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UniversitySan Antonio, Texas, United States

Research output, citation impact, and the most-cited recent papers from San Antonio College (United States). Aggregated across the NobleBlocks index of 300M+ scholarly works.

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10.3K
Citations
193.4K
h-index
108
i10-index
997
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San Antonio College

Top-cited papers from San Antonio College

Alpha Emitter Radium-223 and Survival in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Chris Parker, Sten Nilsson, Daniel Heinrich, Svein Inge Helle +4 more
2013· New England Journal of Medicine3.3Kdoi:10.1056/nejmoa1213755

BACKGROUND: Radium-223 dichloride (radium-223), an alpha emitter, selectively targets bone metastases with alpha particles. We assessed the efficacy and safety of radium-223 as compared with placebo, in addition to the best standard of care, in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases. METHODS: In our phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we randomly assigned 921 patients who had received, were not eligible to receive, or declined docetaxel, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive six injections of radium-223 (at a dose of 50 kBq per kilogram of body weight intravenously) or matching placebo; one injection was administered every 4 weeks. In addition, all patients received the best standard of care. The primary end point was overall survival. The main secondary efficacy end points included time to the first symptomatic skeletal event and various biochemical end points. A prespecified interim analysis, conducted when 314 deaths had occurred, assessed the effect of radium-223 versus placebo on survival. An updated analysis, when 528 deaths had occurred, was performed before crossover from placebo to radium-223. RESULTS: At the interim analysis, which involved 809 patients, radium-223, as compared with placebo, significantly improved overall survival (median, 14.0 months vs. 11.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 0.88; two-sided P=0.002). The updated analysis involving 921 patients confirmed the radium-223 survival benefit (median, 14.9 months vs. 11.3 months; hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.83; P<0.001). Assessments of all main secondary efficacy end points also showed a benefit of radium-233 as compared with placebo. Radium-223 was associated with low myelosuppression rates and fewer adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, which was terminated for efficacy at the prespecified interim analysis, radium-223 improved overall survival. (Funded by Algeta and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; ALSYMPCA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00699751.).

Terminal Complement Inhibitor Eculizumab in Atypical Hemolytic–Uremic Syndrome
Christophe Legendre, Christoph Licht, Petra Muus, Larry A. Greenbaum +4 more
2013· New England Journal of Medicine1.6Kdoi:10.1056/nejmoa1208981

BACKGROUND: Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome is a genetic, life-threatening, chronic disease of complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. Plasma exchange or infusion may transiently maintain normal levels of hematologic measures but does not treat the underlying systemic disease. METHODS: We conducted two prospective phase 2 trials in which patients with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome who were 12 years of age or older received eculizumab for 26 weeks and during long-term extension phases. Patients with low platelet counts and renal damage (in trial 1) and those with renal damage but no decrease in the platelet count of more than 25% for at least 8 weeks during plasma exchange or infusion (in trial 2) were recruited. The primary end points included a change in the platelet count (in trial 1) and thrombotic microangiopathy event-free status (no decrease in the platelet count of >25%, no plasma exchange or infusion, and no initiation of dialysis) (in trial 2). RESULTS: A total of 37 patients (17 in trial 1 and 20 in trial 2) received eculizumab for a median of 64 and 62 weeks, respectively. Eculizumab resulted in increases in the platelet count; in trial 1, the mean increase in the count from baseline to week 26 was 73×10(9) per liter (P<0.001). In trial 2, 80% of the patients had thrombotic microangiopathy event-free status. Eculizumab was associated with significant improvement in all secondary end points, with continuous, time-dependent increases in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In trial 1, dialysis was discontinued in 4 of 5 patients. Earlier intervention with eculizumab was associated with significantly greater improvement in the estimated GFR. Eculizumab was also associated with improvement in health-related quality of life. No cumulative toxicity of therapy or serious infection-related adverse events, including meningococcal infections, were observed through the extension period. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab inhibited complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy and was associated with significant time-dependent improvement in renal function in patients with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. (Funded by Alexion Pharmaceuticals; C08-002 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00844545 [adults] and NCT00844844 [adolescents]; C08-003 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00838513 [adults] and NCT00844428 [adolescents]).

