Activity Patterns, Movement Ecology, and Habitat Utilization of Black Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Radio-collars were fitted on 22 black bears captured on a 155 km2 study area in the northwest portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, between June 1978 and December 1979. Activity monitors in radio-collars indicated that bears exhibited crepuscular daily patterns of activity which were modified seasonally; activity was highest during the day in all seasons but night time activity was highest during fall. Most seasonal variations in diet patterns of activity are attributed to changes in foraging patterns. Monthly activity levels were lowest in the postdenning months of April and May and the predenning months of November and December; activity was highest in August and may be a reflection of the influences of breeding. Neither cloud cover nor precipitation affected activity but bears displayed depressed activity at high temperatures. Subadult and yearling females were the most active group overall; adult males were the least active group. The convex polygon method was used to calculate home range sizes. The fact that home ranges of males (32.1 km2 ) were larger than those of females (5.2 km2) reflects the larger size of males and their instability in the population in the subadult and early adult years (\u3c5 years). Larger home ranges in fall than spring/summer reflects increased feeding activity prior to denning. Linear movements by 7 bears were termed extensive because they were large in relation to their normal home range. None of the 7 bears were over 5 years old; 6 of the 7 bears were male, 2 of the movements terminated with the bear being shot. Six bears (28%) were located outside Park boundaries at some time during the study and neither roads nor reservoirs appeared to act as barriers to bear movement. Hourly travel rates were greatest between the hours of 0600 and 2200. Analysis of habitat relationships with the computer based IMGRID system revealed that bears preferred areas where mast trees were abundant. Females showed stronger preference for areas of mast trees than subadults; and, seasonally, areas of mast trees were preferred during summer and fall. No overall preference for areas of heath abundance was found but females did exhibit preference for these areas. Bears avoided areas within 200m of roads but did not avoid the area around a trail. Females avoided roads more intensely than males; adults showed stronger avoidance of roads than subadults; and, seasonally, the strongest avoidance of roads was during fall. The results of analyses implicate the importance of experience and social organization in habitat utilization of bears. Although IMGRID is a powerful tool for analysis of geographically based information, it appears that other methods will provide a more robust analysis of the dynamics of habitat utilization

Experiences among undocumented migrants accessing primary care in the United Kingdom: a qualitative study.

Immigration is a key political issue in the United Kingdom. The 2014 Immigration Act includes a number of measures intended to reduce net immigration, including removing the right of non-European Economic Area migrants to access free health care. This change risks widening existing health and social inequalities. This study explored the experiences of undocumented migrants trying to access primary care in the United Kingdom, their perspectives on proposed access restrictions, and suggestions for policymakers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 undocumented migrants and four volunteer staff at a charity clinic in London. Inductive thematic analysis drew out major themes. Many undocumented migrants already faced challenges accessing primary care. None of the migrants interviewed said that they would be able to afford charges to access primary care and most said they would have to wait until they were much more unwell and access care through Accident & Emergency (A&E) services. The consequences of limiting access to primary care, including threats to individual and public health consequences and the additional burden on the National Health Service, need to be fully considered by policymakers. The authors argue that an evidence-based approach would avoid legislation that targets vulnerable groups and provides no obvious economic or societal benefit

Feasibility of health systems strengthening in South Sudan: a qualitative study of international practitioner perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of health systems strengthening from the perspective of international healthcare implementers and donors in South Sudan. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study, with thematic analysis using the WHO health system building blocks framework. SETTING: South Sudan. PARTICIPANTS: 17 health system practitioners, working for international agencies in South Sudan, were purposively sampled for their knowledge and experiences of health systems strengthening, services delivery, health policy and politics in South Sudan. RESULTS: Participants universally reported the health workforce as insufficient and of low capacity and service delivery as poor, while access to medicines was restricted by governmental lack of commitment in undertaking procurement and supply. However, progress was clear in improved county health department governance, health management information system functionality, increased health worker salary harmonisation and strengthened financial management. CONCLUSIONS: Resurgent conflict and political tensions have negatively impacted all health system components and maintaining or continuing health system strengthening has become extremely challenging. A coordinated approach to balancing humanitarian need particularly in conflict-affected areas, with longer term development is required so as not to lose improvements gained

Effects of an Oral Rehydration Solution with Added Bovine Serum Proteins on Small Intestinal Absorptive Capacity

Young calves commonly become infected with viruses and bacteria that damage the intestinal lining. To enhance recovery of small intestinal function following a coronavirus challenge, bovine serum proteins, containing IgG, TGF-β and other growth factors, were added to an oral rehydration solution (ORS) for 32 Holstein and Jersey calves. Calves were housed individually and offered water ad libitum and milk replacer at 10% of BW daily. Control calves were fed a control ORS (CON). The treated calves were fed an ORS that consisted of CON with added bovine serum proteins (GFR). After a 2 d adjustment, calves were orally challenged with a moderately virulent bovine coronavirus isolate. Xylose (0.5 g/kg of BW) was administered orally once daily for 6 d to assess small intestinal recovery. Hematocrits, fecal dry matter, rectal temperatures, attitude scores and dehydration scores were recorded once daily. Concentrations of serum xylose increased with time postdosing, but did not vary by treatment. Hematocrits and other clinical scores were not significantly different (P \u3e0.05) between treatments. In this model, bovine serum proteins did not appear to enhance intestinal recovery from a coronavirus challenge when added to ORS

