Simulation of the Impact of Dams and Fishing Weirs on Reproductive Potential of Silver-Phase American Eels in the Kennebec River Basin, Maine

I modeled the cumulative impact of hydroelectric projects with and without commercial fishing weirs and water-control dams on the production, survival to the sea, and potential fecundity of migrating female silver-phase American eels, Anguilla rostrata in the Kennebec River basin, Maine, This river basin has 22 hydroelectric projects, 73 water-control dams, and 15 commercial fishing weir sites. The modeled area included an 8,324 km(2) segment of the drainage area between Merrymeeting Bay and the upper limit of American eel distribution in the basin. One set of input,, (assumed or real values) concerned population structure (Le., population density and sex ratio changes throughout the basin, female length-class distribution, and drainage area between dams), Another set concerned factors influencing survival and potential fecundity of migrating American eels (i.e., pathway sequences through projects, survival rate per project by length-class. and length-fecundity relationship). Under baseline conditions about 402,400 simulated silver female American eels would be produced annually reductions in their numbers due to dams and weirs would reduce the realized fecundity (i.e., the number of eggs produced by all females that survived the migration). Without weirs or water-control dams, about 63% of the simulated silverphase American eels survived their freshwater spawning migration run to the sea when the survival rate at each hydroelectric dam was 9017, 40% survived at 80% survival per dam, and 18% survived at 60% survival per dam. Removing the lowermost hydroelectric dam on the Kennebec River increased survival by 6.0-7.6% for the basin. The efficient commercial weirs reduced survival to the sea to 69-76%( of what it would have been without weirs', regardless of survival rates at hydroelectric dams. Water-control dams had little impact on production in this basin because most were located in the upper reaches of tributaries. Sensitivity analysis led to the conclusion that small changes in population density and female length distribution had greater effects on survival and realized fecundity than similar changes in turbine survival rate. The latter became more important as turbine survival rate decreased. Therefore, it might be more fruitful to determine population distribution in basins of interest than to determine mortality rate at each hydroelectric project.

Influence of the Central American Seaway and Drake Passage on ocean circulation and neodymium isotopes: A model study

The sensitivity of the neodymium isotopic composition (ϵNd) to tectonic rearrangements of seaways is investigated using an Earth System Model of Intermediate Complexity. The shoaling and closure of the Central American Seaway (CAS) is simulated, as well as the opening and deepening of Drake Passage (DP). Multiple series of equilibrium simulations with various intermediate depths are performed for both seaways, providing insight into ϵNd and circulation responses to progressive throughflow evolutions. Furthermore, the sensitivity of these responses to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the neodymium boundary source is examined. Modeled ϵNd changes are compared to sediment core and ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crust data. The model results indicate that the North Atlantic ϵNd response to the CAS shoaling is highly dependent on the AMOC state, i.e., on the AMOC strength before the shoaling to shallow depths (preclosure). Three scenarios based on different AMOC forcings are discussed, of which the model-data agreement favors a shallow preclosure (Miocene) AMOC (∼6 Sv). The DP opening causes a rather complex circulation response, resulting in an initial South Atlantic ϵNd decrease preceding a larger increase. This feature may be specific to our model setup, which induces a vigorous CAS throughflow that is strongly anticorrelated to the DP throughflow. In freshwater experiments following the DP deepening, ODP Site 1090 is mainly influenced by AMOC and DP throughflow changes, while ODP Site 689 is more strongly influenced by Southern Ocean Meridional Overturning Circulation and CAS throughflow changes. The boundary source uncertainty is largest for shallow seaways and at shallow sites.

Factor analysis of the North American Spine Society outcome assessment instrument: a study based on a spine registry of patients treated with lumbar and cervical disc arthroplasty.

