scholarly journals Quantitative photogrammetric methodology for measuring mammalian belly score in the painted dog

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261171
Author(s):  
Gregory Rasmussen ◽  
Mari Smultea ◽  
Tammy Cloutier ◽  
Anthony Giordano ◽  
Beth Kaplin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Chord Length ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Face ◽  
Significant Patterns ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Scoring Tool

The use of “belly scoring” can offer a novel, non-invasive objective management tool to gauge food intake between individuals, groups, and populations, and thus, population fitness. As food availability is increasingly affected by predation, ecological competition, climate change, habitat modification, and other human activities, an accurate belly scoring tool can facilitate comparisons among wildlife populations, serving as an early warning indicator of threats to wildlife population health and potential population collapse. In social species, belly scores can also be a tool to understand social behavior and ranking. We developed and applied the first rigorous quantitative photogrammetric methodology to measure belly scores of wild painted dogs (Lycaon pictus). Our methodology involves: (1) Rigorous selection of photographs of the dorso/lateral profile of individuals at a right angle to the camera, (2) photogrammetrically measuring belly chord length and “belly drop” in pixels, (3) adjusting belly chord length as a departure from a standardized leg angle, and (4) converting pixel measurements to ratios to eliminate the need to introduce distance from the camera. To highlight a practical application, this belly score method was applied to 631 suitable photographs of 15 painted dog packs that included 186 individuals, all collected between 2004–2015 from allopatric painted dog populations in and around Hwange (n = 462) and Mana Pools National Parks (n = 169) in Zimbabwe. Variation in mean belly scores exhibited a cyclical pattern throughout the year, corresponding to biologically significant patterns to include denning demand and prey availability. Our results show significant differences between belly scores of the two different populations we assessed, thus highlighting food stress in the Hwange population. In the face of growing direct and indirect anthropogenic disturbances, this standardised methodology can provide a rapid, species-specific non-invasive management tool that can be applied across studies to rapidly detect emergent threats.

scholarly journals A paradox of local abundance amidst regional rarity: the value of montane refugia for Persian leopard conservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Farhadinia ◽  
Brett T. McClintock ◽  
Paul J. Johnson ◽  
Pouyan Behnoud ◽  
Kaveh Hobeali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Persian Leopard ◽  
Identity Model

Abstract The population densities of leopards vary widely across their global range, influenced by prey availability, intraguild competition and human persecution. In Asia, particularly the Middle East and the Caucasus, they generally occur at the lower extreme of densities recorded for the species. Reliable estimates of population density are important for understanding their ecology and planning their conservation. We used a photographic spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methodology incorporating animal movement to estimate density for the endangered Persian leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor in three montane national parks, northeastern Iran. We combined encounter history data arising from images of bilaterally asymmetrical left- and right-sided pelage patterns using a Bayesian spatial partial identity model accommodating multiple “non-invasive” marks. We also investigated the effect of camera trap placement on detection probability. Surprisingly, considering the subspecies’ reported low abundance and density based on previous studies, we found relatively high population densities in the three national parks, varying between 3.10 ± SD 1.84 and 8.86 ± SD 3.60 individuals/100 km2. The number of leopards detected in Tandoureh National Park (30 individuals) was larger than estimated during comparable surveys at any other site in Iran, or indeed globally. Capture and recapture probabilities were higher for camera traps placed near water resources compared with those placed on trails. Our results show the benefits of protecting even relatively small mountainous areas, which accommodated a high density of leopards and provided refugia in a landscape with substantial human activity.

Evapotranspiration Measurement and Irrigation Scheduling for Several Tropical Fruit Crops Using the EnviroScan System

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 549f-550
Author(s):  
Mongi Zekri ◽  
Bruce Schaffer ◽  
Stephen K. O'Hair ◽  
Roberto Nunez-Elisea ◽  
Jonathan H. Crane
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Tropical Fruit

In southern Florida, most tropical fruit crops between Biscayne and Everglades National Parks are irrigated at rates and frequencies based on experience and observations of tree growth and fruit yield rather than on reliable quantitative information of actual water use. This approach suggests that irrigation rates may be excessive and could lead to leaching of agricultural chemicals into the groundwater in this environmentally sensitive area. Therefore, a study is being conducted to increase water use efficiency and optimize irrigation by accurately scheduling irrigation using a very effective management tool (EnviroScan, Sentek Environmental Innovations, Pty., Kent, Australia) that continuously monitors soil water content with highly accurate capacitance multi-sensor probes installed at several depths within the soil profile. The system measures crop water use by monitoring soil water depletion rates and allows the maintenance of soil water content within the optimum range (below field capacity and well above the onset of plant water stress). The study is being conducted in growers' orchards with three tropical fruit crops (avocado, carambola, and `Tahiti' lime) to facilitate rapid adoption and utilization of research results.

