Retrospective Monitoring Research Articles

The effects of distinctiveness on memory and metamemory for face–name associations

We examined the influence of face and name distinctiveness on memory and metamemory for face–name associations. Four types of monitoring judgements were solicited during encoding and retrieval of face–name pairs that contained distinct or typical faces (Experiment 1) or names (Experiment 2). The beneficial effects of distinctiveness on associative memory were symmetrical between faces and names, such that relative to their typical counterparts, distinct faces enhanced memory for names, and distinct names enhanced memory for faces. These effects were also apparent in metamemory. Estimates of prospective and retrospective memory performance were greater for face–name associations that contained a distinct face or name compared with a typical face or name, regardless of whether the distinct item was a cue or target. Moreover, the predictive validity of prospective monitoring improved with name distinctiveness, whereas the predictive validity of retrospective monitoring improved with facial distinctiveness. Our results indicate that distinctiveness affects not only the strength of the association between a face and a name, but also the ability to monitor that association.

Environmental surveys, specimen bank and health related environmental monitoring in Germany

Production of chemicals, use of products and consumer goods, contamination of food as well as today's living conditions are related to a substantial exposure of humans to chemicals. Safety of human beings and the environment has to be safeguarded by producers and government. Human biomonitoring (HBM) has proven to be a useful and powerful tool to control human exposure and facilitate risk assessment. Therefore, the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) employs two major HBM tools, the German Environmental Survey (GerES) and the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB). GerES is a nationwide population representative study on HBM and external human exposure, which has, inter alia, been used to identify lead in tap water, lead dustfall, time spent in traffic, and age of dwelling as exposure sources for lead and, thus, to derive risk reduction measures. The ESB is a permanent monitoring instrument and an archive for human specimens. Retrospective monitoring of phthalates and bisphenol A provides a continuous historical record of human exposure in Germany, over the last decades. Additionally it revealed that estimations of human exposure based on production and consumption data may supply misleading information on human exposure. HBM data demonstrated that (a) the use if the restricted isomer di-n-butylphthalat decreased while di-i-butylphthalate levels remained constant and (b) human bisphenol A exposure might be overestimated without monitoring data. The decrease of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-exposure proves the success of German environmental policy after German re-unification. In addition to GerES and ESB UBA is involved in different co-operation networks, the two most prominent of which are (1) the harmonization of HBM in Europe (ESBIO; Expert Team to Support Biomonitoring in Europe, COPHES/DEMOCOPHES; Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale/Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) and (2) the co-operation between BMU and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI). In the latter project emphasis will be placed on substances with a potential relevance for health and on substances to which the general population might potentially be exposed to a considerable extent and for which HBM methods are not available up to now.

Metamemory for faces, names, and common nouns

This study examined the metacognitive aspects of face–name learning with the goal of providing a comprehensive profile of monitoring performance during this task. Four types of monitoring judgments were solicited during encoding and retrieval of novel face–name associations. Across all of the monitoring judgments, relative accuracy was significantly above chance for face and name targets. Furthermore, metamemory performance was similar between both target conditions, even though names were more difficult to recognize than faces. As a preliminary test of the stability of monitoring accuracy across different categories of stimuli, we also compared metamemory performance between face–name pairs and noun–noun pairs. Prospective monitoring accuracy was similar across the categories of stimuli, but retrospective monitoring accuracy was superior for noun targets compared with face or name targets. Altogether, our results indicate that participants can monitor their memory for face–name associations at a level above chance, and retrospective monitoring is more accurate with nouns compared with faces and names.

