A Study of the Vertical Distribution of Periphyton Diatoms in Lake West Okoboji, lowa

A series of five stations, arranged as a bottom transect away from shore between the depths of 15 centimeters and 5 meters, was studied. During the three-month period of study (June, July, and August, 1964) there was an evident seasonal succession of dominant diatom species at all stations. In general, the greatest fluctuations in the dominant elements of the flora were noted in the shallower stations. Besides being more seasonally stable, the floras of the deeper stations were relatively more diverse on all dates sampled

Trapping of strangelets in the geomagnetic field

Strangelets coming from the interstellar medium (ISM) are an interesting target to experiments searching for evidence of this hypothetic state of hadronic matter. We entertain the possibility of a {\it trapped} strangelet population, quite analogous to ordinary nuclei and electron belts. For a population of strangelets to be trapped by the geomagnetic field, these incoming particles would have to fulfill certain conditions, namely having magnetic rigidities above the geomagnetic cutoff and below a certain threshold for adiabatic motion to hold. We show in this work that, for fully ionized strangelets, there is a narrow window for stable trapping. An estimate of the stationary population is presented and the dominant loss mechanisms discussed. It is shown that the population would be substantially enhanced with respect to the ISM flux (up to two orders of magnitude) due to quasi-stable trapping.Comment: 10 pp., 5 figure

Siliceous microfossil succession in the recent history of two basins in Lake Baikal, Siberia

As part of the international cooperative Baikal Drilling Project, siliceous microfossil assemblage succession was analyzed in two short (∼ 30-cm) sediment cores from Lake Baikal. One core was recovered from the north basin (Core 324, 55°15′N, 109°30′E), a second from between the central and southern basins (Core 316, 52°28′N, 106°5′E). The northern core had higher amounts of biogenic silica (40 g SiO 2 per 100 g dry weight sediment) compared to the southern core, and increased deposition in the more recent sediments. Weight percent biogenic silica was lower in the southern core, ranging from approximately 20–30 g SiO 2 per 100 g dry weight sediment throughout the entire core. Trends in absolute microfossil abundance mirror those of biogenic silica, with generally greater abundance in the northern core (86–275×10 6 microfossils g −1 dry sediment) compared to the southern core (94–163×10 6 microfossils g −1 dry sediment).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43073/1/10933_2004_Article_BF00735480.pd

Siliceous microfossil succession in the recent history of Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Quantitative analysis of siliceous microfossils in a 210 Pb dated core from Green Bay of Lake Michigan shows clear evidence of eutrophication, but a different pattern of population succession than observed in the main deposition basins of the Great Lakes. Sediments deposited prior to extensive European settlement ( ca A.D. 1850) contain high relative abundance of chrysophyte cysts and benthic diatoms. Quantity and composition of microfossils deposited during the pre-settlement period represented in our core is quite uniform, except for the 30–32 cm interval which contains elevated microfossil abundance and particularly high levels of attached benthic species. Total microfossil abundance and the proportion of planktonic diatoms begins to increase ca 1860 and rises very rapidly beginning ca 1915. Maximum abundance occurs in sediments deposited during the 1970's, with a secondary peak in the late 1940's — early 1950's. Increased total abundance is accompanied by increased dominance of taxa tolerant of eutrophic conditions, however indigenous oligotrophic taxa, particularly those which are most abundant during the summer, are not eliminated from the flora, as in the lower Great Lakes. It appears that a combination of silica resupply from high riverine loadings and replacement of indigenous populations by periodic intrusions of Lake Michigan water allow sequential co-existence of species usually exclusively associated with either eutrophic or oligotrophic conditions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43092/1/10933_2004_Article_BF00153737.pd

Response of a Lake Michigan coastal lake to anthropogenic catchment disturbance

A paleolimnological investigation of post-European sediments in a Lake Michigan coastal lake was used to examine the response of Lower Herring Lake to anthropogenic impacts and its role as a processor of watershed inputs. We also compare the timing of this response with that of Lake Michigan to examine the role of marginal lakes as ‘early warning’ indicators of potential changes in the larger connected system and their role in buffering Lake Michigan against anthropogenic changes through biotic interactions and material trapping. Sediment geochemistry, siliceous microfossils and nutrient-related morphological changes in diatoms, identified three major trophic periods in the recent history of the lake. During deforestation and early settlement (pre-1845–1920), lake response to catchment disturbances results in localized increases in diatom abundances with minor changes in existing communities. In this early phase of disturbance, Lower Herring Lake acts as a sediment sink and a biological processor of nutrient inputs. During low-lake levels of the 1930s, the lake goes through a transitional period characterized by increased primary productivity and a major shift in diatom communities. Post-World War II (late 1940s–1989) anthropogenic disturbances push Lower Herring Lake to a new state and a permanent change in diatom community structure dominated by Cyclotella comensis . The dominance of planktonic summer diatom species associated with the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) is attributed to epilimnetic nutrient depletion. Declining Si:P ratios are inferred from increased sediment storage of biogenic silica and morphological changes in the silica content of Aulacoseira ambigua and Stephanodiscus niagarae . Beginning in the late 1940s, Lower Herring Lake functions as a biogeochemical processor of catchment inputs and a carbon, nutrient and silica sink. Microfossil response to increased nutrients and increased storage of biogenic silica in Lower Herring Lake and other regional embayments occur approximately 20–25 years earlier than in a nearby Lake Michigan site. Results from this study provide evidence for the role of marginal lakes and bays as nutrient buffering systems, delaying the impact of anthropogenic activities on the larger Lake Michigan system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43091/1/10933_2004_Article_1688.pd

