Chytrid fungus infection in alpine tree frogs is associated with individual heterozygosity and population isolation but not population-genetic diversity

Chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the emerging fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been implicated in the decline of over 500 amphibian species. Population declines could have important genetic consequences, including reduced genetic diversity. We contrasted genetic diversity among both long-Bd-exposed and unexposed populations of the south-east Australian alpine tree frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina) across its range. At the population level, we found no significant differences in genetic diversity between Bd-exposed and unexposed populations. Encouragingly, even Bd-infected remnant populations that are now highly isolated maintain genetic diversity comparable to populations in which Bd is absent. Spatial genetic structure among populations followed an isolation-by-distance pattern, suggesting restricted movement among remnant populations. At the individual level, greater heterozygosity was associated with reduced probability of infection. Loss of genetic diversity in remnant populations that survived chytridiomycosis epidemics does not appear to be a threat to L. v. alpina. We suggest several factors underpinning maintenance of genetic diversity: (1) remnant populations have remained large enough to avoid losses of genetic diversity; (2) many individuals in the population are able to breed once before succumbing to disease; and (3) juveniles in the terrestrial environment have low exposure to Bd, providing an annual ‘reservoir’ of genetic diversity. The association between individual heterozygosity and infection status suggests that, while other work has shown all breeding adults are typically killed by Bd, males with greater heterozygosity may survive longer and obtain fitness benefits through extended breeding opportunities. Our results highlight the critical role of life history in mitigating the impacts of Bd infection for some amphibian species, but we infer that increased isolation as a result of disease-induced population extirpations will enhance population differentiation and thus biogeographic structure

Performance, Carcass and Organ Weights Characteristics of Finishing Broiler Chickens Fed Pro-Vitamin A ( UMUCASS 36) Cassava Meal

A 4-week study was conducted using 120 unsexed Anak strain broilers to determine the performance, carcass and internal organs characteristics of finishing broilers fed unpeeled and  peeled fermented pro-vitamin A cassava meal as total replacement for maize. Fresh bio-fortified pro-vitamin A cassava was harvested and divided into two batches. The first batch was peeled and the second batch was unpeeled. Both were soaked separately in a plastic vat containing clean water and allowed to ferment for 72 hours. Thereafter, they were washed with clean water, sundried and milled to produce i. peeled fermented pro-vitamin A cassava tuber meal (PFPC). ii. Unpeeled fermented pro-vitamin A cassava tuber meal (UFPC). The broilers were divided into three groups and fed diets containing 100% maize T1 (control) as the source of energy, while T2 and T3 contained 100% unpeeled and peeled fermented pro-vitamin A cassava as the source of energy respectively. Each group was replicated four times with 10 birds per replicate in a completely Randomized Design (CRD). Feed and water were provided ad libitum for the period. Result showed that final body weight, daily weight gain and breast weight of the control were significantly (p 0.05) higher than UFPC and PFPC groups. The treatment had no significant (p 0.05) effect on the internal organs of the birds. Abdominal fat of the PFPC group was significantly (p 0.05) higher than the control and UFPC. The results of this study revealed that unpeeled and peeled fermented pro-vitamin A cassava meal can completely replaced maize in the diets of finishing broilers. Keywords: Broiler, performance, pro-vitamin A cassav

Quantum Entanglement in the Two Impurity Kondo Model

In order to quantify quantum entanglement in two impurity Kondo systems, we calculate the concurrence, negativity, and von Neumann entropy. The entanglement of the two Kondo impurities is shown to be determined by two competing many-body effects, the Kondo effect and the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction, $I$. Due to the spin-rotational invariance of the ground state, the concurrence and negativity are uniquely determined by the spin-spin correlation between the impurities. It is found that there exists a critical minimum value of the antiferromagnetic correlation between the impurity spins which is necessary for entanglement of the two impurity spins. The critical value is discussed in relation with the unstable fixed point in the two impurity Kondo problem. Specifically, at the fixed point there is no entanglement between the impurity spins. Entanglement will only be created (and quantum information processing (QIP) be possible) if the RKKY interaction exchange energy, $I$, is at least several times larger than the Kondo temperature, $T_K$. Quantitative criteria for QIP are given in terms of the impurity spin-spin correlation.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Classroom Management and Teaching of Social Studies

To deliberate on classroom management and the teaching of social studies, this chapter intends to focus: classroom management, strategies of encouraging good behaviour in social studies classroom, in addition, concept of teaching, conditions for effective teaching of social studies, features of effective social studies teaching, future of effective social studies teaching and teaching students with diverse interest will be discussed

Do Patient-Reported Outcomes Have a Role in the Management of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis?

