Dynamic relationship between international tourism, economic growth and environmental pollution in the OECD countries: evidence from panel VAR model

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of international tourism on economic growth and carbon emissions by using the Panel VAR model in selected OECD countries. By using yearly data for the periods of 1995 and 2020, we examine the dynamic relationship between international tourism, economic growth, and carbon emissions using the Granger causality test and impulse responses analysis. Although we could not determine the presence of a causal link between the variables using the Granger causality test, impulse responses analysis confirmed that responses of carbon emissions and economic growth to an unexpected international tourism shock are positive and significant. On the other hand, impulse responses analysis results show that responses of carbon emissions and economic growth to unexpected international tourism are positive and significant. The empirical findings also indicated that the responses of carbon emissions to an unexpected international tourism shock are higher than the responses of economic growth to an unexpected international tourism shock and these findings indicate that the negative impact of international tourism on environmental quality is greater than its positive impact on economic growth. Policymakers should take actions and measures to reduce the impact of international tourism on environmental deterioration. Improvements and dissemination of eco-friendly technologies in all tourism activities may help to reduce the negative impact of international tourism on carbon emissions.Portuguese national funds through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P. [UIDB/00685/2020]; [018/RID/2018/19]This research was partially funded by the program of the Minister of Science and Higher Education titled 'Regional Initiative of Excellence' in 2019-2022, project number 018/RID/2018/19, the amount of funding PLN 10 788 423,16. We also thank to the Portuguese national funds through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., project number UIDB/00685/2020

Genome-wide association and high-resolution phenotyping link oryza sativa panicle traits to numerous trait-specific QTL clusters

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Rice panicle architecture is a key target of selection when breeding for yield and grain quality. However, panicle phenotypes are difficult to measure and susceptible to confounding during genetic mapping due to correlation with flowering and subpopulation structure. Here we quantify 49 panicle phenotypes in 242 tropical rice accessions with the imaging platform PANorama. Using flowering as a covariate, we conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS), detect numerous subpopulation-specific associations, and dissect multi-trait peaks using panicle phenotype covariates. Ten candidate genes in pathways known to regulate plant architecture fall under GWAS peaks, half of which overlap with quantitative trait loci identified in an experimental population. This is the first study to assess inflorescence phenotypes of field-grown material using a high-resolution phenotyping platform. Herein, we establish a panicle morphocline for domesticated rice, propose a genetic model underlying complex panicle traits, and demonstrate subtle links between panicle size and yield performance.Rice panicle architecture is a key target of selection when breeding for yield and grain quality. However, panicle phenotypes are difficult to measure and susceptible to confounding during genetic mapping due to correlation with flowering and subpopulatio710527FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)2011/03110-

Comparing Laparoscopic Elective Sigmoid Resection With Conservative Treatment in Improving Quality of Life of Patients With Diverticulitis The Laparoscopic Elective Sigmoid Resection Following Diverticulitis (LASER) Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE Diverticulitis has a tendency to recur and affect quality of life. OBJECTIVE To assess whether sigmoid resection is superior to conservative treatment in improving quality of life of patients with recurrent, complicated, or persistent painful diverticulitis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This open-label randomized clinical trial assessed for eligibility 128 patients with recurrent, complicated, or persistent painful diverticulitis in 6 Finnish hospitals from September 29, 2014, to October 10, 2018. Exclusion criteria included age younger than 18 years or older than 75 years; lack of (virtual) colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy data within 2 years, or presence of cancer, contraindication to laparoscopy, or fistula. Outcomes were assessed using intention-to-treat analysis. A prespecified interim analysis was undertaken when 66 patients had been randomized and their 6-month follow-up was assessable. Data were analyzed from June 2018 to May 2020. INTERVENTIONS Laparoscopic sigmoid resection or conservative treatment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was difference in Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) score between randomization and 6 months. RESULTS Of 128 patients assessed for eligibility, 90 were randomized (28 male [31%]; mean [SD] age, 54.11 [11.9] years; 62 female [69%]; mean [SD] age, 57.13 [7.6] years). A total of 72 patients were included in analyses for the primary outcome (37 in the surgery group and 35 in the conservative treatment group), and 85 were included in analyses for clinical outcomes (41 in the surgery group and 44 in the conservative treatment group). The difference between GIQLI score at randomization and 6 months was a mean of 11.96 points higher in the surgery group than in the conservative treatment group (mean [SD] of 11.76 [15.89] points vs -0.2 [19.07] points; difference, 11.96; 95% CI, 3.72-20.19; P = .005). Four patients (10%) in the surgery group and no patients in the conservative treatment group experienced major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher). There were 2 patients (5%) in the surgery group and 12 patients (31%) in the conservative treatment group who had new episodes of diverticulitis within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this randomized clinical trial, elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection improved quality of life in patients with recurrent, complicated, or persistent painful diverticulitis but carried a 10% risk of major complications.Peer reviewe

