Spatio-Temporal Recruitment Dynamics Of Mountain-Dwelling Caribou In The Yukon Territory, Canada

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2010Understanding processes and mechanisms resulting in observed ecological patterns is critical information for biologists charged with effectively managing and conserving wildlife populations. In many areas across North America woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin) populations are declining, as are caribou and reindeer populations globally. Why these declines are occurring is a key research question of biologists and managers. I investigated factors influencing recruitment of mountain-dwelling woodland caribou using long-term time series from ten herds (populations) in the Yukon Territory, Canada (Yukon). Recruitment was indexed by the calf:cow ratio observed during the fall breeding season using data collected during aerial monitoring surveys. I first examined the seasonal effects of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), on observed recruitment in these herds. The PDO was positively related to recruitment and had its strongest effect during the winter preceding birth and immediately before calving. These results indicate that female body condition, and hence conception rates, were not affecting observed recruitment patterns. Rather, parturition and/or early calf survival were the most likely vital rates affecting the number of calves being recruited into the breeding population. I next examined the interacting effect of large-scale climate (PDO) and predation [wolf (Canis lupus L.) density] on recruitment in the Finlayson herd of east-central Yukon. A large-scale wolf control program in the 1980s allowed me to assess recruitment over a range of wolf densities and climatic conditions. The effect of the PDO immediately before calving was negligible when wolf numbers were significantly reduced indicating the climatic effect was modified by wolf density. Additionally, as springtime climate improved (i.e. increasing PDO) the difference in recruitment between years with and without wolf removals was reduced

Status of northern mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Yukon, Canada

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are an important ecological, cultural and economic resource in Yukon, Canada. Three caribou ecotypes occur within Yukon: Grant’s (R. t. granti), northern mountain (R. t. caribou), and boreal (R. t. caribou). Northern mountain caribou are classified as a species of special concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, and a national management plan for northern mountain caribou was recently completed. Twenty-six northern mountain caribou herds occur at least partially within Yukon, representing approximately 30,000 – 35,000 animals. Active monitoring of Yukon’s northern mountain caribou began in earnest in the early 1980s. To date, over 200 fall composition surveys have been carried out, over 1000 animals have been fitted with radio-collars, and nearly 40 formal population estimates have been completed. Disease and contaminant monitoring of these caribou has indicated relatively low disease prevalence and contaminant loading. Northern mountain caribou are harvested in Yukon, with an average of 230 caribou harvested per year by licensed hunters (1995 – 2012) and an unknown number by First Nation hunters. Future challenges related to caribou management and conservation in Yukon include increasing levels of industrial development primarily through mineral exploration and development, ensuring harvest of these herds is conducted sustainably given the absence of total harvest information, inter-jurisdictional management of shared herds, existing uncertainty surrounding herd distribution and delineation, and dealing with vehicle-related mortality of caribou for certain herds. Overall, the population status (i.e., trend) of eight herds is known, with two increasing, two decreasing, and four stable

Densities and phase equilibria of hydrogen, propane and vegetable oil mixtures. Experimental data and thermodynamic modeling

Heterogeneous catalytic gas-liquid reactions are intensified when carried out in the homogenous fluid phase by means of a supercritical co-solvent. For instance, supercritical propane is used to enhance yield in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Besides phase equilibrium knowledge, volumetric information is also needed to elucidate kinetic mechanisms and design continuous supercritical reactors. In this work, we report new experimental PvT data of the reactive mixture H2+sunflower oil+propane using the isochoric method. In addition, the phase equilibria and PvT data are modeled with the GCA and RK-PR equations of state, respectively. The isochoric method not only provides PvT information under the reaction conditions, but also the reactive system compressibility, key variable to attain enhanced transport properties in the supercritical reactors.Fil: Hegel, Pablo Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Cotabarren, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Brignole, Esteban Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pereda, Selva. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. University of KwaZulu-Natal; Sudáfric

Organ Donation: The Gift, the Weight and the Tyranny of Good Acts

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72413/1/j.1600-6143.2006.01731.x.pd

Using temporary dye marks to estimate ungulate population abundance in southwest Yukon, Canada

