Population density and habitat utilization of ruffed grouse in the southern Appalachians

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) population density and habitat utilization were studied on the Tellico Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest in eastern Monroe County, Tennessee. The overall objective of the project, which was initiated in 1984, was to determine how ruffed grouse populations are affected by clearcutting small stands of Southern Appalachian hardwoods. Population densities were estimated by drumming censuses conducted each spring from 1984-1988 on 2 study units. The Big Cove unit contained 9 small regenerating clearcuts, which comprised 18% of the unit and ranged in age from 2 to 9 years at the initiation of the project. Except for 1 clearcut made in 1986, the Sugar Cove unit lacked early successional vegetation until late 1987. Average spring density on the Big Cove unit was estimated at 2.9 grouse per 100 ha, which was significantly higher than density on the Sugar Cove unit, estimated at 1.2 grouse per 100 ha. Drumming activity began in late March, peaked in mid-April, and continued until mid-May. Twenty-six grouse were captured in interception traps, 9 in mirror traps. Mirror traps were more efficient (1 capture per 37.5 trap-nights) than interception traps (1 capture per 50.9 trap-nights). Thirty-one of the 35 captured grouse were fitted with radiocollars and monitored by radiotelemetry. Transmittered grouse were located 3-4 times per day, 3 days per week by triangulation and/or homing. Twenty-one of the grouse were monitored long enough for home range to be measured. Male home ranges averaged 23.9 ha; female home ranges averaged 36.9 ha. Home range sizes varied seasonally. The smallest ranges were measured during winter, when the grouse were very sedentary, the largest during autumn, when they made large movements while searching for fattening foods and a suitable wintering range. Radio-telemetry monitoring yielded 1017 grouse locations; 690 of these were used in the analysis of habitat utilization. Each location was mapped and assigned to 1 of 8 habitat types based upon structural characteristics, and to 1 of 7 topographical position categories. Habitat preference was determined by a utilization-availability analysis. The single habitat type utilized more than expected based on its availability was regenerating clearcuts. Forested areas with open understories, and pine or pine-hardwood stands were generally underutilized. Mountain laurel and rhododendron thickets were utilized heavily, but not more than expected due to their almost ubiquitous presence. The radiocollared grouse utilized different habitat types and topographical positions according to season. Home range size and habitat utilization were influenced by seasonal changes within habitat types

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Seeking Asylum—Holding Patterns: The 2020 Ballina Region for Refugees Poetry Prize

Poetry provides valuable and insightful ways to explore and record social and political experiences and engagements. The plight of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia is well known. Community groups such as the Ballina Region for Refugees provide support to refugees and asylum seekers both in Australia and offshore. To help raise awareness and validate the experience of refugees and asylum seekers, the Ballina Region for Refugees runs an annual Poetry Prize. The 2020 Ballina Region for Refugees Poetry Prize theme was Seeking Asylum—Holding Patterns. This article presents the winning and highly commended poems, along with poems by refugee and asylum seeker poets. Poems from both insider witnesses – refugees and asylum seekers – and outsider witnesses – poets who seek to express an empathy with the plight of refugees and asylum seekers – have contributed to this collection. From haunting statements of human dissolution that should strike fear into anyone’s heart, through glimpses of hope, the poems explore the trails of asylum seeking and the dysfunctionality of the aftermath.

A change in temperature modulates defence to yellow (stripe) rust in wheat line UC1041 independently of resistance gene Yr36

