ABSTRACTChronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious and fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of members of the family Cervidae. Although CWD has been a serious concern among wildlife managers in several states in the United States and 2 Canadian provinces for over a decade, it is not known how CWD affects movement of hosts during the preclinical and clinical phases of disease. We hypothesized that normal movement patterns are altered by CWD. We evaluated migratory status, migration corridors, dispersal behavior, hourly activity patterns, home range areas, and resource selection for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of known CWD status as a means of understanding how CWD infection influenced habitat use and disease spread. We captured deer, tested for CWD by tonsil biopsy, marked deer with radio‐transmitters (2003–2010) or global positioning system collars (2006–2010), and recaptured individuals annually for CWD testing. The proportion of CWD‐positive females that migrated was significantly less than CWD‐positive males. All deer that were CWD‐negative were more active than their CWD‐positive cohabitants, which was most pronounced in fall for males when CWD‐positive deer were significantly less active throughout the day. Home range areas were small ( = 1.99 km2) and were larger for CWD‐negative females than CWD‐positive females. Resource selection analyses indicated that all deer, regardless of CWD status, sex, or migratory status selected riparian habitats. Riparian habitats represent high CWD risk areas that should be targeted for potential disease management actions (e.g., surveillance, culling, environmental treatments). © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Wet meadows formed on alluvial deposits potentially store large amounts of soil carbon (C) but its stability is subject to the impacts of management practices. The objective of this study was to quantify and characterize soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) in mountain wet meadows across ranges of meadow hydrology and livestock utilization.

A sequential sampling plan was developed to estimate density of sistens of the invasive exotic hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Annand), by counting adelgids on new shoots of four branch tips sampled from the lower half of the live crown of individual, asymptomatic eastern hemlock trees. The y-intercepts and slopes for the relationship between observed mean and variance of A. tsugae counts were similar for North Carolina and for 2 years of data collected from Virginia; thus, data were pooled to create one regression equation that was used to develop a count-based sequential sampling plan. Validation data sets were obtained in West Virginia and by randomly selecting half of the trees sampled in North Carolina and Virginia, trees not used previously to develop the sampling plan. Validation of the combined North Carolina-Virginia sampling plan showed that the model performed as specified. This plan should allow for estimation of adelgid population changes on a tree over time, provided the tree has not declined due to A. tsugae infestation. This plan can also be used to assess chemical or biological treatment effects on A. tsugae, provided such treatments do not fundamentally alter the mean-variance relationship.

A syndrome of progressive right-sided heart failure occurred among yearling Holsteins at a heifer-raising facility and 2 dairies on the Colorado Front Range between 2007 and 2011. Most cases were seen at the heifer-raising facility, where the disease ranked second only to pneumonia as a major cause of death in animals aged <1.5 years. The disease resulted in the death or premature sale of 55 animals over the 5-year period. Affected heifers were 4–15 months old when they developed dyspnea, tachycardia, distention and pulsation of jugular veins, lethargy, and weight loss. Clinical progression in most was rapid (2 days to 2 weeks). Ten cattle with typical clinical signs were examined postmortem between 2008 and 2010. Seven developed clinical signs after transportation 57–238 days earlier from Wisconsin (elevation: < 275 m); the remaining 3 animals were born and raised at an altitude of 1,600 m. At necropsy, the 10 cattle had marked hypertrophy of right ventricular myocardium, dilated right atria, right ventricles, and pulmonary trunks, as well as hepatomegaly, ascites, and serous atrophy of fat. The principal histological change in lungs was hypertrophied tunicae adventitia and media of muscular arteries. Hepatic changes were typical of chronic passive congestion. Ultrastructural changes in heart were consistent with uncomplicated hypertrophy of cardiocytes with no evidence of primary cardiomyopathy. The syndrome most likely represents brisket disease due to pulmonary hypertension at the modest elevation of 1,600 m.

