bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infant Swimming Practice, Pulmonary Epithelium Integrity, and the Risk of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Later in Childhood
Authors: Bernard Alfred , Carbonnelle Sylviane , Dumont Xavier , Nickmilder Marc
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVE. Irritant gases and aerosols contaminating the air of indoor swimming pools can affect the lung epithelium and increase asthma risk in children. We evaluated the impact of infant swimming practice on allergic status and respiratory health later in childhood.

METHODS. Clara cell protein, surfactant-associated protein D, and total and aeroallergen-specific immunoglobulin E were measured in the serum of 341 schoolchildren aged 10 to 13 years, among whom 43 had followed an infant swimming program. Asthma was defined as doctor-diagnosed asthma and/or positive exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (15% decrease in postexercise forced expiratory volume).

RESULTS. There were no significant differences between the infant swimming group and the other children regarding the levels of exhaled nitric oxide and total or aeroallergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E. Children who swam as infants showed, by contrast, a significant decrease of serum Clara cell protein and of the serum Clara cell protein/surfactant-associated protein D ratio integrating Clara cell damage and permeability changes of the lung epithelial barrier. These effects were associated with higher risks of asthma and of recurrent bronchitis. Passive exposure to tobacco alone had no effect on these outcomes but seemed to interact with infant swimming practice to increase the risk of asthma or of recurrent bronchitis.

CONCLUSIONS. Our data suggest that infant swimming practice in chlorinated indoor swimming pools is associated with airways changes that, along with other factors, seem to predispose children to the development of asthma and recurrent bronchitis.
Evaluation of Suspected Child Physical Abuse
Authors: Kellogg Nancy D. ,   and the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect
Published: June 2007

This report provides guidance in the clinical approach to the evaluation of suspected physical abuse in children. The medical assessment is outlined with respect to obtaining a history, physical examination, and appropriate ancillary testing. The role of the physician may encompass reporting suspected abuse; assessing the consistency of the explanation, the child's developmental capabilities, and the characteristics of the injury or injuries; and coordination with other professionals to provide immediate and long-term treatment and follow-up for victims. Accurate and timely diagnosis of children who are suspected victims of abuse can ensure appropriate evaluation, investigation, and outcomes for these children and their families.
Provision of Educationally Related Services for Children and Adolescents With Chronic Diseases and Disabling Conditions
Authors:   Council on Children With Disabilities
Published: June 2007

This Policy Statement was retired January 2018.

Children and adolescents with chronic diseases and disabling conditions often need educationally related services. As medical home providers, physicians and other health care professionals can assist children, adolescents, and their families with the complex federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and systems associated with these services. Expanded roles for physicians and other health care professionals in individualized family service plan, individualized education plan, and Section 504 plan development and implementation are recommended. Recent updates to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act will also affect these services. Funding for these services by private and nonprivate sources also continue to affect the availability of these educationally related services.

The complex range of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and systems for special education and related services for children and adolescents in public schools is beyond the scope of this statement. Readers are referred to the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement “The Pediatrician's Role in Development and Implementation of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and/or an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)” for additional background materials. The focus of this statement is the role that health care professionals have in determining and managing educationally related services in the school setting.

This policy statement is a revision of a previous statement, “Provision of Educationally Related Services for Children and Adolescents With Chronic Diseases and Disabling Conditions,” published in February 2000 by the Committee on Children With Disabilities (http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/2/448).
Electronic Prescribing Systems in Pediatrics: The Rationale and Functionality Requirements
Authors:   Council on Clinical Information Technology
Published: June 2007

The use of electronic prescribing applications in pediatric practice, as recommended by the federal government and other national health care improvement organizations, should be encouraged. Legislation and policies that foster adoption of electronic prescribing systems by pediatricians should recognize both specific pediatric requirements and general economic incentives required to speed the adoption of these systems. Continued research into improving the effectiveness of these systems, recognizing the unique challenges of providing care to the pediatric population, should be promoted.
Electronic Prescribing Systems in Pediatrics: The Rationale and Functionality Requirements
Authors: Gerstle Robert S. , Lehmann Christoph U. ,   the Council on Clinical Information Technology
Published: June 2007

This technical report discusses electronic prescribing systems and their limitations and potential benefits, particularly to the pediatrician in the ambulatory setting. In the report we acknowledge the benefits of integrating these systems with electronic health records and practice-management systems and recommend that the adoption of electronic prescribing systems be done in the context of ultimately moving toward an electronic health record. This technical report supports the accompanying American Academy of Pediatrics policy-statement recommendations on the adoption of electronic prescribing systems by pediatricians.
Crystal structure and microstructure of epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films consisting of mixed phases with tetragonal and rhombohedral symmetries grown on (100)cSrRuO3//(100)SrTiO3 substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Yokoyama Shintaro , Morioka Hitoshi , Kim Yong Kwan , Nakaki Hiroshi , Funakubo Hiroshi , Saito Keisuke , Nishida Ken , Katoda Takashi
Published: June 2007

