725 research outputs found

    Yerli Bir Sığır Irkının Fenotipik Özelliklerinin Tanımlanmasında Video Yardımlı Ölçme Yönteminin Kullanılması

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    This study aims to identify phenotypical traits of the Hungarian Grey (HG) and two more podolic breed (Maremmana, Anatolian Grey) with the Video Aided Measurement (VAM) method. The sample has been gathered from 1090 Hungarian Grey out of five herd and 26, and 30 from the Maremmana and Anatolian Grey. The measurements have been done by taking relevant pictures from videos recorded through the optometric VAM method. As the animal stands still in pictures, the measurements obtained via this method are safer, practical and reliable. The standard deviations and the average body size of Hungarian Grey cattle examined by this method were found to be: height at withers 133,0 cm (sd:5,7); height of back 131,5 cm (sd:5,7); rump height 133,7 cm (sd:6,1) trunk length 157,6 cm (sd:9,7); chest depth 76,9 cm (sd:4,3); body length 152,6 cm (sd:10,6); width of chest 45,5 cm (sd:4,3). The discriminant function analysis of intra- (Hungarian) and inter-breed dataset showed that there were statistically significant phenotypical differences among the herd. Based on the results, the VAM method can be a potential tool for conservation herds, primarily for obtaining the data of phenotypical aspects. New approaches like geometric morphometry can also be used for gaining phenotype data.Bu çalışmada amaç Hungarian Grey ile iki podolik ırkı olan Maremmana ve Boz Step (Anatolian Grey) sığır ırklarında, Video Destekli Ölçüm (VAM) yöntemiyle fenotipik bazı özelliklerin belirlenmesidir. Bu bağlamda Hungarian Grey sığır ırkından 5 sürüden 1090 birey ile Maremmana ve Boz Step ırklarından sırasıyla 26 ve 30 bireylik örneklerde çalışılmıştır. Optimetrik VAM yöntemi ile kaydedilen videolardan uygun resimler alınarak ölçümler yapılmıştır. Çünkü resimde hayvan sabit duruduğu için bu metotla elde edilen ölçümler daha hızlı, pratik ve güvenilirdir. Bu metotla incelenen Hungarian Grey sığır ırkındaki vücut ölçüleri ortalama ve standart sapmaları sırsıyla; cidago yüksekliği 133±5.7, sırt yüksekliği sağrı yüksekliği, gövde uzunluğu, göğüs derinliği ve vücut uzunluğu olarak bulunmuştur. Yapılan diskriminant analiz sonucunda sürü içerisinde istatistik olarak önemli fenotipik farklılıklar olduğu görülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlara gore VAM metodu koruma sürüleri başta olmak üzere fenotipik verilerin elde edilmesinde bir araç olarak kullanılabilir. Geometrik morfometri gibi yeni yaklaşımlar da fenotipik verilerin elde edilmesinde kullanılabilir

    Genetic variation and relationships among Turkish water buffalo populations

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    P>The genetic variation and relationships among six Turkish water buffalo populations, typical of different regions, were assessed using a set of 26 heterologous (bovine) microsatellite markers. Between seven and 17 different alleles were identified per microsatellite in a total of 254 alleles. The average number of alleles across all loci in all the analysed populations was found to be 12.57. The expected mean heterozygosity (H-e) per population ranged between 0.5 and 0.58. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed for 44 locus-population combinations. Population differentiation was analysed by estimation of the F-st index (values ranging from 0.053 to 0.123) among populations. A principal component analysis of variation revealed the Merzifon population to show the highest differentiation compared with the others. In addition, some individuals of the Danamandira population appeared clearly separated, while the Afyon, Coskun, Pazar and Thural populations represented a single cluster. The assignment of individuals to their source populations, performed using the Bayesian clustering approach implemented in the structure 2.2 software, supports a high differentiation of Merzifon and Danamandira populations. The results of this study are useful for the development of conservation strategies for the Turkish buffalo

