To SPAC or Not to SPAC: Liberalizing the Regulation of Capital Markets

The merger and acquisition world has experienced an uptick in deal flow since 2016, reaching unprecedented levels in 2020 due to enhanced private equity funding and market volatility. While the market volatility spurred by COVID-19 halted traditional initial public offerings (IPOs), the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) market exploded. The flurry of SPAC activity in the United States triggered the development of SPAC markets worldwide. Unfortunately, SPACs’ great rise to fame in the past few years has come at a cost-—fraud. As such, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is left grappling with how to best regulate the market moving forward, avoiding a return to rampant fraud that plagued the market in the 1980s. This Note assesses the current SPAC regulatory framework in the United States and abroad. The solution suggests that capital markets should impose modest preventative measures that enable SPACs to occupy their own sphere in capital markets while also affording greater investor protections

Determining the distribution of antibiotic resistant and fecal indicator bacteria in the Ohio River

The Ohio River extends 981 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, Ill providing drinking water to over three million people, a natural habitat for aquatic life, a public recreation resource, a major transportation route, and a source of water for industry. The Guyandotte River is a highly impacted tributary emptying into the Ohio River in Huntington, WV. The objectives of this study were to determine if sediment load is correlated to the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and determine if a single surface sample is a sufficient representative measurement of ARB populations in a large river. In 2007, subsurface and bottom water samples from the Ohio River were analyzed for total coliforms, E. coli, as well as tetracycline resistant and ciprofloxacin resistant coliforms and E. coli. In 2008, samples were collected from the mouth of the Guyandotte River and the mainstem Ohio River via SCUBA. Samples wereanalyzed for coliforms and E. coli using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000©. The R2A plate count method was used to determine antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and virginiamycin. Water chemistry and sediment data were also collected. SigmaStat 3.5 and Statistica 8.0 were used to analyze and detect significant differences between sites and samples. Results show that depth and sediment were not contributing factors; however, location was a factor due to the direct input of water and bacteria from the tributary. Intense sampling may beneeded in order to detect the impact of a source as well as in determining whether water quality standards are met at that location

The Status and Distribution of Invasive Crayfishes and Their Effects on Native Crayfish Communities in West Virginia

Introductions of non-native crayfish species have resulted in the global decline of native crayfish populations, including those in North America. The last large survey of crayfishes from West Virginia was in 1988 and 1989. In this thorough document Raymond Jezerinac, Whitney Stocker, and Donald Tarter identified three separate areas in West Virginia where non-native crayfish species have been introduced. One area is located in the Potomac River drainage in northeastern West Virginia commonly referred to as the eastern panhandle of the state. This is also the only drainage in West Virginia where the native spiny cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) occurs. A survey of this area in 1988 and 1989 resulted in the capture of 14 O. limosus individuals and an abundance of the non-native virile crayfish (O. virilis). In 2005 and 2006, crayfish were collected from streams within the West Virginia portion of O. limosus range, including locations where previously documented captures had occurred. The absence of O. limosus and abundance of O. virilis in the surveys conducted indicate extirpation of populations from this portion of its range. These data along with similar accounts of invasive crayfishes in West Virginia including the rusty crayfish (O. rusticus) and decline of native crayfish populations prompted surveys in each drainage where invasive crayfishes have been documented in West Virginia: The Potomac River drainage in northeast West Virginia, the New River Gorge National River and tributaries, and the Kanawha/Ohio River and tributaries. Results from the three study areas suggest non-native crayfishes are actively expanding their range and displacing native crayfish populations in West Virginia

A needs assessment of West Virginia environmental educators: West Virginia Environmental Education Association and West Virginia University County Extension Agents

West Virginia is a state full of a variety of environmental education (EE) programs---both formal and nonformal. However, in order to be effective, educators must have the most updated and user friendly resources readily accessible through various supporting organizations or agencies. The WVEEA is a new state-wide group dedicated to improving EE programs, and supporting EE through its members.;The ultimate goal of EE programs is to improve environmental literacy and foster environmentally responsible behavior. Environmental literacy gives people the awareness, knowledge, ability, motivation, commitment and skill to work with others to resolve environmental problems and prevent new ones. EE activities can also improve communication, group processes, and problem-solving skills to help prepare a society-ready youth.;This present study examined the needs of environmental educators in West Virginia---defined as those individuals associated with the WVEEA. The purpose of this study is to identify those individuals and organizations that provide EE in West Virginia and gather specific information about EE providers in WV (types of programs provided, audiences, etc). In addition, the educators were asked about barriers and needs, in order to enhance their programs for the future and to aid in their professional development.;In August and September 2008, surveys were mailed to all the contacts in the WVEEA\u27s database and every West Virginia extension agent. These contacts were asked to fill out the surveys and mail them back. The survey included questions that addressed program descriptions, demographics, resource and professional development needs and program barriers

Rethinking the Orientation Communication Methodology

The purpose of this paper is to describe how utilizing a comprehensive orientation communications plan can provide a tangible return on investment (ROI) and create a welcoming and knowledgeable atmosphere for students. The information presented is based on the author’s experience in the development of an orientation communication experience

Experience Improves the Reliability of Subjective Measurements of Temperament in Beef Cattle

Reliability of experienced and inexperienced observers when assessing the behavior of cattle when restrained in a squeeze chute (chute score), and when exiting the chute (exit score), was compared. Overall, experienced observers had higher reliability than inexperienced observers. Increasing the number of individuals scoring an animal decreased the degree of agreement. However, within an acceptable tolerance for difference in scores, such disagreement may be beneficial; it allows for subtlety in interpretations of temperament, which when averaged, may better reflect docility. Reliabilities were higher for exit score than chute score. This may reflect the complexity of the trait being evaluated, with fewer behaviors observed when cattle exit as compared to when restrained in a chute. Producers may profitably use chute and exit score to quantify docility in cattle. However, it may be worthwhile to gain experience in using the scoring system before implementing it for selection decisions