LANDSAT TM image data quality analysis for energy-related applications

This project represents a no-cost agreement between National Aeronautic Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA GSFC) and the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). PNL is a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory operted by Battelle Memorial Institute at its Pacific Northwest Laboratories in Richland, Washington. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate LANDSAT's thematic mapper (TM) data quality and utility characteristics from an energy research and technological perspective. Of main interest is the extent to which repetitive TM data might support DOE efforts relating to siting, developing, and monitoring energy-related facilities, and to basic geoscientific research. The investigation utilizes existing staff and facility capabilities, and ongoing programmatic activities at PNL and other DOE national laboratories to cooperatively assess the potential usefulness of the improved experimental TM data. The investigation involves: (1) both LANDSAT 4 and 5 TM data, (2) qualitative and quantitative use consideration, and 3) NASA P (corrected) and A (uncorrected) CCT analysis for a variety of sites of DOE interest. Initial results were presented at the LANDSAT Investigator's Workshops and at specialized LANDSAT TM sessions at various conferences

The Lucky Dragon????– Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China

The Lucky Dragon is a vitamin, Chinese medicine and nutraceutical company located in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong.  Although the company was ran for 50 years by the Ng family, after the patriarch Mr. Ng Shu Chorn passed away, his children decided to sell it, as none of the three children were interested in managing the store or sourcing products and selling them to other shops. Increasingly, competition from mainland China had been eroding profit margins of similar businesses in Hong Kong, and each of the siblings had respectable jobs, so cashing in was the best course of action. Anderson Products LLC, a health and wellness company headquartered in Provo, Utah, had hoped to expand to the seemingly lucrative Chinese market, but they were inexperienced with international business and afraid of mainland China regulations. They saw the advertisement for the sale of The Lucky Dragon as a great opportunity to get their feet in the door, under the more auspicious regulations that Hong Kong could offer

Long-segment thoracoabdominal aortic occlusions in childhood

Developmental coarctation, hypoplasia, and occlusion of the abdominal aorta is a rare disease encompassing many differing etiologies and diverse methods of treatment. Long-segment thoracoabdominal aortic occlusion, an extreme manifestation of this disorder, has not previously been reported in children. Two pediatric patients with this entity, a 5- and 13-year-old with uncontrolled hypertension, underwent extensive arterial reconstructions for this entity and provided the impetus for this report. An ascending thoracic aorta to infrarenal aortic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass was undertaken in the younger child. A distal thoracic aorto-bi-iliac artery expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass, with implantation of the left renal artery to one graft limb and a right renal artery bypass originating from the other limb, was performed in the older child. There were no major perioperative complications. Both patients were discharged with easily controlled blood pressures. They have remained normotensive at 13 and 14 months follow-up

Postoperative fluid collection after hybrid debranching and endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveHybrid thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (H-TEVAR) to include visceral and renal debranching has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAA). This study was performed to characterize the frequently noted development of postoperative fluid collections surrounding the bypass grafts.MethodsAll patients undergoing H-TEVAR from 2000-2010 (n = 39, 43.6% male) were identified. One hundred thirty-two bypasses were constructed (median 4 per patient) using either polyester (30), thin-walled polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, 100) or saphenous vein (2). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) imaging was routinely performed at 1 and 6 months, and annually thereafter.ResultsOf the 37 patients with one follow-up CT, 20 (54.1%) were found to have fluid collections. The natural history of the 17 patients with collections and further follow-up imaging was variable, with 2 resolving, 6 stable, and 9 enlarging. Two patients with collections developed evidence of graft infection requiring reoperation. Two patients with enlarging sterile collections required evacuation for symptoms. By multivariate analysis, both preoperative creatinine (P = .005) and number of bypasses constructed (P = .04) independently correlated with the development of a fluid collection.ConclusionsPostoperative fluid collections following hybrid debranching procedures identified in this series represent a unique complication not previously described. The subsequent clinical course of these fluid collections is variable and ranges from benign to frank graft infection and relate both to patient factors, as well as specific operative strategies. Longer-term studies with more robust numbers of patient numbers are warranted to determine whether this complication may limit the long-term durability of this procedure

