This study examines the Carolina Bays and Nebraska Rainwater Basins,using high-resolution LiDAR elevation models to analyze their unique shapes.The research reveals that well-preserved Bays exhibit precise elliptical ...This study examines the Carolina Bays and Nebraska Rainwater Basins,using high-resolution LiDAR elevation models to analyze their unique shapes.The research reveals that well-preserved Bays exhibit precise elliptical geometry,distinguishing them from various oriented lakes they are often compared to.While the timing of their formation is discussed,the primary goal of this paper is to establish a repeatable method for quantifying the elliptical nature of these dominant geomorphic landforms.By applying the least squares method to points selected along the perimeters of these extraordinary basins,the study confirms their elliptical geometry with an error margin of less than 3%.This rigorous mathematical approach sets a high standard for any hypothesis attempting to explain the origin of these depressions using natural environmental conditions.Notably,the long axes of these elliptical basins converge near the Great Lakes region,and since ellipses can be described as conic sections,this finding supports the plausibility of a cosmic impact origin.The study suggests that these basins may be secondary impact features formed during a past glacial cycle of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.This research establishes a strong mathematical foundation to support future studies on the possible impact origin of the Carolina Bays and Nebraska Rainwater Basins.展开更多
Environmental contamination resulting from the production or release of harmful chemicals can lead to negative consequences for wildlife and human health. Perfluorinated alkyl acids（PFAAs） were historically produced...Environmental contamination resulting from the production or release of harmful chemicals can lead to negative consequences for wildlife and human health. Perfluorinated alkyl acids（PFAAs） were historically produced as protective coatings for many household items and currently persist in the environment, wildlife, and humans. PFAAs have been linked to immune suppression, endocrine disruption, and developmental toxicity in wildlife and laboratory studies. This study examines the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis,as an important indicator of ecosystem contamination and a potential pathway for PFAA exposure in humans. Alligator meat harvested in the 2015 South Carolina（SC） public hunt season and prepared for human consumption was collected and analyzed for PFAAs to determine meat concentrations and relationships with animal body size（total length）, sex, and location of harvest. Of the 15 PFAAs analyzed, perfluorooctane sulfonate（PFOS） was found in all alligator meat samples and at the highest concentrations（median 6.73 ng/g）. No relationship was found between PFAA concentrations and total length or sex.Concentrations of one or all compounds varied significantly across sampling locations, with alligators harvested in the Middle Coastal hunt unit having the highest PFOS concentrations（median 16.0 ng/g; p = 0.0001）. Alligators harvested specifically from Berkley County, SC（located in the Middle Coastal hunt unit） had the highest PFOS concentrations and the greatest number of PFAAs detected（p 〈 0.0001）. The site-specific nature of PFAA concentrations in alligator meat observed in this study suggests a source of PFAA contamination in Berkley County, SC.展开更多
Introduction: Arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel have been associated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in populations exposed to these elements. However, diabetes mortality has not been evaluated. This eco...Introduction: Arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel have been associated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in populations exposed to these elements. However, diabetes mortality has not been evaluated. This ecological study correlated airborne concentrations of these metals with diabetes mortality in North Carolina counties. Methods: County level data were extracted from the 2000 US Census, the 1999 US Environmental Protection Agency National Air Toxins Assessment, and 2001-2005 diabetes mortality rates by county from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. Multivariable linear regression correlated airborne concentrations of each element with diabetes mellitus mortality rates in all 100 North Carolina counties controlling for county-level characteristics. Airborne concentrations were logarithmically transformed to normalize their distribution. Results: The lowest air concentrations detected were beryllium and cadmium, with nickel showing the highest concentration. Logarithmic concentrations spanned from 3.74 to 4.02 orders of magnitude. County-level diabetes mortality rates were negatively associated with median county income, but positively associated with county-level air concentrations of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel. Conclusions: These results support diabetes mortality effects of air pollution, and agree with other studies correlating arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel with diabetes prevalence. Policy implications include regulating point source air pollution.展开更多
