bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengembangan teknologi pengendalian hama utama kacang hijau menggunakan biopestisida
Authors: Prayogo Yusmani , Santi Yudha Ika Bayu Marida
Published: September 2020

Hama merupakan salah satu kendala utama dalam upaya peningkatan produksi kacang hijau di Indonesia. Saat ini, pengendalian konvensional menggunakan pestisida sintetik kurang berhasil karena populasi dan kerusakan akibat hama masih tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan biopestisida sebagai teknologi pengendalian hama utama kacang hijau yang dibandingkan dengan efikasi pestisida sintetik. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok, lima perlakuan diulang lima kali. Perlakuan yang diuji, yaitu P1: aplikasi serbuk biji mimba (SBM), virus ulat grayak (Virgra) dari Spodoptera litura nuclear polyhedrosis virus, dan  konidia cendawan entomopatogen Beauveria bassiana (BeBas) secara preventif; P2: aplikasi SBM, Virgra, dan  BeBas berdasarkan ambang ekonomi (AE); P3: aplikasi pestisida sintetik sesuai jadwal; P4: aplikasi pestisida sintetik berdasarkan AE; dan P5: tanpa pengendalian (kontrol). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hama yang berkembang adalah ulat grayak (Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)), kutukebul (Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)), Empoasca sp., Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), kepik coklat (Riptortus linearis (Fabricius)), kepik hijau (Nezara viridula (Linnaeus)), dan hama penggerek polong (Maruca testulalis (Geyer)). Aplikasi biopestisida SBM, Virgra, dan BeBas secara preventif dan aplikasi pestisida sintetik sesuai jadwal efektif menekan populasi hama utama kacang hijau, sedangkan aplikasi biopestisida dan pestisida sintetik berdasarkan AE tidak mampu menekan perkembangan populasi hama utama. Aplikasi biopestisida secara preventif maupun berdasarkan AE lebih aman terhadap kelangsungan hidup musuh alami, sedangkan aplikasi pestisida sintetik dapat membunuh musuh alami yang ada. Biopestisida SBM, Virgra, dan BeBas yang diaplikasikan secara preventif dan terintegrasi berpotensi sebagai inovasi teknologi pengendalian hama utama kacang hijau untuk menggantikan pestisida sintetik.
Ketahanan padi (Oryza sativa L.) varietas IPB 3S terhadap wereng batang cokelat (Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Nurdaaniyah Andi , Dadang Dadang , Winasa I Wayan
Published: September 2020

Wereng batang cokelat (Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) merupakan hama utama yang menyebabkan kerusakan dalam waktu singkat pada tanaman padi. Penanaman varietas padi tahan dapat digunakan untuk menekan serangan WBC. Penelitian bertujuan untuk memelajari ketahanan varietas IPB 3S melalui pengujian keperidian, nisbah kelamin, aktivitas makan, dan peningkatan populasi menggunakan pembanding varietas Ciherang terhadap wereng batang cokelat (N. lugens). Pengujian keperidian menggunakan sepasang imago WBC diinfestasikan pada padi berumur 21 hari setelah tanam (HST). Telur yang diletakkan maupun tidak diletakkan pada pelepah padi dihitung. Perbandingan nisbah kelamin dilakukan menggunakan sepasang imago WBC yang diinfestasikan pada padi berumur 30 HST dan dibiarkan bertelur kemudian membandingkan jumlah imago jantan dan betina. Untuk aktivitas makan WBC, pengujian dilakukan  menggunakan sepuluh nimfa instar empat yang diinfestasikan pada padi berumur 30 HST. Ekskresi WBC berupa embun madu yang tertampung pada kertas saring yang sebelumnya telah disemprot ninhidrin selanjutnya dianalisis secara kualitatif dengan spektrofotometer. Peningkatan populasi dilakukan dengan menginfestasikan lima pasang imago WBC pada tanaman padi berumur 35 HST. Pengamatan dilakukan pada fase nimfa dan imago yang dilakukan selama empat generasi. Setiap pengujian diulang 10 kali. Secara umum, varietas IPB 3S memiliki ketahanan terhadap WBC jika dibandingkan dengan varietas Ciherang. Hal ini terutama terlihat dari kemampuan makan WBC yang lebih tinggi pada varietas Ciherang dibandingkan pada IPB 3S. Keperidian dan peningkatan populasi WBC pada kedua varietas adalah sama.
Regulation of stem/progenitor cell maintenance by BMP5 in prostate homeostasis and cancer initiation
Authors: Tremblay Mathieu , Viala Sophie , Shafer Maxwell ER , Graham-Paquin Adda-Lee , Liu Chloe , Bouchard Maxime
Published: September 2020

