bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of chemical cleaning and air-sparging on the critical and sustainable flux in a flat sheet membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment
Authors: Guglielmi G. , Chiarani D. , Saroj D. P. , Andreottola G.
Published: July 2008

The paper discusses the experimental optimisation of both chemical and mechanical cleaning procedures for a flat-sheet submerged membrane bioreactor fed with municipal wastewater. Fouling was evaluated by means of the critical flux concept, which was experimentally measured by short-term flux-stepping tests. By keeping constant most important parameters of the biological process (MLSS, sludge age), two different chemical cleaning protocols (2,000 mg L−1 NaOCl and 200 mg L−1 NaOCl) were applied with different frequency and, after approximately 9 months of operation, the criticality threshold was determined under different values of SADm (specific aeration demand per unit of membrane surface area). The weaker and more frequent chemical cleaning regime (200 mg L−1, monthly) proved much more effective than the stronger and less frequent strategy (2,000 mg L−1, once every three months). The improvement of performances was quantified by two TMP-based parameters, the fouling rate and the ΔTMP (difference between TMP values during the increasing and decreasing phase of hysteresis). The best performing configuration was then checked over a longer period by running four long-term trials showing an exponential trend of the sub-critical fouling rate with the imposed flux.
Characterisation and optimisation of individual wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Moelants Nina , Janssen Griet , Smets Ilse , Van Impe Jan
Published: July 2008

Onsite individual wastewater treatment systems can provide a financially attractive alternative to a sewer connection in locations far from the existing sewer network. These systems are, however, relatively new, and practical experiences, especially long-term field studies, are lacking. Therefore, a thorough study of two compact biofilm-based, aerobic onsite systems, both of five population equivalents, was started in 2001. The assessment of the treatment performance of these systems, as well as the maintenance requirements and the characterisation of the feed are of great importance for the better understanding of the systems in order to optimise their design and performance. This paper presents an evaluation and discussion of the start-up and a starvation period of the two studied systems, followed by a characterisation of the incoming wastewater using activated sludge respirometry experiments in the context of the assessment and improvement of the denitrification process.

Individual wastewater treatment systems are characterised by a rather long start-up period of 70–120 days. An important characteristic during the start-up is the nitrite peak, which indicates the initiation of the nitrification process. The respirometric experiments reveal that the failing denitrification is probably caused by an insufficient amount of readily biodegradable COD in the influent.
Resources and nutrients oriented greywater treatment for non-potable reuses
Authors: Li Fangyue , Behrendt Joachim , Wichmann Knut , Otterpohl Ralf
Published: July 2008

This paper evaluated the performance and suitability of a resources and nutrients oriented decentralized greywater treatment system which uses a submerged spiral wound module. This greywater treatment system is aimed at treating and recovering the resources present in the wastewater. The study revealed that the UF membrane filtration system was able to maintain a permeate flux between 6 and 10 L/m2/h. TOC can be reduced from the influent value of 161 to 28.6 mg/L in the permeate, meaning an average elimination rate of 83.4%. In addition, soluble nutrients such as ammonia and phosphorus can pass through the UF membrane and remain in the permeate. The total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the permeate were 16.7 and 6.7 mg/L respectively. The permeate was low in turbidity (below 1 NTU) and free of suspended solids and E. coli and had an excellent physical appearance. The permeate can be used in gardening and agriculture for irrigation and soil fertilization or alternatively for toilet flushing after disinfection. The retentate generated in this system can be treated with blackwater and kitchen waste in an anaerobic digester at a later stage for producing biogas or compost.
Reductive dehalogenation of iopromide by zero-valent iron
Authors: Stieber M. , Putschew A. , Jekel M.
Published: July 2008

Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM), as derivatives of 2, 4, 6-triiodo benzoic acid, are applied in high doses to humans and are excreted unchanged via urine within 24 h. Common as well as advanced wastewater treatment is not able to remove the iodinated compounds leading to an environmental pollution. A specific treatment of contaminated urine or hospital wastewater could minimise the emission. For that reason the deiodination of iopromide, the most commonly used ICM, was investigated using zero-valent iron. Initial experiments carried out in stirred batch reactors with an initial pH of 2 using iron powder and iopromide dissolved in ultra pure water showed that iopromide can be deiodinated by zero-valent iron. Even in contaminated urine collected in a hospital a deiodination of ICM was possible. Further experiments at different constant pH values, temperatures and stirring speeds were performed. The kinetic studies at constant pH showed that the deiodination can be described by pseudo-first order for equal iopromide and iron concentrations. In general, the reaction depends strongly on the pH, the temperature and the stirring speed. The observed rate constant Kobs has an optimum at pH 3 and rises with increasing temperature and stirring speed.
Characterizing temporal development of biofilm porosity using artificial neural networks
Authors: Veluchamy Raaja Raajan Angathevar , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Beyenal Haluk
Published: July 2008

