Sites In May Research Articles

Mapping habitat suitability of invasive crayfish in aridland riverscapes: Virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis) in the Lower Colorado River Basin, USA

Correlative species distribution modeling (SDM) is an important tool to predict distributions of invasive species. A unique challenge of implementing SDMs in aridland stream networks is identifying which streams are perennial and which of those offer suitable habitat for obligate aquatic species. Here, we map perennial streams and habitat suitability of invasive virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis) in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB) in the southwestern USA, and quantify drivers of uncertainty in these projections. First, we surveyed F. virilis at 122 stream sites in May–July of 2021, 2022, and 2023. We then implemented an ensemble of SDMs fit using combinations of randomly drawn sites, categories of environmental covariates measured at different spatial scales, survey years, and statistical algorithms. Next, we used open-source street view images from May–July of 2022 and 2023 to assess dry-wet status at 326 road-stream intersections and the same ensemble framework to map perennial stream reaches. Lastly, we quantified drivers of variation in predictive accuracy and mapped habitat suitability across replicates. Median true skill statistic (TSS) across F. virilis replicates was 0.613 and habitat suitability was highest in mountain ecoregions and lowest in desert ecoregions. Of the 130,847 stream km in the LCRB, we estimate 29,078 km (22.2 %) have wetted channels during the May–June dry season and median 50.3 % of these perennial streams provide suitable habitat for F. virilis. The statistical algorithm was the strongest driver of TSS variation across replicates, whereas the spatial scale at which covariates were measured was the strongest driver of variation in mapped habitat suitability across replicates. We confirm the widespread invasion of F. virilis throughout the LCRB, particularly in perennial mountain streams. The modest predictive accuracy highlights the generalistic niche of F. virilis. Overall, we demonstrate that spatiotemporally comprehensive datasets combined with ensemble modeling can guide management at regional extents.

Hurricane Irma Linked to Coral Skeletal Density Shifts on the Florida Keys Reef Tract.

Coral reefs are at risk due to various global and local anthropogenic stressors that impact the health of reef ecosystems worldwide. The most recent climate models predict that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of tropical storms. This increased storm occurrence and strength will likely compromise coral reef structures and habitats for reef-dwelling organisms, including across the Florida Keys Reef Tract (FKRT), the most extensive tropical reef system along the US coast. While several recent studies reveal the chronic impacts of tropical storms on corals, relatively little is known about the effects of major storm events on coral growth and how these effects vary over spatiotemporal scales. Here, I characterize the skeletal growth of two common Caribbean reef-building coral species, Siderastrea siderea and Pseudodiploria strigosa, before and after Hurricane Irma to investigate the storm's impact on coral skeletal growth on inner and outer reefs of the FKRT. Coral cores were extracted from both species at four inner and four outer reef sites in May 2015, before Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys in September 2017. Subsequently, 33 micro-cores were collected in May 2019, two years after the storm traversed our previously cored coral colonies. A three-way ANOVA model with storm, species, and reef location as the three factors was used to assess the impact of the storm on each of three growth parameters: skeletal density, linear extension, and calcification rates. Results reveal no difference in the coral annual skeletal growth parameters pre- and post-Hurricane Irma, although previously quantified differences in these growth parameters across species and location were observed. However, analysis of the "yearly" change in annual skeletal growth parameters showed significant differences in skeletal density across groups before and after Hurricane Irma, but not for linear extension and calcification rates. Our findings improve an understanding of the impacts of tropical storms on coral skeletal growth and offer new insights into how we can employ corals' innate growth capacities to help conserve coral reefs under climate change.

Interruptions in bladder cancer care during the COVID-19 public health emergency

BackgroundAcademic and community urology centers participating in a pragmatic clinical trial in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer completed monthly surveys assessing restrictions in aspects of bladder cancer care due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Our objective was to describe pandemic-related restrictions on bladder cancer care. MethodsWe invited 32 sites participating in a multicenter pragmatic bladder cancer trial to complete monthly surveys distributed through REDCap beginning in May 2020. These surveys queried sites on whether they were experiencing restrictions in the use of elective surgery, transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT), radical cystectomy, office cystoscopy, and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) availability. Responses were collated with descriptive statistics. ResultsOf 32 eligible sites, 21 sites had at least a 50% monthly response rate over the study period and were included in the analysis. Elective surgery was paused at 76% of sites in May 2020, 48% of sites in January 2021, and 52% of sites in January 2022. Over those same periods, coinciding with COVID-19 incidence waves, TURBT was restricted at 10%, 14%, and 14% of sites, respectively, radical cystectomy was restricted at 10%, 14%, and 19% of sites, respectively, and cystoscopy was restricted at 33%, 0%, and 10% of sites, respectively. ConclusionsBladder cancer care was minimally restricted compared with more pronounced restrictions seen in general elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of land use pattern on water quality under different riparian buffer zone scales in Gaya River Basin, Northeast China

