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2007

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Articles 5671 - 5700 of 5729

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Performance Analysis Of Security Protocols, Praveen Kumar Donta Jan 2007

Performance Analysis Of Security Protocols, Praveen Kumar Donta

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Security is critical to a wide range of applications and services. Numerous security mechanisms and protocols have been developed and are widely used with today’s Internet. These protocols, which provide secrecy, authentication, and integrity control, are essential to protecting electronic information.

There are many types of security protocols and mechanisms, such as symmetric key algorithms, asymmetric key algorithms, message digests, digital certificates, and secure socket layer (SSL) communication. Symmetric and asymmetric key algorithms provide secrecy. Message digests are used for authentication. SSL communication provides a secure connection between two sockets.

The purpose of this graduate project was to do performance …


The Effects Of Histone H1 And Benzo[A] Pyrene On Chromatin Modifying Complexes., Zeina Salim Al Natour Jan 2007

The Effects Of Histone H1 And Benzo[A] Pyrene On Chromatin Modifying Complexes., Zeina Salim Al Natour

Theses

Packaging of DNA into the condensed structure of chromatin presents a barrier to many cellular processes that require DNA access such as transcription and replication. This problem is solved, in part, by the action of various complexes that modify the chromatin structure so that it becomes more accessible and, therefore, a more suitable platform for these processes. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes and histone acetyltransferases are examples of many chromatin modifying complexes that work to alleviate chromatin-mediated repression. Histone H1 is an important component of chromatin which serves in both stabilizing and folding of chromatin into a higher order structure. Many …


Predictive Oncology: A Review Of Multidisciplinary, Multiscale In Silico Modeling Linking Phenotype, Morphology And Growth, Sandeep Sanga, Hermann B. Frieboes, Xiaoming Zheng, Robert Gatenby, Elaine L. Bearer, Vittorio Cristini Jan 2007

Predictive Oncology: A Review Of Multidisciplinary, Multiscale In Silico Modeling Linking Phenotype, Morphology And Growth, Sandeep Sanga, Hermann B. Frieboes, Xiaoming Zheng, Robert Gatenby, Elaine L. Bearer, Vittorio Cristini

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Empirical evidence and theoretical studies suggest that the phenotype, i.e., cellular- and molecular-scale dynamics, including proliferation rate and adhesiveness due to microenvironmental factors and gene expression that govern tumor growth and invasiveness, also determine gross tumor-scale morphology. It has been difficult to quantify the relative effect of these links on disease progression and prognosis using conventional clinical and experimental methods and observables. As a result, successful individualized treatment of highly malignant and invasive cancers, such as glioblastoma, via surgical resection and chemotherapy cannot be offered and outcomes are generally poor. What is needed is a deterministic, quantifiable method to enable …


High-Resolution Vascular Imaging Of The Rat Spine Using Liposomal Blood Pool Mr Agent, K B Ghaghada, K H J Bockhorst, S Mukundan, A V Annapragada, P A Narayana Jan 2007

High-Resolution Vascular Imaging Of The Rat Spine Using Liposomal Blood Pool Mr Agent, K B Ghaghada, K H J Bockhorst, S Mukundan, A V Annapragada, P A Narayana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High-resolution, vascular MR imaging of the spine region in small animals poses several challenges. The small anatomic features, extravascular diffusion, and low signal-to-noise ratio limit the use of conventional contrast agents. We hypothesize that a long-circulating, intravascular liposomal-encapsulated MR contrast agent (liposomal-Gd) would facilitate visualization of small anatomic features of the perispinal vasculature not visible with conventional contrast agent (gadolinium-diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid [Gd-DTPA]). METHODS: In this study, high-resolution MR angiography of the spine region was performed in a rat model using a liposomal-Gd, which is known to remain within the blood pool for an extended period. The imaging …


Nutrient Concentrations At Baseflow Conditions In The Upper White River Basin, Southwest Missouri And Northwest Arkansas, Gopala G. Borchelt Jan 2007

