Conformal Orthosymplectic Quantum Mechanics

We present the most general curvature obstruction to the deformed parabolic orthosymplectic symmetry subalgebra of the supersymmetric quantum mechanical models recently developed to describe Lichnerowicz wave operators acting on arbitrary tensors and spinors. For geometries possessing a hypersurface-orthogonal homothetic conformal Killing vector we show that the parabolic subalgebra is enhanced to a (curvature-obstructed) orthosymplectic algebra. The new symmetries correspond to time-dependent conformal symmetries of the underlying particle model. We also comment on generalizations germane to three dimensions and new Chern--Simons-like particle models.Comment: 27 pages LaTe

Microzooplankton Distributions in the Irish Sea

The purpose of this study was to determine the distributions and abundances of microzooplankton across a front in the Irish Sea, and to test the hypothesis that the structure which develops within the microzooplankton community is the result of the interactions within the communities. Eight sites were sampled on May 1-2, 1989 along a transect from Liverpool Bay, England to Dundalk Bay, Ireland. The transect crossed both the Liverpool Bay and western Irish Sea fronts; sites were positioned with respect to water type (e.g., coastal, thermally mixed, thermally stratified) . Five sites were sampled by double Longhurst-Hardy Plankton Recorder (LHPR) to determine micro- and macrozooplankton distributions and to identify relationships between these distributions and hydrodynamic and biotic forcing. Microzooplankton samples were microscopically enumerated, and the abundance data processed by Correspondence Analysis to determine interrelationships among the taxa. Variability in depth-averaged microzooplankton distributions along the transect can be explained largely by the hydrodynamic processes associated with the thermal and density structure of the region. The microzooplankton in the coastal and central channel waters were distinct; the Liverpool Bay and western Irish Sea front apparently act as boundaries between microzooplankton assemblages. The vertical distributions of the microzooplankton at each site appear to be affected by biological interactions between taxa (e.g ., predation). Correspondence Analysis also identified a sub-surface microzooplankton assemblage off the north coast of Anglesey not associated with strong temperature or density gradients, but which was taxonomically distinct from microzooplankton assemblages at the other locations. A similarity between the microzooplankton assemblages in the surface stratified waters of the western Irish Sea front and the Irish coast (48 km west) was also detected. This suggests the possibility that microzooplankton along the Irish coast have been advected offshore in the coastal waters

Does Change in Physical Activity Predict Mental Health Outcomes in Pre-Adolescent African American Girls?

Pediatric obesity is a significant clinical and public health issue for African American girls in which low physical activity (PA) is a contributor. The mother-daughter relationship (MDR) has rarely been examined in the context of improving health behaviors such as PA and mental health outcomes (MHO) within this population. PURPOSE: To examine if change in PA following a 12-week culturally-tailored mother-daughter PA intervention predicts change in MHO variables (self-esteem, depressive symptoms, body image dissatisfaction) and MDR in pre-adolescent African American girls. METHODS: Mothers (n=27; age=36.0±17.0 years; body mass index (BMI)=34.0±7.4 kg/m2) and daughters (n=27; age=9.0±1.4 years; BMI=20.3±5.7 kg/m2, BMI percentile=73%) randomized to the mother-daughter dance group were examined in this analysis. Physical activity levels were assessed with Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days and validated questionnaires. Mental health outcome variables and MDR were assessed using validated questionnaires. Spearman correlations were used to examine associations between variables. MANOVA was used to assess differences in PA levels across three time points. Paired t-tests and ANOVA were used for MHO variables and MDR across two and three time points, respectively. Simple regression was used to assess if PA self-efficacy and MDR mediated changes in PA. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) assessed if changes in PA variables predicted changes in MHO variables. RESULTS: Several significant correlations were observed at baseline and post-intervention such as the negative relationships between daughters’ light PA (% time) and depressive symptoms as well as a daughters’ BMI percentile and body image dissatisfaction. Significant reduction was observed in daughters’ self-reported PA (p=0.04) pre- to post-intervention. No other significant changes were observed. Change in PA did not predict change in MHO variables, but there was a negative effect of average BMI percentile on self-esteem (p=0.017) and body image dissatisfaction (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In this sample of pre-adolescent African American girls, change in objectively measured PA did not predict change in MHO. The lack of significant findings could be attributed to low attendance of the intervention. Future studies should examine these relationships in a larger sample and explore the use of technology to combat low attendance

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of the Dual-Purpose Cattle Value Chain in the Colombian Amazonas

