Perpetually Searching for Eudaemonia: A Conversation About Object Wearing

Eudaemonia, a motivational driver for humans, is the state of wellbeing and contentment that arises from a life lived with personal and social meaning and purpose. Through the lens of a jeweller’s reflective practice, using a grounded theory approach, this research considers why and how wearing an object influences the achievement of this eudaemonic state. To do this, two types of worn objects, jewellery and worn personal alarms, were compared and contrasted. These objects were selected since contextual scoping had revealed that they had the potential to elicit feelings that were at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. Through a series of semi-structured interviews, data was sequentially generated, collected and iteratively analysed from four participants, each with differing experiential perspectives of both jewellery and social alarm wearing. The interview data was transcribed and qualitatively analysed using an open coding approach, leading to the generation of emerging conceptual principles, supported by a model. The emerging insights proposed six inductively identified parameters that had the potential to dynamically interact to create and influence why and how wearing an object affects peoples’ emotional status. These insights were then tested and iterated through a facilitated workshop for worn alarm service providers who also had jewellery wearing experience. The refined emerging conceptual principles were • Willingly wearing an object is a personal and intimate act created and curated by the wearer, motivated by their quest for contentment. • The selection of an object to wear depends on the inherent meaning and perceived eudaemonic utility of it within the situation that the wearer is proposing to engage wearing it in. • Although the term jewellery is usually used aesthetically and functionally to describe a worn object, in the context of object wearing, it has a further definition; the term defines a way of wearing an object that results in a positively changed state of being due to the confluence of meaning and motivational need inherent in the action of wearing it. These insights also enabled refinement of an emerging model (see below) which posits that the wearing of any object may be influenced by six dynamic and interactive factors; a person’s emotional state, their emotional need, what they perceive is the worn object’s meaning, the type of engagement they curate to wear the object, what the resultant perceived effect of wearing the object is and ultimately, whether or not this lead to self-actualisation, contributing to their sense of eudaemonia. Further research is now required to continue the investigation and development of these emerging insights

Feasibility of using scent-baited hair traps to monitor carnivore populations in Peninsular Malaysia

Non-invasive genetic sampling is increasingly being used for monitoring mammalian carnivore populations. However, environmental conditions in the tropics challenge researchers' ability to collect samples. We present the results of a preliminary study on the feasibility of using scent-baited hair traps for population monitoring of mammalian carnivores in Peninsular Malaysia. Stations were baited using either fatty acid scent or male cologne applied to hair traps. Video camera traps were also used to monitor carnivore reactions to the scent stations. We recorded 19 visits by seven carnivore species over 764 camera trap nights. Cheek-rubbing and scent-marking behaviour was recorded only for single individuals of two species: the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). This study suggests that scent-baited hair traps hold some promise for ecological issues requiring DNA analysis in Peninsular Malaysia. Additional research is needed to develop its full potential for conservation monitoring of large carnivores

Prey used by dingoes in a contested landscape: ecosystem service provider or biodiversity threat?

In Australia, dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) have been implicated in the decline and extinction of a number of vertebrate species. The lowland Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia is a biologically rich area with many species of rainforest-restricted vertebrates that could be threatened by dingoes; however, the ecological impacts of dingoes in this region are poorly understood. We determined the potential threat posed by dingoes to native vertebrates in the lowland Wet Tropics using dingo scat/stomach content and stable isotope analyses of hair from dingoes and potential prey species. Common mammals dominated dingo diets. We found no evidence of predation on threatened taxa or rainforest specialists within our study areas. The most significant prey species were northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus), canefield rats (Rattus sordidus), and agile wallabies (Macropus agilis). All are common species associated with relatively open grass/woodland habitats. Stable isotope analysis suggested that prey species sourced their nutrients primarily from open habitats and that prey choice, as identified by scat/stomach analysis alone, was a poor indicator of primary foraging habitats. In general, we find that prey use by dingoes in the lowland Wet Tropics does not pose a major threat to native and/or threatened fauna, including rainforest specialists. In fact, our results suggest that dingo predation on “pest” species may represent an important ecological service that outweighs potential biodiversity threats. A more targeted approach to managing wild canids is needed if the ecosystem services they provide in these contested landscapes are to be maintained, while simultaneously avoiding negative conservation or economic impacts