Characterization of Reactions to Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonatal Calves

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products improve passive immunity in neonates. Unfortunately, adverse reactions can occur. This study was designed to determine if physiological changes occurring after IVIG administration were the result of rapid infusion of large molecular weight molecules, or from a more complex mechanism resulting in histamine release. The IVIG was concentrated from bovine abattoir blood and contained approximately 35 g IgG/L. A dextran (75,000 MW) solution was prepared as a high molecular weight control that was similar in osmolarity to the IVIG. Holstein bull calves (n=15) under 1 wk of age were assigned to one of three treatment groups: control calves received 500 ml of 0.9% NaCl; dextran calves received 500 ml of dextran; IgG calves received 500 ml of IVIG. Treatments were rapidly administered (less than 5 min) intravenously via jugular catheter. Heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure were measured prior to treatment, and at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min after start of infusion. Blood samples were obtained at the same sampling times, centrifuged, and the plasma immediately placed on ice for determination of histamine concentration using an enzyme immunoassay. Mean respiration rates were higher in calves treated with IVIG compared to calves in the other two groups at all time periods measured. Mean heart rates were lower in calves treated with IVIG compared to calves in the other groups through 45 min. Calves treated with dextran had higher mean heart rates than calves on the control treatment from 10 min through 30 min. Mean blood pressure tended to be higher in calves treated with IVIG compared to calves on the control treatment at 1 min, however, there were no differences between groups at any other time period. Mean histamine concentrations were higher in calves treated with IVIG compared to calves on the control treatment at 1 min, but were not different at any other time period. These data indicate that adverse reactions to IVIG in calves are not mediated by high molecular weight molecules or by histamine release

Characterization of a Colostrum Replacer Containing IgG Concentrate and Growth Factors

The objective of this study was to characterize absorption of colostrum replacer (CR) or supplement (CS) containing fractions of bovine plasma. Immunoglobulin concentrate (IGC) was prepared from abattoir blood to a final purity of approximately 90% IgG. Blood was also processed to produce a fraction containing elevated concentrations of IGF-I and TGF-β (GF). Both IGC and GF were spray-dried and blended with other ingredients to produce CR (30% IgG) or CS (15% IgG) containing 0 or 5% GF. Forty Holstein bull calves were assigned to one of five treatments: 1) Pooled colostrum (MC) - 1.9 L of pooled colostrum at 1 and 8 h of age; 2) Low supplement (LC) - 1.9 L of CS at 1 and 8 h of age to provide 150 g of IgG; 3) Low supplement + GF (LG) - 1.9 L of a CS with GF at 1 and 8 h of age to provide 150 g of IgG; 4) High supplement (HC) - 1.9 L of CR at 1 h of age to provide 150 g of IgG and 1.9 L of a commercial milk replacer (MR) at 8 h of age; and 5) High supplement + GF (HG) - 1.9 L of a CR with GF at 1 h of age to provide 150 g of IgG and 1.9 L of a commercial MR at 8 h of age. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption was higher for calves fed HC and HG compared to those fed LC and LG and was lower for calves fed LG and HG compared to those fed LC and HC. IgG concentrations at 24 h were highest in calves fed MC compared to other calves and were higher in calves fed HC and HG compared to LC and LG. Calves fed LG and HG had lower IgG concentrations at 24 h of age compared to those fed LC and HC. Xylose absorption was not influenced by treatment in calves fed HG, HC, and MC. These results indicate that 150 g of IgG provided in one dose soon after birth is superior to 150 g of IgG fed in two doses 7 h apart. Also, addition of a fraction of bovine plasma containing elevated concentrations of IGF-I and TGF-β to the CS and CR formulation decreased IgG absorption in the neonatal calf

Effect of Various Levels of Forage and Form of Diet on Rumen Development and Growth in Calves

The effect of form of starter grain (coarse versus ground) and inclusion of various levels of hay on rumen development was evaluated. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of form of diet and forage inclusion on intake, growth, feed efficiency and weaning age in dairy calves. Diets consisted of commercial coarse starter (C), ground starter (G), coarse starter with 7.5% bromegrass hay of consistent particle size (8 - 19 mm) (H1), and coarse starter with 15% hay (H2). In experiment 1, intake was held constant across treatments until weaning, when feed was offered ad libitum. Calves receiving H1 and H2 were heavier, had greater body weight gain and greater feed efficiency than calves receiving C. There were no differences in intake. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were higher and the proportion of acetate was lower for calves fed G versus C. In experiment 2, calves (n = 56) were offered diets on an ad libitum basis and weaned according to intake. There were no differences in body weight gain, average daily gain, feed efficiency and age at weaning with respect to treatment. Starter and total dry matter intake tended to be greater in calves fed H1 and H2 versus C. Addition of controlled particle size hay to diets of young calves appears to favorably alter rumen environment resulting in increased intake and improved feed efficiency. Forage of a consistent particle size can be successfully utilized in starter rations of young calves

