To SPAC or Not to SPAC: Liberalizing the Regulation of Capital Markets

The merger and acquisition world has experienced an uptick in deal flow since 2016, reaching unprecedented levels in 2020 due to enhanced private equity funding and market volatility. While the market volatility spurred by COVID-19 halted traditional initial public offerings (IPOs), the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) market exploded. The flurry of SPAC activity in the United States triggered the development of SPAC markets worldwide. Unfortunately, SPACs’ great rise to fame in the past few years has come at a cost-—fraud. As such, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is left grappling with how to best regulate the market moving forward, avoiding a return to rampant fraud that plagued the market in the 1980s. This Note assesses the current SPAC regulatory framework in the United States and abroad. The solution suggests that capital markets should impose modest preventative measures that enable SPACs to occupy their own sphere in capital markets while also affording greater investor protections

Determining the distribution of antibiotic resistant and fecal indicator bacteria in the Ohio River

The Ohio River extends 981 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, Ill providing drinking water to over three million people, a natural habitat for aquatic life, a public recreation resource, a major transportation route, and a source of water for industry. The Guyandotte River is a highly impacted tributary emptying into the Ohio River in Huntington, WV. The objectives of this study were to determine if sediment load is correlated to the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and determine if a single surface sample is a sufficient representative measurement of ARB populations in a large river. In 2007, subsurface and bottom water samples from the Ohio River were analyzed for total coliforms, E. coli, as well as tetracycline resistant and ciprofloxacin resistant coliforms and E. coli. In 2008, samples were collected from the mouth of the Guyandotte River and the mainstem Ohio River via SCUBA. Samples wereanalyzed for coliforms and E. coli using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000©. The R2A plate count method was used to determine antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and virginiamycin. Water chemistry and sediment data were also collected. SigmaStat 3.5 and Statistica 8.0 were used to analyze and detect significant differences between sites and samples. Results show that depth and sediment were not contributing factors; however, location was a factor due to the direct input of water and bacteria from the tributary. Intense sampling may beneeded in order to detect the impact of a source as well as in determining whether water quality standards are met at that location

A needs assessment of West Virginia environmental educators: West Virginia Environmental Education Association and West Virginia University County Extension Agents

West Virginia is a state full of a variety of environmental education (EE) programs---both formal and nonformal. However, in order to be effective, educators must have the most updated and user friendly resources readily accessible through various supporting organizations or agencies. The WVEEA is a new state-wide group dedicated to improving EE programs, and supporting EE through its members.;The ultimate goal of EE programs is to improve environmental literacy and foster environmentally responsible behavior. Environmental literacy gives people the awareness, knowledge, ability, motivation, commitment and skill to work with others to resolve environmental problems and prevent new ones. EE activities can also improve communication, group processes, and problem-solving skills to help prepare a society-ready youth.;This present study examined the needs of environmental educators in West Virginia---defined as those individuals associated with the WVEEA. The purpose of this study is to identify those individuals and organizations that provide EE in West Virginia and gather specific information about EE providers in WV (types of programs provided, audiences, etc). In addition, the educators were asked about barriers and needs, in order to enhance their programs for the future and to aid in their professional development.;In August and September 2008, surveys were mailed to all the contacts in the WVEEA\u27s database and every West Virginia extension agent. These contacts were asked to fill out the surveys and mail them back. The survey included questions that addressed program descriptions, demographics, resource and professional development needs and program barriers

The Status and Distribution of Invasive Crayfishes and Their Effects on Native Crayfish Communities in West Virginia

Introductions of non-native crayfish species have resulted in the global decline of native crayfish populations, including those in North America. The last large survey of crayfishes from West Virginia was in 1988 and 1989. In this thorough document Raymond Jezerinac, Whitney Stocker, and Donald Tarter identified three separate areas in West Virginia where non-native crayfish species have been introduced. One area is located in the Potomac River drainage in northeastern West Virginia commonly referred to as the eastern panhandle of the state. This is also the only drainage in West Virginia where the native spiny cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) occurs. A survey of this area in 1988 and 1989 resulted in the capture of 14 O. limosus individuals and an abundance of the non-native virile crayfish (O. virilis). In 2005 and 2006, crayfish were collected from streams within the West Virginia portion of O. limosus range, including locations where previously documented captures had occurred. The absence of O. limosus and abundance of O. virilis in the surveys conducted indicate extirpation of populations from this portion of its range. These data along with similar accounts of invasive crayfishes in West Virginia including the rusty crayfish (O. rusticus) and decline of native crayfish populations prompted surveys in each drainage where invasive crayfishes have been documented in West Virginia: The Potomac River drainage in northeast West Virginia, the New River Gorge National River and tributaries, and the Kanawha/Ohio River and tributaries. Results from the three study areas suggest non-native crayfishes are actively expanding their range and displacing native crayfish populations in West Virginia

Rethinking the Orientation Communication Methodology

The purpose of this paper is to describe how utilizing a comprehensive orientation communications plan can provide a tangible return on investment (ROI) and create a welcoming and knowledgeable atmosphere for students. The information presented is based on the author’s experience in the development of an orientation communication experience

Bio-efficacy of hydroxy-selenomethionine as a selenium supplement in pregnant dairy heifers and on the selenium status of their calves

