Population Density of the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis Virginiana) and Associations of Occurrence with Selected Habitat Variables

Population density of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and associations of occurrence and density with selected habitat variables were studied at Meeman Biological Station from 2000-2006 and 2008-2010. Mark/recapture techniques were utilized to estimate density. Associations of density to habitat variables were assessed using a geographic information system. Density ranged from 1 Virginia opossum per 9.5 ha to 1 per 3.5 ha with a mean of 1 per 6.9 ha. Average precipitation the year prior was significantly correlated with density. Winter and spring precipitation significantly correlated with same-year density. Fall precipitation significantly correlated with following-year density. There were no correlations between temperature and density. Distance to nearest field and nearest building and length of forest/field edge within a 75-meter perimeter were significantly correlated with capture success. Captures on ridges were significantly fewer than on slopes or in hollows, and there was no interaction between location of traps and sex

Survey of bacterial diversity in chronic wounds using Pyrosequencing, DGGE, and full ribosome shotgun sequencing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic wound pathogenic biofilms are host-pathogen environments that colonize and exist as a cohabitation of many bacterial species. These bacterial populations cooperate to promote their own survival and the chronic nature of the infection. Few studies have performed extensive surveys of the bacterial populations that occur within different types of chronic wound biofilms. The use of 3 separate16S-based molecular amplifications followed by pyrosequencing, shotgun Sanger sequencing, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were utilized to survey the major populations of bacteria that occur in the pathogenic biofilms of three types of chronic wound types: diabetic foot ulcers (D), venous leg ulcers (V), and pressure ulcers (P).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There are specific major populations of bacteria that were evident in the biofilms of all chronic wound types, including <it>Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Peptoniphilus, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Finegoldia</it>, and <it>Serratia </it>spp. Each of the wound types reveals marked differences in bacterial populations, such as pressure ulcers in which 62% of the populations were identified as obligate anaerobes. There were also populations of bacteria that were identified but not recognized as wound pathogens, such as <it>Abiotrophia para-adiacens </it>and <it>Rhodopseudomonas </it>spp. Results of molecular analyses were also compared to those obtained using traditional culture-based diagnostics. Only in one wound type did culture methods correctly identify the primary bacterial population indicating the need for improved diagnostic methods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>If clinicians can gain a better understanding of the wound's microbiota, it will give them a greater understanding of the wound's ecology and will allow them to better manage healing of the wound improving the prognosis of patients. This research highlights the necessity to begin evaluating, studying, and treating chronic wound pathogenic biofilms as multi-species entities in order to improve the outcomes of patients. This survey will also foster the pioneering and development of new molecular diagnostic tools, which can be used to identify the community compositions of chronic wound pathogenic biofilms and other medical biofilm infections.</p

Subsequent Surgery After Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Rates and Risk Factors From a Multicenter Cohort

BACKGROUND: While revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can be performed to restore knee stability and improve patient activity levels, outcomes after this surgery are reported to be inferior to those after primary ACLR. Further reoperations after revision ACLR can have an even more profound effect on patient satisfaction and outcomes. However, there is a current lack of information regarding the rate and risk factors for subsequent surgery after revision ACLR. PURPOSE: To report the rate of reoperations, procedures performed, and risk factors for a reoperation 2 years after revision ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 1205 patients who underwent revision ACLR were enrolled in the Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) between 2006 and 2011, composing the prospective cohort. Two-year questionnaire follow-up was obtained for 989 patients (82%), while telephone follow-up was obtained for 1112 patients (92%). If a patient reported having undergone subsequent surgery, operative reports detailing the subsequent procedure(s) were obtained and categorized. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for a reoperation. RESULTS: Of the 1112 patients included in the analysis, 122 patients (11%) underwent a total of 172 subsequent procedures on the ipsilateral knee at 2-year follow-up. Of the reoperations, 27% were meniscal procedures (69% meniscectomy, 26% repair), 19% were subsequent revision ACLR, 17% were cartilage procedures (61% chondroplasty, 17% microfracture, 13% mosaicplasty), 11% were hardware removal, and 9% were procedures for arthrofibrosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients aged <20 years had twice the odds of patients aged 20 to 29 years to undergo a reoperation. The use of an allograft at the time of revision ACLR (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; P = .007) was a significant predictor for reoperations at 2 years, while staged revision (bone grafting of tunnels before revision ACLR) (OR, 1.93; P = .052) did not reach significance. Patients with grade 4 cartilage damage seen during revision ACLR were 78% less likely to undergo subsequent operations within 2 years. Sex, body mass index, smoking history, Marx activity score, technique for femoral tunnel placement, and meniscal tearing or meniscal treatment at the time of revision ACLR showed no significant effect on the reoperation rate. CONCLUSION: There was a significant reoperation rate after revision ACLR at 2 years (11%), with meniscal procedures most commonly involved. Independent risk factors for subsequent surgery on the ipsilateral knee included age <20 years and the use of allograft tissue at the time of revision ACLR

