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Kinds of Chi Terms modified by Chi Selected AbstractsBecause One Is Too Many: Catholic Health Initiatives' Success in Reducing Preventable Birth InjuriesJOURNAL FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY, Issue 4 2010Mary Osborne Abstract: Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) set a goal of reducing birth injuries throughout the system. Although the number of injuries was small, clinical and risk leadership agreed that even one injury is too many. Through a multidisciplinary partnership to initiate perinatal bundles, the CHI Perinatal Care Collaborative was able to continue the reduction of injuries each year. [source] Further evidence and characterization of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations in ArgentinaJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 11 2004Francisco Amat Abstract Aim, This paper reports the presence of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) in Mar Chiquita (CHI) salt lake and in Las Tunas (TUN) lagoon, as well as at a shallow lake in Salinas Grandes (Province of Córdoba) in Argentina. To date, this species has been considered absent from Argentina. This study also provides further data on the characterization of the A. franciscana populations from this area. Location, Province of Córdoba (Argentina). Methods, The cyst samples collected at the three hypersaline environments were measured to assess its mean diameter with a dissecting microscope. The length of the nauplii hatched from the cysts was also determined with the microscope. The adults raised from these nauplii under strictly controlled conditions were analysed for 12 morphological parameters and compared through multivariate discriminant analysis with other American populations. Fatty acids from the total lipids were analysed by gas chromatography. Reproductive compatibility was evaluated from single-pair intraspecific and interspecific crosses of adult specimens. Results, The results endorse the morphometric assimilation of the Artemia populations of this area to other American populations of the A. franciscana,super-species', together with its morphometric differentiation from the species A. persimilis (Piccinelli & Prosdocimi, 1968). The more conspicuous population from CHI shows cross-fertility with A. franciscana original from San Francisco Bay (California, USA). Both populations from CHI and TUN show cross-fertility between them and reproductive isolation with A. persimilis from Hidalgo (Province of La Pampa), which to date is considered to be endemic or exclusive of hypersaline ecosystems in Argentina. The reproductive characteristics displayed by the population from TUN lagoon suggest the existence of an occasional hybridization between A. franciscana and A. persimilis (Papeschi et al., 2000). Artemia cysts from CHI and TUN show a fatty acid profile rich in eicosapentaenoic acid differing markedly from the fatty acid profiles found in A. persimilis cysts. Main conclusions:,Artemia franciscana is present in Argentina at 36° S and north of this latitude. Artemia persimilis is confined to the south of latitude 37°10, S. There are different pieces of evidence that point to a certain level of hybridization of the two species taking place in the land belt between these parallels. [source] Enhancing Physical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Konjac Glucomannan Edible Films by Incorporating Chitosan and NisinJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006Bin Li ABSTRACT: The antimicrobial effect of konjac glucomannan (KGM) edible ûlm incorporating chitosan (CHI) and nisin at various ratios or concentrations was studied. This activity was tested against pathogenic bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. Mechanical and physical properties were determined, and the results indicated that the blend film KC2 (mixing ratio KGM 80/ CHI 20) showed the maximum tensile strength (102.8 ± 3.8 MPa) and good transparency, water solubility, and water vapor transmission ratio. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the structural change of the blend films; and the results showed that strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds occurred between CHI and KGM. Incorporation of nisin at 463IU per disk of film for the selected KC2 was found to have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and B. cereus. The mean value of inhibition zone diameter of the CHI-N series and the KC2-N series were higher than the KGM-N series at each corresponding concentration and with significant difference (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the antimicrobial effect between CHI and KC2 incorporating nisin. At all these levels, the blend ûlm KC2-nisin had a satisfactory appearance, mechanical and physical properties, and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, it could be considered as a potential "active" packaging material. [source] Valuing ,voices from below'JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2002DipPsych, HON MFPHM, Jean Faugier RMN The publication of Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) reports in recent years have revealed that employees