Eastern Part Of Asia Research Articles

A Harmonious Synthesis of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism in the Matrix of Chinese Culture: An Overview

This paper proposes a process of synthesis based on Chinese socio-historical context in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the synthesis of three major religious traditions of East Asia such as Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. At the same time, to be considered is the syncretic approach through which these religions have attained popularity throughout all Eastern and Far Eastern parts of Asia. Thus, in order to make a reasonable justification for the current study, an attempt is made to explore how these religions have appeared to be more or less similar to each other in case of their beliefs and practices. The purpose of the current paper is to decipher the points where and how these three religions interact with each other in terms of belief and practice that is based on a cultural bridge between China and other East Asian countries. This paper offers an overview of the harmonious synthesis of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism in the matrix of Chinese culture. In conclusion, it points out a new mode of syncretism which can be called "Hybridization"- a new insight into the process of synthesis. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (Hum.), Vol. 68(2), 2023, pp. 207-218

Modern Concepts on the Origin and Distribution of Acipenserids (Acipenseridae)

The current data on the place and time of origin of Acipenseriformes and the family Acipenseridae, as well as on their distribution in connection with the history of the development of sea and river basins, are summarized. The supposed areas of the initial radiation of Acipenseriformes and their long-term habitation were in eastern Laurasia on a part of the modern Chita Region, Eastern and Central Mongolia, and northern and northeastern China. The eastern part of Asia should also be considered the place of origin of the family Acipenseridae. The widespread distribution of Acipenseriformes was facilitated mainly by the formation of diadromous forms from primarily freshwater species, the origin of which is associated with multiple transgressions and regressions of the ocean. Modern potamodromous acipenserids were probably formed as a result of the return of anadromous forms to living in fresh water; i.e., they are secondarily freshwater species.

Modern Concepts on the Origin and Distribution of Acipenserids (Acipenseridae)

The current data on the place and time of origin of Acipenseriformes and the family Acipenseridae, as well as on their distribution in connection with the history of the development of sea and river basins, are summarized. The supposed areas of the initial radiation of Acipenseriformes and their long-term habitation were in eastern Laurasia on a part of the modern Chita Region, Eastern and Central Mongolia, and northern and northeastern China. The eastern part of Asia should also be considered the place of origin of the family Acipenseridae. The widespread distribution of Acipenseriformes was facilitated mainly by the formation of diadromous forms from primarily freshwater species, the origin of which is associated with multiple transgressions and regressions of the ocean. Modern potamodromous acipenserids were probably formed as a result of the return of anadromous forms to living in fresh water; i.e., they are secondarily freshwater species

The Making of Modern US Citizenship and Alienage: The History of Asian Immigration, Racial Capital, and US Law

AbstractThis article unravels an important historical conjuncture in the making of modern US citizenship and alienage by drawing on the state's regulation of naturalization as it relates to Asian immigration in the early twentieth century. My primary concern is to examine the socio-legal formations that constructed the thick distinctions between the modern US citizen and alien along the lines of racial difference and racial capital. Specifically, this article argues that Asian immigration to the United States remade the modern US citizen and alien in two significant and interconnected ways. First, it underscores how the adjudication of race in US courts and connected political campaigns re-mapped race in the United States and sharpened the racialization of Asia and Europe in profound ways that ultimately produced immigrants from southern, central, and eastern parts of Asia as the modern US alien. Second, the debate over Asian immigrants’ eligibility to naturalize refashioned legal status as a normative avenue to sustain a regime of racial capital. It cast citizenship as a legal avenue for White men and families to acquire and protect a proprietary interest in citizenship and recast some Asian immigrants as permanent aliens in a period when alienage came to signify disposable immigrant labor. The article concludes by distinguishing how the struggle for US citizenship by Asian immigrants frames the epistemological parameters and political vocabulary of immigration and naturalization reform.

Новинки в лихенофлоре заповедника «Витимский» (Восточная Сибирь)

As a result of lichenological studies in the vicinity of Lake Oron (Vitimsky State Nature Reserve) and revision of herbarium material, 9 species of lichens were identified that had not previously been listed for a specially protected natural area. Some of the identified species have a wide distribution (Absconditella lignicola, Bryoria americana, Pyxine meissneriana, Trapeliopsis flexuosa and Multiclavula vernalis), and some have limited ranges covering only the eastern part of Asia, Alaska and Southern Siberia (“Cetraria” annae, Parmelina yalungana and Phaeophyscia dessecta), with “Cetraria” annae and Phaeophyscia dessecta so far they are known only for the territory of Russia. Some of these species (Absconditella lignicola, Trapeliopsis flexuosa and Multiclavula vernalis) probably have a wider distribution in the reserve, but without spore-bearing structures they are difficult to identify. Herbarium material attributed to Parmelina yalungana does not raise doubts regarding its species identity, however, the discovery of specimens with a macular upper surface in eastern Eurasia requires additional careful study.

REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OFNYMPHAEA NOUCHALI

Kumud the herb mentioned with different names in Nighantu is one of the herbs useful in Rakta and Pitta Doshas. It is well known herb in ayurveda with many medicinal properties. Blue lotus, red and blue aquatic plant, star lotus, or manel flower are number of the common names for it. It is also called as Indian Blue lotus. It belongs to the southern and eastern parts of Asia, and also known as the national flower of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Its Sanskrit name is utpala. It is a well-known herb found in Indian classical text and also used in Siddha medicinal system. Due to its bitter taste, it is widely used in pitta disorders and helps in reducing fever as well as acts as a cooling agent for the body. Many studies showed it hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, DNA protecting activities, antimicrobial activities, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities along with its traditional uses.The present review focus on modern pharmacological actions of traditional herb.

Inference for a spatio-temporal model with partial spatial data: African horse sickness virus in Morocco

African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a vector-borne virus spread by midges (Culicoides spp.). The virus causes African horse sickness (AHS) disease in some species of equid. AHS is endemic in parts of Africa, previously emerged in Europe and in 2020 caused outbreaks for the first time in parts of Eastern Asia. Here we analyse a unique historic dataset from the 1989–1991 emergence of AHS in Morocco in a naïve population of equids. Sequential Monte Carlo and Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques are used to estimate parameters for a spatial–temporal model using a transmission kernel. These parameters allow us to observe how the transmissibility of AHSV changes according to the distance between premises. We observe how the spatial specificity of the dataset giving the locations of premises on which any infected equids were reported affects parameter estimates. Estimations of transmissibility were similar at the scales of village (location to the nearest 1.3 km) and region (median area 99 km2), but not province (median area 3000 km2). This data-driven result could help inform decisions by policy makers on collecting data during future equine disease outbreaks, as well as policies for AHS control.

Outbreak of Alimentary Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Eastern Slovakia: An Analysis of Affected Patients and Long-Term Outcomes.

Objective: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an endemic zoonotic viral disease in many European countries and in the central and eastern parts of Asia. Slovakia reports the highest occurrence of alimentary tick-borne encephalitis in Europe, after the consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheese from domestic ruminants. In May 2016, an outbreak of tick-borne encephalitis that emerged after the consumption of sheep cheese occurred in eastern Slovakia. In total, 44 people were ill and 36 were hospitalized. Methods: Data from the 36 hospitalized patients at the Department of Infectology and Travel Medicine in Košice with TBE were retrospectively analysed from the medical documentation. The patients were contacted 3 years after discharge. Results: Twenty of the hospitalized patients had meningoencephalitis and 16 had meningitis. The main symptoms that occurred in all patients were fever and headache. Nuchal rigidity was seen in 50% of the patients. Three patients developed late systemic complications and another six patients had psychiatric complications. None of the patients died. Three years after the disease onset, 52% of contacted patients reported persistent discomfort. Conclusions: TBE is an infection with a wide range of clinical courses. Our findings suggest that alimentary-acquired TBE lead to severe disease and persistent discomfort.