Nutrient Concentrations At Baseflow Conditions In The Upper White River Basin, Southwest Missouri And Northwest Arkansas, Gopala G. Borchelt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Upper White River Basin (UWRB) is becoming increasingly vulnerable to water quality degradation from urban/population growth and increased agricultural production. This study examines the relationships among nutrient levels, water chemistry and watershed characteristics of 19 watersheds in the UWRB. Water samples were collected during baseflow conditions each month for one year at USGS continuous-flow gage stations. Watershed characteristics evaluated were land use, geology, drainage area, flow discharge, and wastewater treatment plant discharge (WTP). Measured chemical water quality indicators include total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), specific conductivity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen. Rapidly expanding urban areas are associated with …


Spin Flips And Precession In Black-Hole-Binary Mergers, Manuela Campanelli, Carlos O. Lousto, Z. Zlochower, Badri Krishnan, David Merritt Jan 2007

Spin Flips And Precession In Black-Hole-Binary Mergers, Manuela Campanelli, Carlos O. Lousto, Z. Zlochower, Badri Krishnan, David Merritt

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We use the “moving puncture” approach to perform fully nonlinear evolutions of spinning quasicircular black-hole binaries with individual spins unaligned with the orbital angular momentum. We evolve configurations with the individual spins (parallel and equal in magnitude) pointing in the orbital plane and 45° above the orbital plane. We introduce a technique to measure the spin direction and track the precession of the spin during the merger, as well as measure the spin flip in the remnant horizon. The former configuration completes 1.75 orbits before merging, with the spin precessing by 98° and the final remnant horizon spin flipped by …


Searches For Periodic Gravitational Waves From Unknown Isolated Sources And Scorpius X-1: Results From The Second Ligo Science Run, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Mario C. Diaz, R. Grosso, Wm. R. Johnston, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Cristina V. Torres Jan 2007

Searches For Periodic Gravitational Waves From Unknown Isolated Sources And Scorpius X-1: Results From The Second Ligo Science Run, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Mario C. Diaz, R. Grosso, Wm. R. Johnston, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Cristina V. Torres

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We carry out two searches for periodic gravitational waves using the most sensitive few hours of data from the second LIGO science run. Both searches exploit fully coherent matched filtering and cover wide areas of parameter space, an innovation over previous analyses which requires considerable algorithm development and computational power. The first search is targeted at isolated, previously unknown neutron stars, covers the entire sky in the frequency band 160–728.8 Hz, and assumes a frequency derivative of less than 4×10−10  Hz/s. The second search targets the accreting neutron star in the low-mass x-ray binary Scorpius X-1 and covers the frequency …


Electromagnetic Strong Plasma Turbulence, A. Melatos, F. A. Jenet, P. A. Robinson Jan 2007

Electromagnetic Strong Plasma Turbulence, A. Melatos, F. A. Jenet, P. A. Robinson

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The first large-scale simulations of continuously driven, two-dimensional electromagnetic strong plasma turbulence are performed, for electron thermal speeds 0.01c⩽v⩽0.57c, by integrating the Zakharov equations for coupled Langmuir and transverse (T) waves near the plasma frequency. Turbulence scalings and wave number spectra are calculated, a transition is found from a mix of trapped and free T eigenstates for v⩾0.1c to just free eigenstates for v⩽0.1c, and wave energy densities are observed to undergo slow quasiperiodic oscillations.