attempted to blow the whistle on abuse, corruption or malpractice but were largely ignored by senior members of staff. The CHI report into the North Lakeland National Health Service (NHS) Trust (November 2000), for instance, states that an initial failure among management to listen to the concerns of student nurses led to the sustained abuse of patients. To protect patients from incompetent and unethical practitioners and improve standards of care, an environment needs to be created where health care professionals feel able to express legitimate concerns openly and honestly to senior staff, safe in the knowledge that senior managers will take their concerns seriously and act accordingly. The government has pledged to create an ,open culture' in the NHS to encourage staff with genuine concerns to speak out. This can only be achieved if the current leadership culture characterized by conflict avoidance, blame and hierarchical control is replaced with openness and accountability. To produce the desired changes in culture and attitudes, the NHS needs strong leaders capable of challenging the existing social equilibrium. [source] Fluoropolyethers end-capped by polar functional groups.JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 21 2002Abstract The kinetics of the dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL)-catalyzed urethane formation reactions of cyclohexyl isocyanate (CHI) with model monofunctional fluorinated alcohols and fluoropolyether diol Z-DOL H-1000 of various molecular weights (100,1084 g mol,1) in different solvents were studied. IR spectroscopy and chemical titration methods were used for measuring the rate of the total NCO disappearance at 30,60 °C. The effects of the reagents and DBTDL catalyst concentrations, the solvent and hydroxyl-containing compound nature, and the temperature on the reaction rate and mechanism were investigated. Depending on the initial reagent concentration and solvent, the reactions could be well described by zero-order, first-order, second-order, or more complex equations. The reaction mechanism, including the formation of intermediate ternary or binary complexes of reagents with the tin catalyst, could vary with the concentration and solvent and even during the reaction. The results were treated with a rate expression analogous to those used for enzymatic reactions. Under the explored conditions, the rate of the uncatalyzed reaction of fluorinated alcohols with CHI was negligible. Moreover, there was no allophanate formation, nor were there other side reactions, catalysis by urethane in the absence of DBTDL, or a synergetic effect in the presence of the tin catalyst. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3771,3795, 2002 [source] Chinese Odyssey: Innovative Chinese Courseware by WANG, XUEYING, LI,CHUANG CHI, & LIPING FENGMODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007MAIHENG S. DIETRICH No abstract is available for this article. [source] Congenital hyperinsulinism , a review of the disorder and a discussion of the anesthesia managementPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 7 2007OLGA T. HARDY MD Summary Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infants and children. In most affected infants, CHI is caused by a specific genetic defect that results in the altered expression of pancreatic beta cells causing unregulated oversecretion of insulin. Infants with CHI may have either focal or diffuse abnormalities of the pancreatic , -cells. Both forms of CHI manifest as hypoglycemia, usually in the early newborn period. Focal disease can be treated effectively with surgical resection of the affected area, resulting in a total cure or rendering the patient amenable to medical management. Most children with diffuse disease are unresponsive to medical therapy, and require near-total pancreatectomy. At The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we have developed a multidisciplinary program for diagnosis and treatment of CHI. Anesthesiologists have played an integral role in the perioperative care of these infants, which includes diagnostic procedures, partial or near-total pancreatectomy, and postoperative pain management. In this review, we describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and anesthetic concerns in children with CHI. [source] From congenital hyperinsulinism to diabetes mellitus: the role of pancreatic ,-cell KATP channelsPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 2 2005Khalid Hussain Abstract:, Pancreatic ,-cell adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels play a pivotal role in linking glucose metabolism to regulated insulin secretion. KATP channels are hetero- octameric complexes comprising two subunits Kir6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1). Changes in the intracellular concentration of nucleotides (ATP) cause alterations in the resting and opening state of the KATP channels. Loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding the two subunits of KATP channels lead to the most common form of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). This causes persistent and severe hypoglycemia in the neonatal and infancy period. CHI can cause mental retardation and