Становление погребальной практики на востоке Евразии: пещера Чжоукоудянь

This paper examines characteristic features of the Zhoukoudian cave. This site is rather well known to specialists, but mainly from the work of anthropologists, but not as a funerary complex. Therefore, there is every reason to consider its records from this point of view to understand how they fit into the general line of burial practice development in the eastern part of Asia. New carbon dates determine the cave age in the range of 33.5–38.4 thousand years cal. BP and turn it into the earliest burial complex of the region. However, in this case, there appears a gap of ten to fifteen thousand years between it and other Upper Paleolithic burials known in estern part of Asia. Besides Zhoukoudian, there were only two burial traditions in the Upper Paleolithic there. The first, in the north, is associated with the ritual burials of children (Mal’ta, Ushki, Upward Sun River) and suggested to be originated in the Eastern Europe, but seems was not inherited by the regular burial activity arose later in the Early Neolithic. The second, in the south, came up immediately as a regular burial practice being connected with cave interments, crouched position of the dead, after-death manipulations with their bodies, including cremation, and poor burial offerings (Xom Trai, Doi Pha Kan, Tron Bon Lei, Niah cave, Liang Nabulei Lisa, Liang Lembudu, etc.). The origin of this tradition is under question, but all Neolithic cultures to the south of Pearl River followed and abided it up to the agriculture spreading. Although ritual rites of the Zhoukoudian burials cannot be reconstructed because of the data dearth, ornaments assemblage definitely associates this site with north areas of Eurasia. Moreover, the distribution of the main jewelry types, found in the eastern part of Eurasia, has shown that those of Zhoukoudian cave (perforated animal teeth and bone tubes) are met to the sites located to the north, west and south-west of Baikal and absent to the east of it where eggshell beads were popular. This looks like that of the single area of two former kinds of ornaments was split into two parts by the eggshell bead bearers. From this, the Zhoukoudian cave has seemed culturally more associated with areas to the west of Baikal and the earliest waves of Homo sapiens intrusion into East Asia.

Ruminants reveal Eocene Asiatic palaeobiogeographical provinces as the origin of diachronous mammalian Oligocene dispersals into Europe

Faunal provincialism between the North and South parts of Eastern Asia is shown to have been in place since the late Eocene. This provincialism structured the mammalian dispersals across Eurasia for millions of years and provides insights into both palaeonvironments and palaeoclimate zonation. In addition, this study reveals the oldest record of a crown ruminant (Iberomeryx from Shinao, China). Ecologically, as well as economically, ruminant artiodactyls are one of the most important large mammal groups today. The revision of the ruminants from the Shinao Formation, from the Caijiachong marls and Xiaerhete, resulted in two new taxa and shows that the different provinces were populated by distinct taxa living in different environments, dominated by the monsoon in the South and drier conditions in the North. Evaluating this result in a Eurasian context demonstrates that the dispersals from Asia to Europe was complex. These results confirm that there were at least two dispersal events, distinct in space and time: the Grande-Coupure from Northern and Central Asia along the North ca. 34 Mya and the Bachitherium dispersal event from the Southern province along a southerly route ca. 31 Mya.

First Report of Gymnosporangium yamadae Causing Japanese Apple Rust on Crabapple (Malus spp.) in Ohio.

Japanese apple rust, caused by the heteroecious and demicyclic rust fungus Gymnosporangium yamadae Miyabe ex G. Yamada, can affect juniper (Juniperus spp.), where the telial stage of this disease occurs, and apple or crabapple (Malus spp.), where the aecial stage occurs (Yun, 2010). Leaf samples displaying symptoms and signs of rust disease were collected in August 2020 from 14 different crabapple cultivars ('Amerspirzam' [American Spirit®], 'Amsalzam' [American Salute™], 'Excazam' [Excalibur™], 'Guinzam' [Guinevere®], 'Hargozam' [Harvest Gold®], 'Mary Potter', 'Orange Crush', 'Prairie Maid', 'Professor Sprenger', 'Pumpkin Pie', 'Rawhide', 'Select A' [Firebird®], 'Shotizam' [Show Time™], 'Sinai Fire') in the crabapple research plot of Secrest Arboretum (Crablandia) in Wooster, OH. Samples displayed adaxial leaf lesions with brown necrotic centers surrounded by a red-yellow coloration, corresponding on the abaxial side to lesions containing brown-orange aecia, producing aeciospores, surrounded by a dark red-orange coloration (Supplemental Figure 1). One to multiple lesions were present per symptomatic leaf. DNA was extracted from symptomatic leaf tissue containing fungal material on all 14 cultivars using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (QIagen) and the D1/D2 region of the 28S rDNA was amplified using primers NL1 and NL4 (O'Donnell 1993) according to Dagar et al. (2011). GenBank BLAST sequence analysis of all 14 sequences resulted in 99.83-100% sequence identity to G. yamadae with with 99% query coverage (MN605735). Sequences from all samples were deposited in GenBank under Accession Nos. MW131119.2-131125.2 and MW131127.2-131132.2. Morphological features were characterized for the three representative cultivars 'Amerspirzam' (American Spirit®), 'Orange Crush' and 'Pumpkin Pie' (Supplemental Figure 2). Aecia were hypophyllous, roestelioid, with cornute, yellow-brown, peridia with lacerate sides. Peridial cells appeared yellow and were long-linear rhomboid, verrucose with long papillae, smooth outer walls and echinulate inner walls, measuring 45 - 78 × 16 - 27 µm (average 65 × 21 µm), 51 - 82 × 16 - 30 µm (average 66 × 23 µm), and 47 - 93 × 14 - 31 µm (average 64 × 24 µm), respectively (n=50 per cultivar). Aeciospores were globose, 20 - 26 × 18 - 24 µm (average 23 µm × 20 µm), 21 - 28 µm × 19 - 24 µm (average 24 µm × 21 µm), and 21 - 27 µm × 18 - 23 µm (average 23 µm × 21 µm), respectively, with a slightly coronate surface and dark yellow walls 1.6 - 2.7 µm (average 2 µm), 1.4 - 2.4 µm (average 2 µm), and 1.3 - 2.5 µm (average 1.8 µm) thick, respectively (n=50 per cultivar). The telia, known to occur on Juniperus spp., were not observed. Specimens from these three cultivars were deposited into the U.S. National Fungus Collections (BPI 923889, 923888, 923887). Japanese apple rust has been officially reported in parts of Eastern Asia and the Eastern United States and is also known to be present in parts of Far East Russia and Ontario, Canada (Yun et al., 2009; CAB International, 2008). This report constitutes the first confirmed instance of G. yamadae causing Japanese apple rust in Ohio. Because infected trees tend to be highly symptomatic, this disease poses a significant threat to the nursery and landscape industries as it can decrease the market value of ornamental varieties and affect yield and crop quality in varieties used for fruit production.

