Microclimatic effects of tree shelters on the early establishment and resilience of seeded acorns vs. outplanted seedlings.

Little is known about the effects of tree shelters on the early response of oak seedlings produced by acorn seeding. In this paper, we explore the effects on holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) seedlings of the microenvironment created by the tree shelters and the restoration method (seeding vs. outplanting) in terms of emergence, survival, growth, and resilience after harvesting. For this purpose, seedling height [H], root collar diameter [RCD], number of leaves, and aerial biomass were monitored. We made two sowings of acorns in February 2017 and February 2018, together with a seedling outplanting in February 2018 in a common garden site in semiarid SE Spain. In total, 600 acorns were randomly sowed and 300 nursery-grown seedlings were outplanted and studied until 2022. Mother tree and initial acorn mass were also monitored as additional variables in the analyses. Tree shelters consisted of closed plastic Tubes, Mixed tubes, Cork shelters, Tiles, and a Control with no shelter. Emergence rate was positively influenced by the Tube shelter (86%) as compared to the Control (64%), and especially by the initial acorn mass. By contrast, mother tree or year of sowing seemed to have no effect. The survival rate for the emerged acorns (88%) was statistically similar to that of outplanted seedlings (91%), and was unaffected by mother tree, tree shelter, or acorn mass. In terms of growth, the slenderness ratio (H:RCD) was considerably higher in seedlings from directly seeded acorns than for those that were outplanted. With the exception of Tile, all the shelters showed a higher slenderness ratio than the Control, especially the Tube shelter, which also showed a lower number of leaves and a lower aboveground dry biomass than the Control, Cork, and Tile shelters. Virtually no interactions were observed between the mother tree and the tree shelter. At harvesting, all the growth-related parameters were still strongly dependent on the acorn mass and the initial seedling features recorded after the first growing season. Resprouting rate and growth were also highly dependent on the acorn mass and the plant features at the beginning of the experiment and at harvesting. In summary, we did not find evidence to support tree shelters to improve the microclimate of holm oak seedlings both seeded or outplanted. Direct acorn seeding can be as successful as outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings. Selection of heavy acorns from mothers with a high germination and emergence rate is highly advisable.

Specific retinal neurons regulate context-dependent defensive responses to visual threat.

While encountering a visual threat, an animal assesses multiple factors to choose an appropriate defensive strategy. For example, when a rodent detects a looming aerial predator, its behavioral response can be influenced by a specific environmental context, such as the availability of a shelter. Indeed, rodents typically escape from a looming stimulus when a shelter is present; otherwise, they typically freeze. Here we report that context-dependent behavioral responses can be initiated at the earliest stage of the visual system by distinct types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the retina's output neurons. Using genetically defined cell ablation in mature mice, we discovered that some RGC types were necessary for either escaping (alpha RGCs) or freezing (intrinsically photosensitive RGCs) in response to a looming stimulus but not for both behaviors; whereas other RGC types were not required for either behavior (direction-selective RGCs preferring vertical motion). Altogether, our results suggest that specific RGC types regulate distinct behavioral responses elicited by the same threatening stimulus depending on contextual signals in the environment. These findings emphasize the unique contribution of early visual pathways to evolutionally conserved behavioral reactions.

When Multispecies Ethnography Encounters a Shelter-Based Clinic: Uncovering Ecological Factors for Cultural Psychiatry.

Through a longstanding collaboration, psychiatrists and anthropologists have assessed the impact of sociocultural context on mental health and elaborated the concept of culture in psychiatry. However, recent developments in ecological anthropology may have untapped potential for cultural psychiatry. This paper aims to uncover how "ecologies" inform patients' and clinicians' experiences, as well as their intersubjective relationships. Drawing on my ethnography with Jerome, a carriage driver who became my patient in a shelter-based psychiatric clinic, and on anthropological work about how psychic life is shaped ecologically, I describe how more-than-human relationality and the affordances of various places-a clinic and a stable-influenced both Jerome's well-being and my perceptions as a clinician. I also explore how these ecologies shaped our different roles, including my dual roles as psychiatrist and ethnographer. In the discussion, I define ecological factors, describe their implications for clinical practice, and suggest how they could be integrated into DSM's cultural formulation.

