Factors That Affect the Global Positioning System and Global Navigation Satellite System in an Urban and Forested Environment.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in real time measurements acquired from GPS and GLONASS satellite observations using RTK techniques in an urban and forested environment. To determine this accuracy, 2 data sets of 3-dimensional coordinates were created and compared at 14 stations situated at East Tennessee State University. One data set included coordinates determined by conventional land survey methods; the second was solved by RTK GPS/GLONASS. Once the magnitude of any deviation in the coordinate positions was determined, the contributions to the accuracies from cycle slips, multipath, satellite availability, PDOP, and fixed or float solutions were evaluated. Three points in the urban environment varied from the conventional data set. Multipath was assumed to be the major bias in these points. Seven points in the forested environment varied from the conventional data set. The use of float solutions and high PDOP may have caused this bias

Molecular electronics exploiting sharp structure in the electrode density-of-states. Negative differential resistance and Resonant Tunneling in a poled molecular layer on Al/LiF electrodes

Density-functional calculations are used to clarify the role of an ultrathin LiF layer on Al electrodes used in molecular electronics. The LiF layer creates a sharp density of states (DOS), as in a scanning-tunneling microscope (STM) tip. The sharp DOS, coupled with the DOS of the molecule leads to negative differential resistance (NDR). Electron transfer between oriented molecules occurs via resonant tunneling. The I-V characteristic for a thin-film of tris (8-hydroxyquinoline)- aluminum (AlQ) molecules, oriented using electric-field poling, and sandwiched between two Al/LiF electrodes is in excellent agreement with theory. This molecular device presents a new paradigm for a convenient, robust, inexpensive alternative to STM or mechanical break-junction structures.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Flexibility and diversity in subsistence during the late Mesolithic: faunal evidence from Asnæs Havnemark

In 2007, excavations at the late Mesolithic (Ertebølle) coastal site of Asnæs Havnemark recovered a wealth of flint, bone, and ceramic artefacts. A comprehensive analysis of the faunal remains resulted in over 50,000 identified specimens. Roe deer and gadids predominate, but there are a wide variety of other species represented. Stable isotope analyses of dog bones point to the importance of marine resources. Oxygen isotope analyses of otoliths indicate that fishing was conducted in multiple seasons of the year. Comparison with other late Mesolithic sites demonstrates that while generally the same species of animals were exploited everywhere, there are major differences in the relative abundances of species. The broad subsistence base available and flexibility in how it was exploited weaken arguments for a subsistence crisis brought on by environmental stresses as the causal mechanism for the adoption of domesticated plants and animals at the onset of theNeolithic

Interannual variability of tropical cyclone activity along the Pacific coast of North America

AbstractThe interannual variability of near-coastal eastern North Pacific tropical cyclones is described using a data set of cyclone tracks constructed from U.S. and Mexican oceanic and atmospheric reports for the period 1951-2006. Near-coastal cyclone counts are enumerated monthly, allowing us to distinguish interannual variability during different phases of the May-November tropical cyclone season. In these data more tropical cyclones affect the Pacific coast in May-July, the early months of the tropical cyclone season, during La Niña years, when equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures are anomalously cool, than during El Niño years. The difference in early season cyclone counts between La Niña and El Niño years was particularly pronounced during the mid-twentieth century epoch when cool equatorial temperatures were enhanced as described by an index of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Composite maps from years with high and low near-coastal cyclone counts show that the atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with cool sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific are consistent with preferential steering of tropical cyclones northeastward toward the west coast of Mexico

Managing Protein in Spring Wheat with Aerial and Satellite Imagery

Nitrogen fertilizer application can help wheat growers increase crop value and marketability by increasing grain quality. Nitrogen (N) is often applied at heading as a method of increasing protein content and therefore quality of wheat. Our objectives were to obtain spectral signatures of wheat under various N rates (0, 72, 180, 234 kg N ha-1), test various spectral methods of identifying crop stress, and observe the grain protein response to a midseason N application. Spectral data from satellite and aerial platforms were compared to preseason N treatments and flag-leaf tissue samples. Spectral data correlated well with preseason and flag leaf tissue analysis (r2 = 0.58-0.82). Grain protein increased on plots that received an additional 54 kg of N ha-1 at anthesis almost 2% in the N stressed plots (72 kg N ha-1) and 0.3-0.4% on plots with sufficient N (234 and 180 kg N ha-1). Wheat stress detected and managed with help from satellite and aerial platforms could help growers increase revenue and decrease N over-application

Rapid, cost-effective and scalable gmp-compliant simian adenovirus-vectored vaccine production for early-phase clinical trials using entirely disposable product-contact components

