•Transportation modality of respondents to a university travel survey is analyzed.•Modality is defined as the number of self-reported modes that travelers perceive as available/feasible.•Modality is ...influenced by individual demographic and attitudinal variables, mode used, and contextual variables.•Active travelers tend to report higher modality levels.•Land use variables and distance to campus affect the modality of users of motorized modes.
Transportation systems around the world have been designed in a way that emphasizes the pre-eminence of motorized mobility, in particular the private car. This has led to the emergence of transportation monocultures, defined as systems where the ability of travelers to use various modes is constrained. In order to create transportation polycultures, alternative modes of transportation must be available and users must perceive them as feasible alternatives to the car. This implies changing the modality style (a predisposition towards certain modes) and increasing the modality (number of alternatives available and feasible for use) of travelers. The objective of this paper is to investigate the modality of respondents to a travel survey in McMaster University, Canada. We define modality as the self-reported number of modes that respondents consider available/feasible for their daily commute, including the chosen mode. Analysis is based on the application of an ordered probit model. The results of our study indicate that modality is influenced by a combination of demographic, attitudinal and spatial/land use variables. With respect to mode of travel, active travelers tend to have a higher modality compared to users of motorized modes. Car users who live in more densely built environments are more likely to report higher levels of modality, whereas density reduces the modality of users of local transit. Distance from McMaster reduces the modality of car and local transit users.
Aim
Much research has quantified species responses to human‐modified ecosystems. However, there is limited work on how human‐modified ecosystems may reshape competitive interactions between species. ...Using a 19‐year study across 3 million ha, we aimed to answer the question: Are levels of interference competition between bird species context dependent and influenced by habitat structure and productivity? We focussed on the hyper‐aggressive behaviour of the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), which is recognized as a key threatening process for other woodland bird species in Australia. Whether environmental conditions such as amount of forest cover and net primary productivity (NPP) mediate the Noisy Miners' impact remains untested at large spatiotemporal scales.
Location
Temperate woodlands of south‐eastern Australia.
Methods
We gathered data on bird site occupancy from repeated surveys of field sites and assembled satellite data on tree cover and NPP. We constructed Bayesian multi‐species occupancy/detection models of bird species in woodland patches and tested the fixed and interactive effects of Noisy Miner presence, the amount of tree cover, NPP, and time. We quantified the responses of 31 species, many with known interactions with the Noisy Miner documented previously at fine spatial scales.
Results
We identified negative associations between the Noisy Miner and 18 bird species, including, unexpectedly, both small and large bodied taxa. Site occupancy in some species was influenced by interactions between Noisy Miner presence and increasing amounts of tree cover or productivity. For some species, interference competition by the Noisy Miner is context‐dependent and mitigated by increasing tree cover and/or increasing NPP.
Main Conclusions
Our analyses revealed that woodland bird conservation in our study region will be promoted by protecting refugia characterized by areas of high NPP and high tree cover. Preventing vegetation clearing that reduces tree cover could reduce interference competition by the Noisy Miner on parts of the remaining woodland bird community, including species of conservation concern.
Frameworks for limiting ecosystem exposure to excess nutrients and acidity require accurate and complete deposition budgets of reactive nitrogen (Nr). While much progress has been made in developing ...total Nr deposition budgets for the U.S., current budgets remain limited by key data and knowledge gaps. Analysis of National Atmospheric Deposition Program Total Deposition (NADP/TDep) data illustrates several aspects of current Nr deposition that motivate additional research. Averaged across the continental U.S., dry deposition contributes slightly more (55%) to total deposition than wet deposition and is the dominant process (>90%) over broad areas of the Southwest and other arid regions of the West. Lack of dry deposition measurements imposes a reliance on models, resulting in a much higher degree of uncertainty relative to wet deposition which is routinely measured. As nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions continue to decline, reduced forms of inorganic nitrogen (NHx = NH3 + NH4+) now contribute >50% of total Nr deposition over large areas of the U.S. Expanded monitoring and additional process-level research are needed to better understand NHx deposition, its contribution to total Nr deposition budgets, and the processes by which reduced N deposits to ecosystems. Urban and suburban areas are hotspots where routine monitoring of oxidized and reduced Nr deposition is needed. Finally, deposition budgets have incomplete information about the speciation of atmospheric nitrogen; monitoring networks do not capture important forms of Nr such as organic nitrogen. Building on these themes, we detail the state of the science of Nr deposition budgets in the U.S. and highlight research priorities to improve deposition budgets in terms of monitoring and flux measurements, leaf- to regional-scale modeling, source apportionment, and characterization of deposition trends and patterns.
Display omitted
•Deposition budgets for inorganic nitrogen have improved over the last decade in the U.S.•Important data and knowledge gaps in monitoring and modeling of total nitrogen deposition remain.•Expanded monitoring of deposition in agricultural and urban areas is needed.•Monitoring of organic N deposition and improvement of organic N in atmospheric models is needed.•Land use specific modeled deposition estimates are needed for critical load assessments.
