Performance of GPS collars on free-ranging bison (Bison bison) in north-western Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Jung ◽  
Kazuhisa Kuba

Context Global positioning system (GPS) collars are increasingly used to study animal ecology. However, understanding their real-world performance is important so that biases in data collection can be addressed. These biases may be species specific. Few studies have examined the influence of sex or temporal variation on locational fix success rates (FSR), and none has assessed GPS-collar performance on bison (Bison bison). Aims To test for sex- and temporal-based biases on the performance of GPS collars on free-ranging bison. Methods Data from 59 deployments of 37 GPS collars on 27 female and seven male bison was used to test for temporal variation and differences between sexes on collar-deployment success rates and four fix acquisition metrics. Key results Most (72.9%) of the 55 GPS collars retrieved malfunctioned before reaching their expected deployment schedule (2 years). We observed a significant difference in the performance of GPS collars deployed on male and females, with those on females functioning almost three times longer. All four fix metrics differed between sexes, with males having significantly better metrics. For females, nightly fix metrics were better than the daytime ones, whereas for males, there was no difference. We observed a significant difference in fix metrics between seasons for females, but not males. Conclusions Although the data from GPS collars may be useful in understanding animal ecology, understanding associated biases can aid in the design of field studies using, and the interpretation of results stemming from, GPS collars. Temporal variation in our study was apparent for females, but not males, and likely related to differences in habitat use and movements. Overall, sex had a significant influence on the success of GPS-collar deployments on bison, and should be examined for other species as well. Implications Bison damage to the collars was the main reason for collar failures. Researchers should plan for catastrophic failures and malfunctions when deploying GPS collars on bison, particularly adult males. Significant differences observed between daily and seasonal FSR for females were small (≤4.9%), and do not warrant post hoc treatment before analyses.

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1927-1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian N. Turner ◽  
Stuart L. Iverson ◽  
Kenneth L. Severson

A series of three experiments tested the hypothesis that castration would result in altered open-field behaviour and aggression in male meadow voles. The open-field behaviour of laboratory-reared voles was not affected, and that of wild-captured laboratory-housed animals showed only one significant difference. However, in free-ranging voles, recaptured at intervals for testing, castration resulted in significantly reduced intermale aggression, and significantly decreased activity and increased urination in the open field. Thus, only the results from the experiment using free-ranging voles indicate a significant castration effect, and we suggest the lack of effect in laboratory-housed animals may be due to changes in factors including photoperiod, social milieu, and season.The changes in aggression and open-field behaviour in the wild animals are in agreement with interpretation of previous field studies of intact male voles, which demonstrated changes in these two behaviours at the onset of the breeding season. Among free-ranging meadow voles, therefore, the decreased hormone levels resulting from castration led to changes in these behaviours opposite to those observed in the spring when hormone levels increase with seasonal reproductive maturity. These behaviours thus appear to be at least partially dependent upon circulating testosterone levels in wild voles.


Author(s):  
Kelly L Bailey ◽  
Leigh Anna Young ◽  
Caroline E Long ◽  
Caren M Remillard ◽  
Shannon E Moss ◽  
...  

Integrating animals into a new group is a challenge for both free-ranging and captive adult male rhesus monkeys (Macacamulatta), and for females in groups receiving new males. To ensure the genetic viability of the population, however, maletransfers must occur in both natural and captive settings. To facilitate the introduction of groups of adult males to adult females, we designed a new enclosure that is attached to the outdoor compound where females are housed. Here we describethe construction of 3 introduction enclosures, their use during 4 introductions of groups of adult males to adult females, abrief comparison of introduction success rates associated with the new introduction enclosures with those of our traditionalmale introduction method, and a critique by the various groups of staff members working with the new enclosures. Overall, the introduction enclosures benefitted both the macaques and the facility personnel and appear to be a useful enhancementto our process of integrating breeding groups.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1328
Author(s):  
Jorge Martin-Gutierrez ◽  
Marta Sylvia Del Rio Guerra

