John Blake, Ph.D. - US grants

A model will be developed to predict development of pits in contacting surfaces, such as gear teeth. The model will be based on fundamentals and will replace a currently used, empirically based approach. The model will incorporate inclusions and other microstructural factors in the pit initiation stage and fracture mechanics and asperity contact dynamics in the crack propagation stage.

9801524 Blake Neotropical montane regions are areas of high diversity and endemism, and are, therefore, special areas of concern for conservation of biodiversity. Because of their island-like distribution, these montane regions provide a natural laboratory for studying processes responsible for the generation of biodiversity, including evolutionary differentiation among populations and species. In this project, we shall use mitochondrial DNA sequence data to determine the evolutionary relationships among species and populations of birds known as tropical redstarts (Myioborus). The small warblers are distributed at higher elevations from the southwestern United States to Argentina with many endemics in Central America, the Andes, and the Venezuelan highlands (Pantepui region), although a few species are widely distributed. Relationships between Venezuelan and Andean populations are enigmatic because species that appear to be the most similar sometimes are the most distant geographically. Furthermore, resolution of the intriguing question of whether species in the ancient Pantepui region of Venezuela are ancestral to Andean species or are derived from them can be only by a phylogenetic analysis of their relationships. This study will use DNA sequences to establish relationships, reconstruct the historical biogeography, and examine the evolution of body size and shape, as well as plumage coloration, in Myioborus. The results of the study will allow us to establish taxonomic limits within the genus, more accurately assess biodiversity patterns in the group, and contribute to our general understanding of organismal diversification in the Pantepui region of Venezuela and of the historical relationships between Central and South American montane avifaunas.

0236486
Blake

This U.S.-Argentina award will support dissertation research of Mr. Lucio R. Malizia working under the direction of Dr. John G. Blake, University of Missouri. Mr. Malizia will work with Dr. Alejandro D. Brown, Universidad Nacional de Tecuman, in Argentina, to conduct a study of the factors that control changes in tree-species composition across space (species turnover). They will do this study in the Andes of northwestern Argentina. This work will address a long-standing issue in ecology that may have profound consequences for conservation and forest management. Specifically, the study will shed light on the spatial structure of Argentina's diversity, and also has the potential to improve the network of Andean reserves through the identification of complementary areas that can maximize the number of protected tree species.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) will host a two-day Workshop for IACUC 101 Training and Research with Free-Ranging Wildlife: IACUC Review of Projects Regulated by Multiple Agencies. This is the first workshop to be held in the United States that specifically brings together the premier IACUC educational program and the primary organizations involved in the oversight of field research.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support a wide range of research activities involving animals, some of which utilize non- traditional laboratory species in field studies. These agencies require compliance with PHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which incorporates extensive science-based guidance addressing the use of traditional species in the laboratory. However, although field research guidelines have been established by some scientific organizations, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) and principal investigators continue to have difficulty in the review and continuing review of field research protocols. The management of field research, including the issuance of permits to researchers, is under the oversight of multiple federal (e.g. UFS&WS and NMFS) and state wildlife agencies. These include but are not limited to state wildlife laws, international treaties, and federal laws protecting endangered species and marine mammals. In addition to management and regulatory functions, many of these agencies also conduct field research, often in collaboration with universities. IACUCs at institutions with investigators conducting field research on their own or in collaboration with agency colleagues must ensure compliance with a myriad of rules and also conduct effective oversight of the research as required by their funding agencies.

The goals of the co-sponsoring agencies and host institution for this workshop include:

-To provide basic IACUC 101 training for institutions that conduct field research.

-To supplement the basic IACUC 101 training by including mock IACUC scenarios that address field research issues, and including representatives from wildlife agencies as adjunct faculty.

-To bring representatives from institutions that conduct field research together with the Agencies that fund or regulate such research, and Agencies that conduct research on their own or may collaborate with institutions, and provide a unique opportunity for productive interaction and discussion of respective jurisdictions, regulations, and best practices.

