The frequency of wing damage in a migrating butterfly

The ability to fly is crucial for migratory insects. Consequently, the accumulation of damage on the wings over time can affect survival, especially for species that travel long distances. We examined the frequency of irreversible wing damage in the migratory butterfly Vanessa cardui to explore the effect of wing structure on wing damage frequency, as well as the mechanisms that might mitigate wing damage. An exceptionally high migration rate driven by high precipitation levels in their larval habitats in the winter of 2018–2019 provided us with an excellent opportunity to collect data on the frequency of naturally occurring wing damage associated with long-distance flights. Digital images of 135 individuals of V. cardui were collected and analyzed in Germany. The results show that the hindwings experienced a greater frequency of damage than the forewings. Moreover, forewings experienced more severe damage on the lateral margin, whereas hindwings experienced more damage on the trailing margin. The frequency of wing margin damage was higher in the painted lady butterfly than in the migrating monarch butterfly and in the butterfly Pontia occidentalis following artificially induced wing collisions. The results of this study could be used in future comparative studies of patterns of wing damage in butterflies and other insects. Additional studies are needed to clarify whether the strategies for coping with wing damage differ between migratory and non-migratory species

Computation using Noise-based Logic: Efficient String Verification over a Slow Communication Channel

Utilizing the hyperspace of noise-based logic, we show two string verification methods with low communication complexity. One of them is based on continuum noise-based logic. The other one utilizes noise-based logic with random telegraph signals where a mathematical analysis of the error probability is also given. The last operation can also be interpreted as computing universal hash functions with noise-based logic and using them for string comparison. To find out with 10^-25 error probability that two strings with arbitrary length are different (this value is similar to the error probability of an idealistic gate in today's computer) Alice and Bob need to compare only 83 bits of the noise-based hyperspace.Comment: Accepted for publication in European Journal of Physics B (November 10, 2010

The extended gamma distribution with regression model and applications

This paper introduces a new extension of the gamma distribution, named as a new extended gamma distribution, via mixture representation of xgamma and gamma distributions. The statistical properties of the proposed distribution are derived such as moment generating and characteristic functions, variance, skewness, and kurtosis measures, Lorenz curve, and mean residual life function. The maximum likelihood, parametric bootstrap, method of moments, least squares, and weighted least squares estimation methods are considered to obtain the unknown model parameters. The finite sample performance of estimation methods is discussed via a simulation study. Using the proposed distribution, we propose a new regression model for the right-skewed response variable as an alternative to the gamma regression model. Two real data sets are analyzed to convince the readers for the usefulness of the proposed model

A new flexible family of continuous distributions: the additive Odd-G family

This paper introduces a new family of distributions based on the additive model structure. Three submodels of the proposed family are studied in detail. Two simulation studies were performed to discuss the maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters. The log location-scale regression model based on a new generalization of the Weibull distribution is introduced. Three datasets were used to show the importance of the proposed family. Based on the empirical results, we concluded that the proposed family is quite competitive compared to other models

Assessment of subjective sleep quality in iron deficiency anaemia

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effect of anemia on subjective sleep quality in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Methods: One hundred and four patients diagnosed with IDA and 80 healthy individuals, who are gender and age matched, were included in the study. All participants were requested to fill 3 forms: a socio-demographic form (age, gender, marital status, income level and educational status), hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale and pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI).Results: According to the HAD scale, the average anxiety score was found 9.24±4.37 in patients and 7.58± 4.07 in controls. And, the average depression score was 7.53±4.10 in patients and 6.41±2.74 in controls. The total sleep quality score was 6.71±3.02 in patients and 4.11±1.64 in controls. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of anxiety, depression and sleep quality scores. Linear regression analysis showed no association between anxiety and depression with poor sleeping.Conclusion: IDA affects sleep quality irrespective of psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, sleep quality, anxiet

A comparison of isocapnic buffering phase of cross-country skiers and alpine skiers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the isocapnic buffering phase in cross-country skiers and alpine skiers during an incremental treadmill exercise test. Material: International level male junior skiers including twelve cross-country skiers and ten alpine skiers took part in the study. All participants performed an incremental treadmill exercise test to determine ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The isocapnic buffering phase was calculated as the difference in VO2 (ICBVO2) and running speed (ICBSPEED) between RCP and VT and expressed in either absolute or relative values. Results: VO2max, maximal running speed, time to exhaustion, both absolute and relative VT values and absolute RCP values were higher in the cross-country skiers than in the alpine skiers (P 0.05). Absolute ICBVO2 and ICBSPEED showed similar values in both group (p > 0.05), whereas relative ICBVO2 and ICBSPEED were found to be significantly higher in alpine skiers than in cross-country skiers (P < 0.05). Maximal respiratory exchange ratio was higher in alpine skiers than in cross-country skiers. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that anaerobic training may induces specific metabolic adaptations leading to increase in buffering capacity which may be a contributing factor to continue to exercise for relatively longer periods of time above the VT. Longer ICB phase in the anaerobic-trained athletes may an important factor in relation to the enhance high-intensity exercise tolerance