Resistance Exercise in a Hot Environment Alters Serum Markers in Untrained Males

[EN] Purpose: We examined the effects of moderate resistance exercise (RE) on serum cortisol, testosterone, extracellular heat shock protein (HSP70), and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-15 concentrations in untrained males in a hot environment. Methods: Ten untrained young males (26 ± 3 years; 75.8 ± 6 kg; 177.4 ± 5.3 cm) performed two series of full body RE [3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions, 30–60 s recovery between series with 70% of one maximal repetition (1-RM), with a rest period of 1 to 3 min between exercises] carried out in a random order in both heated (∼35◦C) and thermoneutral (22◦C) conditions. Serum concentrations of testosterone, cortisol, HSP70, and IL-6 and IL-15 were measured before, at the end, and 1 h after RE sessions. Participants in both groups consumed 4 ml of water/kg body mass every 15 min. Results: There were time-related changes in testosterone, HSP70, and IL-6 (P < 0.001), and cortisol and IL-15 (P < 0.05). Levels of cortisol, HSP70, and IL- 6 increased immediately for RE at 35◦C, and testosterone and IL-15 levels were decreased. Changes in serum testosterone, HSP70, cortisol, and IL-15 and IL-6 levels were reversed after 1 h. A significant time × condition interaction was observed for IL-15 and HSP70 (P 0.05). Conclusion: RE in a heated environment may not be appropriate for achieving muscle adaptations due to acute changes of hormonal and inflammatory marker

Sign Language Tutoring Tool

In this project, we have developed a sign language tutor that lets users learn isolated signs by watching recorded videos and by trying the same signs. The system records the user's video and analyses it. If the sign is recognized, both verbal and animated feedback is given to the user. The system is able to recognize complex signs that involve both hand gestures and head movements and expressions. Our performance tests yield a 99% recognition rate on signs involving only manual gestures and 85% recognition rate on signs that involve both manual and non manual components, such as head movement and facial expressions.Comment: eNTERFACE'06. Summer Workshop. on Multimodal Interfaces, Dubrovnik : Croatie (2007

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SHEEP FROM THE ALENTEJO REGION - PORTUGAL

Considering the importance of the flock of Alentejo sheep, the goal of this study was to determine the average values of eye examinations, evaluate the ophthalmoscopic features and fluorescein staining for Merino sheep from Alentejo region, in Portugal. The 48 eyes of 24 healthy, female sheep belonging to the sheep flock at the University of Évora were evaluated. The average values obtained for Schirmer tear test (STT) were 19.0 ± 5.22 mm/min, with a reduction of tear production varying according to the age of the animal, for tear pH were 7.7 ± 0.48 and for intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.7 ± 3.03 mmHg. Fundus aspects were observed in the tapetal area with shades of blue, green and yellow. The optic disc was predominantly in the transition area between tapetal and non-tapetal regions of elliptical shape, with holoangiotic vascular pattern. None of the animals showed fluorescein staining on the ocular surface. In the context of the investigation, these data may be useful to improve the clinical approach to the species and reference standards of the exam’s value

A new gene involved in coenzyme Q biosynthesis in Escherichia coli: UbiI functions in aerobic C5-hydroxylation

