The causes and consequences of group living in the crimson finch (Neochmia phaeton)

This thesis consists of five chapters, each investigating an aspect of breeding biology, sociality or behaviour of a group living species of an Australasian grassfinch, the crimson finch (Neochmia phaeton). It primarily focuses on the effects of habitat structure and group size on reproductive behaviour, and the role of signalling in mediating conflicts. Much of our knowledge of the breeding behaviour of the crimson finch is based on observations in captivity, little is known about wild populations. Captive crimson finches are known for their highly aggressive nature. However, free-living birds live and breed in large social colonies, which seems counterintuitive. The first three chapters explore the ecology and colony structure of wild crimson finches, providing insight into the breeding system, nest predation and dispersal strategies. In chapters 4 and 5, we used field observations and experimental manipulations in captivity to determine the factors that cause, facilitate and maintain aggression and sociality in this species. Chapter One describes aspects of habitat use and breeding ecology from 14 distinct colonies, and contrasts these findings with other populations living in different habitat, which have been examined previously. Although we found many similarities between the populations in breeding biology, we also found some pronounced differences in the way crimson finches organise themselves socially and geographically in the divergent habitat structures. Chapter Two investigates the factors influencing nesting success, specifically the influence of nest site location and adult behaviour (predator defence) on nest success. Though there was no evidence that adult behaviour influences nest success, we found three features of nest site choice that were related to nest survival; nest visibility, vegetation height and distance to other vegetation. Chapter Three provides the first study of dispersal in crimson finches. We report that contrary to previous speculations, long-distance movements between colonies are common. The primary factor predicting two key decisions, whether to leave the natal group, and where to settle, was primarily related to the adult sex ratio of the colony. Chapter Four explores aggressive behaviour between adult males. Here we use correlative and manipulative approaches to understanding how plumage signals mediate aggressive behaviour. In particular, we investigate the role of melanin and carotenoid plumage pigments in signalling dominance and fighting ability. Chapter Five experimentally examines aggressive behaviour of both males and females at the nest, using mounts of conspecific and heterospecific intruders. Although crimson finches are said to be non-territorial they are known to defend the area immediately around their nest. We found no difference in levels of aggression between males and females, or towards conspecific and heterospecific intruders. The final section of this thesis summarises our findings and provides suggestions on future research to further investigate the costs and benefits of group living

UAS Literary & Arts Journal 2017

The 2017 edition of Tidal Echoes presents an annual showcase of writers and artists who share one thing in common: a life surrounded by the rainforests and waterways of Southeast Alaska.Remembering Dr. Teri Rofkar -- Editor's Note -- Acknowledgements -- Esther -- Untitled -- How to Love Your Body -- no mercy -- Winter Sangria -- Morning Poppies -- How Mom Hooked Dad -- Your Ripples and My Ripples -- Making the Kids Clean Up -- Conquering the Wild Skunk Cabbage -- What’s Queer Got To Do With It? -- Mile Ten for Mary Oliver -- Cache -- This Place (The Tongass) -- No More Shoulds -- Nagoon and Caterpillar -- How to age gracefully -- Yellow Legs --Feeding Her Inner Goose at the Boy Scout Camp -- On Guard -- We Are Family -- Grandma Zona -- Mere Minerals -- Life Goes On -- Evergreen Cemetery -- Untitled -- What is the heart but a -- Why I Feel Nostalgic for Hurricanes -- Stardust in Seattle: Motes of Human Activity -- Coyote -- Untitled -- An Affair with Andromeda -- Untitled -- How Night Comes in Winter -- Light Up the Sky -- Courage -- See You In Spring -- Smoking Luckies -- Agape -- Old Days in Douglas, Alaska -- Pink House -- Tableside Conversation/Overheard in a Restaurant -- The Kumquat Cure for Hypomanics -- Pleistocene -- A Taste of Punjab -- Untitled -- Feeding My Family -- Corn -- When Nothing Else Works -- Feedback Loop -- Dancing With Dante -- 451 -- Circle Room -- An Interview with Rico Lanaat’ World -- Check Out Time -- Cabbage Canner Shoes -- Chanterelle (detail) -- Visiting Hour -- That’s Alright It’s a Warm Rain -- Welcome to the Jungle: Jonestown!! -- Green Unfurling -- Four O’ Clock in the Morning -- Pathway -- An Interview with Lynn Schooler -- Glacier Study 2 and Glacier Study 7 -- Storm -- Loitering -- What I Call Home -- Beyond Heritage -- Naming the Sun -- Auke Lake Mirror -- To Be a Superhero -- Keepsies -- Alchemy -- Gleeful Refuge -- Shaatk’ásk’u -- A Smooth Snowfall -- Back Country -- A Good Morning -- Magical Sunset -- A Simple Gesture -- Columbine -- Notorious -- There Are More Dead Veteran Poets Than Live Ones -- Lupine Dreaming -- Untitled -- Peaches -- Squirrel Sampling Sapsucker Holes -- To Alight -- Mattress -- Curveball -- Crossing Chance -- Gyibaw Ukulele -- Ipswiche -- Hummingbird in Formline with Daisy -- The Pigeons of Valparaiso, Chile -- Hold On Come Along -- Man In A Malt Shop -- Untitled -- Downpours -- Untitled -- The Truth -- Swimming in Place -- Matriline -- Writer and Artist Biographies -- Motherhoo

