INDIVIDUALITY IN “YODEL” CALLS RECORDED FROM A BANDED POPULATION OF COMMON LOONS,GAVIA IMMER

ABSTRACT

Male common loons, Gavia immer, produce a territorial vocalization called the yodel. We quantitatively examined yodels using discriminant and cross correlation analysis. Both techniques correctly assigned the majority of the male's yodels to the proper group, however discriminant analysis was more accurate for making long term comparisons of a yodel's stability. Of four male loons in a color marked, breeding population at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan, each male's yodel was different and these differences were maintained over the six years of this study. There is a suggestion that changes in the yodel may be related to territory and mate switching, indicating that individuality in the yodel may be linked to female choice.     

Quality prevails over identity in the sexually selected vocalisations of an ageing mammal

Background

Male sexually selected vocalisations generally contain both individuality and quality cues that are crucial in intra- as well as inter-sexual communication. As individuality is a fixed feature whereas male phenotypic quality changes with age, individuality and quality cues may be subjected to different selection pressures over time. Individuality (for example, morphology of the vocal apparatus) and quality (for example, body size and dominance status) can both affect the vocal production mechanism, inducing the same components of vocalisations to convey both kinds of information. In this case, do quality-related changes to the acoustic structure of calls induce a modification of vocal cues to identity from year to year? We investigated this question in fallow deer (Dama dama), in which some acoustic parameters of vocalisations (groans) code for both individuality and quality.

Results

We carried out a longitudinal analysis of groan individuality, examining the effects of age and dominance rank on the acoustic structure of groans of the same males recorded during consecutive years. We found both age- and rank-related changes to groans; the minimum values of the highest formant frequencies and the fundamental frequency increased with the age of males and they decreased when males became more dominant. Both age- and rank-related acoustic parameters contributed to individuality. Male quality changed with age, inducing a change in quality-related parameters and thus, a modification of vocal cues to male individuality between years.

Conclusions

The encoding of individuality and quality information in the same components of vocalisations induces a tradeoff between these two kinds of signals over time. Fallow deer vocalisations are honest signals of quality that are not fixed over time but are modified dynamically according to male quality. As they are more reliable cues to quality than to individuality, they may not be used by conspecifics to recognize a given male from one year to another, but potentially used by both sexes to assess male quality during each breeding season.

     

Individuality in the vocalizations of infant and adult coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus)

As social animals, many primates use acoustic communication to maintain relationships. Vocal individuality has been documented in a diverse range of primate species and call types, many of which have presumably different functions. Auditory recognition of one's neighbors may confer a selective advantage if identifying conspecifics decreases the need to participate in costly territorial behaviors. Alternatively, vocal individuality may be nonadaptive and the result of a unique combination of genetics and environment. Pair-bonded primates, in particular, often participate in coordinated vocal duets that can be heard over long distances by neighboring conspecifics. In contrast to adult calls, infant vocalizations are short-range and used for intragroup communication. Here, we provide two separate but complementary analyses of vocal individuality in distinct call types of coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) to test whether individuality occurs in call types from animals of different age classes with presumably different functions. We analyzed 600 trill vocalizations from 30 infants and 169 pulse-chirp duet vocalizations from 30 adult titi monkeys. We predicted that duet contributions would exhibit a higher degree of individuality than infant trills, given their assumed function for long-distance, intergroup communication. We estimated 7 features from infant trills and 16 features from spectrograms of adult pulse-chirps, then used discriminant function analysis with leave-one-out cross-validation to classify individuals. We correctly classified infants with 48% accuracy and adults with 83% accuracy. To further investigate variance in call features, we used a multivariate variance components model to estimate variance partitioning in features across two levels: within- and between-individuals. Between-individual variance was the most important source of variance for all features in adults, and three of four features in infants. We show that pulse-chirps of adult titi monkey duets are individually distinct, and infant trills are less individually distinct, which may be due to the different functions of the vocalizations.     

