PERSONALITY AND SOCIALITY IN CAPTIVE ANIMALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

Personality and sociality in captive animals: implications for management Dr. Giovanni Quintavalle Pastorino Matr. n. R10497 ABSTRACT Interactions that animals experience can have a significant influence on their health and welfare. These interactions can occur between animals themselves, but also between animals and keepers, and animals and the public. Human and non-human animals come into contact with each other in a variety of settings, and wherever there is contact there is the opportunity for interaction to take place. Interaction with companion animals are well known, but human\u2013animal interaction (HAR) (Hosey, 2008) also occurs in the context of farms (Hemsworth and Gonyou, 1997; Hemsworth, 2003), laboratories (Chang and Hart, 2002), zoos (Kreger and Mench, 1995) and even the wild (e.g. Cassini, 2001). This PhD proposes an articulated monitoring scheme to record animal-human interactions and animal-animal interactions in selected zoos and farms. This was accompanied by a survey of animal personality in several institutions in the UK and Italy for welfare, husbandry, breeding programs and reintroduction purposes. The methodological approach was based on direct monitoring of animal behaviour, videos of keeper-animal interactions and animal personality questionnaires completed by experienced keepers and animal handlers. The goal of this project is to create a network between zoos to explore the aforementioned interactions to produce husbandry protocols and explore personality and behavioural traits in multiple species. We present data regarding African lions, Asiatic lion, Sumatran tigers, Brown bears and sloth bears (ZSL London and Whipsnade zoo) interactions with humans and conspecifics and personality profiles from five different dairy cattle breeds. This data is collected across a broad range of environmental conditions and outlines the monitoring protocols developed to collect this data. The data show the great adaptability of these species to ex situ environments, low or absent negative impact of visitors\u2019 presence and the relevance of individual personality in these interactions

Structure and properties of the stable two-dimensional conducting polymer Mg5C60

We present a study on the structural, spectroscopic, conducting, and magnetic properties of Mg5C60, which is a two-dimensional (2D) fulleride polymer. The polymer phase is stable up to the exceptionally high temperature of 823 K. The infrared and Raman studies suggest the formation of single bonds between the fulleride ions and possibly Mg-C-60 covalent bonds. Mg5C60 is a metal at ambient temperature, as shown by electron spin resonance and microwave conductivity measurements. The smooth transition from a metallic to a paramagnetic insulator state below 200 K is attributed to Anderson localization driven by structural disorder

Nucleic Acids in Human Glioma Treatment: Innovative Approaches and Recent Results

Gliomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumors with a dismal prognosis. Despite recent advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, current treatment regimens have a modest survival benefit. A crucial challenge is to deliver drugs effectively to invasive glioma cells residing in a sanctuary within the central nervous system. New therapies are essential, and oligonucleotide-based approaches, including antisense, microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, and nucleic acid aptamers, may provide a viable strategy. Thanks to their unique characteristics (low size, good affinity for the target, no immunogenicity, chemical structures that can be easily modified to improve their in vivo applications), these molecules may represent a valid alternative to antibodies particularly to overcome challenges presented by the blood-brain barrier. Here we will discuss recent results on the use of oligonucleotides that will hopefully provide new effective treatment for gliomas

Telemedicine as a Medical Examination Tool During the Covid-19 Emergency: The Experience of the Onco-Haematology Center of Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome

Background: Our study analysed the outpatient activity of the onco-hematology Complex Operative Unit (UOC) of Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) center, where, as a result of the sudden and unexpected emergency, healthcare services were provided through telemedicine procedures that can be considered very close to Telehealth. Aim of the study: our retrospective study aimed to assess the widespread use of telemedicine in terms of feasibility and safety related to adverse events, a crucial experience which will make it possible to predict any effective use of such a method in patients with hematological disorders even after the end of the Covid-19 emergency. Materials and methods: At the Day Hospital clinic, from 8 March to 31 May 2020, an outpatient group received 3828 medical teleconsultations and 11,484 additional contacts following the first examination; each patient examined through the telematic method required an average of three supplementary contacts via e-mail or telephone. Results: The follow-up lasted 145 days, and all the events that occurred were monitored. In total, we recorded 16 clinical adverse events, 5 of which classified as major events, and 11 as minor events. Conclusion: The 3828 telematic clinical examinations and the 11,484 additional contacts following the first examination carried out by the onco-haematology UOC of Tor Vergata Hospital, proved how telemedicine, albeit in its basic form, was a key tool in facing the sanitary emergency caused by the sudden spread of Covid-19. An experience that can be considered reliable enough to be replicated in possible post-Covid-19 emergencies. From a medical forensic point of view, the main issues to consider are informed consent, personal data management and professional responsibility profiles

Personality assessment and effect of visitors on a group of lions (panthera Leo) hosted in captivity

In the last 10 years researches have been focused on the impact of personality on welfare, health and management of zoo animals. The present study, as part of a wider research in European Zoos, had the purpose to identify the personality of three female and one male lions housed at Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park. Moreover, since researches have reported significant effects of visitor presence on zoo animals, in particular primates and felids, the effects of visitors on the behaviour of these animals was also evaluated. The study was made of two different periods, one in the presence and one in the absence of visitors. Data on individual and social behaviours were collected using focal animal sampling method. The enclosure was ideally divided in different zones. During each observational session, the zone in which the animal was, the position of body, the proximity to conspecifics were also collected. The time budget, the association index and the sociogram were then calculated. Besides, a survey (modified from Chadwick, 2014) was proposed to the two keepers of the lions. The questionnaires listed 31 traits rated on a scale from 1 (trait was never exhibited) to 12 (trait was always exhibited) by the keepers for each lion. Personality profiles were defined for each individual through the questionnaires correlated with behavioural data. Statistical analysis within subjects underlined a significant difference in the following traits: curious, friendly to conspecifics, playful, solitary. In addition, the ANOVA (F-test) assessed a significant difference between the two periods of observation (with and without visitors) for the curious, eccentric, playful and vocal traits. The results showed that the different personality between animals seems not be related to age, gender or rearing history. Studies about animal personality are useful to guarantee a good care and the management of each individuals

What are we losing? Are the personality traits of Italian autochthonous cows different from those of cosmopolitan breeds?

