Morphofunctional Features of Limphoid Tissue of the Stomach in Some Wild Bird Species

The article presents the results of histological studies of topography, microstructure and functional features of the stomach lymphoid tissue in birds. The research was carried out on 12 species of wild birds belonging to 6 orders. Classical methods of histological specimens staining with hematoxylin and eosin, according to Weigert, Van Gieson, and argentum nitrate impregnation according to Kelemen were used when performing the work. It has been confirmed that the birds' stomach has glandular (proventriculus), muscular (ventriculus, gizzard) and pyloric parts, which are not equally expressed in separate species. In all parts of the stomach, lymphoid tissue is represented by local clusters, which in birds of the orders Galliiformes (P. colchicus, B. bonasia, P. crictatus); Anseriformes (B. canadensis); Passeriformes (P. pica, C. cornix); Gruiformes (G. chloropus, F. atra); Ciconiiformes (C. ciconia) and Columbiiformes (C. livia) are located in the tunica mucosa and submucosa, and in B. canadensis, F. atra, G. chloropus also in the tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. In L. lagopus and G. glandarius, lymphoid tissue has been found only in the proventriculus and its intermediate zone. Structural levels of lymphoid tissue (diffuse form, prenodules, primary and secondary lymphoid nodules) are unequally expressed in the birds' stomach. In B. bonasia, B. canadensis, P. pica, C. cornix, C. ciconia, C. livia, only a diffuse form appears in all its parts. This form of lymphoid tissue is registered in the ventriculus of other birds species and proventriculus in L. lagopus and G. glandarius. All levels of the lymphoid tissue structural organization are detected in the proventriculus in P. crictatus, G. chloropus and in the proventriculus and pyloric part of the stomach in P. colchicus and F. atra. The content of lymphoid tissue is different in parts of the birds' stomach. Most of all it is contained in the intermediate zone of the proventriculus and the pyloric part of the stomach. Diffuse form is the most common among the levels of lymphoid tissue structural organization. The research results make it possible to more fully assess the morphofunctional status of wild birds and, accordingly, to find out the state of their immune system

Effects of Stratification on Shoaling Internal Tidal Bores

Idealized simulations of a shoaling internal tide on a gently sloping, linear shelf provide a tool to investigate systematically the effects of stratification strength, vertical structure, and internal wave amplitude on internal tidal bores. Simulations that prescribe a range of uniform or variable stratifications and wave amplitudes demonstrate a variety of internal tidal bores characterized by shoreward propagating horizontal density fronts with associated overturning circulations. Qualitatively, we observe three classes of solution: 1) bores, 2) bores with trailing wave trains, and 3) no bores. Very strong stratification (small wave) or very weak stratification (large wave) inhibits bore formation. Bores exist in an intermediate zone of stratification strength and wave amplitude. Within this intermediate zone, wave trains can trail bores if the stratification is relatively weak or wave amplitude large. We observe three types of bore that arise dependent on the vertical structure of stratification and wave amplitude: 1) a ‘backward’ downwelling front (near uniform stratification, small to intermediate waves), 2) a ‘forward’ upwelling front (strong pycnocline, small to large waves), and 3) a ‘double’ bore with leading up and trailing downwelling front (intermediate pycnocline, intermediate to large waves). Visualization of local flow structures explores the evolution of each of these bore-types. A frontogenetic diagnostic framework elucidates the previously undiscussed, yet, universal role of vertical straining of a stratified fluid that initiates formation of bores. Bores with wave trains exhibit strong non-hydrostatic dynamics. The results of this study suggest that mid-to-outer shelf measurements of stratification and cross-shore flow can serve as proxies to indicate the class of bore further inshore.

