Annual grass weeds reduce profits of wheat farmers in the Pacific Northwest. The very-long-chain fatty acid elongase (VLCFA)-inhibiting herbicides S-metolachlor and dimethenamid-P could expand options for control of annual grasses but are not registered in wheat, because of crop injury. We evaluated a safener, fluxofenim, applied to wheat seed for protection of 19 soft white winter wheat varieties from S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, and pyroxasulfone herbicides; investigated the response of six varieties (UI Sparrow, LWW 15-72223, UI Magic CL+, Brundage 96, UI Castle CL+, and UI Palouse CL+) to incremental doses of fluxofenim; established the fluxofenim dose required to optimally protect the varieties from VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides; and assessed the impact of fluxofenim dose on glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in three wheat varieties (UI Sparrow, Brundage 96, and UI Castle CL+). Fluxofenim increased the biomass of four varieties treated with S-metolachlor or dimethenamid-P herbicides and one variety treated with pyroxasulfone. Three varieties showed tolerance to the herbicides regardless of the fluxofenim treatment. Estimated fluxofenim doses resulting in 10% biomass reduction of wheat ranged from 0.55 to 1.23 g ai kg−1 seed. Fluxofenim doses resulting in 90% increased biomass after treatment with S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, and pyroxasulfone ranged from 0.07 to 0.55, 0.09 to 0.73, and 0.30 to 1.03 g ai kg−1 seed, respectively. Fluxofenim at 0.36 g ai kg−1 seed increased GST activity in UI Castle CL+, UI Sparrow, and Brundage 96 by 58%, 30%, and 38%, respectively. These results suggest fluxofenim would not damage wheat seedlings up to three times the rate labeled for sorghum, and fluxofenim protects soft white winter wheat varieties from S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, or pyroxasulfone injury at the herbicide rates evaluated.

Introduction: Blood transfusions continue to be a critical intervention in patients presenting to emergency departments (ED). Improved understanding of the adverse events associated with transfusions has led to new research to inform and delineate transfusion guidelines. The Nova Scotia Guideline for Blood Component Utilization in Adults and Pediatrics was implemented in June 2017 to reflect current best practice in transfusion medicine. The guideline includes a lowering of the hemoglobin threshold from 80 g/L to 70 g/L for transfusion initiation, to be used in conjunction with the patient's hemodynamic assessment before and after transfusions. Our study aims to augment understanding of transfusion guideline adherence and ED physician transfusing practices at the Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department in Nova Scotia. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on one third of all ED visits involving red-cell transfusions for one year prior to and one year following the guideline implementation. A total of 350 charts were reviewed. The primary data abstracted for the initial transfusion, and subsequent transfusion if applicable, from each reviewed chart included clinical and laboratory data reflective of the transfusion guideline. Based on these data, the transfusion event was classified one of three ways: indicated based on hemoglobin level, indicated based on patient's symptomatic presentation, or unable to determine if transfusion indicated based on charting. Results: The year before guideline implementation, the total number of transfusions initiated at a hemoglobin of between 71-80 was 31 of 146 total transfusions. This number dropped by 23.6% to 22 of 136 in the year following guideline implementation. The number of single-unit transfusions increased by 28.0% from 47 of 146 in the year prior to 56 of 136 in the year after guideline implementation. The initial indication for transfusion being unable to be determined based on charting provided increased by 120%. The indication for subsequent transfusions being unable to be determined based on charting increased by 1500% (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These data suggest that implementing transfusion guidelines effectively reduced the number of transfusions given in the ED setting and increased the number of single-unit transfusions administered. However, the data also suggest the need for better education around transfusion indications and proper documentation clearly outlining the rationale behind the decision to transfuse.

During 1990 we surveyed the southern sky using a multi-beam receiver at frequencies of 4850 and 843 MHz. The half-power beamwidths were 4 and 25 arcmin respectively. The finished surveys cover the declination range between +10 and −90 degrees declination, essentially complete in right ascension, an area of 7.30 steradians. Preliminary analysis of the 4850 MHz data indicates that we will achieve a five sigma flux density limit of about 30 mJy. We estimate that we will find between 80 000 and 90 000 new sources above this limit. This is a revised version of the paper presented at the Regional Meeting by the first four authors; the surveys now have been completed.

Energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) should not be considered independent entities, but more an inter-connected system. With increased physical activity and reduced snacking initiatives as prevalent Public Health measures, any changes to subsequent EI from these recommendations should be monitored. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in acute EI and appetite over four conditions: (1) a control condition with no snack and no exercise (CON); (2) a snack condition (+1 MJ; SK); (3) a moderate-intensity cycling exercise condition (−1 MJ; EX); and finally (4) both snack and exercise condition (+1 MJ, −1 MJ; EXSK). Acute changes in appetite (visual analogue scale) and lunchtime EI (ad libitum pizza meal) were recorded in twenty boys and eighteen girls (12–13 years). Lunch EI was not significantly different between conditions or sexes (P>0·05). Relative EI was calculated, where the energy manipulation (+1 MJ from the snack or −1 MJ from the exercise) was added to lunchtime EI. Relative EI indicated no significant differences between the sexes (P>0·05); however, in the EX condition, relative EI was significantly lower (P<0·001) compared with all other conditions. Appetite increased significantly over time (P<0·001) and was significantly higher in the CON and EX conditions compared with the SK and EXSK conditions. No significant sex differences were found between conditions. When aiming to evoke an acute energy deficit, increasing EE created a significantly larger relative energy deficit than the removal of the mid-morning snack. Sex was not a confounder to influence EI or appetite between any of the conditions.

The effects of mountain lion Puma concolor predation on guanaco Lama guanicoe mortality was investigated during the historically severe winter of 1995 in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. The 45 guanaco carcasses located represented 3% of the entire guanaco population of which 74% were mountain lion kills, 13% died from malnutrition, 2% died from fence entanglement and 11% died from unknown causes. Depleted bone marrow fat was observed in 20% of all carcasses. The number of guanaco deaths differed among sex and age classes, particularly in juveniles (< 1 year of age), which died more often than expected (P < 0.001). Fresh guanaco carcasses (n = 19) killed by mountain lions were located in tree and shrub habitats 79% of the time and were significantly greater than expected values based on the relative availability of these habitats (P < 0.001). Observations of the spatial distribution of mountain lion kills and guanaco mixed-sex groups were similar (P = 0.10), suggesting that mountain lions responded to winter migratory movements made by guanacos. Overall, adult guanacos experienced surprisingly lower levels of mortality (adult male = 1%, adult female = 2%) than expected, despite the severe winter conditions, while juveniles experienced higher levels of mortality (13%) than expected. In comparison to other years (1991–96), the severe winter of 1995 (i.e. this investigation) had the greatest total mortality for juveniles, although the proportion of deaths caused by mountain lion predation for juveniles was greatest during other winters.