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The effects of recent climate change are accelerating permafrost thaw, including ice‐rich landscapes of the western Canadian Arctic. However, regional drivers of permafrost slope failure in hillslopes with warm, thin permafrost remain poorly understood. Repeat satellite imagery (1984–2020) indicates rapid increases in retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) and deep‐seated permafrost landslides (DSPLs) since 2004, indicating a change in slope stability thresholds in an area that otherwise appeared thaw stable. The widespread occurrence of DSPL represents a contrasting geomorphic response to the RTS‐dominated ice‐rich permafrost landscapes. In this study area, RTS and DSPL occur predominantly in areas that were burned by forest fires in the 1990s, indicating a legacy thermal disturbance that preconditioned permafrost hillslopes for failure. The relations between historic fires and the later development of widespread permafrost slope failures represent an outstanding example of the complex interactions between inherited landscape sensitivity in ice‐rich terrain and ongoing climate change. Plain Language Summary: We characterize the type and nature of permafrost slope failures in the central Mackenzie Valley, NWT and find hillslope failures have increased rapidly over the past ∼15 years. This growth occurred in conjunction with increasing air temperatures and summer precipitation but the distribution of permafrost slope failures in this area is largely constrained by forest fire extents that affected the area in the 1990s. These fires have led to increased landscape sensitivity of this ice‐rich terrain through their impacts on ground temperatures. Key Points: Recent increases in permafrost mass‐wasting frequency (278%) and magnitude (602%) reveal a permafrost landscape in geomorphic transitionMore than 80% of failures occur in areas burned in the 1990sCompounding effects of legacy thermal disturbance and climate drivers of thaw likely to increase slope instability of warm permafrost [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional golf course fairway irrigation relies on visual observation of the turfgrass, followed by secondary considerations of short‐term weather forecasts, which oftentimes lead to 'blanket' applications to an entire area. Precision irrigation may achieve water use reductions by irrigating only where, when, and in the amount needed. Technology can further enhance its application; for example, using global navigation satellite system (GNSS)‐equipped soil moisture sensors for creating fairway soil moisture maps to identify variability. However, research regarding soil moisture variability on fairways at golf courses that differ by climatic region and course characteristics is limited. The objective of this case study was to report fairway soil moisture variability findings from nine golf courses in eight states in the United States that completed a soil moisture mapping protocol during 2019–2022. Each course used a handheld GNSS‐equipped soil moisture device to collect georeferenced soil moisture (percentage volumetric water content [VWC]) data from seven to 14 of their fairways. Soil moisture variability was assessed through summary statistics, box and whisker plots, and spatial maps. The mean soil moisture on fairways across courses was 22.4–48.8% VWC, the range was 27.6–43.7% VWC, and the CV was 7.5–39.4%. Box and whisker plots and spatial maps of soil moisture aided in visualizing variability within and between fairways at all courses. Results suggest that golf course fairway soil moisture variability is inevitable regardless of climatic region and course characteristics, which further reiterates the need for advanced irrigation practices and technologies for water conservation via precision irrigation. Core Ideas: GNSS‐equipped soil moisture sensors allow for mapping fairway soil moisture variability.Soil moisture variability on fairways at nine U.S. golf courses was evaluated.Soil moisture variability is inevitable between and within fairways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turfgrasses benefit the environment through conversion of CO2 into stable C stored in soils. Limited research on the sequestration potential of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) has been conducted in semiarid climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil physiochemical properties of golf courses in Lubbock, TX, to determine C sequestration potential and longevity. Soil was obtained from fairways of five golf courses ranging in age from 13 to 93 yr. Shallow (0–7.5 cm) and deeper (7.5–15 cm) soil depths were tested for soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic matter, soil organic C (SOC), inorganic C, total N, inorganic N, and texture. After ANOVA and mean separation, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group golf courses by soil depth or age. Soil organic matter and SOC decreased with depth, but the rate of SOC accumulation (0.22 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) was lower when compared with previous studies. Maximal C (35.1 and 23.7 Mg C ha−1 in the upper and lower depths) was consistent with previous studies, indicating that C accumulated for a longer period of time. The PCA explained 52.7% of variability in soil physiochemical properties on two axes, but PCA more effectively differentiated soil sampling depth than golf course age. High variability in data among fairways at a single golf course likely resulted in limited grouping capabilities. Including a broader regional representation of golf courses or sampling golf courses between 40 and 70 yr to quantify soils near maximal accumulation would strengthen future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty information in natural hazard forecasts is increasingly being communicated explicitly. This study was designed to determine whether different ways of communicating uncertainty graphically affects the decisions and interpretations of forecasts and if expertise was a factor in the decisions and interpretations from forecasts explicitly showing uncertainty. In a hypothetical decision‐making task regarding ice thickness and shipping, 138 experts and non‐experts received ice‐thickness forecasts in four different presentations expressing uncertainty: worded probability, spaghetti plot, fan plot and box plot. These forecasts contained no measures of central tendency. There was no consistent difference in decision or best‐guess forecast (deterministic ice thickness forecast based on the forecast representation) between the different forecast