Montana Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Breeding Shorebird Project

Populations of several shorebird species in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) appear to be declining, largely because of loss of grasslands and wetlands. Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa), long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), willet (Tringa semipalmata), Wilson’s phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and Wilson’s snipe (Gallinago delicata) are listed as priority species by Partners in Flight or the U.S. Shorebird Plan. In 2012, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service‘s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team began conducting breeding shorebird surveys in the western portion of the Montana PPR to complement existing surveys for partners of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture in North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeast Montana. The purpose of these surveys is to provide data for development of habitat models identifying priority conservation areas where habitat needs overlap for breeding shorebirds and breeding waterfowl.  Results will allow land managers to integrate breeding shorebird conservation with ongoing waterfowl conservation actions in the Montana PPR. This is a long-term adaptive process that includes updating models with annually collected survey data to inform and improve model performance.  We summarize the objectives and field design of the project and report results of preliminary modeling from our 2012/2013 efforts

Montana Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Breeding Shorebird Monitoring Project

Populations of several shorebird species in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) appear to be declining, largely because of loss of grasslands and wetlands. Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa), long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), willet (Tringa semipalmata), Wilson’s phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and Wilson’s snipe (Gallinago delicata) are listed as priority species by Partners in Flight or the U.S. Shorebird Plan. In 2004, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET) began conducting breeding shorebird surveys to complement existing waterfowl population and habitat evaluations for the partners of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture in North Dakota, South Dakota and northeast Montana. Survey methodology was modeled after the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) but modified to fit the breeding ecology of these shorebirds. In 2012, surveys were expanded to include the western portion of the Montana PPR. Data from these surveys will be used to estimate shorebird population densities and distribution; however, current survey methods do not take into account areas where shorebirds may have been present but undetected, possibly resulting in an underestimation of shorebird densities. Surveys will be modified in 2013 in an effort to allow for estimation of shorebird detection probabilities, while maintaining compatibility with previous data collection methods. Results from this research will allow land managers to integrate breeding shorebird conservation with ongoing waterfowl conservation actions in the Montana PPR. We summarize the objectives and field design of the project and report results of preliminary modeling from our 2012 efforts

Using Occupancy Surveys to Assess Summer Resource Selection of Sympatric Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats in Northern Yellowstone

Both bighorn sheep and mountain goats are generalist herbivores that overlap extensively in broad food and habitat requirements, but there have been few studies examining the potential for competition between sympatric populations. One area in which native bighorn sheep are living in sympatry with non-native mountain goats is the southern Gallatin Mountain range within and adjacent to the northwest boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Existing data of bighorn sheep and mountain goat observations for the area vary in spatial precision and records of areas where observers looked for but did not detect animals are not available. To gain a better understanding of the relationship between bighorn sheep and mountain goats and their habitat, it is necessary to understand resource selection and the extent of overlap in resource use among sympatric populations on fine spatial and temporal scales. In order to meet this need we designed and implemented formal, ground-based occupancy surveys during the summer of 2011. A crew of four spent 113 observer days in the field and hiked approximately 210 miles recording presence-absence data for both mountain ungulates. A total of 6,932 sample units were surveyed, with 68 bighorn sheep and 95 mountain goat groups detected. Detection probabilities for bighorn sheep and mountain goats were 66.9% and 54.5% respectively. We summarize the objectives and field design of the project and report on our efforts to develop enhanced habitat models which will provide managers with additional ecological insights

Reducing Brain Injury of Preterm Infants in the Delivery Room

Cerebrovascular injury is one of the major detrimental consequences of preterm birth. Recent studies have focused their attention on factors that contribute to the development of brain lesions immediately after birth. Among those factors, hypothermia and lower cerebral oxygen saturation during delivery room resuscitation and high tidal volumes delivered during respiratory support are associated with increased risk of severe neurologic injury. In preterm infants, knowledge about causes and prevention of brain injury must be applied before and at birth. Preventive and therapeutic approaches, including correct timing of cord clamping, monitoring of physiological changes during delivery room resuscitation using pulse oximetry, respiratory function monitoring, near infrared spectroscopy, and alpha EEG, may minimize brain injury, Furthermore, postnatal administration of caffeine or other potential novel treatments (e.g., proangiogenic therapies, antioxidants, hormones, or stem cells) might improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants

Birds, Herps, and Small Mammals! Oh, My! Help FWP Find Rare and Elusive Species

In 2014, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) expanded their Nongame Program to include a Wildlife Biologist specializing in nongame species work in every region.  Although each region has different priorities, the goals within the Nongame Program are universal: (1) Keep common species common, (2) Reverse population declines for species of concern, and (3) Foster awareness and enhance public knowledge and appreciation of nongame species.  Our efforts are guided by the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) which prioritizes work on habitats and species of greatest conservation need.  These efforts include anything from developing habitat conservation projects to surveying single species.  Within the SWAP there are a number of species considered Species of Greatest Inventory Need because they lack sufficient data to determine their status.  Often these species are rare, elusive, or difficult to observe.  Consequently, we seek the help of others to provide incidental observations in addition to our structured survey efforts.  Some of our high priority species include: (1) black rosy-finch, a small high-alpine songbird, (2) greater short-horned lizard, a cryptic reptile dependent on sparse habitat, (3) black-tailed jack rabbit, a lesser-known lagomorph found in open country habitat, and (4) black swift, the largest of the swift species, nesting secretively in shallow caves and behind waterfalls.  People interested in assisting with surveys should contact the appropriate FWP nongame lead.  By working together, we can provide managers and regulatory agencies with vital information to make well-informed decisions about our valued resources in Montana

Chest compression rates of 60/min versus 90/min during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a randomized controlled animal trial

