bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Myth of Eternal Youth: Two Japanese Perspectives
Authors: Nicolae Raluca
Published: May 2018

The people’s mind can conjure up a certain imagery that denies the reality of death and proclaims eternity and perpetual youth. The story of Urashima Tarō is well known across Japan and there is no child or adult who does not know the tale of the fisherman who rescued a turtle. In return for his kindness, the turtle assumed human form and took him under the sea, to the Dragon Palace, where he stayed three years, till he bacame homesick and wanted to go back to his village, but, upon his return, he learned that three hundred years had passed and his family was long dead. The story of Urashima first appeared in Tango Fudoki (713), then in Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan, 720) and, a few decades later, in 759, in Man’yōshū (Collection of the Ten Thousand Leaves), the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry. There is a “feminine” counterpart to this story, the legend of Happyaku Bikuni (The eight-hundred-year-old nun) about a quasi-immortal woman who wandered throughout Japan till she reached Wakasa/Obama, where she died at an age of eight hundred years. The woman had attained eternal youth after accidentally eating mermaid flesh. The two tales introduce different perspectives on immortality and eternal youth, but, interestingly enough, both are strongly connected with water, either by plunging to the bottom of the sea, into the Dragon Palace, or by eating the flesh of a marine creature. Even if the “immortality context” of Urashima Tarō and Happyaku Bikuni may differ—the fisherman’s immortality is topological, related to the special attributes of a given space; the nun’s immortality is circumstantial, rendered by a set of events that made her consume mermaid flesh—what unites the two characters is their “unintentionality.” They neither asked for eternal youth nor pursued immortality as desperately as Gilgamesh or Ponce de Leon, but they were involuntarily pushed towards that outcome.
The Hierophanic Facets of the Seraphic Hymns
Authors: Danciu Petru Adrian
Published: May 2018

Starting from the cry of the seraphim in Isaiahʹ s prophecy, this article aims to follow the rhythm of the sacred harmony, transcending the symbols of the angelic world and of the divine names, to get to the face to face meeting between man and God, just as the seraphim, reflecting their existence, stand face to face. The finality of the sacred harmony is that, during the search for God inside the human being, He reveals Himself, which is the reason for the affirmation of “I Am that I Am.” Through its hypnotic cyclicality, the profane temporality has its own musicality. Its purpose is to incubate the unsuspected potencies of the beings “caught” in the material world. Due to the fact that it belongs to the aeonic time, the divine music will exceed in harmony the mechanical musicality of profane time, dilating and temporarily cancelling it. Isaiah is witness to such revelation offering access to the heavenly concert. He is witness to divine harmonies produced by two divine singers, whose musical history is presented in our article. The seraphim accompanied the chosen people after their exodus from Egypt. The cultic use of the trumpet is related to the characteristics and behaviour of the seraphim. The seraphic music does not belong to the Creator, but its lyrics speak about the presence of the Creator in two realities, a spiritual and a material one. Only the transcendence of the divine names that are sung/cried affirms a unique reality: God. The chant-cry is a divine invocation with a double aim. On the one hand, the angels and the people affirm God’s presence and call His name and, on the other, the Creator affirms His presence through the angels or in man, the one who is His image and His likeness. The divine music does not only create, it is also a means of communion, implementing the relation of man to God and, thus, God’s connection with man. It is a relation in which both filiation and paternity disappear inside the harmony of the mutual recognition produced by music, a reality much older than Adam’s language.
Deux mythes et le sauvetage d’un philosophe-chaman [Two myths and the salvation of a philosopher-shaman]
Authors: Danciu Liliana
Published: May 2018

The Forbidden Forest by Mircea Eliade is a “total novel,” whose complexity is evident on every page through the variety of suggestions, metaphors and symbols, of intertextual and mythological references. In this study, I will mostly discuss the penultimate chapter of this novel where the death of Biriș, the rational and sceptical philosopher, at the beginning a follower of the philosophy of Kierkegaard, is presented. In this troubling episode, I identified the presence of two myths whose unconscious actor this rational spirit currently anchored in history became. The myth—an exemplary story about foundation—seeks his Chosen One and finds him in the opposite of an intellectual, an “unbeliever,” just as Jesus chose his most bitter enemy, Paul of Tarsus, to become his faithful apostle. But the gnostic and religious philosopher also needs to believe in self-salvation from the clutches of the demon of fear and cowardice, and impending death, surrounded by friend-interrogators (Mihai Duma), by a compassionate executioner (Bîrsan), and demonic monks (Bursuc). The healing function of the story is lost in this world of suspicion, where Biriș is surrounded by masks, which disguise their true role. The myth of the sacrifice of Christ acquires a double saving power, because Biriș saves himself and redeems his torturers, too. By converting nocturnal stories into a sacred ritual of story, the destiny of Scheherazade, the heroine of One Thousand and One Nights, is saved from the banality of a simple literary character, because “the story in the story” provokes the human being to descend into the abyss and to live by the symbol. In the company of his interrogators—human aspects of demons—the frightened philosopher becomes the image of a Thracian Orpheus, trying in vain to “tame” the human beasts by his wise Logos. By the Logos, Biriș fails to rescue his torturers and himself from their own bestiality, but at the level of his “trance-conscious”—where Eliade speaks in his scientific work—he mystically lives a symbolic and mysterious superposition between the stages of the sacrifice of the shepherd in “Miorița” and those of the sacrifice of Christ. This intelligent, subtle and erudite intellectual lives deeply rooted in history with the consciousness of the presence of death in all intimate structures of life, a mentality specific to Western conception. In the last moments of his life, Biriș is converted to the sacred mystery of the Great Passing. Homo sapiens becomes Homo religiosus, the mysterious veil of Maya rises and the exit of the labyrinth is a certainty. The two myths which I take into account are the Orphic myth about the healing word and the mixture of the mioritic and the Christ myth of salvation through sacrifice.
Transcatheter Chemoembolization of a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Utilizing Lipiodol through the Pancreaticoduodenal Arcade: A Case Report
Authors: Patterson Scott P , Foster Richard G
Published: May 2018

