Analysis of *Policy Alternatives in the Implementation of a Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program for Agriculture.

Agriculture has been singled out as one of the major nonpoint sources of water pollution. To identify alternative policy tools for the implementation of a non-regulatory approach to comply with the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (CNPCP) required by The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, policy makers need to determine factors that may influence producers\u27 willingness to adopt proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs). Neoclassical economic concepts of utility maximization on the part of agricultural producers constitutes the theoretical background in this study, but it is enhanced with the incorporation of a well proved set of theoretical tools based on psychological constructs that account for the measurement of attitudes as complementary causes of behavior. Policy analysis and implementation are studied in terms of (1) achievement of environmentally desirable goals and (2) the aim of keeping agriculture as an economically viable activity. A set of multivariate probit models are tested using primary data collected through a mail survey of Louisiana\u27s sugarcane producers. Results indicate that contemporaneous correlation of the error terms exists among management practices within management measures, and between management measures. It indicates that policy tools must be developed in an integrated manner. The decision to adopt BMPs is significantly influenced by the number of times producers have met with extension service personnel and the number of grower meetings that the producer has attended in the previous year. Participation in cost-sharing has also had a very significant effect on adoption of best management practices, even if no cost sharing programs exist for all practices. Risk of yield loss is not a factor in the adoption of the BMPs included in the study. Farmers\u27 belief that agriculture reduces the quality of water coming off farmland is significant for most management measures. Debt is also a significant variable for most management measures, with a positive sign. As compliance requirements become more stringent, tenure becomes a factor in the adoption of best management practices. Policy makers should consider these results as new strategies are developed to promote adoption of BMPs that reduce nonpoint source water pollution from agricultural sources

How California Can Harmonize A Tenant\u27s State Rights and A Landlord\u27s Right To Go Out Of Business Pursuant To The Ellis Act

California landlords doing business in cities with strict rent control laws have found a way to get around such laws and capitalize on the tight housing market. As of 1998 California landlords have simply relied on the utility of the Ellis Act, which has been in the California law books since 1986 and prohibits government agencies from interfering with a landlord\u27s decision to evict tenants and withdraw rental units from the market. For example, in San Francisco, a city with strict rent control laws, 205 buildings were Ellised from July 1998 to June 1999; a jump from 1995, when only 5 buildings were Ellised. The recent trend of Ellis evictions raises several legal issues about a landlord\u27s right to go out of business pursuant to the Ellis Act. Judicial review of the Ellis Act focuses mainly on the intent of the Ellis Act and its effect on local ordinances

What an astronaut’s gut microbiome must feel in space: Simulated microgravity and ionizing radiation changing Escherichia coli’s growth dynamics.

With space travel becoming more prominent, research in microgravity conditions has been of increasing interest among many scientists. It is important that as we continue to develop a means of survivability outside of Earth’s atmosphere, we must explore every aspect of physiological health in astronauts. One important factor that is being researched is how microorganisms, such as bacteria, can influence an astronaut\u27s immune system under microgravity conditions. Studies have shown that when astronauts travel to space, their gut microbiota changes drastically than when they are on Earth. This difference in response may be due to a specific bacteria having experienced a mutation or a metabolic change when exposed to microgravity conditions and heightened background radiation. The objective of this experiment is to understand the effects of microgravity and low-dose ionizing radiation on Escherichia coli over multiple generations, equivalent to an estimated 4 weeks stay at the space station. For this purpose, we grew our biological model on a microgravity analog while exposed to a chronic dose of gamma irradiation from a Cs-137 low activity source, for 30 days. At the end of the experiment we measured differences in their growth dynamics and their ability to form biofilms. Preliminary data shows that the interaction between microgravity and radiation enhanced the growth of bacteria and selected for cells with a higher affinity to form biofilms. Our next experiments will explore the effect of our treatment on the differential expression of genes related to quorum sensing and sensitivity to oxidative and acidic stresses

Calculating the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Gentamycin on Staphylococcus epidermidis Grown Under Simulated Microgravity

With space travel becoming more prominent, researchers have been avidly searching for ways to not only improve survivability of astronauts in space, but also allow for a thriving environment while on long-duration missions. In order to execute this goal, scientists must first look at how an astronaut’s physiological health is affected by microgravity conditions, and how the dosage of antibiotics used to treat certain infections are affected as well. In this research study, the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of the antibiotic Gentamicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis will be evaluated and compared in both gravity and simulated microgravity conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration is defined as the smallest dose required to effectively hinder growth of a certain bacterium. Because bacteria experience metabolic changes when exposed to microgravity, they change their resistance to antibiotics in space. The EagleStat was used as a microgravity simulation device to help mimic space conditions. After exposing the bacteria of interest to microgravity (treatment), results indicated a shorter lag period than those grown in gravity (control) conditions, thus requiring a larger dose of the antibiotic of interest

Status and distribution of Paraguayan macaws (Aves: Psittacidae) with a new country record

Eight species of macaw (Psittacidae: Anodorhynchus, Ara, Primolius) have previously been reported from Paraguay. We discuss all verifiable reports of the species from Paraguay and provide comment on their statuses. Ara chloropterus and Primolius auricollis are both widespread species known from multiple reports across a wide geographic area. We report minor range extensions within Paraguay for both species. Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus is documented as a breeding resident with a restricted distribution in the Upper Paraguay River basin. The first modern records of Ara ararauna and the first record of Diopsittaca nobilis for the country are documented with photographs. We are unable to find any confirmed records of Anodorhynchus glaucus from Paraguay and thus consider it of possible occurrence. Two species are rejected as erroneously cited, Ara militaris and Ara glaucogularis. Consequently six species in four genera are now confirmed to occur in Paraguay

Impact of simulated microgravity conditions on bacterial cell-cell communication utilizing Vibrio fischeri

For bacteria to thrive in stressful environments, they must communicate with one another through Quorum Sensing (QS), or chemical signals released to the environment. QS allows bacteria to sense the environment and regulate their cell number and behavior by adjusting their gene expression. This ability is made possible by the production of small chemical molecules called autoinducers (AI). The space environment is known for being a stressful place for bacteria due to space radiation and microgravity (µG). Past research in space has shown that bacteria become more virulent and resistant to antibiotics. By learning the functionality of AIs, new methods to control bacteria outbreaks can be achieved that block these chemical signals. This research project aims to improve the understanding of bacterial QS processes to describe what types of autoinducers are synthesized under simulated µG compared to earth gravity (g). This project will utilize a microgravity analog developed in the Space Microbiology Lab at ERAU. Detecting the AIs will be completed by using genetically modified bacteria, known as “biosensors”, which will luminesce if they find autoinducers produced by the model organism (Vibrio fischeri). Three types of autoinducers (responsible for virulence-related phenotypes) will be detected utilizing this method. To detect each AI, three genetically modified non-pathogenic bacterial strains were selected. The goal of this experiment will be to observe the florescence change of the biosensors between µG and g

Differential Gene Expression of Mice Pellet Microbial Communities exposed to Simulated Microgravity

Microbial communities within the human gut play an important role in our overall health and wellbeing. Understanding how microgravity affects these microbial communities provides greater insight into the health of astronauts on board the ISS and what may occur during Deep Space explorations. Previous experiments have measured differential gene expression of single culture bacteria exposed to simulated microgravity, allowing us to map which genes are selected for or against in that environment. Using fecal pellets from mice exposed to simulated microgravity and space radiation, we are constructing and sequencing RNA and DNA libraries to study the metatranscriptome and changes in gut microbiota. These comparisons will allow us to gain a better understanding of how microbial communities are affected by space environments and what that may entail for the gut health of astronauts

Simulated microgravity and its effect on the regulation of antibiotics response in Escherichia coli K12

Since the space environment has caused a change in bacteria growth and activity, it is important to recalculate the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) in order to inhibit growth of the bacteria of interest. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration is the smallest dose required to effectively hinder the growth of a certain bacterium. Due to the metabolic changes, bacteria experiences in space, they have shown increased resistance to antibiotics. This past summer in the space microbiology laboratory at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, we compared the growth of Escherichia coli under gravity and microgravity conditions along with exposure a dose gradient of the antibiotic Nalidixic Acid. We used a microgravity simulation device called the EAGLESTAT to help simulate space conditions. Growth under microgravity conditions showed to have a shorter lag period than the control (growth under gravity conditions). Because of this difference in growth period, we are able to hypothesize that E. coli will in fact need a higher dose of antibiotic to inhibit growth in space. After conducting our experiments, we were able to conclude that E.coli were able to grow in higher concentrations of antibiotics whenever they were grown in simulated microgravity. This difference suggests that bacteria do undergo metabolic changes while growing in space. The data that we have collected also show the antibiotic inhibiting growth for a period of time and then regrowth occurring. This research can help us to evaluate the MIC that is required for space travel

Panorama epidemiológico de la Retinopatía del Recién Nacido Prematuro en el Hospital General de Tlalnepantla Valle Ceylán, Estado de México

trastorno retinal del prematuro, causa ceguera. Principales factores asociados: oxigenoterapia, sepsis, HIV, transfusiones y DBP. Clasificación: cinco grados de acuerdo a su severidad. Prevenible en 50% con tratamiento oportuno. Problema de gran importancia a nivel mundial; en nuestro hospital se realiza valoración oftalmológica, sin embargo se desconocen la frecuencia de ésta y los factores asociados, no se cue