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The diurnal habitat preferences and foraging behaviors of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) have been extensively studied on the nonbreeding grounds, but prior to this study roosting habitat preferences during the nonbreeding stage of the full annual cycle had not been documented. We fitted radiotransmitters to 15 White-throated Sparrows in central Arkansas and recorded GPS locations for both foraging and roosting locations from 19 January to 2 March 2023. We used both 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) and bivariate normal kernel density estimation (KDE) methods to calculate home ranges for foraging and roosting locations. Sixty percent of the radio-tracked individuals that were included in the 95% MCP analysis exhibited 0% overlap between roosting home range and foraging home range estimates. The average centroid distance between 95% MCP foraging and roosting home ranges was 356.38 ± 165.11 m (x̄ ± SD). Both roosting and foraging locations contained thick horizontal vegetative ground cover, but roosting locations had significantly greater vertical vegetative structure, whereas diurnal foraging locations had significantly greater leaf litter depth. This example of habitat selection for spatially distinct roosting and foraging locations suggests that nonbreeding season conservation strategies based solely on diurnal observations of foraging behavior may not sufficiently address full annual cycle habitat requirements. Las preferencias de los hábitats diurnos y los comportamientos de forrajeo de Zonotrichia albicollis han sido extensamente estudiados en áreas de invernada. Sin embargo, antes del presente estudio, sus preferencias de hábitat de descanso durante la etapa no reproductiva de su ciclo anual completo no habían sido documentados. En el centro de Arkansas, equipamos con radiotransmisores a 15 individuos de Zonotrichia albicollis y registramos sus ubicaciones de GPS para ambos lugares de forrajeo y descanso desde el 19 de enero hasta el 2 de marzo de 2023. Se utilizaron los métodos de Polígono Mínimo Convexo (MCP) al 95% y de Estimación de la Densidad de Kernel (KDE) normal bivariada para calcular los rangos de hogar para las ubicaciones de forrajeo y descanso. El 60% de los individuos radio-localizados que fueron incluidos en el análisis de MCP al 95% exhibieron una superposición de 0% entre las estimaciones de rango de hogar de descanso y el rango de hogar de forrajeo. El promedio de la distancia centroide entre el MCP al 95% de rango de hogar de forrajeo y descanso fue de 356.38 ± 165.11 m (x̄ ± SD). Ambas ubicaciones de descanso y forrajeo contaban con una espesa cubierta vegetal horizontal, pero las ubicaciones de descanso presentaron una estructura vegetal vertical significativamente mayor, mientras las ubicaciones de forrajeo presentaron una profundidad de hojarasca significativamente mayor. La selección de hábitats de descanso y forrajeo espacialmente diferenciados, sugieren que las estrategias de conservación para etapa no reproductiva basados solamente en observaciones diurnas de comportamiento de forrajeo en áreas de invernada en Zonotrichia albicollis pueden no ser suficientes. Palabras clave: ámbito hogareño, forrajeo, gorrión, radiotelemetría, sitio de descanso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathology of experimental VVND was studied in twelve birds of house sparrows (S) and Australian parrots (P) which were divided into 6 equal (n= 4) experimental groups viz. S1, S2, S3, P1, P2, P3 and one group of broilers (C). The groups S1 and P1 (intramuscularly), groups S2, P2 and C (orally) were administered with 0.3 mL of VVND virus (2.3x1010.73 EID50). The groups S3 and P3 were kept in contact exposure with group C. The susceptibility and pathology were compared by measuring parameters like clinical scores, mortality rate, mean death time (days), necropsy findings, lesion scores and histopathological findings. Moreover, anti-VVND virus antibody (HAI) titers were measured in surviving birds. Yellow greenish diarrhoea, messy feathers, torticollis and anorexia were the main clinical signs observed in groups S1, S2, P1 and P2. However, no symptoms were observed In groups S3 and P3. The mean clinical scores of the three groups were statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). In contrast to Australian parrots, house sparrows have a higher mortality rate. The mortality rate observed in groups S1, S2, P1, P2, S3 and P3 was 100%, 75%, 50%, 50%, 0% and 0% respectively. The difference in mean death time (days) was not statistically meaningful (P > 0.05). The proventriculus, small intestine, spleen and trachea of all the infected birds had histopathological lesions. Precise hemorrhages in the proventriculus, defined button like lesions of the intestinal epithelium and necrosis in the trachea and spleen are among the necropsy lesions of infected birds. Haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titer on day 21 was found to be higher in all the experimental groups. In conclusion, both house sparrows and Australian parrots are vulnerable to experimental VVNDV infection intramuscularly and orally, with house sparrows being more susceptible. Sero-conversion was seen in contact exposed groups without VVND clinical signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification is a process that is still undergoing in many emergent economies. In the Pampas (Central Argentina), the former low-external-input farming was replaced by a model based on genetically modified crops and the intensive use of pesticides (mainly glyphosate) in the last decades. Here, we analyzed changes in water chemistry (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and carbonates) in 41 streams of Buenos Aires province between 2003/2004 and 2015/2016, and the impact of geology, soil type, and land use change on water chemistry. We also used the SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model to analyze possible drivers of stream phosphorus loads. We observed modifications at reach scale in several streams, including changes in channel morphology, riparian vegetation, and land use, and a moderate expansion of agriculture in most basins. Mean nitrate concentration did not change significantly between 2003/2004 and 2015/2016. Dissolved phosphorus concentration increased in the streams, especially in the southern fluvial regions, but contrary to our expectations, phosphorus levels were not associated with land use but with pH. The SPARROW model also supported the link between water acidification and phosphorus concentration, and indicated that the whole basin acts as a phosphorus source. Possible explanations of fluvial acidification may be related to current agricultural practices, including higher inputs of labile carbon from croplands, soil acidification by nitrogenous fertilizers, and the generalized use of glyphosate. This highlights the necessity of adopting new agricultural paradigms to reduce the use of agrochemicals in Pampean basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland bird populations are being lost at an alarming rate due to human modifications to grassland ecosystems. Grassland restoration has been shown to mitigate population declines for many species that use these habitats at some point in their annual cycles. We examined capture rates of adult, breeding, and hatch-year birds at a restored grassland site in the piedmont of central Georgia to determine whether colonization, breeding success, hatching success, and recruitment processes were impacting populations of grassland birds. We banded birds approximately twice per month from January 2009 through December 2021 at Panola Mountain State Park. Restoration efforts started in 2001, and include annual prescribed burns, control of invasives, and revegetation with native grassland plants. We documented an increase in total capture rates when all grassland species were combined (p=0.03, r²=0.37) and for several grassland species, including Chipping Sparrows (p=0.01, r²=0.44) and Marsh Wrens (p=0.004, r²=0.55). Capture rates of grassland birds in breeding condition increased as well, including when grassland species were combined (p=0.01, r²=0.45), Common Yellowthroats (p=0.05, r²=0.30), Indigo Buntings (p=0.04, r²=0.34), and Field Sparrows (p=0.002, r²=0.59). Capture rates of hatch-year birds increased for Chipping Sparrows (p=0.02, r²=0.39). Species-specific responses to restoration occur at different rates depending on habitat preferences, yet the only species that significantly declined was the Red-winged Blackbird, a bird more associated with water than grasslands. We attribute these increases and, importantly, the lack of significant declines, to successful ongoing restoration, which is providing adequate and appropriate resources for grassland birds. If managers identify target species, we recommend that restoration efforts include activities that are aimed at species-specific habitat requirements and habitat-level threats of those target species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ChatGPT joins a fast-growing list of generative artificial intelligence services capable of human-like conversation and creating new text, images, videos, code snippets and more from text-based input or prompts. Generative AI shows early promise both inside and beyond classrooms and school systems, but in its current iteration, and based on the data it is trained on, there are significant limitations as well. As with calculators, search engines, and other innovations, educators should be aware of the capability of generative AI, and continue to adapt and refine instructional and administrative practices to keep learning meaningful and authentic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Welby Ings's debut feature film "Punch" (2022), set in a small town in New Zealand, which explores the complex dynamics between teenager Jim, his overbearing father Stan, and his blossoming romance with Whetu amid challenges of homophobia and prejudice. Ings discusses the film's evolution over fifteen years, its social commentary, and the visual storytelling techniques.

