to spawning.

Prevalence, pattern, and cessation of tobacco consumption among older adults in India

ABSTRACT Background There has been a comparative decline in tobacco consumption; however, India still has the highest number of tobacco consumers in terms of absolute numbers. Objective This study aimed to examine the prevalence, pattern, and cessation of tobacco consumption among older adults in India. Methods Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) wave-I. Cross-tabulation and logistic regression analysis were used. Smokeless and smoked tobacco were the main response variables. Results The consumption of smokeless tobacco was higher among male older adults than in female older adults; however, a higher percentage of female older adults consumed smoked tobacco than their male counterparts. A higher percentage of urban older adults than rural older adults (45.35% vs. 41.67%) consumed smokeless tobacco; however, the prevalence of smoked tobacco consumption was higher among older adults in rural areas than their urban counterparts (48.46% vs. 46.81%). The odds of ever used tobacco (OR = 0.23, C.I. = 0.18–0.30) and smokeless tobacco (OR = 0.69, C.I. = 0.47–1.00) were lower among higher educated older adults than uneducated older adults. Conclusion There is a need to disseminate information about the ill effects of tobacco consumption among older men and women.

Modeling Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta) population responses and interactions under increased minimum flow in a regulated river

Describing and understanding the relationship between streamflow and ecological processes is a classic problem in stream ecology and river management. We applied the individual-based model inSTREAM to describe the relationship between the dynamic river habitat and emergent population responses in sympatric landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and lake-migrating brown trout (Salmo trutta). This application explicitly describes the environmental conditions in the Gullspång Rapids, a residual flow stretch in the hydropower-regulated Gullspång River, Sweden (Svenskt elfiskeregister – SERS, 2019) etween September 2008 and September 2018. We simulated three static minimum flow scenarios and three variable natural flow regimes, contrasting highly artificial conditions with more natural dynamics. Our main response variable was the number of large (≥ 12 cm) out-migrants of salmon and trout, a proxy for successful population recruitment. The baseline model predicted an average production of 455 salmon and 532 trout out-migrants per year during 2008–2018 in this 11,700 m2 spawning and rearing area. The only alternative scenario producing more out-migrants was when the minimum flow was raised by a factor of three, as this led to a modest increase in trout out-migrants. Interestingly, none of the flow alternatives produced more salmon out-migrants than the baseline model, suggesting a competitive disadvantage originating from spawning later than trout. Density-dependent population regulation, a well-known phenomenon in salmonids, was reproduced by the model. Both intra- and interspecific competition was evident. While the number of out-migrants varied with flow regime, sensitivity analyses showed that other model input, specifically velocity shelter availability and stream temperature, were just as important. Increased availability of velocity shelters (in-stream structures that reduces the swimming speed of drift-feeding fish) was the only environmental factor that increased production of both salmon and trout in silico. We conclude that in this system, flow restoration based on simplistic flow scenarios will have limited effect, unless complemented by an increase of instream structural complexity.

Factores asociados a la incidencia y la mortalidad por COVID-19 en las comunidades autónomas

ObjectiveAnalyze the evolution of the epidemic of COVID-19 after the alarm state and identify factors associated with the differences between the autonomous communities. MethodEcological study that used epidemiological, demographic, environmental and variables on the structure of health services as explanatory variables. The analysis period was from March 15th (the start of the alarm state) until April 22nd, 2020. Incidence and mortality rates were the main response variables. The magnitude of the associations has been estimated using the Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. ResultsIncidence and mortality rates at the time of decree of alarm status are associated with current incidence, mortality and hospital demand rates. Higher mean temperatures are significantly associated with a lower current incidence of COVID-19 in the autonomous communities. Likewise, a higher proportion of older people in nursing homes is significantly associated with a higher current mortality in the autonomous communities. ConclusionIt is possible to predict the evolution of the epidemic through the analysis of incidence and mortality. Lower temperatures and the proportion of older people in residences are factors associated with a worse prognosis. These parameters must be considered in decisions about the timing and intensity of the implementation of containment measures. In this sense, strengthening epidemiological surveillance is essential to improve predictions.

An assessment of school kiosks in Chimbote (Peru) to curb obesity.

