Thermal cameras as a survey method for Australian arboreal mammals: a focus on the greater glider

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
Simon G. Vinson ◽  
Aidan P. Johnson ◽  
Katarina M. Mikac
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Imaging ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Arboreal Mammal ◽  
Sclerophyll Forest ◽  
Thermal Cameras ◽  
Survey Designs

This study developed and tested the efficacy of a real-time thermography technique to improve survey methods for Australian arboreal mammal species, with a focus on the greater glider. Development involved the use of thermal imaging cameras combined with spotlight transect surveys of an endangered greater glider population at Seven Mile Beach National Park. Over 30h of nocturnal spotlight transect surveys were undertaken over 14 (1km) transects within 70ha of dry sclerophyll forest. A protocol for the use of thermography to survey greater gliders was developed. The efficacy of the thermography protocol was then experimentally tested in comparison to traditional spotlighting. Overall, thermography was better at detecting arboreal mammals than spotlighting (P<0.05). However, the effect was not significant for greater gliders (P=0.79), even though there was a trend towards improved detection of the species using thermal cameras. Thermography is a novel approach to undertaking arboreal mammal surveys and future studies should consider its relevance, effectiveness and associated costs to improve survey designs, especially for threatened species.

scholarly journals Real-time drone derived thermal imagery outperforms traditional survey methods for an arboreal forest mammal

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242204
Author(s):  
Ryan R. Witt ◽  
Chad T. Beranek ◽  
Lachlan G. Howell ◽  
Shelby A. Ryan ◽  
John Clulow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Imaging ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Remotely Piloted Aircraft ◽  
Aircraft System ◽  
Fixed Boundaries

Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are cryptic and currently face regional extinction. The direct detection (physical sighting) of individuals is required to improve conservation management strategies. We provide a comparative assessment of three survey methods for the direct detection of koalas: systematic spotlighting (Spotlight), remotely piloted aircraft system thermal imaging (RPAS), and the refined diurnal radial search component of the spot assessment technique (SAT). Each survey method was repeated on the same morning with independent observers (03:00–12:00 hrs) for a total of 10 survey occasions at sites with fixed boundaries (28–76 ha) in Port Stephens (n = 6) and Gilead (n = 1) in New South Wales between May and July 2019. Koalas were directly detected on 22 occasions during 7 of 10 comparative surveys (Spotlight: n = 7; RPAS: n = 14; and SAT: n = 1), for a total of 12 unique individuals (Spotlight: n = 4; RPAS: n = 11; SAT: n = 1). In 3 of 10 comparative surveys no koalas were detected. Detection probability was 38.9 ± 20.03% for Spotlight, 83.3 ± 11.39% for RPAS and 4.2 ± 4.17% for SAT. Effective detectability per site was 1 ± 0.44 koalas per 6.75 ± 1.03 hrs for Spotlight (1 koala per 6.75 hrs), 2 ± 0.38 koalas per 4.35 ± 0.28 hrs for RPAS (1 koala per 2.18 hrs) and 0.14 ± 0.14 per 6.20 ± 0.93 hrs for SAT (1 koala per 43.39 hrs). RPAS thermal imaging technology appears to offer an efficient method to directly survey koalas comparative to Spotlight and SAT and has potential as a valuable conservation tool to inform on-ground management of declining koala populations.

scholarly journals Towards human distance estimation using a thermal sensor array

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Naser ◽  
Ahmad Lotfi ◽  
Joni Zhong
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Sensor Array ◽  
Distance Estimation ◽  
Thermal Sensor ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Contagious Diseases ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Thermal Cameras ◽  
Distance Estimator

