Extension of the breeding season of the New Holland Mouse: a response to above-average rainfall

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 599 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Fox ◽  
P Higgs ◽  
J Luo

The New Holland mouse, Pseudomys novaehollandiae, has been reported to have a distinct 5-month breeding season, August to early January, with occasionally an extension to March. Hence it is classified as primarily a seasonal breeder with some of the flexibility of an opportunistic breeder. We present evidence of an extension of the 1991-92 breeding season to at least 10 months, from mid-October or earlier, to late July. In May 62.5% of females were pregnant or lactating whereas 25-44% were pregnant or lactating at different sites in July. Our data from sand-mined dunes extend from Bridge Hill Ridge at the northern end of the Myall Lakes National Park to Tomago near the mouth of the Hunter River. We collate data from studies over the last 20 years, documenting extended breeding in 8 different years, 6 from one region, and at least 4 from another. Twenty years of rainfall data from nearby weather stations in the two regions show extended breeding to be a response to climate, when rainfall between September and March exceeds a threshold value of 750-800mm (approximately 120% of the long-term average), with at least 420-480mm falling during the first three months of the year (approximately 130% of the long-term average). While rainfall appears to be the ultimate factor, we support Kemper''s hypothesis that the proximal factor is most likely to be the abundance or quality of food produced by above-average late summer rainfall.

1997 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. McNeil

Abstract. Over the last decade there has been some uncertainty over the calculation of "actual" catchment evaporation from the long-term difference between rainfall and runoff for the grassland Wye catchment at Plynlimon, compared to estimates made using the Penman formula on data from automatic weather stations. Hence, measurements of actual evaporation were made over a two month period in the late summer of 1992 using the eddy-correlation technique on a relatively flat but wetter than average site in this upland region. Although the site was rather restricted for this type of measurement, the quality of data proved typical of other eddy-correlation measurements made at more aerodynamically suitable sites. The ratio of actual evaporation to the Penman estimate on dry days in summer was 0.83. This compares with an average annual ratio, generated from the catchment data for the period 1978 to 1995, of 1.01. The catchment rainfall value has been improved recently by weighting each gauge using altitude domains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Tamika Tihema

This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for summer 2017–18; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. A short-lived and weak La Niña developed but decayed by the end of February 2018. Sea-surface temperatures were exceptionally warm in the Tasman Sea from late 2017 to early 2018. It was an exceptionally warm summer for Australia, and the third-warmest mean temperature on record for the nation. Summer rainfall was close to the long-term average for Australia, with aboveaverage rainfall in west and below-average rainfall in the east.


2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Giese ◽  
S. D. Goldsworthy ◽  
R. Gales ◽  
N. Brothers ◽  
J. Hamill

The long-term effects of oiling on the breeding success of rehabilitated oiled little penguins (Eudyptula minor) were examined over two consecutive breeding seasons following the Iron Baron oil spill in 1995. The commencement of egg laying was delayed among rehabilitated oiled penguins compared with non-oiled birds during the 1995/96 breeding season. During that season, hatching success (number of eggs hatched from those laid) was no different in nests containing rehabilitated oiled penguins than in those containing non-oiled birds, but overall egg success (number of pre-fledging chicks from the number of eggs laid) was significantly lower among rehabilitated oiled birds. This effect was predominant in nests containing a rehabilitated oiled female, where the probability of successfully fledging any chicks was 22% lower than in nests containing a non-oiled female. During the 1996/97 breeding season, there was no significant difference between either the hatching or egg success of rehabilitated oiled penguins and non-oiled birds. In both seasons, the pre-fledging masses of chicks from rehabilitated oiled penguins were significantly lower than those from non-oiled birds. The chicks of rehabilitated oiled penguins were therefore expected to have lower survival than chicks raised by non-oiled parents. Results indicate that oiling not only reduced the number of chicks raised by rehabilitated oiled penguins in the short term, but also decreased the quality of young produced for at least two seasons following the spill.


Author(s):  
S. M. L. Nai ◽  
H. J. Lu ◽  
C. K. Cheng ◽  
J. Wei

Thermocompression bonding is one of the key ways to form interconnections in many hetegrogeneous devices. The quality of metallic joints formed using thermocompression is predominantly determined by the bonding temperature and pressure. In order to achieve a strong and reliable joint, metallic joints in particular copper, which has an oxidative nature, require a high bonding temperature (> 300 °C). However, thermomechanical-related stresses induced during bonding can compromise the performance of the interconnections in the long term. Thus, one way to manage this is to lower the bonding temperature used in forming the interconnections. In this study, copper-copper bonding is successfully demonstrated at a bonding temperature of 80 °C. In order to better understand the effect of bonding pressure on the joint’s performance, the mechanical properties of the individual bulk copper bumps are evaluated using the nanoindentation system. Studies are conducted on the bulk copper bumps subjected to different bonding pressures. Their corresponding yield strength and hardness results are then determined. It is observed that as the applied bonding pressure increases, the mechanical properties of the bulk copper bump reach a certain threshold value and beyond which, properties start to degrade. The microstructure and grain sizes of the copper bumps are also analyzed using the electron backscatter diffraction.