Revista de Pesquisa Cuidado é Fundamental Online
LEMÕES, M. A. M., JACONDINO, M., CEOLIN, T., HECK, R. M. +2 more
2025· Revista de Pesquisa Cuidado é Fundamental Online529doi:10.9789/2175-5361

Objetivo: Investigar a utilização da planta Sphagneticola trilobata por agricultores como coadjuvante no tratamento do diabetes mellitus. Método: Foram entrevistados cinco agricultores portadores de diabetes mellitus e que usavam S. trilobata, no município do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, no período de junho a julho de 2009. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Faculdade de Medicina da UFPel (072/07). Resultados: Todos os entrevistados eram do sexo feminino com idade entre 48 e 74 anos. As folhas foram a parte mais utilizada. O chá é preparado através da infusão da planta. O conhecimento sobre a insulina foi repassado por familiares, ou vizinhos. As entrevistadas relatam efeito hipoglicemiante após o uso da planta. Conclusão: O conhecimento popular sobre plantas medicinais é geralmente repassado através das gerações familiares, sendo sua frente às terapias complementares, de esta manera satisfaz as necessidades de saúde individual complementando os serviços de saúde.

El problema de las generaciones
K. Mannheim, Ignacio Sánchez de la Yncera
1993· Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas419doi:10.2307/40183643

Karl Mannheim, Ignacio Sánchez de la Yncera, El problema de las generaciones, Reis: Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas, No. 62, Monográfico sobre: Karl Mannheim (Apr. - Jun., 1993), pp. 193-242

Legal Formants: A Dynamic Approach to Comparative Law (Installment II of II)
Rodolfo Sacco
1991· The American Journal of Comparative Law243doi:10.2307/840784

Journal Article Legal Formants: A Dynamic Approach to Comparative Law (Installment II of II) Get access Rodolfo Sacco Rodolfo Sacco 1Rodolfo Sacco is Professor of Law, University of Turin (Italy). Edited by James R. Gordley, who the author wishes to thank. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The American Journal of Comparative Law, Volume 39, Issue 2, Spring 1991, Pages 343–401, https://doi.org/10.2307/840784 Published: 01 April 1991

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Identifies Four New Disease-Specific Risk Loci
Gregory T. Jones, Gerard Tromp, Helena Kuivaniemi, Sólveig Grétarsdóttir +4 more
2016· Circulation Research226doi:10.1161/circresaha.116.308765

RATIONALE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Together, 6 previously identified risk loci only explain a small proportion of the heritability of AAA. OBJECTIVE: To identify additional AAA risk loci using data from all available genome-wide association studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Through a meta-analysis of 6 genome-wide association study data sets and a validation study totaling 10 204 cases and 107 766 controls, we identified 4 new AAA risk loci: 1q32.3 (SMYD2), 13q12.11 (LINC00540), 20q13.12 (near PCIF1/MMP9/ZNF335), and 21q22.2 (ERG). In various database searches, we observed no new associations between the lead AAA single nucleotide polymorphisms and coronary artery disease, blood pressure, lipids, or diabetes mellitus. Network analyses identified ERG, IL6R, and LDLR as modifiers of MMP9, with a direct interaction between ERG and MMP9. CONCLUSIONS: The 4 new risk loci for AAA seem to be specific for AAA compared with other cardiovascular diseases and related traits suggesting that traditional cardiovascular risk factor management may only have limited value in preventing the progression of aneurysmal disease.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of mental disorders among children and adolescents in Europe
Rosemarie Sacco, Nigel Camilleri, Judith Eberhardt, Katja Umla‐Runge +1 more
2022· European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry223doi:10.1007/s00787-022-02131-2

