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The purpose of this study was to characterize thermoregulatory and performance responses of elite road race athletes while competing in hot humid night time conditions during the 2019 IAAF World Athletic Championships Male and female athletes competing in the 20 km racewalk i n i 20 males 24 females 50 km racewalk i n i 19 males 8 females and marathon i n i 15 males 22 females participated Exposed mean skin T sub sk sub and continuous core body T sub c sub temperature were recorded with infrared thermography and ingestible telemetry pill respectively The range of ambient conditions recorded roadside was 29 3 C 32 7 C air temperature 46 81 relative humidity 0 1 1 7 m s sup 1 sup air velocity and 23 5 C 30 6 C wet bulb globe temperature T sub c sub increased by 1 5 0 1 C but mean T sub sk sub decreased by 1 5 0 4 C over the duration of the races T sub sk sub and T sub c sub changed most rapidly at the start of the races and then plateaued with T sub c sub showing a rapid increase again at the end in a pattern mirroring pacing Performance times were between 3 and 20 mean 113 6 longer during the championships compared with the personal best PB of athletes Overall mean performance relative to PB was correlated with the wet bulb globe temperature WBGT of each race i R i sup 2 sup 0 89 but not with thermophysiological variables i R i sup 2 sup 0 3 As previously reported in exercise heat stress in this field study T sub c sub rose with exercise duration whereas T sub sk sub showed a decline The latter contradicts the commonly recorded rise and plateau in laboratory studies at similar ambient temperatures but without realistic air movement b NEW amp NOTEWORTHY b This paper provides a kinetic observation of both core and skin temperatures in 108 elite athletes during various outdoor competition events adding to the very limited data so far available in the literature taken during elite competitions The field skin temperature findings contrast previous laboratory findings like

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F. is an important evergreen fruit crop whose rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbiota have been characterized, while seed microbiota is still unknown. Bacterial and fungal endophytes were isolated from C. limon surface-sterilized seeds. The isolated fungi—belonging to Aspergillus, Quambalaria and Bjerkandera genera—and bacteria—belonging to Staphylococcus genus—were characterized for indoleacetic acid production and phosphate solubilization. Next Generation Sequencing based approaches were then used to characterize the endophytic bacterial and fungal microbiota structures of surface-sterilized C. limon seeds and of shoots obtained under aseptic conditions from in vitro growing seedlings regenerated from surface-sterilized seeds. This analysis highlighted that Cutibacterium and Acinetobacter were the most abundant bacterial genera in both seeds and shoots, while Cladosporium and Debaryomyces were the most abundant fungal genera in seeds and shoots, respectively. The localization of bacterial endophytes in seed and shoot tissues was revealed by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization coupled with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy revealing vascular bundle colonization. Thus, these results highlighted for the first time the structures of endophytic microbiota of C. limon seeds and the transmission to shoots, corroborating the idea of a vertical transmission of plant microbiota and suggesting its crucial role in seed germination and plant development.

PURPOSE: To determine associations between thermal responses, medical events, performance, heat acclimation and health status during a World Athletics Championships in hot-humid conditions.METHODS: From 305 marathon and race-walk starters, 83 completed a preparticipation questionnaire on health and acclimation. Core (Tcore; ingestible pill) and skin (Tskin; thermal camera) temperatures were measured in-competition in 56 and 107 athletes, respectively. 70 in-race medical events were analysed retrospectively. Performance (% personal best) and did not finish (DNF) were extracted from official results.RESULTS: Peak Tcore during competition reached 39.6°C±0.6°C (maximum 41.1°C). Tskin decreased from 32.2°C±1.3°C to 31.0°C±1.4°C during the races (p 0.001). Tcore was not related to DNF (25% of starters) or medical events (p≥0.150), whereas Tskin, Tskin rate of decrease and Tcore-to-Tskin gradient were (p≤0.029). A third of the athletes reported symptoms in the 10 days preceding the event, mainly insomnia, diarrhoea and stomach pain, with diarrhoea (9% of athletes) increasing the risk of in-race medical events (71% vs 17%, p 0.001). Athletes (63%) who performed 5-30 days heat acclimation before the competition: ranked better (18±13 vs 28±13, p=0.009), displayed a lower peak Tcore (39.4°C±0.4°C vs 39.8°C±0.7°C, p=0.044) and larger in-race decrease in Tskin (-1.4°C±1.0°C vs -0.9°C±1.2°C, p=0.060), than non-acclimated athletes. Although not significant, they also showed lower DNF (19% vs 30%, p=0.273) and medical events (19% vs 32%, p=0.179).CONCLUSION: Tskin, Tskin rate of decrease and Tcore-to-Tskin gradient were important indicators of heat tolerance. While heat-acclimated athletes ranked better, recent diarrhoea represented a significant risk factor for DNF and in-race medical events.

