Disorders of the Sclera

Episcleritis and scleritis are the most common diseases among disorders of sclera. Episcleritis is a relatively common condition in the Middle Eastern population. The true incidence is difficult to determine, as episcleritis are self-limited conditions and patients generally do not seek professional advice. Scleritis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response located in the sclera, which can spillover and involve adjacent ocular structures, mainly the cornea and the uvea. Scleritis can be seen at any age, but most commonly occurs in the fourth to sixth decades. It has a small female preponderance (1.6:1), and the condition is bilateral in 52% of cases. This chapter includes a severe infectious scleritis case with before and after treatment photos. The disease responded to antibiotic treatment, but later the patient presented with immune disease recurrence which responded to oral immunosuppressive treatment. Treatment photos are shown chronologically.

The Influence of Mental Imagery Expertise of Pen and Paper Players versus Computer Gamers upon Performance and Electrocortical Correlates in a Difficult Mental Rotation Task

We investigated the influence of mental imagery expertise in 15 pen and paper role-players as an expert group compared to the gender-matched control group of computer role-players in the difficult Vandenberg and Kuse mental rotation task. In this task, the participants have to decide which two of four rotated figures match the target figure. The dependent measures were performance speed and accuracy. In our exploratory investigation, we further examined midline frontal theta band activation, parietal alpha band activation, and parietal alpha band asymmetry in EEG as indicator for the chosen rotation strategy. Additionally, we explored the gender influence on performance and EEG activation, although a very small female sample section was given. The expected gender difference concerning performance accuracy was negated by expertise in pen and paper role-playing women, while the gender-specific difference in performance speed was preserved. Moreover, gender differences concerning electro-cortical measures revealed differences in rotation strategy, with women using top-down strategies compared to men, who were using top-down strategies and active inhibition of associative cortical areas. These strategy uses were further moderated by expertise, with higher expertise leading to more pronounced activation patters, especially during successful performance. However, due to the very limited sample size, the findings of this explorative study have to be interpreted cautiously.

Aggression and Competition for Space and Food in Captive Juvenile Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus)

<p>Intraspecific competition is of importance in the wild and captivity, as the interaction among individuals for resources can affect growth, survival, and ultimately fitness. Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, are endemic to New Zealand and the sole representatives of the reptile Order Rhynchocephalia, and their recovery plan outlines the importance of head-started individuals to supplement existing populations and provide stock to start new populations. Head-starting is a widespread conservation tool for raising juveniles in captivity prior to release in the wild, with the aim of reducing juvenile mortality and providing populations with more individuals. However, mortality differs between sexes and juvenile tuatara show enormous variation in size in captivity. I investigated aggression and competition for space and food in a tuatara head-starting facility to determine whether intraspecific competition may affect mortality and growth. Pairs of one-year-old tuatara, S. punctatus, were chosen according to sex and relative size, e.g. a big male and a small female or two similar sized females. Seven scenarios were replicated four times with different pairs. Behaviour (including two feeding trials) was recorded over a six day period via security cameras and direct observations. The number of aggressive conflicts differed among scenarios, and male-male dyads were significantly more aggressive than female-female dyads. Dominance hierarchies were established in 18 of 28 experimental pairs, with bigger animals being dominant. Conflicts include chasing, biting or colliding at full speed. One year old juveniles did not compete for space. They did not use space exclusively, but stopped clustering and had developed aggressive behaviour, suggesting that they are not territorial yet but in an early stage of transition towards territoriality as seen in older juveniles and adults. Space use and avoidance in space and time did not differ among social scenarios and the latter were negligible, but they marked a novel enclosure with urine and faeces. Juveniles competed directly and indirectly for food. Dominant individuals were likely to secure more food than submissive individuals. Females acquired less food when paired with males of bigger or similar size, and acquired about equal shares when paired with a smaller male. While bigger males acquired slightly more food when paired with smaller males, this was not the case in differently sized females. Interference behaviours such as chasing and food stealing were mostly directed from bigger towards smaller individuals. Captive group housing has consequences for competition and aggression, and may directly influence survival. As juvenile tuatara mortality is female-biased, and aggression against females in bigger male-biased groups common, I recommend keeping sexes separate, and assorting groups by size with more spacious enclosures for male groups. These modifications should improve health and numbers of juveniles for release, improve recruitment into the reproductive adult population, and ultimately create more successful head-starting facilities.</p>

Aggression and Competition for Space and Food in Captive Juvenile Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus)

