scholarly journals Keeping an ear out: size relationship of the tympanic bullae and pinnae in bandicoots and bilbies (marsupialia: Peramelemorphia)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa C Taylor ◽  
Kenny J Travouillon ◽  
Margaret E Andrew ◽  
Patricia A Fleming ◽  
Natalie M Warburton

Abstract Bandicoots and bilbies (Order Peramelemorphia) occupy a broad range of habitats across Australia and New Guinea, from open, arid deserts to dense forests. This once diverse group has been particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and introduced eutherian predators, and numerous species extinctions and range retractions have occurred. Understanding reasons for this loss requires greater understanding of their biology. Morphology of the pinnae and tympanic bullae varies markedly amongst species. As hearing is important for both predator avoidance and prey location, the variability in ear morphology could reflect specialisation and adaptation to specific environments, and therefore be of conservation relevance. We measured 798 museum specimens representing 29 species of Peramelemorphia. Controlling for phylogenetic relatedness and head length, pinna surface area was weakly negatively correlated with average precipitation (rainfall being our surrogate measure of vegetation productivity/complexity), and there were no environmental correlates with effective diameter (pinna width). Controlling for phylogenetic relatedness and skull length, tympanic bulla volume was negatively correlated with precipitation. Species that inhabited drier habitats, which would be open and allow sound to carry further with less obstruction, had relatively larger pinnae and tympanic bullae. By contrast, species from higher rainfall habitats, where sounds would be attenuated and diffused by dense vegetation, had the smallest pinnae and bullae, suggesting that low-frequency hearing is not as important in these habitats. Associations with temperature did not reach statistical significance. These findings highlight linkages between hearing traits and habitat that can inform conservation and management strategies for threatened species.

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
M. A. Krasnova ◽  
E. M. Belilovsky ◽  
S. E. Borisov ◽  
A. A. Khakhalina ◽  
Yu. D. Mikhaylova ◽  
...  

The article describes a retrospective study of the results of microbiological and molecular genetic tests of 685 M. tuberculosis cultures isolated from 685 adult tuberculosis patients registered for dispensary follow-up in Moscow in 2014.The following was identified during the study: phenotypic drug resistance (FDR) of MTB to rifampicin, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, kanamycin, amikacin, and capreomycin in groups of patients with different treatment history; the frequency of FDR to the above anti-tuberculosis drugs in strains with mutations being drug resistance markers; the frequency of various mutations in case of FDR of mycobacteria in the patients from different groups; the relationship of FDR or the presence of a particular mutation with various characteristics of the patients and their treatment history.The history of previous treatment was determined as statistical significance to provide the greatest influence on the spread of drug resistant MTB: patients undergoing repeated treatment had FDR more often and also a much more pronounced variety of mutations being markers of FDR to certain anti-tuberculosis drugs.The results of the study showed that the detection of genetic mutations in MBT associated with FDR was a reliable tool for predicting phenotypic resistance and should be used as the main method for selecting anti-tuberculosis drugs when compiling the etiotropic therapy regimen.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Daniela M. Meléndez ◽  
Sonia Marti ◽  
Luigi Faucitano ◽  
Derek B. Haley ◽  
Timothy D. Schwinghamer ◽  
...  

Lactate is a product of anaerobic glycolysis, used in animal research as an indicator of muscle fatigue. Therefore, it has been used as an indicator of cattle response to long distance transportation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of L-lactate concentrations measured using a Lactate Scout+ analyzer and a traditional lactate assay colorimetric kit. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture from 96 steers (Black or Red Angus × Hereford/Simmental and Black or Red Angus × Charolais; 247 ± 38.2 kg BW) prior to loading (LO1) and after 36 h of transport, and prior to reloading and after an additional 4 h of road transportation, and on d 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, and 28 after transport. The Lactate Scout+ analyzer strip was dipped in blood at the time of sampling, while blood samples were collected into sodium fluoride tubes for use in the colorimetric analysis. Pearson correlations were calculated to assess the strength of the relationship between the experimental methods for the quantification of L-lactate concentrations. The magnitude and direction of the correlation, and the level of statistical significance varied over the observed time points, ranging from r = −0.03 (p = 0.75; LO1) to r = 0.75 (p < 0.0001; d 3). The correlation for the pooled data was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.33, p < 0.0001). Based on the low magnitude of the correlation due to variability across sampling time points in this study, the Lactate Scout+ analyzer is not a suitable alternative to a lab-based assay (considered the gold standard) for measuring L-lactate in transported cattle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 296-297
Author(s):  
Daniela M Meléndez ◽  
Sonia Marti ◽  
Luigi Faucitano ◽  
Derek B Haley ◽  
Timothy D Schwinghamer ◽  
...  

