Mapping LAI in a Norway spruce forest using airborne laser scanning

In this study we demonstrate how airborne laser scanning (ALS) can be applied to map effective leaf area index (LAI_e) in a spruce forest, after being calibrated with ground based measurements. In 2003 and 2005, ALS data and field estimates of LAI_e were acquired in a Norway spruce forest in SE Norway. We used LI-COR's LAI-2000® Plant canopy analyzer (“LAI-2000”) and hemispherical images (“HI”) for field based estimates of LAI_e. ALS penetration rate calculated from first echoes and from first and last echoes was strongly related to field estimates of LAI_e. We fitted regression models of LAI_e against the log-transformed inverse of the ALS penetration rate, and in accordance with the Beer-Lambert law this produced a linear, no-intercept relationship. This was particularly the case for the LAI-2000, having R² values > 0.9. The strongest relationship was obtained by selecting ALS data from within a circle around each plot with a radius of 0.75 times the tree height. We found a slight difference in the relationship for the two years, which can be attributed to the differences in the ALS acquisition settings. The relationship was valid across four age classes of trees representing different stages of stand development, except in one case with newly regenerated stands which most likely was an artifact. Using LAI_e based on HI data produced weaker relationships with the ALS data. This was the case even when we simulated LAI-2000 measurements based on the HI data.     

Aluminum dynamics in forest soil waters in Norway

We report on weekly aluminum (Al) concentration measurements in soil water from forested catchments monitored throughout Norway since 1986. Originating in acidification research, and thus accompanied by many other chemical variables, they constitute a comprehensive data set suited for analysis of short- as well as long-term variations in a geographic perspective. The Al time series at 21 sites are characterized by high temporal variability, seasonal behavior, and episodic events with peak values in the range 200-800 micromol/l, mostly caused by sea salts blown inland in storms, with a subsequent release of Al after cation exchange. Despite a clear south-north gradient in possible acidification over Norway, we found no indication of such south-north trends in Al chemistry, neither in mean values, maximum values, nor time trends. We identified two main drivers for variation in Al concentrations. The first one was sea salts, where Al was released to the soil solution after cation exchange. The second driver was high production of DOC, where Al was driven into the soil solution by complexation with DOC. There appears to be little risk for aluminum toxicity to trees in Norwegian forests. Except during occasional episodes, aluminum concentrations generally lay far below the supposed threshold values for toxic effects on Norway spruce, Scots pine and birch. Much dissolved aluminum was non-labile, and thus relatively non-toxic. Although the Ca2+/labile Al ratio was often below 1.0, considerable doubt exists as to the applicability of this variable in the field.     

Are physicians less likely to recommend preventive services to low-SES patients?

BACKGROUND: Do low-SES adult patients visiting private primary care clinics differ from higher SES adult patients in their need for eight preventive services or in receiving either a recommendation for or the needed services? METHODS: Randomly identified adult patients were surveyed within 2 weeks of a visit to 22 clinics in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Questions assessed patient recollection of the latest receipt of eight services and whether needed services had been recommended during the visit or received then soon after. RESULTS: Of those surveyed, 4,245 patients (1,650 low SES) responded (84.3%), showing that low SES patients were less likely to be up to date for cholesterol measurement, Pap smear, mammography, breast exam, and flu or pneumonia shots (P < 0.004), but not for blood pressure measurement. Low-SES patients needing services received recommendations to have them and actually received them at the same rate as higher SES patients. CONCLUSIONS: The 22 primary care clinics studied appear to be recommending and providing needed preventive services to visiting patients at the same rate regardless of income or insurance status. The reasons for differences in prevention status by SES are complex but the low proportion of all patients receiving recommendations for needed services suggests the need to take advantage of all visits for updating prevention needs.     

Continuous infusion etoposide/carboplatin for treatment of refractory acute leukemia

Etoposide (125 mg/m2/d) and carboplatin (200 mg/m2/d) were administered by continuous 5-day intravenous infusion to 10 patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia (7 ANLL, 1 ALL, 2 blast crisis of CGL). No complete or partial response was observed despite dose-limiting toxicity characterized by severe diarrhea in four patients and neutropenic colitis in two additional cases. We cannot recommend the present schedule of drug administration for the treatment of acute leukemia.     

Wanting, having, and satisfaction: Examining the role of desire discrepancies in satisfaction with income.

