Median Group Size Research Articles

Assessment of wild prey of mammalian carnivores in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (Barda WLS) is a semi-arid ecosystem that plays an important role in the conservation of mammalian carnivores. It is essential to evaluate the population of important wild prey species in Barda, which has conservation implications for mammalian predators and themselves. We assessed the density, biomass, and population structure of wild prey species by surveying road (n = 10) and trail (n = 8) transects using the distance sampling framework method. We used male-to-female sex ratios and the percent contribution of each age class to assess population structure. Mean group size (MGS), median group size (Mdgs), and mean crowding (Mc) were calculated to analyze group size. Of the species studied, Indian peafowl had the highest density (51.61 ± 7.08 individuals/km2), followed by wild pig (10.77 ± 4.59), blue bull (3.50 ± 0.51), Indian hare (3.03 ± 0.73), and spotted deer (0.62 ± 0.04). The male-to-adult female sex ratio was biased towards females, except for Indian peafowl. All species had small group sizes except wild pigs. The results of this study can aid in its development as one of the important protected areas in Gujarat for the conservation of mammalian predators, along with framing conservation strategies for Barda WLS.

The diabetes insulin self-management education (DIME) intervention for people with type 2 diabetes starting insulin: a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility and acceptability of a diabetes insulin self-management education (DIME) group intervention for people with type 2 diabetes starting insulin.DesignSingle-centre parallel randomised pilot trial.SettingPrimary care, South London, UK.SubjectsAdults with type 2 diabetes, requiring insulin treatment, on maximum tolerated dose of 2 or more oral antidiabetic drugs with HbA1c > / = 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) on 2 occasions. We excluded people who were non-fluent in English; morbid obesity (BMI > / = 35 kg/m2); in employment that contraindicates insulin treatment; and those with severe depression, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, or cognitive impairment.MethodsParticipants were randomised using blocks of 2 or 4 to 3, 2-h group, face-to-face, DIME sessions or standard insulin group education sessions (control). We assessed feasibility according to consent to randomisation and attendance at intervention (DIME) and standard group insulin education sessions. Acceptability of the interventions was determined using exit interviews. We additionally measured change in self-reported insulin beliefs, diabetes distress and depressive symptoms between baseline and 6-month post-randomisation.ResultsThere were 28 potentially eligible participants, of which 17 consented to randomisation, 9 were allocated to the DIME group intervention and 8 were allocated to the standard group insulin education. Three people withdrew from the study (1 from DIME and 2 from standard insulin education) before the start of the first session and did not complete baseline questionnaires. Of the remaining participants (n = 14), all DIME participants (n = 8) completed all 3 sessions, and all standard insulin education participants (n = 6) completed at least 1 standard insulin education session. The median group size was 2, the mean age of participants was 57.57 (SD 6.45) years, and 64% were female (n = 9). Exit interviews demonstrated that all participants (n = 7) found the group sessions acceptable, and thematic analysis of interview transcripts indicated social support, the content of group sessions and post-group experiences were positive, especially amongst DIME participants. There was improvement on self-report questionnaires.ConclusionsThe DIME intervention was acceptable and feasible to deliver to participants with type 2 diabetes starting insulin in South London, UK.Trial registrationInternational Study Registration Clinical Trial Network (ISRCTN registration number 13339678).

