bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual search errors are persistent in a laboratory analog of the incidental finding problem
Authors: Nartker Makaela S. , Alaoui-Soce Abla , Wolfe Jeremy M.
Published: July 2020

When radiologists search for a specific target (e.g., lung cancer), they are also asked to report any other clinically significant “incidental findings” (e.g., pneumonia). These incidental findings are missed at an undesirably high rate. In an effort to understand and reduce these errors, Wolfe et al. (Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 2:35, 2017) developed “mixed hybrid search” as a model system for incidental findings. In this task, non-expert observers memorize six targets: half of these targets are specific images (analogous to the suspected diagnosis in the clinical task). The other half are broader, categorically defined targets, like “animals” or “cars” (analogous to the less well-specified incidental findings). In subsequent search through displays for any instances of any of the targets, observers miss about one third of the categorical targets, mimicking the incidental finding problem. In the present paper, we attempted to reduce the number of errors in the mixed hybrid search task with the goal of finding methods that could be deployed in a clinical setting. In Experiments 1a and 1b, we reminded observers about the categorical targets by inserting non-search trials in which categorical targets were clearly marked. In Experiment 2, observers responded twice on each trial: once to confirm the presence or absence of the specific targets, and once to confirm the presence or absence of the categorical targets. In Experiment 3, observers were required to confirm the presence or absence of every target on every trial using a checklist procedure. Only Experiment 3 produced a marked decline in categorical target errors, but at the cost of a substantial increase in response time.
Symptoms and impacts in anemia of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Mathias Susan D. , Blum Steven I. , Sikirica Vanja , Johansen Kirsten L. , Colwell Hilary H. , Okoro Tony
Published: July 2020

Background

Anemia is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that negatively affects patients’ health-related quality of life.

Methods

We conducted qualitative concept elicitation (CE) and cognitive debriefing (CD) interviews to assess the frequency, duration, and severity of symptoms and impacts associated with anemia of CKD and to facilitate the development of a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure. We interviewed 36 patients with CKD and hemoglobin levels ≥8.0 to <12.0 g/dL using a semi-structured interview guide developed specifically for this study until saturation was reached. We used MAXQDA to perform qualitative analysis of interview transcripts to determine the most relevant symptoms and impacts (based on the frequency of concept mentions) experienced by participants.

Results

Most participants had stage 4/5 CKD (81%) and were being treated with an erythropoietin stimulating agent (69%). Spontaneously reported symptoms included feeling tired (79%), shortness of breath (39%), and weak/lacking strength (36%). We developed the Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia Questionnaire (CKD-AQ), which includes 23 items assessing frequency and severity of the most relevant symptoms and impacts identified by patients with anemia of CKD. The CD interviews confirmed the clarity and relevance of the concepts identified in the CE phase.

Conclusion

The CKD-AQ is a novel PRO measure that captures the frequency and severity of the most relevant symptoms and impacts associated with anemia of CKD. Future studies will evaluate its psychometric properties and its potential utility in anemia management.
Parasitic contamination of water sources in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Simon-Oke I. A. , Afolabi O. J. , Obimakinde E. T.
Published: July 2020

Background

Availability of good water source is essential to every community in other to allay the risk of water-borne infection and diseases. In this study, the isolation of parasites and rate of parasitic contamination from different water sources were evaluated in Akure, Nigeria. A total of 816 water samples were collected from wells, streams, boreholes, and rain in the study areas. The samples were examined using calcium carbonate floatation and stained microscopic methods. Also, parameters (temperature, pH, and turbidity) of the different water sources were measured.

Results

Of all the water sources, stream water samples recorded the highest prevalence (45%), followed by well water (24%), rain water (21%), and borehole water having the least prevalence of 10% with significant difference. Different developmental stages of both protozoan and helminthic parasites were isolated from all the sampled water sources. Protozoa parasites isolated were Cryptosporidium parvum, Gardia spp., and Entamoeba histolytica with prevalence of 33.2, 19.9, and 13.0% respectively. Dracunculus medinensis and Enterobius vermicularis with prevalence of 10.3% and 4.0% respectively were helminthes recovered. It was observed that the occurrence of the parasites in the water sources was affected by the water parameters (temperature, pH, and turbidity). All the water sources harbored at least one parasite except for the borehole water sources in Akure North in which no parasite was isolated.

Conclusion

High parasitic contamination of these water sources imply that water should be treated before consumption to reduce the risk of contracting water-borne disease. Also, government at the local level should provide borehole water system for the communities.
Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block vs pectoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy
Authors: Hamed Islam Gamal , Fawaz Ahmed Ali , Rabie Amal Hamed , El Aziz Abd El Aziz Abdallah Abd , Ashoor Tarek M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Thoracic paravertebral block may be used for analgesia after breast surgery. Ultrasound can be used during the whole technique of paravertebral block to increase success rate and decrease its complications. As well, pectoral nerve block is now used for pain relief after modified radical mastectomy with or without axillary clearance.