Retrospective Monitoring in the Management of Persistent Asthma

There is still considerable disagreement on several aspects of monitoring asthma with symptom score and peak expiratory flow (PEF). To investigate patient adherence to a retrospective diary-card monitoring method in patients with poorly controlled persistent asthma, in a clinical management setting; to develop improved methods for fast manual entry data into a computer; and to generate real-time informative graphs of the data. In 115 consecutive adult patients we applied a diary-card monitoring method in which the patient records symptom score and PEF. We analyzed the diary cards of 84 patients. We used SigmaPlot software to graph the data, and linear regression to analyze the relationship between days of expected diary-card completion and days of actual correct diary-card completion (completed entries). Linear regression gave an overall correlation coefficient (r(2)) of 0.65. Surprisingly, the r(2) values in the patients with mild, moderate, and severe asthma were 0.24, 0.44, and 0.99, respectively, revealing a striking correlation between adherence and severity. Moreover, when we arbitrarily set 75% as the minimum acceptable rate of days of completed diary-card entries, 68% of the patients were in the over-75% category. Remarkably, 100% of the patients with severe asthma were above the 75% cut-off. The graphing method we tested proved user-friendly, flexible, and quick, allowing computerized processing of 30 days of data sets in 5 min, and generation of high-quality self-explanatory graphs that facilitate rapid management decision making via visual pattern recognition. In a clinical setting, retrospective monitoring of patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma by symptom score and PEF is feasible, and patient adherence appears to be good, particularly in patients with severe asthma. We recommend a lower priority on retrospective monitoring in patients with mild persistent asthma. Monitoring should be carried out according to a definite follow-up protocol. Improving the quality and standardization of the monitoring graph is a priority.

Population Pharmacokinetic Study of Cyclosporine Based on NONMEM in Chinese Liver Transplant Recipients

A population pharmacokinetic study of cyclosporine (CsA) was performed in liver transplant recipients. A total of 3731 retrospective drug monitoring data points at predose (C0) and 2 hours postdose (C2) were collected from 124 liver transplant recipients receiving CsA microemulsion. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using the program NONMEM (nonlinear mixed-effect modeling). Various covariates potentially related to CsA pharmacokinetics were explored, and the final model was validated by a bootstrap method and by assessing the predictive performance using empiric Bayesian estimates. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption was considered. Population parameters of apparent clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution were estimated as 23.1 L/h and 105 L, respectively. CL/F was influenced by four covariates: duration of CsA therapy (DT), hematocrit (HCT), and concurrent prednisone dose (PR). The final model for CL/F was fitted as follows: CL/F = 23.1 + 0.5 × (DT/200) - 0.07 × HCT + 0.04 × PR. The interindividual variability in CL/F, volume of distribution, and Ka calculated as coefficient of variation were 15.1%, 9.3%, and 66.0%, respectively. The intraindividual variability was 18.6%. The model fitted well with the observed data, and the bootstrap method guaranteed robustness of the population pharmacokinetic study model. Model validation was performed by a visual predictive check. Moreover, simulation was conducted to facilitate the individualized treatment based on patient information and the final model. The model to characterize population pharmacokinetic study of CsA provided better clinical individualization of CsA dosing in liver transplant recipients based on patient information and to assess patients' suitability for CsA therapy.

Retrospective monitoring of drug utilisation in cardiovascular patients at a teaching hospital in Nigeria

This retrospective study was carried out to established drug prescribing trends in the management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the cardiovascular unit of the Department of Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. 100 folders of patients with various CVDs were randomly selected over a period of three years, 2003-2005. The retrieval was made possible with the aid of nurses register which contain patients name, age, sex and provisional diagnosis. 58 coherent folders were used for this study while 42 incoherent registers were excluded. The study revealed that of the 58 folders, 40(69.0%) were males and 18 (31%) were females with agerange of 28-80 years and a mean age of 49 years. A total of 13 CVDs were diagnosed. 40 patients (69.0%) had 2 CVDs, 16 patients (27.6%) had 3 CVDs and 2 patients (3.4%) had 4 CVDs. A range of 6-15 prescriptions was written per patient and a total of 520 prescriptions were generated with a mean of 8.97 prescriptions per patients. Also, a range of 2-6 drugs was written per prescription and a total of 1983 drugs were prescribed. Drugs in fifteen pharmacological class and three combination therapies were prescribed. A total of 1242 (62.6%) branded drugs and 741(37.4%) generic drugs were utilized in disease management. The present study represents the current prescribing trends of cardiovascular drugs and it highlights certain inadequacy in the existing prescribing practice. There are considerable scopes for improvement, particularly the over-utilization of branded drugs, antiplatelet agents and many other irrational prescribing in the present prescribing pattern of cardiovascular drugs.Key words: Retrospective study, drug utilization, prescription monitoring, prescribing pattern, cardiovascular diseases

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution recorded in annual rings of gingko ( Gingko biloba L .): Determination of PAHs by GC/MS after accelerated solvent extraction

