Benzalkonium Chloride and Benzethonium Chloride Effectively Reduce Spore Germination of Ginger Soft Rot Pathogens: Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum

Ginger soft rot is a serious soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, resulting in reduced crop yields. The application of common chemical fungicides is considered to be an effective method of sterilization, and therefore, they pose a serious threat to the environment and human health due to their high toxicity. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and benzethonium chloride (BEC) are two popular quaternary ammonium salts with a wide range of fungicidal effects. In this study, we investigated the fungicidal effects of BAC and BEC on soft rot disease of ginger as alternatives to common chemical fungicides. Two soft rot pathogens of ginger were successfully isolated from diseased ginger by using the spread plate method and sequenced as F. solani and F. oxysporum using the high-throughput fungal sequencing method. We investigated the fungicidal effects of BAC and BEC on F. solani and F. oxysporum, and we explored the antifungal mechanisms. Almost complete inactivation of spores of F. solani and F. oxysporum was observed at 100 mg/L fungicide concentration. Only a small amount of spore regrowth was observed after the inactivation treatment of spores of F. solani and F. oxysporum in soil, which proved that BAC and BEC have the potential to be used as an alternative to common chemical fungicides for soil disinfection of diseased ginger.

Inclusive DFT insight into sensing mechanism of cyclotetrapyrole towards lung irritants

The development of smart sensing devices for toxic analytes detection especially lung irritants is much essential. The cyclic conducting polymers having infinite π-conjugation are proved to be highly sensitive for toxic analytes. Herein, by using the DFT approach, we investigated the sensing mechanism of cyclotetrapyrole (CTPy) for accurate detection of phosgene, diphosgene, chloropicrin and chlorine at the B3LYP-D3/6-31 + G (d, p) level. The calculated interaction energies show the physisorption of analytes over the CTPy surface. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and charge decomposition (CDA) analyses predict charge transfer interactions in the complexes. The reduced density gradient (RDG) approach reveals that hydrogen bonding interactions dominate in the complexes. The sensitivity of CTPy towards lung irritants is further illustrated by the reduction in HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, red shifting of [Formula: see text] in UV-Visible spectra. Density of state (DOS) analysis affirm that enhanced conductivity upon complexation is due to the origination of new energy states in occupied and virtual orbitals nearer to the Fermi level. Moreover, PDOS spectra show that CTPy primarily contributes to the energy of HOMO. The outcome of the current study depicts appreciable sensitivity of CTPy towards lung irritants. Moreover, the competing role of naturally occurring atmospheric water is also investigated. We believe that the upshot of the current findings and their forecasts will provide useful guidelines for an experimentalist to design highly sensitive sensors for toxic analytes using CTPy. HIGHLIGHTS: • The highest QNBO transfer towards the analyte (- 0.121) is seen in the chlorine@CTPy complex. • The highest reduction in Eg (61%) between occupied and virtual orbitals is noticed in chlorine@CTPy. • The orbital overlap results in a 41% red shifting of [Formula: see text] in chlorine@CTPy. • Cyclotetrapyrole is highly sensitive for chlorine.

Dermal absorption of fumigant gases during HAZMAT incident exposure scenarios—Methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride, and chloropicrin

Accidental or intentional releases of toxic gases or vapors are the most common occurrence in hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents that result in human injuries. The most serious hazard from exposure to gases or vapors is via the respiratory system. Dermal uptake, as a secondary route, is still a concern, most acutely for the unprotected public. There is a limited evidence base describing skin absorption of toxic gases and vapors in HAZMAT exposure scenarios, which are relatively brief compared with traditional test periods for skin absorption studies. We describe research designed to provide experimental data to support decision-making by first responders regarding skin decontamination in HAZMAT-focused exposure scenarios involving toxic gases. We present findings for three common fumigants, methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride, and chloropicrin assessed using an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in vitro toxicology protocol utilizing human skin and gas/vapor exposures. Results indicate that for atmospheric concentrations that would be lethal via inhalation (LCLo), intact skin provides an excellent barrier to exposures up to 30 min, with little influence of common clothing fabric and high temperature and humidity conditions. The findings may challenge the current HAZMAT dogma requiring mass personal decontamination by strip and shower for short-term exposures to sulfuryl fluoride and chloropicrin gas/vapor.

