Analyzing and Visualizing State Sequences in R with TraMineR

This article describes the many capabilities offered by the TraMineR toolbox for categorical sequence data. It focuses more specifically on the analysis and rendering of state sequences. Addressed features include the description of sets of sequences by means of transversal aggregated views, the computation of longitudinal characteristics of individual sequences and the measure of pairwise dissimilarities. Special emphasis is put on the multiple ways of visualizing sequences. The core element of the package is the state se- quence object in which we store the set of sequences together with attributes such as the alphabet, state labels and the color palette. The functions can then easily retrieve this information to ensure presentation homogeneity across all printed and graphical displays. The article also demonstrates how TraMineRâÂÂs outcomes give access to advanced analyses such as clustering and statistical modeling of sequence data.

Disposition of14C-labelled endotelon in humans

Summary: In order to study the disposition of ENDOTELON in humans, this compound was labelled withl4C by photosynthesis. ENDOTELON consists of a complex of procyanidolic oligomers extracted from the seeds of a variety of vine cultivated in the Bordeaux wine-growing region, and is prescribed for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and retinal lesions. Considering the difficulty in labelling the various constituents of the product, the labelling procedure was based on providing radioactive C02 to the plant. After isolation and purification, 150 mg of active material (50 μCf) was administered orally to six healthy volunteers. Radioactivity was measured in the blood over time until 72 and 120 hours in the same subjects after drug administration. Urinary and faecal elimination was measured for a period of 167 hours. Urinary elimination of the radioactive compounds represented 12 to 27% of the administered dose and faecal elimination represented 47 to 75% depending on the subject. The radioactivity of thel4C02 eliminated in the breath was also measured, and represented around 8% of the total radioactivity for the 72-hour period after administration. Although the disposition of ENDOTELON is based on the total radioactivity measured over time, this technique allows the evaluation of the elimination rate of the product and its metabolites from the human bod

Information géographique numérique et gestion des territoires. Application aux zones côtières françaises

International audienceLe développement des Technologies de l’Information Géographique entraîne la multiplication des ressources informationnelles géolocalisées et de leurs échanges via le Web. A travers une analyse complémentaire menée à l’échelle nationale et locale, cette communication propose d’analyser la contribution de ces ressources informationnelles aux processus de gestion territoriale en zone côtière. Des décalages sont mis en évidence entre les potentialités offertes par ces ressources informationnelles et leurs effets réels sur l’aide à la gestion territoriale en dépit de la mise en oeuvre de politiques publiques en faveur du numérique

Analysis of genetic parentage in the tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) reveals extra-pair paternity is low

We have investigated genetic parentage in a Swiss population of tawny owls (Strix aluco). To this end, we performed genetic analysis for six polymorphic loci of 49 avian microsatellite loci tested for cross-species amplification. We found one extra-pair young out of 137 (0.7%) nestlings in 37 families (2.7%). There was no intra-specific brood parasitism. Our results are in accordance with previous findings for other raptors and owls that genetic monogamy is the rule. Female tawny owls cannot raise offspring without a substantial contribution by their mates. Hence one favoured hypothesis is that high paternal investment in reproduction selects for behaviour that prevents cuckoldr

Melanin-based colorations signal strategies to cope with poor and rich environments

One hypothesis for the maintenance of genetic variation states that alternative genotypes are adapted to different environmental conditions (i.e., genotype-by-environment interaction G×E) that vary in space and time. Although G×E has been demonstrated for morphological traits, little evidence has been given whether these G×E are associated with traits used as signal in mate choice. In three wild bird species, we investigated whether the degree of melanin-based coloration, a heritable trait, covaries with nestling growth rate in rich and poor environments. Variation in the degree of reddish-brown phaeomelanism is pronounced in the barn owl (Tyto alba) and tawny owl (Strix aluco), and variation in black eumelanism in the barn owl and Alpine swift (Apus melba). Melanin-based coloration has been shown to be a criterion in mate choice in the barn owl. We cross-fostered hatchlings to test whether nestlings sired by parents displaying melanin-based colorations to different extent exhibit alternative growth trajectories when raised by foster parents in poor (experimentally enlarged broods) and rich (experimentally reduced broods) environments. With respect to phaeomelanism, barn owl and tawny owl offspring sired by redder parents grew more rapidly in body mass only in experimentally reduced broods. With respect to eumelanism, Alpine swift offspring of darker fathers grew their wings more rapidly only in experimentally enlarged broods, a difference that was not detected in reduced broods. These interactions between parental melanism and offspring growth rate indicate that individuals display substantial plasticity in response to the rearing environment which is associated with the degree of melanism: at least with respect to nestling growth, phaeomelanic and eumelanic individuals are best adapted to rich and poor environments, respectively. It now remains to be investigated why eumelanism and phaeomelanism have a different signaling function and what the lifelong consequences of these melanism-dependent allocation strategies are. This is important to fully appraise the role played by environmental heterogeneity in maintaining variation in the degree of melanin-based coloratio

Horizontal violence among student nurses: It\u27s time we stop eating our young!

Session presented on Saturday, April 13, 2013: This presentation will provide an in depth description of causes and effects that horizontal violence has on the student nurse in the clinical setting. Where does horizontal violence begin? For many, it begins in nursing school. Students often are subject to horizontal violence by professional nursing staff, who serves as role models. A discussion will include the effects of a negative encounter between a staff nurse and a student nurse. Such encounters of horizontal violence among student nurses result in the student experiencing feelings of oppression and powerlessness, unfair treatment, fear, verbal abuse and humiliation. All of these effects impact the student\u27s clinical experience usually resulting in a devalued experience. We all have our stories to tell about our experiences with horizontal violence. As educators, it is our job to provide students with the proactive strategies to stop the cycle of horizontal violence. Participants in the symposium will learn how to implement an educational program to educate, raise awareness, and manage the 10 most frequent forms of horizontal violence in the clinical environment. Other areas in the symposium which will be addressed are ways to promote practical cognizant responses to any of the most frequent forms horizontal violence, and incorporating education in current curriculum. Confronting horizontal violence enhances nursing student\u27s confidence allowing them success in the clinical setting and enhances a healthy work environment

The Obstacles to the Modernization of Common Support Equipment

The current fleet of Common Support Equipment (CSE) is faced with a $2B funding disconnect that threatens 9 of the 12 USAF Core Functions. This research identifies the barriers to efforts to modernize CSE across the sustainment, acquisition, and maintenance communities. Using a qualitative, grounded theory methodology, the responses are explored of interviewed Support Equipment managers responsible for the sustainment and modernization of CSE. Significant barriers to current modernization efforts were exposed, resulting in expensive, duplicative, and unreliable equipment; concluding that the AF must change the way CSE is administrated, funded, and culturally understood to prevent future mission degradation