Tissue homeostasis relies on the fine regulation between stem and progenitor cell maintenance and lineage commitment. In the adult prostate, stem cells have been identified in both basal and luminal cell compartments. However, basal stem/progenitor cell homeostasis is still poorly understood. We show that basal stem/progenitor cell maintenance is regulated by a balance between BMP5 self-renewal signal and GATA3 dampening activity. Deleting Gata3 enhances adult prostate stem/progenitor cells self-renewal capacity in both organoid and allograft assays. This phenotype results from a local increase in BMP5 activity in basal cells as shown by the impaired self-renewal capacity of Bmp5-deficient stem/progenitor cells. Strikingly, Bmp5 gene inactivation or BMP signaling inhibition with a small molecule inhibitor are also sufficient to delay prostate and skin cancer initiation of Pten-deficient mice. Together, these results establish BMP5 as a key regulator of basal prostate stem cell homeostasis and identifies a potential therapeutic approach against Pten-deficient cancers.
Adaptations to cursoriality and digit reduction in the forelimb of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: Smith Heather F. , Adrian Brent , Koshy Rahul , Alwiel Ryan , Grossman Aryeh
Published: September 2020

Background

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), an endangered canid native to southern and eastern Africa, is distinct among canids in being described as entirely tetradactyl and in its nomadic lifestyle and use of exhaustive predation to capture its prey instead of speed, strength, or stealth. These behavioral and morphological traits suggest a potentially unique set of adaptations.

Methods

Here, we dissected the forelimbs of an adult maleL. pictusspecimen and performed detailed descriptions and quantitative analyses of the musculoskeletal anatomy.

Results

Statistical comparisons of muscle masses and volumes revealed thatL. pictushas relatively smaller wrist rotators (mm. pronator teres, pronator quadratus, supinator) than any other included carnivoran taxon, suggesting adaptive pressures for antebrachial stability over rotatory movement in the carpus ofL. pictus. While a complete digit I is absent inL. pictus, a vestigial first metacarpal was discovered, resulting in changes to insertions of mm. extensor digiti I et II, abductor (et opponens) digiti I and flexor digiti I brevis. Mm. anconeus, brachialis and flexor carpi ulnaris caput ulnare all have more extensive origins inL. pictusthan other canids suggesting an emphasis on posture and elbow stability. M. triceps brachii caput laterale has a larger origin inL. pictusand m. triceps brachii caput longum has an additional accessory head. Electromyographic studies have shown this muscle is active during the stance phase of trotting and galloping and is important for storing elastic energy during locomotion. We interpret these differences in size and attachments of muscles inL. pictusas adaptations for long distance running in this highly cursorial species, likely important for exhaustive predation. Absence of a full digit I inL. pictusmay increase speed and stride length; however, the retention of a vestigial digit permits the attachment of reduced pollical muscles which may provide additional stability and proprioception to the carpus.
Gender Based Violence among Married Persons in Awka Town from a Glocalizing Context: A Comparative Study of Mental Health and Loneliness
Authors: Anthony Nwankwo, Emeka , Emmanuel Mabia, Chidozie , Ikemefuna Eweni, Henry , Michael Obasi, Ifeanyi , Uche Ezeakabekwe, Samuel
Published: September 2020

Aim: The study considered if mental health and loneliness would have comparativeness on gender based violence in glocalizing context in Awka town.

Methods: 149 married persons serve as participants. Systematic sampling technique was used for participants’ selection. They comprised of 71 male and 78 female. Their age ranged from 23-53 years with mean age of 39.66 and standard deviation of 8.76. Conflict Tactics Scales, Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale were employed for data generation. 2×2 Factorial Design and Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistic were used to analyze the data.

Results: The first hypothesis which stated that those with positive mental health will not differ significantly from those with negative mental health on gender based violence among married persons and second hypothesis which stated that those with positive loneliness will not differ significantly from those with negative loneliness on gender based violence among married persons were both confirmed at p>.05. The third hypothesis which stated that mental health and loneliness will not have significant interaction on gender based violence among married persons was also confirmed at p>.05. Hence, the study established suggestions.
Dosimetric Characterizations of Megavoltage Therapeutic Photon Beam
Authors: Mashud Md. Abdullah Al , Alam M. Jahangir
Published: September 2020

This paper presents the dosimetric parameters characterizations of a megavoltage therapeutic photon beam. The main focus of this study is to investigate and analyze the parameters of percentage depth dose (PDD) and tissue maximum ratio (TMR) due to the importance of treatment system. The depth dose characteristics of 6MV photon beam for different field sizes in water phantom has been measured, analyzed and found a robustness results. The results revealed that the depth dose variation from 0.067% to 1.812% and the TMR values varies from 0.501% to 2.111%. It seems the measured dosimetric quantities are clinically relevant for different field sizes and depths.
Influence of Climate on Oak Savanna Tree Species in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Hayford Isaac , Chhin Sophan
Published: September 2020

Aims: The previously abundant high quality and open canopy oak savanna communities in the Midwest have been reduced by more than 98% of their pre-settlement (pre-1840) area because of changing land use and represent some of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Prior knowledge of oak savanna communities’ climatic resilience to potential impact of climate change and competition is critical to restoration success.  This study examined sensitivity to climatic stress, and effects of competition, which are important considerations during oak savanna restoration.

Methodology: Dendrochronological methods were used to sample oak savanna communities located in MacCready Reserve (MR) situated in southern Michigan, U.S.A. The influence of climate (mainly temperature and precipitation) on white oak (Quercus alba L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh) were correlated using dendroclimatic techniques. The effect of competitor species (A. rubrum and P. serotina) on Q. alba were examined using competitor ratio chronologies and examining correlations with climatic variables.