The Use of Bovine Serum Protein as an Oral Support Therapy Following Coronavirus Challenge in Calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of feeding a supplemental bovine serum protein blend to calves challenged with virulent coronavirus. Twelve Holstein bull calves were orally challenged with 1 x 107 PFU of virulent coronavirus isolate. Infection was allowed to progress for a period of 24 h prior to the initiation of treatment. On d 1, treated calves began receiving 160 g of a blood serum protein blend (16 g IgG) mixed into milk replacer powder (67 g) at both the AM and PM feedings. Control calves received only milk replacer powder (227) at both feedings. Response to coronavirus challenge and dietary treatment was monitored prior to AM and PM feeding by the collection of multiple clinical measures. Fecal consistency was decreased (P\u3c0.01) by coronavirus challenge, but was not affected by dietary treatment. Mean daily rectal temperature and heart rate were not affected by dietary treatment. Average packed cell volume was higher (P\u3c0.01) in rreated calves compared to control (35.0 and 27.0 %). Coronavirus challenge resulted in an immediate increase in respiration rate, decreasing by d 7. Control calves tended to have a greater (P=0.06) average respiration rate compared to treated (28.7 vs. 26.8 breaths / min.). Treated calves had a higher (P=0.02) average feed intake versus control (0.57 vs. 0.44 kg/d). These data suggest that bovine serum supplemented milk replacer may decrease the severity of disease in young calves exposed to coronavirus. The ability of a dietary treatment to potentially alleviate symptoms of a viral enteric disease is of great importance to the dairy industry

Provider and service-user perspectives of volunteer health-worker service provision in Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore perspectives and reported experiences of service users, community providers and policymakers related to volunteer health-worker services provision in a rural area of Myanmar. METHODS: A qualitative interview study was conducted in rural communities with 54 service users and 17 community providers in Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar, and with 14 national managers and policymakers in Yangon Myanmar. Topics included reasons for seeking health services, views and experiences, and comparison with experiences of other services. Data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive coding. RESULTS: Accessibility and affordability were important to all participants. Service users described the particular relevance of trust, familiarity and acceptability in choosing a provider. Perceived quality and effectiveness were necessary for trust to develop. Perceived value of volunteers was a cross-cutting dimension, which was interpreted differently by different participants. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that volunteers are appropriate and valued, and support 'availability', 'accessibility' and 'acceptability' as dimensions of health services access in this setting. However, social complexities should be considered to ensure effective service delivery. Further research into trust-building, developing quality perceptions and resulting service-user choices would be useful to inform effective policy and planning

Southeast Asian health system challenges and responses to the 'Andaman Sea refugee crisis': A qualitative study of health-sector perspectives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asian countries host signficant numbers of forcibly displaced people. This study was conducted to examine how health systems in Southeast Asia have responded to the health system challenges of forced migration and refugee-related health including the health needs of populations affected by forced displacement; the health systems-level barriers and facilitators in addressing these needs; and the implications of existing health policies relating to forcibly displaced and refugee populations. This study aims to fill in the gap in knowledge by analysing how health systems are organised in Southeast Asia to address the health needs of forcibly displaced people. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted 30 semistructured interviews with health policy-makers, health service providers, and other experts working in the United Nations (n = 6), ministries and public health (n = 5), international (n = 9) and national civil society (n = 7), and academia (n = 3) based in Indonesia (n = 6), Malaysia (n = 10), Myanmar (n = 6), and Thailand (n = 8). Data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive coding. Interviewees described the cumulative nature of health risks at each migratory phase. Perceived barriers to addressing migrants' cumulative health needs were primarily financial, juridico-political, and sociocultural, whereas key facilitators were many health workers' humanitarian stance and positive national commitment to pursuing universal health coverage (UHC). Across all countries, financial constraints were identified as the main challenges in addressing the comprehensive health needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Participants recommended regional and multisectoral approaches led by national governments, recognising refugee and asylum-seeker contributions, and promoting inclusion and livelihoods. Main study limitations included that we were not able to include migrant voices or those professionals not already interested in migrants. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is one of the first qualitative studies to investigate the health concerns and barriers to access among migrants experiencing forced displacement, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, in Southeast Asia. Findings provide practical new insights with implications for informing policy and practice. Overall, sociopolitical inclusion of forcibly displaced populations remains difficult in these four countries despite their significant contributions to host-country economies