    The association of grip strength with depressive symptoms and cortisol in hair: A cross-sectional study of older adults

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    BACKGROUND: Low handgrip strength has been shown to be associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. One area of mental health that is understudied in relation to grip strength is chronic stress, which can exist independently to depression, or as a comorbidity or precursor to this condition. The present study examined cross-sectional associations between grip strength, an established marker of physical function, and (a) depressive symptoms and (b) chronic stress utilizing hair cortisol concentrations, while accounting for multiple pertinent confounding variables. // METHOD: Data were used from wave 6 (2012/13) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, a panel study of older (≥50 years) community-dwelling men and women. Grip strength was measured in kg using a hand-held dynamometer. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Hair cortisol concentrations (pg/mg) were determined from samples of scalp hair and log-transformed for analysis to correct skewness. Associations of grip strength with depressive symptoms and hair cortisol concentration were tested using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, wealth, smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, limiting long-standing illness, arthritis, diabetes, and hair treatment. // RESULTS: The sample comprised of 3741 participants (mean age 68.4 years, 66.4% female). After adjustment for age and sex, grip strength was significantly and negatively associated with both depressive symptoms (B = -0.038, SE = 0.004, P < 0.001) and hair cortisol (B = -0.003, SE = 0.001, P = 0.029). However, in the fully-adjusted models, both associations were attenuated and only the association with depressive symptoms remained statistically significant (B = -0.015, SE = 0.004, P < 0.001; hair cortisol B = -0.002, SE = 0.001, P = 0.088). // CONCLUSION: In a large sample of older adults in England, grip strength was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Results were inconclusive regarding the association between grip strength and chronic stress. Further research examining the longitudinal relationships between muscular strength and specific aspects of mental health, while also exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these associations, is warranted before recommendations for policy and practice can be made

    The Ethnic 'Other' in Ukrainian History Textbooks: The Case of Russia and the Russians

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    This paper examines portrayals of Russia and the Russians in two generations of Ukrainian history textbooks. It observes that the textbooks are highly condemning of Ukraine's main ethnic other in the guise of foreign ruler: the tsarist authorities and the Soviet regime are always attributed dubious and malicious intentions even if there is appreciation for some of their policies. By contrast, the books, certainly those of the second generation, refrain from presenting highly biased accounts of the ethnic other as a national group (i.e. Russians). Instances where negative judgements do fall onto Russians are counterbalanced by excerpts criticizing ethnic Ukrainians or highlighting conflicting interests within the Ukrainian ethnic group. The negative appraisal of the ethnic other as foreign ruler is clearly instrumental for the nation-building project as it sustains a discourse legitimating the existence of Ukraine as independent state. However, recent trends in history education, the paper concludes, suggest that the importance of nurturing patriotism as a national policy objective is diminishing

    The association of pain with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms among adults aged ≥50 years from low- and middle-income countries

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    Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship of pain with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms among adults aged ≥50&nbsp;years from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa). Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analyzed. Self-reported information on past 12-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among people with depressive symptoms was collected. Pain was assessed with the question “Overall in the last 30&nbsp;days, how much of bodily aches or pain did you have?” With answer options: “none”, “mild”, “moderate”, “severe/extreme”. Multivariable logistic regression was done to assess associations. Results: Data on 34,129 adults aged ≥50&nbsp;years (mean [SD] age 62.4 [16.0] years; males 47.9%) were analyzed. Compared to no pain, mild, moderate, and severe/extreme pain were associated with 2.83 (95% CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.51–5.28), 4.01 (95% CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;2.38–6.76), and 12.26 (95% CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;6.44–23.36) times higher odds for suicidal ideation. For suicide attempt, only severe/extreme pain was associated with significantly increased odds (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;4.68; 95% CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.67–13.08). Conclusions: In this large sample of older adults from multiple LMICs, pain was strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms. Future studies should assess whether addressing pain among older people in LMICs may lead to reduction in suicidal thoughts and behaviors