The Benchmark Workshop on the application of SPiCT to produce MSY advice for selected stocks (WKMSYSPiCT) is a unique benchmark in that it is ICES first effort to provide MSY advice for category 3 stocks and it incorporated model learning sessions, with model developers and stock assessors, carried out prior to the data evaluation meeting. Thirteen stocks, including nine de-mersal fish stocks and four Functional Units of Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus), pertaining to four ICES Assessment Working Groups (WGNSSK, WGDEEP, WGCSE and WGBIE), were selected based on the availability of appropriate data and network capacity. Stock assessments using the Surplus Production in Continuous Time (SPiCT) were successful for two demersal stocks, Me-grim (Lepidorhombus spp.) in Division 6.b (lez.27.6b) and Black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius bude-gassa) in divisions 8.c and 9.a (ank.27.8c9a) and for three Functional Units of Nephrops, Norway lobster FU 25 (nep.fu.25), Norway lobster FU 26–27 (nep.fu.2627) and Norway lobster FU 31 (nep.fu.31). WKMSYSPiCT considered that the stocks´ current category could be upgraded since the methodology is appropriate to determine stock status and a short-term catch forecast. Several model configurations were applied for the two Tusk (Brosme brosme) stocks, Tusk in subareas 1 and 2 (usk.27.1-2) and Tusk in subareas 4 and 7-9, and in divisions 3.a, 5.b, 6.a, and 12.b (usk.27.3a45b6a7-912b) and for Norway lobster FU 28–29 (nep.fu.2829), but the available data did not allow to distinguish between two very different stock status. For Pollock (Pollachius pol-lachius) in Subarea 8 and Division 9.a (pol.27.89a), no model configuration passed diagnostics tests. The extensive exploration of input data and model configurations carried out during the workshop resulted in several recommendations regarding the use of historical catches, the stand-ardization of CPUE, including approaches accounting for spatial, target and technological creep effects and, SPiCT model

The Benchmark Workshop on the application of SPiCT to produce MSY advice for selected stocks (WKMSYSPiCT) is a unique benchmark in that it is ICES first effort to provide MSY advice for category 3 stocks and it incorporated model learning sessions, with model developers and stock assessors, carried out prior to the data evaluation meeting. Thirteen stocks, including nine de-mersal fish stocks and four Functional Units of Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus), pertaining to four ICES Assessment Working Groups (WGNSSK, WGDEEP, WGCSE and WGBIE), were selected based on the availability of appropriate data and network capacity. Stock assessments using the Surplus Production in Continuous Time (SPiCT) were successful for two demersal stocks, Me-grim (Lepidorhombus spp.) in Division 6.b (lez.27.6b) and Black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius bude-gassa) in divisions 8.c and 9.a (ank.27.8c9a) and for three Functional Units of Nephrops, Norway lobster FU 25 (nep.fu.25), Norway lobster FU 26–27 (nep.fu.2627) and Norway lobster FU 31 (nep.fu.31). WKMSYSPiCT considered that the stocks´ current category could be upgraded since the methodology is appropriate to determine stock status and a short-term catch forecast. Several model configurations were applied for the two Tusk (Brosme brosme) stocks, Tusk in subareas 1 and 2 (usk.27.1-2) and Tusk in subareas 4 and 7-9, and in divisions 3.a, 5.b, 6.a, and 12.b (usk.27.3a45b6a7-912b) and for Norway lobster FU 28–29 (nep.fu.2829), but the available data did not allow to distinguish between two very different stock status. For Pollock (Pollachius pol-lachius) in Subarea 8 and Division 9.a (pol.27.89a), no model configuration passed diagnostics tests. The extensive exploration of input data and model configurations carried out during the workshop resulted in several recommendations regarding the use of historical catches, the stand-ardization of CPUE, including approaches accounting for spatial, target and technological creep effects and, SPiCT model