(100)-/(001)-oriented epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT) films with various Zr/(Zr + Ti) ratios and film thicknesses were grown on (100)cSrRuO3//(100)SrTiO3substrates at 600 °C by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Their crystal structure and microstructure consisting of particularly mixed phases with tetragonal and rhombohedral symmetries were investigated in detail. Films with the mixed phases with tetragonal and rhombohedral symmetries were ascertained at a Zr/(Zr + Ti) ratio of around 0.50 at a thickness of more than 200 nm from x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, while no mixed phase region was observed for 50 nm thick film. The relative volume fraction of the tetragonal cdomain decreased with increasing film thickness for 2-μm-thick films with mixed phases, while the tetragonal adomain and rhombohedral domain increased. These mixed phases were ascertained to have originated from the same cubic PZT grown above Curie temperature from results obtained by temperature-dependent high-resolution XRD reciprocal space mapping. The transmission electron microscopy images clearly revealed that the microstructure of the film gradually changed along the film thickness, despite the fact that the film was very uniform. Tetragonal phases were dominant in the bottom region (near the interface with the substrate) of the film, while rhombohedral phase was dominant in the upper region (near the surface), which was also ascertained by cross-sectional Raman analysis. In addition, the tetragonal a/cdomain was wider in the bottom region than that in the upper region of film with mixed phases. These data clearly demonstrate that both the crystal structure and microstructure changed along the film thickness.
Oxygen transport during formation and decomposition of AgNbO3 and AgTaO3
Authors: Valant Matjaz , Axelsson Anna-Karin , Zou Bin , Alford Neil
Published: June 2007

A thermogravimetric method was used to analyze intermediate processes involved in the formation and decomposition of AgNbO3and AgTaO3perovskites. Critical parameters that control the kinetics of the formation are associated with oxygen transport. The Nb2O5crystal structure has a capacity to trap molecular oxygen, which evolves during the decomposition of Ag2O that is present in a starting mixture. The formation of the perovskite phase involves a simultaneous reaction of three species: O2, Ag, and Nb2O5/Ta2O5. As the trapped molecular oxygen is in the immediate vicinity of the reaction site, the kinetics of the reaction is significantly accelerated. An absence of the molecular oxygen in the solid-state phase cannot be compensated for with an increase in a partial pressure of oxygen in the gas phase, that is, application of oxygen atmosphere.
Morphology, structure, and nucleation of out-of-phase boundaries (OPBs) in epitaxial films of layered oxides
Authors: Zurbuchen M.A. , Tian W. , Pan X.Q. , Fong D. , Streiffer S.K. , Hawley M.E. , Lettieri J. , Jia Y. , Asayama G. , Fulk S.J. , Comstock D.J. , Knapp S. , Carim A.H. , Schlom D.G.
Published: June 2007

Out-of-phase boundaries (OPBs) are translation boundary defects characterized by a misregistry of a fraction of a unit cell dimension in neighboring regions of a crystal. Although rarely observed in the bulk, they are common in epitaxial films of complex crystals due to the physical constraint of the underlying substrate and a low degree of structural rearrangement during growth. OPBs can strongly affect properties, but no extensive studies of them are available. The morphology, structure, and nucleation mechanisms of OPBs in epitaxial films of layered complex oxides are presented with a review of published studies and new work. Morphological trends in two families of layered oxide phases are described. The atomic structure at OPBs is presented. OPBs may be introduced into a film during growth via the primary mechanisms that occur at film nucleation (steric, nucleation layer,a-bmisfit, and inclined-cmisfit) or after growth via the secondary nucleation mechanism (crystallographic shear in response to loss of a volatile component). Mechanism descriptions are accompanied by experimental examples. Alternative methods to the direct imaging of OPBs are also presented.
Reversible fluorescence modulation based on photochromic diarylethene and fluorescent coumarin
Authors: Sheng Xiaohai , Peng Aidong , Fu Hongbing , Yao Jiannian , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Yaobing
Published: June 2007

A fluorescence switch by the photoisomerization of a photochromic compound in CH3CN and in a polymer film using a bistable photochromic (1,2-bis(2-methylbenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl) hexafluorocyclopentene) (BTF6) and a fluorescent 3-(2-benzothiazolyl)-7-(diethylamino) coumarin (coumarin6) was demonstrated. Because only the closed form of BTF6 serves as a fluorescence quencher of coumarin6, and the read (406 nm), write (254 nm), and erase (>500 nm) wavelengths are well-separated, a reversible modulation of the fluorescence of coumarin6 with high contrast and high sensitivity is expected to be realized. This system may represent an alternative to the fluorescence switches that are based on covalent systems in the potentially long-term optical data or image storage schemes utilizing luminescence intensity readout.
Ultrabroad infrared luminescences from Bi-doped alkaline earth metal germanate glasses
Authors: Ren Jinjun , Qiu Jianrong , Wu Botao , Chen Danping
Published: June 2007

