A Method for Broad-Scale Environmental Evaluation as Applied in an Environmental Analysis of Central Ohio

Author Institution: Ohio Biological SurveyA general but comprehensive environmental analysis of the environmental resources of a large region may be conducted utilizing an analysis/index matrix and maps of the analyzed resources. This methodology, previously applied to the 10,976 square mile Central Ohio Water Development Region, incorporates ecologically sound data in a format intelligible to decision makers. Resource maps of the region were completed with features rated, where possible, according to relative significance. Two gridded, summary, composite maps, one for natural components and one for human components, were then compiled. Each grid cell on the natural composite map indexes the significant features in that cell and the land use analog of the ecological serai stage (one of four categories) predominant in that cell. The analog is a comprehensive indicator of the relative degree of natural ecological integrity in the cell. Each grid cell on the human composite map indexes the significant features in that cell and the fair market land value category (one of four categories) predominant in the cell. The land value category is a comprehensive indicator of the human value attributed to that area. The two values for each grid cell on both composite maps are inserted into an analysis/index matrix to yield one of three final analysis/index values. These values, one from a natural perspective and one from a human perspective, indicate areas of overall, relative environmental importance. The natural and the human composite maps may be combined to indicate the areas of potential conflict and tradeoff between these two value systems

A fractionation method to identify qauntitative changes in protein expression mediated by IGF-1 on the proteome of murine C2C12 myoblasts

Although much is known about signal transduction downstream of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), relatively little is known about the global changes in protein expression induced by this hormone. In this study, the acute effects of IGF-1 on the proteome of murine C2C12 cells were examined. Cells were treated with IGF-1 for up to 24 hours, lysed, and fractionated into cytosolic, nuclear, and insoluble portions. Proteins from the cytosolic fraction were further separated using a new batch ion-exchange chromatography method to reduce sample complexity, followed by two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis, and identification of selected proteins by mass spectrometry. PDQuest software was utilized to identify and catalogue temporal changes in protein expression during IGF-1 stimulation. In response to IGF-1 stimulation, expression of 23 proteins increased at least three-fold and expression of 17 proteins decreased at least three-fold compared with control un-stimulated C2C12 cells. Changes in expression of selected proteins from each group, including Rho-GDI, cofillin, RAD50, enolase, IκB kinase b (IκBKb) and Hsp70 were confirmed by Western blotting. Additionally, the position of 136 'landmark' proteins whose expression levels and physicochemical properties did not change appreciably or consistently during IGF-1 treatment were mapped and identified. This characterization of large-scale changes in protein expression in response to growth factor stimulation of C2C12 cells will further help to establish a comprehensive understanding of the networks and pathways involved in the action of IGF-1

Cross Validation of a Figure Skating Blade Instrumented to Measure Figure Skating Impact

Please refer to the pdf version of the abstract located adjacent to the title

Testing metallicity indicators at z~1.4 with the gravitationally lensed galaxy CASSOWARY 20

We present X-shooter observations of CASSOWARY 20 (CSWA 20), a star-forming (SFR ~6 Msol/yr) galaxy at z=1.433, magnified by a factor of 11.5 by the gravitational lensing produced by a massive foreground galaxy at z=0.741. We analysed the integrated physical properties of the HII regions of CSWA 20 using temperature- and density-sensitive emission lines. We find the abundance of oxygen to be ~1/7 of solar, while carbon is ~50 times less abundant than in the Sun. The unusually low C/O ratio may be an indication of a particularly rapid timescale of chemical enrichment. The wide wavelength coverage of X-shooter gives us access to five different methods for determining the metallicity of CSWA 20, three based on emission lines from HII regions and two on absorption features formed in the atmospheres of massive stars. All five estimates are in agreement, within the factor of ~2 uncertainty of each method. The interstellar medium of CSWA 20 only partially covers the star-forming region as viewed from our direction; in particular, absorption lines from neutrals and first ions are exceptionally weak. We find evidence for large-scale outflows of the interstellar medium (ISM) with speeds of up 750 km/s, similar to the values measured in other high-z galaxies sustaining much higher rates of star formation.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Fate of diluted bitumen spilled in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada.

Abstract There is public concern about the behaviour of spilled diluted bitumen (dilbit) in marine and estuarine waters. We provide a preliminary assessment of the results of laboratory experiments and models, in the context of environmental conditions in the coastal waters of British Columbia. Most dilbit spilled within this region would likely float at the surface and be transported to shore by winds and currents. Fresh dilbit is too light to sink in coastal waters. Highly weathered dilbit could sink where salinity is less than 14, typically only near river mouths and in the top 1–3 m of fjords after heavy rainfall. Subsurface plumes of weathered dilbit could re-emerge at the surface. Sinking oil-particle aggregates are unlikely to form in coastal waters. However, dilbit could be entrained below the surface by wave mixing during storms and to depths of 150 m by coherent mixing in the Haro Strait tidal convergence zone

VLT spectroscopy of XTE J2123-058 during quiescence

We present VLT low resolution spectroscopy of the neutron star X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 during its quiescent state. Our data reveal the presence of a K7V companion which contributes 77 % to the total flux at 6300 A and orbits the neutron star at K_2 = 287 +/- 12 km/s. Contrary to other soft X-ray transients (SXTs), the Halpha emission is almost exactly in antiphase with the velocity curve of the optical companion. Using the light-center technique we obtain K_1 = 140 +/- 27 km/s and hence q=K_1/K_2=M_2/M_1= 0.49 +/- 0.10. This, combined with a previous determination of the inclination angle (i=73 +/- 4) yields M_1 = 1.55 +/- 0.31 Msun and M_2 = 0.76 +/- 0.22 Msun. M_2 agrees well with the observed spectral type. Doppler tomography of the Halpha emission shows a non-symmetric accretion disc distribution mimicking that seen in SW Sex stars. Although we find a large systemic velocity of -110 +/- 8 km/s this value is consistent with the galactic rotation velocity at the position of J2123-058, and hence a halo origin. The formation scenario of J2123-058 is still unresolved.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS with very minor change

Herbicide resistant dinitrogen fixing bacteria and method of use

The bacteria are useful for effecting N2 fixation, nodulation, growth and yield of herbicide resistant or tolerant leguminous plants treated with herbicide. They are particularly useful for providing competitive advantage to superior N2 fixing rhizobial strains over non-resistant indigenous rhizobia for nodulation of herbicide resistant or tolerant leguminous plants

A classification of soybeans

Publication authorized November 7, 1929.Includes index

Korean lespedeza in Missouri

Cover title

The C-Band All-Sky Survey: Instrument design, status, and first-look data

The C-Band All-Sky Survey (C-BASS) aims to produce sensitive, all-sky maps of diffuse Galactic emission at 5 GHz in total intensity and linear polarization. These maps will be used (with other surveys) to separate the several astrophysical components contributing to microwave emission, and in particular will allow an accurate map of synchrotron emission to be produced for the subtraction of foregrounds from measurements of the polarized Cosmic Microwave Background. We describe the design of the analog instrument, the optics of our 6.1 m dish at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, the status of observations, and first-look data.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, published in Proceedings of SPIE MIllimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy V (2010), Vol. 7741, 77411I-1 - 77411I-1