Job satisfaction and perceived inservice needs of Iowa Cooperative Extension personnel

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of job satisfaction and perceived professional needs of Cooperative Extension Personnel in Iowa. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) determine the level of job satisfaction; (2) determine and compare differences in levels of job satisfaction for periods ending in 1976, 1980, and 1988; (3) compare the level of job satisfaction according to selected demographic factors; and (4) determine training satisfaction and inservice needs;A questionnaire was mailed to all Iowa Cooperative Extension Service personnel and they responded to selected job satisfaction indicators. Cronbach\u27s alpha was calculated for the scaled items of the questionnaire and seven job satisfaction factors were identified through factor analysis. Non-response bias was checked;High levels of satisfaction were observed for fringe benefits, importance and value of work, challenge of job, performance and capability in job, feelings about community, and relationship with clientele, and low levels of satisfaction for amount of time and work necessary to do job, adequacy of performance evaluation, salaries compared to others in similar work, and new staff orientation;Respondents from 1988 were compared to respondents of previous studies (1976 and 1980). Satisfaction differences were observed for 21 of the 36 job satisfaction indicators. Job satisfaction levels for 1988 respondents were significantly lower than that of 1976 or 1980;Factor analysis identified seven factors with high correlations and reliabilities: (1) supervision, (2) salary, (3) creativity, (4) infrastructure, (5) status, (6) facilities, and (7) marketing;Area of position, sex, or level of education did not influence job satisfaction. Satisfaction differences were observed for position, years of experience, age of respondents, and areas assigned to. Administrators, respondents age 50 years and older, and respondents with 30 years or more experience, were observed to have the highest job satisfaction levels;Perceived inservice needs analysis indicated more inservice programs were needed in areas of administrative skills, use of satellite inservice, individual study packets, and process skills

Foraging Habitat Distributions Affect Territory Size and Shape in the Tuamotu Kingfisher

I studied factors influencing territory configuration in the Tuamotu kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri). Radiotelemetry data were used to define territory boundaries, and I tested for effects on territory size and shape of landscape habitat composition and foraging patch configuration. Tuamotu kingfisher territories were larger in areas with reduced densities of coconut plantation foraging habitat, and territories were less circular in the study site that had a single slender patch of foraging habitat. Maximum territory length did not differ between study sites, however, which suggested that the size of Tuamotu kingfisher territories might be bounded by the combined influence of maximum travel distances and habitat configurations. Results also suggested that birds enlarge territories as they age. Together, results supported previous work indicating that territory configurations represent a balance between the costs of defending a territory and gains from territory ownership

What are effective medical treatments for adults with acute migraine?

Medications collectively referred to as "triptans" (eg, sumatriptan, naratriptan, etc) have been shown to be effective for acute migraine (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)--including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, diclofenac potassium, ketoprofen, tolfenamic acid, and ketorolac-- are also effective (SOR: A). The combination of acetaminophen/aspirin/ caffeine is effective (SOR: B). Parenteral dihydroergotamine (DHE), when administered with an antiemetic, is as effective as, or more effective than meperidine, valproate, or ketorolac (SOR: B). Prochlorperazine is more effective than metoclopramide in headache pain reduction (SOR: A). Isometheptene mucate/dichloralphenazone/ acetaminophen is as effective as low-dose oral sumatriptan (SOR: B)

Territoriality, Prospecting, and Dispersal in Cooperatively Breeding Micronesian Kingfishers (\u3ci\u3eTodiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii\u3c/i\u3e)

We investigated territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal behavior in cooperatively breeding Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii) throughout the annual cycle using radiotelemetry and color-band resights. Mean home-range size was 6.3 ha and territories were 8.1 ha. Within territories, Micronesian Kingfishers shared 63% of their home-range space with coterritorial occupants, and 3% was shared with extraterritorial conspecifics. Birds on cooperative territories had larger home ranges that overlapped more with coterritory occupants’ home ranges than birds in pair-held territories. Despite evidence suggesting that resources necessary for survival and reproduction occurred on each territory, Micronesian Kingfishers of all age and sex classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements. Prospecting was rare; it comprised only 4.3% of our observations. When birds departed on forays, they were gone for ∼1.9 h and returned to home territories before sunset. Prospecting by dominant birds was temporally correlated with courtship and nest initiation, and birds were observed at neighboring nest sites with opposite-sex conspecifics during the period when females were available for fertilization. Juveniles and helpers prospected throughout the year and made repeated homesteading movements to dispersal destinations before dispersing. Mean dispersal distance for radiomarked individuals was 849 m. Results suggest that prospecting in Micronesian Kingfishers is a complex behavior that provides information for dispersal decisions and familiarity with dispersal destinations. Additionally, extraterritorial movements may provide covert opportunities for reproduction, which have potential to profoundly influence the distribution of fitness among helper and dominant Micronesian Kingfishers

