Downscaling extremes: A comparison of extreme value distributions in point-source and gridded precipitation data

There is substantial empirical and climatological evidence that precipitation extremes have become more extreme during the twentieth century, and that this trend is likely to continue as global warming becomes more intense. However, understanding these issues is limited by a fundamental issue of spatial scaling: most evidence of past trends comes from rain gauge data, whereas trends into the future are produced by climate models, which rely on gridded aggregates. To study this further, we fit the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution to the right tail of the distribution of both rain gauge and gridded events. The results of this modeling exercise confirm that return values computed from rain gauge data are typically higher than those computed from gridded data; however, the size of the difference is somewhat surprising, with the rain gauge data exhibiting return values sometimes two or three times that of the gridded data. The main contribution of this paper is the development of a family of regression relationships between the two sets of return values that also take spatial variations into account. Based on these results, we now believe it is possible to project future changes in precipitation extremes at the point-location level based on results from climate models.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/09-AOAS287 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Expanding Farm-Fresh Direct-Marketing Opportunities in the 21st Century

Direct-marketing and agri-tourism businesses have recently begun to promote their businesses using stand-alone websites allowing them to tap into a larger customer base. This has created a need for direct farm markets to identify the products and services consumers are demanding from online sources. This project proposes to conduct an online survey of consumer preferences in buying direct from the farmer vs. the types of products consumers are seeking on the Internet. Our hypothesis is that the use of stand-alone web sites limit the number of consumers that farm marketers are reaching due to the time and expense involved in keeping them updated. This online survey will collect information useful in describing how farm marketers can use the Internet to increase their customer base and individual profits.Marketing,

Differential Effects of the Hormonal and Copper Intrauterine Device on the Endometrial Transcriptome.

The contraceptive effectiveness of intrauterine devices (IUDs) has been attributed in part to a foreign body reaction in the endometrium. We performed this study to better understand mechanisms of action of contraceptives of by studying their effects on endometrial and cervical transcriptomes. We collected endometrial and cervical biopsies from women using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, n = 11), copper intrauterine device (cu-IUD, n = 13) or levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptives (COC, n = 12), and from women not using contraceptives (control group, n = 11). Transcriptional profiling was performed with Affymetrix arrays, Principal Component Analysis and the bioconductor package limma. In endometrial samples from cu-IUD users, there were no genes with statistically significant differential expression compared to controls. In LNG-IUS users, 2509 genes were differentially expressed and mapped predominantly onto immune and inflammatory pathways. The cervical samples showed no statistically significant differential gene expression compared to controls. Hormonal and copper IUDs have significantly different effects on the endometrial transcriptome, with the LNG-IUS transcriptome showing pronounced inflammation and immune activation compared to controls whereas the cu-IUD transcriptome was indistinguishable from luteal phase endometrium. These findings argue against a foreign body reaction as a common mechanism of action of IUDs

Progestins Related to Progesterone and Testosterone Elicit Divergent Human Endometrial Transcriptomes and Biofunctions.

Progestins are widely used for the treatment of gynecologic disorders and alone, or combined with an estrogen, are used as contraceptives. While their potencies, efficacies and side effects vary due to differences in structures, doses and routes of administration, little is known about their effects on the endometrial transcriptome in the presence or absence of estrogen. Herein, we assessed the transcriptome and pathways induced by progesterone (P4) and the three most commonly used synthetic progestins, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), levonorgestrel (LNG), and norethindrone acetate (NETA), on human endometrial stromal fibroblasts (eSF), key players in endometrial physiology and reproductive success. While there were similar transcriptional responses, each progestin induced unique genes and biofunctions, consistent with their structural similarities to progesterone (P4 and MPA) or testosterone (LNG and NETA), involving cellular proliferation, migration and invasion. Addition of estradiol (E2) to each progestin influenced the number of differentially expressed genes and biofunctions in P4 and MPA, while LNG and NETA signatures were more independent of E2. Together, these data suggest different mechanisms of action for different progestins, with progestin-specific altered signatures when combined with E2. Further investigation is warranted for a personalized approach in different gynecologic disorders, for contraception, and minimizing side effects associated with their use

Enhancing Validity in Phonological Awareness Assessment through Computer-Supported Testing