We report on ultrabroad infrared (IR) luminescences covering the 1000–1700-nm wavelength region, from Bi-doped 75GeO2–20RO–5Al2O3–1Bi2O3(R = Sr, Ca, and Mg) glasses. The full width at half-maximum of the IR luminescences excited at 980 nm increases (315 → 440 → 510 nm) with the change of alkaline earth metal (Mg2+→ Ca2+→ Sr2+). The fluorescence lifetime of the glass samples is 1725, 157, and 264 μs when R is Sr, Ca, and Mg, respectively. These materials may be promising candidates for broad-band fiber amplifiers and tunable laser resources.
Effect of the spherical indenter tip assumption on nanoindentation
Authors: Ma L. , Levine L.E.
Published: June 2007

One of the interests and challenges of nanoindentation is determining the shear stress at the onset of plastic yielding, which corresponds to dislocation nucleation. To extract this stress information from experimental load-displacement data, a spherical tip shape is usually assumed. However, it is well known that indenter tips have irregular shapes, especially at the small-length scales that are important for small loads. This will significantly affect the stress distribution under the indentation surfaces. In this work, an indenter tip shape is measured by atomic force microscopy. The measured indenter shape is input into a finite element analysis model for indentation simulations on 〈111〉-oriented single-crystal Al samples in the elastic regime. The resulting stresses, indentation force, and contact area are analyzed and compared to results from a fitted spherical indenter. The deviation of the assumed spherical indenter tip from the real measured indenter tip is studied.
Mechanism for LiNb3O8 phase formation during thermal annealing of crystalline and amorphous LiNbO3 thin films
Authors: Akazawa H. , Shimada M.
Published: June 2007

The kinetics of second phase formation during the thermal annealing of crystalline and amorphous LiNbO3(LN) thin films was investigated. When c-axis-oriented LN texture film was annealed at temperatures higher than 700 °C, Li2O desorbed from the surface and grain boundaries, which induced epitaxial precipitation of the LiNb3O8phase on the LN (0001) plane. While the LiNb3O8volume exhibited saturation behavior against annealing time, oxygen atoms continued to diffuse out from the inner part of the film. Arrhenius plots of the rate of LiNb3O8formation and oxygen loss were scaled with common activation energy of 30.5 kcal/mol. In terms of phase formation from amorphous LN, annealing at 700 °C in a vacuum induced rapid crystallization into mixtures of LN and LiNb3O8, the volume ratio of which can be explained by the phase separation model. Annealing in an O2atmosphere, however, produced an incubation time before crystallization and a larger volume fraction of LiNb3O8after crystallization. Oxygen molecules that penetrated into the film will hinder the migration of atoms and decelerate crystallization. Vacancies produced as a result of Li2O loss will facilitate the nucleation of LN and LiNb3O8pairs while maintaining the epitaxial relation.
Synthesis and characterization of nanometer-sized Ti-based amorphous powders
Authors: Jayaraj J. , Fleury E. , Park B.J. , Kim D.H. , Kim W.T.
Published: June 2007

We present a simple method for preparing nanometer-sized, Ti-based amorphous powders from the Y28Ti28Al24Co20and Y36Ti20Al24Co20two-phase amorphous alloys. The initial microstructure of these rapidly quenched alloys is composed of Ti-based, amorphous, spherical, nanometer-sized particles embedded in a Y-based amorphous matrix, with particle size dependent on the alloy composition. The Ti-based powders were extracted from the two-phase amorphous alloys through selective dissolution of the Y-rich matrix in a 0.1 M HNO3solution. The powders of size ranging between 20 and 200 nm have smooth and spherical morphology, and exhibit different magnetic behavior than the bulk alloy of identical composition.
Direct thermal oxidization evaporation growth, structure, and optical properties of single-crystalline nanobelts of molybdenum trioxide
Authors: Chu W.G. , Zhang L.N. , Wang H.F. , Han Z.H. , Han D. , Li Q.Q. , Fan S.S.
Published: June 2007

Single-crystalline nanobelts of molybdenum trioxides were grown by direct thermal oxidization evaporation of metal molybdenum foils. Their structures, defects, and optical properties were investigated via x-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), atomic force microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS). Single-crystalline nanobelts were identified as an orthorhombic structure with an average stoichiometry of MoO3.02analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy of x-rays. The length, width, and thickness of a nanobelt were determined to be parallel to the b, c, and aaxis of the MoO3unit cell, respectively. The thickness of the nanobelt increased by integer multiples of 0.5ain a layer-by-layer fashion during growth. A density of dislocations as high as about 1.2 × 1013cm−2was formed, which may be attributed to relaxation of large strains during cooling. A special dislocation configuration was observed by HRTEM, which was well reproduced by image simulations based on the proposed model. The resulting morphology of nanobelts was proposed to be governed by growth kinetics. Micro-Raman and FTIR spectra were successfully analyzed on the basis of vibration of MoO6octahedra. It was found that micro-Raman spectra were quite dependent on the size of the nanobelts. A band gap energy of 3.04 eV derived from UV-VIS measurements was observed to be red shifted relative to the previously reported experimental values, which may be due to the presence of a high density of defects.
Shear deformation in TiAl: Atomic dynamic and static simulations
Authors: Liu Y.L. , Wang S.Q. , Ye H.Q.
Published: June 2007

