scholarly journals The Relationships between Morphological Characteristics and Foraging Behavior in Four Selected Species of Shorebirds and Water Birds Utilizing Tropical Mudflats

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Atiqah Norazlimi ◽  
Rosli Ramli
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Probing Depth ◽  
Video Recorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Water Birds

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the physical morphology of shorebirds and water birds (i.e., Lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Common redshank (Tringa totanus), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), and Little heron (Butorides striata)) and their foraging behavior in the mudflats area of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, from August 2013 to July 2014 by using direct observation techniques (using binoculars and a video recorder). The actively foraging bird species were watched, and their foraging activities were recorded for at least 30 seconds for up to a maximum of five minutes. A Spearman Rank Correlation highlighted a significant relationship between bill size and foraging time (R=0.443,p<0.05), bill size and prey size (R=-0.052,p<0.05), bill size and probing depth (R=0.42,p=0.003), and leg length and water/mud depth (R=0.706,p<0.005). A Kruskal-Wallis Analysis showed a significant difference between average estimates of real probing depth of the birds (mm) and species (H=15.96,p=0.0012). Three foraging techniques were recorded: pause-travel, visual-feeding, and tactile-hunting. Thus, morphological characteristics of bird do influence their foraging behavior and strategies used when foraging.

Biomechanics, functional patterns, and disparity in Late Devonian arthrodires

Paleobiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip S. L. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Late Devonian ◽  
Ecological Structure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Good Proxy

Studies of ecological structure and diversity over time in extinct groups have always been challenged by the inability to observe the behavior of fossil taxa directly. The only available evidence for function, behavior, and interactions between taxa is the morphological characteristics of the preserved fossils. Recent studies on modern groups have shown that morphological analyses may give misleading results in terms of ecological pattern and diversity. An alternative approach is to focus on functionally relevant aspects of morphology through a paleobiomechanical paradigm. The purpose of this research is to examine variation in the lower jaw morphology in Late Devonian arthrodire placoderms and develop biomechanical metrics that can be used to quantify functional diversity among this fossil group. Nine functionally relevant morphological characters were collected for 94 isolated arthrodire inferognathals from the Gogo Formation in Western Australia and the Cleveland Shale in Ohio. These data were used to address aspects of functional morphology, biomechanical disparity, and ecological structure in arthrodire placoderms from the Late Devonian. Results were compared with results from previous morphometric work on the same set of jaws.Statistical tests show a significant difference in functional characters between the two faunas. The differences may be related to phylogenetic differences between faunas, as the two major clades of arthrodire taxa included in this study are almost completely segregated between faunas. Average pairwise disparity analyses of the mechanical characters indicate that there is no significant difference in overall functional diversity between the Cleveland Shale and Gogo Reef arthrodire faunas. This result is at odds with previous results that show overall morphological disparity to be much higher in the Cleveland Shale. Clustering patterns within a multivariate function-space show tightly constrained functional groups of taxa independent of phylogenetic or shape-based morphological similarity. These functional groups illustrate a level of ecological diversity in Late Devonian arthrodires that is comparable to that in certain modern faunas.Further statistical analysis of the morphological and functional disparity of these Late Devonian taxa shows a disjoint between the two measures. Model I regression analysis of and Spearman rank-correlation analysis of average pairwise morphological and functional disparity measures indicate no significant relationship between morphological and functional disparity among the jaws used in this study. Although function is obviously derived from morphology, these results show that morphological shape analysis is not necessarily a good proxy for eco-functional diversity.

Effectiveness of Brushing Associated with Oral Irrigation in Maintenance of Peri-Implant Tissues and Overdentures: Clinical Parameters and Patient Satisfaction.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Moreira Salles ◽  
Viviane de Cássia Oliveira ◽  
Ana Paula Macedo ◽  
Claudia Helena Silva-Lovato ◽  
Helena de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Ring System ◽  
Complete Dentures ◽  
Gingival Index ◽  
Prosthetic Rehabilitation ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Probing Depth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Level

