A Completion Report of The Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit

Field data and observational records emphasized three themes for research: a) behavior of individual animals (by sex and age) and groups of caribou (by size and composition) in the vicinity of man-made obstructions, b) reactions of caribou presented with deflection or choice situations, that is, when in proximity to an alternate method of passage over or under the pipelines, and c) reaction of maternal cows and calves when confronting similar structures. The responses of animals on subsequent encounters with the pipelines were studied for insights on the learning ability of caribou to pass beneath or over obstacles.Submitted to: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, British Petroleum Alaska Inc., and The U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and WildlifeIntroduction -- Historical and Contemporary Importance of the Prudhoe Bay Area to Arctic Caribou Populations -- Study Facilities -- Research Objectives -- Field Procedures -- Results and Discussions -- Summary -- Recommendations -- References Cited -- Appendix A: I. Test of Independence of Two Properties Using the G-test; II. Testing for the Equality of Two Percentages and Independence of Two Properties -- Appendix B -- Appendix

The Mountain Caribou in Managed Forests Program: Integrating forestry and habitat management in British Columbia

Caribou in southeastern and east central British Columbia generally use old-growth forests rather than clearcuts or immature stands. During winter, they subsist on arboreal lichens, which are most abundant in old growth. The Mountain Caribou in Managed Forests program was initiated to adress the question: can forest stands be managed, through silvicultural systems and habitat enhancement techniques, to provide both timber and caribou habitat? The program includes radiotelemetry, habitat capability mapping, habitat management trials, and development of an integrated strategy. The management trials are aimed at maintaining arboreal lichens and other key habitat attributes in managed stands. The strategy development component involves wildlife biologists and foresters in developing and implementing solutions to logging-caribou conflicts

YOUTUBE (TM) INSIGHTS INTO MOOSE-TRAIN INTERACTIONS

To gain a better understanding of the behavioral aspects of moose-train encounters, we reviewed videos of ungulate-train interactions available on YouTubetmand from train operators. Video footage consisted of 21 animal-train encounters including moose (Alces alces; 47.4%), cattle (Bos taurus; 15.8%), deer (Odocoileus spp.; 10.5%), elk (Cervus elaphus; 10.5%), camels (Camelus dromedarius; 10.5%), and sheep (Ovis aries; 5.3%). Footage was recorded predominantly in snow-free conditions, but most moose-train interactions were in winter when moose appeared to be trapped by deep snow banks along rail beds. Moose, elk, and deer all ran along the rail bed primarily inside of the tracks and nearer the rails than track center. Collision mortality generally occurred on straight stretches of track. Escapes occurred where a discontinuity in the habitat/setting occurred and/or when train speed was reduced. We suggest that videos can provide a valuable resource for interpreting ungulate reactions to trains and that videos gathered purposefully on railways and posted on open source databases will be useful for studying the dynamics of moose-train collisions for mitigation planning

AGE, SEX, AND SEASONAL DIFFERENCES OF CARCASS WEIGHTS OF MOOSE FROM THE CENTRAL INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Carcass weight (4 quarters without head, hide, lower legs, or internal organs) of moose (Alces alces) harvested in 1995-2007 in the Omineca sub-region of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada were obtained from meat cutters records submitted to the Conservation Officer Service, Prince George, British Columbia. Mean carcass weight of male calves (<1 year) was 82 ± 16 (SD) kg and was not different (P = 0.629) from that of female calves that was 81 ± 13 kg. Mean carcass weight of juvenile bulls (spike/fork antlers) was 162 ± 21 kg. The mean carcass weight (249 ± 37) of adult bulls (larger than spike/fork antlers) was heavier (25%, P <0.001) than that of adult cows (199 ± 29 kg. Mean carcass weight of adult bulls was heavier (14 kg or 5.9% of carcass weight, P = 0.002) in the pre-rut (10-25 September) than post-rut period (16-31 October); a similar change did not occur in juvenile bulls (P = 0.244). The mean carcass weights of calves (P = 0.651) and adult cows (P = 0.142) were not different between the October and late November-early December hunting seasons. Carcass weights and sexual size dimorphism for moose from the Omineca were mostly similar to those from European and North American ranges. We recommend increased collection of biological data at hunter check stations to provide more accurate body weight data and associated relationships

Association of Cord Blood Magnesium Concentration and Neonatal Resuscitation

Objective Assess the relationship between umbilical cord blood magnesium concentration and level of delivery room resuscitation received by neonates

The association of cerebral palsy and death with small-for-gestational-age birthweight in preterm neonates by individualized and population-based percentiles

To determine whether an individualized growth standard (IS) improves identification of preterm small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates at risk of developing moderate/severe cerebral palsy (CP) or death

Placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase in multiple and single dose betamethasone exposed pregnancies

To compare endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS ) expression and capillary density (CDS) in placentas exposed to single or multiple courses of betamethasone

Prediction of uterine rupture associated with attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

To predict individual-specific risk of uterine rupture during an attempted vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)

Risk-adjusted models for adverse obstetric outcomes and variation in risk-adjusted outcomes across hospitals

Regulatory bodies and insurers evaluate hospital quality using obstetrical outcomes, however meaningful comparisons should take pre-existing patient characteristics into account. Furthermore, if risk-adjusted outcomes are consistent within a hospital, fewer measures and resources would be needed to assess obstetrical quality. Our objective was to establish risk-adjusted models for five obstetric outcomes and assess hospital performance across these outcomes

Salivary progesterone and estriol among pregnant women treated with 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or placebo

The objectives of the study was to determine whether salivary progesterone (P) or estriol (E3) concentration at 16–20 weeks’ gestation predicts preterm birth or the response to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) and whether 17OHPC treatment affected the trajectory of salivary P and E3 as pregnancy progressed