Reproductive Strategies of Northern Goshawks and Cooper\u27s Hawks in North-Central New Mexico

I assumed that the reproductive strategies of the two Accipiter species investigated in this study, the northern Goshawk (A. gentilis) and the Cooper\u27s hawk (A. cooperii), would be similar to the strategies of other monogamous raptors with sex role partitioning. Any differences in the species\u27 reproductive strategies, particularly hunting strategies, were expected to be a function of their size differences. Contrary to predictions, results indicated that, in north-central New Mexico during brood rearing, both species had similar hunting strategies and utilized similar prey species. These results also indicated that the reproductive strategies of the Cooper\u27s hawk were not adequately described by simple models of sex role partitioning. In this population, over 50% of the female Cooper\u27s hawks deserted during the fledgling-dependency period and made no attempt to renest. In all cases of desertion, the male provided uniparental care until the young were independent. Based on time-energy budget estimates, the deserting females were in poorer physical condition at the time of desertion than were the nondeserting females. This was attributed to the deserter preferentially feeding the nestlings when the quantity of food delivered to the nest by either parent was inadequate to meet the family\u27s requirements. Based on these observations, I developed a dynamic stochastic optimization model to explore the hypotheses that (1) the optimal reproductive strategy of the female Cooper\u27s hawks is the strategy that maximizes her reproductive fitness; and (2) the major factors affecting the female\u27s reproductive fitness and, thus, her optimal strategies are her physical condition, the physical condition of the nestlings, the risks to the nestlings associated with each strategy, and the foraging capabilities of her mate. The model defined reproductive fitness as the weighted average of the nestlings\u27 expected survival and the female\u27s expected reproductive potential in the next breeding season. Using independent sources for the parameters, the model validation compared the model predictions with actual observations of the behavior of radio-tagged, nesting females in this population of Cooper\u27s hawks. The model correctly predicted 90% of the strategies exhibited by the nesting females, which supported the initial hypotheses

Synthesis of Knowledge on the Effects of Fire and Thinning Treatments on Understory Vegetation in U.S. Dry Forests

A century of fire exclusion in dry forests across the United States has resulted in high fuel loads and increasing dominance by fire-intolerant vegetation. Federal, state, and private agencies have adopted a goal of managing forests to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire. Forest managers use a variety of tools to create desired conditions within forests; the most common are prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. These two treatments may be used separately or in combination, depending on restoration goals for the forest stand. Before these treatments can be applied, managers must justify their choice by documenting the effects of the treatment on other ecosystem components, such as understory vegetation. Understory vegetation in fire-dominated landscapes often has adapted to regrowing in frequent, low-severity fire regimes. Because fire releases nutrients and, by opening the canopy, allows light to the forest floor, the understory response is positive (e.g., increased growth or reproduction). Scientific reviews of the literature document the effect of fire (prescribed and wildfire) on both native and exotic understory vegetation. However, no synthesis is available on the effects of thinning treatments on understory vegetation. One goal of this document is to synthesize the literature on the effects of mechanical thinning on understory plant species. A second goal is to document the effect of prescribed burning on rare, threatened, or endangered species. We review current literature on studies that address effects of prescribed fire and thinning treatments on understory vegetation. The studies’ outcomes are presented in two sets of tables: (1) functional group results, and (2) species-specific results. Managers often are interested in and need to report the effects of treatments on species; functional group responses can provide a clue to how a species might respond if no other information is available. In general, fire and thinning treatments increased response of understory species. More intense treatments, such as combined thin+burn treatments and greater thinning intensity, had the highest increases in cover and production. Thin-only and burn-only treatments had more moderate increases. In addition, most studies found exotic plants’ response increased as disturbance intensity increased; however, most studies report very low invasive presence even after the treatments. If one of the goals of the forest management plan is to increase presence or cover of understory species in general, then prescribed fire and thinning treatments may be a viable option to restore forest understory. Rare, threatened, and endangered species in dry forest environments often respond favorably to prescribed fires. Many of the species reported in this document increased in abundance or reproduction or were unaffected by fire, indicating that prescribed fire is compatible with (or beneficial for) restoration of these species. The results of this synthesis illustrate several important lessons. First, current forest structure is the result of decades of fire-suppression activities, and so restoration will require multiple treatments to bring forests to within the range of historic variation. Second, while the treatments discussed in this document generally increased native plant responses, the same treatments also increased exotic plant response. Therefore, to avoid spread of exotic plant species, it is important to consider the context of the treatment area, (e.g., nearby roads, wildland urban interface, previous exotic plant invasions) before applying the treatments. Third, applying thinning and prescribed burning treatments in a mosaic pattern of treatment time and type across the landscape will help to maintain a diversity of vegetation (e.g., early-, mid-, and late-successional species across the landscape)

