Electrical charging of ash in Icelandic volcanic plumes

The existence of volcanic lightning and alteration of the atmospheric potential gradient in the vicinity of near-vent volcanic plumes provides strong evidence for the charging of volcanic ash. More subtle electrical effects are also visible in balloon soundings of distal volcanic plumes. Near the vent, some proposed charging mechanisms are fractoemission, triboelectrification, and the so-called "dirty thunderstorm" mechanism, which is where ash and convective clouds interact electrically to enhance charging. Distant from the vent, a self-charging mechanism, probably triboelectrification, has been suggested to explain the sustained low levels of charge observed on a distal plume. Recent research by Houghton et al. (2013) linked the self-charging of volcanic ash to the properties of the particle size distribution, observing that a highly polydisperse ash distribution would charge more effectively than a monodisperse one. Natural radioactivity in some volcanic ash could also contribute to self-charging of volcanic plumes. Here we present laboratory measurements of particle size distributions, triboelectrification and radioactivity in ash samples from the Gr\'{i}msv\"{o}tn and Eyjafjallaj\"{o}kull volcanic eruptions in 2011 and 2010 respectively, and discuss the implications of our findings.Comment: XV Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, 15-20 June 2014, Norman, Oklahoma, US

Quantitative and Qualitative Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Anticancer Agents, Drugs of Abuse and Enzyme-Inhibitor Complexes

Mass spectrometry is a valuable tool in the analysis of many types of compounds. From small molecules to large proteins, mass spectrometry can help to interrogate samples and give insights to the origins of disease as well as calculate an exact concentration. Bioanalytical method development is an integral component in the measurement of such compounds. To facilitate proper analytical investigation, the process of method development, analysis, and interpretation must be understood. This work describes the basis and procedure for bioanalytical method development and its detailed application to preclinical studies of the antineoplastic agent hexamethylene bisacetamide and measurement ofillicit drugs of abuse benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, procedures for analyzing protein-drug interactions and their implication in antibiotic resistance are discusse

Quantitative and Qualitative Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Anticancer Agents, Drugs of Abuse and Enzyme-Inhibitor Complexes

Mass spectrometry is a valuable tool in the analysis of many types of compounds. From small molecules to large proteins, mass spectrometry can help to interrogate samples and give insights to the origins of disease as well as calculate an exact concentration. Bioanalytical method development is an integral component in the measurement of such compounds. To facilitate proper analytical investigation, the process of method development, analysis, and interpretation must be understood. This work describes the basis and procedure for bioanalytical method development and its detailed application to preclinical studies of the antineoplastic agent hexamethylene bisacetamide and measurement ofillicit drugs of abuse benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, procedures for analyzing protein-drug interactions and their implication in antibiotic resistance are discusse

VEGF with AMD3100 Endogenously Mobilizes Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Improves Fracture Healing

A significant number of fractures develop non‐union. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy may be beneficial, however, this requires cell acquisition, culture and delivery. Endogenous mobilization of stem cells offers a non‐invasive alternative. The hypothesis was administration of VEGF and the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 would increase the circulating pool of available MSCs and improve fracture healing. Ex‐breeder female wistar rats received VEGF followed by AMD3100, or sham PBS. Blood prepared for culture and colonies were counted. P3 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, bi‐differentiation. The effect of mobilization on fracture healing was evaluated with 1.5 mm femoral osteotomy stabilized with an external fixator in 12–14 week old female Wistars. The mobilized group had significantly greater number of cfus/ml compared to controls, p = 0.029. The isolated cells expressed 1.8% CD34, 35% CD45, 61% CD29, 78% CD90, and differentiated into osteoblasts but not into adipocytes. The fracture gap in animals treated with VEGF and AMD3100 showed increased bone volume; 5.22 ± 1.7 µm3 and trabecular thickness 0.05 ± 0.01 µm compared with control animals (4.3 ± 3.1 µm3, 0.04 ± 0.01 µm, respectively). Radiographic scores quantifying fracture healing (RUST) showed that the animals in the mobilization group had a higher healing score compared to controls (9.6 vs. 7.7). Histologically, mobilization resulted in significantly lower group variability in bone formation (p = 0.032) and greater amounts of bone and less fibrous tissue than the control group. Clinical significance: This pre‐clinical study demonstrates a beneficial effect of endogenous MSC mobilization on fracture healing, which may have translation potential to prevent or treat clinical fractures at risk of delayed or non‐union fractures

