We present the transmission spectrum of the inflated hot Jupiter WASP-17 b, observed with the STIS and WFC3 instruments aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing for a continuous wavelength coverage from ∼0.4 to ∼1.7 μm. Observations... more
We present the transmission spectrum of the inflated hot Jupiter WASP-17 b, observed with the STIS and WFC3 instruments aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing for a continuous wavelength coverage from ∼0.4 to ∼1.7 μm. Observations taken with IRAC channels 1 and 2 on the Spitzer Space Telescope are also included, adding photometric measurements at 3.6 and 4.5 μm. HST spectral data were analyzed with Iraclis, a pipeline specialized in the reduction of STIS and WFC3 transit and eclipse observations. Spitzer photometric observations were reduced with the TLCD-LSTM method, utilizing recurrent neural networks. The outcome of our reduction produces incompatible results between STIS visit 1 and visit 2, which leads us to consider two scenarios for G430L. Additionally, by modeling the WFC3 data alone, we can extract atmospheric information without having to deal with the contrasting STIS data sets. We run separate retrievals on the three spectral scenarios with the aid of TauREx 3, a fu...
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We were delighted to see obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) flagged as a common risk factor for development of atrial fibrillation (AF), with severe OSA increasing risk by 3.31 (95% confidence interval 2.53 to 4.35).1 Patients with AF may not... more
We were delighted to see obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) flagged as a common risk factor for development of atrial fibrillation (AF), with severe OSA increasing risk by 3.31 (95% confidence interval 2.53 to 4.35).1 Patients with AF may not complain of OSA symptoms, so routine referral for sleep studies should be considered, potentially using the Stop-Bang questionnaire for assessment.2 Effective treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown in non-randomised studies to help maintain sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation in patients with AF and to prevent progression to more permanent forms of AF.34 Robust randomised clinical trials are needed to confirm this and to establish whether early CPAP could even be sufficient as a therapy for AF and paroxysmal AF. NICE guidelines advise prioritisation of OSA assessment and treatment in patients withunstable cardiovascular disease andpoorly controlled arrhythmia.5 Wesuggest this sh...
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An increasing number of alternative technologies have lead spectators to their couches rather than to stadium seats. While steps are being taken to improve the spectator experiences, fully addressing user expectations of the experience is... more
An increasing number of alternative technologies have lead spectators to their couches rather than to stadium seats. While steps are being taken to improve the spectator experiences, fully addressing user expectations of the experience is yet to be explored. Through the assessment of existing event augmentation applications, this paper proposes the design of a mobile augmented reality (AR) application to address this lack of attendee engagement.
Land protection efforts represent large societal investments and are critical to biodiversity conservation. Land protection involves a complex mosaic of areas managed by multiple organizations, using a variety of mechanisms to achieve... more
Land protection efforts represent large societal investments and are critical to biodiversity conservation. Land protection involves a complex mosaic of areas managed by multiple organizations, using a variety of mechanisms to achieve different levels of protection. We develop an approach to synthesize, describe, and map this land protection diversity over large spatial scales. We use cluster analysis to find distinct "communities" of land protection based on the organizations involved, the strictness of land protection, and the protection mechanisms used. We also associate identified land protection communities with socioenvironmental variables. Applying these methods to describe land protection communities in counties across the coterminous United States, we recognize five different land protection communities. Two land protection communities occur in areas with low human population size at higher elevations and include a large amount of protected land primarily under federal management. These two community types are differentiated from one another by the particular federal agencies involved, the relative contributions of smaller actors, and the amount of protection by designations vs. conservation easements or covenants. Three remaining land protection communities have less overall protection. Land in one community is primarily protected by federally managed rental contracts and government managed easements; another is managed by a diversity of non-federal actors through fee-ownership and easements; and the third stands out for having the lowest amount of formally recorded protection overall. High elevation and poor quality soils are over-represented in U.S. protected lands. Rental contracts help fill in gaps in counties with high productivity soil while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fills in gaps in low-elevation counties. Counties with large numbers of threatened species have more and stricter protection, particularly by regional entities like water management districts. The ability to synthesize and map land protection communities can help conservation planners tailor interventions to local contexts, position local agencies to approach collaborations more strategically, and suggest new hypotheses for researchers regarding interactions among different protection mechanisms.
