Assessing hemlock woolly adelgid induced decline and susceptibility using hyperspectral technologies

The ultimate goal of this study was to provide the scientific framework for using narrow band hyperspectral instruments to assess early hemlock decline and susceptibility to the introduced hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). To this end, spectral data from an ASD FieldSpec Pro was used to develop a 6-term linear regression equation, which predicted a detailed decline rating (0--10) with an R2 of 0.71 and RMSE of 0.591. To scale up this method to a remote sensing platform, NASA\u27s Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) was used to create a hemlock abundance map, correctly identifying hemlock dominated pixels (\u3e40% basal area) with 88% accuracy. Reflectance at a chlorophyll sensitive wavelength (683nm), coupled with a water band index (R970/900), was able to predict decline with 85% accuracy. The extreme accuracy at the low (0--4) end of the range indicated that these wavelengths might be used to assess early decline, before visual symptoms are apparent. Because instruments like AVIRIS have the capability to map foliar chemistry, the identification of links between HWA dynamics and foliar chemistry may be used to map relative susceptibility. To this end, we employed a three-tiered approach examining resistant vs. susceptible hemlock species, foliar chemistry vs. colonization success and regional foliar chemistry vs. HWA population levels. We found that HWA resistant hemlock species demonstrated higher concentrations of Ca and P, and lower concentrations of N and K. Regardless of host species, successful colonization of uninfested hemlocks was associated with higher N, and lower Ca and P concentrations. Regionally, higher concentrations of Ca, Mn, N and P were correlated with higher HWA densities. We hypothesize that higher N and K concentrations may have a palatability effect, driving HWA population levels, while higher concentrations of Ca and P may act as deterrents to more severe infestations. These results indicate that by using hyperspectral remote sensing instruments, it is possible to identify the very early stages of hemlock decline and map relative susceptibility to HWA on a landscape scale. Such tools are instrumental in targeting management activities and ultimately controlling the HWA outbreak

Linking Science and Management in a Geospatial, Multi- Criteria Decision Support Tool

Land managers are often faced with balancing management activities to accomplish a diversity of objectives in complex, dynamic ecosystems. In this chapter, we present a multi-criteria decision support tool (the Future Forests Geo-Visualization Decision Support (FForGeoVDS)) designed to inform management decisions by capturing information on how climate change may impact the structure and function of forested ecosystems and how that impact varies across the landscape. This interactive tool integrates spatial outputs from various empirical models in a structured decision framework that allows users to customize weights for multiple management objectives and visualize suitability outcomes across the landscape. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate customized objective weightings designed to: (1) identify key parcels for sugarbush (Acer saccharum) conservation, (2) target state lands that may serve as hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) refugia, and (3) examine how climate change may impact forests under current and future climate scenarios. These case studies exemplify the value of considering multiple objectives in a flexible structure to best match stakeholder needs and demonstrate an important step toward using science to inform management and policy decisions

How Gentrification Is Impacting Communities in Ada County

For this project, we will be looking at the movement of diverse social classes, specifically within Ada County, to see how this affects the existing communities. To do this, we will examine and explore the social dimensions that are being influenced by the new money, new ideas, and outside cultures that are moving into the Boise area. We will be looking at how these further influences the management of the Boise foothills as well as the agricultural land and farming communities within the area that are being affected by the sprawl that is following the number of transplants coming into the Treasure Valley. We will be conducting research and gathering data through reviewing previous studies in other cities affected by gentrification, as well as conducting our own Boise-specific surveys and personal interviews with the various dimensions of Treasure Valley communities being affected. This will be done by speaking with and interviewing both traditional residents as well as newcomers. Additionally, we will review income gaps, cultural divisions and their effects on government action and community education

Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy With Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia: Review of Clinical Manifestations as Foundations for Therapeutic Development

A comprehensive review of published literature was conducted to elucidate the genetics, neuropathology, imaging findings, prevalence, clinical course, diagnosis/clinical evaluation, potential biomarkers, and current and proposed treatments for adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP), a rare, debilitating, and life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder for which disease-modifying therapies are not currently available. Details on potential efficacy endpoints for future interventional clinical trials in patients with ALSP and data related to the burden of the disease on patients and caregivers were also reviewed. The information in this position paper lays a foundation to establish an effective clinical rationale and address the clinical gaps for creation of a robust strategy to develop therapeutic agents for ALSP, as well as design future clinical trials, that have clinically meaningful and convergent endpoints

Genetic Characterization of Feline Leukemia Virus from Florida Panthers

The emergent strain of FeLV, a novel subgroup A, was probably transmitted to panthers by a domestic cat

The BioGRID interaction database: 2015 update

The Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets (BioGRID: http://thebiogrid.org) is an open access database that houses genetic and protein interactions curated from the primary biomedical literature for all major model organism species and humans. As of September 2014, the BioGRID contains 749 912 interactions as drawn from 43 149 publications that represent 30 model organisms. This interaction count represents a 50% increase compared to our previous 2013 BioGRID update. BioGRID data are freely distributed through partner model organism databases and meta-databases and are directly downloadable in a variety of formats. In addition to general curation of the published literature for the major model species, BioGRID undertakes themed curation projects in areas of particular relevance for biomedical sciences, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system and various human disease-associated interaction networks. BioGRID curation is coordinated through an Interaction Management System (IMS) that facilitates the compilation interaction records through structured evidence codes, phenotype ontologies, and gene annotation. The BioGRID architecture has been improved in order to support a broader range of interaction and post-translational modification types, to allow the representation of more complex multi-gene/protein interactions, to account for cellular phenotypes through structured ontologies, to expedite curation through semi-automated text-mining approaches, and to enhance curation quality control

Generational Association Studies of Dopaminergic Genes in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) Subjects: Selecting Appropriate Phenotypes for Reward Dependence Behaviors

Abnormal behaviors involving dopaminergic gene polymorphisms often reflect an insufficiency of usual feelings of satisfaction, or Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). RDS results from a dysfunction in the “brain reward cascade,” a complex interaction among neurotransmitters (primarily dopaminergic and opioidergic). Individuals with a family history of alcoholism or other addictions may be born with a deficiency in the ability to produce or use these neurotransmitters. Exposure to prolonged periods of stress and alcohol or other substances also can lead to a corruption of the brain reward cascade function. We evaluated the potential association of four variants of dopaminergic candidate genes in RDS (dopamine D1 receptor gene [DRD1]; dopamine D2 receptor gene [DRD2]; dopamine transporter gene [DAT1]; dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene [DBH]). Methodology: We genotyped an experimental group of 55 subjects derived from up to five generations of two independent multiple-affected families compared to rigorously screened control subjects (e.g., N = 30 super controls for DRD2 gene polymorphisms). Data related to RDS behaviors were collected on these subjects plus 13 deceased family members. Results: Among the genotyped family members, the DRD2 Taq1 and the DAT1 10/10 alleles were significantly (at least p < 0.015) more often found in the RDS families vs. controls. The TaqA1 allele occurred in 100% of Family A individuals (N = 32) and 47.8% of Family B subjects (11 of 23). No significant differences were found between the experimental and control positive rates for the other variants. Conclusions: Although our sample size was limited, and linkage analysis is necessary, the results support the putative role of dopaminergic polymorphisms in RDS behaviors. This study shows the importance of a nonspecific RDS phenotype and informs an understanding of how evaluating single subset behaviors of RDS may lead to spurious results. Utilization of a nonspecific “reward” phenotype may be a paradigm shift in future association and linkage studies involving dopaminergic polymorphisms and other neurotransmitter gene candidates

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure