Management Implications of Molt Migration by the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population of Canada Geese, Branta canadensis

We used satellite-tracked transmitters in 2001 and 2003 to document the timing, location, and extent of molt migrations by female Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) affiliated with the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) of Canada Geese that breed in the temperate region of eastern North America. Twenty-seven adult females were captured during the nesting period in late May and fitted with a satellite transmitter mounted either on a plastic neck collar or backpack harness. Nests of 24 birds were destroyed late in incubation to prevent renesting and ensure nest failure; three females did not have nests. Twelve of the 27 birds (44%) made a northward migration to molt in northern Quebec, Canada: seven to the eastern coast of Hudson Bay (58°12'N, 76°60'W), three to lowland areas east of James Bay (53°30'N, 79°02'W), and two to interior locations south of Ungava Bay (55°54'N, 68°24'W). Molt migrants were present in northern Quebec from June to September, a period that coincides with breeding ground aerial surveys and banding operations conducted for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada Geese that breed in this same region of northern Quebec. With >1 million AFRP geese estimated in the Atlantic Flyway, the potential exists for substantial numbers of yearling, sub-adult, and nest-failed or non-breeding adults to molt migrate to northern breeding areas and bias efforts to survey and mark AP geese. Within AFRP breeding areas, many local flocks have reached nuisance levels. We hypothesized that by inducing molt migration in breeding adults, through destruction of nests late in incubation, we would lessen recruitment, reduce numbers of summer resident adults with young, and increase adult mortality from hunting. However, molt migration behavior was not uniform throughout our study area. Molt migrants were from rural areas in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, whereas marked birds that did not make molt migrations were from more coastal regions of the flyway. The 14 birds that did not make a molt migration remained within 60 km of their banding site. A genetic comparison of these two groups revealed no detectable differences. We conclude that failure to undergo a molt migration is likely attributed to the historical origin of captive-reared birds of mixed subspecies that comprise AFRP flocks in the eastern regions of the flyway and the availability of quality local habitat, distinct from brood-rearing areas, for molting

Short-Term Reduction in Energy Availability Does Not Impair Exercise-Induced Gains in Bone Formation Rate

Reduced energy availability (EA, defined as total energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure) can induce significant bone loss in humans and in rodents, but this effect may vary with exercise status. Purpose: This study focused on the effects of graded reductions in EA achieved with and without exercise on mid-shaft tibia cortical bone. We hypothesized that markers of bone formation would be reduced with 4 weeks of decreased EA, but these reductions would be mitigated in exercising animals. Methods: After 8 weeks of acclimation to AIN-93M purified diet, 5 mo-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=72) were randomized in to sedentary (SED) and exercise (EX) groups, each of which was divided into 3 energy status groups: -12% EA/g body mass (-12EA) and -25% EA/g body mass (-25EA) vs. ad lib-fed controls. EX rats were restricted on diet intake slightly less than SED to account for the energy cost (+10%/day) of treadmill running (80-90 min/d, 4 d/wk, ~60% VO2max); custom versions of AIN-93M were used to assure restriction of only kcal (other nutrients at 100%). Calcein injections 9 and 2 days prior to euthanasia labeled mineralizing surfaces for histomorphometric analyses 2 mm proximal to the tibio-fibular junction for mineralizing surface (%MS/BS), mineral apposition rate (MAR), and bone formation rate (BFR) on periosteal and endocortical surfaces. Results: After 4 weeks, only -25EA SED lost body mass (-11%); virtually all of this was fat mass. Periosteal BFR was 2 to 4 fold higher in EX rats vs. SED animals within each energy status group. The impact of EX on endocortical BFR was even greater (~5-fold increase) for all groups except in the -25 EA cohorts (-25 EA EX BFR ~ equal to -25EA SED BFR). Increases in BFR with EX were achieved by increases in both %MS/BS and MAR on both cortical surfaces. Conclusions: These data suggest that short-term graded reductions in EA do not inhibit BFR in SED animals nor the robust stimulation of BFR by moderately vigorous exercise training. The one exception observed was a suppression of the EX induced gain in endocortical BFR with the more stringent level of reduced EA. Whether this lack of effect of EA on BFR gains with EX persists with more chronic reductions in EA has yet to be determined. Funded by the Department of Defense #WSIXWH-06-1-047

Exploring the Process of Digital Storytelling in Mental Health Research: A Process Evaluation of Consumer and Clinician Experiences

Digital storytelling is an art-based research method that has potential to engage mental health consumers and clinicians in dialogue about their lived experiences. However, few studies have examined the process of digital storytelling and people’s perspectives about making digital stories. In this article, a process evaluation framework is used to explore two digital storytelling workshops conducted with mental health consumers and clinicians. Project planning and implementation documents were collated, and interviews conducted with workshop participants thematically analyzed. Data were combined with facilitator reflections and are reported using a process evaluation framework. Findings indicate that the digital storytelling process is a useful research method that can be used to create a space where power differentials between consumers and clinicians are made visible and shared dialogue can develop. Recommendations from the study include the importance of employing skilled consumer and clinician support personnel to guide the process of participation and negotiate ethical tensions to ensure participant safety

Hydrogeological Characterization of the South Oyster Bacterial Transport Site Using Geophysical Data

A multidisciplinary research team has conducted a field-scale bacterial transport study within an uncontaminated sandy Pleistocene aquifer near Oyster, Virginia. The overall goal of the project was to evaluate the importance of heterogeneities in controlling the field-scale transport of bacteria that are injected into the ground for remediation purposes. Geochemical, hydrological, geological, and geophysical data were collected to characterize the site prior to conducting chemical and bacterial injection experiments. In this paper we focus on results of a hydrogeological characterization effort using geophysical data collected across a range of spatial scales. The geophysical data employed include surface ground-penetrating radar, radar cross-hole tomography, seismic cross-hole tomography, cone penetrometer, and borehole electromagnetic flowmeter. These data were used to interpret the subregional and local stratigraphy, to provide high-resolution hydraulic conductivity estimates, and to provide information about the log conductivity spatial correlation function. The information from geophysical data was used to guide and assist the field operations and to constrain the numerical bacterial transport model. Although more field work of this nature is necessary to validate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of including geophysical data in the characterization effort, qualitative and quantitative comparisons between tomographically obtained flow and transport parameter estimates with hydraulic well bore and bromide breakthrough measurements suggest that geophysical data can provide valuable, high-resolution information. This information, traditionally only partially obtainable by performing extensive and intrusive well bore sampling, may help to reduce the ambiguity associated with hydrogeological heterogeneity that is often encountered when interpreting field-scale bacterial transport data

Partial or Complete Unloading of Skeletal Muscle Leads to Specific Alterations of Anabolic Signal Transduction

Consequences of disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle observed during spaceflight on astronaut health and performance are a focal point of space research. Decrements of both muscle mass and protein synthesis rates have been observed with exposure to varying muscle loading environments (1G \u3e partial loading \u3e 0G), and most of the reduced muscle mass can be attributed to diminished rates of synthesis. However, specific mechanisms behind unloading-dependent reductions of protein synthesis are not well defined. PURPOSE: To determine whether or not alterations of anabolic signal transduction was responsible for the changes previously observed in fractional synthesis rates with specific gravitational loading paradigms. METHODS: Female BALB/cByJ were normalized by bodyweight and assigned to normal cage ambulation (1G), partial weight bearing suspension titrated to approximately 33% bodyweight (G/3), partial weight bearing titrated to 16% bodyweight (G/6) and full unloading of hind limbs (0G) in specially designed cages. All mice were subjected to that loading environment for 21d prior to tissue harvest, and monitored daily. Immunoblotting of the gastrocnemius (n=23) was carried out to analyze alterations of anabolic signal transduction. Although numerous signaling intermediates were assessed, the focus of this abstract will be on ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70-S6K). This important protein has served as a marker of protein synthesis signal transduction as well as the anabolic capacity in skeletal muscle. RESULTS: Regardless of loading paradigm, no differences were detected among groups for the activation of p70-S6K (as indicated by the phospho: total protein content). Total protein content, however, was ~27% lower than control in 0G and G/3 (P=0.008) with G/6 not being different from control (P\u3e0.05). CONCLUSION: In combination with previous data (unpublished observations), Partial gravitational fields at least partially rescues anabolic signaling, suggesting that a threshold level of stimulus is necessary to maintain anabolic capacity in muscle. These results may have important implications towards the development of strategies designed to counter the effects of partial/complete unloading on skeletal muscle based on how the anabolic capacity of muscle is affected

