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The production of fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal, retains a dominant share in US energy production and serves as a major anthropogenic source of methane, a greenhouse gas with a high warming potential. In addition to directly emitting methane into the air, fossil fuel production can release methane into groundwater, and that methane may eventually reach the atmosphere. In this study, we collected 311 water samples from an unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production region in Pennsylvania and an oil and gas (O&G) and coal production region across Ohio and West Virginia. Methane concentration was negatively correlated to distance to the nearest O&G well in the second region, but such a correlation was shown to be driven by topography as a confounding variable. Furthermore, sulfate concentration was negatively correlated with methane concentration and with distance to coal mining in the second region, and these correlations were robust even when considering topography. We hypothesized that coal mining enriched sulfate in groundwater, which in turn inhibited methanogenesis and enhanced microbial methane oxidation. Thus, this study highlights the complex interplay of multiple factors in shaping groundwater methane concentrations, including biogeochemical conversion, topography, and conventional fossil extraction.

We use computations and experiments to determine the effect of substituting zirconium, niobium, and tantalum within rutile RuO2on the structure, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) mechanism and activity, and electrochemical stability. Calculated electronic structures altered by Zr, Nb, and Ta show surface regions of electron density depletion and accumulation, along with anisotropic lattice parameter shifts dependent on the substitution site, substituent, and concentration. Consistent with theory, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments show shifts in binding energies of O-2s, O-2p, and Ru-4d peaks due to the substituents. Experimentally, the substituted materials showed the presence of two phases with a majority phase that contains the metal substituent within the rutile phase and a second, smaller-percentage RuO2phase. Our experimental analysis of OER activity shows Zr, Nb, and Ta substituents at 12.5 atom % induce lower activity relative to RuO2, which agrees with computing the average of all sites; however, Zr and Ta substitution at specific sites yields higher theoretical OER activity than RuO2, with Zr substitution suggesting an alternative OER mechanism. Metal dissolution predictions show the involvement of cooperative interactions among multiple surface sites and the electrolyte. Zr substitution at specific sites increases activation barriers for Ru dissolution, however, with Zr surface dissolution rates comparable to those of Ru. Experimental OER stability analysis shows lower Ru dissolution from synthesized RuO2and Zr-substituted RuO2compared to commercial RuO2and comparable amounts of Zr and Ru dissolved from Zr-substituted RuO2, aligned with our calculations.

U.S. ports need to better understand climate change and how it may affect them. In the coming decades, ports are likely to experience higher sea levels and storm surges, as well as other direct and indirect impacts, due to climate change. Most ports do not appear to be thinking about, let alone actively preparing to address, the effects of climate change. Ports do not have specific information about either the types of impacts that they can expect on their facilities or the probabilities of different types of impacts occurring. Although climate change science is making considerable advances, projections of impacts at levels smaller than the regional scale are not available. In addition, ports' typical planning processes are ill equipped to respond to the high levels of uncertainty associated with the impacts of climate change, the timescales of climate change, and the geographical scale of climate change. The data that ports typically use for planning purposes do not incorporate climate change forecasts. Some ports also believe that climate change does not pose an immediate threat to their facilities. However, several ports are beginning to think about how to prepare for climate change. These include the Port of Miami (Miami, Florida), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Massachusetts Port Authority, the Port of Seattle (Seattle, Washington), the Port of Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, Texas), and the Georgia Ports Authority. To help these and other ports assess their risk, more and better data are needed, as well as better planning tools and methods.

U.S. ports need to better understand climate change and how it may affect them. In the coming decades, ports are likely to experience higher sea levels and storm surges, as well as other direct and indirect impacts, due to climate change. Most ports do not appear to be thinking about, let alone actively preparing to address, the effects of climate change. Ports do not have specific information about either the types of impacts that they can expect on their facilities or the probabilities of different types of impacts occurring. Although climate change science is making considerable advances, projections of impacts at levels smaller than the regional scale are not available. In addition, ports’ typical planning processes are ill equipped to respond to the high levels of uncertainty associated with the impacts of climate change, the timescales of climate change, and the geographical scale of climate change. The data that ports typically use for planning purposes do not incorporate climate change forecasts. Some ports also believe that climate change does not pose an immediate threat to their facilities. However, several ports are beginning to think about how to prepare for climate change. These include the Port of Miami (Miami, Florida), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Massachusetts Port Authority, the Port of Seattle (Seattle, Washington), the Port of Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, Texas), and the Georgia Ports Authority. To help these and other ports assess their risk, more and better data are needed, as well as better planning tools and methods.

