Valley to valley: the biological connection between prehispanic residents of Cochabamba, Bolivia, and Azapa, Chile

One of the most interesting problems facing the interpretation of south central Andean prehistory is to de- cipher the genetic relationships among ancient groups that inhabited this region. This study evaluates the biological relationships between the ancient inhabitants of the coast and interior valleys of the Azapa region in northern Chile and the Cochabamba valleys of Bolivia, with reference to highland Tiwanaku groups. Craniometric data (N = 299) were statistically evaluated to compute group means using Mahalanobis (D2) values. Results demonstrate that there is a notable difference between coastal and interior valley populations of the Azapa region; whereas a close biological association exists between groups from the Cochabamba valleys and the interior Azapa valleys, especially for those associated with the Formative and Tiwanaku Periods.Fil: Varela, Hector H.. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Cs.naturales; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina;Fil: Cocilovo, Jose Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Cs.naturales; Argentina;Fil: O'brien, Tyler G.. University Of Iowa; Estados Unidos de América

Project-Based Learning for English Learners: Promises and Challenges

In this article the authors explore project-based learning (PBL) as an avenue for meeting the needs of English learners against the backdrop of both the 2010 California Common Core State Standards and the 2012 English Language Development Standards. They begin with a definition and brief history of PBL. The authors then propose and expanded version of PBL that considers the unique linguistic needs of ELs and conclude with two promising examples from two California school districts.https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ceel_journalarticles/1005/thumbnail.jp

Sexual dimorphism in prehispanic populations of the Cochabamba Valleys, Bolivia

The expression of sexual dimorphism may vary across time and space, as well as within and between populations depending on genetic and environmental factors that influence growth and development. The objective of the present work is to contribute to the knowledge of factors that determine the physical characteristics of ancient human groups in the eastern valleys of Cochabamba?a key region for cultural development, inter-regional interaction with northern Chile and northwest Argentina, and their noticeable role in the settlement of the south central Andean region. This paper analyzes the differences between males and females crania representing ancient human groups that inhabited the eastern valleys of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Thirty-one craniometric variables are analyzed from a sample of 234 individuals. Differences are evaluated using univariate analysis by ANOVA and multivariate discriminant analysis. The results indicate the existence of higher mean values in males compared to females in most cranial measurements (mean difference 5.3%). The discriminant analysis also reveals a significant morphological difference exists between sexes. Furthermore, by means of the discriminant function, the reclassification of correct sex was 99% of cases. This information indicates that members of this population could live in optimal conditions, with adequate resources to ensure growth and development and normal expression of the phenotype of each sex.Fil: Cocilovo, Jose Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Cs.naturales;Fil: Fuchs, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Cs.naturales;Fil: O' Brien, T. G.. University of Northern Iowa; Estados Unidos de América;Fil: Varela, Hector Hugo. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Cs.naturales

Analysis of water-level data in the Yucca Mountain area, Nevada, 1985--95

From 1985 through 1995, a water-level network that consists of 28 wells for monitoring 36 depth intervals has been maintained in the Yucca Mountain area. The network includes wells that were measured manually, approximately monthly, and/or measured hourly with a transducer/data logger system. Manual water-level measurements were made with either calibrated steel tapes or single or multiconductor-cable units. All wells monitor water levels in Tertiary volcanic rocks, except one that monitors water levels in Paleozoic carbonate rocks. Annual mean water-level altitudes for all wells for the period 1985-95 ranged from 727.93 to 1,034.60 meters. The maximum range in water-level change between monthly measurements and/or monthly mean values was 12.22 meters in well USW H-3 lower interval, and the minimum range was 0.31 meter in wells UE-25 b-1 upper interval, and J-11. In 31 of the 36 depth intervals monitored, the range of water-level change was less than 1 meter. The range of standard deviation of all depth interval measurements for all wells that were monitored was 0.053 to 3.098 meters. No seasonal water-level trends were detected in any of the wells, and regional ground-water withdrawals did not appear to cause water-level changes. Most annual water-level fluctuations can be attributed to barometric and Earth-tide changes. Regional earthquakes, which occurred on June 28--29, 1992, might have simultaneously affected the water level in seven wells. Periods of rising and declining water levels were observed in most wells. However, 11 years of record were not sufficient to determine if these periods were cyclic. Because a goal of monitoring water levels at Yucca Mountain is to determine if there are water-level trends that could affect the potential repository, observed water-level changes over the period of this report may not be representative of the overall long-term trends in water levels

Highly diastereoselective boron and titanium mediated aldol reactions of a mannitol derived 2,3-butanediacetal ethyl ketone