School kiosks are spaces where food is provided to preschool and school-age students. Sanitary control of products can help curb and reduce obesity in this study population. We determined compliance and regularity of the evaluation of school kiosks in general and by Regular Elementary Education Institutions in an area of Peru. We performed a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the database of biannual evaluations of school kiosks conducted by the North Pacific Health Network. The main response variables were (a) level of compliance, categorized in Initial (I), In-Process (P), Healthy Kiosk (KS), and Outstanding Healthy Kiosk (KSD). We assigned values from 1 = I to 4 = KSD and assessed the regularity of assessment (schools visited in either semester 1 or 2 or visited in both semesters). The study population consisted of 31 (47.7%) schools out of a total of 65. KS level was reached by 29.1% of the preschool facilities, while 40% of kindergarten/elementary kiosks reached the KS level. Regarding regularity of assessments, 54.8% of kiosks were evaluated in both semesters. All strategic actors of the Ministry of Health and Education must become involved in promoting and facilitating the attainment of the health goals by increasing the number of healthy or featured school kiosks.

Examining Validity-Related Correlations and Their Differences Under Assumption Violations.

A procedure for evaluation of validity related coefficients and their differences is discussed, which is applicable when one or more frequently used assumptions in empirical educational, behavioral and social research are violated. The method is developed within the framework of the latent variable modeling methodology and accomplishes point and interval estimation of convergent and discriminant correlations as well as differences between them in cases of incomplete data sets with data not missing at random, nonnormality, and clustering effects. The procedure uses the full information maximum likelihood approach to model fitting and parameter estimation, does not assume availability of multiple indicators for underlying latent constructs, includes auxiliary variables, and accounts for within-group correlations on main response variables resulting from nesting effects involving studied respondents. The outlined procedure is illustrated on empirical data from a study using tertiary education entrance examination measures.

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Background: Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) is a non-pharmaceutical and none-invasive treatment, designed to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The aims were to determine a Minimum Efficacy Dose (MED) and the longterm effect of OMT in the treatment of GERD. Materials and method: The study was performed as a two-dimensional, between-patient Response Surface Pathway (RSP) designed multicenter study with “Number of OMTs” and “Treatment Interval” as interventional variables. The main response variable was the percent reduction in the sum of the five GERD-scores from baseline. Three patients on the first design level received six OMT with five days’ interval. The number of OMTs and treatment interval in the second (n=5) and third design levels (n=7) were based on the results of the previous design level. The mean age and duration of GERD were 50.2 and 10.9 years, ranging from 25.7 to 75.7 years and 0.2 to 36.3 years, respectively. Results: The percent reduction in GERD-score increased with increasing number of OMTs and time intervals, but flattered out after four OMTs and three to four days treatment interval. The estimated MED of OsMT was three treatments with two days interval resulting in a GERD-score reduction of 62.2% (95% CI: 50.3-80.1%). All the five GERD-symptoms and consequently the mean GERD-score were significantly reduced after the first two OMTs, one week, three and 12 months after the last treatment (p<<0.01). One week after last OMT, the GERD-score reduced with 75% and 33% symptoms free patients. At one-year follow-up, the reduction was 63.3% with 46.7% had no GERD-symptoms. Conclusion: Anti-reflux OMT significantly decreases the GERD-symptoms and the use of PPI. 46.7 percent of the patents had no GERD symptoms one year after treatment. The estimated MED of OMT was three treatments with two days (48 hours) interval.

Hierarchical Metamodeling of the Air Bending Process

Despite the tremendous effort of researchers and manufacturing engineers in improving the predictability of the air bending process, there is still a strong need for comprehensive and dependable prediction models. Currently, available modeling approaches all present some relevant limitations in practical applications. In this paper, we propose a new method, which represents an improvement over all existing modeling and prediction techniques. The proposed method can be used for accurate prediction of the main response variables of the air bending process: the angle α after springback and the bend deduction BD. The metamodeling method is based on the hierarchical fusion of different kinds of data: the deterministic low-fidelity response of numerical finite element method (FEM) simulations and the stochastic high fidelity response of experimental tests. The metamodel has been built over a very large database, unprecedented in the scientific literature on air bending, made of more than 500 numerical simulations and nearly 300 experimental tests. The fusion is achieved first by interpolating the FEM simulations with a kriging predictor; then, the hierarchical metamodel is built as a linear regression model of the experimental data, using the kriging predictor among the regressors. The accuracy of the method has been proved using a variant of the leave-one-out cross validation technique. The quality of the prediction yielded by the proposed method significantly over-performs the current prediction of the press brake on-line numerical control.

