bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of family and social contact with health among Italian grandparents
Authors: Tomassini Cecilia , Zamberletti Jessica , Lallo Carlo , Cavrini Giulia
Published: July 2020

Past research has documented the positive influence of frequent interactions with social networks on several health outcomes in later life, with different patterns by gender. In this study, we explore the association of frequent contact with different members of the social network (namely partner, grandchildren, siblings, friends and neighbours) on self-perceived health status and the limitation of illnesses among older grandparents in Italy, using a large national representative survey. Our results confirm the positive association between good health indicators and frequent contact with members of the “horizontal” network (partner, siblings and friends), while a more ambiguous association has been found with frequent face-to-face contact with children and grandchildren. The results hold for both male and female grandparents. The Mediterranean family-focused culture may possibly explain the distinctly Italian results.
Forgotten Joint Score for early outcome assessment after total knee arthroplasty: Is it really useful?
Authors: Lee Qunn Jid , Chang Wai Yee Esther , Wong Yiu Chung
Published: July 2020

Background

Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) has become a popular tool for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but almost all studies had assessment performed 1 year after surgery. There is a need for a sensitive tool for earlier outcome assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of FJS within the first year after TKA.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. Patients within the first year after primary TKA were recruited. FJS was translated into the local language with a cross-cultural adaptation and was validated by assessing the correlation with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score (WOMAC). Ceiling and floor effects (highest or lowest 10% or 15%) of both scores were compared. Skewness of scores was assessed with a histogram.

Results

One hundred sixty-three subjects were recruited: 84 (51.5%) had evaluation at 3 months after the operation, 56 (34.4%) at 6 months, and 23 (14.1%) at 12 months. FJS had fewer patients at the highest 10% (10.7% vs. 16.1%, P = 0.046) or 15% (19.6% vs. 32.1%, P = 0.027) at 6 months and within the first year overall (6.7% vs. 13.5%, P <0.001; 14.1% vs. 22.7%, P <0.001). Also, it had more patients at the lowest 10% (16.7% vs. 0%, P <0.001) or 15% (21.4% vs. 0%, P <0.001) at 3 months, 6 months (10.7% vs. 0%, P <0.001), and overall (12.9% vs. 0%, P <0.001; 16.6% vs. 0%, P <0.001). The skewness was much less than WOMAC (0.09 vs. −0.56).

Conclusions

FJS has a low ceiling effect but a high floor effect in the first year after TKA. Such characteristics make it less useful for the general assessment of early patient report outcome after operation.
What surgical approach would provide better outcomes in children and adolescents undergoing cholecystectomy? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Steffens Daniel , Wales Kathryn , Toms Clare , Yeo David , Sandroussi Charbel , Jiwane Ashish
Published: July 2020

Background

There is a lack of evidence on the surgical approach for children and adolescents undergoing cholecystectomy. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to compare the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy in children and/or adolescents.

Main body

A search was conducted on MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane and Embase from inception to October 2018. We included comparative studies investigating outcomes following robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and/or open cholecystectomy in children and/or adolescents. The outcomes of interest included post-operative complication rate, operation time, length of hospital stay, post-operative pain and conversion to open procedure. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models.

Twenty-one studies were included involving 927 children and/or adolescents. All, but one, compared outcomes between laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy. The great majority of the included studies presented a low risk of bias. Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy had less post-operative complications (RR: 0.57; 95%CI 0.35 to 0.94), reduced length of hospital stay (MD − 3.73; 95%CI − 4.88 to − 2.59), but longer operative time (MD 26.61; 95%CI 9.35 to 43.86) when compared to open cholecystectomy. The average conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy was 7% across studies.

Conclusions

The current evidence suggested that laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children and/or adolescents is safe resulting in lower rates of postoperative complications and length of stay, but longer operative times, when compared to the open approach.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42017067641

Level of evidence

Level III
Integrated Item Response Theory Modeling of Multiple Patient-Reported Outcomes Assessing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Lyauk Yassine Kamal , Lund Trine Meldgaard , Hooker Andrew C. , Karlsson Mats O. , Jonker Daniël M.
Published: July 2020