The dynamic shear deformation process and the related stacking fault transitions in TiAl have been systematically investigated using both the molecular dynamics and ab initio methods. The details of the dislocation initiation and microstructural evolution are presented, and the concomitant potential energy variation and the radial distribution functions have been analyzed. The results show, interestingly, that some deformation-induced hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structures are metastable, and that a higher velocity field promotes more hcp segments. The phenomena are interpreted based on ab initio calculations of the detailed energy variation at the different fault transition stages, i.e., superlattice intrinsic stacking fault (SISF) → TWIN, SISF → hcp, and hcp → TWIN. The intrinsic factor that governs the deformation process is discussed. The results promote new understanding of the stress-induced interfaces and dislocation behaviors in experimental observations.
Surface properties of tellurite and fluorotellurite glasses
Authors: O’Donnell M.D. , Furniss D. , Tikhomirov V.K. , Briggs D. , Smith E.F. , Seddon A.B.
Published: June 2007

The surface properties of some freshly cleaved, or polished, quaternary tellurite glasses (TeO2-ZnO-Na2O-Yb2O3and TeO2-ZnO-Na2O-GeO2) and a proposed ternary fluorotellurite core/clad optical fiber pair (TeO2-N a2O-ZnF2) were investigated by means of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and chemical durability. Semiquantitative chemical analysis of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of cleaved tungsten-tellurite and fluorotellurite glasses showed good agreement with the batched at.% values when taking into account the effects of processing (e.g., melt fluorine volatilization), and the samples seemed to exhibit negligible hydrolysis. However, spectra of polished surfaces did not yield useful data because of masking of the glass “signal” from organic contamination at the sample surface. The chemical durability of these glasses were studied; specifically, the glass resistance to the attack and the etchability of various acids (aqueous HF, H2SO4, and HCl), alkali (aqueous NaOH), and water at 15, 21, and 60 °C were obtained by simple mass loss experiments and optical microscopy. Based on the appearance of the glass surfaces after immersion in these solutions, aqueous HF was found to be the most promising etchant, however, infrared spectra showed that significant OH was introduced into the glass. Attack of the fluorotellurite glasses was found to proceed at a higher rate in water at 60 °C compared with room temperature, and at both temperatures was shown to be diffusion controlled, with an Arrhenian activation energy estimated as 57 kJ mol−1.
Angiogenic Effects of Human Multipotent Stromal Cell Conditioned Medium Activate the PI3K-Akt Pathway in Hypoxic Endothelial Cells to Inhibit Apoptosis, Increase Survival, and Stimulate Angiogenesis
Authors: Hung Shih-Chieh , Pochampally Radhika R. , Chen Sy-Chi , Hsu Shu-Ching , Prockop Darwin J.
Published: June 2007

Recent reports indicated that vascular remodeling and angiogenesis are promoted by conditioned medium from the cells referred to as multipotent stromal cells (MSCs). However, the molecular events triggered by MSC-conditioned medium (CdM) were not defined. We examined the effects of CdM from human MSCs on cultures of primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). The CdM inhibited hypoxia-induced apoptosis and cell death of HAECs. It also promoted tube formation by HAECs in an assay in vitro. Conditioned medium from multipotent stromal cells incubated under hypoxic conditions in serum-free endothelial basal medium for 2 days (CdMHyp) from hypoxic culture of MSCs was more effective than conditioned medium from MSCs incubated under normoxic conditions in serum-free endothelial basal medium for 2 days from normoxic cultures of MSCs, an observation in part explained by its higher content of antiapoptotic and angiogenic factors, such as interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. The effects of CdMHyp on hypoxic HAECs were partially duplicated by the addition of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner; however, anti-IL-6, anti-MCP-1, and anti-VEGF blocking antibodies added independently did not attenuate the effects. Also, addition of CdMHyp activated the PI3K-Akt pathway; the levels of p-Akt and several of its downstream targets were increased by CdMHyp, and both the increase in p-Akt and the increase in angiogenesis were blocked by an inhibitor of PI3K-Akt or by expression of a dominant negative gene for PI3K. CdMHyp also increased the levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but there was a minimal effect on p-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3, and an inhibitor of the ERK1/2 pathway had no effect on hypoxia-induced apoptosis of the HAECs. The results are consistent with suggestions that administration of MSCs or factors secreted by MSCs may provide a therapeutic method of decreasing apoptosis and enhancing angiogenesis.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Stem Cell Therapy for Human Liver Cirrhosis: A Cautious Analysis of the Results
Authors: Lorenzini Stefania , Andreone Pietro
Published: June 2007

