Rare plants within managed units of 'Ola'a Forest, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Four fenced pig-free management units and one adjacent unfenced area within the 'Ola'a Forest of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park were systematically searched for rare plants in 1992-94. Additional rare plant sightings were made off transects and on fencelines, while working on other projects in 1995-98. Observations by Resources Management workers were included on maps where possible. Only the western third of the 'Ola'a Forest was searched during this survey, where transects were placed systematically along north/south fence lines at intervals of 250-500 m. Those plants mapped on transects were within a 5-m belt. One listed endangered species, ha'iwale (Cyrtandra giffardii), was found in each surveyed unit, but was concentrated in the Ag and Koa Units below 1,280 m (4,200 K) elevation. 'Ola'a has a larger population of this endangered species than anticipated, as 91 plants were counted along transects. A second endangered species, 'anunu (Sicyos alba), was encountered at four localities within the Koa Unit; this extremely rare vine is known fiom only two other Hawai'i Island sites. Eight former candidate endangered plant species or "species of special concern" were counted along surveyed transects. Only six 'aku (Cyanea tritomantha) were sighted in the Ag and Koa Units. The lobelioid, koli'i (Trematolobelia grandifolia), was more frequently seen, inside and outside the Pu'u Unit and in the lower Ag Unit. One hundred seventeen koli'i plants were counted along transects, and others were sighted off transect. Candidate endangered mints were very rare; only one Phyllostegia floribunda, nine P. vestita, fourteen mohihi (Stenogyne scrophularioides), and six Stenogyne macrantha were observed in the study area. The herb popolo ku mai (Phytolacca sandwicensis) was seen primarily in the Koa Unit, where 10 plants were counted. Only one individual of the vine Schiedea diffusa was found within 'Ola'a at the same Ag Unit site where it was discovered nine years ago; this is the only sighting of the species on Hawai'i Island in more than 80 years. Two endangered species (Adenophorus periens, Clermontia peleana), and three species of concern (Asplenium schizophyllum, Eurya sandwicensis, and Joinvillea ascendens) that were formerly reported from 'Ola'a Forest were not found in the study area in 1992-98. Twenty additional plant species that are rare to uncommon in the Park were sighted within the 'Ola'a Forest study area. Two endemic orchid species (Anoectochilus sandvicensis and Liparis hawaiensis) were each found at only one 'Ola'a site. The rare vine kilioe (Embelia pacifica) occurred at five widely scattered sites in three units. Only 12 individuals of pawale (Rumex giganteus) were observed; half of these were on transects, while others were on fence lines and at sites near transects. Eighty-three pala ferns (Marattia douglasii) were counted along transects; these were concentrated in the Small Tract, Ag Unit, and outside the Pu'u Unit. These large terrestrial ferns are palatable to pigs and are sensitive to disturbance of the forest floor. The lobelioid 'oha kepau (Clermontia hawaiiensis) was noted at only one locality within the Ag Unit, but two other 'oha species (C. montis-loa and C. parviflora) were relatively common in all five units of the study area. Two species of haha or Cyanea were less widely distributed within 'Ola'a Forest. Cyanea degeneriana plants were concentrated in or near the Pu'u Unit and inside the Ag Unit; 60 plants of this species were observed along transects, and a few others were growing on fence lines. Eighty-one Cyanea pilosa subsp. longipedunculata plants were found outside the Pu'u Unit and in the southern half of the Small Tract. Ten of the 20 rare and uncommon plant species of 'Ola'a are shrubs or trees. Papala (Charpentiera obovata) and papala kepau (Pisonia brunoniana), trees more common at mesic sites, were restricted to the Small Tract and the southwestern corner of the Koa Unit. 'Aiea trees (Nothocestrum longifolium) and two species of shrubby kamakahala (Labordia hirtella and L. hedyosmifolia) were widely scattered in all five units of 'Ola'a. Pilo kea (Platydesma spathulata) was very rare within the study area; only 18 pilo kea were noted on transects, and others were encountered off transect. Loulu palms (Pritchardia beccariana) were infrequently encountered, primarily in the Small Tract, Koa, and Ag Units. 'Ohe mauka (Tetraplasandra oahuensis) trees, with one exception, were restricted to the Pu'u Unit, where 19 individuals were counted along transects and fence lines. Two members of the nettle family were also mapped along transects. Olona (Touchardia latifolia) was most often seen within the Ag Unit, but was also scattered throughout the Koa Unit and Small Tract and was sighted once outside the Pu'u Unit. Opuhe (Urera glabra) was much rarer and was concentrated in the eastern half of the Small Tract and the adjacent area in the Koa Unit. Only 11 widely scattered individuals of maua (Xylosma hawaiiense), a tree also known from mesic forests, were sighted within the study area.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement CA 8015 2 900