River water quality is influenced by land use and landscape distribution patterns. Quantifying the relationship between land use, landscape pattern and water quality factor at different riparian buffer zone scales is of great significance for rational land use planning and water quality improvement. Based on water quality data from 91 sites in May 2021 in the Gaya River Basin, we analyzed the spatial characteristics of land use types and landscape patterns at the riparian buffer zone scales. With redundancy analysis (RDA) and generalized additive models (GAM), we examined the effects of land use and landscape patterns on river water quality. The results showed that water quality was primarily impacted by total nitrogen (TN). Farmland was the dominant land use type at riparian buffer zone of 50, 100 and 500 m. The sampling sites were classified into farmland dominant group and farmland other group. Forest was dominant at riparian buffer zone of 1000, 1500, 2000 m, and the sampling sites were classified into forest dominant group and forest other group. 100 m riparian buffer zone was the strongest scale in the Gaya River, and 1000 m was the second. Land use types in the forest dominant group were closely related with electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, permanganate index and ammonium (NH4+-N) of water. NH4+-N was positively correlated with proportion of forest and farmland area. Phosphate was significantly affected by Shannon diversity index (SHDI). SHDI and largest patch index (LPI) was the key landscape indices affecting permanganate index. TN was significantly impacted by area proportion of forest, grassland and LPI in farmland dominant group, showing decreasing trend with the area proportion of forest increasing from 8% to 40%. Total suspended solids in farmland other group were significantly correlated with proportion of farmland area, while negatively correlated with proportion of forest area. Water quality in the Gaya River was mainly affected by proportion of forest area, followed by proportion of farmland area. The combined effects of LPI, SHDI and other land use types played an important role in affecting water quality.

Tuberculosis-loop-mediated isothermal amplification implementation in Cameroon: Challenges, lessons learned and recommendations

BackgroundUntil 2016, microscopy was the main tool for the early detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cameroon, especially in remote settings. Due to the poor sensitivity of microscopy, there was a need to implement a molecular assay in order to improve tuberculosis case detection.InterventionIn 2017, tuberculosis loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP), a molecular rapid diagnostic test recommended by the World Health Organization, was implemented in Cameroon as a replacement test of microscopy for initial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and also as a follow-on test to microscopy for smear-negative sputum specimens. A roll out plan for TB-LAMP implementation in Cameroon had been developed from January 2017 to April 2017, followed by initial implementation at four sites in May 2017. Additional sites were added progressively.Lessons learntThe use of TB-LAMP as a follow-on test to microscopy for smear-negative sputum specimens helped in the detection of tuberculosis in 14.77% of those who were sputum-smear negative in 2019. Tuberculosis-loop-mediated isothermal amplification usage as an initial test, followed by testing with Xpert MTB/RIF for rapid tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance detection during tuberculosis mass screening campaigns, reduced the turn-around time by 73.23% as compared to when the Gene Xpert instrument was used alone.RecommendationsThe implementation and scaling up of TB-LAMP in Cameroon contributed to increase access to tuberculosis molecular diagnosis in remote settings and as such improved tuberculosis case notification. However, to better enhance this notification and optimise the use of a TB-LAMP instrument, a suitable sample transport system is recommended.