Reduction in the Allelopathic Potential of Conocarpus erectus L. through Vermicomposting

The utilization of vermi-technology to reduce allelopathic effects is a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally appropriate alternative to traditional chemical and mechanical methods. The current investigation was an effort to obtain vermicompost from C. erectus and its binary combination with soil and farmyard manure (FYM) using E. foetida. The pH, EC, organic carbon, macro and micro-nutrients, CO2 emission, the average growth rate of the worms, number of worms, number of cocoons, and weight gained by earthworms were analyzed by standard methods. The present study also investigated the effect of produced vermicompost on the growth and yield of mung beans (Vigna radiata L). The maximum reduction in soil pH was observed (6.47) in vermicompost of C. erectus leaves, among other treatments. The highest N (1.86%), P (0.15%), and K (0.41%) contents were found in the vermicompost of C. erectus leaves + FYM. Similarly, the maximum plant height (36.00 cm) was achieved in vermicompost of C. erectus leaves + FYM compared to other treatments. The highest SPAD value was observed (56.37) when the soil was treated with vermicompost (C. erectus leaves + FYM) @ 5 t ha?1, followed by the treatment where vermicompost (C. erectus leaves + soil) @ 8 t ha?1 was applied. The soil amendment of vermicompost (C. erectus leaves + FYM) @ 5 t ha?1 showed competitive results (in terms of the growth and yield parameters of mung beans) compared to other types of vermicompost and C. erectus biomass. This study has the potential to reduce the phytotoxicity of C. erectus biomass and transform it into a potent organic fertilizer through vermicomposting. © 2022 by the authors.7527/Punjab/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2017, Ph- II-MG-9)/PAKTURK/R&D/HEC/2018Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/245), Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia. The authors are grateful to HEC for funding this research through the following HEC projects: “Vermicomposting: A resourceful organic fertilizer to improve agriculture production and soil health” (NRPU-HEC project no. 7527/Punjab/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2017) and “Vermicomposting: An Agricultural Waste Management Technology” (project vide letter no. (Ph- II-MG-9)/PAKTURK/R&D/HEC/2018, though Pak-Turk Researchers Mobility Grant Program Phase- 2)

Sektör çalışanlarının iş tatmini, örgütsel ve mesleki bağlılık kapsamında mesleki tutum algılarının incelenmesi,

Çalışmanın amacı, sektör çalışanlarının iş tatmini (iş doyumu) ve örgütsel bağlılık kapsamında mesleki tutumlarının incelenmesidir. Uygulamalı olarak gerçekleştirilen bu araştırmaya 199 sektör çalışanı katılmıştır. Katılımcılara yönelik 5’li likert ölçekli iki bölümden oluşan bir anket uygulanmıştır. Basit Rassal yöntem ile yapılan bu araştırmadan elde edilen veriler SPSS istatistik 18 programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde korelasyon, regresyon, faktör ve t-test analizlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Uygulanan ölçeğin Cronbach’s Alpha kat sayısı olarak 0.899 değeri elde edilmiştir. Çalışma sonunda, yaş değişkeni ile idealleştirilen etki ve duygusal bağlılık, cinsiyet değişkeni ile bireysel ilgi ve duygusal bağlılık, kurumdaki görev değişkeni ile karizma ilham verme ve ileriye yönelik kariyer planları değişkeni ile devamlılık bağlılık faktörleri arasında orta düzey korelasyon ilişkisi bulunmuştur. Ayrıca katılımcılara ait bazı değişkenler (yaş, cinsiyet, kurumdaki görev vb.) ile belirlenen faktörler arasındaki ilişkiler regresyon analizi ile ortaya koyulmaya çalışılmıştır

Pathogenicity of proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Implications as biomarker and future therapies

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare but serious necrotizing auto-immune vasculitis. GPA is mostly associated with the presence of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) targeting proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA), a serine protease contained in neutrophil granules but also exposed at the membrane. PR3-ANCAs have a proven fundamental role in GPA: they bind neutrophils allowing their auto-immune activation responsible for vasculitis lesions. PR3-ANCAs bind neutrophil surface on the one hand by their Fab binding PR3 and on the other by their Fc binding Fc gamma receptors. Despite current therapies, GPA is still a serious disease with an important mortality and a high risk of relapse. Furthermore, although PR3-ANCAs are a consistent biomarker for GPA diagnosis, relapse management currently based on their level is inconsistent. Indeed, PR3-ANCA level is not correlated with disease activity in 25% of patients suggesting that not all PR3-ANCAs are pathogenic. Therefore, the development of new biomarkers to evaluate disease activity and predict relapse and new therapies is necessary. Understanding factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity, i.e. their potential to induce auto-immune activation of neutrophils, offers interesting perspectives in order to improve GPA management. Most relevant factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity are involved in their interaction with neutrophils: level of PR3 autoantigen at neutrophil surface, epitope of PR3 recognized by PR3-ANCA, isotype and glycosylation of PR3-ANCA. We detailed in this review the advances in understanding these factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity in order to use them as biomarkers and develop new therapies in GPA as part of a personalized approach