Seismic Reflection Studies in Long Valley Caldera, Califomia

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/90JB02401.Seismic reflection studies in Long Valley caldera, California, indicate that seismic methods may be successfully employed to image certain types of features in young silicic caldera environments. However, near-surface geological conditions within these environments severely test the seismic reflection method. Data quality are degraded by static, reverberation, and band-limiting problems due to these near-surface conditions. In Long Valley, seismic reflection and refraction methods were used to image both the shallow and deep geothermal aquifers within the area. The deep geothermal aquifer, the welded Bishop Tuff, was imaged as a fairly continuous reflector across the western moat of the caldera. Near-surface refraction information indicates that there may be a buried paleochannel system or horst and graben system that could control the shallow geothermal flow pattern. High-amplitude events observed in a wide-angle survey were originally interpreted as reflections from a contemporary magma body. However, a migration of the events utilizing the new generalized cellular migration algorithm indicates that these events are probably reflections from the faults of the caldera ring fracture system. The reflections may be caused by the high acoustic impedance contrast associated with the juxtaposition of relatively low-velocity, low-density, caldera fill against the granite plutons and metasediments of the Sierran basement along this fault system

Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Lipoprotein Profile and Particle Size in Hispanic Women

The effect of increased Ω3 fatty acids on lipoprotein sub-fractions has not been well studied in Hispanic women, a group with a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to examine the effect of a 90-day (90D) combined EPA+DHA supplementation on lipoprotein profiles of Hispanic women. Twenty-seven non-diabetic women were randomly assigned to the Ω3 group (n=17, 1.9 g/day EPA+DHA) or the placebo group (n=10, 2 g/day oleic acid). At baseline (0D) and 90D a fasting blood sample was drawn for determination of lipoprotein profile and lipoprotein particle sub-fractions. For the Ω3 group, total cholesterol increased 6.5%, triglycerides were reduced 14.8%, LDL concentration increased 5.6%, and total LDL particle size concentration increased 8.2% (P \u3c 0.05). Large LDL particle size concentration increased 16% from 0D to 90D, this change was not significant (P = 0.051). At 90D, total cholesterol, LDLs, and LDL particle concentration were higher in the Ω3 group compared to placebo (P \u3c 0.05). Omega-3 supplementation resulted in reduced plasma TGs and an increase in large LDL particle size concentration, yet had no effect on HDL particle size or concentration. Further research is necessary to examine the effects of increased Ω3 fatty acid intake in Hispanic women on dyslipidemia and related co-morbidities

Automated nondestructive evaluation method for characterizing ceramic and metallic hot gas filters.

In advanced coal-fired power generation, one technology under development to clean up hot gases before their use as fuel for gas turbines is rigid ceramic candle filters. These porous filters are typically 1.5 m long and 60 mm in diameter and are made of various ceramic materials, including clay-bonded SiC. The high costs of downtime in a large utility demands that nondestructive evaluation/characterization (NDE/C) methods be available. At shutdowns, data from such analysis are needed to decide which filters are still usable and which need to be replaced, and if possible, to estimate the remaining lifetimes. Thus our objective was to develop reliable low-cost NDE technology for these filters. Our approach was to develop NDE/C technology, referred to as acousto-ultrasonics (AU), for application to hot gas filters. Lamb waves generated by the AU method were analyzed to derive a stress wave factor (SWF). This technology was tested by comparing SWF data with the measured strength for a variety of rigid ceramic filters and was shown to work on iron-aluminide filters as well but no strength data have been obtained on the iron-aluminides at this time

Advanced Glycation End Product Interventions Reduce Diabetes-Accelerated Atherosclerosis

Advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis, particularly in diabetes. The present study explored atherosclerosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE�/�) mice that were randomized (n � 20) to receive for 20 weeks no treatment, the AGE cross-link breaker ALT-711, or the inhibitor of AGE formation aminoguanidine (AG). A sixfold increase in plaque area with diabetes was attenuated by 30 % with ALT-711 and by 40 % in AG-treated mice. Regional distribution of plaque demonstrated no reduction in plaque area or complexity within the aortic arch with treatment, in contrast to the thoracic and abdominal aortas, where significant attenuation was seen. Diabetes-associated accumulation of AGEs in aorta

Chapter 7: Wetlands

Contains fulltext : 205862.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Benefit of an electronic head‐mounted low vision aid

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of electronic head-mounted low vision aid (e-LVA) SightPlus (GiveVision, UK, givevision.net) and to determine which people with low vision would see themselves likely using an e-LVA like this. Methods: Sixty participants with low vision aged 18 to 93 used SightPlus during an in-clinic study session based on a mixed methods design. Visual acuity (ETDRS), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson) and reading performance (MNREAD) were measured binocularly at baseline (no device), with the device in ‘normal’ mode (zoom only), and with preferred enhanced mode (zoom and one of four digital image enhancements). At the end of the session, a short questionnaire recorded willingness to use an e-LVA like SightPlus, potential use cases, positive/negative comments and adverse effects. Results: Binocular distance visual acuity improved significantly by 0.63 logMAR on average (p < 0.0001) to 0.20 logMAR. Contrast sensitivity improved significantly by 0.22 log units (p < 0.0001) to 1.21 log units with zoom only and by 0.40 log units to 1.37 log units with zoom and preferred image enhancement. Reading performance improved significantly for near visual acuity and critical print size (p < 0.015), although reading speed significantly decreased (p < 0.0001). Nearly half (47%) of the participants indicated they would use an e-LVA like SightPlus, especially for television, reading and entertainment (e.g. theatre). Multivariate logistic regression showed that proportion of lifetime affected by sight loss, baseline contrast sensitivity and use of electronic LVAs explained 41% of the variation in willingness to use. Conclusions: SightPlus improves visual function in people with low vision and would be used in its current form by one half of the people who tried it. Adverse effects were infrequent and resolved when the device was removed. Future work should focus on comparing e-LVAs through repeatable real-world tasks and impact on quality of life

