The Influence of Livestock Protection Dogs on Mesocarnivore Activity in the Edwards Plateau of Texas

The use of livestock protection dogs (LPDs; Canis lupus familiaris) to deter predators from preying upon sheep and goat herds continues to increase across the United States. Most research regarding the efficacy of LPDs has been based on queries of rancher satisfaction with their performance, yet little is known regarding whether LPDs actually displace the predators they are commissioned to protect livestock from. Here, I examined whether the presence of LPDs amid livestock resulted in fewer observable detections of carnivores in pastures they occupied throughout 1 year on a ranch in central Texas. To detect and quantify the presence of carnivores across the ranch, a remote camera grid and scat transects were simultaneously surveyed to compare results produced between each method. Four LPDs were fitted with GPS collars to collect their positions and evaluate their occupancy across the ranch over time. These GPS collars also collected proximity data on a random sample of UHF collared sheep (n = 40) and goats (n = 20) to gauge the frequency to which the LPDs were near livestock. Remote cameras and scat surveys detected the same mesocarnivore species (badger [Taxidea taxus], bobcat [Lynx rufus], coyote [Canis latrans], gray fox [Urocyon cinereoargenteus], raccoon [Procyon lotor], ringtail [Bassariscus astutus], and skunk species), though in different proportions. No large carnivores were detected and no significant difference was observed between the results of the 2 methods across sampling units (U=164.5; P=0.37, Mann-Whitney U-test) or over time (U=68; P=0.84, Mann-Whitney U-test). Both methods detected a rise in mesocarnivore activity during the fall and early winter. LPDs were within 100– 300 m of livestock for 99–100% of days evaluated. Detections of known depredators to livestock (bobcat and coyote) were 31.2% lower in pastures occupied by LPDs amid livestock (χ² =5.91, df=1, P0.05, respectively) and lower for raccoon (χ² =6.84, df=1, P <0.01 while detections of less ominous gray foxes were significantly higher in LPD occupied pastures (χ²=13.21, df=1, P<0.01). These results provide support for LPDs as a predator management tool which can displace known depredators of livestock from the pastures and herds they protect

Slope of the Torque-Velocity Relationship Between Males and Females

The purpose of this study was to explore potential sex-specific differences in the torque-velocity relationship of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Sixteen male and 10 female recreationally active college students participated in the study. Concentric and eccentric peak torque was measured on a Biodex System 4 Pro at 60, 120, 180 and 240 °/s along with isometric peak torque at a knee angle of 60° (0° = full extension). Peak torque was then normalized to lean body mass as determined by hydrostatic weighing. The rate of change in peak torque as movement velocity increases was then analyzed for differences between sexes. The main finding of this study is that after normalizing peak torque to lean body mass there was no sex by velocity interaction (p \u3e 0.05) for concentric muscle actions of the quadriceps, or for concentric and eccentric muscle actions of the hamstrings. However, there was a significant sex by velocity interaction for eccentric muscle actions of the quadriceps (p \u3c 0.05, η2 = 0.358). Peak torque normalized to lean body mass accounts for many of the reported differences between sexes in peak torque and the rate of change in peak torque as movement velocity increases in the quadriceps and hamstrings. However, some sex-specific differences remain that result in a difference in the slope of the torque-velocity relationship between sexes for eccentric muscle actions of the quadriceps

The Influence of Livestock Protection Dogs on Mesocarnivore Activity in the Edwards Plateau of Texas

The use of livestock protection dogs (LPDs; Canis lupus familiaris) to deter predators from preying upon sheep and goat herds continues to increase across the United States. Most research regarding the efficacy of LPDs has been based on queries of rancher satisfaction with their performance, yet little is known regarding whether LPDs actually displace the predators they are commissioned to protect livestock from. Here, I examined whether the presence of LPDs amid livestock resulted in fewer observable detections of carnivores in pastures they occupied throughout 1 year on a ranch in central Texas. To detect and quantify the presence of carnivores across the ranch, a remote camera grid and scat transects were simultaneously surveyed to compare results produced between each method. Four LPDs were fitted with GPS collars to collect their positions and evaluate their occupancy across the ranch over time. These GPS collars also collected proximity data on a random sample of UHF collared sheep (n = 40) and goats (n = 20) to gauge the frequency to which the LPDs were near livestock. Remote cameras and scat surveys detected the same mesocarnivore species (badger [Taxidea taxus], bobcat [Lynx rufus], coyote [Canis latrans], gray fox [Urocyon cinereoargenteus], raccoon [Procyon lotor], ringtail [Bassariscus astutus], and skunk species), though in different proportions. No large carnivores were detected and no significant difference was observed between the results of the 2 methods across sampling units (U=164.5; P=0.37, Mann-Whitney U-test) or over time (U=68; P=0.84, Mann-Whitney U-test). Both methods detected a rise in mesocarnivore activity during the fall and early winter. LPDs were within 100– 300 m of livestock for 99–100% of days evaluated. Detections of known depredators to livestock (bobcat and coyote) were 31.2% lower in pastures occupied by LPDs amid livestock (χ² =5.91, df=1, P0.05, respectively) and lower for raccoon (χ² =6.84, df=1, P <0.01 while detections of less ominous gray foxes were significantly higher in LPD occupied pastures (χ²=13.21, df=1, P<0.01). These results provide support for LPDs as a predator management tool which can displace known depredators of livestock from the pastures and herds they protect

