Examining the sustainability potential of a multisite pilot to integrate alcohol screening and brief intervention within three primary care systems.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians adopt universal alcohol screening and brief intervention as a routine preventive service for adults, and efforts are underway to support its widespread dissemination. The likelihood that healthcare systems will sustain this change, once implemented, is under-reported in the literature. This article identifies factors that were important to postimplementation sustainability of an evidence-based practice change to address alcohol misuse that was piloted within three diverse primary care organizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded three academic teams to pilot and evaluate implementation of alcohol screening and brief intervention within multiclinic healthcare systems in their respective regions. Following the completion of the pilots, teams used the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool to retrospectively describe and compare differences across eight sustainability domains, identify strengths and potential threats to sustainability, and make recommendations for improvement. Health systems varied across all domains, with greatest differences noted for Program Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Funding Stability. Lack of funding to sustain practice change, or data monitoring to promote fit and fidelity, was an indication of diminished Organizational Capacity in systems that discontinued the service after the pilot. Early assessment of sustainability factors may identify potential threats that could be addressed prior to, or during implementation to enhance Organizational Capacity. Although this study provides a retrospective assessment conducted by external academic teams, it identifies factors that may be relevant for translating evidence-based behavioral interventions in a way that assures that they are sustained within healthcare systems.

Qualitative comparison of polyethylene terephthalate flakes from various collection systems in Germany.

In 2003, a deposit system for one-way packaging was introduced in Germany. Since that time, polyethylene terephthalate beverage packaging is collected through various collection systems, a deposit system, a reusable packaging system and the 'Green Dot' (the dual system) with the yellow bag. The manner of collection had a decisive influence on the quality of the generated recycled materials. The research at hand shows for the first time how the quality of polyethylene terephthalate flakes depends on the type of collection system. The results are based on a 14-year time frame, during which the quality of the polyethylene terephthalate flakes was examined using the different collection systems. The criterion used was the amount of contamination of polyethylene terephthalate flakes with various polymers, metals and other substances. Grain size and bulk density were also compared. The outcome shows that material from the deposit systems resulted in a better quality of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes.

Historical fragmentation of islands and genetic drift in populations of Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensis complex).

The formation of islands following a rise in sea level at the end of Pleistocene is expected to disrupt the equilibrium between genetic drift and gene flow in species with limited ability to disperse. Here, we test the hypothesis that genetic drift in isolation has caused the differentiation of Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensis complex) found on 12 islets that are likely to have been connected to a larger island, Isla Santa Cruz, during the late Pleistocene. Using 11 microsatellite loci, screened on 524 individuals from 17 localities distributed among and within 15 islands, we found marked differences in allelic richness and heterozygosity. Genetic differentiation was strong (global F(ST) = 0.44), with pairwise differences found among populations on islets being larger than differences among three localities sampled within Isla Santa Cruz. As expected under a scenario of drift in isolation, there was a positive correlation of genetic diversity with island size, no relationship between genetic and geographical distance and a strong negative correlation between heterozygosity and measures of genetic differentiation. We conclude that seawater is a significant barrier to gene flow in lava lizards on this timescale. Our results suggest that the shallow diversification of the M. albemarlensis complex is not due to recent gene flow and that genetic drift may have played a substantial role in observed patterns of phenotypic variation among islands.

Phenotypic divergence despite high levels of gene flow in Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensis).

The extent of evolutionary divergence of phenotypes between habitats is predominantly the result of the balance of differential natural selection and gene flow. Lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensis) on the small island of Plaza Sur in the Galápagos archipelago inhabit contrasting habitats: dense vegetation on the western end of the island thins rapidly in a transitional area, before becoming absent on the eastern half. Associated with these habitats are phenotypic differences in traits linked to predator avoidance (increased wariness, sprint speed, and endurance in lizards from the sparsely vegetated habitat). This population provides an opportunity to test the hypothesis that reduced gene flow is necessary for phenotypic differentiation. There was no evidence of any differences among habitats in allele frequencies at six out of seven microsatellite loci examined, nor was there any indication of congruence between patterns of genetic variability and the change in vegetation regime. We infer that gene flow between the habitats on Plaza Sur must be sufficiently high to overcome genetic drift within habitats but that it does not preclude phenotypic differentiation.

Character congruence and phylogenetic signal in molecular and morphological data sets: a case study in the living Iguanas (Squamata, Iguanidae).

The lizard family Iguanidae comprises eight living genera distributed throughout the New and Old World, and includes several island endemics. We reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among these genera using 90 previously published morphological characters, to which we add a molecular (mtDNA sequence) data set that includes 742 nucleotides of the ND4 gene and the complete sequences of the histidine, serine, and leucine tRNAs (217 nucleotides). Trees were initially constructed separately from these three data sets, and then tested for significant conflict in topologies that would suggest the influence of different evolutionary processes. The three data sets were then combined, and a single tree was obtained from the total evidence that permitted identification of potential sources of character incongruence. Several additional analyses of the combined data sets were repeated with sequential deletion of successive classes of homoplastic characters, and we show that the same single tree topology is recovered in most cases. However, part of the tree structure collapses when the matrix of combined characters is completely purged of all homoplastic characters. We argue that this extreme results in an unacceptable loss of phylogenetic information, and we present a single phylogenetic hypothesis for all living genera of iguanas. We show that this hypothesis is significantly more parsimonious than either of two previously published trees, and we discuss the evolution and biogeography of the Iguanidae based on the preferred hypothesis.

A survey of the coccidian parasites of reptiles from islands of the Galápagos Archipelago: 1990-1994.