Concentration-Dependent Effects of a Dietary Ketone Ester on Components of Energy Balance in Mice

Exogenous ketones may provide therapeutic benefit in treatment of obesity. Administration of the ketone ester (KE) R,S-1,3-butanediol acetoacetate diester (BD-AcAc) decreases body weight in mice, but effects on energy balance have not been extensively characterized. The purpose of this investigation was to explore concentration-dependent effects of BD-AcAc on energy intake and expenditure in mice. Forty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of seven isocaloric diets ( = 6 per group): (1) Control (CON, 0% KE by kcals); (2) KE5 (5% KE); (3) KE10 (10% KE); (4) KE15 (15% KE); (5) KE20 (20% KE); (6) KE25 (25% KE); and (7) KE30 (30% KE) for 3 weeks. Energy intake and body weight were measured daily. Fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), and energy expenditure (EE) were measured at completion of the study. Differences among groups were compared to CON using ANOVA and ANCOVA. Mean energy intake was similar between CON and each concentration of KE, except KE30 which was 12% lower than CON ( \u3c 0.01). KE25 and KE30 had lower body weight and FM compared to CON, while only KE30 had lower LBM ( \u3c 0.03). Adjusted resting and total EE were lower in KE30 compared to CON ( \u3c 0.03), but similar for all other groups. A diet comprised of 30% energy from BD-AcAc results in lower energy intake, coincident with lower body weight and whole animal adiposity; while KE20 and KE25 have significantly lower body weight and adiposity effects independent of changes in energy intake or expenditure

Concentration-Dependent Effects of a Dietary Ketone Ester on Components of Energy Balance in Mice

Objectives: Exogenous ketones may provide therapeutic benefit in treatment of obesity. Administration of the ketone ester (KE) R,S-1,3-butanediol acetoacetate diester (BD-AcAc2) decreases body weight in mice, but effects on energy balance have not been extensively characterized. The purpose of this investigation was to explore concentration-dependent effects of BD-AcAc2 on energy intake and expenditure in mice.Methods: Forty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of seven isocaloric diets (n = 6 per group): (1) Control (CON, 0% KE by kcals); (2) KE5 (5% KE); (3) KE10 (10% KE); (4) KE15 (15% KE); (5) KE20 (20% KE); (6) KE25 (25% KE); and (7) KE30 (30% KE) for 3 weeks. Energy intake and body weight were measured daily. Fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), and energy expenditure (EE) were measured at completion of the study. Differences among groups were compared to CON using ANOVA and ANCOVA.Results: Mean energy intake was similar between CON and each concentration of KE, except KE30 which was 12% lower than CON (P &lt; 0.01). KE25 and KE30 had lower body weight and FM compared to CON, while only KE30 had lower LBM (P &lt; 0.03). Adjusted resting and total EE were lower in KE30 compared to CON (P &lt; 0.03), but similar for all other groups.Conclusions: A diet comprised of 30% energy from BD-AcAc2 results in lower energy intake, coincident with lower body weight and whole animal adiposity; while KE20 and KE25 have significantly lower body weight and adiposity effects independent of changes in energy intake or expenditure

The upside-down river: Reservoirs, algal blooms, and tributaries affect temporal and spatial patterns in nitrogen and phosphorus in the Klamath River, USA

The Klamath River, located in Oregon/California of the Northwestern U.S., is highly impounded and also experiences large seasonal algal blooms and impaired water quality. We investigated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) constituents for one year (2010-2011) across 193. km of the Klamath River at sites above and below reservoirs and major tributaries to determine the influence of these features on longitudinal and temporal trends in concentrations, loads, and N:P ratios. In general, the headwater lake (Upper Klamath Lake) and reservoirs appeared to be the dominant influence on water quality and nutrient dynamics in the upper river, whereas tributaries appeared to exert stronger influence in the lower river. Overall, high nutrients and poor water quality at upstream sites were ameliorated downstream, however the downstream reductions in N were much greater relative to P. Seasonality appeared to play a major role in the overall appearance and magnitude of longitudinal trends. The greatest upstream-downstream differences occurred during periods of time following large algal blooms in the upper portion of the river. Overall, the amount and composition of N appeared to be strongly driven by algal blooms and biogeochemical conditions such as low oxygen, high pH and warm temperatures in the upper portion of the river, whereas P was more strongly driven by seasonal hydrology. The spatiotemporal influence of reservoirs and tributaries on nutrient flux and nutrient ratios may have significant implications for aquatic communities and ecosystem health. Nutrient objectives should be considered when designing restoration, management, and monitoring objectives for projects involving habitat suitability for anadromous fish and potential dam removal