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Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) are notorious for damaging crops and ornamental trees, and are an overabundant nuisance native in some urban areas. Habitat and landscape use studies ideally require the attachment of tracking devices. Here, we describe an attempt to attach GPS transmitters to Little Corellas using the backpack and keel-strap harness method. All five tracking devices initially attached to Little Corellas were removed by the birds within 48-hours. Additionally, a conspecific was observed chewing on the Teflon ribbon of a GPS harness shortly after the release of a Little Corella; a novel record that suggests cooperative abilities for the species. To complement our study, we conducted a literature review of parrot (psittacine) tracking studies. We investigated attachment styles and potential reasons for past device removals. Of the 46-relevant studies, neck collars were the most common attachment method (38.8%), followed by backpack harnesses (24.5%). Transmitter removal was documented in 28.3% of studies, with removals being most common for medium-sized (500–1000 g) species, and for combination (simultaneous back- and tail-mounts; n = 4) and backpack harness attachments (n = 6). Although there are relatively few parrot telemetry studies to date, they are increasing, and future studies will require considerable innovation and collaboration to overcome attachment style hurdles for difficult species, like the Little Corella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: One of the welfare and ethical challenges with tracking animals is ensuring that the tracking device is removed from the animal at the conclusion of the study. However, for animals that are not readily re-trapped, the impact of devices and alternatives for their retrieval are rarely examined. Aims: We compared the retention time of two types of break-away mechanisms for tracking collars deployed on mainland quokkas (Setonix brachyurus). Methods: We tested a cotton thread (CT) weak-link, where the collar was cut and then a looping stitch was made to link the cut ends of the collar. We compared collar retention time of this simple mechanism with a lightweight automatic micro timed-release device (mTRD, Sirtrack). Key results: Of the 17 radio collars with CT, the fates of 15 collars contributed to retention time data. Seven collars released: six fell off and were recovered 148 ± 64 (s.d.) days after deployment and another collar fell off 136 days after deployment but could not be recovered. Eight quokkas were recaptured (161 ± 109 days after deployment) and collars removed. Two quokkas were each tracked for over a year but then disappeared. Of the 11 GPS collars fitted with a mTRD, the fates of nine collars contributed to retention time data. Two released early at 16 and 29 days and were recovered. Seven fell off around the scheduled release date. There were two unknown fates. Re-trapped collared quokkas did not show evidence of injuries from wearing collars or any significant change in body mass (P = 0.442). Conclusions: The timing of release for the CT weak-link was unpredictable, with a third of the collars releasing within 1 year and 7/15 lasting only about 6 months. Over two-thirds (7/9) of the GPS collars fitted with timed-release device released on schedule while 2/9 released early. Implications: Tracking devices equipped with break-away mechanisms are essential for safeguarding animal welfare outcomes for species where the chance of recapture is not certain. For both break-away types examined in this study, the release timing was unpredictable and poor collar recovery rates show the importance of adding camera traps to monitor the outcomes for collared animals. The ethical and welfare challenges with radio tracking animals is ensuring that the device is removed from the animal at the conclusion of the study. We tested two types of collar break-away mechanisms, designed to release the collars over time. One is Cotton Thread weak-link and a second Timed Release Device. For both break-away types, the release timing was unpredictable, and poor collar recovery rates show the importance in adding camera traps to monitor collared animals. Photograph by Leticia F. Povh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To propose an innovative head-tracking device integrated into a standard postoperative eye shield to improve the care of gas-filled eye patients. The present study aims to evaluate the satisfaction and compliance from the users of this device. Materials and Methods: Five healthy volunteers were assigned to use the innovative eye shield for three days at their home and instructed to maintain facedown positioning at all times. Subjects graded their satisfaction and safety scores. Twenty-four hours of positioning data were obtained from the phone devices connected to the eye shield by Bluetooth® system. During the study, an application in the phone will alarm if the participant's head is in the wrong position (more than 15 degrees of the reference). Participants were interviewed about their