representations. However, participants interpreted different amounts of uncertainty across the different forecast representations. Experts made significantly more economically rational decisions than non‐experts, interpreted lower best‐guess forecasts and inferred significantly more uncertainty than non‐experts. These results suggest that care be taken in choosing how uncertainty is represented in forecasts, especially between expert and non‐expert audiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased urban populations and drought conditions strain municipal water supplies, often resulting in activation of water conservation plans. Supplemental irrigation can be eliminated in extreme situations, which diminishes functional and visual benefits of turfgrass landscapes. The objective of this research was to evaluate differential responses of four warm-season turfgrasses receiving supplemental irrigation (subsurface drip) or natural rainfall only in semiarid climate. Celebration bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and Legacy buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] were sodded in 2014; Jamur Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and Zeon Manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] were sodded in 2016. Species were split with mowing treatments at 5 or 9 cm. Limited mowing effects on response variables led to pooling mowing heights for species. Supplemental irrigation supplied 69 and 173 mm of water from July to September in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Volumetric water content (VWC) in the upper 3.8 cm, canopy temperature, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and visual turf quality were recorded weekly. Drought stress symptoms were evident both years. Manilagrass experienced greatest drought stress, which lowered NDVI and turf quality with significant canopy temperature increase in 2017. Bermudagrass maintained lowest canopy temperature with greatest NDVI and turf quality with natural rainfall each year. Supplemental irrigation was required to lower canopy temperature and enhance NDVI and turf quality for other species. Results suggest bermudagrass maintains best functional and aesthetic quality under 123 mm rainfall. Japanese lawngrass and buffalograss improved with supplemental irrigation, but Manilagrass required supplemental irrigation to provide acceptable quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core Ideas: Water retention products increased turfgrass quality and cover under drought conditions.High rainfall after application was essential to activate water retention products.Water retention products did not increase soil volumetric water content.Core aerification with a spoon aerifier did not improve efficacy of water retention products. Turfgrass is often overwatered to maintain green color. Surfactants and hydrophilic sands are marketed to homeowners to reduce irrigation requirements during drought. This research aimed to determine the effects of core aerification and water retention products on well‐established ‘Tifsport’ hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt‐Davey] under infrequent irrigation. A randomized complete block design study was established with four water retention products and an untreated control applied to aerified or nonaerified plots. The water retention products were Aquasmart Pro and MaXand hydrophilic sands (mixed with topdressing sand), Revive Liquid, and Revive Granular surfactants. A spoon aerifier was used to establish aerification treatments before product application. Plots were evaluated for visual turfgrass quality, percentage of green cover, soil volumetric water content (VWC), and canopy temperature. Aerification showed no main or interactive effects, except on canopy temperature with Revive Granular. Aquasmart Pro, MaXand, and Revive Granular improved turfgrass quality and green cover compared with the untreated control for 4 weeks in 2015 with negligible rainfall and irrigation. Extension of green coverage and improved turfgrass quality were not observed in 2016 when an extended period of drought followed initial product application. Although no treatment effects in VWC were identified for either year, Revive Granular had a lower canopy temperature than Revive Liquid or the untreated control. Higher moisture content from rainfall resulted in maximum benefit from the water retention products. This suggests higher irrigation may be necessary after application if rainfall is insufficient to stimulate the activity of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Health care researchers and delivery system leaders share a common mission to improve health care quality and outcomes. However, differing timelines, incentives, and priorities are often a barrier to research and operational partnerships. In addition, few funding mechanisms exist to generate and solicit analytic questions that are of interest to both research and to operations within health care settings, and provide rapid results that can be used to improve practice and outcomes. Methods The Delivery Science Rapid Analysis Program (RAP) was formed in 2013 within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, sponsored by The Permanente Medical Group. A steering committee consisting of both researchers and clinical leaders solicits and reviews proposals for rapid analytic projects that will use existing data and are feasible within 6 months and with up to $30,000 (approximately 25%-50% full-time equivalent) of programmer/analyst effort. Review criteria include the importance of the analytic question for both research and operations, and the potential for the project to have a significant impact on care delivery within 12 months of completion. Results The RAP funded 5 research and operational analytic projects between 2013 and 2017. These projects spanned a wide range of clinical areas, including lupus, pediatric obesity, diabetes, e-cigarette use, and hypertension. The hypertension RAP project, which focused on optimizing thiazide prescribing in Black/African American patients with hypertension, led to new insights that inform an equitable care quality metric designed to reduce blood pressure control disparities throughout the Kaiser Permanente Northern California region. Conclusions Programs that actively encourage research and operational analytic partnerships have significant potential to improve care, enhance research collaborations, and contribute to the building and sustaining of learning health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Putting greens experience stress from golf balls striking the surface, maintenance equipment, and foot traffic. Improved creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) cultivars, sand-based root zones, and skilled superintendents maintain plant health while providing firmer conditions. Many researchers have studied effects of compaction and wear on putting greens, but few have determined the effect of these stresses on ball marks. The objective of this research was to evaluate ball mark severity and recovery of creeping bentgrass under different mowing heights (2.5, 3.2, and 4.0 mm), rolling frequencies (0, 3, or 6 d wk-1), and foot traffic using digital image analysis. Digital images of golf balls placed in the depression were used to calculate ball mark depth, and a cover analysis was conducted to model ball mark injury area using a one phase decay model to determine theoretical maximum injury, slope, and days to 50% recovery. Soil moisture content was positively correlated with ball mark depth, but common stresses rarely altered ball mark depth. The mean theoretical maximum ball mark injury was 377 mm2 greater for daily rolled treatments in 2010 compared to non-rolled treatments. The slope of recovery rarely changed among treatments suggesting that theoretical maximum ball mark injury area has a greater effect on recovery. Lastly, combining the lowest mowing height or daily rolling and foot traffic slowed the time ball marks took to reach 50% recovery. This research demonstrates the effects common management practices and soil moisture have on the severity and recovery of ball marks during environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research published within the issue that assessed the effectiveness of high-profile targeted killings in the war on terror. Topics covered include efficacy versus morality of targeted killings, the moral and legal aspects of targeting the leaders of terrorist groups such as the al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, and evidence-based policy recommendations to deter future terrorist attacks.

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens in the transition zone experience high levels of environmental stress during summer months. The interaction of common management practices combined with foot traffic can exacerbate environmental stress. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of management practices combined with foot traffic during high environmental stress in the transition zone. Creeping bentgrass cultivars, SR 1020 and Penn G2, were managed with various mowing heights (2.5, 3.2, or 4.0 mm), rolling frequencies (0, 3, or 6 d per week), and foot traffic. As environmental stress became prominent during summer months, bentgrass maintained at the lowest mowing heights exhibited poorer turf quality, coverage, and wear tolerance compared to the highest mowing height. SR 1020 quality was reduced below acceptable levels in July when mowed at the lowest mowing height in 2011 and 2012. Penn G2 maintained acceptable quality at all mowing heights in 2011, but severe heat and drought stress reduced turf quality regardless of mowing height in 2012. Daily rolling significantly increased wear on both cultivars during high environmental stress that resulted in decreased turf quality and coverage compared to the nonrolled treatments. The combination of wear from mechanical stress and foot traffic increased wear injury on both cultivars. Under reduced daylengths and optimal air temperatures in September of each year, all response variables improved to similar levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel NIR and SWIR optically responsive nanostructured complex in the form of a Au isleted chalcogenide substrate is reported. The optical response is directly related to the plasmonic coupling islets that decorate the surface of the chalcogenide substrate and environmental refractive index dynamics due to the inclusion of the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To test the hypothesis that diffusion-weighted (DW)-PROPELLER (periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction) MRI provides more accurate liver tumor necrotic fraction (NF) and viable tumor volume (VTV) measurements than conventional DW-SE-EPI (spin echo echo-planar imaging) methods. Materials and Methods Our institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved all experiments. In six rabbits implanted with 10 VX2 liver tumors, DW-PROPELLER and DW-SE-EPI scans were performed at contiguous axial slice positions covering each tumor volume. Apparent diffusion coefficient maps of each tumor were used to generate spatially resolved tumor viability maps for NF and VTV measurements. We compared NF, whole tumor volume (WTV), and VTV measurements to corresponding reference standard histological measurements based on correlation and concordance coefficients and the Bland-Altman analysis. Results DW-PROPELLER generally improved image quality with less distortion compared to DW-SE-EPI. DW-PROPELLER NF, WTV, and VTV measurements were strongly correlated and satisfactorily concordant with histological measurements. DW-SE-EPI NF measurements were weakly correlated and poorly concordant with histological measurements. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that DW-PROPELLER WTV and VTV measurements were less biased from histological measurements than the corresponding DW-SE-EPI measurements. Conclusion DW-PROPELLER MRI can provide spatially resolved liver tumor viability maps for accurate NF and VTV measurements, superior to DW-SE-EPI approaches. DW-PROPELLER measurements may serve as a noninvasive surrogate for pathology, offering the potential for more accurate assessments of therapy response than conventional anatomic size measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a 70-year-old woman with severe peripheral arterial disease presenting with celiac artery in-stent thrombosis diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography ( TEE). Routine assessment of the visceral arteries is not performed in most TEE studies. A review of the literature shows that the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries can be successfully visualized during transgastric views of the abdominal aorta. We propose that two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography have several intrinsic advantages over computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography and catheterization when assessing aortic and visceral arterial pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zwitterionic inner salts of type (I) readily react with organometallic reagents under mild conditions to give N-sulfonyl-substituted urethanes in moderate yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]