Genetic underpinnings of survey response

This study investigates the influence of genetic factors on survey response behavior. A pool of 558 male and 500 female twin pairs from the Minnesota Twin Registry (MTR) was asked to complete a paper‐and‐pencil survey of leadership activities. We used quantitative genetics techniques to estimate the genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental effects on people's compliance with the request for survey participation. Results indicated that genetic influences explained 45% of the variance in survey response behavior for both women and men, with little shared environmental effects. Similar estimates were obtained after we partialled out potential confounds including twin closeness, age, and education. The results have important implications for response rates and nonresponse bias in survey‐based research. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carcass disposal and siting controversy: Risk,dialogue and confrontation in the 2001 foot-and-mouth Outbreak

Abstract

This paper examines controversy during the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak after mass carcass burial sites were selected at two sites in northeast England, and focuses on shortcomings in public consultation surrounding the carcass disposal policy. The slaughter of six million animals necessitated a national disposal strategy on a hitherto unknown scale. The belated decision to concentrate carcass disposal in a small number of mass burial sites provoked more opposition in the two ex-mining localities selected in the northeast than anywhere else. In both cases local liaison committees were established to manage dialogue between residents and public authorities. We argue that, although seen by the authorities primarily as a vehicle for risk communication and public reassurance, for residents these functioned chiefly as a vehicle for holding public authorities to account. These divergent purposes were overshadowed by the chaotic circumstances in which the early stages of the mass burial policy were implemented, and the way in which the carcass disposal policy was dictated by the operation of the slaughter policy, whose draconian form precluded any but the most cursory public consultation.     

Arsenobetaine and thio-arsenic species in marine macroalgae and herbivorous animals: Accumulated through trophic transfer or produced in situ?

Arsenobetaine(AB) and thio-arsenoribosides were measured in common macroalgae species(8 phaeophyta, 4 rhodophyta and 2 chlorphyta), along the Australian south east coast line. As well, arsenic species profiles were measured for two common marine herbivores, the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii and the fish Odax cyanomelas that graze on these macroalgae to understand if trophic transfer of these species would account for their presence in marine herbivores. AB was found in seven of the fourteen macroalgae species investigated but does not contributed significantly to any of the macroalgae arsenic content(0.01-1.2 μg/g). AB was found in only two of the brown macroalgae and all the red and green macroalgae(with the exception of Corallina officinalis). Thio-arsenic species were found sporadically, but not in high concentrations in any of the macroalgae investigated.AB present in macroalgae is likely to be associated with epiphytic organisms while thio-arsenoribosides are likely to be produced by decaying parts of damaged macroalgae.A laboratory feeding experiment in which the herbivorous gastropod, Austrocochlea constricta, was fed macroalgae containing thio-arsenoribosides for a 24 hr period every three days showed that these are readily accumulated over a short period. Thio-arsenoribosides in herbivores are therefore probably obtained through trophic transfer. Some AB is also obtained through trophic transfer; however, the presence of trimethylated arsonioribosides,a hypothesized precursor of AB formation in herbivores, suggests that some AB is produced within herbivores from the transformation of arsenoribosides accumulated from their diet.     

How to stay together? Habitat use by three sympatric sharks in the western coast of Baja California Sur,Mexico

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Sharks are top predators and play an important role in the regulation of marine ecosystems at lower trophic position. Mustelus californicus, Sphyrna...     

Identity and distribution of residues of energetic compounds at army live-fire training ranges

Environmental investigations have been conducted at 23 military firing ranges in the United States and Canada. The specific training facilities most frequently evaluated were hand grenade, antitank rocket, and artillery ranges. Energetic compounds (explosives and propellants) were determined and linked to the type of munition used and the major mechanisms of deposition.     

Characteristics of Composition B particles from blow-in-place detonations

We sampled residues from high-order and low-order blow-in-place detonations of mortars and projectiles filled with Composition B (Comp B), a TNT and RDX mixture. Our goals were to (1) characterize the types of explosive particles, (2) estimate the explosive 'footprint' for different munitions, and (3) estimate the mass of Comp B remaining after each detonation. The aerial deposition of Comp B particles helps estimate how large of an area is contaminated by a low-order detonation and how best to sample residue resulting from different rounds. We found that the high-order detonations deposited microgram to milligram quantities whereas the low-order detonations deposited gram quantities of Comp B. For the high-order detonations the concentration of Comp B in the residue decreased as a function of distance from the blast. The low-order tests scattered centimeter-sized chunks and millimeter-sized or smaller particles of Comp B. The chunks were randomly scattered whereas the number of millimeter-sized particles decreased with distance from the detonation. For both high- and low-order detonations we found that the smaller munitions deposited less Comp B than the larger munitions and deposited it closer to the detonation point.     

Ecosystems for future generations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Systemic review of genetic and epigenetic factors underlying differential toxicity to environmental lead (Pb) exposure

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lead (Pb) poisoning is a major public health concern in environmental justice communities of the USA and in many developing countries. There is no...