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Regional Variation (regional + variation)
Kinds of Regional Variation Selected AbstractsChanges in Regional Variation of Medicare Home Health Care Utilization and Service Mix for Patients Undergoing Major Orthopedic Procedures in Response to Changes in Reimbursement PolicyHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009John D. FitzGerald Background. Significant variation in regional utilization of home health (HH) services has been documented. Under Medicare's Home Health Interim and Prospective Payment Systems, reimbursement policies designed to curb expenditure growth and reduce regional variation were instituted. Objective. To examine the impact of Medicare reimbursement policy on regional variation in HH care utilization and type of HH services delivered. Research Design. We postulated that the reimbursement changes would reduce regional variation in HH services and that HH agencies would respond by reducing less skilled HH aide visits disproportionately compared with physical therapy or nursing visits. An interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to examine regional variation in the month-to-month probability of HH selection, and the number of and type of visits among HH users. Subjects. A 100 percent sample of all Medicare recipients undergoing either elective joint replacement (1.6 million hospital discharges) or surgical management of hip fracture (1.2 million hospital discharges) between January 1996 and December 2001 was selected. Results. Before the reimbursement changes, there was great variability in the probability of HH selection and the number of HH visits provided across regions. In response to the reimbursement changes, though there was little change in the variation of probability of HH utilization, there were marked reductions in the number and variation of HH visits, with greatest reductions in regions with highest baseline utilization. HH aide visits were the source of the baseline variation and accounted for the majority of the reductions in utilization after implementation. Conclusions. The HH interim and prospective payment policies were effective in reducing regional variation in HH utilization. [source] The Causes of Regional Variations in U.S. Poverty: A Cross-County AnalysisJOURNAL OF REGIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2000William Levernier The persistence of poverty in the modern American economy, with rates of poverty in some areas approaching those of less advanced economies, remains a central concern among policy makers. Therefore, in this study we use U.S. county-level data to explore potential explanations for the observed regional variation in the rates of poverty. The use of counties allows examination of both nonmetropolitan area and metropolitan area poverty. Factors considered include those that relate to both area economic performance and area demographic composition. Specific county economic factors examined include economic growth, industry restructuring, and labor market skills mismatches. [source] Regional Variations of Contractile Activity in Isolated Rat LymphaticsMICROCIRCULATION, Issue 6 2004ANATOLIY A. GASHEV ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate lymphatic contractile activity in different regions of the lymphatic system in a single animal model (the rat thoracic duct, mesenteric, cervical, and femoral lymphatics) in response to changes in lymph pressure and flow. Methods: The systolic and diastolic diameters of isolated, cannulated, and pressurized lymphatic vessels were measured. Contraction frequency, ejection fraction, and fractional pump flow were determined. The influences of incrementally increased transmural pressure (from 1 to 9 cm H2O) and imposed flow (from 1 to 5 cm H2O transaxial pressure gradient) were investigated. Results: The authors determined regional differences in lymphatic contractility in response to pressure and imposed flow. They found the highest pumping (at the optimal pressure levels) in mesenteric lymphatics and lowest pumping in thoracic duct. All lymphatics had their optimal pumping conditions at low levels of transmural pressure. Different degrees of the flow-induced inhibition of the pump were observed in the different types of lymphatics. During high flow, the active lymph pumps in thoracic duct and cervical lymphatics were almost completely abolished, whereas mesenteric and femoral lymphatics still exhibited significant active pumping. Conclusions: The active lymph pumps in different regions of the rat body express variable relative strengths and sensitivities that are predetermined by different hydrodynamic factors and regional outflow resistances in their respective locations. [source] Regional Variations in the Competitiveness of Unemployed Job-seekers and the Rate of Outflows From UnemploymentOXFORD BULLETIN OF ECONOMICS & STATISTICS, Issue 1 2001Martin T. Robson First page of article [source] The European perspective of psychiatric reformACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2001T. Becker Objective:,To provide a framework of mental health care reform across Europe. Method:,On the basis of summary quantitative indices and expert ratings of broad aspects of mental health care structure, the process and outcome of psychiatric reform common trends and differences are outlined. Results:,There has been a broad trend away from an institutional model of care with the mental hospital as the dominant institution, and community- and general hospital-based mental health services of varying comprehensiveness are in place in most countries. The social and broad community aspects of psychiatric reform have generally been somewhat less successful than changes in service set-up. Assessment of reform outcomes proves particularly difficult. Conclusion:,Psychiatric reform processes have achieved some of their aims, and there are broadly similar trends. Regional variation is substantial and may be as important as cross-national differences. Mental health care reform is ongoing across the European region. [source] Men staying at home looking after their children: feminist linguistic reform and social changeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, Issue 1 2006Jo Winter nicht-sexistische Sprache und Diskurse; Männlichkeit und Identität; Soziolinguistik und Ernennung; Englische Soziolinguistik; Berufsbezeichnungen The (mis)representation and stereotyping of gendered identities remain central concerns for applied linguistics and feminist linguistic reformers despite the history, since