bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oribatid mites of conventional and organic vineyards in the Valencian Community, Spain
Authors: Seniczak Anna , Seniczak Stanisław , García-Parra Ivan , Ferragut Francisco , Xamaní Pilar , Graczyk Radomir , Messeguer Enric , Laborda Rafael , Rodrigo Eugenia
Published: July 2021

In this study the oribatid mite communities of conventional and organic vineyards in theValencian Community (Spain) were compared. The soil samples were collected in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell in autumn 2014 and spring 2015 from four sites, treated as replicates, each including a conventional vineyard, an organic vineyard, and a control (natural habitat, i.e. in plots 1-3 an abandoned vineyard, in plot 4 an area never used in agriculture). Two parallel samples were collected in each vineyard from a zone between vine rows, driven by a tractor (Tr), a zone between vines (Vi), the border of the vineyard (Bo) and from a control, making a total of 112 samples. In total 3,225 oribatid mites were obtained represented by 59 species. No differences were found in density of Oribatida between the conventional, organic vineyards and the control, but the species diversity was higher in the control than in the vineyards. In the vineyards the density and species number of the oribatid mites were highest between vines (the average from all vineyards and both seasons was 4,400 individuals per 1 m2, 15 species), followed by the border of the vineyards (2,800 individuals per 1 m2, 14 species) and were lowest between vine rows (400 individuals per 1 m2, 6 species). The species diversity of Oribatida was higher in autumn than in spring, while the density followed this pattern only in the vineyards, but not in the control. In the vineyards Oribatula excavata dominated (D = 25), followed by Minunthozetes quadriareatus and Passalozetes africanus (D = 18 and 14, respectively), while in the control these species were not abundant. In the control the most abundant species was Oppiella subpectinata (D = 28), followed by Eremulus flagellifer (D = 20). Podoribates longipes and Steganacarus boulfekhari are reported for the first time in Spain. To conclude, the oribatid mites did not benefit from the organic cultivation of the vineyards, probably because they are tolerant to herbicides used in the conventional systems but sensitive to mechanical cultivation of soil, which was even more intense in organic vineyards than in the conventional ones.
Soil mesostigmatid mites as a potential tool for bioindication concerning ecological status of forest
Authors: Călugăr Adina
Published: July 2021

Free-living predatory mesostigmatid soil mites from five different forests from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) were analyzed in order to get information for defining the conservation status of the investigated sites. On the whole, in the five studied sites 32 species of Mesostigmata belonging to 22 genera and 11 families were recorded. The analyzed material includes new species of Romanian fauna as well as rare and less cited species from Romania. A quarter of the identified species were formerly found in the Danube Delta, two species being identified only within DDBR territory. The particular conditions of each stand (vegetation, type of soil etc.) as well as climatic conditions influence both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the structure of the mesostigmatid mites communities. Horizontal and vertical distributions and the aspects of demographic structure are discussed and the degree of similarity of the gamasid mite communities from the five sites were analyzed on the basis of specific composition and quantitative parameters.
Two new species of feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from Indonesia
Authors: Constantinescu Ioana Cristina , Chişamera Gabriel Bogdan , Petrescu Angela , Adam Costică
Published: July 2021

Two new pterodectine feather mite species collected in Indonesia (Kalimantan) are described: Montesauria indonesiana sp. n. from the Asian glossy starling Aplonis panayensis (Scopoli, 1786) (Passeriformes, Sturnidae), and Proterothrix murariui sp. n. from the White-rumped woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis (Horsfield, 1821) (Piciformes, Picidae). Males of M. indonesiana have adanal and opisthoventral circular shields, surrounding the base of setae g and ps3, respectively, and females have the anterior and lobar parts of hysteronotal shields well delimited from each other by a transverse groove. The new species of Proterothrix described here is the first species of this genus discovered on a host of the family Picidae. This species has unique character states and cannot be included in any of the species groups defined so far within the genus. In both sexes, dorsal hysterosomal setae c1 are absent and hysterosomal setae cp are spiculiform. Males of P. murariui have a pregenital sclerite (epiandrum), the aedeagus is band-shaped, thickened in the anterior half and narrowed in the posterior half, the terminal lobes have two pairs of trapezoidal membranous extensions, coxal fields I are almost closed, and coxal fields III are open. Females have a narrow terminal cleft, parallel-sided in the anterior 2/3, large and with oblique margins in the posterior 1/3.
Revision of the genus Pseudobryobia McGregor, 1950 (Acari, Tetranychidae)
Authors: Arabuli Tea , Marić Ivana , Auger Philippe
Published: July 2021

