scholarly journals Using laser photogrammetry to measure long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Joanna B. Wong ◽  
Marie Auger-Méthé
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Globicephala Melas ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Pilot Whales

Knowledge of animal morphometry is important to understanding their ecology. By attaching two parallel lasers to a camera, known as laser photogrammetry (LP), a scale is projected onto photographed animals, allowing measurement of their body. Our primary aims were to test LP precision, and to estimate body length from dorsal-fin dimensions of Globicephala melas. Secondary aims involved demonstrating applications of LP, such as sex and leader determination. Using photographs taken over two-months, we measured dorsal base lengths (DBL) of 194 individuals individually-identified with natural markings. Results indicated 33 individuals were photographed in multiple encounters and eight matched previously-sexed whales. A mean difference of <2.1% between DBL’s of 58% of repeatedly-sighted individuals was found, and whales closer to the boat (<22m) produced more precise measures. The length from the blowhole to anterior insertion of the dorsal fin (BAID) was a better predictor of total body length in stranded whales than DBL, and laser-estimated lengths fell almost all within known pilot whale size. Despite our small sample size, we showed two examples of how LP could be applied in research: (1) males and females had similar DBL (n=8), but large males could be distinguished using DBL; (2) leaders were not necessarily bigger than other individuals in the same cluster (n=4). The ease of use of LP makes it a valuable tool in collecting measurements of body features, especially when coupled with photo-identification. Keywords: laser photogrammetry, morphometrics, measurement, length, Globicephala melas

Sexual maturation in male long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas edwardii): defining indicators of sexual maturity

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 1387-1402
Author(s):  
Emma L Betty ◽  
Karen A Stockin ◽  
Adam N H Smith ◽  
Barbara Bollard ◽  
Mark B Orams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Minimal Processing ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Globicephala Melas ◽  
Pilot Whales

Abstract Male reproductive biology is described for the Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii), a subspecies that regularly mass strands along the New Zealand coastline. Ten mass stranding events sampled over a 7-year period enabled assessments of key life history parameters. Sexual maturation in immature, maturing, and mature males was assessed using morphological data and histological examination of testicular tissue. Variation was observed in the age (11–15 years) and length (450–490 cm) at which individuals attained sexual maturity. Using Bayesian cumulative logit regression models, we estimated the average age and length at the attainment of sexual maturity to be 13.5 years and 472 cm, respectively. Combined testes weight, combined testes length, an index of testicular development (combined testes weight/combined testes length), and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were all good indicators of sexual maturity status. Combined testes length was the best nonhistological indicator, and all testicular measures were found to be better indicators of sexual maturation for G. m. edwardii than age or total body length. Sexual maturity was attained before physical maturity (> 40 years and 570 cm), and at a younger age and smaller body length than previously reported for Globicephala melas melas in the North Atlantic. Given the ease of collection, minimal processing, and applicability to suboptimal material collected from stranding events, future studies should assess the value of testicular size as an indicator of sexual maturity in pilot whales and other cetacean species. Estimates of the average age and length at sexual maturity for G. m. edwardii provided in this study may be used to inform population models required for conservation management of the subspecies, which is subject to high levels of stranding-related mortality.

scholarly journals Patients’ Preferences for Insulin Injection Devices

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Pfützner
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Treatment Satisfaction ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Insulin Injection ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Assessment Study

In this issue, Pohlmeier et al report on a device assessment study in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes, to investigate the ease of use/learning and patient preference of the new prefilled U300 insulin glargine injection pen. Human factor studies are required by regulatory agencies and should ensure the proper use of the device in the context of the provided instructions. The patients found the device easy to learn/use and had a stable treatment satisfaction despite introduction of injection treatment. The lack of a control arm, the short duration, and the small sample size make it difficult to translate these results into clinical practice. It is encouraging to know, however, that the new pen is accepted by one of the intended patient populations.

scholarly journals Towards Usable E-Health

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 470-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Sousa ◽  
Karen Dunn Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quality Appraisal ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Data Extraction Tool