International audienceCoenzyme Q (ubiquinone or Q) is a redox-active lipid found in organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals in which it plays a crucial role in energy-generating processes. Q biosynthesis is a complex pathway that involves multiple proteins. In this work, we show that the uncharacterized conserved visC gene is involved in Q biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, and we have renamed it ubiI. Based on genetic and biochemical experiments, we establish that the UbiI protein functions in the C5-hydroxylation reaction. A strain deficient in ubiI has a low level of Q and accumulates a compound derived from the Q biosynthetic pathway, which we purified and characterized. We also demonstrate that UbiI is only implicated in aerobic Q biosynthesis and that an alternative enzyme catalyzes the C5-hydroxylation reaction in the absence of oxygen. We have solved the crystal structure of a truncated form of UbiI. This structure shares many features with the canonical FAD-dependent para-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase and represents the first structural characterization of a monooxygenase involved in Q biosynthesis. Site-directed mutagenesis confirms that residues of the flavin binding pocket of UbiI are important for activity. With our identification of UbiI, the three monooxygenases necessary for aerobic Q biosynthesis in E. coli are known

Understanding cassava varietal preferences through pairwise ranking of gari-eba and fufu prepared by local farmer-processors

Within communities in Osun and Imo States of Nigeria, farmer‐processors grew and processed a diverse set of improved and landrace cassava varieties into the locally popular foods, gari, eba and fufu. Local and 15 main varieties were grown in a 'mother and baby trials' design in each state. Mother trials with three replications were processed by farmer‐processors renown in their community for their processing skills. Baby trials were managed and processed by other farmer‐processors. The objective was to identify food quality criteria to inform demand‐led breeding to benefit users, especially women, given their key roles in processing. Farmer‐processors evaluated the overall quality of fresh roots and derived food products through pairwise comparisons. Improved varieties had higher fresh and dry root yield. Overall, landraces ranked first for quality of gari and eba, but several improved varieties were also appreciated for good quality. Landraces in Osun had higher gari yield and a higher swelling power compared to improved varieties. Colour (browning), bulk density, swelling power, solubility and water absorption capacity were the criteria most related to food product ranking by farmer‐processors. Evaluation of varieties under farmer‐processors' conditions is crucial for providing guidance to breeders on critical selection criteria

Recent mechanisms of surface ecological changes driven by climate change and human activities in Lake Biwa, Japan

Lake Biwa, Japan represents a crucial example of the complex climatic and anthropogenic drivers influencing lake ecological transformations, vital to informing Sustainable Development Goals globally. This study utilizes 2002–2022 Landsat, MODIS and in situ Lake Biwa monitoring data to analyze surface layer spatiotemporal dynamics across interrelated vegetation, water quality and meteorological indicators—encompassing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), chlorophyll-a (Chl) and water temperature (W-TEM). Upward NDVI raster trends were found over 20 years alongside prevalent N, P and Chl declines—although some increases did occur spatially in P and Chl—while W-TEM mostly rose lakewide. Southwest–northeast gradients typified distributions. Further attribution analyses revealed W-TEM as the primary N, P and Chl driver, while agricultural expansion and urbanization mediated crucial N and P changes. Moreover, wind speed (WS), Crop, W-TEM, minimum temperature (TMMN), Chl and N constituted top NDVI raster influence factors respectively. These novel integrated models quantifying Lake Biwa ecological responses to multifaceted environmental change provide new perspectives to inform sustainable management of Lake Biwa itself and critical freshwater resources worldwide

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SHEEP FROM THE ALENTEJO REGION -PORTUGAL

Considering the importance of the flock of Alentejo sheep, the goal of this study was to determine the average values of eye examinations, evaluate the ophthalmoscopic features and fluorescein staining for Merino sheep from Alentejo region, in Portugal. The 48 eyes of 24 healthy, female sheep belonging to the sheep flock at the University of Évora were evaluated. The average values obtained for Schirmer tear test (STT) were 19.0 ± 5.22 mm/min, with a reduction of tear production varying according to the age of the animal, for tear pH were 7.7 ± 0.48 and for intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.7 ± 3.03 mmHg. Fundus aspects were observed in the tapetal area with shades of blue, green and yellow. The optic disc was predominantly in the transition area between tapetal and non-tapetal regions of elliptical shape, with holoangiotic vascular pattern. None of the animals showed fluorescein staining on the ocular surface. In the context of the investigation, these data may be useful to improve the clinical approach to the species and reference standards of the exam’s value