scholarly journals Effect of Covering a Visitor Viewing Area Window on the Behaviour of Zoo-Housed Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1224
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Chiew ◽  
Kym L. Butler ◽  
Sally L. Sherwen ◽  
Grahame J. Coleman ◽  
Vicky Melfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Visual Contact ◽  
Main Window ◽  
Tactile Contact ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Visitor Numbers ◽  
Little Penguin

Studies on the effects of visitors on zoo animals have shown mixed findings and as a result, the manner in which visitors affect zoo animals remains unclear for many species, including a rarely studied taxa such as penguins. Penguins are a common zoo-housed species and have been shown to display huddling, vigilance and avoidance towards zoo visitors which can be indicative of fear. Here, we examined the effects of covering one visitor viewing area window, out of four, on little penguin (Eudyptula minor) behaviours that may be indicative of fear. Two treatments were randomly imposed on different days: (1) The main visitor viewing area window, where most visitor-penguin interactions occurred, was uncovered (‘Main window uncovered’) and (2) The main visitor viewing area window was covered (‘Main window covered’). Penguin numbers and behaviour were recorded near the main visitor viewing area window and the three other visitor viewing area windows, as well as one area not visible to visitors (‘Corner’ area). Furthermore, visitor numbers and visitor behaviour were recorded at all four visitor viewing area windows. Covering the main visitor viewing area window reduced the proportion of visitors present at this window by about 85% (p < 0.001) and reduced potentially threatening visitor behaviours at this window such as tactile contact with the window, loud vocalisations and sudden movement (p < 0.05). When the main visitor viewing area window was covered, the proportion of penguins present increased by about 25% (p < 0.05), the proportion of visible penguins preening in the water increased by about 180% (p < 0.05) and the proportion of visible penguins vigilant decreased by about 70% (p < 0.05) in the area near this main window. A preference for the Corner area was also found whereby 59% and 49% of penguins were present in this area when the main window was uncovered and covered, respectively. These results provide limited evidence that the little penguins in this exhibit showed an aversion to the area near the main visitor viewing area window when it was uncovered based on the increased avoidance and vigilance and decreased preening in the water in this area. This suggests visitors may be fear-provoking for these little penguins. However, it is unclear whether visual contact with visitors per se or other aspects of visitor contact, such as visitor-induced sounds and vibrations, were responsible for this apparent aversion when this window was uncovered.

scholarly journals Academic freedom, tenure, and student evaluations of faculty: A response to Haskell and his critics.

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Edith J. Cisneros-Cohernour
Keyword(s):  
Academic Freedom ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Student Evaluations ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Per Se

I comment on the strengths and limitations of Haskell's article and provide a critical review of his arguments about the negative impact of SEF on tenure and other administrative decisions. I object to the limited evidence supporting the claim that the use of student evaluations per se challenges academic freedom.

scholarly journals Group size and visitor numbers predict faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in zoo meerkats

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 161017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Scott ◽  
Michael Heistermann ◽  
Michael A. Cant ◽  
Emma I. K. Vitikainen
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Visitor Numbers ◽  
Competition For Resources

Measures of physiological stress in zoo animals can give important insights into how they are affected by aspects of their captive environment. We analysed the factors influencing variation in glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces (fGCs) from zoo meerkats as a proxy for blood cortisol concentration, high levels of which are associated with a stress response. Levels of fGCs in captive meerkats declined with increasing group size. In the wild, very small groups of meerkats are at a higher risk of predation, while in larger groups, there is increased competition for resources. Indeed, group sizes in captivity resemble those seen in unstable coalitions in the wild, which may represent a stressful condition and predispose meerkats to chronic stress, even in the absence of natural predators. Individuals in large enclosures showed lower levels of stress, but meerkat density had no effect on the stress measures. In contrast with data from wild meerkats, neither sex, age nor dominance status predicted stress levels, which may reflect less food stress owing to more equal access to resources in captivity versus wild. The median number of visitors at the enclosure was positively correlated with fGC concentrations on the following day, with variation in the visitor numbers having the opposite effect. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that there is an optimum group size which minimizes physiological stress in meerkats, and that zoo meerkats at most risk of physiological stress are those kept in small groups and small enclosures and are exposed to consistently high numbers of visitors.

scholarly journals Effects of Regulating Visitor Viewing Proximity and the Intensity of Visitor Behaviour on Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) Behaviour and Welfare

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Chiew ◽  
Kym L. Butler ◽  
Sally L. Sherwen ◽  
Grahame J. Coleman ◽  
Kerry V. Fanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Physiology ◽  
Viewing Distance ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Physical Barrier ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Tactile Contact ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Visitor Numbers