"What is our actual impact?": A mixed-method assessment of a Belgian shelter for homeless men.

This paper presents an outcomes assessment carried out in an 84-bed long-term shelter for homeless men in Brussels. In the context of increasing Housing First studies, it investigates an instance of the traditional "treatment first" model and provides a new Belgian case study. Adopting a multidimensional approach, it aims to better understand what impact an average stay in a long-term shelter has on its residents. The assessment investigated several outcomes-income and housing, physical and mental health, life skills, social and assistance network-and relied on a participative mixed-method design. Although the shelter mission is broad and ambitious (i.e. autonomy, global well-being and reintegration into society), the assessment results show that the shelter struggles to have positive effects on the residents beyond the provision of basic care (a roof, food, administrative support) and that the stress felt by the residents even tends to increase during their stay. Several recommendations collectively emerged from the assessment: individualizing shelter support and making it evolve during the stay, reducing the size of the shelter while at the same time fostering community living, developing partnerships. At the public policy level, we would recommend revising the mission of long-term shelters in accordance with their means.

Experimental and numerical study on explosion resistance of polyurea-coated shelter in petrochemical industry.

To reduce the number of casualties in explosion accidents, blast-resistant shelters can be used to protect personnel in high-risk areas of petrochemical processing plants. In this work, the deformation behaviours of uncoated and polyurea-coated blast-resistant plates were studied through gas explosion tests. An ANSYS/LS-DYNA model of a polyurea-coated shelter was established, and the dynamic responses of the shelter under various explosion loads were analysed. A series of fuel-air explosion tests were carried out to investigate the explosion resistance of the full-scale shelter. The results showed that compared with the uncoated blast-resistant plate, the deformation of the polyurea-coated blast-resistant plate was significantly reduced. The overall deformation of the shelter was the central depression of the wall and the inward bending of the frame. The damage effect of a typical high-overpressure, low-duration load was greater than that of typical low-overpressure, long-duration load. The shelter remained intact under three repeated explosive loads, with cracks appearing on the inner wall but no collapse or debris splashing. The shock wave attenuation rate of the shelter reached over 90%, which could significantly reduce the number of indoor casualties.

Study concerning the design and functionality of individual emergency shelters.

The divide between the rich and poor in the European housing market is fast rising. Latest research indicates that Europe is dealing with an increasing number of homeless people. Every city in Europe has them-homeless people compelled to live on street corners, frequently hiding themselves with cardboard. Rain, snow, and temperatures below zero pose a threat to their lives on a daily basis. There are many varied kinds of services that have been discovered, but it is difficult to keep track of everyone and guarantee that they have a warm night's sleep in the winter. The current article suggests accommodation as a workaround until they can receive high-intensity support, a way to keep a single person warm and safe during the winter. The focus is on devising a strategy that not only ensures the warmth and safety of individuals during the harsh winter months but also seeks to industrialize the construction of shelters, ensuring affordability below the cost of winter hospitalization for a homeless person. Crucially, the article introduces an additional layer to this initiative by highlighting the dual purpose of these individual shelters. Beyond being a means to provide respite for the homeless during severe weather, these shelters are envisioned as immediate response units in the event of emergencies such as earthquakes in urban areas. The article explores the potential impact of this multi-layered approach on transforming urban landscapes and fostering resilient communities.

Child Mental Health, Homelessness, and the Shelter System: Evidence from Medicaid in New York City.

We identified children who resided in the New York City shelter system during 2015-2020 by matching address histories in Medicaid insurance claims to publicly available homeless shelter addresses, permitting examination of health care use before, during, and after shelter stays. We found that 4.5% of NYC children aged 4-17 with consistent Medicaid coverage entered shelter over a three-to-five-year period. After shelter entry, children had increased probabilities of receiving mental health services, including therapy and diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders, but little change in physical health service use. Children placed in shelters co-located with mental health services were similar to children entering other shelters prior to entry but had particularly large and sustained increases in use of mental health services afterwards. Children without prior mental health claims placed in shelters co-located with mental health services were 38-48% more likely to receive mental health therapy and 14-16% more likely to receive neurodevelopmental diagnoses than similar children placed elsewhere. These children were also more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income and stayed in shelter longer. This example illustrates the potential of linking administrative data sets in order to study vulnerable populations.