Implant-supported prostheses hygiene and peri-implant tissues health are considered to be predictive factors for successful prosthetic rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing associated with oral irrigation measured as biofilm-removing capacity, maintenance of healthy oral tissues, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted with 38 patients who wore conventional maxillary complete dentures and mandibular overdentures retained by the O-ring system. The patients were instructed to use the following hygiene methods for 14 days: mechanical brushing [MB (brush and dentifrice - Control)]; and MB with oral irrigation [WP (Waterpik - Experimental)]. Biofilm-removing capacity and maintenance of healthy oral tissues were evaluated by the Modified Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Bleeding on Probing Index (BP) recorded at baseline and after each method. In parallel, patients answered a specific questionnaire using a Visual Analogue Scale after each hygiene method. Data were analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (α=0.05). The results showed significantly lower PI, GI, PD, and BP indices after application of the hygiene methods (P&lt;0.001) than those observed at baseline. However, no significant difference was found between MB and WP. The satisfaction questionnaire responses to both methods showed high mean values for all questions, with no statistically significant difference found between the answers given after the use of MB and WP (P&gt;0.05). The findings suggest that WP was effective in reducing PI, GI, PD, and BP indices and provided a high level of patient satisfaction.

scholarly journals Perceived quality of care among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the north east region of peninsular Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorfariza Nordin ◽  
Suhaily Mohd Hairon ◽  
Najib Majdi Yaacob ◽  
Anees Abdul Hamid ◽  
Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd Isa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
East Region ◽  
Perceived Quality Of Care ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are best managed by a chronic care model that is associated with enhanced quality of care and improved patient outcome. Assessing patients’ perceived quality of care is crucial in improving the healthcare delivery system. Hence, this study determined the perceived quality of care among people with T2DM and explored its associations with (i) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and (ii) types of healthcare clinics to guide future planning. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 20 primary healthcare clinics in the North East Region of Peninsular Malaysia and people with T2DM as the sampling unit was conducted from February to May 2019. The pro forma checklist, interview-guided Skala Kepuasan Interaksi Perubatan-11, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (Malay version; PACIC-M) questionnaire were used for data collection. Univariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine the status of perceived quality of care and the factors associated with the perceived quality of care, respectively. Results Overall, data from 772 participants were analyzed. The majority was from the Malay ethnic group (95.6%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.91% (2.30). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the number of medical officers available at each clinic was 6 (7), with Family Doctor Concept (FDC) clinics having a higher number of medical officers than non-FDC clinics (p = 0.001). The overall mean (SD) PACIC-M score was 2.65 (0.54) with no significant difference between scores of patients treated in the two clinic types (p = 0.806). Higher perceived quality of care was associated with lower number of medical officers (adjusted regression coefficient [Adj.β], − 0.021; p-value [p], 0.001), and greater doctor–patient interaction in all domains: distress relief (Adj.β, 0.033; p, < 0.001), rapport (Adj.β, 0.056; p, < 0.001), and interaction outcome (Adj.β, 0.022; p, 0.003). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference found between clinic type, this study reflects that patients are comfortable when managed by the same doctor, which may support a better doctor-patient interaction. A larger specialized primary care workforce could improve diabetes care in Malaysia.

Variation terminologique en francophonie. Élaboration d’un modèle d’analyse des facteurs d’implantation terminologique

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Minchai Kim
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
European Countries ◽  
French Language ◽  
Hypothetical Model ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Significant Difference

Our research aims to elucidate the factors that influence the terminological implantation of a term by proposing a new typology of those factors with a method revealing how their mechanism causes terminological variation in French-language ICT. We accomplish this through an analysis of four Francophone communities: France, Quebec, Belgium, and Switzerland. After establishing a new typology, which encompasses the terminological, socio-terminological, psycho-terminological, and extra-terminological factors, we propose a hypothetical model of their mechanism by introducing three statistical concepts—dependent, independent, and moderator variables—to elucidate these factors’ relationships. We verify our model in two steps. First, for the analysis of terminological and socio- terminological factors, we examine the relations between each factor and terminological implantation of 256 French ICT terms. For this, we begin by coding the terms according to a criterion established for each factor. We then carry out a correlation analysis with Spearman’s rank correlation. Second, we analyse the psycho-terminological and extra-terminological factors with statistical tests on the answers to our questionnaire, which show significant differences between these four linguistic communities. Our analysis confirms a significant difference between the three European countries and Quebec in the mechanism of the terminological implantation factors and we conclude that the psycho-terminological and extra-terminological factors play a decisive role in this difference, which we identify as diatopic.

