Pub Date : 2011-03-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR006
N. Roberts
Rigorous and cost-effective methods are essential to efficiently assess wildlife populations and obtain accurate data to inform conservation and management decisions. In the UK, available data on terrestrial mammal species are distinctly lacking, many populations are in decline and survey methods are technically demanding and labour-intensive. There is, therefore, much need to investigate alternative methodologies to ensure that resource use is efficient and data are reliable. Camera-trapping presents a relatively new approach for surveying mammals, though in the UK, the extent to which camera traps have been used has not been quantified and their performance has not yet been compared relative to existing methods. This study uses biological parameters and economic and logistic costs to assess the efficiency and reliability of camera-trapping and transect-sampling during winter field trials. Tracks and sign surveys and sightings surveys were conducted simultaneously and where appropriate, investigated independently. In addition, a nationally-distributed questionnaire was used to investigate surveyor competence and identify temporal trends in method use in the UK. Field trials concluded that camera-trapping was the most labour-efficient method for producing a species inventory, and frequently recorded more species per sampling site than did transect-sampling. However, when the total sampling period was limited, species were encountered at a faster rate by the detection of tracks and signs than by the alternative methods investigated. The single density estimate derived from camera trap data was higher than that from transect-sampling, and no differences were observed within the three alpha diversity index estimates derived by each survey method. The questionnaire suggests that the reliability of species presence/absence data derived from tracks and signs surveys is probably compromised by surveyor confidence of species identification. A multi-evidence approach is, therefore, recommended for less-competent surveyors. Despite greater initial economic costs, it is advocated that camera-trapping may be an efficient, rigorous and cost-effective method for large-scale long-term monitoring programmes. Furthermore, data suggest that camera trap use will become increasingly frequent in the UK. More research is required to investigate the relationships between method efficiency and season, species density and habitat, and to assess the accuracy of species density estimates.
{"title":"Investigation into survey techniques of large mammals: surveyor competence and camera-trapping vs. transect-sampling","authors":"N. Roberts","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR006","url":null,"abstract":"Rigorous and cost-effective methods are essential to efficiently assess wildlife populations and obtain accurate data to inform conservation and management decisions. In the UK, available data on terrestrial mammal species are distinctly lacking, many populations are in decline and survey methods are technically demanding and labour-intensive. There is, therefore, much need to investigate alternative methodologies to ensure that resource use is efficient and data are reliable. Camera-trapping presents a relatively new approach for surveying mammals, though in the UK, the extent to which camera traps have been used has not been quantified and their performance has not yet been compared relative to existing methods. This study uses biological parameters and economic and logistic costs to assess the efficiency and reliability of camera-trapping and transect-sampling during winter field trials. Tracks and sign surveys and sightings surveys were conducted simultaneously and where appropriate, investigated independently. In addition, a nationally-distributed questionnaire was used to investigate surveyor competence and identify temporal trends in method use in the UK. Field trials concluded that camera-trapping was the most labour-efficient method for producing a species inventory, and frequently recorded more species per sampling site than did transect-sampling. However, when the total sampling period was limited, species were encountered at a faster rate by the detection of tracks and signs than by the alternative methods investigated. The single density estimate derived from camera trap data was higher than that from transect-sampling, and no differences were observed within the three alpha diversity index estimates derived by each survey method. The questionnaire suggests that the reliability of species presence/absence data derived from tracks and signs surveys is probably compromised by surveyor confidence of species identification. A multi-evidence approach is, therefore, recommended for less-competent surveyors. Despite greater initial economic costs, it is advocated that camera-trapping may be an efficient, rigorous and cost-effective method for large-scale long-term monitoring programmes. Furthermore, data suggest that camera trap use will become increasingly frequent in the UK. More research is required to investigate the relationships between method efficiency and season, species density and habitat, and to assess the accuracy of species density estimates.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"4 1","pages":"40-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60765214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2011-03-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR010
J. Helliwell
