The Request Is Not Compatible: Competing Frames of Public Lands Discourse in the Lolo Peak Ski Resort Controversy

Sharp, Philip, A., M.A., Spring 2022 Communication Studies ABSTRACT The Request Is Not Compatible: Competing Frames of Public Lands Discourse in the Lolo Peak Ski Resort Controversy Co-Chair (in absentia): Steve Schwarze Co-Chair: Joel Iverson In mid-2003, the United States Forest Service (USFS) received a pre-application for a Special Use Permit to build and operate an all-season ski resort on public lands near Missoula, Montana. The ensuing public deliberation over the possible use of protected lands for outdoor commercial recreational purposes provides a site of rhetorical inquiry. In this rhetorical criticism I analyze and evaluate arguments presented by the USFS, resort proponents, and opponents, in documents submitted by the USFS in the ensuing legal battle over their rejection of the proposal. Rather than focus solely on the context and the political factors that drive policymaking, this rhetorical inquiry focuses on the textual indications of assumptions, strategies, and appeals embedded in the discourses through frames and topoi. While arguments within this controversy do primarily align with the previously identified environmental frames of Ecological Soundness and Public Interest, the way the groups engage various topoi provides potential insights into the use of anthropocentric land ethics and varied, flexible, and conditional frames in effective environmental advocacy campaigns. Additionally, I conclude that this case study contributes to theoretical understanding of the localism frame and procedural discourse within environmental communication. Keywords: Environmental Communication, Rhetorical Criticism, Argument Analysis, Public Lands Management, Land Management Ethics, Frames, Topoi, Environment-based Controversy, Outdoor Recreation, Skiing, Montan

The evidence for automated grading in diabetic retinopathy screening

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Genetic associations with childhood brain growth, defined in two longitudinal cohorts

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are unraveling the genetics of adult brain neuroanatomy as measured by cross-sectional anatomic magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI). However, the genetic mechanisms that shape childhood brain development are, as yet, largely unexplored. In this study we identify common genetic variants associated with childhood brain development as defined by longitudinal aMRI. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were determined in two cohorts: one enriched for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (LONG cohort: 458 participants; 119 with ADHD) and the other from a population-based cohort (Generation R: 257 participants). The growth of the brain's major regions (cerebral cortex, white matter, basal ganglia, and cerebellum) and one region of interest (the right lateral prefrontal cortex) were defined on all individuals from two aMRIs, and a GWAS and a pathway analysis were performed. In addition, association between polygenic risk for ADHD and brain growth was determined for the LONG cohort. For white matter growth, GWAS meta-analysis identified a genome-wide significant intergenic SNP (rs12386571, P = 9.09 × 10-9 ), near AKR1B10. This gene is part of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily and shows neural expression. No enrichment of neural pathways was detected and polygenic risk for ADHD was not associated with the brain growth phenotypes in the LONG cohort that was enriched for the diagnosis of ADHD. The study illustrates the use of a novel brain growth phenotype defined in vivo for further study

Improving the economic value of photographic screening for optical coherence tomography-detectable macular oedema : a prospective, multicentre, UK study

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Winter territoriality and its implications for the breeding ecology of White-throated Dippers Cinclus cinclus

Capsule: Pairs of White-throated Dippers Cinclus cinclus which defended winter territories bred earlier than non-territorial individuals, but there was no difference in reproductive success. Aims: The effect of winter territoriality on breeding ecology has rarely been studied in resident birds. We carried out a preliminary investigation of whether winter territorial behaviour and territory size affect the timing of reproduction, breeding territory size and reproductive success in a riverine bird, the White-throated Dipper. Methods: We monitored an individually marked population of White-throated Dippers in the UK. Wintering individuals were classified as either territorial or ‘floaters’ according to their patterns of occurrence and behaviour, and their nesting attempts were closely monitored in the subsequent months. Winter and breeding territory sizes were measured by gently ‘pushing’ birds along the river and recording the point at which they turned back. Results: All birds defending winter territories did so in pairs, but some individuals changed partners before breeding. Territorial pairs that were together throughout the study laid eggs significantly earlier than pairs containing floaters and those comprising territorial birds that changed partners. However, there were no significant differences in clutch size, nestling mass or the number of chicks fledged. There was no relationship between winter territory length and lay date or any measure of reproductive success, although sample sizes were small. Winter territories were found to be significantly shorter than breeding territories. Conclusion: Winter territoriality may be advantageous because breeding earlier increases the likelihood that pairs will raise a second brood, but further study is needed. Territories are shorter in winter as altitudinal migrants from upland streams increase population density on rivers, but this may also reflect seasonal changes in nutritional and energetic demands

