Sexually segregated habitat selection in Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii

Sexual segregation is a phenomenon present in many vertebrate taxa, including the bat order Chiroptera. Sexual segregation is a social and/or habitat separation based on sex and is driven by varying causes such as sexual dimorphism, resource and physiological limitations, predator avoidance and many other factors. It can be intrasexual and intersexual, as observed in the focal species of this study, Myotis daubentonii – Daubenton’s bat. Most studies of this temperate bat have been conducted in regions with an altitudinal gradient which have shown that the Daubenton’s bat exhibits a temporal, intra- and inter-sexual segregation across an altitudinal gradient. With females and some males preferring the downstream and more productive habitats whilst other males create upstream colonies in the suboptimal foraging and roosting microclimates. In this study, carried out in the central and southern parts of Sweden, I conducted a landscape analysis on mist net trapping data, accumulated over a period of 34 years (1986 -2020) to determine if sexual segregation occurred by habitat selection within a region with no significant elevation gradient. The results indicated that some landscape features were different between foraging sites where only males were found and those that had only females or both males and females. These included differences in the size of forests, distance to and size of water surfaces, built-up areas, and open lands, in addition to a sexually segregated habitat selection was observed across latitudinal and longitudinal gradients

The living infinite: Envisioning futures for transformed human-nature relationships on the high seas

We find ourselves at a critical crossroads for the future governance of the high seas, but the perceived remoteness of the global ocean creates a psychological barrier for people to engage with it. Given challenges of overexploitation, inequitable access and other sustainability and equity concerns, current ocean governance mechanisms are not fit-for-purpose. This decade offers opportunities for direct impact on ocean governance, however, triggering a global transformation on how we use and protect the half of our planet requires a concerted effort that is guided by shared values and principles across regions and sectors. The aim of the series of workshops outlined in this paper, was to undertake a futures thinking process that could use the Nature Futures Framework as a mechanism to bring more transformative energy into how humans conceptualise the high seas and therefore how we aim to govern the ocean. We found that engaging with the future through science fiction narratives allowed a more radical appreciation of what could be and infusing science with artistic elements can inspire audiences beyond academia. Thus, creative endeavours of co-production that promote and encourage imagination to address current challenges should be considered as important tools in the science-policy interface, also as a way to elicit empathetic responses. This workshop series was a first, and hopefully promising, step towards generating a more creative praxis in how we imagine and then act for a better future for the high seas

The road and landscape features affecting the occurrence of ungulate-vehicle hotspots in Sweden

European ungulate populations are increasing both in number and distributional range, resulting in more ungulate-vehicle collisions (UVC). These UVC cause socio-economic losses and are a growing problem in Sweden. Since 2010, drivers in Sweden are legally obliged to report UVC-accidents to the police. The police usually call upon specially contracted hunters to take care of the killed or injured animal and produce a report. With this information, from police and hunters, it is possible to map the occurrence of UVC and derive predictions on where and when the likelihood for accidents is especially high. The purpose of this study was to build on already existing data and research on UVC in Sweden and develop predictive models for the spatial occurrence of accident hotspots. I explored and analysed which road, traffic, landscape, ecological and behavioural related attributes correlate with the aggregation of UVC involving roe deer, moose, wild boar, reindeer, and fallow deer respectively and collectively. Using these variables, I created models by logistic regression to predict UVC hotspots that I believe will potentially assist in future management and preventive actions My results indicate that a combination of road and landscape variables were good predictors of the occurrence of hotspots in all species except in fallow deer. Nevertheless, road characteristics proved to be the most important parameters for predicting the occurrence of hotspots. Three road parameters i.e., Traffic Volume, Speed and Proportion of Unfenced Road had positive correlation to the occurrence of hotspots in all the species’ models. Other common variables that were present in at least 50% of the models included areas of open land, exploited land, arable land, minor and major roads and the distance to built-up areas

Acceptability of a trial of vaginal progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth among HIV-infected women in Lusaka, Zambia: A mixed methods study.

