Ecological Nationalisms: Nature, Livelihood, and Identities in South Asia

Ecological Nationalisms: Nature, Livelihood, and Identities in South Asia . Gunnel Cederlöf and K. Sivaramakrishnan, eds. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2006. 399 pp.     

Predicting the points of interaction of small molecules in the NF-κB pathway

Background  

The similarity property principle has been used extensively in drug discovery to identify small compounds that interact with specific drug targets. Here we show it can be applied to identify the interactions of small molecules within the NF-κB signalling pathway.     

Nitrate Reductase in the Field Pea (Pisutn arvense L.)

The extraction and assay of a soluble, NADH-requiring nitratereductase is described. Induction of the enzyme by nitrate isdemonstrated in the roots and shoot of young seedlings and inthe leaves of older, nodulated plants grown without inorganicnitrogen. Induction occurs most readily in actively growingtissues. Studies with sterile cultures of excised roots confirmthe presence of an endogenous enzyme system within the root. Assays of the enzyme in vitro are combined with analyses offree nitrate and organic compounds of nitrogen in the bleedingsap. Either the root or shoot may act as the main centre forreduction of incoming nitrate. The extent to which these organsfunction is apparently influenced by environmental factors,particularly the level of nitrate in the rooting medium. Thediurnal rhythm of export of nitrogenous substances from theroot is correlated with observations on daily fluctuations inthe level of extractable enzyme in root and leaves. The activity of the enzyme is studied in different ages of leafof plants grown on a constant supply of nitrate. Assays suggestthat the enzyme is most active just as a leaf is fully expanded.Thereafter enzyme activity falls sharply, although small amountsof active enzyme may be recovered until a leaf becomes senescent.     

Patterns of Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities in North America

Abstract Wind has become one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy worldwide, but widespread and often extensive fatalities of bats have increased concern regarding the impacts of wind energy development on bats and other wildlife. We synthesized available information on patterns of bat fatalities from a review of 21 postconstruction fatality studies conducted at 19 facilities in 5 United States regions and one Canadian province. Dominance of migratory, foliage- and tree-roosting lasiurine species (e.g., hoary bat [Lasiurus cinereus]) killed by turbines was consistent among studies. Bat fatalities, although highly variable and periodic, consistently peaked in late summer and fall, coinciding with migration of lasiurines and other species. A notable exception was documented fatalities of pregnant female Brazilian freetailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in May and June at a facility in Oklahoma, USA, and female silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) during spring in Tennessee, USA, and Alberta, Canada. Most studies reported that fatalities were distributed randomly across turbines at a site, although the highest number of fatalities was often found near the end of turbine strings. Two studies conducted simultaneously in the same region documented similar timing of fatalities between sites, which suggests broader patterns of collisions dictated by weather, prey abundance, or other factors. None of the studies found differences in bat fatalities between turbines equipped with lighting required by the Federal Aviation Administration and turbines that were unlit. All studies that addressed relationships between bat fatalities and weather patterns found that most bats were killed on nights with low wind speed (<6 m/sec) and that fatalities increased immediately before and after passage of storm fronts. Weather patterns may be predictors of bat activity and fatality; thus, mitigation efforts that focus on these high-risk periods could reduce bat fatality substantially. We caution that estimates of bat fatality are conditioned by length of study and search interval and that they are biased in relation to how searcher efficiency, scavenger removal, and habitat differences were or were not accounted for. Our review will assist managers, biologists, and decision-makers with understanding unifying and unique patterns of bat fatality, biases, and limitations of existing efforts, and it will aid in designing future research needed to develop mitigation strategies for minimizing or eliminating bat fatality at wind facilities.     

Comparison of Mexican Wolf and Coyote Diets in Arizona and New Mexico

ABSTRACT Interactions between wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (C. latrans) can have significant impacts on their distribution and abundance. We compared diets of recently translocated Mexican wolves (C. l. baileyi) with diets of resident coyotes in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. We systematically collected scats during 2000 and 2001. Coyote diet was composed mostly of mammalian species, followed by vegetation and insects. Elk (Cervus elaphus) was the most common item in coyote scats. Mexican wolf diet had a higher proportion of large mammals and fewer small mammals than coyote diet; however, elk was also the most common food item in Mexican wolf scats. Our results suggest that Mexican wolf diet was more similar to coyote diet than previously reported, but coyotes had more seasonal variation. Considering results in other areas, we expect that Mexican wolves will have a negative impact on coyotes through direct mortality and possibly competition. Reintroduction of Mexican wolves may have great impacts on communities by changing relationships among other predators and their prey.