<p>Intraspecific competition is of importance in the wild and captivity, as the interaction among individuals for resources can affect growth, survival, and ultimately fitness. Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, are endemic to New Zealand and the sole representatives of the reptile Order Rhynchocephalia, and their recovery plan outlines the importance of head-started individuals to supplement existing populations and provide stock to start new populations. Head-starting is a widespread conservation tool for raising juveniles in captivity prior to release in the wild, with the aim of reducing juvenile mortality and providing populations with more individuals. However, mortality differs between sexes and juvenile tuatara show enormous variation in size in captivity. I investigated aggression and competition for space and food in a tuatara head-starting facility to determine whether intraspecific competition may affect mortality and growth. Pairs of one-year-old tuatara, S. punctatus, were chosen according to sex and relative size, e.g. a big male and a small female or two similar sized females. Seven scenarios were replicated four times with different pairs. Behaviour (including two feeding trials) was recorded over a six day period via security cameras and direct observations. The number of aggressive conflicts differed among scenarios, and male-male dyads were significantly more aggressive than female-female dyads. Dominance hierarchies were established in 18 of 28 experimental pairs, with bigger animals being dominant. Conflicts include chasing, biting or colliding at full speed. One year old juveniles did not compete for space. They did not use space exclusively, but stopped clustering and had developed aggressive behaviour, suggesting that they are not territorial yet but in an early stage of transition towards territoriality as seen in older juveniles and adults. Space use and avoidance in space and time did not differ among social scenarios and the latter were negligible, but they marked a novel enclosure with urine and faeces. Juveniles competed directly and indirectly for food. Dominant individuals were likely to secure more food than submissive individuals. Females acquired less food when paired with males of bigger or similar size, and acquired about equal shares when paired with a smaller male. While bigger males acquired slightly more food when paired with smaller males, this was not the case in differently sized females. Interference behaviours such as chasing and food stealing were mostly directed from bigger towards smaller individuals. Captive group housing has consequences for competition and aggression, and may directly influence survival. As juvenile tuatara mortality is female-biased, and aggression against females in bigger male-biased groups common, I recommend keeping sexes separate, and assorting groups by size with more spacious enclosures for male groups. These modifications should improve health and numbers of juveniles for release, improve recruitment into the reproductive adult population, and ultimately create more successful head-starting facilities.</p>

Production, post-harvest management and gender dynamics among smallholder peanut farmers in Haiti

Background Peanut is an important crop for farmers in Haiti. Currently, very limited information is available on farmers’ yields, production practices as well as post-harvest practices that reduce aflatoxin prevalence and increase food security. Methods A household survey from Haiti and regression analysis are used to examine peanut production among small female and male-headed households in terms of yield and post-harvest practices (use of tarps for drying and sorting) which are very important for preventing aflatoxins. Results We find that yields are low (average 270 kg/ha) compared to more developed countries (more than 2000 kg/ha) and there is substantial room for improvement. Female-headed households have lower yields compared to male-headed households and farming on a slope imposes a penalty on peanut yields. We did not find significant differences between male and female-headed households on post-harvest practices when it comes to the use of a tarp for drying peanuts, but households where decisions were made jointly are more likely to use a tarp. Conclusions There is substantial room for improving peanut yields among smallholder farmers in Haiti. Households with more access to capital, as measured by off-farm income and receiving remittances, are associated with an increase the likelihood of tarp use, which may reduce levels of aflatoxin contamination. In addition, saving more seed and joint decisions are associated with an increased level of sorting efforts, which will lower aflatoxin prevalence and increase food security.

Tokyo election outcome weakens Suga's prospects

Significance Instead, the party scored its second-worst election performance ever. Impacts The small female share of LDP candidates elected in Tokyo makes the government's promise to promote women in politics look hollow. Tokyo Governor Koike and her Tomin First party retain enough influence in Tokyo to frustrate national government policy. If Suga is forced to resign, the leading potential successors are Toshimitsu Motegi, Fumio Kishida and Taro Kono.

Assessment of Acclimation of 5th Percentile Female and 50th Percentile Male Volunteer Kinematics in Low-Speed Frontal and Frontal-Oblique Sled Tests