We used artificial neural networks (ANN) to compute parameters characterising biofilm structure from biofilm images and to interpolate a limited number of experimental data characterising the effects of nutrient concentration and flow velocity on the areal porosity of biofilms. ANN were trained using a set of experimental data characterising structural parameters of biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC #700829), Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC #700830) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC #700831) for various flow velocities and glucose concentrations. We used 80% of the data to train ANN and 10% of the data to validate the results, which is routinely carried out as a countermeasure against overtraining. Trained ANN were used to interpolate into the data set and evaluate the missing 10% of the data. To compare ANN accuracy in evaluating the missing data with the accuracies achieved using other interpolation algorithms, we used spline, cubic, linear and nearest-neighbour interpolation algorithms to evaluate the missing data. ANN estimates were consistently closer to the experimental data than the estimates made using the other methods.
Fate of effluent organic matter (EfOM) and natural organic matter (NOM) through riverbank filtration
Authors: Maeng S. K. , Sharma S. K. , Magic-Knezev A. , Amy G.
Published: July 2008

Understanding the fate of effluent organic matter (EfOM) and natural organic matter (NOM) through riverbank filtration is essential to assess the impact of wastewater effluent on the post treatment requirements of riverbank filtrates. Furthermore, their fate during drinking water treatment can significantly determine the process design. The objective of this study was to characterise bulk organic matter which consists of EfOM and NOM during riverbank filtration using a suite of innovative analytical tools. Wastewater effluent-derived surface water and surface water were used as source waters in experiments with soil columns. Results showed the preferential removal of non-humic substances (i.e. biopolymers) from wastewater effluent-derived surface water. The bulk organic matter characteristics of wastewater effluent-derived surface water and surface water were similar after 5 m soil passage in laboratory column experiment. Humic-like organic matter in surface water and wastewater effluent-derived surface water persisted through the soil passage. More than 50% of total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal with significant reduction of dissolved oxygen (DO) was observed in the top 50 cm of the soil columns for both surface water and wastewater effluent-derived surface water. This was due to biodegradation by soil biomass which was determined by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations and heterotrophic plate counts. High concentrations of ATP in the first few centimeters of infiltration surface reflect the highest microbial activity which correlates with the extent of DOC reduction. Good correlation of DOC removal with DO and biomass development was observed in the soil columns.
Ecological engineering of bioaugmentation from side-stream nitrification
Authors: Smith R. C. , Saikaly P. E. , Zhang K. , Thomatos S. , Oerther D. B.
Published: July 2008