Abstract Most mental disorders appear by age 14, but in most cases, they remain undiagnosed and untreated well into adulthood. A scoping review showed an absence of systematic reviews that address prevalence rates of mental disorders among children and adolescents in Europe that are based on community studies conducted between 2015 and 2020. To estimate the updated pooled prevalence of Anxiety Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eating Disorders, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), among children and adolescents living in Europe, a search strategy was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase and Psych Info and studies were also identified from reference lists and gray literature. Eligible studies were evaluated for reliability, validity, and bias. Trends of prevalence rates for each mental disorder were calculated. Almost one in five young people in Europe were found to suffer from a mental disorder, with a pooled prevalence rate of 15.5%. Anxiety disorders had the highest pooled prevalence rate (7.9% (95% CI 5.1–11.8%, I 2 : 98.0%)), followed by ADHD (2.9% (95% CI 1.2–6.9%, I 2 = 94.3%)), ODD (1.9% (95% CI 1.0–3.7%, I 2 = 98.4%)), depressive disorder (1.7% (95% CI 1.0–2.9%, I 2 = 97.7%)), CD (1.5% (95% CI 0.6–3.8%, I 2 = 98.8%)) and ASD (1.4% (95% CI 0.4–5.4%, I 2 = 99.7%). No studies on SUD were identified. The mental health of children and adolescents may be improved by introducing routine screening, refining diagnostic sensitivity, raising awareness of mental disorders, minimizing stigma and socioeconomic inequality, as well as developing early intervention services. These facilitators of good mental health need to be prioritized, especially at a time of unprecedented risk factors for poor mental health.

Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Nelipepimut-S Vaccine to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Clinical Trial
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, Biao Lu, Michelle Melisko, Julie Price Hiller +4 more
2019· Clinical Cancer Research211doi:10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2867

Abstract Purpose: In phase I/II studies, nelipepimut-S (NP-S) plus GM-CSF vaccine was well tolerated and effectively raised HER2-specific immunity in patients with breast cancer. Results from a prespecified interim analysis of a phase III trial assessing NP-S + GM-CSF are reported. Patients and Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind phase III study enrolled females ≥18 years with T1–T3, HER2 low–expressing (IHC 1+/2+), node-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant setting. Patients received 1,000 μg NP-S + 250 μg GM-CSF or placebo + GM-CSF monthly for 6 months, then every 6 months through 36 months. The primary objective was disease-free survival (DFS). Protocol-specified imaging occurred annually. New abnormalities were categorized as recurrence events; biopsy confirmation was not mandated. The interim analysis was conducted as specified in the protocol after 73 DFS events. Results: A total of 758 patients (mean age 51.8 years) were randomized. Adverse events were similar between groups; most common were injection-associated: erythema (84.3%), induration (55.8%), and pruritus (54.9%). There was no significant between-arms difference in DFS events at interim analysis at median follow-up (16.8 months). In the NP-S arm, imaging detected 54.1% of recurrence events in asymptomatic patients versus 29.2% in the placebo arm (P = 0.069). Conclusions: NP-S was well tolerated. There was no significant difference in DFS events between NP-S and placebo. Use of mandated annual scans and image-detected recurrence events hastened the interim analysis contributing to early trial termination.

Parallel implementation of electronic structure energy, gradient, and Hessian calculations
Victor F. Lotrich, N. Flocke, Mark Ponton, Anthony D. Yau +3 more
2008· The Journal of Chemical Physics170doi:10.1063/1.2920482

ACES III is a newly written program in which the computationally demanding components of the computational chemistry code ACES II [J. F. Stanton et al., Int. J. Quantum Chem. 526, 879 (1992); [ACES II program system, University of Florida, 1994] have been redesigned and implemented in parallel. The high-level algorithms include Hartree-Fock (HF) self-consistent field (SCF), second-order many-body perturbation theory [MBPT(2)] energy, gradient, and Hessian, and coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] energy and gradient. For SCF, MBPT(2), and CCSD(T), both restricted HF and unrestricted HF reference wave functions are available. For MBPT(2) gradients and Hessians, a restricted open-shell HF reference is also supported. The methods are programed in a special language designed for the parallelization project. The language is called super instruction assembly language (SIAL). The design uses an extreme form of object-oriented programing. All compute intensive operations, such as tensor contractions and diagonalizations, all communication operations, and all input-output operations are handled by a parallel program written in C and FORTRAN 77. This parallel program, called the super instruction processor (SIP), interprets and executes the SIAL program. By separating the algorithmic complexity (in SIAL) from the complexities of execution on computer hardware (in SIP), a software system is created that allows for very effective optimization and tuning on different hardware architectures with quite manageable effort.

