Is it Advisable to Rehabilitate and Release Owls with Monocular Vision?

Defective vision is frequent in owls presented to rehabilitation centers. While there is a common consensus that completely blind owls should not be released, there is less certainty when considering owls with monocular vision. To address this issue, surveys of rehabilitation centers and veterinarians were conducted regarding their opinion and experience on the feasibility and ethics of rehabilitating and releasing owls with only one functional eye. Results show conflicting opinions between rehabilitation centers and also veterinarians, with a lack of agreement on what would be best in terms of welfare. This research also compared flight and landing behaviour of four barn owls, of which two had lens opacities to differing degrees and one had only one eye. No significant differences were found between the one-eyed barn owl and the three birds with two eyes in any of the aspects analyzed, namely flight trajectory and time and landing ability on a perch or a handler’s glove. Finally, from a literature review and reports from the centers surveyed, successful cases of rehabilitation and release of owls with monocular vision were documented. The findings of our research suggest that new UK guidelines which describe the prerequisites for release of owls with monocular vision should be develope

The effect of alpha(+)-thalassaemia on the incidence of malaria and other diseases in children living on the coast of Kenya

BACKGROUND: The alpha-thalassaemias are the commonest genetic disorders of humans. It is generally believed that this high frequency reflects selection through a survival advantage against death from malaria; nevertheless, the epidemiological description of the relationships between alpha-thalassaemia, malaria, and other common causes of child mortality remains incomplete. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We studied the alpha+-thalassaemia-specific incidence of malaria and other common childhood diseases in two cohorts of children living on the coast of Kenya. We found no associations between alpha+-thalassaemia and the prevalence of symptomless Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia, the incidence of uncomplicated P. falciparum disease, or parasite densities during mild or severe malaria episodes. However, we found significant negative associations between alpha+-thalassaemia and the incidence rates of severe malaria and severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration < 50 g/l). The strongest associations were for severe malaria anaemia (> 10,000 P. falciparum parasites/mul) and severe nonmalaria anaemia; the incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for alpha+-thalassaemia heterozygotes and homozygotes combined compared to normal children were, for severe malaria anaemia, 0.33 (95% CI, 0.15,0.73; p = 0.006), and for severe nonmalaria anaemia, 0.26 (95% CI, 0.09,0.77; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest, first that selection for alpha+-thalassaemia might be mediated by a specific effect against severe anaemia, an observation that may lead to fresh insights into the aetiology of this important condition. Second, although alpha+-thalassaemia is strongly protective against severe and fatal malaria, its effects are not detectable at the level of any other malaria outcome; this result provides a cautionary example for studies aimed at testing malaria interventions or identifying new malaria-protective genes

On the Progenitors of Local Group Novae. II. The Red Giant Nova Rate of M31

In our preceding paper, Liverpool Telescope data of M31 novae in eruption were used to facilitate a search for their progenitor systems within archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data, with the aim of detecting systems with red giant secondaries (RG-novae) or luminous accretion disks. From an input catalog of 38 spectroscopically confirmed novae with archival quiescent observations, likely progenitors were recovered for eleven systems. Here we present the results of the subsequent statistical analysis of the original survey, including possible biases associated with the survey and the M31 nova population in general. As part of this analysis we examine the distribution of optical decline times (t(2)) of M31 novae, how the likely bulge and disk nova distributions compare, and how the M31 t(2) distribution compares to that of the Milky Way. Using a detailed Monte Carlo simulation, we determine that 30 (+13/-10) percent of all M31 nova eruptions can be attributed to RG-nova systems, and at the 99 percent confidence level, >10 percent of all M31 novae are RG-novae. This is the first estimate of a RG-nova rate of an entire galaxy. Our results also imply that RG-novae in M31 are more likely to be associated with the M31 disk population than the bulge, indeed the results are consistent with all RG-novae residing in the disk. If this result is confirmed in other galaxies, it suggests any Type Ia supernovae that originate from RG-nova systems are more likely to be associated with younger populations, and may be rare in old stellar populations, such as early-type galaxies

Leukemia-associated Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factor is not critical for RhoA regulation, yet is important for platelet activation and thrombosis in mice.

