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Articles 1 - 30 of 81
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Effects Of Short-Term Pesticides Exposure On Swimming Behavior, Tissue Morphology, Oxidative-Nitrative Stress, Antioxidant Expression, And Cellular Apoptosis In Kidneys Of Goldfish, Esmirna Cantú
Theses and Dissertations
The prevalence of pesticides in the aquatic environment continues to increase due to anthropogenic activities and poses a threat to aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term exposure (one-week) of pesticide mixtures (metolachlor, linuron, isoproturon, tebucanazole, alconifen, atrazine, pendimethalin; azinphos-methyl) on swimming behaviors, kidney morphology, and expression of nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), renin, and cellular apoptosis in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Results indicated that both low- and high-dose pesticide mixtures decreased the distance swimming behavior. Histological analysis showed pesticide exposure alters kidney morphology. DNP, NTP, and renin expressions, and …
Monitoring The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Exits And Bobcat Use Along A South Texas Highway, Jamie E. Langbein
Monitoring The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Exits And Bobcat Use Along A South Texas Highway, Jamie E. Langbein
Theses and Dissertations
Roadside exclusion fencing is commonly used to mitigate wildlife road mortalities and property damages caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. A potential consequence is that animals may become trapped on the road by fencing. On State Highway 100 in South Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation installed ten wildlife exits (WE) allowing animals to exit the roadway through a modified opening in the fence. However, some individuals used the WE to access the roadway. In this study, a new design was implemented, with narrower openings, a ramp and a clear plastic one-way door. While the updated design prevented road access for wildlife, …
The Effects Of Caffeine On Activity Levels And Motor Behaviors In The Honeybee, Apis Mellifera, Johana Castro
The Effects Of Caffeine On Activity Levels And Motor Behaviors In The Honeybee, Apis Mellifera, Johana Castro
Theses and Dissertations
Caffeine is produced by plants as a defense mechanism against herbivores and pathogens. However, caffeine was found in floral nectar, which contradicts nectar's role in attracting pollinators. Interestingly, low concentrations of caffeine were shown to increase alertness and locomotion in mammals and invertebrates, indicating it may enhance the productivity of pollinators. This investigation examined how caffeine affects activity levels and motor behaviors in the honey bee, Apis mellifera. To test overall activity, forager bees were collected and fed 1 M sucrose to satiation. The following day, bees received 10 µl of 1.0 M sucrose alone or with caffeine ranging from …
Effect Of Elevated Temperature And Roundup Exposure On Oxidative Stress And Antioxidant Status In The American Oyster, Afsana Chowdhury
Effect Of Elevated Temperature And Roundup Exposure On Oxidative Stress And Antioxidant Status In The American Oyster, Afsana Chowdhury
Theses and Dissertations
Aquatic organisms are frequently exposed to various environmental stressors. In this study, we observed the short-term (1-week) combined dose-dependent effect of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, and high temperature (30°C) on the morphology of gills and digestive glands, expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) in tissues of American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Histological analyses showed an increase in mucous production in the gills and digestive glands, hemocyte aggregation in the connective tissues as well as structural change of the lumen in the digestive glands …
Population Genetics Among Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Ticks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Bianca Liana Guerra
Population Genetics Among Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Ticks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Bianca Liana Guerra
Theses and Dissertations
Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a common tick species in the lower Rio Grande Valley of both human and veterinary concern. Two lineages of R. sanguineus have been described across the United States known as the tropical and temperate lineage. Both lineages can be differentiated morphologically, genetically, biologically, and by vector competence. The species name for both lineages has not been well established therefore this thesis will utilize their widely used identification. Both lineages have been identified in Texas. While the distribution of these lineages has been well-defined in some regions across the world, recent studies have observed sympatric populations in certain …
Red Snapper Abundance, Growth, And Movement At Different Structural Configurations In The Rio Grande Valley Artificial Reef, Marybeth J. Weihbrecht
Red Snapper Abundance, Growth, And Movement At Different Structural Configurations In The Rio Grande Valley Artificial Reef, Marybeth J. Weihbrecht
Theses and Dissertations
The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) artificial reef was built with the goal of providing habitat for reef fish at various life stages. This study used fish trapping to analyze red snapper and grey triggerfish size and abundance in the RGV reef. Mark-recapture of red snapper was utilized to determine growth, movement, and site fidelity within the reef. Nine configurations of patches consisting of varying combinations and densities of concrete pyramids and low-profile modules were surveyed, as well as additional sites of cinder block palettes and concrete railroad ties. Red snapper and triggerfish abundance per trap hour varied significantly by site …
