Translocation and post-release monitoring techniques of Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans elegans) using a penned release : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

A translocation of Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans elegans) using penned and hard releases is conducted during an emergency salvage in the Hunua Ranges, Auckland. The value of limiting individuals’ movement post-translocation is discussed. Radio-telometry as a resourceful long-term monitoring technique is also discussed including limitations.. The population of 52 individuals were salvaged prior to deforestation of habitat as part of the mitigation process in human-wildlife conflict. Translocations are a major part of New Zealand’s conservation strategies, and this event proved a unique opportunity to study post-release movements of Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans elegans). To test whether penned releases have an effect on post-release movements, salvaged geckos were divided into two groups. One group of individuals was released as a penned release and one group as a non-penned (hard) release. Using radio-telemetry, information was collected on movement behaviours post-release. 100% minimum convex polygons and 95% kernel estimates were used to establish areas for each individual and compared between the two release groups. Due to the small sample sizes, statistical power was low and no statistically significant differences were found between penned and non-penned release groups in terms of movement post-release. However, exploratory data analysis shows some differences in range particularly in relation to distance from release (m). It seems that penned released geckos tend to stay within the area of their release site compared with non-penned released geckos. This could be an early indication of territory and home range establishment from founder individuals. Multiple methods of monitoring post-translocation of green geckos as well as trapping and monitoring or mammalian predators within the area were carried out throughout the duration of the radio-telemetry aspect of the study. The benefits and limitations are discussed for each. Rat trapping in the release site area showed a trend with very low numbers caught (n=2) and high levels of mice prints throughout the general shrubland area. The presence of rat posion in the digestive tract of one rat caught during trapping leans towards successful pest control to date which is keeping numbers of rats at relatively low densities. Using penned release methods during wildlife translocations can prove to be an expensive and long-term endeavour. The practical use of penning Auckland green gecko post-release is still yet to be accurately defined in this study. Using radio tracking techniques to monitor the translocated individuals’ movement behaviours up to 4 weeks after release was successful. Using specific materials and harness designs that are the right ‘fit’ for the species is imperative as was shown with the unsuccessful use of the first design in this study. Transmitters allowed for the collection of detailed information of movement behaviours horizontal and vertical to be collected with ease. For cryptic, arboreal geckos this information would otherwise be difficult to attain if relying only on regular searching techniques such as spotlighting. Future translocations of gecko should consider using radio-telemetry to collect invaluable information for future translocation management decisions

Spacetime and orbits of bumpy black holes

Our universe contains a great number of extremely compact and massive objects which are generally accepted to be black holes. Precise observations of orbital motion near candidate black holes have the potential to determine if they have the spacetime structure that general relativity demands. As a means of formulating measurements to test the black hole nature of these objects, Collins and Hughes introduced "bumpy black holes": objects that are almost, but not quite, general relativity's black holes. The spacetimes of these objects have multipoles that deviate slightly from the black hole solution, reducing to black holes when the deviation is zero. In this paper, we extend this work in two ways. First, we show how to introduce bumps which are smoother and lead to better behaved orbits than those in the original presentation. Second, we show how to make bumpy Kerr black holes -- objects which reduce to the Kerr solution when the deviation goes to zero. This greatly extends the astrophysical applicability of bumpy black holes. Using Hamilton-Jacobi techniques, we show how a spacetime's bumps are imprinted on orbital frequencies, and thus can be determined by measurements which coherently track a small orbiting body's orbital phase. We find that weak-field orbits of bumpy black holes are modified exactly as expected from a Newtonian analysis of a body with a prescribed multipolar structure, reproducing well-known results from the celestial mechanics literature. The impact of bumps on strong-field orbits is especially strong, suggesting that this framework will allow observations to set robust limits on the extent to which a spacetime's multipoles deviate from the black hole expectation.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev. D. This version corrects some typos and incorporates suggested edit