AbstractHuman distance estimation is essential in many vital applications, specifically, in human localisation-based systems, such as independent living for older adults applications, and making places safe through preventing the transmission of contagious diseases through social distancing alert systems. Previous approaches to estimate the distance between a reference sensing device and human subject relied on visual or high-resolution thermal cameras. However, regular visual cameras have serious concerns about people’s privacy in indoor environments, and high-resolution thermal cameras are costly. This paper proposes a novel approach to estimate the distance for indoor human-centred applications using a low-resolution thermal sensor array. The proposed system presents a discrete and adaptive sensor placement continuous distance estimators using classification techniques and artificial neural network, respectively. It also proposes a real-time distance-based field of view classification through a novel image-based feature. Besides, the paper proposes a transfer application to the proposed continuous distance estimator to measure human height. The proposed approach is evaluated in different indoor environments, sensor placements with different participants. This paper shows a median overall error of $$\pm 0.2$$ ± 0.2  m in continuous-based estimation and $$96.8\%$$ 96.8 % achieved-accuracy in discrete distance estimation.

scholarly journals Design and Implementation of Android Applications as Mobile Payment Gateway Services in the Sistem Online Payment Point (SOPP) of PDAM Malang Regency

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33
Author(s):  
Grifito yuan Maulidina
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Point System ◽  
Payment Systems ◽  
Online Payment ◽  
Transaction Process ◽  
Inkjet Printers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Speed Up

The development of online payment systems such as the online payment point system has greatly assisted the public in processing monthly transactions such as water bills. However, in its application, this system still uses large devices such as computers and inkjet printers so that the operation takes a long time and is less efficient. Therefore, in this study, a mobile application is designed to replace the role of computers in making water bill payment transactions in the online payment point system (SOPP) of PDAM Malang Regency. The application that is connected to a database server via the internet is also integrated with a compact wireless thermal printer that can be carried anywhere and does not require ink refills so that it can speed up the transaction process and be more efficient in time, paper and space. The research method used was experimental and survey methods. The experimental method is used to test the running of the application, test the application's compatibility with the device and measure the time it takes for the application to exchange data. The survey method is used to test user satisfaction with the application.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM RENCANA PEMBANGUNAN JANGKA MENENGAH DAERAH (RPJMD) KABUPATEN KUTAI BARAT TAHUN 2011 - 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Frans Christiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Independent Variables

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of variable communication, resources, disposition and organizational structure for program implementation RPJMD West Kutai 2011-2015, either partially or simultaneously. Type of this research is quantitative research. The analysis tool used is multiple linear regression. In this study using survey methods explanation (explanatory survey method) is a survey that explains the variables under study and further analyze the influence between variables accompanied by hypothesis testing. This research was conducted by collecting qualitative data, which will then be presented in the form of numbers (quantified) to be tested in accordance with the design verification of data analysis. The results showed the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.421. There is significant influence between independent variables namely communication, resources, disposition and organizational structure for program implementation RPJMD West Kutai 2011-2015.Keyword: Implementation RPJMD, Communication, Resources

scholarly journals Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue missions

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Isser ◽  
Hannah Kranebitter ◽  
Andreas Kofler ◽  
Gernot Groemer ◽  
Franz J. Wiedermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Imaging ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
The Body ◽  
Search And Rescue ◽  
Infrared Transmission ◽  
Thermal Cameras ◽  
High Gradients ◽  
Long Wave Infrared ◽  
Radiation Measurements

Abstract Thermal imaging for unmanned aerial vehicles is used to search for victims in poor visibility conditions. We used a gimbal-mounted camera for thermo-radiation measurements of body temperature from persons covered with rescue blankets in the hibernal wilderness setting. Long-wave infrared radiation in the spectral range between 7500 and 13,500 nm was evaluated. Parts of this research have previously been published in a review on electromagnetic radiation reflectivity of rescue blankets (https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/4/375/htm). Surface temperature measurement was diminished by clothing, namely by 72.6% for fleece, by 82.2% for an additional down jacket and by 92.3% for an additional all-weather jacket, as compared to forehead temperature. Furthermore, we detected that a single-layer rescue blanket is sufficient to render recognition of a body shape impossible. With three layers covering a clothed body infrared transmission was almost completely blocked. However, rescue blankets increase visibility for thermal cameras due to high gradients in temperature. Conspicuously low temperatures from objects of 1 to 2 m length may indicate reflections from rescue blanket surfaces in a cold environment. Ideally, rescue blankets should be removed from the body to increase the chance of being located when using thermal imaging to search for victims in search and rescue missions.

Pits or pictures: a comparative study of camera traps and pitfall trapping to survey small mammals and reptiles

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon J. Dundas ◽  
Katinka X. Ruthrof ◽  
Giles E. St.J. Hardy ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Infrared Camera ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Trapping Methods

Context Camera trapping is a widely used monitoring tool for a broad range of species across most habitat types. Camera trapping has some major advantages over other trapping methods, such as pitfall traps, because cameras can be left in the field for extended periods of time. However, there is still a need to compare traditional trapping methods with newer techniques. Aims To compare trap rates, species richness and community composition of small mammals and reptiles by using passive, unbaited camera traps and pitfall traps. Methods We directly compared pitfall trapping (20-L buried buckets) with downward-facing infrared-camera traps (Reconyx) to survey small reptiles and mammals at 16 sites within a forested habitat in south-western Australia. We compared species captured using each method, as well as the costs associated with each. Key results Overall, we recorded 228 reptiles, 16 mammals and 1 frog across 640 pitfall trap-nights (38.3 animal captures per 100 trap-nights) compared to 271 reptiles and 265 mammals (for species likely to be captured in pitfall traps) across 2572 camera trap nights (20.8 animal captures per 100 trap-nights). When trap effort is taken into account, camera trapping was only 23% as efficient as pitfall trapping for small reptiles (mostly Scincidae), but was five times more efficient for surveying small mammals (Dasyuridae). Comparing only those species that were likely to be captured in pitfall traps, 13 species were recorded by camera trapping compared with 20 species recorded from pitfall trapping; however, we found significant (P<0.001) differences in community composition between the methods. In terms of cost efficacy, camera trapping was the more expensive method for our short, 4-month survey when taking the cost of cameras into consideration. Conclusions Applicability of camera trapping is dependent on the specific aims of the intended research. Camera trapping is beneficial where community responses to ecosystem disturbance are being tested. Live capture of small reptiles via pitfall trapping allows for positive species identification, morphological assessment, and collection of reference photos to help identify species from camera photos. Implications As stand-alone techniques, both survey methods under-represent the available species present in a region. The use of more than one survey method improves the scope of fauna community assessments.

scholarly journals Measuring Vascular Recovery Rate After Exercise

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halil Dijab ◽  
Jordi Alastruey ◽  
Peter Charlton
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Wave Shape ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Pulse Waves ◽  
Future Work

The rate at which an individual recovers from exercise is known to be indicative of cardiovascular risk. It has been widely shown that the reduction in heart rate immediately after exercise is predictive of mortality. However, little research has been conducted into whether the time taken for the blood vessels to return to normal is also indicative of risk. In this study, we present a novel approach to assess vascular recovery rate (VRR) using the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal, which is monitored by smart wearables. The VORTAL dataset (http://peterhcharlton.github.io/RRest/) was used for this study, containing PPG signals from 39 healthy subjects before (baseline) and after exercise. 31 VRR indices were extracted from the PPG pulse wave shape, as well as heart rate for comparison. The rate at which indices returned to baseline after exercise was quantified, and the consistency of changes between subjects was assessed statistically. Many VRR indices exhibited changes after exercise which were consistent between subjects. Indices derived from the timings and second derivative of pulse waves were identified as candidates for future work. The rate at which the indices returned to baseline differed between indices and subjects, indicating that they may provide additional information beyond that of heart rate, and that they may be useful for stratifying subjects. This study demonstrated the feasibility of assessing VRR after exercise from the PPG. Future studies should investigate whether VRR indices are associated with cardiovascular fitness, and the potential utility of incorporating the indices into wearable sensors.