Nitrates have been shown to have detrimental effects on both the aquatic environment and on human health, and with the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive beckoning, assessments as to the most appropriate agricultural techniques to minimize the leaching of solutes into surrounding water courses need to be made. Riparian buffer strips are considered an effective means of attenuating concentrated nitrates in agricultural runoff. Whilst a large number of scientific investigations have focused on nitrate removal mechanisms, such as plant uptake and denitrification maximization in buffer zones, few have studied the effects that different soil management treatments have on drainage rates. The application of chloride tracer to soils under six different vegetative treatments from two differing soil textures produced breakthrough curves highlighting the dominant flow mechanisms for each management practice. Of the 18 breakthrough tracers determined, 9 exhibited a rapid macropore hydrology, 6 intermediate mesopore through-flow and three slow micropore flow. Solute breakthrough flow rate was significant between all vegetation and soil treatments (P< 0.05), indicating that both play an important role in the determination of drainage flow pathways and transport speed. Vegetation such as scrub, with a large root network, led to increased soil porosity, significantly increasing the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the maximum peak drainage rates of the soil. On the other hand, maize and grass treatments, with smaller and less dense root networks, exhibited lower soil porosity and hydraulic conductivity, increasing solute residence time within the soil matrix and hence a longer lag time to peak effluent concentration. Although many of the treatments on each soil texture were different, and so could not be directly compared, results suggested that optimal treatments were soil specific, but that grassed and maize buffer strips, on a soil with low saturated hydraulic conductivity, would provide the best compromise at mitigating solute drainage whilst maintaining management practicality.
{"title":"An assessment of the nitrate leaching risk for different buffer strip establishments","authors":"J. Helliwell","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR010","url":null,"abstract":"Nitrates have been shown to have detrimental effects on both the aquatic environment and on human health, and with the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive beckoning, assessments as to the most appropriate agricultural techniques to minimize the leaching of solutes into surrounding water courses need to be made. Riparian buffer strips are considered an effective means of attenuating concentrated nitrates in agricultural runoff. Whilst a large number of scientific investigations have focused on nitrate removal mechanisms, such as plant uptake and denitrification maximization in buffer zones, few have studied the effects that different soil management treatments have on drainage rates. The application of chloride tracer to soils under six different vegetative treatments from two differing soil textures produced breakthrough curves highlighting the dominant flow mechanisms for each management practice. Of the 18 breakthrough tracers determined, 9 exhibited a rapid macropore hydrology, 6 intermediate mesopore through-flow and three slow micropore flow. Solute breakthrough flow rate was significant between all vegetation and soil treatments (P< 0.05), indicating that both play an important role in the determination of drainage flow pathways and transport speed. Vegetation such as scrub, with a large root network, led to increased soil porosity, significantly increasing the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the maximum peak drainage rates of the soil. On the other hand, maize and grass treatments, with smaller and less dense root networks, exhibited lower soil porosity and hydraulic conductivity, increasing solute residence time within the soil matrix and hence a longer lag time to peak effluent concentration. Although many of the treatments on each soil texture were different, and so could not be directly compared, results suggested that optimal treatments were soil specific, but that grassed and maize buffer strips, on a soil with low saturated hydraulic conductivity, would provide the best compromise at mitigating solute drainage whilst maintaining management practicality.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"4 1","pages":"79-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR010","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2011-03-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR002
L. Jones
The genus Crassula contains a number of highly adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide range of environments. This investigation aimed to examine whether there are any differences in the anatomical adaptations in relation to water availability of four species of Crassula: the New Zealand pygmy weed, Crassula helmsii (T Kirk) Cockayne (from an aquatic habitat); the fairy crassula: Crassula multicava Lemaire ssp. multicava (from a subtropical habitat); the jade plant, Crassula ovata (Miller) Druce; and the anteelplakkie, Crassula socialis Schonland (both from semi-arid habitats). Plants were grown in a greenhouse and the anatomical features of stems and leaves were examined using light microscopy. Plant material was sectioned by hand and sections were stained with Toluidine blue O. Cuticle thick- nesses were measured by treating sections with Sudan black B. Stomatal and hydathode densities on leaves and stems were measured using epidermal peels. Two measures of leaf succulence were used: degree of succulence and succulence quotient. The aquatic species C. helmsii had significantly fewer features associated with conserving water, including the thinnest cuticles on the adaxial leaf (P , 0.001) and abaxial leaf (P , 0.001). In contrast, the semi-arid species C. ovata had significantly the highest hydathodes on adaxial leaf surfaces (P , 0.001). Crassula ovata also had significantly the highest degree of succulence (P , 0.001), while C. socialis had the highest succu- lence quotient. The subtropical species, C. multicava, had significantly the thickest cuticles on adaxial leaf (P , 0.001) and stem (P , 0.001). Crassula species from arid environments had significantly more water conserving anatomical features, such as reduced stomatal densities, than those from less arid environments. However, all species studied possessed varying degrees of similar anatomical features. These features make Crassula a highly adaptable genus able to inhabit a wide range of environments.
