Phase Of Rapid Decline Research Articles

Dynamic changes in quality of life in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 7-year follow up

Purposes: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of the rapid decline of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), associated with accelerated frailty in older populations. This study aimed to analyse the long-term dynamic changes of HRQoL and the predictive factors for the rapid decline of HRQoL in older patients with COPD.MethodsOverall 244 patients with COPD, aged ≧ 65 years from one medical centre were enrolled between March 2012 and July 2020. Further, we prospectively assessed HRQoL scores with utility values, using EuroQol Five-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Additionally, long-term dynamic changes in HRQoL were analysed using the Kernel smoothing method and examined the factors contributing to the deterioration of HRQoL using a linear mixed effects model.ResultsOlder patients with COPD with forced expiration volume (FEV1) < 50% of prediction entered the phase of rapid and continuous decline of HRQoL ~ 2 years after enrolment, but patients with FEV1 ≥ 50% of prediction without rapidly declined HRQoL during 7 years follow up. Therefore, FEV1 < 50% of prediction is a novel predictor for the rapid decline of HRQoL. The course of rapidly declining HRQoL occurred, initially in the usual activities and pain/discomfort domains, followed by the morbidity, self-care, and depression/anxiety domains ~ 2 and 4 years after enrolment, respectively. The mixed effects model indicated that both FEV1 < 50% of prediction and a history of severe acute exacerbation (SAE) requiring hospitalisation were contributing factors for deterioration in HRQoL .ConclusionsBoth FEV1 < 50% of prediction and exacerbations requiring hospitalisation were contributing factors for the deterioration of HRQoL in long-term follow up. Additionally, FEV1 < 50% of prediction was a novel predictor for patients entering the phase of rapid decline of HRQoL.

Numerical Analysis of Concrete Hydration Heat Impact on Frozen Soil Temperature around Cast-in-Place Piles.

The hydration heat generated during the concreting of cast-in-place piles causes thermal disturbance to the surrounding permafrost, leading to its thawing. This further affects the stability of the pile foundation and degrades the construction progress. To explore the influence mechanisms of the concrete hydration heat on the permafrost temperature field around the pile, as well as that of different construction seasons on the pile-side boundary conditions and permafrost temperature field, monitoring results of on-site tests and numerical simulation were used to analyze the distribution law of the pile soil temperature field in space and time, and the pile-side boundary conditions and permafrost temperature field during construction seasons. The results show that the temperature trend of the pile foundation can be divided into three stages: a rapid rise phase (0∼2 d), a rapid decline phase (2∼10 d), and a slow decline and stabilization phase (10∼90 d). As the radial distance from the pile center decreases, there occur a corresponding acceleration in temperature increase and an elevated maximum temperature rise (MTR). The influence range of the molding temperature and the hydration heat is about 1∼2 times the pile diameter and less than 1.5 m in the depth direction. Compared to the atmospheric temperature, there is a lag in the change in the permafrost temperature caused by accumulation of ground temperature, and the significant difference between the two leads to an increased rate of heat exchange at the boundary condition. Conducting drilling operation and cast-in-place pile construction in the cold seasons is conducive to reducing the thermal disturbance to the permafrost around the pile in permafrost areas.