Background context Studies involving factor analysis (FA) of the items in the North American Spine Society (NASS) outcome assessment instrument have revealed inconsistent factor structures for the individual items. Purpose This study examined whether the factor structure of the NASS varied in relation to the severity of the back/neck problem and differed from that originally recommended by the developers of the questionnaire, by analyzing data before and after surgery in a large series of patients undergoing lumbar or cervical disc arthroplasty. Study design/setting Prospective multicenter observational case series. Patient sample Three hundred ninety-one patients with low back pain and 553 patients with neck pain completed questionnaires preoperatively and again at 3 to 6 and 12 months follow-ups (FUs), in connection with the SWISSspine disc arthroplasty registry. Outcome measures North American Spine Society outcome assessment instrument. Methods First, an exploratory FA without a priori assumptions and subsequently a confirmatory FA were performed on the 17 items of the NASS-lumbar and 19 items of the NASS-cervical collected at each assessment time point. The item-loading invariance was tested in the German version of the questionnaire for baseline and FU. Results Both NASS-lumbar and NASS-cervical factor structures differed between baseline and postoperative data sets. The confirmatory analysis and item-loading invariance showed better fit for a three-factor (3F) structure for NASS-lumbar, containing items on “disability,” “back pain,” and “radiating pain, numbness, and weakness (leg/foot)” and for a 5F structure for NASS-cervical including disability, “neck pain,” “radiating pain and numbness (arm/hand),” “weakness (arm/hand),” and “motor deficit (legs).” Conclusions The best-fitting factor structure at both baseline and FU was selected for both the lumbar- and cervical-NASS questionnaires. It differed from that proposed by the originators of the NASS instruments. Although the NASS questionnaire represents a valid outcome measure for degenerative spine diseases, it is able to distinguish among all major symptom domains (factors) in patients undergoing lumbar and cervical disc arthroplasty; overall, the item structure could be improved. Any potential revision of the NASS should consider its factorial structure; factorial invariance over time should be aimed for, to allow for more precise interpretations of treatment success.

The Aramaic of the Old Testament : a grammatical and lexical study of its relations with other early Aramaic dialects

by H. H. Rowley

Report from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases workshop on drug allergy

Allergic reactions to drugs are a serious public health concern. In 2013, the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases sponsored a workshop on drug allergy. International experts in the field of drug allergy with backgrounds in allergy, immunology, infectious diseases, dermatology, clinical pharmacology, and pharmacogenomics discussed the current state of drug allergy research. These experts were joined by representatives from several National Institutes of Health institutes and the US Food and Drug Administration. The participants identified important advances that make new research directions feasible and made suggestions for research priorities and for development of infrastructure to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and prevention of drug allergy. The workshop summary and recommendations are presented herein.

The Framework of Trade in the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

This paper establishes an overview of the variables and constraints that affected trade in the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. It explores the origins of COMECON, the demographic and resource distribution of the member nations, and the role of trade in a centrally planned economy. The paper’s primary focus is on the emergence of a bilateral trade structure, the faulty price mechanism, and the nonconvertibility of currencies. The paper documents the origins and relationships between the constraints of trade within COMECON, and argues that ultimately, these constraints prevented COMECON from fully achieving its economic objectives.

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 639 - "On the Sociology of Class Relations" und "The Psychology of Nazidom" (p. IX 16.1-2-IX 17.1-2)

"On the Sociology of Class Relations" (GS 12, S.75-104); 1. 1943 Aufsatz. a) Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 34 Blatt b) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen, 31 Blatt c) Typoskript, 31 Blatt und eigenhändigen Ergänzungen, 1 Blatt d) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen, 26 Blatt; 2. Franz Neumann: 1 eigenhändiger Brief mit Unterschrift an Max Horkheimer mit Anmerkungen zum Aufsatz, ohne Ort, 30.09.1943, 11 Blatt; "The Psychology of Nazidom" (GS 5, S. 354-359); 1. Buchbesprechung von "Is Germany Inucable?" von Richard M. Brickner; veröffentlicht in: "The New Leader", 14.08.1943. a)Typoskript, 7 Blatt b) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen und handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 7 Blatt c) Zeitungsdruck, 3 Exemplare; 2. "What Shall We Do With Germany? A Panel Discussion of 'Is Germany Incurable?'". Zeitungsausschnitte aus : "The Saturday Review of Literature", 29.05.1343, 6 Blatt;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 690 - Materialien zu Forschungsprojekten über Antisemitismus u.a. (p. IX 157 - IX 163.1-9)

