A new digital field data collection system for dendrochronology

A wide variety of information or ‘metadata’ is required when undertaking dendrochronological sampling. Traditionally, researchers record observations and measurements on field notebooks and/or paper recording forms, and use digital cameras and hand-held GPS devices to capture images and record locations. In the lab, field notes are often manually entered into spreadsheets or personal databases, which are then sometimes linked to images and GPS waypoints. This process is both time consuming and prone to human and instrument error. Specialised hardware technology exists to marry these data sources, but costs can be prohibitive for small scale operations (>$2000 USD). Such systems often include proprietary software that is tailored to very specific needs and might require a high level of expertise to use. We report on the successful testing and deployment of a dendrochronological field data collection system utilising affordable off-the-shelf devices ($100–300 USD). The method builds upon established open source software that has been widely used in developing countries for public health projects as well as to assist in disaster recovery operations. It includes customisable forms for digital data entry in the field, and a marrying of accurate GPS location with geotagged photographs (with possible extensions to other measuring devices via Bluetooth) into structured data fields that are easy to learn and operate. Digital data collection is less prone to human error and efficiently captures a range of important metadata. In our experience, the hardware proved field worthy in terms of size, ruggedness, and dependability (e.g., battery life). The system integrates directly with the Tellervo software to both create forms and populate the database, providing end users with the ability to tailor the solution to their particular field data collection needs.     

Effects of deer browsing on the early stage of pyrogenic succession on Miyajima Island,southwestern Japan

The early stage of forest regeneration on Miyajima Island, southewstern Japan, was studied for three years after a fire in 1984, with respect to the effects of deer browsing. The regeneration patterns of woody species, in terms of the biomass increment and browsing damage to plants, were classified into the following three groups: non- or rarely browsed species with little increment of biomass, heavily browsed with little increment, and heavily browsed with large increment. The aboveground biomass increased from 0.4 kg to 2.7 kg per 100 m² during three years, and was less than half of the biomass obtained in other burnt pine forests on the adjacent deer-free islands. About 28% of the plant biomass was consumed by deer. The effects of browsing on forest regeneration were heavier at lower than that at the higher altitudes. On this island, deer browsing seems to have an important effect on vegetational succession in the burnt areas.     

腔镜下Soave根治术与开腹改良Soave术治疗长段型先天性巨结肠患儿的疗效比较及对应激反应和控便功能的影响

摘要 目的：比较腔镜下Soave根治术与开腹改良Soave术治疗长段型先天性巨结肠（HD）患儿的疗效,观察两种术式对应激反应和控便功能的影响。方法：选取我院2017年4月～2020年9月期间收治的长段型HD患儿88例,根据手术方式的不同分为开腹组和微创组,例数分别为43例和45例。对比两组围术期指标、应激反应指标、控便功能和并发症发生情况。结果：微创组的术中失血量少于开腹组,手术时间、胃肠功能恢复时间、禁食时间、住院时间短于开腹组（P<0.05）,两组肠管切除长度组间对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。两组患儿术后1 d心率（HR）、平均动脉压（MAP）较术前升高,血氧饱和度（SpO₂）较术前下降,但微创组HR、MAP低于开腹组,SpO₂高于开腹组（P<0.05）。两组患儿术后1年大便性状、排便次数、污粪、需要治疗（灌肠、药物、尿布）评分及Heikkinen总分均较术前升高,且微创组高于开腹组（P<0.05）。微创组的近期并发症总发生率和远期并发症总发生率均低于开腹组（P<0.05）。结论：与开腹改良Soave术相比,采用腔镜下Soave根治术治疗长段型HD患儿可缩短手术时间、禁食时间、住院时间、胃肠功能恢复时间,减少手术创伤,减轻机体应激反应,改善患儿控便功能,同时还可降低并发症发生率,效果较好。     

Glaucoma Pred: Glaucoma prediction based on Myocilin genotype and phenotype information

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataract and is heterogeneous in nature. Employing a genetic approach for the detection of the diseased condition provides an advantage that the gene responsible for the disease can be identified by genetic test. The availability of predictive tests based on the published literature would provide a mechanism for early detection and treatment. The genotype and phenotype information could be a valuable source for predicting the risk of the disease. To this end, a web server has been developed, based on the genotype and phenotype of myocilin mutation, which were identified by familial linkage analysis and case studies. The proposed web server provides clinical data and severity index for a given mutation. The server has several useful options to help clinicians and researchers to identify individuals at a risk of developing the disease. Glaucoma Pred server is available at http://bioserver1.physics.iisc.ac.in/myocilin.     

