2,824 research outputs found
CALL BROADCASTING AND AUTOMATED RECORDERS AS TOOLS FOR ANURAN SURVEYS IN A SUBARCTIC TUNDRA LANDSCAPE
Relatively little is known about population ecology of anurans in arctic and subarctic tundra regions, in part because it is difficult to survey anurans in these landscapes. Anuran survey protocols developed for temperate regions have limited applicability in arctic and subarctic tundra landscapes, which may lack roads and vehicle access, and experience variable and inclement weather during short anuran breeding seasons. To evaluate approaches to address some of the limitations of surveying anurans in tundra landscapes, we assessed the effectiveness of using breeding call broadcasts to increase detection of Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) near Cape Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. We also evaluated how counts of anurans derived from automated audio recorders compared with those obtained simultaneously by observers. We detected on average 0.4 additional Wood Frogs per survey when we broadcasted calls (x = 0.82, SD = 1.38), an increase of > 40% compared to surveys without broadcasts (x = 1.24, SD = 1.51; Wilcoxon test; Z = 2.73, P = 0.006). In contrast, broadcasting Boreal Chorus Frog calls did not increase the number of chorus frog detections (Wilcoxon test; Z < 0.001, P > 0.90). Detections of Wood Frogs in a 100-m radius were lower via automated recorders (x = 0.60, SD = 0.87 SD) than by observers during simultaneous surveys (x = 0.96, SD = 1.27 Z = 2.07, P = 0.038), but those of Boreal Chorus Frogs were not different (x = 1.72, SD = 1.31;x = 1.44, SD = 1.5; Z = 1.55, P > 0.121). Our results suggest that broadcasting calls can increase detection of Wood Frogs, and that automated recorders are useful in detecting both Wood Frogs and Boreal Chorus Fogs in arctic and subarctic tundra landscapes
Scalar FCNC and rare top decays in a two Higgs doublet model "for the top"
In the so called two Higgs doublet model for the top-quark (T2HDM), first
suggested by Das and Kao, the top quark receives a special status, which endows
it with a naturally large mass, and also potentially gives rise to large flavor
changing neutral currents (FCNC) only in the up-quark sector. In this paper we
calculate the branching ratio (BR) for the rare decays t->ch and h->tc (h is a
neutral Higgs) in the T2HDM, at tree level and at 1-loop when it exceeds the
tree-level. We compare our results to predictions from other versions of 2HDM's
and find that the scalar FCNC in the T2HDM can play a significant role in these
decays. In particular, the 1-loop mediated decays can be significantly enhanced
in the T2HDM compared to the 2HDM of types I and II, in some instances reaching
BR~10^-4 which is within the detectable level at the LHC.Comment: added two references. 15 pages, 14 figure
Self-consistent treatment of the self-energy in nuclear matter
The influence of hole-hole propagation in addition to the conventional
particle-particle propagation, on the energy per nucleon and the momentum
distribution is investigated. The results are compared to the
Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (BHF) calculations with a continuous choice and
conventional choice for the single-particle spectrum. The Bethe-Goldstone
equation has been solved using realistic interactions. Also, the structure
of nucleon self-energy in nuclear matter is evaluated. All the self-energies
are calculated self-consistently. Starting from the BHF approximation without
the usual angle-average approximation, the effects of hole-hole contributions
and a self-consistent treatment within the framework of the Green function
approach are investigated. Using the self-consistent self-energy, the hole and
particle self-consistent spectral functions including the particle-particle and
hole-hole ladder contributions in nuclear matter are calculated using realistic
interactions. We found that, the difference in binding energy between both
results, i.e. BHF and self-consistent Green function, is not large. This
explains why is the BHF ignored the 2h1p contribution.Comment: Preprint 20 pages including 15 figures and one tabl
Energy and Momentum densities of cosmological models, with equation of state , in general relativity and teleparallel gravity
We calculated the energy and momentum densities of stiff fluid solutions,
using Einstein, Bergmann-Thomson and Landau-Lifshitz energy-momentum complexes,
in both general relativity and teleparallel gravity. In our analysis we get
different results comparing the aforementioned complexes with each other when
calculated in the same gravitational theory, either this is in general
relativity and teleparallel gravity. However, interestingly enough, each
complex's value is the same either in general relativity or teleparallel
gravity. Our results sustain that (i) general relativity or teleparallel
gravity are equivalent theories (ii) different energy-momentum complexes do not
provide the same energy and momentum densities neither in general relativity
nor in teleparallel gravity. In the context of the theory of teleparallel
gravity, the vector and axial-vector parts of the torsion are obtained. We show
that the axial-vector torsion vanishes for the space-time under study.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, Minor typos corrected; version to appear in
International Journal of Theoretical Physic
Pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes about natural health products: A mixed-methods study
Objectives: To explore knowledge and attitude of pharmacists in Qatar towards natural health products (NHPs).
Methods: The quantitative component of this study consisted of an anonymous, online, self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge about NHPs among pharmacists in Qatar. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were conducted using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSSÂź). Means and standard deviation were used to analyze descriptive data, and statistical significance was expressed as P-value, where Pâ€0.05 was considered statistically significant. Associations between variables were measured using Pearson correlation. The qualitative component utilized focus group (FG) meetings with a purposive sample of community pharmacists. Meetings were conducted until a point of saturation was reached. FG discussions were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a framework approach to sort the data according to emerging themes. Results: The majority of participants had average to poor knowledge about NHPs while only around 7% had good knowledge. In the FG meetings, participants considered the media, medical representatives, and old systems of natural health as major source of their knowledge. They criticized undergraduate pharmacy courses (for inadequately preparing pharmacists to deal with NHPs) and the pharmacy regulations (for being irrelevant). A perception of NHPs as being âsafeâ still exists among pharmacists. Conclusions: Pharmacistsâ ability to provide effective services associated with NHPs is limited by poor access to evidence-based information and poor knowledge. A perception of NHPs and CAM as 'safe' still exists among pharmacists, and regulations related to NHPs require addressing to follow best practice and ensure patient safety.Scopu
- âŠ