This study aimed to determine the effects of supplementing pregnant heifers with the organic selenium source 2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic acid (HMSeBA) during last eight weeks of pregnancy on dam and calf Se status. A total of 42 in-calf heifers were recruited to the study and randomly allocated to one of three treatments; a negative control (Con), sodium selenite (NaSe) or HMSeBA. Animals were blocked by body weight, body condition score, and expected calving date prior to treatment allocation. Following enrollment all animals underwent a seven week wash-out period after which they received their respective supplements, topped dressed daily onto a basal diet for the last eight weeks of pregnancy. Heifer blood samples were taken at weekly intervals from enrollment until two weeks before expected calving date, and as soon as possible after calving for determination of whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) and plasma selenium (Se) and malondealdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Selenized amino acids were determined in plasma samples taken at three weeks pre-calving. A colostrum sample was taken as close to parturition as possible for determination of colostrum total Se, selenized amino acid, and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration. Calves were blood sampled as close to birth as possible for determination of whole blood GSH-Px activity and plasma Se and MDA concentration. Differences in whole blood GSH-Px activity did not become apparent until calving; GSH-Px activity was lowest in Con heifers (P < 0.05) but similar between NaSe and HMSeBA. Plasma Se was lowest in unsupplemented heifers and greatest in those supplemented with HMSeBA (P < 0.001) and this was attributable to greater selenomethionine concentrations in the plasma of HMSeBA heifers (P < 0.01). Colostrum Se was lowest in Con heifers and greatest in HMSeBA (P < 0.001), the greater Se concentration of HMSeBA heifers was attributable to a greater proportion of total Se comprising selenocysteine (P = 0.061), the reason for this is not known. There was no effect of supplementation on colostrum IgG concentration. Plasma Se was lowest in those calves born to Con heifers and greatest in those born to HMSeBA heifers (P < 0.001). There were no effects of treatment on calf whole blood GSH-Px activity or plasma MDA concentration. The enhanced Se status associated with HMSeBA supplementation is likely a consequence of selenomethionine supply and may confer benefits to both the dam and her calf post-partum

Body condition score, weight variation and reproductive performance of beef cows in rangelands from the Pantanal region

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência do escore de condição corporal (ECC) sobre a eficiência reprodutiva de vacas de cria nos períodos pré e pós-parto e a probabilidade de parição, usando o escore de condição corporal e a variação ponderal no período crítico do ciclo reprodutivo. Utilizaram-se 248 vacas multíparas mantidas em pastagens nativas distribuídas em quatro estratégias de suplementação: mistura mineral (controle); suplemento farelado; suplemento líquido; suplemento líquido para vacas e bezerros. As avaliações de peso e ECC, na escala de 1 a 9, foram realizadas no período crítico: em agosto (período pré-parto, 60-90 dias antes da parição) e em janeiro (período pós-parto e reprodutivo) durante quatro anos consecutivos. Para a análise dos anos consecutivos de reprodução, criou-se um escore de reprodução, ou seja, somou-se o número de parições de cada vaca durante os quatro anos pecuários avaliados. O escore de condição corporal nos períodos pré e pós-parto e a idade da vaca influenciaram o escore de reprodução. Portanto, para avaliação da probabilidade de parição, foram utilizadas todas as vacas, classificadas em paridas e vazias. Utilizando equações de estimação generalizadas (EEG), foi modelada a probabilidade de as matrizes serem classificadas como paridas considerando variáveis exploratórias ao longo do tempo. Para se obter probabilidade de parição superior a 80%, as vacas devem possuir escore de aproximadamente 5,5 no período pré-parto. Aproximadamente 60% das vacas paridas mantiveram ou ganharam peso no período crítico do ano, o que levou a maior probabilidade de reconcepção, similar ao observado para as vacas vazias, porém com probabilidade menor de parição. O período pré-parto é o melhor para estimar a probabilidade de parição das vacas por meio da avaliação do escore corporal. A seleção de vacas adaptadas às condições bioclimáticas do Pantanal aumenta a probabilidade de produção de um bezerro por vaca por ano. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body condition score (BCS) on reproductive performance of beef cows before and after calving and to evaluate the calving probability using body condition score and weight variation during critical periods of the cow reproductive cycle. From 2001 to 2005, the body condition score was recorded in 248 multiparous cows raised in native pastures, submitted to different supplementation treatments (mineral mixture only - control; dry supplement; liquid supplement and liquid supplement for cow and calves). Weighing and body condition evaluation were made on a 1-9 point scale in August (prepartum period, 60-90 days before parturition) and January (postpartum and reproductive period). A reproduction score was created in function of the body scores in four consecutive years. Except for the treatment, the other factors (body condition score in the prepartum and postpartum periods and cow age) influenced the reproduction score. Thus, the calving probabilities were estimated for all cows. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the calving probability in function of the exploratory variables over time. Calving probability higher than 80% was obtained when cows scored 5,5 before calving. In relation to weight, the results showed that about 60% of calving cows maintained or gained weight in the postpartum period, leading to increase in the rebreeding probability. Similar situation occurred with single cows; however, the calving probability was lower. These results indicate that the calving probability using BCS is better estimated before calving. Furthermore, it indicates the presence of cows more adapted to the Pantanal climatic and feeding conditions than others