Rain, recreation and risk: Human activity and ecological disturbance create seasonal risk landscapes for the prey of an ambush predator.

Predation risk and prey responses exhibit fluctuations in space and time. Seasonal ecological disturbances can alter landscape structure and permeability to influence predator activity and efficacy, creating predictable patterns of risk for prey (seasonal risk landscapes). This may create corresponding seasonal shifts in antipredator behaviour, mediated by species ecology and trade-offs between risk and resources. Yet, how human recreation interacts with seasonal risk landscapes and antipredator behaviour remains understudied. In South Florida, we investigated the impact of a seasonal ecological disturbance, specifically flooding, which is inversely related to human activity, on interactions between Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We hypothesized that human activity and ecological disturbances would interact with panther-deer ecology, resulting in the emergence of two distinct seasonal landscapes of predation risk and the corresponding antipredator responses. We conducted camera trap surveys across southwestern Florida to collect detection data on humans, panthers and deer. We analysed the influence of human site use and flooding on deer and panther detection probability, co-occurrence and diel activity during the flooded and dry seasons. Flooding led to decreased panther detections and increased deer detections, resulting in reduced deer-panther co-occurrence during the flooded season. Panthers exhibited increased nocturnality and reduced diel activity overlap with deer in areas with higher human activity. Supporting our hypothesis, panthers' avoidance of human recreation and flooding created distinct risk schedules for deer, driving their antipredator behaviour. Deer utilized flooded areas to spatially offset predation risk during the flooded season while increasing diurnal activity in response to human recreation during the dry season. We highlight the importance of understanding how competing risks and ecological disturbances influence predator and prey behaviour, leading to the generation of seasonal risk landscapes and antipredator responses. We emphasize the role of cyclical ecological disturbances in shaping dynamic predator-prey interactions. Furthermore, we highlight how human recreation may function as a 'temporal human shield,' altering seasonal risk landscapes and antipredator responses to reduce encounter rates between predators and prey.

Deer movement and resource selection during Hurricane Irma: implications for extreme climatic events and wildlife.

Extreme climatic events (ECEs) are increasing in frequency and intensity and this necessitates understanding their influence on organisms. Animal behaviour may mitigate the effects of ECEs, but field studies are rare because ECEs are infrequent and unpredictable. Hurricane Irma made landfall in southwestern Florida where we were monitoring white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus seminolus) with GPS collars. We report on an opportunistic case study of behavioural responses exhibited by a large mammal during an ECE, mitigation strategies for reducing the severity of the ECE effects, and the demographic effect of the ECE based on known-fate of individual animals. Deer altered resource selection by selecting higher elevation pine and hardwood forests and avoiding marshes. Most deer left their home ranges during Hurricane Irma, and the probability of leaving was inversely related to home range area. Movement rates increased the day of the storm, and no mortality was attributed to Hurricane Irma. We suggest deer mobility and refuge habitat allowed deer to behaviourally mitigate the negative effects of the storm, and ultimately, aid in survival. Our work contributes to the small but growing body of literature linking behavioural responses exhibited during ECEs to survival, which cumulatively will provide insight for predictions of a species resilience to ECEs and improve our understanding of how behavioural traits offset the negative impacts of global climate change.

Does food store access modify associations between intrapersonal factors and fruit and vegetable consumption?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Existing theoretical frameworks suggest that healthy eating is facilitated by an individual's ability, motivation and environmental opportunities. It is plausible, although largely untested, that the importance of factors related to ability and motivation differ under varied environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine whether the magnitude of associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and intrapersonal factors (ability and motivation) were modified by differences in access to stores selling these items (environmental opportunities). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 4335 women from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the state of Victoria, Australia. Self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed against a number of ability- and motivation-related factors. To examine whether associations were modified by store access, interactions with access to supermarkets and greengrocers within 2 km of participants' households were tested. RESULTS: Of the two factors related to ability and seven factors related to motivation, almost all were associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. In general, associations were not modified by store access suggesting that these factors were not tempered by environmental opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides little support for the hypothesis that the importance of intra-personal factors to fruit and vegetable consumption is modified by food store access. Further research on this topic is required to inform behaviour change interventions.

Socioeconomic variation in diet and activity-related behaviours of Australian children and adolescents aged 2-16 years.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for age-related variation in the relationship between obesity-related behaviours and socioeconomic position may assist in the targeting of dietary and physical activity interventions among children. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between different indicators of socioeconomic position and obesity-related behaviours across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Data were from 4487 children aged 2 to 16 years participating in the cross-sectional 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Socioeconomic position was defined by the highest education of the primary or secondary carer and parental income. Activity was assessed using recall methods with physical activity also assessed using pedometers. Intake of energy-dense drinks and snack foods, fruits and vegetables was assessed using 2 × 24-h dietary recalls. RESULTS: A socioeconomic gradient was evident for each dietary measure (although in age-specific analyses, not for energy-dense snacks in older children), as well as television viewing, but not physical activity. Whether each behaviour was most strongly related to parental income or education of the primary or secondary carer was age and sex dependent. The socioeconomic gradient was strongest for television viewing time and consumption of fruit and energy-dense drinks. CONCLUSIONS: A strong socioeconomic gradient in eating behaviours and television viewing time was observed. Relationships for particular behaviours differed by age, sex and how socioeconomic position was defined. Socioeconomic indicators define different population groups and represent different components of socioeconomic position. These findings may provide insights into who should be targeted in preventive health efforts at different life stages.

The long-term function of the knee in patients with fibular hemimelia and anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Most patients (95%) with fibular hemimelia have an absent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of such patients with respect to pain and knee function. We performed a retrospective review of patients with fibular hemimelia and associated ACL deficiency previously treated at our institution. Of a possible 66 patients, 23 were sent the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System (MODEMS) questionnaire and Lysholm knee score to complete. In all, 11 patients completed the MODEMS and nine completed the Lysholm score questionnaire. Their mean age was 37 years (27 to 57) at review. Five patients had undergone an ipsilateral Symes amputation. There was no significant difference in any subsections of the Short-Form 36 scores of our patients compared with age-matched controls. The mean Lysholm knee score was 90.2 (82 to 100). A slight limp was reported in six patients. No patients had episodes of locking of the knee or required a supportive device for walking. Four had occasional instability with sporting activities. These results suggest that patients with fibular hemimelia and ACL deficiency can live active lives with a similar health status to age-matched controls.

Neighbourhood-socioeconomic variation in women's diet: the role of nutrition environments.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods is associated with increased risk of a poor diet; however, the mechanisms underlying associations are not well understood. This study investigated whether selected healthy and unhealthy dietary behaviours are patterned by neighbourhood-socioeconomic disadvantage, and if so, whether features of the neighbourhood-nutrition environment explain these associations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A survey was completed by 1399 women from 45 neighbourhoods of varying levels of socioeconomic disadvantage in Melbourne, Australia. Survey data on fruit, vegetable and fast-food consumption were linked with data on food store locations (supermarket, greengrocer and fast-food store density and proximity) and within-store factors (in-store data on price and availability for supermarkets and greengrocers) obtained through objective audits. Multilevel regression analyses were used to examine associations of neighbourhood disadvantage with fruit, vegetable and fast-food consumption, and to test whether nutrition environment factors mediated these associations. RESULTS: After controlling for individual-level demographic and socioeconomic factors, neighbourhood disadvantage was associated with less vegetable consumption and more fast-food consumption, but not with fruit consumption. Some nutrition environmental factors were associated with both neighbourhood disadvantage and with diet. Nutrition environmental features did not mediate neighbourhood-disadvantage variations in vegetable or fast-food consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Although we found poorer diets among women living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Melbourne, the differences were not attributable to less supportive nutrition environments in these neighbourhoods.

Sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of weight status among women with children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics associated with weight status among women with children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 1680 women aged 18-46 years, living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods with dependent children (aged 0-18 years), provided self-report data on height and weight and a range of sociodemographic and behavioural (for example, dietary intake, physical activity and time spent sitting) characteristics. RESULTS: Half of the women were classified as having a healthy weight (body mass index=18.5-25). Bivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses indicated that a healthy weight status was associated with a range of sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. In a multivariable model, a healthy weight status among women was associated with being younger and unmarried, speaking a language other than English at home, having a medium or high level of education, and a partner with a high level of education, having a high household income, spending more time engaged in leisure-time physical activity and less time spent sitting, and having a lower consumption of soft drink. DISCUSSION: The present findings highlight that a considerable proportion of women with children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods manage to maintain a healthy weight. Acknowledging the cross-sectional nature of this study, strategies aimed at helping women with children in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas to maintain their weight should focus on increasing physical activity, and reducing sitting time and soft drink consumption.

