A comparison of biofouling communities associated with free-ranging and captive Florida manatees ( Trichechus manatus manatus )
No abstract available.
Marine Mammal Science↗
Geology topics
Mark Lowe
Publications and source records attributed to Mark Lowe.
Comparison of methods used to diagnose generalized inflammatory disease in manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
Manatees ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ) are afflicted with inflammatory and infectious disease secondary to human interaction, such as boat strike and entanglement, as well as “cold stress syndrome” and pneumonia. White-blood-cell count and fever, primary indicators of systemic inflammation in most species, are insensitive in diagnosing inflammatory disease in manatees. Acute phase-response proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, have proven to be sensitive measures of inflammation/infection in domestic large animal species. This study assessed diagnosis of generalized inflammatory disease by different methods including total white-blood-cell count, albumin: globulin ratio, gel electrophoresis analysis, C-reactive protein, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A. Samples were collected from 71 apparently healthy and 27 diseased animals during diagnostic medical examination. Serum amyloid A, measured by ELISA, followed by albumin:globulin ratio, measured by plasma gel electrophoresis, were most sensitive in diagnosing inflammatory disease, with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of approximately 90%. The reference interval for serum amyloid A is <10–50 μg/ml with an equivocal interval of 51–70 μg/ml. The reference interval for albumin:globulin ratio by plasma gel electrophoresis is 0.7–1.1. Albumin: globulin ratio, calculated using biochemical techniques, was not accurate due to overestimation of albumin by bromcresol green dye-binding methodology. Albumin:globulin ratio, measured by serum gel electrophoresis, has a low sensitivity of 15% due to the lack of fibrinogen in the sample. Haptoglobin, measured by hemoglobin titration, had a reference interval of 0.4–2.4 mg/ml, a diagnostic sensitivity of 60%, and a diagnostic specificity of 93%. The haptoglobin assay is significantly affected by hemolysis. Fibrinogen, measured by heat precipitation, has a reference interval of 100–400 mg/dl, a diagnostic sensitivity of 40%, and a diagnostic specificity of 95%.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine↗
Regional landslide-hazard evaluation using landslide slopes, Western Wasatch County, Utah
Landsliding has historically been one of the most damaging geologic hazards in western Wasatch County, Utah. Accordingly, we mapped and analyzed landslides (slumps and debris slides) in the area to provide an empirical basis for regional landslide-hazard evaluation. The 336 landslides in the 250-sq-mi (650-km 2 ) area involve 20 geologic units, including Mississippian- to Quaternary-aged rock and unconsolidated deposits. Landsliding in western Wasatch County is characterized by a strong correlation between geologic material and landslide-slope inclination. From a simple statistical analysis of overall slope inclinations of late Holocene landslides, we determined “critical” slope inclinations above which late Holocene landsliding has typically occurred and used these as the primary basis for defining relative landslide hazard. The critical slopes vary for individual geologic units and range from 15 to 50 percent (9°–27°). The critical slope values and landslide locations were used in conjunction with geologic and slope maps to construct qualitative landslide-susceptibility maps for use by county planners. The maps delineate areas of low, moderate, and high relative hazard and indicate where studies should be completed prior to development to evaluate site-specific slope-stability conditions. Critical slopes as determined in this study provide a consistent empirical reference that is useful for evaluating relative landslide hazard and guiding land-use-planning decisions in large, geologically complex areas.
Utah↗
Geologic hazards of the Wasatch Front, Utah
The results of recent and ongoing research into six significant geologic hazards of the Wasatch Front region will be summarized on this field trip, including: (1) surface fault rupture on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault zone; (2) seismic site response in the Salt Lake Valley, including ground shaking and liquefaction; (3) liquefaction-induced landsliding at the Farmington Siding landslide complex; (4) lake flooding along the shores of Great Salt Lake; (5) debris-flow deposition on alluvial fans at the base of the Wasatch Range; and (6) landsliding in the Ogden area. The trip will provide an opportunity to discuss the scientific, engineering, and administrative aspects involved in geologic-hazard evaluation in this rapidly growing region.
Brigham Young University Geology Studies↗