bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projeção Climática da Frequência de Eventos de Precipitação Intensa no Nordeste do Brasil: Resultados Preliminares (Climatic Projection of Frequency of Intense Rainfall Events in Northeastern Brazil: Preliminar Results)
Authors: Andrade Matheus Mendonça , Lima Kellen Carla
Published: May 2018

As frequências dos Eventos de Precipitação Intensa (EPI) em duas sub-regiões, norte e sul, do Nordeste do Brasil (NEB) são investigadas a partir do modelo Eta. Observou-se que a sub-região norte possui, em média, a maior frequência de EPI e a sub-região sul possui menor variabilidade. Os anos de extremos de precipitação (muitos ou poucos) estiveram relacionados a anos de El Niño. Não se encontrou estrita relação entre anos de La Niña e anos com maiores frequências de EPIs. Na comparação dos resultados dos dados observados de EPI com as simulações do modelo Eta, foram mais confiáveis as distribuições mensais em relação às anuais. As previsões para o futuro do modelo Eta no norte do Nordeste demonstraram tendência a aumento de frequência de EPIs e no sul do Nordeste, maior instabilidade na frequência. A B S T R A C T The frequency of Heavy Rainfall Events (HRE) in two sub-regions, north and south of Northeast Brazil (NEB) from the Eta model are investigated. It was observed that the sub-region north has, on average, higher incidence of HRE and southern sub-region has less variability. Years of extreme precipitation (many or few) were related to El Niño years. There was no strict relationship between La Niña years and years with higher frequencies of HRE. Comparing the results of the observed data of HRE with the Eta model simulations were more reliable monthly distributions with respect to annual. Predictions for the future of Eta model in north of Northeast Brazil, showed a tendency to increase the frequency of HRE and in south of Northeast, greater instability in frequency. Keywords: Extreme rainfalls, Eta, past, present and future climates.
Kit Hand Made Berbahan Limbah untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Alat Optik
Authors: Nugroho Yohanes Eko
Published: May 2018

There are two problems that underlie the classroom action research. First, the learning process is still dominated by lectures method and less empowering environment to develop the lesson materials. As a result, student competence is still far from expectations. Based on preliminary observations, in terms of daily test results VIII C grade on the subject matter “reflection and refraction of light”, indicating learning outcomes are still low. Classical completeness only reached 33.33% is still far from the minimum limit is 75%, and the average value of daily tests only 66.85, it is still far minimum completeness criteria is 75.00. While looking at the aspect of the achievement of scientific character, especially creativity, the majority of students are still far from the creative criteria. The qualitative value of creativity is considered good only 37.04%and 18.52% categorized quite creative. The remaining 44.44% of students categorized as less creative. Second, the quantity of waste every day are increasing the rate of production and consumption patterns. Such concerns foster ideas to make KIT Hand Madebased waste, such as milk cans, plastic bottles, syringes printer ink, plastic straws, plastic pipes, and others. Classroom action research carried out in three cycles. Cycle III, students who demonstrate creativity with a good reach 88.89%. Classical learning completeness reached 81.48% with an average value of 79.07. The science competence have increased significantly.
A service platform architecture enabling programmable edge-to-cloud virtualization for the 5G Media industry
Authors: Rizou Stamatia , Athanasoulis Panagiotis , Andriani Pasquale , Iadanza Francesco , Carrozzo Gino , Breitgand David , Weit Avi , Griffin David , Jimenez David , Acar Ugur , Prieto Gordo Oscar
Published: May 2018

Media applications are amongst the most demanding services in terms of resources, requiring huge network capacity for high bandwidth audio-visual and other mobile sensory streams. The 5G-MEDIA project aims at innovating mediarelated applications by investigating how these applications and the underlying 5G network should be coupled and interwork to the benefit of both. The 5G-MEDIA approach aims at delivering an integrated programmable service platform for the development, design and operations of media applications in 5G networks by providing mechanisms to flexibly adapt service operations to dynamic conditions and react upon events (e.g. to transparently accommodate auto-scaling of resources, VNF replacement, etc.). In this paper we present the 5G-MEDIA service platform architecture, which has been specifically designed to enable the development and operation of services for the nascent 5G media industry. Our approach delivers an integrated programmable service platform for the development, design and operations of media applications in 5G networks.
Spam SMS’lerin filtrelenmesinde yeni bir yaklaşım: Motif örüntüler
Authors: KAYA Yılmaz , ÖZDEMİR Cüneyt
Published: May 2018

