Both nonlinear and fractal properties of beat-to-beat R-R interval variability signal (RRV) of freely moving lizards (Gallotia galloti) were studied in baseline and under autonomic nervous system blockade. Nonlinear techniques allowed us to study the complexity, chaotic behavior, nonlinearity, stationarity, and regularity over time of RRV. Scaling behavior of RRV was studied by means of fractal...

In semi-arid environments, 'permanent' rivers are essential sources of surface water for wildlife during 'dry' seasons when rainfall is limited or absent, particularly for species whose resilience to water scarcity is low. The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) requires submersion in water to aid thermoregulation and prevent skin damage by solar radiation; the largest threat to its viability...

OBJECTIVE Rhesus-based rotavirus tetravalent vaccine (RRV-TV; RotaShield) was withdrawn voluntarily from the market in October 1999, and recommendations for use were suspended. Rotavirus infection continues to be a significant health problem affecting children worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pediatricians would either reconsider using RRV-TV or consider other, ...

In recent years, studies have shown that reproductive effort decelerates in response to pathogenic infection. If infection substantially reduces a host's residual reproductive value (RRV), however, then an acceleration of effort may instead occur (e.g. terminal investment). Reproductive acceleration would theoretically allow hosts to maintain or exaggerate their sexual signal upon infection. Th...

A baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein derived from the simian rhesus rotavirus (RRV) was used to parenterally immunize murine dams. VP4-immunized dams developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies against RRV and low levels of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against human strains Wa, ST3, and S2 and animal strains SA-11, NCDV, and Eb. Newborn mice suckled on VP4-immunized dams were prot...

Rapid population growth in Western Australia has resulted in increased development of land for residential housing, and new developments are often proposed close to water because of intrinsic aesthetic values. However, this placement may place future residents at risk of mosquito-borne disease, of which Ross River virus (RRV) disease is the most common in Australia. Mosquito dispersal data were...

OBJECTIVE To propose and test a novel methodology to measure changes in QT interval variability (QTV) unrelated to RR interval variability (RRV) in non-stationary conditions. METHODS Time-frequency coherent and residual spectra representing QTV related (QTVrRRV) and unrelated (QTVuRRV) to RRV, respectively, are estimated using time-frequency Cohen's class distributions. The proposed approach ...

To contribute to a better understanding of the regeneration strategy of Betula albosinensis forests and the likely reasons behind either the successful recovery or failure after strip clearcutting, we compared the population structures and spatial patterns of B. albosinensis in eight B. albosinensis stands in Qinling Mountains, China. Four cut and four uncut stands were selected, and each sampl...

The proposed research intends to develop a methodology in GIS that enables one to accurately represent the geometry of river channels in two and three dimensions. Hydraulic data are used to run a finite element hydrodynamic model and the results of the hydrodynamic model and the biological data are used to predict the impact of flow alteration on fish species habitats in the river. Hydrodynamic...

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are used to estimate different morphologies, analysis of river profile, delineating drainage basin and drainage pattern associated with lithological and structural changes. The study area is Maroon River located in Khuzestan Province, Iran. In this study geomorphometric analysis based on DEM carried out to understand Maroon river uplift rate and tectonic- erosion...