South Texas Wildlife Activity Across A Fragmented Landscape And Road Mitigation Corridor, Caitlin K. Brett
South Texas Wildlife Activity Across A Fragmented Landscape And Road Mitigation Corridor, Caitlin K. Brett
Theses and Dissertations
Wildlife crossing structures (WCS) and roadside fencing are commonly installed to mitigate habitat fragmentation, wildlife road mortalities, and other negative effects that roads can have on the surrounding landscape. Eight such WCS were constructed below Farm-to-Market (FM)106 in Cameron County, Texas, across a 16 km corridor transecting the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. These WCS, paired with adjacent roadside fencing, were intended to prevent road mortalities of the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and to mitigate the barrier effect of FM106 on this and other meso-mammal species. This study will analyze camera trap data from roadside and habitat reference …
Bobcat Identification, Abundance, And Behavior At Road Mitigation Structures In South Texas, Victoria Hanley
Bobcat Identification, Abundance, And Behavior At Road Mitigation Structures In South Texas, Victoria Hanley
Theses and Dissertations
Highways in South Texas fragment the landscape and result in high road mortality rates for the endangered US ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). In response, the Texas Department of Transportation constructed nine wildlife crossing structures (WCS) on Farm-to-Market (FM) 106 which adjoins Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas. With ocelots being rare and elusive, bobcats (Lynx rufus) are often used as a surrogate species to study felid behavior at road mitigation structures in South Texas. Bobcats have unique markings which allow them to be individually identified. Three methods of individual identification of bobcats using camera …
Wildlife Road Mortality Patterns In South Texas And Survey Methodology Improvement, Bradley E. Beer
Wildlife Road Mortality Patterns In South Texas And Survey Methodology Improvement, Bradley E. Beer
Theses and Dissertations
Mortalities of wildlife caused by collisions with vehicles along roads are increasing in prevalence, threatening the existence of various species and populations. A better understanding of how mortalities change in response to natural and anthropogenic variables and efficient methods of obtaining mortality data are essential to mitigating such mortalities. This thesis investigates several key elements to improving road mortality surveys in south Texas. First, it was found that road mortality survey counts did not change under a pandemic-related lockdown and that 2 mortality survey observers detect more mortalities than 1. Analysis of brown pelican groundings on Texas State Highway 48 …
Effects Of Roundup Exposure On Redox Status, Cellular Apoptosis, And Antioxidant And Osmoregulatory Enzyme Expressions In Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Md Imran Noor
Theses and Dissertations
Intense anthropogenic activities of industrialized nations dramatically increase environmental pollution. This study focused on the effects of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, exposure (low- and high-dose: 0.5 and 5 mg/L for 2 weeks) on dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Na+ /K+ - ATPase (NKA), and renin expressions, and cellular apoptosis in the gills and kidneys of goldfish. Histopathological analysis showed widespread tissue damage in both gills and kidneys. Immunohistochemical analysis provided insights into the expression of molecular biomarkers in tissues. Fish exposed to Roundup exhibited a significant (P<0.05) upregulation in DNP, NTP, SOD, and CAT expressions, and apoptotic nuclei in both tissues. Additionally, exposure to Roundup significantly increased renin expression in kidneys and decreased NKA expression in gills. Overall, our results suggest that exposure to Roundup induces oxidative/nitrative stress and cellular apoptosis and alters osmoregulatory and antioxidant systems which may lead to impaired physiological functions in goldfish.
Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex Sp.) Seed Preferences And Distribution In A Suburban Setting, Lilly V. Elliott
Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex Sp.) Seed Preferences And Distribution In A Suburban Setting, Lilly V. Elliott
Theses and Dissertations
Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex sp.) are omnivorous ants native to Texas and are the main food source for the threatened Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum). Little research has been conducted on harvester ants in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and their interactions with their environment. For this purpose, a variety of experiments were conducted to better understand these interactions and preferences. In CHAPTER I, suburban harvester ants were exposed commonly used cover crop seeds in the LRGV and inoculated seeds via seed depots over the course of 24 hours. We found that harvester ants do …
Bullet-Proof Boll Weevil: The History Of Boll Weevil Eradication, Evan A. Berg
Bullet-Proof Boll Weevil: The History Of Boll Weevil Eradication, Evan A. Berg
Theses and Dissertations
Farmers and entomologists have all experimented with various methods to find the best way to defeat the United States' boll weevil. The techniques themselves, while expansive, can be examined within the scope of the years that they were used. This provides an exciting insight into how cotton pest management became more complex as the decades moved on and revealed how the science of cotton pest management evolved to deal with the boll weevil and other future cotton threats.