epilepsy if not treated properly. On the other hand, now there is evidence of an association between polymorphisms in the Kir6.2 gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus, mutations in the Kir6.2 gene and neonatal diabetes mellitus, and mutations in the SUR1 gene and diabetes mellitus. Interestingly, for reasons that are unclear at present, mice knockout models of KATP channels are different from the human phenotype of CHI. This article is a review focusing on how abnormalities in the pancreatic ,-cell KATP channels can lead to severe hypoglycemia on the one hand and diabetes mellitus on the other. [source] Decreasing unpalatable flavonoid components in Citrus: the effect of transformation constructPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2009Ufuk Koca Citrus species accumulate large quantities of flavanone glycosides in their leaves and fruit. The physiological role(s) of these compounds in citrus plants are unknown, but they have been documented to benefit human health upon consumption. Flavanone rutinosides are tasteless, whereas flavanone neohesperidosides, such as naringin, give a bitter taste to fruit and fruit juice products, reducing their palatability. In an effort to alter the types and levels of flavanone neohesperidosides in citrus, an Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation approach was employed. Citrus paradisi Macf. (grapefruit) epicotyl stem segments were transformed with sense (S) and antisense (AS) constructs of the target genes chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI), whose products catalyze the first two steps in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Transformation with each of the individual constructs led to a different and unpredictable combination of viability, phenotypic change, transgene steady-state expression and alteration in flavonoid content in the resulting transgenic plants. These qualities were consistent within the transgenic plants obtained using any particular construct. Transgenic plants with decreased leaf naringin levels were obtained, particularly when the CHS-AS constructs were employed. [source] Most Latino smokers in California are low-frequency smokersADDICTION, Issue 2007Shu-Hong Zhu ABSTRACT Aims We examine the phenomenon of low-frequency smoking (non-daily smoking or smoking , 5 cigarettes daily) among California Latinos and address its implications for addiction theory and population tobacco control. Design, setting and participants Data gathered in 2001 and 2003 through the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the largest general health survey in California. The present study focused on Latino current smokers (n = 1254 for CHIS 2001; n = 946 for CHIS 2003). Measurement Latino smokers reporting either non-daily smoking or smoking ,5 cigarettes daily were identified and grouped into one category: low-frequency smokers. Findings Weighted by population parameters, more than 70% of Latino smokers in California were found to be low-frequency smokers [70.7% (CI = 67.2%, 73.9%) in 2001 and 70.8% (CI = 67.1%,74.2%) in 2003]. This high proportion cut across all demographic dimensions in both surveys, suggesting pervasiveness and reliability of this phenomenon. Proportions for non-daily smokers and low-rate daily smokers were 48.6% and 22.1% in 2001 and 54.9% and 15.9% in 2003. In both surveys, more than 80% of non-daily smokers consumed , 5 cigarettes on their smoking days. Conclusions The fact that most Latino smokers are low-frequency smokers calls for a new theoretical framework,beyond withdrawal-based theories,to account for the prevalence of this behavior on the population level. It also calls into question the harm-reduction approach as a tobacco control strategy for California Latino populations. Strategies emphasizing that every cigarette can hurt, and encouraging complete cessation, seem more fitting for this group of smokers. [source] Prevalence of Active Epilepsy and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults with Self-Reported Epilepsy in California: California Health Interview Survey, 2003EPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2007Rosemarie Kobau Summary:,Purpose: To examine the prevalence of self-reported epilepsy and active epilepsy, associated burden of impaired health-related quality of life, risk factors, and access to care in adults with self-reported epilepsy, and those classified as having active epilepsy with and without recent seizures. Methods: We analyzed data from adults aged ,18 years (n = 41,494) who participated in the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Results: In California, 1.2% of adults reported ever being told they had epilepsy or seizure disorder, and 0.7% were classified as having active epilepsy. About three-fourths of adults with active epilepsy with recent seizures reported fair or poor health status. Adults with active epilepsy with recent seizures reported almost two weeks of poor physical or mental health and activity limitation days compared with two to 4 days per month in those without epilepsy. Among adults with active epilepsy and recent seizures, about one-quarter reported not taking any medicine to control their seizure disorder or epilepsy. About one-third reported physical disability/unable to work compared to a small proportion of the general population. The majority of adults with active epilepsy reported having a regular source of medical care. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the burden of epilepsy among adults in California. CHIS serves as a model demonstrating the value of including questions about epilepsy on public health surveillance systems to ascertain the burden of the disorder and to guide intervention research and public policy to improve HRQOL in people with epilepsy. [source] The Effects of Child-Only Insurance Coverage and Family Coverage on Health Care Access and Use: Recent Findings among Low-Income Children in CaliforniaHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Sylvia Guendelman Objective. To compare the extent with which child-only and family coverage (child and parent insured) ensure health care access and use for low income children in California and discuss the policy implications of extending the State Children's Health Insurance Program (California's Healthy Families) to uninsured parents of child enrollees. Data Sources/Setting. We used secondary data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), a representative telephone survey. Study Design. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 5,521 public health insurance,eligible children and adolescents and their parents to examine the effects of insurance (family coverage, child-only coverage, and no coverage) on measures of health care access and utilization including emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Data Collection. We linked the CHIS adult, child, and adolescent datasets, including the adolescent insurance supplement. Findings. Among the sampled children, 13 percent were uninsured as were 22 percent of their parents. Children without insurance coverage were more likely than children with child-only coverage to lack a usual source of care and to have decreased use of health care. Children with child-only coverage fared worse than those with family coverage on almost every access indicator, but service utilization was comparable. Conclusions. While extending public benefits to parents of children eligible for Healthy Families may not improve child health care utilization beyond the gains that would be obtained by exclusively insuring the children, family coverage would likely improve access to a regular source of care and private sector providers, and reduce perceived discrimination and breaks in coverage. These advantages should be considered by states that are weighing the benefits of expanding health insurance to parents. [source] Evolution of intrinsic reproductive isolation among four North American populations of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae)BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010JUAN RULL Across its range in North America, four geographically separated, ecologically and genetically diverged populations of hawthorn (Crataegus)-infesting Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies inhabit the Eje Volcánico Trans Mexicano (EVTM), the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO), the Chiapas Highlands (CHIS) and the USA. Here, we tested whether these four populations are reproductively isolated by any intrinsic, nonhost-related, pre- or postmating barriers to gene flow. Crossing experiments suggested that a low level of host-independent prezygotic isolation may exist between hawthorn flies from EVTM and the three other populations, but only with respect to a slight reduction in copulation duration in EVTM matings. Some evidence for postmating isolation was found, again primarily involving EVTM crossed to SMO, CHIS and US flies. Certain crosses produced no (SMO male × EVTM female) or few (EVTM male × CHIS female; CHIS male × SMO female) F1 hybrid offspring. F2 crosses were generally fertile, except for US male × CHIS female matings. Inherent reproductive isolation therefore appears to be quantitative rather than absolute between populations, as the possibility for gene flow exists through at least some combinations of mating among EVTM, SMO, CHIS and US flies. Our results are consistent with a recently advanced hypothesis that episodic introgression from Mexico into the USA has played a role in providing genetic variation, facilitating sympatric host race formation and the adaptive radiation of the R. pomonella sibling species' complex in the USA. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100, 213,223. [source] English language proficiency and smoking prevalence among California's Asian Americans,CANCER, Issue S12 2005Hao Tang M.D., Ph.D. Abstract The authors documented California's tobacco control initiatives for Asian Americans and the current tobacco use status among Asian subgroups and provide a discussion of the challenges ahead. The California Tobacco Control Program has employed a comprehensive approach to decrease tobacco use in Asian Americans, including ethnic-specific media campaigns, culturally competent interventions, and technical assistance and training networks. Surveillance of tobacco use among Asian Americans and the interpretation of the results have always been a challenge. Data from the 2001 The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were analyzed to provide smoking prevalence estimates for all Asian Americans and Asian-American subgroups, including Korean, Filipino, Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Current smoking prevalence was analyzed by gender and by English proficiency level. Cigarette smoking prevalence among Asian males in general was almost three times of that among Asian females. Korean and Vietnamese males had higher cigarette smoking prevalence rates than males in other subgroups. Although Asian females in general had low smoking prevalence rates, significant differences were found among Asian subgroups, from 1.1% (Vietnamese) to 12.7% (Japanese). Asian men who had high English proficiency were less likely to be smokers than men with lower English proficiency. Asian women with high English proficiency were more likely to be smokers than women with lower English proficiency. Smoking prevalence rates among Asian Americans in California differed significantly on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and English proficiency. English proficiency seemed to have the effect of reducing smoking prevalence rates among Asian males but had just the opposite effect among Asian females. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] Prevalence of cholinesterase inhibitors in subjects with dementia in Europe,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 7 2008Antoine Pariente MD Abstract Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChI) treatment in subjects with dementia in European countries. Methods We studied the prevalence of treatment in subjects with dementia among European countries in 2004 (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) by using estimates of prevalence of dementia and of ChI treatments according to sales and reimbursement data. Results In 2004, estimated prevalence of ChI use among subjects with dementia ranged from 3.0% in the Netherlands to 20.3% in France. It was 17.5% in Spain, 6.7% in the UK and 5.9% in Italy. Donepezil was used by more than 60% of patients using a single ChI and represented almost 50% of reimbursements for patients that had used at least two different ChIs during the year. Galantamine and rivastigmine were respectively used by 22 and 18% of subjects using a single drug and 27 and 23% of reimbursements for patients that had used at least two different ChIs. Nevertheless, different patterns of use were found for individual countries. Conclusions Prevalence of treatment by ChIs among subjects with dementia remains weak and varies greatly across Europe. Differences in reimbursement rates and health policies could partly explain these variations, as ChIs could have failed to convince health authorities because the outcomes considered for trials are not used by clinicians in their everyday practice. If donepezil was highly predominant across countries, variations in rivastigmine and galantamine importance could reflect local market specificities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Chi and Organizational Creativity: A Case Study of Three Taiwanese Computer FirmsCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2003Jon-Chao Hong The mechanisms of knowledge management include knowledge sharing, knowledge transformation and knowledge accumulation. In the corporate context, knowledge creation is of utmost importance for the promotion of competition within an organization. Knowledge creation in business corporations is most frequently done through sharing knowledge between members of a team. Therefore, how to promote the flow of ,Chi' in an organization to ensure the effectiveness of knowledge sharing becomes the key to successful knowledge creation. Moreover, to create and maintain ,Chi', a holonic working environment has to be created so that the result of knowledge sharing can be enhanced. This paper illustrates the effectiveness of the knowledge-sharing practices of three computer-manufacturing companies from the perspective of working environment design and knowledge-sharing mechanism. Through comparison, this paper will identify some good practices for the enhancement of organizational creativity. [source] Wavelet-based simulation of spectrum-compatible aftershock accelerogramsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 11 2008S. Das Abstract In damage-based seismic design it is desirable to account for the ability of aftershocks to cause further damage to an already damaged structure due to the main shock. Availability of recorded or simulated aftershock accelerograms is a critical component in the non-linear time-history analyses required for this purpose, and simulation of realistic accelerograms is therefore going to be the need of the profession for a long time to come. This paper attempts wavelet-based simulation of aftershock accelerograms for two scenarios. In the first scenario, recorded main shock and aftershock accelerograms are available along with the pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) spectrum of the anticipated main shock motion, and an accelerogram has been simulated for the anticipated aftershock motion