PURPOSE: To characterise hydration, cooling, body mass loss, and core (Tcore) and skin (Tsk) temperatures during World Athletics Championships in hot-humid conditions. METHODS: Marathon and race-walk (20 km and 50 km) athletes (n=83, 36 women) completed a pre-race questionnaire. Pre-race and post-race body weight (n=74), Tcore (n=56) and Tsk (n=49; thermography) were measured. RESULTS: Most athletes (93%) had a pre-planned drinking strategy (electrolytes (83%), carbohydrates (81%)) while ice slurry was less common (11%; p<0.001). More men than women relied on electrolytes and carbohydrates (91%-93% vs 67%-72%, p≤0.029). Drinking strategies were based on personal experience (91%) rather than external sources (p<0.001). Most athletes (80%) planned pre-cooling (ice vests (53%), cold towels (45%), neck collars (21%) and ice slurry (21%)) and/or mid-cooling (93%; head/face dousing (65%) and cold water ingestion (52%)). Menthol usage was negligible (1%-2%). Pre-race Tcore was lower in athletes using ice vests (37.5°C±0.4°C vs 37.8°C±0.3°C, p=0.024). Tcore (pre-race 37.7°C±0.3°C, post-race 39.6°C±0.6°C) was independent of event, ranking or performance (p≥0.225). Pre-race Tsk was correlated with faster race completion (r=0.32, p=0.046) and was higher in non-finishers (did not finish (DNF); 33.8°C±0.9°C vs 32.6°C±1.4°C, p=0.017). Body mass loss was higher in men than women (-2.8±1.5% vs -1.3±1.6%, p<0.001), although not associated with performance. CONCLUSION: Most athletes' hydration strategies were pre-planned based on personal experience. Ice vests were the most adopted pre-cooling strategy and the only one minimising Tcore, suggesting that event organisers should be cognisant of logistics (ie, freezers). Dehydration was moderate and unrelated to performance. Pre-race Tsk was related to performance and DNF, suggesting that Tsk modulation should be incorporated into pre-race strategies.

Background and aims: Plant seeds are emerging micro–habitats, whose importance as reservoir and vector of beneficial microbes just begins to be recognized. Here we aimed to characterize the bacterial microbiota of the Anadenanthera colubrina seed endosphere, with special focus to beneficial traits and to the colonization pattern. Methods: Cultivation–dependent (isolation from surface–sterilized seeds) and cultivation–independent (pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene from metagenomic seed DNA) analyses, functional tests and microscopical investigations (fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy (FISH-CLSM) were performed. Results: We isolated several Methylobacterium and Staphylococcus spp., exhibiting both plant growth promotion and antimicrobial activities. The two taxonomic groups showed complementary traits, which supports a functional selection. Both genera were detected also by pyrosequencing, together with further taxa. The genera Friedmaniella, Bifidobacterium, Delftia, Anaerococcus and Actinomyces appeared here for the first time as seed endophytes. We detected bacterial cells and micro–colonies in seed cryosections by FISH-CLSM. Alphaproteobacteria, Firmicutes and other bacteria colonized intercellular spaces of the parenchyma and associated to transport vessels. Conclusions: This work sheds light onto the diversity, functions and colonization pattern of the Anadenanthera colubrina seed endophytes, and strongly suggest a role as beneficial partners for seed-associated microbiota.