Recent ornithological observations from Buru

The island of Buru was visited between 8 Nov and 10 Dec 1969 and surveys conducted from field stations in the north-west of the island. A total of 112 species was recorded, including six of Bum's ten endemic species. Four of the endemic species, Pnoniturus mada, Monarcha loricatus, Rhipidura superflua and Zosterops buruensis were found to be quite common, but Lichmera deningeri and Coracina fortis are considered to be uncommon or rare. The mountains or Burn from where Madanga ruficollis and Rhinomyias addita have previously been collected were not visited. Concern is expressed concerning the status of two endemic parrots, Charmosyna toxopei and Tanypiathus gramineus, which were not conclusively recorded and which appear to have always been rare. Six species were recorded for the first tune on Buru

The PHPA/BirdLife International -Indonesia Programme: Goals and Approaches

The PHPA/BirdLife-Indonesia Programme (IP) is a collaborative conservation programme between the Ministry of Forestry, Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHPA) and BirdLife International, formalised in an Agreement approved by the Secretariat Kabinet, Republic of Indonesia, This paper provides a brief digest of the goals, structure, approaches and activities of the programme

Advancing Use of Key Integrated Pest Management Practices in Schools

Since 2011, Oregon State University has conducted integrated pest management (IPM) training specific to public schools. School personnel receive onsite training on key IPM practices as well as associated materials. To determine which practices and materials school employees are using as a result of the program, we administered a survey to 2016 training attendees. We found that all returning attendees had been implementing practices and using materials as a result of the training. The most common practice was sealing holes to keep pests out. Additionally, the majority of respondents reported a reduction in pesticide use. Our approach may serve as a reference for Extension specialists in developing school IPM programs in other states

An invesigation into the rehabilitation of patients following primary total hip replacement due to osteoarthritis

This thesis investigates the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement for osteoarthritis using two research methodologies. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions delivered either pre-admission, during hospital stay, or post-discharge. Findings indicated the interventions reduced anxiety, improved pre-surgery and long-term function, and reduced length of stay. Small sample sizes, high levels of clinical and statistical heterogeneity and lack of specific occupational therapy studies reduced the strength of findings. The PROOF-THR feasibility study (ISRCTN38381590) recruited 44 participants to investigate recruitment and randomisation processes, acceptance of group allocation, fidelity of the intervention, and appropriateness of outcome measures and data collection methods. The intervention group received a bespoke pre-surgery home visit by an occupational therapist; the control group received treatment as usual. The intervention was delivered successfully with no withdrawals or crossovers, and reasonable retention rates indicating a definitive trial could be conducted following the feasibility methodology, although methods to improve follow-up data collection should be implemented. This thesis concluded that higher quality occupational therapy specific research is needed to establish the efficacy and effectiveness of occupational therapy practices. A complex rehabilitation intervention can be successfully investigated by following established procedures

Surfactant Incorporated Nanostructures for Pressure Drop Reduction in Oil and Gas Lines

Nano-sized rare earth metal oxide particles are prepared from aqueous reverse micelles. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and uniformly incorporate a surfactant in each particle, so that when applied to the inner surface of a pipeline or sprayed onto a fluid stream in a pipeline, the particles reduce the roughness of the inside surface of pipe being used to transport fluid. The application of a nanolayer of this novel nanoceria mixture causes a significant reduction in pressure drops, friction, and better recovery and yield of fluid flowing through a pipeline

Surfactant Incorporated Nanostructure for Pressure Drop Reduction in Oil and Gas Lines [DIV]

Nano-sized rare earth metal oxide particles are prepared from aqueous reverse micelles. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and uniformly incorporate a surfactant in each particle, so that when applied to the inner surface of a pipeline or sprayed onto a fluid stream in a pipeline, the particles reduce the roughness of the inside surface of pipe being used to transport fluid. The application of a nanolayer of this novel nanoceria mixture causes a significant reduction in pressure drops, friction, and better recovery and yield of fluid flowing through a pipeline

Integrated Pest Management Summit Reveals Barriers, Needs, and Goals for Agricultural Extension

Integrated pest management (IPM) continues to be an area of great importance for agricultural Extension. However, there are barriers to implementation. To advance understanding of current status, barriers, and needs in IPM Extension, we organized a 1-day IPM summit for Oregon State University agricultural Extension faculty. Over 50 faculty attended from various departments and programs. We report on the process and highlight the top barriers, needs, and goals revealed. We hope to stimulate similar meetings among other agricultural Extension professionals and enhance Extension professionals\u27 collective understanding of barriers to IPM to reveal pathways for progress

Harbour porpoise thyroids: Histological investigations and potential interactions with environmental factors

The thyroid plays an important role in development and is of primary importance in metabolism and heat loss for cetaceans, including the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Several studies have demonstrated that environmental contaminants can alter various aspects of thyroid function in mammals and may contribute to various histologic changes. The present study completes the data set of a 2006 study by Das et al., by performing histological and immunohistologic investigations on thyroids of 36 harbor porpoises from Belgian and United Kingdom waters. The number and mean diameter of follicles (µm) and the relative proportion of follicular, connective, and vascular tissue (%) were quantified in the thyroid gland of each individual. Interfollicular fibrosis has been observed in these thyroid glands, and the collective findings support the hypothesis of an endocrine disruption of thyroid function through organochlorinated compounds. Our study aimed also to reveal potential relationships between thyroid morphometric data and metal levels (Cd, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, and Hg) using multivariate statistical analysis. The multiple regressions revealed statistically significant relationships between trace elements (cadmium, selenium, and copper) and thyroid fibrosis. The largely negative relationships are interesting findings but do not support the hypothesis that these elements have an adverse effect on thyroid morphometry. Further research is needed to understand the nature of any relationship between organochlorine and trace element exposure and thyroid gland morphology and function in harbor porpoises.Peer reviewe