Design and Key Features of the PIAAC Survey of Adults

This chapter gives an overview of the most important features of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) survey as it pertains to two main goals. First, only a well-designed survey will lead to accurate and comparable test scores across different countries and languages both within and across assessment cycles. Second, only an understanding of its complex survey design will lead to proper use of the PIAAC data in secondary analyses and meaningful interpretation of results by psychometricians, data analysts, scientists, and policymakers. The chapter begins with a brief introduction to the PIAAC survey followed by an overview of the background questionnaire and the cognitive measures. The cognitive measures are then compared to what was assessed in previous international adult surveys. Key features of the assessment design are discussed followed by a section describing what could be done to improve future PIAAC cycles

A revision of Mnesithea (Gramineae–Rottboelliinae) in Malesia and Thailand

A revision of Mnesithea (Gramineae – Rottboelliinae) in Malesia and Thailand showed that 11 species and 2 varieties occur. The suggestion that there would be a drought plant refuge in SE Borneo near Banjarmasin is supported

Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus thriving on a non-marine diet

Capsule : Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus breeding 30 km from the coast in the Netherlands focussed entirely on terrestrial food sources and reached relatively high breeding success. Aim : To gain insight in the foraging ecology, habitat use and breeding performance of inland-breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Methods : We received data from seven birds fitted with global positioning system (GPS) loggers. The colony was frequently visited to collect pellets and boluses and to monitor reproductive success, mortality and growth rate of chicks. Results : The GPS data revealed that mainly terrestrial habitats were used, 98% of these GPS positions were within 25 km of the colony. Refuse dumps were the most preferred sites, but also agricultural fields and freshwater bodies were often visited. Only two of the 710 recorded trips were directed to the North Sea. The pellet and bolus analyses confirmed the GPS data: no marine food remains were found. Breeding success of birds in the enclosure was relatively high, with 90% of eggs hatched and 51% of chicks fledged (1.6 chicks/pair). Conclusions : Relying on terrestrial food is feasible when sources are available in the vicinity of the colony. We conclude that Lesser Black-backed Gulls could theoretically shift towards inland breeding after a fishery discards ban