Instantaneous and historical temperature effects on alpha-pinene emissions in Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex

We compared the role of instantaneous temperature and temperature history in the determination of alpha-pinene emissions in Mediterranean conifer Pinus halepensis that stores monoterpenes in resin ducts, and in Mediterranean broad-leaved evergreen Quercus ilex that lacks such specialized storage structures. In both species, alpha-pinene emission rates (E) exhibited a significant exponential correlation with leaf temperature and the rates of photosynthetic electron transport (Jco2+o2) started to decrease after an optimum at approximately 35 degrees C. However, there was a higher dependence of E on mean temperature of previous days than on mean temperature of current day for P. halepensis but not for Q. ilex. Jco2+o2 showed a maximum relationship to mean temperature of previous 3 and 5 days for P. halepensis and Q. ilex respectively. We conclude that although the best correlation of emission rates were found for instantaneous foliar temperatures, the effect of accumulated previous temperature conditions should also be considered in models of monoterpene emission, especially for terpene (see text) species.     

Use of blubber levels of progesterone to determine pregnancy in free-ranging live cetaceans

We tested the possibility of measuring progesterone levels in bubbler samples collected from free-ranging live bottlenose dolphins (n = 11) and long-finned pilot whales (n = 2) as a tool to evaluate the pregnancy status of individuals. Samples were collected during January 2004 and September–October 2005 in the Strait of Gibraltar and Gulf of Cadiz and used for sex-determination by genetic methods (skin samples) and for quantification of progesterone levels by enzyme immunoassay. Photo-identification tracking of females after taking the biopsy was used to observe the presence of newborns and, in this way, to determine if the female was pregnant at the time of sampling. Mean progesterone levels from pregnant bottlenose dolphins (n = 2) were around 9 times higher than those from non-pregnant females (n = 9), with no overlap between concentration ranges demonstrating that this method could constitute an effective tool for determining pregnancy in wild populations of bottlenose dolphins and other cetacean species.     

Assessment of prenatal exposure to persistent organohalogen compounds from cord blood serum analysis in two Mediterranean populations (Valencia and Menorca)

Prenatal levels of organohalogen compounds (OHCs), including polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes and DDTs, have been investigated in two different cohorts from the Spanish Mediterranean area, Valencia and Menorca, by analysis of cord blood serum. Comparison of the observed median concentrations to other cohorts shows low PBDE levels (2.8-6.5 ng g(-1) lipid) but high values of HCB (0.68 ng ml(-1), 260 ng g(-1) lipid) and PCBs (0.65 ng ml(-1), 240 ng g(-1) lipid) in the cohort of Menorca indicating that Mediterranean areas, and not only high latitude regions, may contain population groups highly exposed to some of these pollutants. Significant differences in the concentrations of these compounds have been found between the two cohorts. Differences in maternal population such as age or body mass index cannot explain this variation. One possible cause of variability is the seven year time period elapsed between the two cohort recruitments but the strong differences observed do not allow exclusion of local diet differences. Thus, the different average PCB congener distributions between the two cohorts suggest an influence from materials containing diverse PCB mixtures. The congener mixtures found in Menorca could reflect a diet contribution from some western Mediterranean fish species. These results provide baseline information on prenatal OHC background levels in the Mediterranean area.     

Efficient management capacity evaluation of tourism in protected areas

Despite the increasing number of protected areas around the world and their importance in the conservation of species and ecosystems, protected areas management capacity remains difficult to evaluate. A standard is needed to help policy makers compare the goals with the results obtained. This empirical research builds a tool to analyze the management efficiency and predicts the new touristic outcomes in case of a policy change. Using as example the state parks agencies in the USA, this paper develops a technological frontier using data envelopment analysis based on the Protected Areas Management Approach. After that, a prediction of the outcomes is analyzed with a budget change for any state park agency. Data suggest that many of them need to improve their performance to be more efficient. Another result obtained shows how budget changes will affect each agency's performance in different degrees and, therefore, budget reductions should be modeled separately.     

Identifying Key Factors in Homeowner’s Adoption of Water Quality Best Management Practices

The recognition of the significance of the residential environment in contributing to non-point source (NPS) pollution and the inherently dispersed nature of NPS pollution itself that presents significant challenges to effective regulation has led to the creation and dissemination of best management practices (BMPs) that can reduce the impacts of NPS pollution (Environmental Protection Agency US, Protecting water quality from urban runoff, http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/nps_urban-facts_final.pdf, 2003). However, very few studies have examined the factors that influence the adoption of BMPs by residential homeowners, despite the fact that residential environments have been identified as one of the most significant contributors to NPS pollution. Given this need, the purpose of this project was to explore how demographic and knowledge-based factors predict adoption of residential BMPs in an urbanizing watershed in Northern Illinois using statistical analyses of survey data collected as part of a watershed planning process. The findings indicate that broad knowledge of BMPs is the strongest predictor of use for a specific BMP. Knowledge of BMPs is strongly correlated with their use, which reinforces the need for educational programs, even among those assumed to be knowledgeable about BMPs.     

Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome): Prenatal detection in a fetus with macrocephaly and ventriculomegaly

The Gorlin (naevoid basal cell carcinoma) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder consisting principally of naevoid basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts, skeletal abnormalities, and intracranial calcification. We report the prenatal detection of the Gorlin syndrome by ultrasonography in a fetus with macrocephaly and mild ventriculomegaly.     

Prenatal diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection: A preliminary report

Eight patients were referred for prenatal diagnosis for suspected fetal cytomegalovirus infection (CMV): six for documented first-trimester infection and two for abnormal ultrasound evaluation suggestive of fetal infection. Three methods of diagnosis were employed: (1) amniotic fluid viral cultures and CMV-specific IgM in fetal serum; (2) amniotic fluid cultures and detection by polymerase chain reaction amplification of CMV-specific DNA in chorionic villi; and (3) detection of CMV-specific DNA in villus samples only. Amniotic fluid cultures detected all cases of infection, but CMV-specific IgM was not a reliable indicator of infection in any case. DNA analysis correlated well with both culture results and clinical outcome.     

Census Peek: Collaboration in the New York City Catskill/Delaware Watershed: Case Study 1990–2000

Because watershed collaborations connect economic and environmental concerns, they are of interest to students of sustainable economic development. The economic outcomes of such collaborations are difficult to study because socio-economic data collection areas do not generally correspond to collaboration boundaries and also because of the simultaneity of economic stimuli and restrictions in collaborative arrangements. This case study of New York City’s Watershed Collaboration in its Catskill Delaware Watershed used a mapping program to create a database of Watershed residents from the 1990 and 2000 census. It provides a heretofore unavailable socioeconomic portrait of the Watershed and trends in indicators relevant to Collaboration effectiveness such as age, demographic pressures, and economic welfare. Through the use of national, state, regional and rural controls, the study also explores the impact of the agreement on the Watershed. Results do not provide evidence of a net negative impact and are consistent with a net positive impact. Several trends which work against agreement effectiveness are identified.