scholarly journals Appropriate Drone Flight Altitude for Horse Behavioral Observation

Drones ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Tomoko Saitoh ◽  
Moyu Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Avoidance Behavior ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Animal Research ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Flight Altitude ◽  
Recording Time ◽  
Livestock Management ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Video Observations

Recently, drone technology advanced, and its safety and operability markedly improved, leading to its increased application in animal research. This study demonstrated drone application in livestock management, using its technology to observe horse behavior and verify the appropriate horse–drone distance for aerial behavioral observations. Recordings were conducted from September to October 2017 on 11 horses using the Phantom 4 Pro drone. Four flight altitudes were tested (60, 50, 40, and 30 m) to investigate the reactions of the horses to the drones and observe their behavior; the recording time at each altitude was 5 min. None of the horses displayed avoidance behavior at any flight altitude, and the observer was able to distinguish between any two horses. Recorded behaviors were foraging, moving, standing, recumbency, avoidance, and others. Foraging was the most common behavior observed both directly and in the drone videos. The correlation coefficients of all behavioral data from direct and drone video observations at all altitudes were significant (p < 0.01). These results indicate that horse behavior can be discerned with equal accuracy by both direct and recorded drone video observations. In conclusion, drones can be useful for recording and analyzing horse behavior.

scholarly journals Termitophily Documented in Earwigs (Dermaptera)

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1243
Author(s):  
Petr Kočárek ◽  
Rodzay Abdul Wahab
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Avoidance Behavior ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Conflict Avoidance ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Defensive Reaction ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Termite Soldier ◽  
Wood Boring

Based on behavioral observations, we report termitophily by the earwig Spirolabia kaja Kočárek, sp. nov. (Spongiphoridae: Labiinae). The new species was found in association with the wood-boring termite Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis (Holmgren, 1913) in a dipterocarp rain forest in Borneo; in addition to being observed in the galleries, termite–earwig interactions were subsequently documented in the laboratory. We found that earwigs and termites communicate by antennation, and we observed no form of targeted mutual or unilateral aggressive behavior. The earwigs responded to the proximity of an experimentally irritated termite soldier by conflict-avoidance behavior based on thanatosis, which seems to be a defensive reaction that may reduce the chance of being attacked by an irritated termite. Based on the analysis of gastrointestinal tract contents, we conclude that S. kaja sp. nov. is an omnivorous species that feeds mainly on plant tissues and fungi but occasionally on arthropod remains. The occurrence of S. kaja sp. nov. adults together with the nymphs (2nd to 4th instars) in the galleries of S. sarawakensis strongly suggests that the earwig can reproduce inside the termite colony. Spirolabia kaja Kočárek, sp. nov. is the first earwig species for which termitophily has been demonstrated.

scholarly journals Workshop Effectiveness on Content Knowledge of Behavioral Observation Techniques in an Applied Animal Behavior Context

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel T. Walker ◽  
Heather M. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Comparative Psychology ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Workshop Presentation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Data Collection Technique ◽  
Animal Care

Comparative psychology has a long history of investigating topics that promote comparisons across disciplines, constructs, and species. One critical component of comparative analyses is to select the best data collection technique. Unfortunately, these observational skills are not always taught to individuals who need them the most, animal care professionals. To demonstrate the applicability of appropriate data collection techniques to this applied discipline, we conducted a multi-day workshop that provided attendees training and practice with several data collection techniques that could be used to evaluate animal behavior in both spontaneous and enrichment-provided settings. The program included (1) a presentation on different data collection techniques and the types of questions each technique can address, (2) two 20-minute sessions of observation practice at two different facilities, (3) a final summary presentation of the data collected, and (4) pre- and post-surveys conducted immediately before and at the end of the workshop. Out of 177 survey respondents, almost a third reported using behavioral data collection to manage animal behavior prior to the workshop. More than 90% of the respondents had heard of behavioral ethograms and 68% of the respondents had used one previously. Many of the respondents reported familiarity with different observation techniques. Eighty-two individuals completed the majority of the survey with 81% expressing satisfaction with the initial workshop presentation. Respondents completing both surveys showed significant improvement in their knowledge of behavioral data collection techniques. Ultimately, the workshop introduced and clarified behavioral observation techniques and their applications in a variety of contexts. Respondents indicated that they could and would utilize knowledge gained from the workshop at their own facilities.

scholarly journals The Task of Social Psychology Is to Explain Behavior not Just to Observe it

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. e26131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Stroebe
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Dependent Measure ◽  
Behavior Observation ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Attitude Measures

Doliński (2018, this issue) deplores the decline of behavior observation in social psychology since the 1960’s and asks whether (social-) psychology is still a behavioral science. I question both, that there was a decline and that direct behavior observations are essential for a science of behavior. After all, behavior can also be inferred from outcomes and other traces of behavior. During the alleged heydays of behavioral observation, social psychology was threatened by a crisis partly precipitated by Wicker’s (1969) demonstration that verbal attitude measures were often unrelated to behavioral responses towards attitude objects. His critique was devastating, because social psychology at that time relied heavily on rating scales as dependent measure. The advance of the social cognition movement in the 1970’s was to provide social psychology with new techniques (e.g., priming, cognitive load, reaction time techniques) that eased the reliance on rating scales. At the same time, it became insufficient to merely show a relationship between an external event and a behavioral response and to rely on speculations about the internal processes that might have been responsible for this relationship. Instead, studies had to assess the cognitive and motivational processes assumed to link those external events, typically – but not always – using social cognition techniques. This required additional studies leading to a decline in the proportion of studies reporting behavioral observations. I illustrate this development with one of my own research programs and also suggest that in this example an outcome may be a more valid measure of behavior than behavioral observations.

