Electric Fencing as a Measure to Reduce Moose-Vehicle Collisions

Abstract: We tested the effectiveness of electric fences to reduce moose (Alces alces)-vehicle collisions in 2 fenced sectors (5 km and 10 km) using weekly track surveys and Global Positioning System telemetry. Number of moose tracks along highways decreased by approximately 80% following fence installation. Only 30% (16/53) of moose tracks observed on the road side of the fence were left by moose that crossed an operational fence; moose mostly entered the fenced corridor through openings (e.g., secondary roads) or at fence extremities. Electric fences also prevented 78% (7/9) of collared moose from crossing the highway in fenced sectors. Fences were less effective during occasional power failures. We suggest that circuit breakers should be used to prevent power failures and that there should be no opening along the fence line unless anti-ungulate structures are used.     

A method for extracting plant roots from soil which facilitates rapid sample processing without compromising measurement accuracy

This study evaluates a novel method for extracting roots from soil samples and applies it to estimate standing crop root mass (+/- confidence intervals) in an eastern Amazon rainforest. Roots were manually extracted from soil cores over a period of 40 min, which was split into 10 min time intervals. The pattern of cumulative extraction over time was used to predict root extraction beyond 40 min. A maximum-likelihood approach was used to calculate confidence intervals. The temporal prediction method added 21-32% to initial estimates of standing crop root mass. According to predictions, complete manual root extraction from 18 samples would have taken c. 239 h, compared with 12 h using the prediction method. Uncertainties (percentage difference between mean, and 10th and 90th percentiles) introduced by the prediction method were small (12-15%), compared with uncertainties caused by spatial variation in root mass (72-191%, for nine samples per plot surveyed). This method provides a way of increasing the number of root samples processed per unit time, without compromising measurement accuracy.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> growth is hindered by chemical information on predation risk at high but not at low food levels

Daphnia hyalina × galeata (Dhg) and D. pulicaria (Dp) are ready to pay greater costs in terms of predation risk avoidance at high rather than at low food levels. Such costs are easier to assess in Daphnia than in large long-lived and difficult-to-handle herbivores, since they can be precisely determined in a few-day experiment as the reduced growth (P=A−R) resulting from diminished assimilation (A) and/or increased respiration (R). In experiments with Daphnia grown for six days from the neonate to the first clutch of eggs, which were given different levels of algal food (Scenedesmus at concentrations from 0.05 to 1.60 mg C l⁻¹), individual growth was lower in the presence of fish kairomone (chemical information on fish predation; present at a concentration that induces antipredator defensive behavior and life histories) than in the absence of kairomone (control). The difference from the control was negligible at the lowest food levels, and gradually increased with increasing food concentration. At a food concentration of 1.6 mg C l⁻¹, growth was reduced by 9–32 and 0–8% in Dhg and Dp, respectively, compared to the controls. A similar reduction was observed in the body length of six-day-old animals (Dhg 6–19%, Dp 0–14%), but not in the first clutch reproductive effort (clutch volume). Daphnia had a greater number of eggs per clutch in the presence of the kairomone, but smaller eggs, so that the total volume of eggs in a clutch was the same with and without kairomone. The amplification of the effect of the kairomone due to high food levels was weaker in Dp, a species that rarely coexists with planktivorous fish in natural habitats.     

Thirty-five years in bioelectromagnetics research

For 35 years, I have been involved in various bioelectromagnetics research projects including acute and long-term radiofrequency (RF) bioeffects studies, dosimetry, exposure systems, MRI safety, cancer studies involving hyperthermia and electrochemical treatment, development of RF exposure and measurement standards, and product compliance. My first study demonstrated that effects on isolated nerve and muscle preparations were due to thermal effects of RF exposure. The recording of cochlear microphonics in animals shows the mechanical nature of the microwave auditory effect. In 1992, we published the results of a large-scale lifetime study in which 100 rats were sham-exposed and 100 rats were exposed for 21 h/day for 25 months to a pulsed RF signal. In dosimetry studies, human models were employed as well as many animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, monkeys, and birds of many sizes. Cancer hyperthermia studies demonstrated that knowledge of temperature distribution was crucial for successful treatment. Research on electrochemical treatment of tumors with direct current involved cellular, animal, and clinical studies. Over the past few decades, there has been rather extensive investigation of the public health impact of RF exposure. In my opinion, future research in bioelectromagnetics should place greater emphasis on medical applications.     

Assessment of QT liabilities in drug development

Since the publication, in 1997, of the CPMP (Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products) Points to Consider document on "The assessment of potential for QT prolongation by non-cardiovascular medicinal products," both regulatory bodies and the pharmaceutical industry have paid increasing attention to the conduct of careful preclinical studies on the subject. Regulatory attention has focused on the drafting of Safety Pharmacology guidelines through the ICH (International Conference on Harmonization) process, which resulted in approval by the ICH and acceptance by the three main regions (USA, Europe, and Japan) of the ICH S7A guideline. The guideline does not deal only with cardiovascular studies and does not provide guidance on QT investigations. This part has been deferred to a second guideline (ICH S7B). Nevertheless, pharmaceutical companies have implemented screening strategies aimed at selecting compounds that do not present QT liabilities. These strategies can differ according to the pharmaceutical class, while experimental models differ according to the stage of development of the compound. Several in vitro models are employed in discovery (radioligand binding, high-throughput patch clamp, efflux, and fluorescence assays). These models, coupled with in silico methods, allow companies to screen a high number of compounds. Other in vitro models, applied later in the R&D process (action potential duration, APD, in Purkinje fibers or papillary muscle and the isolated heart) are useful in better describing the activity of compounds on cardiac ion channels. The most robust and accepted in vivo test is represented by telemetry studies in conscious non-rodents.     