Her teknolojinin
yaygınlaşması ile birlikte birçok problemde beraberinde gelir. Mobil
teknolojilerde yaygın olarak kullanılan Mobil Kısa Mesaj Servisi(SMS) birçok sorunu
beraberinde getirmiştir. SMS’in en önemli sorunu spam olarak belirtilen
istenmeyen mesajların mobil ağ üzerinde yayılmasıdır. Spam mesajlar mobil
trafiğini engellemekle birlikte kişileri de gereksiz yere meşgul etmektedir. Bu
çalışmada spam SMS’leri filtrelemek için, karakterlerin UTF-8 kodlarını birbiri
ile karşılaştırılması sonucu oluşan formları kullanan yeni bir öznitelik
çıkarım, motif örüntüler yöntemi önerilmiştir. Önerilen motif örüntüler yönteminde,
SMS’in unikodları üzerinde tanımlanan bir pencere boyutu (PB) içerisine giren
değerlerin birbirlerine göre oluşturdukları görünüm motif olarak ele
alınmaktadır. SMS’deki bu motiflerin frekansları öznitelik vektörü olarak
kullanılmıştır. Motif çeşitleri belirtilen PB’a bağlıdır.  Motif örüntüler yöntemini test etmek için üç
kıyaslama veri kümesi kullanılmıştır. Gözlenen sonuçlara göre önerilen yöntemin
spam filtrelenmesinde SMS mesajlarından başarılı öznitelik çıkarım yöntemi
olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca motif yöntemi diğer metin madenciliği, doğal dil
işleme alanlarında kullanılabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Use in vitro of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Folic Acid as a Photothermal Agent on Treatment of HeLa Cells
Authors: Bertel Garay Linda , Martínez Ortega Fernando , Méndez-Sanchez Stelia Carolina
Published: May 2018

Folic acid (FA) is used as a recognition molecule to achieve selective internalization in cancer cells. Here functionalized gold nanoparticles with folic acid (AuNP-FA) are proposed as suitable therapeutic agents for cervix cancer cells by photothermal damage. The functionalized gold nanoparticles with folic acid were synthesized by mixing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate with folic acid in a molar ratio of 0.56/1 under radiation of mercury lamp (λmax=254 nm). HeLa cells were incubated with AuNP-FA during 48 h, then were irradiated and the cytotoxicity was analyzed 12 h after irradiation. The AuNP-FA were dose-dependent cytotoxic under irradiation and not cytotoxic in the absence of radiation. The viability of cancer cells treated with functionalized and non-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), with and without near infrared light at 808 nm, was measured by MTT assays. This work provides useful guidance toward the synthesis of biocompatible nanomaterials for biological applications.
Comparing Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO and Nanospherical ZnO/Bentonite Catalyst: Preparation, Structural Characterization and their Photocatalytic Performances using Oxytetracycline Antibiotic in Aqueous Solution
Authors: VAİZOĞULLAR Ali İmran
Published: May 2018

Photocatalytic degradation of Oxytetracycline (OTC) in aqueous solution was performed using pure ZnO and ZnO/Bent composites. Both catalysts were synthesized trough a simple one-step chemical precipitation method. The prepared samples were characterized using SEM-EDAX and XRD analysis. Due to the immobilization of ZnO nanospheres upon bentonite surface, 25.67 m2 g-1 of specific surface area was obtained for the ZnO/Bent which lower than the specific surface area of the raw bentonite (112.25 m2 g-1). ZnO/Bent catalyst showed the best photocatalytic performance than ZnO for OTC degradation under UV light.
Supported Ionic Liquid H2PMo12O40-NMPIL@SiO2 as an Efficient Catalyst for Alkylation of Indoles with Epoxides or Alcohols under Mild Conditions
Authors: Tan Jin , Fang Dong , Hu Yu Lin
Published: May 2018

3-Alkylindoles have been prepared in 91~99% excellent yields by alkylation of indoles with epoxides or alcohols catalyzed by the recyclable heteropoly acid based supported functionalized ionic liquid H2PMo12O40-NMPIL@SiO2 under heterogeneous catalysis atroom temperature. The influence of various reaction parameters including catalyst selection, catalyst amount, reaction time, solvent, and reaction temperature were studied. The heterogeneous supported catalyst was easily recoverable by filtration, and could be used for six consecutive runs without significant loss in catalytic activity. This study demonstrated a green and highly efficient chemistry technology in the preparation of 3-alkylindoles.
THE ROLE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN ACHIEVING ACCOUNTING INFORMATION QUALITY (FIELD STUDY IN THE MISHRAQ SULFUR STATE CO.)
Authors: Alsalim Munadhil , Amin Honer , Youssef Ali
Published: May 2018

