End October Research Articles

Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis strain identified during an ongoing epidemic, Finland, January to October 2024.

Since April 2024, a pertussis epidemic has been ongoing in Finland with 2,215 notified cases by end October. Of them, 30.1% (n = 667) were aged 10-14 years. Of the 462 Bordetella pertussis isolates characterised, one was macrolide-resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin > 256 μg/mL). The resistant isolate was serotype FIM2, vaccine antigen pertactin-deficient and harboured ptxP3 allele. The emergence of macrolide-resistant B. pertussis in Europe is worrisome and its rapid identification is important.

Ground-based MAX-DOAS observations of tropospheric formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide: Insights into ozone formation sensitivity

Tropospheric profiles of HCHO, NO2, and O3 are important for analyzing ozone formation mechanism. In this study, ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), and in-situ measurements were simultaneously performed to diagnose ozone formation sensitivity at the Heshan Observatory in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region from September to end October 2019. The profiles of tropospheric HCHO and NO2 were retrieved from MAX-DOAS measurements using an optimal estimation method. The retrieved surface HCHO and NO2 results were validated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and Thermo 42i measurements, and the correlation coefficients (R) were 0.78 and 0.81, respectively. The retrieved tropospheric vertical column densities (VCDs) of HCHO and NO2 were compared with TROPOMI measurements, and the correlation coefficients (R) were 0.68 and 0.87, respectively. In addition, MAX-DOAS and LIDAR measurements were combined to diagnose a typical planetary boundary layer (PBL) ozone pollution episode from September 28 to October 10, 2019; this episode was analyzed using HCHO/NO2 ratio as an indicator and was found to be dominated by the VOC-sensitive regime. Moreover, the regime transition of ozone formation sensitivity was calculated using the surface HCHO/NO2 ratio and increased O3 from the MAX-DOAS and Thermo 49i measurements, with transition thresholds of 1.43 and 1.78, respectively. Based on this definition, the ozone formation sensitivity at Heshan Observatory varied from VOC-sensitive (< 0.2 km and > 0.8 km) to NOx-sensitive (0.3–0.7 km) to VOC-NOx-sensitive (0.2–0.3 km and 0.7–0.8 km). The results improve our understanding of ozone formation sensitivity in the PRD region.

Optimising Sowing Window for Wheat Cultivars Under RCP 4.5 and RCP 6.0 Scenarios During the 21st Century in Indian Punjab

ABSTRACTA simulation study was conducted for assessing the climate change impact on wheat cultivars (HD2967 and PBW725) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 6.0 scenarios for four agroclimatic zones (AZ) of Punjab. The yield trend during 70 years (2025–95) using the CERES‐Wheat model was assessed for different sowing windows (end October to end November). The maximum/minimum temperature and rainfall, respectively, during the season varied between 25–27°C/9–12°C and 27–103 mm (AZ II), 24–27°C/8–13°C and 37–105 mm (AZ III), 24–26°C/9–12°C and 20–80 mm (AZ IV) and 23–26°C/9–12°C and 30–71 mm (AZ V). The climatic conditions largely vary across the state, because of which only AZs II, III and V were found productive for wheat crop with most of the years lying in the high yield (&gt;5000 kg/ha) category. The sowing of HD2967 during mid to end November would be suitable adaptation strategy for wheat growers in the state.

Incident HIV-Associated Wasting/Low Weight Is Associated with Nearly Doubled Mortality Risk in the Modern ART Era.

HIV-associated wasting (HIVAW) is an underappreciated AIDS-defining illness, despite highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). We (a) assessed the association between incident HIVAW/low weight and all-cause mortality and (b) described virologic outcomes after people with HIV (PWH) experienced HIVAW/low weight while on ART. In the Observational Pharmaco-Epidemiology Research & Analysis (OPERA®) cohort, PWH without prior HIVAW/low weight who were active in care in 2016-2020 were followed through the first of the following censoring events: death, loss to follow-up, or study end (October 31, 2021). HIVAW/low weight was a diagnosis of wasting or low body mass index (BMI)/underweight or a BMI measurement <20 kg/m2. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between time-dependent HIVAW/low weight and mortality were estimated with extended Cox regression models. Over a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range: 27, 65), there were 4,755 (8%) cases of HIVAW/low weight and 1,354 (2%) deaths among 62,314 PWH. PWH who experienced HIVAW/low weight had a significantly higher risk of death than those who did not (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.27) after adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, and changes in viral load (VL) and Veterans Aging Cohort Study Mortality Index scores over follow-up. Among 4,572 PWH on ART at HIVAW/low weight, 68% were suppressed (VL of <200 copies/mL); subsequent virologic failure was uncommon (7%). Among viremic PWH, 70% and 60% achieved suppression and undetectability (VL of <50 copies/mL), respectively, over follow-up. HIVAW remains a challenge for some PWH. Particular attention needs to be paid to HIVAW/low weight and virologic control to restore health and potentially reduce the risk of death.

Validation of Bio-stimulant Seed Treatment, Soil and Foliar Application of Nano DAP, Urea, K, Zn, Cu, B Formulations in a Flood Affected Bt Hybrid Cotton

Bt hybrid cotton faced 30-60% excess rains in 70% years since its release and four times water logging in 2021, in a deep and shallow Vertisols with Calcareous sub-strata forced to confirm all the agronomical advices to it. Water logging reduced the biomass, boll number and cotton lint yields to more than 50 percent except the fibre quality. Prevailing runoff and leaching losses of soil applied fertilizer nutrients were accumulated at downstream, which increased the soil test values. Water logging caused reduction of index leaf N, P, K, Zn and B nutrient status below the threshold levels. Soil application of Zn and B once in three years alone or seed treatment formulation with N, P, K Bio-inoculant consortia along with nano ZnO 0.0004% + CuO 0.0001% as seed treatment at the time of sowing with or without foliar application of NPK WSF 2%, Zn 0.5%, B 0.3% or 0.04% nano formulations of DAP alternated with Urea alongwith ZnO and K with common insecticides and fungicidal sprays significantly improved index leaf nutrient status, biomass, boll number and seed cotton yields in both the soils. Validation of these results in station trials during 2022-24 found the need for atleast two foliar application of nano nutrients each DAP + ZnO + K followed by nano Urea+ ZnO + K 0.004% alternately at the mid and end September and October months. This increased N, P, K, Zn, B content in index leaves and seeds with additional cotton lint yield 209 kg ha-1 worth 174 US $ ha-1 net profit by soil application ZnSO4 20 and Borox 5 kg ha-1 yr -3 in Vertisols and three times foliar application at squaring, flowering and boll formation stage with nano ZnO 0.004%+ B 0.3% or ZnSO4 0.36% +Boron 0.2% in Vertisols with calcareous sub-strata.

The Western Cape Surgical Recovery Project: experience at Groote Schuur Hospital

Background Data from six Western Cape secondary-level hospitals have shown that during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (which lasted from May to July of 2020), total surgeries decreased by 44%, and elective surgeries by 74%, due to secondment of nursing, anaesthetic and surgical staff to COVID high-care and intensive-care services. At Groote Schuur Hospital, the loss of surgical output over the two years of the pandemic-related surgical service de-escalation (2020-2021) was estimated at 10 000 cases, with 6 000 patients with progressive disease waiting for elective surgical care. Methods In early May 2022, a Surgical Recovery Project was initiated; funding from the Western Cape Department of Health, and donations from the Gift of the Givers Foundation, private individuals, businesses, and other non-governmental organisations were used to build, staff, and equip a Day-Case Surgery Suite. Results By the Project midway point (end October 2022), a total of 800 extra cases had been completed, and the Project is currently on track to exceed the target of 1 500 cases in a calendar year by at least 10%. The largest number of procedures done were eye cases (n = 191), followed by cases involving surgery to the integumentary system (n = 141), and musculoskeletal system cases (n = 123). There were a total of 30 patient cancellations. While the Project expectedly had poorer on-time-start statistics in the first quarter of operation (range 0.0 - 6.9%), the percentage of on-time-start statistics improved markedly over the second quarter (range 43.3 - 56.5%). World Health Organization checklists were completed for 85.1% of operations performed at the Day-Case Surgery Suite, and no adverse incidents or mortalities were recorded at the Unit. Conclusions This project demonstrates that the volume of services provided in the public sector can be escalated with the use of external funding of capital for human resources, equipment and consumables. However, these services become truly effective when there is sufficient multi-disciplinary planning, alignment and support, at operational, strategic and executive levels of healthcare facilities.

Value of DNA testing in the diagnosis of sickle-cell anemia in childhood in an environment with a high prevalence of other causes of anemia.