From 1990 through 1994, fecal samples were collected and examined for coccidian parasites from 26 giant land tortoises Geochelone nigra, from 715 lava lizards Tropidurus spp., from 139 land iguanas Conolophus subcristatus, and from 128 marine iguanas Amblyrhynchus cristatus, all of which inhabit various islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. None of the samples from A. cristatus or from C. subcristatus was infected with coccidia. Only 1 of 26 (4%) G. nigra was infected with a single Eimeria species that we describe here as new. A total of 262 of 715 (37%) individuals representing 3 species of Tropidurus discharged oocysts of 1-3 different coccidian species; these included 2 previously described species Eimeria tropidura and Isospora insularius, and an eimerian that we describe here as new. Additionally, 104 fecal samples from Tropidurus spp. were from 51 animals recaptured in either 2 or 3 yr; 21 had no infections in any year, 15 were infected at least once, 14 were infected in 2 yr, and only 1 was infected during 3 yr. No animal was recaptured and sampled during each of the 4 yr of this study. Of the 262 infected individuals, 30 (12%) had multiple coccidial infections at the time of collection (eimerian and isosporan, or 2 eimerians). Where determination of the sexes was possible in the lava lizards, there was no difference in prevalence rates between males (39%) and females (41%). Sporulated oocysts of the new eimerian from Tropidurus are ellipsoidal, 27.1 x 15.6 (25-31 x 14-18) microns, with a polar body, but without a micropyle or oocyst residuum; they contain ellipsoidal sporocysts, 11.8 x 6.7 (10-14 x 6-8) microns, without Stieda, sub-, or parastieda bodies, but with a sporocyst residuum. Sporulated oocysts of the new eimerian from G. nigra are ellipsoidal to ovoidal, 21.6 x 18.1 (18-25 x 16-20) microns, with a large polar body, but without a micropyle or oocyst residuum; they contain ellipsoidal sporocysts 10.7 x 7.0 (8-12 x 5-8) microns, with Stieda body but no sub- or parastieda bodies. Also present is a sporocyst residuum of medium to large granules randomly distributed among the sporocysts.

Multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer: I. Theory.

The Multiplex Fabry-Perot Interferometer (MFPI) is a unique instrument, incorporating the wide spectral-bandwidth capability of the Michelson interferometer with the small size and high resolution of the Fabry-Perot interferometer. The MFPI is, structurally, a standard Fabry-Perot in which the scanning distance is allowed to be very large, of the order of centimeters. The signal recorded through this distance is Fourier transformed as would be the interferogram produced by a Michelson interferometer. The result is a spectrum containing very high-resolution information over a moderately large optical bandwidth. The MFPI is much smaller than a Michelson producing the same resolution and covers a much broader bandwidth than a Fabry-Perot used in the usual fashion. We present a basic description of the operating theory for the MFPI in terms familiar to the Michelson spectroscopist.

Multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer: II. Laboratory prototype.

The Multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer (MFPI) consists of a Fabry-Perot interferometer in which the étalon plate separation is changed over a large optical distance. Fourier transformation of the resultant interferogram allows one to treat the multiple reflections within the étalon cavity in a manner analogous to an array of Michelson-type interferometers. However, the scan distance required by the MFPI is much less than for a comparable Michelson. The design and construction of the MFPI are described. Solar absorption spectra measured with this instrument are compared with results from the FASCODE atmospheric model.

Own aging: future time perspectives and scenarios perceived by females employed in old age care.

This study focuses on anticipations of own aging, and the process of adaptation to aging across the life span. Future time perspectives and aging scenarios were investigated in 276 Danish females employed in old age care (aged 22 to 63 years), by use of questionnaires. Age-related differences were found regarding how far ahead subjects indicated to plan their future, increasing from about two years in subjects in their twenties and stabilizing at about ten years in older subjects. Datings of events that first initiated thinking of one's own aging increased with the age of the subjects, and some age-related patterns in the content of recalled events were found. A developmental mechanism involving reinterpretation of essential elements of aging is suggested as an explanation for these findings. A preponderance of positive scenarios suggests that optimistic anticipations of own aging may coexist with exposure to negative aspects of aging due to working experiences with disabled old people.

Isolation of Nocardia asteroides from respiratory specimens by using selective buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar.

Nocardiosis is difficult to diagnose clinically and by laboratory methods. A patient presented with disease compatible with pulmonary malignancy, but Nocardia asteroides was isolated on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar. Investigation revealed that this medium may be a suitable selective primary isolation medium for Nocardia species from respiratory specimens.

Multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer.

The Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) traditionally has been used to examine either small spectral ranges or relatively imple spectra. Recently, however, studies have shown that the FPI can be competitive with the Michelson interferometer ver extended spectral ranges. This paper describes a relatively new FPI technique in which one of the étalon plates is moved over a large optical distance while the other remains fixed, thus exploiting the multiplex advantage of the instrument. we have chosen to call this instrument the multiplex Fabry-Perot interferometer (MFPI). It is shown that this technique could be useful for the remote sensing of minor atmospheric species because the MFPI, like a Michelson interferometer, has the ability to examine large spectral regions at high resolution but retains the small size of the FPI.

Ultraviolet radiation levels during the antarctic spring.

The decrease in atmospheric ozone over Antarctica during spring implies enhanced levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation received at the earth's surface. Model calculations show that UV irradiances encountered during the occurrence of an Antarctic "ozone hole" remain less than those typical of a summer solstice at low to middle latitudes. However, the low ozone amounts observed in October 1987 imply biologically effective irradiances for McMurdo Station, Antarctica, that are comparable to or greater than those for the same location at December solstice. Life indigenous to Antarctica thereby experiences a greatly extended period of summerlike UV radiation levels.