Structure, Dynamics, and Phase Transitions in the Fullerene Derivatives C_{60}O and C_{61}H_{2}

The effect of perturbing the icosohedral symmetry of C60 by the addition of the side groups -O and -CH2 upon orientational order-disorder and glass transitions in solid C60 has been studied by a combination of high-resolution capacitance dilatometry and single-crystal x-ray and powder inelastic neutron scattering. Both fullerene derivatives C60O (epoxide) and C61H2 (6,5-annulene) are shown to undergo a sequence of transitions similar to that found in pure C60, i.e., a first-order orientational ordering transition just below room temperature followed by an orientational glass transition at lower temperatures. Although the exact origin of the glass transition in C61H2 is unclear, the glass transition in C60O has the same origin as that in C60, with a significantly higher degree of order due to a larger energy difference between pentagon and hexagon orientations. The dilatometric data at the glass transition indicate that, in contrast to C60, the ground-state orientation of both C60O and C61H2 molecules is that with the smallest volume, also demonstrating a significant influence of the side groups upon the details of the structure. A possible explanation of these differences in terms of steric effects is proposed

Siliceous microfossil distribution in the surficial sediments of Lake Baikal

Examination of surficial sediments at 16 stations shows minor, but consistent differences in the numbers and kinds of siliceous microfossils deposited in different regions of Lake Baikal. There is a general north-south decreasing trend in total microfossil abundance on a weight basis. Endemic plankton diatom species are the most abundant component of assemblages at all stations. Chrysophyte cysts are present at all stations, but most forms are more abundant at northern stations. Non-endemic plankton diatom species are most abundant at southern stations. Small numbers of benthic diatoms and sponge spicules are found in all samples. Although low numbers are present in offshore sediments, the benthic diatom flora is very diverse. Principal components analysis confirms primary north-south abundance trends and suggests further differentiation by station location and depth.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43071/1/10933_2004_Article_BF00682594.pd

A Comprehensive Pediatric Asthma Management Program Reduces Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations

We evaluated the impact of a comprehensive pediatric asthma management program (the Children's Asthma Wellness Program, CAWP) on the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions. The CAWP generally consisted of 4 clinic sessions over a 1-year period, but some patients attended fewer clinic sessions, and some required additional clinic sessions due to incomplete asthma control. Patients were evaluated and treated by pediatric pulmonologists, nurse asthma care coordinator/educator, and social worker. We retrospectively reviewed program results over an 8-year period (2005?2013). We compared ED visits and hospital admissions before and after participation in the CAWP. There were 254 children referred to the CAWP; 172 children were enrolled. Fifty-four children (31%) received >6 sessions due to incomplete asthma control. On average, children requiring additional clinic sessions were older and more likely to be African American, hold Medicaid insurance, and have severe asthma. We obtained a minimum of 1-year preprogram and 1-year postprogram administrative data for 86 children (50%). Using each participating child as his/her own control, we found that taking part in the program decreased the risk of ED visits to 0.26 times the preprogram rate (P?Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140178/1/ped.2015.0561.pd

TWO NEW PLOCENE SPECIES OF CYCLOSTEPHANOS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) WITH COMMENTS ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE FRESHWATER THALASSIOSIRACEAE 1

Two new species of the diatom genus Cyclostephanos Round are described from Pliocene fossil deposits in western North America. Cyclostephanos undatus is distinguished from other Cyclostephanos species by its tangentially undulate valve face; Cyclostephanos fenestratus is distinguished by its extremely shallow alveoli. This paper records previously unreported morphological detail of Cyclostephanos and speculates that structure of the punctum, labiate process and strutted process may enhance diagnosis of the freshwater genera of the Thalassiosiraceae Lebour emend. Hasle. Cyclostephanos undatus is similar to several Cyclotella species, but its external costae are raised and its alveolar morphology is similar to that of Cyclostephanos dubius (Fricke) Round. Cyclostephanos fenestratus is similar in external view to Stephanodiscus Ehrenb. However, the two species described here have flat cribra covering the mantle puncta and the labiate processes appear to lack external tubes, whereas Stephanodiscus species have domed mantle cribra and external tubes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65645/1/j.1529-8817.1986.tb04154.x.pd

Phenoloxidase activity acts as a mosquito innate immune response against infection with semliki forest virus

Several components of the mosquito immune system including the RNA interference (RNAi), JAK/STAT, Toll and IMD pathways have previously been implicated in controlling arbovirus infections. In contrast, the role of the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade in mosquito antiviral immunity is unknown. Here we show that conditioned medium from the Aedes albopictus-derived U4.4 cell line contains a functional PO cascade, which is activated by the bacterium Escherichia coli and the arbovirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) (Togaviridae; Alphavirus). Production of recombinant SFV expressing the PO cascade inhibitor Egf1.0 blocked PO activity in U4.4 cell- conditioned medium, which resulted in enhanced spread of SFV. Infection of adult female Aedes aegypti by feeding mosquitoes a bloodmeal containing Egf1.0-expressing SFV increased virus replication and mosquito mortality. Collectively, these results suggest the PO cascade of mosquitoes plays an important role in immune defence against arboviruses