BackgroundTo compare chest compression (CC) rates of 60/min with 90/min and their effect on the time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival, hemodynamic, and respiratory parameters. We hypothesized that asphyxiated newborn piglets that received CC at 60/min vs. 90/min during cardiopulmonary resuscitation would have a shorter time to ROSC.MethodsNewborn piglets (n = 7/group) were anesthetized, tracheotomized and intubated, instrumented and exposed to 45 min normocapnic hypoxia followed by asphyxia and cardiac arrest. Piglets were randomly allocated to a CC rate of 60/min or 90/min. CC was performed using an automated CC machine using CC superimposed with sustained inflation. Hemodynamic parameters, respiratory parameters, and applied compression force were continuously measured.ResultsThe mean (IQR) time to ROSC was 97 (65–149) s and 136 (88–395) s for CC rates of 60/min and 90/min, respectively (p = 0.31). The number of piglets that achieved ROSC was 5 (71%) and 5 (71%) with 60/min and 90/min CC rates, respectively (p = 1.00). Hemodynamic parameters (i.e., diastolic and mean blood pressure, carotid blood flow, stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, left ventricular contractile function) and respiratory parameters (i.e., minute ventilation, peak inflation and peak expiration flow) were all similar with a CC rate of 60/min compared to 90/min.ConclusionTime to ROSC, hemodynamic, and respiratory parameters were not significantly different between CC rates of 60/min vs. 90/min. Different CC rates during neonatal resuscitation warrant further investigation

The impact of surveillance and other factors on detection of emergent and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses.

Background: Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks remain a threat to polio eradication. To reduce cases of polio from cVDPV of serotype 2, the serotype 2 component of the vaccine has been removed from the global vaccine supply, but outbreaks of cVDPV2 have continued. The objective of this work is to understand the factors associated with later detection in order to improve detection of these unwanted events. Methods: The number of nucleotide differences between each cVDPV outbreak and the oral polio vaccine (OPV) strain was used to approximate the time from emergence to detection. Only independent emergences were included in the analysis. Variables such as serotype, surveillance quality, and World Health Organization (WHO) region were tested in a negative binomial regression model to ascertain whether these variables were associated with higher nucleotide differences upon detection. Results: In total, 74 outbreaks were analysed from 24 countries between 2004-2019. For serotype 1 (n=10), the median time from seeding until outbreak detection was 284 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 284-2008) days, for serotype 2 (n=59), 276 (95% UI 172-765) days, and for serotype 3 (n=5), 472 (95% UI 392-603) days. Significant improvement in the time to detection was found with increasing surveillance of non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and adequate stool collection. Conclusions: cVDPVs remain a risk; all WHO regions have reported at least one VDPV outbreak since the first outbreak in 2000 and outbreak response campaigns using monovalent OPV type 2 risk seeding future outbreaks. Maintaining surveillance for poliomyelitis after local elimination is essential to quickly respond to both emergence of VDPVs and potential importations as low-quality AFP surveillance causes outbreaks to continue undetected. Considerable variation in the time between emergence and detection of VDPVs were apparent, and other than surveillance quality and inclusion of environmental surveillance, the reasons for this remain unclear

The impact of surveillance and other factors on detection of emergent and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses [version 3; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background: Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks remain a threat to polio eradication. To reduce cases of polio from cVDPV of serotype 2, the serotype 2 component of the vaccine has been removed from the global vaccine supply, but outbreaks of cVDPV2 have continued. The objective of this work is to understand the factors associated with later detection in order to improve detection of these unwanted events. Methods: The number of nucleotide differences between each cVDPV outbreak and the oral polio vaccine (OPV) strain was used to approximate the time from emergence to detection. Only independent emergences were included in the analysis. Variables such as serotype, surveillance quality, and World Health Organization (WHO) region were tested in a negative binomial regression model to ascertain whether these variables were associated with higher nucleotide differences upon detection. Results: In total, 74 outbreaks were analysed from 24 countries between 2004-2019. For serotype 1 (n=10), the median time from seeding until outbreak detection was 572 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 279-2016), for serotype 2 (n=59), 276 (95% UI 172-765) days, and for serotype 3 (n=5), 472 (95% UI 392-603) days. Significant improvement in the time to detection was found with increasing surveillance of non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and adequate stool collection. Conclusions: cVDPVs remain a risk; all WHO regions have reported at least one VDPV outbreak since the first outbreak in 2000 and outbreak response campaigns using monovalent OPV type 2 risk seeding future outbreaks. Maintaining surveillance for poliomyelitis after local elimination is essential to quickly respond to both emergence of VDPVs and potential importations as low-quality AFP surveillance causes outbreaks to continue undetected. Considerable variation in the time between emergence and detection of VDPVs were apparent, and other than surveillance quality and inclusion of environmental surveillance, the reasons for this remain unclear

Desirable BUGS in models of infectious diseases.

Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling (BUGS) is a set of statistical software that uses Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods to estimate almost any specified model. Originally developed in the late 1980s, the software is an excellent introduction to applied Bayesian statistics without the need to write a MCMC sampler. The software is typically used for regression-based analyses, but any model that can be specified using graphical nodes are possible. Advanced topics such as missing data, spatial analysis, model comparison and dynamic infectious disease models can be tackled. Three examples are provided; a linear regression model to illustrate parameter estimation, the steps to ensure that the estimates have converged and a comparison of run-times across different computing platforms. The second example describes a model that estimates the probability of being vaccinated from cross-sectional and surveillance data, and illustrates the specification of different models, model comparison and data augmentation. The third example illustrates estimation of parameters within a dynamic Susceptible-Infected-Recovered model. These examples show that BUGS can be used to estimate parameters from models relevant for infectious diseases, and provide an overview of the relative merits of the approach taken