This case report describes the chemoembolization of a small hepatocellular carcinoma employing a lipiodol drug delivery system utilizing a novel arterial pathway. Because the target lesion was precariously located adjacent to the inferior heart border and the diaphragm, it was unsuitable for imaging-guided microwave ablation. To achieve chemoembolization, several intraprocedural adaptations were necessary, given the variant anatomy encountered and difficulty accessing the left gastric artery through a celiac artery approach. The left gastric artery was selected from a superior mesenteric artery approach through the pancreaticoduodenal arcade (Rio Branco’s arcade). This case illustrates the importance of a mastery of the vascular anatomy and variants of hepatic arterial flow.
The foot posture index between elite athletic and sedentary college students
Authors: Kuo Yi-Liang , Liu Yves Shen-Feng
Published: May 2018

Sports participation may lead to musculoskeletal adaptation and alter foot posture; however, the effect of high impact sports on foot posture has not fully been understood yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in foot posture between elite collegiate athletes participating in high impact sports and sedentary college students using the Foot Posture Index (FPI). Foot postures of 30 elite collegiate athletes of high impact sports and 30 sedentary controls were observed in standing and evaluated using the 6-item FPI. The FPI-6 score for the athletic group was statistically significantly higher than that for the sedentary group (z=−2.282, p=.022). Participation in high impact sports can be associated with a more pronated foot posture; however, most college students, whether athletic or sedentary, had normal feet as categorized by the FPI-6.
ECONOMIC SHOCKS, COMPETITION AND MERGER ACTIVITY
Authors: Krolikowski Marcin W. , Okoeguale Kevin
Published: May 2018

This study seeks to understand “how” economic shocks drive industry merger activity. We test whether economic shocks from deregulation and technological change drive industry merger activity by increasing industry competition, controlling for the effect of valuations. We find that these shocks drive merger activity through three channels related to industry competition; deregulation drives merger activity by increasing entry and cash flow volatility; technological change drives merger activity by increasing entry and inter-firm dispersion in the quality of production technology. These findings underscore the role of the competitive mechanism in how managers reallocate assets via mergers and support the view that the industry-level clustering of merger activity is an efficiency-driven restructuring response to increased competition.
Magnetic Swings and Magic Circle: Belajar Cerdas Induksi Magnetik dengan Barang Bekas melalui Pendekatan Pembelajaran Fisika Berbasis Inkuiri (Level of Inkuiri Based Learning)
Authors: Suyanto Suyanto
Published: May 2018

Media mempunyai peranan penting dalam menyampaikan materi pembelajaran. Pemilihan media yang tepat akan dapat meningkatkan pemahaman siswa. Selain media, pendekatan pembelajaran yang mengembangkan level of inkiri sangat membantu siswa dalam menemukan dan membuktikan konsep berkaitan dengan materi fisika. Guru harus kreatif dalam memilih media pembelajaran dan pendekatan pembeljaran serta harus pintar menangkap peluang dengan memanfaatkan bahan-bahan yang melimpah yang ada disekitar kita sebagai media pembelajaran. Telah dibuat media pembelajaran berbahan barang bekas yang diberinama “Magic Circle” yang berfungsi menolong dan menjembatani siswa yang mengalami kesulitan dalam berfikir abstrak untuk membantu belajar materi induksi magnetik pada materi fisika kelas XII ilmu alam. Untuk melengkapi pemikiran abstrak siswa digunakan alat dengan nama “Magnetic Swings” yang dapat membuat siswa untuk berinkuiri dalam pembelajran induksi magnetik.  Salah satu alasan mengapa alat ini perlu dibuat karena pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya daya serap untuk materi induksi dan gaya magnetik terhitung sangat rendah baik daya serap untuk tingkat sekolah, kota provinsi maupun nasional. Tercatat untuk daya serap gaya magnetik yaitu 65,97% pada tingkat sekolah, 68,41% pada tigkat kota, 59,10% tingkat provinsi dan 64,95% untuk tingkat nasional pada Ujian Nasional tahun pelajaran 2015/2016. Dengan menggunakan alat ini pemahaman siswa berkitan dengan penentuan arah untuk besaran-besaran fisika berkaitan induksi dan gaya magnetik menjadi lebih baik. Hal ini juga dapat dilihat dari perbandingan hasil belajar pada Penilaian harian materi induksi magnetik pada tahun pelajaran   2017/2018 yang mengalami perbedan yang signifikan, kelas yang menggunakan pendekatan inkuiri ( 3 kelas) dengan rata-rata masing-masing 83,6 ; 85,14 dan 87,16 sedangkan untuk 3 kelas yang tidak menggunakan pendekatan inkuiri didapatkaan nilai rata-rata masing-masing 76,57 ; 76,64 dan 69,58.  Diharapkan pada Ujian Nasional tahun pelajaran 2017/2018 daya serap siswa akan mengalami kenaikan yang signifikan.
Detection of Egg Diameters and Hatching Rates of California, China, Utah, and Vietnam Originated Artemia sp. in Different Temperatures and Salinity
Authors: YÜRÜTEN ÖZDEMİR Keriman
Published: May 2018

