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Lovebirds (genus Agapornis of family Psittaculidae) are a group of small, colourful parrot species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, two-thirds of which are considered to have declining populations. Effective conservation efforts are hampered by a lack of information, particularly for species occurring in regions that have received little research attention. We combined expert knowledge with a review of the primary and grey literature to identify key knowledge gaps and priority conservation actions for this group of birds. Published studies were found to be largely concentrated on lovebird populations in southern Africa and, to a lesser extent in East Africa, and therefore mostly concern members of the ‘white eye-ring’ clade. Some species, such as the Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swindernianus, remain very poorly studied, with a lack of even basic information such as georeferenced occurrence records. Several lovebird species were historically taken from the wild in large numbers for the international pet trade, leading to population declines. Although trade in wild lovebirds has been much reduced compared with historical levels, considerable numbers are still captured for local and international trade without any monitoring of the wild populations. Habitat change continues to drive declines in the population and range of some species, particularly those considered habitat specialists, such as the Nyasa Lovebird A. lilianae and the Black-cheeked Lovebird A. nigrigenis. However, changing habitat has also driven range expansions and, in combination with trade, has created numerous novel contact zones between formerly allopatric species, such as between Fischer’s Lovebird A. fischeri and Yellow-collared Lovebird A. personatus. Hybridisation has been widely reported, particularly in East Africa, and studies on the implications of this for conservation, building on recent advances in genetic tools, are urgently needed. We call for more targeted research on lovebirds to inform assessments of their population trends, to understand the drivers of these trends, and to highlight opportunities to leverage existing data and new research tools to advance knowledge to support conservation in this group of birds.

Anesthesia, critical illness, and trauma are known to alter thermoregulation, which can potentially affect coagulation and clinical outcome. This in vitro preclinical study explores the relationship between temperature change and hemostasis using a recently validated viscoelastic technique. We hypothesize that temperature change will cause significant alterations in the microstructural properties of clot.We used a novel viscoelastic technique to identify the gel point of the blood. The gel point identifies the transition of the blood from a viscoelastic liquid to a viscoelastic solid state. Furthermore, identification of the gel point provides 3 related biomarkers: the elastic modulus at the gel point, which is a measure of clot elasticity; the time to the gel point (TGP), which is a measure of the time required to form the clot; and the fractal dimension of the clot at the gel point, df, which quantifies the microstructure of the clot. The gel point measurements were performed in vitro on whole blood samples from 136 healthy volunteers over a temperature range of 27°C to 43°C.There was a significant negative correlation between increases in temperature, from 27°C to 43°C, and TGP (r = -0.641, P0.0005). Conversely, significant positive correlations were observed for both the elastic modulus at the gel point (r = 0.513, P = 0.0008) and df (r = 0.777, P0.0005) across the range of 27°C to 43°C. When temperature was reduced below 37°C, significant reductions in df and TGP occurred at ≤32°C (Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.0093) and ≤29°C (Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.0317), respectively. No significant changes were observed when temperature was increased to37°C.This study demonstrates that the gel point technique can identify alterations in clot microstructure because of changes in temperature. This was demonstrated in slower-forming clots with less structural complexity as temperature is decreased. We also found that significant changes in clot microstructure occurred when the temperature was ≤32°C.

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), caused by Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), has spread rapidly around the world, raising concerns for threatened species conservation and biosecurity risks associated with the global pet bird trade. BFDV has been reported in several wild parrot populations, but data is lacking for many taxa and geographical areas with high parrot endemism. This data deficit impedes the development of strategies to mitigate the threats posed by BFDV. We aimed to advance understanding of BFDV distribution in many data deficient areas and determine phylogenetic and biogeographic associations of the virus from five parrot species in Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, Asia and Europe. BFDV was detected in eight countries where it was not known to occur previously, indicating the virus is more widely distributed than currently recognised. We document for the first time the presence of BFDV in wild populations of the highly traded and invasive Psittacula krameri within its native range in Asia and Africa. BFDV was detected among introduced 15 P. krameri on the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles, raising concerns for island endemic species in the region. Examination of the phylogenetic relationships between viral sequences, including those detected among wild-sourced parrots seized from illegal trade in Western Africa, revealed likely pathways of transmission between populations. A close degree of phylogenetic relatedness between viral variants from geographically distant populations suggests recent introductions, likely driven by global trade. These findings highlight the need for effective regulation of international trade in live parrots, particularly in regions with high parrot endemism or vulnerable taxa where P. krameri could act as a reservoir host.