Early Embryology In Collembola With An Emphasis On Wing Development, Samantha A. Gonzalez
Early Embryology In Collembola With An Emphasis On Wing Development, Samantha A. Gonzalez
Theses and Dissertations
The primary objective of this study was to further the understanding of the wing origin in insects. Currently there are several theories which are popular such as the tergum theory, the pleural plate theory, and the dual theory of wing origin. Studies for these theories have been done on crustaceans, the ancestors to modern day insects. By utilizing a pre insect hexapod, it may be possible to better understand the transition to insect wings. Members of the Collembola species Hypogastrurid are one of these pre-insect hexapods which may provide a clue into origins of wing development. During this study, the …
Duet Phonology And Syntax Of The Red-Crowned Parrots In South Texas, Abigail Pozulp
Duet Phonology And Syntax Of The Red-Crowned Parrots In South Texas, Abigail Pozulp
Theses and Dissertations
Bird behavioral interaction systems show a preference for temporal precision. This preference is exemplified in the way many species avoid masking of vocal signals. Antiphonal duetting in songbirds suggest that overlapping notes are a sign of poor temporal coordination which can signify a weak pairbond, a possible cue for conspecifics seeking to usurp territories or mates. However, parrots (Psittacidae) are accomplished yet understudied duetters in nature. I recorded antiphonal duets produced by a wild population of red-crowned parrots (Amazona viridigenalis) in Brownsville, Texas. Temporal and acoustic variation of signals was assessed within and across a sample of mated …
Home Range Dynamics And Juvenile Dispersal Of Gray Hawks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Michael Stewart
Home Range Dynamics And Juvenile Dispersal Of Gray Hawks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Michael Stewart
Theses and Dissertations
Using GPS-GSM transmitters I determined when 14 juvenile Gray Hawks (Buteo plagiatus) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas fledged from their natal areas and how far they traveled once they dispersed. These transmitters also allowed me to calculate home range sizes for 22 adults. Additionally, with the GPS-GSM transmitters and 15 VHF transmitters, I discovered that adult Gray Hawks in the study area remained in their territories year-round. Home range sizes were calculated using the minimum convex polygon estimator, the estimation of kernel home-range, and the estimation of kernel Brownian bridge home-range. The same three methods allowed me …
Effects Of Early Corticosterone Treatment On Vocal Babbling In Wild Green-Rumped Parrotlets (Forpus Passerinus), Celia Rose Mclean
Effects Of Early Corticosterone Treatment On Vocal Babbling In Wild Green-Rumped Parrotlets (Forpus Passerinus), Celia Rose Mclean
Theses and Dissertations
The stress axis of the endocrine system allows for animals to respond to environmental stressors in contextually appropriate ways. Elevated levels of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) in male songbirds can result in compromised song learning ability. Parrots form a sister group to songbirds, but it is unknown whether CORT affects vocal development in parrots. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of CORT supplements in green-rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerinus), a free-ranging parrot species in Venezuela. Bouts of vocal babbling were extracted from nest box videos and analyzed. CORT supplementation resulted in differences in babbling …
Assessing The Level Of Perception Of Knowledge About Ticks And Tick-Borne Diseases Among The Residents Of Several Cities In The Transboundary Region Of U.S.-Mexico, Consuelo Aguilar
Theses and Dissertations
The transboundary region of U.S.-Mexico possesses similar weather conditions and habitats favoring insects (vectors) like ticks. Several tick species found in the transboundary region of U.S.-Mexico can transmit pathogens. In the last three years, a total of 40 cases of Rickettsial infections, 28 in Tamaulipas and 12 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, have been reported. A low level of knowledge about diseases that ticks can transmit along with a lack of appropriate protection practices can severely affect human health. Limited surveys on ticks and tick-borne disease are available. Our goal was to (1) assess the perception of knowledge of …
Determining The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Exits Along A South Texas Highway, Zarina N. Sheikh
Determining The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Exits Along A South Texas Highway, Zarina N. Sheikh
Theses and Dissertations
Movement is a key component of survival for many species, often causing wildlife to cross heavily trafficked highways, resulting in road mortalities. In Cameron County, Texas, ten wildlife exits (WE) were installed along State Highway 100 in conjunction with existing mitigation structures to provide species such as the U.S. endangered ocelot with a safe option to escape the right-of-way (ROW). The objectives of this study were to determine effectiveness and species usage, as well as to estimate the percentage of wildlife that crossed back into the habitat via a WE. Results of this study showed that all six target species …
Infection And Persistence Of Zika Virus In Female Immune-Competent Gray Short-Tailed Opossums (Monodelphis Domestica), Oscar Quintanilla
Infection And Persistence Of Zika Virus In Female Immune-Competent Gray Short-Tailed Opossums (Monodelphis Domestica), Oscar Quintanilla
