Territorial landscapes: incorporating density-dependence into wolf habitat selection studies.

Habitat selection is a process that spans space, time and individual life histories. Ecological analyses of animal distributions and preferences are most accurate when they account for inherent dynamics of the habitat selection process. Strong territoriality can constrain perception of habitat availability by individual animals or groups attempting to colonize or establish new territory. Because habitat selection is a function of habitat availability, broad-scale changes in habitat availability or occupancy can drive density-dependent habitat functional responses. We investigated density-dependent habitat selection over a 19-year period of grey wolf

Characterizing Nontarget Species Use at Bait Sites for White-Tailed Deer

Baiting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has evolved into a controversial issue of wildlife management. During August–September 2012, we established a grid of 64 cameras in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at sites baited with corn that simulated legal bait sites for white-tailed deer to characterize presence, diversity, and frequency of species use. We detected \u3e20 species of wildlife that visited bait sites. We categorized 3,177 of 11,194 images as independent detections (i.e., species detected \u3e1 hour apart). White-tailed deer had the greatest detection rate (47%), but overall detections of nontarget species was slightly greater (53%). Most frequent nontarget species detected were northern raccoons (Procyon lotor) and American black bears (Ursus americanus). Wildlife officials should consider the potential effects of baiting on species’ ecology and the potential for disease transmission that high-use of bait sites by nontarget species present

Bear-Baiting May Exacerbate Wolf-Hunting Dog Conflict

Peer reviewe

Foot Injuries in Michigan, USA, Gray Wolves (\u3ci\u3eCanis lupus\u3c/i\u3e), 1992–2014

The range of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in the contiguous US is expanding. Research and monitoring to support population recovery and management often involves capture via foothold traps. A population-level epidemiologic assessment of the effect of trap injuries on wolf survival remains needed to inform management. We describe the baseline rate, type, and severity of foot injuries of wolves born 1992–2013 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, evaluate the reliability of field-scoring trap-related injuries, and the effect of injuries on wolf survival. We assessed foot injuries by physical and radiographic exam at postmortem and/or time of capture for 351 wolves using the International Organization for Standardization 10990-5 standard and the effects of injuries, sex, age, previous capture and body condition on survival using proportional hazards regression. We used ordinal regression to evaluate epidemiologic associations between sex, age, previous capture, body condition, cause of death and injury severity. Most wolves (53%) experienced no physically or radiographically discernable foot injuries over their lifetimes. Among those wolves that did experience injuries, 33% scored as mild. Foot injuries had little epidemiologically discernable effect on survival rates. Wolves with higher foot trauma scores did experience an increased risk of dying, but the magnitude of the increase was modest. Most limb injuries occurred below the carpus or tarsus, and scoring upper-limb injuries added little predictive information to population-level epidemiologic measures of survival and injury severity. There was little association between injury severity and cause of death. Based on necropsy exams, previous trap injuries likely contributed to death in only four wolves (1.1%). Our results suggest that injuries resulting from foothold traps are unlikely to be a limiting factor in recovery and ongoing survival of the Michigan gray wolf population

Evaluating Quality of Decision-Making Processes in Medicines' Development, Regulatory Review, and Health Technology Assessment : A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Although pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, and health technology assessment (HTA) agencies have been increasingly using decision-making frameworks, it is not certain whether these enable better quality decision making. This could be addressed by formally evaluating the quality of decision-making process within those organizations. The aim of this literature review was to identify current techniques (tools, questionnaires, surveys, and studies) for measuring the quality of the decision-making process across the three stakeholders. Methods: Using MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and other Internet-based search engines, a literature review was performed to systematically identify techniques for assessing quality of decision making in medicines development, regulatory review, and HTA. A structured search was applied using key words and a secondary review was carried out. In addition, the measurement properties of each technique were assessed and compared. Ten Quality Decision-Making Practices (QDMPs) developed previously were then used as a framework for the evaluation of techniques identified in the review. Due to the variation in studies identified, meta-analysis was inappropriate. Results: This review identified 13 techniques, where 7 were developed specifically to assess decision making in medicines' development, regulatory review, or HTA; 2 examined corporate decision making, and 4 general decision making. Regarding how closely each technique conformed to the 10 QDMPs, the 13 techniques assessed a median of 6 QDMPs, with a mode of 3 QDMPs. Only 2 techniques evaluated all 10 QDMPs, namely the Organizational IQ and the Quality of Decision Making Orientation Scheme (QoDoS), of which only one technique, QoDoS could be applied to assess decision making of both individuals and organizations, and it possessed generalizability to capture issues relevant to companies as well as regulatory authorities. Conclusion: This review confirmed a general paucity of research in this area, particularly regarding the development and systematic application of techniques for evaluating quality decision making, with no consensus around a gold standard. This review has identified QoDoS as the most promising available technique for assessing decision making in the lifecycle of medicines and the next steps would be to further test its validity, sensitivity, and reliability.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Is heavy eccentric calf training superior to wait-and-see, sham rehabilitation, traditional physiotherapy and other exercise interventions for pain and function in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy?

