Experimental Mammalian Predator Removal and Other Factors Affecting Dabbling Duck Reproduction in North Dakota.

In the prairie pothole region, high predation rates often reduce duck nest success below the 15--20% thought necessary for population stability. Lethal removal of mammalian predators of duck nests is one potential management option, but there is little reliable information about the effects on nest success of removing mammalian predators without using poisons. On 16 4,150-ha blocks, half of them trapped during spring and summer, I found higher ( P \u3c 0.001) nest success on trapped sites (45%) than on untrapped sites (17%). There were no year (P = 0.296), year-treatment (P = 0.423), or species-treatment (P \u3e 0.895) effects. Nest success of blue-winged teal (Anas discors) and gadwalls (A. strepera) was higher than that of mallards ( A. platyrhynchos) and pintails (A. acuta, P = 0.028) on trapped and untrapped sites. Nest success was positively related to numbers of predators removed (P \u3c 0.001). Predator removal, although controversial, is an effective management tool for increasing nest success of dabbling ducks. Nest success increased with increasing nest age (P \u3c 0.001) for all species tested, and increased with later date for blue-winged teal (P \u3c 0.001) and for all species combined ( P \u3c 0.001). Lower success of early-stage nests could result in nest success estimates that are biased high. Presence of feces, distance from wetland edge and distance from grassland habitat edge did not influence nest success, but distance from abandoned buildings did. On trapped sites, nests closer to abandoned buildings were more likely to survive until hatch, whereas on untrapped sites, nests close to abandoned buildings were less likely to survive (P = 0.003). Nest abandonment decreased (P \u3c 0.001) with increasing nest age for all species, and increased with later date only for blue-winged teal (P = 0.02). Mallards abandoned nests with greater frequency than did blue-winged teal, gadwall or pintails (P ≤ 0.01), particularly during early laying. Researchers should avoid disturbing early laying females if possible

Practical Anticonvulasant Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics is that area of pharmacology concerned with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. The processes by which absorption, distribution, and elimination take place are referred to as unit processes. These occur independently and concurrently, and involve such activities as absorption into the blood, elimination from the blood, distribution between the blood and tissue, inactivation in tissues, and finally, elimination from the blood. Drug handling by the body can be characterized by the rate for each step or, more often, the rate of all processes. Classification of observed kinetics for these rate processes includes first-order, zero-order, and capacity-limited kinetics. In the description of these processes, we will use total body elimination as the model, as this is the way most data are handled clinically

Green's functions for multidimensional neutron transport in a slab

The integral form of the one-speed, steady-state Boltzmann transport equation is solved for a point source in a homogeneous, isotropically scattering slab. In addition, solutions are obtained for line sources and plane sources in the slab, both normal and parallel to the slab faces. Using Fuorier and Laplace transforms, the problem is reduced to that of solving a 1-dimensional integral equation with a difference kernel. This equation is transformed into a singular integral equation which is solved using standard methods. The Green's functions are subsequently obtained as generalized eigenfunction expansions over the spectrum of the 1-dimensional integral operator. This form yields a simple solution far from the source, and alternate expressions are obtained to facilitate evaluation near the source. In a thick slab the exact solutions are shown to reduce to simple closed expressions plus correction terms that decrease exponentially as the slab thickness increases. Most of the work previously done in multidimensional transport in slabs is shown to be easily reproduced using this theory in the thick-slab approximation. Also, virtually all other problems of this type can be solved using the theory presented here. In particular, the density from a pencil beam of particles normally incident to the slab is obtained