Wastewater treatment relies on careful integration of environmental engineering with microbial ecology. This would seem to be particularly the case when attempting to enhance survivability of organisms introduced from outside the main-stream reactor, i.e. bioaugmentation. Molecular biology tools were utilised in this study to assist in understanding the mechanisms of successful bioaugmentation. Molecular fingerprinting showed that side-stream reactor configuration strongly influenced ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) community structure. In both lab-scale and full-scale systems, AOB communities in the side-stream and main-stream were very similar. The experimental systems revealed that a PFR side-stream produced greater diversity of AOB than a CSTR side-stream in a PFR main-stream system, whereas the full-scale side-stream resulted in essentially an AOB monoculture. Phylogenetic analysis revealed less diversity than molecular fingerprinting perhaps due to biases in the cloning/transformation procedure.
White‐Tailed Deer Movements in a Chronic Wasting Disease Area in South‐Central Wisconsin
Authors: SKULDT LESA H. , MATHEWS NANCY E. , OYER ANNE M.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: To focus white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management within a chronic wasting disease‐infected area in south‐central Wisconsin, USA, we assessed deer movements and related dispersal to variation in landscape pattern, deer density, and harvest intensity. We radiocollared and monitored 165 deer between 2003 and 2005. Yearling males that dispersed (45%) had greater forest edge (i.e., fragmentation) within natal home ranges. Exploratory movements were rare for adult females. Transient and migratory movements were rare among all deer (<5%). Although yearling males have low chronic wasting disease prevalence rates, they may be infected before dispersal due to variable incubation times. Managers should increase yearling male harvest and consider removing young males in areas of higher forest edge.
A New Noninvasive Method for Detecting Mammals From Birds' Nests
Authors: TÓTH MÁRIA
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Certain birds use mammal hair for the lining or structural strengthening of their nest. As a result, many bird nests can be regarded as natural hair snares. Preliminary studies indicate that analyses of hairs found in birds' nests are an effective method for detecting and identifying mammals that live in or migrate through an area and could be a useful tool to gain information about rare or hard to detect mammals. I documented 27 mammal taxa that were identified from hair collected from >3,000 nests. This study summarizes the results of 4 projects that represent application of this technique. This noninvasive method appears to be a useful tool for easily accessing basic faunistical data about mammal fauna of the given area.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Florida Key Deer Translocations
Authors: PARKER ISRAEL D. , WATTS DOMINIQUE E. , LOPEZ ROEL R. , SILVY NOVA J. , DAVIS DONALD S. , MCCLEERY ROBERT A. , FRANK PHILIP A.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: The endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is endemic to the Lower Florida Keys. In recent years, habitat fragmentation and restricted dispersal have resulted in small, isolated herds on some islands. Recovery biologists proposed translocations to increase the island herds that had declined or remained low; however, efficacy of Key deer translocations had yet to be evaluated. Our objective was to evaluate survival, ranges, reproduction, and dispersal of translocated deer. During 2003–2005, we translocated 39 adult or yearling deer to Sugarloaf (approx. 19 km from trap site; 10 M, 14 F) and Cudjoe (approx. 15 km from trap site; 6 M, 9 F) keys. We kept deer in large, high‐fenced holding pens (Sugarloaf = 7.7 ha, Cudjoe = 10.7 ha) on the destination islands for 3–6 months (i.e., soft release). We observed low mortality (n = 6 mortalities) of translocated deer with average annual survival (S) of 0.796 for both sexes. We found translocated deer had larger seasonal ranges than did resident deer (i.e., those located on Big Pine and No Name keys). In evaluating effects of acclimation period on ranges and dispersal, we found no difference in 95% ranges or 50% core areas ≤4 month postrelease versus 4–8 months postrelease. We found, however, postrelease dispersal distances were dependent on time kept in pen. Only 2 of 39 (5%) translocated deer left the destination islands by the end of the study. With high survival and low dispersal indicating success, we credit soft release translocation in establishing deer herds on Sugarloaf and Cudjoe keys. Our data support translocations as an effective strategy for creating sustainable outer‐island Key deer herds.
Population Dynamics of Breeding Mallards in the Great Lakes States
Authors: COLUCCY JOHN M. , YERKES TINA , SIMPSON REBECCA , SIMPSON JOHN W. , ARMSTRONG LLWELLYN , DAVIS JONAS
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) populations in the United States portion of the Great Lakes region increased through the 1990s but have since declined. To promote sustainable growth of this population, managers need to understand how perturbation of vital rates will affect annual population growth rate (Λ). We developed a stage‐based model representing the female mallard population in the Great Lakes using vital rates generated from a landscape‐level study documenting reproductive parameters from 2001 to 2003. We conducted perturbation analyses (i.e., sensitivity analyses) to identify vital rates that most influence Λ and variance decomposition analyses to determine the proportion of variation in Λ explained by variation in each vital rate. Perturbation analyses indicated that Λ was most sensitive to changes in nonbreeding survival, duckling survival, and nest success. Therefore, changes in these vital rates would be expected to result in the greatest ΔΛ. Process variation in breeding season parameters accounted for 63% of variation in Λ. Breeding season parameters explaining the most variation were duckling survival (32%) and nest success (16%). Survival of adult females outside the breeding season accounted for 36% of variation in Λ. Harvest derivation, high harvest, and high sensitivity of Λ to nonbreeding survival for Great Lakes female mallards suggests there is a strong potential for managing the Great Lakes mallard population via harvest management. Because Λ was highly sensitive to changes in duckling survival, we suggest programs that emphasize wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration as a management strategy to improve population growth for breeding mallards.
Colony‐Site Selection Drives Management Priorities for Yelkouan Shearwater Populations
Authors: BOURGEOIS KAREN , VIDAL ERIC , COMOR VINCENT , LEGRAND JEROME , DROMZEE SYLVAIN
Published: July 2008