Rotavirus infection among children under five years of age hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Myanmar during 2018–2020 – Multicentre surveillance before rotavirus vaccine introduction

BackgroundRotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under-five worldwide, with the majority of mortality in lower -income countries. This study aimed to provide baseline information on epidemiology of rotavirus and circulating strains before rotavirus vaccine introduction in Myanmar. MethodsHospital-based, prospective surveillance was conducted from May 2018 to January 2020 at four sentinel sites; two hospitals in Lower Myanmar, one hospital each in Middle Myanmar and East Myanmar. Children under five years of age hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis were enrolled; demographic and clinical data were collected. Stool samples were screened by ELISA (ProSpecT™ Rotavirus, OXOID-UK) for rotavirus antigen and a subset of ELISA positive samples were genotyped by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ResultsRotavirus was detected in 45.7% (799/1750) of cases enrolled at three sites in May 2018–April 2019 and 42.5% (521/1227) at four sites in May 2019–January 2020. RVGE cases were predominantly male (58.7%; 775/1320) and 92.6% (1223/1320) of RVGE cases occurred in <2 years old. Rotavirus detection was higher in the cold and dry season (November–April). RVGE compared to non-RVGE cases had more frequent vomiting (78.3% Vs 68.1%, p < 0.01), fever (65.8% Vs 61.3%, p = 0.01), severe dehydration (3.6% Vs 2.1%, p < 0.01) and requirement of treatment by IV fluid (58.3% Vs 53.1%, p < 0.01). The most prevalent genotypes identified were G1P[6] (113/359, 31.5%), G1P[8] (94/359, 26.2%) and G2P[4] (33/359, 9.2%). ConclusionsThis study confirms the persistent high prevalence of RVGE among children under-five admitted to hospitals in different parts of Myanmar and the diversity of rotavirus strains over time prior to vaccine introduction. The rotavirus vaccine was introduced nationwide in February 2020 in Myanmar and these data will be important baseline data for post-vaccination monitoring of vaccine impact and circulating strains.

HEAT FLOW DYNAMICS OF THE NORTHERN DVINA RIVER

Based on the results of numerical calculations of the heat flow volume in the Northern Dvina River, two time periods of changes in the characteristic were identified. Changes in the thermal runoff over time proved to be heterogeneous, which is consistent with the results obtained for water temperature over the ice-free period. The two time periods in the heat flow regime of the Northern Dvina catchment were distinguished by changes in the near-surface air temperature, namely, a slight cooling from 1950 to 1975 and intense warming from 1976 to the present. The integral curve of average annual discharge through the Northern Dvina outlet gauging station at Ust-Pinega village was plotted for the period from 1950 to 2015, showing values exceeding the mean in the period starting 1976. An increase in the water temperature values over the ice-free period has been observed for all the observation sites since 1976. The average monthly volumes of heat flow during the ice-free period (May–October) were calculated for the two periods, showing that since 1976 the values were elevated at all sites in May and at most sites in July– October, whereas June heat flow was lower at all sites. The features of heat flow volume variation at the Ust-Pinega outlet are highlighted. The trend lines were declining in the first period and rising in the second period. Hence, the thermal regime of the Northern Dvina River flow changes more or less in line with the climate change, in particular its warming in the north.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Poland.

May Measurement Month 2019 is the third edition of a global initiative organized by the International Society of Hypertension aimed at raising awareness of hypertension and the need for blood pressure (BP) screening. We present data analysis from Poland. To evaluate the potential of opportunistic BP measurements as a tool for cardiovascular disease prevention programmes. To collect new country data for further annual comparisons. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in 201 sites in May 2019. BP was measured in 7072 subjects (mean age: 54 ± 15 years; 62.3% females). After multiple imputation, the age- and sex-standardized systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was 125.4/78.5 mmHg in the whole group, 133.3/82.8 mmHg in individuals on antihypertensive medication and 123.3/77.7 mmHg in those not taking antihypertensive drugs. The proportion of subjects with high BP (≥140/90 mmHg) were 41.8% in subjects taking antihypertensive drugs, and 19.6% in those not taking any antihypertensive drugs. Overall, hypertension was present in 55.4% of participants (3917 out of 7072), of whom 83.0% were aware of their diagnosis. 80.4% of hypertensives were taking antihypertensive medication. 46.7% of all hypertensives had BP controlled to target (<140/90 mmHg). Higher BP correlated with body mass index and age but not tobacco smoking. SBP but not DBP was higher in diabetic participants. These data provide evidence on the current epidemiology of hypertension and may serve as a source of information to introduce primary and secondary prevention programmes to reduce cardiovascular risk in Poland.

Targeted survey for the eastern quoll (

Following the report of a photograph of an eastern quoll in 2013 from the Nungatta area, near Eden in southern New South Wales, we investigated whether the species may persist in the area. This involved reviewing existing wildlife records, speaking to landholders and ecologists who have recently surveyed the area, and performing a targeted survey totalling 1893 camera-nights across 59 sites in May–July 2019 in the general vicinity of the sighting. We were not able to independently verify the presence of a wild population as no additional record of an eastern quoll was obtained.

