The scientific interest in chiropteran species has increased in recent years due to the observed declines in populations of these species worldwide. Several factors (e.g. climate change, habitat fragmentation, roost loss, urbanization and agricultural intensification, the increase in wind turbines, the pressure of disease and exposure to chemicals in the environment) have been identified as potential stressors on bat populations. In addition, bats are highly beneficial to ecosystems and agriculture.
Bats are expected to receive high chemical exposure as they are long-lived organisms and small flying mammals with a high metabolic rate. Only a few studies have focused on the toxic effects of metals to bats whereas the effect of organic compounds have received more interest. These few studies on bats have shown a wide range of symptoms observed in intoxicated bats such as histological lesions in different organs and tissues (kidneys, spleen, lungs,brain) and mortality following exposure to Pb, Cd and Zn.
The overall aim of this project was to explore the risks of soil-associated metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) to insectivorous bats. The main objectives are presented below.
1. How to assess the risks of soil-associated metal to bats ?
The spatially explicit modelling framework was developed, parameterized and applied to assess the risks of soil-associated metals (Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd) to Pipistrellus sp. bats in England and Wales. The metal uptake route considered in the model is from soils into invertebrates and then into bats. Information on soil metal concentration, uptake into prey items, bat diet, foraging behaviour, the bat distribution and toxicity of metal to bats are integrated into the modelling framework to assess exposure and the exposure predictions are then compared with toxicological data to establish the level of risk.
2. Does metal exposure pose a risk to the health of British bat species ? What are the key drivers of risk ?
The modelling framework was extended to assess risks of metals to the health of 14 additional bat species present in the UK. Information on bat ecology: diet, foraging behaviour, bat distribution for the different bat species and the metal uptake into different insect prey items were compiled for different bat species. The relative vulnerability of the different bat species was discussed and the main ecological parameters driving risk were identified through a systematic evaluation of the model.
Environmental Pollution, 2015, In press.
3. Is metal exposure contributing to declines in bat populations ? How to verify our model predictions ?
A large monitoring campaign to assess the level of metals in bat (Pipistrellus sp.) (n=193 individuals) tissues (Kidneys, liver, stomach, fur and bones) was conducted across a gradient of soil metal pollution in England and Wales. The individuals were provided from the Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Surrey, UK. The tissue concentrations were measured with ICP-MS. Tissue concentrations were compared with toxicity data for small mammals to assess the potential concern for bat health. The developed dataset was also used to evaluate our modelling framework predictions to verify whether the individuals identified as "at risk" by the model contained higher metal levels in their tissues than the bats not identified at risk.
Further reading: available on request.
4. Is fur a valuable less-invasive tool to monitor metal contamination in bat populations ?
The environmental risk assessment of wildlife species needs monitoring studies, however these are highly time and cost consuming and are highly submitted to ethical constraints. The use of fur samples was assessed as a less-invasive tool to monitor metal contamination in bat population.
5. Is the bioaccessibility varying across different food types ? What are the implications for environmental risk assessment ?
To assess the metal bioaccessible fraction from insects to bats, an In vitro gastric model was developed. The differences in bioaccessibility across different insect types: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera were then investigated using the in vitro system. The insects investigated comprised the major part of the diet of bats living in England and Wales. The implications of the observed differences in bioaccessibility, between insect orders, for environmental risk assessment were explored.
6. Predicting the threats of chemicals to wildlife: What are the challenges?
The main limitations and issues encountered while developing and parameterizing the food chain model to predict the threats of metals to wildlife species are discussed in "Predicting the threats of chemicals to wildlife: What are the challenges?" http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.198/abstract.
Hernout, B.V., Pietravalle, S., Arnold, K.E., McClean, C.J., Aegerter, J., and Boxall, A.B., 2015. Interspecies variation in the risks of metals to bats. Environmental Pollution, In press.
Hernout, B.V., Bowman, S.R., Weaver, R., Jayasinghe, C.J., and Boxall, A.B.A, 2015. Implications of in vitro bioaccessibility differences for the assessment of risks of metals to bats. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 34(4): pages 898–906.
Hernout, B.V., Somerwill, K.E., Arnold, K.E., McClean, C.J., and Boxall, A.B.A. , 2013. A spatially-based modeling framework for assessing the risks of soil-associated metals to bats. Environmental Pollution, 173 :110-116.
Hernout, B.V., McClean, C.J., Arnold, K.E., Walls, M., Baxter, M., and Boxall, A.B.A. Fur: a non-invasive approach to monitor metal exposure in bats.
· "Assessing metal bioaccessibility from invertebrates to bats using an In Vitro Gastric Model", CREAM Open Conference, Leipzig, Germany, June 2013.
· "Predicting exposure of bats to soil-associated metals: Model evaluation", SETAC Europe, Glasgow, UK, May 2013.
· "Predicting exposure of Pipistrellus sp. to soil-associated metals", SETAC North America, Boston, US, November, 2011.
· "Predicting exposure of Pipistrellus sp. to soil-associated metals", CREAM Mid-term meeting, Krakow, Poland, September 2011.
· "Modelling the effects of soil contaminants on bats", SETAC 2nd Young Environmental Scientists Meeting, Aachen, Germany, March 2011.
Boyles, J.G., Cryan, P.M., McCracken, G.F., and Kunz, T.H., 2011. Economic importance of bats in agriculture. Science, 332(6025): 41-42.
Hickey, M.B.C., Fenton, M.B., MacDonald, K.C., and Soulliere, C., 2001. Trace elements in the fur of bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 66: 699-706.
Kaufman, C.A., Bennett, J. R., Koch, I., and Reimer, K.J. , 2007. Lead bioaccessibility in food web intermediates and the influence on ecological risk characterization. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(16): 5902-5907; DOI 10.1021/es062443u.
Walker, L.A., Simpson, V.R., Rockett, L., Wienburg, C.L., and Shore, R.F., 2007. Heavy metal contamination in bats in Britain. Environmental Pollution, 148: 483-490.
Current : Post-doctoral research associate in the Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America.


