Smelling out predators is innate in birds

The role of olfaction for predation risk assessment remains barely explored in birds, although predator chemical cues could be useful in predator detection under low visibility conditions for many bird species. We examine whether Great Tits Parus major are able to use the odour of mustelids to assess predation risk when selecting cavities for roosting. We analysed whether the response to predator chemical cues is innate and assessed whether the antipredatory response is associated with exploratory behaviour, a proxy for the personality of birds. In a choice experiment in aviaries, we offered naïve adult Great Tits of known personality two nest-boxes, one control and one experimental. The experimental nest-box had the odour of a mustelid predator or a strong new odour without biological significance, the control nest-box contained no odour. When one of the cavities contained the odour of a predator, birds avoided the use of either of the two offered nest-boxes, whereas there was no avoidance of boxes when one of the nest-boxes contained a control odour. There was no relationship with exploratory behaviour. We show that the ability to use the chemical cues of predators is innate in birds, but individual differences in the response to predator chemical cues cannot be explained by the personality of the bird.

The Three-Nucleon System at Next-To-Next-To-Leading Order

We calculate higher order corrections for the three-nucleon system up to next-to-next-to-leading within an effective field theory with contact interactions alone. We employ a subtraction formalism previously developed and for which it has been shown that no new three-body force counterterm is needed for complete renormalization up to this order. We give results for the neutron-deuteron phaseshifts and the triton binding energy. Our results are in very good agreement with experimental results and calculations using realistic nucleon-nucleon potentials.Comment: 4 pages, 2 eps figures, revised version to appear in PR

Anxiety and the patient with breast cancer: a review of current research and practice

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Statistics reveal that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing in South Africa. In particular, there appears to be a growing incidence in younger, black women in urban areas. Family practitioners and oncology healthcare professionals are going to be treating an increasing population of patients with breast cancer. Research has shown that in many instances, the psychological needs of patients with breast cancer are not adequately addressed, and that often the physical crisis is seen as more immediate. Also, healthcare professionals and oncologists may not be aware of the prevalence of co-morbid psychological distress, and thus do not focus on this aspect of the diagnosis. As a result, women who experience psychological distress during and after treatment may not be referred for psychological management. This may have a significant impact on their quality of life during this period and may even affect their compliance with treatment. This ultimately has implications for their ongoing health and survival. This review of the available literature aims to heighten awareness of healthcare professionals to the current situation, with a view of improving the mental health care of South African patients with breast cancer.Keywords: anxiety, breast cancer, depression, adjuvant treatment, psycho-oncolog

The routine use of fresh frozen plasma in operations with cardiopulmonary bypass is not justified

AbstractBackground: The negative influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on hemostasis has been documented. Although abnormalities in platelet function are reported as the major cause of postoperative blood loss related to this hemostasis defect, fresh frozen plasma is often used in operations with cardiopulmonary bypass because it is thought to contribute to the reduction of postoperative bleeding complications. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the administration of fresh frozen plasma after cardiopulmonary bypass on blood loss, transfusion requirements, and a number of coagulation parameters. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial 50 patients (mean age 63 years; 35 men/15 women) undergoing elective operation with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group I (n = 24) received 3 units of fresh frozen plasma after operation and group II (n = 26) received an equal amount of Gelofusine plasma substitute. At seven points before, during, and after operation hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit level, thrombocyte count, and coagulation parameters were analyzed. Study endpoints were the volume of blood loss and the transfusion requirement. Results: There were no significant differences between the two study groups in blood loss, transfusion requirement, coagulation parameters, or thrombocyte counts. Conclusion: The routine use of fresh frozen plasma in operations with cardiopulmonary bypass cannot be recommended. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;112:162-7

Volume of the cloacal protuberance as an indication of reproductive state in male Blue Tits <i>Cyanistes caeruleus</i>

In male passerines, the accumulation of sperm in the sperm reserves causes the cloaca to become enlarged, forming the cloacal protuberance (CP). In Blue Tits, the timing of breeding differs considerably between pairs. Hence, when catching a male during the breeding season it may be unclear whether he is in a reproductively active state (i.e. producing sperm). Here, we show in captive Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus that CP volume is increased in males in a reproductively active state when compared to the same males in a reproductively inactive state. However, there was some overlap in CP volume when comparing the values in reproductively active and non-active states. Measurements of CP volume at a single time point, therefore, do not allow the researcher to reliably determine an individual's reproductive status.

Integraal ketenbeheer in de provincie Limburg: bouwmaterialen, automobiliteit, champignons en PVC

VakpublicatieInstitute of Environmental Science