Monitoring Animal Populations With Cameras Using Open, Multistate, N-Mixture Models.

Remote cameras have become a mainstream tool for studying wildlife populations. For species whose developmental stages or states are identifiable in photographs, there are opportunities for tracking population changes and estimating demographic rates. Recent developments in hierarchical models allow for the estimation of ecological states and rates over time for unmarked animals whose states are known.

Climate-mediated population dynamics of a migratory songbird differ between the trailing edge and range core.

Understanding the demographic drivers of range contractions is important for predicting species' responses to climate change; however, few studies have examined the effects of climate change on survival and recruitment across species' ranges. We show that climate change can drive trailing edge range contractions through the effects on apparent survival, and potentially recruitment, in a migratory songbird. We assessed the demographic drivers of trailing edge range contractions using a long-term demography dataset for the black-throated blue warbler () collected across elevational climate gradients at the trailing edge and core of the breeding range.

Integrating data types to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere.

For many avian species, spatial migration patterns remain largely undescribed, especially across hemispheric extents. Recent advancements in tracking technologies and high-resolution species distribution models (i.e.

Habitat loss on the breeding grounds is a major contributor to population declines in a long-distance migratory songbird.

Many migratory species are declining and for most, the proximate causes of their declines remain unknown. For many long-distance Neotropical migratory songbirds, it is assumed that habitat loss on breeding or non-breeding grounds is a primary driver of population declines. We integrated data collected from tracking technology, community science and remote sensing data to quantify migratory connectivity (MC), population trends and habitat loss.

Variance in within-pair reproductive success influences the opportunity for selection annually and over the lifetimes of males in a multibrooded songbird.

In socially monogamous species, male reproductive success consists of "within-pair" offspring produced with their socially paired mate(s), and "extra-pair" offspring produced with additional females throughout the population. Both reproductive pathways offer distinct opportunities for selection in wild populations, as each is composed of separate components of mate attraction, female fecundity, and paternity allocation. Identifying key sources of variance and covariance among these components is a crucial step toward understanding the reproductive strategies that males use to maximize fitness both annually and over their lifetimes.

Using clinical guidelines to assess the potential value of laboratory medicine in clinical decision-making.

Introduction: It is often quoted that 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory results, but the evidence to substantiate this claim is lacking. Since clinical guidelines aim to document best-practice decision making for specific disease conditions, inclusion of any laboratory test means that the best available evidence is recommending clinicians use it. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's most common cause of mortality, so this study reviewed all CVD guidelines published by five national/international authorities to determine what proportion of them recommended laboratory testing.

Light-level geolocator analyses: A user's guide.

Light-level geolocator tags use ambient light recordings to estimate the whereabouts of an individual over the time it carried the device. Over the past decade, these tags have emerged as an important tool and have been used extensively for tracking animal migrations, most commonly small birds. Analysing geolocator data can be daunting to new and experienced scientists alike.

Breeding latitude predicts timing but not rate of spring migration in a widespread migratory bird in South America.

Identifying the processes that determine avian migratory strategies in different environmental contexts is imperative to understanding the constraints to survival and reproduction faced by migratory birds across the planet.We compared the spring migration strategies of Fork-tailed Flycatchers () that breed at south-temperate latitudes (i.e.

Tracking dragons: stable isotopes reveal the annual cycle of a long-distance migratory insect.

Insect migration is globally ubiquitous and can involve continental-scale movements and complex life histories. Apart from select species of migratory moths and butterflies, little is known about the structure of the annual cycle for migratory insects. Using stable-hydrogen isotope analysis of 852 wing samples from eight countries spanning 140 years, combined with 21 years of citizen science data, we determined the full annual cycle of a large migratory dragonfly, the common green darner ( Anax junius).

Inherent limits of light-level geolocation may lead to over-interpretation.

In their 2015 Current Biology paper, Streby et al.[1] reported that Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera), which had just migrated to their breeding location in eastern Tennessee, performed a facultative and up to ">1,500 km roundtrip" to the Gulf of Mexico to avoid a severe tornadic storm. From light-level geolocator data, wherein geographical locations are estimated via the timing of sunrise and sunset, Streby et al.

Phylogeography of a migratory songbird across its Canadian breeding range: Implications for conservation units.

The objectives of this study were to describe and evaluate potential drivers of genetic structure in Canadian breeding populations of the Ovenbird, . We performed genetic analyses on feather samples of individuals from six study sites using nuclear microsatellites. We also assessed species identity and population genetic structure of quill mites (Acariformes, Syringophilidae).

Migratory connectivity of a Neotropical migratory songbird revealed by archival light-level geolocators.

Understanding migratory connectivity is critical for interpreting population dynamics, seasonal interactions, and for the implementation of conservation strategies of migratory species. We evaluated the migratory connectivity of a Neotropical migratory songbird, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) using archival light-level geolocators deployed at two breeding and four nonbreeding locations while incorporating Ovenbird abundance as prior information using Bayes' Rule. We also included band recoveries submitted to the United States Geological Survey's Bird Banding Laboratory to assess connectivity of areas where geolocators were not deployed.

Improving clinical outcomes - towards patient-centred laboratory medicine.

Hard evidence of the specific contribution made by laboratory testing to patient outcomes and the delivery of health care is not easy to obtain. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how that value can be measured and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that laboratory services are provided and used optimally to improve patient care. To maximise the value of laboratory medicine, work is required to improve the utilisation of existing and new biomarkers, develop standard protocols for prospective patient-centred studies of biomarker clinical effectiveness or extra-analytical process effectiveness, benchmark existing and new tests in specified clinical situations with commonly accepted effectiveness measures, and define new roles for laboratory professionals that are focussed on optimising patient outcomes by adding value throughout the total testing process.

Miniaturized GPS Tags Identify Non-breeding Territories of a Small Breeding Migratory Songbird.

For the first time, we use a small archival global positioning system (GPS) tag to identify and characterize non-breeding territories, quantify migratory connectivity, and identify population boundaries of Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla), a small migratory songbird, captured at two widely separated breeding locations. We recovered 15 (31%) GPS tags with data and located the non-breeding territories of breeding Ovenbirds from Maryland and New Hampshire, USA (0.50 ± 0.

Current evidence and future perspectives on the effective practice of patient-centered laboratory medicine.

Background: Systematic evidence of the contribution made by laboratory medicine to patient outcomes and the overall process of healthcare is difficult to find. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how it can be determined, and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that the service is provided and used optimally.

Content: This review summarizes existing evidence supporting the impact of laboratory medicine in healthcare and indicates the gaps in our understanding.

The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Laboratory medicine is at the heart of modern health care and diagnosis and effective treatment of patients is impossible without high-quality bioanalytical services. The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine is a professional federation working to ensure high standards across the discipline in all European countries. This article describes our work in science, education and professional development.

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: guide to the Register, version 3-2010.

In 1997, the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) set up a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Commission (EC4RC). During the last 12 years, more than 2200 specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine have joined the Register.

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: Code of Conduct, Version 2--2008.

In 1997, the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) set up a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Commission (EC4RC). During the last 10 years, more than 2000 specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine have joined the Register.