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Fragmentation of forest habitat has negative effects on arboreal mammals, compromising their natural dispersal and foraging movements. This paper describes an evolving series of mitigation measures aimed at creating cost-effective continuity pathways for arboreal mammals in Japan. The projects have focused on the endemic Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) a scarce, but popular and iconic species which provides an effective vehicle for environmental education and public engagement.

Since the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) was introduced to England in 1902, it very slowly invaded a wider area west of London. A recent and more rapid increase in both numbers and distribution is reported. Regular population monitoring for 23 years by volunteers at a woodland study site using nestboxes, and microchipping individuals, confirmed consistently increasing numbers. Independent reports of culling in buildings (under Licence) also indicates an increasing level of conflict. As part of a formal assessment of all British mammals published in 2018, the Glis population size was unfortunately based on estimated density data from two decades ago, indicating Glis are not available to be counted, but re-appear the next year. We compare more recent information using a variety of different methods of density estimation which each indicate the total population to be at least an order of magnitude greater at 10-20 adults/ha. Our interpretation of these analyses discounts the suggestion that nestbox presence alone has directly caused the population increase, as happens with some bird species. Additionally, evidence from culls in woodland match our live capture population estimates. The principal aim of the national Invasive Species Strategy is to minimise the risk and negative impacts of invasive non-native species in Great Britain. Edible Dormice damage trees, predate nests of woodland birds and cause problems in the built environment. Our updated estimates affect the seriousness with which this slowly invading species should be regarded.

In 1962, a special issue of British Birds alleged that the number and pattern of records of rare birds from around Hastings, in southern England, between 1892 and 1930 were so improbable that fraud was the only reasonable explanation. A press conference resulted in absurdly exaggerated reports that encouraged general acceptance of the alleged fraud and in particular that George Bristow, a local taxidermist, was responsible. There are potential weaknesses in the statistical analysis of the purported fraud, and the case against Bristow was based on probability and innuendo, not solid evidence. Plausible information from Bristow and the respected ornithologist Norman Ticehurst was largely ignored, as were the practicalities of fraud, especially during wartime and in the absence of modern deep-freeze facilities. The lead author was apparently prejudiced against taxidermists. The allegations unfairly tainted Bristow and his profession, and have encouraged some distrust of historical datasets.

Evidence from the only woodland study in the U.K. of the non-native edible dormouse shows (using nest boxes inspected monthly), that whilst some or much breeding occurs in most years, non-breeding years also occur. This is understood to relate to the number of tree species flowering in spring and the amount of flower production. Morris & Morris (2010) used a small sample to show that some adult animals do not appear in the nest box inspection records during the non-breeding years, but are present during the next breeding year. We have subsequently refined and increased the database, collating information on a sample of 222 glis (136 female, 86 male) known to be alive for between 5 and 13 years during a continuous study period of 18 years. The number of old animals (living to at least five years) recorded in nest boxes is significantly different between years of breeding and non-breeding with up to 90 % absent. There is no evidence that they move elsewhere in the isolated wood. Both males and females displayed this trait. The paper discusses alternative explanatory options interpreted from this. The applied science impact is that if 18 month hibernation is proven the time and cost implications for population control planning are severe. Future research is aimed at demonstrating the reality.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diagnoses seen in hospitalized patients in the United States, accounting for ∼ 38% of all patients admitted to hospitals.1 Research on the benefits of glucose control in the hospital setting has focused primarily on critically ill cardiovascular patients.1–5 Hyperglycemia has been linked to immunosuppression, increased coagulapathies, increased infection rates, endothelial dysfunction, and prolonged lengths of hospitalizations.2,6 A diabetic population is at greater risk for developing complications if glucose levels are not controlled. Improved glycemic control is dependent on establishment of glycemic targets, adjustment of diabetes medication regimens (including insulin), monitoring of glucose trends, and assessment of eating behaviors. Accordingly, to understand glycemic control in the hospitalized population, it is important to examine meal consumption, as well as pharmacological therapies.7 Unfortunately, eating patterns and actual nutritional intake are not well understood for this population.2 Thus, the aim of this study was to explore meal consumption patterns of hospitalized patients with diabetes. The research questions included: 1. What is the average daily meal consumption of hospitalized patients with diabetes receiving subcutaneous insulin therapy? 2. Is there a difference between actual meal consumption and estimated nutritional requirements in hospitalized patients with diabetes? 3. What factors affect meal consumption in hospitalized patients with diabetes? ### Setting and sample Investigators recruited a convenience sample of patients from two medical and two surgical units in a large, urban, tertiary care facility in the Midwest. Adult patients diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, > 20 years of age, who were receiving subcutaneous insulin were included. Patients receiving steroid therapy, oral glucose-lowering agents, tube feedings, parenteral nutrition, or pre-packaged kosher meals and those who could not understand English were excluded. The study took place from July to November 2007 with approval of the institutional review board. ### Study design Dietitians …

Edible dormice Glis glis Linnaeus, 1766 were monitored from 1996–2008 inclusive. This has been the first population study of this non-native species since its introduction to Britain in 1902. Dormice were present in nest boxes from May or June until October or November. Numbers recorded varied greatly from year to year, and breeding failure occurred in 6 of the 13 years, apparently in response to environmental cues such as food availability. Litter sizes declined with growth of the young but some of the largest litters resulted from females aggregating their offspring. Males used more nest boxes than females, some of whom showed clear site fidelity from year to year. Survival rates were high and some individual lifespans exceeded 9 years. Longevity, compensating for periodic reproductive failure, and an extremely short active season, make the life history of edible dormice exceptional among small rodents, perhaps unique. Population density, rate of population increase and evidence for local emigration in non-breeding years are discussed, issues of particular significance in populations of recently-established introduced species such as this.