Under the new worldwide changes that were produced by the economic data and technological revolution, corporate governance considered as one of the modern terms. Its importance increased in the business sector because it plays a role in managing any company, and protecting the shareholders’ rights. There are several thoughts on the importance of corporate governance. Some thought that corporate governance is important in the public sector because it influence the economy. Others thought corporate governance is very important in the privet sector. The importance of the term, corporate governance, increased in all institutions and in all advanced and emerging economies in the last few decades especially after the economic and financial crisis that many countries underwent. These crisis affected the global financial market; such as, the crisis in Southeast Asia in 1997. Moreover, many major international companies especially the American companies collapsed in Fall 2008 because they used complex accounting methods in order to hide their loses and manipulate the rights of people; such as, shareholders, lenders, suppliers, and even the civil society. Hence, the governance became one of the important topics that are applied in both privet and public companies. The reason many shareholders lost their trust in the financial market is that companies’ managers and auditors concealed the financial and accounting statements that are applied in all kind of companies. Mistrust was created in the financial reports, and it increased anytime one of the huge companies stumbled. Therefore, this study shows the overlapping and reciprocal relationship between corporate governance and the accounting information quality. Apparently, the accounting information is affected by the rules and mechanisms of governance, and applying it means increasing the trustworthy of the accounting information that are included in financial statements that were prepared for all interested parts.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPPED LENDING RATES AND NON-PERFORMING LOANS ON LISTED COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA
Authors: Thuita Gladys Wanjiku
Published: May 2018

The study sought to determine the relationship between capped lending rate and non-performing loans among the listed commercial banks in Kenya. The data for the study was collected from the period 2013 to 2017 from five listed commercial banks in Kenya. The research tested the null hypotheses that capping the lending rate has no significant relationship on non-performing loans of the sampled banks. The study adopted the quantitative research design to test the null hypotheses. The Pearson correlations results indicated that capped lending rate has no significant relationship on the non-performing loans. In conclusion the negative correlation can be attributed to fact that borrowers continue to repay the old loans (acquired before capping) the same scheduled payments before capping, reducing the duration of the loan and not amount payable on monthly basis. The recommendation is for such studies to be conducted on continuous basis for the next five years and advice the government on whether to drop or retain the cap for purpose of sustainable economic development in Kenya.  
Density‐dependent breeding success in mallards Anas platyrhynchos on a eutrophic lake
Authors: Elmberg Johan
Published: May 2018

Census data from a eutrophic lake collected in 1987–1999 were used to study nesting and breeding success in mallards Anas platyrhynchos. In each year there were 6–19 pair counts and 13–34 brood counts. The maximum combined count of single males and pairs (i.e. on any day in any of three census periods in May) provided the best fit with subsequent estimates of breeding success. Nesting success (average brood:pair ratio = 0.52), brood size of older ducklings (mean = 5.7) as well as fledgling success (2.86 juveniles per nesting pair) were higher than in many previous mallard studies. Per capita brood production as well as per capita fledgling production was negatively density dependent, but the latter was not statistically independent of the former. There was no correlation between per capita fledgling success and duckling mortality on a year‐by‐year basis, hence the density‐dependent pattern in breeding success appears to be mediated through variation in nesting success. The number of paired females at the start of the breeding season correlated positively with the production of fledged juveniles the year before.
Tree rubbing by Yellowstone grizzly bears Ursus arctos
Authors: Green Gerald I. , Mattson David J.
Published: May 2018

Tree rubbing or marking by bears has been observed throughout the northern hemisphere. Even so, this behaviour has rarely been studied. We documented 93 sites where grizzly bears Ursus arctos horribilis rubbed on 116 trees during 1986–1992, in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. We used logistic regression and information‐based estimation and selection criteria to specify models that explained selection of sites and individual trees for rubbing by bears in our study area. The probability of rubbing peaked during May and June, the period of mating and moult, and declined thereafter. At the landscape level, grizzly bears selected for gentle south‐facing slopes, forest/non‐forest ecotones with sparse deadfall, and forest stands dominated by lodgepole pine Pinus contorta or Douglas‐fir Pseudotsuga menziesii. Among the trees at sites where bears rubbed, we found strong selection for large diameters but no indication of selection for species. Rubbed trees were highly associated with travel routes likely used by bears, including game trails, recreation trails and forest edges. Rubbing was often oriented towards these likely travel routes. Short trails of entrenched pad‐shaped marks leading up to rubbed trees were recorded at 58% of the sites where rubbing occurred. Contrary to reports of black bears Ursus americanus clawing and biting trees, we found shredded or bitten bark at only 9% of sites with rubbed or otherwise marked trees. Circumstantial evidence suggests that bears used trees primarily for rubbing their back and shoulders. Our findings are consistent with previous arguments that rubbing serves as a means of chemical communication.
The role of intraspecific predation in the survival of juvenile wolverines Gulo gulo
Authors: Persson Jens , Willebrand Tomas , Landa Arild , Andersen Roy , Segerström Peter
Published: May 2018