Assessing Integration In Resource And Environmental Management In The Southwest Yukon, Madison S. Saunders Jan 2007

Assessing Integration In Resource And Environmental Management In The Southwest Yukon, Madison S. Saunders

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis investigates the theory and practice of integration in resource and environmental management. Research on integration is growing as a result of the escalating demands placed on resources, an increase in the quality and quantity of information available concerning the environment, and the increased involvement and coordination of partners and participants in resource and environmental decision-making. Focus is placed on several resource and environmental decision-making. Focus is placed on several resources and environmental management processes in the Southwest Yukon, including wildlife management, protected areas management, forest management and environmental assessment. A case study approach is utilized to examine the …


Local And Regional-Scale Societal Dynamics In Grizzly Bear Conservation, Douglas Andrew Clark Jan 2007

Local And Regional-Scale Societal Dynamics In Grizzly Bear Conservation, Douglas Andrew Clark

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Conserving grizzly bear populations is a significant challenge for wildlife managers throughout North America. Much fruitful research has been conducted on the biology of grizzlies, but the human dimensions of bear management remain poorly understood. This imbalance has created conflicts between management agencies and local inhabitants that can jeopardize ecosystem management and planning programs in which grizzlies often feature as key components. Broadly, the goal of this study was to understand how and why such conflicts occur. Qualitative data analysis methods and the policy sciences' interdisciplinary problem analysis framework, along with insights from adaptive governance and co-management concepts, resilience theory, …


An Institutional Analysis Of Oil And Gas Sector Development And Environmental Management In The Yukon Territory, Jason C. May Jan 2007

An Institutional Analysis Of Oil And Gas Sector Development And Environmental Management In The Yukon Territory, Jason C. May

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis investigates the ways in which oil and gas development priorities and concern for the environment are integrated within strategic planning and management frameworks, and how associated conflict is addressed, in a case study of the Yukon. Because substantial ground-based oil and gas activity is yet to occur in the territory, a thorough understanding of the institutions and institutional arrangements set to govern future oil and gas development is a valuable tool for gauging the capacity to integrate these priorities. Therefore, this thesis employs the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to analyze the legislation, regulations, policies, and institutions …


Portfolio Selection In Gaussian And Non-Gaussian Worlds, Jing Wang Jan 2007

Portfolio Selection In Gaussian And Non-Gaussian Worlds, Jing Wang

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the case of minimizing risk with a given level of expected return, we discuss the portfolio selection problem with the asset returns are characterized by a Gaussian distribution and heavy tailed distribution.

More specifically, under the Gaussian assupmtion, we give the explicit solutions to the problems of minimizing risk variance, CaR and EaR respectively. When a compound Poisson process is assumed, we derive explicit solutions to the variance, CaR and EaR. Furthermore, we give the explicit soultion for the CaR when a Lévy distribution is considered.

For the more realistic process-normal inverse process, we are able to obtain the …


Partial Separability And Partial Additivity For Orderings Of Binary Alternatives, Md. Abul Bashar Jan 2007

Partial Separability And Partial Additivity For Orderings Of Binary Alternatives, Md. Abul Bashar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), a good way to find the best alternative is to construct a value function that represents a Decision Maker’s (DM) preferences. For multidimensional alternatives, an additive value function is easiest to work with because it assesses the alternatives in a simple and transparent manner. A DM’s preferences over consequences on a subset of the set of criteria may or may not depend on consequences on the rest of the criteria. Preferences that are free from all such interdependence are said to be separable. The existence of an additive value function implies separability and, when consequences …


An Analysis Of Social Aspects Of Forest Stewardship Council Forest Certification In Three Ontario Case Studies, Melanie Venne Jan 2007

An Analysis Of Social Aspects Of Forest Stewardship Council Forest Certification In Three Ontario Case Studies, Melanie Venne

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Forest certification is a market-based tool whereby forest management is evaluated against a set of standards that consider environmental, economic and social elements of sustainability. Certificiation is therefore a means of providing customers with the assurance that forest products are originating from sustainability managed forests. It grew out of the ideal of sustainable forest management (SFM) and pulls from its predecessor the concept of multiple dimensions of sustainability. The focus of this project was the international forest certification scheme Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

A comparative case study approach was used to examine the social implications of certification in three FSC …