Investigating Individual Vocal Signatures and Small-Scale Patterns of Geographic Variation in Female Bornean Gibbon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylobates muelleri</Emphasis>) Great Calls

Quantifying patterns of variation in primate vocalizations has important implications for understanding the evolutionary processes that lead to variation in phenotypic traits more broadly. Here, we investigated individuality and patterns of geographic variation across a small geographic scale (ca. 10 km) in female Bornean gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) great calls. We analyzed calls recorded from wild, unhabituated gibbon groups at the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems site in Sabah, Malaysia. We estimated 23 acoustic features in 376 great calls from 33 different females. We used linear discriminant function analysis to investigate intra- and interindividual variation in great calls. To examine small-scale patterns of geographic variation great calls we investigated measures of acoustic dissimilarity as a function of distance. We found that temporal features (such as the duration of the notes and the duration of rest between notes) contributed substantially to individuality. We were able to identify females based on their calls with 95.7% accuracy using leave-one-out cross-validation. We found no discernible patterns of geographic variation at our site; females with neighboring territories were just as likely to have similar calls as females with more distant territories. It is possible that we did not sample across a large enough geographic range, or that substantial interindividual variation effectively swamped across-site patterns of variation. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence for individual vocal signatures in primates and mammals, but further research is needed to understand the evolutionary mechanisms that contribute to individuality in gibbon calls.     

Individual differences in facial configuration in large-billed crows

The recognition of individuals is a basic cognitive ability of social animals. A prerequisite for individual recognition is distinct characteristics that can be used to distinguish between other conspecific individuals. Studies of birds have shown that visual information, such as colour patterning, is used in individual recognition. However, in the case of monochromatic birds, colour patterning cannot be used to identify individuals. Therefore, we expected that the configuration of facial features, such as the shape of the bills or eyes, may have enough individuality to permit individual recognition in such species. In this study, we aimed to clarify visible individual differences in the facial configuration of large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos). Specifically, we analysed the profile pictures of 16 crows. We measured 26 variables in 20 pictures of each bird and then performed principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis. The results showed that the configuration of the facial profiles was individually distinct, but re-classification by discriminant functions implied that it did not clearly differ between sexes. These results suggest that crows may be able to recognise individuals on the basis of the individuality of facial configuration, even in the absence of any conspicuous colour patterning.     

黑龙江省手术室专科护士培训需求分析

目的 了解手术室护士专科培训需求,为合理设置手术室专科护士培训内容,探索培训模式提供依据。方法 采用自拟问卷,对参加2013年黑龙江省手术室专科培训的学员进行问卷调查,采用SPSS 18.0进行卡方检验和非参数检验进行统计分析。结果 不同年龄以及不同职称的护士希望得到培训的内容有显著性差异（P ＜ 0.05）,教学方式与考核方式趋于多样化,以临床实际操作为主,OSCE考核被青年护士所接受。在学员培训内容重要性认知评价的9个方面中手术室专科知识最为重要。结论 重视和发展护士分层级核心能力,构建多样化的手术室专科护士培训模式,进一步提升专科护理培训质量。     

A part‐dependent account of biological individuality: why holobionts are individuals and ecosystems simultaneously

Given one conception of biological individuality (evolutionary, physiological, etc.), can a holobiont – that is the host + its symbiotic (mutualistic, commensalist and parasitic) microbiome – be simultaneously a biological individual and an ecological community? Herein, we support this possibility by arguing that the notion of biological individuality is part‐dependent. In our account, the individuality of a biological ensemble should not only be determined by the conception of biological individuality in use, but also by the biological characteristics of the part of the ensemble under investigation. In the specific case of holobionts, evaluations of their individuality should be made either host‐relative or microbe‐relative. We support the claim that biological individuality is part‐dependent by drawing upon recent empirical evidence regarding the physiology of hosts and microbes, and the recent characterization of the ‘demibiont’. Our account shows that contemporary disagreements about the individuality of the holobiont derive from an incorrect understanding of the ontology of biological individuality. We show that collaboration between philosophers and biologists can be very fruitful in attempts to solve some contemporary biological debates.     

等速肌力康复训练对阿尔茨海默病患者认知功能及运动功能的影响

目的:探讨等速肌力康复训练对阿尔茨海默病患者认知功能及运动功能的影响。方法:符合入组条件的40例阿尔茨海默病患者随机分为试验组和对照组,两组常规治疗相同,试验组在常规治疗的同时予等速肌力康复训练,两组治疗时间均为2个月。在纳入研究1周内和研究结束1周内进行认知功能和运动功能评价,对前后两次评分进行对比分析。结果:试验组患者与对照组比较,剑桥老年认知量表、Berg平衡、功能伸展测试、起立-行走计时测试改善差异有统计学意义,试验组明显优于对照组(P0.05)。结论:等速肌力康复训练能明显促进阿尔茨海默病患者的认知功能和运动功能的改善。     

