scholarly journals Posture as a Non-Invasive Indicator of Arousal in American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Woody ◽  
Rachel M. Santymire ◽  
Katherine A. Cronin
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Weight Distribution ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
American Toad ◽  
Welfare Indicators ◽  
Posture Index ◽  
Non Invasive

Animal welfare has become a priority for modern zoos and aquariums. However, amphibians have not yet been the focus of much welfare research, perhaps in part because they do not tend to display many quantifiable active behaviors. This study focused on nine zoo-housed American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), a species that displays long periods of sedentary behavior, to explore whether more subtle cues could serve as welfare indicators. A novel American toad posture index was developed that characterized toad posture based on the angle of their forelimbs, visibility of ventral regions, and body weight distribution. As an indicator of arousal, approximate breathing rates were assessed based on the rate of expansion of the toads’ throats. Subsequent analyses revealed that lower body postures were associated with slower rates of throat expansion and raised postures with faster rates of throat expansion, suggesting that posture may be a promising way to quickly and non-invasively assess toad arousal. This work lays important groundwork for assessing welfare of an understudied species, and we are optimistic that, with additional validation, these approaches can be applied in future amphibian welfare research.

Human–seat interface analysis of upper and lower body weight distribution

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 539-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.K. Nag ◽  
S. Pal ◽  
S.M. Kotadiya ◽  
A. Nag ◽  
K. Gosai
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Distribution ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Interface Analysis ◽  
Lower Body Weight

scholarly journals Evaluation of Inter-Observer Reliability of Animal Welfare Indicators: Which Is the Best Index to Use?

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1445
Author(s):  
Mauro Giammarino ◽  
Silvana Mattiello ◽  
Monica Battini ◽  
Piero Quatto ◽  
Luca Maria Battaglini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Bootstrap Method ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Bootstrap Methods ◽  
Welfare Indicators ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
High Concordance ◽  
Variance Estimates

This study focuses on the problem of assessing inter-observer reliability (IOR) in the case of dichotomous categorical animal-based welfare indicators and the presence of two observers. Based on observations obtained from Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) project surveys conducted on nine dairy goat farms, and using udder asymmetry as an indicator, we compared the performance of the most popular agreement indexes available in the literature: Scott’s π, Cohen’s k, kPABAK, Holsti’s H, Krippendorff’s α, Hubert’s Γ, Janson and Vegelius’ J, Bangdiwala’s B, Andrés and Marzo’s ∆, and Gwet’s γ(AC1). Confidence intervals were calculated using closed formulas of variance estimates for π, k, kPABAK, H, α, Γ, J, ∆, and γ(AC1), while the bootstrap and exact bootstrap methods were used for all the indexes. All the indexes and closed formulas of variance estimates were calculated using Microsoft Excel. The bootstrap method was performed with R software, while the exact bootstrap method was performed with SAS software. k, π, and α exhibited a paradoxical behavior, showing unacceptably low values even in the presence of very high concordance rates. B and γ(AC1) showed values very close to the concordance rate, independently of its value. Both bootstrap and exact bootstrap methods turned out to be simpler compared to the implementation of closed variance formulas and provided effective confidence intervals for all the considered indexes. The best approach for measuring IOR in these cases is the use of B or γ(AC1), with bootstrap or exact bootstrap methods for confidence interval calculation.

scholarly journals Effect of Uphill Running on VO2, Heart Rate and Lactate Accumulation on Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmills

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Daniel Fleckenstein ◽  
Olaf Ueberschär ◽  
Jan C. Wüstenfeld ◽  
Peter Rüdrich ◽  
Bernd Wolfarth
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Weight Support ◽  
Positive Pressure ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Lactate Accumulation ◽  
Biomechanical Stress ◽  
Lower Body Positive Pressure ◽  
Weight Support ◽  
Body Positive

Lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPTs) as a strategy to reduce musculoskeletal load are becoming more common as part of sports conditioning, although the requisite physiological parameters are unclear. To elucidate their role, ten well-trained runners (30.2 ± 3.4 years; VO2max: 60.3 ± 4.2 mL kg−1 min−1) ran at 70% of their individual velocity at VO2max (vVO2max) on a LBPPT at 80% body weight support (80% BWSet) and 90% body weight support (90% BWSet), at 0%, 2% and 7% incline. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate accumulation (LA) were monitored. It was found that an increase in incline led to increased VO2 values of 6.8 ± 0.8 mL kg−1 min−1 (0% vs. 7%, p < 0.001) and 5.4 ± 0.8 mL kg−1 min−1 (2% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). Between 80% BWSet and 90% BWSet, there were VO2 differences of 3.3 ± 0.2 mL kg−1 min−1 (p < 0.001). HR increased with incline by 12 ± 2 bpm (0% vs. 7%, p < 0.05) and 10 ± 2 bpm (2% vs. 7%, p < 0.05). From 80% BWSet to 90% BWSet, HR increases of 6 ± 1 bpm (p < 0.001) were observed. Additionally, LA values showed differences of 0.10 ± 0.02 mmol l−1 between 80% BWSet and 90% BWSet. Those results suggest that on a LBPPT, a 2% incline (at 70% vVO2max) is not yet sufficient to produce significant physiological changes in VO2, HR and LA—as opposed to running on conventional treadmills, where significant changes are measured. However, a 7% incline increases VO2 and HR significantly. Bringing together physiological and biomechanical factors from previous studies into this practical context, it appears that a 7% incline (at 80% BWSet) may be used to keep VO2 and HR load unchanged as compared to unsupported running, while biomechanical stress is substantially reduced.