Programmed cell death-2 isoform1 is ubiquitinated by parkin and increased in the substantia nigra of patients with autosomal recessive Parkinson’s disease

AbstractMutations in parkin gene are responsible for autosomal recessive Parkinson’s disease (ARPD) and its loss-of-function is assumed to affect parkin ubiquitin ligase activity. Accumulation of its substrate may induce dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra (SN) of ARPD. Here, we show that parkin interacts with programmed cell death-2 isoform 1 (PDCD2-1) and promotes its ubiquitination. Furthermore, accumulation of PDCD2-1 was found in the SN of ARPD as well as in sporadic PD, suggesting that common failure of the ubiquitin–proteasome system is associated with neuronal death in both ARPD and sporadic PD.Structured summary:MINT-6805975, MINT-6806032, MINT-6806051, MINT-6806070:PDCD2 (uniprotkb:Q16342) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Parkin (uniprotkb:O60260) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6805947:Parkin (uniprotkb:O60260) physically interacts (MI:0218) with PDCD2 (uniprotkb:Q16342) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6806000: PDCD2 (uniprotkb:Q16342) physically interacts (MI:0218) with ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)

Unique determination of “subatomic” contrast by imaging covalent backbonding

The origin of so-called “subatomic” resolution in dynamic force microscopy has remained controversial since its first observation in 2000. A number of detailed experimental and theoretical studies have identified different possible physicochemical mechanisms potentially giving rise to subatomic contrast. In this study, for the first time we are able to assign the origin of a specific instance of subatomic contrast as being due to the back bonding of a surface atom in the tip−sample junction

Malaria incidence in Limpopo Province, South Africa, 1998–2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is endemic in the low-altitude areas of the northern and eastern parts of South Africa with seasonal transmission. The aim of this descriptive study is to give an overview of the malaria incidence and mortality in Limpopo Province for the seasons 1998–1999 to 2006–2007 and to detect trends over time and place.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Routinely collected data on diagnosed malaria cases and deaths were available through the provincial malaria information system. In order to calculate incidence rates, population estimates (by sex, age and district) were obtained from Statistics South Africa. The Chi squared test for trend was used to detect temporal trends in malaria incidence over the seasons, and a trend in case fatality rate (CFR) by age group. The Chi squared test was used to calculate differences in incidence rate and CFR between both sexes and in incidence by age group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 58,768 cases of malaria were reported, including 628 deaths. The mean incidence rate was 124.5 per 100,000 person-years and the mean CFR 1.1% per season. There was a decreasing trend in the incidence rate over time (p < 0.001), from 173.0 in 1998–1999 to 50.9 in 2006–2007. The CFR was fairly stable over the whole period. The mean incidence rate in males was higher than in females (145.8 versus 105.6; p < 0.001); the CFR (1.1%) was similar for both sexes. The incidence rate was lowest in 0–4 year olds (78.3), it peaked at the ages of 35–39 years (172.8), and decreased with age from 40 years (to 84.4 for those ≥ 60 years). The CFR increased with increasing age (to 3.8% for those ≥ 60 years). The incidence rate varied widely between districts; it was highest in Vhembe (328.2) and lowest in Sekhukhune (5.5).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Information from this study may serve as baseline data to determine the course and distribution of malaria in Limpopo province over time. In the study period there was a decreasing trend in the incidence rate. Furthermore, the study addresses the need for better data over a range of epidemic-prone settings.</p

The state of the Martian climate

60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes