Testing automated sensor traps for mammal field studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Notz ◽  
C. Imholt ◽  
D. Reil ◽  
J. Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
The Body ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sensor Signals ◽  
Common Voles ◽  
No Sensor

Context Live traps are regularly used in field and enclosure studies with mammals. In some scenarios, such as, for example, when the focus is on temporal patterns or to minimise the time animals are contained inside the trap for animal-ethics reasons, it can be highly useful to be alerted immediately when an individual is trapped. Aims In the present study, an automated system was trialed that is designed to automatically send a signal to a receiving device (pager, computer, mobile phone) when the body heat or movement of a trapped small mammal is registered by an infrared sensor (ERMINEA permanent monitoring system for rodent detection). Methods Sensors were attached to Ugglan multiple-capture traps and used in laboratory conditions and in semi-natural outdoor enclosures with common voles (Microtus arvalis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus), as well as in the field with bank voles, Apodemus species and common voles. Sensor readings were compared to visual observation and trapping results. Key results In enclosure and field conditions, 100% and 98.7% of traps recorded captured animals correctly. There were no sensor signals when rodents moved along the outside or in the entrance compartment of the traps. Rodents sitting on the trap door triggered the sensor in 50% of cases when there was no bedding in the trap; however, there were no sensor signals if bedding was present. In laboratory trials, 20–70% of traps were falsely triggered by large insects (crickets), depending on ambient temperature and whether bedding was in the trap. Conclusions Generally, the system was a reliable, flexible and easy-to-handle tool to monitor live captures. To minimise false negatives (animals trapped without signal), testing sensor function in the pre-baiting phase and software adjustments are recommended. Implications The sensors are compatible with various trapping and other monitoring devices, providing the potential to be used in a wide range of applications. Their use is likely to optimise study designs, especially when temporal patterns are recorded or animals or samples need to be obtained soon after capture, and to minimise stress of trapped animals because they can be removed shortly after capture.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Characterization of the First Cowpox Virus Isolate Derived from a Bank Vole

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Jeske ◽  
Saskia Weber ◽  
Florian Pfaff ◽  
Christian Imholt ◽  
Jens Jacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bank Vole ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Cowpox Virus ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Common Voles

Cowpox virus (CPXV) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus (OPV) that infects a wide range of mammals. CPXV-specific DNA and antibodies were detected in different vole species, such as common voles (Microtus arvalis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Therefore, voles are the putative main reservoir host of CPXV. However, CPXV was up to now only isolated from common voles. Here we report the detection and isolation of a bank vole-derived CPXV strain (GerMygEK 938/17) resulting from a large-scale screening of bank voles collected in Thuringia, Germany, during 2017 and 2018. Phylogenetic analysis using the complete viral genome sequence indicated a high similarity of the novel strain to CPXV clade 3 and to OPV “Abatino” but also to Ectromelia virus (ECTV) strains. Phenotypic characterization of CPXV GerMygEK 938/17 using inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs displayed hemorrhagic pock lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane that are typical for CPXV but not for ECTV. CPXV GerMygEK 938/17 replicated in vole-derived kidney cell lines but at lower level than on Vero76 cell line. In conclusion, the first bank vole-derived CPXV isolate provides new insights into the genetic variability of CPXV in the putative reservoir host and is a valuable tool for further studies about CPXV-host interaction and molecular evolution of OPV.

scholarly journals In Vivo Characterization of a Bank Vole-Derived Cowpox Virus Isolate in Natural Hosts and the Rat Model

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Saskia Weber ◽  
Kathrin Jeske ◽  
Rainer G. Ulrich ◽  
Christian Imholt ◽  
Jens Jacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bank Vole ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Replication Capacity ◽  
Cowpox Virus ◽  
Saguinus Oedipus ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Common Voles

