Hydrogeomorphology of alluvial benches in an anabranching reach of the Upper Yadkin River, North Carolina

Prior research has been carried out to determine the relationships between flows cited as important to channel form and the morphology of step-like features bordering streams known as alluvial benches. However little effort has been undertaken to understand such relationships along anabranching river reaches, where relative flow volumes are divided and potentially more variable. Thus, the influence of the anabranching planform on the characteristics of alluvial benches is currently not well understood. In this study, low alluvial benches inset within the larger valley flat were surveyed along a two-branch anabranching reach of the Yadkin River at Patterson, North Carolina and related to calculated bench-full discharges and their recurrence intervals via flow apportionment for each branch. The results were compared with historical discharge and recurrence interval data, and used to infer potential pathways for anabranch adjustment to changing flows. It was determined that most of the lowest benches present in both channels of the anabranch exist in equilibrium with their current respective bankfull discharges and represent incipient floodplains, and also that bench creation via lateral accretion is the primary method for channel dimension adjustment within this reach as bench heights in both channel branches are similar to historical values for the single-channel state. It was also determined that the majority of the benches studied are within close proximity of the point of initial bifurcation, suggesting that anabranching exerts some control on bench location

BUILDING GRANTEE CAPACITY THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE-PROCESS-DRIVEN, PEOPLE-CENTERED-EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

Program evaluation is an essential function for grant-seeking organizations, yet many struggle with measuring the impact of their work. The form of program evaluation is also an ongoing challenge for funders. Many grant-seeking nonprofits possess limited internal capacity, and are consequently forced to over-rely on external consultants who possess little organizational background or content knowledge. For grant-seeking organizations, this lack of program evaluation capacity may eliminate them from funding opportunities. The purpose of this study was to implement and analyze an innovative--process-driven, people-centered--grantee capacity building model. The intent of the framework was to build individual and organizational capacity to perform and sustain program evaluation. The Golden LEAF Grantee Capacity Building Model (GLF-GCB Model) was examined using an action research design within a conceptual framework of (a) accountability, (b) leadership empowerment, and (c) continuous improvement. Five grantees participated in the study while implementing digital learning initiatives. Evidence from the study demonstrated that the GLF-GCB Model was an effective framework that helped grantees implement digital learning initiatives effectively and better measure the impact of their work during the initial phase of grant-supported activity. From the study, a new capacity building model emerged that informed practice and proved useful in bridging the gap between theory and practice. In addition, new knowledge was generated that can inform capacity building efforts of policy makers, practitioners, and funders

BUILDING GRANTEE CAPACITY THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE-PROCESS-DRIVEN , PEOPLE-CENTERED-EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

Program evaluation is an essential function for grant-seeking organizations , yet many struggle with measuring the impact of their work. The form of program evaluation is also an ongoing challenge for funders. Many grant-seeking nonprofits possess limited internal capacity , and are consequently forced to over-rely on external consultants who possess little organizational background or content knowledge. For grant-seeking organizations , this lack of program evaluation capacity may eliminate them from funding opportunities. The purpose of this study was to implement and analyze an innovative--process-driven , people-centered--grantee capacity building model. The intent of the framework was to build individual and organizational capacity to perform and sustain program evaluation. The Golden LEAF Grantee Capacity Building Model (GLF-GCB Model) was examined using an action research design within a conceptual framework of (a) accountability , (b) leadership empowerment , and (c) continuous improvement. Five grantees participated in the study while implementing digital learning initiatives. Evidence from the study demonstrated that the GLF-GCB Model was an effective framework that helped grantees implement digital learning initiatives effectively and better measure the impact of their work during the initial phase of grant-supported activity. From the study , a new capacity building model emerged that informed practice and proved useful in bridging the gap between theory and practice. In addition , new knowledge was generated that can inform capacity building efforts of policy makers , practitioners , and funders

Structure-function analysis of the barley genome: the gene-rich region of chromosome 2HL

A major gene-rich region on the end of the long arm of Triticeae group 2 chromosomes exhibits high recombination frequencies, making it an attractive region for positional cloning. Traits known to be controlled by this region include chasmogamy/cleistogamy, frost tolerance at flowering, grain yield, head architecture, and resistance to Fusarium head blight and rusts. To assist these cloning efforts, we constructed detailed genetic maps of barley chromosome 2H, including 61 polymerase chain reaction markers. Colinearity with rice occurred in eight distinct blocks, including five blocks in the terminal gene-rich region. Alignment of rice sequences from the junctions of colinear chromosome segments provided no evidence for the involvement of long (>2.5 kb) inverted repeats in generating inversions. However, reuse of some junction sequences in two or three separate evolutionary breakage/fusion events was implicated, suggesting the presence of fragile sites. Sequencing across 91 gene fragments totaling 107 kb from four barley genotypes revealed the highest single nucleotide substitution and insertion-deletion polymorphism levels in the terminal regions of the chromosome arms. The maps will assist in the isolation of genes from the chromosome 2L gene-rich region in barley and wheat by providing markers and accelerating the identification of the corresponding points in the rice genome sequence.Andrew Chen, Anita Brûlé-Babel, Ute Baumann, Nicholas C. Collin

Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidities: New Approaches and Perspectives

Psychiatry and neurology are specialties learned separately, but often the semiology and the pathophysiology of the different cases are linked. Patients often need an integrative approach in order to have an appropriate answer to their problems. In this chapter we will discuss the psychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy, such as depression, psychosis, stress, and anxiety disorders. Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity of epilepsy, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients. Anxiety disorders occupy a second place, often generating severe problems. They are usually underestimated at the clinical level, despite the abundant scientific evidence that supports the search and treatment of them in this group of patients. The problem of psychotic disorders in epilepsy is often controversial. There are few studies on this subject, and the psychopathological mechanisms behind them remain largely unknown. The problem of diagnoses and management of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures will also be briefly reviewed. They usually represent 20% of the patients referred to specialized centers of epilepsy, after having spent between 5 and 10 years through the health system. They are a frequent entity but often confused and mistreated, generating unnecessary expenses and waste of time. Finally, we will summarize how the management of stress and emotions in general has a direct impact on the quality of life of these patients.Fil: Gargiulo, Ángel José Martín. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Scévola, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Sarudiansky, Mercedes. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Kochen, Sara Silvia. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: D`alessio, Luciana. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; Argentin