Johnston County Research Articles

Water Source Heat Pump for Modular Classrooms

ABSTRACT This work investigates and recommends design improvements for a water source heat pump system for mobile homes and modular classrooms. It builds on a previous study that tested a 3-ton geothermal heat pump in a modular classroom at Wilson Mills Elementary School in Johnston County, North Carolina. Water stored in flexible plastic bladders resting on the ground underneath the classroom served as the heat source. The bladders were filled with 2,000 gallons of saltwater. Using TRNSYS, a model of the original system was constructed and validated by comparing model predictions to measured performance. TRNSYS models of several new designs were constructed to evaluate potential design improvements. The system models were evaluated based on predicted performance for a typical meteorological year, and on other criteria such as initial cost, maintenance, and portability. This resulted in a new optimized system design in which the water storage volume is reduced to 120 gallons, and the predicted electrical ...

Serum hyaluronan levels and radiographic knee and hip osteoarthritis in African Americans and Caucasians in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project

Serum hyaluronan (HA) has been proposed as a potential biomarker of osteoarthritis (OA). We examined associations between serum HA and radiographic OA in an ethnically diverse, population-based sample. Participants were selected from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, using stratified simple random sampling to achieve balance according to radiographic knee OA status, ethnic group, sex, and age group. Serum HA was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Radiographic OA variables included knee OA, knee OA laterality, knee OA severity, concomitant knee and hip OA, and total number of OA-affected knee and hip joints. Analysis of covariance was used to assess differences in mean serum levels of natural log-transformed HA (ln serum HA) between groups, adjusting for ethnicity, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and self-reported comorbidities. Levels of ln serum HA were positively associated with all definitions of radiographic OA (P < 0.0001). Levels of ln serum HA were higher in Caucasians (P = 0.0094) and in men (P = 0.0038) and were moderately correlated with age (r = 0.35, P < 0.0001). The associations with radiographic OA, ethnicity, sex, and age remained statistically significant after adjustment (P < 0.0045). There were no interactions between ethnicity and the other covariates. These cross-sectional data support a role for serum HA as a biomarker of radiographic OA. The variations in levels of serum HA attributable to ethnicity, sex, and age were not explained by radiographic OA, BMI, or comorbidities. The lack of strong confounding between serum HA and comorbidities further supports a role for serum HA as a potential biomarker.

Floristic survey of The Nature Conservancy's Pennington Creek preserve in Johnston County, Oklahoma 1997

This study was conducted as one part of an overall biological assessment of The Nature Conservancy’s Pennington Creek site. A 9.6 hectare area was surveyed during the 1995 and 1996 growing seasons for plants in fertile condition. They were collected, identified and voucher specimens were deposited in the OSU Herbarium (OKLA). Physiographic and ecological aspects of the site were described using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Two hundred-three species representing 157 genera and 63 families were collected. Four plant communities are present: forest, grassland, granitic outcrop, and riparian. Characteristic taxa of the forest community include Quercus stellata, Q. marilandica, Carya texana, C. cordiformis, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, and Elymus canadensis. Tridens flavus, Setaria lutescens, Sorghastrum nutans and Gaillardia pulchella are dominants found in the grasslands. The granitic outcrop areas provide habitat for: Sedum pulchellum, S. nuttallianum, Krigia virginica, Chaetopappa asteroides, and Polypodium polypodioides. Characteristic species of the riparian community include Carex spp., Cyperus spp., Chasmanthium latifolium, Platanus occidentalis, and Alnus maritima.

Thermal Storage: Icing Energy Costs

ABSTRACT After being named energy director in 1997 by the Johnston County Board of Education, William Gilbert, Jr. set about the task of analyzing the territory and learning the particulars of his new responsibility. An inventory of the automation systems revealed limited use of its capabilities. An analysis of the energy data revealed incomplete and inaccurate data. An audit of premise meters and rates revealed widespread inaccuracies and rate change possibilities. It was discovered that metered water was used to irrigate athletic fields at high schools. Perhaps the most revealing finding was the use of ice storage capabilities at a local elementary school. With these findings in hand, strategies were proposed to reduce and conserve energy costs. Start-stop optimization and duty cycle capabilities were programmed on all automated systems, and a scheduling calendar was implemented. Consulting auditors determined some rate changes that were beneficial. Walter P. Johnston gave advice and consulting services...