{"title":"Anatomical adaptations of four Crassula species to water availability","authors":"L. Jones","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR002","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Crassula contains a number of highly adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide range of environments. This investigation aimed to examine whether there are any differences in the anatomical adaptations in relation to water availability of four species of Crassula: the New Zealand pygmy weed, Crassula helmsii (T Kirk) Cockayne (from an aquatic habitat); the fairy crassula: Crassula multicava Lemaire ssp. multicava (from a subtropical habitat); the jade plant, Crassula ovata (Miller) Druce; and the anteelplakkie, Crassula socialis Schonland (both from semi-arid habitats). Plants were grown in a greenhouse and the anatomical features of stems and leaves were examined using light microscopy. Plant material was sectioned by hand and sections were stained with Toluidine blue O. Cuticle thick- nesses were measured by treating sections with Sudan black B. Stomatal and hydathode densities on leaves and stems were measured using epidermal peels. Two measures of leaf succulence were used: degree of succulence and succulence quotient. The aquatic species C. helmsii had significantly fewer features associated with conserving water, including the thinnest cuticles on the adaxial leaf (P , 0.001) and abaxial leaf (P , 0.001). In contrast, the semi-arid species C. ovata had significantly the highest hydathodes on adaxial leaf surfaces (P , 0.001). Crassula ovata also had significantly the highest degree of succulence (P , 0.001), while C. socialis had the highest succu- lence quotient. The subtropical species, C. multicava, had significantly the thickest cuticles on adaxial leaf (P , 0.001) and stem (P , 0.001). Crassula species from arid environments had significantly more water conserving anatomical features, such as reduced stomatal densities, than those from less arid environments. However, all species studied possessed varying degrees of similar anatomical features. These features make Crassula a highly adaptable genus able to inhabit a wide range of environments.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"10 1","pages":"13-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZR002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60765090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ022
Brighid O'Neill
That there exists an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases is not readily disputed, though best practice for remedying these afflictions remains highly contentious. This paper investigates the influence of a wholly herbivorous (or vegan) diet on two leading non-communicable diseases (cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD)). Relevant aspects considered are the biochemical effects of varying dietary concentrations of protein, calcium, essential fatty acids, cholesterol and cobalamin (B 12 ). Current literature and research investigating interactions between each focal compound and either cancer or CVD was assessed (noting where compounds influence both diseases simultaneously, the impact considered greatest in significance was chosen). Results are typically complex and indirect, with primary effects leading to secondary effects involving other compounds (including counterbalancing other focal compounds), and ancillary effects on comorbidity factors of the focal diseases. Outcomes included: weak risk reduction for colorectal and breast cancer due to a decreased propensity toward excessive dietary protein intake; possible risk reduction of prostate cancer from reduced calcium intake; cancer risk promotion due to disproportionate intakes of omega-3 relative to omega-6; CVD risk reduction from reduced cholesterol intake and insufficient evidence to consider B 12 intake either promotive or predisposing for CVD. Caution is advised attributing dietary recommendations to these findings, as high levels of contention exist between authors due to disparate study results. Greater unanimity may be borne from future trials.
