Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for IDDE and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

In April 2003, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). A total of 45 New Hampshire communities (six fully regulated and 39 partially regulated) became subject to Stormwater Phase II regulations based on their designation as Urbanized Areas according to the 2000 US Census

The Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT): High-resolution imaging and spectroscopy in the far-infrared

We report results of a recently-completed pre-Formulation Phase study of SPIRIT, a candidate NASA Origins Probe mission. SPIRIT is a spatial and spectral interferometer with an operating wavelength range 25 - 400 microns. SPIRIT will provide sub-arcsecond resolution images and spectra with resolution R = 3000 in a 1 arcmin field of view to accomplish three primary scientific objectives: (1) Learn how planetary systems form from protostellar disks, and how they acquire their inhomogeneous composition; (2) characterize the family of extrasolar planetary systems by imaging the structure in debris disks to understand how and where planets of different types form; and (3) learn how high-redshift galaxies formed and merged to form the present-day population of galaxies. Observations with SPIRIT will be complementary to those of the James Webb Space Telescope and the ground-based Atacama Large Millimeter Array. All three observatories could be operational contemporaneously.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in J. Adv. Space Res. on 26 May 200

A de novo transcriptome of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, to identify candidate transcripts for diapause preparation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many temperate insects survive the harsh conditions of winter by undergoing photoperiodic diapause, a pre-programmed developmental arrest initiated by short day lengths. Despite the well-established ecological significance of photoperiodic diapause, the molecular basis of this crucial adaptation remains largely unresolved. The Asian tiger mosquito, <it>Aedes albopictus </it>(Skuse), represents an outstanding emerging model to investigate the molecular basis of photoperiodic diapause in a well-defined ecological and evolutionary context. <it>Ae. albopictus </it>is a medically significant vector and is currently considered the most invasive mosquito in the world. Traits related to diapause appear to be important factors contributing to the rapid spread of this mosquito. To generate novel sequence information for this species, as well as to discover transcripts involved in diapause preparation, we sequenced the transcriptome of <it>Ae. albopictus </it>oocytes destined to become diapausing or non-diapausing pharate larvae.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>454 GS-FLX transcriptome sequencing yielded >1.1 million quality-filtered reads, which we assembled into 69,474 contigs (N50 = 1,009 bp). Our contig filtering approach, where we took advantage of strong sequence similarity to the fully sequenced genome of <it>Aedes aegypti</it>, as well as other reference organisms, resulted in 11,561 high-quality, conservative ESTs. Differential expression estimates based on normalized read counts revealed 57 genes with higher expression, and 257 with lower expression under diapause-inducing conditions. Analysis of expression by qPCR for 47 of these genes indicated a high correlation of expression levels between 454 sequence data and qPCR, but congruence of statistically significant differential expression was low. Seven genes identified as differentially expressed based on qPCR have putative functions that are consistent with the insect diapause syndrome; three genes have unknown function and represent novel candidates for the transcriptional basis of diapause.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our transcriptome database provides a rich resource for the comparative genomics and functional genetics of <it>Ae. albopictus</it>, an invasive and medically important mosquito. Additionally, the identification of differentially expressed transcripts related to diapause enriches the limited knowledge base for the molecular basis of insect diapause, in particular for the preparatory stage. Finally, our analysis illustrates a useful approach that draws from a closely related reference genome to generate high-confidence ESTs in a non-model organism.</p

Instructional Models for Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) Teaching

The course-based research experience (CRE) with its documented educational benefits is increasingly being implemented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. This article reports on a study that was done over a period of 3 years to explicate the instructional processes involved in teaching an undergraduate CRE. One hundred and two instructors from the established and large multi-institutional SEA-PHAGES program were surveyed for their understanding of the aims and practices of CRE teaching. This was followed by large-scale feedback sessions with the cohort of instructors at the annual SEA Faculty Meeting and subsequently with a small focus group of expert CRE instructors. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the survey data were analyzed for the aims of inquiry instruction and pedagogical practices used to achieve these goals. The results characterize CRE inquiry teaching as involving three instructional models: 1) being a scientist and generating data; 2) teaching procedural knowledge; and 3) fostering project ownership. Each of these models is explicated and visualized in terms of the specific pedagogical practices and their relationships. The models present a complex picture of the ways in which CRE instruction is conducted on a daily basis and can inform instructors and institutions new to CRE teaching

Models of classroom assessment for course-based research experiences

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment—(1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; (2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; (3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and (4) Metacognition of Learning—along with a set of practices for each aim. These aims and practices of assessment were then integrated with previously developed models of course-based research instruction to reveal an assessment program in which instructors provide extensive feedback to support productive student engagement in research while grading those aspects of research that are necessary for the student to succeed. Assessment conducted in this way delicately balances the need to facilitate students’ ongoing research with the requirement of a final grade without undercutting the important aims of a CRE education