In
this study number of eggs
in 1 gram, egg diameters and hatching rates in 25oC and 30oC temperatures and
25‰, 030‰, 035‰ salinity of Artemia sp. from
four different origins were analyzed. Egg count and diameter measurement was
carried out with the use of binocular microscope. The most number of eggs in 1
gram was determined to be from Utah originated Artemia sp. while the least was determined to be from California
originated ones. Hatching rates were detected to be the highest at 30oC
temperature, 25‰ salinity, at the 18th hour in Vietnam originated
Artemia sp. In conclusion, it was detected that the hatching time for Artemia sp. varies depending on the
temperature and salinity of the water.
Efficacy of Dietary Chenopodium album Extract on Some Health Parameters, Digestive Enzymes and Growth Performance in Juvenile Cyprinus carpio
Authors: AMHAMED İman Daw , MOHAMED Gamaia Ali , ALMABROK Ahmed Alhadi , ALTIEF Tarek  Abdalsalam Salem , BİLEN Soner
Published: May 2018

The present study was conducted to
investigate the efficacy of a Chenopodium
album aqueous methanolic
extract supplementation on the immunological and haematological indices, digestive enzyme activity and growth
performance of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). C. album was added to a basal
diet at the rate of 0 (CA0), 0.1 (CA0.1), 0.5 (CA0.5) and 1 g kg−1 (CA1), and C. carpio was fed this diet for 45 days. Respiratory burst activity
was significantly increased in all experimental groups on days
15 and 30 compared to the
control (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity was
significantly increased over all sampling times
compared to the control except in CA1 (P < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase activities were significantly
increased in all experimental groups compared to the control
(P < 0.05). Haematological parameters were significantly decreased compared to the control
(P < 0.05). Trypsin and lipase
activities were significantly increased in CA0.5 and CA1 compared to the
control (P < 0.05). Amylase
activity was significantly improved in all experimental groups compared to the control
(P < 0.05). Final weight, weight
gain and SGR were significantly enhanced in CA0.1 and CA1 compared to the control
(P < 0.05). FCR was
not different in any of
the experimental group (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that dietary supplementation with an aqueous methanolic extract has beneficial effects on the immune
responses, digestive enzyme activity and growth performance of C. carpio.
Nikel Ara Katman Kullanılarak İnsörtlü Toz Enjeksiyon Kalıplama Yöntemiyle WC-Co/HSS Kompozit Parça Üretiminin Araştırılması
Authors: KOÇAK Harun , SAMET Kamran , YILMAZ Oğuz , KARATAŞ Çetin
Published: May 2018

Toz
enjeksiyon kalıplama yöntemiyle yüksek yoğunluklu metal, seramik,
kompozit ve intermetal malzemelerden geometrik hassasiyete sahip küçük
parçaların üretimi yapılabilmektedir. Daha büyük parçalar üretebilmek için
insört adı verilen hazır parça kalıp içerisine yerleştirilerek üzerine toz
enjeksiyon kalıplama yapılmaktadır. Bu yöntem insörtlü toz enjeksiyon kalıplama
(İTEK) olarak adlandırılmaktadır. İTEK yöntemi, 
daha büyük parçaların üretiminde kullanılmasının yanında farklı
malzemelerden parça üretimi için de kullanılabilecek bir yöntemdir. Bu
çalışmada nikel ara katman kullanılarak insörtlü
toz enjeksiyon kalıplama yöntemiyle WC-Co/HSS kompozit parça üretimi
araştırılmıştır. Sinterleme sıcaklığının ve süresinin etkileri, besleme
stokunda meydana gelen boyutsal çekme ve ara bölgedeki kesme dayanımı
incelenmiştir. Sıcaklık ve süre arttıkça enjekte kısmın boyutsal çekme miktarı
artmaktadır. En yüksek boyutsal çekme oranı, 1250 °C 360 dakikada sinterlenen
numunelerde %15,92 olarak ölçülmüştür. Deneylerde en yüksek kesme mukavemeti
1200 °C sıcaklık ve 120 dakika sinterleme süresiyle, 100 µm Ni ara katman
kullanılan numunede 114 MPa olarak elde edilmiştir.
Toz Metal AA 2014-SiC-B4C Kompozit/Hibrit Malzemelerinin Mikroyapı ve Mekanik Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: GÖKMEŞE Hakan , KARADAĞ Hakan Burak
Published: May 2018