Objective

To compare thoracic paravertebral block and pectoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy

Methods

The study was performed over 30 female patients that were randomly divided into 2 groups with 15 patients in group A for thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and 15 in group B for pectoral nerve block (PECS) with injection of total 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% in each block. Outcome measures of the study are postoperative analgesia duration (time to first rescue analgesia (0.5 mg/kg pethidine) after administration of block) and total analgesic dose in 24 h after surgery and postoperative pain which will be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–10 as 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain). The vital signs and pain score will be recorded at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after surgery.

Results

Our study showed decrease in systolic blood in PVB group immediately postoperative and in the first 6 h postoperative withpvalue < 0.05. Less time to perform the block in PECS group withpvalue < 0.001. Less VAS score in PECS group with statistically significant difference between groups at 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. More time is needed for the 1st requested rescue analgesia in PECS group withpvalue < 0.05. Patients in the PECS group received less total dose of pethidine with apvalue < 0.05

Conclusion

The PECS can be effectively and safely used, provides better relief of pain and less hemodynamic changes compared with the TPVB, and reduces postoperative analgesic consumption. Therefore, the PECS can be used safely for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing breast surgeries with axillary dissection.
Characterization of changes in global gene expression in the hearts and kidneys of transgenic mice overexpressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Authors: Lee Su Hae , Jee Seung Wan , Hwang Dae Youn , Kang Jong Koo
Published: July 2020

Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) has recently received a great attention due to it play a critical role as SARS-CoV receptor in the infection of human body. However, no further analysis for gene regulation has been performed in target tissues of model mice during hACE2 overproduction. To characterize changes in global gene expression in the hearts and kidneys of rtTA/hACE2 double transgenic (dTg) mice in response to hACE2 overexpression, total RNA extracted from these tissues from dTg mice after doxycycline (Dox) treatment was hybridized to oligonucleotide microarrays. Briefly, dTg mice were generated by cross-mating pα-MHC/rtTA Tg mice with pTRE/hACE2 Tg mice. The expression level of hACE2 protein was determined to be high in hearts, kidneys, and brains of dTg mice, whereas lung, liver, and testis tissues expressed low levels. The level of hACE2 was significantly enhanced in hearts and kidneys of the Dox+dTg group compared to that in Vehicle+dTg mice although consistent levels of mouse ACE2 (mACE2) remained in the same tissues. Based on the microarray analysis of heart tissue, 385 genes were differentially expressed, including 168 upregulated and 217 downregulated, when comparing non-Tg and Vehicle+dTg mice, whereas 216 genes were differentially expressed, including 136 upregulated and 80 downregulated, between Vehicle+dTg and Dox+dTg mice. In the kidneys, 402 genes were differentially expressed, including 159 upregulated and 243 downregulated, between non-Tg and Vehicle+dTg mice. Dox-treated dTg mice exhibited the differential expression of 4735 genes including 1636 upregulated and 3109 downregulated. Taken together, these findings suggested that several functional groups and individual genes can be considered biomarkers that respond to hACE2 overexpression in dTg mice. Moreover, our results provided a lot of useful information to predict physiological responses when these dTg mice are applied as a susceptible model for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV, COVID-19) in both vaccine and drug development.
Performance of cobalt oxide/carbon cloth composite electrode in energy generation from dairy wastewater using microbial fuel cells
Authors: Veeramani Vinothkumar , Rajangam Kanimozhi , Nagendran Jaya
Published: July 2020

The use of non-noble metal catalyst as electrode for energy harvesting device have drawn great deal of attention owing to its distinct features. In this work, cobalt oxide has been directly fabricated on carbon cloth substrates using simple cost effective Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction. Cobalt oxide synthesized from Co (II) nitrate and NaOH was used as the electrode for generation of electricity from dairy wastes using Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC). Electrochemical characteristics such as cyclic voltammetry have been carried out for the cobalt oxide/carbon cloth and the obtained results are found to be a good alternative for platinum catalyst. A current of 0.15 mA was obtained at an external resistance of 2 kΏ. A single cell prototype of double chamber MFC is designed and the performance analysis is carried out in this work.
The direct anterior approach for simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty: a short-term efficacy analysis
Authors: Chen Chang , Yin Yiran , Juncai Liu , Chen Ge
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Compared to the posterior approach (PA), the direct anterior approach (DAA) can achieve better clinical outcomes for total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the same advantages associated with the DAA could be attained in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral THA.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed 89 patients who underwent one-stage bilateral THA through the DAA (group A, n = 46) and through the PA (group B, n = 43) between June 2015 and November 2017 at our institution. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year. There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative hemoglobin level, preoperative Harris hip score (HHS), and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score between the two groups (P > 0.05 for all).

Results

The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion volume, and the length of stay (LOS) were significantly less in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). The surgery-related complications were not significantly lower in group A (5.43%) than in group B (10.47%) (χ2 = 2.209, p = 0.112). In 46 cases in group A, one hip had an acetabular anteversion higher than normal value. In both groups, one hip developed aseptic loosening. The HHS was significantly higher in group A than in group B 1, 3, 12 month(s) after operation (p < 0.05). The VAS was significantly lower in group A than in group B 1, 3, 12 month(s) after operation. Against the simple Likert scale, comprehensive satisfaction was significantly higher in group A (97.8%, 45/46) than in group B (76.7%, 33/43) (χ2 = 9.119, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

In patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral THA, DAA could significantly relieve pain, accelerate the functional recovery of hip joint and improve the satisfaction more than PA. In clinical practice, however, more attention should be paid to strict compliance to operative indications and the prevention of early complications. The long-term effectiveness warrants further observation.
Multiparametric MRI and Whole Slide Image-Based Pretreatment Prediction of Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Radiopathomic Study
Authors: Shao Lizhi , Liu Zhenyu , Feng Lili , Lou Xiaoying , Li Zhenhui , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Wan Xiangbo , Zhou Xuezhi , Sun Kai , Zhang Da-Fu , Wu Lin , Yang Guanyu , Sun Ying-Shi , Xu Ruihua , Fan Xinjuan , Tian Jie
Published: July 2020

Background

The aim of this work is to combine radiological and pathological information of tumor to develop a signature for pretreatment prediction of discrepancies of pathological response at several centers and restage patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) for individualized treatment planning.

Patients and Methods

A total of 981 consecutive patients with evaluation of response according to tumor regression grade (TRG) who received nCRT were retrospectively recruited from four hospitals (primary cohort and external validation cohort 1–3); both pretreatment multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) and whole slide image (WSI) of biopsy specimens were available for each patient. Quantitative image features were extracted from mp-MRI and WSI and used to construct a radiopathomics signature (RPS) powered by an artificial-intelligence model. Models based on mp-MRI or WSI alone were also constructed for comparison.

Results

The RPS showed overall accuracy of 79.66–87.66% in validation cohorts. The areas under the curve of RPS at specific response grades were 0.98 (TRG0), 0.93 (≤ TRG1), and 0.84 (≤ TRG2). RPS at each grade of pathological response revealed significant improvement compared with both signatures constructed without combining multiscale tumor information (P < 0.01). Moreover, RPS showed relevance to distinct probabilities of overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with LARC who underwent nCRT (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that radiopathomics, combining both radiological information of the whole tumor and pathological information of local lesions from biopsy, could potentially predict discrepancies of pathological response prior to nCRT for better treatment planning.
Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease in elderly patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus: A clinical study
Authors: Shou Zhang , Zhao Yongcai , Zhang Yan , Li Shaoqing
Published: July 2020

Objectives: To determine risk factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in elderly patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The elderly patients with Type-2 diabetes treated in the Central Hospital of Cangzhou were enrolled and divided into PAD group and non-PAD group between October 2016 and November 2019, The data of the patients including age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, white cell count, lymphocyte count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid as well as living habits and complications of Type-2 diabetes mellitus were recorded to determine the risk factors for PAD.

Results: One thousand four hundred seventy six (1476) patients were enrolled, in which 465 patients were included in group of PAD, and 1011 in non-PAD group. The univariate analysis revealed that the two groups significantly differed in age (p=0.003), course of T2DM (p=0.001), hypertension (p=0.006), smoking habits (p<0.001), hyperuricemia (p<0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p<0.01), white cell count (p<0.001), lymphocyte count (p<0.001) and diabetic neuropathy (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, age (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21-1.89), smoking habit (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.19-1.68), hypertension (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15-1.98), diabetic neuropathy (OR: 3.55, 95% CI: 2.14-4.29), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.39-2.61) and hyperuricemia (OR: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.66-3.87) were significant risk factors for PAD.