Ethnic and sex differences in serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

Previous descriptions of potential biomarkers of osteoarthritis (OA) have been limited to Caucasians. In the present study, we examined associations between serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and ethnicity (African American or Caucasian) and sex in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population-based study of OA in rural North Carolina. All African Americans and a randomly selected sample of Caucasians who had available sera and either no radiographic evidence of knee or hip OA according to the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) system (K/L grade 0) or radiographic evidence of knee OA (K/L grade 2 or higher) were included. Serum COMP levels were quantified by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using monoclonal antibodies 16-F12 and 17-C10. Linear regression models were used to assess relationships between serum levels of natural log-transformed COMP (ln COMP) and ethnicity and sex, controlling for age, height, body mass index (BMI), radiographic OA, and the presence of other symptomatic joints. Radiographic OA was defined in separate models as the presence, severity, and laterality of radiographic knee OA, the co-occurrence of radiographic knee and hip OA, and the number of knees and hips with radiographic OA. The 769 subjects in the study sample had a mean +/- SD age of 62 +/- 10.3 years. Levels of ln COMP were associated with age, BMI, and all definitions of radiographic OA (P = 0.0001), and varied by ethnicity and sex. In adjusted models, ln COMP was higher in African American women than in Caucasian women (P = 0.003) and higher in Caucasian men than Caucasian women (P = 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in serum ln COMP levels between African American men and women. Serum COMP levels vary by ethnicity and sex. These factors should be considered in the derivation of standards using this, and possibly other, potential biomarkers of OA.

Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and clinical signs and symptoms of potential pre-radiographic hip and knee pathology

Objective To examine the cross-sectional relationship between serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and hip and knee clinical signs and symptoms in a sample of adults without radiographic hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA).Design A total of 145 persons with available sera and no evidence of radiographic hip or knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 0) were randomly selected from the Caucasian participants of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. COMP was quantified by a competitive ELISA assay with a monoclonal antibody 17-C10. Hip and knee clinical signs and symptoms were assessed by physical examination and interview, and their associations with Ln COMP analysed with general linear models.Results After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and other symptomatic joints, mean Ln COMP was statistically significantly higher among persons with hip-related clinical signs (P=0.018), among those with hip-related symptoms (P=0.046), and among individuals meeting American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria for hip OA (P=0.021). There were no statistically significant associations between any of the knee-related clinical signs and symptoms and Ln COMP.ConclusionSerum COMP may be useful as a biomarker of pre-radiographic hip joint pathology; its utility as a biomarker of pre-radiographic knee joint pathology is unclear. Copyright 2002 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of medication treatment for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder among elementary school children in Johnston County, North Carolina.

This study estimated the prevalence of medication treatment for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among elementary school children in a North Carolina county. Parents of 7333 children in grades 1 through 5 in 17 public elementary schools were asked whether their child had ever been given a diagnosis of ADHD by a psychologist or physician and whether their child was currently taking medication to treat ADHD. Parents of 6099 children (83%) responded. By parental report, 607 children (10%) had been given an ADHD diagnosis and 434 (7%) were receiving ADHD medication treatment. Seventy-one % of the diagnosed children were receiving medication. Treatment rates varied by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade. If treatment patterns observed in this study are representative, the public health impact of ADHD may be underestimated.

Prevalence of Medication Treatment for Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder Among Elementary School Children in Johnston County, North Carolina

Prevalence of Medication Treatment for Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder Among Elementary School Children in Johnston County, North Carolina

Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein reflects osteoarthritis presence and severity: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

To characterize serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels by age and gender for a radiographically defined population free of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to examine the potential utility of COMP as a diagnostic biomarker for knee OA. Serum samples and knee and hip radiographs were obtained at a baseline evaluation as part of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population-based study of OA in rural North Carolina. A total of 291 Caucasian participants were randomly selected for COMP analysis, 143 patients with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade > or = 2) and 148 controls with neither hip nor knee OA (K/L grade 0), evenly distributed by age and gender. COMP was quantified by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal antibody 17-C10. The natural log-transformed COMP data were analyzed using general linear models. Serum COMP levels were significantly elevated (P = 0.0001) in the age > or = 65 group (mean +/- SD 1,302.1 +/- 496.7 ng/ml) versus the age 45-54 and age 55-64 groups (1,058.1 +/- 432.4 and 1,038.6 +/- 313.3, respectively). Serum COMP levels of the OA group were significantly higher than those of the control group (1,208.57 +/- 487.47 ng/ml versus 1,061.83 +/- 370.58 ng/ml; P = 0.0093). Serum COMP levels also increased significantly with knee OA K/L grade (P = 0.0047), knee OA laterality (P = 0.0043), and number of knee and hip joints involved (P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in serum COMP levels by gender or obesity. We demonstrate that in a population-based sample, serum COMP levels can distinguish an OA-affected subgroup from an unaffected subgroup and can reflect disease severity and multiple joint involvement in OA.