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Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is spreading more and more in both human and animal niches. This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance and virulence threats of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from intestinal and fecal samples of 100 chickens, 60 turkeys, and 30 sparrows. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates were recovered in 12 of the animals tested, selecting one isolate per positive animal: sparrow (eight isolates, 26.7%), turkey (three isolates, 5%), and chicken (one isolate, 1%). The E. coli isolates were ascribed to B1 and D phylogenetic groups. The blaCTX-M-14 gene was detected in all ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from sparrow. The blaCTX-M-15 (two isolates) and blaCTX-M-14 genes (one isolate) were detected in the isolates of turkey, and the blaCTX-M-1 gene in one isolate from broiler. Three lineages were revealed among the tested isolates (ST/phylogenetic group/type of ESBL/origin): ST117/D/CTX-M-1/broiler, ST4492 (CC405)/D/CTX-M-15/turkey, and ST602/B1/CTX-M-14/sparrow. All isolates were negative for stx1, sxt2, and eae virulence genes. Our findings provide evidence that the sparrow could be a vector in the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates to other environments. This study also reports, to our knowledge, the first detection of blaCTX-M-14 from sparrow at a global level and in turkey in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sporadic Salmonella outbreaks were also documented in wild birds, although wild birds are the well-known carriers of salmonellosis. In this study, we investigated the causative agents of two death events of sparrows and black headed gulls occurring in the Çorum City Landfill and Bartın Port, respectively, between mid-autumn and winter of 2017-2018. Methods: Septicemic salmonellosis was suspected based on necropsy findings of dead sparrows and blackheaded gulls. In this context, isolation and identification was done according to conventional cultural method for the tissue samples (liver, spleen, heart) and ISO 6579:2002/Amd 1:2007 (Annex D) for small intestine samples, and serotyping were carried out according to Kauffman White Scheme. Results: One of the two mortality events was seen in the Bartın Port. S. Typhimurium was found to be the causative agent of black-headed gulls' (Larus ridibundus) death. The other mortality event observed in sparrows (Passer domesticus) was determined in the Çorum City Landfill. S. Hessarek was determined to be responsible of the septisemic bacteremia of sparrows. Conclusion: In both cases, where the death cases observed were the places which had a close interaction with urban civilization. According to informations, while black-headed gulls were adapted to feeding on urban waste and showed tendency to scavenge for food at rubbish tips and sewage outfalls in the Bartın Port, sparrows fed from the Çorum City Landfill to obtain food during migration season. Circulation of S. Hessarek in Çorum where commercial layer flocks existed and S. Typhimurium, a zoonotic pathogen in the Bartın Port were thought not to be ignored for poultry and human health. The epidemiology of both agents should be examined in wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sublethal exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) can have consequences for the reproductive, neurological, and physiological health of birds. Songbirds, regardless of trophic position, are often exposed to mercury (Hg) and may be at risk for health effects – especially if they inhabit a place that is subject to high Hg atmospheric deposition and/or have local conditions that are prone to methylation. This study investigates Hg concentrations in terrestrial songbirds of Southeast Michigan, where historical and present-day anthropogenic emissions of heavy metals are elevated. We collected tail feather samples from 223 songbirds across four different species during summer and fall of 2018 and 2019. The mean (±SE) Hg concentration across all samples was 103 ± 3.43 ng/g of dry feather weight. Mercury concentration varied significantly among species, and by age and site in some species, but not by sex. Mean concentrations were nearly seven times higher in two omnivore species, American robin (Turdus migratorius) and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), than in the two granivore species, American goldfinch (Spinus tristus) and house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Juveniles had higher feather Hg concentrations than adults in all species except American goldfinches - which feed their young primarily seeds, further supporting a role of diet in exposure. We also found a negative correlation between Hg concentration and body condition in American robins, but further research is needed to verify this relationship. While our sample concentrations do not exceed the threshold for sublethal effects, our findings provide insight into the patterns of Hg concentrations in terrestrial songbirds, which may help in understanding Hg exposure pathways, bioaccumulation and risks in terrestrial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a testosterone/oestrogen precursor and known modulator of vertebrate aggression. Male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia morphna) show high aggression during breeding and nonbreeding life-history stages when circulating DHEA levels are high, and low aggression during molt when DHEA levels are low. We previously showed that androgen receptor and aromatase mRNA expression are higher during breeding and/or nonbreeding in brain regions associated with reproductive and aggressive behaviour, although the potential role of DHEA in mediating these seasonal changes remained unclear. In the present study, nonbreeding male song sparrows were captured and held in the laboratory under short days (8 : 16 h light/dark cycle) and implanted with s.c. DHEA-filled or empty (control) implants for 14 days. DHEA implants increased aggression in a laboratory-based simulated territorial intrusion. Brains of DHEA-implanted birds showed higher aromatase mRNA expression in the preoptic area (POA) and higher androgen receptor mRNA expression in the periventricular nucleus of the medial striatum (pvMSt) and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. The DHEA-induced increases in aromatase expression in the POA and androgen receptor expression in the pvMSt are consistent with previously reported seasonal increases in these markers associated with naturally elevated DHEA levels. This suggests that DHEA facilitates seasonal increases in aggression in nonbreeding male song sparrows by up-regulating steroid signalling/synthesis machinery in a brain region-specific fashion.

