Increasing urbanization rates observed in the last decades have significantly contributed to a higher number of travelers to urban environments. The objective of this study was to identify measures and factors that en...Increasing urbanization rates observed in the last decades have significantly contributed to a higher number of travelers to urban environments. The objective of this study was to identify measures and factors that encourage the use of alternative transportation in the cities of Washington D.C., USA and Porto Alegre, Brazil. The methodology used to compare these two cities was an evaluation of their urban mobility plans, including strategic analyses and measures to promote the use of public transport. This approach was based on factors described in the following document： ＂Urban Sustainability： Impacts of Economic Development and Their Consequences on the Process of Urbanization in Emerging Countries＂, prepared by the United Nations. The results indicate different planning strategies, ranging from focusing on tax integration policies in order to become more financially attractive to the user, to using different modes of mass transportation integrated with active mobility. In Washington D.C., an innovative strategy was developed in preparation to forecast scenarios, as the measures comprised projection for the year 2040, which will respond to mobility demands in the coming decades.展开更多
Yakima County, Washington, a rural county with an urban core suffered disproportionately under the conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and summer wildfires of 2020. With an infection rate of over 700 per 100...Yakima County, Washington, a rural county with an urban core suffered disproportionately under the conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and summer wildfires of 2020. With an infection rate of over 700 per 100,000 population at the height of the pandemic, the county concurrently experienced 14 consecutive days of an air quality index in the unhealthy to hazardous range in August 2020. This paper examines the contributing socioeconomic, geographic, and environmental vulnerabilities that make Yakima County particularly susceptible to the continuum of expected COVID-19 disease and related outcomes and suggests comprehensive areas of investigation to mitigate its impact on special populations, including Hispanic-Latino communities, agricultural, food production, and other essential workers.展开更多
Vegetation and soil within estuarine ecosystems play an integral role in ecological processes within pocket estuaries. However, physical barriers, caused by culverts diminish hydrological inputs, sediment exchange, an...Vegetation and soil within estuarine ecosystems play an integral role in ecological processes within pocket estuaries. However, physical barriers, caused by culverts diminish hydrological inputs, sediment exchange, and habitat connectivity. The restoration of estuaries by bridge replacement reconnects <span>the aquatic corridor, however, the recovery of plant communities and soil s</span>ubstrate is not well understood. This observational study monitored four estuary restoration sites of variable ages (0 - 12 years) in Western Washington, USA. Plant community composition, soil organic carbon, organic matter, and soil nutrients were assessed. Percent soil carbon was different among the pre-restoration and youngest (3-year) post-restoration site (<i>P</i> = 0.03), suggesting an initial decrease in carbon and organic matter during restoration. Both N and P were deficient at the newest, lower restoration site, presumably linked to the lack of organic matter required for adequate cation exchange capacity and nutrient/plant exchange (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Plant species diversity was higher at the intermediate (9-year) and oldest post-restoration sites (12-year;<i>P</i> = 0.02). Vegetation composition was primarily native species with few invasive plants present. The results of this study illustrate that tidal marsh plant communities are influenced by the development of salinity and vertical gradients with older sites having an increase in species diversity. Future surveys are ongoing to <span>better understand how these sites recover organic matter and tidal marsh co</span>mmunities to form adequate estuarine habitat over time.展开更多
The University of Washington has played a pivotal role in the field of sinology with faculty and alumni producing major publications in Chinese history,literature,phonetics,and linguistics.These contributions have bee...The University of Washington has played a pivotal role in the field of sinology with faculty and alumni producing major publications in Chinese history,literature,phonetics,and linguistics.These contributions have been instrumental in the development of sinology as a field and have both directly and indirectly influenced the study of Chinese Medicine.By tracing the history of the Department of Asian Languages and Literature and examining several major figures,we can better understand how these individuals shaped the development of Chinese Medicine and contributed to its spread worldwide.展开更多
In the United States, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disproportionately affects the African American (AA) community, which has not been systematically included in molecular studies of underlying mechanisms. As part o...In the United States, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disproportionately affects the African American (AA) community, which has not been systematically included in molecular studies of underlying mechanisms. As part of a gene expression study, we recruited cases with T2DM and matched, unaffected controls at an urban hospital in Washington, DC, with a majority AA population. Here we describe the profile of socio-demographic, behavioral, and health-related associations of the study population. Self-reported data were collected from cases with T2DM (N = 77) and age- and gender-matched controls (N = 80), ages 45 - 65 years. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). As expected, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were more prevalent in cases than in controls. Tobacco smoking and working alongside other tobacco smokers were also associated with T2DM. After adjusting for covariates, current tobacco smoking remained statistically associated with the disease (OR per half pack of cigarettes 1.43, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.95;p-value 0.027). HbA1c levels were elevated in T2DM cases who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes daily. These associations highlight the comorbid burdens of T2DM in an AA urban community setting and identify tobacco control as an unmet need for future prevention and control efforts.展开更多