-To provide IACUCs, investigators, veterinarians and institutional officials with an enhanced understanding of the various agencies and their respective purviews, and with increased knowledge of how they can more effectively facilitate and appropriately oversee wildlife research at their institutions.

-To create a forum for interagency and institutional open discussion and exploration of common issues concerning the conduct of field research.

Intellectual Merits: A workshop combining the IACUC 101 program with a one-day session addressing IACUC review of field research projects will provide the framework for future educational programs addressing the ethical review of field research. The integrity of science will benefit from enhanced educational offerings addressing animal research protections.

Broader Impacts: Clarification of ethical responsibilities and the process for reviewing field research projects will improve the ability of investigators and independent animal welfare committees to meet regulatory requirements and ensure high quality research while promoting the responsible conduct of research. Moreover, bringing together researchers, funding and regulatory agencies, and representatives of organizations responsible for establishing field research guidelines offers a unique opportunity to discuss common issues and consider a consistent process for the review and continuing review of field based animal research.

Lek mating systems, in which males aggregate and display to attract females, are of great interest to ecologists. In particular, lek mating systems attract the attention of scientists because of the pronounced reproductive skews, in which only a few males in the population are reproductively successful, while most are not. The existence of such reproductive skews calls into question the stability of lekking and cooperative display, but remains an unresolved phenomenon in behavioral ecology. The primary goal of the proposed research is to elucidate how reproductive strategies of male manakins (Aves: Pipridae) are maintained through time. This goal will be addressed through an intensive, three-year study of the reproductive and social dynamics of a lek-breeding manakin, Pipra filicauda, at a lowland rainforest site in Ecuador. The goals will be achieved by behavioral observations of males at leks to determine the identity of males present and which males cooperate in reproductive displays. In addition, nests of female manakins will be located to obtain blood samples from the chicks to determine paternity (i.e., which male sired the offspring). Information on male relatedness at leks and known paternity of chicks provide evidence of direct and indirect reproductive benefits to males for joining leks.