Spatio-temporal variation of microphytoplankton communities in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea

Abstract The abundance and distribution of microphyto-plankton and related physicochemical factors were assessed monthly in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea. Sampling was carried out near the entrance, the middle and end parts of the creek. During the course of the present study, the Red Sea was characterized by predominantly oligotrophic conditions. Nutrient concentrations were relatively higher in the end part of the creek compared to the two other study sites. Chlorophyll a was also low throughout the year (average: 0.35 ± 0.32 mg m−3), except in May when it showed clear peaks at open-water and middle sites of the creek (1.85 and 1.04 mg m−3, respectively). Phytoplankton abundance followed a similar pattern to that of chlorophyll a with considerably higher abundance at these sites in May (3063.27 × 103 and 1082.34 × 103 individuals m−3, respectively). This unusually higher abundance was mostly due to the proliferation of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia cf. delicatissima (Cleve) Heiden. Silicate concentrations were statistically significantly correlated with total phytoplankton. A total of 220 phytoplankton species were recorded during the study period (117 diatoms, 99 dinoflagellates and four cyanophytes). Diatoms dominated in the phytoplankton abundance (75%) and were followed by dinoflagellates (20%), while cyanophytes accounted for a minimal proportion. Of all phytoplankton species observed during the study, 21 diatom and four dinoflagellate species were considered as new records for the Red Sea, and two diatom and 14 dinoflagellate species were listed as harmful algal species worldwide.

Soil biological response to multi-species cover crops in the Northern Great Plains

Farmers in semi-arid regions are experimenting with cover crop mixtures as partial summer fallow replacement, with the goal of increasing soil biological activity. We compared extracellular enzyme activity, microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) and mycorrhizal colonization levels after growing cover crops comprised of one or four functional groups. We asked whether cover crops can alter those soil processes and components relative to fallow during the cash crop growing season, and whether a cover crop mixture (CCM) will have a greater impact than a single-species legume green manure (LGM) after one and two rotations with wheat. Cover crops were planted at two sites in Montana April 2012 and May 2014, and at two additional sites in May 2013, and April 2015, terminated at each site approximately 60 days after seeding. Wheat was the cash crop for the following growing season. Cover crop treatments included a fallow control, a sole pea LGM, and a FULL mix consisting of eight species, with two species of each of four functional groups. Four additional treatments of single functional groups were compared following the second rotation of cover crops. The geometric mean of soil enzyme activity increased after cover crops relative to fallow (1.1–1.3 fold) at two sites after the first rotation, and by 1.1–1.4 fold after the second rotation at three sites. At the fourth site, the geometric mean of the FULL mix was greater than LGM or fallow by 1.4 and 1.5 fold. The response of individual enzymes was less consistent. Microbial biomass and PMN increased after LGM and/or FULL at three of eight site-years, by 1.2–1.7 for microbial biomass and 1.6–2.1 for PMN. Mycorrhizal colonization of wheat increased in at least one cover crop treatment relative to fallow at four of six site-years, and decreased in cover crops relative to fallow at one site. There were no differences in soil biological traits measured among single-functional-group treatments. Soil biological parameters were correlated with cover crop biomass in 7 of 16 comparisons at two sites after one rotation. After two rotations, 5 of 8 soil parameters were correlated with cover crop biomass at one site, with no correlations for the remaining sites. Precipitation declined 30–50 % from the first rotations at those three sites. Positive effects of cover crops on soil biological parameters in semi-arid systems may be measurable only when environmental conditions do not limit growth.