Encountering and Identifying Different Forms of Domestic Violence in Shelters and Community Care Services in Finland During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions such as lockdowns and social distancing have been used to control coronavirus. These restrictions may increase the risk of domestic violence (DV) and discourage victims from getting help. We examined the consequences that the pandemic had on different forms of DV and different victim groups of DV. An online survey of shelter clients (N = 47), interviews with clients in community care services (N = 2), and eight focus group interviews with professionals (N = 27) working in shelters and community care services were used for data. We used a mixed-methods approach in the analysis, which showed that clients in shelters reported more violence during the pandemic than prepandemic. Psychological, controlling, and financial violence increased the most during the pandemic, according to the survey data. Coercive control was the most visible type of violence from the perspective of three vulnerable groups: intimate partners, children, and migrants. The research findings will help us arrange services to identify and better manage pandemic lockdown-associated violence.

Evaluation of the dog population in two Italian shelters in Central Italy (Marche region) as potential blood donors.

Background: In recent years, the field of transfusion medicine for dogs has advanced significantly, becoming a crucial aspect of veterinary clinical practice. Nowadays, blood still remains a fundamental biological source and the welfare and health status of eligible species-specific blood donors are essential for veterinary transfusion medicine. Aim: This study focused on evaluating two shelters in Central Italy (Marche region), located in Tolentino (TS) and in Camerino (CS), in order to assess the potential of the shelter dogs as canine blood donors. Methods: We evaluated a total of 45 dogs from these shelters based on physical (age and size), clinical, behavioural, and blood analysis criteria described in the Italian Ministerial Guideline for Veterinary Transfusion Medicine (2016). Results: At the TS shelter, out of 206 resident dogs, 125 met the donation criteria (60.68%), with 28 (13.59%) selected for the study due to the impossibility to collect the samplings or other exclusion causes. In the CS shelter, of the 149 dogs, 17 (11.41%) were identified as potential blood donors and included in the study. Among these, seven dogs (25%) from TS and five dogs (29.41%) from CS were found to have DEA1 negative blood group. High percentages (TS = 25.24%, CS = 40.27%) of dogs were excluded for seniority and 29.53% in CS for behavioural issues. Notable findings included reduced erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume [mean TS = 63.93 fl; CS = 64.00 fl] and Reticulocyte Hemoglobin [mean TS = 22.39 pg; CS = 21.38 pg]. Additionally, in both shelters' dogs showed a modest increase in eosinophils levels [mean TS = 1.59 K/µl; CS = 1.02 K/µl]. Conclusion: Shelter dogs can fulfill the blood donation requirements set by the Italian Ministerial Guideline on Veterinary Transfusion Medicine. They are generally in good health and present a low risk of transmitting parasitic diseases; however, many are ineligible for donation due to behavioural pathologies or temperament issues and seniority.

Crossroad between the sylvatic and domestic cycles of Mesocestoides litteratus: mesocestodiasis in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye.

This study aimed to report the presence of Mesocestoides litteratus in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye. Gravid segments were examined microscopically in the faeces of dogs from different shelters located in Ankara and Kirikkale provinces in the central region of Türkiye. Then, genomic DNA obtained from these segments, a 446-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene, and a 350-bp fragment of mitochondrial 12S rRNA were amplified and sequenced. BLASTn search was performed. During light microscopic examination, an egg-filled paruterine organ was observed in the middle part of the segment. Thin-shelled, oval, 35-µm-diameter parasite eggs containing an oncosphere with three pairs of hooklets were observed. The gravid segments were determined as Mesocestoides spp. based on the appearance of the typical paruterine organ. PCR results supported our diagnosis; moreover, according to the BLAST results, it was detected that the species infecting two dogs was 98.01-100% similar to M. litteratus. Praziquantel-containing medication was administered to the infected dogs at a dosage of 5 mg/kg. Foxes act as the final host of M. litteratus and the parasite is prevalent in wildlife; however, these animals may disperse the parasite in urban life. Veterinarians need to be made more aware of this parasite, especially if the dogs are owned from shelters.