Genetic diversity assessment in Somali sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.) Moench) accessions using microsatellite markers

In the north-western region of Somalia, bordering Ethiopia, sorghum represents an important resources for human and animal nutrition. The critical situation of Somalia is threatening the preservation of this valuable resource and it becomes urgent to develop a strategy of correct evaluation of the sorghum germplasm in order to promote conservation and preservation programs. Microsatellites, also known as Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), are reproducible molecular markers useful in assessing the level of genetic diversity of plants. A total of 5 sorghum SSR-specific primer pairs were used to assess the genetic diversity of Somali sorghum landraces. Extensive variation was found at the microsatellite loci analysed, except for a locus that resulted in a monomorphic for some accessions. Considerable differences were found between total and effective number of alleles indicating non uniform allele frequency. Moreover allele frequency at a single locus significantly changed among accessions. Total gene diversity calculated for each locus ranged from 0.44 to 0.79. Most of the genetic diversity occurred within accessions demonstrating that accessions are not under selection processes and/or there is a continuous exchange of genes between sorghum populations. In any case, the patterns of clustering were significantly affected by the presence/absence of some alleles with high discriminant weight. Accessions Carabi, Abaadiro, Masego Cas and Masego Cad represent distinct genotypes confirming finding observed in previous phenotypic studies. The results highlight the central role of local farmers in maintaining and shaping local germplasm.     

Nature’s care: diarrhea, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation in Flores, Indonesia

Part of the puzzle surrounding biodiversity loss lies in an incomplete understanding of how humans value the functions and services that flow from biodiversity conservation projects. This paper takes a closer look at the links between the conservation of biodiversity and the livelihoods of rural people who live on the fringes of the parks and protected areas. We revisit some of the key aspects of ecosystem valuation—purpose, methodology, and policy design and implementation—because the links between biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and human welfare are obscured by considerable smoke and mirrors. Using a biodiversity conservation project (Ruteng Park) on Flores Island in Indonesia as a case study, we build a concrete empirical example of ecosystem valuation. This conservation project has resulted in spatially patchy watershed protection that allows us to identify and estimate the impacts of watershed services on human health (diarrhea prevalence) in the buffer zone of the park. We conclude by offering a plan of research to improve the design of conservation interventions for protecting biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. These recommendations include developing more conceptual knowledge on the linkages between biodiversity and ecosystem services; scaling up valuation efforts of underappreciated services such as health; shifting focus from valuing services individually to valuing multiple benefits from the same area; and conducting conservation policy experiments to identify causal outcomes (including defensible estimates of ecosystem values).

A multidisciplinary approach directed towards the commercial release of transgenic herbicide-tolerant rice in Costa Rica

This review discusses a multidisciplinary and multicomponent approach leading to the development and commercial release of transgenic Costa Rican rice varieties tolerant to the herbicide gluphosinate ammonium. We describe the field evaluations of the transgenic lines and their potential environmental impact, focusing on gene flow, particularly in relation to native wild Oryza species and weedy rice, based on trials performed in compliance with the national regulatory requirements of the country. We also present a socio-economic analysis of rice production in Costa Rica and the economic benefits of genetically modified (GM) rice as well as an environmental risk-benefit analysis for the deployment of GM rice. Additionally, food safety evaluation, intellectual property management, requirements for deregulation, and options for the commercialization of the new varieties are discussed. We also present results from a national survey aimed at assessing the level of support for GM crops in Costa Rica as this forms an integral component of our approach. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the adoption of these genetically improved rice varieties will provide clear benefits to Costa Rican rice growers and consumers.     

bar基因、PAT蛋白和草丁膦的特性与安全性

在转基因技术得到认同并且给全球带来了巨大的经济和社会价值的同时,也引起了人们对其安全性的关注.目前在转基因作物中抗除草剂作物种植面积最大.本文对除草剂草丁膦及其抗性基因之一--bar基因及其产物PAT蛋白的一些特性和安全性作了阐述.bar基因及筛选剂草丁膦在植物基因工程中发挥着重要作用.bar基因无多效性,与食物中的DNA一样安全.PAT蛋白对小鼠无直接毒性,与已知毒素和过敏原无同源性、无糖基化位点,其热稳定性和消化稳定性无食物过敏原和毒素的特性,对人体和动物安全无毒性.草丁膦是一种生物除草剂,在土壤中易被快速分解,作物收获时未检出残留,对哺乳动物无毒性作用.     

江苏省阜宁县生态经济系统综合评价

基于生态足迹理论,从经济系统对自然资源的需求和供给角度出发,对江苏省阜宁县县域生态经济系统进行研究,提出了万元GDP生态赤字(盈余)的概念。通过用全排列多边形图示指标法,结合万元GDP生态赤字(盈余)和Ulanowicz发展能力计算方法,综合考虑社会、经济和生态环境3方面内容,对阜宁县县域生态经济系统进行综合评价。结果表明从1995—2003年,阜宁县区域系统的万元GDP生态赤字由4.2278下降为3.4704hm2,发展能力由1.5751增强到3.5431,综合指数由零增长为0.5051,说明阜宁县区域生态经济系统向可持续方向发展,综合指数法能够较好地反映区域系统的发展能力。