Nest Research Articles

Observation of nest visitation by multiple males in the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europeaus

ABSTRACTWe report observations of nest visitation of multiple males to three nests of European Nightjars Caprimulgus europeaus. In one case, we report the direct observation of two males apparently exhibiting parental behaviour at the same nest. In two other cases, second males visited nests. We consider the potential functions of nest visits by extra-pair males in the Nightjar.

Using an in-situ infra-red camera system for sea turtle hatchling emergence monitoring

We tested for the first time the efficiency of the use of infra-red (IR) cameras for sea turtle hatchling monitoring. The cameras were installed on one green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) and four loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta ) nests during 2014 and 2015 nesting season in the south-east Mediterranean, Turkey. The camera monitoring, even with the limited sample size, have successfully corroborated the previous observations and provided further insights on hatchling emergence behavior. The analysis of the camera recordings revealed that hatchlings emerged from the nests asynchronously in varying numbers of groups and different group sizes, while c. 60% hatchlings emerged during the first 5 days of emergence activity. 98.6% of hatchlings emerged at night with a peak activity between 21:00 and 00:00. The day of first emergence varied between 38 and 64 days since egg deposition, while the day of last emergence varied only between 60 and 65 days. Total emergence activity continued up to maximum of 22 days, which is longer than that of previous records. Overall, the present study showed that IR camera monitoring is a promising tool for sea turtle monitoring and can provide detailed insights on sea turtle hatchling behavior.

Investigation of Risk Factors Associated with Leptospirosis in the North of Iran (2011-2017).

The risk factors for infection with leptospirosis in Iran have never been studied. We aimed to determine the risk factors of leptospirosis and the epidemiological pattern of this disease in Golestan Province, Iran during 2011-2017. A case-control study. This case-control study was performed on the population of patients diagnosed with leptospirosis. Controls were selected from the residents of Golestan province, northern Iran and were matched with the cases for gender, age group, and place of residence. After coding the data collected in checklists, the analysis was performed in SPSS using independent t-test, logistic regression, contingency tables, and Fisher exact test. Eighty-seven cases were diagnosed infected with leptospirosis. Most patients were male (69.0%) and residents of rural areas (82.7%). The three leading risk factors for leptospirosis were exposure to stagnant rice paddy water while having a skin scratch/injury (OR=11.21, 95% CI: 3.02, 43.06), washing the face with stagnant rice paddy water (OR=11.33, 95% CI: 5.12, 25.01), and sighting of rats or rat nest in rice paddies (OR=3.30, 95% CI: 1.01, 11.62). For farmers working in stagnant and muddy waters of rice paddies, occupational protection measures such as wearing waterproof boots, gloves, support, and socks can reduce the chance of infection with leptospirosis. Health education of the people with susceptible occupations about the transmission and prevention methods can also play a key role in controlling this disease.

Clinicopathological features of minute meningothelial-like nodules in the lung

Objective To study the clinicopathological features of minute meningothelial-like nodule (MMLN) in the lung and its histological origin. Methods Clinicopathological data of 93 patients diagnosed with MMLN in Jiangsu Province Hospital(the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University) from September 2016 to September 2018 were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and the related literature was reviewed. Results Ninety-three MMLNs were identified from 5 239 patients undergoing pulmonary resection. There were 18(19.6%) males and 75(80.6%) females; age ranged 38-81 years, with mean age 58 years. The frequency of MMLNs was related to the site of origin, and single lesion most commonly (43%) arose in right lobe. There was no significant relationship with patients′ age, gender and the co-existing malignant tumors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) was 0.584 (P<0.05), and the best cut-off point was 11.5, indicating an appropriate increase in the number of slides to at least 12 would facilitate the discovery of MMLN. Histologically, MMLN cells showed bland morphology, located around the normal alveolar cavity or form nests or whorls centered on small veins. Immunohistochemistry was done in 55 cases, and all cells expressed vimentin; and a high proportion of cells expressed EMA, PR, CD56 and Calponin. They were all negative for TTF1, Syn, CgA, CKpan, SMA and CD34. The Ki-67 index was low in all cases (<2%). In addition odds ratio analysis showed that MMLN was not a risk factor for invasive carcinoma (including other malignant tumors in the lung, P=0.100). Conclusions MMLN closely resembles meningothelioma morphologically and immunophenotypically, although its origin remains uncertain. In the study, MMLN is considered as a reactive benign lesion around pulmonary pathology, functioning as an effector regulating small blood vessels caliber. MMLN probably provides nutritional support to the surrounding disease and affords a suitable environment for the development of tumor cells. Key words: Lung diseases; Solitary pulmonary nodule; Minute meningothelial-like nodule