The species of the tetranychid mite genus Pseudobryobia are revised mainly based on data published in the literature. Following a survey of the classification history of the genus, emphasizing the changes that occurred in the morphological characters used in its definition, we briefly discuss their relative importance for the genus delimitation. As a result, we provide amended diagnoses for the genera Pseudobryobia and Bryobia and transfer 7 species from Pseudobryobia to Bryobia. Species belonging to the genus Pseudobryobia bear two setae on coxisternal plate II, one pair of tenent hairs on all the empodia and are distributed in the Nearctic biogeographic zone. Conversely, some species previously assigned to the genus Pseudobryobia bear one seta on coxisternal plate II, two rows of tenent hairs on empodia II-IV, and are recorded in the Palearctic and Afrotropical biogeographic zones. These species are transferred to the genus Bryobia. The following nomenclature changes resulting from the revision are proposed: B. (Bryobiopsis) abbatielloi new combination, B. (B.) anacantha reinstated combination, B. (Allobia) bucharica reinstated combination, B. (B.) eurotiae reinstated combination, B. (A.) japonica reinstated combination, B. (B.) neoephedrae new combination, B. (A.) nikitensis reinstated combination. We recognise six subgenera for Bryobia, as previously considered by other authors, and also treat Nuciforaella Vacante (1983) as a junior synonym of Bryobia (Allobia) Livshits and Mitrofanov, 1971. A key to the species of Pseudobryobia is also provided.
Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Kalloia (Acari, Oribatida, Carabodidae), with description of a new species from Indonesia
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Sandmann Dorothee , Scheu Stefan
Published: July 2021

The genus Kalloia (Oribatida, Carabodidae) is recorded in the Oriental region for the first time. A new species — Kalloia gerdweigmanni n. sp. — is described from litter of oil palm plantations and jungle rubber agroforests from Sumatra, Indonesia. It differs from Kalloia simpliseta Mahunka, 1985 by the presence of a transverse ridge in the mediodistal part of the lamellae, translamella and two thick, diagonal, convergent ridges forming a triangular structure in the medioanterior part of the notogaster, and by the localization of notogastral setae da, dm, la, lm, lp and h1. The generic status of Kalloia is discussed and supported. Kalloia mahunkai Pérez-Íñigo and Baggio, 1989 and Machadocepheus foveolatus Mahunka, 1978, which were considered representatives of Kalloia, are removed from this genus and combined preliminarily in Gibbicepheus. Revised generic diagnosis and data on ecology and distribution of known species of Kalloia are presented.
Feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) of the Zoobotanical State Park in Teresina, Brazil
Authors: Lima Alves Moro Maria Marta , Carvalho Waquim Eric , Soares de Melo Evangelista Luanna , Akashi Hernandes Fabio
Published: July 2021

Feather mites are the most diverse avian ectoparasites. They mainly live on the plumage of birds, feeding on uropygial oil, and may occasionally cause skin irritation, especially on caged birds. Here we report the results of a survey of feather mites on wild birds of the Zoobotanical State Park of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The following mites were collected from seven bird specimens kept in the park from January to July 2017: Pandionacarus fuscus (Nitzsch, 1818) on the osprey (Pandion haliaetus); Freyana dendrocygni Dubinin, 1950 and Heterobrephosceles megathrix Peterson and Atyeo, 1977 on the white-faced whistling-duc (Dendrocygna viduata); Nyctibiolichus megamerus Atyeo, 1979 on the common potoo (Nyctibius griseus); Hieracolichus hirundo (Mégnin and Trouessart, 1884) on the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and Hieracolichus sp. on the southern caracara (Caracara plancus). These findings increase the known ranges of the mite species, with four of them reported for the first time in Brazil.
Phytoseiid mites of Slovenia (Acari: Mesostigmata): new records and first description of the male of Amblyseius microorientalis
Authors: Kreiter Serge , Amiri Karima , Douin Martial , Bohinc Tanja , Trdan Stanislav , Tixier Marie-Stéphane
Published: July 2021

Slovenia is a small country of Central Europe. Until recently, only limited surveys had been carried out of the Phytoseiidae fauna. The occurrence of 14 species had been documented in two international papers: 6 belonging to the subfamily Amblyseiinae, 1 to the subfamily Phytoseiinae and 7 to the subfamily Typhlodrominae. Four additional species (3 Amblyseiinae and 1 Phytoseiinae) were recorded and published recently but in a national journal and not mentioned in the world online database of Phytoseiidae. Here, we present results from 2018 and 2019 field surveys and add a total of 22 new records (18 if we consider national published records): 14 Amblyseiinae, 3 Phytoseiinae and 5 Typhlodrominae. The Phytoseiidae fauna of Slovenia contains after our study 36 species: 20 Amblyseiinae, 4 Phytoseiinae and 12 Typhlodrominae. Among the 22 new record species, at least 8 species are well-known biological control agents (BCA). In addition to the intrinsic value of phytoseiid mite biodiversity in temperate environments, demonstration of the natural occurrence of efficient BCAs is of great agricultural, commercial and strategic interests.
New water mites of Torrenticolidae (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from Jiangxi Province, P. R. China
Authors: Gu Xinyao , Jin Daochao , Guo Jianjun
Published: July 2021

Three torrenticolid species new to science, i.e. Monatractides trilaminatus sp. nov., Torrenticola lushanensis sp. nov., and T. planusirostrum sp. nov. are described from Jiangxi Province, P. R. China. M. trilaminatus sp. nov. can be distinguished by the shoulder and frontal platelets fused together and formed into a pair of platelets; infracapitular bay U-shaped, extremely deep and narrow; the tip of coxae I with a small rectangle extension. T. lushanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by epimeroglandularia 4 at the same level as the 4th pair of acetabula; anal pore on the same line with ventroglandularia 2, and posterior to ventroglandularia 1. T. planusirostrum sp. nov. can be distinguished by infracapitular dorsal apodeme almost absent, ventral apodeme blunt and long, rostrum flat and parallel to the ventral apodeme. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these species are given in this paper.
Abundance and distribution of Aculus schlechtendali on apple orchards in Southern of Brazil
Authors: Moreira do Nascimento Joseane , Evangelho Silva Darliane , Pavan Aline Marjana , Liberato Costa Corrêa Luiz , Schussler Matheus , Johann Liana , Juarez Ferla Noeli
Published: July 2021