Abstract Blood metabolites are used to assess a variety of animal conditions for veterinary diagnosis and research. Concentration of metabolites in blood can be measured using a commercially-available lab-based assay or in real-time using a handheld device developed to be more time- and cost-effective than the lab-based method. Lactate is a product of anaerobic glycolysis, used in animal research as an indicator of muscle fatigue. Therefore, it has been used as an indicator of cattle response to long distance transportation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of L-lactate concentrations measured using a Lactate Scout+ analyzer (Lactate Scout, EFK Diagnostics, Barleben, Germany) and a lactate assay colorimetric kit (Lactate Assay Kit, Cell Biolabs Inc., San Diego, CA). Blood samples were collected by venipuncture from 96 steers (245 ± 35.7 kg BW) prior to (L1) and after 36 h, and prior to and after an additional 4 h of road transportation, and on d 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, and 28 after transport. The Lactate Scout+ analyzer strip was dipped in blood at the time of sampling, while blood samples were collected into sodium fluoride tubes for use in colorimetric analysis. Pearson correlations were calculated to determine the relationship between the experimental methods for the quantification of L-lactate concentrations. The strengths and levels of statistical significance of the correlation varied over the observed time points, r = -0.03, P = 0.75 (L1) to r = 0.75, P = &lt; 0.0001 (d 3). The correlation for the pooled data was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.33, P &lt; 0.001). Based on the experimental results, the Lactate Scout+ analyzer is not a suitable alternative to a lab-based assay for measuring L-lactate in transported cattle, due to variability across sampling time points and weak correlation with the traditional enzymatic method.


Author(s):  
Engy A. Ali ◽  
Mariam Raafat

Abstract Background Our goal was to find out the relation between mammographic densities and cancer of the breast according to the recent ACR classification. From the medical records of Kasereliny Hospital, 49,409 women were subjected to digital mammography for screening, of which 1500 breast cancer cases were collected. The mammographic categories of breast density were ACR-A, B, C, and D, which were detected by two senior radiologists. All radiological classifications were made using both standard mammographic views bilaterally. Two-sided tests of statistical significance were represented by all the P values. Results From 2014 to 2019, 49,409 women came for digital mammographic screening, their age ranges between 40 and 65, and all of them are included in the study. One thousand cases of breast cancer cases were radiologically and pathologically diagnosed. Different densities were arranged in descending pattern depending on the frequency of positive cases: D (13.7%), C (3.3%), B (2.7%), A (2.2%). There is positive significant risk ratio among every higher mammographic density in comparison to the lower density. Conclusion Our study results show that the risk of breast cancer is in close relation to the mammographic breast density.