Baldwin Beach is known for its beautiful sandy beach that stretches for approximately 1/2 of a mile with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. Recreation opportunities include swimming and picnicking. The beach is also a popular launching point for kayakers heading to Emerald Bay. Kayak rentals are available on-site. The beach is on National Forest land and is managed by concessionaire California Land Management under a US Forest Service special use permit. Fees are $8.00/vehicle.
PET OWNERS: Dogs are prohibited in the swimming beach.


Logan Perkes lives in Austin and is a social worker. She has an MFA in nonfiction and has published essays and poems in many journals, including Post Road and Third Coast. Logan loves to travel whenever she can.


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CLS Holdings Announces Opening of THC Extraction and Production Facility
Download as PDF December 05, 2019 6:30am EST
LAS VEGAS, NV, Dec. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB: CLSH, CSE: CLSH) ("CLS" or the ''Company''), a diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, is pleased to announce that, through its 100% owned City Trees subsidiary, it has completed the buildout and licensing for phase 1 of its North Las Vegas processing facility.
The new, state-of-the-art extraction and production facility allows CLS to produce its own THC oil for use in all City Trees branded products. CLS also expects to partner with 3rd party organizations interested in having their products manufactured at the newly licensed facility.
The new manufacturing facility passed inspection with the North Las Vegas Fire Department for its phase 1 Hydrocarbon extraction and processing. This marks two key paths forward for the Company to capture and produce live and cured resin products for the burgeoning Nevada market and to utilize this manufacturing method to separate cannabis derived terpenes for current and future products.
"We continue to strategically enhance our City Trees brand and our new manufacturing facility represents yet another milestone to our Las Vegas operations," commented Andrew Glashow, President and COO of CLS Holdings. "By producing our own full spectrum of THC oil and THC distillate, we anticipate expanding the City Trees branded product offerings while never wavering from delivering safe products in accordance with our high quality and purity standards."
Founded in 2017, City Trees is a Nevada-based cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company. Offering a wide variety of products with consistent results, City Trees is one the fastest growing wholesale companies in the industry. Its products are now available at 40 dispensaries.
This press release contains certain ''forward-looking information'' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and ''forward-looking statements'' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the ''forward-looking statements''). These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance, and anticipated growth, including the timing of anticipated construction and implementation of our expansion plan. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as ''may,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''intends,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''goals,'' ''projects,'' ''anticipates,'' ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''predicts,'' ''potential,'' or ''continue'' or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance and we cannot guaranty that the proposed transactions described in this press release will occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details.
Released December 5, 2019