Temperature Phased Anaerobic Digestion at the Intermediate Zone of 45 °C: Performances, Stability and Pathogen Deactivation

Temperature phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) systems with conventional sequences (first stage of 55 ℃ and second stage of 35 ℃) have been widely studied. However, very limited studies were available on TPAD system with the first stage operated at the intermediate zone of 45 °C, mainly due to the notion that limited microbial activity occurs within this zone. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance, stability and the capability of 45 °C TPAD in producing class A biosolids, in comparison to a conventional TPAD. Four combinations of TPAD systems were studied, 45 ℃ TPAD 2.5/10 (1st stage solids retention time (SRT) 2.5 days/2nd stage SRT 10 days), 45 ℃ TPAD 7.5/10, 55 ℃ TPAD 2.5/10 and 55 ℃ TPAD 7.5/10. Among all, 45 ℃ TPAD 7.5/10 was found to have the best performances, attributed to its high volatile solids (VS) destruction (58%), minimal acetate accumulation (127 mg/L), high methane yield (0.58 m3 CH4/kg VS removed), high COD destruction solid COD (sCOD; 74% and total COD (tCOD) 54%) and minimal free NH3 content (67.5 mg/L). As for stability, stable pH distribution, high alkalinity content and low VFA to alkalinity ratio, indicated a well-buffered system. Additionally, the system had also able to produce class A biosolids. Therefore, proved that TPAD system operated at the intermediate zone of 45 ℃ can perform better than the conventional TPAD, hence, highlighting its economic advantage.

Does selection occur at the intermediate zone of two insufficiently isolated populations? A whole-genome analysis along an altitudinal gradient

Adaptive divergence would occur even between the insufficiently isolated populations when there is a great difference in the environments of their habitats. The individuals present in the intermediate zone of the two divergent populations are expected to have an admixed genetic structure due to gene flow. A selective pressure that acts on the genetically admixed individuals may limit the gene flow and promote the adaptive divergence. Here, we addressed a question whether the selection occurs in the genetically admixed individuals between the divergent populations and assessed its effects on the population divergence. We obtained the whole-genome sequences of a perennial montane plant, Arabidopsis halleri, which has clear phenotypic dimorphisms between altitudes, along an altitudinal gradient of 359–1,317 m with a high spatial resolution (mean altitudinal interval of 20 m). We found the zone where the highland and lowland genes were mixing. Using the FST approach, we found that 35 and 13 genes in the admixed zone had a high frequency of alleles that are accumulated in highland and lowland subpopulations, respectively, suggesting that these genes have been selected in the admixed zone. This selection might limit the gene flow and contribute to the adaptive divergence along the altitudes. In the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis, 3,000 out of 27,792 Altitude-Dependent SNPs had extremely high homozygosity in the admixed zone. In 84.7% of these SNPs, the frequency of homozygotes of highland alleles was comparable to that of lowland alleles, suggesting that these alleles are neutral but the heterozygotes were selectively eliminated. The distribution of highland and lowland alleles of these SNPs was not clearly separated between altitudes, implying that such selection did not impede the gene flow. We conclude that the selection occurring at the intermediate altitude affects the genetic structure in the admixed zone and adaptive divergence along the altitudes.

Diagnostic performance and clinical implications for enhancing a hybrid quantitative flow ratio–FFR revascularization decision-making strategy

Invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) adoption remains low mainly due to procedural and operator related factors as well as costs. Alternatively, quantitative flow ratio (QFR) achieves a high accuracy mainly outside the intermediate zone without the need for hyperaemia and wire-use. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of QFR and to evaluate a QFR–FFR hybrid strategy in which FFR is measured only in the intermediate zone. This retrospective study included 289 consecutive patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography and FFR. QFR was calculated for all vessels in which FFR was measured. The QFR–FFR hybrid approach was modelled using the intermediate zone of 0.77–0.87 in which FFR-measurements are recommended. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy on a per vessel-based analysis were 84.6%, 86.3% and 85.6% for QFR and 88.0%, 92.9% and 90.3% for the QFR–FFR hybrid approach. The diagnostic accuracy of QFR–FFR hybrid strategy with invasive FFR measurement was 93.4% and resulted in a 56.7% reduction in the need for FFR. QFR has a good correlation and agreement with invasive FFR. A hybrid QFR–FFR approach could extend the use of QFR and reduces the proportion of invasive FFR-measurements needed while improving accuracy.

