scholarly journals An association between feather damaging behavior and corticosterone metabolite excretion in captive African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierluca Costa ◽  
Elisabetta Macchi ◽  
Emanuela Valle ◽  
Michele De Marco ◽  
Daniele M. Nucera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Psittacus Erithacus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites

BackgroundAfrican grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are kept as pets and are frequently hand-reared. It has been observed that hand-reared African grey parrots may develop behavioral disorders such as feather damaging behavior (FDB). It is well known that chronic stress is involved in behavioral disorders in captive parrots. The main glucocorticoid in birds is corticosterone; its quantification provides information about adrenocortical activity and is considered to be a reliable indicator of stress levels in birds. We analyzed the differences in the excretion of corticosterone metabolites (CM) in the droppings of African grey parrots characterized by: 1. different rearing histories (parent rearing vs. hand rearing); and 2. the presence or absence of FDB in hand-reared parrots.MethodsA total of 82 African grey parrots that were kept in captivity were considered. According to breeding methods, three groups of birds were defined: 1. The parent-reared (PR) parrots included birds kept in pairs (n= 30 pairs) with a conspecific partner of the opposite sex. All of these birds were healthy and never showed FDB signs; 2. The healthy hand-reared parrots (H-HR) included pet parrots individually kept, that were hand-reared and did not display any sign of FDB (n= 11, 7 males and 4 females); 3. The FDB hand-reared parrot (FDB-HR) included pet parrots individually kept, that were hand-reared and displayed FDB (n= 11, 7 males and 4 females). Droppings were collected in the morning over three alternating days in autumn 2014 and spring 2015. The CM were determined using a multi-species corticosterone enzyme immunoassay kit. Split-plot repeated-measure ANOVA was used to examine any differences using group, season and group × season as the main factors.ResultsDifferent quantities of CM in droppings were found for the three groups. The mean CM value was 587 ng/g in the PR parrots, 494 ng/g in the H-HR parrots and 1,744 ng/g in the FDB-HR parrots, irrespective of the season. The excretion of CM in FDB-HR was significantly higher than in PR or H-HR parrots. CM in droppings were not influenced by the season (autumn vs. spring); furthermore, the interaction between group and sampling season was not significant. Limited to the H-HR and FDB-HR groups, a trend in the significance of the difference in the mean CM excreted by male and female birds was observed, with the levels excreted by males being higher than those excreted by females. When the effect of age was considered (in the two separate groups), there was a statistically significant positive correlation only for H-HR.ConclusionsThe highest amount of CM excretion was found in FDB-HR parrots, and a positive correlation between age and CM excretion was found in H-HR. Given that the CM excretion of both PR and H-HR parrots was similar in our study, future research is recommended to investigate the specific aspects of hand-rearing to improve parrot welfare.

Identifying pain in children with CHARGE syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
Kasee K. Stratton ◽  
Timothy Hartshorne
Keyword(s):  
Charge Syndrome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Baseline Measure ◽  
Pain Ratings ◽  
Moderate Negative Correlation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Pain Experiences ◽  
Children's Pain ◽  
Experience Pain

Abstract Background and aims The objective was to conduct the first investigation to identify the frequency and intensity of pain experiences for individuals with CHARGE syndrome and to review the use of two established non-vocal pain assessments with children with CHARGE, the NCCPC-R (Non-Communicating Children’s Pain Checklist-Revised) and the PPP (Pediatrics Pain Profile). Methods Parents of children with CHARGE were enrolled. Participants completed a pain questionnaire and the NCCPC-R and PPP twice, once for a baseline measure and second during a painful experience for their child. Results A moderate negative correlation between the mean intensity of pain and the mean duration of pain among individuals with CHARGE was found, ρ=−0.34. There was a tendency for intensity of pain to increase for sources of pain that were of shorter duration. The NCCPC-R and PPP were found to identify pain when compared to baseline performance (no pain) with a large effect, d=1.3. For the NCCPC-R, the difference between these ratings was significant beyond the 0.05 level, t (40)=8.15, p=0.000, 95% CI [16.93, 28.10]. Similarly, for the PPP, the mean pain ratings were significantly greater than the mean ratings for no pain, with significance beyond the 0.05 level, t (51)=9.59, p=0.000, CI 95% [11.74, 17.96]. Conclusions Evidence exists that children with CHARGE experience pain. While the NCCPC-R and PPP were found to identify pain; future research should consider the development of a pain assessment individualized to pain behaviors present in CHARGE syndrome, given this population’s unique expression of pain.