In 2010 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) which is a “pollution diet” that aims to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, by 25 and 24% percent, respectively. To achieve this goal the TMDL requires the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), which are accepted land management practices for reducing pollutant runoff to nearby bodies of water. While the TMDL requires that the necessary management actions be in place by 2025 to eventually reach targeted nutrient loads, the ability to detect an effect of BMPs while assuming that one has occurred (i.e. statistical power) is still not well understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the power and required timelines to detect nutrient reductions in streams and rivers as the result of BMP implementation at the Chesapeake Watershed scale. Power estimates were produced using SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models, which offer a flexible statistical framework and were recently extended to allow for modeling multiple time steps. Nitrogen and phosphorus focused models were calibrated to estimate the power to detect reductions in flux from numerous constituent sources. To confidently detect a decrease in constituent flux reaching the Chesapeake Bay’s tidal waters from a specific constituent source, reductions ranging from 30–60% were required for the nitrogen model. In contrast, reductions of up to 80% were not detectable under the phosphorus model. The timelines necessary to detect reductions in nitrogen flux ranged from 11 to several hundred years under different rates-of-change and management scenarios. The approach proposed here can help better understand the ability to detect the effects of BMPs on a regional scale and help guide future management actions and monitoring programs.

Abstract Birds are very valuable indicators of species richness and endemic patterns in a specified ecosystem, which eventually help the scientist to measure the environmental degradation. The aim of present study was to know human knowledge and attitude toward urban birds in Faisalabad city, Pakistan. The study conducted in four consecutive months: November 2019 to February 2020. Population of birds was noted from eight residential towns of Faisalabad city, data were collected through questionnaire. Faisalabad has a reasonably large population of birds and present data show that, there is a significant difference between favorite bird of residential areas and institutions. The pigeon received the most likeness in bird population among residential area residents, while the myna received the least. The most popular bird in Faisalabad institutions was the sparrow, while the least popular bird was the common myna. Bird adaptation percentage of residential areas and institutional areas of Faisalabad was the highest for parrot and sparrow respectively. People in residential areas and institutions, on the other hand, adapted least to common myna. It is concluded that people of the study area like birds and offered food and high population of birds are present in study area.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is spreading more and more in both human and animal niches. This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance and virulence threats of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from intestinal and fecal samples of 100 chickens, 60 turkeys, and 30 sparrows. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates were recovered in 12 of the animals tested, selecting one isolate per positive animal: sparrow (eight isolates, 26.7%), turkey (three isolates, 5%), and chicken (one isolate, 1%). The E. coli isolates were ascribed to B1 and D phylogenetic groups. The blaCTX-M-14 gene was detected in all ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from sparrow. The blaCTX-M-15 (two isolates) and blaCTX-M-14 genes (one isolate) were detected in the isolates of turkey, and the blaCTX-M-1 gene in one isolate from broiler. Three lineages were revealed among the tested isolates (ST/phylogenetic group/type of ESBL/origin): ST117/D/CTX-M-1/broiler, ST4492 (CC405)/D/CTX-M-15/turkey, and ST602/B1/CTX-M-14/sparrow. All isolates were negative for stx1, sxt2, and eae virulence genes. Our findings provide evidence that the sparrow could be a vector in the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates to other environments. This study also reports, to our knowledge, the first detection of blaCTX-M-14 from sparrow at a global level and in turkey in Algeria.