Highly active screen-printed electrocatalysts for water oxidation based on β-manganese oxide
Mónika Fekete, Rosalie K. Hocking, Shery L. Y. Chang, Cristina Italiano +3 more
2013· Energy & Environmental Science161doi:10.1039/c3ee40429c

A versatile screen-printing method is applied for the preparation of efficient water oxidation catalysts based on a nanostructured β-MnO2 material prepared by a redox-precipitation method, and commercial β-MnO2. The catalyst films were tested for activity in water oxidation over a range of neutral to alkaline pH. The onset of water oxidation in case of the nanostructured MnO2 films is found at an overpotential (η) of 300 mV at pH 13.6 (1.0 M NaOH), with current densities reaching 10 mA cm−2 at η = 500 mV. The screen-printed MnO2 (nano) is one of the most active manganese oxide-based catalysts reported to date, despite consisting mostly of the common pyrolusite (β-MnO2) phase, so far generally found inactive in water oxidation. The films prepared from commercial β-MnO2 were found to be moderately active, with an onset of water oxidation at η = 500 mV (pH 13.6), and currents up to 5 mA cm−2 at η = 800 mV. At pH 6, the two samples exhibit similar activity and also match or surpass the performance of recent benchmark manganese oxides. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies suggest that the crystal phase is unchanged after prolonged electrochemical cycling. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicates very little corrosion of the surface morphology after prolonged catalyst operation at alkaline pH. However, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis shows the formation of a small amount of an amorphous phase on the surface of the nanorods after oxygen evolution over 12 hours in alkaline media.

Redefining the Blanking Period After Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Stephan Willems, Paul Khairy, Jason G. Andrade, Boris Hoffmann +4 more
2016· Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology151doi:10.1161/circep.115.003909

BACKGROUND: Early recurrences (ERs) of atrial tachyarrhythmia are common after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. A 3-month blanking period is recommended by current guidelines. This study sought to investigate the significance of ER during the first 3 months post ablation in predicting late recurrences and determine whether it varies according to timing. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 401 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation were followed for 12 months with transtelephonic monitoring in the ADVICE (Adenosine Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation to Target Dormant Conduction Elimination) trial. Patients with atrial tachyarrhythmia ≥30 s within the 3-month blanking period were stratified according to the timing of ER. A total of 179 patients (44.6%) experienced their last episode of ER during the first (n=53), second (n=44), or third (n=82) month of the 3-month blanking period. One-year freedom from symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia was 77.2% in patients without ER compared with 62.6%, 36.4%, and 7.8% in patients with ER 1, 2, and 3 months post ablation, respectively (P<0.0001). Receiver operating curve analyses revealed a strong correlation between the timing of ER and late recurrence (area under the curve 0.82, P<0.0001). Corresponding hazard ratios for ER during the first, second, and third months were 1.84, 4.45, and 9.64, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the use of a blanking period after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation but calls into question the 90-day cut-off value. In particular, >90% of patients with ER during the third month post ablation experience late recurrence by 1 year. However, pending further study, repeat ablation before 90 days cannot be routinely advocated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01058980.

Optical coherence tomography assessment of the mechanistic effects of rotational and orbital atherectomy in severely calcified coronary lesions
Annapoorna Kini, Yuliya Vengrenyuk, Jacobo Pena, Sadako Motoyama +4 more
2015· Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions139doi:10.1002/ccd.26000