A Single-Center Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Four Microneedling Treatments on Fine Lines and Wrinkles of Facial and Neck Skin in Subjects With Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-IV: An Objective Assessment Using Non-Invasive Devices and 0.33mm Microbiopsies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E Wamsley ◽  
Mikaela Kislevitz ◽  
Jennifer Barillas ◽  
Deniz Basci ◽  
Vishal Kandagatla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Transepidermal Water Loss ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Muscle Formation ◽  
The Face ◽  
High Resolution Ultrasonography ◽  
Elastin Gene

Abstract Background While ablative techniques have been standard of care for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, microneedling is a minimally invasive alternative. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of microneedling on facial and neck fine lines and wrinkles. Methods 35 subjects between 44 and 65 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV received four monthly microneedling treatments over the face and neck. Subjects returned one and three months post-treatment. At every visit, high-resolution ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, transepidermal water loss and BTC-2000 were performed. 0.33mm microbiopsies were collected pre-treatment, before the fourth treatment and three months post-treatment. Results 32 subjects (93.75% female, 6.25% male) completed all seven visits. Facial dermal and epidermal density increased 101.86% and 19.28%, respectively from baseline at three months post-treatment. Facial elasticity increased 28.2% from baseline three months post-treatment. Facial attenuation coefficient increased 15.65% and 17.33% one and three months post-treatment. At study completion, blood flow 300µm deep decreased 25.8% in the face and 42.3% in the neck. Relative collagen type III and elastin gene expression was statistically higher three months post-treatment. However, total elastin protein levels unchanged compared to baseline. 58% of biopsies extracted three months post-treatment showed dermal muscle formation, compared to baseline 15.3%. Conclusions The results illustrate the effects of microneedling treatments. Non-invasive measurements and biopsy data showed changes in skin architecture and collagen/elastin gene expression suggesting skin rejuvenation, with new extracellular matrix production and muscle formation.

scholarly journals A Review of Murine Cytomegalovirus as a Model for Human Cytomegalovirus Disease—Do Mice Lie?

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Michelle A. Fisher ◽  
Megan L. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Murine Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Cytomegalovirus Disease ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Disseminated Disease

Since murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) was first described in 1954, it has been used to model human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) diseases. MCMV is a natural pathogen of mice that is present in wild mice populations and has been associated with diseases such as myocarditis. The species-specific nature of HCMV restricts most research to cell culture-based studies or to the investigation of non-invasive clinical samples, which may not be ideal for the study of disseminated disease. Initial MCMV research used a salivary gland-propagated virus administered via different routes of inoculation into a variety of mouse strains. This revealed that the genetic background of the laboratory mice affected the severity of disease and altered the extent of subsequent pathology. The advent of genetically modified mice and viruses has allowed new aspects of disease to be modeled and the opportunistic nature of HCMV infection to be confirmed. This review describes the different ways that MCMV has been used to model HCMV diseases and explores the continuing difficulty faced by researchers attempting to model HCMV congenital cytomegalovirus disease using the mouse model.

Experimental analysis of the control of expression of the homeobox-gene Msx-1 in the developing limb and face

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Brown ◽  
S.E. Wedden ◽  
G.H. Millburn ◽  
L.G. Robson ◽  
R.E. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Host Tissue ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Limb Mesenchyme ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mesenchyme Cells ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Signalling Systems ◽  
Control Of Expression

Mouse mesenchyme was grafted into chick embryos to investigate the control of mesenchymal expression of Msx-1 in the developing limb and face. In situ hybridization, using species-specific probes, allows a comparison between Msx-1 expression in the graft and the host tissue. The results show that Msx-1 expression in both limb-to-limb and face-to-face grafts corresponds closely with the level of Msx-1 expression in the surrounding chick mesenchyme. Cells in grafts that end up within the host domain of Msx-1 express the gene irrespective of whether they were from normally expressing, or non-expressing, regions. Therefore Msx-1 expression in both the developing limb and the developing face appears to be position-dependent. Mesenchyme from each of the three major facial primordia behaved in the same way when grafted to the chick maxillary primordium. Reciprocal grafts between face and limb gave a different result: Msx-1 expression was activated when facial mesenchyme was grafted to the limb but not when limb mesenchyme was grafted to the face. This suggests either that there are quantitative or qualitative differences in two local signalling systems or that additional factors determine the responsiveness of the mesenchyme cells.