The structure of state or sub-state regional economies is heavily influenced by its natural resource endowment. Input-output analysis is often used to estimate the economic contribution of various sectors to a state’...The structure of state or sub-state regional economies is heavily influenced by its natural resource endowment. Input-output analysis is often used to estimate the economic contribution of various sectors to a state’s economy. We apply input-output analysis to South Carolina’s economy to estimate the contribution of natural resource-based sectors to the overall economy. The natural resource-based sectors consist of six mutually exclusive sectors: fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing;coastal tourism;commercial fisheries;boat industry;mining;and forestry. The total economic contribution of these six natural resource-based sectors is $33.4 billion, representing 8.3% of gross state product and 8.6% of all state employment.展开更多
Winter chilling is critical for most temperate fruits and perennial plants during the winter season. Most fruit and nut trees require a prolonged period of chilling to break their dormant stage and bloom when spring a...Winter chilling is critical for most temperate fruits and perennial plants during the winter season. Most fruit and nut trees require a prolonged period of chilling to break their dormant stage and bloom when spring arrives. This research’s primary objective was to calculate the chill hour’s accumulation in each county in South Carolina based on the historical hourly air temperature data for the last ten years (2010-2020). The chilling hours model used to calculate the daily chill hours was based on the number of hours when the air temperature was between 32<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>F to 45<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>F (0 to 7.2<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>C). The total chill hours for each county were then determined by accumulating the daily chill hours <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">from</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:" color:red;"=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">October to June. Our results showed that among the different counties in South Carolina, on average Laurens County had the most prolonged chill hours (1419 hrs). The chill hours were higher between November to March, and counties near the coastal regions had fewer chill hours than the counties in the inland areas. For example, Beaufort, Charleston, Berkeley, Horry, and Dorchester counties that are located near the coastal region had fewer chill hours. In contrast, counties located in the inland areas like Laurens, Chester, Lancaster, and York recorded the most prolonged chill hours. Our results suggest that selecting high chilling requirement crops for the inland areas and low chilling requirement crops for coastal areas would be appropriate. Farmers in South Carolina can use this information to plan their crop selection and management.</span></span></span>展开更多
Jennifer S.Smith is an Associate Professor of Department of Epidemiology,Gillings School of Global Public Health,University of North Carolina.Dr.Smith is also affiliated with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Ce...Jennifer S.Smith is an Associate Professor of Department of Epidemiology,Gillings School of Global Public Health,University of North Carolina.Dr.Smith is also affiliated with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center(Cancer Epidemiology),UNC Center for AIDS Research,and the UNC Center for Women’s Health Research.Dr.Smith has conducted research on HPV infection展开更多
Here we present new data on the major and trace element compositions of silicate and oxide minerals from mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by the Carolina kimberlite,Pimenta Bueno Kimberlitic Field,which is loca...Here we present new data on the major and trace element compositions of silicate and oxide minerals from mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by the Carolina kimberlite,Pimenta Bueno Kimberlitic Field,which is located on the southwestern border of the Amazonian Craton.We also present Sr-Nd isotopic data of garnet xenocrysts and whole-rocks from the Carolina kimberlite.Mantle xenoliths are mainly clinopyroxenites and garnetites.Some of the clinopyroxenites were classified as GPP–PP–PKP(garnet-phlogopite peridotite,phlogopite-peridotite,phlogopite-K-richterite peridotite)suites,and two clinopyroxenites(eclogites)and two garnetites are relicts of an ancient subducted slab.Temperature and pressure estimates yield 855–1102℃ and 3.6–7.0 GPa,respectively.Clinopyroxenes are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE)(La_(N)/Yb_(N)=5–62;Ce_(N)/Sm_(N)=1–3;where N=primitive mantle normalized values),they have high Ca/Al ratios(10–410),low to medium Ti/Eu ratios(742–2840),and low Zr/Hf ratios(13–26),which suggest they were formed by metasomatic reactions with CO_(2)-rich silicate melts.Phlogopite with high TiO_(2)(>2.0 wt.%),Al_(2)O_(3)(>12.0 wt.%),and FeOt(5.0–13.0 wt.