Abstract: We tested whether colony‐site availability could allow for an increase in the unusually small breeding populations of yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) on the islands of the Port‐Cros National Park (France) if feral cat eradication were undertaken. Comparisons between colony and noncolony sites indicated yelkouan shearwaters preferred deep‐soiled and low‐outcrop‐covered coastal sites. A substrate cover, light avoidance, and sea proximity model suggested that 17.5% of unoccupied sites are suitable for colony establishment. The low proportion of suitable sites currently used by yelkouan shearwaters suggests that these colonies could be refuges and that feral cat eradication will probably lead to a breeding population increase.
Using 2 Genetic Markers to Discriminate Among Canada Goose Populations in Ohio
Authors: MYLECRAINE KRISTIN A. , GIBBS H. LISLE , ANDERSON CHRISTINE S. , SHIELDCASTLE MARK C.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Canada goose (Branta canadensis) harvest management depends on reliable estimates of harvest composition, and established genetic methods provide an alternative to traditional methods. We expanded upon previous genetic studies by comparing the utility of 6 nuclear microsatellite loci and mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region sequences for discriminating among giant (B. c. maxima) and interior (B. c. interior) populations in Ohio (USA) Canada goose harvests at both individual and population levels. Subspecies and populations exhibited greater differentiation in mtDNA (FST = 0.202) than microsatellites (FST = 0.021), as would be expected based on differences in effective population size. Neither microsatellites nor mtDNA alone were sufficient for estimating harvest composition at the subspecies or population level in simulations and empirical blind tests using individuals of known origin; however, a combined microsatellite + mtDNA dataset yielded accurate and precise harvest derivations at the subspecies level. Both population‐level mixed stock analysis and individual‐level assignment tests provided accurate results, but a large proportion of birds could not be assigned with confidence at the individual level. We applied mixed stock analysis and the combined microsatellite + mtDNA dataset to Ohio's 2003–2004 harvest and found that interior populations accounted for 4.9% (95% CI = 1.7–8.0%) of the statewide early season and 9.3% (95% CI = 6.9–11.6%) of the regular and late‐season harvested sample. These results suggest that maximum likelihood harvest derivations are highly dependent on the choice of genetic markers. Studies should only employ markers that exhibit sufficient variation and have been shown through simulations and empirical testing to accurately discriminate among the subspecies or management populations of interest.
Visual Implant Elastomer Mark Retention Through Metamorphosis in Amphibian Larvae
Authors: GRANT EVAN H. CAMPBELL
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Questions in population ecology require the study of marked animals, and marks are assumed to be permanent and not overlooked by observers. I evaluated retention through metamorphosis of visual implant elastomer marks in larval salamanders and frogs and assessed error in observer identification of these marks. I found 1) individual marks were not retained in larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), whereas only small marks were likely to be retained in larval salamanders (Eurycea bislineata), and 2) observers did not always correctly identify marked animals. Evaluating the assumptions of marking protocols is important in the design phase of a study so that correct inference can be made about the population processes of interest. This guidance should be generally useful to the design of mark‐recapture studies, with particular application to studies of larval amphibians.
Juvenile‐to‐Adult Antler Development in White‐Tailed Deer in South Texas
Authors: KOERTH BEN H. , KROLL JAMES C.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Past studies using penned deer provide conflicting results on the age when reliable predictions about antler growth potential in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be made. We captured wild whitetail males via aerial net gun on 12 ranches in 5 counties in south Texas, USA, from 1999 to 2007 to determine if a reliable juvenile‐to‐adult relationship in antler development existed. We individually marked and released captured animals at the trap site after we took antler and body measurements. We recaptured marked animals as possible in subsequent years or until we obtained final measurements after legal harvest. Amount of growth in the first set of antlers in whitetail males was a poor predictor of antler growth at maturity. By 4.5 years of age there were no differences (P > 0.05) in antler measurements regardless of the amount of development of the first set of antlers at 1.5 years. We concluded culling of yearling males based on number of antler points would have little positive effect on overall antler quality in future years.
Using DNA Barcodes to Identify Bird Species Involved in Birdstrikes
Authors: DOVE CARLA J. , ROTZEL NANCY C. , HEACKER MARCY , WEIGT LEE A.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:We determined effectiveness of using mitochondrial DNA barcodes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1[CO1]) to identify bird‐aircraft collision (birdstrike) cases that lacked sufficient feather evidence for morphological diagnosis. From September through December 2006, 821 samples from birdstrike events occurring in the United States were submitted for DNA analysis. We successfully amplified a CO1 DNA barcode product from 554 (67.5%) of the samples; 267 (32.5%) did not contain viable DNA and depended on morphological methods (microscopy) for Order or Family level identification. We deemed 19 cases inconclusive either because the DNA barcode recovered from the sample did not meet our 98% match criteria when compared to the Barcode of Life Database (BoLD) or because the DNA barcode matched to a set of ≥ 2 closely related species with overlapping barcodes, preventing complete species identification. Age of the sample (≤6 months) did not affect DNA viability, but initial condition of the sample and the collection method was critical to DNA identification success. The DNA barcoding approach has great potential in aiding in identification of birds (and wildlife) for airfield management practices, particularly in regions of the world that lack the vast research collections and individual expertise for morphologic identifications.
Inferences About Ungulate Population Dynamics Derived From Age Ratios
Authors: HARRIS NYEEMA C. , KAUFFMAN MATTHEW J. , MILLS L. SCOTT
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Age ratios (e.g., calf:cow for elk and fawn:doe for deer) are used regularly to monitor ungulate populations. However, it remains unclear what inferences are appropriate from this index because multiple vital rate changes can influence the observed ratio. We used modeling based on elk (Cervus elaphus) life‐history to evaluate both how age ratios are influenced by stage‐specific fecundity and survival and how well age ratios track population dynamics. Although all vital rates have the potential to influence calf:adult female ratios (i.e., calf:cow ratios), calf survival explained the vast majority of variation in calf:adult female ratios due to its temporal variation compared to other vital rates. Calf:adult female ratios were positively correlated with population growth rate (Λ) and often successfully indicated population trajectories. However, calf:adult female ratios performed poorly at detecting imposed declines in calf survival, suggesting that only the most severe declines would be rapidly detected. Our analyses clarify that managers can use accurate, unbiased age ratios to monitor arguably the most important components contributing to sustainable ungulate populations, survival rate of young and Λ. However, age ratios are not useful for detecting gradual declines in survival of young or making inferences about fecundity or adult survival in ungulate populations. Therefore, age ratios coupled with independent estimates of population growth or population size are necessary to monitor ungulate population demography and dynamics closely through time.
An Integrated Vehicle‐Mounted Telemetry System for VHF Telemetry Applications
Authors: GILSDORF JASON M. , VERCAUTEREN KURT C. , HYGNSTROM SCOTT E. , WALTER W. DAVID , BONER JUSTIN R. , CLEMENTS GREG M.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: We designed and developed a vehicle‐mounted very high frequency‐based telemetry system that integrated an on‐board antenna, receiver, electronic compass, Global Positioning System, computer, and Geographic Information System. The system allows users to accurately and quickly obtain fixes, estimate and confirm locations of radiomarked animals, and immediately record data into an electronic spreadsheet or database. The total cost of materials to build the system was $7,349 (United States currency). Mean error angle of 2.63 ± 12.1° (SD; range = −33.7–42.2°) and mean location error distance of 128 ± 91.3 m (SD; range = 0–408 m) suggested precision and accuracy of our system were comparable to other reported systems. Mean time to record 5 bearings/test transmitter was 6.28 ± 0.24 minutes (SE), which is the most efficient system reported to locate animals in the field. Vehicle‐mounted telemetry systems like ours provide additional value to studies that involve tracking highly mobile species because investigators need not take bearings from established receiving stations and because investigators can immediately recognize bounced signals and take additional bearings and optimize accuracy of location estimates.
Developing the Concept of Estimating Bobwhite Density With Pointing Dogs
Authors: GUTHERY FRED S. , MECOZZI GRANT E.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Currently available methods of estimating northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) abundance are often expensive and time‐consuming; therefore, additional research is necessary to develop new tools. Using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System technologies and distance‐sampling theory, we developed a method of estimating bobwhite density during hunts with pointing dogs. Data collection occurred during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 hunting seasons in western Oklahoma and northern Texas, USA. We estimated effective strip width (ESW) of a bird dog's path using distance‐sampling theory and point‐to‐flush distances. For coveys >7 birds (n = 58), estimated ESW was 13.2 m (95% CI = 11.1–15.6 m). Area searched by one dog was its GPS path buffered by ESW. For ≥2 dogs, area searched was the union of the areas of individual dogs; taking the union eliminated between‐ or among‐dog redundancy in searched areas. A point estimate of density was number of birds flushed on a hunt divided by searched area. During the 2005–2006 hunting season, bobwhite density averaged 1.4 birds/ha (60.28 SE; n = 33). Average density declined to 0.2 birds/ha (60.07 SE) during 2006–2007 (n = 46). Estimating bobwhite density with pointing dogs needs further testing and development, but the technique may prove useful in research and management.
Field Sedation of Coyotes, Red Foxes, and Raccoons With Medetomidine and Atipamezole
Authors: BALDWIN JOHN R. , WINSTEAD JEFFREY B. , HAYDEN‐WING LARRY D. , KREEGER TERRY J. , DZIALAK MATTHEW R.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: We chemically restrained free‐ranging coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) using medetomidine antagonized by atipamezole. All coyotes and 80% of red foxes were sedated with mean ± standard deviation doses of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/kg and 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, respectively. Seventy‐seven percent of raccoons were sedated with 0.21 ± 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine. In all species we observed occasional movement, muscle rigidity, and partial‐arousal during sedation. Animals were alert within 4.3–8.6 ± 3.5–8.4 min following atipamezole at 0.4 mg/kg. Medetomidine and atipamezole provided safe handling in most animals and rapid recovery without use of a controlled substance. At these doses, biologists in the field should be prepared to administer a supplementary dose of medetomidine to some animals depending on ambient conditions and the objectives of the restraint event.
Reserve Size, Conspecific Density, and Translocation Success for Black Rhinoceros
Authors: LINKLATER WAYNE L. , SWAISGOOD RONALD R.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:Fighting and accidental injury commonly cause black rhinoceros (rhino;Diceros bicornis) death after release. Smaller reserves and higher conspecific density after release (release density) might increase a rhino's encounter rate with hazards like fenced boundaries and conspecifics. We conducted a science‐by‐management experiment on the influence of reserve size and release density on rates of movement, association, and injury and death amongst 39 black rhinos during the first 100 days after their release into 4 Namibian and 8 South African reserves ranging in size from 670 ha to 45,000 ha. Association rates were negatively related to reserve size and positively correlated with release density. There was also a negative relationship between the proportion of the reserve traversed by individual rhinos and reserve size. In reserves ≥18,000 ha association rates were consistently zero but became elevated in reserves ≤11,500 ha and at release densities ≤9 km2/rhino. Daily displacement did not increase with increasing reserve size >8,500 ha but in smaller reserves daily displacements indicated higher encounter rates by released rhinos with fenced boundaries. Three rhinos received fight‐related injuries requiring intervention and 2 of 4 deaths were fight‐related. All injuries and 3 deaths occurred in reserves ≤11,500 ha. Model selection based on Akaike's second‐order Information Criterion indicated that the parameter release density alone best explained mortality risk. Traditionally considered risk factors, rhino sex, age, and presence of resident conspecifics, were superseded by the risk posed by releases into smaller reserves. Reserves ≤11,500 ha and release densities ≤9 km2/rhino pose an increasing risk to rhino survivorship and so larger reserves and lower densities than these should be favored as release sites.
Implications of Woodrats and Other Scavengers for Avian Telemetry Studies
Authors: LARSEN RANDY T. , BENTLEY DANIEL F. , FLINDERS JERRAN T.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: During 2 years of radiotelemetry research on chukars (Alectoris chukar) in western Utah, USA, we found 28% of retrieved radios (n = 78) in rubbish nests of woodrats (Neotoma spp.). Such movement and disturbance of carcasses and radios by woodrats and other species has implications for radiotelemetry studies. We evaluated spatio‐temporal movement of 51 radiocollars attached to chukar carcasses in western Utah. Most (80%) carcasses were scavenged within one week and by the end of 3 weeks 25 (50%) had been retrieved from woodrat middens. Scavenging activity can both obscure important clues needed to identify causes of mortality and bias telemetry studies by delaying onset of mortality signals.
Behavioral Adaptations of Moose to Roadside Salt Pools
Authors: LAURIAN CATHERINE , DUSSAULT CHRISTIAN , OUELLET JEAN‐PIERRE , COURTOIS RÉHAUME , POULIN MARIUS , BRETON LAURIER
Published: July 2008