SummaryBackground: The use of e-health can lead to several positive outcomes. However, the potential for e-health to improve healthcare is partially dependent on its ease of use. In order to determine the usability for any technology, rigorously developed and appropriate measures must be chosen.Objectives: To identify psychometrically tested questionnaires that measure usability of e-health tools, and to appraise their generalizability, attributes coverage, and quality.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies that measured usability of e-health tools using four databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and HAPI). Non-primary research, studies that did not report measures, studies with children or people with cognitive limitations, and studies about assistive devices or medical equipment were systematically excluded. Two authors independently extracted information including: questionnaire name, number of questions, scoring method, item generation, and psychometrics using a data extraction tool with pre-established categories and a quality appraisal scoring table.Results: Using a broad search strategy, 5,558 potentially relevant papers were identified. After removing duplicates and applying exclusion criteria, 35 articles remained that used 15 unique questionnaires. From the 15 questionnaires, only 5 were general enough to be used across studies. Usability attributes covered by the questionnaires were: learnability (15), efficiency (12), and satisfaction (11). Memorability (1) was the least covered attribute. Quality appraisal showed that face/content (14) and construct (7) validity were the most frequent types of validity assessed. All questionnaires reported reliability measurement. Some questionnaires scored low in the quality appraisal for the following reasons: limited validity testing (7), small sample size (3), no reporting of user centeredness (9) or feasibility estimates of time, effort, and expense (7).Conclusions: Existing questionnaires provide a foundation for research on e-health usability. However, future research is needed to broaden the coverage of the usability attributes and psychometric properties of the available questionnaires.Citation: Sousa VEC, Lopez KD. Towards usable e-health: A systematic review of usability questionnaires. Appl Clin Inform 2017; 8: 470–490 https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2016-10-R-0170

scholarly journals Estimates of the relative abundance of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Northeast Atlantic from 1987 to 2015 indicate no long-term trends

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Pike ◽  
Thorvaldur Gunnlaugsson ◽  
Geneviève Desportes ◽  
Bjarni Mikkelsen ◽  
Gísli A. Vikingsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Globicephala Melas ◽  
The North ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Pilot Whales ◽  
Annual Distribution

North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS) and associated surveys, covering a large but variable portion of the North Atlantic, were conducted in 1987, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015. Previous estimates of long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) abundance, derived using conventional distance sampling (CDS), are not directly comparable to one another because of differing survey coverage, field methods and, in the case of the 1989 NASS, different survey timing. CDS was used to develop indices of relative abundance to determine if pilot whale abundance has changed over the 28-year period from 1987 to 2015. The varying spatial coverage of the surveys is accommodated by delineating common regions that were covered by: i) all 6 surveys, and ii) the 3 largest surveys (1989, 1995, and 2007). These “Index Regions” were divided into East and West subregions, and post-stratification was used to obtain abundance estimates for these index areas only. Estimates are provided using the sightings from the combined platforms for surveys that used double platforms or the primary platform only.Total abundance in the Index Regions, uncorrected for perception or availability biases, ranged from 54,264 (CV=0.48) in 2001 to 253,109 (CV=0.43) in 2015. There was no significant trend in the numbers of individuals or groups in either the 6 or 3 Survey Index Regions, and no consistent trend over the period. Power analyses indicate that negative annual growth rates of -3% to -5% would have been detectible over the entire period. The Index Regions comprise only a portion of the summer range of the species and changes in annual distribution clearly affect the results. Operational changes to the surveys, particularly in defining pilot whale groups, may also have introduced biases. Recommendations for future monitoring of the long-finned pilot whale population are provided.

Intestinal helminth communities of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands

Parasitology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Balbuena ◽  
J. A. Raga
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Helminth ◽  
Faroe Islands ◽  
Specific Interactions ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Recurrent Group ◽  
Globicephala Melas ◽  
Helminth Communities ◽  
Pilot Whales

SUMMARYThe intestines of 170 long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas, caught off the Faroe Islands (N.E. Atlantic) were examined for helminth parasites. Eight species were detected but only 4 occurred in at least 10% of the sample. No core or recurrent group of species were identified and no correlations between abundances of species were significant. Diversity values were far below those reported for other endotherms. Colonization by helminths was random, whales not being readily colonized. These features point to largely unpredictable, isolationist infracommunities, there being little potential for inter-specific interactions. Older hosts tended to harbour more diverse infracommunities, offering more opportunities for such interactions. Two hypotheses, which might also apply to other cetaceans, are proposed to account for the depauperate helminth communities of the pilot whale: (i) some ancestral helminth species failed to adapt their cycles to the marine habitat and (ii) the hosts' isolation from land prohibited new infections with helminths of mammals.