    Racism and anti-racism in Europe: a critical analysis of concepts and frameworks

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    The targets and expressions of racism vary across Europe. This article discusses the relevance of different descriptions and analyses of racism despite the different terms used in different countries such as ‘ethnic minority’, ‘foreigner’ or ‘black’ and different interpretations of which differences matter. It shows the significance of a cross-national European perspective on racism. There are important convergences across European countries in the discourses and practices of racism, particularly the distinction between ‘useful’ and ‘abusive’ migrants. A cross-European perspective can be an important inspiration for anti-racist struggles

    Physical Multimorbidity and Sarcopenia among Adults Aged ≥65 Years in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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    Introduction: Physical multimorbidity is plausibly linked to sarcopenia. However, to date, only a few studies exist on this topic, and none have examined this association in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and sarcopenia in a sample of older adults from six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa). Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based data from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analysed. Sarcopenia was defined as having low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and weak handgrip strength, while severe sarcopenia was defined as having low SMM, weak handgrip strength, and slow gait speed. A total of 11 physical chronic conditions were assessed and multimorbidity referred to ≥2 chronic conditions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: Data on 14,585 adults aged ≥65 years were analysed (mean age 72.6 years, SD 11.5 years; 53.7% females). Adjusted estimates showed that compared to no chronic physical conditions, ≥2 conditions are significantly associated with 1.49 (95% CI = 1.02–2.19) and 2.52 (95% CI = 1.53–4.15) times higher odds for sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, respectively. Conclusions: In this large sample of older adults from LMICs, physical multimorbidity was significantly associated with sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia. Our study results tentatively suggest that targeting those with multimorbidity may aid in the prevention of sarcopenia, pending future longitudinal research

    The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers of People with Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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    The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the psychological well-being of caregivers of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (PwD/MCI). Electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2022 for observational studies investigating the COVID-19 lockdown and psychological well-being of caregivers of PwD/MCI. Summary estimates of standardized mean differences (SMD) in psychological well-being scores pre- versus during COVID-19 were calculated using a random-effects model. Fifteen studies including 1702 caregivers (65.7% female, mean age 60.40 ± 12.9 years) with PwD/MCI were evaluated. Five studies found no change in psychological well-being parameters, including depression, anxiety, distress, caregiver burden, and quality of life. Ten studies found a worsening in at least one parameter: depression (six studies, n = 1368; SMD = 0.40; 95%CI: 0.09–0.71; p = 0.01, I2 = 86.8%), anxiety (seven studies, n = 1569; SMD = 1.35; 95%CI: 0.05–2.65; I2 = 99.2%), caregiver distress (six studies, n = 1320, SMD = 3.190; 95%CI: 1.42–4.95; p &lt; 0.0001; I2 = 99.4%), and caregiver burden (four studies, n = 852, SMD = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.13–0.56; p = 0.001; I2 = 54.1%) (p &lt; 0.05). There was an increase in depression, anxiety, caregiver burden, and distress in caregivers of PwD/MCI during the lockdown in the COVID pandemic. This could have longer term consequences, and it is essential that caregivers’ psychological well-being is assessed and supported, to benefit both themselves and those for whom they care

    The Migration of Elites in a Borderless World: Citizenship as an Incentive for Professionals and Managers?

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    Der Artikel geht der Frage nach, inwiefern die geöffneten Türen für die Immigration Hochqualifizierter in den OECD-Ländern tatsächlich zu einer verstärkten Migrationsbewegung führen. Die Analyse von Daten zu Eliten- und Hochqualifiziertenmigration in Ostasien, Europa und den USA führt zu dem Ergebnis, dass diese dem Muster einer „brain circulation“ folgt und die Staatsbürgerrechte dabei keine entscheidende Rolle spielen
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