A mannitol derived 2,3-butanediacetal ethyl ketone displays high levels of diastereoselectivity in boron and titanium mediated aldol reactions with a range of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to afford syn aldol products in high yield. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction was determined using J-value analysis, NMR analysis of O-acetylmandelate derivatives and X-ray crystallography

International variation in the definition of ‘main condition' in ICD-coded health data

Hospital-based medical records are abstracted to create International Classification of Disease (ICD) coded discharge health data in many countries. The ‘main condition' is not defined in a consistent manner internationally. Some countries employ a ‘reason for admission' rule as the basis for the main condition, while other countries employ a ‘resource use' rule. A few countries have recently transitioned from one of these approaches to the other. The definition of ‘main condition' in such ICD data matters when it is used to define a disease cohort to assign diagnosis-related groups and to perform risk adjustment. We propose a method of harmonizing the international definition to enable researchers and international organizations using ICD-coded health data to aggregate or compare hospital care and outcomes across countries in a consistent manner. Inter-observer reliability of alternative harmonization approaches should be evaluated before finalizing the definition and adopting it worldwid

Guideline for the management of acute asthma in adults: 2013 update

Acute asthma attacks (asthma exacerbations) are increasing episodes of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing or chest tightness associated with a decrease in airflow that can be quantified and monitored by measurement of lung function (peak expiratory flow (PEF) or forced expiratory volume in the 1st second) and requiring emergency room treatment or admission to hospital for acute asthma and/or systemic glucocorticosteroids for management. The goals of treatment are to relieve hypoxaemia and airflow obstruction as quickly as possible, restore lung function, and provide a suitable plan to avoid relapse. Severe exacerbations are potentially life-threatening and their treatment requires baseline assessment of severity, close monitoring, and frequent reassessment using objective measures of lung function (PEF) and oxygen saturation. Patients at high risk of asthma-related death require particular attention. First-line therapy consists of oxygen supplementation, repeated administration of inhaled short-acting bronchodilators (beta-2-agonists and ipratropium bromide), and early systemic glucocorticosteroids. Intravenous magnesium sulphate and aminophylline are second- and third-line treatment strategies, respectively, for poorly responding patients. Intensive care is indicated for severe asthma that is not responsive to first-line treatment. Antibiotics are only indicated when there are definite features of bacterial infection. Factors that precipitated the acute asthma episode should be identified and preventive measures implemented. Acute asthma is preventable with optimal control of chronic asthma

Development and calibration of an on-line aerosol monitor for PHEBUS test FPT1

An on-line aerosol monitor (OLAM2) has been developed and tested for PHEBUS test FPT1. OLAM2 utilizes new detachable fiber optic cables and sapphire light pipes for light transmission between the OLAM and the electronics. This light transmission system was tested and found to provide better signal-to-noise performance than was achieved with the continuous fibers used for test FPT0. An additional advantage of the detachable fiber/light pipe system is ease of installation. Aerosol testing (OLAM calibration) was performed in order to verify adequate signal-to-noise performance of the new fiber optic system over the specified operating conditions and to check the quantitative light attenuation measurements against theoretical predictions. Results of the testing indicated that light extinction measurements obtained during Phebus tests could be used to estimate aerosol volume concentrations, if diamond window fouling can be avoided. OLAM2 was also subjected to a proof pressure test and a long-term thermal stability test. These tests verified the mechanical and thermal integrity of the OLAM within design specifications. Long-term output signal stability was also verified with the system maintained at design temperature and half-design pressure

Surprises in the Orbital Magnetic Moment and g-Factor of the Dynamic Jahn-Teller Ion C_{60}^-

We calculate the magnetic susceptibility and g-factor of the isolated C_{60}^- ion at zero temperature, with a proper treatment of the dynamical Jahn-Teller effect, and of the associated orbital angular momentum, Ham-reduced gyromagnetic ratio, and molecular spin-orbit coupling. A number of surprises emerge. First, the predicted molecular spin-orbit splitting is two orders of magnitude smaller than in the bare carbon atom, due to the large radius of curvature of the molecule. Second, this reduced spin-orbit splitting is comparable to Zeeman energies, for instance, in X-band EPR at 3.39KGauss, and a field dependence of the g-factor is predicted. Third, the orbital gyromagnetic factor is strongly reduced by vibron coupling, and so therefore are the effective weak-field g-factors of all low-lying states. In particular, the ground-state doublet of C_{60}^- is predicted to show a negative g-factor of \sim -0.1.Comment: 19 pages RevTex, 2 postscript figures include