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Abstract Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic tumor diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to report incidence risk, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompass Program supports research on anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from dogs under UK veterinary care. This study included all VetCompass EHRs from dogs under primary veterinary care during 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosis. Of 2,250,741 study dogs, 278 were confirmed as insulinoma cases at any date. The estimated 2019 incidence risk was 0.003% (95% CI 0.002–0.004%). Compared to crossbreeds, predisposed breeds included Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pointer, Flat Coated Retriever, Boxer and West Highland White Terrier. The Labrador Retriever showed decreased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Additionally, being a terrier breed and being a breed predisposed to other endocrine cancers were associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Other risk factors associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis included being female neutered, being 9 -

Abstract During spring, migratory birds are required to optimally balance energetic costs of migration across heterogeneous landscapes and weather conditions to survive and reproduce successfully. Therefore, an individual's migratory performance may influence reproductive outcomes. Given large‐scale changes in land use, climate, and potential carry‐over effects, understanding how individuals migrate in relation to breeding outcomes is critical to predicting how future scenarios may affect populations. We used GPS tracking devices on 56 Greater White‐fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) during four spring migrations to examine whether migration characteristics influenced breeding propensity and breeding outcome. We found a strong longitudinal difference in arrival to the breeding areas (18 days earlier), pre‐nesting duration (90.9% longer), and incubation initiation dates (9 days earlier) between western‐ and eastern‐Arctic breeding regions, with contrasting effects on breeding outcomes, but no migration characteristic strongly influenced breeding outcome. We found that breeding region influenced whether an individual likely pursued a capital or income breeding strategy. Where individuals fell along the capital‐income breeding continuum was influenced by longitude, revealing geographic effects of life‐history strategy among conspecifics. Factors that govern breeding outcomes likely occur primarily upon arrival to breeding areas or are related to individual quality and previous breeding outcome, and may not be directly tied to migratory decision‐making across broad scales.

Increasing densities of woody plants, known as woody plant encroachment, is a phenomenon affecting savannas and grasslands in many parts of the world. Yet, these ecosystems sustain a significant proportion of the human population through the provision of ecosystem services, such as forage for livestock and wildlife production. While low to medium altitude rangelands are encroached by many species of woody plants, high altitude rangelands in southern Africa show increasing densities of Leucosidea sericea, a woody shrub or small to medium-sized tree. Influences of this species on rangeland dynamics are unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of L. sericea on rangeland functioning in the Vuvu communal area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Effects of L. sericea on plant species diversity and composition, rangeland condition and grazing capacity were measured in sites of variable densities of the species in topographical locations designated as plains, upland and stream sites, using a point-to-tuft method along 50-m long transects. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 5 cm from plains, streams, and upland sites, and analysed for organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and pH. Plant species richness and abundance were similar among topographical locations, which was reflected by the similar Shannon-Weiner (H') diversity indices among sites. Topographical locations differed significantly in species composition. The plains sites had a higher grazing capacity than stream sites, which had a grazing capacity similar to that of upland sites. Values of soil physicochemical properties were similar among the sites. Overall, soils were acidic (range in pH: 4.4-4.6) and had low amounts of organic carbon and total nitrogen. These findings suggest that L. sericea is not the primary cause of rangeland degradation as all sites were in poor condition as shown by the low grazing capacity, poor rangeland condition and depauperate species richness and diversity. Therefore, rangeland management should shift towards restoration strategies aimed to revitalise the rangeland.