satisfaction concerning the issue on the third day of the study. Results: Of the five subjects, four were males, and one was female. The mean age was 51.8 years old. From the questionnaires, the majority of subjects were satisfied with the appearance, weight, audio-vibrating level, wearing comfort, and easy instruction (median 5, 5, 5, 4, and 5, respectively, range from 1 to 5). For head positioning compliance, participants maintained their head positioning better in the daytime versus nighttime. The third day had worse compliance compared to the first and second days. For the safety issue, none of the participants reported the blackout of the instrument, short circuit, or skin burn event. Mild irritation from the medical tape was reported from one subject. Conclusion: The innovative eye shield is safe and improves patient compliance in maintaining head positioning after gas-filled intraocular surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lateral wedge insole (LWI) is a typical orthopedic treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis pain, chronic ankle instability, and peroneal tendon disorders. It is still unknown what the effects are in the most important joints of the foot when using LWIs as a treatment for knee and ankle pathologies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of LWIs on the position of the midfoot and rearfoot joints by measuring the changes using a tracking device. Methods: The study was carried out with a total of 69 subjects. Movement measurements for the midfoot were made on the navicular bone, and for the rearfoot on the calcaneus bone. The Polhemus system was used, with two motion sensors fixed to each bone. Subjects were compared by having them use LWIs versus being barefoot. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the varus movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (1.23 ± 2.08°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.35 ± 0.95°), and in the plantarflexion movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (3.02 ± 4.58°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.68 ± 1.34°), in the midfoot. There were also statistically significant differences in the valgus movement when wearing a 7 mm LWI (1.74 ± 2.61°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.40 ± 0.90°), and in the plantar flexion movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (2.88 ± 4.31°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.35 ± 0.90°), in the rearfoot. Conclusions: In the navicular bone, a varus, an abduction, and plantar flexion movements were generated. In the calcaneus, a valgus, an adduction, and plantar flexion movements were generated with the use of LWIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent public cooperation between the Federal University of Technology – Parana (UTFPR) and the Toledo Municipality plans to implement the concept of smart cities in this city. In this context, one of the applications under development intends to track the recyclable garbage collector trucks in real time over the Internet. Actually, fleet vehicle tracking is one of the main applications for smart cities. LoRaWAN stands out among network technologies for smart cities due to operating in an open frequency range, covering long distances with low power consumption and low equipment cost. However, the coverage and performance of LoRaWAN is directly affected by both the environment and configuration parameters. In addition, tracking devices must be able to send its coordinates to the Internet even when the vehicle goes through zones where there are obstacles for electromagnetic waves such as elevated buildings or valleys. In this paper we perform experimental investigations to evaluate four LoRaWAN tracking devices, two available out of the box and two assembled and programmed. The behavior of each tracking device is analyzed when moving at a constant speed through three representative urban areas totaling 10.71 km2. The two most efficient tracking devices are analyzed in a stretch of 3.5 km with speeds ranging from 0 to 30 km/h, 0 to 50 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h. Results include a quantitative and qualitative aspects, including the received signal strength indication (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), packet delivery ratio (PDR), and spreading factor (SF) for the received geographic coordinates. As the devices depend on the quality of the signal offered by the network, we also present the results of the development and evaluation of the LoRaWAN network, by planning its coverage throughout the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical bases of optimal tracking systems synthesis are considered. The main purpose of such systems is to keep the error between the actual and desired outputs of the system at a low level with minimal energy consumption. This concept is appealing to the fact that the vast majority of control systems solve problems without regard to the expediency of using the internal energy resources of the system itself. The main task of an automated guided vehicle is to move from one