Effects of Roadway-Related Physical and Chemical Habitat Alterations on Stream Ecosystems

Roadways are an important feature of both rural and urban landscapes, and disturbances associated with them have a variety of effects on stream ecosystems. Organisms may be differentially affected by toxic substances, depending on such factors as sediment and water chemistry, toxin bioavailability, uptake and elimination processes, and tolerance mechanisms. The effects of heavy metal pollution and habitat alteration related to urbanization and industry were examined along a gradient of impact in Goosefare Brook, a small stream in southern Maine with a history of water quality impahlent. The structure of invertebrate assemblages changed significantly along the gradient, and were related to both chemical pollution and habitat channelization. In contrast, litter processing rates showed small decreases along the gradient of pollution related to water and sediment quality. Whole-community secondary production showed a strong decrease related to metal concentrations, fiom 26.4 mgAFDM/m2/y at the reference station to 1.1 mgAFDM/m2/y at stations receiving industrial discharges. Tolerant taxa played an increasing role in community energy flow along the gradient. Subsequently, assessment of these same parameters in five streams that cross beneath the Maine Turnpike revealed that habitat alteration related to the roadway did not exceed system resistance to stress, and negative effects of the on litter processing and invertebrate production were not evident. Litter loss rate was greater at stations downstream of the highway (-0.0024 degree-day-1) than upstream (-0.0022 degree-day-1). Invertebrate secondary production in these streams was comparable to estimates fiom similar streams in the coastal plain of the eastern United States (3.5 to 15.3 mgAFDM/m2/y). Significant differences in habitat, water and sediment chemistry, and biotic communities were evident among streams, although were not generally related to the presence of the roadway. Litter processing rates and secondary production were more strongly related to physical and chemical habitat variables than to the presence of the roadway. These studies have shown that pollution and habitat channelization can profoundly affect ecosystem function, and although stresses from the Maine Turnpike affect invertebrate population and community characteristics in small streams, they are not sufficient to consistently alter function in these systems

MODULATION OF THE ALPHA-7 NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL RAT BRAIN INJURY IMPROVES CELLULAR AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, and survivors are often left with cognitive deficits and significant problems with day to day tasks. To date, therapeutic pharmacological treatments of TBI remain elusive despite numerous clinical trials. An improved understanding of the molecular and cellular response to injury may help guide future treatment strategies. One promising marker for brain injury is the translocator protein (TSPO), which is normally expressed at a low level, but is highly expressed following brain damage and is associated with neuroinflammation. The isoquinoline carboxamide PK11195 binds selectively to the TSPO in many species, and has therefore become the most-studied TSPO ligand. To characterize the time-course of TSPO expression in the controlled cortical injury (CCI) model of TBI we subjected Sprague-Dawley rats to CCI and euthanatized them after 30 minutes, 12 hours, 1, 2, 4, or 6 days. Autoradiography with radiolabelled PK11195 was used to assess the time-course of TSPO binding following CCI. Autoradiographs were compared to adjacent tissue slices stained with the microglia/macrophage marker ED-1, with which a moderate positive correlation was discovered. PK11195 autoradiography was used as a tool with which to assess neuroinflammation following CCI and the administration of an α7 nAChR antagonist, methyllycaconitine (MLA). We hypothesized that blocking the calcium permeable α7 nAChR after brain injury would have a neuroprotective effect by attenuating excitotoxicity in the shortterm. Our study revealed clear dose-dependent tissue sparing in rats administered MLA after trauma and a modest improvement in functional outcome. The relatively modest recovery of function with MLA, which could be due to prolonged α7 nAChR blockade or downregulation lead us to explore the potential of α7 nAChR partial agonists in treating TBI. The α7 nAChR partial agonists tropisetron, ondansetron, and DMXB-A produced a moderate attenuation of cognitive deficits, but did not have a neuroprotective effect on tissue sparing. These studies show that following TBI, α7 nAChR modulation can have neuroprotective effects and attenuate cognitive deficits. Whether this modulation is best achieved through partial agonist treatment alone or a combination antagonist/agonist treatment remains to be determined

