Notes on the biology and distribution of the tribe Agallissini in North America (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae).

New distributional records, new larval host records, various collecting notes, and observations are reported for the North American species of the tribe Agallissini LeConte, 1873 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae): Agallissus lepturoides (Duponchel Chevrolat, 1841), Osmopleura chamaeropis (Horn, 1893), and Zagymnus clerinus (LeConte, 1873). The species are illustrated and distribution maps are provided.

Using functional assessment to treat behavior problems of deaf and hard of hearing children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

A defining feature of autism spectrum disorders is atypical behaviors, e.g., stereotypy, noncompliance, rituals, and aggression. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with autism present a greater challenge because of additional issues related to their hearing status. One conceptualization of problem behavior is that it serves a communication function, i.e., the person has learned that certain misbehaviors may be reinforced in some way. The present article describes "functional behavior assessment," a group of state-of-the-art methodologies that allow a caregiver to determine the cause of the behavior, so that treatment--based on that cause--will be more effective. Different methods of functional assessment are described, along with a step-by-step implementation sequence. The results of a functional assessment should lead to more effective programming, resulting in quicker elimination of the behavioral concerns, and allow the person to gain access to greater independence and more reinforcement.

Survival from twenty adult cancers in the UK and Republic of Ireland in the late twentieth century.

BACKGROUND: International studies have shown that cancer survival was generally low in the UK and the Republic of Ireland compared to western and northern European countries, but no systematic comparative analysis has been performed between the UK countries and the Republic of Ireland. METHODS: Population-based survival for 20 adult malignancies was estimated for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Data on adults (15-99 years) diagnosed between 1991 and 1999 in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland (1993-99) and the Republic of Ireland (1994-99) were analysed. All cases were followed up until the end of 2001. Relative survival was estimated by sex, period of diagnosis and country, and for the nine regions of England. Predicted survival was estimated using the hybrid approach. RESULTS: Overall, cancer survival in UK and Republic of Ireland improved during the 1990s, but there was geographic variation in survival across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Survival was generally highest in Ireland and Northern Ireland and lowest in England and Wales. Survival tended to be higher in Scotland for cancers for which early detection methods were in place. In England, survival tended to be lower in the north and higher in the south. CONCLUSIONS: The geographic variations in survival seen across the UK and Republic of Ireland are narrower than between these countries and comparable European countries. Artefact is likely to explain some, but not all of the differences across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Geographic differences in stage at diagnosis, co-morbidity and other clinical factors may also be relevant.

External effects in the 400-m hurdles race.

A mathematical model based on a differential equation of motion is used to simulate the 400-m hurdles race for men and women. The model takes into account the hurdler's stride pattern, the hurdle clearance, and aerobic and anaerobic components of the propulsive force of the athlete, as well as the effects of wind resistance, altitude of the venue, and curvature of the track. The model is used to predict the effect on race times of different wind conditions and altitudes. The effect on race performance of the lane allocation and the efficiency of the hurdle clearance is also predicted. The most favorable wind conditions are shown to be a wind speed no greater than 2 m/s assisting the athlete in the back straight and around the second bend. The outside lane (lane 8) is shown to be considerably faster than the favored center lanes. In windless conditions, the advantage can be as much as 0.15 s for men and 0.12 s for women. It is shown that these values are greatly affected by the wind conditions.

A mathematical model for quantifying training.

A systems modelling approach has been used to quantify the dose-response nature of training. Considerable attention has been focused on the modelling process with little work on the determination of the training impulse (TRIMP) scores. Currently, the methods employed to calculate TRIMPs are subject to various limitations including the use of generic ordinal category or exponential weighting factors for higher exercise intensities. These weightings are necessary to prevent excessively high scores from long duration, low intensity bouts of exercise. We propose a new method to calculate TRIMP scores based upon a whole body bioenergetic model. Our method is individual specific, removing many of the previous limitations. Furthermore, this model could enable a greater comparison of continuous and interval training methods. This model takes into account the length of repetition(s), concentration of the interval session and mode of recovery. This approach, while requiring further research, offers a potential improvement in the accuracy of training load calculations.

The effect of track geometry on 200- and 400-m sprint running performance.

This study looked at how the geometry of the running track affects performances in the 200- and 400 m sprint running events. Although an athletics track must be designed with two parallel straights and two curved bends, the lengths of the straights and bends are not fixed and may vary within an approved set of limits. The bend can be semi-circular or a double-curve consisting of arcs of two different radii. A mathematical model was used to calculate the effect of track geometry on race times for six different track designs; three with semi-circular bends (encompassing the extremes of the permitted designs), and the three permitted double-curve designs. The calculations revealed substantial differences among the track designs. The time difference (in the inside lane) between the fastest and slowest tracks is about 0.1 s in the 200-m race and 0.2 s in the 400-m race. The time differential between the outside and inside lanes for a double-curve track can be up to 0.08 s greater than for a standard track with semi-circular bends.