Author(s):  
M. Swathi ◽  
Neeta Gaur ◽  
Kamendra Singh

Background: Whitefly is one of the most destructive sucking pest in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and causing significant crop losses directly by sucking sap from the plants and indirectly through the transmission of viral diseases specifically caused by the genus Begomovirus. The Begomovirus species viz., Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) are causing yellow mosaic virus disease in soybean, which is transmitted by whiteflies. The disease accounts to 30-70 per cent yield loss and increases up to 80 - 100 per cent during severe incidence. Hence, there is a need for development of integrated pest management strategies against disease and whiteflies, for this the knowledge on virus-vector relationship is required. But, the studies on biological relationship of yellow mosaic virus disease and whitefly in soybean are scarce. At this juncture, considering the importance of disease in soybean, the present investigation was carried out to know the virus -vector relationship of the YMV and whitefly in soybean.Methods: The experiment on virus-vector relationship of yellow mosaic virus and whitefly in soybean was conducted at Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during 2016-17. The data on number of whiteflies per plant, acquisition and inoculation access feeding period and pre and post starvation period required for effective transmission of virus was recorded.Result: A single viruliferous whitefly was able to transmit virus and ten viruliferous whiteflies per plant were required for cent per cent transmission of virus. The minimum acquisition access and inoculation access feeding periods required for virus transmission was 0.25h (15 min) each; while the 100 per cent virus transmission was recorded with acquisition and inoculation period of 12h, each. The per cent transmission was increased with the increase of acquisition and inoculation periods. The rate of transmission was positively correlated with pre-acquisition starvation period and negatively correlated with post- acquisition starvation period.


1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1742-1748 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Bai ◽  
B. J. Rabinovitch ◽  
R. L. Pardy

Because of its potential relevance to heavy exercise we studied the ventilatory muscle function of five normal subjects before, during, and after shortterm near-maximal voluntary normocapnic hyperpnea. Measurements of pleural and abdominal pressures and diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) during hyperpnea and of maximum respiratory pressures before and after hyperpnea were made at four levels of ventilation: 76, 79, and 86% maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) and at MVV. Measurements of pleural and abdominal pressures and diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) during hyperpnea and of maximum respiratory pressures before and after hyperpnea were made. The pressure-stimulation frequency relationship of the diaphragm obtained by unilateral transcutaneous phrenic nerve stimulation was studied in two subjects before and after hyperpnea. Decreases in maximal inspiratory (PImax) and transdiaphragmatic (Pdimax) strength were recorded posthyperpnea at 76 and 79% MVV. Decreases in the pressure-frequency curves of the diaphragm and the ratio of high-to-low frequency power of the diaphragm EMG occurred in association with decreases in Pdimax. Analysis of the pressure-time product (P X dt) for the inspiratory and expiratory muscles individually indicated the increasing contribution of expiratory muscle force to the attainment of higher levels of ventilation. Demonstrable ventilatory muscle fatigue may limit endurance at high levels of ventilation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Fuling Guan ◽  
Xian Xu ◽  
Hongjian Wang ◽  
Yao Zheng

This paper addresses a type of deployable mesh antenna consisting of the double-ring deployable truss edge frame and the cable net reflector. The structural design concept of the deployable antennas is presented. The deployable truss is designed and the geometric relationship of each strut length is formulated. Two types of radial truss elements are described and compared. The joint pattern and the active cables of the final design concept are determined. The pattern of the cable net is the three-orientation grid. Two connection schemes between the reflector and the deployable edge frame are investigated. The design parameters and the shape adjustment mechanism of this cable net are determined. The measurement test technologies of the antennas on the ground including test facilities, deployment test, and measurement and adjustment test are proposed. The antenna patterns are analyzed based on the real surfaces of the reflector obtained by the reflective surface accuracy measurement. The tests and analytic results indicated that the accuracy of the reflective surface is high and is suitable for low-frequency communication.