Due to federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to clean water and salmon recovery, stream health and water quality are major concerns in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. An integral component of mo...Due to federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to clean water and salmon recovery, stream health and water quality are major concerns in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. An integral component of most riparian rehabilitation efforts is the effective establishment of preferred vegetation. We conducted arthropod surveys in representative disturbed and rehabilitated riparian buffers directly adjacent to apple orchards and grape vineyards in the Lower Yakima Valley near Prosser, Benton County, Washington State USA. Objectives of the study were to determine whether densities of select predatory and pest taxa changed with distance from the waterway and to test whether densities differed among disturbed, rehabilitated, or pristine riparian buffers. The studies suggest that populations of some beneficial arthropods, including spiders and ground beetles, were higher in the presence of exotic flowering plant species. In the riparian environments surveyed, more native woody plant species were found adjacent to the waterway, and this apparent stability appears to have had a positive effect on beneficial arthropods. Concurrently, data indicated that some exotic, flowering species of plants may be preferred over native plant species as hosts to certain arthropod pests. These plants tend to persist in degraded riparian buffers and at the interface of riparian habitats and cultivated areas, whereas native plant species are predominant in pristine or properly maintained and rehabilitated buffers.展开更多
The East Asia Library(EAZ), following the leadership of the University of Washington(UW) Libraries and the trends of the library world, has made great progress in library automation. Yet the presence of non-roman scri...The East Asia Library(EAZ), following the leadership of the University of Washington(UW) Libraries and the trends of the library world, has made great progress in library automation. Yet the presence of non-roman scripts, or CJK characters, in the library's electronic resources in an environment dominated by phonetic languages makes automation of East Asian Libraries more challenging than libraries which use only roman scripts. This paper first provides a general overview of current information technology. It then offers a brief introduction to the UW Library automation and how the East Asia Library handles automation Finally, it presents the experience of the information technology in Chinese studies at EAL.展开更多
Spatiotemporal analysis of fire activity is vital for determining why wildfires occur where they do,assessing wildfire risks,and developing locally relevant wildfire risk reduction strategies.Using various spatial sta...Spatiotemporal analysis of fire activity is vital for determining why wildfires occur where they do,assessing wildfire risks,and developing locally relevant wildfire risk reduction strategies.Using various spatial statistical methods,we determined hot spots of large wildfires(>100 acres)in Washington,the United States,and mapped spatiotemporal variations in large wildfire activity from 1970 to 2020.Our results found that all hot spots are located east of the crest of the Cascade Range.Our spatiotemporal analysis found that the geographic area wherein most of the state’s acres burned has shrunk considerably since 1970 and has become concentrated over the north-central portion of the state over time.This concentration of large wildfire activity in north-central Washington was previously unquantified and may provide important information for hazard mitigation efforts in that area.Our results highlight the advantages of using spatial statistical methods that could aid the development of natural hazard mitigation plans and risk reduction strategies by characterizing previous hazard occurrences spatially and spatiotemporally.展开更多
Regenerative capacity of the central nervous system(CNS)is unevenly distributed among vertebrates.While most mammalian species including humans elicit limited repair following CNS injury or disease,highly regenerative...Regenerative capacity of the central nervous system(CNS)is unevenly distributed among vertebrates.While most mammalian species including humans elicit limited repair following CNS injury or disease,highly regenerative vertebrates including urodele amphibians and teleost fish spontaneously reverse CNS damage.Teletost zebrafish(danio rerio)are tropical freshwater fish that proved to be an excellent vertebrate model of successful CNS regeneration.Differential neuronal,glial,and immune injury responses underlie disparate injury outcomes between highly regenerative zebrafish and poorly regenerative mammals.This article describes complications associated with neuronal repair following spinal cord injury(SCI)in poorly regenerative mammals and highlights intersecting modes of plasticity and regeneration in highly regenerative zebrafish(Figures 1 and 2).Comparative approaches evaluating immunoglial SCI responses were recently reviewed elsewhere(Reyes and Mokalled,2024).展开更多
Calcium (Ca^(2+)) is a key intracellular messenger involved in a variety of cellular functions.Intracellular Ca^(2+)dysregulation drives neuron cell death in multiple degenerative diseases and traumatic conditions.Ret...Calcium (Ca^(2+)) is a key intracellular messenger involved in a variety of cellular functions.Intracellular Ca^(2+)dysregulation drives neuron cell death in multiple degenerative diseases and traumatic conditions.Retinal ganglion cell(RGC) degeneration occurs in blinding diseases such as glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.展开更多
Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewa...Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewable,and clinical demand is increasingly difficult to meet,leading to a proliferation of counterfeit products.During prolonged geological burial,static pressure from the surrounding strata severely compromises the microstructural integrity of osteons in Os Draconis,but Os Draconis still largely retains the structural features of mammalian bone.Methods:Using verified authentic Os Draconis samples over 10,000 years old as a baseline,this study summarizes the ultrastructural characteristics of genuine Os Draconis.Employing electron probe microanalysis and optical polarized light microscopy,we examined 28 batches of authentic Os Draconis and 31 batches of counterfeits to identify their ultrastructural differences.Key points for ultrastructural identification of Os Draconis were compiled,and a new identification approach was proposed based on these differences.Results:Authentic Os Draconis exhibited distinct ultrastructural markers:irregularly shaped osteons with traversing fissures,deformed/displaced Haversian canals,and secondary mineral infill(predominantly calcium carbonate).Counterfeits showed regular osteon arrangements,absent traversal fissures,and homogeneous hydroxyapatite composition.Lab-simulated samples lacked structural degradation features.EPMA confirmed calcium carbonate infill in fossilized Haversian canals,while elemental profiles differentiated lacunae types(void vs.mineral-packed).Conclusion:The study established ultrastructural criteria for authentic Os Draconis identification:osteon deformation,geological fissures penetrating bone units,and heterogenous mineral deposition.These features,unattainable in counterfeits or modern processed bones,provide a cost-effective,accurate identification method.This approach bridges gaps in TCM material standardization and supports quality control for clinical applications.展开更多
A unique department was created in 2006 at Washington University in St Louis,the very first Department of Energy,Environmental and Chemical Engineering,combining Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and ...A unique department was created in 2006 at Washington University in St Louis,the very first Department of Energy,Environmental and Chemical Engineering,combining Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and adding Energy programmes(Table 1).展开更多
Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is a significant public health issue,affecting approximately 1.7 million people annually in the United States alone,with over 5 million experiencing long-term disabilities(Roozenbeek et al.,...Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is a significant public health issue,affecting approximately 1.7 million people annually in the United States alone,with over 5 million experiencing long-term disabilities(Roozenbeek et al.,2013).A major sequela of TBI is long-lasting white matter injury(WMI)which includes traumatic axonal injury and loss of myelination,resulting in cognitive,behavioral,and psychiatric deficits in survivors.展开更多
Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyp...Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyperi Rhizoma varies significantly across different regions,potentially influencing its therapeutic efficacy.This study investigates the influence of geographic origin on the chemical composition and overall quality of Cyperi Rhizoma.Methods:A comprehensive approach,including traditional quality assessment,GC-MS(g as c hromatography-m ass s pectrometry),RP-HPLC(r everse p hase h igh-p erformance l iquid c hromatography),and FT-IR(f ourier t ransform i nfrared s pectroscopy)techniques,was employed to analyze Cyperi Rhizoma samples from Shandong Province.These methods examined the physical appearance,chemical profile,and content variations,particularly focusing onα-cyperone.Results:Traditional quality assessments revealed noticeable differences in the external characteristics of the samples.GC-MS analysis identified a variety of unique chemical constituents,while RP-HPLC and FT-IR showed significant variations inα-cyperone content,with higher levels found in Shandong samples.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that geographic origin is a critical determinant of Cyperi Rhizoma quality,with Shandong specimens exhibiting superiorα-cyperone levels and characteristic phytochemical profiles.This validates the geo-authenticity concept in TCM and provides actionable data for developing evidence-based quality standards,suggesting that provenance should be prioritized in medicinal material selection and pharmacopeial specifications.展开更多
Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threa...Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threat to clinical effectiveness and drug safety.This study aims to establish a more accurate and comprehensive authentication system for Os Draconis.Methods:A comprehensive approach was employed to analyze authentic Os Draconis,fossilized Os Draconis,counterfeit products,and lab-prepared modern animal bones.The analytical techniques included ^(14)C dating,electron probe microanalysis(EPMA),polarized light microscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The study focused on examining the microstructural features and micro-area elemental compositions to identify distinguishing characteristics.Results:Physical identification alone was insufficient to reliably distinguish authentic Os Draconis from its counterfeits.XRD analysis revealed that while hydroxyapatite is the main component in all samples,authentic Os Draconis also contains calcium carbonate and quartz,which were absent in counterfeit and lab-prepared samples.FTIR spectra identified the carbonate ion(CO_(3)^(2-))as a characteristic infrared marker for authentic Os Draconis.ICP-MS analysis showed that Ca and P are the major elements,with a notably high content of Lanthanum(La)among rare earth elements in authentic samples.The EPMA results demonstrated that the Ca/P ratio of authentic Os Draconis is distinct,falling between that of fossilized Os Draconis and counterfeit samples.Conclusion:This study successfully identified several precise markers,including the presence of calcium carbonate,the characteristic CO_(3)^(2-)infrared peak,a high La content,and a specific Ca/P ratio,for the accurate and rapid authentication of Os Draconis.Furthermore,the analysis of its natural porous structure,suitable pore size,and surface area suggests that Os Draconis has significant potential as a natural drug carrier.展开更多
The global monsoon system,encompassing the Asian-Australian,African,and American monsoons,sustains two-thirds of the world’s population by regulating water resources and agriculture.Monsoon anomalies pose severe risk...The global monsoon system,encompassing the Asian-Australian,African,and American monsoons,sustains two-thirds of the world’s population by regulating water resources and agriculture.Monsoon anomalies pose severe risks,including floods and droughts.Recent research associated with the implementation of the Global Monsoons Model Intercomparison Project under the umbrella of CMIP6 has advanced our understanding of its historical variability and driving mechanisms.Observational data reveal a 20th-century shift:increased rainfall pre-1950s,followed by aridification and partial recovery post-1980s,driven by both internal variability(e.g.,Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation)and external forcings(greenhouse gases,aerosols),while ENSO drives interannual variability through ocean-atmosphere interactions.Future projections under