Spatial distribution of forest aboveground biomass estimated from remote sensing and forest inventory data in New England, USA.

Abstract We combined satellite (Landsat 7 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) and U.S. Department of Agriculture forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data to estimate forest aboveground biomass (AGB) across New England, USA. This is practical for large-scale carbon studies and may reduce uncertainty of AGB estimates. We estimate that total regional forest AGB was 1,867 teragram (1012, dry weight) in 2001, with a mean AGB density of 120 Mg/ha (Standard deviation = 54 Mg/ha) ranging from 15 to 240 Mg/ha within a 95% percentile. The majority of regional AGB density was in the range of 80 to 160 Mg/ha (58.2%). High AGB densities were observed along the Appalachian Mountains from northwestern Connecticut to the Green Mountains in Vermont and White Mountains in New Hampshire, while low AGB densities were concentrated in the Downeast area of Maine (ME) and the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts (MA). At the state level, the averaged difference in mean AGB densities between simulated and FIA (as reference) was -2.0% ranging from 0% to -4.2% with a standard error of 3.2%. Within the 95% confidence interval the differences between FIA and simulated AGB densities ranged from 0 to 6% (absolute value). Our study may provide useful information for regional fuel-loading estimates

Stone, Wood, Fire: Remembering the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan and Binghamton

The purpose of Stone, Wood, Fire: Remembering the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan and Binghamton was to collect oral stories and learn about the Armenian Genocide through the lens of descendants of the survivors. To facilitate this research, interviews were conducted with Armenian diaspora from St. Gregory\u27s Armenian Church here in Binghamton as well as Armenians in Yerevan, Armenia. A podcast was created from the research to establish background for the Armenian Genocide and bring to life diverse stories and perspectives in an accessible manner.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_spring2020/1097/thumbnail.jp

Carbon changes in conterminous US forests associated with growth and major disturbances.

Abstract We estimated forest area and carbon changes in the conterminous United States using a remote sensing based land cover change map, forest fire data from the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program, and forest growth and harvest data from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. Natural and human-associated disturbances reduced the forest ecosystems\u27 carbon sink by 36% from 1992 to 2001, compared to that without disturbances in the 48 states. Among the three identified disturbances, forest-related land cover change contributed 33% of the total effect in reducing the forest carbon potential sink, while harvests and fires accounted for 63% and 4% of the total effect, respectively. The nation\u27s forests sequestered 1.6 ± 0.1Pg (1015 petagram) carbon during the period, or 0.18PgCyr-1, with substantial regional variation. The southern region of the United States was a small net carbon source whereas the greater Pacific Northwest region was a strong net sink. Results of the approach fit reasonably well at an aggregate level with other related estimates of the current forest US greenhouse gas inventory, suggesting that further research using this approach is warranted

Mono Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Methods for Modulating Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Provided are monoquaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and gastrointestinal tract disorders

Mono Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Methods for Modulating Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Provided are monoquaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and or gastrointestinal tract disorders

Carbon benefits from protected areas in the conterminous United States

Background: Conversion of forests to other land cover or land use releases the carbon stored in the forests and reduces carbon sequestration potential of the land. The rate of forest conversion could be reduced by establishing protected areas for biological diversity and other conservation goals. The purpose of this study is to quantify the efficiency and potential of forest land protection for mitigating GHG emissions. Results: The analysis of related national-level datasets shows that during the period of 1992–2001 net forest losses in protected areas were small as compared to those in unprotected areas: -0.74% and −4.07%, respectively. If forest loss rates in protected and unprotected area had been similar, then forest losses in the protected forestlands would be larger by 870 km2/yr forests, that corresponds to release of 7 Tg C/yr (1 Tg=1012 g). Conversely, and continuing to assume no leakage effects or interactions of prices and harvest levels, about 1,200 km2/yr forests could have remained forest during the period of 1992–2001 if net area loss rate in the forestland outside protected areas was reduced by 20%. Not counting carbon in harvested wood products, this is equivalent to reducing fossil-fuel based carbon emissions by 10 Tg C/yr during this period. The South and West had much higher potentials to mitigate GHG emission from reducing loss rates in unprotected forests than that of North region. Spatially, rates of forest loss were higher across the coastal states in the southeastern US than would be expected from their population change, while interior states in the northern US experienced less forest area loss than would have been expected given their demographic characteristics. Conclusions: The estimated carbon benefit from the reduced forest loss based on current protected areas is 7 Tg C/yr, equivalent to the average carbon benefit per year for a previously proposed ten-year $110 million per year tree planting program scenario in the US. If there had been a program that could have reduced forest area loss by 20% in unprotected forestlands during 1992–2001, collectively the benefits from reduced forest loss would be equal to 9.4% of current net forest ecosystem carbon sequestration in the conterminous US