scholarly journals In Vitro Evaluation of Facial Pressure and Air Leak with a Newly Designed Cushion for Non-Invasive Ventilation Masks

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 523
Author(s):  
Hui-Ling Lin ◽  
Yu-Chi Lee ◽  
Ssu-Hui Wang ◽  
Li-Ying Chiang ◽  
Jui-Fang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Air Leak ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Non Invasive Ventilation ◽  
The Face

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a newly designed foam cushion on the air leakage and pressure when applied to the face. Methods: A teaching manikin connected to a bilevel positive airway pressure ventilator attached to four different brands of oronasal masks (Amara, Mirage, Forma, and Wizard) was used. The foam cushions of 5-mm and 10-mm-thickness were attached to the masks, and each mask was tested without a cushion. Six pressure sensors were placed on the manikin’s face, and data were recorded. Inspiratory volume and air leak flow from the ventilator were observed. Results: Air leakage was influenced by both the mask brand and the presence of a cushion. The presence of a cushion did not affect the Wizard mask in terms of leakage (p = 0.317) or inspiratory volume (p = 0.726). The Wizard and Amara masks generated the lowest contact pressure on the frontal forehead (p < 0.001) compared to the other five points. Conclusions: Utilisation of a cushion reduces air leakage and maintains greater inspiratory volume regardless of its thickness. The contact pressure varies depending on the brand of the mask, which would require a difference in the thickness of the cushion for pressure reduction.

scholarly journals Resistivity imaging survey of Capo Long Barrow, Aberdeenshire

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Neighbour ◽  
Richard Strachan ◽  
Lindsey Collier ◽  
Bruce Hobbs ◽  
Graeme Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Tool ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Similar Morphology ◽  
Resistivity Imaging ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Resistivity Survey ◽  
Ancient Monuments ◽  
Detailed Record

Non-invasive fieldwork carried out on the Neolithic long barrow at Capo, present-day Aberdeenshire (NGR NO 633 664) has considerably enhanced our knowledge of this monument. Topographical survey has provided the first detailed record of the barrow and its environs. Resistivity imaging has revealed key elements of the structure of the long barrow, including side revetment walls, a flat fa�e and possible mortuary structures, confirming that the barrow at Capo is of a similar morphology to the nearby (excavated) long barrow at Dalladies. The resistivity survey has demonstrated that rabbit burrowing and the roots of the tree stumps that covered the barrow have had little effect on the integrity of the major structural elements of the monument (the revetments and fa�e). However, it is not possible to assess the more subtle damage, such as mixing of archaeological layers, which may have been caused. It is concluded that, whilst resistivity imaging at the survey density employed here is time-consuming and would not be appropriate at many sites, as a management tool and as a means to explore sites that are unavailable for excavation, such as scheduled ancient monuments, it has been demonstrated to be of considerable value.

Open Eyebrow Correction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Gardenier ◽  
Daniel Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Cosmetic Surgery ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Less Invasive ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Brow Lift ◽  
Brow Ptosis ◽  
Facial Plastic ◽  
The Face ◽  
Chemical Denervation

The open brow lift is a powerful tool for facial rejuvenation of the upper third of the face which can address rhytids, upper eyelid hooding, and brow ptosis. With a history dating back over a hundred years, a variety of techniques have been described including coronal, pretrichial, mid-forehead, direct supraciliary, and transpalpebral brow lifts. These vary in terms of invasiveness and the ideal approach is determined by patient age, sex, symmetry, and anterior hairline characteristics. While endoscopic techniques became popular in the 1990s based on novelty, smaller incisions, less post-scar numbness, and a perception of less invasive nature, this technique’s popularity has diminished recently and less invasive open approaches have become more popular. Recent years have seen the numbers of all forms of brow lift become less common as neuromodulators, such as botulinum toxin, allow for chemical denervation of brow depressor muscles. This has become a truly non-invasive way to address minor forms of aging of the forehead and brow. However, for advanced cases, open brow lift remains a powerful technique which should remain in the arsenal of the plastic surgeon. This review contains 3 figures, 2 tables, and 39 references. Keywords: cosmetic surgery, facial plastic surgery, facial aging, brow ptosis, rhytids, facial nerve, supraorbital nerve, supratrochlear nerve

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document