University of the Southwest

Background: Buffalo breeding has significantly increased in Brazil over recent years. However, few genetic evaluations have been conducted. Objective: To assess Genotype x Environment Interactions in the Mediterranean Water Buffalo in Brazil, for weight at 205 days of age, using reaction norm models via random regression. Methods: Data for buffaloes born between 1990 and 2014 were collected from five farms ascribed to the Brazilian Buffaloe Improvement Program, located in the North (1), Northeast (1), South (2) and Southeast (1) regions of Brazil. The initial database consisted of 5,280 observations at 205 days of age (W205). We assessed fit using two hierarchical reaction norm models: a two-step (HRNM2s) and a one-step (HRNM1s). Model fit was estimated using the Deviance Information Criterion, Deviance Based on Bayes Factors and Deviance based on Conditional Predictive Ordinate. The environmental descriptors were created to group individuals into common production environments based on year, season, herd and sex. Results: The best fit was obtained for the hierarchical reaction norm model with one-step (HRNM1s). Direct heritability estimates for this model ranged from 0.17 to 0.67 and the maternal heritability from 0.02 to 0.11 with increasing environmental gradient. Lower correlations among the sire classifications were obtained in comparison with HRNM1s in environments with low and high management, confirming the presence of genotype x environment interactions. Conclusion: We recommend a wider application of genetic evaluation in buffalo aimed at identifying optimal genotypes within specific environments.

Abstract Delirium is defined as a mental disorder characterized by an abnormal state of cognition and awareness. Delirium is associated with an annual cost of $350 billion between the United States and Europe. Approximately 80% of delirium cases are either not identified or misdiagnosed. Older adults have the highest incidence due to the consequences of aging. Hypoactive delirium or “quite delirium” is the most common delirium subtype experienced by older adults. Hypoactive delirium, is difficult to recognize and has worse outcomes than other subtypes. If detected, symptoms of hypoactive delirium are frequently dismissed as depression or dementia. Therefore, nurses need heightened vigilance in assessment and identification of hypoactive delirium. This article seeks to assist nurses in identifying hypoactive delirium by outlining factors that increase an individual’s potential for developing hypoactive delirium.

Using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,364), the present study supports an agentic perspective; it demonstrates that mothers' depressive symptoms in infancy predict children's poor first-grade cognitive functioning because depressive symptoms predict children's low social and cognitive agency-low motivation to initiate social interaction and actively engage in activities. When mothers' depressive symptoms were high in infancy, children displayed poor first-grade cognitive functioning due to (a) tendencies to become socially withdrawn by 36 months and low in mastery motivation by 54 months and (b) tendencies for children's low agency to predict declines in mothers' sensitivity and cognitive stimulation. Findings suggest that mothers' depressive symptoms undermine cognitive development through bidirectional processes centered on children's low motivation to engage in social interaction and initiate and persist at everyday tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record

I present first results from large-scale lattice investigations of SU(3) gauge theory with eight light flavors in the fundamental representation. Using leadership computing resources at Argonne, we are generating gauge configurations with lattice volumes up to $64^3\times128$ at relatively strong coupling, in an attempt to access the chiral regime. We use nHYP-improved staggered fermions, carefully monitoring finite-volume effects and other systematics. Here I focus on analyses of the light hadron spectrum and chiral condensate, measured on lattice volumes up to $48^3\times96$ with fermion masses as light as m=0.004 in lattice units. We find no clear indication of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in these observables. I discuss the implications of these initial results, and prospects for further physics projects employing these ensembles of gauge configurations.

The climate of the western United States could become much drier over the course of this century.

The use of 90Y-microspheres to treat unresectable liver metastases originating from a variety of neuroendocrine tumors was reviewed. This is a retrospective review from 10 institutions of patients given 90Y-microsphere therapy for neuroendocrine hepatic metastases. Physical, radiographic, biochemical, and clinical factors associated with treatment and response were examined. All patients were followed with laboratory and imaging studies at regular intervals until death, or censured whether other therapy was given after brachytherapy. Toxicities (acute and late) were recorded, and survival of the group determined. A total of 148 patients were treated with 185 separate procedures. The median age was 58 years (26-95 years) at treatment with median performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (0). The median activity delivered was 1.14 GBq (0.33-3.30 GBq) with a median of 99% of the planned activity able to be given (38.1%-147.4%). There were no acute or delayed toxicity of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 grade 3 in 67% of patients, with fatigue (6.5%) the most common side effect. Imaging response was stable in 22.7%, partial response in 60.5%, complete in 2.7% and progressive disease in 4.9%. No radiation liver failure occurred. The median survival is 70 months. Radioembolization with 90Y-microspheres to the whole liver, or lobe with single or multiple fractions are safe and produce high response rates, even with extensive tumor replacement of normal liver and/or heavy pretreatment. The acute and delayed toxicity was very low without a treatment related grade 4 acute event or radiation induced liver disease in this modest-sized cohort. The significant objective response suggests that further investigation of this approach is warranted.