Behavior research in zoos: Past,present, and future

This paper reviews the historical emphases in zoo behavioral research and the contribution of these studies to animal management and to advancement in the behavioral sciences. Some examples are provided from research conducted at the National Zoological Park and elsewhere. The potential for doing behavior studies of excellence in zoos and aquariums has become more complicated in recent years by 1) changes in the aims and objectives of modern zoological parks, especially the increasing emphasis on conservation, 2) changes in focus in the science of animal behavior itself, and 3) the tendency of trained behaviorists to assume positions as curators and directors without time for research. These issues represent challenges to be overcome so that zoos can continue to be important sites for the study of animal behavior and contribute to the science of animal management and conservation, as well as the advancement of theory in biology. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Local Tree Mapping: A Collaborative,Place-Based Activity Integrating Science,Technology, Math,and Geography

This inquiry-based activity designed for the fifth through 12th grade allows students to engage in an outdoor, place-based experience, working collaboratively both in groups and as a class to accomplish the class goal of creating a local tree map linked to student-collected data about each tree. During Local Tree Mapping, students explore the local trees in the yard or neighborhood of the school, while learning basic skills in geographical information systems and Microsoft Excel. Through this activity, students gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the role of trees within the Earth's ecosystems, as they collect data on tree type, height, diameter, age, and the longitude and latitude of the trees. An extension activity is described in which students can enter their tree data into a carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reduction calculator to determine how much CO₂ is sequestered by the trees in their research site. Local Tree Mapping provides an opportunity for students to gain inquiry skills in science, mathematics, and geography as they participate firsthand in the collection, analysis, and presentation of real-world data that can be utilized by the local community.     

Exploring Social (Non-working) Behavior in Guide Dogs from the Perspective of Guide Dog Owners

The guide dog partnership begins at the point of matching, when careful assessment of a trained guide dog and an understanding of the functional needs and expectations of the prospective owner are considered alongside each other. Guide Dogs UK invest much time and resources to the process of matching a client with a dog in order to fulfil client expectations and create a lasting partnership. This study explores: (1) the meaning and importance of social (non-working) behavior to guide dog owners; (2) how firsthand experience and knowledge shape individual owner expectations for behavior; and (3) how, and in what ways, social behavior impacts the guide dog partnership. The focus group method was used to collect qualitative data from a total of 11 participants. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis procedure which identified six overarching themes: “social behavior to me means,” internal and external factors influencing social behavior, training and matching, socially desirable and undesirable behaviors, maintaining and managing social behavior, and practical and emotional issues. Findings show that social behavior is as important as guiding skills and mobility for guide dog owners, and behavioral compatibility is held to be crucial in a successful partnership. Participants put an emphasis on consistency of behavior in social settings, while recognizing that a guide dog's non-working behavior is subject to multifarious internal and external influences. The findings of this study indicate an opportunity for Guide Dogs UK, and similar assistance dog organizations, to observe fully the importance of social behavior and, in response, place even greater emphasis on lifestyle and behavioral compatibility when training dogs and matching them with clients.     

动脉粥样硬化动物模型研究进展

动脉粥样硬化是严重危害人类健康的常见病、多发病之一.动脉粥样硬化动物模型的研制对研究其发病机制、病理变化及其防治起着重要作用.近年来,对动脉粥样硬化模型的研究颇多.本文从模型动物的选择、造模方法及模型的评价指标方面对动脉粥样硬化动物模型的研究进行综述,为今后动脉粥样硬化的研究提供一定的线索.     

A Neglected Science: Applying Behavior to Aquatic Conservation

Behavioral theories, insights, and techniques are too frequently ignored by conservation biologists. Yet an animal's survival and reproductive success clearly depend on its behavior. Using examples from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial realms, I assert that behavioral information is invaluable in five conservation areas: (1) managing wild species (e.g., designing marine reserves; reducing animal–human conflicts; understanding and managing species' responses to human-induced environmental stress such as fishing, introduced species, and chemical, visual, and acoustic pollution); (2) actively reversing the decline of imperiled wild species (e.g., reducing bycatch by improving selectivity of fishing gear; re-establishing breeding populations and boosting reproduction); (3) assessing biodiversity (e.g., modeling population viability; censusing and monitoring populations and species); (4) captive breeding and reintroduction programs (e.g., minimizing loss of valuable phenotypes; teaching or maintaining valuable survival skills); and (5) changing human behavior in resource exploitation (e.g., using principles from social psychology). Both realized and potential applications to fishes are stressed. Finally, behavioral diversity, a valuable but neglected element of biodiversity, needs to be explicitly conserved to maintain diverse populations. Arguments are presented that the conservation of species diversity and genetic diversity alone does not necessarily protect important behavioral diversity. The maintenance of both individual and population variability may be essential for the preservation of a species.     