Wolverine Gulo gulo populations have a low reproductive potential and are thus relatively sensitive to changes in survival rates. Consequently, knowledge about survival and mortality causes in juvenile wolverines is important for a sound management of the species. We estimated survival rates for juvenile wolverines and evaluated the relative importance of intraspecific predation compared to other mortality causes in northern Scandinavia during 1993–2001. We monitored 80 radio‐marked juvenile wolverines from May to February. Intraspecific predation was the most important cause of juvenile mortality and occurred during two periods. First, seven juveniles were killed in May‐June when still altricial, i.e. infanticide. Second, four juvenile females were killed by conspecifics outside their mothers' territories after independence in August–September. The survival rate of radio‐marked juveniles during May‐February was 0.68. There was a strong tendency for survival to be lower during the summer when juveniles were altricial, than after they became independent. The estimates of survival rates and mortality causes provided by this study are important for the understanding of wolverine population dynamics. Currently, our data are too weak to suggest an explicit explanation for infanticide in spring/early summer. Still, in the light of the available information on wolverine life history and infanticide patterns in other species, we suggest two, not mutually exclusive, hypotheses to consider for further investigation: 1) males kill non‐related juveniles to increase their reproductive success, and 2) females kill non‐related juveniles to reduce competition for resources. In addition, attention should be given to the alternative hypothesis that infanticide in wolverines is non‐adaptive. Finally, we suggest that independent juvenile females were killed by resident females in territorial defence.
Modelling the impact of different forms of wildlife harassment, exemplified by a quantitative comparison of the effects of hikers and paragliders on feeding and space use of chamois Rupicapra rupicapra
Authors: Enggist‐Diiblin Peter , Ingold Paul
Published: May 2018

We developed a mathematical model to quantify and compare the impact of different forms of wildlife harassment, and applied it to compare the effects of hikers and paragliders on the feeding time and area of chamois Rupicapra rupicapra, considering differences between hikers and paragliders in terms of their prevalence and behaviour. Although many more hikers than paragliders visited the study area, the impact of paragliders was much stronger. With increasing paraglider traffic, the effects would steeply increase, whereas the effects of hikers approached an asymptote. With modification of input values and/or parameters, the model can be applied to other species, to compare the effects of other forms of wildlife harassment, and to simulate effects of changing conditions such as habituation of the animals or changes in the daily or spatial pattern of occurrence of tourism.
Short‐term movements of long‐finned pilot whales Globicephala melas around the Faroe Islands
Authors: Bloch Dorete , Heide‐Jørgensen Mads Peter , Stefansson Eyðfinnur , Mikkelsen Bjarni , Ofstad Lise Helen , Dietz Rune , Andersen Liselotte Wesley
Published: May 2018

On 15 July 2000, a pod of about 80 long‐finned pilot whales Globic ephala melas was driven to the coast at Sandavágur, the Faroe Islands (62.055°N, 7.157°W) for the purpose of tagging selected whales with satellite‐linked radio transmitters. A transmitter was attached to the anterior flank of the dorsal fin of four beached whales. After the tagging, all four whales were reunited with their pod and the entire pod was driven to sea. The positions of three of the four whales were tracked (one for a period of 47 days) and the results show that the whales separated after a few days and eventually went in different directions. After 10 days, two of the whales were observed together in a pod, and after 19 days two of the whales were located at positions determined to be within 2.3 km of each other. The whales showed a strong affinity for the deep water off the continental shelf. The sex and relatedness of the four, tagged whales were determined from skin biopsies. The tagged whales comprised one adult female with one juvenile in puberty, possibly her male offspring, and two adult males, one of which could be the offspring or the sibling of the female. The swimming speed of the whales was estimated at 0.2–14.5 km/hour, and they travelled average distances of 70–111 km/24 hours with a maximum of 200 km in 24 hours. Considering the mobility of the whales, it seems likely that the catches that occur at the Faroe Islands are recruited from a larger area in the North Atlantic than previously presumed. This suggests that the whales are taken from a larger population than that estimated from coastal areas around the Faroe Islands, hence increasing the probability that the harvest is sustainable.
Harvesting‐induced population fluctuations?
Authors: Jonzen Niclas , Ranta Esa , Lundberg Per , Kaitala Veijo , Lindén Harto
Published: May 2018

It has recently been shown that damped endogenous dynamics is a common feature in Finnish grouse species. In this paper, we demonstrate that time‐variant harvesting may turn damped dynamics to quasi‐periodic fluctuations. Exploited populations, e.g. grouse, may therefore fluctuate more than expected if we do not manage to keep the harvest fraction constant over time. However, the harvest fraction of Finnish grouse varies with the phase of the cycle. Such a harvesting strategy could potentially change the periodicity of the fluctuations, as can a threshold harvest strategy where a constant fraction is harvested above a density threshold. The two non‐linear harvesting strategies investigated here can modulate the dynamic properties of the population in a way not predicted by linear models. We argue that the behaviour of exploited populations and the role of harvesting can only be understood if we identify and understand the interplay of endogenous and exogenous components of population dynamics.
The need to improve our attention to scale of resolution in grouse research
Authors: Keppie Daniel M. , Kierstead Jonathan M.
Published: May 2018