Single Dna Conformations And Biological Function, Ralf Metzler, Tobias Ambjoernsson, Andreas Hanke, Yongli Zhang, Stephen Levene Jan 2007

Single Dna Conformations And Biological Function, Ralf Metzler, Tobias Ambjoernsson, Andreas Hanke, Yongli Zhang, Stephen Levene

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

From a nanoscience perspective, cellular processes and their reduced in vitro imitations provide extraordinary examples for highly robust few or single molecule reaction pathways. A prime example are biochemical reactions involving DNA molecules, and the coupling of these reactions to the physical conformations of DNA. In this review, we summarise recent results on the following phenomena: We investigate the biophysical properties of DNA-looping and the equilibrium configurations of DNA-knots, whose relevance to biological processes are increasingly appreciated. We discuss how random DNA-looping may be related to the efficiency of the target search process of proteins for their specific binding site …


Environmental Information Systems And Community-Based Resource Management In Ghana: An Investigation Of Institutional Policy And Implementation In Context, Abednego Ayitey Aryee Jan 2007

Environmental Information Systems And Community-Based Resource Management In Ghana: An Investigation Of Institutional Policy And Implementation In Context, Abednego Ayitey Aryee

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study employed a case-study approach and cross-case analysis to investigate the impact of Environmental Information Systems (EIS) and Local Knowledge Systems (LKS) on agro-forestry management and biodiversity conservation. Questionnaire-based interviews with service providers, resource managers and focus group discussions with farmers associated with the United Nations Capacity 21, the Netherlands Tropenbos International (TBI) and the United Nations Project on People Land Management and Conservation (UNPLEC), projects yielded in-depth information on agro-forestry practices in southern Ghana. The findings of the survey revealed that computer-based information systems have been used to identify areas of resource degradation. This has served as a …


Review Of Infectious Diseases Of Wild Rodents By Dennis Padovan, Robert G. Mclean Jan 2007

Review Of Infectious Diseases Of Wild Rodents By Dennis Padovan, Robert G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Infectious Diseases of Wild Rodents is a collection of reference material on a wide variety of infectious diseases documented in rodent species throughout the world. Editorially, this was a massive undertaking to provide a comprehensive and systematic coverage of the information on so many rodent species and infectious diseases in one volume. Although the information is not presented in much detail, the breadth of coverage makes this a good reference book for those interested in rodent diseases throughout the world. The information is presented in two different formats: disease information in the first part of the book is arranged by …


Temperature Effects On Soil Dielectric Properties Measured At 50 Mhz, Mark S. Seyfried, Laura E. Grant Jan 2007

Temperature Effects On Soil Dielectric Properties Measured At 50 Mhz, Mark S. Seyfried, Laura E. Grant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In recent years a number of soil water monitoring instruments have been developed and made commercially available. These instruments generally respond to the complex soil dielectric permittivity and operate at frequencies between 10 and 150 MHz. Although there is some evidence that these instruments are sensitive to temperature change in certain soils, little empirical data exists describing the degree of this sensitivity. We quantifi ed temperature effects on both the real and imaginary components of the complex permittivity for 19 soils collected around the United States using the Hydra Probe soil water sensor, which operates at 50 MHz. We found …


Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman Jan 2007

Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The efficacy of using 0.01% chlorophacinone on steam-rolled oat (SRO) groats applied in CA alfalfa by spot-baiting/hand baiting around burrow entrances (~11.5 g) to control free-ranging Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi) were compared in 6 randomly assigned square treatment units (TUs). Four TUs were given the rodenticide and 2 treated with placebo bait. Each TU was a 0.4 ha square surrounded by a similarly treated 5.5 ha square buffer zone. Baits were applied on May 13 and re-applied, on May 20 and May 22, after 7 days of un-forecasted cool wet weather greatly reduced their above ground activity. Pesticide (EPA …


