Evaluating the Reliability of Field Identification and Morphometric Classifications for Carnivore Scats Confirmed with Genetic Analysis

Scat surveys are commonly used to monitor carnivore populations. Scats of sympatric carnivores can be difficult to differentiate and field-based identification can be misleading. We evaluated the success of field-based species identification for scats of 2 sympatric carnivores—coyotes (Canis latrans) and kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis). We conducted scat surveys in the Great Basin desert of Utah, USA, during the winter and summer of 2013, and we detected 1,680 carnivore scats. We classified scats based on field identification, recorded morphometricmeasurements, and collected fecalDNA samples for molecular species identification. We subsequently evaluated the classification success of field identification and the predictive power of 2 nonparametric classification techniques—k-nearest neighbors and classification trees—based on scat measurements. Overall, 12.2% of scats were misclassified by field identification, but misclassifications were not equitable between species. Only 7.1% of the scats identified as coyote with field identification were misclassified, compared with 22.9% of scats identified as kit fox. Results from both k-nearest neighbor and classification-tree analyses suggest that morphometric measurements provided an objective alternative to field identification that improved classification of rarer species. Overall misclassification rates for k-nearest neighbor and classification-tree analyses were 11.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Using classification trees, misclassification was reduced for kit foxes (8.5%) and remained similar for coyotes (7.2%), relative to field identification. Although molecular techniques provide unambiguous species identification, classification approaches may offer a cost-effective alternative. We recommend that monitoring programs employing scat surveys utilize molecular species identification to develop training data sets and evaluate the accuracy of field based and statistical classification approaches

Evaluating the Reliability of Field Identification and Morphometric Classifications for Carnivore Scats Confirmed with Genetic Analysis

Scat surveys are commonly used to monitor carnivore populations. Scats of sympatric carnivores can be difficult to differentiate and field-based identification can be misleading. We evaluated the success of field-based species identification for scats of 2 sympatric carnivores—coyotes (Canis latrans) and kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis). We conducted scat surveys in the Great Basin desert of Utah, USA, during the winter and summer of 2013, and we detected 1,680 carnivore scats. We classified scats based on field identification, recorded morphometricmeasurements, and collected fecalDNA samples for molecular species identification. We subsequently evaluated the classification success of field identification and the predictive power of 2 nonparametric classification techniques—k-nearest neighbors and classification trees—based on scat measurements. Overall, 12.2% of scats were misclassified by field identification, but misclassifications were not equitable between species. Only 7.1% of the scats identified as coyote with field identification were misclassified, compared with 22.9% of scats identified as kit fox. Results from both k-nearest neighbor and classification-tree analyses suggest that morphometric measurements provided an objective alternative to field identification that improved classification of rarer species. Overall misclassification rates for k-nearest neighbor and classification-tree analyses were 11.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Using classification trees, misclassification was reduced for kit foxes (8.5%) and remained similar for coyotes (7.2%), relative to field identification. Although molecular techniques provide unambiguous species identification, classification approaches may offer a cost-effective alternative. We recommend that monitoring programs employing scat surveys utilize molecular species identification to develop training data sets and evaluate the accuracy of field based and statistical classification approaches

Estimating densities for sympatric kit foxes (\u3ci\u3eVulpes macrotis\u3c/i\u3e) and coyotes (\u3ci\u3eCanis latrans\u3c/i\u3e) using noninvasive genetic sampling

Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis Merriam, 1888) populations in the Great Basin Desert have declined and are of increasing concern for managers. Increasing coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823) abundance and subsequent intraguild interactions may be one cause for this decline. Concurrent monitoring of carnivores is challenging and therefore rarely conducted. One possible solution for monitoring elusive carnivores is using noninvasive genetic sampling. We used noninvasive genetic sampling to collect fecal DNA from kit foxes and coyotes and estimate their densities from 2013–2014 in Utah, USA. We identified individuals based on microsatellite genotypes and estimated density with multisession spatially explicit capture–recapture models. Mean kit fox density was 0.02 foxes・km−2, while coyote densities were up to four times greater (0.07–0.08 coyotes・km−2). Kit fox densities were significantly lower than densities in the 1950s but were comparable with estimates from the late 1990s, suggesting that populations may be stabilizing after a precipitous decline. Our kit fox density estimates were among the lowest documented for the species. Our coyote density estimate was the first reported in our region and revealed that despite seemingly high abundance, densities are low compared with other regions. Our results suggested that kit foxes may be able to coexist with coyotes

Penerapan Kampanye Penggalangan Dana oleh Perusahaan Penyiaran Televisi untuk Mendukung Kegiatan Kemanusiaan (Studi Deskriptif Kulitatif Program Jembatan Asa Sctv)