Waterfowl Population Status, 2002

In the traditional survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), total duck abundance was 31.2 + 0.5 [SE] million birds. This was 14% below (P\u3c 0.001) last year’s estimate of 36.1 ± 0.6 million birds, and 6% below the long-term (1955-2001) average (P\u3c0.001). Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.5 ± 0.2 million, similar to (P=0.23) the 2001 estimate of 7.9 ± 0.2 million, and essentially identical to the long-term average (P=1.00). Blue-winged teal (A. discors) abundance was 4.2 ± 0.2 million, which was 27% below last year’s estimate of 5.8 ± 0.3 million (P\u3c0.001), but similar to the long-term average (P=0.22). Gadwall (A. strepera; 2.2 ± 0.1 million, -17%), shovelers (A. clypeata; 2.3 ± 0.1 million, -30%), and pintails (A. acuta; 1.8 ± 0.1 million, -46%) were below 2001 estimates (P\u3c0.02). Wigeon (A. americana; 2.3 ± 0.1 million), green-winged teal (A. crecca; 2.3 ± 0.1 million), redheads (Aythya americana; 0.6 ± 0.1 million), canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria; 0.5 ± 0.1 million), and scaup (Aythya marila and A. affinis combined; 3.5 ± 0.2 million) were unchanged from 2001 estimates. Gadwall (+37%), green-winged teal (+28%), and shovelers (+10%) all remained above their long-term averages, whereas wigeon (-12%), pintail (-58%), canvasback (-14%), and scaup numbers (-34%) were below long-term averages. Northern pintails and scaup were the lowest and second lowest counts on record, respectively. The redhead estimate was similar to the long-term average. Below-average winter and spring precipitation in the prairies and parklands were reflected in pond counts much lower than in 2001. Total May ponds (U.S. prairies and prairie and parkland Canada combined) of 2.7 ± 0.1 million were the second lowest since 1974, when this estimate was first recorded, 41% below last year’s estimate of 4.6 ± 0.1 million (P\u3c0.001), and 45% below (P\u3c0.001) the long-term average. The projected mid-continent mallard fall flight index is 8.9 million, statistically similar to last year\u27s. The eastern survey area is comprised of strata 51-56 and 62-69. The 2002 total duck population estimate for this area was 4.4 ± 0.3 million birds, 32% higher than last year\u27s (3.3 ± 0.3 million, P=0.01), and 41% higher than the 1996-2001 average (P\u3c0.001). Numbers of most individual species were similar to those of last year, with the exception of mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus and Mergus spp.; 0.8 ± 0.1 million, +90%, P\u3c0.001) and green-winged teal (0.7 ± 0.1 million, +174%, P=0.01), which increased compared to last year. Mergansers (+68%) and green-winged teal (+102%) were also above their 1996-2001 averages, as were scoters (Melanitta spp.; 0.3 ± 0.1 million, +178%, P=0.01). Estimates for all other species were similar to last year\u27s estimates and to long-term averages

Waterfowl: Population Status, 2005

In North America the process of establishing hunting regulations for waterfowl is conducted annually. In the United States the process involves a number of scheduled meetings in which information regarding the status of waterfowl is presented to individuals within the agencies responsible for setting hunting regulations. In addition the proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register to allow public comment. This report includes the most current breeding population and production information available for waterfowl in North America and is a result of cooperative efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), various state and provincial conservation agencies, and private conservation organizations. This report is intended to aid the development of waterfowl harvest regulations in the United States for the 2005-2006 hunting season

