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Bats are reservoirs for many different coronaviruses (CoVs) as well as many other important zoonotic viruses. We sampled feces and/or anal swabs of 1,044 insectivorous bats of 2 families and 17 species from 21 different locations within Colorado from 2007 to 2009. We detected alphacoronavirus RNA in bats of 4 species: big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), 10% prevalence; long-legged bats (Myotis volans), 8% prevalence; little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), 3% prevalence; and western long-eared bats (Myotis evotis), 2% prevalence. Overall, juvenile bats were twice as likely to be positive for CoV RNA as adult bats. At two of the rural sampling sites, CoV RNAs were detected in big brown and long-legged bats during the three sequential summers of this study. CoV RNA was detected in big brown bats in all five of the urban maternity roosts sampled throughout each of the periods tested. Individually tagged big brown bats that were positive for CoV RNA and later sampled again all became CoV RNA negative. Nucleotide sequences in the RdRp gene fell into 3 main clusters, all distinct from those of Old World bats. Similar nucleotide sequences were found in amplicons from gene 1b and the spike gene in both a big-brown and a long-legged bat, indicating that a CoV may be capable of infecting bats of different genera. These data suggest that ongoing evolution of CoVs in bats creates the possibility of a continued threat for emergence into hosts of other species. Alphacoronavirus RNA was detected at a high prevalence in big brown bats in roosts in close proximity to human habitations (10%) and known to have direct contact with people (19%), suggesting that significant potential opportunities exist for cross-species transmission of these viruses. Further CoV surveillance studies in bats throughout the Americas are warranted.

This study explores biology undergraduates' misconceptions about genetic drift. We use qualitative and quantitative methods to describe students' definitions, identify common misconceptions, and examine differences before and after instruction on genetic drift. We identify and describe five overarching categories that include 16 distinct misconceptions about genetic drift. The accuracy of students' conceptions ranges considerably, from responses indicating only superficial, if any, knowledge of any aspect of evolution to responses indicating knowledge of genetic drift but confusion about the nuances of genetic drift. After instruction, a significantly greater number of responses indicate some knowledge of genetic drift (p = 0.005), but 74.6% of responses still contain at least one misconception. We conclude by presenting a framework that organizes how students' conceptions of genetic drift change with instruction. We also articulate three hypotheses regarding undergraduates' conceptions of evolution in general and genetic drift in particular. We propose that: 1) students begin with undeveloped conceptions of evolution that do not recognize different mechanisms of change; 2) students develop more complex, but still inaccurate, conceptual frameworks that reflect experience with vocabulary but still lack deep understanding; and 3) some new misconceptions about genetic drift emerge as students comprehend more about evolution. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

The paper discusses an elementary spring model representing the motion of a magnet suspended from the ceiling at one end of a vertical spring which is held directly above a second magnet fixed on the floor. There are two cases depending upon the north-south pole orientation of the two magnets. The attraction or repelling force induced by the magnets follow an inverse quartic law and thus we are led to a nonlinear model suitable for discussion in a beginning differential equations course. Spring models are common fare in such courses, but usually only linear models with simple sinusoidal forcing are considered. The resultant model is autonomous and thus an energy approach permits a full phase portrait of the resultant motions in the phase plane. These phase portraits show interesting behaviour of the system, reinforcing one's natural physical intuition. The computer algebra system "Mathematica" is employed here, although almost any other system would suffice. Such a system permits almost effortless calculations and can generate the graphics needed to thoroughly investigate the model. (Contains 6 figures.)

As the dominant vegetation species of most British moorlands, Calluna vulgarisis the focus of much scientific interest. While multiple approaches for quantifying the life cycle of the species have been tested, few, if any, have been successful. Given that British moorland environments are internationally valuable in terms of biogeography and carbon storage, but also inherently vulnerable to change, robust long-term monitoring is urgently needed. This study aimed to develop an original methodology, using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) aerial imagery to quantify both flowering and vegetation height at different C. vulgaris growth phases. The former has been previously investigated, although not using low-altitude UAV imagery. The latter has not been tested before. Flower coverage was successfully quantified using supervised pixel-based classification, with statistically significant differences found between percentage flower coverage at each growth phase. Findings from height analysis, using structure-from-motion point clouds, suggest that modelled vegetation height can also be used to distinguish between growth phases. These findings demonstrate that UAV imagery can improve data acquisition in field ecology. The novel approach developed here, based on flower coverage and vegetation height, has potential for use beyond the moorland environment, to improve understadning of spatial characteristics of ecological systems and processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of swift fox population demographics is made between areas with and without coyote population reduction to understand the interactions of swift foxes and coyotes. Experimental data showed that coyote predation remained the main cause of juvenile and adult fox mortality in both areas.

Olivia G Mead, Leon P Mead Leon P Mead MD PA, Naples, FL, USACorrespondence: Leon P MeadLeon Mead MD PA, 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102, USATel +1 239-262-1119Fax +1 239-204-3104Email orthomead@aol.comObjective: To evaluate the long-term benefit of a single injection of amniotic membrane/umbilical cord (AM/UC) particulate in patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: A single-center, investigator-initiated, retrospective study of patients who received intra-articular injection of 100 mg lyophilized and micronized AM/UC for radiographically confirmed, Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade 3 or 4 symptomatic knee OA. Data regarding demographics, OA severity, comorbidities, treatment regimens, complications, and patient-reported outcomes were collected and assessed. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) was assessed on a 7-point scale, and Global Perceived Improvement (GPI), expressed as percent improvement relative to baseline, was used to further quantify the degree of symptomatic change. Clinically important response to treatment was assessed at 12 months using simplified OMERACT–OARSI responder criteria.Results: A total of 42 patients with KL grade 3 (36%) and 4 (64%) knee OA were included for analysis. Prior to injection, patient-rated pain was 6.6 ± 1.5 out of 10 (median: 7, range: 3– 10) despite prior treatment with oral/topical NSAIDs (62%) and intra-articular injection(s) of corticosteroids (57%) and/or hyaluronic acid (48%). Twelve months following AM/UC injection, 31 patients (74%) reported significant clinical improvement via PGIC, and the OMERACT–OARSI treatment response rate was 81% (34/42). GPI of pain and function was 62 ± 24%, 69 ± 27%, 69 ± 27%, and 64 ± 31% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Symptomatic improvement was maintained for an average duration of 12.1 ± 4.5 months (median: 12, range: 3– 22). One patient developed swelling in the knee within 36 hours of injection. No other adverse events or complications were reported.Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of AM/UC particulate may be effective in alleviating pain and improving function in patients with moderate to severe knee OA, with the potential to delay total knee replacement for up to 12 months.Keywords: amniotic membrane, injection, knee, osteoarthritis, umbilical cord