greenhouse forcing suggest long-term monsoon intensification,though regional disparities and model uncertainties persist.Models indicate robust trends but struggle to quantify extremes,where thermodynamic effects(warming-induced moisture rise)uniformly boost heavy rainfall,while dynamical shifts(circulation changes)create spatial heterogeneity.Volcanic eruptions and proposed solar radiation modification(SRM)further complicate predictions:tropical eruptions suppress monsoons,whereas high-latitude events alter cross-equatorial flows,highlighting unresolved feedbacks.The emergent constraint approach is booming in terms of correcting future projections and reducing uncertainty with respect to the global monsoons.Critical challenges remain.Model biases and sparse 20th-century observational data hinder accurate attribution.The interplay between natural variability and anthropogenic forcings,along with nonlinear extreme precipitation risks under warming,demands deeper mechanistic insights.Additionally,SRM’s regional impacts and hemispheric monsoon interactions require systematic evaluation.Addressing these gaps necessitates enhanced observational networks,refined climate models,and interdisciplinary efforts to disentangle multiscale drivers,ultimately improving resilience strategies for monsoon-dependent regions.展开更多
Background Fever of unknown origin(FUO)continues to challenge clinicians to determine an etiology and the need for treatment.This study explored the most common etiologies,characteristics,and average cost of hospitali...Background Fever of unknown origin(FUO)continues to challenge clinicians to determine an etiology and the need for treatment.This study explored the most common etiologies,characteristics,and average cost of hospitalization for FUO in a pediatric population at an urban,tertiary care hospital in Washington,DC.Methods Records from patients admitted to Children's National Health System between September 2008 and April 2014 with an admission ICD-9 code for fever(780.6)were reviewed.The charts of patients 2-18 years of age with no underlying diagnosis and a temperature greater than 38.3℃for 7 days or more at time of hospitalization were included.Final diagnoses,features of admission,and total hospital charges were abstracted.Results 110 patients qualified for this study.The majority of patients(n=42,38.2%)were discharged without a diagnosis.This was followed closely by infection,accounting for 37.2%(n=41)of patients.Rheumatologic disease was next(n=16,14.5%),followed by miscellaneous(n=6,5.4%)and oncologic diagnoses(n=5,4.5%).The average cost of hospitalization was 40,295 US dollars.Conclusions This study aligns with some of the most recent publications which report undiagnosed cases as the most common outcome in patients hospitalized with FUO.Understanding that,often no diagnosis is found may reassure patients,families,and clinicians.The cost associated with hospitalization for FUO may cause clinicians to reconsider inpatient admission for diagnostic work-up of fever,particularly given the evidence demonstrating that many patients are discharged without a diagnosis.展开更多
No-till farming is an important approach to sustainable agriculture because it can conserve soil and water resources.Unfortunately, rodent populations can thrive under no-till conditions because burrow systems are not...No-till farming is an important approach to sustainable agriculture because it can conserve soil and water resources.Unfortunately, rodent populations can thrive under no-till conditions because burrow systems are not disrupted byannual plowing and plant residues build-up on the surface, providing cover and insulation. This can result in substantialcrop damage. We assessed rodent populations, habitat use, food habits, and crop damage in a no-till croppingsystem in Washington, USA. We also conducted preliminary trials of methods to reduce rodent populationsand crop damage. In the fall, many more rodents were captured in fields with unharvested crops than in fieldscontaining only plant stubble, suggesting that rodents leave fields after crop harvest, providing that suitable habitatsare nearby, even when adequate cover is still available in harvested crop fields. By spring, the number of volescaptured was much lower relative to fall. Despite this, capture rates were much higher in surrounding permanentgrass areas than in crop (barley, wheat, pea) fields, suggesting that these grassy areas serve as refugia for rodents.Furthermore, the permanent grass cover type was the landscape variable most associated with rodent capture rates.In three winter pea fields, rodents removed 5–15% of the pea plants over winter. Examination of stomach contentsrevealed that voles mainly fed on grain plants in spring, but that their diet was more diversified in fall. Deer micefed heavily on grain plants in both spring and fall, but also used insects as food. Metal barrier exclosures (9 m × 9m), extending above and below ground, did not prevent access by rodents. Rodent populations in areas treated withzinc phosphide on grain were comparable to untreated areas 1 year after application of the rodenticide, perhaps becauseof immigration and recruitment, suggesting that baiting does not provide a long-term solution to rodent damagein no-till agricultural fields.展开更多
The result of equal parts serendipity,exploration,creativity,and the enduring persistence of a dedicated team of designers and its university client,Washington University’s Living Learning Center,has quickly become a...The result of equal parts serendipity,exploration,creativity,and the enduring persistence of a dedicated team of designers and its university client,Washington University’s Living Learning Center,has quickly become a locus of sustainability.It is a deep green place fi lled with fresh air and daylight,an ongoing achievement in zero net waste,zero net water,and zero net energy design,a space that inspires higher learning about the natural world.The Center is also well on its way to certifi cation as the fi rst living building in the world.展开更多
In recent years,there has been an increasing need for climate information across diverse sectors of society.This demand has arisen from the necessity to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate variability and cha...In recent years,there has been an increasing need for climate information across diverse sectors of society.This demand has arisen from the necessity to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate variability and change.Likewise,this period has seen a significant increase in our understanding of the physical processes and mechanisms that drive precipitation and its variability across different regions of Africa.By leveraging a large volume of climate model outputs,numerous studies have investigated the model representation of African precipitation as well as underlying physical processes.These studies have assessed whether the physical processes are well depicted and whether the models are fit for informing mitigation and adaptation strategies.This paper provides a review of the progress in precipitation simulation overAfrica in state-of-the-science climate models and discusses the major issues and challenges that remain.展开更多