Survival analysis of the duration of rumors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic towards the end of 2019 triggered a relentless spread of online misinformation, which significantly impacted societal stability, public perception, and the effectiveness of measures to prevent and control the epidemic. Understanding the complex dynamics and characteristics that determine the duration of rumors is crucial for their effective management. In response to this urgent requirement, our study takes survival analysis method to analyze COVID-19 rumors comprehensively and rigorously. Our primary aim is to clarify the distribution patterns and key determinants of their persistence. Through this exploration, we aim to contribute to the development of robust rumor management strategies, thereby reducing the adverse effects of misinformation during the ongoing pandemic. The dataset utilized in this research was sourced from Tencent's "Jiao Zhen" Verification Platform's "Real-Time Debunking of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia" system. We gathered a total of 754 instances of rumors from January 18, 2020, to January 17, 2023. The duration of each rumor was ascertained using the Baidu search engine. To analyze these rumors, survival analysis techniques were applied. The study focused on examining various factors that might influence the rumors' longevity, including the theme of the content, emotional appeal, the credibility of the source, and the mode of presentation. Our study's results indicate that a rumor's lifecycle post-emergence typically progresses through three distinct phases: an initial rapid decline phase (0-25days), followed by a stable phase (25-1000days), and ultimately, an extinction phase (beyond 1000days). It is observed that half of the rumors fade within the first 25days, with an average duration of approximately 260.15days. When compared to the baseline category of prevention and treatment rumors, the risk of dissipation is markedly higher in other categories: policy measures rumors are 3.58 times more likely to perish, virus information rumors have a 0.52 times higher risk, epidemic situation rumors are 4.86 times more likely to die out, and social current affairs rumors face a 2.02 times increased risk. Additionally, in comparison to wish rumors, bogie rumors and aggression rumors have 0.26 and 0.27 times higher risks of dying, respectively. In terms of presentation, graphical and video rumors share similar dissolution risks, whereas textual rumors tend to have a longer survival time. Interestingly, the credibility of the rumor's source does not significantly impact its longevity. The survival time of rumors is strongly linked to their content theme and emotional appeal, whereas the credibility of the source and the format of presentation have a more auxiliary influence. This study recommends that government agencies should adopt specific strategies to counter rumors. Experts and scholars are encouraged to take an active role in spreading health knowledge. It's important for the public to proactively seek trustworthy sources for accurate information. Media platforms are advised to maintain journalistic integrity, verify the accuracy of information, and guide the public towards improved media literacy. These actions, collectively, can foster a collaborative alliance between the government and the media, effectively combating misinformation.

Evolution of tidal flats in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta: spatiotemporal analysis and mechanistic changes (1996-2021)

The Yellow River Delta has undergone significant changes, developing a temperate chalk-sand silty coast with expansive and level tidal flats. However, the area is currently facing the threat of erosion due to coastal area construction, decreased river sediment discharge into the sea, and intensified marine hydrodynamic forces. Remote sensing technology has important applications in spatial and temporal monitoring of tidal flats. This study employs tidal data to establish the threshold range for the extraction of tidal flats in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta, using the water frequency method based on the image element proposed by previous authors. The study successfully identifies and analyzes the range of tidal flats, and further delves into their evolutionary process and underlying mechanisms. The study concludes that the area of tidal flats has shown a decreasing trend and was divided into a “rapid decline phase” and an “overall stabilization phase” with 2006 as the boundary. The spatial and temporal evolution of tidal flats is primarily influenced by three main factors: river sediment discharges, marine hydrodynamic forces, and anthropogenic reclamation activities. Specifically, the river sediment discharges and marine hydrodynamic forces impact the extent of tidal flats by modifying the boundary conditions, primarily at the sea boundary. Reclamation activities have a direct and rapid effect on the extent of tidal flats, primarily at the land boundary. In this study, we determined the contribution of three factors to the spatial and temporal evolution of tidal flats in different periods. During the two phases of the tidal flats’ spatial and temporal evolution in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta, the driving mechanisms were identified as “reclamation - marine hydrodynamic forces - river sediment discharges” and “marine hydrodynamic forces - river sediment discharges - reclamation”.

China’s CO2 Emissions: A Thorough Analysis of Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Sustainable Policy from the Agricultural Land-Use Perspective during 1995–2020

Agricultural land use is an important source of CO2 emissions. Therefore, taking the CO2 emissions of China’s agricultural land use during 1995–2020 as a case, we firstly calculated its composition and analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics. Then, the Tapio decoupling model and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) were, respectively, used to identify the decoupling relationship between the CO2 emission change and economic growth, and analyze the driving factors for CO2 emissions. (1) The CO2 emissions of China’s agricultural land use were composed of two main phases (fluctuating growth phase (1995–2015) and rapid decline phase (2016–2020)). The total CO2 emissions exhibited a non-equilibrium spatial distribution. The inter-provincial CO2 emissions differences first expanded and then shrank, but the inter-provincial differences of CO2 emissions intensity continuously decreased. (2) The total CO2 emissions of China’s agricultural land use increased from 50.443 Mt in 1995 to 79.187 Mt in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 1.82%. Fertilizer, agricultural diesel and agricultural (plastic) film were the main sources of anthropogenic agricultural-land-use CO2 emissions. Controlling the use of fertilizer and agricultural diesel and improving the utilization efficiency of agricultural (plastic) film could be an effective way to reduce CO2 emissions. (3) The Tapio decoupling relationship between the CO2 emission change and economic growth was a weak decoupling state during 1995–2015 and a strong decoupling state during 2016–2020. This result indicates that China’s agricultural land use can be effectively controlled. (4) The agricultural economic level is the decisive factor in promoting CO2 emissions increase, and its cumulative contribution was 476.09%. Inversely, the CO2 emission intensity, agricultural structure and agricultural labor force were three key factors, with cumulative contributions of −189.51%, −16.86% and −169.72%, respectively. Collectively, based on the findings obtained from the present research, we have proposed some suggestions to promote the sustainable use of agriculture lands in China.