Sacred biography and saint-making: The life and teachings of Swami Rama Tirtha (1873-1906)

Swami Rama Tirtha, a Punjabi Brahman, attracted many followers in north India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by advocating Practical Vedanta. Although Swami Rama Tirtha was opposed to any publicity about himself or the foundation of any organization for the propagation of his teachings, after his death an extensive biographical tradition about him developed and a Mission dedicated to promoting his ideas was established. An analysis of the biographical tradition surrounding Swami Rama Tirtha reveals the way in which his followers have created their image of him as a saint and great leader of India, and how the writing and reading of these biographies becomes a means of religious devotion. The biographies of Swami Rama Tirtha show that his life fits the classic pattern of the life of the holy man or saint. Orthodox Punjabi Hindus of the late 19th century were challenged both by the Arya Samaj and the criticisms of Christian missionaries. Analysis of the teachings of Swami Rama Tirtha shows that while his ideas were developed in response to such concerns, they were not entirely original and not as important as the figure of the Swami himself in developing of a community of followers

The Evergreen Game: The Promise of Polynomials to Boost Boolean MAX-CSP Solvers

We invent a simple game, called the Evergreen Game, which is about generating and solving Boolean MAX-CSP problems. The fallouts from the Evergreen Game are surprising: (1) Although the game is about solving MAX-CSP problems, a simple, efficient algorithm is sufficient to play the game well. The best game-playing strategy leads to a significant reduction of the huge search space for both formula generation and solving. (2) The Evergreen Game shows us how to systematically translate a CSP formula into a polynomial that is fundamental in playing the game well. (3) We show evidence that those polynomials are useful for efficient MAX-CSP as well as MAX-SAT solvers

Superresolution and P-Optimality in Boolean MAX-CSP Solvers

Abstract. The maximum constraint satisfaction problem MAX-CSP is a general framework in which many search problems can be readily modeled. We integrate two lines of research from the 1970s, superresolution and P-optimal algorithms, into one MAX-CSP(Γ)-transition system SPOT. Superresolution is a non-redundant clause learning system with aggressive restarts that formalizes non-chronological backtracking. P-optimal algorithms satisfy in polynomial time a fraction τΓ of the the constraints for constraint language Γ while the fraction τΓ +ɛ is NP-complete. SPOT consists of three novel components: AR, IR and TS. We use a logarithmic abstract representation (AR) to map MAX-CSP(Γ)instances to look-ahead polynomials that provide a blurry, yet optimal view into the search space with outstanding peripheral vision. We provide a novel intermediate representation (IR) to very efficiently manipulate relations by representing them as integers. We introduce a transition system (TS) that generalizes superresolution from SAT to MAX-CSP. Superresolution counteracts the blurry vision of the look-ahead polynomials by pushing the maximum assignment into the periphery where the look-ahead polynomials see best. We discuss the implementation of SPOT and compare its behavior to zChaff and Yices with encouraging results. Our implementation uses principles of Adaptive and Aspect-Oriented Programming to provide for a solver that is easy to experiment with.

Clinical Validation of a Soft Wireless Continuous Blood Pressure Sensor During Surgery.

We test a new wireless soft capacitance sensor (CAP) based on applanation tonometry at the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries against the gold standard, invasive arterial line (A-Line), for continuous beat to beat blood pressure (BP) measurements in the Operating Room during surgical procedures under anesthesia in 17 subjects with the mean age and body mass index (BMI) of 57. 35 ± 18.72 years and 27.36 ± 4.20 kg/m2, respectively. We have identified several parameters to monitor in order to compare how well the CAP sensor tracks the entire hemodynamic waveform as compared to the A-Line. This includes waveform similarity, heart rate (HR), absolute systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and temporal response to a vasopressor. Overall, the CAP sensor shows good correlations with A-Line with respect to hemodynamic shape (r &gt; 0.89), HR (mean bias = 0.0006; SD = 0.17), absolute SBP, and DBP in a line of best fit (slope = 0.98 in SBP; 1.08 in DBP) and the mean bias derived from Bland-Altman method to be 1.92 (SD = 12.55) in SBP and 2.38 (SD = 12.19) in DBP across body habitus and age in OR patients under general anesthesia. While we do observe drifts in the system, we still obtain decent correlations with respect to the A-Line as evidenced by excellent linear fit and low mean bias across patients. When we post-process using a different calibration method to account for the drift, the mean bias and SD improve dramatically to -1.85 and 7.19 DBP as well as 1.43 and 7.43 SBP, respectively, indicating a promising potential for improvement when we integrate strategies to account for movement identified by our integrated accelerometer data