APL program for evaluation of heat processes for spherical foods

The present program solves the heat transfer equations for sphericalfoods by a numerical procedure that uses the Crank–Nicolsonmethod. The program is implemented for conditions with as fewrestrictions as possible to enhance versatility. The resultsagree with the analytical solutions for two particular casesof boundary conditions. The program also computes the thermaleffect in the foodstuff from the temperature data obtained bythe numerical program.     

Realities of replication: implementation of evidence-based interventions for HIV prevention in real-world settings

Background

To have public health impact, evidence-based interventions (EBIs) must be implemented appropriately at meaningful scale. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Replicating Effective Programs and Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions programs disseminate select EBIs by providing program materials and training health providers on their appropriate use and implementation. Sociometrics’ HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Archive (HAPPA) and Program Archive for Sexuality, Health, and Adolescents (PASHA) are likewise the largest EBI collections targeting sexual risk behaviors in the private sector. This study examined the extent to which organizations that obtain EBIs from HAPPA and PASHA implement, adapt and evaluate them and factors associated with program implementation.

Methods

Survey data were collected from 123 organizations that acquired, and had been in possession for a minimum of six months, at least one EBI from HAPPA or PASHA between January 2009 and June 2011. Data regarding program characteristics and date of acquisition were obtained from Sociometrics’ sales and marketing databases. Logistic regression was used to assess barriers to program implementation.

Results

Among organizations that obtained an EBI from Sociometrics intending to implement it, 53% had implemented the program at least once or were in the process of implementing the program for the first time; another 22% were preparing for implementation. Over the three-year time period assessed, over 11,381 individuals participated in these interventions. Almost two-thirds (65%) of implementers made changes to the original program. Common adaptations included: editing content to be more current and of local relevance (81%); adding, deleting or modifying incentives for participation (50%); changing the location in which the program takes place (44%); and/or changing the number, length and/or frequency of program sessions (42%). In total, 80% of implementers monitored program delivery. Participant outcomes were tracked by 78%; 28% of which used evaluation designs that included a control or comparison group. Lack of adequate resources was significantly associated with decreased likelihood of program implementation (odds ratio?=?0.180, p <0.05).

Conclusions

Findings provide greater understanding of implementation processes, barriers and facilitators that may be used to develop strategies to increase the appropriate use of EBIs.     

DANCER: a program for digital anatomical reconstruction of gene expression data

A digital anatomy construction (DANCER) program was developed for gene expression data. DANCER can be used to reconstruct anatomical images from in situ hybridization images, microarray or other gene expression data. The program fills regions of a drawn figure with the corresponding values from a gene expression data set. The output of the program presents the expression levels of a particular gene in a particular region relative to other regions. The program was tested with values from experimental in situ hybridization autoradiographs and from a microarray experiment. Reconstruction of in situ hybridization data from adult rat brain made by DANCER corresponded well with the original autoradiograph. Reconstruction of microarray data from adult mouse brains provided images that reflect actual expression levels. This program should help to provide visualization and interpretation of data derived from gene expression experiments. DANCER may be freely downloaded.     

The Impact of a Sport-Based Life Skill Program on Adolescent Prosocial Values

Abstract

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a sport-based life skills and community service program. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of a combined life skills and community service program on adolescents' prosocial values. The program was part of a national golf and life skills enrichment academy for adolescents (n = 100). It was hypothesized that the life skills component would have a significant impact on adolescents' prosocial values and that participants (n = 42) who were involved in the community service component following the program, when compared to a comparison group (n = 23), would maintain their increased levels of prosocial values. Results indicated that the program had a significant positive impact on adolescents' prosocial values and that the community service experience positively impacted the adolescents' levels of empathic concern and social responsibility. These results are consistent with existing research on participating in community service.     