Polymorphism Of Four Enantiotropic Crystalline Systems Containing Ni(Ii), H2O, 15-Crown-5 And No3-, Maxime Andre Siegler Jan 2007

Polymorphism Of Four Enantiotropic Crystalline Systems Containing Ni(Ii), H2O, 15-Crown-5 And No3-, Maxime Andre Siegler

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The series of compounds [M(H2O)2(15-crown-5)](NO3)2, M = Mg, Mn, Co, Cu and Zn, has been extended to include two new phases for M = Fe and two new phases for M = Ni. The system [M(H2O)2(15-crown-5)](NO3)2 is remarkable for having many high-Z’ phases (Z’ > 1) with similar packing and for having solid-solid phase transitions through which there is no significant loss of crystallinity. The synthesis of the analogous Ni complex was carried out. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed …


การเปรียบเทียบสถิติเดอร์บินวัตสัน สถิติวอลลิส กับตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปสำหรับการตรวจสอบอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ของความคลาดเคลื่อนในตัวแบบถดถอยเชิงเส้น, กิตติพงษ์ ไตรทิพย์พานิชย์ Jan 2007

การเปรียบเทียบสถิติเดอร์บินวัตสัน สถิติวอลลิส กับตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปสำหรับการตรวจสอบอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ของความคลาดเคลื่อนในตัวแบบถดถอยเชิงเส้น, กิตติพงษ์ ไตรทิพย์พานิชย์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยครั้งนี้ ต้องการศึกษาเปรียบเทียบความสามารถในการควบคุมความคลาดเคลื่อนประเภทที่ 1 และอำนาจการทดสอบของตัวสถิติที่ใช้ตรวจสอบอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ ของความคลาดเคลื่อนในสถานการณ์ดังต่อไปนี้ 1) เปรียบเทียบสถิติ 3 วิธี คือ ตัวสถิติเดอร์บินวัตสัน บูทสแตรปเดอร์บินวัตสัน และ บูทสแตรปโรล ในการตรวจสอบอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ตำแหน่งที่ 1 2) เปรียบเทียบสถิติ 3 วิธี คือ ตัวสถิติวอลลิส บูทสแตรปวอลลิส และบูทสแตรปโรล และในการตรวจสอบอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ตำแหน่งที่ 4 เมื่อจำนวนตัวแปรอิสระเท่ากับ 1, 2 และ 5 และกำหนดขนาดตัวอย่างที่ทำการศึกษา คือ 15, 20, 50, 60, 90 และ 100 สำหรับในแต่ละสถานการณ์ ข้อมูลที่ใช้ในการวิจัยนี้ได้จากการทดลองด้วยเทคนิคมอนติคาร์โล โดยจำลองการทดลองด้วยเครื่องคอมพิวเตอร์ 1000 ครั้ง สำหรับแต่ละสถานการณ์ที่ระดับนัยสำคัญ 0.05 ผลวิจัยสรุปได้ดังนี้ 1. ความสามารถในการควบคุมความคลาดเคลื่อนประเภทที่ 1 เมื่อมีอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ ตำแหน่งที่ 1 ตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปเดอร์บินวัตสัน และ บูทสแตรปโรล สามารถควบคุมความคลาดเคลื่อนประเภทที่ 1 ได้ในทุกกรณี และเมื่อมีอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ ตำแหน่งที่ 4 ตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปวอลลิส และ บูทสแตรปโรล สามารถควบคุมความคลาดเคลื่อนประเภทที่ 1 ได้ในทุกกรณี 2. อำนาจการทดสอบ เมื่อมีอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ ตำแหน่งที่ 1 โดยทั่วไปตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปเดอร์บินวัตสันให้อำนาจการทดสอบสูงที่สุด และเมื่อมีอัตตสหสัมพันธ์ ตำแหน่งที่ 4 ตัวสถิติบูทสแตรปวอลลิส จะให้ค่าอำนาจการทดสอบที่สูงสุด