With roughly 3.9 million acres of wetlands, 2.3% of its total land area, Texas has the fifth largest wetland acreage in the United States. As of 1990, there was an estimated 52% reduction in the state's original wetland acreage, but there has been no recent assessment of statewide wetland loss or gain since then. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat, flood storage and control, aquifer recharge, water quality improvement, and pollutant breakdown and storage of greenhouse gasses as well as human recreational opportunities including boating, paddling, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, hiking, and nature photography. Texas wetlands face intensifying challenges in the coming decades. Regulatory and legislative action should be forward-facing, anticipating effects of climate change, sea level rise, and urban expansion. Incorporating new technologies will allow for more timely and cost-efficient large-scale monitoring of wetland loss and gain. The residents of Texas are largely in support of active management of the state’s water resources; academic institutions, state and federal agencies, and conservation-minded private entities should work together to ensure the wetlands of Texas persist for wildlife and the generations to come.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the initial experience, technical success, and clinical benefit of AneuFix (TripleMed, Geleen, the Netherlands), a novel biocompatible and non-inflammatory elastomer that is directly injected into the aneurysm sac by a translumbar puncture in patients with a type II endoleak and a growing aneurysm. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, prospective, pivotal study was conducted (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02487290). Patients with a type II endoleak and aneurysm growth (>5 mm) were included. Patients with a patent inferior mesenteric artery connected to the endoleak were excluded for initial safety reasons. The endoleak cavity was translumbar punctured with cone-beam computed tomography (CT) and software guidance. Angiography of the endoleak was performed, all lumbar arteries connected to the endoleak were visualized, and AneuFix elastomer was injected into the endoleak cavity and short segment of the lumbar arteries. The primary endpoint was technical success, defined as successful filling of the endoleak cavity with computed tomography angiography (CTA) assessment within 24 hours. Secondary endpoints were clinical success defined as the absence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth at 6 months on CTA, serious adverse events, re-interventions, and neurological abnormalities. Computed tomography angiography follow-up was performed at 1 day and at 3, 6, and 12 months. This analysis reports the initial experience of the first 10 patients treated with AneuFix. Results: Seven men and 3 women with a median age of 78 years (interquartile range (IQR), 74-84) were treated. Median aneurysm growth after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was 19 mm (IQR, 8–23 mm). Technical success was 100%; it was possible to puncture the endoleak cavity of all treated patients and to inject AneuFix. Clinical success at 6 months was 90%. One patient showed 5 mm growth with persisting endoleak, probably due to insufficient endoleak filling. No serious adverse events related to the procedure or AneuFix material were reported. No neurological disorders were reported. Conclusion: The first results of type II endoleak treatment with AneuFix injectable elastomer in a small number of patients with a growing aneurysm show that it is technically feasible, safe, and clinically effective at 6 months. Clinical Impact: Effective and durable embolization of type II endoleaks causing abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) growth after EVAR is challenging. A novel injectable elastic polymer (elastomer) was developed, specifically designed to treat type II endoleaks (AneuFix, TripleMed, Geleen, the Netherlands). Embolization of the type II endoleak was performed by translumbar puncture. The viscosity changes from paste-like during injection, into an elastic implant after curing. The initial experience of this multicentre prospective pivotal trial demonstrated that the procedure is feasible and safe with a technical success of 100%. Absence of AAA growth was observed in 9 out of 10 treated patients at 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic tumor diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to report incidence risk, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompass Program supports research on anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from dogs under UK veterinary care. This study included all VetCompass EHRs from dogs under primary veterinary care during 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosis. Of 2,250,741 study dogs, 278 were confirmed as insulinoma cases at any date. The estimated 2019 incidence risk was 0.003% (95% CI 0.002–0.004%). Compared to crossbreeds, predisposed breeds included Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pointer, Flat Coated Retriever, Boxer and West Highland White Terrier. The Labrador Retriever showed decreased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Additionally, being a terrier breed and being a breed predisposed to other endocrine cancers were associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Other risk factors associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis included being female neutered, being 9 - <15 years of age, having an adult median bodyweight of 20 - <30 kg and having a bodyweight above the median for the sex/breed. This is the first study to report the epidemiology of canine insulinoma in dogs under primary veterinary care, resulting in crucial leads for further research in the epidemiology and etiology of canine insulinoma and possible links of canine insulinoma with other canine endocrine cancers. Additionally, the results can aid veterinarians to identify dogs at greater risk of insulinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed the influence of woody plant encroachment on the diversity of rodents in mesic savannas at the Roodeplaat and Goss Farms in South Africa. Some 142 animals from six species were recorded in 1748 trap nights. The non‐encroached habitat showed twice the species richness of encroached habitats, and three species were notably absent from encroached habitats. Strategies that reduce tree density in encroached savannas will benefit rodents while the inclusion of day‐time sampling will improve the estimation of rodent abundance and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Animal movement patterns are the result of both environmental and physiological effects, and the rates of movement and energy expenditure of given movement strategies are influenced by the physical environment an animal inhabits. Greater white-fronted geese in North America winter in ecologically distinct regions and have undergone a large-scale shift in wintering distribution over the past 20 years. White-fronts continue to winter in historical wintering areas in addition to contemporary areas, but the rates of movement among regions, and energetic consequences of those decisions, are unknown. Additionally, linkages between wintering and breeding regions are generally unknown, and may influence within-winter movement rates. Methods We used Global Positioning System and acceleration data from 97 white-fronts during two winters to elucidate movement characteristics, model regional transition probabilities using a multistate model in a Bayesian framework, estimate regional energy expenditure, and determine behavior time-allocation influences on energy expenditure using overall dynamic body acceleration and linear mixed-effects models. We assess the linkages between wintering and breeding regions by evaluating the winter distributions for each breeding region. Results White-fronts exhibited greater daily movement early in the winter period, and decreased movements as winter progressed. Transition probabilities were greatest towards contemporary winter regions and away from historical wintering regions. Energy expenditure was up to 55% greater, and white-fronts spent more time feeding and flying, in contemporary wintering regions compared to historical regions. White-fronts subsequently summered across their entire previously known breeding distribution, indicating substantial mixing of individuals of varying breeding provenance during winter. Conclusions White-fronts revealed extreme plasticity in their wintering strategy, including high immigration probability to contemporary wintering regions, high emigration from historical wintering regions, and high regional fidelity to western regions, but frequent movements among eastern regions. Given that movements of white-fronts trended toward contemporary wintering regions, we anticipate that a wintering distribution shift eastward will continue. Unexpectedly, greater energy expenditure in contemporary wintering regions revealed variable energetic consequences of choice in wintering region and shifting distribution. Because geese spent more time feeding in contemporary regions than historical regions, increased energy expenditure is likely balanced by increased energy acquisition in contemporary wintering areas.

The objective of this research is to understand the effectiveness of National Development Agency (NDA) training; the study investigates the effects of training design characteristics (training content) and learning on training effectiveness. The study looked into the effect of training design factor consisting of training content and acquisition of skills and knowledge of trainees on training effectiveness in training program attended by Board members of NPOs in Gauteng Province. About 200 respondents from different NPOs in the Gauteng province of South Africa who attended the NPO Compliance and Governance training participated in the study through an online survey. Training content and learning of trainees have a significant effect on training effectiveness. Furthermore, the respondents indicated that their NPOs did not improve on their poor governance and non-compliance to the NPO Act as a result of the NDA training.

Increasing densities of woody plants, known as woody plant encroachment, is a phenomenon affecting savannas and grasslands in many parts of the world. Yet, these ecosystems sustain a significant proportion of the human population through the provision of ecosystem services, such as forage for livestock and wildlife production. While low to medium altitude rangelands are encroached by many species of woody plants, high altitude rangelands in southern Africa show increasing densities of Leucosidea sericea, a woody shrub or small to medium-sized tree. Influences of this species on rangeland dynamics are unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of L. sericea on rangeland functioning in the Vuvu communal area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Effects of L. sericea on plant species diversity and composition, rangeland condition and grazing capacity were measured in sites of variable densities of the species in topographical locations designated as plains, upland and stream sites, using a point-to-tuft method along 50-m long transects. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 5 cm from plains, streams, and upland sites, and analysed for organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and pH. Plant species richness and abundance were similar among topographical locations, which was reflected by the similar Shannon-Weiner (H′) diversity indices among sites. Topographical locations differed significantly in species composition. The plains sites had a higher grazing capacity than stream sites, which had a grazing capacity similar to that of upland sites. Values of soil physicochemical properties were similar among the sites. Overall, soils were acidic (range in pH: 4.4–4.6) and had low amounts of organic carbon and total nitrogen. These findings suggest that L. sericea is not the primary cause of rangeland degradation as all sites were in poor condition as shown by the low grazing capacity, poor rangeland condition and depauperate species richness and diversity. Therefore, rangeland management should shift towards restoration strategies aimed to revitalise the rangeland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During spring, migratory birds are required to optimally balance energetic costs of migration across heterogeneous landscapes and weather conditions to survive and reproduce successfully. Therefore, an individual's migratory performance may influence reproductive outcomes. Given large‐scale changes in land use, climate, and potential carry‐over effects, understanding how individuals migrate in relation to breeding outcomes is critical to predicting how future scenarios may affect populations. We used GPS tracking devices on 56 Greater White‐fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) during four spring migrations to examine whether migration characteristics influenced breeding propensity and breeding outcome. We found a strong longitudinal difference in arrival to the breeding areas (18 days earlier), pre‐nesting duration (90.9% longer), and incubation initiation dates (9 days earlier) between western‐ and eastern‐Arctic breeding regions, with contrasting effects on breeding outcomes, but no migration characteristic strongly influenced breeding outcome. We found that breeding region influenced whether an individual likely pursued a capital or income breeding strategy. Where individuals fell along the capital‐income breeding continuum was influenced by longitude, revealing geographic effects of life‐history strategy among conspecifics. Factors that govern breeding outcomes likely occur primarily upon arrival to breeding areas or are related to individual quality and previous breeding outcome, and may not be directly tied to migratory decision‐making across broad scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) use both agricultural and wetland habitats throughout winter with changes in use exhibited temporally and in relation to environmental and landscape factors. Currently, an unknown proportion of Greater White-fronted Geese winter in Mexico, largely along the Gulf Coast and in the Central Highlands, where information regarding wintering ecology is largely unknown. Because conservation efforts for waterfowl typically focus on wetland habitats, understanding factors influencing wetland use is imperative to developing informed conservation strategies. During winters, 2016–2018, we used remote sensing to measure characteristics of 91 wetlands used by GPS-tagged Greater White-fronted Geese, and modeled how wetland and landscape variables influenced wetland use and selection. Our top model of wetland use indicated that larger wetlands and wetlands that were closer to other used wetlands were related to increased use. There was an interaction between wetland type and distance to agriculture, indicating that Greater White-fronted Geese exhibited increased use of emergent herbaceous/grass and woody wetland types that were in closer proximity to agriculture. Our wetland-selection model indicated that woody and emergent wetlands that were larger in size were selected at greater rates than available wetlands on the landscape. Additionally, we conducted a spatial comparison of used wetlands in this study with wetlands previously identified as important for waterfowl conservation in Mexico in the literature. Of 91 wetlands used by geese, only 7.7% fell within wetland complexes identified as priority for waterfowl conservation or specific wetlands important to Greater White-fronted Geese by previous research, and all were within the Laguna Madre de Mexico and Rio Grande Delta regions in Tamaulipas. Wetlands in Mexico are being degraded at a rapid rate, and information such as this is important for future management and conservation-planning efforts throughout Mexico for wetland-dependent species such as the Greater White-fronted Goose.

Waterfowl undergo changes in body condition during migratory and wintering periods that can affect survival and reproduction. Understanding how condition varies among age and sex cohorts and temporally can inform habitat management during the post- and pre-breeding period. We examined changes in body composition and molt of three waterfowl species migrating and wintering in managed moist-soil units in east central Texas and determined the influence of season, age, and sex using Analysis of Variance. We examined age, sex, and season effects on body condition indices (body mass divided by wing chord) using mixed-effects models and determined the influence of molt score on body condition using linear regression. For specimens collected from 2004–2007, we found differences in body composition among age and sex groups for Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discor), a migrant through this study area, and for Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca), and Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata), which are wintering species. We found a mid-winter decline in body condition for Green-winged Teal. Blue-winged Teal were in worse condition in spring than in fall, which could be due to differences in energy accumulation prior to departure to wintering grounds in fall and post-arrival in spring. We did not find an effect of season for Northern Shoveler. For all species, adults were in better condition than juveniles. Molt score was greatest in late-winter for all species combined (x̄ = 11.60, SE = 2.45). We did not find an effect of molt score on body condition for any species. Wintering waterfowl in east central Texas appear to be in good condition and did not show molt-induced stress during the migratory and wintering periods. Changes in condition among specimens and across seasons indicate that there should be consideration in the timing and quality of management in regional approaches to moist-soil management for migrating and wintering waterfowl.

