There is a limited understanding about the ecological mechanisms that enable certain plant species to become successful invaders of natural areas. This study was conducted to determine the soil and landscape characteristics that correlate with invasion of Chinese privet (CHP), and to develop a model to predict the probability of CHP invasion in Piedmont forests. A landscape ecosystem classification (LEC) system—based on the percentage of clay in the B horizon, depth to maximum clay (cm), exposure, terrain shape, and aspect (degrees)—was used to determine the soil moisture characteristics of invaded and uninvaded plots. Additional measurements included the cover classes of CHP and other species, litter depth (cm), slope (degrees), overstory basal area (m2 ha−1), and soil chemical properties. CHP invasion was negatively correlated with overstory basal area and slope and positively with litter depth and pH. A stepwise logistic regression model containing these four variables was highly sensitive, with an overall accuracy of 78%. Given the accuracy of this model, we propose that it can be used to calculate the probability of invasion in a given area, provided that some basic, readily obtainable site characteristics are known.

To our knowledge, no comprehensive, interdisciplinary initiatives have been taken to examine the role of genetic variants on patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. The overall objective of this paper is to describe the establishment of an international and interdisciplinary consortium, the GENEQOL Consortium, which intends to investigate the genetic disposition of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. We have identified five primary patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes as initial targets: negative psychological affect, positive psychological affect, self-rated physical health, pain, and fatigue. The first tangible objective of the GENEQOL Consortium is to develop a list of potential biological pathways, genes and genetic variants involved in these quality-of-life outcomes, by reviewing current genetic knowledge. The second objective is to design a research agenda to investigate and validate those genes and genetic variants of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes, by creating large datasets. During its first meeting, the Consortium has discussed draft summary documents addressing these questions for each patient-reported quality-of-life outcome. A summary of the primary pathways and robust findings of the genetic variants involved is presented here. The research agenda outlines possible research objectives and approaches to examine these and new quality-of-life domains. Intriguing questions arising from this endeavor are discussed. Insight into the genetic versus environmental components of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes will ultimately allow us to explore new pathways for improving patient care. If we can identify patients who are susceptible to poor quality of life, we will be able to better target specific clinical interventions to enhance their quality of life and treatment outcomes.

Obesity is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (QOL) and reduced productivity; less is known about the effect of dietary factors. The present study investigated how dietary behaviours, physical activity and BMI relate to weight-specific QOL and work productivity. The study was conducted in thirty-one small blue-collar and service industry worksites in Seattle. Participants were 747 employees (33·5 % non-White). Measures included self-reported servings of fruits and vegetables, dietary behaviours such as fast food consumption, Godin free-time physical activity scores, measured height and weight, Obesity and Weight-Loss QOL (OWLQOL) scores, and Work Limitations Questionnaire scores. Baseline data were analysed using linear mixed models separately for men (n 348) and women (n 399), since sex modified the effects. BMI was negatively associated with OWLQOL in both women (P < 0·001) and men (P < 0·001). The linear effect estimate for OWLQOL scores associated with a one-category increase in BMI was 30 (95 % CI 25, 44) % for women and 14 (95 % CI 10, 17) % for men. BMI was positively associated with productivity loss only in women (exp(slope) = 1·46, 95 % CI 1·02, 2·11, P = 0·04). Eating while doing another activity was negatively associated with OWLQOL scores in men (P = 0·0006, independent of BMI) and with productivity in women (P = 0·04, although the effect diminished when adjusting for BMI). Fast-food meals were associated with decreased productivity in men (P = 0·038, independent of BMI). The results suggest that obesogenic dietary behaviours and higher BMI are associated with decreased QOL and productivity to different degrees in women and men.

Collaboration is used by the US National Security Council as a means to integrate inter-federal government agencies during planning and execution of common goals towards unified, national security. The concept of collaboration has benefits in the healthcare system by building trust, sharing resources, and reducing costs. The current terrorist threats have made collaborative medical training between military and civilian agencies crucial.