Objectives This study sought to assess the mechanistic effect of rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA) on heavily calcified coronary lesions and subsequent stent placement using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Background RA and OA are two main approaches to ablate coronary calcium. While small case reports have described the mechanistic effect of RA in calcified coronary lesions, there has been no imaging study to assess the effect of OA on coronary artery architecture and/or compare the effects of two atherectomy devices. Methods This study analyzed 20 consecutive patients with OCT imaging performed after atherectomy and after stent implantation, RA ( n = 10) and OA ( n = 10). Results Postatherectomy OCT analysis identified tissue modification with deep dissections in around a third of lesions after RA and OA; however, post OA dissections (“lacunae”) were significantly deeper (1.14 vs. 0.82 mm, P = 0.048). Post OA/RA lesions with dissections had significantly higher percentage of lipid rich plaques and smaller calcification arcs as compared to plaques without dissections. Stents after OA were associated with a significantly lower percent of stent strut malapposition than post RA stents (4.36 vs. 8.02%, P = 0.038). Conclusions Although the incidence of dissections was comparable between RA and OA cases, OA resulted in deeper tissue modifications (lacunae) as shown by OCT imaging. The finding might provide an explanation for a better stent apposition after OA as compared to RA. Their impact on long‐term outcome needs to be determined. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluation of Educational Program Proposals by Means of DEA
Authella Bessent, E. Wailand Bessent, A. Charnes, W. W. Cooper +1 more
1983· Educational Administration Quarterly134doi:10.1177/0013161x83019002006

A new application of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) is examined for evaluating the efficiency of occupational-technicalprograms in a comprehensive community college. This includes extensions of DEA for use in evaluating new programs that might be introduced along with possible combinations of old programs. Emphasis is placed on the relative efficiency aspects of DEA so that consequences for the efficiency ofprograms other than those being considered can be taken into account. Uses by the director of San Antonio College are described and placed in a context of the other elements that entered into her decisions. In conclusion, possible further improvements in DEA are discussed along with the kinds of research needed to achieve them.

Rational Synthesis of Low-Polydispersity Block Copolymer Vesicles in Concentrated Solution via Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly
Carlo Gonzato, Mona Semsarilar, Elizabeth R. Jones, Feng Li +4 more
2014· Journal of the American Chemical Society131doi:10.1021/ja505406s

Block copolymer self-assembly is normally conducted via post-polymerization processing at high dilution. In the case of block copolymer vesicles (or "polymersomes"), this approach normally leads to relatively broad size distributions, which is problematic for many potential applications. Herein we report the rational synthesis of low-polydispersity diblock copolymer vesicles in concentrated solution via polymerization-induced self-assembly using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of benzyl methacrylate. Our strategy utilizes a binary mixture of a relatively long and a relatively short poly(methacrylic acid) stabilizer block, which become preferentially expressed at the outer and inner poly(benzyl methacrylate) membrane surface, respectively. Dynamic light scattering was utilized to construct phase diagrams to identify suitable conditions for the synthesis of relatively small, low-polydispersity vesicles. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to verify that this binary mixture approach produced vesicles with significantly narrower size distributions compared to conventional vesicles prepared using a single (short) stabilizer block. Calculations performed using self-consistent mean field theory (SCMFT) account for the preferred self-assembled structures of the block copolymer binary mixtures and are in reasonable agreement with experiment. Finally, both SAXS and SCMFT indicate a significant degree of solvent plasticization for the membrane-forming poly(benzyl methacrylate) chains.

Promoting health-enhancing physical activity in Europe: Current state of surveillance, policy development and implementation
João Breda, Jelena Jakovljevic, Giulia Rathmes, Romeu Mendes +4 more
2018· Health Policy129doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.01.015

This study aims to present information on the surveillance, policy developments, and implementation of physical activity policies in the 28 European Union (EU) countries. Data was collected on the implementation of the EU Recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) across sectors. In line with the monitoring framework proposed in the Recommendation, a questionnaire was designed to capture information on 23 physical activity indicators. Of the 27 EU countries that responded to the survey, 22 have implemented actions on more than 10 indicators, four countries have implemented more than 20 indicators, and one country has fully addressed and implemented all of the 23 indicators of the monitoring framework. The data collected under this HEPA monitoring framework provided, for the first time, an overview of the implementation of HEPA-related policies and actions at the national level throughout the EU. Areas that need more investment are the "Senior Citizens" sector followed by the "Work Environment", and the "Environment, Urban Planning, and Public Safety" sectors. This information also enabled comparison of the state of play of HEPA policy implementation between EU Member States and facilitated the exchange of good practices.