Family food environment and dietary behaviors likely to promote fatness in 5-6 year-old children.

BACKGROUND: The family food environment (FFE) is likely to exert important influences on young children's eating. Examination of multiple aspects of the FFE may provide useful insights regarding which of these might most effectively be targeted to prevent childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations between the FFE and a range of obesity-promoting dietary behaviors in 5-6-year-old children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and sixty families sampled from three socio-economically distinct areas. MEASUREMENTS: Predictors included parental perceptions of their child's diet, food availability, child feeding practices, parental modeling of eating and food preparation and television (TV) exposure. Dietary outcomes included energy intake, vegetable, sweet snack, savory snack and high-energy (non-dairy) fluid consumption. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for all other predictor variables and maternal education, showed that several aspects of the FFE were associated with dietary outcomes likely to promote fatness in 5-6-year-old children. For example, increased TV viewing time was associated with increased index of energy intake, increased sweet snack and high-energy drink consumption, and deceased vegetable intake. In addition, parent's increased confidence in the adequacy of their child's diet was associated with increased consumption of sweet and savory snacks and decreased vegetable consumption. CONCLUSION: This study substantially extends previous research in the area, providing important insights with which to guide family-based obesity prevention strategies.

Television viewing, physical inactivity and obesity.

This study examined the relationship between TV viewing and three year change in BMI among a community-based sample of 176 men, 428 high-income women and 277 low-income women who were aged 20-45 years at baseline. Cross-sectionally, TV viewing was positively associated with BMI among women, but not among men. This relationship was strongest among low-income women, with only a marginal relationship among high-income women. There were no significant relationships between change in BMI and number of hours of TV viewing at baseline, average number of hours of TV viewing over the three year follow-up, or change in number of hours of TV viewing from baseline to three years. These findings suggest the link between obesity and TV viewing is complex, and that TV viewing may not be the simple marker of sedentariness we may have hoped.

A swine model for the evaluation of efficacy of anti-microbial catheter coatings.

A swine model was developed to investigate the efficacy of percutaneous venous catheters with anti-microbial coatings. The catheters used in the study consisted of silver-coated and uncoated catheters, both designed for percutaneous venous access. Five commercial pigs were each implanted with three venous catheters and followed for a period of 90 days. Two of the three catheters were coated and one was uncoated. To evaluate the percutaneous aspects of the catheters in the model, two venous access catheters were implanted percutaneously, parallel to the dorsal midline. These catheters were just caudal to the region that is dorsal to the scapula in each animal. In each case, the catheter to the left of the dorsal midline was silver-coated while the catheter to the right of the dorsal midline was uncoated. A silver-coated catheter was also implanted in the left external jugular vein of each animal and buried subcutaneously in order to evaluate the elution of the coating through the body under venous contact. Over the 90 day period, the concentration of silver in the blood rose to a mean peak level of 23.2 ppb following implantation of the catheters and then decreased after the second post-surgery week. The histological evaluation and macroscopic inspection at necropsy revealed minimal tissue response to both coated and uncoated materials. Data on bacterial growth indicated that bacteria were present at the terminal subcutaneous end of two of the uncoated percutaneous catheters. Based upon serum silver levels, exudate formation, histological examination, and bacterial growth information, the swine model was deemed to be suitable for testing the efficacy of catheters containing anti-microbial coatings.

Controlled heroin availability in Australia? How and to what end?

The general public, police, service providers, and users/ex-users were asked their views about options for trial design and trial outcomes with regard to a proposal for experimental controlled heroin availability. There was substantial agreement between the samples on issues concerning trial design. In general, the samples from the community, service providers and users/ex-users were more likely to report that a trial would result in positive outcomes, whereas the police sample was more likely to report that a trial would result in negative outcomes. This study illustrates the value of systematic consultation of key groups in exploring the options for change, raising potential difficulties, and highlighting different interests.

Heteronuclear 1H-15N nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the c subunit of the Escherichia coli F1F0 ATP synthase: assignment and secondary structure.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of the c subunit of F1F0 ATP synthase from Escherichia coli are presented. A combination of homonuclear (1H-1H) and heteronuclear (1H-15N) 2D and 3D methods was applied to the 79-residue protein, dissolved in trifluoroethanol. Resonance assignment for all the backbone amide groups and many C alpha H side-chain protons was achieved. Analysis of inter- and intraresidue 1H-1H nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) data and scalar coupling constant information indicates that this protein contains two extended regions of predominant alpha-helical character (residues 10-40 and 48-77) separated by an eight-residue segment which displays little evidence of ordered secondary structure. This model is consistent with information about the molecular motion of the protein deduced from 15N-1H heteronuclear NOE data and observed pKa values of carboxylic acid groups.

