Ultrasound demonstration of masses in a 15 week fetus: Hydrops in a fetus with umbilical cord occlusion

A fetal abnormality detected at 15 weeks by ultrasound consisted of cystic appearing masses in the neck and back region. The differential diagnosis included gonadal dysgenesis (Turner's syndrome) with cystic hygroma, neural tube defect, e.g. encephalocele or meningomyelocele, and fetal hydrops. Intrauterine fetal demise occurred at 17 weeks. The fetus had marked edema possibly related to umbilical cord occlusion.     

Folivory versus florivory—adaptiveness of flower feeding

The distribution of resources and defence is heterogeneous within plants. Specialist insects may prefer tissue with high concentrations of the plant’s characteristic defence compounds. Most herbivorous butterfly or sawfly larvae are considered to be folivores, so also the turnip sawfly Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), a specialist herbivore on Brassicaceae. We investigated which tissue larvae choose to feed upon and how they perform on flowers, young or old leaves of Sinapis alba. Furthermore, constitutive and inducible levels of glucosinolates and myrosinases were investigated and nutrients analysed. Larvae moved from leaves to flowers for feeding from the third larval instar on. Flowers were not actively chosen, but larvae moved upwards on the plant, regardless of how plants were orientated (upright or inverted). Flower-feeding larvae were heavier and developed faster than larvae feeding on young leaves, and adults laid more eggs. Old leaves as food source resulted in the lowest growth rates. Flowers contained three and ten times higher myrosinase activities than young and old leaves, respectively, whereas glucosinolate concentrations and nitrogen levels of flowers and young leaves were comparable. Glucosinolate concentrations of old leaves were very low. Changes in tissue chemistry caused by larval feeding were tissue specific. Defence levels did not change in flowers and old leaves after A. rosae feeding in contrast to young leaves. The high insect performance on flowers cannot be explained by differences in chemical defence. Instead, the lack of mechanical defence (trichomes) is probably responsible. Movement to the flowers and folivory is overall highly adaptive for this sawfly species.     

Contamination by lead in sediments at Toledo River,hydrographic basin of PARANÁ III

Due to intense agricultural and industrial activities, the environment has been affected by increasing amounts of pollutants, such as lead, a toxic heavy metal. When introduced to the environment, toxic metals are distributed and incorporated into the liquid medium, sediments, and aquatic biota; bioaccumulating. This research aimed to identify and quantify the levels of toxic metals present in the waters and sediments of Toledo River, compare the obtained results with legislation and other studies, as well as to evaluate the possible pollutant sources of the water body. Six water and sediment samples were taken at seven strategic sites. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Cr in water were compared to the maximum limits established by Brazilian legislation IN CONAMA No. 357/05, for class II fresh waters. The sediment samples were submitted to nitroperchloric digestion, and then the total concentrations of the metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The toxicological quality of the Toledo River has been considerably affected by the activities carried out in its surroundings, such as extensive areas of agriculture, pig farming and industrial areas, causing concentrations of Cd, Fe, and mainly Pb, which is observed at concentrations higher than value allowed by the legislation.     

Adaptation of institutional arrangements to management of Northern Rangelands of Kenya

Northern Rangelands of Kenya have continued to grapple with management challenges largely due to a lack of understanding of the dynamics thereof. Eroding customary institutions and new institutional arrangements characterize the system suggesting that adaptation is taking place to cope with the change. It is imperative that these socio-ecosystems adjust to the disturbance without disintegrating into a different state that is controlled by a different set of processes to ensure sustainable rangeland management. To understand the nature of change, the study sought to evaluate institutional arrangements engaged in tackling growing socio-economic and ecological factors challenging development within the last decade. Three study sites namely Kinna, Makurian and Westgate, representing three types of institutional arrangements (elders only, group ranch committee and community conservancy board), were investigated. Key informants, focused group discussions and household survey methods were used to gather data. Data were managed and analysed using Ms Access, Ms Excel, social network analysis and SPSS. Findings indicate that more actors (internal and external) are engaging in management of social economic and ecological factors challenging development within the last decade. The co-management approach allows increased capacity to tackle these challenges and further presents more opportunities for a diversified livelihood, two key features of ecosystem resilience. Findings are useful as the Kenya government implements the National Land Policy that recognizes the need to restructure community land and its management.     

