Cardiac Radiographic Measurements in Ferrets Using the OsiriX MD Programme

Objectives: To adapt the vertebral heart scale (VHS) for use in ferrets and identify new scales and tools that allow to establish the normal heart size by means of radiography more quickly and effectively.Methods: Forty healthy pet ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were used in this prospective study. The measurements were made on right lateral, left lateral, ventrodorsal, and dorsoventral projections, using OsiriX MD medical imaging software, to evaluate sex effect and variance within the different heart scales. Cardiac measurements were also correlated to VHS and the cardiac dimension in the same projection.Results: Most of the cardiac measurements were significantly different between males and females. The results for the VHS were: right lateral VHS (RL-VHS): 5.52 ± 0.28 v (vertebrae units); left lateral (LL-VHS): 5.55 ± 0.28 v; and dorsoventral VHS (DV-VHS): 6.22 ± 0.34 v for males and RL-VHS: 5.24 ± 0.2 v; LL-VHS: 5.25 ± 0.20 v; and DV-VHS: 5.97 ± 0.35 v for females. Regarding the sternebral heart scale (SHS), the values were: RL-SHS: 5.10 ± 0.20 s (sternebrae units) and LL-SHS: 5.11 ± 0.20 s for males and RL-SHS: 4.67 ± 0.24 s and LL-SHS: 4.67 ± 0.28 s for females. The new measurements based on determining the cardiac area were also marked by clear sexual dimorphism, as shown for the cardiac area-axis (AREA-AXIS): RL-AREA-AXIS: 3.82 ± 0.45 cm2; LL-AREA-AXIS: 3.87 ± 0.41 cm2; ventrodorsal (VD)-AREA-AXIS: 4.59 ± 0.64 cm2; and DV-AREA-AXIS: 4.80 ± 0.50 cm2 for males and RL-AREA-AXIS: 2.39 ± 0.23 cm2; LL-AREA-AXIS: 2.41 ± 0.26 cm2; VD-AREA-AXIS: 3.08 ± 0.45 cm2; and DV-AREA-AXIS: 3.06 ± 0.47 cm2 for females. The cardiac area open polygon (AREA-POL) values were: RL-AREA-POL: 6.78 ± 0.65 cm2; LL-AREA-POL: 6.88 ± 0.68 cm2; VD-AREA-POL: 7.20 ± 0.91 cm2; and DV-AREA-POL: 7.57 ± 0.88 cm2 for males and RL-AREA-POL: 4.28 ± 0.30 cm2; LL-AREA-POL: 4.35 ± 0.35 cm2; VD-AREA-POL: 4.72 ± 0.65 cm2; and DV-AREA-POL: 4.79 ± 0.66 cm2 for females, with similar differences noted from various radiographic projections. A good correlation was noted between VHS and SHS, and a very strongly positive correlation existed between cardiac area measurements and cardiac dimensions.Conclusion: The VHS adapted to ferrets, the SHS, as well as the cardiac area measurements presented in our study are ideal tools for the assessment of cardiac size in ferrets.

Symmetric and Asymmetric Diffusions through Age-Varying Mixed-Species Stand Parameters

(1) Background: This paper deals with unevenly aged, whole-stand models from mixed-effect parameters diffusion processes and Voronoi diagram points of view and concentrates on the mixed-species stands in Lithuania. We focus on the Voronoi diagram of potentially available areas to tree positions as the measure of the competition effect of individual trees and the tree diameter at breast height to relate their evolution through time. (2) Methods: We consider a bivariate hybrid mixed-effect parameters stochastic differential equation for the parameterization of the diameter and available polygon area at age to ensure a proper description of the link between them during the age (time) span of a forest stand. In this study, the Voronoi diagram was used as a mathematical tool for the quantitative characterization of inter-tree competition. (3) Results: The newly derived model considers bivariate correlated observations, tree diameter, and polygon area arising from a particular stand and enables defining equations for calculating diameter, polygon-area, and stand-density predictions and forecasts. (4) Conclusions: From a statistical point of view, the newly developed models produced acceptable statistical measures of predictions and forecasts. All the results were implemented in the Maple computer algebra system.

Proses Transformasi Visual ke Simbolik Mahasiswa dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Luas Daerah di Bawah Kurva

Mathematical representation is an idea interpretation form of solving mathematical problems. The process of mathematical representation is essential to pay attention to, especially in carrying out transformations between forms of representation, because it impacts the final solution obtained. This study describes the flow of students' thinking in carrying out the transformation process from visual to symbolic representation. This descriptive research was carried out with a qualitative approach. This research phase includes preparing representation tests and interview guidelines, giving tests to 48 students, conducting interviews with selected students based on the accuracy of the mathematical representations produced, and evaluation. The evaluation is carried out by reducing the results of the incorrect representation test, presenting visual and symbolic representation data and the transformation process, and concluding the transformation process. The result of the transformation process from visual to symbolic representation in solving the problem of the area under the curve is carried out with a flow of thought, namely translating the shape of the polygon area into a collection of rectangles, determining the width and length of the partition of the polygon area, and determining the area of the polygon area as a collection of rectangles. In determining the area as a collection of rectangles, there are two different processes, making a mathematical model in the form of sigma notation and addition. This study provides insight into the flow of thinking in changing between forms of mathematical representation in the hope that it can anticipate errors in solving the broad problem under the curve.

