Modeling broad-scale patterns of avian species richness across the Midwestern United States with measures of satellite image texture

Avian biodiversity is threatened, and in order to prioritize limited conservation resources and conduct effective conservation planning a better understanding of avian species richness patterns is needed. The use of image texture measures, as a proxy for the spatial structure of land cover and vegetation, has proven useful in explaining patterns of avian abundance and species richness. However, prior studies that modeled habitat with texture measures were conducted over small geographical extents and typically focused on a single habitat type. Our goal was to evaluate the performance of texture measures over broad spatial extents and across multiple habitat types with varying levels of vertical habitat structure. We calculated a suite of texture measures from 114 Landsat images over a study area of 1,498,000 km² in the Midwestern United States, which included habitats ranging from grassland to forest. Avian species richness was modeled for several functional guilds as a function of image texture. We subsequently compared the explanatory power of texture-only models with models fitted using landscape composition metrics derived from the National Land Cover Dataset, as well as models fitted using both texture and composition metrics. Measures of image texture were effective in modeling spatial patterns of avian species richness in multiple habitat types, explaining up to 51% of the variability in species richness of permanent resident birds. In comparison, landscape composition metrics explained up to 56% of the variability in permanent resident species richness. In the most heavily forested ecoregion, texture-measures outperformed landscape metrics, and the two types of measurements were complementary in multivariate models. However, in two out of three ecoregions examined, landscape composition metrics consistently performed slightly better than texture measures, and the variance explained by the two types of measures overlapped considerably. These results show that image texture measures derived from satellite imagery can be an important tool for modeling patterns of avian species richness at broad spatial extents, and thus assist in conservation planning. However, texture measures were slightly inferior to landscape composition metrics in about three-fourths of our models. Therefore texture measures are best considered in conjunction with landscape metrics (if available) and are best used when they show explanatory ability that is complementarity to landscape metrics.     

Assessment of insulation condition in rotating machine stators

The authors describe an attempt to assess the condition of stator insulation in standby generators in two generating stations. The insulation condition was estimated by comparing diagnostic test results for different machines with similar insulator or for different phases of the same machine. The diagnostic tests included measurements of insulation resistance, partial discharges, and capacitance and dissipation factors as well as AC and DC hipot tests. The methods used to assess the insulation system are outlined in detail, and the assessment results are described and discussed     

Flowchart procedure to assess the condition of turbine generatorinsulation

A method using flowcharts to indicate a step-by-step procedure to assess the insulation condition of turbine generators is presented. Information on likely deterioration processes which arise from the insulation-system characteristics and operating practices is collected. Online monitoring and offline tests are done to determine if problems could be occurring. Depending on the outcome of the previous steps, more extensive tests and detailed inspections usually requiring significant outages are performed. Although the procedure itself is straightforward, it is best implemented by engineers with considerable experience in this field. The flowcharts indicate to nonexperts the complexity of reliably assessing insulation condition     

Rod outer segment maintenance is enhanced in the presence of bFGF, CNTF and GDNF

We employed a morphological assay of outer segment collapse to determine if growth factors or other supplements directly affect dissociated rod photoreceptors in vitro. The morphological changes in outer segments were correlated with the light responsiveness of rods. Time-lapse video microscopy was used to observe the collapse of rod outer segments from isolated single cells and small clumps of cells. A consistent pattern of outer segment collapse into the inner segment was observed, yielding a convenient assay of the effects of neurotrophic factors on photoreceptor functional maintenance. The functional state of rods, defined as light-responsiveness, was measured with suction electrode recordings and matched with the various stages of outer segment collapse. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) at a high concentration, yielded statistically significant improvements in rat outer segment survival times. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which rescues photoreceptors in several rodent models of retinal degeneration, produced a significant increase in survival time in the presence of the cofactor heparin. In 4 out of 10 cases using human tisue, bFGF also yielded a significant increase in survival times. When brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was applied to rat rods, outer segment survival times did not change. Outer segments collapsed more quickly when either pigment epithelial cell derived factor (PEDF) or sugar N-acetyl D-galactosamine (NAD-gal) were present. Our results show that rod photoreceptors can respond to bFGF, GDNF and CNTF in vitro and provide evidence for a direct effect of these neurotrophic factors on rods. The rapid collapse of isolated photoreceptors in this model provides a convenient means for testing various neurotrophic agents and the induced cellular responses.     

Human habituation to an acoustical energy distribution spectrum.

Do people become used to aircraft noises? "A group of 28 Ss showed a significant increase in tolerance for the jet-engine noise (in comparison to propeller noise) after two series of exposure trials a week for three consecutive weeks. The tolerance for the habituated group at the end of three weeks was also significantly greater than that shown by 20 control Ss tested then for the first time. A test using additional Ss in another experiment corroborated the results of the first test." People do tend to mind jet noise less with repeated exposure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Puberty and the genetic diathesis of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.

Twin studies from the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS) suggest negligible genetic effects on eating pathology before puberty but increased genetic effects during puberty. However, an independent study found no pubertal differences in genetic and environmental effects (R. Rowe, A. Pickles, E. Simonoff, C. M. Bulik, & J. L. Silberg, 2002). Discrepant results may be due to methodological differences. The MTFS studies divided twins at mid-puberty, whereas R. Rowe et al. (2002) divided twins based on menarche alone. In the present study, the authors aimed to reconcile discrepant findings by examining differences in etiologic effects for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (i.e., levels of weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction, binge eating, compensatory behaviors) using both classification methods in a new sample of 656 female twins. Using the MTFS method (i.e., K. L. Klump, M. McGue, & W. G. Iacono, 2003), the authors observed nominal genetic effects in prepubertal twins but significant genetic effects in pubertal and young adult twins. Conversely, genetic effects were moderate and equal in all groups using the R. Rowe et al. (2002) method. Findings highlight the potentially important role of puberty in the genetic diathesis of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors and the need to use early indicators of pubertal status in studies of developmental effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early detection of chemotherapy-related pancreatic enlargement in children using abdominal sonography: a preliminary report

At least two chemotherapeutic agents, prednisone and L-asparaginase, have been demonstrated to produce pancreatic injury. Early diagnosis of pancreatitis is frequently not possible, as symptoms are vague, physical findings may be minimal, and laboratory studies are frequently inconclusive until the injury is severe. Abdominal echography, as a monitor of pancreatic size, has proven to be helpful in the diagnosis of subclinical and early pancreatic injury of 14 of 19 selected children receiving prednisone and/or L-asparaginase therapy for acute leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. Employment of this new diagnostic method permits prompt withdrawal of the causative agent(s), thus preventing further insult.