I want to tell you what I did and why I did it.: A rhetorical criticism of the crisis rhetoric of President George Bush

This study examines the rhetoric of President George Bush as he addressed four crisis situations during his term in office— The Panama Invasion in December 1989, the Flag Desecration issue in June 1990, the Persian Gulf War in August 1990 and the Los Angeles riots in April 1992. The discourse was analyzed to discover characteristics o f his crisis communication rhetorical style and strategy, and to determine whether his crisis communication supported the arguments for a crisis rhetoric genre. Bush’s style and strategy were examined in terms of the rhetorical elements of speaker, audience, topic and setting. The analysis revealed that Bush used personal values to establish himself as the legitimate leader of the nation. He used patriotic, religious, social and family values to establish common ground with his audiences and focus the topics of his remarks. Bush’s crisis rhetoric provided evidence in support of a crisis rhetoric genre theory. His remarks followed a consistent, identifiable pattern and contained elements necessary in crisis discourse in order for audiences to understand and evaluate the crisis situations and the actions chosen by the president to resolve those situations. Such genre elements include evidence of consummatory and/or justificatory language, the speaker’s awareness of a global audience, explanations of how the actions are in accordance with U.S. policies and how they are strategically sound and morally upright, justification of action based on audience values, and evidence of enemy themes in the discourse. The study provides insight into the rhetorical style of George Bush and offers a framework for similar studies of other presidential crisis rhetoric. It also presents specific criteria for the crisis rhetoric genre which can be applied to future study of this communication issue

Self-Reported Low Vitality, Poor Mental Health, and Low Dietary Restraint Are Associated with Overperception of Physical Exertion

Objective. We investigated whether perceived exertion, in comparison to the physiological response to exercise, was associated with self-reported vitality, mental health, and physical function during daily activities, or weight control behaviors. Design. Weight-reduced, formerly overweight women (n = 126, aged 22–46 years), completed health and dietary control questionnaires, and underwent a treadmill-walking task while heart rate, ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded. Results. Overperception of exertion (perceived exertion physiological exertion) was inversely associated with vitality (r = −0.190, P < .05), mental health (r = −0.188, P < .05), and dietary control (r values range −0.231 to −0.317, P < .05). In linear regression modeling, vitality or mental health, and cognitive dietary restraint were independently associated with accuracy of perceived exertion, independent of age, ethnicity, and engagement in exercise during weight loss. Each model explained 7%-8% of the variance in accuracy of perceived exertion. Conclusion. Women with low vitality or poor mental health, and poor dietary control may overperceive exertion. Such overperception may be a barrier to engage in physical activity and thus increase susceptibility to weight gain

Rational Design and Real Time, In-Cell Detection of the Proapoptotic Activity of a Novel Compound Targeting Bcl-XL

AbstractAntiapoptotic Bcl-2-family proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL have been recently validated as drug discovery targets for cancer. Here, by using a combination of molecular modeling, NMR-based structural analysis, fluorescence polarization assays, and cell-based assays, we have designed and characterized a novel proapoptotic compound targeting these proteins. Our compound, Apogossypol, is capable of binding and inhibiting Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL with high affinity and induces apoptosis of tumor cell lines. Mechanistic studies on the action of our compound were also performed via confocal microscopy that provided real-time detection of the interaction with Bcl-XL in intact cells. Finally, preliminary data on cells freshly isolated from patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia strongly suggest potential applications of Bcl-2 antagonists as chemosensitizers in cancer therapy

Negative trends in bird abundance are strongly correlated to rainfall decline in a Central American tropical forest

