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Michigan Apple Pest Identifier And Manager Expert System, James R. Schalk

Masters Theses

The Michigan Apple Pest Identifier and Management System (MAPI) is a knowledge- based consultation software system. MAPI was designed to provide the user with the ability to identify insects which may harm the apples of Michigan orchards and to project occurrences of maximum adult emergence. A discussion of standard entomological and expert system concepts and the application of these concepts to the processing of information by the Michigan Apple Pest Identifier and Management System is presented. Future possible expansions of the system are suggested.

Water Resources Review - April 1990, Annis Water Resources Institute

AWRI Reviews

No abstract provided.

Structure And Morphology Of Magnetite Anaerobically-Produced By A Marine Magnetotactic Bacterium And A Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacterium, N. H. C. Sparks, Stephen Mann, D. A. Bazylinski, D. R. Lovley, H. W. Jannasch, Richard B. Frankel

Physics

Intracellular crystals of magnetite synthesized by cells of the magnetotactic vibroid organism, MV-1, and extracellular crystals of magnetite produced by the non-magnetotactic dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium strain GS-15, were examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopy. The magnetotactic bacterium contained a single chain of approximately 10 crystals aligned along the long axis of the cell. The crystals were essentially pure stoichiometric magnetite. When viewed along the crystal long axis the particles had a hexagonal cross-section whereas side-on they appeared as rectangules or truncated rectangles of average dimension, 53 × 35 nm. These findings are explained …

The Role Of The Voltage Gradient In The Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Of Dna, David Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

In Part I of this dissertation, empirical equations for predicting DNA mobility during agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) from voltage gradient are developed from the data of McDonnel (36) for electrophoresis in a 1.6% agarose gel. These equations represented the data well for DNA between 2 and 10 kilobase pairs (KBp) in length. A computer program, called GELSIM, which incorporates these equations is described in Part II. GELSIM was designed to allow researchers to analyze electrophoresis data by predicting the effect on DNA migration of altering the voltage of electrophoresis. In this way, electrophoretic banding patterns produced using different voltages could …

A Comparison Of Metals In Several Ahermatypic Corals And Surficial Sediments: Mobile Pinnacles And Hoffa Reef, Northcentral Gulf Of Mexico, Kathryn M. Conko

OES Theses and Dissertations

Metal concentrations in marine sediment and carbonate secreting invertebrates are representative of surrounding environmental chemistry. Aluminum, Ba Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn were measured in carbonate and terrigenous phases of the $<$63 um fraction of sediment samples from two locations in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico. Enrichment factors indicate that Al, Ba, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, and Ni are all slightly depleted in these sediments relative to crustal abundances. Discriminant function analyses shows that the concentrations of five elements differ between locations.

Ahermatypic coral (106 specimens) from five genera collected from the study sites were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn, Mn, Sr, Ba, Fe, Ca and Mg. Eight elements vary between some genera, Al and Ba also vary in concentration in corals between either location. All elements except Sr are significantly depleted in the coral with respect to Ca in the …

The Second International Conference On Expert Systems For Numerical Computing, John R. Rice, Robert Vichnevetsky, Elias N. Houstis

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Alternatives To Fisher's "Exact Test" For Analyzing 2 X 2 Tables With Small Cell Sizes, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Rice (1988a) presents an interesting test for analyzing 2 X 2 contingency tables in the smaller sample size situations. His motivation was to provide an alternative to Fisher's "exact test" and his rationale was based on the application of a prior distribution to the probability of a success, 0, under the null hypothesis. We would like to briefly comment on these aspects of his paper and also discuss another alternative that was proposed a number of years ago.