An Investigation of the Look Away Behavior in Domestic Dogs

The unique phylogenetic and ontogenetic history of domestic dogs has had an effect on the way they communicate with one another. Research suggests that domestic dogs’ ability to communicate through visual signals may vary by breed (Goodwin, Bradshaw, & Wickens 1997; Kerswell, Bennet, Butler, & Hemsworth 2009). In the current study, we investigate the effect of a visual communication signal, the look away, observed in both domestic dogs and their ancestor, the wolf, in order to examine whether or not domesticated dogs respond to this visual signal. Research indicates that domestic dogs respond appropriately to artificial dog models (Leaver & Reimchen, 2008). Therefore, we allowed live domestic dogs to approach an artificial model dog as it “looked away,” turning its head approximately 45% to the left, from the approaching live dog participant. In order to reveal any pattern of behavioral responses among domestic dogs to the look away behavior, the observable behavior displayed by the live dog participant (in the moments following the model dog’s look away) was recorded on video. Slow-motion review of the footage revealed that 36% of live dogs displayed some type of observable behavior (ranging from a brief break in eye contact to a blatant turn away from the model dog) after seeing the model dog look away, while 64% of live dogs displayed no observable behavior after seeing the model dog look away. A larger percentage of large dogs (dogs larger than the model dog) appeared to avert their gaze or look away after observing the model dog look away, and a larger percentage of small dogs (dogs smaller than the model dog) showed no observable response after observing the model dog look away. Goodwin et al. 1997 investigated the use of wolf-like visual signals in 10 breeds of domestic dog, rated according to their physical similarity to the wolf by a group of dog behavior counselors. It was found that wolf-like visual signals were observed less frequently in domestic dogs that are less wolf-like in their physical appearance. Dogs rated least wolf-like in their appearance also happened to be the smallest breeds examined in the study, while dogs rated as the more wolf-like in their appearance were larger in size. Using size as a heuristic indicator of physical similarity to the wolf, our data may indicate a possibility that less wolf-like domestic dogs may also respond to wolf-like visual signals less frequently

Assessment of Nursing Knowledge Before and After Implementation of Educational Intervention on Heart Failure

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of nursing staff on a cardiology unit before and after the implementation of heart failure specific education. Methods: Forty staff nurses on a cardiology unit at a single institution were given The Nurses Knowledge of Heart Failure Education Principles Survey (NKHFEP), a validated tool to assess nursing knowledge of heart failure. A series of four educational sessions were given to the same forty nurses. They were then given the NKHFEP survey a second time to assess change in knowledge post educational intervention. Results: The mean of Pre-education (M = 16.77) was significantly lower than the mean of posteducation (M = 19.77). The result of the paired samples t-test was significant, t(39) = -19.75, p \u3c .001, suggesting that the true difference in the means of pre- education and post-education was significantly different from zero. The results of the Wilcoxon signed rank test were significant, V = 0.00, z = -5.66, p \u3c .001. Conclusions: Continuing education specific to heart failure increased nursing knowledge which can be utilized to increase patient education. Improved patient education can help the heart failure patient with self-care and increase health literacy, an aim for improved outcomes outlined by the ACC/AHA Heart Failure guidelines. This project can provide a pathway to ongoing inquiry in nursing knowledge and the importance of continuing education for both the nurse and the patient

The History of Sir George Ellison

The History of Sir George Ellison (1766) is an important novel, both utopian and dystopian. Sir George, a man of benevolence, follows the pattern of the female utopia set forth in Scott\u27s first novel, A Description of Millenium Hall (1762). In this sequel, Scott addresses issues of slavery, marriage, education, law and social justice, class pretensions, and the position of women in society, consistently emphasizing the importance, for both genders and all classes and ages, of devoting one\u27s life to meaningful work. Although she adopted a gradualist approach to reform, Scott\u27s uncompromising revelation of the corruption of English society in her day is clear-sighted, arresting, and hard-hitting. A striking example of both the reformist aspirations of sensibility and the political ambitions of women writers during the mid-century. -- British Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies Fill(s) a genuine need among scholars and students interested in early British women novelists. -- Kritikon Litterarum Although Scott is largely unknown today, her writing was well received in its time and understandably so. Her voice is amiable and articulate, and, though sticking to popular 18th-century devices and a ladylike tone, she takes on provocative topics. . . . Today\u27s readers will be struck by her conviction and relevance. -- Publishers Weekly Offers the best biographical information hitherto published on Scott. -- Utopian Studies The issues of slavery, female education, and marriage make it of interest to cultural critics. -- Wordsworth Circlehttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_english_language_and_literature_british_isles/1011/thumbnail.jp