Territoriality, Prospecting, and Dispersal in Cooperatively Breeding Micronesian Kingfishers (\u3ci\u3eTodiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii\u3c/i\u3e)

We investigated territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal behavior in cooperatively breeding Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii) throughout the annual cycle using radiotelemetry and color-band resights. Mean home-range size was 6.3 ha and territories were 8.1 ha. Within territories, Micronesian Kingfishers shared 63% of their home-range space with coterritorial occupants, and 3% was shared with extraterritorial conspecifics. Birds on cooperative territories had larger home ranges that overlapped more with coterritory occupants’ home ranges than birds in pair-held territories. Despite evidence suggesting that resources necessary for survival and reproduction occurred on each territory, Micronesian Kingfishers of all age and sex classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements. Prospecting was rare; it comprised only 4.3% of our observations. When birds departed on forays, they were gone for ∼1.9 h and returned to home territories before sunset. Prospecting by dominant birds was temporally correlated with courtship and nest initiation, and birds were observed at neighboring nest sites with opposite-sex conspecifics during the period when females were available for fertilization. Juveniles and helpers prospected throughout the year and made repeated homesteading movements to dispersal destinations before dispersing. Mean dispersal distance for radiomarked individuals was 849 m. Results suggest that prospecting in Micronesian Kingfishers is a complex behavior that provides information for dispersal decisions and familiarity with dispersal destinations. Additionally, extraterritorial movements may provide covert opportunities for reproduction, which have potential to profoundly influence the distribution of fitness among helper and dominant Micronesian Kingfishers

Sex Determination of Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers Using Morphological and Molecular Genetic Techniques

Conservation-oriented studies of Micronesian Kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus) have been hindered by a lack of basic natural history information, despite the status of the Guam subspecies (T. c. cinnamominus) as one of the most endangered species in the world. We used tissue samples and morphometric measures from museum specimens and wild-captured Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (T. c. reichenbachii) to develop methods for sex determination. We present a modified molecular protocol and a discriminant function that yields the probability that a particular individual is male or female. Our results revealed that females were significantly larger than males, and the discriminant function correctly predicted sex in 73% (30/41) of the individuals. The sex of 86% (18/21) of individuals was correctly assigned when a moderate reliability threshold was set. Sex determination using molecular genetic techniques was more reliable than methods based on morphology. Our results will facilitate recovery efforts for the critically endangered Guam Micronesian Kingfisher and provide a basis for sex determination in the 11 other endangered congeners in the Pacific Basin

Population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers

Island systems and species are susceptible to extinction because of their small population size and an ecological naiveté from an evolutionary past lacking strong competition and predation. For example, only one-fifth of the world’s bird species occur on islands, yet more than 90% of the avian extinctions witnessed during historic times were island forms. Introduced predators and competitor species are among the major conservation issues facing insular systems. On the island of Guam, brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) are responsible for the local extinction of twelve native forest birds. The endangered Guam Micronesian Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus cinnamominus) is one of the species affected by the introduced snake, as the bird remains only in captive breeding institutions on the U.S. mainland. In addition to Guam, the islands of Pohnpei and Palau host endemic subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher (T. c. reichenbachii and T. c. pelewensis respectively) that are similarly threatened with extinction. Previous investigations into the behavioral ecology of the Pohnpei subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher yielded observations of cooperative social behaviors. Over the past three decades, much research has focused on cooperatively breeding species, which are commonly characterized by non-breeding individuals that delay dispersal and assist others with reproduction. Research addressing cooperative breeding suggests that the behavior is a complex response to interacting factors including life history characteristics, demography, resources, movement, and behavior. The dearth of information available about critically endangered Micronesian Kingfishers, combined with their potential to provide new insights into cooperative social behaviors, inspired the research presented in this dissertation. The aims were two-fold; results were intended to bolster our understanding of cooperative social behaviors while simultaneously providing vital information to conservation practitioners. Methodology for determining the sex of study individuals is presented in chapter two, which facilitated investigations that followed. Chapter three addressed the interaction between kingfishers and resources at both the landscape and home range scale. Higher population densities are associated with lowland mangrove, marsh forested habitats, and open vegetation types at the landscape scale. Results further indicated that at the home range scale, birds selectively used late succession forested habitats in higher proportions than their availability, and forest areas were entirely utilized in study areas where territories were packed boundary-to-boundary. Together these suggested that forested areas and the resources they contain might be limited for Micronesian Kingfishers. Movement and space use in Micronesian Kingfishers were the focus of chapter four. Within territories, the home ranges of birds overlapped, although not entirely. Birds of all ages and social classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements, but they appear to serve different functions. Juveniles and helpers were observed dispersing from natal areas, but only after repeated extraterritorial homesteading movements. The timing and destinations of adult prospecting suggested that the behavior might provide opportunities for covert reproduction. Population demography was addressed in chapters five and six, which concluded with the development of a population projection model that will be useful in kingfisher conservation efforts throughout the Pacific. Nestlings on cooperative territories had higher estimated survival rates than those on pair territories. Further, the timing of nestling disappearances and a modified nestling mandible suggested that mortalities were caused by siblicidal nest-mates. In chapter six, post-fledging vital rates were estimated for Micronesian Kingfishers and a population projection matrix model was developed. Vital rate parameters were then varied, and the model was used in a simulation analysis to evaluate the apparent influence of each parameter on population dynamics across a range of potential values. The exercise was intended to lend insight into the dynamics of Micronesian Kingfisher populations and to form a base model for management of the other eleven endangered Pacific Todiramphus species. In summary, information presented in this dissertation lends insight into factors important to understanding population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Results illustrate that, like other cooperatively breeding species, the birds on Pohnpei are highly territorial and dispersal options may be limited by territory vacancies and forest resources. Extraterritorial prospecting movements have been observed in many cooperative species, and these results illustrate that they may serve multiple purposes. Siblicide is also a phenomenon present in resource-limited species and its occurrence in Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers underscores the importance of resources to the evolutionary history of the birds. Results from demographic analyses and modeling suggest that conservation efforts for Micronesian Kingfishers, and the other eleven Todiramphus species, should be broadly focused on all life history stages.Keywords: Todirhamphus cinnamominus, endangered species, Halcyon cinnamomina, Todiramphus cinnamominus, cooperative breeding, conservatio