Results: Findings indicate that precipitation in winter, spring, and summer is beneficial for radial growth of white oak. White oak is more resilient to drought stress than red maple and black cherry due to its ecophysiological adaptations but tends to grow rather slower when in competition with shade tolerant and fire sensitive competitor species.

Conclusion: Overall, this study has shown that temperature and precipitation play key roles in tree productivity and thus climatic sensitivity should be incorporated in the restoration of oak savanna ecosystems.
Early Maturing Drought Tolerant Rice Variety BRRI dhan71 Suitable for Drought Prone Environment in Bangladesh
Authors: Kader Md. Abdul , Aditya Tamal Lata , Majumder Ratna Rani , Hore Tapas Kumer , Haq Md. Ehsanul
Published: September 2020

Drought is the second most treacherous climate-related risk for rice production in rainfed lowland areas. To counter this climate vulnerability, a new rice variety with enhanced drought tolerance was developed. The promising line IR82589-B-B-84-3 was subjected to advanced yield trials to evaluate specific and general adaptability with standard check in on-station as well as on-farm conditions of Bangladesh following randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications in wet (T. Aman) season. IR82589-B-B-84-3 was developed as a drought-tolerant rice variety BRRI dhan71, which plant height 108 cm and growth duration 115 days after proper evaluation by National Seed Board (NSB) Bangladesh. It was found that this variety is the higher drought tolerance (up to 28 days) during reproductive stage. It can produce 5.5 t/ha grain yield in standard condition and 4.0 t/ha grain yield in medium drought condition but 3.0-3.5 t/ha grain yield in severe drought condition. Grain yield is also not affected by water scarcity during reproductive stage where parch water table depth is more than 70-80 cm from the surface and reduced soil moisture (<20%). Thousand grain weight of the variety is 24 gm, amylose content is 24%. It has long, erect and deep green colored flag leaf. The results indicated that farmers can maximize net profit by cultivating BRRI dhan71 because it required less input, early maturing than existing varieties, drought tolerant and they also get opportunity to cultivate Mustard, Barley, Potato and vegetables after harvesting it. Thus total productivity will be augmented and food security can also be sustained by the cultivation of BRRI dhan71.
The Eigenvectors of the Transition Matrix as Predictors of the Dynamics of a Synchronous Boolean Network
Authors: Rushdi Ali Muhammad Ali , Alsogati Adnan Ahmad
Published: September 2020

The synchronous Boolean network model is a simple and powerful tool in describing, analyzing and simulating cellular biological networks. This paper seeks a complete understanding of the dynamics of such a model by utilizing conventional matrix methods, rather than scalar methods, or matrix methods employing the non-conventional semi-tensor products (STP) of matrices. The paper starts by relating the network transition matrix to its function matrix via a self-inverse (involutary) state matrix, which has a simple recursive expression, provided a recursive ordering is employed for the underlying basis vector. Once the network transition matrix is obtained, it can be used to generate a wealth of information including its powers, characteristic equation, minimal equation, 1-eigenvectors, and 0-eigenvectors. These might be used to correctly predict both the transient behavior and (more importantly) the cyclic behavior of the network. In a short-cut partial variant of the proposed approach, the step of computing the transition matrix might be by-passed. The reason for this is that the transition matrix and the function matrix are similar matrices that share the same characteristic equation and hence the function matrix might suffice when only the partial information supplied by the characteristic equation is all that is needed. We demonstrate the conceptual simplicity and practical utility of our approach via two illustrative examples. The first example illustrates the computation of 1-eigenvectors (that can be used to identify loops or attractors), while the second example deals with the evaluation of 0-eigenvectors (that can be used to explore transient chains). Since attractors are the main concern in the underlying model, then analysis of the Boolean network might be confined to the determination of 1-eigenvectors only.
Regional Boundary Exact Controllability of the Wave Equation by Strategic Actuators on a Polygonal Domain with Cracks
Authors: Seck Cheikh , Sène Ousmane , Niane Teuw
Published: September 2020

In this work we prove the exact controllability of the wave equation by acting on a strategic zone of the border of a non-convex polygonal domain with crack. Indeed, by combining two methods: that of Grisvard on the exact controllability on domains with corners and that of EL. Jai on the boundary strategic actutors, this exact controllability result has been proven.
Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potentials of Lasimorpha senegalensis Schott Leaf Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Liver Damage in Rats
Authors: Chigor Chinyere Blessing , Nwafor Felix Ifeanyi , Ugwuja Edith , Obi Chisimdi S.
Published: September 2020

Aims: The present study assessed the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials of the methanolic leaf extract of Lasimorpha senegalensis – a medicinal plant used by the indigenous people of Nigeria to treat hepatitis and feverish conditions.

Place and Duration of Study: The research work was conducted in the Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicine and Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, both in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from May to August, 2019.

Methodology: Phytochemical analyses and acute toxicity study of the sample followed standard procedures. In vitro antioxidant assay was by DPPH and H2O2 models. A total of 25 male Wistar albino rats (120 – 150 g) were grouped into five, each group with five animals. Hepatotoxicity was induced with carbontetrachloride (1 ml/kg). The treatment groups (3-5) received extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) and Silymarin (100 mg/kg). Endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), plasma malondialdehyde and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate) were determined after treatment.