This paper presents the results of the latest calibrations of the CLUES model for each of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and Escherichia coli. The model provides estimates of in-stream annual loads of these contaminants for every river reach in the New Zealand River Environments Classification and has been used in New Zealand for catchment planning and policy development. CLUES has been calibrated nationally against loads estimated from data collected from water quality monitoring stations located across the country which could lead to parameter bias. To ascertain whether there is any systematic bias, the calibration residuals were evaluated against regional (geographical) location and a range of upstream catchment characteristics, namely land use, soil drainage properties, slope, network order, proportion of baseflow in total stream flow, climate, geology and source of flow. We found that CLUES gives reasonable load estimates at the catchment scale (Nash-Sutcliff efficiencies >0.8 for all the contaminants). However, there was significant uncertainty in the parameterisation. While several significant relationships were found between upstream catchment characteristics and the model residuals, these relationships were weak and are unlikely to point to any systematic bias in the calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development of a land-sea coordination management strategy, it is necessary to analyze pollution sources and loads of pollutants entering the sea. This study estimated the sources and transport of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) entering Bohai Bay in Tianjin, a lower plain urban watershed, using a SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model. We calibrated the model using TN and TP data from 26 and 27 sites, respectively. The results demonstrated that the R2 values of TN and TP were both above 0.99. In 2013, the TN load delivered to Bohai Bay was 21,320 ton, which could be traced to various sources: upstream (39%), industrial discharge (10%), sewage discharge (34%), fertilizer application (3%), livestock breeding (7%), aquaculture (5%), and rural communities (2%). The TP load delivered to Bohai Bay was 1504 ton, which originated from upstream (33%), industrial discharge (5%), sewage discharge (21%), fertilizer application (5%), livestock breeding (12%), aquaculture (10%), and rural communities (14%). Rational management of the water resources in streams, enhancement of water circulation between rivers and wetlands, and making full use of the effect of both land and water on pollutant retention are the suitable strategies in watershed management, reducing marine pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the images of birds in Dostoevsky’s novel The Adolescent. This metaphoric framework is used to analyze the unconscious family scenarios and relationships and the implicit aspects of the main hero’s character

Water quality models are quite complex to use even for scientists, requiring knowledge in different areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Hence, the use of these models by a non-specialist is quite complicated, demanding considerable time and research, particularly to choose which model is the most appropriate for a given situation. In this study, a comparative guide is suggested, which can help users select the appropriate water quality model for certain systems and variables. Five models were considered as follows: AQUATOX, CE-QUAL-W2, Spatially Referenced Regression Model on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program 7 (WASP7), which have been widely used during the last 5 years. All of these selected models are free and easily available. It was verified that each model has its particularities and applications; however, the AQUATOX model has several advantages compared with the other models analyzed. In addition, to illustrate the availability of the proposed comparative guide, a case study was carried out to demonstrating the selection process of the selected models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study includes five adult male ostrich (Strothiue camelus). It was divided into proventriculus and gizzard the proventriculus was highly distended due to swallow a large mass of food anatomically the proventriculus had two regions papillary and non-papillary regions the proventriculus received food from esophagus via cardiac orifice. The wall of proventriculus was sharply marked off from the esophagus by color and nature of its wall by thickened ridge these structure characterized by colorless and slightly roughened the main function of proventriculus was production of gastric juice and propulsion of the food with these juice in the gizzard. The proventriculus connected with gizzard by region called isthmus. The gizzard was large muscular situated immediately to the keel bone resembled biconvex lence located between proventriculus and duodenum gizzard responsible for grinding of food. The inner surface of the gizzard is clearly distinguished by Horney lining cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islands are ideal settings for the study of evolution, ecology and genetic diversity. The tree sparrow (Passer montanus), which is distributed both inside and outside the Sichuan Basin and is relatively easy to capture, was used as our study species to test whether any genetic differences exist between within and outside of the Sichuan Basin. We analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequence variations to illustrate the continental island effect within the Sichuan Basin. Overall, fragments from four mtDNA and one nuclear sequence (Cytb + COI + 12S rRNA + Dloop + Myo) were amplified, with the concatenated alignment comprising 3234 bp. The results of Bayesian and maximum parsimony trees indicated two major branches, one of which is composed mainly of populations within the Sichuan Basin, while the other comprised populations distributed in the surrounding mountains. The population in Sichuan Basin was more basal than that in the surrounding mountains. The genetic distance between inner and outer populations was 0.095 and genetic differentiation index (F ST) between inner and outer populations was 0.342. This study shows that the overall distribution pattern of tree sparrow populations in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding mountains is probably the result of a vicariance event due to spatial isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many times, humans have been the main tool in initiation and development of espionage and counterespionage acts. If this tool meets certain requirements and is craftily and professionally used, then success is ensured anywhere and anytime. Humans have been used as a direct combat tool against enemy or just to prepare conditions for reaching specific goals, but only after thorough and adequate training according to the objective pursued, concurrently indicating him the benefits that he could personally enjoy, if successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bluebird boxes were attached to the back of small road signs and are maintained by the maintenance sign crew with minimal time away from their primary duties. Because locations were chosen where bluebirds had already been seen, success has been 100% since the project started in 2001. In 2002, 120 bluebirds were fledged and approximately 120 tree swallows as well. So far in 2003 there have been 30 pair of nesting bluebirds. We have had more problems this year with English sparrows killing bluebird chicks. Last year two boxes suffered from raccoon predation but that has not been repeated since the sign poles were greased. Costs were for materials only, boxes were built by the winter night crews when they were not plowing.

