Report on the review of selected general and application controls over the State University of Iowa PeopleSoft Human Resources Information System (HRIS) for the period June 3, 2008 through July 25, 2008

Report on the review of selected general and application controls over the State University of Iowa PeopleSoft Human Resources Information System (HRIS) for the period June 3, 2008 through July 25, 2008

Stable isotope and trace element stratigraphy across the Permian-Triassic transition: A redefinition of the boundary in the Velebit Mountain, Croatia

Stable isotopes of carbonates (delta(13)C(carb), delta(18)O(carb)), organic matter (delta(13)C(org), delta(15)N(org)) and major, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions of marine carbonate rocks of Late Permian to Early Triassic age were used to establish the position of the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) at two continuous sections in the Velebit Mountain, Croatia. The chosen sections - Rizvanusa and Brezimenjaca - are composed of two lithostratigraphic units, the Upper Permian Transitional Dolomite and the overlying Sandy Dolomite. The contact between these units, characterized by the erosional features and sudden occurrence of ooids and siliciclastic grains, was previously considered as the chronostratigraphic PTB. The Sandy Dolomite is characterized by high content of non-carbonate material (up to similar to 30 wt.% insoluble residue), originated from erosion of the uplifted hinterland. A relatively rich assemblage of Permian fossils (including Geinitzina, Globivalvulina, Hemigordius, bioclasts of gastropods, ostracods and brachiopods) was found for the first time in Sandy Dolomite, 5 m above the lithologic boundary in the Rizvanusa section. A rather abrupt negative delta(13)C(carb) excursion in both sections appears in rocks showing no recognizable facies change within the Sandy Dolomite, -2 parts per thousand at Rizvanusa and -1.2 parts per thousand at Brezimenjaca, 11 m and 0.2 m above the lithologic contact, respectively. This level within the lower part of the Sandy Dolomite is proposed as the chemostratigraphic PTB. In the Rizvanusa section, the delta(13)C(org) values decline gradually from similar to-25 parts per thousand in the Upper Permian to similar to-29 parts per thousand in the Lower Triassic. The first negative delta(13)C(org) excursion occurs above the lithologic contact, within the uppermost Permian deposits, and appears to be related to the input of terrigenous material. The release of isotopically light microbial soil-biomass into the shallow-marine water may explain this sudden decrease of delta(13)C(org) values below the PTB. This would support the hypothesis that in the western Tethyan realm the land extinction, triggering a sudden drop of woody vegetation and related land erosion, preceded the marine extinction. The relatively low delta(15)N(org) values at the Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) transition level, close to approximate to 0 parts per thousand, and a secondary negative delta(13)C(org) excursion of -0.5 parts per thousand point to significant terrestrial input and primary contribution of cyanobacteria. The profiles of the concentrations of redox-sensitive elements (Ce, Mn, Fe, V), biogenic or biogenic-scavenged elements (P, Ba, Zn, V), Ce/Ce* values, and normalized trace elements, including Ba/Al, Ba/Fe, Ti/Al, Al/(Al + Fe + Mn) and Mn/Ti show clear excursions at the Transitional Dolomite-Sandy Dolomite lithologic boundary and the chemostratigraphic P-Tr boundary. The stratigraphic variations indicate a major regression phase marking the lithologic boundary, transgressive phases in the latest Permian and a gradual change into shallow/stagnant anoxic marine environment towards the P-Tr boundary level and during the earliest Triassic. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Report on the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Programs administered by the Region XII Council of Governments for the period July 1, 2005 through November 21, 2008

Report on the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Programs administered by the Region XII Council of Governments for the period July 1, 2005 through November 21, 2008

Reaudit report on the City of Fort Dodge, Iowa for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006

Reaudit report on the City of Fort Dodge, Iowa for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with extraperitoneal double-mesh technique.

Totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair is an efficient but technically demanding procedure. As mechanisms of hernia recurrence may be related to these technical difficulties, we have modified a previously described double-mesh technique in an effort to simplify the procedure. Extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repairs were performed in 82 male and 17 female patients having inguinal, femoral, and recurrent bilateral hernias. A standard propylene mesh measuring 15 x 15 cm was cut into two pieces of 4 x 15 cm and 11 x 15 cm. The smaller mesh was placed over both inguinal rings without splitting. The larger mesh was then inserted over the first mesh and stapled to low-risk zones, reinforcing the large-vessel area and the nerve transition zone. The mean procedure duration was 60 minutes for unilateral and 100 minutes for bilateral hernia repair. Patients were discharged from the hospital within 48 hours. The mean postoperative follow-up was 22 months, with no recurrences, neuralgia, or bleeding complications. Over a 2-year period, this technique was found to be satisfactory without recurrences or significant complications. In our hands, this technique was easier to perform: it allows for a less than perfect positioning of the meshes and avoids most of the stapling to crucial zones.

Report on the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (NJTP) for the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2008

Report on the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (NJTP) for the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2008

Special report on the City of Griswold for the period July 1, 2005 through February 28, 2009

Special report on the City of Griswold for the period July 1, 2005 through February 28, 2009

Report on a special investigation of the City of Russell for the period February 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008

Report on a special investigation of the City of Russell for the period February 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008

Report on a special investigation of the University of Northern Iowa, Camp Adventure Youth Services program for the period April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008

Report on a special investigation of the University of Northern Iowa, Camp Adventure Youth Services program for the period April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008

Special investigation of the City of Lacona for the period September 1, 2004 through August 15, 2008

Special investigation of the City of Lacona for the period September 1, 2004 through August 15, 2008

Review of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation program administered by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008

Review of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation program administered by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008

Report on a special investigation of the UNI Malcolm Price Laboratory School for the period July 1, 2006 through March 31, 2009

Report on a special investigation of the UNI Malcolm Price Laboratory School for the period July 1, 2006 through March 31, 2009

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) I-Que Pension Administration System for the period March 24, 2009 through April 22, 2009

Report on a review of selected general and application controls over the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) I-Que Pension Administration System for the period March 24, 2009 through April 22, 2009