Retrospective monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution levels was demonstrated by analyzing the annual rings of gingko ( Gingko biloba L .) sampled from the Chengdu plain of southwest China. The samples of gingko trunk section, leaf, bark and its host soil were analyzed for PAHs by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after optimized accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). Compared to ultrasonic or soxhlet, ASE has high extraction efficiency thus meaningful contamination information contained in trunk tissue. The distribution of PAHs in gingko trunk, leaf and its host soil indicates that the main uptake pathway might be gaseous and particles-bound deposition via foliage with the exception of two-ring compounds from root, such as Nap and 2-methyl-Nap. PAHs in gingko trunk could be used to reveal the regional and historical contamination information, which is consistent with the environmental history of events (straw incineration) in Chengdu.

Two decades of macrophyte expansion on the shores of a large shallow northern temperate lake—A retrospective series of satellite images

We made use of a 22-year (1985–2007) retrospective archive of moderate resolution Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite images to estimate the changes in cover of emergent macrophytes in the large shallow eutrophic Lake Võrtsjärv (270 km 2) in Estonia. An original non-parametric image interpretation methodology was applied on late summer images. The combined GIS and statistical analysis of 217 coastal sections showed that the helophytic macrophyte belt, dominated by common reed ( Phragmites australis), has rapidly widened during the last two decades, with an average expansion rate of 2.2 m per year. Statistical model revealed that the vicinity of large inflows had the strongest positive effect on the expansion of macrophytes, on average 1.6 times. In some sub-regions of the lake shore, we found the suppressing effect of the presence of small inflows on the change of helophytic belt width. This effect, however, was probably interconnected with the presence of human activity at the shoreline, which itself had statistically near-marginal suppressing effect on the widening of the reed belt. We showed that medium resolution satellite images can successfully be used for the retrospective monitoring of macrophyte vegetation in the littoral zone of large water bodies by applying very simple image classification methodology. As the lake coastal areas showed a tendency to become overgrown with reed and other macrophytes even in conditions of generally reduced agricultural intensity in the catchment area, we hypothesize that the clonal expansion of reed is probably triggered by the complex of drivers: large seasonal fluctuations in the water level create specific low water conditions in estuaries in combination with nutrients supply resolved from lake bottom or brought by rivers. Estuary areas are characterised by mineral sediments suitable for anchoring and protection-provision against destructive wave- and ice-action. Probably the most efficient biodiversity conservation policy to revealed macrophytic expansion is the reactivation of disrupted management activities along the coastline.

Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation with Diode-Pumped Laser

Twenty-eight patients from a single surgeon and center underwent atrial fibrillation surgery using a diode-pumped laser. A left-sided modified (pulmonary vein encircling with connecting lesions) or a complete modified Cox-Maze III operation was employed. Of the 28 patients, 23 were available for retrospective evaluation and Holter monitoring, and 21 patients elected to participate in a follow-up study. The Society for Thoracic Surgeons database was used for in-hospital experience. All 21 patients were studied >6 months after surgery and received a 24-hour Holter monitor and an SF-36v2 quality of life survey. The mean follow-up time was 18.1 months. Among this group, one patient was in atrial fibrillation and four experienced atrial tachyarrhythmias at the time of Holter monitoring. Five patients (24%) underwent cardioversion after operation, and nine patients (43%) were on warfarin. No patients were treated with repeat ablation. One patient required a pacemaker postoperatively. We observed 95% freedom from atrial fibrillation and 76% freedom from all atrial tachyarrhythmias in the study group. No complications or deaths were device related. In conclusion, the use of a diode-pumped laser appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Evaluation of the serum fructosamine test to monitor plasma glucose concentration in the transition dairy cow