Risk Toplumu Bağlamında Covid-19 Haberlerine Yönelik Bir İnceleme

Yaşam varolduğundan beri insanoğlu farklı biçimlerde çeşitli risklerle karşılaşmışlardır. İlk çağlarda doğa şartlarına karşı savunmasız olan insanlar birlikte yaşamaya başlayarak ve çeşitli önlemler alarak bu risklere karşı durmaya çalışmıştır. Teknik anlamda yaşanan gelişmelerle birlikte farklı riskler ortaya çıkmış ve mücadele konusunda da yine bilime başvurulmuştur. İlkel topluluklardan modern toplumlara kadar geçen dönemde büyük bilimsel gelişmeler yaşansa da gelinen noktada bu gelişmelerin sorunları da beraberinde getirdiği görülmektedir. Özellikle son iki yüzyılda yaşanan sanayi alanında gelişmeler ve büyük dünya savaşları teknolojik gelişimi hızlandırmış dünya hiç olmadığı kadar risklerle dolu bir yer olmuştur. Bu kapsamda Alman akademisyen Ulrich Beck içinde yaşanılan dönemi Risk Toplumu olarak adlandırmaktadır. Özellikle son dönemde tüm dünyada yaşanan Covid-19 salgını Beck’in kuramını ve endişelerini haklı çıkarır niteliktedir. Bu bağlamda çalışmada Beck’in Risk Toplumu bağlamında Covid-19 haberlerinin internet haber organlarında temsiline odaklanılmıştır. Çalışmada Hürriyet ve Sözcü gazetelerinin haber siteleri nitel ve nicel içerik analizi tekniği ile incelenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular SPSS paket programı ve Maxqda nitel veri analiz programlarında analiz edilmiştir. Buna göre ilgili haber sitelerinde mayıs ayı içerisinde sunulan haberlerde kamuoyunu bilgilendirmeye yönelik haberlerin sıklığı dikkat çekmektedir.

Use of restored floodplains by fishes of the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico, USA

AbstractNearly 1600 ha of habitat have been restored at 300 floodplain sites of the Middle Rio Grande (MRG), New Mexico, USA, as part of a cooperative effort of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program to conserve the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (RGSM). These riverside sites are designed to inundate during spring run‐off and create ephemeral habitats for other aquatic and riparian species. This study of four restored floodplain sites in May–June 2017 found that of 14 fish species captured with fyke nets, common carp (41%), red shiner (32%), RGSM (16%) and white sucker (9%) dominated total numbers. Adult RGSM included 42% gravid females, 36% ripe males and 22% spent females, suggesting that this endangered species was spawning in and near these floodplains. Larval sampling also showed that restored sites and adjacent mainstem banklines were being used as nursery habitats, where RGSM larvae dominated six and nine species with 80% and 74% of total numbers, respectively. System‐wide proportions of RGSM larvae by phase suggest that larvae leave the floodplains and move to mainstem banklines beginning as late mesolarvae and metalarvae (14–22 days post‐hatch), and most depart by the juvenile stage. Altogether, 15 fish species were encountered in restored floodplain sites in 2017, compared to 16 species reported in concurrent annual mainstem monitoring. This study and others show that most fish species of the MRG move onto restored and natural floodplains equally in spring, and many use these habitats for spawning and as larval nurseries.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening campaign results from Poland.

Hypertension remains the most important cardiovascular risk factor in Poland. May Measurement Month is a global initiative organized by the International Society of Hypertension aimed at raising awareness of hypertension and the need for blood pressure (BP) screening and demonstrating the potential of the opportunistic BP measurements. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in 146 sites in May 2018. Blood pressure was measured in 6450 subjects (mean age: 41 ± 15 years; 59% females). After multiple imputation, the age and sex standardized systolic and diastolic BP was 126.7/78.4 mmHg in the whole analysed group, 132.8/81.3 mmHg in subjects taking antihypertensive drugs, and 125.7/78.0 mmHg in those not taking any antihypertensive drugs. After multiple imputation, the proportions of subjects with high BP (systolic ≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg or on treatment for raised BP) were 22.2% in the whole analysed group, 39.2% in subjects taking antihypertensive drugs, and 18.6% those not taking any antihypertensive drugs. Overall, hypertension was present in 32.8% of participants, among them 38.7% were not aware of the disease, 53.1% were taking antihypertensive drugs, and 32.3% had BP controlled to target (<140/90 mmHg). Blood pressure was increasing with increasing body mass index and alcohol intake. Smokers and project participants with diabetes had increased average BP. In conclusion, this project provides additional evidence for a considerable potential for further reduction of cardiovascular risk through improvement in detection and treatment of hypertension in Poland.