Integrated Planning for School and Community: The Case of Johnston County, North Carolina

OR/Ed Laboratories and the Johnston County schools created a planning system, Integrated Planning for School and Community, to forecast enrollments, to compare the enrollment projections to capacity, to find the optimal locations for new school buildings, and to set distance-minimized boundaries for all schools to avoid overcrowding and to meet racial balance guidelines. Implementing the system has increased the school district's success in passing bond issues, reduced pupil-transportation costs, and eliminated frequent adjustments to school-attendance boundaries.

The use of microphytoplankton and chitinozoans for interpreting transgressive/regressive cycles in the Rapid Member of the Cedar Valley Formation (Middle Devonian), Iowa

With only minor exceptions, the paleoenvironmental interpretations using microphytoplankton diversity and microphytoplankton/spore ratios are in agreement with previous ecological and depositional interpretation for the Rapid Member (Middle Devonian, upper Givetian) exposed at the River Products Conklin Quarry, Johnston County, Iowa. Analyses of acritarch morphotype variability, fluctuations in acritarch species diversity and the ratio of microphytoplankton (acritarchs and prasinophytes) to spores were compared to known paleoenvironmental interpretations based on sedimentology and megafossil content. The greatest microphytoplankton diversity occurs in the lower 14 m of the Rapid Member, suggesting deposition in a near- to offshore marine environment; whereas, the increase in relative abundance of spores in the upper 6 m suggests a closer proximity to the paleoshoreline. Chitinozoan diversity trends (greater diversity in ‘deeper-water’ depositional settings) indicates the same shallowing trend. The combined palynomorph (microphytoplankton, chitinozoan and spore) data appear to provide a fine resolution for paleoecological interpretation of the Rapid Member, particularly in relation to paleoshoreline fluctuations. The acritarch assemblage consists of 40 species distributed among 28 genera. The new genus Luscinasphaera Wicander et Wood, gen. nov. and the new species Ammonidium iowaensis Wicander et Wood, sp. nov., Cymatiosphaera cladora Wicander et Wood, sp. nov.,? Gorgonisphaeridium adjunctum Wicander et Wood, sp. nov., G. parvispinosum Wicander et Wood, sp. nov., Luscinasphaera indistincta Wicander et Wood, sp. nov., Multiplicisphaeridium segregatum Wicander et Wood, sp. nov., Solisphaeridium laevigatum Wicander et Wood, sp. nov. and Villosacapsula compta Wicander et Wood, sp. nov. are established. The chitinozoan assemblage consists of ten species, including Ancyrochitina fruticosa Wicander et Wood, sp. nov..

Self-reported functional status in osteoarthritis of the knee in a rural southern community: the role of sociodemographic factors, obesity, and knee pain.

This study examined the roles of sociodemographic factors (age, race, gender, education, marital status), obesity, and severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and knee pain on self-reported functional status. The sample included 1,272 African-American and Caucasian individuals, aged 45 years or older, from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Analysis of variance was used to assess variation in mean Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores by the above variables. Mean HAQ scores differed by severity of radiographic knee OA and knee pain, obesity, and all demographic factors (P < 0.0001), except race. Only age, female sex, obesity, and knee pain severity were independent effects (P < 0.0009). Disability associated with knee pain varied by both radiographic knee OA severity and obesity. Knee pain severity was more important than radiographic knee OA severity in determining disability. Obesity was independently associated with disability and compounded disability from knee pain. Studies of disability in knee OA should include assessment of obesity, severity of radiographic knee OA, and severity of knee pain, as well as their interactions.