Wood-based diet and gut microflora of a galatheid crab associated with Pacific deep-sea wood falls

Wood falls in the deep sea have recently become the focus of studies showing their importance as nutrients on the deep-sea floor. In such environments, Crustaceans constitute numerically the second-largest group after Mollusks. Many questions have arisen regarding their trophic role therein. A careful examination of the feeding appendages, gut contents, and gut lining of Munidopsis andamanica caught with wood falls revealed this species as a truly original detritivorous species using wood and the biofilm covering it as two main food sources. Comparing individuals from other geographic areas from substrates not reported highlights the galatheid crab as specialist of refractory substrates, especially vegetal remains. M. andamanica also exhibits a resident gut microflora consisting of bacteria and fungi possibly involved in the digestion of wood fragments. The results suggest that Crustaceans could be full-fledged actors in the food chains of sunken-wood ecosystems and that feeding habits of some squat lobsters could be different than scavenging.     

Adsorption distribution impact on preferential transport within horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW)

Predicting preferential water flow and solute transport in soils is in the interest of scientists and engineers in the fields of agricultural soil, forest hydrology, soil physics and wastewater treatment by constructed wetland. In artificial wetlands, any preferential pathway induces an insufficient residence time of pollutants in the soil, making an incomplete and unfinished biodegradation process, a wrong evaluation of the hydraulic residence time of the system which would hinder its management in a complete system with several entities of treatment and a non-homogeneous growth of the biofilm in the solid filter mass. This paper is a contribution in tracer experiment data analysis within a horizontal flow constructed wetland built in a storm water basin. A two-dimensional numerical model was used to simulate flow and reactive solute transport. The flow model was successfully calibrated in very dry soil conditions. The adsorption profiles used in the reactive transport modeling are those of five molecules: metolachlor, atrazine, deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA), and hydroxyatrazine (HA). We show that the adsorption distribution is an internal factor of soil which is responsible to the “preferential” pathway transport in a homogeneous gravel texture. The mean residence time of pollutants within the filter is strongly correlated with the average value of the adsorption coefficient. Moreover, we note a lack of significant impact of the heterogeneity of the medium on the statistical moments of breakthrough curve. It appears that a uni-modal breakthrough curve is not significant to the absence of preferential flow in the medium and at least a two-dimensional display can provide sufficient evidence on the presence or absence of preferential pathways. Finally, using a PLS regression, it is possible to perfectly discriminate the number of peaks of concentration and the asymmetry of the breakthrough curve.     

Agrochemical spray drift; assessment and mitigation--a review

During application of agrochemicals spray droplets can drift beyond the intended target to non-target receptors, including water, plants and animals. Factors affecting this spray drift include mode of application, droplet size, which can be modified by the nozzle types, formulation adjuvants, wind direction, wind speed, air stability, relative humidity, temperature and height of released spray relative to the crop canopy. The rate of fall of spray droplets depends upon the size of the droplets but is modified by entrainment in a mobile air mass and is also influenced by the rate of evaporation of the liquid constituting the aerosol. The longer the aerosol remains in the air before falling to the ground (or alternatively striking an object above ground) the greater the opportunity for it to be carried away from its intended target. In general, all size classes of droplets are capable of movement off target, but the smallest are likely to move the farthest before depositing on the ground or a non-target receptor. It is not possible to avoid spray drift completely but it can be minimized by using best-management practices. These include using appropriate nozzle types, shields, spray pressure, volumes per area sprayed, tractor speed and only spraying when climatic conditions are suitable. Field layout can also influence spray drift, whilst crop-free and spray-free buffer zones and windbreak crops can also have a mitigating effect. Various models are available to estimate the environmental exposure from spray drift at the time of application.     