Ichthyofauna of the ribeir&amp;atilde;o Sucuri, tributary of rio Tiet&amp;ecirc;, upper rio Paran&amp;aacute; basin, southeastern Brazil

The ribeir&amp;atilde;o Sucuri, a tributary of the rio Tiet&amp;ecirc;, and part of the upper rio Paran&amp;aacute; basin, is located in the municipality&amp;nbsp;of Ponga&amp;iacute;, S&amp;atilde;o Paulo state. The ichthyofauna of ribeir&amp;atilde;o Sucuri was sampled at nine collection sites in May 2018.&amp;nbsp;Our study captured 408 specimens representing five orders, 11 families, and 35 species. Among the species collected,&amp;nbsp;two have not been previously reported from the rio Tiet&amp;ecirc; basin: Eigenmannia guairaca Peixoto, Dutra &amp;amp; Wosiacki,&amp;nbsp;2015 and Hoplias misionera Rosso, Mabraga&amp;ntilde;a, Gonz&amp;aacute;lez-Castro, Delpiani, Avigliano, Schenone &amp;amp; D&amp;iacute;as de Astarloa,&amp;nbsp;2016. Additionally, four species were found that are non-native: Hoplias misionera, Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859,&amp;nbsp;Roeboides descalvadensis Fowler, 1932, and Satanoperca sp. This study represents the first fish inventory of a tributary&amp;nbsp;on the left margin of the Tiet&amp;ecirc;-Batalha sub-basin and only the second for this portion of the rio Tiet&amp;ecirc;. Our results&amp;nbsp;increase to 55 the number of species recorded from this sub-basin and add data on the putative morphological variation&amp;nbsp;in several species.

Synthetic mustelid semiochemicals depress survival of long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus) populations and feeding damage

Microtus and Myodes continue to be major pests in agricultural and forest production in many temperate and boreal ecosystems of North America and Eurasia. However, voles may also be keystone species because of their predator-prey dynamics and feeding linkages in many networks. As an alternative to rodenticides, exploration continues for a suitable fear-based method to reduce vole damage to crops. This study tested the hypotheses (H) that a “neat” formulation of synthetic anal-gland compounds of the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea L.) would reduce (H1) abundance, reproduction, survival, body mass, and movement of long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus Merriam) populations; and (H2) feeding damage to coniferous seedlings by voles in forest plantations. Vole populations were live-trapped on replicate sites from May 2005 to June 2006 during a peak year in abundance near Golden, British Columbia, Canada. Synthetic weasel odour was continually present on treatment sites from June 2005 to June 2006. Overwinter mortality to planted coniferous seedlings from vole feeding was measured on all sites in May–June 2006.Synthetic weasel odour compounds did not reduce mean abundance of M. longicaudus but, in fact, resulted in significantly higher numbers of voles in the treatment sites owing to a major pulse of transient (single capture) animals. Mean number of successful pregnancies and total recruits were also higher in treatment than control sites, but early juvenile survival, movements, and body mass were all similar between control and weasel-odour sites. However, mean Jolly-Seber 28-day total survival rates were higher (2.9–3.9 times) on control than treatment sites for both male and female voles during the overwinter-spring 2005–06 period. Much of the reduced survival was due to transient animals which tended to have a higher proportion of adults to juveniles in treatment than control sites. Some degree of disruption presumably occurred on the treatment sites perhaps owing to increased breeding intensity by females in the face of perceived predation or the presence of various mammalian predators attracted to the weasel odour and preying upon voles. This disruption may be linked to the use of synthetic weasel odour in suitable release devices that maintain the odour even in high quality habitats for voles. Despite the difference in abundance, voles seemed to feed less on plantation trees in the treatment than control sites. If this population disruption is real, we suggest that large-scale (e.g., 10+ ha) application of synthetic weasel odour in areas requiring crop protection from voles would be a worthwhile endeavour. This prediction is particularly germane for M. longicaudus where weasel odour treatment might be able to disrupt substantially their one population fluctuation on newly clearcut sites.

Breeding Biology of the Endangered Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata

The breeding biology of the Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata is described based on the study of the population inhabiting the San Lorenzo Ridge, an Important Bird Area within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. We performed surveys during 2005–2008 and installed 48 nest boxes at four sites in May 2006. Nineteen nesting attempts were recorded: nine were made in nest boxes and ten occurred in natural cavities. Clutches of the Santa Marta Parakeet averaged 4.5 eggs per nest and up to seven eggs were observed in a single cavity. Previously undescribed breeding behaviours are reported for the species: cooperative breeding and replacement clutching. The only natural cavities used for nesting were in dead Wax Palms Ceroxylon ceriferum. This palm is one of the most common and numerous tree species in the San Lorenzo Ridge between 2300–2700 m elevation and key for the species' breeding cycle.

