Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1984-1985

Annual Report 1984-1985 (Covering the twenty-seventh year of research)https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/wolf-annualreports/1036/thumbnail.jp

Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1981-1982

Annual Report 1981-1982 (Covering the twenty-fourth year of research)https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/wolf-annualreports/1039/thumbnail.jp

Ecology and Management of Red-Winged Blackbirds

The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most abundant bird species in North America, with an estimated spring breeding population of 150 million individuals that nest in emergent wetland vegetation and upland habitats throughout the continent (Yasukawa and Searcy 1995; Forcey et al. 2015; Rosenberg et al. 2016). During the nonbreeding season, red-winged blackbirds are often found in flocks numbering from a few birds to many thousands, sometimes in association with other blackbird species and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). In winter, red-winged blackbirds and these associated species gather in roosts occasionally numbering over 10 million birds (Meanley and Royal 1976; White et al. 1985). Migratory male red-winged blackbirds typically arrive at their nesting grounds in early March, a month before the females arrive. At this time, casual bird watchers are apt to notice the robinsized, male red-winged blackbirds with black feathers and highly conspicuous red and yellow epaulets (definitive plumage), prominently displayed while aggressively confronting intruders approaching their nesting territories (Figure 2.1). Loud singing (o-ka-leeee, konk-a-ree) by these males from high perches in their chosen territories adds to their aesthetic value. Second-year males returning to their natal area following their hatching year do not have the definitive plumage of adults. Rather, they have a duller black body and light red or orange epaulets (Yasukawa and Searcy 1995). The female, at least 20% smaller and far less noticeable with brownish feathers, is often misidentified as a large streaked sparrow (Figure 2.2) (Yasukawa and Searcy 1995; Jaramillo and Burke 1999)

An analysis of the likely success of policy actions under uncertainty: recovery from acidification across Great Britain

In the context of wider debates about the role of uncertainty in environmental science and the development of environmental policy, we use a Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimate (GLUE) approach to address the uncertainty in both acid deposition model predictions and in the sensitivity of the soils to assess the likely success of policy actions to reduce acid deposition damage across Great Britain. A subset of 11,699 acid deposition model runs that adequately represented observed deposition data were used to provide acid deposition distributions for 2005 and 2020, following a substantial reduction in SO2 and NOx emissions. Uncertain critical loads data for soils were then combined with these deposition data to derive estimates of the accumulated exceedance (AE) of critical loads for 2005 and 2020. For the more sensitive soils, the differences in accumulated exceedance between 2005 and 2020 were such that we could be sure that they were significant and a meaningful environmental improvement would result. For the least sensitive soils, critical loads were largely met by 2020, hence uncertainties in the differences in accumulated exceedance were of little policy relevance. Our approach of combining estimates of uncertainty in both a pollution model and an effects model, shows that even taking these combined uncertainties into account, policy-makers can be sure that the substantial planned reduction in acidic emissions will reduce critical loads exceedances. The use of accumulated exceedance as a relative measure of environmental protection provides additional information to policy makers in tackling this ‘wicked problem’

Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1983-1984

Annual Report 1983-1984 (Covering the twenty-sixth year of research)https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/wolf-annualreports/1037/thumbnail.jp

Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1982-1983

Annual Report 1982-1983 (Covering the twenty-fifth year of research)https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/wolf-annualreports/1038/thumbnail.jp