Results: The results showed the leaf extract had appreciable amounts of bioactive phytochemicals and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 of 0.52 mg/ml and 0.71 mg/ml for DPPH and H2O2 respectively) with no toxicity at 5000 mg/kg. The extract also elevated the endogenous antioxidants and significantly (p ≤ .05) reduced lipid peroxidase and liver enzymes.

Conclusion: This report justifies the local use of this plant in the management of various diseases related to oxidative stress and liver damage.
Remarks on input-to-state stability of collocated systems with saturated feedback
Authors: Jacob Birgit , Schwenninger Felix L. , Vorberg Lukas A.
Published: September 2020

We investigate input-to-state stability (ISS) of infinite-dimensional collocated control systems subject to saturated feedback. Here, the unsaturated closed loop is dissipative and uniformly globally asymptotically stable. Under an additional assumption on the linear system, we show ISS for the saturated one. We discuss the sharpness of the conditions in light of existing results in the literature.
Wave equations associated with Liouville-type problems: global existence in time and blow-up criteria
Authors: Ao Weiwei , Jevnikar Aleks , Yang Wen
Published: September 2020

We are concerned with wave equations associated with some Liouville-type problems on compact surfaces, focusing on sinh-Gordon equation and general Toda systems. Our aim is on one side to develop the analysis for wave equations associated with the latter problems and second, to substantially refine the analysis initiated in Chanillo and Yung (Adv Math 235:187–207, 2013) concerning the mean field equation. In particular, by exploiting the variational analysis recently derived for Liouville-type problems we prove global existence in time for the subcritical case and we give general blow-up criteria for the supercritical and critical case. The strategy is mainly based on fixed point arguments and improved versions of the Moser–Trudinger inequality.
Radiological imaging features of the salivary glands in xerostomia induced by an immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Katsura Kouji , Funayama Saori , Ito Kayoko , Nohno Kaname , Kaneko Noboru , Takamura Masaki , Soga Marie , Kobayashi Taichi , Hayashi Takafumi
Published: September 2020

The clinical features of xerostomia induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are similar to those of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), whereas the immunohistological and serological features are known to differ from those of SS. However, the radiologic imaging features of salivary glands are not yet well known. We report a case of a 56-year-old male patient diagnosed with ICI-induced xerostomia. The patient underwent various imaging examinations to investigate the condition of the salivary glands, which indicated the following: (1) less specific findings on contrast-enhanced computed tomography, (2) mixed with intermediate and low signal intensity on both T1-weighted and fat-suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and poor “salt and pepper” appearance on magnetic resonance sialography, and (3) multiple ovoid hypoechoic areas with hyperechoic bands without acute sialadenitis on ultrasound. These radiologic imaging findings suggested remarkable lymphocyte infiltration, which could be a characteristic of ICI-induced xerostomia.
Morphological characters and SNP markers suggest hybridization and introgression in sympatric populations of the pleurocarpous mosses Homalothecium lutescens and H. sericeum
Authors: Sawangproh Weerachon , Lang Annick S. , Hedenäs Lars , Cronberg Nils
Published: September 2020

Hybridization in bryophytes involves a fusion of gametes produced by haploid parental gametophytes of different species. The primary hybrid is thus the short-lived diploid sporophyte, which soon undergoes meiosis prior to the formation of large amounts of haploid spores. We compared morphology of gametophytes (branch leaves) and sporophytes (capsule inclination) from sympatric populations and allopatric populations of H. lutescens and H. sericeum. In addition, we used transcriptome data to select 85 nuclear SNP markers that were fixed for alternative alleles in the two species. The SNPs were used to estimate the degree of hybridization in diploid sporophytes. Our study shows that gametophytes from sympatric populations display intermediate morphology in a number of leaf characters, with exception for leaf sizes, which are markedly smaller than those in allopatric populations. None of the 100 sporophytes appeared to be primary hybrids, but 33 displayed admixing—heterozygotic expression of SNP markers or mismatch of occasional markers in homozygous condition—suggesting that extensive introgression takes place in the sympatric populations. Most sporophytes with intermediate capsule inclination, initially classed as putative hybrids, did not display admixture of nuclear SNP markers. Sixty-seven percent of admixed sporophytes have predominantly nuclear SNPs typical for H. lutescens. Our results suggest that interspecific hybridization and bidirectional introgression are relatively common in the studied sympatric populations, giving rise to viable recombinants, but not complete mixing of the parental genomes. Our study is one of the first detailed accounts of hybridization among pleurocarpous mosses, opening for future studies of gene transfer and introgression between bryophyte lineages and its role in local adaptation and long-term evolutionary diversification.
Relationship between pore structure and gas permeability in poplar (Populus deltoides CL.’55/65’) tension wood
Authors: Tan Yujing , Hu Jinbo , Chang Shanshan , Wei Yuan , Liu Gonggang , Wang Qianqian , Liu Yuan
Published: September 2020

Key message

The important anatomical changes in tension wood, e.g., the high fiber ratio and rich mesopores, did not significantly increase the air and nitrogen flow; thus the gas permeability in the longitudinal direction of poplar (Populus deltoidesCL.’55/65′) tension wood is actually affected by the cell tissue macroporous porosity.