In clinical trials within lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH-LUTS), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is commonly the primary efficacy outcome while the Quality of Life (QoL) score and the BPH Impact Index (BII) are common secondary efficacy markers. The current study aimed to characterize BPH-LUTS progression using responses to the IPSS, the QoL, and the BII in an integrated item response theory (IRT) framework and assess the Fisher information of each scale. The power of this approach to detect a drug effect was compared with an IRT approach considering only IPSS responses. A unidimensional and a bidimensional pharmacometric IRT model, based on item-level IPSS responses in a clinical trial with 403 patients, were extended by incorporating patients’ QoL and summary BII scores over the 6-month trial period. In the developed unidimensional integrated model, the QoL score was found to be the most informative, representing 17% of the total Fisher information, while the combined information content of the seven IPSS items represented 70.6%. In the bidimensional model, “storage” and both storage and “voiding” disability drove QoL and summary BII responses, respectively. Sample size reduction of 16% to detect a drug effect at 80% power was obtained with the unidimensional integrated IRT model compared with its counterpart IPSS IRT model. This study shows that utilizing the information content across the IPSS, QoL, and BII scales in an integrated IRT framework results in a modest but meaningful increase in power to detect a drug effect.
Expression of the Insulin-like Growth Factor System in First- and Second-Trimester Human Embryonic and Fetal Gonads
Authors: Mamsen Linn Salto , Zafeiri Aikaterini , Bøtkjær Jane Alrø , Hardlei Jonna Rasmussen , Ernst Erik , Oxvig Claus , Fowler Paul A , Andersen Claus Yding
Published: July 2020

Context

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is crucial for sex differentiation and development of Leydig and Sertoli cells in fetal mice testes. No such information is available for human embryonic and fetal testes and ovaries.

Objective

To investigate presence and activity of the IGF signaling system during human embryonic and fetal ovarian and testicular development.

Design

Human embryonic and fetal gonads were obtained following legal terminations of pregnancies. Gene expression was assessed by microarray and qPCR transcript analyses. Proteins of the IGF system components were detected with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses. Specimens were included from 2010 to 2017.

Setting

University Hospital.

Patients/Participants

Ovaries and testes from a total of 124 human embryos and fetuses aged 5 to 17 postconception weeks were obtained from healthy women aged 16 to 47 years resident in Denmark or Scotland.

Main Outcome Measures

Gene expression analysis using microarray was performed in 46 specimens and qPCR analysis in 56 specimens, both sexes included. Protein analysis included 22 specimens (11 ovaries, 11 testes).

Results

IGF system members were detected in embryonic and fetal testes and ovaries, both at gene transcript and protein level. A higher expression of IGF regulators was detected in testes than ovaries, with a preferred localization to Leydig cells.

Conclusions

These data indicate that the IGF system is active during very early gestation, when it may have a regulatory role in Leydig cells.
Hydration Structure and Dynamics of the Favipiravir Antiviral Drug: A Molecular Modelling Approach
Authors: Skarmoutsos Ioannis , Maurin Guillaume , Guardia Elvira , Samios Jannis
Published: July 2020

The hydration structure of the Favipiravir antiviral drug, at infinite dilution in water, was investigated by employing a systematic molecular modelling approach. An effective interaction potential model was employed for Favipiravir, using the intramolecular geometry and charge distribution from quantum chemical calculations performed in the present treatment and adopting well-established Lennard-Jones parameters. The hydration structure and related dynamics were further investigated by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations. These calculations have revealed the existence of different types of hydrogen bonds between Favipiravir and the surrounding water molecules, with continuous lifetimes in the sub picosecond range and intermittent lifetimes in the range of 0.8–5.4 ps. The self-diffusion coefficient of Favipiravir at 298.15 K was found to be three times lower than the value obtained for water in solution, while comparable to the values measured for other common painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and corticosteroids for asthma treatment. It was also revealed that the rotational motions of Favipiravir are more retarded in comparison with water and this is reflected in the calculated reorientational correlation times of specific intramolecular vectors. The results obtained could be useful for further pharmacokinetic and computer-aided docking studies to evaluate the efficiency of this antiviral drug.
Is Occupational Licensing a Barrier to Interstate Migration?
Authors: Johnson Janna E. , Kleiner Morris M.
Published: July 2020

Occupational licensure may limit the interstate movement of workers because it adds to the cost of moving between states. We analyze the interstate migration of 22 licensed occupations, proxying for the difficulty of the regulations by comparing state-specific licensed occupations to those with national licensing exams. Our empirical strategy also uses individuals who move a long distance, removing the influence of occupation characteristics and self-selection of migration-averse individuals into licensed occupations. Our estimates show that occupational licensing reduces interstate migration, but the magnitude of the effect can only account for a small part of the overall decline in recent decades. (JEL J44, J61, R23)
Novel treatments for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Bennett Karina M , Fernandes Peter M
Published: July 2020

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare demyelinating disorder of the CNS, caused by John Cunningham virus, that occurs in those with impaired immune systems. Existing treatment options are ineffective or unproven. This article reviews research into novel therapies: immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), allogenic BK virus-specific T cell treatment and filgrastim. Results for these therapies in small clinical trials are promising, but further research is required to assess efficacy fully.
Making workplace wellbeing a priority for the NHS
Authors: Miah Rafia , Ahmed Na'eem
Published: July 2020