End-stage liver disease, and in particular human liver cirrhosis, represents a worldwide health problem. Currently, liver transplant is the only effective treatment, but it is affected by many problems, including relative lack of donors, operative damage, risk of rejection, and high costs. Stem cell therapy is very attractive in this setting because it has the potential to help tissue regeneration while providing minimally invasive procedures and few complications. Only a few clinical studies on the administration of bone marrow-derived stem cells to cirrhotic patients have been published up to now. Although preliminary results seem to be encouraging, the number of treated patients is too small and the study design not completely appropriate to demonstrate safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy in liver cirrhosis. Well designed, randomized, controlled studies are needed to confirm preliminary results and eventually clear doubts.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Differentiation In Vivo of Cardiac Committed Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Postmyocardial Infarcted Rats
Authors: Tomescot André , Leschik Julia , Bellamy Valérie , Dubois Gilbert , Messas Emmanuel , Bruneval Patrick , Desnos Michel , Hagège Albert A. , Amit Michal , Itskovitz Joseph , Menasché Philippe , Pucéat Michel
Published: June 2007

Human embryonic stem (HES) cells can give rise to cardiomyocytes in vitro. However, whether undifferentiated HES cells also feature a myocardial regenerative capacity after in vivo engraftment has not been established yet. We compared two HES cell lines (HUES-1 and I6) that were specified toward a cardiac lineage by exposure to bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and SU5402, a fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that the cardiogenic inductive factor turned on expression of mesodermal and cardiac genes (Tbx6, Isl1, FoxH1, Nkx2.5, Mef2c, and α-actin). Thirty immunosuppressed rats underwent coronary artery ligation and, 2 weeks later, were randomized and received in-scar injections of either culture medium (controls) or BMP2 (±SU5402)-treated HES cells. After 2 months, human cells were detected by anti-human lamin immunostaining, and their cardiomyocytic differentiation was evidenced by their expression of cardiac markers by reverse transcription-PCR and immunofluorescence using an anti-β myosin antibody. No teratoma was observed in hearts or any other organ of the body. The ability of cardiac-specified HES cells to differentiate along the cardiomyogenic pathway following transplantation into infarcted myocardium raises the hope that these cells might become effective candidates for myocardial regeneration.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Extending Jak2V617F and MplW515 Mutation Analysis to Single Hematopoietic Colonies and B and T Lymphocytes
Authors: Pardanani Animesh , Lasho Terra L. , Finke Christy , Mesa Ruben A. , Hogan William J. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Gilliland Dwight Gary , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: June 2007

JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K are myeloproliferative disorder (MPD)-associated mutations. We genotyped 552 individual hematopoietic colonies obtained by CD34+ cell culture from 16 affected patients (13 JAK2V617F and 3 MPLW515L/K) to determine (a) the proportion of colonies harboring a particular mutation in the presence or absence of cytokines, (b) the lineage distribution of endogenous colonies for each mutation, and (c) the differences (if any) in the pattern of mutation among the various MPDs, as established by genotyping of individual colonies. Genotyping analysis revealed cohabitation of mutation-negative and mutation-positive endogenous colonies in polycythemia vera as well as other MPDs. Culture of progenitor cells harboring MPLW515L/K yielded virtually no endogenous erythroid colonies in contrast to JAK2V617F-harboring progenitor cells. The mutation pattern (i.e., relative distribution of homozygous, heterozygous, or wild-type colonies) was not a distinguishing feature among the MPDs, and MPLW515 mutations were detected in B and/or T lymphocytes in all three patients tested. These observations suggest that clonal myelopoiesis antedates acquisition of JAK2V617F or MPLW515L/K mutations and that the latter is acquired in a lympho-myeloid progenitor cell.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Factors Influencing Survival of Radiotagged and Banded Northern Bobwhites in Georgia
Authors: TERHUNE THERON M. , SISSON D. CLAY , GRAND JAMES B. , STRIBLING H. LEE
Published: June 2007

Abstract:Numerous studies of behavior and ecology of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have depended on radiotagging and telemetry for data collection. Excluding the presumably short‐term effects of trapping, handling, and attaching radiotransmitters, researchers often assume that little bias is associated with estimating survival and behavioral parameters associated with this technique. However, researchers have not adequately examined these effects on organisms being investigated and have thus assumed demographic information obtained from such methods are valid. In light of this conjecture, it is imperative to evaluate methodological assumptions to ensure research is statistically valid and biologically meaningful. Therefore, we used Burnham's model and program MARK to analyze survival estimates of individually banded and radiotagged bobwhites during an 8‐year period (1997–2004) consisting of 6,568 individuals (2,527 radiotagged) via combined analysis of mark—recapture, dead recovery (via harvest), and radiotelemetry data to test the effects of radiotransmitters on bobwhite survival. We also compared band—recapture survival estimates to Kaplan—Meier survival estimates, and we examined the effects of various other factors (e.g., temporal, spatial) on bobwhite survival. Based on Akaike's model selection criterion, the best model including the radiotransmitter covariate (Akaike's Information Criterion adjusted for small sample size bias and overdispersion relative value = 0.72) did not explain more of the variation in survival than models without this effect. Thus, we found the effect of radiotransmitters as negligible. Bobwhite survival varied relative to spatial (e.g., site), temporal (e.g., yr and season), and gender effects. Average annual survival for the 8‐year period was 22.76% (1.50 SE) for banded‐only and 21.72% (1.49 SE) for radiotagged birds. Survival rate varied annually, ranging from 12.42% (7.51 SE) to 37.16% (8.27 SE), and seasonally, ranging from 23.82% (2.71 SE) to 65.06% (3.23 SE); however, between group (banded‐only, radiotagged) survival differences were still inconsequential. We conclude that for our study, radiotelemetry provided reliable survival estimates of an intensively managed bobwhite population, where supplemental food was provided, and this information provided useful data to make practical habitat management decisions. We believe that future radiotelemetry studies would benefit as a whole if researchers conducted similar analyses prior to presenting their results from radiotelemetry data, especially for populations that are more food limited.
Demographic Differences of Black‐Capped Vireos in 2 Habitat Types in Central Texas
Authors: NOA LESLIE A. , HIRTH DAVID H. , DONOVAN THERESE M. , CIMPRICH DAVID
Published: June 2007