Bu
çalışmada, toz metalurjisi yöntemiyle AA 2014 aluminyum alaşımı ve B4C-SiC
seramik parçacık takviyeli hibrit metal matrisli kompozit malzemelerinin
üretimi, mikroyapı ve mekanik özellikleri incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla, SiC
(%5-10-15), B4C (%5-10-15)  ve
B4C-SiC (%10-%10) farklı hacim oranlarında seramik parçacık
takviyeli kompozit ve hibrit kompozit malzemeleri aluminyum matris yapısında
üretilmiştir. Matris ve takviye toz karışımları, tek yönlü olarak 700MPa
altında blok numuneler şeklinde preslenerek, Argon atmosferinde 600ºC
sıcaklıkta 1 saat sinterlenmiştir. Üretimi gerçekleştirilen deney numuneleri,
SEM (Taramalı Elektron Mikroskop), Optik mikroskop ve mikro sertlik (HV 0.1)
ölçümleri bakımından karakterize edilmiştir. B4C ve SiC seramik
parçacıklarının hacim oranın artışına bağlı olarak, aluminyum matris yapısında
homojen bir dağılım sergilediği mikro yapı görüntüleri ile tespit
edilmiştir.  AA 2014 aluminyum alaşımına
göre, artan SiC ve B4C seramik parçacık takviye oranına bağlı
olarak, sertlik değerlerinin arttığı tespit edilmiştir. B4C-SiC
parçacık takviyeli hibrit kompozit malzemelerinde ise, %15 B4C ve
%15 SiC içeren tek seramik faz takviyesine göre nispeten mikro sertlik değeri
azalmıştır.
Sanayi Yapılarındaki Yapısal Olmayan Elemanların Deprem Etkisi Altındaki Davranışı
Authors: Büyükkaragoz Alper , Cantürk Rıza
Published: May 2018

Ülkemizdeki
mevcut sanayi yapılarının bulunduğu ve nüfusun yoğun olduğu, gelişmişlik
seviyesi yüksek olan bölgelerde deprem gerçekleşme riski oldukça fazladır. Depremler
sırasında yapısal olmayan elemanlar (YOE), sanayi tesislerinde üretimin
durması, işgücü kaybı, stok kaybı, makine ve teçhizatların işlevini kaybetmesi,
tehlikeli maddelerin sızıntısı sonucu yangın ve patlamalar meydana gelmesi,
yaralanma ve can kayıplarının oluşması gibi riskler meydana getirebilir. Deprem
öncesinde alınabilecek önlemler sayesinde oluşabilecek tehlikeler büyük oranda
azaltılabilir. Meydana gelen depremlerden elde edinilen deneyimler sonucunda oluşabilecek
yapısal hasarlarla ilgili birçok çalışma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Buna rağmen
yapısal olmayan elemanlarla ilgili araştırmaların sayısı oldukça azdır. Bu
çalışmada yapısal olmayan elemanlar ele alınarak, deprem etkisinde oluşabilecek
riskler ve alınabilecek tedbirlerden bahsedilmiştir.
Intertwining approximation in space ,
Authors: Zuhair Abd AL-Sada Nada
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we find the degree of best approximation between a pair of a nearly intertwining polynomials, and a pair of a nearly intertwining splines to a non-negative function in  , , we find the order of best a nearly intertwining approximation in the above terms.
On P- Hausdorff Topological Random Systems
Authors: Kadhim Jebur Sema
Published: May 2018

We are taking aview  of topologicall random systems which is introduce considered as a mixing between two fundamental branches of  mathematics "topology" and "probability Theory". The concept of  Hausdorff topological random system is studied and some properties of such system are given and proved.
Non-polynomial spline finite difference method for solving second order boundary value problem
Authors: A. Taha Bushra , J. Kadhim Abdulhassan
Published: May 2018

Second -order two-point boundary value problems (BVPs) were solved based on a  of non-polynomial spline general functions with finite difference method.In this paper we discusses a method depended on using special finite-difference approximations for derivatives and formatting a formula that can be deal with endpoints that exceed the usual finite-difference formula for derivatives. Convergence analysis of the  method is discussed. The numerical description of the method is shown by four examples. So the results obtained by our method are very encouraging over other existing methods.
On the third natural representation module M (n-3,3) of the permutation groups
Authors: Abdul Sahib M.Al-Butahi Ali , Delfi Ali Reyadh
Published: May 2018

The main purpose of this work is to propose the third natural representation M (n-3,3)of the symmetric groups over a field F and prove that M (n-3,3)is split iff p does not divide .
Preparation and Optimization of Agrochemical 2,4-D Controlled Release Microparticles using Designs of Experiments
Authors: BELMOKHTAR Fatima Zohra , ELBAHRI Zineb , ELBAHRI Mohamed
Published: May 2018

In the present paper, factorial designs of experiments (DOE) were built in the aim of preparing new solid optimized controlled release microparticles charged with the herbicide 2,4-D and, also investigating the influence of some process and encapsulation variables. Composed from mixtures of ethylcellulose (EC) / hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), cellulose acetate butyrate butyryle (CAB) / HPMC and pure CAB as biodegradable polymeric matrices, the microparticles were prepared by emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. Then, the effect of some parameters such as the stirring speed of emulsification, initial drug concentration and polymer concentration were studied. Depending on the selected variables, a large range of microparticles’ size was obtained; from 25 to 208 µm of d10 and the 2,4-D content reached 69%. Also, different release profiles accompanied with a burst effect were obtained. Finaly, by modelling using Minitab 16.1 software, the main and interactive effects of these variables on the microparticles’ chacteristics (size, drug entrapment and drug release) were evaluated.
Sustainable Dyeing of Microwave Treated Polyester Fabric using Disperse Yellow 211 Dye
Authors: Adeel Shahid , Gul Khan Samreen , Shahid Sania , Saeed Muhammad , Kiran Shumaila , Suleman Muhammad , Akhtar Nasim
Published: May 2018