such that it incorporates temporal features of the recorded aftershock accelerogram. In the second scenario, a recorded main shock accelerogram is available along with the PSA spectrum of the anticipated main shock motion and PSA spectrum and strong motion duration of the anticipated aftershock motion. Here, the accelerogram for the anticipated aftershock motion has been simulated assuming that temporal features of the main shock accelerogram are replicated in the aftershock accelerograms at the same site. The proposed algorithms have been illustrated with the help of the main shock and aftershock accelerograms recorded for the 1999 Chi,Chi earthquake. It has been shown that the proposed algorithm for the second scenario leads to useful results even when the main shock and aftershock accelerograms do not share the same temporal features, as long as strong motion duration of the anticipated aftershock motion is properly estimated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tai Chi improves balance in elderly individualsFOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 2 2002Article first published online: 14 JUN 2010 [source] Selected As the Best Paper in the 1990s: Reducing Frailty and Falls in Older Persons: An Investigation of Tai Chi and Computerized Balance TrainingJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2003FAPTA, Steven L. Wolf PhD Objectives: To evaluate the effects of two exercise approaches, tai chi (TC) and computerized balance training (BT), on specified primary outcomes (biomedical, functional, and psychosocial indicators of frailty) and secondary outcomes (occurrences of fall). Design: The Atlanta Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies and Intervention Techniques, a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with three arms (TC, BT, and education (ED)). Intervention length was 15 weeks, with primary outcomes measured before and after intervention and at 4-month follow-up. Falls were monitored continuously throughout the study. Setting: Persons aged 70 and older living in the community. Participants: A total of 200 participants, 162 women and 38 men; mean age was 76.2. Measurements: Biomedical (strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, body composition), functional instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and psychosocial well-being (Center for Epidemiological Studies for Depression scale, fear of falling questionnaire, self-perception of present and future health, mastery index, perceived quality of sleep, and intrusiveness) variables. Results: Grip strength declined in all groups, and lower extremity range of motion showed limited but statistically significant changes. Lowered blood pressure before and after a 12-minute walk was seen following TC participation. Fear of falling responses and intrusiveness responses were reduced after the TC intervention compared with the ED group (P=.046 and P=.058, respectively). After adjusting for fall risk factors, TC was found to reduce the risk of multiple falls by 47.5%. Conclusion: A moderate TC intervention can impact favorably on defined biomedical and psychosocial indices of frailty. This intervention can also have favorable effects upon the occurrence of falls. TC warrants further study as an exercise treatment to improve the health of older people. [source] Effect of Tai Chi on state self-esteem and health-related quality of life in older Chinese residential care home residentsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 8 2007Linda YK Lee PhD, MNurs [source] WATER QUALITY IMPACTS AND INDICATORS OF METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF THE ZEBRA MUSSEL INVASION OF THE SENECA RIVER,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 3 2004Steven W. Effler ABSTRACT: The conspicuous shifts in summertime values of common measures of water qualify that have persisted for 10 years (1993 to 2002) in the Seneca River, New York, as a result of the zebra mussel invasion are documented. Resolution of patterns in time and space is supported by water quality monitoring that extends back to the late 1970s. Patterns are evaluated to describe the stability of impacts and quantify metabolic activity of the invader. The water quality impacts that have persisted unabated for 10 years since the invasion are the most severe documented for a river in North America. Changes in summer median conditions since the invasion include: (1) a 16-fold decrease in chlorophyll concentration (Chi), (2) a 2.5-fold increase in Secchi disc transparency, (3) a 17-fold increase in soluble reactive phosphorus concentration, (4) a 3.7-fold increase in total ammonia concentration, (5) a greater than 25 percent decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and (6) a decrease in pH of 0.55 units. The strength of these signatures has been driven by anthropogenic influences that include upstream nutrient loading and morphometric modifications of the river, and the functioning of Cross Lake, through which the river flows. This hypereutrophic lake sustains dense zebra mussel populations and related water quality impacts in the river downstream of the lake outflow by acting as a source of veligers and suitable food for this