Context

Gas permeability is one of the most important physical properties of wood and is closely related to its internal microstructure, particularly porosity. Tension wood is widespread in woody plants and displays significant structural differences compared with opposite wood.

Aims

The study was designed to clarify the relationship between pore structure and gas permeability in poplar tension wood.

Methods

The gas permeability was measured using a self-made device. The meso- and macroporosity characteristics were measured by nitrogen adsorption–desorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The flow was simulated using ANSYS Fluent software to illustrate the role of pore structure on permeability.

Results

The morphological features of vessels have an effect on wood permeability. Compared with tension wood, opposite wood, which has higher vessel ratio, larger cell lumen diameter, and more rich pits, shows stronger gas permeability. Increasing the airflow path will actually reduce the gas permeability. The simulation results are consistent with the experimental results.

Conclusion

In hardwoods, the gas permeability in the longitudinal direction is mainly dictated by the vessels. The high fiber ratio and rich mesopore in tension wood do not significantly increase gas flow, suggesting the permeability of wood was actually determined by the cell tissue with macroporous porosity. Vessel tissue ratio, length and diameter, and intervessel pit size were found responsible for influencing the permeability in the longitudinal direction.
PSMA PET/CT in primary prostate cancer diagnostics: an overview of the literature
Authors: van der Sar Esmée C. A. , van Kalmthout Ludwike M. , Lam M. G. E. H.
Published: September 2020

Imaging with radiotracers targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) receptor is identified as a promising novel technique in prostate cancer (PCa) detection. In this paper we aim to summarize the current knowledge derived from the literature as well as the authors’ experiences on PSMA PET/CT in initial staging of PCa. PSMA PET/CT lesion- and template-based sensitivity and specificity respectively ranged from 35.1–96.1% and 96–100%. Patient-based sensitivity and specificity respectively ranged from 33.3–100% and 95–100%. Accuracy was 92% (95% CI 88–95) versus 65% (95% CI 60–69) compared to conventional imaging (CT and skeletal scintigraphy). PSMA PET/CT is superior for detection of metastases in primary PCa compared to conventional imaging. Also, PSMA PET/CT has a high specificity and moderate sensitivity for lymph node detection in primary PCa. For adequate initial staging, extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) will still be required, however, PSMA PET/CT can induce important management changes.
Manic-like presentation with an organic aetiology
Authors: Kennedy K. , Corby C. , Noctor E.
Published: September 2020

A 57-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and no prior psychiatric history presented repeatedly over 6 months with mental and behavioural changes. Laboratory tests, chest X-ray and sleep study diagnosed an infective exacerbation of COPD, type II respiratory failure and OSA. Differential diagnoses included delirium, primary mania in bipolar affective disorder or organic pathology causing secondary mania. Oxygen, steroids, bronchodilators, antibiotics and non-invasive ventilation were administered to treat his infection and respiratory failure. However, blood gas analysis showed persistent hypoxia and hypercarbia, aggravating his ongoing mental state disturbance that required security supervision and sedation with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. Sudden onset of classic manic symptoms and multiple presentations suggested secondary mania, driven by chronic hypoxia in end-stage COPD and OSA. The challenge was establishing a balance between mental state control and treatment of physical illness.
Spatial distribution and characteristics of Andean ice masses in Argentina: results from the first National Glacier Inventory
Authors: Zalazar Laura , Ferri Lidia , Castro Mariano , Gargantini Hernán , Gimenez Melisa , Pitte Pierre , Ruiz Lucas , Masiokas Mariano , Costa Gustavo , Villalba Ricardo
Published: September 2020

Glaciers and the periglacial environment in Argentina have been protected by the Law since 2010. This legislation required the development of the first National Glacier Inventory (NGI), which was officially presented in May 2018 and based on satellite images spanning between 2004 and 2016. Here, we present the methods and results of the NGI, summarize the glaciers’ morphological and spatial characteristics, and compare our results to previous regional and global inventories. The NGI reveals an impressive variety of ice masses including rock glaciers, permanent snowfields, mountain and valley glaciers with varying amounts of debris-cover and large outlet glaciers. The Argentinean Andes contain 16 078 ice masses covering an area of 5769 km2between 200 and 6900 m a.s.l. Comparison of the combined national inventories of Argentina and Chile (~30 000 glaciers and 28 400 km2) with the Randolph Glacier Inventory 6.0 for the Southern Andes (~16 000 glaciers and 29 400 km2), shows that there are large differences in extent and number of glaciers in some sub-regions. The NGI represents an improvement for a better understanding of Argentina's freshwater reservoirs and provides detailed information for the preservation and study of ice masses along 4000 km of the Southern Andes.
Prevention of psychosis: moving on from the at-risk mental state to universal primary prevention
Authors: Murray Robin M. , David Anthony S. , Ajnakina Olesya
Published: September 2020