Characteristics of pediatric non-cardiac eCPR programs in United States and Canadian hospitals: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveTo characterize practices surrounding pediatric eCPR in the U.S. and Canada. MethodsCross-sectional survey of U.S. and Canadian hospitals with non-cardiac eCPR programs. Variables included hospital and surgical group demographics, eCPR inclusion/exclusion criteria, cannulation approaches, and outcomes (survival to decannulation and survival to discharge). ResultsSurveys were completed by 40 hospitals in the United States (37) and Canada (3) among an estimated 49 programs (82% response rate). Respondents tended to work in >200 bed free-standing children's hospitals (27, 68%). Pediatric general surgeons respond to activations in 32 (80%) cases, with a median group size of 7 (IQR 5,9.5); 8 (20%) responding institutions take in-house call and 63% have a formal back-up system for eCPR. Dedicated simulation programs were reported by 22 (55%) respondents. Annual eCPR activations average approximately 6/year; approximately 39% of patients survived to decannulation, with 35% surviving to discharge. Cannulations occurred in a variety of settings and were mostly done through the neck at the purview of cannulating surgeon/proceduralist. Exclusion criteria used by hospitals included pre-hospital arrest (21, 53%), COVID+ (5, 13%), prolonged CPR (18, 45%), lethal chromosomal anomalies (15, 38%) and terminal underlying disease (14, 35%). ConclusionsWhile there are some similarities regarding inclusion/exclusion criteria, cannulation location and modality and follow-up in pediatric eCPR, these are not standard across multiple institutions. Survival to discharge after eCPR is modest but data on cost and long-term neurologic sequela are lacking. Codification of indications and surgical approaches may help clarify the utility and success of eCPR. Level of evidence4

Density-Dependent Foraging Behaviors on Sympatric Winter Ranges in a Partially Migratory Elk Population

Many large herbivore populations are partially migratory, in which the population is comprised of both non-migratory (resident) and migratory individuals. Density-dependence contributes to regulating the dynamics of partially migratory populations by altering habitat selection, vital rates, or rates of behavioral switching between migratory tactics. Studies of mechanisms leading to these shifts have focused mainly on their behavior on summer range, overlooking the potential for density-dependent effects during winter that may influence decisions to migrate. We hypothesized that competition for food and safety from wolf predation risk on winter ranges would differentially affect habitat selection, movements, and grouping behavior of migrant and resident female North American elk (Cervus canadensis) on their sympatric winter range. We used GPS locations from 155 elk-winters from 92 adult female elk at Ya Ha Tinda, Alberta, Canada, over a 14-year period when the elk population declined by ~70% to test our hypotheses. Elk showed consistently strong selection for areas of high forage biomass that corresponded to longer residence times and shorter return times to areas of high forage biomass. The strength of the selection diminished at high elk population size as did the extent to which elk traded off forage for safety from wolf predation risk. Elk increased movement rates and extended return times only to the riskiest areas. Median group size and mean sociality among elk increased at low population size, with resident elk groups being larger and more cohesive than migrant groups. Similar density-dependent responses by migrant and resident female elk on sympatric winter range indicate resident elk do not alter foraging behaviors to compensate for exposure to low nutritional resources in summer, implicating seasonal differences in nutrition are not mediated by winter densities in this system. We discuss the implications of competition on winter ranges for the maintenance of partial migration in ungulates in montane systems.

Variation in group sizes of sympatric Wild yak, Tibetan wild ass and Tibetan antelope in Arjin Shan National Nature Reserve of Xinjiang Province, China

Many ungulates live in social groups whose sizes vary both within and across species and are influenced by such factors as habitat structure and openness, vegetation productivity, predator risk, and life cycle. We studied changes in group size of sympatric Wild yak (Bos mutus), Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang) and Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) in Arjin Shan National Nature Reserve (ANNR), Xinjiang of China in the summers of 2012 and 2013, and the winter of 2012 in relation to season, habitat structure, and vegetation productivity. The aim was to understand the extent to which their group sizes differed and responded to these factors. The small groups of 1–5 individuals were observed most frequently, with solitary animals being the most frequently observed. Wild ass had the largest median group size (6.0, ranging from 1 to 180), followed by wild yak (4.0, ranging from 1 to 118) and Tibetan antelope (3.0, ranging from 1 to 44) (including solitary animal groups). Median group size differed between summer and winter for wild yak only, but it was larger in eastern ANNR than in western ANNR for all three species possibly due to flat topography and higher vegetation productivity in the eastern part. Vegetation productivity had a positive effect on group size of Tibetan antelope only. Our results suggest that group sizes of the three ungulate species in ANNR are highly variable and respond to vegetation productivity differentially. Further studies are needed to investigate the species-specific factors that may influence ungulate group sizes. Because all three ungulate species form larger groups in the relatively flat and easily accessible eastern ANNR, measures need to be undertaken to prevent poachers from entering into and poaching large groups of the ungulates in eastern ANNR.