Six criteria were used to evaluate 12 metrics for their sensitivity to effluent flowing from the Ferris-Haggarty copper mine into Haggarty Creek and then into Battle Creek West Fork. Through the evaluation process, we found that the Shannon-Wiener index, the random runs value, and Ephemeroptera taxa richness appeared to best reflect the impacts that have occurred in both Haggarty Creek and Battle Creek West Fork. In addition, Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera taxa richness, total taxa richness, and Plecoptera taxa richness, were useful in reflecting those impacts. In contrast, we found that the abundance ratios, the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, as well as Trichoptera taxa richness, did not reflect the impacts that occurred in Haggarty Creek and Battle Creek West Fork. Finally, this study provided information about the benthic insect communities that are present in the impacted reaches of Haggarty Creek. Such information is needed to assess the potential of those reaches as habitat for the Colorado River cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus, which is a species of special concern to the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish.

Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) extraction in the western United States has expanded in the last decade to help supplement the increasing demand for energy. Long-term monitoring studies are useful for developing optimum uses for CBNG produced water and protecting natural recourses (e.g., soils, plants, and surface and groundwater) in the Powder River Basin (PRB). The specific objectives of this chapter were to: 1) continue monitoring CBNG outfall and disposal pond water in the PRB established by McBeth et al., (2003a) and Jackson and Reddy (2007a) for two more years; 2) determine geochemistry of CBNG outfalls and disposal pond water; 3) investigate changes in pH, SAR (sodium adsorption ratio), and trace element concentrations over time in CBNG disposal ponds; 4) determine possible leaching of trace elements from the CBNG disposal pond sediments; and 5) evaluate potential beneficial uses of CBNG disposal pond water in the PRB, Wyoming.The CBNG outfall water, disposal pond water, and sediment samples were collected from five sub-basins of PRB including Cheyenne River (CR), Belle Fourche River (BFR), Little Powder River (LPR), Powder River (PR), and Tongue River (TR) in 2006 and 2007. Water samples were analyzed for pH, EC (electrical conductivity), TDS (total dissolved solids), major cations, anions, and trace elements. Sediment samples were analyzed for trace elements using toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). Geochemical data analysis was performed using MINTEQA2 model to determine speciation, complexation, and mineral saturation processes. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine differences among sediments in watersheds and generate potential descriptive models.A review of 7 years of water quality monitoring data including the study discussed in this chapter for CBNG produced water in disposal ponds suggests that in all watersheds pH commonly exceeded the limit for irrigation water, wildlife and livestock, and aquatic life. However, over time we expect a decrease in pH due to reentry of atmospheric CO2 (g) into the disposal ponds. In some watersheds, such as PR and TR, SAR exceeded the limit for irrigation water. In these watersheds treatment of CBNG produced water with clinoptilolite, a locally available zeolite, or electrodialysis reversal (EDR) process may help lower SAR and maximize the beneficial use of CBNG produced water for irrigation. Major (e.g., Ca, Mg, K) or trace element (e.g., Cr, Fe, Ba, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, Cl, NO3, PO4, SO4, As, and Se) concentrations, except for Al and F, in CBNG produced water in disposal ponds meet water quality criteria for all uses (e.g., irrigation, wildlife and livestock, and aquatic life) in all watersheds in the PRB. Further long-term monitoring of CBNG outfalls, disposal ponds, and sediment leachates in the PRB for geochemical processes will help develop trend analysis to predict toxicity and leaching potential of trace elements from these disposal ponds as well as developing optimum uses for CBNG produced water in the PRB.

Samples were taken from two southeast Wyoming streams to determine if values of selected benthic macroinvertebrate metrics derived from using a D-net could be related to values derived from using a Surber sampler.Conditions under which samples were collected were variable, ranging from severely polluted to non-polluted over two seasons.Metrics evaluated were the Shannon-Weiner index and the random runs value plus four measures of richness; Ephemeroptera taxa richness, Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera taxa richness, total taxa richness, and Plecoptera taxa richness.Regression analysis indicated that linear relations existed between average metric values estimated through use of the D-net and Surber sampler.These results indicated that average D-net values for these six metrics can be expressed as average Surber sampler values, and vice versa, in these two streams when using either the D-net or Surber sampler in the manner described.This study presented two ways (i.e., the F test or the model validation technique) to test for transportability of functions (i.e., regression models), which were used to convert the results from one samphng method to results from another, and vice versa.

