Estimating Sighting Proportions of American Alligator Nests during Helicopter Survey

Proportions of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests sighted during aerial survey in Florida were estimated based upon multiple surveys by different observers. We compared sighting proportions across habitats, nesting seasons, and observer experience levels. The mean sighting proportion across all habitats and years was 0.736 (SE=0.024). Survey counts corrected by the mean sighting proportion reliably predicted total nest counts (R2=0.933). Sighting proportions did not differ by habitat type (P=0.668) or year P=0.328). Experienced observers detected a greater proportion of nests (P<O.OOOl) than did either less experienced or inexperienced observers. Reliable estimates of nest abundance can be derived from aerial counts of alligator nests when corrected by the appropriate sighting proportion

Effects of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T metabolites on degradation of chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids, dibenzofuran, and dibenzo-p-dioxin by environmental bacteria

Agent Orange herbicide contaminated soils were utilized in enrichment culture studies to isolate 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5- trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) degrading bacteria. HPLC analyses of these soils demonstrated the presence of 22.4 mg/kg 2,4-D and 73.8 mg/kg 2,4,5-T. Two bacteria, Burkholderia species strain JRBl and Burkholderia species strain JR7B3, were isolated from these soils. These strains were able to mineralize 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, respectively. Similar enrichment culture studies were unsuccessful in identifying dibenzofuran (DBF) and dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) degrading bacteria. PGR experiments utilizing known genetic sequences from other 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T degrading bacteria have shown that these organisms contain gene sequences corresponding to the tfdA,B,C, E, and R genes (2,4-D degrading strain) and the tftA,C,and E genes (2,4,5-T degrading strain). These results are the first to indicate that both 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T metabolic pathways can exist in Agent Orange contaminated soils. Burkholderia species strain JR7B3 represents the first bacterium isolated directly from 2,4,5-T contaminated soil, which contains genes specific for 2,4,5-T degradation. Future studies comparing this environmental isolate with Burkholderia cepacia AC 1100 and other 2,4,5-T degrading bacteria will provide valuable information regarding the evolution, abundance, and activity of these ift genes in association with contaminated sites. Growing cell assays coupled with messenger RNA analyses were utilized to examine the ability of these bacteria to degrade 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in the presence of metabolic intermediates, which may affect catabolism of these compounds in Agent Orange contaminated soils. Degradation of 2,4-D by Burkholderia species strain JRBl was enhanced in the presence of glucose and RNA hybridization studies demonstrated a two-fold increase of ifdB mRNA transcripts. Addition of succinate resulted in a buildup of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), a cell death phase, delayed degradation of 2,4-D, and a two-fold decrease of tfdB mRNA transcripts. Growth on 2,4,5-T by a bacterial consortium containing Burkholderia species strain JR7B3 and Burkholderia species strain JR7B2 in the presence of glucose and succinate resulted in increased 2,4,5- trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) accumulation. Burkholderia species strain JR7B3 grown auxotrophically on 2,4,5-T in the presence of glucose resulting in 2,4,5-TCP concentrations of 22.4 mg/L, and no subsequent degradation or growth occurred. When succinate was provided as a co-carbon source 2,4,5-TCP concentrations remained below 300 pg/L and 2,4,5-T was slowly metabolized. 10 mg/L and 25 mg/L 2,4-DCP amendments induced degradation of 2,4,5-T relative to cultures containing only 2,4,5-T whereas 500 mg/L 2,4-D inhibited 2,4,5-T degradation for this strain. Sphingomonas species strain RWl was chosen as a model bacterium to examine DBF degradation in the presence of metabolic intermediates of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Random arbitrarily primed reverse transcriptase-PCR (RAP-PCR) was used to detect a mRNA transcript, putatively designated OBI, which was upregulated in the presence of DBF versus acetate. This previously unidentified gene sequence, OBI, was found to be located downstream of the dxnB gene and is clustered with other genes involved in DBF/DD metabolism. Bacterial growth experiments demonstrated that 2,4-DCP and 2,4,5-TCP inhibited growth when present at concentrations of 10 mg/L, and that 500 mg/L 2,4-D and 500 mg/L 2,4,5-T delayed growth of Sphingomonas species strain RWl on acetate. Bacterial cultures containing DBF and 2,4,5-T had a lower overall biomass relative to cultures grown with only DBF. Cultures containing acetate and 2,4-D or DBF and 2,4-D had increased overall biomass and metabolized all of the 2,4-D present. During growth on DBF/2,4-D and acetate/2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenol concentrations were maintained below 1.0 mg/L. However, during growth on acetate/2,4,5-T, 2,4,5- trichlorophenol concentrations reached a maximum of 11.9 mg/L. RNA hybridization studies showed that addition of 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP, and 2,4,5-TCP to acetate and DBF growing cells resulted in decreased dxnAl, dbfB and OBI transcript abundance. These results illustrate that strain RWl has the capacity to completely metabolize 2,4-D and 2,4- DCP in the presence of either DBF or acetate. Strain RWl can also cometabolize 2,4,5-T to a minor degree, resulting in production of 2,4,5-TCP, which was inhibitory to utilization of DBF as a growth substrate

Herpetofaunal Inventories of the National Parks of South Florida and the Caribbean: Volume III. Big Cypress National Preserve

Amphibian declines and extinctions have been documented around the world, often in protected natural areas. Concern for this trend has prompted the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service to document all species of amphibians that occur within U.S. National Parks and to search for any signs that amphibians may be declining. This study, an inventory of amphibian species in Big Cypress National Preserve, was conducted from 2002 to 2003. The goals of the project were to create a georeferenced inventory of amphibian species, use new analytical techniques to estimate proportion of sites occupied by each species, look for any signs of amphibian decline (missing species, disease, die-offs, and so forth.), and to establish a protocol that could be used for future monitoring efforts. Several sampling methods were used to accomplish these goals. Visual encounter surveys and anuran vocalization surveys were conducted in all habitats throughout the park to estimate the proportion of sites or proportion of area occupied (PAO) by each amphibian species in each habitat. Opportunistic collections, as well as limited drift fence data, were used to augment the visual encounter methods for highly aquatic or cryptic species. A total of 545 visits to 104 sites were conducted for standard sampling alone, and 2,358 individual amphibians and 374 reptiles were encountered. Data analysis was conducted in program PRESENCE to provide PAO estimates for each of the anuran species. All of the amphibian species historically found in Big Cypress National Preserve were detected during this project. At least one individual of each of the four salamander species was captured during sampling. Each of the anuran species in the preserve was adequately sampled using standard herpetological sampling methods, and PAO estimates were produced for each species of anuran by habitat. This information serves as an indicator of habitat associations of the species and relative abundance of sites occupied, but it will also be useful as a comparative baseline for future monitoring efforts. In addition to sampling for amphibians, all encounters with reptiles were documented. The sampling methods used for detecting amphibians are also appropriate for many reptile species. These reptile locations are included in this report, but the number of reptile observations was not sufficient to estimate PAO for reptile species. We encountered 35 of the 46 species of reptiles believed to be present in Big Cypress National Preserve during this study, and evidence exists of the presence of four other reptile species in the Preserve. This study found no evidence of amphibian decline in Big Cypress National Preserve. Although no evidence of decline was observed, several threats to amphibians were identified. Introduced species, especially the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), are predators and competitors with several native frog species. The recreational use of off-road vehicles has the potential to affect some amphibian populations, and a study on those potential impacts is currently underway. Also, interference by humans with the natural hydrologic cycle of south Florida has the potential to alter the amphibian community. Continued monitoring of the amphibian species in Big Cypress National Preserve is recommended. The methods used in this study were adequate to produce reliable estimates of the proportion of sites occupied by most anuran species, and are a cost-effective means of determining the status of their populations

Sea turtle nesting in the Ten Thousand Islands of Florida

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest in numerous substrate and beach types within the Ten Thousand Islands (TTl) of southwest Florida. Nesting beach selection was analyzed on 12 islands within this archipelago. Numerous physical characteristics were recorded to identify the relatedness of these variables and determine their importance for nesting beach selection in C. caretta. These variables were chosen after evaluating the islands, conducting literature searches and soliciting personal communications. Along transects, data were collected, on the following: height of canopy, beach width, overall slope (beach slope and slope of offshore approach) and sand samples analyzed for pH, percentage of water, percentage of organic content, percentage of carbonate and particle size (8 size classes). Data on ordinal aspect of beaches and beach length were also recorded and included in the analysis. All of the variables were analyzed by tree regression, incorporating the nesting data into the analysis. In the TTl, loggerheads appear to prefer wider beaches (p< 0.001; R2 = 0.56) that inherently have less slope, and secondarily, wider beaches that have low amounts of carbonate (p< O.00 1). In addition, C. caretta favors nest sites within or in close proximity to the supra-littoral vegetation zone of beaches in the TTl (p< 0.001). (86 page document

Assessing the Real Risk of Sexually Violent Predators: Doctor Padilla\u27s Dangerous Data

This Article uses internal memoranda and emails to describe the efforts of the California Department of Mental Health to suppress a serious and well-designed study that showed just 6.5% of untreated sexually violent predators were arrested for a new sex crime within 4.8 years of release from a locked mental facility. The Article begins by historically situating sexually violent predator laws and then explains the constitutionally critical role that prospective sexual dangerousness plays in justifying these laws. The Article next explains how the U.S. Supreme Court and the highest state courts have allowed these laws to exist without requiring any proof of actual danger. It then describes the California study and reconciles its findings with those of a well-known Washington study by explaining the preventive effects of increasing age. Finally, the Article explains how these results undermine the justification for indeterminate lifetime commitment of sex offenders

Alligator Diet in Relation to Alligator Mortality on Lake Griffin, FL

Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligators) demonstrated low hatchrate success and increased adult mortality on Lake Griffin, FL, between 1998 and 2003. Dying Lake Griffin alligators with symptoms of poor motor coordination were reported to show specific neurological impairment and brain lesions. Similar lesions were documented in salmonines that consumed clupeids with high thiaminase levels. Therefore, we investigated the diet of Lake Griffin alligators and compared it with alligator diets from two lakes that exhibited relatively low levels of unexplained alligator mortality to see if consumption of Dorosoma cepedianum (gizzard shad) could be correlated with patterns of mortality. Shad in both lakes Griffin and Apopka had high levels of thiaminase and Lake Apopka alligators were consuming greater amounts of shad relative to Lake Griffin without showing mortality rates similar to Lake Griffin alligators. Therefore, a relationship between shad consumption alone and alligator mortality is not supported

Creating a corporate campus : a site feasibility study

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1988.Includes bibliographical references.by A. Franklin Rice.M.S

Inclined Surface Locomotion Strategies for Spherical Tensegrity Robots

This paper presents a new teleoperated spherical tensegrity robot capable of performing locomotion on steep inclined surfaces. With a novel control scheme centered around the simultaneous actuation of multiple cables, the robot demonstrates robust climbing on inclined surfaces in hardware experiments and speeds significantly faster than previous spherical tensegrity models. This robot is an improvement over other iterations in the TT-series and the first tensegrity to achieve reliable locomotion on inclined surfaces of up to 24\degree. We analyze locomotion in simulation and hardware under single and multi-cable actuation, and introduce two novel multi-cable actuation policies, suited for steep incline climbing and speed, respectively. We propose compelling justifications for the increased dynamic ability of the robot and motivate development of optimization algorithms able to take advantage of the robot's increased control authority.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures, IROS 201

Durham County: a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

The following section describes the community diagnosis process of Durham County during the 1999-2000 academic year. The community diagnosis was conducted by the Durham County Community Diagnosis team, six first year master’s students attending the University of North Carolina’s School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education Program, in conjunction with the Durham County Health Department. This document was created to identify issues of interest that are significant for residents of Durham County, North Carolina. The document is divided into two main sections. The first section presents secondary data collected for Durham County. The second section addresses various topics that were discussed during interviews and focus groups with Durham County community members, community leaders, and services providers. During the interview process, many Durham County residents shared their thoughts, beliefs, and experiences to illustrate their most salient issues. A synopsis of the findings from both the secondary data and interviews with Durham County residents and service providers was presented at a community forum on March 4, 2000. The forum was intended as an opportunity for residents and service providers to discuss the progress of efforts to improve the quality of life of Durham County residents, applaud beneficial efforts, and offer suggestions for improvement in current strategies. Community diagnosis is an attempt by health professionals and other outsiders to gain a glimpse of what it is like to live in a particular community. The term community can be used broadly or in a more narrow sense. Community can be defined by the geographical boundaries that link individuals together; by the relational or social bonds that exist between individuals; and through the collective power that brings members together to act towards changing or maintaining the community. A community and its boundaries are self-defined by its inhabitants. Community is defined by multiple facets, including culture, values, and norms. Additionally, understanding the history of a community is instrumental to understanding patterns, norms, and activities in the community. Identification of the informal and formal leaders, their leadership style, and the power structure are also important in understanding how a community functions. Community diagnosis involves learning which health issues are most important to community members. Beyond understanding the relevant health issues, a community diagnosis also explores other factors that enhance and detract from community members’ abilities to achieve a desired quality of life. Many times decisions regarding changes in a community may result from assessments of statistical or quantitative data, such as morbidity and mortality rates, crime rates, high school drop out rates, or pregnancy rates. Statistical data provide an account of what is happening in the community. However, the numbers represented in quantitative data are unlikely to show why a certain behavior is occurring or may not be able to capture circumstances that non-numerical data provide. The purpose of the community diagnosis is to bring together these quantitative sources of data, also called secondary data, regarding community function, and qualitative data describing strengths, needs, and recommendations from service providers, community members, and community leaders. The qualitative aspect of the community diagnosis consists of interviews and focus groups with community members to provide a more personal or ethnographic approach to what is happening in the community. This qualitative or primary data is collected from residents who represent the many different segments of the community who may additionally identify with sub-groups within the community based on religion, educational status, social status, economic status, and geographic location in the community. Primary data examines community members’ thoughts and experiences to activate salient issues. It is important to note the limitations of using the secondary data presented in this document. A large portion of the available secondary data relied on 1990 U.S. census data and survey estimates that were at least five years old. As a result the available statistics may not reflect many changes that have occurred within the county, such as the rapid increase of the Hispanic/Latino population. Additionally, data regarding racial differences is presented dichotomously (“white” vs. “non-white”), and makes analysis of data in regards to the Hispanic/Latino population difficult. Lastly, statistics stratified by county make it difficult to assess more localized needs. Most prominent in the community diagnosis of Durham County is the concept of identity. In general, Durham residents do not identify themselves as county residents. Instead residents primarily identify themselves by their religious communities, local neighborhoods, schools, civic and political organizations, and by workplace. There are a great number of churches that have extensive histories in Durham and act as spiritual as well as social referents for community members. Within Durham County, there were examples of each definition of community. Attempting to address issues on the county level, it became apparent that there is a divide between perceptions of access to resources on a city level and access on a county level. While service providers noted that county services are available to rural residents, rural residents perceived their access to county services as limited. Although Durham County residents organize as several separate units to identify themselves, some common themes did emerge from our discussions. The most prominent theme was crime. Crime and its effects in an urban setting and within multiple segments of the county were brought forth. As a result, organization for larger community level change is being achieved through collaborations between neighborhoods, city officials, and county officials acting as Partners Against Crime (P.A.C.). However, residents noting the decrease in crime rates in the past year still consider crime as a top priority. It was also noted that community members residing in lower-income neighborhoods do not appear to benefit from this recent collaboration. As P.A.C. continues to grow and address crime and other issues of high priority to Durham County residents, hopefully members of lower-income neighborhoods will become more involved in this initiative and receive the benefits described by current P.A.C. members. The economy was often raised discussed during interviews and focus groups. Durham County is experiencing a booming economy, in part due to great many medical resources and technology industries. However, as job opportunities have become more technologically based and less factory and industry based, a substantial number of blue-collar jobs have been eliminated. The job prosperity available in Durham is beyond the reach of many former blue-collar workers and other residents without technical skills. Recommendations from community members imply continued support from community coalitions and suggest more training of technological skills to adult community members and in schools to meet the demands of the technological industry and the needs of Durham County residents. The Hispanic/Latino population has grown substantially and quickly in Durham County as well as the rest of the state. Understandably, there have not been adequate services and staff to address language barriers and special needs of this rapidly growing group. Several non-profit agencies have formed over the last few years to bridge this gap. On a policy level, supplemental or increased resources and staff allocations, and support and action from administrators are needed to bridge the language gap. The unmet language needs of the Latino population are likely to impact interaction between Latinos and non-Latinos in the county. In conclusion, throughout the 1999-2000 academic year, the Durham County Community Diagnosis Team’s glimpse into Durham County revealed a wealth of history, culture, knowledge, and skills. Additionally, Durham County represents several communities with a desire to increase their quality of life. Recommendations include acknowledging the needs of Durham County residents and focusing on the innate assets of Durham County residents in addressing these needs. Additionally, as a county, a multitude of resources and services are available to county residents yet are underutilized due to barriers of awareness and ease of accessibility. Increased efforts to make residents aware of existing community organizations and steps in accessing services will lead to more effective use of existing services and resources.Master of Public Healt

The outsider advantage: Interviewing planners and other elites in the Polish-German borderland

As conducting interviews with elites is increasingly common, an important debate has emerged around the researcher’s positionality as an insider/outsider also in a geographic sense. Three standpoints can be distinguished. Initially, some emphasised the advantages of the insider in eliciting interesting and sometimes even sensitive information from informants. More recently, several scholars suggested that this position is never stable. Our experiences are however more in line with those who demonstrat ed the advantages of being an outsider. Coming from outside the study area may be particularly helpful when interviewing elites on sensitive issues such as contacts in a borderland with a troubled history, like between Poland and Germany. Our 38 interviews reveal three patterns. First, blaming the other side is not unusual on both sides of the border. Second, de-emphasising the importance of cooper ation is more common on the Polish side, but also occurred on the German side. Finally, a discourse of re-establishing the historically coherent region is clearly present on the German side, but lacks almost entirely on the Polish side. It is doubtful whether we would have been able to elicit such attitudes from both studied groups had we belonged to either one of them