Environmental aspects of soil phosphorus testing

peer-reviewedSoil phosphorus testing in Ireland uses Morgan’s reagent from samples taken to 10 cm depth for agronomic recommendations. However, its suitability as an environmental indicator has been questioned in terms of sample depth and extraction solution. Seven grassland sites were sampled to depths of 2, 5 and 10 cm and extracted for Morgan’s P, the standard agronomic test, as well as iron-oxide impregnated paper strip P (FeOP), calcium chloride extractable P (CaCl2-P) and water soluble P (WSP), all proposed as environmental soil tests. Extractable soil P decreased with increasing sample depth, as did variances in each test, such that, 2 cm samples had highest concentrations and variances. The current standard sample depth (10 cm) was linearly related to corresponding data from samples taken to 2 and 5 cm, indicating that surface soil P can be consistently estimated from the current standard depth. When soil tests were compared with dissolved reactive P (DRP) in overland flow collected from two field sites, certain soil tests were better indicators of P loss than others. The relative difference in Morgan’s P values at the standard sample depth (10 cm) was reflected in the relative difference in P loss between the two sites. Average values of DRP collected from two sites ranged from 0.032 to 0.067 mg/l at the low P site and 0.261 to 0.620 at the high P site. Average DRP values from the high P site and maximum DRP values from the low P site were simulated using water-soluble P extraction at water to soil ratios 5 to 250 l/kg. In this study, Morgan’s P to 10 cm gave a good indication of the relative difference in DRP loss between the two sites

Global mind field - a cybernetic perspective

This paper examines the process and outcomes of a workshop event Global Mind FIELD presented at ISEA2013, Sydney. The workshop was conducted and facilitated by Karen Casey and Harry Sokol, with assistants Damian Smith and James Power. The researchers aimed to initiate and test for instances of neural synchrony between participants using creative visual stimulus, enabled by proprietary software program Viseeg (Sokol/Casey) and wireless EEG (electroencephalograph) headsets (Emotiv). The paper further examines to what extent the process of neuro-feedback and the resulting neural synchrony produced through the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ interfaces can be viewed as indicators of a cybernetic mode of practice

Global mind field - a cybernetic perspective

This paper examines the process and outcomes of a workshop event Global Mind FIELD presented at ISEA2013, Sydney. The workshop was conducted and facilitated by Karen Casey and Harry Sokol, with assistants Damian Smith and James Power. The researchers aimed to initiate and test for instances of neural synchrony between participants using creative visual stimulus, enabled by proprietary software program Viseeg (Sokol/Casey) and wireless EEG (electroencephalograph) headsets (Emotiv). The paper further examines to what extent the process of neuro-feedback and the resulting neural synchrony produced through the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ interfaces can be viewed as indicators of a cybernetic mode of practice

Elementary Principals’ Role in Science Instruction

This study explores the role elementary school principals play in science education. Specifically, the study employed an online survey of 16 elementary school principals at high-performing campuses in North Texas to explore their perceptions of how they influenced science education on their campuses. The survey used a combination of Likert-type rating scale items and open-ended questions. Responses from elementary principals suggest that the important components of instructional leadership for science included a) collaboration with teachers, b) changing teaching assignments, and c) teacher motivation

Second Language Acquisition of American Sign Language Influences Co-speech Gesture Production

Previous work indicates that 1) adults with native sign language experience produce more manual co-speech gestures than monolingual non-signers, and 2) one year of ASL instruction increases gesture production in adults, but not enough to differentiate them from non-signers. To elucidate these effects, we asked early ASL–English bilinguals, fluent late second language (L2) signers (≥ 10 years of experience signing), and monolingual non-signers to retell a story depicted in cartoon clips to a monolingual partner. Early and L2 signers produced manual gestures at higher rates compared to non-signers, particularly iconic gestures, and used a greater variety of handshapes. These results indicate susceptibility of the co-speech gesture system to modification by extensive sign language experience, regardless of the age of acquisition. L2 signers produced more ASL signs and more handshape varieties than early signers, suggesting less separation between the ASL lexicon and the co-speech gesture system for L2 signers

How 19 years of BC coastal waterbird citizen science data is informing conservation planning

The Fraser River Estuary Important Bird and Biodiversity Area consisting of Sturgeon Bank, Roberts Bank, Boundary Bay and upland areas was designated in 2016 as an IBA in Danger by Birdlife International. The designation is based on the myriad of threats across the delta that have developed despite several transboundary and international designations of the region including a Ramsar Wetland of International Significance listing since 1982 and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site designation since 2004. Despite these listings, declines in coastal waterbirds continue. The Coastal Waterbird Surveys have been running along the BC portion of the Salish Sea since 1999 with over 400 volunteers logging thousands of hours monitoring coastal waterbirds. Of the 57 waterbird species regularly using the Strait of Georgia, trend analysis from 1999-2011 (updated results to be presented) found that 22 of these species were experiencing a decline while three species, Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler and Pigeon Guillemot were increasing. While this species specific trend data has been very useful for transboundary planning initiatives such as the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, when it comes to addressing localized development threats spatially explicit data is required to aid conservation planning. Bird Studies Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service has recently completed an updated spatially explicit hotspot analysis for 19 guilds covered by the BC Coastal Waterbird Survey. The results of the new hotspot analysis will be presented along with a discussion of some the planning processes where the data is being utilized as an input such as spill response planning and coastal flood adaptation planning. The talk will conclude with some thoughts on the potential of the tools found in the Engagement Organizing literature as means to connect citizen scientists with decision making in order to strengthen the conservation of the Fraser estuary

Listeriolysin S, a Novel Peptide Haemolysin Associated with a Subset of Lineage I Listeria monocytogenes

peer-reviewedStreptolysin S (SLS) is a bacteriocin-like haemolytic and cytotoxic virulence factor that plays a key role in the virulence of Group A Streptococcus (GAS), the causative agent of pharyngitis, impetigo, necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Although it has long been thought that SLS and related peptides are produced by GAS and related streptococci only, there is evidence to suggest that a number of the most notorious Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum and Staphylococcus aureus, produce related peptides. The distribution of the L. monocytogenes cluster is particularly noteworthy in that it is found exclusively among a subset of lineage I strains; i.e., those responsible for the majority of outbreaks of listeriosis. Expression of these genes results in the production of a haemolytic and cytotoxic factor, designated Listeriolysin S, which contributes to virulence of the pathogen as assessed by murine- and human polymorphonuclear neutrophil–based studies. Thus, in the process of establishing the existence of an extended family of SLS-like modified virulence peptides (MVPs), the genetic basis for the enhanced virulence of a proportion of lineage I L. monocytogenes may have been revealed.Work is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, through a Science Foundation Ireland Investigator award to CH, PR and PC (06/IN.1/B98)