Reducing Livestock Losses to Toxic Plants

More than 100 species of toxic plants infest Texas rangelands. These plants affect ranch businesses directly by causing livestock death. They also have such indirect effects as lower conception rates and weaning weights, increased supplemental feeding costs and reduced production of desirable range forage. One toxic plant, perennial broomweed, is estimated to cause more than $30 million in indirect and direct losses per year in Texas (McGinty and Welch, 1987)

The Ecology of Red Foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario: Disease Management Implications

During 1989-1992, 33 Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were fitted with radio-collars in metropolitan Toronto to study their behaviour which would provide data to assist with the design of a rabies control strategy for urban areas of Ontario. Annual home range size for adult foxes (avg = 325 ha, SD = 207) was significantly larger than that of juvenile foxes (avg = 165 ha, SD = 176), but we could not detect any seasonal differences in home range size for foxes. Mean (SD) nightly ranges were 38.3 ha (48.3) in spring, 97.4 ha (115.4) in summer, 26.8 ha (28.5) in fall, and 16.3 ha (13.6) in winter. Movements by foxes during the period from June to November averaged 3.5 km (2.89). Eleven of the foxes were known to have dispersed (? 3 km from their home range), but we could not detect a mean direction of dispersal. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of the foxes dispersed in December and 18% (2/11) dispersed in August, with the remainder dispersing between February and November. Average dispersal distance was 19.3 km (15.6), and a significant negative correlation was detected between initial home range size and dispersal distance of foxes. Mortality of radio-collared foxes was caused by collisions with automobiles, predation, and shooting. Foxes made extensive use of ravines and other greenbelt areas, such as parks and golf courses. Residential areas were also used by some foxes. Knowledge of the habitats frequented by foxes as well as their movement potential assisted researchers in determining where vaccine baits should be placed for the control of rabies in Red Foxes in metropolitan Toronto

Reducing Livestock Losses to Toxic Plants.

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Human-assisted Movements of Raccoons, Procyon lotor, and Opossums, Didelphis virginiana, between the United States and Canada

Movements of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) (mean = 479 km) and Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) (mean = 688 km) by means of transport trailers and a train from the USA and Quebec into Ontario were significantly greater than Raccoon movements (mean = 15 km) from Ontario to New York State determined by mark-recapture. Human-assisted movements of wildlife could have significant impacts with respect to cross-border movements of diseases such as rabies. Proactive communication programs, especially at International border crossing areas, should be encouraged to decrease the occurrence of the unintentional movement of wildlife and associated diseases

Impact of the Implementation of the Construction Guidelines Practiced Among Industries in Cabanatuan City During Pandemic

Most countries have directed a complete lockdown as the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the corona-virus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic. Covid 19 cases bring out an alarming increase. It can be seen everywhere through limited mobility and the closure of many on-site businesses and some industries. Human resources as one of the utmost in the construction industry's operations are greatly affected by the pandemic that cannot escape, with some complete shutdowns. Most projects have been put on hold until further notice. The condition resulted in addressing prudently the pandemic's impact at the start and end of the crisis making everyone to future readiness and preparations. The study was purposely understanding the extent of the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of the construction guidelines among the selected construction industries in Cabanatuan City. The findings divulged that majority of the participants were in middle management level positions, and 47 percent of the respondents with an average of 9.5 years of construction work experience had 5 years or less experience. Initial measures through the dissemination of information creating awareness were implemented by most establishments including construction firms along with the social distancing, sanitation, and provision of PPE’s as resumption underwent. Respondents experienced the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of the construction guidelines to a moderate extent in terms of materials; manpower; and equipment. The significant relationship between the implementation of the construction guidelines and its impact during the pandemic manifested a positive relationship. Therefore, the researchers concluded that the pandemic impacted the implementation of the construction guidelines among the selected construction industries in Cabanatuan City

Release of Pen-reared Bobwhites: Potential Consequences to the Genetic Integrity of Resident Wild Populations

In response to low encounter rates with wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) during bird dog field trials at Ames Plantation in Tennessee, a large-scale release program of pen-reared bobwhites was implemented in fall 2002. To evaluate genetic effects of pen-reared releases on wild populations, we monitored survival of pen-reared and wild bobwhites from fall release of pen-reared bobwhites through the breeding season and collected feather samples from wild, pen-reared, and free-ranging juvenile bobwhites following the first breeding season after the initial release. We used genotypes from 6 polymorphic microsatellite loci to measure genetic diversity and conduct population assignment tests. Wild bobwhites experienced greater fallspring and annual survival than pen-reared bobwhites; however, pen-reared bobwhites experienced greater fall-spring and annual survival than reported in most other studies. Genetic diversity, number of alleles, and allelic richness were greatest in the wild, intermediate in the F1 generation, and lowest in the pen-reared populations. Likelihood analysis and cluster analysis indicated 20.4% and 33.6%, respectively, of juveniles captured after the first breeding season following release were ambiguous in population assignment; suggesting successful reproduction between wild and pen-reared individuals. These results suggest that large-scale releases of pen-reared bobwhite may result in negative impacts on genetic integrity of resident wild populations