The Developments in Ethnographic Studies of Organizing: Towards Objects of Ignorance and Objects of Concern

In this introduction to the Special Issue, we review the rich tradition of ethnographic studies in organisation studies and critically examine the place of ethnography in organisation studies as practised in schools of business and management. Drawing on the findings of the articles published here, we reflect on the need for a significant extension of the content and syllabus of our discipline to include what we call objects of concern and objects of ignorance. The articles we publish show that decision makers in organizations are not always humans, and nor can we assume the human and its groups monopolise the capacity for agency in organisation. Where we still labour in organisation theory with dualisms such as structure or agent, or subject and object, these articles trace objects and their relations which point to new forms of non-human co-ordination and agency. The organisational realities to which these objects give rise demand careful methodological enquiry, and we show that recent experiments in a genre we call ‘post-reflexive ethnography’ are likely to prove helpful for developing ethnographic enquiry in contemporary organisation

Assessing capture success of small mammals due to trap orientation in field–forest edge habitat

The prediction that trap orientation would not affect the likelihood of capturing small, non-volant mammals in field–forest edge habitat was tested during late May and early June 2010 at 3 locations in western Tennessee. Traps were placed in pairs along transects in edge habitats with the orientation of one trap facing outward, toward the field, and the other oriented inward, toward the forest. Results reflected no differential capture success due to trap orientation among ages, sexes, species, or locations. This finding should facilitate the inventorying and monitoring of small mammals in an abundant and potentially species-rich habitat type found in many terrestrial regions

Assessing capture success of small mammals due to trap orientation in field–forest edge habitat

The prediction that trap orientation would not affect the likelihood of capturing small, non-volant mammals in field–forest edge habitat was tested during late May and early June 2010 at 3 locations in western Tennessee. Traps were placed in pairs along transects in edge habitats with the orientation of one trap facing outward, toward the field, and the other oriented inward, toward the forest. Results reflected no differential capture success due to trap orientation among ages, sexes, species, or locations. This finding should facilitate the inventorying and monitoring of small mammals in an abundant and potentially species-rich habitat type found in many terrestrial regions

Biological and Environmental Influences on Parturition Date and Birth Mass of a Seasonal Breeder

<div><p>Natal features (e.g. Julian birth date and birth mass) often have fitness consequences and can be influenced by endogenous responses by the mother to seasonal fluctuations in nutritional quality and photoperiodic cues. We sought to further understand the biological and environmental factors that influence the natal features of a polytocous species in an environment with constant nutritional resources and limited seasonal variation. During a 36-year study we assessed the influence of biological factors (maternal age and litter type [i.e., litter size and sexual composition]) and environmental factors (total precipitation and mean maximum temperature during months encompassing conception, the last trimester of gestation, and the entire length of gestation) on Julian birth date and birth mass using linear-mixed effects models. Linear and quadratic functions of maternal age influenced both natal features with earliest Julian birth dates and heaviest birth masses occurring at prime-age and older individuals, which ranged from 5–9 years of age. Litter type influenced Julian birth date and birth mass. Interestingly, environmental factors affected Julian birth date and birth mass even though mothers were continuously allowed access to a high-quality diet. Random effects revealed considerable variation among mothers and years. This study demonstrates that, in long-lived polytocous species, environmental factors may have a greater influence on natal features than previously supposed and the influence from biological factors is also complex. The documented responses to environmental influences provide unique insights into how mammalian seasonal reproductive dynamics may respond to current changes in climate.</p></div

Models analyzed and summaries of model selection for the influence of biological variables (litter type, maternal age, study program), and environmental variables on parturition date (Julian date) of penned white-tailed deer from the Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Kerr County, TX from 1977–2012.

<p>Each model contained predictor variables for litter type (LitType), age of the mother and its quadratic term (MaternalAge), study program (StudyProgram) and environmental predictors for each model. Precipitation and temperature values for each month as well as summed (precipitation) and average (temperature) total from Aug–Jun and Apr–Jun. Precipitation was calculated as the total precipitation in a month (mm). Temperature was calculated as the mean maximum temperature per month (°C). The number of parameters in each model is K, AIC_<i>c</i> is the Akaike value for each model, ΔAIC_<i>c</i> is the change in value compared to the most highly selected model and Weight is the Akaike weight for each model. Models are arranged from highest to lowest Akaike weight.</p><p>Models analyzed and summaries of model selection for the influence of biological variables (litter type, maternal age, study program), and environmental variables on parturition date (Julian date) of penned white-tailed deer from the Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Kerr County, TX from 1977–2012.</p