The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, develops and produces a range of vaccines against emerging threats (such as Zika) and current global health challenges (including malaria, HIV and rabies). The Jenner Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility (CBF) manufactures multiple simian adenovirus-vectored vaccines for early phase clinical trials each year. Hitherto we have used shake flasks for upstream production and caesium chloride gradient ultracentrifugation for downstream purification. This process is robust and simple but also slow, human resource intensive and lacks scalability. Here we report the development of a novel process using a 2 x 3L single-use stirred tank bioreactor system (MilliporeSigma Mobius®), coupled to a tangential flow filtration (TFF) and anion exchange chromatography (AEX)-based downstream process. The process also includes particle lysis and nucleic acid digestion inside the bioreactor, as well as clarification of cells and debris using depth filters. As our test case, we used a novel simian adenovirus-vectored rabies vaccine (ChAdOx2 RabG), which we will manufacture to GMP standards in the coming year. Each process run yields \u3e5x1013 ChAdOx2 RabG virus particles (approximately 1000 human doses), with residual host cell DNA, host cell protein and nuclease levels suitable for clinical trial use. While similar processes have been previously reported for adenovirus manufacture, we will report a number of points of novelty. Firstly, we use single-use disposable product-contact components from beginning to end, greatly simplifying small-scale GMP manufacturing of multiple products. Secondly, we will report results of comparative testing with a range of modern ion exchange media (including resins, membrane adsorbers, monoliths and functionalized hydrogel formats). Thirdly, we will report the development and validation of novel quality control methods suitable for this process. The resulting process will allow the CBF to increase production yield and produce more vaccines that transfer more easily to larger facilities

Thermostabilization of adenovirus-vectored vaccines, removing the need for continual cold-chain storage

Challenges around affordable and reliable supply of vaccines that need to be transported and maintained in the cold-chain to remain effective are a hindrance to realizing their full potential. We will describe preparation for GMP manufacture and Phase I clinical trial of a new technology for vaccine thermostabilisation. We will also describe application of the same technology to a novel veterinary vaccine which is entering advanced development. The sugar-matrix thermostabilisation (SMT) technology involves application of vaccine in a simple disaccharide-based buffer to a non-woven matrix, similar to a pad of filter paper. This is followed by drying at ambient temperature and pressure (i.e. without a freezing step, enhancing suitability for freeze-sensitive products). The materials and process are simple and cheap. We have previously shown that SMT allows for the storage of viral vectored vaccines such as modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and adenovirus vectors at up to 45oC for several months with minimal losses1,2. More recently we have shown the technique can improve stability of various other vaccine types, ranging from virus-like particles through to enveloped RNA viruses. In many cases, the level of thermostability achieved would allow for “last mile” vaccine distribution via the ‘extended controlled temperature chain’ (ECTC), or even allow prolonged storage at uncontrolled ambient temperature. This would decrease distribution-associated costs/ losses and increase vaccination feasibility in hard-to-reach areas. We have now received funding for GMP manufacture and Phase I clinical trial of an SMT-formulated adenovirus-vectored rabies vaccine, ChAdOx2 RabG. We will describe the production of custom wet-laid non-woven matrices with optimized SMT performance, using processes and materials suitable for use as an input to a GMP process. We will further describe the development of simple apparatus suitable for executing the process for pilot GMP batches, the optimization of the drying process and excipient composition, and the application of frequency modulation spectroscopy for non-destructive analysis of residual moisture content. Finally, we will describe the application of the technology to a formulation of ChAdOx1 RVF, an adenovirus-vectored vaccine against Rift Valley Fever Virus which is being developed for both human and veterinary use. In this case, SMT is applied to an ultra-low-cost drug substance designed for veterinary use (cell lysate which has been clarified and ultrafiltered but not chromatographically purified), emphasizing the suitability of the approach for low-cost and One Health applications. 1. Alcock, R., et al., Long-Term Thermostabilization of Live Poxviral and Adenoviral Vaccine Vectors at Supraphysiological Temperatures in Carbohydrate Glass. Science Translational Medicine, 2010. 2(19):19ra12. 2. Dulal, P., et al., Potency of a thermostabilised chimpanzee adenovirus Rift Valley Fever vaccine in cattle. Vaccine, 2016. 34(20): p. 2296-8

Growing irrigated crops in Harney Valley

Published July 1922. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Thinning ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands reduces mortality while maintaining stand productivity

We analyzed 45 years of data collected from three ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) levels-of-growing-stock installations in Oregon (OR) and northern California (CA), USA, to determine the effect of stand density regimes on stand productivity and mortality. We found that periodic annual increment (PAI) of diameter, basal area (BA), volume, and aboveground dry mass were significantly related to stand density index (SDI) and stand age at start of the period; the quadratic trends varied among sites. Precipitation departure from the normal for each period explained a significant amount of residual variation in all PAI variables except diameter. BA production did not change significantly as SDI exceeded 270 trees.ha⁻¹ at the OR sites and 320 trees.ha⁻¹ at the CA site. Stand productivity was the highest at Elliot Ranch (CA) and the least at Blue Mountains (OR). A similar trend held in growth efficiency under lower stand densities (SDI < 600). Most of the mortality was caused by Dendroctonus bark beetles in stands that exceeded SDI of 500 trees.ha⁻¹. Limiting SDI was about 900 trees.ha⁻¹, although plots at Elliot Ranch reached much higher than that. The results demonstrate that silvicultural control of stand density can be a powerful tool for reducing bark beetle caused mortality without sacrificing stand productivity.Keywords: Dynamics, United States, Beetle, Western, Forests, Climate changeKeywords: Dynamics, United States, Beetle, Western, Forests, Climate chang