Lunar Extravehicular Activity Program

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) has proven an invaluable tool for space exploration since the inception of the space program. There are situations in which the best means to evaluate, observe, explore and potentially troubleshoot space systems are accomplished by direct human intervention. EVA provides this unique capability. There are many aspects of the technology required to enable a "miniature spaceship" to support individuals in a hostile environment in order to accomplish these tasks. This includes not only the space suit assembly itself, but the tools, design interfaces of equipment on which EVA must work and the specific vehicles required to support transfer of humans between habitation areas and the external world. This lunar mission program will require EVA support in three primary areas. The first of these areas include Orbital stage EVA or micro-gravity EVA which includes both Low Earth Orbit (LEO), transfer and Lunar Orbit EVA. The second area is Lunar Lander EVA capability, which is lunar surface EVA and carries slightly different requirements from micro-gravity EVA. The third and final area is Lunar Habitat based surface EVA, which is the final system supporting a long-term presence on the moon

Fighting a losing battle: Vigorous immune response countered by pathogen suppression of host defenses in the chytridiomycosis-susceptible frog Atelopus zeteki

The emergence of the disease chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been implicated in dramatic global amphibian declines. Although many species have undergone catastrophic declines and/or extinctions, others appear to be unaffected or persist at reduced frequencies after Bd outbreaks. The reasons behind this variance in disease outcomes are poorly understood: differences in host immune responses have been proposed, yet previous studies suggest a lack of robust immune responses to Bd in susceptible species. Here, we sequenced transcriptomes from clutchmates of a highly susceptible amphibian, Atelopus zeteki, with different infection histories. We found significant changes in expression of numerous genes involved in innate and inflammatory responses in infected frogs despite high susceptibility to chytridiomycosis. We show evidence of acquired immune responses generated against Bd, including increased expression of immunoglobulins and major histocompatibility complex genes. In addition, fungal-killing genes had significantly greater expression in frogs previously exposed to Bd compared with Bd-naïve frogs, including chitinase and serine-type proteases. However, our results appear to confirm recent in vitro evidence of immune suppression by Bd, demonstrated by decreased expression of lymphocyte genes in the spleen of infected compared with control frogs. We propose susceptibility to chytridiomycosis is not due to lack of Bd-specific immune responses but instead is caused by failure of those responses to be effective. Ineffective immune pathway activation and timing of antibody production are discussed as potential mechanisms. However, in light of our findings,suppression of key immune responses by Bd is likely an important factor in the lethality of this fungus

Character Strengths and Deep Connections Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Spiritual and Secular Pathways to Resistance Among Volunteers

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100170/1/jssr12043.pd

Nitrate loss from fertilized crop fields: does slope steepness matter?

Data used in analysi

Glutathione S-Transferase M1 Genetic Polymorphism Is Associated With Salivary 17-βestradiol Levels: A Study Based On Hormonal Profiles From Entire Menstrual Cycles

Introduction: Studies suggest that enzymes involved in the estrogen metabolic pathway are susceptibility factors for breast cancer; however, there is limited direct evidence in relation to estradiol levels. The glutathione-S-transferase M1 enzyme (GSTM1) enzyme is involved in estrogen peroxidation, and a shortage seems to enhance estrogen exposure. A homozygous deletion of the GSTM1 gene leads to total absence of enzyme activity, and studies indicate that an association with breast cancer risk may be modified by body mass. So far, parallel studies on intermediate biomarkers (i.e. estradiol) are largely missing. Thus, in the present study, we assessed the association between a GSTM1 genetic polymorphism (null/rs1065411) and daily salivary levels of 17-βestradiol throughout one entire menstrual cycle and evaluated modification of genotype effects according to metabolic profile in 190 premenopausal women aged 25-35 years. Methods: The women participated in the Energy Balance and Breast Cancer Aspects study (EBBA-I, 2000-2002) in Tromsø, North Norway (inclusion criteria: healthy, non-pregnant, non-lactating, no current use of exogenous hormones). Salivary levels of 17-βestradiol were assessed by radioimmunoassay (The Reproductive Ecology Laboratory, Harvard University). Height and weight were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTAwhole blood. GSTM1 genotyping was done on the ABI PRISM® 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center). The GSTM1 assay distinguishes between the GSTM1*Aallele (G nucleotide, Lys at aminoacid 173), the GSTM1*B allele (C nucleotide, Asn at aminoacid 173), and the homozygous gene deletion. Regression models were used to study the relation between genetic (null genotype versus all other alleles combined) and metabolic susceptibility factors, and levels of 17-βestradiol. Results: Mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.4 kg/m2. The homozygous gene deletion of GSTM1 had a prevalence of 52%, and the frequency of the null genotype was similar in heavy women (BMI ≥26.3 kg/m2, upper quartile) as compared to other women (p = .18). The null genotype was associated with lower levels of 17-βestradiol by cycle day compared to other alleles (p = .04). However, the association was confined to women that were normal weight to slightly overweight (p for interaction = .01). In women with BMI < 26.3 kg/m2, the null genotype was associated with significantly lower levels of 17-βestradiol by cycle day compared to other alleles (p = .02) and an 18% reduction in overall average level of 17-β estradiol throughout the cycle (p = .02), while in heavy women no association with estradiol levels was observed. Conclusion: In our study, GSTM1 genotype was a significant determinant of circulating estradiol levels in premenopausal women without marked adiposity. Thus, interestingly our results strongly support that the effect of body mass on estradiol levels and subsequent breast cancer development may be modified by GSTM1 genotype.AnthropologyHuman Evolutionary Biolog