Factors Determining Seagrass Blue Carbon Across Bioregions and Geomorphologies

Este artículo contiene 15 páginas, 6 figuras, 1 tabla.Seagrass meadows rank among the most significant organic carbon (Corg) sinks on earth. We examined the variability in seagrass soil Corg stocks and composition across Australia and identified the main drivers of variability, applying a spatially hierarchical approach that incorporates bioregions and geomorphic settings. Top 30 cm soil Corg stocks were similar across bioregions and geomorphic settings (min-max: 20–26 Mg Corg ha−1), but meadows formed by large species (i.e., Amphibolis spp. and Posidonia spp.) showed higher stocks (24–29 Mg Corg ha−1) than those formed by smaller species (e.g., Halodule, Halophila, Ruppia, Zostera, Cymodocea, and Syringodium; 12–21 Mg Corg ha−1). In temperate coastal meadows dominated by large species, soil Corg stocks mainly derived from seagrass Corg (72 ± 2%), while allochthonous Corg dominated soil Corg stocks in meadows formed by small species in temperate and tropical estuarine meadows (64 ± 5%). In temperate coastal meadows, soil Corg stocks were enhanced by low hydrodynamic exposure associated with high mud and seagrass Corg contents. In temperate estuarine meadows, soil Corg stocks were enhanced by high contributions of seagrass Corg, low to moderate solar radiation, and low human pressure. In tropical estuarine meadows formed by small species, large soil Corg stocks were mainly associated with low hydrodynamic energy, low rainfall, and high solar radiation. These results showcase that bioregion and geomorphic setting are not necessarily good predictors of soil Corg stocks and that site-specific estimates based on local environmental factors are needed for Blue Carbon projects and greenhouse gases accounting purposes.This study was delivered as part of the Pilot Projects program of the Land Restoration Fund, supported by the Queensland Government, Deakin University, The University of Queensland, James Cook University, CSIRO, HSBC, Qantas, Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, NQ Dry Tropics, Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Greencollar. We are thankful for the funding provided by Deakin University (to PIM and MDPC), Qantas (to PIM and MDPC) and HSBC (to PIM and MDPC). MR, PY, PIM were supported through ARC Linkage grant LP160100492, and PIM and CEL were supported through ARC Linkage grant LP160100242. NJW is funded through Australian Government National Environment Science Program (Tropical Water Quality Hub). MFA was funded through an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship, Queensland Government. CS was funded by ECU Higher Degree by Research ScholarshipPeer reviewe

High HIV prevalence among decedents received by two high-volume mortuaries in Kisumu, western Kenya, 2019

