Moths are a hyperdiverse taxon and contribute to important ecosystem services, including herbivory, pollination, and as food for other animals. Artificial light is an effective means by which to attract nocturnal moths for ecological study, but many traditional light-trapping approaches require the use of heavy, lead acid batteries, whereas novel light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use much lighter and energy-efficient lithium-ion batteries. Employing replicated forest stands being used for a longer-term study on the effects of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) application, we assessed how traps fitted with either black-light fluorescent (BLF) or LED lights differed in the moth assemblages they attracted. The macromoth assemblages captured by the two light sources differed significantly in their composition, with some species almost exclusively collected by a particular light type. We collected significantly more moths in the BLF traps overall. However, we found a higher diversity of species using the LED light traps but only in the Btk–treated sites. We show that, although these lights appear to attract significantly different species assemblages, LEDs represent an effective, efficient, and environmentally safer approach for attracting macromoths. More empirical studies will help elucidate which species are most attracted to various light sources and if broader phylogenetic patterns exist.

The 2016–17 European outbreak of H5N8 HPAIV (Clade 2.3.4.4b) affected a wider range of avian species than the previous H5N8 outbreak (2014–15), including an incursion of H5N8 HPAIV into gamebirds in England. Natural infection of captive-reared pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) led to variable disease presentation; clinical signs included ruffled feathers, reluctance to move, bright green faeces, and/or sudden mortality. Several birds exhibited neurological signs (nystagmus, torticollis, ataxia). Birds exhibiting even mild clinical signs maintained substantial levels of virus replication and shedding, with preferential shedding via the oropharyngeal route. Gross pathology was consistent with HPAIV, in gallinaceous species but diphtheroid plaques in oropharyngeal mucosa associated with necrotising stomatitis were novel but consistent findings. However, minimal or modest microscopic pathological lesions were detected despite the systemic dissemination of the virus. Serology results indicated differences in the timeframe of exposure for each case (n = 3). This supported epidemiological conclusions confirming that the movement of birds between sites and other standard husbandry practices with limited hygiene involved in pheasant rearing (including several fomite pathways) contributed to virus spread between premises.

Sublethal concentrations of isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)- carbamate (CIPC) labeled with 14C in the ring or side chain were applied to all leaves present or to the roots of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), pale smartweed (Polygonum lapathiofolium L.), and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.). These species were selected because of their different susceptibilities to CIPC. The herbicide did not move out of the treated leaves in pigweed and smartweed and only slightly in parsnip in 21 days. In root treatment (3 days), the herbicide moved to all plant parts and the extent of movement was essentially the same in all species. Water soluble metabolites, which differed in Rf values were extracted from all three species. The metabolites apparently were not the result of cleavage of the CIPC molecule, but were more likely conjugates of CIPC with natural plant component(s). Very little 14CO2 was released by any of the species in 3 days. These data indicate that differences in movement and metabolism are not sufficient to account for the different susceptibilities of these three plant species.

Interactions between carbamate and growth regulator herbicides were antagonistic both in whole plants and in plant segments. When combinations of isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate (chlorpropham) and (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) were applied to the foliage of either redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) or pale smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium L.), the severe twisting effects of 2,4-D were greatly reduced. This interaction did not involve differential movement or metabolism of either herbicide. The induced elongation of soybean hypocotyl sections by the three growth regulators 2,4-D, 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba), and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) was inhibited in the presence of either chlorpropham or S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC). Similarly, curvature tests using soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) hypocotyl sections showed the curvature induced by the growth regulators to be almost completely eliminated by the presence of the carbamates.

Antagonistic responses were noted on sorghum (Sorghum vulgare pers.) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm.) using preemergence combinations of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) and the carbamates S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate (chlorpropham), and 2-chloroallyl diethyldithiocarbamate (CDEC). Combinations of EPTC and (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4,5-T) or 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba) gave similar results. Effects of these combinations were mainly additive on four dicotyledonous species. Combinations of 2,4-D and N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (naptalam) also were antagonistic on sorghum and giant foxtail but were additive on the remaining species. Eight other herbicide combinations were mainly additive on all six species.

The coastline along the southern Arabian Gulf between Al Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, UAE, appears to have risen at least 125 m in the last 18,000 years. Dating and topographic surveying of paleo-dunes (43–53 ka), paleo-marine terraces (17–30 ka), and paleo-marine shorelines (3.3–5.5 ka) document a rapid, > 1 mm/a subsidence, followed by a 6 mm/a uplift that is decreasing with time. The mechanism causing this movement remains elusive but may be related to the translation of the coastal area through the backbasin to forebulge hinge line movement of the Arabian plate or, alternatively, by movement of the underlying Infracambrian-age Hormuz salt in response to sea-level changes associated with continental glaciation. Independent of the mechanism, rapid and episodic uplift may impact the design of engineering projects such as nuclear power plants, airports, and artificial islands as well as the interpretation of sedimentation and archeology of the area.

Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) cycles had far-reaching effects on Northern Hemisphere and tropical climate systems during the last glacial period, yet the climatic response to D–O cycles in western North America is controversial, especially prior to 55 ka. We document changes in precipitation along the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada during early Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages (MIS) 3 and 4 (55–67 ka) from a U-series dated speleothem record from McLean's Cave. The timing of our multi-proxy geochemical dataset is coeval with D–O interstadials (15–18) and stadials, including Heinrich Event 6. The McLean's Cave stalagmite indicates warmer and drier conditions during Greenland interstadials (GISs 15–18), signified by elevated δ18O, δ13C, reflectance, and trace element concentrations, and less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr. Our record extends evidence of a strong linkage between high-latitude warming and reduced precipitation in western North America to early MIS 3 and MIS 4. This record shows that the linkage persists in diverse global climate states, and documents the nature of the climatic response in central California to Heinrich Event 6.

Whole farm simulation analysis and econometric techniques are employed in an analysis of crop rotations and tenure arrangement strategies. The FLIPSIM model is used to analyze a representative Texas Upper Gulf Coast rice and soybean farm. Probit analysis is then used to determine the impact of net cash farm income, land tenure, and crop rotation on probability of survival. Results suggest that, although the simulation model is useful in providing information on the effect at the farm level of following the different strategies, probit results provide greater understanding into the returns and risk inherent to each strategy.

The deformation behavior of amorphous selenium near its glass transition temperature (31 °C) has been investigated by uniaxial compression and nanoindentation creep tests. Cylindrical specimens compressed at high temperatures and low strain rates deform stably into barrel-like shapes, while tests at low temperatures and high strain rates lead to fragmentation. These results agree well with stress exponent and kinetic activation parameters extracted from nanoindentation creep tests using a similarity analysis. The dependence of the deformation modes on temperature and strain rate can be understood as a consequence of material instability and strain localization in rate-dependent solids.