Phonological awareness is an early indicator of emergent reading skill that is known to be reliably related to eventual reading performance. This established research based coupled with federal and state requirements to measure phonological awareness as an indicator of early reading program success has heightened the attention toward phonological assessment tools. The purpose of this paper is to identify two central threats to validity that are present in the standard assessment tools and provide a methodological solution to both threats using the Standardized Assessment of Phonological Awareness as an example. Accessed 29,414 times on https://pareonline.net from November 19, 2005 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on whole blood cyanide concentrations in carbon monoxide intoxicated patients from fire accidents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO) may be important components of smoke from fire accidents. Accordingly, patients admitted to hospital from fire accidents may have been exposed to both HCN and CO. Cyanide (CN) intoxication results in cytotoxic hypoxia leading to organ dysfunction and possibly death. While several reports support the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for the treatment of severe CO poisoning, limited data exist on the effect of HBO during CN poisoning. HBO increases the elimination rate of CO haemoglobin in proportion to the increased oxygen partial pressure and animal experiments have shown that in rats exposed to CN intoxication, HBO can increase the concentration of CN in whole blood.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The purpose of the present study was to determine whole blood CN concentrations in fire victims before and after HBO treatment.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>The patients included were those admitted to the hospital because of CO intoxication, either as fire victims with smoke inhalation injuries or from other exposures to CO. In thirty-seven of these patients we measured CN concentrations in blood samples, using a Conway/microdiffusion technique, before and after HBO. The blood samples consisted of the remaining 2 mL from the arterial blood gas analysis. CN concentration in blood from fire victims was compared to 12 patients from non-fire accidents but otherwise also exposed to CO intoxication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean WB-CN concentration before patients received HBO did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients (p = 0.42). The difference between WB-CN before and after HBO did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients (p = 0.7). Lactate in plasma before and after did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients. Twelve of the 25 fire patients and one of the non-fire patients had been given a dose of hydroxycobalamin before HBO.</p> <p>Discussion and Conclusion</p> <p>CN concentrations in blood from patients admitted to hospital with CO intoxication and smoke inhalation exposure did not differ significantly from controls. Accordingly, we were not able to detect any changes in CN concentrations in blood after treatment with HBO.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00280579</p

Dietary Acid Load and Bone Turnover During Long-Duration Spaceflight and Bed Rest

Background Bed rest studies document that a lower dietary acid load is associated with lower bone resorption. Objective We tested the effect of dietary acid load on bone metabolism during spaceflight. Design Controlled 4-d diets with a high or low animal proteinto-potassium (APro:K) ratio (High and Low diets, respectively) were given to 17 astronauts before and during spaceflight. Each astronaut had 1 High and 1 Low diet session before flight and 2 High and 2 Low sessions during flight, in addition to a 4-d session around flight day 30 (FD30), when crew members were to consume their typical in-flight intake. At the end of each session, blood and urine samples were collected. Calcium, total protein, energy, and sodium were maintained in each crew member's preflight and in-flight controlled diets. Results Relative to preflight values, N-telopeptide (NTX) and urinary calcium were higher during flight, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) was higher toward the end of flight. The High and Low diets did not affect NTX, BSAP, or urinary calcium. Dietary sulfur and age were significantly associated with changes in NTX. Dietary sodium and flight day were significantly associated with urinary calcium during flight. The net endogenous acid production (NEAP) estimated from the typical dietary intake at FD30 was associated with loss of bone mineral content in the lumbar spine after the mission. The results were compared with data from a 70-d bed rest study, in which control (but not exercising) subjects APro:K was associated with higher NTX during bed rest. Conclusions Long-term lowering of NEAP by increasing vegetable and fruit intake may protect against changes in loss of bone mineral content during spaceflight when adequate calcium is consumed, particularly if resistive exercise is not being performed. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01713634

Novel functions of circulating Klotho

A significant portion of the key biological functions of αKlotho (αKL) and its cognate ligand Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) have been revealed through the study of rare diseases of mineral metabolism. These findings have far reaching implications for common disorders such as chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD). αKL’s predominant effect on mineral homeostasis is through its actions in the kidney as a co-receptor for FGF23, however emerging data has shed light on its capacity to act as a circulating factor through the cleavage of the transmembrane form of αKL (‘mKL’) to produce ‘cleaved KL’ or ‘cKL’. This review summarizes new findings from studies using extended delivery of cKL to mouse models with phenotypes reflecting those arising in CKD-MBD

Crafting resilient futures by looking to the past: 25 years of online learning at FSU and Illinois