Influence of Horizontal Loading in Changing the Ultimate Uplift Bearing Capacity of Monopile Foundation of Offshore Wind Turbine

Throughout their lifespan, monopile foundations supporting offshore wind turbines inevitably experience horizontal loads from waves, winds, and currents, resulting in cumulative deformation. It has been believed that deformation caused by horizontal loading weakens the interaction between the pile and the soil, leading to a reduction in the ultimate uplift bearing capacity of the pile foundation. However, there is a scarcity of literature investigating this issue, particularly regarding monopiles used in offshore wind turbine installations. Therefore, this study aims to explore the impact of horizontal cyclic loads on the ultimate uplift bearing capacity of monopile, focusing on the pile–soil interaction. To achieve this, a series of 1 g model tests were conducted on a rigid model pile embedded in silt with varying relative compaction. The test results indicate that the ultimate uplift bearing capacity of the pile is significantly diminished after experiencing horizontal cyclic loading, and the extent of reduction is closely linked to the amplitude of the horizontal deformation. A semi-empirical model is developed to predict the ultimate uplift bearing capacity of the pile foundation following horizontal cyclic loading. The key findings of this study are as follows: (1) The earth pressure in the active zone gradually decreases with an increasing number of cycles, while the earth pressure in the passive zone experiences a slight increase under horizontal cyclic loading. (2) The position of the pile rotation center under horizontal cyclic loading is approximately 0.84 times the depth at which the pile is buried, and this relationship appears to be independent of soil density and cyclic load ratio. (3) The variation of earth pressure corresponding to the horizontal deformation of the pile in the active zone can be divided into three phases: a rapid decline phase, a slow decline phase, and a stable phase. (4) The reduction in the ultimate uplift capacity is influenced by the cyclic ratio and number of cycles but does not appear to have a significant relationship with soil density.

Assessing Listeria monocytogenes growth during Spanish-style green table olive fermentation

Table olives are one of the most important fermented vegetables in the Mediterranean countries. Although this fermented vegetable has a long record of microbial safety, various studies have shown the presence of Listeria monocytogenes during table olive processing. This study focused on evaluating the behaviour of a cocktail of L. monocytogenes strains during fermentation of Spanish-style green Manzanilla olives. For this purpose, a challenge test consisting of artificial inoculation of olive fermentation with high levels of the food-borne pathogen (7.0 log10 CFU/ml) was performed. The Fermentation was carried out at the laboratory scale in sealed glass bottles (n = 168) under controlled conditions to avoid the initiation of lactic acid fermentation intentionally. This point was confirmed by the evolution of pH, which ranged from an initial 9.0 to final 6.0 units (decrease kinetic constant of −0.0016 h−1), as well as by the behaviour of lactic acid and mesophilic bacteria during the study (55 days). The fate of L. monocytogenes during fermentation was described using mathematical models, including the two-term Gompertz model. During this time, the food-borne pathogen showed an initial growth phase which lasted until 250 h, reaching a maximum population level close to 9.0 log10 CFU/ml, even in the presence of high salt concentrations (>6.0% NaCl). Then, a rapid decline phase was observed but continuously detecting a residual tail of around 2 log10 CFU/ml. Data obtained in this work shows the importance of the control of olive fermentation, especially during the first weeks when pH is alkaline-neutral and environmental conditions could favour L. monocytogenes growth.

Влияние оксопроизводных азотсодержащих гетероциклов CBR-384 и CBR-386 на дыхательную активность и уровень внеклеточных серосодержащих соединений у бактерий Escherichia coli

The biological activity of two representatives of oxo-derivative nitrogen-containing heterocycles CBR-384 and CBR-386, planned for use as drugs, on growing aerobically gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli was studied. Compound CBR-384 completely inhibited growth rate and biomass accumulation as measured by optical density (OD600). Continuous recording of dissolved oxygen (dO2) with a Clark electrode directly in the growing culture showed that CBR-384 caused a rapid and irreversible increase in oxygen levels in the medium, which indicated a decrease in the respiratory activity of cells. In time, the phase of rapid decline in respiration coincided with the phase of decreased growth rate. In aerobic cultures of E. coli, respiratory activity is closely related to the generation of membrane potential. However, only a small, but statistically significant, decrease in membrane potential, measured using the fluorescent dye DiBAC4(3), was found with CBR-384. It is known that in aerobic E. coli cultures growing on sulfate as a sulfur source, stress-induced growth inhibition is accompanied by an increase in extracellular glutathione (GSH) and H2S export. The use of a sulfide-specific electrode re-vealed that when E. coli growth is stopped by CBR-384, sulfide is also exported into the medium. Under these conditions, an increase in extracellular GSH was also noted. The effect of CBR-386 on E. coli, assessed by these four parameters, was less pronounced. The differences in the biological activities of CBR-384 and CBR-386 may be due to differences in their structures.

Sugarcane Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Sorghum. I. Population Characteristics and Dispersion Patterns in Relation to Different Sample Unit Sizes.

The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), has emerged as a serious pest of sorghum in the United States. Field trials were conducted in Louisiana and South Carolina in 2016-2018 to investigate its population characteristics and distribution patterns in relation to four sample unit sizes (three circular and one leaf based). Sugarcane aphid populations usually progressed through a phase of rapid rise followed by a phase of rapid decline within a span of 5-6 wk, with peak density determined by sorghum cultivars and climatic conditions. Peak population densities for susceptible cultivars were 1.9-14.9× that for resistant cultivars on a per plant basis. Melanaphis sacchari tended to concentrate on the lower green leaf nodes early in the infestation, with the distribution shifting toward higher green leaf nodes as the infestation progressed. Aphid densities per cm2 at the basal and middle sections were about twice as high as at the distal section of leaves. The proportions of infested sample units were fitted to the Wilson-Room binomial model that incorporates the effect of density on clumping pattern. For a specific sample unit size, clumping patterns were similar across cultivars, years, and leaf positions, but varied across infestation stages. For a fixed aphid density per sample unit, the proportion of infested sample units decreased with increasing sample unit size. For a fixed aphid density per cm2, proportion infested increased with increasing sample unit size, indicating less clumping with a larger sample unit size. Field sampling time and efficiency between samplers were quantified.