Warfarin Resistance Of Rattus Tiomanicus In Oil Palms In Malaysia And The Associated Increase Of Rattus Diardii, B. J. Wood, G. F. Chung

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Rattus tiomanicus is a serious pest of oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia, feeding on the ripening fruit. R. diardii is a rat of human habitations and has been only an occasional field species, presumably because it cannot compete with better adapted species. A widely used control for R. tiomanicus of proven effectiveness uses maize-based baits containing warfarin at 0.05% in 2 cm³ (14.5 g) wax-bound cubes. These are applied in campaigns at one per palm, replaced on 4 daily rounds, until acceptance has declined to 20%. This "standard method" is applied at about 6-month intervals, and …

A Review Of Falconry As A Bird-Hazing Technique, William A. Erickson, Rex E. Marsh, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The use of trained falcons and hawks for dispersing pest birds has been mainly limited to airports in Europe and, to a lesser extent, in North America to prevent bird/aircraft strikes. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) are the raptors used most often. These trained birds can effectively disperse gulls (Larus spp. ) and a variety of other pest bird species, although other bird-scaring methods are often equally or more effective and economical. Because of the scarcity of trained raptors and handlers, their use is limited to special situations such as …

How Animal Control Improves Animal Welfare, Walter E. Howard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The balance of nature requires a balanced predator-prey relationship. In agriculture or urban areas the natural predator-prey balance is disrupted because the habitats have been altered and, for the protection of livestock (and for humans in case of grizzly bears, lions, and wolves), the large carnivores have usually been displaced. Consequently, in these altered environments to prevent crop depredations, to keep other vertebrate species in balance with their environment, and to protect some endangered species, people must manage the wildlife. This often means that for the welfare of animals people have to become predators to assist nature. Fortunately, from an …

Its A Fact! Its A Phact!, Harlan R. Shuhler

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

To reduce the costs of providing development assistance in agriculture to the people in the Developing Countries, an international "Post-Harvest Agriculture Computer Teleconference" has been available now for more than 15 months. Suitably supplemented with electronic computer communications networks and their E-mail, these tools allow relatively inexpensive assistance. This combination offers many advantages to the organizations offering assistance and those needing help.

Roaming, Stray, And Feral Domestic Cats And Dogs As Wildlife Problems, Bessel D. Van't Woudt

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

From several centers of domestication, cats and dogs have become the near-ubiquitous companion of man. Their dependence on man is such that when abandoned in a rural environment most succumb to malnutrition in combination with predation, diseases, parasites, and exposure. Where not subject to predation and where native or introduced prey is adequate, some survive to form feral populations. This applies on oceanic islands, in Australia and New Zealand. Elsewhere, as far as is known today, requirements for survival are met with in parts of the U.S. and Europe only, in remote wilderness areas in the case of dogs, and …

Survey Of Rodent And Rabbit Damage To Alfalfa Hay In Nevada, Steven R. Lewis, John M. O'Brien

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

A survey of alfalfa hay producers was conducted to characterize vertebrate pest problems in Nevada alfalfa hay and help attract research funding. Damage to alfalfa hay by pocket gophers (Thomomvs spp), ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp), black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) and meadow voles (Microtus montanus) was assessed. Presence of vertebrate pests along with a ranking of cost-related problems they pose to alfalfa hay operations was determined. Pocket gophers were the most costly pest followed by ground squirrels, jackrabbits, and meadow voles. The number one problem caused by vertebrate pests was identified to be a decrease …

Wild Hog Management Program At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, John D. Peine, Jane Allen Farmer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Over the last 30 years the wild hog population control program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park has experienced steady growth. The evolution has been relatively slow, and it was not until the latter part of the 1980s that sufficient funds were available to make a serious attempt at control measures. Over the years, the research program has focused on the biology of the wild hog; its reproductive rate; feeding and movement patterns; and its impact on the fauna, flora, and soils of the park. In addition, a major project was conducted to evaluate attractants and baits to increase the …

Rodenticide Ecotoxicology: Systems Analysis And Simulation, R.H. Smith, Paula R. Cox, M. Rampaud

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Exposure, as well as toxicity, determines whether rodenticides present real environmental hazards to nontarget animals. In order to combine exposure and toxicity, a compartment model is proposed which distinguishes transfer processes from accumulation of residues. The published literature relevant to the model is analyzed, and some important gaps in knowledge are highlighted. Simple sub-models of rat feeding behavior and mortality are combined into a simulation model which generates data on both efficacy of control and build-up of residues in live rats and carcasses. The roles of feeding parameters (e.g., palatability, availability of alternative food) as well as toxicity are emphasized …