There has been a conscious shift towards developing increasingly inclusive applications. However, despite this fact, most research has focused on supporting those with visual or hearing impairments and less attention has been paid to cognitive impairments. The purpose of this study is to analyse touch gestures used for touchscreens and identify which gestures are suitable for individuals living with Down syndrome (DS) or other forms of physical or cognitive impairments. With this information, app developers can satisfy Design for All (DfA) requirements by selecting adequate gestures from existing lists of gesture sets. Twenty touch gestures were defined for this study and a sample group containing eighteen individuals with Down syndrome was used. A tool was developed to measure the performance of touch gestures and participants were asked to perform simple tasks that involved the repeated use of these twenty gestures. Three variables are analysed to establish whether they influence the success rates or completion times of gestures, as they could have a collateral effect on the skill with which gestures are performed. These variables are Gender, Type of Down syndrome, and Socioeconomic Status. Analysis reveals that significant difference is present when a pairwise comparison is performed, meaning individuals with DS cannot perform all gestures with the same ease. The variables Gender and Socioeconomic Status do not influence success rates or completion times, but Type of DS does.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Sun ◽  
X.M Yin ◽  
L.J Gao ◽  
X.J Xiao ◽  
X.H Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Esophageal injury caused by cryoballoon-based PVI is common. Cryoablation guided by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for occlusion of the pulmonary vein (PV) is safe and effective. Objective To investigate the protective effect of mechanical displacement of the esophagus by TEE probe in cryoablation of atiral fibrillation. Methods Fifty patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) were enrolled in the present study. 25 patients underwent cryoablation without TEE (non-TEE group) and the other 25 underwent with TEE (TEE group) for PV occlusion guidance and displacement of the esophagus. In the TEE group during the procedure, TEE was used to guide the movement of the balloon to achieve PV occlusion. And before freezing, the probe of the TEE was moved to displace the esophagus away from the PV being freezed in order to reduce the risk of cryoinjury. All patients underwent esophagogastroscopy within 2 days of the procedure. The patients were followed up in our center at regularly scheduled visits every 2 months. Results There was no significant difference between the TEE group and non-TEE group in regard to the procedure time. The fluoroscopy time in the TEE group was less compared to the non-TEE group (4.1±3.3 min vs. 16.6±6.9 min, P<0.05), and the amount of contrast agent in the TEE group was less than the non-TEE group (4.7±5.7ml vs. 17.9±3.4 ml, P<0.05). The incidence of esophageal injury was significantly lower in TEE group compared with non-TEE group (0 vs. 20%, P<0.05). At a mean of 14.0 months follow-up, success rates were similar between the TEE group and non-TEE group (80.0% vs. 84.0%, P=0.80). Conclusion Cryoablation of AF with TEE for protecting the esophagus from cryoinjury is safe and effective. Lower risk of esophageal injury can be achieved with the help of TEE probe movement for mechanical displacement of the esophagus during freezing. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Neonatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Lindsay Johnston ◽  
Taylor Sawyer ◽  
Anne Ades ◽  
Ahmed Moussa ◽  
Jeanne Zenge ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Neonatal tracheal intubation (TI) outcomes have been assessed by role, but training level may impact TI success and safety. Effect of physician training level (PTL) on the first-attempt success, adverse TI-associated events (TIAEs), and oxygen desaturation was assessed. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Prospective cohort study in 11 international NEAR4NEOS sites between October 2014 and December 2017. Primary TIs performed by pediatric/neonatal physicians were included. Univariable analysis evaluated association between PTL, patient/practice characteristics, and outcomes. Multivariable analysis with generalized estimating equation assessed for independent association between PTL and outcomes (first-attempt success, TIAEs, and oxygen desaturation ≥20%; attending as reference). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 2,608 primary TIs, 1,298 were first attempted by pediatric/neonatal physicians. PTL was associated with patient age, weight, comorbidities, TI indication, difficult airway history, premedication, and device. First-attempt success rate differed across PTL (resident 23%, fellow 53%, and attending 60%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in TIAEs (resident 22%, fellow 20%, and attending 25%; <i>p</i> = 0.34). Desaturation occurred more frequently with residents (60%), compared to fellows and attendings (46 and 53%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). In multivariable analysis, adjusted odds ratio of the first-attempt success was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.11–0.30) for residents and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.51–1.24) for fellows. PTL was not independently associated with adjusted odds of TIAEs or severe oxygen desaturation. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Higher PTL was associated with increased first-attempt success but not TIAE/oxygen desaturation. Identifying strategies to decrease adverse events during neonatal TI remains critical.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Karavani ◽  
P Wasserzug-Pash ◽  
T Mordechai-Daniel ◽  
M Klutstein ◽  
T Imbar

