Population assessment of the vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens, from the Southeastern United States

Changes in the age structure and population size of vermilion snapper, Rhornboplites aurorubens, from North Carolina through the Florida Keys were examined using records of landings and size frequencies of fish from commercial, recreational, and headboat fisheries from 1986-1996. Population size in numbers at age was estimated for each year by applying separable virtual population analysis (SVPA) to the landings in numbers at age. SVPA was used to estimate annual, age-specific fishing mortality (F) for four levels of natural mortality (M = 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, and 0.35). Although landings of vermilion snapper for the three fisheries have declined, minimum fish size regulations have resulted in an increase in the mean size of fish landed. Age at entry and age at full recruitment were age-1 andage-3 fDr 1986-1991, compared with age-1 and age-4, respectively, for 1992-1996. Levels of mortality from fishing (F) ranged from 0.38 - 0.61 for the entire period. Current spawning potential ratio (SPR) is 21% or 27% depending on the natural mortality estimate. SPR could be raised to 30% or 40% with a reduction in F, or by increasing the age at entry to the fisheries. The latter could be enhanced now if fishermen, particularly recreational, comply with minimum size regulations. However, released fish mortality, modeled in the assessment at 27%, will continue to make the achievement of 30% and 40% SPR more difficult. (PDF contains 63 pages

Reactions of selected pupils on inquiry forms and by personal interviews seeking to discover present interests and attitudes in the science of their own age level

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityThesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Complete replication of hepatitis C virus in cell culture.

Many aspects of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle have not been reproduced in cell culture, which has slowed research progress on this important human pathogen. Here, we describe a full-length HCV genome that replicates and produces virus particles that are infectious in cell culture (HCVcc). Replication of HCVcc was robust, producing nearly 10(5) infectious units per milliliter within 48 hours. Virus particles were filterable and neutralized with a monoclonal antibody against the viral glycoprotein E2. Viral entry was dependent on cellular expression of a putative HCV receptor, CD81. HCVcc replication was inhibited by interferon-alpha and by several HCV-specific antiviral compounds, suggesting that this in vitro system will aid in the search for improved antivirals

The role of intrinsic efficacy in determining response to a β2-agonist in acute severe asthma

SummaryBackgroundCurrent guidelines recommend repeated doses of albuterol for the emergency treatment of acute asthma. However, approximately one-third of patients show little or no initial response to this partial β2-agonist.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, proof-of-concept study to investigate whether a full β2-agonist, isoproterenol, offers a therapeutic advantage in adults presenting with acute severe asthma (FEV1<50%) who fail to respond to an initial treatment of the partial β2-agonist, albuterol. Study subjects were randomized to receive a 2-h continuous nebulization of either albuterol (7.5mg/h) (n=10, mean FEV1=37% predicted) or isoproterenol (7.5mg/h) (n=9, mean FEV1=33% predicted). Respiratory symptoms, vital signs and pulmonary function measures were collected.ResultsSubjects from both treatment groups had similar baseline characteristics. The percent improvements from baseline FEV1 at 60 and 120min were significantly higher in subjects receiving isoproterenol than those receiving albuterol (44 vs. 17% and 63 vs. 24%, respectively, P<0.05). The change in symptoms measured by the modified Borg score was also significantly greater in subjects receiving isoproterenol (P<0.01). Both treatments were well tolerated, though the mean increase in pulse rate at 60 and 120min (21 vs. 1 and 23 vs. 6beats/min, respectively, P<0.05) and the mean change in serum potassium at 120min (−0.52 vs. −0.07meq/L, P<0.05) from baseline were significantly greater in the isoproterenol group.ConclusionsOur data suggest that in subjects presenting with acute severe asthma who fail to show an initial response to albuterol, the use of a β2-agonist of higher intrinsic efficacy can be more effective in improving lung function and symptoms

Brain mapping in a patient with congenital blindness – A case for multimodal approaches

