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Using a geographic transect in Central Mexico, with an elevation/climate gradient, but uniformity in socio-economic conditions among study sites, this study evaluates the applicability of three widely-used remote sensing (RS) products to link weather conditions with the local abundance of the dengue virus mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti). Field-derived entomological measures included estimates for the percentage of premises with the presence of Ae. aegypti pupae and the abundance of Ae. aegypti pupae per premises. Data on mosquito abundance from field surveys were matched with RS data and analyzed for correlation. Daily daytime and nighttime land surface temperature (LST) values were obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Aqua cloud-free images within the four weeks preceding the field survey. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-estimated rainfall accumulation was calculated for the four weeks preceding the field survey. Elevation was estimated through a digital elevation model (DEM). Strong correlations were found between mosquito abundance and RS-derived night LST, elevation and rainfall along the elevation/climate gradient. These findings show that RS data can be used to predict Ae. aegypti abundance, but further studies are needed to define the climatic and socio-economic conditions under which the correlations observed herein can be assumed to apply.

ABSTRACT This study describes and demonstrates different techniques for surface fitting daily environmental hazards data of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm ([PM.sub.2.5]) for [...]

Managing water resources requires consideration of both environmental and socio-economic benefits to effectively balance the benefits and costs. This includes identifying ecosystem services (ES) of concern and how to evaluate the project or proposed changes effect on these ES. The purpose of this effort is to describe methods to evaluate ecosystem services to provide expanded irrigation to existing agricultural lands in Alabama and the potential application to other areas. A case study has been undertaken on the Middle Alabama watershed in central Alabama and methods have been developed and applied to evaluate ES in terms of how irrigated versus rainfed fields will affect sediment retention, fertilizer usage and the effect of the subsequent discharges of sediment and nitrogen from fertilizer on water quality. The results of case studies in the Middle Alabama watershed indicate positive ES benefits from sustainable agricultural practices and the irrigation of agricultural lands versus rainfed fields. We anticipate these methods will be applicable to other watersheds outside the southeast region too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmitic acid-1-C14 was given intravenously to volunteer subjects before, and toward the end of, 35–45 min of exercise. The fractional turnover rate and total turnover rates for plasma free fatty acids were greater during exercise. The concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma fell at the beginning of exercise, then rose and exceeded the resting levels. Immediately after exercise, there was a further abrupt rise and then another decline. The results indicate that exercise accelerates the efflux of plasma free fatty acids and then, secondarily, increases mobilization of free fatty acids from depots.

Dole's titrimetric method for determination of the free fatty acids of plasma has been modified to improve its specificity. The fatty acid solution which is to be titrated is first washed with 0.05 per cent H2SO4 and thus freed of lactic acid and of an acetone-insoluble material which interferes. With this change, the Dole procedure yields results which agree well with those of Gordon's method.