Abstract:To understand the effects of habitat selection, we analyzed differences in abundance, age structure, and nesting success of black‐capped vireos (Vireo atricapilla) in 2 early successional habitat types found on Fort Hood, a 87,890‐ha Military Reservation in central Texas, USA. These habitats were 1) large areas of continuously shrubby vegetation (both natural and mechanically made), referred to as shrubland habitat, and 2) anthropogenically created small patches of shrubby vegetation centered on one or several large trees, known locally as donut habitat. The objectives of our study were to determine whether there were differences in abundance, age structure, and daily nest survival in these 2 habitat types and to determine whether donut habitat is high‐ or low‐quality habitat. Donut habitat had a lower abundance of vireos (half as many as shrubland/point count) and a higher percentage of second‐year males, suggesting donut habitat was lower‐quality habitat than shrubland. Analyses of daily nest survival indicated that habitat, nest height, and year were all important variables. Nests initiated in 2004, located in shrubland habitats, and higher from the ground were more likely to succeed. Our study provided evidence that habitat is a limiting factor for this federally endangered species. Because habitat is limiting, wildlife biologists at Fort Hood should focus on managing higher quality, contiguous shrubland habitat. Wildlife biologists should also continue to monitor areas of donut habitat to determine whether they represent potential population sinks.
Sandhill Crane Abundance and Nesting Ecology at Grays Lake, Idaho
Authors: AUSTIN JANE E. , HENRY ADONIA R. , BALL I. JOSEPH
Published: June 2007

Abstract:We examined population size and factors influencing nest survival of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, USA, during 1997–2000. Average local population of cranes from late April to early May, 1998–2000, was 735 cranes, 34% higher than that reported for May 1970–1971. We estimated 228 (SE = 30) nests in the basin core (excluding renests), 14% higher than a 1971 estimate. Apparent nest success in our study (x̄ = 60%,n= 519 nests) was lower than reported for Grays Lake 30–50 years earlier. Daily survival rates (DSRs) of all nests averaged 0.9707 (41.2%). The best model explaining nest survival included year and water depth and their interaction. Nest survival was highest (DSR = 0.9827) in 1998 compared with other years (0.9698‐0.9707). Nest survival changed little relative to water depth in 1998, when flooding was extensive and alternative prey (microtines) irrupted, but declined markedly with lower water levels in 2000, the driest year studied. Hypotheses relating nest survival to vegetation height, land use (idle, summer grazing, fall grazing), and date were not supported. In a before‐after‐control‐impact design using 12 experimental fields, nest survival differed among years but not among management treatments (idle, fall graze, fall burn, and summer—graze—idle rotation), nor was there an interaction between year and treatments. However, DSRs in fall‐burn fields declined from 0.9781 in 1997–1998 to 0.9503 in 1999–2000 (posttreatment). Changes in the predator community have likely contributed to declines in nest success since the 1950s and 1970s. Our results did not support earlier concerns about effects of habitat management practices on crane productivity. Nest survival could best be enhanced by managing spring water levels. Managers should continue censuses during late April to evaluate long‐term relationships to habitat conditions and management.
Calibrating Statistical Population Reconstruction Models Using Catch‐Effort and Index Data
Authors: SKALSKI JOHN R. , TOWNSEND RICHARD L. , GILBERT BRIAN A.
Published: June 2007

Abstract:This paper illustrates how age‐at‐harvest data, when combined with hunter‐effort information routinely collected by state game management agencies, can be used to estimate and monitor trends in big game abundance. Twenty‐four years of age‐at‐harvest data for black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were analyzed to produce abundance estimates ranging from 1,281 adult females to 3,232 adult females on a 22,079‐ha tree farm in Pierce County, Washington, USA. The annual natural survival probability was estimated to be 0.7293 (= 0.0097) for this female population. The estimated abundance was highly correlated with an independent browse damage index (r= 0.8131,P <0.001). A population reconstruction incorporating the browse index did not substantially improve the model fit but did provide an auxiliary model for predicting deer abundance. This population reconstruction illustrates a cost‐effective alternative to expensive big game survey methods.
Raccoon Removal on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Authors: BARTON BRANDON T. , ROTH JAMES D.
Published: June 2007