Abstract Objectives Health care workers experience an uncertain risk of aerosol exposure during patient oxygenation. To improve our understanding of these risks, we sought to measure aerosol production during various approaches to oxygenation in healthy volunteers in an emergency department. Methods This was a prospective study conducted in an empty patient room in an academic ED. The room was 10 ft. long x 10 ft. wide x 9 ft. tall (total volume 900 ft3) with positive pressure airflow (1 complete turnover of air every 10 minutes). Five oxygenation conditions were used: humidified high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) at 3 flow rates [15, 30, and 60 liters per minute (LPM)], non‐rebreather mask (NRB) at 1 flow rate (15 LPM), and closed‐circuit continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) using the ED ventilator; in all cases a simple procedural mask was used. The NRB and HFNC at 30 LPM maneuvers were also repeated without the procedural mask, and CPAP was applied both with and without a filter. Each subject then sequentially underwent 8 total oxygenation conditions, always in the same order. Each oxygenation condition was performed with the participant on a standard ED bed. Particles were measured by laser aerosol spectrometer, with the detector sampling port positioned directly over the center of the bed, 0.35 meters away and at a 45‐degree angle from the subject's mouth. Each approach to oxygenation was performed for 10 minutes, followed by a 20‐minute room washout (≈ 2 complete room air turnovers). Particle counts were summated for 2 size ranges (150–300 nm and 0.5–2.0 μm) and compared before, during, and after each of the 8 oxygenation conditions. Results Eight adult subjects were enrolled (mean age 42 years, body mass index 25). All subjects completed 8 oxygenation procedures (64 total). Mean particle counts per minute across all oxygenation procedures was 379 ± 112 (mean ± SD) for smaller aerosols (150–300 nm) and 9.3 ± 4.6 for larger aerosols (0.5–2.0 μm). HFNC exhibited a flow‐dependent increase in particulate matter (PM) generation—at 60 LPM, HFNC had a substantial generation of small (55% increase) and large particles (70% increase) compared to 15 LPM. CPAP was associated with lowered small and large particle generation (≈ 10–15% below baseline for both sizes of PM). A patient mask limited particle generation with the NRB, where it was associated with a reduction in small and large particulates (average 40% and 20% lower, respectively). Conclusion Among 3 standard oxygenation procedures, higher flow rates generally were associated with greater production of both small and large aerosols. A patient mask lowered aerosol counts in the NRB only. Protocol development for oxygenation application should consider these factors to increase health care worker safety.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a severe systemic vasculitis that commonly affects the paranasal sinuses, upper and lower respiratory tracts, and kidneys. GPA has also been associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), through inflammation of the cochlear apparatus. Early recognition, diagnostic laboratory evaluation, and appropriate treatment are essential to improve outcomes and achieve remission for patients with GPA. Here, we present a case of bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and distal symmetric polyneuropathy as the first presenting signs of GPA. A specific diagnostic work-up to rule out autoimmune inner-ear disease in patients with bilateral SSNHL is not clearly stated in the clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The aim of this paper is to delineate an appropriate diagnostic work-up for patients with bilateral SSNHL when there is concern for autoimmune disease.

