Aerothermochemical Nonequilibrium Modeling for Oxygen Flows

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143077/1/1.T4962.pd

COMPETITION AMONG HOSPITALS AND ITS MEASUREMENT: THEORY AND A CASE STUDY

Our paper provides several insights on the characteristics of the concept of “Poles d’Excellence Rurale” (PER) through bilateral comparisons with that of Competitive Pole (CP) and cluster. The concept of PER is a French government’ initiative designed for the development of rural areas similar to that of the Competitive Pole. We emphasize important particularities of these concepts by analyzing some of their similarities and major differences.Pole d’Excellence Rurale, Competitive Pole, cluster, rural development

Impaired visual short-term memory capacity is distinctively associated with structural connectivity of the posterior thalamic radiation and the splenium of the corpus callosum in preterm-born adults

Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk for lasting changes in both the cortico-thalamic system and attention; however, the link between cortico-thalamic and attention changes is as yet little understood. In preterm newborns, cortico-cortical and cortico-thalamic structural connectivity are distinctively altered, with increased local clustering for cortico-cortical and decreased integrity for cortico-thalamic connectivity. In preterm-born adults, among the various attention functions, visual short-term memory (vSTM) capacity is selectively impaired. We hypothesized distinct associations between vSTM capacity and the structural integrity of cortico-thalamic and cortico-cortical connections, respectively, in preterm-born adults. A whole-report paradigm of briefly presented letter arrays based on the computationally formalized Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) was used to quantify parameter vSTM capacity in 26 preterm- and 21 full-term-born adults. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of posterior thalamic radiations and the splenium of the corpus callosum obtained by diffusion tensor imaging were analyzed by tract-based spatial statistics and used as proxies for cortico-thalamic and cortico-cortical structural connectivity. The relationship between vSTM capacity and cortico-thalamic and cortico-cortical connectivity, respectively, was significantly modified by prematurity. In full-term-born adults, the higher FA in the right posterior thalamic radiation the higher vSTM capacity; in preterm-born adults this FA-vSTM-relationship was inversed. In the splenium, higher FA was correlated with higher vSTM capacity in preterm-born adults, whereas no significant relationship was evident in full-term-born adults. These results indicate distinct associations between cortico-thalamic and cortico-cortical integrity and vSTM capacity in preterm-and full-term-born adults. Data suggest compensatory cortico-cortical fiber re-organization for attention deficits after preterm delivery

The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI): an instrument for the comprehensive estimation of lifetime noise exposure

Lifetime noise exposure is generally quantified by self report. The accuracy of retrospective self report is limited by respondent recall, but is also bound to be influenced by reporting procedures. Such procedures are of variable quality in current measures of lifetime noise exposure, and off-the-shelf instruments are not readily available. The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI) represents an attempt to draw together some of the stronger elements of existing procedures and to provide solutions to their outstanding limitations. Reporting is not restricted to pre-specified exposure activities, and instead encompasses all activities that the respondent has experienced as noisy (defined based on sound level estimated from vocal effort). Changing exposure habits over time are reported by dividing the lifespan into discrete periods in which exposure habits were approximately stable, with life milestones used to aid recall. Exposure duration, sound level, and use of hearing protection are reported for each life period separately. Simple-to-follow methods are provided for the estimation of free-field sound level, the sound level emitted by personal listening devices, and the attenuation provided by hearing protective equipment. An energy-based means of combining the resulting data is supplied, along with a primarily energy-based method for incorporating firearm-noise exposure. Finally, the NESI acknowledges the need of some users to tailor the procedures; this flexibility is afforded and reasonable modifications are described. Competency needs of new users are addressed through detailed interview instructions (including troubleshooting tips) and a demonstration video. Limited evaluation data are available and future efforts at evaluation are proposed

Comparative chromosome painting discloses homologous Segments in distantly related mammals

Comparative chromosome painting, termed ZOO-FISH, using DNA libraries from flow sorted human chromosomes 1,16,17 and X, and mouse chromosome 11 discloses the presence of syntenic groups in distantly related mammalian Orders ranging from primates (Homo sapiens), rodents (Mus musculus), even-toed ungulates (Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis and Muntiacus reevesi) and whales (Balaenoptera physalus). These mammalian Orders have evolved separately for 55-80 million years (Myr). We conclude that ZOO-FISH can be used to generate comparative chromosome maps of a large number of mammalian species

