4 research outputs found
Pinyon jay movement, nest site selection, nest fate, and renesting in central New Mexico
Pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) are an avian species of conservation concern in the southwest U.S. Due to habitat elimination and degradation, pinyon jay numbers have decreased approximately 3.5% per year since 1960. Pinyon jay reproductive rates are low, making it difficult for populations to recover. While numerous studies on pinyon jays have been conducted in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest, research has only recently taken place in pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus monophylla) woodland. Therefore, my objectives were to investigate pinyon jay flock movement, nest site selection, nest fate, and renesting in pinyon-juniper habitat. I trapped and affixed VHF radio transmitters to pinyon jays on Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) in central New Mexico from December to April in 2017 and 2018. I used radio telemetry to compare seasonal flock movements and core activity areas as well as find pinyon jay nesting colonies. Habitat surveys that recorded vegetation type, species, size, and foliage cover were performed at every nest site (n=42) as well as a similar number of randomized locations (n=41) within pinyon-juniper habitat. Movement data was analyzed using kernel density estimates to identify core activity areas. Nest site selection habitat data were compared to habitat at random sites using generalized linear models (GLMs) evaluated with Akaike's Information Criterion corrected for small sample size (AICc). Variables that affected nest fate were used in GLMs with a logistic exposure function, then evaluated using AICc.Results suggest that there were 2 flocks on KAFB and spatial analyses should be conducted for each flock to determine accurate home ranges. Pinyon jays selected nest sites with fewer dead juniper trees and nest trees that were larger than surrounding trees in the same survey plot. Nest fate models did not perform better than the null model. Pinyon jays in this study did not renest as much as in ponderosa pine forest, perhaps due to lack of food and water availability. Furthermore, pinyon jays did not nest in satellite colonies as in other studies. Management recommendations are to remove smaller, less healthy trees in pinyon jay habitat when tree thinning occurs and leaving larger, healthier trees
Cranial and ventricular size following shunting or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in infants with aqueductal stenosis: further insights from the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS)
Purpose The craniometrics of head circumference (HC) and ventricular
size are part of the clinical assessment of infants with hydrocephalus
and are often utilized in conjunction with other clinical and
radiological parameters to determine the success of treatment. We aimed
to assess the effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and
shunting on craniometric measurements during the follow-up of a cohort
of infants with symptomatic triventricular hydrocephalus secondary to
aqueductal stenosis. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of data
from the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS)-a prospective,
multicenter study of infants (< 24 months old) with hydrocephalus from
aqueductal stenosis who were treated with either an ETV or shunt. During
various stages of a 5-year follow-up period, the following craniometrics
were measured: HC, HC centile, HCz-score, and frontal-occipital horn
ratio (FOR). Data were compared in an analysis of covariance, adjusting
for baseline variables including age at surgery and sex. Results Of 158
enrolled patients, 115 underwent an ETV, while 43 received a shunt. Both
procedures led to improvements in the mean HC centile position
andz-score, a trend which continued until the 5-year assessment point. A
similar trend was noted for FOR which was measured at 12 months and 3
years following initial treatment. Although the values were consistently
higher for ETV compared with shunt, the differences in HC value,
centile, andz-score were not significant. ETV was associated with a
significantly higher FOR compared with shunting at 12 months (0.52 vs
0.44;p = 0.002) and 3 years (0.46 vs 0.38;p = 0.03) of follow-up.
Conclusion ETV and shunting led to improvements in HC centile,z-score,
and FOR measurements during long-term follow-up of infants with
hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. Head size did not
significantly differ between the treatment groups during follow-up,
however ventricle size was greater in those undergoing ETV when measured
at 1 and 3 years following treatment