A novel approach for tracing mycophagous small mammals and documenting their fungal diets

Botany ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (9) ◽  
pp. 475-785
Author(s):  
Véronique B. Cloutier ◽  
Yves Piché ◽  
J. André Fortin ◽  
Jean. A. Bérubé ◽  
Hélène Glémet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Hypogeous Fungi ◽  
Sequestrate Fungi ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

We developed a method combining passive baiting (animals that are not trapped) with DNA meta-barcoding of the feces acquired, to study fungi in the diet of small mammals. Mammal and fungal species were identified using genomic DNA of 596 fecal samples collected in five regions of the eastern Canadian boreal forest. For identification of the small mammal species, the cytochrome b region was used. A total of eight species of small mammals displayed hypogeous fungi consumption, with northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) as the top consumers. For identification of their fungal diets, the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used. We recovered 722 taxa of Ascomycota, 429 Basidiomycota, 81 Zygomycota, 4 Chytridiomycota, 1 Glomeromycota, and 44 unidentified fungal taxa. Of these, 28 were hypogeous sequestrate fungi (underground fructification), which presumably are dug out by small mammals for consumption. Otherwise, for the remaining fungi [epigeous (above ground fructification) or microscopic fungal species], it is unclear which ones are selected by the animal as a dietary source or result from incidental contamination. Our paper presents a promising approach for tracing mycophagy in small mammals, and our results suggest that fungal diversity is important for the diet of some small mammals.

scholarly journals Estimating Detection Probability and Density from Point-Count Surveys: A Combination of Distance and Double-Observer Sampling

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 735-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Kissling ◽  
Edward O. Garton
Keyword(s):  
Detection Probability ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Effective Area ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Detection Probabilities ◽  
Fixed Radius ◽  
Count Surveys ◽  
Double Observer

Abstract Point counts are the method most commonly used to estimate abundance of birds, but they often fail to account properly for incomplete and variable detection probabilities. We developed a technique that combines distance and double-observer sampling to estimate detection probabilities and effective area surveyed. We applied this paired-observer, variable circular-plot (POVCP) technique to point-count surveys (n = 753) conducted in closed-canopy forests of southeast Alaska. Distance data were analyzed for each species to model a detection probability for each observer and calculate an estimate of density. We then multiplied each observer's density estimates by a correction factor to adjust for detection probabilities <1 at plot center. We compared analytical results from four survey methods: single-observer fixed-radius (50-m) plot; single-observer, variable circular-plot (SOVCP); double-observer fixed-radius (50-m) plot; and POVCP. We examined differences in detection probabilities at plot center, effective area surveyed, and densities for five bird species: Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis), Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), and Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi). Average detection probabilities for paired observers increased ≈8% (SE = 2.9) for all species once estimates were corrected for birds missed at plot center. Density estimators of fixed-radius survey methods were likely negatively biased, because the key assumption of perfect detection was not met. Density estimates generated using SOVCP and POVCP were similar, but standard errors were much lower for the POVCP survey method. We recommend using POVCP when study objectives require precise estimates of density. Failure to account for differences in detection probabilities and effective area surveyed results in biased population estimators and, therefore, faulty inferences about the population in question. Estimaciones de la Densidad y de las Probabilidades de Detección a Partir de Muestreos Utilizando Conteos en Puntos: Una Combinación de Muestreos de Distancia y de Doble Observador

scholarly journals Radiofrequency Ablation in the Management of Advanced Stage Thymomas: A Case Report on a Novel Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Paliogiannis ◽  
Carlo Pala ◽  
Renato Versace ◽  
Claudio Pusceddu
Keyword(s):  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Partial Necrosis ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Unresectable Stage

We describe in this report a case of successful radiofrequency ablation of an unresectable stage III-type B3 thymoma, and we discuss the role of this novel approach in the management of patients with advanced stage thymoma. The patient, a 59-year-old Caucasian male underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with only a slight reduction of the mass. Subsequently, an explorative sternotomy and debulking were performed; before closing the thorax, radiofrequency ablation of the residual tumor was carried out and a partial necrosis of the mass was achieved. A further percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was performed subsequently, obtaining complete necrosis of the lesion. Successively, the patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. As a result of this multidisciplinary treatment, complete and stable response was obtained. It is hard to say which of the single treatments had the major impact on cure; nevertheless, the results obtained suggest that radiofrequency ablation must be taken into account for the treatment of advanced stage thymomas, and its effectiveness must be further assessed in future studies.

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