Happiness and wellbeing of NHS staff is critical to the quality of care they can provide for patients and communities. It is important for healthcare leaders and local policy makers to continue to foster a nurturing and supportive work culture to enable staff to practice to the best of their abilities and provide safe, sustainable and patient-centred care. This article outlines strategies to improve the NHS as a place of work.
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Recovery in Grasslands after the 1988 Yellowstone Fires in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Merrill Evelyn , Wilson Cathy , Marrs Ronald
Published: July 2020

Traditional methods for measurement of vegetative biomass can be time-consuming and laborÂ­intensive, especially across large areas. Yet such estimates are necessary to investigate the effects of large scale disturbances on ecosystem components and processes. One alternative to traditional methods for monitoring rangeland vegetation is to use satellite imagery. Because foliage of plants differentially absorbs and reflects energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, remote sensing of spectral data can be used to quantify the amount of green vegetative biomass present in an area (Tucker and Sellers 1986).
Effects of the 1988 Fires on Aquatic Systems of Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Robinson Christopher , Lawrence Deron , Minshall G.
Published: July 2020

Collections and measurements were made in August 1990 at the same site locations as in 1988 and 1989 (Table 1). All the information specified in our research proposal for year 1990 was obtained except for some transport and water chemistry samples. These data are being incorporated with data collected in 1988 and 1989 for evaluation of temporal trends. The status of the various measurements and sample collections is given in Table 2. All of the physical and chemical determinations have been completed through the tabulation stage and initial statistical or graphical data analysis. Also note that water chemical analyses are less complete than previous years with only alkalinity, hardness, specific conductance, pH, nitrogen and phosphorus being analyzed in 1990 due to funding restrictions. The processing of all periphyton samples (as chlorophyll a and AFDM, N=110) is complete. All collected organic matter transport samples (as CPOM and FPOM, N=80) have been processed and categorized for organic matter type.
Comparison of Mitochodrial DNA in Wolves and Coyotes in the Northern Rockies using the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique
Authors: Vyse Ernest
Published: July 2020

Conservation of biological species, often involves the introduction of organisms from one population to a site in which a population has gone locally extinct. The genetic constitution of the introduced organisms is of immediate concern both in terms of restoring the original population as nearly as possible and to maintain genetic diversity of the introduced organisms. Molecular techniques using protein or isozyme variation and DNA Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), have been used to estimate genetic variation. These techniques are not sensitive enough to make comparisons using limited sample sizes or to analyze samples from preserved specimens of extinct organisms. The advent of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (Saiki et al. 1985, 1988) which amplifies small segments of DNA millions of times has extended the application of molecular biology techniques to the genetic comparisons of dried or alcohol preserved museum specimens to extant organisms (Paabo 1989 and Paabo et al. 1989). Application of this technique has allowed the comparison of extinct organisms to each other and to extant species (Thomas et al. 1990). PCR synthesizes many copies of the target sequence greatly increasing the quantity of the amplified sequence. PCR involves denaturing or strand separation of the DNA, hybridization of primers to the denatured single strands and then enzymatic extension of the primers using strands of the sample DNA as a template. This cycle is repeated many times, theoretically amplyfying the target DNA twofold with each cycle. Therefore, after n cycles there is 2 to the nth power as much of the target sequence DNA as there was in the original sample. Essentials of the PCR technique are shown in Figures 1 and 2 taken from Arnheim et al. (1990).
Biogeography of Mammals in Rocky Mountain National Parks
Authors: Glenn Susan , Chapman Brian , Rudman Rebecca , Butler Ian
Published: July 2020

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography proposes that on an island of a given area, there exists an equilibrium number of species when the rates of immigration and local extinction of species are equal (MacArthur and Wilson 1967). This theory has been applied to park systems because parks may act as functional islands when surrounding unprotected land is cleared of natural vegetation. Alteration of these surrounding habitats isolates these parks and reduces the effective area, causing a decrease in the equilibrium number of species. In animal communities, this process is called faunal collapse (Soule et al. 1979).The effects of park isolation and faunal collapse have been studied for mammals in Rocky Mountain parks (Picton 1979, Newmark 1986, Glenn and Nudds 1989). In western U.S. parks, extinctions were more numerous in smaller or older parks (Newmark 1987). Area, topographic diversity, and habitat diversity have been correlated with mammal species richness in western North American parks (Picton 1979, Newmark 1986). Initial population size was also related to the extinction probability of a species (Newmark 1986). It has been proposed that all parks in a region are subject to similar factors influencing local extinctions, and therefore a similar suite of species should become locally extinct in all parks (Patterson and Atmar 1986, Patterson 1987). This means that a nested subset pattern is produced, where parks with low species richness contain mainly species already present in parks with high species richness. This pattern was not found for Canadian parks, where even small parks contained different species assemblages (Glenn 1990). The objectives of this three-year study are to: (i) identify mammal species that have become locally extinct in each of the Rocky Mountain National Parks; (ii) distinguish between hypotheses regarding the causes of these local extinctions in National Parks; (iii) determine if the same species become locally extinct in all parks; and (iv) identify potential sites for future protection of species prone to extinction.
Vegetation Distribution in Badlands National Park
Authors: Butler Jack , Batt James
Published: July 2020