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Perfect for the patio or terrace, this modular set allows buyers to create the outdoor seating they desire with units that come together to create an L shaped corner sofa, an armchair and coffee table. Fashioned from polywood, a timber-styled material that is made from recycled plastic, the Bosham Corner Sofa Set has some serious impressive credentials when it comes to using recycled materials and the polywood manufacture makes this set completely weatherproof too. Finished with gorgeous showerproof, linen look cushions in soothing soft grey, the Bosham Corner Sofa Set makes any outdoor space look incredibly inviting - perfect for long summer evenings and a spot of entertaining. A fantastic addition to your stock of outdoor furniture that would look fabulous in the conservatory or garden room too.
We know you won't be able to resist adding this to your garden furniture offering. The St Mawes Drinks/Planter Table is a reclaimed teak garden table of generous proportions with an inbuilt central aluminium trough - perfect for filling with ice and keeping the wine bottles chilled or even planted up with flowers as a stunning floral centrepiece! Built to last, this table is extremely hardwearing, substantial as well as stylish and boasts a removeable top too. It will prove to be a real gem in your outdoor furniture range.
Crafted from chunky reclaimed timber, this round dining table is built to last and guaranteed to transform any outdoor space. Adding to its uber stylish raw finish and weathered appearance is an integral galvanised metal ice bowl in its centre - perfect for serving and storing drinks whilst entertaining. Versatile as well as stylish, the round bowl could be used to create a stunning floral display as this dining table's centrepiece or planted up with spring bulbs for a touch of colour. Seating between 4-6 people comfortably, the St Mawes Round Drinks Planter Table is bound to impress the buyers and turn any garden into a stylish al fresco dining space in seconds.
planning an afternoon of relaxation when you spy our Chilgrove XL arm chair. Created from PE Rattan, it's durable and able to resist the odd shower, making t the perfect garden chair to sit in, take time to unwind and watch your garden grow. With its matching cushion in a neutral shade of brown, this garden arm chair provides comfort and contemporary style and will have you finding all sorts of excuses to sink into it.
H82 x W73 x D65cm.


Does God really want you to have that 52 million dollar jet? Did God really say he wanted you to have a new wife and get rid of the old one? What is the church's response to so-called preachers who pull this sort of stuff. Just a few stray thoughts on the subject.
This entry was posted in podcasts and tagged Quick Thoughts on June 1, 2018 by revleejjohnson.


Chamomile flowers are famous for their relaxing properties and smooth brew that is both gentle to the body and calms the mind. This herbal tea of pure Chamomile buds will help you relax and unwind at the end of your day.
20 individually foil wrapped tea-bags. 30g net.


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Q: Tool for gathering and querying for text statistics per date At the firm we have some kind of chat application and we want to track users` input in it.
We want to be able to get statistics like "most commonly entered texts" with an option to select time period for the statistics. It would also be nice to have an option to provide additional dimensions like users` gender and get statistic like "most commonly entered text by women in november".
Let's assume the traffic is quite heavy (1 000 000 texts / day) and queries need to be very perfomant.
What would be the best tool/database to store/query such statistics?

A: I would sugest you use a search plaltform for that such as Solr or  Elasticsearch:
http://lucene.apache.org/solr/
https://www.elastic.co
After you index the data you want to query, this is stupidly fast.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) recently introduced HB 383 in the Ohio House. This bill would extend subpoena power to City Attorneys and would give them similar investigative powers that County Prosecutors now possess.
The purpose of the proposed bill from the sponsor's standpoint would be to provide another tool for a city law director to use in cases that are specific to a municipality. For example, these cases may include when a victim of a crime could be subpoenaed and is reluctant to discuss the case. Another example could be in housing cases to subpoena landlords in order to cure housing violations and related issues to vacant/abandoned properties.
Grossman said, "We're trying to support law enforcement. I look at it that if there's some type of crime that's been committed; I want to make sure that we make as many tools available to help solve who was the offender." She indicated she hopes more subpoenas would help solve crimes such as robberies or shootings.
Euclid City law director Chris Frey discussed the possibilities of using the subpoena power in dealing with property issues. He recently told Cleveland.com, "We have a lot of commercial property owners who've walked away and essentially ignored properties. They're out of state." Frey indicated that getting the records would help clean up the neighborhood "blight".
One of the groups opposing such a bill is the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Their executive director John Murphy does not favor extending subpoena power to city law directors which he indicated could cause bureaucratic confusion and interference between a County Prosecutor and Municipal Law Director.
House bill 383 was introduced in the Ohio House Judiciary committee and its initial hearing was held January 22nd.


I was born in Ottawa, Canada, but spent a large chunk of my childhood in Istanbul, Turkey. I've also been lucky enough to live in Montreal, Toronto, British Columbia, Zurich, Hong Kong, London, Swansea, Exeter, and on a boat in the Mediterranean.
I studied Oceanography and Zoology at University, and started my working life in banking. After 14 years, I re-retrained as a secondary school teacher, specialising in Maths and Science. In 2009 I shifted to work as a professional sailor, delivering RYA courses, delivering boats and working for a mental health sailing charity.
In 2015 I set up Blue Albatross Coaching. I now offer Coaching and Training to Personal and Business clients.
Throughout my life the 2 key elements that have prevailed are a love of the water and a love of helping people learn and grow. I have dreamed of being able to make a living by combining these two and I have set up Blue Albatross to chase this dream.