2,937 research outputs found
The role of oxytocin in the maternal behaviour of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
No full textThe neuropeptide hormone oxytocin plays an integral role in mammalian reproductive endocrinology and behaviour. It has been utilised to study the physiological factors driving maternal behaviour in both laboratory and domestic mammals, but few studies have successfully detected oxytocin in wild individuals, or linked detected concentrations to the behaviours they exhibit. Phocid seals present an excellent system in which to study oxytocin’s effects on maternal behaviour in the wild. The energetic constraints placed on a phocid mother during the dependant period should cause strong selection pressure for behaviour that maximises reproductive success with the least cost to the mother. However in many phocid species, substantial variations in maternal behaviour persist. In order to investigate whether oxytocin plays a role in driving this variation, behavioural and hormonal datasets were collected from grey seal mothers and pups on two breeding colonies in Scotland.
A protocol for the detection of plasma oxytocin in phocid seals was successfully developed, along with the methodology to manipulate peripheral oxytocin concentrations to directly test the hormone’s impact on behaviour. Both correlatory studies on natural oxytocin concentrations and behaviour in wild mother-pup pairs and manipulation experiments on newly weaned pups show that plasma oxytocin concentrations influence behaviours that makes mother – pup separation less likely. These include increasing the time spent in close proximity to each other, increasing the number of checks performed on the pup and reducing the aggressive behaviour directed towards the other individual. Additionally, plasma oxytocin could be used as an indicator of weak maternal bonds between mother and pup, which resulted in behaviours such as abandonment and fostering. This study highlights the potential of oxytocin for studying variations in behaviours critical to an individual’s reproductive success and provides the methodological framework for studies on other wild species to be conducted in the future
Harmonies of political economy / by Frédéric Bastiat ; translated from the French, with a notice of the life and writings of the author, by Patrick James Stirling
No full textTranslation of the first 10 chapters of "Harmonies économiques"Advertisement on p. [299]Bastiat, Frédéric, 1801-1850Stirling, Patrick James, 1809-1891Physical description: xl, 298, [1] p. ; 23 cmLocation of original: Center for Historical Social Science Literature, Hitotsubashi University -- Call no. : Franklin:91Technical requirements: DjVu plugin is required to read text
Assessing use of and reaction to unmanned aerial systems in gray and harbor seals during breeding and molt in the UK
No full textThis work was supported by UK NERC National Environmental Research Council National Capability funding to SMRU, NERC grant No. GE08-001358 to PP, through UK DEFRA support to SMRU, and by development grants from MASTS and Chester Zoo.Wildlife biology applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are extensive. Survey, identification, and measurement using UAS equipped with appropriate sensors can now be added to the suite of techniques available for monitoring animals – here we detail our experiences in using UAS to obtain detailed information from groups of seals, which can be difficult to observe from land. Trial flights to survey grey and harbour seals using a range of different platforms and imaging systems have been carried out with varying success at a number of sites in Scotland over the last two years. The best performing UAS system was determined by site, field situation, and the data required. Our systems routinely allow relative abundance, species, age--class, and individual identity to be obtained from images currently, with measures of body size also obtainable but open to refinement. However, the impacts of UAS on target species can also be variable and should be monitored closely. We found variable responses to UAS flights, likely related to the animals’ experience of previous disturbance.Peer reviewe
The poetical works of Patrick Hannay, A.M. MDCXXII : with a memoir of the author.