Cowpox virus (CPXV) belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family and is endemic in western Eurasia. Based on seroprevalence studies in different voles from continental Europe and UK, voles are suspected to be the major reservoir host. Recently, a CPXV was isolated from a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Germany that showed a high genetic similarity to another isolate originating from a Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). Here we characterize this first bank vole-derived CPXV isolate in comparison to the related tamarin-derived isolate. Both isolates grouped genetically within the provisionally called CPXV-like 3 clade. Previous phylogenetic analysis indicated that CPXV is polyphyletic and CPXV-like 3 clade represents probably a different species if categorized by the rules used for other orthopoxviruses. Experimental infection studies with bank voles, common voles (Microtus arvalis) and Wistar rats showed very clear differences. The bank vole isolate was avirulent in both common voles and Wistar rats with seroconversion seen only in the rats. In contrast, inoculated bank voles exhibited viral shedding and seroconversion for both tested CPXV isolates. In addition, bank voles infected with the tamarin-derived isolate experienced a marked weight loss. Our findings allow for the conclusion that CPXV isolates might differ in their replication capacity in different vole species and rats depending on their original host. Moreover, the results indicate host-specific differences concerning CPXV-specific virulence. Further experiments are needed to identify individual virulence and host factors involved in the susceptibility and outcome of CPXV-infections in the different reservoir hosts.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal patterns of human Puumala virus (PUUV) infections in Germany

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cunze ◽  
Judith Kochmann ◽  
Thomas Kuhn ◽  
Raphael Frank ◽  
Dorian D. Dörge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Puumala Virus ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Background Worldwide, the number of recorded human hantavirus infections as well as the number of affected countries is on the rise. In Europe, most human hantavirus infections are caused by the Puumala virus (PUUV), with bank voles (Myodes glareolus) as reservoir hosts. Generally, infection outbreaks have been related to environmental conditions, particularly climatic conditions, food supply for the reservoir species and land use. However, although attempts have been made, the insufficient availability of environmental data is often hampering accurate temporal and spatially explicit models of human hantavirus infections. Methods In the present study, dynamics of human PUUV infections between 2001 and 2015 were explored using ArcGIS in order to identify spatio-temporal patterns. Results Percentage cover of forest area was identified as an important factor for the spatial pattern, whereas beech mast was found explaining temporal patterns of human PUUV infections in Germany. High numbers of infections were recorded in 2007, 2010 and 2012 and areas with highest records were located in Baden-Wuerttemberg (southwest Germany) and North Rhine-Westphalia (western Germany). Conclusion More reliable data on reservoir host distribution, pathogen verification as well as an increased awareness of physicians are some of the factors that should improve future human infection risk assessments in Germany.

scholarly journals Analysis of Biological Interactions by Affinity Chromatography: Clinical and Pharmaceutical Applications

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1083-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S Hage
Keyword(s):  
Affinity Chromatography ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
High Performance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Biological Interactions ◽  
Binding Agent ◽  
Pharmaceutical Applications ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract BACKGROUND The interactions between biochemical and chemical agents in the body are important in many clinical processes. Affinity chromatography and high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC), in which a column contains an immobilized biologically related binding agent, are 2 methods that can be used to study these interactions. CONTENT This review presents various approaches that can be used in affinity chromatography and HPAC to characterize the strength or rate of a biological interaction, the number and types of sites that are involved in this process, and the interactions between multiple solutes for the same binding agent. A number of applications for these methods are examined, with an emphasis on recent developments and high-performance affinity methods. These applications include the use of these techniques for fundamental studies of biological interactions, high-throughput screening of drugs, work with modified proteins, tools for personalized medicine, and studies of drug–drug competition for a common binding agent. SUMMARY The wide range of formats and detection methods that can be used with affinity chromatography and HPAC for examining biological interactions makes these tools attractive for various clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Future directions in the development of small-scale columns and the coupling of these methods with other techniques, such as mass spectrometry or other separation methods, should continue to increase the flexibility and ease with which these approaches can be used in work involving clinical or pharmaceutical samples.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium infecting wild cricetid rodents from the subfamilies Arvicolinae and Neotominae

