Automated detection and enumeration of marine wildlife using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and thermal imagery.

Estimating animal populations is critical for wildlife management. Aerial surveys are used for generating population estimates, but can be hampered by cost, logistical complexity, and human risk. Additionally, human counts of organisms in aerial imagery can be tedious and subjective. Automated approaches show promise, but can be constrained by long setup times and difficulty discriminating animals in aggregations. We combine unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), thermal imagery and computer vision to improve traditional wildlife survey methods. During spring 2015, we flew fixed-wing UAS equipped with thermal sensors, imaging two grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) breeding colonies in eastern Canada. Human analysts counted and classified individual seals in imagery manually. Concurrently, an automated classification and detection algorithm discriminated seals based upon temperature, size, and shape of thermal signatures. Automated counts were within 95-98% of human estimates; at Saddle Island, the model estimated 894 seals compared to analyst counts of 913, and at Hay Island estimated 2188 seals compared to analysts' 2311. The algorithm improves upon shortcomings of computer vision by effectively recognizing seals in aggregations while keeping model setup time minimal. Our study illustrates how UAS, thermal imagery, and automated detection can be combined to efficiently collect population data critical to wildlife management.

Comparative in-vitro activity of CP-99219, a new quinolone, against respiratory pathogens.

The comparative in-vitro activity of CP-99219, a new quinolone, against Haemophilus influenzae (150 isolates), Moraxella catarrhalis (100), Streptococcus pneumoniae (80) and Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (40) was determined using an agar dilution technique. CP-99219 was the most active compound tested against M. catarrhalis (MIC50 = 0.015 mg/L, MIC90 = 0.03 mg/L). Ceftriaxone, CP-99219 and ciprofloxacin were the three most active agents tested against H.influenzae. CP-99219 showed good activity, 16-fold greater than that of ciprofloxacin, against S.pneumoniae (MIC50 = 0.12 mg/L; MIC90 = 0.25 mg/L) and was also active against Group A streptococci. Clinical studies regarding the use of CP-99219 in respiratory tract infections seem indicated.