A simplified key for assessing the ecological significance of on-farm bush remnants in the wheatbelt

Many farms today still contain areas of natural bush, yet there is little knowledge about the condition and value of this bush. There is also a wider interest by farmers in this bush because of its perceived value in assisting to combat on-farm salinity, and for diverse other reasons. As a response to the general interest by farmers and others in on-farm bush, a key, produced for use in a remnant vegetation survey of the southern wheatbelt (Mollemans,1992), and which may be used to assess the value of on-farm bush, is being reproduced here

Distribution and ecological significance of on-farm bushland remnants in the southern wheatbelt region of Western Australia

The Southern Wheatbelt Region Remnant Vegetation Survey was funded by the Save the Bush program, and aimed at surveying pieces of on-farm remnant vegetation in the Great Southern of Western Australia. At the outset a total of 13 shires were selected for survey, namely: Broomehill, Corrigin, Dumbleyung, Katanning, Kent, Kondinin, Kulin, Lake Grace, Narrogin, Tambellup, Wagin, Wickepin, Woodanilling. However, time constraints (available funding indicated a time frame of 40 weeks for the project to be completed) meant that subsequently Kent and Lake Grace shires (two of the largest) had to be dropped from the survey to allow for proper completion of the remainder. These shires were selected as they are within an area where verification of remnant vegetation information has not been carried out to-date. Areas to the north have been studied in some relative detail and, in addition, the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, has carried out a separate South Coast Survey in the area from Margaret River to Albany

Virtual reality training and assessment in laparoscopic rectum surgery

Background: Virtual-reality (VR) based simulation techniques offer an efficient and low cost alternative to conventional surgery training. This article describes a VR training and assessment system in laparoscopic rectum surgery. Methods: To give a realistic visual performance of interaction between membrane tissue and surgery tools, a generalized cylinder based collision detection and a multi-layer mass-spring model are presented. A dynamic assessment model is also designed for hierarchy training evaluation. Results: With this simulator, trainees can operate on the virtual rectum with both visual and haptic sensation feedback simultaneously. The system also offers surgeons instructions in real time when improper manipulation happens. The simulator has been tested and evaluated by ten subjects. Conclusions: This prototype system has been verified by colorectal surgeons through a pilot study. They believe the visual performance and the tactile feedback are realistic. It exhibits the potential to effectively improve the surgical skills of trainee surgeons and significantly shorten their learning curve. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Wealth effects of convertible-bond and warrant-bond offerings: a meta-analysis

The literature on wealth effects associated with the announcements of convertible-bond and warrant-bond offerings is reviewed. The findings of 35 event studies, which include 84 sub-samples and 6310 announcements, are analysed using meta-analysis. We find a mean cumulative abnormal return of −1.14% for convertibles compared with −0.02% for warrant bonds, the significant difference confirming a relative advantage for warrant bonds. Abnormal returns for hybrid securities issued in the USA are significantly more negative than those issued in other countries. In addition, issuing hybrid securities to refund debt does not seem to be favoured by investors. Finally, several factors identified as important by theory or in prior research are not significant within our cross-study models, suggesting that more evidence is needed to confirm whether they are robust

Computer simulation of breast reduction surgery

Background: Plastic surgery of the breast, particularly breast reduction, is considered difficult. It can become a challenge for a less experienced surgeon to understand exactly what to do when facing a particular type of breast and how to avoid unsatisfactory results. Methods: The goal of this study was to create a computer model of the breast that provides a basis for the simulation of breast surgery, particularly breast reduction. The reconstruction of elastic parameters is based on observations of the breast with the patient in different positions. Results: It is shown that several measurements with the patient in different positions allow one to choose the parameters of the model and determine the elastic coefficients of the breast and the skin. The geometry of the breast before and after surgery is simulated. A qualitative study of the incision parameters’ influence on the final geometry of the breast is presented. Conclusion: The developed methodology and software allow one to estimate the form of the breast after the surgery by knowing its form before surgery and taking into consideration the parameters of incision applied by the surgeon at the time of surgery. The described approach can be used for the qualitative and quantitative study of breast reduction surgery with a satisfactory result. Level of Evidence: V (This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266.

Spatially-dense 3D facial asymmetry assessment in both typical and disordered growth

Mild facial asymmetries are common in typical growth patterns. Therefore, detection of disordered facial growth patterns in individuals characterized by asymmetries is preferably accomplished by reference to the typical variation found in the general population rather than to some ideal of perfect symmetry, which rarely exists. This presents a challenge in developing an asymmetry assessment tool that is applicable, without modification, to detect both mild and severe facial asymmetries. In this paper we use concepts from geometric morphometrics to obtain robust and spatially-dense asymmetry assessments using a superimposition protocol for comparison of a face with its mirror image. Spatially-dense localization of asymmetries was achieved using an anthropometric mask consisting of uniformly sampled quasi-landmarks that were automatically indicated on 3D facial images. Robustness, in the sense of an unbiased analysis under increasing asymmetry, was ensured by an adaptive, robust, least-squares superimposition. The degree of overall asymmetry in an individual was scored using a root-mean-squared-error, and the proportion was scored using a novel relative significant asymmetry percentage. This protocol was applied to a database of 3D facial images from 359 young healthy individuals and three individuals with disordered facial growth. Typical asymmetry statistics were derived and were mainly located on, but not limited to, the lower two-thirds of the face in males and females. The asymmetry in males was more extensive and of a greater magnitude than in females. This protocol and proposed scoring of asymmetry with accompanying reference statistics will be useful for the detection and quantification of facial asymmetry in future studies

A simplified key for assessing the ecological significance of on-farm bush remnants in the wheatbelt

Many farms today still contain areas of natural bush, yet there is little knowledge about the condition and value of this bush. There is also a wider interest by farmers in this bush because of its perceived value in assisting to combat on-farm salinity, and for diverse other reasons. As a response to the general interest by farmers and others in on-farm bush, a key, produced for use in a remnant vegetation survey of the southern wheatbelt (Mollemans,1992), and which may be used to assess the value of on-farm bush, is being reproduced here