ALBERT

Description: In February 2010, a hydrometric station was installed at the ''Qasser al-Yahud'' baptism site (740992E, 3525198N UTM Z36) in the Lower Jordan River, including an automatic water sampler (Andress and Hauser Liquiport 2000), and an independent EC-sensor (Condumax CLS12). In total, 428 water samples representing the time period 2010/03/26- 2012/07/09 were collected, filtered (0.22 µm PVDF) and analyzed for anions (Cl, Br, NO3, SO4) applying IC Dionex DX-320 and for cations (Na, K, Mg, Ca) applying IC Dionex DX-500, both with conductometric detection.

Description: In February 2010, a hydrometric station was installed at the ''Qasser al-Yahud'' baptism site (740992E, 3525198N UTM Z36) at the Lower Jordan River, including a pressure sensors (Waterpilot FMX21, Schlumberger) and a turbidity sensor (TurbiMax WCUS41).

Description: We present a quantitative NAO reconstruction for the central Iberian Peninsula (IP) over the last two millennia, along with its uncertainties, by applying a Bayesian approach.

Description: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein in humans that is produced in high quantities by the liver upon infection and under inflammatory conditions. Although CRP is commonly used as a marker of inflammation, CRP can also directly contribute to inflammation by eliciting pro-inflammatory cytokine production by immune cells. Since CRP is highly elevated in serum under inflammatory conditions, we have studied the CRP-induced cytokine profile of human monocytes, one of the main innate immune cell populations in blood. We identified that CRP is relatively unique in its capacity to induce production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-23, which was in stark contrast to a wide panel of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) ligands. We show that CRP-induced IL-23 production was mediated at the level of gene transcription, since CRP particularly promoted gene transcription of IL23A (encoding IL-23p19) instead of IL12A (encoding IL-12p35), while PRR ligands induce the opposite response. Interestingly, when CRP stimulation was combined with PRR ligand stimulation, as for example, occurs in the context of sepsis, IL-23 production by monocytes was strongly reduced. Combined, these data identify CRP as a unique individual ligand to induce IL-23 production by monocytes, which may contribute to shaping systemic immune responses under inflammatory conditions.

Description: The U.S. Department of Defense established the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) to provide specialized services for troops suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Through interviews with NICoE staff, home station providers, service members treated at the NICoE, and their families, as well as surveys and site visits, RAND evaluated interactions between the NICoE and providers referring patients and implementing treatment plans.

Description: The taxonomically difficult ellipsocephalid trilobites from upper lower Cambrian (unnamed Stage 4) strata in Scandinavia are reviewed and revised. The suggested generic identities illustrate the diversification of the Ellipsocephalinae and advocate a modified correlation of the late to latest early Cambrian strata in Scandinavia and Baltica. The study is based primarily on material from the Gislöv Formation in Scania, southern Sweden, from which several species were originally known only from sparse and poorly preserved material. These are now described in more completeness and partly based on material that allows characterisation of ontogenetic developments. The hitherto inadequately characterized and poorly described genera and species include Epichalnipsus Geyer, Popp, Weidner & Förster, 2004 with E. bergstroemi n. sp. and E. rotundatus (Kiær, 1917), Kingaspidoides Hupé, 1953 with K. nordenskioeldi (Linnarsson, 1883) and K. lunatus (Bergström & Ahlberg, 1981), Ellipsostrenua Kautsky, 1945 with E. gripi (Kautsky, 1945), E. linnarssoni (Kiær, 1917), E. sularpensis (Ahlberg & Bergström, 1978), E. brevifrons n. sp., E. simrica n. sp., E. troedssoni n. sp., and E. spinosa (Ahlberg & Bergström, 1978), Dellingia n. gen. with D. scanica (Ahlberg & Bergström, 1978), and Cuneoaxiella n. gen. with C. grandis (Ahlberg & Bergström, 1978). In order to present a coherent concept of subfamilies and genera within the family Ellipsocephalidae, several genera and species from outside Scania and Sweden are reviewed and partly revised. Additional new taxa and new combinations include the subfamily Strenuaevinae n. subfam., Epichalnipsus kullingi (Ahlberg & Bergström, 1978), Berabichia baltica (Wiman, 1903), and Cambrosaurura n. gen. with C. usitata (Geyer, 1990), C. robusta n. sp., C. bommeli n. sp. and C.? todraensis (Geyer, 1990). Morphotype differentiation is recognized within Dellingia scanica and E. bergstroemi n. sp. Measured and calculated linear dimensions of the individual parts of the cranidium and the exoskeletal ornamentation have proven to be of taxonomic significance for distinguishing closely related species. The width/length ratio of cranidia and the dimensions of their individual parts also provides clues for the mode of growth, and the ontogenetic development is described in Ellipsostrenua linnarssoni and E. brevifrons. The revised taxonomy and more precise data of the species ranges in the Gislöv Formation suggest a revision of the biostratigraphy in Cambrian Stage 4 of Scania and Scandinavia in general, with a subdivision into a Holmia kjerulfi Zone (revised), an Ellipsostrenua spinosa Zone and a Dellingia scanica-Kingaspidoides lunatus Zone. Despite the extremely condensed development of the Gislöv Formation and the overlying beds, considerable differences can be detected in the sections in Scania. Regional and intercontinental correlations are discussed. It is shown that the Dellingia scanica-Kingaspidoides lunatus Zone and probably also the Ellipsostrenua spinosa Zone correlates with paradoxidine-bearing strata in West Gondwana hitherto assigned to the middle Cambrian. Thus, the earliest paradoxidines from Scandinavia are late by comparison with those of several other regions. The regression which caused the hiatus between the traditional lower and middle Cambrian strata in Scania and Scandinavia does not correlate precisely with the gaps recorded in other Cambrian continents such as West Gondwana or eastern Laurentia, and the new term Baltic Basin Regression is suggested.

Description: Given the unprecedented demands on the U.S. military since 2001 and the risks posed by stress and trauma, there has been growing concern about the prevalence and consequences of sleep problems. This first-ever comprehensive review of military sleep-related policies and programs, evidence-based interventions, and barriers to achieving healthy sleep offers a detailed set of actionable recommendations for improving sleep across the force.