The kinematic linkage of the Dent, Craven and related faults of Northern England

New mapping of the southern part of the Dent Fault reveals three segments, each 5–6 km long, overlapping at two left-stepping zones 1–2 km wide. The main fault strands probably dip steeply WNW. A faulted footwall syncline in Carboniferous strata indicates reverse dip-slip, with a stratigraphic throw of at least 750 m. Locally developed plunging folds and imbricate fault duplexes developed at fault bends reveal a strike-slip component, indicated to be sinistral from limited slickenline data. Silurian strata in the hanging wall lack the Variscan folds observed further north. The northern overstep hosts up-faulted slivers of older Silurian and Ordovician rocks. The southern overstep zone hosts a younger faulted block compatible with releasing kinematics in sinistral strike-slip. The Dent Fault converges at its southern end with the Barbon Fault; an upfaulted wedge of Silurian strata lies between them near the branch point. The two faults swing southeastward, joining the Craven fault system via splays and linkages. Regionally, the Dent and Barbon faults form the innermost pair of a fan of ~N–S striking faults splaying off the northwest end of the South Craven–Morley-Campsall Fault System around the southwestern corner of the Askrigg Block. The kinematics of the Dent, Barbon and Craven faults fit shortening orientated NNW–SSE during late Carboniferous Variscan deformation. The rigid Askrigg Block focussed displacements around its west and south margins where fault and fold orientations were influenced by pre-existing structures, at least Acadian in age to the west and early Carboniferous to the south

Statistical process control for data without inherent order

Abstract Background The XmR chart is a powerful analytical tool in statistical process control (SPC) for detecting special causes of variation in a measure of quality. In this analysis a statistic called the average moving range is used as a measure of dispersion of the data. This approach is correct for data with natural underlying order, such as time series data. There is however conflict in the literature over the appropriateness of the XmR chart to analyse data without an inherent ordering. Methods We derive the maxima and minima for the average moving range in data without inherent ordering, and show how to calculate this for any data set. We permute a real world data set and calculate control limits based on these extrema. Results In the real world data set, permuting the order of the data affected an absolute difference of 109 percent in the width of the control limits. Discussion We prove quantitatively that XmR chart analysis is problematic for data without an inherent ordering, and using real-world data, demonstrate the problem this causes for calculating control limits. The resulting ambiguity in the analysis renders it unacceptable as an approach to making decisions based on data without inherent order. Conclusion The XmR chart should only be used for data endowed with an inherent ordering, such as a time series. To detect special causes of variation in data without an inherent ordering we suggest that one of the many well-established approaches to outlier analysis should be adopted. Furthermore we recommend that in all SPC analyses authors should consistently report the type of control chart used, including the measure of variation used in calculating control limits.</p

The Face of the Market

This thesis reviews the effect on economic openness that can be established by the presence of strong Global Compact local networks. The work identifies three measures of openness and four sets of domestic conditions in which the Global Compact operates, respectively: (1) prevalence of trade, (2) measures of foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment and (3) policy indicators of openness, in respect to democracies with (a) strong local networks or (b) weak local networks, as well as autocratic regimes with (c) strong or (d) weak local networks. A comparative study follows, looking at twenty-three years of data across fifty countries exemplifying the above domains, to determine what impact, if any, the Global Compact has had on economic trends and policy. By measuring the reciprocal effect that enhanced corporate responsibility is expected to have on public trust (reflected in economic policy), the author purports to strengthen an already robust business case for responsible and sustained membership in the Global Compact by demonstrating its utility in facilitating business friendly political climates in its host countries