Primary hemiarthroplasty for treatment of proximal humeral fractures

Background: Primary hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder is used to treat complex proximal humeral fractures, although the reported functional results following this method of treatment have varied widely. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the prosthetic survival and functional outcomes in a large series of patients treated with shoulder hemiarthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture. By determining the factors that affected the outcome, we also aimed to produce models that could be used clinically to estimate the functional outcome at one year following surgery.Methods: A thirteen-year observational cohort study of 163 consecutive patients treated with hemiarthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture was performed. Twenty-five patients died or were lost to follow-up in the first year after treatment, leaving 138 patients who had assessment of shoulder function with use of the modified Constant score at one year postinjury.Results: The overall rate of prosthetic survival was 96.9% at one year, 95.3% at five years, and 93.9% at ten years. The overall median modified Constant score was 64 points at one year, with a typically good score for pain relief (median, 15 points) and poorer scores, with a greater scatter of values, for function (median, 12 points), range of motion (median, 24 points), and muscle power (median, 14 points). Of the factors that were assessed immediately after the injury, only patient age, the presence of a neurological deficit, tobacco usage, and alcohol consumption were significantly predictive of the one-year Constant score (p &lt; 0.05). Of the factors that were assessed at six weeks postinjury, those that predicted the one-year Constant score included the age of the patient, the presence of a persistent neurological deficit, the need for an early reoperation, the degree of displacement of the prosthetic head from the central axis of the glenoid seen radiographically, and the degree of displacement of the tuberosities seen radiographically.Conclusions: Primary shoulder hemiarthroplasty performed for the treatment of a proximal humeral fracture in medically fit and cooperative adults is associated with satisfactory prosthetic survival at an average of 6.3 years. Although the shoulder is usually free of pain following this procedure, the overall functional result, in terms of range of motion, function, and power, at one year varies. A good functional outcome can be anticipated for a younger individual who has no preoperative neurological deficit, no postoperative complications, and a satisfactory radiographic appearance of the shoulder at six weeks. The results are poorer in the larger group of elderly patients who undergo this procedure, especially if they have a neurological deficit, a postoperative complication requiring a reoperation, or an eccentrically located prosthesis with retracted tuberosities.<br /

Linking Simulation Model Specification and Parallel Execution through UNITY

Chandy and Misra's UNITY is a computation model and proof system suitable for development of parallel (and distributed) programs through step-wise refinement of specifications. UNITY supports the development of correct programs and the efficient implementation of those programs on parallel computer architectures. This paper assesses the potential of UNITY for simulation model specification and implementation by developing a UNITY specification of the machine interference problem with a patrolling repairman service discipline. The conclusions reached are that the UNITY proof system can assist formal verification of simulation models and the UNITY mappings of programs to various computer architectures offer some potential for assisting the automatic implementation of simulation models on parallel architectures. The paper gives some insights into the relationship of time flow mechanisms, parallel simulation protocols, and target parallel computer architectures

An examination of in-season external training load in semi-professional soccer players: considerations of one and two match weekly microcycles

The aim of the present study was to firstly, quantify the external training load (TL) of semi-professional soccer players during an annual season and secondly, to examine the influence of one (1MW) and two (2MW) match weekly microcycles. Data were collected from 24 semi-professional outfield soccer players during the 2018-2019 annual season using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices for the following variables: Training duration (min), total distance (TD), Player Load (PL), high speed running (HSR) distance (5.5-7.0 m/s), and acceleration (ACC) efforts (>2 m/s2). Training sessions were defined as days before match day (i.e. MD minus), with match weeks broken down as either 1MW or 2MW. Data revealed higher TD, PL, and HSR distance on MD and MD-5 when compared to all other MD codes. MD-4 displayed significantly higher values compared to MD-1 (mean differences (Mdiff): TD: 785 ± 158 m; PL: 29 ± 9 au; HSR: 192 ± 63 m; ACC: 15 ± 3 #) and MD-2 (Mdiff: TD: 279 ± 137 m; HSR: 127 ± 54 m). During 2MW scenarios, both TD (Mdiff: 685 ± 328 m) and PL (Mdiff: 33 ± 14 au) were higher on MD-1 when compared to 1MW. However, lower values were observed for duration and HSR on MD-2 and MD-4 during 2MW compared to 1MW scenarios. These data suggest that there appears to be a progressive reduction in TD, PL, HSR and ACC leading into competitive matches based on MD- analysis. However, some variability exists in TL prescription as a result of different MW scenarios (i.e. 1MW vs. 2MW)