Review of Acute Treatment of Migraine Trial Results With the New FDA Endpoints: Design Implications for Future Trials.

BackgroundIn October 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration released a draft guidance for the development of drugs for the acute treatment of migraine. This guidance offered the option of replacing the previously required 4 co‐primary endpoints: pain freedom, freedom from nausea, freedom from photophobia, and freedom from phonophobia, all at 2 hours posttreatment, with 2 co‐primary endpoints: pain freedom and freedom from most bothersome symptom (MBS) other than pain, both at 2 hours posttreatment. At the time the new draft guidance was released, no large clinical trials had been undertaken with these 2 co‐primary endpoints, posing a challenge in determining the sample size that might be required to achieve statistical significance. As a number of trials have now been completed, we conducted a review of the observed placebo responses, drug effect sizes, and sample sizes to better inform the design of future trials.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library for primary publications of phase 3 randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind acute migraine treatment trials that used pain freedom and MBS freedom as primary or planned secondary endpoints. For each endpoint, placebo response rates were determined and used to generate estimates of sample size, assuming differences between placebo and active treatment groups of 10%, 15%, and 20%. Sample size calculations were based on 80% power using a 2‐group continuity corrected chi‐square test with a 5% 2‐sided significance level.ResultsWe identified abstracts or full‐length papers describing results of 8 clinical trials employing the new co‐primary endpoints. The mean placebo response rate for 2‐hour pain freedom was 16.75% (range 11.8‐21.3%) and treatment effect (difference in response rates between active and placebo groups) ranged from 5.0% to 27.2%. For 2‐hour MBS freedom, the mean placebo response rate was 32.8% (range 25.2‐48.1%), and the range of treatment effect was 8.9% to 25.4%. Based on a placebo response rate of 17% for pain freedom, the sample sizes that would have been required to achieve statistical significance were n = 269, n = 128, and n = 77, for treatment effect sizes of 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. For MBS, assuming a placebo response rate of 33%, the corresponding required sample sizes would have been n = 389, n = 181, and n = 105.ConclusionsThe observed range of placebo response and treatment effect sizes suggests that use of the newly recommended 2 co‐primary endpoints could reduce the sample sizes required to achieve significance compared with past trials using 4 primary endpoints (in which mean and median group sizes for recent trials were 375 and 362, respectively). However, the initial trials using the newly recommended co‐primary endpoints tended to treat more participants than would have been minimally required. We anticipate that with the growing body of information regarding the use of these new endpoints, samples sizes may be more aligned with treatment efficacy, enabling faster and more cost‐effective trials for acute migraine treatment.

Survey of Behavioral Indices of Welfare in Research Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the United States.

Chimpanzees demand specialized housing and care and the highest degree of attention to animal welfare. The current project used a survey method to collate information on chimpanzee housing and behavioral indices of welfare across all 6 of the chimpanzee research facilities in the United States. Data were compiled on 701 chimpanzees ranging from 2 to 62 y old (mean age, 26.0 y). All chimpanzees except for one were socially housed; the median group size was 7 animals, and group sizes ranged from 1 to 14. All of the subjects had access to outdoor spaces each day. Daily access to a natural substrate in the chimpanzee's enclosure was available for 63.8% of the subjects. Overall, 94.1% of the chimpanzees used tools to acquire food, 48.1% built nests, 75.8% copulated, and 83.3% initiated grooming bouts. The following atypical behaviors were reported most often: rocking (13.0%), coprophagy (10.0%), and stereotyped behaviors other than rocking (9.4%). There was widespread evi- dence of positive animal training techniques, with nearly all (97.7%) subjects reported to generally voluntarily cooperate with shifting in their enclosure, and 72.2% were reported to present for an injection of anesthetic. We include some comparison between these findings and data describing zoo-housed chimpanzees. In addition, we discuss survey findings in reference to recommendations made by the NIH Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-supported Research. The current survey assessed a larger sample of chimpanzees living under human care than has been published previously. This broad analysis can help to guide future improvements in behavioral management to address behavioral problems or deficits.