文摘Increasing urbanization rates observed in the last decades have significantly contributed to a higher number of travelers to urban environments. The objective of this study was to identify measures and factors that encourage the use of alternative transportation in the cities of Washington D.C., USA and Porto Alegre, Brazil. The methodology used to compare these two cities was an evaluation of their urban mobility plans, including strategic analyses and measures to promote the use of public transport. This approach was based on factors described in the following document： ＂Urban Sustainability： Impacts of Economic Development and Their Consequences on the Process of Urbanization in Emerging Countries＂, prepared by the United Nations. The results indicate different planning strategies, ranging from focusing on tax integration policies in order to become more financially attractive to the user, to using different modes of mass transportation integrated with active mobility. In Washington D.C., an innovative strategy was developed in preparation to forecast scenarios, as the measures comprised projection for the year 2040, which will respond to mobility demands in the coming decades.
文摘Yakima County, Washington, a rural county with an urban core suffered disproportionately under the conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and summer wildfires of 2020. With an infection rate of over 700 per 100,000 population at the height of the pandemic, the county concurrently experienced 14 consecutive days of an air quality index in the unhealthy to hazardous range in August 2020. This paper examines the contributing socioeconomic, geographic, and environmental vulnerabilities that make Yakima County particularly susceptible to the continuum of expected COVID-19 disease and related outcomes and suggests comprehensive areas of investigation to mitigate its impact on special populations, including Hispanic-Latino communities, agricultural, food production, and other essential workers.
文摘Vegetation and soil within estuarine ecosystems play an integral role in ecological processes within pocket estuaries. However, physical barriers, caused by culverts diminish hydrological inputs, sediment exchange, and habitat connectivity. The restoration of estuaries by bridge replacement reconnects <span>the aquatic corridor, however, the recovery of plant communities and soil s</span>ubstrate is not well understood. This observational study monitored four estuary restoration sites of variable ages (0 - 12 years) in Western Washington, USA. Plant community composition, soil organic carbon, organic matter, and soil nutrients were assessed. Percent soil carbon was different among the pre-restoration and youngest (3-year) post-restoration site (<i>P</i> = 0.03), suggesting an initial decrease in carbon and organic matter during restoration. Both N and P were deficient at the newest, lower restoration site, presumably linked to the lack of organic matter required for adequate cation exchange capacity and nutrient/plant exchange (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Plant species diversity was higher at the intermediate (9-year) and oldest post-restoration sites (12-year;<i>P</i> = 0.02). Vegetation composition was primarily native species with few invasive plants present. The results of this study illustrate that tidal marsh plant communities are influenced by the development of salinity and vertical gradients with older sites having an increase in species diversity. Future surveys are ongoing to <span>better understand how these sites recover organic matter and tidal marsh co</span>mmunities to form adequate estuarine habitat over time.
文摘The University of Washington has played a pivotal role in the field of sinology with faculty and alumni producing major publications in Chinese history,literature,phonetics,and linguistics.These contributions have been instrumental in the development of sinology as a field and have both directly and indirectly influenced the study of Chinese Medicine.By tracing the history of the Department of Asian Languages and Literature and examining several major figures,we can better understand how these individuals shaped the development of Chinese Medicine and contributed to its spread worldwide.
文摘In the United States, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disproportionately affects the African American (AA) community, which has not been systematically included in molecular studies of underlying mechanisms. As part of a gene expression study, we recruited cases with T2DM and matched, unaffected controls at an urban hospital in Washington, DC, with a majority AA population. Here we describe the profile of socio-demographic, behavioral, and health-related associations of the study population. Self-reported data were collected from cases with T2DM (N = 77) and age- and gender-matched controls (N = 80), ages 45 - 65 years. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). As expected, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were more prevalent in cases than in controls. Tobacco smoking and working alongside other tobacco smokers were also associated with T2DM. After adjusting for covariates, current tobacco smoking remained statistically associated with the disease (OR per half pack of cigarettes 1.43, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.95;p-value 0.027). HbA1c levels were elevated in T2DM cases who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes daily. These associations highlight the comorbid burdens of T2DM in an AA urban community setting and identify tobacco control as an unmet need for future prevention and control efforts.
基金The authors would like thank S. Schveilbein and R. Wight for technical assistance G. Reisenauer and R. Aldridge for statistical assistance+2 种基金 B. Parker for plant identification assistance C. Looney for arthropod identification assistance and S. O＇Neal for editorial feedback. The authors are grateful to Olson Brothers Inc. for the use of their property. The authors would like to acknowledge the National Science Foundation Center for Integrated Pest Management, The Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission, and the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration for financial support.