The dispersion of insects and mites can be favored by many factors, including the increasing circulation of plant materials. Special attention is needed to the eriophyoid mites, which have a greater potential as introduced species, due to their physical and biological characteristics. Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa) (Eriophyidae, Apple Rust Mite - ARM) is considered an important apple pest in several countries, being recently reported for the first time in Brazil. This study aimed to carry out a survey of the abundance and distribution of ARM in the Southern region of Brazil, in the cultivars Fuji, Gala and Eva, grown in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC) and Paraná (PR). In addition, Moran's I autocorrelation was used as an analytical tool to assess the spatial dependence between the sample points. A total of 94 orchards were sampled in 19 municipalities, distributed in the three evaluated states. Regarding cultivars, there were 40 orchards of Fuji cultivar, 43 of Gala and 11 of Eva. At each one, 20 plants were selected, from which four leaves were collected, totaling 80 leaves/orchard. The screening and identification of the mites occurred at the Laboratório de Acarologia at the Universidade do Vale do Taquari – Univates, and the statistical analysis were made using generalized linear mixed models with subsequent paired analysis, using R-software. A total of 1,647 specimens of ARM were found in 66 orchards located in 17 municipalities, with an average number (mean ± standard deviation) of 24 ± 55 mites/orchard, 44 ± 83 in Fuji, 10 ± 19 in Gala and 17 ± 21 in Eva. The average number of mites differed between cultivars and states, with the lowest number in the cultivar Gala and in Rio Grande do Sul. No spatial autocorrelation was observed between the points, indicating that the dispersion of ARM in Southern Brazil has occurred at random, without a predefined pattern that would indicate a possible hotspot. The presence of this species serves as an alert for the apple production industry, regarding the distribution of a species previously not reported in the region. The recognition of the presence, abundance and distribution of this species will help in the monitoring and future management decisions, as well as the understanding of the distribution pattern.
Seasonal dynamics of mites (Acari) in pastures and meadows in Poland, with species analysis of Oribatida
Authors: Pacek Sylwiusz , Seniczak Stanislaw , Graczyk Radomir , Chachaj Bogusław , Seniczak Anna
Published: July 2021

The study involved three pastures, grazed by geese, goats and fallow deer, and three nearby meadows (control plots) situated in north-central Poland. Samples of 150 cm3 each (6 cm of soil and 3 cm of lower parts of plants) were collected in spring, summer and autumn 2016 and 2017 in 10 replications, 360 samples in total. This material included 22.561 mites, among which Oribatida accounted for 69%, Mesostigmata for 21%, and other mites for 10%. At most study sites, both pastures and meadows, no significant seasonal differences in the abundance of Oribatida and Mesostigmata were seen. Such differences were only observed for the third category of other mites that were the most abundant in spring and usually the least abundant in autumn. Also species diversity of Oribatida differed between the seasons – in all pastures it was the highest in summer and the lowest in spring, while in all meadows it was the highest in spring and decreased towards autumn. Oribatid species were more affected by the habitats than by seasons, as some species were strongly associated with pastures (Platynothrus peltifer), other with meadows (Achipteria coleoptrata, Liebstadia similis, Metabelba pulverosa, Scheloribates laevigatus and Sellnickochthonius immaculatus), and some (Eupelops occultus and Tectocepheus velatus) were abundant in both habitats. Although the effect of seasonality was weaker than that of the habitat, it was still perceptible. Platynothrus peltifer was most associated with autumn, T. velatus with spring, E. occultus with spring and summer and L. similis with summer.
Review of Amblyseius Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Western Siberia, Russia
Authors: Khaustov Vladimir A.
Published: July 2021

Mites of the genus Amblyseius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Western Siberia, Russia are reviewed. Amblyseius silvaticus (Chant), A. ampullosus Wu and Lan and A. myrtilli Papadoulis, Emmanouel and Kapaxidi are recorded for the first time from Russia. Females of A. silvaticus, A. omaloensis, A.myrtilli and A. ampullosus are redescribed in detail and males of A. silvaticus and A. ampullosus are described for the first time. Chaetotaxy of tarsus I for all studied species is presented. Moreover, the importance of apical sensorial setal cluster of tarsus I in identification of phytoseiid mites is discussed.
A new species of Psilogamasus Athias-Henriot, 1969 from China and redefinition of the genus (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae)
Authors: Yao Mao-Yuan , Yi Tian-Ci , Jin Dao-Chao , Guo Jian-Jun
Published: July 2021