RECEIPT AND STORAGE ISSUES AT THE TMI-2 IRRADIATED FUEL STORAGE INSTALLATION

ABSTRACT In less than a year, up to 12 canisters of TMI-2 reactor fuel debris were loaded into each of 28 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs), and placed into interim storage at an Irradiated Spent Fuel Storage Facility (ISFSI) at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Draining and drying the canisters, loading and welding the DSCs, shipping the DSCs 25 miles, and storing in the ISFSI initially required up to 3 weeks per DSC. Significant time efficiencies were achieved during the early stages, reducing the time to less than one week per DSC. These efficiencies were achieved mostly in canister draining and drying and DSC lid welding, and despite several occurrences that had to be resolved before continuing work. The ISFSI has been operated without issue since, with the exception that license basis monitoring has indicated an unusual pattern of season-and position-dependent hydrogen generation. This paper discusses some of the innovations and storage experiences for the first ISFSI designed for the storage of severely defected fuel. INTRODUCTION In the mid-to late 1980s the TMI-2 debris was packaged, transported to the INEEL, and stored in a water pool. Approximately 340 canisters of debris were removed from water storage, dried four at a time in a separate furnace, packaged into 29 larger steel canisters, and transported to the ISFSI. The TMI-2 ISFSI was the second operated by DOE, the first being the Fort Saint Vrain ISFSI near Denver. Preparation and storage of the TMI-2 fuel presented special challenges. First, the TMI-2 was required to be stored in the ISFSI before May 2001 as part of an INEEL fuel consolidation plan. Only one of the 29 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs) had been stored prior to June 2000. Most of the TMI-2 fuel debris consists of beds of porous chunks, granules, powders, and partial rods and assemblies packed within canisters lined with lightweight concrete, making the debris very difficult to dry. The ISFSI was positioned approximately 25 miles from the water pool where the canisters were stored. Structural considerations limited transport during cold weather and ISFSI loading during high winds. Long, cold winters and high winds are common at the INEEL. This paper describes the means by which these challenges were met and the unplanned occurrences were managed during the shipments. Finally it describes interesting monitoring results from the stored fuel, which suggests that some of the original design assumptions dealing with radiolysis were not realistic

Robotic assistance during cochlear implantation: the rationale for consistent, controlled speed of electrode array insertion

Cochlear implants (CI) have revolutionized the treatment of patients with severe to profound sensory hearing loss by providing a method of bypassing normal hearing to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. A further advance in the field has been the introduction of “hearing preservation” surgery, whereby the CI electrode array (EA) is carefully inserted to spare damage to the delicate anatomy and function of the cochlea. Preserving residual function of the inner ear allows patients to receive maximal benefit from the CI and to combine CI electric stimulation with acoustic hearing, offering improved postoperative speech, hearing, and quality of life outcomes. However, under the current paradigm of implant surgery, where EAs are inserted by hand, the cochlea cannot be reliably spared from damage. Robotics-assisted EA insertion is an emerging technology that may overcome fundamental human kinetic limitations that prevent consistency in achieving steady and slow EA insertion. This review begins by describing the relationship between EA insertion speed and generation of intracochlear forces and pressures. The various mechanisms by which these intracochlear forces can damage the cochlea and lead to worsened postoperative outcomes are discussed. The constraints of manual insertion technique are compared to robotics-assisted methods, followed by an overview of the current and future state of robotics-assisted EA insertion

Movements of Two Rabid Raccoons, Procyon lotor, in Eastern Ontario

An adult female Raccoon Procyon lotor was captured about 3 km north of Mallorytown, Ontario, on 27 August 2004, as part of a government rabies control program. The animal was vaccinated against rabies, ear-tagged and released, and recaptured the next day 1.7 km south of the initial capture location. Upon recapture, the Raccoon had porcupine quills in its facial area and seemed agitated and was submitted for rabies testing. It was confirmed as rabies positive on 31 August 2004, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Similarly, a juvenile male raccoon was captured, ear-tagged, vaccinated, and released near Junetown, Ontario (about 4 km NW of the other rabid Raccoon) on 5 September 2004. It was found dying in a residential window well on 22 September 2004, 700 meters from the original capture location. It was diagnosed as rabid on 23 September 2004

Analytical considerations in deriving 99th percentile upper reference limits for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays: Educational recommendations from the IFCC committee on clinical application of cardiac bio-markers

The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Committee on Clinical Application of Cardiac Bio-Markers provides evidence-based educational documents to facilitate uniform interpretation and utilization of cardiac biomarkers in clinical laboratories and practice. The committee’s goals are to improve the understanding of certain key analytical and clinical aspects of cardiac biomarkers and how these may interplay in clinical practice. Measurement of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays is a cornerstone in the clinical evaluation of patients with symptoms and/or signs of acute cardiac ischemia. To define myocardial infarction, the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction requires patients who manifest with features suggestive of acute myocardial ischemia to have at least one cTn concentration above the sex-specific 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) for hs-cTn assays and a dynamic pattern of cTn concentrations to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for MI. This special report provides an overview of how hs-cTn 99th percentile URLs should be established, including recommendations about prescreening and the number of individuals required in the reference cohort, how statistical analysis should be conducted, optimal preanalytical and analytical protocols, and analytical/biological interferences or confounds that can affect accurate determination of the 99th percentile URLs. This document also provides guidance and solutions to many of the issues posed.publishedVersio