El cambio climático es considerado uno de los principales factores que amenazan a la biodiversidad. El clima es de gran importancia para la dinámica poblacional de las aves, pero las consecuencias del cambio climático no han sido abordadas sino hasta recientemente, especialmente en aves tropicales. Para el norte de América Central, los escenarios de cambio climático para 2050 predicen una reducción en las precipitaciones, con disminuciones de 4-19% de las precipitaciones actuales. En este trabajo se evalúa la relación entre los cambios temporales en la cantidad de precipitaciones y la dinámica de la comunidad de aves en el este tropical de Guatemala para un período de 18 años (1993-2010). Los datos consistieron en capturas y recapturas anuales en cuatro sitios ubicados a altitudes entre 100-750 msnm, con análisis para las capturas totales y para seis gremios de alimentación. Los análisis estadísticos consistieron en regresiones de Poisson en las cuales la abundancia estimada (tomando en cuenta la probabilidad de recaptura) fue modelada en función de las precipitaciones (de la época lluviosa, de la época seca y la anual) y la tendencia temporal. Se detectaron fuertes declinaciones en la abundancia total y en la abundancia de las aves nectarívoras, omnívoras, frugívoras y, en menor grado, insectívoras de follaje. Estas declinaciones estuvieron fuertemente asociadas a la disminución en la cantidad de precipitaciones, principalmente de la época lluviosa. Se necesita un conocimiento más profundo de los efectos del cambio climático sobre la abundancia de animales en los ecosistemas tropicales, con el fin de proponer acciones de conservación y manejo en estos sistemas altamente diversos.Climate change is considered one of the main factors threatening biodiversity. Weather is of major importance for bird population dynamics, but the implications of climate change have only recently begun to be addressed, especially for tropical birds. For Northern Central America, climate change scenarios for 2050 predict a reduction in precipitation across the region, with decreases ranging from 4-19% of current rainfall. In this work, we addressed the relationship between temporal changes in precipitation amount and bird community dynamics in eastern tropical Guatemala, for a time period of 18 years (1993-2010). Data consisted of yearly captures and recaptures in four sites, located at elevations between 100-750 masl, and analyses were carried out for total captures and for six foraging guilds. Statistical analyses consisted of Poisson regressions, where estimated abundance (taking into account recapture probability) was modelled as a function of wet-season, dry-season, and annual rainfall, and temporal trend. We detected strong declines in total abundance and in the abundance of nectarivores, omnivores, frugivores, and, to a lesser degree, foliage insectivores. These declines were strongly associated with declines in rainfall amount, generally during the rainy season. A more comprehensive understanding of the effects of climate change on animal abundance in tropical ecosystems is strongly needed to propose conservation and management actions in these biodiverse ecosystems

The Impact of an Intervention to Improve Malaria Care in Public Health Centers on Health Indicators of Children in Tororo, Uganda (PRIME): A Cluster-Randomized Trial.

Optimizing quality of care for malaria and other febrile illnesses is a complex challenge of major public health importance. To evaluate the impact of an intervention aiming to improve malaria case management on the health of community children, a cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010-2013 in Tororo, Uganda, where malaria transmission is high. Twenty public health centers were included; 10 were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. Households within 2 km of health centers provided the sampling frame for the evaluation. The PRIME intervention included training in fever case management using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), patient-centered services, and health center management; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether-lumefantrine. Cross-sectional community surveys were conducted at baseline and endline (N = 8,766), and a cohort of children was followed for approximately 18 months (N = 992). The primary outcome was prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL) in children under 5 years of age in the final community survey. The intervention was delivered successfully; however, no differences in prevalence of anemia or parasitemia were observed between the study arms in the final community survey or the cohort. In the final survey, prevalence of anemia in children under 5 years of age was 62.5% in the intervention versus 63.1% in control (adjusted risk ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.91-1.13; P = 0.82). The PRIME intervention, focusing on training and commodities, did not produce the expected health benefits in community children in Tororo. This challenges common assumptions that improving quality of care and access to malaria diagnostics will yield health gains

Adenovirus Encoding Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-B Delivered to Alveolar Bone Defects Exhibits Safety and Biodistribution Profiles Favorable for Clinical Use