point to another. An algorithm for forming the desired trajectory between two points, specified on the map, was developed. With optimal energy consumption, this approach will make a practical contribution to the field of automation, self-driving cars, etc. The concept of optimal, energy-efficient control has been implemented. Several experiments with different regulators have been carried out to verify the concept of the tracking systems and to convince the significant advantage of the optimality among the other systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Th e carcasses of infected wild boars, which gradually degrade in the wild, seem to play a significant role in the spread of African swine fever (ASF). Their consumption by other pigs has been already demonstrated. Th e aim of the study was to verify the possibility of using dogs with no special training to search for these carcasses. Special dog training, especially for reporting a found carcass, lasts 4–6 months. On the other hand it was found that most dogs, whether hunting or of other breeds, look for decomposing cadaver when moving in the field, but only exceptionally report the found cadaver to the handler. Th e above mentioned findings led to the verification of the possibility of searching for carcasses (replaced by the decaying skin of a wild boar in this study) using dogs that carry the registration device (surveillance collar, camera). One group consisted of individuals of hunting breeds with standard hunting tests (15 individuals), the other group of dogs of different breeds (including hybrids) with no hunting practice (15 individuals). During the search, the dogs carried cameras that recorded video and registered actual GPS coordinates, speed and current track. A comparison of the work of hunting dogs and dogs without tests showed that hunting dogs reached a higher average (8.21 vs. 4.51 km/h) and maximum speed (18.8 vs. 11.45 km/h) when searching. In conclusion, it can be stated that for searching for carcasses it is possible to use hunting dogs with no special training, equipped with an electronic device that records the movement of the dog and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past two decades have seen the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infections that are characterized as extremely contagious, with a high fatality rate in chickens, and humans; this has sparked considerable concerns for global health. Generally, the new variant of the HPAI virus crossed into various countries through wild bird migration, and persisted in the local environment through the interactions between wild and farmed birds. Nevertheless, no studies have found informative cases associated with connecting local persistence and long-range dispersal. During the 2016–2017 HPAI H5N6 epidemic in South Korea, we observed several waterfowls with avian influenza infection under telemetric monitoring. Based on the telemetry records and surveillance data, we conducted a case study to test hypotheses related to the transmission pathway between wild birds and poultry. One sedentary wildfowl naturally infected with HPAI H5N6, which overlapped with the home range of one migratory bird with H5-specific antibody-positive, showed itself to be phylogenetically close to the isolates from a chicken farm located within its habitat. Our study is the first observational study that provides scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that the HPAI spillover into poultry farms is caused by local persistence in sedentary birds, in addition to its long-range dispersal by sympatric migratory birds.

Every year, approximately 3% of cats and dogs are lost. In addition to passive methods for identifying pets, radiofrequency tracking devices (TDs) are available. These TDs can track a pet’s geographic position, which is transmitted by radio frequencies. The health risk to the animals from continuous exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) was reviewed. Fourteen out of twenty-one commercially available TDs use 2G, 3G, or 4G mobile networks, and the others work with public frequencies, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. The exposure of pets to RF-EMFs was assessed, including ambient exposure (radios, TVs, and base stations of mobile networks), exposure from indoor devices (DECT, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.), and the exposure from TDs. The exposure levels of the three areas were found to be distinctly below the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference levels, which assure far-reaching protection from adverse health effects. The highest uncertainty regarding the exposure of pets was related to that caused by indoor RF-emitting devices using WLAN and DECT. This exposure can be limited considerably through a reduction in the exposure time and an increase in the distance between the animal and the RF-emitting device. Even though the total RF-EMF exposure level experienced by pets was found to be below the reference limits, recommendations were derived to reduce potential risks from exposure to TDs and indoor devices.

Currently, the deployment of tracking devices is one of the most frequently used approaches to study movement ecology of birds. Recent miniaturization of light‐level geolocators enabled studying small bird species whose migratory patterns were widely unknown. However, geolocators may reduce vital rates in tagged birds and may bias obtained movement data.There is a need for a thorough assessment of the potential tag effects on small birds, as previous meta‐analyses did not evaluate unpublished data and impact of multiple life‐history traits, focused mainly on large species and the number of published studies tagging small birds has increased substantially.We quantitatively reviewed 549 records extracted from 74 published and 48 unpublished studies on over 7,800 tagged and 17,800 control individuals to examine the effects of geolocator tagging on small bird species (body mass <100 g). We calculated the effect of tagging on apparent survival, condition, phenology and breeding performance and identified the most important predictors of the magnitude of effect sizes.Even though the effects were not statistically significant in phylogenetically controlled models, we found a weak negative impact of geolocators on apparent survival. The negative effect on apparent survival was stronger with increasing relative load of the device and with geolocators attached using elastic harnesses. Moreover, tagging effects were stronger in smaller species.In conclusion, we found a weak effect on apparent survival of tagged birds and managed to pinpoint key aspects and drivers of tagging effects. We provide recommendations for establishing matched control group for proper effect size assessment in future studies and outline various aspects of tagging that need further investigation. Finally, our results encourage further use of geolocators on small bird species but the ethical aspects and scientific benefits should always be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is common in animal‐monitoring applications in the wild and in zoological and agricultural settings. RFID is used to track animals and to collect information about movements and other behaviors, as well as to automate or improve husbandry. Disney's Animal Kingdom® uses passive RFID technology to monitor nest usage by a breeding colony of northern carmine bee‐eaters. We implemented RFID technologies in various equipment configurations, initially deploying low‐frequency (LF) 125 kHz RFID and later changing to high‐frequency (HF) 13.56 MHz RFID technology, to monitor breeding behavior in the flock. We installed antennas connected to RFID readers at the entrances of nest tunnels to detect RFID transponders attached to leg bands as birds entered and exited tunnels. Both LF‐RFID and HF‐RFID systems allowed the characterization of nest visitation, including the timing of nest activity, breeding pair formation, identification of egg‐laying females, participation by nonresidents, and detection of nest disruptions. However, we collected a substantially larger volume of data using the increased bandwidth and polling speed inherent with HF‐RFID, which permitted tag capture of multiple birds simultaneously and resulted in fewer missed nest visits in comparison to LF‐RFID. Herein, we describe the evolution of the RFID setups used to monitor nest usage for more than 7 years, the types of data that can be gained using RFID at nests, and how we used these data to gain insights into carmine bee‐eater breeding behavior and improve husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-level geolocators are increasingly popular devices for tracking migratory birds. However, to ensure that data on migratory behaviour represent natural behaviour that is not affected by potentially harmful effects of carrying such a device, their effects on behaviour and fitness should be assessed. A review of studies that tested for effects of tarsus-mounted light-level geolocators on seabirds showed that results are equivocal and often difficult to interpret due to the inclusion of only few traits and/or the lack of a proper experimental design. We therefore experimentally tested whether tarsus-mounted light-level geolocators affected a long-distance migratory seabird, the Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Using a well-matched treatment and control group, including both males and females, we tested whether light-level geolocators, deployed in the second half of incubation, affected the subsequent share of incubation, provisioning rate, reproductive performance, phenology or survival of tagged birds or their partners. In the year of deployment, we found no evidence for the behaviour of tagged birds or their partners to be affected by the geolocators. Moreover, we found no effect on their reproductive performance and departure date from the breeding colony. Finally, neither local survival to the next season, nor arrival date to the breeding colony in that season differed between tagged birds or their partners and control birds. These results suggest that a year of carrying a light-level geolocator attached to the tarsus has negligible effects on Common Terns and that such a device can be used to study their migratory behaviour without causing problems or introducing bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with braking tests of semi-trailer truck in forward and rear driving direction. It compares the accelerations and angular velocities in the front and rear part of the semi-trailer and their influence on forces in lashing points when using front lashing. The paper also contains a comparison between forces reached in the lashing points at the rate of cargo weight between the braking tests of semi-trailer and similar braking tests of a van. The first part of the paper contains also possibilities of using tracking devices for detecting accelerations acting on cargo in semi-trailer during transport.