文摘Due to federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to clean water and salmon recovery, stream health and water quality are major concerns in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. An integral component of most riparian rehabilitation efforts is the effective establishment of preferred vegetation. We conducted arthropod surveys in representative disturbed and rehabilitated riparian buffers directly adjacent to apple orchards and grape vineyards in the Lower Yakima Valley near Prosser, Benton County, Washington State USA. Objectives of the study were to determine whether densities of select predatory and pest taxa changed with distance from the waterway and to test whether densities differed among disturbed, rehabilitated, or pristine riparian buffers. The studies suggest that populations of some beneficial arthropods, including spiders and ground beetles, were higher in the presence of exotic flowering plant species. In the riparian environments surveyed, more native woody plant species were found adjacent to the waterway, and this apparent stability appears to have had a positive effect on beneficial arthropods. Concurrently, data indicated that some exotic, flowering species of plants may be preferred over native plant species as hosts to certain arthropod pests. These plants tend to persist in degraded riparian buffers and at the interface of riparian habitats and cultivated areas, whereas native plant species are predominant in pristine or properly maintained and rehabilitated buffers.
文摘The East Asia Library(EAZ), following the leadership of the University of Washington(UW) Libraries and the trends of the library world, has made great progress in library automation. Yet the presence of non-roman scripts, or CJK characters, in the library's electronic resources in an environment dominated by phonetic languages makes automation of East Asian Libraries more challenging than libraries which use only roman scripts. This paper first provides a general overview of current information technology. It then offers a brief introduction to the UW Library automation and how the East Asia Library handles automation Finally, it presents the experience of the information technology in Chinese studies at EAL.
文摘Spatiotemporal analysis of fire activity is vital for determining why wildfires occur where they do,assessing wildfire risks,and developing locally relevant wildfire risk reduction strategies.Using various spatial statistical methods,we determined hot spots of large wildfires(>100 acres)in Washington,the United States,and mapped spatiotemporal variations in large wildfire activity from 1970 to 2020.Our results found that all hot spots are located east of the crest of the Cascade Range.Our spatiotemporal analysis found that the geographic area wherein most of the state’s acres burned has shrunk considerably since 1970 and has become concentrated over the north-central portion of the state over time.This concentration of large wildfire activity in north-central Washington was previously unquantified and may provide important information for hazard mitigation efforts in that area.Our results highlight the advantages of using spatial statistical methods that could aid the development of natural hazard mitigation plans and risk reduction strategies by characterizing previous hazard occurrences spatially and spatiotemporally.
文摘Regenerative capacity of the central nervous system(CNS)is unevenly distributed among vertebrates.While most mammalian species including humans elicit limited repair following CNS injury or disease,highly regenerative vertebrates including urodele amphibians and teleost fish spontaneously reverse CNS damage.Teletost zebrafish(danio rerio)are tropical freshwater fish that proved to be an excellent vertebrate model of successful CNS regeneration.Differential neuronal,glial,and immune injury responses underlie disparate injury outcomes between highly regenerative zebrafish and poorly regenerative mammals.This article describes complications associated with neuronal repair following spinal cord injury(SCI)in poorly regenerative mammals and highlights intersecting modes of plasticity and regeneration in highly regenerative zebrafish(Figures 1 and 2).Comparative approaches evaluating immunoglial SCI responses were recently reviewed elsewhere(Reyes and Mokalled,2024).
文摘Calcium (Ca^(2+)) is a key intracellular messenger involved in a variety of cellular functions.Intracellular Ca^(2+)dysregulation drives neuron cell death in multiple degenerative diseases and traumatic conditions.Retinal ganglion cell(RGC) degeneration occurs in blinding diseases such as glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
基金supported by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82204610)+1 种基金the Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewable,and clinical demand is increasingly difficult to meet,leading to a proliferation of counterfeit products.During prolonged geological burial,static pressure from the surrounding strata severely compromises the microstructural integrity of osteons in Os Draconis,but Os Draconis still largely retains the structural features of mammalian bone.Methods:Using verified authentic Os Draconis samples over 10,000 years old as a baseline,this study summarizes the ultrastructural characteristics of genuine Os Draconis.Employing electron probe microanalysis and optical polarized light microscopy,we examined 28 batches of authentic Os Draconis and 31 batches of counterfeits to identify their ultrastructural differences.Key points for ultrastructural identification of Os Draconis were compiled,and a new identification approach was proposed based on these differences.Results:Authentic Os Draconis exhibited distinct ultrastructural markers:irregularly shaped osteons with traversing fissures,deformed/displaced Haversian canals,and secondary mineral infill(predominantly calcium carbonate).Counterfeits showed regular osteon arrangements,absent traversal fissures,and homogeneous hydroxyapatite composition.Lab-simulated samples lacked structural degradation features.EPMA confirmed calcium carbonate infill in fossilized Haversian canals,while elemental profiles differentiated lacunae types(void vs.mineral-packed).Conclusion:The study established ultrastructural criteria for authentic Os Draconis identification:osteon deformation,geological fissures penetrating bone units,and heterogenous mineral deposition.These features,unattainable in counterfeits or modern processed bones,provide a cost-effective,accurate identification method.This approach bridges gaps in TCM material standardization and supports quality control for clinical applications.