{"title":"A scientific review of the reported effects of vegan nutrition on the occurrence and prevalence of cancer and cardiovascular disease","authors":"Brighid O'Neill","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ022","url":null,"abstract":"That there exists an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases is not readily disputed, though best practice for remedying these afflictions remains highly contentious. This paper investigates the influence of a wholly herbivorous (or vegan) diet on two leading non-communicable diseases (cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD)). Relevant aspects considered are the biochemical effects of varying dietary concentrations of protein, calcium, essential fatty acids, cholesterol and cobalamin (B 12 ). Current literature and research investigating interactions between each focal compound and either cancer or CVD was assessed (noting where compounds influence both diseases simultaneously, the impact considered greatest in significance was chosen). Results are typically complex and indirect, with primary effects leading to secondary effects involving other compounds (including counterbalancing other focal compounds), and ancillary effects on comorbidity factors of the focal diseases. Outcomes included: weak risk reduction for colorectal and breast cancer due to a decreased propensity toward excessive dietary protein intake; possible risk reduction of prostate cancer from reduced calcium intake; cancer risk promotion due to disproportionate intakes of omega-3 relative to omega-6; CVD risk reduction from reduced cholesterol intake and insufficient evidence to consider B 12 intake either promotive or predisposing for CVD. Caution is advised attributing dietary recommendations to these findings, as high levels of contention exist between authors due to disparate study results. Greater unanimity may be borne from future trials.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"197-212"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ022","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ015
J. Howell
In order to ensure the good ecological status of a range of waterbodies, as set out in the EU Water Framework Directive, a clearer understanding of nutrient sources and delivery mechanisms is required. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the quantity and distribution of phosphates in Cam Brook, downstream from Paulton sewage treatment works (STW). Nine sites along a 2.6 km stretch of the river were surveyed; including one upstream of the STW, in October 2008 and the following February to determine whether there is seasonal variation in phosphorus concentrations. Water samples taken from each site were analysed for orthophosphate although sediment samples were analysed for orthophosphate and total phosphate. In February, water samples were further analysed for total phosphorus. Other variables such as dissolved oxygen (DO), water velocity, substrate, width, depth and land use were also surveyed to determine whether they influence the distribution of phosphorus. The water orthophosphate concentrations in Cam Brook significantly increased downstream from the STW in both October and February, rising from mean concentrations of 0.07-0.23 mg l −1 . This suggests that the STW was the major contributor to water orthophosphate concentrations. There was also strong negative correlation between water orthophosphate and DO concentrations in October (r-value −0.414) which could be due to the high biological oxygen demand of decomposers in the Autumn. There were large concentrations of total phosphate in the sediment which can be attributed to the small particle size of the substrate (clay) which increases its adsorption capacity. There were no seasonal variations in the water orthophosphate or sediment total phosphate concentrations although sediment orthophosphate concentrations were significantly higher in February (p-value < 0.001). However, orthophosphate still only accounted for a small proportion, at 3.47%, of the total phosphate concentrations in the sediment. The orthophosphate entering Cam Brook from the STW appears to be subject to a complex set of storage and transformation mechanisms which results in its storage as the non-bioavailable fraction of the total phosphate. Further research needs to be undertaken to determine the phosphorus cycling mechanisms that cause seasonal variation in sediment orthophosphate concentrations.