This article is a literature review which seeks to answer four questions: 1) What is washback? 2) How does washback work? 3) How can we promote positive washback? 4) How can we investigate washback? Building on the 'Washback Hypothesis' proposed by Alderson and Wall, and suggestions from Hughes, the article proposes a model that identifies participants, processes and products which may influence, or be influenced by, washback. Strategies for investigating wash back are also discussed.

A prospective study at two regional poison centers was undertaken in 500 children under six years of age (mean age 2.3 y) to resolve the question of whether milk has an effect on ipecac-induced emesis. When home administration of ipecac was recommended, parents were asked to select either milk or clear fluids. The mean volume of fluid ± standard deviation administered was 159 ± 72 mL in the milk group and 161 ± 77 mL in the clear fluid group (p = 0.79). There was no difference in the onset of vomiting (23.4 ± 18.5 vs. 23.3 ± 12.9 min, p = 0.92), number of vomiting episodes (3.5 ± 1.9 vs. 3.4 ± 1.8, p = 0.65), or duration of vomiting (45 ± 73 vs. 39 ± 54 min, p = 0.31) for the milk group compared with the clear fluid group. Side effects including lethargy and diarrhea occurred with similar frequency in both groups. The substance ingested had no effect on onset of vomiting, vomiting duration or number of vomiting episodes. These findings again demonstrate that milk does not interfere with ipecac-induced emesis.

Gary L. Geipel, Ed., Germany in a New Era, Indianapolis, IN: Hudson Institute, 1993.Seth Carus, Cruise Missile Proliferation in the 1990s. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1992.Willard C. Frank, Jr., and Phillip S. Gillette, eds., Soviet Military Doctrine from Lenin to Gorbachev, 1915-1991, (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1992).Roger H. Nye, The Patton Mind: The Professional Development of an Extraordinary Leader. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1993. 212 pp.

This article gives basic guidelines for setting up a private duty agency including the factors to consider before beginning the business, legal and organizational structure of the agency, and daily management issues. Key personnel functions and the information necessary for forms used to conduct business are discussed. Key words: structure, management, communication flow

During the last decade researchers in the area of second language testing have adopted increasingly more sophisticated evaluation techniques in an attempt to better understand the process of learning a second language. Analysis of variance, regression analysis, and factor analysis are among the statistical procedures that have allowed for insightful evaluation of language testing data. This paper explores the feasibility of applying another procedure, generalizability theory analysis, to second language testing research. An earlier paper (Hinofotis, Bailey, and Stern 1981) reported on the development of a rating scale for assessing the oral proficiency of nonnative‐speaking teaching assistants and the actual use of the scale by a panel of raters in evaluating pilot data. The data from that study are reanalyzed here using generalizability theory, which provides simultaneous estimates of consistency along several dimensions of the research, e.g., raters, subjects, and occasions. The paper includes a comparison of generalizability theory and classical test theory, an analysis of the oral proficiency data, and a brief discussion involving the interpretation of generalizability study results.

This paper first reviews recent research on evaluating second language learners’writing skills. It then discusses research on a categorical instrument for evaluating compositions written by upper intermediate university ESL students. The form of the instrument used in this study included five equally weighted criteria for scoring: (1) Organization, (2) Logical Development of Ideas, (3) Grammar, (4) Mechanics, and (5) Style. An experiment was conducted under controlled conditions in which ten raters scored fifty randomly selected compositions. Regression analysis and generalizability theory were used for investigating the reliability of the instrument. In addition, information was obtained from the raters as to their reactions to the instrument. The results indicate that the scoring instrument is moderately reliable. More useful, perhaps, is the demonstration provided of the effects on reliability of changing the number of raters and/or criteria. The paper concludes with a discussion of the issues involved (both with this particular instrument and with analytic scoring systems in general) and of possible future research on the evaluation of nonnative speakers’writing.

North Korea's record on the nuclear question gives no reason to trust in its compliance with the October 1994 agreement with the United States. This article traces the development of the North Korean nuclear program and the negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United States, as well as Pyongyang's clandestine chemical-biological weapons production and missile programs. In sum, North Korea poses a real military threat to East Asia, and its clear violations and flaunting of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty endanger the nonproliferation regime. If Pyongyang continues with its noncompliant behavior, the United States must bolster its nuclear and conventional deterrents in East Asia and apply pressure for a real termination of North Korea's nuclear program.

The policy of appeasement toward North Korea, which has consistently violated its international treaty obligations, must stop. The United States should present Pyongyang with an ultimatum either to open up its nuclear facilities to special inspections or to face US. determination to inflict punishment with every means available short of war. By using its secret nuclear program for what amounts to extortion. North Korea is making a mockery of the nonproliferation regime, sending the message that a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) can violate the treaty with few or no repercussions.

