scholarly journals Multivariate behavioural response of harlequin ducks to aircraft disturbance in Labrador

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. IAN GOUDIE

The effects of low-level aircraft over-flights on behaviour of harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) breeding in central Labrador were quantified during 2000–2002. The Canadian Department of National Defence supports a low-level training programme in the 130 000 km2 Military Training Area of Labrador involving military jets. The Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research (IEMR) undertakes scientific research into environmental impacts of low-level military jet over-flights. A suite of 17 behavioural categories of paired male and female harlequin ducks was modelled, and a canonical variable representing alert behaviour, inactivity on the water and decreased inactivity out of water in response to over-flights represented 73.1% of the variance in the data cluster and provided marked separation of disturbed and undisturbed groups. Behavioural responses of harlequin ducks to military jets were 23 times stronger than their responses to floatplanes, helicopters and military cargo planes, and the significant interaction of aircraft type and noise indicated that noise may be the primary stressor affecting behaviour. A quadratic response of the canonical variable to noise generated from aircraft during standardized 30-minute observation periods was defined. The multivariate analyses were more robust because they indicated covariance in behavioural categories associated with disturbance that was not originally detected in univariate analyses, suggesting the importance of integrating behaviours other than overt responses. The significant effects of military jet over-flights on harlequin duck behaviour emphasize the need to evaluate potential population consequences of aircraft disturbance.

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. IAN GOUDIE ◽  
IAN L. JONES

Concern for the lack of field studies on the effects of low-level military jet over-flights on wildlife resulted in directed research in the Military Training Area of Labrador, 1999–2002. At Fig River, a tributary of the Lower Churchill River, a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design quantified effects of aircraft over-flights on behaviour of individual harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) in the 130 000 km2 Military Training Area of central Labrador. Noise generated from low-level passes (30–100 m above ground level) by military jets was sudden in onset and high in amplitude (>100 dBA), substantially above background sound levels both at Fig Lake outlet (40–50 dBA) and rapid sections of Fig River (60–70 dBA). Harlequin ducks reacted to noise from military jets with alert behaviour, showing a positive dose-response that especially intensified when noise exceeded 80 dBA. Residual effects, in other words, deviations from normal behaviour patterns after initial responses, were decreased courtship behaviour for up to 1.5 h after, and increased agonistic behaviour for up to 2 h after military jet over-flights. Direct behavioural responses to military jet over-flights were of short duration (generally <1 min), and were unlikely to affect critical behaviours such as feeding and resting in the overall time-activity budgets of breeding pairs. However, the presence of residual effects on behaviour implied whole-body stress responses that were potentially more serious; these require further study because they are potentially more detrimental than immediate responses, and may not be detected in studies that focus on readily observed overt responses. A dose-response curve relating particular behaviours of harlequin ducks to associated noise of over-flights could be a valuable conservation tool for the research and mitigation of environmental impacts of aircraft and other noise.


2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Byers

Abstract Compulsory military service took on the most organized, long-term form it has ever had in Canada during the Second World War. But few historians look beyond the politics of conscription to study the creation, administration or impact of a training system that affected more than 150,000 people. Faced with the Mackenzie King government's policy of conscripting manpower only for home defence, and their own need for overseas volunteers, Army leaders used conscripts raised under the National Resources Mobilization Act to meet both purposes. This paper explores the Army's role in creating and administering the compulsory military training system during the war, the pressures put on conscripts to volunteer for overseas service, and the increased resistance to volunteering that resulted by 1944. The consequences of the Army's management of conscription came very much to shape the political events that took place in 1944, and cannot be fully understood outside that context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 166 (5) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Everest ◽  
N Taylor

IntroductionExertional heat illness (EHI) is recognised as a significant problem for fit young individuals taking part in strenuous activity in temperate climates. The aim of this research was to relate episodes of reported EHI against known risk factors for heat illness and determine whether modification of the training programme had an effect on the number of cases reported. Publication was not possible when the work was originally conducted in 2000 because of barriers within Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) at the time.MethodsA retrospective study examined the medical data for Officer Cadets in training at the RMAS for a 2-year period ending April 2000.Results60 cases were initially reported as EHI, in 58 individuals. Using the following criteria; dizziness, collapse, reduced conscious level, headache, nausea, vomiting, elevated core (rectal) temperature and the results of urine and blood tests, 35 cases were diagnosed as EHI and 25 cases had other diagnoses recorded after investigation. Minority of cases (n=12) had an identifiable risk factor but the majority appeared to be fit young individuals who were susceptible to EHI in conditions where the rest of the population was unaffected.DiscussionFurther work is planned to study individuals during strenuous activity events in the hope of accurately identifying those at risk and further reducing the incidence of EHI. EHI is common, case definition is poor, risk factors are not present in all individuals but modification of training programmes is effective.


