The Demographic and Morphological Characteristics of Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains

Data on age, sex, body measurements, survival, and reproductive condition were collected from 1702 black bears (Ursus americanus) trapped in the Smoky Mountains (SM), 1972-1989. The age structure suggested a lightly to moderately exploited bear population. Bears of Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP or Park) were significantly (P = 0.026) older (mean = 4.52 yr) than those of Pisgah (3.86 yr) National Forest (P \u3c 0.076). SM females had a mean minimum reproductive age of 4.2 yr, birth interval of 2.4 yr, and litter size of 2.0 cubs. The percentage of lactating females was significantly associated with age (X2 = 20.6, 2 df, P \u3c 0.001), and lactation rates were significantly related to white oak mast production (r2 = 0.51, P \u3c 0.01). The annual mortality rate was 26% and was lowest for Park bears (22%) and highest for those of the national forests (30%). Density ranged from 0.09 to 0.35 bears/km2, and the intrinsic rate of growth (2-11%) indicated a slightly to moderately increasing population. Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors govern the population. Food is the chief control of bear reproduction. Hunting mortality appears to regulate the bears population in the national forests, and male aggression and subsequent subadult dispersal govern bear abundance of the less-exploited Park population. Given these factors, and the cumulative effects of inconsistent hard mast production, poaching, and a habitat threatened by the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), roads, and resort development, this bear population may be jeopardized. Gender was associated with the bear\u27s status (i.e., panhandler/wild) (panhandler: 60% male, wild: 54% male, P = 0.056). Wild male bears were significantly older than panhandler males (3.9 vs 2.9 yr, P = 0.0001); wild female bears were older than panhandler females (4.9 vs 3.7 yr, P = 0.004). Male and female panhandlers were significantly heavier than their wild counterparts (P \u3c 0.05), and panhandler bears grew faster than wild bears. The number of lactating females was significantly associated with status (P \u3c 0.001); 56% of the panhandler and only 33% of the wild females were lactating. Panhandlers were more fertile and larger than wild bears likely reflecting the panhandlers\u27 better access to and use of high-energy, human-made foods particularly during years of natural food shortage. Small amounts of these foods, the availability of which varies with panhandler bear management, appear to make differences in body size. Dispersal and the large home-range size of the males and subadults probably explain the propensity of these bears to become panhandlers. The above findings as well as differences in demographic characteristics among wild bears within the Smoky Mountains are further discussed as they relate to the nutritional qualities of the environment. Neck and chest circumferences and total length were significant (P \u3c 0.0001) predictors of body weight. The predictive capabilities of these variables were reliable, especially at the low0to-mid range of bear weights. This predictive relationship should ease the collection of weight data on black bears in the Smoky Mountains

Modulation of plasma matrix metalloproteinase 9 and its inhibitors by vitamin D.

PhDMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are upregulated in a variety of diseases. Hypothesis: As TIMP-1 levels are elevated in liver fibrosis, might a similar process occur in essential hypertension driven left ventricular hypertrophy and furthermore may TIMP-1 be a marker of vascular disease? If TIMP-1 levels are a potential marker of cardiovascular disease could their levels be modulated by vitamin D? Methods: Plasma TIMP-1 levels and aldosterone were measured a) in patients with essential hypertension who had never been on treatment or had been off treatment for 1 month and b) healthy controls. All participants underwent echocardiography. To assess whether TIMP-1 was a marker of vascular disease insulin, sCRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine, PAI-1 were measured in Bangladeshis pre supplementation with vitamin D. TIMP-1, MMP2, 9 and 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)vitD were also measured pre and post supplementation. Subsequent studies included measurements of MMP2, 9 and TIMP-1and 4 in submariners pre and post patrol and MMP9 and 25(OH)vitD in patients who re-stenosed post angioplasty. TIMP-4 was validated using a radioimmunoassay, 25(OH)vitD measured using a triple quad MS and other assays using ELISAs. Results: Plasma TIMP-1 was higher in hypertensive patients than in the controls (p<0.0001) and was correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy and with aldosterone. In the Bangladeshi study,. TIMP-1 was not correlated with other markers of vascular disease. TIMP-1 was correlated with systolic blood pressure (p<0.007) There was an inverse correlation of 25(OH)vitD with MMP9 (P<0.001) and TIMP-1 (p<0.05) and sCRP (p<0.05). The inverse relationship between MMP9 and 25(OH)vitD was also repeated in the submariner and restenosis studies. Conclusions: Plasma TIMP-1 may be an important determinant in essential hypertension and 25(OH)vit D may have a positive effect in reducing the inflammatory response as measured by MMP9. The increased 25(OH)vitD may also act by reducing aldosterone levels and thus suppressing TIMP-1 level

A user configurable data acquisition and signal processing system for high-rate, high channel count applications

Real-time signal processing in plasma fusion experiments is required for control and for data reduction as plasma pulse times grow longer. The development time and cost for these high-rate, multichannel signal processing systems can be significant. This paper proposes a new digital signal processing (DSP) platform for the data acquisition system that will allow users to easily customize real-time signal processing systems to meet their individual requirements. The D-TACQ reconfigurable user in-line DSP (DRUID) system carries out the signal processing tasks in hardware co-processors (CPs) implemented in an FPGA, with an embedded microprocessor (μP) for control. In the fully developed platform, users will be able to choose co-processors from a library and configure programmable parameters through the μP to meet their requirements. The DRUID system is implemented on a Spartan 6 FPGA, on the new rear transition module (RTM-T), a field upgrade to existing D-TACQ digitizers. As proof of concept, a multiply-accumulate (MAC) co-processor has been developed, which can be configured as a digital chopper-integrator for long pulse magnetic fusion devices. The DRUID platform allows users to set options for the integrator, such as the number of masking samples. Results from the digital integrator are presented for a data acquisition system with 96 channels simultaneously acquiring data at 500 kSamples/s per channel

West Nile Virus and Wildlife Health

The West Nile Virus and Wildlife Health Workshop, hosted by the Smithsonian Institution, National Audubon Society, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, was held February 5–7, 2003, at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. The event was attended by more than 100 scientists, who heard 29 speakers and participated in strategy discussions during the 2-day meeting. The main focus of the conference was the present and future impact of West Nile virus on wildlife populations. Talks and discussions emphasized how basic research, public health, and land management can contribute to our understanding of the disease’s impact and spread. A primary objective of this meeting was to develop future research priorities from both basic and applied perspectives. The conference centered around four main themes: 1) host, vector, and pathogen interactions (disease ecology); 2) vertebrate behavior and ecology; 3) vector behavior and ecology; and 4) modeling and spatial statistics. We describe some of the findings from the meeting. For an in-depth summary of this meeting, please visit the conference website for meeting abstracts and a downloadable conference white paper (available from: URL: www.serc.si.edu/migratorybirds/ migratorybirds_index.htm)

Parity Effects in Stacked Nanoscopic Quantum Rings

The ground state and the dielectric response of stacked quantum rings are investigated in the presence of an applied magnetic field along the ring axis. For odd number $N$ of rings and an electric field perpendicular to the axis, a linear Stark effect occurs at distinct values of the magnetic field. At those fields energy levels cross in the absence of electric field. For even values of $N$ a quadratic Stark effect is expected in all cases, but the induced electric polarization is discontinuous at those special magnetic fields. Experimental consequences for related nanostructures are discussed.Comment: typos corrected, to appear Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Communication) 15 Au