A new species, Psilogamasus pentatideus Yao and Jin n. sp., is described based on adults from Hainan province, China. Taiwanoparasitus Tseng is newly synonymized with Psilogamasus Athias-Henriot. Four species, Taiwanoparasitus pentasetosus Tseng, 1995, Vulgarogamasus brachysternalis Ma and Lin, 2005, V. longascidiformis Ma and Lin, 2005, V. lingulatus Bai and Ma, 2013, are transferred to Psilogamasus as new combinations. A key to the known species of the genus is given and the diagnosis of the genus is revised.
Communities of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae) in different environments of the Brazilian Pampa
Authors: Toldi Maicon , de Freitas Elisete Maria , da Silva Vinícius Leão , Caumo Monique , Ferla Júlia Jantsch , Orlandi Carla Roberta , Da-Costa Tairis , Johann Liana , Ferla Noeli Juarez
Published: July 2021

The Brazilian Pampa presents a high diversity of fauna and flora within a mosaic of environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the assemblages of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae) in three different Pampa environments: Grassland shrub vegetation, Grazing Exclusions fenced for six years and Riparian Forest with tree vegetation. Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae were evaluated with a total of 324 plant sampled from nine sites in three environments. Twenty-two Phytoseiidae species and six Stigmaeidae species were found. Riparian Forest presented the highest abundance of predatory mites (243) and the greatest species diversity. Mites were more abundant in Grazing Exclusions (64) than in Grassland (25) environments, but species diversity was similar. In Riparian Forest, the most abundant species were Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) and Agistemus floridanus González-Rodríguez. Arrenoseius gaucho Ferla, Silva and Moraes and Zetzellia malvinae Matioli, Ueckermann and Oliveira were the most abundant in Grassland environment. Our results demonstrate that the Brazilian Pampa has a high diversity of predatory mites and mite communities seem to be affected by the type of environment, showing the importance of this ecosystem as a reservoir of natural enemies.
The eriophyid mite Aculops ailanthi Lin, Jin, & Kuang, 1997 (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) from tree-of-heaven in the United States – new state records and morphological observations
Authors: Skvarla Michael J. , Ochoa Ron , Ulsamer Andrew , Amrine James
Published: July 2021

We report Aculops ailanthi Lin, Jin, and Kuang, 1997 (Acariformes: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, USA; present the first scanning electron micrographs of the species in North America and discuss morphological observations that clarify features observed in slide-mounted specimens, such as the number ridges on female genital flaps; and briefly discuss symptoms and control of an A. ailanthi infestation on greenhouse-grown tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae).
A new species of the genus Opilioacarus With, 1902 (Acari: Opilioacarida) for the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Moraza María L. , Prieto Carlos E. , Balanzategui Iñaki
Published: July 2021

This paper certifies the presence of the family Opilioacaridae in the Iberian Peninsula. It is represented by a new species of the Order Opilioacarida, Opilioacarus baeticus, from three localities, plus a photographic record, from southern and southeastern Spain. O. baeticus is described based on adult of both sexes and female tritonymphal instar. A key to genera of the family Opilioacaridae and species of the genus Opilioacarus is given.
Theobroma cacao, a new host for Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in Peru
Authors: Escobar-Garcia Hector Alonso , de Andrade Daniel Júnior , Carrillo Daniel , Ochoa Ronald
Published: July 2021

Brevipalpus yothersi Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is reported for the first time on cocoa, Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae) in northwestern Peru. Mites were collected from organic cocoa smallholdings from September to December 2020 in eight localities (three Provinces) of the Piura Department. The highest mite population density was found on peduncle and epicarps of fruits of different phenological stages, and the lowest density on the leaves.
Two new species of Rhyncholimnochares (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from Ecuador
Authors: Valdecasas Antonio G. , García-Jímenez Ricardo
Published: July 2021

South America is one of the least known areas in terms of its fauna of aquatic mites. In this work we report the presence of two new species of the water mite genus Rhyncholimnochares in the Amazonian region of Ecuador, giving the morphological description and the DNA barcode when possible.
A new species of Adactylidium (Acari: Heterostigmata: Acarophenacidae) associated with Phlaeothrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) from European Russia
Authors: Khaustov Alexander A. , Abramov Vladimir V.
Published: July 2021

A new species, Adactylidium europaeum n. sp. (Acari: Acarophenacidae), is described based on phoretic females collected on thorax of larvae of Phlaeothrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) in European Russia. An updated key to the species of Adactylidium is provided.
A new species of Amblydromalus Chant & McMurtry (Acari: Phytoseiidae), with notes on occurrence of genus in South America
Authors: Demite Peterson Rodrigo , Rezende José Marcos , Carvalho Dahmer Priscila , Cavalcante Ana Cristina C. , Lofego Antonio Carlos
Published: July 2021

A new species, Amblydromalus amazonicus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on adults of both sexes. Individuals were found in association with plants in natural vegetation (Amazon Forest), on uncultivated plants in guarana crops, and on exotic fruit (residential area), in states of Amazonas and Mato Grosso, Brazil. The type material of A. akiri Nuvoloni, Lofego, Rezende and Feres was re-examined and the number of setae as well as the chaetotaxy of genu III is corrected. Notes on the occurrence of Amblydromalus in South America and a key to species of genus for this subcontinent is provided.
A new opilioacarid species (Parasitiformes: Opilioacarida) from Crete (Greece) with notes on its karyotype
Authors: Vázquez Maria Magdalena , Ávila Herrera Ivalú Macarena , Just Pavel , Reyes Lerma Azucena Claudia , Chatzaki Maria , Heller Tim Lukas , Král Jiří
Published: July 2021