Возникновение микролитического производства в Монголии: исследовательская терминология и хроностратиграфическая позиция индустрий в верхнем палеолите восточной и южной части Азии

Territory of Mongolia is situated in the center of Asia, a crossroad of the potential migration routes, that connect different Eurasian macroregions. Here an example of earliest appearance and longterm existence of small blade and microblade production has been found. Beyond that, the industries, that appeared within limited area of the Middle Selenga Basin in the late MIS3 — early MIS2, contained the earliest for Northern and Central Asia geometric and non-geometric microliths. They have been found in the sediments of Kharganyn Gol 5 and Tolbor-4, — 16 and –21. They end up in LGM — post- LGM which cause depopulation in the region and following changes in the human groups, occupying this territory. An understanding of the character, causes and specifics of such early appearance of the microblade and bladelet production, and especially geometric microliths, impose the arrangement and definition of the terminology, associated with microlithic assemblages in Asia. This is due to the fact that in the archaeological definitions of both processes and the desired forms of artifacts associated with the production and use of microliths, there are significant discrepancies that complicate the understanding of the described phenomena. The article provides an overview of the research terminology of microlithization processes, and also determines the position of the microlithic complexes of Mongolia in the Upper Paleolithic system of the eastern part of Asia. Keywords: Mongolia, East Asia, Upper Paleolithic, lithic industries, microlithic technology

Paleoproterozoic melt-depleted lithospheric mantle in the Khanka block, far eastern Russia: Inferences for mobile belts bordering the North China and Siberian cratons

The eastern part of Asia between the North China and Siberian cratons contains orogenic belts formed by the Paleo-Asian and Pacific subduction and older continental blocks. A fundamental question regarding these and all mobile belts is the fate of the continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) during their formation, i.e. whether, or to what extent the CLM may be formed, replaced or affected during orogeny. Insights into these processes can be obtained from mantle xenoliths hosted by Cenozoic basalts in the Proterozoic Khanka block in the far eastern Russia between NE China and the Pacific coast of Asia. We report petrographic, chemical, and Os-Sr-Nd isotope data for spinel peridotite xenoliths at two Khanka sites: Sviyagin and Podgelban. The modal abundances and chemical compositions suggest that the peridotites are residues of low to moderate degrees of melt extraction from fertile mantle. They show an 187Os/188Os vs. 187Re/188Os correlation with an apparent 1.9 Ga age; the 187Os/188Os ratios are positively correlated with Al2O3 and other melt extraction indices. These results provide the first robust CLM age constraints for the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The ages suggest that the ancient CLM of the Khanka block may be roughly coeval with reworked CLM at Hannuoba (North China craton), and that it persisted through the Phanerozoic orogenies. Moreover, despite the proximity to Phanerozoic subduction zones, the Khanka CLM shows little post-melting enrichment, e.g. the clinopyroxenes are typically LREE-depleted and have Sr-Nd isotope ratios typical of the MORB mantle. We posit that the metasomatism of the CLM, earlier proposed for North China xenolith suites and ascribed to the effects of Pacific or older subduction and related mantle upwelling, may not be widespread in the CAOB. In general, Proterozoic blocks composed of residual peridotites may be more common in the CLM of the SE Siberia and northern China, and possibly other orogenic belts, than previously thought.