Facial Soft-tissue Mobility: Baseline Dynamics of Patients with Unilateral Facial Paralysis

Background: The aims of this observational study were 2-fold: (1) To demonstrate a method and measures to quantify impaired facial soft-tissue movements in patients with facial paralysis; and (2) To quantify the differences in magnitude and velocity of facial soft-tissue movements between patients with facial paralysis and control participants. Methods: The study sample that addressed both aims consisted of 20 adults with acute, unilateral, flaccid facial paralysis who presented at the onset of their paralysis, and a control group of 20 healthy adults. Dynamic 3D facial movement data were collected from each participant during 11 facial animations. To compare the movements between the patients and control participants, dynamic modeling comparisons of mean facial movements were computed as well as plots of movement vectors for each animation, in addition, measures of maximum displacement, movement velocity, and asymmetry were computed. Results: Dynamic 3D modeling of critical facial landmarks provided precise profiles of zone-specific asymmetries and customized reporting that highlighted areas of importance for individual patients. The dynamic 3D movement data confirmed that the nonparalyzed side of patients’ faces had abnormal directional movements. As expected, the controls had significantly higher excursive facial movements during all animations except during gentle eye closure, which was greater for the patients and the controls had significantly greater movement velocity than the patients. The patients had significantly greater asymmetry for all the animations, and the hierarchy of the asymmetry was such that maximum smile > lip purse > grimace > cheek puff. Conclusion: Dynamic 3D modeling appeared to be an effective tool to provide precise profiles of zone-specific asymmetries and customized reports for patients with facial paralysis

Measuring floral resource availability for insect pollinators in temperate grasslands – a review

Abstract. 1. The relationship between pollinators and flowering plants plays a crucial role in the function of terrestrial ecosystems. Although pollinators use floral nectar and pollen as food resources, no general methodology for floral resource availability estimates exists. 2. A brief review is provided on floral resource sampling methods frequently used in pollination studies. The focus is on how representative vegetation samples are both spatially and temporally, and how these are constrained by sampling effort. 3. Field studies investigating flowering plant abundance for insect pollinators in temperate grasslands were selected. We categorised the reviewed studies according to aims, sampling units, and count variables used and provide a descriptive summary on methodology. We also searched for trade-offs between different aspects of sampling investment. 4. One hundred and fifty-eight pollination studies were reviewed. Large methodolog- ical differences were found, and vegetation sampling was presented in many studies insufficiently. Sampling covered a small proportion (median: 0.69%) of the study sites, with long intervals (median: 30 days), and most studies lasted only a few years. The most often used count variables were indirect proxies of floral resources. Negative relation- ships were found in some of the different aspects of sampling, e.g. the proportion of site covered with sampling decreased with increasing site area. 5. By tailoring sampling methods to specific research questions, research effort should be optimally allocated to obtain proper spatio-temporal resolution and data coverage. Guidelines were suggested to design sampling, e.g. to increase coverage and frequency. Further field work on optimising sampling techniques is mandatory

The seasonal feeding ecology of the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus)

Objectives: To describe the strategy employed by exudativorous primates during seasonal shifts in food abundance using the Javan slow loris as a model. Males and females may cope differently as well as exploit fallback foods in different proportions. Materials and Methods: Observing 15 free ranging Javan slow lorises over a year, we quantified their seasonal diet and nutrient intake using intake rates. We monitored phenology over five plots that were assessed monthly. We weighed animals every six months. We analysed all food items slow lorises ingested for macronutrients using the nutritional geometry framework. Results: The slow loris diet consisted of eight food categories, with gum and insects being the major food source in terms of weight. All food items were available in the wet season and were restricted in the dry season. Males and females reacted differently to seasonal abundances with females ingesting more protein, gum, fruits and flowers and males ingesting more fibre. Discussion: The reproductive costs of gestation and lactation may place a burden on females that requires them to alter their foraging strategy during the dry season to ensure enough protein and overall energy is ingested. The overall strategy used by these exudativorous primates is one of nutrient maximization as no nutrient was clearly preferred over another