Author(s):  
Ravindran Jegasothy ◽  
Pallav Sengupta ◽  
Sulagna Dutta ◽  
Ravichandran Jeganathan

AbstractClimate change is an incessant global phenomenon and has turned contentious in the present century. Malaysia, a developing Asian country, has also undergone significant vicissitudes in climate, which has been projected with significant deviations in forthcoming decades. As per the available studies, climate changes may impact on the fertility, either via direct effects on the gonadal functions and neuroendocrine regulations or via several indirect effects on health, socioeconomic status, demeaning the quality of food and water. Malaysia is already observing a declining trend in the Total fertility rate (TFR) over the past few decades and is currently recorded below the replacement level of 2.1 which is insufficient to replace the present population. Moreover, climate changes reportedly play a role in the emergence and cessation of various infectious diseases. Besides its immediate effects, the long-term effects on health and fertility await to be unveiled. Despite the huge magnitude of the repercussion of climate changes in Malaysia, research that can explain the exact cause of the present reduction in fertility parameters in Malaysia or any measures to preserve the national population is surprisingly very scarce. Thus, the present review aims to elucidate the possible missing links by which climate changes are impairing fertility status in Malaysia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Meza-Herrera ◽  
Guadalupe Calderón-Leyva ◽  
Maria Soto-Sanchez ◽  
José Abad-Zavaleta ◽  
Juan Serradilla ◽  
...  

The Expression of Birth Weight is Modulated by the Breeding Season in a Goat ModelBirth weight (BW) is frequently considered as an indicator to detect possible restrictions of intrauterine development. This study evaluated the effect of breeding season (BS) across year: spring (SP), summer (SM), fall (FL) and winter (WT) upon the expression of BW. This meta-analysis considered records (n = 1,084) collected from a commercial herd kept under intensive conditions (22° NL, 1,835 m). The definitive statistical model for BW analysis considered the independent variables kidding year, (KY), genetic group (GT), litter size (LS), gender (GN), breeding season (BS), kidding season (KS) plus the interactions (KY*GT) and (GN*BS). BW expression was affected (P<0.05) by KY, GN, LS, KS, and KY*GT. Interestingly, while BW expression was not affected (P>0.05) by kidding season, it was affected (P<0.05) by breeding season. The highest and lowest BW values were observed in SP and WN (3.34 vs. 3.10 kg; P<0.05), respectively. This physiological scenario could be the result of embryonic-fetal adaptive responses representing homeostatic adaptations due to alterations including doe nutritional status, available quantity and quality of food to both the embryo and the fetus as well as to a changing external environment.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najet Guefradj

The National Rainfal Index (NRI) is defined as the national average of the total annual precipitation weighted by its long-term average (here, the average rainfall covering the years 1986 and 2001). The NRI can be used as an indicator of the quality of the agricultural season. Here, the median of the 1998-2003 period is provided. For more information on the NRI, please see the dedicated Climpag page: http://www.fao.org/nr/climpag/nri/nrilist_en.asp Visit the FAO Aquastat website at: http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/query/index.html?lang=en Agriculture Surface water


Author(s):  
Nina Simmons-Mackie

Abstract Purpose: This article addresses several intervention approaches that aim to improve life for individuals with severe aphasia. Because severe aphasia significantly compromises language, often for the long term, recommended approaches focus on additional domains that affect quality of life. Treatments are discussed that involve increasing participation in personally relevant life situations, enhancing environmental support for communication and participation, and improving communicative confidence. Methods: Interventions that have been suggested in the aphasia literature as particularly appropriate for people with severe aphasia include training in total communication, training of communication partners, and activity specific training. Conclusion: Several intervention approaches can be implemented to enhance life with severe aphasia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
pp. 64-67
Author(s):  
George Barnes ◽  
Joseph Salemi

The organizational structure of long-term care (LTC) facilities often removes the rehab department from the interdisciplinary work culture, inhibiting the speech-language pathologist's (SLP's) communication with the facility administration and limiting the SLP's influence when implementing clinical programs. The SLP then is unable to change policy or monitor the actions of the care staff. When the SLP asks staff members to follow protocols not yet accepted by facility policy, staff may be unable to respond due to confusing or conflicting protocol. The SLP needs to involve members of the facility administration in the policy-making process in order to create successful clinical programs. The SLP must overcome communication barriers by understanding the needs of the administration to explain how staff compliance with clinical goals improves quality of care, regulatory compliance, and patient-family satisfaction, and has the potential to enhance revenue for the facility. By taking this approach, the SLP has a greater opportunity to increase safety, independence, and quality of life for patients who otherwise may not receive access to the appropriate services.


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