Carbon and nitrogen dynamics of anthropogenically disturbed seagrass ecosystems

As atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to rise, understanding factors that influence size and longevity of carbon (C) pools within coastal and marine ecosystems (i.e., “blue carbon”) is critical. In 2013, the global average atmospheric CO2 concentration reached 396 ppm, which was the highest recorded level in the last 800,000 years. Recent research acknowledges the importance of “blue carbon” in the global C cycle, finding that these ecosystems capture up to 70% of organic C in the marine realm, rendering them one of the most efficient C sinks on the planet. Specifically, seagrass ecosystems are critically important to the global C cycle, and yet they are the least studied blue C ecosystem. Studies assessing C status and potential response to disturbances are essential for governing agencies who aim to develop management strategies to conserve and restore critical seagrass ecosystems. This research aims to fill this knowledge gap by quantifying C and nitrogen (N) stocks and fluxes in turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum, Banks and Sol. ex K. D. Koenig, 1805) meadows in the Lower Laguna Madre of South Texas, which have been experimentally subjected to anthropogenic disturbance from boat propeller scars. Soil and vegetation C and N pools within disturbed and nearby undisturbed areas will be estimated to determine the rate of post-disturbance changes of the historically sequestered C. I hypothesize that disturbed areas will show an increased rate of C loss from soils and coincident reduction of sequestered C and N, likely due to both erosion and microbial breakdown, and that regrowth of seagrass in these areas will be insufficient to return disturbed seagrass beds to pre-disturbance C levels. This study aims to provide the information needed to strike a balance between the growing population pressures that seagrasses face with the important ecological role of seagrass ecosystems to the global C cycle

Re-evaluation of Seed Transmission of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis in Zea mays

The spread of Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight of corn (Zea mays), caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, to a wider geographic range in the early 2000s compared with the late 1960s has generated concern about the possible role of seed transmission in long-distance spread. The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the percentage of seed infection found in seed harvested from inoculated and noninoculated plants of hybrids that varied in resistance to Goss’s wilt; and (2) to estimate the seed transmission rate from these infected seed lots. The greatest percent seed infection was detected in seed from inoculated plants of the most susceptible hybrid and the least in seed from the most resistant hybrid. Seed lots with seed infection that ranged from 3.6 to 37.0% were planted in three field and three greenhouse trials. A total of 12 seed transmission events (Goss’s wilt symptomatic seedlings) were identified among 241,850 plants examined, for a seed transmission rate of 0.005%. When the seed transmission rate was recalculated to consider only the infected seed portion of each seed lot, the rate increased to 0.040% (12 events from 30,088 potentially infected plants). Based on the low seed transmission rate observed and previous research on disease spread from a point source, it seems unlikely that seed transmission could introduce enough inoculum to create a serious disease outbreak in a single growing season. However, risk of seed transmission is relevant for phytosanitary restrictions and preventing the introduction of the pathogen to new areas. To date, Goss’s wilt has not been detected outside North America, and while the risk of seed transmission is very low, the risk is not zero. Fortunately, the presence of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis in corn seed is readily detectable by established seed health testing methods

Confronting the “fraud bottleneck”: private sanctions for fraud and their implications for justice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the ways in which contemporary organisations are imposing their own private sanctions on fraudsters. Design/methodology/approach – The research draws on primary data from interviews with counter fraud practitioners in the UK, secondary sources and case examples. Findings – Such developments have been stimulated, at least in part, by the broader limitations of the criminal justice system and in particular a “fraud bottleneck”. Alongside criminal sanctions, many examples are provided of organisations employing private prosecutions innovative forms of civil sanction and “pseudo state” sanctions, most commonly civil penalties comparable to fines. Research limitations/implications – Such changes could mark the beginning of the “rebirth of private prosecution” and the further expansion of private punishment. Growing private involvement in state sanctions and the development of private sanctions represents a risk to traditional guarantees of justice. There are differences in which comparable frauds are dealt with by corporate bodies and thus considerable inconsistency in sanctions imposed. In contrast with criminal justice measures, there is no rehabilitative element to private sanctions. More research is needed to assess the extent of such measures, and establish what is happening, the wider social implications, and whether greater state regulation is needed. Practical implications – Private sanctions for fraud are likely to continue to grow, as organisations pursue their own measures rather than relying on increasingly over-stretched criminal justice systems. Their emergence, extent and implications are not fully understood by researchers and therefore need much more research, consideration and debate. These private measures need to be more actively recognised by criminal justice policy-makers and analysts alongside the already substantial formal involvement of the private sector in punishment through prisons, electronic tagging and probation, for example. Such measures lack the checks and balances, and greater degree of consistency as laid out in sentencing guidelines, of the criminal justice system. In light of this, consideration needs to be given to greater state regulation of private sanctions for fraud. More also needs to be done to help fraudsters suffering problems such as debt or addiction to rebuild their lives. There is a strong case for measures beyond the criminal justice system to support such fraudsters to be created and publicly promoted. Originality/value – The findings are of relevance to criminal justice policy-makers, academics and counter fraud practitioners in the public and private sectors