{"title":"The distribution of phosphorus in sediment and water downstream from a sewage treatment works","authors":"J. Howell","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ015","url":null,"abstract":"In order to ensure the good ecological status of a range of waterbodies, as set out in the EU Water Framework Directive, a clearer understanding of nutrient sources and delivery mechanisms is required. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the quantity and distribution of phosphates in Cam Brook, downstream from Paulton sewage treatment works (STW). Nine sites along a 2.6 km stretch of the river were surveyed; including one upstream of the STW, in October 2008 and the following February to determine whether there is seasonal variation in phosphorus concentrations. Water samples taken from each site were analysed for orthophosphate although sediment samples were analysed for orthophosphate and total phosphate. In February, water samples were further analysed for total phosphorus. Other variables such as dissolved oxygen (DO), water velocity, substrate, width, depth and land use were also surveyed to determine whether they influence the distribution of phosphorus. The water orthophosphate concentrations in Cam Brook significantly increased downstream from the STW in both October and February, rising from mean concentrations of 0.07-0.23 mg l −1 . This suggests that the STW was the major contributor to water orthophosphate concentrations. There was also strong negative correlation between water orthophosphate and DO concentrations in October (r-value −0.414) which could be due to the high biological oxygen demand of decomposers in the Autumn. There were large concentrations of total phosphate in the sediment which can be attributed to the small particle size of the substrate (clay) which increases its adsorption capacity. There were no seasonal variations in the water orthophosphate or sediment total phosphate concentrations although sediment orthophosphate concentrations were significantly higher in February (p-value < 0.001). However, orthophosphate still only accounted for a small proportion, at 3.47%, of the total phosphate concentrations in the sediment. The orthophosphate entering Cam Brook from the STW appears to be subject to a complex set of storage and transformation mechanisms which results in its storage as the non-bioavailable fraction of the total phosphate. Further research needs to be undertaken to determine the phosphorus cycling mechanisms that cause seasonal variation in sediment orthophosphate concentrations.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"113-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ019
Camilla J. Peterson
Childhood obesity is a worsening epidemic in the UK. Schools are increasingly being targeted as an intervention setting for this problem. Currently, teachers are poorly equipped to educate pupils on healthy eating as they frequently lack experience in this area. The Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS) provides a framework for awarding academic credits to undergraduates primarily from science and technology disciplines to take on the role of an ambassador for their subject. The UAS scheme includes a placement in a school or college setting. In the context of a BSc in Nutrition, the undergraduate can, therefore, act as a nutritional ambassador within the school environment, contributing their specialist knowledge of healthy eating. In doing so the student can potentially influence the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of pupils in relation to healthy eating, whilst enhancing their own key skills base including communication and reflective learning skills. The aim of this project was to examine the effect an undergraduate ambassador for nutrition had on the dietary knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of secondary school pupils in Year 10 (aged 14 and 15, National Curriculum Key Stage 4). A major objective of the project was to develop and deliver a lesson plan centred on healthy eating. The impact the lesson had on dietary knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of pupils was assessed using questionnaires and food diaries, completed by pupils before and after the lesson. There was a small increase in healthy eating knowledge. However, there was no significant effect on healthy eating attitudes or behaviours of secondary school pupils. In addition, pupils gave negative responses towards learning about healthy eating in school. These results indicate the school environment may be an unsuitable setting for childhood obesity interventions.
{"title":"Can a nutritional sciences undergraduate ambassador scheme improve the diet of secondary school children through education","authors":"Camilla J. Peterson","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ019","url":null,"abstract":"Childhood obesity is a worsening epidemic in the UK. Schools are increasingly being targeted as an intervention setting for this problem. Currently, teachers are poorly equipped to educate pupils on healthy eating as they frequently lack experience in this area. The Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS) provides a framework for awarding academic credits to undergraduates primarily from science and technology disciplines to take on the role of an ambassador for their subject. The UAS scheme includes a placement in a school or college setting. In the context of a BSc in Nutrition, the undergraduate can, therefore, act as a nutritional ambassador within the school environment, contributing their specialist knowledge of healthy eating. In doing so the student can potentially influence the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of pupils in relation to healthy eating, whilst enhancing their own key skills base including communication and reflective learning skills. The aim of this project was to examine the effect an undergraduate ambassador for nutrition had on the dietary knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of secondary school pupils in Year 10 (aged 14 and 15, National Curriculum Key Stage 4). A major objective of the project was to develop and deliver a lesson plan centred on healthy eating. The impact the lesson had on dietary knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of pupils was assessed using questionnaires and food diaries, completed by pupils before and after the lesson. There was a small increase in healthy eating knowledge. However, there was no significant effect on healthy eating attitudes or behaviours of secondary school pupils. In addition, pupils gave negative responses towards learning about healthy eating in school. These results indicate the school environment may be an unsuitable setting for childhood obesity interventions.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"8 1","pages":"148-155"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ019","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ021
Paul S Spradbery
Humans bite each other with alarming frequency. Such injuries can result in forensic investigation and, ultimately, criminal prosecution. Bite mark analysis techniques include odontometric measurement, ABO serotyping and DNA profiling, none of which is infallible. Research into additional techniques would be advantageous. Biting involves, also, bacterial transfer from teeth to skin and vice versa. The principal species found on anterior teeth is Streptococcus mutans, which is universal among humans. The aim of this research was to establish, in the context of forensic odontology, whether chromosomal DNA profiles of this ubiquitous oral bacterium would vary significantly among a sample of Caucasian individuals (P = 0.05). Hence, if sufficient discriminatory power were present, the technique could be deemed useful to forensic investigation. Oral fluid was recovered from the lower incisors of 10 adults. Samples were cultured selectively using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar and microbiological tests carried out for the purpose of differential identification. These included visual assessment of colony morphology, Gram staining and microscopic analysis, followed by chemical testing for the enzyme catalase. Chromosomal DNA was extracted from subcultured cells, resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and viewed using ultraviolet transillumination. The presence of DNA was confirmed. Subsequently, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific 27 forward and 1492 reverse primers. Amplicons were resolved and viewed as previously. Amplified products were digested by incubation with restriction endonuclease HaeIII, resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and viewed. Linear regression analysis of gel profiles was used to calculate restriction fragment lengths. A Kruskal-Wallis (analysis of variance) test was performed on ranked data (H = 8.161, df = 9, P = 0.518). Consequently, the null hypothesis (no inter-subject variation) was accepted. However, all but two profiles were proved to be unique. Proof of principle was provided regarding the application of oral bacterial genotyping to forensic bite mark cases.