Broader Impacts
This study will provide an educational experience for a graduate student and several undergraduate assistants that involve field and laboratory techniques. The project builds and strengthens the international collaboration of the two host institutions, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Moreover, this project enables host institutions to build interactive learning environments through the integration and training of their undergraduate students in applicable research techniques. The project also aids proactive conservation of the Ecuadorian lowlands by providing basic biological information to USFQ and the biological station Tiputini. Ultimately, this project fills gaps in scientific knowledge while building international collaboration and promoting conservation of Ecuadorian ecosystems.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is constructing a new animal research facility and we are asking for support from NCRR, NIH to fully finish the building. To serve the immediate needs of our developing biomedical and behavioral science research program we are aiming for a March 2006 occupation date. This new facility is a 41,915 square foot structure with animal holding/procedure rooms (suite arrangement), veterinary services, and support space on two floors. The building will have interstitial space to better accommodate maintenance of the facility and a 9,000 sq. ft. penthouse for the extensive mechanical system and three large air handlers. Bezek Durst Seiser, an Anchorage architect firm, and UAF Division of Design & Construction are coordinating the planning and design of this project with substantial input and participation from SmithGroup and Earl Walls Associates. Fairbanks is a little over 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle and our construction timeline must address serious climactic constraints. An additional factor influencing building decisions are the numerous large construction projects currently underway in the Fairbanks area with much larger projects proposed for the near future. In response to the dynamic construction market and the immediate needs of our biomedical and behavioral science research program the University started construction of this building understanding that our current funding can complete 60% of the planned space. A delay of even one year would seriously affect the base bid for this project. To accommodate the Alaska building season and still meet programmatic deadlines we started site preparation in September 2004. Nevertheless, although the building shell will be under construction at the time of award we are fully cognizant of the NIH review requirements and have taken this into consideration while preparing the timeline for the project described in this proposal. Over the past three decades the State of Alaska has had surprisingly limited participation in biomedical research and we consistently lag behind the other states and territories in NIH funding. This is especially remarkable given the research infrastructure that exists in Alaska, the uniqueness of our animal resources, and the needs of a very diverse human population. This was not always true. Biomedical research was a strong focus in the 1950s though the early 1970s with Public Health Service having a large and active presence. One of the current University buildings, the Arctic Health Research Building and the animal facility described later in this proposal was build by PHS in the late 1960s. This building was turned over to the University of Alaska when PHS left the state in 1974. The current Arctic Investigations Program, CDC located in Anchorage partially resurrected the former PHS programs but after 1974 biomedical research in Alaska diminished to a minimal level and almost disappeared. Since the mid 1970s the University of Alaska focused its effort in areas such as geophysics, ecology, natural resources, engineering, and computational sciences. However, the research directions in Alaska are changing and there is currently a strong momentum to develop and strengthen biomedical research within the state. Specifics on the state planning process were published in August 2004 in "Health Research in Alaska" found at: http://healthresearch.infoinsights.com/documents/Health Plan for Alaska.pdf. This publication addresses many of the health and social needs in the state but also emphasizes the need for enhancing biomedical research, particularly in these focus areas: infectious disease, chronic disease, environmental health and toxicology, molecular basis of hibernation in mammals, human therapeutics, and bioinformatics and systems biology. Some of these focus areas can build upon existing programs addressing adaptations to high latitude but enhancing biomedical research in Alaska requires new infrastructure, new programs, and the hiring of new faculty. We are also encouraging collaborative efforts with investigators from other universities and from within state and federal agencies who are engaged in biomedical research. Substantial changes in program direction and mission take time while new faculty are hired, existing buildings are renovated, new research space is constructed, and grant proposals are written. In 2001 Alaska became a participant in the NCRR Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program. The current funding for INBRE runs through 2009 and this, coupled with the development of the Alaska Basic Neuroscience Program and the Center for Alaska Native Health Research, augments state and other funding for new faculty and research projects. The University and the state are committed to developing the needed infrastructure to promote these biomedical research initiatives. Three newly renovated laboratories were recently completed and occupied in the Arctic 4 Reichardt, Paul B. Health Research Building. In August 2004 we occupied a new 59,000 square foot research building. The new animal research facility for which we are requesting support herein is planned for March 2006 occupancy and we have started the programming phase for another research building that will provide additional research office, laboratory and teaching space. We are currently negotiating with the State of Alaska to construct their new State Virology Laboratory on the UAF campus and integrate their program with our new biomedical research program. Overall the environment is very positive and the University has excellent momentum for improving and sustaining biomedical and behavioral research in Alaska. Although we are some distance from being truly competitive in this research arena we are developing the right environment for our investigators. Our proposed animal facility is designed to conform to NIH Guidelines, National Life Safety Code, and local codes. We are also addressing accreditation requirements set by AAALAC International because we anticipate applying for program status evaluation once the new building is completed. Moreover, starting in 2001 we restructured our animal care program. The past 5 years have seen a marked increase in use of research animal numbers and, as biomedical research efforts increase we anticipate higher numbers. We are recognizably weak in PHS funding but we have confidence in our new scientists and we are motivated to provide the necessary environment for them to succeed.

0501012
Blake

This dissertation enhancement proposal supports Dr. John G. Blake and Ms. Cintia Cornelius, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, to work with Dr. Pablo A. Marquet at the Universidad Catolica de Chile in Santiago, Chile on the genetic and demographic consequences of human-driven landscape changes on birds. The goal of their project is to evaluate the relative importance of habitat deterioration and habitat fragmentation in limiting forest bird populations in a fragmented landscape in southern South American temperate rainforests. The two bird species they will use as model systems, Aphrastura spinicauda (Furnariidae) and Scelorchilus rubecula (Rhinocryptidae) are prevalent in this location and differ in several life-history traits. This will provide two contrasting cases of several possible life-history strategies in this forest.

This study will provide an important contribution to the theoretical framework of habitat fragmentation and will have a direct impact on management plans in the south-temperate rainforest region. Southern South American rainforests are highly threatened and internationally recognized to be of high priority for conservation due to their insular characteristic with high endemism and restricted geographical ranges of most plant and animal species.