'It's like trying to ice a cake that's not been baked': a qualitative exploration of the contextual factors associated with implementing an evidence-based information intervention for family carers at the end of life.

To explore the introduction of an evidence-based information intervention - the 'Caring for Someone with Cancer' booklet - within home care and end-of-life care, to inform future implementation and practice development within this setting. Family carers' contribution is crucial to enable care and death of people at home. The 'Caring for Someone with Cancer' booklet received positive responses from family carers and District Nurses and is an evidence-based intervention designed to support carers to deliver basic nursing tasks. Further feasibility work was required to establish how it should be implemented. Little is known about how to successfully translate interventions into practice, particularly within home care settings and end-of-life care. Implementation of the 'Caring for Someone with Cancer' booklet, utilising a qualitative case study approach, in four home care sites. Semi-structured interviews, informed by Normalization Process Theory (NPT), were undertaken at implementation sites in May 2016-June 2017. Participants were generalist and specialist nurses, managers, and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs). A framework approach to analysis was adopted. Forty-five members of staff participated. Failed implementation was associated with organisational-level characteristics and conditions, including workforce composition and predictability of processes. Unstable work environments meant home care providers focused on short-term rather than long-term goals, precluding practice development. Staff's perceptions of the time available to engage with and implement the intervention inhibited adoption, as many participants were "just getting through the day". Implementation was successful in sites with explicit management support, including proactive implementation attempts by managers, which legitimatised the change process, and if all staff groups were engaged. To encourage uptake of evidence-based interventions in home care settings, practitioners should be given opportunities to critically reflect upon taken-for-granted practices. Future implementation should focus on work pertaining to the NPT construct 'Collective Action', including how staff interact and build confidence in new practices.

Delineating extent and magnitude of river flooding to lakes across a northern delta using water isotope tracers

AbstractHydrological monitoring in complex, dynamic northern floodplain landscapes is challenging, but increasingly important as a consequence of multiple stressors. The Peace‐Athabasca Delta in northern Alberta, Canada, is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance reliant on episodic river ice‐jam flood events to recharge abundant perched lakes and wetlands. Improved and systematic monitoring of landscape‐scale hydrological connectivity among freshwater ecosystems (rivers, channels, wetlands, and lakes) is needed to guide stewardship decisions in the face of climate change and upstream industrial development. Here, we use water isotope compositions, supplemented by measurements of specific conductivity and field observations, from 68 lakes and 9 river sites in May 2018 to delineate the extent and magnitude of spring ice‐jam induced flooding along the Peace and Athabasca rivers. Lake‐specific estimates of input water isotope composition (δI) were modelled after accounting for influence of evaporative isotopic enrichment. Then, using the distinct isotopic signature of input water sources, we develop a set of binary mixing models and estimate the proportion of input to flooded lakes attributable to river floodwater and precipitation (snow or rain). This approach allowed identification of areas and magnitude of flooding that were not captured by other methods, including direct observations from flyovers, and to demarcate flow pathways in the delta. We demonstrate water isotope tracers as an efficient and effective monitoring tool for delineating spatial extent and magnitude of an important hydrological process and elucidating connectivity in the Peace‐Athabasca Delta, an approach that can be readily adopted at other floodplain landscapes.

Changes in the nitrate concentration of spring water after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake

Quasi-periodic sampling and analysis of spring water were conducted at nine sites to investigate the effects of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake on the major chemical composition, including hydrogen, and oxygen stable isotopic ratios, of spring waters. Transient increases in the concentrations of nitrate in spring waters were observed at seven sites in May 2016, one month after the earthquake. This was the first time that this phenomenon had been observed on such a large scale. The magnitude of the increase in nitrate concentration was 0.7–2.4 mg/L, equivalent to 10%–93% of the concentration before the earthquake. Furthermore, precipitation data showed that heavy rain of over 70 mm/day occurred 5 days after the mainshock. Rainwater is thought to have transported nitrate from shallow underground soil to the groundwater aquifer through cracks caused by strong shaking during the earthquake. Strong shaking also caused damage to the plants, decreasing the amount of nitrate they absorbed, and this is thought to be one of the reasons for the increase in nitrate concentration in the springs.