Ocular Motility in North Carolina Autosomal Dominant Ataxia

The term “vestibulocerebellar ataxia” has been applied to a rare, autosomal dominant, late-onset disease with unusual ocular motility findings. We examined the ocular motility of 18 family members from two different kindreds and found 11 affected individuals. Both families in the present study, one of which was originally described by Farmer and Mustian, as well as the family reported by Farris et al., originated from Johnston County, North Carolina. We suspect that all three of these families have a common ancestral origin. The age of onset of the disorder was 31–60 years in the individuals examined. Ataxia, vertigo, diplopia, oscillopsia, and tinnitus were common complaints. Although a variety of eye movement abnormalities have previously been described in this disease, the most prominent and consistent findings in our patients were (a) abnormal smooth pursuits, (b) inability to suppress the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR), and (c) gaze-evoked nystagmus. These findings suggest that the cerebellar flocculus may be the primary site of pathology.

Ocular motility in North Carolina autosomal dominant ataxia.

The term "vestibulocerebellar ataxia" has been applied to a rare, autosomal dominant, late-onset disease with unusual ocular motility findings. We examined the ocular motility of 18 family members from two different kindreds and found 11 affected individuals. Both families in the present study, one of which was originally described by Farmer and Mustian, as well as the family reported by Farris et al., originated from Johnston County, North Carolina. We suspect that all three of these families have a common ancestral origin. The age of onset of the disorder was 31-60 years in the individuals examined. Ataxia, vertigo, diplopia, oscillopsia, and tinnitus were common complaints. Although a variety of eye movement abnormalities have previously been described in this disease, the most prominent and consistent findings in our patients were (a) abnormal smooth pursuits, (b) inability to suppress the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR), and (c) gaze-evoked nystagmus. These findings suggest that the cerebellar flocculus may be the primary site of pathology.

Insecticide Sprays, 1993

Abstract Kitchens in single family dwellings located in Harnett, Johnston, Sampson and Wake counties, NC served as test sites. Five kitchens with a minimum of 100 living German cockroaches sighted during a preliminary visual survey were assigned to each formulation. Preapplication visual tallies of living cockroaches in kitchens compared to tallies at specified intervals after treatment indicated efficacy. Formulations, supplied by Whitmire Research Laboratories, Inc., St. Louis, were applied from self-pressurized, aerosol-type containers into cracks and crevices. Nontest rooms in the dwellings were treated with the formulation as needed at each visit to minimize possible migration of German cockroaches into treated areas. Insecticide reapplications were made at 2, 4 and 8 wk only in kitchens and other rooms where any living cockroaches were observed during postapplication tallies. The amount of insecticide applied during the initial application and reapplications and the size, temperature, and relative humidity of the kitchens were recorded. Analyses were based on % reduction of cockroaches (pre- vs post-treatment tallies for a kitchen). Since the area of individual kitchen floor and wall spaces varied, the active ingredient applied per kitchen was converted to a 50 m2 basis for comparative purposes. The active ingredient applied in the initial applications for all formulations ranged from 0.01 to 6.3 g and from 0.0 to 3.7 g for the reapplications, respectively. Smaller quantities of insecticide were used for the reapplications because of partial cockroach control from the initial applications.

Seedling Growth of Catawba Rhododendron. II. Photosynthesis and Carbohydrate Accumulation and Export

Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense Michx.) seedlings of two provenances, Johnston County, N.C. (35°45′N, 78°12′W, elevation = 67 m), and Yancey County, N.C. (35°45′N, 82°16′W, elevation = 1954 m), were grown in controlled-environment chambers for 18 weeks with days at 18, 22, 26, or 30C in factorial combination with nights at 14, 18, 22, or 26C. Seedlings of the higher-elevation provenance generally exhibited higher net leaf photosynthetic rates (PN)s than those from the lower elevation at all temperature combinations. Thus, it appears seedlings of the high-elevation provenance possess greater relative thermotolerance, expressed as net photosynthesis, than the low-elevation provenance. Eighty-seven days after initiation (DAI) of the experiment, PN showed a quadratic response to increasing day temperature, with the maximum occurring at 22C, whereas PN decreased linearly with increasing night temperature. At 122 DAI, PN increased linearly with increasing day temperature with nights at 22 and 26C. Highest PNs were at 30/22C and 26/22C. Carbohydrate export increased with increasing day temperature, whereas the response to night temperature was minimal. High levels of nonstructural carbohydrates occurred at thermoperiods (22/22C and 26/22C) that optimize seedling growth. However, definitive trends relating seedling growth to PNs, leaf carbohydrate levels, or to the amount of carbohydrate exported from the leaves were difficult to generalize due to numerous day × night interactions.