We describe the protocols of two mark-resight abundance surveys, using temporary dye-marks, for the Aishihik woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) populations (herds) in the southwest Yukon Territory, Canada. We also provide recommendations based on experiences from these surveys for biologists and managers considering this approach. The Aishihik woodland caribou herd was the focus of intensive management in the 1990s aimed at recovering the herd. Following recovery activities, a target size of 2000 animals was determined and the Champagne-Aishihik Traditional Territory Community-Based Wildlife Management Plan recommended an estimate of the herd’s size be completed before the year 2013. We used an aerial mark-resight approach to estimate the herd’s size in March 2009. Caribou (n = 59) were marked from a helicopter with temporary dye, delivered via a CO2-powered rifle. Two independent resighting sessions were subsequently carried out via helicopter. The herd was estimated at 2044 animals (90% CI: 1768 – 2420) with an overall resighting rate of 0.47. The mean annual growth rate (λ) of the herd from 1997 – 2009 was 1.05 (SE = 0.01). The Aishihik wood bison herd was estimated at 1151 (90% CI: 998 – 1355). Our study suggests that ungulates temporarily marked with dye can be successfully used to obtain statistically sound population estimates

Specificity of the Social Interaction Self-Statement Test in Social Phobia

The specificity of the Social Interaction Self-Statement Test (SISST) was evaluated in sample of 277 patients seeking treatment for anxiety. Both the positive and negative scales significantly discriminated between patients diagnosed with social phobia and other anxiety disorder patients. Patients with social phobia scored significantly higher on the negative scale and significantly lower on the positive scale as compared with other treatment-seeking anxiety disorder patients. Negative SISST scores were significantly correlated with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The positive scale was significantly correlated with the BDI. Despite this relationship, differences in BAI and BDI scores did not account for SISST findings. The present study provides further support for the use of the SISST with clinical populations

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts analyzing aristotle commentaries in collaboration between philology and data science

This paper aims at presenting the surplus value of collaboration between philologists and data scientists in the research on medieval digitized manuscripts. Both the great potential and the challenges of such a collaboration will be addressed. The following case study originates from research which is conducted in the Collaborative Research Center “Episteme in Motion. Transfer from the Ancient World to the Early Modern Period” which is located at the Freie Universit¨at Berlin and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). One of the goals of this collaboration is to advance research questions in which the data basis is complex or too complex for traditional research methods. The case study presented in this paper will deal with the knowledge transfer and text transmission in manuscripts of Aristotle’s ancient Greek treatises on logic, the so-called Organon, and will focus on the manuscripts of his work de interpretatione (On Interpretation) and on commentaries and explanations which are found as paratexts in the manuscripts

The Obligation of Physicians to Medical Outliers: A Kantian and Hegelian Synthesis

Background Patients who present to medical practices without health insurance or with serious co-morbidities can become fiscal disasters to those who care for them. Their consumption of scarce resources has caused consternation among providers and institutions, especially as it concerns the amount and type of care they should receive. In fact, some providers may try to avoid caring for them altogether, or at least try to limit their institutional or practice exposure to them. Discussion We present a philosophical discourse, with emphasis on the writings of Immanuel Kant and G.F.W. Hegel, as to why physicians have the moral imperative to give such outliers considerate and thoughtful care. Outliers are defined and the ideals of morality, responsibility, good will, duty, and principle are applied to the care of patients whose financial means are meager and to those whose care is physiologically futile. Actions of moral worth, unconditional good will, and doing what is right are examined. Summary Outliers are a legitimate economic concern to individual practitioners and institutions, however this should not lead to an evasion of care. These patients should be identified early in their course of care, but such identification should be preceded by a well-planned recognition of this burden and appropriate staffing and funding should be secured. A thoughtful team approach by medical practices and their institutions, involving both clinicians and non-clinicians, should be pursued

Interpretation and Social Explanation

In this article I focus on those aspects of Keith Dowding’s book that are most concerned with interpretive approaches to the study of politics. I argue that, in ways not adequately captured by Dowding’s descriptions, the historical study of political concepts tells us something about their historical political effects and for this reason has a distinct value for how we think about and study politics. Furthermore, I argue, concepts of and about politics, including the concepts of political science, cannot be fully separated from the political contexts of which they are a part. Concepts which function as generalisable explanations at one point in time can shape the thinking and behaviour of political actors and thus be very particular causes. A philosophy or method of political science unaware of or inattentive to this dimension of politics and political science is incomplete