The aim of current work is to evaluate the dyeing performance of newly introduced disperse dye to improve its dyeing behavior onto polyester fabric using microwave radiation. Microwave heating has promisingly improved the disperse dyeing of polyester fabrics. Disperse Yellow 211 (DY 211) has been used to dye the polyester fabric under the influence of microwave treatment. Both the fabric and dye solution, were treated with the microwaves for 1- 6 min. Different dyeing parameters such as temperature, time, dispersant and dye bath volume were also optimized and ISO standard methods for colorfastness were employed to rate the influence of microwave and ultraviolet treatment on disperse dyeing. It is found that microwave treated polyester (RP, 6 min), has given good color strength and darker shades upon dyeing at 90°C for 40 min. in the presence of 2 g/100ml of dispersant using 70 mL of irradiated dye solution (RS, 6 min) of pH 8. Similarly using dye bath of pH 11, microwave treated polyester (RP, 6 min.) has given good color strength and darker shades upon dyeing at 70°C for 35 min.in the presence of 1 g/100ml of dispersant. using 50 mL of irradiated dye solution (RS). ISO standards for fastness to light, washing and rubbing revealed that good to excellent ratings have been obtained from different shades dyed at optimal condition. It is inferred that Microwave treatment has not only reduced the dyeing conditions but also improved the color characteristics of dyed polyester fabric.
Free Radical Scavenging Activity Evaluation of Hydrazones by Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship
Authors: Alisi Ikechukwu Ogadimma , Uzairu Adamu , Abechi Stephen Eyije , Idris Sulaiman Ola
Published: May 2018

The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging properties of selected hydrazone antioxidants was investigated by the application of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR). Density functional theory (DFT) was employed in the optimization of the molecular structures. Internal and external validation as well as y-randomization tests were conducted in order to confirm the statistical reliability and acceptability of the developed models. The leverage approach was employed in the assessment of the applicability domain of the developed model. While the relative contribution and strength of each descriptor in the model was obtained by estimating the variation inflation factor, mean effect, and degree of contribution of each descriptor in the developed model. Model 3 which gave the best validation results was chosen as the best of the five models. This model dictates that the most important descriptors that influence the free radical scavenging activities of  the hydrazone antioxidants are the Broto-Moreau autocorrelation - lag 2 / weighted by polarizabilities; Count of atom-type H E-State: H on C  bonded to saturated C; Number of hydrogen bond donors (using CDK H Bond Donor Count Descriptor algorithm); Structural information content index (neighborhood symmetry of 1-order) and the 3D topological distance based autocorrelation - lag 7 / weighted by I-state descriptors. The Structural information content index descriptor was observed to be the most influential of all the descriptors
Factors affecting trapping success of red fox Vulpes vulpes, stone marten Martes foina and pine marten M. martes in France
Authors: Ruette Sandrine , Stahl Philippe , Albaret Michel
Published: May 2018

Trapping records are often used to monitor long‐term trends of small carnivore populations. However, many factors, not related to abundance, may affect capture rates. In this study, we examined whether trapper experience, trapping effort and trapping methods significantly affect capture rates of red fox Vulpes vulpes, stone marten Martes foina and pine marten M. martes. Data were collected from 58 trappers (35,774 trap‐nights) in a 660‐km2 study area during one trapping season. The main trapping methods used for foxes and martens with different types of traps were identified by multiple correspondence analyses on 424 trap sites. Generalised linear modelling showed that trapping methods, the length of time traps were set in the same place, trapper experience and the presence of captures in neighbouring trap sites significantly affect capture rates of foxes and martens. Given the high variability of capture rates among different combinations of these factors (0–3.4 captures/100 trap‐nights for fox and 0.6–7.8 captures/100 trap‐nights for martens), a separate trapping index should be calculated to detect trends in small carnivore populations.
Sex ratio variation in reindeer Rangifer tarandus: a test of the extrinsic modification hypothesis
Authors: Weladji Robert B. , Holand Øystein
Published: May 2018

Evolutionary theories based on adaptive modification of maternal investment are generally suggested to explain variation in offspring sex ratios, but general concordance with empirical data is rare. Recently, factors beyond the control of the mother, such as density and climate, were reported to affect offspring sex ratios, and the extrinsic modification (EM) hypothesis has been advanced to explain such variation. The EM hypothesis states that offspring sex ratios in sexually dimorphic vertebrates may vary with extrinsically induced changes in maternal condition during pregnancy. We investigated sex ratio variation and inter‐cohort calf live weight variation in 5,509 reindeer Rangifer tarandus calves during an eight‐year period. Using separate models, we also tested whether offspring sex ratio covaried with density, and, respectively, summer weather before conception and winter weather (measured by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) when calves were in utero. Offspring sex ratios in mid‐July differed from parity only in one year. Calf live weight varied among cohorts and males were heavier than females. The proportion of male calves in the herd decreased significantly with an increasing NAO index when calves were in utero. Density in the year of birth only affected calf sex ratios by increasing the negative effects of the NAO index. The proportion of males in the herd also declined with increasing summer temperature, summer precipitation, and density in the year of conception, suggesting potential for pre‐conception environmental effect. Because the reported environmental variables affected negatively the proportion of male calves in the herd, we suggest that their effects may be associated with nutritional stress caused to the mother before conception, which have not been shown previously, and during pregnancy. Evidence of extrinsic sex ratio adjustment was conclusive and our findings therefore support the EM hypothesis of sex ratio variation.
Spring spacing behaviour of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus males does not limit numbers at leks
Authors: Wegge Per , Kvålsgard Tone , Hjeljord Olav , Sivkov Andrey V.
Published: May 2018