Human activities reshape the spatial overlap between North Chinese leopard and its wild ungulate prey.

BACKGROUND: Rapidly expanding human activities have profoundly changed the habitat use of both large carnivores and their prey, but whether and how human activities affect the interactions between them has received relatively less attention. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on an endangered large carnivore (North Chinese leopard Panthera pardus japonensis) and its wild ungulate prey (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus and wild boar Sus scrofa) in the Taihang Mountains of central North China. Using conditional two-species occupancy model based on data derived from the extensive sampling effort (15,654 camera-days at 102 camera sites), we examined the relationship of spatial use between leopards and each prey species under the effects of human presence, free-ranging cattle, roads and settlements. RESULTS: Humans and cattle had contrasting effects on the relationship of spatial use between leopard and roe deer, with higher and lower spatial segregation between them at human and cattle-frequented sites, respectively. Roads might create a shelter for wild boar from leopard predation, with less spatial segregation between them at sites close to the roads. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that human activities are reshaping the spatial overlap between large carnivores and their prey, and have non-equivalent effects among different types of human activity. Such effects may further alter the strength of interspecific interactions between predator and prey, with far-reaching influences on the community and ecosystem that require more research.

Prevalence and genotype analysis of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis from shelter dogs in South Korea.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis are common gastrointestinal protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Although dogs in animal shelters in South Korea can be reintroduced into human society as companions, no continuous investigations have been conducted on the prevalence and genetic characteristics of the protozoan parasites. In the present study, 345 fecal samples from dogs were obtained from animal shelters in six provinces between January and December 2022. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were molecularly identified at the 18S rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium canis isolates were subtyped at the gp60 locus, and G. duodenalis assemblages were identified at the tpi, bg and gdh loci. Overall, 6.67% of the fecal samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium spp. and two species were identified: C. canis (5.51%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (1.16%). Significant regional differences in prevalence were identified for C. canis. Subtyping analysis of C. canis isolates revealed a predominance of the subtype families XXa and XXe over XXb, and XXc. G. duodenalis was detected in 17.68% of the samples, and significant regional differences were identified; its prevalence was also significantly highest in diarrhoeic animals. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis reveal that most isolates belonged to the canine-specific assemblages C and D. The present results can contribute to further insights into the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis in shelter dogs in South Korea.

Design Criteria of Shelter Hospitals in Response to Biological Accidents: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate response to mass causality biological events requires well-established preparedness and providing a surge capacity. In such a situation, a practical solution is to convert large public venues into shelter hospitals. Due to the lack of a guideline for the transformation of a large public center into a hospital, the present study collected the design criteria for the transformation of public buildings into shelter hospitals in response to biological events such as epidemics or mass causality biological accidents. METHODS: The keywords were searched in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases until November 2021. This systematic review was conducted using terms related to mass causality biological accidents, shelter hospitals, and design criteria. RESULTS: Of 1802 extracted articles, duplicates (n = 280) and unrelated publications (n = 1342) were left out in the initial evaluation. Among 180 remained papers, 29 records satisfied our criteria after reviewing abstracts and full texts. Most of the included studies were related to the transformation of public venues into hospitals in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The investigated themes included site selection, layout and structure, waste and wastewater management, ventilation, communication, food and medicine delivery, humanitarians and social supports, post-treatment care, and Management measures. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, large public venues are highly recommended alternatives for surge capacity in response to mass causality biological accidents. However, the main challenges for using these centers are the provision of basic requirements such as water and electricity, ventilation, and available space.

Tracing early pastoralism in Central Europe using sedimentary ancient DNA.

Central European forests have been shaped by complex human interactions throughout the Holocene, with significant changes following the introduction of domesticated animals in the Neolithic (∼7.5-6.0 ka before present [BP]). However, understanding early pastoral practices and their impact on forests is limited by methods for detecting animal movement across past landscapes. Here, we examine ancient sedimentary DNA (sedaDNA) preserved at the Velký Mamuták rock shelter in northern Bohemia (Czech Republic), which has been a forested enclave since the early Holocene. We find that domesticated animals, their associated microbiomes, and plants potentially gathered for fodder have clear representation by the Late Neolithic, around 6.0 ka BP, and persist throughout the Bronze Age into recent times. We identify a change in dominant grazing species from sheep to pigs in the Bronze Age (∼4.1-3.0 ka BP) and interpret the impact this had in the mid-Holocene retrogressions that still define the structure of Central European forests today. This study highlights the ability of ancient metagenomics to bridge archaeological and paleoecological methods and provide an enhanced perspective on the roots of the "Anthropocene."

