An assessment of the potential to use water chemistry parameters to define ground water flow pathways at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The purpose of this study is to assess the potential to use water chemistry parameters to determine ground water flow pathways at the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. South rim spring, ground, and surface waters and one north rim spring were sampled from September 1992 through September 1993. Field measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen), major anion (fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate) concentrations, selected trace element concentrations, and the ratios of the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. Major anion, trace element, and field measurement data were analyzed using the multivariate statistical technique Principal Component analysis as a quantitative means for differentiating between waters according to hydrochemistry. The analysis suggests that springs issuing from similar lithologic units and/or geographic localities have analogous chemistry; that local ground water hydrochemistry is similar to south rim springs water chemistry, and particularly those issuing from the Redwall-Muav Limestones. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consensus guidelines for the care of individuals with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease

BACKGROUND: Advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease (ACFLD) is common, is associated with reduced quality of life, and remains the most frequent cause of death in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). These consensus guidelines provide recommendations to the CF community on management of both common and unique issues that arise when individuals reach a state of ACFLD. METHODS: The CF Foundation assembled a multidisciplinary expert panel consisting of three workgroups: Pulmonary management; Management of comorbid conditions; Symptom management and psychosocial issues. Topics were excluded if the management considerations did not differ in ACFLD from in the overall CF population or if already addressed in other published guidelines. Recommendations were based on a systematic literature review combined with expert opinion when appropriate. RESULTS: The committee formulated twenty-three recommendation statements specific to ACFLD that address the definition of ACFLD, pulmonary and intensive care unit management, management of selected comorbidities, symptom control, and psychosocial issues. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations are intended to be paired with previously published management guidelines for the overall CF population, with the objective of reducing practice variability and improving overall care, quality of life, and survival in those with ACFLD

Reconsidering governmental effects of grassland science and policy in China

This article explores why local pastoral land use arrangements in northwestern China differ from national level grassland policy objectives and initiatives. Drawing on the local particularities of fieldwork in a Chinese ethnic minority region, I argue that the land use arrangements which resulted from the implementation of decollectivization and new grassland management policies represent both an engagement of the minority area by the central government, but also a way that the residents of one locality have engaged the state in culturally specific ways. Applying contemporary theory in the ethnography of the state (Das and Poole 2004, Mitchell 1989; 1999; 2000, Taussig 1996) and the anthropology of development (Li 1999, Moore 2005) to data from recent ethnographic fieldwork, this article reflects upon how documents and practices as well as ideas of grassland policy make possible certain kinds of political symbols which render invisible to the central government local interests and resource conflicts, and thus, a narrative of a seemingly coherent, consistent, and organized state. Key Words: China, grassland policy, ethnic minority, decollectivizatio

Effective medium investigation of thin film niobium nitrides

Bibliography: pages [71]-75.The purpose of this study is to relate the dielectric constant data of thin film samples of superconducting niobium nitride to the structural properties of the films. A rotating analyzer ellipsometer was used to measure the complex dielectric constant of four thin film samples of superconducting niobium Nitride over the 1.9 to 3.5 eV energy range. Each sample was produced by using a different growth rate, thereby also yielding different dielectric constant spectra. The corresponding structural properties of each sample were approximated by using an effective medium theory to relate the dielectric constant data to the structural properties. The superconducting transition temperature of each of the samples was measured by other researchers, thus presenting an independent measure of structural properties. It was found that the structural properties as determined optically correlated with the structural properties as determined by superconductivity measurements.M.S. (Master of Science

Differentiating states in mind wandering

It is understood that mind wandering utilizes executive resources to some extent, but the underlying processes involved with the initiation and maintenance of mind wandering remains unclear. Here we used a new approach to estimate the time of focus and time of mind wandering separately in two different experiments. In experiment 1, we combined the self-caught and probe-caught methods to estimate the time of focus and time of mind wandering separately, and examined their relationship to working memory capacity. Here participants performed an OSPAN task and subsequently a basic Mindfulness Meditation Task (focus on breath), where participants indicated when they became aware that they were mind wandering (self-caught method and subsequently the probe-caught method). Results showed that time of focus but not time of mind wandering increased with greater working memory capacity, suggesting that individuals with higher working memory capacity were able to focus on the current task longer, but had little effect on the ability to catch themselves mind wandering after it occurred. In experiment 2, participants read both easy and difficult reading passages and the method of probing for mind wandering experiences were similar to experiment 1 (self-caught method and subsequently the probe-caught method). Here results showed longer time of focus in the easy readings compared to the hard readings, but no difference in time of mind wandering, suggesting that individuals were able to focus longer on the easy readings, but once mind wandering occurs, it will last a comparable amount of time regardless of reading difficulty. Taken together, these results indicate the importance of separating the initiation from the maintenance of mind wandering