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At a time of increased technological literacy and innovation, it can be difficult to consolidate people’s imaginations with their practical understanding of technology, especially in the case of ambiguous technologies such as augmented... more
At a time of increased technological literacy and innovation, it can be difficult to consolidate people’s imaginations with their practical understanding of technology, especially in the case of ambiguous technologies such as augmented reality (AR). With this confusion about capability and purpose, we face a scenario very similar to that of the 1970s adoption of computers into the workplace [2]. When the relationship between the technology and the task is unclear or ambiguous, it becomes important to engage with users to ensure solutions are designed to help, rather than hinder. This is where Participatory Design (PD) becomes relevant the goal of PD is to ensure the needs of the user are met by having them participate in the design process as an active and willing member of the team [3]. However, AR and similar mixed reality technologies (VR, MR, XR etc.) present an additional challenge, as designers (whether professionals or participants) are tasked with defining an experience [5], rather than just an application. My candidature will explore how people understand AR, and how understanding influences contributions and outcomes of design sessions.
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Millions of abandoned wells are scattered across the United States, causing significant methane emissions and creating a variety of health and environmental hazards. Governments are increasingly interested in decommissioning such wells... more
Millions of abandoned wells are scattered across the United States, causing significant methane emissions and creating a variety of health and environmental hazards. Governments are increasingly interested in decommissioning such wells via tougher regulations or direct spending, but want to do so efficiently. However, information on the costs of decommissioning wells is very limited. In this analysis, we provide new estimates of the costs of decommissioning oil and gas wells and the key drivers of those costs. We analyze data from up to 19,500 wells and find that median decommissioning costs are roughly $20,000 for plugging only, and $76,000 for plugging and surface reclamation. In rare cases, costs exceed $1 million per well. Each additional 1,000 feet of well depth increases costs by 20 percent, older wells are considerably more costly than newer ones, natural gas wells are nine percent more expensive than wells that produce oil, and costs vary widely by state. Surface characteris...
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This paper presents findings from an ongoing investigation into the public understanding of augmented reality (AR) technologies. Despite AR technologies becoming increasingly available to the general public, perceptions of its use and... more
This paper presents findings from an ongoing investigation into the public understanding of augmented reality (AR) technologies. Despite AR technologies becoming increasingly available to the general public, perceptions of its use and capabilities still vary based on a number of factors. To explore this concept, a survey was conducted into individual's definition of AR and classification of AR and traditional technologies. The themes elicited from responses indicated that digital and real components were both perceived as key characteristics, but the synthesis of these components was not significant. Responses also indicated that the public is still relatively unfamiliar with AR technologies, but familiarity does lend itself to a better understanding of what is or isn't AR. Trends in public perceptions of AR are presented, but also identify the need for more investigation into the public understanding of AR technologies.
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Geographical variation in the likelihood of biological invasions can be affected by propagule pressure and habitat suitability, which are driven by ecological and social processes. Past studies have empirically quantified the role of... more
Geographical variation in the likelihood of biological invasions can be affected by propagule pressure and habitat suitability, which are driven by ecological and social processes. Past studies have empirically quantified the role of drivers by comparing geographical variation in numbers of invading species with variation in candidate factors; however, lack of data has limited empirical studies for individual species. Lymantria dispar (L.), a nonnative forest pest formerly known as gypsy moth, is an exemplar species for exploring invasion drivers because of extensive records on its spread. Since its establishment in eastern United States in 1869, it has been repeatedly introduced into outlying areas, prompting 325 eradication programs from 1972 to 2014. We used these eradication programs as proxies for new establishment events, with the assumption that populations would have established in the absence of eradication treatments. These proxy events were used to quantify the effects of socio-environmental factors on the probability of L. dispar arrival and establishment. Establishment probability was significantly affected by propagule pressure (distance to the previously invaded area, human population size, and the area of source outbreaks) and habitat suitability (climate and availability of host trees). The statistical model developed here can be used to predict invasions and inform surveillance strategies to more efficiently manage these invasions.