bivalve. Evidence is presented that levels of metabolic activity of the zebra mussel in this river have been resource limited, manifested through increased consumption of Chl and DO with increased delivery of these constituents in the lake's outflow. [source] Leadership T'ai Chi: A beginner's guideLEADER TO LEADER, Issue 37 2005Robert A. Goldberg [source] Comparative observations on the cyst shells of seven Artemia strains from ChinaMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 8 2007Sufeng Wang Abstract The quiescent Artemia cysts of seven geographical origins in China were examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopes. SEM observations on cysts of these Artemia strains showed that the surface topography of cyst shells could be categorized into 6 types: complete smooth surface; smooth surface with sparsely distributed glabrate humps; surface with densely arranged wart-like humps that are composed of packed minute tubercles; rugged surface, with densely arranged tubercles not piling up to form larger humps; shallow-pocked surface; and surface with numerous and densely spaced pore-like fossulae. Some of the patterns were strain specific [e.g., cysts from Ga Hai (GH) are characterized by having a surface with wart-like ornaments that are composed of packed minute tubercles, rugged surface is only found in Chengkou (CK) cysts], and apparent intrastrain variation of cyst surface topography was found in Xizang (XZ), Jingyu Hu, and Xie Chi (SIN) strains. TEM studies on the ultrastructure of cyst shells revealed an apparent divergence in the structure of outer cuticular membrane (OCM) among Artemia strains. In CK, Aqqikkol Hu (AQK), SIN, and GH strains, it is a normal, asymmetrical, and multi-layered structure similar to those described in previous works. In XZ, JYH, and Lagkor Co (LGC) strains, however, the OCM is not obviously multi-layered and the borderlines between OCM and adjacent layers seem indistinct. The present results suggest that the diversity of the surface topography of Artemia cysts may be an available tool for identifying certain Artemia strains as well as for tracking the origins of some Artemia cysts, and the hypoplastic OCM may be a characteristic of the species A. tibetiana. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cerebellar ataxia as a possible organ-specific autoimmune diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2008Marios Hadjivassiliou MD Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that autoimmunity is responsible for some cases of sporadic idiopathic ataxia. We prospectively investigated 400 patients with progressive ataxia and identified a group of patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia. A comparison of the prevalence of autoimmune diseases, the autoimmunity linked HLA DQ2, and serum anticerebellar antibodies was made between patients with idiopathic sporadic and those with genetically characterized ataxia. Ninety-one of 400 (23%) patients with progressive ataxia had idiopathic sporadic ataxia. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in this group was 47% as compared with 6% in the group of patients with genetic ataxias (P < 0.0001). The HLA DQ2 was found in 71% of patients with sporadic ataxia, in 34% in patients with genetic ataxia, and in 36% of healthy local population (P = 0.0005 by Chi squared test). Anticerebellar antibodies were detected in 12 out of 20 patients with idiopathic sporadic as opposed to one of 20 patients with genetic ataxia. The significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases, HLA DQ2 and anti-cerebellar antibodies in patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia compared to genetic ataxia supports the notion that autoimmunity may account for some cases of idiopathic sporadic cerebellar ataxia. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source] Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritisAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 4 2009Article first published online: 24 NOV 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Trends in chronic disease mortality in the Northern Territory Aboriginal population, 1997-2004: using underlying and multiple causes of deathAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2009Emily Fearnley Abstract Objective: To assess trends in chronic disease mortality in the Aboriginal population of the Northern Territory (NT), using both underlying and multiple causes of death. Method: Death registration data from 1997 to 2004, were used for the analysis of deaths from five chronic diseases; ischaemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure and stroke. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the average annual change in mortality rates for each of the five diseases. Chi squared tests were conducted to determine associations between the five diseases. Results: The five chronic diseases contributed to 49.3% of all Aboriginal deaths in the NT. The mortality rate ratio of NT Aboriginal to all Australian death rates from each of the diseases ranged from 4.3 to 13.0, with the lowest rate ratio for stroke and highest for diabetes. There were significant statistical associations between IHD, diabetes, renal failure and stroke. The mortality rates for diabetes, COPD and stroke declined at estimated annual rates for NT Aboriginal males of 3.6%, 1.0% and 11.7% and for Aboriginal females by 3.5%, 6.1% and 7.1% respectively. There were increases in mortality rates for Aboriginal males and females for IHD and a mixed result for renal failure. Conclusion: NT Aboriginal people experience high chronic disease mortality, however, mortality rates appear to be declining for diabetes, COPD and stroke. The impact of chronic disease on mortality is greater than previously reported by using a single underlying cause of death. The results highlight the importance of integrated chronic disease interventions. [source] Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of glutathione transferases from cyanobacteriaACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 5 2009Susanne C. Feil Glutathione S -transferases (GSTs) are a group of multifunctional enzymes that are found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Their primary function is to remove toxins derived from exogenous sources or the products of metabolism from the cell. Mammalian GSTs have been extensively studied, in contrast to bacterial GSTs which have received relatively scant attention. A new class of GSTs called Chi has recently been identified in cyanobacteria. Chi GSTs exhibit a high glutathionylation activity towards isothiocyanates, compounds that are normally found in plants. Here, the crystallization of two GSTs are presented: TeGST produced by Thermosynechococcus elongates BP-1 and SeGST from Synechococcus elongates PCC 6301. Both enzymes formed crystals that diffracted to high resolution and appeared to be suitable for further X-ray diffraction studies. The structures of these GSTs may shed further light on the evolution of GST catalytic activity and in particular why these enzymes possess catalytic activity towards plant antimicrobial compounds. [source] Effect of Tai Chi on Endothelial FunctionCLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Tsung O. Cheng M.D Professor of Medicine No abstract is available for this article. [source] Effects of Tai Chi and resistance training on cardiovascular risk factors in elderly Chinese subjects: a 12-month longitudinal, randomized, controlled intervention studyCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 6 2005G. Neil Thomas Summary Background, ,Tai Chi is rapidly gaining in popularity, worldwide. This study was performed to assess its impact on cardiovascular risk factors in comparison with resistance training exercises in elderly Chinese subjects. Methods, A total of 207 healthy elderly participants (65,74 years, 113/207 (55%) men) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: (1) Tai Chi, three times/week for 1 h/session (n = 64); (2) resistance training exercise, three times/week for 1 h/session (n = 65); (3) usual level of physical activity control group (n = 78). Anthropometric measures, dual X-ray densitometry body composition, blood pressure, lipids, glycaemic and insulin sensitivity indices were measured at baseline and 12 months. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (anova) was used to assess the between-group changes using a last-observation-carried-forward intention-to-treat approach. Results, A total of 180 (87·0%) subjects completed the study. No significant changes were identified in the Tai Chi group compared to the resistance training or control group. Of the primary outcomes, only the improvement in the insulin sensitivity index differed, being significantly greater in the resistance training than in the control group [mean difference 0·018 (95% confidence interval ( CI) 0·000,0·037) mmol glucose/min, P = 0·02), and tending to be greater than in the Tai Chi group (mean difference 0·019 (95% CI 0·000,0·038) mmol glucose/min, P < 0·06). Conclusion, Tai Chi had no significant effect on any measure compared to the controls, whereas resistance training improved the insulin sensitivity index in this 12-month study. [source] Chi and Organizational Creativity: A Case Study of Three Taiwanese Computer FirmsCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2003Jon-Chao Hong The mechanisms of knowledge management include knowledge sharing, knowledge transformation and knowledge accumulation. In the corporate context, knowledge creation is of utmost importance for the promotion of competition within an organization. Knowledge creation in business corporations is most frequently done through sharing knowledge between members of a team. Therefore, how to promote the flow of ,Chi' in an organization to ensure the effectiveness of knowledge sharing becomes the key to successful knowledge creation. Moreover, to create and maintain ,Chi', a holonic working environment has to be created so that the result of knowledge sharing can be enhanced. This paper illustrates the effectiveness of the knowledge-sharing practices of three computer-manufacturing companies from the perspective of working environment design and knowledge-sharing mechanism. Through comparison, this paper will identify some good practices for the enhancement of organizational creativity. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||