The cattle sector plays an important role in the economy of the Caquetá department, located in the Colombian Amazon. However, the predominantly extensive production system is associated with low productivity and negative environmental impacts, such as land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation. Efforts to introduce improved practices (e.g., improved forages or silvopastoral systems) have been made over the last decades, but adoption rates remain low. Though several studies have analyzed the cattle value chain (VC) to enhance the understanding of adoption barriers, the heterogeneity of farmers has been considered only marginally when trying to explain their adoption behavior. To narrow this knowledge gap, a VC analysis was carried out in March 2022, using semi-structured interviews with key informants. Four types of cattle farmers were identified to operate along a gradient reaching from the Andean foothill in the department’s northwest to the deforestation frontier in the southeast. While specialized and dual-purpose milk farms are located close to the foothill, dual-purpose cheese and cattle fattening farms operate closer to the deforestation frontier. The associated spatio-temporal dynamics seem to be associated with differences in infrastructure, access to inputs and services, and the presence of armed groups. The observed enabling environment gradient is important for a more context-specific design of policies and interventions aimed at supporting the adoption of sustainably intensified cattle production systems, while needs and preferences of the heterogenous farmer groups should be further researched

Computed microtomography visualization and quantification of mouse ischemic brain lesion by nonionic radio contrast agents.

AIM: To explore the possibility of brain imaging by microcomputed tomography (microCT) using x-ray contrasting methods to visualize mouse brain ischemic lesions after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). ----- METHODS: Isolated brains were immersed in ionic or nonionic radio contrast agent (RCA) for 5 days and subsequently scanned using microCT scanner. To verify whether ex-vivo microCT brain images can be used to characterize ischemic lesions, they were compared to Nissl stained serial histological sections of the same brains. To verify if brains immersed in RCA may be used afterwards for other methods, subsequent immunofluorescent labeling with anti-NeuN was performed. ----- RESULTS: Nonionic RCA showed better gray to white matter contrast in the brain, and therefore was selected for further studies. MicroCT measurement of ischemic lesion size and cerebral edema significantly correlated with the values determined by Nissl staining (ischemic lesion size: P=0.0005; cerebral edema: P=0.0002). Brain immersion in nonionic RCA did not affect subsequent immunofluorescent analysis and NeuN immunoreactivity. ----- CONCLUSION: MicroCT method was proven to be suitable for delineation of the ischemic lesion from the non-infarcted tissue, and quantification of lesion volume and cerebral edema

Cropland Cash Rental Rates in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

The report documents the creation of estimates for cropland cash rental rates in the Upper Mississippi River Basin in 1997. Although the basic data come from disparate sources, we employ a unifying estimation procedure based on the presumption that the cropland cash rental rate is an increasing function of corn yield potential. The rates are estimated at some 42,000 National Resources Inventory data points representing cropland in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

Anticardiolipin antibodies and coronary heart disease

Arterial or venous thrombotic events have been described as complications in patients with positive anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), affecting various organs including the heart. In order to see whether aCL could be, among others, a predisposing factor for coronary artery occlusions and whether it could serve as a prognostic marker for coronary heart disease, 232patients enrolled in the European Concerted Action on Thrombosis Angina Pectoris Study were studied. aCL and various other haemostatic parameters were determined at time of admittance in order to see whether a relationship existed between haemostasis at baseline and extent or prognosis of the cardiovascular disease. A follow-up at 12 and 24 months after angiography included information about relapsing coronary or other thrombotic events, treatment and outcome of the disease. aCL were not found to be a marker of either progressive cardiovascular disease or recurrent thrombotic events. No correlation was found, either in aCL positive or in aCL negative patients, between high levels of haemostasis activation markers, such as fi-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4 or fibrinopeptide A and recurrent cardiovascular diseas

Process evaluation of a culturally-tailored physical activity intervention in African-American mother-daughter dyads

The purpose of this study was to describe process evaluation data including intervention fidelity, dosage, quality, participant responsiveness, and program reach for the Mothers And dauGhters daNcing togEther Trial (MAGNET) in Springfield, MA, in Spring 2013 and 2014. Seventy-six mother-daughter dyads were randomized to the mother-daughter group (CH-M, n = 28), the child-only group (CH, n = 25), or the health education group (CON, n = 23). CH-M consisted of 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous culturally-tailored dance classes for dyads. CH consisted of dance classes for the child. All groups received homework tutoring and weekly health newsletters. Process evaluation data were assessed at each intervention session (three days/week, 6-months) with semi-structured questionnaires by researchers. CH dance classes were slightly longer (58.2 ± 3.5 min) than CH-M (54.4 ± 5.5 min). In both groups, participants spent the majority of the dance intervention in light intensity physical activity (PA). Participants in the CH-M group enjoyed participating in MAGNET \u3e 90% of the time. Mothers (92%) indicated that they wanted to continue dance as a form of PA. Mothers expressed that transportation, time commitment, and assessments were barriers to participation. Participants suggested future interventions should include longer intervention length and more communications between research staff and mothers. The MAGNET intervention matched the originally intended program in most aspects. A lower intervention dose was delivered to the CH-M group potentially due to barriers described by mothers. Because mother-daughter interventions have shown minimal effects on increasing PA, it is imperative that researchers utilize process evaluation data to shape future studies