Field studies using glyphosate‐resistant corn (Zea mays L.), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were conducted at Scottsbluff, NE, Torrington, WY, and Fort Collins, CO, over 6 yr to evaluate weed population dynamics under glyphosate‐ and conventional herbicide–based weed control strategies. We report the response of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), and all grasses combined to four management strategies imbedded in two crop rotations. There were no consistent or highly significant benefits from a diverse crop rotation versus continuous corn when weed control was considered. Rotating herbicide mode of action for general weed control provided no benefit above that provided by glyphosate at 0.8 kg acid equivalent (ae) ha−1 applied twice each year. There was no evidence that any weed species developed resistance to glyphosate. The most striking finding of these studies was the buildup of common lambsquarters and wild buckwheat that occurs when glyphosate is applied at 0.4 kg ae ha−1 twice each year. Such a low‐use‐rate approach is to be completely discouraged since it appears to enrich the gene pool for individuals that survive low rates of glyphosate. The continuing decline in the real cost of glyphosate should eliminate any legitimate reason for growers to consider using less than the full labeled rate of glyphosate. All treatments that included glyphosate at all three locations over 6 yr provided significantly better grass control than the nonglyphosate conventional treatments.

Four sites on each of two southeastern Wyoming streams, Medicine Bow River (MBR) and Rock Creek (RC), were investigated during the summer and autumn of 2001 and 2002. This investigation resulted in inventories of benthic insect communities being obtained from these two streams. It also resulted in twelve metrics being calculated from benthic insect communities, and these metrics were compared between two spatial units at different local scales. Of the metrics used, five indicated taxa richness, four indicated relative abundance, two indicated diversity, and one involved a biotic index for organic pollution. More specifically, we used each metric to compare the montane with the plains sub-basin, as well as to compare two distinctly different types of substrates within each of the sub-basins. Also, metrics were compared between the two streams. Results indicated that few differences were observed between naturally-occurring substrates within sub-basins. In addition, few differences were observed between the two streams. In contrast, however, several differences were observed between the montane and plains sub-basins. Such differences were caused from naturally-occurring variations in hydraulic and ecological conditions. These findings suggest that the spatial scale should be carefully considered when selecting metrics for use in monitoring programs that are designed to detect anthropogenic disturbances in lotic systems.

The impact of different weed control treatments on soil seed bank dynamics was studied at Torrington, WY, for a corn/sugarbeet and barley/sugarbeet crop rotation. Common lambsquarters, hairy nightshade, and redroot pigweed accounted for 90% of the total weed seed in the soil seed bank. Samples collected after corn or barley harvest showed no significant differences in total seed numbers due to herbicide treatments; however, differences were evident in samples collected following sugarbeet harvest. Glyphosate applied postemergence at the 2 and 6 true-leaf sugarbeet stage or the conventional treatment of ethofumesate preplant plus two postemergence applications of triflusulfuron plus phenmedipham / desmedipham / ethofumesate plus clopyralid in sugarbeet reduced the total number of weed seed in soil following all corn treatments. The reduction in total seed bank numbers was due to the decrease in redroot pigweed and hairy nightshade seed density. An increase in total seed bank numbers was observed when the micro-rate treatment (three postemergence applications of triflusulfuron plus phenmedipham / desmedipham / ethofumesate plus clopyralid) in sugarbeet followed any barley treatment. No sugarbeet treatment reduced total seed numbers following untreated plots in either barley or corn.

ABSTRACT We designed an in situ assay for investigating macroinvertebrate drift behavior in response to a point source of environmental pollution. As a model, we used Cinygmula nymphs to assess both the presence and level of copper contamination in a stream that was polluted with effluent from an abandoned copper mine. The study showed that Cinygmula exhibited increased tendency to drift with increased exposure to aqueous copper. Cinygmula drift behavior exhibited graded responses to increasing concentrations of aqueous copper up to and including 78 ppb. The results indicated that a simple yet sensitive in situ bioassay could be used to detect environmentally important levels of copper contamination in Haggarty Creek.