A mixed-methods study of challenges experienced by clinical teams in measuring improvement.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement is an indispensable element of most quality improvement (QI) projects, but it is undertaken to variable standards. We aimed to characterise challenges faced by clinical teams in undertaking measurement in the context of a safety QI programme that encouraged local selection of measures. METHODS: Drawing on an independent evaluation of a multisite improvement programme (Safer Clinical Systems), we combined a qualitative study of participating teams' experiences and perceptions of measurement with expert review of measurement plans and analysis of data collected for the programme. Multidisciplinary teams of frontline clinicians at nine UK NHS sites took part across the two phases of the programme between 2011 and 2016. RESULTS: Developing and implementing a measurement plan against which to assess their improvement goals was an arduous task for participating sites. The operational definitions of the measures that they selected were often imprecise or missed important details. Some measures used by the teams were not logically linked to the improvement actions they implemented. Regardless of the specific type of data used (routinely collected or selected ex novo), the burdensome nature of data collection was underestimated. Problems also emerged in identifying and using suitable analytical approaches. CONCLUSION: Measurement is a highly technical task requiring a degree of expertise. Simply leveraging individual clinicians' motivation is unlikely to defeat the persistent difficulties experienced by clinical teams when attempting to measure their improvement efforts. We suggest that more structural initiatives and broader capability-building programmes should be pursued by the professional community. Improving access to, and ability to use repositories of validated measures, and increasing transparency in reporting measurement attempts, is likely to be helpful.This study was funded by the Health Foundation, charity number 286967. This work was also supported by MDW’s Wellcome Trust Investigator award WT09789. MDW is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator. MDW and EL are supported by the Health Foundation’s grant to the University of Cambridge for The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute. THIS Institute is supported by the Health Foundation – an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK. TW was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) programme for North West London, and through an Improvement Science Fellowship from the Health Foundation. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Health Foundation, the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care

Subarctic Records and Range Extensions of Two Species of Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in Churchill and Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

Two species of tiger beetle (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) were collected in the vicinity of Churchill, Manitoba and Wapusk National Park. Habitats were dry, sandy areas typically preferred by this family. No tiger beetle has been recorded from this region previously. Cicindela longilabris longilabris was collected in two localities, one south of Churchill and another on a relict beach ridge in Wapusk National Park. Cicindela limbata hyperborea was collected only on the beach ridge, where adults co-occurred with C. longilabris longilabris. These localities represent significant range extensions for both species. Erratum included

Species richness-environment relationships of European arthropods at two spatial grains : habitats and countries

We study how species richness of arthropods relates to theories concerning net primary productivity, ambient energy, water-energy dynamics and spatial environmental heterogeneity. We use two datasets of arthropod richness with similar spatial extents (Scandinavia to Mediterranean), but contrasting spatial grain (local habitat and country). Samples of ground-dwelling spiders, beetles, bugs and ants were collected from 32 paired habitats at 16 locations across Europe. Species richness of these taxonomic groups was also determined for 25 European countries based on the Fauna Europaea database. We tested effects of net primary productivity (NPP), annual mean temperature (T), annual rainfall (R) and potential evapotranspiration of the coldest month (PETmin) on species richness and turnover. Spatial environmental heterogeneity within countries was considered by including the ranges of NPP, T, R and PETmin. At the local habitat grain, relationships between species richness and environmental variables differed strongly between taxa and trophic groups. However, species turnover across locations was strongly correlated with differences in T. At the country grain, species richness was significantly correlated with environmental variables from all four theories. In particular, species richness within countries increased strongly with spatial heterogeneity in T. The importance of spatial heterogeneity in T for both species turnover across locations and for species richness within countries suggests that the temperature niche is an important determinant of arthropod diversity. We suggest that, unless climatic heterogeneity is constant across sampling units, coarse-grained studies should always account for environmental heterogeneity as a predictor of arthropod species richness, just as studies with variable area of sampling units routinely consider area

Rare-earth-free MnAl-C-Ni permanent magnets produced by extrusion of powder milled from bulk

Rare-earth-free MnAl-C-Ni permanent magnets have been produced for the first time by extruding powders milled from bulk. The resulting materials, fabricated using different conditions, contained a large volume fraction (> 0.92) of the desired τ-phase. In terms of the maximum energy product, the best performance obtained for a whole, transverse section of the extruded material was (BH)max = 46 kJm−3, and was (BH)max = 49 kJm−3 for a sample taken from near the edge of this section. Analysis showed that this material was comparable to the long-established benchmark, comprising MnAl-C-based magnets extruded in industry from bulk or from gas-atomised powder. Such materials are no longer available. The microstructure of the materials produced here consisted of fine, recrystallised grains, which exhibited an fibre texture with intermediate texture quality and of larger, non-recrystallised regions, which contained hierarchical twinning and a high density of defects. The volume fraction and size of the non-recrystallised regions was greatly reduced by decreasing the size of the initial powder particles. This led to a large increase in the squareness factor of the demagnetisation curve and consequently to the high (BH)max values observed