ALYREF associated with immune infiltration is a prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundAlthough ALYREF has been demonstrated to have a role in a number of malignancies, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has received little attention. Our objective was to research at the prognostic value, biological role and relevance of ALYREF to the immune system in HCC.MethodsThe expression of ALYREF and its relationship with clinical parameters of HCC patients were analyzed by liver cancer cohort (LIHC) of The Cancer Genome Atlas. The expression and prognosis were verified by immunohistochemistry experiments. Gene transfection, CCK-8, scratch healing, transwell invasion and flow cytometry were used to assess the molecular function of ALYREF in vitro. The TIMER and TISIDB online data portals were used to assess the relevance of ALYREF to immunization. Stepwise regression analysis of ALYREF-related immune genes in the LIHC training set was used to construct a prognostic risk prediction model. Also, construct a nomogram to predict patient survival. The testing set for internal verification.ResultsKnockdown of ALYREF changed the biological phenotypes of HCC cells, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. In addition, the expression of ALYREF in HCC affected the level of immune cell infiltration and correlated with the overall survival time of patients. The constructed immune prognostic model allows for a valid assessment of patients.ConclusionALYREF is increased in HCC, has an impact on cellular function and the immune system, and might be used as a prognostic marker.     

SIGNAL™/RTSD™ SOUND ANALYSIS SYSTEM

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of complex acoustic structures in mammalian vocalisations can make it difficult to quantify frequency characteristics. We describe two methods developed for the frequency analysis of a complex swift fox Vulpes velox vocalisation, the barking sequence: (1) autocorrelation function analysis and (2) instantaneous frequency analysis. The autocorrelation function analysis results in an energy density spectrum of the signal's averaged amplitude and frequency information. This analysis was used for locating possible formant structures and quantifying the energy distribution of single barks in the barking sequence. The instantaneous frequency analysis is applied to individual continuous frequency bands and generates frequency contours with a resolution of a couple of Hertz. It was used to quantify frequency modulation and calculate average frequencies of harmonic bands in individual barks and to estimate fundamental frequencies. This second method of analysis had to be evaluated with spectrographic analysis to gauge its reliability for each band analysed. The algorithms used should make both of these methods applicable to other complex vocalisations.     

Modification of instinctive herding dog behavior using reinforcement and punishment

Abstract

“Instinctive” behavior may be modified using operant techniques. We report here on a field study of training herding dogs in which reinforcers and punishers were used by owners, who were themselves being trained to control their dogs. Access to sheep was assumed to be a primary reinforcer for herding dogs. While blocking their access was aversive to them. Over several months, the number of blocking and access actions by the human were scored during the training of seven naïve herding dogs. We found that rates of punishment by blocking the dog's access to sheep or by stopping the dog occurred at higher levels than positive reinforcement from access or verbal praise. While positive reinforcement can be used exclusively for the training of certain behaviors, it is suggested that in the context of instinctive motor patterns, negative reinforcement and punishment may be desirable and necessary additions to positive reinforcement techniques.     

Evaluation of medical physics training in radiology residency in 67 countries

PurposeThe main aim of medical physics training in radiology residency is to have appropriate and safer imaging of patients and safety of personnel. The need to have adequate coverage of medical physics and radiation safety in curricula of radiology residency is well perceived, but it is not known how far it is implemented in practice.MethodsWe have analysed the data from 67 countries on medical physics teaching and assessment of residents in radiology programs, considering differences between countries in function of their human development index (HDI).ResultsThe results indicate that teaching of medical physics by radiologists rather than by medical physicists is very common and there is relationship with the developmental status of a country. The majority of countries with very high HDI used a written test (69%) for medical physics topics, often in combination with other subjects (63%). Further, there is lack of direct involvement of medical physicists during the examination phase of residents. Geographically, it can be seen that Latin American countries in particular lack involvement of medical physicists during both the teaching and examination phase.ConclusionThe lack of adequate involvement of medical physicists in training and in the formal examination of radiology residents in both developed and developing countries is a matter of concern with likely implications on patient and staff safety.     