scholarly journals Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of Psychometric Properties of the Parent Section of Parent-Child Interaction Coding System

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
Sanaz Dehghani ◽  
◽  
Fariba Yadegari ◽  
Atieh Ashtari ◽  
Akbar Biglarian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Coding System ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Persian Language ◽  
Child Interaction ◽  
Video Observations ◽  
Parent Child Interaction ◽  
Parent Child

Objectives: Most of the tests regarding parent-child interaction have dealt with this issue from the emotional-behavioral point of view; however, studying these interactions from a combined verbal-behavioral aspect requires a tool consistent with Iranian culture. Parent-Child interaction coding system–3rd edition (DPICS-III, 2009) is allotted to evaluate parent-child interaction. This study was conducted on mothers of 3- to 6-year-old children to translate, adapt to the Persian language, and determine the validity and reliability of the parent section of this test. Methods: This research was descriptive-analytic with a non-experimental design. This test was adapted to the Persian language, and its face validity was examined to clarify the items. Moreover, the correlation between live and video observations of 10 mothers and children was evaluated to determine the validity of observations. Later on, the same rater reviewed the videos of 10 mothers—recorded for the correlation between live and video observations—again within a week for intra-rater reliability and verify the credibility of the rater. Moreover, the Spearman and interclass correlation coefficients were used to determine inter-rater reliability. Data analysis was done by calculating ICC, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The translation process led to an appropriate version of the test in Persian language. The Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used for analysis. The correlation between live observation and video was significant (P<0.05, 1-0.74=spearman and P>0.05, 0.99-0.83=Pearson). The reliability of intra-rater was also high (P<0.05, 1-0.89=spearman and P>0.05, 0.99-0.87=Pearson). Furthermore, inter-rater reliability was also high (P<0.05, 0.99-0.81=spearman and P<0.05, 1-0.79=ICC). Discussion: According to the study results, the parent section of DPICS is applicable in the Persian language with appropriate validity and reliability. This applicable test is either as live observation or video recording, with no differences.

Behavioral Data in Evaluation Research: Use in Correctional Visitation Facilities

1978 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 698-703
Author(s):  
Carol Whiting ◽  
David De Joy
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Research ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Research Use ◽  
County Jail ◽  
Behavioral Observations

This paper is a report on an evaluation study of the redesign of a visitation area in a county jail in Pennsylvania. Data were collected through interviews with key prison personnel, questionnaires distributed to inmates, staff and visitors, and behavioral observations. Results indicated that the new setting was a significant improvement over the old, but that the flexibility programmed into the redesign was not being utilized to the fullest extent.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Wearable Cameras for Monitoring and Analyzing Calf Behavior: A Preliminary Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2622
Author(s):  
Tomoko Saitoh ◽  
Yuko Kato
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Human Observer ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
Wearable Camera ◽  
Normal Behavior ◽  
Video Observations ◽  
Wearable Cameras ◽  
Holstein Calves ◽  
Preliminary Study

Understanding cattle behavior is important for discerning their health and management status. However, manual observations of cattle are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, during manual observations, the presence or position of a human observer may alter the normal behavior of the cattle. Wearable cameras are small and lightweight; therefore, they do not disturb cattle behavior when attached to their bodies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the suitability of wearable cameras for monitoring and analyzing cattle behavior. From December 18 to 27, 2017, this study used four 2-month-old, group-housed Holstein calves at the Field Science Center of the Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan. Calf behavior was recorded every 30 s using a wearable camera (HX-A1H, Panasonic, Japan) from 10:00 to 15:30 and observed directly from 11:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 15:00. In addition, the same observer viewed the camera recordings corresponding to the direct observation periods, and the results were compared. The correlation coefficients of all behavioral data from direct and wearable camera video observations were significant (p < 0.01). We conclude that wearable cameras are suitable for observing calf behavior, particularly their posture (standing or lying), as well as their ruminating and feeding behaviors.

scholarly journals Non-contact Sleep/Wake Monitoring Using Impulse-Radio Ultrawideband Radar in Neonates

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Hyuk Lee ◽  
Seung Hyun Kim ◽  
Jae Yoon Na ◽  
Young-Hyo Lim ◽  
Seok Hyun Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Impulse Radio ◽  
Recording Time ◽  
Decision Algorithm ◽  
Uwb Radar ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Movement Asymmetry ◽  
Contact Sensing