A principal focus of ecological research should be to learn the influence of scale on ecological processes and to determine appropriate spatial and temporal scales with which to study the problem of interest. To date, little attention has been given to scale issues in grouse research, and we conclude that this is a major weakness. The problem affects not only our interpretations of individual events and processes, but also our interpretation of relative effects of various factors and processes, which likely act at different scales. Investigators should provide evidence for the choices made for the scale of resolution/grain used in field studies and analyses, and should conduct analyses at multiple scales. The current research problem also hinders the quality of forecasts that can be made about management interventions. To help illustrate the effect that scale of resolution can have upon research results, we provide two examples on grouse, one temporal and the other spatial.
Major histocompatibility complex B‐LB gene variation in red grouseLagopus lagopus scoticus
Authors: Piertney Stuart B.
Published: May 2018

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) variation at the class IIβ (B‐LB) gene was surveyed both within and among populations of red grouseLagopus lagopus scoticusfrom northeastern Scotland. Variation among individuals was assayed by direct DNA sequencing, with 13 unique alleles being resolved among 10 unrelated individuals. All nucleotide substitutions were non‐synonymous (amino acid changing) substitutions. Variation among five populations was screened using single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP). Twelve B‐LB alleles were resolved, with low levels of genetic structure between the populations. This is in contrast to the considerable genetic differentiation observed among the same populations determined from microsatellite DNA analysis. Both the patterns of nucleotide substitution within individuals, and the discrepancy between MHC and microsatellite derived patterns of population genetic structure highlight that balancing selection is acting to maintain variation in the grouse MHC. The significance of MHC dynamics and diversity is discussed in the context of grouse ecology and conservation.
Microsatellite variation in a Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi population: signs of genetic impoverishment?
Authors: Larsson Jobs Karl , Sun Yue‐Hua , Fang Yun , Segelbacher Gernot , Höglund Jacob
Published: May 2018

Genetic variation in a Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi population was assessed using five microsatellite markers. The mean number of alleles and allelic richness were comparable with what has been observed in other grouse, e.g. black grouse Tetrao tetrix and capercaillie T. urogallus, populations studied with the same markers regardless of whether these populations were isolated or from within the continuous range of the respective species. However, the proportion of heterozygotes and FIS observed in Chinese grouse were more similar to isolated than to continuous grouse populations suggesting that the Chinese grouse population may show genetic signs of habitat fragmentation and relative isolation. Furthermore, demographic analyses indicated that the studied Chinese grouse population would not persist without immigration. We suggest that excess heterozygosity is a sign of a sink deme within a metapopulation system.
Density dependence of reproductive success in grey partridge Perdix perdix populations in France: management implications
Authors: Bro Elisabeth , Deldalle Benoît , Massot Manuel , Reitz François , Selmi Slaheddine
Published: May 2018

The understanding of the demographic and ecological mechanisms of population regulation is central in applied ecology, in particular when it comes to managing harvested populations. We document the density dependence of the reproductive success in French grey partridge Perdix perdix populations. We used long‐term data collected by the national network monitoring populations with a mere surveillance objective. We investigated a time series spanning 7–14 years for 85 replicate populations by a combined procedure of a regression of reproductive success against density for each population and a metaanalysis of the 85 regression slopes. We avoided two common statistical pitfalls by taking the autocorrelation in time series data into account and by using independent estimates of reproductive success and spring density. The relationship is statistically significant for 10% of the populations, and the meta‐analysis of the 85 replicates displays a highly significant pattern (82.3% of the regression slopes being negative). Thus our results both support the existence of a density dependent reproductive success in the grey partridge and moderate the ubiquity of the phenomenon, despite a general trend. We tested whether density dependence occurred through competition or habitat heterogeneity by examining the relationship between the variability of per capita reproductive success and pair density. Our results support both alternative hypotheses depending upon the area of concern. In terms of population and habitat management our findings have implications for hunting interests. The best strategy to maximise the hunting quota when reproductive success is depressed with increased density recommends intermediate values of both pair density and reproductive success, which conciliates hunting interests and conservation objectives. To alleviate density dependence, habitat management should supply limited resources that are homogeneously distributed in space when density dependence operates through competition, and should improve habitat quality of the poorest patches when density dependence operates through habitat heterogeneity.
Seasonal habitat selection of an expanding sika deer Cervus nippon population in eastern Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Sakuragi Mayumi , Igota Hiromasa , Uno Hiroyuki , Kaji Koichi , Kaneko Masami , Akamatsu Rika , Maekawa Koji
Published: May 2018