Formulation and Target Identification of D8, a Host-Directed Antibiotic

Host-directed therapeutics present a new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. We discovered a molecule, D8, that inhibits intracellular growth of Francisella tularensis in cell culture and mouse studies. However, the limited solubility of D8 leads to variability in dosing and the mechanism of action of D8 is unknown. Consequently, the objectives of this study are to increase the solubility of D8 utilizing salt formation and beta-cyclodextrin derivatives, as well as, identification of proteins that interact with D8 through chemoproteomics experiments. An absorbance-based solubility assay was developed based on our observation of increased absorbance above 400 nm for D8 aggregates. When D8 is completely soluble, the absorbance at 400 nm is close to the baseline value. However, once D8 reaches saturation state, the absorbance intensity increases linearly with concentration. D8-33 and D8-34 are D8 and D8-05 (inactive analog of D8) derivatives with a diazirine group and a terminal alkyne. J774 cells were incubated with either D8-33 or D8-34. After incubation, the cells were illuminated at 365 nm to crosslink D8-33 or D8-34 with its interacting proteins. After cell lysis, the cell lysate was conjugated with biotin-N3 through click reaction and the resulting labeled proteins were subsequently enriched with streptavidin-coated resins for proteomics studies. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin substantially increases the solubility of D8 from 0.03 mM to 2.9 mM, enabling the delivery of D8 within 100 ul PBS to reach dosage of 5 mg/kg for mouse studies. Captisol® and (2-hydroxypropyl)-beta-cyclodextrin increase the solubility of D8 to 0.19 mM and 0.61 mM, respectively. In contrast, salt formations do not significantly increase D8’s solubility. We also optimized the conditions for click reactions to couple D8-interacting proteins with biotin-N3. We developed a formulation that enhances D8’s solubility by 100 times, enabling accurate dosing for animal studies. To identify D8-interacting proteins, we modified “click” reaction protocols. Further chemoproteomic studies should be completed to provide a list of potential D8-interacting proteins to provide not only more insight into the mechanism of D8’s antibacterial activity, but also new therapeutic targets for future drug discovery.Doctor of Pharmac

The Preparation, Professional Pathways, and Effectiveness of Bank Street Graduates

Documents the influence of Bank Street teacher preparation programs based upon surveys of graduates, surveys of comparison teachers, surveys of employers, and an analysis of pupil achievement gains. This report is part of a larger study that examines the preparation, practices, and effectiveness of graduates of Bank Street College teacher certification programs over the last decade.https://educate.bankstreet.edu/books/1014/thumbnail.jp

E-Commerce Adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana

This study investigates the adoption of e-commerce among small and medium enterprises in Ghana. The quantitative survey approach was employed for the conduct of this study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from a sample size of 291 representatives of SMEs across four (4) administrative regions in Ghana. This study applied the binary logistic regression model and Friedman test analytical techniques. The study's findings revealed that most SMEs in Ghana had adopted at least one form of e-commerce level. The study further revealed that the decision to adopt and implement e-commerce among SMEs in Ghana is dependent on perceived relative advantage, IT knowledge of owners/managers, perceived risk/ security factor, and perceived Compatibility with existing infrastructure, culture, and values of the firm. Significant challenges hindering e-commerce adoption among SMEs in Ghana as identified in this study include high internet traffic, cost of running and maintaining e-commerce operations reliability of service, internet connection failures, as well as doubts about having the implementation of economies of scale and scope in alliance with strategic networks, the maintenance of unblemished ethical conduct by retail e-commerce firms, and the incorporation of protection and privacy policy statement on electronic platforms of firms