Distribution and abundance of alien and native plant species in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.The vegetation of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park was surveyed in 1992-93 as part of a monitoring study of plants, birds, mammals, and invertebrates in three Kona parks. Most previously identified major vegetation types were sampled. An updated vascular plant checklist was prepared; 116 vascular plant species were found within Kaloko-Honok6hau in 1992-93. Eighty (69%) plant species were alien, four (3%) were Polynesian introductions, 27 (23%) were indigenous, and five (4%) were endemic. Fifty-six species (46 aliens, 9 indigenous, and 1 endemic) were additions to the known flora of the Park since the previous plant checklist (Canfield 1990). The percentage cover of 11 invasive alien plant species was estimated in segments of belt transects and average estimated cover was mapped. Most of the invasive alien species in the Park were shrubs. Klu (Acacia farnesiana) was most abundant in the northern part of the Park, where its cover was usually >25%. Pickleweed (Batis maritima) was found only near the coast and ponds with variable cover; dense concentrations were observed off transect. Ekoa (Leucaena leucocephala) was the most widespread and abundant shrub in the Park. Ekoa cover was typically >25% in the northern third of the Park and was variable in the Park's southern reaches. 'Opiuma (Pithecellobium dulce) had little estimated cover and was most often seen in the northern third of the Park. Sourbush (Pluchea symphytifolia) was found near the coast and scattered with little cover on 'a'a flows in the center of the Park. Kiawe (Prosopis pallida) was widespread with little estimated cover except near fishponds and the coast; in coastal and wetland forests, kiawe had cover of 25-50% or >50%. Christmas berry (Schinus terebinthifolius) was distributed throughout the Park with estimated cover of 1-5% or less; areas of higher concentration were north of Kaloko and northwest of 'Aimakapa Pond. Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) was nearly ubiquitous in Kaloko-Honokohau with highest estimated cover (>50%) in the northeastern and southern parts of the Park. Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) occurred primarily southeast of 'Aimakapa Pond and in the coastal forest and shrubland east of 'Ai'opio; estimated cover averaged 1-5%, but was locally higher. Two other invasive aliens were uncommon enough to be counted in or near belt transects. Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) was found on only one transect near Kaloko Pond, but nine individual vines were seen off transect near 'Aimakapa Pond. Only 10 prickly pear cactus (Opuntia fiscus-indica) were sighted from transects or trails. Several other alien plants of note were also mapped. Thirty-five native and Polynesian plant species were counted and mapped along belt transects, and densities per 1,000 m2 were calculated. Three candidate endangered species were found in the Park: ko'oko'olau (Bidens micrantha subsp. ctenophylla), maiapilo (Capparis sandwichiana), and Fimbristylis hawaiiensis. Only seven live ko'oko'olau shrubs were seen southeast of 'Aimakapa Pond. Three hundred twenty five maiapilo plants were found on transects and trails in Kaloko-Honokohau; the density of maiapilo on transects was 1.6 plants/1,000 m2. Fimbristylis hawaiiensis was discovered in only two localities near Kaloko Pond and near the anchialine pool called Kahinahina'ula; only ten individuals were sighted.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement CA 8002 2 900

Vascular plants of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.The vegetation of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park was surveyed in 1992-93 as part of a monitoring study of plants, birds, mammals, and invertebrates of three Kona parks. One hundred thirty four vascular plant species were found in the Park, including six endemic species (4%), 17 (13%) indigenous species, 15 (11%) Polynesian introductions, and 96 (72%) alien or non-indigenous species introduced after 1778. Thirty-three species were additions to the known flora of the Park since the previous plant checklist (Smith et al. 1986). Alien woody species were the dominant elements in the Park's vegetation. Ekoa (Leucaena leucocephala) was the most abundant alien shrub species in the Park, occurring in 93% of vegetation plots often with >75% estimated cover. 'Opiuma (Pithecellobium dulce) was found in 70% of vegetation plots and had cover values ranging from 75%. Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) grew in 33% of all vegetation plots, and had its greatest cover (>50%) south of Alahaka Pali. Natal redtop grass (Rhynchelytrum repens) occurred in 67% of plots, primarily north of Alahaka Pali. Redtop cover was variable and was highest near the 1871 trail. Six other herbaceous species were seen in many plots, but had low estimated cover. All non-cultivated native plants and several naturalized Polynesian introductions were mapped along transects, trails, the coast, and near brackish pools. The most notable native plant was maiapilo (Capparis sandwichiana), a candidate endangered species; only one maiapilo shrub was found within the Park. Fourteen non-cultivated, indigenous species were located during this survey; eight of these were found along the coast or near brackish pools, and six others were on transects upslope. Pili (Heteropogon contortus) was among the indigenous plants found upslope in the Park, and the grass was also planted near the visitor center. Vegetation types were similar to those mapped by Leishmann in 1986. Ekoa shrubland was the most widespread vegetation type in the Park; in the northern part of the Park this shrubland has become more closed since 1986. Natal redtop grasslands also appear to have decreased in extent since 1986, probably through the invasion of Ekoa and other alien shrubs.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement CA 8002 2 900