Description of social contacts among student cases of pandemic influenza during the containment phase, Melbourne, Australia, 2009.

IntroductionStudents comprised the majority of early cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Melbourne, Australia. Students and school settings were targeted for public health interventions following the emergence of pH1N1. This study was conducted to describe changes in social contacts among the earliest confirmed student cases of pH1N1 in Melbourne, Australia, to inform future pandemic control policy and explore transmission model assumptions.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional behavioural study of student cases with laboratory-confirmed pH1N1 between 28 April and 3 June 2009 was conducted in 2009. Demographics, symptom onset dates and detailed information on regular and additional extracurricular activities were collected. Summary measures for activities were calculated, including median group size and median number of close contacts and attendance during the students’ exposure and infectious periods or during school closures. A multivariable model was used to assess associations between rates of participation in extracurricular activities and both school closures and students’ infectious periods.ResultsAmong 162 eligible cases, 99 students participated. Students reported social contact in both curricular and extra-curricular activities. Group size and total number of close contacts varied. While participation in activities decreased during the students’ infectious periods and during school closures, social contact was common during periods when isolation was advised and during school closures.DiscussionThis study demonstrates the potential central role of young people in pandemic disease transmission given the level of non-adherence to prevention and control measures. These finding have public health implications for both informing modelling estimates of future pandemics and targeting prevention and control strategies to young people.

Aspects of the ecology of killer whale (Orcinus orca Linn.) groups in the near-shore waters of Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island

Occurrences of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the waters surrounding Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island have been recorded since the 1820s; however, their presence only became the focus of scientific research in the mid-1990s. The analyses of sightings data collected from the island between 1986 and 2015 are presented herein. The study provides evidence of a relationship between killer whale sighting probability and seasonal prey availability. Killer whales were present at the island year-round with a distinct seasonal peak in November–December, and coincident with a peak in occurrence of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) due to breeding season activity, particularly the dispersal of weaned pups. Supporting this association and killer whales’ top-down influence on the survival of juvenile and adult southern elephant seals, pinnipeds accounted for 79% of prey identified, with weaned southern elephant seal pups contributing over a quarter of feeding events observed in the near-shore environment. Fur seals and penguins were also identified as prey. Killer whale groups had a median group size of three individuals, and groups of three to five individuals were most often observed feeding/milling in near-shore waters. The largest range in group sizes were observed during their peak occurrence in early summer, particularly in the number of sub-adult and female whales per group. Adult males made up 75% of single occurrences, and singletons were most often observed travelling. Overall, the ecology of killer whales at Macquarie Island was similar to that of killer whales studied at other Sub-Antarctic locations, with comparable seasonality, behaviour, diet, and group structure. Much remains to be learnt regarding the seasonal movements of whales and their diet at other times of year, their relationship to killer whales sighted in coastal Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic ecosystems, and impact on diet from commercial fisheries operations and fluctuating prey populations.

Social associations and vocal communication in wild and captive male savannah elephants Loxodonta africana