After passage of the Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Act in 1977, studies on mine reclaimed areas in the late 1970's and early 1980's evaluated varying topsoil depths over unsuitable backfill on vegetation productivity and cover.In recent years, several of those earlier studies have been revisited to provide long-term results on vegetation productivity, cover and diversity.A more recent study developed in 1999 was conducted to evaluate variable topsoil depth on soil and vegetation factors at the North Antelope/Rochelle Mine (NARM).Backfill at this location did not exhibit unsuitable plant growth parameters, based on Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) guidelines.The formal study evaluated vegetation parameters such as cover, production and diversity, and soil differences in pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) between three treatment depths, i.e., 15, 30 and 56 cm.Reclaimed and two native vegetation reference areas were sampled three times during the 2000-2002 growing seasons.At the end of the 2002 monitoring, results were mixed.After that time, the reclaimed area only continued to be part of the ongoing vegetation monitoring program at NARM.Five years of continuous monitoring (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) were statistically analyzed to determine significant trends between topsoil depth treatments, as the seeded areas matured.No significant differences were found between treatments for two measures of cover and three measures of species richness.Although no significant differences were found between treatments for shrub density, positive increasing trends in the more shallow treatments are evident.

Adequate shoulder girdle strength is important to ensure a football player's success and safety. Accurate and easy measurement of shoulder strength would help identify deconditioning trends and monitor the effects of injury or rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to document variations in shoulder abduction strength in football players during a 10-week season using a portable strain gauge device. Bilateral shoulder abduction strength of 59 players was measured at the season's start, midpoint, and near end. Strength dropped approximately 28% on each side, with most of the loss being in the first 5 weeks. The strength loss was also more rapid on the left side, making the side-to-side strength ratio unstable throughout the season. It is recommended that in-season shoulder girdle strengthening be emphasized and that if shoulder strength measurements are to be used for exercise prescription or injury rehabilitation purposes, serial baseline measurements be made during the season.

LetD⊆R2be the open unit disk. We consider best harmonic approximation to functions continuous onD. In a basic paper, Haymanet al.characterized best harmonic approximants which are themselves continuous onD. In this paper we give sufficient conditions and many simple examples of functions continuous onDwhich have no best harmonic approximants which are continuous onD.

We show that the best Lp-approximant to continuous functions by n-convex functions is the limit of discrete n-convex approximations. The techniques of the proof are then used to show the existence of near interpolants to discrete n-convex data by continuous n-convex functions if the data points are close.

We consider here best approximation by n-convex functions. We first show that if f∈L1[0,1], then there is, a best L1-approximant to f by functions which are n-convex on (0,1). We then show that if f∈L∞[0,1], then any best Lp-approximant, fp, to f by n-convex, functions is bounded and hence, f has the Pólya-one property, i.e., fp converges a.e. as p decreases to one.

We construct a candidate for the natural best L1-approximation to an integrable function, ƒ, by elements of an L1-closed convex proximinal set. If ƒ is a Lebesgue integrable function on [0, 1] and the approximating set is the set of all nondecreasing functions, we show that our construction gives an extension of the known natural best L1-approximation operator from ∪p > 1 Lp to L1. In the course of doing this, we also complete the characterization, given in (Huotari, Meyerowitz, and Sheard, J. Approx. Theory 47 (1986), 85–91) of the set of all best L1-approximations. Finally, in the case of isotonic approximation to a function of several variables, we extend a previous result concerning the almost everywhere convergence of the best Lp-approximations, p > 1, to the natural best L1-approximation.

We define the property “E-cylindrical,” which relates to a subset of Rm certain directed cylinders. We investigate some of the consequences of this definition, showing, for example, that polyhedral convex sets and smooth, rotund convex bodies are E-cylindrical. Suppose X is a finite set, F is the set of all real-valued functions on X, f ϵ F, and K ⊂F is closed, convex, and E-cylindrical. For 1 < p < ∞, let fp be the best lp-approximation to f by elements of K. We show that limp → ∞fp exists. We give an example to show that {fp} may fail to converge if X is countably infinite. We discuss the relationship between discrete (lp) and continuous (Lp) approximation.

Let Ω denote the unit n-cube, [0, 1]n, and let M be the set of all real valued functions on Ω which are nondecreasing in each variable. If f is a bounded Lebesgue measurable function on Ω and 1 < p < ∞, let ƒp denote the best Lp-approximation to ƒ by elements of M. It is shown that ƒp converges almost everywhere as p decreases to one to a best L1-approximation to f by elements of M. If ƒ is continuous, then ƒp is continuous and converges uniformly as p ↓ 1 to a best L1-approximation to ƒ by elements of M and ƒp converges uniformly as p → ∞ to a best L∞-approximation to ƒ by elements of M.