A boost to the chances of survival. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonatal care.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides support for neonates who do not respond to ventilation therapy and pharmacological support. Although used outside the UK, it still has to be widely implemented here. ECMO is simple to set up, but requires extensive nursing care.

Hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain of presumed uterine etiology.

This study evaluates the long-term outcome of 99 women who underwent hysterectomy for pelvic pain of at least 6 months' duration. All had symptoms and physical examination findings suggestive of disease confined to the uterus. Patients were excluded if there was previously documented extrauterine pelvic disease, extrauterine pelvic disease at the time of surgery, or uterine weight exceeding 200 g. Histopathologic analysis revealed leiomyomata in 12 (12.1%), adenomyosis in 20 (20.2%), and both leiomyomata and adenomyosis in two (2.02%). The average uterine weight was 91.1 g (range 24-198). Patients were followed after hysterectomy for an average of 21.6 months (range 15-64), with 77 of 99 (77.8%) showing significant improvement and 22 (22.2%) having persistent pelvic pain. Despite preoperative history and physical findings suggesting and histologic findings confirming uterine disease, nearly a quarter of the patients had persistent pelvic pain after hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain. These findings should have a significant impact on the therapeutic choices recommended by gynecologists and may alter the informed consent that patients give in such cases.

Intakes and sources of a range of dietary sugars in various Australian populations.

Data from the Apparent Consumption of Foodstuffs publications of the Australian Bureau of Statistics have, until recently, been the major source of information in Australia about the consumption of refined sugars. This database, which relies on national figures for production, importation, export, storage and stocks, and on population statistics, had indicated that some 14% of the total energy that was available in Australia was derived from refined sugars. Similar figures have been derived for both the United States and United Kingdom by means of this kind of national food-availability database. However, a recent reanalysis of a large-scale dietary survey of individuals in the United States has indicated a much lower level of consumption of refined sugars. In recent years, several large-scale surveys of individuals' consumption patterns in the Australian population have been carried out by the Social Nutrition Program at the CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition. These surveys indicate that the mean level of consumption of refined sugars is not as high as that which previously was estimated from Apparent Consumption data. However, there was a wide range of intakes and a substantial proportion of individuals with intakes that were above recommended levels.

The Victorian Nutrition Survey--intakes and sources of dietary fats and cholesterol in the Victorian population.

A random State-wide nutrition survey of the population of Victoria that was carried out in late 1985 demonstrated that the total fat and saturated fat intake of Australians had changed little since studies that were carried out in the 1970s. However, since that time, there has been a considerable increase in the contribution of polyunsaturated fats with a consequent improvement in the polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty-acid ratio in the diet. The survey was carried out by means of a postal technique and a semiquantified food-frequency questionnaire which allows for the characterization of usual dietary intake in individuals. The survey served to highlight the value of collecting nutrient, food and food-habits data in the same individuals and demonstrated that relatively cost-effective surveys of this type make feasible the regular continuing surveillance of the usual nutrient intakes of large numbers of individuals.

Dieting and slimming practices of South Australian women.

A random population survey of 406 Adelaide women who were aged 18 to 86 years, which was conducted in July, 1986, showed that in the previous year 68% of the women had exercised, 38% of the women had dieted, 15% of the women had fasted, 10% of the women had taken slimming tablets, 6% of the women had used diuretic agents and 3% of the women had used laxative agents in order to reduce or to control their weight. At the time of the survey 43% of women (60% of overweight women and 34% of non-overweight women) were attempting to lose weight. The most common reasons for wishing to lose weight were: to feel better (75% of women); to look better (65% of women); and health or medical reasons (33% of women). In addition, a majority of the women were dissatisfied with the shape of their stomach, hips, midriff, waist, thighs and buttocks. The family doctor, books and magazines acted as the major sources of information on dieting and weight control. However, most of the women felt that their doctors did not provide them with enough advice on this topic, and the women were almost unanimous in their criticism of the preoccupation of magazines with slimness. The results suggest that health professionals need to provide women with more advice on safe weight-control strategies and sensible body-weight goals.