Objective: This study assessed personality traits in five cattle breeds (Bos taurus), two cosmopolitan (Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss) and three endangered Italian autochthonous (Varzese, Rendena, and Modenese). Our aim was to provide an evaluation of the personality dimensions obtained by our questionnaire in order to compare some Italian autochthonous breeds with the cosmopolitan one. Our choice fell upon the comparison of the Varzese, the Modenese, the Rendena, the Brown Swiss, and the Holstein Friesian because the genetic selection at the base of the typical attitudes has induced different characteristics, and as a consequence, detectable differences in personality can be expected between the populations. Materials and methods: A personality questionnaire was completed by milkers/owners for each subject involved in this study. The milking staff involved in the study have been working with cows for over 20 years; they have experience with numerous breeds, and therefore, can be considered expert evaluators since they certainly have an appreciation of the full range of cow behavior. Results: The milkers\u2019 assessments analysis found breed differences in dairy cattle, showing that certain personality traits are more marked in certain breeds in terms of curiosity, friendliness to milkers, and responses to unknown people. Conclusion: This pilot survey shows the usefulness of questionnaires in cattle personality studies, highlighting some peculiarity of the endangered breeds

Project MOSI: rationale and pilot-study results of an initiative to help protect zoo animals from mosquito-transmitted pathogens and contribute data on mosquito spatio–temporal distribution change

Mosquito-borne pathogens pose major threats to both wildlife and human health and, largely as a result of unintentional human-aided dispersal of their vector species, their cumulative threat is on the rise. Anthropogenic climate change is expected to be an increasingly significant driver of mosquito dispersal and associated disease spread. The potential health implications of changes in the spatio-temporal distribution of mosquitoes highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance and, where necessary, vector control and other health-management measures. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums initiative, Project MOSI, was established to help protect vulnerable wildlife species in zoological facilities from mosquito-transmitted pathogens by establishing a zoo-based network of fixed mosquito monitoring sites to assist wildlife health management and contribute data on mosquito spatio-temporal distribution changes. A pilot study for Project MOSI is described here, including project rationale and results that confirm the feasibility of conducting basic standardized year-round mosquito trapping and monitoring in a zoo environment

Isolated right atrial appendage (RAA) rupture in blunt trauma – a case report and an anatomic study comparing RAA and right atrium (RA) wall thickness

BACKGROUND: Heart chambers rupture in blunt trauma is uncommon and is associated with a high mortality. The determinant factors, and the incidence of isolated heart chambers rupture remains undetermined. Isolated rupture of the right atrium appendage (RAA) is very rare, with 8 cases reported in the reviewed literature. The thin wall of the RAA has been presumed to render this chamber more prone to rupture in blunt trauma. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of isolated RAA rupture in blunt trauma, and to compare right atrium (RA) and RAA wall thickness in a necropsy study. METHODS: The thickness of RA and RAA wall of hearts from cadavers of fatal penetrating head trauma victims was measured. Our case of isolated RAA rupture is presented. The main findings of the 8 cases reported in the literature, and the findings of our case, were organized in a table. RESULT: The comparison of the data showed that wall thickness of the RAA (0.53 ± 0.33 mm) was significantly thinner than that of RA (1.11 ± 0.42 mm) (p < 0.05). COMMENTS: In all these 9 cases of isolated RAA rupture, cardiac tamponade occurred, RAA rupture was diagnosed intraoperatively and sutured, and the patients survived. Main mechanisms hypothesized for heart chamber rupture include mechanical compression coincident with phases of cardiac cycle, leading to high hydrostatic pressure inside the chamber. Published series include numerous cases of RA rupture, and only a few cases of RAA rupture. CONCLUSION: Thus, our data suggests that wall thickness is not a determinant factor for RA or RAA rupture in blunt trauma

Role of personality in behavioral responses to new environments in captive panthera leo persica

Studying personality in captive animals may enable the development of more individual-based management decisions in terms of husbandry, enrichment, and breeding, which may help to improve overall animal welfare. The Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) at London Zoo represent an opportunity to research an understudied species\u2019 response to new environments. In the last few years, these lions have experienced several social and physical changes, such as new enclosures and increased social interaction with humans. This project aimed to investigate the role of personality in behavioral responses to these new environments. Lion personality questionnaires completed by keepers and direct focal animal observations were used to create personality profiles. Time budgets and enclosure use were determined and compared between control nights and human social event nights, and between the lions\u2019 previous enclosure and their new one. The results showed a lack of a difference in time budget and enclosure use between control nights and social event nights, and overall the Spread of Participation Index values revealed the lions use their enclosures unevenly. Personality profiles identified various traits (e.g., curious and eccentric) that could assist with individual-based management decisions, such as enrichment strategies. As the first study to assess Asiatic lions personality, this research contributes to the creation of consistent and valid methodology for evaluating captive animal personality. Personality assessment may help to improve husbandry and welfare protocols for individual lions, leading to the improved health and success of the species