The objectives of this study are to 1) determine the steppe habitat types and indicate the successional status of the current vegetation, 2) provide a mylar map of climax/relict communities, if any, for the entire park, 3) establish a network of permanent plots to evaluate changes in seral and climax communities for the North Unit and Sheep Mountain Table, and 4) provide a mylar map of candidate and/or listed rare, threatened, or endangered plant species per state and federal lists as they are encountered during the course of the study.
Population and Habitat Ecology of Deer on Devils Tower National Monument
Authors: McDaniel Greg , Merrill Evelyn , Lindzey Fred
Published: July 2020

White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (0. hemionis) currently use Devils Tower National Monument and adjacent private agricultural lands year round or migrate from the Monument to other areas. In 1989, a game fence was constructed on the west and north borders of the Monument. Enclosure of the Monument by additional fencing could alter habitat use of deer substantially and create many of the problems associated with island reserves. National Park Service management policy directs the Monument to predict changes in the natural resources under its stewardship. Because current deer use of the Monument is not well documented, the Department of Zoology and Physiology and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, in cooperation with the Devils Tower National Monument, initiated a study in June 1990 to document current population numbers and habitat ecology of white-tailed and mule deer on the Monument as a baseline for monitoring long-term changes in the deer herd.
Die-off of Utah Juniper Natural Bridges National Monument
Authors: Weber Darrell , Nelson David
Published: July 2020

The pinyon-juniper woodland is a wide spread vegetation type in the southwestern United States that is estimated to cover from 30 to 40 million hectares. They pinyon-juniper vegetation provides a source of fuel, building materials, charcoal, pine nuts, christmas trees and folk medicines. About 80% of the acreage is grazed by livestock and wildlife. In Utah, this ecosystem is a large component (62,705 km2 or 28.6%) of the vegetation. Particularly in the Utah National Parks, the pinyon-juniper woodlands valued for their watershed, aesthetic and recreational values. Over the past several years extensive foliar damage to Utah juniper (Juniperus osterosperma (Torr.) Little) has been observed in the Natural Bridges National Monument. The characteristic pattern is for the distal foliage to become chlorotic and die. Mortality progresses along twigs until whole branches or even the entire tree dies. Reports of similar foliar damage has been reported in Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado National Monument, areas near Cedar City in southwestern Utah and in eastern Nevada, which would indicate that the foliar damage is a widespread problem. The cause for the foliar damage is unknown. The loss of juniper trees in the national parks in southern Utah would have a dramatic ecological impact and would be an aesthetic blight in the parks. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the cause of the die-off of Utah junipers and suggest management options concerning the juniper die-off problem.
Effects of 1988 Fires on Ecology of Coyotes in Yellowstone National Park: Baseline Preceding Possible Wolf Recovery
Authors: Crabtree Robert
Published: July 2020

Fifty-four healthy coyotes (Canis latrans) and 32, 8-12 week old pups captured at dens were radioÂ­tagged in the Lamar Valley and Blacktail Plateau areas of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Seven of the 40 captured in the fall were 6 month-old pups which suggest slow population productivity. Adults range in age from 1 to 12 years and averaged nearly 4 years old. Territorial packs in both study areas are adjacent, non-overlapping, contiguous, and averaged 15 km2/ We estimate that 85 to 90% of coyotes on the northern range belong to packs. A territorial group or pack during the winter consists of 2 alpha individuals, 2 or 3 beta adults, and 2 or 3 adult-sized pups (average pack size = 7). Nine adults were killed (2 mountain lion [Felis concolar], 2 road-kill, 2 shot, and 3 unknown) which equates to a 15% annual mortality rate. Eleven of 36 pups have died between the ages of 3 and 9 months old. Population productivity ranges from 2.0 to 2. 7 pups recruited per territory. The reproductive failure rate among breeding groups averaged 15% during 1990 and 1991. Initial coyote density estimates are 0.09 per km2. Intensive foraging observations were conducted from January through June 1991. In 353 hours of focal observations 427 capture attempts were made on small mammal prey with 162 (38%) successful. Habitat type played a key role in the success rate. Mesic meadows had the highest capture rates followed by willow/meadow habitats and sage habitat. Small mammals, especially voles (Microtus spp.), dominate the diet with ungulate remains becoming important in May through July, presumably elk (Cervus elaphus) calves and late winter, mostly scavenging. We have observed numerous successful and unsuccessful predation attempts on ungulates in our study areas. Coyotes appear to impact ungulate numbers in 3 ways: predation on calves and fawns shortly after birth (up to 8 weeks), predation on short-yearlings and adults during winter, and indirect impact from harassment of other predators at ungulate-kills. Coyotes may be the major ungulate predator on the northern range due to cooperative social and foraging behavior, their ability to take advantage of vulnerable ungulates, and their high population levels. Wolf (Canis lupus) extirpation has probably resulted in high coyote population densities.
Impact of the 1988 Forest Fires on the Chemistry of Ground Water in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Runnells Donald , Siders Mary
Published: July 2020