We examined the effects of regulating the viewing proximity of visitors and the intensity of visitor behaviour on behaviours indicative of fear and stress physiology of 15 zoo-housed little penguins (Eudyptula minor). A 2 × 2 factorial fully randomised design was used to examine the effects of regulating: (1) the viewing proximity of visitors to enclosure, ‘normal viewing distance’ and ’increased viewing distance’ (using a physical barrier set up 2 m away from the enclosure), and (2) the intensity of visitor behaviour, ‘unregulated visitor behaviour’ and ‘regulated visitor behaviour’ (using signage and uniformed personnel). In addition, a treatment consisting of closing the enclosure to visitors was included. Penguin behaviour, visitor numbers and visitor behaviour were recorded by CCTV video recordings and direct observations, respectively. Penguin faecal glucocorticoid metabolites were also analysed as a measure of stress physiology. We found that increased viewing distance reduced (p < 0.05) all visitor behaviours except for loud vocalisations and tactile contact with penguins. However, there were no direct effects of signage and uniformed personnel on visitor behaviour (p > 0.05). As the regulation of viewing proximity increased from a closed exhibit to an open exhibit with increased viewing distance, and then to an open exhibit with normal viewing distance, this increased the proportion of penguins huddling (p = 0.0011), vigilant (p = 0.0060) and retreating (p = 0.00013), and decreased the proportion of penguins within 1 m of the visitor viewing area (p = 0.00066), surface swimming (p = 0.00091) and preening in the water (p = 0.042). There were also limited effects of regulating visitor behaviour on penguin behaviour. No treatment effects were found on faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (p > 0.05). These results indicate that regulating visitor viewing proximity affects penguin behaviours indicative of fear and visitor behaviour. This suggests that close visitor contact can be fear-provoking for little penguins but increasing the distance between visitors and penguins can reduce fear responses of penguins by regulating both viewing proximity and visitor behaviour. However, it is unclear whether these changes in penguin behaviour are due to the increased separation between visitors and penguins and/or specific visitor behaviours associated with close viewing proximity to the enclosure, such as leaning over the enclosure or tactile contact with the pool, which are impeded when visitors are further away.

Origin of Hepatic Nuclear Inclusion Bodies

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 426-427
Author(s):  
F. G. Zaki ◽  
J. A. Greenlee ◽  
C. H. Keysser
Keyword(s):  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Storage Disease ◽  
Glycogen Storage ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Nuclear Inclusion ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Human Liver Cells ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Experimental Liver

Nuclear inclusion bodies seen in human liver cells may appear in light microscopy as deposits of fat or glycogen resulting from various diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis, cholestasis or glycogen storage disease. These deposits have been also encountered in experimental liver injury and in our animals subjected to nutritional deficiencies, drug intoxication and hepatocarcinogens. Sometimes these deposits fail to demonstrate the presence of fat or glycogen and show PAS negative reaction. Such deposits are considered as viral products.Electron microscopic studies of these nuclei revealed that such inclusion bodies were not products of the nucleus per se but were mere segments of endoplasmic reticulum trapped inside invaginating nuclei (Fig. 1-3).

The Eleventh Circuit Holds that Agreements in which Pharmaceutical Companies Pay Generic Companies Not to Compete May be Valid

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-184
Author(s):  
Amy Garrigues
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Court Decisions ◽  
Patent Holder ◽  
Trial Court ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
The Us ◽  
Antitrust Laws ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Appeals Court ◽  
Two Sides

On September 15, 2003, the US. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held that agreements between pharmaceutical and generic companies not to compete are not per se unlawful if these agreements do not expand the existing exclusionary right of a patent. The Valley DrugCo.v.Geneva Pharmaceuticals decision emphasizes that the nature of a patent gives the patent holder exclusive rights, and if an agreement merely confirms that exclusivity, then it is not per se unlawful. With this holding, the appeals court reversed the decision of the trial court, which held that agreements under which competitors are paid to stay out of the market are per se violations of the antitrust laws. An examination of the Valley Drugtrial and appeals court decisions sheds light on the two sides of an emerging legal debate concerning the validity of pay-not-to-compete agreements, and more broadly, on the appropriate balance between the seemingly competing interests of patent and antitrust laws.

Fusion and Fission Processes in Exocytosis: Possible Roles for Synexin and Osmotic Lysis in the Two Events

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 594-597
Author(s):  
H.B. Pollard ◽  
C.E. Creutz ◽  
C.J. Pazoles ◽  
J.H. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Extracellular Calcium ◽  
Large Protein ◽  
Granule Membrane ◽  
Osmotic Lysis ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Chemical Evidence

Exocytosis is a general concept describing secretion of enzymes, hormones and transmitters that are otherwise sequestered in intracellular granules. Chemical evidence for this concept was first gathered from studies on chromaffin cells in perfused adrenal glands, in which it was found that granule contents, including both large protein and small molecules such as adrenaline and ATP, were released together while the granule membrane was retained in the cell. A number of exhaustive reviews of this early work have been published and are summarized in Reference 1. The critical experiments demonstrating the importance of extracellular calcium for exocytosis per se were also first performed in this system (2,3), further indicating the substantial service given by chromaffin cells to those interested in secretory phenomena over the years.