Abstract Study question Does human oocytes in-vitro maturation (IVM) effectiveness change throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood in girls and women undergoing fertility preservation via ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) prior to chemo-radiotherapy exposure? Summary answer The optimal age for IVM is from menarche to 25 years, while pre-menarche girls and women older than 30 years have extremely low maturation rates. What is known already In vitro maturation of oocytes from antral follicles seen during tissue harvesting is a fertility preservation technique with potential advantages over OTC, as mature frozen and later thawed oocyte used for fertilization poses decreased risk of malignant cells re-seeding, as compared to ovarian tissue implantation. We previously demonstrated that IVM performed following OTC in fertility preservation patients, even in pre-menarche girls, yields a fair amount of oocytes available for IVM and freezing for future use. Study design, size, duration A retrospective cohort study, evaluating IVM outcomes in chemotherapy naïve patients referred for fertility preservation by OTC that had oocyte collected from the medium with attempted IVM between 2003 and 2020 in a university affiliated tertiary center. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 133 chemotherapy naïve patients aged 1–35 years with attempted IVM were included in the study. The primary outcome was IVM rate in the different age groups – pre-menarche (1–5 years and ≥6 years), post-menarche (menarche–17 years), young adults (18–24 years) and adults (25–29 and 30–35 years). Comparison between paired groups for significant difference in the IVM rate parameter was done using the Tukey’s Studentized Range (HSD) Test. Main results and the role of chance A gradual increase in mean IVM rate was demonstrated in the age groups over 1 to 25 years (4.6% (1–5 years), 23.8% (6 years to menarche) and 28.4% (menarche to 17 years), with a peak of 38.3% in the 18–24 years group, followed by a decrease in the 25–29 years group (19.3%), down to a very low IVM rate (8.9%) in the 30–35 years group. A significant difference in IVM rates was noted between the age extremes – the very young (1–5 years) and the oldest (30–35 years) groups, as compared with the 18–24-year group (p &lt; 0.001). Number of oocytes matured, percent of patients with matured oocytes and overall maturation rate differed significantly (p &lt; 0.001). Limitations, reasons for caution Data regarding ovarian reserve evaluation was not available for most of the patients, due to our pre-op OTC procedures protocol. None of our patients have used their frozen in-vitro matured oocytes, as such further implications of age on in-vitro matured oocytes quality and implantation potential has yet to be evaluated. Wider implications of the findings: Our finding of extremely low success rates in those very young (under 6 years) and older (≥30 years) patients suggest that IVM of oocyte retrieved during OTC prior to chemotherapy should not be attempted in these age group. Trial registration number N/A


2021 ◽  
pp. 159101992110573
Author(s):  
Naoki Kaneko ◽  
Ariel Takayanagi ◽  
Hamidreza Saber ◽  
Lea Guo ◽  
Satoshi Tateshima

Objective Neuroendovascular procedures rely on successful navigation and stable access to the target vessel. The Stabilizer is a 300 cm long exchange wire with a 0.014 diameter and a soft, flexible stent at the distal end designed to assist with navigation and device delivery. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Stabilizer for navigation in a variety of challenging environments. Methods The efficacy of the Stabilizer was evaluated using three challenging vascular models: a giant aneurysm model, a severe tortuosity model, and an M1 stenosis model. The Stabilizer was compared with a conventional wire during navigation in each model. Results In the giant aneurysm model, there was no significant difference of success during straightening of a looped wire and significantly higher success rates when advancing an intermediate catheter with the Stabilizer beyond the aneurysm neck compared to a conventional guidewire. The Stabilizer also significantly increased success rates when advancing an intermediate catheter through a model with severe tortuosity compared to a conventional guidewire, as well as exchange maneuver for intracranial stenting in a stenosis model compared to an exchange wire. Conclusions In our experimental model, the Stabilizer significantly improved navigation and device delivery in a variety of challenging settings compared to conventional wires.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Jung ◽  
Troy M. Hegel ◽  
Torsten W. Bentzen ◽  
Katherina Egli ◽  
Lars Jessup ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
Elif Ersoy Callioglu ◽  
A. Sami Bercin ◽  
Hayati Kale ◽  
Togay Muderris ◽  
Sule Demirci ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of allergic rhinitis on the success of the operation in chronic otitis surgery by using score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR). Materials and Methods: In the present study; 121 patients, who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty were examined retrospectively. SFAR of all patients were recorded. The graft success rates of 26 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 95 patients with no allergic rhinitis group (NAR) were compared. Results: While the graft success rate in NAR group was 89.5%, this rate was 80.8% in the AR group. However, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.311). Conclusion: These findings suggest that allergic rhinitis decreases the graft success rate of the pathologies occurring in eustachian tube, middle ear and mastoid although statistically significant difference wasn’t found. Prospective studies with larger patient groups are required in order to evaluate this pathology.


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