BackgroundSickle‐cell anemia (SCA) is the most common genetic disease worldwide caused by a single mutation in the gene HBB. DNA testing can help to clarify the diagnosis when Hb electrophoresis is inconclusive. We evaluated the usefulness and feasibility of DNA‐based diagnosis of SCA in rural Central Africa.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study conducted from November 2016 to end October 2017 in the Hôpital Saint Luc de Kisantu, located 120 km from Kinshasa. This hospital offers the management of SCA patients, mainly identified using the Sickling test (Emmel test) combined with clinical features. We included patients aged 6 months to 18 years locally diagnosed as SCA, and we collected clinical and hematological data. All patients were offered Hb electrophoresis and DNA testing at the Center for Human Genetics of the University of Kinshasa.ResultsThis study included 160 patients. Hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis suggested that 136 (85%) were homozygote SS, 13 (8.1%) were heterozygote (AS), and 11 (6.9%) were homozygote normal (AA). DNA testing confirmed these electrophoresis findings, with the exception of four patients, two AS in electrophoresis were found SS due to recent transfusion, and two SS in electrophoresis were found AS because they have compound heterozygous form S/β°‐thalassemia. The diagnosis of SCA was therefore wrongly ascertained with Emmel test in 15% of patients.ConclusionThis study reveals a high proportion of false‐positive SCA diagnoses in a rural environment in Central Africa. This underlines the importance of DNA testing in conjunction with Hb electrophoresis.

Evaluation of Stockpiled Perennial Forage Compared to Grass-legume Hay for Chemical Composition and Rumen Degradation Kinetics

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and in situ degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of stockpiled perennial forage (SPF) or sun-cured hay (HAY) when collected at the start or end (October vs. December) of fall grazing. Selected 6, 4-ha paddocks consisting of meadow bromegrass and alfalfa, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 replicated (n = 3) winter feeding systems (SPF and HAY). Sampling was done twice per year at the beginning (October) and end (December) from (a) stockpiled perennial forage (SPF) in field paddocks and from (b) harvested round bale hay (HAY) over 2 consecutive years. Selected 6, 4-ha paddocks consisting of meadow bromegrass and alfalfa, were randomly assigned two winter feeding systems (SPF (n=3) and HAY (n=3)). Sampling were done twice per year at the beginning (October) and end (December) from (a) SPF (b) HAY over 2 consecutive years. To evaluate in situ degradability, duplicate nylon bags from each experimental unit were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 10, 13, 25, 48, 72, and 96 h in five Hereford heifers fitted with rumen cannula. Relative to HAY, SPF had greater (p = 0.01) OM (906 vs. 916 g/kg DM) and NDF (653 vs. 631 g/kg DM) concentrations. Sampling date had no effect (p &amp;gt; 0.05) on CP, OM, and ADF in both forages, whereas the NDF was greater (p = 0.01) in forages sampled in December. The in situ soluble fraction (S) of DM was greater (p = 0.01) for SPF collected in October, HAY collected in October, and HAY collected in December s (156, 138, and 152 g/kg DM, respectively) relative to SPF collected in December (106 g/kg DM). The potentially degradable fraction (D) of CP was less (p &amp;lt; 0.05) for HAY December samples compared to SPF December and HAY October samples (257 vs. 522 and 523 g/kg CP, respectively). The SPF had a greater (p &amp;lt; 0.05) potentially degradable ADF (749 vs. 587 g/kg ADF) and potentially degradable NDF (770 vs. 591 g/kg NDF) compared to HAY. The effect of forage type and sampling date did not affect (p &amp;gt; 0.05) effective degradability of NDF. Regardless of the forage type the potentially degradable fraction of NDF decreased from October to December (SPF: 770 to 730 g/kg NDF) (HAY: 680 g/kg to 491 g/kg NDF). These findings suggest SPF grazing is a robust substitute to hay feeding systems for beef cows.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Myocarditis in a Nordic Cohort Study of 23 Million Residents