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRIANNA L. S. STENGER ◽  
MICHAELA HORČIČKOVÁ ◽  
MARK E. CLARK ◽  
MARTIN KVÁČ ◽  
ŠÁRKA ČONDLOVÁ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Tree ◽  
Microtus Pinetorum ◽  
Common Voles

SUMMARYWe undertook a study on Cryptosporidium spp. in wild cricetid rodents. Fecal samples were collected from meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi), woodland voles (Microtus pinetorum), muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and Peromyscus spp. mice in North America, and from bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and common voles (Microtus arvalis) in Europe. Isolates were characterized by sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) and actin genes. Overall, 33·2% (362/1089) of cricetids tested positive for Cryptosporidium, with a greater prevalence in cricetids from North America (50·7%; 302/596) than Europe (12·1%; 60/493). Principal Coordinate analysis separated SSU sequences into three major groups (G1-G3), each represented by sequences from North American and European cricetids. A maximum likelihood tree of SSU sequences had low bootstrap support and showed G1 to be more heterogeneous than G2 or G3. Actin and concatenated actin-SSU trees, which were better resolved and had higher bootstrap support than the SSU phylogeny, showed that closely related cricetid hosts in Europe and North America are infected with closely related Cryptosporidium genotypes. Cricetids were not major reservoirs of human pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp.

Creating the Wind

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-31
Author(s):  
Élodie Dupey García
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The Body ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Natural Behavior ◽  
Sensory Experiences ◽  
Identity And Agency ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Comparative Examination ◽  
Meteorological Phenomenon

This article explores how the Nahua of late Postclassic Mesoamerica (1200–1521 CE) created living and material embodiments of their wind god constructed on the basis of sensory experiences that shaped their conception of this divinized meteorological phenomenon. In this process, they employed chromatic and design devices, based on a wide range of natural elements, to add several layers of meaning to the human, painted, and sculpted supports dressed in the god’s insignia. Through a comparative examination of pre-Columbian visual production—especially codices and sculptures—historical sources mainly written in Nahuatl during the viceregal period, and ethnographic data on indigenous communities in modern Mexico, my analysis targets the body paint and shell jewelry of the anthropomorphic “images” of the wind god, along with the Feathered Serpent and the monkey-inspired embodiments of the deity. This study identifies the centrality of other human senses beyond sight in the conception of the wind god and the making of its earthly manifestations. Constructing these deity “images” was tantamount to creating the wind because they were intended to be visual replicas of the wind’s natural behavior. At the same time, they referred to the identity and agency of the wind god in myths and rituals.

scholarly journals Detectivity optimization to detect of ultraweak light fluxes with an EM-CCD as binary photon counter array

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibtissame Khaoua ◽  
Guillaume Graciani ◽  
Andrey Kim ◽  
François Amblard
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Photon Counting ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Strong Nonlinearity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Spatially Extended ◽  
Extended Sources ◽  
Photon Counting Mode

AbstractFor a wide range of purposes, one faces the challenge to detect light from extremely faint and spatially extended sources. In such cases, detector noises dominate over the photon noise of the source, and quantum detectors in photon counting mode are generally the best option. Here, we combine a statistical model with an in-depth analysis of detector noises and calibration experiments, and we show that visible light can be detected with an electron-multiplying charge-coupled devices (EM-CCD) with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 3 for fluxes less than $$30\,{\text{photon}}\,{\text{s}}^{ - 1} \,{\text{cm}}^{ - 2}$$ 30 photon s - 1 cm - 2 . For green photons, this corresponds to 12 aW $${\text{cm}}^{ - 2}$$ cm - 2 ≈ $$9{ } \times 10^{ - 11}$$ 9 × 10 - 11 lux, i.e. 15 orders of magnitude less than typical daylight. The strong nonlinearity of the SNR with the sampling time leads to a dynamic range of detection of 4 orders of magnitude. To detect possibly varying light fluxes, we operate in conditions of maximal detectivity $${\mathcal{D}}$$ D rather than maximal SNR. Given the quantum efficiency $$QE\left( \lambda \right)$$ Q E λ of the detector, we find $${ \mathcal{D}} = 0.015\,{\text{photon}}^{ - 1} \,{\text{s}}^{1/2} \,{\text{cm}}$$ D = 0.015 photon - 1 s 1 / 2 cm , and a non-negligible sensitivity to blackbody radiation for T > 50 °C. This work should help design highly sensitive luminescence detection methods and develop experiments to explore dynamic phenomena involving ultra-weak luminescence in biology, chemistry, and material sciences.

