Nest Research Articles

Influence of Direct-Downscaling and One-Way Nesting on Daily Mean Air Temperature of Egypt Using the RegCM4

Daily mean air temperature (TMP) is an important indicator for a climate change study and it reflects the daily changes of the maximum and minimum air temperature. Downscaling of a General Circulation Model (GCM) to a regional scale is important to ensure accurate simulation of the TMP. To address this issue, a comparison was conducted between Direct Downscaling (DIR) and one-way nesting (NEST) using a Regional Climate Model (RegCM4) in the period 1997-2017 over Egypt. The ERA-Interim reanalysis of 1.5 degrees (EIN15) was used as the atmospheric forcing to downscale the RegCM4 over Egypt, while the fifth generation ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis was used to evaluate the RegCM4 concerning the Total Cloud Cover (CLT), surface short and longwave radiation fluxes (RSDS and RLDS), ground temperature (TS), sensible heat flux (HFSS) and TMP. Results showed that there was no difference between DIR and NEST regarding the CLT and RSDS; while the NEST overestimated the RLDS more than the DIR particularly in the summer and autumn seasons in comparison with ERA5. Furthermore, the difference between DIR and NEST as the NEST overestimated the TS more than DIR in all seasons and in particular the summer and autumn seasons. This noted overestimation propagated to the HFSS explaining the high warm bias in the simulated TMP; which was higher in NEST than DIR. Such findings suggest that DIR was only affected by uncertainty associated with the EIN15. Additionally, this uncertainty was amplified using NEST because the uncertainty of EIN15 first propagated to the mother domain and then from the mother to the nested one. Despite of observed biases, DIR shows promising results more than NEST. Therefore, DIR can be recommended for future climate studies over Egypt.

Fragmentation of soil-root complexes in sloping landscapes during tillage and soil translocation

It is well known that roots play a significant role in reducing water erosion in soil, yet few studies have reported the influence of crop roots on soil translocation induced by tillage in sloping fields. To examine the relationship between soil-root complexes (i.e., complexes of wheat roots and soil) and soil redistribution caused by tillage, a series of tillage experiments were carried out on bare soil and areas of wheat sown by drilling ( DS ) and nesting ( NS) using nine slopes with gradients varying from 0.19 to 0.32 m m −1 . The magnetic tracing technique was used to determine soil translocation rates under hoeing tillage in sloping landscapes in response to soil-root complexes and bare soil. The results indicated that mean displacement distance for DS and NS in the downslope direction was 0.15 m and 0.16 m, respectively. This was much shorter than that of bare soil which was 0.26 m. Mean tillage erosion rates ranged from 14.58 to 19.15 Mg ha −1 per tillage pass for DS and 13.90 –21.10 Mg ha −1 per tillage pass for NS , while reached 31.23–36.31 Mg ha −1 per tillage pass for bare soil. Tillage transport coefficients ( k 3 and k 4 ) were 6.31 and 106.46 kg m −1 per tillage pass for DS , 6.58 and 118.68 kg m −1 per tillage pass for NS , and 28.12 and 151.07 kg m −1 per tillage pass for bare soil, respectively. A significant difference in cohesive force ( C ) was found between DS ( NS ) and bare soil ( P < 0.05), thereby resulting in an increase in the soil shear strength of soil-root complexes. Compared with those of bare soil, the soil fractal dimension of soil-root complexes decreased significantly due to an increase in the percentage of coarse clods (>100 and 100–80 mm) and a decrease in the percentage of fine clods (50–20 and < 20 mm). Mean soil displacement distance caused by tillage displayed a negative relationship with C and wheat root traits (the root density, the root length density, and the root area ratio) within the hilly landscape of soil-root complexes ( P < 0.05), implying that wheat roots played a crucial part in soil translocation and soil fragmentation during hoeing tillage. Our study revealed that soil-root complexes markedly reduce the soil downslope transfer process during tillage and prevent the break-up of large clods by tillage implements on sloping farmland. • Wheat root attenuated the mechanical breakage of clods during tillage operation. • Root systems increase soil shear strength and reduce fragmentation of soil clods. • Displacement distance for soil-root complexes was smaller than that for bare soil. • Tillage erosion decreased with increasing structure stability and cohesive force.