Sika deer Cervus nippon in Hokkaido, Japan, have recovered from a population bottleneck about 120 years ago and their distribution has expanded rapidly in the last three decades. We tracked 53 radio‐collared female sika deer, and obtained 4,430 locations during the 25‐month study period from April 1997 to April 1999. We examined the seasonal distribution of female sika deer in relation to spatial landscape features (snow depth, vegetation, bamboo grass and roads) with a logistic regression model using a geographic information system database. We presented a population‐landscape scale evaluation of sika deer habitat for summer and winter within the telemetry study area (TSA) using resource selection functions. We then extrapolated the model to the rest of eastern Hokkaido to discuss the seasonal migration for an expanding population. Most radio‐collared sika deer (71%) moved between high‐elevation summer and low‐elevation winter ranges, whereas some (29%) moved between low‐elevation summer and similar or high‐elevation winter ranges. During winter, sika deer selected middle elevation habitats (200–400 m a.s.l.) with both a relatively low snow depth and the presence of coniferous and mixed forests. On the other hand, sika deer were widely distributed regardless of elevation during summer, although they were further from roads and less often in agricultural lands. Within the TSA, the suitable habitat was very limited during winter compared with during summer. Although migration from summer to winter ranges may depend on the abundance and distribution of suitable winter habitat at a landscape scale, migration from winter to summer ranges could not be explained from this study. Our approach is useful for understanding the relationships among seasonal habitat selection, seasonal migration and the expansion of the population.
Effects of flumazenil on fishers Martes pennanti restrained with tiletamine‐zolazepam
Authors: Dzialak Matthew R. , Serfass Thomas L.
Published: May 2018

As part of a project to restore the fisher Martes pennanti in Pennsylvania, USA, we evaluated flumazenil (0.02 mg/kg) for partial reversal of tiletamine‐zolazepam (10.0–11.0 mg/kg; i.e. antagonizing the effects of zolazepam) by monitoring immobilization intervals and physiologic responses of fishers (N = 4). Flumazenil reduced mean down time and alert time, but did not reduce mean recovery time. Trends in respiratory rate, body temperature, pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation expressed by immobilized fishers were not altered by flumazenil within eight minutes post‐injection. Flumazenil did not enhance practical utility of tiletamine‐zolazepam at 10.0–11.0 mg/kg because fishers that received flumazenil exhibited residual tiletamine effects such as prolonged recovery and profound ataxia.
Spacing and nocturnal activity of wild boar Sus scrofa in a Mediterranean metropolitan park
Authors: Cahill Seán , Llimona Francesc , Gràcia Jordi
Published: May 2018

Collserola Park in northeastern Spain is an 8,000 ha Mediterranean forest park surrounded by the Barcelona metropolitan area with a population of some three million inhabitants. Wild boar Sus scrofa are common in Collserola and cause specific management problems. We obtained information on their activity and habitat use in different areas of the park by use of two field methods: prospecting of non‐linear transects at night on foot and periodic monitoring of sign‐survey plots. Prospecting of routes on foot provided information on summer nocturnal activity in different natural and semi‐natural environments: feeding activity takes place mainly during 00:00–05:00, and the maximum amount of movements was registered during 20:00–00:00 and at dawn. Wild boar feeding activity was significantly lower on dry slopes than in other habitat types such as riparian woodland, valley bottoms and agricultural areas. Pellet‐group density varied significantly between habitats, being higher in agricultural habitats, intermediate in riparian woodland and lowest on wooded slopes. In general, pellet‐group density was higher on level ground than on slopes. The mean surface area rooted by wild boar was less than 5% in all survey periods. Rooting activity, which was dominated by surface rooting, was highest in winter and lowest in summer when soil conditions for rooting were poorest. Rooting activity varied significantly between habitat types, and distinct seasonal patterns were observed within individual habitat areas. The results we obtained support the view that the summer is a critical period for wild boar in Mediterranean environments and highlight the importance of ensuring certain scarce habitats for foraging activities during this season.
Escape movements of family groups of wild boar Sus scrofa influenced by drive hunts in Lower Saxony, Germany
Authors: Sodeikat Gunter , Pohlmeyer Klaus
Published: May 2018

The population density of wild boars in Lower Saxony, Germany, has increased drastically during the last decade. High wild boar density causes severe damage to crops and increases the risk of occurrence and distribution of the Classical Swine Fever disease (CSF). Consequently, a reduction of the population density by hunting wild boar in hog cholera zones is necessary. An effective hunting method is the drive hunt performed with beaters, hunters and dogs (terriers), which force wild boars to leave their resting sites. Drive hunt, however, increases the risk of spreading wild boars over a wider area, and this leads to a greater risk of infecting other wild boars with the CSF‐virus. Since 1998, ecological and behavioural data of a wild boar population in Lower Saxony, Germany, have been collected. Based on telemetric observations, data of home range size, habitat use and daily and nightly movements were collected. We investigated the effects of several drive hunts on the movements of seven radio‐marked wild boar groups, and analysed 10 hunting situations and wild boar escape behaviour. In spite of heavy hunting pressure, in six of the 10 hunting situations, the escaping wild boar groups remained within their home range; in four hunting situations, the wild boar groups left their core area after the drive hunt and relocated up to 6 km away. But after four to six weeks at the latest, the groups had returned to the centres of their home ranges.
Dynamics of a reintroduced population of red‐legged partridges Alectoris rufa in central Italy
Authors: Meriggi Alberto , della Stella Roberto Mazzoni
Published: May 2018