In order to investigate the impact of the 1988 fires on the chemistry and water quality of shallow ground water in Yellowstone National Park, a twoÂ­year program of sampling and analysis was begun in August, 1989. Samples from ground-water wells for which pre-fire chemical data could be obtained were selected for this study. Although it may have been anticipated that the surface waters would show some effects of fire, in terms of increased sedimentation and the addition of ash-laden runoff, the effects of the fires on ground water are less predictable. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the character and extent of these effects.
Landscape-Level Interactions Among Ungulates, Vegetation, and Large-Scale Fires in Northern Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Turner Monica , Wu Yegang , Romme William , Wallace Linda
Published: July 2020

The scale of the 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) raised numerous questions for the management of natural areas subject to large, infrequent disturbances. An important management issue in YNP involves the interaction of large-scale fire with the large assemblage of native ungulates and vegetation dynamics in the landscape. In this 2-year research project, we are using landscape modeling and field studies to address basic questions about the effects of fire scale and heterogeneity on (1) resource utilization and survival of free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) and (2) the production and regeneration of preferred forage grasses and aspen in northern YNP. We are testing a series of eight hypotheses within the framework of two basic questions. First, we ask whether there are thresholds in fire size that interact with winter severity and ungulate density to determine ungulate resource use and survival on the winter range in northern YNP. This question focuses on the effects of fire size, regardless of the spatial pattern of burning. Second we ask, if large fires occur, does the spatial distribution of burned areas (and hence of higher quality forage) influence ungulate resource use during winters subsequent to the first post-fire year. In this question, we are addressing the effects of spatial pattern on herbivory. We focus on elk and bison because these are by far the most numerous ungulates in the area (Houston 1982), and we have chosen to examine winter grazing and browsing for several reasons. Winter range conditions are the primary determinant of ungulate survival and reproduction in Yellowstone, and winter utilization of the vegetation by ungulates appears to be intense in some areas. Ungulates make distinct foraging choices in the winter as in the rest of the year, and burn patterns may influence those choices in ways that we represent as hypotheses described later. In addition, the activities of animals can be readily monitored in the winter, and the exact locations of feeding and bedding sites can be determined. Travel routes are easily monitored, and the ability to sight animals is high; therefore, group locations and sizes can be readily determined. This research complements ongoing studies in YNP by expanding the spatial scale at which plant-herbivore dynamics are considered and by explicitly addressing the effects of spatial heterogeneity. Our research will produce a spatially explicit simulation model of the 78,000 ha winter range that predicts plant and ungulate dynamics under varying fire sizes, fire patterns, winter weather scenarios, and ungulate densities. The model and field studies will allow quantitative comparisons of the effects of large and small fires on ungulate survival and will thereby permit the simulation of the effects of alternative fire management scenarios.
Ash Yellows in Zion National Park: Impact, Identity of Pathogen, Mode of Spread, and Prospects for Management
Authors: Sinclair Wayne , Treshow Michael , Davis Robert
Published: July 2020

Velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina) in Zion Canyon have declined in vigor, and some are dying. This species is aesthetically and ecologically important in the canyon, because it is one of only three tree species that commonly grow to large size on the canyon floor. Ash yellows (AshY), a disease caused by unnamed mycoplasmalike organisms (MLOs), is common in velvet ash in Zion Canyon and is suspected to contribute to the decline of this species. This project deals with the ecology and epidemiology of ash yellows and possibilities for managing it in Zion National Park (ZNP).
Front Matter and Table of Contents
Authors: Plumb Glenn , Harlow Henry
Published: July 2020

This entry contains the front cover, front matter and back cover.
Biogeography of Mammals in Rocky Mountain National Parks
Authors: Glenn Susan , Butler Ian , Chapman Brian , Rudman Rebecca
Published: July 2020