Balancing the beneficial effects of resuscitation fluids against their detrimental effect on hemostasis is an important clinical issue. We aim to compare the in vitro effects of 3 different colloid resuscitation fluids (4.5% albumin, hydroxyethyl starch [Voluven 6%], and gelatin [Geloplasma]) on clot microstructure formation using a novel viscoelastic technique, the gel point. This novel hemorheologic technique measures the biophysical properties of the clot and provides an assessment of clot microstructure from its viscoelastic properties. Importantly, in contrast to many assays in routine clinical use, the measurement is performed using unadulterated whole blood in a near-patient setting and provides rapid assessment of coagulation. We hypothesized that different colloids will have a lesser or greater detrimental effect on clot microstructure formation when compared against each other.Healthy volunteers were recruited into the study (n = 104), and a 20-mL sample of whole blood was obtained. Each volunteer was assigned to 1 of the 3 fluids, and the sample was diluted to 1 of 5 different dilutions (baseline, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60%). The blood was tested using the gel point technique, which measures clot mechanical strength and quantifies clot microstructure (df) at the incipient stages of fibrin formation.df and clot mechanical strength decrease with progressive dilution for all 3 fluids. A significant reduction in df from baseline was recorded at dilutions of 20% for albumin (P.0001), 40% for starch (P.0001), and 60% for gelatin (P.0001). We also observed significant differences, in terms of df, when comparing the different types of colloid (P.0001). We found that albumin dilution produced the largest changes in clot microstructure, providing the lowest values of df (= 1.41 ± 0.061 at 60% dilution) compared with starch (1.52 ± 0.081) and gelatin (1.58 ± 0.063).We show that dilution with all 3 fluids has a significant effect on coagulation at even relatively low dilution volumes (20% and 40%). Furthermore, we quantify, using a novel viscoelastic technique, how the physiochemical properties of the 3 colloids exert individual changes on clot microstructure.

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients, and is the second commonest cause of death associated with the disease. Patients with chronic inflammation, such as cancer, have been shown to have pathological clot structures with modulated mechanical properties. Fractal dimension (df) is a new technique which has been shown to act as a marker of the microstructure and mechanical properties of blood clots, and can be performed more readily than current methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We measured df in 87 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer prior to treatment and 47 matched-controls. Mean group values were compared for all patients with lung cancer vs controls and for limited disease vs extensive disease. Results were compared with conventional markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis and SEM images. Significantly higher values of df were observed in lung cancer patients compared with controls and patients with extensive disease had higher values than those with limited disease (p< 0.05), whilst conventional markers failed to distinguish between these groups. The relationship between df of the incipient clot and mature clot microstructure was confirmed by SEM and computational modelling: higher df was associated with highly dense clots formed of smaller fibrin fibres in lung cancer patients compared to controls. This study demonstrates that df is a sensitive technique which quantifies the structure and mechanical properties of blood clots in patients with lung cancer. Our data suggests that df has the potential to identify patients with an abnormal clot micro-structure and greatest VTE risk.

Objectives Changes in clot microstructure are increasingly implicated in the pathology of atherosclerosis although most data are from techniques in the remote laboratory using altered blood. We validate the novel biomarker Gel Point in STEMI patients and assess therapeutic interventions. Gel Point marks the transition of blood from a visco-elastic liquid to visco-elastic solid and is rapidly measured using unadulterated blood. The Gel Point provides measurements of three parameters to reflect clot microstructure (fractal dimension ( d f )), real-time clot formation time ( T GP ) and blood clot strength (elasticity at the Gel Point ( G ′ GP )). Methods We prospectively recruited 38 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Venous blood samples were collected on admission, after pPCI and 24 h after admission for assessment of the new biomarkers, standard coagulation tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results d f after pPCI was lower than d f on admission (mean 1.631 [SD 0.063] vs 1.751 [0.052], p d f at 24 h was similar to that on admission. G ′ GP also showed similar trend to d f (p T GP was prolonged at after-PCI measurement compared with admission (median 854 s [IQR 581–1801] vs 217 [179–305], p d f and G ′ GP were consistent with changes in the SEM images of the mature clot. Conclusions We characterise Gel Point derived markers of clot microstructure in patients admitted with emergency arterial thrombosis. This point of care test can potentially be used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions by measuring changes in clot microstructure.