The development and use of dioramas is reviewed in relation to changes in scientific approaches to nature and the evolution of displays in natural history museums. Dioramas may appear obsolete in comparison with modern films, television and digital displays, but they still retain important advantages. Their effectiveness and limitations are compared with those of still photography.

demus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) and A. sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied over a six-year period from five sites in southern Britain. A. flavicollis was a regular visitor to nest boxes, occupying them more frequently than A. sylvaticus or any other small mammal. Litters of A. flavicollis were uncommon in nest boxes suggesting these boxes were rarely used for breeding. It seems likely that nest boxes form temporary nesting places for individuals, pairs or small communal groups. A. flavicollis sometimes take over nest boxes occupied by M. avellanarius, usually constructing their own nests and sometimes removing old nest material. M. avellanarius may avoid nest boxes occupied by A. flavicollis earlier in the same year. Boxes favoured by M. avellanarius in one year tended to be reselected by them in the following year, but no such trend was apparent in box selection by A. flavicollis. Overall, there was little evidence to suggest that the presence of A. flavicollis had a significant impact on M. avellanarius occupancy of nest boxes.

Understanding how local environmental factors lead to temporal variability of vital rates and to plasticity of life history tactics is one of the central questions in population ecology. We used long-term capture-recapture data from five populations of a small hibernating rodent, the edible dormouse Glis glis, collected over a large geographical range across Europe, to determine and analyze both seasonal patterns of local survival and their relation to reproductive activity. In all populations studied, survival was lowest in early summer, higher in late summer and highest during hibernation in winter. In reproductive years survival was always lower than in non-reproductive years, and females had higher survival rates than males. Very high survival rates during winter indicate that edible dormice rarely die from starvation due to insufficient energy reserves during the hibernation period. Increased mortality in early summer was most likely caused by high predation risk and unmet energy demands. Those effects have probably an even stronger impact in reproductive years, in which dormice were more active. Although these patterns could be found in all areas, there were also considerable differences in average survival rates, with resulting differences in mean lifetime reproductive success between populations. Our results suggest that edible dormice have adapted their life history strategies to maximize lifetime reproductive success depending on the area specific frequency of seeding events of trees producing energy-rich seeds.

Background. Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS)-II, (1978–1984) had the general goals of improving the survival and treatment of children with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Methods. Nine hundred ninety-nine previously untreated eligible patients entered the study after surgery and were randomized or assigned to therapy by IRS Clinical Group (I-IV), tumor site, and histologic type. Outcomes were compared between treatments and with results of IRS-I (1972–1978). Results. Patients in Group I, excluding extremity alveolar (EA) RMS, were randomized to standard vincristine (V), dactinomycin (A), and cyclophosphamide (C) or standard VA. At 5 years, disease-free survival (DFS) and survival (S) rates were similar between VAC and VA (DFS:80%, 70%, P = 0.47; S:85%, 84%, P = 0.73). Patients in Group II, excluding EA RMS, received radiation and were randomized to intensive VA or repetitive-pulse VAC. Outcomes were similar for rates of DFS (69%, 74%, P = 0.83) and S (88%, 79%, P = 0.17). Patients in Group III, excluding certain pelvic tumors, received radiation and were randomized to repetitive-pulse VAC or repetitivepulse VAdrC-VAC (Adr, Adriamycin [doxorubicin]). Complete remission (CR) rates were close at 74%, 78%, respectively (P = 0.32), as were percentages in CR (73%) and S (66%) rates; the latter outcomes were significantly better than IRS-I (CR: 56%, P < 0.001; S:50%, P < 0.001). Central nervous system prophylaxis for Group III patients with cranial parameningeal sarcoma increased S rate to 67% from 45% in IRS-I (P < 0.001). Patients in Group IV received the same regimens as Group III; the CR rate was 53%, 38% remained in CR and S rate was 27% with and 26% without Adr (P = 0.90). At 5 years, S rate for IRS-II, including EA and all pelvic tumors, was 63%: an 8% increase over IRS-I (P < 0.001). Outcomes by primary site were as good as, or better than, the IRS-I experience. Conclusions. Combining all Groups and treatments in IRS-II, the major improvement in S rate at 5 years between studies was in nonmetastatic patients (71% for IRS-II versus 63% for IRS-I, P = 0.01).

This article aims to explain the difference between venous and arterial leg ulcers, methods of treatment and prevention for each kind of ulcer, and the social and emotional impact of venous ulcers.