Theory-Agnostic Constraints on Black-Hole Dipole Radiation with Multiband Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics.

The aLIGO detection of the black-hole binary GW150914 opens a new era for probing extreme gravity. Many gravity theories predict the emission of dipole gravitational radiation by binaries. This is excluded to high accuracy in binary pulsars, but entire classes of theories predict this effect predominantly (or only) in binaries involving black holes. Joint observations of GW150914-like systems by aLIGO and eLISA will improve bounds on dipole emission from black-hole binaries by 6 orders of magnitude relative to current constraints, provided that eLISA is not dramatically descoped.

Influence of atrazine on the scalation of Marcy's checkered gartersnake, Thamnophis m. marcianus (Baird and Girard, 1853).

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States. Despite the effectiveness of atrazine in eliminating broadleaf and grassy weeds, there has been growing concern over the potential impacts this chemical may have on non-target organisms. Little research has been conducted on the exposure of reptiles to this chemical. Our study examined the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine on the scalation of Marcy's checkered gartersnake (Thamnophis m. marcianus). Our results indicate that atrazine exposure influences scalation, in particular, cranial scale counts. In addition, this alteration of morphology happens during embryological development as the result of the environment the mother was raised in. Further research on additional species and developmental exposure of atrazine and how it influences fitness of reptiles is required.

Peripheral intravenous access in pediatric inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous (PIV) line placement is a time-consuming procedure performed on the majority of general pediatric inpatients, with significant discomfort to patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine parameters of pediatric PIV placement, including success rates, time to success, and factors associated with success. DESIGN: Prospective study involving direct observation of PIV placement by trained research staff. SETTING: General inpatient wards at 2 medium-sized pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Hospitalized children younger than 19 years. RESULTS: Successful placement was achieved in 95.8% (567/592) cases with a median time of 9 minutes. Children younger than 2 years were less likely to have success on the first attempt (38.9% vs 53.5%) and have longer time to success (11 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Children younger than 2 years experienced lower first-attempt successful PIV placement and took longer. The overall success rate was similar to prior reports; these data are the first to show differential PIV success by patient age.

Basin-scale distribution patterns of picocyanobacterial lineages in the Atlantic Ocean.

Marine picocyanobacteria of the genera Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus are major contributors to oceanic primary production. The genera are genetically diverse, comprising several known ecotypes or lineages. However, little is known of the distribution of these lineages over large geographic areas. Here, we analysed the relative abundance of Prochlorococcus ecotypes and Synechococcus lineages at the ocean basin scale along an Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) using dot blot hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. The transect covered several contrasting oceanic provinces (gyres, upwelling, temperate regions) as well as environmentally 'equivalent' regions in the northern and southern hemisphere (northern and southern gyres and temperate regions). Flow cytometric data revealed a discrete separation in abundance of major picocyanobacterial genera. Prochlorococcus reached highest abundance in oligotrophic regions, while more mesotrophic waters were dominated by Synechococcus. Individual genetic lineages of both Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus showed highly similar distributions in corresponding regions in the northern and southern hemisphere. In addition, Prochlorococcus showed a distinctive depth distribution, with HLI and HLII ecotypes near the surface and co-occurring LL ecotypes further down in the water column. Conversely, Synechococcus generally revealed no obvious depth preference, but did show highly specific distribution at the horizontal scale, with clades I and IV particularly dominating temperate, mesotrophic waters in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The data clearly reveal that specific picocyanobacterial lineages proliferate in similar oceanic provinces separated by large spatial scales. Furthermore, comparison with an earlier AMT dataset suggests that basin scale distribution patterns for Prochlorococcus ecotypes are remarkably reproducible from year to year.