Abstract Despite growing evidence that males often associate in all‐male groups, there has been no review of male savannah elephant Loxodonta africana social relationships or of the use of vocal communication within these male groups. We assess the evidence for all‐male group formation and for the use of vocal communication by males throughout the savannah elephant range of southern and eastern Africa, as well as in ex‐situ studies of captive animals. We derived data from two quantitative reviews of the published literature, for associations and for vocalisations, respectively. We supplemented these structured reviews with searches for books and of bibliographies. We compiled evidence from 30 studies on associative groups, and found that group size was the most commonly reported variable (mean group size reported 2–4.9; range reported 2–40 when excluding studies that included lone males). We found 22 studies reporting evidence of vocal communication in males. A total of four studies were retrieved from both searches, indicating that these areas of research may overlap. We found that male elephants are frequently reported to be in groups, throughout their range and over time, although the groups are small: median group size was three. The diversity of male savannah elephant group sizes may indicate the behavioural flexibility of the species. It could also represent a lack of studies focusing on males. We found a paucity of research on male vocal communication (5% of studies were concentrated solely on male bioacoustics), particularly in natural settings, and few studies reported the social context or role of male vocal signals outside of musth. We see great scope for future research at the important intersection between male elephant associations and vocal communication, including research on the role of vocalisations in mediating all‐male associations.

The Occurrence and Individual Identification Study of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose DolphinsTursiops aduncusin the Waters Around Amami Oshima Island, Southern Japan: A preliminary Report

Abstract. Surveys for the occurrence, distribution, and individual identification of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus were conducted around Amami Oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan from 2007 to 2013. The dolphins were primarily distributed in the areas where the survey effort was concentrated, particularly in Oshima Strait and on the western coast of the Island. In total, 33 groups of dolphins were encountered with a median group size of 8 (range: 1–50 individuals). The group size in Oshima Strait was significantly smaller than that recorded off the western coast. A total of 100 individuals were identified from photographs taken by the survey cruise and local residents with the cumulative number of identified individuals increasing over time and with no indication of saturation being reached. Thus, the population size of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the waters around Amami Oshima Island was probably larger than that indicated by the present study; hence, photo-identificatio...

Infectious Disease and Grouping Patterns in Mule Deer.

Infectious disease dynamics are determined, to a great extent, by the social structure of the host. We evaluated sociality, or the tendency to form groups, in Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) from a chronic wasting disease (CWD) endemic area in Saskatchewan, Canada, to better understand factors that may affect disease transmission. Using group size data collected on 365 radio-collared mule deer (2008–2013), we built a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to evaluate whether factors such as CWD status, season, habitat and time of day, predicted group occurrence. Then, we built another GLMM to determine factors associated with group size. Finally, we used 3 measures of group size (typical, mean and median group sizes) to quantify levels of sociality. We found that mule deer showing clinical signs of CWD were less likely to be reported in groups than clinically healthy deer after accounting for time of day, habitat, and month of observation. Mule deer groups were much more likely to occur in February and March than in July. Mixed-sex groups in early gestation were larger than any other group type in any season. Groups were largest and most likely to occur at dawn and dusk, and in open habitats, such as cropland. We discuss the implication of these results with respect to sociobiology and CWD transmission dynamics.

Systemic glucocorticoid therapy and adrenal insufficiency in adults: A systematic review.

ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic literature review was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the prevalence of, time to recovery from, and influence of glucocorticoid dose and duration on glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency (AI).MethodsEligible studies were original research articles, which included adult patients with an indication for glucocorticoids and measured adrenal function following exposure to systemic glucocorticoids. Searches were performed in Web of Science and MEDLINE, with further articles identified from reference lists. Screening was performed in duplicate. Data were extracted for each group of glucocorticoid-exposed patients within eligible studies. The reported proportion of patients with AI was summarized as median and inter-quartile range. Results were then stratified by daily dose, cumulative dose, duration of exposure and time since last glucocorticoid use. The risk of bias within and across studies was considered: for randomised controlled trials risk of bias was assessed using the tool developed by the Cochrane Collaboration.ResultsOverall, 73 eligible studies were identified out of 673 screened. The percentage of patients with AI ranged from 0% to 100% with a median (IQR) = 37.4% (13–63%). Studies were small—median (IQR) group size 16 (9–38)—and heterogeneous in methodology. AI persisted in 15% of patients retested 3 years after glucocorticoid withdrawal. Results remained widely distributed following stratification. AI was demonstrated at <5 mg prednisolone equivalent dose/day, <4 weeks of exposure, cumulative dose <0.5 g, and following tapered withdrawal.ConclusionsThe heterogeneity of studies and variability in results make it difficult to answer the research questions with confidence based on the current literature. There is evidence of AI following low doses and short durations of glucocorticoids. Hence, clinicians should be vigilant for adrenal insufficiency at all degrees of glucocorticoid exposure.