Theses and Dissertations
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a class IV RNA virus transmitted by Aedes species of mosquitoes. It produces flu-like symptoms, but recent studies have associated additional, more severe pathologies with ZIKV like microcephaly. Currently, no effective treatment options or vaccines exist. This is partly due to limitations of current animal models. Monodelphis domestica (the gray short-tail opossum) may serve as a proper model for ZIKV research. Here we test the susceptibility of M. domestica to ZIKV infection. Female, immune-competent subjects were injected with live ZIKV and analyzed serologically and histologically for evidence of ZIKV replication. ELISAs performed on sera confirmed that …
Detecting Snake Fungal Disease (Ophidiomyces Ophiodiicola) In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Manuel Zavala
Detecting Snake Fungal Disease (Ophidiomyces Ophiodiicola) In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Manuel Zavala
Theses and Dissertations
Emerging diseases such as Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (Oo) have caused population declines in various snake species in the United States which play a crucial role in the ecosystem as a natural pest control. This fungus targets the scales as a medium to thrive on which can lead to facial disfiguration and respiratory infections. We examined snakes to see if SFD was present in the LRGV and if other fungal species pose a threat to the various snake species population. The data for this study consisted of 14 live snakes captured in …
Influence Of Landscape Factors On Wildlife Presence And Road Mitigation Structure Performance, Taylor M. Hopkins
Influence Of Landscape Factors On Wildlife Presence And Road Mitigation Structure Performance, Taylor M. Hopkins
Theses and Dissertations
There are roughly 80 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) remaining in the United States, with the entire population constrained to south Texas, with roadkill being a predominant source of mortality. To prevent additional roadkill and maintain wildlife movement, Texas Department of Transportation constructed 11.9 kilometers of wildlife exclusion fencing, 5 wildlife crossing structures (WCS), and 18 wildlife guards on State Highway 100. This thesis focused on determining the effort required for a control-impact monitoring study, the influence of biotic and abiotic factors around the roadway on wildlife presence, and the performance of mitigation structures and the road mitigation corridor. This …
Embryonic Exposure To The Synthetic-Progesterone Levonorgestrel (Lng) Results In Hyperactive Behavior In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Austin D. Fuentes
Embryonic Exposure To The Synthetic-Progesterone Levonorgestrel (Lng) Results In Hyperactive Behavior In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Austin D. Fuentes
Theses and Dissertations
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been associated with an increased risk of anxiety-like behavior at various life stages. Levonorgestrel (LNG), a synthetic contraceptive, could potentially alter steroidal regulated brain development based on the findings of this thesis. In-silico measurements were used for comparing LNG, which had been found in surface water, to chemical databases to predict the bioavailability, half-life, and estrogen binding potential. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) for illuminating the effects of LNG exposure during early zebrafish embryonic development, similar to fetal development, on behavior was investigated. Our data suggests exposure in a dose-dependent manner of LNG can potentially …
The Influence Of Human Disturbance On Wildlife Use Of A Highway In South Texas, Thomas J. Yamashita
The Influence Of Human Disturbance On Wildlife Use Of A Highway In South Texas, Thomas J. Yamashita
Theses and Dissertations
Roads can greatly impact wildlife. Wildlife vehicle collisions contribute to population declines while disturbance from human activity may prevent wildlife from using areas around roads. The construction of mitigation structures may lessen these effects through fine scale modification of animal use of roadside areas. In this thesis, how the construction of wildlife mitigation structures impacted the fine scale distribution of wildlife on State Highway 100 in Cameron County, Texas was examined. Spatial and temporal scale may also influence these relationships. The relationship between human activity and wildlife activity around the highway was explored and how the distribution of wildlife road …
Insect Mediated Species Interactions: Examining Methods To Improve Artificial Buzz Pollination And Testing The Effects Of Plant Based Bioactive Compounds On Herbivore Life-History Traits, Mandeep Tayal
Theses and Dissertations
Pollination and herbivory are two major interactions in insect-plant ecology. Specialized pollination systems such as buzz pollination where pollen grains have to be extracted by bees with special thoracic vibrations and indirect flight muscles, is observed in ~6% of all flowering plants. Breeding and research programs in these species demand artificial pollination, but natural buzz pollinators are unreliable for this purpose. To find an alternative, we tested the pollen extraction efficiency of using inexpensive electric toothbrush over tuning fork (another commonly used device) in two buzz-pollinated species (Tomato and Silverleaf nightshade) at different buzzing frequencies and multiple buzzing time intervals. …
Organizational Effects Of Exogenous Corticosterone On Vocal Development In A Wild Parrot, Rory Eggleston