Research Strategies Of The National Wildlife Research Center To Control Bovine Tuberculosis In Wildlife In Michigan, Usa, A. R. Berentsen, M. R. Dunbar, R. G. Mclean Jan 2007

Research Strategies Of The National Wildlife Research Center To Control Bovine Tuberculosis In Wildlife In Michigan, Usa, A. R. Berentsen, M. R. Dunbar, R. G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobaferium bovis and is transmissible to humans, wildlife, and domestic livestock. In the United Kingdom, the suspected wildlife reservoir of bTB is the badger (Meles meles) (HUTCHINGS and HARRIS, 1997), and in New Zealand, the culprit is the brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) (MORRIS et al., 1994). In northern Michigan, USA, bovine tuberculosis is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) . In 1975 a hunter-killed white-tailed deer in Alpena County, Michigan, USA, was tested positive for bTB. Subsequent surveillance by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) …


A Review Of Biomarkers Used For Wildlife Damage And Disease Management, Tricia L. Fry, Mike R. Dunbar Jan 2007

A Review Of Biomarkers Used For Wildlife Damage And Disease Management, Tricia L. Fry, Mike R. Dunbar

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Biomarkers are distinctive biological indicators used to identify, often through indirect means, when an event or physiologic process of interest has occurred in an animal. Historically, a variety of biomarkers, as well as bait-markers, have been used in wildlife management including radioactive isotopes, stable isotopes, fatty acids, systemic and physical biomarkers. The ability to successfully track, monitor, and identify animals using minimally invasive techniques is becoming increasingly important as wildlife-human interactions increase. This paper is an overview of the benefits and limitations of previously and presently used biomarkers in wildlife damage and disease management with emphasis on the use of …


Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curlytail Lizard.). Mockingbird Attack; Assertion Displays, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman Jan 2007

Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curlytail Lizard.). Mockingbird Attack; Assertion Displays, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Leiocephalus carinatus armouri is a well-established exotic species in Florida (Meshaka et al. 2004. The Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida. 155 pp.; Smith and Engeman 2004. Florida Field Nat. 32:107-113; Meshaka et al. 2005. Southeast. Nat. 4521-526). Various avian species are predators of L. c. amouri in Florida including the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) (Smith et al. 2006. Herpetol. Rev. 37:224). Here we report an attack by a L. c. armouri on a pre-fledgling Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) in Florida.


Ctenosaura Similis (Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana) Predation, Richard M. Engeman, Missy L. Christie, Bernice Constantin, Robert Christie Jan 2007

Ctenosaura Similis (Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana) Predation, Richard M. Engeman, Missy L. Christie, Bernice Constantin, Robert Christie

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida. 155 pp.). In particular, they were released on Gasparilla Island (Charlotte and Lee Counties) 3&35 years ago, where they are now abundant (Krysko et al. 2003. Florida Sci. 66:141-146). This species may pose a threat to a number of endemic threatened and endangered species on Gasparilla Island such as eggs of nesting shore birds, beach mice, hatchling sea turtles and gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) (Krysko et al., op. cit.), but to date, local predators on C. similis are unreported (Meshaka et al., op. cit.). Indigenous predators …


Assessing Rodenticide Hazards: Improving The Art And Science Of Risk Assessment, John J. Johnston Jan 2007

Assessing Rodenticide Hazards: Improving The Art And Science Of Risk Assessment, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Non-target hazards represent the most significant hurdle to the continued and possibly expanded use of anticoagulant rodenticides. In addition to the possibility of non-target access to the rodenticide bait, non-target scavenger and/or predator species may be exposed to these rodenticides via feeding on the carcasses of poisoned target species. Risk assessments provide a means to estimate the probability of rodenticide associated effects to target and non-target species. Quantification of risk provides critical information for decision-makers to weigh the benefits versus the risks of proposed rodenticide uses. This manuscript reports on the development of a probabilistic risk assessment model for quantifying …


