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Observational Approach (observational + approach)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Life Sciences50%

Selected Abstracts

Lumps and bumps in neonates and infants

DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2 2005
Davis Farvolden
ABSTRACT:, There are many developmental abnormalities that may appear in the neonate and in infants when critical steps in embryogenesis fail. These steps are often not fatal but can lead to signifi-cant morbidity for those patients affected. A logical approach is needed in addressing both the diagnostic and therapeutic issues that arise when caring for these patients, as various lesions will warrant an observational approach, and others may require imaging studies or definitive surgical intervention. Additionally, there are other "lumps and bumps" that are seen in the neonatal and infantile age groups that include malignancies and cutaneous neoplasms with associated systemic sequelae. [source]

In-Hive Behavior of Pollen Foragers (Apis mellifera) in Honey Bee Colonies Under Conditions of High and Low Pollen Need

ETHOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
Anja Weidenmüller
Pollen collection in honey bees is regulated around a homeostatic set-point. How the control of pollen collection is achieved is still unclear. Different feedback mechanisms have been proposed but little is known about the experience of pollen foragers in the hive. A detailed documentation of the behavior of pollen foragers in the hive under different pollen need conditions is presented here. Taking a broad observational approach, we analyze the behavior of individual pollen foragers in the hive between collecting trips and quantify the different variables constituting the in-hive stay. Comparing data from two colonies and 143 individuals during experimentally induced times of low vs. times of high pollen need, we show that individual foragers modulate their in-hive working tempo according to the actual pollen need of the colony: pollen foragers slowed down and stayed in the hive longer when pollen need was low and spent less time in the hive between foraging trips when pollen need by their colony was high. Furthermore, our data show a significant change in the trophallactic experience of pollen foragers with changing pollen need conditions of their colony. Pollen foragers had more short (< 3 s) trophallactic contacts when pollen need was high, resulting in an increase of total number of trophallactic contacts. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that trophallactic experience is one of the various information pathways used by pollen foragers to assess their colony's pollen need. [source]

Requirements for the observational approach in deep tunnelling.

GEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 1 2010
Anforderungen an die Beobachtungsmethode bei tiefliegenden Tunneln
General; Structural analysis; Allgemeines; Statik Abstract The author shortly reviews the requirements of the Eurocode 7 regarding the Observational Method for use during tunnel construction. The particularities and problems of applying the Observational Method at deep tunnels are listed. A recommendation is given to improve the situation and to bring the approaches used in normal ground engineering problems and deep tunnels closer together. Zunächst werden die Anforderungen des Eurocodes 7 hinsichtlich der Anwendung der Beobachtungsmethode im Tunnelbau kurzbetrachtet. Anschließend werden die Besonderheiten und Probleme bei deren Anwendung bei tiefliegenden Tunneln analysiert. Dabei zeigen sich wesentliche Unterschiede zu anderen bodenmechanischen Anwendungen. Schließlich werden Empfehlungen gegeben, wie die Anwendung der Beobachtungsmethode verbessert und die Vorgangsweisen vereinheitlicht werden können. [source]

Behavioral responses of nesting birds to human disturbance along recreational trails

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Jennifer R. Smith-Castro
ABSTRACT The presence of recreational trails can impact breeding birds either indirectly by altering habitat or the movement patterns of predators or directly if the presence of humans disturbs birds. We examined the behavioral responses of nesting female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) to human disturbance using both experimental and observational approaches. From April to August 2006 and 2007, we monitored Northern Cardinal nests in 18 riparian forests in Ohio, USA. Two experimental trials were conducted at each nest (N= 63), with Flight Initiation Distance (FID, the distance at which a bird flushed from the nest) recorded as we approached nests by walking directly toward them and by walking along trails located variable distances from nests. We also measured flight initiation distance (FID) when nests were approached during routine nest checks (N= 160). Cardinals were six times more likely to flush when nests were approached directly, and females on higher nests were less likely to flush regardless of distance to trail. FID was not significantly influenced by the distance of nests from trails. We found no association between nest survival and the tendency of birds to flush. Rather, nest survival was best explained by nest height. Thus, our findings suggest that the responses of birds to human use of recreational trails have only short-term effects, with no apparent effects of on nest survival. Because the reaction of birds to humans in our study depended on how nests were approached, studies where FID is used as an indicator of sensitivity to human disturbance and is determined by direct approaches may overestimate the potential impact of trails on nesting birds. RESUMEN Los senderos recreativos pueden tener impactos indirectos a las aves reproductoras por la modificación del hábitat o por la alteración de los patrones de movimiento de los depredadores y tambien pueden tener impactos directos por la perturbación de las actividades humanas. Las respuestas del comportamiento de las hembras de la especie Cardinalis cardinalis a la perturbación humana fueron estudiados usando métodos experimentales y observacionales que aplicaron la Distancia del Comienzo de Vuelo (FID por sus siglas en inglés) como una medida de sensibilidad. De Abril , Agosto de los años 2006 y 2007, monitoreamos nidos de Cardinalis cardinalis en 18 sitios de bosque ripario en Ohio, EEUU. Realizamos dos pruebas experimentales para cada nido (N= 63), así que se registró FID para cada nido cuando se hizo un acercamiento al nido o directamente o por el sendero. Adicionalmente, recopilamos la FID para los acercamientos directos durante los chequeos rutinarios de los nidos (N= 160). Era seis veces mas probable que las aves volarían cuando se hizo el acercamiento al nido directamente, que cuando un observador pas' por el sendero. Era menos probable que las aves volarían de los nidos altos, pero la tendencia de volar no era relacionada a la distancia al sendero. La FID no estaba relacionada significativamente a la distancia al sendero ni a la altura del nido. No encontramos ninguna asociación entre sobrevivencia del nido y la tendencia de volar; sino la mejor explicación para el éxito de la anidación fue solo la altura del nido. Por lo tanto, estos resultados sugieren que las respuestas del comportamiento de las aves al uso recreativo de los senderos representan efectos de corto plazo y con pocas consecuencias importantes a la reproducción. Como la reaccion de las aves a los humanos dependia de la manera en que se hicieron los acercamientos, los estudios que utilizan la respuesta de la FID a los acercamientos directos como un indicador de sensibilidad a la perturbación humana podrían sobreestimar los impactos potenciales de los senderos en los nidos. [source]