Studies in Fennoscandia and Central Europe have shown that in spring male capercaillie establish more or less exclusive home ranges around leks. Thus, such territorial spacing behaviour might limit the number of males at leks. However, the results of our study in the Pinega Reserve, a pristine boreal forest in northwestern Russia, during the springs of 2000 and 2001 do not support this hypothesis. Home ranges of radio‐collared birds (N = 11) at a lek with > 25 attending males were almost completely overlapping. The ranges of adults were of the same general size (47.5 ha) and were distributed within the same distance (ca 1 km) from the lek centre as reported elsewhere. Also, as found in other studies, yearlings and two‐year olds did not have well‐defined ranges; yearlings visited other leks and adults returned to the same lek and daytime ranges in successive years. The inter‐lek distance between the three large leks was longer (4.0 km) than reported from smaller leks in two study areas in Norway (2.0 and 2.1 km). However, the inter‐lek zone beyond the two 1 km radii of adjacent leks appeared not to be occupied by adult males attending these leks. In spite of largely overlapping ranges, adults tended to avoid each other. The mean distance between eight of 10 possible pair combinations of five males located simultaneously within their combined ranges were significantly farther apart (P < 0.05) than random pair distances. Thus, a system of hierarchical dominance may act to adjust the day‐to‐day positions of neighbours, but it has little effect on the number of males attending a lek.
Fidelity of greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus to breeding areas in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Schroeder Michael A. , Robb Leslie A.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we report on breeding site fidelity for a small, localized population of greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus inhabiting a highly altered and fragmented landscape in north‐central Washington, USA. One hundred sixteen greater sage‐grouse were captured, fitted with radio transmitters and monitored during 1992–1998. Of 19 males captured as adults and nine captured as yearlings, one and four, respectively, were observed visiting two different leks. Of 78 females, 24 were observed visiting at least two leks, and eight visited at least three leks. Although the incidence of multiple lek visitation was similar to what has been reported for other regions, the average of 10.2 km distance between neighbouring leks was substantially further in north‐central Washington. Average distance between a female's first nest and her renest was higher for yearlings (6.3 km) than for adults (2.0 km). Successful females moved an average of 1.6 km and unsuccessful females moved 5.2 km to nest in subsequent years. Most distances between consecutive nests were <3.0 km, but some females, including adults, moved > 20 km. These data suggest that fidelity of greater sage‐grouse to nesting areas in north‐central Washington is substantially lower than has been found for other populations. Although the relationship between behaviour of greater sage‐grouse and regional habitat fragmentation is a possible explanation for these observations, we were not able to detect a correlation between fidelity and local habitat availability.
Tourism, mountain huts and distribution of corvids in the Bavarian Alps, Germany
Authors: Storch Ilse , Leidenberger Christian
Published: May 2018

Anthropogenic resources related to recreational activities and tourism infrastructure may greatly affect wildlife species in the Alps. In this paper, we explore the effects of mountain tourism in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, on the spatio‐temporal distribution of corvids in the post‐fledging period in summer and autumn. We contrast corvid point‐counts in the surroundings of 28 popular mountain huts (hut areas) with those in 22 similar areas rarely visited by humans (control areas). Carrion crows Corvus corone and magpies Pica pica were exclusively observed at huts, and jays Garrulus glarularius occurred in more hut areas than in controls. Alpine choughs Pyrrhocorax graculus, jays and nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes were more numerous at huts than in control areas. Ravens Corvus corax were equally common, but like Alpine choughs, they spent more time foraging in hut than in control areas. Multivariate analyses confirmed that corvid incidence was significantly related to tourist use. However, corvids visited huts regardless of the actual numbers of humans present. Our results suggest that corvids opportunistically adjust their range use to the availability of resources offered by tourism. Mountain huts and other places frequented by humans may thus contribute to an increased carrying capacity for corvids at higher elevations. This may have major ramifications for other species that corvids prey upon or compete with. Mountain tourism in the Alps may thus conflict with conservation efforts for threatened species such as grouse (Tetraonidae).
Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus ‐ a good candidate for an umbrella species in taiga forests
Authors: Pakkala Timo , Pellikka Jani , Lindén Harto
Published: May 2018

The capercaillie Tetrao urogallus is widely accepted as a species seriously suffering from fragmentation of forests and habitat loss. Foresters as well as conservationists agree on the need and principles for maintaining viable populations, but the proposed management means often differ. The approach currently favoured by Finnish foresters is to manage capercaillie leks and their surroundings using methods that differ from those used in intensive forestry. It may be desirable to prove that forests with capercaillie leks also favour other forest bird species and biodiversity in general. During the last 16 years (1987–2002), forest birds have been censused and capercaillie leks were mapped in the 465‐km2 study area in southern Finland. Most of the study area consists of spruce‐dominated mature forests. The remainder of the landscape is a mixture of variously aged forests, agricultural areas, lakes and scattered human settlements with a gradient from an agricultural‐forest mosaic to forest‐dominated areas. The old‐growth forest bird species three‐toed woodpecker Picoides tridactylus, pygmy owl Glaucidium passerinum and red‐breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva were more abundant within 300 m and 1,000 m radii around capercaillie lek sites than in non‐lek control sites. Also the overall species richness of breeding forest birds was higher in the vicinity of capercaillie leks. On a larger scale (100 × 100 km squares), using the wildlife triangle scheme developed in Finland, we show that the density of capercaillie closely coincides with a wildlife richness index describing the total abundance of 15 other forest‐dwelling mammal and bird species with diverse ecology and habitat requirements. Capercaillie is a flagship species for foresters, and can be considered a good candidate for an umbrella species for wildlife in taiga forests.
Indices to estimate fat depots in American marten Martes americana
Authors: Robitaille Jean‐François , Cobb Eric W.
Published: May 2018