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a single-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL; enVista model MX60; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) when used to correct aphakia following ...cataract extraction in adults.
This was a prospective case series (NCT01230060) conducted in private practices in the US. Eligible subjects were adult patients with age-related cataract amenable to treatment with standard phacoemulsification/extracapsular cataract extraction. With follow-up of 6 months, primary safety and effectiveness end points included the rates of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-defined cumulative and persistent adverse events and the percentage of subjects who achieved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better at final visit. To evaluate rotational stability, subjects were randomized (1:1:1:1) to have the lens implanted in one of four axis positions in 45° increments.
A total of 122 subjects were enrolled. The rate of cumulative and persistent adverse events did not significantly exceed historical controls, as per FDA draft guidance. At the final postoperative visit, all subjects (100%) achieved a BCVA of 20/40 compared with the FDA historical control of 96.7%. Rotation of the IOL between the two final follow-up visits was ≤5° for 100% of eyes, and refractive stability was demonstrated. A low evaluation of posterior capsule opacification score was demonstrated, and no glistenings of any grade were reported for any subject at any visit.
This study demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the MX60 IOL. Favorable clinical outcomes included preserved BCVA, excellent rotational and refractive stability, no glistenings, and a low evaluation of posterior capsule opacification score.
Purpose: To better understand the molecular mechanisms that underlay the development and progression of nonseminomatous germ cell
tumor of testis (NSGCTT) as well as malignant transformation of ...teratoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET).
Experimental Design: We studied the gene expression profiles of 17 retroperitoneal NSGCTTs (10 yolk sac tumors, 3 embryonal carcinomas, 4 teratomas)
and 2 PNETs obtained from patients with two clinical outcomes. Tissue samples were obtained from the Indiana University. One
group of NSGCTT and PNET patients developed metastases within 2 years (early-relapse) of initial successful treatment, and
the other group developed metastases after 2 years (late-relapse). Gene expression in these groups of patients was quantified
using cDNA microarrays and real-time relative quantitative PCR.
Results: We demonstrate that the gene expression profiles of these tumors correlate with histological type. In addition, we identify
type-specific genes that may serve as novel diagnostic markers. We also identify a gene set that can distinguish between early-relapse
and late-relapse yolk sac tumors. The expression differences of these genes may underlie the differences in clinical outcome
and drug response of these tumors.
Conclusion: This is the first study that used gene expression profiling to examine the molecular characteristics of the NSGCTTs and drug
response in early- and late-relapse tumors. These results suggest that two molecularly distinct forms of NSGCTTs exist and
that the integration of expression profile data with clinical parameters could enhance the diagnosis and prognosis of NSGCTTs.
More importantly, the identified genes provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of aggressive NSGCTTs and suggest intervention
strategies.
The aims of this study were to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of favorable histology Wilms tumors (WTs) and to classify them based on their molecular signatures. We studied a total of ...15 favorable histology WTs using microarrays containing 19,968 cDNAs. First, we found commonly altered genes in WT. A total of 267 cDNAs were significantly overexpressed at least 3-fold in all of the tumors compared with noncancerous kidney and contained known WT-related genes such as IGF II and WT1. The gene with the highest expression change compared with noncancerous kidney was topoisomerase IIalpha. By hierarchical clustering, there was a clear distinction between high-stage and low-stage tumors. A total of 30 cDNAs were found differentially expressed between the high- and low-stage groups. One of them, Stathmin 1, which is involved in the microtubule system, was highly expressed in high-stage tumors compared with the low-stage tumors. The present chemotherapy regimens for WT consist mainly of topoisomerase II inhibitors (i.e., actinomycin D, doxorubicin, and etoposide) and antimicrotubule agents (i.e., vincristine and paclitaxel). Our data suggest that high expression of topoisomerase IIalpha and microtubule-related genes such as tubulin and stathmin 1 may be related to the high chemosensitivity of WT. In addition, retinol-related genes such as CRABP2 and retinol-binding protein 1 were overexpressed in WT, and CRABP2 was more highly expressed in the poor outcome patients, which suggests that retinoid acid may be a potential drug. In summary, our findings suggest that the integration of gene expression data and clinical parameters could aid in detecting aggressive tumors among favorable histology WT and lead to the discovery of new drugs for WT.