In 3 studies, the authors tested the predictors of income satisfaction, examining whether discrepancies between the things people have and the things they desire predict satisfaction. Study 1 manipulated the desirability of items that can be purchased with participants' income, and showed that their satisfaction with that income depended on the desirability of these items. Study 2 demonstrated that whether people's income enabled them to purchase the things they desired influenced their satisfaction with income. Study 3 found that the effect of comparison with a person's past on income satisfaction is completely mediated by one's desires; and the effect of social comparison on income satisfaction is partially mediated by desires. Thus, desires play a pivotal role in determining people's satisfaction with income. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

LASER-BASED FLOW MEASUREMENTS OF DILUTE VERTICAL PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT

Dilute vertical pneumatic transport in a vertical lifter was studied using the sophisticated measurement techniques of laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) and phase Doppler anemometry (PDA). The vertical lifter consisted of a lower fluidized silo, an upper receiving tank, and a connecting vertical transport pipe made of clear glass. The experimental study was performed in order to get detailed information of the complex gas-particle flow behavior in a dilute vertical conveying system. Particle diameter, axial particle, and tangential particle velocities, as well as root mean square velocities, were measured simultaneously for different flow conditions. In addition, overall solid mass fluxes were obtained using weighing cells. Smooth and spherical zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) solids were applied with two different particle size distributions. Measurements were performed using different flow rates of air. The air inlet condition was varied in order to study its effect on the flow behavior. The particle diameter measurements show that no axial or radial segregation by size occurs for this transport condition. The results show that the particle velocity is independent of the particle size as well. The axial velocity profiles at different heights are almost identical and flat, which indicates fully developed turbulent pipe flow. The turbulent velocity measurements show that turbulence is mainly caused by the velocity gradients, and not by particle-particle collisions in dilute flow. The solid mass flux measurements show the importance of optimum inlet condition and how this influences the mass flux.     

Mapping of the gene encoding the regulatory subunit RII alpha of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (locus PRKAR2A) to human chromosome region 3p21.3-p21.2

We isolated by the differential display technique a novel gene that was expressed abundantly in adipose and female-specific tissues. The cDNA contained an open reading frame of 2097 nucleotides encoding a 699-amino-acid peptide. The predicted protein showed homology to several known extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as proteoglycan, keratocan, and decorin. Moreover, the amino acid sequence contained several possible functional domains that would participate in protein-protein interactions, including an RGD sequence, a von Willebrand factor domain (VWFC), and a leucine-rich repeat. These findings suggest that this novel protein functions in cell-cell and/or cell-ECM recognition processes. Northern blot analysis revealed expression predominantly in adipose tissue as well as female-specific organs such as mammary gland, ovary, and uterus among 20 human adult tissues examined. We assigned the gene to chromosome 9q22.3 by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization.     

Effect of microstructure on the phase composition and hydrogen absorption-desorption behaviour of melt-spun Mg-20Ni-8Mm alloys

The effect of microstructure on the phase composition and hydrogen absorption-desorption behaviour of Mg-based Mg-20Ni-8Mm (wt.%) (Mm = La-rich Mischmetal) alloys has been studied. Rapid solidification (RS) processing resulted in the formation of the high-temperature cubic modification of Mg₂NiH₄ and the solid solution hydride Mg₂NiH_0.3, in the disappearance of the monoclinic modification of Mg₂NiH₄, as well as in a decrease in the unit cell volumes of the constituent hydride phases. The above-mentioned tendencies became more pronounced in the order “as-cast < Cu-300 < Cu-1000 ≈ Cu-2000” (where the sample names Cu-#### denote the spinning velocity of the copper wheel in rpm), which is explained by an increase in the mechanical stresses in the materials and/or by an increased interfacial energy of the fine grains of the corresponding hydrides. The hydrogen absorption kinetics was improved in the order “Cu-300 < Cu-1000 < Cu-2000”. The temperature range of hydrogen thermal desorption from the hydrogenated alloys shrank in the order “Cu-300 > Cu-1000 >> Cu-2000”, which is explained by increased uniformity of the hydrides grain size in the hydrides with increasing solidification rate. During PCT (pressure composition temperature) tests, the Cu-1000 and Cu-2000 samples displayed the largest pressure hysteresis and the smallest slope of the higher Mg₂NiH₄ plateau, but also the lowest hydrogen storage capacity.