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene therapy offers promise for tissue engineering of tooth-supporting alveolar bone defects. To date, limited information exists regarding the safety profile and systemic biodistribution of PDGF gene therapy vectors when delivered locally to periodontal osseous defects. The aim of this preclinical study was to determine the safety profile of adenovirus encoding the PDGF-B gene (AdPDGF-B) delivered in a collagen matrix to periodontal lesions. Standardized alveolar bone defects were created in rats, followed by delivery of matrix alone or containing AdPDGF-B at 5.5-108 or 5.5-109 plaque-forming units/ml. The regenerative response was confirmed histologically. Gross clinical observations, hematology, and blood chemistries were monitored to evaluate systemic involvement. Bioluminescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to assess vector biodistribution. No significant histopathological changes were noted during the investigation. Minor alterations in specific hematological and blood chemistries were seen; however, most parameters were within the normal range for all groups. Bioluminescence analysis revealed vector distribution at the axillary lymph nodes during the first 2 weeks with subsequent return to baseline levels. AdPDGF-B was well contained within the localized osseous defect area without viremia or distant organ involvement. These results indicate that AdPDGF-B delivered in a collagen matrix exhibits acceptable safety profiles for possible use in human clinical studies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78106/1/hum.2008.114.pd

Properties, Propagation, and Excitation of EMIC Waves Properties, Propagation, and Excitation of EMIC Waves

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves (0.1-5 Hz) play an important role in particle dynamics in the Earth's magnetosphere. EMIC waves are preferentially excited in regions where hot anisotropic ions and cold dense plasma populations spatially overlap. While the generation region of EMIC waves is usually on or near the magnetic equatorial plane in the inner magnetosphere, EMIC waves have both equatorial and off-equator source regions on the dayside in the compressed outer magnetosphere. Using field and plasma measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we perform a case study of EMIC waves and associated local plasma conditions observed on 19 October 2015. From 0315 to 0810 UT, before crossing the magnetopause into the magnetosheath, all four MMS spacecraft detected long-lasting He(exp +)-band EMIC wave emissions around local noon (MLT = 12.7 - 14.0) at high L-shells (L = 8.8 - 15.2) and low magnetic latitudes (MLAT = -21.8deg - -30.3deg). Energetic (greater than 1 keV) and anisotropic ions were present throughout this event that was in the recovery phase of a weak geomagnetic storm (min. Dst = -48 nT at 1000 UT on 18 October 2015). The testing of linear theory suggests that the EMIC waves were excited locally. Although the wave event is dominated by small normal angles, its polarization is mixed with right- and left-handedness and its propagation is bi-directional with regard to the background magnetic field. The short inter-spacecraft distances (as low as ~15 km) of the MMS mission make it possible to accurately determine the k vector of the waves using the phase difference technique. Preliminary analysis finds that the k vector magnitude, phase speed, and wavelength of the 0.3-Hz wave packet at 0453:55 UT are 0.005 km(exp -1), 372.9 km/s, and 1242.9 km, respectively

Wave-particle energy exchange directly observed in a kinetic Alfvén-branch wave

Alfvén waves are fundamental plasma wave modes that permeate the universe. At small kinetic scales, they provide a critical mechanism for the transfer of energy between electromagnetic fields and charged particles. These waves are important not only in planetary magnetospheres, heliospheres and astrophysical systems but also in laboratory plasma experiments and fusion reactors. Through measurement of charged particles and electromagnetic fields with NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we utilize Earth’s magnetosphere as a plasma physics laboratory. Here we confirm the conservative energy exchange between the electromagnetic field fluctuations and the charged particles that comprise an undamped kinetic Alfvén wave. Electrons confined between adjacent wave peaks may have contributed to saturation of damping effects via nonlinear particle trapping. The investigation of these detailed wave dynamics has been unexplored territory in experimental plasma physics and is only recently enabled by high-resolution MMS observations

Wave-Particle Energy Exchange Directly Observed in a Kinetic Alfven-Branch Wave

Alfven waves are fundamental plasma wave modes that permeate the universe. At small kinetic scales they provide a critical mechanism for the transfer of energy between electromagnetic fields and charged particles. These waves are important not only in planetary magnetospheres, heliospheres, and astrophysical systems, but also in laboratory plasma experiments and fusion reactors. Through measurement of charged particles and electromagnetic fields with NASAs Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we utilize Earths magnetosphere as a plasma physics laboratory. Here we confirm the conservative energy exchange between the electromagnetic field fluctuations and the charged particles that comprise an undamped kinetic Alfven wave. Electrons confined between adjacent wave peaks may have contributed to saturation of damping effects via non-linear particle trapping. The investigation of these detailed wave dynamics has been unexplored territory in experimental plasma physics and is only recently enabled by high-resolution MMS observations

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