Conclusions: Age, smoking habit, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and hyperuricemia were independent risk factors for peripheral arterial disease in elderly patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2906

How to cite this:Shou Z, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Li S. Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease in elderly patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus: A clinical study. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1344-1348. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2906

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
LITERATURA E MÚSICA EM (CON)FLUÊNCIA: O DIÁLOGO INTERMÍDIA NA LITERATURA JUVENIL
Authors: Almeida Luara Teixeira de , Navas Diana
Published: July 2020

O presente estudo objetiva, a partir da leitura das obras O Rei (2015), de Luiz Tatit e Renato Moriconi, e Quasqualigudum (2014), de Roger Cruz e Davi Calil, demonstrar o diálogo estabelecido entre literatura e música em obras contemporâneas preferencialmente endereçadas ao jovem leitor. Partindo dos estudos intermídias, propostos por Claüs Clüver, evidencia-se como a literatura juvenil contemporânea apresenta uma composição intermídia –  em que linguagens como a da ilustração e do design fundem-se à linguagem verbal, expandindo os sentidos sugeridos pelo texto literário –  para, na sequência, evidenciar o diálogo que estabelece com outras linguagens artísticas, tais como a da música. Por meio da leitura das obras selecionadas, demonstra-se como, por meio de diferentes estratégias compositivas, relações entre literatura e música são estabelecidas não apenas no plano do conteúdo, mas na própria arquitetura das narrativas em estudo graças às diferentes mídias de que são compostas e da leitura multimodal que delas se empreende.
James Syme: distinguished Edinburgh surgeon of the 19th century
Authors: Ellis Harold
Published: July 2020

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of James Syme, one of the most distinguished members of the Edinburgh school of surgery in the 19th century.
Fifteen Years of Research: An Analysis of the UW-NPS Research Center, A Cooperative Park Studies Unit
Authors: Plumb Glenn
Published: July 2020

The foundation of the University of WyomingÂ­National Park Service Research Center (UW-NPS) is rooted in the first research station established in a national park. The Jackson Hole Research Station, was initiated in 1948 by the New York Zoological Society and the Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc. In 1953, the University of Wyoming (UW) joined with the New York Zoological Society in operating and sponsoring that facility and its research program. A name change in 1954 to the Jackson Hole Biological Research Station (JHBRS) described the research emphasis of the program. In 1971, the Yellowstone Environmental Research Center (YERC) program was jointly established by the University of Wyoming and the National Park Service-(NPS). Finally, a cooperative agreement between the University and the NPS in 1977 joined JHBRS with YERC to form the present UW-NPS Research Center, the first Cooperative Park Studies Unit (CPSU) in the Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) of the NPS. A field research facility at the former AMK Ranch continues to be cooperatively operated and maintained in Grand Teton National Park under a-long-term special use permit. With this reorganization, UW and NPS agreed to jointly sponsor and administer a new research program covering 19 national park areas in four states: Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. In 1985, Utah was added to the program, and Colorado was added in 1990 to reach a total of 41 park units. The Research Center is headquartered in the Department of Zoology and Physiology on the University of Wyoming campus, Laramie.
Fire Effects and Fire History of Mesa Verde National Park
Authors: Floyd-Hanna Lisa , Heil Ken , Romme Bill
Published: July 2020

Mesa Verde consists of a series of mesas in a north to south trend. The mesa tops are narrow strips, cut by numerous canyons of varying depth. Mesa Verde sandstones, particularly the Cliff House Formation, form the canyon slopes. Long Mesa, an area of focus in this study, has an elevation 2180 m at the south to 2517 m at the north end. Long Canyon cuts down to an elevation of 2133 m. The vegetation on Long Mesa is a mosaic of mature pinon-juniper woodlands and mountain shrub associations. Shrub associations range from Gambels oak, (Quercus gambelii), and serviceberry, (Amelancheir utahensis), to Black Sagebrush, (Artemesia nova), and Bitterbrush, (Purshia tridentata). Although there is a body of information concerned with the effect of fire on pinon-juniper woodlands, there are no adequate studies of the shrub-rich pinonÂ­juniper ecosystem of Colorado. Succession following fire was documented by Erdman (1970) in Mesa Verde National Park. He reported that annuals dominate initially, then perennial grasses and forbs, followed by shrub invasion. The open shrub stage becomes a "thicket" approximately 100 years after the fire. The shrubs, he suggests, are outcompeted by pinon (Pinus edulis) and juniper trees (Juniperus osteosperma), which dominate by about 300 years.
Effects of the 1988 Wildfires on Streams of Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Robinson Christopher , Minshall G.
Published: July 2020

We postulate (Minshall et. al. 1989, Minshall and Brock 1991) that the effects of the 1988 fires on stream ecosystems in Yellowstone National Park can be partitioned into (1) immediate effects arising directly from the fire (e.g., increased temperatures, altered water chemistry, abrupt change in food quality) and (2) delayed impacts resulting from the removal and eventual successional replacement of the vegetative cover. Some of these delayed effects are primarily physical disturbances associated with increased runoff. These are likely to exert their maximum impact within the first few years after fire. In addition, longer-term alterations associated with the removal and recovery of riparian and upland terrestrial vegetative cover and consequent alteration of food resources and retention capacity in the stream may be expected (Likens and Bilby 1982, Molles 1982, Minshall et al. 1989).
DNA Fingerprinting of Gray Wolves
Authors: Rabenold Patricia , De Gortari Mauricio
Published: July 2020

