Counting Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) on Hosts Is Complex: A Review and Comparison of Methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1527-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry W Lydecker ◽  
Peter B Banks ◽  
Dieter F Hochuli
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Detection Ability ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Tick Distribution ◽  
Practice Variability ◽  
Simple Measurement ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Locating and counting parasites on a host is a fundamental aspect of ecological research and basic veterinary and clinical practice. Variability in the biology and behavior of both hosts and parasites creates many methodological, logistical, and ethical considerations that must be made to collect this deceptively simple measurement. We identified methods that are used to count ticks (Acari: Ixodida, Leach 1815) on hosts by reviewing the methods sections of relevant published studies. Unfortunately, there is no best method agreed upon by scientists to collect ticks from hosts. In general, we suggest that studies focusing purely on counting ticks on hosts should use more sensitive methods to determine patterns of tick distribution on the surfaces of unconscious or deceased hosts in order to provide host body regions to target in future studies to maximize tick detection ability and limit the costs of research for researchers and the host animals involved. As ticks are counted on hosts for many different reasons, researchers must be goal oriented and chose methods that are appropriate for addressing their specific aims.

scholarly journals 3106 The influence of early life experience on telomere length, health, and behavior of domestic cats

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 23-23
Author(s):  
Mikel Maria Delgado ◽  
Melissa Bain ◽  
Tony C.A.T. Buffington
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Reference Gene ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Telomere Shortening ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
And Behavior

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The primary objective of this research is to determine whether being hand-reared, and deprived of early maternal interaction, will affect telomere length in orphaned kittens. The secondary goal is to examine how early maternal separation impacts the health, growth and behavior of orphaned kittens. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Kittens were fostered through local rescue groups and shelters. We collected blood samples from 42 orphaned kittens during the first week of their lives. Due to high mortality of this population, we obtained a second blood sample at eight weeks of age from only 30 of these kittens. We collected blood samples from 12 control kittens raised with mothers at during the first and eighth weeks of life. Blood samples are currently being processed with real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) by the Real-time PCR Research and Diagnostics Core Facility at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). This includes RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, Reference Gene Validation, and qPCR analysis. Relative telomere length (RTL) will be calculated by comparing the average telomere abundance across three samples cells with that of a reference gene (single copy number) for each sample. The resulting T/S ratio (telomere to single copy) is proportional to the average telomere length. If T/S = 1, then telomere length in the sample and the reference are the same. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Because telomeres show the fastest rate of shortening early in life, we predict that maternal separation will increase the rate of telomere shortening in kittens. We also predict that the telomeres of orphaned kittens will be shorter at both one week and eight weeks of age, compared to controls. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This study will increase our understanding of early life adversity, a finding that can translate to other mammals. It will inform the practice of fostering neonatal kittens, and illuminate whether these kittens might be at higher risk than mother-reared kittens for health problems (which could be investigated in future studies). If significant telomere shortening occurs between collection periods, then future studies can take more frequent blood samples to determine what stages of early development are potentially most sensitive. If differences between groups are found, this will establish a protocol for several future research projects, such as testing whether these detrimental effects can be mitigated by environmental enrichment via activation of telomerase. Telomerase is an enzyme that appears to counteract some shortening of telomeres, and is activated by several external factors, including exercise. Thus, a logical follow up study would be developing and testing age-specific and appropriate enrichments that may activate telomerase and reduce telomere loss. Physical contact, whether human, mother, or siblings, is another possible source of telomerase activation in young kittens. Future studies also could quantify the effects of different sources of physical contact on telomere shortening. Finally, a positive finding would establish a need for longitudinal studies of the effects of early weaning on feline health and behavior and whether differences in early-life telomere lengths predict health and longevity of cats.

scholarly journals Developing a protocol and experimental setup for using a humanoid robot to assist children with autism to develop visual perspective taking skills

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Jai Wood ◽  
Ben Robins ◽  
Gabriella Lakatos ◽  
Dag Sverre Syrdal ◽  
Abolfazl Zaraki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Humanoid Robot ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Visual Perspective ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Visual Perspective Taking ◽  
The World

AbstractVisual Perspective Taking (VPT) is the ability to see the world from another person’s perspective, taking into account what they see and how they see it, drawing upon both spatial and social information. Children with autism often find it difficult to understand that other people might have perspectives, viewpoints, beliefs and knowledge that are different from their own, which is a fundamental aspect of VPT. In this research we aimed to develop a methodology to assist children with autism develop their VPT skills using a humanoid robot and present results from our first long-term pilot study. The games we devised were implemented with the Kaspar robot and, to our knowledge, this is the first attempt to improve the VPT skills of children with autism through playing and interacting with a humanoid robot.We describe in detail the standard pre- and post-assessments that we performed with the children in order to measure their progress and also the inclusion criteria derived fromthe results for future studies in this field. Our findings suggest that some children may benefit from this approach of learning about VPT, which shows that this approach merits further investigation.

scholarly journals Assessing the use of rivers as migratory corridors for temperate bats

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 448-454
Author(s):  
Kevin M Cortes ◽  
Erin H Gillam
Keyword(s):  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Missouri River ◽  
Migratory Behavior ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Major River ◽  
Bat Migration ◽  
Oriented Parallel ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Migratory Movements ◽  
River Corridor

Abstract Investigating landscape-level movement patterns of migratory animals can be challenging, but this is a major component of some animal’s life history and behavior. In particular, bat migration has been difficult to characterize, yet recent research on bat migratory ecology has made major advances. It has been largely accepted that rivers and other linear landscape features may be important migratory corridors for bats during both long- and short-distance migrations. We assessed the migratory behavior of multiple temperate bat species along the Missouri River, a major river corridor in North Dakota, during March through October of 2016–2017. Bat detectors with paired microphones were deployed and oriented parallel to the riverbank. This configuration permitted detection of directional passes of bats, approximately 10–20 m above the microphones and 40 m into the river, which were used as an estimate of migratory behavior. We found the effects of season and species explained less than 2% of the variation of directional passes, indicating an absence of season-specific movement patterns along the studied river corridor. Although our study only assessed a portion of a major river corridor, the results suggest that migratory movements of bats along rivers may not be as straightforward as once thought, highlighting the need for future studies investigating the fine-scaled movement patterns of bats during migration.

scholarly journals Teaching Technical English: Corrective Feedback Based on Students’ and Teachers’ Beliefs

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Oksana Chugai ◽  
Olena Ogienko
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Kyiv Polytechnic Institute ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Academic Year

<p>The present study investigates the beliefs of students and teachers about corrective feedback (CF) regarding necessity, timing and the most effective types in technical English setting. This study was conducted at the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” with students majoring in Information Technology, Mathematics or Physics ranged between 18 and 22 years of age. Methods included a questionnaire, interviews and classroom observations. The feedback from 55 students and 33 teachers was collected during practical classes in February – March at the beginning of the second semester of 2019-2020 academic year. This research has confirmed the necessity of CF for students and teachers. It also demonstrated the differences regarding timing: teachers preferred delayed to immediate CF, while students equally appreciated both. The research also indicated that both teachers and students preferred indirect types of CF; teachers had stronger attitudes though. The research demonstrated the most effective types of CF for students: meta-linguistic clue and repetition, while for teachers it was elicitation. Completing the survey, both teachers and students chose at least two different types of CF. The necessity of effective CF, which requires learning more about students’ and teachers’ beliefs, benefits and drawbacks of each CF type, is emphasized. The results of the present research may be used by practitioners, who would like to use CF effectively in teaching technical English. Future studies may explore CF in terms of students’ and teachers’ beliefs and behavior in different learning environments.</p>

The Impact of Temperament in a School Setting: An Epidemiological Study

1986 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 499-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Boudreault ◽  
Jacques Thivierge
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Child Temperament ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