Cancer survival in the elderly: effects of socio-economic factors and health care system features (ELDCARE project).

The purpose of the ELDCARE project is to study differences in cancer survival for elderly patients by country, taking into account the socio-economic conditions and the characteristics of health care systems at the ecological level. Fifty-three European cancer registries, from 19 countries, participating in the EUROCARE 3 programme, collected information to compute relative survival on patients aged 65-84 years, diagnosed over the period 1990-1994. National statistics offices provided the macro-economic and labour force indicators (gross domestic product, total health expenditure, and proportion of people employed in the agriculture sector) as well as the features of national health care systems. Survival for several of the cancer sites had high positive Pearson's correlations (r) with the affluence indicators (usually r>0.7), but survival for the poor prognosis cancers (lung, ovary, stomach) and for cervix uteri was not so well correlated. Among the medical resources considered, the number of computed tomography scanners was the variable most related to survival in the elderly; the number of total health practitioners in the country did not show any relationship. Survival was related to the marital status of elderly women more strongly than for men and younger people. The highest correlations of survival with the percentage of married elderly women in the population were for cancers of the rectum (r=0.79) and breast (r=0.66), while survival correlated negatively with the proportion of widows for most cancers. Being married or widowed is for elderly people, in particular elderly women, an important factor influencing psychological status, life habits and social relationships. Social conditions could play a major role in determining health outcomes, particularly in the elderly, by affecting access to health care and delay in diagnosis.

Socio-economic factors and health care system characteristics related to cancer survival in the elderly. A population-based analysis in 16 European countries (ELDCARE project).

The ELDCARE study aims to investigate, at the ecological level, the relationships between socio-economic variables and cancer survival in patients aged 65 years and over. Survival data for patients diagnosed during the period 1985-1989 and followed up to 1994 were provided by 43 European Cancer Registries in 16 countries participating in the EUROCARE 2 project. Relative survival was computed by Hakulinen's methods. Data on socio-economic factors were collected by national statistics offices for the years around 1991. Pearson's correlation was used to study the relationships between cancer survival and socio-economic factors. We selected four groups of variables. The first group included macro-economic variables (such as Gross Domestic Product, GDP; Total Health Expenditure, THE); the second, the main characteristics of national health care systems; the third, demographic factors; and the fourth, variables on labour market organisation. The countries with the largest proportions of elderly populations, in Northern and Western Europe, spent more on health than the less affluent countries of Eastern Europe. GDP was strongly related to THE but a very high variability in Computed Tomography Scanners (CTS) among countries with similar THE was observed. Indeed, those countries with THE around US 1500 dollars per capita had survival rates for breast cancer ranging from 67 to 82%. Cancer survival in elderly patients in Europe was most strongly related to GDP and THE, especially for good prognosis cancers. Survival was strongly correlated with health care technologies, particularly CTS, but not with health employment. Survival was positively correlated with proportion of married elderly people (and negatively with widowed elderly), suggesting a role played by social support in influencing the prognosis of elderly patients. These results highlight how health outcomes in the elderly are a complex phenomenon, not determined only by GDP and THE, but affected by social organisation and life habits as well as economic development conditions.

Standard cancer patient population for age standardising survival ratios.

Standard adult cancer patients populations are derived in this paper as a tool for the calculation of age-standardised cancer survival figures. Previously used standards in survival analysis have been site- and/or study-specific. Here, multivariate methods have been used to define the smallest possible number of general standard cancer patient populations which are simple to use and provide standardised survival values close to the raw ones for the largest possible number of cancer sites. The analysis was based on data for over 1.1 million cancer patients included in the EUROCARE-2 study. The proposed standard populations consist of three age distributions, appropriate for cancers with incidence patterns: (1) increasing with age - the vast majority of cancers; (2) broadly constant with age and (3) mainly affecting young adults. The three standard distributions are presented by both broad and five-year age classes. The latter can be used to determine which of the three standards would be used for sites not included in the cluster analysis because their survival is generally calculated in unusual age groups. Overall, standard 1 is appropriate for over 91% of cases, standard 2 for just over 7%, and standard 3 for less than 2%. The proposed standards were tested on European (EUROCARE-2 and EUROCARE-3) and US (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, SEER) relative survival data. There was very good correspondence between the raw (population weighted) and age-standardised survival figures.

The effects of wind and altitude in the 400-m sprint.

In this paper I use a mathematical model to simulate the effect of wind and altitude on men's and women's 4400-m race performances. Both wind speed and direction were altered to calculate the effect on the velocity profile and the final time of the sprinter. The simulation shows that for a constant wind velocity, changing the wind direction can produce a large variation in the race time and velocity profile. A wind of velocity 2 m x s(-1) is generally a disadvantage to the 400-m runner but this is not so for all wind directions. Constant winds blowing from some directions can provide favourable conditions for the one-lap runner. Differences between the running lanes can be reduced or exaggerated depending on the wind direction. For example, a wind blowing behind the runner in the back straight increases the advantage of lane 8 over lane 1. Wind conditions can change the velocity profile and in some circumstances produce a maximum velocity much later than is evident in windless conditions. Lower air density at altitude produces a time advantage of around 0.06 s for men (0.07 s for women) for each 500-m increase in elevation.

Geographical comparisons of cancer survival indicators.

Cancer survival statistics are needed by health authorities (HAs) to develop local policies and manage resources optimally. Methodological issues can affect the interpretation of these and similar statistics. More reliable indicators of cancer survival are obtained by using regional life tables, rather than a single national life table, to take into account background mortality. As cancer survival varies widely with age, age standardisation is required to improve the comparability of survival rates in cancer patient groups with different age structures. The standards based on cases diagnosed in England and Wales during 1986-1990 provide valuable continuity with earlier published results. Estimates of annual rates of change in survival (based on linear regression) together with their statistical significance, give reliable indications of trends.

Pleural mesothelioma incidence in Europe: evidence of some deceleration in the increasing trends.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the geographical and temporal variations in incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Europe, using the extensive data available from European general cancer registries, and consider these in light of recent trends in asbestos extraction, use and import in European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were extracted from the European Cancer Incidence and Mortality database (EUROCIM). The inclusion criteria was acceptance in Volume VII of Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Truncated age-standardized rates per 100,000 for the ages 40-74 were used to summarise recent geographical variations. Standardized rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the periods 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 were compared to assess geographical variations in risk. To investigate changes in the magnitude of most recent trends, regression models fitted to the latest available 10-year period (1988-1997) were compared with trends in the previous decade. Fitted rates in younger (40-64) and older adults (65-74) in the most recent period were also compared. RESULTS: There was a great deal of geographical variation in the risk of mesothelioma, annual rates ranging from around 8 per 100,000 in Scotland, England and The Netherlands, to lower than 1 per 100,000 in Spain (0.96), Estonia (0.85), Poland (0.85) and Yugoslavia, Vojvodina (0.56) among men. The rank of the rates for women was similar to that observed for men, although rates were considerably lower. Between 1978 and 1987, rates in men significantly increased in all countries (excepting Denmark). In the following 10 years, there was a deceleration in trend, and a significant increase was detectable only in England and France. In addition, the magnitude of recent trends in younger men was generally lower than those estimated for older men, in both national and regional cancer registry settings. CONCLUSIONS: While mesothelioma incidence rates are still rising in Europe, a deceleration has started in some countries. A decrease may begin in the next few years in certain European populations considering the deceleration of observed trends in mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, as well as the recent ban on its use.

Temporal trends in orchidopexy, Great Britain, 1992-1998.

Concern has been expressed in recent years about worsening male reproductive health, possibly mediated by increasing exposures to environmental endocrine-disrupting agents. Trends suggested large increases in cryptorchidism in Britain and the United States between the 1950s and 1980s, although published data on recent trends have been scarce. We examined numbers of orchidopexy procedures, as a marker for cryptorchidism, using routine hospital admission data for England, Wales, and Scotland for fiscal years 1992-1993 through 1998-1999. Annual trends in orchidopexy rates were analyzed by age, in-patient admission versus day case, and geographical region. Orchidopexy rates were also obtained from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) for England to cross-validate the hospital admissions data. Orchidopexy rates for boys 0-14 years old fell by 33% (from 23.5 to 15.8 per 10,000 population) between 1992 and 1998, with the steepest decline (50%) in 5-9-year-olds. The decreasing trend for 0-14-year-olds was evident in every region in England, in Wales, and in Scotland. Rates remained stable for men 15 or more years old, at 0.7 per 10,000. There was a marked shift from in-patient to day-case procedures. Rates from the GPRD showed a similar downward trend to the hospital data. Our findings could represent either an underlying decrease in the frequency of undescended testis or a fairly dramatic improvement in the diagnosis of cryptorchidism--resulting in fewer orchidopexies performed for retractile testis--in Great Britain during the 1990s, or both. Either way, our findings do not support the postulate of a recent worsening of male reproductive health of the scale suggested by some recent commentators on the endocrine disruptor hypothesis.