The development of pulse charging equipment for the unique application to submarine lead acid batteries is described. A prototype pulse charger has been developed and applied to individual twin cell submarine batteries, plus a 20 twin cell pulse charger has been commissioned at the battery manufacturing facility. The paper provides a description of the pulse charging equipment and preliminary test results and analyses using the prototype twin-cell pulse charger, based on application of a range of positive and negative pulse parameters. The tests so far indicate potential benefits may arise from this form of charging, including enhancement of battery charge levels, reduced gas charging (stage 3) times and reduced gas evolution rates.

This study compared patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) to non-VTE patients using a biomarker of clot microstructure (df ) and clot formation time (TGP ). df was the only marker that identified a significant difference (P < 0·001) between the VTE (n = 60) and non-VTE cohorts (n = 69). The 'abnormal' clot microstructures in the VTE patients suggests either inadequate response to anticoagulant therapy or the presence of a procoagulant state not detected by other markers of coagulation (i.e., International Normalized Ratio). Furthermore, elevated values of df in first time VTE patients who later develop a secondary event indicates that df may identify those at risk of recurrence.

We investigated the effect of progressive haemodilution on the dynamics of fibrin clot formation and clot microstructure using a novel rheological method. The technique measures clotting time (TGP), clot strength (G`GP), and quantifies clot microstructure (df) at the incipient stages of fibrin formation. We use computational modelling to examine the relationship between structure and mass, as well as helium ion microscopy (HIM) to compare morphological changes in the fully formed clot to that of the incipient clot.This is an in vitro study; 90 healthy volunteers were recruited with informed consent and a 20ml sample of whole blood obtained from each volunteer. Five clinically relevant dilutions were investigated using 0.9w.v isotonic saline (0, 10, 20, 40 and 60%, n=18 for each dilution). The rheological method of assessing structural clot changes was compared against conventional coagulation screen and fibrinogen estimation.Fractal dimension (df) and final clot microstructure both decreased with progressive dilution (significant at a dilution of 20%) with similar relationships observed for final clot characteristics in HIM images. Significant correlations were observed between df and G`GP (clot strength) (0.345, p=0.02), as well as clotting time (PT: -0.690, p0.001; APTT: -0.672, p0.001; TGP: -0.385, p=0.006).This study provides new insight into the effects of haemodilution by isotonic saline on clotting time (TGP), clot strength (G'GP) and clot microstructure (df). Previous studies have attempted to link clot microstructure to clot quality/strength, however this study provides a significant step in quantifying these relationships.

Parrot populations in Africa and Madagascar are declining and the need for conservation actions to address threats is increasingly recognised. Effective conservation requires a robust knowledge base on which decisions over appropriate actions can be made, yet at present there is no current and readily accessible synthesis of the status of populations, the threats they face and knowledge gaps. Here we begin to address this shortfall for the larger species in the region belonging to the genera Coracopsis, Poicephalus, Psittacus and Psittacula. We review developments since the production of the IUCN Parrot Action Plan published in 2000, identify areas where critical knowledge is lacking and highlight opportunities to address them. While advances have been made over the last decade, progress has not been evenly spread, with a strong bias towards populations in southern Africa. To date much research has focused on describing aspects of ecology and behaviour and there remains a need for studies determining the current status of populations and the factors limiting distributions and abundance. This review aims to provide a basis upon which progress towards an improved understanding of the conservation needs of the larger parrots of Africa and Madagascar can be made.

Parrot populations in Africa and Madagascar are declining and the need for conservation actions to address threats is increasingly recognised. Effective conservation requires a robust knowledge base on which decisions over appropriate actions can be made, yet at present there is no current and readily accessible synthesis of the status of populations, the threats they face and knowledge gaps. Here we begin to address this shortfall for the larger species in the region belonging to the genera Coracopsis, Poicephalus, Psittacus and Psittacula. We review developments since the production of the IUCN Parrot Action Plan published in 2000, identify areas where critical knowledge is lacking and highlight opportunities to address them. While advances have been made over the last decade, progress has not been evenly spread, with a strong bias towards populations in southern Africa. To date much research has focused on describing aspects of ecology and behaviour and there remains a need for studies determining the current status of populations and the factors limiting distributions and abundance. This review aims to provide a basis upon which progress towards an improved understanding of the conservation needs of the larger parrots of Africa and Madagascar can be made.