Turut berkontribusi terhadap masa depan masyarakat agar menjadi lebih baik merupakan salah satu kewajiban Perusahaan, tak terkecuali Perusahaan yang bergerak dalam bidang industri penyiaran. Penelitian ini membahas kampanye penggalangan dana oleh PT Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) melalui program Jembatan Asa, sebuah program kemanusiaan untuk membangun jembatan rusak di berbagai daerah di Indonesia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui penerapan kampanye penggalangan dana kemanusiaan Program Jembatan Asa oleh SCTV dengan menggunakan model kampanye Nowak dan Warneryd. Pada model ini terdapat delapan elemen kampanye yang harus diperhatikan: efek yang diharapkan; persaingan komunikasi; obyek komunikasi; populasi target dan kelompok penerima; saluran; pesan; komunikator/pengirim pesan; efek yang dicapai. Pendekatan penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif, dengan sifat penelitian deskriptif. Prosedur pengumpulan data melalui dokumentasi iklan dan berita serta wawancara mendalam dari key informan, yakni Ketua Penyelenggara program CSR Jembatan Asa, Manajer Produksi Berita, Produser Program Liputan 6 dan Video Journalist di Divisi Pemberitaan SCTV. Hasil dan analisis temuan data memperlihatkan bahwa kampanye dilakukan dengan menggandeng stakeholder internal SCTV yaitu departemen pemberitaan, programming, promosi, IT dan media online www.liputan6.com. Sedangkan dari pihak eksternal dilakukan kerja sama dengan Yayasan Relawan Kampung dan Kementerian Sosial Republik Indonesia. Target khalayak yang dituju mengalami Perubahan dari awalnya masyarakat ekonomi kelas A,B,C, diperluas menjadi kelas D dan E, serta kaum muda yang memanfaatkan media online dan media sosial dalam keseharian. Media yang digunakan dalam kampanye terdiri dari traditional media dan new media. Traditional media yang digunakan yaitu program berita Liputan 6, program infotainmen Was-was dan Halo Selebriti, serta program hiburan Inbox yang semuanya tayang di SCTV. Kampenye melalui new media, dilakukan dengan cara publikasi di media online, www.liputan6.com dan www.sctv.co.id. Sedangkan publikasi media sosial dilakukan melalui facebook https://www.facebook.com/Surya.Citra.TV dan twitter @SCTV_. Dengan menggunakan kampanye tersebut, SCTV mampu memperoleh sumbangan dana masyarakat sebesar Rp 4.546.241.368, yang digunakan untuk membangun 10 jembatan, melebihi target awal kampanye yang direncanakan hanya membangun 3 jembata

Development and Optimization of Integrative MEMS-Based Gray-Scale Technology In Silicon For Power MEMS Applications

As the field of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) has diversified, a growing number of applications are limited by the current planar technology available for fabrication. Gray-scale technology offers a method of fabricating 3-D structures in MEMS utilizing a single lithography step. Before gray-scale technology can be accepted as a universal/standard fabrication technique, methods for controlling the silicon profiles and integrating the necessary process steps must be developed. Here, an optical mask design method is outlined by which an arbitrary profile may be defined in a photoresist film, and a study is presented regarding the control of etch selectivity during deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). These results are then used to develop large controlled gradient silicon structures for the MIT micro-engine device that may be integrated into an existing process flow

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in retail chicken: Comparing conventional, organic, kosher, and raised without antibiotics

Retail poultry products are known sources of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli, a major human health concern. Consumers have a range of choices for poultry, including conventional, organic, kosher, and raised without antibiotics (RWA) – designations that are perceived to indicate differences in quality and safety. However, whether these categories vary in the frequency of contamination with antibiotic-resistant E. coli is unknown. We examined the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli on raw chicken marketed as conventional, organic, kosher and RWA. From April – June 2012, we purchased 213 samples of raw chicken from 15 locations in the New York City metropolitan area. We screened E. coli isolates from each sample for resistance to 12 common antibiotics. Although the organic and RWA labels restrict the use of antibiotics, the frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli tended to be only slightly lower for RWA, and organic chicken was statistically indistinguishable from conventional products that have no restrictions. Kosher chicken had the highest frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli, nearly twice that of conventional products, a result that belies the historical roots of kosher as a means to ensure food safety. These results indicate that production methods influence the frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli on poultry products available to consumers. Future research to identify the specific practices that cause the high frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in kosher chicken could promote efforts to reduce consumer exposure to this potential pathogen

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in retail chicken: Comparing conventional, organic, kosher, and raised without antibiotics

Retail poultry products are known sources of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli, a major human health concern. Consumers have a range of choices for poultry, including conventional, organic, kosher, and raised without antibiotics (RWA) – designations that are perceived to indicate differences in quality and safety. However, whether these categories vary in the frequency of contamination with antibiotic-resistant E. coli is unknown. We examined the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli on raw chicken marketed as conventional, organic, kosher and RWA. From April – June 2012, we purchased 213 samples of raw chicken from 15 locations in the New York City metropolitan area. We screened E. coli isolates from each sample for resistance to 12 common antibiotics. Although the organic and RWA labels restrict the use of antibiotics, the frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli tended to be only slightly lower for RWA, and organic chicken was statistically indistinguishable from conventional products that have no restrictions. Kosher chicken had the highest frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli, nearly twice that of conventional products, a result that belies the historical roots of kosher as a means to ensure food safety. These results indicate that production methods influence the frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli on poultry products available to consumers. Future research to identify the specific practices that cause the high frequency of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in kosher chicken could promote efforts to reduce consumer exposure to this potential pathogen

Reviving ghost alleles: Genetically admixed coyotes along the American Gulf Coast are critical for saving the endangered red wolf

The last known red wolves were captured in southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas in 1980 to establish a captive breeding population. Before their extirpation, gene flow with coyotes resulted in the persistence of endangered red wolf genetic variation in local coyote populations. We assessed genomic ancestry and morphology of coyotes in southwestern Louisiana. We detected that 38 to 62% of the coyote genomes contained red wolf ancestry acquired in the past 30 years and have an admixture profile similar to that of the canids captured before the extirpation of red wolves. We further documented a positive correlation between ancestry and weight. Our findings highlight the importance of hybrids and admixed genomes as a reservoir of endangered species ancestry for innovative conservation efforts. Together, this work presents an unprecedented system that conservation can leverage to enrich the recovery program of an endangered species