Effectiveness of an educational group intervention in primary healthcare for continued exclusive breast-feeding: PROLACT study

BackgroundThe World Health Organization leads a global strategy to promote the initiation and maintenance of breast-feeding.Existing literature shows that education and supportive interventions, both for breast-feeding mothers as well as for healthcare professionals, can increase the proportion of women that use exclusive breast-feeding, however, more evidence is needed on the effectiveness of group interventions.MethodsThis study involves a community-based cluster randomised trial conducted at Primary Healthcare Centres in the Community of Madrid (Spain). The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational group intervention performed by primary healthcare professionals in increasing the proportion of mother-infant pairs using exclusive breastfeeding at six months compared to routine practice.The number of patients required will be 432 (216 in each arm). All mother-infant pairs using exclusive breastfeeding that seek care or information at healthcare centres will be included, as long as the infant is not older than four weeks, and the mother has used exclusive breastfeeding in the last 24 h and who gives consent to participate.The main response variable is mother-infant pairs using exclusive breast-feeding at six months.Main effectiveness will be analysed by comparing the proportion of mother-infant pairs using exclusive breast-feeding at six months between the intervention group and the control group. All statistical tests will be performed with intention-to-treat. The estimation will be adjusted using an explanatory logistic regression model. A survival analysis will be used to compare the two groups using the log-rank test to assess the effect of the intervention on the duration of breastfeeding. The control of potential confounding variables will be performed through the construction of Cox regression models.DiscussionWe must implement strategies with scientific evidence to improve the percentage of exclusive breast-feeding at six months in our environment as established by the WHO. Group education is an instrument used by professionals in Primary Care that favours the acquisition of skills and modification of already-acquired behaviour, all making it a potential method of choice to improve rates of exclusive breast-feeding in this period.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under code number NCT01869920 (Date of registration: June 3, 2013).

Inter- and intraspecific consumer trait variations determine consumer diversity effects in multispecies predator-prey systems

AME Aquatic Microbial Ecology Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials AME 81:243-256 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01866 Inter- and intraspecific consumer trait variations determine consumer diversity effects in multispecies predator-prey systems Sabine Flöder1,*, Lara Bromann1,2, Stefanie Moorthi1 1Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment [ICBM], Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany 2FB Umweltwissenschaften, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany *Corresponding author: sabine.floeder@uni-oldenburg.de ABSTRACT: This study investigated how inter- and intraspecific trait variations determine consumer diversity loss effects in a short-term microcosm experiment, using consumer and prey biovolume production and composition as the main response variables. Three levels of ciliate diversity were created, all feeding on a 3-species microalgal prey mixture. Ciliates differed in consumer specialisation, feeding on 1 (specialist, S), 2 (intermediate, I) or all 3 (generalist, G) microalgal species. Intraspecific trait variation was incorporated by including 3 different clones of I and setting up ciliate combinations with either monoclonal or polyclonal populations of I. Both increasing inter- and intraspecific consumer diversity increased total ciliate biovolume. On the species level, total ciliate biovolume was high wherever G was included, indicating a positive selection effect for a competitively superior species. Polyclonal I monocultures exceeded the biovolume of all monoclonal ones (transgressive overyielding) based on complementary differences of clone-specific feeding niches. This effect was also observed in multispecies combinations. Both inter- and intraspecific consumer diversity decreased prey evenness. Despite being able to feed on all prey species, G displayed specific grazing preferences within its dietary niche. Furthermore, G exhibited an induced offence, forming giant cells that fed on other ciliates. S responded with an inducible defence, escaping predation by the intraguild predator. Overall, our study demonstrated highly complex trophic interactions driven by consumer selectivity, grazing rates, selective feeding and phenotypic plasticity, and indicated that both inter- and intraspecific consumer trait variations determine the consequences of consumer diversity loss on ecosystem functioning. KEY WORDS: Consumer diversity · Consumer trait variation · Intraspecific trait variation · Predator-prey system · Ciliates · Specialist · Generalist Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Flöder S, Bromann L, Moorthi S (2018) Inter- and intraspecific consumer trait variations determine consumer diversity effects in multispecies predator-prey systems. Aquat Microb Ecol 81:243-256. https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01866 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AME Vol. 81, No. 3. Online publication date: May 16, 2018 Print ISSN: 0948-3055; Online ISSN: 1616-1564 Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research.