Vegetation above a feral pig barrier fence in rain forests of Kilauea's East Rift, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Immediately after the 1993 construction of a barrier fence to block the movements of feral pigs in forests of Kilauea's East Rift within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), a systematic framework of transects and plots was established for collection of baseline vegetation data upslope of the fence. Distribution and estimated abundance of the most invasive alien plant species were determined. The most widespread alien grass species was Hilo grass (Paspalum conjugatum); although it typically had low estimated cover values, this grass was almost ubiquitous. The most common invasive alien tree species was strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum); it was found along transects in the western half of the study area, where its cover was estimated as 5-25% or 25-50%. Firetree (Myrica faya) occurred less frequently and had lower cover values than strawberry guava. Two other invasive woody species were found at low frequency or in limited areas; yellow Himalayan raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) was restricted to the slopes of Kane Nui o Hamo, and cane tibouchina (Tibouchina herbacea) occurred infrequently at widely scattered localities. Alien plant frequencies from the current survey were compared with those from a previous plant survey in 1988. A third of the alien plant species along transects, including firetree, yellow raspberry, and strawberry guava, had very similar frequencies on both surveys. Frequency of Hilo grass and scaly swordfern (Nephrolepis multiflora) increased greatly in the study area between the two surveys. Some of the observed changes in vegetation may have been influenced by recent disturbance to the forests by cinder deposits from Pu'u '0'o, in an earlier phase of the current eruption. The locations of rare native plants were mapped along transects, and numbers were compared with those from the previous survey of 1988. The endangered pendent kihi fern (Adenophorus periens) was not relocated on Park transects; this species may have disappeared from the slopes of Kane Nui o Hamo in the last five years. Koli'i (Trematolobelia grandifolia), a "species of concern" has persisted on Kane Nui o Hamo, and its current size class structure indicates a stable population. The 12 rare plant species that were observed on East Rift transects were concentrated in several sites, including Kane Nui o Hamo, forests south and west of Napau crater, relatively open forest southeast of the 1840 flow, and the southwest corner of the study area near the Naulu Trail. Frequencies of 'oha (Clermontia spp.), indicator species for pig damage in Hawai'i, were relatively high overall in the study area, although the impact of pig predation was indicated by the paucity of terrestrial plants and a low freqeuncy of large Clermontia. Remonitoring a subset of transects after 1.5 years revealed that terrestrial Clermontia declined in frequency, while epiphytic plants increased over the same period. Tree fern density in the study area was 38/100m2, and the trunk height class of 1-2 m was well represented in East Rift forests. A higher density of tree ferns was observed in the western half of the study area, primarily due to the greater number of tree ferns >1m. There were fewer tree ferns on the lower halves of three main transects than were found on the upper reaches, farthest away from the barrier fence and upslope from uluhe-dominated forest. 'Olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) appeared to be an inconsistent indicator species for pig activity. This important rain forest tree was maintaining a stable population in East Rift forests, despite the long-term presence of feral pigs there. Differences in 'olapa density were noted in the western versus the eastern, unprotected part of the study area, where lower numbers of terrestrial 'olapa saplings were seen. When compared with the upper transect reaches, fewer 'olapa saplings were found along the lower portions of the three main transects, in the area near the open end of the barrier fence. Vegetation cover and woody plant density of recently pig-disturbed sites were examined in 1994 using 39 vegetation plots, and a subset of 26 plots was remonitored 1.5-2 years later. The vegetation of disturbed East Rift forests was found to be poor in native woody plant species, and ground cover was very sparse. In the interval between monitoring, the cover of two alien species (Hilo grass and scaly swordfern) increased dramatically. Early succession indicates that these two plants will become dominant components of ground cover in pig-disturbed areas. Little change was noted in native woody plant density overall, but several native species, including tree ferns, displayed increases over the 1.5 year monitoring period. Feral pig density, estimated from frequency of pig activity, was low in the East Rift study area (averaging 1.9 pig/km2), even before systematic control efforts began. Quarterly pig activity monitoring revealed an increase in activity along Park transects until the end of 1993, followed by a steady decline to 2.4 pig/km2 by the end of the study in January 1996. Data from this study suggest that the park's snaring efforts reduced the feral pig population in the most protected, interior part of the forest upslope of the barrier fence within two years of the project initiation. Success in lowering pig density was not observed on transects at or beyond the open terminus of the barrier fence, indicating that pig ingress continued throughout the study. The current survey may only be considered a baseline study of vegetation and pig activity in managed East Rift forests. Future remonitoring may be needed to evaulate the success of this management effort in promoting long-term recovery of native vegetation.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement 8010 2 900

