The benefits of being big and diverse: early colony survival in harvester ants.

In sessile organisms such as plants and benthic invertebrates, founding propagules typically suffer extremely high rates of mortality due to both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Many social insect species share similarities with these groups, but factors influencing early colony survival are relatively unstudied. We used a field experiment to measure the importance of environmental quality relative to intrinsic colony properties in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, by monitoring the survival of 584 experimental colonies.

Regional approach to competency-based patient care provider disaster training: the Center for Health Professional Training and Emergency Response.

Objectives: This article details the development of the Center for Health Professional Training and Emergency Response (CHPTER), including its innovative, competency-based emergency preparedness training (EPT) curriculum, and the results of a regional preparedness workforce assessment.

Methods: CHPTER was established in 2009 with the goal of enhancing regional health security and patient surge competency by offering patient care providers, including clinicians and volunteers, hands-on lessons that will protect and save lives during a disaster. A 1-day emergency preparedness training (EPT) course that includes a loud, chaotic clinical disaster scenario was developed.