the 1970s, of promoting gender-fair or gender-inclusive language reform. To date, the primary focus has been the reform of linguistic discrimination against women. Here we examine the ,naming' of men who have entered the ,occupation', primary childcare provision , traditionally exclusively reserved for women. Drawing upon on-line survey and media data, we investigate the extent to which principles of feminist linguistic reform, equality, and inclusivity are evident in the labelling of, and media discourses about, these men. Regional variation in Englishes together with discourses of masculinity impact upon the implementation of linguistic reform. Normative meanings for masculinities and occupation construct a ,house father and working father' discourse context for men who are primary childcare providers. Die sprachliche Darstellung und Stereotypisierung der Geschlechter bleibt trotz der seit den siebziger Jahren eingeführten Maßnahmen zur Förderung nicht-sexistischen Sprachgebrauchs ein zentrales Anliegen der angewandten Sprachwissenschaft und der feministischen Sprachplanung/Politik. Bisher lag der Schwerpunkt auf der Reform der sprachlichen Diskriminierung gegen Frauen. In diesem Beitrag liegt der Akzent auf dem "Nennen" jener Männer, deren Hauptbeschäftigung die Betreuung der eigenen Kinder ist, eine Tätigkeit, die bis jetzt fast exklusiv mit Frauen verbunden war. Anhand einer on-line Datenerhebung und einer Analyse von Medientexten wird untersucht in wiefern die Prinzipien der feministischen Sprachreform , Gleichstellung und Inklusivität , in der Ernennung dieser Männer und deren Darstellung in Medientexten Anwendung finden. Festgestellt wird, daß das Ernennen solcher Männer regional gebunden ist und, daß der Einfluß der feministischen Sprachreform durch, dominante und normative' Diskurse der Männlichkeit gemäßigt wird. [source] Regional variation of intracortical porosity in the midshaft of the human femur: age and sex differencesJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 2 2005C. David L. Thomas Abstract This study investigated age and sex differences in patterns of porosity distribution in the midshaft of the human femur. Cross-sections were obtained from 168 individuals from a modern Australian population. The sample comprised 73 females and 95 males, aged between 20 and 97 years. Microradiographs were made of 100-µm sections and pore and bone areas were determined using image processing software. Initially the sample was divided by age: young (20,44 years), middle (45,64 years) and old (65+ years), but it was found that analysis on the basis of the ratio of medullary area to total subperiosteal area gave clearer results. The cortex was divided into three rings radially and into octants circumferentially and the porosity of each segment was calculated. Results showed that a pattern with raised porosity in the posterior and anterolateral regions, and with greater porosity in the inner parts of the cortex, becomes more pronounced with age. In males this pattern develops steadily; in females there are much greater differences between the middle and older groups than earlier in life. The patterns observed are consistent with progressive bone loss occurring along a neutral axis of the cortex where bending stress is lowest and the mechanical advantage of the bone is least. [source] Regional variation in the microhardness and mineralization of vertebrae from brown and rainbow troutJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006H. Paxton Regional variation in properties of vertebral bone from brown Salmo trutta and rainbow trout Oncorhychus mykiss were explored by using microhardness tests. Statistically-significant positive correlations were identified between the microhardness of bone and its mineral content. In both brown and rainbow trout, the vertebrae from the caudal region were harder than those of the trunk region. There was a significant difference between the species; microhardness of bone from vertebrae of rainbow trout was greater than those from brown trout. [source] Regional dynamics of the fMRI-BOLD signal response to hypoxia-hypercapnia in the rat brainJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2003Sridhar S. Kannurpatti PhD Abstract Purpose To examine the regional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal response to rapid changes in arterial oxygen tension. Materials and Methods Functional MR imaging (fMRI) was carried out in five male Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized with Sodium Pentobarbital. Rats were subjected to different durations of apnea as a rapid, graded, and reversible hypoxic-hypercapnic stimulus. Dynamics of the BOLD signal response were studied on a pixel-by-pixel basis in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, third ventricle, and thalamus in the rat brain. Results Apnea induced a BOLD signal drop in all the brain regions studied, the magnitude of which increased with longer durations of the stimulus. The signal recovered to preapnic baseline levels after resumption of normal ventilation. Regional variation in the BOLD signal dynamics was observed with the magnitude of the BOLD signal change in the hippocampus being the least, followed by a relatively larger change in the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and third ventricle. The time (t0) for the signal change after the onset of the stimulus was estimated for every pixel. Time delay maps generated show the highest onset time values in the hippocampus followed by the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and third ventricle. Conclusion The regional dynamics of the BOLD signal in the brain in response to apnea may vary depending on the rate of oxygen metabolism in addition to cerebral blood flow (CBF). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:641,647. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Regional variation in exhumation and strain rate of the high-pressure Sambagawa metamorphic rocks in central Shikoku, south-west JapanJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 7 2002K. Yagi Abstract Regional variation in the P,T path of the Sambagawa metamorphic rocks, central Shikoku, Japan has been inferred from compositional zoning of metamorphic amphibole. Rocks constituting the northern part (Saruta River area) exhibit a hairpin type P,T path, where winchite/actinolite grew at the prograde stage, the peak metamorphism was recorded by the growth of barroisite to hornblende and sodic amphibole to winchite/actinolite grew at the retrograde stage. In the southern part (Asemi River area), rocks exhibit a clockwise type P,T path, where barroisite to hornblende core is rimmed by winchite to actinolite. The difference in P,T path could suggest a faster exhumation rate (i.e. more rapid decompression) in the southern than in the northern part. On the other hand, physical conditions of deformation during the exhumation stage have been independently inferred from microstructures in deformed quartz. Recrystallized quartz grains in rocks from the low-grade (chlorite and garnet) zones are much more stretched in the southern part (aspect ratio , 4.0) than in the northern part (aspect ratio< 4.0), indicating a higher strain rate in the former than in the latter. These facts may indicate that the exhumation and strain rates are correlated (i.e. the exhumation rate increases with increasing the strain rate). The difference in the exhumation rate inferred from amphibole zoning between the northern and southern parts could be explained by an extensional model involving normal faulting, where the lower plate can be exhumed faster than the upper plate due to the displacement along the fault. Furthermore, the model may explain the positive correlation between the exhumation and strain rates, because the lower plate tended to support more stress than the upper plate. [source] Osteon pullout in the equine third metacarpal bone: Effects of ex vivo fatigueJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003L. P. Hiller Abstract An important concept in bone mechanics is that osteons influence mechanical properties in several ways, including contributing to toughness and fatigue strength by debonding from the interstitial matrix so as to ,bridge" developing cracks. Observations of ,pulled out, osteons on fracture surfaces are thought to be indicative of such behavior. We tested the hypothesis that osteon pullout varies with mode of loading (fatigue vs. monotonic), cortical region, elastic modulus, and fatigue life. Mid-diaphseal beams from the dorsal, medial, and lateral regions of the equine third metacarpal bone were fractured in four point bending by monotonic loading to failure under deflection control, with or without 105 cycles of previous fatigue loading producing 5000 microstrain (15,20% of the expected failure strain) on the first cycle; or sinusoidal fatigue loading to failure, under load or deflection control, with the initial cycle producing 10,000 microstrain (30,40% of the expected failure strain). Using scanning electron microscopy, percent fracture surface area exhibiting osteon pullout (%OP.Ar) was measured. Monotonically loaded specimens and the compression side of fatigue fracture surfaces exhibited no osteon pullout. In load-controlled fatigue, pullout was present on the tension side of fracture surfaces, was regionally dependent (occurring to a greater amount dorsally), and was correlated negatively with elastic modulus and positively with fatigue life. Regional variation in %OP.Ar was also significant for the pooled (load and deflection controlled) fatigue specimens. %OP.Ar was nearly significantly greater in deflection controlled fatigue specimens than in load-controlled specimens (p < 0.059). The data suggest that tensile fatigue loading of cortical bone eventually introduces damage that results in osteonal debonding and pullout, which is also associated with increased fatigue life via mechanisms that are not yet clear. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Activity-induced dental modification in holocene siberian hunter-fisher-gatherersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Andrea Waters-Rist Abstract The use of teeth as tools provides clues to past subsistence patterns and cultural practices. Five Holocene period hunter-fisher-gatherer mortuary sites from the south-western region of Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russian Federation, are observed for activity-induced dental modification (AIDM) to further characterize their adaptive regimes. Grooves on the occlusal surfaces of teeth are observed in 25 out of 123 individuals (20.3%) and were most likely produced during the processing of fibers from plants and animals, for making items such as nets and cordage. Regional variation in the frequency of individuals with occlusal grooves is found in riverine versus lakeshore sites. This variation suggests that production of material culture items differed, perhaps in relation to different fishing practices. There is also variation in the distribution of grooves by sex: grooves are found predominately in females, except at the Late Neolithic-Bronze Age river site of Ust'-Ida I where grooves are found exclusively in males. Occlusal grooves were cast using polyvinylsiloxane and maxillary canine impressions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine striation patterns. Variation in striae orientation suggests that a variety of activities, and/or different manufacturing techniques, were involved in groove production. Overall, the variability in occlusal groove frequency, sex and regional distribution, and microscopic striae patterns, points to the multiplicity of activities and ways in which people used their mouths and teeth in cultural activities. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:266,278, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Environmental and entomological factors determining Ross River virus activity in the River Murray Valley of South AustraliaAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2009Craig R. Williams Abstract Objectives: 1) To determine whether environmental and mosquito abundance variables could be used to explain fluctuations in the activity of Ross River (RR) virus, in the River Murray Valley of South Australia (SA). 2) To develop models at the local government spatial scale to understand local variability in RR activity factors. Method: Notification data of RR virus positive serology, mosquito surveillance, meteorological and river height data were analysed for the period 1999 to 2006. Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine significant environmental factors and to create descriptive models. Results: The three models developed for different regions of the Valley explained significant amounts of variation in notification rates (R2 0.77 , 0.98). Regional variation in the models was observed, with differences in significant mosquito species evident. Rainfall was a significant predictor of RR virus activity in two of the models, while the height of the River Murray was significant in the third. An overall model for the entire SA section of the Valley contained only time-lagged mosquito abundance variables (R2 0.52). Conclusion: Although rainfall, river height and mosquito abundance are significant factors in determining RR virus activity, there are regional differences in this relationship. Implications: The regional variability of RR virus activity drivers has been defined, and has implications for the forecasting of future activity in this part of SA. The models provided here can provide the foundation for an effective RR virus early warning system, but only if criteria for action, lines of responsibility and the resources required have been determined. [source] Regional variation in the survival and health of older Australian women: a prospective cohort studyAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2009Dimitrios Vagenas Abstract Objective: Older people may act as sensitive indicators of the effectiveness of health systems. Our objective is to distinguish between the effects of socio-economic and behavioural factors and use of health services on urban-rural differences in mortality and health of elderly women. Methods: Baseline and longitudinal analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. Participants were a community-based random sample of women (n=12778) aged 70-75 years when recruited in 1996 to the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Measures used were: urban or rural residence in Australian States and Territories, socio-demographic characteristics, health related behaviour, survival up to 1 October 2006, physical and mental health scores and use of medical services. Results: Mortality was higher in rural than in urban women (hazard ratio, HR 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03,-1.26) but there were no differences between States and Territories. There were no consistent baseline or longitudinal differences between women for physical or mental health, with or without adjustment for socio-demographic and behavioural factors. Rural women had fewer visits to general practitioners (odds ratio, OR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.48-0.61) and medical specialists (OR=0.60; 95% CI, 0.55-0.65). Conclusions: Differences in use of health services are a more plausible explanation for higher mortality in rural than urban areas than differences in other factors. Implications: Older people may be the ,grey canaries' of the health system and may thus provide an ,early warning system' to policy makers and governments. [source] Regional variation in electrically-evoked contractions of rabbit isolated pulmonary arteryBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2002V Margaret Jackson Electrically-evoked contractions in different regions of the rabbit isolated pulmonary artery have been investigated using stimulation parameters generally assumed to stimulate nerves selectively. In extrapulmonary artery, trains of stimuli (10 Hz; pulse width 0.1 ms) evoked monophasic contractions. In contrast, a biphasic contraction was evoked in the intrapulmonary artery consisting of an initial fast component followed by a secondary very long-lasting component. The contraction in the extrapulmonary artery was prazosin-sensitive (1 ,M) whereas that in the intrapulmonary artery was prazosin-resistant. ,,,-Methylene ATP (1 ,M), atropine (1 ,M), losartan (1 ,M), BIBO3304 (1 nM) or nifedipine (1 ,M) had no effect on the biphasic contraction of the intrapulmonary artery. Bretylium (2 ,M) abolished the contraction of extrapulmonary artery but only partially inhibited the initial component in the intra region with no effect on the second component. Tetrodotoxin (0.3,1 ,M), abolished the contraction of extrapulmonary artery but only partially reduced the electrically-evoked contraction of intrapulmonary artery. Removal of the endothelium and application of sulphisoxazole (0.6,22 ,M) had no effect. Varying the resting tone on the arteries, or applying gadolinium, had no effect on contractions. Using confocal microscopy and calcium imaging, reproducible whole cell calcium transients were evoked in individual smooth muscle cells in intact preparations but only when direct muscle stimulation was used (pulse width of 5,10 ms). No detectable changes in calcium were elicited when brief pulse widths were used (0.1,2 ms). Together, these data suggest that noradrenaline is the neurotransmitter inducing contraction in extrapulmonary artery. Noradrenaline and sympathetic nerves appear to play a less important role in the intrapulmonary artery. The tetrodoxin-resistant component is not mediated by ATP, NPY, acetylcholine, angiotensins, ET-1, stretch-activation or Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels. Smooth muscle cells do not appear to be damaged by the stimulation protocol. The mechanism underlying the long lasting contraction of intrapulmonary artery evoked by brief electrical stimuli remains to be elucidated. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 488,496. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704863 [source] Regional variation in celiac disease risk within Sweden revealed by the nationwide prospective incidence registerACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2009Cecilia Olsson Abstract Aim: To determine if there is any regional celiac disease (CD) risk variation in the Swedish childhood population. Methods: Prospective nationwide Swedish incidence register of CD in children 0,15 years of age, with the present analysis covering the period from 1998 to 2003. ESPGHAN diagnostic criteria for CD were used. Regions were classified according to the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. The incidence rate for each region, gender, age group and year of diagnosis was calculated. Results: A regional variation in CD risk was demonstrated. The childhood populations in ,West Sweden' and ,Småland and the islands', situated in the southern part of the country, had a significantly higher incidence rate compared to in ,North Middle Sweden' and ,Stockholm', situated in the central part. This regional variation was not explained by variations in risk by gender, age at diagnosis or year of diagnosis. Conclusion: The Swedish regional variation in CD risk supports multifactorial disease aetiology. Continued efforts are warranted to define factors, besides gluten exposure, that modulate CD risk. [source] Regional variations in action potential alternans in isolated murine Scn5a+/, hearts during dynamic pacingACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010G. D. K. Matthews Abstract Aim:, Clinical observations suggest that alternans