Managing more than the mean: using quantile regression to identify factors related to large elk groups

Summary Animal group size distributions are often right‐skewed, whereby most groups are small, but most individuals occur in larger groups that may also disproportionately affect ecology and policy. In this case, examining covariates associated with upper quantiles of the group size distribution could facilitate better understanding and management of large animal groups.We studied wintering elk groups in Wyoming, where group sizes span several orders of magnitude, and issues of disease, predation and property damage are affected by larger group sizes. We used quantile regression to evaluate relationships between the group size distribution and variables of land use, habitat, elk density and wolf abundance to identify conditions important to larger elk groups.We recorded 1263 groups ranging from 1 to 1952 elk and found that across all quantiles of group size, group sizes were larger in open habitat and on private land, but the largest effect occurred between irrigated and non‐irrigated land [e.g. the 90th quantile group size increased by 135 elk (95% CI = 42, 227) on irrigation].Only upper quantile group sizes were positively related to broad‐scale measures of elk density and wolf abundance. For wolf abundance, this effect was greater on elk groups found in open habitats and private land than those in closed habitats or public land. If we had limited our analysis to mean or median group sizes, we would not have detected these effects. Synthesis and applications. Our analysis of elk group size distributions using quantile regression suggests that private land, irrigation, open habitat, elk density and wolf abundance can affect large elk group sizes. Thus, to manage larger groups by removal or dispersal of individuals, we recommend incentivizing hunting on private land (particularly if irrigated) during the regular and late hunting seasons, promoting tolerance of wolves on private land (if elk aggregate in these areas to avoid wolves) and creating more winter range and varied habitats. Relationships to the variables of interest also differed by quantile, highlighting the importance of using quantile regression to examine response variables more completely to uncover relationships important to conservation and management.

Aerial surveys for pack-ice seals along the Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coasts, East Antarctica

We conducted aerial surveys in the austral summer of 2009-2010 to count and record the spatial distribution patterns of pack-ice seals hauled-out along the Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid coast of East Antarctica. A total of 3,601 hauled-out seals were counted from six aerial surveys totalling a length of approx. 1,200km, with each survey lasting about two hours. Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddellii was the most commonly sighted species in both the areas surveyed (98.2%), and had an encounter rate of 2.9 seals/km. The other species encountered during the survey were Crabeater Seal Lobodon carcinophaga (1.7%) and Leopard Seal Hydrurga leptonyx (0.03%). Group size of hauled-out Weddell Seals varied considerably and ranged from solitary to maximum of 42 individuals. The median group size of Weddell seals hauled-out along the Ingrid Christenson Coast was found to be significantly different between the December 2009 and January 2010 survey. Further, along this coast Weddell Seals were found hauled-out mainly close to the ice shelf and their spatial distribution appeared to be influenced by the extent of sea ice in the area.

Changes in grouping patterns of saiga antelope in relation to intrinsic and environmental factors in Mongolia

AbstractFactors that affect group sizes in large ungulates are generally poorly understood for species from remote regions. Understanding grouping patterns is important for effective species management, but is lacking for the endangered Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica). We studied seasonal changes in the group size and social structure of saigas in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors in western Mongolia during 2009–2012. To identify group size and composition, we observed saigas monthly while conducting monitoring surveys, and weekly while tracking radio‐collared animals. We observed 9268 individuals; median group size was 6.5 (se = 1.7; range = 1–121), and groups of 1–5 animals were most common. Seasonality exerted strong effects with the smallest groups in June and largest in December. The largest mixed and nursery groups formed during pre‐rutting and summer seasons, respectively, but no seasonal differences were detected for bachelor groups. The best fitting model, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, predation rate and season as covariates, explained ∼76% of the variation in monthly ‘typical’ group size. Our results are concordant with studies of other arid‐adapted ungulates and suggest vegetation productivity, predation rate and biological cycles are responsible for saiga grouping patterns in Mongolia.