Potential factors influencing nest defense in diurnal North American raptors

Nesting habitat, predator type, and level of reproductive effort influence nest defense behaviors in many bird species, yet no study has examined these or other possible factors influencing nest defense in a cross-species comparison for raptors. Using data from the literature, we grouped the nest defense behaviors of 19 diurnal North American raptors into four categories based on a gradient of aggressiveness. For each species, we identified the cover types where nesting occurred, accessibility of nest location, assessed two indices of reproductive effort, and examined associations between these factors and nest-defense behavior. We also we examined responses by raptor species to different predator types including diurnal avian, nocturnal avian, mammalian (not human), and human. Most raptor species with high reproductive effort exhibited very aggressive nest defense. Most raptor species nesting in open cover types and species with accessible nests showed aggressive nest defense. While many raptors react aggressively toward diurnal and nocturnal avian predators, they exhibit less aggressive defense against potential human predators. Results from this study suggest that a variety of factors may influence nest-defense strategies used by diurnal raptors. However, more work is needed on the relative influence of these factors (including predation risk) and variation in raptor nest defense strategies before general patterns can be elucidated

Influences of Management Regimes on Breeding Bird Densities and Habitat in Mixed-Grass Prairie: An Example from North Dakota

It is well known that North American grassland bird populations appear to be declining (Igl and Johnson 1997, Sauer et al. 2004). Most of these birds breed and winter in North America, so declines are likely associated with continental processes (Knopf 1994). Scientists have also observed parallel declines among species that have overlapping breeding ranges but disparate wintering distributions (Igl and Johnson 1997). These patterns suggest declines may be linked to problems on the breeding grounds

The LSI and MBTI as Predictors of Learning Style

The benefits of incorporating learning style theories in the educational process are well-documented. The problem facing educators is the choice of assessment tools that provide useful and significant information. The purpose of this study was to compare Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory-1985 (LSI-85) and the Myers- Briggs Type Indicator-Form G (MBIT-G) to identify existence, strength and direction of correlations. Data were collected from 132 nursing and physical therapy students. Results show some correlations between the two instruments. However, the strength of the correlations is weak and not in predicted directions. Overall, the MBTI-G appears superior to the LSI-85 for assessing learning styles in the classroom

A Randomized, Controlled, Phase 2 Study of Maralixibat in the Treatment of Itching Associated With Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is typically associated with elevated serum bile acid levels and pruritus, but pruritus is often refractory to treatment with existing therapies. This phase 2 study assessed the efficacy and safety of maralixibat, a selective, ileal, apical, sodium-dependent, bile acid transporter inhibitor, in adults with PBC and pruritus. Adults with PBC and pruritus who had received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for ≥6 months or were intolerant to UDCA were randomized 2:1 to maralixibat (10 or 20 mg/day) or placebo for 13 weeks in combination with UDCA (when tolerated). The primary outcome was change in Adult Itch Reported Outcome (ItchRO™) average weekly sum score (0, no itching; 70, maximum itching) from baseline to week 13/early termination (ET). The study enrolled 66 patients (maralixibat [both doses combined], n = 42; placebo, n = 24). Mean ItchRO™ weekly sum scores decreased from baseline to week 13/ET with maralixibat (-26.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], -31.8, -21.2) and placebo (-23.4; 95% CI, -30.3, -16.4). The difference between groups was not significant (P = 0.48). In the maralixibat and placebo groups, adverse events (AEs) were reported in 97.6% and 70.8% of patients, respectively. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently reported AEs (maralixibat, 78.6%; placebo, 50.0%). Conclusion: Reductions in pruritus did not differ significantly between maralixibat and placebo. However, a large placebo effect may have confounded assessment of pruritus. Lessons learned from this rigorously designed and executed trial are indispensable for understanding how to approach trials assessing pruritus as the primary endpoint and the therapeutic window of bile acid uptake inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in PBC

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis detected by routine surveillance ultrasound in neurosurgery patients receiving dual modality prophylaxis.