Use of cooking oils in a 2:1 ratio classical ketogenic diet for intractable pediatric epilepsy: Long-term effectiveness and tolerability

BackgroundIn many parts of eastern Asia, rice is a dietary staple and therefore the ketogenic diet (KD) can be difficult to administer. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness and tolerability of the classical KD using a 2:1 ratio of fat to protein plus net carbohydrates, which is lower than the ratios of 3:1 or 4:1 typically used in classical KD for intractable pediatric epilepsy. MaterialsIn this prospective study, cooking oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid or omega 3 fatty acids, such as olive oil, camellia oil, linseed oil, grape seed oil, and/or perilla oil were used to formulate a classical KD with a 2:1 ratio for infants and children diagnosed with medically intractable epilepsy from April 2002 to April 2018. Subjects received the diet for at least 3 months. The efficacy of the diet was analyzed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and at > 3 years. Tolerability during the period of diet administration was analyzed by medical records and parental reports. ResultsSixty-three subjects, 29 males and 34 females, were enrolled from April 2002 to April 2018. The median age at diet initiation was 2 years 11 months. The median duration of adherence to the diet was 1 year 2 months. The seizure-free rate was 14%, 16%, 17%, 14%, and 14% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months’, and at > 3 years’ follow-up, respectively. A greater than 50% seizure reduction was achieved in 52%, 43%, 40%, 33%, and 30% of subjects at each time point. The dietary compliance rate was 100%, 70%, 60%, 35%, and 27% at each follow-up time point. The reasons for discontinuation of the KD were the lack of further improvement in seizure frequency, seizure freedom achieved, food refusal, hyperlipidemia, and poor parental compliance in 38%, 11%, 5%, 2%, and 2% of subjects, respectively. Gastrointestinal discomfort was the most common adverse effect. ConclusionThe classical KD with a 2:1 ratio showed clinical effectiveness and tolerability in intractable pediatric epilepsy after long-term follow-up.

A Scientometric Appraisal of Global Research Output on Swine Flu with Special Reference to India During 1993–2017

Swine influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by one of the several strains of swine influenza A. The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, through direct and indirect contact, and also by asymptomatic carrier pigs 1 . Swine influenza seen predominantly in the mid-western United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including UK, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and other parts of eastern Asia and in various parts of India. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness, and general discomfort. WHO says that no previous pandemic disease has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning 2 . The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last 5 years, in pandemic preparedness.

Spreading of Swine flu disease: Past and Present

Swine Flu or the Influenza A (H1N1) flu, an highly contagious acute respiratory disease of the pigs, is caused by one of the numerous swine influenza A strains and is highly contagious. The transmission of the virus is from person-to-person and is similar to the manner in which seasonal influenza spreads. Swine flu is a viral infection. It is a present public health problem globally. In the present situation many people infected by swine flu. Occurrence of swine flu has been reported form every part of the globe like mid-western United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Kenya, China, Taiwan, Japan, and several parts of Eastern Asia including India. Seasonal flu is caused by influenza A, B, and C viruses and accounts for about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 2, 50, 000 to 5, 00, 000 of deaths annually worldwide. It has been estimated that the total annual economic burdens of seasonal influenza epidemics amounted to $87.1 billion. There is a vaccine available to protect against swine flu. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Stay home from work or school if you are sick.

A new Panolis Hübner, [1821] species from Vietnam (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Orthosiini).