Edita Lycholip,1,2 Ina Thon Aamodt,3,4 Irene Lie,3 Toma Šimbelytė,5 Roma Puronaitė,2,6,7 Hans Hillege,8 Arjen de Vries,8 Imke Kraai,9 Anna Stromberg,10 Tiny Jaarsma,11 Jelena Čelutkienė1,2 1Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; 2Center of Cardiology and Angiology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Vilnius, Lithuania; 3Centre for Patient-Centered Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; 4Department of Nursing Science, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; 5Clinic of Internal Medicine, Centre of Family and Internal Medicine, Vilnius University Santaros Clinics, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; 6Centre of Informatics and Development, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Vilnius, Lithuania; 7Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; 8Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; 9PRA Health Sciences – Early Development Services, Groningen, the Netherlands; 10Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden; 11Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linkoping University, Norrkoping, Sweden Introduction: Self-care is an important patient-reported outcome (PRO) for heart failure (HF) patients, which might be affected by disease management and/or telemonitoring (TM). The number of studies reporting the influence of TM on self-care is limited.Aims: This study aimed: to assess whether TM, in addition to information-and-communication-technology (ICT)-guided disease management system (ICT-guided DMS), affects self-care behavior; to evaluate the dynamics of self-care during the study; to investigate factors contributing to self-care changes; and to identify a patient profile that predisposes the patient to improvement in self-care. Methods: In the INnovative ICT-guided-DMS combined with Telemonitoring in OUtpatient clinics for Chronic HF patients (IN TOUCH) study, 177 patients were randomized to either ICT-guided DMS or TM+ICT-guided DMS, with a follow-up of 9 months. The current analysis included 118 participants (mean age: 69±11.5 years; 70% male) who filled the following PRO instruments: the nine-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour scale (EHFScBs), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADs), and Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Results: The baseline level of self-care was better in the TM+ICT-guided-DMS group (n=58) compared to ICT-guided-DMS group (n=60, p=0.023). Self-care behavior improved in the ICT-guided-DMS group (p28, or from 17 to 28 with concomitant HADs depression subscale (HADs_D) score ≤8, demonstrated the greatest potential to improve self-care during the study. Conclusion: TM did not have an advantage on self-care improvement. Poor physical aspect of quality of life, lower LVEF, and lower NYHA class were associated with self-care worsening. The greatest self-care improvement may be achieved in those patients who have low or medium initial self-care level in the absence of depression. Keywords: heart failure, self-care, telemonitoring, disease management, patient-reported outcomes

The Coliseum Complex and its associated parking lot create almost four million square feet of continuous impermeable surface. This vast expanse of pavement extends all the way to the edge of two adjacent drainage channels, Damon Slough and Arroyo Viejo Creek. Existing site conditions indicate that the stormwater that falls on this surface runs untreated directly into these adjacent waterbodies. This paper analyzes the site’s conditions based on available data and proposes strategic actions and a concept plan for stormwater management. The proposals incorporate both hydrologic and cultural constraints of the site, including the presence of underlying soil contaminants, a planned bicycle and pedestrian path to the north of the site, and the use of the parking lot as a major social gathering spot for cultural groups associated with the sports arena. In addition this paper discusses the regulatory context for this stormwater retrofit as well as mechanisms which could be used to negotiate the redesign of both the Coliseum and similar sites throughout the urban landscape.

Communities in close proximity to protected areas suffer wildlife depredations which may engender negative attitudes to wildlife resulting in wildlife persecution. We assessed people's perceptions about the aardvark, a shy, nocturnal Afrotherian mammal prioritized for conservation. We used semi-structured questionnaires to conduct interviews with 181 persons (11 to > 70 years old) from randomly selected households. Respondents' perceptions of the aardvark were strongly positive (78%), because the animal does not cause physical harm to people, and flees upon sighting them. Aardvarks were hunted for meat (35%) and to obtain body parts for household use or sale to traditional healers. The positive perceptions about the animal are counteracted by the reputed tasty meat of the animal, which together with sale of its body parts have an overriding influence on animal abundance. We highlight the threats faced by aardvark due to its occurrence in close proximity to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the multi-modality treatment of a massive cervicothoracic lymphatic-venous malformation (LVM) in a 13-year-old boy that was present at birth as a small cervical mass. At four years of age, sclerotherapy significantly reduced the size of the malformation but over subsequent years the mass increased dramatically in size and resulted in a consumptive coagulopathy and limited left shoulder function. Treatment with sildenafil was without effect. The consumptive coagulopathy improved with subcutaneous enoxaparin. A multi-disciplinary team excised part of the mass when he was 11 years old. After surgery, gradual enlargement of the mass and rise in d-dimer prompted treatment with sirolimus. Two sessions of sclerotherapy arrested enlargement of the mass. Multi-modality treatment resulted in a marked reduction of the LVM in the child. However, enlargement of the mass and further treatment is anticipated as a cure has not yet been found.