Waterfowl Population Status, 2002

In the traditional survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), total duck abundance was 31.2 + 0.5 [SE] million birds. This was 14% below (P\u3c 0.001) last year’s estimate of 36.1 ± 0.6 million birds, and 6% below the long-term (1955-2001) average (P\u3c0.001). Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.5 ± 0.2 million, similar to (P=0.23) the 2001 estimate of 7.9 ± 0.2 million, and essentially identical to the long-term average (P=1.00). Blue-winged teal (A. discors) abundance was 4.2 ± 0.2 million, which was 27% below last year’s estimate of 5.8 ± 0.3 million (P\u3c0.001), but similar to the long-term average (P=0.22). Gadwall (A. strepera; 2.2 ± 0.1 million, -17%), shovelers (A. clypeata; 2.3 ± 0.1 million, -30%), and pintails (A. acuta; 1.8 ± 0.1 million, -46%) were below 2001 estimates (P\u3c0.02). Wigeon (A. americana; 2.3 ± 0.1 million), green-winged teal (A. crecca; 2.3 ± 0.1 million), redheads (Aythya americana; 0.6 ± 0.1 million), canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria; 0.5 ± 0.1 million), and scaup (Aythya marila and A. affinis combined; 3.5 ± 0.2 million) were unchanged from 2001 estimates. Gadwall (+37%), green-winged teal (+28%), and shovelers (+10%) all remained above their long-term averages, whereas wigeon (-12%), pintail (-58%), canvasback (-14%), and scaup numbers (-34%) were below long-term averages. Northern pintails and scaup were the lowest and second lowest counts on record, respectively. The redhead estimate was similar to the long-term average. Below-average winter and spring precipitation in the prairies and parklands were reflected in pond counts much lower than in 2001. Total May ponds (U.S. prairies and prairie and parkland Canada combined) of 2.7 ± 0.1 million were the second lowest since 1974, when this estimate was first recorded, 41% below last year’s estimate of 4.6 ± 0.1 million (P\u3c0.001), and 45% below (P\u3c0.001) the long-term average. The projected mid-continent mallard fall flight index is 8.9 million, statistically similar to last year\u27s. The eastern survey area is comprised of strata 51-56 and 62-69. The 2002 total duck population estimate for this area was 4.4 ± 0.3 million birds, 32% higher than last year\u27s (3.3 ± 0.3 million, P=0.01), and 41% higher than the 1996-2001 average (P\u3c0.001). Numbers of most individual species were similar to those of last year, with the exception of mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus and Mergus spp.; 0.8 ± 0.1 million, +90%, P\u3c0.001) and green-winged teal (0.7 ± 0.1 million, +174%, P=0.01), which increased compared to last year. Mergansers (+68%) and green-winged teal (+102%) were also above their 1996-2001 averages, as were scoters (Melanitta spp.; 0.3 ± 0.1 million, +178%, P=0.01). Estimates for all other species were similar to last year\u27s estimates and to long-term averages

Waterfowl: Population Status, 2005

In North America the process of establishing hunting regulations for waterfowl is conducted annually. In the United States the process involves a number of scheduled meetings in which information regarding the status of waterfowl is presented to individuals within the agencies responsible for setting hunting regulations. In addition the proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register to allow public comment. This report includes the most current breeding population and production information available for waterfowl in North America and is a result of cooperative efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), various state and provincial conservation agencies, and private conservation organizations. This report is intended to aid the development of waterfowl harvest regulations in the United States for the 2005-2006 hunting season

CAN PREDATOR TRAPPING IMPROVE WATERFOWL RECRUITMENT IN THE PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION?

We contrasted nest success for control areas and experimental areas in eastern North Dakota where we employed professionals to trap mammalian nest predators from late March to late July. In 1995, dabbling ducks averaged 53% nest success on four treatment blocks of 4,150 ha each; whereas on four control areas upland nesting ducks averaged 24% success. Diving duck nest success averaged 57% on experimental areas and 29% on control areas. American coot (Fulica americana) nest success also improved on experimental areas, but blackbird nesting and fledging success were not affected by the treatment. In 1994, nest success of upland cresting ducks was 52%, which was a striking contrast with upland nest success of 6% on the control area. In 1994 and 1995, brood counts were much higher on the experimental areas than on the control areas. Track counts revealed lower estimates of predator activity on experimental sites compared to control sites. This study provides the first strong experimental documentation that trapping, without the use of poisons, can effectively reduce nest predation and substantially improve waterfowl recruitment

Spanish-speaking community of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina : an action oriented community diagnosis : findings and recommendations for future action