Plans and proposals for the restoration of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone National Park are being considered. An important aspect that is contemplated within these plans is the monitoring of the genetic structure of the pack(s) which might be reintroduced. This means that the restored animals, which have known and defined genotypes, could be distinguished from other unrelated and genetically different gray wolves that could be found in the Park. It also means that for every offspring observed within the pack(s) its genetic relationship with the translocated animals could be monitored; that is, establishment of parentage could be routinely carried out. Because distinguishing unrelated wolves phenotypically is practically impossible, it is necessary to rely on a technique capable of revealing sufficient genetic variation to allow individual identification of the relocated wolves, and assignment of parents to the offspring produced within the pack(s). We used the molecular biological technique called DNA fingerprinting (Jeffreys et al. 1985a) to address this aspect of the gray wolf relocation plans. This technique is based on finding particular DNA regions called hypervariable minisatellites (Jeffreys et al. 1985b), that consist of very short nucleotide sequences repeated many times in tandem and show multiallelic variation in the number of repeating units in each allele. DNA fingerprinting involves the extraction of DNA from almost any fresh tissue (blood, skin, semen, etc.), followed by its digestion with an enzyme (restriction endonuclease), that cuts the DNA molecule at specific base sequences. The DNA fragments produced by this enzymatic digestion are then separated by size along an electrical gradient in an agarose gel. A record of the fragment distribution pattern within the gel is made by blotting the DNA onto a nylon membrane (Southern blotting), to which it is permanently bonded. Those fragments among the total that carry a particular nucleotide sequence are identified via hybridization with a radioactively labeled "probe" molecule carrying the complementary nucleotide sequence (in this case, the core sequence of the tandem repetitive units). The positions at which the probe attaches are recorded by exposing X-ray film to the hybridized membrane. The resulting autoradiograph shows dozens of bands that correspond to the many different fragment sizes bearing the core sequence. This is the "fingerprint".
Index
Authors: National Park Service Research Center University of Wyoming
Published: July 2020

This section contain the index.
Population and Habitat Ecology of Deer on Devils Tower National Monument
Authors: McDaniel Greg , Merrill Evelyn , Lindzey Fred
Published: July 2020

White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (0. hemionus) currently use Devils Tower National Monument and adjacent private agricultural lands year round or migrate from the Monument to other areas. In 1989, a game fence was constructed on the west and north borders of the Monument. Enclosure of the Monument by additional fencing could alter habitat use of deer substantially and create many of the problems associated with island reserves. National Park Service management policy directs the Monument to predict changes in the natural resources under its stewardship. Current deer use of the Monument is not well documented so that a baseline for monitoring long term changes is lacking. The Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, in cooperation with the Devils Tower National Monument, initiated a study in June 1990 to document current population numbers and habitat ecology of white-tailed and mule deer on the Monument. Objectives of this study are to: (1) Evaluate methods to estimate seasonal deer densities on the Monument. (2) Determine seasonal movement patterns and time spent on and off the Monument by radioÂ­collared deer. (3) Determine deer habitat selection patterns of deer on the Monument. (4) Estimate the nutritional carrying capacity of the Monument for deer. Preliminary data on population estimates, movement patterns, and habitat use patterns of deer using the Monument during 1990-1991 were presented in the 1991 Annual Progress Report. This report presents additional data on the population numbers for the period April 1992 to October 1992 and describes vegetation data collected but not yet analyzed.
Seasonal Variation in the Dietary Preferences of the Montane Vole, Microtus montanus
Authors: Pinter Aelita , Negus Norman , Berger Patricia
Published: July 2020

From 1987 through 1989 we undertook a study in Grand Teton National Park and on the upper Green River, Sublette County, Wyoming, to measure growth rates of cohorts of montane voles, (Microtus montanus) born in May, June, July, and August. We documented dramatic differences in growth rate among cohorts, in a given year and between years (Negus, Berger and Pinter, 1992). We hypothesized that these are flexible responses to several environmental cues. Is this, however, a phenotypic response to an array of environmental cues, or is it actually a reflection of differential utilization of plant species that may exhibit different nutritional levels? This question cannot be answered at the present since virtually nothing is known about dietary preferences of Microtus montanus. However, seasonal variation in food selection has been documented in several other species on voles (Rothestein and Tamarin, 1977, Cole and Batzli, 1979, Goldberg et al. 1980) with considerable implications for winter survival and population dynamics. In Microtus montanus a similar link may exist between growth, maturation, longevity, and population dynamics on the one hand and dietary composition on the other (e.g., Pinter and Negus 1965, Berger et al. 1981, Pinter 1988, Berger et al. 1992, Negus, Berger and Pinter 1992). Consequently, we undertook a study to investigate in detail the utilization of plant resources by the montane vole, Microtus montanus. The objectives of this project are twofold: (i) to identify the plant species that constitute the diet in natural populations of M. montanus and (2) to determine seasonal food preferences in relation to the availability of plant species and to the age, sex and cohorts of the montane vole.
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Recovery in Grasslands after the 1988 Fires in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Merrill Eveyln , Marrs Ronald
Published: July 2020