Host allometry influences the evolution of parasite host-generalism: theory and meta-analysis

Parasites vary widely in the diversity of hosts they infect: some parasite species are specialists - infecting just a single host species, while others are generalists, capable of infecting many. Understanding the factors that drive parasite host-generalism is of basic biological interest, but also directly relevant to predicting disease emergence in new host species, identifying parasites that are likely to have unidentified additional hosts, and assessing transmission risk. Here, we use mathematical models to investigate how variation in host body size and environmental temperature affect the evolution of parasite host-generalism. We predict that parasites are more likely to evolve a generalist strategy when hosts are large-bodied, when variation in host body size is large, and in cooler environments. We then explore these predictions using a newly updated database of over 20,000 fish-macroparasite associations. Within the database we see some evidence supporting these predictions, but also highlight mismatches between theory and data. By combining these two approaches, we establish a theoretical basis for interpreting empirical data on parasites' host specificity and identify key areas for future work that will help untangle the drivers of parasite host-generalism

Long-term cleaning patterns of the sharknose goby (Elacatinus evelynae)

Cleaning interactions, which involve a cleaner removing ectoparasites and other material from the body of a heterospecific (client), are iconic symbiotic interactions observed on coral reefs worldwide. These small cleaners play a disproportionately large role in the structuring and function of coral reefs, influencing species interaction networks, client health and biodiversity. Cleaning patterns, however, are likely to be context-dependent and highly heterogeneous, and although we have some understanding about their spatial variation, longer-term temporal changes in cleaning interactions have remained understudied. Given that coral reefs are globally threatened and are currently experiencing large shifts in their biodiversity, it is vital that we determine which clients are consistently most important for maintaining cleaning. Using a long-term, 8-yr data set (2010–17) on the cleaning behaviour of the predominant Caribbean cleaner, the sharknose goby (Elacatinus evelynae), we investigated whether cleaner fish from the same reef show consistent patterns in their interactions with client species over time. Here we conclusively show that cleaning behaviour is highly plastic, as no single species or family was cleaned consistently more than others, in terms of cleaning frequency and duration, across all years. Only 40% of the species were cleaned more than others, and we also observed ca. one-third of species experience inconsistent cleaning patterns across years. Our study thus quantifies how dynamic cleaner–client relationships are on the same reef across years and highlights the importance of long-term data

Factors Contributing to the Retention of Senior 4-H Members: From the Youth Perspective

Of the almost six million youth reported as 4-H members in 2014, only 610,161 were listed as students in grades 9–12, compared to 1,941,406 in grades 4–8. This great disparity has been a long-held concern of 4-H professionals. Identifying both barriers to and contributing factors for continued 4-H membership is critical in understanding membership trends. This study employed the theoretical framework of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to uncover such barriers and contributing factors. Qualitative analysis showed that a desire to terminate 4-H membership during the middle school grades was common, yet perceived behavioral control among 4-H members had the largest impact on whether or not a 4-H member continued involvement. These findings suggest that parents have a large impact on whether a youth continues 4-H membership. Thus, parental education programs related to the importance of 4-H dosage and duration as it relates to positive youth development are key to retaining 4-H members. The researchers conclude with recommendations for putting the findings of this study into action to increase 4-H member retention

The effect of a non-verbal redirection on out-of-seat behavior in a subject diagnosed as ADHD and MR

This was a single subject study with the A-B-A-B across settings withdrawal design. This design was selected because the subject has comorbidity issues, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Mental Retardation (MR). This researcher implemented the A-B-A-B design and collected data during all four phases. The subject was a eight year old Hispanic female diagnosed as ADHD and mild MR. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity, lack of ability to focus attention, and hyperactivity. MR is characterized by below average intellectual functioning which significantly limits functioning in at least two skill areas

The Chandra Multi-Wavelength Project: Optical Spectroscopy and the Broadband Spectral Energy Distributions of X-ray Selected AGN

From optical spectroscopy of X-ray sources observed as part of ChaMP, we present redshifts and classifications for a total of 1569 Chandra sources from our targeted spectroscopic follow up using the FLWO, SAAO, WIYN, CTIO, KPNO, Magellan, MMT and Gemini telescopes, and from archival SDSS spectroscopy. We classify the optical counterparts as 50% BLAGN, 16% NELG, 14% ALG, and 20% stars. We detect QSOs out to z~5.5 and galaxies out to z~3. We have compiled extensive photometry from X-ray to radio bands. Together with our spectroscopic information, this enables us to derive detailed SEDs for our extragalactic sources. We fit a variety of templates to determine bolometric luminosities, and to constrain AGN and starburst components where both are present. While ~58% of X-ray Seyferts require a starburst event to fit observed photometry only 26% of the X-ray QSO population appear to have some kind of star formation contribution. This is significantly lower than for the Seyferts, especially if we take into account torus contamination at z>1 where the majority of our X-ray QSOs lie. In addition, we observe a rapid drop of the percentage of starburst contribution as X-ray luminosity increases. This is consistent with the quenching of star formation by powerful QSOs, as predicted by the merger model, or with a time lag between the peak of star formation and QSO activity. We have tested the hypothesis that there should be a strong connection between X-ray obscuration and star-formation but we do not find any association between X-ray column density and star formation rate both in the general population or the star-forming X-ray Seyferts. Our large compilation also allows us to report here the identification of 81 XBONG, 78 z>3 X-ray sources and 8 Type-2 QSO candidates. Also we have identified the highest redshift (z=5.4135) X-ray selected QSO with optical spectroscopy.Comment: 17 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in ApJS. Full data table and README file can be found online at http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~pgreen/Papers.htm