Asheboro, a small textile-manufacturing city in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, is considered a desirable place to live by most of its adult residents. However, the small city has been struggling to keep up with rapid population growth due in part to an influx of Latino immigrants. From 1990 to 2000 the Asheboro Latino population increased by well over 2,000%. This rapid growth has put a strain on social services in the region, as well as on the incoming residents who encounter difficulty accessing needed services. The authors of this document are six graduate students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health who were invited by Randolph Health Improvement Partnership (RHIP) to Asheboro, North Carolina to perform an Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) on the Latino population residing in Asheboro. The AOCD was intended to help inform the RHIP’s assessment for the Healthy Carolinians project. This document presents the methodology, results and possible future steps that emerged from the AOCD. One aim of AOCD is to form a partnership between the community and the student practitioners doing the assessment. A goal of this AOCD was to gain an understanding of life in Asheboro, including both good aspects as well as challenges, in order to recommend steps for planned social change within Asheboro. However, the process has many limitations, and this document should not be considered a comprehensive evaluation of Latino residents in Asheboro. The AOCD of Latino residents in Asheboro consisted of five phases. In the first phase, secondary data was gathered from census data, newspapers, and previous assessment documents to gain a perspective on Asheboro demographics, housing, history and current events. The second phase involved getting personally familiar with Asheboro through frequent visits and volunteering in the community. In the third phase, interviews and focus groups were conducted with adult and youth Latino residents and service providers in Asheboro. The interviews were analyzed for common themes and ideas in the fourth phase, and a community forum, called “Reunión Hispana,” was planned and implemented in the fifth phase. In all, 68 people were interviewed, and many other people participated in planning, supporting, and implementing Reunión Hispana. The interviews brought up many topics that affect life in Asheboro for Latinos. Documentation and racism issues pervade nearly all aspects of life, including employment, housing, transportation, academics, and social services, to name a few. On the other hand, many positive aspects about life in Asheboro for Latinos also emerged. Among strengths mentioned were the people, the churches, the agencies, the businesses, and the personal interactions within Asheboro’s communities. Overall, Latinos regard Asheboro as a desirable place to live. Both Latinos and service providers provided insight into valuable social structures such as family and church that create a sense of community for Asheboro’s Latino residents. Like many families and recent immigrants in this country, Latinos in Asheboro are often linguistically isolated. The lack of English proficiency, given the paucity of Caucasian residents who speak Spanish, has a huge impact on the lives of both Latino community members and service providers. The language barrier between Spanish speaking and non-Spanish speaking residents of Asheboro worsens both social and service interactions. In addition, the issue of interpreters was commented on uniformly in that there are more than there used to be, but it is still not sufficient and there are those who abuse that need by overcharging for interpretation services. In addition to language barriers, Latino residents’ ability to navigate what, to many of them, is a new and complicated system of services was an often-expressed perspective. There is an informal communication network among Latino residents consisting of family members, co-workers, and friends, which is often used to communicate information about accessing services. When asked specifically about health care, the vast majority of Latinos responded that the cost of health care in Asheboro is too high for them and low cost options involve too much red tape. There is a need for health education opportunities and more widely available interpretation services in all medical settings. Specific health concerns are drug and alcohol use, motor vehicle occupant injuries, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Two closely linked themes concerning youth emerged during the AOCD process: Many people in Asheboro are concerned with the development of gangs and the drugs and violence that come with gangs, and many people in Asheboro think the Latino youth need more activities and opportunities. Several times the lack of activities for youth in Asheboro or youth boredom was cited as a reason for youth involvement in gangs. At Reunión Hispana many of these topics were addressed, and participants in the community forum came up with various action steps, including: Learning more about personal rights, attending ESL classes, forming a group of volunteer interpreters, and providing information about what services are offered and how to obtain them. Participants also were introduced to the Latino Coalition and learned about some services provided in Asheboro. Based upon views expressed at Reunión Hispana, interview data, and team observations, it is recommended that Latino and non-Latino residents and service providers work together to do the following: Increase outreach by the Latino Coalition, integrate Latino youth into activities, provide more support for youth sports, give educational health workshops in Spanish, improve ESL Programs, hire more bilingual staff and interpreters, and decrease cost of interpreter services. Far more recommendations are discussed in the following document, along with a much richer, though certainly not comprehensive, description of the information about life in Asheboro that was generously shared by Latino residents and service providers.Master of Public Healt

Differential Prescribing of Opioid Analgesics According to Physician Specialty for Medicaid Patients with Chronic Noncancer Pain Diagnoses

BACKGROUND: Despite >20 years of studies investigating the characteristics of patients seeking or receiving opioid analgesics, research characterizing factors associated with physicians’ opioid prescribing practices has been inconclusive, and the role of practitioner specialty in opioid prescribing practices remains largely unknown