Comparative study of predator avoidance behaviour of pheasants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phasianus colchicus</Emphasis>) of different genetic origin

The aim of the study was to determine differences in the behaviour of chicks of three different pheasant subspecies. The timidity of the pheasant chicks was of special interest, therefore behaviour traits were analysed using an open-field test and a tonic immobility test. In total, 137 pheasant chicks were tested including the copper pheasant (Ph. c. colchicus; n = 87), the green pheasant (Ph. c. versicolor; n = 12) and the melanistic pheasant (Ph. c. tenebrosus; n = 38). In both tests, the chicks of the versicolor group showed the highest timidity, whereas the other two groups were similar in timidity. In the open-field test, the chicks of the colchicus group showed the lowest timidity, and in the tonic immobility test, the tenebrosus group showed the lowest values. Assuming a relationship between the test results and predator avoidance behaviour, it can be concluded that the chicks of the versicolor group show the best predator avoidance behaviour. Further investigations are needed to find out whether the differences in the analysed behaviour traits result in higher survival rates after releasing to the wild.     

开放式腹膜前间隙修补术与Lichtenstein修补术治疗腹股沟疝的比较

目的：比较腹股沟疝采用Lichtenstein 修补术和开放式腹膜前间隙修补术的临床效果和安全性。方法：将我院普外科收治的 132例腹股沟疝患者随机分为两组,每组66 例。一组患者采用Lichtenstein 修补术进行治疗,另外一组患者采用开放式腹膜前间 隙修补术进行治疗,对比两组平均手术时间、平均术中出血量、平均术后下床时间、平均术后住院时间、平均术后恢复时间;对比 两组患者术后各种并发症的发生情况和1 年内复发情况。结果：腹膜前间隙组平均手术时间、平均术后下床时间、平均术后住院 时间、平均术后恢复时间略短于Lichtenstein 组,平均术中出血量略少于Lichtenstein 组,但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);腹膜前间 隙组患者各种并发症发生率及术后1 年内复发率明显低于Lichtenstein 组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：腹股沟疝采用开 放式腹膜前间隙修补术和Lichtenstein 修补术治疗的临床效果均较好,但开放式腹膜前间隙修补术的并发症发生率和1 年内复发 率更低,临床优势更明显。     

GCC mRNA和hTERT mRNA在腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术患者外周血中的表达及意义

目的:探讨腹腔镜和开腹手术对结直肠癌根治术患者外周血鸟苷酸环化酶C(GCC)m RNA和人端粒酶逆转录酶(h TERT)m RNA表达的影响及其意义。方法:按照随机数字表法将2009年8月-2014年4月我院收治的结直肠癌患者分为腹腔镜组和开腹手术组,通过逆转录-聚合酶链反应技术(RT-PCR)检测并比较两组患者外周血GCC m RNA和h TERT m RNA的表达情况。结果:与开腹手术组相比较,腹腔镜组患者手术时间长、术中出血量少、术后排气早、住院时间短,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);两组患者手术前GCC m RNA和h TERT m RNA阳性率无显著差异(P0.05);两组患者手术后GCC m RNA和h TERT m RNA阳性率显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜和开腹手术均会增加结直肠癌患者血行微转移,但腹腔镜结直肠根治术不会增加术后肿瘤血循环微转移的危险性。     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术与开腹阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎的疗效比较

目的:比较腹腔镜阑尾切除术和开腹阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎的临床疗效。方法:选取2012年3月-2014年3月我院收治的急性阑尾炎患者127例,按照随机数字表法分为两组,观察组63例行腹腔镜阑尾切除手术,对照组64例行开腹阑尾切除手术,比较两组的手术效果及术后并发症情况。结果:两组的手术时间差异无统计学意义(P0.05),观察组术中出血量、肛门排气时间及住院时间均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组治疗后VAS评分较治疗前有不同程度的降低,且观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组切口感染、肠梗阻以及腹腔脓肿发生率均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而两组腹腔内出血、阑尾残端瘘的发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎具有手术效果好、预后快及术后并发症少等特点,值得临床推广使用。