基于环境库兹涅茨曲线的我国大气污染防治重点区域环境空气质量与经济增长关系研究

改革开放以来，中国经济迅猛发展，但大气污染等环境问题日益突出。进入21世纪，我国通过颁布实施多项大气污染防治政策，将京津冀及周边地区、长三角地区、珠三角地区等大气污染较严重的区域划定为重点区域，针对性制定治污措施和实施减排工程，努力推动区域环境空气质量改善。基于2000-2019年我国31个省（自治区、直辖市）（以下简称31个省份）GDP，以及SO₂、PM₁₀、NO₂三项大气污染物浓度数据，利用环境库兹涅茨曲线（EKC，Environmental Kuznets Curve）模型，对31个省份和京津冀及周边地区、长三角地区、珠三角地区的经济增长情况、大气污染物浓度演变以及二者之间的关系进行了系统全面的分析评估。研究结果显示：（1）近年来实施的各项大气污染防治政策，特别是2013年以来颁布实施的《大气污染防治行动计划》《打赢蓝天保卫战三年行动计划》，推动环境空气质量改善的同时，促进了经济发展与环境保护长期关系协调性逐步增强，除NO₂浓度呈U型外，31个省份SO₂浓度、PM₁₀浓度与人均GDP的EKC曲线呈倒U型和倒N型，并处于快速下降阶段。（2）京津冀及周边地区SO₂浓度与人均GDP呈倒U型，且处于快速下降阶段；PM₁₀和NO₂浓度均呈现U型关系，且均处于上升期。（3）长三角地区SO₂、PM₁₀浓度与人均GDP呈现倒U型和U型，但均处于下降阶段；NO₂浓度与人均GDP无相关关系。（4）珠三角地区SO₂、PM₁₀和NO₂浓度与人均GDP均呈现倒U型关系，且均处于下降阶段。为此，建议"十四五"期间我国政府要继续实施新一轮的大气污染防治行动计划，聚焦机动车NO_x污染管控，大力推动NO₂浓度稳步下降，以实现我国环境空气质量持续改善，为统筹经济高质量发展和生态环境高水平保护奠定坚实基础。;Since the reform and opening-up, China's economy has obtain rapid development. However, the environmental problems in China such as air pollution have become increasingly prominent. In the 21st century, a number of air pollution prevention and control policies were promulgated by the Chinese government, while the serious air polluted areas such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and its surrounding areas, the Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region were designated as key areas of air pollution control. To improve the regional air quality, pollution control measures and emission reduction projects have been implemented. This research uses the Environmental Kuznets Curve (abbreviated as EKC) to analyze the economic growth, the trend of atmospheric pollutants concentration and the relationship between the two in China and the key areas of air pollution control, based on the GDP and the concentration of SO₂, PM₁₀, and NO₂ in China's 31 provinces from 2000 to 2019. The results show that: (1) the air pollution prevention and control policies in recent years, especially the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution and The Three-year Action Plan to Beat Air Pollution, have significantly improved the air quality and the relationship between economic development and environmental protection since 2013. The EKC of GDP per capita and SO₂ concentration is inverted U-shape while that of PM₁₀ concentration is inverted N-shape, both in a rapid decline phase. However, the EKC of GDP per capita and NO₂ concentration is U-shape. (2) The EKC of GDP per capita and SO₂ concentration in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and its surrounding areas is an inverted U-shape, being in a rapid decline phase while those of PM₁₀ and NO₂ concentrations are both U-shape with an upward trend. (3) The EKC of GDP per capita and SO₂ and PM₁₀ concentration in the Yangtze River Delta region are inverted U-shape and U-shape respectively, both in a decline phase. Yet the NO₂ concentration has no correlation with GDP per capita. (4) The EKC of GDP per capita and the three pollutants concentration in Pearl River Delta region are all inverted U-shape, being in a decline phase. Therefore, it is recommended that the Chinese government launches new air pollution control plans which focus on the control of NO_x production by motor vehicles for the continuous decline of NO₂ concentration. All the efforts will lead to high-quality economic development and high-level protection of the ecological environment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Research on the influence of weather conditions on urban night light environment

The increasingly serious urban light pollution has deepened the relevant research, and weather conditions indeed have great impact on the urban night light environment. Based on the SQM instrument, fish-eye camera and weather-related systems, this paper analyzes the changing law of night sky with time and weather. The brightness of the typical clear night sky changes regularly with time, and mainly includes five phases: rapid decline phase, slow decline phase, unstable decline phase, smooth phase, and rapid increase phase of sky brightness. In two phases of the smooth sky brightness, the average sky brightness in the high and low brightness phase respectively is 18.123 mag/arcsecond2 and 18.82 mag/arcsecond2, and about 15 times and 8 times higher than those of the natural night sky. This paper establishes the regression model of typical clear night sky brightness in rapid decline phase and rapid increase phase of sky brightness. The sky magnitude brightness in rainy weather is much lower than that in clear weather, the difference is about 3 mag/arcsecond2, the brightness can be reach 15.63 mag / arcsecond2; the average magnitude brightness in snowy days is about 0.17 mag/arcsecond2 higher than that in cloudy weather. There is a significant correlation among the air quality index, the ground illumination ratio of moon, the atmospheric visibility and the sky brightness. The deepened air pollution can also intensify light pollution, which can increase to 3 and 10 times higher than the night sky brightness under the moderate and severe air pollution. The lunar cycle has the least impact on light pollution in clear days, the sky brightness with the full moon is about 2 and 3 times higher than that without the moon.

The mineralization characteristics of organic carbon and particle composition analysis in reconstructed soil with different proportions of soft rock and sand.