The usefulness of the serum fructosamine (Fser) to monitor the retrospective glucose concentrations in transitional dairy cows (n=17) was evaluated. In weekly blood samples (3 weeks before to 5 weeks after calving) concentrations of plasma glucose and serum fructosamine, beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta OHB) and total proteins were determined. The observed Fser concentrations (271+/-55 mean value, range 152-423 mumol/l) were within the range reported in the literature, and showed a progressive and significant decrease after calving. Mean plasma glucose concentration was 60.6+/-5.0 (range 39.9-82.2) mg/dl increasing from week 3 before calving to the week of calving and then decreasing during the next 5 weeks of lactation. This decrease was coincident with inverse relationships between plasma glucose and milk yield (P=0.03) and serum beta OHB (P<0.001). Linear regression analysis performed between serum fructosamine and (a) plasma glucose concentration of the same sampling and (b) plasma glucose concentration of 1, 2 and 3 weeks preceding the sampling, did not show significant and systematizing positive correlations. Persistent hypoproteinaemias that could affect the fructosamine concentrations were not found: mean value and range of serum proteins was 6.3+/-1.0 and 4.8-7.8 g/dl, respectively, and no correlation was found between serum proteins and Fser (P=0.26). Results did not support the possibility of retrospective monitoring of the plasma glucose concentration by serum fructosamine in dairy cows in the transition period.

Substance-related environmental monitoring

Due to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive and other legal regulations (e.g., national laws like the German Federal Soil Protection Act), but also due to the implementation of the new EU chemicals management system REACH, environmental monitoring will gain increasing importance for the surveillance of environmental quality as well as for the assessment of chemicals. Against this background, the Work Group on 'Environmental Monitoring' of the Division of 'Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology' within the German Chemical Society has compiled a position paper on substance-related environmental monitoring. Core elements of this position paper are the definitions of important terms like monitoring, exposure monitoring, effect monitoring, and integrated monitoring. Moreover, temporal and spatial aspects (monitoring of spatial distributions, trend monitoring, and retrospective monitoring) and their applications are discussed. The main focus of this position paper is the coverage of aspects which have to be observed for the preparation and implementation of a monitoring program. Essential is the clear specification of the targets of the monitoring which determine the development of the monitoring concept and its realization, e.g., if environmental media (compartments) or organisms are most appropriate as samples for the aim of the study. Of course, also the properties of the target substances are important (e.g., lipophilicity/bioaccumulation as pre-requisite for an exposure monitoring with organisms). Finally, the monitoring phases of sample planning, sampling, storage and transport of samples, selection of analytical methods, quality assurance measures as well as reporting are discussed. An important issue for the future is to link the quantification of chemicals in environmental compartments (exposure and pollution monitoring) more closely to the study of biological effects (effect monitoring) than has been the case up to now. Furthermore, by inclusion of a spatial differentiation, a comprehensive evaluation of the state of an ecosystem can be obtained and the relevance of the results improved. Practical examples of monitoring studies which illustrate various aspects covered in this position paper will be presented in a series of publications by members of the Work Group in the following issues of this journal.

An approach for a retrospective assessment of soil changes

An approach for experimental solution of the problem of retrospective monitoring of changes in soil properties via comparative analysis of the results of soil studies performed in approximately the same place at different times is suggested. In essence, it is aimed at the step-by-step reduction of data uncertainty. First, the inaccuracy in georeferencing of an earlier studied soil pit is determined. Then, a key plot is thoroughly studied in order to determine the soil cover pattern in the area of the earlier studied soil pit. After this, the sampling pattern for the new study is chosen with due account for random and regular (predetermined) spatial variability in soil properties. We discuss the example of retrospective estimation of changes in the bulk density characteristics of a chernozem subjected to zoogenic turbation by earth burrowers in the Kamennaya Steppe area. After about 50 years, two parts of the soil profile have been subjected to compaction: the middle part of the plow horizon (10–20 cm), which has acquired a coarse blocky (cloddy) structure, and the soil layer disturbed by earth burrowers at a depth of 30–45 cm. In other parts of the modern soil profile, the bulk density characteristics remain in the same range as those determined 50 years ago.

Temporal trends of brominated flame retardants in coastal waters of Japan and South China: Retrospective monitoring study using archived samples from es-Bank, Ehime University, Japan