Abstract:Sodium has many fundamental physiological functions in animals but is rare in boreal ecosystems where moose (Alces alces) thrive. In Québec (Canada), sodium is readily available in aquatic vegetation and in salt pools that form along highways. We do not know if moose are adopting specific behaviors to access sodium sources or if they simply use the sodium sources they encounter during their movements. We tested the hypothesis that moose modify both space and habitat use to gather sodium from salt pools. We expected moose to use salt pools mostly in spring and early summer, when needs are greatest and before aquatic vegetation has fully developed. We fitted 47 moose with Global Positioning System telemetry collars and collected data for 2 to 36 months between 2003 and 2006. We rarely located moose at salt pools (0.12% among the 95,007 locations collected). As we expected, use of salt pools was highest in late spring and in early summer, and we observed a time lag between peak use of salt pools compared to use of lakes and waterways, indicating moose fulfilled their sodium requirements in salt pools before aquatic vegetation was available. Moose selected salt pools over lakes and waterways when these 2 sodium sources were present in their home range and moved rapidly over large distances to reach them. Our results were consistent with moose using salt pools when they are likely to be sodium deficient. Salt pools were less accessible, required long‐distance movements, and were located in habitually avoided areas along highways. Elimination of roadside salt pools should be considered among strategies to reduce cervid‐vehicle collision risks in boreal environments.
Raman Optical Activity: A Reliable Chiroptical Technique
Authors: Haesler Jacques , Hug Werner
Published: July 2008