Abstract: Predator removal can be an effective strategy for reducing mortality rates of prey species. Because removal programs must continue indefinitely to remain effective, trapping creates a source—sink dynamic that can alter predator spatial distribution and demography. We investigated the intraspecific effects of predator removal by comparing 2 Florida, USA, raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations that are managed to decrease sea turtle egg mortality. Long‐term removal created an extremely male‐biased population (>10:1), but the proportion of juveniles did not differ between sites. Stable isotope analyses indicate that raccoons on the removal beach originated from inland habitats. Our results suggest that adult males dominate the recolonization of removal areas and the presence of juveniles on the beach is due to predispersal behavior. Because raccoons are highly omnivorous and mobile, intensive management at a small scale may have broader impacts across the landscape that predator‐removal programs should consider.
Fisher Survival in Eastern Ontario
Authors: KOEN ERIN L. , BOWMAN JEFF , FINDLAY C. SCOTT
Published: June 2007

Abstract:Fishers (Martes pennanti) have recolonized eastern Ontario, Canada, but little is known about the survival of this harvested population. We estimated fisher survival and cause‐specific mortality in Leeds and Grenville County, Ontario, from 2003–2005. The overall 2‐year survival rate (95% CI) was 0.35 (0.21‐0.56,n= 59). We attributed observed mortality rates mainly to natural causes (28.6%) and nuisance trapping (21.4%). Given reported recruitment rates, our estimated fisher mortality has likely led to population declines in the study area, especially during 2003. Thus, we do not recommend an increase in fisher harvest quotas in the study area at this time.
Effects of Novel and Historic Predator Urines on Semi‐Wild Western Grey Kangaroos
Authors: PARSONS MICHAEL H. , LAMONT BYRON B. , KOVACS BENJAMIN R. , DAVIES STEPHEN J. J. F.
Published: June 2007

Abstract: Classic studies in fear ecology have been inconclusive regarding whether predator waste products repel herbivores and whether the deterrent effect, if any, is based on repulsion or fear. Other studies imply that the predator must have co‐evolved with prey to maximize the efficacy of response. We used chemosensory cues from the urine of native and nonnative canines to manipulate the behavior of the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). One‐choice feeding trials were located along a distance gradient, and administered to 28 free‐ranging, semi‐wild, western grey kangaroos. Foods closer to the chemical source (within 12 m) were less likely to be eaten than those further from the source when the urine came from a native predator, the dingo (Canis dingo). Flight behavior was more likely to be observed on occasions when the dingo urine had been presented. A lesser effect occurred (to within 6 m) when urine was presented from the nonnative canid (coyote [Canis latrans]), while the flight behavior occurred once. Neither human urine, nor tap‐water control, had any effect. We offer the first evidence that native predator‐based chemical cues affect patch selection, while increasing fear, for this herbivore.
Comparative Patterns of Predation by Cougars and Recolonizing Wolves in Montana's Madison Range
Authors: ATWOOD TODD C. , GESE ERIC M. , KUNKEL KYRAN E.
Published: June 2007

Abstract: Numerous studies have documented how prey may use antipredator strategies to reduce the risk of predation from a single predator. However, when a recolonizing predator enters an already complex predator—prey system, specific antipredator behaviors may conflict and avoidance of one predator may enhance vulnerability to another. We studied the patterns of prey selection by recolonizing wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor) in response to prey resource selection in the northern Madison Range, Montana, USA. Elk (Cervus elaphus) were the primary prey for wolves, and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the primary prey for cougars, but elk made up an increasingly greater proportion of cougar kills annually. Although both predators preyed disproportionately on male elk, wolves were most likely to prey on males in poor physical condition. Although we found that the predators partitioned hunting habitats, structural complexity at wolf kill sites increased over time, whereas complexity of cougar kill sites decreased. We concluded that shifts by prey to structurally complex refugia were attempts by formerly naïve prey to lessen predation risk from wolves; nevertheless, shifting to more structurally complex refugia might have made prey more vulnerable to cougars. After a change in predator exposure, use of refugia may represent a compromise to minimize overall risk. As agencies formulate management strategies relative to wolf recolonization, the potential for interactive predation effects (i.e., facilitation or antagonism) should be considered.
Assessment of Elk Highway Permeability by Using Global Positioning System Telemetry
Authors: DODD NORRIS L. , GAGNON JEFFREY W. , BOE SUSAN , SCHWEINSBURG RAYMOND E.
Published: June 2007