BACKGROUND: Accurate data on HIV-related mortality are necessary to evaluate the impact of HIV interventions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), mortality data obtained through civil registration are often of poor quality. Though not commonly conducted, mortuary surveillance is a potential complementary source of data on HIV-associated mortality. METHODS: During April-July 2019, we assessed HIV prevalence, the attributable fraction among the exposed, and the population attributable fraction among decedents received by two high-volume mortuaries in Kisumu County, Kenya, where HIV prevalence in the adult population was estimated at 18% in 2019 with high ART coverage (76%). Stillbirths were excluded. The two mortuaries receive 70% of deaths notified to the Kisumu East civil death registry; this registry captures 45% of deaths notified in Kisumu County. We conducted hospital chart reviews to determine the HIV status of decedents. Decedents without documented HIV status, including those dead on arrival, were tested using HIV antibody tests or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistent with national HIV testing guidelines. Decedents aged less than 15 years were defined as children. We estimated annual county deaths by applying weights that incorporated the study period, coverage of deaths, and mortality rates observed in the study. RESULTS: The two mortuaries received a total of 1,004 decedents during the study period, of which 95.1% (955/1004) were available for study; 89.1% (851/955) of available decedents were enrolled of whom 99.4% (846/851) had their HIV status available from medical records and post-mortem testing. The overall population-based, age- and sex-adjusted mortality rate was 12.4 per 1,000 population. The unadjusted HIV prevalence among decedents was 28.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25.5-31.6). The age- and sex-adjusted mortality rate in the HIV-infected population (40.7/1000 population) was four times higher than in the HIV-uninfected population (10.2/1000 population). Overall, the attributable fraction among the HIV-exposed was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.76) while the HIV population attributable fraction was 0.17 (95% CI: 0.14-0.20). In children the attributable fraction among the exposed and population attributable fraction were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89-0.94) and 0.11 (95% CI: 0.08-0.15), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Over one quarter (28.5%) of decedents received by high-volume mortuaries in western Kenya were HIV-positive; overall, HIV was considered the cause of death in 17% of the population (19% of adults and 11% of children). Despite substantial scale-up of HIV services, HIV disease remains a leading cause of death in western Kenya. Despite progress, increased efforts remain necessary to prevent and treat HIV infection and disease

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Clinical outcomes and response to treatment of patients receiving topical treatments for pyoderma gangrenosum: a prospective cohort study

Background: pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon dermatosis with a limited evidence base for treatment. Objective: to estimate the effectiveness of topical therapies in the treatment of PG. Methods: prospective cohort study of UK secondary care patients with a clinical diagnosis of PG suitable for topical treatment (recruited July 2009 to June 2012). Participants received topical therapy following normal clinical practice (mainly Class I-III topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus 0.03% or 0.1%). Primary outcome: speed of healing at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes: proportion healed by 6 months; time to healing; global assessment; inflammation; pain; quality-of-life; treatment failure and recurrence. Results: Sixty-six patients (22 to 85 years) were enrolled. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% was the most commonly prescribed therapy. Overall, 28/66 (43.8%) of ulcers healed by 6 months. Median time-to-healing was 145 days (95% CI: 96 days, ∞). Initial ulcer size was a significant predictor of time-to-healing (hazard ratio 0.94 (0.88;80 1.00); p = 0.043). Four patients (15%) had a recurrence. Limitations: No randomised comparator Conclusion: Topical therapy is potentially an effective first-line treatment for PG that avoids possible side effects associated with systemic therapy. It remains unclear whether more severe disease will respond adequately to topical therapy alone

Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple introductions of Zika virus into the United States

Zika virus (ZIKV) is causing an unprecedented epidemic linked to severe congenital abnormalities. In July 2016, mosquito-borne ZIKV transmission was reported in the continental United States; since then, hundreds of locally acquired infections have been reported in Florida. To gain insights into the timing, source, and likely route(s) of ZIKV introduction, we tracked the virus from its first detection in Florida by sequencing ZIKV genomes from infected patients and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We show that at least 4 introductions, but potentially as many as 40, contributed to the outbreak in Florida and that local transmission is likely to have started in the spring of 2016-several months before its initial detection. By analysing surveillance and genetic data, we show that ZIKV moved among transmission zones in Miami. Our analyses show that most introductions were linked to the Caribbean, a finding corroborated by the high incidence rates and traffic volumes from the region into the Miami area. Our study provides an understanding of how ZIKV initiates transmission in new regions

2016 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1003/thumbnail.jp