Average mass of seeds encountered by foraging dabbling ducks in Western Europe

Many dabbling ducks Anas spp. are largely granivorous, consuming a variety of seeds chiefly from aquatic plants. To assess the relative value and carrying capacity of wetlands for dabbling ducks, species-specific information about seed mass is needed, but it is still largely missing or scattered in the literature. By combining weights of seeds collected in the field with a literature review, we provide a reference table for seed mass of 200 western European plant taxa frequently encountered by foraging dabbling ducks. Seeds collected in the field were sampled in microhabitats and at depths at which ducks were observed to forage, and study sites represent wintering, staging as well as breeding areas within a flyway in western Europe. When combined with calorimetric data, the present reference table will aid managers and scientists in assessing the importance of seed food resources at different sites and during different parts of the annual cycle.</p

Do breeding site characteristics influence breeding performance of the purple heron Ardea purpurea in the Camargue

La biologie de la reproduction du Héron pourpré, Ardea purpurea, a été étudiée en Camargue durant les années 1997-1998. La date de ponte a été significativement différente entre les colonies pour une des deux années alors que la taille de ponte, constamment faible (2.9-3.4), n'a présenté aucune différence ni entre les colonies, ni entre les années, La mortalité des poussins a été similaire entre les colonies sur une même année mais significativement plus élevée en 1997. La taille des nichées, le rang de naissance et la date de ponte ont un effet significatif sur la croissance des poussins. Les analyses de nourriture régurgitée ont révélé une grande variété de proies et de façon surprenante peu de poissons. Les données de baguage ont aussi montré que les jeunes hérons peuvent parfois coloniser des nids voisins pour améliorer leurs conditions. Des études postérieures doivent permettre de préciser les connaissances relatives à l'écologie alimentaire, et de mieux connaître les facteurs qui affectent la disponibilité des sites potentiels de nidification

Line Surge Arresters Applications On The Compact Transmission Lines

This paper presents application of line surge arresters on the compact transmission lines. Single and double circuit compact transmission lines are considered. Line lightning performance is computed using sigma slp simulation software. Different line surge arrester installation configurations are considered. Line lightning performance is computed for different tower footing resistance. Line performance before and after line surge arrester installation are compared. Line lightning performance of the unshielded line with line surge arresters is compared with the performance of the shielded line without line surge arresters. For double circuit shielded compact lines, double circuit outage rate is computed. Influence of the tower footing resistance on the double circuit outage rate is presented. KEYWORD

Long-Lasting Impairments in Quadriceps Mitochondrial Health, Muscle Size, and Phenotypic Composition Are Present After Non-Invasive Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Introduction: Despite rigorous rehabilitation aimed at restoring muscle health, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is often hallmarked by significant long-term quadriceps muscle weakness. Derangements in mitochondrial function are a common feature of various atrophying conditions, yet it is unclear to what extent mitochondria are involved in the detrimental sequela of quadriceps dysfunction after ACL injury. Using a preclinical, non-invasive ACL injury rodent model, our objective was to explore the direct effect of an isolated ACL injury on mitochondrial function, muscle atrophy, and muscle phenotypic transitions. Methods: A total of 40 male and female, Long Evans rats (16-week-old) were exposed to non-invasive ACL injury, while 8 additional rats served as controls. Rats were euthanized at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days after ACL injury, and vastus lateralis muscles were extracted to measure the mitochondrial respiratory control ratio (RCR; state 3 respiration/state 4 respiration), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, fiber cross sectional area (CSA), and fiber phenotyping. Alterations in mitochondrial function and ROS production were detected using two-way (sex:group) analyses of variance. To determine if mitochondrial characteristics were related to fiber atrophy, individual linear mixed effect models were run by sex. Results: Mitochondria-derived ROS increased from days 7 to 56 after ACL injury (30–100%, P \u3c 0.05), concomitant with a twofold reduction in RCR (P \u3c 0.05). Post-injury, male rats displayed decreases in fiber CSA (days 7, 14, 56; P \u3c 0.05), loss of IIa fibers (day 7; P \u3c 0.05), and an increase in IIb fibers (day 7; P \u3c 0.05), while females displayed no changes in CSA or phenotyping (P \u3e 0.05). Males displayed a positive relationship between state 3 respiration and CSA at days 14 and 56 (P \u3c 0.05), while females only displayed a similar trend at day 14 (P = 0.05). Conclusion: Long-lasting impairments in quadriceps mitochondrial health are present after ACL injury and play a key role in the dysregulation of quadriceps muscle size and composition. Our preclinical data indicate that using mitoprotective therapies may be a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate alterations in muscle size and characteristic after ACL injury

EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes - protocol for a qualitative study of general population and stakeholder perspectives on screening for type 1 diabetes in the UK [ELSA 1]

Objective Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most common form of diabetes in children, accounting for 96% of all diabetes, with 29,000 children affected in the UK. Studies have recently identified immunotherapies that safely delay the development of T1D for at least three years, and further therapies are in development. General population screening programmes in other countries can now accurately identify children with presymptomatic T1D who can be entered into prevention studies. The UK does not have such a system in place. We aim to explore whether parents and children in the UK would want to be part of such a programme of testing for T1D in the general population, how they would want to be informed and participate in such a programme, and how any barriers to recruitment and participation can be addressed. Additionally, the views of stakeholders who would be involved in the testing programme will be collected and analysed. Research Design and Methods We will interview parents/guardians and children aged 3-13 years about their views on screening for T1D. We will recruit purposefully to ensure representation across ethnicities and socioeconomic groups. Interviews will be transcribed, analysed, and used to inform iterative co-design work with additional families to address any issues raised. Similar qualitative work will be undertaken with professional stakeholders who would be involved in implementing any future screening programme. Where possible, all aspects of this study will be performed remotely by phone or online to minimise infection risk. Conclusions This qualitative study will provide the first insights into acceptability of testing and monitoring for T1D in the general population, from the perspective of families and stakeholders in the UK. Co-design work will help establish the barriers and identify strategies to mitigate and overcome these issues, as an important step towards consideration of national testing for T1D

Neural Excitability Alterations After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Neuromuscular dysfunction is common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). However, little is known about quadriceps spinal-reflex and descending corticomotor excitability after ACL-R. Understanding the effects of ACL-R on spinal-reflex and corticomotor excitability will help elucidate the origins of neuromuscular dysfunction