Author(s):  
Reem Thabet Mohammad Bny Zeed Alqahtani

The study aimed at identifying the degree of applying the visual management strategies and the obstacles of applying them in the public universities in Riyadh region in light of the vision of the Kingdom in 2030. In addition, it aimed at identifying the statistical significance differences on the implementation of the visual management strategies from the point of view of department heads according to the variables of gender, Years of service). The researcher followed the descriptive approach. The study community is composed of all department directors at the public universities in Riyadh, specifically King Saud University, Princess Norah Bint Abdul Rahman University, and Saudi Electronic University. The sample of the study was limited to a randomly selected sample of 137 department heads in the public universities under study. The tool consisted of a two-pronged questionnaire, namely the degree of application of the visual management strategies. It includes three sub-axes (rules of operation, disinfection, and elimination of waste), the second axis: obstacles to the implementation of visual management strategies. The results of the study came out with a number of results, the most important of which were: After the implementation of the business rules strategy, a total average of (3.74 of 5) was achieved with a grade of (large), followed by the clearance strategy with an average of (3.61 of 5) (3.53). The results indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the respondents' responses to the implementation of the visual management strategies of the heads of departments In the universities in question are due to the variables (gender, female favor, In addition to the number of years of experience and for the benefit of their experience 5 years than less. In addition, there were statistically significant differences between the responses of the sample members on the obstacles of visual administration in the heads of departments at King Saud University, Princess Nora University, In the Riyadh region in view of the vision of the Kingdom in 2030 due to the gender variable. And for the benefit of males. There were no statistically significant differences between the responses of the sample members on the obstacles of visual administration in the heads of departments due to the variable (years of experience, qualification). In the light of the results, a set of recommendations and proposals were presented to activate the implementation of the visual management strategies in the public universities in Riyadh and other Saudi universities in light of the vision of the Kingdom in 2030.      


Author(s):  
Briseida Mayel Perez-Avelino ◽  
Nicolás Padilla-Raygoza ◽  
Verónica Benitez-Guerrero ◽  
María Luisa Sánchez Padilla ◽  
Vicente Beltrán-Campos ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the relationship of the perception of lifestyle with the level of physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes and without type 2 diabetes. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional observational study in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. Methodology: Sample composed of 100 people with type 2 diabetes and 100 people without type 2 diabetes, the lifestyle questionnaire and IPAQ questionnaire were used. Descriptive statistics were calculated for sociodemographic variables; it was calculated Chi-square test and Odds Ratio.  To demonstrate the statistical significance of results, the value of P was set at .05. Statistical analysis was performed in STATA 13.0 ®. Results: In patients with Type 2 Diabetes predominated females, married, who never went school and elementary and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; among patients without Type 2 Diabetes, predominant males, singles, went school or university, BMI ≥25 kg/m2; no relationship was found between lifestyle perception and level of physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes (X² = 0.0022 gl 1 P = .96) neither it was found a significant relationship between lifestyle perception and level of physical activity in adults without type 2 diabetes (X² = 5.23 gl 1 P = .02 RM = 2.85 95% CI = 0.80 to 10.4). Conclusion: The results show that self-perception of lifestyle and physical activity is different in people with less age, more schooling, males.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Moreno - Mendoza ◽  
Agustín Santana - Talavera ◽  
José Molina - González

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to affirm that it is possible to segment visitors of cultural heritage into homogeneous groups according to a series of characteristics to detect the variables that have statistical significance to identify visitor clusters.Design/methodology/approachFour case studies were selected, where a total of 500 questionnaires were made to visitors. The authors proceeded with cluster analysis using SPSS software to differentiate visitor segments. Four groups of visitors were first identified and which have subsequently been reduced to three, according to several factors.FindingsThe main contributions of this paper are: (1) the segment to which each one of the determinants of the cultural tourism product is dedicated; (2) the variable object of the analysis, i.e. the formation of visitor segments; and (3) the inclusion of less studied variables such as type of accommodation contracted, treatment offered in the museums or entrance price.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis has been developed in different museums, with different management models, in a specific place. However, the results are generalizable to other places and to other institutions that manage cultural heritage. The implications are management strategies for a sustainable cultural development in institutions of tourism and heritage.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, the results are useful for cultural managers, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism companies or political offices, among others, because they generate new ideas and strategies focused on maximizing the use of the resources of cultural institutions.Social implicationsFor both local and non-local agents, the knowledge of the factors that make up the groups of visitors in the heritage sites represents a strategy in aspects of marketing, promotion and distribution, thus generating capacities for the different intermediaries, and the possibility of negotiating lower prices with better benefits. It is also possible to create new products destined for other publics.Originality/valueThe study is original because this has not been published.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document