Threat-sensitive anti-predator defence in precocial wader, the northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Birds exhibit various forms of anti-predator behaviours to avoid reproductive failure, with mobbing—observation, approach and usually harassment of a predator—being one of the most commonly observed. Here, we investigate patterns of temporal variation in the mobbing response exhibited by a precocial species, the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). We test whether brood age and self-reliance, or the perceived risk posed by various predators, affect mobbing response of lapwings. We quantified aggressive interactions between lapwings and their natural avian predators and used generalized additive models to test how timing and predator species identity are related to the mobbing response of lapwings. Lapwings diversified mobbing response within the breeding season and depending on predator species. Raven Corvus corax, hooded crow Corvus cornix and harriers evoked the strongest response, while common buzzard Buteo buteo, white stork Ciconia ciconia, black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus and rook Corvus frugilegus were less frequently attacked. Lapwings increased their mobbing response against raven, common buzzard, white stork and rook throughout the breeding season, while defence against hooded crow, harriers and black-headed gull did not exhibit clear temporal patterns. Mobbing behaviour of lapwings apparently constitutes a flexible anti-predator strategy. The anti-predator response depends on predator species, which may suggest that lapwings distinguish between predator types and match mobbing response to the perceived hazard at different stages of the breeding cycle. We conclude that a single species may exhibit various patterns of temporal variation in anti-predator defence, which may correspond with various hypotheses derived from parental investment theory

Age-Related Attenuation of Dominant Hand Superiority

The decline of motor performance of the human hand-arm system with age is well-documented. While dominant hand performance is superior to that of the non-dominant hand in young individuals, little is known of possible age-related changes in hand dominance. We investigated age-related alterations of hand dominance in 20 to 90 year old subjects. All subjects were unambiguously right-handed according to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. In Experiment 1, motor performance for aiming, postural tremor, precision of arm-hand movement, speed of arm-hand movement, and wrist-finger speed tasks were tested. In Experiment 2, accelerometer-sensors were used to obtain objective records of hand use in everyday activities

Force variability during isometric wrist flexion in highly skilled and sedentary individuals

The association of expertness in specific motor activities with a higher ability to sustain a constant application of force, regardless of muscle length, has been hypothesized. Ten highly skilled (HS group) young tennis and handball athletes and 10 sedentary (S group) individuals performed maximal and submaximal (5, 10, 20, 50, and 75% of the MVC) isometric wrist flexions on an isokinetic dynamometer (Kin-Com, Chattanooga). The wrist joint was fixed at five different angles (230, 210, 180, 150, and 1300). For each position the percentages of the maximal isometric force were calculated and participants were asked to maintain the respective force level for 5 s. Electromyographic (EMG) activation of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and Extensor Digitorum muscles was recorded using bipolar surface electrodes. No significant differences were observed in maximal isometric strength between HS and S groups. Participants of HS group showed significantly (P < 0.05) smaller force coefficient of variability (CV) and SD values at all submaximal levels of MVC at all wrist angles. The CV and SD values remained unaltered regardless of wrist angle. No difference in normalized agonist and antagonist EMG activity was observed between the two groups. It is concluded that long-term practice could be associated with decreased isometric force variability independently from muscular length and coactivation of the antagonist muscles

Improved Outcomes with Heavy Silicone Oil in Complex Primary Retinal Detachment: A Large Multicenter Matched Cohort Study

\ua9 2023 American Academy of OphthalmologyPurpose: To establish whether Densiron 68, a heavier-than-water endotamponade agent, is an effective alternative to conventional light silicone oil in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery for eyes with inferior breaks in the detached retina and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Design: Cohort study of routinely collected data from the European Society of Retina Specialists and British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons vitreoretinal database between 2015 and 2022. Participants: All consecutive eyes that underwent primary rhegmatogenous RD surgery using Densiron 68 or light silicone oil as an internal tamponade agent. Methods: To minimize confounding bias, we undertook 2:1 nearest-neighbor matching on inferior breaks, large inferior rhegmatogenous RDs, PVR, and, for visual analyses, baseline visual acuity (VA) between treatment groups. We fit regression models including prognostically relevant covariates, treatment–covariate interactions, and matching weights. We used g-computation with cluster-robust methods to estimate marginal effects. For nonlinear models, we calculated confidence intervals (CIs) using bias-corrected cluster bootstrapping with 9999 replications. Main Outcome Measures: Presence of a fully attached retina and VA at least 2 months after oil removal. Results: Of 1061 eyes enrolled, 426 and 239 were included in our matched samples for anatomic and visual outcome analyses, respectively. The primary success rate was higher in the Densiron 68 group (113 of 142; 80%) compared with the light silicone oil group (180 of 284; 63%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.90 (95% CI, 1.63–2.23, P &lt; 0.001). We also observed a significant improvement favoring Densiron 68 of –0.26 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in postoperative VA between the 2 groups (95% CI, –0.43 to –0.10, P = 0.002). The anatomic benefit of using Densiron 68 in eyes with inferior retinal breaks and large detachments was more pronounced among eyes with PVR grade C. We found no evidence of visual effect moderation by anatomic outcome or foveal attachment. Conclusions: Densiron achieved higher anatomic success rates and improved visual outcomes compared with conventional light silicone oil in eyes with inferior retinal pathology and severe PVR. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS