scholarly journals Seasonal Emergence and Historical Contaminant Exposure of Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer) in Central Texas and Current Status of the Population

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Tarisha A. Land ◽  
Donald R. Clark ◽  
Charles E. Pekins ◽  
Thomas E. Lacher

We examined the emergence patterns of Myotis velifer in central Texas in 2000 and assessed exposure to pesticide residues. We collected and analyzed guano from three caves for pesticide residues. In addition, bat carcasses were sampled from an active colony of cave myotis (Myotis velifer) in Shell Mountain. Organochlorine residue concentrations were highest in guano from the Egypt and Tippit Caves, whereas organophosphate concentrations were highest in Shell Mountain guano. Residue concentrations of organochlorines and metals in guano and carcasses collected from the three caves are considered low and probably of no biological concern. The study was one of very few to demonstrate the presence of OPs, including 18 different detectable compounds in the two most recent samples of bat guano. Comparisons between spring and fall guano samples from Shell Mountain suggest that HCB (hexachlorobenzene), total chlordanes, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan II, p,p’-DDE (Dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), and o,p’-DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) accumulated while bats were absent from the caves at Fort Hood. Lindane appeared to be the only chemical that increased while the bats were present at the site. Organochlorine concentrations in carcasses were generally lowest in lactating females and higher in nursing juveniles. The pattern of emergence coincides with the peak of agricultural activities, therefore, bats forage at a time when the insect pests are most abundant, but also potential to exposure to agricultural chemicals is highest. The current status of the population, however, remains stable in spite of the history of exposure.

Author(s):  
Rakhshan Kamran

Abstract In December 2007, the House of Commons unanimously supported Jordan’s Principle, a commitment that all First Nations children would receive the health care products, social services, and supports, and education they need, in memory of Jordan River Anderson. However, the process of applying for Jordan’s Principle was convoluted and not transparent, leaving several cases not being responded to. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the definition and implementation of Jordan’s Principle to be racist and discriminatory in 2016, ordering the Canadian government to make immediate changes. Failing to make changes to Jordan’s Principle, the Canadian government was found to be noncompliant with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders in 2018. This article provides one case example of Jordan’s Principle that was not responded to, details on the current status of Jordan’s Principle, and information on the recent implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Mae Sexauer Gustin ◽  
Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham ◽  
Jiaoyan Huang ◽  
Steve Lindberg ◽  
Seth N. Lyman

This review focuses on providing the history of measurement efforts to quantify and characterize the compounds of reactive mercury (RM), and the current status of measurement methods and knowledge. RM collectively represents gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and that bound to particles. The presence of RM was first recognized through measurement of coal-fired power plant emissions. Once discovered, researchers focused on developing methods for measuring RM in ambient air. First, tubular KCl-coated denuders were used for stack gas measurements, followed by mist chambers and annular denuders for ambient air measurements. For ~15 years, thermal desorption of an annular KCl denuder in the Tekran® speciation system was thought to be the gold standard for ambient GOM measurements. Research over the past ~10 years has shown that the KCl denuder does not collect GOM compounds with equal efficiency, and there are interferences with collection. Using a membrane-based system and an automated system—the Detector for Oxidized mercury System (DOHGS)—concentrations measured with the KCl denuder in the Tekran speciation system underestimate GOM concentrations by 1.3 to 13 times. Using nylon membranes it has been demonstrated that GOM/RM chemistry varies across space and time, and that this depends on the oxidant chemistry of the air. Future work should focus on development of better surfaces for collecting GOM/RM compounds, analytical methods to characterize GOM/RM chemistry, and high-resolution, calibrated measurement systems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Forster ◽  
S. Panter ◽  
A. Mouradov ◽  
J. Mason ◽  
G. C. Spangenberg

White clover is an important pasture legume of temperate regions, generally through co-cultivation with a pasture grass in a mixed-sward setting. White clover provides herbage with high nutritional quality to grazing animals, along with the environmental benefit of biological nitrogen fixation. Several key agronomic traits are amenable to modification in white clover through use of transgenic technology. Efficient methods for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of white clover have been developed. The current status of transgenic research is reviewed for the following traits: resistance to viruses and insect pests; aluminium tolerance and phosphorus acquisition efficiency; control of leaf senescence and seed yield; biosynthesis of flavonoids and rumen bypass proteins for bloat safety and enhanced ruminant nutrition; cyanogenesis; and drought tolerance. Future prospects for transgenic technology in molecular breeding in white clover are also discussed.


Helia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (64) ◽  
pp. 45-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Prasifka ◽  
L. F. Marek ◽  
D. K. Lee ◽  
S. B. Thapa ◽  
V. Hahn ◽  
...  

AbstractDelayed planting is recommended to reduce damage from sunflower insect pests in the United States, including the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst) and banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham. However, in some locations, planting earlier or growing later-maturing hybrids could improve yield or oil content of sunflowers which would partially offset any added costs from insect pests or their management. Because the abundance and distribution of some sunflower insects have changed since recommendations for delayed planting were developed, experimental plots were grown in 2012 and 2013 at sites in North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Sunflowers were planted two to four weeks earlier than normal, including hybrids that flower two to three weeks later than elite commercial hybrids. The sum of seed damaged by sunflower moth, banded sunflower moth, and red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte, (i. e., total percentage) was influenced by location, but not the relative maturity of tested entries. However, when damage attributed solely to the red sunflower seed weevil was analyzed, more damaged seed were found for late-maturing entries in North Dakota and Nebraska. In addition to the trial data, current pest populations are lower than when delayed planting was first recommended and insecticide use during sunflower bloom is both common and effective. Together, these observations suggest factoring insect pests into planting time decisions may be unnecessary, except for areas with a history of problems with severe pests that cannot be managed using insecticides (e. g., sunflower midge, Contarinia schulzi Gagné).


2001 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Ch. V. Deneka ◽  
A. V. Dotsenko ◽  
Zh. G. Lemuan ◽  
D. L. Teilor

1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1211-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Fagulha ◽  
Richard H. Dana

This paper describes the history and current status of professional psychology in Portugal where a unique perspective combines training, research, and practical contributions from Europe and the Americas with their own history of psychological tradition and expertise. Training in professional psychology includes Social Psychology and Educational and Vocational Guidance specializations in addition to Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Counseling for the professional degree, Licenciatura. Advanced degrees are offered in Environmental Psychology, Career Development, Social Cognition, and other areas, primarily for academic positions. Research in all of these areas is expected to have applied outcomes that contribute to individual well being and an improved quality of life for the entire population. The result has been a rapid development of an indigenous professional psychology to address mental health, social, and environmental concerns that compel psychological attention and resources worldwide as well as those problems of local and national origins.


Author(s):  
Yongxin Zhao ◽  
Zheng Kuang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Xiaozeng Yang

Abstract Last two decades, the studies on microRNAs (miRNAs) and the numbers of annotated miRNAs in plants and animals have surged. Herein, we reviewed the current progress and challenges of miRNA annotation in plants. Via the comparison of plant and animal miRNAs, we pinpointed out the difficulties on plant miRNA annotation and proposed potential solutions. In terms of recalling the history of methods and criteria in plant miRNA annotation, we detailed how the major progresses made and evolved. By collecting and categorizing bioinformatics tools for plant miRNA annotation, we surveyed their advantages and disadvantages, especially for ones with the principle of mimicking the miRNA biogenesis pathway by parsing deeply sequenced small RNA (sRNA) libraries. In addition, we summarized all available databases hosting plant miRNAs, and posted the potential optimization solutions such as how to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in these databases. Finally, we discussed the challenges and perspectives of plant miRNA annotations, and indicated the possibilities offered by an all-in-one tool and platform according to the integration of artificial intelligence.


Author(s):  
Ann Muggeridge ◽  
Andrew Cockin ◽  
Kevin Webb ◽  
Harry Frampton ◽  
Ian Collins ◽  
...  

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques can significantly extend global oil reserves once oil prices are high enough to make these techniques economic. Given a broad consensus that we have entered a period of supply constraints, operators can at last plan on the assumption that the oil price is likely to remain relatively high. This, coupled with the realization that new giant fields are becoming increasingly difficult to find, is creating the conditions for extensive deployment of EOR. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the nature, status and prospects for EOR technologies. It explains why the average oil recovery factor worldwide is only between 20% and 40%, describes the factors that contribute to these low recoveries and indicates which of those factors EOR techniques can affect. The paper then summarizes the breadth of EOR processes, the history of their application and their current status. It introduces two new EOR technologies that are beginning to be deployed and which look set to enter mainstream application. Examples of existing EOR projects in the mature oil province of the North Sea are discussed. It concludes by summarizing the future opportunities for the development and deployment of EOR.


Paleobiology ◽  
10.1666/12030 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy V. Looy

Within conifers, active abscission of complete penultimate branch systems is not common and has been described mainly from juveniles. Here I present evidence for the abscission of penultimate branch systems within early so-called walchian conifers—trees with a plagiotropic branching pattern. The specimens studied originate from a middle Early Permian gymnosperm-dominated flora within the middle Clear Fork Group of north-central Texas. Complete branch systems of three walchian conifer morphotypes are preserved; all have pronounced swellings and smooth separation faces at their bases. The source plants grew in a streamside habitat under seasonally dry climatic conditions. The evolution of active branch abscission appears to correspond to an increase in the size of conifers, and this combination potentially contributed to the restructuring of conifer-rich late Paleozoic landscapes. Moreover, trees shedding branch systems and producing abundant litter have the potential to affect the fire regime, which is a factor of evolutionary importance because wildfires must have been a source of frequent biotic disturbance throughout the hyperoxic Early Permian.


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