文摘A unique department was created in 2006 at Washington University in St Louis,the very first Department of Energy,Environmental and Chemical Engineering,combining Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and adding Energy programmes(Table 1).
文摘Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is a significant public health issue,affecting approximately 1.7 million people annually in the United States alone,with over 5 million experiencing long-term disabilities(Roozenbeek et al.,2013).A major sequela of TBI is long-lasting white matter injury(WMI)which includes traumatic axonal injury and loss of myelination,resulting in cognitive,behavioral,and psychiatric deficits in survivors.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82204610)Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)+1 种基金the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyperi Rhizoma varies significantly across different regions,potentially influencing its therapeutic efficacy.This study investigates the influence of geographic origin on the chemical composition and overall quality of Cyperi Rhizoma.Methods:A comprehensive approach,including traditional quality assessment,GC-MS(g as c hromatography-m ass s pectrometry),RP-HPLC(r everse p hase h igh-p erformance l iquid c hromatography),and FT-IR(f ourier t ransform i nfrared s pectroscopy)techniques,was employed to analyze Cyperi Rhizoma samples from Shandong Province.These methods examined the physical appearance,chemical profile,and content variations,particularly focusing onα-cyperone.Results:Traditional quality assessments revealed noticeable differences in the external characteristics of the samples.GC-MS analysis identified a variety of unique chemical constituents,while RP-HPLC and FT-IR showed significant variations inα-cyperone content,with higher levels found in Shandong samples.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that geographic origin is a critical determinant of Cyperi Rhizoma quality,with Shandong specimens exhibiting superiorα-cyperone levels and characteristic phytochemical profiles.This validates the geo-authenticity concept in TCM and provides actionable data for developing evidence-based quality standards,suggesting that provenance should be prioritized in medicinal material selection and pharmacopeial specifications.
基金supported by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82204610)+1 种基金the Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threat to clinical effectiveness and drug safety.This study aims to establish a more accurate and comprehensive authentication system for Os Draconis.Methods:A comprehensive approach was employed to analyze authentic Os Draconis,fossilized Os Draconis,counterfeit products,and lab-prepared modern animal bones.The analytical techniques included ^(14)C dating,electron probe microanalysis(EPMA),polarized light microscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The study focused on examining the microstructural features and micro-area elemental compositions to identify distinguishing characteristics.Results:Physical identification alone was insufficient to reliably distinguish authentic Os Draconis from its counterfeits.XRD analysis revealed that while hydroxyapatite is the main component in all samples,authentic Os Draconis also contains calcium carbonate and quartz,which were absent in counterfeit and lab-prepared samples.FTIR spectra identified the carbonate ion(CO_(3)^(2-))as a characteristic infrared marker for authentic Os Draconis.ICP-MS analysis showed that Ca and P are the major elements,with a notably high content of Lanthanum(La)among rare earth elements in authentic samples.The EPMA results demonstrated that the Ca/P ratio of authentic Os Draconis is distinct,falling between that of fossilized Os Draconis and counterfeit samples.Conclusion:This study successfully identified several precise markers,including the presence of calcium carbonate,the characteristic CO_(3)^(2-)infrared peak,a high La content,and a specific Ca/P ratio,for the accurate and rapid authentication of Os Draconis.Furthermore,the analysis of its natural porous structure,suitable pore size,and surface area suggests that Os Draconis has significant potential as a natural drug carrier.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2020YFA0608904)the International Partnership Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant Nos.060GJHZ2023079GC and 134111KYSB20160031)+1 种基金supported by the Office of Science,U.S.Department of Energy(DOE)Biological and Environmental Research as part of the Regional and Global Model Analysis program area through the Water Cycle and Climate Extremes Modeling(WACCEM)scientific focus areaoperated for DOE by Battelle Memorial Institute under contract DE-AC05-76RL01830。
文摘The global monsoon system,encompassing the Asian-Australian,African,and American monsoons,sustains two-thirds of the world’s population by regulating water resources and agriculture.Monsoon anomalies pose severe risks,including floods and droughts.Recent research associated with the implementation of the Global Monsoons Model Intercomparison Project under the umbrella of CMIP6 has advanced our understanding of its historical variability and driving mechanisms.Observational data reveal a 20th-century shift:increased rainfall pre-1950s,followed by aridification and partial recovery post-1980s,driven by both internal variability(e.g.,Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation)and external forcings(greenhouse gases,aerosols),while ENSO drives interannual variability through ocean-atmosphere interactions.Future projections under greenhouse forcing suggest long-term monsoon intensification,though regional disparities and model uncertainties persist.Models indicate robust trends but struggle to quantify extremes,where thermodynamic effects(warming-induced moisture rise)uniformly boost heavy rainfall,while dynamical shifts(circulation changes)create spatial heterogeneity.Volcanic eruptions and proposed solar radiation modification(SRM)further complicate predictions:tropical eruptions suppress monsoons,whereas high-latitude events alter cross-equatorial flows,highlighting unresolved feedbacks.The emergent constraint approach is booming in terms of correcting future projections and reducing uncertainty with respect to the global monsoons.Critical challenges remain.Model biases and sparse 20th-century observational data hinder accurate attribution.The interplay between natural variability and anthropogenic forcings,along with nonlinear extreme precipitation risks under warming,demands deeper mechanistic insights.Additionally,SRM’s regional impacts and hemispheric monsoon interactions require systematic evaluation.Addressing these gaps necessitates enhanced observational networks,refined climate models,and interdisciplinary efforts to disentangle multiscale drivers,ultimately improving resilience strategies for monsoon-dependent regions.
