Deer–vehicle collision trends at a suburban immunocontraception site

Observations of extended estrus seasons in female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) vaccinated with porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraceptives have led to speculation that management use of PZP would, perversely, increase the rate of deer–vehicle collisions. To test this hypothesis, we studied PZP-treated female deer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland. PZP-treated female deer did not differ from untreated female deer in risk of death by vehicle collision, and the number of deer killed in vehicle collisions was uncorrelated with the number of deer treated with PZP, whether or not population size was controlled for. The reduction in deer population size observed during PZP applications was associated with a reduced frequency of deer–vehicle collisions. Our results suggest that any added collision risk caused by behavioral effects of PZP is unmeasurably small compared to the effects of population management and other mitigation actions

Torque magnetometry study of metamagnetic transitions in single-crystal HoNi2B2C at T\approx 1.9 K

Metamagnetic transitions in single-crystal rare-earth nickel borocarbide HoNi$_2$B$_2$C have been studied at T\approx 1.9 K with a Quantum Design torque magnetometer. This compound is highly anisotropic with a variety of metamagnetic states at low temperature which includes antiferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, non-collinear and ferromagnetic-like (saturated paramagnet) states. The critical fields of the transitions depend crucially on the angle $\theta$ between applied field and the easy axis [110]. Measurements of torque along the c-axis have been made while changing the angular direction of the magnetic field (parallel to basal tetragonal $ab$-planes) and with changing field at fixed angle over a wide angular range. Two new phase boundaries in the region of the non-collinear phase have been observed, and the direction of the magnetization in this phase has been precisely determined. At low field the antiferromagnetic phase is observed to be multidomain. In the angular range very close to the hard axis [100] ($-6^{\circ} \lesssim\phi \lesssim 6^{\circ}$, where $\phi$ is the angle between field and the hard axis) the magnetic behavior is found to be ``frustrated'' with a mixture of phases with different directions of the magnetization.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev. B, 12 pages, 12 figure

Vulnerability of Northern Prairie Wetlands to Climate Change

The prairie pothole region (PPR) lies in the heart of North America and contains millions of glacially formed, depressional wetlands embedded in a landscape matrix of natural grassland and agriculture. These wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services and produce 50% to 80% of the continent\u27s ducks. We explored the broad spatial and temporal patterns across the PPR between climate and wetland water levels and vegetation by applying a wetland simulation model (WETSIM) to 18 stations with 95-year weather records. Simulations suggest that the most productive habitat for breeding waterfowl would shift under a drier climate from the center of the PPR (the Dakotas and southeastern Saskatchewan) to the wetter eastern and northern fringes, areas currently less productive or where most wetlands have been drained. Unless these wetlands are protected and restored, there is little insurance for waterfowl against future climate warming. WETSIM can assist wetland managers in allocating restoration dollars in an uncertain climate future

Evaluating the Contributions of State of the Art Assessment Techniques to Predicting Memory Outcome after Unilateral Anterior Temporal Lobectomy

Purpose:Although anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) is an effective treatment for many patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), one risk associated with this procedure is postsurgical decline in memory. A substantial number of past studies examined factors that predict memory decline after surgery, but few have investigated multiple predictors simultaneously or considered measures that are currently in use. Methods: This study compared the relative contributions made by presurgical neuropsychological test scores, MRI-based hippocampal volumetric analysis, and Wada test results to predicting memory outcome after ATL in a group of 87 patients. Results: Logistic regression analyses indicated that noninvasive procedures (neuropsychological testing and MRI) made significant contributions to improving the prediction of memory outcome in this sample. The results from the Wada procedure did not significantly improve prediction once these other factors were considered. The only exception was in predicting memory for visual information after a delay, in which Wada results improved prediction accuracy from 78% to 81%. Conclusions: Current neuropsychological tests and MRI volumetric measures predict changes in verbal and visual memory after ATL. The relatively small change in correct classification rates when Wada memory scores are considered calls into question the benefits of using Wada test results to predict memory outcome when the results of noninvasive procedures are available

Observation of anisotropic effect of antiferromagnetic ordering on the superconducting gap in ErNi2B2C