Traditional methods for measurement of vegetative characteristics can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially across large areas. Yet such estimates are necessary to investigate the effects of large scale disturbances on ecosystem components and processes. Because foliage of plants differentially absorbs and reflects energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, one alternative for monitoring vegetation is to use remotely sensed spectral data (Tueller 1989). Spectral indices developed from field radiometric and Landsat data have been used successfully to quantify green leaf area, biomass, and total yields in relatively homogeneous fields for agronomic uses (Shibayama and Akiyama 1989}, but have met with variable success in wildland situations (Pearson et al. 1976). Interference from soils (Hardinsky et al. 1984, Huete et al. 1985), weathered litter (Huete and Jackson 1987), and senesced vegetation (Sellers 1985) have diminished the relationship between green vegetation characteristics and various vegetation indices.
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Recovery in Grasslands After the 1988 Fires in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Merrill Evelyn , Marrs Ronald
Published: July 2020

Traditional methods for measurement of vegetative characteristics can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially across large areas. Yet such estimates are necessary to investigate the effects of large scale disturbances on ecosystem components and processes. Because foliage of plants differentially absorbs and reflects energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, one alternative for monitoring vegetation is to use remotely sensed spectral data (Tueller 1989). Spectral indices developed from field radiometric and Landsat data have been used successfully to quantify green leaf area, biomass, and total yields in relatively homogeneous fields for agronomic uses (Shibayama and Akiyama 1989), but have met with variable success in wildland situations (Pearson et aL 1976). Interference from soils (Hardinsky et al. 1984, Huete et al. 1985), weathered litter (Huete and Jackson 1987), and senesced vegetation (Sellers 1985) have diminished the relationship between green vegetation characteristics and various vegetation indices. In 1987, we found that a linear combination of Landsat Multi-spectral Scanner (MSS) band 7 and the ratio of MSS bands 6 to 4 explained 63% of the variation in green herbaceous phytomass (GHP) in sagebrush-grasslands on ungulate summer range in the northeastern portion of Yellowstone National Park (Merrill et al. 1993). The extensive fires that occurred in the Park in the summer of 1988 provided an opportunity to determine whether remote sensing could be used to estimate green phytomass in burned areas and to monitor grassland vegetation recovery in the Park after the fires. Remote sensing has previously been used to follow succession of seral stages in pine forests (Jakubauskas et al. 1990) after burning and to monitor plant cover in tundra (Hall et al. 1980) after wildfires. The objectives of our study were to: (1) develop a model for predicting GHP in sagebrushÂ­ grassland communities using Landsat TM spectral information and field data on GHP for 2 years, (2) validate the model by comparing predictions made from the model to actual field data collected in a third year, and if successful (3) compare initial vegetation recovery in burned areas relative to unburned sagebrush-grassland.
The Morrison Formation Extinct Ecosystems Project
Authors: Turner Christine , Peterson Fred , Chure D. , Demko T. , Engelmann G.
Published: July 2020

The Morrison Extinct Ecosystem project is generating interesting results that, although preliminary in nature, are starting to converge on an integrated reconstruction of the Late Jurassic habitat in the Western Interior of the United States. A workshop in April, 1996, helped the participants learn where their data are in agreement and where remaining inconsistencies in the data exist. The workshop thus helped focus collective and individual efforts for the remaining field season so that additional field research and sample collection could be directed toward addressing the unresolved questions. A much more complete picture of the Morrison ecosystem is emerging, with such lines of evidence as the isotopic data confirming regional tectonic interpretations, and trace fossils adding subtle but significant clues to the interpretations of the ancient climate and water-table position and fluctuations. A mesic climate interpretation with a moderate amount of available moisture is derived from some of the plant fossils and, at first glance, contrasts with evidence of an arid to semi-arid climate based on the presence of saline, alkaline lake deposits; eolian strata; and evaporite deposits. Thus, the climate may have changed periodically or episodically, leaving evidence in the geologic record of the contrasting climate regimes-not all of which existed at the same time. A possible resolution of these discrepancies is that there was marked seasonality in which part of the year was relatively dry, as reflected by the arid to semiarid environmental indicators, whereas there may have been more precipitation during other parts of the year, as reflected by the more mesic environmental indicators. An additional factor that will need to be evaluated further is the role of the water table. The trace fossils suggest a fairly shallow water table that many of the plants, especially the larger ones, could tap throughout the year and therefore not be unduly affected by seasonal dryness. Also to be evaluated is the possibility that plants grew near stream courses or in overbank ponds in areas having a high water table, and that areas away from the streams were drier. These issues will be the focus of the remaining work, as outlined at the conclusion of the workshop.
Disapperance Rate of Bovine Fetuses at Grand Teton National Park, State Elk Feedgrounds and at the National Elk Refuge
Authors: Cook Walter , Williams Elizabeth , Dubay Shelli , Thorne E.
Published: July 2020