Monitoring event-scale stream bluff erosion with repeat terrestrial laser scanning: Amity Creek, Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. April 2014. Major:Geological Sciences. Advisor: Karen B. Gran. 1 computer file (PDF); vii, 118 pages, appendices p. 93-118.Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology provides high-resolution topographic data that can be used to detect geomorphic change in natural environments. In this study, we utilize successive terrestrial laser scans to investigate the relationship between peak flow rates and stream bluff erosion in the Amity Creek watershed in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. We selected eight study bluffs to conduct terrestrial laser scans following all significant flow events over a one-year time period. The study employed a Faro Focus 3D phase-shift laser to collect TLS point cloud data. Post-processing of the TLS point cloud data sets involved: (1) digital removal of vegetation and objects other than the erosional surface of interest; (2) decimation of the point cloud in PC Tools and extraction of zmin values to produce a data set manageable in GIS; (3) creation of a bare earth digital elevation model (DEM) for each set of scans using ArcMap; and (4) utilization of Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) software to generate DEMs of Difference (DoDs) from previous terrestrial laser scans. GCD data were used to calculate volumes of erosion and deposition and average retreat distances for time periods over which change was detected. Analysis of DoD color change images allowed for interpretation of the dominant processes responsible for bluff erosion. Sediment samples were collected for bulk density and grain size analyses to determine bluff characteristics and convert erosional volumes to mass; mass was then compared with Total Suspended Solids (TSS) loads from previous years. Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) samples were collected in areas where bluffs were located to determine spatial variation in concentrations during precipitation events. There were four time periods from November 2011 to November 2012 in which change was measured at our study bluffs: winter and the transition into spring melt; two major precipitation events in late spring and early summer, and low base flow conditions continuing into late fall. These distinct time periods provided an opportunity to observe the impact of high flow events and other processes on bluff erosion throughout the watershed. Freeze-thaw cycling and saturated conditions in late winter and early spring were found to influence erosion of study bluffs; retreat distances averaged -0.22 m for sites measured during that time period, where negative values indicate erosion. Approximately 5 inches of intermittent rain over a six-day period from May 23-28 resulted in slumping at many bluffs and one major failure. The 500-year flood that occurred following 7.25 inches of precipitation on June 19-20 induced severe erosion; most sites experienced significant fluvial scour along the toe of the bluff. Very little change was measured in our study bluffs during the period of low base flow, spanning from early summer (post-flood) into late fall. Change detection results and stream gage flow data were utilized to examine the effects of peak flows, total flow volume, and duration above bankfull discharge on bluff erosion. Results from our TLS analyses show a strong correlation between high flows and erosion of stream bluffs in the Amity Creek watershed. Average bluff retreat distances vary significantly over the time periods in which change was measured, ranging from -0.41 m during the June flood, to essentially no change when base flow was low. Using our change detection measurements, we calculated an annual average retreat rate of -0.50 m/yr. By applying this rate to a watershed-scale bluff inventory, we estimated the total volume of sediment eroded from unvegetated bluffs in the watershed between November 2011 and November 2012. Results show that bluffs are likely the primary source of fine sediment contributing to the creek's turbidity impairment. Load calculations from our bluff erosion work were compared to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) estimates from previous years, and were found to conceivably represent 100% of the total sediment load even with the 500-year event removed. Erosion during the June flood accounted for approximately 80% of the sediment load from bluff erosion between November 2011 and November 2012. TLS results from this study show that major events are responsible for inducing considerable bluff erosion and moving the vast majority of sediment through the system. Additionally, our data demonstrate that management of turbidity-plagued watersheds along the North Shore and other regions of the state must include a focus on bluffs

Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) characterization. Revision 9

This ninth revision of the Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization presents current environmental data regarding the hanford Site and its immediate environs. This information is intended for use in preparing Chapters 4 and 6 in Hanford Site-related NEPA documents. Chapter 4.0 (Affected Environment) includes information on climate and meteorology, geology, hydrology, ecology, cultural, archaeological and historical resources, socioeconomics, and noise. Chapter 6.0 (Statutory and Regulatory Requirements) provides the preparer with the federal and state regulations, DOE directives and permits, and environmental standards directly applicable to the NEPA documents on the Hanford Site. Not all of the sections have been updated for this revision. The following lists the updated sections: climate and meteorology; ecology (threatened and endangered species section only); culture, archaeological, and historical resources; socioeconomics; all of Chapter 6

SURVEY OF COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN STREAMS FOR COLUMBIA PEBBLESNAIL Fluminicola columbiana AND SHORTFACE LANX Fisherola nuttalli

At present, there are only two remaining sizable populations of Columbia pebblesnail Fluminicola columbiana; those in the Methow and Okanogan rivers, Washington. Smaller populations survive in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, Washington; the lower Salmon River and middle Snake River, Idaho; and possibly in Hells Canyon of the Snake River, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon; and the Grande Ronde River, Oregon and Washington. Neither large population is at present protected, and there has been a substantial documented reduction in the species' historical range. Large populations of the shortface lanx Fisherola nuttalli persist in four streams: the Deschutes River, Oregon; the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, Washington; Hells Canyon of the Snake River, Idaho and Oregon; and the Okanogan River, Washington. Smaller populations, or ones of uncertain size, are known from the lower Salmon and middle Snake rivers, Idaho; the Grande Ronde, Washington and Oregon; Imnaha and John Day rivers, Oregon; Bonneville Dam area of the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon; and the Methow River, Washington. While substantial range reduction has occurred in this species, and the large populations are not well protected, the problem is not as severe as in the case of the Columbia pebblesnail. Both species appear to have been widespread historically in the mainstem Columbia River and the Columbia River Basin prior to the installation of the current dam system. Both are now apparently reduced within the Columbia River: Columbia pebblesnail to a population in the Hanford Reach plus six other sites that are separated by large areas of unsuitable habitat from those in the river's major mbutaries shortface lanx to two populations (in the Hanford Reach and near Bonneville Dam) plus nine other sites that are separated by large areas of unsuitable habitat from those in the river's major tributaries

Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) characterization. Revision 10

This document describes the US Department of Energy`s (DOE) Hanford Site environment and is numbered to correspond to the chapters where such information is presented in Hanford Site NEPA related documents. The document is intended to provide a consistent description of the Hanford Site environment for the many NEPA documents that are being prepared by contractors. The two chapters in this document (Chapters 4 and 6) are numbered this way to correspond to the chapters where such information is presented in environmental impact statements (EISs) and other Site-related NEPA or CERCLA documentation. Chapter 4.0 (Affected Environment) describes the Hanford Site environment, and includes information on climate and meteorology, geology, hydrology, ecology, cultural, archaeological and historical resources, socioeconomics, and noise. Chapter 6.0 (Statutory and Regulatory Requirements) describes applicable federal and state laws and regulations, DOE directives and permits, and environmental standards directly applicable to the NEPA documents on the Hanford Site