Studies of the effect of air pollution on cognitive health are often limited to populations living near cities that have air monitoring stations. Little is known about whether the estimates from such studies can be generalized to the U.S. population, or whether the relationship differs between urban and rural areas. To address these questions, we used a satellite-derived estimate of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration to determine whether PM2.5 was associated with incident cognitive impairment in a geographically diverse, biracial US cohort of men and women (n = 20,150). A 1-year mean baseline PM2.5 concentration was estimated for each participant, and cognitive status at the most recent follow-up was assessed over the telephone using the Six-Item Screener (SIS) in a subsample that was cognitively intact at baseline. Logistic regression was used to determine whether PM2.5 was related to the odds of incident cognitive impairment. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was not reliably associated with an increased odds of incident impairment, after adjusting for temperature, season, incident stroke, and length of follow-up [OR (95% CI): 1.26 (0.97, 1.64)]. The odds ratio was attenuated towards 1 after adding demographic covariates, behavioral factors, and known comorbidities of cognitive impairment. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was slightly associated with incident impairment in urban areas (1.40 [1.06–1.85]), but this relationship was also attenuated after including additional covariates in the model. Evidence is lacking that the effect of PM2.5 on incident cognitive impairment is robust in a heterogeneous US cohort, even in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides results on the performance of the Prescott Spatial Growth Model to project land use in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Prescott Spatial Growth Model is a tool that can be applied at fine or coarse spatial scales and can accommodate a wide range of user inputs to develop any number of growth rules for projecting land use. "Blind" simulations and "guided" simulations for the Atlanta region were performed for the 1980-2000 period to evaluate the performance of the model in the quantity and spatial distribution of urban growth. Quantitative comparisons of both the blind and guided simulations with actual land use were used to assess the model's performance. The error in the quantity of land-use classes projected and the spatial arrangement of the classes was assessed. The model provides exceptional flexibility and good overall performance in projecting land use in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urbanization has been correlated with hypertension (HTN) in developing countries undergoing rapid economic and environmental transitions. Objectives: We examined the relationships among living environment (urban, suburban, and rural), day/night land surface temperatures (LST), and blood pressure in selected regions from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Also, the linking of data on blood pressure from REGARDS with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) science data is relevant to NASA's strategic goals and missions, particularly as a primary focus of the agency's Applied Sciences Program. Methods: REGARDS is a national cohort of 30,228 people from the 48 contiguous United States with self-reported and measured blood pressure levels. Four metropolitan regions (Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Minneapolis, MN; and Chicago, IL) with varying geographic and health characteristics were selected for study. Satellite remotely sensed data were used to characterize the LST and land cover/land use (LCLU) environment for each area. We developed a method for characterizing participants as living in urban, suburban, or rural living environments, using the LCLU data. These data were compiled on a 1-km grid for each region and linked with the REGARDS data via an algorithm using geocoding information. Results: REGARDS participants in urban areas have higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than do those in suburban or rural areas, and also a higher incidence of HTN. In univariate models, living environment is associated with HTN, but after adjustment for known HTN risk factors, the relationship was no longer present. Conclusion: Further study regarding the relationship between HTN and living environment should focus on additional environmental characteristics, such as air pollution. The living environment classification method using remotely sensed data has the potential to facilitate additional research linking environmental variables to public health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates exercise counseling for healthy adults as a primary preventive intervention in clinical settings in the U.S. Medical conditions associated with lack of exercise; Evidence regarding the effectiveness of physical activity counseling for health adults.

Discusses the association of nocturnal angina pectoris with dreaming. Types of eye movements observed with continuous monitoring of sleep; Medical cases involving patients with history of nocturnal angina pectoris; Indications of the association of the dreaming process with nocturnal angina pectoris.

Studies the process of fat mobilization in man. Source of plasma free fatty acids; Fate of plasma fatty acid; Effect of muscular activity on plasma free fatty acid concentration; Hormonal factors.

Discusses suggestions on designing standards for medical practice. Background on patient care protocols; Reasons for the difficulty in predicting whether the use of professional standards for care will result in lasting changes in patterns of practice.

Efforts to use remote sensing data within the purview of an information support system, to assess urban thermal landscape characteristicsas a means for developing more robust models of the urban heat-island (UHI) effect are described. We also present a rationale on how we have successfully translated the results from the study of urban thermal heating and cooling regimes as identified from remote sensing data, to decision-makers, planners, government officials, and the public at large in several U.S. cities to facilitate better understanding ofhow the UHI affects air quality. Additionally, through the assessment of the spatial distribution of urban thermal landscape characteristics using remote sensing data, it is possible to develop strategies to mitigate the UHI that hopefully will, in turn, drive down ozone levels and improve overall urban air quality. Four U.S. cities have beenthe foci for intensive analyses as part of our studies: Atlanta, Georgia; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Sacramento, California. The remote sensing data for each of these cities has been used to generate a number of products for use by 'stakeholder' working groups to convey information on what the effects are of the UHI andwhat measures can be taken to mitigate them. In turn, these data products are used to both educate and inform policy-makers, planners, and the general public about what kinds of UHI mitigation strategies are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor of the December 22, 1989 issue of the 'Journal of the American Medical Association' about the usefulness of exercise electrocardiograms on an individual basis, particularly in the presence of a family medical history suggestive of coronary disease risk.