United States Department of the Army

About: United States Department of the Army is a government organization based out in Arlington, Virginia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Poison control & Population. The organization has 32668 authors who have published 42453 publications receiving 947075 citations. The organization is also known as: DA & U.S. Department of the Army.

Scanning laser mapping of the coastal zone: the SHOALS system

Abstract: The SHOALS system uses lidar technology to remotely measure bathymetry and topography in the coastal zone. During five years of survey operations, SHOALS has demonstrated airborne lidar bathymetry's benefits to the coastal community by providing a cost-effective tool for comprehensive assessment of coastal projects. This paper discusses the application of lidar technology for water-depth measurement, specifically outlining the SHOALS system and introducing a SHOALS survey from Saco River, ME.

Synthesis and application of poly(phenylene ethynylene)s for bioconjugation : a conjugated polymer-based fluorogenic probe for proteases

Abstract: A set of carboxylate-functionalized poly(phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) has been synthesized in which the carboxylic acid groups are separated from the polymer backbone by oligo(ethylene glycol) spacer units. These polymers are soluble in water and organic solvents and have photophysical properties that are sensitive to solvent conditions, with high salt content and the absence of surfactant promoting the formation of aggregates of relatively low quantum yield and long fluorescence lifetime. Quenching of these materials by the dinitrophenyl (DNP) chromophore (K(SV) approximately 10(4)) is also highly solvent-dependent. The presence of carboxylate groups far from the polymer backbone appended to each repeating unit allows for the postpolymerization modification of these PPEs with peptides by methods analogous to those described for carboxylate-functionalized small-molecule dyes. Covalent attachment of the fluorescence-quenching 14-mer Lys(DNP)-GPLGMRGLGGGGK to the PPE results in a nonemissive substrate whose fluorescence is restored upon treatment with trypsin. The rate of fluorescence turn-on in this case is increased 3-fold by the presence of surfactant, though the actual rate of peptide hydrolysis remains the same. A small-molecule mimic of the polymer-peptide system shows a smaller fluorescence enhancement upon treatment with trypsin, illustrating the value of polymer-based amplification in this sensory scheme.

Blue light from light-emitting diodes elicits a dose-dependent suppression of melatonin in humans

Abstract: Light suppresses melatonin in humans, with the strongest response occurring in the short-wavelength portion of the spectrum between 446 and 477 nm that appears blue. Blue monochromatic light has also been shown to be more effective than longer-wavelength light for enhancing alertness. Disturbed circadian rhythms and sleep loss have been described as risk factors for astronauts and NASA ground control workers, as well as civilians. Such disturbances can result in impaired alertness and diminished performance. Prior to exposing subjects to short-wavelength light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (peak λ = 469 nm; 1/2 peak bandwidth = 26 nm), the ocular safety exposure to the blue LED light was confirmed by an independent hazard analysis using the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists exposure limits. Subsequently, a fluence-response curve was developed for plasma melatonin suppression in healthy subjects (n = 8; mean age of 23.9 ± 0.5 years) exposed to a range of irradiances of blue LED light. Subjects with freely reactive pupils were exposed to light between 2:00 and 3:30 AM. Blood samples were collected before and after light exposures and quantified for melatonin. The results demonstrate that increasing irradiances of narrowband blue-appearing light can elicit increasing plasma melatonin suppression in healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). The data were fit to a sigmoidal fluence-response curve (R(2) = 0.99; ED(50) = 14.19 μW/cm(2)). A comparison of mean melatonin suppression with 40 μW/cm(2) from 4,000 K broadband white fluorescent light, currently used in most general lighting fixtures, suggests that narrow bandwidth blue LED light may be stronger than 4,000 K white fluorescent light for suppressing melatonin.

Understanding and managing connected extreme events

Abstract: Extreme weather and climate events and their impacts can occur in complex combinations, an interaction shaped by physical drivers and societal forces. In these situations, governance, markets and other decision-making structures—together with population exposure and vulnerability—create nonphysical interconnections among events by linking their impacts, to positive or negative effect. Various anthropogenic actions can also directly affect the severity of events, further complicating these feedback loops. Such relationships are rarely characterized or considered in physical-sciences-based research contexts. Here, we present a multidisciplinary argument for the concept of connected extreme events, and we suggest vantage points and approaches for producing climate information useful in guiding decisions about them. The impacts of extreme weather and climate can be amplified by physical interactions among events and across a complex set of societal factors. This Perspective discusses the concept and challenge of connected extreme events, exploring research approaches and decision-making strategies.