In order to evaluate the success of a population of red‐legged partridges Alectoris rufa reintroduced into a 33.7 km2 study area, we estimated 15 demographic parameters from 1996 to 1999 by regularly monitoring the population through winter, spring and summer mapping censuses. During the study period, late winter population and spring dispersal decreased, pair number, brood number, brood production rate, chick survival and over winter losses were stable, whereas average brood size, juvenile number, age ratio, adult spring to summer survival, late summer population, and population growth rate from spring to late summer all increased. The population showed a moderate improvement in the overall productivity, mainly related to increased production of young and to a decrease in adult mortality. The improvement in breeding performance took place, in particular, after the second year of study with the conclusion of the releasing session of reared birds.
Effectiveness of acoustic road markings in reducing deer‐vehicle collisions: a behavioural study
Authors: Ujvári Marianne , Baagøe Hans Jørgen , Madsen Aksel Bo
Published: May 2018

The behavioural responses and habituation of fallow deer Dama dama to play‐back sounds from repeatedly occurring acoustic road markings were studied during 13 nights. Our experimental design eliminated factors normally associated with passing vehicles (e.g. vehicle noise and light), and fallow deer were exposed to play‐back sounds from road markings at predetermined time intervals. Though the distribution of the predefined behavioural responses ‘flight’, ‘alarm’, ‘movement of head’ and ‘no reaction’ varied among nights, the fallow deer exhibited increasing indifference to sounds from road markings with time, and this we explained as being habituation to the acoustic stimulus. As we expect our results to be valid for other species of deer as well, we find that acoustic road markings are not a reliable method to reduce the number of deer‐vehicle collisions on a long‐term basis.
Impact of roe deer Capreolus capreolus browsing on understorey vegetation in small farm woodlands
Authors: Sage Rufus B. , Hollins Kate , Gregory Catherine L. , Woodburn Maureen I.A. , Carroll John P.
Published: May 2018

The impact of around nine roe deer Capreolus capreolus!km2 on ground and shrub vegetation was assessed in a sample of six small woodlands on a largely arable estate in Dorset, southern England. In January 1996, 30 exclosures of 2 × 2 × 1.5 m and 30 paired controls were set up. Measurements of vegetation density at six height categories using a cover board were taken in late winter and mid‐summer in each of the four years 1996–1999. Mean cover values were calculated for each woodland, and they indicated that the density of vegetative cover was reduced by deer browsing in winter and in summer. The effect of the browsing increased significantly within the four‐year study period, and plant species composition had changed by the end of the study period. Our results suggest that roe deer may be having a substantial and potentially widespread effect on vegetative structure and composition in small farm woodlands in arable ecosystems in central southern England. The implications of this, for the characteristic wildlife and game species found in this common woodland habitat, are discussed.
Habitat selection of adult mooseAlces alcesat two spatial scales in central Finland
Authors: Nikula Ari , Heikkinen Samuli , Helle Eero
Published: May 2018

The habitat selection criteria of mooseAlces alcesat several scales are the basic sets of information needed in moose management planning. We studied moose habitat use in central Finland during 1993–1996 using data from radio collared moose, satellite image based forest and land cover data, and applied the principles of compositional analysis. The habitat compositions of 54 home ranges (10 males during summer, six males during winter, 23 females during summer and 15 females during winter) were first compared with the overall landscape. The habitat compositions around moose locations within their home ranges were then compared with the habitat composition of the home range. Seasons and sexes were compared at both scales. In summer, there was only a slight difference between moose home ranges and the overall landscape. Based on tree species composition, home ranges are located in slightly more fertile areas than the overall landscape. Within their home ranges, moose favoured non‐pine dominated habitats and mature forests, and avoided human settlements. In winter, the moose home ranges included significantly more pine‐dominated plantations and other young successional stages than the overall landscape. The role of pine‐dominated peatland forests/ shrub land was especially pronounced in winter. Winter home ranges included less agricultural land and human settlements than the overall landscape, probably due to the more distant location of important winter habitats from man‐made landscapes. Within the home ranges, both sexes used non‐pine dominated habitats more, and mature forests and human settlements less than expected. At the home range scale, there were no statistical differences between the sexes with respect to habitat use in either season. Within their home ranges, males and females used slightly different habitats during both seasons, suggesting spatially segregated habitat use by the individual sexes. The difference is more clear in winter when males tend to use more pine‐dominated, young successional habitats than females. Compared to the situation in the summer, winter ranges are located in slightly more pine‐dominated habitats with fewer settlements and agricultural fields. The shift in habitat use between the two seasons is more pronounced with respect to habitat use within the home range. Our results indicate that moose habitat selection criteria vary among different hierarchical levels of selection. We stress the importance of multi‐scale assessment of the habitat and other resource selection of animals.
Do breeding Ural owls Strix uralensis protect ground nests of birds?: an experiment using dummy nests
Authors: Halme Panu , Häkkilä Matti , Koskela Esa
Published: May 2018

