The coexistence of Dipodomys ordii and Perognathus hispidus with Peromyscus maniculatus and Reithrodontomys montanus was studied in a grassland association of central Texas. The food habits of these species were compared with information from habitat vegetation analysis in an effort to determine food selectivity and the amount and importance of niche overlap and competition among these rodents.

A life history study of Callibaetis floridanus was conducted over the wet cycle of a playa on the Southern High Plains of Texas from June through September 1995.

A 17.1 Kb genetic element encoding for mercury resistance (OCT-Hg^r) was shown to translocate from its original location on the OCT plasmid to the resistance plasmid, RPl, in Pseudomonas putida. Analysis of RPl-Hg^r recombinant plasmids revealed that insertion of mercury resistance genes into RPl could occur at a variety of sites, with all recombinants having common EcoRI restriction fragments of 9.4, 3.8, 2.3, and 1.6 Kb, derived from the insertion. Hybridization analysis suggested the existence of extensive homology between this insertion and the prototypic mercury resistance transposon, Tn501, as well as the location of a similar merA sequence. Although the overall size was shown to be quite different from Tn501, striking physical similarities are shared between these two elements.

The City of Denton Pecan Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility has periodically failed effluent toxicity testing. A Toxicity Identification Evaluation has determined that Diazinon in the effluent is contributing to the observed toxicity. Chlorpyrifos is also implicated as a factor. The City of Denton constructed a half acre experimental wetland to remove Diazinon related toxicity. Results from spiking and microcosm experiments indicate that the wetland can reduce the Diazinon.

Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to explore relationships between measured environmental variables and in situ phytoplankton communities in a moderately eutrophic North Texas Reservoir.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a strain of Azotobacter chroococcum isolated from the soil in northern Louisiana produces cysts which are as resistant to deleterious agents as those produced by previously reported strains os Azotobacter.

During four growing seasons, aquatic vascular plant production and distribution were studied in Pat Mayse Lake, Texas, a 2425 hectare oligo-mesotrophic reservoir. The dominant macrophyte population was Myriophyllum spicatum L. Growth rates and regrowth rates of mechanically harvested Myriophyllum beds were found to be dissimilar. Based on estimates of watermilfoil nutrient content, there were insufficient nutrients in the entire population to alter the trophic status of this reservoir should all of the nutrients be instantaneously released. Sediments were the primary nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) sink. Bank erosion and solids transport from the watershed appear to contribute most of the sediments and a lake-wide mean sedimentation rate of 2.5 cm/year was estimated from sediment trap and core sample data.

Previously, Whipp et. al. (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exerc. Physiol. 50(1):217-221, 1981) demonstrated the feasibility of determining four parameters of aerobic function, identified as maximum oxygen uptake (μVO_2), VO_2 at anaerobic threshold (θan), the time constant for oxygen uptake kinetics (rVO_2) and work efficiency (η), using a short duration ramped bicycle ergometer exercise test. Because of the importance of being able to measure these parameters on a variety of measurement instruments a short duration ramping treadmill protocol has been developed. The ability of this protocol to determine the four aerobic parameters has been validated against conventional methods. The results of this investigation indicate that μVO_2, θan, rVO_2 and, η may be obtained from a single, short-duration ramping treadmill test.

Laboratory and field investigations during the past ten years have demonstrated that certain microorganisms can cause deleterious effects in jet fuel tank systems. These investigations have brought about new concepts concerning the mechanisms of utilization of certain constituents in jet fuel tanks by microorganisms. Since the presence of microorganisms is inevitable in fuel systems, research efforts have been directed towards identification and determination of the types of microorganisms which can utilize jet fuel hydrocarbons, fuel additives, polyurethane foam structural materials, and particular hydrocarbons present in the fuel.

The purpose of the investigation was to locate the plant population which had the greatest impact on soil nitrogen in a successional sequence from newly deposited alluvia to a mature streamside forest, and to evaluate the pioneer populations in terms of their annual nitrogen contribution.