The organic carbon mineralization process reflects the release intensity of soil CO2. Therefore, the study of organic carbon mineralization and particle composition analysis of soft rock and sand compound soil can provide technical support and a theoretical basis for soil organic reconstruction (soil structure, materials and biological nutrition). Based on previous research, four treatments were selected: CK (soft rock:sand=0:1), C1 (soft rock:sand=1:5), C2 (soft rock:sand=1:2) and C3 (soft rock:sand=1:1), respectively. Specifically, we analyzed the organic carbon mineralization process and soil particle composition by lye absorption, laser granulometer, and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that there was no significant difference in organic carbon content between C1, C2 , and C3 treatments, but they were significantly higher than in the CK treatment (P < 0.05). The organic carbon mineralization rate in each treatment accords with a logarithmic function throughout the incubation period (P < 0.01), which can be divided into a rapid decline phase in days 1 to 11 followed by a steady decline phase in days 11 to 30. The cumulative mineralization on the 11th day reached 54.96%–74.44% of the total mineralization amount. At the end of the incubation, the cumulative mineralization and potential mineralizable organic carbon content of the C1, C2 and C3 treatments were significantly higher than those of the CK treatment. The cumulative mineralization rate was also the lowest in the C1 and C2 treatment. The turnover rate constant of soil organic carbon in each treatment was significantly lower than that of the CK treatment, and the residence time increased. With the increase of volume fraction of soft rock, the content of silt and clay particles increased gradually, the texture of soil changed from sandy soil to sandy loam, loam , and silty loam, respectively. With the increase of small particles, the structure of soil appear ed to collapse when the volume ratio of soft rock was 50%. A comprehensive mineralization index and scanning electron microscopy analysis, when the ratio of soft rock to sand volume was 1:5–1:2, this can effectively increase the accumulation of soil organic carbon. Then, the distribution of soil particles was more uniform, the soil structure was stable (not collapsed), and the mineralization level of unit organic carbon was lower. Our research results have practical significance for the large area popularization of soft rock and sand compound technology.

A year in the life of GW170817: the rise and fall of a structured jet from a binary neutron star merger

Abstract We present the results of our year-long afterglow monitoring of GW170817, the first binary neutron star (NS) merger detected by advanced LIGO and advanced Virgo. New observations with the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Chandra X-ray Telescope were used to constrain its late-time behavior. The broadband emission, from radio to X-rays, is well-described by a simple power-law spectrum with index β ∼0.585 at all epochs. After an initial shallow rise ∝ t0.9, the afterglow displayed a smooth turn-over, reaching a peak X-ray luminosity of LX≈5 ×1039 erg s−1 at 160 d, and has now entered a phase of rapid decline, approximately ∝ t−2. The latest temporal trend challenges most models of choked jet/cocoon systems, and is instead consistent with the emergence of a relativistic structured jet seen at an angle of ≈22○ from its axis. Within such model, the properties of the explosion (such as its blastwave energy EK ≈ 2 × 1050 erg, jet width θc ≈4○, and ambient density n ≈3 × 10−3 cm−3) fit well within the range of properties of cosmological short GRBs.

Assessing the Poverty Impact of India’s Largest Livelihood Security Programme: A Study Based on 68th Round of NSSO

The enactment of India’s historic livelihood guarantee programme in the form of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has been coterminous with a phase of rapid decline in India’s rural poverty rates. This naturally motivates the question as to whether the observed decline in rural poverty can be attributed, at least partly, to efficient targeting and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS). This study underscores the fact that the welfare impact of anti-poverty programmes such as the MNREGS is critically dependent on whether these programmes actually reach the intended beneficiaries. Using the unit-level data from the 68th round of the NSSO survey on Employment and Unemployment, the article first investigates the possible ‘capture’ of the MNREGS at the national and also at the state levels and the consequent ‘crowding out’ of asset poor rural households. Statistical analysis of household data reveals that although at the national level, the scheme seems to be predominantly directed towards the poor, considerable variations exist among states. After correcting for confounders in treatment and control groups, the study finds that access to MNREGS employment significantly lowers the probability of a rural household of falling in the poverty trap. The article, therefore, concludes that the scheme has the potential of favourably impacting and protecting consumption standards among rural poor. Maximisation of this potential, however, would depend upon proper identification of needy households and rooting out of the pseudo-poor from the ambit of the programme.

A lake-level chronology based on feldspar luminescence dating of beach ridges at Tangra Yum Co (southern Tibet)

Many lakes on the Tibetan Plateau exhibit strandplains with a series of beach ridges extending high above the current lake levels. These beach ridges mark former lake highstands and therefore dating their formation allows the reconstruction of lake-level histories and environmental changes. In this study, we establish a lake-level chronology of Tangra Yum Co (fifth largest lake on the Tibetan Plateau) based on luminescence dating of feldspar from 17 beach-ridge samples. The samples were collected from two strandplains southeast and north of the lake and range in elevation from the current shore to 140m above the present lake. Using a modified post-infrared IRSL protocol at 170°C we successfully minimised the anomalous fading in the feldspar IRSL signal, and obtained reliable dating results. The luminescence ages indicate three different stages of lake-level decline during the Holocene: (1) a phase of rapid decline (~50m) from ~6.4 to ~4.5ka, (2) a period of slow decline between ~4.5 and ~2.0ka (~20m), and (3) a fast decline by 70m between ~2ka and today. Our findings suggest a link between a decrease in monsoonal activity and lake-level decline since the early Holocene.