In order to accurately represent the response of live occupants during pre-crash events and frontal crashes, computational human body models (HBMs) that incorporate active musculature must be validated with appropriate volunteer data that represents a wide range of demographic groups and potential crash conditions. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare occupant kinematic responses for unaware (relaxed) small female and midsize male volunteers during low-speed frontal and frontal-oblique sled tests across multiple test conditions, while recognizing, assessing, and accounting for potential acclimation effects due to multiple exposures. Six 5th percentile female and six 50th percentile male volunteers were exposed to multiple low-speed frontal and frontal-oblique sled tests on two separate test days. Volunteers experienced one test orientation and two pulse severities (1 g and 2.5 g) on each test day. A Vicon motion capture system was used to quantify the three-dimensional (3D) kinematics of the volunteers. Peak forward excursions of select body locations were compared within a test day and between test days for the same test condition to determine if and how acclimation occurred. Differences between demographic groups were also compared after accounting for any observed acclimation. Acclimation was not observed within a test day but was observed between test days for some demographic groups and some test conditions. In general, head, neck, and shoulder responses were affected, but the elbow, hip, and knee responses were not. Males generally moved farther forward compared to females during the frontal tests, but both groups moved forward similarly during the frontal-oblique tests. Overall, this study provides new female and male biomechanical data that can be used to further develop and validate HBMs that incorporate active musculature in order to better understand and assess occupant response and injury risk in pre-crash events and frontal crashes.

Status of Rural Women in Dairy Farming in Amritsar District of Punjab

The present study examines the status of rural women in dairy farming in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study was based on the primary data collected for 2019-20 year from female dairy farmers selected through multistage purposive sampling technique. The data was analysed by using simple tabular analysis and other statistical tools. All the activities related to dairy farming was performed by female dairy farmers. Small size female dairy farmers performed all the activities related to dairy farming ranging from disposal of cow dung to care of sick and new born animals. Large size female dairy farmers hired labour for dairy activities due to higher income of the households and large number of animals. The role of rural women in decision making is paradoxical to their contribution in dairy farming. For various dairy related decisions like feeding of milch animals, management of milch animals, sale of milk and utilization of amount obtained from dairy farming rural women either only consulted or had no role in decision making. Independent decision making by rural women in dairy related activities was negligible in the study area. The major factors affecting the income of female dairy farmers was education, operated area and herd size. The main problems faced by female dairy farmers were negligible role of dairy farm women in decision making, non availability of adequate veterinary services, illiteracy of dairy farm women, lack of staff at government hospitals and lack of capital. The study suggested that to increase the income of rural women from dairy rural women should be more educated and empowered through extension facilities by government. Due to stagnation in growth of agriculture, dairy can be used as an alternative for marginal and small farmers for increasing their income. Marginal and small female dairy farmers should be give more subsidies, loan and training for dairy business. Strict rules should be made regarding working of veterinary hospitals as the doctors were not available in the government veterinary hospitals in the study area.

Prenatal Androgen Effects as a Proximate Mechanism Underpinning Variation in Social Behavior Among Female Nonhuman Primates

While the role of ecological factors in shaping primate social systems has been a central focus for decades, less attention has been given to phylogenetic relationships and the potential role of underlying proximate mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between one such proximate mechanism, prenatal androgen effects (PAEs), and aspects of social behavior in female nonhuman primates using the 2D:4D ratio as a proxy for PAEs and phylogenetically controlled methods. In general, female 2D:4D ratios were highest in monogamous species (low inferred PAEs) and lowest in polygynandrous and polygynous species (high inferred PAEs). 2D:4D ratios also varied with the form of polygyny/polygynandry, potentially with regard to the need for competitive over cooperative behaviors and the intensity of female reproductive competition. Species characterized by female dominance had lower 2D:4D ratios than species characterized by male dominance or codominance. There were no significant relationships between 2D:4D ratio and either degree of frugivory or group size. Relationships between 2D:4D ratios and the directional consistency index and 2D:4D ratios and rates of female–female agonism were also nonsignificant although sample sizes for both of these variables were small. Female social relationships are a manifestation of complex competitive and cooperative behaviors and the results suggest that PAEs may act as a proximate mechanism underlying the expression of certain aspects of behavior in female primates in ways that are adaptive to their social system.

Partial migration and spawning movements of humpback chub in the Little Colorado River are better understood using data from autonomous PIT tag antennas

Choosing whether or not to migrate is an important life history decision for many fishes. Here we combine data from physical captures and detections on autonomous passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag antennas to study migration in an endangered fish, the humpback chub (Gila cypha). We develop hidden Markov mark-recapture models with and without antenna detections and find that the model fit without antenna detections misses a large proportion of fish and underestimates migration and survival probabilities. We then assess survival and growth differences associated with life history strategy and migration for different demographic groups (small male, small female, large male, large female). We find large differences in survival according to life history strategy, where residents had much lower over-winter survival than migrants. However, within the migratory life history strategy, survival and growth were similar for active migrants and skipped migrants for all demographic groups. We discuss some common challenges to incorporating detections from autonomous antennas into population models and demonstrate how these data can provide insight about fish movement and life history strategies.