The authors present the results of an epidemiological study on a large non-clinical population-based sample of French speaking seven year-old children (N = 596) whose aim was to verify if a relation exists between temperament and outward-type or inward-type behavior problems in school. The Thomas and Chess’ Parent Temperament Questionnaire, filled out twice by the parents over a four-week interval, was used to determine temperament. The Conners Teacher Questionnaire, filled out twice by the teachers over a four-week interval, was used to determine behavior problems in school. Five points emerge from this study. First, “difficult” temperament ‘per se’ is not associated either with outward-type or inward-type behavior problems in school. Second, a temperamental pattern of high activity and high approach with new stimuli predisposes boys to present outward-type behavior problems in school. Third, the temperamental traits of low adaptability or withdrawal with new stimuli predisposes girls to inward-type behavior problems in school. Fourth, the study demonstrates the importance of verifying if the associations between temperament and behavior problems are stable since, in the comparisons between results of the test with those of the retest, several of the associations found in one occasion failed to be replicated at the other. Fifth, the different influences of temperament according to sex emphasize the need to study boys and girls separately. Future studies should take into account interactions between parents/teachers and child temperament since these sex-related different influences of temperament could be related to the sex-related different attitudes of caretakers.

An Examination of How to Incorporate Ethics Into Systems Analysis and Vice Versa

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Burgess ◽  
Mario G. Beruvides
Keyword(s):  
Systems Dynamics ◽  
Loop Modeling ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Systems Models ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Combining Systems ◽  
Current Systems ◽  
Systems Dynamics Modeling

In their paper “Combining Systems Dynamics and Ethics: Towards More Science?” Erik Pruyt and Jan Kwakkel argue that ethics ought to play a larger role in systems dynamics and vice versa (2007). Including ethics, they contend, will add sensitivity to current systems models as well as provide guidance on how to achieve best outcomes; with respect to both efficiency and flourishing (Pruyt & Kwakkel, 2007). At first blush, such a cross pollination promises to add much needed depth of analysis to systems modeling and a higher degree of precision in ethical analyses. Not surprisingly, however, achieving such outcomes is more complex than it initially appears. Indeed, the quest for additional precision in ethical analysis is not a new one to philosophers and ethicists. The problem remains, in many ways, intractable. In Part I of this paper, the authors expand on Pruyt and Kwakkel’s thesis by examining specific insights and tools that can and should be incorporated into systems dynamics modeling. Emphasis will be placed on the mechanics of this inclusion and the resultant implications. Part II, then, focuses on how systems dynamics tools like causal loop modeling and behavior-over-time graphs can be incorporated into ethical analyses in a non-arbitrary manner. Finally, in Part III of the paper, the authors briefly discuss the ramifications of Parts I and II for engineering education; both among students and practicing engineers. The authors argue that both directions of the cross pollination have merit (especially the inclusion of ethical considerations in systems dynamics modeling) and ought to be developed further.

scholarly journals Awareness of eSafety and Potential Online Dangers among Children and Teenagers

10.28945/3864 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 319-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gila Cohen Zilka
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Aim/Purpose: Awareness of eSafety and potential online dangers for children and teenagers. Background The study examined eSafety among children and teenagers from their own perspectives, through evaluations of their awareness level of eSafety and of potential online dangers. Methodology: This is a mixed-method study with both quantitative and qualitative elements. The study includes questionnaires and interviews. A total of 345 participants from Israel completed questionnaires; 90 children and teenagers were interviewed from among the participants. Contribution: The study examined the awareness of children and youths of safe online surfing. It also examined the degree of exposure of children and youths to positive and negative aspects of the Internet. This study illustrates the dual potential of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Characteristics of use of the Internet are liable to increase the danger to and the bullying of youths and by youths in the digital domain. It also demonstrates the promises of using the Internet for productive learning and leisure activities. Findings: Findings show that the children and teenagers who participated in the study reported a medium-high level of awareness. Issues that participants were concerned about included avoiding contact with strangers and cyberbullying, not necessarily by strangers, but also by friends. Recommendations for Practitioners : It is important to examine how children perceive online events for the purpose of examining their statements regarding eSafety and the way they view problematic or dangerous online events, as well as how they believe they can cope with them. Recommendation for Researchers: The study recommends incorporating in future studies individual case studies and allowing participants to express how they perceive complex online situations. Impact on Society: This study illustrates the dual potential, positive and negative aspects, of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Future Research: Future studies should track changing eSafety awareness and behavior longitudinally to identify the impact of maturation and experience on their behavior and attitudes.

scholarly journals The Importance of Being Honest?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Krasnow ◽  
Rhea M Howard ◽  
Adar B Eisenbruch
Keyword(s):  
Public Good ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Behavioral Study ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Entire Field ◽  
Economics Journals ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
And Behavior

Deceiving participants about the goals or content of a study is permitted in psychological research but is banned in economics journals and subject pools. This ban is intended to protect a public good: if experiencing deception causes participants to be suspicious in future studies, and suspicion influences their behavior, then the entire field suffers. We report a survey on psychologists and economists’ attitudes towards deception (N=568), and a large, non-deceptive multi-site study in which we measured participants’ histories, suspicion levels, and behavior in four common economic tasks (N=636). Economists reported wide ranging negative attitudes towards deceptive methods and support for the deception ban. However, the results of the behavioral study undercut the rationale of the deception ban: participants’ present suspicion unrelated to past experiences of deception, and suspicious participants behaved identically to credulous participants. We conclude that banning deceptive methods cannot be justified as the protection of a public good.

Maximal-intensity exercise

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A Williams ◽  
Sébastien Ratel
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Metabolism ◽  
Cycle Ergometry ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Intensity Data ◽  
Sports Performance ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Children And Adolescent ◽  
Maximal Intensity ◽  
Female Data

Maximal intensity is any activity where the exercise-supplying metabolism demonstrates a higher anaerobic ATP yield than the oxidative phosphorylation metabolism. Ethical considerations prevent muscle biopsy techniques in young people, resulting in indirect inferences about anaerobic metabolism during exercise being applied to mostly mechanically derived measurements. These measurements are largely based on cycle ergometry tests like the Wingate test. Compared to aerobic data, maximal-intensity data sets are infrequently published, female data across all age ranges are lacking, and application is limited by a focus on sports performance rather than health. However, regardless of how these data are analysed, children and adolescent performance is inferior to adults. Most studies attempt to explain this from a quantitative muscle (and age) perspective, while explanations of qualitative factors, e.g. hormonal and neuromuscular, have proved elusive. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms underpinning maximal-intensity exercise as an important component of everyday physical activity.

Ethical Principles of Yoga Philosophy in Western Yoga Practitioners: Validation of the Yama/Niyama Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Sukadev Volker Bretz ◽  
Yvonne Beerenbrock
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Yoga Practitioners

Yoga is mainly known for its postures, while it has a rich philosophical/spiritual background which is often not well known. Particularly the ethical principles of Yoga, the Yamas and Niyamas, are of relevance for Western practitioners also. We thus intended to develop and validate an instrument that operationalizes the Yamas and Niyamas and performed a cross-sectional survey among 901 Yoga practitioners in Germany with standardized instruments. Principal component analysis of the 23-item Yama/Niyama Questionnaire (YaNiQ) pointed to 4 factors with good internal consistencies (Cronbach’s α = 0.86, 0.82, 0.85, and 0.63). Best predictors of these factors were conscious presence (“mindfulness”) and inner correspondence with Yoga practices. The YaNiQ seems to be suited for Western practitioners and could be a useful measure in future studies which intend to analyze the social and health-related attitudes and behaviors of Yoga practitioners. It can be assumed that the ethical principles are important contributors for lifestyle and behavior changes.

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