Bushmeat consumption and its implications for wildlife conservation in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Hunting plays an important socioeconomic role in the semi-arid region of Brazil, by supplying meat and other products. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on which species are most used by the local populations and what are the implications for conservation of exploited animals. This paper explores the bushmeat consumption in the Brazilian Caatinga region, where wild animals comprise an important protein source. A questionnaire was used to gather information from hunters, and the consumption of bushmeat by their families was monitored. Interviews revealed that 58 vertebrate species could potentially be consumed as bushmeat, but the samples provided by the monitored families comprised only 28 species. Birds were the animals most consumed, followed by mammals, although the biomass of both groups was similar. The consumption of bushmeat was not correlated with hunters’ socioeconomic data (income, age or schooling). Hunters recognized that the populations of some game species appeared to be declining, showing that bushmeat consumption, together with the cultural, economic and social aspects of the human populations involved in hunting, should be considered when discussing the conservation of animal resources in the Caatinga region.     

Formation of dioxins during exposure of pesticide formulations to sunlight

Chlorinated pesticides can contain impurities of dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and their precursors, as a result of various manufacturing processes and conditions. As precursor formation of PCDD/Fs can also be mediated by ultraviolet light (UV), this study investigated whether PCDD/Fs are formed when currently used pesticides are exposed to natural sunlight. Formulations containing pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB; n = 2) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; n = 1) were exposed to sunlight in quartz tubes, and the concentration of 93 PCDD/F congeners were monitored over time. Considerable formation of PCDD/Fs was observed in both PCNB formulations (by up to 5600%, to a maximum concentration of 57 000 μg ∑PCDD/F kg⁻¹) as well as the 2,4-D formulation (by 3000%, to 140 μg ∑PCDD/F kg⁻¹). TEQ also increased by up to 980%, to a maximum concentration of 28 μg kg⁻¹ in PCNB, but did not change in the 2,4-D formulation. Assuming similar yields as observed in the present study as a worst case scenario the use of PCNB in Australia may result in the formation of 155 g TEQ annum⁻¹, contributed primarily by OCDD formation. This warrants detailed evaluations on the contemporary release of PCDD/Fs to the environment after the use of pesticides. Changes in congener profiles (including the ratio of PCDDs to PCDFs (DF ratio)) suggest that pesticide sources of PCDD/Fs after sunlight exposure may not be recognized based on matching source fingerprints established from manufacturing impurities. These changes also provide preliminary insights into the possible formation routes and types of precursors involved.     

Water and nutrient transport on a heavy clay soil in a fluvial plain in the Netherlands

In flat areas, transport of dissolved nutrients by water through the soil matrix to groundwater and drains is assumed to be the dominant pathway for nutrient losses to ground- and surface waters. However, long-term data on the losses of nutrients to surface water and the contribution of various pathways is limited. We studied nutrient losses and pathways on a heavy clay soil in a fluvial plain in The Netherlands during a 5-yr period. Average annual nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses to surface water were 15.1 and 3.0 kg ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively. Losses were dominated by particulate N (50%) and P (70%) forms. Rapid discharge through trenches was the dominant pathway (60-90%) for water and nutrient transport. The contribution of pipe drains to the total discharge of water and nutrients was strongly related to the length of the dry period in the preceding summer. This relationship can be explained by the very low conductivity of the soil matrix and the formation of shrinkage cracks during summer. Losses of dissolved reactive P through pipe drains appear to be dominated by preferential flow based on the low dissolved reactive P concentration in the soil matrix at this depth. Rainfall occurring after manure application played an important role with respect to the annual losses of N and P in spring when heavy rainfall occurred within 2 wk after manure application.