Rebuilding Her Nest

Rebuilding Her Nest

Development and test of an electric precision seeder for small-size vegetable seeds

An electric seeder for small-size vegetable seeds was designed based on the power drive and the optical fiber detection technology. The seeder is driven by electric power during the sowing process. At the same time, using the fiber sensor technology to monitor the sowing condition, the seeder is more efficient with high seeding precision in terms of different seed sizes. In order to achieve the precision seeding for the 2-10 mm seeds, the driving motor is equipped in the rear crackle. The power drive reduces pollution and dyeing. Also the other components of the electric seeder were modularly designed. The seeder was designed with buckle, which could be quickly disassembled on the sowing machine to replace the sowing wheel. It can quickly adjust row spacing and sowing depth during sowing process to meet the requirements of agricultural planting. Field test was carried out for coriander, pakchoi, and radish on the accuracy and monitoring of the system, respectively. The results showed that during the field operation, the sowing precision of the sowing machine was 95%. When the seeder worked at the speeds of 3 km/h and 4 km/h, the relative error of the monitoring precision of the system was less than 6%. This system can meet the real-time monitoring requirements of the seed metering device and improve the quality of the sowing work. Keywords: precision seeding, electric seeder, nest eyed sowing wheel, electric power drive, field test, vegetable seed DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191202.4618 Citation: Jin X, Li Q W, Zhao K X, Zhao B, He Z T, Qiu Z M. Development and test of an electric precision seeder for small-size vegetable seeds. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(2): 75–81.

Observations on Nests of Ceratina in Costa Rica (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

Ceratina ignara appears to be active and probably provisions nests throughout the year although all the nests studied were found in March. The principal features of the nest that differ from those of certain other species of Ceratina are as follows: no very long cells, empty cells or double partitions between cells; partitions concave below, not aboye; pollen mass firm, concave on outrer surface, with margins not amate; thickness of pollen mass rather uniform. The principal features of the nest of C. (Ceratinula) sp. that differ from those of certain other species are: very short cell series suggesting construction of two or more nests by each female; no very long cells, few empty cells or double partitions; partitions very thin and slightly concave on both surfaces; polien mass firm, scarcely longer than broad, margins rounded.

Nests and seasonal cycle of neocorynura pubescens in colombia hymenoptera halictidae

In the Dept. de Antioquia, Colombia, Neocorynura pubescens is active throughout the year. Females collect pollen from weedy Compositae. Many nests in the banks of a small ditch were surprisingly similar in number of inhabitants, structure, manner of construction, and re-use to those of the strikingly different looking species, N. fumipennis , in Costa Rica. Mating presumably occurs in the nesting area; a clump of males prepared to pass the night on a perch in that area.

Effects of ant nesting on the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil easily oxidized organic carbon in Xishuangbanna tropical forests, China

Ant nesting can form microhabitat and soil nutrient condition in their nests that is diffe-rent from the surrounding environment, thus having a crucial effect on the variation of soil easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). In this study, the Mallotus paniculatus communities in Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden of Xishuangbanna, Chinese Academy of Sciences was taken as the research object. We compared the spatiotemporal distribution of soil EOC in ant nests and the refe-rence soils, and analyzed the relationship of the variation in soil EOC to the changes in soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that soil EOC in ant nests and the reference soils had a unimodal change trend with months. The order was ranked as June>September>March>December. The soil EOC decreased with the soil layers. The EOC was higher in 0-5 cm nest soils than in the refe-rence soils, while it was not significantly different in the 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm soil layers. Ant nesting increased soil temperature, soil organic carbon, soil easily oxidized organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon, total nitrogen, soil nitrate nitrogen and hydrolysis nitrogen, but reduced the soil water content and bulk density. The impacts of ant nesting on soil ammonium and pH was not significant. The soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon had crucial roles in regulating the spatiotemporal variation in EOC in ant nests and the reference soils, whereas the effects of soil temperature, soil water content, total nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen ranked the second. The ant nesting had a crucial effect on the spatiotemporal variations in easily oxidized organic carbon, mainly through changing the microhabitat (e.g., soil temperature and moisture) and soil nutrients (e.g., soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon) in Xishuangbanna tropical forests.