A new evidence‐based model for weight management in primary care: the Counterweight Programme
The Counterweight Project Team
2004· Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics128doi:10.1111/j.1365-277x.2004.00517.x

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity has become a global epidemic, and a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Management strategies and treatment protocols are however poorly developed and evaluated. The aim of the Counterweight Programme is to develop an evidence-based model for the management of obesity in primary care. METHODS: The Counterweight Programme is based on the theoretical model of Evidence-Based Quality Assessment aimed at improving the management of obese adults (18-75 years) in primary care. The model consists of four phases: (1) practice audit and needs assessment, (2) practice support and training, (3) practice nurse-led patient intervention, and (4) evaluation. Patient intervention consisted of screening and treatment pathways incorporating evidence-based approaches, including patient-centred goal setting, prescribed eating plans, a group programme, physical activity and behavioural approaches, anti-obesity medication and weight maintenance strategies. Weight Management Advisers who are specialist obesity dietitians facilitated programme implementation. Eighty practices were recruited of which 18 practices were randomized to act as controls and receive deferred intervention 2 years after the initial audit. RESULTS: By February 2004, 58 of the 62 (93.5%) intervention practices had been trained to run the intervention programme, 47 (75.8%) practices were active in implementing the model and 1256 patients had been recruited (74% female, 26% male, mean age 50.6 years, SD 14). At baseline, 75% of patients had at one or more co-morbidity, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 36.9 kg/m(2) (SD 5.4). Of the 1256 patients recruited, 91% received one of the core lifestyle interventions in the first 12 months. For all patients followed up at 12 months, 34% achieved a clinical meaningful weight loss of 5% or more. A total of 51% of patients were classed as compliant in that they attended the required level of appointments in 3, 6, and 12 months. For fully compliant patients, weight loss improved with 43% achieving a weight loss of 5% or more at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The Counterweight Programme is an evidence-based weight management model which is feasible to implement in primary care.

Test‐Retest Reliability of the End‐User Computing Satisfaction Instrument
Gholamreza Torkzadeh, William J. Doll
1991· Decision Sciences124doi:10.1111/j.1540-5915.1991.tb01259.x

The development of reliable and valid measures of user‐information satisfaction is becoming increasingly important to both practitioners and researchers. Measures of reliability include internal consistency and stability. Recent research has raised concerns about the stability of user information satisfaction measures. Using the test‐retest correlation method, this article assesses short‐ and long‐range stability of a 12‐item scale for measuring end‐user computing satisfaction. It examines the stability of individual items and subscales as well as the 12‐item instrument. The results suggest that the instrument is internally consistent and stable.

Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses
Rebecca A. Carter, L. Jill McCutcheon, Lindsey A. George, Tracy L. Smith +2 more
2009· American Journal of Veterinary Research122doi:10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of diet-induced weight gain on glucose and insulin dynamics and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses. ANIMALS: 13 adult geldings. PROCEDURES: Horses were fed 200% of their digestible energy requirements for maintenance for 16 weeks to induce weight gain. Frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance tests were performed before and after weight gain to evaluate glucose and insulin dynamics. Adiposity (assessed via condition scoring, morphometric measurements, and subcutaneous fat depth) and plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and leptin were measured on a weekly or biweekly basis. RESULTS: Mean + or - SD body weight increased by 20% from 440 + or - 44 kg to 526 + or - 53 kg, and body condition score (scale, 1 to 9) increased from 6 + or - 1 to 8 + or - 1. Plasma glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were similar before and after weight gain. Leptin and insulin concentrations increased with weight gain. Mean + or - SD insulin sensitivity decreased by 71 + or - 28%, accompanied by a 408 + or - 201% increase in acute insulin response to glucose, which resulted in similar disposition index before and after weight gain. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diet-induced weight gain in horses occurred concurrently with decreased insulin sensitivity that was effectively compensated for by an increase in insulin secretory response. Obesity resulted in hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia, compared with baseline values, but no changes in lipid concentrations were apparent. Preventing obesity is a potential strategy to help avoid insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia in horses.

