Cladistic analysis of Bantu languages: a new tree based on combined lexical and grammatical data

The phylogeny of the Bantu languages is reconstructed by application of the cladistic methodology to the combined lexical and grammatical data (87 languages, 144 characters). A maximum parsimony tree and Bayesian analysis supported some previously recognized clades, e.g., that of eastern and southern Bantu languages. Moreover, the results revealed that Bantu languages south and east of the equatorial forest are probably monophyletic. It suggests an unorthodox scenario of Bantu expansion including (after initial radiation in their homelands and neighboring territories) just a single passage through rainforest areas followed by a subsequent divergence into major clades. The likely localization of this divergence is in the area west of the Great Lakes. It conforms to the view that demographic expansion and dispersal throughout the dry-forests and savanna regions of subequatorial Africa was associated with the acquisition of new technologies (iron metallurgy and grain cultivation).Electronic supplementary material  Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Massive and distinctive effects of meadow voles on grassland vegetation

We ask whether vole herbivory in experimental grassland plots is sufficient to create an unpalatable community. In a six-year experiment, meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) reduced plant standing crop between 30% and 72%, well within the range of ungulate effects. Moreover, meadow voles reduced their available forage species by changing the plant community composition: four grass species and a legume upon which they foraged declined sharply in cover and/or number of individuals, five forbs avoided by voles increased, and two forbs neither declined nor increased with either measure. Reductions of diversity occurred when voles first defoliated the plots in 2000 but disappeared as plant species avoided by voles replaced vulnerable plants. Within six years, meadow voles created plant communities dominated by species that they did not eat.     

Comparative assessment of coal tars obtained from 10 former manufactured gas plant sites in the eastern United States

A comparative analysis was performed on eleven coal tars obtained from former manufactured gas plant sites in the eastern United States. Bulk properties analyzed included percent ash, Karl Fisher water content, viscosity and average molecular weight. Chemical properties included monocyclic- and polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations, alkylated aromatic concentrations, and concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic fractions. It was found that there was at least an order-of-magnitude variation in all properties measured between the eleven coal tars. Additionally, two coal tars obtained from the same manufactured gas plant site had very different properties, highlighting that there can be wide variations in coal tar properties from different samples obtained from the same site. Similarities were also observed between the coal tars. The relative chemical distributions were similar for all coal tars, and the coal tars predominantly consisted of PAHs, with naphthalene being the single-most prevalent compound. The C(9-22) aromatic fraction, an indicator of all PAHs up to a molecular weight of approximately 276 gmole(-1), showed a strong power-law relationship with the coal tar average molecular weight (MW (ct)). And the concentrations of individual PAHs decreased linearly as MW (ct) increased up to ca. 1000 gmole(-1), above which they remained low and variable. Implications of these properties and their variation with MW (ct) on groundwater quality are discussed. Ultimately, while these similarities do allow generalities to be made about coal tars, the wide range of coal tar bulk and chemical properties reported here highlights the complex nature of coal tars.     

Requirements of future models for inhabited areas

Models for inhabited areas are used in a variety of applications for accidental or continuous releases of radioactivity to atmosphere. Pathways of interest are external exposure from radioactive material in the cloud or deposited on indoor and outdoor surfaces and people, inhalation from the plume and from material resuspended from the ground. In developing a model for inhabited areas it is necessary to consider what the end users may need and ensure that the model is appropriate for the application; different levels of detail may be appropriate for different applications. This paper considers the main processes governing exposure in inhabited areas, commenting on the extent to which we understand them and how well current models reflect this understanding. It also identifies where the authors believe future modelling is needed and the key areas where the current inhabited area models could be improved.     

The derivation of radionuclide transfer parameters for and dose-rates to an adult ringed seal (Phoca hispida) in an Arctic environment

Radionuclide transfer parameters and dose-rates for an adult ringed seal from Svalbard have been determined based on empirical and estimated tissue activity concentrations and detailed dietary and habitat information. Whole-body equivalent concentration factors determined for anthropogenic radionuclides ranged from 10(1) ((90)Sr) to 10(2) ((137)Cs, (238)Pu and (239,240)Pu), while natural radionuclides ranged from 10(2) ((210)Pb) to 10(4) ((210)Po). Employing a dietary composition of 40% fish, 40% zooplankton and 20% benthic invertebrates, a whole-body biological half-life of 29 days was derived for (137)Cs. A total dose-rate of approximately 0.19microGyh(-1) (1.7mGya(-1)) was derived for an adult ringed seal; this dose-rate is virtually entirely attributable to the internal components of (210)Po and (40)K. The dose-rates associated with the presence of anthropogenically derived radionuclides in the present assessment fall many orders of magnitude below the dose-rates at which any biological effects would be expected.     

Soil-dependent uptake of 137Cs by mushrooms: experimental study in the Chernobyl accident areas

The influence of agrochemical properties of forest soils and growth conditions on 137Cs aggregated transfer factors from soil to different species of forest mushrooms have been analysed. Statistically significant correlations between 137Cs soil to mushroom aggregated transfer factors and agrochemical soil properties have been revealed. The experimental data show that 137Cs aggregated transfer factors depend on the mushroom's trophic group, biological family, genus and species. They also strongly depend on forest soil properties and their values can be estimated with the use of multiple regression equations constructed from agrochemical soil parameters which most closely correlate with the 137Cs transfer parameters for particular mushroom groups.     

Relative risk of abnormal karyotype in fetuses found to have an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) on fetal echocardiography

One hundred and twenty-five fetuses were identified as having an AVSD with normal venous connections, normal arterial connections and normal cardiac situs on fetal echocardiography. Fetal karyotype was known in 111 of these cases. The relative risk of fetal trisomy 21 at mid-trimester was 107 (95% CI 87–127) times the expected number of cases compared with risk from maternal age alone, and that for trisomy 21,18 or 13 was 95 (95% CI 79–109). This data may be useful in counselling pregnant women about risk of fetal karyotypic abnormality after a diagnosis of fetal AVSD. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accumulation of Cu and Zn from antifouling paint particles by the marine macroalga,Ulva lactuca

The marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca, has been exposed to different concentrations of antifouling paint particles (4–200 mg L^?1) in the presence of a fixed quantity of clean estuarine sediment and its photosynthetic response and accumulation of Cu and Zn monitored over a period of 2 days. An immediate (<2 h) toxic effect was elicited under all experimental conditions that was quantitatively related to the concentration of contaminated particles present. Likewise, the rate of leaching of both Cu and Zn was correlated with the concentration of paint particles added. Copper accumulation by the alga increased linearly with aqueous Cu concentration, largely through adsorption to the cell surface, but significant accumulation of Zn was not observed. Thus, in coastal environments where boat maintenance is practiced, discarded antifouling paint particles are an important source of Cu, but not Zn, to U. lactuca.     

Where the rubber meets the road: Measuring the success of environmental programs

In order to integrate environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs into mainstream business management, EHS managers must measure the success of their strategies. This article presents techniques and samples for both quantitative measurement (EHS results) and qualitative measurement (progress toward implementation). It also provides a case study of measurement at the Perkin-Elmer Corporation, which has achieved notable successes with straightforward measurement approaches. Performance measurement systems can make the difference between an EHS program that rewards stakeholders for hard work, and one that fades and frustrates.