Assessment of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines in Tobacco Genotypes

2013 ◽  
Vol 641-642 ◽  
pp. 871-874
Author(s):  
Pei Guo Guo ◽  
Yan Shi Xia ◽  
Rong Hua Li ◽  
Yong Hua Lü ◽  
Miao Wen Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Evaluation Index ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Tobacco Leaf ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines

The tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are one of the most important groups of carcinoigens in tobacco leaf, knowing the difference of TSNAs contents in tobacco genotypes should be beneficial for breeding low TSNAs cultivars which could decrease the harmfulness to human health in tobacco products. For this purpose, 8 genotypes (include burley, sun-cured and flue-cured tobacco) were selected as materials, the TSNAs contents of uncured and cured leaves were assessed with LC-MS/MS. The results showed that TSNAs contents were significantly increased after curing in all genotypes. The mean TSNAs contents of leaves before and after curing in burley were the highest among three types of tobacco, and the contents in sun-cured tobacco were the lowest. Coefficient of variation (CV) of TSNAs among genotypes in burley was higher than that in flue-cured and sun-cured tobacco, and the CV in sun-cured tobacco was the lowest. The positive correlation was observed in NNN, NAT and total TSNAs contents between uncured and cured leaves in three types of tobacco. Therefore, the TSNAs contents in uncured leaves could be considered as evaluation index to screen tobacco cultivars with the low TSNAs contents.

scholarly journals Utility of Nuclear Morphometry in Predicting Grades of Diffusely Infiltrating Gliomas

ISRN Oncology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dibyajyoti Boruah ◽  
Prabal Deb
Keyword(s):  
Major Axis ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Nuclear Area ◽  
Tumour Grade ◽  
Neoplastic Tissue ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Immense Potential

Introduction. The ability to reliably differentiate neoplastic from nonneoplastic specimen and ascertain the tumour grade of diffusely infiltrating gliomas (DIGs) is often challenging. Aims and Objective. To evaluate utility of image morphometry in identifying DIG areas and to predict tumour grade. Materials and Methods. Image morphometry was used to analyze the following nuclear features of 30 DIGs and 10 controls (CG): major axis of nucleus (MAJX), minor axis of nucleus (MINX), nuclear area (NA), nuclear perimeter (NP), nuclear roundness (NR), nuclear density (ND), and percentage of total nuclear area (%TNA). Results. Statistically significant differences in all parameters, except NR, were observed between all groups, with strong positive correlation with tumour grade (r>0.7). The mean values were maximum for HGG and minimum for CG. For NR, the difference between CG/HGG was statistically significant, unlike CG/LGG and LGG/HGG. It was observed that NA distributions for CG were nearly Gaussian type with smaller range, while gliomas displayed erratic pattern with larger range. NA and NP exhibited strong positive correlation with ND. Conclusion. Image morphometry has immense potential in being a powerful tool to distinguish normal from neoplastic tissue and also to differentiate LGG from HGG cases, especially in tiny stereotactic biopsies.

scholarly journals Technology and language learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-120
Author(s):  
Huzairin Huzairin ◽  
Gede Eka Putrawan ◽  
Bambang Riadi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Use ◽  
First Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