Spawning and Embryonic Development of the Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera)

The reproductive biology of lampreys is of special interest given the group has retained many developmental features reminiscent of the earliest vertebrates. Herein I report spawning behavior in the Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera) from southern Indiana and provide descriptions of its embryonic development. Nesting activities began in mid-March when water temperatures ranged from 10 to 12 C, as two or more individuals dug out shallow depressions in loose gravel immediately above riffles. Communal spawning groups (>10 individuals) subsequently formed at the nest sites when the water temperature rose above 12 C. Embryos generated from the gametes of spawning adults underwent gastrulation 72 h after fertilization, neurulation after 6 d, and hatched after 14 d. Prolarvae developed melanophores 19 d after fertilization, eyespots were visible by 20 d, and the velum began to beat 25 d after fertilization. Expulsion of yolk from the intestine and filter feeding occurred 26 d after fertilization. Embryonic development in L. aepyptera largely matches the embryonic stages established for the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), with subtle differences in the sequence of specific developmental features. These descriptions clarify conflicting accounts of spawning activities for L. aepyptera and provide staging criteria for future investigations into its embryonic development.

Desarrollo de un sistema basado en la nube para el monitoreo de un nido de aves, su ambiente y comportamiento, siguiendo el paradigma del Internet de las Cosas

Este trabajo presenta el diseño y desarrollo de un prototipo basado en la nube para monitorearaves en en su entorno natural, siguiendo los principios y tendencias del paradigma de Internetde las Cosas. El comportamiento y las poblaciones de aves representan una útil métrica paramedir la salud de un ecosistema, volviéndose así en una importante herramienta para estudiarlas repercusiones del cambio climático en el medio ambiente. El sistema se construye utilizandoNodeJs para el backend y se despliega utilizando una plataforma de computación en la nubecomo servicio a fin de mejorar la accesibilidad y la escalabilidad, mientras se reducen loscostos de implementación y operación. Para este proyecto, se asume el reto de cero inversiónen la implementación del prototipo. El objetivo principal de la investigación es establecer unsistema web de monitoreo de nidos de aves en tiempo real, para recopilar y analizar datos sobreel comportamiento animal y ambiental, diseñado para definir un estándar de comunicación parala integración de dispositivos personalizados utilizados para recopilar los datos, permitiendouna mejor integración de diferentes artilugios construidos para obtener datos de vida salvajecon la mínima interferencia y dotar de suficiente dinamismo a los protocolos de comunicaciónpara manejar nuevos tipos de datos obtenidos de una amplia variedad de sensores. Laestandarización y centralización tiene como objetivo resolver el problema actual de recopilaciónremota de datos de dispositivos de monitoreo y la capacidad de compartir datos entreinvestigadores de vida salvaje, ofreciendo disponibilidad mundial a través de un portal webpara que los usuarios accedan a los las lecturas recolectadas en distintos entornos.

Trophic Ecology of Seahorse Key, Florida: A Unique Bird-Snake Interaction Network Analysis

In 2015 the entire breeding colony of nesting waterbirds on Seahorse Key (Florida, U.S.A.) unexpectedly abandoned the island and have not returned. These birds have a unique trophic relationship with a sympatric cottonmouth snake (Agkistrodon conanti) population, as well as potentially important positions within the entire insular food web. Species-interaction network analysis was used to compare two trophic networks; pre- and post-abandonment. Trophic data were used to create a weighted adjacency matrix for each network and the resulting network metrics were compared using the network analysis software package UCINET and visualized using NetDraw. Results for the pre-abandonment network indicated a large, complex, diffuse network with low centrality and seven sub-networks. Several species of colonial nesting birds were identified as holding important positions within the network for resource transfer from marine and intertidal environments to terrestrial trophic guilds, particularly to the snakes. Post-abandonment analysis showed the network significantly fractured with the terrestrial trophic guild that includes the snakes being smaller, more isolated and potentially less stable.

A Comparative Study of Nest Attendance Patterns of Chick-rearing Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor) in Incheon, South Korea

A Comparative Study of Nest Attendance Patterns of Chick-rearing Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor) in Incheon, South Korea

Raptor Entanglement with Human Debris at Nests: A Patchy and Species-Specific Problem

Fil: Mallet, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; Argentina

Research on the problems of family support for the empty nest elderly in rural areas from the perspective of intergenerational relationship：Take H province as an example

Research on the problems of family support for the empty nest elderly in rural areas from the perspective of intergenerational relationship：Take H province as an example

Influence of farm conditions on sows’ morphological blood indicators

The article summarizes the influence of farm conditions on sows blood morphological parameters. Our research was carried out in the farms of Zolochiv and Starosambir districts of the Lviv region (Ukraine) and revealed strong violations of animals feeding, both in terms of nutrition, and on the macro- and microelement composition. In all the farms, there was practically no appropriate way to feeding sows from different physiological groups, which may further adversely affect the growth and development of the resulting offspring. The parameters of the microclimate in the premises were invested in the limits of permissible norms. The differences between farms were production process and pigs keeping. Animals of the Zolochiv region were not registered and had the opportunity to move freely, to nest before the farrowing, to satisfy their physiological needs for food search (to dig, to throw the bedding), without barriers to consume food and water. In the farm of the Starosambir district the sows were kept in individual fixing machines, they were restricted in movement, free choice of place for rest, manifestation of natural behavior, the ability to satisfy the instinct of nesting and show the instinct of caring for the offspring. Free holding of sows have a positive effect on the processes of hematopoiesis. The blood of these animals had more red blood cells and the hemoglobin concentration was higher. It was also proved that the most susceptible to the conditions of containment were farrowing sows from both farms, as evidenced by the morphological indices of blood. Thus, the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit magnitude and red blood indices in animals of this physiological group are recorded at the lower limit of the physiological norm.

How Scale and Scope of Ecosystem Markets Impact Permit Trading: Evidence from Partial Equilibrium Modeling in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

This study uses the Simplified International Model of agricultural Prices, Land use and the Environment, on a Grid (SIMPLE-G­), a partial equilibrium model of agricultural production, to explore how the scale and scope of environmental quality markets influence farm-level production decisions and market performance. I simulate how permit trading affects producers’ input use decisions, and ultimately pollution emissions, by modifying the supply nest structure of the model to include water quality permits as an additional output from agricultural production. Conservation practices improving water quality may also result in ecosystem co-benefits (e.g., reduced greenhouse gas emissions and habitat provision). Hence, I extend SIMPLE-G to quantify these co-benefits and simulate the effects of allowing conservationist producers to “stack” permits (i.e., to supply multiple permit types for each co-benefit). I find that, overall, permit production increases with the scale and scope of the markets. At the smallest market size—which allows trading only within 8-digit hydrological unit code watersheds—unintended policy implications arise as the stacked markets cause one conservation practice to crowd out the other. Meanwhile, the largest market—which allows trading across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed—produces nitrogen permits more efficiently which may lead to less of the secondary permits in comparison to other market configurations. The results of this study support the Environmental Protection Agency’s urging of the expansion of the scale and scope of ecosystem markets.

Minimal Intraspecific Aggression among Tawny Crazy Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Florida

Tawny crazy ants, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), are an invasive species found in states along the Gulf Coast of the USA. Their large populations are aggressive and can displace ant species already present in the area. Because tawny crazy ants are not territorial toward their own species within a locality, it was hypothesized that they may exhibit unicoloniality in their invasive range. To test this hypothesis, tawny crazy ants from separate locations in Florida were confined in small, enclosed arenas, and their interactions were observed and documented using a rating scale of aggression behaviors. Carbohydrate consumption also can affect aggression in ants, so starved and non-starved ants were tested separately. For non-starved ants, the level of aggression between worker ants increased if they were from different locations, but this interaction rarely escalated to fighting. When starved ants from different locations were given access to sucrose solution, the ants would exhibit trophallaxis rather than fighting over the food source. Queens from different colonies would quickly nest together. Thus, intraspecific aggression was not evident among tawny crazy ants collected from widely separated locations in Florida. Resumen La hormiga loca rojiza, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), es una especie invasora que se encuentra en los estados a lo largo de la costa del Golfo de los Estados Unidos. Sus grandes poblaciones son agresivas y pueden desplazar especies de hormigas ya presentes en el area. Debido a que las hormigas locas rojizas no son territoriales hacia sus propias especies dentro de una localidad, se planteo la hipotesis de que pueden exhibir unicolonialidad en su rango invasivo. Para probar esta hipotesis, las hormigas rojizas locas de lugares separados en Florida fueron confinadas en pequenos espacios cerrados, y sus interacciones se observaron y documentaron utilizando una escala de calificacion de los comportamientos de agresion. El consumo de carbohidratos tambien puede afectar la agresion en las hormigas, por lo que las hormigas con hambre y sin hambre se probaron por separado. Para las hormigas no hambrientas, el nivel de agresion entre las hormigas obreras aumentaba si eran de diferentes lugares, pero esta interaccion rara vez escalo a un combate. Cuando las hormigas hambrientas de diferentes lugares tenian acceso a la solucion de sacarosa, las hormigas exhibian trofalaxis en lugar de pelear por la fuente de alimento. Reinas de diferentes colonias anidarian juntas rapidamente. Por lo tanto, la agresion intraespecifica no era evidente entre las hormigas locas rojizas recolectadas de lugares extensamente separados de la Florida. Key Words: invasive ants; territoriality; competition; unicolonial; Nylanderia fulva View this article in BioOne