Background: Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is prevalent amongst athletic and non-athletic populations with pain, stiffness and impaired function typically reported. While different management options exist, loading protocols remain the best available intervention and have been shown to be effective in the management of AT. Trials investigating loading in AT have used a variety of different protocols, and recent narrative reviews suggest that no protocol is superior to another when comparing outcomes in pain and function. However, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis completed to determine this. Furthermore, the narrative review did not consider wait-and-see or sham interventions, thus a systematic review and met-analysis which includes wait-and see or sham interventions is warranted. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analyses will be conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. The databases PUBMED, CINAHL (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO) will be searched for articles published from inception to 31 December 2017. Our search focuses on studies examining the improvement of pain and function when completing a loading program for mid-portion AT. Only randomised/ quasi-randomised trials will be included while case reports and case series will be excluded. The primary outcome assessing pain and function will be the Victorian Institute Sports Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A). Two reviewers will screen articles, extract data and assess the risk of bias independently with a third reviewer resolving any disagreements between the two reviewers. A meta-analysis will then be performed on the data (if appropriate) to determine if the traditional heavy load calf training protocol described by Alfredson is superior to wait-and-see, sham intervention, traditional physiotherapy, and other forms of exercise rehabilitation. Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis will allow us to investigate if there are difference in pain and function when comparing wait-and-see, sham interventions, traditional physiotherapy and different exercise interventions to the traditional heavy eccentric calf training protocol for mid-portion Achilles tendon pain. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42018084493

The Grizzly, November 14, 2002

Did you Miss the Election 2002? • Young Voters Ignore their Political Power • Ursinus Students Writing Kids Program Grant • History, Reminder Found in Veteran\u27s Day • Tartuffe Simply Delicious • Opinions: Are Dateds Worth It?; Homecoming: A Different Opinion; More Problems with Registration; Everclear Rocks Ursinus • Get Ready to Jazz: Ursinus Concert Band Style • Dateds: Worth the Dollar? • Everclear: Clearer than Ever • Exhibit Cases Return to Myrin Library • Men\u27s, Women\u27s Basketball Get Ready to Open Seasons • Roller Hockey Records First • Swim Team Opens Winter Season with a Win • Hot Dates for Collegeville Love Birds • Louie and his Band Rock U.C. • Meet the Ladies of Suites 106 and 204https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1525/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 7, 2002

Election 2002: Absent-Minded with Absentee Ballots • Redhat Makes Computer Connection at Ursinus • Reimert Robbers • In Praise of Music Presented Last Weekend • Boo from UC to You! • Don\u27t Delete Your Future: Career Services Information • Professors Killed During Student Rampage and Suicide • Opinions: To Vote or not to Vote?; Sexual Harassment: A Problem for Ursinus Students; Sniper Caught: Will Peace be Restored? • Third Annual Poem-palooza a Success • Berman: Social Surrealism • Radio Talk Show Comes to Ursinus • Women\u27s Soccer Season Better Than Record Shows • Field Hockey Finishes at the Top of Division III • Roller Hockey Opens Season • Cross Country 2002 Centennial Conference Championships • Dealing with Death: How to Cope • So You Wanna be a Bartender?https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1524/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 24, 2002

Cloudy Weather Fails to Dampen Spirits for Homecoming 2002 • You Break it! You Buy it! • President Bush Warns of War as Situation in Iraq Intensifies • Psychology Department Welcomes Dr. DaCosta • Ursinus Awarded Gold Star for Excellence from DEEP Researchers • Career Services Offers Graduate Programs for Students • Student Profile: Ursinus Freshman a World Traveler • Opinions: Homecoming 2002 a Blast or a Bust?; Academic Dishonesty: Growing Wise to the Problem; Should our Newspaper Have a Sex Column? • Vandalism at Ursinus College • First Ever Ursinus Women\u27s Magazine • Walter Annenberg Remembered • 70th Anniversary of the Lantern • Poem-palooza 2002 • The Daniel Boone Homestead Holds Heritage Day • Field Hockey Continues to Dominate • Women\u27s Rugby Score a Successful Homecoming • Borsdorf Warrants Achievement • Quitting Frenzy! What\u27s Going on with the Football Team? • Comparative Price Report: Haunted Attractions • Alcohol Awareness Week • Got Beer?https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1523/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 3, 2002

Students Show Parents Their Second Home: Family Day 2002 • Students Voice Opinions in Campus Terrorism Talk • Memory of Fountain Trickles Away • Davis Professor to Deliver Lectures for Students and Faculty • New Technical Director Brings Different View Behind the Scenes • Read All About it: Newspapers in the Bookstore • Opinions: Eminem: Good or Bad • Four Doors: A Memorial • Fun Historic Event: The Heritage Festival Held on the Wentz Farmstead • Women\u27s Rugby Score First try in Ursinus History • Dougherty Sprints to Second Place • Renovate Your Room by Swappin\u27 Suites • Comparative Pricing: Comfort Foodhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1521/thumbnail.jp