Antenatal progesterone prevents preterm birth (PTB) in women with a short cervix or prior PTB in daily vaginal or weekly injectable formulations, respectively. Neither has been tested for the indication of maternal HIV, which is associated with an elevated risk of PTB. The Vaginal Progesterone (VP) Trial was a pilot feasibility study of VP to prevent HIV-related PTB in Lusaka, Zambia. Using mixed methods, we concurrently evaluated the acceptability of the trial and the study product among participants. Over a 1-year period, we enrolled 140 pregnant women living with HIV into a double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of daily self-administered VP or placebo. We administered an endline questionnaire to all participants and conducted in-depth interviews with 30 participants to assess barriers and facilitators to uptake and retention in the trial and to study product adherence. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, translated into English as needed, and independently coded by two analysts to capture emerging themes. Of 131 participants who completed the questionnaire, 128 (98%) reported that nothing was difficult when asked the hardest part about using the study product. When given a hypothetical choice between vaginal and injectable progesterone, 97 (74%) chose vaginal, 31 (24%) injectable, and 3 (2%) stated no preference. Most interviewees reported no difficulties with using the study product; others cited minor side effects and surmountable challenges. Strategies that supported adherence included setting alarms, aligning dosing with antiretrovirals, receiving encouragement from friends and family, sensing a benefit to their unborn baby, and positive feedback from study staff. Participants who reported preference of a vaginal medication over injectable described familiarity with the vaginal product, a fear of needles and resulting pain, and inconvenience of a weekly clinic visit. Those who would prefer weekly injections cited fewer doses to remember. Perceived barriers to study participation included mistrust about the motivations behind research, suspicion of Satanism, and futility or possible harm from a placebo. We report key influences on acceptability of a randomized trial of VP to prevent PTB among HIV-infected women in Zambia, which should inform methods to promote uptake, adherence, and retention in a full-scale trial

Alcohol and other drug use patterns and services in an integrated refugee settlement in Northern Zambia: a formative research study

Abstract Background Evidence on patterns of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and how to effectively deliver services to address AOD use in humanitarian settings is limited. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the patterns of AOD use among Congolese refugees in Mantapala Refugee Settlement and members of the surrounding host community and identify potential appropriate intervention and implementation approaches to address AOD use disorders among conflict-affected populations. Methods Fifty free listing interviews, 25 key informant interviews, and four focus group discussions were conducted among refugees, host community members, humanitarian implementing agency staff, and refugee incentive workers. These participants were selected based on their knowledge of AOD use and related problems in the settlement and the surrounding host community in northern Zambia. Results Cannabis and home-brewed alcohol were the substances that were perceived to be most commonly used and have the greatest impact on the community. Participants reported that self-medication, boredom, and relief of daily stressors associated with lack of housing, safety, and employment were reasons that people used AODs. Participants recommended that programming include components to address the underlying causes of AOD use, such as livelihood activities. Stigma due to the criminalization of and societal ideals and religious beliefs regarding AOD use was identified as a substantial barrier to accessing and seeking treatment. Conclusions Our study’s findings indicate the need for services to address AOD use in Mantapala Refugee Settlement. Interventions should consider the social and structural determinants of AOD use

The living infinite: Envisioning futures for transformed human-nature relationships on the high seas

We find ourselves at a critical crossroads for the future governance of the high seas, but the perceived remoteness of the global ocean creates a psychological barrier for people to engage with it. Given challenges of overexploitation, inequitable access and other sustainability and equity concerns, current ocean governance mechanisms are not fit-for-purpose. This decade offers opportunities for direct impact on ocean governance, however, triggering a global transformation on how we use and protect the half of our planet requires a concerted effort that is guided by shared values and principles across regions and sectors. The aim of the series of workshops outlined in this paper, was to undertake a futures thinking process that could use the Nature Futures Framework as a mechanism to bring more transformative energy into how humans conceptualise the high seas and therefore how we aim to govern the ocean. We found that engaging with the future through science fiction narratives allowed a more radical appreciation of what could be and infusing science with artistic elements can inspire audiences beyond academia. Thus, creative endeavours of co-production that promote and encourage imagination to address current challenges should be considered as important tools in the science-policy interface, also as a way to elicit empathetic responses. This workshop series was a first, and hopefully promising, step towards generating a more creative praxis in how we imagine and then act for a better future for the high seas