A new species of opilioacarid mite, Opilioacarus thaleri n. sp., is described from mid-level elevation close to the seashore in Crete (Greece). It was found on moister sites, under stones or inside stone accumulations in phrygana vegetation. The peak of activity was found to be in early May. The diagnostic morphological characters include 7–8 eugenital setae (female), 5/7 setae on each sclerite at pregenital and genital areas, 11 setae on genital area (male), anterior dorsal shield with two pairs of eyes and 60–70 stout, ribbed setae, 5 (female) or 6 (male) leaf setae plus one pectinate seta on the palp tarsus, and the "simple" type of ovipositor with two pairs of glands, a pair of ducts plus a basal structure. The female karyotype comprises 16 monocentric chromosomes, predominantly with acrocentric morphology. Comparison with data of the ixodids and mesostigmatids indicates that a low number of chromosomes and predomination of acrocentric chromosomes could be plesiomorphies of the parasitiform mites.
Genetic association of solute carrier transporter gene variants with metformin response
Authors: Abrahams-October Z , Xhakaza L , Pearce B , Mandisa Masilela C , Benjeddou M , Vincent Adeniyi O , Johnson R , Jebio Ongole J
Published: July 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. It is treated with various classes of oral antidiabetic drugs, however, response to treatment is highly variable with patients failing to achieve adequate glycemic control. Treatment response variability has been associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which influence the pharma-cokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drug(s). The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic association of 17 SNPs and the response to metformin therapy in patients diagnosed with diabetes from the indigenous Nguni population of South Africa. One hundred and forty indigenous African patients diagnosed with T2DM were recruited and genotyped using the MassARRAY® system. Therapeutic response of patients was ascertained by a change in Hb A1c. Two SNPs (rs1801282 and rs6265) were monomorphic. All other variants were within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The T allele of the SLC variant rs316009 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.25, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.01-0.09, p value = 0.044] and the CT genotype of the PCK1 variant rs4810083 (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.01-7.79, p value = 0.049) were associated with an improved response to treatment after adjustment. No association was observed with post Bonferroni correction. Moreover, this study provides important additional data regarding possible associations between genetic variants and metformin therapy outcomes. In addition, this is one of the first studies providing genetic data from the understudied indigenous sub-Saharan African populations.
Increased expression of Cardiotrophin-1 in cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Sharif S , Saleem A , Naz S , Rashid F , Iqtedar M , Kaleem A , Latif A
Published: July 2021

Cardiomyopathy (CM) is a condition of cardiac dysfunction. It is one of the leading causes of mortality in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) level in plasma is associated with CM. It affects the cardiomyocyte differentiation. To evaluate the expression of CT-1 in cardiomyopathy, this study was done on CM subjects attending the Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between January and June, 2016. A total of 40 subjects were enrolled who were divided into two groups; CM group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). A self-designed questionnaire was filled in by each subject to collect data regarding age, body mass index (BMI) and CM history. RNA was isolated from blood after its quantification, cDNA was prepared and reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for expression of CT-1. The mean age in CM subjects was 40.1±6.03 years, while it was 35.0±3.7 years in the control group. The mean expression of CT-1 in the CM subjects was 5.2±0.66, while it was 1.00±0.001 in the control group. A highly significant difference was observed in CT-1 expression in the CM group, and expression was significantly correlated with age and BMI in CM subjects.
Impact of Oil Prices on Stock Market Development in Selected Oil Exporting Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Muritala Adewale T. , Ijaiya Adeniyi M. , Adekunle Ahmed O. , Nageri Ibraheem K. , Yinus A. Bolaji
Published: July 2021

This study examines the dynamic impacts of oil prices on stock market development in four oil exporting sub-Saharan African countries in the period of 1989-2015. The Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) is used as the theoretical framework where stock market prices are hypothesized to be fully reflective of all available information. Static panel data (Pooled OLS, panel Fixed Effect Model, panel Random Effect Model) and dynamic panel model of Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) were employed in the estimation. The estimation of the static panel model shows that oil prices, exchange rates, gross domestic product, inflation and the corruption index have a positive and significant impact on stock market development. However, there is a slight improvement from the estimation of the GMM dynamic panel model which confirmed that oil prices, exchange rates, gross domestic product, investment, inflation and the corruption index have a positive and significant impact on stock market development. The study therefore recommends that investors in selected the Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) stock market need to be cognizant of the varying impacts of macroeconomic indicators, particularly those that have been found to exert strong influence on stock returns like oil prices, exchange rates, inflation and the corruption index.
Financial Literacy of Students – The Case Study of UITM in Rzeszów, Poland
Authors: Palimąka Karolina
Published: July 2021

The article focuses on the phenomenon of financial literacy of students. Financial literacy is treated as a combination of financial knowledge and the decision-making process where one has to make a choice based on experience and theory. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to the essence of financial literacy, including knowledge of banking (especially of young people). For this purpose, a literature review was used. Own research complements the topic as a case study, where the author verifies whether students assess their knowledge in a way that corresponds to reality and verifies whether students need to expand their financial knowledge sorely necessary nowadays. The survey was completed by 380 students from University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów, of both economic and non-economic field of studies. There are some unexpected results, for example the most important is that students from a financial field of studies end up with worse results than their peers from the non-financial degree programs.
Financial leasing or renting? Case study in the classroom
Authors: Centeno María Esperanza Calvo , Vallina Joaquín Galván , Duarte Ma Victoria Gutiérrez
Published: July 2021