%)resemble those found in the groundmass of kimberlites,lamproites and lamprophyres.Conversely,phlogopite with low TiO_(2)(<1.0 wt.%)and lower Al_(2)O_(3)(<12.0 wt.%)are similar to those present in GPP-PP-PKP,and in MARID(mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)and PIC(phlogopite-ilmenite-clinopyorxene)xenoliths.The GPP-PP-PKP suite of xenoliths,together with the clinopyroxene and phlogopite major and trace element signatures suggests that an intense proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism occurred in the deep cratonic lithosphere beneath the Amazonian Craton.The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of pyrope xenocrysts(G3,G9 and G11)from the Carolina kimberlite are characterized by high ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd(0.51287–0.51371)and eNd(+4.55 to+20.85)accompanied with enriched ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(0.70405–0.71098).These results suggest interaction with a proto-kimberlite melt compositionally similar with worldwide kimberlites.Based on Sr-Nd whole-rock compositions,the Carolina kimberlite has affinity with Group 1 kimberlites.The Sm-Nd isochron age calculated with selected eclogitic garnets yielded an age of 291.9±5.4 Ma(2σ),which represents the cooling age after the proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism.Therefore,we propose that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Amazonian Craton records the Paleozoic subduction with the attachment of an eclogitic slab into the cratonic mantle(garnetites and eclogites);with a later metasomatic event caused by proto-kimberlite melts shortly before the Carolina kimberlite erupted.展开更多
Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inve...Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inventory of nine stands of bloodroot in the watershed are presented. Analysis of inventory data reveals that both petiole height and petiole diameter are negatively associated with overstory tree DBH, suggesting that there is an optimal overstory structure for bloodroot. In the Waynesville watershed, seven out of nine stands have an average tree DBH between 27.38 cm and 36.17 cm. Allometric equations re-lating belowground biomass to bloodroot petiole height and diameter have strong explanatory power, indicating that harvesters could selectively harvest large rhizomes by targeting plants with larger petioles. These results in combination with natural history, field observations and literature provide insights on the sustainability of bloodroot harvest in Southern Appalachia. Wild bloodroot is likely becoming scarce due to loss of favorable sites, such as rich cove forests, as well as harvest pressure.展开更多
Worldwide, over 250 million people live with diabetes mellitus, a disease which has been described as an epidemic. While much is known about the cardiovascular risks associated with this condition, its association wit...Worldwide, over 250 million people live with diabetes mellitus, a disease which has been described as an epidemic. While much is known about the cardiovascular risks associated with this condition, its association with cancer has been less appreciated at the population level. This study assessed the relationship between colo-rectal, breast and prostate cancer mortality, and diabetes prevalence measured years earlier at the county level in the 100 counties of North Carolina. Methods: County level data were obtained from the 2000 US Census, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. The 2004 diabetes prevalence data by county and county level mortality from 2005 to 2009 for colorectal, breast and prostate cancer mortality were analyzed descriptively. Then multivariate linear regression was carried out to evaluate the contribution of pre-existing diabetes prevalence to cancer mortality, controlling county level covariates. Results: Average North Carolina county level prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 2004 (9%) was higher than the average prevalence of diabetes nationally in 2004 (7%). Mortality rates for breast, colorectal and prostate cancers at the county level were also higher than those nationally. In multivariate analysis, county level 2005-2009 total cancer mortality as well as mortality from colon and prostate cancers (but not breast cancer) correlated with county level 2004 diabetes prevalence rates. Diabetes mellitus prevalence in 2004 explained 31%, 34% and 42% of the variance of mortality from prostate, colorectal and total cancers. Conclusions: These findings support the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cancer at the population level. Direct and indirect costs of cancer care in North Carolina in 2004 were $5.57 billion. Because diabetes explained 42% of the variance of total county level cancer mortality, prevention and control of diabetes could save the state over $2 billion.展开更多
Urban climate is the most immediate manifestation of the warming global climate for the majority of people on earth. Nearly half of those people live in small to medium sized cities, an understudied scale in urban cli...Urban climate is the most immediate manifestation of the warming global climate for the majority of people on earth. Nearly half of those people live in small to medium sized cities, an understudied scale in urban climate research. Widespread characterization would be useful to decision makers in planning and design for land use decisions. Using a multi-method approach, the mesoscale UHI in the study region is characterized and the secular trend over the last sixty years evaluated. Under isolated ideal conditions the findings indicate a UHI of 5.3℃ ± 0.97℃ to be present in the study area, the magnitude of which is growing over time.展开更多
文摘This study examines the Carolina Bays and Nebraska Rainwater Basins,using high-resolution LiDAR elevation models to analyze their unique shapes.The research reveals that well-preserved Bays exhibit precise elliptical geometry,distinguishing them from various oriented lakes they are often compared to.While the timing of their formation is discussed,the primary goal of this paper is to establish a repeatable method for quantifying the elliptical nature of these dominant geomorphic landforms.By applying the least squares method to points selected along the perimeters of these extraordinary basins,the study confirms their elliptical geometry with an error margin of less than 3%.This rigorous mathematical approach sets a high standard for any hypothesis attempting to explain the origin of these depressions using natural environmental conditions.Notably,the long axes of these elliptical basins converge near the Great Lakes region,and since ellipses can be described as conic sections,this finding supports the plausibility of a cosmic impact origin.The study suggests that these basins may be secondary impact features formed during a past glacial cycle of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.This research establishes a strong mathematical foundation to support future studies on the possible impact origin of the Carolina Bays and Nebraska Rainwater Basins.
基金the Graduate School at the College of Charlestonrepresents Technical Contribution No.6542 of the Clemson University Experiment Station
文摘Environmental contamination resulting from the production or release of harmful chemicals can lead to negative consequences for wildlife and human health. Perfluorinated alkyl acids（PFAAs） were historically produced as protective coatings for many household items and currently persist in the environment, wildlife, and humans. PFAAs have been linked to immune suppression, endocrine disruption, and developmental toxicity in wildlife and laboratory studies. This study examines the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis,as an important indicator of ecosystem contamination and a potential pathway for PFAA exposure in humans. Alligator meat harvested in the 2015 South Carolina（SC） public hunt season and prepared for human consumption was collected and analyzed for PFAAs to determine meat concentrations and relationships with animal body size（total length）, sex, and location of harvest. Of the 15 PFAAs analyzed, perfluorooctane sulfonate（PFOS） was found in all alligator meat samples and at the highest concentrations（median 6.73 ng/g）. No relationship was found between PFAA concentrations and total length or sex.Concentrations of one or all compounds varied significantly across sampling locations, with alligators harvested in the Middle Coastal hunt unit having the highest PFOS concentrations（median 16.0 ng/g; p = 0.0001）. Alligators harvested specifically from Berkley County, SC（located in the Middle Coastal hunt unit） had the highest PFOS concentrations and the greatest number of PFAAs detected（p 〈 0.0001）. The site-specific nature of PFAA concentrations in alligator meat observed in this study suggests a source of PFAA contamination in Berkley County, SC.
文摘Introduction: Arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel have been associated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in populations exposed to these elements. However, diabetes mortality has not been evaluated. This ecological study correlated airborne concentrations of these metals with diabetes mortality in North Carolina counties. Methods: County level data were extracted from the 2000 US Census, the 1999 US Environmental Protection Agency National Air Toxins Assessment, and 2001-2005 diabetes mortality rates by county from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. Multivariable linear regression correlated airborne concentrations of each element with diabetes mellitus mortality rates in all 100 North Carolina counties controlling for county-level characteristics. Airborne concentrations were logarithmically transformed to normalize their distribution. Results: The lowest air concentrations detected were beryllium and cadmium, with nickel showing the highest concentration. Logarithmic concentrations spanned from 3.74 to 4.02 orders of magnitude. County-level diabetes mortality rates were negatively associated with median county income, but positively associated with county-level air concentrations of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel. Conclusions: These results support diabetes mortality effects of air pollution, and agree with other studies correlating arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and nickel with diabetes prevalence. Policy implications include regulating point source air pollution.