"Beitrag des Instituts für Sozialforschung zu dem Forschungsprojekt über Autorität" (3.1.1951). Typoskript, 5 Blatt; "Reactions to the Antisemitic Incidents in January 1960. A Pilot Study in Frankfurt am Main. Summary of Procedure and Results" (1960). Typoskript, 6 Blatt (= Alt.Sig. IX 234.13 a); "Proposal for International Study of Anti-Semitism" (1960):; 1. American Jewish Committee: Luncheon Meeting, May 25, 1960, Typoskript, 2 Blatt; 2. American Jewish Committee, Institute of Human Relations: "The JDA Agencies and Germany" (17.5.1960). Als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 32 Blatt; Exzerpte aus Werken über Antisemitismus, Literaturlisten (etwa 1933-46):; 1. Everett R. Clinchy, Typoskript, 1 Blatt; 2. Paul K. Hatt, Typoskript, 3 Blatt; 3. John Moffat Mecklin, Typoskript, 3 Blatt; 4. Conrad Henry Moehlman, Typoskript, 4 Blatt; 5. Maurice Samuel, Typoskript, 5 Blatt; 6. Milton Steinberg, Typoskript, 2 Blatt; 7. "General Literature on Antisemitism", Liste, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Ergänzungen, 1 Blatt; 8. "Bibliography" zum Judentum, 15 Blatt; 9. Literaturliste, handschriftliche Notizen, 9 Blatt; 10. Literaturliste, eigenhändige Notizen von Max Horkheimer, 1 Blatt; 11. Literaturliste, 1 Blatt; 12. Zitate zum Judentum aus Zeitschriften, 1 Blatt; Memorandum zum Antisemitismus (1944-48):; 1. S. Andhil Fineberg: "Notes on 'A Mask for Privilege' by Carey McWilliams", als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 4 Blatt; Carey McWilliams: "Memorandum" (8.5.1948), Typoskript, 3 Blatt; Lawrence Bloomgarden und S.A. Fineberg: "In Reply to Carey McWilliams Memorandum of May 8th", Typoskript, 3 Blatt; 2. Rundbriefe der American Jewish Sociological Society, 1944, als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 4 Blatt; 3. Bericht über einen Vortrag von Wladimir Eliasberg über Antisemitismus, Typoskript, 1 Blatt; Abschriften und Übersetzungen aus Zeitungsartikeln über Antisemitismus (1939-43):; 1. "A Note on Anti-Semitism", aus: The New Statesman and Nation (13.3.1939), Typoskript, 7 Blatt; 2. Abschriften aus deutschen und englischen Zeitungen, 1939, Typoskript, 1 Blatt; 3. "A Homility of the Bishop of Cremona" (Übersetzung aus: Osservatore Romano) 1939. Typoskript, 18 Blatt; Veröffentlichungen über Antisemitismus, Vorurteil, Demagogie (1941-63):; 1. Earl Raab und Seymour M. Lipset: "Prejudice and Society", Freedom Pamphlet Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith (New York 1963), 48 Seiten; 2. Committee on Education, Training and Research in Race Relations of the University of Chicago: Bulletin, Nr. 1, 30.6.1948, 55. Seiten; 3. Solomon Andhil Fineberg: "Checkmate for Rabble-Rousers. What to Do When the Demagogue Comes to Town", Sonderdruck aus Commentary, Vol. 2, 1946 und eine Broschüre, 20 Seiten; 4. Kurt Lewin: "A new Approach to Old Problems", aus: Congress Week, 19.1.1945, 2 Blatt; 5. Eric A. Johnston: "Intolerance", New York, 11.1.1945, Heft, 8 Blatt; 6. Philip Wylie: "Memorandum on Anti-Semitism", aus: American Mercury, Januar 1945, 5 Blatt; 7. S.I. Hayakawa: "Race and Words", aus: Common Sense, Juli 1943, 3 Blatt; 8. David Riesman: "The Politics of Persecution". Als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 21 Blatt; 9. James P. Gifford, Frank D. Schroth, Maximilian Moss, Edward A. Richards, Samuel J. Levinson, Thomas G. Grace: "Anti-Semitism. It's Causes and Cures", New York, 1941, 30 Seiten;