The main objective of the activity is to solve a financial simulation in such a way that the student learns to work in a team through organizational and planning skills, results orientation and responsibility, as it happens in the business world. The methodology used to implement this activity is Flipped Classroom, considering that it is the most appropriate for the students to acquire the skills that allow them to advise the management team of a company. The activity takes place in a consulting project in which a company requests advice from our students to make an investment decision. The company needs to acquire a transport element and wants to know the financial, accounting and tax consequences that could be derived from making the investment through two different financing instruments: financial leasing or renting. The results of the evaluation carried out by the students show significant satisfaction in the acquisition of competences, given that 60% consider that the activity has been highly beneficial in their learning.
Psychological capital and leadership role under the turbulent conditions in banking sector
Authors: Momot Volodymyr , Lytvynenko Olena
Published: July 2021

The article discusses the problems of commercial banks related to the coping with abrupt changes in activities organization due to quarantine and moving to partially remote work. The theoretical considerations concerning psychological capital role at organization operating under the unstable conditions are given and hypothesis regarding psychological capital, its individual components, leadership, leadership styles (types) and the overall effectiveness of the organization are formulated. Empirical evidence which proves formulated hypothesis is presented. Concepts of psychological health and psychological competences are presented. The research conducted shows that the psychological capital of financial institutions employees being monitored during COVID-19 quarantine at Spring 2020 is positively correlated with the impact of transformational leadership on the organization effectiveness.
Assessing the Magnitude and Direction of Asymmetry in Unilateral Jump and Change of Direction Speed Tasks in Youth Female Team-Sport Athletes
Authors: Arboix-Alió Jordi , Bishop Chris , Benet Ariadna , Buscà Bernat , Aguilera-Castells Joan , Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe Azahara
Published: July 2021

The direction of inter-limb asymmetries and the change of direction (COD) deficit are two aspects that have increased in recent years. The main objective of the present study was to assess the magnitude of neuromuscular asymmetries in an elite youth female team-sports sample and determine its directionality. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the relationship between COD deficit, linear speed and COD time performance. Elite female youth basketball and handball players (n = 33, age = 16 ± 1.17 y) performed the Single Leg Countermovement Jump in vertical (SLCJ-V), horizontal (SLCJ-H), and lateral (SLCJ-L) directions, the COD and the 10-m sprint. Results showed statistical differences between limbs in all the neuromuscular tests (p < 0.001). The Kappa coefficient showed poor to fair levels of agreement between tasks (K range = -0.087 to 0.233), indicating that asymmetries rarely favoured the same limb between skills. Additionally, small and non-significant correlations were found between the linear sprint capacity and the COD ability. The findings of the present study highlight the independent directionality of asymmetries across tests. The COD deficit does not appear to be much more advantageous than COD total time to measure asymmetry. Practitioners are encouraged to use a fitness testing battery to detect existing side differences and each ability should be specifically trained with functional tasks.
Outdoor Uphill Exercise Testing for Trail Runners, a More Suitable Method?
Authors: Schöffl Isabelle , Jasinski Dominik , Ehrlich Benedikt , Dittrich Sven , Schöffl Volker
Published: July 2021

There is extensive knowledge about uphill running on a treadmill, although paucity regarding the influence of uphill trail running on exercise capacity in runners. The purpose of this study was to compare an uphill field test with a treadmill test with 1% inclination especially considering cardiopulmonary exercise variables. The difference in those tests between a group of trail runners and a group of road runners was tested for establishing a test specifically for trail runners. Ten male endurance road runners and ten male trail runners performed one maximal incremental treadmill test with 1% inclination and a maximal incremental field test on a hill at 16% inclination which they were instructed to run up four times for three minutes, each time with a higher pace. A mobile cardiopulmonary exercise testing unit was used to measure ventilation. There were no significant differences between trail runners and road runners. The equivalence factor was comparable between both groups. V˙O2peak was comparable for both test protocols. However, there was a significant difference between the two test protocols regarding lactate concentration, the respiratory exchange ratio, running cost, heart rate, Breathing reserve, and O2pulse. The greater lactate concentration and running cost recorded uphill indicate a higher energy demand during trail running than level road running.
Average Game Physical Demands and the Most Demanding Scenarios of Basketball Competition in Various Age Groups
Authors: García Franc , Castellano Julen , Reche Xavier , Vázquez-Guerrero Jairo
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare average physical demands and the most demanding 60-s scenarios of basketball match-play between five different age groups. Sixty-four male basketball players from five different age groups were monitored across eight regular-season home games. Physical demands were examined using a local positioning system and included total distance covered, distance >18 km·h-1, the number of accelerations (≥2 m·s-2) and decelerations (≤-2 m·s-2). All four game performance variables increased significantly (58.4 - 639.2%) when calculated with rolling average techniques in comparison to average physical demand values. Furthermore, the current investigation found that while Under-12 presented the highest result in relative total distance covered (p < .001; effect size = 0.58-2.01), they also showed the lowest values in the most demanding scenarios of match play and small-to-moderate effect sizes compared with their older counterparts. Both average physical demands and the most demanding scenarios presented an increasing tendency with age when distance >18 km·h-1 in basketball players was assessed. More specifically, the Under-12 age group achieved the lowest values and showed significant differences with the other four teams in both game analysis techniques (p < .001; effect size = 0.53 - 1.32). In conclusion, average game demands are shown to remarkably underestimate the most demanding scenarios of basketball match-play, and there are multiple significant differences between particular age groups.
Biopsychosocial Effects of Competition Preparation in Natural Bodybuilders
Authors: Chappell Andrew , Simper Trevor , Trexler Eric , Helms Eric
Published: July 2021