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City,Bangladesh

Beginning January 2012, a humane method of dog population management using a Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) program was implemented in Dhaka City, Bangladesh as part of the national rabies control program. To enable this program, the size and distribution of the free-roaming dog population needed to be estimated. We present the results of a dog population survey and a pilot assessment of the CNVR program coverage in Dhaka City. Free-roaming dog population surveys were undertaken in 18 wards of Dhaka City on consecutive days using mark-resight methods. Data was analyzed using Lincoln-Petersen index-Chapman correction methods. The CNVR program was assessed over the two years (2012–2013) whilst the coverage of the CNVR program was assessed by estimating the proportion of dogs that were ear-notched (processed dogs) via dog population surveys. The free-roaming dog population was estimated to be 1,242 (95 % CI: 1205–1278) in the 18 sampled wards and 18,585 dogs in Dhaka City (52 dogs/km²) with an estimated human-to-free-roaming dog ratio of 828:1. During the two year CNVR program, a total of 6,665 dogs (3,357 male and 3,308 female) were neutered and vaccinated against rabies in 29 of the 92 city wards. A pilot population survey indicated a mean CNVR coverage of 60.6% (range 19.2–79.3%) with only eight wards achieving > 70% coverage. Given that the coverage in many neighborhoods was below the WHO-recommended threshold level of 70% for rabies eradications and since the CNVR program takes considerable time to implement throughout the entire Dhaka City area, a mass dog vaccination program in the non-CNVR coverage area is recommended to create herd immunity. The findings from this study are expected to guide dog population management and the rabies control program in Dhaka City and elsewhere in Bangladesh.     

Improving the care of people with traumatic brain injury through the Neurotrauma Evidence Translation (NET) program: protocol for a program of research

ABSTRACT: The Neurotrauma Evidence Translation (NET) program was funded in 2009 to increase the uptake of research evidence in the clinical care of patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury. This paper reports the rationale and plan for this five-year knowledge translation research program. The overarching aims of the program are threefold: to improve outcomes for people with traumatic brain injury; to create a network of neurotrauma clinicians and researchers with expertise in knowledge translation and evidence-based practice; and to contribute knowledge to the field of knowledge translation research. The program comprises a series of interlinked projects spanning varying clinical environments and disciplines relevant to neurotrauma, anchored within four themes representing core knowledge translation activities: reviewing research evidence; understanding practice; developing and testing interventions for practice change; and building capacity for knowledge translation in neurotrauma. The program uses a range of different methods and study designs, including: an evidence fellowship program; conduct of and training in systematic reviews; mixed method study designs to describe and understand factors that influence current practices (e.g., semistructured interviews and surveys); theory-based methods to develop targeted interventions aiming to change practice; a cluster randomised trial to test the effectiveness of a targeted theory-informed intervention; stakeholder involvement activities; and knowledge translation events such as consensus conferences.     

SUBCUR: Visualization of structural differences between DNA duplexes

A computer program, SUBCUR, is described which permits analysis and rapid identification of geometrical differences and patterns of variance between two DNA duplexes. The program is compatible with the CURVES 3.1 package² and allows graphical visualization of the structural differences. Examples are provided which illustrate the applicability of the program in analyzing the different backbone conformations of two helices and the different curvatures of two helices.     

亲缘供者外周血红细胞参数对造血干细胞采集影响的经验分析

目的探讨亲缘供者外周血红细胞参数对COBE Spectra血细胞分离机的自动外周血干细胞采集程序（AutoPBSC程序）与单个核细胞采集程序（MNC程序）的影响及经验分析。 方法选取河北燕达陆道培医院2019年6月至2021年2月小红细胞亲缘供者31例45次采集为小红细胞组,选取同期非小红细胞亲缘供者51例60次采集为非小红细胞组,分别应用AutoPBSC程序和MNC程序,比较两组采集情况及采集产品相关指标。采用独立样本t检验和Mann-Whitney U检验分析2组计量资料的差异。 结果与小红细胞AutoPBSC程序组比较,小红细胞MNC程序组血小板（PLT）降低率[（25.88±15.83）﹪比（36.64±10.22）﹪]、采集效率[32.65﹪（23.60﹪,73.82﹪）比63.74﹪ （59.83﹪,68.55﹪）]、采集物体积[（158.83±34.39）比（222.91±63.9）mL]、MNC总数[（218.04±117.57）×10⁸/L比（350.24±127.64）×10⁸/L]、CD34⁺细胞总数[113.83×10⁶/L （79.25×10⁶/L,154.10×10⁶/L）比233.26×10⁶/L （177.18×10⁶/L,392.51×10⁶/L）]、MNC计数[（4.04±2.61）×10⁸/kg比（5.54±2.22）×10⁸/ kg]、CD34⁺计数[1.84×10⁶/kg （1.16×10⁶/kg,4.41×10⁶/kg）比3.64×10⁶/kg （2.49×10⁶/kg,6.37×10⁶/kg）]均升高,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;与非小红细胞AutoPBSC程序组比较,非小红细胞组MNC程序组采集物体积[（162.83±51.74）比（242.56±43.25）mL]升高,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论对造血干细胞移植供者红细胞体积偏小时,应用MNC程序采集外周血造血干细胞,比应用AutoPBSC程序更有优势。     