BACKGROUND: RhoA is an important regulator of platelet responses downstream of Gα13 , yet we still know little about its regulation in platelets. Leukemia-associated Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF [LARG]), a RhoA GEF, is highly expressed in platelets and may constitute a major upstream activator of RhoA. To this end, it is important to determine the role of LARG in platelet function and thrombosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a platelet-specific gene knockout, we show that the absence of LARG results in a marked reduction in aggregation and dense-granule secretion in response to the thromboxane mimetic U46619 and proteinase-activated receptor 4-activating peptide, AYPGKF, but not to adenosine diphosphate. In a ferric chloride thrombosis model in vivo, this translated into a defect, under mild injury conditions. Importantly, agonist-induced RhoA activation was not affected by the absence of LARG, although basal activity was reduced, suggesting that LARG may play a housekeeper role in regulating constitutive RhoA activity. CONCLUSIONS: LARG plays an important role in platelet function and thrombosis in vivo. However, although LARG may have a role in regulating the resting activation state of RhoA, its role in regulating platelet function may principally be through RhoA-independent pathways, possibly through other Rho family members

Competitor presence reduces internal attentional focus and improves 16.1km cycling time trial performance.

Objectives: Whilst the presence of a competitor has been found to improve performance, the mechanisms influencing the change in selected work rates during direct competition have been suggested but not specifically assessed. The aim was to investigate the physiological and psychological influences of a visual avatar competitor during a 16.1-km cycling time trial performance, using trained, competitive cyclists. Design: Randomised cross-over design. Methods: Fifteen male cyclists completed four 16.1 km cycling time trials on a cycle ergometer, performing two with a visual display of themselves as a simulated avatar (FAM and SELF), one with no visual display(DO), and one with themselves and an opponent as simulated avatars (COMP). Participants were informed the competitive avatar was a similar ability cyclist but it was actually a representation of their fastest previous performance. Results: Increased performance times were evident during COMP (27.8 ± 2.0 min) compared to SELF(28.7 ± 1.9 min) and DO (28.4 ± 2.3 min). Greater power output, speed and heart rate were apparent during COMP trial than SELF (p < 0.05) and DO (p ≤ 0.06). There were no differences between SELF and DO.Ratings of perceived exertion were unchanged across all conditions. Internal attentional focus was significantly reduced during COMP trial (p < 0.05), suggesting reduced focused on internal sensations during an increase in performance. Conclusions: Competitive cyclists performed significantly faster during a 16.1-km competitive trial than when performing maximally, without a competitor. The improvement in performance was elicited due to a greater external distraction, deterring perceived exertion

Improvements in Cycling Time Trial Performance Are Not Sustained Following the Acute Provision of Challenging and Deceptive Feedback

The provision of performance-related feedback during exercise is acknowledged as an influential external cue used to inform pacing decisions. The provision of this feedback in a challenging or deceptive context allows research to explore how feedback can be used to improve performance and influence perceptual responses. However, the effects of deception on both acute and residual responses have yet to be explored, despite potential application for performance enhancement. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of challenging and deceptive feedback on perceptual responses and performance in self-paced cycling time trials (TT) and explored whether changes in performance are sustained in a subsequent TT following the disclosure of the deception. Seventeen trained male cyclists were assigned to either an accurate or deceptive feedback group and performed four 16.1 km cycling TTs; 1 and 2) ride-alone baseline TTs where a fastest baseline (FBL) performance was identified, 3) a TT against a virtual avatar representing 102% of their FBL performance (PACER), and 4) a subsequent ride-alone TT (SUB). The deception group, however, were initially informed that the avatar accurately represented their FBL, but prior to SUB were correctly informed of the nature of the avatar. Affect, self-efficacy and RPE were measured every quartile. Both groups performed PACER faster than FBL and SUB (p < 0.05) and experienced lower affect (p = 0.016), lower self-efficacy (p = 0.011), and higher RPE (p < 0.001) in PACER than FBL. No significant differences were found between FBL and SUB for any variable. The presence of the pacer rather than the manipulation of performance beliefs acutely facilitates TT performance and perceptual responses. Revealing that athletes’ performance beliefs were falsely negative due to deceptive feedback provision has no effect on subsequent perceptions or performance. A single experiential exposure may not be sufficient to produce meaningful changes in the performance beliefs of trained individuals beyond the acute setting

