1,492 research outputs found
Relationship between objective measures of physical activity and weather: a longitudinal study
Background The weather may be a barrier to physical activity but objective assessment of this hypothesis is lacking. Therefore we evaluated the effect of temperature, rain or snow, and wind speed on the daily physical activity of adults. Methods This report contains data from 25 males (BMI (mean ± SD): 28.7 ± 3.83 kg/m2) and 177 females (BMI: 29.2 ± 5.92 kg/m2) enrolled in an intervention to increase physical activity. Steps/day of the participants was measured by pedometer. Weather data were obtained from Environment Canada. A total of 8,125 observations were included in a mixed linear model analysis. Results Significant weather related variables (at the 5% level) impacting steps/day included: seasonal effects related to the interaction between weekday and month; mean temperature, total rainfall, interactions between gender, BMI and total snow, interactions between maximum wind speed and BMI, and the amount of snow on the ground. The estimated magnitudes for the various effects were modest, ranging from ~1% to ~20%. Thus for an average individual taking ~10,000 steps/day, weather-dependent changes in physical activity could reach 2,000 steps/day. Conclusion We conclude that weather had modest effects on physical activity of participants in an intervention to increase their activity. It should be stressed that these effects may be different for less or more motivated people. With this in mind, we suggest that the effect of weather on physical activity in the general population needs to be objectively assessed to better understand the barrier it poses, especially as it relates to outdoor recreation or work activities.</p
Quasi-cyclic Generalized LDPC codes with low error floors
In this paper, a novel methodology for designing structured generalized LDPC (G-LDPC) codes is presented. The proposed design results in quasi-cyclic G-LDPC codes for which efficient encoding is feasible through shift-register-based circuits. The structure imposed on the bipartite graphs, together with the choice of simple component codes, leads to a class of codes suitable for fast iterative decoding. A pragmatic approach to the construction of G-LDPC codes is proposed. The approach is based on the substitution of check nodes in the protograph of a low-density parity-check code with stronger nodes based, for instance, on Hamming codes. Such a design approach, which we call LDPC code doping, leads to low-rate quasi-cyclic G-LDPC codes with excellent performance in both the error floor and waterfall regions on the additive white Gaussian noise channel
Allene cycloisomerization, epoxidation, and applications in total synthesis
Disclosed are studies on the structure and reactivity of allenes and spirodiepoxides (SDEs) and their application to synthesis. A novel ruthenium promoted cycloisomerization of γ-enallenes to cyclopentenes was discovered. The effects of solvent, oxidant, and substrate structure on the stereoselectivity of SDE formation from 1,3-disubstituted and trisubstituted allenes were evaluated. A computational model was advanced for the rationalization of observed selectivity in such formations. The known acid instability of SDEs was exploited to effect a designed rearrangement of β-silyl SDE to an α-hydroxy enone. Silyl-substituted SDEs were utilized to give carbinol substituted heterocycles with excellent ee, α-hydroxy enones, as well as α,β-dihydroxy olefins. A silyl-SDE approach was used to accomplish a short and efficient total synthesis of the natural product, epi-citreodiol. A de novo synthesis of the anticancer natural product jaspine B was also achieved using a SDE-based approach.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Joseph Ryan Cusic
A Bayesian hierarchical model for risk assessment of methylmercury
This article uses a Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify the adverse health effects associated with in-utero exposure to methylmercury. By allowing for study-to-study as well as outcome-to-outcome variability, the approach provides a useful meta-analytic tool for multi-outcome, multi-study environmental risk assessments. The analysis presented here expands on the findings of a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee, charged with advising the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an appropriate approach to conducting a risk assessment for methylmercury. The NAS committee, for which the senior author (Ryan) was a committee member, reviewed the findings from several conflicting studies and reported the results from a Bayesian hierarchical model that synthesized information across several studies and for several outcomes. Although the NAS committee did not suggest that the hierarchical model be used as the actual basis for a methylmercury risk assessment, the results from the model were used to justify and support the final recommendation that the risk analysis be based on data from a study conducted in the Faroe Islands, which had found an association between in-utero exposure to methylmercury and impaired neurological development. We consider a variety of statistical issues, but particularly sensitivity to model specification. © 2003 American Statistical Association and the International Biometric Society
Zoonotic potential of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. and prevalence of intestinal parasites in young dogs from different populations on Prince Edward Island, Canada