Rotationally resliced 3D prostate segmentation of MR images using Bhattacharyya similarity and active band theory

PurposeIn this article, we propose a novel, semi-automatic segmentation method to process 3D MR images of the prostate using the Bhattacharyya coefficient and active band theory with the goal of providing technical support for computer-aided diagnosis and surgery of the prostate.MethodsOur method consecutively segments a stack of rotationally resectioned 2D slices of a prostate MR image by assessing the similarity of the shape and intensity distribution in neighboring slices. 2D segmentation is first performed on an initial slice by manually selecting several points on the prostate boundary, after which the segmentation results are propagated consecutively to neighboring slices. A framework of iterative graph cuts is used to optimize the energy function, which contains a global term for the Bhattacharyya coefficient with the help of an auxiliary function. Our method does not require previously segmented data for training or for building statistical models, and manual intervention can be applied flexibly and intuitively, indicating the potential utility of this method in the clinic.ResultsWe tested our method on 3D T2-weighted MR images from the ISBI dataset and PROMISE12 dataset of 129 patients, and the Dice similarity coefficients were 90.34 ± 2.21% and 89.32 ± 3.08%, respectively. The comparison was performed with several state-of-the-art methods, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust and accurate, achieving similar or higher accuracy than other methods without requiring training.ConclusionThe proposed algorithm for segmenting 3D MR images of the prostate is accurate, robust, and readily applicable to a clinical environment for computer-aided surgery or diagnosis.     

二十四式简化太极拳联合呼吸功能训练对中老年COPD患者肺功能、运动耐力及心理状态的影响

摘要 目的：探讨二十四式简化太极拳联合呼吸功能训练对中老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者肺功能、运动耐力及心理状态的影响。方法：选取2019年4月~2020年8月期间我院收治的中老年COPD患者81例,按照信封抽签法分为对照组（40例,给予呼吸功能训练干预）和观察组（41例,给予二十四式简化太极拳联合呼吸功能训练干预）,均干预6个月。对比两组干预前、干预6个月后的肺功能、运动耐力、心理状态及生活质量。结果：两组干预6个月后用力肺活量（FVC）、1 秒用力呼气容积( FEV1)、FEV1/FVC升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预6个月后呼吸症状、疾病影响、活动受限评分降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预6个月后6 min步行试验（6MWT）距离延长,且观察组长于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预6个月后人际关系、抑郁、偏执、敌对、焦虑、恐惧评分降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：中老年COPD患者经二十四式简化太极拳联合呼吸功能训练干预后,肺功能、运动耐力、生活质量及心理状态均得到显著改善,提示该康复训练方案可用于辅助中老年COPD患者的治疗。     

On the number of Monte Carlo runs in comparative probabilistic LCA

Introduction

The Monte Carlo technique is widely used and recommended for including uncertainties LCA. Typically, 1000 or 10,000 runs are done, but a clear argument for that number is not available, and with the growing size of LCA databases, an excessively high number of runs may be a time-consuming thing. We therefore investigate if a large number of runs are useful, or if it might be unnecessary or even harmful.

Probability theory

We review the standard theory or probability distributions for describing stochastic variables, including the combination of different stochastic variables into a calculation. We also review the standard theory of inferential statistics for estimating a probability distribution, given a sample of values. For estimating the distribution of a function of probability distributions, two major techniques are available, analytical, applying probability theory and numerical, using Monte Carlo simulation. Because the analytical technique is often unavailable, the obvious way-out is Monte Carlo. However, we demonstrate and illustrate that it leads to overly precise conclusions on the values of estimated parameters, and to incorrect hypothesis tests.

Numerical illustration

We demonstrate the effect for two simple cases: one system in a stand-alone analysis and a comparative analysis of two alternative systems. Both cases illustrate that statistical hypotheses that should not be rejected in fact are rejected in a highly convincing way, thus pointing out a fundamental flaw.

Discussion and conclusions

Apart form the obvious recommendation to use larger samples for estimating input distributions, we suggest to restrict the number of Monte Carlo runs to a number not greater than the sample sizes used for the input parameters. As a final note, when the input parameters are not estimated using samples, but through a procedure, such as the popular pedigree approach, the Monte Carlo approach should not be used at all.