scholarly journals Defects and uncertainties of adhesively bonded composite joints

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadik Omairey ◽  
Nithin Jayasree ◽  
Mihalis Kazilas
Keyword(s):  
Composite Materials ◽  
Composite Structures ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Adhesive Bonding ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Bonded Joints ◽  
Adhesively Bonded ◽  
Adhesively Bonded Joints ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bonded Composite

AbstractThe increasing use of fibre reinforced polymer composite materials in a wide range of applications increases the use of similar and dissimilar joints. Traditional joining methods such as welding, mechanical fastening and riveting are challenging in composites due to their material properties, heterogeneous nature, and layup configuration. Adhesive bonding allows flexibility in materials selection and offers improved production efficiency from product design and manufacture to final assembly, enabling cost reduction. However, the performance of adhesively bonded composite structures cannot be fully verified by inspection and testing due to the unforeseen nature of defects and manufacturing uncertainties presented in this joining method. These uncertainties can manifest as kissing bonds, porosity and voids in the adhesive. As a result, the use of adhesively bonded joints is often constrained by conservative certification requirements, limiting the potential of composite materials in weight reduction, cost-saving, and performance. There is a need to identify these uncertainties and understand their effect when designing these adhesively bonded joints. This article aims to report and categorise these uncertainties, offering the reader a reliable and inclusive source to conduct further research, such as the development of probabilistic reliability-based design optimisation, sensitivity analysis, defect detection methods and process development.

Development and Validation of a New Scoring Tool to Evaluate the Clinical Evolution of Adult Patients with Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
María Luisa Peralta-Pedrero ◽  
Denisse Herrera-Bringas ◽  
Karla Samantha Torres-González ◽  
Martha Alejandra Morales-Sánchez ◽  
Fermín Jurado Santa-Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Surface ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Clinical Evolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Extreme Groups

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Vitiligo has an unpredictable course and a variable response to treatment. Furthermore, the improvement of some vitiligo lesions cannot be considered a guarantee of a similar response to the other lesions. Instruments for patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) can be an alternative to measure complex constructions such as clinical evolution. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to validate a PROM that allows to measure the clinical evolution of patients with nonsegmental vitiligo in a simple but standardized way that serves to gather information for a better understanding of the disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The instrument was created through expert consensus and patient participation. For the validation study, a prospective cohort design was performed. The body surface area affected was measured with the Vitiligo Extension Score (VES), the extension, the stage, and the spread by the evaluation of the Vitiligo European Task Force assessment (VETFa). Reliability was determined with test-retest, construct validity through hypothesis testing, discriminative capacity with extreme groups, and response capacity by comparing initial and final measurements. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighteen semi-structured interviews and 7 cognitive interviews were conducted, and 4 dermatologists were consulted. The instrument Clinical Evolution-Vitiligo (CV-6) was answered by 119 patients with a minimum of primary schooling. A wide range was observed in the affected body surface; incident and prevalent cases were included. The average time to answer the CV-6 was 3.08 ± 0.58 min. In the test-retest (<i>n</i> = 53), an intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained: 0.896 (95% CI 0.82–0.94; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). In extreme groups, the mean score was 2 (2–3) and 5 (4–6); <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. The initial CV-6 score was different from the final one and the change was verified with VES and VETFa (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05, <i>n</i> = 92). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The CV-6 instrument allows patient collaboration, it is simple and brief, and it makes it easier for the doctor to focus attention on injuries that present changes at the time of medical consultation.

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