Presents the winners of the of the Third Annual New Hampshire Business Leader and Business of the Year competition. Focus of the celebration; Panel of Judges; John Swope of Chubb LifeAmerica as the Business Leader of the Year; New England Telephone; New Hampshire Inc.; Fleet Bank-New Hampshire; Lamprey Health Care; Lockheed-Sanders Inc.; Lavallee/Brensinger Professional Association; Reason why these companies where given awards as Business of the year.

Several letters to the editor in response to articles in previous issues including "City Visions," in the May 27, 2006 issue, "Feeble Excuses," in the May 27, 2006 issue and "Get Smart," in the May 20 issue are presented.

The sections in this compilation were solicited for an invitational research priorities conference organized by G. Richard Tucker, Donald Freeman, and Kathleen M. Bailey and held in conjunction with a planning meeting of the TESOL International Research Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, United States, in February 2001. The contributors, who attended the conference, subsequently revised their submissions slightly for wider dissemination.

The accuracy of estimating birth weight clinically, sono-graphically (using femur length and abdominal circumference), and by maternal prediction was studied prospectively in 106 term parous women who were in active labor. Estimates of birth weight by these women had lower standardized error (86.8 ± 78.0 g/kg) than either clinical estimates (90.2 ± 84.8 g/kg) or sonographically derived estimates (155.8 ± 118.0 g/kg) of birth weight (P= not significant). Maternal estimates of birth weight were within ± 10 of the actual weight in 69.8, compared with 66.1 for clinical estimates and 42.4 for sonography. A term parous woman in labor can predict the birth weight with accuracy comparable to a clinical estimation by a physician or a sonographic estimate based on infant measurements.

Reports on the trends in workplace attire in New Hampshire. Details on the dress code followed by the workers in Associated Grocers; Footwear forbidden in the company; Advantages of business casual dress for Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH). INSET: What are the big boys doing?..

Focuses on the resurgence of the New Hampshire residential real estate industry. Increase in sales of existing and newly constructed houses; Three factors in the revival of the New Hampshire real estate industry; Increase in sale of high-end houses; Increase in affordability of houses due to reduced prices of land; Effect of the housing industry on other businesses.

The article offers cooking tips and techniques. To keep feta cheese from spoiling so quickly after opening, store it in salty water. To easily loosen and remove the side ring of a tart in a pan with a removable bottom, after baking it, set it on top of a 20- or 28-ounce can to cool. To keep pineapple fresh for a week, cut it into bite-sized pieces, then store it in a glass or plastic container with orange juice to cover.

Stimulated recall is an introspective data-collection procedure in which some “tangible . . . reminder of an event stimulates recall of the mental processes in operation during the event itself” (p. 17). The reminders may consist of audio or video recordings, transcriptions, an observers fieldnotes about the event, and so on.

Stimulated recall is an introspective data-collection procedure in which some “tangible . . . reminder of an event [stimulates] recall of the mental processes in operation during the event itself” (p. 17). The reminders may consist of audio or video recordings, transcriptions, an observer's fieldnotes about the event, and so on.

Focuses on the stock companies in New Hampshire. Features of the Renaissance Design Inc. in Portsmouth; Why the Cabletron Systems Inc. is growing according to Dough Thomson, a broker with Tucker Anthony in Peterborough; Choice stock of the Walter Milne, a broker with Amoskeag Investments in Manchester; List of stock prices of New Hampshire's companies. INSET: The brokers.

New technologies in molecular genetics have dramatically increased the number of targeted gene mutations available to the biomedical research community. Many mutant mouse lines have been generated to provide animal models for human genetic disorders, offering insights into anatomical, neurochemical, and behavioral effects of aberrant gene expression. A variety of assays have been developed to identify and characterize phenotypic changes. In the behavioral domain, our phenotyping strategy involves a comprehensive standardized methodological approach that assesses general health, reflexes, sensory abilities, and motor functions. This assessment is followed by a series of complementary tasks in the specific behavioral domain(s) hypothesized to reveal the function(s) of the gene. Our multitiered approach minimizes intersubject variability by standardizing the experimental history for all animals, improves interlaboratory reliability by providing a clearly defined experimental protocol, and minimizes artifactual interpretations of behavioral data by careful preliminary assessments of basic behaviors, followed by multiple tests within the behavioral domain of interest. Despite meticulous attention to experimental protocol, attention to environmental factors is essential. Differences in noise, light, home cage environment, handling, and diet can dramatically alter behavior. Baseline differences in the behaviors of inbred strains used to generate targeted mutant mouse lines can directly influence the behavioral phenotype of the mutant line. Strategies aimed at minimizing environmental variability and contributions of background genes will enhance the robustness of mouse behavioral phenotyping assays.