Sexual orientation and sexual behavior patterns: Evaluation of agreement and variation in a cohort of male, African American drug users in Houston, TX

Background. Sexual orientation and sexual behavior among men have shown disagreement in past studies. The term "on the down low" has been adopted by many to describe "straight" identifying men who have sex with men but do not inform their primary female partner. Methods. This secondary analysis of data collected from the "DASH Project---A Hepatitis B Vaccine Model for HIV Vaccine Trial in Drug Users," assessed sexual behavior patterns among African American drug-using men over time. Using a screener questionnaire to determine sexual orientation and sexual behavior of the men, the study specifically evaluated "straight" identified men who have sex with women only (MSW) to determine what factors were associated with sexual behavior variation to include men during follow-up. The Fisher's Exact Test was used to evaluate the factors. Results. Variation of sexual behavior was highest among "bisexual" identified men followed by "gay" identified men. Fifteen of the original 593 "straight" and MSW men had sexual behavior variation to include men. In the analysis of "straight" and MSW men with variation in sexual behavior compared to those who did not, living on the streets, greater number of sexual partners, trading sex for drugs, and trading sex for money were associated with sexual behavior variation (all p-values <0.01). Conclusions. The factors were only associated when considering the interview when the variation occurred. The same factors at screening were not predictive of sexual behavior variation in the future. Environmental factors, such as living situation, appear to play a role in sexual behavior variations in "straight" and MSW men. ^ Keywords. sexual behavior, sexual orientation, Fisher's Exact Test^

Perinatal mortality and quality of care at the National Institute of Perinatology: A 3-year analysis

Quality of medical care has been indirectly assessed through the collection of negative outcomes. A preventable death is one that could have been avoided if optimum care had been offered. The general objective of the present project was to analyze the perinatal mortality at the National Institute of Perinatology (located in Mexico City) by social, biological and some available components of quality of care such as avoidability, provider responsibility, and structure and process deficiencies in the delivery of medical care. A Perinatal Mortality Committee data base was utilized. The study population consisted of all singleton perinatal deaths occurring between January 1, 1988 and June 30, 1991 (n = 522). A proportionate study was designed.^ The population studied mostly corresponded to married young adult mothers, who were residents of urban areas, with an educational level of junior high school or more, two to three pregnancies, and intermediate prenatal care. The mean gestational age at birth was 33.4 $\pm$ 3.9 completed weeks and the mean birthweight at birth was 1,791.9 $\pm$ 853.1 grams.^ Thirty-five percent of perinatal deaths were categorized as avoidable. Postnatal infection and premature rupture of membranes were the most frequent primary causes of avoidable perinatal death. The avoidable perinatal mortality rate was 8.7 per 1000 and significantly declined during the study period (p $<$.05). Preventable perinatal mortality aggregated data suggested that at least part of the mortality decline for amenable conditions was due to better medical care.^ Structure deficiencies were present in 35% of avoidable deaths and process deficiencies were present in 79%. Structure deficiencies remained constant over time. Process deficiencies consisted of diagnosis failures (45.8%) and treatment failures (87.3%), they also remained constant through the years. Party responsibility was as follows: Obstetric (35.4%), pediatric (41.4%), institutional (26.5%), and patient (6.6%). Obstetric responsibility significantly increased during the study period (p $<$.05). Pediatric responsibility declined only for newborns less than 1500 g (p $<$.05). Institutional responsibility remained constant.^ Process deficiencies increased the risk for an avoidable death eightfold (confidence interval 1.7-41.4, p $<$.01) and provider responsibility ninety-fivefold (confidence interval 14.8-612.1, p $<$.001), after adjustment for several confounding variables. Perinatal mortality due to prematurity, barotrauma and nosocomial infection, was highly preventable, but not that due to transpartum asphyxia. Once specific deficiencies in the quality of care have been identified, quality assurance actions should begin. ^