The present paper is a summary of studies conducted at the Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, on temporal trends of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in coastal waters of Japan and South China. Archived marine mammal fat tissues and dated sediment cores were used to evaluate temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in relation to their usage in the region. The results indicate that environmental concentrations of these BFRs in Japan and South China increased significantly during the last several decades. Temporal trends in the contaminant concentrations were consistent with historical consumption of the corresponding BFRs. PBDE levels in marine mammals and sediments from Japan, after showing peak concentrations in the 1990s, appear to be leveling off in recent years, in accordance with the discontinued usage of Tetra- and Octa-BDEs in Japan from the 1990s. The change in concentration levels was also accompanied by changes in PBDE congener profiles, i.e. shift towards increased proportion of higher brominated BDEs. Furthermore, in recent years HBCD concentrations in marine mammals from Japan appear to exceed those of PBDEs, presumably reflecting increasing usage of HBCDs over PBDEs. In finless porpoises from the South China Sea, PBDE levels were much higher than HBCD concentrations both in the past and recent years, implying consumption of HBCDs was not as high as that of PBDEs in China. In dated sediment cores from Tokyo Bay, concentrations increased exponentially with doubling times of 4.6–7.9 years, 6.1–12 years and 7.1–12 years for BDE-209, ΣPBDEs and HBCDs, respectively.

The Environmental Specimen Bank for Human Tissues as part of the German Environmental Specimen Bank

The German Environmental Specimen Bank for Human Tissues (ESBHum) as part of the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) focuses on documenting and assessing trends of human exposure via real-time monitoring of body burden and long-term storage of samples under stable deep freezing conditions (−150 °C) for later retrospective analyses. Real-time monitoring is performed after completing sampling processes of one year and covers actually 20 inorganic and 5 organic substances. While concentrations of several substances, e.g., arsenic, cadmium and mercury, are remained unchanged over time, other substances, e.g., lead and pentachlorophenol (PCP), show a clearly perceptible decrease. Substances which are not routinely analyzed in real-time monitoring are retrospectively measured by indication in the stored human specimens. Indications of retrospective monitoring are availability of valid analytical methods, e.g., in case of PCDF and PCDD, or assessment of concentration trends of substances with actual interest of toxicology and/or environmental medicine, e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). While over time the body burden of dioxins as well as PFOS and PFOA decreased, the PBDE concentrations in human blood increase. The observed decrease of blood lead and PCP levels over time is a consequence of legal prohibition and restriction. The time-dependent concentrations of the aforementioned substances agree with results of other national studies. So it can be concluded that the German ESBHum is an important instrument for health-related environmental observation and protection in Germany.

Temporal trends and spatial distribution of PCDD, PCDF, and PCB in pine and spruce shoots

In Germany, there is a lack of consistent and comparable data for the time dependent behaviour and spatial distribution of dioxin-like and indicator PCB in ambient air, deposition and plants. The aim of this study was to improve the data on PCDD/PCDF, dioxin-like PCB and non dioxin-like PCB in spruce and pine shoots from different locations and years by retrospective monitoring. The survey was conducted with archived samples of one-year old spruce shoots (Picea abies) and pine shoots (Pinus sylvestris) from the German environmental specimen bank. Two sets of samples from locations in urbanized areas in western and eastern Germany (Warndt and Duebener Heide Mitte, respectively) were investigated as time series. Additionally, spruce shoots from seven different rural locations sampled in the years 2000-2004 were analyzed in order to get an overview about the spatial distribution of PCB and PCDD/PCDF. The analytical results of the samples from the two urbanized areas clearly show that the atmospheric contamination with PCDD and PCDF has declined by about 75% between 1985 and 1997 at Warndt and about 40% between 1991 and 1997 at Duebener Heide. However, concentrations stayed virtually constant at both locations from 1997 to 2004 at a level of about 1 ng WHO-TEQ/kg dry matter (d.m.). Similarly, the investigation of spruce shoots from rural locations from 2000 to 2004 did not reveal a temporal trend at any site. PCDD/PCDF levels were between 0.1 and 1.0 ng WHO-TEQ/kg d.m. At the urbanized location Warndt the six indicator PCB as well as the 12 dioxin-like PCB according to WHO revealed a significant decline by more than 75% between 1985 and 1999. Thereafter, PCB levels stayed virtually constant. At the location Duebener Heide an overall decrease of PCB concentrations in pine shoots of about 60% was detected between 1991 and 2004. Spruce shoots from all locations showed a relevant contribution of dioxin-like PCB to the total WHO toxicity equivalent (PCDD/PCDF+PCB). In most samples, the contribution of dioxin-like PCB was between 21% and 41%. The TEQ contribution of PCB in the samples from three rural sites was higher and similar to the TEQ value of PCDD/PCDF. The investigated pine shoots from the urbanized site Duebener Heide showed a 15-28% contribution of dioxin-like PCB to total TEQ and thus lower than in spruce shoots from different locations. In all samples except one PCB 126 contributed to more than 80% to the PCB-TEQ.