in action potential (AP) characteristics presages breakdown of normal ordered cardiac electrical activity culminating in ventricular arrhythmogenesis. We compared such temporal nonuniformities in monophasic action potential (MAP) waveforms in left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) epicardia and endocardia of Langendorff-perfused murine wild-type (WT), and Scn5a+/, hearts modelling Brugada syndrome (BrS) for the first time. Methods:, A dynamic pacing protocol imposed successively incremented steady pacing rates between 5.5 and 33 Hz. A signal analysis algorithm detected sequences of >10 beats showing alternans. Results were compared before and following the introduction of flecainide (10 ,m) and quinidine (5 ,m) known to exert pro- and anti-arrhythmic effects in BrS. Results:, Sustained and transient amplitude and duration alternans were both frequently followed by ventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Diastolic intervals (DIs) that coincided with onsets of transient (tr) or sustained (ss) alternans in MAP duration (DI*) and amplitude (DI,) were determined. Kruskal,Wallis tests followed by Bonferroni-corrected Mann,Whitney U -tests were applied to these DI results sorted by recording site, pharmacological conditions or experimental populations. WT hearts showed no significant heterogeneities in any DI. Untreated Scn5a+/, hearts showed earlier onsets of transient but not sustained duration alternans in LV endocardium compared with RV endocardium or LV epicardium. Flecainide administration caused earlier onsets of both transient and sustained duration alternans selectively in the RV epicardium in the Scn5a+/, hearts. Conclusion:, These findings in a genetic model thus implicate RV epicardial changes in the arrhythmogenicity produced by flecainide challenge in previously asymptomatic clinical BrS. [source] Detection of a possible change point in atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic and its effect on Scandinavian glacier mass balanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 14 2005Rowan Fealy Abstract Climate change, resulting from an increase in global temperatures, is likely to have a large impact on glaciers and glacier meltwater during the course of the present century resulting in significant contributions to sea level rise. Globally, glaciers are in retreat, partly as a response to the return to warmer conditions after the last neoglacial period during the Little Ice Age but also because of the almost continuous increases evident in global temperature since then. In contrast, Scandinavian glaciers, particularly maritime glaciers, were maintaining equilibrium or advancing over the closing decades of the last century possibly resulting from an increased moisture flux over the North Atlantic. While the more continental glaciers were still declining, the rate of decline diminished during the late 1980s. This coincides with an accelerated rate of increase evident on the maritime glaciers in southwestern Norway. A change point in atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic is identified as having occurred during this period. This change point is associated with an intensification of westerlies over Europe, particularly since the late 1980s, which significantly contributes to increases in temperature and precipitation over northern Europe while suppressing the penetration of warm, moist air into more southern European locations. Regional variations in temperature and precipitation from selected Scandinavian stations are also found to be consistent with the changes in the large-scale modes of atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Evidence of a hypermineralised calcified fibrocartilage on the human femoral neck and lesser trochanterJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 2 2001J. E. SHEA Femoral neck fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly humans. In addition to the age-related loss of cancellous bone, changes to the microstructure and morphology of the metaphyseal cortex may be a contributing factor in osteoporotic hip fractures. Recent investigations have identified a hypermineralised tissue on the neck of the femur and trochanteric region that increases in fractional area with advancing age in both males (Boyce & Bloebaum, 1993) and females (Vajda & Bloebaum, 1999). The aim of this study was to determine if the hypermineralised tissue previously observed on the proximal femur is calcified fibrocartilage. Regional variations in the fractional area of hypermineralised tissue, cortical bone, and porosity of the cortical bone along the neck of the femur and lesser trochanter were also quantified. Comparison of back scattered electron and light microscope images of the same area show that regions of hypermineralised tissue correlate with the regions of calcified fibrocartilage from tendon and capsular insertions. The hypermineralised tissue and calcified fibrocartilage had similar morphological features such as the interdigitations of the calcified fibrocartilage into the bone, lacunar spaces, and distinctly shaped pores adjacent to the 2 tissues. Regions of the neck that did not contain insertions were covered with periosteum. There were no regional differences (P > 0.05) on the superior and inferior femoral neck in terms of the percentage area of hypermineralised calcified fibrocartilage, cortical bone, or cortical bone porosity. The lesser trochanter exhibited regional differences in the fractional area of hypermineralised calcified fibrocartilage (P = 0.007) and cortical bone (P = 0.007) but not porosity of the cortical bone (P > 0.05). The effects of calcified fibrocartilage on femoral neck periosteal expansion, repair, and mechanics are unknown, but may play a role in osteoporotic fractures and intracapsular fracture healing. [source] Regional variations in the outer retina of atherinomorpha (Beloniformes, Atheriniformes, Cyprinodontiformes: Teleostei): Photoreceptors, cone patterns, and cone densitiesJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Frank Reckel Abstract The outer retinae of adults of 13 atherinomorph species, representing nine different families, were examined by both light and electron microscopy. The retinae were investigated with respect to photoreceptor types, cone densities, and cone patterns. All data were composed to eye maps. This procedure allows an interspecific comparison of the regional differences within the outer retina among these shallow-water fish. Furthermore, for a more detailed pattern analysis nitro-blue tetrazolium