Vibrational optical activity (VOA) is a research field in full expansion. The two main areas where VOA is used are the determination of absolute configurations and the investigation of the secondary and tertiary solution structures of biopolymers. Commercial instrumentation is available
since some time for vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and, more recently, also Raman optical activity (ROA). Here, we describe a recent instrumental implementation of forward scattering, advances in the computational interpretation of ROA, and the determination of the mechanistically important
absolute configuration of (4E)-3,3-dimethyl-5-[(2R,3R)-3-methyloxiran-2-yl]pent-4-en-2-one (1).
CD Methods Development at the Bio-Nano Interface
Authors: Hennig Andreas , Bhosale Sheshanath , Sakai Naomi , Matile Stefan
Published: July 2008

We describe recent applications of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to develop simple methods for the study of supramolecular functional materials. Examples include the development of a CD method to identify supramolecules in action (and to determine Hill coefficients for exergonic
self-assembly), or CD methods to measure osmotic pressure and the activity of ion channels and pores. For the latter two applications, G-quartets are introduced as versatile functional CD probes in chirogenic vesicles.
Recent Progress in Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation: Tetrasubstituted Olefins and Polyenes
Authors: Schrems Marcus G. , Wang Aie , Pfaltz Andreas
Published: July 2008

Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation has become the method of choice to convert prochiral unfunctionalized olefins to optically active compounds. Recently, we reported on applications giving access to more than one stereocenter in a single hydrogenation step. In this account
we present recent developments in the hydrogenation of tetrasubstituted unfunctionalized olefins and isoprenoid polyenes, which allow the generation of two stereocenters in a single hydrogenation step.
Stereoselective Radical Translocations
Authors: Renaud Philippe , Beaufils Florent , Dénès Fabrice , Feray Laurence , Imboden Christoph , Kuznetsov Nikolai
Published: July 2008

The stereochemical outcome of intramolecular radical mediated hydrogen transfer (= radical translocation) is discussed. Low to excellent levels of stereocontrol are observed making such processes attractive for applications in target-oriented synthesis.
Total Asymmetric Synthesis of Glycomimetics and Polypropionates of Biological Interest
Authors: Vogel Pierre
Published: July 2008