The first phase of the project was to determine which mammal species may have gone locally extinct from the national parks and which of these extinctions were in populations at the edge of their range. Susan Glenn met with Robert Schiller in the NPS Regional Office in Denver in July 1992. During this meeting, the validity of the park species lists was discussed. Only verified species records were being used and some groups of species had not been thoroughly inventoried in many of the parks. Species lists have not been obtained from some parks. Problems in species lists has been documented by the National Park Service (Stohlgren and Quinn 1992). Therefore, it cannot be assumed that all species that are missing from the park lists have gone locally extinct. Species habitat requirements are being analyzed to determine if the parks are likely to maintain populations of the missing species. We acquired 3-arc second digital elevation data of the study area from Rocky Mountain Communications Inc. on CD-ROM. This data was merged for the Rocky Mountain region of the project. A VHRR satellite data has been obtained for mapping land cover. These auxiliary data layers will be used to refine the mammal distribution maps. In order to use these data, we have developed a database in dBase on habitat, and elevation range tolerance of each species. Brian Chapman, Warren Drummond and Susan Glenn visited several parks to obtain habitat information and verify species lists.
Biogeography of Invertebrates in Hanging Gardens of the Colorado Plateau
Authors: Stanton Nancy , Buskirk Steven , Fowler James
Published: July 2020

Research on plant and invertebrate communities of hanging gardens in five parks on the Colorado Plateau is at the half way point. Many interesting and somewhat unanticipated biological and geological questions have arisen, and we are progressing toward our initial research objectives. Plant diversity and community survey work is on schedule and providing insight into biogeographic and community patterns. Insect survey work is slightly behind due to the high abundance and diversity of taxa. Our research objectives for the 1992 field season were to (1) complete the survey of plant and invertebrate animal communities of hanging gardens in Zion National Park (ZION) and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA), and to begin a community survey of communities in Capitol Reef National Park (CARE), (2) map the geographic distribution of the endemics identified and determine levels of endemism within and among parks and (3) determine levels of similarity between each sampled hanging garden plant and insect community.
Carrying Capacity of Age-Specific Habitat Zones within Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colonies: A Baseline Preceding Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction
Authors: Plumb Glenn
Published: July 2020

Plant-animal interactions vary strongly between habitat zones characterized by the duration of colonization (age-specific) within a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) town (Cincotta et al. 1984). These interactions largely determine vegetation composition, diet composition and quality, and population demographics of habitat zones. The ecology of the black-tailed prairie dog in Badlands National Park (BNP) has been described by Cincotta et al. (1984) and Sharps and Uresk (1990). Yet, there is still uncertainty about the plant-animal relationships which underpin prairie dog carrying capacity in different habitat zones. Understanding the variability in the ecology of black-tailed prairie dogs between habitat zones of mature towns is fundamental to successful reintroduction of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) into southwestern South Dakota. The predator-prey relationship between black-tailed prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets is dependent in large part upon density of prey. Additionally, an understanding of black-tailed prairie dog population and foraging ecology will be a required contribution by BNP to the development of a multiple large and small herbivore carrying capacity management model. For the purposes of this proposal, carrying capacity is defined as an estimate of densities of prairie dogs supportable at different levels of forage availability and quality (Hobbs and Swift 1985). Of the habitat zones in an aging prairie dog town, the old-town centers (OTC) and young-town edge (YTE) zones offer the most widely differing habitat characterizations (Cincotta et al. 1984), and should provide the most interesting test of the effect of habitat quality on prairie dog carrying capacity. The objectives of this research are 1) To estimate the carrying capacity of black-tailed prairie dogs in different habitat zones of an aging town, and 2) To understand how vegetation characteristics and prairie dog feeding habits influence the number of blackÂ­tailed prairie dogs which can be supported in different habitat zones.
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of the Morrison Formation in Dinosaur National Monument
Authors: Turner Christine , Peterson Fred
Published: July 2020

The overall goal of this study is to establish a stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and geochronologic framework for the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation within Dinosaur National Monument and to tie that framework to the rest of the Colorado Plateau and other important vertebrate fossil-bearing localities in the western United States. The study is also intended to complement ongoing paleontological inventories of the Morrison Formation within Dinosaur National Monument (DNM).
Fire Effects and Fire History of Mesa Verde National Park
Authors: Floyd-Hanna Lisa , Romme Bill
Published: July 2020