Seedling Growth of Catawba Rhododendron. I. Temperature Optima, Leaf Area, and Dry Weight Distribution

Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense Michx.) seedlings of two provenances, Johnston County, N.C. (35°45′N, 78°12′W, elevation = 67 m), and Yancey County, N.C. (35°45′N, 82°16′W, elevation = 1954 m), were grown in controlled-environment chambers for 18 weeks with days at 18, 22, 26, or 30C in factorial combination with nights at 14, 18, 22, or 26C. Shoot and root dry weights and total leaf areas of seedlings of the Yancey County provenance (high elevation) exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) those of the Johnston County (low elevation) provenance at all temperature combinations. Leaf area was maximal at 22/22C, 18/26C, and 22/26C and minimal at 30/14C (day/night). Shoot dry weight responded similarly. Root dry weight decreased linearly with increasing day temperature, but showed a quadratic response to night temperature. Leaf weight ratio (leaf dry weight: total plant dry weight) increased, while root weight ratio (root dry weight: total plant dry weight) decreased with increasing day temperature. Leaf weight ratio was consistently higher than either stem or root weight ratios. Day/night cycles of 22 to 26/22C appear optimal for seedling growth.

Interpretation of the Reagan Fault, Garvin, Johnston, Murray, and Stephens Counties, Oklahoma

The Reagan fault, which lies between the Mill Creek syncline and the Tishomingo anticline, is one of the major faults in the Arbuckle Mountains. The fault's surface expression extends for more than 24 mi, and it can be traced in the subsurface at least an additional 26 mi west. The relative upthrown side of the fault changes at least four times along its length and it is manifest in different segments as both an apparent reverse fault and an apparent normal fault. Subsurface cross sections show abrupt facies changes within formations across the Reagan fault and isochore maps of individual units indicate a large-scale component of left-lateral movement along the fault. The geometry of the fault, as well as its displacement, also is consistent with a wrench-fault interpretation of the Reagan fault. Synorogenic conglomerates indicate that in at least one locality the Reagan fault had ceased movement, whereas the Washita Valley fault was still active.

Efficacy of Insecticide Formulations, 1991

Abstract Various self-pressurized sprays, supplied by Whitmire Research Laboratories (St. Louis, MO), were directed into cracks and crevices in kitchens within single-family dwellings located in Duplin, Johnston and Sampson counties, NC. Kitchens with a minimum of 100 German cockroaches sighted in a preliminary survey served as individual plots with 5 replications per treatment. Preapplication visual tallies in kitchens compared to tallies at specified intervals after treatment indicated efficacy. The amount of insecticide applied and the size, temperature and relative humidity of the kitchens were recorded. When living cockroaches were observed during the reinspection intervals additional insecticide applications were made to the infested areas. Other rooms in the dwellings were treated as needed at each application time to minimize immigration of German cockroaches. Cockroach tallies were not made in these rooms nor was insecticide volume recorded. The active ingredient applied initially and during reapplications for all formulations ranged from 0.01-4.9 g and 0-3.0 g, respectively, per 50 m2 of kitchen floor and wall surfaces. Smaller quantities of insecticide were used for reapplications because partial cockroach control resulted from the initial applications.

Attempted mechanical transfer of Ehrlichia risticii by tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae).

The ability of tabanid mouthparts to retain and to transfer mechanically Ehrlichia risticii Holland, Weiss, Burgdorfer, Cole & Kakoma was evaluated by feeding flies on infected and noninfected mice and on capillary tubes containing infected cells and cell-free medium. Flies representing two genera and 29 species were collected at equine boarding stables, farms, and along riding trails in Wake, Johnston, and Duplin counties in North Carolina for the feeding trials. Two species, Tabanus fulvulus Wiedemann and T. pallidescens Philip, fed on mice but failed to transfer the pathogen from infected to susceptible mice. Chrysops vittatus Wiedemann, Tabanus americanus Forster, and T. sulcifrons Macquart transferred E. risticii-infected cells from capillary tubes containing infected cells in medium to tubes containing medium. These studies document that E. risticii-infected cells can be retained on mouthparts and potentially transferred by tabanids.