scholarly journals HOME RANGE AND HABITAT SELECTION OF CAVE-DWELLING NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINES (ERETHIZON DORSATUM) IN CENTRAL TEXAS

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea E. Montalvo ◽  
Roel R. Lopez ◽  
Israel D. Parker ◽  
Nova J. Silvy ◽  
Susan M. Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
North American ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Sampling Location ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Erethizon Dorsatum ◽  
Central Texas

Abstract North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) have expanded their range into central Texas and are now frequent users of caves as den sites. What remains unknown is how caves affect their home range, and their local habitat preferences. This information is important for management decisions on Joint Base San Antonio – Camp Bullis where novel and abundant porcupine scat in caves could jeopardize federally endangered cave-obligate arthropods by allowing for the invasion of less specialized terrestrial species. To better understand porcupine home range and habitat use at Camp Bullis, we trapped four porcupines at cave entrances and fitted them with GPS collars. The 95% home range averaged 71.3 ha for females and measured 420.6 ha for the male. The 50% core habitat averaged 55.4 ha for females and measured 7.4 ha for the male. Porcupines typically stayed near the den-cave trap site except when visiting more diverse mixed forest patches. At the landscape and point levels, individuals selected for forested cover and avoided open areas. At the home range level, individuals selected for bare ground and roads, which were likely used to get from the cave den site to feed at mixed forest patches. Typically solitary, individuals in this study tolerated sharing a cave. Because of the small sample size and single sampling location, this study represents a pilot study and additional research is needed to establish concrete conclusions. Should cave managers need to limit the cave use by porcupines, a cave gate, exclosure, or reduction of forested cover would make caves less desirable.

Integrated reports, external assurance and financial performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orhan Akisik ◽  
Graham Gal
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
North American ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Websites ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between integrated reports, external assurance and financial performance for North American firms between 2011 and 2016. Design/methodology/approach Corporate websites were examined for disclosures which included both financial and non-financial information. Compustat North America and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) websites provided additional data for the analysis. Findings Using a panel data analysis, the results provide evidence that there is a significant positive association between integrated reports and multiple measures of financial performance. Moreover, this positive effect is enhanced when integrated reports are assured by accounting firms. Research limitations/implications There are relatively a small number of firms that do this kind of reporting. A major limitation of the study is the small sample size. Practical implications As stakeholders find information in integrated reports relevant, there needs to be standardization on their content and level of assurance. Standard setters and regulators should be involved in setting these standards and assurance guidelines. Social implications Although it is clear that there is a cost to firms which produce integrated reports, the benefits to society may outweigh these costs. This may go beyond the benefits to shareholders as they make investment decisions. Originality/value According to the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that examines the impact of integrated reports and external assurance on financial performance for North American firms.

Hierarchical habitat selection by North American porcupines in southern boreal forest

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 1333-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Morin ◽  
Dominique Berteaux ◽  
Ilya Klvana
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
North American ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Erethizon Dorsatum ◽  
Multi Scale

In habitat-selection studies, a multi-scale approach is considered necessary to ensure that all elements of selection are depicted and that management decisions accurately reflect the needs of the species under study. We examined hierarchy in summer habitat selection in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum (L., 1758)) in Eastern Canada at the scales of landscape, home range, and single tree. We used radiotelemetry to locate and observe animals visually to record their behaviour and exact location in the habitat. Den use in summer was unexpectedly high for some of our animals, which forced us to use a restricted number of locations per individual for comparison among scales. Although porcupines are generalists at the landscape level, selection patterns appear at the home-range and tree levels. Human-used land and conifer forests were least selected features of home ranges, while deciduous forests dominated by trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and mixed forests were most selected. At the tree scale, trembling aspen was found to be selected over other deciduous trees. However, fruit-producing trees were even more selected. This study shows the importance of a multi-scale approach that includes fine-scale selection.

Home range of male lace monitors, Varanus varius (Reptilia : Varanidae), in south-eastern Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
BW Weavers
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Realistic Description ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Travelling paths and overnight roosts of the lace monitor, Varanus varius, were recorded by radiotracking during periods of up to 19 months in lowland open forest of south-eastern Australia. Home ranges were calculated by four methods: convex polygon (without correction for small sample size), convex polygon (with correction for small sample size), and two 95% probability ellipses. From field observations, I conclude that the convex polygon method without correction for sample size provides the most realistic description of the space used by V. varius. By this method, I calculated a mean (+/- s.d.) home range of 65 +/- 34 ha for 13 male V. varius (mean mass 5.1kg) that were radio-tracked for 2-19 months.

scholarly journals Does availability of resources influence grazing strategies in female Svalbard reindeer?