     

Note-, phrase- and song-specific acoustic variables contributing to the individuality of male duet song in the Bornean southern gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis)

In this study, we examine acoustic individuality in male duet songs of wild, non-habituated Bornean southern gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) and identify contributing acoustic variables. We recorded 174 male duet songs from nine groups in a rainforest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Each male portion of the duet was analysed for 14 acoustic variables at three levels of variation, including six note-specific variables (start frequency, end frequency, minimum frequency, maximum frequency, average frequency and duration), four phrase-specific variables (minimum frequency, maximum frequency, duration and number of syllables) and four song-specific variables (minimum frequency, maximum frequency, duration and number of syllables). Principal component analysis was performed to summarise each of these sets of variables into a total of six principal components (PCs). Strong acoustic individuality was found in all PCs and at all three levels: note, phrase and song (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, a particularly high magnitude of individuality was found in PC 1 of the song-specific analysis, defined by the acoustic variables of duration and number of syllables. Due to the high levels of individuality, we suggest that these acoustic variables may be used by Bornean southern gibbons for individual discrimination. As well as furthering our biological understanding of male gibbon song with regards to individuality and associated conspecific recognition, these findings also have the potential to help improve population survey methods, such as the acoustic sampling method using listening points, by offering a more accurate method of individual recognition.     

稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者家庭运动训练现状调查及其影响因素的Logistic回归分析

目的:探讨稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者家庭运动训练现状调查及其影响因素的Logistic回归分析。方法:收集2018年1月～2019年12月期间于本院进行治疗的稳定期COPD患者172例为调查研究对象,根据患者家庭运动训练进行情况将患者分为非运动训练组和运动训练组,对两组患者的一般资料、临床资料等进行统计对比,并采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析对影响稳定期COPD患者家庭运动训练进行情况的因素进行分析探讨。结果:在随访调查中,有59例患者进行了家庭运动训练,运动康复训练的普及率为34.30%。经单因素分析,两组患者在性别、年龄、体质指数(BMI)、居住地、婚姻状况、基础疾病、职业对比无显著性差异(P0.05),而两组患者在住院次数、病程、文化程度、照顾情况、肺康复指导对比有显著性差异(P0.05)。经多因素Logistic回归分析显示,COPD患者的住院次数、病程、文化程度、照顾情况、肺康复指导是影响患者进行家庭运动训练的主要因素(P0.05)。结论:我院稳定期COPD患者随访期间家庭运动训练的普及率普遍偏低,且运动方式、强度、频率、规律性等均欠佳。运动训练现状受到患者的住院次数、病程长短、文化程度高低、有无照顾者、有无肺康复指导等因素影响。     

Developments in developmental research and theory

ABSTRACT

Fostered in important respects by the lifespan movement, the study of behavioral development now places much more emphasis on individuality and plasticity than was the case for many decades. Promising emphases that are becoming more evident include the individual as the proper unit of analysis in developmental research, a process as well as a product orientation, and more careful attention to the roles of manifest and latent variables. Important methodological innovations are both arising from, and helping to reinforce these emphases.     

Physiological and psychological responses in Fire Instructors to heat exposures

AimFire Service Instructors (FSI) are exposed to many repeated periods of high environmental temperatures when training firefighters. Such repeated exposures will impose significant strains on the function of instructors. We aimed to measure the effects of a training programme including repeated exposures to heat, termed “Wears” in the fire service, on the physiological, psychological some immunological markers of Fire Service Instructors.MethodsSix FSI and six physiologically matched controls completed blood and cardiovascular tests pre and post a 4 wk heat instruction training block, controls completed the tests only. FSI were given a 7 wk period of no heat exposure prior to starting the training. Physiological and perceptual measures were taken pre and post the first and last Wear of the 4 wk training protocol.ResultsThere were acute effects of a Wear on core temperature and physiological strain index, as well as measures of fatigue. The acute exposure to heat during a Wear led to a consistent decrease in CRP (−10% to −40%), increased IL6 concentrations 33–45%) as well as increased RPE and TSS. Over the training programme significantly lower quantities of white cells, particularly neutrophils, leukocytes and monocytes were found in the FSI group. Between the start and the end of the 4 week training programme the FSI showed a significantly greater physiological strain index (PSI) to the Wears, which nearly doubled from 2.5 to 4.7 (p<0.05).ConclusionPhysiological and psychological measures indicate that FSI may be experiencing symptoms and changes to their health consistent with an overtraining type condition.     

物流云平台在大型综合性医院耗材管理中的应用研究

?????? 目的 确定大型综合性医院消耗品物流云平台的建设方案,提升医院耗材管理的质量和效率,降低医院管理成本。方法 采用定性研究中的深度个案访谈与小组焦点访谈相结合的研究方法。结果 明确物流云平台的定义,确定建设的必要性、功能定位和应用范围。结论 物流云平台的建设在大型综合性医院耗材管理中具有创新意义,根据功能定位的开发具有一定的复杂性,需进行4阶段15期的分期建设,同时需注重系统安全、数据同步联动以及培训推广等开发难点。