Time course of color induction in the honeybee

Color induction in the honeybee is investigated in color discrimination experiments. An individual bee walks in a dark arena and is trained to a self-luminant stimulus presented from below. In the dual-choice tests the dark background is replaced by a colored induction stimulus. Choice behavior is recorded by TV camera and analyzed by computer. Successive color induction is separated from simultaneous induction by analysis of the walking paths. Only successive color induction occurs. Simultaneous effects are not observed. That is a stimulus acts as a color inducing stimulus only when the bee crosses this stimulus. Thus, the color perceived by a given eye region is found to be dependent on the viewing history, but not on the stimuli presented simultaneously on neighboring parts of the retina. Color induction in the honeybee described in terms of selective sensitivity decrease (adaptation) does not explain all behavioral effects induced by the stimulus. The time course of successive color induction is calculated from the exposure times to the induction stimulus and from the choice behavior. The data suggest that color induction is complete after a few seconds. Photoreceptor adaptation is sufficient to explain the observed time course.     

Gender identification of shovelnose sturgeon using ultrasonic and endoscopic imagery and the application of the method to the pallid sturgeon

Monthly sampling of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus , a biological surrogate for the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus , was conducted to develop a multi‐seasonal profile of reproductive stages. Data collected included histological characteristics of gonads from wild caught fish and laboratory and field ultrasonic and endoscopic images. These data were used to compare effectiveness of ultrasonic and endoscopic techniques at identifying gender of adult shovelnose sturgeon at different reproductive stages. The least invasive method ( i.e . ultrasound) was least effective while the most invasive ( i.e . endoscope through an abdominal incision) was the most effective at identifying shovelnose sturgeon gender. In most cases, success rate for identifying males was greater than females, with success at identifying both genders greater in more advanced reproductive stages. Concomitantly, for most months average reproductive stage was more advanced for males than females. April and May were the months with the most advanced reproductive stage, and were the months when ultrasound was most effective. Methods were also applied in the Upper Missouri River to validate their use on pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus . Ultrasound was successful at identifying pallid sturgeon gender, however, endoscopic examination through the urogenital duct was only successful at identifying pallid sturgeon gender when the urogenital duct was not opaque.     

Behavioral and reproductive effects of ultrasound on the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella

The daily activity patterns of adult movement, female calling, and mating of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were examined both in the absence and presence of ultrasound. Moths were exposed to ultrasound from a commercial ultrasonic device (Cix 0600) that produces constant sound patterns, and from a device developed at Kansas State University (KSU device) that produces random sound patterns. Daily activity patterns of adult movement, female calling, and mating followed a similar trend in the absence or presence of ultrasound. Female calling and mating, both in the absence and presence of ultrasound, primarily occurred during scotophase (21.00–07.00 hours). Ultrasound from the two devices significantly reduced the frequency of female calling and mating relative to unexposed moths. Consequently, the number of spermatophores transferred by males to females and egg production were lower in females exposed to ultrasound compared with unexposed females. In the absence of ultrasound, female P. interpunctella mated 2.9 times, resulting in 2.8 spermatophores/female. In the presence of ultrasound from the Cix 0600 device, a female mated 2.1 times and had 1.7 spermatophores. Corresponding values for the KSU device were 1.9 and 1.4, respectively. In the absence of ultrasound, 78% of the matings lasted 30–90 min, whereas in the presence of ultrasound 45–58% of the matings lasted either less than 30 min or more than 90 min. Moths exposed to ultrasound laid 96–130 eggs female^?1 compared with 229 eggs female^?1 for unexposed moths. Ultrasound did not affect the pre‐oviposition period and adult longevity of P. interpunctella.     

Using Echo Ultrasound from Schooling Fish to Detect and Classify Fish Types

Fish finders have already been widely available in the fishing market for a number of years.However,the sizes of these fishfinders are too big and their prices are expensive to suit for the research of robotic fish or mini-submarine.The goal of thisresearch is to propose a low-cost fish detector and classifier which suits for underwater robot or submarine as a proximity sensor.With some pre-condition in hardware and algorithms,the experimental results show that the proposed design has good per-formance,with a detection rate of 100 % and a classification rate of 94 %.Both the existing type of fish and the group behaviorcan be revealed by statistical interpretations such as hovering passion and sparse swimming mode.     