Organizational Effects Of Exogenous Corticosterone On Vocal Development In A Wild Parrot, Rory Eggleston
Theses and Dissertations
Songbirds learn songs during a plastic phase in vocal development, similar to human vocal babbling. Research has focused on male song learning, a process influenced by gonadal steroids. Like humans, parrots are very plastic vocal learners and both sexes learn vocalizations throughout life. It is unclear how the endocrine system mediates environmental information with developing phenotypes in parrots. Corticosterone (CORT) is a sex-neutral hormone that can affect cognitive development, but its role in vocal development has not been experimentally tested in wild parrots. I quantified vocal babbling from nestling Green-rumped Parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) recorded in Venezuela. Nestlings received oral CORT-oil …
Wildlife Use Of Road Mitigation Structures In Relation To Their Construction, Structural Characteristics, And Environmental Factors Along A South Texas Highway, Anna D. Rivera Roy
Wildlife Use Of Road Mitigation Structures In Relation To Their Construction, Structural Characteristics, And Environmental Factors Along A South Texas Highway, Anna D. Rivera Roy
Theses and Dissertations
Roads are known to negatively impact wildlife by fragmenting habitat and mortality caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. Road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address the issue of roads. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along State Highway (SH) 100 in Cameron County as an effort to conserve the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Camera traps were deployed to monitor these structures as a way to assess their effectiveness in restricting wildlife entry into the roadway with fencing and WG and conveying wildlife movement across roads …
Survival Of Off-Host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae In Study Arenas In Relation To Climatic Factors And Habitats In South Texas, Usa, Emily Jesselle Zamora
Survival Of Off-Host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae In Study Arenas In Relation To Climatic Factors And Habitats In South Texas, Usa, Emily Jesselle Zamora
Theses and Dissertations
The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say), is an economically destructive arthropod because of its ability to vector bovine babesiosis. Cattle fever ticks can spend more than 90% of their life cycle as questing larvae, but the effect of climatic factors on their off-host behavior and survival is unclear. The goal of this study was to measure the effects of specific ecological factors on off-host larvae in nature. The study was conducted in a south Texas pasture over a 20-mo period, during which time larval populations were surveyed and ambient weather variables - relative humidity and temperatures – were …
Introducing A Silverback To An Established Group Of Adult Female Western Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla), Claudia Martinez
Introducing A Silverback To An Established Group Of Adult Female Western Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla), Claudia Martinez
Theses and Dissertations
In May of 2015, an attempt to introduce a new silverback (adult male) to an established group of six western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed at Gladys Porter Zoo failed. The introduction process was halted and only protected contact among the gorillas was allowed. On May 1, 2018 another introduction was initiated to three adult females.Twelve months of behavioral data were compared across three time periods and two environments. We predicted that an increase in agonistic and affiliative behaviors would occur while anxious behaviors would decrease. We observed a significant increase in affiliative behavior and a significant decrease in …
A Landscape-Scaled And Community Ecology Approach To Wildlife Corridor Design In South Texas, James A. Stilley
A Landscape-Scaled And Community Ecology Approach To Wildlife Corridor Design In South Texas, James A. Stilley
Theses and Dissertations
A formidable challenge in landscape ecology is developing a sound resolution to mitigate the impacts of habitat fragmentation and restore connectivity to a degraded landscape. The problem is worldwide landscapes are becoming primarily anthropogenic and areas set aside for wildlife are small and isolated. Researchers’ have developed the concept of the wildlife corridor to mediate this situation but a proper methodology to implement this concept is still in its infancy. This study aims to uncover a quantitative and repeatable wildlife corridor design methodology based on the least cost analysis strategy with both a singular focal taxa approach and a comprehensive …
Wildlife Road Mortality Survey Methodologies, Trinity Dale Livingston
Wildlife Road Mortality Survey Methodologies, Trinity Dale Livingston
Theses and Dissertations
Wildlife mortality due to vehicle collisions is detrimental to species with slower reproduction times, habitat specialists, low density populations, species with large home ranges, or rare species. Vehicle-caused wildlife mortality is an important conservation issue, but before we can ameliorate the effects of road mortalities, we must understand what why it is happening. Wildlife road mortality surveys may be conducted in several ways based on the target species, time available, finances, and safety. Survey methodologies include using accident reports by police and warden agencies, pedestrian road surveys, using citizen scientists, and driving surveys. These methods present a safety risk to …