For 25 years, the iSchools at Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have been leaders in online learning, providing education to students who might not otherwise have had access to a master’s-level degree. This panel, made up of faculty and staff from FSU and Illinois, will discuss the history of online learning at these schools, the challenges faced and lessons learned, and the positive impact their online programs have had on access, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The landscape of higher education and of the information professions has changed significantly over the past quarter century. The rise of the Internet, organizational realignment and mergers in higher education, and the iSchool movement have all had an impact on the information professions and the ways we educate students to become information professionals. In the mid-90s, FSU and Illinois began offering online programs as a way of contributing to the resilience of the information professions, especially librarianship, and ensuring the resilience of their own programs. Both programs were pioneers in offering online learning, and from the outset they employed unique strategies: both use a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, while Illinois also uses a cohort model. Online learning at both institutions has fostered resilience by increasing access for students; promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion; encouraging innovative uses of technology; and inspiring scholarship that bridges online learning research and practice. This panel will consist of four 10-minute presentations by faculty and staff from FSU and Illinois (see below for specific presentation titles and descriptions). The session will also feature a discussion with the audience organized around three questions: 1. What have been your best successes with online learning? 2. What have been your greatest challenges, and how have you dealt with them? 3. What is the future of online learning—both at your institution and in general? Presentations “Crafting Resilience Through Engagement: Synchronous Online Learning” – Kathleen Burnett (FSU): Today, there are numerous options for learning management systems and applications to support interaction online, but in 1996 when FSU and Illinois began their programs, these simply did not exist. At FSU, what became one of the earliest research progams to investigate interaction in online learning, began as a collaborative effort to construct the best environment we could to meet our goal of serving the geographically and socio-economically diverse population of Florida, without uprooting them from the communities they called home. “Crafting Resilience Through Community: The Cohort Model in Online Learning” – Linda C. Smith (Illinois): A distinguishing feature of the Illinois Leep online option for the MS/LIS degree has been the emphasis on shaping a cohort identity as a means of building community and enhancing retention and student success. The program provides students flexibility both with courses they take and the pace at which they move through the program. Cohort identity is not defined by taking a large number of courses together, but instead by forming relationships that remain a strong source of support throughout the program and beyond. The collaborative spirit that infused cohort 1 in 1996 continues to characterize cohorts today. “Crafting Resilience Through Access: The Role of Technology” – Jill Gengler (Illinois): Technology can be a tool that enables access for anyone who wants further education. Early on in the Illinois Leep program, the support staff chose solutions that allowed students to overcome barriers to earn their degrees. Staff worked with campus partners to make the program accessible to individuals with disabilities. Our program remained committed to a caring approach to ensure all students felt supported in order to overcome feelings of isolation in a distance education program. The goal was to make technology as simple as possible to enable our outstanding faculty and students to collaborate effectively. “Crafting Resilience By Connecting Research and Practice in Online Learning” – Michelle Kazmer (FSU): Early research about knowledge- and community-building through synchronous classes and residency requirements at Illinois demonstrated the importance of the residency to student success. Ongoing research in FSU’s program, which avoided an on-campus requirement, showed how community could be supported for entirely-remote students. Simultaneously, scholars throughout the discipline generated a robust body of research about online learning in LIS. This research helped promulgate the open-minded approaches to evidence-based technology experimentation and implementation that were fostered by the early-adopter programs and have shaped 25 years of resilience in LIS online education. Panel Participants Don Latham (moderator), Professor, School of Information, FSU. Don was a student in the master’s program at FSU when the online learning program began. Since joining the faculty, he has taught a number of graduate-level online courses using a variety of platforms. Kathleen Burnett, F. William Summers Professor and Director, School of Information, FSU. Kathy’s first faculty meeting at FSU was held in July 1996, following the announcement that the then School of Library and Information Studies would offer the first comprehensive distance learning degree program at FSU. Although her contract had not yet started, she eagerly darted down the rabbit hole of online learning, where she can still be found teaching and problem-solving 25 years later. Linda C. Smith, Professor Emerita and Interim Executive Associate Dean, Illinois. Linda taught online from fall 1997 through spring 2019 and coordinated the Leep online option for the MS/LIS degree. With Bruce Kingma of Syracuse, she co-founded the WISE (Web-based Information Science Education) consortium. Jill Gengler, Director of Alumni Affairs, Illinois. After earning her MS from the School of Information Sciences, Jill spent 10 years supporting the technology for the Leep program followed by 10 years managing the iSchool’s Help Desk. She is currently the Director of Alumni Affairs for the iSchool since her favorite aspect of her technology jobs was always talking to the students. Michelle Kazmer, Professor and Associate Dean, School of Information, FSU. Michelle was the first online TA in the Illinois “LEEP3” program in 1997, and joined the faculty at FSU in 2002. She has conducted research in community processes in online learning, and continues to relish teaching online after (almost!) 25 years