This research was carried out in order to define the amount of grassland usage by recording sheep herd's movements with the help of GPS tracking device in the grassland and in the other areas. In this research, GPS tracking device and two herds that have 750 animals (mostly sheep) were used as the material. The research was carried out in 1655,7-hectare grassland that located in the Konya-Çumra-Erentepe village. These grasslands are similar to a typical Middle Anatolian grassland and have 2-6% slope. GPS tracking devices were attached to a sheep that represents each herd. Herds were monitored for 61 days between the June and October. GPS tracks, coordinates, speed and altitude data were obtained from each herd. In conclusion, amount of grassland usage were calculated by processing all the data with software "Map İnfo 12.0 CBS". The highest pasture usage amount was calculated to average 70% for herd (B) in June and the lowest pasture usage amount was average 30% for herd (B) in August. It's also calculated, that herds take distance average 8,5km in each grazing day [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic models are recognized as important training tools. Lower fidelity systems are used mainly for simpler tasks; an advanced suturing task may allow for additional training of experts. The purpose of this study was to explore the educational role of an advanced suturing task using motion analysis and establish the task's construct validity.Methods: The pediatric laparoscopic surgery (PLS) simulator was customized with motion-tracking hardware and software. Participants were stratified by expertise, then performed an advanced task involving intracorporeal suturing in a vertical plane, with the suture passing superiorly to inferiorly. Traditional PLS scores were calculated, and motion was analyzed in the four degrees of freedom available in laparoscopic surgery (Pitch, Yaw, Roll, and Surge). Data were compared to historic results for a standard suturing task.Results: Sixty participants were recruited (8 novices, 13 intermediates, and 39 experts). Analysis of motion in all degrees of freedom allowed discrimination between participants based on expertise level. Compared with the standard task, PLS scores for the advanced task were significantly lower for intermediates and experts, and the number of extreme motion events was significantly higher, indicating that advanced task is more challenging. In addition, only 76.3% of experts, 76.9% of intermediates, and 37.5% of novices were able to successfully complete the advanced task.Conclusions: Performance of an advanced intracorporeal suturing task allowed discrimination of expertise level. The task's increased complexity may help hone laparoscopic technical skills, particularly among advanced performers, and even allow discrimination of psychomotor expertise within the traditional cohort of experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hadrontherapy is a technique for cancer treatment that exploits ion beams (mostly protons and carbons). A critical issue is the accuracy that is achievable when monitoring the dose released by the beam to the tumor and to the surrounding tissues. We present the design of a tracking device, developed in the framework of the INSIDE project [1] , capable of monitoring in real time the longitudinal profile of the dose delivered in the patient. This is possible by detecting the secondary particles produced by the interaction of the beam in the tissues. The position of the Bragg peak can be correlated to the charged particles emission point distribution measurement. The tracking device will be able to provide a fast response on the dose pattern by tracking the secondary charged fragments. The tracks are detected using 6 planes of scintillating fibers, providing the 3D coordinates of the track intersection with each plane. The fibers planes are followed by a plastic scintillator and by a small calorimeter built with a pixelated Lutetium Fine Silicate (LFS) crystal. A complete detector simulation, followed by the event reconstruction, has been performed to determine the achievable monitoring spatial resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic models for ex vivo up-skilling are becoming increasingly important components of surgical education. This study aims to establish the construct validity and possible educational role of a new laparoscopic box trainer equipped with a motion-tracking device. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to assign participants into novice, intermediate, or expert categories according to level of experience in minimal access surgery (MAS). Participants carried out a well-defined intracorporeal suturing task. Three specific motion analysis parameters (MAPs)-velocity, acceleration, and range-were measured and analyzed as movements in the four degrees of freedom available in traditional MAS using tracking sensors at the trocar insertion sites. Results: The number of extreme velocity and acceleration events in all four degrees of freedom proved capable of differentiating between participants in the three categories of surgical experience using an ANOVA test ( p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis confirmed these differences in the number of extreme velocity and acceleration events between all groups tested except for the velocity of the roll between the intermediates and experts. Conclusion: These findings confirm construct validity for this new laparoscopic box trainer system, which employs a novel analysis based on motion parameters. Motion parameters provide information regarding the overall smoothness of the operator's instrument handling, an important aspect of a surgeon's technique. This preliminary data will be used to design a simulator with real-time motion feedback to enhance its educational value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that individuals may change adherence to public health policies aimed at reducing the contact, transmission, and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus after they receive their first SARS-CoV-2 vaccination when they are not fully vaccinated., Objective: We aimed to estimate changes in median daily travel distance of our cohort from their registered addresses before and after receiving a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine., Methods: Participants were recruited into Virus Watch starting in June 2020. Weekly surveys were sent out to participants, and vaccination status was collected from January 2021 onward. Between September 2020 and February 2021, we invited 13,120 adult Virus Watch participants to contribute toward our tracker subcohort, which uses the GPS via a smartphone app to collect data on movement. We used segmented linear regression to estimate the median daily travel distance before and after the first self-reported SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose., Results: We analyzed the daily travel distance of 249 vaccinated adults. From 157 days prior to vaccination until the day before vaccination, the median daily travel distance was 9.05 (IQR 8.06-10.09) km. From the day of vaccination to 105 days after vaccination, the median daily travel distance was 10.08 (IQR 8.60-12.42) km. From 157 days prior to vaccination until the vaccination date, there was a daily median decrease in mobility of 40.09 m (95% CI -50.08 to -31.10; P<.001). After vaccination, there was a median daily increase in movement of 60.60 m (95% CI 20.90-100; P<.001). Restricting the analysis to the third national lockdown (January 4, 2021, to April 5, 2021), we found a median daily movement increase of 18.30 m (95% CI -19.20 to 55.80; P=.57) in the 30 days prior to vaccination and a median daily movement increase of 9.36 m (95% CI 38.6-149.00; P=.69) in the 30 days after vaccination., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of collecting high-volume geolocation data as part of research projects and the utility of these data for understanding public health issues. Our various analyses produced results that ranged from no change in movement after vaccination (during the third national lock down) to an increase in movement after vaccination (considering all periods, up to 105 days after vaccination), suggesting that, among Virus Watch participants, any changes in movement distances after vaccination are small. Our findings may be attributable to public health measures in place at the time such as movement restrictions and home working that applied to the Virus Watch cohort participants during the study period., (©Vincent Nguyen, Yunzhe Liu, Richard Mumford, Benjamin Flanagan, Parth Patel, Isobel Braithwaite, Madhumita Shrotri, Thomas Byrne, Sarah Beale, Anna Aryee, Wing Lam Erica Fong, Ellen Fragaszy, Cyril Geismar, Annalan M D Navaratnam, Pia Hardelid, Jana Kovar, Addy Pope, Tao Cheng, Andrew Hayward, Robert Aldridge, Virus Watch Collaborative. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 08.03.2023.)

Miniaturized tracking devices are taking a rapidly increasing role in studies measuring animal movement and other aspects of behaviour, especially for wide-ranging species such as seabirds that are difficult to observe otherwise. A crucial, but questionable criterion of such migration research is assuming that effects of tracking devices on animal behaviour are negligible, to ensure results of tracking studies are biologically relevant. To address this concern, we experimentally quantified effects of a 2 g (ca. 1.1% of body mass) geolocation device on crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) behaviour, including return rate, activity on the colony surface, and measures of reproductive performance in a two-year, two-part field study. In experiment 1, we fitted tracking devices (or identical dummy devices) to one mate of a breeding pair in nesting crevices, to quantify effects on reproductive performance and nest fidelity. In experiment 2, we assigned dummy devices to birds captured at the colony site surface, to quantify effects on social activity, return rate and provisioning behaviour. For birds tagged in crevices, we detected no effect on fledging success, or chick growth rate (mass and wing length). However, mass at fledging age of chicks provisioned with one tagged parent was significantly lower than control, and low nest site fidelity (compared to control birds) was observed for tagged birds. Individuals tagged on the colony surface showed significantly reduced colony surface activity, return rates and provisioning behaviour. This study shows strong 'observer effects' of an attached device well below the recommended size limit for wildlife tagging. Future studies should both quantify effects of attached devices and consider the biological relevance of measures of the behaviour of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To design and demonstrate a new susceptibility-based tracking device with an artifact that can be mechanically turned on and off, thus permitting tracking and imaging at the device tip with limited artifact. Methods The magnetic susceptibilities of readily obtainable grades of titanium and graphite were measured. Using numerical optimization, layer thicknesses for three concentric cylinders were found where the field from the graphite layer maximally cancelled the fields from titanium layers. The tracking elements were fabricated for an outer diameter of 3 mm and attached to a catheter to show feasibility of detection in phantoms and in vivo. Results The device was successfully integrated into a 9F catheter, and its use with conventional guidewires under fluoroscopy was demonstrated by guiding the catheter through the bifurcation into the carotid artery. MR images including the catheter tip were acquired with the device in both the 'on' and 'off' positions. Conclusion A new passive tracking device with a susceptibility effect that can be enabled and disabled by sliding one of the components was designed, fabricated, and demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo. The device may also be integrated into many different interventional MR devices such as needles, ultrasound transducers for prostate biopsy, or any catheter-based devices. Magn Reson Med 72:269-275, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of tracking devices (e.g., VHF radio collars, GPS collars, ear transmitters) enables researchers to assess activity budgets, species-specific movement patterns, effects of environmental enrichment, and exercise levels in zoo animals. The fundamental assumption in these studies of tagged animals is that attachable tracking devices have negligible effects on the animals’ behavior. The present study examined solitary and social behavior rates, as well as overall activity budgets, in eight African elephants living at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA, USA. Each elephant was trained over several months to wear leather collars affixed with GPS units encased in watertight plastic containers. Behavioral data collected while the GPS collars were worn (16 daylight hours, 16 night hours) were compared to behavioral data when the GPS collars were not worn (16 daylight hours, 16 night hours) throughout June and July 2010. No significant differences (P <0.05) in behavior rates or average percent of observation time the subjects were recorded in particular states were found. During the morning hours, while the collars were both worn and not worn, feeding was the most common behavior state (M =44.7±3.8%, M =49.3±15.3%), followed by resting (M =35.5±10%, M =37.3±12%) and walking (M =10±3.1%, M =8.7±1.9%). During the evening hours, feeding remained the most common behavior state for both worn and not worn conditions (M =66.1±12.3%, M =63.3±13.7%), followed by resting (M =17.6±7.7%, M =19.4±9.5%), and sleeping (M =8.1±8.9%, M =7.8±8.1%). This distribution of daily behavior state is similar to previous activity budgets examined in other zoo elephant herds. These results suggest that, with adequate training, GPS collars may have minimal impact on the behavior of zoo elephants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Abstract: Study Objective: To determine whether economy of instrument movement can differentiate between skills levels during intracorporeal suturing using a box trainer model. Design: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting: Skills laboratory of a university teaching hospital. Subjects: Forty-two volunteers participated including 19 medical students without previous laparoscopic experience (novices), 12 residents in obstetrics and gynecology (intermediates), and 11 practitioners of intracorporeal suturing who had performed at least 200 laparoscopic procedures including advanced surgery (experts). Interventions: Each participant performed 3 consecutive standardized intracorporeal sutures using a box trainer, and instrument movements were recorded using the TrEndo tracking device. Measurements and Main Results: Time, path length, motion in depth, and motion smoothness of the instrument tips were recorded. Performance in the 3 groups differed significantly (p <.001 for all parameters; Kruskal-Wallis test). Experts outperformed novices in all 4 parameters (p <.01; Bonferroni test). Conclusion: The construct validity has been suggested for time, path length, motion in depth, and motion smoothness for assessment of the laparoscopic suturing task using a box trainer. An expert level has been set for training and assessment purposes. The addition of economy of movement to time to complete the task has the potential to refine acquisition of skills. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]