Control Of Mediterranean Pine Vole Populations In The South Of France, Gerald Guedon, Benoit Combes

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The control of the Mediterranean pine vole through manual bait placement is too fastidious. It prevents the realization of collective control on large areas. In this situation, mechanization is necessary. A burrow builder, made of a tubular ploughshare, has been devised in order to make artificial runs in the soil where baits may be deposited. This plough was successfully tested in fall 1989 in apple orchards with a wheat-based bait treated with chlorophacinone, chosen for its good resistance to moisture. The treatment efficiency varied between 86.7% and 96.4% with 25 and 50 artificial runs per hectare, respectively. A humid but …

The Status Of Lines In Bird Damage Control–A Review, Patricia A. Pochop, Ron J. Johnson, Danilo A. Aguero, Kent M. Eskridge

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

One technique for repelling or excluding birds is to stretch wires, monofilament lines, or nylon strings across sites needing protection. Wires or lines spaced at various intervals and in various configurations have successfully repelled birds such as ring-billed (Larus delawarensis) and/or herring (L. argentatus) gulls, and brant (Branta bernicla bernicla) from reservoirs, sanitary landfills, fish hatcheries, nesting areas, public places, or farm fields. Black thread has been suggested for repelling small birds such as sparrows (unspecified) from garden seedlings and bullfinches (unspecified) from fruit trees. Recent observations in New Mexico indicated that monofilament lines …

The Effect Of Seed Coat Colour And Depth Of Planting On Bushfowl Damage To Planted Maize Seeds, Modupe Akande, A.O. Obajimi

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The bushfowl (Francolinus bicalcaratus bicalcaratus L.) is a major avian pest on planted maize seeds. Maize seeds colored green and normal white seeds were planted at different depths of 2.5 cm, 5.0 cm, 7.5 cm, 10.0 cm, 12.5 cm, and 15.0 cm in three different trials between 1987 and 1988. The effect of planting depth was highly significant. Damage occurring to seeds planted at a depth of 2.5 cm was significantly higher than all the other depths, even though there was not significant damage among the other depths.

Effect Of Artificial Perches And Nests In Attracting Raptors To Orchards, Leonard R. Askham

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Artificial perches and nest boxes were placed in three Pacific Northwest orchards to assess their effectiveness in attracting birds of prey to reduce vole populations. The data indicated that birds could be attracted under some conditions, but vole populations were not significantly affected. Additional factors such as vegetative biomass and human activity may limit their usefulness in reducing rodent populations under intensive agricultural conditions.

A Management Information System For The Control Of Pest Animals And Plants In Victoria, Australia, James K. Backholer, David W.A. Lane, Eric A. Ward

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The State Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (CFL) administers legislation relating to the management of pest animals and plants throughout Victoria. CFL conducts control work on public land and assists landholders with programs on freehold land. To provide an information base for the management of CFL's pest control programs, the Pest Management Information System (PMIS) was developed. The PMIS captures descriptions of pest infestations, details of planned and actual treatments, and evaluations of treatments. The first version of the PMIS, developed for microcomputers, was released in 1987 and underwent minor revision during 1988 in the light of field experience. …

Conference Participants

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The number of registered attendees was 359. The participants came from 33 states, the District of Columbia, and from 12 other countries. The wide representation from the United States and countries throughout the world contributed to the success of the Conference by providing a highly knowledgeable and diversified group for the exchange of research progress, new ideas, and information on a wide range of vertebrate pest topics.

Rodent Problems In Range Rehabilitation, Richard Everett, Steve Monsen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Seed predation by rodents has limited successful re-establishment of desirable shrubs, forbs, and grasses on degraded western rangelands. We need to develop methods that temporarily reduce rodent numbers or their predation of planted seed if we are to establish diverse rangeland plant communities. Range site conversion treatments of chaining, prescribed burning, spraying, or drilling have not been effective in reducing deer mice populations. However, seed predation has been reduced by adopting seeding strategies that mimic natural seed predation avoidance mechanisms. Seedings have been designed to mimic the "satiation" strategy for plant establishment by providing more seed and sacrifice foods than …

Control Of Coyote Predation On Livestock–Progress In Research And Development, Michael W. Fall