Reports of myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination have emerged. To evaluate the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination by vaccine product, vaccination dose number, sex, and age. Four cohort studies were conducted according to a common protocol, and the results were combined using meta-analysis. Participants were 23 122 522 residents aged 12 years or older. They were followed up from December 27, 2020, until incident myocarditis or pericarditis, censoring, or study end (October 5, 2021). Data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, hospital diagnoses of myocarditis or pericarditis, and covariates for the participants were obtained from linked nationwide health registers in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The 28-day risk periods after administration date of the first and second doses of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, including BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and AZD1222 or combinations thereof. A homologous schedule was defined as receiving the same vaccine type for doses 1 and 2. Incident outcome events were defined as the date of first inpatient hospital admission based on primary or secondary discharge diagnosis for myocarditis or pericarditis from December 27, 2020, onward. Secondary outcome was myocarditis or pericarditis combined from either inpatient or outpatient hospital care. Poisson regression yielded adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and excess rates with 95% CIs, comparing rates of myocarditis or pericarditis in the 28-day period following vaccination with rates among unvaccinated individuals. Among 23 122 522 Nordic residents (81% vaccinated by study end; 50.2% female), 1077 incident myocarditis events and 1149 incident pericarditis events were identified. Within the 28-day period, for males and females 12 years or older combined who received a homologous schedule, the second dose was associated with higher risk of myocarditis, with adjusted IRRs of 1.75 (95% CI, 1.43-2.14) for BNT162b2 and 6.57 (95% CI, 4.64-9.28) for mRNA-1273. Among males 16 to 24 years of age, adjusted IRRs were 5.31 (95% CI, 3.68-7.68) for a second dose of BNT162b2 and 13.83 (95% CI, 8.08-23.68) for a second dose of mRNA-1273, and numbers of excess events were 5.55 (95% CI, 3.70-7.39) events per 100 000 vaccinees after the second dose of BNT162b2 and 18.39 (9.05-27.72) events per 100 000 vaccinees after the second dose of mRNA-1273. Estimates for pericarditis were similar. Results of this large cohort study indicated that both first and second doses of mRNA vaccines were associated with increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. For individuals receiving 2 doses of the same vaccine, risk of myocarditis was highest among young males (aged 16-24 years) after the second dose. These findings are compatible with between 4 and 7 excess events in 28 days per 100 000 vaccinees after BNT162b2, and between 9 and 28 excess events per 100 000 vaccinees after mRNA-1273. This risk should be balanced against the benefits of protecting against severe COVID-19 disease.

Understanding the interplay between lifestyle factors and emotional distress for hemorrhagic stroke survivors and their informal caregivers: Protocol for a mixed methods dyadic natural history study.

Emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and PTS) and unhealthy lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, limited physical activity, medication adherence) are common in hemorrhagic stroke (HS) survivors and may increase risk for recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Emotional distress and unhealthy lifestyle factors tend to be interdependent between survivors and their informal caregivers (e.g., family and friends who provide unpaid care; together called dyads), such that one partner's lifestyle and coping behaviors influence the other's behaviors, yet no research has closely examined this relationship in HS dyads over time. We will conduct a mixed methods study to quantitatively and qualitatively understand the longitudinal relationship between emotional distress and lifestyle factors across time in this population (HS dyads) to identify treatment targets to prevent emotional distress chronicity and stroke recurrence. In aim 1, we will assess emotional distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and PTS) and lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, limited physical activity medication adherence/blood pressure control) in dyads of survivors of HS and their caregivers (N = 80), at three separate time points (hospitalization in the Neuro-ICU, 1, and 3 months later). We hypothesize that 1) lifestyle factors and emotional distress will be interrelated within and across time for both survivors and caregivers, and 2) lifestyle factors and emotional distress will be interdependent between survivors and caregivers. We also aim to explore the nuanced interplay between lifestyle factors and emotional distress and gain in depth information on barriers and facilitators for a dyadic intervention to optimize lifestyle behaviors and emotional functioning in HS dyads. Eligible patients will be adults who have a caregiver also willing to participate. Patients will be referred for study participation by the nursing team who will ensure that they are cognitively able to meaningfully participate. Multilevel dyadic modeling (i.e., actor-partner interdependence model; APIM) with distinguishable dyads will be used to determine influences of these factors onto each other over time. In Aim 2, we will conduct live video qualitative dyadic interviews (N = 20 or until theme saturation) at all time points from the same participants with and without emotional distress and at least one lifestyle risk factor, to understand the nuanced relationships between emotional distress and lifestyle behaviors, and barriers and facilitators to engagement in a skills-based psychosocial intervention. Interviews will be analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. The present study is currently ongoing. So far, we enrolled 2 participants. Recruitment will end October 2022 with plans to analyze data by December 2022. The findings from this study will be used to further develop psychosocial interventions and inform novel treatments for survivors of HS and their informal caregivers.