The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and other intestinal parasites was determined in dogs <1 year old from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Fecal samples were collected from the local animal shelter (n=62), private veterinary clinics (n=78) and a pet store (n=69). Intestinal parasites isolated included G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxocara canis, Isospora spp. and Uncinaria stenocephala. To estimate the zoonotic risk associated with these infections, genotypes of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were determined using 16S rRNA and Hsp70 gene sequencing, respectively. Dogs from the pet store had the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites (78%, 95% CI: 68-88%), followed by the private veterinary clinics (49%, 95% CI: 37-60%), and the local animal shelter (34%, 95% CI: 22-46%). The majority G. duodenalis belonged to host-adapted assemblages D (47%, 95% CI: 31-64%) and C (26%, 95% CI: 13-43%), respectively. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were isolated alone or in mixed infections from 16% (95% CI: 6-31%) of G. duodenalis-positive dogs. All Cryptosporidium spp. were the host-adapted C. canis. While host-adapted, non-zoonotic G. duodenalis genotypes were more common, the presence of G. duodenalis assemblages A and B, T. canis, and U. stenocephala suggests that these dogs may present a zoonotic risk. The zoonotic risk from Cryptosporidium-infected dogs was minimal.Fabienne D. Uehlinger, Spencer J. Greenwood, J. Trenton McClure, Gary Conboy, Ryan O’Handley, Herman W. Barkem
The Judge as Author / The Author as Judge
The first section of this Article discusses the judge as an author. This section begins with an examination of the audience for judicial opinions and an outline of the different styles of judicial opinion writing. The second section of this Article examines the advantages and disadvantages of using literary tools to advance the law. The third section of this Article explores the role of the author as a judge. This section will study a small number of judges who, in addition to the law, maintain outside lives as authors or creative writers. Judges who fit into this category include authors of books, operas, and magazine articles, and their opinions are often written in a manner that reflects their experience. This section discusses the advantages and drawbacks of having these unique judges deciding cases dealing with a wide range of authors\u27 issues, such as copyright and free speech
Oregon statewide status and trends report
Report -- Appendix A. Black Rock Desert-Humboldt -- Appendix B. Columbia River -- Appendix C. Deschutes -- Appendix D. Goose Lake -- Appendix E. Grande Ronde -- Appendix F. John Day -- Appendix G. Klamath -- Appendix H. Malheur -- Appendix I. Mid Coast -- Appendix J. Middle-Columbia-Hood -- Appendix K. North Coast-Lower Columbia -- Appendix L. Oregon Closed Basins -- Appendix M. Owyhee -- Appendix N. Powder-Burnt -- Appendix O. Rogue -- Appendix P. Sandy -- Appendix Q. Snake River -- Appendix R. South Coast -- Appendix S. Umatilla-Walla Walla-Willow -- Appendix T. Umpqua -- Appendix U. Willamette.prepared by: Colin Donald and Ryan Michie.Title from PDF cover (viewed on November 4, 2022).This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Includes bibliographical references.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Oregon statewide status and trends report
Chapter 1-3. Introduction and Methods -- Chapter 4-5. Results and Citations -- Appendix A. Black Rock Desert-Humboldt -- Appendix B. Columbia River -- Appendix C. Deschutes -- Appendix D. Goose Lake -- Appendix E. Grande Ronde -- Appendix F. John Day -- Appendix G. Klamath -- Appendix H. Malheur -- Appendix I. Mid Coast -- Appendix J. Middle-Columbia-Hood -- Appendix K. North Coast-Lower Columbia -- Appendix L. Oregon Closed Basins -- Appendix M. Owyhee -- Appendix N. Powder-Burnt -- Appendix O. Rogue -- Appendix P. Sandy -- Appendix Q. Snake River -- Appendix R. South Coast -- Appendix S. Umatilla-Walla Walla-Willow -- Appendix T. Umpqua -- Appendix U. Willamette.prepared by: Colin Donald, Yuan Grund, and Ryan Michie.Title from PDF cover (viewed on October 27, 2020).This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Includes bibliographical references.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Oregon statewide status and trends report
Report -- Appendix A. Black Rock Desert-Humboldt -- Appendix B. Columbia River -- Appendix C. Deschutes -- Appendix D. Goose Lake -- Appendix E. Grande Ronde -- Appendix F. John Day -- Appendix G. Klamath -- Appendix H. Malheur -- Appendix I. Mid Coast -- Appendix J. Middle-Columbia-Hood -- Appendix K. North Coast-Lower Columbia -- Appendix L. Oregon Closed Basins -- Appendix M. Black Owyhee -- Appendix N. Powder-Burnt -- Appendix O. Rogue -- Appendix P. Sandy -- Appendix Q. Snake River -- Appendix R. South Coast -- Appendix S. Umatilla-Walla Walla-Willow -- Appendix T. Umpqua -- Appendix U. Willamette.prepared by: Colin Donald, Ryan Michie, and Yuan Grund.Title from PDF cover (viewed on March 20, 2020).This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Includes bibliographical references.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
FIGURE 1 in Heuchera lakelae (Saxifragaceae), a new species from the Sierra La Marta and Sierra Coahuilón, Coahuila and Nuevo León, Mexico
FIGURE 1. Drawing of H. lakelae, prepared from the type material at NY and TEX by the author. A. Habit and inflorescence; scale represents 4.5 cm. B. Dissected flower; scale represents 6 mm. C. Side view of flower; scale represents 6 mm.Published as part of Folk, Ryan, 2013, Heuchera lakelae (Saxifragaceae), a new species from the Sierra La Marta and Sierra Coahuilón, Coahuila and Nuevo León, Mexico, pp. 37-42 in Phytotaxa 124 (1) on page 38, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.124.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/508509
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