The importance of physical training for preventive care in the elderly

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 323-327
Author(s):  
Baum
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Care ◽  
Körperliche Aktivität ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Ältere Menschen ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Per Se

Der mit zunehmendem Alter beobachtbare Verlust an Kraft, Koordination, Ausdauer und Flexibilität ist nur zum Teil als Alterungsprozess per se zu verstehen. Ein wesentlicher Einflussfaktor ist die körperliche Aktivität, d.h. die impliziten oder expliziten Trainingsreize. Denn alle körperlichen Leistungsmerkmale sind noch bis ins höchste Alter unter der Voraussetzung trainierbar, dass die Trainingsintensität und die Reizdichte hinreichend hoch sind. Bei Trainingsangeboten für ältere Menschen kommen der Kraft und der Koordination eine besondere Bedeutung zu, da sie die Basis für eine selbständige Lebensführung darstellen. Um das Krafttraining aus kardio-vaskulärer Sicht möglichst sicher zu gestalten, wurde von uns eine Trainingsform entwickelt und erprobt, bei der es im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Methoden zu signifikant geringeren Blutdruckanstiegen kommt.

Hausstaubmilbenallergie

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrard ◽  
E. Pichler
Keyword(s):  
Per Se

Hausstaubmilben sind kleine Spinnentiere, die weltweit vom gemäßigten bis zum tropischen Klima gefunden werden. Proteine, alle mit enzymatischen Eigenschaften, aus dem Gastrointestinaltrakt und folglich im Hausstaubmilbenkot sind Auslöser von allergischen Erkrankungen, die aufgrund einer kontinuierlichen Exposition von geringen Allergenmengen meist chronisch verlaufen. Klinisch äußert sich dies mit einem schleichenden Krankheitsbeginn: eine chronisch verstopfte Nase und - zu Beginn typischerweise - einem Anstrengungsasthma, das sich bei längerer Dauer verstärkt. Bei Vorliegen einer atopischen Dermatitis kann es auch nach Milbenkontakt zu einer Verstärkung der Dermatitis kommen. Die Anzahl an Hausstaubmilben und die Menge an Milbenallergen hängt von der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit ab, wobei eine Luftfeuchtigkeit von > 50 %, wie es in sehr gut isolierten Häusern oder durch das Klima per se vorkommt, zu einem guten Gedeihen der Hausstaubmilben führt. Nahrungsquelle der Hausstaubmilben sind Hautschuppen, die ubiquitär in Polstermöbeln, Matratzen und Teppichen vorkommen. Die chronischen, recht unspezifischen und oft allergenunabhängigen Beschwerden verzögern oft die Diagnostik, welche durch eine ausgedehnte Allergieabklärung z. B. mittels Hauttestung erfolgt. Die Therapie besteht in erster Linie aus topischen Kortikosteroiden. Trotz widersprüchlicher Daten und Metaanalysen in der Literatur zur Hausstaubsanierung scheint das allgemein eher trockene Klima im Winter in der Schweiz eine Hausstaubsanierung in den Wohnungen zu begünstigen und wird deshalb auch empfohlen. Eine weitere Therapieoption ist die Durchführung einer spezifischen Immuntherapie mit gutem Erfolg bei Kindern und Erwachsenen. Verbesserungen der Diagnostik und Immuntherapie sind durch Einsatz der rekombinanten Allergene zu erwarten.

Harnsäure, Nierenerkrankungen und Nephrolithiasis

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Jeong Kim ◽  
Helmut Hopfer ◽  
Michael Mayr
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus Typ 2 ◽  
Therapeutische Konsequenzen ◽  
Per Se

Zusammenfassung. Verschiedene Nierenerkrankungen können mit erhöhten Harnsäurewerten einhergehen, wobei die pathophysiologischen Vorgänge sich stark unterscheiden. Dies ist nicht nur von akademischer Bedeutung, sondern hat auch wichtige therapeutische Konsequenzen. Während ein massiver und plötzlicher Harnsäure-Anfall im Rahmen eines Tumor-Lyse-Syndroms zum akuten Nierenversagen führen kann, liegen der umstrittenen chronischen Urat-Nephropathie dauerhaft erhöhte Harnsäurewerte zugrunde. Möglicherweise ist hier das entscheidende Agens aber gar nicht die Hyperurikämie per se, sondern Blei, zumindest gibt es diese Assoziation. Bei der Nephrolithiasis mit Harnsäuresteinen ist der entscheidende Faktor nicht wie zu vermuten wäre eine Hyperurikämie oder Hyperurikosurie, sondern eine Azidifikationsstörung auf renaler Ebene mit persistierend tiefem Urin-pH. Es gibt starke Hinweise, dass die beiden metabolischen Erkrankungen Adipositas und der Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 mit Insulinresistenz wichtige pathophysiologische Faktoren in der Entstehung dieser Azidifikationsstörung sind. Patienten mit Harnsäuresteinen sollten deshalb immer auf das Vorliegen dieser metabolischen Faktoren abgeklärt und dementsprechend behandelt werden.

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