Rangifer ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snorre Henriksen ◽  
Ronny Aanes ◽  
Bernt-Erik Sæther ◽  
Thor Harald Ringsby ◽  
Jarle Tufto
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Wild Female ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Grazing Strategies

Foraging strategies and range use in wild female Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) were studied in two areas where the historical grazing pressure differed. We mapped vegetation where the reindeer were seen grazing, and related forage availability to characteristics such as home range size, activity budgets and reproductive status. There were significant differences in quantity of forage available between the two areas and the utilization of vegetation types differed between the sites. However, we found no difference in home range size between the two sites, and individual home range sizes were not related to forage quantity, possibly a result of a skewed and small sample size. Even though significant differences in availability of plant species and groups were found, no variation in home range size was found between reproductive and non-reproductive females on Brøggerhalvøya. Neither did we find any differences between areas or between reproductive groups within or between areas in how female reindeer allocated use of time, or in number of steps taken. However, a significant three way interaction indicated that some variance existed between reproductive groups within or between areas, but we do not conclude that this indicate different grazing strategies. Thus, even though variation in the duration of previous grazing has evidently resulted in rather different foraging conditions in our two areas, we detected no differences in present-day foraging behaviour. Thus, our analyses suggest no relationship or feedback between past grazing and current foraging behaviour in these reindeer.

scholarly journals Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes with the Combined Local Aspiration and Retriever in the North American Solitaire Stent-Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) Registry

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 26-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim W. Malisch ◽  
Osama O. Zaidat ◽  
Alicia C. Castonguay ◽  
Franklin A. Marden ◽  
Rishi Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
North American ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
The North ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Guide Catheter ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Various techniques are used to enhance the results of mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retrievers, including proximal arrest with balloon guide catheter (BGC), conventional large bore proximal catheter (CGC), or in combination with local aspiration through a large-bore catheter positioned at the clot interface (Aspiration-Retriever Technique for Stroke [ARTS]). We evaluated the impact of ARTS in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke (NASA) registry. Summary: Data on the use of the aspiration technique were available for 285 anterior circulation patients, of which 29 underwent ARTS technique, 131 CGC, and 125 BGC. Baseline demographics were comparable, except that ARTS patients are less likely to have hypertension or atrial fibrillation. The ARTS group had more ICA occlusions (41.4 vs. 22% in the BGC, p = 0.04 and 26% in CGC, p = 0.1) and less MCA/M1 occlusions (44.8 vs. 68% in BGC and 62% in CGC). Time from arterial puncture to reperfusion or end of procedure with ARTS was shorter than with CGC (54 vs. 91 min, p = 0.001) and was comparable to the BGC time (54 vs. 67, p = 0.11). Final degree of reperfusion was comparable among the groups (TICI [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction] score 2b or higher was 72 vs. 70% for CGC vs. 78% for BGC). Procedural complications, mortality, and good clinical outcome at 90 days were similar between the groups. Key Messages: The ARTS mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients appears to yield better results as compared to the use of CGCs with no significant difference when compared to BGC. This early ARTS technique NASA registry data are limited by the earlier generation distal large bore catheters and small sample size. Future studies should focus on the comparison of ARTS and BGC techniques.

scholarly journals Spatial Distribution and Abundance of Small Cetaceans in the Pacific Waters of Guatemala

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Quintana-Rizzo ◽  
Andrea A. Cabrera ◽  
Jenniffer Ortiz-Wolford ◽  
Vanessa Dávila
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
San Jose ◽  
Pacific Waters ◽  
The Pacific