Recent advances in basic neuroscience research across a wide range of methodologies have contributed significantly to our understanding of human cortical electrophysiology and functional brain imaging. Translation of this research into clinical neurosurgery has opened doors for advanced mapping of functionality that previously was prohibitively difficult, if not impossible. Here we present the case of a unique individual with congenital blindness and medically refractory epilepsy who underwent neurosurgical treatment of her seizures. Pre-operative evaluation presented the challenge of accurately and robustly mapping the cerebral cortex for an individual with a high probability of significant cortical re-organization. Additionally, a blind individual has unique priorities in one's ability to read Braille by touch and sense the environment primarily by sound than the non-vision impaired person. For these reasons we employed additional measures to map sensory, motor, speech, language, and auditory perception by employing a number of cortical electrophysiologic mapping and functional magnetic resonance imaging methods. Our data show promising results in the application of these adjunctive methods in the pre-operative mapping of otherwise difficult to localize, and highly variable, functional cortical areas

Space and transatmospheric propulsion technology

This report focuses primarily on Japan's programs in liquid rocket propulsion and propulsion for spaceplane and related transatmospheric areas. It refers briefly to Japan's solid rocket programs and to new supersonic air-breathing propulsion efforts. The panel observed that the Japanese had a carefully thought-out plan, a broad-based program, and an ambitious but achievable schedule for propulsion activity. Japan's overall propulsion program is behind that of the United States at the time of this study, but the Japanese are gaining rapidly. The Japanese are at the forefront in such key areas as advanced materials, enjoying a high level of project continuity and funding. Japan's space program has been evolutionary in nature, while the U.S. program has emphasized revolutionary advances. Projects have typically been smaller in Japan than in the United States, focusing on incremental advances in technology, with an excellent record of applying proven technology to new projects. This evolutionary approach, coupled with an ability to take technology off the shelf from other countries, has resulted in relatively low development costs, rapid progress, and enhanced reliability. Clearly Japan is positioned to be a world leader in space and transatmospheric propulsion technology by the year 2000

An Economic Analysis of the Appalachian Coal Industry Ecosystem: Summary Report

The decline in the demand for coal has led to significant negative impacts in areas throughout Appalachia. Consider the integrated effects across components of the coal industry ecosystem (CIE). As extraction activity is diminished, there are ripples through the industry supply chain that extends to a wide number of sectors, occupations, and county and multi-county regions of the Appalachian economy. As these suppliers are impacted, jobs are imperiled, and the fiscal health of communities i s weakened. Displaced workers will need to seek alternative employment opportunities that may entail investments in formal education and training, and this takes both time and resources. As the economic base suffers, state and local governments will see their capacity to fund education weaken as well. The decline in natural gas prices and increasing environmental concerns, along with the age of the capital stock, has affected coal-fired power generation in the Appalachian Region. When capacity is replaced by natural gas, the demand for the Region’s coal is further distressed. The shifting structure and spatial location of power generation creates additional impacts on the economic base, tax base, and employment prospects. A vibrant rail transportation infrastructure has developed to support coal-related commerce and this regional asset is now at risk. Retirement of portions of the railroad capital stock may translate into higher transportation costs and diminished opportunities for economic development tied to the movement of bulk commodities, inputs, and final products

The Lantern Vol. 15, No. 2, Spring 1947

• Midsummer Afternoon\u27s Dream • Lost Love • The Rocket • Speak Now--- • Unique Experience • The Exile • Chronology • Procrustean Dike • A Faeble • The Paris Story • Inspiration • Gently Spoken • On Shavinghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1041/thumbnail.jp

An Analysis of Private School Closings

We add to the small literature on private school supply by exploring exits of K-12 private schools. We find that the closure of private schools is not an infrequent event, and use national survey data from the National Center for Education Statistics to study closures of private schools. We assume that the probability of an exit is a function of excess supply of private schools over the demand, as well as the school's characteristics such as age, size, and religious affiliation. Our empirical results generally support the implications of the model. Working Paper 07-0

Boojums and the Shapes of Domains in Monolayer Films

Domains in Langmuir monolayers support a texture that is the two-dimensional version of the feature known as a boojum. Such a texture has a quantifiable effect on the shape of the domain with which it is associated. The most noticeable consequence is a cusp-like feature on the domain boundary. We report the results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of the shape of a domain in a Langmuir monolayer. A further aspect of the investigation is the study of the shape of a ``bubble'' of gas-like phase in such a monolayer. This structure supports a texture having the form of an inverse boojum. The distortion of a bubble resulting from this texture is also studied. The correspondence between theory and experiment, while not perfect, indicates that a qualitative understanding of the relationship between textures and domain shapes has been achieved.Comment: replaced with published version, 10 pages, 13 figures include