Guidelines for the use of hyperdiverse taxa in biological monitoring: change through time in a southern Appalachian spider assemblage

This dissertation addresses issues surrounding the inclusion of terrestrial arthropods in conservation planning. There are potentially disastrous consequences of basing all of our conservation priorities and strategies on what we know of the ecology of a minority of species (vertebrates). Vertebrate species do not provide enough information to be good indicators of ecosystem health, particularly if we are interested in those ecosystem processes which involve invertebrates. We need to leam more about those organisms which comprise the bulk of biodiversity (arthropods) and develop methods which facilitate the inclusion of terrestrial arthropods (or other hyperdiverse groups) in conservation planning. In this dissertation, I begin the process of developing analytical tools appropriate to a representative arthropod group, the spiders (Order Araneae). Spiders were chosen in part because they show particular promise as an indicator group. One of the difficulties associated with studying a hyperdiverse taxonomic group is ensuring accurate and timely species identification. Using technology similar to that employed in handwriting analysis and/or face recognition, I present an automated species identification system which makes use of neural networks. This technology, once perfected, will increase the accuracy of identifications by non-specialists and thereby reduce the need to burden systematists with routine identifications of ecological collections. This technology could also be used to catalog species which have yet to be identified or even described (morphospecies), thus allowing accurate ecological studies to take place prior to naming all the component species in the assemblage. Using data collected in the Southern Appalachians, I review and evaluate some commonly used analytical techniques in biodiversity studies: rarefaction (scaling down all samples to the size of the smallest), diversity indices, and extrapolation (estimating the total richness of a site based on a sample taken from the site). Rarefaction was essential to correct for differences in samples size between samples, particularly when using indices calculated using only presence/absence data. The diversity indices, Shannon-Weiner and Simpson\u27s, were surprisingly robust to differences in sample size and they detected both successional and disturbance-induced changes in spider assemblages. Directional trends in the diversity indices through time proved to be most informative in conjunction with pair-wise statistical tests. My results suggest, however, that extrapolation techniques should be used cautiously, as they were sensitive to differences in sample size and yielded very different richness estimates for surveys taken at the same sites. Using the same datasets, I identify and discuss potential sources of error which are characteristic of studies involving hyperdiverse taxa and make recommendations for eliminating or reducing this error. I find that collector bias is a significant problem, in that each collector is not sampling a statistically random subset of the community. But, as expected, some collection techniques are more subject to this kind of bias than others. I recommend that if turnover of collectors is likely, methods such as pitfall traps, litter samples, and vegetation beating/sweeping should be emphasized. Also, inclusion of juveniles in diversity estimates and analysis should be avoided as much as possible as their presence appears to obscure ecological trends. I used the datasets to investigate the intra-annual (early vs. late summer) and inter-annual (yearly vs. decadal) variability of spider assemblages in six Southern Appalachian habitats. Spider assemblages show greater seasonal variation than yearly variation. The diversity and variability of the spider assemblages I studied were closely tied to gross habitat structure. In conclusion, terrestrial arthropods can and should be included in conservation planning and/or community-level analyses. Techniques exist and are currently being perfected, which address the peculiarities and difficulties associated with working with such hyperdiverse groups

Dopamine D2 Receptor Priming Enhances Dopaminergic Response to Amphetamine in the Nucleus Accumbens: Role of the D1 and D2 Receptors.

In past work, we have shown neonatal quinpirole (dopamine D2/D3 agonist) treatment produces a significant increase in dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity, a phenomenon known as D2 receptor priming. Dopamine D2 receptor priming is common in psychosis. Male and female rats were administered quinpirole (1mg/kg) or saline from postnatal days 1-11 and raised to adulthood (P60). As adults, rats were administered d-amphetamine sulfate (1mg/kg) or saline every other day for 14 days. Approximately 10 min before each amphetamine or saline injection, animals were administered the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1 mg/kg), the D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.1 mg/kg) or saline. After both injections, rats were placed in a locomotor arena and activity was analyzed for a 10-min period. Results indicated that D2-priming enhanced locomotor activation effects to amphetamine in both males and females, with females demonstrating higher levels of behavioral activation. SCH 23390 blocked amphetamine sensitization in both males and females to levels below saline controls, whereas eticlopride was more effective in blocking amphetamine sensitization in males as compared to females, although eticlopride did block elevations of behavioral activation in D2-primed males and females. Seven to 10 days after sensitization, microdialysis was performed and amphetamine produced a five-fold increase in dopamine overflow in the nucleus accumbens compared to non D2-primed rats administered amphetamine. Both D1 and D2 antagonism were effective at blocking amphetamine-induced increases in dopamine overflow. These results show that neonatal quinpirole treatment enhances behavioral activation and dopamine overflow, but there appear to be sex differences in the D2 as compared to D1 response to behavioral activation produced by amphetamine