A Turnover in the Radio Light Curve of GW170817

We present 2-9 GHz radio observations of GW170817 covering the period 125-200 days post-merger, taken with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). Our observations demonstrate that the radio afterglow peaked at 149 ±2 days post-merger and is now declining in flux density. We see no evidence for evolution in the radio-only spectral index, which remains consistent with optically thin synchrotron emission connecting the radio, optical, and X-ray regimes. The peak implies a total energy in the synchrotron-emitting component of a few × 1050erg. The temporal decay rate is most consistent with mildly or non-relativistic material and we do not see evidence for a very energetic off-axis jet, but we cannot distinguish between a lower-energy jet and more isotropic emission

Circulating KRAS G12D but not G12V is associated with survival in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

While high circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels are associated with poor survival for multiple cancers, variant-specific differences in the association of ctDNA levels and survival have not been examined. Here we investigate KRAS ctDNA (ctKRAS) variant-specific associations with overall and progression-free survival (OS/PFS) in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) for patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy ("PRINCE", NCT03214250), and an independent cohort receiving standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy. For PRINCE, higher baseline plasma levels are associated with worse OS for ctKRAS G12D (log-rank p = 0.0010) but not G12V (p = 0.7101), even with adjustment for clinical covariates. Early, on-therapy clearance of G12D (p = 0.0002), but not G12V (p = 0.4058), strongly associates with OS for PRINCE. Similar results are obtained for the SOC cohort, and for PFS in both cohorts. These results suggest ctKRAS G12D but not G12V as a promising prognostic biomarker for mPDAC and that G12D clearance could also serve as an early biomarker of response

Induction of Blood Brain Barrier Tight Junction Protein Alterations by CD8 T Cells

Disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) is a hallmark feature of immune-mediated neurological disorders as diverse as viral hemorrhagic fevers, cerebral malaria and acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. Although current models hypothesize that immune cells promote vascular permeability in human disease, the role CD8 T cells play in BBB breakdown remains poorly defined. Our laboratory has developed a novel murine model of CD8 T cell mediated central nervous system (CNS) vascular permeability using a variation of the Theiler's virus model of multiple sclerosis. In previous studies, we observed that MHC class II−/− (CD4 T cell deficient), IFN-γR−/−, TNF-α−/−, TNFR1−/−, TNFR2−/−, and TNFR1/TNFR2 double knockout mice as well as those with inhibition of IL-1 and LTβ activity were susceptible to CNS vascular permeability. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the extent immune effector proteins utilized by CD8 T cells, perforin and FasL, contributed to CNS vascular permeability. Using techniques such as fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS), T1 gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), FITC-albumin leakage assays, microvessel isolation, western blotting and immunofluorescent microscopy, we show that in vivo stimulation of CNS infiltrating antigen-specific CD8 T cells initiates astrocyte activation, alteration of BBB tight junction proteins and increased CNS vascular permeability in a non-apoptotic manner. Using the aforementioned techniques, we found that despite having similar expansion of CD8 T cells in the brain as wildtype and Fas Ligand deficient animals, perforin deficient mice were resistant to tight junction alterations and CNS vascular permeability. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that CNS infiltrating antigen-specific CD8 T cells have the capacity to initiate BBB tight junction disruption through a non-apoptotic perforin dependent mechanism and our model is one of few that are useful for studies in this field. These novel findings are highly relevant to the development of therapies designed to control immune mediated CNS vascular permeability

Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)

This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta