Digital Commons Network^™

Ecological Boundary Detection Using Bayesian Areal Wombling, Joseph Elkinton, M. C. Fitzpatrick, E. L. Preisser, A. H. Porter, L. A. Wallwe, B. P. Carlin, A. M. Ellison

Joseph Elkinton

The study of ecological boundaries and their dynamics is of fundamental importance to much of ecology, biogeography, and evolution. Over the past two decades, boundary analysis (of which wombling is a subfield) has received considerable research attention, resulting in multiple approaches for the quantification of ecological boundaries. Nonetheless, few methods have been developed that can simultaneously (1) analyze spatially homogenized data sets (i.e., areal data in the form of polygons rather than point-reference data); (2) account for spatial structure in these data and uncertainty associated with them; and (3) objectively assign probabilities to boundaries once detected. Here we describe the …

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose: Uncertainty And The Protection Of Biodiversity From Invasive Alien Species, Sophie Riley

Sophie Riley

Scientists anticipate that the problem of invasive alien species will be exacerbated by co-stressors of biodiversity, such as land clearing and climate change. One of the most effective means of regulating invasive alien species is to prevent their entry by implementing rigorous quarantine measures with strong border controls. Yet, regulators face constant uncertainty with regard to the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity, and the need to navigate a range of opinions on how best to deal with uncertainty. These difficulties are illustrated by the differing approaches to uncertainty embodied by the World Trade Organization on the one hand …

Physical Interventions To Interrupt Or Reduce The Spread Of Respiratory Viruses: Systematic Review, Tom Jefferson, Chris Del Mar, Liz Dooley, Eliana Ferroni, Lubna A. Al-Ansary, Shaikh Abdullah S. Bahamdam, Ghada A. Bawazeer, Mieke L. Van Driel, Ruth Foxlee, Alessandro Rivetti

Liz Dooley

Objective: To review systematically the evidence of effectiveness of physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Data sources: Cochrane Library, Medline, OldMedline, Embase, and CINAHL, without restrictions on language or publication. Data selection: Studies of any intervention to prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses (isolation, quarantine, social distancing, barriers, personal protection, and hygiene). A search of study designs included randomised trials, cohort, case-control, crossover, before and after, and time series studies. After scanning of the titles, abstracts and full text articles as a first filter, a standardised form was used to assess the eligibility of the …

Genetic Population Structure Of The Endemic Fourline Wrasse (Larabicus Quadrilineatus) Suggests Limited Larval Dispersal Distances In The Red Sea, Philadelphia University

Philadelphia University, Jordan

No abstract provided.

How Powerful Is The Ioc? – Let’S Talk About The Environment, Marc A. R. Zemel

Marc A. R. Zemel

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in a unique position as the supreme administrator of an immensely popular international mega-event and a self-proclaimed champion of environmental issues and sustainable development. Every two years, cities from all over the world spend millions of dollars for the mere privilege of competing to host the Olympic Games, and those cities must play by the IOC’s rules. In addition, Article 2 of the Olympic Charter, the constitution-like instrument governing the IOC and the Olympic Movement, requires the IOC to ensure that the Olympics are held to promote sustainable development and show concern for the …

From Structure To Function: The Ecology Of Host-Associated Microbial Communities, Courtney Jaime Robinson, Brendan J M Bohannan, Vincent Bensan Young

Courtney Robinson

A Complete Index To The Butler University Botanical Studies, A Journal Of Original Research Published By Butler University 1929-1964, Rebecca W. Dolan

Rebecca W. Dolan

For 35 years, the Botany Department of Butler University published a journal of research conducted by Butler faculty, students. and other Indiana botanists. Many of the papers contain valuable historical studies. especially floristic surveys that document Indiana's vegetation in past decades. This article presents a complete index for the journal. arranged both chronologically and alphabetically. Reprints of articles are still available.

Data Requirements For Developing Growth Models For Tropical Moist Forests, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Permanent sample plots provide the basis for growth modelling, yield prediction and sustained yield management, and the reliability of the data is crucial to these and many other aspects of forest management. To obtain reliable data, it is necessary to ensure consistent standards and that a wide range of stand and site conditions are sampled using both passive monitoring and experimental plots. Individual trees should be numbered, marked and mapped. Remeasurement frequency should be determined to facilitate plot relocation and ensure that growth is greater than measurement errors. Measurement records should be unambiguous and secure.

Liana Host Preference And Implications For Deciduous Forest Regeneration, Laura M. Ladwig, Scott J. Meiners

Scott J. Meiners

Lianas have the potential to shape forest communities and alter forest regeneration. However, impacts of lianas on forest regeneration, particularly in temperate forests, are largely unstudied. To understand potential liana impacts on the community we need to first know the location and intensity of liana burdens on host trees. We examined liana-tree host references within a series of young regenerating deciduous forests in the Piedmont region of New Jersey, USA. Established trees ($ 5 cm dbh) and the lianas associated with each tree were surveyed in 2008. The five most abundant liana species were Celastrus orbiculatus, Lonicera japonica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, …

Euthanasia Methods In Field Settings For Wildlife Damage Management, Timothy J. Julien, Stephen M. Vantassel, Scott R. Groepper Mr., Scott E. Hygnstrom

Scott R Groepper

No abstract provided.

Quantitativepcrmethods Forrna Anddnainmarine Sediments: Maximizing Yieldwhile Overcoming Inhibition, Karen Lloyd, Barbara J. Macgregor, Andreas Teske

Karen Lloyd

For accurate quantification of DNA and RNA from environmental samples, yield loss during nucleic acid purification has to be minimized. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-qPCR require a trade-off between maximizing yield and removing inhibitors. We compared DNA and RNA yield and suitability for quantitative SYBR Green PCR and RT-PCR using the UltraClean and PowerSoil extraction kits and a bead-beating protocol with phenol/chloroform extraction steps. Purification methods included silica-column-based procedures from the MoBio kits, RNeasy MinElute, WizardPlus miniprep columns, and an acrylamide gel extraction. DNA and RNA purification with WizardPlus and RNeasy, respectively, led to significant losses of nucleic …

Pragmatism, Originalism, Race And The Case Against Terry V. Ohio, Lawrence Rosenthal

Lawrence Rosenthal

Perhaps no decision of the United States Supreme Court concerning the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on “unreasonable search and seizure” has come in for more criticism than Terry v. Ohio, in which the Supreme Court concluded that even absent probable cause to arrest, a brief detention and protective search of an individual comports with the Fourth Amendment “where a police officer observes unusual conduct which leads him reasonably to conclude that criminal activity may be afoot and that the person with whom he is dealing may be armed and presently dangerous . . .” Terry is frequently denounced as granting the …

Pleistocene To Present North Andean “Escape”, James N. Kellogg, Obi Egbue

James N Kellogg

This study compiles 20 published field geologic estimates of displacement rates for the northern Andes, such as displaced glacial moraines and offset pyroclastic flow, and compares them to published Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements. Dated displacements compiled in this study were obtained from the Gulf of Guayaquil, Pallatanga, Chingual-la Sofia, and Cayambe-Afiladores-Sibundoy fault systems in Ecuador and southern Colombia and the Boconó fault system in Venezuela. Right-lateral slip estimates on the individual fault segments range from 2 mm/a to 10 mm/a. The mean estimated geologic slip rate for the last 86,000 years is 7.6 mm/a. This estimate is very similar …

Neighborhood Design And Perceptions: Relationship With Active Commuting, Carolyn C. Voorhees, J. Scott Ashwood, Kelly R. Evenson, John R. Sirard, Ariane L. Rung, Marsha Dowda, Thomas L. Mckenzie

John Sirard

Purpose—Walking to and from school contributes to total physical activity levels. This study investigated whether perceived and actual neighborhood features were associated with walking to or from school among adolescent girls. Methods—A sample of geographically diverse 8th grade girls (N=890) from the Trial for Activity in Adolescent Girls (TAAG) study living within 1.5 miles of their middle school were recruited. Participants completed a self-administered survey on their neighborhood and walking behavior. Geographic information system (GIS) data were used to assess objective neighborhood features. Nested multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the contribution of perceived and objective measures of …

Determinants Of Customer Satisfaction In The Malaysian Banking Sector, Peter Miller, V Paramsothy

Peter Miller

No abstract provided.

Reconstructing An Engineered Environment In The Central Andes: Landscape Geoarchaeology At Chavín De Huántar, Peru, Daniel A. Contreras

Daniel A. Contreras

Chavín de Huántar, a Formative Period ceremonial center in the Peruvian Central Andes, has been a focus of archaeological research for more than 70 years. Nevertheless, I argue, its extent and character remain incompletely understood. This is a result of a highly active geologic environment, which both influenced human–environment interactions in Chavín’s prehistory and created a substantial taphonomic challenge to archaeological interpretation. The integration of archaeological and geologic data in a site GIS has been used to reconstruct a pre-Chavín landscape and to estimate the scale of geomorphic and anthropogenic landscape change at Chavín. That reconstruction is used to examine …

Mercury And Autism: A Review, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler

John J. Wheeler