The value of services for those with the ‘At Risk Mental State for Psychosis’ (ARMS) continues to be disputed. ARMS services have provided a valuable stimulus to academic research into the transition into psychosis. Furthermore, there is currently a welcome trend to transform such clinics into youth mental health services catering for the broader clientele of young people suffering from anxiety and depression, who already constitute the bulk of those seen at ARMS clinics. However, such services are never likely to make major inroads into preventing psychosis because they only reach a small proportion of those at risk. Evidence from medicine shows that avoiding exposure to factors which increase the risk of disease (e.g. poor nutrition, transmission of infection, tobacco smoking), produces greater public benefit than focussing efforts on individuals with, or about to develop, disease. We consider that the most productive approach for psychosis prevention is avoiding exposure to risk-increasing factors. The best-established risk factors for psychosis are obstetric events, childhood abuse, migration, city living, adverse life events and cannabis use. Some as city living, are likely proxies for an unknown causal factor(s) while preventing others such as childhood abuse is currently beyond our powers. The risk factor for psychosis which is most readily open to this approach is the use of cannabis. Therefore, as an initial step towards a strategy for universal primary prevention, we advocate public health campaigns to educate young people about the harms of regular use of high potency cannabis.
Sri Lankan Tamil experiences of the home-land and host-land: The interaction between language and diasporic identity
Authors: Sankaran Lavanya
Published: September 2020

This article takes an empirical approach to investigate how diasporic identification with the home-land and host-land interacts with language in a mutually influencing dynamic interplay, giving rise to new language ideologies and identities. Since scholars are increasingly of the opinion that the processes of dislocation and resettlement create multi-layered connections with the home-land and host-land (David 2012:377), it is crucial we recognise that the relationship between fixed geographical territories and communities, and the cultural-linguistic practices associated with them, need to be denaturalised (Rosa & Trivedi 2017:331). In doing so, it is possible to retheorise diasporic identity as a sociocultural process. Attention to language can help shift diasporic phenomena away from being defined as ‘bounded, territorialised, static and homogeneous’ (Canagarajah & Silberstein 2012:82). Examining Sri Lankan Tamil diasporic experiences of the home-land and host-land and their relationship with language will promote such an agenda. (Diaspora, space, home-land, host-land)*
“No Bodies to Kick or Souls to Damn”: The Political Origins of Corporate Criminal Liability
Authors: Grasso Anthony
Published: September 2020

Research on corporate criminal law has grown since the Great Recession, but corporate criminal liability, the principle charging corporations for crimes, remains understudied. Literature points to a 1909 Supreme Court decision as its basis, but historical analysis of the doctrine's deeper political roots reveal that its development was contingent on the convergence of several unique factors driving turn of the century American politics. First, corporate criminal liability would not have emerged had it not been for shifts in jurisprudential theory reconceptualizing the corporate form as an independent entity. Second, middle managers of railroads emerged as powerful political players during this period who capitalized on this discursive shift to advocate for corporate criminal liability as an alternative to individual liability rules directed against them. Third, the Supreme Court upheld corporate criminal lability in 1909 because it was constructed by the era's Republican majority to protect the party's economic preferences, and corporate criminal liability was viewed as consistent with their conservative agenda. These factors were each necessary, but alone insufficient, in paving the way for the Court to validate the principle in 1909. How they fit together sequentially illuminates how the doctrine's construction was contingent on specific political and historical circumstances.
The Global Health Security index and Joint External Evaluation score for health preparedness are not correlated with countries' COVID-19 detection response time and mortality outcome
Authors: Haider Najmul , Yavlinsky Alexei , Chang Yu-Mei , Hasan Mohammad Nayeem , Benfield Camilla , Osman Abdinasir Yusuf , Uddin Md. Jamal , Dar Osman , Ntoumi Francine , Zumla Alimuddin , Kock Richard
Published: September 2020

Global Health Security Index (GHSI) and Joint External Evaluation (JEE) are two well-known health security and related capability indices. We hypothesised that countries with higher GHSI or JEE scores would have detected their first COVID-19 case earlier, and would experience lower mortality outcome compared to countries with lower scores. We evaluated the effectiveness of GHSI and JEE in predicting countries' COVID-19 detection response times and mortality outcome (deaths/million). We used two different outcomes for the evaluation: (i) detection response time, the duration of time to the first confirmed case detection (from 31st December 2019 to 20th February 2020 when every country's first case was linked to travel from China) and (ii) mortality outcome (deaths/million) until 11th March and 1st July 2020, respectively. We interpreted the detection response time alongside previously published relative risk of the importation of COVID-19 cases from China. We performed multiple linear regression and negative binomial regression analysis to evaluate how these indices predicted the actual outcome. The two indices, GHSI and JEE were strongly correlated (r = 0.82), indicating a good agreement between them. However, both GHSI (r = 0.31) and JEE (r = 0.37) had a poor correlation with countries' COVID-19–related mortality outcome. Higher risk of importation of COVID-19 from China for a given country was negatively correlated with the time taken to detect the first case in that country (adjusted R2 = 0.63–0.66), while the GHSI and JEE had minimal predictive value. In the negative binomial regression model, countries' mortality outcome was strongly predicted by the percentage of the population aged 65 and above (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.21) while overall GHSI score (IRR: 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98–1.01)) and JEE (IRR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.96–1.02)) were not significant predictors. GHSI and JEE had lower predictive value for detection response time and mortality outcome due to COVID-19. We suggest introduction of a population healthiness parameter, to address demographic and comorbidity vulnerabilities, and reappraisal of the ranking system and methods used to obtain the index based on experience gained from this pandemic.
The Impact of Incidental Findings Detected During Brain Imaging on Research Participants of the Rotterdam Study: An Interview Study
Authors: BOMHOF CHARLOTTE H.C. , VAN BODEGOM LISA , VERNOOIJ MEIKE W. , PINXTEN WIM , DE BEAUFORT INEZ D. , BUNNIK ELINE M.
Published: September 2020