Mesa Verde consists of a series of mesas in a north to south trend. The mesa tops are narrow strips, cut by numerous canyons of varying depth. Mesa Verde sandstones, particularly the Cliff House Formation, form the canyon slopes. Long Mesa, an area of focus in this study, has an elevation 2180 m at the south to 2517 m at the north end. Long Canyon cuts down to an elevation of 2133 m. The vegetation on Long Mesa is a mosaic of mature pinon-juniper woodlands and mountain shrub associations. Shrub associations range from Gambels oak, (Quercus gambelii), and serviceberry, (Amelancheir utahensis), to Black Sagebrush, Artemesia nova), and Bitterbrush, (Purshia tridentata). Although there is a body of information concerned with the effect of fire on pinon-juniper woodlands, there are no adequate studies of the shrub-rich pinon-juniper ecosystem of Colorado. Succession following fire was documented by Erdman (1970) in Mesa Verde National Park. He reported that annuals dominate initially, then perennial grasses and forbs, followed by shrub invasion. The open shrub stage becomes a "thicket" approximately 100 years after the fire. The shrubs, he suggests, are outcompeted by pinon and juniper trees, which dominate by about 300 years. Fire and its relationship to resource management in Mesa Verde Park has been outlined by Omi and Emrick (1980). Focus was given to succession (cover and frequency of grass and shrub elements) following the 1873, 1934, and 1972 fires, and models predict the possibilities of control over moderate and severe fires in various vegetation classes within the Park. The study was concerned primarily with the nature of fire behavior and various fire-related management tools for use by Resource Management personnel.
Effects of 1988 Fires on Ecology of Coyotes in Yellowstone National Park: Baseline Preceding Possible Wolf Recovery
Authors: Crabtree Robert
Published: July 2020

Sixty-five healthy coyote (Canis latrans) adults and 53, 8-12 week old pups captured at dens were radio-tagged in the Lamar Valley and Blacktail Plateau areas of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Adults range in age from 1 to 11 years and averaged nearly 3 years old. Territorial packs in both study areas are adjacent, nonÂ­overlapping, contiguous, and averaged 15 km2. Based on information the last three winters and data collected from 1946 to 1949, territorial areas are traditional and have changed little in the last 45 years. We estimate that 85 to 90% of coyotes on the northern range belong to packs. A territorial group or pack during the winter consists of 2 alpha individuals, 2 or 3 beta adults, and 2 or 3 adult-sized pups (average pack size = 7). Only one radioed adult coyote has died since May of 1992. TwentyÂ­ four of 53 pups have died between the ages of 3 and 9 months old. Population productivity ranges from 1.8 to 2.5 pups recruited per territory. The reproductive failure rate among breeding groups averaged 15% during 1990 and 1991. Initial density estimates are 1.4 coyotes per square mile. Intensive foraging observations were conducted from January through June 1991 (353 hours) and from November 1991 through April 1992 (1100+hours). Focal observations collected from January-June 1991 resulted in 427 capture attempts on small mammal prey with 162 (38%) successful. Habitat type played a key role in the success rate. Preliminary analysis of the November 1991 to April1992 data indicated a substantial reduction in prey attempts and prey success. This reduction was mostly a function of harsh snow conditions in early winter and abundlint elk carrion in late winter. Over eighty ungulate carcass were located this winter in the 2 study areas. However, small mammals, especially voles, dominate the diet with ungulate remains becoming important in May through July (presumably elk calves) and late winter (mostly scavenging). We have documented numerous successful and unsuccessful predation attempts on ungulates in our study areas. Coyotes appear to impact ungulate numbers in 3 ways: predation on calves and fawns shortly after birth (up to 8 weeks), predation on short-yearlings and adults during winter, and indirect impact from harassment of other predators at ungulate-kills. Coyotes may be the major ungulate predator on the northern range due to cooperative social and foraging behavior, their ability to take advantage of vulnerable ungulates, and their high population levels. Wolf extirpation has probably resulted in high coyote population densities and coyotes have, at least, partially slid into this vacant niche.
Effects of the 1988 Wildfires on Stream Systems of Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Minshall G. , Robinson Christopher
Published: July 2020

The recovery of stream ecosystems in Yellowstone National Park following the fires of 1988 has been punctuated by disturbances caused by high flows in 1991 and again in 1992. In at least a third of the study sites, changes in channel conditions in 1992 were equal or greater than those documented in the preceding year. These impacts are expected to translate into reductions in primary production, benthic organic matter, and macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity over the next few years in most of streams draining burned watersheds in and adjacent to the Park. However, in Cache Creek and its tributaries the changes are so profound that recovery of biotic structure and function to prefire or reference stream conditions are unlikely to occur in succeeding decades or even centuries. Comparison of conditions in Cache Creek with those in other, less severely impacted watersheds in subsequent years could provide valuable insights into the differences in ecosystem response to severe versus moderate disturbance following fire or other comparable impacts such as overgrazing or climate change. The changes which occurred in Cache Creek in 1992 are expected to result in much reduced rates of recovery in ecosystem structure and function and possibly to the establishment of new (lowered) equilibrium conditions. Although such a possible outcome has been postulated (Minshall et al. 1989), the ideas have never been tested. Examination of additional streams, coupled with analysis using Geographical Information System (GIS), would permit determination of whether the adverse effects seen in Cache Creek are widespread or limited to only a f drainages and whether they are in the normal range of conditions or have been magnified as a result of fire suppression or other factors.
Plants Colonizing Disturbed Areas in Fifteen Rocky Mountain Environments - Weeds and Reclamation Candidates
Authors: Weaver T. , Gustafson D. , Lichthardt J.
Published: July 2020