Effects of Starve and Shelter Availability on the Group Behavior of Two Freshwater Fish Species (Chindongo demasoni and Spinibarbus sinensis).

In complex environments, fish often suffer from reduced physiological functioning due to starvation, which may have a significant effect on their behavioral adaptive strategies to predator attacks. We selected qingbo (Spinibarbus sinensis, which prefers flowing water habitats) and demasone cichlid (Chindongo demasoni, which prefers still water habitats), to investigate the differences in group distribution and dynamics between the two species when faced with a simulated predation attack under different trophic states (fasted for 2 weeks or fed). We chose to conduct our experiments in a six-arm maze that included a central area and six arms of equal length and width and to obtain evidence of how the fish used the various areas of the maze to respond to simulated predation attacks. We found that the two fish species differed in their responses to simulated predation attacks under different trophic states. The group structure of the two species was relatively stable, and the effect of fasting on the qingbo group was not significant, whereas the demasone cichlid group was more susceptible to the effects of fasting, shelter and a simulated predation attack. In an environment with shelter, both species had the same anti-predator strategy and tended to enter the shelter arm to hide after encountering a simulated predation attack. However, differences in the anti-predator strategies of the two species emerged in the no-shelter environment, with the qingbo tending to enter the arm to hide, whereas the demasone cichlid group chose to enter the central area to congregate, and this phenomenon was more pronounced in the fasted group. In conclusion, our research shows that even group-stable fish may shift their anti-predation strategies (i.e., entering a shelter to hide shifts to aggregating in situ into a shoal) when starved and that the worse the swimming ability of the fish, the more affected they are by starvation.

Age-specific disparity in insomnia among COVID-19 patients in Fangcang shelter hospitals: a population-based study in Shanghai, China.

Background: Fangcang shelter hospitals are quarantine facilities offering primary medical treatment for mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 cases. Little is known about the age-specific prevalence of insomnia among patients in Fangcang shelter hospitals, particularly in older age groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the three largest Fangcang shelter hospitals during the lockdown period, from March to May 2022, in Shanghai. The patients' demographic and medical information was recorded. Insomnia was defined according to the prescriptions for zolpidem and estazolam. The overall and age-specific prevalence and the risk factors of insomnia were investigated through regression models. Results: A total of 2,39,448 patients were included in this study (59.09% of the patients were male, the median age was 42, and 73.41% of the patients were asymptomatic), with the prevalence of insomnia being 3.1%. The prevalence of insomnia varied across different age groups (<18 years: 0.23%, 18-64 years: 2.64%, and ≥65 years: 10.36%). SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, regardless of the number of doses, was significantly associated with a decreased risk of insomnia for the group aged ≥65 years. Three doses of the vaccine reduced the risk of insomnia for patients aged 18-64 years. An extra day in the hospital significantly increased the risk of insomnia by approximately 10% for all age groups. Mild symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of insomnia among patients aged <65 years old, while being male and residing in the surrounding area were negatively associated with insomnia for all adults. Conclusion: This study observed that older patients were a high-risk population for developing insomnia in Fangcang shelter hospitals. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination might decrease the risk of insomnia in adults, especially the older adult, which indicates the benefits of vaccination for reducing insomnia among infected patients.