No full text"A faithful and literal re-publication" of the rare 1622 edition of Hannay's collected poems. With facsimile of original engraved t.-p.: The Nightingale. Sheretine and Mariana. A happy husband. Eligies on the death of Queene Anne. Songs and Sonnets by Patrick Hanay gent. London printed for Nathaniel Butler. 1622."Memoir of Patrick Hannay, A.M., by David Laing...": p. 7-47."Presented to the members of the Hunterian club by Thomas Russell."Philomela, the nightingale.--Sheretine and Mariana.--A happy husband: or, Directions for a maid to chvse her mate. Together with A wives behaviovr after mariage. The second edition.--Elegies, on the death of ovr late soueraigne Qveene Anne. With epitaphs.--Songs and sonnets.Mode of access: Internet
Estimating demographic parameters for capture-recapture data in the presence of multiple mark types
No full textIn mark-recapture studies, various techniques can be used to uniquely identify individual animals, such as ringing, tagging or photo-identification using natural markings. In some long-term studies more than one type of marking procedure may be implemented during the study period. In these circumstances, ignoring the different mark types can produce biased survival estimates since the assumption that the different mark types are equally catchable (homogeneous capture probability across mark types) may be incorrect.We implement an integrated approach where we simultaneously analyse data obtained using three different marking techniques, assuming that animals can be cross-classified across the different mark types. We discriminate between competing models using the AIC statistic. This technique also allows us to estimate both relative mark-loss probabilities and relative recapture efficiency rates for the different marking methods.We initially perform a simulation study to explore the different biases that can be introduced if we assume a homogeneous recapture probability over mark type, before applying the method to a real dataset. We make use of data obtained from an intensive long-term observational study of UK female grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) at a single breeding colony, where three different methods are used to identify individuals within a single study: branding, tagging and photo-identification based on seal coat pattern or pelage.Peer reviewe
Grey seal maternal attendance patterns are affected by water availability on North Rona, Scotland
No full textPrevious studies on grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) have shown that pools of water influence female distribution within inland breeding colonies. This study reveals that the availability of pools also affects maternal attendance patterns and may have implications for breeding success. An atypical dry period at the start of the 1998 breeding season on North Rona, Scotland, followed by a normal wet period, provided a natural experiment that allowed us to examine female behaviour in relation to the availability of pools. During the dry period, lactating grey seals (i) travelled long distances to gain access to water; (ii) had significantly greater rates of locomotion towards water and resulting from interactions between conspecifics; and (iii) spent significantly less time close to their pups. Long-distance locomotion and a reduction in time spent with the pup often lead to permanent mother-pup separation, resulting in starvation of the pup. However, the immediate need to gain access to water for thermoregulation or maintenance of a positive water balance outweighed the potential costs of reproductive failure, emphasising the importance of water for lactating grey seals even during the relatively cold and damp breeding season in the U.K.Peer reviewe
Measuring industry-science links through inventor-author relations: A profiling method
No full textIn this pilot study we examine the performance of text-based profiling in recovering a set of validated inventor-author links. In a first step we match patents and publications solely based on their similarity in content. Next, we compare inventor and author names on the highest ranked matches for the occurrence of name matches. Finally, we compare these candidate matches with the names listed in a validated set of inventor-author names. Our text-based profile methodology performs significantly better than a random matching of patents and publications, suggesting that text-based profiling is a valuable complementary tool to the name searches used in previous studies.innovation; industry-science links; text-based profiling;
An historical account of the life and reign of David King of Israel. [electronic resource] : In four books. ... In which ... Mr. Bayle's criticisms, ... are fully considered. By the author of Revelation examined with candour. In two volumes.
No full textThe author of 'Revelation examined with candor' = Patrick Delaney.Vol.2 includes 'Reflections upon the present neglect of the public worship of God'.Electronic reproduction.English Short Title Catalog,Reproduction of original from British Library
On the dynamics and selective transport of fatty acids and organochlorines in lactating grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)
No full textThis thesis examines fatty acid (FA) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dynamics in a marine top predator, the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus,) and their transfer during lactation from mother to offspring. It examines regional and annual variations in FA composition and PCB loads, and also how the physical and chemical characteristics of these molecules (e.g. their polarity and size) can affect the rates of accumulation, mobilization and transfer of specific FAs or PCBs. Two UK grey seal colonies (North Rona (NR) and Isle of May (IOM) were studied during three consecutive years (1996-1998 and 2004-2006). Lactating grey seals and their pups were repeatedly captured during the lactation period and sampled for blubber, serum and milk and analysed for FAs and PCBs.