Using readily available chiral auxiliaries such as (+)- and (?)-camphanic acid, (R,R)- and (S,S)-tartaric acid derivatives (e.g. RADO(R)-COCl, SADO(R)-COCl) efficient diastereoselective syntheses of rare sugars and glycomimetics have been developed.
They engage the 'naked sugar' (enantiomerically pure 7-oxanorbornene) methodologies in which the chiral auxiliaries are recovered at an early stage of the multistep syntheses. A new reaction cascade starting with the hetero-Diels-Alder addition of sulfur dioxide to 1-(1-phenylethoxy)-1,3-dienes
derived from inexpensive (+)- and (?)-1-phenylethanol allows the one-pot, four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfones, sulfonamides and sulfonic esters containing up to three stereogenic centers. The method ensures a high molecular and stereochemical diversity. The reaction cascade
can also produce polyketide and polypropionate fragments in one-pot operations. The latter contain up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and do not have to be modified (deprotection, activation) before using them as nucleophilic partners in diastereoselective cross-aldol reactions, thus
permitting the quick access to complicated polypropionate antibiotics such as Baconipyrones, Ryfamicyn S and Apoptolidines.
The Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir Ride On
Authors: Callahan Ted
Published: July 2008

The Kyrgyz pastoralists of Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor have weathered thirty years of endemic warfare and warlordism, large population outmigrations, and social and health problems ranging from widespread opium addiction to having possibly the world's highest maternal mortality rate. Yet, despite the odds and the predictions of specialists that the Wakhan Kyrgyz would soon follow their kinsmen into neighbouring countries as refugees, this 1,500 person community continues to follow the innovative pastoral production strategies developed over the past 100 years as a result of having to cope with the demands of year-round residence in such harsh conditions and with little overall land available. However, today, the persistence of the Wakhan Kyrgyz may be reaching its limits and the community has considered 'repatriation' to Kyrgyzstan as an alternative to the remoteness of the Afghan Pamirs.
25 years (1981–2005) of equilibrium-line altitude and mass-balance reconstruction on Glacier Blanc, French Alps, using remote-sensing methods and meteorological data
Authors: Rabatel Antoine , Dedieu Jean-Pierre , Thibert Emmanuel , Letréguilly Anne , Vincent Christian
Published: July 2008

Annual equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) and surface mass balance of Glacier Blanc, Ecrins region, French Alps, were reconstructed from a 25 year time series of satellite images (1981–2005). The remote-sensing method used was based on identification of the snowline, which is easy to discern on optical satellite images taken at the end of the ablation season. In addition, surface mass balances at the ELA were reconstructed for the same period using meteorological data from three nearby weather stations. A comparison of the two types of series reveals a correlation of r > 0.67 at the 0.01 level of significance. Furthermore, the surface mass balances obtained from remote-sensing data are consistent with those obtained from field measurements on five other French glaciers (r = 0.76, p < 0.01). Also consistent for Glacier Blanc is the total mass loss (10.8 m w.e.) over the studied period. However, the surface mass balances obtained with the remote-sensing method show lower interannual variability. Given that the remote-sensing method is based on changes in the ELA, this difference probably results from the lower sensitivity of the surface mass balance to climate parameters at the ELA.
Seasonality of snow accumulation at Mount Wrangell, Alaska, USA
Authors: Kanamori Syosaku , Benson Carl S. , Truffer Martin , Matoba Sumito , Solie Daniel J. , Shiraiwa Takayuki
Published: July 2008

We recorded the burial times of temperature sensors mounted on a specially constructed tower to determine snow accumulation during individual storms in the summit caldera of Mount Wrangell, Alaska, USA, (62° N, 144° W; 4100 m a.s.l.) during the accumulation year June 2005 to June 2006. The experiment showed most of the accumulation occurred in episodic large storms, and half of the total accumulation was delivered in late summer. The timing of individual events correlated well with storms recorded upwind, at Cordova, the closest Pacific coastal weather station (200 km south-southeast), although the magnitude of events showed only poor correlation. Hence, snow accumulation at Mount Wrangell appears to be a reflection of synoptic-scale regional weather systems. The accumulation at Mount Wrangell’s summit (>2.5 m w.e.) exceeded the precipitation at Cordova. Although the direct relationship between accumulation of individual storms at the summit of Mount Wrangell and precipitation events at Cordova may be unique in the region, it is useful for interpreting ice cores obtained on Mount Wrangell. This is especially the case here because the high rate of accumulation allows high time resolution within the core.
Seasonal acceleration of inland ice via longitudinal coupling to marginal ice
Authors: Price S.F. , Payne A.J. , Catania G.A. , Neumann T.A.
Published: July 2008

We use an ice-flow model to demonstrate how flow variations initiated in the marginal zone of an ice sheet affect flow farther inland through longitudinal (along-flow) coupling. Our findings allow for an alternate interpretation of seasonal accelerations observed near the equilibrium line of the Greenland ice sheet (Zwally and others, 2002). We demonstrate that these observations can be explained by accelerations initiated up to 12 km closer to the margin where the ice is ∼40% thinner, is heavily crevassed, experiences a seasonal doubling of velocity, and where the ablation rate, surface meltwater flux and ice temperature are likely higher. Our modeling and observations suggest that conditions and processes normally found near ice-sheet margins are adequate for explaining the observations of Zwally and others (2002). This and considerations of the likely subglacial hydrology in the marginal zone lead us to suggest that seasonal accelerations may have limited impact on ice-sheet mass balance even in the face of climate warming.
Investigating the stability of subglacial lakes with a full Stokes ice-sheet model
Authors: Pattyn Frank
Published: July 2008