Bodybuilders are judged on the subjective visual assessment of their muscular size, proportion, and leanness. This case series tracked four drug-free bodybuilders (3 male) during the off-season, pre-competition and recovery phases. This study aimed to comprehensively profile key biopsychosocial changes occurring pre/post competition in a group of British natural bodybuilders. We measured: resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition (via BIA, ultrasound and sum of 7 skinfolds), lipid profiles, fasted glucose, blood pressure, power output (Wingate), grip strength, and carried out psychometric questionnaires (EAT-26, STAI, BUT) over an eight-month period. Mean weight loss from 5 months (5M) to pre-contest (PRE) was 8.6 ± 4.1 kg, followed by an increase of 7.9 ± 1.6 kg two months post contest (POST). The mean RMR of the cohort was stable from 1899 ± 630 kcal (5M) to 1897 ± 598 kcal (PRE), before decreasing to 1797 ± 242 kcal (POST). Mean peak power declined from 770 ± 113.0 w (5M), to 700.0 ± 134.4 w (PRE), before increasing to 816.0 ± 116.2 w (POST). Competition dieting had no effect on EAT-26 or BUT scores, suggesting no body dysmorphic or eating disorder concerns, although trait anxiety was elevated in three out of the four participants throughout the observation. Many of the biopsychosocial changes that occur to bodybuilders as they prepare for competition return to baseline measurements 2 months post competition.
Aprendizagem baseada em projetos e aprendizagem de grupos e equipes em organizações
Authors: Machado Guilherme Bertoni , Freiberger Pereira Larissa Mariany , De Campos Aline , Steil Andrea Valéria , Todesco José Leomar
Published: July 2021

Este artigo apresenta o protocolo, execução e análise de uma revisão sistemática da literatura que buscou compreender como a aprendizagem baseada em projetos tem sido relacionada com a aprendizagem de grupos e equipes. Analisando os documentos que compuseram esta revisão foi possível observar que escolas diferentes tratam do mesmo tema utilizando conceitos diferentes e que, de fato, a aprendizagem baseada em projetos já vem sendo estudada a partir da aprendizagem organizacional. Verificou-se também que faltam estudos quantitativos que utilizem métricas para medir e avaliar esta abordagem aplicada à aprendizagem e grupos e equipes.
Algunos modelos para explicar la violencia y la agresión
Authors: López Martínez Milagros Piedad
Published: July 2021

La agresividad se concibe generalmente como una manifestación o un comportamiento que tiene la intención de provocar algún tipo de daño o aflicción a un tercero. La conducta violenta es un acontecimiento que incide bruscamente en el bienestar de la generalidad y, consiguientemente, en el rechazo y la alarma social, por lo que los investigadores buscan los medios para su comprensión, y las autoridades formales, para su contención. La violencia, en cualquiera de sus manifestaciones, genera preocupación en los diversos contextos; incluso, en los que se encuentran ligados a la seguridad y defensa, donde aparentemente participa activamente, por hacerlo en entornos hostiles, donde la cuestión de la violencia y la agresión es entendida como el uso de la fuerza sobre personas o grupos para forzarlos a comportarse de un modo no deseado. Este trabajo busca señalar las condiciones en las que se engendra la violencia (estructural, personal o conductual), y en qué lugares es más intensa, con base en una perspectiva cualitativa, con un enfoque analítico-reflexivo y de manera descriptiva, para analizar posibles puntos de interés estratégico, a fin de fortalecer la seguridad, para, por ejemplo, aplicarlas a estrategias efectivas de paz. Para este análisis, se observa a grandes rasgos el caso colombiano, donde se enfatiza en la violencia estructural a partir de su análisis.
Bioseguridad y ciberseguridad percibidas ante la COVID-19 en México
Authors: García Lirios Cruz
Published: July 2021

La adaptación civil a un régimen de seguridad supone un cálculo de costos y beneficios que, al estar asociados a la adaptación a la crisis sanitaria y económica, develan una agenda común entre gobernantes y gobernados. La revisión de la adaptación a la seguridad derivada de las crisis sanitaria y económica es el objetivo de este trabajo. Se realizó un estudio documental con una selección de fuentes indexadas a repositorios internacionales, considerando el periodo de publicación de 2019 a 2021, así como la búsqueda por palabras clave. Se establecieron los ejes, las dimensiones, las trayectorias y las relaciones entre las variables que reflejan y determinan el fenómeno. En relación con el estado del arte, se mencionan aplicaciones al aula virtual.
Negationskongruenz in den deutschen Dialekten
Authors: Moser Ann-Marie
Published: July 2021