Brimonidine protects against loss of Thy-1 promoter activation following optic nerve crush.

BackgroundThe loss of RGCs expressing Thy-1 after optic nerve injury has an initial phase of rapid decline followed by a longer phase with slower reduction rate. This study used longitudinal retinal imaging of mice expressing cyan fluorescent protein under control of the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-CFP mice) to determine how the α2-adrenergic agonist brimonidine influences loss of Thy1 promoter activation.MethodsBaseline images of the fluorescent retinal neurons in 30 Thy1-CFP mice were obtained using a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Next, brimonidine (100 ug/kg, IP) was administered either one time immediately after optic nerve crush, or immediately after optic nerve crush and then every 2 days for four weeks. A control group received a single saline injection immediately after optic nerve crush. All animals were imaged weekly for four weeks after optic nerve crush. Loss of fluorescent retinal neurons within specific retinal areas was determined by counting.ResultsAt one week after optic nerve crush, the proportion of fluorescent retinal neurons retaining fluorescence was 44±7% of baseline in control mice, 51±6% after one brimonidine treatment, and 55±6% after brimonidine treatment every other day (P<0.05 for both brimonidine treatment groups compared to the control group). Subsequently, the number of fluorescent retinal neurons in the group that received one treatment differed insignificantly from the control group. In contrast, the number of fluorescent retinal neurons in the group that received repeated brimonidine treatments was greater than the control group by 28% at two weeks after crush and by 32% at three weeks after crush (P<0.05 at both time points). Rate analysis showed that brimonidine slowed the initial rate of fluorescent cell decline in the animals that received multiple treatments (P<0.05). Differences in the rate of loss among the treatment groups were insignificant after the second week.ConclusionRepeated brimonidine treatments protect against loss of fluorescence within fluorescent retinal neurons of Thy1-CFP mice after optic nerve crush. As most of fluorescent retinal neurons in this system are RGCs, these findings indicate that repeated brimonidine treatments may protect RGC health following optic nerve crush.

Women's education level, maternal health facilities, abortion legislation and maternal deaths: a natural experiment in Chile from 1957 to 2007.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the main factors related to maternal mortality reduction in large time series available in Chile in context of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).MethodsTime series of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from official data (National Institute of Statistics, 1957–2007) along with parallel time series of education years, income per capita, fertility rate (TFR), birth order, clean water, sanitary sewer, and delivery by skilled attendants were analysed using autoregressive models (ARIMA). Historical changes on the mortality trend including the effect of different educational and maternal health policies implemented in 1965, and legislation that prohibited abortion in 1989 were assessed utilizing segmented regression techniques.ResultsDuring the 50-year study period, the MMR decreased from 293.7 to 18.2/100,000 live births, a decrease of 93.8%. Women's education level modulated the effects of TFR, birth order, delivery by skilled attendants, clean water, and sanitary sewer access. In the fully adjusted model, for every additional year of maternal education there was a corresponding decrease in the MMR of 29.3/100,000 live births. A rapid phase of decline between 1965 and 1981 (−13.29/100,000 live births each year) and a slow phase between 1981 and 2007 (−1.59/100,000 live births each year) were identified. After abortion was prohibited, the MMR decreased from 41.3 to 12.7 per 100,000 live births (−69.2%). The slope of the MMR did not appear to be altered by the change in abortion law.ConclusionIncreasing education level appears to favourably impact the downward trend in the MMR, modulating other key factors such as access and utilization of maternal health facilities, changes in women's reproductive behaviour and improvements of the sanitary system. Consequently, different MDGs can act synergistically to improve maternal health. The reduction in the MMR is not related to the legal status of abortion.

