Utilization of Skylab (EREP) system for appraising changes in continental migratory bird habitat

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Utilization of satellite data for inventorying prairie ponds and lakes. LANDSAT-1 data were used to discriminate ponds and lakes for waterfowl management

The author has identified the following significant results. The mapping of open water as an indicator of waterfowl habitat quality was carried out by using two different recognition techniques, a single waveband thresholding approach and a multiple waveband approach termed proportion estimation. The single waveband technique has proven simple to implement. Its computer algorithm was rapid and accurately recognized prairie lakes and large ponds. The resultant products of this processing technique were thematic maps and statistical tabulations describing open surface water conditions. The maps served to portray visually the location and frequency of surface water bodies but usually necessitated additional interpretation

Application of LANDSAT system for improving methodology for inventory and classification of wetlands

The author has identified the following significant results. Processing of LANDSAT MSS data for detection of prairie ponds and lakes was completed. Data coverage included a 36,876 sq km area in southeastern North Dakota during May and July. Cloud coverage limited the May coverage to 87% of the total area. Data analysis was accomplished using three software programs. Wetland identification by MSS sensors were compared to visual counts obtained by observers in low flying aircraft. Pond numbers identified by LANDSAT averaged about 20% of those counted visually. The discrepancy was attributed to the fact that approximately 75% of the ponds in the glaciated prairie region are less than 0.4 ha in size. It is significant, however, that LANDSAT counts accurately reflect trends

Performance of AAV8 vectors expressing human factor IX from a hepatic-selective promoter following intravenous injection into rats

Background: Vectors based on adeno-associated virus-8 (AAV8) have shown efficiency and efficacy for liver-directed gene therapy protocols following intravascular injection, particularly in relation to haemophilia gene therapy. AAV8 has also been proposed for gene therapy targeted at skeletal and cardiac muscle, again via intravascular injection. It is important to assess vector targeting at the level of virion accumulation and transgene expression in multiple species to ascertain potential issues relating to species variation in infectivity profiles. Methods: We used AAV8 vectors expressing human factor IX (FIX) from the liver-specific LP-1 promoter and administered this virus via the intravascular route of injection into 12 week old Wistar Kyoto rats. We assessed FIX levels in serum by ELISA and transgene expression at sacrifice by immunohistochemistry using anti-FIX antibodies. Vector DNA levels in organs we determined by real time PCR. Results: Administration of 1 × 1011 or 5 × 1011 scAAV8-LP1-hFIX vector particles/rat resulted in efficient production of physiological hFIX levels, respectively in blood assessed 4 weeks post-injection. This was maintained for the 4 month duration of the study. At 4 months we observed liver persistence of vector with minimal non-hepatic distribution. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that AAV8 is a robust vector for delivering therapeutic genes into rat liver following intravascular injection

Utilization of ERTS-1 for appraising changes in continental migratory bird habitat

The author has identified the following significant results. Information on numbers, distribution, and quality of wetlands in the breeding range of migratory waterfowl is important for the management of this wildlife resource. Using computer processing of data gathered by the ERTS-1 multispectral scanner, techniques for obtaining indices of annual waterfowl recruitment, and habitat quality are examined. As a primary task, thematic maps and statistics relating to open surface water were produced. Discrimination of water was based upon water's low apparent radiance in a single, near-infrared waveband. An advanced technique using multispectral information for discerning open water at a level of detail finer than the virtual resolution of the data was also successfully tested. In another related task, vegetation indicators were used for detecting conditions of latent or occluded water and upland habitat characteristics

Preliminary evaluation of ERTS-1 for determining numbers and distribution of prairie ponds and lakes

ERTS-1 and aircraft multispectral data collected over a North Dakota test site during July 1972, are compared to evaluate the capability of the satellite sensors to detect numbers and distribution of prairie ponds and lakes. Recognition maps using ERTS-1, MSS 7 data are generated using a level slicing technique. Surface water areas larger than two acres are recognized, but ponds in the one-to two-acre range are detected only at random. The proportion estimation technique will improve the accuracy of area determination and small pond detection

Perdido Key Beach nourishment project: Gulf Islands National Seashore 1991 annual report

This report is the second annual report in a continuing series documenting a field project within the Gulf Islands National Seashore at Perdido Key, Florida. The field project includes the monitoring of a number of physical parameters related to the evolution of the Perdido Key beach nourishment project. Approximately 4.1 million m3 of dredge spoil from Pensacola Pass were placed upon approximately 7 km of the Gulf of Mexico beaches of Perdido Key between November, 1989, and September, 1990. Beach profile data describing the evolution of the nourished beach are included, as well as wave, current, tide, wind, temperature, and rainfall data to describe the forces influencing the evolution. Data describing the sediment sizes throughout the project area are also included. A brief discussion of the data is included; a more detailed analysis and interpretation will be presented in the lead author's Ph.D. dissertation. (313 pp.