chloride- (NBT)-stainings in the retina of Melanotaenia maccullochi are presented. Apart from rods, eight morphologically different cone types could be identified: short, intermediate, and long single cones, double cones (equal and unequal), triple cones (triangular and linear), and in Ameca splendens one quadruple cone. Dimensions and occurrence of photoreceptors vary among the respective species and within the retinal regions. In the light-adapted state, the cones are arranged in highly ordered mosaics. Five different cone tessellation types were found: row patterns, twisted row patterns, square patterns, pentagonal patterns, and, exclusively in Belone belone, a hexagonal pattern. In Melanotaenia maccullochi the different spectral photoreceptor classes correspond well with the distribution of morphological photoreceptor classes within the mosaic. Double cone density maxima together with a highly ordered cone arrangement usually occur in the nasal and/or ventral to ventrotemporal retina. In most of the species that were examined these high-density regions are presumed to process visual stimuli from the assumed main directions of vision, which mainly depend on feeding behavior and predator pressure. Our findings are discussed with respect to the variable behavioral and visual ecology and phylogeny of the respective species. J. Morphol. 257:270,288, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Impact of sorghum processing on phytate, phenolic compounds and in vitro solubility of iron and zinc in thick porridgesJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2007AP Polycarpe Kayodé Abstract This study focussed on the impact of process variables on levels of phytate and phenolic compounds, and in vitro solubility of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in sorghum porridges, a major staple in semi-arid tropics. The aim was to identify practices that enhance the mineral availability in this type of staple food. We studied the example of the West African porridge ,dibou' for which the processing methods involve grain cleaning, milling, sieving and cooking. Regional variations occur in the process, particularly in the cleaning which may be done wet or dry; sieving may be omitted in certain locations. Cleaning reduced the phytate content of the grain by 24,39%, while milling, sieving and cooking had no significant effect on phytate. Phenolic compounds measured as levels of reactive hydroxyl groups, remained constant after cleaning, milling and sieving, but significantly decreased by 38,65% after cooking. The Fe solubility tended to increase after cleaning but was drastically reduced due to cooking, and so was the soluble Zn. Levels of total phenolic compounds highly correlated with the Fe and Zn solubility (r2 = 0.73 and 0.82, respectively). Phenolic reaction products formed during the cooking process are presumably related with the extensive browning phenomenon observed in the dibou porridge, and with the reduction observed in Fe and Zn solubility. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Regional variations in preterm birth rates: the contribution of sociodemographic factorsPAEDIATRIC & PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Mi Heaman No abstract is available for this article. [source] The geographies of crisis: exploring accessibility to health care in CanadaTHE CANADIAN GEOGRAPHER/LE GEOGRAPHE CANADIEN, Issue 3 2002KATHLEEN WILSON There is increasing concern in Canada that the health care system is in a state of crisis. It is argued that reductions in federal government transfers to the provinces have resulted in a health care system characterized by under-funding in key areas and policy decisions based more on provincial fiscal concerns than the health needs of their constituents. Provincial governments have responded to reduced levels in federal funding by undertaking aggressive restructuring tactics such as the closure of hospitals and the deinsuring of medical services from provincial health plans. The end result of this restructuring, as argued by the media, consumer groups and indeed some health researchers, is a state of crisis' (i.e., lower levels of accessibility, long waiting lists, overcrowding in hospitals and increasing costs of medication). One crisis theme often mentioned is that fiscal decisions of various kinds are reducing economic and geographic accessibility, one of the five principles of the Canada Health Act (CHA) that defines the very essence of the Canadian health care system. Using data from the 1998-99 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), this paper explores the extent to which an accessibility crisis exists within the Canadian health care system by examining access to health care services and the barriers encountered in trying to access services in each of the ten provinces. The results show that approximately 6.0 percent of Canadians report access problems, with values ranging from 4.5 percent in Newfoundland to 8.3 percent in Manitoba. Regional variations in barriers to accessing care were also observed. In particular, geographic accessibility appears to be a main barrier to care in Atlantic Canada while economic accessibility emerges as a main barrier to care in Western Canada. We discuss these findings in the context of the current debates on the Canadian health care system ,crisis'. De plus en plus de Canadiens s'inquiétent que leur systéme de soins de santé soit en état de crise. On défend l'idée selon laquelle la réduction des paiements de transfert aux provinces par le gouvernement fédéral serait responsable de l'état d'un systeme de santé caractérisé par un sous-financement dans les domaines-clés et des décisions politiques de santé basées, non pas sur les besoins des membres de la société canadienne, mais sur la fiscalité provinciale. Les gouvernements provinciaux ont réagi à la réduction du financement fédéral par une tactique de restructuration agressive (fermeture d'hôpitaux et retrait de services médicaux des programmes d'assurance de santé provinciaux). Selon les médias, les groupes de consommateurs et même les chercheurs en soins de santé, cette restructuration a eu pour effet un système en état de ,crise' (diminution de l'aecès aux services, longues fetes d'attente, hôpitaux surchargés, augmentation des coûts des médicaments etc). Un des thèmes récurrent est celui des décisions flscales de toutes sortes qui entraînent une baisse de l'accessibilité financière et géographique. Cette accessibilité est pourtant un des cinq principes de la Loi canadienne sur la santé définissant l'essence même