Model for tomato photosynthetic rate based on neural network with genetic algorithm

A photosynthetic rate model provides a theoretical basis for fine-grained control of light, and has become the key component to determine the effectiveness of light-controlled environments. Therefore, it is critical to identify an intelligent algorithm that can be used to build an efficient and precise photosynthetic rate model. Depending on the initial weights of a BP (Back Propagation) neural network algorithm for arbitrary random numbers, the establishment of a regressive prediction model can be easily trapped in a partially-flat area. Existing photosynthetic rate models based on neural networks are facing problems such as a slow convergence speed and a long training time, and this study presents a photosynthetic rate model of a heuristic neural network for tomatoes based on a genetic algorithm to address the above problems. The performance of the model can be effectively improved using a genetic algorithm to optimize the initial weights. A multi-factor nesting experiment was firstly conducted to obtain 825 groups of tomato seedling photosynthesis rate test data in the foundation, and the photosynthetic rate model of the heuristic neural network for the tomato is established through BP network structure construction and data preprocessing. The genetic algorithm was used to optimize the network weights and threshold, and the LM (Levenberg-Marquardt) training method for network training. On this basis, the training performance and precision of the photosynthetic rate prediction models can be further compared with the genetic neural network model and the neural network model. The test results have shown that the training effects and accuracy of the genetic neural network prediction model of the photosynthetic rate were better than those of the neural network prediction model. The correlation coefficient between the model predicted data and the measured data is 0.987, and the absolute error of the photosynthetic rate is less than ±0.5 μmol/(m2•s). Keywords: genetic algorithm, neural network, photosynthetic ratemodel, prediction model, tomato plant DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191201.3127 Citation: Hu J, Xin P P, Zhang S W, Zhang H H, He D J. A model for tomato photosynthetic rate based on neural network with genetic algorithm. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(1): 179–185.

Barn Swallow Nest Predation by a Recent Urban Invader, the Taiwan Whistling Thrush - Implications for the Evolution of Urban Avian Communities.

Urban areas become a new habitat for an increasing number of species as they gradually adapt to the expanding, human-associated environment. The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) has constructed nests on human buildings that provide good protection against bad weather and predators over centuries. In contrast, the Taiwan whistling thrush (Myophonus insularis) is one of new urban-invading species. The interactions between old and new urban avian species can determine the structure of this growing avian community. Here we report the first case of Taiwan whistling thrushes' predation on other birds in an urban area. Taiwan whistling thrushes were observed to eat all barn swallows' chicks and eggs on one street within one week and thus dramatically reduced their reproductive success, even severer than did a typhoon. The newly evolving predation behavior of Taiwan whistling thrushes could threaten the survival of barn swallows. If the latter cannot conquer the new challenge, the nesting ground may become an ecological trap to them driving population extirpation. This reported case implies that urbanization could intensify the interactions, such as predation or competition, between old and new urban species, leading to their population decline or growth and thus community dynamics of urban wildlife.

Pensamiento complejo y transdisciplina

El siguiente trabajo se encuentra centrado en el recorrido trazado desde las conceptualizaciones del racionalismo y los postulados de la ciencia clásica respecto de la concepción del hombre y de la vida, hacia los paradigmas que se abrieron camino para pensar en los desafíos actuales, que desde la complejidad debaten a las ciencias humanas. Un mundo de disciplinas estudiadas con certeza y propósito metódico requiere de otro mundo que se presente atravesando, cuestionando y reformulando sus postulados desde la emergencia de crisis y grietas. Son estas grietas las potenciadoras de investigaciones en complejidad y darán fundamento a este estudio. La necesidad de delimitar zonas de verdad ha animado el estudio disciplinario y de los diversos modelos filosóficos que, desde el racionalismo, dieron su forma al procedimiento de cada verdad. Es desde ese devenir que el pensamiento de la complejidad avanza con sus conceptualizaciones y paradigmas de reflexión, siendo el objetivo, tanto delimitar los conceptos que cuestionaron los postulados deterministas como ahondar en el significado de la revolución científica del siglo XIX. La entrada de las ciencias en un proceso de devenir rompe con las conceptualizaciones de procesos aislados, apuntando a la comunicación transversal entre lo heterogéneo. Si el desafío es el avance del conocimiento, su progreso anida en la incierta complejidad.