Despite considerable progress in hydrological modeling, challenges remain in the interpretation and accurate transfer of hydrological information across watersheds and scales. In the conterminous United States (CONUS), these limitations are related to spatial inconsistencies and constraints in hydrological model structures, including a lack of spatially explicit process components (streams, reservoirs, and watershed development) and restricted estimation of model parameters across watersheds. Collectively, such limitations can impede identification of the causes of streamflow variations across the diversity of watershed sizes and land uses in the CONUS and contribute to model imprecision and spatial inconsistencies in prediction uncertainties. We addressed these concerns with a new approach, the first hybrid (statistical‐mechanistic) SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) model of long‐term mean annual streamflow, applied across diverse environmental settings of the CONUS. The hybrid model coupled previous catchment‐scale (1 km) water balance predictions of "natural" unit area runoff, which are inclusive of major water cycling processes, with additional explanatory variables (e.g., soils, vegetation, land use, topography, water losses in streams, and reservoirs) that account for the effects of natural and cultural water supply and demand processes that operate over large spatial scales and explain streamflow variability across CONUS river basins. Accounting for these statistically unique effects, including a nonlinear surface area‐dependent scaling of water loss in river networks, significantly improved the accuracy of mean streamflow predictions in CONUS basins. Our hybrid modeling approach provides new methods for transferring hydrological information to ungauged locations in river networks, especially those in larger and more culturally diverse CONUS watersheds. Key Points: Integration of water balance methods with a spatially explicit statistical model improves accuracy of streamflow prediction across the USAStudy identifies large‐scale natural and human controls on water delivery from the land to river networks and quantifies in‐stream lossesApproach improves understanding and parameterization of large‐scale hydrological processes and scaling properties to support prediction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise estimation of process effects in hydrological models requires applying models to large scales with extensive spatial variability in controlling factors. Despite progress in large‐scale applications of hydrological models in conterminous United States (CONUS) river basins, spatial constraints in model parameters have prevented the interbasin sharing of data, complicating quantification of process effects and limiting the accuracy of model predictions and uncertainties. Hierarchical Bayesian methods enable data sharing between basins and the identification of the causes of model uncertainties, which can improve model accuracy and interpretability; however, computational inefficiencies have been an obstacle to their large‐scale application. We used a new generation of Bayesian methods to develop a hierarchical version of a previous hybrid (statistical‐mechanistic) SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes model of long‐term mean annual streamflow in the CONUS. We identified hierarchical (regional) variations in model coefficients and uncertainties and evaluated their effects on model accuracy and interpretability across diverse environments in 16 major CONUS regions. Hierarchical coefficients significantly improved spatial accuracy of model predictions, with the largest improvements in humid eastern regions, where uncertainties were approximately one third of those in arid western regions. Half of the coefficients varied regionally, with the largest variations in coefficients associated with water losses in streams and reservoirs. Our unraveling of the causes of model uncertainties identified a small latent process component of runoff that varies inversely with river size in most CONUS regions. Our study advances the use of hierarchical Bayesian methods to improve the predictive capabilities of hydrological models. Key Points: Use of hierarchical Bayesian methods with a spatially explicit statistical model improves accuracy of streamflow prediction across the United StatesThe study identifies regionally varying model coefficients for natural and human controls on water transport and losses in watershedsHierarchical models show promise for reducing uncertainties in transfers of hydrological information from gauged to ungauged watersheds [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two types of TH+ cells (TH1, TH2) appeared on the basis of dendritic morphology. • TH+ cells arborized in a tristratified manner in s1, s3, and s4/5 in the IPL. • Mean TH+ cell density was 37.4 cells/mm2 peaking in the central dorsotemporal area. • TH+ cells contained TH+ rings in s1 and dendritic spines in s4/5. • TH+ cells showed independent immunoreactivity pattern with CB, CR, and PV. The purpose of this study was to identify tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive (TH+) cells in the sparrow retina using immunocytochemistry and quantitative analysis. All TH+ cells were conventional amacrine cells. Based on dendritic morphology, at least two types were observed. The first type had a single thick primary process that descended from the cell body and many densely beaded processes in substrata (s) 1, less beaded processes in s3, and spiny processes in s4/5 of the inner plexiform layer. The dendrites of the second type appeared similar in each layer, but it displayed several primary processes that spread laterally away from the soma before descending to the inner plexiform layer. The average density of TH+ cells was 37.48 ± 1.97 cells/mm2 (mean ± standard deviation; n = 4), and the estimated total number of TH+ cells was 3,061.25 ± 192.79. The highest and lowest densities of TH+ cells were located in the central dorsotemporal retina and periphery of the ventronasal retina, respectively. TH+ cells did not express calbindin-D28 K, calretinin, or parvalbumin. These results suggest that all TH+ cells in specific amacrine cell subpopulations are involved in retinal information processing in both the ON and OFF sublaminae in sparrow retina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of the kidneys of sparrows living in wet and arid zones was compared to each other. A stereological study was conducted to quantify the components of the bird's kidneys. A total of 10 female sparrows living in wet and arid zones were collected. The length of the kidneys was measured before blocking. The transverse serial sections were taken with a thickness of 5 μm. The sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) as well as periodic acid Schiff- alcian blue (PAS- AL). The kidneys of the sparrows consisted mostly of a cortex with only a small portion as medulla. The medulla was arranged in the form of cones with different lengths, which were randomly distributed within the kidney. The medullary nephron tubules were arranged sequentially. Thick and thin limbs of loop of Henle were separated by the collecting ducts. The histological structure and absolute volumes of the kidneys and components of the nephron were quantified. The absolute volumes of the structures within the right and left kidneys were not significantly different. The volume of the whole kidney (p<0.001) in the wet zone was larger than that in the arid zone. Furthermore, the volume proportion of the proximal tubule as well as cortex to whole kidney size was higher than that in wet zone birds. Whereas, the volume proportion of the medulla, distal tubule, cortical collecting tubule, medullary collecting duct and thin limb of loop of Henle to whole kidney size was higher than that in arid zone birds (p≤0.001). This feature indicates that the arid zone bird species had a more high ability to conserve water by producing concentrated urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity loading in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) costs local economies upward of $300 million U.S. dollars annually. Salinity source models have generally included coarse spatial data to represent nonagriculture sources. We developed new predictive soil property and cover maps at 30‐m resolution to improve source representation in salinity modeling. Salinity loading erosion risk indices were also created based on soil properties, remotely sensed bare ground exposure, and topographic factors to examine potential surface soil erosion drivers. These new maps and data from previous SPARROW models were related to recently updated records of salinity at 309 stream gauges in the UCRB using random forest regressions. Resulting salinity yield predictions indicate more diffuse salinity sources, with slightly higher yields in more arid portions of the UCRB, and less overall load coming from irrigated agricultural sources. Model simulations still indicate irrigation to be the major human source of salinity (661,000 Mg or 12%) and also suggest that 75,000 Mg (1.4%) of annual salinity in the UCRB is coming from areas with excessive exposed bare ground in high‐elevation mountain areas. Model inputs allow for field‐scale screening of locations that could be targeted for salinity control projects. Results confirm recent studies indicating limited surface erosional influence on salinity loading in UCRB surface waters, but impacts of monsoonal runoff events are still not fully understood, particularly in drylands. The study highlights the utility of new predictive soil maps and machine learning for environmental modeling. Key Points: A flexible random forest approach for salinity yield modeling is presentedField‐scale distribution characteristics of new soil property maps were the most important catchment salinity yield predictorsNew 30‐m soil cover maps highlight areas where salinity control projects may reduce loads by 1.4% or 76,051 Mg [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In New Zealand, men who returned shell shocked from the World Wars were framed in terms of failed masculinity (Showalter, 1987); maladjustment (Mosse, 1996); malingering (Clarke, 1991); and dereliction of duty and cowardice (Parsons, 2013). These were not the strong, heroic soldiers who sustained physical injuries in defence of a nation, but a difficult reminder of our human inability to cope. In 2015, I began making a film about my great uncle who had died a war hero. However, while researching the story I discovered something hidden. His family story was a lie. He was shot in the act of desertion. In our commemorative ceremonies and sanctioned histories of war, such men's stories normally do not appear. In researching the production design for the film about his death, I encountered two distinctive phenomena, absence and myth. There was an absence of records, an absence of photographs and an absence of lived experience. This chapter considers the nature of sanctioned absence in narratives of war. It then briefly discusses the challenges of such expurgation when designing the physical world of a film when issues of transgressive sexuality and defiance have been deliberately erased from both family and institutional records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring songbird reproductive output is a well-established method for assessing population persistence, but reproductive studies on grassland songbirds often suffer from low sample sizes, high labor costs, and high levels of disturbance due to the difficulty of finding nests. However, technological advances