This interview study investigates the short- and long-term implications of incidental findings detected through brain imaging on research participants’ lives and their surroundings. For this study, nine participants of the Rotterdam Scan Study with an incidental finding were approached and interviewed. When examining research participants’ narratives on the impact of the disclosure of incidental findings, the authors identified five sets of tensions with regard to motivations for and expectations of research participation, preferences regarding disclosure, short- and long-term impacts and impacts on self and others. The paper shows: (1) that the impact of incidental findings may be greater than participants at first let on; (2) incidental findings can have significant effects on participants’ social environment; and (3) participants may not feel prepared for disclosure even if incidental findings have been discussed during the informed consent process. The authors call for investigators to be aware of research participants’ experiences and these short- and long-term impacts when designing suitable courses of action for the detection and management of incidental findings in research settings.
Responsibility-Enhancing Assistive Technologies and People with Autism
Authors: O’BROLCHAIN FIACHRA , GORDIJN BERT
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to explore the role assistive technologies (ATs) might play in helping people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a concomitant responsibility deficit become more morally responsible. Toward this goal, the authors discuss the philosophical concept of responsibility, with a reliance on Nicole Vincent’s taxonomy of responsibility concepts. They then outline the ways in which ASD complicates ascriptions of responsibility, particularly responsibility understood as a capacity. Further, they explore the ways in which ATs might improve a person’s capacity so that responsibility can be properly ascribed to them. After demonstrating that although assistive technologies are likely to be able to enhance a person’s capacity in such a way so that responsibility can be ascribed to them, the authors assert that these technologies will have a number of additional effects on the other aspects of the concept of responsibility.
INFLATION AND INEQUALITY IN A GROWING ECONOMY WITH CASH AND CREDIT GOODS
Authors: Chang Juin-Jen , Lin Hsieh-Yu , Savitski David W. , Tsai Hsueh-Fang
Published: September 2020

We develop a dynamic general equilibrium growth model, where households purchase final goods on cash or credit and have different capital and money endowments, to investigate whether inflation affects trends in income and consumption inequality. We show that, under a strong substitutability between cash and credit goods, inflation has a negative relationship with income inequality, but a U-shaped relationship with consumption inequality. The divergence between income and consumption inequality explains several recent empirical observations. This result has important policy implications, as consumption inequality better reflects the welfare distribution whereas income inequality fails to capture consumption disparities resulting from different consumption and asset distributions across households. In the growth model with heterogeneous households, there is a mixed relationship between growth and income inequality, confirming the existence of the Kuznets curve. The inflation-driven asset reallocation might also produce a Mundell–Tobin effect, enhancing growth.
UNEQUAL EXCHANGE RATE PASS-THROUGH ACROSS INCOME GROUPS
Authors: Yilmazkuday Hakan
Published: September 2020

Exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) into prices and into income loss are shown to be enough to calculate ERPT into welfare loss using implications of a simple model. These ERPT measures are estimated at the good level using a unique micro-price data set from Turkey, and they are combined with income-group-specific expenditure shares at the good level to obtain aggregate-level ERPT measures for alternative income groups. An exchange rate shock resulting in a real depreciation of 1% is shown to decrease welfare by about 0.80% for the average-income consumer, while this estimate ranges between 0.73% and 0.83% for consumers in the lowest- and highest-income quintiles, respectively, suggesting evidence for redistributive effects of an exchange rate shock. Using micro prices has further resulted in showing that traded, nondurable, flexible-price, or income-elastic goods contribute more to ERPT into welfare loss for the average-income consumer, suggesting important policy implications for filtering out the noise in the measurement of aggregate-level prices.
“WAIT AND SEE” OR “FEAR OF FLOATING”?
Authors: Lei Xiaowen , Lu Dong , Kasa Kenneth
Published: September 2020

This paper studies the evolution of China’s exchange rate policy using real options theory. With intervention costs and ongoing uncertainty, intervention involves the exercise of an option. Increased uncertainty increases the value of this option. This “wait and see” effect leads the Central Bank to widen its intervention band. However, increased volatility also produces larger fluctuations in welfare, which creates a “fear of floating.” This induces the Central Bank to set a tighter band. To study this trade-off, our paper incorporates stochastic volatility into a new Keynesian target zone model and then calibrates it to data from China. We find that increased uncertainty leads to a tighter intervention band, both in the data and in the model. Hence, in China, “fear of floating” appears to dominate the “wait and see” effect.
No-meat eaters are less likely to be overweight or obese, but take dietary supplements more often: results from the Swiss National Nutrition survey menuCH
Authors: Steinbach Lydia , Rohrmann Sabine , Kaelin Ivo , Krieger Jean-Philippe , Pestoni Giulia , Herter-Aeberli Isabel , Faeh David , Sych Janice
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To describe and analyse the sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioural and dietary characteristics of different types of Swiss (no-)meat eaters.