Determination of the Best Way for Putting the Pattern Parts Correctly on the Paper (Similar to Cloth) (Pattern Nesting)

Determination of the Best Way for Putting the Pattern Parts Correctly on the Paper (Similar to Cloth) (Pattern Nesting)

Dermoscopy Patterns and Histopathological Findings in Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma-Study on 68 Cases.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, with an increasing incidence in Europe particularly in young individuals. Nodular basal cell carcinoma is the most common subtype and accounts for approximately 57.6-78.7% of all BCCs. We performed an observational, morphological study which involved 68 patients with the diagnosis of nodular BCC. The localization and diameter of the lesion, histological subtype of the lesion, dermoscopic patterns, Fitzpatrick skin type and sex of each patient were recorded. The most common dermoscopic pattern seen in nodular BCCs was irregular vascularity and, arborizing vessels (>0.2mm in diameter) being the most frequent irregular vascular pattern. The second most common dermoscopic feature in patients with nodular BCCs was translucency. The most common dermoscopic features of the 12 pigmented BCCs were: pigmented islands (blue-gray globules and blue-gray ovoid nests); the pigmented distribution pattern (with (maple leaf-like structures and spoke wheel-like areas); arborizing vessels and white streaks/white areas. The histopathological analysis of the 68 BCCs revealed that the nodular type was the most frequently identified for 71.7% of cases The differential diagnosis between basal cell carcinoma and other skin lesions and inflammatory skin diseases is very important, since serious morbidity may result from an undiagnosed tumor.

Reducing feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism by providing layer breeders with nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating

Colony cages for natural mating have been applied on many layer breeder farms. However, feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are considered as prominent problems for these systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects on feather pecking and vent pecking behaviors by providing layer breeders with nest boxes (0.90 m L × 0.40 m W × 0.60 m H) in colony cages for natural mating (4.80 m L × 1.20 m W × 0.71 m H). Video recording and artificial observation were adopted. The results showed that the usage of nest boxes gradually increased from the beginning of nest boxes providing at the age of 37 weeks to the end of the experiment at the age of 55 weeks. The utilization rates of nest boxes were 36.75%, 44.75% and 50.38% at the ages of 41 weeks, 47 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively. The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed significantly more frequent gentle feather pecks (both given and received) than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 41 weeks, 47 weeks and 53 weeks. A decreasing trend of gentle feather pecking frequency (both given and received) was found with the increasing age for both the two groups. No significant difference was found in the number of given or received severe feather pecks at the age of 41 weeks. The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed a significantly higher frequency of given and received severe feather pecks than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 47 weeks and 53 weeks (p<0.05). Both cannibalistic injury occurrence and mortality rate in the cages with nest boxes were significantly lower than those in the cages without nest boxes. In conclusion, providing nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating could decrease abnormal pecking behaviors and improve animal welfare conditions of layer breeders. Keywords: feather pecking, vent pecking, nest box, colony cage, cloacal cannibalism, layer breeder, animal welfare DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181106.3323 Citation: Shi H P, Zheng W C, Tu J, Li B M. Reducing feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism by providing layer breeders with nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(6): 27–32.

A test of the “Leave Early and Avoid Detection” (LEAD) hypothesis for passive nest defenders

Studies of avian escape behavior have mostly focused on nonbreeding birds, however the costs and benefits of escape behavior are predicted to vary depending on whether or not birds are breeding. Passive nest defenders may escape an approaching threat earlier than would otherwise be the case as an adaptation that helps conceal their cryptic eggs. Alternatively, the investment in the clutch may mean that birds delay escape. We tested these predictions on a population of passively defending Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) within the Saemanguem reclamation area, South Korea. Incubating terns exhibited longer flight-initiation distances to approaching pedestrians than did non-incubating conspecifics, suggesting early escapes may function to help conceal the locality of the nest. No such effect was evident for Kentish Plover.