The Effects of the Absence of Neuromedin U (NMU) or Neuromedin U Receptor 1 (NMUR1) on Murine Bone Quantity and Morphology

Bone is an organ that provides support and protection. Bone is also a tissue and comprised of two main tissue types, cortical and trabecular bone. The cells that form bone are called osteoblasts and the cells that resorb bone are called osteoclasts. Together, these cells maintain bone mass and shape through bone remodeling, which occurs daily. Neuromedin U (NMU) is a neuropeptide that has been found to negatively affect osteoblast activity, but not osteoclast activity, and acts through either Neuromedin U Receptor 1 or Neuromedin U Receptor 2 (NMUR1 or NMUR2). We hypothesized that Neuromedin U knockout mice would have greater bone quantity compared to their wild type mice and that Neuromedin U Receptor 1 knockout mice would also have greater bone quantity compared to their wild type mice. Using a high-resolution (10 μm/voxel) micro-computed tomography scanner μCT 80 (Scanco Medical) we assessed cortical and trabecular bone quantity and morphology in the femur and tibia of these mice. There were no differences in trabecular or cortical bone quantity and there were very few differences in cortical and trabecular bone morphology between wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice in the tibia and femur. Trabecular structure model index (SMI) in the tibia was greater in WT mice versus the NMU KO mice. A larger SMI in NMU WT mice indicates a more plate-like structure for their trabeculae. In addition, cortical tissue mineral density (total volume as referent) in the tibia was greater in WT versus NMUR1 KO mice suggesting that the lack of NMUR1 may result in a lower degree of mineralization in the tibia. While these results do not clearly indicate a role for either NMU or NMUR1 in bone, additional research with larger sample sizes needs to be conducted to further examine the relationships between NMU, NMUR1, NMUR2, and bone

Alternate title from cover: Behind the scenes of minor league baseball

The following literature is a documentary of my experience as an intern with the Kane County Cougars. The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league affiliate of the Major League Baseball Oakland Athletics. I did this internship not only as a requirement for my major of Sport Administration, but to help me to personally further my career after my graduation in December of 2003. This thesis represents my thoughts and goals before I began this internship, a daily log of all of my experiences, weekly and monthly evaluations of my encounters, and a personal experience evaluation stating my final overall feelings.My goal with this thesis is to educate others within my major and field of study while also giving an insider's view to fans that enjoy professional sports. Through reading this literature I hope others may learn what it takes to work in minor league baseball, a few events to expect, and why an internship with a professional sports team, specifically minor league baseball, can be such a valuable experience.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.

Alternate title from cover: Behind the scenes of minor league baseball

The following literature is a documentary of my experience as an intern with the Kane County Cougars. The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league affiliate of the Major League Baseball Oakland Athletics. I did this internship not only as a requirement for my major of Sport Administration, but to help me to personally further my career after my graduation in December of 2003. This thesis represents my thoughts and goals before I began this internship, a daily log of all of my experiences, weekly and monthly evaluations of my encounters, and a personal experience evaluation stating my final overall feelings.My goal with this thesis is to educate others within my major and field of study while also giving an insider's view to fans that enjoy professional sports. Through reading this literature I hope others may learn what it takes to work in minor league baseball, a few events to expect, and why an internship with a professional sports team, specifically minor league baseball, can be such a valuable experience.Thesis (B.?.)Honors Colleg

Site characterization data from the Area 5 science boreholes, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

The Science Borehole Project consists of eight boreholes that were drilled (from 45.7 m [150 ft] to 83.8 m [275 ft] depth) in Area 5 of the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada, on behalf of the US Department of Energy. These boreholes are part of the Area 5 Site Characterization Program developed to meet data needs associated with regulatory requirements applicable to the disposal of low-level and mixed waste at this site. This series of boreholes was specifically designed to characterize parameters controlling near-surface gas transport and to monitor changes in these and liquid flow-related parameters over time. These boreholes are located along the four sides of the approximately 2.6-km{sup 2} (1-mi{sup 2}) Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site to provide reasonable spatial coverage for sampling and characterization. Laboratory testing results of samples taken from core and drill cuttings are reported