"We did listen": Successful aging from the perspective of Alaska Native Elders in Northwest Alaska

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2018Alaska's older adults are growing faster in proportion to the overall population creating concern regarding how adequate care will be provided in the coming years. Statewide, rural community members are looking for innovative, culturally appropriate ways to promote successful aging for their growing population of elders, allowing them to age in their home communities. This qualitative, phenomenological study sought to establish a deeper understanding of how Alaska Native Elders in Northwest Alaska understand and experience successful aging to inform program development and service delivery. The present project was embedded within a larger community-based participatory research study and conducted in collaboration with community members and an Alaska Native Elder Advisory Committee. The 14 community-nominated Elder participants universally identified engagement with family and community, self-awareness and care, and a sense of gratitude as essential elements of successful aging. Elders who age successfully listened to and learned from their Elders, enact their traditional values and practices, and pass their wisdom and knowledge to future generations. The results provide a culture and context specific understanding of successful aging that will help communities develop Elder-centered programs and service delivery and contributes to field of successful aging by presenting a perspective of successful aging that is not currently represented in the literature. Finally, by recording the Elders' knowledge and stories of successful aging this project also helped preserve some of the traditional cultural knowledge held by Elders in this region to be shared with generations to come

575 Tlingit verbs: a study of Tlingit verb paradigms

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013The Tlingit language, indigenous to Southeast Alaska and neighboring parts of British Columbia and the Yukon territory, is related to the Athabascan languages and the recently extinct language Eyak. Like Athabascan and Eyak, Tlingit verbal morphology is highly complex. The conjugation of Tlingit verbs is unpredictable in certain respects, making the documentation of verb forms from native speakers critical, due to the highly endangered state of the language, and because this has never before been documented for Tlingit. The objectives of the research presented here are twofold: 1) to document complete paradigms for 575 verbs, and; 2) to create a reference for second language learners and teachers of Tlingit. For each of the verbs included in the research, twelve modes were systematically documented through consultation with a group of native speakers. The newly documented forms were compiled into a database using Toolbox software and additionally organized into a user-friendly online database, hosted on the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation website. Based on the documented forms, descriptions of each of the twelve modes were written, with second language students and teachers as the target audience. The descriptions of each mode include information pertaining to the semantics, morphology, and verb stem variation, and are intended to assist second language learners in mastering the difficult task of conjugating Tlingit verbs. Another critical item included for each verb entry is the verb theme, which illustrates all of its component parts including thematic prefix, conjugation prefix, classifier, and stem. The accompanying detailed description of each element of the verb theme serves as a grammatical sketch of the Tlingit verb for language learners. An additional result of the research is a set of nine prefix combination charts. Because the Tlingit verb has many prefix positions, there are a number of regular contractions that take place in conjugating a verb. The prefix combination charts illustrate the regular contractions that take place between the thematic prefixes, conjugation prefixes, aspect prefixes, subject prefixes, and classifiers, to name a few. These charts show language learners how to switch between subject prefixes for a given verb

Quantitative and Qualitative Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Anticancer Agents, Drugs of Abuse and Enzyme-Inhibitor Complexes

Mass spectrometry is a valuable tool in the analysis of many types of compounds. From small molecules to large proteins, mass spectrometry can help to interrogate samples and give insights to the origins of disease as well as calculate an exact concentration. Bioanalytical method development is an integral component in the measurement of such compounds. To facilitate proper analytical investigation, the process of method development, analysis, and interpretation must be understood. This work describes the basis and procedure for bioanalytical method development and its detailed application to preclinical studies of the antineoplastic agent hexamethylene bisacetamide and measurement ofillicit drugs of abuse benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, procedures for analyzing protein-drug interactions and their implication in antibiotic resistance are discusse