Nesting ecology and nesting success of resident and endemic tropical birds in the Dominican Republic

Despite Hispaniola's high rates of avian endemism and its importance to supporting global biodiversity, relatively little information is available on the basic biology and ecology of its resident birds, particularly the 31 species endemic to the island. Here we describe the nesting ecology and nesting success (n = 643 nests) of species of resident and endemic birds occurring in southwestern Dominican Republic, spanning 4 major habitat types over an elevational gradient from sea level to ∼1,750 m: desert thorn scrub, dry broadleaf forest, pine forest, and montane cloud forest. We quantify nesting success in terms of daily nest survival and cumulative survival probabilities for 14 resident species (3 endemic) and describe life history metrics for these species, including clutch size and length of incubation and brooding. We compare nest success among habitats and highlight the large impact of introduced mammalian predators in all habitats studied. Nesting success was generally lower than in temperate areas, but comparable to other studies of nesting success in the Neotropics, with a mean cumulative survival probability for all open-cup nesting species of 33.6%. Nest failure due to predation varied by species but was overall notably high, ranging from 73% to 100% of all failed nests. Predation was primarily attributable to nonnative mammals introduced via European colonization.

Age, nest initiation, and demographic characteristics of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) breeding at Marsh Lake, Minnesota

ABSTRACT We studied how adult age and condition are related to nest initiation date and estimated survival and age at maturation in the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin, 1789), a long-lived, migratory, colonial-nesting waterbird. Timing of nest initiation in the breeding colony at Marsh Lake, Minnesota, was not related to age or body condition of adults. However, nests were initiated significantly earlier on a more isolated island with higher nest success than another island located nearer to the lake shore. We estimated an adult annual survival probability of 0.813 ± 0.079, similar to that reported for other American White Pelican populations. We estimated the mean age at which American White Pelicans return to nest at Marsh Lake and found that pelicans are unlikely to begin nesting until they are at least 5 years old.

A mixed colony of Tetramorium immigrans SANTSCHI, 1927 and the putative social parasite Tetramorium aspina sp.n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Mixed ant colonies have long fascinated biologists since they are often examples of social parasitism. From the genus Tetramorium Mayr , 1855 two types of social parasitism are well known: dulosis and inquilinism. We present a nest record from Turkey comprising workers of T. immigrans Santschi , 1927, workers and a single gyne of a new species, and brood in commonly used nest chambers. We interpret the new species as a social parasite and describe it as T. aspina sp.n. Three characteristics indicate a morphological degeneration of the worker caste: workers of T. aspina have strongly reduced propodeal spines, larger intranest morphological variability than workers of the T. caespitum complex sensu Wagner & al. (2017: Myrmecological News 25: 95-129), and a larger proportion of these workers have an aberrant propodeum (“propodeal syndrome”) compared with workers of the T. caespitum complex. The discovery of T. aspina raises interesting questions concerning the characterization of its socially parasitic life history and its evolutionary origin. Open access, licensed under CC BY 4.0. © 2018 The Author(s) DOI: https://doi.org/10.25849/myrmecol.news_028:025 Zoobank LSID: http://zoobank.org:8080/References/0FFDEA17-75EA-419B-A732-3E17D4C316CA Pages: 25-33 Volume: 28 Year: 2018 Journal: Myrmecol. News

Sense of coherence in female empty nest elderly and its influence on health self-management skill

Objective To explore the sense of coherence in female empty nest elderly and its influence on health self-management skill. Methods There were 124 female empty nest elderly collected from 2 communities in Beilun and Jiangbei District by convenience sampling between April and October 2017. The basic data questionnaire, Sense of Coherence-13 and Health Self-management Skill Scale for Adults were used to collect data. Results The score of sense of coherence was 57.64±11.35, which was in the low level. The score of health self-management skill was 125.64±20.22, with the highest score in self-management cognition, lowest score in self-management behavior. The sense of coherence and comorbidity can influence the self-management behavior. The educational level, comorbidity and religion can influence the self-management cognition. The sense of coherence and live alone or not caninfluence the self-management environment. Conclusions Community workers should pay attention to the management of female empty nest elderly, expand their social contact, encourage and guide them to use all kinds of social resources to face the difficulties, improve the data for the elderly living alone, establish periodic condolences and follow-up system, and improve the health self-management skills. Key words: Female; Empty nest elderly; Sense of coherence; Health self-management skill