Keeper-animal interactions: differences between the behaviour of zoo animals affect stockmanship

Stockmanship is a term used to describe the management of animals with a good stockperson someone who does this in a in a safe, effective, and low-stress manner for both the stock-keeper and animals involved. Although impacts of unfamiliar zoo visitors on animal behaviour have been extensively studied, the impact of stockmanship i.e familiar zoo keepers is a new area of research; which could reveal significant ramifications for zoo animal behaviour and welfare. It is likely that different relationships are formed dependant on the unique keeper-animal dyad (human-animal interaction, HAI). The aims of this study were to (1) investigate if unique keeper-animal dyads were formed in zoos, (2) determine whether keepers differed in their interactions towards animals regarding their attitude, animal knowl- edge and experience and (3) explore what factors affect keeper-animal dyads and ultimately influence animal behaviour and welfare. Eight black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), eleven Chapman’s zebra (Equus burchellii), and twelve Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra) were studied in 6 zoos across the UK and USA. Subtle cues and commands directed by keepers towards animals were identified. The animals latency to respond and the respective behavioural response (cue-response) was recorded per keeper-animal dyad (n=93). A questionnaire was constructed following a five-point Likert Scale design to record keeper demographic information and assess the job satisfaction of keepers, their attitude towards the animals and their perceived relationship with them. There was a significant difference in the animals’ latency to appropriately respond after cues and commands from different keepers, indicating unique keeper-animal dyads were formed. Stockmanship style was also different between keepers; two main components contributed equally towards this: “attitude towards the animals” and “knowledge and experience of the animals”. In this novel study, data demonstrated unique dyads were formed between keepers and zoo animals, which influenced animal behaviour

Energy efficient engine preliminary design and integration studies

The characteristics and systems benefits of an energy efficient engine (E3) suitable for use on advanced subsonic transport aircraft were determined. Relative to a current CF6-50C engine, the following benefits were estimated: 14.4% reduction in installed cruise specific fuel consumption, and a reduction in direct operating cost of more than 5%. The advanced technology E3 system would also permit: compliance with FAR 36 (1977) noise limits, and compliance with 1981 EPA emission standards

Learning Reverse Engineering and Simulation with Design Visualization

The Design Visualization (DV) group supports work at the Kennedy Space Center by utilizing metrology data with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models and simulations to provide accurate visual representations that aid in decision-making. The capability to measure and simulate objects in real time helps to predict and avoid potential problems before they become expensive in addition to facilitating the planning of operations. I had the opportunity to work on existing and new models and simulations in support of DV and NASAs Exploration Ground Systems (EGS)

Activity, stability and 3-D structure of the Cu(II) form of a chitin-active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

The enzymatic deconstruction of recalcitrant polysaccharide biomass is central to the conversion of these substrates for societal benefit, such as in biofuels. Traditional models for enzyme-catalysed polysaccharide degradation involved the synergistic action of endo-, exo-and processive glycoside hydrolases working in concert to hydrolyse the substrate. More recently this model has been succeeded by one featuring a newly discovered class of mononuclear copper enzymes: lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs; classified as Auxiliary Activity (AA) enzymes in the CAZy classification). In 2013, the structure of an LPMO from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, BaAA10, was solved with the Cu centre photoreduced to Cu(I) in the X-ray beam. Here we present the catalytic activity of BaAA10. We show that it is a chitin-active LPMO, active on both α and β chitin, with the Cu(II) binding with low nM KD, and the substrate greatly increasing the thermal stability of the enzyme. A spiral data collection strategy has been used to facilitate access to the previously unobservable Cu(II) state of the active centre, revealing a coordination geometry around the copper which is distorted from axial symmetry, consistent with the previous findings from EPR spectroscopy

Counterrotating aircraft propulsor blades

A propulsor blade for an aircraft engine includes an airfoil section formed in the shape of a scimitar. A metallic blade spar is interposed between opposed surfaces of the blade and is bonded to the surfaces to establish structural integrity of the blade. The metallic blade spar includes a root end allowing attachment of the blade to the engine

Method of making counterrotating aircraft propeller blades

An aircraft propeller blade is constructed by forming two shells of composite material laminates and bonding the two shells to a metallic spar with foam filler pieces interposed between the shells at desired locations. The blade is then balanced radially and chordwise

Craig Goch Report No. 14 The production of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the Upper Wye, Wales

Apart from the work of Egglishaw (1970) there are few data available on the production of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in freshwaters. Stream studies on salmon are generally confined to the enumeration of smolts (Elson, 1957a; Meister, 1962; Jessop, 1975). In contrast, the production of brown trout (S. trutta L.), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum) is well documented (Allen, 1951; Hunt 1974; Chapman, 1965). This paper reports estimates of salmon production (sensu Ivlev, 1966) in 16 study sites in 16 study sites in the upper catchment of the River Wye over a two year period and forms part of a broader study of fish populations in the Wye

Craig Goch Report No. 10 The effect of density on mortality in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Le Cren (1973) suggested that the most likely population-regulating process in salmonid populations is density-dependent territorial behaviour. Thus, in trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations aggressive territorial behaviour was manifested in density-dependent mortality and the size of the adult stock was largely dependent on the area of suitable rearing ground for the fry (Le Cren, 1973). Ricker (1954) also concluded that in most fish populations compensatory mortality in the juvenile stages, rather than in the mature stock, was of greatest importance as a regulator of population size. The nature of such regulating mechanisms in juvenile populations is, therefore, of fundamental importance in the understanding of the dynamics of fish populations and the implementation of management policies. This paper considers mortality rates of young Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the upper catchment of the R. Wye over a two year period. The work forms part of a broader study of fish populations in the R. Wye