The aims of this study were: (1) to determine simultaneously by means of a micro-potometric method the rates of water and various isotopic ion effluxes from isolated onion roots; (2) to determine and compare the effects of metabolic inhibitors on both processes simultaneously; (3) to ascertain the similarity or dissimilarity of mechanisms involved with these two processes; (4) to ascertain the role of active metabolism in each of these processes; (5) to shed light on possible gearing mechanism(s) between metabolic and transport processes.

It seemed desirable to investigate more fully the effect of hexadecanol on the microbial population of a reservoir. It was the purpose of this investigation to determine the effect of hexadecanol on the micro-biota of Lake Hefner, to ascertain which organisms were stimulated by hexadecanol both in the laboratory and the reservoir, and to investigate the degradation of hexadecanol by microorganisms selected from Lake Hefner.

On-road remote sensing has the ability to operate in real-time, and under real world conditions, making it an ideal candidate for detecting gross polluters on major freeways and thoroughfares. In this study, remote sensing was employed to detect carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NO). On-road remote sensing data taken from measurements performed in six states, (Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, and Utah) were cleaned and analyzed. Data mining and exploration were first undertaken in order to search for relationships among variables such as make, year, engine type, vehicle weight, and location. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the three pollutants of interest. The data were found to have non-normal distributions. Applied transformations were ineffective, and nonparametric tests were applied. Due to the extremely large sample size of the dataset (508,617 records), nonparametric tests resulted in "p" values that demonstrated "significance." The general linear model was selected due to its ability to handle data with non-normal distributions. The general linear model was run on each pollutant with output producing descriptive statistics, profile plots, between-subjects effects, and estimated marginal means. Due to insufficient data within certain cells, results were not obtained for gross vehicle weight and engine type. The "year" …

The effects of light, light "mimicking" chemicals, and protein synthesis inhibitors on the photo-induced carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium 7EIC were studied. Changes in the dosage of fluorescent light applied to dark grown cells showed a dose related carotenogenic response. Maintaining the same dosage but varying the wavelength of monochromatic light revealed that light with a wavelength of 280 to 450nm was responsible for photo-induction. It further showed a peak of photo-induction between the wavelengths of 370 and 430nm. The light "mimicking" chemicals antimycin A and p-Chloromercurybenzoate were shown to have no light "mimicking" effects. The transcriptional inhibitor of protein synthesis actinomycin D partially inhibited, and chloramphenicol a translational inhibitor, completely inhibited photo-induced carotenogenesis.

This study is designed to (a) demonstrate the highly productive nature of the littoral area as compared to the pelagic region, (b) the possible importance of phyco-periphyton in the diets of fish, (c) the effects of meteorological conditions on distribution of phytoplankton, and (d) a demonstration of the invalidity of using artificial substrates as a universal means of measuring productivity.

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of studies on the aerobic, mesophilic intestinal flora of guinea pigs subjected to conditions similar to those encountered by man in spacecraft.

Growth of Corbicula fluminea was monitored in the laboratory. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment I utilized three substrates and one food type. Experiment II utilized three substrates and two food types. Experiments I and II were conducted to determine if substrate type or food type effected growth. Experiment III used no substrates, one food type and was conducted to determine growth response to different types of water. Clams were maintained in three substrates: sand, gravel and clay. Clams were also maintained without substrate. Growth was monitored by measuring shell length (mm) and recording the weight (mg) of clams over a period of thirty days. At the end of the test period data were evaluated for normality and homogeneity.