Ecology and host relationships of the whale-louse Isocyamus delphini (Amphipoda: Cyamidae) parasitizing long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands (Northeast Atlantic)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Balbuena ◽  
J. A. Raga
Keyword(s):  
Faroe Islands ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Northeast Atlantic ◽  
Globicephala Melas ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Host Relationships ◽  
Pilot Whales ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
International Research Program

In cooperation with an international research program concerning the biology of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the Northeast Atlantic, 152 pilot whales taken in the Faroese drive fishery were examined for ectoparasites. The whale-louse Isocyamus delphini was detected on 45(29.61%) of the whales. Four whale groups were established, according to sex and sexual status: immature or pubertal males, mature males, immature females, and mature females. Whale-lice showed over-dispersed distributions on these four whale groups. Prevalence, abundance, and spatial distribution of I. delphini on sexually mature males were significantly different from those on the other whale classes. Heavy infections were only observed on mature males. Behavioral differences between males and females and between adults and juveniles could account for these results. The genital slit was by far the site most preferred by I. delphini. This location seems to be one of the few that offers appropriate shelter for this cyamid.

scholarly journals Study of Morphomeristic and Habitat Tempuring Fish (Puntius spp) In Bangka Island Freshwater

2020 ◽  
pp. 48-62
Author(s):  
Andi Gustomi ◽  
Sri Dewi Dinata Putri ◽  
Sudirman Adibrata
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Head Height

This study aims to analyze the morphomeristic characteristics and habitat of Tempuring Fish (Puntius spp) in Bangka Island. The research was conducted from February to March 2020 at  Bangka Island. The study used a survey method using primary and secondary data. Based on the analysis of the morphomeristic characteristics, The kind of tempuring (Puntius spp) which found in the Freshwater of Bangka Island are Puntius lineatus dan Puntius johorensis. Puntius lineatus on Bangka Island has a total body length (TL) ranging from 67.13 to 75.80 mm; head height (HD) ranges from 10 -12 mm; height (BD) ranged from 15.47-18.60 mm; dorsal fin radius (DR) D.I-II. 8-9; and lateral line (LL) scales ranging from 24-25 mm; characterized by having 5 vertical black lines on the body. Puntius johorensis has a total body length (TL) ranging from 59.60-80.67mm; head height (HD) ranged from 10.40 -16.00 mm; height (BD) ranged from 14.00-28.44 mm; dorsal fin radius (DR) D.I-II. 6-10; and lateral line (LL) scales ranging from 25-30 mm; characterized by having 6 vertical black lines on the body. Ecology of Tempuring in Bangka Island freshwater when viewed from several water quality parameters, including temperature ranges from 29-31 °C, pH 5, water transparency 0.27 - 0.36 m, flow velocity 0.03-0.06 m / s, and TSS range from 4-19.2 mg / l. This indicates that the water quality of the Tempuring Fish habitat on Bangka Island is still in a good range. Morphomeristic; Tempuring; Puntius lineatus; Puntius johorensis; Bangka Island

Additive manufacturing under pressure

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason B. Jones ◽  
David I. Wimpenny ◽  
Greg J Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Thermoplastic Elastomer ◽  
Polymer Processing ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Pressure ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effects on material properties of layer-by-layer application of pressure during fabrication of polymeric parts by additive manufacturing (AM). Although AM, also known popularly as 3D printing, has set a new standard for ease of use and minimal restraint on geometric complexity, the mechanical part properties do not generally compare with conventional manufacturing processes. Contrary to other types of polymer processing, AM systems do not normally use (in-process) pressure during part consolidation. Design/methodology/approach – Tensile specimens were produced in Somos 201 using conventional laser sintering (LS) and selective laser printing (SLP) – a process under development in the UK, which incorporates the use of pressure to assist layer consolidation. Findings – Mechanical testing demonstrated the potential to additively manufacture parts with significantly improved microstructure and mechanical properties which match or exceed conventional processing. For example, the average elongation at break and ultimate tensile strength of a conventionally laser-sintered thermoplastic elastomer (Somos 201) increased from 136 ± 28 per cent and 4.9 ± 0.4 MPa, to 513 ± 35 per cent and 10.4 ± 0.4 MPa, respectively, when each layer was fused with in-process application of pressure (126 ± 9 kPa) by SLP. Research limitations/implications – These results are based on relatively small sample size, but despite this, the trends observed are of significant importance to the elimination of voids and porosity in polymeric parts. Practical implications – Layerwise application of pressure should be investigated further for defect elimination in AM. Originality/value – This is the first study on the effects of layerwise application of pressure in combination with area-wide fusing.

Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 552-555
Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

Validating the Factor Structure of the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form Spanish Version Among Healthcare Students

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Spanish Version ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Spanish Speaking

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.

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