Factors Influencing the Movement of Livestock Guardian Dogs in the Edwards Plateau of Texas: Implications for Efficacy, Behavior, and Territoriality

Livestock guardian dog (Canis lupus familiaris; LGD) breeds of domestic dog worldwide provide a degree of control over predation losses. The application of LGDs as a wildlife damage management tool evolved as a cultural practice in the Old World. In the 1970s, this tool emerged in North America. Despite several decades of science and application, gaps still exist in our knowledge regarding applications for LGDs. From February 2016 to November 2017, we deployed global positioning system transmitters on 4 LGDs on a 20-km2 ranch in Menard County, Texas, USA operated by Texas A&M AgriLife Research to investigate their fine scale movement and activity patterns, site fidelity to livestock management units (i.e., pastures), and fidelity to anthropogenic features, such as feed and water locations. The LGDs remained within study site boundaries for 90% of the study period. Additionally, daily activity patterns differed for dogs associated primarily with sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). All of the LGDs we studied were active throughout the 24-hour day. We determined that feed and water locations concentrated LGD activity to an extent, likely reflecting a livestock affinity for water sources, and provide an additional method by which to distribute them over the landscape. Our results, based on a small sample size, suggest that LGDs may provide effective association with livestock management areas, maintain a high fidelity to area perimeter boundaries, and distribute themselves across the area of use

Familial aggregation of lung cancer in a high incidence area in China

To investigate whether lung cancer clusters in families in a high incidence county of China, an analysis was conducted using data on domestic fuel history and tobacco use for family members of 740 deceased lung cancer probands and 740 controls (probands' spouses). Lung cancer prevalence was compared among first-degree relatives of probands and of controls, taking into account various factors using logistic regression and generalised estimating equations. First-degree relatives of probands, compared with those of controls, showed an excess risk of lung cancer (odds ratio (OR)=2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68–2.53). Overall, female relatives of probands had a greater risk than did their male counterparts, and the risk was 2.90-fold for parents of probands as compared with parents of spouses. Female relatives of probands had 2.67-fold greater risk than female controls. Lung cancer risk was particularly marked among mothers (OR=3.78, 95% CI: 2.03–7.12). Having two or more affected relatives was associated with a 2.69–5.40-fold risk increase. The risk elevation was also found for other cancers overall. Results confirm previous findings of a genetic predisposition to lung cancer, and also imply that lung cancer may share a genetic background with other cancers

Meta-analysis of five genome-wide association studies identifies multiple new loci associated with testicular germ cell tumor

The international Testicular Cancer Consortium (TECAC) combined five published genome-wide association studies of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT; 3,558 cases and 13,970 controls) to identify new susceptibility loci. We conducted a fixed-effects meta-analysis, including, to our knowledge, the first analysis of the X chromosome. Eight new loci mapping to 2q14.2, 3q26.2, 4q35.2, 7q36.3, 10q26.13, 15q21.3, 15q22.31, and Xq28 achieved genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8). Most loci harbor biologically plausible candidate genes. We refined previously reported associations at 9p24.3 and 19p12 by identifying one and three additional independent SNPs, respectively. In aggregate, the 39 independent markers identified to date explain 37% of father-to-son familial risk, 8% of which can be attributed to the 12 new signals reported here. Our findings substantially increase the number of known TGCT susceptibility alleles, move the field closer to a comprehensive understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of TGCT, and provide further clues to the etiology of TGCT

Do genetic factors protect for early onset lung cancer? A case control study before the age of 50 years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early onset lung cancer shows some familial aggregation, pointing to a genetic predisposition. This study was set up to investigate the role of candidate genes in the susceptibility to lung cancer patients younger than 51 years at diagnosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>246 patients with a primary, histologically or cytologically confirmed neoplasm, recruited from 2000 to 2003 in major lung clinics across Germany, were matched to 223 unrelated healthy controls. 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes with reported associations to lung cancer have been genotyped.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genetic associations or gene-smoking interactions was found for <it>GPX1(Pro200Leu) </it>and <it>EPHX1(His113Tyr)</it>. Carriers of the Leu-allele of <it>GPX1(Pro200Leu) </it>showed a significant risk reduction of OR = 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4–0.8, p = 0.002) in general and of OR = 0.3 (95% CI:0.1–0.8, p = 0.012) within heavy smokers. We could also find a risk decreasing genetic effect for His-carriers of <it>EPHX1(His113Tyr) </it>for moderate smokers (OR = 0.2, 95% CI:0.1–0.7, p = 0.012). Considered both variants together, a monotone decrease of the OR was found for smokers (OR of 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07–0.60) for each protective allele.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Smoking is the most important risk factor for young lung cancer patients. However, this study provides some support for the T-Allel of <it>GPX1(Pro200Leu) </it>and the C-Allele of <it>EPHX1(His113Tyr) </it>to play a protective role in early onset lung cancer susceptibility.</p

Systematic review of the relationship between family history and lung cancer risk

We performed a systematic review of 28 case–control, 17 cohort and seven twin studies of the relationship between family history and risk of lung cancer and a meta-analysis of risk estimates. Data from both case–control and cohort studies show a significantly increased lung cancer risk associated with having an affected relative. Risk appears to be greater in relatives of cases diagnosed at a young age and in those with multiple affected family members. Increased lung cancer risk was observed in association with an affected spouse and twin studies, while limited, favour shared environmental exposures. The limitations of the currently published epidemiological studies to infer genetic susceptibility are discussed