Spatial plant resource acquisition traits explain plant community effects on soil microbial properties

Trait-based approaches have recently been employed to develop a more mechanistic understanding of plant community effects on the assembly and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the broad consensus that soils provide essential ecosystem services, plant community effects on soil communities and functions have rarely been linked to aboveground and belowground plant traits. Here, we studied the effects of plant species richness, plant trait diversity, and single plant functional traits related to spatial and temporal resource acquisition on soil microbial properties over five years in a grassland biodiversity experiment. The main response variables were soil basal respiration and microbial biomass. Above- and belowground plant traits associated with spatial (plant height, leaf area, rooting depth, and root length density) and temporal resource acquisition (growth start, flowering start) were selected to design communities with different levels of functional diversity as well as to calculate realized community means weighted by plant species cover. Plant species richness and trait diversity effects on soil microbial properties were nonsignificant over the course of the five-year experiment. After four years, however, we found significantly higher soil basal respiration in plant communities with smaller leaves and both denser and shallower root systems than in plant communities with taller plants and sparse root systems. One year later, these effects were significant for both soil basal respiration and soil microbial biomass. Structural equation modeling revealed that plant community effects on soil microbial properties were mostly due to differences in rooting depth, although the explanatory power of our models was low. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating plant traits, particularly root traits, in analyses of plant community effects on soil biota and functions. Selecting for particular plant traits in communities and considering interactive effects of specific plant traits may facilitate the targeted management of grasslands to maintain essential ecosystem services.

Impact of introducing subsidized combination treatment with artemether-lumefantrine on sales of anti-malarial monotherapies: a survey of private sector pharmacies in Huambo, Angola.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) against malaria are subsidized in many African countries, but the impact of subsidy programs in reducing the sales of concomitantly available antimalarial monotherapies is poorly defined. Data from The MENTOR initiative, that introduced subsidized artemether-lumefantrine (sAL) in the private sector of Huambo province, Angola, were used. The main response variable was represented by sales of sAL and of monotherapies, measured as number of treatment courses. Sales in private pharmacies of sAL and four antimalarial monotherapies between 2009 and 2013 were organized in four time-periods, and analyzed using generalized linear models for repeated measures. A secondary analysis evaluated changes in relative market share. We analyzed data from 34 pharmacies at four time points, taken from a larger survey that involved 165 pharmacies between June 2009 and March 2013. The sAL, following its introduction, became the dominant antimalarial treatment in the private sector, usually exceeding the total sales of all antimalarial monotherapies combined (1480/2800 total treatment courses, 52.8% of all sales in March 2013). Sales of monotherapies decreased significantly, but did not stop, representing 36.7% (1028/2800) of sales at the end of the survey. Subsidized ACTs can attain rapidly a high relative market share. Their introduction reduced, but did not eliminate the demand for less effective monotherapies, that might favor parasite resistance.

A 5 MW direct-drive generator for floating spar-buoy wind turbine: Drive-train dynamics

This article proceeds with investigations on a 5 MW direct-drive floating wind turbine system (FWTDD) that was developed in a previous study. A fully integrated land-based direct-drive wind turbine system (WTDD) was created using SIMPACK, a multi-body simulation tool, to model the necessary response variables. The comparison of blade pitch control action and torque behaviour with a similar land-based direct-drive model in HAWC2 (an aero-elastic simulation tool) confirmed that the dynamic feedback effects can be ignored. The main shaft displacements, air-gap eccentricity, forces due to unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) and the main bearing loads were identified as the main response variables. The investigations then proceed with a two-step de-coupled approach for the detailed drive-train analysis in WTDD and FWTDD systems. The global motion responses and drive-train loads were extracted from HAWC2 and fed to stand-alone direct-drive generator models in SIMPACK. The main response variables of WTDD and FWTDD system were compared. The FWTDD drive-train was observed to endure additional excitations at wave and platform pitch frequencies, thereby increasing the axial components of loads and displacements. If secondary deflections are not considered, the FWTDD system did not result in any exceptional increases to eccentricity and UMP with the generator design tolerances being fairly preserved. The bearing loading behaviour was comparable between both the systems, with the exception of axial loads and tilting moments attributed to additional excitations in the FWTDD system.