Partial weightbearing at 1/6 and 1/3 G does not prevent deleterious changes in bone observed with traditional tail suspension (0 G)

The effect of partial gravity (G) (as on the Lunar surface) on weight bearing bone remains undefined; a new model (the partial G mouse) provides for graded reductions in weight bearing. We hypothesized that mice exposed to 1/6th G and 1/3rd G (to mimic Lunar weightbearing with full spacesuit) will experience significant reductions in cortical and cancellous bone mass as compared to ambulatory control animals but that the magnitude of these changes would be less than in 0 G mice. Methods: Fifty-eight BALB/cBy female mice were randomly assigned to cage control (1G), “zero-gravity” hindlimb unloaded (0G), 1/6th gravity (G/6), or 1/3rd gravity (G/3) groups for a 21-day suspension protocol. Ex vivo pQCT scans (XCT-M Stratec; Norland Corp.) were performed at the proximal metaphyses and midshaft of the excised tibia and humerus to measure volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone mineral content, and cross-sectional geometry. Results: Total body mass significantly decreased 7.6% in 0G mice but not in the G/3 or G/6 groups. Total vBMD at the proximal humerus was significantly lower in the 0G, G/6, and G/3 mice compared to the 1G mice. Cortical area and thickness at the humerus midshaft were significantly lower in the 0G, G/6, and G/3 mice compared to the 1G mice. Cortical density at the midshaft of the humerus exhibited significant reductions in the 0G and G/6 mice, but not in G/3 mice. Total vBMD at the proximal tibia was significantly lower in the 0G, G/6, and G/3 mice compared to the 1G mice, with no differences among the 0G, G/3, or G/6 groups . Relative to the 1G group, cortical shell BMC at the proximal tibia was significantly lower in the 0G, G/6, and G/3 mice but did not differ among the unloaded mice. Conclusion:These data suggest that partial weight bearing (as high as 1/3rd G) does not provide enough mechanical loading to prevent the significant deterioration of most cortical or cancellous bone parameters observed in the 0G non-weight bearing condition

Fat and Lean Mass Predict Bone Mass During Energy Restriction in Sedentary and Exercising Rodents

Energy restriction (ER) causes bone loss, but the impact of exercise during ER is less understood. In this study, we examined the impact of metabolic hormones and body composition on both total body bone mineral content (BMC) and local (proximal tibia) volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) during short- (4 weeks) and long-term (12 weeks) ER with and without exercise in adult female rats. Our first goal was to balance energy between sedentary and exercising groups to determine the impact of exercise during ER. Second, we aimed to determine the strongest predictors of bone outcomes during ER with energy-matched exercising groups.Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three sedentary groups (ad libitum, –20% ER, and –40% ER) and three exercising groups (ad libitum, –10% ER, and –30% ER). Approximately a 10% increase in energy expenditure was achieved via moderate treadmill running (∼60–100 min 4 days/week) in EX groups. n per group = 25–35. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 3 ANOVA with multiple linear regression to predict bone mass outcomes.Results: At 4 weeks, fat and lean mass and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) predicted total body BMC (R2 = 0.538). Fat mass decreased with ER at all levels, while lean mass was not altered. Serum IGF-I declined in the most severe ER groups (–40 and –30%). At 12 weeks, only fat and lean mass predicted total body BMC (R2 = 0.718). Fat mass declined with ER level regardless of exercise status and lean mass increased due to exercise (+5.6–6.7% vs. energy-matched sedentary groups). At the same time point, BMC declined with ER, but increased with exercise (+7.0–12.5% vs. energy-matched sedentary groups). None of our models predicted vBMD at the proximal tibia at either time point.Conclusion: Both fat and lean mass statistically predicted total body BMC during both short- and long-term ER. Fat and lean mass decreased with ER, while lean mass increased with EX at each energy level. Measures that predicted total body skeletal changes did not predict site-specific changes. These data highlight the importance of maintaining lean mass through exercise during periods of ER