A considerable number of studies on mobile-assisted language learning have been conducted, but less attention has been paid to online informal learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) performed using smartphones among undergraduate EFL learners in Indonesia. Thus, this study was specifically aimed at investigating EFL learners’ most frequently-performed EFL learning activities through smartphones, the predominant online language use, and the relationship between EFL learners’ predominant online language use and their perceived EFL proficiency. The study adopted a quantitative approach. The findings reveal that the participants still more frequently access content and information from their smartphones for receptive rather than interactive/productive online activities. Indonesian, which is the participants’ first language, is still predominantly used for their online activities. The mean score of the perceived EFL proficiency of those who frequently perform online activities in English is statistically and significantly higher than those performing online activities in Indonesian. Overall, the mean score of the perceived EFL proficiency of those performing online activities in English is higher than those in Indonesian, although the difference is not statistically significant. Finally, the study’s implications with suggestions for future research are discussed.

Further observations on the relative influence of birth weight and creep-feed consumption on the 3- and 8-week weights of sucking pigs

1961 ◽  
Vol 3 (03) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lodge ◽  
I. McDonald ◽  
R. M. MacPherson
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Relative Influence ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Season Of Birth ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

1. Data from the first 3 litters of each of 21 Wessex Saddleback sows were analysed on within-Utter, between-litter/within-sow and between-litter/ between-sow bases.2. There were highly significant differences between sows in the mean weight of their pigs at birth, 3 and 8 weeks of age; between litters of the same sow there were no significant differences at birth or 8 weeks but pigs in third litters were significantly lighter than those of the first and second Utters at 3 weeks of age. There was a significant increase in number born but not in number weaned from first to third litters.3. Within litters, the variation in 3-week weight accounted for by variation in birth weight was 30% in first litters, 48% in second litters and 45% in third; respective relationships between birth weight and 8-week weight were 14, 27 and 26%. Between litters of the same sow, differences in mean birth weight accounted for 50 % of the difference which occurred in 3-week weight and for 26 % of the difference in 8-week weight. Differences in mean creep-feed consumption accounted for 18% and differences in mean 3-week weight for 44% of the differences which occurred in weight at weaning. Between litters of different sows, the variation in birth weight accounted for 48% of the variation in 3-week weight, and 8% of the variation in 8-week weight. Differences in creep-feed consumption accounted for 36% and differences in 3-week weight accounted for 26 % of the difference in weight at weaning.4. Season of birth had some effect on weaning weight due in part to an effect on creep-feed consumption. There was a negative correlation between birth weight and mortality and a positive correlation between mortality and Utter size.

Comparative Effects of High-Tech Visual Scene Displays and Low-Tech Isolated Picture Symbols on Engagement From Students With Multiple Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.

The Effect of Vocabulary Intervention on Text Comprehension: Who Benefits?

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawna Duff
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Text Comprehension ◽  
Classroom Instruction ◽  
Vocabulary Instruction ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Intervention ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Vocabulary intervention can improve comprehension of texts containing taught words, but it is unclear if all middle school readers get this benefit. This study tests 2 hypotheses about variables that predict response to vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: gains in vocabulary knowledge due to treatment and pretreatment reading comprehension scores. Method Students in Grade 6 ( N = 23) completed a 5-session intervention based on robust vocabulary instruction (RVI). Knowledge of the semantics of taught words was measured pre- and posttreatment. Participants then read 2 matched texts, 1 containing taught words (treated) and 1 not (untreated). Treated texts and taught word lists were counterbalanced across participants. The difference between text comprehension scores in treated and untreated conditions was taken as a measure of the effect of RVI on text comprehension. Results RVI resulted in significant gains in knowledge of taught words ( d RM = 2.26) and text comprehension ( d RM = 0.31). The extent of gains in vocabulary knowledge after vocabulary treatment did not predict the effect of RVI on comprehension of texts. However, untreated reading comprehension scores moderated the effect of the vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: Lower reading comprehension was associated with greater gains in text comprehension. Readers with comprehension scores below the mean experienced large gains in comprehension, but those with average/above average reading comprehension scores did not. Conclusion Vocabulary instruction had a larger effect on text comprehension for readers in Grade 6 who had lower untreated reading comprehension scores. In contrast, the amount that children learned about taught vocabulary did not predict the effect of vocabulary instruction on text comprehension. This has implications for the identification of 6th-grade students who would benefit from classroom instruction or clinical intervention targeting vocabulary knowledge.