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INTRODUCTION Complications of acute pancreatitis occur due to enzymatic degradation or compression by necrotic tissue, pseudocysts, or peripancreatic fluid collections on nearby structures. Of them, intramural hematoma formation is... more
INTRODUCTION Complications of acute pancreatitis occur due to enzymatic degradation or compression by necrotic tissue, pseudocysts, or peripancreatic fluid collections on nearby structures. Of them, intramural hematoma formation is infrequently reported, but when present, is usually found in the esophagus or duodenum. Gastric intramural hematomas (GIH) have rarely been reported as a complication of pancreatitis, as they are more commonly due to trauma, specifically non-accidental trauma. CASE DESCRIPTION A 3-year-old African American female initially presenting with diffuse abdominal pain for two days with non-bloody, non-bilious emesis. She was found to have intussusception which was successfully reduced in the emergency department by …
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11049Background: In the early 2000, the results of Imatinib targeted treatment in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) raised the hope that targeted therapy can be effective in other types of sa...
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Gateway cities have historically been the focus of institutional investors in office properties. Since the financial crisis, however, office markets in other cities have enjoyed greater demand and rising occupancy rates relative to those... more
Gateway cities have historically been the focus of institutional investors in office properties. Since the financial crisis, however, office markets in other cities have enjoyed greater demand and rising occupancy rates relative to those in gateway cities. REITs have positioned themselves to benefit from this relative strength in secondary markets, through a shift in portfolio activities to these markets rather than the traditional gateway markets that constitute the bulk of REIT portfolios. Economic fundamentals including population and employment growth have supported the performance of office markets in these cities. REITs appear to have taken advantage of their knowledge of local market conditions in order to anticipate these changes in fundamental conditions in office markets.
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This article documents the experiences of a service user through a mental health crisis, the experience of detention under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, admission to hospital and eventual recovery. It gives a unique first person... more
This article documents the experiences of a service user through a mental health crisis, the experience of detention under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, admission to hospital and eventual recovery. It gives a unique first person account of the experience of a psychotic episode together with a reflective commentary based upon the service user's auto-ethnographic analysis of both the event itself and her medical records, which were obtained post-recovery, as well as interviews with professional practitioners. The reflective commentary considers the practice of various professionals encountered during the service user's illness, treatment and recovery. The service user, whilst critical of some of the treatment she received, has engaged in a positive way with her local police force, involving herself in training sessions for officers about good practice under the Mental Health Act.
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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with inflammation as well as Vitamin D insufficiency. While Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, relationships between Vitamin D and inflammatory markers remain unexplored in... more
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with inflammation as well as Vitamin D insufficiency. While Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, relationships between Vitamin D and inflammatory markers remain unexplored in GDM. Therefore, this case--control study investigated adipocytokine and Vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and correlations in GDM and control women, as well as their neonates. seventy-three women participated: 36 GDM and 37 controls. Maternal samples were drawn at 31 weeks. Umbilical arterial and venous samples were collected at birth. 25(OH)D and adipocytokine concentrations were compared for GDM vs control maternal, umbilical arterial and venous samples. Correlations were explored between biochemical results, maternal and neonatal demographics. Compared with age- and weight-matched control participants, GDM women had significantly lower concentrations of 25(OH)D (77·3 ± 24·3 vs 93·2 ± 19·2 nm/l; P = 0·009); adiponectin (17·5 ± 11·8 vs 34·1 ± 20·3 μg/ml, P < 0·001); resistin (25·4 ± 9·1 vs 31·9 ± 12·1 ng/ml, P = 0·045); and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 13·9 ± 10·0 vs 21·0 ± 12·6 ng/ml, P = 0·038), while delivering 1 week earlier (38·2 ± 1·2 vs 39·5 ± 0·9 weeks, P < 0·001). GDM maternal 25(OH)D concentrations positively correlated with PAI-1, IL-8 and TNF-α concentrations. Umbilical 25(OH)D concentrations were not significantly different in GDM vs control offspring, whereas adiponectin, resistin and PAI-1 concentrations were significantly lower in GDM offspring. GDM women had lower 25(OH)D concentrations than controls, while neonatal umbilical concentrations of 25(OH)D did not differ. GDM maternal and GDM offspring had lower adiponectin, resistin and PAI-1 concentrations compared with controls. Results suggest that both GDM women and their offspring demonstrate abnormal adipocytokine patterns.