Panolis is a well-defined and compact Palearctic trifine Noctuidae genus within the subfamily Hadeninae, tribus Orthosiini. It is currently represented by seven species and one subspecies: Panolis flammea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), Panolis japonica Draudt, 1935, Panolis variegatoides Poole, 1989, Panolis exquisita Draudt, 1950, Panolis pinicortex Draudt, 1950, Panolis pinicortex exornata Hreblay & Ronkay, 1997, Panolis estheri Ronkay, Ronkay, Gyulai & Hacker, 2010 and Panolis ningshan Wang, Fan, Owada, Wang & Nylin, 2014. Only one species (P. flammea) occurs in the Western Palearctic region, while all others are found in the eastern part of Asia. No Panolis species is known outside of the Palearctic region. The genus is connected to coniferous woodlands as the larvae are feed on various species of pines. Imagoes are on the wing during the spring, from late February until May. All Panolis species have an unmistakable, rather decorative external appearance with fine and conspicuous pink-red-purple or dark orange ground colouration, and remarkable noctuid patterns. Most recent information about the genus was provided by Wang et. al, 2014, including his description of a new species, and a morphological and molecular analysis in order to reconstructing the phylogeny of the genus, and exploring its Chines Oriental origin. Present paper contains the description of a new Panolis species found recently in Vietnam, from where the genus was not known so far. This discovery expands our knowledge about Panolis and support the statement of the Chines Oriental origin.

Seismic evidence for broad attenuation anomalies in the asthenosphere beneath the Pacific Ocean

We present QADR17, a global model of Rayleigh-wave attenuation based on a massive surface wave data set (372 629 frequency-dependent attenuation curves in the period range 50-260 s). We correct for focusing-defocusing effects and geometrical spreading, and perform a stringent selection to only keep robust observations. Then, data with close epicentres recorded at the same station are clustered, as they sample the same Earth's structure. After this pre-selection, our data set consists of about 35 000 curves that constrain the Rayleigh-wave intrinsic attenuation in the upper mantle. The logarithms of the attenuation along the individual rays are then inverted to obtain global maps of the logarithm of the local attenuation. After a first inversion, outliers are rejected and a second inversion yields a variance reduction of about 45 per cent. Our attenuation maps present strong agreement with surface tectonics at periods lower than 200 s, with low attenuation under continents and high attenuation under oceans. Over oceans, attenuation decreases with increasing crustal ages, but at periods sensitive to the uppermost 150 km, mid-ocean ridges are not characterized by a very localized anomaly, in contrast to what is commonly observed for seismic velocity models. Attenuation is rather well correlated with hotspots, especially in the Pacific ocean, where a strong attenuating anomaly is observed in the long wavelength component of our signal at periods sampling the oceanic asthenosphere. We suggest that this anomaly results from the horizontal spreading of several thermal plumes within the asthenosphere. Strong velocity reductions associated with high attenuation anomalies of moderate amplitudes beneath the East Pacific Rise, the Red Sea and the eastern part of Asia may require additional mechanisms, such as partial melting.

Regional features of seismotectonic deformations in East Asia based on earthquake focal mechanisms and their use for geodynamic zoning

Seismotectonic deformations of crustal volumes related to geographical coordinates were calculated from data on earthquake focal mechanisms. The crust of the western part of Asia, including the Tien Shan, Tarim massif, Tibet, Pamir-Karakorum, and Kun Lun, undergoes predominantly longitudinal shortening and latitudinal extension. In the eastern part, longitudinal extension and latitudinal shortening are observed. The notional boundary separating these parts is determined over a fairly wide range between longitudes 95° and 103° E and is apparently related to the northward compression from the Indian plate in the south and the westward compression from the Okhotsk and Philippine plates in the east. At the same time, this boundary may indicate the maximum zone of influence of the Indian plate. The boundaries of the Amurian plate are inferred from changes in seismotectonic deformations in the eastern part of Asia. Differences in the seismotectonic deformation of the Earth’s crust are found within the northern part of the Okhotsk plate and the surrounding area.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Compression Caused by Histoplasma capsulatum: A Case Report and Meta-Analysis

Nine cases of intramedullar histoplasmosis have been published in the literature. In six cases, spinal cord compression was associated with brain localization or with contex of disseminated histoplasmosis. The authors are reporting here the third isolated spinal cord compression in immunocompetent 42-year-old African-rabbits breeder, a woman. This case was successfully managed with surgical removal of the lesion associated to itraconazole during 8 months. Intramedullar lesion because of the Histoplasma capsulatum was necrosis granulomatous localized at spinal conus. In conclusion, according to literature data the most frequent spinal cord compression caused by histoplasmosis capsulatum. General risk factors include residence in endemic areas as well as immunosuppression. Endemic areas include Africa, Australia, parts of Eastern Asia, and America (Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River valleys). Initial localization was cutaneous. Two histopathological forms reported are abscess and necrotizing granuloma. Management is mainly based on antifungus like itraconazole. Surgery is only necessary for the etiology diagnosis.