Cloud and fog deposition: Monitoring in high elevation and coastal ecosystems. The past, present, and future.

Collection methods critical load values and total nitrogen budgets for high-elevation and fog-impacted sites requires reliable cloud and fog water deposition estimates. The cost and labor intensity of cloud/fog water sample collection have made it difficult to conduct long-term studies that would provide the data needed to develop accurate estimates. Current understanding of fog formation, transport, and the role of fog and cloud deposition in hydrogeological and biogeochemical cycles is incomplete due, in part, to lack of a concerted interdisciplinary approach to the problem.

A statistical comparison of active and passive ammonia measurements collected at Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) sites.

Atmospheric concentrations of ammonia (NH3) are not well characterized in the United States due to the sparse number of monitors, the relatively short lifetime of NH3 in the atmosphere, and the difficulty in measuring non-point source emissions such as fertilized agricultural land. In this study, we compare measured weekly concentrations of NH3 collected by two denuder systems with a bi-weekly passive NH3 sampler used by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program's (NADP) Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN). The purpose of the study was to verify the passive samplers used by AMoN and characterize any uncertainties introduced when using a bi-weekly versus weekly sampling time period.

Use of fecundity measured directly throughout the breeding season to test a source-sink demographic model.

Populations of landbirds (bird species that occupy terrestrial habitats for most of their life cycle) are declining throughout North America (north of Mexico) and Europe, yet little is known about how demography is driving this trend. A recent model of 5 geographically separated populations of Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) that was based on within-season sampling of nest survival and fledgling success shows that all populations are sinks (annual reproduction is consistently less than annual adult mortality). I tested this indirect model by directly measuring fecundity (number of female fledglings/female) during the breeding season for 2 years in a Cerulean Warbler population occupying a mature forest in southwestern Michigan (U.

Intercomparison of Clean Air Status and Trends Network Nitrate and Nitric Acid Measurements with Data from Other Monitoring Programs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) utilizes an open-face filter pack system to measure concentrations of atmospheric sulfur and nitrogen species.

West Nile virus antibodies in permanent resident and overwintering migrant birds in south-central Kansas.

Unlabelled: We conducted serological studies, using epitope-blocking ELISAs directed at West Nile virus (WNV) and flavivirus antibodies, of wild birds in south-central Kansas, the first for this state, in the winters of 2003-04 through 2005-06. Overwintering migratory species (primarily the American tree sparrow and dark-eyed junco) consistently showed significantly lower seropositivity than permanent residents (primarily the northern cardinal). The cardinal showed annual variation in seropositivity between winters.

TACE/ADAM-17: a component of the epidermal growth factor receptor axis and a promising therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) requires cell surface cleavage of EGFR ligands, uptake of soluble ligand by the receptor, and initiation of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. We define these collective events as the EGFR axis. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and amphiregulin are two EGFR ligands that are delivered preferentially to the basolateral surface of polarized epithelial cells where the EGFR resides.

LASIK flap interface deposition in limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an uncommon chronic allergic eye disease. It is generally seen in young males and is characterised by limbal papillae and superficial keratitis. While the condition usually resolves with age, treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of permanent corneal damage.

Ligand-dependent activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by secondary bile acids in polarizing colon cancer cells.

Background: Secondary bile acids such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) are known to promote colorectal cancer (CRC). Increasing evidence suggests that DCA-induced signaling is mediated by activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We have shown that activation of the EGFR induces up-regulation of cyclooxygenase 2, basolateral release of prostaglandins (PGs), and mitogenesis in a polarizing human colon cancer cell line, HCA-7.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for refractive error after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct refractive error following cataract surgery.

Setting: The Eye Institute, Sydney, Australia.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 23 eyes (19 patients; 10 female, 9 male) treated with LASIK for refractive error following cataract surgery.

Development of a questionnaire to assess subjective vision score in myopes seeking refractive surgery.

Purpose: To assess vision in patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism before and after refractive surgery.

Methods: A prospective controlled study of visual quality amongst myopes and astigmatic myopes. Focus groups, ophthalmic surgeons, and questionnaire experts devised a Subjective Vision Questionnaire (SVQ), modified after a pilot trial.

Laser in situ keratomileusis with Alcon CustomCornea.

Purpose: To report the 3-month results of our first cases of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with Alcon's CustomCornea.

Methods: Wavefront analysis was performed using the LADARWave aberrometer and ablation was performed with the LADARVision4000 system. Thirty-one eyes of 17 patients were analyzed prospectively, at 1 and 3 months after CustomCornea surgery.

Estimates of cloud water deposition at Mountain Acid Deposition Program sites in the Appalachian Mountains.

Cloud water deposition was estimated at three high-elevation sites in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States (Whiteface Mountain, NY; Whitetop Mountain, VA; and Clingman's Dome, TN) from 1994 through 1999 as part of the Mountain Acid Deposition Program (MADPro). This paper provides a summary of cloud water chemistry, cloud liquid water content, cloud frequency, estimates of cloud water deposition of sulfur and nitrogen species, and estimates of total deposition of sulfur and nitrogen at these sites. Other cloud studies in the Appalachians and their comparison to MADPro are also summarized.

The effect of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis on retinal nerve fiber layer measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry.

Purpose: Scanning laser polarimetry provides indirect measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by measuring the retardation of polarized laser light as it passes through the retinal nerve fiber layer. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is a refractive technique by which corneal stromal photoablation is achieved by the structural and refractive changes induced by the excimer laser. Both techniques are becoming widely performed and there is some evidence that scanning laser polarimetry measurements are significantly changed after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Estimates of the atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen species: Clean Air Status and Trends Network 1990-2000.

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.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for residual myopia after photorefractive keratectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopic regression and undercorrection after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: The Eye Institute, Sydney, Australia.

Methods: Fifty eyes of 32 patients were treated by LASIK for residual myopia following primary PRK.