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Endocrinology, Inflammation, Vitamin D, Medicine, Gestational diabetes, and 15 morePregnancy, Humans, Internal Medicine, Female, Clinical Sciences, Adipokines, Adiponectin, Resistin, Adult, Clinical Endocrinology, Offspring, Pregnancy Outcome, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor, Case Control Studies, and Paediatrics and reproductive medicine
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Background: High levels of loneliness are associated with negative health outcomes and there are several different types of intervention targeted at reducing feelings of loneliness. It is therefore important to accurately measure... more
Background: High levels of loneliness are associated with negative health outcomes and there are several different types of intervention targeted at reducing feelings of loneliness. It is therefore important to accurately measure loneliness. A key unresolved debate in the conceptualisation and measurement of loneliness is whether it has a unidimensional or multidimensional structure. One of the most widely used scales to measure loneliness is the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The aim of this study was to examine the dimensional structure of this scale and establish whether this factorial structure is equivalent in men and women. Methods and Sample: Two online UK-based samples were recruited using Prolific. The participants in Study 1 were 492 adults, selected to be nationally representative by age and gender, whilst the participants in Study 2 were 290 older adults aged over 64. In both studies, participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3) as part of a larger project. Resul...
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Objectives: To examine the relationship between number of friends and loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress in older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from 335 older adults via completion of an online survey. Measures included... more
Objectives: To examine the relationship between number of friends and loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress in older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from 335 older adults via completion of an online survey. Measures included loneliness (UCLA Version 3), depression, stress and anxiety (DASS-21). Participants also reported their number of close friends. Results: Regression analysis revealed a negative curvilinear relationship between number of friends and each of the measures tested. Breakpoint analysis demonstrated a threshold for the effect of number of friends on each of the measures (loneliness = 4, depression = 2, anxiety = 3, stress = 2). Discussion: The results suggest that there is a limit to the benefit of increasing the number of friends in older adults for each of these measures. Elucidating these thresholds can enable loneliness and psychological well-being interventions to be more targeted.
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The three main causes of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and trichomoniasis (TV). Two multiplex assays are commercially available for detection of DNA from organisms associated with vaginitis: BD... more
The three main causes of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and trichomoniasis (TV). Two multiplex assays are commercially available for detection of DNA from organisms associated with vaginitis: BD Affirm™ VPIII Microbial Identification Test (Affirm) and BD MAX™ Vaginal Panel (MAX VP). Here, the performance of MAX VP was compared to that of Affirm, which was considered the standard of care. Four vaginal swabs were collected from each subject with the following: BD Affirm™ VPIII Ambient Temperature Transport System (ATTS), BD MAX™ UVE Specimen Collection Kit, Hologic Aptima® Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit, and BD ESwab™ collection and transport system (ESwab). Candida culture, Gram stain followed by Nugent scoring, and the Hologic Aptima® Trichomonas vaginalis assay were used for discordant analysis. Results were considered true positive if there were at least two tests positive for any vaginitis target. A total of 200 symptomatic women wer...