Background: The gold standard for sleep monitoring, polysomnography (PSG), is too obtrusive and limited for practical use with tiny infants or in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) settings. The ability of impulse-radio ultrawideband (IR-UWB) radar, a non-contact sensing technology, to assess vital signs and fine movement asymmetry in neonates was recently demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of quantitatively distinguishing and measuring sleep/wake states in neonates using IR-UWB radar and to compare its accuracy with behavioral observation-based sleep/wake analyses using video recordings.Methods: One preterm and three term neonates in the NICU were enrolled, and voluntary movements and vital signs were measured by radar at ages ranging from 2 to 27 days. Data from a video camcorder, amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), and actigraphy were simultaneously recorded for reference. Radar signals were processed using a sleep/wake decision algorithm integrated with breathing signals and movement features.Results: The average recording time for the analysis was 13.0 (7.0–20.5) h across neonates. Compared with video analyses, the sleep/wake decision algorithm for neonates correctly classified 72.2% of sleep epochs and 80.6% of wake epochs and achieved a final Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.49 (0.41–0.59) and an overall accuracy of 75.2%.Conclusions: IR-UWB radar can provide considerable accuracy regarding sleep/wake decisions in neonates, and although current performance is not yet sufficient, this study demonstrated the feasibility of its possible use in the NICU for the first time. This unobtrusive, non-contact radar technology is a promising method for monitoring sleep/wake states with vital signs in neonates.

Statistical Models for Behavioral Observations

1991 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rogosa ◽  
Ghassan Ghandour
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Models ◽  
Generalizability Theory ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Continuous Observation ◽  
Behavioral Measures ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Behavior Stream ◽  
Prevalence Proportion

Statistical models for the Behavior Stream (renewal processes) are used to explore properties of behavioral observations. For continuous observation, statistical and psychometric properties are obtained for four types of behavioral measures: (i) empirical rates of behavior; (ii) empirical proportions, or relative frequencies, of a type of behavior; (iii) empirical prevalence (proportion of time the behavior occurs); and (iv) empirical event duration. Also, time-sampling alternatives to continuous observation are evaluated. Our formulation includes representations for three sources of unreliability: (a) finite observation time, (b) recorder errors, and (c) heterogeneity (instability) over occasions of observation. Traditional psychometric methods carried over from the analysis of responses to test items (including generalizability theory) are shown not to be applicable to behavioral observations. Our results provide a guide for design and a framework for statistical analysis in behavioral observation research.

Using Behavioral Observations to Develop Escape Devices for Freshwater Turtles Entrapped in Fishing Nets

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Cairns ◽  
Lauren J. Stoot ◽  
Gabriel Blouin-Demers ◽  
Steven J. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Capture Rate ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Incidental Capture ◽  
Bycatch Reduction ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Graptemys Geographica ◽  
Fyke Nets

Abstract The drowning of freshwater turtles following incidental capture in fishing gear has the potential to cause population declines. Fyke nets can be equipped with bycatch reduction devices that enable the escape of turtles before they drown. We employed quantitative and qualitative behavioral observations (with action cameras deployed underwater) to develop a new, collapsible, escape bycatch-reduction device that mounts internally in the terminal end of a fyke net. We also used behavioral observations to identify areas of the net most used by turtles, thus revealing the most logical placement for an escape bycatch-reduction device. When turtles were introduced into modified nets, escape was rapid (mean of 12.4 min), with 100% escape for map Graptemys geographica and musk turtles Sternotherus odoratus and 94% escape for painted turtles Chrysemys picta. Our preliminary field trials indicated that modified fyke nets decreased the capture rate of turtles relative to unmodified nets. Escape devices can be used as a key component of a bycatch reduction program and be particularly effective when paired with exclusion bycatch-reduction devices. The escape device developed in this study can potentially be used in the local fishery or modified for other fisheries. The use of behavioral observation to guide the development of bycatch reduction devices may provide an extra tool for managers to increase selectivity and maintain sustainable harvests of target fish.

Reliability of the Minimum Masking Level as Outcome Variable in Tinnitus Clinical Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-435
Author(s):  
Patricia C. Mancini ◽  
Richard S. Tyler ◽  
Hyung Jin Jun ◽  
Tang-Chuan Wang ◽  
Helena Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Trained Subjects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Minimum Intensity

Purpose The minimum masking level (MML) is the minimum intensity of a stimulus required to just totally mask the tinnitus. Treatments aimed at reducing the tinnitus itself should attempt to measure the magnitude of the tinnitus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the MML. Method Sample consisted of 59 tinnitus patients who reported stable tinnitus. We obtained MML measures on two visits, separated by about 2–3 weeks. We used two noise types: speech-shaped noise and high-frequency emphasis noise. We also investigated the relationship between the MML and tinnitus loudness estimates and the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ). Results There were differences across the different noise types. The within-session standard deviation averaged across subjects varied between 1.3 and 1.8 dB. Across the two sessions, the Pearson correlation coefficients, range was r = .84. There was a weak relationship between the dB SL MML and loudness, and between the MML and the THQ. A moderate correlation ( r = .44) was found between the THQ and loudness estimates. Conclusions We conclude that the dB SL MML can be a reliable estimate of tinnitus magnitude, with expected standard deviations in trained subjects of about 1.5 dB. It appears that the dB SL MML and loudness estimates are not closely related.

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