Admissions to a low resource neonatal unit in Malawi using The NeoTree application: A digital perinatal outcome audit

Background: Mobile-health has increasing potential to address health outcomes in under-resourced settings as smart-phone coverage increases. The NeoTree is a mobile-health application co-developed in Malawi to improve the quality of newborn care at the point of admission to neonatal units. While collecting vital demographic and clinical data this interactive platform provides clinical decision-support, and training for the end-users (health care workers (HCW)), according to evidence based national and international guidelines. Objective: Our aims were to examine one month of data collected using the NeoTree in an outcome audit of babies admitted to a district-level neonatal nursery in Malawi and to demonstrate proof of concept of digital audit data in this setting. Methods: Using a phased approach over one month (21 Nov – 19 Dec, 2016), frontline HCWs were trained and supported to use the NeoTree to admit newborns. Discharge data were collected by the research team using a discharge form within the NeoTree ‘NeoDischarge’. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the exported pseudonomysed data and presented to the newborn care department as a digital audit. Results: Of 191 total admissions, 134 (70%) admissions were completed using the NeoTree and 129 (67%) were exported and analysed. Of these 129, 102 (79%) were discharged alive. Overall case fatality rate was 93 per 1000 admitted babies. Prematurity with respiratory distress syndrome, Birth Asphyxia, and Neonatal sepsis contributed to 41.6%, 58.3% and 16.6% of deaths respectively. Deaths may have been under-reported due to phased implementation and some families of babies with imminent deaths self-discharging home. Detailed characterisation of the data enabled departmental discussion of modifiable factors for quality improvement, for example improved thermoregulation of infants. Conclusions: This digital outcome audit demonstrates that data can be captured digitally at the bedside by HCWs in under-resourced newborn facilities and these data can contribute to meaningful review of quality of care/outcomes and potential modifiable factors. Coverage may be improved during future implementation by streamlining the admission process to be solely via digital format. Our results present a new methodology for newborn audit in low-resource settings and are a proof of concept for a novel newborn data system in these settings

Contraceptive Efficacy of a Novel Intrauterine Device (IUD) in White-Tailed Deer

Overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) pose risks to property, health, and safety of human beings. Public concerns about lethal management can impair efforts to address these issues, particularly in urban settings. Several techniques developed for reducing reproductive output of deer have limited utility because they require repeated dosing to achieve permanent effect and face uncertain regulatory approval for use beyond experimentation. From 10 August 2006 through 30 December 2007, we evaluated the contraceptive efficacy of copper-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs) implanted trans-cervically in white-tailed deer at the E.S. George Reserve in Pinckney, Michigan. Intrauterine devices were implanted before (n = 9) and shortly after (n = 10) the breeding season. Post-breeding season IUD treatment was in conjunction with a 5 cm3 dose of 5 mg/ml prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), delivered subcutaneously. Intrauterine devices reduced pregnancy rates when administered prior to breeding (P \u3c 0.001) and prevented pregnancy for up to 2 years (the duration of the study). Two of 8 does that received IUDs prior to the breeding season and survived to the end of the study became pregnant (due to loss of the implant) during the second year while all (n = 16) does without implants conceived. Cervical changes associated with early pregnancy made trans-cervical implantation after the breeding season challenging, and resulted in improperly placed IUDs in 2 treated does. The apparent expulsion of IUDs by pregnant does that received the combined treatment after breeding suggests IUD treatment should be limited to the pre-breeding season. Intrauterine devices show potential as a tool for small-scale deer population management via non-steroidal reproductive inhibition