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that has become established in elk and bison of the Greater Yellowstone Area. It causes elk and bison to abort and has the potential to be transmitted back to domestic cattle, which are now free of the disease. In this study we examined how long healthy bovine fetuses, as surrogates for aborted bison or elk fetuses, remained in the environment and could be available for contact by elk, bison, and cattle. Healthy bovine fetus carcasses were placed on state elk feedgrounds, the National Elk Refuge, and Grand Teton National Park to simulate an elk or bison aborted fetus. Fetuses were monitored until they disappeared due to scavenging. Fetuses took 26 hr on average to disappear from the National Elk Refuge, 46 hr at state elk feedgrounds, and 61 hr at Grand Teton National Park. Ninety percent of the fetuses could be expected to disappear from the National Elk Refuge within 60 hr (2.5 days); from state elk feedgrounds within 105 hr (4.4 days); and from Grand Teton National Park within 140 hr (5.8 days). Analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference in fetal disappearance rates depending on habitat type and site of placement. The dominant scavengers at all locations were coyotes (Canis latrans), but ravens (Corvus corax), magpies (Pica pica), bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) also frequently participated in scavenging. We found that aborted fetuses could potentially serve as a source of bacterial infection for several days. This study will be expanded to include greater numbers in the coming season.
Flowering Phenology in Selected Plant Communities of Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Scogin Ron
Published: July 2020

In the course of data collection for studies examining plant-animal species interactions within ecological communities, many various and diverse types of field data are collected. However, one such class of field data which are seldom systematically collected and reported is that of the natural flowering phenology of a particular plant community. These flowering phenology data describe the time sequence of flowering (initiation, duration, termination) for all of the plant species occurring in that community. The dearth of such data is suprising in light of its importance for the testing of models describing the factors influencing timing of plant reproduction events within communities and for investigating the possible evolutionary selection pressures which may have acted to modify plant phenologies. Limited sets of flowering phenology data have been presented for only a few scattered commnities, including tall-grass prairie (Anderson and Schelfhout, 1980); dry, tropical forest (Frankie, Baker, and Opler, 1974); spring woodlands (Schemske et al., 1978); Canadian marshes/bogs (Pojar, 1974); and subalpine meadow (Holway and Ward, 1965). These reports have consisted of limited data sets collected for narrowly explicit studies. The present report summarizes the results of a flowering phenology survey of selected communities within the Grand Teton National Park ecosystem for the first half of the flowering season (June - July) of 1996.
Breeding Bird Communities in a Naturally Fragemented Forest Ecosystem in Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Schrott Gregory
Published: July 2020

This project examined the bird species breeding in the morainal forests on the valley floor in Grand Teton National Park. These forests are very patchily distributed and range in size from less than 1 hectare to over 700 hectares, allowing for a unique opportunity to study the responses of the local bird species to a forest system that has been fragmented for centuries through natural processes. This information can be useful for predicting the potential long-term impacts of human-caused forest fragmentation on bird populations in western North America. Until quite recently very little was known of the tolerances of western forest bird species to habitat fragmentation and this project could represent an important step towards understanding their needs in this regard.
Black Bears in the Wild Retain Muscle Strength During Hibernation
Authors: Harlow Henry , Lohuis Tom , Beck Thomas , Iaizzo Paul
Published: July 2020

Back bears hibernating through the winter at near normal body temperatures (34Â°C) have limited muscle disuse atrophy. Bears in their natural dens were fitted with a foot torque plate assembly to measure ankle dorsiflexion in response to supramaximal stimulation. Bears lost only 22% of their strength over a 130 day denning period which compares to a predicted 90% strength loss over the same period by humans either confined to bed rest or in a weightless environment. Additionally, six out of 8 muscle twitch parameters altered by muscle atrophy were unchanged by prolonged confinement. Understanding strength retention over an extended period of inactivity by bears has far reaching implications for human medicine and space travel.
A Botanical Survey in Grand Teton National Park: Plants Used by Native Americans
Authors: Hill Evelyn
Published: July 2020

For the first time, in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) an ethnobotanical plant collection, archaeological and historic site reports, and the literature of early plant usage have been integrated into one document.
Testing the Effects of Experimental Snow Removal on Soil Moisture and Plant Responses in Montane Meadows
Authors: Debinski Diane , Germino Matthew , Demshar Dennis
Published: July 2020

