Limnology of Four Bauxite Open-Pit Lakes

The aquatic flora and fauna and 18 physicochemical characteristics of four bauxite open-pit lakes were studied from September 1969 to August 1970. The least acid lake (pH 3.4-4.4) supported 49 different aquatic insects, plankton, and higher aquatic plants. The most acid lake (pH 2.7-3.2) supported only 26 different plants and animals. Bauxite open-pit lakes within the pH range studied appear to be as relatively unproductive as their coal strip-mine lake counterparts, with which they share physicochemical and biological characteristics. Benthic macrofaunal diversity and abundance appear to be related more closely to distribution and abundance of leaf detritus than to hydrogen-ion concentration

Dragonflies of (Anisoptera) Arkansas

Previous publications have recorded 69 species of dragonflies for Arkansas. Three of these are deleted, but state records for 21 new species are reported herein, bringing the list to 87 species. Based on lists from adjacent states, an additional nine species are listed as probably occurring in Arkansas. County records are given for both naiads and adults of each species, as well as first and last capture dates for adults. Specific location and capture date are given for new state records when such data are available. The most species (39) have been reported from Washington County. Twenty-nine counties list from 1-5 species, and six counties list no records

Quantitative gated blood pool tomographic assessment of regional ejection fraction: Definition of normal limits

AbstractObjective. Our aim was to select a method of analysis for gated blood pool tomography that reduced variability in a group of normal subjects, allowed comparison with normal limit files and displayed results in the bull's-eye format.Background. Abnormalities in left ventricular function may not be accurately detected by measures of global function because hyperkuiesia in normal regions may compensate for abnormal regional function. Gated blood pool tomography acquires threedimensional data and offers advantages over other noninvasive modalities Tor quantitative assessment of global and regional function.Methods. Alternative methods for selecting the ventricular axis, calculating regional ejection fraction and choosing the number of ventricular divisions were studied In 15 normal volunteers to select the combination of parameter that produced the lowest variability in quantitative regional ejection fraction. Methods for quantitative comparison, of regional ejection fraction with normal limit files and for display in the bull's-eye format were also examined.Results. A fixed axis (the geometric center of the ventricle defined for end-diastole and used for end-systole) gave ejection fractions that were significantly higher in the lateral wall versus in the septum, 82 ± 8 (mean ± 1 SD) versus 39 ± 17 (p < 0.001) at the midcavity and 66 ± 11 versus 21 ± 20 (p < 0.001) at the base. A floating axis system (axis defined individually for end-diastole and end-systole and realigned at the center) gave more uniform regional ejection fraction: 63 ±6 versus 64 ± 8 (p = NS) at the midcavity and 44 ± 16 versus 45 ± 15 (p = NS) at the base. The coefficient of variability for regional ejection fraction was consistently lower using a floating axis. Calculating regional ejection fraction by dividing the regional stroke volume by the enddiastollc volume of the region gave a lower coefficient of variability and a more easily understood value than dividing the regional stroke volume by the total end-diastolic volume of the ventricle. Although the variability was lower using five versus nine ventricular divisions, nine regions offer greater spatial resolution. Comparison of regional ejection fraction with normal data identified regions > 2.5 SD below the mean as abnormal. We described the two-dimensional bull's-eye format as a method for displaying the regional three-dimensional data and illustrated abnormalities in patients with prior myocardial infarction.Conclusions. Gated blood pool tomography performed using a floating axis system, regional stroke volume calculation of ejection fraction and nine regions uses all the three-dimensional blood pool data to calculate regional ejection fraction, allow quantitative comparison with normal limit tiles, display the functional data in the two-dimensional bull's-eye format and demonstrate abnormalities in patients with myocardial infarction

Revised Status of Rare and Endangered Unionaea (Mollusca: Margaritiferidae, Unionidae) in Arkansas

Harris and Gordon (1987) reviewed the distribution and status of 18 rare and /or endangered unionacean bivalve species (commonly referred to as clams, mussels, freshwater mussels, naiads) that occur or have occurred in Arkansas. They discussed four species that were federally listed as endangered, four species that were considered endangered or extirpated within Arkansas, four species considered threatened within Arkansas, four species of special concern within Arkansas, and two species for which the conservation status was considered uncertain due to questions regarding taxonomic validity. Numerous unionacean field surveys have been performed during 1986 1996, and a substantial database of new distributional and relative abundance information has been accumulated. Two additional unionacean species have been listed as federally endangered, one additional species has been listed as federally threatened, and one endangered species has been newly discovered within Arkansas bringing the total number of federally protected unionacean species occurring within Arkansas to eight. The conservation status of 16 additional unionacean species occurring in Arkansas is discussed also

Growth Curves of Four Species of Commercially Valuable Freshwater Mussels (Bivalva: Unionidae)

North American freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) have been exploited commercially for over 100 years and have been regulated using shell size limits and/or harvest seasons. Presently, freshwater mussels are considered a threatened faunal group in North America due to the large numbers of endangered, threatened or special concern species. Therefore, management of this fauna should emphasize their long-term sustainability. The objectives of this study were 1) to construct von Bertalanffy growth curves for selected commercially-most-valuable species, Fusconaia ebena, Megalonaias nervosa, Amblema plicata and Quadrula quadrula, from five rivers and two reservoirs, 2) to compare species-specific von Bertalanffy growth curves from different rivers and reservoirs, and 3) to provide information on size at onset of sexual maturity in F. ebena and A. plicata. Von Bertalanffy growth curves of four commercially valuable Ambleminae species were used in this study to compare drainage-specific growth. Growth curves for all four species investigated were significantly different between pairs of drainages. Approximate size at onset of sexual maturity was determined for Arkansas F. ebena and A. plicata. Von Bertalanffy growth curves, coupled with life history and population dynamics information, could be useful in assessing and determining national/state harvest sizes and/or drainage specific harvest sizes once annual growth line formation is confirmed