An evaluation of Thiomicrospira, Hydrogenovibrio and Thioalkalimicrobium: reclassification of 4 species of Thiomicrospira to each Thiomicrorhabdus gen. nov. and Hydrogenovibrio, and reclassification of all 4 species of Thioalkalimicrobium to Thiomicrospira.

Thiomicrospira spp. are small sulfur-oxidising chemolithoautotrophic members of the Gammaproteobacteria. Whilst the type species Tms. pelophila and closely related Tms. thyasirae exhibit canonical spiral morphology under sub-optimal growth conditions, most species are vibrios or rods. The 16S rRNA gene diversity is vast, with identities as low as 91.6 % to Tms. pelophila versus Tms. frisia, for example. Thiomicrospira was examined with closely related genera Hydrogenovibrio and Thioalkalimicrobium and, to rationalise organisms on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, physiology and morphology, we reclassify Tms. kuenenii, Tms. crunogena, Tms. thermophila and Tms. halophila to Hydrogenovibrio kuenenii comb. nov., H. crunogenus corrig. comb. nov., H. thermophilus corrig. comb. nov., and H. halophilus corrig. comb. nov. We reclassify Tms. frisia, Tms. arctica, Tms. psychrophila and Tms. chilensis to Thiomicrorhabdus gen. nov., as Tmr. frisia comb. nov., Tmr. arctica comb. nov., Tmr. psychrophila comb. nov. and Tmr. chilensis comb. nov. – the type species of Thiomicrorhabdus is Tmr. frisia. We demonstrate Thioalkalimicrobium spp. fall in the genus Thiomicrospira sensu stricto, thus reclassifying them to Tms. aerophila corrig. comb. nov., Tms. microaerophila corrig. comb. nov., Tms. cyclica corrig. comb. nov.and Tms. sibirica corrig. comb. nov. We provide emended descriptions of the genera Thiomicrospira and Hydrogenovibrio and of Tms. thyasirae

The effect of a professional cricket match schedule on selected immune parameters

Objective. The impact of a professional cricket match schedule on white blood cell (WBC) distribution and lymphocyte activation (CD69 expression) was investigated. Methods. After a 3-month pre-season training period, physical and immune parameters were determined in 14 male cricketers before (B) and after (A) an intensive 5- week match schedule. Results. Exercise test results were unchanged from B to A. Total WBC counts were similar, but total lymphocyte and lymphocyte subpopulation counts decreased significantly. The CD4:CD8 ratio did not change. After in vitro stimulation, percentage CD4+CD69+ cells increased (B: 54.4 ± 9.7%, A: 64.0 ± 8.5%, p < 0.01), but absolute CD4+CD69+ cell counts did not change from B to A. In contrast, both the %CD8+CD69+ cells and absolute CD8+CD69+ cell count remained similar. Conclusion. A strenuous, interregional, professional cricket match schedule resulted in a decreased number of lymphocytes, but relatively increased in vitro reactivity of CD4+ cells, thus maintaining the absolute capacity of the CD4+ cells to become activated on stimulation. In cricketers who suffered upper respiratory tract symptoms during the match schedule (N = 7), none of the immune parameters investigated differed significantly from the others at B or A. SA Sports Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 22-2