Pyroxenites of Kukesi Massif, Mirdita Ophiolite – geological record for magmatic system in SSZ environment – preliminary results

<p>Kukesi massif is located in the eastern part of the Mirdita Ophiolite (northern Albania), which marks suture after Neo-Thetyan ocean closure. It is formed of well-preserved mantle and crustal sections which exhibit Supra-Subduction Zone affinity (e.g. Dilek and Furnes 2009, Lithos). Lower part of the mantle section of the Kukesi massif consist mainly of harzburgites, whereas dunites are located close to Moho. Crustal section records transition from lower part formed by peridotites and pyroxenites (so called intermediate zone after Hoxha and Boullier 1995, Tectonophysics) to gabbros. In this study we focus on composition and origin of pyroxenites occurring in the mantle and lower crustal parts of the Kukesi massif.</p><p>In this study we studied 9 samples. They have composition of olivine websterite, clinopyroxenite, orthopyroxenite, hornblende-clinopyroxenite and websterite. Five of the analyzed samples have mantle origin (M): we studied (M)-olivine websterites and (M)-clinopyroxenite from harzburgitic part, as well as two (M)-orthopyroxenitic veins (one with clinopyroxenitic central part - composite vein) with minor amphibole cross-cutting dunites from one locality. From intermediate zone in crustal (C) part we collected (C)-hornblende-clinopyroxenites and (C)-websterite. </p><p>Clinopyroxene composition is homogeneous in (M)-olivine-websterites (Mg#=84.5-87 and 88.8-90.5; Al=0.07-0.1 and 0.05-0.07, respectively), (M)-clinopyroxenite (Mg#=84-86, Al=0.04-0.08), (C)-hornblende-clinopyroxenites (Mg#=88.5-91, Al=0.08-0.12a.p.f.u.) and (C)-websterite (Mg#=87-88; Al=0.13-0.16a.p.f.u.). It differs widely between (M)-orthopyroxenitic veins: from Mg#=85-94 and Al=0.02-0.08 a.p.f.u  in clinopyroxenitic part of composite vein to Mg#=93.6-95 and Al=0.01-0.03 in the purely orthopyroxenitic one. Orthopyroxene from two samples of  (M)-olivine websterites have either Mg#=83 and Al~0.07 a.p.f.u (Fo<sup>olivine</sup>=81.5) or Mg#=87  and Al~0.04 a.p.f.u (Fo<sup>olivine</sup>=86). Orthopyroxene composition in composite(M)-vein varies in wide ranges (Mg#=83-89; Al=0.04-0.08 a.p.f.u.); the other vein is homogeneous (Mg#=90-91, Al=0.02-0.03 a.p.f.u, Fo<sup>olivine</sup>=86.8-90); in (C)-websterite orthopyroxene has Mg#=82.4-84 and Al=0.12-0.14 a.p.f.u. Amphibole has composition of tremolite-actinolite. Spinel, where present, is highly chromian (Cr#=0.59-0.80).</p><p>Clinopyroxene is LREE-depleted in most of the samples, the (La/Lu)<sub>N</sub>=0.03-0.08. It is also LREE-depleted in (M)-clinopyroxenite ((La/Lu)<sub>N</sub>=0.05-0.23), but the contents of trace elements are higher than in other samples (eg. Lu<sub>N</sub>=0.79-2.75 vs. 0.40-0.85). In (M)-veins the LREE contents are approximately at primitive mantle level ((La/Lu)<sub>N</sub>=0.28-1.66).  Clinopyroxene in all samples has positive Th-U, Pb and Sr anomalies and negative Ta and Zr anomalies, but concentrations of trace elements is significantly higher in (M) clinopyroxenite and veins.</p><p>The presence of tremolite and actinolite points to a retrogressive metamorphism which affected the rocks. The LREE-depleted nature of clinopyroxene forming all the pyroxenites and presence of orthopyroxene  point to crystallization of the rocks from tholeiitic melt, but variations in Mg# and REE content in clinopyroxene may reflect formation either from different generations of melts or from melts fractionated due to reactive percolation.  Variations in composition of the parental melts is visible even in a scale of one outcrop, which is demonstrated by (M)-orthopyroxenite veins with various modal composition and mineral major and trace elements compositions.</p><p>This study was financed from scientific funds for years 2018-2022 as a project within program “Diamond Grant” (DI 024748).</p>