Regional models of global climate change for the northern Rocky Mountains predict warmer temperatures and western states have shown a recent trend towards increases in the fraction of precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. Thus, the amount of soil moisture available to plants during the growing season may already be varying significantly from historical conditions. In order to simulate drier summer soil conditions and test soil moisture and plant responses, we set up a pilot snow removal experiment in Grand Teton National Park, WY in 2008. Because most of the precipitation comes in the form of snow, and spring snowpack is about 50% water by volume, removing all snow present in early May can reduce the annual precipitation by approximately half. Snow was removed from three ~9x15 m experimental plots using a Thiokol in early May. These experimental sites were paired with adjacent control sites and the pairs were established along a hydrological gradient of meadow types representing hydric, mesic, and xeric sites. Dataloggers were installed in June and soil moisture was monitored at 5, 20, and 50 cm depths through August. Water potential was measured in Bromus and Carex during mid-July. Over the summer season, there were differences in soil water between the snow removal and control plots, as well as across the hydrological gradient. Decreases in soil water content and water potential of Carex showed strongest responses in the mesic site, whereas Bromus showed the strongest response in the hydric site. This is the first study to reveal that variability in spring snowpack can lead to measurable impacts on the vegetation community, even into mid-late summer when soil water is fairly scarce throughout the landscape. Furthermore, changes in snow depth are not likely to have equivalent impacts on the different community types within a region; the effects will vary predictably as a function of soil and plant community characteristics.
Significance of Leucogranitic Gneiss in the Archean Teton Range
Authors: Frost B. , Frost C. , Swapp S. , Finley-Blasi L. , Stacey S.
Published: July 2020

In previous years of this project, we have developed the hypothesis that the high-pressure granulites exposed in the Moose Basin area of the Teton Range represent evidence of a 2.7 billion yearÂ­old continent-continent collision. We have described gneisses in the Teton Range that show two distinct metamorphic histories. In the northwest there are highÂ­pressure granulites suggesting metamorphism and deformation resulted from a 2685 to 2671 Ma Himalayan type orogeny (Frost et al., 2006). Gneiss exposed in the northwest is dominated by migmatites, with lesser kyanite bearing pelite, and some garnet amphibolite. Their ENd values at 2685 Ma are negative. Thermobarometric studies in the northwestern gneiss suggest burial of pelitic rocks to the base of continental crust, with pressures reaching 12 kilobars and temperatures of ~950Â° C during peak metamorphism (Fitz-Gerald, 2008). In modem plate tectonic environments these high pressures are associated with continent-continent collision. If the collisional hypothesis is correct, then this is the oldest documented example in the world.
The Effect of Aquatic and Terrestrial Environmental Factors on the Interaction Between Grand Teton Boreal Toads and a Lethal Fungal Pathogen
Authors: Murphy Peter , St-Hilaire Sophie , Peterson Charles
Published: July 2020

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the chytrid fungus which infects keratinized amphibian skin and causes the lethal disease chytridiomycosis, has been linked to population declines and extinctions worldwide (Lips et al. 2006). Amphibians infected with Bd may suffer a variety of outcomes. Individuals of some species have been killed by :S 100 Bd zoospores, while other species, such as the North American bullfrog Rana catesbiana, are highly resistant (Daszak et al. 2004). Within an amphibian species, populations may also respond differently to Bd, with some declining et al. remaining stable (Kriger and Hero 2006). Divergent outcomes among species and populations with respect to Bd may arise from at least three factors, or their interaction.
Long-Term Response of Small Mammal Communities to the 1988 Huckleberry Mountain Fire
Authors: Burt M. , Seville R. , Cummings Wayne , Zook Rebecca
Published: July 2020

Biologists have long been interested in the response of small mammals and their habitat following natural disturbances. The Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) fires of 1988 have provided opportunities to study short and long term responses. This study continues investigations conducted in the 1990âs following identical methodology at the same sites now 21 years post-fire. We live trapped 256 Clethrionomys gapperi (Red-backed Vole), 116 Peromyscus maniculatus (Deer Mouse), 44 Tamius minimus (Least Chipmunk), 28 Zapus princeps (Western Jumping Mouse), two Microtus montanus (Montane Vole), 1 Thomomys talpoides (Northern Pocket Gopher) and 37 shrews (Sorex ssp.). These results support findings from other investigations regarding the initial early dominance of P. maniculatus in burn areas and C. gapperi in control or non-burn areas, and as time has progressed since the burn, differences between burn and control sites (as measured by community diversity indices) has decreased. As expected calculated Shannon diversity indices (Hâ) in 2009 are higher for at least one of the burn sites than in previous years as the habitat recovers to pre-burn conditions.