高海拔地区昆明野生动物园大熊猫春季刻板行为探究

2011年2月26日～5月2日,在高海拔地区昆明云南野生动物园,采用连续记录法(Continuous recording) 和焦点动物取样法(Focal animal sampling)记录与分析了3只亚成年雌性大熊猫昼间刻板行为发生频次和持续时间,并就温度、游客流量与刻板行为发生的相关性进行了初步探讨.结果表明,大熊猫刻板行为发生频次(次·h-1)高峰和持续时间( min·h-1)较长的高峰均出现在10:00～11:00和16:00～17:00,各时段行为表达水平存在极显著差异(x2=61.183,P＜0.01;x2 =56.470,P＜0.01).个体间刻板行为持续时间昼间分布无显著差异(x2=3.185,P＞0.05);个体间发生频次在14:00～15:00时段存在显著差异(x2=7.796,P＜0.05),而在其他时段则存在极显著差异(x2=11.536 ～20.212,P＜0.01).温度与刻板行为发生频次、持续时间均无显著相关性(rx=-0.067,P＞0.05;rs=-0.012,P＞0.05);游客流量与持续时间、发生频次有一定的正相关,但不显著(rs =0.187,P＞0.05;rs=0.159,P＞0.05).此外,在刻板行为型时间分配格局中,以刻板踱步最高,占56.78％,其次为爬笼、吮掌,而旋转、摇摆及坐着旋转等其他刻板行为表现较少,其总和仅占1.20％.     

Exploring Human Interaction and Diet Effects on the Behavior of Dogs in a Public Animal Shelter

This study examined the effects of 2 manipulations-a brief, regular period of human contact and diet-on the behavior of dogs confined in a public animal shelter. A behavioral battery designed to assess reactions to novel situations, and a test of responsiveness to an unfamiliar human were administered both prior to (pretest) and immediately following (posttest) the 8-week intervention period. Overall, the regular periods of increased human contact together with a diet that contained augmented levels of digestible protein, fat, calories, and animal-derived ingredients reduced signs of behavioral reactivity from pretest to posttest. In some cases, the comparison diet appeared more effective, but only for dogs receiving minimal human interaction. The results indicate that a combination of human interaction and high quality diet may positively affect the behavior of dogs in animal shelters.     

Continuous Whole-Body 3D Kinematic Recordings across the Rodent Behavioral Repertoire

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我国野生动物肇事的现状及其管理研究进展

人与野生动物的冲突备受关注,但解决这个问题的经验总结和理论探讨很少.我国野生动物肇事以西部和西南部较为集中,造成巨大的经济损失,威胁人类安全和健康,还增加了野生动物保护工作的难度.主要是人口增长挤占野生动物生境、与之生活空间重叠和一些野生动物食性变化的结果.缓解这一冲突,我国从生境、物种和人的管理方面开展了工作,也取得一些好的成果.但仍要强化理论体系、防范技术和潜在肇事物种等的研究.     

Animal Rights: A Very Short Introduction David DeGrazia

Abstract

Identification and management of inter-dog aggression is important for animal rescue shelters to reduce the incidence of euthanasia and ensure the safe re-homing of animals. Forty-three shelters responded to a questionnaire which collected information about the management of dogs with inter-dog aggression in rescue shelters. Most shelters (33; 76.7%) admitted dogs reported by relinquishing owners as aggressive to other dogs. Most shelters reported inter-dog aggression as a common problem, affecting either 20–49 percent of dogs received (25 shelters; 58.1%) or 50 percent or more (7 shelters; 16.3%). Twenty-nine shelters reported that less than ten percent of adopted dogs are returned for inter-dog aggression, but some indicated much higher levels. Shelter employees generally reported that after admission, a dog's level of aggression toward other dogs remains stable over time in the shelter. Management of aggressive dogs included humane destruction (37 shelters; 86%) and rehabilitation (20 shelters; 46.5%). Rehabilitation methods for inter-dog aggression included socialization, stress reduction, desensitization and distraction. Respondents expressed varied levels of confidence over the success of their programs. Rehabilitation techniques based on positive reinforcement were viewed as practical, affordable and effective for reducing inter-dog aggression, while less support was given for punishment-based methods. Factors preventing rehabilitation included financial constraints and lack of time, but shelters may be more likely to provide rehabilitation if a practical, scientifically validated program were available. Such a program could potentially increase both the welfare of aggressive dogs and the safety of the public.     