Assessing variability in neurointerventional practice patterns for acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundIntra-arterial therapy (IAT) is increasingly used to treat patients with acute stroke with large vessel occlusions. There are minimal data and guidelines for treatment indications and performance standards. We aimed...

Seasonal changes in group size and composition of Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica Thomas, 1897 during a period of drought in central western Saudi Arabia

Abstract Group size variations of the Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica were studied during a period of drought at the Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area in central western Saudi Arabia. Significant differences in median group sizes were observed between all seasons except summer. Single animals were observed mainly during summer while group sizes exceeding 10 individuals were observed mainly during winter. Solitary male and female groups were typically observed during winter and mixed groups mainly during the autumn rutting period. Most mixed groups were two to four times larger during winter than summer. The adult sex ratio (male: female) for all seasons combined was in parity and highest during autumn (1:1.23), probably as a result of prolonged drought conditions. The variability in group structure related to environmental conditions may be one factor permitting G. s. marica to adapt to hyper-arid habitats and climatic regimes in central western Saudi Arabia. The value of continuous monitoring of the gazelle population is emphasised for this drought prone region.

Basic life support refresher training of nurses: Individual training and group training are equally effective

Basic life support (BLS) skills of hospital nurses are often poor. We compared individual BLS refresher training (IT; one instructor to one trainee) with group refresher training (GT; one instructor to six trainees). We hypothesised that IT would result in better skill acquisition and retention. Nurses from non-critical care wards (n=120) were randomised to IT or GT. Skills were assessed by a 3 min BLS test on a computerised manikin (Laerdal, Norway) immediately before training (T0), immediately after training (T1), and 10 months after training (T2). Results are expressed as median and [interquartile range]. The study was completed by 103 nurses (IT 56, GT 47). For GT the median group size was 5 [4-5]. The median duration of IT was 20 [17-21] min. The median duration of GT was 90 [84-95] or 19 min per trainee. Baseline skills did not differ between GT and IT, except for less compressions with correct depth for IT. At T1 and T2 there were no clinically significant differences between GT and IT for number of ventilations, ventilation volume, number of compressions, compression depth, compression rate and hands off time. Total instructor time was similar for IT and GT training strategies. There was no difference in IT and GT immediately and 10 months after training. However, training time per nurse for IT was only one fifth, whereas total instructor time did not increase. Although not superior in outcome, IT may be a cost-effective alternative for GT.

ASSESSING KILLER WHALE PREDATION ON STELLER SEA LIONS FROM FIELD OBSERVATIONS IN KENAI FJORDS, ALASKA

AbstractThe behavioral and predatory patterns of Gulf of Alaska (GOA) transient killer whales (Orcinus orca) were studied between 2000 and 2005 using remote video and vessel‐based observations near the Chiswell Island Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) rookery and in the broader Kenai Fjords (KF) region of the northern GOA. GOA transient killer whales were observed on 118 d over the 6‐yr period; the median group size was two (range: 1–9). Nine predation events were observed from vessels and an additional sixteen were inferred from remote video studies; all involved Steller sea lions. Estimates from field observations suggest that fifty‐nine sea lions were consumed over the summer seasons of 2002–2005; whereas estimates based on published caloric requirements of transient killer whales would suggest a loss of 103 sea lions over the same time period. GOA transients spent a large proportion (43%) of their time resting which may be a strategy for conserving energy. Predation on sea lion pups at the Chiswell Island rookery was greatest during years when a single killer whale was foraging alone and when a 1.5‐yr‐old calf was evidently being trained to handle prey. Predation on pups was low during years when killer whales were foraging in groups and were observed and presumed to be taking mostly juvenile sea lions. Our study suggests that GOA transients are having a minor effect on the recovery of Steller sea lions in the GOA.