Abstract:Highways have significant direct and indirect impact on natural ecosystems, including wildlife barrier and fragmentation effects, resulting in diminished habitat connectivity and highway permeability. We used Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry to assess Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) permeability across a 30‐km stretch of highway in central Arizona, USA, currently being reconstructed with 11 wildlife underpasses, 6 bridges, and associated ungulate‐proof fencing. The highway was reconstructed in phases, allowing for comparison of highway crossing and passage rates during various stages of reconstruction. We instrumented 33 elk (25 F, 8 M) with GPS receiver collars May 2002 to April 2004. Our collars accrued 101,506 GPS fixes with 45% occurring within 1 km of the highway. Nearly 2 times the proportion of fixes occurred within 1 km of the highway compared with random. We think elk were attracted to the highway corridor by riparian—meadow foraging habitats that were 7 times more concentrated within the 1‐km zone around the highway compared with the mean proportion within elk use areas encompassing all GPS fixes. Elk crossed the highway 3,057 times; crossing frequency and distribution along the highway were aggregated compared with random. Crossing frequency within 0.16‐km highway segments was negatively associated with the distance to riparian—meadow habitats (rs= ‐0.714,n= 190,P <0.001). Mean observed crossing frequency (92.6 ± 23.5 [SE] crossings/elk) was lower than random (149.6 ± 27.6 crossings/elk). Females crossed 4.5 times as frequently as males. Highway permeability among reconstruction classes was assessed using passage rates (ratio of highway crossings to approaches); our overall mean passage rate was 0.67 ± 0.08 crossings per approach. The mean passage rate for elk crossing the highway section where reconstruction was completed (0.43 ± 0.15 crossings/approach) was half that of sections under reconstruction and control sections combined (0.86 ± 0.09 crossings/approach). Permeability was jointly influenced by the size of the widened highway and associated vehicular traffic on all lanes. Crossing frequency was used to delineate where ungulate‐proof fencing yielded maximum benefit in intercepting and funneling crossing elk toward underpasses, promoting highway safety. Use of passage rates provides a quantitative measure to assess permeability, conduct future pre‐ and postconstruction comparisons, and to develop mitigation strategies to minimize highway impacts to wildlife.
Modeling Foraging Habitat of California Spotted Owls
Authors: IRWIN LARRY L. , CLARK LAURIE A. , ROCK DENNIS C. , ROCK SUZANNE L.
Published: June 2007

Abstract: We linked radiotelemetry data from California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) with forest inventory data from mixed coniferous forests managed primarily via partial timber harvest practices. We estimated a discrete‐choice resource selection function (RSF) based upon 21 choice sets from the forest inventories and nocturnal telemetry locations of radiotagged adult spotted owls occupying 17 home ranges. Nocturnal foraging was strongly associated with forests close to nests and small streams. The combined basal areas of Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies concolor), and red fir (Abies magnifica) and basal area of hardwoods ≥20 cm diameter at breast height were positively and unimodally correlated to foraging habitat selection by owls, whereas the relative probability of selection decreased with increasing basal area of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Opportunistically collected diurnal data indicated that owls roosted in forest stands that contained greater tree densities than those used for foraging. Topographic position, habitat heterogeneity, tree species composition, and forest density also influenced foraging site selection. Because our results indicated that forests can be too dense as well as too open, the study suggests that judiciously applied silvicultural prescriptions may maintain or improve owl foraging habitat. By linking the RSF with forest‐inventory data and forest‐growth models specific to the region of our study, forest managers can forecast potential consequences of silvicultural options on spotted owl foraging habitat at the level of individuals or that of a population.
Use of Stable Isotope Methodology to Determine Natal Origins of Mallards at a Fine Scale Within the Upper Midwest
Authors: SZYMANSKI MICHAEL L. , AFTON ALAN D. , HOBSON KEITH A.
Published: June 2007

Abstract: Waterfowl managers often attempt to protect local breeding stocks of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) from hunting pressure, but presently they cannot identify natal origins of birds shot during fall hunting seasons with certainty, unless recovered birds are banded before fledging. Accordingly, we examined whether stable isotope methodology could accurately delineate natal origins of mallards at a fine scale within the upper Midwest (USA). We determined δ13C, δD, and δ15N values from feather samples of 102 flightless mallard ducklings collected in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, USA, from 7 July to 9 September 2002. We detected inverse relationships between latitude and δ13C(R2 = 0.223) and δD(R2 = 0.210). We also detected a weak positive relationship between easterly shifts in longitude and δ13C(R2 = 0.067) and a weak negative relationship between easterly shifts in longitude and δ15N(R2 = 0.076). The 13C and deuterium values differed (P < 0.02) among states: North Dakota was most depleted in 13C, and South Dakota was least depleted in deuterium. Discriminant function analysis delineated natal origins of mallard ducklings in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with low‐to‐moderate accuracy (47%), whereas we predicted natal origins of ducklings among subregions (Prairie [ND, SD] vs. Great Lakes [MN, WI] states) with moderate accuracy (72%). We conclude that stable isotope methodology has a limited ability to determine natal origins of migratory birds along a longitudinal corridor at fine scales but that it improves across ecoregions. However, the ability of deuterium to determine natal origins of migratory birds may vary as hydrological conditions, within and among areas, change throughout time. Researchers should account for annual variation in deuterium found in surface waters when investigating natal origins of migratory birds that use food derived primarily from these waters.