Comparison of stirrup lengths chosen for flatwork by novice and experienced riders

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Andrews-Rudd ◽  
C. Farmer-Day ◽  
H.M. Clayton ◽  
J.M. Williams ◽  
D.J. Marlin
Keyword(s):  
Standing Position ◽  
Knee Angle ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Greater Trochanter ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Function ◽  
Leg Position ◽  
Combined Data

Although stirrups may be considered an essential part of equestrian equipment, there is little research describing their use and function. The aim of the present study was to compare stirrup lengths chosen for flatwork by novice and experienced riders, and to measure the associated leg position and knee angles. Ten novice and ten experienced riders, with kinematic markers attached to their greater trochanter, lateral femoral epicondyle, and lateral fibular malleolus, mounted three horses and a mechanical horse. The riders selected an appropriate stirrup length for flatwork by adjusting the unnumbered stirrup leathers. Stirrup length was measured and expressed as a percentage of the rider’s leg length measured from the greater trochanter to the floor when standing. Lateral photographs were taken from both sides with the riders mounted on each horse in a standing position. The kinematic markers were digitised to measure knee angle and ankle position relative to the hip in the anteroposterior direction. Within riders, there was no significant difference in stirrup length between the three live horses or between the mechanical horse and live horse. Experienced riders consistently selected a significantly longer stirrup length as a percentage of their leg length compared with novice riders (combined data for live horses and mechanical horse; P=0.005). Experienced riders demonstrated a significantly larger knee angle (combined data for live horses and mechanical horse) compared with novice riders (118±8° and 109±7°, respectively; P=0.016). Novice riders had a significantly larger knee angle on the mechanical horse compared with the live horse (115±9° versus 107±9°, respectively; P=0.003). The relatively longer stirrup length selected by experienced riders is thought to reflect the development of an independent seat, which implies the ability to move the legs independently of the pelvis. The chair seat adopted by novice riders on the mechanical horse could be considered counter to improving their equitation skills.

LIKE A DUCK TO WATER – BIRDS AND LIQUIDS IN THE AEGEAN BRONZE AGE

2019 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 41-78
Author(s):  
Julia Binnberg
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Active Participation ◽  
Regional Variations ◽  
Water Birds ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Aegean Bronze Age

This study examines the relationships between birds and liquids in the Minoan, Cycladic and Mycenaean cultures. Objects under investigation are bird-shaped vessels, bird figurines attached to vessels, and some special pouring vessels decorated with painted bird motifs, which are listed in an accompanying catalogue. Analysis of this material demonstrates that images of both doves and waterbirds were consistently linked to liquid-containing vessels, but there are significant chronological and regional variations regarding the preference for bird species. Another aspect fluctuating with period and place is the type of contact created between liquid and bird motif. Three categories dividable into three or two subtypes can be recognised, which mainly differ from each other by the degree of proximity that is established between the fluid and bird motif. It is argued that these differences reflect variations in the perception of birds regarding their relationship to liquids. While a direct and active participation of birds in the flow of liquids such as water and milk is observable in many Cretan and Cycladic objects, the artefacts from the Greek Mainland show a different pattern, whereby less direct contact combined with a stylised rendering suggests that the bird motif was accorded a more passive role by symbolising the positive effect of the flow of water. These findings contribute to recent scholarly debates on human–animal relationships and ontologies in the Aegean Bronze Age.

scholarly journals A comparison of screw versus drill and curettage epiphysiodesis to correct leg-length discrepancy

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Troy ◽  
B. Shore ◽  
P. Miller ◽  
S. Mahan ◽  
D. Hedequist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operative Time ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Leg Length Discrepancy ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Length Discrepancy ◽  
Baseline Activity ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose To compare two common surgical techniques of epiphysiodesis: drill/curettage epiphysiodesis (PDED) versus cross screw epiphysiodesis (PETS). The hypothesis is that the two techniques have similar efficacy but demonstrate differences in length of hospital stay (LOS), time to return to activity and complication rates. Methods A retrospective review of growing children and adolescents less than 18 years old who required an epiphysiodesis with leg-length discrepancy (LLD) of 2 cm to 6 cm with minimum two years of follow-up was conducted. Characteristics including age at surgery, gender, epiphysiodesis location, side, operative time, LOS and hardware removal were compared across treatment groups. LLD, expected growth remaining (EGR) and bone age were determined preoperatively and at most-recent visit. The correction ratio (change in EGR) was calculated along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess if correction in leg length was achieved. Results A total of 115 patients underwent epiphysiodesis in the femur (53%), tibia (24%) or a combination (24%). The cohort was 47% male, with a mean age of 12.6 years (7.7 to 17.7) at surgery. Median follow-up was 3.7 years (2.0 to 12.7). In all, 23 patients underwent PETS and 92 patients had PDED. Both treatment groups achieved expected LLD correction. There was no significant difference in median operative time, complication rates or LOS. PETS patients returned to activity at a mean 1.4 months (interquartile range (IQR) 0.7 to 2.1) while PDED patients returned at a mean 2.4 months (IQR 1.7 to 3) (p < 0.001). Conclusion Effectiveness in achieving expected correction, LOS and operative time are similar between screw and drill/curettage epiphysiodesis. Patients undergoing PETS demonstrated a faster return to baseline activity than patients with PDED. Level of Evidence: III