Relationship of Sense of Coherence to Other Psychosocial Indices

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Holmberg ◽  
Anders Thelin ◽  
Eva-Lena Stiernström
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Job Demand ◽  
The Mean

Summary: The concept of “sense of coherence” (SOC) has been widely recognized since it was first introduced by Antonovsky. The originality and usefulness of the SOC scale and its relation to other psychosocial measures has been the subject of lively debate. The aim of this paper was to test for associations between SOC and work-related psychosocial factors (mainly the Job Demand-Control model), general living conditions, education, and social network factors. Cross-sectional data from a population-based sample of 1782 rural males from nine counties in Sweden were analyzed with a multiple regression technique. The subjects were occupationally active at inclusion and the mean age was 50 years (range 40-60). SOC was assessed with the original 29-item questionnaire. Psychosocial variables and lifestyle factors were assessed using questionnaires and structured interviews. The mean SOC among the subjects was 152.3 (standard deviation, 19.4). A strong negative correlation was found between SOC and job demand, whereas a positive correlation with job control was demonstrated. A positive correlation with general living conditions and with social support was also found. However, there was no correlation to education and occupation. Thus, SOC was shown to be strongly correlated to work-related psychosocial factors and social support, but independent of sociodemographic factors.

Locus of Control, Safety Attitudes and Involvement in Hazardous Events in Indian Army Aviators

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Joseph ◽  
Suhasini Reddy ◽  
Kanwal Kashore Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Human Errors ◽  
Safety Attitudes ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Self Confidence

Locus of control (LOC), safety attitudes, and involvement in hazardous events were studied in 205 Indian Army aviators using a questionnaire-based method. A positive correlation was found between external LOC and involvement in hazardous events. Higher impulsivity and anxiety, and decreased self-confidence, safety orientation, and denial were associated with a greater number of hazardous events. Higher external LOC was associated with higher impulsivity, anxiety, and weather anxiety and with lower self-confidence, safety orientation, and denial. Internal LOC was associated with increased self-confidence, safety orientation, and denial. Hazardous events and self-confidence were higher in those involved in accidents than those not involved in accidents. Future research needs to address whether training can effectively modify LOC and negative attitudes, and whether this would cause a reduction in, and better management of, human errors.

Plasma Thrombospondin as an Indicator of Intravascular Platelet Activation in Patients with Vasculitis

1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (03) ◽  
pp. 850-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
M B McCrohan ◽  
S W Huang ◽  
J W Sleasman ◽  
P A Klein ◽  
K J Kao
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Activation Marker ◽  
Fibrin Degradation Products ◽  
The Mean

SummaryThe use of plasma thrombospondin (TSP) concentration was investigated as an indicator of intravascular platelet activation. Patients (n = 20) with diseases that have known vasculitis were included in the study. The range and the mean of plasma TSP concentrations of patients with vasculitis were 117 ng/ml to 6500 ng/ml and 791±1412 ng/ml (mean ± SD); the range and the mean of plasma TSP concentrations of control individuals (n = 33) were 13 ng/ml to 137 ng/ml and 59±29 ng/ml. When plasma TSP concentrations were correlated with plasma concentrations of another platelet activation marker, β-thromboglobulin (P-TG), it was found that the TSP concentration inei eased exponentially as the plasma β-TG level rose. A positive correlation between plasma levels of plasma TSP and serum fibrin degradation products was also observed. The results suggest that platelets are the primary source of plasma TSP in patients with various vasculitis and that plasma TSP can be a better indicator than β-TG to assess intravascular platelet activation due to its longer circulation half life.

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