Update on sulfur-related polioencephalomalacia.

Sulfur-related polioencephalomalacia is frequently associated with a high total sulfur intake by ruminants. The onset of clinical signs coincides with excessive ruminal sulfide production. Measurement of ruminal gas cap hydrogen sulfide makes it possible to identify cattle with potentially hazardous total sulfur intake. Evaluation of all potential sulfur sources is necessary to estimate total dietary sulfur concentration, which can lead to prevention strategies.     

Significant suppression of invasive emerald ash borer by introduced parasitoids: potential for North American ash recovery

Journal of Pest Science - Successful management of invasive forest pests with sustainable approaches, such as biological control, is critical to the restoration of the affected or damaged forest...     

Defining protected area boundaries based on vascular-plant species richness using hydrological information derived from archived satellite imagery

Surface and near-surface hydrological conditions are not generally considered in the selection of protected-area boundaries; however, these hydrological conditions may be critical in the maintenance of hydrologically driven biodiversity areas and should factor heavily in systematic conservation planning and impact-mitigation efforts. Here we demonstrate the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to model surface and near-surface hydrological dynamics and related vascular-plant species richness surrounding Sundance Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. Based on a relationship established between field-sampled soil moisture and remote-sensed SAR backscatter coefficient, we generated landscape-scale maps of surface hydrological condition and related vascular-plant species richness surrounding the protected area. After processing, SAR data were classified into three hydrological classes: unsaturated, saturated and inundated. By assembling a multi-year series of SAR images acquired across the natural range of hydrological conditions, the probability of surface saturation and inundation was developed. Using the resulting probability map to select sites for biodiversity assessment, we found relatively strong relationships between total vascular plants (species richness, especially ferns and herbs), and the probability of wet area (both saturated and inundated areas) occurrence. Using this relationship, we mapped vascular-plant species richness across the study region revealing opportunities to mitigate impacts from adjacent developments and to expand the park to increase its ecological value. This study presents an important approach for assessing biodiversity of existing parks and generating valuable input layers that help to define ecologically relevant protected-area boundaries.     

A new method for brightening wool in a dye bath

A new method for brightening wool during dyeing has been developed using tert-butylamine borane in the dyebath. The method was found to be significantly superior to current industrial practice using hydroxylammonium sulphate or its derivatives. The effects of tert-butylamine borane on dye shades and dyeing quality have also been assessed with a range of commercial wool dyes. The results of this study have shown that the new method is effective in preventing hydrothermal wool yellowing during dyeing, and can produce brighter shades of dyeings without significantly altering the dye shades or impairing the dyeing fastness and mechanical properties of the dyed wool under the conditions examined. The advantages of the concurrent bleaching and dyeing method over conventional bleaching and dyeing processes include reduced processing time, improved energy efficiency, and lower water consumption, arising from reduction in the number of fiber treatment steps.     

Bees have magnetic remanence

Honey bees orient to the earth's magnetic field. This ability may be associated with a region of transversely oriented magnetic material in the front of the abdomen. The magnetic moment apparently develops in the pupal state and persists in the adults.