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

The coyote is highly adaptable in exploiting man's livestock production systems and, indeed, thrives in such situations. Recent research by the Denver Wildlife Research Center has drawn upon earlier studies to focus effort on priority needs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) cooperative Animal Damage Control (ADC) program. Substantial improvements have been made in some control methods and several new methods or effective modifications have become available for use by ADC and by producers. Additional developments have occurred in improving chemical delivery systems and in understanding the ecological requirements for effective control programs. With the substantial investments being made …

Mythology Of Vertebrate Pest Control, William D. Fitzwater

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Controlling vertebrate species obnoxious or even dangerous to them has been a concern of the human species through the evolutionary process. Early measures were often based on religious, superstitious, and biologic fantasies. While modern control measures are better biologically founded, there still remains an aura of mythology around many accepted by the public today. Examples are given of some of them: toxicants, electromagnetics, ultrasonics, and repellents for deer, moles, and raccoons.

Front Matter And Contents

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Proceedings of the FOURTEENTH VERTEBRATE PEST CONFERENCE

Required Use Of Protective Bait Stations In The U. S., William W. Jacobs

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Beginning in the 1960s, labels for federally registered commensal rodenticides have been required to bear a statement to the effect that the baits are to be contained in "tamper-proof bait boxes" when used in locations accessible to children and nontarget animals. Faced with ample evidence of noncompliance with the letter and spirit of this portion of the label, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a policy statement (PR Notice 83-5) and scheduled public hearings on matters pertaining to bait stations and nontarget exposure incidents involving rodenticides. EPA's findings indicate that, while some clarifications of its policies might be …

State Of The Art Telemetry Equipment Appropriate For Vertebrate Pest Control Research, Barbara C. Kermeen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Constant developments in technology, both materials and methods, allow smaller and smaller animals to be radio-tracked for longer periods of time than was previously possible. Developments in electronic component miniaturization and battery chemistry are primarily responsible for this advancement. Approximately 30 years of field-use of radiotelemetry techniques have led to innovative procedures and uses of materials for the application of transmitters to animals. New technology such as satellite telemetry and recapture collars are only in their infancy and are not, at this time, appropriate for use in vertebrate pest research. Sophistication in receiving systems also allows more accurate and more …

Acquired Strychnine Tolerance By Pocket Gophers, Ling Ling Lee, Walter E. Howard, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Four adult female Botta's pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) that had survived many normally potentially lethal doses of strychnine alkaloid in another experiment (Lee 1986) were examined further. These individuals freely consumed 0.5% strychnine bait, and 3 of them also 1% strychnine bait, for long periods without dying, whether or not nontoxic alternate bait was present. After 1 gopher (#5) was taken off its 1% strychnine wheat diet for 44 days, it lost its physiological tolerance to strychnine and died the first day when again exposed to a free choice of nontoxic and 1% strychnine wheat. It consumed only …

Reproduction And Population Structure Of Pocket Gophers (Thomomvs Bottae) From Irrigated Alfalfa Fields, Susan C. Loeb

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Pocket gophers were collected from irrigated alfalfa fields (IRR) and non-irrigated fallow fields (NIRR) in Davis, California, for 2 years. Reproduction was continuous in IRR fields with very little seasonal variation in reproductive activity. In contrast, reproduction in NIRR fields occurred primarily during the rainy season (winter and spring). Females in IRR fields produced approximately twice as many litters per year (3.6-3.9) as females in NIRR habitats (1.7). The high reproductive potential of adult females in IRR fields coupled with the early age of sexual maturity among young females suggests that population recovery after control measures is likely to be …

Microencapsulation Of Rodenticides, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Microencapsulation materials and techniques have advanced significantly over the past two decades. Encapsulation techniques are now used in a wide range of products from drugs to perfumes and food fragrances. As an industry, microencapsulation had its beginning in the research laboratories of National Cash Register (NCR) in Dayton, Ohio, in the late 1930s. It came into commercial use in 1954 when carbonless copy paper was introduced on the market. The entire field has made enormous progress since that time.

Microencapsulation and other associated controlled- release technology play an important role in time-release pesticides, giving them a delayed or longer action …