A case study using ECHO(Extraction and Classification of Homogeneous Objects) for analysis of multispectral scanner data

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Ultra-micro indentation characterisation of mouthguard materials

Abstract no. 109published_or_final_versio

Use of Fluorescence Microscopy in an Assay of Sperm Density for the Gorgonian Coral, Plexaura kuna

The density of sperm in the water column during the broadcast spawning events of marine invertebrates is often undetermined or reported in terms of fertilization potential. The density of sperm during such events can be determined by directly counting numbers of spermatozoa using a modification of the acridine orange direct count (AODC) technique for enumerating bacteria. A number of variables in the handling and processing of samples may bias estimates. Sample collection in glass and rapid fixation and filtration are necessary for reproducible estimates. Once filtered, samples are stable for many months, and counts on filters that were poorly stained in the field can be enhanced by additional staining with 4\u276-diamidino-2-phynlindole (DAPI). The AODC technique was employed to examine the effects of distance from a male colony on density of sperm for the gorgonian coral Plexaura kuna. In situ sperm densities ranged from 0 to 1,000 sperm/ml. Sperm densities in 18 l aquaria containing 20 cm long P. kuna explants reached 100,000 sperm/ml

Long-term stability test of a triple GEM detector

The main aim of the study is to perform the long-term stability test of gain of the single mask triple GEM detector. A simple method is used for this long- term stability test using a radioactive X-ray source with high activity. The test is continued till accumulation of charge per unit area > 12.0 mC/mm2. The details of the chamber fabrication, the test set-up, the method of measurement and the test results are presented in this paper.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Dust emission from a parsec-scale structure in the Seyfert 1 nucleus of NGC 4151

We report mid-IR interferometric measurements with \sim 10 mas resolution, which resolve the warm (T = 285 +25 / -50 K) thermal emission at the center of NGC 4151. Using pairs of VLT 8.2 m telescopes with MIDI and by comparing the data to a Gaussian model, we determined the diameter of the dust emission region, albeit only along one position angle, to be 2.0 +/- 0.4 pc (FWHM). This is the first size and temperature estimate for the nuclear warm dust distribution in a Seyfert 1 galaxy. The parameters found are comparable to those in Seyfert 2 galaxies, thus providing direct support for the unified model. Using simple analytic temperature distributions, we find that the mid-infrared emission is probably not the smooth continuation of the hot nuclear source that is marginally resolved with K band interferometry. We also detected weak excess emission around 10.5 micron in our shorter baseline observation, possibly indicating that silicate emission is extended to the parsec scale.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letter

Applying proximity sensors to monitor beef cattle social behaviour as an indicator of animal welfare

There are currently no approved monitoring programs in the beef industry that use paddock based behaviour as an indicator of animal welfare. Current animal welfare assessments are conducted at a single point in time, such as supplying food and water and treating illnesses as these needs arise. These aspects comply with the five freedoms that animals should have when addressing animal welfare, however, the assessments are infrequent. Of the five freedoms, the freedom to express normal behaviour can be a subjective measure, due to differences in the way individual animals express certain behaviours. There is a need for continual monitoring of welfare indicators in modern animal assessment methods to objectively measure behaviour and address public concerns about the welfare state of animals. The experiment commenced in June 2017 to assess changes in cattle social interaction patterns in response to social stress created by regrouping four groups of eight heifers. Previous research with cattle has provided evidence that social contact and spatial behaviour differ when novel individuals are introduced (Patison et al., 2010b), and re-grouped animals continue to experience stress until the social hierarchy is re-established after regrouping (Kondo and Hurnik, 1990). Proximity sensors that record the frequency and duration of close proximity contacts (<4 m) will be used to remotely collect animal association data, while blood cortisol concentrations will be used as an independent measure of stress. Responses to stress will be compared with a group of heifers where re-grouping does not occur. This paper outlines the background and methodology to explore the potential for proximity sensors as a continual welfare monitoring device, related to an animal’s freedom to express normal behaviour. Preliminary results of the project will be presented at The International Tri-Conference for Precision Agriculture held in New Zealand in October, 2017

Prevalence and profile of Australian chiropractors treating athletes or sports people: A cross-sectional study

© 2018 Objectives: A range of health-care professionals including chiropractors provide treatment for sports-related health problems. This study reports analyses from the first national workforce survey to determine practitioner and practice-related factors associated with the frequent treatment of athletes or sports people by Australian chiropractors. Design and setting: A 21-item questionnaire collecting information pertaining to practitioner and practice-related characteristics was distributed to all Australian registered chiropractors, as part of the Australian Chiropractic Research Network (ACORN) project and attracted a response rate of 43% (n = 2005). Statistical analyses compared the frequency of treating athletes or sports people against a wide range of relevant practitioner and practice characteristics. Results: Of the respondents, 49.5% (n = 936) reported frequently treating athletes or sports people, and these chiropractors were more likely to be male as well as report more patient care hours and patient visits per week than those chiropractors who did not frequently treat athletes or sports people. Chiropractors who frequently treat athletes or sports people were also more likely to perform multi-modal management, have multi-disciplinary practitioner relations, use diagnostic equipment and discuss nutrition and medication use as part of their patient care than those chiropractors who did not frequently treat athletes or sports people. Conclusions: Nearly half of participating Australian chiropractors treat athletes or sports people frequently. The current and potential role of chiropractors in sports medicine appears significant. Further research is needed to examine the role, practices and outcomes of such chiropractic care helping to, provide treatment and policy development in this area of clinical management