The relationships between fat depots and body fat content and between protein content and protein indices were examined in American marten Martes americana carcasses obtained from trappers in northeastern Ontario during the 1995/96 fur harvest season. Percent fat and percent protein did not differ significantly between sexes (t = 0.45 and 0.55, P = 0.66 and 0.58, respectively). Protein contents did not vary much among 42 individuals (range: 14–19%), and therefore we found no significant index of percent protein (0.01 < r < 0.23, P > 0.05, N = 42). In the development phase, percent fat (PFAT) was better predicted by six of the eight potential fat indices, and better predicted in females than in males (N = 17 and 18, respectively), but the omentum dry mass (ODM) performed best with both sexes (r2 = 0.69 and 0.80 males and females, respectively). During the test phase (N = 18 males, 22 females), estimated PFAT based on ODM (per sex) did not differ from observed percent fat in either males or in females (paired t = 0.01 and 1.28; P = 0.99 and 0.22, respectively). The models slightly overestimated the number of males and females of below average condition, which indicates that the models were conservative. The accuracy of the omentum dry mass fat depot appears adequate to detect changes of physical condition in harvested marten populations. The lack of variation in protein contents 1) indicates that most animals were near average protein level, possibly due to suitable habitat conditions and 2) prevented us from finding a protein index. We encourage the development of models where conditions (e.g. temperature regime, level of disturbance, carrying capacity) may be harsher for marten.
Winter hunting habitat of pumas Puma concolor in northwestern Utah and southern Idaho, USA
Authors: Laundré John W. , Hernández Lucina
Published: May 2018

Pumas Puma concolor are stalking predators of large ungulates that usually cache their prey. We hypothesize that they require specific habitats to successfully stalk their prey and that they select cache sites based on some set of criteria. We tested these predictions during a study of predation by pumas on mule deer Odocoileus hemionus in south‐central Idaho and northwestern Utah, USA. We found cache points of puma‐killed deer in winter by locating radio‐collared pumas. We then located where pumas had killed deer (kill points) by tracks in the snow. We classified these kill points relative to the dominant forest type and association with open, edge or forested areas. At a subset of the kill points and associated cache points, we also estimated tree and shrub density, tree diameter at breast height (dbh), shrub height and slope. Pumas killed deer more often than expected (P < 0.001) in juniper‐pinyon habitat and in edge areas. Tree densities and dbh at cache points were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than at kill points or surrounding areas. We concluded that pumas relied on specific habitat characteristics to kill mule deer, and selected cache sites with older, larger trees.
Lactation under food constraints in Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus
Authors: Landete‐Castillejos Tomás , García Andrés , Gómez Jose Ángel , Gallego Laureano
Published: May 2018

The plane of nutrition in deer may affect body condition and lactation in hinds and calf growth both through long‐term density‐dependent effects and by shortterm abiotically originated falls in food supply. Our study examines the effect of low nutrient availability after calving on lactation in captive Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus. Twelve hinds and their calves were allotted to a food restricted (50–60% daily energy requirements) or a control group just after calving. Hinds in the food‐restricted group showed a greater body mass loss, produced less milk and yield of milk fat, protein and lactose, and a different lactation curve shape, which resulted in reduced calf growth. However, the time course of lactation variables appeared to show a compensatory response up to week 4: a greater milk fat content in low‐nutrition hinds than in the control group appeared to compensate for lower milk production, as neither calf nor hind mass differed from the control group, and lactation variables in both groups showed a standard lactation pattern. In contrast, as milk fat content fell below that of the control group after week 4, the low nutrition plane overcame a standard lactation pattern and groups differed in most variables (e.g. calf and hind mass and percentage of calf growth). Our results appear to show that deer mobilise body reserves in lactation to maintain offspring growth under temporary reductions in food intake, which may be a strategy of securing investment in current offspring at the expense of reproducing the following season.
Effects of collar‐attached transmitters on behaviour, pair bond and breeding success of snow geeseAnser caerulescens atlanticus
Authors: Demers Frédéric , Giroux Jean‐François , Gauthier Gilles , Bêty Joël
Published: May 2018