Effects of repeated consumption on sensory-enhanced satiety

Previous research suggests that sensory characteristics of a drink modify the acute satiating effects of its nutrients, with enhanced satiety evident when a high energy drink was thicker and tasted creamier. The present study tested whether this modulation of satiety by sensory context was altered by repeated consumption. Participants (n=48) consumed one of four drinks mid-morning on seven non-consecutive days with satiety responses measured pre-exposure (day 1), post-exposure (day 6) and at a one month follow-up. Drinks combined two levels of energy (lower energy, LE, 326 KJ: higher energy, HE, 1163KJ) with two levels of satiety-predictive sensory characteristics (low-sensory, LS, or enhanced sensory, ES). Test lunch intake 90 minutes after drink consumption depended on both the energy content and sensory characteristics of the drink before exposure, but on energy content alone at post-exposure and the follow-up. The largest change was an increase in test meal intake over time in the LE/LS condition. Effects on intake were reflected in appetite ratings, with rated hunger and expected filling affected by sensory characteristics and energy content pre-exposure, but were largely determined by energy content post exposure and at follow up. In contrast, a measure of expected satiety reflected sensory characteristics regardless of energy content on all three test days. Overall these data suggest that some aspects of the sensory-modulation of satiety are changed by repeated consumption, with covert energy becoming more effective in suppressing appetite over time, but also suggest that these behavioural changes are not readily translated into expectations of satiety

Promoting healthy parenting practices across cultural groups: a CDC research brief

Promoting Healthy Parenting Practices Across Cultural Groups: A CDC Research Brief summarizes findings from a CDC study on cultural values and parenting and child rearing. The study focused on five cultural groups--African-Americans, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and non-Hispanic Whites. It examined the ways that parents respond to children's behavior and their views of desirable or undesirable parenting practices. Uncovering the differences and commonalities in values, normative practices, and child-rearing goals across cultural groups is an important step in developing culturally-competent and effective programs and support for parents of all cultural backgrounds.authors, Keri M. Lubell, Teresa Lofton, Helen Harber Singer.A publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and the Adolescent Goals TeamAlso available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 17-18)Lubell KM, Lofton T, Singer HH. Promoting Healthy Parenting Practices Across Cultural Groups: A CDC Research Brief. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2008

Benthic invertebrates that form habitat on deep banks off southern California, with special reference to deep sea coral

There is increasing interest in the potential impacts that fishing activities have on megafaunal benthic invertebrates occurring in continental shelf and slope ecosystems. We examined how the structure, size, and high-density aggregations of invertebrates provided structural relief for fishes in continental shelf and slope ecosystems off southern California. We made 112 dives in a submersible at 32−320 m water depth, surveying a variety of habitats from high-relief rock to flat sand and mud. Using quantitative video transect methods, we made 12,360 observations of 15 structure-form-ing invertebrate taxa and 521,898 individuals. We estimated size and incidence of epizoic animals on 9105 sponges, black corals, and gorgonians. Size variation among structure-form-ing invertebrates was significant and 90% of the individuals were <0.5 m high. Less than 1% of the observations of organisms actually sheltering in or located on invertebrates involved fishes. From the analysis of spatial associations between fishes and large invertebrates, six of 108 fish species were found more often adjacent to invertebrate colonies than the number of fish predicted by the fish-density data from transects. This finding indicates that there may be spatial associations that do not necessarily include physical contact with the sponges and corals. However, the median distances between these six fish species and the invertebrates were not particularly small (1.0−5.5 m). Thus, it is likely that these fishes and invertebrates are present together in the same habitats but that there is not necessarily a functional relationship between these groups of organisms. Regardless of their associations with fishes, these invertebrates provide structure and diversity for continental shelf ecosystems off southern California and certainly deserve the attention of scientists undertaking future conservation efforts