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a rapidly growing area of expertise and the most commonly used patient-reported outcome (PRO). The impact of cystic fibrosis (CF) on HRQoL is liable to be great, making CF patients ideal candidates for the application of HRQoL instruments. The aims of this study were to assess the affect of CF on HRQoL, to ascertain the reliability and validity of the United Kingdom Sickness Impact Profile (UKSIP) and the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (CFQoL) in the adult CF population, and to examine their role in the management of patients. Methods: Seventy participants were recruited from the All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at Llandough Hospital, UK. There were two stages to the study: self-report of the UKSIP and CFQoL; and completion of the same two questionnaires 7–10 days later. Results: The areas of HRQoL most impaired by CF were employment and concerns regarding the future. The UKSIP and CFQoL showed high internal consistency (rα = 0.89–0.93) and test–retest reliability (rs = 0.57–0.94, p < 0.005) in the CF population. Validity was variable with the UKSIP showing discrimination across socio-demographic factors, whilst the CFQoL showed increased sensitivity to clinical variables. Many parameters influenced patient-reported HRQoL, with the greatest correlations seen with the Borg score (p < 0.005). The use of a HRQoL instrument in CF annual reviews is recommended to provide holistic patient care. The results of this study underpin the value of HRQoL as a patient-reported outcome measure in the management of adult CF

THE RELATIONSHIP OF ANTHROPOMETRY AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH RUNNING ECONOMY

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of anthropometry and body composition with running economy within a large heterogeneous cohort of runners. Locomotory energy cost was determined in ninety-four healthy male and female endurance runners across a range of performance standards. Various anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken manually and via DXA scans. The relationships between anthropometry and running economy were assessed using independent Pearson’s correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression. Three parameters, normalised neck and calf perimeters and normalised whole body bone mass explained 30% of the variance in locomotory energy cost. Low locomotory energy cost was related solely to parameters indicating relative slenderness of the body

New Paradigms for Virus Detection, Surveillance and Control of Zika Virus Vectors in the Settings of Southeast Asia

Zika virus (ZIKV) has now become a global public health concern. The vectors for ZIKV are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Both these mosquitoes are predominant in Southeast Asia and are also responsible for the spread of other arboviral diseases like dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The incidence of dengue has been increasing over the years and this is of concern to public health workers. Simple laboratory tools for the detection of ZIKV is also lacking. In the absence of drugs and vaccine for these arboviral diseases, vector control is the main option for surveillance and control. Aedes larval surveys have been the hallmark of dengue control along with larviciding and fogging when cases are reported. However, we need new paradigms and options for control of these vectors. The current situation in Southeast Asia clearly proves that effective strategies for vector control need to be proactive and not reactive. This will be the way forward to control epidemics of these diseases inclusive of ZIKV until a vaccine becomes available

Price differentials for slaughter hogs

Price differentials mean the difference or spread between two related series of prices. This bulletin reports on two types of differentials: (1 ) market differentials, the difference in the price of hogs of the same weight and grade between specific markets; (2 ) weight differentials, the difference in the price of hogs of different weights, usually of comparable grades, at the same market. Both market differentials and weight differentials may change from one period to another. The study of price differentials for slaughter hogs will aid in choosing among several available markets the most profitable place to sell each weight and grade of hogs. The study will also show the time of the year when prices are likely to be highest for different weights of hogs

Is there an optimum speed for economical running?

The influence of running speed and sex on running economy is unclear and may have been confounded by measurements of oxygen cost that do not account for known differences in substrate metabolism, across a limited range of speeds, and differences in performance standard. Therefore, this study assessed the energy cost of running over a wide range of speeds in high-level and recreational runners to investigate the effect of speed (considered in absolute and relative terms) and sex (males vs. females of equivalent performance standard) on running economy. 92 healthy runners (high-level males, n=14; high-level females, n=10; recreational males, n=35; recreational females, n=33) completed a discontinuous incremental treadmill test for the determination of the energy cost (kcal·kg 1·km-1) of submaximal running, speed at lactate turnpoint (sLTP) and the maximal rate of oxygen uptake (V̇O2max). There were no sex specific differences in the energy cost of running for the recreational or high-level runners when compared at absolute or relative running speeds (P>0.05). The absolute and relative speed-energy cost relationships for the high-level runners demonstrated a curvilinear inverted “u shape” with a nadir reflecting the most economical speed at 13 km.h-1 or 70% sLTP. The high-level runners were more economical than the recreational runners at all absolute and relative running speeds (P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that there is an optimal speed for economical running; there is no sex-specific difference; and, high-level endurance runners exhibit a better running economy than recreational endurance runners