Retrospective monitoring of organotin compounds in freshwater fish from 1988 to 2003: Results from the German environmental specimen bank

In archived samples from the German environmental specimen bank (ESB) organotin compounds including tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) as well as their potential degradation products were quantified. Muscles of bream ( Abramis brama) sampled in the period 1993–2003 from the rivers Rhine, Elbe, Saale, Mulde, Saar, and from Lake Belau (period 1988–2003) were analyzed by gas chromatography/atomic emission detection-coupling after extraction and derivatization. TBT was detected in nearly all samples and a decrease in levels was observed at all sampling sites. At most sites, the reduction seemed to be a result of the ban on the use of TBT-based antifoulants for the application on small boats, which became effective in Germany in 1989. Highest TBT levels were found in fish from the Elbe near Blankenese (470 ng TBT cation per g fresh weight; in 1995) and lowest in bream from Lake Belau (<1 ng g −1; in 2001 and 2003). Highest TPT levels (253 ng g −1 in 1993) were also found in bream caught near Blankenese where the occurrence seemed to be correlated to the former use of TPT as co-toxicant in antifoulants. At other sites TPT levels seemed to be correlated to its use as fungicide (e.g. 9 ± 2 ng g −1 in bream from Lake Belau in 2001).

Tracking conversational repetition: an evaluation of target monitoring ability

The ability to track who one tells information to (target monitoring) is evaluated in the present study. Participants shared personal information with target persons across four sessions spaced one day apart, and were instructed not to duplicate information to the same person over successive conversations. Target monitoring success was evaluated both on-line, during the information sharing sessions, and retrospectively, following the final session. On-line monitoring, or avoiding telling someone what you told them before, was very good with only one prior shared fact (Sessions 2 and 3), but declined with two prior shared facts (Session 4). Retrospective monitoring, or remembering prior fact-to-person assignments, was most accurate for Session 1, but dropped off sharply for Session 2 and remained constant through Session 4. Temporal errors in retrospective fact-to-person assignment tend to shift forward in days (telescoping). Further research is needed on the complex interrelationship of source and target information exchanges. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Protocol for Retrospective Remote Sensing–Based Ecological Monitoring of Rangelands

The degree of rangeland degradation in the United States is unknown due to the failure of traditional field-based monitoring to capture the range of variability of ecological indicators and disturbances, including climatic effects and land use practices, at regional to national spatial scales, and temporal scales of decades. Here, a protocol is presented for retrospective monitoring and assessment of rangeland degradation using historical time series of remote sensing data and catastrophe theory as an ecological framework to account for both gradual and rapid changes of state. This protocol 1) justifies the use of time-series satellite imagery in terms of the spatial and temporal scale of data collection; 2) briefly explains how to acquire, process, and transform the data into ecological indicators; 3) discusses the use of time-series analysis as the appropriate procedure for detecting significant change; and 4) explains what reference conditions are appropriate. Landsat data have been collected and archived since 1972, and include complete coverage of US rangelands. Characteristics of land degradation can be retrospectively measured for a nearly 33-year trend using surrogate remote sensing–based indicators that correlate with changes in life-form composition (time series of thematic maps), declines in vegetation productivity (vegetation indices), accelerated soil erosion (soil indices), declines in soil quality (piospheric analysis), and changes in landscape configuration (time series of thematic maps). Aspects of 2 retrospective studies are presented as examples of application of the protocol to considerations of the land use impacts from military training and testing and ranching activities on rangelands. El grado de degradación de los pastizales en los Estados Unidos de América es desconocido debido al fracaso del monitoreo tradicional de campo para capturar el rango de variabilidad de los indicadores ecológicos y disturbios, incluyendo los efectos climáticos y prácticas de uso de la tierra, a escalas espaciales de regional a nacional y escalas temporales de décadas. Consecuentemente, es presentado un protocolo para el monitoreo retrospectivo y la evaluación de la degradación de los pastizales usando series de tiempo históricas de sensores remotos y la teoría de catástrofe como un marco ecológico para cuantificar tanto los cambios graduales como los rápidos del estado del pastizal. Este protocolo: 1) justifica el uso de series de tiempo de imágenes de satélite en términos de escalas espacial y temporal de colección de datos; 2) explica brevemente como adquirir, procesar y transformar los datos en indicadores ecológicos; 3) discute el uso del análisis de series de tiempo como un procedimiento adecuado para detectar cambios significativos; y 4) explica que condiciones de referencia son apropiadas. Datos de Landsat han sido colectados y archivados desde 1972 e incluyen una cobertura completa de los pastizales de Estados Unidos de América. Las características de la degradación de la tierra pueden ser medidas retrospectivamente para una tendencia de casi 33 años usando indicadores de remplazo basados en sensores remotos que se correlacionan con cambios en la composición de las formas de vida (series de tiempo de mapas temáticos), disminuciones en la productividad de la vegetación (índices de vegetación), erosión acelerada del suelo (índices de suelo), disminución de la calidad del suelo (análisis piosférico) y cambios en la configuración del paisaje (series de tiempo de mapas temáticos). Se presentan aspectos de dos estudios retrospectivos como ejemplo de la aplicación del protocolo para consideraciones de los impactos del uso de la tierra en entrenamiento y pruebas militares y actividades de rancho en los pastizales.