Despite the large amount of subglacial lakes present underneath the East Antarctic ice sheet and the melt processes involved, the hydrology beneath the ice sheet is poorly understood. Changes in subglacial potential gradients may lead to subglacial lake outbursts, discharging excess water through a subglacial drainage system underneath the ice sheet. Such processes can eventually lead to an increase in ice flow. In this paper, a full Stokes numerical ice-sheet model was employed which takes into account the ice flow over subglacial water bodies in hydrostatic equilibrium with the overlying ice. Sensitivity experiments were carried out for small perturbations in ice flow and basal melt rate as a function of ice thickness, general surface slope, ice viscosity and lake size, in order to investigate their influence on the subglacial potential gradient and the impact on subglacial lake drainage. Experiments clearly demonstrate that small changes in surface slope are sufficient to start and sustain episodic subglacial drainage events. Lake drainage can therefore be regarded as a common feature of the subglacial hydrological system and may influence, to a large extent, the present and future behavior of large ice sheets.
Effects of impurities and their redistribution during recrystallization of ice crystals
Authors: Iliescu D. , Baker I.
Published: July 2008

In order to examine the effects of solutes on recrystallization and subsequent grain growth in ice, both doped and undoped ice single crystals were extruded through a 120° equal-channel angular extrusion jig, in order to impart a large shear strain (∼1.15). Upon subsequent annealing at −3°C, the original single crystals recrystallized, in most cases to a new single crystal with a different orientation. Increasing the solute concentration (for H2SO4 to ∼200–300 ppb, and for NaCl, KCl and MgSO4 to >5 ppm) was found to significantly retard the growth and possibly, for H2SO4-doped ice, the nucleation of new grains in the strained ice single crystals. This is indicative of how soluble impurities can retard grain growth in ice cores. It was also found that the migrating grain boundaries surrounding the newly formed grains contained large concentrations of impurities, often observed as filaments. These could have formed by the grain boundaries sweeping up impurities from the lattice into the boundary or by their diffusion to the boundary – mechanisms whereby impurities could be concentrated into the grain boundaries in ice cores – although the latter mechanism seems unlikely since it would require very high diffusion rates.
Effects of Pin-up Oxygen on [60]Fullerene for Enhanced Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Matsubayashi Kenji , Goto Tadashi , Togaya Kyoko , Kokubo Ken , Oshima Takumi
Published: July 2008

The introduction of pin-up oxygen on C60, such as in the oxidized fullerenes C60O and C60On, induced noticeable increase in the antioxidant activity as compared to pristine C60. The water-soluble inclusion complexes of fullerenes C60O and C60Onreacted with linoleic acid peroxyl radical 1.7 and 2.4 times faster, respectively.
Interleukin‐10 improves left ventricular function in rats with heart failure subsequent to myocardial infarction
Authors: Stumpf Christian , Seybold Katrin , Petzi Sebastian , Wasmeier Gerald , Raaz Dorette , Yilmaz Atilla , Anger Thomas , Daniel Werner G. , Garlichs Christoph D.
Published: July 2008

Evidence has shown that pro‐inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF‐α, are involved in the inflammatory response in the remodelling process after myocardial infarction (MI). Although IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, has been shown to antagonize some of the deleterious effects of TNF‐α, little is known about its role in post‐MI left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a therapy with rhIL‐10 could be beneficial in an animal model of post‐MI heart failure (HF).

Rats with experimental MI were treated with rhIL‐10 (75 mn;g/kg/d sc) starting directly after MI induction, and continuing for 4 weeks. Controls were untreated MI and sham‐operated rats. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization 4 weeks after MI induction. Membrane‐bound and soluble fractions of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10, the ratio of TNF‐α to IL‐10, serum levels of MCP‐1 as well as myocardial macrophage infiltration, were analyzed. Treatment with rhIL‐10 significantly improved post‐MI LV function (FS +127%;, dP/dtmax +131%; LVEDP–36%). This effect was associated with a significant decrease in pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels (TNF‐α, IL‐6, MCP‐1) and furthermore resulted in a reduced myocardial infiltration of macrophages.
Does Flexibility Promote Cooperation? An Application to the Global Trade Regime
Authors: Kucik Jeffrey , Reinhardt Eric
Published: July 2008

Do flexibility provisions in international agreements—clauses allowing for legal suspension of concessions without abrogating the treaty—promote cooperation? Recent work emphasizes that provisions for relaxing treaty commitments can ironically make states more likely to form agreements and make deeper concessions when doing so. This argument has particularly been applied to the global trade regime, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO). Yet the field has not produced much evidence bearing on this claim. Our article applies this claim to the global trade regime and its chief flexibility provision, antidumping. In contrast to prior work, this article explicitly models the endogeneity and selection processes envisioned by the theory. We find that states joining the WTO are more likely to adopt domestic antidumping mechanisms. Likewise, corrected for endogeneity, states able to take advantage of the regime's principal flexibility provision, by having a domestic antidumping mechanism in place, are significantly more likely to (1) join the WTO, (2) agree to more tightly binding tariff commitments, and (3) implement lower applied tariffs as well.