Space Launch System: Deep-Space Deployment for SmallSats

No abstract availabl

MEF2C regulates outflow tract alignment and transcriptional control of Tdgf1

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects in humans, and those that affect the proper alignment of the outflow tracts and septation of the ventricles are a highly significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. A late differentiating population of cardiac progenitors, referred to as the anterior second heart field (AHF), gives rise to the outflow tract and the majority of the right ventricle and provides an embryological context for understanding cardiac outflow tract alignment and membranous ventricular septal defects. However, the transcriptional pathways controlling AHF development and their roles in congenital heart defects remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we inactivated the gene encoding the transcription factor MEF2C in the AHF in mice. Loss of Mef2c function in the AHF results in a spectrum of outflow tract alignment defects ranging from overriding aorta to double-outlet right ventricle and dextro-transposition of the great arteries. We identify Tdgf1, which encodes a Nodal co-receptor (also known as Cripto), as a direct transcriptional target of MEF2C in the outflow tract via an AHFrestricted Tdgf1 enhancer. Importantly, both the MEF2C and TDGF1 genes are associated with congenital heart defects in humans. Thus, these studies establish a direct transcriptional pathway between the core cardiac transcription factor MEF2C and the human congenital heart disease gene TDGF1. Moreover, we found a range of outflow tract alignment defects resulting from a single genetic lesion, supporting the idea that AHF-derived outflow tract alignment defects may constitute an embryological spectrum rather than distinct anomalies

On Nigeria Big Bet: 2019 Evaluation Report

Since 2015, the MacArthur Foundation's On Nigeria strategy has sought to reduce corruption by supporting Nigerian-led efforts that strengthen accountability, transparency, and participation. Its theory of change builds on Jonathan Fox's "sandwich theory," which leverages the interplay between a push from below, by which citizens demand change ("voice"), and a squeeze from above to encourage public and private institutions to develop and enforce laws and regulations ("teeth").As of January 2020, the On Nigeria strategy has made 138 grants (totaling $66.8 million) that are a proving ground to develop and test a range of tactics and entry points for addressing corruption. Corruption is complex and ever-evolving, and progress toward the goal of reducing it will most certainly not be linear nor simple. Thus, On Nigeria reflects a multilayered strategy, comprising five areas of targeted programming, or modules—the Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) Program, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Intervention Fund, Electricity Distribution, Criminal Justice, and Media and Journalism; and three cross-cutting areas—behavior and social norm change, civil society pressure for government accountability, and election-related efforts.The goal of this paper is to provide the latest information from the ongoing evaluation of On Nigeria, facilitate learning, and serve as one input to determine the next stage of programming. The evidence presented explores the strategy's progress to date, the validity of its theory of change, and status of windows of opportunity in the strategy's landscape

Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster and 9/11-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Household Disaster Preparedness

Objective In a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center disaster, this study sought to determine the subsequent level of preparedness for a new disaster and how preparedness varied with population characteristics that are both disaster-related and non-disaster-related. Methods The sample included 4496 World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed the Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. Participants were considered prepared if they reported possessing at least 7 of 8 standard preparedness items. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between preparedness and demographic and medical factors, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at Wave 3, 9/11 exposure, and social support. Results Over one-third (37.5%) of participants were prepared with 18.8% possessing all 8 items. The item most often missing was an evacuation plan (69.8%). Higher levels of social support were associated with being prepared. High levels of 9/11 exposure were associated with being prepared in both the PTSD and non-PTSD subgroups. Conclusions Our findings indicate that prior 9/11 exposure favorably impacted Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Future preparedness messaging should target people with low social support networks. Communications should include information on evacuation zones and where to find information about how to evacuate