Predatory birds were formerly suggested to have only negative effects on the breeding success of other birds that breed in the vicinity of their nests. However, the predator may also protect these breeding birds by chasing away other nest predators whilst either defending its own nest or by eating other predators in its territory. Ural owl Strix uralensis is known to be an aggressive nest defender. Although its diet mainly consists of voles, it also preys upon bird species (e.g. Corvidae) and even weasels Mustela nivalis, particularly when the vole densities are low. We carried out a dummy nest experiment on six Ural owl territories in central Finland to study whether Ural owls affect the nest predation rates of ground nesting birds. We found that although dummy nest predation differed between Ural owl territories, in every territory the predation risk was lowest in close proximity to Ural owl nests. The protecting effect of the predator continued for a distance of up to several hundred metres from its nest; a much further distance than could be expected if the effect was due solely to the defence of its own nest. Consequently, as suggested for other predatory birds, it may be that breeding Ural owls influence the bird community both directly by predating upon some species and/or indirectly by providing protection for other species. However, natural evidence on breeding habitat selection and predation risk of ground nesting birds should be obtained before detailed inferences on the effects of Ural owl nests on bird community levels are made.
Health Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: An Analysis of Key Determinants
Authors: Popoola Timothy Oladayo
Published: May 2018

The poor health outcomes (low longevity and high mortalities) in developing countries has been great concern for citizens and policy makers alike. Although, numerous studies have focus on socio-economic drivers (like education, age of mothers, income levels, and poverty) of health outcomes in developing nations; however, the same is not true for important exogenous determinants. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of access to clean drinkable water, sanitation, fertility rate, prevalence of HIV/AIDS, health financing, and child immunization on health outcomes in sub-Sahara African (SSA) region. To achieve this, the study explored Pooled OLS, Fixed and Random Effects covering 46 countries in the region from 2000 to 2015. The findings reveal that population health outcomes - as measured by infant and under-five mortalities rates are related negatively with increase public health financing, timely children immunization, quality drinkable water supply, but directly associated with higher fertility rate, and HIV prevalence. For life expectancy at birth, increase government health spending, timely children immunization, and quality drinkable water supply are positively predicted, while relate inversely with higher fertility rate, and HIV prevalence. The findings therefore suggest that for SSA countries to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal three of ensuring healthy lives before 2030; emphasis should on increasing public health financing, and provision of infrastructural facilities like clean water supply and sanitation. Again, greater attention should be on enhancing child immunization, reducing fertility rates and HIV prevalence in the region.
The Actor, the Mirror, the Soul and the Sylph
Authors: Doody Margaret A.
Published: May 2018

The ‘unnatural’ mixed emotions of Chimène, heroine of Pierre Corneille’sLe Cid(1636), almost destroyed the dramatist. The 17th century brought strong new attempts to create a taxonomy of clearly defined and acceptably knowable ‘passions’. Stimulated by Descartes, Charles Le Brun produced his famous graphic representations of individual emotions as physically expressed in the face. Such catalogues of emotions attracted English theorists of acting, such as Aaron Hill whoseArt of Actinginterested Samuel Richardson. A standard feat of English poets from Dryden to Gray and Collins is to run through the passions, briefly exhibiting the activities and nature of the distinctive emotions. That the passions could be so well noted and imitated produced new problems, rendering representation of the passions doubtful, chicanery lacking in soul, as the acting of Garrick seemed to Diderot. New interest in mixed emotions and more fluid affections turned against the single passion and the encyclopedic list. Literary works moved towards a more dynamic and changeable account of emotional states and possibilities. Innovative large mirrors brought the self more literally to the eye, stimulating reflection on variability; we glimpse the possibility of future emotions and affective states not yet known. Mixed emotions and half shades become more engrossing than grand passions. Pope’s Sylphs, rooted in Paracelsian fiction, proffer new versions of both self and emotions, or emotional states. The mirror becomes not a diagnostic instrument detecting moral defect, but, as in Richardson’s novels, an opening to a possible future self.
“So Shall She Now the Softest Coulours Chuse/To Paint thy Fate & Shadow out thy Woes”
Authors: Quinault Lucia
Published: May 2018

This article will explore the ways in which literary forms empower emotional response to public events, using as a case study the wide range of literary texts – published and circulated in manuscript – inspired by the notorious Abergavenny scandal of 1729. Lady Abergavenny’s beauty, adultery and death, followed by a trial in which her husband was awarded a staggering £10,000 in compensation, stimulated poetry, drama and opera, giving voice to desire, remorse, pity, despair and contempt. Drama and poetry intersect in their treatment of the scandal, and while poetry offers its writers and readers an opportunity to explore a single viewpoint, and to circulate it privately, drama re-imagines the causes and conversations, and exposes them to public judgment. The alternating prose and verse of opera thus offer us a self-contained sample of the uses of different literary genres in expressing emotion and presenting the social and moral debates provoked by the affair.