Temperature priming and memory in soil filamentous fungi

Abstract Most soil fungi experience a constantly fluctuating environment, and coping with resulting biotic and abiotic stressors can come at a considerable metabolic cost. We know that organisms respond better to severe stresses (triggering stress) when they have experienced a similar milder stress (priming stress) before. Asking how long organisms can remember a priming event is a compelling question. We here studied priming by temperature stress in filamentous fungi isolated from the same grassland soil. We hypothesized that filamentous fungi can show priming responses, and that their memory-spans correlate with their growth rates. Fungal colonies of 19 different filamentous fungi were first primed at 35 °C for 5 h (as priming stress) and after 0, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h they were exposed to 40 °C for 10 h (as triggering stress). The variable lag time between the stress applications allowed us to assess memory. Our main response variable was growth rate. Of the 19 fungal isolates tested, eight showed temperature priming ability. The Mucoromycotina isolates (Mortierellales) showed a mean growth increase following triggering stress that was 2.75-fold higher than in unprimed colonies (log-response-ratio). Mucoromycotina isolates had a memory half-life span (power-law-relationships) of 5.65 h. Considering fungal traits like growth rate to predict priming responses, we found a positive relationship between priming response (with 12 h memory phase) and growth rate. The differential ability to be primed in co-occurring isolates may have direct consequences for fungal communities and coexistence in soil.

Dehydration of Ethanol by PSA Process with Pressure Equalization Step Added

AbstractIn this work, the ethanol dehydration production process is carried out using the Mathematical Modeling Pressure Adsorption Process. A new model is suggested, it has two equalization steps, and is compared with the Industrial Pressure Swing Process operating cycle. An analysis of the effects of introducing the pressure equalization step is performed on four main response variables: purity, production, recovery and energy consumption and it is compared with the current cycle configuration operating in the industry. We used Aspen Adsorption for the valuation and simulation of the cyclic PSA process. We analyzed and processed the simulation results in Statgraphics Centurion to obtain optimum operating conditions for the process. This evaluation shows that purity decreases slightly, whereas recovery and production increase. The most important thing is that the energy consumption is reduced. These results clearly show that by modifying the operating cycle schema, optimum operating conditions also change. The optimization of the new cycle was executed considering as variables bed pressure, adsorption time and purging flow. We found that a smaller column is more productive for the equalization cycle than that of a 14m bed, which is optimal in the industrial cycle with a consequent reduction in adsorbent material.

Retraso diagnóstico en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal pediátrica. Descripción y estudio de los factores de riesgo

IntroductionDiagnostic delay of inflammatory bowel disease in children might be responsible for complications and a poor response to treatment. The study of diagnostic delay and its determining factors may help implement corrective measures and improve the prognosis of the disease. Patients and methodsA retrospective study of the information collected from primary care medical records and that from the pediatric gastroenterology service at a tertiary hospital between 2000 and 2012 was carried out on 53 patients: 31 with Crohn's disease, 19 with ulcerative colitis, and 3 with unclassified pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. The main response variable was the interval from the first physician-patient contact to diagnosis. ResultsThe median time to diagnosis was 12 weeks (interquartile range 5-24). However for 26.3% of the ulcerative colitis cases and 25.8% of the Crohn's disease cases, the interval was longer than 1 year. There was a more marked delay trend in Crohn's disease cases, but it was not statistically significant. None of the evaluated risk factors was associated with a relevant diagnostic delay, although it tended to be longer in younger children. ConclusionsWhereas the median delay for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease seems to be acceptable, the diagnostic time spans are considerable for a large proportion of children with heterogeneous clinical characteristics. Further research into lost diagnostic opportunities needs to be carried out.

Fear Avoidance Beliefs, Held by Occupational Therapists, are Associated with Treatment Recommendations

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to explore whether New Zealand occupational therapists' recommendations for chronic low back pain are predicted by their fear avoidance beliefs. Method: In an online survey, 63 therapists rated the strength of recommendation on a four-point Likert scale (for each of: home help, equipment provision, and environmental modification) for a case study of low back pain, and completed two questionnaires about fear avoidance beliefs. The strength of recommendation (definitely not, not likely, likely, definitely yes) was analysed as an ordinal scale response variable, with important predictors each of the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Tool and the Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale. Potential confounding variables were: age, years in practice or pain practice, and receipt of extra pain education. The main response variable was the probability of recommending home help. Analysis was by proportional odds regression. Findings: 54/63 (85.7%) of the surveys had complete data. The adjusted odds ratio, per point higher on the fear avoidance belief scales, for therapists who were more likely to recommend home help was 1.19 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.35), p = 0.005 for the Fear Avoidance Belief Tool and 1.16 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.29), p = 0.006 for Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale. This is consistent with those with greater fear avoidance beliefs being more likely to recommend home help. Conclusion: Occupational therapists' fear avoidance beliefs are associated with treatment recommendations that lessen activity or movement demands. These beliefs are potentially unhelpful and may reinforce avoidance behaviour in patients with chronic low back pain.