The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) was established by the U.S. EPA in response to the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. To satisfy these requirements CASTNet was ...designed to assess and report on geographic patterns and long-term, temporal trends in ambient air pollution and acid deposition in order to gauge the effectiveness of current and future mandated emission reductions. This paper presents an analysis of the spatial patterns of deposition of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants for the period 1990−2000. Estimates of deposition are provided for two 4-yr periods: 1990−1993 and 1997−2000. These two periods were selected to contrast deposition before and after the large decrease in SO2 emissions that occurred in 1995. Estimates of dry deposition were obtained from measurements at CASTNet sites combined with deposition velocities that were modeled using the multilayer model, a 20-layer model that simulates the various atmospheric processes that contribute to dry deposition. Estimates of wet deposition were obtained from measurements at sites operated by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program. The estimates of dry and wet deposition were combined to calculate total deposition of atmospheric sulfur (dry SO2, dry and wet SO4 2-) and nitrogen (dry HNO3, dry and wet NO3 -, dry and wet NH4 +). An analysis of the deposition estimates showed a significant decline in sulfur deposition and no change in nitrogen deposition. The highest rates of sulfur deposition were observed in the Ohio River Valley and downwind states. This region also observed the largest decline in sulfur deposition. The highest rates of nitrogen deposition were observed in the Midwest from Illinois to southern New York State. Sulfur and nitrogen deposition fluxes were significantly higher in the eastern United States as compared to the western sites. Dry deposition contributed approximately 38% of total sulfur deposition and 30% of total nitrogen deposition in the eastern United States. Percentages are similar for the two 4-yr periods. Wet sulfate and dry SO2 depositions were the largest contributors to sulfur deposition. Wet nitrate, wet ammonium, and dry HNO3 depositions were the largest contributors to nitrogen deposition.
The majority of the world's mammal biomass is domestic livestock. Intensive livestock grazing can negatively impact some elements of biodiversity. We quantified the effects of grazing management on ...bird occupancy over a 10-year period in patches of Australian endangered temperate woodland within paddocks subjected to one of three grazing regimes: continuous set stocking, rotational, and total livestock exclusion. Grazing may affect birds through altering resource availability, influencing vegetation structure, or affecting the occurrence of noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala), a native honeyeater that engages in interference competition with other birds.
Using Bayesian generalized linear mixed models and multispecies occupancy modelling, we quantified relative and interactive effects on bird biodiversity of grazing, vegetation structure, and noisy miner occupancy. We found only muted grazing regime effects on woodland birds. However, many species responded to vegetation structure. Small invertivorous woodland birds responded positively to sapling abundance, and some (larger) species responded positively to the abundance of trees >50 cm. Furthermore, species richness increased with increased sapling abundance and trees >50 cm. The largest effects were associated with noisy miner occurrence, which drove reductions in small-bodied, invertivorous birds, effectively “swamping” the positive effects of vegetation attributes on these species.
The profound impacts of noisy miners present challenges for bird conservation in woodland ecosystems, especially those subject to grazing. Management to reduce grazing pressure by domestic livestock may eventually help limit the impacts of the noisy miner, in part by facilitating natural regeneration of temperate woodlands to which small-bodied woodland birds respond positively.
Square scleral corneal, square clear corneal, and rectangular clear corneal incisions were constructed in six cadaver eyes that had no previous intraocular surgery. The 3.2 mm or smaller wounds had ...sutureless closures. To determine their relative abilities to resist leakage and iris prolapse, eyes were tested at external pressures of up to 525 pounds per square inch (psi) at one of two intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges: 10 to 15 mm Hg or 20 to 25 mm Hg. The square scleral corneal (3.2 mm x 3.2 mm) and square clear corneal wounds (3.2 mm x 3.2 mm, 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm x 1.0 mm) withstood external pressure without effect at both IOP ranges, up to the maximum 525 psi. This level of external pressure was far greater than pressures withstood by rectangular clear corneal wounds, especially the wound usually constructed in clinical practice (3.2 mm x 2.0 mm), which leaked and demonstrated iris prolapse at 13 psi at the lower IOP. The square clear corneal wounds that were stable at 525 psi, however, are either clinically impractical (visual axis encroachment from 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm wound) or not technologically feasible until the size of phacoemulsification tips and intraocular lenses can be further reduced. Thus, of the procedures for small incision cataract surgery presently in use, the square scleral corneal incision with 1.5 mm internal corneal lip appears to offer greater stability and safety than the conventional rectangular clear corneal incision (3.2 mm x 2.0 mm).
With the availability of a dense genome-wide map of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a central issue in human genetics is whether it is now possible to use linkage disequilibrium (LD) to map ...genes that cause disease. LD refers to correlations among neighbouring alleles, reflecting 'haplotypes' descended from single, ancestral chromosomes. The size of LD blocks has been the subject of considerable debate. Computer simulations and empirical data have suggested that LD extends only a few kilobases (kb) around common SNPs, whereas other data have suggested that it can extend much further, in some cases greater than 100 kb. It has been difficult to obtain a systematic picture of LD because past studies have been based on only a few (1-3) loci and different populations. Here, we report a large-scale experiment using a uniform protocol to examine 19 randomly selected genomic regions. LD in a United States population of north-European descent typically extends 60 kb from common alleles, implying that LD mapping is likely to be practical in this population. By contrast, LD in a Nigerian population extends markedly less far. The results illuminate human history, suggesting that LD in northern Europeans is shaped by a marked demographic event about 27,000-53,000 years ago.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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