The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) requires a thorough assessment of the abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of a variety of marine species. Small cetacean spatial distribution and abundance were examined in the Pacific waters of Guatemala to provide this information. Boat surveys were conducted for 38 months between January 2008 and June 2012. A total of 64,678 cetaceans in 505 sightings from nine Delphinidae species were recorded. Three species, referred to as common species, accounted for 90% (n = 456) of all sightings. They included Tursiops truncatus (56%, n = 278), Stenella attenuata (29%, n = 143), and Stenella longirostris (7%, n = 35). Group size was significantly different among the common species (p < 0.001). S. longirostris had the largest group size (444 ± 75 dolphins), followed by S. attenuata (28 ± 5 dolphins), and T. truncatus (15 ± 2 dolphins). T. truncatus was the most common in the study area (0.02 ± 0.002 sightings/km of survey effort), and S. attenuata (0.37 ± 0.16 dolphins/km) and S. longirostris (1.62 ± 0.41 dolphins/km) were the most abundant in the neritic (≤200 m depth) and oceanic zones (≥200 m depth), respectively. The wide-ranging distribution of T. truncatus overlapped with the distribution of S. attenuata in the neritic zone and S. longirostris in the oceanic zone. Little overlap was observed in the distribution of S. attenuata and S. longirostris. Most hot spots (∼66%) were in the oceanic zone and no hot spots were near or in the MPAs. Hot spots were identified along the 200 m isobath, the Middle America trench, and the San José Canyon. These could be areas of high productivity where dolphins concentrate to feed. To the north of the San José Canyon, five species of small cetaceans were observed in a stretch of the neritic zone including three MPAs. No other section of this zone had such high diversity. Results need to be taken with caution given the small sample size. Our results suggest that the protection of small cetaceans needs to consider the creation of oceanic MPAs that should be integrated into the existing network.

Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 552-555
Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

Validating the Factor Structure of the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form Spanish Version Among Healthcare Students

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Spanish Version ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Spanish Speaking

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.

An Initial Investigation of Suicide Attempt Disclosures Among US Veterans

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Sarah P. Carter ◽  
Heather M. Gebhardt ◽  
Jonathan Buchholz ◽  
Mark A. Reger
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Professional Care ◽  
Patient Disclosure ◽  
Previous Suicide Attempt

Abstract. Background: Patient disclosure of prior suicidal behaviors is critical for effectively managing suicide risk; however, many attempts go undisclosed. Aims: The current study explored how responses following a suicide attempt disclosure may relate to help-seeking outcomes. Method: Participants included 37 veterans with a previous suicide attempt receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. Veterans reported on their most and least helpful experiences disclosing their suicide attempt to others. Results: Veterans disclosed their suicide attempt to approximately eight individuals. Mental health professionals were the most cited recipient of their most helpful disclosure; romantic partners were the most common recipient of their least helpful disclosures. Positive reactions within the context of the least helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with a sense of connection with the disclosure recipient. Positive reactions within the most helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with the likelihood of future disclosure. No reactions were associated with having sought professional care or likelihood of seeking professional care. Limitations: The results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Findings suggest that while positive reactions may influence suicide attempt disclosure experiences broadly, additional research is needed to clarify factors that drive the decision to disclose a suicide attempt to a professional.

Investigating the Dynamics of Suicidal Ideation

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Hallensleben ◽  
Lena Spangenberg ◽  
Thomas Forkmann ◽  
Dajana Rath ◽  
Ulrich Hegerl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
History Of ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
Ema Method ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract. Background: Although the fluctuating nature of suicidal ideation (SI) has been described previously, longitudinal studies investigating the dynamics of SI are scarce. Aim: To demonstrate the fluctuation of SI across 6 days and up to 60 measurement points using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (EMA). Method: Twenty inpatients with unipolar depression and current and/or lifetime suicidal ideation rated their momentary SI 10 times per day over a 6-day period. Mean squared successive difference (MSSD) was calculated as a measure of variability. Correlations of MSSD with severity of depression, number of previous depressive episodes, and history of suicidal behavior were examined. Results: Individual trajectories of SI are shown to illustrate fluctuation. MSSD values ranged from 0.2 to 21.7. No significant correlations of MSSD with several clinical parameters were found, but there are hints of associations between fluctuation of SI and severity of depression and suicidality. Limitations: Main limitation of this study is the small sample size leading to low power and probably missing potential effects. Further research with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI. Conclusion: The results illustrate the dynamic nature and the diversity of trajectories of SI across 6 days in psychiatric inpatients with unipolar depression. Prediction of the fluctuation of SI might be of high clinical relevance. Further research using EMA and sophisticated analyses with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document