We list plants whch are commonly established in road cuts in fifteen major Northern Rocky Mountain environmental types. We expect them to establish well on new disturbances in the same environmental types. Thus, our list of natives can be used to choose plants for reintroduction of natives to construction sites and other disturbed areas; additional data on life form, aggressiveness (cover), and altitudinal distribution will be useful for choosing among seeding candidates and selecting seed sources for the reseeding. And, our list of establishing exotics will identify the weeds most likely to colonize a site, their aggressiveness on disturbed sites, and their capacity to enter adjacent undisturbed vegetation; this list will caution against introduction of certain exoti (e.g. Poa pratensis, Phleum pratense, and most Trifoliums-- as well as noxious weeds) and will be the basis for plans to control locally noxious exotics early and aggressively.
Fire Histoy Determination in the Mixed Conifer/Aspen Community of Bryce Canyon National Park
Authors: Jenkins Michael
Published: July 2020

The major objective of this ongoing study is to document vegetative changes resulting from alteration of the fire regime in the mixed conifer/aspen communities of Bryce Canyon National Park. Previous fire history studies have documented fire return intervals using fire scar analysis of ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa in the park (Buchannan and Tolman 1983: Wight 1989) and for the Paunsaugunt Plateau (Stein 1988). Numerous other studies have similarly documented the fire regime in pre-European settlement ponderosa pine forests in western North America. The study is being conducted in the more mesic mixed conifer communities at the south end of Bryce Canyon National Park and will specifically document vegetative changes suggested by Roberts et al. (1992) resulting from suppression of frequent low intensity surface fires and overgrazing.
Climatic Factors, Reproductive Success and Population Dynamics in the Montane Vole, Microtus Montanus
Authors: Pinter Aelita
Published: July 2020

Multiannual fluctuations in population density ("cycles") of small rodents have been known since antiquity (Elton 1942). Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon (for reviews see Finerty 1980, Taitt and Krebs 1985). However, none of these hypotheses, alone or in combination, have been able to explain the causality of cycles. The objectives of this long-term study are to determine whether environmental variables, possibly acting through reproductive responses, contribute to the multiannual fluctuations of the montane vole, Microtus montanus.
Postglacial Fire Frequency and its Relation to Long-Term Vegetational and Climatic Changes in Yellowstone Park
Authors: Whitlock Cathy
Published: July 2020

The Paleoecologic recod provides unique insights into the response of communities to environmental perturbations of different duration and intensity. Climate is a primary agent of environmental change and its long-term effect on the vegetation of the Yellowstone/Grand Teton region is revealed in a network of pollen records (Whitlock, 1993). Fire frequency is controlled by climate, and as climate changes so too does the importance of fire in shaping spatial patterns of vegetation. The prehistoric record of Yellowstone's Northern Range, for example, shows the response of vegetation to the absence of major fires in the last 150 years (Whitlock et al., 1991; Engstrom et al., 1991). In longer records spanning the last 14,000 years, periods of frequent fire are suggested by sediments containing high percentages of fire-adapted trees, including lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir, and high amounts of charcoal (Bamosky et al., 1987; Millspaugh and Whitlock, 1993; Whitlock, 1993). The primary research objective has been to study the vegetational history of Yellowstone and its sensitivity to hanges in climate and fire frequency. This information is necessary to understand better the relative effects of climate, natural disturbance, and human perturbation on the Yellowstone landscape. Fossil pollen and plant macrofossils from dated-lake sediment cores provide information on past vegetation and climate. The frequency of charcoal particles and other fire indicators in dated lake-sediment cores offer evidence of past fires.
Monitoring Breeding Bird Populations in Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Cody Martin
Published: July 2020

The central aim of this project is to instigate a permanent program of monitoring landbird species composition and densities in a variety of representative habitats within Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). Habitats range from grassland and sagebrush on the valley floor of Jackson Hole (around 1900 m) through a range of scrub, woodland, and tall foothill forest vegetation types to montane sites of subalpine fir and tundra (ca. 3000 m). The monitoring program will provide data on year-to-year fluctuations in breeding bird species and densities, and eventually on any longer-term changes in the local avifauna, of both resident and migratory species; the data base will further understanding of population variability, local shifts in distribution and abundance, and potentially form a source for management and conservation decisions.