in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) might improve our ability to locate these hidden nests with minimal intrusion. We compared the effectiveness and efficiency of locating grassland songbird nests with a thermal camera mounted on a UAV versus traditional nest searching techniques. We used a paired experimental design to determine whether UAV-assisted searches could replicate the results from traditional search methods. Two independent teams surveyed field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) territories with active ground nests for up to 2 h on consecutive days. Each team recorded the outcome and time it took to locate the nest. Both methods were highly successful at locating ground nests. UAV-assisted searches located nests 28% faster than traditional methods, but the results from a survival-style analysis indicated that the methods were not significantly different. Although UAVs may temporarily increase stress and alter the behavior of animals, UAV-assisted searches are generally less invasive than traditional methods because piloting the aircraft from the territory edge drastically reduces the need to traverse and trample vegetation within the territory. Thus, UAV-assisted nest searches represent a promising technique for locating grassland bird nests. Continued advances in UAV and thermal technology are likely to increase the efficiency of UAV-assisted nest searches and may eventually remove the need for humans to enter target territories when monitoring nest success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated variations in the shape and size of some bones and their adaptive significances in both sexes of the migratory yellow breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola Pallas, 1773) and resident house sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) and tree sparrow (Passer montanus Linnaeus, 1758). Measurements of the large bones like skull, beak, orbit, sternum, coracoid, scapula, femur, tibiotarsus, humerus and metatarsus were recorded to find out variations in their measurements. The skull, cranial and sternum indices were also calculated. An attempt was also made to correlate the structural differences of these bones between migratory and nonmigratory species and also between sexes with their adaptive significances. Principal component analysis indicated 84.79% of the total variance. Discriminant function analysis shows distinct separation in the bone lengths between the resident and migratory birds while there was little overlap between the sexes. The proportion of original grouped cases correctly classified was found to be 95.0%. Migratory bunting showed significantly longer sternum, tibiotarsus, femur and humerus beside a higher sternum when compared to those of resident sparrows. On the other hand, beak width, sternum width and indices of cranium and sternum, were more in resident sparrows. Thus, our studied birds seem to possess species specific adaptations by modifying their bones to fit their modes of living and conditions for better endurance and performance.

Big data processing systems are developing towards larger degrees of parallelism and shorter task durations in order to achieve lower response time. Scheduling highly parallel tasks that complete in sub-seconds poses a great challenge to traditional centralized schedulers. Taking the challenge, researchers turn to distributed scheduling approaches to avoid the throughput limitation of centralized schedulers, among which Sparrow is a leading design. However, little effort is devoted to the fault tolerance of Sparrow and there are problems with Sparrow’s sample-based techniques, which gives rise to incomplete jobs and large scheduling latency. We then present Fault Tolerant, Low Latency Sparrow (FTLLS). It extends Sparrow with an assistant machine to handle worker failures and to make better scheduling decisions. Through simulations, it is proved that FTLLS can detect worker failures more quickly than a naive timeout approach and make better scheduling decisions than native Sparrow. Through implementation, the results show that FTLLS guarantees no incomplete jobs at the presence of worker failures and reduces scheduling latencies by over 1.5 × when compared to native Sparrow. In addition, the simplicity of the idea adopted by FTLLS makes it applicable to a wide variety of distributed scheduling approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oases are semi-natural woodlots surrounded by an inhospitable desert environment. This insular-like habitat system is known to support a mixture of sedentary and migratory bird species originating from different areas. However, little is known about the interactions between these birds and parasites. In this study, we investigated the diversity, prevalence and host specificity of avian haemosporidian parasites in southern Tunisian oases in two sedentary and common bird species, the laughing dove Spilopelia senegalensis and hybrid sparrow Passer domesticus × hispaniolensis, in six sites that differ regarding vegetation structure and distance to the coast. Two new Haemoproteus lineages, related to other Haemoproteus transmitted by biting midges, were detected in doves. With regard to sparrows, all detected parasites have previously been reported in other sparrow populations, except for one new Haemoproteus lineage. Our results also showed that densely vegetated sites were characterized by the higher prevalence of Plasmodium but a lower prevalence of Haemoproteus compared with less-vegetated sites. This is the first study aiming to explore avian parasites in the oasis habitat. Gathering data on a larger sample of oases with different sizes and isolation levels will be the next step to better understand factors shaping the transmission dynamics of avian parasites in such ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]