Design:

No-, low-, medium- and high-meat eaters were compared with respect to energy and total protein intake and sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural characteristics.

Setting:

National Nutrition Survey menuCH, the first representative survey in Switzerland.

Participants:

2057 participants, aged 18–75 years old, who completed two 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDR) and a questionnaire on dietary habits, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Body weight and height were measured by trained interviewers. No-meat eaters were participants who reported meat avoidance in the questionnaire and did not report any meat consumption in the 24-HDR. Remaining study participants were assigned to the group of low-, medium- or high-meat eaters based on energy contributions of total meat intake to total energy intake (meat:energy ratio). Fifteen percentage of the participants were assigned to the low- and high-meat eating groups, and the remaining to the medium-meat eating group.

Results:

Overall, 4·4 % of the study participants did not consume meat. Compared with medium-meat eaters, no-meat eaters were more likely to be single and users of dietary supplements. Women and high-educated individuals were less likely to be high-meat eaters, whereas overweight and obese individuals were more likely to be high-meat eaters. Total energy intake was similar between the four different meat consumption groups, but no-meat eaters had lowest total protein intake.

Conclusions:

This study identified important differences in sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioural and dietary factors between menuCH participants with different meat-eating habits.
Development of a systematic mapping review protocol for the most recent evidence on ruminant infectious disease frequency and disease-associated mortality: Ethiopia as a case study
Authors: Tsouloufi Theodora K. , Donnison Louise M. , Smyth Karen L. , Peters Andrew R.
Published: September 2020

Almost 19% of the GDP of Ethiopia results from livestock production. Ruminants, in particular, form the majority of the national herd and are a critical source of income for smallholder farmers. Infectious diseases have been identified as a major cause of reduced livestock productivity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); therefore, a sound and comprehensive understanding of the relevant evidence would be beneficial in order to enable decision making on disease control policies. However, livestock disease data from sub-Saharan Africa is variable and disparate, which poses a challenge for evidence synthesis. This paper describes a protocol for a systematic mapping review of the recent available evidence on ruminant disease prevalence and associated mortality in Ethiopia. Literature sources will be identified using database search strategies. The titles, abstracts and, subsequently, full texts will be screened for inclusion based on predefined eligibility criteria. Specific data will be extracted and a preliminary qualitative assessment of the evidence will be performed using predefined indicators. The planned systematic map will be the first to provide a large-scale overview of the available ruminant disease evidence in Ethiopia; the final output will be an interactive dashboard tool to inform critical stakeholders in policy and research.
Molecular analysis of five rice blast resistant genes in landraces from Myanmar and Laos
Authors: Ma Jiqiong , Sun Yiding , Yang Yi , Tang Cuifeng , A Xinxiang , Xu Minghui
Published: September 2020

In order to understand rice blast resistance gene patterns in rice landraces from Myanmar and Laos, we analysed thePita,Pib,Pikh,Pi9andPi5genes in 80 landraces through the use of functional molecular markers and functional fragment sequencing. These landraces were separated into four haplotypes (H1–H4) based upon three mutations identified in thePitasequence. All four haplotypes were detected among landraces from Myanmar, whereas only the H1 and H2 haplotypes were detected among landraces from Laos. We additionally grouped landraces carrying 0–4 resistance genes into 18 genotypes based upon their resistance-susceptibility patterns and found that 16 of these genotypes were detected among Myanmar landraces at relative frequencies ranging from 2.50–12.50%, while 10 were detected among landraces from Laos at relative frequencies of 2.50–42.50%. The ‘Pib( + )pikh(−)pi9(−)pi5(−)pita(−)’ genotype was found to be dominant, accounting for 12.5 and 42.5% of landraces from Myanmar and Laos, respectively. ThePib,Pikh,Pi5andPitagenes were detected in 52.50, 32.50, 37.50 and 30.00% of landraces from Myanmar respectively, whereas they were detected in 52.50, 12.50, 30.00 and 17.50% of landraces from Laos, respectively. ThePi9gene was rarely detected among analysed landraces and was particularly rare in those from Laos. These findings suggest that rice landraces from Myanmar are more genetically diverse than those from Laos, with clear differences in blast resistance gene patterns between landraces from these two countries.
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS IN THEPALATINE ANTHOLOGY: THE POETICS OF CHRISTIAN DEATH
Authors: Goldhill Simon , Greensmith Emma
Published: September 2020

This article is the first to consider book 8 of thePalatine Anthologyas an integrated collection. Book 8 consists of funerary epigrams of Gregory of Nazianzus. We consider how the book is structured as a coherent collection, what its place in thePalatine Anthologyis and, above all, how these underdiscussed poems contribute to the changing discourse of death in fourth-century Christianity. We also look at how the poems contribute to the Byzantine culture in which thePalatine Anthologywas put together. The article reveals how Gregory rewrites both the positive values of death in a Christian community and negative descriptions of those who transgress such values.