Quantitative analysis of animal-welfare outcomes in helicopter shooting: a case study with feral dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Context Helicopter shooting is a common and effective tool for reducing overabundant wildlife populations. However, there is little quantitative information on the humaneness of the method, leading to uncertainty in wildlife-management policy. There is, subsequently, a need for an improved understanding of the welfare implications of helicopter shooting. Aim A study was undertaken to infer the humaneness of helicopter shooting for a case study species, the feral dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). Methods Seven post-mortem studies (n = 715) and one ante-mortem study (n = 192) were undertaken during routine helicopter shooting programs of free-ranging camels. In these studies, we measured four animal-welfare parameters to allow inference on the humaneness of the technique. These parameters were time to death, instantaneous death rate (proportion of animals for which time to death = 0), wounding rate and location of bullet-wound tract. We also modelled these welfare variables against hypothesised explanatory variables to assist improvement of future programs. Key results The mean wounding rate was 0.4%, and the killing efficacy of the technique was 99.6%. Mean time to death was 4 s, and mean instantaneous death rate was 83%. Each animal displayed a mean 2.4 bullet-wound tracts, with 75%, 63% and 35% of animals shot at least once in the thorax, cranium and cervical spine, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that the identity of the shooter and the nature of the local vegetation were the most important factors associated with an animal experiencing an inferred instantaneous death or not. Conclusions Helicopter shooting of feral camels produces a very low wounding rate and rapid time to death. Shooter identity is the most important consideration for determining animal-welfare outcomes. Improvements to the humaneness of programs can be made by increasing the rigour of shooter selection and training. Implications Wildlife killing methods must be demonstrated to be humane to receive public support; however, few shooting methods are objectively examined. Helicopter shooting can be independently examined and operators assessed. Adoption of this examination template may allow continual improvement by industry as well as increasing societal acceptance of helicopter shooting.

Performance and humaneness of chloropicrin, phosphine and carbon monoxide as rabbit-warren fumigants

Concerns about the humaneness and efficacy of chloropicrin (CLPN) and phosphine (PH3) as warren fumigants for the control of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) prompted this investigation into the field performance and humaneness of carbon monoxide (CO) as an alternative fumigant. Comparative trials were performed in a naturally formed 1.3-m3 warren fitted with gas, temperature and humidity sensors as well as infrared cameras and microphones. Trials used concentrations of 5% and 6% CO introduced at 400 L min−1, and standard field practices for CLPN and PH3. Rabbits exposed to CLPN displayed signs of intense irritation and extreme distress during a lethal toxicosis lasting a mean of 82.5 min, supporting previous conclusions that CLPN causes suffering. Phosphine gas killed 10 of 12 rabbits, in a mean of 225.3 min. This relatively poor performance was attributed to the low rate of gas production and passive diffusion through the warren, reflected in highly variable warren concentrations between trials. Phosphine caused greater agitation on the onset of first symptoms than did CO; however, the behavioural symptoms after collapse were broadly similar. Carbon monoxide dispersed evenly in the warren, caused no immediate irritation or distress and produced a gradual stupor before unconsciousness and death. Concentrations of 6% CO killed rabbits almost three times faster than 5% CO, suggesting that relatively small increments of concentration and exposure time are crucial in obtaining a consistently rapid death. A concentration of 6% CO caused death in 8 of 10 rabbits in a mean of 28.3 min; some 2.9 and 8 times faster than CLPN and PH3 respectively. The time from collapse until death did not appear to be appreciably different for PH3 and 6% CO. The present study demonstrated that CO has potential as a rapid-acting, humane and effective fumigant for rabbit control.

Wildlife Research in a changing world

Wildlife populations on both land and in the sea are under increasing pressure from both direct and indirect anthropogenic impacts. Threats to wildlife, such as over-exploitation, habitat loss, invasive species, infectious disease and climate change persist; yet in some situations, wildlife populations are the subject of management to reduce their unwanted impacts on economic, agricultural and conservation interests. The contrasting requirements of declining and overabundant populations, sometimes existing as part of the same ecosystem, mean that wildlife management needs to be viewed increasingly as part of an integrated social–ecological system. Moreover, solutions to wildlife-management problems may require new combinations of ecological knowledge, technological innovation and an understanding of the social and economic factors involved. The disciplinary scope of Wildlife Research will be broadening to reflect these changes. Wildlife Research has tended to focus on terrestrial systems in the past, but research approaches and findings are increasingly relevant across different environments, and consequently, we will also be expanding our coverage of freshwater and marine systems. We are planning to publish at least one Special Issue each year, to highlight new areas of research and the increasing internationalisation of wildlife management, and we welcome suggestions for these. We are also pleased to be able to offer fast-track publication of papers that contain results of high topical significance or policy relevance. We hope that the increased topical, disciplinary and geographical coverage of Wildlife Research will enhance its position as one of the leading international journals in applied ecology and environmental management.