A histomorphological comparison of the urinary systems in the Serranid fishes, Roccus sexatilis (Walbaum) and Roccus americanus (Gmelin)

The urinary systems of Roccus saxatilis (Walbaum) and Roccus Americanus (Gmelin) were studied to check the validity of the monogeneric classification and to examine the osmoregulatory mechanism that allows the species to survive in environments of various salinities. The gross anatomy of the urinary systems of 13 R saxatilis and 12 R. americanus showed a number of similarities to exist, e.g. the general mesonephric form and size, uretal position and length, and the renal venous system. The head kidney, a hemopoietic organ, was larger in R. ­saxatilis than in R. americanus. Histological comparisons were made of H and E serial sections of the posterior part of the kidneys, and of the ureter, from three R. saxatilis and four R. americanus; included were the entire kidneys of two 2-year-old males of each species. The kidney of a young specimen of each species was also studied. The lomeruli in R. americanus were found to be larger than those R. saxatilis; however, in a previous study, freshwater R. saxatilis were shown to have glomeruli of intermediate size. The number of goblet cells in the anterior part of the ureter was greater in g. saxatilis and may be correlated with glomerular size. A dis­tal tubular segment, usually present in freshwater fishes, was absent in both species; probably a reflection of their marine origin. As the differences in the urinary system were explained on the basis of selective adaptation, they, and the number of similarities, were considered to support a monogeneric classification. ii

Pregnancy Loss Support Groups: A Comparison of Therapeutic Factors for Men and Women

Parents who experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death often find themselves feeling profound grief with limited support or understanding from the community. Support groups for this population have emerged and gained in popularity throughout the country. This research will focus on specifically on the miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death experience and how the support group can meet these parents needs. Parents attending SHARE pregnancy loss support groups participated in the study. Questionnaires were given to SHARE group leaders from all regions of the United States to distribute at their meetings. Fourteen men and twenty women completed questionnaires anonymously that supplied demographic characteristics and information on their pregnancy loss history. A 17 item instrument was constructed to measure the perceived therapeutic factors of participation in the support group. The participants were then asked to choose the top three group functions and to rank them. The support received from meeting others with similar losses, sharing stories, and the expression and acceptance of feelings were the most highly rated group functions for men and women. The educational components were least valued. A significant gender difference for preference was found for only one group function. Women rated; Finding out that others feel as I do, I\u27m not crazy as more significant than did men

Greenland Ice Sheet Retreat Since the Little Ice Age

Late 20th century and 21st century satellite imagery of the perimeter of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) provide high resolution observations of the ice sheet margins. Examining changes in ice margin positions over time yield measurements of GrIS area change and rates of margin retreat. However, longer records of ice sheet margin change are needed to establish more accurate predictions of the ice sheet's future response to global conditions. In this study, the trimzone, the area of deglaciated terrain along the ice sheet edge that lacks mature vegetation cover, is used as a marker of the maximum extent of the ice from its most recent major advance during the Little Ice Age. We compile recently acquired Landsat ETM+ scenes covering the perimeter of the GrIS on which we map area loss on land-, lake-, and marine-terminating margins. We measure an area loss of 13,327 ± 830 km2, which corresponds to 0.8% shrinkage of the ice sheet. This equates to an averaged horizontal retreat of 363 ± 69 m across the entire GrIS margin. Mapping the areas exposed since the Little Ice Age maximum, circa 1900 C.E., yields a century-scale rate of change. On average the ice sheet lost an area of 120 ± 16 km2/yr, or retreated at a rate of 3.3 ± 0.7 m/yr since the LIA maximum

Greenland Ice Sheet Retreat Since the Little Ice Age

Late 20th century and 21st century satellite imagery of the perimeter of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) provide high resolution observations of the ice sheet margins. Examining changes in ice margin positions over time yield measurements of GrIS area change and rates of margin retreat. However, longer records of ice sheet margin change are needed to establish more accurate predictions of the ice sheet's future response to global conditions. In this study, the trimzone, the area of deglaciated terrain along the ice sheet edge that lacks mature vegetation cover, is used as a marker of the maximum extent of the ice from its most recent major advance during the Little Ice Age. We compile recently acquired Landsat ETM+ scenes covering the perimeter of the GrIS on which we map area loss on land-, lake-, and marine-terminating margins. We measure an area loss of 13,327 ± 830 km2, which corresponds to 0.8% shrinkage of the ice sheet. This equates to an averaged horizontal retreat of 363 ± 69 m across the entire GrIS margin. Mapping the areas exposed since the Little Ice Age maximum, circa 1900 C.E., yields a century-scale rate of change. On average the ice sheet lost an area of 120 ± 16 km2/yr, or retreated at a rate of 3.3 ± 0.7 m/yr since the LIA maximum