The effect of pH upon the aquatic toxicity of cyfluthrin was determined in 48 h static acute toxicity tests using 2nd instar Chironomus tentans larvae. Tests were conducted in both dechlorinated tap water and lake water of pH 8.0, 7.2, and 6.6. After 48 h, immobilized and dead larvae were removed and replaced with 2nd instar larvae to assess the persistence of toxicity. Midges were cultured in water adjusted to the pH values used in testing. Toxicity if cyfluthrin varied inversely with pH. An increase in the pH of tap water by 2 units resulted in a 2-decrease in toxicity. Toxicity of cyfluthrin also varied between tap and lake water of the same pH. EC50 values in lake water were approximately 2-3 times lower than those in tap water. Toxicity in the lake water and tap water at every pH tested was also significantly different when regression line elevations were compared. Natural waters amended with cyfluthrin were consistently more toxi to the chironomids than tap water of the same pH. Persistence of cyfluthrin at low pH also influenced chironomid behavior. Recovery of normal behavior generally began within 24 h at pH 8.0 At pH 6.0, recovery did not begin until …

The purpose of this paper is to detail the distribution and quantity of soluble phosphates in an activated sludge plant, its discharge creek, and receiving reservoir. The resultant analyses and comparison of data should provide some better understanding of the fate of phosphorus in a Southwestern waterway system.

The effects of moderate workload exercise at different pedal rates on circulatory and respiratory parameters were studied. Five subjects performed seven discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometer tests of 30 minutes duration at pedal rates of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 rpm. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production were determined by standard open circuit spirometry, while heart rate was recorded by electrocardiograph. The CO₂ rebreathing procedure was administered during the exercise bout in order to determine cardiac output. Blood pressure was determined for each test, and total peripheral resistance was calculated. The findings indicate that progressive increases in pedal frequency during discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometry produce progressive increases in cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic responses and a decrease in gross exercise mechanical efficiency. The results indicate that oxygen uptake, cardiac output, heart rate, ventilation and arterial-venous oxygen difference increases curvilinearly as pedal rate increases, possibly as a result of increases in recruitment of muscle fibers and/or muscle groups. These findings suggest that circulatory and respiratory responses are due to "central command" which sets the basic efferent response pattern. However, this effector pattern is modulated by afferent input originating from the legs during progressive increases in pedal rate.

The effects of external electric fields (EEF) on brain activity in anesthetized rats were studied. The field strengths used, 9 kV/m and 5 kV/m, both D.C. and A.C. (60Hz) were in the range of those measured beneath current overhead transmission lines. Brain activity was monitored from surface electrodes and from electrodes stereotaxically implanted in the posterior-lateral portion of the hypothalamus. It was found that 9 kV/m and 5 kV/m EEF's both D.C. and A.C. brought about statistically significant changes in hypothalamic activity, however, the effects were bi-directional, (i.e. increases and decreases). Only seven of the 60 animals exposed showed changes in the EEG recorded with surface electrodes. The data clearly indicate that (1) anesthetized animals do respond to a change in the external electric field around them, (2) the hypothalamus may contain special electro-receptors that, in turn, may alter various other physiological processes, and (3) the data indicates the need for further research to help government agencies to establish more adequate safety guidelines.

The purpose of this investigation was to extract, separate, partially characterize and compare the individual phospholipids of the atypical mycobacteria.

Discriminant analysis is a procedure for identifying the relationships between qualitative criterion variables and quantitative predictor variables. Data bases of genetic polymorphisms are currently available that group such polymorphisms by ethnic origin or nationality. Such information could be useful to entities that base financial determinations upon predictions of disease or to medical researchers who wish to target prevention and treatment to population groups. While the use of genetic information to make such determinations is unlawful in states and confidentiality and privacy concerns abound, methods for human “redlining” may occur. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy of the relationship of certain genetic information to ethnicity to determine if a statistical analysis can provide information concerning such relationship. The use of the statistical technique of discriminant analysis provides a tool for examining such relationship.

The chemical fate and biological impacts of cyfluthrin in aquatic ecosystems were investigated using microcosms (1.9 m^3 concrete tanks) during 1989. Results were compared to a concurrent pesticide registration study using mesocosms (634.7 m^3 earthen ponds). Ten spray drift and five soil runoff simulations were conducted. Pesticide loadings were scaled by system volume, with the same experimental design in ponds and microcosms. Aqueous cyfluthrin concentrations and sediment residue values were generally higher in microcosms, while aqueous half-life was shorter in the smaller systems.