scholarly journals Immediate loading over lower prosthesis in edentulous mandibles: comparison between two types of prosthetic connection

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-314
Author(s):  
Marina Reis OLIVEIRA ◽  
Ariane de Souza OLIVEIRA ◽  
Vitor Augusto LEITE ◽  
Marisa Aparecida Cabrini GABRIELLI ◽  
Oriana Elara Barelli PAGANELLI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immediate Loading ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Implant Stability Quotient ◽  
Probing Depth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Implant Abutment ◽  
Short Term Evaluation ◽  
Term Evaluation

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated two implant-abutment connection systems under immediate loading of lower prosthesis in edentulous mandibles. Methods: Seventy-two implants placed in 18 patients were analyzed. The parameters evaluated included probing depth, stability of implants and perimplant bone loss, which were measured immediately when installing the prosthesis and after 3 and 6 months. All data underwent statistical analysis (T-Test and ANOVA, 5% significance level). Results: Implants with Morse cone connections showed smaller, statistically significant probing depth values for all periods (0.68/1.19/1.31), when compared to the external hexagon connections (1.08/1.52/1.64). A statistically significant difference was observed between baseline, 3 months (p<0.01 for Morse cone; p<0.001 for external hexagon) and 6 months (p<0.001 for both connections). When periods were considered there was a statistically significant difference in Implant Stability Quotient ISQ values between baseline and 6 months for both prosthetic connections. Conclusion: Immediate loading of the lower prosthesis is a viable option for the treatment of edentulous mandibles and that the external hexagon or Morse cone connections do not interfere with the success of the implants in a short-term evaluation.

Relationship between Morphology and Trophic Ecology in an Assemblage of Passerine Birds in Riparian Forests of the Paraná River (Argentina)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Quiroga ◽  
Rodrigo E. Lorenzón ◽  
Gisela Maglier ◽  
Ana L. Ronchi-Virgolini
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Paraná River ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Phylogenetic Constraint ◽  
Parana River ◽  
Coexisting Species

We describe the ecomorphology of an assemblage of bird species found in riparian forests of the Middle Paraná River, Argentina. We sought to determine (1) the more important morphological characteristics that separate coexisting species, (2) whether such separation was related to the trophic ecology of each species and (3) whether a priori guilds showed morphological similarity. We tested the hypotheses that (a) a species’ morphology is related to the trophic ecology of that species and (b) that species of a priori guilds are morphometrically more similar to each other than to species of different a priori guilds. For this, we considered an assemblage of 29 species of birds from riparian forest that were sampled with mist nets during the 2011 and 2014 breeding seasons. We obtained morphometric measurements of captured individuals and supplemented those data with measurements from museum specimens. Trophic characterisation (diet and trophic microhabitat) was based on a literature review. Results showed a separation of bird species as a function of variables related to trophic ecology (diets and trophic microhabitats) and morphology. After controlling for phylogenetic constraint, species’ morphology partially reflected the trophic ecology of the species, supporting the central hypothesis of the ecomorphological discipline and showing that the use of trophic and morphometric data provides complementary data to improve the guild organisation of riparian bird assemblages.

Shortened Radioimmunoassay for Human Growth Hormone

1974 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Twomey ◽  
J M Beattie ◽  
G T Wu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Human Growth Hormone ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Human Growth ◽  
Statistical Test ◽  
Sign Test ◽  
Assay Mixture ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Two Temperatures

Abstract We report a radioimmunoassay procedure for human growth hormone in serum, in which the assay mixture is incubated at 37 °C for a total of 5 h rather than at 4 °C for 48 h. There was no significant difference in results by the two methods, according to the Sign Test and the signed-rank statistical test of Wilcoxin. A comparison of results at the two temperatures demonstrated a Spearmann coefficient of rank correlation value of 0.94. With this facilitation, a laboratory can provide results on the same day that the sample arrives.

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