Ophisaurus Ventralis (Eastern Glass Lizard). Fire-Induced Mortality, Greg Kaufmann, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Ernest M. Cowan Jan 2007

Ophisaurus Ventralis (Eastern Glass Lizard). Fire-Induced Mortality, Greg Kaufmann, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Ernest M. Cowan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Direct mortality to wildlife due to prescribed fire is of concern to land managers using fire as a management tool. The ability of individual animals to escape fire is critical to the long-term survival of species inhabiting fire-maintained systems. Many wildlife species in Florida are both adapted to and dependent upon periodic fire to maintain suitable habitat (Myers and Ewel 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando, Florida. 765 pp.). However, species not adapted to survive in pyrogenic landscapes might suffer directly from fire-induced mortality; consequently fire might be a limiting factor. Long-term fire exclusion in many …


Blackbird Use Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, George M. Linz, Jonathan M. Raetzman, Heath M. Hagy, H. Jeffrey Homan, William J. Bleier Jan 2007

Blackbird Use Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, George M. Linz, Jonathan M. Raetzman, Heath M. Hagy, H. Jeffrey Homan, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbird (Icteridae) damage to ripening sunflower fields in North Dakota ranges from $5-10 million and has probably forced many growers to abandon this crop. From 2004 to 2006, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services cost-shared Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots (WCSP) with sunflower growers. The objective of the WCSP was to provide blackbirds an attractive nearby alternative food source to reduce damage in commercial fields. From 2004 through 2006, sunflower damage in the WCSP’s was 39%, 32%, and 60%, respectively. In comparison, damage in nearby commercial fields was 5%, 4%, and 18%, over those years. In 2006, drought in the region …


Are Sunflower Fields For The Birds?, Heath M. Hagy, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Jan 2007

Are Sunflower Fields For The Birds?, Heath M. Hagy, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The northern Great Plains are home to a variety of birds throughout the year, particularly during migration. Migratory species use native and restored grasslands, shelterbelts, and agricultural fields for food and shelter in North Dakota. Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) have been documented to cause economically important damage to some crops and thus, are sometimes the target of concerted harassment efforts. Few studies have assembled an inventory of nonblackbirds using small grain fields during the fall and spring in North Dakota that may be inadvertently affected by blackbird management. At least 94 nonblackbird species use crop fields in the spring …


Avian Influenza In Wild Birds: Environmental Sampling For The Rapid Detection Of Avian Influenza Viruses, Robert G. Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, Alan B. Franklin, Heather Sullivan, Kaci K. Vandalen, Susan A. Shriner, Matthew Farnsworth, Paul Oesterle, Ginger Young, Jenny Carlson, Kacy Cobble, Stacey Elmore, Ted Anderson, Sean Hauser, Kevin Bentler, Nicole Mooers, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Tom Deliberto, Seth Swafford Jan 2007

Avian Influenza In Wild Birds: Environmental Sampling For The Rapid Detection Of Avian Influenza Viruses, Robert G. Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, Alan B. Franklin, Heather Sullivan, Kaci K. Vandalen, Susan A. Shriner, Matthew Farnsworth, Paul Oesterle, Ginger Young, Jenny Carlson, Kacy Cobble, Stacey Elmore, Ted Anderson, Sean Hauser, Kevin Bentler, Nicole Mooers, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Tom Deliberto, Seth Swafford

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

All subtypes of influenza Type A viruses infect wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds, but rarely cause disease or mortality in these aquatic species. Aquatic birds are the natural reservoirs for low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAI) that are distributed globally. However, some AI subtypes can be virulent in other animals and humans and some highly pathogenic AI viruses (HPAI) have caused major outbreaks in poultry and even pandemics in the human population. The emergence of a HPAI H5N1 subtype in southeast Asian poultry in 1997 subsequently involved migratory waterfowl in 2005 and has since spread westward throughout the Asian, …