There is growing evidence that harnesses may not be an effective technique to attach radio‐transmitters on geese. The use of neck collars is an alternative, but studies on the effect of collars with or without radios on geese have reached divergent conclusions. As our objective was to determine if radio neck collars affect behaviour, pair bonds and breeding success of greater snow geeseAnser caerulescens atlanticus, we fitted 230 females with radio neck collars during the 1995–1998 moulting periods on Bylot Island, Nunavut. Data were subsequently obtained for 159 birds on the staging and breeding grounds. Radios represented 2.5 ± 0.1 % (± SE) of the birds' body mass. Unmarked geese and those fitted with conventional plastic collars served as controls. The behaviour of radiocollared geese was affected during the first fall after marking, but negative effects disappeared thereafter. Geese with conventional collars had similar behaviour as unmarked birds. Divorce rates were low for birds with conventional collars (0–4%), but were as great as 30% for radio‐collared geese. We suggest that the modified behaviour of the radio‐collared females promoted separation from the male. Apparent breeding propensity, nest initiation date, clutch size and nesting success of radio‐marked birds were also negatively affected. Until better alternatives are developed, we recommend minimizing the mass of radio collars to < 2.5% of the birds' body mass and reducing the antenna length. This implies a trade‐off between effects on birds and performance of the transmitters in terms of battery mass (longevity) and antenna length (range).
Incubation success of released hand‐reared pheasants Phasianus colchicus compared with wild ones
Authors: Sage Rufus B. , Putaala Ahti , Pradell‐Ruiz Veronica , Greenall Tracy L. , Woodburn Maureen I.A. , Draycott Roger A.H.
Published: May 2018

We investigated previously observed but unexplained differences in incubation success between wild and hand‐reared common pheasants Phasianus colchicus. Hand‐reared birds are widely released in late summer in Britain and elsewhere to supplement wild stocks for shooting purposes. We radio‐tracked 53 wild and 35 previously released reared female pheasants occupying simultaneously the same areas on a game‐keepered estate in eastern England between February and mid July 1999 and 2000. Predation of adult birds was comparatively low for both wild and reared birds, and overall survival did not differ between years or between groups. However, of 52 nests incubated by wild females 49% hatched, whereas of 30 nests incubated by reared pheasants only 22% hatched. Mayfield estimates of daily nest survival probability thus differed significantly between groups. However, predation of eggs was similar for both wild and reared birds. Instead the observed difference in hatch rates was due to nest abandonment, with more reared females (41%) deserting apparently unmolested nest sites than wild females (6%).
Can distance sampling and dung plots be used to assess the density of mountain hares Lepus timidus?
Authors: Newey Scott , Bell Marjory , Enthoven Stephanie , Thirgood Simon
Published: May 2018

We evaluated distance sampling and dung plots as cost‐effective methods of estimating the density of mountain hares Lepus timidus on moorland in the Scottish Highlands. We compared density estimates derived from these techniques to those derived from labour‐intensive capture‐recapture techniques. Distance sampling and capture‐recapture techniques produced comparable density estimates at medium and low hare densities. Density estimates derived from distance sampling were higher than those derived from capture‐recapture in high‐density hare populations. Both distance sampling and capture‐recapture techniques gave wide confidence intervals at high hare density. Histograms of perpendicular sighting distances showed that a large proportion of hares were seen on or close to the transect line and that there was a rapid fall off in detection rates with distance. This finding indicated that hare behaviour may lead to problematic survey design and may reduce the precision of density estimates. The collection of accurate distance sampling data was particularly problematic when hare density was high. In contrast, in low‐density hare populations, considerable sampling effort was required to obtain sufficient sightings of hares to reliably estimate density. Dung plots provided a relative index of abundance that successfully ranked populations of mountain hares in order of increasing density as determined by distance sampling and capture‐recapture techniques. With careful study design, distance sampling provides a good compromise between accuracy, precision and effort in estimating the density of mountain hares. The use of dung plots is a rapid alternative when only estimates of relative abundance are required.
Fat indices of arctic foxes Alopex lagopus in Svalbard
Authors: Prestrud Pål , Pond Caroline M.
Published: May 2018

We determined the validity of water content, rump fat thickness, a subjective fat index, a kidney fat index, and an index based on total body weight (TBW) and the hind foot length (HFL) in order to predict lipid content of arctic foxes Alopex lagopus. The total fat content was either determined by extracting lipid from minced carcasses (N = 75) or by dissecting all visible adipose tissue (N = 35). Water content and rump fat thickness proved to be the best predictors of fat content in arctic foxes. The ratio TBW/HFL was also a reliable index and should be a convenient and practicable way of estimating the condition of live foxes. A subjective fat index could be applied when divided into three categories, whereas the kidney fat index was not a reliable predictor of lipid content of arctic foxes.
Spatial and temporal variations of 137Cs in moose Alces alces and transfer to man in northern Sweden
Authors: Palo R. Thomas , White Neil , Danell Kjell
Published: May 2018

The radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 contaminated parts of the boreal forest ecosystems in Sweden, and we report on the activity concentration of radiocaesium 137Cs in the meat of moose Alces alces caught in the county of Västerbotten in north‐Sweden during 1986–1996. Countywide, the geographic distribution patterns of 137Cs activity in moose muscle were similar in 1986 and 1993. The underlying relationship between 137Cs concentration in moose muscle and ground deposition remained significant for all years, but the proportion of variation explained by this relationship was variable and low in most years. The transfer rate of 137Cs to moose underwent marked annual fluctuations that appear to be synchronous over large areas. The fluctuations in the uptake of 137Cs by moose most probably result from variations in food selection or shifts in habitats. The transfer rate of 137Cs to moose seems to be higher in coastal areas than in inland areas. The 137Cs activity in moose was considerably higher in 1993 than should be expected from a simple decay model based on original deposition data and the 137Cs levels in moose meat from 1986. The large temporal variations in transfer rate make future predictions of transfer to moose and man unreliable. We found that the annual hunting of moose is a major source of 137Cs transfer to man in this region.