Parrot populations in Africa and Madagascar are declining and the need for conservation actions to address threats is increasingly recognised. Effective conservation requires a robust knowledge base on which decisions over appropriate actions can be made, yet at present there is no current and readily accessible synthesis of the status of populations, the threats they face and knowledge gaps. Here we begin to address this shortfall for the larger species in the region belonging to the genera Coracopsis, Poicephalus, Psittacus and Psittacula. We review developments since the production of the IUCN Parrot Action Plan published in 2000, identify areas where critical knowledge is lacking and highlight opportunities to address them. While advances have been made over the last decade, progress has not been evenly spread, with a strong bias towards populations in southern Africa. To date much research has focused on describing aspects of ecology and behaviour and there remains a need for studies determining the current status of populations and the factors limiting distributions and abundance. This review aims to provide a basis upon which progress towards an improved understanding of the conservation needs of the larger parrots of Africa and Madagascar can be made.

Arid zones, such as the Kalahari in southern Africa, are experiencing an increase in the number of hot days, as well as in the intensity of heat waves. Research is being conducted to try and understand how increasing temperatures will impact bird communities and population persistence in these areas. Understanding the mechanisms through which birds are vulnerable to climate change is key to answering these questions. This study investigated how changes in air temperature affect arid-zone birds' response to predators. The flight initiation distances (FID), i.e. the distance from a predator when the prey initiates escape, of eight bird species in the Kalahari were measured over a range of air temperatures during October and November 2015. The results from this study show a negative relationship between air temperature and FID. This relationship was weak across the full range of temperatures observed during the study period (11.9 ⁰C - 40.4 ⁰C), with a large amount of variability in FID not explained by air temperature. However, high air temperatures (> 35 ⁰C) were important in explaining some of the variation in FID. Starting distance, time of day, bird species, plant species, bird location (on the ground / in the canopy / at the top of the tree / in a dead tree), bird exposure (whether the bird was in the sun or in the shade) and bird activity (whether mobile / stationary) were consistently found to explain some of the variation in FID in this dataset. The relationships between the behavioural variables (plant species, bird location, bird exposure and bird activity) and air temperature were investigated and revealed a potential mechanism through which air temperature may also indirectly be affecting FID. The reduction in FID at high air temperatures, and thus the potentially increased risk of predation, may have negative consequences for these species in the Kalahari in light of rising air temperatures associated with climate change

Includes bibliographical references., Global climate models project a 1.5-4oC increase in the Earth’s temperature by 2100. Africa, especially southern Africa, is expected to experience not only an increase in average temperatures but also an increase in the frequency and duration of extreme temperature events. Increasing temperatures will result in increased vulnerability to heat and drought stress to biodiversity. A recent paper by Cunningham et al. (2013) showed that temperature has a negative effect on daily mass gain in the nestlings of Common Fiscal (Lanius collaris) breeding in the southern Kalahari. This effect may be driven by parents modifying their provisioning rates at high temperature, but the mechanisms underpinning the relationship are not known. I investigate the influence of temperature on parental investment in Common Fiscal and the consequences of high temperatures for nestling growth using data from videos that were filmed in the Kalahari, Northern Cape, South Africa. Daily mass gain by nestlings increased with increasing provisioning rate and decreased in relation to the proportion of time chicks spent panting. Prey provisioning decreased with temperature in larger broods, however, there was no evidence to suggest that parents trade off provisioning and nest attendance. This might mean that prey availability is reduced at high temperatures, or that parents prioritise their own thermoregulation over provisioning.

An increasing incidence of mass mortalities of birds in hot deserts suggests that birds may be appropriate candidates for assessing how natural selection, under the influence of climate change, drives adaptation. ... The effects of ambient temperature on daily weight gain, foraging effort and efficiency and the presence of heat-dissipation behaviours were assessed to determine the mechanisms by which increased temperature affect babbler body condition.