Postoperative fluid collection after hybrid debranching and endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveHybrid thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (H-TEVAR) to include visceral and renal debranching has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAA). This study was performed to characterize the frequently noted development of postoperative fluid collections surrounding the bypass grafts.MethodsAll patients undergoing H-TEVAR from 2000-2010 (n = 39, 43.6% male) were identified. One hundred thirty-two bypasses were constructed (median 4 per patient) using either polyester (30), thin-walled polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, 100) or saphenous vein (2). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) imaging was routinely performed at 1 and 6 months, and annually thereafter.ResultsOf the 37 patients with one follow-up CT, 20 (54.1%) were found to have fluid collections. The natural history of the 17 patients with collections and further follow-up imaging was variable, with 2 resolving, 6 stable, and 9 enlarging. Two patients with collections developed evidence of graft infection requiring reoperation. Two patients with enlarging sterile collections required evacuation for symptoms. By multivariate analysis, both preoperative creatinine (P = .005) and number of bypasses constructed (P = .04) independently correlated with the development of a fluid collection.ConclusionsPostoperative fluid collections following hybrid debranching procedures identified in this series represent a unique complication not previously described. The subsequent clinical course of these fluid collections is variable and ranges from benign to frank graft infection and relate both to patient factors, as well as specific operative strategies. Longer-term studies with more robust numbers of patient numbers are warranted to determine whether this complication may limit the long-term durability of this procedure

Cardiac SERCA activity in sockeye salmon populations: an adaptive response to migration conditions

We show that cardiac sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity differs considerably among sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations. Variability in SERCA activity was significantly correlated with elevation gain and temperature during migration, as well as maximum cardiac stroke volume. Furthermore, because SERCA activity was not lowered during the spawning migration, this aspect of the cardiac contraction machinery is apparently spared during the senescence of these semelparous salmon, likely because it is essential for these fish to complete spawning. Only when spawning had been completed was there a significant reduction in SERCA activity, which was detectable in males at a 25 °C and in females at a 15 °C assay temperature. Hence, we propose that migration conditions act as a strong selective force that has resulted in local adaptation of myocardial SERCA activity among sockeye salmon populations.</p

Multiple primary melanomas in a CDKN2A mutation carrier exposed to ionizing radiation

Background: Recent research has shown a possible causal relationship between ionizing radiation exposure and melanoma. Individuals with mutations in CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A), the major melanoma predisposition gene, have an increased susceptibility to melanoma-promoting exposures, such as UV light. We describe a patient from a familial melanoma pedigree with 7 primary melanomas on the right side of her body, the first occurring 5 years after exposure to atmospheric nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s. Observations: Physical examination revealed phototype I skin, red hair, and 26 nevi (14 on the right and 12 on the left side of her body). One nevus was larger than 5 mm, and 2 were clinically atypical. Sequence analysis demonstrated a known deleterious mutation in CDKN2A (G-34T) and homozygosity for a red hair color variant in MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) (R151C). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of blood, fibroblasts, and melanocytes from both upper extremities ruled out mosaicism. Conclusions: Individuals such as this patient, who has CDKN2A and MC1R mutations, are likely to be more susceptible to environmental insults. A careful review of environmental exposures in these vulnerable cases may reveal cancer-promoting agents, such as ionizing radiation, that go unnoticed in less susceptible populations

Does strabismus surgery improve quality and mood, and what factors influence this?

Aims To establish the impact of adult strabismus surgery on clinical and psychosocial well-being and determine who experiences the greatest benefit from surgery and how one could intervene to improve quality of life post-surgery. Methods A longitudinal study, with measurements taken pre-surgery and at 3 and 6 months post-surgery. All participants completed the AS-20 a disease specific quality of life scale, along with measures of mood, strabismus and appearance-related beliefs and cognitions and perceived social support. Participants also underwent a full orthoptic assessment at their preoperative visit and again 3 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes of surgery were classified as success, partial success or failure, using the largest angle of deviation, diplopia and requirement for further therapy. Results 210 participants took part in the study. Strabismus surgery led to statistically significant improvements in psychosocial and functional quality of life. Those whose surgery was deemed a partial success did however experience a deterioration in quality of life. A combination of clinical variables, high expectations, and negative beliefs about the illness and appearance pre-surgery were significant predictors of change in quality of life from pre- to post-surgery. Conclusions Strabismus surgery leads to significant improvements in quality of life up to 6 months postoperatively. There are however a group of patients who do not experience these benefits. A series of clinical and psychosocial factors have now been identified, which will enable clinicians to identify patients who may be vulnerable to poorer outcomes post-surgery and allow for the development of interventions to improve quality of life after surgery