Research on the Coverage of Ultraviolet Communication Network in the Arbitrary Polygon Area

Given that the current ultraviolet (UV) networking model is established in a regular circular area, this article studies the coverage of a UV non-line-of-sight (NLOS) communication network creatively in the arbitrary polygon area. In this paper, the UV communication model and the basic concepts of network coverage are introduced first. Then the influence parameters of the UV node communication radius are studied, and the changes of the communication radius under different work patterns are analyzed. Finally, the coverage of the square target area is simulated under different communication parameters (transmitted power, data rate and node density). The results illustrate that the smaller the transceiver elevation angles are, the better the network coverage performance is. Additionally, we numerically compare the UV network models of polygonal and circular regions, which can be used as a reference for actual networking.

Determination of thermal tolerance parameters of swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) and platy fish (X. maculatus) acclimated to different temperature levels

Thermal tolerance parameters of swordtail (Xiphophorus maculatus) and platy (X. helleri) at three acclimation temperatures were determined in the study. The CTMin values at 20, 24 and 28°C acclimation temperature were 9.41,10.42 and 11.95°C respectively for platy and 9.38,11.5 and 13.23°C for swordtail, while CTMax values were 37.41, 39.19 and 40.52°C for platy and 36.94, 38.89 and 40.07°C for swordtail. Accordingly, acclimation temperature affected the lower and upper temperature tolerances of fish by 3-4 °C. The CTMin ARR values varied between 0.42-0.42 in swordtail and 0.20-0.34 in platy, while CTMax ARR ranged between 0.29-0.48 in swordtail and 0.33-0.44 in platy depending on acclimation temperature. Thermal tolerance polygon area of platy (232°C2) was slightly higher than that of swordtail (217.3°C). The fact that both fish species have lower temperature tolerances limits their geographic distribution and aquaculture in subtropical climates where the water temperature drops to 10°C in winter.

Vulnerability of the Permafrost Landscapes in the Eastern Chukotka Coastal Plains to Human Impact and Climate Change

Permafrost landscapes are particularly susceptible to the observed climate change due to the presence of ice in the ground. This paper presents the results of the mapping and assessment of landscapes and their vulnerability to potential human impact and further climate change in the remote region of Eastern Chukotka. The combination of field studies and remote sensing data analysis allowed us to identify the distribution of landscapes within the study polygon, reveal the factors determining their stability, and classify them by vulnerability to the external impacts using a hazard index, H. In total, 33 landscapes characterized by unique combinations of vegetation cover, soil type, relief, and ground composition were detected within the 172 km2 study polygon. The most stable landscapes of the study polygon occupy 31.7% of the polygon area; they are the slopes and tops of mountains covered with stony-lichen tundra, alpine meadows, and the leveled summit areas of the fourth glacial-marine terrace. The most unstable areas cover 19.2% of the study area and are represented by depressions, drainage hollows, waterlogged areas, and places of caterpillar vehicle passage within the terraces and water-glacial plain. The methods of assessment and mapping of the landscape vulnerability presented in this study are quite flexible and can be adapted to other permafrost regions.

Mapping and 3D modelling using quadrotor drone and GIS software

Background The main obstacle for local and daily or weekly time-series mapping using very high-resolution satellite imagery is the high price and availability of data. These constraints are currently obtaining solutions in line with the development of improved UAV drone technology with a wider range and imaging sensors that can be used. Findings Research conducted using Inspire 2 quadcopter drones with RGB cameras, developing 3D models using photogrammetric and situation mapping uses geographic information systems. The drone used has advantages in a wider range of areas with adequate power support. The drone is also supported by a high-quality camera with dreadlocks for image stability, so it is suitable for use in mapping activities. Conclusions Using Google earth data at two separate locations as a benchmark for the accuracy of measurement of the area at three variations of flying height in taking pictures, the results obtained were 98.53% (98.68%), 95.2% (96.1%), and 94.4% (94.7%) for each altitude of 40, 80, and 100 m. The next research is to assess the results of the area for more objects from the land cover as well as for the more varied polygon area so that the reliability of the method can be used in general

Flight planning in multi-unmanned aerial vehicle systems: Nonconvex polygon area decomposition and trajectory assignment

Nowadays, it is quite common to have one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) working on a task but having a team of UAVs is still rare. One of the problems that prevent us from using teams of UAVs more frequently is flight planning. In this work, we present the first open-source solution ( https://pypi.org/project/pode/ ) for splitting any complex area into multiple parts. The area of interest can be convex or nonconvex and can include any number of no-flight zones. Four solutions, based on the algorithm of Hert and Lumelsky, are tested with the aim of improving the compactness of the partitions. We also show how the shape of the partitions influences flight performance in a real case scenario.

Enhanced of Attendance Records Technology used Geospatial Retrieval based on Crossing Number

<span lang="EN-US">Nowadays, the fingerprint scanner widely used to records attendance. However, this technology has a weakness. Much research has done to improve the attendance system by utilizing mobile technology, like usage a fingerprint smartphone and location by GPS sensor to validate user location manually. In this research, we developed an application to enhance the records attendance system with a smartphone by crossing numbers to verify user position automatically, which implemented in a mobile app. This application using the PNPOLY method for detecting the location of the user inside of the polygon area predetermined. This method is part of the crossing number algorithm for increasing x and fixed y from point P, which x is latitude, and y is a longitude. The result of the experiment demonstrated that the percentage of successful validate user coordinate inside edges of the polygon boundary is 87%, depending on the GPS sensor embedded into a mobile device.</span>