Remarkable fly (Diptera) diversity in a patch of Costa Rican cloud forest: Why inventory is a vital science
Art Borkent, Brian V. Brown, Peter H. Adler, Dalton de Souza Amorim +4 more
2018· Zootaxa121doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4402.1.3

Study of all flies (Diptera) collected for one year from a four-hectare (150 x 266 meter) patch of cloud forest at 1,600 meters above sea level at Zurquí de Moravia, San José Province, Costa Rica (hereafter referred to as Zurquí), revealed an astounding 4,332 species. This amounts to more than half the number of named species of flies for all of Central America. Specimens were collected with two Malaise traps running continuously and with a wide array of supplementary collecting methods for three days of each month. All morphospecies from all 73 families recorded were fully curated by technicians before submission to an international team of 59 taxonomic experts for identification. Overall, a Malaise trap on the forest edge captured 1,988 species or 51% of all collected dipteran taxa (other than of Phoridae, subsampled only from this and one other Malaise trap). A Malaise trap in the forest sampled 906 species. Of other sampling methods, the combination of four other Malaise traps and an intercept trap, aerial/hand collecting, 10 emergence traps, and four CDC light traps added the greatest number of species to our inventory. This complement of sampling methods was an effective combination for retrieving substantial numbers of species of Diptera. Comparison of select sampling methods (considering 3,487 species of non-phorid Diptera) provided further details regarding how many species were sampled by various methods. Comparison of species numbers from each of two permanent Malaise traps from Zurquí with those of single Malaise traps at each of Tapantí and Las Alturas, 40 and 180 km distant from Zurquí respectively, suggested significant species turnover. Comparison of the greater number of species collected in all traps from Zurquí did not markedly change the degree of similarity between the three sites, although the actual number of species shared did increase. Comparisons of the total number of named and unnamed species of Diptera from four hectares at Zurquí is equivalent to 51% of all flies named from Central America, greater than all the named fly fauna of Colombia, equivalent to 14% of named Neotropical species and equal to about 2.7% of all named Diptera worldwide. Clearly the number of species of Diptera in tropical regions has been severely underestimated and the actual number may surpass the number of species of Coleoptera. Various published extrapolations from limited data to estimate total numbers of species of larger taxonomic categories (e.g., Hexapoda, Arthropoda, Eukaryota, etc.) are highly questionable, and certainly will remain uncertain until we have more exhaustive surveys of all and diverse taxa (like Diptera) from multiple tropical sites. Morphological characterization of species in inventories provides identifications placed in the context of taxonomy, phylogeny, form, and ecology. DNA barcoding species is a valuable tool to estimate species numbers but used alone fails to provide a broader context for the species identified.

INCOG Recommendations for Management of Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part V
Diana Velikonja, Robyn Tate, Jennie Ponsford, Amanda McIntyre +2 more
2014· Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation116doi:10.1097/htr.0000000000000069

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury results in complex cognitive sequelae. Impairments in memory are among the most common sequelae resulting in significant functional problems. An international team of researchers and clinicians (known as INCOG) was formed to develop recommendations for the management of impairments in memory. METHODS: The experts met to select appropriate recommendations and then reviewed available literature to ensure recommendations were current. Decision algorithms incorporating the recommendations based on inclusion and exclusion criteria of published trials were developed. The team then prioritized recommendations for implementation and developed audit criteria to evaluate adherence to the best practice recommendations. RESULTS: The recommendations for rehabilitation of memory impairments support the integration of internal and external compensatory strategies implemented using appropriate instructional techniques that consider functional relevance and important patient characteristics. Restorative strategies have regained significant popularity, given broader access to computer technology; however, evidence for efficacy of these techniques remains weak and the choice in using these should be guided by special considerations. CONCLUSION: There is good evidence for the integration of internal and external compensatory memory strategies that are implemented using instructional procedures for rehabilitation for memory impairments. The evidence for the efficacy of restorative strategies currently remains weak.