Confronting the challenges of whale avoidance by large vessels to reduce collision risk: A quantitative approach

Disturbance of wildlife by human transportation infrastructure is ubiquitous. This type of human-wildlife conflict has the potential to negatively impact wildlife population growth rates, especially for at-risk species like large whales. While many whale populations are rebounding as a result of a moratorium on commercial whaling, increasing ship traffic constitutes a significant threat to whale conservation efforts in the form of ship-whale collisions (“ship strikes”). Ship strike avoidance is difficult because vessel operators can only see whales when they are breaking the surface of the water, or “available for detection,” and even then, they will only see them a fraction of the time (the “perception process”). We investigated the ability of ship operators to detect and actively avoid whales by quantifying two processes: the ability of vessel operators to ascertain the direction of travel of whales (Chapter 2), and the varying detection challenges faced by vessel operators as whales move through the “strike zone” (Chapter 3). In Chapter 2, we modeled the ability of vessel operators to congruously determine whale direction of travel as a function of ship-to-whale distance and the number of surfacings in a bout. We found that the probability of making a congruous DT assignment increased as surfacing bout length increased and as ship-to-whale distance decreased. We also modeled the time it took vessel operators to make a DT assignment after the first sighting of a whale, and found that the probability of making a DT assignment was around 0.5 after three minutes had passed. In Chapter 3, we modeled the probabilities of whales entering and exiting the upper portion of the water column where they are at risk of ship strike (the “strike zone”), as well as the availability probability. We found that whales are present and undetected in the strike zone far more frequently than they are available for detection, which has important consequences for ship strike avoidance protocols and regulations

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE IN A GRAZED LANDSCAPE: HABITAT SELECTION, DEMOGRAPHIC RATES, AND POPULATION TRENDS IN CENTRAL MONTANA

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) abundance has declined across the species’ range due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. To address this decline, information is needed to guide habitat conservation priorities and population management efforts. This includes information about patterns of habitat selection at multiple spatial scales, habitat and land use variables that affect demographic rates, and population trend estimates. We collected ten years of data (2011-2020) on sage-grouse demographic rates and habitat selection, as well as on vegetation and livestock grazing patterns, to address these topics. We were specifically interested in the effects of a rotational grazing system implemented through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI). In Chapter 1, we investigated whether sage-grouse hens select seasonal home ranges based on topographic, grazing, and vegetation variables. We found that hens select for shrub cover across all seasons, with seasonal differences in other variables. We also found that sage-grouse located within livestock pastures select for areas with higher used animal unit months (“used AUMs,” or a measure of the amount of forage grazed) in addition to shrub cover. In Chapter 2, we evaluated the effects of the SGI rotational grazing system on sage-grouse nest success. We found that neither SGI rotational grazing systems nor other indices of livestock use had measurable effects on nest success, but we saw a very minor positive effect of senesced grass height. The majority of interand intra-annual variation in nest success was unexplained by grazing-related variables. Taken together, these results suggest that the patterns of land use and livestock management observed during the study are not affecting sage-grouse in this study area, as there is no evidence for a negative effect of livestock grazing on estimated demographic rates or habitat selection. We note that sagebrush shrublands should remain a key component of sage-grouse conservation strategies, as this land cover type was selected by sage-grouse across seasons and spatial scales. In Chapter 3, we compared two methods of estimating sage-grouse population growth rate, using two different datasets. We found that the population growth rate from annual lek counts was more variable than the growth rate estimated using a matrix model. The population growth rate from the matrix model suggested a 10% decrease over the 10-year study, whereas the lek count estimator suggested a 16% increase over the same period. We suggest that growth rates derived from raw lek counts are interpreted with caution, as they may overestimate population trends relative to other methods due at least in part to observation error

Space to lead: cognitive coaching as mindful school leader practice.

Anxious, stressed school leaders can adversely affect the climate and culture of the communities they serve. The multiple roles a principal must fulfill for their schools leave little room for renewal, self-development and reflection leaving principals feeling drained of energy and a true sense of continual mastery, leaving them with low self-efficacy and primed for burnout. Leaders engaged in growing their flexibility, mindful awareness, professional and personal development may be more resilient, agile, and responsive to the high demand of school administrator’s job. This study examined the experiences of 5 principals in a suburban school district as they engaged in Cognitive Coaching. Data were analyzed using The Listening Guide methodology according to the following two research questions: 1) How do principals describe perceived self-efficacy during and after a Cognitive Coaching cycle? and 2) How do principals describe their own mindful leader traits during and after a Cognitive Coaching cycle? Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory provides the framework for this multiple case study investigating how principals describe perceived self-efficacy and mindful leader traits during and after Cognitive Coaching cycles. Principals reported feeling better prepared, focused, at ease, and confident after planning, reflecting, and problem solving with a Cognitive Coach. Leader education programs and district leaders should explore evidence based, job embedded strategies such as leader coaching and other mindful practice to help school leaders mitigate and regulate the stress of the job for the sake of retention and well-being

Body image perception and self-esteem in eating disordered females : further validation of the silhouette body image test / by K. Jennifer Helm. --

Previous research has shown that the available techniques for assessing body image perception do not provide valid and reliable measures. The present study was designed to further validate the Silhouette Body Image Test (SBIT), which was found to be a reliable and valid measure of body image perception on a population of non-eating disordered university students. In the present study, a sample of anorexics, bulimics and non-eating disordered females were administered the SBIT. Responses on the SBIT were compared to subject’s actual body size. Results indicated that eating disordered females significantly overestimated their body size when compared to non-eating disordered controls. Subjects level of self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) to examine the relationship between self-esteem and body image distortion. Eating disordered females scored significantly lower in level of self-esteem. Results indicated a significant negative correlation between low self-esteem and percent of overestimation of body size for all subjects. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed

QUANTIFYING ONLINE LEARNING CONTACT HOURS

Technological and pedagogical advances in distance education have accentuated the necessity for higher education to keep pace regarding institutional infrastructures. Each infrastructure—driven by a common mission to provide quality learning—interprets quality according to standards established by various governmental and accrediting entities. Staying ahead of the technological and pedagogical changes have been challenging for many public higher education institutions, which are continuing to struggle with online course design and delivery modes (Suttle, 2010). Online universities, however, have aggressively and strategically responded to technological and pedagogical shifts across institutional, departmental, program, and course levels according to their institutional mission, vision, and core values. The American Public University System (APUS), a leader in postsecondary online learning, continues to align these foundational components through systematic program and course assessment. Demonstrating commitment to quality, APUS leaders developed the APUS Online Contact Hours Calculator to assist faculty and program directors with the assessment of total course contact hours. Core learning management system tools used to complete in-class and homework projects were apportioned time requirements toward contact hour calculations, thus streamlining the course review process, adhering to governmental and accreditation standards, and ensuring the overall quality and rigor of each online course

CACREP Accreditation Simulation: Transformative Learning in Counselor Education

A CACREP accreditation simulation activity is provided as a framework for counselor educators to facilitate experiential learning for doctoral students in counselor education. This article includes instructional strategies for self-directed learning and reflective journaling to introduce program development and accreditation processes throughout a semester length assignment. Participating students embody the roles of fictional faculty members embarking on accreditation to promote student collaboration and increased knowledge of CACREP standards through transformative learning

Confronting the Challenge of Whale Detection from Large Vessels

As a result of a moratorium on commercial whaling, most populations of large whales are increasing across the globe. However, concurrent growth in shipping means that lethal ship-whale collisions constitute a significant threat to whale conservation efforts. This study investigates the ability of ship operators to detect and avoid whales by quantifying the predictability of whale surfacing behaviors, which are the cues used to determine whale presence. Whale avoidance is challenging because whales spend most of their time underwater and thus unavailable to be detected (the “availability process”), but must be detected at sufficiently large distances (the “detection process”) to enact an effective avoidance maneuver.  We quantified one of the main characteristics of whale behavior that governs detectability – time breaking the surface – to create a novel model of whale surfacing patterns around ships while accounting for the detection process. We then estimated the frequency with which cues go undetected (i.e. whales break the surface but ship operators are unaware of them), as well as the frequency with which whales are present but unavailable for detection (i.e. below the surface of the water). This work will enable the prediction of close ship-whale encounters given different combinations of detected and/or missed cues at varying ship speeds. It will support ship operators’ avoidance efforts by quantifying the availability and detection processes in a way that facilitates the development of whale avoidance protocols

Protect high seas biodiversity

The high seas—marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (1)—cover nearly half of Earth’s surface (2). The high seas support our planet in countless ways, from regulating the climate, to feeding millions of people, to supporting industries that contribute billions of dollars to the global economy (3). Even so, less than 1% of the high seas are fully protected (4), and the current patchwork of management and lack of oversight leaves them vulnerable to abuse. In 2017, the United Nations resolved to develop an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of the high seas. Negotiations are set to end this year. We must ensure that the forthcoming framework conserves high-seas biodiversity and promotes sustainable and equitable use

Serum Iron Level is Associated with Time to Antibiotics in Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Serum levels of hepcidin‐25, a peptide hormone that reduces blood iron content, are elevated when patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop pulmonary exacerbation (PEx). Because hepcidin‐25 is unavailable as a clinical laboratory test, we questioned whether a one‐time serum iron level was associated with the subsequent number of days until PEx, as defined by the need to receive systemic antibiotics (ABX) for health deterioration. Methods: Clinical, biochemical, and microbiological parameters were simultaneously checked in 54 adults with CF. Charts were reviewed to determine when they first experienced a PEx after these parameters were assessed. Time to ABX was compared in subgroups with and without specific attributes. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify parameters that significantly explained variation in time to ABX. Results: In univariate analyses, time to ABX was significantly shorter in subjects with Aspergillus‐positive sputum cultures and CF‐related diabetes. Multivariate linear regression models demonstrated that shorter time to ABX was associated with younger age, lower serum iron level, and Aspergillus sputum culture positivity. Conclusions: Serum iron, age, and Aspergillus sputum culture positivity are factors associated with shorter time to subsequent PEx in CF adults

Untangling a Cat’s Cradle: Diphacinone, Acetaminophen, Trauma, and Multiple Deaths in a Kentucky Cat Colony

This manuscript describes an animal cruelty investigation in which several cats from a feral colony were suspected of having been poisoned. Three of the cats were submitted for complete postmortem examination by a qualified veterinary pathologist, and appropriate toxicologic analyses were selected and interpreted by a qualified veterinary toxicologist. Diagnosis in poisoning cases requires communication and collaboration between the pathologists and the toxicologist. A truly definitive diagnosis is not always possible in poisoning cases, particularly in a forensic investigation – a court of law requires a higher standard to establish a cause of death than do routine diagnostic cases. This case series illustrates the importance of a thorough diagnostic workup in forensic animal death investigations