{"title":"Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of mutans streptococci in forensic odontological analysis","authors":"Paul S Spradbery","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ021","url":null,"abstract":"Humans bite each other with alarming frequency. Such injuries can result in forensic investigation and, ultimately, criminal prosecution. Bite mark analysis techniques include odontometric measurement, ABO serotyping and DNA profiling, none of which is infallible. Research into additional techniques would be advantageous. Biting involves, also, bacterial transfer from teeth to skin and vice versa. The principal species found on anterior teeth is Streptococcus mutans, which is universal among humans. The aim of this research was to establish, in the context of forensic odontology, whether chromosomal DNA profiles of this ubiquitous oral bacterium would vary significantly among a sample of Caucasian individuals (P = 0.05). Hence, if sufficient discriminatory power were present, the technique could be deemed useful to forensic investigation. Oral fluid was recovered from the lower incisors of 10 adults. Samples were cultured selectively using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar and microbiological tests carried out for the purpose of differential identification. These included visual assessment of colony morphology, Gram staining and microscopic analysis, followed by chemical testing for the enzyme catalase. Chromosomal DNA was extracted from subcultured cells, resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and viewed using ultraviolet transillumination. The presence of DNA was confirmed. Subsequently, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific 27 forward and 1492 reverse primers. Amplicons were resolved and viewed as previously. Amplified products were digested by incubation with restriction endonuclease HaeIII, resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and viewed. Linear regression analysis of gel profiles was used to calculate restriction fragment lengths. A Kruskal-Wallis (analysis of variance) test was performed on ranked data (H = 8.161, df = 9, P = 0.518). Consequently, the null hypothesis (no inter-subject variation) was accepted. However, all but two profiles were proved to be unique. Proof of principle was provided regarding the application of oral bacterial genotyping to forensic bite mark cases.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"166-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ023
H. K. Smith
This study investigates the abiotic and biotic factors that affect the abundance and distribution of the sea star Pisaster ocharceus in the intertidal zone of Southern British Columbia (B.C.). P. ochraceus is very important to the intertidal community as it is seen as a keystone species because when its numbers are reduced, mussels are seen to out-compete all other organisms, reducing the species richness of the community. Climate change is expected to impact strongly on intertidal habitats and there is a strong possibility that intertidal habi- tats may serve as a bellwether for change in other ecosystems. During June and July 2008, 16 sites were visited along the south coast of B.C., 12 abiotic and biotic variables were recorded and all P. ochraceus individuals were counted and measured within a 50 m transect at each site. Across all sites, 25% contained no P. ochraceus. The abundance of sea stars ranged from 0 to 255 individuals. The mean size (diameter) of individuals ranged from 4.7 to 23.5 cm. Human disturbance (P ¼ 0.001) was found to be significant, negatively linked to the size of P. ochraceus. Although no significant results were found with regard to the abundance of P. ochraceus, human disturbance (P ¼ 0.080) and exposed sites (P ¼ 0.079) just failed to reach significance. These finding indicate that anthropogenic factors such as human disturbance are having a negative impact of P. ochraceus. This study serves as a pilot for further research in this area, a more in depth large-scale study of P. ochraceus is needed to obtain greater insight into its abundance and size distribution and the factors which influ- ence them.