Optimal alignments of biological sequences on a microcomputer

An algorithm and a program have been developed which enableoptimal alignments of biological sequences on an 8–bitmicrocomputer. The compiled program can process sequences upto 1000 residues on a Commodore 64. Since this program was writtenoriginally in the BASIC language, it may readily be adaptedto other microcomputers with small changes. Received on March 11, 1985; accepted on March 14, 1985     

ANGSD: Analysis of Next Generation Sequencing Data

Background

High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies are generating vast amounts of data. Fast, flexible and memory efficient implementations are needed in order to facilitate analyses of thousands of samples simultaneously.

Results

We present a multithreaded program suite called ANGSD. This program can calculate various summary statistics, and perform association mapping and population genetic analyses utilizing the full information in next generation sequencing data by working directly on the raw sequencing data or by using genotype likelihoods.

Conclusions

The open source c/c++ program ANGSD is available at http://www.popgen.dk/angsd. The program is tested and validated on GNU/Linux systems. The program facilitates multiple input formats including BAM and imputed beagle genotype probability files. The program allow the user to choose between combinations of existing methods and can perform analysis that is not implemented elsewhere.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-014-0356-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Using telehealth to increase participation in weight maintenance programs

Objective: To compare weight regain, satisfaction, and convenience among three weight maintenance programs: telehealth, traditional classes, and no program. Research Methods and Procedures: This quasi‐experimental study compared weight change, satisfaction, and convenience among three program types. The telehealth participants interacted with a registered dietitian (RD) through the web and e‐mail, traditional program participants attended a traditional classroom program, and no program participants received no interaction. Eighty‐seven subjects (14 men and 73 women) were enrolled in the study: 31 traditional, 31 telehealth, and 25 no program participants. Eligibility included participation in a community‐based weight loss program (Colorado Weigh) and minimum 7% weight loss before enrollment. Results: Subject characteristics at baseline were as follows: age, 50 ± 9.3 (standard deviation) years; height, 1.68 ± 0.09 m; weight, 80.5 ± 18.4 kg, with no significant differences between groups. Over 6 months, the traditional group lost 0.5 ± 4.3 kg, the telehealth group lost 0.6 ± 2.5 kg, and the no program group gained 1.7 ± 3.0 kg. Weight change among all three groups was significant (p = 0.02); no program participants gained significantly more weight than the telehealth and traditional groups. There were no differences in overall satisfaction between the telehealth and traditional groups (p = 0.43), but individuals in the telehealth group rated their program as more convenient compared with the traditional group (p = 0.0001). Discussion: These results show the usefulness of telehealth programs in long‐term weight loss maintenance. They may be a useful alternative for those who successfully lose weight in a structured behavioral program but do not choose to participate in a formal behavioral weight loss maintenance program.     

A microcomputer program and fast analog to digital converter card for the analysis of fluorescence induction transients

A microcomputer program and an analog to digital conversion card were developed for the analysis of fluorescence induction curves. The program and the analog to digital conversion card are compatible with all commercially available fluorometers. Most of the current analysis methods for fluorescence induction curves are implemented in the program, including analysis of OIDPSMT-kinetics, dissection of fluorescence quenching into two components, measurement of the slope of the fluorescence curve, complementary area analysis and analysis of energy spillover from PS II to PS I. The program can also do basic statistical calculations from the measured parameters. The architecture of the program is open, allowing the user to add new methods to the main body of the program. Split time-scale is used in data capture and analysis. A new procedure facilitates accurate determination of F₀.     