Goss’s wilt: Get the facts

Goss’s wilt and leaf blight is caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskense (Cmn). Historically, this disease has been a concern only to growers in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado on irrigated fields. In 2008, Goss’s wilt was reported in eight counties in Iowa and its prevalence has increased each year. In 2011, the disease was widespread throughout the central and northern two thirds of Iowa. It was also reported in a few counties in the southern third tier of counties. Why the sudden increase in the prevalence of this disease? Has the pathogen changed? Are various production practices to blame? Is seed contaminated with the bacterium? There are many questions concerning this disease

Primary care use of antipsychotic drugs: an audit and intervention study

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding the use of antipsychotic medication in secondary care suggested an examination of primary care prescribing. AIM: To audit and intervene in the suboptimal prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to primary care patients. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional prevalence: subsequent open treatment intervention. SETTING: Seven of the 29 practices in the Eastern Hull Primary Care Trust. METHODS: Criteria for best practice were developed, against which prescribing standards were tested via audit. Patients identified as suboptimally prescribed for were invited to attend an expert review for intervention. RESULTS: 1 in 100 of 53,000 patients was prescribed antipsychotic treatment. Diagnoses indicating this were impossible to ascertain reliably. Half the regimes failed one or more audit criteria, leaving diagnosis aside. Few practices agreed to patients being approached: of 179 invitations sent, only 40 patients attended. Of 32 still taking an antipsychotic drug, 26 required changes. Mean audit criteria failed were 3.4, lack of psychotic disorder diagnosis and problematic side effects being most frequent. Changes were fully implemented in only 16 patients: reasons for complete or partial failure to implement recommendations included the wishes or inaction of patients and professionals, and worsening of symptoms including two cases of antipsychotic withdrawal syndrome. CONCLUSION: Primary care prescribing of antipsychotic drugs is infrequent, but most is unsatisfactory. Intervention is hampered by pluralistic reluctance: even with expert guidance, rationalisation is not without risk. Use of antipsychotic drugs in primary care patients whose diagnosis does not warrant this should be avoided. HOW THIS FITS IN: This study adds to concerns regarding high levels of off-licence use of potentially harmful medication. It adds evidence of major difficulties in rationalizing suboptimal regimes despite expert input. Relevance to the clinician is that it is better to avoid such regimes in the first place especially if there is no clear 'exit strategy': if in doubt, seek a specialist opinion

Macroinvertebrate communities and water quality upstream and downstream of Castor canadensis dams of various ages.

Beaver dams greatly alter stream ecosystems and the surrounding environment. This study aims to assess the effect of beaver dams of various ages on water quality and macroinvertebrate communities. Five beaver dams were located on Carp Creek and Maple River in Pellston, Michigan and classified according to their state of preservation, which roughly reflects dam age. At each dam, we took macroinvertebrate samples, dissolved oxygen (DO), flow, and substrate type measurements from four places both upstream and downstream from the dam. Water quality samples (total P, total N, conductivity, turbidity, and pH) were taken at two areas both upstream and downstream from the dam. We used the Shannon-Weiner Index and Sorensen’s Index along with SPSS to statistically analyze differences in macroinvertebrate densities and numbers. Water quality samples, flow, and DO were also analyzed.None of the water quality measures attained statistical significance. There was significantly more macroinvertebrate diversity downstream than upstream for two dams on Carp Creek (p<0.05). When macroinvertebrate data for all dams were grouped together, it was again found that there was significantly more diversity downstream (p<0.05). We observed that as dam class (i.e. age) increased, upstream and downstream macroinvertebrates trended towards becoming more similar.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64580/1/Mantel_Shepherd_Brown_2009.pd