Stress Incontinence Surgery Does Not Cause Pelvic Malignancy: A Population-Based Cohort Study

We sought to determine if stress urinary incontinence surgery (mesh or nonmesh) is associated with the development of pelvic malignancies later in life. We performed a retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2002 and October 31, 2015 of all women in Ontario, Canada without a history of pelvic malignancy who underwent an index stress incontinence surgery. The primary outcome was a composite of any pelvic malignancy (including urological and gynecological cancers) following stress incontinence surgery. Secondarily, we considered each cancer individually. A survival analysis using a Cox proportional-hazards model with a 3-level categorical exposure (mesh surgery, nonmesh surgery, and control) was performed. Patients were followed until death, emigration or the study end (October 31, 2017). Of the women 74,968 underwent stress urinary incontinence surgery during the study period. There were 5,505,576 women in the control group. Over a median followup of 8.5 years (IQR, 5.5-11.9), 587 pelvic malignancies occurred in the surgery group. Women who underwent stress incontinence surgery had a reduced risk of pelvic malignancy independent of surgery type, compared to controls (Wald type 3 p <0.001; mesh HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.62-0.76]; p <0.0001; nonmesh HR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.29-0.46]; p <0.0001). The individual pelvic cancers similarly demonstrated a reduced risk of malignancy following stress incontinence surgery. At a median followup of 8.5 years, women had no increased risk of pelvic malignancy following either mesh or nonmesh stress urinary incontinence surgery in a large population-based cohort.

New insights on Scaphoideus titanus biology and their implications for integrated pest management

The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus is known to be the main vector of Flavescence doree phytoplasma (FDP), a serious disease of the grapevine in temperate European areas. Adult lifespan and oviposition rate were investigated under semi-natural conditions to assess potential fecundity of this species. Egg load was detected under field conditions in North Italy. Females lived longer than males, with a sex ratio in their favour during the late season when they are still able to lay eggs. Both sexes have a high average lifespan, females can live over 60 days whilst males over 40 days. Furthermore, 25% of the females lived over 70 days, and laid an average of 60–65 eggs. A number of approximately 70 to 130 eggs was laid by 25% females. The comparison between the egg load trend and the oviposition rate shows that both indices remain constant until September and then decrease in the following months. The presence of the vector was detected until late season in the vineyards. In fact, some females with mature eggs were collected until October 30 th , whilst in seminatural condition few individuals were able to lay eggs until the end October to early November. This research shows as S. titanus biological parameters have been largely underestimated so far. A serious implication of the high longevity is the prolongation of the adult inoculation period, and a temporal expansion of the risk of infecting the vineyards no longer protected by insecticide treatments. This suggests to reconsider the phytosanitary management of the vineyards after harvesting.

Exercise Parameters Predict Technique Survival in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Objective: The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) is an important marker of aerobic capacity in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to evaluate its predictive value for PD-related outcomes. Methods: This single-center cohort study recruited outpatients on maintenance PD from our hospital between March 2017 and March 2018. Exercise capacity was assessed using measurement of ISWT and handgrip and quadriceps strength. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median of exercise capacity and prospectively followed up until cessation of PD, death, or the study end (October 2019). The primary end point of this study was technique survival rate, and secondary outcomes were rates of peritonitis-free survival and PD-related hospitalization-free survival. Results: Among the 50 participants, age and PD vintage were [median (IQR)] 62.5 (58.3–70) and 3.5 (1.3–6.5) years, respectively. At the end of the study, 3 of the 28 participants (11%) in the long-ISWT group and 13 of the 22 participants (59%) in the short-ISWT group were transferred to hemodialysis. The short-ISWT group showed lower technique survival rate (p < 0.001), peritonitis-free survival rate (p = 0.01), and PD-related hospitalization-free survival rate (p < 0.01) than the long-ISWT group, whereas those survival rates did not differ when participants were divided by handgrip or quadriceps strength. Multivariate analysis revealed lower ISWT to be independently associated with technique failure (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The ISWT is an important predictor of technique survival for patients on PD. Monitoring and enhancing ISWT as a marker of aerobic capacity might improve PD-related outcomes.