Effects of a core stability exercise program on balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy

Objective:To evaluate the effects of a core stability exercise program on balance, coordination, and severity of ataxia in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy (CP).Methods:Forty children with cerebellar ataxic CP (mean age: 6.75±1.35 years) were randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group for 2 months of follow-up. The control group received a standard physical therapy program three times weekly (1 h per session), while the intervention group received a core stability program for 30 min, in addition to the selected physical therapy program. Both groups were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, the Balance Error Scoring Systems scale, Bruininks-Oseretsky tests of motor proficiency, and HUMAC balance system scores.Results:We found statistically significant reductions in the severity of ataxia, as well as improved balance and coordination in both groups, with stronger effects observed in the intervention group (P<0.05).Conclusion:The core stability program can improve balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic CP when incorporated with a standard physical therapy program.     

BIOSITE: a program for the interactive comparison of aligned homologous protein sequences

A program, BIOSITE, providing for the interactive visual comparisonof aligned homologous amino-acid sequences is presented, includingan example of its application. The program allows for two typesof comparison sequence to be generated: an ‘identity’sequence and a ‘difference’ sequence. These maybe used on subsets of sequences and in further comparisons toidentify candidate sites involved in a distinct functional property.The program should prove a useful tool for biologists engagedin understanding sequence—function relationships.     

Relational database model for DNA mutations and a software program for implementation of the model

A relational database model for describing DNA mutations is presented. The model was developed in conjunction with the human hprt database and was succesful in representing over 1800 hprt mutations. Mutants showing aberrant mRNA splicing can be adequately described using the model, as well as mutants showing more than one mutation. The basic aspects of the relational model should be applicable to mutations in a variety of genes. A data entry program developed using Microsoft Access 2.0 is also described that implements the relational model The data entry program ensures that relational integrity is maintained between the tables and automatically generates key fields as needed. The program also has the ability to convert between the various numbering schemes that are used to decribed base pair location in the hprt gene. The program and source code are placed in the public domain so that other experimenters can adapt the program for use with other genes.     

Oblong,a program to analyse phylogenomic data sets with millions of characters,requiring negligible amounts of RAM

Oblong, a program with very low memory requirements, is presented. It is designed for parsimony analysis of data sets comprising many characters for moderate numbers of taxa (the order of up to a few hundred). The program can avoid using vast amounts of RAM by temporarily saving data to disk buffers, only parts of which are periodically read back in by the program. In this way, the entire data set is never held in RAM by the program—only small parts of it. While using disk files to store the data slows down searches, it does so only by a relatively small factor (4× to 5×), because the program minimizes the number of times the data must be accessed (i.e. read back in) during tree searches. Thus, even if the program is not designed primarily for speed, runtimes are within an order of magnitude of those of the fastest existing parsimony programs.     

Management of interruptions to fractionated radiotherapy treatments: Four and a half years of experience

Background and purposeThe study objective was to report our four-and-a half years experience (March 1 2011–August 15 2015) of a program to manage interruptions in fractionated radiotherapy treatments.MethodsA program was developed, based on a specific database, to manage treatment interruptions. Benefits of the program were analyzed in reference to previously published data. Analysis was also performed of two measures to reduce OTT prolongation and improve treatment outcomes: working on public holidays and conducting treatment unit maintenance on Saturdays.ResultsThe study included 2352 patients. Patients with head and neck cancer obtained the greatest benefit from the program, with a mean increase in TCP of 3.5% and a benefit of at least 4% in 45.6% of them. In prostate cancer patients, the likelihood of biochemical failure was reduced by a mean of 2.0% and was reduced by at least 4% in 19.7% of them. Application of the two proposed measures would have improved the TCP by a mean of 5.4% in head and neck cancer patients. The impact of the compensations program and proposed measures is lesser in the remaining cancer types studied.ConclusionsImplementation of a compensation program has a significant impact on patients with head and neck or prostate cancer but OTT prolongation remains excessive in many treatments. The introduction of fractions on public holidays would assist in the meeting of recommendations for these patients.     

A program for the numerical integration of enzyme kinetic equations using small computers

A simple program to integrate differential equations is given. The program is written in BASIC and has been devised to be used on small computers. The program has been used to integrate the differential equations corresponding to a single reaction-single enzyme, a bireaction-single enzyme and a four reaction-four substrate-single enzyme mechanism: it has been used also for studying the interconversions among various molecular forms of a single enzyme, viz. monomer - dimer - trimer - tetramer. The program has proven to be very effective in these models and its time consumption comparable with that of other longer programs. The BASIC version is shown, and the FORTRAN VS version is available upon request to the authors.