Overall, the two colonies were clearly distinguished from each other, suggesting that the main prey species had different FA composition, and possibly that the seals from these colonies had different diets . These differences are probably a direct consequence of differences in prey community structure in the two regions where seals from these two colonies are thought to feed. Within each colony, annual differences could be detected between some years but not between others. During 1996-98, IOM seals showed a clear change in their FA profiles while NR seals did not. In contrast, during 2004-2006 NR seals showed a clear change while IOM seals did not. The changes observed in IOM during 1996-1998 are consistent with the large-scale regime shift that occurred in the North Sea during the 1990's.
The relative proportions of each FA that were mobilized from blubber and transferred to the milk during lactation were very similar between colonies, and could be explained to a large degree by their physico-chemical properties. For a given carbon chain length the mobilization increased with increasing number of double bonds; and for a given number of double bonds the mobilization decrease with increasing carbon chain length. However, the mobilization also appeared to be influenced by the specific nutritional requirements of the growing pups. For instance, FAs that are considered essential for pup development or efficient energy storage (e.g. saturated FAs) were more highly mobilised than expected. This selectivity was also reflected in the FA composition of the different body compartments (maternal blubber and milk, pup blubber) that persisted throughout lactation. These changes were also similar between the colonies.
Colonies could also be clearly distinguished by their blubber PCB profiles. IOM seals had higher total concentrations on average than NR seals (1327.9 vs. 680.2 ng/g lipid in 2005 and 1199.7 vs. 819.0 ng/g lipid in 2006). IOM seals also had higher total amounts in both years (79.2 vs. 38.0 mg in 2005 and 61.7 vs. 53.4 mg in 2006). One of the main differences between colonies was that females from IOM had higher concentrations of highly chlorinated congeners than NR seals.PCB concentrations in blubber increased towards the end of lactation. Serum and milk PCB concentrations also increased rapidly, especially for the highly chlorinated congeners. These results were consistent with other studies showing the increase in concentrations as a result of lipid loss. Serum concentrations stayed constant during the first part of lactation and increased at late lactation. This was also observed in milk PCB concentrations. The changes in the PCB profiles in the three body compartments were very similar between colonies. However IOM seals always had higher total concentrations of PCBs in all of the body compartments. The concentrations of individual congeners relative to PCB-153 showed that blubber contained higher proportions of the highly chlorinated PCBs relative to other tissues. There were no clear changes in these proportions in blubber during lactation, but the relative proportions of highly chlorinated PCB In serum and milk increased throughout lactation while the less chlorinated PCBs stayed constant. The highly chlorinated PCBs were found in lower concentration in the milk compared to the less chlorinated compounds suggesting a selective release from blubber to blood and a selective transfer of PCBs to the milk
Breeding Behavior
No full textA successful breeding episode requires individuals to locate suitable mates, produce young, and rear them to independence within a suitable environment, time, and place. All this must be done while avoiding predators and competing for essential, finite resources, such as access to mates or breeding sites. Phocid seal species show great diversity in the behaviors that have evolved to overcome these challenges. Although all phocids forage in marine environments, they give birth on various substrate types, the temporal and spatial separation of which imposes significant energetic pressures on breeding individuals. Most existing detailed studies of phocid breeding behavior have been on species that breed in large, land-based colonies where most of their reproductive behavior is visible to observers. There are significant gaps in our knowledge of seals breeding in remote environments, small groups, and those that forage while breeding or display and mate underwater. Improvements in telemetry devices, ways of examining links between behavior and physiology in free-ranging seals, and remote surveying techniques will be essential for continuing to expand our understanding of breeding behavior in phocids and to predict how individuals or populations may respond to changing environments and anthropogenic activities
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