Smoking is a marker of risky behaviors independent of substance abuse in injured drivers

OBJECTIVE: Smoking has been linked to disease and injury. The purpose of this study is to investigate the smoking habits of motor vehicular driver trauma center patients and their association with previous injury history and risky behaviors. METHODS: The studied population included 323 motor vehicular driver injury patients (123 smokers and 200 non-smokers) interviewed as part of a larger study of psychoactive substance use disorders at an adult Level I trauma center. Patients with head injuries, hospital stays of less than two days, and diminished cognition were excluded. Interviews included demographics (age, gender, race, marital status), socioeconomic status (SES; income, education, employment), risky behaviors (seatbelt non-use, drinking and driving, riding with drunk driver, binge drinking), and trauma history information (vehicular, assault, and other injuries). Substance abuse (alcohol and drug dependence) was evaluated in depth using DSM III-R criteria. Smokers and non-smokers were compared in relation to control and dependent variables using student's t test and chi-square (alpha = 0.05). Outcome variables included previous trauma history and risky behaviors. Multiple logistic regression models using step-down selection methods (alpha = 0.05) were constructed with risky behaviors and trauma history as dependent variables including demographics, SES and substance as independent variables. RESULTS: Smokers represented 38 percent of the 323 patients studied. Smokers (n = 123) were younger (34 vs. 43 years), more likely to be male (72 percent vs. 50 percent), not married (72 percent vs. 56 percent), and had higher rates of alcohol (29 percent vs. 9 percent) and drug dependence (14 percent vs. 3 percent) than non-smokers (n = 200). Educational achievement (20 percent vs. 15 percent less than high school) and income level (24 percent vs. 23 percent with less than $15,000 of yearly income) were not different between smokers and non-smokers. Smokers were more likely than non-smokers to have a history of prior vehicular trauma (48 percent vs. 26 percent), assault (25 percent vs. 9 percent), or other injury (50 percent vs 37 percent). The following injury-prone behaviors were also more common among the smokers than non-smokers: seatbelt non-use (49 percent vs. 29 percent), drinking and driving (38 percent vs. 15 percent), riding with drunk driver (38 percent vs. 13 percent), and binge drinking (68 percent vs. 26 percent). In multiple logistic regression models adjusting for demographics, SES, and substance abuse, smoking revealed significantly higher odds ratios (OR) for the following dependent variables: seatbelt non-use (OR = 2.9), riding with drunk driver (OR = 2.2), binge drinking (OR = 2.4), previous vehicular (OR = 2.0), and assault injuries (OR = 2.5). Smoking did not reach significance for drinking and driving and other (non-vehicular and non-assault) injury. CONCLUSION: Smoking is independently associated with risky behaviors and repeated history of vehicular or assault injury within the vehicular trauma population.     

A Data-Based Conservation Planning Tool for Florida Panthers

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the greatest threats to the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). We developed a data-based habitat model and user-friendly interface so that land managers can objectively evaluate Florida panther habitat. We used a geographic information system (GIS) and the Mahalanobis distance statistic (D ²) to develop a model based on broad-scale landscape characteristics associated with panther home ranges. Variables in our model were Euclidean distance to natural land cover, road density, distance to major roads, human density, amount of natural land cover, amount of semi-natural land cover, amount of permanent or semi-permanent flooded area–open water, and a cost–distance variable. We then developed a Florida Panther Habitat Estimator tool, which automates and replicates the GIS processes used to apply the statistical habitat model. The estimator can be used by persons with moderate GIS skills to quantify effects of land-use changes on panther habitat at local and landscape scales. Example applications of the tool are presented.     

Spatial distribution of hexazinone and metabolites in a luvisolic soil

Abstract

The spatial distribution of hexazinone and two primary metabolites were measured in forest soil for two years following the aerial application of a granular formulation, PRONONE 10G, in northern Alberta. Residues were quantified using solid‐phase extraction and capillary gas chromatography. Initial deposition rates of two hexazinone treatments averaged 2.3 ± 0.5 and 4.1 ± 0.8 kg/ha for each triplicated plots. One year after application, residues of hexazinone averaged 0.25 ± 0.09 and 0.40 ± 0.02 kg/ha in 2.3 and 4.1 kg/ha treatment, respectively, in the 0–10 cm surface soil; and were distributed vertically in soil depths of 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm at ratios of 10:11:2 and 10:5:2, respectively, in 2.3 and 4.1 kg/ha treatment. Metabolites A and B amounted to 15 and 30% of hexazinone, respectively. Two years after application, the vertical movement of hexazinone in soil was quantifiable to the 40‐cm depth in both 2.3‐ and 4.1‐kg/ha treatment plots. Trace amounts of hexazinone were detected at 130 cm only in the 2.3‐kg/ha plot, which is likely due to the more freely downward movement of hexazinone to deeper horizons along decayed root channels.     

