Visible, Near-Infrared, and Mid-Infrared Spectral Characterization of Hawaiian Fumarolic Alteration Near Kilauea's December 1974 Flow: Implications for Spectral Discrimination of Alteration Environments on Mars

The December 1974 flow in the SW rift zone at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, has been established as a Mars analog due to its physical, chemical, and morphological properties, as well as its interaction with the outgassing plume from the primary Kilauea caldera. We focus on a solfatara site that consists of hydrothermally altered basalt and alteration products deposited in and around a passively degassing volcanic vent situated directly adjacent to the December 1974 flow on its northwest side. Reflectance spectra are acquired in the visible/near-infrared (VNIR) region and emission spectra in the mid-infrared (MIR) range to better understand the spectral properties of hydrothermally altered materials. The VNIR signatures are consistent with silica, Fe-oxides, and sulfates (Ca, Fe). Primarily silica-dominated spectral signatures are observed in the MIR and changes in spectral features between samples appear to be driven by grain size effects in this wavelength range. The nature of the sample coating and the thermal emission signatures exhibit variations that may be correlated with distance from the vent. Chemical analyses indicate that most surfaces are characterized by silica-rich material, Fe-oxides, and sulfates (Ca, Fe). The silica and Fe-oxide-dominated MIR/VNIR spectral signatures exhibited by the hydrothermally altered material in this study are distinct from the sulfate-dominated spectral signatures exhibited by previously studied low-temperature aqueous acid-sulfate weathered basaltic glass. This likely reflects a difference in open vs. closed system weathering, where mobile cations are removed from the altered surfaces in the fumarolic setting. This work provides a unique infrared spectral library that includes martian analog materials that were altered in an active terrestrial solfatara (hydrothermal) setting. Hydrothermal environments are of particular interest as they potentially indicate habitable conditions. Key constraints on the habitability and astrobiological potential of ancient aqueous environments are provided through detection and interpretation of secondary mineral assemblages; thus, spectral detection of fumarolic alteration assemblages observed from this study on Mars would suggest a region that could have hosted a habitable environment

Evaluating a domestic violence shelter using the logic design: What can we learn?

Objectives The purpose of this program review using the logic model illustrates the modification of evaluation planning tools, such as documents models (Rutman, Evaluation research methods: A basic guide, 1984), logic models (Burt et al. Evaluation guidebook. Projects funded by S.T.O.P. Formula Grants under the Violence Against Women Act, 1997) and program theory models (Weiss, Evaluation. Methods for studying programs and policies, 1998) and in planning the evaluation of the coordination of domestic violence (DV) services in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles County and other outlying areas. Coordinated community responses (CCR) are systematic approaches to intervention; in this case for DV shelters that emphasize comprehensive, collaborative and integrated service delivery. Methods This method using the Logic Model for program review focuses on assessing the performance of programs within various components of the system (judicial, crisis intervention, social services, health care) within the County of Los Angeles, California. This paper argues for a holistic, theory-based evaluation approach to examine the entire system, which involves modeling the structure of, and linkages among, the system components. Results The results of assessing the quality of this program evaluation using the Logic Model fell into three areas: model structure, data used as inputs to models, and model validation. Structural assumptions and parameter estimates should be reported clearly and explicitly, and opportunities for users to appreciate the conditional relationship between inputs and outputs should be provided through sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In discussing the Logic Model-based evaluation, it is found that it is a valuable tool and resource for program evaluations and decision makers. It is the responsibility of model developers to conduct modeling studies according to the best practicable standards of quality and to communicate results with adequate disclosure of assumptions and with the caveat that conclusions are conditional upon the assumptions and data on which the model is built. Any subsequent evaluation of the intervention system as a whole has to take these differences into account. Data collection methods and indicators for a system-wide process evaluation are suggested.California State University, Northridge. Department of Social Work.Includes bibliographical references (pages 22-24

Advance telephone calls ahead of reminder questionnaires increase response rate in non-responders compared to questionnaire reminders only: The RECORD phone trial

Peer reviewe

Leadership communication development: A model to enhance a healthy work environment

Nurse leaders need development training that includes coaching and developing skills to effectively communicate and interact with peers and employees to create a healthy work environment. This presentation will describe a theoretical model for leadership communication training to promote a healthy work environment

Some Properties of a Small Open Economy Version of the Solow-Swan Growth Model

In this paper we examine some properties of the Benge and Wells (B-W) (1998a,b) formulation of a small open economy version of the Solow-Swan growth model. We suggest a simple method for classifying economies as capital importers or exporters (net debtors or creditors) in the steady state and highlight the simple mathematical structure of the B-W formulation. Given the small open economy assumption the fundamental dynamic equation for wealth is a simple first order linear differential equation so closed form solutions are immediate. That greatly simplifies the analysis of the transitional dynamics. In addition we show that the transitional dynamics of the B-W formulation depends on the specification of saving as a function of current income. In that formulation the speed of adjustment coefficient is a function of both the saving ratio and the world real rate of interest. A debt trap is possible for some parameter values. When saving is specified as a function of permanent income (steady state income) the speed of adjustment coefficient reverts to a constant determined by the exogenous growth rate in effective labour. The threat of a debt trap disappears.Solow-Swan growth model, small open economy

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Consensus-based care recommendations for adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Purpose of review Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects between 1 in 3,000 and 8,000 individuals globally. No evidence-based guideline exists to inform the care of these patients, and most do not have access to multidisciplinary care centers staffed by experienced professionals, creating a clinical care deficit. Recent findings The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in DM1 patient care to develop consensus-based care recommendations. MDF created a 2-step methodology for the project using elements of the Single Text Procedure and the Nominal Group Technique. The process generated a 4-page Quick Reference Guide and a comprehensive, 55-page document that provides clinical care recommendations for 19 discrete body systems and/or care considerations. Summary The resulting recommendations are intended to help standardize and elevate care for this patient population and reduce variability in clinical trial and study environments. Described as “one of the more variable diseases found in medicine,” myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant, triplet-repeat expansion disorder that affects somewhere between 1:3,000 and 1:8,000 individuals worldwide.1 There is a modest association between increased repeat expansion and disease severity, as evidenced by the average age of onset and overall morbidity of the condition. An expansion of over 35 repeats typically indicates an unstable and expanding mutation. An expansion of 50 repeats or higher is consistent with a diagnosis of DM1. DM1 is a multisystem and heterogeneous disease characterized by distal weakness, atrophy, and myotonia, as well as symptoms in the heart, brain, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, and respiratory systems. Symptoms may occur at any age. The severity of the condition varies widely among affected individuals, even among members of the same family. Comprehensive evidence-based guidelines do not currently exist to guide the treatment of DM1 patients. As a result, the international patient community reports varied levels of care and care quality, and difficulty accessing care adequate to manage their symptoms, unless they have access to multidisciplinary neuromuscular clinics. Consensus-based care recommendations can help standardize and improve the quality of care received by DM1 patients and assist clinicians who may not be familiar with the significant variability, range of symptoms, and severity of the disease. Care recommendations can also improve the landscape for clinical trial success by eliminating some of the inconsistencies in patient care to allow more accurate understanding of the benefit of potential therapies