The point-contact (PC) spectra of the Andreev reflection dV/dI curves of the superconducting rare-earth nickel borocarbide ErNi2B2C (Tc=11 K) have been analyzed in the "one-gap" and "two-gap" approximations using the generalized Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (GBTK) model and the Beloborod'ko (BB) model allowing for the pair-breaking effect of magnetic impurities. Experimental and calculated curves have been compared not only in shape, but in magnitude as well, which provide more reliable data for determining the temperature dependence of the energy gap (or superconducting order parameter) \Delta(T). The anisotropic effect of antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N =6 K on the superconducting gap/order parameter has been determined: as the temperature is lowered, \Delta(T) decreases by 25% in the c-direction and only by 4% in the ab-plane. It is found that the pair-breaking parameter increases in the vicinity of the magnetic transitions, the increase being more pronounced in the c-direction. The efficiency of the models was tested for providing \Delta(T) data for ErNi2B2C from Andreev reflection spectra.Comment: 16 two column pages, 20 figs., will be published in Fiz. Nizk. Temp. N10, 2010; V2: added - "Acknowledgement" & "Note added in proof

A Field Guide to South Dakota Amphibians

Amphibians possess a unique combination of physical and biological characteristics which make them sensitive to environmental changes such as pollution and loss of aquatic habitat. Amphibians also play an important role in food chains where they may constitute large portions of other animals\u27 diets. While small fishes or other amphibians prey upon larval amphibians, many mammals and birds rely on a dult amphibians for food. Amphibians also are economically important locally and regionally. For example, local bait dealers sell frogs to anglers and schools buy frogs from biological supply companies for use in classroom dissection exercises. Public interest in, and concern for, the welfare of our natural environment has increased during the past few decades. People are eager to learn and understand more about the plants, animals, and habitats that surround them. Frequently their initial interest is sparked by the ability to identify different species of plants and animals. Although several states have published books , field guides, or technical bulletins regarding amphibians, this is the first comprehensive publication regarding the amphibians of South Dakota. This guide is meant to be useful to anyone wanting to learn more about these often secretive creatures. Included in this guide are tips for identification, brief life histories, and distribution maps of the species that currently or historically have been known to inhabit South Dakota . Distribution maps are based on current (Fischer 1998) and historical (Thompson 1976) distributional records

APOE ɛ4 is associated with postictal confusion in patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy

This study examined the relationship between the APOE ɛ4 allele and postictal confusion in patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Patients with at least one ɛ4 allele (n = 22) were three times more likely to exhibit postictal confusion (68%) than the 63 patients without ɛ4 (43%). These preliminary results demonstrate that APOE ɛ4 is associated with an increased risk of postictal confusion in patients with medically intractable TLE, suggesting possible dysfunction in neuronal recovery mechanisms

Research Reports From Status Report: Identification of Appropriate Standards for Corrective Action for a Release from Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks

This document is a collection of research reports: Cost of Closure and Remediation for Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks Assessment of Number and Distribution of USTs Analysis of Potable Water Sources in Kentucky Analysis of Well Data and Soil Parameters as Related to the STATSGO Kentucky General Soil Map Petroleum Products: Chemical Composition, Tocxicological and Environmental Data Health Risk Analysis for Selected Petroleum Compounds Summary of Analytical Methods Soil Volume Calculations for UST Installations Generic Organic Containment Pathway Analysis for Components of Petroleum in Soil and Groundwate

A Demonstration of using Partnerships and Private Lands Conservation to Evaluate Livestock Grazing as a Management Tool for Greater Sage Grouse in Central Montana

Partnerships across agencies and land ownerships established to maintain wildlife-compatible “working landscapes” are critical for conserving and managing wildlife in the West.  Preliminary results from the first three years of a 10-yr study in central Montana demonstrate this management approach.  We are evaluating prescribed grazing systems implemented by NRCS’s Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) that are designed to improve hiding cover and food availability for Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) during critical life stages via voluntary, incentive-based modifications of livestock grazing management.  Extensive vegetation sampling across 8 SGI-enrolled ranches and 20 non-enrolled ranches in 2013 revealed significant increases in residual grass height, live grass height, and herbaceous vegetation cover on SGI-enrolled lands. In 2011-2013, we monitored adult female sage-grouse and chicks with radiotelemetry to measure vital rates and habitat use. Annual hen survival ranged from 57-74 percent, nest success ranged from 12-61 percent, and chick survival ranged from 9-23 percent.  Using an information theoretic approach in program MARK, the top-ranked nest success model showed that grass height was positively correlated with nest success.   During late nesting to early brood rearing periods of 2012 and 2013 we used pitfall traps to collected ground-dwelling arthropods from cattle grazed and rest-rotation phase pastures enrolled in the SGI program. Collected arthropods were identified and appropriate specimens were classified as sage grouse chick food items. During both years of study, food item catches were greatest (P < 0.03) in rested versus grazed pastures indicating that strategic pasture rest may increase the availability of sage grouse chick food resources