Carbofuran use and abuse in Kenya: residues in soils,plants, water courses and the African white-backed vultures (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gyps africanus</Emphasis>) found dead

The increasing number of incidences of alleged wildlife poisoning with Furadan in Kenya has sparked off a strong lobby fronted by wildlife conservationists against Furadan use in the country and prompted this study. The worst-case scenario was in 2004 in Athi River, where a massive number of 187 African white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) and hyenas were found dead at a spot where poisoning was suspected to have occurred through a Furadan-laced camel carcass bait. This study was initiated by the Peregrine Fund—Africa Project, and the objective was to provide evidence for Furadan exposure, its misuse and involvement in vulture poisoning and potential impact on areas near two wildlife conservancies in two most affected districts. The study found evidence for ready availability of Furadan 5G in local veterinary retail shops and its illegal misuse by pastoralists and farmers against wildlife to protect their animals and crops. Analysis of soil, water and plants taken from the farms and water sources by high-perfomance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) found residues of carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran, indicating that Furadan was used extensively in farming causing residual environmental distribution and contamination and posing risks to small birds and mammals. Forensic analysis of residues in beaks, feet and crop content of the dead vultures as well as in a laced camel carcass bait and soil samples from one site of poisoning also showed carbofuran and its two metabolites supporting allegations of Furadan involvement in wildlife poisoning and high-mortality cases of African white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) in Kenya.     

Assessment of blood and urine lead levels of some pregnant women residing in Lagos, Nigeria

Assessment of lead in blood (BLL) and lead in urine (ULL) of some non-occupationally exposed, nonsmoking 214 pregnant Nigerian women, aged 17 to 49 years, and resident in Lagos was carried out using atomic absorption spectrometry with control subjects consisting of 113 nonpregnant women. From results, the mean BLL and ULL (μg/dL) for pregnant women (59.5 ± 2.1; 29.4 ± 1.1) were significantly (p?<?0.01) higher than the values obtained for nonpregnant women (27.7 ± 1.1; 9.2 ± 0.6). BLL found in women in the first, second, and third trimesters were 57.2 ± 2.3, 61.6 ± 2.2, and 63.1 ± 1.8, respectively. ULL could not serve to predict BLL due to weak correlations (r?=???0.06 to +?0.15; p?>?0.10). Study is a contribution to blood and urine lead status of Nigerian pregnant women, being relevant for healthcare management purposes, public health decision making, and possible primary prevention activities.     

Review of advances in the thin layer chromatography of pesticides: 2010–2012

Techniques and applications of thin layer chromatography (planar chromatography) for the separation, detection, qualitative and quantitative determination, and preparative isolation of pesticides and their metabolites and some related pollutants are reviewed for the period from November 1, 2010 to November 1, 2012. Analyses are described for a variety of samples types and pesticide classes. In addition to references on residue analysis, studies such as pesticide structure – retention relationships, identification and characterization of natural and synthesized pesticides, metabolism, degradation, mobility, lipophilicity, and mechanism of action are covered.     

No person is an island: The effects of group characteristics on individual trait expression

Although most researchers now espouse a person‐by‐situation interactionist approach, there remains much work to be carried out to fully understand how different features of the environment interact with personality to influence behavior. Thus, this study sought to examine the moderating effects of three group‐level constructs on the relationships between two personality traits (conscientiousness and extraversion) and individual performance and counterproductive behaviors. Specifically, using trait activation theory as an organizing framework, we considered the moderating effects of the following: (i) a previously unexamined construct called core group evaluations (CGEs); (ii) group conscientiousness composition; and (iii) group extraversion composition. Data were obtained from a sample of university football players (N = 225–252 from 40 groups). The results indicated that CGEs moderated the relationships between individual conscientiousness and both performance (subjective) and counterproductive behaviors. Group conscientiousness composition also moderated the relationships between individual conscientiousness and both performance (objective and subjective) and counterproductive behaviors. Lastly, group extraversion composition moderated the relationship between individual extraversion and counterproductive behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of considering a team's CGEs, as well as the personality composition of team members when investigating the effects of conscientiousness and extraversion on individual performance and counterproductive behaviors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Increasing Urbanization on the Ecological Integrity of Open Space Preserves

This article analyzes the effects of increasing urbanization on open space preserves within the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Time series analysis is used in 10-year increments over 40 years to study urban landscape change. Three landscape metrics—(1) matrix utility (measures intensity of adjacent land uses), (2) isolation (measures distances to other open space patches), and (3) connectivity (measures physical links to other open space patches and corridors)—are used to assess changes in landscape patterns and serve as indicators of urban ecological integrity of the open space preserves. Results show that in the case of both open space preserves, general decline in indicators of urban ecological integrity was evident. The matrix utility analysis demonstrated that increasing intensity of land uses adjacent to preserve is likely to increase edge effects, reducing the habitat value of interior or core habitat areas. Isolation analysis showed that both preserves have experienced increasing isolation from other open space elements over time. Also, connectivity analysis indicated that terrestrial connections to other open space elements have also deteriorated. Conclusions of this research demonstrate that while preservation of natural areas as open space is important in an urban context, intense development of surrounding areas reduces the urban ecological integrity significantly.