文摘Background Fever of unknown origin(FUO)continues to challenge clinicians to determine an etiology and the need for treatment.This study explored the most common etiologies,characteristics,and average cost of hospitalization for FUO in a pediatric population at an urban,tertiary care hospital in Washington,DC.Methods Records from patients admitted to Children's National Health System between September 2008 and April 2014 with an admission ICD-9 code for fever(780.6)were reviewed.The charts of patients 2-18 years of age with no underlying diagnosis and a temperature greater than 38.3℃for 7 days or more at time of hospitalization were included.Final diagnoses,features of admission,and total hospital charges were abstracted.Results 110 patients qualified for this study.The majority of patients(n=42,38.2%)were discharged without a diagnosis.This was followed closely by infection,accounting for 37.2%(n=41)of patients.Rheumatologic disease was next(n=16,14.5%),followed by miscellaneous(n=6,5.4%)and oncologic diagnoses(n=5,4.5%).The average cost of hospitalization was 40,295 US dollars.Conclusions This study aligns with some of the most recent publications which report undiagnosed cases as the most common outcome in patients hospitalized with FUO.Understanding that,often no diagnosis is found may reassure patients,families,and clinicians.The cost associated with hospitalization for FUO may cause clinicians to reconsider inpatient admission for diagnostic work-up of fever,particularly given the evidence demonstrating that many patients are discharged without a diagnosis.
文摘No-till farming is an important approach to sustainable agriculture because it can conserve soil and water resources.Unfortunately, rodent populations can thrive under no-till conditions because burrow systems are not disrupted byannual plowing and plant residues build-up on the surface, providing cover and insulation. This can result in substantialcrop damage. We assessed rodent populations, habitat use, food habits, and crop damage in a no-till croppingsystem in Washington, USA. We also conducted preliminary trials of methods to reduce rodent populationsand crop damage. In the fall, many more rodents were captured in fields with unharvested crops than in fieldscontaining only plant stubble, suggesting that rodents leave fields after crop harvest, providing that suitable habitatsare nearby, even when adequate cover is still available in harvested crop fields. By spring, the number of volescaptured was much lower relative to fall. Despite this, capture rates were much higher in surrounding permanentgrass areas than in crop (barley, wheat, pea) fields, suggesting that these grassy areas serve as refugia for rodents.Furthermore, the permanent grass cover type was the landscape variable most associated with rodent capture rates.In three winter pea fields, rodents removed 5–15% of the pea plants over winter. Examination of stomach contentsrevealed that voles mainly fed on grain plants in spring, but that their diet was more diversified in fall. Deer micefed heavily on grain plants in both spring and fall, but also used insects as food. Metal barrier exclosures (9 m × 9m), extending above and below ground, did not prevent access by rodents. Rodent populations in areas treated withzinc phosphide on grain were comparable to untreated areas 1 year after application of the rodenticide, perhaps becauseof immigration and recruitment, suggesting that baiting does not provide a long-term solution to rodent damagein no-till agricultural fields.
文摘The result of equal parts serendipity,exploration,creativity,and the enduring persistence of a dedicated team of designers and its university client,Washington University’s Living Learning Center,has quickly become a locus of sustainability.It is a deep green place fi lled with fresh air and daylight,an ongoing achievement in zero net waste,zero net water,and zero net energy design,a space that inspires higher learning about the natural world.The Center is also well on its way to certifi cation as the fi rst living building in the world.
基金the World Climate Research Programme(WCRP),Climate Variability and Predictability(CLIVAR),and Global Energy and Water Exchanges(GEWEX)for facilitating the coordination of African monsoon researchsupport from the Center for Earth System Modeling,Analysis,and Data at the Pennsylvania State Universitythe support of the Office of Science of the U.S.Department of Energy Biological and Environmental Research as part of the Regional&Global Model Analysis(RGMA)program area。
文摘In recent years,there has been an increasing need for climate information across diverse sectors of society.This demand has arisen from the necessity to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate variability and change.Likewise,this period has seen a significant increase in our understanding of the physical processes and mechanisms that drive precipitation and its variability across different regions of Africa.By leveraging a large volume of climate model outputs,numerous studies have investigated the model representation of African precipitation as well as underlying physical processes.These studies have assessed whether the physical processes are well depicted and whether the models are fit for informing mitigation and adaptation strategies.This paper provides a review of the progress in precipitation simulation overAfrica in state-of-the-science climate models and discusses the major issues and challenges that remain.