SOIL SALINIZATION IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF ARMENIAN SEMI-ARID REGIONS: CASE STUDY OF MASIS REGION

Soil salinization processes in the agricultural lands of Masis region, Armenia, were investigated. Soil samples collected from these areas at the beginning (April) and end (October) of irrigation season in 2019 were analyzed for electrical conductivity as an indication of salinity. The results of the study demonstrated that irrigation caused an intensive accumulation of soluble salts in the upper horizons of these agricultural soils posing a risk of a decline in soil productivity and of soil degradation. All of this calls for an urgent need for sustainable soil management in this region.

Sub-Mesoscale Circulation Features along the Andhra Pradesh Coast, Bay of Bengal: Observations from HF Radars

Mandal, S.; Pramanik, S.; Sil, S.; Arunraj, K.S., and Jena, B.K., 2020. Sub-mesoscale circulation features along the Andhra Pradesh coast, Bay of Bengal: Observations from HF radars. In: Sheela Nair, L.; Prakash, T.N.; Padmalal, D., and Kumar Seelam, J. (eds.), Oceanic and Coastal Processes of the Indian Seas. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 89, pp. 132-138. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.This work presents the coastal circulation variability along the Andhra coast in western Bay of Bengal (BoB) using hourly high frequency radar (HFR, 4.4 MHz) derived ocean surface currents during 2015. The comparison of daily averaged HFR surface currents with satellite derived currents shows high correlations (0.86, 0.70) and low errors (0.28 m s-1, 0.25 m s-1) for the zonal and meridional components. The HFRs captured and quantified the dominant circulation features associated with the reversal of boundary currents. The northward (southward) currents are observed from mid-March till May end (October to November with highest current speed of ∼1.58 (1.24) m s-1 along the Andhra coast (between 15-17°N). In addition, the sub-mesoscale features associated with dominant circulation features are observed, like, the propagation of an anticyclonic eddy (81.80°E, 15.25°N) during March and cyclonic eddy (82.25°E, 15.40°N) during November. The mean vorticity pattern from the HFR currents shows the dipole nature during April - May to indicate the near coast upwelling signatures which are also supported by chlorophyll observations from satellite. The tidal driven currents, extracted from the HFRs, show that the semi-diurnal tidal constituent, M2 dominates during both the seasons with less intensity in March than in November. The distributions of the M2 tidal ellipses match well with the broad-scale current pattern in the offshore region. They follow the bathymetry in the nearshore region to indicate that it is driven by tides resulting in the generation of the shallow water tidal constituents (M3, M4, MS4 and M8) with significant amount of amplitudes.

Bad hare day: very low survival rate in brown hare leverets

Increased postnatal leveret mortality has been identified as the proximate factor explaining the decline of European brown hare Lepus europaeus populations in Europe. However, direct measurements of survival rates are non-existent as the leveret's cryptic behaviour makes them very difficult to study. Previously, leveret survival rates calculated using hunting bag statistics or capture–mark–recapture methods have been estimated to lie between 5% and 56% for the period between the start (January) and the end (October) of the breeding season. Such indirect approaches are known to yield inaccurate results compared to direct survival measurements. Hence, we applied novel detection methods and radio-tagged 63 wild-born leverets (aged between 1 and 22 days at capture) in two different populations in the Swiss lowlands. We located the tagged individuals daily to monitor individual fates and to directly calculate survival probabilities. We found that leveret survival is negatively influenced by precipitation. However, when leverets use edge habitats, survival is positively influenced. Daily survival rate and survival probability for the first month of life were found to be 0.94 and 0.18 respectively. Such low survival is alarming and to prevent further declines in populations of brown hares, it will be essential to mitigate against these excessive losses. Therefore, we suggest measures aimed at increasing the area of suitable habitat for leverets, where they can grow up safely (e.g. shelter from predators and bad weather).

Vocal fatigue in professors at the beginning and end of the school year.

To characterize and to compare the perception of vocal fatigue in professors at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Observational, analytical, prospective cohort study was carried out. A total of 115 professors participated with a mean age of 40 years old, 71 women and 44 men, employees of 28 higher education institutions in the south and southeast regions of Brazil. All answered to the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) at the beginning (February or March) and at the end (October or November) of the Brazilian school year. The VFI results for both assessed moments were statistically compared (p<0.05). The professors' mean scores obtained in the factors of tiredness of voice and avoidance of voice use (p<0.001) and improvement of symptoms with rest (p=0.001) increased at the end of the school year. Professors reported higher perception of vocal fatigue at the end of the school year, which influenced the avoidance of voice use and improvement of symptoms with the rest.