{"title":"Factors affecting the abundance and size of Pisaster ocharceus in the rocky intertidal zone of southern British Columbia","authors":"H. K. Smith","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ023","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the abiotic and biotic factors that affect the abundance and distribution of the sea star Pisaster ocharceus in the intertidal zone of Southern British Columbia (B.C.). P. ochraceus is very important to the intertidal community as it is seen as a keystone species because when its numbers are reduced, mussels are seen to out-compete all other organisms, reducing the species richness of the community. Climate change is expected to impact strongly on intertidal habitats and there is a strong possibility that intertidal habi- tats may serve as a bellwether for change in other ecosystems. During June and July 2008, 16 sites were visited along the south coast of B.C., 12 abiotic and biotic variables were recorded and all P. ochraceus individuals were counted and measured within a 50 m transect at each site. Across all sites, 25% contained no P. ochraceus. The abundance of sea stars ranged from 0 to 255 individuals. The mean size (diameter) of individuals ranged from 4.7 to 23.5 cm. Human disturbance (P ¼ 0.001) was found to be significant, negatively linked to the size of P. ochraceus. Although no significant results were found with regard to the abundance of P. ochraceus, human disturbance (P ¼ 0.080) and exposed sites (P ¼ 0.079) just failed to reach significance. These finding indicate that anthropogenic factors such as human disturbance are having a negative impact of P. ochraceus. This study serves as a pilot for further research in this area, a more in depth large-scale study of P. ochraceus is needed to obtain greater insight into its abundance and size distribution and the factors which influ- ence them.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"179-187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ017
Laura J Price
Environmental enrichment has been used in a number of studies of captive animals with goals of increasing activity, increasing behavioural diversity, increasing the utilization of the environment and reducing the abnormal behaviours of captive animals. This study investigated the effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of captive African wild dogs. Five enrichment treatments were presented to the dogs over a 5 week period. One enrichment treatment was placed into the dogs' enclosure once a week. The treatments were boomer balls, various scents, a sandpit with hidden food, a blood trail leading to rawhide items/pig's ears and all the foregoing enrichments simultaneously presented to the dogs. Behavioural responses of the dogs during pre-enrichment (baseline), enrichment treatments and post-enrichment were observed using instantaneous scan sampling, at 5 min intervals. Behaviours were subdivided into nine behavioural categories and allocated to ‘active’ and ‘inactive’ behaviours, which were used for analysis. Boomer balls had no effect on activity levels; however, the scent, blood trail and sandpit enrichment significantly increased the dogs' activity levels. A rise in behaviours such as 'locomotion' and 'scanning' were observed during the scent, blood trail and sandpit enrichment. 'Sniffing' escalated during the scent and blood trail enrichment. When all enrichments were presented simultaneously, activity levels were significantly decreased. Overall enrichment did not reduce abnormal/undesirable behaviours. The results indicate that some environmental enrichment can be used to increase active behaviours of African wild dogs in captivity and shows promise in eliciting positive effects on behaviour and welfare.