This One Didn't Fly Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Introduction: Bird fancier’s lung is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by a non-atopic immunologic response to the inhalation of avian antigens. Although it is the most common type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in adults, it is rarely diagnosed in the pediatric population. Case Report: A 17-year-old male with intermittent asthma presented with chronic cough, progressively worsening shortness of breath, joint pain and swelling in his wrists and knees, and night sweats. Eight months prior to presentation he had been diagnosed with pneumonia and had lost 24 pounds since that time. His family, including his mother, …

Are There Differences in Select Ecological Attributes and Reproductive Output of Yearling Female Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) Breeding in Urban vs. Rural Landscapes in Wisconsin?

Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) nest commonly in various habitats throughout North America, but there are few comparative studies of the ecology of urban vs. rural nesting birds, especially regarding 1 y olds whose inexperience is purported to place them under different selective pressures than more commonly nesting hawks ≥ 2 y of age. Notably, selective pressures of cities have prompted recent changes in the life histories and phenotypes of urban birds, and some of these pressures may be age dependent. We investigated select intrinsic properties of individuals and reproductive output of breeding yearling females and their mates for potential differences in the ecology of urban vs. rural birds in Wisconsin, 1980–2017. We found no differences in mean body mass of yearling females, their male mates, nesting phenology, nor in average clutch or brood counts in urban vs. rural Cooper's Hawks. Excluding one instance, yearling females were mated to older males, ≥ 2 y of age, and within 33 pairs birds mated by like sizes (small/small, etc.). Sums of masses for paired birds were not correlated with their brood sizes, in contrast to our earlier findings on the same study areas where brood size was positively and significantly correlated with summed masses of paired birds ≥ 2 y old who also mated by similar size. We call for more comparative studies of Cooper's Hawks in cities < 100,000 people as studied herein, as most research on urban nesting Cooper's Hawks stem from large, metropolitan cities with about 1 million people, which are less prevalent than smaller cities as we investigated. Indeed, there is growing evidence worldwide that the types and strength of selective pressures on urban wildlife is greater in larger cities, yet less is known about small cities.

Semi-Arid Shrublands Require Little On-Going Management to Remain Suitable for Black-Capped Vireos

The recently delisted black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla, hereafter “vireo”) nests in shrublands from south-central Oklahoma to southwestern Tamaulipas, Mexico. Vireos are considered to be “conservation-reliant” because they require on-going habitat maintenance and control of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus aster, hereafter “cowbird”). Most long-term research has been conducted in comparatively mesic parts of the vireo range, but more arid shrublands comprise the larger proportion of their distribution. Our study area is in a Nature Conservancy preserve in southwestern Texas (Val Verde County), which does not manage vireo habitat or cowbird populations. We examined change in habitat characteristics (2002 vs 2017) and bird detections (1997-2001 vs 2013-2017) at two sites: a mesic alluvial terrace and an adjacent semi-arid canyon. The alluvial site is recovering from a historic flood in the 1950s that scoured vegetation to bare ground; the canyon site has not experienced any major disturbance in that time frame. Vireo and cowbird detections declined at the alluvial site but not at the canyon site. Several important vegetation characteristics of the alluvial site changed significantly: density of leaf cover at lower heights (<1 m) decreased, the number of shrubs increased, and tree height increased. At the canyon site, leaf density increased in all height classes above 0.5 m, shrub width increased, and the number of shrubs increased. While the alluvial site has become less suitable for vireos, the canyon site has supported breeding vireos throughout our study period despite lack of landscape management or cowbird control. Our data suggest that in more arid parts of the vireo range, undisturbed shrublands persist as mature viable habitat for extended periods, possibly in perpetuity, with little or no need for management. These low-maintenance shrublands will be especially important for the long-term persistence of black-capped vireo populations.

Anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of edible bird's nest in human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts

Background: The “bird's nest soup” is a kind of luxury or tonic food prepared from edible bird's nest (EBN), which is used as an extremely nutritious medicine to improve health. However, its skin anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects are still not fully understood. Aim: In this study, the skin-protective effects of two geographical types of EBN (EBN-A and EBN-B) were investigated. Materials and Methods: The anti-aging effect was assessed in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs), while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in tumor necrosis factor alpha/interferon gamma (TNF-α/IFN-γ)-stimulated human skin keratinocytes (HaCaTs). The wound-healing activity was investigated in scratched NHDFs and hyalorunan production was examined in HaCaTs. Results: In this study, EBN showed good efficiency in scavenging free radicals. EBN notably decreased the UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression and promoted procollagen type I synthesis that resulted in the protective effect of EBN against UVB-induced skin damage. Overexpression of thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine and macrophage-derived chemokine induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ was significantly decreased after treatment with EBN at 1–10 μg/ml. The most effective wound healer was EBN-B at 1–10 μg/ml, based on the high expression of hyaluronan that has long been associated with the remodeling extracellular matrix in wound healing. Conclusion: These results indicate that EBNs have the potential to ameliorate UVB-induced skin photo aging and NF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated inflammation as well as wound injuries, resulting in rapid healing effects.

Scholarly Nests

Scholarly Nests

Evaluation of nesting behavior of individual laying hens in an enriched colony housing by using RFID technology

The US egg industry is progressively adopting alternative housing systems for laying hens. Provision of nesting places accommodates natural behaviors and may improve the welfare of the laying hen. However, some fundamental questions remain about nesting behaviors of hens under different housing conditions, which would impact system design and management. For instance, how long does a hen use nest per day for egg laying or nest exploration? How many hens nest simultaneously? In such schemes, information on hens’ behavioral and production responses of hens remains relatively sparse. The primary objective of this work was to demonstrate that RFID technology can be used to continuously quantify dynamic nesting behaviors of individual laying hens in a 60-hen enriched colony housing (ECH). Results show that hens spent on average 63.7±1.4 min (mean±SE) in the nest box and made 23.4±0.7 nest visits during a 16 h daily light period. Time spent in and visits to the nest box during the 6 h laying period accounted for 56% and 45% of the light-period value, respectively. Maximum nest occupancy was 29.0%±0.4%. Three distinct phases of egg production in nest boxes were observed: initial (1.5 h), peak (3.2 h, egg laying rate of 0.24±0.01 eggs/min), and late (1.3 h). The majority (95.1%±0.6%) of the daily eggs were laid in the nest box. Considerable variations in nesting behavior among individual hens and day-to-day variations for a given hen were observed. The RFID system will enable researchers to examine the impacts of resource allocations on nesting behaviors of laying hens in alternative hen housing. Keywords: animal welfare, egg production, RFID, alternative hen housing, individual behaviors DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191206.5129 Citation: Oliveira J L, Xin H W, Wang K L, Zhao Y. Evaluation of nesting behavior of individual laying hens in an enriched colony housing by using RFID technology. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(6): 7–15.