scholarly journals Animal welfare indicators for sheep during sea transport: the effect of voyage day and time of day

2021 ◽  
pp. 105304
Author(s):  
Renee S. Willis ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Emma J. Dunston-Clarke ◽  
Anne L. Barnes ◽  
David W. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Welfare Indicators

Loading comparison of two structures in the moving tube of a non-invasive prosthesis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Ping Ye ◽  
Lizheng Zhang ◽  
Hongliu Wu ◽  
Tianxi Chi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Limb Length Discrepancy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Testing Method ◽  
Finite Element Analysis Simulation

BACKGROUND: The treatment of adolescent patients with distal femoral cancer has always been a concern. The limb-salvage, regarded as a mainstream treatment, had been developed in recent years, but its application in children still remains challenging. This is because it can lead to potential limb-length discrepancy from the continued normal growth of the contralateral lower body. The extendable prosthesis could solve this problem. The principle is that it can artificially control the length of the prosthesis, making it consistent with the length of the side of the lower limbs. However, this prosthesis has some complications. The extendable prosthesis is classified into invasive and minimally invasive, which extends the prosthesis with each operation. OBJECTIVE: We designed a new non-invasive prosthesis that can be extended in the body. Based on the non-invasive and extendable characteristics, we need to verify the supporting performance of this prosthesis. METHODS: We carried out a mechanical testing method and finite element analysis simulation. CONCLUSION: The support performance and non-invasively extension of this prosthesis were verified.

The effect of lower body weight support on arterial wave reflection in healthy adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 388-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Afzal ◽  
Daniel Fung ◽  
Sean Galligan ◽  
Ellen M. Godwin ◽  
John G. Kral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Body Weight Support ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Weight Support ◽  
Lower Body Weight ◽  
Arterial Wave Reflection

Respiratory distress syndrome in neonates with extremely low body weight: non-invasive respiratory therapy in the early neonatal period

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 94-102
Author(s):  
O.V. Zavyalov ◽  
◽  
V.V. Marenkov ◽  
A.A. Dementyev ◽  
I.N. Pasechnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Respiratory Therapy ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Early Neonatal Period

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive respiratory therapy using the method of dual positive airway pressure (DuoPAP) via nasal prongs performed in the intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit in premature newborns with extremely low body weight and respiratory distress syndrome in the early neonatal period. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 55 medical records of premature newborns treated in the intensive care unit of the Perinatal Center at S.S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital during the first 7 days of their life. We included patients treated between January 2018 and December 2019. All newborns had extremely low body weight (850 ± 149 g); mean gestational age was 28 ± 4 weeks; Apgar score at the first minute of life varied between 3 and 6; Silverman Anderson score (severity of respiratory disorders) was between 3 and 5 s. Standard examination was performed in accordance with current protocols developed by Russian and foreign specialists in neonatal medicine. A specially developed clinical protocol of the study was approved by the local ethics committee. Study participants were divided into 3 groups according to their type of spontaneous respiratory efforts, target level of preductal saturation, and Silverman Anderson score. Patients in Group I received synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV); patients in Group II received ventilation using DuoPAP via nasal prongs (if it was ineffective, we considered SIMV via tube); patients in group III received ventilation using DuoPAP only. In this study, we have identified indications and contraindications for initial and prolonged respiratory therapy with DuoPAP and developed main practical recommendations for effective and safe application of DuoPAP. The efficacy and safety of non-invasive respiratory therapy with DuoPAP via nasal prongs in extremely premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome in the early neonatal period is primarily determined by the newborn’s readiness for active spontaneous and productive respiratory movements, but not only by the compensated parameters of the acid-base state and gas composition of the capillary blood. The assessment of feasibility and limitations of non-invasive respiratory therapy with DuoPAP is an important step towards developing a clinical protocol for respiratory therapy in the early neonatal period in a neonatal intensive care unit; it will help to reduce the use of invasive lung ventilation. Key words: premature newborns, non-invasive respiratory therapy, respiratory distress syndrome, extremely low body weight

Effect of Changes in Ambient Temperature on Spontaneous Activity, Food Intake and Body Weight of Goldthioglucose-Obese and Nonobese Mice

1957 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Fregly ◽  
N. B. Marshall ◽  
J. Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Obese Mice ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Exposure To Cold ◽  
Running Activity ◽  
Body Weights

Goldthioglucose-obese mice cannot adjust their food intake to meet the increased energy requirements due to cold. At all ambient temperatures above 15°C the spontaneous running activity of these animals is less than that observed for nonobese controls. Activity of obese mice is maximal at 19°C and minimal at 15°C or lower. Body weights decrease during exposure to cold. In contrast to that of obese mice, running activity of nonobese controls is maximal at an ambient temperature of 25°C but nearly ceases at 15°C or lower. The food intake of these animals increases in the cold and remains elevated even at temperatures at which activity decreases. The body weight of nonobese controls is either maintained constant or increases during exposure to cold air.

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