du système de santé au Canada. Utilisant les données tirèes de l'Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population, 1998-99 et examinant l'accès aux services de santé et les obstacles rencontrés dans les 10 provinces canadiennes, cet article évalue dans quelle mesure une crise d'accessibilité existe au sein du système de santé canadien. Les résultats démontrent qu'environ 6.0 pour cent des Canadiens ont rencontré des problèmes d'accessibilité, avec des variantes allant de 4.5 pour cent à Terre-Neuve jusqu'à 8.3 pour cent au Manitoba. On observe aussi des variantes régionales dans les obstacles rencontrés. L'accessibilité géographique en particulier semble un obstacle mqjeur dans les régions de l'Atlantique, alors que l'accessibilite financière semble être un obstacle majeur dans l'Ouest du Canada. Ces résultats sont présentés dans le contexte des débats actuels sur l'existence dune, ,crise' dans le système de santé au Canada. [source] Controls on early post-rift physiography and stratigraphy, lower to mid-Cretaceous, North Viking Graben, Norwegian North SeaBASIN RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009A.-J. Zachariah ABSTRACT The transition from syn- to post-rift is often poorly constrained and in contrast to syn-rift systems, the controls on the development of post-rift systems are poorly understood. This paper documents the timing of the post-rift onset and discusses the controls that affected the subsequent development of the post-rift infill of the North Viking Graben using an integration of seismic and well data. The study enhances our understanding of post-rift system development in general and provides an analogue for other post-rift systems. Within the early post-rift infill of the North Viking Graben five key seismic surfaces were mapped [Base Cretaceous Unconformity (BCU), Intra-Aptian, Top Albian, Top Cenomanian and Top Turonian], which divide the post-rift interval into four key seismic stratigraphic units (K1,K4). The BCU has an intra-Volgian age on the basin slopes and shelfal and terrace areas and is interpreted to mark the end of rifting in the study area. On the footwall crests adjacent to the graben the BCU represents a complex unconformity from the syn- and post-rift combined, and in the graben it forms a conformable contact. Therefore, the BCU could not be used to date the onset of the post-rift in these locations. The thickness variations and age relationships between the syn-rift stratigraphy and the K-units reveal that the early post-rift infill of the North Viking Graben was dominantly controlled by the significant local syn-rift topography, especially in the K1 and K2 stages. The Cretaceous post-rift stratigraphy was also influenced by relative base level, which controlled the sediment source areas, the development of the basin geometry itself and subsequently the style of sediment deposition in the study area. Regional variations are also recognised in the post-rift stratigraphy although these variances are strongly influenced by the local basin physiography. [source] Regional variations in community consumption of antibiotics in Hungary, 1996,2003BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Maria Matuz Aims To study regional differences and identify determinants of antibiotic consumption in ambulatory care in Hungary. Methods Regional distribution-based antibiotic sales data were converted into a number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitant-days. Correlations were assessed with the Spearman rank test. Results There were large and stable interregional differences in antibiotic consumption. They were associated with socio-economic determinants, e.g. the population receiving free access to medicines and receiving regular social assistance. Conclusions More detailed studies are needed to better understand the determinants of antibiotic use in these specific patient populations and to identify additional determinants at regional level. [source] The importance of family management, closeness with father and family structure in early adolescent alcohol useADDICTION, Issue 10 2010Cherine Habib ABSTRACT Aims To examine the importance of family management, family structure and father,adolescent relationships on early adolescent alcohol use. Design Cross-sectional data was collected across 30 randomly selected Australian communities stratified to represent a range of socio-economic and regional variation. Setting Data were collected during school time from adolescents attending a broad range of schools. Participants The sample consisted of a combined 8256 students (aged 10,14 years). Measurements Students completed a web-based survey as part of the Healthy Neighbourhoods project. Findings Family management,which included practices such as parental monitoring and family rules about alcohol use,had the strongest and most consistent relationship with alcohol use in early adolescence. Adolescents reporting higher family management were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time, less likely to drink alcohol in the preceding 30 days and less likely to have had an alcohol binge. Adolescents reporting emotionally close relationships with their fathers were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time and less likely to have had an alcohol binge in the preceding fortnight. Conclusions Findings indicate that family management practices may contribute to alcohol abstinence in adolescents. Furthermore, emotionally close father,adolescent relationships may also foster abstinence; however, fathers' drinking behaviours need to be considered. [source] Spatial utilisation of fast-ice by Weddell seals Leptonychotes weddelli during winterECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2005Samantha Lake This study describes the distribution of Weddell seals Leptonychotes weddelli in winter (May,September 1999) at the Vestfold Hills, in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. Specifically, we describe the spatial extent of haul-out sites in shore,fast sea-ice, commonly referred to as fast-ice. As winter progressed, and the fast-ice grew thick (ca 2 m), most of the inshore holes closed over, and the seals' distribution became restricted to ocean areas beyond land and islands. Using observations from the end of winter only, we fitted Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) to generate resource selection functions, which are models that yield values proportional to the probability of use. The models showed that seal distribution was defined mainly by distance to ice-edge and distance to land. Distance to ice-bergs was also selected for models of some regions. We present the results as maps of the fitted probability of seal presence, predicted by the binomial GAM for offshore regions, both with and without autocorrelation terms. The maps illustrate the expected distribution encompassing most of the observed distribution. On this basis, we hypothesise that propensity for the fast-ice to crack is the major determinant of Weddell seal distribution in winter. Proximity to open water and pack-ice habitats could also influence the distribution of haul-out sites in fast-ice areas. This is the first quantitative study of Weddell seal distribution in winter. Potential for regional variation is discussed. [source] Macroecology of a host-parasite relationshipECOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2000Caryn C. Vaughn The larvae of freshwater mussels are obligate ectoparasites on fishes while adults are sedentary and benthic. Dispersal of mussels is dependent on the movement of fish hosts, a regional process, but growth and reproduction should be governed by local processes. Thus, mussel assemblage attributes should be predictable from the regional distribution and abundance of fishes. At a broad spatial scale in the Red River drainage, USA, mussel species richness and fish species richness were positively associated; maximum mussel richness was limited by fish richness, but was variable beneath that constraint. Measured environmental variables and the associated local fish assemblages each significantly accounted for the regional variation in mussel assemblages. Furthermore, mussel assemblages showed strong spatial autocorrelation. Variation partitioning revealed that pure fish effects accounted for 15.4% of the variation in mussel assemblages; pure spatial and environmental effects accounted for 16.1% and 7.8%, respectively. Shared variation among fish, space and environmental variables totaled 40%. Of this shared variation, 36.8% was associated with the fish matrix. Thus, the variation in mussel assemblages that was associated with the distribution and abundance of fishes was substantial (> 50%), indicating that fish community structure is an important determinant of mussel community structure. Although animals commonly disperse plants and, thus, influence the structure of plant communities, our results show a strong macroecological association between two disparate animal groups with one strongly affecting the assemblage structure of the other. [source] Melanism in a larval Lepidoptera: repeatability and heritability of a dynamic traitECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Kwang Pum Lee Abstract., 1.,Although it is well established that the deposition of melanin pigment in the cuticle of larval Lepidoptera is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors, few studies have examined intra-individual regional variation in the degree of melanism or the ontogenetic dynamics of this trait. Here, heritable and density-dependent effects on within-individual and stage-specific variation in melanism were examined in caterpillars of the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval). 2.,Using quantitative spectrometric methods, it is shown that cuticular melanism changes dramatically within larval stadia, showing the highest and lowest levels of melanism early (first day) and late (final day) in each larval stadium respectively. However, solitary-reared caterpillars were significantly paler than those reared gregariously at all stages of development and maintained greater levels of variation in melanism. This variation in melanism was repeatable and exhibited a significant heritable component (narrow sense heritability based on offspring,parent regressions: h2 = 0.18,0.30). 3.,The degree of melanism was correlated negatively with larval body weight in solitary caterpillars, but not gregarious ones. Melanism also varied spatially, with the lateral longitudinal band being consistently darker than the dorsal or dorso-lateral bands. Crowd-rearing increased melanism in all regions of larval cuticle, but the extent of crowding-induced melanism was more pronounced in the dorsal and dorso-lateral bands than in the lateral one. 4.,These results indicate that although cuticular melanism is a highly dynamic trait, ontogenetic changes in relative cuticular melanism are both predictable and repeatable within individuals and genotypes. This has implications for our understanding of the evolution of melanism and for applying artificial selection on the basis of colour. [source] Selective 5-HT1B receptor inhibition of glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic activity in the rat dorsal and median rapheEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2006Julia C. Lemos Abstract The dorsal (DR) and median (MR) raphe nuclei contain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) cell bodies that give rise to the majority of the ascending 5-HT projections to the forebrain. The DR and MR have differential roles in mediating stress, anxiety and depression. Glutamate and GABA activity sculpt putative 5-HT neuronal firing and 5-HT release in a seemingly differential manner in the MR and DR, yet isolated glutamate and GABA activity within the DR and MR has not been systematically characterized. Visualized whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to record excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSC and IPSC) in 5-HT-containing neurons. There was a regional variation in action potential-dependent (spontaneous) and basal [miniature (m)] glutamate and GABAergic activity. mEPSC activity was greater than mIPSC activity in the DR, whereas in the MR the mIPSC activity was greater. These differences in EPSC and IPSC frequency indicate that glutamatergic and GABAergic input have distinct cytoarchitectures in the DR and MR. 5-HT1B receptor activation decreased mEPSC frequency in the DR and the MR, but selectively inhibited mIPSC activity only in the MR. This finding, in concert with its previously described function as an autoreceptor, suggests that 5-HT1B receptors influence the ascending 5-HT system through multiple mechanisms. The disparity in organization and integration of glutamatergic and GABAergic input to DR and MR neurons and their regulation by 5-HT1B receptors may contribute to the distinction in MR and DR regulation of forebrain regions and their differential function in the aetiology and pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disease states. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||