Effects of population and habitat characteristics on the accuracy and precision of wildlife aerial surveys results

Estimation of population abundance is one of the most difficult tasks in wildlife management. In case of forest−dwelling ungulates, none of the currently available survey methods is satisfying in terms of accuracy, precision, and cost−effectiveness. Therefore, we propose a new method of ungulate monitoring based on distance sampling and using unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with thermal infrared cameras. The method is potentially more reliable and cost−effective than conventional survey techniques. It also allows for aerial surveys in the dark when animals are most active. However, the method needs to be tested before wide−scale implementation in wildlife management practice. While the effects of sampling design and effort on accuracy and precision of abundance estimates are well recognized, the importance of population and habitat characteristics is often overlooked by wildlife managers. We used simulations to assess the effects of population size, animal aggregation, and habitat−depended detection probability on the accuracy and precision of wildlife aerial survey results. We created 1000 virtual populations defined by population density (2−22 individuals/100 ha), mean group size (1−6 individuals), and probability of animal detection during surveys (proportional to canopy cover, 30−60%). Animals were distributed on a virtual study area (5000 ha) according to randomly generated density distribution. Each population was subjected to 25 simulated surveys using the same design (39 transects grouped in three 2.0×2.5 km blocks). The transects covered 12% of the entire study area. We used conventional distance sampling to estimate abundance and generalized linear models to assess the effect of each parameter on the accuracy and precision of estimates. The estimation accuracy was mostly affected by the probability of detection (B=–0.75) and, to a lesser degree, by aggre− gation (B=–0.25) and population size (B=0.09). Precision was influenced by the aggregation (B=0.32) and population size (B=–0.26), while detection probability had a weaker effect (B=–0.11). Observed significant differences in quality of abundance estimates derived by the same survey design, but with differing population and habitat characteristics, indicate that each survey requires an individual approach. It is impossible to formulate general recommendations, e.g. concerning flight plan or area coverage. To achieve the required level of precision, while minimizing the survey costs, it is necessary to test alternative survey designs with the aid of computer simulations

A new method of HD polyethylene modification using poly(aspartic acid)

W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki badań polietylenu wysokiej gęstości (HD PE), modyfikowanego przy użyciu poli(kwasu asparaginowego) (PAA). Analizie poddano wpływ modyfikatora na właściwości fizyko-mechaniczne HD PE. Zbadano również zmianę tych właściwości po degradacji w roztworze soli fizjologicznej.This paper presents the results of studies on the high density polyethylene HD PE, modified using poly(aspartic acid). The influence of modifier on the HD PE physico-mechanical properties was investigated. These properties were also analyzed after degradation in physiological sodium chloride solution

Carboxylic Group and Its Tetrazolyl Isostere in One Molecule. Matrix Isolation FTIR and DFT Studies on Thermal Decomposition and Photochemistry of (Tetrazol-5-yl)acetic Acid

The title compound (tetrazol-5-yl)­acetic acid (TA) is an interesting molecule that contains both a carboxylic group and its isostere tetrazolyl group. Out of nine theoretically predicted stable structures of TA, three appeared to be present in solid argon. Thermal decomposition of the species aided by water molecules was studied in detail both experimentally using FTIR matrix isolation technique and theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311++G­(2d,2p) level. Experimentally, it was found that the decarboxylation process appeared at the presence of water traces in the system. Theoretically, it was shown that the energy barrier of the water assisted process was lower by ca. 30 kJ mol^–1 comparing to the process without water participation. The UV photolysis of the TA/Ar system was studied using both broad-band and narrow-band sources. The main photoproducts appeared to be carbodiimidylacetic acid and (1<i>H</i>-diaziren-3-yl)­acetic acid. The progress of the reactions induced was followed by FTIR spectroscopy, whereas interpretation of the results was supported by quantum chemical calculations (DFT, TD-DFT)

Upregulation of FOXP1 is a new independent unfavorable prognosticator and a specific predictor of lymphatic dissemination in cutaneous melanoma patients

Piotr Donizy,1 Konrad Pagacz,2 Jakub Marczuk,1 Wojciech Fendler,2 Adam Maciejczyk,3,4 Agnieszka Halon,1 Rafal Matkowski4,5 1Department of Pathomorphology and Oncological Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 2Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 3Department of Oncology and Clinic of Radiation Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 4Lower Silesian Oncology Centre, Wroclaw, Poland; 5Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Background: FOXP1 is a pleiotropic protein that plays important roles in immune responses (B-cell development regulation and differentiation of monocyte), organ development (cardiac valves, lung, and esophagus), and neuronal development. Besides being the primary regulator of normal human tissue development, FOXP1 also plays a role in tumorigenesis. However, the potential value of FOXP1 expression in tumor prognosis remains controversial. FOXP1 expression was assessed in tumor cells (TCs) and stromal cells (SCs) of cutaneous melanomas with the aim of analyzing the associations between FOXP1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. We believe this article to be the first report analyzing the correlations between FOXP1 expression and clinicopathological, as well as histological, characteristics in melanoma.Materials and methods: In total, 96 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary cutaneous melanoma tissue specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for FOXP1, and the results were correlated with classical clinicopathological features and patient survival.Results: FOXP1 overexpression in TCs was strongly associated with the presence of metastases in sentinel lymph nodes (p=0.0003, OR=11.66) and positive status of regional lymph nodes (p=0.0006, OR=22.15). In 96% (52 of 54) of patients presenting with low FOXP1 expression, no clinical or histopathological features of lymphatic dissemination were observed. However, thinner and nonulcerated tumors were reported to have increased numbers of FOXP1-positive SCs. In addition, a strong association was observed between FOXP1 upregulation in SCs and the absence of regional lymph node metastases. There was a significant correlation between FOXP1 upregulation in TCs and shorter cancer-specific overall survival (log-rank test, p=0.0040) and disease-free survival (log-rank test, p=0.0021). FOXP1 expression was confirmed in multivariate analysis as a factor that significantly unfavorably impacts prognosis in melanoma patients (HR=3.14, p=0.0299, adjusted for age, Breslow thickness, and sex).Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that FOXP1 has a major role in melanoma progression, which makes it a candidate for molecular target-based cancer therapy. Keywords: dermatopathology, melanocytic lesion, microenvironment, tumor biology, melanomagenesi

Elderly and technologies: between myths and reality

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