Background Rust diseases are of major importance in wheat production worldwide. With the constant evolution of new rust strains and their adaptation to higher temperatures, consistent and durable disease resistance is a key challenge. Environmental conditions affect resistance gene performance, but the basis for this is poorly understood. Results Here we show that a change in day temperature affects wheat resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici (Pst), the causal agent of yellow (or stripe) rust. Using adult plants of near-isogenic lines UC1041 +/- Yr36, there was no significant difference between Pst percentage uredia coverage in plants grown at day temperatures of 18°C or 25°C in adult UC1041 + Yr36 plants. However, when plants were transferred to the lower day temperature at the time of Pst inoculation, infection increased up to two fold. Interestingly, this response was independent of Yr36, which has previously been reported as a temperature-responsive resistance gene as Pst development in adult UC1041 -Yr36 plants was similarly affected by the plants experiencing a temperature reduction. In addition, UC1041 -Yr36 plants grown at the lower temperature then transferred to the higher temperature were effectively resistant and a temperature change in either direction was shown to affect Pst development up to 8 days prior to inoculation. Results for seedlings were similar, but more variable compared to adult plants. Enhanced resistance to Pst was observed in seedlings of UC1041 and the cultivar Shamrock when transferred to the higher temperature. Resistance was not affected in seedlings of cultivar Solstice by a temperature change in either direction. Conclusions Yr36 is effective at 18°C, refining the lower range of temperature at which resistance against Pst is conferred compared to previous studies. Results reveal previously uncharacterised defence temperature sensitivity in the UC1041 background which is caused by a change in temperature and independently of Yr36. This novel phenotype is present in some cultivars but absent in others, suggesting that Pst defence may be more stable in some cultivars than others when plants are exposed to varying temperatures

A Phenomenological Exploration of Resilience in Cheyenne and Arapaho University Students

This study explored the experience of transitioning from common education to higher education for a group of Cheyenne and Arapaho students. Additional features of resilience were examined as well, which included their persistence in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. A phenomenological approach was used in order to explore the lived experiences of the purposeful sample of seven Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal members, all students at a public regional university. Data were acquired by qualitative inquiry based on in-depth interviews. Participants ascribed meaning to what they experienced through textural themes, including a sense of belonging and affectional ties. Furthermore, participants spoke of how they experienced the phenomenon, resulting in structural descriptors of determination, autonomy, self-discipline, and spirituality. Implications for school personnel and teacher preparatory programs are presented, as well as suggestions for future research

Successful at Scale: 500 Faculty, 39 Classrooms, 6 Years: A Case Study

Despite trending investment in active learning infrastructure to support student learning, inclusion, and career preparedness, few universities have achieved the orchestration of campus stakeholders and pedagogical reform at scale. This article presents a process-oriented model for developing faculty and students for success in these evolving academic environments. Key features of the model developed include: holistic and strategic involvement of campus teams, rapid iteration of a portfolio of learning space types, and flexible, future-proofed spaces aligned with faculty preparedness. This approach can be translated to inform hyflex teaching and learning planning as institutions pivot to serve students in a post-pandemic world

Truncation in the tcdC region of the Clostridium difficile PathLoc of clinical isolates does not predict increased biological activity of Toxin B or Toxin A

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increased severity of disease associated with the NAP1 strain of <it>Clostridium difficile </it>has been attributed to mutations to the <it>tcdC </it>gene which codes for a negative regulator of toxin production. To assess the role of hyper-production of Toxins A and B in clinical isolates of <it>Clostridium difficile</it>, two NAP1-related and five NAP1 non-related strains were compared.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sequencing was performed on <it>tcdC</it>, <it>tcdR</it>, and <it>tcdE</it> to determine if there were differences that might account for hyper-production of Toxin A and Toxin B in NAP1-related strains. Biological activity of Toxin B was evaluated using the HFF cell CPE assay and Toxin A biological activity was assessed using the Caco-2 Trans-membrane resistance assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results confirm that Toxin A and Toxin B production in NAP1-related strains and ATCC 43255 occurs earlier in the exponential growth phase compared to most NAP1-nonrelated clinical isolates. Despite the hyper-production observed in ATCC 43255 it had no mutations in <it>tcdC</it>, <it>tcdR </it>or <it>tcdE</it>. Analysis of the other clinical isolates indicated that the kinetics and ultimate final concentration of Toxin A and B did not correlate with the presence or lack of alterations in <it>tcdC</it>, <it>tcdR </it>or <it>tcdE</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data do not support a direct role for alterations in the <it>tcdC </it>gene as a predictor of hyperproduction of Toxin A and B in NAP1-related strains.</p