文摘The structure of state or sub-state regional economies is heavily influenced by its natural resource endowment. Input-output analysis is often used to estimate the economic contribution of various sectors to a state’s economy. We apply input-output analysis to South Carolina’s economy to estimate the contribution of natural resource-based sectors to the overall economy. The natural resource-based sectors consist of six mutually exclusive sectors: fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing;coastal tourism;commercial fisheries;boat industry;mining;and forestry. The total economic contribution of these six natural resource-based sectors is $33.4 billion, representing 8.3% of gross state product and 8.6% of all state employment.
文摘Winter chilling is critical for most temperate fruits and perennial plants during the winter season. Most fruit and nut trees require a prolonged period of chilling to break their dormant stage and bloom when spring arrives. This research’s primary objective was to calculate the chill hour’s accumulation in each county in South Carolina based on the historical hourly air temperature data for the last ten years (2010-2020). The chilling hours model used to calculate the daily chill hours was based on the number of hours when the air temperature was between 32<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>F to 45<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>F (0 to 7.2<span style="color:#4F4F4F;font-family:-apple-system, "font-size:16px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;">°</span>C). The total chill hours for each county were then determined by accumulating the daily chill hours <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">from</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:" color:red;"=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">October to June. Our results showed that among the different counties in South Carolina, on average Laurens County had the most prolonged chill hours (1419 hrs). The chill hours were higher between November to March, and counties near the coastal regions had fewer chill hours than the counties in the inland areas. For example, Beaufort, Charleston, Berkeley, Horry, and Dorchester counties that are located near the coastal region had fewer chill hours. In contrast, counties located in the inland areas like Laurens, Chester, Lancaster, and York recorded the most prolonged chill hours. Our results suggest that selecting high chilling requirement crops for the inland areas and low chilling requirement crops for coastal areas would be appropriate. Farmers in South Carolina can use this information to plan their crop selection and management.</span></span></span>
文摘Jennifer S.Smith is an Associate Professor of Department of Epidemiology,Gillings School of Global Public Health,University of North Carolina.Dr.Smith is also affiliated with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center(Cancer Epidemiology),UNC Center for AIDS Research,and the UNC Center for Women’s Health Research.Dr.Smith has conducted research on HPV infection
基金supported by FAPDF(Call03/2018Process n°23568.93.50253.24052018)Serrapilheira Institute(Serra-1709-18152)。
文摘Here we present new data on the major and trace element compositions of silicate and oxide minerals from mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by the Carolina kimberlite,Pimenta Bueno Kimberlitic Field,which is located on the southwestern border of the Amazonian Craton.We also present Sr-Nd isotopic data of garnet xenocrysts and whole-rocks from the Carolina kimberlite.Mantle xenoliths are mainly clinopyroxenites and garnetites.Some of the clinopyroxenites were classified as GPP–PP–PKP(garnet-phlogopite peridotite,phlogopite-peridotite,phlogopite-K-richterite peridotite)suites,and two clinopyroxenites(eclogites)and two garnetites are relicts of an ancient subducted slab.Temperature and pressure estimates yield 855–1102℃ and 3.6–7.0 GPa,respectively.Clinopyroxenes are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE)(La_(N)/Yb_(N)=5–62;Ce_(N)/Sm_(N)=1–3;where N=primitive mantle normalized values),they have high Ca/Al ratios(10–410),low to medium Ti/Eu ratios(742–2840),and low Zr/Hf ratios(13–26),which suggest they were formed by metasomatic reactions with CO_(2)-rich silicate melts.Phlogopite with high TiO_(2)(>2.0 wt.%),Al_(2)O_(3)(>12.0 wt.%),and FeOt(5.0–13.0 wt.%)resemble those found in the groundmass of kimberlites,lamproites and lamprophyres.Conversely,phlogopite with low TiO_(2)(<1.0 wt.%)and lower Al_(2)O_(3)(<12.0 wt.