Barbados

The Barbadian authorities continue to make good progress in implementing the comprehensive Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan aimed at restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, rebuilding reserves, and increasing growth. Since May 2018, international reserves have increased from a low of US$220 million (or 5-6 weeks of import coverage) to more than US$600 million at end- October 2019. The completion of a domestic debt restructuring in November 2018 has been very helpful in reducing economic uncertainty, and the terms agreed with domestic creditors have helped to put debt on a clear downward trajectory. Risks to the outlook are elevated but growth could surprise on the upside, with private sector confidence now increasing.

The impacts of seasonal variation on the immune status of Nile tilapia larvae and their response to different immunostimulants feed additives

Few data are available on the thermal tolerance of Nile tilapia fish larvae in relation to their immune status and survival. The aims of this work were to evaluate the immune status of one day old Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larval stage collected at the beginning (March), middle (August) and at the end (October) of hatching season through morphometric assessment of the larvae parameters including yolk sac diameter, body length and width as well as the expression of some immune-related genes (rag, sacs and tlr), inflammatory (il1b and il8) and stress related genes (hsp27, hsp70). Also, to compare the effect of three different immunostimulants (β-glucan, Vitamin C, and methionine/lysine amino acids mix) on the expression of the studied genes at two variant temperatures (23 ± 1 °C and 30 ± 1 °C) in experimental study for 21 days. The immune status of Nile tilapia is affected by thermal fluctuation throughout the hatching season reflected by altered yolk sac size, length, and expression of the immune and stress related genes of the larvae, the best performances was observed at the beginning of the hatching season (March). High temperature (30 °C) suppress immune and stress responses throughout downregulation of all the genes under study, mask any effects for the immunostimulants, increased mortality in fish larvae suggesting narrow thermal tolerance range for the larvae compared with the adult fish.We recommend the use of amino acid mix as immunostimulant for Nile tilapia larvae, it reduces the mortality percentage and improve cellular response. Also, the use of β-glucan should be prohibited during this developmental stage of larvae, it induced the highest mortality percentage.

Differences in stem water potential during oil synthesis determine fruit characteristics and production but not vegetative growth or return bloom in an olive hedgerow orchard (cv. Arbequina)

Although oil synthesis in fruits of cv. Arbequina starts at the end of pit hardening (beginning of July in central Spain) most oil is synthesized from late summer (end August) until harvest (end October). An experiment was established in two nearby high-density olive orchards (C and L) trained in 4-m spaced hedgerows (2.3 m tall) and maintained over three successive seasons (2011–2013) to determine the effect of irrigation treatments during oil synthesis on stem water potential (Ψstem), fruit characteristics, production, water productivity (production per irrigation amount + effective rainfall), flowering and fruit-set and next-year growth. The control treatments (C1 and L1) were irrigated to maintain the “wetted” bulb near field capacity throughout the season. Three deficit-irrigation treatments were established in each orchard. In orchard C, treatments C2, C3 and C4 received 64, 38, 14% of the water applied to C1, while in orchard L, treatments L2, L3 and L4 received 71, 41, 18% of water applied to L1. The treatments produced significant differences in Ψstem that were lower in Orchard C (mean C4 value −4.91 MPa) than L (L4 −2.58 MPa) due to differences in soil depth and drip emitter spacing. At the two orchards, individually, the stressed trees were not significantly affected in terms of shoot length, flowering, fruit set, fruit abscission and consequently fruit number. While deficit irrigation significantly reduced size, oil and water content of fruit, and hence olive and oil production in Orchard C, there was no response in Orchard L. Analysis revealed that individual fruit parameters were maintained constant as Ψstem decreased during oil synthesis in response to treatment until a threshold value was reached. Oil content (% fresh weight-FW) was the least sensitive parameter (threshold −4.11 MPa) with a positive linear relationship between water and oil fruit content (R2 = 0.81). Olive production was more sensitive to Ψstem (threshold −1.82 MPa) than oil production (−2.21 MPa). Indicating that moderate stress can be applied during oil synthesis by irrigating such that Ψstem declines to the threshold value −2.21 MPa without reduction of oil production. This value corresponds to a water-stress integral of 130 MPa day−1. Maximum water productivity was achieved by irrigating at Ψstem −2.31 MPa with lower values obtained at higher or lower Ψstem. Our results indicate that Ψstem should be maintained higher than −2.21 MPa during oil synthesis for maximum production, but higher values of the water productivity will be achieved at −2.31 MPa.