Effect of COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Orders on Visual Outcomes of Ophthalmic Surgical Emergencies.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of ophthalmic surgical emergencies during shelter-in-place (SIP) order with the corresponding period in 2019. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared patients presenting to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) emergency department (ED) who underwent urgent surgery during the SIP period (March 23-May 17, 2020), compared to the same weeks in 2019 (non-SIP). Main outcome measures included symptom-to-ED time, ED-to-surgical decision time, surgical decision-to-operating room (OR) time, ED-to-OR time, and postoperative follow-up time. Secondary outcome measures included travel distance, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of glaucoma medications. RESULTS: Seventy-six and 148 patients presented with ophthalmic surgical emergencies in the SIP and non-SIP study periods, respectively. Retinal detachment (RD), acute glaucoma, and open globe injury were the most common diagnoses in both periods. Symptom-to-ED and surgical decision-to-OR times were shorter during the SIP period. SIP patients had comparable preoperative VA but worse postoperative VA compared to non-SIP patients. During the SIP period, RD patients experienced postoperative VA reduction rather than improvement (+0.09 vs. -0.23 logMAR, p = 0.03); glaucoma patients were less likely to reach surgical decision within 24 h (OR 0.16 [95% CI 0.03-0.95]); and globe injuries had longer ED-to-surgical decision time and ED-to-OR time compared to the non-SIP period. Other outcomes were similar between both study periods. CONCLUSION: There was reduced volume of ophthalmic surgical emergencies and worse postoperative vision during SIP compared to the non-SIP period, despite shorter symptom-to-ED and surgical decision-to-OR times suggesting minimal delays in seeking or receiving care.

The Sounds of Silence: Making Sense of the Absence of Domestic Violence Victims Help Seeking During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Increased concern was raised globally at the outbreak of COVID-19 that victims of domestic violence would be even more at risk when isolated with a violent partner and out of reach of support due to restrictions. Swedish staff in violence against women services prepared for increased calls for help. Instead, a worrying silence arose in a time and place of high uncertainty. This article analyzes the narratology of risk, when staff members in violence against women services, reflect upon their accounts, responses, and experiences, during the pandemic. The analysis is based on three themes, accounting for expected increased influx, making sense of silence and accounting for mobilization. The findings are discussed by applying the relational theory of risk.

Causes of shelter cats mortality in the Czech Republic.

Awareness of the causes of mortality in shelter cats can contribute to its effective reduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of mortality in cat shelters in the Czech Republic, taking into account the age of the animals and their length of stay in the shelter facilities until natural death or euthanasia. A cooperation with two private no-kill shelters in the Czech Republic was established. The subject of the study were records of 3047 cats admitted to the selected shelters in the period from 2013 to 2023. A total of 357 (11.7 %) out of 3047 cats died or had to be euthanized in two monitored shelters. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the cat mortality was found between the two shelters (11.5 % and 12 %). The median length of stay of cats in the shelter until death or euthanasia was 23 days. The highest mortality was recorded in the youngest cats (≤ 6 months). The most common causes of death or euthanasia of cats in both shelters were feline infectious peritonitis (21.6 %), panleukopenia (18.5 %) and upper and lower respiratory tract infections (17.5 %). Adult and older cats were significantly (p < 0.05) more prone to death due to renal failure and cancer than young animals and kittens. The results of the study contribute to the knowledge on the health of cat population in shelters in the Czech Republic and can serve as a basis for further work that will target mortality reduction strategies in at-risk categories.

How can we measure resource quality when resources differ in many ways? Deconstructing shelter quality in a social fish.

Resource quality is an important concept in ecology and evolution that attempts to capture the fitness benefits a resource affords to an organism. Yet "quality" is a multivariate concept, potentially affected by many variables pertaining to the resource, its surroundings, and the resource chooser. Researchers often use a small number of proxy variables to simplify their estimation of resource quality, but without vetting their proxies against a wider set of potential quality estimators this approach risks overlooking potentially important characteristics that can explain patterns of resource use in their study systems. Here we used Neolamprologus multifasciatus, a group-living cichlid fish that utilizes empty snail shells as shelter resources, to examine how shells were used by, and partitioned among, group members in relation to a range of attributes, including shell size, intactness, texture, spatial position, and usage by heterospecifics. This approach generated a comprehensive picture of what characteristics contribute to the attractiveness and quality of each shell resource, confirming the importance of two previously proposed shell characteristics, size and intactness, but highlighting the influences of other unexplored variables, including shell spatial position and usage by heterospecifics. We also present a generally applicable "resource attractiveness index" as a means to estimate resource quality based on resource choice data. This index incorporates information from any number of resource characteristics and is of particular use when researchers wish to quantify resource value, but many characteristics jointly contribute to the value and attractiveness of the resource.