Delineation of the boundaries of a buried pre-glacial valley with LANDSAT-1 data

The continuity of a narrow meandering strip of Udoll (prairie) soils running east and west for approximately 40 miles across north central Indiana in an area predominantly of Udalfs (timber soils) was detected from LANDSAT-1 data taken on June 9, 1973. This data was processed through a clustering procedure and classified with resulting increased definition of the boundaries among soils grouped according to nine categories and vegetation to two categories of reflectance. This dark stretch of prairie soil is believed to have formed in the heavy textured, poorly drained glacial debris which filled a major pre-glacial tributary of the Teays River System. Ready identification and location of the valley has significance to soil survey and land classification people as a guide to soil classification and land use and to geologists as a guide to location of a potentially economically significant aquifer

Some remarks on inp-minimal and finite burden groups

We prove that any left-ordered inp-minimal group is abelian and we provide an example of a non-abelian left-ordered group of dp-rank 2. Furthermore, we establish a necessary condition for a group to have finite burden involving normalizers of definable sets, reminiscent of other chain conditions for stable groups

Explaining the imbalance in δ13C between soil and biomass in fire-prone tropical savannas

Currently, models of terrestrial 13C discrimination indicate that about one quarter of the gross primary productivity (GPP - total carbon fixed as biomass by plants) by the terrestrial biosphere is attributable to tropical savanna/grassland plants that use the C, photosynthetic pathway. However, the fraction of C,-derived biomass in soil organic carbon in savanna systems is much lower than these GPP estimates imply. Determining this imbalance has significant implications for correctly interpreting soil and palaeosol carbon isotope data, and for modelling studies that use variations in the atmospheric δ13CO, record to apportion sources and sinks of carbon. Here, we present preliminary results using hydrogen pyrolysis (HyPy) for quantifying the abundance and identifying the source of pyrogenic carbon (PC) in tropical savannas of North Queensland (Australia). We collected sediment from a series of micro-catchments covering the broadest possible range of C, and C, environments, and compared the abundances and stable isotope compositions of the total organic carbon (TOC) and pyrogenic carbon (PC) fractions. Hydrogen pyrolysis (HyPy) can be used to quantify the production, fate and stable isotope composition of PC produced by vegetation burning. HyPy is pyrolysis (up to ~600°C) under high hydrogen pressures (>10 MPa) in the presence of a catalyst, and when applied to sediments, soils, or organic samples results in the reductive removal of labile organic matter. Therefore, this technique offers great potential to effectively isolate and quantify pyrogenic carbon in a rapid and cost effective manner. Moreover, comparison of the stable carbon isotope composition of PC with bulk carbon has the potential to discern if there is a dominant vegetation source contributing to burning. The results indicate that the δ13C value of PC in the sediments is up 6‰ higher than the 613C value of TOC. There is a larger difference when TOC abundances in the sediments are lowest. This suggests a significant component of C,-derived PC is present in the sediments, even when the proportion of C, biomass in the catchment is relatively low. This in turn, provides evidence for the preferential combustion and transport of C4-derived PC in tropical savannas. Savanna fires preferentially burn the grass understorey rather than large trees, leading to a bias toward the finer C,-derived PC being exported from a fire and accumulated in the sedimentary record while large particles of Crderived PC are more likely to remain at the site of burning. Our preliminary data suggest that application of HyPy in environmental studies enables accurate quantification of an essential component of the terrestrial C cycle. Moreover, the use of HyPy also enables the reliable determination of the stable carbon isotope composition of PC, which will enable deeper understanding of the dynamic role of biomass burning in the global carbon cycle

Screening for obstructive sleep apnea on the internet: randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is underdiagnosed. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of an online intervention to promote obstructive sleep apnea screening among members of an Internet weight-loss community. METHODS: Members of an Internet weight-loss community who have never been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or discussed the condition with their healthcare provider were randomized to intervention (online risk assessment+feedback) or control. The primary outcome was discussing obstructive sleep apnea with a healthcare provider at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Of 4700 members who were sent e-mail study announcements, 168 (97% were female, age 39.5 years [standard deviation 11.7], body mass index 30.3 [standard deviation 7.8]) were randomized to intervention (n=84) or control (n=84). Of 82 intervention subjects who completed the risk assessment, 50 (61%) were low risk and 32 (39%) were high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Intervention subjects were more likely than control subjects to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider within 12 weeks (11% [9/84] vs 2% [2/84]; P=.02; relative risk=4.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-20.21). The number needed to treat was 12. High-risk intervention subjects were more likely than control subjects to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider (19% [6/32] vs 2% [2/84]; P=.004; relative risk=7.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.68-37.02). One high-risk intervention subject started treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CONCLUSION: An online screening intervention is feasible and likely effective in encouraging members of an Internet weight-loss community to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider

Where the wild things are! Do urban green spaces with greater avian biodiversity promote more positive emotions in humans?