Early hepatitis B virus DNA reduction in hepatitis B e antigen–positive patients with chronic hepatitis B

This study was undertaken to compare the early antiviral activity and viral kinetic profiles of entecavir (ETV) versus adefovir (ADV) in hepatitis B e antigen positive nucleoside-naïve adults with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Sixty-nine nucleoside-naïve CHB patients with baseline HBV DNA of 10(8) copies/mL or more were randomized 1:1 to open-label treatment with entecavir 0.5 mg/day or adefovir 10 mg/day for a minimum of 52 weeks. The primary efficacy analysis compared mean reduction in HBV DNA at week 12 adjusted for baseline levels using linear regression. Entecavir was superior to adefovir for mean change from baseline in HBV DNA at week 12 (-6.23 log(10) copies/mL versus -4.42 log(10) copies/mL, respectively; mean difference -1.58 log(10) copies/mL; P < 0.0001). Both drugs demonstrated biphasic viral kinetics, with a first phase of rapid decline lasting 10 days. A significant difference favoring ETV was reached at day 10 (day 10 ETV-ADV difference estimate: -0.66 log(10) copies/mL; 95% CI [-0.30, -0.01]). Early virological response was found to be predictive of subsequent virological response, with those having lower HBV DNA levels at day 10 being more likely to achieve HBV DNA of less than 300 copies/mL at week 48. In addition, there was considerably less variability in the extent of HBV DNA reductions in patients treated with entecavir versus adefovir. Both the mean decrease in serum HBV DNA and the proportion of patients achieving HBV DNA less than 300 copies/mL were greater in entecavir-treated than adefovir-treated patients at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48. At week 48, one (3%) ETV-treated versus 15 (47%) ADV-treated patients had HBV DNA of 10(5) copies/mL or more. Both antivirals were well tolerated. Entecavir therapy resulted in earlier and superior reduction in HBV DNA compared with adefovir in nucleoside-naïve HBeAg-positive patients with CHB.

Ultraviolet, Optical, and X‐Ray Observations of the Type Ia Supernova 2005am withSwift

We present ultraviolet and optical light curves in six broadband filters and grism spectra obtained by Swift's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope for the Type Ia supernova SN2005am. The data were collected beginning about four days before the B-band maximum, with excellent coverage of the rapid decline phase and later observations extending out to 69 days after the peak. The optical and near UV light curve match well those of SN1992A. The other UV observations constitute the first set of light curves shorter than 2500 Angstroms and allow us to compare the light curve evolution in three UV bands. The UV behavior of this and other low redshift supernovae can be used to constrain theories of progenitor evolution or to interpret optical light curves of high redshift supernovae. Using Swift's X-Ray Telescope, we also report the upper limit to SN2005am's X-ray luminosity to be 1.77 x 10^40 erg s^-1 in the 0.3--10 keV range from 58,117 s of exposure time.

The effect of a finite mass reservoir on the collapse of spherical isothermal clouds and the evolution of protostellar accretion

Motivated by recent observations that detect an outer boundary for starless cores, and evidence for time-dependent mass accretion in the Class 0 and Class I protostellar phases, we re-examine the case of spherical isothermal collapse in the case of a finite mass reservoir. The presence of a core boundary, implemented through a constant-volume approximation in our simulation, results in the generation of an inward-propagating rarefaction wave. This steepens the gas density profile from r−2 (self-similar value) to r−3 or steeper. After a protostar forms, the mass accretion rate evolves through three distinct phases: (1) an early phase of decline in , which is a non-self-similar effect due to rapid and spatially non-uniform infall in the pre-stellar phase; (2) for large cores, an intermediate phase of near-constant from the infall of the outer part of the self-similar density profile, which has low (subsonic) infall speed in the pre-stellar phase; and (3) a late phase of rapid decline in when accretion occurs from the region affected by the inward-propagating rarefaction wave. Our model clouds of small to intermediate size make a direct transition from phase (1) to phase (3) above. Both the first and second phase (if the latter is indeed present) are characterized by a temporally increasing bolometric luminosity Lbol, while Lbol is decreasing in the third (final) phase. We identify the period of temporally increasing Lbol with the Class 0 phase, and the later period of terminal accretion and decreasing Lbol with the Class I phase. The peak in Lbol corresponds to the evolutionary time when 50 ± 15 per cent of the cloud mass has been accreted by the protostar. This is in agreement with the classification scheme proposed in the early 1990s by André et al.; our model adds a physical context to their interpretation. We show how our results can be used to explain tracks of envelope mass Menv versus Lbol for protostars in Taurus and Ophiuchus. We also develop an analytic formalism that successfully reproduces the protostellar accretion rate from profiles of density and infall speed in the pre-stellar phase. It shows that the spatial gradient of infall speed that develops in the pre-stellar phase is a primary cause of the temporal decline in during the early phase of protostellar accretion.