The optimal method of thromboprophylaxis and the value of screening ultrasonography for detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in neurosurgery patients remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of DVT in neurosurgical patients who, by hospital protocol, receive surveillance ultrasonography of the lower extremities twice weekly, in addition to prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin and external pneumatic compression sleeves. A retrospective review of 7,298 ultrasound studies carried out on 2,593 patients over 4 years at a university neurosurgical hospital was conducted. There was a 7.4% incidence of proximal lower extremity DVT and a 9.7% total incidence including distal DVT. A greater number of distal DVTs were detected with the implementation of whole-leg ultrasonography in the last 2 years of observation. Chart review of 237 patients diagnosed with DVT demonstrated an admitting diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in nearly half of the patients. The median hospital length of stay for DVT patients was 18 days. Institutional control data demonstrated non-ruptured aneurysm and cerebrovascular anomalies to be the leading reason for admission, followed closely by subarachnoid hemorrhage. The hospital protocol of biweekly screening ultrasound and dual modality prophylaxis for neurosurgery patients resulted in a proximal DVT incidence consistent with that demonstrated by previous studies of standardized dual modality prophylaxis, and higher than that demonstrated in previous studies that employed ultrasound screening protocols

Territoriality in diurnal raptors: relative roles of recent evolution, diet and nest site

Animal territoriality, defined here as defence of well-delimited breeding areas to exclude competitors, has beenwidely studied. However, the phylogenetic and ecological characteristics influencing the variation in the expressionof this behaviour are poorly understood. We evaluated the effect of phylogeny and key ecological factors on territorialbehaviour and territory size in diurnal raptors from the western Palearctic and New World. To our knowledge, ourwork is the first comparative analysis of raptor territorial behaviour and territory size that accounts for phylogeneticrelationships. One important finding is that territorial behaviour has not been strongly conserved across evolutionarytime, but differences in territoriality of diurnal raptors have been influenced by recent evolution, which has ledto variations of this behaviour in response to changes in climate and habitat. Raptor current ecology is also associatedwith the expression of these traits. Species that capture more agile prey and nest in more protected sites weremost likely to be territorial. Additionally, territorial species that are bigger and capture more agile and bigger preydefended larger territories than species feeding on more vulnerable and smaller prey. We discuss potential mechanismsfor these patterns and the implications of our findings for future research on avian territoriality.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología-CICYTREMEDINALMinisterio de Educación y Cienci

Initiation of a critical pathway for pancreaticoduodenectomy at an academic institution -- the first step in multi-disciplinary team building

Objective: This study was designed to identify quantifiable parameters to track performance improvements brought about by the implementation of a critical pathway for complex alimentary tract surgery. Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex general surgical procedure performed in varying numbers at many academic institutions. Originally associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality, multiple studies have now shown that this operation can be performed quite safely at high volume institutions that develop a particular expertise. Critical pathways are one of the key tools used to achieve consistently excellent outcomes as these institutions. It remains to be determined if implementation of a critical pathway at an academic institution with prior moderate experience with PD will result in performance gains and improved outcomes. Methods: Between January 1, 2004 and October 15, 2006 135 patients underwent PD, 44 before the implementation of a critical pathway on October 15, 2005, and 91 after. Perioperative and postoperative parameters were analyzed retrospectively to identify those that could be used to track performance improvement and outcomes. Key aspects of the pathway include spending the night of surgery in the intensive care unit with careful attention to fluid balance, early mobilization on post-operative day one, aggressive early removal of encumbrances such as nasogastric tubes and urinary catheters, early post-operative feeding, and targeting discharge for postoperative day 6 or 7. Results: The pre- and post-pathway implementation groups were not statistically different with regards to age, sex, race, or pathology (malignant versus benign). Perioperative mortality, operative blood loss, and number of transfused units of packed red blood cells were also similar. As compared to the pre-pathway group, the post-pathway group had a significantly shorter postoperative length of stay (13 versus 7 days, P ≤ 0.0001), operative time (435 ± 14 minutes versus 379 ± 12 minutes, P ≤ 0.0001), and in room non-operative time (95 ± 4 minutes versus 76 ± 2 minutes, P ≤ 0.0001). Total hospital charges were significantly reduced from $240,242 ±$32,490 versus $126,566 ±$4883 (P ≤ 0.0001) after pathway implementation. Postoperative complication rates remained constant (44% pre-pathway versus 37% after, P = NS). Readmission rates were not negatively affected by the reduction in length of stay, with a 7% readmission rate prior to implementation and a 7.7% rate after implementation. Conclusion: Implementation of a critical pathway for a complex procedure can be demonstrated to improve short-term outcomes at an academic institution. This improvement can be quantified and tracked and has implications for better utilization of resources (greater OR and hospital bed availability) and overall cost containment. With a very conservative estimate of 75 pancreaticoduodenectomies per year by this group, this translates to a savings of 450 hospital days and over $8,550,000 in hospital charges on an annual basis. As we enter the pay for performance era, institutions will be required to generate such data in order to retain patient volumes, attract new patients, and receive incentive payments for high quality services rendered

Synthesis of knowledge on the effects of fire and fire surrogates on wildlife in U.S. dry forests

"Dry forests throughout the United States are fire-dependent ecosystems, and much attention has been given to restoring their ecological function.Published September 2009. Reviewed December 2013. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogKeywords: forest fires, fire surrogate