Ein auffallendes Merkmal in den deutschen Basisdialekten stellt die sogenannte "Negationskongruenz" oder auch "doppelte Negation" dar. Umso erstaunlicher ist es, dass bisher nur selektiv zu einzelnen Dialekten geforscht wurde, nicht jedoch eine mikrotypologisch angelegte, korpusbasierte Arbeit zu diesem Phänomen vorliegt. Diese Forschungslücke schließt Ann-Marie Moser: Sie identifiziert zwei verschiedene Typen der Negationskongruenz und legt dar, dass diese Negationskonstruktionen unterschiedlich im Raum verteilt sind. Die Negationskongruenz ist nicht obligatorisch, sondern optional – während Ansätze aus dem Minimalismus nur beschränkt mit der Optionalität umgehen können, bietet sich eine Analyse im Rahmen der Optimalitätstheorie an. Eine qualitativ angelegte Datenerhebung im oberdeutschen Raum bestätigt, dass sich Sprecherinnen und Sprecher des Alemannischen und Bairischen in der Wahl der Negationskonstruktion und auf pragmatischer Ebene unterscheiden. Schließlich geht Moser der Frage nach, warum im Standarddeutschen die Negationskongruenz nicht möglich ist, in allen deutschen Dialekten hingegen schon.
PRAVILA EUROPSKE UNIJE O TRŽIŠNOM NATJECANJU I DRŽAVNIM POTPORAMA I DOPUNSKO ZDRAVSTVENO OSIGURANJE U REPUBLICI HRVATSKOJ: KRIVO SRASTANJE?
Authors: Sokol Tomislav , Staničić Frane
Published: July 2021

Competition and state aid rules are not applicable to compulsory health insurance in the Republic of Croatia, since the latter does not constitute an economic activity as defined by EU law. On the other hand, complementary health insurance, as established in Croatia, constitutes an economic activity, due to the existence of real competition between undertakings. The illustrated situation with competition in complementary health insurance market allows for the statement that special rules applicable to Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) provide the latter with a privileged position when compared to its private competitors to whom these rules do not apply. Moreover, this privileged position is strengthened by the fact that HZZO, as a legal monopolist within the sphere of compulsory health insurance, utilizes respective infrastructure in the field of complementary health insurance, which enables it to reduce expenses to the detriment of its private competitors lacking such a privilege. A solution for the described situation could be for the state to establish a separate entity to provide complementary health insurance. This entity would have to provide open enrolment and community rating, regardless of age, sex or health of the insured persons. In order to prevent private competitors from jeopardising the exercise of service of general economic interest by taking over only the insured persons with a more favourable risk profile, a risk equalisation scheme would have to be set up. This would result in a transfer of funds from insurers with a favourable risk profile to those with an unfavourable risk profile on basis of objective and clear criteria, thereby making it possible for the latter to provide service to the higher-risk insured persons like the elderly and the ones with chronic illnesses. In this way, a balance between the necessity to provide a service of general economic interest to all insured persons, including those with a higher risk, and competition on the EU internal market, would be struck.
Crianças contadoras de histórias
Authors: Hartmann Luciana
Published: July 2021

Luciana Hartmann é uma mulher da palavra, em suas múltiplas acepções. Ela conta, escuta, escreve, tece afetos e saberes, alinhava contextos e sujeitos, urde uma trama complexa entre estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação, acadêmicos de diversos campos do conhecimento, professoras da Educação Básica e crianças: muitas crianças! Crianças atravessadas por diferentes conjunturas e que possuem histórias e narrativas próprias, que são escutadas atentamente pelos olhos verdes e curiosos de Luciana, que as compartilha conosco de modo generoso. Adultos que somos, desaprendemos a aprender como as crianças: pela observação e pela escuta atentas do outro. Luciana, ao longo de seu trabalho amoroso e engajado com as infâncias, nutre os adultos. Luciana é uma professora contadora, mais do que uma antropóloga-pesquisadora: sua função excede em muito aquela à qual se propõe a academia, porque constrói, por meio de seu trabalho criterioso e minimalista nas “pequenas antropologias”, relações estéticas que hibridizam arte, antropologia e educação. Suas investigações são fortemente imbricadas com suas funções docentes e aí percebemos um ciclo profícuo e orgânico entre ensino, pesquisa e extensão que poucos docentes universitários conseguem efetivar. O trabalho de Luciana traz as vozes, as imagens e os mundos simbólicos das crianças para lembrar a nós, adultos, da humanidade singela de olhos que escutam. E essa me parece uma necessidade premente nos dias que vivemos: escutar palavras com os olhos.
Urbanização do território como uma convergência de interesses no Distrito Federal, Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Washington Candido
Published: July 2021

A cidade resulta da ação empreendida pelos atores e é produto da convergência de interesses que transmutam o espaço em mercadoria. Logo, qual é o papel de agentes públicos e privados na produção do espaço? Como estratégias de reprodução do capital, em especial o imobiliário, impactam nas áreas urbanas tombadas? A partir do pressuposto de que a urbanização do território resulta da convergência de interesses de diversas ordens, busca-se investigar a participação do poder público e privado como agentes de formação e de transformação espacial. Para responder estas questões, toma-se o processo de urbanização do Distrito Federal - DF do Brasil, com foco na Área de Tutela do Bem Tombado do Plano Piloto de Brasília, considerando como recorte espacial de análise o Guará (RA-X).