Urban green space can help mitigate the negative impacts of urban living and provide positive effects on citizens’ mood, health and well-being. Questions remain, however, as to whether all types of green space are equally beneficial, and if not, what landscape forms or key features optimise the desired benefits. For example, it has been cited that urban landscapes rich in wildlife (high biodiversity) may promote more positive emotions and enhance well-being. This research utilised a mobile phone App, employed to assess people’s emotions when they entered any one of 945 green spaces within the city of Sheffield, UK. Emotional responses were correlated to key traits of the individual green spaces, including levels of biodiversity the participant perceived around them. For a subsample of these green spaces, actual levels of biodiversity were assessed through avian and habitat surveys. Results demonstrated strong correlations between levels of avian biodiversity within a green space and human emotional response to that space. Respondents reported being happier in sites with greater avian biodiversity (p < 0.01, r = 0.78) and a greater variety of habitats (p < 0.02, r = 0.72). Relationships were strengthened when emotions were linked to perceptions of overall biodiversity (p < 0.001, r = 0.89). So, when participants thought the site was wildlife rich, they reported more positive emotions, even when actual avian biodiversity levels were not necessarily enhanced. The data strengthens the arguments that nature enhances well-being through positive affect, and that increased ‘engagement with nature’ may help support human health within urban environments. The results have strong implications for city planning with respect to the design, management and use of city green spaces

JRA3 Electromagnetic Calorimeter Technical Design Report

This report describes the design of the prototype for an Silicon Tungsten electromagnetic calorimeter with unprecedented high granularity to be operated in a detector at the International Linear Collider (ILC). The R&D for the prototype is co-funded by the European Union in the FP6 framework within the so called EUDET project in the years 2006-2010. The dimensions of the prototype are similar to those envisaged for the final detector. Already at this stage the prototype features a highly compact design. The sensitive layers, the Very Front End Electronics serving 64 channels per ASIC and copper plates for heat draining are integrated within 2000 μm

Glomerular filtration rate is superior to serum creatinine for prediction of mortality after thoracoabdominal aortic surgery

BackgroundClinically evident renal disease (dialysis, history of renal insufficiency, or serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL) is a known risk factor for mortality after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We extended this concept to the questions of whether subclinical renal disease is also a risk factor and how best to identify subclinical disease. We hypothesized that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) would be a more sensitive determinant of renal function than serum creatinine alone.MethodsBetween 1991 and 2004, we repaired 1106 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. The median age was 67 years. There were 400 (36%) women and 706 (64%) men. We estimated GFR by using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. We divided baseline serum creatinine and baseline GFR into quartiles and estimated the association of the quartiles with 30-day postoperative mortality by χ2 testing. We further subdivided the population into patients with and without clinically evident renal disease and repeated the analysis in the patients without clinically apparent disease (n = 869).ResultsClinically apparent renal disease was highly associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 3.2; P < .0001). In all patients, serum creatinine quartile and GFR quartile were also both highly significantly associated with 30-day mortality (P < .0001). In patients without clinically apparent renal disease, both creatinine and GFR predicted additional mortality, but GFR was a much stronger predictor (P < .02 for creatinine vs <.0001 for GFR). In these patients, mortality ranged from 5% in the best GFR quartile to 27% in the worst. Taken as continuous variables in logistic regression equations, serum creatinine had no discrimination in patients without clinical disease (P = .73), whereas GFR remained strong (P <.0001).ConclusionsPreoperative renal function is an important determinant of early mortality even in patients without clinically evident disease. Estimated GFR is a much more powerful determinant of mortality risk than serum creatinine alone

Endoscopic mucosal resection of laterally spreading lesions around or involving the appendiceal orifice: technique, risk factors for failure, and outcomes of a tertiary referral cohort (with video)

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of peri-appendiceal sessile laterally spreading lesions (PA-LSLs) is technically demanding due to poor endoscopic access to the appendiceal lumen and the thin colonic wall at the base of the cecum. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of EMR for PA-LSLs.Consecutive LSLs ≥20 mm and PA-LSLs ≥10 mm detected at 3 academic endoscopy centers from September 2008 until January 2017 were eligible. Prospective patient, procedural, and lesion data were collected. PA-LSLs were compared with LSLs in other colonic locations.Thirty-eight PA-LSLs were compared with 1721 LSLs. Referral for surgery without an attempt at EMR was more likely with PA-LSLs (28.9% vs 5.1%, P < .001) and those that involved a greater percentage of the appendiceal orifice (AO) were less likely to be attempted (P = .038). The majority (10/11) of PA-LSLs were not attempted due to deep extension into the appendiceal lumen; 2 of 11 of these surgical specimens contained invasive cancer. Once attempted, complete clearance of visible adenoma (92.6%[PA-LSL] versus 97.6%[LSL], p=.14), adverse events, and rates of adenoma recurrence did not vary significantly between PA-LSLs and LSLs. Seven of 7 patients with prior appendicectomy achieved complete adenoma clearance. There were no cases of post-EMR appendicitis. Twenty of 22 (91%) PA-LSLs eligible for surveillance avoided surgery to longest follow-up.EMR is a safe, effective and durable treatment for PA-LSLs when specific criteria are fulfilled. If the distal margin of the PA-LSL within the appendiceal orifice cannot be visualized or more than 50% of the circumference of the orifice is involved, surgery should be considered. Clinicaltrials.gov (NTC01368289)

Development of a modular and scalable data acquisition system for calorimeters at a linear collider

A data acquisition (DAQ) system has been developed which will read out and control calorimeters serving as prototype systems for a future detector at an electron-positron linear collider. This is a modular, flexible and scalable DAQ system in which the hardware and signals are standards-based, using FPGAs and serial links. The idea of a backplaneless system was also pursued with a commercial development board housed in a PC and a chain of concentrator cards between it and the detector forming the basis of the system. As well as describing the concept and performance of the system, its merits and disadvantages are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, accepted by JINST. Version updated accounting for comments from journal referee

Infrastructure for Detector Research and Development towards the International Linear Collider

The EUDET-project was launched to create an infrastructure for developing and testing new and advanced detector technologies to be used at a future linear collider. The aim was to make possible experimentation and analysis of data for institutes, which otherwise could not be realized due to lack of resources. The infrastructure comprised an analysis and software network, and instrumentation infrastructures for tracking detectors as well as for calorimetry.Comment: 54 pages, 48 picture