Cross-correlations between gluteal muscle thickness derived from ultrasound imaging and hip biomechanics during walking gait

Ultrasound imaging (USI) of muscle thickness offers different insights into musculoskeletal function than kinematics, kinetics, and surface electromyography (sEMG), however it is unknown how USI-derived measures correlate to traditional measures during walking. The purpose of this study was to compare USI-derived gluteus maximus (GMAX) and medius (GMED) thickness measures to tri-planar hip kinematics and kinetics, and GMED thickness to sEMG amplitude. Fourteen females walked on a treadmill at 1.34 m/s. GMAX and GMED thickness, hip tri-planar kinematics, kinetics, and GMED sEMG were simultaneously recorded. USI-derived thickness measures were compared to other biomechanical outcomes using cross-correlation analyses, computed at each 1% (11-ms) of the gait cycle with lag times from −20% to 20%. GMED and GMAX thickness measures were most strongly correlated with hip extension and abduction angles at 150–220-ms lags (cross-correlation coefficients [CCF]: −0.34; −0.83). GMED thickness was most correlated to abduction and external rotation moments simultaneously (CCF: −0.28; −0.47). GMAX thickness and flexion moments were most strongly correlated at a 66-ms lag (CCF: 0.33). GMED sEMG amplitude was most strongly correlated to muscle thickness at a 99-ms lag (CCF: 0.39). These results elucidate the unique information provided from USI-derived measures of gluteal muscle thickness during walking.     

Scintigraphy has the potential to replace thyroid stimulating hormone and ultrasonography in hyperthyroidism diagnosis

The value of thyroid scintigraphy in hyperthyroidism diagnosis has long been the subject of debate. Unresolved issue is whether scintigraphy should be performed routinely, selectively, or for all hyperthyroidism patients. So, this study is concerned with the evaluation of thyroid scintigraphy for identifying hyperthyroidism in comparison with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and ultrasound. This is cross sectional study including convenient patients sample (n = 50, 15 males and 35 females) aged (20–50 years) with primary hyperthyroidism and were attending endocrine clinics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. All patients performed clinical investigations (TSH, ultrasound and thyroid scintigraphy). Among these patients, 96%, 48/50, had positive findings for hyperthyroidism with thyroid SC (95% CI; 96.0–99.5%); 84%, 42/50, had positive findings for hyperthyroidism by US (95% CI; 70.9–92.8%); and 56%, 28/50, had positive findings for hyperthyroidism by TSH measurement (95% CI; 41.3.0–70.0%). There was very good agreement between scintigraphy diagnosis and ultrasonography (kappa score = 0.812 (P < 0.0001), 95% CI (0.77–0.85). In many cases, scintigraphy provides considerably more functioning and anatomic details than ultrasound. In conclusion, these findings bring forth practical aspects of thyroid scintigraphy utilization for hyperthyroidism. By combining functional and anatomical information in one step, scintigraphy provides non-invasive, simple, fast and cost effective hyperthyroidism diagnostic method and has the potential to replace TSH and ultrasonography in hyperthyroidism investigation.     

Evaluation of secondary infertility in the gorilla

Reproductive failure in two female gorillas in the Los Angeles Zoo led to evaluation for secondary infertility. Male factor was excluded by noting routine conceptions in other individuals in the same group, and by behavioral observations of coital activity with the infertile females. Biochemical evidence of ovarian function was obtained by urinary sex steroid analysis. Continuity of the reproductive tract of the infertile apes was then studied by hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy while their general health was evaluated by ultrasonography and physical examination. Progressive, multiorgan involvement with Echinococcus vogeli was documented and mebendazole therapy begun. The investigation of secondary infertility in great apes by combined methods is safe and accurate, but requires special equipment and experienced personnel.     

超声弹性成像与超声造影对肝肿瘤的诊断效果对比

目的:分析超声弹性成像与超声造影对肝肿瘤的诊断效果。方法:收集我院2015年3月至2016年3月收治的肝肿瘤患者76例,术前均行超声弹性成像和超声造影检查,比较超声弹性成像和超声造影与病理诊断(黄金标准)的结果。结果:超声弹性成像与病理检查结果比较无统计学差异(P0.05);超声造影与病理检查结果无统计学差异(P0.05);超声弹性成像和超声造影的敏感性、特异性、准确性无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:超声弹性成像、超声造影对肝肿瘤诊断中均有重要价值,建议二者联合检测,提高肝肿瘤检出准确率。