Letter to Leah Chanin regarding seminars and workshops, July 27, 1972

A letter from Marian Boner to Leah Chanin encouraging Chapters to plan and hold workshops, seminars, and other educational opportunities

Bottom of the heap: having heavier competitors accelerates early-life telomere loss in the European starling, sturnus vulgaris

Early-life adversity is associated with poorer health and survival in adulthood in humans and other animals. One pathway by which early-life environmental stressors could affect the adult phenotype is via effects on telomere dynamics. Several studies have shown that early-life adversity is associated with relatively short telomeres, but these are often cross-sectional and usually correlational in design. Here, we present a novel experimental system for studying the relationship between early-life adversity and telomere dynamics using a wild bird, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). We used cross-fostering to experimentally assign sibling chicks to either small or large broods for twelve days of the growth period. We measured telomere length in red blood cells using quantitative PCR near the beginning of the experimental manipulation (4 days old), at the end of the experimental manipulation (15 days old), and once the birds were independent (55 days old). Being in a larger brood slowed growth and retarded wing development and the timing of fledging. We found no evidence that overall brood size affected telomere dynamics. However, the greater the number of competitors above the focal bird in the within-brood size hierarchy, the greater was the telomere loss during the period of the experimental manipulation. The number of competitors below the focal in the hierarchy had no effect. The effect of heavier competitors was still evident when we controlled for the weight of the focal bird at the end of the manipulation, suggesting it was not due to retarded growth per se. Moreover, the impact of early competition on telomeres was still evident at independence, suggesting persistence beyond early life. Our study provides experimental support for the hypothesis that social stress, in this case induced by the presence of a greater number of dominant competitors, accelerates the rate of telomere loss

Autism Spectrum Disorder: How Parents use Behavior Modification With Their Children

This qualitative research study explores how parents use behavior modifications with their children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Seven participants, who are mothers of children diagnosed with autism, were interviewed for this study. This research found that essentially, parents use different techniques applied in various ways in specific situations based on the uniqueness of their child and the behaviors displayed. Several themes emerged from this study which includes: challenging behaviors, behavior modifications used, behavior modification becomes a way of life, the need to individualize behavior modifications, behavior modifications will change as the child changes, challenges of having a child with autism, coping strategies, advice to professionals, and finding the joys. The respondents displayed creativity and resiliency in their use of behavior modifications for their children. The challenging behaviors displayed varied among different types of behaviors such as sensory-related, verbally and physically aggressive conduct, lack of social skills, and obsessive behaviors. Additionally, each child had unique characteristics which required techniques to be tailored to him/her. This research study provides further implications to social work practice, in that autism spectrum disorder affects the entire family and supports and resources should encompass the system as a whole. Additionally, social workers must stay abreast on the newest research regarding autism spectrum disorder to provide the best practices

The effect of nest abundance of Loggerhead turtles on the nest predation rate of ghost crabs in Cabo Verde

The Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is facing intense nest predation globally. The subpopulation nesting on the Cabo Verde Archipelago, which is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN List, has been encountering high predation rates caused by ghost crabs (Ocypode cursor), the main predator on these oceanic islands. This study investigates the effect of nest abundance of Loggerheads on nest predation by ghost crabs on Boa Vista, Cabo Verde, from 2013 to 2021. Boa Vista hosts around 60% of the Loggerhead nests in Cabo Verde which is one of the world's largest Loggerhead rookeries. The nest abundance was recorded during night patrol and daily beach surveys at dawn. The predation of ghost crabs was evaluated using natural Loggerhead nests that were checked daily for any evidence of predation, inundation, erosion, or any other relevant disturbances to the nest. The clutch size of these nests was counted during oviposition and the nests were exhumed after the incubation period to assess the number of hatched, enclosed, and missing eggs. The interannual variability in Loggerhead nests was high, ranging from 1123 to 33496 nests. The nest mortality by crab predation was strongly negatively correlated to the nest abundance. Seasons with a low nest abundance showed high crab predation rates of up to 75%, whereas in seasons with high nest abundance crab predation rates as low as 4% were observed. Higher nest abundance might exceed the capacity to consume sea turtle eggs of the ghost crab population on the studied beach. Through predator satiation caused by high nest abundance, the risk of predation and the extent of the predation may be reduced. The findings give an interesting insight into this predator-prey interaction but also highlight the importance of conservation efforts in reducing predation, especially for areas and seasons with low sea turtle nest abundance.A tartaruga-cabeçuda (Caretta caretta) enfrenta intensa predação de ninhos em todo o mundo. A subpopulação que nidifica no Arquipélago de Cabo Verde, classificada como Ameaçada na Lista da IUCN, tem vindo a encontrar elevadas taxas de predação causadas pelo caranguejo-fantasma (Ocypode cursor), o principal predador destas ilhas oceânicas. Cabo Verde está localizado no Atlântico oriental, a cerca de 570 quilómetros da costa ocidental de África. Os caranguejos-fantasma são invertebrados semi-terrestres que habitam praias oceânicas tropicais e subtropicais, em todo o mundo. Na zona entre-marés das praias, escavam tocas profundas, nas quais vivem solitariamente e procuram abrigo durante o dia. Como animais crepusculares e noturnos, exploram a praia à noite. A dieta omnívora dos caranguejos fantasmas consiste em uma ampla gama de ítens alimentares, incluindo ovos e filhotes de tartaruga, macroinvertebrados e insetos da zona de rebentação, mas também detrítos marinhos e restos alimentares de humanos. Os caranguejos-fantasma são predados por uma variedade de répteis, pássaros e mamíferos (por exemplo, guaxinins), mas nenhum desses predadores é encontrado em Cabo Verde. Este estudo investiga o efeito da predação de ninhos por caranguejos fantasmas na abundância de tartarugas-cabeçudas, na ilha de Boa Vista, Cabo Verde, de 2013 a 2021. Boa Vista hospeda cerca de 60% dos ninhos de tartaruga-cabeçuda em Cabo Verde, sendo uma das maiores colónias desta espécie do mundo. A abundância de ninhos foi registrada durante patrulhamento noturno e levantamentos diários na praia, ao amanhecer. É a soma de ninhos encontrados durante o processo de nidificação à noite e ninhos encontrados com base em pegadas, ao amanhecer. Os dados utilizados para avaliar a predação de caranguejo-fantasma em ninhos de C. caretta foram recolhidos através de marcação e monitorização de ninhos naturais. Os tamanhos das ninhadas foram contados durante a oviposição. Durante os levantamentos matinais, todos os ninhos monitorizados foram verificados diariamente para registo de qualquer evidência de predação, inundação, erosão ou qualquer outra perturbação relevante no ninho. A predação por caranguejo-fantasma foi detectada pela presença de buracos circulares próximos dos ninhos. Após o período de incubação, os ninhos foram exumados para avaliar o número de ovos eclodidos, enclausurados e ausentes. Com base nesses valores e nas observações durante os períodos de incubação, foi calculada a mortalidade ocorrida no ninho por predação de caranguejos. A variabilidade interanual no número de ninhos de tartaruga-cabeçuda foi alta, variando de 1123 a 33496 ninhos. A mortalidade média observada nos ninhos variou de 36,49% a 92,77%. A predação por caranguejos foi negativamente correlacionada com a abundância de ninhos. Foram observadas épocas de baixa abundância com taxas de predação por caranguejos de até 75 %, enquanto nas épocas do ano de alta abundância foram observadas taxas de predação por caranguejos tão baixas quanto 4%. O número de ninhos predados está fortemente correlacionado com o número de ninhos e a percentagem de ninhos totalmente predados mostra uma correlação negativa muito forte com o número de ninhos. O maior valor de ninhos predados para o período estudado foi de 90% e o menor valor foi de 61%. O valor máximo de ninhos totalmente predados foi de 61% e o mínimo foi de 5%. O número médio de buracos de caranguejo variou de 6 a 25 buracos por ninho e mostrou uma forte correlação negativa significativa com a abundância de ninhos. Maior abundância de ninhos reduz os riscos de predação por caranguejo-fantasma, bem como a extensão da predação. A alta abundância pode exceder a capacidade de consumir ovos de tartarugas por parte da população de caranguejo- fantasma na praia estudada. Devido à saciedade do predador pela alta abundância de ninhos, o risco de predação e a extensão da predação podem ser reduzidos. A ausência de predadores de caranguejo-fantasma e a boa qualidade da praia podem levar a alta densidade de caranguejo explicando as taxas de predação extremamente altas em locais com baixa abundância de ninhos. A presença de grandes predadores de ovos de tartarugas marinhas nas praias de nidificação mostrou reduzir a predação por caranguejos, noutros locais. Como, aqui, não há predadores além dos humanos, que raramente usam grandes caranguejos como isca, a densidade de caranguejos não é limitada pelo predador. A área de estudo é uma praia remota sem urbanização e com turismo de observação de tartarugas marinhas controlado. O baixo impacto humano e a falta de predadores de caranguejos podem explicar a grande população estável de caranguejo-fantasma na ilha de Boa Vista. Durante a época de nidificação, as tartarugas marinhas nidificam várias vezes, mas geralmente apenas se reproduzem a cada 2 a 5 anos, raramente nidificando em duas temporadas consecutivas. O intervalo entre dois períodos de nidificação de um indivíduo pode ser influenciado por fatores ambientais, como abundância de alimento. A alta disponibilidade de alimento pode reduzir o intervalo entre duas épocas de nidificação, explicando as épocas com alta abundância de ninhos. A variabilidade interanual dessa abundância pode ser uma estratégia de evitamento de predadores, pois números mais altos de ninhos reduzem o risco de predação. A sobrevivência dos ovos pode ser maior com variabilidade interanual ao invés de igual ao longo dos anos. A variabilidade interanual desta abundância observada neste estudo é relativamente alta. Isso pode ser explicado por um aumento no tamanho da população, pois os quatro maiores valores de abundância foram registrados nos últimos 4 anos do período de estudo. A predação de ninhos é uma questão desafiadora para a conservação das tartarugas marinhas. Esta pesquisa mostra que a alta abundância de ninhos reduz a mortalidade por predação. Esse conhecimento pode ser implicado em estratégias de conservação. Em relação à predação de ninhos, o incubatório é uma boa ferramenta para locais com baixa abundância de ninhos, pois a taxa de predação é alta e o impacto de ninhos translocados alto, porém outras estratégias de conservação devem ser discutidas para locais com alta abundância de ninhos, pois a taxa de predação é baixa e o impacto de ninhos translocados é alto. As consequências da taxa de predação para a subpopulação estudada só serão observadas em algumas décadas, pois a idade de maturidade sexual da tartaruga-cabeçuda varia muito entre os indivíduos e é estimada entre 10 e 39 anos. O número reduzido de filhotes devido à predação pode retardar a recuperação dessa população ameaçada. As conclusões do presente estudo oferecem uma visão interessante da interação presa-predador. Além disso, enfatiza o impacto do caranguejo-fantasmas como predador de ovos de tartaruga-cabeçuda, uma vez que a mortalidade por predação por caranguejo pode atingir 75%. Destaca-se, também, a importância dos esforços de conservação para redução da predação, especialmente em áreas e épocas do ano com baixa abundância de ninhos de tartarugas marinhas

Use of the Relative Dose Response Assay to Determine the Vitamin A Status of Neonatal Calves: Effects of Season on Colostrum Quality and Immunological Parameters

Plasma vitamin A is not a reliable indicator of vitamin A status. Therefore, the feasibility of using the relative dose response (RDR) assay as a method for determining vitamin A status of calves was examined. In addition, effects of colostrum quality and season on vitamin A status and health of calves were determined. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein of 16 newborn calves to establish values over a 24 h period for immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration, hematocrit, serum protein concentration, and leukocyte differentials. Liver biopsies were performed at birth, and successfully completed for 11 calves. Blood samples were obtained prior to feeding colostrum at 0, 12, and 24 h, with Oh being the first feeding of colostrum. Blood samples also were obtained at 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22 h after the first colostrum feeding. Blood plasma, liver, and colostrum samples were analyzed for vitamin A content using a spectrophotometric method. Based on peak vitamin A content, the RDR was calculated for 6, 8, and 20 h after the first feeding. Colostrum vitamin A was correlated with the 6 h RDR (R=.49, P \u3c .05) and 8 h RDR (R=.51, P\u3c .04). Liver vitamin A concentrations were not correlated with the RDA Assay at either time. Colostrum quality, as relates to both Ig and vitamin A concentration , is extremely important for newborn calves and may help to alleviate the effects of season

Autism Spectrum Disorder: How Parents use Behavior Modification With Their Children

This qualitative research study explores how parents use behavior modifications with their children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Seven participants, who are mothers of children diagnosed with autism, were interviewed for this study. This research found that essentially, parents use different techniques applied in various ways in specific situations based on the uniqueness of their child and the behaviors displayed. Several themes emerged from this study which includes: challenging behaviors, behavior modifications used, behavior modification becomes a way of life, the need to individualize behavior modifications, behavior modifications will change as the child changes, challenges of having a child with autism, coping strategies, advice to professionals, and finding the joys. The respondents displayed creativity and resiliency in their use of behavior modifications for their children. The challenging behaviors displayed varied among different types of behaviors such as sensory-related, verbally and physically aggressive conduct, lack of social skills, and obsessive behaviors. Additionally, each child had unique characteristics which required techniques to be tailored to him/her. This research study provides further implications to social work practice, in that autism spectrum disorder affects the entire family and supports and resources should encompass the system as a whole. Additionally, social workers must stay abreast on the newest research regarding autism spectrum disorder to provide the best practices

Effects of Fraser Fir Death on Population Dynamics in Southern Appalachian Boreal Ecosystems