A Protocol for Retrospective Remote Sensing-Based Ecological Monitoring of Rangelands

The degree of rangeland degradation in the United States is unknown due to the failure of traditional field-based monitoring to capture the range of variability of ecological indicators and disturbances, including climatic effects and land use practices, at regional to national spatial scales, and temporal scales of decades. Here, a protocol is presented for retrospective monitoring and assessment of rangeland degradation using historical time series of remote sensing data and catastrophe theory as an ecological framework to account for both gradual and rapid changes of state. This protocol 1) justifies the use of time-series satellite imagery in terms of the spatial and temporal scale of data collection; 2) briefly explains how to acquire, process, and transform the data into ecological indicators; 3) discusses the use of time-series analysis as the appropriate procedure for detecting significant change; and 4) explains what reference conditions are appropriate. Landsat data have been collected and archived since 1972, and include complete coverage of US rangelands. Characteristics of land degradation can be retrospectively measured for a nearly 33-year trend using surrogate remote sensing-based indicators that correlate with changes in life-form composition (time series of thematic maps), declines in vegetation productivity (vegetation indices), accelerated soil erosion (soil indices), declines in soil quality (piospheric analysis), and changes in landscape configuration (time series of thematic maps). Aspects of 2 retrospective studies are presented as examples of application of the protocol to considerations of the land use impacts from military training and testing and ranching activities on rangelands.

Retrospective monitoring of synthetic musk compounds in aquatic biota from German rivers and coastal areas

The polycyclic musk compounds HHCB (Galaxolide) and AHTN (Tonalide) are commonly used as synthetic fragrances in personal care products and household cleaners. These and other synthetic musk fragrances were quantified in different aquatic samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB). While HHCB and AHTN were found in almost all samples, most of the other musk fragrances were detected only in a few samples and mostly at lower concentration levels. Blue mussels from the North Sea showed varying levels of 0.5-1.7 ng g(-1) ww for HHCB and 0.4-2.5 ng g(-1) ww for AHTN (ww, wet weight) in the period from 1986 to 2000, while blue mussels from the Baltic Sea were only slightly contaminated with synthetic musk fragrances. Lipid weight-related concentrations of synthetic musk compounds in blue mussels were higher than in eelpout muscles, bladder wrack and herring gull eggs. In comparison to the marine specimens, muscles of bream from German rivers had higher concentrations of HHCB and AHTN. The ranges of HHCB and AHTN concentrations in bream from the Elbe River were 545-6400 ng g(-1) lw and 48-2130 ng g(-1) lw, respectively (lw, lipid weight; five sampling sites, period 1993-2003). In the Rhine River, HHCB and AHTN levels of bream muscles were highest at the Iffezheim site (up to 9750 ng g(-1) lw HHCB, 1998). Even higher synthetic musk levels were detected in bream from the rivers Saale and Saar. In recent years, levels of both compounds determined in bream from most sampling sites have decreased from maximum values in the 1990s. As the concentrations of AHTN have decreased faster, the ratio of HHCB to AHTN increased from 2-4 in the 1990s to 10-20 in recent years.