Variability in Copepod Hatching Success: Observations on Natural Populations and Experiments on the Role of Maternal Diet

The objectives of this study were (1) to survey the percent hatching success of eggs produced by calanoid copepod species from a variety of ecosystems (i.e., polar, temperate, and sub-tropical), (2) to describe the relationship between egg production, hatching success of Acartia tonsa and the physical and food environments of Florida Bay, and (3) to describe the relationships between hatching success and maternal diet. In order to fulfill the first objective, an incubation system was designed to allow the monitoring of eggs at sea for extended periods of time. The second objective was addressed with a series of egg production experiments with the copepod Acartia tansa from Florida Bay. Egg production and hatching success were compared to seasonal changes in the food environment. The third objective was addressed by experiments conducted with cultured Acartia tonsa offered microencapsulated artificial diets, which differed in nutrient concentration and composition (protein:carbohydrate:lipid). Experiments in the field were conducted between December 1993 and June 1996 and included eight species from six locations (Weddell Sea: Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, Metridea gerlachie; Irish Sea: Acartia clausi, Temora longicornis; Gulf of Mexico: Temora stylifera, Undinula vulgaris; Port Everglades, Florida: Acartia tonsa; Florida Bay: A. tansa). No pattern was evident in hatching success between species from the various locations, because percentages were often highly variable (ranges as wide as 0% to 100% for one experiment) among individuals of the same species. A. tonsa was the exception, in that individual variability was usually low 90% in the summer and fall. The hatching success of eggs produced by A. tonsa from Florida Bay, however, did not vary seasonally. Hatching success was generally \u3e80% throughout the year. Egg production rates in Florida Bay, like hatching success, did not vary seasonally. Mean egg production varied among sampling sites; however, differences among the hatching success means determined at the four sites were not significant. Egg production rates for A. tonsa in Florida Bay were low compared to other locations. A temperature dependent growth model overestimated egg production rates in Florida Bay. Principal components analysis revealed possible relationships between egg production, hatching success, and microzooplankton biomass. Microflagellate, dinoflagellate, and microzooplankton biomass, in combination with temperature or salinity were the best predictors of egg production and hatching success at the individual sites. The lack of consistency among sites may have been due to differences in environmental conditions at the sites, which in turn, could have affected the biochemical composition of the algae and their grazers. Artificial diets, microencapsulated in a Ca-alginate matrix, were developed to determine the relationships between maternal diet and hatching success. Artificial diets are less variable than natural diets. Cultured animals were used to reduce age and genotype variability. An experimental microencapsulated diet ( Basic diet) was designed to support egg production with hatching success similar to that of eggs produced on a mixed algal diet. Attempts to produce the experimental diet were only partially successful. Egg production rates were low \u3c 10 eggs female-1 d-1), but hatching success was high (\u3e80%). The Basic diet was subsequently modified to determine the effects of nutrient concentration and composition on egg production and hatching success. The mean hatching success of eggs produced by copepods offered the Reduced Basic diet (overall nutrient reduction) was lower than that of eggs produced on the Basic experimental diet while there was an increase in the variability. Neither egg production nor hatching success increased significantly when the particle concentration of the Reduced Basic diet was doubled to approximate the nutrient concentrations provided by the Basic experimental diet. The percent hatching success of eggs produced on the Reduced Lipid diet was significantly lower than that on the Basic diet. The mean hatching success of eggs produced on the Reduced Protein diet was lower than the hatching success of eggs produced on the Basic diet, but the difference was not significant. The lowering of hatching success resulting from the reduction of dietary lipids may be associated with the order in which nutrients are used for energy (i.e., crustaceans will use carbohydrates and then lipids as an energy source, resorting to proteins when there are insufficient quantities of the other nutrients) in combination with lipids required for egg production. The variable hatching success measured in the field may be the result of the combined effects of the unknown age of the animals used in the experiments, time elapsed from the last mating, the nutrient composition of the diet and the degree to which a species utilizes it body stores (which are affected by past feeding history) for egg production