%)are similar to those present in GPP-PP-PKP,and in MARID(mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)and PIC(phlogopite-ilmenite-clinopyorxene)xenoliths.The GPP-PP-PKP suite of xenoliths,together with the clinopyroxene and phlogopite major and trace element signatures suggests that an intense proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism occurred in the deep cratonic lithosphere beneath the Amazonian Craton.The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of pyrope xenocrysts(G3,G9 and G11)from the Carolina kimberlite are characterized by high ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd(0.51287–0.51371)and eNd(+4.55 to+20.85)accompanied with enriched ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(0.70405–0.71098).These results suggest interaction with a proto-kimberlite melt compositionally similar with worldwide kimberlites.Based on Sr-Nd whole-rock compositions,the Carolina kimberlite has affinity with Group 1 kimberlites.The Sm-Nd isochron age calculated with selected eclogitic garnets yielded an age of 291.9±5.4 Ma(2σ),which represents the cooling age after the proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism.Therefore,we propose that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Amazonian Craton records the Paleozoic subduction with the attachment of an eclogitic slab into the cratonic mantle(garnetites and eclogites);with a later metasomatic event caused by proto-kimberlite melts shortly before the Carolina kimberlite erupted.
文摘Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inventory of nine stands of bloodroot in the watershed are presented. Analysis of inventory data reveals that both petiole height and petiole diameter are negatively associated with overstory tree DBH, suggesting that there is an optimal overstory structure for bloodroot. In the Waynesville watershed, seven out of nine stands have an average tree DBH between 27.38 cm and 36.17 cm. Allometric equations re-lating belowground biomass to bloodroot petiole height and diameter have strong explanatory power, indicating that harvesters could selectively harvest large rhizomes by targeting plants with larger petioles. These results in combination with natural history, field observations and literature provide insights on the sustainability of bloodroot harvest in Southern Appalachia. Wild bloodroot is likely becoming scarce due to loss of favorable sites, such as rich cove forests, as well as harvest pressure.
文摘Worldwide, over 250 million people live with diabetes mellitus, a disease which has been described as an epidemic. While much is known about the cardiovascular risks associated with this condition, its association with cancer has been less appreciated at the population level. This study assessed the relationship between colo-rectal, breast and prostate cancer mortality, and diabetes prevalence measured years earlier at the county level in the 100 counties of North Carolina. Methods: County level data were obtained from the 2000 US Census, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. The 2004 diabetes prevalence data by county and county level mortality from 2005 to 2009 for colorectal, breast and prostate cancer mortality were analyzed descriptively. Then multivariate linear regression was carried out to evaluate the contribution of pre-existing diabetes prevalence to cancer mortality, controlling county level covariates. Results: Average North Carolina county level prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 2004 (9%) was higher than the average prevalence of diabetes nationally in 2004 (7%). Mortality rates for breast, colorectal and prostate cancers at the county level were also higher than those nationally. In multivariate analysis, county level 2005-2009 total cancer mortality as well as mortality from colon and prostate cancers (but not breast cancer) correlated with county level 2004 diabetes prevalence rates. Diabetes mellitus prevalence in 2004 explained 31%, 34% and 42% of the variance of mortality from prostate, colorectal and total cancers. Conclusions: These findings support the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cancer at the population level. Direct and indirect costs of cancer care in North Carolina in 2004 were $5.57 billion. Because diabetes explained 42% of the variance of total county level cancer mortality, prevention and control of diabetes could save the state over $2 billion.
文摘Urban climate is the most immediate manifestation of the warming global climate for the majority of people on earth. Nearly half of those people live in small to medium sized cities, an understudied scale in urban climate research. Widespread characterization would be useful to decision makers in planning and design for land use decisions. Using a multi-method approach, the mesoscale UHI in the study region is characterized and the secular trend over the last sixty years evaluated. Under isolated ideal conditions the findings indicate a UHI of 5.3℃ ± 0.97℃ to be present in the study area, the magnitude of which is growing over time.