This review summarizes the long and rich history of collaboration between civilians and the military in various countries and provides support for the continuation and improvement of collaborative efforts. Through collaboration, advances in the treatment of injuries have been realized, deaths have been reduced, and significant strides in the betterment of the Emergency Medical System have been achieved. This review promotes collaborative medical training between military and civilian medical professionals and provides recommendations for the future based on medical collaboration.

We compared patient ratings of the desirability of anxiety health states with measures of psychological distress and functional status and investigated how these ratings predicted treatment by primary care and mental health clinicians. As expected, associations between desirability ratings and psychological and physical health status were low to moderate. Persons who rated their current anxiety health state as more desirable received fewer mental health referrals and were statistically more likely to receive a prescription for psychotropic medication. Simple ratings of health state desirability may help clinicians evaluate patients' views of their health status and discuss potential treatment options.

We used data from a 4-year prospective study of 2,558 primary care patients age 65 and older in a large staff model health maintenance organization to examine the association of clinically significant depressive symptoms and eight other chronic medical conditions with quality adjusted life years (QALYs). We developed linear regression models to examine the association of clinically significant depressive symptoms as defined by a score of 16 or greater on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and eight common chronic medical disorders at baseline with QALYs over the 4-year study period. Estimates of QALYs were derived from Quality of Well-Being Scale scores at baseline, at 2-year follow-up, and at 4-year follow-up. Individuals with clinically significant depressive symptoms at baseline had significantly lower QALYs over the 4-year study period than nondepressed subjects, even after adjusting for differences in age, gender, and the eight other chronic medical conditions. In terms of the entire study population, only arthritis and heart disease were more strongly associated with QALYs than depression.

We present the results and analysis of HST-wfpc2 imagery of the starburst galaxy NGC 1569 (d = 2.2 Mpc), which permit unprecedented resolution (~ 1pc) of the ionized gas and stellar population. The primary data in our analysis consists of images taken through narrow-band filters isolating Hβ, Hα, [O iii]λ5007, and [S ii]λλ6717+30, as part of go Program 8133. A variety of color-coded and grey-scaled maps of the morphology, ionization structure, and dust distribution are presented. Unsharp masks of the Hα images show a very chaotic structure for the ionized gas, with numerous filaments and arc-like bright rim features across the entire galaxy, but without significant large-scale ionization variations. Variations in the ionization and line-of-sight reddening occur on smaller scales (~ 10 – 50 pc), with numerous low-ionization semi-stellar knots seen throughout the main body of the galaxy, even within the ‘hole’ in the ionized gas distribution around the central super star clusters previously noted from H i maps. Several of these features have strong [S ii] emission indicative of being supernova remnants. We combine these data with archival wide-band HST-wfpc2 imagery to quantitatively evaluate the source(s) of the (largely photo-) ionized gas.

A serious concern with the increasing use of translocation and reintroduction in animal conservation programs is the potential for disease transmission between captive and free-ranging populations. As part of an experimental headstarting program, 45 juvenile Cuban iguanas, Cyclura nubila, were artificially incubated, maintained in captivity for six to 18 months, and subsequently released into natural areas on the US Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Prior to release, all animals underwent physical examinations, hematological analyses, plasma biochemical determinations, and blood and fecal parasite screening. Comparable data were collected from free-ranging juveniles to establish normal baseline values. Although all hematological parameters were within expected ranges for healthy reptiles, captive juveniles exhibited higher total leukocyte counts and percent lymphocytes, but lower percent heterophils, than free-ranging juveniles. All biochemical values other than lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase were within normal ranges. Although higher than reported in other species, these enzymes did not differ in captive and free-ranging juveniles. Free-ranging juveniles significantly exceeded captive juveniles in levels of potassium, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, cholesterol and triglycerides, whereas the reverse was true for carbon dioxide and glucose. Although free-ranging juveniles exhibited oxyurids and coccidian oocysts in their feces, captive juveniles were negative for the presence of these parasites. Electron microscopy confirmed that a high percentage of both captive and free-ranging juveniles possessed erythrocytes infected with the piroplasm Sauroplasma. Implications of these results for successful repatriation of captive-reared iguanas are discussed.