心力衰竭动物模型研究进展

心力衰竭是一种复杂的临床症候群,它是各种心脏病的终末阶段,发病率及病死率均较高,严重危害着人类健康,为了广泛深入地研究和治疗心力衰竭,迫切需要建立该病的动物模型。本综述复习了近年来文献,介绍目前较为成熟的心力衰竭动物模型的应用,同时比较之间的优缺点。     

扩张型心肌病动物模型的研究进展

扩张型心肌病严重危害人类健康,为了广泛深入地研究和治疗DCM,迫切需要该病的动物模型。本文按DCM的病因：家族性/遗传性,病毒性/免疫性,酒精性/中毒性及其他病因,对近年来应用较为成熟的DCM模型作一综述,分析各自的优缺点。     

动物克隆的机理与研究进展

对动物克隆的理论基础进行了探讨,综述了在动物克隆时,供体核的基因组再程序化的可能作用机制,对动物克隆尤其是喷乳动物克隆研究进展进行了深入的总结和分析,并对其应用前景作了展望。     

动物离心机中大鼠行为状态无线视频采集装置的研制

目的：研制一种在正加速度作用下能实时观测大鼠行为状态的实验视频采集装置,为研究正加速度导致脑损伤的病理生理机制和防治措施提供新的方法。方法：依据正加速度对大鼠体位的要求和离心机特殊的环境,通过特制的大鼠座舱和无线视频采集单元来实现对动物离心机中正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测;固定大鼠的座舱主要由胸部固定圈、身长调节圈、头部运动限制框构成;无线视频采集单元由2.4G无线摄像头、无线信号接收器、信号放大器、计算机以及视频采集软件组成。结果：座舱特殊的大鼠固定方式,既满足了正加速度对体位的要求,又不影响对大鼠行为状态的观测,2．4G无线视频采集技术保证视频信号在离心机高速旋转环境下的实时传输和观测,视频画面清晰流畅,并且能保存视频供回放分析。结论：动物离心机无线视频采集装置可用于正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测与研究。     

模型动物在动物流感病毒传播机制研究中的应用

动物流感（influenza）不仅会对畜禽养殖业造成巨大的经济损失,而且可以跨越种间障碍进入人群,引发全球性的公共卫生危机和灾难性后果.模型动物是研究流感传播机制的重要基础.模型动物的使用有助于我们对流感病毒传播机制的深入了解.本文从流感病毒的宿主范围、常用模型动物的宿主限制因素和模型动物在流感病毒跨种传播机制中的选择与应用等三个方面进行了综述.     

Occupational Stress in Veterinary Nurses: Roles of the Work Environment and Own Companion Animal

ABSTRACT

Veterinary nursing has been identified as an occupation at risk for occupational stress and burnout, but a better understanding of job stressors and influencing factors is needed. The aim of this study was to examine occupational stress in a veterinary nursing population based on established work stress theories. This study sought to determine which environmental aspects of the work situation may be detrimental to well-being and which factors may operate to reduce job stress. A sample of South Australian veterinary nurses (n = 127) completed a postal questionnaire about their work environment (job demands and control, work social supports) and their psychological distress, work burnout, and job satisfaction, with a response rate of 76.5%. The potential influence of attachment to participants' own companion animals was investigated using the Owner Pet Relationship Scale. Hierarchical regressions then explored the contribution to psychological outcomes, of social support at work and attachment to own companion animal, after controlling for work load, exposure to euthanasia, contact with clients, work demands, and work control. While social support at work ameliorated occupational stress, attachment to companion animal was linked to decreased job satisfaction. Supportive interpersonal relations in the workplace have a key role in veterinary nurses' job satisfaction. Management skill training may have a role in the development of more satisfying workplaces for the veterinary nursing sector, which may have implications for the undergraduate and post-registration training of veterinary practice managers.     

Transposable Elements in the Animal Kingdom

Transposable elements (TEs) are commonly thought to be of universal occurrence in eukaryotes. Analysis of complete higher eukaryotic genomes confirms the TE status as substantial genome components and provides insights into their role in shaping the genome structure of extant eukaryotes. This review addresses several recently investigated problems in transposon biology, including the potential roles of promoter organization in transposon function and evolution, the ubiquity of TEs in numerous phyla of the animal kingdom, and the possible connection between transposon content and mode of reproduction.     

自尊对大学生职业探索行为的影响研究

目的：探讨自尊对职业探索行为的影响。方法：采用职业探索量表和自尊量表对489名大学生进行测试。采用SPSS11.5统计软件对数据进行统计分析。结果：①男大学生在职业探索行为上的得分高于女生;②大四的学生在职业探索行为明显多于大一学生;③自尊对自我探索和目标聚焦有显著地正向预测作用。结论：在排除了人口统计学变量对职业探索行为的影响作用后,发现自尊程度越高,自我探索和目标聚焦的行为就会越多。因此,提高学生的自尊水平有利于大学生的自我探索和目标聚焦行为。