High elevation fir and spruce-fir forests of the Southern Appalachians were sampled in the Black Mountains, North Carolina and in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina. Both absolute and relative data were collected on the composition of the overstory and understory strata; the ground cover stratum was sampled for relative data. Both stands infested by the balsam woolly aphid and un-infested stands were sampled to determine the effects of the opened canopy caused by the death of Fraser fir on the population dynamics of these boreal ecosystems. Comparison of stand composition and use of correlation and regression analysis revealed trends in changes. Overstory density in un-infested fir and spruce-fir forests at 6000 feet elevation or above averaged 354.7 stems per acre with a basal area total of 205.6 square feet per acre. In lower elevation un-infested stands overstory density averaged 280.4 stems per acre and basal area averaged 232 square feet per acre. Those stands infested by the balsam woolly aphid displayed decreasing overstory densities and basal areas in response to Fraser fir death. Sapling densities are believed to have varied more as a result of sampling error than in response to fir death. Un-infested stands at or above 6000 feet elevation averaged 119.9 sapling stems per acre (77.3% fir) , lower elevation stands averaged 168.6 stems per acre (67.4% fir). Stems less than one inch DBH and more than two feet tall exhibited the greatest response to aphid-caused Fraser fir death. These stems averaged 1110.5 stems per acre (50.2% fir) in the high elevation un-infested stands, 2828.3 stems per acre (24.1% fir) in the lower elevation stands sampled and 6238.5 stems per acre (18.8% fir) in the stands with the longest period of time since the death of fir occurred. Not only did the total sub-sapling density increase significantly in those stands infested by the balsam woolly aphid, but the relative composition of this stratum changed drastically also. As demonstrated by simple comparison of stand composition and by correlation and regression analyses, the densities of thorn-less blackberry (Rubus canadensis), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. canadensis) and Fraser fir increased significantly in response to overstory fir death. However, the densities of mountain cranberry (Vaccinium erythrocarpum) and hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) decreased. Changes in the composition of the ground cover layer in response to the death of fir were also significant. Oxalis acetosella cover and total moss cover decreased as the canopy opened due to the death of fir. Based on regression analysis results, the amount of aphid-caused fir death was a good predictor of increased densities of thornless blackberry and subsapling fir. Increased fir death was a predictor of less mountain cranberry and hobblebush densities. Correlation of site and vegetation variables revealed that Oxalis acetosella and thornless blackberry increased toward dry sites and toward increased exposed surface rock. Pteridophyte cover increased toward mesic sites and as surface rock cover decreased

Environmental conditions can modulate the links among oxidative stress, age, and longevity

Understanding the links between environmental conditions and longevity remains a major focus in biological research. We examined within-individual changes between early- and mid-adulthood in the circulating levels of four oxidative stress markers linked to ageing, using zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata): a DNA damage product (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine; 8-OHdG), protein carbonyls (PC), non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (OXY), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). We further examined whether such within-individual changes differed among birds living under control (ad lib food) or more challenging environmental conditions (unpredictable food availability), having previously found that the latter increased corticosterone levels when food was absent but improved survival over a three year period. Our key findings were: (i) 8-OHdG and PC increased with age in both environments, with a higher increase in 8-OHdG in the challenging environment; (ii) SOD increased with age in the controls but not in the challenged birds, while the opposite was true for OXY; (iii) control birds with high levels of 8-OHdG died at a younger age, but this was not the case in challenged birds. Our data clearly show that while exposure to the potentially damaging effects of oxidative stress increases with age, environmental conditions can modulate the pace of this age–related change

Interactions between parental traits, environmental harshness and growth rate in determining telomere length in wild juvenile salmon

A larger body size confers many benefits, such as increased reproductive success, ability to evade predators and increased competitive ability and social status. However, individuals rarely maximise their growth rates, suggesting that this carries costs. One such cost could be faster attrition of the telomeres that cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and play an important role in chromosome protection. A relatively short telomere length is indicative of poor biological state, including poorer tissue and organ performance, reduced potential longevity and increased disease susceptibility. Telomere loss during growth may also be accelerated by environmental factors, but these have rarely been subjected to experimental manipulation in the natural environment. Using a wild system involving experimental manipulations of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in Scottish streams, we found that telomere length in juvenile fish was influenced by parental traits and by direct environmental effects. We found that faster-growing fish had shorter telomeres and there was a greater cost (in terms of reduced telomere length) if the growth occurred in a harsher environment. We also found a positive association between offspring telomere length and the growth history of their fathers (but not mothers), represented by the number of years fathers had spent at sea. This suggests that there may be long term consequences of growth conditions and parental life history for individual longevity