Forecasting the Cumulative Effects of Multiple Stressors on Breeding Habitat for a Steeply Declining Aerial Insectivorous Songbird, the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)

To halt ongoing loss in biodiversity, there is a need for landscape-level management recommendations that address cumulative impacts of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on wildlife habitat. We examined the cumulative effects of logging, roads, land-use change, fire, and bark beetle outbreaks on future habitat for olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), a steeply declining aerial insectivorous songbird, in Canada’s western boreal forest. To predict the occurrence of olive-sided flycatcher we developed a suite of habitat suitability models using point count surveys (1997–2011) spatially- and temporally-matched with forest inventory data. Flycatcher occurrence was positively associated with small (∼10 ha) 10- to 20-year-old clearcuts, and with 10–100% tree mortality due to mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks, but we found no association with roads or distance to water. We used the parameter estimates from the best-fit habitat suitability models to inform spatially explicit state-and-transition simulation models to project change in habitat availability from 2020 to 2050 under six alternative scenarios (three management × two fire alternatives). The simulation models projected that the cumulative effects of land use conversion, forest harvesting, and fire will reduce the area of olive-sided flycatcher habitat by 16–18% under Business As Usual management scenarios and by 11–13% under scenarios that include protection of 30% of the land base. Scenarios limiting the size of all clearcuts to ≤10 ha resulted in a median habitat loss of 4–6%, but projections were highly variable. Under all three management alternatives, a 50% increase in fire frequency (expected due to climate change) exacerbated habitat loss. The projected losses of habitat in western boreal forest, even with an increase in protected areas, imply that reversing the ongoing population declines of olive-sided flycatcher and other migratory birds will require attention to forest management beyond protected areas. Further work should examine the effects of multiple stressors on the demographic mechanisms driving change in aerial insectivore populations, including stressors on the wintering grounds in South America, and should aim to adapt the design of protected areas and forest management policies to projected climate-driven increases in the size and frequency of wildfires.Fil: Norris, Andrea R.. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Frid, Leonardo. No especifíca;Fil: Debyser, Chloé. No especifíca;Fil: De Groot, Krista L.. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Thomas, Jeffrey. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Lee, Adam. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Dohms, Kimberly M.. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Robinson, Andrew. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Easton, Wendy. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Martin, Kathy. University of British Columbia; CanadáFil: Cockle, Kristina Louise. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentin

Bridging the evidence gap: A review and research protocol for outdoor mental health therapies for young Australians

Internationally, over 60% of all lifetime cases of mental health disorders are identified as emerging by 25 years of age. In Australia, young people (aged 16–24 years) report the highest prevalence of mental health problems. Acceptability of mainstream services for young people is a concern, particularly for clients 18–25 years, heterosexual males and certain marginalised communities. With unaddressed distress in young people a precursor to poor, potentially lifelong mental ill-health trajectories, the provision of acceptable, and accessible mental health services remains a critical system imperative. Outdoor therapies, such as outdoor talking therapies, present an option for increasing the breadth of mental health interventions available to young people. Reported benefits of outdoor therapies include improved self-esteem and confidence, positive and negative affect, stress reduction and restoration, social benefits, and resilience. As outdoor therapies draw on multidisciplinary skillsets, this modality has the potential to expand services beyond existing workforce capacities. However, there are evidence gaps that must be addressed before mainstreaming of this treatment modality can occur. Here we overview the existing evidence base for outdoor talking therapies, as a form of outdoor mental healthcare, to determine their appropriateness as an effective and efficient treatment modality for young people with psychological distress in Australia and elsewhere. We then propose a research protocol designed to determine the acceptability, efficacy and efficiency of ‘outdoor talking therapies’. Our aim is to help address identified youth mental healthcare service shortages in Australia, and potentially support the health of our mental healthcare workforce