{"title":"A preliminary study of the effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)","authors":"Laura J Price","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ017","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental enrichment has been used in a number of studies of captive animals with goals of increasing activity, increasing behavioural diversity, increasing the utilization of the environment and reducing the abnormal behaviours of captive animals. This study investigated the effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of captive African wild dogs. Five enrichment treatments were presented to the dogs over a 5 week period. One enrichment treatment was placed into the dogs' enclosure once a week. The treatments were boomer balls, various scents, a sandpit with hidden food, a blood trail leading to rawhide items/pig's ears and all the foregoing enrichments simultaneously presented to the dogs. Behavioural responses of the dogs during pre-enrichment (baseline), enrichment treatments and post-enrichment were observed using instantaneous scan sampling, at 5 min intervals. Behaviours were subdivided into nine behavioural categories and allocated to ‘active’ and ‘inactive’ behaviours, which were used for analysis. Boomer balls had no effect on activity levels; however, the scent, blood trail and sandpit enrichment significantly increased the dogs' activity levels. A rise in behaviours such as 'locomotion' and 'scanning' were observed during the scent, blood trail and sandpit enrichment. 'Sniffing' escalated during the scent and blood trail enrichment. When all enrichments were presented simultaneously, activity levels were significantly decreased. Overall enrichment did not reduce abnormal/undesirable behaviours. The results indicate that some environmental enrichment can be used to increase active behaviours of African wild dogs in captivity and shows promise in eliciting positive effects on behaviour and welfare.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"132-140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ017","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-06-01DOI: 10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ014
J. Vincenti
Bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. are classed as probiotics and are already in mainstream use both in hospitals and the consumer market. They have been shown to confer a beneficial effect upon gastrointestinal health when administered in sufficient dosage; however, little is known on how this is achieved. Past studies have shown probiotics improve a number of pathological conditions by interacting with the host immune system and have demonstrated an increase in lysozyme and production of reactive oxygen species in mononuclear phagocytes. With the aim to understand further the bacteria-host interactions, this study endeavoured to test for the up-regulation of phagocytic activity. A gentamicin protection assay was utilized to quantify Escherichia coli ingested by murine macrophages (J774) at 15, 30 and 60 min periods. A multiplicity of infection of 100:1 was adopted with a bacterial concentration of 1 × 10 7 CFU ml −1 and a macrophage cell number of 1 × 10 5 ml −1 . The assay was performed in DMEM alone or DMEM supplemented with either 20 μg ml −1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or 10% cell-free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supernatant. Viable bacterial cells recovered from lysed macrophages at 15 min were negligible for all treatments. Following 30 min incubation, bacterial recovery was observed with 6.4, 5.3 and 3.8 E. coli recovered per macrophage from the control, LPS and LGG supernatant treatments, respectively. After 60 min incubation E. coli recovery remained the same for the control group, but declined by approximately an order of magnitude to 0.6 and 0.5 E. coli per macrophage for the LPS and LGG supernatant treatments. The reduced recovery of E. coli cells from macrophages, when treated with LPS or LGG supernatants, suggests these compounds modulate macrophage activity by enhancing phagocytic digestion of bacterial cells.
{"title":"The influence of cell-free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supernatant on the phagocytic activity of macrophages","authors":"J. Vincenti","doi":"10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ014","url":null,"abstract":"Bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. are classed as probiotics and are already in mainstream use both in hospitals and the consumer market. They have been shown to confer a beneficial effect upon gastrointestinal health when administered in sufficient dosage; however, little is known on how this is achieved. Past studies have shown probiotics improve a number of pathological conditions by interacting with the host immune system and have demonstrated an increase in lysozyme and production of reactive oxygen species in mononuclear phagocytes. With the aim to understand further the bacteria-host interactions, this study endeavoured to test for the up-regulation of phagocytic activity. A gentamicin protection assay was utilized to quantify Escherichia coli ingested by murine macrophages (J774) at 15, 30 and 60 min periods. A multiplicity of infection of 100:1 was adopted with a bacterial concentration of 1 × 10 7 CFU ml −1 and a macrophage cell number of 1 × 10 5 ml −1 . The assay was performed in DMEM alone or DMEM supplemented with either 20 μg ml −1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or 10% cell-free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supernatant. Viable bacterial cells recovered from lysed macrophages at 15 min were negligible for all treatments. Following 30 min incubation, bacterial recovery was observed with 6.4, 5.3 and 3.8 E. coli recovered per macrophage from the control, LPS and LGG supernatant treatments, respectively. After 60 min incubation E. coli recovery remained the same for the control group, but declined by approximately an order of magnitude to 0.6 and 0.5 E. coli per macrophage for the LPS and LGG supernatant treatments. The reduced recovery of E. coli cells from macrophages, when treated with LPS or LGG supernatants, suggests these compounds modulate macrophage activity by enhancing phagocytic digestion of bacterial cells.","PeriodicalId":52095,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience Horizons","volume":"3 1","pages":"105-112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/BIOHORIZONS/HZQ014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60764418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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