1986 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Chanfreau-Rona ◽  
Belinda Wylie ◽  
Stuart Bellwood

This paper describes an attempt at retraining continence in elderly psychogeriatric patients using behavioural methods. Thirty patients across four wards were selected and divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent a training programme lasting a total of seven weeks whilst the control group continued with the usual nursing procedure.The results showed no significant differences in frequency of incontinence between the different groups at the end of the programme. However, there were indications that a continence training programme is more likely to be beneficial to those patients who have a low level of incontinence rather than those for whom incontinence is a more severe problem. For these patients, those in the experimental group showed increased levels of incontinence after the training period compared to the control group.


1982 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Cruickshank ◽  
N. F. Lightfoot ◽  
K. H. Sugars ◽  
G. Colman ◽  
M. D. Simmons ◽  
...  

SUMMARYAn outbreak of streptococcal pyoderma in a military institution into which fresh susceptible recruits were regularly introduced involved more than 1300 persons over an eighteen-month period. Two M types were responsible for the great majority of the cases and an attack by one conferred immunity to that strain but not to the other. Lesions varied from trivial to disabling. Epidemiological studies indicated that contact – direct or indirect – through such things as gymnasium equipment and room dust was the means of transmission. The outbreak was eventually controlled by vigorous case finding, thorough treatment of cases and the strict application of hygienic principles to prevent spread. There were no late complications and throat streptococci were not involved. It is possible to control such an outbreak without isolation or the making of any significant concessions in the training programme even when large numbers of persons are living and working at close quarters.


1996 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 488-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis J. Blasko ◽  
Philip T. Klapakis ◽  
John F. Corbett

Since the summer of 1995, Chinese military training opposite Taiwan has received unusual prominence in both the Chinese and foreign media. The senior leadership in Beijing was able to flex its military muscle because of a training programme begun years ago. This limited use of force has sent unmistakable political signals to Taiwan and the world. But, should the Chinese leadership decide to employ the People′s Liberation Army (PLA) in pursuit of its political objectives, is it well trained enough to conduct successful modern military operations?


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia l.a Woodall ◽  
Jordyn a Sak ◽  
Kyle R Cowdrick ◽  
Brady m Bove Muñoz ◽  
Jessica h McElrath ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Occupational exposure to repetitive, low-level blasts in military training and combat has been tied to subconcussive injury and poor health outcomes for service members. Most low-level blast studies to date have focused on explosive breaching and firing heavy weapon systems; however, there is limited research on the repetitive blast exposure and physiological effects that mortarmen experience when firing mortar weapon systems. Motivated by anecdotal symptoms of mortarmen, the purpose of this paper is to characterize this exposure and its resulting neurocognitive effects in order to provide preliminary findings and actionable recommendations to safeguard the health of mortarmen. Materials and Methods In collaboration with the U.S. Army Rangers at Fort Benning, blast exposure, symptoms, and pupillary light reflex were measured during 3 days of firing 81 mm and 120 mm mortars in training. Blast exposure analysis included the examination of the blast overpressure (BOP) and cumulative exposure by mortarman position, as well as comparison to the 4 psi safety threshold. Pupillary light reflex responses were analyzed with linear mixed effects modeling. All neurocognitive results were compared between mortarmen (n = 11) and controls (n = 4) and cross-compared with blast exposure and blast history. Results Nearly 500 rounds were fired during the study, resulting in a high cumulative blast exposure for all mortarmen. While two mortarmen had average BOPs exceeding the 4 psi safety limit (Fig. 2), there was a high prevalence of mTBI-like symptoms among all mortarmen, with over 70% experiencing headaches, ringing in the ears, forgetfulness/poor memory, and taking longer to think during the training week (n ≥ 8/11). Mortarmen also had smaller and slower pupillary light reflex responses relative to controls, with significantly slower dilation velocity (P &lt; 0.05) and constriction velocity (P &lt; 0.10). Conclusion Mortarmen experienced high cumulative blast exposure coinciding with altered neurocognition that is suggestive of blast-related subconcussive injury. These neurocognitive effects occurred even in mortarmen with average BOP below the 4 psi safety threshold. While this study was limited by a small sample size, its results demonstrate a concerning health risk for mortarmen that requires additional study and immediate action. Behavioral changes like ducking and standing farther from the mortar when firing can generally help reduce mortarmen BOP exposure, but we recommend the establishment of daily cumulative safety thresholds and daily firing limits in training to reduce cumulative blast exposure, and ultimately, improve mortarmen’s quality of life and longevity in service.


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