Construction of evaluation index system of home safety of empty nest elderly in community based on Delphi method

Objective To construct the evaluation index system of home safety of empty nest elderly in community, and to provide a reference for the analysis of potential home safety hazards and the formulation of safety intervention measures for the empty nest elderly in the community. Methods From June 2018 to March 2019, based on literature review, Delphi expert consultation method was used to design the Expert Consultation Table for the Index System of home safety of the empty nest elderly in community, which included five first-level indicators (physiological status, home environment, psychological status, social support, safety knowledge, attitude and practice) and 52 second-level indicators. 15 experts in geriatric nursing, geriatrics and injury epidemiology were selected for two rounds of consultation. Results The positive coefficients of experts in the first and second rounds were 83.3% and 100.0%, respectively; the authoritative coefficient of experts was 0.91; Kendall W coefficients in the first and second rounds were 0.246 and 0.356, respectively (P<0.01) ; after two rounds of inquiry, an evaluation index system of the home safety of empty nest elderly in community was established, which consisted of 5 first-level indicators and 52 second-level indicators. Among them, the mean value of the importance assignment of the first level index was 4.64-4.91, the standard deviation was 0.30-0.67, and the coefficient of variation was 0.06-0.14; the mean value of the importance assignment of the second-level index was 3.55-4.91, the standard deviation was 0.30-0.92, and the coefficient of variation was 0.06-0.20. Conclusions Through Delphi expert consultation method, the evaluation index system of home safety of empty nest elderly in community is scientific and reliable. It plays a strong guiding role in the evaluation of home safety of empty nest elderly. Key words: Delphi method; Safety; Community; Empty nest elderly; Home safety; Evaluation

The relationship between the expression of IL-13 and periostin and the severity of airway remodeling in asthmatic patients

Objective By detecting the expression of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and periostin in the airway of asthmatic patients, the pathological changes and pulmonary functions of airway tissues in asthmatic patients were evaluated, and the role of IL-13 and periostin airway remodeling in bronchial asthma was preliminarily explored. Methods The bronchial tissues adjacent to tumor nest were obtained from 12 patients with lung cancer complicated with bronchial asthma (asthmatic group) and 12 lung cancer patients without bronchial asthma (non-asthmatic group) after lung cancer resection. Pulmonary function was measured for all subjects before surgery. Pathological changes of airway tissues and degree of airway remodeling were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, masson′s trichrome staining, and periodic acid-silver methenamine (PASM) staining of paraffin-embedded sections. The expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results Values of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second of the predicted value (FEV1% pred) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) in asthmatic patients were significantly decreased compared with the non-asthmatic patients (P<0.05), indicating that lung function was impaired in asthmatic patients. There was more severe airway remodeling representing as thickening of basement membranes, collagen deposition, and increasing of goblet cells and fibroblasts in asthmatic patients than in non-asthmatic patients (all P<0.05). The expression of IL-13 and periostin were higher in asthmatic tissues than in non-asthmatic tissues (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were positively correlated with the degree of airway remodeling in asthmatic patients, and the expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were positively correlated with each other. Conclusions The expression of IL-13 and periostin were increased in bronchial tissue in patients with asthma. They work together to promote the occurrence of airway remodeling, which eventually lead to a decline in lung function. Key words: Asthma; Interleukin-13; Cell adhesion molecules; Airway remodeling

Morphological Variations in the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas): A Field Study on an Eastern Mediterranean Nesting Population.

Morphological studies in marine turtles might be used to obtain information about changes in developmental habitats. Information regarding mortality and growth rates can be obtained by collecting data on the size of nesting females on the nesting beach. Morphometric and meristic traits of female green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were recorded on Samandağ Beach, Turkey, during the 2006-2016 nesting seasons. The study aimed to determine the mean and minimum curved carapace length (CCL) of the nesting green turtle and the differences in body size and scute pattern over the years. The relationship between the body size of nesting green turtles and latitude was also analysed. CCL and curved carapace width (CCW) were recorded for 365 individuals and meristic measures were recorded for 292 individuals. The mean CCL and CCW were recorded as 86.9 (± 6.14) and 77.9 (± 5.95) cm, respectively. The minimum CCL of nesting green turtles was also recorded as 72 cm. The CCL and CCW showed differences over the years and they tended to become smaller from 2006 to 2016. However, this trend was not significant according to the Mann-Kendall trend test. The CCL value was negatively correlated with the latitude and rejected Bergmann's rule. There was no relationship between year and carapace scute deviation. The Samandağ green turtle population had the smallest nesting green turtle based on CCL. In addition to environmental factors, recruitment of females, and growth and mortality rates, and the nesting shift between nesting beaches may be some of the reasons behind a smaller value over the years.